Media applicator and system and method for applying media

Abstract

A media applicator (1) for dispensing at least two media is proposed. The media applicator (1) comprises media supply lines (11, 11a, 11b) with at least one first media outlet (9) for feeding at least one first medium into a spray head (20) and with at least one second media outlet (10) for feeding a second medium into the same spray head. The first medium can preferably be applied by means of a first spray unit (21) of the spray head (20) and the second medium by means of a second spray unit (23) of the spray head (20). Furthermore, a system (20) and a method (100) for applying media are proposed.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a media applicator and a system and method for applying media. Background and general description of the invention

[0002] Media applicators and systems for applying media are known. Known systems, such as paint spraying systems for paint lines, include such applicators for dispensing media, such as paint colors, and applying them to surfaces to be painted or target surfaces. Media applicators for applying several different media, particularly different paint colors, are also known. However, different media often require different application modes, which cannot easily be implemented with a single media applicator.

[0003] An object of the embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a media applicator and a system and method for applying media, which enable different media to be applied in a simple manner in a media-specific or user- and / or application-specific manner.

[0004] To achieve this object, according to a first aspect, a media applicator for dispensing at least two media is provided. The media applicator can be designed, in particular, to dispense individual or mixed media for application. The media applicator can be designed, in particular, as part of a media application system or a media application facility. In this context, a medium can fundamentally be any medium that is conductive or can be dispensed via the media applicator, such as, in particular, liquid, gas, gel, smoke, vapor, powder, or a mixture thereof.

[0005] The media applicator can in particular be designed to dispense one or more media in order to apply the medium or media to a target surface, if necessary by means of a spray head or outlet nozzle connected to the outlet side. For example, in a particularly selected case, the media applicator can be prepared to dispense two different media simultaneously. In this case, a mixture of the two media can advantageously form in the spray head. The spray head or outlet nozzle can in particular be designed as part of the media applicator or as a separate part. The media applicator can in particular be designed in the form of a bell or gun of a painting system or a painting system in order to dispense one or more paint colors as media and to apply them to a surface to be painted or a target surface.In particular, the media applicator can comprise at least one media inlet for connection to a media supply line. In particular, the at least one media inlet can be configured to be connected to the media supply line via a screw, rotary, or plug connection and / or via a quick-release mechanism and sealed against the medium.

[0006] The media applicator comprises media supply lines with at least two media outlets for dispensing the at least two media. In particular, the media supply lines can be designed at least partially in the form of flow channels formed in a base body of the media applicator, which extend between at least one media inlet and at least one media outlet. The media applicator can, in particular, be designed to dispense the at least two media via a spray head having at least two spray units designed for media-specific application of media.

[0007] The media applicator for dispensing at least two media with a spray head comprises media supply lines with at least one first media outlet for feeding at least one first medium into the spray head and with at least one second media outlet for feeding at least one second medium into the same spray head, so that the first medium and the second medium can be applied with the spray head. The two media are, in particular, different from one another. Thus, the first medium can be a first paint and the second medium a second paint, which together can produce a special effect, such as a metallic effect.

[0008] The media applicator can be further configured in that the spray head comprises a first spray unit and a second spray unit, and wherein the first media outlet discharges the first medium into the first spray unit and wherein the second media outlet discharges the second medium into the second spray unit, so that the first medium can be applied by means of the first spray unit of the spray head and the second medium can be applied by means of the second spray unit of the spray head.

[0009] In particular, the media applicator comprises media supply lines with at least one first media outlet for feeding at least one first medium into a first spray unit of a spray head and with at least one second media outlet for feeding at least one second medium into a second spray unit of the spray head. The at least one first medium can be applied by means of the first spray unit of the spray head, and the at least one second medium can be applied by means of the second spray unit of the spray head.

[0010] With the media applicator, different media can be applied in a media- or application-specific manner without having to replace the media applicator or the spray head or spray body.

[0011] The at least one first media outlet can be configured to dispense the at least one first medium into a media receiving area of ​​the first spray unit, and the at least one second media outlet can be configured to dispense the at least one second medium into a media receiving area of ​​the second spray unit. This ensures, in particular, that each medium is assigned a specific spray unit of the spray head, so that each medium can be applied in an application-specific manner using a dedicated spray unit.

[0012] The media supply lines can be designed such that the at least one first medium and the at least one second medium can be transported via separate paths within the media applicator. Separating the media paths can, in particular, reduce the risk of mutual contamination of the media.

[0013] The media supply lines can be designed such that the at least one first medium and the at least one second medium can be transported at least partially via common paths within the media applicator. By at least partially utilizing the common paths, the design of the media applicator can be simplified. For example, different media can be introduced into the media applicator via a common media inlet, thereby reducing the number of required inlets and the complexity of the media applicator.

[0014] The media supply lines can comprise at least one branch that can be separated by means of at least one valve. In particular, the media supply lines can be designed so that the media can be fed serially, one after the other, or sequentially into a common media inlet. The at least one separable branch can be separated, for example, before a media change. This can, in particular, prevent the media from mixing in the region of the at least one separable branch despite shared use of the media inlet.

[0015] The media supply lines can comprise at least one central path for transporting media. In particular, the media applicator can have a substantially axially symmetrical base body, wherein the central path can extend substantially along the axis of symmetry of the base body of the media applicator. The central path represents the shortest path between a central media inlet and a central media outlet and can be relatively easily flushed or cleaned.

[0016] The media supply lines may include at least one peripheral or decentralized path for transporting media. In particular, the peripheral path may be designed such that sufficient space remains between the central path and the decentralized path for an air turbine to drive the air to the spray head.

[0017] The media applicator can comprise at least one flushing agent line leading into at least one media supply line. The flushing agent line can be designed, in particular, to be connected to a flushing agent supply in order to flush the media supply lines of the media applicator, in particular before changing the media or before a longer interruption of operation.

[0018] In some embodiments, the spray head is configured as part of the media applicator. In particular, the spray head can be arranged downstream of the at least two media outlets of the media applicator such that the at least two media can be applied by means of the spray head.

[0019] The spray head can be designed as a dual rotary atomizer bell with an outer first spray unit or first rotary atomizer bell and an inner second spray unit or second rotary atomizer bell. In particular, the two spray units can be designed so that they can be operated or controlled independently of each other, so that the media fed into them can be applied independently of each other as needed.

[0020] In particular, the media applicator can comprise at least one outer media outlet for supplying at least one media chamber of the first rotary atomizer bell and at least one inner media outlet for supplying a media chamber of the second rotary atomizer bell. In particular, the two rotary atomizer bells can thus be supplied with appropriate media for application without having to destroy the essentially symmetrical structure of the dual rotary atomizer bell.

[0021] The spray head can also be designed as a hybrid spray head. In particular, the spray head can comprise an outer first spray unit designed as a rotary atomizer bell and an inner second spray unit designed as an air atomizer with horn air and atomizer air. In particular, the two spray units can be designed such that they can be operated independently of one another, so that the media fed into them can be applied independently of one another or media-specifically, as required, by means of the rotary atomizer bell or by means of the air atomizer with horn air and atomizer air.

[0022] According to a second aspect, a system for applying media is proposed. The system can be designed, in particular, as a painting system or painting installation for applying paints. The system comprises at least one media applicator for dispensing at least two media according to the first aspect, at least one media supply unit, and at least one pump unit. The media supply lines of the media applicator are connected to the media supply unit via at least one media supply line, and the pump unit is designed to convey the at least two media to the media applicator via the at least one media supply line. By means of the system, different media can be applied in different application modes in a flexible manner using a single media applicator.

[0023] According to a third aspect, a method for applying media is proposed. The method can be carried out in particular by means of a system according to the second aspect with a media applicator for dispensing at least two media. According to the method, in one method step, at least one first medium is fed into the media applicator for dispensing from at least one first outlet of the media applicator. In one method step, at least one second medium can be fed into the media applicator for dispensing from at least one second outlet of the media applicator. In one method step, the at least one first medium can be applied by means of the first spray unit of the spray head. In one method step, the at least one second medium can be applied by means of the second spray unit of the spray head.The spray units of the spray head can, in particular, be designed to operate independently of one another and to apply the at least one first medium and the at least one second medium in a media-specific or application-specific manner. Thus, the method allows different media with different application modes to be applied flexibly using a single media applicator.

[0024] In the following, the invention is described in more detail using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the figures, wherein identical and similar elements are partly provided with the same reference numerals and the features of the various exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another. Short description of the characters

[0025] It shows: Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross section through a media applicator according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross section through a media applicator according to a second embodiment, Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross section through a media applicator according to a third embodiment, Fig. 4 shows a schematic cross section through a media applicator according to a fourth embodiment, Fig. 5 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment. Detailed description of the invention

[0026] Fig. 1shows a schematic cross-section through a media applicator according to a first exemplary embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the media applicator 1 has a substantially axially symmetrical base body 2 with a first end 3 and a second end 4 opposite the first end 3. A recess 5 with an air turbine 6 accommodated therein is provided in the central region of the base body 2.

[0027] A first media inlet 7 and a second media inlet 8 are provided at the first end 3 of the base body 2. A first media outlet 9 and a second media outlet 10 are provided at the second end 4 of the base body 2.

[0028] The base body has media supply lines 11 or flow channels which extend between the first end 3 and the second end 4 of the base body 2.

[0029] The base body 2 further comprises a rinsing agent supply line 12, which is connected to a rinsing agent inlet 13 at the first end 3 of the base body 2, and an air line 14, which is connected to an air inlet 15 at the first end 3 of the base body 2.

[0030] The media applicator 1 has valves 16, 16a and 17, an air ring 18 or adapter at the second end 3 of the base body and a cover 19.

[0031] Furthermore, the base body 2 has another flushing agent supply line, which can be controlled by the valve 16a and leads to the flushing agent outlet 9a. The first media chamber 22 can be flushed by means of the flushing agent outlet 9a.

[0032] The media supply lines 11 comprise a substantially axially extending central media supply line 11a and a peripherally extending decentralized media supply line 11b. The valves 16, 17 comprise a decentralized main needle valve 16 for opening and closing the decentralized media supply line 11b and a central main needle valve 17 for opening and closing the central media supply line 11a.

[0033] The first media inlet 7 is connected to the first media outlet 9 via the decentralized media line 11b and the second media inlet 8 is connected to the second media outlet 10 via the central media line 11a.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the media applicator 1 comprises a spray head 20 coupled to the air ring 18 at the second end 4 of the base body 2. The spray head 20 is designed in the form of a dual rotary atomizer bell and has a first spray unit 21 with a first media chamber 22 and a second spray unit 23 with a second media chamber 24. The first spray unit 21 is substantially annular and encloses the second spray unit 23, which is axially centrally positioned.

[0035] The first media outlet 9 opens into the first media chamber 22 of the first spray unit 21 and the second media outlet 10 opens into the second media chamber 24 of the second spray unit 23.

[0036] At the first end 3 of the base body 2, a turbine blocking device 25 is also provided for blocking or locking and unblocking or unlocking the air turbine 6.

[0037] Fig. 2shows a schematic cross section through a media applicator according to a second embodiment. The second embodiment essentially corresponds to the first embodiment according to Fig. 1 , wherein the decentralized media supply line 11b is designed as a branch of the central media supply line 11a. In particular, the media applicator 1 according to Fig. 2 no separate media inlet for the decentralized media supply line 11b. Rather, the decentralized media supply line 11b and the central media supply line 11a are designed so that the two media supply lines 11a and 11b can be supplied via the central media inlet 8 and the central main needle valve 17, respectively.

[0038] Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross section through a media applicator according to a third embodiment. The third embodiment essentially corresponds to the first embodiment of the Fig. 1, wherein the second inner spray unit 23 of the spray head 20 is designed as an air atomizer with horn air and atomizer air.

[0039] Fig. 4 shows a schematic cross section through a media applicator according to a fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment essentially corresponds to the embodiment of Fig. 2 , wherein the media applicator 1 comprises a according to the third embodiment ( Fig. 3 ) formed spray head 20.

[0040] A media applicator 1 according to one of the Figures 1 to 4The system shown in the exemplary embodiments can be designed, in particular, as part of a system for applying media. In particular, in addition to the media applicator 1 for dispensing at least two media, the system can comprise a media supply unit for providing media for the media applicator and a pump unit. The media supply unit can be connected, in particular, to the media supply lines by means of one or more media supply lines. The pump unit can be designed to convey the media to the media applicator via the media supply lines.

[0041] In particular, the media supply lines can be connected to the media connection 8 of the media applicator according to Figures 2 and 4 or at the media connections 7 and 8 of the media applicator according to Figures 1 and 3 be connected.

[0042] The media supply unit or the media supply lines can be designed such that at least one first medium and at least one second medium can be provided for the media applicator.

[0043] In case of a media applicator according to Figures 1 or 3 The at least one first medium can be introduced into the decentralized media line 11b via the first media inlet 7 and guided to the first media outlet 9 of the media applicator 1. By means of the valve 16 or the decentralized main needle valve, the media supply to the first media inlet 9 can be regulated or interrupted if necessary.

[0044] The at least one second medium can be introduced into the central media line 11a via the second media inlet 8 and guided to the second media outlet 10 of the media applicator 1. By means of the valve 17 or the central main needle valve, the media supply to the second media inlet 10 can be regulated or interrupted if necessary. Thus, the two media can be dispensed via separate media outlets 9 and 10. In the embodiments according to Figures 1 and 3 the two media can be introduced into the media inlets 7 and 8 essentially simultaneously.

[0045] In the embodiments according to Figures 2 and 4the media(s) are fed into the media applicator 1 via the central second media inlet 8. For example, a medium can be fed in via the media inlet 8, the inlet can extend to the front of the bell and from there a second line can lead back and into the media supply line 11. In this case, the same medium can be fed through both outlets 9 and 10. However, if different media are fed sequentially to the media inlet 8, a first medium can be applied via the first outlet 9 and a second medium can be applied at the same time via the second outlet 10. Nevertheless, the media(s) can be fed to separate spray units by feeding the media(s) serially or sequentially to the media applicator.

[0046] In particular, a first medium can be introduced into the central media supply line 11a via the central media inlet 8. The valve 16 can be opened so that the first medium can flow via the branch of the central media supply line 11a into the decentralized media supply line 11b and to the first media outlet 9. Thus, the first media chamber 22 of the first spray unit 21 can be supplied with the first medium.

[0047] In a further step, for example, valve 16 can be closed and the medium or a mixed medium can be introduced into the central media supply line 11a. Since valve 16 closes the decentralized media supply line, the second medium cannot reach the first media outlet 9 but only the second media outlet 10. Thus, the medium is guided via the common media inlet 8 to separate media outlets 9 and 10, so that the two spray units 21 and 22 can be supplied separately.

[0048] Fig. 5 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment. The method 100 can be carried out in particular by means of a system with a media applicator for dispensing at least two media according to the first aspect. In particular, the system can have a media applicator 1 according to one of the Figures 1 to 4 shown embodiments.

[0049] In a method step 110, at least one first medium can be fed into the media applicator. In particular, the at least one first medium can be in the case of a media applicator according to Figures 1 and 3 via the first media inlet 7 into the decentralized media supply line 11b. In the case of a media applicator according to Figures 2 and 4 the at least one first medium can reach the first media outlet 9 via the central media inlet 8 and via the decentralized media supply line 11b (when the valve 16 is open).

[0050] The first spray unit 21 of the media applicator 1 can be supplied with the at least one first medium via the first media outlet 9, which opens into the first media space 22 of the first spray unit 21.

[0051] In a method step 120, at least one second medium can be fed into the media applicator. In particular, the at least one second medium can be introduced into the central media supply line 11a via the second media inlet 8. In the case of a media applicator according to Figures 2 and 4 the valve 16 can be closed so that the at least one second medium cannot reach the first media chamber 22 of the first spray unit.

[0052] The method 100 may include applying 130 the at least one first medium using the first spray unit 21 or the first rotary atomizer bell of the spray head 20. Using the rotary atomizer bell, a medium can be applied using a rotary atomization method, which represents a suitable application method for many applications or media. Thus, a plurality of different first media can be applied using the first spray unit.

[0053] The method 100 may also include applying 140 the at least one second medium by means of the second spray unit 21 of the spray head 20.

[0054] In the embodiments according to Figures 1 and 2 the second spray unit 23 is also designed as a rotary atomizer bell, so that the second medium can also be applied in a rotary atomization process.

[0055] In the embodiments according to Figures 3 and 4 The second spray unit is designed as an air atomizer with horn air and atomizer air. For some applications or media, atomization by means of an air atomizer with horn air and atomizer air represents a more suitable alternative to the rotary atomization process. With the media applicator 1 according to Figures 3 and 4 The two different processes can therefore be used for the two different media.

[0056] With the media applicator described above, different media can be applied flexibly and conveniently with a single applicator. In particular, thanks to the dual or hybrid spray head, the media can be applied using dedicated spray units or units designed for the respective application or medium, and the spray heads can also be easily replaced if necessary.

[0057] Although at least one exemplary embodiment has been shown in the foregoing description, various changes and modifications may be made. The recited embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing description provides those skilled in the art with a road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, wherein numerous changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Furthermore, multiple modules or multiple products may be connected together in accordance with the principles described herein to obtain additional functions.It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments described above are to be understood as examples and that the invention is not limited to them, but can be varied in many ways without departing from the scope of the claims. Furthermore, it is clear that the features, regardless of whether they are disclosed in the description, the claims, the figures or otherwise, also individually define essential components of the invention, even if they are described together with other features. In all figures, the same reference numerals represent the same objects, so that descriptions of objects that may only be mentioned in one or at least not with regard to all figures can also be transferred to these figures and exemplary embodiments with regard to which the object is not explicitly described in the description. List of reference symbols

[0058] 1Media applicator 2Base body 3First end 4Second end 5Recess 6Air turbine 7First media inlet 8Second media inlet 9First media outlet 9aFlushing agent nozzle 10Second media outlet 11Media supply line 11aCentral media supply line 11bDecentralized media supply line 12Flushing agent supply line 13Flushing agent inlet 14Air line 15Air inlet 16Valve 16aFlushing agent valve 17Valve 18Air ring 19Cover 20Spray head 21First spray unit 22First media chamber 23Second spray unit 24Second media chamber 25Turbine blocking device

Claims

1. Media applicator for dispensing at least two media with a spray head, wherein the media applicator (1) comprises media supply lines (11, 11a, 11b) with at least one first media outlet (9) for feeding at least one first medium into the spray head (20) and with at least one second media outlet (10) for feeding at least one second medium, different from the first medium, into the same spray head (20), so that the first medium (21) and the second medium can be applied with the spray head (20).

2. Media applicator according to claim 1, wherein the spray head (20) comprises a first spray unit (21) and a second spray unit (23), and wherein the first media outlet (9) discharges the first medium into the first spray unit (21) and wherein the second media outlet (10) discharges the second medium into the second spray unit (23), so that the first medium can be applied by means of the first spray unit (21) of the spray head (20) and the second medium can be applied by means of the second spray unit (23) of the spray head (20).

3. Media applicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one first media outlet (9) is designed to dispense the at least one first medium in a media receiving area of ​​the first spray unit (21) and the at least one second media outlet is designed to dispense the at least one second medium in a media receiving area of ​​the second spray unit (23).

4. Media applicator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the media supply lines (11, 11a, 11b) are designed such that the at least one first medium and the at least one second medium can be transported via separate paths within the media applicator (1).

5. Media applicator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the media supply lines (11, 11a, 11b) are designed such that the at least one first medium and the at least one second medium can be transported at least partially via common paths within the media applicator (1).

6. Media applicator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the media supply lines (11, 11a, 11b) comprise at least one branch that can be separated by means of at least one valve, and / or wherein the media supply lines (11, 11a, 11b) comprise at least one central path (11a) for transporting media, and / or wherein the media supply lines (11, 11a, 11b) comprise at least one decentralized path (11b) for transporting media.

7. Media applicator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the media applicator (1) comprises at least one rinsing agent line (12) opening into at least one media supply line (11, 11a, 11b), and / or wherein the media applicator (1) comprises a rinsing agent line which is controllable via the valve (16a) and leads to a rinsing agent nozzle (9a).

8. Media applicator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spray head (10) is formed as part of the media applicator (1).

9. Media applicator according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 8, wherein the spray head (20) is designed as a dual rotary atomizer bell in which the first spray unit (21) is designed as an outer spray unit and the second spray unit (23) is designed as an inner spray unit.

10. Media applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the first media outlet (9) is designed as an outer media outlet for supplying at least one media space (22) of the dual rotary atomizer bell and wherein the second media outlet (10) is designed as an inner media outlet for supplying a further media space (24) of the dual rotary atomizer bell.

11. Media applicator according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the spray head (20) comprises the outer first spray unit (21) designed as a rotary atomizer bell and the inner second spray unit (23) designed as an air atomizer with horn air and atomizer air.

12. Media applicator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the media outlet (10) is designed as a central media outlet (10) for supplying the air atomizer with horn air and atomizer air and the second media outlet (9) is designed as a peripheral media outlet for supplying the rotary atomizer bell.

13. System for applying media, comprising at least one media applicator (1) for dispensing at least two, in particular different, media according to one of the preceding claims, at least one media supply unit and at least one pump unit, wherein the media supply lines of the media applicator (1) are connected to the media supply unit via at least one media supply line, and wherein the pump unit is designed to convey the at least two media to the media applicator (1) via the at least one media supply line.

14. A method (100) for applying media by means of a system (20) according to the preceding claim, wherein the method comprises at least one of the following steps: - feeding (110) at least one first medium into the media applicator (1) for dispensing from the at least one first media outlet (9), - feeding (120) at least one second medium into the media applicator (1) for dispensing from the at least one second media outlet (10), - applying (130) the at least one first medium by means of the first spray unit (21) of the spray head (20), and - applying (140) the at least one second medium by means of the second spray unit (23) of the spray head (20).

15. The method (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the application (130) of the first medium and the application (140) of the second medium occur simultaneously and the two media mix in the spray head to form a mixed medium.

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