LIGHT SIMULATION DEVICE FOR PAINTING ROBOTS
Patent Information
- Application Number
- ES2026031084U
- Authority / Receiving Office
- ES · ES
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-05-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-22
- Estimated Expiration
- 2036-05-21
Abstract
Description
LIGHT SIMULATION DEVICE FOR PAINTING ROBOTS OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The invention, as stated in the present descriptive memorandum, refers to a light simulation device for painting robots that provides advantages and features, which are described in detail below, that represent an improvement over the current state of the art. The object of the present invention is a simulation device that, by means of one or more light emitters, such as a laser diode or an LED diode, which generate a light beam, preferably adjustable, and optionally a camera, is designed to provide a simple, practical, fast, and effective means of showing in real time the paint impacts that an industrial painting or flame-coating robot will apply to a part, allowing for the direct and instantaneous measurement and correction of trajectories, density, and beam width of the impact that the robot must make to paint the part correctly, avoiding the need to carry out prior tests with real paint and parts to ensure that all parts of them are painted. FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION The field of application of the present invention falls within the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of paint application systems in mechanized industrial processes, focusing particularly on the field of robot devices for spray painting and flame spraying. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Currently, most painting or flame finishing applications are automated by robots. These robots are equipped with a paint gun at their end, which, at pre-programmed points, follows a trajectory over the workpiece with a specific paint beam density and width, depending on the type of part. The problem arises from the fact that, when the piece to be painted is not flat and, therefore, has crevices and recesses, which is extremely common in all types of pieces, it becomes necessary to study the angles, density and beam amplitude that the robot has to apply to each piece or part of it in order to paint it correctly in all areas of it. To achieve this, the operator generally relies on their experience and on carrying out different real tests with paint, until they achieve a suitable result for the robot to paint the parts, which involves, in addition to the investment of the time necessary to achieve the optimal parameters, the waste of paint and test parts. Currently, a marker, such as a cable tie, stick, or other tool, is also commonly used. This marker is attached to the robot's print head and serves as a visual aid to guide and record the paint application points by visualizing where and how the paint will be applied. This method results in many defective parts due to paint overlaps, unpainted areas, etc., as well as wasted resources and raw materials, and longer delivery times. A scanning system is also known to exist that, using a special scanner and specific software, allows certain parameters to be vectorized to obtain an impact representation on a piece to be painted. However, it is a complex system with specialized equipment that requires interpretation of the data obtained and does not provide real-time results. The objective of the present invention is, therefore, the development of a system that allows avoiding these drawbacks and being able to see the impact on the piece in real time, as well as being able to adjust the ideal impact parameters at the same time, see the simulated real projection and obtain data from each point of application, thus allowing reducing development times and saving costs in painting and test pieces. Furthermore, and with reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, at least as far as the applicant is concerned, there is no knowledge of any other simulation device, nor of any other invention of similar application, that presents technical, structural and constitutive characteristics equal or similar to those of the one claimed herein. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION The light simulation device for painting robots proposed by the invention is configured as an optimal solution to achieve the objectives mentioned above while also representing an improvement over the current state of the art, with the characterizing details that make it possible and that distinguish it being conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description. Specifically, the invention proposes, as previously mentioned, a simulation device intended for incorporation into an industrial painting or flame-coating robot, preferably attached to or replacing the painting head. This device provides a simple, practical, fast, and effective system for displaying, in real time, the paint impacts that the robot will apply to a part to be painted. Its advantage lies in allowing for the direct and instantaneous measurement and correction of trajectories, density, and beam width of the impact that the robot must perform to paint the part correctly. This avoids the drawbacks of current techniques, such as the need for prior testing with real paint and parts to ensure that all parts are painted, especially when they are not flat and have recesses, gaps, and / or complex geometries. More specifically, the simulation device proposed by the invention allows for the simulation of paint impacts applied by the robot, depending on the position of the spray gun relative to the workpiece. This is achieved through a light beam system that allows visualization of the light projection onto the workpiece, simulating the paint impact by illuminating its surface. This makes it possible to identify areas that will not be impacted and therefore will not be painted, allowing for the determination of the optimal angle from which to apply the paint or the movements the robot must make to cover all surfaces of the workpiece. To this end, the device of the invention comprises at least one light emitter, such as a laser diode or an LED diode, although preferably it comprises more than one, whether of the same or different types, for example one that projects a beam in a line and another that projects a beam in a circular or ring shape, so as to cover a wider field of possible impact. In addition, preferably, these light emitters are provided with means to regulate the width or geometry of the projection, for example, by means of a small actuator allowing the density of the paint that the robot will have to apply to each specific part of the piece to be determined, based on the geometry of its surface in each area of it. In one embodiment of the invention, the device of the invention also includes a camera that allows recording, in video or photo, the image of the beam projected on each of the different areas of the piece to know which ones receive the projected light and which ones do not, and therefore, to have a record of the areas that will have an impact and those that will not in each robot position and which therefore will not be painted. In one embodiment of the invention, the device includes means for determining the position of the paint head, for example, the coordinates of the six axes of the robot being simulated. The position data can be communicated to the robot's computer system. In one embodiment of the invention, the device of the invention includes a sensor for measuring the distance between the device and the surface of each area of the piece to be painted, in order to take the reference points that are convenient in the programming of the robot. The result obtained with the process executed using the device of the invention is a series of images or a video sequence of the impacts (paint passes) represented by light on the different areas of the piece to be painted. This makes it possible to verify whether the impacts are correct or not before carrying out an actual paint test. Furthermore, the device of the invention also allows for the adjustment of impact parameters at the very moment of its use, the visualization of its simulated actual projection, and the acquisition of data for each point and application. All of this can significantly reduce development time and save on painting and test parts costs. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complement the description being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive document is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by sheets of drawings in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes: Figure 1-A shows a schematic front elevation view of an example of the realization of the light simulation device for painting robots that is the object of the invention, showing its general configuration from the front, being represented in a position of in-line laser beam projection; Figures 1-B, 1-C and 1-D show respective side elevation, rear elevation and perspective views of the example of the device shown in the preceding figure, also represented with the light emitter that generates a beam in line in the same projection position; Figures 2-A, 2-B, 2-C and 2-D show the respective front, side, rear and perspective views of the same example of the device of the invention shown in the previous figures, in this case represented with the distance sensor in the working position; and Figures number 3-A, 3-B, 3-C and 3-D.- Show respective front, side, rear and perspective views of the same example of the device of the invention shown in the previous figures, in this case represented with the ring beam light emitter in projection position. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, one can observe in them an example of a non-limiting embodiment of the light simulation device for painting robots of the invention, which comprises what is described in detail below. Thus, as can be seen in the figures, the device (100) of the invention is designed for incorporation into a robot (not shown) with which it is intended to perform the simulation of painting on a part, preferably coupled to the paint application head or in its place, and essentially comprises the following elements: - a housing (1), for example, circular, which, being dimensioned for attachment to said robot, has a through hole (11), preferably in its center, and - at least a first light emitter (20), for example, one of the type that projects a line beam, which, incorporated in the rear of the housing (1), is configured to project a beam, through the hole (11) of the housing (1), onto the surface of the piece to be painted, simulating the paint impact that the robot's gun would cause. The housing (1) with the through hole (11) is useful for protecting the device components, but in one embodiment of the invention, the device does not include the housing (1) with the through hole (11). Preferably, the first light emitter (20) has a beam projection adjustment system (2) which, operated by an actuator (3), allows the geometry of the projected beam to be modified, for example, if it is a line beam, to allow it to be enlarged or reduced and to simulate greater or lesser density of applied paint. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device (100) comprises a second light emitter (80), for example a diode that projects an annular beam, which, also incorporated in the back of the housing (1), preferably is also associated with an annular adjustment system (8) which, by means of another actuator (3), allows the geometry of the projected ring to be modified. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device (100) comprises a third actuator (3) that regulates the position of the light emitters (20, 80) and can position one or the other in front of the hole (11) of the housing (1) and project the corresponding beam through it onto the surface of the piece, as shown in figures 1-A to 1-D, where the first light emitter (20), of line beam, is the one in the projection position, and in figures 3-A to 3-D, where the second light emitter (80) of ring beam, is the one in the projection position. Light emitters can be of various types, such as laser diodes that generate a narrow, concentrated and long-range beam, or LED diodes that provide wider, more versatile and longer illumination. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device (100) also comprises the inclusion of a distance sensor (5), such as an ultrasonic or laser sensor, which measures the distance to the surface of the workpiece, being configured to move with the rotating mechanism driven by the previously described actuator (3) to position this sensor or either of the two light emitters (20, 80) in front of the hole (11) in the housing (1), as shown in Figures 2-A to 2-D, where it is in the working position. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, as shown in the figures, the device (100) comprises three actuators (3): - a first actuator (3) that drives the line adjustment system (2), which modifies the geometry of the line-shaped beam of the first light emitter (20), - a second actuator (3) that drives the annular adjustment system (8), which modifies the geometry of the ring-shaped beam of the second light emitter (80), - and a third actuator (3) that drives the rotating mechanism that regulates the position of the two light emitters (20, 80) and the distance sensor (5). Finally, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device also comprises, for example attached to the housing (1), a small image, photo or video capture camera (10), preferably wirelessly connectable to an external playback device, to view and record the projections of the light emitter beams (20, 80) on each area of the piece. Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field can understand its scope and the advantages that derive from it.
Claims
1. A lighting simulation device for painting robots, characterized by comprising: - a housing (1) sized for attachment to a painting robot, having a through-hole (11), and - at least one first light emitter (20), which projects a beam, incorporated in the rear of the housing (1) and configured to project said beam, through the hole (11) of the housing (1), onto the surface of a workpiece to be painted.
2. A lighting simulation device for painting robots, according to claim 1, characterized in that said first light emitter (20) projects a linear beam or an annular beam.
3. A lighting simulation device for painting robots, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first light emitter (20) has a beam projection adjustment system (2) which, actuated by means of an actuator (3), allows modification of the geometry of the projected beam. 4.A lighting simulation device for painting robots, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second light emitter (80) which, also incorporated in the rear of the housing (1), projects a beam with a second geometry.
5. A lighting simulation device for painting robots, according to any of claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a third actuator (3) which drives a mechanism that regulates the position of the light emitters (20, 80) to position one or the other in front of the opening (11) of the housing (1) and project the corresponding beam through it onto the surface of the workpiece.
6. A lighting simulation device for painting robots, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for determining the position of the paint head, for example, the coordinates of the 6 axes of the robot being simulated. 7.A lighting simulation device for painting robots, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a distance sensor (5) that measures the distance to the surface of the workpiece.
8. A lighting simulation device for painting robots, according to claim 7, characterized in that the distance sensor (5) is configured to move with the rotation mechanism, driven by the actuator (3), to position this sensor or either of the two light emitters (20, 80) in front of the opening (11) of the housing (1).
9. A lighting simulation device for painting robots, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an image capture camera (10) for viewing and recording the projection of the beam from the light emitter (20, 80) onto each area of the workpiece.