Atomizer comprising air supply skirt, and method of mounting such skirt on main body of such atomizer
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024133741
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-08-14
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-09
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-27
Smart Images
Figure 2025027457000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a coating product sprayer equipped with an air delivery skirt that allows for the distribution of an air flow near the spray element of the sprayer for guiding or shaping the coating product cloud exiting the spray element, which can be a rotating bowl or a magnetic spray head. [Background technology]
[0002] It is known to attach the air supply skirt to the body of the sprayer by screwing. This technique requires that screwing notches are located on the outside of the air supply skirt so that a tool can apply the screwing or unscrewing torque. These notches are potential accumulation areas for the coating product, leading to the risk of soiling the sprayer or the coating surface. Furthermore, tightening the skirt on the sprayer body is relatively time-consuming and requires tools such as dynamometers to ensure that sufficient torque is applied to ensure an air-tight seal between the air supply skirt and the rest of the sprayer. Finally, the screwing must be performed manually in most cases, as automating the method of replacing the air supply skirt has proven to be very complicated in practice.
[0003] Some of these problems are solved by the sprayers described in EP 3222360 A1 and US 2017 / 266672 A1, each of which discloses a coating product sprayer equipped with magnetic attraction means between the air supply skirt and the fixing member. This solution is generally satisfactory. However, the force required to seal the attachment of the air supply skirt on the sprayer body is considerable, especially to compress the seal located at the interface between the air supply skirt and the main sprayer body. As a result, powerful magnets must be used and the applied forces are also strong, which is potentially dangerous, especially if the fingers of the user or a tool carried by the user are pinched. Moreover, the strength of the magnetic force is such that in practice, specific tools must be used to remove the air supply skirt during maintenance operations. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The present invention aims more particularly to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a new coating product sprayer in which the installation of the air supply skirt on the body is easier and safer for the operator and in which this installation is automated to a large extent.
[0005] To this end, the invention has as its object a coating product sprayer comprising a body, an air supply skirt attached to the body and magnetic attraction means between the magnetic body and the air supply skirt, said sprayer being a magneto-pneumatic or magneto-hydraulic system, a magnetic device for latching the air supply skirt on the body; a pneumatic or hydraulic mechanism for locking and tightening the air supply skirt to the body; The sprayer is characterized by having a magneto-pneumatic or magneto-hydraulic system including:
[0006] According to the invention, the magneto-pneumatic or magneto-hydraulic system of the sprayer allows to apply a magnetic force in a first step to latch the air-delivery skirt on the body, and then to apply a mechanical force in a second step to clamp the air-delivery skirt on the body, in particular by compressing the seal located between the skirt and the body. This two-step operation is less dangerous for the user to handle the air-delivery skirt when attaching it to the body, due to the relatively low magnetic force applied by the magnetic device. Due to the fact that this magnetic force is relatively low, it becomes easier to remove the air-delivery skirt from the body. Moreover, due to this relatively low magnetic force and the automatable nature of the magneto-pneumatic or magneto-hydraulic system, the sprayer can be adapted to a method of robotically attaching or detaching the air-delivery skirt from the sprayer body.
[0007] In accordance with advantageous, but non-essential aspects of the invention, such a nebulizer may incorporate one or more of the following features, according to any technically acceptable combination: the magnetic latching device is configured to apply an axial magnetic force parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sprayer between the air delivery skirt and the body with a first intensity, and the pneumatic or hydraulic clamping mechanism is configured to apply an axial mechanical force parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sprayer between the air delivery skirt and the body with a second intensity, the second intensity being strictly greater than the first intensity.
[0008] The sprayer comprises a seal disposed between the air supply skirt and the body, the seal being compressed by mechanical force applied by a pneumatic or hydraulic tightening mechanism, which isolates the air flow shaping duct disposed within the body and within the body portion of the air supply skirt from the exterior of the sprayer.
[0009] The air supply skirt comprises a sleeve made of ferromagnetic material, centered on the longitudinal axis of the sprayer in the configuration in which the air supply skirt is mounted on the body and provided with at least one external relief for cooperating with a pneumatic or hydraulic tightening mechanism.
[0010] - the magnetic latching device comprises a permanent magnet mounted on a support movable parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sprayer, the permanent magnet or the support being configured to abut and receive one end of the sleeve opposite the skirt body portion.
[0011] The pneumatic or hydraulic clamping mechanism comprises a piston movable parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sprayer inside a chamber to which pressurized fluid is selectively supplied, the piston being equipped with a member for engaging with an external relief of the sleeve.
[0012] - the engaging member is a ball, the piston includes a cam surface inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sprayer, and when the air delivery skirt is latched on the body by the magnetic latching device, when the piston is displaced in the direction of one end of the sleeve opposite the body part of the air delivery skirt, the cam surface exerts a force on the ball that engages in the external relief of the sleeve, this force being centripetal with respect to the longitudinal axis.
[0013] the sprayer comprises at least one elastic member for returning the piston towards a position in which the engagement member is disengaged from the external relief of the sleeve;
[0014] the sprayer comprises a tool for removing the air supply skirt, the removal tool including a latching relief for the air supply skirt and configured to apply a force to the air supply skirt parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sprayer and opposite to the magnetic force applied to the air supply skirt by the magnetic latching device.
[0015] According to a second aspect, the invention has as its object a method for mounting an air supply skirt on the body of a coating product sprayer as described above, comprising at least a) introducing a sleeve of an air delivery skirt into a central housing of the body until a magnetic latching device applies a magnetic latching force against the air delivery skirt on the body; b) supplying pressurized fluid to the pneumatic or hydraulic tightening mechanism until the pneumatic or hydraulic tightening mechanism applies a mechanical force to tighten the air supply skirt to the body.
[0016] Advantageously, the atomizer is arranged such that, during step b), the piston displaces the ball towards the bottom of the central housing, thereby driving the sleeve with the ball engaging in the external relief.
[0017] The invention will become clearer on reading the following description, given purely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]
[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a partially exploded longitudinal sectional view of a sprayer according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective longitudinal section view of a magnetic-pneumatic system belonging to the atomizer of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] The sprayer of FIG. 1 during the first step of mounting the air supply skirt on the body is shown in two insets A) and B), where B) is an enlarged view of detail B on A). [Figure 4] 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 during a second step of the installation method. [Diagram 5] 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 during a third step of the mounting method. [Figure 6] 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 during a fourth step of the installation method. [Figure 7]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sprayer with the skirt installed on the body, as well as a skirt removal tool. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective axial cross-sectional view of the atomizer shown in the previous figure while the skirt is removed; [Figure 9] 2 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1 of a sprayer according to a second embodiment of the invention. [Figure 10] 1 for a sprayer according to a third embodiment of the invention; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The coating product sprayer 2 shown in FIGS. 1-8 comprises a body 4 formed by the assembly of an outer part 42, an inner part 44 and a base 46.
[0020] For example, the coating product may be a liquid paint, primer, or varnish intended for application to an automotive body or component.
[0021] Screws 48 secure the body parts 42, 44 and 46 together. These screws 48 protrude relative to a front face 428 of the outer part 42.
[0022] The sprayer 2 is of the internally charged electrostatic type and is equipped with a high voltage unit, not shown, configured to raise the coating product sprayed by the sprayer 2 to a given potential.
[0023] The longitudinal axis of the atomizer 2 is indicated at A2.
[0024] The front side of the sprayer 2 or a component thereof is defined as the side that is pointed toward the part to be coated when the sprayer 2 is in use, and the rear side is defined as the side that is pointed away from the front side. In these figures, the front of the sprayer 2 is pointed upwards and the rear is pointed downwards.
[0025] An air delivery skirt 6 is mounted on the body 4 in the assembled configuration of the sprayer 2. The air delivery skirt 6 includes a skirt body portion 62 and a sleeve 64 that is threaded onto the skirt body portion 62.
[0026] Alternatively, the skirt body portion 62 and sleeve may be secured together by crimping, welding, and / or adhesive.
[0027] A secure connection between the skirt body 62 and the sleeve 64 is made at the front end 641 of the sleeve.
[0028] The sleeve 64 is made of a ferromagnetic material, such as steel.
[0029] The spray bowl 8 also belongs to the atomizer 2 and is intended to be driven in rotation about a longitudinal axis A2 by a turbine, the rotor of which is indicated at 10. The stator of the turbine is constituted by the inner part 44 of the body 4, supporting an end piece 12 equipped with an annular permanent magnet 14.
[0030] In a configuration in which bowl 8 is mounted on turbine rotor 10, an annular surface 82 of bowl 8, made of a ferromagnetic material, faces permanent magnet 14, the effect of which is to create a magnetic bearing between bowl 8 and magnet 14 when airflow is directed between magnet 22 and annular surface 82.
[0031] Alternatively, only the portion of bowl 8 that defines annular surface 82 is made of a ferromagnetic material.
[0032] The sprayer 2 also includes a coating product injector 16 whose downstream end 162 extends into the central bore 84 of the bowl 8 in a configuration in which the bowl is mounted on the rotor of the turbine 10 .
[0033] A cover 18 is fitted around the body 4 to protect it from the coating product being sprayed.
[0034] The skirt body 62, in the configuration in which the air-delivery skirt 6 is mounted on the body 4, is equipped with a number of channels 622 passing therethrough according to a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A2, each of which feeds into an outlet orifice 624 capable of directing an air jet towards the cloud of coating product emerging from the rim 86 of the bowl 8, thereby shaping said jet of coating product and / or directing said jet towards the object to be coated. The orifices 624 are located on a circular front face 626 of the skirt body 62.
[0035] The skirt body portion 62 defines a recessed housing 628 into which a forward portion of the outer part 42 of the body 4 is received in a configuration in which the air delivery skirt 6 is mounted on the body 4. The recessed housing 628 is located at the rear of the skirt body portion 62.
[0036] The outer part 42 of the body 40 has ducts 422 for conveying air towards the air supply skirt 6. These ducts 422 are supplied with air by ducts 442 which essentially extend in a plane different from the one shown in Figures 1 and 3 to 6, only the downstream ends of which are visible in these figures.
[0037] The bottom 628a of the concave housing 628 is equipped with two annular grooves 628c and 628d, which act as distributors for feeding the two groups of ducts 622 from the outlets 424 of the ducts 422. To ensure tightness between the ducts 422 and the grooves 628c and 628d, O-rings 20 are placed in the annular grooves 426 on the front surface 428 of the outer part 42 of the body 4, in other words in the interface area between the body 4 and the skirt 6. These O-rings 20 are intended to be compressed, bearing against the bottom 628a of the concave housing 628.
[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the O-rings 20 and annular grooves 426 are concentric and are three in number. In alternative embodiments not shown, the O-rings 20 and annular grooves 426 may differ in number and / or shape.
[0039] The sleeve 64 is arranged to engage within a central housing L2 of the sprayer 2, which is defined between the outer part 42 and the inner part 44 of the body 4, radially relative to the longitudinal axis A2.
[0040] The rear edge of the sleeve 64 is designated 642, in other words the edge of the sleeve opposite the skirt body 62. The end of the sleeve 64 closest to the rear edge 642 is designated 644. The rear edge 642 defines a rear end 644 opposite the skirt body 62. The rear end 644 is opposite the front end 641 of the sleeve 64.
[0041] The outer radial surface of the sleeve 64 is designated S64. This outer radial surface is provided with a peripheral groove 646 which forms a recessed housing on the outside of the sleeve 64. The rear edge of the peripheral groove 646 is designated 646a, in other words the edge of this groove which is closest to the end 644 of the sleeve 64.
[0042] A circumferential rib on sleeve 64 that separates peripheral groove 646 from end 644 is indicated at 647. The trailing edge of this rib is indicated at 647a, in other words the edge of this rib that is closest to end 644 of sleeve 64.
[0043] A magnetic-pneumatic system 100 is provided in the central housing L2 for hooking the skirt 6 onto the body 4 and for ensuring the clamping of the skirt onto the body. The magnetic-pneumatic system 100 includes a magnetic hooking device 100A as well as a pneumatic clamping mechanism 100B for clamping the air supply skirt 6 to the body 4.
[0044] The latching provided by the magnetic latching device 100A ensures that the air delivery skirt 6 remains in place on the body 4 even when the body 4 is displaced by a multi-axis robot or reciprocator to which the sprayer is attached. Displacement of the sprayer induces accelerations on the air delivery skirt 6 which can have the effect of pushing the sleeve 64 out of the central housing L2. The magnetic latching force is sized to resist these accelerations.
[0045] The clamping force makes it possible to complete the positioning of the air supply skirt 6 on the body 4 and compress the O-ring 20, thus ensuring the sealing of the circuit that supplies air to the outlet orifice 624 for forming the cloud of coating product.
[0046] The magnetic-pneumatic system 100 extends along a longitudinal axis A100 which coincides with the longitudinal axis A2 of the sprayer 2 in the configuration in which the magnetic-pneumatic system 100 is mounted within the sprayer 2.
[0047] The magnetic-pneumatic system 100 includes a cover 102 that is fixed onto the body 4 by screws that pass through one or more lugs 102a on the outside of the cover 102. One of these screws is represented in FIG. 2 by its axis 103.
[0048] The cover 102 defines an annular volume V102 centered about the longitudinal axis A100 and bounded by an inner radial wall 102b and an outer radial wall 102c.
[0049] A passage 102d is arranged in the thickness of the outer radial wall 102c, enabling a duct 446 arranged in the inner part 44 of the body 4 to be fluidly connected to the volume V102.
[0050] On the other hand, the inner wall 102b of the cover 102 is directed toward the volume V102 and terminates in a chamfered edge 102e that converges toward the longitudinal axis A100 on the side opposite the bottom 102f of the volume V102, in other words, in the direction of the rear of the cover 102.
[0051] The magnetic-pneumatic system 100 also includes a cup 104 disposed on the rear bottom of the central housing L2. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom of the central housing L2 is opposite its front mouth and is bounded by the inner part 44.
[0052] The magneto-pneumatic system 100 also includes an annular piston 106 equipped with two sealing segments 107a and 107b. In this embodiment, the sealing segments are formed by two O-rings received in two peripheral grooves 106a and 106b, respectively, outer and inner, arranged on the piston 106. The O-rings 107a and 107b are not shown in FIG. 1, which allows a clearer visualization of the grooves 106a and 106b.
[0053] Alternatively, the sealing segments are formed by lip seals. According to another alternative, the sealing segments are mounted on the wall of the cover 102 facing the piston 106.
[0054] The piston 106 is partially engaged in the volume V102 of the cover 102 and is movable parallel to the coincident axes A2 and A100. As a result of the piston 106 being partially engaged in the volume V102 and the seal segments 107a and 107b being supported against the walls 102c and 102b, a sealed variable volume chamber C100 is defined between the elements 102 and 106. This variable volume chamber C100 is supplied with pressurized air from the duct 446 through the passage 102d. Means such as a source of pressurized air, a proportional valve, and a bleed valve, not shown, allow the variable volume chamber C100 to be supplied with pressurized air or to be discharged to the atmosphere depending on the successive installations or removals of the skirt 6 relative to the body 4. The air pressure present in the duct 446 is controlled independently of the air pressure driving the rotor 10 and the skirt air pressure in the duct 442.
[0055] Alternatively, part of the air for driving the rotor 10 can be diverted towards the duct 446. In this case, the variable volume chamber C100 can be supplied with pressurized air as soon as the turbine is activated. According to another alternative, the duct 446 can also be supplied with pressurized air from air used in the atomizer 2 for another function, for example from the skirt air circulating in the duct 442.
[0056] The piston 106 also defines a volume V 106 for receiving a ball 108 that constitutes a member for engaging the piston 106 with the peripheral groove 646 of the sleeve 64 .
[0057] Advantageously, a ball 108 is mounted within each volume V106.
[0058] Each ball 108 is received within a volume V106 from which it may or may not protrude onto the inner circumferential surface S106 of the piston 106 through an opening O106 that defines the outlet of each volume V106.
[0059] Each volume V106 is defined, on the side of each volume opposite its opening O106, by a surface S106 which converges forwards in the direction of the longitudinal axis A100 and is inclined relative to this longitudinal axis at an angle α which is not zero and which is preferably between 15° and 60°, more preferably between 30° and 50°.
[0060] The surface S106 of the various volumes V106 constitutes a cam surface for guiding the ball 108.
[0061] The magnetic-pneumatic system 100 also includes a support 110, centered on a longitudinal axis A100, formed by a solid body part 110a and a profile 110b, also of annular shape and both made of ferromagnetic material. The parts 110a and 110b of the support 110 are securely fixed together by any suitable means, in particular by gluing, crimping and / or welding.
[0062] Alternatively, the support 110 can be made in one piece.
[0063] The support 110 is provided with a pin 110c for indexing a position opposite the piston 106 about the longitudinal axis A100.
[0064] The support 100 is also equipped with stops 110d intended to engage in the volumes V106 from the rear of the pistons 106 to hold the balls 108 in place within these volumes.
[0065] The support 100 carries an annular permanent magnet 112, which is arranged radially inside the support 100. In this embodiment, the permanent magnet is securely attached to the profile 110b, for example by adhesive bonding.
[0066] On the other hand, the support 100, and more specifically, its main body portion 110a, defines a first inner frustoconical surface S110 centered on the longitudinal axis A100 and converging in the direction of the piston 106, and a second inner frustoconical surface S'110 centered on the longitudinal axis A100 and diverging in the direction of the piston 106.
[0067] The magnetic-pneumatic system 100 also includes a leaf spring 114 which forms a resilient member for returning the piston 106 and preferably the support 110 in a forward direction.
[0068] The leaf spring 114 is formed from sheet steel. The use of a leaf spring such as the one shown in the figures offers the advantage that the axial space requirements of the spring 114 are minimal, while still allowing a relatively large axial stroke of the piston 106.
[0069] Alternatively, the leaf spring 114 may be replaced by another resilient member, in particular an elastomeric block or a spiral spring.
[0070] Next, the method of mounting the skirt 6 onto the body 4 will be described.
[0071] This is achieved by axial translation of the skirt 62 parallel to the longitudinal axis A2. This axial translation is represented by the arrow T in Figures 1 and 3-6. No other movement of the air delivery skirt 6 is required to mount it on the body 4.
[0072] The mounting of the air supply skirt 6 on the body 4 therefore results only in a relative translational movement between these components of the atomizer 2 .
[0073] 1, the air supply skirt 6 is aligned with the axis A2 and is drawn closer to the body 4 to reach the position shown in Fig. 3, which represents the first step in the installation method. In this step, the rear end 644 of the sleeve 64 is engaged in the central housing L2 without contacting any component of the magneto-pneumatic system 100.
[0074] Continuing the mounting of the skirt 6 on the body 4 brings the sleeve 64 to the step shown in FIG. 4, where its rear end 644 presses against the permanent magnet 112 with its edge 642, while edge 647a presses against the surface S'110, thereby avoiding plastic deformation of the end 644 at the end of the stroke.
[0075] In this step, a closed magnetic flux FM is established, passing through the rear end 644 of the sleeve 64, through the parts 110a and 110b of the support 110 and through the magnet 112, which has the effect of fixing the air-delivery skirt 6 to the support 110 by means of an axial magnetic attraction force, which is held in place in the central housing L2 since its movements are limited between the cover 102 and the cup 104. The axial magnetic attraction force between the parts 12 and 64 is parallel to the longitudinal axis A2 and preferably centred on this axis, resulting in the air-delivery skirt being latched on the body. This force is therefore the force that latches these parts together.
[0076] The permanent magnets 112 are selected to exert a magnetic latching force on the sleeve 64 of sufficient strength to hold the air supply skirt 6 in place on the body 4 even when the body 4 is displaced, for example when the body 4 is mounted on the wrist of a multi-axis robot arm or on a reciprocator, causing the air supply skirt to undergo accelerations that would potentially steer the sleeve 64 in a direction that would pull it away from the central housing L2.
[0077] In practice, the magnetic latching force exerted by the permanent magnet on the sleeve has a strength I1 of the order of 10-20 daN, preferably 15 daN, which allows an effective latching of the air delivery skirt 6 on the body 4. On the other hand, the relatively moderate value of this strength I1 of the magnetic latching force limits the risk of injuries due to pinching to the operator when he presents the air delivery skirt 6 to engage the sleeve 64 in the central housing L2.
[0078] 4, the air supply skirt 6 is latched onto the body 4 by magnetic forces, but the bottom 628a of the concave housing 628 remains spaced from the front face 428 of the outer part 42 by a non-zero axial distance d8, this distance d8 being measured parallel to the longitudinal axis A2. In particular, in this step the seal 20 is not compressed and the seal between the air circuits formed by the ducts 422 and 622 and the grooves 628c and 628d is not secure to the outside.
[0079] 1, 3 and 4, the spring 114 exerts a force on the support 110, moving it away from the cup 104, which has the effect of engaging the stops 110d in the various volumes V106 up to the point where they press against the balls 108, which in turn press against the cam surfaces S106 of the pistons 106, which has the effect of pushing the pistons 106 towards the bottom 102f of the volumes V102. The variable volume chamber C100 then has a minimum volume, which is particularly visible in the inset B) of FIG.
[0080] In this position, each ball 108 bears against the chamfered edge 102e of the cover 102, so that each ball 108 is held in place in the corresponding volume V106, without protruding radially from the wall 102b, according to a radial and centripetal direction relative to the longitudinal axis A100. Under these conditions, the balls 108 do not impede the sliding of the sleeve 64 in the central housing L2, particularly during the sequence of steps shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4. In particular, in the step shown in Figure 4, the balls 108 are not engaged in the circumferential groove 646.
[0081] After the step of Fig. 4, pressurized air, represented by arrow A in Figs. 4-6, is supplied to the passage 102d. This has the effect of pressurizing the variable volume chamber C100, which expands, in other words extends in the direction of the cup 104, as can be seen by comparing Figs. 4 and 5. This axial expansion of the chamber C100 is due to an axial displacement of the piston 106, represented by arrow D in Figs. 5 and 6, parallel to the longitudinal axis A2, in the direction of the cup 104, which displacement is due to the difference between the pressure prevailing inside the variable volume chamber C100 and the external atmospheric pressure.
[0082] This displacement D of the piston 106 has the effect of displacing in the direction of the cup 104 and therefore in the direction of the bottom of the central housing L2, the various balls 108 then becoming offset with respect to the chamfered edge 102e of the wall 102b, which edge then no longer opposes the centripetal radial movement of the balls 108 through the opening O106. However, taking into account the inclined nature of the cam surfaces S106 of the various volumes V106, the displacement of the piston 106 in the direction of the cup 104 has the effect of exerting on the various balls 108 a centripetal force with respect to the longitudinal axis A2, represented by the arrow F in FIG. 5 and directed towards the circumferential groove 646. The air supply to the chamber C100 therefore makes it possible to clamp and engage the various balls 108 around the sleeve 64, in other words to penetrate them at least partially into the circumferential groove 646. The ball 108 therefore constitutes a member for engaging the piston 106 with an external relief of the sleeve 64 defined by the circumferential groove 646 .
[0083] 4 and 5, the ball 108 pushes the support 110 towards the cup 104 against the elastic force exerted by the spring 114, which has the effect of axially separating the spring 112 and the end 644 of the sleeve 64. In other words, in the step of Fig. 5, the rear edge 642 of the sleeve 64 is no longer bearing against the magnet 112, and the edge 647a is no longer bearing against the surface S'110. This is not a problem, since the ball 108 engaged in the circumferential groove 646 effectively holds the sleeve 64 in the central housing L2.
[0084] At the end of the step of FIG. 5, the value of distance d8 has decreased relative to its value at the step of FIG. 4, but remains non-zero.
[0085] The continued supply of pressurized air to the variable volume chamber C100 via the passage 102d has the effect of continuing the displacement of the piston 106 in the direction of the cup 104, in the direction of the arrow D in FIG. 6, against the elastic force exerted by the spring 114. During this displacement, the ball 108 will bear against the rear edge 646a of the circumferential groove 646, transmitting to the sleeve 64 the displacement force it experiences as a result of the movement of the piston 106 in the direction of the arrow D. The sleeve 64 is therefore displaced simultaneously with the piston 106 and over the same stroke, in the direction of the bottom of the central housing L2, represented by the displacement arrow D' in FIG. 6.
[0086] This displacement D' of the sleeve 64 inside the central housing L2 has the effect of firmly pressing the bottom 628a of the concave housing 628 against the front face 428 of the outer part 42 of the body 4, thereby compressing the seal 20 and thereby fluidically isolating the ducts 422 and 622 and the grooves 628c and 628d from the outside. In other words, the pneumatic mechanism 100B exerts an axial mechanical clamping force parallel to the longitudinal axis A2 on the sleeve 64 by the ball 108, which force firmly presses the bottom 628a of the concave housing 328 of the air supply skirt 6 against the front face 428.
[0087] Therefore, the positioning and fixing of the air-delivery skirt 6 on the body 4 is performed in two stages by the magnetic-pneumatic system 100. The pneumatic mechanism 100B is therefore also a mechanism for locking the air-delivery skirt 6 on the body 4.
[0088] The mechanical latching device 100A, including elements 110 and 112, allows the air delivery skirt 6 to be held in place on the body 2 before the pneumatic clamping mechanism 100B, including elements 102, 106, 108, and 110, is used to effectively clamp the air delivery skirt 6 in place on the body 4 by supplying pressurized air to the variable volume chamber C100, in particular by compressing the seal 20. The cup 104 and the spring 114 are attachments to the mechanical latching device 100A and the pneumatic clamping mechanism 100B in the magnetic-pneumatic system 100.
[0089] The mechanical clamping force provided by the pneumatic clamping mechanism 100B has a strength I2 strictly greater than the strength of the magnetic force mentioned above.
[0090] For example, the mechanical force obtained by using the pneumatic clamping mechanism 100B may have a strength of about 80 to 200 daN, preferably 100 to 150 daN, and even more preferably about 120 daN.
[0091] The method of mounting the air supply skirt 6 on the body 4 comprises two main steps, namely: - allowing the magnetic locking device 100A to apply the locking force required to attach the air supply skirt 6 to the body 4, due to the magnetic flux FM represented in FIG. 4, by inserting the sleeve 64 in the central housing L2 until the rear edge 642 comes into contact with the permanent element 112; - supplying pressurized air as indicated by arrow A to the variable volume chamber C100 of the pneumatic clamping mechanism 100B, which has the effect of moving the piston 106 and the sleeve 64 in the directions of arrows D and D', respectively, of FIG. 6 to clamp the air supply skirt 6 on the body 4, in particular compressing the seal 20.
[0092] Upon removal of the skirt 6 from the body 4, the supply of pressurized air to the variable volume chamber C100 is stopped and the passage 102d is evacuated. The spring 114 then pushes the support 110, the ball 108 and the piston 106 towards the bottom 102f of the volume V102, thereby decreasing the volume of the variable volume chamber C100.
[0093] The balls 108 will then abut against the chamfered edge 102e of the wall 102b, which has the effect of sending them back towards the interior of the volume V106 and withdrawing them from the peripheral grooves 646. In other words, the balls 108 are no longer engaged with the peripheral grooves 646. The elastic force exerted by the spring 114 therefore tends to return the piston to a position where it is possible to disengage the balls 108 from the peripheral grooves 646 of the sleeve 64.
[0094] Being pushed back by the spring 114, the support 110 drives the magnet 112 with it, which comes into contact with the rear edge 642 of the sleeve 64, which has the effect of reactivating the magnetic latching force between the sleeve 64 and the magnet 112. The magnetic-pneumatic system 100 is then in a configuration similar to that of Figure 4, the seal 20 is no longer compressed and the air supply skirt 6 remains latched on the body 4 by the magnetic force resulting from the magnetic flux FM represented by the arrow F. The air supply skirt 6 is securely held on the body 4 for the reasons described above.
[0095] In this case, it is possible to pull out the air supply skirt 6 by applying an axial force in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow T in FIGS.
[0096] In this respect, it is possible to use a removal tool 200, visible in Figures 7 and 8, which forms part of the sprayer 2 in that it is included in the supply of the sprayer when it is installed at the application site of the coating product, and which is provided with teeth 202 for hooking onto an internal relief 648 provided on the sleeve 64 at its front end 641. The relief 648 is inclined at an angle β that is not zero, for example between 45 and 70°, with respect to the longitudinal axis A64 of the sleeve 64. The longitudinal axes A2, A64 and A100 are coincident in the configuration in which the air supply skirt is mounted on the body 4.
[0097] The removal tool 200 also includes a handle 204 to allow for manual handling. Therefore, the removal tool 200 is a manual removal tool.
[0098] When the air supply skirt 6 is to be removed, the tool 200 is introduced partially into the sleeve 64 by axial translation in the direction of the arrow T' in FIG. 7 and then rotated about the longitudinal axis A2 in the direction of the arrow R in FIG. 7, thereby engaging the relief 202 with the relief 648. The relief then bears against the end piece 12 and the permanent magnet 14. Taking into account the inclined nature of the relief 648, the rotation of the tool 200 in the direction of the arrow R has the effect of exerting an axial separation force on the relief 648 and the end piece 12, which induces the rear edge 642 of the sleeve 64 to move apart relative to the permanent magnet 112. The magnetic latching force is therefore significantly reduced in strength or even eliminated. In that case, it is possible to apply an axial force in the direction of arrow T'' in FIG. 8, opposite to the direction of arrow T', to the handle 204 of the tool 200, thereby making it possible to withdraw the air supply skirt 6 against the reduced magnetic force applied by the magnet 112, or even in the absence of such a force.
[0099] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention not represented, the manual removal tool 200 can be replaced by an automatic removal tool mounted at the end of a robotic arm and performing the movements according to the arrows T', R and T'' as described above.
[0100] The method for removing the air delivery skirt 6 from the body 4, whether using a manual removal tool or an automated removal tool, is as follows: - fixing the removal tool 200 on the sleeve 64, in particular by rotational geometric cooperation; - applying an axial force T'' to a removal tool to separate the sleeve 64 from the magnetic locking device 100A.
[0101] Moreover, the structure of the magnetic-pneumatic system 100 of the present invention is adaptable for robotic mounting of the air delivery skirt 6 onto the body 4. Thus, according to one particular embodiment, the present invention allows for automating the mounting and removal of the air delivery skirt from the body of the sprayer.
[0102] The bowl 8 is not shown in Figures 3 to 8. The bowl 8 is positioned in the central opening O6 of the air delivery skirt 6 using the magnetic force between the magnet 14 and the ferromagnetic body of the bowl after the air delivery skirt 6 has been hooked and clamped onto the body 4 at the end of the step shown in Figure 6. The bowl 8 is removed before the tool 200 is used.
[0103] In the second and third embodiments of the present invention, represented in Figures 9 and 10, elements similar to those of the first embodiment have the same reference numbers. In the following, when a reference number is used in the present description without referring to one of Figures 10 and 11, or when a reference number is referred to one of these figures without being referred to in the present description, it relates to the same element as the element having the same reference number in the first embodiment.
[0104] In a second embodiment, the sprayer 2 is of the pneumatic type, without a rotating bowl corresponding to the rotating bowl 8 of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the spray head 9 is mounted on an air supply skirt 6, which includes a skirt body part 62 and a sleeve 64 corresponding to those of the first embodiment. The body 4 of the sprayer 2 defines a duct 422, which is intended to be connected to a duct 622 provided in the skirt body part 62. A magnetic-pneumatic system 100 similar to that of the first embodiment is provided for latching the air supply skirt 6, already equipped with the spray head 9, onto the body 4 and then applying a clamping force, by means of an engagement member 108 engaged in a relief 646 of the sleeve 64, which allows in particular the O-ring 20 to be compressed.
[0105] In one alternative, not shown, the air-delivery skirt 6 is mounted and fastened on the body 4 before the spray head 9 is mounted on the air-delivery skirt. According to another alternative, the spray head 9 is mounted on the body 4 before the air-delivery skirt 6 is mounted and fastened on the body 4.
[0106] The shape of the body 4 represented in Fig. 9 is not limiting, in particular this body 4 does not necessarily include the rotor and the fixed parts forming the stator.
[0107] In the third embodiment, the annular permanent magnet 14 is supported at its front end 641 by the air supply skirt 6, more particularly by the sleeve 64. In particular, the bowl 8 bears against an inner radial collar 649 of the sleeve 64, in which the magnet 14 is integrated.
[0108] Thus, the subassembly consisting of the air supply skirt 6 and the bowl 8 can be mounted on or removed from the body 4 as a unit.
[0109] The atomizer 2 of this third embodiment is equipped with a magneto-pneumatic system 100 similar to that of the first embodiment.
[0110] Alternatively, in a third embodiment, the air supply skirt 6 can be put in place and hooked and clamped onto the body 4 in a first step, and the bowl 8 is attached to the air supply skirt in a second step.
[0111] In this regard, in the first embodiment, it is alternatively possible to hook and fasten the air supply skirt 6 onto the body 4 while the bowl 8 is pre-engaged in the central opening O6 of the air supply skirt.
[0112] Alternatively, regardless of the embodiment, the sprayer 2 is of an externally charged electrostatic type and is provided with a high voltage unit and a charging electrode, not shown, configured to raise the coating product sprayed by the sprayer 2 to a given potential.
[0113] In one alternative not represented, if the sprayer 2 comprises a spray bowl 8, this spray bowl 8 can be securely attached to the rotor 10 by means other than magnetic, for example by screwing.
[0114] According to another alternative, applicable to all embodiments, the atomizer is not of the electrostatic type.
[0115] According to another alternative, applicable to all embodiments, during the step of Fig. 4, the edge 642 of the sleeve 64 will bear against the support 110 and not against the magnet 112. This also enables a closed magnetic flux to be generated, of the type of closed magnetic flux FM represented in Fig. 4.
[0116] Whatever its design, the magneto-pneumatic system 100 can be used automatically by using the magnetic force generated by the permanent magnets 114 and controlling the supply or exhaust of pressurized air to the variable volume chamber C100 by valves controlled by an electronic control unit, not shown. Thus, automating the operation of the magneto-pneumatic system 100 during installation or removal of the air supply skirt 6 can free up an operator working in the vicinity of the sprayer 2, making his work less dangerous.
[0117] In any embodiment, the variable volume chamber C100 of the magneto-pneumatic system 100 may alternatively be supplied with a pressurized gas other than air.
[0118] According to another alternative embodiment of the invention, not represented, the variable volume chamber C100 of the system 100 can be supplied with a liquid, in particular water, in order to control the displacement D of the piston 106. In this case, the system 100 is a magneto-hydraulic system.
[0119] As an alternative applicable to all embodiments, the O-ring 20 is mounted in a groove located on the bottom 628a of the recessed housing 628 and / or grooves equivalent to grooves 628c and 628d are provided on the front surface 428 of the outer part 42 of the main body 4.
[0120] The present invention has been described above in the context of its use for the spraying of liquid coating products. The present invention also applies to the spraying of powder coating materials.
[0121] To the extent technically possible, the above-described embodiments and alternatives may be combined.
Claims
1. A coating product sprayer (2) comprising a body (4), an air supply skirt (6) attached to said body, and a magnetic attraction means (112) between a magnetic body and said air supply skirt, said sprayer being a magneto-pneumatic or magneto-hydraulic system (100), - a magnetic device (100A) for latching said air supply skirt (6) on said body (4); - a pneumatic or hydraulic mechanism (100B) for locking and clamping the air supply skirt on the body; 1. A coating product sprayer comprising a magneto-pneumatic or magneto-hydraulic system comprising:
2. 2. The coating product sprayer according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic locking device (100A) is configured to apply an axial magnetic force between the air supply skirt (6) and the body (4) with a first intensity (I1) parallel to the longitudinal axis (A2) of the sprayer, the pneumatic or hydraulic clamping mechanism (100B) is configured to apply an axial mechanical force between the air supply skirt and the body with a second intensity (I2) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sprayer, and the second intensity is strictly greater than the first intensity.
3. 3. The coating product sprayer according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a seal (20) arranged between the air supply skirt (6) and the body (4), and that the seal, compressed by the mechanical force applied by the pneumatic or hydraulic tightening mechanism (100B), isolates air flow ducts (422, 622) arranged in the body (4) and in the body portion (62) of the air supply skirt (6) from the outside of the sprayer (2).
4. 2. The coating product sprayer according to claim 1, characterized in that the air supply skirt (6) comprises a sleeve (64) made of ferromagnetic material, centered on the longitudinal axis (A2) of the sprayer (2) in the configuration in which the air supply skirt is mounted on the body (4) and provided with at least one external relief (646) for cooperation with the pneumatic or hydraulic clamping mechanism (100B).
5. 5. The coating product sprayer of claim 4, characterized in that the magnetic latching device (100A) includes a permanent magnet (112) mounted on a support (110) movable parallel to the longitudinal axis (A2) of the sprayer (2), and that the permanent magnet or the support is configured to abut and receive one end (644) of the sleeve opposite the skirt body portion (62).
6. 5. The coating product sprayer according to claim 4, characterized in that the pneumatic or hydraulic clamping mechanism (100B) includes a piston (106) movable parallel to the longitudinal axis (A2) of the sprayer (2) inside a chamber (C100) to which a pressurized fluid is selectively supplied, and that the piston is equipped with an engagement member (108) for engaging with the external relief (646) of the sleeve (64).
7. 7. The coating product sprayer according to claim 6, characterized in that the engagement member is a ball (108), the piston includes a cam surface (S106) inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis (A2) of the sprayer (2), and when the air supply skirt (6) is latched on the body (4) by the magnetic latching device (100A), when the piston (106) is displaced (D) towards the end (644) of the sleeve opposite the body part (62) of the air supply skirt (6), the cam surface exerts a force (F) on the ball that engages in the external relief (646) of the sleeve, the force being centripetal with respect to the longitudinal axis.
8. 7. The coating product sprayer of claim 6, further comprising at least one resilient member (114) for returning said piston (106) towards a position in which said engaging member (108) is disengaged from said external relief (646) of said sleeve (64).
9. A coating product sprayer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a tool (200) for removing the air-delivery skirt (6), the removal tool comprising a relief (202) for hanging on the air-delivery skirt and configured to apply a force (T'') to the air-delivery skirt that is parallel to the longitudinal axis (A2) of the sprayer (2) and opposite to the magnetic force applied by the magnetic hanging device (100A) to the air-delivery skirt.
10. A method for mounting an air supply skirt (6) on a body (4) of a coating product sprayer (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising at least a) introducing a sleeve (64) of the air supply skirt (6) into a central housing (L2) of the body (4) until the magnetic latching device (100A) exerts a magnetic latching force against the air supply skirt on the body; b) (A) supplying pressurized fluid to the pneumatic or hydraulic tightening mechanism (100B) until the pneumatic or hydraulic tightening mechanism (100B) applies a mechanical force to tighten the air supply skirt to the body; 20. A method comprising the successive steps of:
11. the air supply skirt (6) of the coating product sprayer (2) comprises a sleeve (64) made of ferromagnetic material, centered on the longitudinal axis (A2) of the sprayer (2) in the configuration in which the air supply skirt is mounted on the body (4) and provided with at least one external relief (646) for cooperating with the pneumatic or hydraulic clamping mechanism (100B); said pneumatic or hydraulic clamping mechanism (100B) comprises a piston (106) movable parallel to the longitudinal axis (A2) of the sprayer (2) inside a chamber (C100) selectively supplied with pressurized fluid; - said piston is equipped with an engagement member (108) for engaging with said external relief (646) of said sleeve (64); - said engaging member is a ball (108); - said piston includes a cam surface (S106) inclined with respect to said longitudinal axis (A2) of said atomizer (2); - when the air supply skirt (6) is latched on the body (4) by the magnetic latching device (100A), when the piston (106) is displaced (D) towards the end (644) of the sleeve opposite the body part (62) of the air supply skirt (6), the cam surface exerts a force (F) on the ball that engages in the external relief (646) of the sleeve, the force being centripetal with respect to the longitudinal axis; - during step b), said piston (106) displacing said ball (108) towards the bottom of said central housing (L2), thereby driving said sleeve (64), with said ball (108) engaged in said external relief (646); The assembly method according to claim 10, characterized in that