Paint brush

Abstract

The present invention provides a paint brush that allows for easy operation of a robot without having to worry about the orientation of the paint brush, even when the paint brush, which has a roller brush section, is attached to the robot's hand to paint the inner surface of angle steel or the like. [Solution] The paint brush 1 includes a roller holding shaft 9 arranged on the inner circumference of a plurality of roller brush sections 7, and a support shaft 10 to which the middle portion of the roller holding shaft 9 is fixed at one end. The support shaft 10 is positioned between two roller brush sections 7 in the axial direction of the roller holding shaft 9. Two roller brush sections 7 arranged adjacent to each other with the support shaft 10 in the axial direction of the roller holding shaft 9 are designated as adjacent roller brush sections 7B and 7C, and the ends of the adjacent roller brush sections 7B and 7C furthest from the support shaft 10 are designated as outer ends 7e and 7f. A ring member 14 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the outer ends 7e and 7f, protruding radially inward from the adjacent roller brush sections 7B and 7C and positioned on the outer circumference of the roller holding shaft 9.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , , , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a painting brush for painting.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a roller-type painting brush (roller brush) including a roller brush part formed in a roller shape, an introduction pipe and a support tool for rotatably holding the roller brush part is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the painting brush described in Patent Document 1, the introduction pipe also serves as the support shaft of the roller brush part and is connected to a handle. The introduction pipe is composed of a portion disposed on the inner peripheral side of the roller brush part, a portion disposed outside one end of the roller brush part, and a portion disposed on the outer peripheral side of the roller brush part and connected to the handle. Conventionally, a humanoid heavy-duty robot for working on overhead line poles and overhead line beams for railways is also known (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). Overhead line poles and overhead line beams are formed of, for example, steel materials such as a plurality of angle steels (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the case of overhead line poles and overhead line beams formed from multiple steel materials or steel pipes, it is necessary to periodically repaint the surface of the overhead line poles and beams to prevent corrosion (rust), etc. The inventors of this application are considering, for example, attaching a paint brush equipped with a roller brush part to the hand of a humanoid heavy machinery robot described in Non-Patent Document 1 to paint overhead line poles and beams.

[0006] When painting overhead line poles or overhead line beams formed of angle steel using the painting brush described in Patent Document 1, for example, if the painting brush 101 is used in the orientation shown in Figure 7(A), it is possible to properly apply paint to the inner surface of the angle steel 102. On the other hand, if the painting brush 101 is used in the orientation shown in Figure 7(B), the support shaft 103 of the painting brush 101 comes into contact with the inner surface of one side portion 102a of the angle steel 102, making it impossible to apply paint to the inner surface of the apex portion of the angle steel 102, and there is a risk that the support shaft 103 will scrape off the paint applied to the inner surface of one side portion 102a.

[0007] Therefore, when attaching the paint brush described in Patent Document 1 to, for example, the hand of a humanoid heavy machinery robot described in Non-Patent Document 1 to paint overhead line poles and overhead line beams made of angle steel, the worker performing the painting work must operate the robot while paying attention to the direction of the paint brush, making the operation of the robot complicated.

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a painting brush equipped with a roller-shaped roller brush section that allows the robot to be easily operated without having to worry about the orientation of the painting brush, even when the painting brush is attached to the robot's hand and used to paint the inner surface of a corner steel or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a painting brush comprising a plurality of roller brush sections formed in a roller shape and a roller holding section that rotatably holds the plurality of roller brush sections, wherein the roller holding section comprises a linear roller holding shaft arranged on the inner circumference side of the plurality of roller brush sections and a linear support shaft to which the intermediate portion of the roller holding shaft is fixed at one end, wherein the support shaft is arranged between two roller brush sections in the axial direction of the roller holding shaft, and each of the two roller brush sections arranged adjacent to each other on either side of the support shaft in the axial direction of the roller holding shaft is referred to as an adjacent roller brush section, and the end of the adjacent roller brush section furthest from the support shaft is referred to as the outer end, wherein an annular ring member is fixed or formed on the inner circumference surface of the outer end of the adjacent roller brush section, projecting radially inward from the adjacent roller brush section and arranged on the outer circumference side of the roller holding shaft, or an annular ring member is fixed or formed on the portion of the roller holding shaft arranged on the inner circumference side of the outer end of the adjacent roller brush section, projecting radially outward from the roller holding shaft.

[0010] In the painting brush of the present invention, the roller holder that rotatably holds multiple roller brush sections comprises a linear roller holder shaft arranged on the inner circumference side of the multiple roller brush sections, and a linear support shaft to which the intermediate portion of the roller holder shaft is fixed at one end. The support shaft is positioned between two roller brush sections in the axial direction of the roller holder shaft. Therefore, in the present invention, even when painting the inner surface of a corner steel section, for example, it is possible to prevent the support shaft from contacting the inner surface of one side of the corner steel section, regardless of the orientation of the painting brush. Consequently, in the present invention, even when the painting brush is attached to the hand of a robot and painting is performed on the inner surface of a corner steel section, the robot can be easily operated without worrying about the orientation of the painting brush.

[0011] On the other hand, in the present invention, since the support shaft is positioned between two adjacent roller brush sections in the axial direction of the roller holding shaft, a gap may be created between the two adjacent roller brush sections, potentially resulting in uncoated areas between them. However, in the present invention, an annular ring member is fixed or formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer end of the adjacent roller brush section, projecting radially inward from the adjacent roller brush section and positioned on the outer circumference of the roller holding shaft, or an annular ring member is fixed or formed on the portion of the roller holding shaft positioned on the inner circumferential surface of the outer end of the adjacent roller brush section, projecting radially outward from the roller holding shaft. Therefore, in the present invention, for example, when the two adjacent roller brush sections are pressed against the inner surface of a angle steel, it becomes possible to tilt the two adjacent roller brush sections with respect to the roller holding shaft in a direction that fills the gap between them. Thus, in the present invention, even if the support shaft is positioned between the two adjacent roller brush sections, it becomes possible to suppress uncoated areas between the two adjacent roller brush sections.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that a ring member is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the outer end of the adjacent roller brush portion. This configuration makes it possible to simplify the shape of the adjacent roller brush portion and the roller holding shaft. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily manufacture the adjacent roller brush portion and the roller holding shaft.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that the inner circumferential surface of the ring member has an inclined surface in which the inner diameter increases as it approaches the support shaft in the axial direction of the roller holding shaft. With this configuration, it becomes easier to tilt the two adjacent roller brushes with respect to the roller holding shaft in a direction that fills the gap between the two adjacent roller brushes when they are pressed against the inner surface of a angle steel or the like. Furthermore, with this configuration, when the adjacent roller brushes are tilted with respect to the roller holding shaft, it becomes possible to bring the inclined surface of the ring member into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the roller holding shaft, and as a result, it becomes possible to increase the contact area between the ring member and the roller holding shaft when the adjacent roller brushes are tilted with respect to the roller holding shaft. Therefore, it becomes possible to stabilize the state of the adjacent roller brushes that are tilted with respect to the roller holding shaft.

[0014] In the present invention, if one side of the roller holding shaft in the axial direction is designated as the first direction side and the side opposite the first direction side is designated as the second direction side, it is preferable that the painting brush comprises a first projection that protrudes in the first direction direction beyond the end face on the first direction side of the roller brush portion located furthest to the first direction side, and a second projection that protrudes in the second direction direction beyond the end face on the second direction side of the roller brush portion located furthest to the second direction side.

[0015] With this configuration, for example, when painting the inner surface of an angle steel, the first and second protrusions prevent the end face of the roller brush from contacting the inner surface of one side of the angle steel. Therefore, for example, when painting the inner surface of an angle steel, it becomes easier to rotate the roller brush. Furthermore, with this configuration, for example, when painting the inner surface of an angle steel, even if the end faces of the first and second protrusions, which have an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the roller brush, come into contact with the inner surface of one side of the angle steel, it is possible to prevent the end face of the roller brush from coming into contact with the inner surface of one side of the angle steel, thus reducing the contact area between the paint brush and the inner surface of one side of the angle steel. Therefore, it becomes possible to suppress the paint brush from scraping off the paint applied to the inner surface of one side of the angle steel.

[0016] In the present invention, if one side of the roller holding shaft in the axial direction is designated as the first direction side and the side opposite the first direction side is designated as the second direction side, the painting brush comprises a plurality of roller brush portions arranged on the first direction side of the support shaft, a plurality of roller brush portions arranged on the second direction side of the support shaft, and two annular and flat end plate portions arranged on the first direction side of the roller brush portion located furthest to the first direction and on the second direction side of the roller brush portion located furthest to the second direction. The roller holding shaft and the support shaft are formed in a cylindrical shape with both ends open, the inner circumference of the support shaft is connected to the inner circumference of the roller holding shaft, and the end plate portions arranged on the first direction side are arranged on the first direction side of the roller holding shaft and on the second direction side. Preferably, the end plate portion is positioned on the second side of the roller holding shaft, the inner diameter of the end plate portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the roller brush portion, and the outer diameter of the end plate portion is larger than the inner diameter of the roller brush portion and smaller than the outer diameter of the roller brush portion. Through holes are formed in the portion of the roller holding shaft on the first side of the support shaft and on the second side of the support shaft, penetrating the roller holding shaft radially. Preferably, paint is supplied to the inner circumference of the roller holding shaft from one opening of the support shaft and out through the other opening of the support shaft, and paint is supplied to the roller brush portion from the openings and through holes formed at both ends of the roller holding shaft. With this configuration, by automatically supplying paint to one opening of the support shaft, it becomes possible to automatically supply the appropriate amount of paint to all roller brush portions. Therefore, it becomes possible to suppress missed spots when painting with a paint brush.

[0017] In the present invention, if one side of the roller holding shaft in the axial direction is designated as the first direction side and the side opposite the first direction side as the second direction side, it is preferable that the painting brush comprises a plurality of roller brush sections arranged on the first direction side of the support shaft, a plurality of roller brush sections arranged on the second direction side of the support shaft, and an annular reinforcing member that is arranged between the roller brush sections on both sides of the support shaft in the axial direction of the roller holding shaft and is rotatably held by the roller holding shaft. With this configuration, for example, even when painting is performed by attaching the painting brush to a robot hand where fine control is difficult, when the roller brush section is pressed against an object to be painted, such as angle steel, the reinforcing member suppresses the crushing of the roller brush section and makes it possible to rotate the roller brush section. Therefore, even when painting is performed by attaching the painting brush to a robot hand where fine control is difficult, it becomes possible to perform painting appropriately.

[0018] In the present invention, the reinforcing member is preferably a metal reinforcing plate formed in a flat plate shape, the outer diameter of the reinforcing plate being smaller than the outer diameter of the roller brush portion, and a number of irregularities arranged in the circumferential direction of the reinforcing plate being formed on the outer surface of the reinforcing plate. With this configuration, when painting is performed by pressing the outer surface of the roller brush portion against an object to be painted, such as a angle steel, it is possible to suppress the outer surface of the reinforcing plate from contacting the object to be painted with excessive contact pressure, while reducing the contact area between the outer surface of the reinforcing plate and the object to be painted. Therefore, when the paint brush moves while the outer surface of the roller brush portion is in contact with the object to be painted, it is possible to suppress the outer surface of the reinforcing plate from scraping off the paint applied to the object to be painted.

[0019] In the present invention, the reinforcing member is a metal reinforcing plate formed in the shape of a flat plate, and the reinforcing plate is provided with protrusions projecting from both sides in the thickness direction of the reinforcing plate, and it is preferable that the protrusions are inserted into the roller brush portion adjacent to the reinforcing plate in the axial direction of the roller holding shaft. With this configuration, it becomes possible to rotate two adjacent roller brush portions together via the reinforcing plate in the axial direction of the roller holding shaft. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform proper coating by two adjacent roller brush portions via the reinforcing plate.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] As described above, in the present invention, in a painting brush provided with a roller brush part formed in a roller shape, even when the painting brush is attached to the hand of a robot and painting is performed on the inner surface of a H-beam or the like, the robot can be easily operated without worrying about the orientation of the painting brush.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a plan view of a painting brush according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a schematic view of a robot 2 to which the painting brush shown in FIG. 1 is attached. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view of the painting brush shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is an exploded perspective view of a part of the configuration of the painting brush shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view of the ring member shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view for explaining the state of adjacent roller brush parts when painting is performed with the painting brush shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] It is a view for explaining the problems of the prior art.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] <图注:此处原文有误,推测是 误写为 ,已修正。>Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] (Configuration of the Painting Brush) FIG. 1 is a plan view of a painting brush 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a robot 2 to which the painting brush 1 shown in FIG. 1 is attached. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the painting brush 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the configuration of the painting brush 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the ring member 14B shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the state of the roller brush parts 7B and 7C when painting is performed with the painting brush 1 shown in FIG. 1. [[ID=…]]

[0024] The painting brush 1 in this embodiment is, for example, a brush used for painting railway overhead line poles and overhead line beams. Overhead line poles are installed on both sides of the tracks, flanking the tracks. Overhead line beams connect the upper ends of the overhead line poles installed on both sides of the tracks. Overhead wires are suspended from the overhead line beams. Overhead line poles and overhead line beams are composed of multiple steel materials and steel pipes. For example, overhead line poles and overhead line beams are composed of multiple angle steels, channel steels, and H-beams. Multiple steel materials and steel pipes are fixed to each other by welding, or by using rivets and bolts. In this embodiment, a special fiber paint with relatively high viscosity containing fibers is applied to the overhead line poles and overhead line beams using the painting brush 1.

[0025] The paint brush 1 is used, for example, attached to the hand 3 of a vertical articulated robot 2, as shown in Figure 2. The robot 2 is equipped with a paint supply mechanism 4 that supplies paint to the paint brush 1. The paint supply mechanism 4 includes, for example, a paint pressure tank, a compressor to increase the pressure in the paint pressure tank, and piping such as a high-pressure hose connecting the paint pressure tank and the paint brush 1. The paint in the paint pressure tank is sent out of the paint pressure tank using the pressure inside the tank. An on / off valve is installed in the middle of the piping. The on / off valve is a solenoid valve.

[0026] The paint brush 1 comprises a plurality of roller brush sections 7 formed in a roller shape, and a roller holding section 8 that rotatably holds the plurality of roller brush sections 7. The roller holding section 8 comprises a linear roller holding shaft 9 arranged on the inner circumference side of the plurality of roller brush sections 7, and a linear support shaft 10 to which the intermediate portion of the roller holding shaft 9 is fixed at one end. The axial direction of the roller holding shaft 9 and the axial direction of the support shaft 10 are perpendicular. The central part of the roller holding shaft 9 is fixed to one end of the support shaft 10. The roller holding section 8 is formed in a T shape.

[0027] For convenience, the axial direction of the roller holding shaft 9 will be considered the left-right direction in the following description. Furthermore, in the following description, the side in the X1 direction as shown in Figure 1, which is one side in the left-right direction, will be referred to as the "right" side, and the opposite side in the X2 direction as shown in Figure 1, which is the "left" side. Of the axial direction of the support shaft 10, the side to which the roller holding shaft 9 is fixed (the Y1 direction as shown in Figure 1, which is the "tip" side), and the opposite side in the Y2 direction as shown in Figure 1, which is the "base" side. In this embodiment, the right side (X1 direction side) is the first direction side, which is one side in the axial direction of the roller holding shaft 9, and the left side (X2 direction side) is the second direction side, which is the opposite side of the first direction side.

[0028] The roller brush section 7 is formed from a chemical fiber such as polyester or acrylic fibers. The roller brush section 7 is cylindrical in shape. The roller brush section 7 is rotatably mounted on the roller holding shaft 9 and rotates on the outer circumference of the roller holding shaft 9. The painting brush 1 in this embodiment has four roller brush sections 7 arranged in the left-right direction. Two of the four roller brush sections 7 are located to the right of the support shaft 10, and the remaining two roller brush sections 7 are located to the left of the support shaft 10. In other words, the painting brush 1 has multiple roller brush sections 7 located to the right of the support shaft 10 and multiple roller brush sections 7 located to the left of the support shaft 10. The support shaft 10 is located between two roller brush sections 7 in the left-right direction.

[0029] In the following description, when distinguishing between the four roller brush sections 7, the roller brush section 7 located on the far right will be referred to as "roller brush section 7A", the roller brush section 7 located second from the right as "roller brush section 7B", the roller brush section 7 located third from the right as "roller brush section 7C", and the roller brush section 7 located on the far left as "roller brush section 7D". In this embodiment, roller brush sections 7B and 7C are adjacent roller brush sections, which are two roller brush sections 7 located adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, with the support shaft 10 in between.

[0030] The roller holding shaft 9 and the support shaft 10 are metal pipes made of stainless steel or the like, and are formed in an elongated cylindrical shape. That is, the roller holding shaft 9 and the support shaft 10 are formed in a cylindrical shape with both ends open. The base end of the support shaft 10 is held by the hand 3. The center of the roller holding shaft 9 in the left-right direction is fixed to the tip of the support shaft 10. As shown in Figure 3, the tip of the support shaft 10 is positioned on the inner circumference side of the roller holding shaft 9. The roller holding shaft 9 has a through hole through which the tip of the support shaft 10 is inserted. The inner circumference side of the support shaft 10 is connected to the inner circumference side of the roller holding shaft 9.

[0031] The right end of the roller holding shaft 9 is positioned to the left of the right end face of the roller brush portion 7A. The left end of the roller holding shaft 9 is positioned to the right of the left end face of the roller brush portion 7D. The outer diameter of the roller holding shaft 9 is significantly smaller than the inner diameter of the roller brush portion 7. The roller holding shaft 9 has a through hole 9a that penetrates it radially. That is, the roller holding shaft 9 has a through hole 9a that extends from the inner circumferential surface to the outer circumferential surface. The through hole 9a penetrates the roller holding shaft 9 in the axial direction of the support shaft 10.

[0032] The through holes 9a are formed in the portion of the roller holding shaft 9 to the right of the support shaft 10 and in the portion of the roller holding shaft 9 to the left of the support shaft 10. Furthermore, the through holes 9a are formed in two locations on the roller holding shaft 9 to the right of the support shaft 10, and in two locations on the roller holding shaft 9 to the left of the support shaft 10. The two through holes 9a located to the right of the support shaft 10 are positioned at the same location in the left-right direction and are located on the inner circumference of the roller brush portion 7A. The two through holes 9a located to the left of the support shaft 10 are positioned at the same location in the left-right direction and are located on the inner circumference of the roller brush portion 7D.

[0033] The roller holding section 8 includes a roller holding shaft 9 and a support shaft 10, as well as a fixing plate 11 to ensure the fixing strength of the roller holding shaft 9 to the support shaft 10. The fixing plate 11 is formed in a flat plate shape with the left-right direction as the thickness direction. When viewed from the left-right direction, the shape of the fixing plate 11 is U-shaped. The fixing plate 11, which has a U-shape when viewed from the left-right direction, is fixed to the roller holding shaft 9 and the support shaft 10 such that the opening side of the fixing plate 11 is positioned towards the base end. Furthermore, the U-shaped fixing plate 11 is fixed to the roller holding shaft 9 and the support shaft 10 such that the inner surface of the fixing plate 11 contacts the outer surface of the roller holding shaft 9 in the circumferential direction of the roller holding shaft 9 and contacts the outer surface of the support shaft 10 in the axial direction of the support shaft 10 (see Figure 4).

[0034] Furthermore, the paint brush 1 includes two annular ring members 14 fixed to the inner circumferential surfaces of the roller brush sections 7B and 7C, two annular reinforcing members 15 positioned between the roller brush sections 7A and 7B and between the roller brush sections 7C and 7D in the left-right direction, two end plate members 16 positioned at both ends of the paint brush 1 in the left-right direction, one shaft member 17 inserted through the inner circumferential side of the roller holding shaft 9, and two push nuts 18 attached to both ends of the shaft member 17.

[0035] The ring member 14 is made of a resin such as polyacetal resin. The ring member 14 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the ring member 14 is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the roller brush portion 7. As described above, the ring member 14 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the roller brush portions 7B and 7C. Specifically, the outer circumferential surface of the ring member 14 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the roller brush portions 7B and 7C, and the ring member 14 protrudes radially inward from the roller brush portions 7B and 7C. That is, the ring member 14 protrudes toward the inner circumferential side of the roller brush portions 7B and 7C. The roller holding shaft 9 is inserted through the inner circumferential side of the ring member 14, and the ring member 14 is positioned on the outer circumferential side of the roller holding shaft 9. The ring member 14 is also rotatably held on the roller holding shaft 9.

[0036] The length of the ring member 14 in the left-right direction is shorter than the length of the roller brush portion 7 in the left-right direction. For example, the length of the ring member 14 in the left-right direction is about one-third the length of the roller brush portion 7 in the left-right direction. In the following description, when the two ring members 14 are described separately, the ring member 14 fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the roller brush portion 7B will be referred to as "ring member 14A," and the ring member 14 fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the roller brush portion 7C will be referred to as "ring member 14B."

[0037] The ring member 14A is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the right end portion 7e of the roller brush portion 7B, which is located to the right of the support shaft 10. The ring member 14B is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the left end portion 7f of the roller brush portion 7C, which is located to the left of the support shaft 10. In other words, the ring member 14A is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the right end portion 7e of the roller brush portion 7B, which is the end of the roller brush portion 7B furthest from the support shaft 10, and the ring member 14B is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the left end portion 7f of the roller brush portion 7C, which is the end of the roller brush portion 7C furthest from the support shaft 10. In this embodiment, the right end portion 7e of the roller brush portion 7B and the left end portion 7f of the roller brush portion 7C are the outer ends of the roller brush portions 7B and 7C, which are the ends of the roller brush portions 7B and 7C furthest from the support shaft 10.

[0038] The right end face of the ring member 14A is positioned in the same location in the left-right direction as, for example, the right end face of the roller brush portion 7B. The left end face of the ring member 14B is positioned in the same location in the left-right direction as, for example, the left end face of the roller brush portion 7C. The inner circumferential surface of the ring member 14 is composed of a cylindrical parallel surface 14c that is parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrically formed ring member 14, and a frustoconical inclined surface 14d whose inner diameter gradually increases towards one side in the axial direction of the ring member 14. The width of the inclined surface 14d in the left-right direction is wider than the width of the parallel surface 14c in the left-right direction. For example, the width of the inclined surface 14d in the left-right direction is about four times the width of the parallel surface 14c in the left-right direction.

[0039] In ring member 14A, the right end of the inner circumferential surface is a parallel surface 14c. Also in ring member 14A, the right end of the inclined surface 14d is connected to the left end of the parallel surface 14c, and the inner diameter of the inclined surface 14d gradually increases towards the left. In ring member 14B, the left end of the inner circumferential surface is a parallel surface 14c. Also in ring member 14B, the left end of the inclined surface 14d is connected to the right end of the parallel surface 14c, and the inner diameter of the inclined surface 14d gradually increases towards the right.

[0040] Specifically, the inner circumferential surface of the ring member 14 has an inclined surface 14d formed thereon, where the inner diameter increases as it approaches the support shaft 10 in the left-right direction. In the ring member 14A, the right end of the parallel surface 14c and the left end of the inclined surface 14d are chamfered. In the ring member 14B, the left end of the parallel surface 14c and the right end of the inclined surface 14d are chamfered. The minimum inner diameter of the inclined surface 14d is equal to the inner diameter of the parallel surface 14c. The inner diameter of the parallel surface 14c is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the roller holding shaft 9.

[0041] As described above, the reinforcing member 15 is positioned between the roller brush section 7A and the roller brush section 7B, and between the roller brush section 7C and the roller brush section 7D in the left-right direction. That is, the reinforcing member 15 is positioned between the roller brush sections 7 on both sides of the support shaft 10 in the left-right direction. The reinforcing member 15 is made of a metal such as stainless steel. Furthermore, the reinforcing member 15 is formed in a flat plate shape with the left-right direction as the thickness direction. In other words, the reinforcing member 15 in this embodiment is a metal reinforcing plate formed in a flat plate shape. Therefore, in the following, the reinforcing member 15 will be referred to as "reinforcing plate 15".

[0042] The reinforcing plate 15 is formed in an annular shape. The roller holding shaft 9 is inserted through the inner circumference of the reinforcing plate 15, and the reinforcing plate 15 is positioned on the outer circumference of the roller holding shaft 9. The reinforcing plate 15 is rotatably held on the roller holding shaft 9. The inner diameter of the reinforcing plate 15 is smaller than the inner diameter of the roller brush portion 7. For example, the inner diameter of the reinforcing plate 15 is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the parallel surface 14c of the ring member 14. The outer diameter of the reinforcing plate 15 is smaller than the outer diameter of the roller brush portion 7. Specifically, the outer diameter of the reinforcing plate 15 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the roller brush portion 7. For example, the outer diameter of the reinforcing plate 15 is about 10% smaller than the outer diameter of the roller brush portion 7.

[0043] The outer surface of the reinforcing plate 15 has numerous protrusions 15a arranged in the circumferential direction of the reinforcing plate 15 (see Figure 4). The numerous protrusions 15a are formed by a continuous arrangement of numerous triangular protrusions that project outward in the radial direction of the reinforcing plate 15 when viewed from the left or right direction, in the circumferential direction of the reinforcing plate 15.

[0044] The reinforcing plate 15 is provided with projections 15b that protrude from both sides in the thickness direction of the reinforcing plate 15 (i.e., protrude from both sides in the left-right direction) (see Figure 4). In this embodiment, multiple triangular projections 15b that are cut and bent toward both sides in the left-right direction are formed on the reinforcing plate 15. The tips of the projections 15b are pointed. In addition, in this embodiment, three projections 15b are formed on the right and left sides of the reinforcing plate 15, respectively, which are arranged at equal angular pitches with respect to the center of the reinforcing plate 15 when viewed from the left-right direction.

[0045] The projections 15b are inserted into the roller brush sections 7 adjacent to the reinforcing plate 15 in the left-right direction. Specifically, the projection 15b formed on the right side of the reinforcing plate 15 positioned between the roller brush section 7A and the roller brush section 7B is inserted into the left end face of the roller brush section 7A, and the projection 15b formed on the left side of this reinforcing plate 15 is inserted into the right end face of the roller brush section 7B. Furthermore, the projection 15b formed on the right side of the reinforcing plate 15 positioned between the roller brush section 7C and the roller brush section 7D is inserted into the left end face of the roller brush section 7C, and the projection 15b formed on the left side of this reinforcing plate 15 is inserted into the right end face of the roller brush section 7D.

[0046] The end plate member 16 is made of a metal such as stainless steel. The end plate member 16 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a flange. As described above, the end plate member 16 is positioned at both ends of the painting brush 1 in the left-right direction. The end plate member 16 positioned on the right side consists of an annular and flat end plate portion 16a positioned to the right of the roller brush portion 7A, and a cylindrical portion 16b extending to the left from the end plate portion 16a. The end plate member 16 positioned on the left side consists of an annular and flat end plate portion 16a positioned to the left of the roller brush portion 7D, and a cylindrical portion 16b extending to the right from the end plate portion 16a.

[0047] In other words, the paint brush 1 has two end plate portions 16a positioned to the right of the roller brush portion 7A and to the left of the roller brush portion 7D. The end plate portions 16a are formed in a flat plate shape with the left-right direction as the thickness direction. The end plate portion 16a positioned on the right is positioned to the right of the roller holding shaft 9, and the end plate portion 16a positioned on the left is positioned to the left of the roller holding shaft 9. The inner diameter of the end plate portion 16a and the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 16b are equal. As will be described later, the shaft member 17 is formed in an elongated cylindrical shape. The shaft member 17 is inserted through the inner circumference of the end plate member 16. The inner diameter of the end plate member 16 (i.e., the inner diameter of the end plate portion 16a and the cylindrical portion 16b) is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the shaft member 17 and is smaller than the inner diameter of the roller brush portion 7.

[0048] The outer diameter of the end plate portion 16a is larger than the inner diameter of the roller brush portion 7. Also, the outer diameter of the end plate portion 16a is smaller than the outer diameter of the roller brush portion 7. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 16b is significantly smaller than the inner diameter of the roller holding shaft 9. The left portion of the cylindrical portion 16b of the end plate member 16 located on the right side is positioned on the inner circumference side of the right end of the roller holding shaft 9. The right portion of the cylindrical portion 16b of the end plate member 16 located on the left side is positioned on the inner circumference side of the left end of the roller holding shaft 9.

[0049] The shaft member 17 is formed in an elongated cylindrical shape in the left-right direction. The shaft member 17 is inserted through the inner circumference of the two end plate members 16 and is positioned on the inner circumference of the roller holding shaft 9. The right end of the shaft member 17 protrudes to the right of the end plate portion 16a located on the right side. That is, the right end of the shaft member 17 is a first protrusion 17a that protrudes to the right of the right end face of the roller brush portion 7A. The left end of the shaft member 17 protrudes to the left of the end plate portion 16a located on the left side. That is, the left end of the shaft member 17 is a second protrusion 17b that protrudes to the left of the left end face of the roller brush portion 7D. In other words, the painting brush 1 is equipped with a first protrusion 17a and a second protrusion 17b.

[0050] The push nuts 18 are attached to the first protrusion 17a and the second protrusion 17b. The push nuts 18 serve to prevent the shaft member 17 from coming off the roller holding shaft 9 and the end plate member 16. The distance between the two push nuts 18 in the left-right direction is greater than the sum of the left-right length of the four roller brush portions 7, the outer diameter of the support shaft 10, the left-right thickness of the two reinforcing plates 15, and the left-right thickness of the two end plate portions 16a.

[0051] Paint is supplied to the paint brush 1 from the paint supply mechanism 4 via piping. The paint supplied from the paint supply mechanism 4 flows into the inner circumference of the support shaft 10 through an opening at the base end of the support shaft 10. Paint is supplied to the roller holding shaft 9 through an opening at the base end of the support shaft 10 that flows into the inner circumference of the support shaft 10 and flows out through an opening at the tip end of the support shaft 10. Paint flows out through openings and through holes 9a formed at both ends of the roller holding shaft 9 and is supplied to the four roller brush sections 7. In this embodiment, the end plate section 16a serves to prevent the paint flowing out from the openings at both ends of the roller holding shaft 9 from flowing outwards in the left-right direction of the paint brush 1, and the paint flowing out from the openings at both ends of the roller holding shaft 9 is supplied to the roller brush section 7 side by the action of the end plate section 16a.

[0052] Between the roller brush section 7B and the roller brush section 7C, paint leaks out (seeps out) toward the outer circumference of the roller brush section 7 through the gap between the roller brush section 7B and the roller brush section 7C. Between the roller brush section 7A and the roller brush section 7B, and between the roller brush section 7C and the roller brush section 7D, paint leaks out toward the outer circumference of the roller brush section 7 through the gap between the end face of the roller brush section 7 and the reinforcing plate 15. A gap is formed between the end face of the roller brush section 7 and the reinforcing plate 15 due to external force. The paint supplied to the roller brush section 7 impregnates the roller brush section 7.

[0053] When painting overhead line poles and overhead line beams with a paint brush 1 attached to the hand 3 of robot 2, for example, four roller brush sections 7 are pressed against the painting surface P (see Figure 6) of the overhead line pole or overhead line beam, which is located on the tip side of the paint brush 1. When the roller brush sections 7A and 7D are pressed against the painting surface P, the roller brush sections 7A and 7D do not tilt in the left-right direction, and the inner surfaces of the roller brush sections 7A and 7D come into contact with the outer surface of the roller holding shaft 9.

[0054] On the other hand, when the roller brush portion 7B is pressed against the painting surface P, as shown in Figure 6, the roller brush portion 7B tilts in the left-right direction until the left end of the inner circumferential surface of the roller brush portion 7B and the inclined surface 14d of the ring member 14A contact the outer circumferential surface of the roller holding shaft 9 at the tip side of the painting brush 1. That is, the roller brush portion 7B tilts with respect to the roller holding shaft 9 in a direction that approaches the roller brush portion 7C at the tip side of the painting brush 1. Also, when the roller brush portion 7C is pressed against the painting surface P, the roller brush portion 7C tilts in the left-right direction until the right end of the inner circumferential surface of the roller brush portion 7C and the inclined surface 14d of the ring member 14B contact the outer circumferential surface of the roller holding shaft 9 at the tip side of the painting brush 1. That is, the roller brush portion 7C tilts with respect to the roller holding shaft 9 in a direction that approaches the roller brush portion 7B at the tip side of the painting brush 1.

[0055] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, when the roller brush portions 7B and 7C are pressed against the painting surface P, the roller brush portions 7B and 7C tilt to such an extent that the gap between them is almost eliminated at the tip end of the painting brush 1. In other words, in this embodiment, the inclination angle of the inclined surface 14d is set such that when the roller brush portions 7B and 7C are pressed against the painting surface P and tilted to such an extent that the gap between them is almost eliminated, the inclined surface 14d contacts the outer circumferential surface of the roller holding shaft 9.

[0056] (Main effects of this form) As explained above, in this embodiment, the support shaft 10 is positioned between the roller brush sections 7A, 7B and 7C, 7D in the left-right direction, which is the axial direction of the roller holding shaft 9. Therefore, in this embodiment, even when painting the inner surface of a corner steel, for example, it is possible to prevent the support shaft 10 from contacting the inner surface of one side of the corner steel, regardless of the orientation of the painting brush 1. Consequently, in this embodiment, even when the painting brush 1 is attached to the hand 3 of the robot 2 and painting is performed on the inner surface of a corner steel, the robot 2 can be easily operated without worrying about the orientation of the painting brush 1.

[0057] In this embodiment, an annular ring member 14A is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the right end portion 7e of the roller brush portion 7B, projecting radially inward and positioned on the outer circumference of the roller holding shaft 9. An annular ring member 14B is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the left end portion 7f of the roller brush portion 7C, projecting radially inward and positioned on the outer circumference of the roller holding shaft 9. Therefore, in this embodiment, as described above, when the two roller brush portions 7B and 7C are pressed against the painted surface P of the overhead line pole or overhead line beam, it becomes possible to tilt the roller brush portions 7B and 7C with respect to the roller holding shaft 9 in a direction that fills the gap between the two roller brush portions 7B and 7C. Consequently, in this embodiment, even if a support shaft 10 is positioned between the roller brush portion 7B and the roller brush portion 7C, it becomes possible to suppress unpainted areas between the roller brush portion 7B and the roller brush portion 7C.

[0058] In this embodiment, an inclined surface 14d is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the ring member 14, the inner diameter of which increases as it approaches the support shaft 10 in the left-right direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is easier to tilt the roller brush parts 7B and 7C with respect to the roller holding shaft 9 in a direction that fills the gap between the roller brush parts 7B and 7C when they are pressed against the painting surface P. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the roller brush parts 7B and 7C are pressed against the painting surface P and tilted with respect to the roller holding shaft 9, the inclined surface 14d on the tip side of the painting brush 1 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the roller holding shaft 9. This makes it possible to increase the contact area between the ring member 14 and the roller holding shaft 9 when the roller brush parts 7B and 7C are pressed against the painting surface P. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to stabilize the state of the roller brush parts 7B and 7C when painting the painting surface P.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first projection 17a of the shaft member 17 protrudes to the right of the rightmost end face of the roller brush portion 7A, which is positioned on the far right, and the second projection 17b protrudes to the left of the leftmost end face of the roller brush portion 7D, which is positioned on the far left. Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, when painting the inner surface of a corner steel, the first projection 17a and the second projection 17b prevent the right end face of the roller brush portion 7A and the left end face of the roller brush portion 7D from coming into contact with the inner surface of one side of the corner steel. Consequently, in this embodiment, for example, when painting the inner surface of a corner steel, it becomes easier to rotate the roller brush portions 7A and 7D.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, for example, when painting the inner surface of an angle steel, even if the right end face of the first projection 17a or the left end face of the second projection 17b, which have an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the roller brush parts 7A and 7D, come into contact with the inner surface of one side of the angle steel, it is possible to prevent the right end face of the roller brush part 7A or the left end face of the roller brush part 7D from coming into contact with the inner surface of one side of the angle steel. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the contact area between the painting brush 1 and the inner surface of one side of the angle steel. Consequently, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the painting brush 1 from scraping off the paint applied to the inner surface of one side of the angle steel.

[0061] In this configuration, the paint supplied from the paint supply mechanism 4 flows into the inner circumference of the support shaft 10 through an opening at the base end of the support shaft 10, and the paint supplied to the roller holding shaft 9 flows into the inner circumference of the support shaft 10 through an opening at the base end of the support shaft 10 and flows out through an opening at the tip end of the support shaft 10. In addition, in this configuration, the paint flowing out from the through holes 9a located on both sides of the support shaft 10 in the left-right direction and from the openings at both ends of the roller holding shaft 9 is supplied to the four roller brush sections 7. Furthermore, in this configuration, the outer diameter of the end plate section 16a is larger than the inner diameter of the roller brush section 7, and the end plate section 16a functions to prevent the paint flowing out from the openings at both ends of the roller holding shaft 9 from flowing outwards in the left-right direction of the painting brush 1. Therefore, in this configuration, it is possible to automatically supply the appropriate amount of paint to all four roller brush sections 7. Consequently, in this configuration, it is possible to suppress missed spots when painting with the painting brush 1.

[0062] In this embodiment, reinforcing plates 15 are positioned between the roller brush section 7A and the roller brush section 7B, and between the roller brush section 7C and the roller brush section 7D. Therefore, in this embodiment, even when painting is performed by attaching the paint brush 1 to the hand 3 of the robot 2, which is difficult to control precisely, the reinforcing plates 15 suppress the crushing of the roller brush section 7 when it is pressed against the painting surface P, making it possible to rotate the roller brush section 7. Thus, in this embodiment, even when painting is performed by attaching the paint brush 1 to the hand 3 of the robot 2, which is difficult to control precisely, it is possible to perform painting appropriately.

[0063] In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the reinforcing plate 15 is smaller than the outer diameter of the roller brush portion 7, and numerous bumps 15a are formed on the outer surface of the reinforcing plate 15, arranged in the circumferential direction of the reinforcing plate 15. Therefore, in this embodiment, when painting with the paint brush 1, it is possible to reduce the contact area between the outer surface of the reinforcing plate 15 and the painted surface P while suppressing excessive contact pressure between the outer surface of the reinforcing plate 15 and the painted surface P. Consequently, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the outer surface of the reinforcing plate 15 from scraping off the paint applied to the painted surface P when the paint brush 1 moves while the outer surface of the roller brush portion 7 is in contact with the painted surface P.

[0064] In this embodiment, the reinforcing plate 15 has protrusions 15b that project from both sides in the thickness direction of the reinforcing plate 15, and the protrusions 15b are inserted into the roller brush parts 7 adjacent to the reinforcing plate 15 in the left-right direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to rotate two adjacent roller brush parts 7 together via the reinforcing plate 15 in the left-right direction. Consequently, in this embodiment, it is possible to perform proper painting using two adjacent roller brush parts 7 via the reinforcing plate 15.

[0065] Furthermore, if the paint applied to overhead line poles, etc., by the paint brush 1 is a paint containing titanium dioxide fibers, a phenomenon such as fiber orientation may occur, causing the fibers to align and layer in the direction of paint flow. As a result, there is a risk of paint clogging on the inner circumference of the roller holding shaft 9 and in the through hole 9a. However, in this embodiment, paint leaks out from the gap between the end face of the roller brush 7 and the reinforcing plate 15 towards the outer circumference of the roller brush 7 between the roller brush 7A and the roller brush 7B, and between the roller brush 7C and the roller brush 7D. Also, as the roller brush 7 operates, the shaft member 17 moves on the inner circumference of the roller holding shaft 9, making it possible to prevent paint clogging on the inner circumference of the roller holding shaft 9 and in the through hole 9a. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the gap between the outer surface of the roller holding shaft 9 and the inclined surface 14d of the ring member 14 becomes narrower. However, because the rotation and displacement movements of the roll brush parts 7B and 7C occur randomly during painting, it becomes possible to prevent the paint from hardening due to fiber orientation in the gap between the outer surface of the roller holding shaft 9 and the inclined surface 14d of the ring member 14.

[0066] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiments are examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention, but are not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without altering the essence of the invention.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, it is not necessary for a parallel surface 14c to be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the ring member 14. In this case, for example, the entire inner circumferential surface of the ring member 14 is an inclined surface 14d.

[0068] In the above-described configuration, the ring member 14 does not necessarily have to be fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the roller brush portions 7B and 7C. In this case, for example, a ring member corresponding to the ring member 14 is integrally formed on the inner circumferential surface of the roller brush portions 7B and 7C. In this case, an annular ring member that protrudes radially outward from the roller holding shaft 9 (i.e., protrudes toward the outer circumference) may be fixed or formed on the portion of the roller holding shaft 9 that is located on the inner circumferential side of the right end portion 7e of the roller brush portion 7B, and on the portion of the roller holding shaft 9 that is located on the inner circumferential side of the left end portion 7f of the roller brush portion 7C.

[0069] The outer circumferential surface of the ring member fixed to or formed on the roller holding shaft 9 has, for example, an inclined surface formed thereon where the outer diameter gradually decreases as it approaches the support shaft 10 in the left-right direction. Compared to these cases, when the ring member 14 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the roller brush parts 7B and 7C as in the above-described configuration, the shapes of the roller brush parts 7B and 7C and the roller holding shaft 9 can be simplified. Therefore, the roller brush parts 7B and 7C and the roller holding shaft 9 can be easily manufactured.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, the reinforcing plate 15 may have, for example, cylindrical or pin-shaped projections that protrude outwards on both sides in the left-right direction, instead of the projections 15b that are cut and raised outwards on both sides in the left-right direction. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the reinforcing plate 15 does not have to have projections that protrude outwards on both sides in the left-right direction. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the outer diameter of the reinforcing plate 15 may be equal to the outer diameter of the roller brush portion 7, or it may be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the roller brush portion 7. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the outer surface of the reinforcing plate 15 does not have to have a large number of bumps 15a formed on it.

[0071] In the above-described embodiment, the reinforcing member 15 may be a disc-shaped brush made of a hard wire such as steel or nylon and formed in an annular shape. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the paint brush 1 does not have to be equipped with the reinforcing member 15. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the right end of the shaft member 17 does not have to protrude to the right from the right end surface of the roller brush portion 7A, and the left end of the shaft member 17 does not have to protrude to the left from the left end surface of the roller brush portion 7D. In other words, the paint brush 1 does not have to be equipped with the first protrusion 17a or the second protrusion 17b.

[0072] In the above-described configuration, the number of roller brush sections 7 on the paint brush 1 may be two, three, or five or more. If the number of roller brush sections 7 on the paint brush 1 is an odd number of three or more, for example, a portion of the roller holding shaft 9 that is off-center in the left-right direction is fixed to the tip of the support shaft 10. Also, for example, if three roller brush sections 7 are arranged to the right of the support shaft 10, a reinforcing plate 15 is placed between the rightmost roller brush section 7 and the second roller brush section 7 from the right, and a reinforcing plate 15 is placed between the second roller brush section 7 from the right and the third roller brush section 7 from the right.

[0073] In the above-described configuration, the paint supply mechanism 4 does not necessarily have to be attached to the robot 2. In this case, before painting with the paint brush 1, the roller brush part 7 is immersed in a paint palette containing paint to allow the roller brush part 7 to be sufficiently saturated with paint. Also in this case, the roller holding shaft 9 and the support shaft 10 do not necessarily have to be formed in a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, in the above-described configuration, the paint brush 1 may be used to paint objects other than overhead line poles and overhead line beams. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 1 Paint brush 7. Roller brush section 7A Roller brush section located on the first direction side 7B, 7C Adjacent roller brush section 7D Roller brush section located on the second-direction side 7e Right end (outer end) 7f Left end (outer end) 8 Roller holding part 9 Roller holding shaft 9a through hole 10 Support shaft 14 Ring Member 14d slope 15. Reinforcement plate (reinforcement member) 15a Unevenness 15b protrusion 16a End plate part 17a 1st protrusion 17b Second protrusion X1 1st direction side X2 2nd direction side

Claims

1. It comprises a plurality of roller brush sections formed in a roller shape, and a roller holding section that rotatably holds the plurality of roller brush sections, The roller holding portion comprises a linear roller holding shaft arranged on the inner circumference side of a plurality of roller brush portions, and a linear support shaft to which the intermediate portion of the roller holding shaft is fixed at one end. The support shaft is positioned between the two roller brush portions in the axial direction of the roller holding shaft. If we define each of the two roller brush sections, which are arranged adjacent to each other on either side of the support shaft in the axial direction of the roller holding shaft, as an adjacent roller brush section, and define the end of the adjacent roller brush section furthest from the support shaft as the outer end, A paint brush characterized in that an annular ring member is fixed or formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer end of the adjacent roller brush portion, projecting radially inward from the adjacent roller brush portion and positioned on the outer circumferential side of the roller holding shaft, or an annular ring member is fixed or formed on the portion of the roller holding shaft that is positioned on the inner circumferential side of the outer end of the adjacent roller brush portion, projecting radially outward from the roller holding shaft.

2. The painting brush according to claim 1, characterized in that the ring member is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the outer end of the adjacent roller brush portion.

3. The painting brush according to claim 2, characterized in that the inner circumferential surface of the ring member has an inclined surface formed thereon, the inner diameter of which increases as it approaches the support shaft in the axial direction of the roller holding shaft.

4. If one side of the roller holding shaft in the axial direction is designated as the first direction side, and the side opposite the first direction side is designated as the second direction side, A painting brush according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by comprising: a first projection that protrudes in the first direction from the end face on the first direction side of the roller brush portion that is positioned furthest to the first direction; and a second projection that protrudes in the second direction from the end face on the second direction side of the roller brush portion that is positioned furthest to the second direction.

5. If one side of the roller holding shaft in the axial direction is designated as the first direction side, and the side opposite the first direction side is designated as the second direction side, The device comprises a plurality of roller brush portions arranged on the first direction side of the support shaft, a plurality of roller brush portions arranged on the second direction side of the support shaft, and two annular and flat end plates arranged on the first direction side of the roller brush portion located furthest to the first direction and on the second direction side of the roller brush portion located furthest to the second direction. The roller holding shaft and the support shaft are formed in a cylindrical shape with both ends open. The inner circumference of the support shaft is connected to the inner circumference of the roller holding shaft, The end plate portion, which is positioned on the first direction side, is positioned on the first direction side of the roller holding shaft, The end plate portion, which is positioned on the second direction side, is positioned on the second direction side of the roller holding shaft, The inner diameter of the end plate portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the roller brush portion. The outer diameter of the end plate portion is larger than the inner diameter of the roller brush portion, and smaller than the outer diameter of the roller brush portion. A through hole is formed in the portion of the roller holding shaft that is on the first side of the support shaft, and in the portion of the roller holding shaft that is on the second side of the support shaft, passing through the roller holding shaft in the radial direction. On the inner circumference side of the roller holding shaft, paint is supplied, flowing in from one opening of the support shaft to the inner circumference side of the support shaft and flowing out from the other opening of the support shaft. The paint brush according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that paint is supplied to the roller brush portion from openings formed at both ends of the roller holding shaft and from the through holes.

6. If one side of the roller holding shaft in the axial direction is designated as the first direction side, and the side opposite the first direction side is designated as the second direction side, A painting brush according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by comprising: a plurality of roller brush portions arranged on the first direction side of the support shaft; a plurality of roller brush portions arranged on the second direction side of the support shaft; and an annular reinforcing member arranged between the roller brush portions on both sides of the support shaft in the axial direction of the roller holding shaft and rotatably held by the roller holding shaft.

7. The reinforcing member is a metal reinforcing plate formed in a flat plate shape. The outer diameter of the reinforcing plate is smaller than the outer diameter of the roller brush portion. The painting brush according to claim 6, characterized in that a number of irregularities arranged in the circumferential direction of the reinforcing plate are formed on the outer surface of the reinforcing plate.

8. The reinforcing member is a metal reinforcing plate formed in a flat plate shape. The reinforcing plate is provided with protrusions that extend from both sides in the thickness direction of the reinforcing plate, The painting brush according to claim 6, characterized in that the projection is inserted into the roller brush portion adjacent to the reinforcing plate in the axial direction of the roller holding shaft.

Images