Dense-phase powder pump comprising a compressed air control module, compressed air control module for a dense-phase powder pump, and injector unit for a compressed air control module of a dense-phase powder pump

Abstract

The invention relates to a dense-phase powder pump (1) for pumping coating powder from a first powder reservoir to a second powder reservoir or to a powder spray device, said dense-phase powder pump (1) being characterized by the modular design thereof. The dense-phase powder pump (1) has a pump head module (2) which has at least one powder pumping chamber which is fluidically connected or can be fluidically connected to the first powder reservoir via a powder inlet and to the second powder reservoir or to the powder spray device via a powder outlet. The dense-phase powder pump (1) additionally has a compressed air control module (3) which has a plurality of switch valves (12) that are paired with in particular pneumatically controllable components of the pump head module (2) and are designed to supply compressed air or suction air or negative pressure to the pneumatically controllable components of the pump head module (2) as required and in particular in a controlled manner. According to the invention, the compressed air control module (3) in particular has a valve block (10) and a support plate (11) which is connected, in particular releasably, to a lateral surface (14) of the valve block (10).

Description

[0001] Powder seal pump with a compressed air control module, compressed air control module for a powder seal pump and injector unit for a compressed air control module of a powder seal pump

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates generally to dense phase powder pumps for conveying coating powder and to pneumatic controls for controlling pneumatically controllable components of dense phase powder pumps.

[0004] Dense-phase powder pumps of the type considered here have at least one conveying chamber equipped with a powder inlet valve and a powder outlet valve. The conveying chamber can be connected alternatively to a vacuum source during a suction phase or to a transport compressed air source during a discharge phase. Using the vacuum from the vacuum source, powder is sucked into the conveying chamber through the open powder inlet valve while the powder outlet valve is closed. Using the transport compressed air from the transport compressed air source, the powder in the conveying chamber is discharged through the open powder outlet valve while the powder inlet valve is closed.

[0005] Dense phase powder pumps can have several conveying chambers arranged parallel to one another, which operate in phases such that coating powder is alternately sucked into one conveying chamber while coating powder is discharged from the other conveying chamber.

[0006] For example, EP 1 551 558 A1 relates to a dense phase powder pump comprising a first powder feed chamber and a second powder feed chamber arranged parallel to the first powder feed chamber. The two powder feed chambers of the dense phase powder pump known from this prior art are each delimited on both the intake and discharge sides by a mechanically actuated pinch valve arrangement.

[0007] In detail, it is provided that in the suction-side or delivery-side area of ​​the dense phase powder pump, the powder hoses connected to the respective powder delivery chambers of the dense phase powder pump can be deformed with a mechanically operated stamp in order to squeeze or open the hose section if necessary.

[0008] Each powder feed chamber of the dense phase powder pump known from this prior art is assigned a filter tube which delimits the circumference of the corresponding powder feed chamber. The filter tube is permeable to air, but not to coating powder, and is surrounded by an annular chamber to which either negative pressure or compressed air can be connected. This allows coating powder to be alternately sucked into each powder feed chamber or expelled from the corresponding powder feed chamber using compressed air. The two powder feed chambers arranged parallel to each other are operated in alternating phases, which means that one of the two powder feed chambers sucks in coating powder through the powder inlet of the dense phase powder pump, while the other of the two powder feed chambers discharges a portion of coating powder previously sucked into the powder feed chamber via the powder outlet of the dense phase powder pump.

[0009] The use of dense phase powder pumps for conveying coating powder to corresponding devices for spraying coating powder, such as in particular powder spray coating guns, is known from the document DE 196 11 533 B4, the document WO 2004 / 087331 A1 and the document EP 1 566 352 A2.

[0010] Before the use of dense phase powder pumps of the type considered here became known for conveying coating powder, powder pumps designed as injectors were used, and these are still used today for conveying coating powder. In contrast to dense phase powder pumps, however, powder pumps designed as injectors (dilute phase powder pumps) have the disadvantage that powder pumps designed as injectors wear out relatively quickly and can usually convey a decreasing amount of coating powder per unit of time over time.

[0011] In this respect, dense phase powder pumps have become established in practice, particularly for applications in which a relatively constant amount of coating powder has to be pumped per unit of time.

[0012] In practical use, however, it has been shown that dense phase powder pumps, such as those known from the document EP 1 551 558 A1, have problems with continuous powder conveyance, particularly with some types of powder, or that they require relatively frequent maintenance.

[0013] A further disadvantage of the prior art dense phase powder pumps is that different configurations of the dense phase powder pumps may be necessary due to different customer requirements and varying applications. This applies, for example, to dense phase powder pumps used in a powder coating system for the automatic powder coating of objects and to dense phase powder pumps used in manual powder coating operations.

[0014] The sometimes specific and diverse customer requirements result in a relatively high degree of variation, from the individual component level to the entire dense phase powder pump. This results in cost disadvantages due to high logistics costs, manufacturing overhead, high setup costs, small batches, and the creation of variants at the beginning of the value chain.

[0015] The invention is intended to solve the problem that, on the one hand, the maintenance of a dense phase powder pump can be simplified in order to reduce potential downtimes of the dense phase powder pump.

[0016] On the other hand, a dense phase powder pump is to be specified that allows for easy adaptation and optimization of the dense phase powder pump to customer requirements. The object underlying the invention is achieved in particular by a dense phase powder pump according to independent patent claim 1, with advantageous developments of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention being specified in dependent patent claims 2 to 26.

[0017] Accordingly, the invention relates in particular to a dense phase powder pump for conveying coating powder from a first powder reservoir to a second powder reservoir or to a powder spraying device, wherein the dense phase powder pump is characterized by its modular design.

[0018] The modular design of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention enables adjustments, optimizations, and even cost reductions to be made in individual modules of the dense phase powder pump without the typical "ripple effect" of changes occurring within the entire dense phase powder pump. The modularization of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention reduces product complexity and makes the customer order process more efficient by allowing the dense phase powder pump to be configured for the specific order instead of being designed specifically for the order.

[0019] In other words, the dense phase powder pump according to the invention is constructed according to a modular principle, whereby the functional components of the dense phase powder pump are divided into modules or assemblies.

[0020] The individual modules or assemblies of the powder dense phase pump, which is constructed according to the modular principle, can be joined together if the shape and function are suitable or integrated via appropriate interfaces.

[0021] The dense phase powder pump (according to the invention), constructed according to the modular principle and characterized by its modular design, enables the creation of individually configurable dense phase powder pumps without sacrificing economies of scale across series. The individual modules of the dense phase powder pump are, in particular, standardized building blocks that can be flexibly implemented using individual adaptation elements within the modular system.

[0022] The advantage of such a modular, dense phase powder pump is, on the one hand, increased flexibility in product and organizational development. Faster product cycles and greater adaptability are possible when various compatible dense phase powder pump modules are available, which can be attached, removed, replaced, or regrouped to ultimately adapt the dense phase powder pump to new conditions.

[0023] On the other hand, the modular design of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention offers the further advantage of easily realizing a wide product variety. Furthermore, more cost-effective production is possible due to identical series and simpler assembly processes.

[0024] Finally, the modular design of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention also offers advantages with regard to the maintenance of the dense phase powder pump, since cost-effective repair is possible by replacing the faulty components of the dense phase powder pump.

[0025] In particular, the dense phase powder pump according to the invention comprises a pump head module designed as a module, which has at least one powder conveying chamber which is or can be fluidly connected to the first powder reservoir via a powder inlet and to the second powder reservoir or to the powder spray device via a powder outlet.

[0026] In addition, the powder dense phase pump according to the invention comprises a compressed air control module, which is also designed as a module and has a plurality of switching valves which are assigned to the individual, preferably modular, components of the pump head module and are designed to supply the pneumatically controllable components of the pump head module with compressed air or suction air or vacuum as required and in particular in a controlled manner.

[0027] The dense phase powder pump according to the invention is particularly characterized in that the compressed air control module has a preferably cuboid-shaped, and even more preferably an at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block, and a support plate for the switching valves of the compressed air control module, which is connected, in particular detachably connected, to a side surface of the valve block. In particular, the dense phase powder pump according to the invention provides that the switching valves of the compressed air control module are mounted on a first side surface of the support plate, preferably each via a screw connection. The switching valves are preferably each designed as electromagnetic switching valves.

[0028] The carrier plate is connected in particular via its second side surface opposite the first side surface to a first side surface of the preferably cuboid-shaped and even more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block.

[0029] In this context in particular, it is advisable for the first side surface of the carrier plate to be divided into dedicated sections, each section being designed as a mounting area for a switching valve of the compressed air control module.

[0030] In a further development of the last-mentioned embodiment variant, it is provided that connection openings are formed in each mounting area, which are designed to be in fluid communication with corresponding connections of a switching valve when the switching valve is connected to the carrier plate in the mounting area or at the mounting area or via the mounting area.

[0031] In order to be able to realize a particularly compact design, in particular of the compressed air control module, and furthermore to reduce the length of the air ducts which are in fluid communication with the connections of the switching valve or with the connections of the switching valves, it is provided according to one aspect of the present invention that duct systems assigned to the corresponding mounting areas are formed in the interior of the carrier plate, wherein each duct system has at least one air duct and preferably a plurality of air ducts, wherein the at least one air duct or the air ducts open into corresponding connection openings of the mounting area assigned to the duct system.

[0032] To form the channel systems inside the support plate, it is advisable for the support plate to be divided into a first support plate section, which forms the first side surface of the support plate, i.e. the side surface of the support plate on which the switching valves of the compressed air control module are mounted, and a second support plate section extending parallel to the first support plate section, this second support plate section ultimately forming the side surface of the support plate opposite the first side surface when the two support plate sections are connected to one another.

[0033] In this context, it is advisable that the air ducts of the duct systems are formed at least partially or in regions by groove areas, in particular milled groove areas, formed in a side surface of the first and / or second carrier plate section.

[0034] This design variant, in which the air ducts of the duct systems are formed at least partially or in regions by groove areas, in particular milled groove areas, formed in a side surface of the first and / or second support plate section, offers the decisive advantage that the air lines, and in particular the compressed air lines of the compressed air control module, are designed without hoses. The air ducts are preferably semi-open or groove-like in the side surfaces of the first and second support plate sections.

[0035] The integral design of the duct systems inside the support plate advantageously ensures that the air ducts and air lines can be kept as short as possible and do not bend. In particular, incorrect installation is prevented.

[0036] The preferably cuboid-shaped, and even more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped, valve block of the compressed air control module is, in particular, at least partially or in some areas, and preferably entirely, designed as a milled part, in particular a metal milled part. Advantageously, the support plate of the compressed air control module is also designed at least partially or in some areas, and preferably entirely, as a milled part, in particular a metal milled part. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to design the valve block and / or the support plate of the compressed air control module as an injection-molded part, in particular a plastic injection-molded part.According to a further aspect of the invention, it is provided that at least one pressure chamber is formed in the interior of the preferably cuboid-shaped and even more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block, which serves to temporarily store compressed air required in particular for the operation of the pump head module and, in particular, for the operation of the pneumatically controllable components of the pump head module.

[0037] The at least one pressure chamber formed inside the valve block serves as an air tank and is designed in particular to withstand an air pressure of preferably at least 4 bar and in particular of approximately 6 bar.

[0038] In particular, according to embodiment variants in this context, it is provided that in the interior of the preferably cuboid-shaped and even more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block, at least two pressure chambers are formed which are separated from one another by at least one wall region but are preferably in fluid communication with one another.

[0039] With this measure, it is possible in a simple to implement but nevertheless effective manner for the individual pressure chambers serving as air buffers or air tanks and located inside the valve block to withstand a desired pressure of preferably at least 4 bar and more preferably of approximately 6 bar, since by providing several pressure chambers the forces are distributed over the wall areas delimiting the corresponding pressure chambers and are thus reduced.

[0040] In order to be able to form the pressure chambers or the at least one pressure chamber in the interior of the valve block of the compressed air control module, it is preferably provided that a cover plate is assigned to the at least one pressure chamber, which cover plate is connected and in particular welded to a wall region and in particular to a base body of the valve block in order to close the at least one pressure chamber to the outside.

[0041] Preferably, in the side surface of the preferably cuboid-shaped and even more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block, to which the carrier plate is in particular detachably connected, at least one connection opening associated with the at least one pressure chamber is formed, via which the at least one pressure chamber can be filled with compressed air.

[0042] According to a further inventive aspect, it is provided that a compartment is formed in the interior of the preferably cuboid-shaped and even more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block, which compartment serves to at least partially or regionally accommodate an injector unit of the compressed air control module.

[0043] In this context, it is particularly provided that the injector unit of the compressed air control module is at least partially or regionally accommodated or receivable in the compartment which is formed in the interior of the valve block, in an exchangeable or replaceable manner.

[0044] The injector unit is designed to generate a negative pressure as required, which serves in the pump head module of the powder dense phase pump according to the invention for sucking a powder portion into the at least one powder conveying chamber of the pump head module.

[0045] According to implementations of the injector unit, it has a vacuum suction nozzle and an injector holder, wherein the vacuum suction nozzle is held in particular in an exchangeable or replaceable manner by the injector holder.

[0046] In this context, it is advisable for the injector holder to have a wall region which, when the injector unit is accommodated in the compartment formed inside the valve block of the compressed air control module, and in particular when the vacuum nozzle of the injector unit is accommodated in the compartment, closes a receiving or access opening of the compartment at least partially or in a region-wise manner.

[0047] Advantageously, the injector unit comprises a vent filter, wherein the vent filter is held by the injector holder, in particular in a replaceable or interchangeable manner. In particular, the vent filter of the injector unit is held by the injector holder in such a way that compressed air directed through the vacuum nozzle, which serves to generate the negative pressure, is directed into the vent filter after passing through the vacuum nozzle. According to preferred implementations of the latter embodiment, the injector holder, at least in the section of the wall region in which the vent filter is held by the injector holder, has at least one vent opening formed in the wall region, via which the compressed air previously directed through the vacuum nozzle can be released to the outside atmosphere.

[0048] In other words, this measure ensures that the compressed air required to generate the pump head module of the dense phase powder pump is released to the outside atmosphere via the vent filter after being passed through the vacuum suction nozzle of the injector unit. The vent filter serves, in particular, to retain powder particles that are contained in the compressed air required to generate the vacuum, for example, when the dense phase powder pump, and in particular the pump head module of the dense phase powder pump, draws in false powder.

[0049] According to one embodiment variant, in particular of the last-mentioned embodiment of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention, it is provided that the injector holder has a housing region in which the vent filter is received or can be received, in particular is received or can be received in an exchangeable or replaceable manner, wherein in a state of the injector unit received in the compartment formed in the valve block and in particular in a state of the vacuum suction nozzle and the housing region with the vent filter received in the compartment, the vacuum suction nozzle is present in a vacuum region of the compartment, which is delimited in particular by a wall region of the compartment.

[0050] In this embodiment, it is advisable that in the compartment formed inside the valve block, and in particular in a wall region of the compartment opposite the receiving or access opening of the compartment, at least one through-opening is formed, which opens into the vacuum region of the compartment. Through this at least one through-opening, the negative pressure generated by the vacuum suction nozzle as required can be supplied to the pump head module and in particular to the powder conveying chamber of the pump head module via a corresponding channel system with at least one air channel. According to a further aspect of the invention, channel systems, each with at least one air channel, are formed in a wall region of the at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block, which directly adjoins the first side surface of the valve block to which the carrier plate is connected.

[0051] By integrating such duct systems or corresponding air ducts into the wall area of ​​the valve block, separate hose lines are eliminated. In other words, the air ducts of the duct systems integrated into the wall area of ​​the valve block are designed without hoses, thus preventing incorrect installation of air hoses. Furthermore, kinking of such air hoses is prevented, and the routing of the air ducts can be reduced.

[0052] In this context, it is particularly suitable for the duct systems formed in the wall area of ​​the valve block to have air ducts which are in fluid communication with air ducts belonging to duct systems formed in the interior of the carrier plate and assigned to the corresponding mounting areas of the carrier plate.

[0053] The valve block has, for example, a first side surface to which the carrier plate is connected, and furthermore a second side surface opposite the first side surface, wherein connection openings are formed in the second side surface of the valve block, which connection openings are each in fluid communication with at least one air channel of the channel systems formed in the wall region of the valve block.

[0054] To form the air ducts in the wall region of the valve block, it can be provided that the wall region of the valve block, in which the duct systems with the air ducts are formed, is formed by a recessed region formed in a base body of the valve block and a side plate that is at least partially or partially complementary to the recessed region. The side plate, which is at least partially or partially complementary to the recessed region, is preferably at least partially or partially receivable in the recessed region and, in particular, releasably fixed there.In this context, it is particularly suitable for groove areas, in particular milled groove areas, to be formed in a wall area of ​​the recessed area facing the side plate, which groove areas at least partially or regionally form the air ducts of the duct systems executed in the wall area when the side plate is received in the recessed area to form the wall area.

[0055] In addition, groove regions, in particular milled groove regions, can be formed in a wall region of the side plate facing the recessed region, which groove regions at least partially or regionally form the air ducts of the duct systems formed in the wall region when the side plate is received in the recessed region to form the wall region of the valve block.

[0056] The object underlying the invention is further achieved by a compressed air control module for a dense phase powder pump for conveying coating powder from a first powder reservoir to a second powder reservoir or to a powder spraying device, in particular for a dense phase powder pump of the type according to the invention described above.

[0057] The compressed air control module according to the invention has a plurality of switching valves which are assigned to the individual pneumatically controllable components of the dense phase powder pump and are designed to supply the pneumatically controllable components of the dense phase powder pump with compressed air or suction air or vacuum as required and in particular in a controlled manner.

[0058] According to one aspect of the invention, the compressed air control module according to the invention is particularly characterized in that the compressed air control module has a preferably cuboid-shaped and even more preferably an at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block and a carrier plate connected, in particular detachably connected, to a side surface of the valve block.

[0059] According to implementations of the compressed air control module according to the invention, it is provided that at least one pressure chamber is formed inside the preferably cuboid-shaped and more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block, which serves to temporarily store compressed air required in particular for the operation of the pump head module, wherein in the interior of the preferably cuboid-shaped and more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block, in particular at least two pressure chambers are formed which are separated from one another by at least one wall region but are preferably in fluid communication with one another.

[0060] In this case, a cover plate can be assigned to the at least one pressure chamber, which cover plate is connected and in particular welded to a wall region and in particular to a base body of the preferably cuboid-shaped and even more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block in order to close the pressure chamber to the outside.

[0061] Alternatively or additionally, at least one connection opening associated with the at least one pressure chamber can be formed in the side surface of the preferably cuboid-shaped and even more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block, to which the carrier plate is in particular detachably connected, via which connection opening the at least one pressure chamber can be filled with compressed air.

[0062] According to a further aspect of the invention, the compressed air control module according to the invention is particularly characterized in that a compartment for at least partially or regionally accommodating an injector unit is formed in the interior of the preferably cuboid-shaped and even more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block.

[0063] In this case, the injector unit can be accommodated or receivable in the compartment at least partially or in regions in an exchangeable or replaceable manner and can be designed to generate a negative pressure as required, wherein the injector unit has a vacuum suction nozzle and an injector holder, wherein the vacuum suction nozzle is held in particular in an exchangeable or replaceable manner by the injector holder.

[0064] Preferably, the injector holder has a wall region which, when the injector unit is accommodated in the compartment and, in particular, when the vacuum suction nozzle of the injector unit is accommodated in the compartment, closes a receiving or access opening of the compartment at least partially or in some areas.

[0065] It is conceivable in this context that the injector unit has a vent filter, wherein the vent filter is held in particular in an exchangeable or replaceable manner by the injector holder, in particular in such a way that compressed air guided through the vacuum suction nozzle is guided into the vent filter after passing through the vacuum suction nozzle, wherein the injector holder has at least one vent opening formed in the wall region, at least in the section of the wall region in which the vent filter is held by the injector holder, via which vent opening the compressed air previously guided through the vacuum suction nozzle can be released to the outside atmosphere.

[0066] According to a further aspect of the invention, the compressed air control module according to the invention is particularly characterized in that the switching valves are mounted on a first side surface of the carrier plate, preferably each via a screw connection, wherein the first side surface of the carrier plate is divided into, in particular, dedicated sections, wherein each section is designed as a mounting area for a switching valve of the compressed air control module, wherein connection openings are designed in each mounting area, which are designed to be in fluid connection with corresponding connections of a switching valve when the switching valve is connected to the carrier plate in the mounting area, and wherein channel systems assigned to the corresponding mounting areas are formed in the interior of the carrier plate, wherein each channel system has at least one air channel and in particular a plurality of air channels, wherein the at least one air channel orthe air ducts open into corresponding connection openings in the installation area assigned to the duct system.

[0067] In this case, it is advisable for the carrier plate to be divided into a first carrier plate section, which forms the first side surface of the carrier plate, and into a second carrier plate section which extends parallel to the first carrier plate section and forms the second side surface of the carrier plate opposite the first side surface, wherein the air ducts of the duct systems are formed at least partially or in regions by groove regions, in particular milled groove regions, which are formed in a side surface of the first and / or second carrier plate section.According to a further aspect of the invention, the compressed air control module according to the invention is particularly characterized in that the switching valves are mounted on a first side surface of the carrier plate, preferably each via a screw connection, wherein the carrier plate is connected via its second side surface opposite the first side surface to a first side surface of the preferably cuboid-shaped and even more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block, wherein in a wall region of the at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block, which directly adjoins the first side surface of the at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block, to which the carrier plate is connected, channel systems each having at least one air channel are formed.

[0068] For example, the channel systems formed in the wall region of the at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block can have air channels which are in fluid communication with air channels belonging to channel systems formed in the interior of the carrier plate and assigned to corresponding switching valve mounting regions of the carrier plate.

[0069] According to implementations of the compressed air control module according to the invention, it is particularly provided that the wall region of the at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block, in which the channel systems with the air channels are formed, is formed by a recessed region formed in a base body of the valve block and a side plate designed to be at least partially or partially complementary to the recessed region, wherein the side plate designed to be at least partially or partially complementary to the recessed region can be received at least partially or partially in the recessed region and can be fixed there in a particular releasably manner, wherein groove regions, in particular milled groove regions, are formed in a wall region of the recessed region facing the side plate, which groove regions at least partially or partially form the air channels of the channel systems designed in the wall region,if the side plate is accommodated in the recessed area to form the wall area.

[0070] Preferably, groove regions, in particular milled groove regions, are formed in a wall region of the side plate facing the recessed region, which groove regions at least partially or regionally form the air ducts of the duct systems formed in the wall region when the side plate is received in the recessed region to form the wall region.

[0071] The invention further relates to an injector unit for a compressed air control module of a dense phase powder pump, in particular for a compressed air control module of the aforementioned type according to the invention, wherein the injector unit is designed to be accommodated at least partially or regionally in a compartment formed in the interior of a valve block of the compressed air control module.

[0072] The injector unit is at least partially or regionally interchangeably or replaceably accommodated in the compartment and is designed to generate a negative pressure as required, wherein the injector unit has a vacuum suction nozzle and an injector holder, wherein the vacuum suction nozzle is held in particular in an interchangeable or replaceable manner by the injector holder.

[0073] The injector holder has a wall region which, when the injector unit is accommodated in the compartment and, in particular, when the vacuum suction nozzle of the injector unit is accommodated in the compartment, closes a receiving or access opening of the compartment at least partially or in a region-wise manner.

[0074] The injector unit further comprises a vent filter, wherein the vent filter is held in particular in an exchangeable or replaceable manner by the injector holder, in particular in such a way that compressed air guided through the vacuum suction nozzle is guided into the vent filter after passing through the vacuum suction nozzle, wherein the injector holder has at least one vent opening formed in the wall region, at least in the section of the wall region in which the vent filter is held by the injector holder, via which vent opening the compressed air previously guided through the vacuum suction nozzle can be released to the outside atmosphere.

[0075] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0076] FIG. 1 shows schematically and in an isometric view an exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention;

[0077] FIG. 2 shows schematically and in an isometric exploded view the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention according to FIG. 1;

[0078] FIG. 3 shows a schematic and isometric view of the preferably cuboid-shaped and even more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block of the compressed air control module of the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention according to FIG. 1, specifically without an injector unit accommodated in a compartment of the valve block, but in the closed state of the pressure chambers formed in the valve block and with a carrier plate section of the carrier plate of the compressed air control module mounted on a side surface of the valve block;

[0079] FIG. 4 shows schematically and in an isometric partial exploded view the compressed air control module of the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention according to FIG. 1, in a state in which, on the one hand, the carrier plate with the switching valves is mounted on a side surface of the valve block, and, on the other hand, the pressure chambers formed in the interior of the valve block are closed by means of corresponding cover plates, wherein the injector unit shown in an exploded view in FIG. 4 is not yet accommodated in the compartment formed in the interior of the valve block;

[0080] FIG. 5 shows schematically and in an isometric partially exploded view another embodiment of the compressed air control module; and

[0081] FIG: 6 schematically shows a pneumatic diagram of the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention as shown in FIG. 1. The exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump 1 according to the invention, shown schematically in particular in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, is characterized by its modularity, as can be seen in particular from the schematic and isometric exploded view according to FIG. 2.

[0082] In particular, the dense phase powder pump 1 according to the invention is constructed according to the modular principle and divided into various functional components, also constructed in a modular manner. This is, in particular, a pump head module 2, which has at least one powder conveying chamber, which is fluidly connected or connectable to a (first) powder reservoir via a powder inlet and to a (second) powder reservoir via a powder outlet, or to a powder spray device not shown in the drawings.

[0083] The pump head module 2 of the dense phase powder pump 1 is preferably operatively connected via a quick-change system or quick-change module 7, in particular in terms of flow, to a compressed air control module 3, which forms an application valve unit for the pump head module 2.

[0084] The compressed air control module 3 is integrated or can be integrated at least partially or regionally into a pump housing 4, wherein the pump housing 4 further comprises a control unit 5 for controlling the controllable components of the dense phase powder pump 1.

[0085] The quick-change system or quick-change module 7, via which the pump head module 2 is connected to the compressed air control module 3 serving as an application valve unit, is designed in particular as a connection block.

[0086] The exploded view according to FIG. 2 further shows that a further module of the dense phase powder pump 1 is formed by a connection module 8, which preferably comprises an HMI device 9, in particular with a display. The connection module 8 is detachably connectable to the pump housing 4 and contains at least essential elements of the control unit 5.

[0087] A further module unit of the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump 1 according to the invention is formed by an inlet valve unit 6, via which in particular the application valve unit, ie the compressed air control module 3, is supplied with the compressed air necessary for controlling the pneumatically controllable components of the pump head module 2.

[0088] The compressed air control module 3 of the exemplary embodiment of the invention, as shown in detail in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, has a plurality of switching valves 12 which are assigned to the individual, in particular pneumatically controllable components of the pump head module 2 and are designed to supply the pneumatically controllable components of the pump head module 2 with compressed air or suction air or vacuum as needed and in particular in a controlled manner.

[0089] As can also be seen from the illustrations in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, the compressed air control module 3 has a preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block 10 and a support plate 11 connected, in particular detachably connected, to a side surface of the valve block 10.

[0090] It is provided that the switching valves 12 of the compressed air control module 3 are each mounted on a first side surface 13 of the carrier plate 11 via a screw connection.

[0091] The switching valves 12 are preferably electromagnetic switching valves 12, although other design variants are also conceivable.

[0092] The support plate 11 of the compressed air control module 3 is preferably detachably connected to a first side surface 14 of the cuboid valve block 10 via its second side surface opposite the first side surface 13.

[0093] As can be seen in particular from the partial exploded view according to FIG. 5, the first side surface 13 of the carrier plate 11 is divided into dedicated sections, each section being designed as a mounting area 15 for a switching valve 12 of the compressed air control module 3.

[0094] It can also be seen from the partial exploded view according to FIG. 5 that connection openings 16 are provided in each mounting area 15, which are designed to be in fluid communication with corresponding connections of a switching valve 12 when the switching valve 12 is connected to the carrier plate 11 in the mounting area 15.

[0095] It can also be seen that duct systems 17 assigned to the corresponding mounting areas 15 are formed inside the carrier plate 11. Each duct system 17 has at least one air duct and preferably a plurality of air ducts. The air ducts open into corresponding connection openings 16 of the mounting area 15 corresponding to the duct system 17.

[0096] From the exploded view shown in FIG. 5, it can be seen that the support plate 11 is divided into a first support plate section 18 and a second support plate section 19. The first support plate section 18 forms the first side surface 13 of the support plate 11, i.e., the side surface on which the switching valves 12 are mounted.

[0097] The second carrier plate section 19 extends parallel to the first carrier plate section 18 and forms the second side surface of the carrier plate 11 opposite the first side surface 13 of the carrier plate 11.

[0098] The air ducts of the duct system 17 are formed at least partially or in regions by milled groove areas formed in a side surface of the first or second carrier plate section 18, 19.

[0099] In particular, in the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings and in particular of the compressed air control module 3 according to the invention for such a dense phase powder pump 1, it is provided that the valve block 10 is designed at least partially or regionally and preferably completely as a metal milled part.

[0100] Alternatively, it is also conceivable to design the valve block 10 and / or the carrier plate 11 of the compressed air control module 3 as an injection-molded part, in particular a plastic injection-molded part.

[0101] The same preferably also applies, in a figurative sense, to the carrier plate 11 of the compressed air control module 3. From the illustration in FIG. 4, for example, it can be seen that at least one pressure chamber 20 (here: two pressure chambers) is formed inside the valve block 10, which serves to temporarily store compressed air required, in particular, for the operation of the pump head module 2.

[0102] As already indicated, the valve block 10 shown in the drawings utilizes a total of two pressure chambers 20 formed inside the valve block 10. These two pressure chambers 20 are separated from each other by a wall region, but are still fluidly connected to each other via at least one flow channel.

[0103] The pressure chambers 20 are assigned a corresponding cover plate 21, which is connected and in particular welded to a base body of the valve block 10 in order to close the pressure chambers 20 to the outside.

[0104] The partial exploded view according to FIG. 4 shows that a compartment 22 is formed inside the valve block 10, which compartment serves to at least partially or regionally accommodate an injector unit 23, which is also shown in FIG. 4 in an exploded view.

[0105] The injector unit 23 is at least partially or regionally accommodated or receivable in the compartment 22 in an exchangeable or replaceable manner and is designed to generate a negative pressure, if required, which serves in the pump head module 2 of the dense phase powder pump 1 for sucking a powder portion into the at least one powder conveying chamber of the pump head module 2.

[0106] The injector unit 23 has, in particular, a vacuum suction nozzle 24 and an injector holder 25. The vacuum suction nozzle 24 is held by the injector holder 25 in a replaceable manner.

[0107] The injector holder 25 has a wall region 26 which, when the injector unit 23 is accommodated in the compartment 22, and in particular when the vacuum suction nozzle 24 of the injector unit 23 is accommodated in the compartment 22, at least partially or regionally closes a receiving or access opening of the compartment 22. The injector unit 23 further has a vent filter 27, which is held by the injector holder 25 in a particularly replaceable or interchangeable manner, in particular in such a way that compressed air guided through the vacuum suction nozzle 24 is guided into the vent filter 27 after passing through the vacuum suction nozzle 24.

[0108] In this context, it is provided that the injector holder 25 has, at least in the section of the wall region 26 in which the vent filter 27 is held by the injector holder 25, at least one vent opening 28 formed in the wall region 26, via which the compressed air previously passed through the vacuum suction nozzle 24 can be released to the outside atmosphere.

[0109] The partial exploded view according to FIG. 4 also shows that the injector holder 25 has a housing area in which the vent filter 27 is received or can be received.

[0110] In a state in which the injector unit 23 is accommodated in the compartment 22 and in particular in a state in which the vacuum suction nozzle 24 and the housing area with the vent filter 27 are accommodated in the compartment 22, the vacuum suction nozzle 24 is located in a vacuum area 29 of the compartment 22, which is delimited in particular by a wall area 26 of the compartment 22.

[0111] In the compartment 22, and in particular in a wall region 26 of the compartment 22 opposite the receiving or access opening of the compartment 22, at least one through opening 30 is formed, which opens into the vacuum region 29 of the compartment 22.

[0112] A further special feature of the valve block 10 of the compressed air control module 3 of the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump 1 according to the invention is described in more detail below with particular reference to the illustration in FIG. 5.

[0113] It can be seen that in a wall area of ​​the valve block 10, which directly adjoins the first side surface 14 of the valve block 10, i.e. which directly adjoins the side surface of the valve block 10 on which the carrier plate 11 with the switching valves 12 is mounted or can be mounted, channel systems 31 each having at least one air channel are formed.

[0114] In detail, the channel systems 31 formed in the wall region of the valve block 10 have air channels which are in fluid communication with air channels belonging to channel systems 17 formed in the interior of the carrier plate 11 and assigned to the corresponding mounting regions 15 of the carrier plate 11.

[0115] In particular, in the embodiment of the valve block 10 shown in the drawings and in particular in FIG. 5, it is provided that the valve block 10 has the already mentioned first side surface 14, to which the carrier plate 11 is connected, and has a second side surface 32 opposite the first side surface 14.

[0116] As can be seen from the exploded view according to FIG. 2, corresponding connection openings are formed in the second side surface 32 of the valve block 10, which are each in fluid communication with at least one air channel of the channel systems 31 formed in the wall region of the valve block 10.

[0117] Returning to the illustration in FIG. 5, it should be noted that the wall region of the valve block 10, in which the channel systems 31 with the air channels are formed, is formed by a recessed region 34 formed in a base body of the valve block 10 and a side plate 35 designed to be at least partially or regionally complementary to the recessed region 34.

[0118] The side plate 35, which is designed to be at least partially or partially complementary to the recessed region 34, can be received at least partially or partially in the recessed region 34 and can be fixed there in a releasable manner.

[0119] In a wall region of the recessed region 34 facing the side plate 35, groove regions, in particular milled groove regions, are formed, which at least partially or regionally form the air channels of the channel systems 31 formed in the wall region of the valve block 10 when the side plate 35 is received in the recessed region 34 to form the wall region.

[0120] Although not shown in the drawings, groove regions, in particular milled groove regions, are also formed in a wall region of the side plate 35 facing the recessed region 34, which groove regions are at least partially or regionally in fluid communication with the air channels of the channel systems 31 formed in the wall region of the valve block 10 when the side plate 35 is received in the recessed region 34 to form the wall region.

[0121] The invention further relates to a compressed air control module 3 of the type described above for a dense phase powder pump 1.

[0122] In particular, the invention also relates to an injector unit 23 for a compressed air control module 3 of the type described above.

[0123] FIG. 6 schematically shows a pneumatic diagram of the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump 1 according to the invention, which is shown in an isometric view in FIG. 1.

[0124] As can be seen from the pneumatic diagram in FIG. 6, the dense phase powder pump 1 is constructed according to the modular principle and is divided into different modular functional components.

[0125] This is the aforementioned pump head module 2, which contains the pneumatically controllable components of the dense-phase powder pump 1. The pneumatically controllable components are a powder feed chamber 40 with a filter tube or filter element 41 that defines the circumference of the powder feed chamber 40. The filter tube or filter element 41 is permeable to air, but not to coating powder, and is surrounded by an annular chamber 42, to which vacuum or compressed air can be alternately connected. This allows coating powder to be alternately sucked into the powder feed chamber 40 or expelled from the powder feed chamber 40 with compressed air. The pump head module 2 also has a pinch valve 60 on the powder inlet side and a pinch valve 61 on the powder outlet side.

[0126] Additionally, an additional compressed air inlet device 80 is used. The additional compressed air inlet device 80 is preferably designed identically to the powder conveying chamber 40.

[0127] The pump head module 2 is connected or connectable to the compressed air control module 3 via a quick-change module 7.

[0128] For this purpose, the quick-change module 7 has corresponding fluid channels in order to fluidly connect the connections of the pneumatically controllable components of the pump head module 2 with corresponding switching valves 12 of the compressed air control module 3.

[0129] Corresponding filter elements 90 are accommodated in the fluid channels in an exchangeable or replaceable manner, wherein the filter elements 90 each serve as a coating powder barrier and prevent coating powder from one of the pneumatically controllable components of the pump head module 2 from entering the compressed air control module 3.

[0130] The compressed air control module 3 has a plurality of switching valves 12 which are assigned to the individual components of the pump head module 2 and are designed to supply the pneumatically controllable components of the pump head module 2 with compressed air or suction air or vacuum as required and in particular in a controlled manner.

[0131] Furthermore, an injector unit 23 is integrated in the pump head module 2, which serves to generate the negative pressure required for sucking coating powder into the powder feed chamber 40.

[0132] Furthermore, two pressure chambers 20 are formed in the compressed air control module 3, which serve to temporarily store the compressed air required for the operation of the pump head module 2. The pump head module 2 further has a compressed air outlet 37, to which a compressed air line can be connected in order to supply a spray coating gun with spray air as needed. Furthermore, an electrode purge air outlet 38 is provided. Like the fluid channels implemented in the quick-change module 7, the fluid channels leading to the spray air outlet 37 and the electrode purge outlet 38 are provided with a corresponding filter element 90 as a coating powder barrier.

[0133] A further module block of the dense phase powder pump 1 is formed by the connection module 8, in which the electronics along with digitally controlled switching or control valves 111 of the dense phase powder pump 1 are integrated.

[0134] Finally, the dense phase powder pump 1 comprises a modular inlet valve unit 6 with valves 131, which are fluidly connected to the compressed air inlet 39 of the dense phase powder pump 1 and guide compressed air via corresponding fluid channels through the pump housing 4 to the switching valves 12 or pressure chambers 20 of the compressed air control module 3.

[0135] It can also be seen that pressure sensors 150 are provided in the compressed air control module 3, which serve in particular to monitor the operation of the pneumatically controllable components of the pump head module 2.

[0136] The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings, but results from a combination of all features disclosed herein.

[0137] Reference symbol list

[0138] 1 powder dense phase pump

[0139] 2 pump head module

[0140] 3 Compressed air control module

[0141] 4 pump housing

[0142] 5 Control unit

[0143] 6 Inlet valve unit

[0144] 7 Quick-change module / connection block

[0145] 8 connection module

[0146] 9 HMI setup

[0147] 10 Valve block

[0148] 11 Carrier plate

[0149] 12 switching valve

[0150] 13 first side surface of the carrier plate

[0151] 14 first side surface of the valve block

[0152] 15 Assembly area

[0153] 16 connection openings in the mounting area

[0154] 17 Channel system formed inside the carrier plate

[0155] 18 first carrier plate section

[0156] 19 second carrier plate section

[0157] 20 pressure chamber

[0158] 21 Cover plate of the pressure chamber

[0159] 22 compartment

[0160] 23 Injector unit

[0161] 24 Vacuum suction nozzle

[0162] 25 injector holders

[0163] 26 Wall area of ​​the injector holder

[0164] 27 Injector unit vent filter

[0165] 28 vent holes in the wall area of ​​the injector holder

[0166] 29 Vacuum area in the compartment

[0167] 30 Passage opening in the compartment

[0168] 31 Channel system in the wall area of ​​the valve block

[0169] 32 second side surface of the valve block

[0170] 34 recessed area

[0171] 35 side plate

[0172] 36 Connection opening assigned to the pressure chamber 37 Compressed air outlet (spray air)

[0173] 38 Compressed air outlet (electrode purge air)

[0174] 39 Compressed air inlet

[0175] 40 Powder feed chamber

[0176] 41 Filter element of the powder feed chamber

[0177] 42 Annular chamber of the powder feed chamber

[0178] 60 powder inlet pinch valve

[0179] 61 powder outlet pinch valve

[0180] 80 Additional compressed air inlet device

[0181] 90 filter element (coating powder barrier)

[0182] 111 digitally controllable switching or control valves

[0183] 131 valves of the inlet valve unit

[0184] 150 pressure sensor

Claims

Patent claims 1. A dense phase powder pump (1) for conveying coating powder from a first powder reservoir to a second powder reservoir or to a powder spraying device, the dense phase powder pump (1) being characterized by its modular design and comprising at least the following components, each designed as a module: a pump head module (2) having at least one powder conveying chamber which is or can be connected in terms of flow to the first powder reservoir via a powder inlet and to the second powder reservoir or to the powder spraying device via a powder outlet; and a compressed air control module (3) having a plurality of switching valves (12) which are assigned in particular to pneumatically controllable components of the pump head module (2) and are designed to supply the pneumatically controllable components of the pump head module (2) with compressed air or suction air or, as required and in particular in a controlled manner,To supply negative pressure, wherein the compressed air control module (3) has a preferably cuboid-shaped or even more preferably an at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block (10) and a carrier plate (11) connected, in particular detachably connected, to a side surface (14) of the valve block (10).

2. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to claim 1, wherein the switching valves (12) on a first side surface (13) of the carrier plate (11) preferably each via a screw connection are mounted, wherein the switching valves (12) are preferably each designed as electromagnetic switching valves (12).

3. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to claim 2, wherein the carrier plate (11) is connected via its second side surface opposite the first side surface (13) to a first side surface (14) of the preferably cuboid-shaped and more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block (10).

4. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first side surface (13) of the carrier plate (11) is divided into dedicated sections, each section being designed as a mounting area (15) for a switching valve (12) of the compressed air control module (3).

5. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to claim 4, wherein in each mounting area (15) connection openings (16) are formed, which are designed to be in fluid communication with corresponding connections of a switching valve (12) when the switching valve (12) is connected to the support plate (11) in the mounting area (15).

6. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein channel systems (17) assigned to the corresponding mounting areas (15) are formed in the interior of the carrier plate (11), wherein each channel system (17) has at least one air channel and in particular a plurality of air channels, wherein the at least one air channel or the air channels open into corresponding connection openings (16) of the mounting area (15) assigned to the channel system (17).

7. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the carrier plate (11) is divided into a first carrier plate section (18), which forms the first side surface (13) of the carrier plate (11), and into a second carrier plate section (19) extending parallel to the first carrier plate section (18), which which forms the second side surface of the carrier plate (11) opposite the first side surface (13).

8. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to claim 6 and 7, wherein the air channels of the channel systems (17) are formed at least partially or in regions by groove regions, in particular milled groove regions, formed in a side surface of the first and / or second carrier plate section (18, 19).

9. A dense phase powder pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block (10) is designed at least partially or in regions and preferably entirely as a milled part or as an injection-molded part, in particular a plastic injection-molded part; and / or wherein the carrier plate (11) is designed at least partially or in regions and preferably entirely as a milled part or as an injection-molded part, in particular a plastic injection-molded part.

10. Dense phase powder pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one pressure chamber (20) is formed inside the preferably cuboidal and more preferably at least substantially cuboidal valve block (10), which serves for the intermediate storage of compressed air required in particular for the operation of the pump head module (2).

11. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and in particular according to claim 10, wherein in the interior of the preferably cuboidal and more preferably at least substantially cuboidal valve block (10) at least two pressure chambers (20) are formed which are separated from one another by at least one wall region but are preferably in fluid communication with one another.

12. Powder seal pump (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the at least one pressure chamber (20) is assigned a cover plate (21) which, for closing the pressure chamber (20) to the outside, is provided with a wall region and in particular with a base body of the preferably cuboidal and more preferably at least substantially cuboidal valve block (10) is connected and in particular welded.

13. A dense phase powder pump (1) according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein in the side surface (14) of the preferably cuboidal and more preferably at least substantially cuboidal valve block (10), to which the carrier plate (11) is in particular detachably connected, at least one connection opening (36) associated with the at least one pressure chamber (20) is formed, via which the at least one pressure chamber (20) can be filled with compressed air.

14. Dense phase powder pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a compartment (22) for at least partially or regionally accommodating an injector unit (23) is formed in the interior of the preferably cuboidal and more preferably at least substantially cuboidal valve block (10).

15. Dense phase powder pump (1) according to claim 14, wherein the injector unit (23) is at least partially or regionally accommodated or receivable in the compartment (22) in an exchangeable or replaceable manner and is designed to generate a negative pressure as required, which serves in the pump head module (2) of the dense phase powder pump (1) for sucking a powder portion into the at least one powder conveying chamber.

16. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the injector unit (23) has a vacuum suction nozzle (24) and an injector holder (25), wherein the vacuum suction nozzle (24) is held in particular in an exchangeable or replaceable manner by the injector holder (25).

17. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to claim 16, wherein the injector holder (25) has a wall region (26) which, in a state of the injector unit (23) accommodated in the compartment (22) and in particular in a state in the compartment (22) In the received state of the vacuum suction nozzle (24) of the injector unit (23), a receiving or access opening of the compartment (22) is closed at least partially or in some areas.

18. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the injector unit (23) has a vent filter (27), wherein the vent filter (27) is held in particular in an exchangeable or replaceable manner by the injector holder (25), in particular in such a way that compressed air passed through the vacuum suction nozzle (24) is passed into the vent filter (27) after passing through the vacuum suction nozzle (24).

19. Dense phase powder pump (1) according to claim 18, wherein the injector holder (25) has, at least in the section of the wall region (26) in which the vent filter (27) is held by the injector holder (25), at least one vent opening (28) formed in the wall region (26), via which the compressed air previously passed through the vacuum suction nozzle (24) can be released to the outside atmosphere.

20. Dense-phase powder pump (1) according to claim 19, wherein the injector holder (25) has a housing region in which the vent filter (27) is received or can be received, and wherein in a state of the injector unit (23) received in the compartment (22) and in particular in a state of the vacuum suction nozzle (24) received in the compartment (22) and the housing region with the vent filter (27), the vacuum suction nozzle (24) is present in a vacuum region (29) of the compartment (22), which is delimited in particular by a wall region (26) of the compartment (22).

21. Dense phase powder pump (1) according to claim 20, wherein in the compartment (22), in particular in a wall region (26) of the compartment (22) opposite the receiving or access opening of the compartment (22), at least one through opening (30) is formed, which opens into the vacuum region (29) of the compartment (22).

22. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 21 and at least according to claim 3, wherein in a wall region of the at least substantially cuboid valve block (10), which directly adjoins the first side surface (14) of the at least substantially cuboid valve block (10), to which the carrier plate (11) is connected, channel systems (31) each having at least one air channel are formed.

23. Dense phase powder pump (1) according to claim 22, wherein the channel systems (31) formed in the wall region of the at least substantially cuboid valve block (10) have air channels which are in fluid communication with air channels belonging to channel systems (17) formed in the interior of the carrier plate (11) and associated with corresponding switching valve mounting regions (15) of the carrier plate (11).

24. Dense-phase powder pump (1) according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block (10) has a first side surface (14), to which the carrier plate (11) is connected, and a second side surface (32) opposite the first side surface (14), wherein connection openings (33) are formed in the second side surface (32) of the at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block (10), which connection openings are each in fluid communication with at least one air channel of the channel systems (31) formed in the wall region of the at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block (10), and which serve in particular to be in fluid communication with pneumatically controllable components of the pump head module (2) in the assembled state of the dense-phase powder pump (1).

25. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the wall region of the at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block (10), in which the channel systems (31) with the air channels are formed, is formed by a recessed region (34) formed in a base body of the valve block (10) and a recessed region (34) which is at least partially or regionally complementary to the recessed region (34). designed side plate (35) is formed, wherein the side plate (35), which is designed to be at least partially or partially complementary to the recessed region (34), can be received at least partially or partially in the recessed region (34) and, in particular, can be releasably fixed there, wherein groove regions, in particular milled groove regions, are formed in a wall region of the recessed region (34) facing the side plate (35), which groove regions at least partially or partially form the air channels of the channel systems (31) designed in the wall region of the valve block (10) when the side plate (35) is received in the recessed region (34) to form the wall region.

26. Dense phase powder pump (1) according to claim 25, wherein groove regions, in particular milled groove regions, are formed in a wall region of the side plate (35) facing the recessed region (34), which groove regions are at least partially or regionally in fluid communication with the air channels of the channel systems (31) formed in the wall region of the valve block (10) when the side plate (35) is received in the recessed region (34) to form the wall region.

27. Compressed air control module (3) for a dense phase powder pump (1) for conveying coating powder from a first powder reservoir to a second powder reservoir or to a powder spraying device, in particular for a dense phase powder pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the compressed air control module (3) has a plurality of switching valves (12) which are assigned to the individual pneumatically controllable components of the dense phase powder pump (1) and are designed to supply the pneumatically controllable components of the dense phase powder pump (1) with compressed air or suction air or vacuum as required and in particular in a controlled manner, characterized in that the compressed air control module (3) has a preferably cuboid-shaped and even more preferably an at least substantially cuboid-shaped Valve block (10) and a support plate (11) connected, in particular detachably connected, to a side surface of the valve block (10).

28. Compressed air control module (3) according to claim 27, wherein at least one pressure chamber (20) is formed inside the preferably cuboid-shaped and more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block (10), which serves for temporarily storing compressed air required in particular for the operation of the pump head module (2), wherein at least two pressure chambers (20) are formed inside the preferably cuboid-shaped and more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block (10), which are separated from one another by at least one wall region but are preferably in fluid communication with one another.

29. Compressed air control module (3) according to claim 28, wherein the at least one pressure chamber (20) is assigned a cover plate (21), which is connected and in particular welded to a wall region and in particular to a base body of the preferably cuboid-shaped and more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block (10) for closing the pressure chamber (20) to the outside; and / or wherein in the side surface of the preferably cuboid-shaped and more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block (10), to which the carrier plate (11) is in particular detachably connected, at least one connection opening (36) assigned to the at least one pressure chamber (20) is formed, via which connection opening the at least one pressure chamber (20) can be filled with compressed air.

30. Compressed air control module (3) according to one of claims 27 to 29 or according to the preamble of claim 27, characterized in that in the interior of the preferably cuboid-shaped and even more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block (10) a compartment (22) is formed for at least partially or regionally accommodating an injector unit (23).

31. Compressed air control module (3) according to claim 30, wherein the injector unit (23) is at least partially or regionally received or receivable in the compartment (22) in an exchangeable or replaceable manner and is designed to generate a negative pressure as required, wherein the injector unit (23) has a vacuum suction nozzle (24) and an injector holder (25), wherein the vacuum suction nozzle (24) is held in particular in an exchangeable or replaceable manner by the injector holder (25).

32. Compressed air control module (3) according to claim 31, wherein the injector holder (25) has a wall region (26) which, in a state in which the injector unit (23) is received in the compartment (22) and in particular in a state in which the vacuum suction nozzle (24) of the injector unit (23) is received in the compartment (22), at least partially or regionally closes a receiving or access opening of the compartment (22).

33. Compressed air control module (3) according to claim 32, wherein the injector unit (23) has a vent filter (27), wherein the vent filter (27) is held in particular in an exchangeable or replaceable manner by the injector holder (25), in particular in such a way that compressed air guided through the vacuum suction nozzle (24) is guided into the vent filter (27) after passing through the vacuum suction nozzle (24), wherein the injector holder (25) has at least one vent opening (28) formed in the wall region (26), at least in the section of the wall region in which the vent filter (27) is held by the injector holder (25), via which vent opening the compressed air previously guided through the vacuum suction nozzle (24) can be released to the outside atmosphere.

34. Compressed air control module (3) according to one of claims 27 to 33 or according to the preamble of claim 27, characterized in that the switching valves (12) are mounted on a first side surface (13) of the carrier plate (11), preferably each via a screw connection, wherein the first side surface (13) of the carrier plate (11) is divided into, in particular, dedicated sections, wherein each section is designed as a mounting area (15) for a switching valve (12) of the compressed air control module (3), wherein connection openings (16) are designed in each mounting area (15) and are designed to be in fluid communication with corresponding connections of a switching valve (12) when the switching valve (12) is connected to the carrier plate (11) in the mounting area (15), and wherein channel systems (17) assigned to the corresponding mounting areas (15) are formed in the interior of the carrier plate (11), wherein each channel system (17) has at least one air channel and, in particular, a plurality of air channels, wherein the at least one air channel or the air channels open into corresponding connection openings (16) of the mounting area (15) assigned to the channel system (17).

35. Compressed air control module (3) according to claim 34, wherein the carrier plate (11) is divided into a first carrier plate section (18), which forms the first side surface (13) of the carrier plate (11), and into a second carrier plate section (19) extending parallel to the first carrier plate section (18) and forming the second side surface of the carrier plate (11) opposite the first side surface (13), wherein the air channels of the channel systems (17) are formed at least partially or regionally by groove regions, in particular milled groove regions, in a side surface of the first and / or second carrier plate section (18, 19).

36. Compressed air control module (3) according to one of claims 27 to 35 or according to the preamble of claim 27, characterized in that the switching valves (12) are mounted on a first side surface (13) of the carrier plate (11), preferably each via a screw connection, wherein the carrier plate (11) is connected via its second side surface opposite the first side surface (13) to a first side surface (14) of the preferably cuboid-shaped and more preferably at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block (10), wherein in a wall region of the at least substantially cuboid-shaped Valve block (10), which directly adjoins the first side surface (14) of the at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block (10), to which the carrier plate (11) is connected, channel systems (31) are formed, each having at least one air channel.

37. Compressed air control module (3) according to claim 36, wherein the channel systems (31) formed in the wall region of the at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block (10) have air channels which are in fluid communication with air channels belonging to channel systems (17) which are formed in the interior of the carrier plate (11) and are assigned to corresponding switching valve mounting regions (15) of the carrier plate (11).

38. Compressed air control module (3) according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the wall region of the at least substantially cuboid-shaped valve block (10), in which the channel systems (31) with the air channels are formed, is formed by a recessed region (34) formed in a base body of the valve block (10) and a side plate (35) designed to be at least partially or partially complementary to the recessed region (35), wherein the side plate (35) designed to be at least partially or partially complementary to the recessed region (34) can be received at least partially or partially in the recessed region (34) and can be fixed there, in particular releasably, wherein groove regions, in particular milled groove regions, are formed in a wall region of the recessed region (34) facing the side plate (35),which at least partially or regionally form the air channels of the channel systems (31) formed in the wall region of the valve block (10) when the side plate (35) for forming the wall region is received in the recessed region (34).

39. Compressed air control module (3) according to claim 38, wherein groove regions, in particular milled groove regions, are formed in a wall region of the side plate (35) facing the recessed region (34), which groove regions are at least partially or regionally connected to the air channels of the in the wall region of the valve block (10) executed channel systems (31) are in fluid communication when the side plate (35) for forming the wall region of the valve block (10) is received in the recessed region (34).

40. Injector unit (23) for a compressed air control module (3) of a powder dense phase pump (1), in particular for a compressed air control module (3) according to claim 30, wherein the injector unit (23) is designed to be accommodated at least partially or regionally in a compartment (22) formed in the interior of a valve block (10) of the compressed air control module (3).

41. Injector unit (23) according to claim 40, wherein the injector unit (23) can be accommodated at least partially or regionally in the compartment (22) in an exchangeable or replaceable manner and is designed to generate a negative pressure as required, wherein the injector unit (23) has a vacuum suction nozzle (24) and an injector holder (25), wherein the vacuum suction nozzle (24) is held in particular in an exchangeable or replaceable manner by the injector holder (25), wherein the injector holder (25) has a wall region (26) which, in a state of the injector unit (23) accommodated in the compartment (22) and in particular in a state of the vacuum suction nozzle (24) of the injector unit (23) accommodated in the compartment (22), at least partially or regionally closes a receiving or access opening of the compartment (22), and wherein the injector unit (23) further comprising a vent filter (27),wherein the vent filter (27) is held in particular in an exchangeable or replaceable manner by the injector holder (25), in particular in such a way that through the vacuum suction nozzle, (24) is guided into the vent filter (27) after passing through the vacuum suction nozzle (24), wherein the injector holder (25) has, at least in the section of the wall region (26) in which the vent filter (27) is held by the injector holder (25), at least one vent opening (28) formed in the wall region (26), via which the compressed air previously guided through the vacuum suction nozzle (24) can be released to the outside atmosphere.

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