Dense-phase powder pump

Abstract

The invention relates to a dense-phase powder pump (1) for conveying coating powder, wherein the dense-phase powder pump is characterised by the modular design thereof and comprises a pump-head module (2), a compressed air control module (5), an inlet valve unit module (7), and a pump housing (9) which is designed to receive, at least partially or in regions, the compressed air control module (5) and the inlet valve unit module (7) and to detachably connect these modules (5, 7) to one another.

Description

[0001] 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 having 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. Specifically, it is provided that, in the intake and discharge areas of the dense phase powder pump, the powder hoses connected to the respective powder feed chambers of the dense phase powder pump can be deformed by a mechanically actuated plunger in order to pinch off or open the hose section as needed.

[0007] 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.

[0008] 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.

[0009] Before the use of dense phase powder pumps of the type considered here for conveying coating powder became known, powder pumps designed as injectors were used, and these are still used today to convey 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. Therefore, dense phase powder pumps have become established in practice, particularly for applications where a relatively constant amount of coating powder must be conveyed per unit of time.

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] On the other hand, a dense phase powder pump is to be specified which allows for adaptation and optimization of the dense phase powder pump to customer requirements in an easy-to-implement manner.

[0015] The object underlying the invention is achieved in particular by a dense phase powder pump according to independent claim 1, wherein advantageous developments of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims. 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, in particular a powder spray gun, wherein the dense phase powder pump is characterized by its modular design.

[0016] 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.

[0017] In other words, the dense phase powder pump according to the invention is constructed according to a modular principle, with the functional components of the dense phase powder pump being divided into modules or assemblies. The individual modules or assemblies of the dense phase powder pump constructed according to the modular principle can be combined or integrated via appropriate interfaces if their shape and function are suitable.

[0018] The dense phase powder pump (according to the invention), constructed according to the building block or modular principle and characterized by its modular design, enables the creation of individually configurable dense phase powder pumps without having to forego 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.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.

[0024] 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 typically convey a decreasing amount of coating powder per unit of time over time.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] The sometimes specific and diverse customer requirements create a relatively high level 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] On the other hand, a dense phase powder pump is to be specified which allows for adaptation and optimization of the dense phase powder pump to customer requirements in an easy-to-implement manner.

[0031] In particular, the dense phase powder pump according to the invention has 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 spraying device (in particular powder spray gun) via a powder outlet.

[0032] In addition, the dense phase powder 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 of the dense phase powder pump 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.

[0033] The dense phase powder pump according to the invention has, in addition to the aforementioned compressed air control module, an inlet valve unit module which has a main compressed air connection which is or can be connected, preferably detachably, in terms of flow, to an external compressed air source and which serves to (centrally) receive the compressed air required for operating the dense phase powder pump and in particular for controlling the pneumatically controllable components of the pump head module of the dense phase powder pump.

[0034] The dense phase powder pump according to the invention is also characterized in particular in that the dense phase powder pump further comprises a pump housing which is designed to accommodate at least partially or regionally the compressed air control module and the inlet valve unit module and to detachably connect these two modules to one another.

[0035] When the compressed air control module and the input valve unit module are accommodated in the pump housing, the compressed air received via the main compressed air connection of the input valve unit module is supplied, in particular as needed and preferably in a controlled manner, to the plurality of switching valves of the compressed air control module.

[0036] In order to enable a particularly compact and in particular modular design of the inlet valve unit module, a preferred embodiment of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention provides that the inlet valve unit module has a valve carrier preferably made of a plastic material, in particular in an injection molding process.

[0037] In this context, it is possible that a particularly cylindrical receptacle is formed in the valve carrier of the input valve unit module, in which a filter candle and at least partially or regionally a main connection plug for the main compressed air connection of the input valve unit module can be or are accommodated.

[0038] Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the valve carrier of the input valve unit module, which is preferably made of a plastic material, in particular in an injection molding process, has an interface area via which a valve block of the input valve unit module, which is preferably designed as a module, is or can be connected to the valve carrier, in particular in a detachable and / or replaceable manner.

[0039] In a further development of the last-mentioned embodiment of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention, it is provided that the valve block of the inlet valve unit module, which is preferably designed as a module, is designed, in particular, to detachably and / or replaceably accommodate at least one valve, in particular a valve in the form of a solenoid valve. This at least one valve, in particular designed in the form of a solenoid valve, serves to supply compressed air, as needed and preferably in a controlled manner, to the dense phase powder pump and in particular to the pneumatically controllable components of the pump head module of the dense phase powder pump.

[0040] In this context, it is preferably provided that the at least one valve is designed as a solenoid valve with venting. The inlet valve unit module is accommodated at least partially or regionally in the pump housing in such a way that the venting of the at least one valve of the valve block of the inlet valve unit module, which is preferably designed as a module, takes place (directly) into the pump housing of the dense phase powder pump.

[0041] Of course, other design variants are also conceivable with regard to the venting of at least one valve of the input valve unit module.

[0042] According to embodiment variants of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention, it is provided that a compressed air duct system is formed, in particular integrally, in the valve block of the inlet valve unit module, which is preferably designed as a module, such that compressed air received via the main compressed air connection of the inlet valve unit module can be supplied or is supplied to a compressed air inlet of the at least one valve of the inlet valve unit module when the at least one valve is connected to the valve block, which is preferably designed as a module. For this purpose, the valve block, which is preferably designed as a module, is or can be connected, in particular detachably, in terms of flow, to a compressed air outlet of the valve carrier of the inlet valve unit module, in particular via a compressed air inlet of the valve block, which is preferably designed as a module.

[0043] According to a further development of the last-mentioned aspect of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention, it is provided that the compressed air duct system formed in the valve block, which is preferably designed as a module, is designed in such a way that it fluidly connects a compressed air outlet of the at least one valve of the input valve unit module to a compressed air duct system preferably formed integrally in the valve carrier of the input valve unit module, at least when the at least one valve is connected to the valve block, which is preferably designed as a module.Alternatively or in addition to this embodiment of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention, it is provided that the at least one valve of the input valve unit module, which is connected or connectable to the valve block preferably designed as a module, has at least one valve outlet, via which compressed air supplied to the at least one valve can be released at least partially from the at least one valve, preferably in a regulated or controlled manner.In particular, it is provided that the compressed air duct system formed in the valve block, which is preferably designed as a module, is designed in such a way that it supplies the compressed air of the valve block, which is delivered from the at least one valve outlet of the at least one valve of the input valve unit module, preferably in a regulated or controlled manner via the at least one valve outlet of the at least one valve, in particular to an interface connection in a side wall region of the valve block.

[0044] In this context, it is advisable that, in a state of the valve block, which is preferably designed as a module, connected to the valve carrier of the input valve unit module, the aforementioned interface connection of the valve block is fluidly connected to an interface connection of the valve carrier of the input valve unit module.

[0045] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the dense phase powder pump according to the invention further comprises a connection module that is at least partially or regionally accommodated in the pump housing and / or carried by the pump housing. The connection module preferably has an HMI interface (HMI = Human Machine Interface). The HMI interface is in particular a display, or the HMI interface preferably has a display. Furthermore, the connection module of the dense phase powder pump preferably has corresponding connections for connecting at least one signal and / or data and / or control line and / or at least one power supply line.

[0046] According to variants of the latter embodiment, the connection module further comprises at least one digital position controller (DVC). However, it is not mandatory for this at least one digital position controller to be part (component) of the connection module. Rather, it is also conceivable for the at least one digital position controller to be part of the pump housing.

[0047] According to a further aspect of the present invention, it is provided that the pump housing of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention has a base body preferably made of plastic, in particular in an injection molding process, and has side plates which are detachably and / or replaceably connected to the base body and are preferably also made of plastic, in particular in an injection molding process, and which form at least one side wall of the pump housing at least in some regions.

[0048] The at least one side plate of the dense phase powder pump according to this embodiment variant can have a channel system integrated in the side plate in such a way that the compressed air supplied to the channel system of the side plate is supplied or can be supplied to the compressed air control module via an interface connection preferably formed in a side wall of the compressed air control module.

[0049] Alternatively or in addition to this embodiment variant, according to implementations of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention, it is provided that the side plates of the pump housing and the channel system formed in particular integrally in the side plates of the pump housing are selected such that compressed air can be or is supplied from the inlet valve unit module to the compressed air control module via the channel systems of the side plates.

[0050] In this context, it is particularly conceivable for the pump housing to have a first group of side plates which, at least in some regions, form a first side wall of the pump housing, and for the pump housing to have at least one further side plate which, at least in some regions, forms a second side wall of the pump housing opposite the first side wall of the pump housing. In particular, it can be provided in this context that at least one compressed air line of the channel system which is in particular formed integrally in the further side plate is fluidly connected to at least one compressed air line of the channel system which is in particular formed integrally in the first group of side plates, in particular via a channel system which is in particular formed integrally in the base body of the pump housing.Alternatively or in addition to the previously mentioned embodiments, it is provided that the channel system in a first side plate of the pump housing is or can be connected in terms of flow to the channel system of a second side plate of the pump housing adjacent to the first side plate via at least one transition pin.

[0051] This embodiment variant makes it possible, in particular, for the corresponding adjacent side plates of the pump housing to be connected to one another via a plug connection, in particular in terms of flow with regard to the channel systems formed in the corresponding side plates.

[0052] The provision of corresponding side panels with channel systems integrated into the side panels further provides the decisive advantage that—depending on the appropriate selection of the side panel—the channel system formed in the side panel(s) can be deflected / redirected in almost any desired manner. For this purpose, according to one aspect of the present invention, at least one side panel is designed as a so-called "deflection plate," in which the channel system, which is in particular integrally formed in the side panel, is deflected by 90°.

[0053] Of course, other angle ranges are also conceivable for a corresponding deflection of the channel system, which is particularly integrally formed in the side plate.

[0054] With this design variant, the channel system can be adapted particularly flexibly to the corresponding design variant of the dense phase powder pump in almost any way.

[0055] According to embodiment variants of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention, it is provided that at least one side wall of the pump housing has a channel system integrated into the side wall in such a way that compressed air, which the channel system of this side plate receives or has received from a channel system of a side plate adjacent to the side plate, is supplied to at least one digital position controller preferably accommodated in the base body of the pump housing of the dense phase powder pump. According to a further aspect of the present invention, it is provided that the interface connection of the valve carrier of the inlet valve unit module is or can be connected in terms of flow to the channel system, which is in particular integrally formed in a side plate of the pump housing, preferably via a connecting piece that can be accommodated at least partially or regionally by the interface connection.

[0056] The at least one switching valve of the compressed air control module and preferably all switching valves of the compressed air control module is / are each designed in particular as a solenoid valve, wherein the compressed air control module is accommodated at least partially or regionally in the pump housing in such a way that the venting of the at least one switching valve or the venting of the switching valves takes place into the pump housing.

[0057] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0058] They show:

[0059] FIG. 1 shows schematically and in an isometric view an exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention;

[0060] FIG. 2 shows schematically and in an isometric partial exploded view the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention according to FIG. 1;

[0061] FIG. 3 shows schematically and in an isometric exploded view the inlet valve unit module of the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention as shown in FIG. 1;

[0062] FIG. 4 shows a schematic, partially exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a connection module of the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 shows a schematic, isometric exploded view of the pump housing of the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention shown in FIG. 1;

[0063] FIG. 6 schematically shows a first and a second isometric view of the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 to explain the operation of the side plates of the pump housing of the dense phase powder pump;

[0064] FIG. 7 shows a schematic and exploded view of a vent cover of the pump housing of the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention shown in FIG. 1, wherein the vent cover forms at least partially a side wall of the pump housing; and

[0065] FIG. 8 schematically shows a pneumatic diagram of the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump according to the invention as shown in FIG. 1.

[0066] 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.

[0067] In particular, the powder dense phase pump 1 according to the invention is constructed according to the modular principle and divided into different functional components which are also constructed in a modular manner.

[0068] This is in particular a pump head module 2 which has at least one powder conveying chamber which is or can be fluidly connected via a powder inlet 3 to a (first) powder reservoir and via a powder outlet 4 to a (second) powder reservoir or to a powder spraying device (in particular a powder spray gun) not shown in the drawings.

[0069] The pump head module 2 of the dense phase powder pump 1 is preferably operatively connected, in particular fluidically, to a compressed air control module 5 of the dense phase powder pump 1 via a quick-change system or a quick-change module 30. The compressed air control module 5 forms an application valve unit for the pump head module 2.

[0070] The compressed air control module 5 is integrated or can be integrated at least partially or regionally in a pump housing 9, wherein the pump housing 9 further preferably has a control unit for controlling the controllable components of the dense phase powder pump 1.

[0071] The quick-change system or quick-change module 30, via which the pump head module 2 is connected to the compressed air control module 5 serving as an application valve unit, is designed in particular as a connection block.

[0072] The exploded view according to FIG. 2 also shows that a further module of the dense phase powder pump 1 is formed by a connection module 16.

[0073] An exemplary embodiment of this connection module 16 is shown schematically and in a partially exploded view in FIG. 4.

[0074] Accordingly, the connection module 16 of the dense phase powder pump 1 can, in particular, have an HMI interface 17. The HMI interface 17 can preferably be designed in the form of a display or can have a corresponding display.

[0075] In addition, the connection module 16, which is at least partially or regionally accommodated in the pump housing 9 and / or carried by the pump housing 9, comprises, in particular according to FIG. 4, corresponding connections 18 for connecting at least one signal and / or data and / or control line as well as at least one power supply line.

[0076] Furthermore, the connection module 16 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 has a signal and / or data and / or control line connection 18, which can be connected to a powder spray device (in particular to a powder spray gun) for data or signal transmission via a corresponding signal / data / control line. As can be seen from the exploded view in FIG. 2, the connection module 16 can further have at least one digital position controller 19.

[0077] However, the invention is not limited to embodiments in which the at least one digital position controller 19 is part of the connection module 16. Rather, it is also conceivable in this context that the at least one digital position controller 19—detached from the connection module 16—is accommodated or can be accommodated in a base body 21 of the pump housing 9.

[0078] The schematic exploded view according to FIG. 5 shows in particular that the pump housing 9 of the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump 1 according to the invention according to FIG. 1 or according to FIG. 2 preferably has a base body 21 formed from a plastic material, in particular during an injection molding process, as well as side plates 22 which are detachably and / or replaceably connected or connectable to the base body 21 and are preferably also made of plastic, in particular during an injection molding process, which - as can be seen from the illustrations in FIG. 6 - form at least one side wall of the pump housing 9, at least in some regions.

[0079] Returning in particular to the illustration in FIG. 5, it should be emphasized that preferably each side plate 22 of the pump housing 9 has a channel system 23 with at least one compressed air line, wherein the channel system 23 with the at least one compressed air line is formed integrally in the side plates 22.

[0080] In particular, in this context, it is provided that at least one side plate 22 of the pump housing 9 has a channel system 23 integrated in the side plate 22 in such a way that the compressed air supplied to the channel system 23 of the side plate 22 is or can be supplied to the compressed air control module 5 via an interface connection preferably formed in a side wall of the compressed air control module 5.

[0081] In the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings, the side plates 22 of the pump housing 9 and the channel system 23, which is particularly integrally formed in the side plates 22, are selected such that compressed air can be or is supplied from an inlet valve unit module 7 of the dense phase powder pump 1 to the compressed air control module 5 via the channel systems 23 of the side plates 22.

[0082] As can be seen in particular from the illustration in FIG. 5 and in FIG. 6, in the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings, it is particularly provided that the pump housing 9 has a first group of side plates 22 which at least partially form a first side wall of the pump housing 9, wherein the pump housing 9 has a further side plate 22 which at least partially forms a second side wall of the pump housing 9 opposite the first side wall.

[0083] In particular, it is provided that at least one compressed air line of the channel system 23, which is particularly integrally formed in the further side plate 22, is fluidly connected to at least one compressed air line of the channel system 23, which is particularly integrally formed in the first group of side plates 22, via a channel system, which is particularly integrally formed in the base body 21 of the pump housing 9.

[0084] Furthermore, it can be seen from the schematic exploded view according to FIG. 5 that the channel system 23 of a first side plate 22 of the pump housing 9 is or can be fluidly connected to the channel system 23 of a second side plate 22 of the pump housing 9 adjacent to the first side plate 22 of the pump housing 9 via at least one transition pin 24.

[0085] In particular, in the preferred embodiment of the dense phase powder pump 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings, it is provided that at least one side plate 22 of the pump housing 9 is designed as a so-called "deflection plate", in which the channel system 23 formed in particular in this side plate 22 is deflected by an angle, in particular by 90°.

[0086] The exploded view according to FIG. 5 shows that at least one side plate 22 of the pump housing 9 has a channel system 23 integrated into this side plate 22 in such a way that compressed air, which is received from a channel system 23 of a side plate 22 adjacent to the side plate 22, is supplied from the channel system 23 of this side plate 22 to at least one digital position controller 19 preferably accommodated in the base body 21 of the pump housing 9.

[0087] The pump housing 9 of the dense phase powder pump 1 according to the invention, which is shown in the form of an exemplary embodiment in the accompanying drawings, is particularly designed to accommodate at least partially or regionally the compressed air control module 5 and the inlet valve unit module 7 (cf. FIG. 3) and to detachably connect these modules 5, 7 to one another.

[0088] In particular, it is provided that the pump housing 9 of the powder dense phase pump 1 according to the invention is designed to supply the compressed air received via a main compressed air connection 8 of the inlet valve unit module 7, in a state in which the compressed air control module 5 and the inlet valve unit module 7 are accommodated in the pump housing 9, in particular as required, to the plurality of switching valves 6 of the compressed air control module 5.

[0089] As can be seen, for example, from the illustration in FIG. 3, in the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump 1 according to the invention, the inlet valve unit module 7 is provided with a valve carrier 10, preferably made of a plastic material, in particular in an injection molding process, in which a particularly cylindrical receptacle is formed, in which a filter candle 11 and at least partially or regionally a main connection plug 12 for the main compressed air connection 8 can be or are received.

[0090] It can also be seen from the exploded view according to FIG. 3 that the inlet valve unit module 7 has a valve carrier 10 which is preferably made of a plastic material, in particular by an injection molding process, wherein the valve carrier 10 of the inlet valve unit module 7 has an interface area via which a valve block 13 of the inlet valve unit module 7, which is preferably designed as a module, is or can be connected to the valve carrier 10, in particular in a detachable and / or replaceable manner.

[0091] In particular, it is provided that the valve block 13 of the input valve unit module 7, which is preferably designed as a module, is designed to accommodate at least one valve 15, in particular a valve in the form of a solenoid valve, in a detachable and / or replaceable manner. In the embodiment of the input valve unit module 7 shown in FIG. 3, a total of two valves 15 designed as a solenoid valve are detachably and / or replaceably connected to the valve block 13 designed as a module.

[0092] In particular, it is provided in this context that the two valves 15 of the input valve unit module 7 are each designed as a solenoid valve with a corresponding vent, wherein the input valve unit module 7 is accommodated at least partially or regionally in the pump housing 9 of the dense phase powder pump 1 in such a way that venting of the two valves 15 of the input valve unit module 7 takes place into the pump housing 9.

[0093] Although not explicitly apparent from FIG. 3, the inlet valve unit module 7 shown schematically there is provided with a compressed air duct system integrally formed in the valve block 13 designed as a module such that compressed air received via the main compressed air connection 8 of the inlet valve unit module 7 can be fed to a compressed air inlet of the two valves 15 of the inlet valve unit module 7 when the valves 15 are connected to the valve block 13 designed as a module.

[0094] For this purpose, in the embodiment variant of the input valve unit module 7 shown in particular in FIG. 3, it is provided that the valve block 13 designed as a module is preferably detachably fluidically connected via a compressed air inlet of the valve block 13 to a compressed air outlet of the valve carrier 10 of the input valve unit module 7.

[0095] Furthermore, in the input valve unit module 7 shown schematically in FIG. 3, it is provided that the compressed air duct system formed in the valve block 13 designed as a module is designed such that it fluidly connects a compressed air outlet of the two valves 15 of the input valve unit module 7 to a compressed air duct system preferably formed integrally in the valve carrier 10 of the input valve unit module 7 when the two valves 15 are connected to the valve block 13 designed as a module.

[0096] In particular, it is provided that the two valves 15, which are connected / can be connected to the valve block 13 designed as a module, each have at least one valve outlet, via which compressed air supplied to the corresponding valve 15 can be released at least partially from the corresponding valve 15, preferably in a regulated or controlled manner.

[0097] In particular, it is provided that the compressed air duct system formed in the valve block 13 designed as a module is designed in such a way that it supplies the compressed air delivered from the corresponding valve outlet of the two valves 15, preferably in a regulated or controlled manner via the corresponding valve outlet of the corresponding valve 15, to an interface connection, in particular in a side wall region of the valve block 13.

[0098] Furthermore, it can be seen from the illustration in FIG. 3 that in a state in which the valve block 13 designed as a module is connected to the valve carrier 10 of the input valve unit module 7, the above-mentioned interface connection of the valve block 13 is fluidly connected to an interface connection of the valve carrier 10.

[0099] Returning in particular to the exploded view in FIG. 5 and to the isometric views according to FIG. 6, it should be noted that the side plates 22 of the pump housing 9 and the channel system 23, which is in particular integrally formed in the side plates 22, in the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings are selected such that compressed air can be or is supplied from the inlet valve unit module 7 to the compressed air control module 5 via the channel systems 23 of the side plates 22.

[0100] From the view according to FIG. 3 it can be seen that an interface connection 14 of the valve carrier 10 is or can be connected in terms of flow to the channel system 23, which is in particular integrally formed in a side plate 22 of the pump housing 9, preferably via a connecting piece 26 which can be received at least partially or in regions by the interface connection 14.

[0101] Finally, with regard to the exemplary embodiment of the dense phase powder pump 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings, it should be noted that at least one switching valve 6 of the compressed air control module 5 and in particular all switching valves 6 of the compressed air control module 5 is / are each designed as a solenoid valve with venting, wherein the compressed air control module 5 is at least partially or regionally accommodated in the pump housing 9 of the dense phase powder pump 1 according to the invention in such a way that the venting of the at least one switching valve 6 or the venting of the switching valves 6 takes place into the pump housing 9 of the dense phase powder pump 1.

[0102] In this context, in the powder dense phase pump 1 according to the invention, it is provided that a wall region of the pump housing 9 is formed at least partially or in regions by a side plate 20 with a corresponding vent cover 27, as can be seen in detail in the illustration in Fig. 7.

[0103] The side plate 20 with the corresponding vent cover 27 preferably has a support structure 29 and a vent filter 28, in particular in the form of a filter mat, which is accommodated at least partially or in regions between the support structure 29 and the vent cover 27 (cf. FIG. 7).

[0104] FIG. 8 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.

[0105] As can be seen from the pneumatic diagram in FIG. 8, the dense phase powder pump 1 is constructed according to the modular principle and is divided into different modular functional components.

[0106] 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.

[0107] The pump head module 2 further includes a pinch valve 60 on the powder inlet side and a pinch valve 61 on the powder outlet side. 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.

[0108] The pump head module 2 is connected or connectable to the compressed air control module 5 via a quick-change module 30.

[0109] For this purpose, the quick-change module 30 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 6 of the compressed air control module 5.

[0110] 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 5.

[0111] The compressed air control module 5 has a plurality of switching valves 6 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.

[0112] Furthermore, an injector unit 100 is integrated into the pump head module 2, which serves to generate the negative pressure required for sucking coating powder into the powder feed chamber 40.

[0113] Furthermore, at least one pressure chamber is formed in the compressed air control module 5, which serves to temporarily store the compressed air required for the operation of the pump head module 2.

[0114] The compressed air control module 5 further includes a compressed air outlet, to which a compressed air line can be connected to supply a spray coating gun with spray air as needed. An electrode purge air outlet is also provided. Like the fluid channels implemented in the quick-change module 30, the fluid channels leading to the spray air outlet and electrode purge outlet are provided with a corresponding filter element 90 as a coating powder barrier.

[0115] A further module block of the dense phase powder pump 1 is formed by the connection module 16, in which the electronics and digitally controlled switching or control valves 19 of the dense phase powder pump 1 are integrated.

[0116] Finally, the dense phase powder pump 1 comprises a modular inlet valve unit 7 with valves 15, which are fluidly connected to the compressed air inlet 8 of the dense phase powder pump 1 and guide compressed air via corresponding fluid channels through the pump housing 9 to the switching valves 6 or pressure chambers of the compressed air control module 5.

[0117] It can also be seen that pressure sensors 150 are provided in the compressed air control module 5, which serve in particular to monitor the operation of the pneumatically controllable components of the pump head module 2.

[0118] The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings, but results from a combination of all features disclosed herein.

[0119] List of reference symbols

[0120] 1 dense phase powder pump

[0121] 2 pump head module

[0122] 3 Powder inlet

[0123] 4 Powder outlet

[0124] 5 Compressed air control module

[0125] 6 Switching valve of the compressed air control module

[0126] 7 Input valve unit module

[0127] 8 Main compressed air connection of the input valve unit module

[0128] 9 Pump housing

[0129] 10 valve carriers

[0130] 11 filter candle

[0131] 12 main connection plugs

[0132] 13 Valve block

[0133] 14 Interface connection

[0134] 15 Valve of the input valve unit module

[0135] 16 connection module

[0136] 17 HMI interface

[0137] 18 connection

[0138] 19 digital positioner

[0139] 20 Side plate with vent cover

[0140] 21 Base body of the pump housing

[0141] 22 Side plate of the pump housing

[0142] 23 Channel system in the side plate of the pump housing / compressed air line

[0143] 24 transition pins

[0144] 26 connecting piece

[0145] 27 vent cover

[0146] 28 vent filters

[0147] 29 Support structure

[0148] 30 quick-change system

[0149] 40 Powder feed chamber

[0150] 41 Filter element of the powder feed chamber

[0151] 42 Ring chamber of the powder feed chamber

[0152] 60 powder inlet pinch valve

[0153] 61 powder outlet pinch valve

[0154] 80 Additional compressed air inlet device 90 Filter element (coating powder barrier)

[0155] 100 injector unit

[0156] 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 (3) and to the second powder reservoir or to the powder spraying device via a powder outlet (4); a compressed air control module (5) having a plurality of switching valves (6) 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 orto supply negative pressure; an inlet valve unit module (7) which has a main compressed air connection (8) which is or can be connected, preferably detachably, in terms of flow, to an external compressed air source and which serves to receive the compressed air required to operate the dense phase powder pump (1); and a pump housing (9) which is designed to accommodate at least partially or regionally the compressed air control module (5) and the inlet valve unit module (7) and to detachably connect these modules (5, 7) to one another, and which is further designed, when the compressed air control module (5) and the inlet valve unit module are accommodated in the pump housing (9). (7) to supply the compressed air received via the main compressed air connection (8), in particular as required, to the plurality of switching valves (6) of the compressed air control module (5).

2. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to claim 1, wherein the inlet valve unit module (7) has a valve carrier (10) preferably made of a plastic material, in particular in an injection molding process, in which a particularly cylindrical receptacle is formed, in which a filter candle (11) and at least partially or regionally a main connection plug (12) for the main compressed air connection (8) can be or are received.

3. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlet valve unit module (7) has a valve carrier (10) preferably made of a plastic material, in particular in an injection molding process, wherein the valve carrier (10) of the inlet valve unit module (7) has an interface area (14) via which a valve block (13), preferably designed as a module, is or can be connected to the valve carrier (10) in a particularly detachable and / or replaceable manner.

4. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to claim 3, wherein the valve block (13), which is preferably designed as a module, is designed, in particular detachably and / or replaceably, to accommodate at least one valve (15), in particular a valve in the form of a solenoid valve.

5. Dense phase powder pump (1) according to claim 4, wherein the at least one valve (15) is designed as a solenoid valve with venting, and wherein the inlet valve unit module (7) is accommodated at least partially or regionally in the pump housing (9) in such a way that the venting of the at least one valve (15) takes place into the pump housing (9).

6. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein in the valve block (13) preferably designed as a module, a compressed air duct system is formed in particular integrally such that Compressed air received via the main compressed air connection (8) of the input valve unit module (7) can be fed to a compressed air inlet of the at least one valve (15) if the at least one valve (15) is connected to the valve block (13) which is preferably designed as a module, wherein for this purpose the valve block (13) which is preferably designed as a module is or can be connected, preferably detachably, in terms of flow, to a compressed air outlet of the valve carrier (10) of the input valve unit module (7) via a compressed air inlet of the valve block (13) which is preferably designed as a module.

7. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to claim 6, wherein the compressed air duct system formed in the valve block (13), which is preferably designed as a module, is designed such that it fluidly connects a compressed air outlet of the at least one valve (15) to a compressed air duct system preferably formed integrally in the valve carrier (10) of the inlet valve unit module (7) when the at least one valve (15) is connected to the valve block (13), which is preferably designed as a module.

8. Dense-phase powder pump (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the at least one valve (15), which is or can be connected to the valve block (13), which is preferably designed as a module, has at least one valve outlet, via which compressed air supplied to the at least one valve (15) can be delivered at least partially from the at least one valve (15), preferably in a regulated or controlled manner, and wherein the compressed air duct system formed in the valve block (13), which is preferably designed as a module, is designed such that it supplies the compressed air delivered from the at least one valve outlet of the at least one valve (15), preferably in a regulated or controlled manner, via the at least one valve outlet of the at least one valve (15) to an interface connection, in particular in a side wall region of the valve block (13).

9. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to claim 8, wherein in a state of the valve block (13), which is preferably designed as a module, connected to the valve carrier (10) of the inlet valve unit module (7), the interface connection of the valve block (13) is fluidly connected to an interface connection (25) of the valve carrier (10).

10. Dense-phase powder pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the dense-phase powder pump (1) further comprises a connection module (16) which is at least partially or regionally accommodated in the pump housing (9) and / or carried by the pump housing (9), wherein the connection module (16) has an HMI interface (17), preferably in the form of a display or with a display, and corresponding connections (18) for connecting at least one signal and / or data and / or control line and / or at least one power supply line.

11. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to claim 10, wherein the connection module (16) further comprises at least one digital position controller (19).

12. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the pump housing (9) has a base body (21) and side plates (22) which are detachably and / or replaceably connected to the base body (21) and are preferably made of plastic and which form at least one side wall of the pump housing (9) at least in some regions.

13. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to claim 12, wherein a channel system with at least one compressed air line and preferably with a plurality of compressed air lines is formed in the side plates (22) in particular integrally.

14. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to claim 13, wherein at least one side plate (22) has a channel system (23) integrated in the side plate (22) in such a way that the channel system (23) of the Compressed air supplied to the side plate (22) is supplied or can be supplied to the compressed air control module (5) via an interface connection preferably formed in a side wall of the compressed air control module (5).

15. Powder dense phase pump (1) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the side plates (22) and the respective channel system (23) formed in particular integrally in the side plates (22) are selected such that compressed air can be or is supplied from the inlet valve unit module (7) to the compressed air control module (5) via the channel systems (23) of the side plates (22).

16. Dense-phase powder pump (1) according to one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the pump housing (9) has a first group of side plates (22) which at least partially form a first side wall of the pump housing (9), and at least one further side plate (22) which at least partially forms a second side wall of the pump housing (9) opposite the first side wall, wherein at least one compressed air line of the channel system which is in particular formed integrally in the further side plate (22) is fluidically connected to at least one compressed air line of the channel system which is in particular formed integrally in the first group of side plates (22) via a channel system (23) which is in particular formed integrally in the base body (21) of the pump housing (9).

17. A dense phase powder pump (1) according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the channel system (23) of a first side plate (22) is or can be fluidly connected to the channel system (23) of a second side plate (22) adjacent to the first side plate (22) via at least one transition pin (24).

18. Dense phase powder pump (1) according to one of claims 13 to 17, wherein at least one side plate (22) is designed as a deflection plate, in which the channel system (23), which is formed in particular integrally in the side plate (22), is deflected by 90°.

19. Dense-phase powder pump (1) according to one of claims 13 to 18, wherein at least one side plate (22) has a channel system (23) integrated in the side plate (22) in such a way that compressed air received from the channel system (23) of a side plate (22) adjacent to the side plate (22) is at least partially supplied to a digital position controller (19) preferably accommodated in the base body (21) of the pump housing (9).

20. Dense phase powder pump (1) according to one of claims 13 to 19 and at least according to claim 9, wherein the interface connection (14) of the valve carrier (10) is or can be connected in terms of flow to the channel system (23) which is formed in particular integrally in a side plate (22) of the pump housing (9), preferably via a connection piece (26) which can be received at least partially or regionally by the interface connection (14).

21. Dense phase powder pump (1) according to one of claims 1 to 20, wherein at least one switching valve of the compressed air control module (5) and preferably all switching valves of the compressed air control module (5) are each designed as a solenoid valve with venting, and wherein the compressed air control module (5) is at least partially or regionally accommodated in the pump housing (9) in such a way that the venting of the at least one switching valve or the venting of the switching valves takes place into the pump housing (9).

Images