Rotary Atomizer Bushing Seals Annular Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic cleaning of rotary atomizers with air-steering rings is challenging due to penetration of cleaning fluid or coating material into the annular gap between the bell cup and the air-steering ring, causing contamination and paint errors during subsequent coating operations.
Innovation Solution
A bushing-shaped shaft cover is used to partially cover the bearing shaft in the annular gap area between the bell cup and the air-steering ring, reducing the vacuum and preventing fluid penetration by reducing the annular gap depth in the radial direction, and can be integrated into the air-steering ring or bell cup, with options for mechanical connection such as pressure fit, welding, or using different materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automatic cleaning is performed on rotary atomizers, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but cleaning fluid penetrates into the annular gap between bell cup and air-steering ring causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the bell cup and the air-steering ring to prevent cleaning fluid from penetrating into the annular gap. This sealing element acts as a barrier that allows automatic cleaning to proceed while blocking the harmful fluid intrusion, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning efficiency and contamination prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful effect of cleaning fluid penetration is extracted and isolated by positioning the sealing element to specifically block the annular gap area. This allows the cleaning process to continue effectively while the sealing element extracts and contains the potential contamination issue, preventing it from affecting the coating operation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the annular gap depth is reduced radially, then fluid penetration is prevented, but device complexity increases due to shaft cover integration
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft cover is merged with either the air-steering ring or the bell cup, integrating the sealing function into an existing component rather than adding a separate independent part. This merging approach reduces fluid penetration while minimizing the increase in device complexity by utilizing existing structural elements
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft cover is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, maintains the radial reduction of annular gap depth to prevent fluid penetration, and integrates with the existing air-steering ring or bell cup structure. This multi-functionality approach prevents fluid intrusion while keeping the overall device complexity manageable
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for effective automatic cleaning of rotary atomizers without fluid penetration, reducing contamination risks and enabling reliable coating operations by minimizing the vacuum in the annular gap, thus preventing splatters and ensuring clean coating processes.
Implementation Method 1
The solution allows for effective automatic cleaning of rotary atomizers without fluid penetration, reducing contamination risks and enabling reliable coating operations by minimizing the vacuum in the annular gap
Implementation Method 2
A bushing-shaped shaft cover is used to partially cover the bearing shaft in the annular gap area between the bell cup and the air-steering ring, reducing the vacuum and preventing fluid penetration by reducing the annular gap depth in the radial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary atomizer component, such as for a steering air ring or bell cup for a rotary atomizer with at least one steering air jet for delivering steering air (or controlled air) and a rotary bearing shaft where, in axial direction between the bell cup and the steering air jet, a circumferential annular gap is located. A shaft cover in form of a bushing covers the bearing shaft, when mounted, at least partially in the annular gap area between the bell cup and the steering air jet. In addition, the annular gap space between the front surface of the bearing unit and the internal surface facing it axially or any other front element of the atomizer is sealed in a radial way internally against the externally accessible area of the shaft. The sealing element provided for this purpose is located along the internal circumference of the air-steering rings or front element and able to be attached to the front surface of the bearing unit in a way that it is elastically deformable.