Electrostatic Atomizer Cleaning Device Equipotentiality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices for spraying devices in automatic series-production coating operations face inefficiencies due to time losses from internal and external cleaning processes interfering with each other, and the risk of electrical arcing and explosion hazards when using electrostatic atomizers with high voltage.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a discharge pipe section to contain and direct the paint and rinsing agent mixture, allowing simultaneous internal and external cleaning, and electrical potential management to prevent arcing by grounding the atomizer quickly and ensuring proper insertion alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the atomizer is inserted into a grounded cleaning device, then external cleaning can be performed, but the high voltage must be turned off and discharged first, causing time losses
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is equipped with a high voltage supply that can raise its electrical potential to match the atomizer's potential before insertion. This equipotential state prevents electrical arcing and allows the atomizer to be cleaned immediately without discharge time, while still maintaining explosion safety through controlled potential equalization
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device performs preliminary voltage adjustment before the atomizer is inserted. The high voltage supply is activated in advance to bring the cleaning device to the appropriate electrical potential, so that when the atomizer is inserted, no discharge time is needed and cleaning can proceed immediately
2Reliability
If the short rinsing process is performed first, then paint deposits can be removed, but the swirling mist contaminates the cleaning device interior and requires additional cleaning time
Solution Approach 1:
A discharge device with a discharge opening is introduced to extract and redirect the swirling mist away from the cleaning device interior. The discharge opening is positioned to allow the mist to escape in a controlled direction, preventing contamination of the cleaning device while maintaining the effectiveness of the short rinsing process
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge device acts as an intermediary element between the atomizer and the cleaning device interior. It provides a controlled path for the mist to exit, mediating between the rinsing process and the cleaning environment, thereby preventing contamination without interfering with the cleaning effectiveness
3Reliability
If the cleaning device is kept at ground potential, then explosion safety is maintained, but electrostatic atomizers with high voltage cannot be cleaned without discharge time
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical potential of the cleaning device is made dynamic rather than fixed. The high voltage supply allows the cleaning device to adjust its potential dynamically - remaining grounded when not in use for safety, but rapidly transitioning to match the atomizer's potential when cleaning is required, thereby eliminating discharge time while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical potential parameter of the cleaning device is changed from a fixed ground potential to a variable potential that can match the atomizer's high voltage. This parameter change enables immediate cleaning of electrostatic atomizers without discharge time, while the controlled nature of the change maintains explosion safety
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
Reduces time losses and contamination, prevents explosions by allowing parallel cleaning processes and quick voltage equalization, ensuring safer and more efficient cleaning operations.
Implementation Method 1
the agents sprayed from the spray head of the atomizer and composed of paint or other coating material and/or the rinsing agent are sprayed into a discharge device, which is provided within the cleaning device and which prevents these agents from reaching areas of the interior of the cleaning device
Implementation Method 2
the charging device of the spraying device is set to the electrical potential of the cleaning device or the cleaning device is set to the electrical potential of the charging device before the beginning of the cleaning
Data Source
AI summary
To clean an atomizer used for automatic series-production coating of work pieces in a cleaning device provided for this purpose, the outer housing of the atomizer is sprayed by nozzles of the cleaning device, while simultaneously painting and rinsing agents sprayed by the spray head of the atomizer in a short rinsing process are captured and discharged through a pipe section in the interior of the cleaning device. In electrostatic atomizers, voltage equalization between the atomizer and the cleaning device is performed beforehand. Through additional measures, the atomizer can be moved by the handling machine provided for this purpose only from one proper direction towards the cleaning device.