Compact Color Changer Eliminates Central Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current color changer systems in paint shops result in significant paint loss and unreliable color changes due to the need for lengthy central channels and complex valve operations, leading to high costs and potential for unintended color mixing.
Innovation Solution
A compact color changer system with rotating, pivoting, and displacing elements that eliminate the need for a central channel, using a pump to push paint back into supply channels during color changes, and closure arrangements that prevent accidental paint leakage, ensuring reliable operation and minimal paint loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a central channel with multiple supply channels is used in the color changer, then multiple colors can be supplied selectively, but the channel length increases and cleaning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The color changer is divided into a first element with multiple supply channels and a second element with a single output channel. This segmentation allows each supply channel to be independent and shorter, reducing cleaning time while maintaining the ability to supply multiple colors selectively through the closure arrangements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple supply channels open into the color changer are used, then multiple colors can be supplied, but the risk of unintended color mixing increases
Solution Approach 1:
Closure arrangements (valves) are introduced as intermediary elements between each supply channel and the color changer body. These closure arrangements selectively open or close each supply channel, preventing unintended color mixing while maintaining the ability to supply multiple colors reliably.
3Ease of manufacture
If flushing agent is routed through the central channel for cleaning, then the channel is cleaned of previous paint, but paint loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flushing agent pathway is extracted from the central channel and routed through the individual supply channels instead. This allows the flushing agent to clean the supply channels of previous paint without requiring the entire central channel to be flushed, reducing paint loss while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a complex valve arrangement is used to control supply channels, then selective color supply is achieved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple closure arrangements are merged into a unified color changer assembly where each supply channel has its own closure arrangement. This merging approach maintains selective color supply capability while simplifying the overall system architecture by integrating the valves directly into the color changer body rather than using separate complex valve control systems.
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 system reduces paint loss to almost zero, simplifies the color change process, and prevents unintended color mixing, resulting in cost savings and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a pump for conveying paint is provided in the line between the means for dispensing the paints and the channel in the second element
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The color change system has an element (1), in which supply channel (3) opens out for two colors. A pump (8) is provided in another element (2) between a device for dispensing colors and a channel (6) is provided for conveying color into a line (10). An opening (6a) of the channel is connected with the pump in fluidic manner. An independent claim is included for a method for changing a color, particularly between two varnishing steps in a color change system.