Cylinder Coating Head With Multi-Gun Switching for Fast Material Change

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cylinder coating devices require lengthy preparation times and significant capital investment due to the need for multiple machines and lengthy cleaning processes when switching between different coating materials and types of coating films.

Innovation Solution

A device with a coating head featuring multiple guns that can discharge coating material intersectingly, connected to separate supply systems, and a rotating cover to facilitate quick material changes, allowing for simultaneous application of multiple coating films without extensive reconfiguration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a single coating machine is used for multiple coating materials, then capital investment is reduced, but the time required for cleaning and replacing coating material increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapital investmentVSAvoidmaterial replacement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The coating head is segmented into multiple independent coating guns (first coating gun, second coating gun, etc.), each capable of dispensing different coating materials. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple coating materials simultaneously without requiring complete disassembly and cleaning of the entire coating machine, thus reducing both capital investment and material replacement time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coating head is designed as a universal component that can perform multiple functions by switching between different coating guns. Each coating gun is connected to a separate coating material supply device, enabling the single machine to apply different types of coating films (e.g., intermediate coating, top coating) without requiring dedicated machines for each coating type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of time

If multiple dedicated coating machines are prepared for different coating materials, then material replacement time is reduced, but capital investment and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial replacement timeVSAvoidnumber of coating machines
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple coating guns that would traditionally require separate dedicated machines are merged into a single coating head assembly. The coating head integrates multiple coating guns, each with its own material supply device, allowing different coating materials to be applied from one machine platform, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining fast material switching capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coating head incorporates a rotating cover that can dynamically switch between different coating guns during the coating process. This dynamic switching mechanism allows the system to adapt to different coating requirements without physical reconfiguration or machine changes, reducing both complexity and replacement time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the spray gun is cleaned and disassembled for material replacement, then coating quality is maintained, but productivity decreases due to lengthy preparation time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating qualityVSAvoidcoating production efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The potentially contaminating element (the first coating gun) is extracted or isolated by covering it with the rotating cover when switching to a different coating material. This extraction approach maintains coating quality by preventing cross-contamination while avoiding the time-consuming processes of disassembly and cleaning, thus preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating cover acts as an intermediary element between different coating guns and the coating environment. By rotating the cover to position the appropriate coating gun, the system enables clean switching between materials without direct exposure or contamination of the spray mechanisms, maintaining coating quality while minimizing preparation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3680023B1Device for coating cylinders
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 IHI CORP
  • EP3680023B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3680023B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3680023B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device (1) for coating a cylinder includes a coating head (10) capable of being inserted into the cylinder, a plurality of coating guns (40) which are provided on the coating head and are configured to discharge a coating material in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the coating head, and a rotating cover (80) which, when the coating material is discharged from one of a first coating gun (40A) and a second coating gun (40B) among the plurality of coating guns, is configured to cover the other of the first coating gun and the second coating gun, in which the plurality of coating guns are connected to coating material supply devices (20A, 20B) of different systems, respectively.