Electrostatic Spray Head With Pointed Charging Electrode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing powder coating systems for can bodies face challenges in achieving uniform and efficient adhesion of powder to the inner surfaces, particularly at the weld seam, due to suboptimal electrostatic charging and deflection mechanisms, leading to potential corrosion issues.

Innovation Solution

A powder spray head with a pointed charging electrode and a plate-shaped guide electrode, arranged to enhance electrostatic charging and deflection of powder particles, combined with a powder recovery unit and wing configurations to ensure uniform coating and minimize powder loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional electrode block design is used for charging and guiding powder, then the device structure is simple, but the powder adhesion to the can body is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepowder adhesionVSAvoidelectrode structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode block is divided into separate charging electrode and guide electrode components. The charging electrode imparts electrostatic charge to powder particles, while the guide electrode directs the charged powder toward the can body. This segmentation allows each electrode to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall powder adhesion while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The charging electrode features a pointed tip geometry concentrated at the powder injection zone, creating a localized high electric field strength where powder charging is most needed. The guide electrode has an extended shape positioned to create a uniform electric field in the working chamber. This local optimization of electrode geometry enhances powder adhesion without requiring complex overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the charging electrode is positioned far from the powder outlet, then the electric field distribution is uniform, but the electrostatic charge imparted to the powder is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrostatic charge of powderVSAvoidelectric field distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The charging electrode is positioned upstream near the powder outlet, imparting electrostatic charge to powder particles before they enter the main working chamber. This preliminary charging ensures that powder particles acquire sufficient electrostatic charge early in the process, enabling effective deflection toward the can body while maintaining uniform electric field distribution in the charging zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the guide electrode creates a strong electric field for powder deflection, then powder adhesion improves, but powder loss increases due to excessive deflection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepowder adhesionVSAvoidpowder loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The guide electrode creates a controlled electric field that provides sufficient deflection force to direct charged powder toward the can body surface, achieving good adhesion. The electrode geometry and positioning are optimized to create a field gradient that is strong enough for effective deflection but distributed over an extended region, preventing excessive deflection that would cause powder loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Volume of moving object

If a compact spray head design is used, then the system occupies less space, but the working chamber volume for powder deflection is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespray head sizeVSAvoidworking chamber volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide electrode is designed with an extended shape that utilizes the longitudinal dimension of the working chamber effectively. By extending the guide electrode along the powder flow direction, the electric field is distributed over a longer distance, providing sufficient deflection force within a compact transverse footprint. This dimensional optimization allows adequate working chamber volume for powder deflection while maintaining a compact overall spray head size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 results in improved powder adhesion and uniformity on the can body, enhancing corrosion resistance and reducing powder waste, with better particle size coverage and efficient deflection mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

A charging electrode (6) is used in order to impart an electrostatic charge to the powder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic charging: Electrostatic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a second guide electrode (7), which is also charged with a negative voltage. Consequently, the already negatively charged powder particles are repelled by the negatively charged guide electrode, further reinforcing the deflection of the powder towards the can body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic repulsion: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Implementation Method 3

Due to the electrostatic charge, the powder particles are deflected towards the can body and adhere to it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic adhesion: Electrostatic Deposition

Data Source

PatentEP3551336B1Electrostatic spray head
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 SOUDRONIC
  • EP3551336B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3551336B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3551336B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a powder spraying head (2) for spraying a powder onto a can body (12) to be coated, comprising a working chamber (11) in the interior of the powder spraying head (2), a powder tube (9) for providing the powder, a charging electrode (6) for applying an electrostatic charge to the powder, and a guide electrode (7) for deflecting the electrostatically charged powder substantially in the direction of the working opening (4). The charging electrode (6) is arranged in the region of the powder outlet (9a) and runs in the direction of the powder flowing into the working chamber (11) in a pointed manner (6a). Additionally or alternatively thereto, the guide electrode (7) is plate-shaped, and a flat face (7a) of the guide electrode (7) faces the working chamber (11).