Electrostatic Sprayer With Articulating Electrodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrostatic coating projectors with external electrodes are too bulky to access interior surfaces of hollow parts, requiring two separate projectors and robot arms, increasing costs and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A sprayer with movable electrodes that can articulate between a compact and deployed configuration, allowing the same device to efficiently coat both exterior and interior surfaces by adjusting voltage settings, eliminating the need for dual projectors and robot arms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external electrodes are added to the electrostatic projector, then coating deposition efficiency is improved, but the device size increases preventing access to interior surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating deposition efficiencyVSAvoidprojector size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the electrodes movable rather than fixed. The electrodes can be positioned in a deployed configuration when needed for electrostatic coating of exterior surfaces, and then retracted into a compact configuration to reduce the projector's overall size for accessing interior surfaces. This dynamic repositioning allows the same device to adapt between two conflicting size requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If two separate projectors are used (electrostatic and pneumatic), then both exterior and interior surfaces can be coated, but material and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating capabilityVSAvoidnumber of projectors
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the universality principle by designing a single electrostatic projector that can perform multiple functions. By incorporating movable electrodes that can be positioned in different configurations, the same device can coat both exterior surfaces (with electrodes deployed) and interior surfaces (with electrodes retracted), eliminating the need for separate electrostatic and pneumatic projectors.

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

3Reliability

If two separate projectors are used, then complete coating coverage is achieved, but maintenance costs and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating completenessVSAvoidmaintenance cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the merging principle by combining the functions of two separate projectors into a single device. The electrostatic projector integrates both the exterior coating capability (with external electrodes) and interior coating capability (with retracted electrodes), reducing the total number of devices from two to one, thereby simplifying maintenance and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables complete coating of hollow parts with reduced material and maintenance costs by using a single projector that can adapt its size and voltage settings to access both exterior and interior surfaces effectively.

Implementation Method 1

The electrodes are intended to raise the electrical potential of the droplets or particles of powder constituting the coating product, by generating an electric field between each electrode and the object to be coated connected to an electrical ground

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

electrostatic headlamp... whose function is to project the coating product to be deposited on the object to be coated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic deposition: Electrostatic Deposition

Data Source

PatentEP2401090B1Electrostatic spraying apparatus including mobile electrodes, and method for electrostatic spraying using such a spraying apparatus
Publication Date: 2015.04.08 SAMES TECHNOLOGIES SAS
  • EP2401090B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2401090B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2401090B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a spraying apparatus (P) comprising: a body (2); a spraying member (1) supported by said body (2); and several electrodes (31-38) arranged around the spraying member (1). The spraying apparatus (P) further includes hinge means (41-48) for hinging all or part of the electrodes (31-38) relative to the body (2). The electrodes (31-38) are mobile between a compact configuration, in which the electrodes (31-38) together occupy a first space (V4), and at least one expanded configuration, in which the electrodes (31-38) together occupy a second space (V1), the first space (V4) being smaller than the second space (V1).