Modular Coating Cell Base Body for Robot-Ready Powder Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coating booths and systems lack flexibility and automation, failing to optimize productivity and cost-effectiveness, especially with the increasing use of coating robots and varying coating requirements.

Innovation Solution

A modular coating concept with a base body having a modular structure, integrated suction and blow-off systems, and a flexible design for connecting side walls and robots, allowing for customizable coating cells that integrate with coating robots and optimize powder recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a traditional conveyor device is used for transporting workpieces through the coating chamber, then continuous workpiece transport is enabled, but dirt particles or powder residues can fall off the conveyor leading to coating irregularities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous workpiece transportVSAvoidcoating quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor device is extracted from the coating chamber interior and relocated to the floor level, separating the transport function from the coating space. This extraction prevents the conveyor from contaminating the coating environment while maintaining continuous transport capability through floor-level conveyor slots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If coating booths are designed for large production batches with automated coating, then productivity is improved, but flexibility for different coating tasks is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated coating efficiencyVSAvoidflexibility for different coating tasks
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coating booth design incorporates dynamic adaptability through adjustable components and modular structures that allow the system to transition between automated high-volume coating and flexible manual coating tasks. The booth can be reconfigured based on production requirements, enabling both continuous automated operation and discontinuous manual operation modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the conveyor device is arranged below the booth floor, then coating quality is improved by preventing contamination, but access to the coating chamber becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating qualityVSAvoidaccess to coating chamber
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The floor structure is segmented with dedicated conveyor slots that separate the transport function from the work area. This segmentation allows the conveyor to operate below the floor level for contamination-free transport while maintaining open access to the coating chamber through the same floor structure, as the conveyor slots are designed to minimize obstruction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If modular base bodies are used for coating cells, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility for different applicationsVSAvoidmodular structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The modular base bodies are designed with universal interfaces and standardized dimensions that allow them to serve multiple functions across different coating applications. The same base body module can be used in various configurations for different coating cell requirements, reducing the number of unique components needed and simplifying the overall system despite the modular architecture.

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

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 flexible and automated coating processes with high productivity and cost-effectiveness, accommodating diverse coating tasks and enhancing the use of coating robots.

Implementation Method 1

an integrated suction system for suctioning and/or removing overspray powder, in particular as required, during coating operation of the coating cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

an integrated blow-off system for the release of compressed air, particularly as needed and preferably in a pulsed manner, particularly along the at least one inclined or curved surface of the booth floor and in the direction of an extraction channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air: Gas Compressor

Data Source

PatentEP4153362B1Base body for a coating cell of a coating system
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 GEMA SWITZERLAND GMBH
  • EP4153362B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4153362B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4153362B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a main part (5) for a coating cell (2) of a coating plant (1), the main part (5) having a modular design and being preferably an exchangeable element within the entire system of the coating plant (1). The main part (5) is further designed to be connectible to at least one sidewall (12) which is preferably in the form of a module, to provide a particularly user-specifically configured coating cell (2).