Movable Color Changing Device Control for Coating Robots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coating devices experience significant delays and increased dimensions due to the long distance between the color changing device and the application device, leading to inefficiencies in paint transfer and control signal propagation during color changes.

Innovation Solution

The color changing device control is carried along with the carriage, reducing the distance to the application device and minimizing the number of control lines, allowing for shorter propagation delays and more efficient paint transfer by arranging the changing device close to the application device and its control near the robot.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the color changing device is located remotely from the application device, then the device structure is simpler and easier to install, but the paint transfer time increases and throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidpaint transfer time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The color changing device is made movable and is carried along with the carriage that transports the application device. This dynamic configuration allows the color changing device to be positioned close to the application device during operation, reducing paint transfer time while maintaining installation flexibility through the carriage system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The color changing device is integrated into the carriage structure, effectively nesting it within the existing mobile framework of the coating system. This allows the color changing device to be transported and positioned along with the application device, minimizing the distance between them and reducing paint transfer time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the color changing device control is located remotely, then the control system is simpler, but the switching delay increases due to longer control line length

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching speedVSAvoidcontrol line length
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The color changing device control is made movable and is carried along with the carriage. This dynamic positioning ensures that the control device remains close to the color changing device throughout operation, minimizing control line length and reducing switching delays while maintaining system flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control device is integrated with the color changing device on the same carriage, merging their positions into a single mobile unit. This consolidation eliminates the need for long control lines and reduces switching delays by ensuring minimal distance between control signals and actuated components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the color changing device is carried along with the carriage, then the paint transfer time is reduced and throughput increases, but the device complexity and number of control lines increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidnumber of control lines
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide chain structure is designed to carry multiple functions including both the application device and the color changing device, as well as all necessary control lines and fluid connections. This multi-functional use of the guide chain system consolidates what would otherwise require separate infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity despite the added mobility.

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

Data Source

PatentEP1889666B1Device for coating, in particular painting, objects, in particular vehicle bodywork
Publication Date: 2008.12.03 EISENMANN LACKTECHN
  • EP1889666B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1889666B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1889666B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device (10) for coating, in particular painting, objects, especially vehicle bodies, comprises at least one multi-axis robot (18) carrying an application device (14), which in turn is supported by a carriage (20) movable along a guide structure (22). At least one guide chain (44) carries a plurality of electrical and/or optical and/or fluidic lines (60, 66, 74) extending between a stationary connection point (46) and a connection point (48) moved with the carriage (20). A plurality of control lines (50a, 50b, 50c, 50d) extend between a changer device (16) for coating material and a changer device controller (52), which can be selectively supplied with a control signal by the changer device controller (52) to control the changer device (16).The changeover device (16) and the changeover device control (52) are carried with the slide (20).