Painting Robot Bypass Flow Path for Pump Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing painting robots face challenges with air introduction into the nozzle during paint color changes and filling, leading to paint discharge issues and accelerated pump wear, as well as difficulties in removing dissolved gases from the paint.
Innovation Solution
A painting robot configuration that includes a nozzle head with piezoelectric nozzles, a paint supply path with filters to remove foreign matter and dissolved gases, and a bypass flow path for circulating paint to prevent air introduction and promote deaeration, along with a control unit to manage the flow and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pump is used to push out or pull in paint during color change and filling, then paint can be transported efficiently, but the wear of the pump will be accelerated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pump from the paint circulation path during color change operations. By providing a bypass flow path that allows paint to circulate without passing through the pump, the pump is protected from wear during frequent color changes while maintaining paint circulation and deaeration functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If paint is frequently pushed out and pulled in from the nozzle head during color change, then color change can be achieved, but the wear of the pump will be accelerated
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is extracted from the color change process by providing a bypass path. Paint can be circulated through the bypass flow path during color changes without passing through the pump, eliminating pump wear during these operations while maintaining the ability to perform color changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary deaeration of paint in the bypass circulation path before the paint reaches the nozzle head. This prevents air bubbles from entering the nozzle during color changes, ensuring smooth color transitions without requiring repeated pump operations to remove air.
3Ease of operation
If air is introduced from the nozzle during color change and filling, then paint can be loaded into the nozzle head, but air will accumulate inside the nozzle causing difficulty in pushing out paint
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary deaeration of paint in the bypass flow path before the paint enters the nozzle head. The deaerating module removes dissolved gases and air bubbles from the paint in advance, preventing air accumulation in the nozzle that would interfere with paint discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass flow path acts as an intermediary between the paint supply and the nozzle head. Paint circulates through this intermediate path where deaeration occurs, serving as a buffer zone that prevents direct air introduction into the nozzle while maintaining paint circulation.
4Productivity
If a conventional painting system is used, then painting can be performed, but dissolved gas in the paint cannot be sufficiently removed
Solution Approach 1:
The deaerating module serves as an intermediary device in the bypass flow path that specifically targets dissolved gases in the paint. This intermediate deaeration step enhances gas removal efficiency without interfering with the main painting operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The paint circulation system is segmented into two paths: a main path through the nozzle head for painting operations and a bypass path with deaeration functionality for paint preparation. This segmentation allows simultaneous painting and deaeration operations to occur independently.
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
Prevents air introduction into the paint during color changes and filling, reduces pump wear, and effectively removes dissolved gases, ensuring reliable paint discharge and extending equipment lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
discharging paint from the nozzles by driving of a piezoelectric substrate
Implementation Method 2
a first filter provided in the intermediate portion of the paint supply path and configured to remove foreign matter in the paint
Implementation Method 3
a second filter provided on the downstream side of the paint supply path compared to the first filter and configured to separate dissolved gas from the paint
Implementation Method 4
on the upstream side of the first filter, a pressurizing device is provided, which applies a positive pressure to the paint
Data Source
AI summary
A painting robot which can prevent the introduction of air from the nozzles into paint during the color change of paint and filling of paint and can prevent the acceleration of wear of the pump, and sufficiently remove dissolved gas from the paint. The painting robot includes a paint supply path connected to the paint supply side of the nozzle head and a return flow path configured to recover the paint not discharged from the nozzles. Further, the painting robot includes a first filter configured to remove foreign matter in the paint and a second filter configured to separate dissolved gas from the paint. When paint is not discharged from the nozzle head, the control unit opens the on-off valve and circulates the paint to the bypass flow path.