Multicolor Powder Center with Movable Pump for Rapid Color Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
Powder coating systems face challenges in quickly and efficiently changing between different types of coating powders, leading to potential coating defects due to residual particles from previous powders.
Innovation Solution
A multi-color powder center with a movable pump unit and powder containers allows for easy fluid connection and disconnection, enabling quick changes between powder types and incorporating cleaning stations for thorough cleaning, ensuring efficient powder changes and multicolor spray coating operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If powder containers are fixed and connected permanently to the pump unit, then the system structure is simple, but powder changes require thorough cleaning and take a lot of time
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the powder supply into separate, independently movable powder containers that can be individually disconnected and replaced. Each container can be separated from the pump unit without affecting others, enabling rapid powder changes without cleaning the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The powder containers are designed to be movable relative to the pump unit, transitioning between connected and disconnected states. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt quickly between different powder types by simply repositioning containers rather than cleaning fixed connections.
2Ease of operation
If the pump unit is stationary and containers are moved, then the pump structure is simple, but connecting and disconnecting containers is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The pump unit is designed with movable components that allow it to approach and connect to powder containers dynamically. The pump unit can move horizontally and vertically to align with containers, making the connection process intuitive and easy to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
A docking unit serves as an intermediary between the pump unit and powder containers. This docking mechanism simplifies the connection process by providing a standardized interface that automatically aligns and connects the pump to the selected container.
3Productivity
If multiple powder containers are provided for different colors, then powder change speed increases, but the risk of cross-contamination between powders increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each powder container is completely separate and independently sealable, preventing cross-contamination between different powder types. The segmentation allows each container to be isolated, ensuring powder purity while enabling rapid changes by simply switching between containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and removes residual powder from the transfer line and pump unit using a cleaning station that applies compressed air or vacuum. This extraction of contaminants before switching containers ensures that no cross-contamination occurs between different powder types.
4Reliability
If a cleaning station is added to the system, then powder purity between changes is ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning station is integrated into the existing pump unit structure, serving multiple functions including cleaning the pump, cleaning the transfer line, and preparing the connection interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated cleaning equipment, minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning station uses compressed air or vacuum to automatically clean the system components without requiring manual disassembly or external cleaning equipment. The system cleans itself through automated pneumatic or vacuum-based removal of residual powder, reducing operational complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
The invention relates to a multicolor powder center (1) for supplying at least one powder spraying device with different types of coating powder as required. The multicolor powder center (1) has at least one powder container (2.1 - 2.12) for receiving coating powder and at least one pump unit (3.1 - 3.6) comprising at least one powder pump (4), in particular a dense flow pump or a diluted flow pump. The pressure side of the at least one powder pump (4) is fluidically connected or can be fluidically connected to the powder inlet of a powder spraying device. The pump unit (3.1 - 3.6) is paired with a docking unit (8), via which the suction side of the at least one powder pump (4) can be fluidically connected to the interior of the powder container (2.1 - 2.12) as required.