Handling Robot Self-Cleaning Device for Paint Booth Dust Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In modern painting plants, handling robots used for opening and closing vehicle doors and hoods become soiled by paint spray, leading to production interruptions and paint defects due to manual cleaning, which introduces dust and reduces quality.
Innovation Solution
A handling robot with an integrated or external cleaning device that automatically cleans its tools and elements, minimizing production interruptions and preventing dust entry into the painting booth, using a cleaning device with an insertion opening for linear, rotary, or combined movements, and a protective cover that can be automatically replaced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning of the handling robot is performed, then paint contamination is removed, but production is interrupted and dust is introduced into the painting booth
Solution Approach 1:
The handling robot is equipped with an integrated cleaning device that enables it to clean itself automatically without external intervention. The cleaning device includes cleaning elements (such as cloths or brushes) that are movable relative to the robot's housing, allowing the robot to autonomously remove paint contamination from its own surfaces during or between painting operations, thereby eliminating production interruptions and preventing dust introduction associated with manual cleaning
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device is merged with the handling robot's structure, combining the painting function and cleaning function into a single integrated system. The cleaning elements are positioned within the robot's housing and can be moved into contact with contaminated surfaces, allowing the robot to perform both painting and self-cleaning operations without requiring separate cleaning equipment or personnel
2Reliability
If manual cleaning is performed, then paint adhesions are removed, but dust and dirt are introduced by maintenance personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The robot autonomously performs cleaning operations using integrated cleaning elements, eliminating the need for maintenance personnel to enter the painting booth. This self-cleaning capability prevents the introduction of dust and dirt that would otherwise be brought in by personnel clothing and body, thereby maintaining higher paint quality and reducing contamination risks
3Reliability
If the cleaning device is stationary and separate from the robot, then the robot can be cleaned, but the robot must be repositioned which increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is integrated into the handling robot's housing rather than being a separate stationary unit. This merging eliminates the need for expensive robot repositioning systems and infrastructure, while the cleaning elements remain movable relative to the housing to provide effective cleaning contact with contaminated surfaces
4Reliability
If painting robots clean each other, then cleaning is possible, but both robots are blocked during the cleaning process
Solution Approach 1:
Each handling robot is equipped with its own integrated cleaning device, enabling independent self-cleaning without requiring another robot to perform the cleaning function. This eliminates the mutual blocking problem where two robots would need to be positioned next to each other, allowing the cleaning robot to remain operational while being cleaned and improving overall system productivity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a robot (1) for a painting system, in particular a handling robot for opening and closing doors or hoods of motor vehicle bodies, wherein the handling tool (7) or a contamination-prone robot element of the handling robot (1) is exposed during painting operations to a spray jet of paint applied to the components to be painted, and with a cleaning device (8) for cleaning or keeping the handling tool (7) and/or the contamination-prone robot element of the handling robot (1) clean of the paint applied by the spray jet during painting operations. The invention further comprises a corresponding operating method.