Rotary Valve Changer Device for Coating Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coating systems and changing devices face inefficiencies in media recovery and cleaning due to non-piggable channels and complex flow paths, leading to high detergent usage and paint loss during color changes.
Innovation Solution
A modular changing device with piggable passage channels and rotary valve members allows for complete media recovery and reduced detergent usage by eliminating difficult-to-clean transitions and enabling direct connection of supply lines to application devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If seat valves with valve seats are used in changing devices, then media flow control is achieved, but difficult-to-clean transitions and protrusions are created increasing detergent consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the valve seat component from the changing device, replacing it with a valve member that has integrated passage channels. This removal of the valve seat eliminates the difficult-to-clean transition zone between the valve member and valve seat, directly reducing detergent consumption while maintaining media flow control functionality through the integrated passage channels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If non-piggable channels are included in changing devices, then media routing flexibility is achieved, but paint recovery is prevented increasing paint loss
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the changing device into modular components with clearly defined piggable and non-piggable zones. The valve member contains integrated passage channels that are specifically designed to be piggable, allowing paint recovery, while other routing flexibility is achieved through the modular arrangement of reservoirs and external piping that does not require pig access.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex flow paths with multiple transitions are used, then media distribution versatility is achieved, but cleaning efficiency is reduced increasing detergent usage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal valve member design with integrated passage channels that serves multiple functions: media flow control, media distribution to multiple reservoirs, and pig passage for cleaning. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate valve seats and complex transition zones, maintaining media distribution versatility while dramatically improving cleaning efficiency and reducing detergent usage.
4Adaptability or versatility
If modular construction is implemented in changing devices, then system variability is increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the valve seat functionality into the valve member itself through integrated passage channels, creating a simplified single-component valve assembly. This merging eliminates the separate valve seat component and its associated complex transitions, reducing overall device complexity while the modular design allows multiple such simplified units to be combined in various configurations to achieve high system variability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A changer device for coating media, particularly for paints, comprises a housing (12), which has a delivery port (48) which can be connected to an application device (4). At least one change unit (14) is provided which in turn comprises at least a first inlet port (20.1) and a second inlet port (20.2), at least one outlet port (24) and a valve device (28) by means of which the first inlet port (20.1) or the second inlet port (20.2) can be connected to the outlet port (24) or by means of which the flow channel to the outlet port (24) can be blocked. The valve organ (28) of the change unit (14) is designed as a rotating element (30) and/or sliding element (56) that is arranged in a valve chamber (18) and comprises a plurality of passage ducts (34) which are able, depending on the position of the valve element (28), to connect fluidically the outlet port (24) with one or both of the at least two inlet ports (20.1, 20.2) of the changer unit (14). The invention also relates to a coating system for coating objects with an application device (4) and a plurality of reservoirs (40) each for one coating medium. At least one such change unit (10) is provided in this system.