Rotatable Coating Valve for Multi-Stream Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary atomizer main needle valves in paint shops are limited to controlling a single paint flow, require lengthy flushing and filling processes when changing colors, and suffer from paint spitting or dripping during closure, which is undesirable and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable coating agent valve with multiple inlets and returns, allowing for the selection and control of multiple paint flows, preventing paint spitting and enabling efficient color changes without the need for extensive flushing, by using a rotatable valve element that connects different paint inlets and returns based on its position, and includes a flushing agent inlet for external flushing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single main needle valve is used to control paint flow, then the valve structure is simple, but it can only control a single paint stream and requires lengthy flushing when changing colors
Solution Approach 1:
The single main needle valve is segmented into multiple independent needle valves (first main needle valve and second main needle valve), each controlling a separate paint stream. This allows simultaneous control of multiple paint streams while maintaining relatively simple individual valve structures, directly resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple needle valves that can independently control different paint streams. The common paint outlet and shared actuation mechanism provide universal control capability across multiple paint channels, enabling the system to handle various painting scenarios without requiring separate valve assemblies.
2Reliability
If the main needle valve closes by pressing the valve needle into the valve seat, then the valve structure is simple, but paint is forced through causing spitting or dripping
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of closing the valve by pressing the needle into the seat (conventional approach), the invention inverts the closure mechanism: the valve needle is retracted from the valve seat, and closing is achieved by blocking the paint inlet passage. This reverse approach eliminates the spitting and dripping problem caused by forced needle-to-seat contact while maintaining effective sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful closure action of pressing the needle into the seat is extracted and removed from the design. The valve closing function is achieved through a different mechanism (blocking the inlet passage) that does not involve needle-to-seat contact, thereby eliminating the source of paint spitting and dripping while preserving the sealing function.
3Productivity
If a single paint inlet is used, then the valve structure is simple, but extensive flushing is required when changing colors
Solution Approach 1:
The single paint inlet is segmented into multiple independent paint inlets (first paint inlet and second paint inlet), each with its own return line. This segmentation allows independent flushing and priming of each paint channel, enabling rapid color changes without extensive system-wide flushing, thus improving productivity while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables preliminary action by allowing individual paint lines to be flushed and primed independently before color changes. The separate return lines facilitate preliminary flushing of each channel without affecting other paint streams, reducing overall color change time and improving productivity.
4Ease of operation
If the valve needle is pressed into the valve seat to close the valve, then the valve mechanism is simple, but the coating agent may be forced through causing spitting
Solution Approach 1:
The valve operation mechanism is inverted: instead of closing by pressing the needle into the seat, the needle is retracted and closing is achieved by blocking the inlet passage. This maintains ease of operation through simple actuation while eliminating the harmful spitting effect caused by forced needle-to-seat contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The problematic needle-to-seat contact mechanism is extracted and removed. The valve closing function is achieved through inlet passage blocking, which maintains operational simplicity while eliminating the source of coating agent spitting and dripping.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a coating agent valve for controlling a flow of a coating agent in an application device, in particular in a nebuliser, having a movable valve element (2) which controls the coating agent flow in accordance with the position thereof. According to the invention, the valve element (2) can be rotated.