Rotating Coating Device Pneumatic Valve Rotary Feedthrough

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coating devices are inflexible and costly due to complex designs that require significant adjustments for varying workpieces, with high design efforts needed to adapt structural parameters and control components, leading to increased technical complexity and expense.

Innovation Solution

A coating device with a machine frame, rotation unit, pneumatic valve device, and compressed air system that allows for easy adaptation and control, using a rotary feedthrough for pneumatic connections and a valve island for flexible distribution of compressed air to spray units, eliminating the need for multiple energy and signal transmission lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If coating devices are custom-built with specific design parameters for similar workpieces, then coating quality is maintained, but adaptability to diverse workpieces deteriorates and design effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating qualityVSAvoidadaptability to diverse workpieces
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustability of the spray unit trajectory and speed through programmable control, allowing the coating device to adapt to different workpiece dimensions and shapes while maintaining consistent coating quality. The rotating unit's motion parameters can be dynamically modified via control unit without mechanical reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The coating device is designed with universal applicability through a programmable control unit that can store and execute multiple coating programs for different workpiece types. The spray units and rotating mechanism can serve multiple functions by adjusting operational parameters rather than requiring custom-built configurations for each workpiece type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If actively controllable components are retrofitted to coating devices, then adaptability improves, but device complexity and cost increase due to multiple control lines and power lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of coating deviceVSAvoidtechnical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines control functions and power supply into an integrated control unit that communicates with spray units and motion control components through a centralized control system. This reduces the number of separate control lines and power lines needed, as the control unit can manage multiple functions through programmed signals rather than dedicated wiring for each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical control linkages with electronic control and programmable logic. Instead of mechanical actuators requiring physical control rods and power transmission mechanisms, the system uses electronically controlled spray units and motorized positioning with electronic feedback, reducing mechanical complexity while improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the pump is arranged on the rotating unit, then the service life of the rotary joint increases, but the complexity of supplying compressed air and power to the rotating unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice life of rotary jointVSAvoidcomplexity of rotary unit
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a rotary joint designed for pneumatic and hydraulic fluid transmission to supply compressed air and coating material to the rotating unit. The rotary joint incorporates sealed channels that maintain fluid pressure and flow while accommodating rotational movement, enabling reliable operation without compromising the service life of the rotary joint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple spray units with individually controllable valves are used, then adaptability to different workpiece dimensions improves, but the number of control lines and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to workpiece dimensionsVSAvoidnumber of control lines
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control for the spray units, where sensors detect coating application status and workpiece position, and the control unit adjusts spray unit operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows individual spray units to be automatically controlled based on real-time conditions, reducing the need for manual control lines while maintaining adaptability to different workpiece dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

The solution results in a highly adaptable, easily controllable, and structurally simple coating device that can efficiently handle diverse workpieces with reduced design and operational costs, improving productivity and coating quality.

Implementation Method 1

These swivel joint parts are sealingly connected to one another, forming a coating agent channel. At the same time, the swivel joint parts are rotatable relative to one another, whereby the fluid-conducting coating agent channel remains intact regardless of the relative angle of rotation between the swivel joint parts.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotary joint sealing connection:

Implementation Method 2

The pump is connected on the suction side to the coating agent source via the rotary joint and on the pressure side to the spray units.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump pressurization: Pump

Implementation Method 3

When the rotating unit is rotated relative to the machine frame, the spray units cover the workpiece, thereby distributing the coating agent onto the workpiece surface.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray distribution: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP4137235B1Coating device
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 ROBERT BURKE GMBH
  • EP4137235B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4137235B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A coating device (1) for the surface application of a coating agent to a workpiece (4) is proposed. The coating device (1) comprises a machine frame (2) with a workpiece holder (3), a coating agent source (8, 9), and a compressed air source (5). Furthermore, the coating device (1) comprises a rotating unit (12) rotatable relative to the machine frame (2), with a pump (17) and a plurality of spray units (20), wherein the pump (17) is connected on the suction side to the coating agent source (8, 9) via a fluid-conducting swivel joint (13) and on the pressure side to the spray units (20).It is essential that the rotary unit (12) has a pneumatic valve device (18), and furthermore that the spray units (20) each have a compressed air-controlled valve (21) for controlling the output of coating material, wherein the valve device (18) is connected on the supply air side via a fluid-conducting rotary feedthrough (14), preferably a single-channel rotary feedthrough, to the compressed air source (5) and on the exhaust air side to the compressed air-controlled valves (21) of the spray units (20).