Spray Booth Sloping Side Walls for Control Area Space
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional painting booths with elevated robot guide rails face challenges such as limited space for control areas, air flow obstruction, and high construction costs due to the need for stable side walls without crossbeams.
Innovation Solution
The design features sloping side walls at the upper control area to create more space for control devices and personnel, while maintaining a wider flow cross-section for air distribution, and uses separate support structures for elevated guide rails to reduce the load on side walls, allowing for a more efficient and cost-effective layout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If guide rails are mounted elevated above the conveyor, then robot freedom of movement is improved and air flow obstruction is reduced, but space for control areas is limited and construction costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal control area placement to vertical placement by utilizing the elevated space above the conveyor. Control areas are positioned on the upper side walls at elevated levels, creating a three-dimensional layout that resolves the space conflict between control areas and air flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The control areas are segmented and distributed at different vertical levels rather than concentrated at a single level. The upper control area is separated from the lower control area, allowing independent optimization of each zone for its specific function while maintaining overall system efficiency.
2Area of stationary object
If side walls are made wider to provide space for control areas, then control area space is improved, but air flow path is narrowed and construction costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves control areas from the horizontal plane to the vertical plane by positioning them on upper side walls. This vertical arrangement allows control areas to be accommodated without increasing the horizontal width of the booth, thereby preserving the air flow cross-section.
Solution Approach 2:
The side walls are designed with different properties at different heights. The upper portion of the side walls contains control areas while maintaining sufficient width for air flow, creating a localized optimization where control functionality and air flow requirements are simultaneously satisfied through vertical zonation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If side walls are made more stable to support elevated guide rails, then guide rail stability is improved, but construction costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the support function from the side walls by introducing separate support structures. These independent support elements carry the guide rails, allowing the side walls to be designed with minimal thickness and without crossbeams, thereby reducing construction costs while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Separate support structures act as intermediary elements between the guide rails and the side walls. These support structures absorb and transmit the loads, allowing the side walls to remain thin and cost-effective while still providing stable mounting for the elevated guide rails.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Coating zones with elevated guide rails (10) for coating and/or handling robots (11), arranged above the application objects (2) where appropriate, have walkable control areas (15, 17) arranged one above the other on the outer side walls. The side wall (6) slopes inwards at the upper control area (17), which houses control and supply units for the robots on the elevated guide rails. The support structures (12) for the elevated guide rails (10) are supported on or below the floor level (7) or on the ceiling wall (5) by support elements (14) extending transversely to the transport path of the application objects.