Swirl Flow Forming Member for Paint Passage Wash Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional color change valve devices face inefficiencies in washing out paints stagnant in the paint passage and connector passages due to pipe pressure losses and loss of spiral flow function, leading to prolonged wash times and ineffective paint removal.
Innovation Solution
A swirl flow forming member is integrated into the paint passage to create a swirl flow across the entire length, allowing the wash fluid to flow radially outward and actively push out paints from the inner wall surface, with the member being freely movable and formed from a flexible material to enhance wash efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If wash fluid flows straight along the paint passage to push out stagnant paint, then the wash process is simple, but the wash performance degrades due to pipe pressure loss and slower velocity at the inner wall surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a swirl flow generating member that creates spiral flow in the paint passage. This curved flow pattern causes the wash fluid to move along the inner wall surface of the passage, increasing the velocity at the wall and improving the pushing out effect on stagnant paint, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple structure and effective wash performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes fluid dynamics principles by introducing a swirl component to the wash fluid flow. The spiral flow pattern creates higher velocity at the inner wall surface through centrifugal effects and flow curvature, enhancing the hydraulic action that pushes out stagnant paint without requiring additional mechanical components
2Reliability
If an air-liquid mixer with twisted plate elements is provided in the paint passage to form fine air bubbles, then wash performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The swirl flow generating member serves multiple functions: it generates spiral flow to improve wall surface velocity, pushes out stagnant paint through centrifugal action, and can be made freely movable to enhance mixing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate air-liquid mixers while achieving comparable or superior wash performance
Solution Approach 2:
The swirl flow generating member is designed to be freely movable within the paint passage, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and orientation based on flow conditions. This dynamic behavior enhances the mixing and pushing out effects without requiring complex mechanical actuation systems
3Reliability
If wash fluid velocity at the inner wall surface is increased to push out paint effectively, then wash performance improves, but pipe pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spiral flow pattern created by the swirl flow generating member allows the wash fluid to follow a curved path along the inner wall surface. This curvature increases the velocity at the wall through centrifugal effects and flow convergence, improving paint removal while the continuous spiral motion distributes energy more efficiently than direct high-velocity injection
4Loss of time
If the wash fluid flows straight through the paint passage, then the flow path is short and simple, but the spiral flow function is lost and wash efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The swirl flow generating member creates a spiral flow pattern that maintains the spiral flow function throughout the paint passage. This curved flow path increases the interaction time between wash fluid and inner wall surface, improving paint removal efficiency while the continuous spiral motion prevents early loss of spiral flow characteristics
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 swirl flow effectively pushes and removes paints from the inner wall surface and connector passages in a short time, improving wash performance and efficiency by maintaining a spiral flow function throughout the paint passage.
Implementation Method 1
a swirl flow forming member provided in the paint passage for forming a swirl flow by the wash fluid in the paint passage
Implementation Method 2
the swirl flow forming member being freely movable and formed from a flexible material to enhance wash efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A color change valve device includes: a manifold including on an inside a paint passage, and to which connector passages are provided to radially penetrate therethrough at plural locations axially spaced from each other; a wash air valve and a wash liquid valve connected to the connector passages at a most upstream side among the respective connector passages in the manifold; paint valves connected to the connector passages in the manifold to be positioned at a downstream side of the respective valves; and a swirl flow forming member provided in the paint passage in the manifold for forming a swirl flow by the wash air and the wash liquid, wherein the swirl flow forming member is arranged across an entire length of the paint passage.