CLEANING DEVICE FOR AIRLESS PAINT SPRAYING EQUIPMENT AND METHOD THEREFOR

Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning airless sprayers having an upwardly open container for receiving fresh water, as well as an inlet connectable to a water supply, and is characterized in that the container has a level control by means of which the level of the fresh water in the container can be maintained at a predetermined value, and in that the inlet opens into at least one nozzle, by means of which fresh water can be discharged in a directed manner into the interior of the container.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cleaning the inner lines as well as the suction end (7) of airless sprayers (13), comprising an upwardly open container (1) for receiving fresh water (W), into which the suction end (7) of the airless sprayer (13) can be inserted, and an inlet (2) which can be connected to a water supply, wherein the container (1) has a level control (3) by means of which the level (N) of the fresh water (W) in the container (1) can be maintained at a predetermined value (X), characterized in that the inlet (2) opens into at least one nozzle (4) which is arranged above the level (N), by means of which fresh water (W) can be discharged slightly downward into the interface region between level (N) and suction end (7) onto the water surface in a directed manner into the interior of the container (1) in order to form turbulences.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the volume of the container (1) is between 1 and 10 liters, and/or wherein the feed rate is between 15 and 25 liters/minute.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the container (1) is not more than 30 cm, and/or wherein the level control (3) is arranged to maintain a level (N) of 8 to 15 cm.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inlet (2) opens into a plurality of nozzles (4).

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the nozzles (4) are arranged in vertical and/or circumferential direction on the container inner wall (5).

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one nozzle (4) and the level control (3) are connected to each other and displaceable in vertical direction.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a carrying handle (6) which is located above the inlet (2), the carrying handle (6) being fixedly connected to the container (1) and shaped so that its gripping surface is located above the center of gravity of the container (1).

8. A device for cleaning the inner lines as well as the suction end (7) of airless sprayers (13), comprising an inlet (2) which can be connected to a water supply, wherein the device is provided for interacting with an upwardly open container (1) into which the suction end (7) of the airless sprayer (13) can be inserted, for receiving fresh water (W) flowing out of the inlet (2), and has a level control (3), by means of which the level (N) of the fresh water (W) in the container (1) can be maintained at a predetermined value (X), characterized in that the inlet (2) opens into at least one nozzle (4) which is arranged above the level (N), by means of which fresh water (W) can be discharged slightly downward in the interface region between level (N) and suction end (7) onto the water surface in a directed manner into the interior of the container (1) in order to form turbulences.

9. A system for cleaning airless sprayers (13), comprising the device according to claim 8, further comprising a reprocessing device (11) for reprocessing gray water flowing from the downstream end of the high pressure pump of the airless sprayer (13).

10. A method for cleaning airless sprayers (13), comprising the following steps: providing a container (1) for holding fresh water (W); inserting the suction end (7) of the airless sprayer (13) into the container (1); filling the container (1) with fresh water (W) up to a predetermined value (X) of the level (N); switching on the high-pressure pump of the airless sprayer (13) so that fresh water (W) is conveyed out of the container (1) and through the airless sprayer (13), thus reducing the level (N); detecting the reduction of the level (N) by means of a suitable measurement unit (8); opening an inlet (2) of fresh water (W) into the container (1) by means of a control unit (9) connected to the measurement unit (8), so that the level (N) rises again; detecting the reaching of the predetermined value (X) of the level (N) and closing the inlet (2); so that, despite the continuous withdrawal of fresh water (W) by the airless sprayer (13), the level (N) of the fresh water (W) in the container (1) remains substantially constant, characterized in that fresh water (W) is discharged under formation of turbulences into the interior of the container (1) by means of at least one suitable nozzle (4) arranged downstream as well as above the level (N) of the inlet (2), so that a suction end (7) of the airless sprayer (13) inserted therein is freed from residues of liquids adhering there, and/or sediments otherwise settling on the bottom of the container (1) are swirled up and drawn in by the airless sprayer (13), and/or already contaminated water (W) is diluted and conveyed out of the container (1).

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the gray water flowing from the end of the airless sprayer (13) located downstream of the high-pressure pump is supplied to a reprocessing unit (11).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] The invention is explained below by way of example with the aid of figures. Thereby shows

[0070] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention with the inlet open;

[0071] FIG. 2 depicts the design shown in FIG. 1 with the inlet closed.

[0072] FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of the invention with hook-in nozzle/level control-unit,

[0073] FIG. 4 depicts a system comprising the apparatus according to the invention and a reprocessing device for gray water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0074] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention with the inlet open.

[0075] The container 1 is round and has an inlet 2 on its inner wall 5, which is fed with fresh water W and comprises a valve (not shown). The valve is part of a control unit 9, which is connected to a measurement unit 8 that serves to measure the level N of the fresh water W in the container 1. Control unit 9 and measurement unit 8 can be combined to form level control 3. The latter is adjustable in the vertical direction, as indicated by the vertical double arrow (no reference sign). In addition, the level control 3 is also adjustable in the horizontal direction, indicated by the horizontal curved double arrow (no reference sign).

[0076] A carrying handle 6 is arranged above the measuring and control unit 8, 9. It is firmly connected to the container 1 and is positioned approximately in such a way that it protects the components underneath from mechanical damage by the suction end 7 of an airless sprayer. In the present case, the carrying handle 6 is arranged somewhat outside the center axis (not shown) of the container 1; since the inlet 2 with the measuring and control unit 8, 9 is arranged on the right side in the picture, the center of gravity of the entire apparatus also moves somewhat to the right. Accordingly, the carrying handle is arranged approximately in such a way that its gripping surface lies above the center of gravity of the container 1.

[0077] Downstream of the control unit 9, a nozzle 4 is arranged which emits a sharp and directed jet of fresh water W into the interior of the container 1 (dotted area). In the present case, the jet is directed approximately in the direction of the center and at the same time downward, in order to prevent water W from spraying out during the cleaning process.

[0078] The suction end 7 of an airless sprayer, which is not shown, projects into the interior of the container 1. Through this, water W is taken intermittently or continuously from the container 1 to be pumped through the interior of the airless sprayer and thus clean it. This would result in a continuous drop in level N unless sufficient fresh water W was supplied by means of inlet 2. Since the feed rate is greater than the extraction rate, the level N can rise again.

[0079] FIG. 2 shows the situation after the predetermined value X of the level N has been reached. The measurement unit 8 shown comprises two wires which project towards the bottom of the container 1. As soon as they are in contact with the water W, the resistance between these wires changes, which is easily detectable and leads to closing of the valve by the control unit 9. The inlet 2 is thus closed and the jet stops.

[0080] Not shown is that the level N drops again as a result of the water W continuing to be extracted by means of the airless sprayer, if necessary, which leads to the valve being opened again, and so on.

[0081] Thus, an apparatus is provided which operates in a simple manner, yet effectively avoids the disadvantages of the prior art, and by means of which an airless sprayer can be cleaned.

[0082] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the invention with an insertable nozzle/level control-unit. It comprises both the inlet 2 and the nozzle 4; in addition, the level control 3, itself comprising control unit 9 and measurement unit 8. The latter is realized in the present case by a simple pressure cell comprising a diaphragm (not shown); when the diaphragm is flushed, a switch is actuated which in turn controls the valve. The pressure cell can also be moved in the vertical direction, indicated by the double arrow (no reference sign). Thus, the desired set level can be adjusted and read very easily. The inlet 2 is arranged to be guided over the edge of the container 1 so that the unit can be hooked in. Thus, almost any container, indicated by the handle 10, can be combined with the device in a simple manner to obtain an apparatus for cleaning which is largely identical to the apparatus according to the invention.

[0083] Not shown are optional fastening means, preferably to be provided, which ensure that the nozzle/level control-unit does not move undesirably during operation.

[0084] FIG. 4 shows a system comprising the apparatus according to the invention and a reprocessing unit 11 for gray water. The apparatus for cleaning airless sprayers, shown on the right, is shown only roughly schematic. Fresh water is fed into the apparatus through a hose 12. Next to the apparatus, also shown roughly schematically, in the center of the picture is an airless sprayer 13, the suction end 7 of which projects into the container 1 of the apparatus, where it can be cleaned. The end of the airless sprayer 13 lying downstream of the (not shown) high-pressure pump is guided into the basin of a reprocessing device 11, which in the present case comprises a wash stand with basin. There, the graywater flowing out of this end can be collected and fed to the reprocessing unit.

[0085] All parts of the system, and in particular the device for cleaning, are placed on the floor. Accordingly, there is no need to lift the airless sprayer onto a washstand or the like. During the cleaning process, all parts also remain in the same place; the transport of fresh and/or gray water known from the prior art is completely eliminated, which also reduces the risk of tripping over containers standing around.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0086] 1 Container

[0087] 2 Inlet

[0088] 3 Level control

[0089] 4 Nozzle

[0090] 5 Container inner wall

[0091] 6 Carrying handle

[0092] 7 Suction end

[0093] 8 Measuring device

[0094] 9 Control unit

[0095] 10 Handle

[0096] 11 Reprocessing unit

[0097] 12 Hose

[0098] 13 Airless sprayer

[0099] W Fresh water, water

[0100] N Level

[0101] X Value