Pulsation damping system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pulsation damping system for a paint spray device for spraying paint including a pulsation damper for damping the pulsation of a paint stream, wherein the pulsation damper includes a housing, a chamber, a chamber inlet, a chamber outlet and a damping means. In this connection, an opening of the chamber outlet comprises a cross sectional area which is smaller than a cross sectional area of an opening of the chamber inlet, and as a result forms a throttle.

Claims

1. A pulsation damping system for a paint spray device for spraying paint including a pulsation damper for damping the pulsation of a paint stream, wherein the pulsation damper includes a housing, a chamber, a chamber inlet, a chamber outlet, a damping means and a diaphragm that divides the chamber into a paint area, which is traversed by paint and a spring and damping area, wherein the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet are connected to the paint area, and wherein an opening of the chamber outlet comprises a cross sectional area which is smaller than a cross sectional area of an opening of the chamber inlet, and as a result forms a throttle.

2. The pulsation damping system according to claim 1, wherein the cross sectional area of the opening of the chamber outlet is at least 50% smaller than the cross sectional area of the opening of the chamber inlet.

3. The pulsation damping system according to claim 1, wherein the spring and damping area includes at least one of a spring means and a damper.

4. The pulsation damping system according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm is a disk-shaped diaphragm.

5. The pulsation damping system according to claim 1, wherein the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet are connected by a channel which is in connection with at least one of the diaphragm and the housing such that a passage for paint is present through the chamber irrespective of the position of the diaphragm, or in a manner that is not able to be blocked by the diaphragm.

6. The pulsation damping system according to claim 1, wherein the pulsation damper includes an adjusting device, by means of which a spring force of the pulsation damper is pre-adjustable.

7. The pulsation damping system according to claim 1, further comprising a second pulsation damper, wherein the second pulsation damper also includes a housing, a chamber, a chamber inlet, a chamber outlet and a damping means.

8. The pulsation damping system according to claim 7, further comprising at least three pulsation dampers, wherein the third pulsation damper and each further pulsation damper also includes a housing, a chamber, a chamber inlet, a chamber outlet and a damping means.

9. The pulsation damping system according to claim 8, wherein the pulsation dampers are incorporated into the paint stream in parallel with one another.

10. The pulsation damping system according to claim 8, further comprising a first paint line connection, a distribution point, a collection point and a second paint line connection, wherein the chamber inlet of the first pulsation damper and the chamber inlet of each further pulsation damper are connected to the first distribution point, and wherein the chamber outlet of the first pulsation damper and the chamber outlet of each further pulsation damper are connected to the first collection point.

11. The pulsation damping system according to claim 10, further comprising a second distribution point and a second collection point, wherein a filter inlet of at least one filter is connected to the second distribution point, and wherein a filter outlet of the at least one filter is connected to the second collection point.

12. The pulsation damping system according to claim 8, wherein the pulsation dampers are arranged symmetrically with one another.

13. A paint spray device including a paint container, a paint pump, a paint hose, a spray head and a pulsation damping system according to claim 1.

14. The paint spray device according to claim 13, wherein the pulsation damping system is arranged between the paint pump and the paint hose.

15. The pulsation damping system according to claim 4, wherein the damper is an open-pore or closed-pore plastic material body.

16. The pulsation damping system according to claim 15, wherein the damper is a foam material or a rubber body.

17. The pulsation damping system according to claim 12, wherein the pulsation dampers are located opposite one another.

18. The pulsation damping system according to claim 3, wherein the spring means includes at least one of a gas filling and a mechanical spring, and wherein the damper includes a plastic material which absorbs pressure energy.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further details of the invention are described by way of schematically shown exemplary embodiments in the drawing, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective, part-cutaway view of a first realization variant of a pulsation damping system, the cut surfaces being shown without hatching;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective, part-cutaway view of a second realization variant of a pulsation damping system, the cut surfaces being hatched;

(4) FIG. 3 shows the representation in FIG. 2 with non-hatched cut surfaces;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a view of a detail in FIG. 3 in the region of a pulsation damper;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a cross section through FIG. 2 corresponding to the cutting plane V shown there;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section through FIG. 2 corresponding to the cutting plane VI shown there;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of a third realization variant of a pulsation damping system;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a schematic sectional representation of a diaphragm for a fourth realization variant of a pulsation damping system and

(10) FIG. 9 shows a schematic sectional representation of a fifth realization variant of a pulsation damping system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(11) FIG. 1 shows a perspective and part-cutaway view of a pulsation damping system 1 according to the present invention. Cut surfaces are not hatched in the representation to retain clarity.

(12) The pulsation damping system 1 is a component part of a paint spray device 501 for spraying paint 502 which is shown schematically in FIG. 1. Along with the pulsation damping system 1, the paint spray device 501 includes a paint container 503, a paint pump 504, a paint hose 505 and a spray head 506. In this connection, a first portion 505a of the paint hose 505 leads from the paint pump 504 to the pulsation damping system 1 and a second portion 505b of the paint hose 505 leads from the pulsation damping system 1 to the spray head 506. The pulsation damping system 1 includes a pulsation damper 2. The pulsation damper serves for damping the pulsation of a paint stream 507 flowing from the paint pump 504 to the spray head 505. The pulsation of the paint stream 507 is determined essentially by the frequency at which the paint pump 504 operates. In this connection, high-pressure paint pumps, which are realized as fast running diaphragm pumps, operate at a pump frequency of between approximately 12 Hz and 25 Hz. In this connection, high-pressure paint pumps, which are realized as slow running piston pumps, operate at a pump frequency of between 0.1 Hz and 3 Hz. Pulsation damping is necessary in order to reduce or to avoid vibrations at the spray head 506, which can also be realized as a gun, and thus to comply with the health and safety regulations, in particular, and to increase comfort. In addition, independent movement of the paint hose 505 can also be avoided by pulsation damping in order to prevent, in particular, wear on the paint hose 505 caused by constant slipping back and forth or chafing on rough surfaces.

(13) The pulsation damper 2 includesas does a second pulsation damper 3 which is located opposite the first in a mirror-inverted mannera housing 4, a chamber 5, a chamber inlet 6, a chamber outlet 7 and a damping means 8. In this connection, an opening 9 of the chamber outlet 7 comprises a cross sectional area A9 which is smaller than a cross sectional area A10 of an opening 10 of the chamber inlet 6.

(14) The damping means 8, in the case of the first realization variant shown in FIG. 1, is formed just by the chamber inlet 6, the chamber 5 and the chamber outlet 7 and operates as a damping throttle 11. As a component which determines the cross sectional area A9 of the opening 9, the chamber outlet 7 includes, in this connection, a throttle nozzle 9a which is screwed into a passage 9b with internal thread 9c. As a result of changing the throttle nozzle 9a, it is possible to adapt the characteristics of the pulsation damper 2 to a spray nozzle used on the spray head 506 and/or paint pumps with different characteristics.

(15) The housing 4 of the first pulsation damper 2 includes a system block 12 and a cover 12a. A housing 13 of the second pulsation damper 3 is formed from the same system block 12 and from a further cover 12b. The system block 12 includes a first paint line connection 15, to which the paint pump 504 is connected, and a second paint line connection 16 to which the spray head 506 is connected.

(16) According to a realization variant that is not shown, the pulsation damping system is constructed in the paint pump or is directly connected to the paint pump.

(17) With the pulsation damping system 1 operating, the paint 502 flows from the paint line connection 15as shown in FIG. 1through a channel 17 up to a first distribute point 18 and is directed from the first distribute point into the two pulsation dampers 2, 3 which are connected in parallel. In this connection, only the path of the paint 502 through the first pulsation damper 2 is described below. Approximately half the volume of the paint stream 507 flows from the first distribute point 18 through the chamber inlet 6 into the chamber 5 and from there further through the chamber outlet 7 into a first collect point 19 and from the collect point by means of a second channel 20 of the system block 12 to the second paint line connection 16, to which the spray head 506 is connected by means of the second portion 505b of the paint hose 505. The throttle effect is determined by the ratio between the cross sectional area A10 of the chamber inlet 6 and the reduced cross sectional area A9 of the chamber outlet 7 and a volume V5 of the chamber 5 which is located in between.

(18) The already mentioned second pulsation damper 3 is realized in an analogous manner to the first pulsation damper 2 such that the paint stream 507 running through the pulsation damping system 1 emerges out of the pulsation damping system 1 fully treated.

(19) FIG. 1 shows another filter 21 as an optional component. The filter 21 is connected to the channel 17 via a second distribute point 22, which is arranged in front of the first distribute point 18 in the direction flow x. The entire paint stream 507 is guided through the filter 21 and then re-enters into the first channel 17 by means of a second collect point 23, which is arranged in the first channel 17 between the second distribute point 22 and the first distribute point 18. In this connection, the channel 17 is closed between the second distribute point 22 and the second collect point 23 such that the entire paint stream is guided through the filter 21. The channel is also interrupted between the first distribute point and the first collect point. The filter 21 is screwed into a filter flange 24 of the system block 12 by way of a lower end 25 of its filter housing 26 such that it is able to be replaced in a rapid manner.

(20) According to a realization variant not shown, it is also provided to arrange a second filter opposite the first filter, the system block including a further filter flange for the second filter and the filter also being connected to the second distribute point and the second collect point.

(21) The system block 12 comprises four through-bores 27, 28, 29 and 30, through which the covers 12a, 12b are screw-connected by way of connecting means 31, 32, 33 and 34 in such a manner in relation to one another that the covers 12a, 12b close the chambers 5. The connecting means 31 to 34 are formed in each case by a screw and a nut or by a screw and an internal thread which is realized in one of the covers. The two pulsation dampers are screw-connected using one set of connecting means, the load for the connecting means does not increase as a result.

(22) FIG. 2 shows a perspective, part-cutaway view of a second realization variant of a pulsation damping system 101 according to the invention. The cut surfaces are hatched in the representation. For better understanding, FIG. 3 shows the representation in FIG. 2 without hatching on the cut surfaces and FIG. 4 shows a view of another detail in FIG. 3 in the region of a first pulsation damper 102. FIGS. 5 and 6 show further sections through the second realization variant of the pulsation damping system 101.

(23) The pulsation damping system 101 is a component part of a paint spray device 501 for spraying paint 502 which is shown schematically in FIG. 2. Along with the pulsation damping system 101, the paint spray device 501 includes a paint container 503, a paint pump 504, a paint hose 505 and a spray head 506. In this connection, a first portion 505a of the paint hose 505 leads from the paint pump 504 to the pulsation damping system 101 and a second portion 505b of the paint hose 505 leads from the pulsation damping system 101 to the spray head 506. The pulsation damping system 101 includes a pulsation damper 102. The pulsation damper serves for damping the pulsation of a paint stream 507 flowing from the paint pump 504 to the spray head 505.

(24) The pulsation damper 102 includesas does a second pulsation damper 103 which is located opposite the first in a mirror-inverted mannera housing 104, a chamber 105, a chamber inlet 106, a chamber outlet 107 and a damping means 108. In this connection, an opening 109 of the chamber outlet 107 comprises a cross sectional area A109 which is smaller than a cross sectional area A110 of an opening 110 of the chamber inlet 106.

(25) The damping means 108, in the case of the first realization variant shown in FIG. 2, is formed not only by the chamber inlet 106, the chamber 105 and the chamber outlet 177, but also includes a diaphragm 150 which divides the chamber 105 into a paint area 151 which is traversed by paint 502 and a spring and damping area 153, the chamber inlet 106 and the chamber outlet 107 being connected to the paint area 151. The spring and damping area 153 is also designated as a gas area and includes a spring means 154 and a damper 155 as component parts of the damping means 108. The spring means 154 is formed by a gas filling 156. The damper 155 is formed by a porous plastics material body 157. The diaphragm 150 is supported against the paint area 151 by the gas filling 156 and by the porous plastics material body 156, which receives gas. The diaphragm 150 is once again realized as a disk-shaped diaphragm which is circular in top view and stands with its axis of symmetry S150 parallel to a longitudinal axis L106 of the chamber inlet 106 and to a longitudinal axis L107 of the chamber outlet 107 (see FIG. 3). Consequently, in-flowing paint 502 falls in a perpendicular manner onto a deflector surface 158 of the diaphragm 150 (see FIG. 3).

(26) According to a realization variant which is not shown, it is also provided to arrange other spring means and dampers or to arrange only one spring means or to arrange only one damping means in the spring and damping area. Depending on the design of the diaphragm, the diaphragm itself already forms a damper.

(27) As can be seen, for example, from FIG. 3, the housing 104 of the first pulsation damper 102 includes a system block 112 and a cover 112a. A housing 113 of the second pulsation damper 103 is formed from the same system block 112 and from a further cover 112b. As device inlet, the system block 112 includes a first paint line connection 115, to which the paint pump 504 is connected, and as device outlet a second paint line connection 116, to which the spray head 506 is connected.

(28) According to a realization variant which is not shown, the pulsation damping system is constructed in the paint pump or is directly connected to the paint pump.

(29) With the pulsation damping system 101 operating, the paint 502 flows from the paint line connection 115as can be seen better in FIG. 4through a channel 117 up to a first distribute point 118 and is directed from the first distribute point into the two pulsation dampers 102, 103 which are connected in parallel. In this connection, only the path of the paint 502 through the first pulsation damper 102 is described below. Approximately half the volume of the paint stream 507 flows from the distribute point 118 through the chamber inlet 106 into the chamber 105 and from there further through the chamber outlet 107 into a first collect point 119 and from the first collect point by means of a second channel 120 of the system block 112 to the second paint line connection 116, to which the spray head 506 is connected by means of the second portion 505b of the paint hose 505 (see also FIG. 3). The pulsation damping effect is brought about by means as a result of a flexible action and a damping action which unfolds the diaphragm along the paint stream. Responsible for the flexible action first and foremost is the spring means 154 which supports the diaphragm. Responsible for the damping action first and foremost is the damper 155 which is located in the spring and damping area 153 together with the spring means 154.

(30) The already mentioned second pulsation damper 103 is realized in an analogous manner to the first pulsation damper 102 such that the paint stream 507 running through the pulsation damping system 101 emerges out of the pulsation damping system 101 fully treated.

(31) FIGS. 2 to 6 show another filter 121 as an optional component. A filter 121 is connected to the channel 117 by means of a second distribute point 122 which is arranged in front of the first distribute point 118 in the direction of flow x. The entire paint stream 507 is guided through the filter 121 and then re-enters into the first channel 117 by means of a second collect point 123, which is arranged in the first channel 117 between the second distribute point 122 and the first distribute point 118. In this connection, the channel 117 is closed between the second distribute point 122 and the second collect point 123 such that the entire paint stream is guided through the filter 121. The filter 121 is screwed into a filter flange 124 of the system block 112 by way of a lower end 125 of its filter housing 126 such that it is able to be replaced in a rapid manner.

(32) According to a realization variant not shown, it is also provided to arrange a second filter located opposite the first filter, the system block then including a further filter flange for the second filter and the filter, connected in parallel to the first filter, also being connected to the second distribute point and the second collect point.

(33) As can be seen from FIG. 3, the system block 112 comprises four through-bores 127, 128, 129 and 130, through which the covers 112a, 112b are screw-connected by way of connecting means 131, 132, 133 and 134 in such a manner in relation to one another that the covers 112a, 112b close the chambers 105. The connecting means 131 to 134 are formed in each case by a screw and a nut or by a screw and an internal thread which is realized in one of the covers.

(34) The pulsation damper 102 includes an adjusting device 159, by means of which a spring force F102 of the pulsation damper 102 is pre-adjustable. The adjusting device 159 is realized as a refilling device 160 which makes it possible to fill gas 601 into the spring and damping area 153 or to remove it from the area (see FIG. 4). The pulsation damper 103 also includes an adjusting device 162 which is realized as a refilling device 163 (see FIG. 3). The spring and damping area 153 isas can also be seen in particular from FIG. 5the area which is located between the diaphragm 150 and the cover 112a. In this connection, the porous plastics material body 157 forming the damper 155 is marked in the spring and damping area 153 and in this connection two gas bubbles 156a, 156b are marked above and below the damper 155 to symbolize the gas filling 156, gas also being situated in the porous plastics material body 157 such that the gas filling 156, when viewed in section, extends continuously from the upper gas bubble 156a via a central gas bubble 156c, which is formed substantially by the gas received in the porous plastics material body, to the lower gas bubble 156b. When viewed three-dimensionally, the gas filling 156 is consequently realized similarly to the diaphragm 150 in a disk-shaped manner.

(35) According to a realization variant not shown where a pre-tensionable helical spring or cup spring as spring means supports the diaphragm, it is provided to realize an adjusting device as a drive shaft, by means of which the pre-tensioning of the helical spring or of the cup spring is able to be increased or reduced by means of an adjustable thrust bearing.

(36) The two pulsation dampers 102 and 103 are connected in parallel to one another in the paint stream 507 such that a first part of the paint stream flows against the diaphragm 150 of the first pulsation damper 102 and a second part of the paint stream flows against a diaphragm 161 of the second pulsation damper 103, the two parts of the paint stream being approximately the same size and together forming the complete paint stream (see FIG. 5).

(37) As can be seen in particular from FIG. 5, the two pulsation dampers 102 and 103 are arranged symmetrically with respect to one another and are located opposite one another such that the diaphragms 150, 161 thereof are located in parallel planes E150 and E161.

(38) It can be seen additionally from FIG. 5 that the diaphragms 150 and 161 comprise a channel 164 or 165 in the form of a groove in a central region M150 or M161, by way of which, when the paint stream 507 has a small amount of pressure, they also abut, where applicable, against the chamber inlet 106 and against the chamber outlet 107 (see also FIG. 2). In this connection, the channel connects the chamber inlet 106 to the chamber outlet 107. Consequently, it is not possible for the diaphragm 150 or 161 to close the pulsation dampers 102 or 103.

(39) The development of the channels 117 and 120 can be seen again in FIG. 6, the paint only being able to flow from the channel 117 into the channel 120 as a result of it running through the filter 121, insofar as it has been constructed, and the pulsation damper. In this connection, only the pulsation damper 103 can be seen in the sectional representation in FIG. 6.

(40) FIG. 7 shows a schematic sectional view of a third realization variant of a pulsation damping system 201. This is constructed in a comparable manner to the pulsation damping system in FIGS. 2 to 6. In contrast to the pulsation damping system, channels 264, 265 of the first pulsation damper 202 and of the second pulsation damper 203 are formed as a result of being formed on the housing 204 or on the housing 213 and more precisely on the system block 212 which is associated with the two housings 204, 213, in each case between the chamber inlet 206 and the chamber outlet 207 or the chamber inlet 280 and the chamber outlet 281. In this connection, the channels 264, 265 are in each case formed by nubs 282, 283 or 284, 285 which stand out from the system block 212 and the space produced between the nubs.

(41) FIG. 8 shows of a schematic sectional view of a side view of a diaphragm 350 which comprises a channel 364 in a central region M350.

(42) FIG. 9 shows a schematic sectional view of a fourth realization variant of a pulsation damping system 401. The pulsation damping system 401 is realized in a cuboid manner and includes four pulsation dampers 402, 403, 490, 491. A pulsation damping system with three pulsation dampers is formed as a result of one of the four pulsation dampers being omitted. To this end, it is provided in particular to close the corresponding connections in the system block by closure means. Consequently, it is also possible to fit the fourth pulsation damper in retro where required. A first distribute point 418, which distributes a paint stream 507 to the pulsation dampers 402, 403, 490, 491, can also be seen in FIG. 9. Deeper in the drawing plane there is then a collect point by means of which the paint stream is guided out of the pulsation dampers 402, 403, 490, 491 together.

(43) In the case of all the realization variants of the pulsation damping system which include two pulsation dampers, an extension of the potential influences on the paint stream is also provided. To this end, the pulsation damping system is realized in such a manner that at least two pulsation dampers comprise different characteristic values, as a result of their characteristic differences, the pulsation dampers influencing the paint stream in different ways in a damping and/or flexible manner. In this connection, for obtaining different characteristic values of the pulsation dampers it is provided to equip the pulsation dampers, in particular, with different cross sectional areas at the chamber inlet and/or chamber outlet and/or to equip the pulsation dampers, in particular, with differently adjusted and/or designed spring means and/or dampers and/or to equip the pulsation dampers, in particular, with differently realized diaphragms and/or to equip the pulsation dampers, in particular, with differently sized paint areas and/or spring and damping areas. In this connection, to obtain different characteristic values it is provided, in particular, to adjust the adjusting means of the first pulsation damper in a manner deviating from the adjusting means of the second pulsation damper.

LIST OF REFERENCES

(44) 1 Pulsation damping system 2 First right-hand pulsation damper 3 Second left-hand pulsation damper 4 Housing 5 Chamber 6 Chamber inlet 7 Chamber outlet 8 Damping means 9 Opening of 7 9a Throttle nozzle 9b Passage 9c Internal thread 10 Opening of 6 11 Throttle 12 System block 12a Cover of 2 12b Cover of 3 13 Housing of 3 14 Not occupied 15 First paint line connection of 12 16 Second paint line connection of 12 17 Channel from 15 to 18 18 First distribute point 19 First collect point 20 Second channel from 19 to 16 21 Filter 22 Second distribute point 23 Second collect point 24 Filter flange Lower end of 21 Filter housing of 21 27-30 Through bore in 12 31-34 Connection means through 27-30 101 Pulsation damping system 102 First right-hand pulsation damper 103 Second left-hand pulsation damper 104 Housing 105 Chamber 106 Chamber inlet 107 Chamber outlet 108 Damping means 109 Opening of 7 110 Opening of 6 111 Throttle 112 System block 112a Cover of 2 112b Cover of 3 113 Housing of 3 114 Not occupied 115 First paint line connection of 12 116 Second paint line connection of 12 117 Channel from 15 to 18 118 First distribute point 119 First collect point 120 Second channel from 19 to 16 121 Filter 122 Second distributor 123 Second collect point 124 Filter flange 125 Lower end of 21 126 Filter housing of 21 127-130 Through bore in 12 131-134 Connection means through 27-30 150 Diaphragm of 102 151 Paint area 152 Not occupied 153 Spring and damping area 154 Spring means 155 Damper 156 Gas filling 156a Upper gas bubble 156b Central gas bubble 156c Bottom gas bubble 157 Porous plastics material body 158 Deflector face of 150 159 Adjusting device 160 Refilling device 161 Diaphragm of 103 162 Adjusting device 163 Refilling device 164 Channel on 105 165 Channel on 161 201 Pulsation damping system, 202 First pulsation damper 203 Second left-hand pulsation damper 204 Housing 204 206 Chamber inlet 206 207 Chamber outlet 207 212 System block 212 213 Housing 213 264,265 Channel 280 Chamber inlet 280 281 Chamber outlet 281 282,283 Nub 284,285 Nub 350 Diaphragm 401 Channel 401 Pulsation damping system 402,403 Pulsation damper 418 First distribute point 490,491 Pulsation damper 501 Paint spray device 502 Paint 503 Paint container 504 Paint pump 505 Paint hose 505a First portion of 505 505b Second portion of 505 506 Spray head 507 Paint stream 601 Gas A9 Cross sectional area of 9 A109 Cross sectional area of 109 A10 Cross sectional area of 10 A110 Cross sectional area of 110 E150 Plane of 150 E161 Plane of 161 F102 Spring force of 102 L106 Longitudinal axis of 106 L107 Longitudinal axis of 107 M150 Central region of 150 M161 Central region of 161 M350 Central region of 350 S150 Symmetry axis of 150 V5 Volume of 5 V105 Volume of 105 X Direction of flow