AUXILIARY LOCAL FLUID DEPOSITION ELEMENT

Abstract

An auxiliary element (1) for the local deposition of fluid for a fluid dispenser header (10), includes a hollow main body (2), including a hollow conduit (3) inside the main body (2), configured such that the fluid flows through its interior, comprising an opening for the inlet of fluid (5) coming from the fluid dispenser header at one end, and a fluid outlet opening (6) at the opposite end, a cavity (4) located between the wall of the main body (2) and the hollow conduit (3), configured such that residual particles of the fluid flow through its interior, at least one connecting mean (8) to the interior of the hollow conduit (3) to the residual particles cavity (4) and an opening (7) located on the main body (2), configured for the outlet of residual particles from the cavity (4).

Claims

1. An auxiliary element (1) for the local deposition of fluid for a fluid dispenser header (10), wherein the auxiliary element (1) includes a hollow main body (2) which comprises: a hollow conduit (3) inside the main body (2), configured such that the fluid flows through its interior, comprising an opening for the inlet of fluid (5) coming from the fluid dispenser header at one end, and a fluid outlet opening (6) at the opposite end, a cavity (4) located between the wall of the main body (2) and the hollow conduit (3), configured such that residual particles of the fluid flow through its interior, at least one connecting means (8) of the interior of the hollow conduit (3) to the residual particles cavity (4). and an opening (7) located on the main body (2), configured for the outlet of residual particles from the cavity (4).

2. The auxiliary element (1) for the local deposition of paint for a fluid dispenser header (10) according to claim 1, wherein the fluid inlet opening (5) comprises an inlet conduit (12), configured to couple to the header of the fluid dispenser (10).

3. The auxiliary element (1) for the local deposition of paint for a fluid dispenser header (10), according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means (8) is at least one passage that connects the interior of the hollow conduit (3) to the cavity (4).

4. The auxiliary element (1) for the local deposition of paint for a fluid dispenser header (10) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means (8) are a plurality of holes located in the hollow conduit (3).

5. The auxiliary element (1) for the local deposition of fluid for a fluid dispenser header (10) according to claim 1, wherein the outlet opening (7) for residual particles comprises an air purification filter (13).

6. The auxiliary element (1) for the local deposition of fluid for a fluid dispenser header (10) according to claim 2, wherein the inlet conduit (12) comprises a cut (15) with the shape of the connection of the header of the fluid dispenser (11).

7. The auxiliary element (1) for the local deposition of fluid for a fluid dispenser header (10) according to claim 1, wherein the fluid inlet opening (5) and the fluid outlet opening (6) comprise an absorbent retention material (16, 16′) around their edges.

8. The auxiliary element (1) for the local deposition of fluid for a fluid dispenser header (10), according to claim 1, wherein the outermost layer of the fluid inlet opening (5) comprises an elastomer material (17).

9. Equipment (20) for the local deposition of a fluid comprising: the auxiliary element (1) of claim 1 and configured for the local deposition of the fluid, and a fluid dispenser (10) configured to add fluid to the auxiliary element (1) joined to the fluid inlet opening (5) of the auxiliary element (1).

10. The equipment (20) for the local deposition of fluid, according to claim 8, wherein it comprises an aspirator (14) coupled to the residual particles opening (7) of the auxiliary element (1).

11. The equipment (20) for the local deposition of fluid, according to claim 8, wherein the equipment comprises grips on the auxiliary element (1) and an automated articulated arm.

12. An auxiliary element configured for the local deposition of paint on a component on or adjacent a surface, the auxiliary element comprising: a main body having a first end configured to seat on the surface, a second end, opposite to the first end, configured to connect to a header of a paint spray device, and a hollow conduit extending between the first and second ends of the main body; a wall defining the hollow conduit and extending between the first and second ends of the main body; a cavity between the wall and an outer wall of the main body; at least one opening in the wall which provides a passage for residual paint particles to flow out of the hollow conduit and into the cavity, and an outlet of the main body providing an opening from the cavity for the passage of the residual paint particles.

13. The auxiliary equipment of claim 12 wherein the first and second ends of the main body include annular elements of absorbent material.

14. The auxiliary equipment of claim 13 wherein the annular element on the first end is configured to seat on the surface.

15. The auxiliary equipment of claim 12 further comprising an annular elastomeric element configured to receive the header.

16. The auxiliary equipment of claim 12 wherein the wall defining the hollow conduit has a frustoconical shape.

17. The auxiliary equipment of claim 12 wherein the at least one opening are an array of openings distributed around a circumference of the hollow conduit.

Description

SUMMARY OF DRAWINGS

[0018] To supplement the description that is being made, and with the aim of aiding a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of its practical realization, attached as an integral part of this description are some drawings, representing the following with an illustrative and non-limiting nature:

[0019] FIG. 1a shows a side perspective view of an auxiliary element for the local deposition of paint, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0020] FIG. 1b shows a bottom perspective view of an auxiliary element for the local deposition of paint, according to a preferred realization.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal cross section of the realization of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal cross section of a second realization.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the second realization of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the equipment for the local deposition of paint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] In an embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary element (1) for the local deposition of fluid, such as paint, comprises, as shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b and 2 to 4, includes a hollow main body (2), a hollow conduit (3) and a cavity (4).

[0026] The hollow main body (2) is the element forming the external wall of the auxiliary element (1), which may be bell shaped, as can be seen in FIGS. 1a and 1b.

[0027] The hollow conduit (3) is located inside the main body (2) and is used to channel the pulverized paint, which may also be protective or isolating material, through its interior. This material enters through one end of the hollow conduit (3) from a paint dispenser, through a paint inlet opening (5), and flows towards a paint outlet opening (6) at the opposite end.

[0028] The edge of the paint inlet opening (5) is in direct contact with the surface (18) of the part to be pulverized, and must have such dimensions as to allow the protuberance (9) to be pulverized to enter into the end of the hollow conduit (3), for the optimal deposition or dispersion of material over its surface. This optimal deposition must provide a minimal quantity of material to isolate the entire surface and grooves of the protuberance (9) from the exterior, and it must meet in-house quality standards, depending on the process.

[0029] The cavity (4) is located between the wall of the main body (2) and the hollow conduit (3), and through its interior pass the suspended particles of pulverized paint, or protective or isolating material if applicable, which are harmful to human health. These residual particles, such as volatiles or particles in suspension, are the excess pulverized material that does not adhere to the surface of the protuberance (9) or the surface (18) of the part. For these particles to pass from the interior of the hollow conduit (3) to the cavity (4) of residual particles, the hollow conduit (3) comprises a plurality of holes as a connecting means (8).

[0030] On the wall of the main body (2) there is an opening (7) that allows residual particles to exit the cavity (4), which will go to a volatiles sink.

[0031] According to a second embodiment, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, to the residual particles outlet opening (7) is coupled, either directly or by means of an auxiliary conduit, not shown in the figures, a fixed volatiles sink, such as an air purification filter (13), or an extractable volatiles sink, such as an aspirator (14).

[0032] In this second embodiment, the inlet conduit (12) comprises a notch, or recess (15) with the shape of the header connection of the paint dispenser (11), or another pulverizer device, as applicable. This connection can either be universal or specific to a certain header (11).

[0033] In addition, the paint inlet opening (5) comprises an inlet conduit (12), configured to couple to the header of the paint dispenser (10), as can be seen in FIG. 3. The auxiliary element is fed with pulverized or non-pulverized material through this inlet conduit (12), and this inlet conduit (12) can have rigid or flexible shape depending on the operation to be carried out and the operating conditions. Furthermore, the paint inlet opening (5) and the paint outlet opening (6) comprise an absorbent retention material (16, 16′) around their edges. In the paint outlet opening (5), the position of the auxiliary element (1) is improved on the surface (18) of the part, as the support section increases. This also prevents material leaking from the hollow conduit (3) through the paint inlet opening (5) to adjacent zones. Lastly, the absorbent retention material (16) allows the material deposition zone to be marked out so that it meets the quality requirements and does not extend further than necessary, achieving savings of materials.

[0034] Additionally, the absorbent retention material (16′) around the edge of the paint inlet opening (5) also avoids the leakage of material through the part where material enters the auxiliary element (1) due to the fact that the pressure of the pulverized material is higher than atmospheric pressure.

[0035] This absorbent retention material (16, 16′) may be a sponge or other low density material that makes the material inlet (5) and outlet (6) openings leak tight to prevent leakages and waste of material.

[0036] Lastly, the outermost layer of this second realization also comprises an elastomer material (17), which adapts to the shape of the header connection (11) of the paint dispenser, or any other element required to fasten the auxiliary element to the paint dispenser, and which also makes the material inlet opening (5) leak tight. This elastomer material (17) can be a rubber sheath.

[0037] Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 5 and includes equipment (20) for the local deposition of paint, made up of:

[0038] (i) an auxiliary element (1) for the local deposition of paint, and

[0039] (ii) a paint dispenser (10), such as a paint gun or other type of material pulverizer, which provides or feeds protective or isolating material to be deposited on the protuberance (9).

[0040] The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 may include an aspirator (14), which extracts excess pulverized material that does not adhere to the surface of the protuberance (9) or the surface (18) of the part, from the interior of the cavity (4) through the opening (7) of the residual particles outlet.

[0041] In addition, to automate the process, the auxiliary element (1), along with the paint dispenser and a volatiles sink, are connected to an automated articulated arm using grips, not shown in the figures. This system comprises control software to deposit material on the protuberances (9) from computational references.

[0042] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms “comprise” or “comprising” do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms “a” or “one” do not exclude a plural number, and the term “or” means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.