Solenoid controller for color changer

Abstract

The paint and rinsing-agent valves of a paint changer for connection of a number of paint lines for coating material of different, selectable paints with an application element are pilot-controlled pneumatically by a compressed air line common for all valves and placed permanently under pressure, and switched by attached electronically controlled electromagnetic valves. The electronic control takes placed by means of a field bus system electronically interfaced with each of the paint and rinsing-agent valves.

1 . A paint transfer-valve device for connecting a number of paint lines for coating material of different, selectable paints with an application element, said device comprising: 
 a central paint conduit for supplying the coating material to be supplied to the application element;    a plurality controllable valves fluidly connected to said paint conduit for providing the selectable paints from the paint lines to said conduit;    an external electronic control system for actuating said controllable valves at desired intervals;    said controllable valves of said paint transfer-valve device being equipped with electromagnetic valves units connectable to said external electronic control system; and    wherein said controllable valves being actuated by compressed gas from a common compressed gas line leading through the paint transfer-valve device to each said controllable valve when signaled by said external electronic control system through said electromagnetic valve units.    
     
     
         2 . A paint transfer-valve device according to  claim 1 , wherein a data bus for providing digital control data runs through said paint transfer-valve device, said data bus being coupled to said electromagnetic valves unit by an electronic circuit.  
     
     
         3 . A paint transfer-valve device according to  claim 2 , wherein each said electromagnetic valve unit includes an electronic circuit.  
     
     
         4 . A paint transfer valve device according to  claim 3 , wherein said electromagnetic valve units are mounted to modularly arranged, interconnectable housing units having a section of said data bus extending therethrough, each successive data bus connected by plug-in contacts.  
     
     
         5 . A paint transfer-valve device according to  claim 4 , wherein one section of a power supply line for each said electromagnetic valve unit and said compressed gas line extends through said modules and being operably connected by plug-in contacts.  
     
     
         6 . A paint transfer-valve device according to  claim 1 , wherein each said controllable valve section includes a valve needle forming a sealing surface, said valve needle being biased into a closed position thereby closing said valve.  
     
     
         7 . A paint transfer-valve device according to  claim 6 , wherein compressed air provides a counter force to said needle bias thereby opening the compressed air pathway to said controllable valve as directed by said electromagnetic valve unit.  
     
     
         8 . A paint transfer-valve device according to  claim 7 , wherein said electromagnetic valve unit is integrated with said controllable valve.  
     
     
         9 . A method of controlling a paint transfer-valve device connecting a plurality of paint lines fluidly connected to a source of coating material of different, selectable paints with an application element through a central paint conduit, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of controllable valve units fluidly connected to said central paint conduit and being pneumatically actuated by compressed gas, said controllable valve units receiving pressurized gas from common gas line;    actuating said controllable valve units with electronically controlled electromagnets integrated with said paint transfer-valve device thereby providing paint to said central paint conduit.    
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , further including the step of signaling said electronically controlled electromagnets with a field bus system.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 9 , further including the step of providing cleaning media to said paint conduit through at least one of said controllable valve units.