EP3377232B1 - Coating apparatus and corresponding coating process - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a coating device for coating a component with a coating agent, in particular for painting a motor vehicle body part or an aircraft component with a paint. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding coating method.

From the state of the art (e.g. DE 10 2013 002 433 A1 , DE 10 2013 002 413 A1 , DE 10 2013 002 412 A1 , DE 10 2013 002 411 A1 ) Application devices and application processes are known which emit at least one narrowly limited jet of coating agent and therefore enable coating or painting with sharp edges. This coating, which is applied without masking and has sharp edges and is described in the prior art mentioned above, does not produce any paint or coating material losses due to overspray. Such resource-saving methods are advantageous for a large number of applications, such as coating processes.

A sharp-edged coating or painting is also advantageous in particular in the case of a contrasting painting of motor vehicles if different surface areas of the motor vehicle body are to be painted with different colors. The sharp-edged painting with the above-mentioned application devices and methods makes it possible to dispense with masking the surface areas of the motor vehicle body that are not to be painted, as is the case with contrast painting with rotary atomizers is usually required.

When using the application devices and methods mentioned above, however, the coating result is often unacceptable, since when starting and stopping the discharge of the coating agent, spatters of the coating agent can occur on the component surface.

Furthermore, similar arrangements are known from the distant technical field of textile technology, which, however, are not suitable for coating components (e.g. motor vehicle body components).

For general technical background in other technical fields, reference is made to DE 699 02 317 T2 , WO 03/066950 A2 , FR 2 673 857 A1 , WO 00/37739 A1 , U.S. 2011 0220014 A1 and JP 2000-079366 A .

Further disclosed JP S57 24663 A a conventional rotary atomizer arrangement.

Finally, reference should be made to the general technical background U.S. 4,783,977 and U.S. 5,670,202 .

The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a correspondingly improved coating device or a correspondingly improved coating method.

This object is achieved by a coating device according to the invention or by a coating method according to the invention in accordance with the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the newly gained technical-physical Realization that the spatters on the component surface are caused by unsteady processes when the coating medium jet is switched on or off. When the coating medium jet is switched on, it takes a certain amount of time before the coating medium jet has assumed its stationary state. Immediately after switching on, the jet of coating medium is still unsteady, which can lead to disruptive spatter when it hits the surface of the component. Similar non-stationary processes also occur when the coating medium jet is switched off, so that the coating medium jet is non-stationary immediately before the end of coating, which can again lead to an unsatisfactory coating result.

The invention therefore includes the general technical teaching not to use the coating medium jet, which is unsteady due to switching processes, for coating the component. It is true that the unsteady processes of the coating medium jet when switching on or off cannot be prevented, since this is unavoidable. However, there is the possibility of discarding the jet of coating medium if it is still non-stationary due to switching processes. Within the scope of the invention, the coating medium jet is therefore only used for coating during stationary states, whereas the coating medium jet is not used for coating during transient processes when switching on or off.

In accordance with the prior art, the coating device according to the invention initially has an applicator which emits a plurality of parallel coating agent jets of the coating agent onto the component. The applicator can be designed and function, for example, in such a way the patent applications cited at the outset DE 10 2013 002 433 A1 , DE 10 2013 002 413 A1 , DE 10 2013 002 412 A1 and DE 10 2013 002 411 A1 is described. However, it should be mentioned that the jet of coating medium is a spatially narrowly delimited jet of droplets or a spatially delimited coherent jet.

The coating device according to the invention is distinguished by a collecting device which, in an active position, collects the jet of coating agent between the applicator and the component, so that the jet of coating agent does not then impinge on the component. The collecting device thus makes it possible to collect the jet of coating agent when it is still in an unsteady state, such as when it is switched on or switched off. As a result, the collecting device can prevent the jet of coating medium from hitting the component in the unsteady state, since in the worst case this could lead to undesired spattering on the component surface.

The catching device can preferably be adjusted between the already mentioned active position and an inactive position, with the catching device letting the coating medium jet through in the inactive position, so that the coating medium jet can then hit the component unhindered.

In the settled, stationary state of the coating medium jet, the collecting device is thus moved into the inactive position, so that the stationary coating medium jet can then hit the component surface unhindered.

In the non-stationary state of the coating medium jet (e.g. immediately after a switching operation), on the other hand, the collecting device is moved into the active position and then catches the non-stationary coating medium jet so that it cannot hit the component.

The movement of the catcher between the active position and the inactive position can be a pure linear movement, for example. However, there is also the possibility within the scope of the invention that the movement of the collecting device between the active position and the inactive position is a pure rotary movement. In addition, the movement of the collecting device can also be a folding movement. Furthermore, there is also the possibility that the movement of the collecting device between the active position and the inactive position is a combined sliding, folding and/or rotating movement.

During a rotary movement of the collecting device between the active position and the inactive position, the axis of rotation is preferably aligned parallel to the jet of coating agent and/or at right angles to the surface of the component to be coated. In the case of a rotary movement, the collecting device ("shutter") is preferably mounted on a rotatable unit and can follow the rotation of the applicator.

During a folding movement of the collecting device between the active position and the inactive position, the folding movement takes place about a pivot axis which is preferably aligned at right angles to the coating medium jet and/or parallel to the surface of the component to be coated is.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coating device also comprises at least one actuator for moving the catcher between the active position and the inactive position. The actuator can have an electric motor, for example, in order to adjust the collecting device. However, there is also the possibility that the actuator works pneumatically or hydraulically. Furthermore, there is also the possibility that the actuator works electromagnetically. In general, it should be mentioned that the invention is not limited to the examples mentioned above with regard to the drive principle of the actuator.

The direction of movement of the collecting device can correspond to the direction of movement of the applicator and/or be opposite to it.

In another embodiment, the direction of movement of the collecting device can be angled at an angle of 0°-180°, in particular 30°-150°, in particular 45°-135° to the direction of movement of the applicator and/or to the direction of the at least one jet.

In the context of the invention, it is advantageous if the catching device can be moved as quickly as possible between the inactive position and the active position in order to achieve a rapid response behavior of the catching device. The maximum adjustment speed of the actuator is therefore preferably significantly greater than the exit speed of the jet of coating medium from the applicator or the flow speed in the jet of coating medium. For example, the maximum adjustment speed of the The actuator can be greater by a factor of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 or even 50 than the exit velocity or the flow velocity of the coating medium jet. Such a rapid response of the collecting device is advantageous because the jet of coating medium can then be cut off or released quickly.

To switch between the active position and the inactive position, the collecting device therefore requires a short switching time, which is relatively short in relation to the exit speed from the applicator. In addition, this switching time is also short in absolute terms. The switching time between the active position and the inactive position is preferably less than 500 ms, 250 ms, 100 ms, 50 ms, 25 ms, 10 ms, 5 ms, 2 ms or 1 ms.

In addition, the collecting device preferably has at least one drain in order to discharge the collected coating agent through the drain when the collecting device is in the active position. This makes sense so that the collected coating agent does not get onto the component surface.

This removal of the collected coating agent through the drain can be supported by at least one suction device being connected to the drain of the collecting device in order to suck off the coating agent collected by the collecting device through the drain. This suction device can, for example, generate a negative pressure in the drain in order to suck off the collected coating agent.

The catcher works with at least one cutting edge, to cut off the jet of coating agent in the active position. The blade has a cutting edge that is transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to the jet of coating agent. In this case, the cutting edge is preferably movable relative to the jet of coating medium between the active position and the inactive position, in particular in a direction of displacement perpendicular to the cutting edge and perpendicular to the jet of coating medium.

It should be mentioned here that the cutting edge has a cutting edge surface facing the jet of coating medium, which encloses a specific cutting angle with the jet of coating medium, which can for example be in the range of 45°-90°, 70°-90° or 80°-90°.

The cutting edge of the cutting edge, on the other hand, has a wedge angle that is in the range of 45°-60°.

It should also be mentioned that the cutting edge has a blade angle that is in the range of 5°-30° (e.g. 10°-25°).

Regarding the cutting edge, it should also be mentioned that the cutting edge can be coated with a wetting-inhibiting or wetting-promoting coating in order to allow any drops that may occur on the cutting edge during the cutting process to either bounce off in the cutting direction or to be able to absorb them on the side facing the jet in the cutting direction .

In a variant of the invention, the collecting device has at least two cutting edges, both of which can be moved between the inactive position and the active position, the cutting edges of the two cutting edges being arranged parallel to one another could be.

It should be mentioned here that the cutting edges can be arranged either on the same side or on opposite sides of the coating medium jet.

It should also be mentioned that the cutting edges can be moved independently of one another or are mechanically connected to one another, so that the cutting edges can then be moved synchronously together.

Furthermore, it should be noted with regard to the cutting edges that the cutting edges with their cutting edge surface facing the coating medium jet can either shoot in the same cutting angle or different cutting angles with the coating medium jet.

In addition, the cutting edges can optionally be movable in opposite directions or in the same direction in relation to the jet of coating medium.

With regard to the axial position of the cutting edges in relation to the jet of coating medium, it should be noted that the cutting edges can be arranged either in the same axial position or in different axial positions in relation to the jet of coating medium.

Finally, it should be noted with regard to the cutting edges that the cutting edges can optionally be attached to the collecting device so that they can be replaced or can be integrally formed on the collecting device.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the collecting device has a collecting area in order to receive the coating agent, this collecting area preferably narrowing in a funnel shape towards the outflow. In this case, the collection area is preferably located on the side of the cutting edge facing away from the jet of coating medium.

If the collecting device has at least two cutting edges on the same side, there is advantageously an additional collecting area for the coating agent with a drain between the cutting edges.

The cutting edge can have a straight (linear) shape like a razor blade, but it can also have a convex or concave or curved shape. In a special form, it is formed in the shape of a triangle.

During a folding movement of the cutting edge between the active position and the inactive position, the cutting edge can also serve to at least partially close the collection area in the inactive position. This is advantageous if the collected coating agent is sucked out of the collecting area by a suction device, as has already been briefly described above. The at least partial closure of the collection area by the cutting edge increases the negative pressure used for suction, which makes the suction more effective.

However, the foldable cutting edge should not completely close the collection area even in the inactive position. Rather, the foldable cutting edge should also leave a small gap open even in the inactive position, so that coating medium can then still be sucked in from the outside through the gap into the collection area can be.

In addition, the collection device can have a fluid supply line in order to introduce a fluid into the collection device, such as a rinsing agent, a solvent or a diluent or air. The introduction of such a fluid can support and facilitate the removal of the collected coating agent through the drain.

The fluid can be introduced into the collecting area via at least one nozzle, at least one slot or via a porous structure.

With regard to the coating agent, it should be mentioned that it is a paint, an adhesive, a sealant or an insulating material.

With regard to the applicator, it should be mentioned that this is preferably an applicator as in the patent applications cited at the outset DE 10 2013 002 433 A1 , DE 10 2013 002 413 A1 , DE 10 2013 002 412 A1 and DE 10 2013 002 411 A1 is described, so that the content of these patent applications of the present description is to be attributed in terms of structure and operation of the applicator in its entirety.

It should also be noted that the invention is particularly well suited for coating bodywork components (eg motor vehicle bodywork components), add-on parts for motor vehicles or components of the aviation industry.

In addition, it should be noted that the applicator is preferably guided over the component by a multi-axis coating robot, in particular by a coating robot with serial kinematics. Such coating robots are known per se from the prior art and therefore do not need to be described in more detail. However, the applicator can also be guided over the component with another single or multi-axis movement device.

It should also be mentioned that the invention not only claims protection for a coating device. Rather, the invention also claims protection for a coating method, as is already apparent from the above description.

It should be mentioned here that when the coating agent jet is switched on, a specific sequence of actuation of the collecting device and the applicator is preferably maintained.

When the coating medium jet is switched on, the collecting device is preferably only deactivated when the transient processes after switching on the coating medium jet have subsided, so that the coating medium jet is only released from the collecting device and strikes the component surface when the transient processes after switching on have subsided are.

When the coating medium jet is switched off, the coating medium jet is preferably only switched off when the collecting device is activated, so that the unsteady shutdown processes of the coating medium jet can no longer impair the coating result.

The details of the aforementioned switching processes are also described in the applicant's parallel German patent application filed at the same time, entitled "Coating process and corresponding coating system". The content of this parallel German patent application is therefore fully attributable to the present application.

Figur 1A

eine schematische Darstellung einer Beschichtungsanlage mit einer Auffangvorrichtung im inaktiven Zustand,

Figur 1B

die Beschichtungsanlage aus Figur 1A im aktiven Zustand der Auffangvorrichtung,

Figur 2

eine Abwandlung von Figur 1A mit einer Auffangvorrichtung mit zwei Schneiden auf derselben Seite des Beschichtungsmittelstrahls,

Figur 3

eine Abwandlung einer Auffangvorrichtung mit zwei gegenüberliegenden Schneiden, die gemeinsam bewegt werden,

Figur 4

eine Abwandlung mit zwei Schneiden, die in Strahlrichtung hintereinander liegen,

Figur 5

eine schematische Darstellung einer Schneide mit einem bestimmten Klingenwinkel und einem bestimmten Schnittwinkel,

Figur 6

eine schematische Darstellung einer Schneidkante einer Schneide mit einem bestimmten Keilwinkel und einem bestimmten Klingenwinkel,

Figur 7

eine Abwandlung der vorstehenden Ausführungsbeispiele mit einem Applikator, der mehrere Beschichtungsmittelstrahlen abgibt,

Figur 8

eine schematische Darstellung zur Verdeutlichung der Bewegungsrichtungen von Applikator und Schneide relativ zueinander,

Figur 9

eine Abwandlung von Figur 8 mit einer parallelen Bewegungsrichtung von Applikator und Schneide,

Figur 10A

eine Abwandlung mit einer klappbaren Schneide in der aktiven Stellung,

Figur 10B

die Abwandlung aus Figur 10A in der inaktiven Stellung der klappbaren Schneide, sowie

Figur 11

eine Abwandlung des Ausführungsbeispiels aus den Figuren 10A und 10B, wobei die klappbare Schneide in der inaktiven Stellung die Absaugung unterstützt.

Other advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims or are explained in more detail below together with the description of the preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures. Show it:

Figure 1A

a schematic representation of a coating system with a collecting device in the inactive state,

Figure 1B

the coating system off Figure 1A in the active state of the fall arrester,

figure 2

a modification of Figure 1A with a collecting device with two cutting edges on the same side of the coating medium jet,

figure 3

a modification of a collecting device with two opposing cutting edges that are moved together,

figure 4

a modification with two cutting edges, which in beam direction are behind each other,

figure 5

a schematic representation of a cutting edge with a specific blade angle and a specific cutting angle,

figure 6

a schematic representation of a cutting edge of a blade with a specific wedge angle and a specific blade angle,

figure 7

a modification of the above exemplary embodiments with an applicator that emits several jets of coating agent,

figure 8

a schematic representation to clarify the directions of movement of the applicator and blade relative to each other,

figure 9

a modification of figure 8 with a parallel direction of movement of applicator and blade,

Figure 10A

a modification with a folding blade in the active position,

Figure 10B

the modification Figure 10A in the inactive position of the folding cutting edge, as well as

figure 11

a modification of the embodiment of the Figures 10A and 10B , whereby the foldable cutting edge supports the suction in the inactive position.

The Figures 1A and 1B show a coating device with an applicator 1, which emits a coherent jet of coating medium 2 onto a component 3.

The applicator 1 can be an application device, for example, as described in the patent applications cited at the outset DE 10 2013 002 433 A1 , DE 10 2013 002 413 A1 , DE 10 2013 002 412 A1 and DE 10 2013 002 411 A1 is described, so that the content of these patent applications of the present description is to be attributed in terms of structure and operation of the applicator 1 in its entirety.

The component 3 can be, for example, a motor vehicle body component that is to be painted with a contrasting finish, i. H. with different colors. However, with regard to the type of component 3, the invention is not limited to automotive body components.

The coating medium jet 2 is spatially limited here and can be switched on or off by the applicator 1, which enables sharp-edged painting.

During a switch-on process and a switch-off process, however, unsteady transitional processes occur which impair the suitability of the coating medium jet 2 for a coating, since spattering can occur on the component 3 if the coating medium jet 2 impinges on the component 3 in the non-stationary state after a switching operation .

The coating device therefore prevents the coating medium jet 2 from impinging on the component 3 after a switching operation in the transient state. Points to this the coating device has a collecting device in order to collect the coating medium jet 2 if it still shows unsteady transitional states. This fall arrester is between an inactive position according to Figure 1A and according to an active position Figure 1B moveable.

In the inactive position according to Figure 1A the collecting device lets the coating medium jet 2 through unhindered, so that the coating medium jet 2 can then impinge on the component 3.

In the active position according to Figure 1B On the other hand, the collecting device catches the coating medium jet 2 and thereby prevents the coating medium jet 2 from being able to impinge on the component 3 .

For this purpose, the collecting device has a cutting edge 4 which can be moved by an actuator 5 in the direction of the double arrow. In the active position according to Figure 1B the cutting edge 4 has moved into the longitudinal axis of the coating medium jet 2 and thereby cuts off the coating medium jet 2 before it hits the component. The collected jet of coating medium then first reaches a funnel-shaped collecting area 6 in the collecting device and is then sucked off by a suction device 9 via a drain 7 and a discharge line 8 .

In addition, a fluid supply 10 which is supplied with a fluid from a fluid source 12 via a fluid supply line 11 also opens into the collecting area 6 of the receiving device. The fluid source 12 thus conducts a fluid into the collecting area 6 via the fluid supply line 11 and the fluid supply 10, as a result of which the removal of the coating agent is facilitated by the drain 7.

figure 2 shows a modification of the coating device according to FIG Figures 1A and 1B , so that, in order to avoid repetition, reference is made to the above description, the same reference numbers being used for corresponding details.

A special feature of this coating device is that instead of the blade 4 according to the Figures 1A and 1B two cutting edges 4.1, 4.2 are provided. The two cutting edges 4.1, 4.2. are here arranged on the same side of the coating medium jet 2 and are moved by the actuator 5 together.

figure 3 shows a modification of the coating device according to FIG figure 2 , so that to avoid repetition, reference is made to the above description.

A special feature of this coating device is that the two cutting edges 4.1, 4.2 are arranged on opposite sides of the coating medium jet 2. Accordingly, two collecting areas 6.1, 6.2, two fluid feeds 10.1, 10.2, two fluid feed lines 11.1, 11.2, two drains 7.1, 7.2 and two suction lines 8.1, 8.2 are provided.

figure 4 shows a further modification of the coating device according to FIG figure 2 , so that, in order to avoid repetition, reference is made to the above description, the same reference numbers being used for corresponding details.

A special feature of this coating device is that the cutting edge 4.1 encloses an angle of intersection α1 with the jet of coating medium, while the other cutting edge 4.2 encloses an angle of intersection α2 with the jet of coating medium 2. The two intersection angles α1, α2 are not shown as being the same here, but can also be the same in a further advantageous embodiment.

Another special feature of this coating device is that the two cutters 4.1, 4.2 each feed their own separate funnel-shaped collecting area 6.1 or 6.2.

The Figures 5 and 6 show schematic representations to clarify different angles of the cutting edge 4.

For one shows figure 5 the intersection angle α between the coating medium jet 2 and a side face 13 of the cutting edge 4 facing the coating medium jet 2.

On the other hand shows figure 5 a blade angle ε between the side surface 13 of the cutting edge 4 facing the coating medium jet 2 and an opposite side surface 14 Figures 5 and 6 a cutting edge 15 of the cutting edge 4, the cutting edge 15 running at right angles to the coating medium jet 2.

Furthermore shows figure 6 another wedge angle β of the cutting edge 5.

figure 7 shows a modification of an applicator 1 according to the invention, which has a plurality of jets of coating medium from a plurality of nozzles 6 2 emits. The nozzles 16 are arranged in a line along an applicator nozzle axis _rD . The coating agent jets 2, on the other hand, are aligned parallel to one another along a direction v _B .

figure 8 shows on the one hand that the applicator nozzle axis r _D is aligned at right angles to the direction v _B of the coating medium jets 2 .

Furthermore shows figure 8 as vectors v _A the direction of movement of blade 4 and as vector v _S the direction of movement of blade 4. It can be seen from this representation that the direction of movement v _A of applicator 1 is angled relative to the direction of movement v _S of blade 4.

figure 9 shows a modification of figure 8 , this modification showing a special case in which the direction of movement v _S of the cutting edge 4 is aligned parallel to the direction of movement v _A of the applicator 1 .

The Figures 10A and 10B 12 shows a modification of the above examples, so that to avoid repetition, reference is made to the above description, with the same reference numbers being used for corresponding details.

A special feature of this example is that the cutting edge 4 can be pivoted in the direction of the double arrow about a pivot axis 17 between an active position ( Figure 10A ) and an inactive position ( Figure 10B ) is foldable.

The pivot axis 17 is perpendicular to the coating medium jet 2 and parallel to the surface to be coated Component 3 aligned, ie the pivot axis 17 runs in Figures 10A and 10B perpendicular to the drawing plane.

11 shows a modification of the example according to FIG Figures 10A and 10B , so that, in order to avoid repetition, reference is made to the above description, the same reference numbers being used for corresponding details.

A special feature of this example is that the collection area 6 is connected to a suction device that can generate a negative pressure in the collection area 6 in order to be able to suck off residues of coating agent 18 .

The collecting area is delimited on its upper side by a shutter cover 19 and on its underside by a base 20 . The collecting area 6 thus forms a suction channel between the shutter cover 19 and the base 20.

The drawing shows the inactive position of the cutting edge 6 in which the jet of coating medium 2 is not caught but is allowed to pass through to the component 3 . In this position, the cutting edge 6 partially closes the front opening of the suction channel between the shutter cover 19 and the base 20 except for a narrow gap 21 . This advantageously increases the negative pressure in the collection area 6 when the coating agent residues 18 are sucked off.

However, the gap 21 that remains free also makes it possible for residues of coating agent to be sucked into the collecting area 6 from the outside through the gap 21 that remains free.

Reference List

1

applicator

2

coating jet

3

component

4

cutting edge

4.1, 4.2

Cut

5

Actuator for moving the cutting edge

6

Funnel-shaped collection area

6.1, 6.2

Funnel-shaped collection area

7

drain

7.1, 7.2

drain

8th

suction line

8.1, 8.2

suction line

9

suction device

10

Fluid supply in the collecting device

10.1, 10.2

Fluid supply in the collecting device

11

fluid supply line

11.1, 11.2

fluid supply line

12

fluid source

13

side surface of the cutting edge

14

side surface of the cutting edge

15

cutting edge

16

nozzles

17

Pivoting axis when folding the cutting edge

18

coating residues

19

shutter cover

20

floor of the containment area

21

gap

a

cutting angle

β

wedge angle

e

blade angle

rD

applicator nozzle axis

eg

Direction of the coating medium jet

vA

direction of movement of the applicator

vs

direction of movement of the cutting edge

Claims (17)

1. Coating apparatus for coating a component (3), namely a motor vehicle body component, an attachment part for a motor vehicle or an aviation industry component with a coating agent, namely with a paint, an adhesive, a sealing agent or an insulation agent, having

   a) an applicator (1), wherein the applicator (1) is adapted to deliver a plurality of coating agent jets parallel to one another onto the component (3),

   b) an intercepting device (4-12) which is adapted to intercept the coating agent jets (2) between the applicator (1) and the component (3) in an active position, so that the one coating agent jets (2) do not strike the component (3), wherein the intercepting device (4-12) has at least one cutter (4; 4.1, 4.2) for cutting off the coating agent jets (2) in the active position, wherein the cutter (4; 4.1, 4.2) has a cutting edge (15) which extends transversely to the coating agent jets (2),
   characterised in

   c) that the cutting edge (15) of the cutter (4; 4.1, 4.2) has a wedge angle (β) which is in the range 45°-60°, and

   d) that the cutter (4; 4.1, 4.2) has a blade angle (ε) which is in the range of 5°-30°.
2. Coating apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the intercepting device (4-12) is displaceable between the active position and an inactive position, the intercepting device (4-12) in the inactive position allowing the coating material jets (2) to pass so that the coating material jets (2) are then able to strike the component (3) unhindered.
3. Coating apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that the intercepting device (4-12) is linearly displaceable and/or rotatable and/or pivotable between the active position and the inactive position.
4. Coating apparatus according to claim 3, characterised in

   a) that for displacement between the active position and the inactive position, the intercepting device performs a rotational movement about an axis of rotation which is oriented substantially parallel to the coating agent jets, or

   b) that, for displacement between the active position and the inactive position, the intercepting device (4) performs a pivoting movement about a pivot axis (17) which is oriented substantially at a right angle to the coating agent jets (2) and/or parallel to the surface of the component (3) to be coated.
5. Coating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by an actuator (5) for moving the intercepting device (4-12) between the active position and the inactive position.
6. Coating apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in

   a) that the coating agent jets (2) leave the applicator (1) with a specific exit speed,

   b) that the actuator (5) moves the intercepting device (4-12) with a specific maximum displacement speed, and

   c) that the maximum displacement speed of the actuator (5) is greater at least by a factor of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 or 50 than the exit speed of the coating agent jets (2).
7. Coating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in

   a) that the intercepting device (4-12) has an outlet (7; 7.1, 7.2) for discharging the intercepted coating agent through the outlet (7; 7.1, 7.2) when the intercepting device (4-12) is in the active position, and/or

   b) that a suction device (9) is connected to the outlet (7; 7.1, 7.2) of the intercepting device (4-12) for removing by suction through the outlet (7; 7.1, 7.2) the coating agent intercepted by the intercepting device (4-12).
8. Coating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in

   a) that the cutter (4; 4.1, 4.2) is movable relative to the coating agent jets (2) between the active position and the inactive position, in particular

   a1) as a linear movement in a displacement direction at a right angle to the cutting edge (4; 4.1, 4.2) and at a right angle to the coating agent jets (2), or

   a2) as a pivoting movement about a pivot axis (17) which is oriented at a right angle to the coating agent jets (2) and/or parallel to the surface of the component (3) to be coated, and/or

   b) that the cutter (4; 4.1, 4.2) has a cutter face (13) facing the coating agent jets (2) which encloses a cutting angle (a; α1, a2) of not more than 90° and at least 45°, 70°, 80° with the coating agent jets (2), and/or

   c) that the blade angle (ε) is in the range of 10°-25°, and/or

   d) that the cutter (4; 4.1, 4.2) is at least partly coated with a wetting-inhibiting or wetting-promoting coating.
9. Coating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in

   a) that the intercepting device (4-12) has at least two cutters (4.1, 4.2), and/or

   b) that the cutters (4.1, 4.2) are movable relative to the coating agent jets (2) between the inactive position and the active position, and/or

   c) that the cutting edges (15) of the cutters (4.1, 4.2) are arranged parallel to one another.
10. Coating apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in

    a) that the cutters (4.1, 4.2)

    a1) are arranged on the same side of the coating agent jets (2) or

    a2) are arranged on opposite sides of the coating agent jets (2), and/or

    b) that the cutters (4.1. 4.2)

    b1) are connected together mechanically so that the cutters are moved synchronously together, or

    b2) are movable independently of one another, and/or

    c) that the cutters (4.1, 4.2) with their cutter face (13) facing the coating agent jets (2)

    c1) enclose the same cutting angle (α1, a2) with the coating agent jets (2) or

    c2) enclose different cutting angles (α1, α2) with the coating agent jets (2), and/or

    d) that the cutters (4.1, 4.2), in relation to the coating agent jets (2),

    d1) are movable in opposite directions or

    d2) are movable in the same direction, and/or

    e) that the cutters (4.1, 4.2), in relation to the coating agent jets (2),

    e1) are arranged in the same axial position or

    e2) in different axial positions, and/or

    f) that the cutter (4.1, 4.2)

    f1) is fixed in a removable manner to the intercepting device (4-12) or

    f2) is formed in one piece on the intercepting device (4-12).
11. Coating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in

    a) that the intercepting device (4-12) has an intercepting region (6; 6.1, 6.2) for collecting the coating agent, and/or

    b) that the intercepting region (6; 6.1, 6.2) narrows towards the outlet in the manner of a funnel, and/or

    c) that the intercepting region (6; 6.1, 6.2) is situated on the side of the cutter remote from the coating agent jets (2).
12. Coating apparatus according to claim 7 and claim 11, characterised in

    a) that the pivotable cutter (4) of the intercepting device, in the inactive position, at least partly closes the intercepting region (6) from which coating agent can be removed by suction, in order to increase the low pressure generated in the intercepting region (6) during removal by suction, and/or

    b) that the pivotable cutter (4) of the intercepting device does not close the intercepting region completely (6) even in the inactive position but leaves a gap (21) open so that coating agent residues can be drawn into the intercepting region (6) from the outside through the gap (21).
13. Coating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in

    a) that the intercepting device (4-12) has a fluid feed line (11; 11.1, 11.2) for introducing a fluid into the intercepting device (4-12), in particular a flushing agent, a solvent, a diluent or air, and/or

    b) that the fluid feed line (11; 11.1, 11.2) opens into the intercepting region (6; 6.1, 6.2), and/or

    c) that the fluid feed line (11; 11.1, 11.2) is fed from a fluid source (12), and/or

    d) that the introduction of the fluid into the intercepting region takes place via at least one nozzle or at least one slot or via a porous structure.
14. Coating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in

    a) that the applicator (1)

    a1) applies a stream of droplets (2) of the coating agent or

    a2) applies the coating agent jets (2) as cohesive coating agent jets (2), and/or

    b) that the applicator (1) is guided over the component (3) by a multi-axis coating robot, in particular by a coating robot with serial kinematics.
15. Coating process for coating a component (3), namely a motor vehicle body component, an attachment part for a motor vehicle or an aviation industry component with a coating agent, namely with a paint, an adhesive, a sealing agent or an insulation agent, comprising the following step:

    a) delivering of a plurality of coating agent jets (2) parallel to each other to the component (3),

    and with the following step:

    b) intercepting the coating agent jets (2) between the applicator (1) and the component (3) by an intercepting device (4-12) so that the coating agent jets (2) do not strike the component (3), wherein the intercepting device (4-12) has at least one cutter (4; 4.1, 4.2) for cutting off the coating agent jets (2) in the active position, wherein the cutter (4; 4.1, 4.2) has a cutting edge (15) which extends transversely to the coating agent jets (2),
    characterised in

    c) that the cutting edge (15) of the cutter (4; 4.1, 4.2) has a wedge angle (β) which is in the range 45°-60°, and

    d) that the cutter (4; 4.1, 4.2) has a blade angle (ε) which is in the range of 5°-30°.
16. Coating process according to claim 15, characterised by the following steps when the coating jet is switched on:

    a) activating the intercepting device (4-12) before the coating agent jets (2) are switched on, in order first to intercept the initially still unsteady coating agent jets (2) delivered by the applicator (1),

    b) switching on the coating agent jets (2), the coating agent jets (2) initially exhibiting unsteady switch-on conditions and therefore being intercepted by the intercepting device (4-12), and

    c) deactivating the intercepting device (4-12) when the unsteady switch-on conditions of the coating agent jets (2) have substantially subsided and the coating agent jets (2) has assumed a substantially steady state, so that the coating agent jets (2) ares then able to strike the component (3) unhindered by the intercepting device (4-12).
17. Coating process according to claim 15 or 16, characterised by the following steps when the coating agent jet is switched off:

    a) activating the intercepting device (4-12) before the coating agent jets (2) are switched off so that the coating agent jets (2) then no longer strike the component (3), and

    b) switching off the coating agent jets (2) after the intercepting device (4-12) has been activated, the coating agent jets (2) initially exhibiting unsteady switch-off conditions.

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