GB2509997A - Apparatus for repairing damage to vehicle paintwork - Google Patents

Apparatus for repairing damage to vehicle paintwork Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2509997A
GB2509997A GB201302495A GB201302495A GB2509997A GB 2509997 A GB2509997 A GB 2509997A GB 201302495 A GB201302495 A GB 201302495A GB 201302495 A GB201302495 A GB 201302495A GB 2509997 A GB2509997 A GB 2509997A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
colour
area
fig4
paint
damage
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB201302495A
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GB2509997B (en
GB201302495D0 (en
Inventor
Austin John Essam
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication of GB201302495D0 publication Critical patent/GB201302495D0/en
Publication of GB2509997A publication Critical patent/GB2509997A/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C17/00—Hand tools or apparatus using hand held tools, for applying liquids or other fluent materials to, for spreading applied liquids or other fluent materials on, or for partially removing applied liquids or other fluent materials from, surfaces
    • B05C17/10—Hand tools for removing partially or for spreading or redistributing applied liquids or other fluent materials, e.g. colour touchers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C11/00—Component parts, details or accessories not specifically provided for in groups B05C1/00 - B05C9/00
    • B05C11/10—Storage, supply or control of liquid or other fluent material; Recovery of excess liquid or other fluent material
    • B05C11/1002—Means for controlling supply, i.e. flow or pressure, of liquid or other fluent material to the applying apparatus, e.g. valves
    • B05C11/1015—Means for controlling supply, i.e. flow or pressure, of liquid or other fluent material to the applying apparatus, e.g. valves responsive to a conditions of ambient medium or target, e.g. humidity, temperature ; responsive to position or movement of the coating head relative to the target
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C9/00—Apparatus or plant for applying liquid or other fluent material to surfaces by means not covered by any preceding group, or in which the means of applying the liquid or other fluent material is not important
    • B05C9/08—Apparatus or plant for applying liquid or other fluent material to surfaces by means not covered by any preceding group, or in which the means of applying the liquid or other fluent material is not important for applying liquid or other fluent material and performing an auxiliary operation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D5/00—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures
    • B05D5/005—Repairing damaged coatings
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/84—Systems specially adapted for particular applications
    • G01N21/88—Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
    • G01N21/8806—Specially adapted optical and illumination features

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)

Abstract

Automated, standalone, independent, self determining apparatus, for analysing, measuring and repairing damage to motor vehicle paintwork. The apparatus comprises a means (CPU) 8 for digitally recording undamaged areas of the colour layer and its colour composition, mapping the area of damage, a means for removing any raised portion of the damage back to a smooth surface. There is a means to fill the damaged area with colour matched paint, a means to cure the filled area, a means to harvest existing material surrounding the damage to make a colour match, a means 15 to deposit the harvested paint to the damaged area, a means to alter the colour of the colour layer, a means to apply lacquer to the damaged area, a means to cure the lacquer. The apparatus uses a laser 4 to scan the area and also to assist in removing paint and to cure paint.

Description

Title: APPARATUS FOR REPAIRING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE PAINTWORK
Description:
The present invention relates to a standalone, independent, self determining, automated means of repairing damage to vehicle paintwork using a laser, its force at varying strengths, to analyse, measure, remove, and repair small areas of damaged to vehicle paintwork such as that produced by stone chips. The unit is able to operate as a standalone, self-contained unit independently of a computer network or system. Whilst describing the invention as using a laser for applying force/energy to the paint/paintwork means such as directed sound or other means of force/energy could be used to achieve the processes described.
Because of the difficulties of colour matching new paintwork with existing paintwork the repair process requires the paint to be mixed to the existing specification/colour and then applied to the surface, problems occur with this method to get an exact colour match due to the ageing of the existing paintwork. Current professional methods of repairing small areas of damaged paintwork involve the colour matching and painting of complete panels at the same time feathering paint onto adjacent panels; this is wasteful in terms of energy, materials and resources. Other methods involve applying small amounts of paint by brush or other means until the paint cures, several iterations of this process are required until the paint applied is above the level of existing paintwork and then needs rubbing back using abrasive papers until the desired finish is achieved, this method is very time consuming and the amateur repairer may not achieve a good finish.
Whilst the invention described uses vehicle paint as an example, the processes described could be used for a means to repair/change the structure of other surfaces. Also the scale of the invention whilst being described for small areas such as stone chips could be scaled up to a means to repair larger areas.
The basic unit (Fig3) uses colour matched paint along with the laser to achieve the repair.
Whilst the basic unit invention (Fig3) described is colour match paint means to complete the repair; the invention in an enhanced version (Fig4) utilises methods of harvesting some of the vehicles existing paint colour layer to achieve the repair.
The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 indicates a flat area of damage to paintwork.
Figure 2 raised area caused by impact damage.
Figure 3 the basic unit.
Figure 4 the enhanced unit.
The Basic Unit (Fig3) The device is attached over the damaged area by supporting devices not shown, this could be for instance by suction cups attached to adjustable arms. The area to be worked on is sealed by the seal (2) (Fig3). Power is connected to the power supply connector (14) (Fig3) the unit is powered on by pressing an illuminated on/off button (13) (Fig3). The laser (4) (Fig3) by means of the laser positioning system (5) (Fig]) begins to scan the area to determine a consistent flat layer of colour matched undamaged paintwork and its colour composition (1) (Figl) creating a map of the damaged area (2) (Fig 1) and colour composition of the colour layer (1) (figl)to be stored in the Central Processing Unit (CPU) (8) (Fig3) as a digital map, represented by (3) (figl) an alternative means could be the unit could scan for abnormal areas of colour. The CPU (8) (Fig3) instructs the laser (4) (Fig]) by means of the laser positioning system (5) (Fig3) to scan using the digital map already stored in the CPU (8) (Fig3) represented by (3) (figl) for raised areas creating a raised digital map in the CPU (8) (Fig]) of the damaged area (5) (Fig 2). The CPU (8) (Fig3) instructs the laser (4) (Fig]) by means of the laser positioning system (5) (Fig3) from the data stored in the CPU (8) (Fig]) to remove/burn off the raised damaged area (5) (Fig 2). The CPU (8) (Fig]) instructs the laser (4) (Fig3) by means of the laser positioning system (5) (Fig3) to scan to determine the depth of the base layer (3) (Fig2) colour layer (2) (Fig2) and lacquer layer (1) (Fig2) recording this data as a digital map in the CPU (8) (Fig3). The laser (4) (Fig]) by means of the laser positioning system (5) (Fig]) and using the data stored in the CPU (8) (Fig]) removes an area of lacquer beyond the damaged area (2) (figi). The laser positioning system (5) (Fig3) moves to present flexible pipe (15) (Fig]) to a position above the damaged area determined from the digital map held in the CPU (8) (Fig3). Solenoid valve (6) (Fig3) via pipe (15) (Fig]) deposits a colour matched layer of paint via a reservoir (not shown) to the damaged area (2) (fig 1) several iterations of this process may be required before the area is covered, the laser (4) (Fig]) via the laser positioning system (5) (Fig3) continuously checking for cover until the original height of the colour layer is matched. The CPU (8) (Fig]) instructs the laser to cure the paint and remove/burn off any leftover base layer paint from the undamaged paintwork area (1) (Fig 1) this process may involve several iterations the laser (4) (Fig3) via the laser positioning system (5) (fig3) continuously checking for cover. The CPU (8) (Fig3) instructs the laser (4) (Fig3) via the laser positioning system (5) (Fig]) to scan for a colour match against the surrounding paint area existing colour (1) (figl). Dependant on the match the laser (4) (Fig3) by means of the laser and the positioning system (5) (Fig3) could lighten or darken the colour area to match the existing scanned colour (1) (Fig 1). The laser positioning system (5) (Fig]) moves to present flexible pipe (9) (Fig3) to a position above the damaged area determined from the digital map in the CPU (8) (Fig3) solenoid valve (7) (Fig]) via flexible pipe (9) (Fig]) deposits a layer of lacquer via a reservoir (not shown) to the finished painted area. The CPU (8) (Fig]) instructs the laser (4) (Fig]) by means of the laser positioning system (5) (Fig3) to level the area of lacquer previously determined from the digital map held in CPU (8) (Fig]) and cure the lacquer layer (1) (Fig2). The process is completed when the on/off button indicator (1]) (Fig3) changes colour to indicate to the operator when to remove the unit.
The Enhanced Unit (Fig 4) Figure 1 indicates a flat area of damage to paintwork, figure 2 raised area caused by impact damage.
The embodiment of the invention utilises methods of harvesting some of the vehicles existing paint colour layer (1) (Figi) to achieve the repair and is known as The Enhanced Unit (Fig 4) and is described below: The device is attached over the damaged area by supporting devices not shown, this could be for instance by suction cups attached to adjustable arms. The area to be worked on is sealed by the seal (2) (Fig4). Power is connected to the power supply connector (14) (Fig4) the unit is powered on by pressing an illuminated on/off button (13) (Fig4). The laser (4) (Fig4) by means of the laser positioning system (5) (Fig4) begins to scan the area to determine a consistent flat layer of colour matched undamaged paintwork and its colour composition (1) (Figl) creating a map of the damaged area (2) (Fig 1) and colour composition of the colour layer (1) (figi) to be stored in the Central Processing Unit (CPU) (8) (Fig4) as a digital map represented by (3) (figi) an alternative means could be the unit could scan for abnormal areas of colour. The CPU (8) (Fig4) instructs the laser (4) (Fig4) by means of the laser positioning system (5) (Fig4) to scan using the digital map already stored in the CPU (8) (Fig4) represented by (3) (figl) for raised areas creating a raised digital map in the CPU (8) (Fig4) of the damaged area (5) (Fig 2). The CPU (8) (Fig4) instructs the laser (4) (Fig4) by means of the laser positioning system (5) (Fig4) from the data stored in the CPU (8) (Fig4) to remove/burn off the raised damaged area shown in (5) (Fig 2). The CPU (8) (Fig4) instructs the laser (4) (Fig4) by means of the laser positioning system (5) (Fig4) to scan to determine the depth of the base layer (3) (Fig2) colour layer (2) (Fig2) and lacquer layer (1) (Fig2) recording this data as a digital map in the CPU (8) (Fig4). The laser (4) (Fig4) by means of the laser positioning system (5) (Fig4) and using the data stored in the CPU (8) (Fig4) removes an area of lacquer beyond the damaged area (2) (figl).
The particle collector (10) (Fig4) which consists of multiple separate sections is now charged and lowered by the linear motor mechanism (11) (Fig4) The laser (4) (Fig4) by means of the laser positioning system (5) (Fig4) removes small particles of the colour layer surrounding the damaged area (2) (figl) the small particles of colour layer being attracted to the now charged collector (10) (Fig4) on completion the particle collector (10) (Fig4) is raised by the linear motor (11) (Fig4). The laser positioning system (5) (Fig4) moves to present flexible pipe (15) (Fig4) to a position above the damaged area represented by (3) (Figl) determined from the digital map held in the CPU (8) (Fig4).
Solenoid valve (6) (Fig4) via pipe (15) (Fig4) deposits a base layer of paint via a reservoir (not shown) to the damaged area (2) (fig 1) several iterations of this process may be required before the area is covered) the laser (4) (Fig4) via the laser positioning system (5) (Fig4) continuously checking for cover until the area is covered to a depth just below the existing colour layer (1) (Fig2). The CPU (8) (Fig4) instructs the laser (4) (Fig4) by means of the laser positioning system (5) (Fig4) to cure the base layer paint level and remove/burn off any leftover base layer paint from the undamaged paintwork area (1) (Fig 1). The particle collector (10) (Fig4) is lowered to the paint surface by means of the linear motor mechanism (11) (Fig4). The laser positioning system (5) (Fig4) moves the particle collector (10) (Fig4) so that sections of the particle collector (10) (Fig4) are positioned above the damaged area (2) (figl) and that section of the charged particle collector (10) (Fig4) is switched off allowing the recovered particles to collect on the paint surface (2) (figl) iterations of this process continue until all sections are discharged and the area covered. The CPU (8) (Fig4) instructs the laser (4) (Fig4) and the laser positioning system (5) (Fig4) to liquefy the particles on to the base paint layer (3) (Fig2) the laser (4) (Fig4) via the laser positioning system (5) (Fig4) continuously checking for cover, several iterations of the above processes may be necessary to achieve the desired cover. The CPU (8) (Fig4) instructs the laser (4) (Fig4) and the laser positioning system (5) (Fig4) to scan for a colour match against the surrounding paint area existing colour (1) (figi). Dependant on the match the laser (4) (Fig4) by means of the laser positioning system (5) (Fig4) could lighten or darken the colour area to match the existing scanned colour (1) (Fig 1). The laser positioning system (5) (Fig4) moves to present flexible pipe (9) (Fig4) to a position above the damaged area (2) (Figi) determined from the digital map in the CPU (8) (Fig4) solenoid valve (7) (Fig4) via flexible pipe (9) (Fig4) deposits a layer of lacquer via a reservoir (not shown) to the finished painted area. The CPU (8) (Fig4) instructs the laser (4) (Fig4) by means of the laser positioning system (5) (Fig4) to level the area of lacquer previously determined from the digital map held in CPU (8) (Fig4) and cure the lacquer layer. The process is completed when the on/off button indicator (13) (Fig4) changes colour to indicate to the operator when to remove the unit.
It should be noted that whilst the description describes the methods above, the sequence of actions or level of equipment can be varied and steps introduced or removed to achieve the desired results.
Whilst the paint harvesting method is described as a charged device, other means of harvesting the existing paint could be utilized. The term liquefy by the laser could also be replaced by other means such as chemicals to make changes to the collected colour layer paints structure or move the paint collected off the collector. Further enhancements to the digital map could be by adding a third dimension view to the existing 2 dimension flat and raised areas of damage. Damage to the substrate (4) (fig2) can be catered for in the depth of the base layer paint applied.

Claims (15)

  1. PageS of 6 What is claimed is: 1. A standalone automated apparatus by the use of a laser for measuring, analysing, changing and repairing damage to vehicle paintwork.
  2. 2. Apparatus as claimed in 1 by other means of force or energy for measuring, analysing, changing and repairing damage to vehicle paintwork.
  3. 3. Apparatus as claimed in ito analyse the colour composition of the colour layer.
  4. 4. Apparatus as claimed in 1 including a means to harvest the existing colour layer from around the damaged area.
  5. 5. Apparatus as claimed in 1 including a means to deposit the harvested colour layer to the repair area.
  6. 6. Apparatus as claimed in 1 including a means to liquefy the harvested colour layer.
  7. 7. Apparatus as claimed in 1 including a means to measure the flat area of damage.
  8. 8. Apparatus as claimed in 1 including a means measure the raised area of damage.
  9. 9. Apparatus as claimed in 1 including a means to smooth the raised damage to the existing paintwork level.
  10. 10. Apparatus as claimed in 1 including a means to raise the level of the surface of the damaged area to the same level as the existing paintwork.
  11. 11. Apparatus as claimed in 1 including a means to analyse the colour match and adjust as necessary.
  12. 12. Apparatus as claimed in 1 including a means to deposit a colour matched paint to the area defined in the digital map.
  13. 13. Apparatus as claimed in 1 including a means to cure the deposited paint.
  14. 14. Apparatus as claimed in 1 including a means to deposit lacquer to the paint surface to the area defined in the digital map.
  15. 15. Apparatus as claimed in 1 including a means to cure the deposited lacquer.
GB201302495A 2013-01-21 2013-02-13 Apparatus for repairing damage to vehicle paintwork Active GB2509997B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB201301008A GB201301008D0 (en) 2013-01-21 2013-01-21 Automated apparatus for analysing and repairing damage to motor vehicle paintwork

Publications (3)

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GB201302495D0 GB201302495D0 (en) 2013-03-27
GB2509997A true GB2509997A (en) 2014-07-23
GB2509997B GB2509997B (en) 2015-03-11

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GB201301008A Ceased GB201301008D0 (en) 2013-01-21 2013-01-21 Automated apparatus for analysing and repairing damage to motor vehicle paintwork
GB201302495A Active GB2509997B (en) 2013-01-21 2013-02-13 Apparatus for repairing damage to vehicle paintwork

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19720945A1 (en) * 1996-05-25 1997-11-27 Volkswagen Ag Car body coachwork paint repair method
DE19720894A1 (en) * 1996-05-25 1997-11-27 Volkswagen Ag Laser source to repair paint flaws on car body coachwork
DE19809982A1 (en) * 1998-03-09 1999-09-16 Volkswagen Ag Paint fault repair process for vehicle bodywork
US6187375B1 (en) * 1995-10-20 2001-02-13 Audi Ag Method of repairing coating defects
US20030139836A1 (en) * 2002-01-24 2003-07-24 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Paint defect automated seek and repair assembly and method
DE10347905A1 (en) * 2003-10-15 2005-06-02 Volkswagen Ag Process for repairing flaws in a coat of lacquer, especially small flaws, comprises a step in which a lacquer is applied to a prepared flaw and/or a subsequent step that are carried out in an automated process
DE102011078391A1 (en) * 2011-06-30 2013-01-03 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Method for repairing paint defects in form of particle-like projections on film surface of matt painted motor vehicle components, involves removing paint defect remaining on painted surface of paint coated layer using high energy beam

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6187375B1 (en) * 1995-10-20 2001-02-13 Audi Ag Method of repairing coating defects
DE19720945A1 (en) * 1996-05-25 1997-11-27 Volkswagen Ag Car body coachwork paint repair method
DE19720894A1 (en) * 1996-05-25 1997-11-27 Volkswagen Ag Laser source to repair paint flaws on car body coachwork
DE19809982A1 (en) * 1998-03-09 1999-09-16 Volkswagen Ag Paint fault repair process for vehicle bodywork
US20030139836A1 (en) * 2002-01-24 2003-07-24 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Paint defect automated seek and repair assembly and method
DE10347905A1 (en) * 2003-10-15 2005-06-02 Volkswagen Ag Process for repairing flaws in a coat of lacquer, especially small flaws, comprises a step in which a lacquer is applied to a prepared flaw and/or a subsequent step that are carried out in an automated process
DE102011078391A1 (en) * 2011-06-30 2013-01-03 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Method for repairing paint defects in form of particle-like projections on film surface of matt painted motor vehicle components, involves removing paint defect remaining on painted surface of paint coated layer using high energy beam

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2509997B (en) 2015-03-11
GB201301008D0 (en) 2013-03-06
GB201302495D0 (en) 2013-03-27

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