Patent Publication Number: US-2023142804-A1

Title: Systems and methods for paint application during paint submersion

Description:
INTRODUCTION 
     The technical field generally relates to systems and methods for paint application during a paint submersion operation, and more particularly relates to systems and methods for increasing paint flow and the application of paint in a vehicle paint submersion operation. 
     In certain manufacturing operations, an object may be submerged and passed through a paint bath to apply paint over exposed surfaces of the item. For example, during automotive manufacturing, a vehicle may be submerged and passed through a paint bath, which applies paint to the exposed surfaces of the vehicle. In certain instances, due to the shape or structure of the vehicle, for example, the paint may not be evenly applied over the exposed surfaces of the vehicle during the paint submersion operation. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide improved systems and methods for the application of paint to an object, such as a vehicle, during a paint submersion operation. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to various embodiments, provided is a paint application system for an object in a paint submersion operation. The paint application system includes at least one clamp configured to be coupled to the object, and an auxiliary vibration apparatus coupled to the at least one clamp. The auxiliary vibration apparatus is configured to introduce sympathetic vibrations into the object in the paint submersion operation. 
     The auxiliary vibration apparatus is an electric vibration motor. The paint application system includes a controller in communication with the electric vibration motor, and the controller is configured to control the electric vibration motor at a constant frequency. The paint application system includes a controller in communication with the electric vibration motor, and the controller is configured to control the electric vibration motor at a modulated frequency. The modulated frequency varies between a rated frequency of the electric vibration motor and up to 10% less of the rated frequency of the electric vibration motor. The paint application system includes a bracket coupled to the at least one clamp and to the auxiliary vibration apparatus to couple the auxiliary vibration apparatus to the at least one clamp. The object is a vehicle, and the at least one clamp is configured to be coupled to a body-in-white of the vehicle to introduce the sympathetic vibrations into the body-in-white. The at least one clamp is a horizontal J-hook toggle latch clamp. 
     Further provided is a method for paint application for an object in a paint submersion operation. The method includes coupling an auxiliary vibration apparatus to the object, and energizing the auxiliary vibration apparatus to introduce sympathetic vibrations into the object in the paint submersion operation. 
     The auxiliary vibration apparatus is an electric vibration motor. The energizing the auxiliary vibration apparatus includes controlling, by a processor, the electric vibration motor at a constant frequency. The energizing the auxiliary vibration apparatus includes controlling, by a processor, the electric vibration motor at a modulated frequency. The controlling, by the processor, the electric vibration motor at the modulated frequency includes varying a frequency between a rated frequency of the electric vibration motor and up to 10% less of the rated frequency of the electric vibration motor. The coupling of the auxiliary vibration apparatus to the object includes coupling the auxiliary vibration apparatus to the object with at least one clamp. The object is a vehicle and the coupling the auxiliary vibration apparatus to the object includes coupling the auxiliary vibration apparatus to a body-in-white of the vehicle or a carrier that supports the body-in-white during the paint submersion operation to introduce the sympathetic vibrations into the body-in-white or the carrier. 
     Also provided is a paint submersion system. The paint submersion system includes a bath having an entry, an exit opposite the entry, and a passage defined between the entry and the exit configured to be filled with a paint at a depth to submerge a vehicle. The paint submersion system includes a conveyor system configured to transport the vehicle through the bath from the entry to the exit, and the conveyor system includes a carrier configured to receive the vehicle. The paint submersion system includes a paint application system to be coupled to the vehicle or the carrier proximate the entry of the bath. The paint application system includes at least one clamp configured to couple the paint application system to the vehicle or the carrier, and an auxiliary vibration apparatus coupled to the at least one clamp. The auxiliary vibration apparatus is configured to introduce sympathetic vibrations into the vehicle as the vehicle is transported through the bath. 
     The auxiliary vibration apparatus is an electric vibration motor. The paint submersion system includes a controller in communication with the electric vibration motor, and the controller is configured to control the electric vibration motor at a constant frequency. The paint submersion system includes a controller in communication with the electric vibration motor, and the controller is configured to control the electric vibration motor at a modulated frequency that varies between a rated frequency of the electric vibration motor and up to 10% less of the rated frequency of the electric vibration motor. The paint submersion system includes a bracket coupled to the at least one clamp and to the auxiliary vibration apparatus to couple the auxiliary vibration apparatus to the at least one clamp. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The exemplary embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic illustration of an exemplary paint submersion operation for an object, such as a vehicle, which includes a system for paint application, in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded view of the system for paint application of  FIG.  1   ; and 
         FIG.  3    is a flowchart illustrating a paint application method that can be performed with the system for paint application in accordance with various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding introduction, brief summary or the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be described herein in terms of functional and/or logical block components and various processing steps. It should be appreciated that such block components may be realized by any number of hardware, software, and/or firmware components configured to perform the specified functions. For example, an embodiment of the present disclosure may employ various integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, digital signal processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, or the like, which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with any number of systems, and that the system described herein is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques related to signal processing, data transmission, signaling, control, machine learning models, radar, lidar, image analysis, and other functional aspects of the systems (and the individual operating components of the systems) may not be described in detail herein. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent example functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     With reference to  FIG.  1   , an exemplary paint submersion system or paint submersion operation is shown at  100 . In this example, the paint submersion operation  100  will be discussed as applying paint  102  to an exposed surface  104  of a body-in-white  106  of a vehicle  108  by passing the body-in-white  106  through a paint bath  112 , however, it should be understood that the paint submersion operation  100  and the techniques for paint application discussed herein are applicable to other paint submersion operations for other objects. In this example, the paint  102  contained in the paint bath  112  is a non-Newtonian thixotropic fluid. The body-in-white  106  generally comprises structural elements of the vehicle  108 , which are joined together. The body-in-white  106  may have a number of surfaces exposed to the paint  102  in the paint bath  112 , which may be generally referred to herein as the exposed surface  104  of the body-in-white  106 . The exposed surface  104  of the body-in-white  106  comprises the surface of the vehicle  108 , and the paint submersion operation  100  includes a system for paint application or paint application system  200  to ensure that the paint  102  is substantially evenly applied to the surface of the vehicle  108  as will be discussed herein. 
     In the example of  FIG.  1   , the paint submersion operation  100  includes a conveyor system  110  and the paint bath  112 . The conveyor system  110  guides the body-in-white  106  through the paint bath  112  to apply the paint  102  to the exposed surface  104 . Generally, the conveyor system  110  is any system suitable for carrying the body-in-white  106  through the paint bath  112 , and in one example, may include a carrier  114  and a track  116 . The carrier  114  is sized and shaped to receive and support the body-in-white  106  thereon, and may include a carrier arm  114 . 1  for supporting a portion of the paint application system  200 , as will be discussed herein. The carrier  114  also includes a floor panel  114 . 2  or other planar surface upon which the body-in-white  106  is coupled and secured for travel through the paint bath  112 . The carrier  114  is supported on the track  116 , and one or more actuators (not shown) may be used to propel the carrier  114  along the track  116 . The track  116  is defined through the paint bath  112 . The paint bath  112  may include any suitable containment structure for containing the paint  102  while permitting the carrier  114  with the body-in-white  106  to traverse through the paint bath  112 . For example, the paint bath  112  may include a plurality of walls  118  that cooperate to form a tank to enclose the paint bath  112  while defining an inlet or entry  112 . 1  at a first end and an outlet or exit  112 . 2  at a second end. The entry  112 . 1  and the exit  112 . 2  are vertically displaced above a main paint passage  112 . 3  of the paint bath  112 , which contains the paint  102 . Generally, the main paint passage  112 . 3  of the paint bath  112  is defined with a depth of paint  102  that enables a full submersion of the body-in-white  106  in the paint  102  to ensure that a roof  106 . 1  of the body-in-white  106  is covered by the paint  102 . The carrier  114  of the conveyor system  110  transports the body-in-white  106  from the entry  112 . 1  of the paint bath  112 , down through the main paint passage  112 . 3  and the paint  102  contained in the paint bath  112  and up to the exit  112 . 2  to apply paint to the exposed surface  104  of the vehicle  108 . Generally, the track  116  extends from the entry  112 . 1  through the main paint passage  112 . 3  to the exit  112 . 2 , and in this example, from the entry  112 . 1  to the main paint massage  112 . 3 , the track  116  extends down at about a 33 degree angle to direct the carrier  114  down into the main paint passage  112 . 3  for submersion of the body-in-white  106 . The track  116  extends substantially horizontally along the main paint passage  112 . 3 . From the main paint passage  112 . 3  to the exit  112 . 2 , the track  116  extends upward at about a 33 degree angle to direct the carrier  114  up to the exit  112 . 2 . The changes in the elevation of the track  116 , and the carrier  114  on the track  116 , may cause air bubbles to become trapped along the exposed surface  104  of the body-in-white  106 . In addition, the exiting of the carrier  114 , and the body-in-white  106 , from the main paint passage  112 . 3  may result in pooling of the paint  102  on the exposed surface  104  of the body-in-white  106 . As will be discussed, the paint application system  200  reduces the likelihood of the air bubbles becoming trapped along the exposed surface  104  of the body-in-white  106  and also reduces or inhibits pooling of the paint  102 , which improves application of the paint  102  to the exposed surface  104  of the body-in-white  106 . 
     The paint application system  200  ensures a substantially even application of the paint  102  to the exposed surface  104  by causing sheer forces in the paint  102  adjacent to and at the exposed surface  104 . In one example, the paint application system  200  includes a clamp  202 , a bracket  204 , an auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  and a controller  208 . As will be discussed, since the paint  102  is a non-Newtonian thixotropic fluid, the sheer forces in the paint  102  adjacent to and at the exposed surface  104  caused by the paint application system  200  result in the paint  102  becoming less viscous in direct relation to the fluid sheer rate. The reduced viscosity or thinning of the paint  102  adjacent to and at the exposed surface  104  enables air bubbles trapped during the submersion of the body-in-white  106  to escape and encourages pooled paint on the exposed surface  104  to flow, resulting in substantially even application of paint  102  to the exposed surface  104 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  2   , the paint application system  200  is shown in greater detail in an exploded view. The clamp  202  quickly and easily removably couples the paint application system  200  to the body-in-white  106  or to the carrier  114  ( FIG.  1   ) to traverse with the body-in-white  106  or the carrier  114  through the paint bath  112  from the entry  112 . 1  to the exit  112 . 2  ( FIG.  1   ). It should be noted that while a single clamp  202  is shown and described herein, the paint application system  200  may include any number of clamps  202  or mechanisms to removably couple the paint application system  200  to the body-in-white  106  or to the carrier  114  ( FIG.  1   ). In this example, the clamp  202  is a horizontal J-hook pull action or toggle latch clamp. Generally, the clamp  202  comprises any clamp that is capable of being coupled to the body-in-white  106  or to the carrier  114  ( FIG.  1   ) and also to the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206 . In this example, the clamp  202  includes a hook  212  and mounting bracket  214 . The hook  212  and the mounting bracket  214  are each composed of a metal or metal alloy, and may be stamped, cast, machined, etc. The hook  212  is coupled to the mounting bracket  214  via a toggle lever  216 . The hook  212  may be coupled to the toggle lever  216  via one or more mechanical fasteners, such as nuts that engage a threaded shaft of the hook  212 . The toggle lever  216  is coupled to the mounting bracket  214  via a mechanical fastener, such as a bolt. The toggle lever  216  is movable relative to the mounting bracket  214  for coupling the clamp  202  to the body-in-white  106  or to the carrier  114  ( FIG.  1   ). Generally, a movement of the toggle lever  216  toward the mounting bracket  214  to a horizontal position relative to the mounting bracket  214  retracts the hook  212  and applies a clamping force between the hook  212  and the mounting bracket  214  to couple the paint application system  200  to the body-in-white  106  or to the carrier  114  ( FIG.  1   ). A movement of the toggle lever  216  in an opposite direction, away from the mounting bracket  214  to a vertical position relative to the mounting bracket  214 , releases the hook  212  and the clamp force to enable removal of the clamp  202  and the paint application system  200  from body-in-white  106  or the carrier  114  ( FIG.  1   ). 
     Generally, the hook  212  enables the paint application system  200  to be coupled to a portion of the body-in-white  106 , such as to a floorboard of the body-in-white  106 . It should be noted that the hook  212  may also be used to couple the paint application system  200  to the trunk, roof, beam, pillar, panel, or other portion of the body-in-white  106 . The hook  212  may also be used to couple the paint application system  200  to the carrier  114  ( FIG.  1   ), by engaging with a surface of the carrier  114  or with the carrier arm  114 . 1 , for example. The mounting bracket  214  defines a plurality of fastening bores  218 , which receive a respective mechanical fastener, such as a bolt, to couple the clamp  202  to the bracket  204 . 
     The bracket  204  couples the clamp  202  to the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206 . It should be noted that the bracket  204  may be optional, as the clamp  202  may be coupled directly to the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206 . In one example, the bracket  204  is composed of a metal or metal alloy, and is cast, stamped, forged, machined, additively manufactured, etc. The bracket  204  transfers vibrations from the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  into the clamp  202 , which in turn, transfers the vibrations to the body-in-white  106  or to the carrier  114  that transmits them to the body-in-white  106  ( FIG.  1   ). The bracket  204  is illustrated as planar and rectangular, however, the bracket  204  may have any predetermined shape. The bracket  204  includes a plurality of clamp bores  220  and a plurality of apparatus bores  222 . The clamp bores  220  are coaxially aligned with the fastening bores  218  when the clamp  202  is coupled to the bracket  204 . In one example, the clamp bores  220  are threaded, and receive the mechanical fastener to couple the clamp  202  to the bracket  204 . It should be noted that the clamp bores  220  may be unthreaded, and washers and lock nuts may be employed with the bolts to couple the clamp  202  to the bracket  204 . The apparatus bores  222  are coaxially aligned with bores  224  of the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  when the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  is coupled to the bracket  204 . The apparatus bores  222  are threaded, and receive a mechanical fastener, such as a bolt, to couple the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  to the bracket  204 . It should be noted that the apparatus bores  222  may be unthreaded, and washers and lock nuts may be employed with the bolts to couple the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  to the bracket  204 . 
     In this example, the clamp bores  220  are defined on a first surface  204 . 1  of the bracket  204 , which is opposite a second surface  204 . 2 . The apparatus bores  222  are defined on the second surface  204 . 2 , and are offset from and misaligned with the clamp bores  220 . Thus, in this example, the bracket  204  is an adapter bracket for coupling the clamp  202  to the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  as in this example, the fastening bores  218  of the mounting bracket  214  are offset and misaligned with the bores  226  of the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206 . It should be noted that in other examples, the fastening bores  218  and the bores  226  of the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  may be coaxially aligned, and the clamp bores  220  and the apparatus bores  222  may also be coaxially aligned. It should be noted that while the bracket  204  is described and illustrated herein as being used with a single clamp  202 , if the bracket  204  is employed, the bracket  204  may be configured to be used with multiple clamps  202 , if desired. 
     The auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  introduces sympathetic vibrations to the body-in-white  106  or the carrier  114  that transmits the vibrations to the body-in-white  106  ( FIG.  1   ) to cause sheer stress adjacent to or at the exposed surface  104  of the body-in-white  106  ( FIG.  1   ). Sympathetic vibrations are vibrations introduced into the body-in-white  106  or the carrier  114  of generally the same period as the vibrations output by the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206 . The vibration of the carrier  114  caused by the sympathetic vibrations introduced by the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  into the carrier  114  causes sympathetic vibrations in the body-in-white  106  on the carrier  114 . Thus, generally, the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  introduces sympathetic vibrations into the vehicle  108  in the paint submersion operation  100  and the resulting sheer stress delivers a desirable even application of paint  102  to the exposed surface  104 . In one example, the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  is an ingress protection certified electric vibration motor. Generally, the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  has an ingress protection certification rating of IP65 to IP67, however, the paint  102  is unlikely to ingress into the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  as the body-in-white  106  and the carrier  114  ( FIG.  1   ) traverses through the paint bath  112 . In one example, the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  includes, but is not limited to, a 5.31b Dayton Electric Vibrator Motor, Model No. 23Y181, commercially available from W.W. Grainger Inc. of Lake Forest, Ill. In this example, the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  is an alternating current (AC) vibration motor, however, a direct current (DC) vibration motor may be used if desired. It should be noted, however, that any vibration apparatus or vibration motor may be employed to introduce sympathetic vibrations into the body-in-white  106  or the carrier  114  ( FIG.  1   ), and the vibration motor discussed herein is merely an example. In one example, the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  is overmolded with a waterproofing material to increase the ingress protection certification rating. For example, the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  is overmolded with the waterproofing to increase the ingress protection certification to IP67. Suitable waterproofing materials include may include an epoxy. In addition, while the paint application system  200  is described and illustrated herein as comprising a single one of the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206 , the paint application system  200  may include multiple auxiliary vibration apparatuses  206  if desired. 
     In this example, the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  includes a housing  228 , an electric motor  230  and an eccentric mass  232 . The housing  228  encloses the electric motor  230  and the eccentric mass  232 , and provides ingress protection. The housing  228  includes a flange  234 , and the bores  226  are defined in the flange  234 . The bores  226  receive the mechanical fastener, such as the bolt, to couple the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  to the bracket  204 . The electric motor  230  is an alternating current (AC) motor responsive to alternating current (AC) received from a power source  231  ( FIG.  1   ) to drive a rotor  230 . 1 . The eccentric mass  232  is coupled to the rotor  230 . 1 , and rotates with the rotor  230 . 1 . Since the mass  232  is eccentric or unbalanced, the rotation of the eccentric mass  232  generates a vibration, which passes through the housing  228  and induces sympathetic vibrations in the body-in-white  106  ( FIG.  1   ). In this example, the electric motor  230  is coupled to the power source  231  via a power cable  236  that extends outwardly from the housing  228 . The power cable  236  is positioned over or about the arm  114 . 1  of the carrier  114  to move with the carrier  114  and the body-in-white  106  through the paint bath  112  ( FIG.  1   ). The power cable  236  is coupled to the power source  231 , which includes, but not limited to, power supplied by an outlet adjacent to the paint bath  112  to provide power to the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206 . In other embodiments, the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  may include a battery pack or an on-board power supply such that the power cable  236  is not needed. 
     The controller  208  is in communication with the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  via a suitable communication medium that enables the transfer of data and power from the power cable  236  to the electric motor  230 . In one example, the controller  208  is disposed within the housing  228  so as to be protected from ingress of the paint  102 . It should be noted that in other examples, the controller  208  may be disposed on the bracket  204  or at another location to be in communication with the electric motor  230 . The controller  208  includes at least one processor  240  and a computer readable storage device or media  242 . The processor  240  can be any custom made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with the controller  208 , a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chip set), a macroprocessor, any combination thereof, or generally any device for executing instructions. The computer readable storage device or media  242  may include volatile and nonvolatile storage in read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and keep-alive memory (KAM), for example. KAM is a persistent or non-volatile memory that may be used to store various operating variables while the processor  240  is powered down. The computer-readable storage device or media  242  may be implemented using any of a number of known memory devices such as PROMs (programmable read-only memory), EPROMs (electrically PROM), EEPROMs (electrically erasable PROM), flash memory, or any other electric, magnetic, optical, or combination memory devices capable of storing data, some of which represent executable instructions, used by the controller  208  in controlling the electric motor  230  of the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206 . 
     The instructions may include one or more separate programs, each of which comprises an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. The instructions, when executed by the processor  240 , perform logic, calculations, methods and/or algorithms for controlling a frequency of the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206 , and generate control signals to control the frequency of the electric motor  230  of the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206 , and thus, the frequency of the vibrations, based on the logic, calculations, methods, and/or algorithms. Although only one controller  208  is shown in  FIG.  2   , embodiments of the paint application system  200  can include any number of controllers  208  that communicate over any suitable communication medium or a combination of communication mediums and that cooperate to generate control signals to control the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206 . 
     In various embodiments, the controller  208  is a programmable logic controller (PLC), which is programmed to supply the power from the power cable  236  to the electric motor  230  at a continuous frequency. In this example, the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  vibrates at a frequency of about 3600 Hertz (Hz), however, depending upon a natural resonant frequency of the body-in-white  106 , the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  may be predetermined to vibrate at a different frequency. The continuous vibrations output by the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  are transferred via the clamp  202  to the body-in-white  106  or to the carrier  114  to the body-in-white  106  ( FIG.  1   ) and cause the body-in-white  106  to vibrate as the body-in-white  106  traverses through the paint bath  112  on the conveyor system  110 . 
     In other embodiments, the controller  208  is programmed to control a variable frequency drive  250  that provides power to the electric motor  230  at a modulated frequency. In one example, the controller  208  is programmed to control the variable frequency drive  250  to vary or modulate the frequency of the vibrational output by the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  by about negative 5% (or 5% less) up to about negative 10% (or 10% less) of the rated frequency of the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206 . In the example of the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  having a rated frequency of about 3600 Hertz (Hz), the controller  208  outputs one or more control signals to the variable frequency drive  250  to modulate the frequency of the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206 , and thus, the frequency of the vibrations in a sinusoidal pattern between about 3600 Hertz (Hz) and about 3420 Hertz (Hz) (in the example of 10% less than the rated frequency) over a period of about two seconds. By modulating the frequency of the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206 , the controller  208  ensures that the body-in-white  106  is not vibrated at a multiple of its resonant frequency and may inhibit a standing wave vibration of the body-in-white  106 . 
     Generally, the vibration of the body-in-white  106  by either a constant or modulated frequency creates sheer forces in the paint  102  adjacent to and at the exposed surface  104  ( FIG.  1   ). Sheer forces in the paint bath  112  caused by the vibration of the body-in-white  106  taper off in relation to the distance from the exposed surface  104  of the body-in-white  106 . Since the paint  102  is a non-Newtonian thixotropic fluid, the sheer forces result in a viscosity gradient in the paint bath  112  orthogonal to the exposed surface  104 , with the least viscous (easiest to flow) paint  102  closest to and at the exposed surface  104  of the body-in-white  106 . The lower viscosity of the paint  102  at the exposed surface  104  results in a thinning of the paint  102  along the exposed surface  104 , which provides the improved paint flow. With improved paint flow along and touching the exposed surface  104 , the paint  102  more easily penetrates small gaps on and between the exposed surface  104 . In addition, the lower viscosity of the paint  102  at the exposed surface  104  makes it more likely air bubbles trapped under the paint  102  will escape from the exposed surface  104  of the body-in-white  106  ( FIG.  1   ). In addition, the vibration of the body-in-white  106  assists in breaking large air bubbles into smaller air bubbles, which also increases the likelihood of the air bubbles escaping from the exposed surface  104  through the thinner paint  102 . The vibration of the body-in-white  106  also enables pooled paint on the body-in-white  106  to flow for more even coverage of the paint  102  on the exposed surface  104  of the body-in-white  106  by breaking the surface tension of the paint  102  when exposed to air upon emerging from the main paint passage  112 . 3  of the paint bath  112 . The sympathetic vibration of the body-in-white  106  also assists in draining the paint  102  from the body-in-white  106  once emerged from the main paint passage  112 . 3 . 
     In one example, in order to assemble the paint application system  200 , the clamp  202  is coupled to the bracket  204  by inserting mechanical fasteners through the fastening bores  218  of the mounting bracket  214  and the clamp bores  220  of the bracket  204 . The auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  is coupled to the bracket  204  by inserting mechanical fasteners, such as bolts, through the bores  226  of the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  and the apparatus bores  222  of the bracket  204 . 
     With the paint application system  200  assembled, referring now to  FIG.  3   , and with continued reference to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , a flowchart illustrates a paint application method  300  in accordance with the present disclosure. In one example, the body-in-white  106  is coupled to or positioned on the carrier  114 , and the method begins at  302 . At  304 , the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  is coupled to the power source  231 . In the example of the electric motor  230  including the power cable  236 , the power cable  236  is positioned over the arm  114 . 1  of the carrier  114 . The controller  208  supplies the alternating current from the power source  231  to the electric motor  230  to energize the electric motor  230  to drive the rotor  230 . 1 , and thus, the eccentric mass  232  to generate vibrations at the rated frequency. In the example of the controller  208  controlling the electric motor  230  at a continuous frequency, the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  outputs vibrations at the rated frequency. In the example of the controller  208  controlling the variable frequency drive  250 , the variable frequency drive  250  modulates the frequency supplied to the electric motor  230  such that the vibrations output by the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  vary between the rated frequency and up to about 10 percent less than the rated frequency in a sinusoidal pattern over the predetermined period, which in one example, is about two seconds. 
     At  306 , with the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  generating vibrations at the continuous or modulated frequency, the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  is coupled to the body-in-white  106  or to the carrier  114  at the entry  112 . 1  of the paint bath  112 . In one example, with the toggle lever  216  raised substantially vertically to the mounting bracket  214 , the hook  212  of the clamp  202  is positioned about a portion of the body-in-white  106 , such as the floorboard, beam, pillar, or the like, and the toggle lever  216  is moved to extend substantially horizontal to the mounting bracket  214  to clamp the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  to the body-in-white  106 . It should be noted that the location for coupling the clamp  202  to the body-in-white  106  may vary for different models or types of vehicles  108 . In the example of coupling the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  to the carrier  114 , the hook  212  of the clamp  202  is positioned about a portion of the carrier  114 , such as the floor panel  114 . 2 , and the toggle lever  216  is moved to extend substantially horizontal to the mounting bracket  214  to clamp the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  to the carrier  114 . 
     With the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  coupled to the body-in-white  106  or the carrier  114 , the vibrations output by the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  result in sympathetic vibrations or vibrations in the body-in-white  106 . At  308 , with the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  generating vibrations at the continuous or modulated frequency, the carrier  114  is conveyed or traverses the paint bath  112  along the conveyor system  110  from the entry  112 . 1 , through the main paint passage  112 . 3 , to the exit  112 . 2  of the paint bath  112 . The continual or modulated vibrations output by the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  result in reduced viscosity of the paint  102  proximate and at the exposed surface  104  of the body-in-white  106 , which reduces paint bubbles and pooling on the body-in-white  106  during submersion and travel of the body-in-white  106  through the paint bath  112  from the entry  112 . 1  to the exit  112 . 2  and thereby improves an application of the paint  102  to the body-in-white  106 . In addition, by improving the application of the paint  102  to the body-in-white  106 , a noise, vibration, and harshness of the vehicle  108  may be reduced along with a susceptibility to corrosion. 
     At  310 , at the exit  112 . 2  of the paint bath  112 , in one example, the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  remains coupled to the body-in-white  106  or the carrier  114  for a predetermined delay period. In one example, the predetermined delay period is about 15 seconds to about a minute. By having the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  remain coupled to the body-in-white  106  or the carrier  114  over the predetermined delay period, the vibrations output at the continuous or modulated frequency into the body-in-white  106  or the carrier  114  assists with the draining of the paint  102  from the body-in-white  106  after exiting the paint bath  112 , and also reduces pooling of the paint  102  on the body-in-white  106 . Thus, by remaining coupled to the body-in-white  106  or the carrier  114  during the predetermined delay period, the application of the paint  102  to the body-in-white  106  is improved. At the expiration of the predetermined delay period, the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  is uncoupled from the body-in-white  106  or the carrier  114  at the exit  112 . 2  of the paint bath  112 . It should be noted that in other examples, the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  may be uncoupled from the body-in-white  106  or the carrier  114  upon the exit of the body-in-white  106  from the paint bath  112 . In order to uncouple the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  from the body-in-white  106  or the carrier  114 , with the toggle lever  216  substantially horizontal to the mounting bracket  214 , the toggle lever  216  is raised to extend substantially vertical to the mounting bracket  214  to unclamp the hook  212  so the hook  212  may be unhooked from the body-in-white  106  or the carrier  114 . The power cable  236  is uncoupled from the arm  114 . 1  of the carrier  114 . The method ends at  312 . The auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  may be returned to proximate the entry  112 . 1  of the paint bath  112  for use with another vehicle  108 . 
     Thus, the paint application system  200  improves the application of the paint  102  to the vehicle  108  in the paint submersion operation  100  by providing the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206 , which is quickly and easily coupled to the body-in-white  106  or the carrier  114  upon entry and exit from the paint bath  112 . In addition, the paint application system  200  does not require modifications to the conveyor system  110  or the paint bath  112  to improve the application of the paint  102  to the vehicle  108 . The paint application system  200  also does not interfere with the electrostatic deposition of the paint  102 , if employed. Further, the paint application system  200  is reusable, which reduces costs. It should be noted that while the paint application system  200  is discussed herein for introducing shear forces into the paint bath  112 , a portion of the conveyor system  110  disposed in the paint bath  112  may also include an electric vibration motor alternatively or in addition to the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  of the paint application system  200 . In addition, while the paint application system  200  is described herein as outputting vibrations continuously or at the modulated frequency from the entry  112 . 1 , through the main paint passage  112 . 3  and to the exit  112 . 2  of the paint bath  112  such that the body-in-white  106  is subject to sympathetic vibrations continuously throughout the travel of the body-in-white  106  through the paint bath  112 , in other examples, the auxiliary vibration apparatus  206  may be controlled to introduce sympathetic vibrations at discrete locations within the paint bath  112  as the body-in-white  106  traverses the paint bath  112  from the entry  112 . 1  to the exit  112 . 2 . 
     While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.