Metering system with actuator unit and detachably coupled fluid unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a dosing system (100) having an actuator unit (60) and a fluid unit (10) detachably coupled thereto, wherein the fluid unit (10) has a nozzle (20) and a movably supported element (30), the actuator unit (60) has an actuator system (90) for manipulating the movable element (30) of the fluid unit (10), wherein the fluid unit (10) has a first plug-in coupling part (11) and the actuator unit (60) has a second plug-in coupling part (61), the first and second plug-in coupling parts being insertable into one another along a plug-in axis (S) to couple the fluid unit (10) to the actuator unit (60) and to one another. The invention also relates to a fluid unit (10) and an actuator unit (60) for such a dosing system (100) and to a method for detachably coupling a fluid unit (10) and an actuator unit (60) of a dosing system (100).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a metering system having an actuator unit and a fluid unit detachably coupled to the actuator unit. The invention also relates to a corresponding fluid unit and a corresponding actuator unit for such a metering system, and a method for detachably connecting the fluid unit and actuator unit of the metering system without tools. Background Technology

[0002] The metering systems of the type described at the beginning are used to selectively meter media, typically liquid to viscous substances, in various applications. In many applications of this “micrometering technology,” it is necessary to apply very small amounts of the media with great precision to a target surface without bringing the metering system itself into contact with the surface (this contactless method is often referred to as a “spraying method”). Typical examples of this include metering adhesive points, solder, etc., when assembling circuit boards or other electronic components, or applying conversion materials to LEDs. A particular challenge lies in delivering the media with high precision—that is, at the right time, in the right place, and in a precisely metered quantity—to the target surface.

[0003] This is achieved by outputting small droplets via nozzles of the metering system, where the size of the droplets or the amount of medium in each droplet can be predetermined as precisely as possible through nozzle construction and manipulation, and the resulting effect. A preferred method is to eject the individual droplets in a manner similar to the "inkjet printing method" used, particularly in inkjet printers (sometimes referred to as an "open system"). The nozzle typically has a very small nozzle orifice, and a movable sealing element or "ejection element" is movably arranged within or before the nozzle orifice. This sealing or ejection element is often a thin push rod, which impinges forward at a relatively high speed towards the nozzle orifice inside the nozzle, thereby ejecting droplets of medium. To eject droplets again, the push rod is pulled back. Furthermore, in most systems, the push rod can be introduced into a closed position, in which it is fixedly connected to a sealing seat at the nozzle orifice and remains there to temporarily close the metering system. In viscous metering media, it is sufficient to simply hold the push rod in the pulled-back position, i.e., away from the nozzle seat, without ejecting any droplets of medium. In other metering systems, the nozzle is temporarily opened by pulling back the closing element from the nozzle's sealing seat, thereby expelling droplets of the metering medium from the nozzle, for example, due to gravity and / or pressure within the nozzle. The nozzle is then closed again on the sealing seat by the movement of the closing element or the ejection element.

[0004] An actuator system is used to move a sealing element or an ejector element, for example, to move a push rod. Such an actuator system can be implemented in various ways, such as having a number of piezoelectric actuator elements, having one or more hydraulically, pneumatically, and / or electromagnetically driven actuators, etc. The actuators or actuator elements of the actuator system can act directly on the sealing element or ejector element (i.e., the push rod) or indirectly on the sealing element or ejector element via the motion mechanism of the actuator system, depending on the specific configuration.

[0005] This invention can be applied to all of the aforementioned variations regardless of the specific ejection principle, i.e., the ejection method, the open inkjet method, or the typical closed element, and regardless of the principle of the actuator system.

[0006] The medium to be metered is typically delivered as directly as possible to the nozzle through the input channel, and therein it only contacts the internal space of the nozzle and mostly only the front area of ​​the sealing element or ejection element, such as the tip of the push rod. If an error occurs during metering, in known micrometering systems, in most cases it is not due to a problem with the actuator system, but rather to some kind of blockage in the nozzle of the metering system or the delivery line for the medium, or to exceed the medium dripping time. In this case, it is advantageous that the nozzle can be replaced as quickly as possible along with the delivery line, without altering the actuator system. This is advantageous when changing media, because at this point, the nozzle and delivery line must first be cleaned with the medium before using another medium.

[0007] Therefore, the metering system according to the invention, as described at the beginning, is advantageously divided into an actuator unit and a fluid unit, which are detachably coupled to each other. Here, the fluid unit refers to a component or assembly comprising a nozzle for metering the medium and a medium-to-nozzle delivery line, i.e., all parts in direct contact with the medium and elements that need to be mounted together or held in their position on the fluid unit (also referred to as a fluid assembly). The actuator unit is understood below to include a component for driving a closing element or ejection element in the nozzle, i.e., a push rod. The actuator unit (also referred to as an actuator assembly, drive unit, etc.) particularly includes an actuator system having one or more actuator elements and, if necessary, a motion mechanism, thereby enabling manipulation of the movable elements (i.e., closing elements or ejection elements) of the fluid unit. Furthermore, the actuator unit may include multiple elements to mount or hold all components of the actuator unit together or in their position on the actuator unit and, if necessary, a control unit and / or a port to (if necessary, another) control unit, so as to allow manipulation of the actuator system.

[0008] Many commercially available metering systems already employ this separation between the actuator unit and the fluid unit. However, the actuator unit and fluid unit require relatively cumbersome coupling, as they must be threaded together or mounted to each other via other fixing elements that must be manipulated with suitable tools. EP3095521 A1 also describes an electro-jet system in which a tilting mechanism with a tilting plate-like carrier is arranged below the piezoelectrically operated actuator unit, into which the fluid unit is placed. The carrier then tilts upwards. In its tilted state, the carrier is anchored to the exterior of the housing, thereby pressing the fluid unit and actuator unit together. This allows for faster coupling of the fluid unit and actuator unit, but it remains relatively cumbersome because the fluid unit must first be positioned within the carrier of the tilting mechanism, then the carrier must be tilted and properly stopped or anchored. Here, the fluid unit is secured to the actuator unit only by an exact relative positioning between the fluid unit and the actuator unit, which also necessitates that the media inlet and / or the media container located on the fluid unit always be positioned in the same location or on the same side as the actuator unit. It is important to consider that when the metering system (e.g., during initial installation) is placed on a table prior to the installer, in a very confined space with significant equipment complexity, multiple other metering systems on each side, and a tangled mess of input lines and cables, it is often impossible to replace the fluid unit on the metering system. Furthermore, it is not always possible to ensure access to the metering system from different sides, which can cause problems when replacing fluid units in metering systems with flipping mechanisms. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a metering system for improving the detachable connection of a fluid unit and an actuator unit, and a fluid unit and actuator unit that can be used for this purpose, as well as a method for detachably connecting the fluid unit and the actuator unit.

[0010] This objective is achieved by the metering system according to claim 1, the fluid unit according to claim 14, the actuator unit according to claim 15, and the method according to claim 16.

[0011] In the metering system according to the invention, the fluid unit or fluid assembly, as described above, has a nozzle and a movably supported element (or closure and ejection element), such as a push rod. The actuator unit or actuator assembly has an actuator system to manipulate the movable element of the fluid unit. According to the invention, the fluid unit has a first plug-in connection and the actuator unit has a second plug-in connection, the first and second plug-in connections being insertable into each other along a (virtual or imaginary) plug-in axis to connect the fluid unit to the actuator unit and simultaneously couple with each other. That is, the first plug-in connection of the fluid unit and the second plug-in connection of the actuator unit (which may also be referred to as "paired plug-in connections") work together so that they can not only be inserted into each other, but also achieve a detachable fastening of the plug-in connections in each other through the special construction of the plug-in connections and the devices that act accordingly in the plug-in connections directly. This method of plugging in the connecting parts forms a quick-connect section, which allows the fluid unit, i.e., the entire fluid assembly and its components, especially the nozzle and movablely supported elements, to be connected to the actuator unit without tools, and correspondingly, to be disconnected from the fluid unit without tools. By directly coupling the plug-in connecting parts to each other, further advantages, which will be detailed later, are obtained depending on the specific design of the elements acting together for connecting the plug-in connecting parts. Here, "direct coupling" means that no other fasteners are needed besides the acting devices directly in the plug-in connecting parts; the acting devices interact or can interact with each other when the plug-in connecting parts are inserted into each other. This differs from the case in conventional metering systems, where additional fasteners, such as additional screws or other fasteners that require tools to install and then disconnect, especially remove, the fluid unit and / or actuator unit, are not needed for connection. Preferably, the insertion axis extends parallel to, and particularly preferably coaxial with, the ejection direction, from which the medium to be measured is ejected or flows out of the nozzle of the fluid unit. It also eliminates the need to install or remove different parts or elements of the fluid unit that come into contact with the medium, such as sealing or ejection elements (e.g., push rods), from the actuator unit in different processes; instead, the two components can be easily joined and separated.

[0012] In the method according to the invention for detachably coupling a fluid unit and an actuator unit in a metering system, the plug-in connection components of the fluid unit and the actuator unit are inserted into each other along a (virtual or imaginary) plug-in axis and directly coupled to each other. In the assembled metering system having a fluid unit already coupled to the actuator unit, the first plug-in connection component and the second plug-in connection component are inserted into each other and advantageously coupled to each other as described.

[0013] The fluid unit for such a metering system according to the invention may also be referred to as a "replaceable fluid unit" or even a "quick-change fluid unit." The fluid unit for such a metering system according to the invention must have a first plug-in connection component that can be inserted into or connected via a second plug-in connection component of the actuator unit of the metering system along an (imaginary) plug-in axis and coupled thereto. Thus, the fluid unit is detachably coupled to the actuator unit, as described, so that the actuator system or actuator assembly of the actuator unit can manipulate the movablely supported elements of the fluid unit. Furthermore, the fluid unit can be constructed in any manner with approximately arbitrary components; that is, it can be, as described above, an assembly generally comprising a nozzle for metering the medium and a delivery line for the medium, as well as movable elements within the nozzle, such as closure and / or ejection elements (e.g., push rods), and other components that are in direct contact with the medium or advantageously correspond to the fluid unit, particularly elements and components for supporting the movable closure or ejection elements within the nozzle. The fluid unit preferably also includes a connector and / or a container for a medium, such as a hose connector, through which the medium is introduced into the fluid unit. The container is directly coupled to the fluid unit or may also involve a (replaceable) part of the fluid unit.

[0014] The actuator unit according to the invention has a second plug-in connection member that can be inserted into or connected to the first plug-in connection member of the fluid unit of the metering system along an imaginary plug-in axis, thereby detachably coupling the fluid unit to the actuator unit. Furthermore, the actuator unit can be arbitrarily constructed and can have any mechanism or actuator element, such as mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and / or electrical elements, especially electromechanical elements, particularly piezoelectric actuators. The actuator unit should have a connector for operating the actuator element, and if necessary, the actuator unit itself may also include a control device.

[0015] Other particularly advantageous designs and modifications of the invention are derived from the dependent claims and the following description, wherein the claims in the claim classification may also be extended to any other claim classification as in the same way as the claims and description, and in particular, features of different embodiments or variations may be combined to form new embodiments or variations.

[0016] Particularly preferably, the fluid unit, especially the plug-in connection component, and the actuator unit, especially the mating plug-in connection component, are configured such that the fluid unit can be coupled to the actuator unit in at least two different coupling positions or rotational positions about the plug-in axis. That is, this design allows for different coupling positions of the actuator unit and the fluid unit relative to each other about the plug-in axis. Particularly preferably, the rotational positions or coupling positions differ by at least 60°, preferably about 90°. In a very particularly preferred design, there are at least three different rotational positions from three different sides. Preferably, these rotational positions are each offset from the other by about 90°.

[0017] To enable the plug-in connecting components to be coupled to each other, the first and second plug-in connecting components may each have a common protrusion (or ridge) and / or recess. Here, the protrusions and / or suitable recesses in the first and second plug-in connecting components can be configured such that the plug-in connecting components can be coupled to each other in a locking manner. In a first rotational position, the plug-in connecting components are first pushed into each other about the plug-in axis, and then the first and second plug-in connecting components rotate relative to each other about the plug-in axis, such that they cannot be pulled apart again without rotation.

[0018] Here, as will be explained later, the first and second plug-in connecting members have raised portions that work together in a locking manner. For example, the raised portions, such as "teeth," on the first and second plug-in connecting members first move past each other about the plug-in axis in the first rotational position, and then the first and second plug-in connecting members rotate relative to each other about the plug-in axis, such that the teeth engage with each other from the rear. However, it is also possible for one plug-in connecting member to have a corresponding protrusion and for the other plug-in connecting member to have a suitable notch for this purpose, for example, at least one first channel extending in the longitudinal direction of the plug-in axis on one plug-in connecting member and at least one engaging raised portion (or tooth) on the other plug-in connecting member and a channel segment extending at an azimuth angle around the plug-in axis on the first channel, the teeth extending in the channel when the plug-in connecting members are inserted into each other, thereby anchoring the raised portion therein by relative rotation of the plug-in connecting members.

[0019] Through the working protrusions and / or recesses, especially to form a locking mechanism, a tool-free and reliable fastening of the two plug-in connecting parts is achieved, without the need for other fasteners, and the fastening can be disengaged again without tools.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, the metering system may also have a mechanism, such as an eccentric wheel mechanism, configured to press the first and second plug-in connecting parts relative to each other in their inserted positions. Here, the mechanism, especially the eccentric wheel mechanism, is preferably configured to press the two plug-in connecting parts inserted into each other radially relative to the plug-in axis.

[0021] The advantage of this mechanism, especially the eccentric wheel mechanism, is that the interlocking components remain firmly in place without gaps after being pressed by the eccentric wheel mechanism. This allows for larger tolerances when manufacturing the interlocking components, thus enabling more cost-effective manufacturing.

[0022] Particularly preferably, the first and / or second plug-in connectors are manufactured as turned parts. This allows for manufacturing in a turning process, which can be achieved with sufficiently high precision and is more cost-effective than, for example, milling.

[0023] Such a mechanism or eccentric wheel mechanism can be used alone to secure the plug-in connecting parts to each other. However, it is preferred to combine it with protrusions and / or recesses on the first and second plug-in connecting parts, for example, to form a latch with additional securing via the mechanism or eccentric wheel mechanism.

[0024] The mechanism or eccentric wheel mechanism is preferably configured to act on the inner plug-in connecting member of the two plug-in connecting members and then press it against the inner wall of the outer plug-in connecting member of the two plug-in connecting members.

[0025] Particularly preferably, the mechanism or eccentric wheel mechanism acts on at least one of the two plug-in connecting parts via a clamping element, such as a clamping ball. The clamping ball, at a suitable location in the eccentric wheel mechanism or eccentric wheel lever, is pressed out from the inner wall of the outer plug-in connecting part and against the inner plug-in connecting part to clamp the two plug-in connecting parts together. The inner plug-in connecting part may have at least one, preferably multiple, recesses (e.g., crown-shaped) on its outer side that match the clamping element and are arranged at suitable locations, into which the clamping element can be pressed. The number of recesses can be selected, for example, according to the number of possible rotational positions.

[0026] An alternative to a preferred eccentric wheel mechanism is one in which the clamping element, for example, a clamping ball in this case, is permanently preloaded by a spring. The clamping ball then extends from the inner wall of the external plug-in connector at a point under spring load and presses against its outer wall when the internal plug-in connector is inserted. That is, the mechanism has a corresponding clamping element and a compression spring. In this variant, the internal plug-in connector may also have at least one, preferably several, suitable, for example, dome-shaped notches for the clamping element arranged in suitable locations on its outer side. The number of these notches preferably corresponds to the number of possible rotational positions.

[0027] When the built-in plug-in connector is inserted into the external plug-in connector, the clamping element is simply pressed back into the wall of the external plug-in connector against the spring force until it finally engages with one of the notches in the correct relative position of the plug-in connectors. In this mechanism, although no clamping force is applied as large as in an eccentric wheel mechanism, lever operation is eliminated. The entire mechanism is simpler to construct. Here, lateral preload is also ensured by the spring force, through which sufficient clearance is obtained from the construction.

[0028] In principle, the second plug-in connection of the actuator unit can be inserted into the corresponding matching first plug-in connection of the fluid unit. However, it is particularly preferred that the fluid unit has a male plug-in connection in the form of a connecting pipe as the first plug-in connection. The actuator unit correspondingly has a female plug-in connection in the form of a receiving portion for the connecting pipe of the fluid unit as the second plug-in connection. In this preferred design, the actuator unit and the actuator unit connector, especially the second plug-in connection, may have a mechanism or an eccentric wheel mechanism. This can be configured such that the connecting pipe of the fluid unit located in the receiving portion presses against the wall of the receiving portion of the actuator unit.

[0029] Most media that need to be measured using the metering system according to the present invention typically have a viscosity that is significantly temperature-dependent. To ensure sufficient fluidity of the medium used for metering, the metering system preferably has an integrated heating mechanism that can be used to heat the medium or fluid to be metered.

[0030] An integrated heating mechanism can be located within the fluid unit.

[0031] Particularly preferably, the heating mechanism has a heating block that surrounds at least one input channel section and / or at least one nozzle section for the medium. This heating block is preferably made of a thermally conductive material, such as a metal, like copper. The input channel section or nozzle section for the medium is preferably itself made of a material that is as resistant as possible to the medium being metered, such as stainless steel.

[0032] Alternatively or additionally, the actuator unit, preferably the second plug-in connection, may have a heating mechanism. When the fluid unit is coupled to the actuator unit, heat can be output from here, for example via thermal conduction, to the input channel section and / or nozzle section of the fluid unit. The heating mechanism may include, for example, one or more heating lines or heating circuit boards (circuit boards with suitable resistance) and, if necessary, a sensor for measuring heat, arranged within and / or on the plug-in connection. The plug-in connection parts of the fluid unit and the actuator unit are preferably coupled to each other to achieve good thermal conduction, at least in the direction of the fluid unit.

[0033] Particularly preferably, the input channel section and / or at least the nozzle section are detachable, i.e., replaceably secured to the material block (which may also be referred to as the "fluid body"). Preferably, the input channel section and / or nozzle section can be secured in the material block by means of a clamping mechanism, which preferably includes clamping screws.

[0034] When the fluid unit is required to have a heating mechanism, the material block can be configured as a heating block, for example. The material block can be made of a material with particularly good thermal conductivity and has notches, such as holes, in which heating conductors and / or sensors for the heating mechanism are arranged. Preferably, the heating block is surrounded by an insulated frame component or enclosure, so that the fluid unit can be touched even when the heating block is hot.

[0035] If the heating mechanism is provided to the actuator unit, particularly located in and / or on its plug-in connection parts, and no heating mechanism is required in the fluid unit, the material block can also be made of heat-resistant plastic (e.g., PEEK). This results in less material to be heated in the fluid unit, which can lead to a faster attainment of the theoretical temperature if necessary. Furthermore, the fluid unit can be touched and disassembled while the heating mechanism is being heated, as the heat-resistant plastic provides insulation and allows for contact.

[0036] Furthermore, it is preferable that adjacent input channel sections and / or nozzle sections are tightly pressed into each other at their ends by sealing cones to form a continuous delivery line, thereby ensuring a continuous material input line directly into the nozzle. For example, in a preferred variant, the clamping screw can be configured such that it can be screwed into the material block along a helical axis extending longitudinally along the portion of the input channel section and / or nozzle section surrounded by the material block, thus the input channel section or nozzle section is axially opposite to each other at its ends or pressed into each other by means of sealing cones.

[0037] The heating mechanism can be connected to a heating mechanism control device via a heating mechanism control connector. This heating mechanism control device controls the heating mechanism during operation, preferably adjusting it to the desired (theoretical) temperature, thereby maintaining the medium at the desired temperature.

[0038] Particularly preferably, the heating mechanism, especially the fluid unit and / or actuator unit, includes a storage unit (e.g., EEPROM) in which data corresponding to the actuator unit and / or fluid unit, especially the heating mechanism, is stored and is transmitted to or readable by the heating mechanism control device when connected to the heating mechanism control connector, thereby connecting the heating mechanism control device to the actuator unit and / or fluid unit or the heating mechanism. The heating mechanism control connector may, for example, include a plug-in connection (preferably with multiple contacts). However, additionally or alternatively, the heating mechanism control connector may also have a port for (at least partially) wirelessly connecting the heating mechanism control device to the actuator unit and / or fluid unit, especially the heating mechanism, for example, transmitting heating current via an electroplated connection and wirelessly transmitting data between the heating mechanism control device and the actuator unit and / or fluid unit or heating mechanism.

[0039] Particularly preferably, the storage unit can store adjustment parameters for regulating the heating mechanism via the heating mechanism control device. Typically, the heating mechanism control device has a regulator, which requires different adjustment parameters for the corresponding connected heating mechanisms. The adjustment characteristics are determined by the adjustment parameters. This includes, in particular, so-called PID control parameters (PID = Proportional / Integral / Differentiary). The adjustment parameters can also be device-specific, meaning they differ from one fluid unit to another, or at least for different types of fluid units.

[0040] Because the fluid unit (with an integrated heating mechanism if necessary) should be replaceable as quickly as possible, the data stored for the fluid unit or heating mechanism is important for the heating mechanism control unit, especially the adjustment parameters which are crucial for automatic transmission to the heating mechanism control unit. This feature also facilitates rapid replacement, particularly when the fluid unit and actuator unit are coupled in a different manner than described above, such as through common coupling methods, since at least one new programming or separate data transmission to the heating mechanism control unit is no longer necessary, significantly accelerating the replacement process. Separate data storage is also advantageous in this regard.

[0041] However, it is particularly advantageous to combine it with the quick-connect coupling according to the invention, wherein the fluid unit and the actuator unit can be inserted into each other along the plug axis and coupled to each other.

[0042] In this scenario, data, particularly control parameters, can be stored in a storage unit at the factory for each heating mechanism and / or fluid unit. If necessary, the data can be checked prior to the inspection process for each individual heating mechanism and / or fluid unit.

[0043] Calibration data can also be stored in the storage unit as other data. For example, calibration data can be used to calibrate the heating mechanism in field applications. During calibration, for example, offset values ​​used in mass production can be determined. Similarly, dedicated theoretical temperatures usable by the heating mechanism control device can also be stored in the storage unit.

[0044] Other data stored in the actuator unit and / or fluid unit and / or heating mechanism can be characteristic data, such as the unit's unique identification code, type identifier, etc. When different characteristic data are stored in different heating mechanism control devices, such as adjustment parameter groups, correction data groups, etc., which can be accessed separately by different heating mechanism control devices, the characteristic data can also be regarded as indirect adjustment parameters.

[0045] The actuator unit, as described, has an actuator system comprising one or more actuators. When the actuator unit and the fluid unit are normally coupled to each other, the actuators, depending on their specific configuration, act directly or indirectly (e.g., via a motion mechanism) on the closure or ejection element (e.g., a push rod) of the fluid unit. For example, in this coupled position, the contact surfaces of elements of the actuator system, such as levers of the motion mechanism, press against the contact surfaces of movably supported elements of the fluid unit or the closure and / or ejection elements (e.g., the contact surface of the push rod's push head), thereby causing them to move, particularly against spring forces, as will be explained later.

[0046] In this configuration, the contact surface of the actuator unit, such as a lever (in the case of a fluid unit installation), may be in permanent contact with the contact surface of a movably supported element, such as a push rod. However, as will be explained in more detail later, there may also be a gap between the contact surface of the actuator unit and the contact surface of the movably supported element of the fluid unit in the initial or rest position, and the two contact surfaces may press against each other to allow movement of the movably supported element of the fluid unit. For example, when the lever of the actuator unit swings downward, it may first freely traverse a specific path before contacting the contact surface of the push rod of the fluid unit.

[0047] Because the contact between the actuator system of the actuator unit and the element that can be movably supported in the fluid unit is achieved via a contact surface, which is also the “separation part” between the actuator unit and the fluid unit, according to the invention, this separation part, as a complete fluid assembly, is quickly separated from the actuator unit by a plug-in connection member on the actuator unit and the fluid unit or fluid assembly and can be recoupled to it.

[0048] Preferably, the metering system is configured such that the second plug-in connection member is movable along the plug-in axis relative to other components of the actuator unit, or the first plug-in connection member is movable along the plug-in axis relative to other components of the fluid unit. As will be explained later, it is particularly preferred that the second plug-in connection member is movably supported in the actuator unit. This allows adjustment of the position of the sealing or ejecting element, such as the push rod, relative to the actuator system in the actuator unit. Such position or displacement adjustment can compensate for wear on the push rod tip and / or the nozzle seal. Attached Figure Description

[0049] The invention will now be described in detail again with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Here, the same reference numerals are used for the same components in different drawings. The figures show:

[0050] Figure 1 An external perspective view of an embodiment of the metering system according to the invention, viewed from an obliquely upward angle, is shown, wherein the fluid unit and the actuator unit are coupled.

[0051] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 Front view of the metering system in the middle.

[0052] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 Another front view of the metering system, but in which the fluid unit is separate from the actuator unit.

[0053] Figure 4 It shows a view from an oblique angle based on Figures 1 to 3 An external three-dimensional view of the fluid unit of the metering system.

[0054] Figure 5 The lower part of the fluid unit and actuator unit is shown as follows: Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the coupled state in the middle.

[0055] Figure 6 The lower part of the fluid unit and actuator unit is shown as follows: Figure 3 Another cross-sectional view of the decoupled state in the middle,

[0056] Figure 7 It shows that according to Figures 1 to 6 A side view of the plug-in connection component of the fluid unit in the metering system.

[0057] Figure 8 It shows a view from an oblique angle based on Figures 1 to 6 A perspective view of the plug-in connection components of the actuator unit of the metering system.

[0058] Figure 9 The plug-in connection component is shown along Figure 8 A sectional view of section plane E in the diagram.

[0059] Figure 10 It shows Figure 7 and Figure 8 The plug-in connection component along Figure 9 The sectional view of the section line BB in the middle.

[0060] Figure 11 A schematic diagram, viewed from above, shows possible couplings of the fluid unit and actuator unit in different coupling positions according to an embodiment of the metering system of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0061] The following is based on Figures 1 to 10 Specific preferred embodiments of the metering system 100 according to the present invention are described herein. Figures 1 to 3 The metering system 100 is shown from different perspectives or in different coupling states.

[0062] The metering system 100 has an actuator unit 60 and a fluid unit 10 as two main basic components. Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 5 to 6 The general position of the metering unit 100 is shown in the diagram, wherein the fluid unit 10 is coupled to the actuator unit 60 from below. In this position, the nozzle 20 of the fluid unit 10 (and the nozzle insert 18 having a nozzle orifice 21, which will be described later) is located at the bottom, thereby causing the medium droplets to be ejected in the ejection direction R (see Figure 60). Figure 2 The liquid is ejected downwards. Therefore, the terms "down" and "up" used below always refer to this generally general position of the metering system 100. However, it is not excluded that the metering system 100 may be used in different positions and the droplets may be ejected, for example, laterally, in special applications. This is also possible in principle, depending on the medium, pressure, specific structure, and control of the entire ejection system.

[0063] The actuator unit 60 is located in the housing block 80 as follows: Figure 5 and Figure 6The cross-sectional view shows chambers arranged substantially parallel to each other: one is an actuator chamber 81 with an actuator system 90 containing at least one actuator 91, and the other is an actuation chamber 82 into which a movable ejection element 30, here a push rod 30, of the fluid unit 10 extends in a coupled state. The push rod 30 is operated by the actuator system 90 via a motion mechanism 92 extending from the actuator chamber 81 into the actuation chamber 82, causing the medium to be metered to be ejected from the fluid unit 10 in a desired amount at a desired time. Here, the push rod 30, as will be explained later, closes the nozzle orifice 21 and thus also functions as a closing element 30. However, since most of the medium is ejected from the nozzle orifice 21 only when the push rod 30 moves in the closing direction, the push rod is referred to here as the ejection element 30.

[0064] To operate the actuator system 90, the actuator system 90 or actuator 91, in this case a piezoelectric element stack 91 (also called a "piezoelectric stack"), is electrically or signal-technically connected to a control device (not shown here). The connection to the control device is achieved via a control cable 95, which connects at its end to a suitable actuator system control connector 96, such as a suitable plug. The actuator unit 60, and especially the actuator system control connector 96, may be provided with a suitable storage unit (e.g., an EEPROM) storing information for the actuator unit 60, such as product name or adjustment parameters, which can then be read by the control unit to identify the actuator unit 60 and operate it appropriately. The control cable 95 may include multiple control lines and data lines. However, since the basic operation of piezoelectric elements is known, it will not be described in detail here. In cases where the actuator system 90, unlike that shown here, is not electrically driven but, for example, pneumatically or hydraulically driven, the corresponding control cable 59 may also include a suitable hose or the like to introduce and withdraw the control medium required for this purpose.

[0065] Fluid unit 10 will be further adjusted according to... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The description includes all components in contact with the medium to be metered, particularly the nozzle 20 and the ejection element 30 or push rod 30 which is movably supported therein. That is, most of the consumable parts are also located in the fluid unit 10, and these consumable parts should be replaced after a certain service life under normal use of the metering system 100. In particular, the fluid unit 10 also includes a container connector 51 to which the medium delivery line can be connected or directly connected, for example, to a location... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The container 101 shown is in the form of a medium cylinder 101 for use with media. (As in...) Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the container pressure connector 102 is located on the upper side of the container 101. Sufficient pressure can be applied to the medium through the container pressure connector, thereby conveying the medium toward the nozzle 20. The container 101 or medium cylinder 101 can also be regarded as part of the fluid unit 10 in principle.

[0066] The entire fluid unit 10, as will be described in more detail later, also has a heating mechanism 40. Therefore, the fluid unit 10 also has a heating mechanism connection cable 46, which connects at one end to a heating mechanism control connector 49 for connection to a heating mechanism control device (not shown here). The heating mechanism connection cable 46 may include multiple lines, for example, one or more heating mechanism control lines to provide heating current to the electrically driven heating mechanism 40 as described here, and one or more measuring lines to obtain thermocouple values ​​via the heating mechanism control device and thereby set a fully defined temperature in the fluid unit 10, and, if necessary, one or more communication lines for exchanging adjustment parameters and other characteristic values, for example, on an EEPROM. However, in principle, a heating mechanism with an added heating medium can also be used in the case of an electrically driven heating mechanism. In this case, the heating mechanism connection cable includes corresponding lines for the heating medium.

[0067] As from Figures 1 to 3 As can be clearly seen, the metering system 100 may also be provided with a bracket 103, which may be fixed to the housing block 80 of the actuator unit 60 for example and may also be fixed to the container 101 for reliability. If desired, the heating mechanism connection cable 46 may be clamped to the bracket when the fluid unit 10 is installed.

[0068] As in Figure 4 In perspective top view and especially Figure 5 and Figure 6 As can be clearly seen in the cross-sectional view, the fluid unit 10 here has a frame member 59, in which other components of the fluid unit 10 are arranged. Here, the frame member 59 may be made of a thermally insulating material, such as heat-resistant plastic, thereby providing a certain degree of contact protection.

[0069] In the accompanying drawings, correspondingly on the right side, there is a plug-in connection member 11 (“first plug-in connection member”) of the fluid unit 10 for connection to the actuator unit 60. For this purpose, the plug-in connection member 11 extends upward from the frame member 59 with an upper section having a connecting tube 13, so that the plug-in connection member can be inserted along the plug-in axis S into and coupled to the corresponding plug-in connection member 61 of the actuator unit 60 (“second plug-in connection member” 61, hereinafter also referred to as “mating plug-in connection member” 61), as will be described in more detail below.

[0070] Furthermore, the plug-in connection component 11 of the fluid unit 10 is located at the nozzle section 16 (see...) Figure 7 It extends downward beyond the frame component 59 and forms the main part of the nozzle 20 thereon.

[0071] As in Figure 5 and Figure 6 As can be clearly seen in the cross-sectional view, the nozzle chamber 22 is located in the nozzle section 16 at the lower part of the plug-in connector 11. The nozzle chamber opens downward and is closed here by means of the nozzle insert 18, in which the narrow nozzle orifice 21 is located. The nozzle insert 18 has a tapered sealing seat 19 on its inner side pointing towards the nozzle chamber 22, which converges toward the nozzle orifice 21. The sealing seat works together with the push rod tip 31 of the push rod 30 inside the plug-in connector 11, where the push rod 30 presses against the sealing seat 19 with its push rod tip in the closed position. The push rod is movably supported in the longitudinal direction of the plug-in connector 11, which extends coaxially with the plug-in axis S. Thus, the plug-in axis S also corresponds to the axis of movement or longitudinal axis of the push rod 30 and the ejection direction R of the droplet. Because the plug-in connection component 11 can be advantageously manufactured as an additional machined part and only requires minor machining with other techniques, such as milling (e.g., to apply the engagement portion which will be described later), the plug-in axis S is also the axis of rotation of the plug-in connection component 11.

[0072] In order to secure the nozzle insert 18 with nozzle orifice 21 to the opening on or in the opening at the lower end of the insertion connecting member 11, the insertion connecting member 11 has a thread 17 on the nozzle section 16 at its lower part (see...). Figure 7 The nozzle cover section 43, of the cap-nut type, can be screwed on via a thread (see...). Figure 5 and Figure 6 Here, the nozzle cover section 43 may be made of a material with particularly good thermal conductivity, preferably the same material as the heating block 42 of the heating mechanism 40 of the fluid unit 10, which will be described below, and is configured as much as possible so that the nozzle cover section contacts the rest of the heating block 42 in a good thermally conductive manner.

[0073] If it is still possible Figure 5 and Figure 6As can be seen, to support the push rod 30 from above, i.e., from the end-side opening pointing towards the actuator unit 60 in the installed state, the push rod seal 37 is inserted into the plug-in connection member 11. The push rod seal has a central hole that matches the diameter of the push rod 30. A seal support plate 36 is placed on it, and then the push rod support member 35 is screwed in from above. The push rod support member also has a suitable through hole for the push rod 30. The push rod 30 has a widened push rod head 32 at its upper end opposite the push rod tip 31. The free end side of the push rod head 32 has a contact surface 33 for the lever 93, which will be described later, for the motion mechanism 92 of the actuator system 90. Here, the spring 34 is pushed onto the upwardly extending guide section of the push rod support 35, and the spring presses the push rod head 32 upward in the axial direction away from the push rod support member 35, thus also pressing the push rod tip 31 away from the seal seat 19. That is, in the absence of external pressure applied from above to the contact surface 33 of the push rod head 32, the push rod tip 31 is spaced apart from the sealing seat 19 of the nozzle insert 18 in the rest position of the spring 34.

[0074] Especially in Figure 7 As can be seen, the plug-in connection member 11 of the fluid unit 10 has multiple sections 13, 14, and 15 in the section extending upward beyond the frame member 59 into the mating plug-in connection member 61 of the actuator unit 60. First, a clamping section 15 is connected to the lower part of the frame member 59. When the fluid unit 10 is installed in the actuator unit 60, additional clamping action is applied to the clamping section by means of the eccentric wheel mechanism 70 of the actuator unit 60 or the mating plug-in connection member 61, which will be described in detail later. For this purpose, the clamping section 15 has multiple spherical crowns 24. An annular groove 14 surrounding a seal 23, typically an O-ring 23, is located on the spherical crowns. The seal 23 is used to seal the plug-in connection member 11 of the fluid unit 10 and the mating plug-in connection member 61 of the actuator unit 60 annularly against each other in the assembled state. The bayonet-type connecting section 13, the meshing section 13, or the connecting tube 13 is located above the annular groove 14, and a plurality of radially outwardly extending protrusions 12 or teeth 12 are arranged on the end side of the bayonet-type connecting section 13, the meshing section 13, or the connecting tube 13. As will be explained later, this allows the mating teeth 62 inside the mating plug-in connecting member 61 to interact with it, thereby enabling the plug-in connecting members 11, 61 according to the invention to be coupled to each other.

[0075] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6 It can also be clearly seen that, in the assembled state, the plug-in connection component 11 of the fluid unit 10 has a lateral hole that runs radially upward and outward from the nozzle cavity 22 in the middle region of the frame component 59 of the fluid unit 10. This hole is used to input the medium to be metered into the nozzle cavity 22.

[0076] An input channel section 54 is connected to the outside of the hole in the insertion connector 11, and a container port 50 is connected to the free end of the input channel section. A channel with suitable channel sections 52a and 52b is located in this receiving port, extending from the input channel section 54 leading to the nozzle 20 to the container connector 51. Because this container connector 51 points upward, the container 101 can be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing block 80 of the actuator unit 60, and the medium also moves from the container 101 toward the nozzle 20 partly by gravity. The channel sections 52a and 52b in the container port 50 are arranged at an angle to each other, that is, a first channel section 52a extending in the extension of the input channel section 54 and a second channel section 52b extending substantially vertically upward from the first channel section 52a to the container connector 51. The container connector 51 has external threads, so that the container 101 can be screwed into an opening or delivery line connector (not shown) with suitable internal threads. The sealing and fastening of the input channel section 54 on the plug-in connection member 11 and the sealing and fastening of the container port 50 on the input channel section 54 are achieved here by means of clamping with clamping screws 55, which will be described later.

[0077] The plug-in connection 11 of the fluid unit 10, as well as the nozzle chamber 22, input channel section 54, and container port 50 located therein, are preferably made of a material that is highly resistant to different media to be metered, in this case, stainless steel. The same applies to the push rod seal 37, the push rod 30 itself, and the nozzle insert 18. The seal support disc 36 is also made of a suitable resistant material. Therefore, all components in contact with the medium are made of a medium-resistant material.

[0078] To maintain the medium at a desired temperature during metering, the fluid unit 10, as described, has a heating mechanism 40. The heating mechanism 40 comprises a relatively robust heating block 42 as its main element, shaped such that it surrounds, like a shroud, a portion of the plug-in connection member 11 containing the nozzle cavity 22, the inlet channel section 54, and a portion of the container port 50. The heating block 42 is made of a material with particularly good thermal conductivity, such as copper or a metal containing at least copper. The heating block 42 contains at least one heating wire (not shown) and at least one thermocouple (not shown). The heating wire is connected to a heating mechanism control line 47 in a heating mechanism connection cable 46, which may, for example, form an extension of the heating wire to conduct a desired current through the heating wire and thus heat the heating block 42. The thermocouple is connected to a temperature measurement line 48 in the heating mechanism connection cable 46 to detect the current temperature of the heating block 42 and the medium. The heating mechanism control line 47 and temperature measurement line 48 are led via the heating mechanism connection cable 46 to the heating mechanism control connector 49 (also called the heating mechanism plug 49) described above, to which the heating mechanism control device can be connected. Preferably, a storage unit 44, such as an EEPROM 44, is located in the heating mechanism control connector 49. This storage unit contains various data about the fluid unit 10 and, in particular, the heating mechanism 40 (also called the heating module 40), and can be read by the heating mechanism control device. This data includes, for example, the identification code of the fluid unit 10 and / or the heating mechanism 40, product name, etc., to identify the fluid unit 10 and / or the heating module 40 and, for example, to control which heating module 40 is connected to which heating circuit. Furthermore, it preferably stores adjustment parameters, such as PID adjustment parameters, for the adjustment unit in the heating mechanism control device. When the heating mechanism control device is connected to the heating mechanism control connector 49, data is automatically read from the storage unit 44 and used for adjustment.

[0079] The heating block 42 is also shaped in such a way that it can be used to secure the container ports 50 to each other on the input channel section 54 and to secure the input channel section 54 to the plug-in connection member 11 of the fluid unit 10. For this purpose, there is a generally square recess 45 in the upper region of the heating block 42, into which the input channel section 54 is first placed and pushed in through a hole in the heating block 42 leading to a radially inclined opening in the plug-in connection member 11 facing the nozzle chamber. The openings in the plug-in connection member 11 converge conically or conically from the inside out, so that the conical tip of the input channel section 54 can be inserted there. The input channel section 54 has a similarly converging inward conical or conical opening at its rear end pointing towards the container port 50, to accommodate the sealing cone 58 at the end of the channel section 52a extending in the same direction as the input channel section 54 in the container port 50. The container port 50 is similarly inserted into the recess 45 of the heating block 42 and then pushed into the input channel section 52 from the rear by a sealing cone 58. Then, in the axial direction of the continued extension of the channel section 52a of the input channel section 54 and the coaxially extending channel section 52a of the container port 50, the clamping screw 55 can be screwed into the clamping screw section 41 of the heating block 42 at the rear end of the channel section 52a away from the insertion coupling member 11. The helical direction of the clamping screw 55 is also coaxial with the longitudinal direction of the corresponding channel section 52a in the input channel section 54 or the container port 50. Here, the channel section 52a of the container port 50, which extends coaxially with the input channel section 54, is a through channel that opens towards the clamping screw 55 and also has an inwardly converging conical section into which the tip 56 of the clamping screw 55 can be pressed. When the clamping screw 55 is screwed into the clamping screw section 41, the tip 56 is automatically pressed into the end of the channel section 52a of the container port 50 pointing towards the clamping screw 55, and the front end (sealing cone 58) of the channel section 52b is pressed into the end section of the input channel section 54 pointing towards the container port 50, thereby simultaneously pressing the tip of the input channel section 54 into the corresponding conical convergence opening of the plug-in connection member 11. Thus, during clamping, all delivery lines are automatically sealed to each other by the sealing cones formed on the ends of the channel sections. To apply the required pressure, the clamping screw 55 has a screw head 57, which is embossed on the outside for example, or for tool engagement capability, for example, constructed with an external hexagon and / or an internal hexagon.

[0080] In order to couple the fluid unit 10 to the actuator unit 60, the actuator unit 60 has, as described, a mating plug-in connection member 61, the plug-in connection member being in... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The cross-sectional view also clearly shows that the plug-in connector also has additional... Figures 8 to 10The diagram is shown in perspective and various sectional views.

[0081] The mating plug-in connector 61 has a bayonet-type connection section 63 or receiving section 63 (also simply referred to as receiving portion 63) at its end pointing towards the plug-in connector 11 of the fluid unit 10. The bayonet-type connection section 63 or the engaging section 13 of the plug-in connector 11 of the fluid unit 11 can be inserted into the receiving portion up to the annular flange 67 (or shoulder, which serves as a stop) extending inward from the inner wall of the plug-in connector 11. A distance below the flange 67 or shoulder 67, there is a corresponding protrusion 62 or tooth 62 on the inner wall of the receiving portion 63 of the mating plug-in connector 61, which can interact with the teeth 12 extending radially outward on the bayonet-type connection section 13 of the plug-in connector 11 of the fluid unit 10. The teeth 12 and 62 are constructed and arranged such that when the interlocking connecting parts 11 and 61 are inserted into each other, the teeth 12 and 62 move onto each other in at least one first angular position or rotational position (with respect to rotation about the interlocking axis S) of the interlocking connecting parts 11 and 61. These rotational positions may be referred to as interlocking positions SP1 and SP2 (which will be further specified later). Figure 11 (Explanation). Then the two plug-in connectors 11, 61 rotate relative to each other about the plug-in axis S, so that the teeth 12 of the plug-in connector 11 of the fluid unit 10 engage with the teeth 62 extending inward in the mating plug-in connector 61 and prevent the plug-in connector 11 from being pulled out of the mating plug-in connector 61 again.

[0082] Another section of the mating plug-in connection component 61, referred to here as the engagement section 64, extends upward along the direction of the plug-in axis S. This engagement section has recesses 66 on two radially opposite sides, one of which, as described later, is used to make contact with or operate the push rod 30 of the mounted fluid unit 10, through a lever 93 of the actuator system 90's motion mechanism 92.

[0083] The mating plug-in connection component 61 now has a fastening section 65 at its upper end, which secures the entire mating plug-in connection component 61 within the housing block 80 of the actuator unit 60. For this purpose, reference is made to… Figure 6 The screw is secured by an adjusting screw 85 that extends from above through the housing block 80 along the direction of the insertion axis S. The adjusting screw has a screw head 86 at its upper end, which protrudes from the housing block 80 at the top and extends into the actuation cavity 82 at the lower insertion connection section 87.

[0084] As described, the housing block 80 has different side-by-side chambers: one is an actuation chamber 82 that opens downward toward the fluid unit 10, in which a mating plug-in coupling member 61 is pushed in and secured; and the other is an actuator chamber 81 that is arranged substantially parallel to each other, opens upward, but can be closed here, in which the actuator system 90 and its actuator 91 are substantially arranged, namely the piezoelectric stack 91, the motion mechanism 92, and the lever 93, which will be described later. The lever 93 can extend from the actuator chamber 81 into the actuation chamber 82 via a notch 83 and interacts here with the push rod 30 of the fluid unit 10 connected in the actuator unit 60 (see...). Figure 5 ).

[0085] For this purpose, the adjusting screw 85 is inserted from above through a corresponding hole in the housing block 80 and pushes a threaded piece 88 onto the plug-in connector section 87 extending into the actuation chamber 82. The threaded piece is anti-rotatably secured to the adjusting screw 85 at its end by a nut 89 screwed onto the thread of the mating plug-in connector section 87. That is, the threaded piece 88 engages with the adjusting screw 85 such that when the adjusting screw 85 rotates, for example, the threaded piece 88 is rotated together by means of the screw head 86 from the outside. The threaded piece 88 has external threads that engage with the internal threads 69 in the fastening section 65 of the mating plug-in connector 61. Thus, the position of the mating plug-in connector 61 within the housing block 80 of the actuator unit 60 can be precisely set by means of the adjusting screw 85. Therefore, the "height setting" of the push rod 30 supported in the fluid unit 10 (the push rod should always be in a precisely defined position within the mating plug-in connection member 61 via the bayonet-lock type engagement of the plug-in connection members 11, 61) relative to the housing block 80 and relative to the motion mechanism 92 of the actuator system 90 or relative to the contact portion 97 on the lever 93 can be precisely set. That is, how far the push rod 30 is pressed against the spring 34 toward the sealing seat 19 of the nozzle 20 in the defined initial position of the actuator system 90 via the motion mechanism 92, i.e., the lever 93. This is achieved by the two cylindrical pins 61Z in the housing block 80 of the actuator unit 60, reaching downwards to the stop for height adjustment of the mating plug-in connection member 61.

[0086] As described here, the piezoelectric stack 91 is located in the actuator chamber 81. The piezoelectric stack can expand and retract in the longitudinal direction of the actuator chamber 81 according to the wiring via a control mechanism. The piezoelectric stack 91 can be inserted into the actuator chamber 81 from above. A ball cap 91K, whose height can be adjusted by a helical motion, is then used as an upper support. The ball cap is screwed into the thread of the actuator chamber 81, thereby enabling precise adjustment of the actuator system 90 and, in particular, the piezoelectric stack 91 relative to the lever 93. The thread is designed and sized in such a way that it can withstand the required preload and the force peak caused by operation, while ensuring very precise positioning during installation. To secure the ball cap 91K against vibration, it is tightened to the cover 99 via four countersunk screws, thereby preventing rotation due to operation. The ball cap 91K presses against the upper part of the mating ball cap 91K of the piezoelectric stack 91 from above. The position of the upper support of the piezoelectric stack 91 or the application of preload to the piezoelectric stack 91 can be precisely defined by the position of the spherical cap 91K relative to the cover 99. The piezoelectric stack 91 is supported downward on a lever 93 via a pressure member extending at an acute angle at the lower part, and the lever is placed on a lever support 94 at the lower end of the actuator chamber 81. The lever 93 can be tilted about the tilting axis K via the lever support 94, so that the lever arm of the lever 93 extends into the actuation chamber 82 through the notch 83 and here extends into the engagement section 64 of the mating plug-in coupling member 61 through the recess 66. The lever has a contact surface 97 at the end of the lever arm pointing in the direction of the push rod 30 of the fluid unit 10 coupled in the actuator unit 60, and the contact surface 97 presses against the contact surface 33 of the push rod head 32.

[0087] It should be mentioned here that, in the illustrated embodiment, the contact surface 97 of the lever 93 (when the fluid unit 10 is installed) is in constant contact with the contact surface 33 of the push rod head 32, in which the spring 34 presses the push rod head 32 against the lever 93 from below. However, in principle, there may also be a gap between the push rod 30 and the lever 93 in the initial or rest position of the spring 34, so that the lever 93 first traverses a specific path freely as it swings downward and absorbs velocity simultaneously, and then loads the push rod 30 or its contact surface 33 with a high pulse, thereby increasing the ejection pulse, which the push rod 30 then applies to the medium.

[0088] To enable a near-constant preload of the lever-piezoelectric-drive system of the actuator system 90, independent of the required setting via the tightening section 65, the lever 93 is pressed upward at its end in contact with the push rod 30 by the actuator spring 79, which is supported in its own guide tube 98. This support ensures that changes in the position of the fluid unit 10 on the operating side, in the coupled state via the adjusting screw 85, do not result in changes in the length of the actuator spring 79 or a significant change in the preload of the piezoelectric drive mechanism. The guide tube 98 is secured in its position within the housing block 80 of the actuator unit 60 by two cylindrical pins 98Z, thus providing a positionally fixed support for the actuator spring 79. The guide tube 98 has a through hole at its lower end, approximately at the height of the teeth 62 of the mating insert coupling 61, the through hole matching the diameter of the corresponding section of the push rod support 35, which screws into the insert coupling 11 of the fluid unit 10 from above. Therefore, when the fluid unit 10 and the actuator unit 60 are coupled together, the engagement section 13 or the bayonet-type connection section 13 of the plug-in connection component 11 of the fluid unit 10 is located in the annular gap arranged coaxially with the plug-in axis S between the engagement section 63 or the bayonet-type connection section 63 of the mating plug-in connection component 61 and the outer wall of the guide cylinder 98.

[0089] In order to additionally and manually secure the fluid unit 10 to the actuator unit 60 and, especially in the installed state, to couple the plug-in connector 11 and the mating plug-in connector 61 to each other without gaps, the mating plug-in connector 61 here has the aforementioned eccentric wheel mechanism 70.

[0090] For this purpose, the eccentric wheel bracket 76 extends radially outward from the bayonet-type connection section 63 on one side of the mating plug-in connection member 61. A section of the eccentric wheel bracket may be formed together with the mating plug-in connection member 61. However, when the mating plug-in connection member 61 is manufactured as a machined part, it is advantageous for the eccentric wheel bracket 76 to be connected to the outer wall of the mating plug-in connection member 61 via a side flange, for example, by means of corresponding screws, coupling pins, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the eccentric wheel bracket 76 extends radially outward along the lower side of the housing block 80 of the actuator unit 60, the lower side having corresponding holes and recesses in the lower region, where the eccentric wheel bracket 76 and other parts of the eccentric wheel mechanism 70 can be mounted.

[0091] A through hole 77 extending parallel to the insertion axis S is located in the eccentric wheel bracket 76. An eccentric wheel shaft 71 is inserted into the through hole, extending downward and upward beyond the eccentric wheel bracket 76. In the upper section, a spring 73 is located on the eccentric wheel shaft 71, which presses the eccentric wheel shaft 71 (when the insertion coupling member 61 is inserted into the housing block 80 of the actuator unit 60) away from the housing block 80 and presses the lower shoulder of the eccentric wheel section 72 of the eccentric wheel shaft 71 against the mating flange of the through hole 77 in the eccentric wheel bracket 76. The spring 73 also presses downward into the threads of the threaded part 88 of the adjusting screw 85, thereby positioning the mating insertion coupling member 61 in the actuator unit 60 without clearance. Another section 78 extends downward from the eccentric wheel section 72 from the eccentric wheel bracket 76. This other section is coupled to the eccentric wheel lever 74, which can be operated by an operator to rotate the eccentric wheel shaft 74 about its longitudinal axis. Figure 10 The eccentric wheel section 72, clearly visible, is eccentrically formed in a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the eccentric wheel shaft 71. Here, the clamping ball 75 is inserted into the through hole 68 or a similar hole between the hole 77 for the eccentric wheel shaft 71 and the inner region of the bayonet-type coupling section 63 of the mating plug-in coupling member 61, and the eccentric wheel section 72 acts on the clamping ball. If the plug-in coupling member 11 of the fluid unit 10 is then inserted from below into the mating plug-in coupling member 61 and is in the desired coupling position, in which the teeth of the bayonet coupling mechanism mesh with each other, the operator can simply tilt the eccentric wheel lever 74 to rotate the eccentric wheel shaft 71 about its own axis, and thus also rotate the eccentric wheel section 72, causing the clamping ball 75 to be pressed with relatively high pressure from the through hole 68 onto the outer wall of the plug-in coupling member 11, i.e., pressing one of the spherical crowns 24 into the region of the clamping section 15 (see...). Figure 7 Therefore, the entire plug-in connection 11 is always pressed against the inner wall of the mating plug-in connection 61 opposite to the pressing ball 75, thereby ensuring the precisely defined position of the plug-in connection 61 of the fluid unit 10 relative to the mating plug-in connection 61 of the actuator unit 60 after the eccentric wheel lever 74 is pulled. Here, the through hole 68 is preferably configured such that the pressing ball 75 cannot fully reach the internal space of the receiving section 63 of the mating plug-in connection 61.

[0092] In another mechanism (not shown) that can be used as an alternative to the eccentric wheel mechanism, the clamping ball 75 is pressed out of the through hole 98 by a compression spring into the receiving section 63 of the mating plug-in connector 61, instead of through the eccentric wheel section 72. This mechanism then functions as an engaging mechanism. When the plug-in connector 11 is inserted into the mating plug-in connector 61, the clamping ball 75 is pressed back into the through hole 98 against the spring force until it engages with one of the spherical crowns 24 in the outer wall of the plug-in connector 11.

[0093] As can be seen in the foregoing embodiments, the present invention provides a significant advantage, namely, that the fluid unit 10 can be coupled to the actuator unit 60 of the metering system 100 according to the present invention from different sides.

[0094] In this regard, according to Figure 11 To describe it again, Figure 11 The actuator unit 60 and the fluid unit 10 are roughly schematically shown from above in different possible positions in which they rotate about the mating axis S. For example, the mating coupling part 11 of the fluid unit 10 can be optionally inserted into the mating coupling part 61 of the actuator unit 60 in at least two different mating positions SP1, SP2 along the mating axis S. By simply oscillating the fluid unit 10 relative to the actuator unit 60 about the mating axis S, for example by 45 degrees, the fluid unit 10 can be brought into coupling positions KP1, KP2, KP3 relative to the actuator unit 60, in which the engagement parts sequentially engage and the mating coupling part 11 of the fluid unit 10 can no longer be pulled out from the mating coupling part 61 of the actuator unit 60. Here, in Figure 11 The diagram illustrates three possible coupling positions, KP1, KP2, and KP3, in which the fluid unit 10 is located in different rotational positions offset from each other by 90 degrees. Additional fixation can be achieved as desired by means of the eccentric wheel mechanism 70 or another mechanism, such as the described engaging mechanism.

[0095] This invention also enables particularly easy and rapid coupling of the fluid unit 10 and the actuator unit 60 within very limited conditions within the metering device. Finally, it should be noted that the components of the metering system described in detail above are merely embodiments, and those skilled in the art can modify these embodiments in different ways and recombine their features without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the fluid unit can be coupled to the actuator unit only by means of an engagement portion or secured only by means of an eccentric wheel mechanism. Similarly, as described above, the actuator unit can have a heating mechanism in addition to or instead of the heating mechanism of the fluid unit. The heating mechanism can, for example, be located in and / or on its plug-in connection member. In this case, the heating mechanism of the fluid unit can be omitted, and a material block made of heat-resistant plastic (e.g., PEEK) can be used instead of a heating block. However, a material block can also mechanically perform the same function as the heating block 42 described above, i.e., the material block can be used, in particular, to press the input channel sections 53, 54 and / or nozzle section 16 into each other in the manner described above to form a continuous, sealed delivery line from the metering substance to the nozzle. Furthermore, this invention can also be applied to other metrological methods, that is, not only to micrometrology, even where the invention is particularly meaningful in that field due to the specialized problems that arise therein. Moreover, the use of the indefinite article "a" does not preclude the possibility that the relevant features may be multiple. Furthermore, a "unit" may consist of one or more spatially distributed components.

[0096] List of reference numerals

[0097] 10 fluid units

[0098] 11 (First) Plug-in connection component

[0099] 12 protrusions / teeth

[0100] 13 Bayonet-type connection section / meshing section / connecting pipe

[0101] 14 Annular Grooves

[0102] 15 clamping sections

[0103] 16-nozzle section

[0104] 17 thread

[0105] 18 Nozzle Inserts

[0106] 19 Sealing Seat

[0107] 20 nozzles

[0108] 21 Nozzle port / nozzle orifice

[0109] 22 Nozzle Chamber

[0110] 23 Seals / O-rings

[0111] 24-ball crown

[0112] 30 movable components / ejection components / push rods

[0113] 31 Putter Tip

[0114] 32 putter head

[0115] 33 contact surfaces

[0116] 34 springs

[0117] 35 push rod support component

[0118] 36 Sealing Support Plate

[0119] 37 Push Rod Seal

[0120] 40 Heating mechanism / heating module

[0121] 41 Clamping screw section

[0122] 42 heating blocks

[0123] 43 Nozzle Cover Section

[0124] 44 memory cells / EEPROM

[0125] 45 notch

[0126] 46 Heating mechanism connection cable

[0127] 47 Heating mechanism control circuit

[0128] 48 Temperature Measurement Circuit

[0129] 49 Heating mechanism control connector / heating mechanism plug

[0130] 50 container ports

[0131] 51 Container Connector

[0132] Sections 52a and 52b

[0133] 54 input channel sections

[0134] 55 clamping screw

[0135] 56 tip

[0136] 57 screw head

[0137] 58 sealing cone

[0138] 59 Frame Components

[0139] 60 actuator units

[0140] 61 (Second) Plug-in connector / mating plug-in connector

[0141] 61Z cylindrical pin

[0142] 62 protrusions / teeth

[0143] 63 bayonet-type connection section / accommodating section / accommodating part

[0144] 64 joint section

[0145] 65 Secured Section

[0146] 66 recesses

[0147] 67 flange / shoulder

[0148] 68 through holes

[0149] 69 internal thread

[0150] 70 Eccentric Wheel Mechanism

[0151] 71 Eccentric Wheel Shaft

[0152] 72 Eccentric Wheel Section

[0153] 73 springs

[0154] 74 Eccentric Wheel Lever

[0155] 75 Compressed sphere

[0156] 76 Eccentric Wheel Support

[0157] 77 through holes

[0158] Section 78

[0159] 79 Actuator Spring

[0160] 80 shell blocks

[0161] 81 Actuator Chamber

[0162] 82 execution chamber

[0163] 83 gap

[0164] 85 Adjusting Screw

[0165] 86 screw head

[0166] 87 Plug-in Connection Section

[0167] 88 threaded parts

[0168] 89 nuts

[0169] 90 actuator system

[0170] 91 Actuator / Piezoelectric Element Stack / Piezoelectric Stack

[0171] 91K piezoelectric encapsulation part

[0172] 92 Sports Organization

[0173] 93 leverage

[0174] 94 lever support

[0175] 95 control circuit

[0176] 96 Actuator System Control Connector

[0177] 97 contact surfaces

[0178] 98 guide tube

[0179] 98Z cylindrical pin

[0180] 99 Cover

[0181] 100 Measurement System

[0182] 101 Container / Media Tube

[0183] 102 Container Pressure Fitting

[0184] 103 stent

[0185] K-axis tilt

[0186] KP1, KP2, KP3 coupling positions

[0187] R ejection direction

[0188] S-type connector axis

[0189] SP1 and SP2 plug-in positions.

Claims

1. A metering system (100) having an actuator unit (60) and a fluid unit (10) detachably coupled to the actuator unit (60), wherein, The fluid unit (10) has a nozzle (20) and a movably supported element (30), and the actuator unit (60) has an actuator system (90) to manipulate the movable element (30) of the fluid unit (10). The fluid unit (10) has a first plug-in connection member (11), and the actuator unit (60) has a second plug-in connection member (61). The first and second plug-in connection members can be inserted into each other along a plug-in axis (S) to couple the fluid unit (10) to the actuator unit (60) and directly coupled to each other to form a quick-connect section. This quick-connect section allows the fluid unit (10) to be connected to the actuator unit (60) without tools. The system (100) is configured to disengage the fluid unit (10) from the actuator unit (60); and wherein the first plug-in connection member (11) and the second plug-in connection member (61) have mutually functioning protrusions (12, 62), and the metering system (100) has a mechanism (71) configured to cause the first plug-in connection member (11) and the second plug-in connection member (61) to press against each other in a position where they are inserted into each other, and wherein the actuator unit (60) and the fluid unit (10) are configured such that the fluid unit (10) can be coupled to the actuator unit (60) at at least two different rotational positions (KP1, KP2, KP3) about the plug-in axis (S); In the coupled position of the actuator unit (60) and the fluid unit (10), the movablely supported element (30) of the fluid unit (10) is pressed against the contact surface of the element of the actuator system (90) by spring force, thereby moving the movablely supported element (30).

2. The metering system according to claim 1, wherein, The first plug-in connector (11) and the second plug-in connector (61) are pressed together radially relative to each other in the position where they are inserted into each other.

3. The metering system according to claim 1, wherein, The mechanism (71) acts on the built-in plug-in connector (11) of the two plug-in connectors (11, 61) and presses it against the inner wall of the external plug-in connector (61) of the two plug-in connectors (11, 61).

4. The metering system according to claim 1 or 3, wherein, The mechanism (71) is an eccentric wheel mechanism and acts on at least one of the two plug-in connecting parts (11, 61) via a pressing element (75).

5. The metering system according to claim 1, wherein, The fluid unit (10) has a connecting tube (13) as a first plug-in connection member (11), and the actuator unit (60) has a receiving portion (63) for the connecting tube of the fluid unit (10) as a second plug-in connection member (61).

6. The metering system according to claim 1, wherein, The fluid unit (10) has a heating mechanism (40) having a heating block (42) surrounding the input channel section (53, 54) and / or at least one nozzle section (16) and / or The actuator unit (60) has a heating mechanism that outputs heat to the input channel section (53, 54) and / or nozzle section (16) of the fluid unit (10) when the fluid unit (10) is coupled to the actuator unit (60).

7. The metering system according to claim 6, wherein, The input channel sections (53, 54) and / or at least the nozzle section (16) are detachably secured in the material block.

8. The metering system according to claim 7, wherein, The input channel sections (53, 54) and / or the nozzle section (16) are secured in the material block by means of clamping screws (55), and / or The adjacent input channel sections (53, 54) and / or the nozzle section (16) are pressed into each other at the end by sealing cones (58, 59) to form a continuous delivery line.

9. The metering system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, The material block is a heating block (42).

10. The metering system according to claim 1, comprising an actuator unit (60) and a fluid unit (10) detachably coupled to the actuator unit (60), wherein, The actuator unit (60) and / or the fluid unit (10) includes a heating mechanism (40) and a heating mechanism control connector (49) for connection to a heating mechanism control device, and a storage unit (44) storing data for the heating mechanism control device corresponding to the heating mechanism (40) of the actuator unit (60) and / or the heating mechanism (40) of the fluid unit (10).

11. The metering system according to claim 10, wherein, The data is used to adjust the heating mechanism (40) by means of the heating mechanism control device.

12. The metering system according to claim 1, wherein, The second plug-in connection component (61) is movable along the plug-in axis (S) relative to other components of the actuator unit (60), and / or The first plug-in connection component (11) is movable relative to other components of the fluid unit (10) along the plug-in axis (S).

13. The metering system according to claim 1, wherein, The first plug-in connector (11) and / or the second plug-in connector (61) are made into machined parts.

14. A fluid unit (10) for use in a metering system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein, The fluid unit (10) has a nozzle (20), a movably supported element (30), and a first plug-in connection member (11) that can be inserted along the plug-in axis (S) into or via the second plug-in connection member (61) of the actuator unit (60) of the metering system (100), and coupled to the second plug-in connection member (61), thereby allowing the fluid unit (10) to be detachably coupled to the actuator unit (60), which has an actuator system (90) for manipulating the movable element of the fluid unit (10).

15. An actuator unit (60) for a metering system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein, The actuator unit (60) has a second plug-in connection member (61) that can be inserted along the plug-in axis (S) into or via the first plug-in connection member (11) of the fluid unit (10) of the metering system (100), and coupled to the first plug-in connection member (11) so that the fluid unit (10) having a nozzle (20) and a movably supported element (30) can be detachably coupled to the actuator unit (60), so that the actuator system (90) of the actuator unit (60) can manipulate the movably supported element (30) of the fluid unit (10).

16. A method for detachably coupling a fluid unit (10) of a metering system (100) according to claim 14 to an actuator unit (60) according to claim 15, wherein, The plug-in connection parts (11, 61) of the fluid unit (10) and the actuator unit (60) are inserted into each other along the plug-in axis (S) and coupled to each other.

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