Method for applying a low-viscosity adhesive to the surface of a component

Abstract

A method for applying adhesive to a surface (3) of a component (1) is presented and described, wherein the method comprises the following steps: providing the component (1) with the surface (3), and applying a predetermined amount of adhesive to a section of the surface (3) of the component (1) in a predetermined pattern (5).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for applying adhesive to the surface of a component. Methods for applying adhesive to the surface of a component are known from the prior art. For example, the adhesive can be provided in a container and applied to the surface of the component using a brush or a sponge.

[0002] In general, it is desirable that the adhesive remains evenly distributed on the surface of the component and does not pool and run down the surface.

[0003] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a method in which the adhesive remains uniformly distributed on the surface of the component and does not collect and run down the surface at a suitable viscosity.

[0004] The aforementioned problem is solved by a method with the features of claim 1. The method is provided for applying adhesive to a surface of a component. The method comprises the following steps: providing the component with the surface, and applying a predetermined amount of adhesive to a section of the component's surface in a predetermined pattern.

[0005] Preferably, the method involves applying adhesive to a cylindrical surface of the component that extends parallel to its central axis. Preferably, the section of the component's surface extends cylindrically parallel to the component's central axis. Preferably, the component's surface points radially away from the central axis, so that the surface section also points radially away from the central axis. Preferably, the adhesive is a liquid adhesive or an adhesive in a low-viscosity form. The adhesive can also be applied vertically ("upside down") or on inclined surfaces.

[0006] Predetermining the amount of adhesive ensures that sufficient adhesive is provided to create a mechanically robust bond between the component and another component, while preventing excessive adhesive runoff. Preferably, the amount of adhesive is predetermined to be less than or equal to a maximum amount, thus preventing runoff. Furthermore, the amount of adhesive is preferably predetermined to be greater than or equal to a minimum amount, ensuring sufficient adhesive is applied to create a mechanically robust bond between the component and another component.

[0007] Preferably, the predetermined pattern is defined by first sections defined by applied adhesive and second sections free of adhesive. In particular, a plurality of first sections and a second section or a plurality of second sections are provided, wherein the first sections are arranged such that the second section or the plurality of second sections is located between them.The predetermined pattern thus ensures that the first sections are spatially separated from each other by the second section(s) and do not merge into one another, so that a transfer of applied adhesive between the first sections is avoided and thus, especially compared to applying adhesive over a surface using a brush or spray, the adhesive remains evenly distributed on the surface of the component and does not collect and run down the surface.

[0008] By applying the predetermined amount of adhesive to the section of the component's surface in the predetermined pattern, it is ensured—particularly in contrast to situations where the adhesive is applied evenly to the surface using a brush or nozzle—that the adhesive remains uniformly distributed and does not pool or run down the surface, especially in a direction perpendicular to a horizontal plane. Specifically, the predetermined pattern (e.g., clearly separated small adhesive areas) ensures that the adhesive remains on the surface and does not drip off.

[0009] In summary, it can be stated that, with the aid of the method according to the invention, the adhesive remains evenly distributed over the surface of the component and does not collect and run down the surface.

[0010] In one embodiment, the component is positioned such that the section of its surface is arranged transversely to a horizontal plane when the adhesive is applied. In the context of the present invention, "the section of the surface is arranged transversely to the horizontal plane" means that the section does not extend horizontally. In this case, the adhesive can flow along the surface due to gravity unless a predetermined quantity or pattern of adhesive is applied to the section of the surface. In contrast, using the method according to the invention, the adhesive can remain uniformly distributed on the surface of the component and will not pool and run down the surface if the section of the component's surface is arranged transversely to the horizontal plane when the adhesive is applied.

[0011] In one embodiment, the component is positioned such that the section of its surface is perpendicular to a horizontal plane when the adhesive is applied. This perpendicular arrangement is an example of positioning the component's surface section transversely to the horizontal plane. It has been found that the method according to the invention is particularly advantageous when the component is positioned such that the section of its surface is perpendicular to a horizontal plane when the adhesive is applied.

[0012] In one embodiment, the predetermined amount of adhesive is applied to the section of the surface perpendicular to that section. Applying the predetermined amount of adhesive perpendicular to the section of the surface ensures that the predetermined pattern of the applied adhesive retains its shape particularly well. In particular, this allows adhesive to be applied to the surface without the need for a uniform application, such as spreading or spreading the adhesive in a direction parallel to the surface of the component using a brush. It has been found that even when the predetermined amount of adhesive is applied transversely, i.e.,The predetermined pattern of the applied adhesive retains its shape well if it is not applied perpendicular or parallel to the section of the surface to which the predetermined amount of adhesive is applied. However, the shape stability of the predetermined pattern is particularly ensured if the predetermined amount of adhesive is applied perpendicular to the section of the surface to which the predetermined amount of adhesive is applied.

[0013] For example, the predetermined amount of adhesive can be applied to the section of the surface perpendicular to the section by means of an arm unit of an application device that can be moved into a first position and a second position, wherein the arm unit has an adhesive receiving unit designed to receive the adhesive. Preferably, the application device has several arm units, each of which can be moved into a corresponding first position and a corresponding second position. Preferably, the predetermined amount of adhesive is applied to the section of the surface perpendicular to the section of the surface by means of several arm units of the application device that can be moved into a corresponding first position and a corresponding second position, wherein each arm unit has an adhesive receiving unit designed to receive the adhesive.Preferably, each arm unit has an adhesive receiving unit configured to receive adhesive. This receiving unit allows adhesive to be transferred, for example, from the surface of a dispensing device to the receiving unit, and subsequently applied to the surface of the component. Preferably, each arm unit has multiple adhesive receiving units, each configured to receive adhesive. If multiple adhesive receiving units are provided for each arm unit, the adhesive can be applied to the surface of the component in a distributed manner using each arm unit.

[0014] It has been found that, particularly when the predetermined amount of adhesive is applied perpendicular to the section of the surface, by transferring the predetermined amount of adhesive to the surface of the component using one or more adhesive receiving units, the applied amount of adhesive does not subsequently run. In particular, compared to adhesive applied by spraying, large quantities of adhesive can be transferred to the surface of the component by this method.Preferably, the amount of adhesive is transferred to the surface of the component by moving the adhesive receiving unit or units towards the surface of the component until a corresponding section of the adhesive located on the adhesive receiving unit or units comes into contact with the surface of the component, and then, when the adhesive receiving unit or units are moved away from the surface of the component, the amount of adhesive remains on the surface of the component.

[0015] In one embodiment, the predetermined amount of adhesive is applied to the surface section in such a way that sections of the predetermined pattern are produced simultaneously. This application of the predetermined amount of adhesive to the surface section in such a way that sections of the predetermined pattern are produced simultaneously provides a time-efficient process.

[0016] In one embodiment, the predetermined amount of adhesive is applied to the surface section in such a way that sections of the predetermined pattern are produced sequentially. By applying the predetermined amount of adhesive to the surface section in such a way that sections of the predetermined pattern are produced sequentially, particularly complex predetermined patterns can be achieved.

[0017] In one embodiment, the amount of adhesive is predetermined depending on the predetermined pattern. Predetermining the amount of adhesive based on the predetermined pattern ensures that sufficient adhesive is provided for each predetermined pattern to create a mechanically robust adhesive bond between the component and another component, and that not too much adhesive is provided, so that after application the pattern retains its shape and does not run.

[0018] In one embodiment, the predetermined pattern is formed, at least in sections, by droplet-shaped adhesive segments. These droplet-shaped adhesive segments have the advantage that they are held firmly to the surface of the component by adhesive forces and surface tension. This is particularly advantageous in contrast to the situation where liquid adhesive, applied over a flat surface, collects in tracks on inclined planes and then largely flows down the component or workpiece, rather than remaining at the point where it was applied.In connection with the present invention, a droplet-shaped adhesive section is preferably understood to be a shape of an adhesive section which is defined in that a distance between the plane and a surface of the adhesive section, viewed perpendicular to a plane extending along the surface of the component, increases continuously from all edge regions of the adhesive section to a maximum at which the distance corresponds to a maximum distance.

[0019] In one embodiment, the predetermined pattern is defined by alternating first sections, defined by applied adhesive, and second sections, which are free of adhesive, along a first direction. By defining the predetermined pattern by alternating first sections, defined by applied adhesive, and second sections, which are free of adhesive, the probability of adhesive accumulation and spreading from the first sections is minimized when viewed along the first direction.

[0020] In one embodiment, the predetermined pattern is defined by alternating first sections, defined by applied adhesive, and second sections free of adhesive, extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. By defining the predetermined pattern by alternating first sections, defined by applied adhesive, and second sections free of adhesive, the probability of adhesive from the first sections accumulating and spreading along the second direction is minimized.

[0021] Further features, advantages, and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the exemplary embodiments and the figures. All features described and / or illustrated, individually and in any combination, constitute the subject matter of the invention, irrespective of their composition in the individual claims or their cross-references. In the figures, the same reference numerals denote identical or similar objects. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a method according to the invention, Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a component on its surface using the [method / tool / tool ​​- context needed]. Fig. 1. The adhesive is applied according to the schematically illustrated process. Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a predetermined pattern in which a predetermined amount of adhesive is applied to a section of the component's surface using the [method / method - context needed]. Fig. 1. The procedure can be applied schematically as shown. Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of droplet-shaped adhesive sections of the predetermined pattern and Fig. Figure 5 shows an enlarged schematic representation of a droplet-shaped adhesive section.

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a method according to the invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a component 1 on its surface 3 using the in Fig. 1. The adhesive can be applied using a schematically illustrated process. Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a predetermined pattern 5 in which a predetermined amount of adhesive is applied to a section of the surface 3 of the component 1 using the [method / tool / etc.]. Fig. 1. The procedure can be applied using a schematic representation.

[0023] The method is designed for applying adhesive to the surface 3 of component 1 and comprises a first process step 101, a second process step 102, and a third process step 103. The surface 3 of component 1 extends cylindrically parallel to a central axis of component 1. The surface 3 of component 1 points radially away from the central axis. The central axis is in Fig. 2 is represented by a vertically arranged and dashed line. In the first process step 101, the component 1 with surface 3 is provided. In the first process step 101, the component 1 is provided such that a section of the surface 3 of the component 1 is arranged perpendicular to a horizontal plane 7 when the adhesive is applied. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is symbolized by a dashed line. The perpendicular arrangement is an example of an arrangement of the section of surface 3 of component 1 perpendicular to the horizontal plane 7, and the present invention is not limited to a perpendicular arrangement of the section of surface 3 of component 1 relative to the horizontal plane 7.

[0024] In the second process step 102, the amount of adhesive is predetermined depending on the predetermined pattern 5. Predetermining the amount of adhesive based on the predetermined pattern 5 ensures that sufficient adhesive is provided for each predetermined pattern 5 to create a mechanically robust adhesive bond between component 1 and another component, and that not too much adhesive is provided, so that after application the pattern 5 retains its shape and does not run.Preferably, a maximum amount of adhesive is determined depending on the predetermined pattern 5, wherein the amount of adhesive is predetermined such that it is less than or equal to the maximum amount, so that the predetermined pattern 5 retains its shape after the adhesive is applied and, in particular, sections of the pattern 5 do not run perpendicular to the horizontal plane 7 along the surface 3 of the component 1. Preferably, a minimum amount of adhesive is determined depending on the predetermined pattern 5, wherein the amount of adhesive is predetermined such that it is greater than or equal to the minimum amount, so that sufficient adhesive is provided in the pattern 5 to create a mechanically robust adhesive bond between the component 1 and another component.

[0025] In the third process step 103, the predetermined quantity of adhesive is applied to a section of the surface 3 of the component 1 in the predetermined pattern 5. Applying the predetermined quantity of adhesive to the section of surface 3 of the component 1 in the predetermined pattern 5 ensures, particularly in contrast to situations where the adhesive is applied evenly to the section of surface 3 of the component 1, for example with a brush or nozzle, that the adhesive remains uniformly distributed on the surface 3 of the component 1 and does not pool and run down the surface 3, especially in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane 7. In particular, the predetermined pattern 5 ensures that the adhesive remains on the surface 3 and does not drip off.

[0026] In the third process step 103, the predetermined amount of adhesive is applied perpendicular to the section of surface 3 onto the section, with this perpendicular application direction 9 in Fig. 2 is symbolized by arrows.

[0027] By applying the predetermined amount of adhesive perpendicular to the section of surface 3, it is ensured that adhesive is applied to surface 3 and at the same time a flat application such as spreading or spreading the adhesive in a direction parallel to surface 3 using a brush can be avoided.

[0028] For example, the predetermined quantity of adhesive can be applied to the section of surface 3 perpendicular to it using an arm unit of an application device that is movable into a first position and a second position, wherein the arm unit has an adhesive receiving unit designed to receive adhesive. Preferably, the application device has several arm units, each movable into a corresponding first position and a corresponding second position. Preferably, the predetermined quantity of adhesive is applied to the section of surface 3 perpendicular to it using several arm units of the application device that are movable into a corresponding first position and a corresponding second position, wherein each arm unit has an adhesive receiving unit designed to receive adhesive.Preferably, each arm unit has an adhesive receiving unit configured to receive adhesive. This adhesive receiving unit allows adhesive to be transferred, for example, from a surface of a dispensing device to the adhesive receiving unit, and subsequently transferred by the adhesive receiving unit to apply the adhesive to the surface 3 of the component 1. Preferably, each arm unit has multiple adhesive receiving units, each configured to receive adhesive. If multiple adhesive receiving units are provided for each arm unit, the adhesive can be applied to the surface 3 of the component 1 in a distributed manner using each arm unit.

[0029] It has been found that, particularly when the predetermined amount of adhesive is applied perpendicular to the section of surface 3 by transferring the predetermined amount of adhesive to the surface 3 of component 1 using one or more adhesive receiving units, the amount of adhesive applied to surface 3 does not subsequently run. In particular, compared to adhesive applied by spraying, large quantities of adhesive can be transferred to the surface 3 of component 1 by transferring the amount of adhesive to surface 3.Preferably, the amount of adhesive is transferred to the surface 3 of the component 1 by moving the adhesive receiving unit or units towards the surface 3 of the component 1 until a corresponding section of the adhesive located on the adhesive receiving unit or units comes into contact with the surface 3 of the component 1, and then, when the adhesive receiving unit or units are moved away from the surface 3 of the component 1, the amount of adhesive remains on the surface 3 of the component 1.

[0030] In the third process step 103, the predetermined amount of adhesive is preferably applied to the section of surface 3 in such a way that sections of the predetermined pattern 5 are produced simultaneously, thus providing a time-efficient process. Alternatively or additionally, the predetermined amount of adhesive is applied to the section of surface 3 in such a way that sections of the predetermined pattern 5 are produced sequentially, which allows for particularly complex predetermined patterns.

[0031] As already described, shows Fig. 3. A predetermined pattern 5. The predetermined pattern 5 is defined by alternating first sections 13, defined by applied adhesive, and second sections 15, which are free of adhesive, along a first direction 11, thereby ensuring that, viewed along the first direction 11, the probability of adhesive accumulation and spreading in the first sections 13 can be kept low. Furthermore, the predetermined pattern 5 is defined by alternating first sections 13, defined by applied adhesive, and second sections 15, which are free of adhesive, along a second direction 17 perpendicular to the first direction 11, thereby ensuring that, viewed along the second direction 17, the probability of adhesive accumulation and spreading in the first sections 13 can be kept low.

[0032] Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of droplet-shaped adhesive sections of the predetermined pattern 5 and Fig. Figure 5 shows an enlarged schematic representation of a droplet-shaped adhesive section. Each droplet-shaped adhesive section is formed by a corresponding first section 13 of the predetermined pattern 5. In the present case, the predetermined pattern 5 is formed by droplet-shaped adhesive sections and is thus an example of the predetermined pattern 5 being formed, at least section by droplet-shaped adhesive sections. Each of the droplet-shaped adhesive sections has the advantage that the droplet-shaped adhesive sections are held firmly to the surface 3 of the component 1 by adhesive forces and surface tension.This is particularly advantageous in contrast to the situation in which liquid adhesive applied over a flat surface collects in tracks on inclined planes and then largely flows down the component 1 or workpiece, rather than remaining at the point where the liquid adhesive was applied to the component 1 or the workpiece. In the context of the present invention, a droplet-shaped adhesive section is preferably understood to be a shape of adhesive section defined in that a distance 21, viewed perpendicular to a plane 19 extending along the surface 3 of the component 1, between the plane 19 and a surface 23 of the adhesive section, increases continuously from all edge regions 25 of the adhesive section to a maximum 25, at which the distance 21 corresponds to a maximum distance 27. Fig. 3 are the edge areas 25 of each adhesive section symbolized as a circle.

[0033] It should be further noted that "having" does not exclude any other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. It should also be noted that features described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features of other embodiments described above. Reference numerals in the claims are not to be considered as a limitation. Reference symbol 1 component 3. Surface of the component 5 predetermined pattern 7 horizontal plane 9 Application direction 11 first direction 13 first section 15 second section 17 second direction Level 19 21 distance 23 Surface area of ​​an adhesive section 25 Edge area of ​​an adhesive section 101 First procedural step 102 second procedural step 103 third procedural step

Claims

[1] Method for applying adhesive to a surface (3) of a component (1), the method comprising the following steps: Providing the component (1) with the surface (3), and Applying a predetermined amount of adhesive to a portion of the surface (3) of the component (1) in a predetermined pattern (5). [2] Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the component (1) is provided such that the portion of the surface (3) of the component (1) is arranged transversely to a horizontal plane (7) when the amount of adhesive is applied. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the component (1) is provided such that the portion of the surface (3) of the component (1) is arranged perpendicular to a horizontal plane (7) when the amount of adhesive is applied. [4] A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined amount of adhesive is applied to the portion perpendicular to the portion of the surface (3). [5] A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined amount of adhesive is applied to the portion of the surface (3) such that portions of the predetermined pattern (5) are produced simultaneously. [6] A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined amount of adhesive is applied to the portion of the surface (3) such that portions of the predetermined pattern (5) are produced one after the other. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the amount of adhesive is predetermined depending on the predetermined pattern (5). [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined pattern (5) is formed at least in sections by drop-shaped adhesive sections. [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined pattern (5) is defined by first sections (13) defined by applied adhesive and second sections (15) free of adhesive, which sections are alternately repeated along a first direction (11). [10] Method according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined pattern (5) is defined by first sections (13) defined by applied adhesive and second sections (15) free of adhesive, alternatingly repeating along a second direction (17) extending transversely to the first direction (11).

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