Application device, dispensing device and system for the automated dispensing and application of low-viscosity adhesive to a surface of a component

Abstract

An application device (1) for applying adhesive to a surface of a component is shown and described. The application device (1) has an arm unit (7) movable into a first position and a second position. The arm unit (7) has an adhesive receiving unit (17) designed to receive adhesive. The application device (1) can be arranged relative to a dispensing device (33) such that the distance between the adhesive receiving unit (17) and a first surface (45) of the dispensing device (33) is less in the second position than in the first position, and that in the second position, adhesive can be transferred from the first surface (45) of the dispensing device (33) to the adhesive receiving unit (17) and received by it. A dispensing device (33) and a system (55) are also shown and described.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an application device for applying low-viscosity adhesive to a surface of a component, a supply device for providing adhesive for an application device and a system for providing and applying adhesive to a surface of a component.

[0002] Applying adhesive to the surface of a component to bond this component to another component is known in the art. For example, the adhesive can be provided in a container and applied to the surface of the component using a brush or sponge.

[0003] In general, it is desirable to transfer the provided thin adhesive to the surface of a component in a particularly simple manner.

[0004] It is therefore the object of the present invention to transfer provided low-viscosity adhesive in a particularly simple manner in an automated or semi-automated manner to a surface of a component evenly and in a specific volume per area.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention, the stated object is achieved by an application device having the features of patent claim 1. The application device is designed to apply adhesive to a surface of a component. The application device has an arm unit that can be moved into a first position and a second position (partial automation). The arm unit has an adhesive receiving unit that is designed to receive adhesive. The application device can be arranged relative to a supply device such that a distance between the adhesive receiving unit and a first surface of the supply device is smaller in the second position than in the first position, and that adhesive can be transferred from the first surface of the supply device to the adhesive receiving unit and received by the latter in the second position.

[0006] The application device has an arm unit which can be moved into a first position and into a second position and which can also be part of an automated movement device, e.g. a robot. The application device preferably has a plurality of arm units, each of which can be moved into a corresponding first position and into a corresponding second position. The features, technical effects and / or advantages described in connection with an arm unit also apply at least analogously to each arm unit, so that a corresponding repetition is omitted at corresponding points. Each arm unit can be moved into a first position and into a second position in order to apply adhesive to a surface of a component.Because each arm unit can be moved into the first position and into the second position, it can be ensured, for example, that when the application device is arranged in a certain position, in particular relative to the component on whose surface adhesive is to be applied, each arm unit can be moved into different positions, namely into the first position and into the second position, in order to apply adhesive to a surface of the component.

[0007] The arm unit has an adhesive receiving unit designed to receive adhesive. The adhesive receiving unit is designed to receive adhesive so that adhesive can be transferred, for example, from a surface of a supply device described in more detail later onto the adhesive receiving unit and received by the latter, and can later be transferred from the adhesive receiving unit to the surface of a component for applying adhesive to a surface of the component. Each arm unit preferably has a plurality of adhesive receiving units, each of which is designed to receive adhesive. If a plurality of adhesive receiving units are provided for each arm unit, the adhesive can be applied in a distributed manner over the surface of the component using each arm unit.The features, technical effects, and / or advantages described in connection with an adhesive receiving unit also apply at least analogously to each adhesive receiving unit, so that a corresponding repetition is omitted at corresponding points. Preferably, in each arm unit, the adhesive receiving units of the plurality of adhesive receiving units are arranged spaced apart from one another, so that the adhesive can be applied particularly evenly distributed over the surface of the component using each arm unit.

[0008] The application device can be arranged relative to a supply device such that a distance of the adhesive receiving unit from a first surface of the supply device is smaller in the second position than in the first position, and that adhesive can be transferred from the first surface of the supply device to the adhesive receiving unit in the second position and received by the latter. Because the distance of the adhesive receiving unit from the first surface of the supply device is smaller in the second position than in the first position, the adhesive receiving unit can be brought into contact with the adhesive with which the first surface of the supply device is wetted by moving the arm unit into the second position.In the second position, at least a portion of the adhesive can be transferred from the first surface of the supply device to the adhesive receiving unit and received thereby. The adhesive is preferably arranged on a first surface of the adhesive receiving unit, on a second surface of the adhesive receiving unit, and / or in a recess of the adhesive receiving units. It is preferably provided that, in the second position of the arm unit, the adhesive receiving unit does not come into contact with the first surface, but rather only with the adhesive that wets the first surface, whereby the mechanical load on the adhesive receiving unit can be kept low.

[0009] In summary, it can be stated that adhesive provided by a supply device and intended to be applied to a component's surface can be picked up particularly easily using the application device and then applied to the component's surface. The application device thus ensures that the provided adhesive can be transferred to a component's surface particularly easily.

[0010] In one embodiment, the application device has a positioning unit which has a first surface facing the adhesive receiving unit, wherein a distance between the adhesive receiving unit and the first surface of the positioning unit is smaller in the second position than in the first position. As a result, a wall of an adhesive reservoir or a wall of a component can be arranged between the adhesive receiving unit and the positioning unit, wherein a surface of the corresponding wall on a first side of the wall can be used to transfer adhesive and a surface of the corresponding wall on a second side of the wall can be used to guide the positioning unit. The positioning unit can rest with the first surface against the component to whose surface adhesive is to be applied.Because the positioning unit has the first surface with which the positioning unit can rest against the component, precise positioning of the application device relative to the component is ensured and thus reproducible and uniform application of the adhesive to the surface of the component is ensured.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first surface of the positioning unit extends cylindrically parallel to a first central axis of the positioning unit. Because the first surface of the positioning unit extends cylindrically parallel to the first central axis of the positioning unit, precise positioning of the application device relative to a cylindrically shaped component is ensured, thus ensuring reproducible and uniform application of the adhesive to the surface of the cylindrically shaped component.

[0012] In one embodiment, the arm unit is movable such that it can be pivoted about a pivot axis into the first position and into the second position. Because the arm unit is movable such that it can be pivoted about the pivot axis into the first position and into the second position, a mechanically particularly simple construction is possible. In the context of the present invention, the fact that the arm unit can be moved or pivoted into the first position and into the second position is preferably understood to mean that the arm unit can be moved or pivoted from the first position into the second position and from the second position into the first position.

[0013] In one embodiment, the arm unit has a first contact surface which is arranged such that when a force acts perpendicularly on the first contact surface, the arm unit is moved towards the second position. With the aid of the first contact surface, the arm unit can be moved towards the second position and thus into the second position by mechanical contact with another component, such as a section of a supply device or a section of the component to whose surface adhesive is to be applied. In particular, the arm unit can be pivoted into the second position by the mechanical contact with the aid of the first contact surface.

[0014] In one embodiment, the arm unit has a second contact surface, which, in the second position, at least partially abuts a portion of the application device. The fact that the second contact surface, in the second position, at least partially abuts a portion of the application device ensures that the second position is clearly defined and that the arm unit does not move further than the second position due to the contact with the portion of the application device.

[0015] In one embodiment, the adhesive receiving unit has a first surface and a second surface that are spaced apart from one another and extend along the same surface. The fact that the first surface and the second surface are spaced apart from one another ensures that a recess can form between the first surface and the second surface, in which recess at least a portion of an adhesive received by the adhesive receiving unit can be arranged, such that the adhesive can be received particularly easily by the adhesive receiving unit and, in particular, even when the arm unit is moved from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position, the received adhesive remains on the adhesive receiving unit.The fact that the first surface and the second surface extend along the same area ensures that the first surface and the second surface can be brought particularly close to a surface that is shaped such that it corresponds to the shape of the area. The fact that the first surface and the second surface can be brought particularly close to a surface means that adhesive can be taken up particularly easily and, in particular, precisely from the first surface, the second surface and / or from the recess by a correspondingly shaped surface and can be released particularly easily and, in particular, precisely from the first surface, the second surface and / or from the recess to a correspondingly shaped further surface, in particular the surface of the component.Preferably, the shape of the surface is adapted so that it corresponds to the shape of the surface of the component to which the adhesive is to be applied. This allows the application device to be adapted to differently shaped components.

[0016] In one embodiment, the arm unit comprises a plurality of adhesive receiving units, wherein the adhesive receiving units are arranged at a distance from one another. When the adhesive receiving units are arranged at a distance from one another, the adhesive can be applied particularly evenly distributed over the surface of the component using the arm unit.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the invention, the stated object is achieved by a supply device having the features of patent claim 9. The supply device is designed to provide adhesive for an application device according to the first aspect of the invention. The supply device has a first surface. The supply device can be arranged relative to the application device such that a distance between the adhesive receiving unit and the first surface of the supply device is smaller in the second position than in the first position and that adhesive can be transferred from the first surface to the adhesive receiving unit in the second position and can be received by the adhesive receiving unit. The supply device is preferably designed to provide liquid adhesive or adhesive in liquid form.The first surface of the supply device can be wetted with adhesive, so that by wetting the first surface with adhesive, adhesive can then be transferred from the first surface to the adhesive receiving unit and absorbed by it. The adhesive can thus be provided by the supply device in a particularly simple manner using the first surface and applied to a surface of a component using the application device. The supply device thus ensures that the provided adhesive can be transferred to a surface of a component in a particularly simple manner.The features, technical effects and / or advantages described in connection with the application device according to the first aspect of the invention also apply at least analogously to the provision device according to the second aspect of the invention, so that a corresponding repetition is omitted at this point.

[0018] In one embodiment, the supply device has a displacer unit which is arranged in an adhesive reservoir of the supply device and can be moved into a first position and into a second position such that when the adhesive reservoir is filled with adhesive and the displacer unit is moved from the first position to the second position and then from the second position to the first position, the first surface of the supply device is wetted with the adhesive. By wetting the first surface with adhesive, adhesive can then be transferred from the first surface to the adhesive receiving unit and received thereby. Preferably, when the displacer unit is moved from the first position to the second position, the level of the adhesive is increased such that the first surface of the supply device is surrounded by adhesive due to the increased level.Preferably, when the displacement unit is subsequently moved from the second position to the first position, the level of the adhesive is reduced so that the first surface of the supply device is wetted with the adhesive. In order to ensure that the first surface can continue to be wetted with adhesive by moving the displacement unit when the adhesive is used up, the first position and the second position of the displacement unit can be adjusted according to the adhesive consumption so that a low level and a high level remain constant and thus the first surface can be wetted repeatedly despite adhesive consumption. Alternatively or additionally, the adhesive consumption can be compensated by refilling adhesive so that the low level and the high level remain constant and thus the first surface can be wetted repeatedly despite adhesive consumption.

[0019] In one embodiment, the provision device has a second surface that faces in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first surface faces. The fact that the second surface faces in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first surface faces ensures that, when the first surface is wetted with adhesive, the second surface can be arranged such that the second surface does not come into contact with the adhesive and can therefore come into contact with a surface of another component without there being a risk that a material bond could be established between the second surface and the surface of the other component due to adhesive.

[0020] In one embodiment, the second surface of the provision device extends cylindrically parallel to a second central axis. The second surface is thus designed to guide a component with a cylindrical surface.

[0021] In one embodiment, the provision device has a second contact surface configured to exert a force perpendicular to the first contact surface of the arm unit when the provision device is arranged relative to the application device such that the distance between the adhesive receiving unit and the first surface of the provision device is smaller in the second position than in the first position. The second contact surface thus ensures that the arm unit can be moved into its second position, for example, when a piston unit is in a corresponding second position.

[0022] According to a third aspect of the invention, the stated object is achieved by a system having the features of patent claim 14. The system is designed for providing and applying adhesive to a surface of a component. The system has an application device according to the first aspect of the invention and a provision device according to the second aspect of the invention. The features, technical effects and / or advantages described in connection with the application device according to the first aspect of the invention and those described in connection with the provision device also apply at least analogously to the system according to the third aspect of the invention, so that a corresponding repetition is omitted here.

[0023] Further features, advantages, and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the exemplary embodiments and the figures. All described and / or illustrated features, individually and in any combination, constitute the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their composition in the individual claims or their references. In the figures, the same reference numerals continue to represent the same or similar objects. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an application device according to the invention, Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b each show a schematic representation of an embodiment of an arm unit of the Fig. 1 shown application device, Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a supply device according to the invention, and Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system according to the invention for providing and applying adhesive to a surface of a component with a Fig. 1 shown application device and one in Fig. 3 shown supply device.

[0024] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an application device 1 according to the invention. The application device 1 is designed for applying adhesive to a surface of a component. The application device 1 comprises a handle unit 3, a frame unit 5, several arm units 7, and a positioning unit 9. The application device 1 is designed in particular for applying liquid adhesive or adhesive in liquid form to a surface of a component.

[0025] The handle unit 3 ensures that an operator of the application device 1 can easily move the application device 1 manually into a specific position, for example, into a position in which adhesive is to be applied to the surface of the component. Alternatively or in addition to the handle unit 3, an alternative embodiment can provide a fastening section designed to accommodate a pivotable robot arm of a robot, so that the robot can move the application device 1 attached to the robot arm into a specific position, for example, into a position in which adhesive is to be applied to the surface of the component.

[0026] The frame unit 5 provides a component to which other components of the application device 1 can be attached, such as the handle unit 3, the arm units 7, and the positioning unit 9 in the illustrated embodiment. The handle unit 3, the arm units 7, and the positioning unit 9 are detachably attached to the frame unit 5, which ensures that these components can be exchanged, whereby the application device 1 can be adapted, in particular, to different component geometries. In an alternative embodiment, the handle unit 3, the frame unit 5, and the positioning unit 9, or the handle unit 3 and the frame unit 5, or the frame unit 5 and the positioning unit 9, or the handle unit 3 and the positioning unit 9 can be formed in one piece, so that the assembly time can be significantly reduced during the manufacture of the application device 1, at least in the final manufacturing steps.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of arm units 7 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to a plurality of arm units 7. Rather, in an embodiment, only one arm unit 7 can be provided. The features, technical effects, and / or advantages described in connection with an arm unit 7 also apply at least analogously to each arm unit 7, so that a corresponding repetition is omitted at corresponding points. Each arm unit 7 is movable into a first position and into a second position in order to apply adhesive to a surface of a component.Because each arm unit 7 can be moved into the first position and into the second position, it can be ensured, for example, that each arm unit 7, when the application device 1 is arranged in a specific position, in particular relative to the component on whose surface adhesive is to be applied, can be moved into different positions, namely into the first position and into the second position, in particular relative to the frame unit 5, in particular without the position of the frame unit 5 changing. The structure and functioning of each arm unit 7 is an essential aspect of the present invention and will be discussed in more detail later.

[0028] The positioning unit 9 has a first surface 11, with which the positioning unit 9 can bear against the component, to whose one surface adhesive is to be applied. Because the positioning unit 9 has the first surface 11, with which the positioning unit 9 can bear against the component, precise positioning of the application device 1 relative to the component is ensured, thus ensuring reproducible and uniform application of the adhesive to the surface of the component. The first surface 11 of the positioning unit 9 extends cylindrically parallel to a first central axis 13 of the positioning unit 9.Because the first surface 11 of the positioning unit 9 extends cylindrically parallel to the first central axis 13 of the positioning unit 9, precise positioning of the application device 1 relative to a cylindrically shaped component is ensured, thus ensuring reproducible and uniform application of the adhesive to the surface of the cylindrically shaped component. The illustrated embodiment is designed to apply adhesive to a cylindrically shaped surface of a planetary carrier in order to connect the planetary carrier to a bearing shell. In alternative embodiments, the positioning unit 9 can be shaped differently.The positioning unit 9, in particular the first surface 11, can be shaped to match the shape of the component, so that a precise positioning of the application device 1 relative to the component is ensured in accordance with the component shape and thus a reproducible and uniform application of the adhesive to the surface of the component is ensured.

[0029] As already described, the application device 1 comprises a plurality of arm units 7. The plurality of arm units 7 are arranged circumferentially around the first central axis 13, so that adhesive can be applied to a surface of a component circumferentially around the first central axis 13. The plurality of arm units 7 are equidistantly spaced around the first central axis 13, so that adhesive can be applied to a surface of a component in a uniformly distributed manner around the first central axis 13.

[0030] Each arm unit 7 is movable such that it can be pivoted about a corresponding pivot axis 15 into the first position and into the second position, in particular from the first position into the second position and from the second position into the first position. Because each arm unit 7 is movable such that it can be pivoted about a corresponding pivot axis 15 into the first position and into the second position, a particularly simple mechanical design is possible.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, each arm unit 7 has a plurality of adhesive receiving units 17. However, the present invention is not limited to a plurality of adhesive receiving units 17. Rather, in one embodiment, only one adhesive receiving unit 17 can be provided for each arm unit 7. The features, technical effects, and / or advantages described in connection with an adhesive receiving unit 17 also apply at least analogously to each adhesive receiving unit 17, so that a corresponding repetition is omitted at corresponding points.Each adhesive receiving unit 17 is designed to receive adhesive, so that adhesive can be transferred, for example, from a surface of a supply device 33, which will be described in more detail later, to each adhesive receiving unit 17 and received by the latter, and can later be transferred from the adhesive receiving unit 17 to the surface of a component for applying adhesive to the surface of the component. Since, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of adhesive receiving units 17 are provided for each arm unit 7, the adhesive can be applied in a distributed manner to the surface of the component using each arm unit 7. In each arm unit 7, the adhesive receiving units 17 of the plurality of adhesive receiving units 17 are arranged at a distance from one another, so that the adhesive can be applied in a particularly evenly distributed manner to the surface of the component using each arm unit 7.

[0032] Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b each show a schematic representation of an embodiment of an arm unit 7 of the Fig. 1 shown application device 1. As shown in the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2a, the arm unit 7 has sixteen adhesive receiving units 17. Each adhesive receiving unit 17 has a first surface 19 and a second surface 21, which are spaced apart from one another and extend along the same surface. The fact that the first surface 19 and the second surface 21 are spaced apart from one another ensures that a recess 23 is formed between the first surface 19 and the second surface 21, in which recess 23 at least a portion of an adhesive received by the adhesive receiving unit 17 can be arranged, so that the adhesive can be received particularly easily by the adhesive receiving unit 17 and, in particular, even when the arm unit 7 is moved from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position, the received adhesive remains on the adhesive receiving unit 17.The fact that the first surface 19 and the second surface 21 extend along the same surface ensures that the first surface 19 and the second surface 21 can be brought particularly close to a surface that is shaped such that it corresponds to the shape of the surface. The fact that the first surface 19 and the second surface 21 can be brought particularly close to a surface means that adhesive can be taken up particularly easily and, in particular, precisely from the first surface 19, the second surface 21 and from the recess 23 by a correspondingly shaped surface and can be released particularly easily and, in particular, precisely from the first surface 19, the second surface 21 and from the recess 23 to a correspondingly shaped further surface, in particular the surface of the component.

[0033] In particular, the shape of the surface can be adapted so that the shape of the surface corresponds to the shape of the surface of the component to which the adhesive is to be applied. This means that the application device 1 can be adapted to differently shaped components. In the illustrated embodiment, in the second position the surface extends along a cylindrical surface of a cylinder that is defined by the first central axis 13. A particular advantage of the illustrated embodiment is that the first surfaces 19 and the second surfaces 21 of all adhesive receiving units 17 of all arm units 7 extend along the same surface in the second position, specifically along the cylindrical surface of the cylinder that is defined by the first central axis 13. This makes it particularly easy to apply adhesive in a distributed manner to a cylindrically shaped surface of a component.Alternatively, the surface for one arm unit 7 or for several arm units 7 or for all arm units 7 can also extend, for example, in one plane, so that adhesive can be applied particularly evenly and efficiently to surfaces of components extending along a corresponding plane.

[0034] In the Fig. 2a and Fig. In the embodiment of the arm unit 7 shown in Figure 2b, some of the adhesive receiving units 17 differ in size and shape from one or more other adhesive receiving units 17. Because the adhesive receiving units 17 can differ in size and / or shape from one another, different amounts of adhesive can be applied from the adhesive receiving units 17 to the surface of the component, so that, for example, the amount and distribution of the adhesive can be adapted to the adhesive bond to be produced. For example, the areas of the first surfaces 19 and the second surfaces 21 decrease in Fig. 2a seen from top to bottom with each adhesive receiving unit 17.

[0035] In the Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b, a plurality of webs 25 are provided, each web 25 extending from a corresponding first adhesive receiving unit 17 to a corresponding second adhesive receiving unit 17. With the help of the webs 25, the arm units 7 can be constructed in a particularly material-saving manner, since the webs 25 can extend in one direction, in particular parallel to the pivot axis 15, such that they protrude in this direction beyond a base body 27 of the arm unit 7 and thus a corresponding first adhesive receiving unit 17 can be arranged such that a corresponding second adhesive receiving unit 17 can be arranged such that, or both a corresponding first adhesive receiving unit 17 and a corresponding second adhesive receiving unit 17 can be arranged such that they protrude at least partially in this direction beyond the base body 27.

[0036] The Fig. 2a and Fig. The embodiment of the arm unit 7 shown in Figure 2b has a first contact surface 29 which is arranged such that when a force acts perpendicularly on the first contact surface 29, the arm unit 7 is moved towards the second position. With the aid of the first contact surface 29, the arm unit 7 can be moved towards the second position and thus into the second position by mechanical contact with another component, such as a section of a provision device 33 or a section of the component to whose surface adhesive is to be applied. In particular, the arm unit 7 can be pivoted into the second position by means of the first contact surface 29 through the mechanical contact.

[0037] In addition, the Fig. 2a and Fig. The embodiment of the arm unit 7 shown in Figure 2b has a second contact surface 31 which, in the second position, at least partially bears against a section of the application device 1, namely, in the illustrated embodiment, a section of the frame unit 5. The fact that the second contact surface 31, in the second position, at least partially bears against a section of the application device 1, namely, in the illustrated embodiment, a section of the frame unit 5, ensures that the second position is clearly defined and that the arm unit 7 does not move further than the second position due to the contact with the section of the application device 1.

[0038] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a supply device 33 according to the invention. The supply device 33 is for providing adhesive for a Fig. 1. The supply device 33 is designed in particular for supplying liquid adhesive or adhesive in liquid form. The supply device 33 has an adhesive reservoir 35 with a wall 37, which is designed such that adhesive can be arranged in the adhesive reservoir 35. The adhesive reservoir 35 has a first section 39 and a second section 41.

[0039] A displacement unit 43 of the supply device 33 is arranged in the first section 39. The displacement unit 43 is arranged in the first section 39 of the adhesive reservoir 35 of the supply device 33 and can be moved into a first position and into a second position such that, when the adhesive reservoir 35 is filled with adhesive and the displacement unit 43 is moved from the first position to the second position and then from the second position to the first position, a first surface 45 of the supply device 33 is wetted with the adhesive. By wetting the first surface 45 of the supply device 33 with adhesive, adhesive can then be transferred from the first surface 45 of the supply device 33 to the adhesive receiving unit 17 and received by the latter. The direction of movement of the displacement unit 43 is Fig. 3 is shown schematically with a double arrow. The first surface 45 of the supply device 33 extends cylindrically parallel to a second central axis 47, so that the shape of the first surface 45 of the supply device 33 is adapted to the shape of the first surfaces 19 of the adhesive receiving units 17 and the second surfaces 21 of the adhesive receiving units 17, which in the second position extend along the same surface, specifically along the cylindrical surface of the cylinder defined by the first central axis 13. This ensures that the adhesive can be transferred particularly precisely from the first surface 45 of the supply device 33 to the adhesive receiving units 17.

[0040] The first surface 45 of the supply device 33 is a section of a surface of the wall 37 in the second section 41 of the adhesive reservoir 35. The second section 41 of the adhesive reservoir 35 is connected to the first section 39 of the adhesive reservoir 35 in such a way that adhesive can pass from the first section 39 into the second section 41 and from the second section 41 into the first section 39. When the displacement unit 43 is moved from the first position to the second position, i.e. in Fig. 3 from top to bottom, a portion of the adhesive is transferred from the first section 39 to the second section 41 and the level of the adhesive in the second section 41 is increased, so that the first surface 45 of the supply device 33 is surrounded by adhesive due to the increased level. When the displacement unit 43 is subsequently moved from the second position to the first position, i.e. in Fig. 3 from bottom to top, a part of the adhesive is transferred from the second section 41 into the first section 39 and the level of the adhesive in the second section 41 is reduced so that the first surface 45 of the supply device 33 is wetted with the adhesive.

[0041] In Fig. 3, a low level 49 and a high level 51 are schematically illustrated by dashed lines. The low level 49 and the high level 51 are selected such that the level of the adhesive in the second section 41 for wetting the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 with adhesive alternates between the low level 49 and the high level 51, thus allowing the entire first surface 45 of the provision device 33 to be repeatedly wetted. Viewed in a direction parallel to the second central axis 47, the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 thus extends from the illustrated low level 49 to the high level 51. Alternatively, the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 can also extend only over a section from the illustrated low level 49 to the high level 51.By repeatedly wetting the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 with adhesive and repeatedly transferring the adhesive from the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 to the adhesive receiving units 17, the adhesive in the adhesive reservoir 35 is consumed. To ensure that the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 can continue to be wetted with adhesive by moving the displacement unit 43 when the adhesive is consumed, the first position and the second position of the displacement unit 43 can be adjusted according to the adhesive consumption, so that the low level 49 and the high level 51 remain constant and thus the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 can be repeatedly wetted despite adhesive consumption.Alternatively or additionally, the adhesive consumption can be compensated by refilling adhesive so that the low level 49 and the high level 51 remain constant and thus the first surface 45 of the supply device 33 can be repeatedly wetted despite adhesive consumption.

[0042] The provision device 33 has a second surface 53 that faces in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 faces. The fact that the second surface 53 of the provision device 33 faces in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 faces ensures that, when the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 is wetted with adhesive, the second surface 53 of the provision device 33 can be arranged such that the second surface 53 of the provision device 33 does not come into contact with the adhesive and can therefore come into contact with a surface of another component without there being a risk that a material bond could be established between the second surface 53 of the provision device 33 and the surface of the other component due to adhesive.In the illustrated embodiment, the second surface 53 of the provision device 33 is a surface of the wall 37, so that the wall 37 can be provided, in a material-saving manner, for wetting the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 with adhesive and for bringing the second surface 53 of the provision device 33 into contact with another component, for example, to guide it. The second surface 53 of the provision device 33 extends cylindrically parallel to the second central axis 47 and is thus designed for guiding a component with a cylindrical surface.

[0043] Fig. Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system 55 according to the invention for providing and applying adhesive to a surface of a component having a Fig. 1 shown application device 1 and one in Fig. 3 illustrated provision device 33.

[0044] The application device 1 can be moved relative to the provision device 33 and inserted into the provision device 33 such that the positioning unit 9 is guided with its first surface 11 along the second surface 53 of the provision device 33, so that the application device 1 is precisely positioned relative to the provision device 33, so that the first central axis 13 and the second central axis 47 extend along the same straight line. The application device 1 is moved along the second central axis 47 in the direction of the provision device 33 until the application device 1 rests with a contact surface 57, which surrounds the first central axis 13, of an end section of the positioning unit 9 opposite the handle unit 3, as seen along the first central axis 13, against a first contact surface 59 of the provision device 33, which surrounds the second central axis 47. This arrangement is shown in Fig. 4. Regardless of the arrangement shown, the application device 1 can be placed on a surface using the contact surface 57 of the positioning unit 9 without mechanically stressing the arm units 7. Furthermore, the positioning unit 9 has a chamfer at the end section that extends around the first central axis 13, which simplifies the insertion of the positioning unit 9 into the application device 1 into the provision device 33.

[0045] The first contact surface 59 of the provision device 33 is a surface of a piston unit 61, which can be moved along the second central axis 47 relative to a cylinder unit 63 from a first position to a second position and from the second position to the first position. The first position is in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. From the first position, the piston unit 61 can be moved into the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 down to the second position and then back to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 up back to the first position.

[0046] First, as already described, the first surface 45 of the supply device 33 is wetted with adhesive by moving the displacement unit 43, first by setting the high level 51 and then the low level 49. Next, the piston unit 61 is moved into the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 downwards into the second position, so that the application device 1 together with the piston unit 61 in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 moves downwards, so that the arm units 7 move in the direction of the first surface 45 of the provision device 33. In order to prevent the adhesive receiving units 17 from coming into contact with the wall 37 of the adhesive reservoir 35 or with the adhesive already present on the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 due to wetting, while the application device 1 is being positioned relative to the provision device 33, each arm unit 7 has a weight element 65, which in the example shown is provided particularly simply by a screw. Each weight element 65 is arranged such that when no force acts perpendicularly on the first contact surface 29 of the arm unit 7, the arm unit 7 is arranged pivoted in the first position or is pivoted into the first position.Each weight element 65 thus ensures in a particularly simple manner that the adhesive receiving units 17 do not come into contact with the wall 37 of the adhesive reservoir 35 or with the adhesive already present on the first surface 45 of the supply device 33 due to wetting during the movement of the application device 1 relative to the supply device 33. The first position is shown schematically for an arm unit 7 on the right in . Fig. 4. When the piston unit 61 moves toward the second position, the application device 1 is arranged relative to the supply device 33 such that the arm units 7 can be pivoted from the first position to the second position for receiving adhesive from the first surface 45 of the supply device 33. The second position is shown schematically for two arm units 7 in Fig. 1 and for multiple arm units 7 in Fig. 4. In this context, it should be mentioned that in the Fig. 4, the arm units 7 of the application device 1 in the arrangement shown in Fig. 4 shown first position and also when moving the application device 1 in Fig. 4 after initially remaining in the first position.

[0047] Shortly before the piston unit 61 reaches the second position, the first contact surface 29 of each arm unit 7 comes into contact with a second contact surface 67 of the supply device 33. The second contact surface 67 extends circumferentially around the second central axis 47, such that the second contact surface 67 comes into contact with each first contact surface 29 of each arm unit 7. By further moving the piston unit 61 into the second position, a force acts perpendicularly on the first contact surfaces 29 with the help of the second contact surface 67, whereby the arm units 7 are moved towards the second position and into the second position in order to pick up adhesive from the first surface 45 of the supply device 33.The second contact surface 67 of the supply device 33 is thus designed to exert a force perpendicular to the first contact surface 29 of the arm unit 7 when the supply device 33 is arranged relative to the application device 1 such that the distance between the adhesive receiving unit 17 and the first surface 45 of the supply device 33 is smaller in the second position than in the first position. Thus, when the piston unit 61 is in the second position, the arm units 7 are also in their respective second positions.The application device 1 is then arranged relative to the provision device 33 such that a distance between the adhesive receiving units 17 and the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 is smaller in the second position than in the first position, and that adhesive can be transferred from the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 to the adhesive receiving units 17 in the second position and can be received by the latter in the second position. Likewise, the provision device 33 can be arranged relative to the application device 1 such that a distance between the adhesive receiving unit 17 and the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 is smaller in the second position than in the first position, and that adhesive can be transferred from the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 to the adhesive receiving unit 17 in the second position and can be received by the latter in the second position.Because the distance between the adhesive receiving units 17 and the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 is smaller in the second position than in the first position, by moving the arm units 7 into the second position, the adhesive receiving units 17 can be brought into contact with the adhesive with which the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 is wetted. In the second position, at least a portion of the adhesive can be transferred from the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 to the adhesive receiving units 17 and received by them. The adhesive can be arranged on the first surfaces 19 of the adhesive receiving units 17, on the second surfaces 21 of the adhesive receiving units 17 and / or in the recesses 23 of the adhesive receiving units 17.It is preferably provided that the adhesive receiving units 17 do not come into contact with the first surface 45 of the provision device 33 in the second position of the arm units 7, but only come into contact with the adhesive that wets the first surface 45 of the provision device 33, whereby the mechanical load on the adhesive receiving units 17 can be kept low.

[0048] After adhesive has been transferred from the first surface 45 of the supply device 33 to the adhesive receiving units 17 in the second position and received by them, the piston unit 61 is moved from the second position back to the first position, with the arm units 7 pivoting back to the first position due to the weight elements 65. The application device 1 can now be removed from the supply device 33 and moved to a component to whose surface adhesive is to be applied. As described in connection with the adhesive reception from the first surface 45 of the supply device 33, the adhesive received by the adhesive receiving units 17 can now be transferred to the surface of the component as described below.

[0049] The application device 1 can be moved relative to the component and inserted into the component such that the positioning unit 9 is guided with its first surface 11 along a surface of the component, so that the application device 1 is precisely positioned relative to the component, such that the first central axis 13 and a central axis of the component extend along the same straight line. The application device 1 can be moved further towards the component, so that the arm units 7, which are in the first position, move towards the surface of the component to be provided with adhesive. The weight elements 65 ensure that the adhesive receiving units 17 do not come into contact with the component while the application device 1 is being positioned relative to the component.When the application device 1 is moved towards the component, the first contact surface 29 of each arm unit 7 comes into contact with a contact surface of the component. In this position, the contact surface of the component preferably extends circumferentially around the first central axis 13, such that the contact surface of the component comes into contact with each first contact surface 29 of each arm unit 7. By further moving the application device 1 towards the component, a force acts perpendicularly on the first contact surfaces 29 with the aid of the contact surface of the component, whereby the arm units 7 are moved towards the second position and into the second position in order to apply adhesive to the surface of the component.The application device 1 is then arranged relative to the component such that the distance between the adhesive receiving units 17 and the surface of the component is smaller in the second position than in the first position, and such that adhesive can be transferred from the adhesive receiving units 17 to the surface of the component in the second position. Because the distance between the adhesive receiving units 17 and the surface of the component is smaller in the second position than in the first position, the adhesive located on the adhesive receiving units 17 can be brought into contact with the surface of the component by moving the arm units 7 into the second position. At least a portion of the adhesive can be transferred from the adhesive receiving units 17 to the surface of the component in the second position.It is preferably provided that the adhesive receiving units 17 do not come into contact with the surface of the component in the second position of the arm units 7, but that only the adhesive or at least a portion of the adhesive comes into contact with the surface of the component, whereby the mechanical load on the adhesive receiving units 17 can be kept low.

[0050] After adhesive has been transferred from the adhesive receiving units 17 to the surface of the component in the second position, the application device 1 is moved away from the component again, with the arm units 7 pivoting back to the first position due to the weight elements 65. The application device 1 can now be removed from the component and returned to the supply device 33 to receive a new portion of adhesive.

[0051] For example, in Fig. 1 that the first surface 11 of the positioning unit 9 faces the adhesive receiving units 17, wherein a distance of the adhesive receiving units 17 from the first surface 11 of the positioning unit 9 is smaller in the second position than in the first position. As a result, the wall 37 of the adhesive reservoir 35 or a wall of a component can be arranged between the adhesive receiving units 17 and the positioning unit 9, wherein a surface of the corresponding wall on a first side of the wall can be used to transfer adhesive and a surface of the corresponding wall on a second side of the wall can be used to guide the positioning unit 9.

[0052] In addition, Fig. 1 shows a sealing element 69 on the frame unit 5, which extends around the first central axis 13. The sealing element 69 ensures that, when the application device 1 is inserted into the provision device 33, an interior of the adhesive reservoir 35 is sealed from the environment of the system 55, so that outgassing from the adhesive in the adhesive reservoir 35 can be kept to a minimum.

[0053] Further on in the Fig. 2a and Fig.2b shows that the arm unit 7 has a retaining pin 71 which extends parallel to the pivot axis 15 from a first end 73 to a second end 75. The retaining pin 71 has a support edge 77 which extends from the first end 73 to the second end 75 along the pivot axis 15 or at least immediately adjacent to the pivot axis 15. The arm unit 7 can rest with the support edge 77 on a section of the frame unit 5 and can thus be pivoted about the pivot axis 15 into the first position and into the second position in a technically simple manner. In addition, the retaining pin 71 has a first contact surface 79 and a second contact surface 81. In the first position of the arm unit 7, the first contact surface 79 rests against a section of the frame unit 5, so that the first position of the arm unit 7 is clearly defined by the first contact surface 79.In the second position of the arm unit 7, the second contact surface 81 rests against a section of the frame unit 5, so that the second position of the arm unit 7 is clearly defined by the second contact surface 81.

[0054] Additionally, it should be noted that "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features described with reference to one of the above embodiments can also be used in combination with other features of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limitations. Reference symbol 1 application device 3 handle unit 5 frame unit 7 arm unit 9 Positioning unit 11 first surface of the positioning unit 13 first central axis 15 Swivel axis 17 Adhesive absorption unit 19 first surface of the adhesive receiving unit 21 second surface of the adhesive receiving unit 23 Recess 25 bridge 27 basic bodies 29 first contact surface of the arm unit 31 second contact surface of the arm unit 33 Provisioning device 35 Adhesive reservoir 37 wall 39 first section 41 second section 43 Displacement unit 45 first surface of the supply device 47 second central axis 49 Low water level 51 high water level 53 second surface of the supply device 55 System 57 Contact surface of the positioning unit 59 first contact surface of the supply device 61 Piston unit 63 Cylinder unit 65 weight element 67 second contact surface of the supply device 69 Sealing element 71 Retaining pin 73 first end of the retaining pin 75 second end of the retaining pin 77 Support edge of the retaining pin 79 first contact surface of the retaining pin 81 second contact surface of the retaining pin

Claims

[1] Application device (1) for applying adhesive to a surface of a component, wherein the application device (1) has an arm unit (7) movable into a first position and into a second position, wherein the arm unit (7) has an adhesive receiving unit (17) which is designed to receive adhesive, and wherein the application device (1) can be arranged relative to a supply device (33) such that a distance of the adhesive receiving unit (17) to a first surface (45) of the supply device (33) is smaller in the second position than in the first position and that adhesive in the second position can be transferred from the first surface (45) of the supply device (33) to the adhesive receiving unit (17) and can be received by the latter. [2] Application device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the application device (1) comprises a positioning unit (9) having a first surface (11) facing the adhesive receiving unit (17), wherein a distance of the adhesive receiving unit (17) to the first surface (11) of the positioning unit (9) is smaller in the second position than in the first position. [3] Application device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first surface (11) of the positioning unit (9) extends cylindrically parallel to a first central axis (13) of the positioning unit (9). [4] Application device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm unit (7) is movable so that it can be pivoted about a pivot axis (15) into the first position and into the second position. [5] Application device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm unit (7) has a first contact surface (29) arranged such that when a force acts perpendicularly on the first contact surface (29), the arm unit (7) is moved in the direction towards the second position. [6] Application device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm unit (7) has a second contact surface (31) which, in the second position, bears at least partially against a portion of the application device (1). [7] An application device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesive receiving unit (17) has a first surface (19) and a second surface (21) which are spaced apart from each other and extend along the same surface. [8] Application device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the arm unit (7) has a plurality of adhesive receiving units (17), wherein the adhesive receiving units (17) are arranged spaced apart from one another. [9] Provision device (33) for providing adhesive for an application device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the providing device (33) has a first surface (45), and wherein the supply device (33) can be arranged relative to the application device (1) such that a distance of the adhesive receiving unit (17) to the first surface (45) of the supply device (33) is smaller in the second position than in the first position and that adhesive in the second position can be transferred from the first surface (45) of the supply device (33) to the adhesive receiving unit (17) and can be received by the latter. [10] Provision device (33) according to claim 9, wherein the provision device (33) has a displacement unit (43) which is arranged in an adhesive reservoir (35) of the provision device (33) and can be moved into a first position and into a second position such that when the adhesive reservoir (35) is filled with adhesive and the displacement unit (43) is moved from the first position to the second position and then from the second position to the first position, the first surface (45) of the provision device (33) is wetted with the adhesive. [11] A provision device (33) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the provision device (33) has a second surface (53) facing in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first surface (45) faces. [12] Provision device (33) according to claim 11, wherein the second surface (53) of the provision device (33) extends cylindrically parallel to a second central axis (47). [13] Provision device (33) according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the provision device (33) has a second contact surface (67) which is designed to exert a force perpendicular to the first contact surface (29) of the arm unit (7) when the provision device (33) is arranged relative to the application device (1) such that a distance of the adhesive receiving unit (17) to the first surface (45) of the provision device (33) is smaller in the second position than in the first position. [14] System (55) for providing and applying adhesive to a surface of a component, the system (55) comprising an application device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and a supply device (33) according to one of claims 9 to 13.

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