Application nozzle for applying a gel-like or pasty multi-component composition

Abstract

Application nozzle (10) for applying a gel-like or pasty multi-component composition, comprising an inlet part (11), an intermediate part (12) and an outlet part (13), wherein the inlet part (11) has at least one inlet opening (14) for introducing the multi-component composition into the inlet part (11) or has a plurality of inlet openings (14) for separately introducing one of a plurality of components of the multi-component composition into the inlet part (11), the intermediate part (12) has a conveying means for transporting the multi-component composition from the inlet part (11) to the outlet part (13), and the outlet part (13) has at least one outlet opening (15) for discharging the multi-component composition from the outlet part (13), wherein the inlet part (11), the intermediate part (12) and the outlet part (13) are designed as separate parts that can be connected to one another in a fluid-conducting manner.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an application nozzle for applying a gel-like or pasty multi-component composition.

[0002] When applying multi-component compounds, such as two-component adhesives or sealants, so-called static mixing tubes are frequently used. Round or rectangular beads are predominantly applied. Alternatively, so-called dynamic mixers are used to mix the components of the multi-component compound.

[0003] Static mixing tubes are disposable items and must be replaced regularly. Dynamic mixers usually have a mechanical agitator, which can fail, for example, by breaking, especially with highly viscous substances.

[0004] The round or rectangular bead geometries only allow for a limited degree of material displacement when pressing together joining partners using the multi-component composition. In general, the joining forces required increase disproportionately with increasing displacement of the multi-component composition between the joining partners.

[0005] WO 2011 044 029 A1 discloses a two-component liquid dispenser with a mixing section. The two-component liquid dispenser has a modular design and interchangeable individual components.

[0006] DE 100 24 695 A1 describes a method for bonding two workpieces. An adhesive bead with a triangular cross-section is applied using a nozzle of a dispenser system.

[0007] DE 699 37 265 T2 discloses a device for applying adhesives to components. The device has a modular design and features interchangeable nozzle bodies.

[0008] Against this background, the invention is based on the objective of providing an application nozzle that enables the mass production-ready, cost-effective application of a gel-like or pasty multi-component composition in order to securely and reliably join joining partners via the multi-component composition.

[0009] This problem is solved by an application nozzle having the features of claim 1. Further, particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0010] It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims can be combined with one another in any technically meaningful way (even across category boundaries, for example between method and apparatus) and demonstrate further embodiments of the invention. The description further characterizes and specifies the invention, particularly in conjunction with the figures.

[0011] It should be noted that the conjunction “and / or” used herein, which stands between two features and links them together, is always to be interpreted in such a way that in a first embodiment of the object according to the invention only the first feature may be present, in a second embodiment only the second feature may be present, and in a third embodiment both the first and the second feature may be present.

[0012] The invention relates to an application nozzle for applying a gel-like or pasty multi-component composition, which has an inlet part, an intermediate part and an outlet part, wherein the inlet part has at least one inlet opening for introducing the multi-component composition into the inlet part or several inlet openings for separately introducing one of several components of the multi-component composition into the inlet part, the intermediate part has a conveying means for transporting the multi-component composition from the inlet part to the outlet part and the outlet part has at least one outlet opening for directing the multi-component composition out of the outlet part, wherein the inlet part, the intermediate part and the outlet part are designed as separate parts that can be fluidly connected to one another.

[0013] In other words, the application nozzle has a modular design consisting of at least three parts: inlet, intermediate, and outlet sections. These can be made from different materials and thus optimized for their specific function, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs of the application nozzle.

[0014] The inlet section can be supplied with a multi-component mixture already blended from several components outside the application nozzle via at least one inlet opening. Alternatively, if the inlet section has multiple inlet openings, the components forming the multi-component mixture can be supplied separately and only mixed together in the application nozzle to form the multi-component mixture.

[0015] The multi-component composition can, for example, be an adhesive or sealant with which two joining partners are bonded and / or sealed together via the multi-component composition.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the inlet part, the intermediate part, and the outlet part can be connected to each other in a non-destructive manner. The individual parts can be exchanged or replaced without having to replace the entire application nozzle.

[0017] Advantageous further embodiments provide that, in the inlet section downstream of the at least one inlet opening, at least one static mixing element is arranged to influence the flow of the multi-component composition within the inlet section. In static mixing, the components are mixed solely by their flow motion within the inlet section. In this case, the inlet section forms a static mixer. The static mixing element(s), which can be arranged, for example, in a helical, lamellar, grid-like form, or the like, divide the multi-component composition supplied via the at least one inlet opening, twist the material flows, and then recombine them. A multi-component composition mixed outside the application nozzle is thereby mixed within the application nozzle.In the inlet section, the mixture is further homogenized, or individually added components of the multi-component composition are mixed together within the inlet section to form a homogeneous multi-component composition.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment, the conveying element is designed as a screw conveyor arranged in the intermediate section. This conveyor not only transports the multi-component mixture from the inlet to the outlet, but also achieves further homogenization of the multi-component mixture through its rotation. The screw conveyor thus also functions as a dynamic mixer. The rotational speed of the screw conveyor can be adjusted to specifically influence the conveying speed and the mixing process.

[0019] In other advantageous embodiments, the outlet part has several outlet openings arranged transversely to the flow direction of the multi-component composition discharged from the outlet part, each with a triangular outlet surface. In other words, in this embodiment, the outlet part forms a slot-shaped nozzle opening whose outlet openings create a sawtooth-shaped bead geometry of the dispensed multi-component composition. This allows for a surface application of the multi-component composition between two joining partners, enabling the joining partners to be joined with lower joining forces. The mechanical stress on the individual joining partners is minimized, and damage to the joining partners during the joining process is prevented. At the same time, process-related air inclusions between the joining partners are minimized or completely prevented.This method is particularly advantageous for joining battery cells or battery packs, as the joining forces required for joining the battery cells are reduced to a minimum.

[0020] The triangular exit surface of each exit opening advantageously has a height-to-width ratio of approximately 2:1, where "approximately" indicates a tolerance range considered customary by those skilled in the art. Specifically, "approximately" refers to a tolerance range of up to a maximum of + / -20%, preferably up to a maximum of + / -10%. This height-to-width ratio allows for minimizing the total amount of multi-component compound applied between the joining partners while simultaneously ensuring a predetermined stability of the applied multi-component bead after application until the actual joining of the partners.

[0021] In further advantageous embodiments, the inlet part, the intermediate part, and / or the outlet part are each formed using a 3D printing process, particularly preferably a metallic 3D printing process. Additive manufacturing technology offers great flexibility and a high degree of design freedom both in terms of material selection (e.g., plastics or metals with different material properties) and in the design and arrangement of mixing elements, for example, within the inlet part.

[0022] Further preferred embodiments provide that the outlet part is at least partially formed from a hard metal material. These are metal matrix composites in which hard materials, present as small particles, are held together by a metal matrix. Hard metal materials achieve a long service life for the outlet part.

[0023] In other preferred embodiments, the inlet part, the intermediate part and / or the outlet part is / are each formed from two interconnected half-shell parts.

[0024] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are not to be understood as limiting and are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. This drawing schematically shows: Fig. 1 a top view of an application nozzle formed from individual parts according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective, partially cutaway view of an inlet part of the application nozzle made of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 a perspective view of an outlet part of the application nozzle made of Fig. 1.

[0025] In the different figures, parts that are equivalent in function are always provided with the same reference symbols, so that they are usually only described once.

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 shows a top view of an application nozzle 10 formed from three individual parts for applying a gel-like or pasty multi-component composition, e.g. an adhesive or sealant, according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. Figure 1 shows that the application nozzle 10 has an inlet part 11, an intermediate part 12, and an outlet part 13. The inlet part 11 has at least one inlet opening 14 (see Figure 1). Fig. 2) for introducing the multi-component composition, which may already be mixed outside the inlet section, into the inlet section 11 via one or more inlet openings 14, in order to introduce several components of the multi-component composition separately into the inlet section 11. The intermediate section 12 has a conveying means (not shown), e.g., a screw conveyor, for transporting the multi-component composition from the inlet section 11 to the outlet section 13. The outlet section 13 has at least one outlet opening 15 (see figure). Fig. 3) to discharge the multi-component composition from the outlet part 13.

[0027] The inlet part 11, the intermediate part 12, and the outlet part 13 are designed as separate parts and can be fluidly connected to one another. Preferably, the three parts can be connected to one another in a non-destructively detachable manner. For example, parts 11, 12, and 13 can be connected by means of screw or clamp connections. In the case of the Fig. In the exemplary application nozzle 10 shown in Figure 1, the intermediate part 12 can be connected to the inlet part 11 via a screw connection, whereas the outlet part 13 can be attached to the intermediate part 12 and is held in place by a clamping force. However, the invention is not necessarily limited to this specific embodiment.

[0028] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective, partially cutaway view of the inlet part 11 of the application nozzle 10. Fig. Figure 1. The inlet section 11 is formed from a central tube 16 and four tubular auxiliary connections 17. For example, a first component of a two-component composition (e.g., adhesive or sealant) can be introduced into the inlet section 11 via the inlet opening 14 in the central tube 16, and a second component can be introduced via the inlet openings 14 of the four auxiliary connections 17. Downstream of at least the inlet opening 14 in the central tube 16, a static mixing element 18 is arranged to influence the flow of the multi-component composition within the inlet section 11 and to mix the multi-component composition. The mixing element 18 is designed as a helical spiral, but this configuration is not mandatory.

[0029] Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the outlet part 13 of the application nozzle 10. Fig. Figure 1 shows that the outlet part 13 has several outlet openings 15 arranged transversely to the flow direction of the multi-component composition that can be discharged from the outlet part 13, each with a triangular outlet surface. Preferably, the triangular outlet surface has a height H to width B ratio of approximately 2:1, as shown in an enlargement of one of the outlet openings 15 in Figure 1. Fig. 3 is indicated. REFERENCE MARK LIST: 10 application nozzles 11 Inlet part 12 Intermediate part 13 Outlet section 14 Entrance opening 15 Outlet opening 16 Central tube 17 Secondary connection 18 Helix-shaped mixing element B Width H height QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2011 044 029 A1

[0005] DE 100 24 695 A1

[0006] DE 699 37 265 T2

[0007]

Claims

[1] Application nozzle (10) for applying a gel-like or pasty multi-component composition, comprising an inlet part (11), an intermediate part (12) and an outlet part (13), wherein the inlet part (11) has at least one inlet opening (14) for introducing the multi-component composition into the inlet part (11) or several inlet openings (14) for separately introducing one of several components of the multi-component composition into the inlet part (11), the intermediate part (12) has a conveying means for transporting the multi-component composition from the inlet part (11) to the outlet part (13) and the outlet part (13) has at least one outlet opening (15) for discharge of the multi-component composition from the outlet part (13), wherein the inlet part (11), the intermediate part (12) and the outlet part (13) are designed as separate parts that can be fluidly connected to one another. [2] Application nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the inlet part (11), the intermediate part (12) and the outlet part (13) are detachably connectable to each other without damage. [3] Application nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, in which at least one static mixing element (18) influencing the flow of the multi-component composition within the inlet part (11) is arranged downstream of the at least one inlet opening (14) for mixing the multi-component composition. [4] Application nozzle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying means is designed as a conveying screw arranged in the intermediate part (12). [5] Application nozzle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet part (13) has several outlet openings (15) arranged transversely to a flow direction of the multi-component composition that can be discharged from the outlet part (13), each with a triangular outlet surface. [6] Application nozzle according to claim 5, wherein the triangular discharge surface has a ratio of its height (H) to its width (B) of 2:

1. [7] Application nozzle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet part (11), the intermediate part (12) and / or the outlet part (13) is / are each formed in a 3D printing process. [8] Application nozzle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet part (13) is at least partially formed from a hard metal material. [9] Application nozzle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet part (11), the intermediate part (12) and / or the outlet part (13) is / are each formed from two interconnected half-shell parts.

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