Follower plate system for following a follower plate with discontinuous drive and application system with a follower plate system

Abstract

Follower plate system (100) for guiding a follower plate (10) in a storage container, comprising: one or more guide rods (14) for connecting to the follower plate (10); a first lifting / lowering drive unit (16) with one or more vertically movable first clamping brackets (18) for the one or more guide rods (14), wherein the one or more first clamping brackets (18) are switchable between a locking position and an unlocking position; one or more second clamping brackets (28) which are switchable between a locking position and an unlocking position; and a control device (30) configured for controlling a lifting or lowering movement of the guide rods (14) with the following sequence of steps: switching the second clamping brackets (28) into the unlocking position; moving the first clamping brackets (18) with the guide rods (14) locked thereto in a first direction (A);Switching the second clamping brackets (28) into the locking position; moving the first clamping brackets (18) in the unlocking position along the guide rods (14) in a direction opposite to the first direction (A) (B).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a follower plate system for guiding a follower plate in a reservoir, and an application system for applying a liquid or viscous medium to an object, comprising a dispensing device for dispensing the liquid or viscous medium from a reservoir, wherein the dispensing device comprises the follower plate system and a follower plate pump arranged on a follower plate of the follower plate system. Technical background

[0002] Application systems are used in numerous industrial applications, for example in the automotive, construction, energy, and semiconductor industries, as well as in industrial assembly. Application systems serve to apply media, especially viscous and / or liquid media, to or into components. Examples of liquid media include adhesives, foams (especially polyurethane foams), battery foams, and insulating foams, as well as paints and cleaning fluids. In the automotive sector, application systems are used, for example, to apply battery foams and / or adhesives to the batteries of electric vehicles, and / or to apply adhesives to body parts and / or vehicle windows, such as windshields.

[0003] An application system comprises a dosing device, also called a dispenser, and an application device, also called an applicator. The dosing device and the application device can be combined into a single unit. The dosing device is used for dosing, for example, by controlling the flow of the medium. The dosing device receives the medium from a source, such as a storage container, particularly a drum. The application device is used to apply the medium to or into a component.

[0004] The dosing device receives the medium from a source, such as a storage container, particularly a drum, via a dispensing mechanism. The application system or the dosing device may include the dispensing mechanism. Especially with viscous media, a follower plate with a follower plate pump is typically inserted into the storage container to ensure the medium is dispensed without breakage. The follower plate includes a sealing lip around its perimeter to seal against the container edge. When the medium is dispensed, the follower plate is retracted into the storage container so that it always rests on the surface of the medium. The dispensing mechanism may include a follower plate system for advancing the follower plate within the storage container.The follower plate system can include pneumatic cylinders to press the follower plate against the surface of a viscous medium and to advance the follower plate, while a follower plate pump (sub-pump) extracts the medium and feeds it through the metering device of the application device. The advancement is synchronized with the medium extraction to ensure uniform extraction.

[0005] Pneumatically driven cylinders have the disadvantage that compressed air must be supplied for their operation. This is complex and energy-intensive due to high air consumption. Furthermore, when a pneumatic cylinder is used to guide a follower plate inside a drum, the full stroke of the cylinders roughly corresponds to the drum's height. As a result, the overall extended height of the assembly is approximately the sum of the drum's height, the pump length, and the length of the drive unit including attachments, and can reach, for example, a height of 2.3 meters. Summary of the invention

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved follower plate system for feeding a follower plate in a storage container, in particular a barrel. Furthermore, it is an object to provide a follower plate system that has reduced energy consumption and / or reduced compressed air consumption.

[0007] These and other problems arising for a person skilled in the art from the present disclosure are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0008] The core of this disclosure is to provide a novel drive for following the material surface of the drum with the follower plate. Several rods are attached to the follower plate. A lifting or lowering movement of the rods (or the follower plate) comprises the following steps: A first lifting / lowering drive unit moves the rods a first distance. The rods are coupled to the first lifting / lowering drive unit via a first clamping bracket. The rods are then decoupled from the first lifting / lowering drive unit and held by a second clamping bracket while the first lifting / lowering drive unit retracts without carrying the rods. The rods are then again decoupled from the second clamping bracket and coupled to the first clamping bracket. The first lifting / lowering drive unit can then move the rods a first distance again. The first lifting / lowering drive unit thus drives the rods discontinuously.In this way, a total travel distance of the rods can be achieved that is several times greater than the travel distance of the first lifting / lowering drive unit. The first lifting / lowering drive unit can therefore be of a simple and / or compact design. Due to the relatively short travel distance of the first lifting / lowering drive unit and low physical loads, the system components can be small.

[0009] The rods are also referred to herein as guide rods. Although several rods are mentioned above, a single rod may alternatively be provided. Although a first clamping bracket and a second clamping bracket are mentioned above, several first clamping brackets and several second clamping brackets may alternatively be provided. In particular, a first and / or a second clamping bracket may be provided for each rod, or several first and / or second clamping brackets per rod. However, a common first clamping bracket and / or a common second clamping bracket may also be provided for each rod. One or more of the above-mentioned features may be realized in each of the following aspects of the disclosure.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a follower plate system for guiding a follower plate in a storage container is disclosed. The follower plate system may include a frame. The follower plate system comprises one or more guide rods for connecting to the follower plate and a first lifting / lowering drive unit arranged on the frame. The first lifting / lowering drive unit comprises one or more vertically movable first clamping brackets for the one or more guide rods. The one or more first clamping brackets are switchable between a locking position, in which the one or more guide rods are locked to the one or more first clamping brackets, and an unlocking position, in which the one or more guide rods are displaceable relative to the one or more first clamping brackets.In the locked position, the one or more guide rods, together with the one or more first clamping brackets, are vertically movable by the first lifting / lowering drive unit. The follower plate system further comprises one or more second clamping brackets. The one or more second clamping brackets may be arranged on the frame. The one or more second clamping brackets are switchable between a locked position, in which the one or more guide rods are locked to the one or more second clamping brackets, and an unlocked position, in which the one or more guide rods are movable relative to the one or more second clamping brackets. The follower plate system may include a control device configured to actuate the first lifting / lowering drive unit and the one or more first clamping brackets and the one or more second clamping brackets.The first lifting / lowering drive unit, the one or more first clamping brackets, and the one or more second clamping brackets can be configured to execute a method for lifting or lowering one or more guide rods, or in particular, to control a lifting or lowering movement of one or more guide rods. In particular, the control device can be configured to execute a method for lifting or lowering one or more guide rods, or in particular, to control a lifting or lowering movement of one or more guide rods.

[0011] The procedure or lifting or lowering movement may include: - Method of moving one or more guide rods locked to one or more first clamping brackets in a first direction (in particular about a first path length) while one or more second clamping brackets are in the unlocked position, and / or - Movement of one or more first clamping brackets along the one or more guide rods in a direction opposite to the first direction (without taking the one or more rods with them), while the one or more second clamping brackets are in the locking position

[0012] The procedure or lifting or lowering movement may include the following sequence of steps: - Switching one or more of the first clamping brackets into the locking position; - Switching one or more second clamping brackets into the unlocked position; - Method of locking one or more guide rods to the one or more first clamping brackets in a first direction (in particular about a first path distance); - Switching one or more second clamping brackets into the locking position; - Switching one or more of the first clamping brackets into the unlocked position; - Method of moving one or more first clamping brackets along one or more guide rods in a direction opposite to the first direction.

[0013] The sequence of steps can be repeated, in particular multiple times. Preferably, the total travel distance of the one or more rods in the first direction is at least a multiple of the length of the rods.

[0014] The first direction can correspond to the rods and the follower plate being inserted into the storage container. By reversing the direction of movement, the rods and the follower plate can be extended out of the storage container.

[0015] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, an application system is provided for applying a liquid or viscous medium to an object. The application system comprises a dispensing device for extracting the liquid or viscous medium from a storage container. The dispensing device includes a follower plate system of the type described herein and a follower plate pump arranged on a follower plate of the follower plate system. The medium can, in particular, be a viscous or highly viscous medium. The follower plate pump can be a pump for conveying viscous media, in particular a drum pump for conveying viscous media.

[0016] Aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features: The (one or more) rods can be round, especially cylindrical. The rods can be hollow, i.e., especially tubes.

[0017] The storage container can be a cylindrical container, in particular a barrel.

[0018] The frame can include guides (rod guides) for the respective guide rods, in particular sliding guides.

[0019] The frame may include a clamping device for (removably) attaching the frame to an upper end region of the storage container, wherein, in the attached state, one or more guide rods are arranged above the storage container. The rods extend vertically. The storage container may, in particular, be a drum. The clamping device may be configured for (removably) attaching the frame to an upper edge of the drum and may, in particular, be referred to as a drum clamp. The clamping device may include a (mechanical) locking mechanism.

[0020] Alternatively, the frame can be designed to be placed against or, in particular, next to (e.g., behind) the storage container, with one or more poles positioned above the storage container. The poles extend vertically. The frame may include a stand for supporting it on the ground.

[0021] The follower plate system can include the follower plate. The follower plate can be connected to one or more guide rods, either by attachment or by fixed connection. A lower end of each guide rod can be connected to the follower plate. The follower plate, together with the one or more guide rods, can form a punch.

[0022] The follower plate can include a circumferential sealing lip, in particular a sealing lip for sealing against an inner wall of a storage container. The sealing lip can allow the follower plate to move within the storage container for insertion or removal.

[0023] A follower plate pump can be mounted on the follower plate.

[0024] The first lifting / lowering drive unit can also be designed as a first linear drive unit. The first lifting / lowering drive unit can be electrically driven. In particular, it can comprise an electric motor. This enables a compact drive without a pneumatic cylinder. A single motor can be used for several guide rods. Alternatively, multiple motors (especially two) can be used for each rod.

[0025] The clamping devices are also referred to as clamping units. The clamping devices can be electrically or pneumatically (especially with compressed air) or hydraulically driven or actuated (switchable between the locking and unlocking positions). The clamping devices can also be referred to as rod locks. They can be configured to clamp and lock the respective rod.

[0026] The one or more vertically movable first clamping brackets of the first lifting / lowering drive unit can have a maximum travel distance (stroke) of less than or equal to 25 cm, preferably less than or equal to 15 cm. A shorter stroke allows for a lower overall height of the machine frame or the assembly of the follower plate system above the storage container.

[0027] In various embodiments, the first lifting / lowering drive unit comprises a spindle drive and an electric motor for rotating the spindle drive. One or more first clamping brackets can be coupled to the spindle drive. The spindle drive can be configured to move the one or more first clamping brackets vertically. The first lifting / lowering drive unit can include a reduction gear. The first lifting / lowering drive unit can have a belt drive that couples the motor (or the reduction gear) to the spindle drive. An electric spindle with a short stroke (e.g., 100 mm) in combination with a clamping unit can grip, move, and re-grip a tube (or guide rod) on the follower plate.The machine frame can be significantly shorter, the installation space for the components can be reduced, and little to no compressed air is needed to follow the material in the drum with the subsequent plate.

[0028] The spindle drive can comprise a spindle and a spindle nut. The first lifting / lowering drive unit can include a guide for a movable spindle nut. The spindle can be driven. The spindle nut can be connected to one or more first clamping brackets.

[0029] In various embodiments, the follower plate system comprises several guide rods, in particular several guide rods arranged around a recess or a removal opening in the follower plate for receiving a follower plate pump. For example, two guide rods may be positioned opposite each other, or three guide rods may be arranged around a central axis or around the recess, for example, each offset by 120°. The follower plate system may comprise several first clamping brackets. Each of these may be associated with a guide rod. The first lifting / lowering drive unit may comprise a common support for the first clamping brackets, wherein the first clamping brackets may be connected to the first lifting / lowering drive unit via the common support. The support may extend around an area for receiving the follower plate pump.

[0030] In embodiments, the follower plate system comprises a second lifting / lowering drive unit arranged on the frame, wherein one or more second clamping brackets are arranged to be vertically movable on the second lifting / lowering drive unit. The control device can further be configured to actuate the second lifting / lowering drive unit. The first lifting / lowering drive unit, the second lifting / lowering drive unit, the one or more first clamping brackets, and the one or more second clamping brackets can be configured to execute the method for lifting or lowering the one or more guide rods, or in particular, to control the lifting or lowering movement of the one or more guide rods.In particular, the control device can be configured to control the first lifting / lowering drive unit, the second lifting / lowering drive unit, one or more first clamping brackets, and one or more second clamping brackets.

[0031] The first and / or second clamping brackets can each include a clamping mechanism comprising a first cone and a second cone (divided circumferentially), the first and second cones being arranged one inside the other, with cone surfaces sliding against each other, wherein at least one of the first and second cones is movable (radially) and configured to wedge itself between the other cone and the guide rod in the locking position. At least the other of the first and second cones can be longitudinally displaceable to wedge one cone radially. The first and / or second clamping brackets can each include a sleeve (a housing) for the clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism can include a tensioning device (e.g., a compression spring) that biases the clamping mechanism into the locking position (or into the unlocking position).The clamping mechanism may include a pneumatic piston or hydraulic piston to move the clamping mechanism into the unlocked position (or into the locked position).

[0032] During the process or the raising / lowering movement of one or more guide rods, the following step can occur: - The procedure of one or more first clamping brackets along one or more guide rods is carried out in a direction opposite to the first direction during a step: - Method of one or more guide rods locked to one or more second clamping brackets with the one or more second clamping brackets in the first direction (especially to a second path).

[0033] This enables continuous and / or uninterrupted movement (especially in the first direction), e.g., lifting or lowering, of one or more guide rods (and thus the follower plate). The continuous and / or uninterrupted movement is achieved by the discontinuous, alternating driving of the rods by the first and second lifting / lowering drive units.

[0034] Accordingly, one step could be: - The process of one or more second clamping brackets along one or more guide rods is carried out in a direction opposite to the first direction during a step: - Method of one or more guide rods locked to the one or more first clamping brackets with the one or more first clamping brackets in a first direction (in particular about the first path distance).

[0035] A process involving one or more first clamping brackets can thus occur simultaneously with a process involving one or more second clamping brackets in the opposite direction. In this process, either the one or more first clamping brackets or the one or more second clamping brackets can be locked at any given time. The others are unlocked.

[0036] The second lifting / lowering drive unit can be constructed in the same or a similar manner as described here for the first lifting / lowering drive unit.

[0037] The one or more second clamping brackets can be constructed in the same or a similar manner as described here for the one or more first clamping brackets. Brief description of the characters

[0038] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to figures, which show: Fig. 1 a follower plate system in a schematic sectional view according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and Fig. 2 Details of the drive of the follower plate system in a schematic sectional view according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed description

[0039] Fig. Figure 1 shows a follower plate system 100 in a schematic sectional view according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0040] The in Fig. 1 The follower plate system 100 shown for guiding a follower plate 10 in a storage container 200 in the form of a barrel comprises a frame 12.

[0041] Two guide rods 14 are rigidly connected to the follower plate 10. Two first lifting / lowering drive units 16 are arranged on the frame 12, each assigned to one of the guide rods 14. The first lifting / lowering drive units 16 each have a vertically movable first clamping bracket 18 with a push / pull cone for the guide rod 14.

[0042] Two stationary secondary clamping brackets 28 are arranged on the frame 12, each associated with one of the guide rods 14. The secondary clamping brackets 28 each have a tension / compression cone for the guide rod 14.

[0043] The first and second clamping brackets 18, 28 can each be switched between a locking position, in which the respective guide rod 14 is locked to the clamping bracket 18 or 28, and an unlocking position, in which the respective guide rod 14 can be moved relative to the clamping bracket 18 or 28, by means of a control device 30.

[0044] The control device 30 is configured to control a raising or lowering movement of the guide rods 14, comprising the following sequence of steps: - Switching the first clamping brackets 18 into the locking position; - Switching the second clamping brackets 28 into the unlocked position; - Movement of the guide rods 14 locked to the first clamping brackets 18 with the first clamping brackets 18 in a first direction A; - Switching the second clamping brackets 28 into the locking position; - Switching the first clamping brackets 18 into the unlocking position; - Procedure of the first clamping brackets 18 along the guide rods 14 in one direction B opposite to the first direction A.

[0045] A follower plate pump PAE is arranged in a central position on the follower plate 10 of the follower plate system 100. The follower plate pump can be part of a dispensing device for extracting the liquid or viscous medium from the storage container 200.

[0046] The follower plate system 100 is part of an application system for applying a liquid or viscous medium to an object, comprising the dispensing device.

[0047] Fig. Figure 2 shows details of a first lifting / lowering drive unit 16 of the follower plate system 100 according to embodiments. Features marked with the same reference numerals correspond to the example of the Fig. 1.

[0048] The first lifting / lowering drive unit 16 comprises a spindle drive 40 with a rotary spindle 42 and a spindle nut 44. The first lifting / lowering drive unit 16 further comprises an electric motor 46 for rotaryly driving the spindle drive 40 via a reduction gear 48 and a belt drive 50. One of the several first clamping brackets 18 is coupled to the spindle drive 40, more precisely, connected to the spindle nut 44. The spindle nut 44 is guided on a guide 52. The spindle drive 40 is configured to move the first clamping bracket 18 vertically. When the clamping bracket 18 is locked, the guide rod 14 is moved along with it. When the clamping bracket 18 is unlocked, it moves along the guide rod 14 without moving it.

[0049] The follower plate system 100 ensures that the follower plate 10 is tracked on the material surface in the barrel during the pumping process.

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