Follower plate system for follower plate tracking and application system with follower plate system

Abstract

Follower plate system (100) for guiding a follower plate (10) in a storage container, comprising: a frame comprising a rack (12) and a crossbeam (14), wherein the crossbeam (14) bridges a mounting position (16) for a storage container (200); one or more spindle drives, each with a spindle nut (20) and a vertically arranged spindle (22) for connecting to the follower plate (10); a common drive wheel (30) for driving the spindle nut (20) of the one or more spindle drives, wherein the drive wheel (30) has a toothed ring (30a) which engages with a toothed ring (20a) of the spindle nut (20) of the respective spindle drive; a drive motor (32); and a reduction gear (34) which couples the drive motor (32) to the drive wheel (30).

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 to operate them. This is complex and energy-intensive. Summary of the invention

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved follower plate system for advancing a follower plate in a storage container, in particular a barrel. Furthermore, it is an object to provide a follower plate system that exhibits reduced energy 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 the present disclosure is to drive a follower plate by means of spindles with driven spindle nuts, and to transmit the rotation of a common electric motor to each spindle nut via a toothed ring. The spindle nuts are thus driven by a common drive motor via a toothed ring. The spindles are moved together and simultaneously by means of a common motor driving a toothed ring. The spindles are stationary (i.e., they do not rotate but are only moved vertically) and are connected to the follower plate; the spindle nut is driven. The motor is combined with a gearbox to achieve low output speeds at high torque. A rigid frame with a crossbeam (or cross yoke) can support the drive elements. An advantage is that the size of the spindles can be relatively small, especially compared to pneumatic cylinders.This design reduces the overall height (height of the machine frame), thereby lowering transport height and costs. In particular, the size of the (machine) frame is significantly reduced, thus also minimizing the space required for transporting the system. The moving mass is considerably reduced compared to a version with pneumatic cylinders, and the drive can be purely electric; no compressed air is required.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a follower plate system for guiding a follower plate in a storage container is specified. The follower plate system can comprise a frame comprising a rack and a crossbeam. The crossbeam spans a mounting position for a storage container (in the rack), in particular a mounting position for a drum. The follower plate system comprises one or more spindle drives. The spindle drives can be arranged parallel to one another. Each spindle drive comprises a spindle nut and a spindle for connecting to the follower plate. The respective spindle can be arranged vertically. The respective spindle can be extendable downwards or retractable into a storage container (e.g., a drum) positioned in the mounting position. The respective spindle drive can be mounted on the crossbeam.The follower plate system further comprises a common drive wheel for driving the spindle nut of one or more spindle drives. The drive wheel has a toothed ring that engages with the spindle nut of the respective spindle drive, in particular with a toothed ring of the spindle nut. The toothed ring of the drive wheel can be located radially inside the drive wheel. The drive wheel and its toothed ring can form a toothed ring. The toothed ring of the spindle nut can be located radially outside the spindle nut. The spindle nut can thus be designed externally as a gear. In particular, the respective spindle nut can be arranged radially inside the drive wheel and / or mesh with it. The follower plate system further comprises a drive motor (for driving the drive wheel). The drive motor can be mounted on the frame.The follower plate system can further include a reduction gear that couples the drive motor to the drive wheel.

[0010] 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.

[0011] Aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features: The drive motor can be an electric motor. The drive motor can be mounted on the frame.

[0012] The storage container can be a cylindrical container, in particular a drum. The mounting position (within the frame) can be a mounting position for a drum. The frame can comprise several columns. The frame can include an enclosure. The frame or the enclosure can include a door for inserting and / or removing the storage container. The frame can include a base. The mounting position can be located on the base. The crossbeam is arranged above the mounting position. The crossbeam can be one-piece or multi-piece. The crossbeam can include one or more supports, each supporting a spindle drive. The crossbeam can be mounted on the frame. The crossbeam can be located at the top of the frame. The crossbeam can be (permanently) connected to the frame. The crossbeam can be referred to as a cross yoke or include a cross yoke.

[0013] The crossbeam may have a recess, in particular a recess for receiving a follower plate pump connected to the follower plate. The recess may be located centrally above the installation site.

[0014] The follower plate system can have several spindle drives, in particular several spindle drives arranged around the recess or a removal opening of the follower plate for receiving a follower plate pump. For example, two spindle drives can be positioned opposite each other, or three spindle drives can be arranged around a central axis or around the recess, offset by 120° each, for example.

[0015] The respective spindle nut and / or spindle can be mounted on the crossbeam or on a respective support. The mounting can be achieved using a plain bearing or a roller bearing.

[0016] The follower plate system can include the follower plate. The follower plate can be connected to the respective spindle. The respective spindle can be rigidly and, in particular, non-rotatably connected to the follower plate. A lower end of the respective spindle can be connected to the follower plate. The follower plate, together with one or more spindles, can form a punch. The length of the spindle(s) can be adapted to the height of the installation location and / or to the height of the storage container / barrel. The one or more spindle drives can be configured to allow the follower plate to be fully lowered into a storage container, down to the bottom of the storage container or to the floor of the installation location. The follower plate system can be configured, for example, for transport, to lower the follower plate completely onto the machine frame or the floor of the installation location.

[0017] 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.

[0018] A follower plate pump can be mounted on the follower plate.

[0019] The follower plate system may include one or more hold-down devices (e.g., drum hold-down devices) designed to keep the storage container at the bottom when the follower plate is moved upwards.

[0020] In some embodiments, the reduction gear can include a pin drive gear that engages with (radially outward) drive openings of the drive gear. The drive openings can be configured as bores or recesses, particularly in a radial outer face of the drive gear, or as spaces between (vertical) rods or struts of the drive gear, similar to a cage gear. The pin drive gear has several projecting pins. These pins can project radially outward from the pin drive gear. The pin drive gear can also be referred to as a pin drive gear. The pins can be called pins. A pin drive gear can transmit particularly high torques.

[0021] In other embodiments, the reduction gear can include a gear that engages with the ring gear of the drive wheel. In particular, the gear can be arranged radially inside the drive wheel.

[0022] Alternatively, the reduction gear can include a gear that is arranged radially outside, above or below the drive wheel and meshes with an outer, upper or lower rim gear of the drive wheel.

[0023] In other embodiments, the reduction gear can include a friction wheel, for example a rubber wheel, which is in frictional engagement with the drive wheel. Brief description of the characters

[0024] 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; Fig. 2. Details of a follower plate system in a schematic cross-sectional view according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and Fig. 3 Details of a follower plate system in a schematic cross-sectional view according to further embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed description

[0025] Fig. Figure 1 shows a follower plate system 100 in a schematic sectional view according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 2 shows details of the follower plate system 100 in a schematic cross-sectional view. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 will be explained together below.

[0026] The in Fig. The follower plate system 100 shown in Figure 1, for guiding a follower plate 10 in a storage container 200 in the form of a barrel, comprises a frame including a rack 12 and a crossbeam 14. The crossbeam 14 spans a mounting position 16 for the storage container 200. The barrel is inserted into the frame with the crossbeam 14. Several spindles 22, which are connected to the follower plate 10, are located in the crossbeam 14. In the center of the follower plate 10 (in the PAE area in Fig. 2) The electric drive is located with the lower pump (follower plate pump).

[0027] Several spindle drives each comprise a driven spindle nut 20 and a vertically arranged spindle 22. The spindles 22 are rigidly connected to the follower plate 10. The respective spindle drive is mounted on the crossbeam 14, as shown in more detail and by way of example in Fig. 3 is shown.

[0028] The drive for the spindle gears comprises a common drive wheel 30 for driving the spindle nuts 20, a drive motor 32 and a reduction gear 34 that couples the drive motor 32 to the drive wheel 30.

[0029] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the drive wheel 30 has a radially internal toothed ring 30a. The toothed ring 30a engages with a toothed ring 20a of the respective spindle nut 20.

[0030] In this example, the reduction gear 34 comprises a pinion drive wheel 36 which engages with drive openings 38 of the drive wheel 30. These are shown schematically and by way of example in Fig. 2 shown.

[0031] At the follower plate 10, in a middle position of the follower plate system 100 (in the PAE area in Fig. 2) a follower plate pump may be arranged. The follower plate pump may be part of a withdrawal device for withdrawing the liquid or viscous medium from the storage tank 200.

[0032] 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.

[0033] The follower plate system 100 ensures that the follower plate 10 is guided along the material surface in the drum during the pumping process. Due to the reduction provided by the reduction gear 34 and the spindle gears, the necessary force for moving the mass and overcoming frictional forces, which is approximately 650 kg or corresponds to the weight of a mass of 650 kg, can be applied to the follower plate 10.

[0034] Fig. Figure 3 shows details of a follower plate system in a schematic cross-sectional view according to further embodiments. The structure corresponds to that of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, unless otherwise specified below. The spindle drives (spindle nuts 20 and spindles (20)) are held on respective supports 40 of the crossbeam 14, as is the motor 32. In contrast to Fig. In this example, 2 comprises the reduction gear 34, a gear 50 which engages with the ring gear 30a of the drive wheel 30.

Claims

[1] Follower plate system (100) for following a follower plate (10) in a storage container, the follower plate system comprising: - a frame comprising a rack (12) and a crossbeam (14), wherein the crossbeam (14) bridges a mounting space (16) for a storage container (200); - one or more spindle drives, each with a spindle nut (20) and a vertically arranged spindle (22) for connecting to the follower plate (10), wherein the respective spindle drive is mounted on the cross member (14); - a common drive wheel (30) for driving the spindle nut (20) of one or more spindle drives, wherein the drive wheel (30) has a toothed ring (30a) which engages with a toothed ring (20a) of the spindle nut (20) of the respective spindle drive; - a drive motor (32); - a reduction gear (34) that couples the drive motor (32) to the drive wheel (30). [2] Follower plate system according to claim 1, wherein the reduction gear (34) comprises a pin drive wheel (36) which engages with drive openings (38) of the drive wheel (30). [3] Follower plate system according to claim 1, wherein the reduction gear (34) comprises a gear (50) which engages with the ring gear (30a) of the drive wheel (30). [4] Application system for applying a liquid or viscous medium to an object, comprising a dispensing device for removing the liquid or viscous medium from a storage container (200), wherein the dispensing device comprises a follower plate system (100) according to one of the preceding claims and a follower plate pump arranged on a follower plate (10) of the follower plate system (100).

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