DOSING SYSTEM WITH ACTUATOR UNIT AND DETACHABLY COUPLED FLUID UNIT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a dosing system comprising an actuator unit and a fluidic unit that can be releasably coupled thereto. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding fluidic unit and a corresponding actuator unit for such a dosing system, as well as to a method for the tool-free, releasable coupling of a fluidic unit to an actuator unit of a dosing system.

[0002] Dosing systems of the type mentioned above are used to precisely dose a medium, usually a liquid to viscous dosing substance, in a wide variety of applications. EP 1 327 482 A2, for example, discloses such a dosing system for a fluid. In many applications of so-called "micro-dosing technology," it is necessary to apply very small quantities of the medium precisely to a target surface without the dosing system itself coming into contact with the target surface (such a contactless process is often also referred to as a "jet process"). A typical example of this is the dispensing of adhesive dots, solder pastes, etc. when assembling printed circuit boards or other electronic components, or the application of converter materials for LEDs. A particular challenge here is to apply the medium with high precision, i.e.to be delivered to the target surface at the right time, in the right place and in a precisely measured amount.

[0003] This is achieved by dispensing droplets drop by drop via a nozzle of the dispensing system, whereby the size of the droplets or the amount of medium per droplet can be predicted as precisely as possible through the design and control of the nozzle, and the resulting effect. A preferred method is ejecting the individual droplets in a type of "inkjet process," as used in inkjet printers, among others (sometimes also called an "open system"). The nozzle usually has a very small nozzle opening, in or in front of which a movable closure element or "ejection element" is movably arranged within the nozzle. This closure element or "ejection element" is usually a fine plunger or similar device that is pushed forward at a relatively high speed inside the nozzle toward the nozzle opening, thereby ejecting a drop of medium.To eject a droplet, it is retracted again. In most systems, the plunger can also be moved into a closed position by firmly connecting it to the sealing seat of the nozzle opening in the nozzle and remaining there to temporarily close the dosing system. With more viscous dosing materials, it may be sufficient for the plunger to simply remain in the retracted position, i.e. away from the nozzle seat, without a single drop of the medium escaping. In other dosing systems, the nozzle is briefly opened by retracting the closing element from the sealing seat of the nozzle, allowing a drop of the dosing medium to escape from the nozzle, e.g. due to gravity and / or the pressure in the nozzle. The nozzle is then closed again by moving the closing element or ejection element against the sealing seat.

[0004] The movement of the closure element or ejection element, for example, the plunger, is achieved with the aid of an actuator system. Such an actuator system can be implemented in various ways, e.g., with a number of piezoelectric actuator elements, with one or more hydraulically, pneumatically, and / or electromagnetically operated actuators, etc. Depending on the specific design, the actuator or actuator elements of the actuator system can act directly on the closure element or ejection element (e.g., the plunger) or indirectly via a movement mechanism of the actuator system.

[0005] The present invention can be used in all the aforementioned variants regardless of the specific ejection principle, ie in a jet process, an open ink-jet process or with a classic closure element, and regardless of the basic structure of the actuator system.

[0006] The medium to be dispensed is usually transported as directly as possible to the nozzle through a feed channel, where it only comes into contact with the interior of the nozzle and usually only with the front area of the closure element or ejection element, for example the tip of the plunger. If an error occurs during dispensing, it can be assumed in most cases with the known micro-dispensing systems that it is not a problem with the actuator system, but rather that the nozzle of the dispensing system or a supply line for the medium, etc. is blocked in some way, or that the pot life of the medium has been exceeded. In this case, it is advantageous to be able to replace the nozzle and supply lines as quickly as possible without having to modify the actuator system. This would also be advantageous when changing the medium, because the nozzle and supply lines must then first be cleaned of the medium before a different medium is used.

[0007] Therefore, as mentioned at the outset, the dosing system according to the invention is advantageously divided into an actuator unit and a fluidic unit, which can be detachably coupled to one another. The term fluidic unit is used below to refer to the component or assembly which comprises the nozzle for dosing the medium and the supply line for the medium to the nozzle, i.e. all parts which are in direct contact with the medium, as well as the elements which are required to assemble the relevant parts which are in contact with the medium and to hold them in position on the fluidic unit (which could also be referred to as a fluidic assembly). An actuator unit is used below to refer to an assembly which contains the components which drive the closure element or ejection element, for example the plunger, in the nozzle.The actuator unit (which could also be referred to as an actuator assembly, drive unit, or the like) therefore contains, in particular, the actuator system with one or more actuator elements and, if appropriate, a movement mechanism for actuating the movable element of the fluidic unit (i.e., the closure element or ejection element). Furthermore, the actuator unit can comprise elements for assembling all parts of the actuator unit together or for holding them in position on the actuator unit, and, if appropriate, a control unit and / or an interface to a (possibly further) control unit for controlling the actuator system.

[0008] Many dosing systems available on the market already feature such a separation between the actuator unit and the fluidic unit. However, these are relatively complicated to couple, as they must be screwed together or mounted using other fastening elements that require the use of a suitable tool. EP3095521A1 also describes an electric jet system in which a folding mechanism with a flap-like carrier is arranged on the underside of a piezoelectrically operated actuator unit, into which a fluidic unit can be inserted. This carrier is then folded upwards. The carrier is anchored to the outside of the housing in the folded-up position, so that the fluidic unit and the actuator unit are pressed together.This already enables a faster coupling of the fluidic unit and actuator unit, but this is still relatively complicated, since the fluidic unit must first be positioned in the support of the folding mechanism, the support then has to be swung up and blocked or anchored in a suitable manner. The attachment of the fluidic unit to the actuator unit can only be achieved with exactly one relative positioning of the fluidic unit and actuator unit to one another, which also means that the medium supply and / or a medium reservoir located on the fluidic unit must always be arranged in the same position or side in relation to the actuator unit. It should be noted that a change of the fluidic unit on a dosing system does not usually take place if the dosing system (e.g.during initial assembly) on the table in front of the fitter, but in very confined spaces in a larger system complex, side by side with a large number of other dosing systems, a tangle of supply hoses and cables, etc. Here, accessibility to the dosing system from different sides is not always guaranteed, so that even with the dosing system with the folding mechanism, changing the fluidic unit can sometimes be problematic.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a dosing system which is improved with regard to the releasable coupling of the fluidic unit to the actuator unit and a fluidic unit and an actuator unit which can be used for this purpose, as well as a method for the releasable coupling of a fluidic unit to an actuator unit.

[0010] This object is achieved by a dosing system according to patent claim 1, a fluidic unit according to patent claim 13, an actuator unit according to patent claim 14 and by a method according to patent claim 15.

[0011] In the dosing system according to the invention, the fluidic unit or fluidic assembly, as mentioned above, has a nozzle and a movably mounted element (or closure and ejection element), e.g. a plunger. The actuator unit or actuator assembly has an actuator system to actuate the movable element of the fluidic unit. According to the invention, the fluidic unit has a first plug-in coupling part and the actuator unit has a second plug-in coupling part, which can be plugged into one another along a (virtual or imaginary) plug-in axis to couple the fluidic unit to the actuator unit and can thereby be coupled to one another.The first plug-in coupling part of the fluidic unit and the second plug-in coupling part of the actuator unit (which could also be referred to as the "counter plug-in coupling part") interact in such a way that they are not only plugged into one another, but, thanks to a special design of these plug-in coupling parts with correspondingly interacting means directly within the plug-in coupling parts, a releasable fixation of the plug-in coupling parts into one another is possible. In this way, the plug-in coupling parts form a quick-action coupling, which allows a tool-free coupling of the fluidic unit—i.e., the complete fluidic assembly, including its components, in particular the nozzle and the movably mounted element—to the actuator unit, as well as a corresponding tool-free detachment of the fluidic unit from the actuator unit.The possibility of directly coupling the plug-in coupling parts results in further advantages, depending on the specific design of the elements that interact to connect the plug-in coupling parts. These advantages will be explained in more detail later. "Direct coupling" here means that no additional fixing means are required, except for the interacting means directly within the plug-in coupling parts, which interact or can interact with each other when the plug-in coupling parts are plugged into each other. Unlike previous dosing systems, the coupling is achieved without such additional fixing elements, for example, in the form of additional screws or other fixing parts, which must be additionally mounted on the fluidic unit and / or the actuator unit using tools for the coupling and must be loosened, in particular removed, using tools to release the coupling.Preferably, the plug-in axis runs parallel, particularly preferably coaxially, to the ejection direction in which the medium to be dosed is ejected or exits the nozzle of the fluidic unit. Furthermore, it is not necessary to assemble or disassemble the various parts or elements of the fluidic unit that are in contact with the medium, such as the closure or ejection element (e.g., the plunger), to the actuator unit in separate steps. Instead, the two assemblies are simply coupled and separated as such.

[0012] In a method according to the invention for the detachable coupling of a fluidic unit to an actuator unit of a dosing system, the plug-in coupling parts of the fluidic unit and the actuator unit are concealed within each other along the (virtual or imaginary) plug-in axis and directly coupled to each other. In an assembled dosing system with a fluidic unit already coupled to the actuator unit, the first plug-in coupling part and the second plug-in coupling part are plugged into each other and advantageously coupled to each other, as described.

[0013] A fluidic unit according to the invention, which can also be referred to as a "swap fluidic unit" or even a "quick-change fluidic unit," for such a dosing system must, according to the invention, have a first plug-in coupling system that can be plugged along the (imaginary) plug-in axis into or over a second plug-in coupling part of an actuator unit of the dosing system and coupled thereto in order to detachably couple the fluidic unit to the actuator unit as described, so that the actuator system of the actuator unit or actuator assembly can actuate the movably mounted element of the fluidic unit. Furthermore, the fluidic unit can be constructed in any desired manner with almost any desired components, i.e.As described above, it can be an assembly which, in the usual way, comprises a nozzle for metering the medium and the supply line for the medium, as well as a movable element present in the nozzle, such as the closure and / or ejection element (e.g. the plunger) and the other components which have direct contact with the medium or whose assignment to the fluidic unit is expedient, in particular those elements and components which serve to mount the movable closure or ejection element in the nozzle. The fluidic unit preferably also comprises a connection, for example a hose connection or the like, via which the medium is supplied to the fluidic unit, and / or a reservoir for the medium which is directly coupled to the fluidic unit or can also be regarded as an (interchangeable) part of the fluidic unit.

[0014] An actuator unit according to the invention comprises a second plug-in coupling part, which can be inserted along an (imaginary) plug-in axis into or over a first plug-in coupling part of a fluidic unit of the dosing system and can be coupled thereto in order to releasably couple the fluidic unit to the actuator unit. This actuator unit can also be constructed in any desired manner and comprise any desired mechanism or actuator elements, such as mechanical elements, pneumatic, hydraulic, and / or electrical, in particular electromechanical elements, in particular piezoelectric actuators. The actuator unit should have a connection for controlling the actuator elements; if necessary, the actuator unit itself can also comprise a controller.

[0015] Further, particularly advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and the following description, wherein the claims of a claim category can also be developed analogously to the claims and description parts to any other claim category and, in particular, individual features of different embodiments or variants can be combined to form new embodiments or variants.

[0016] Particularly preferably, the fluidic unit, in particular the plug-in coupling part, and the actuator unit, in particular its mating plug-in coupling part, are designed such that the fluidic unit can be coupled to the actuator unit in at least two different coupling positions or rotational positions rotated about the plug-in axis. This means that the design is such that different coupling positions of the actuator unit and the fluidic unit relative to one another with respect to the plug-in axis are possible. Particularly preferably, these rotational positions or coupling positions differ by an angle of at least 60°, preferably approximately 90°. In a very particularly preferred design, there are at least three different rotational positions from three different sides. These rotational positions can preferably each be offset from one another by approximately 90°.

[0017] To achieve the coupling of the plug-in coupling parts, the first plug-in coupling part and the second plug-in coupling part each have interacting projections (or elevations) and / or recesses. These projections and / or matching recesses in the first plug-in coupling part and the second plug-in coupling part can be designed such that the plug-in coupling parts can be coupled together in a bayonet-like manner. The plug-in coupling parts are first pushed into one another in a first rotational position relative to the plug-in axis, and then the first and second plug-in coupling parts are rotated relative to one another around the plug-in axis in such a way that they cannot be pulled apart again without twisting.

[0018] As will be explained later, it is possible for both the first plug-in coupling part and the second plug-in coupling part to have elevations that interact like a bayonet lock. For example, elevations on the first plug-in coupling part and the second plug-in coupling part can be pushed past each other like "teeth" in a first rotational position relative to the plug-in axis, and then the first plug-in coupling part and second plug-in coupling part can be rotated against each other around the plug-in axis so that the teeth engage one behind the other. However, it is also possible for one plug-in coupling part to have corresponding projections and the other plug-in coupling part to have recesses that match these, for example at least one first channel running in the longitudinal direction of the plug-in axis on one plug-in coupling part and at least one matching elevation (orTooth) on the other plug-in coupling part, which runs in the channel when the plug-in coupling parts are plugged into one another, and a channel section adjoining the first channel and running azimuthally around the plug-in axis in order to anchor the elevation therein by rotating the plug-in coupling parts against each other.

[0019] With interacting projections and / or recesses, in particular to form a type of bayonet lock, a secure tool-free fixation of the two plug-in coupling parts into each other, which can also be released again without tools, is already possible, without the need for further fixation.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, the dosing system can also comprise a mechanism, for example an eccentric mechanism, designed to press the first plug-in coupling part and the second plug-in coupling part against each other in a nested position. The mechanism, in particular the eccentric mechanism, is preferably designed to press the two nested plug-in coupling parts against each other radially relative to the plug-in axis.

[0021] Such a mechanism, particularly an eccentric mechanism, has the advantage that the plug-in coupling parts are held together without play after being pressed together by the eccentric mechanism. This allows for larger tolerances in the production of the plug-in coupling parts and thus more cost-effective manufacturing.

[0022] Particularly preferably, the first and / or second plug-in coupling parts are manufactured as turned parts. This allows for production in a turning process, which can be realized with sufficiently high precision and is more cost-effective than, for example, a milling process.

[0023] Such a mechanism or eccentric mechanism can be used alone to secure the plug-in coupling parts together. However, a combination with the projections and / or recesses present on the first and second plug-in coupling parts is preferred, for example, forming a bayonet lock with additional security provided by the mechanism or eccentric mechanism.

[0024] The mechanism or eccentric mechanism is preferably designed such that it acts on an inner plug-in coupling part of the two plug-in coupling parts and then presses this against an inner wall of an outer plug-in coupling part of the two plug-in coupling parts.

[0025] Particularly preferably, the mechanism or eccentric mechanism acts on at least one of the two plug-in coupling parts via a pressing element, for example a pressing ball. This pressing ball can then, in the appropriate position of the eccentric mechanism or eccentric lever, press out of an inner wall of the outer plug-in coupling part and against the inner plug-in coupling part to clamp the two plug-in coupling parts against each other. The inner plug-in coupling part can have on its outer side at least one, preferably several, recess(es) matching the pressing element (e.g., dome-shaped) and arranged at the appropriate location, into which the pressing element can press. The number of recesses can be selected, for example, according to the number of possible rotational positions.

[0026] A preferred alternative to an eccentric mechanism would be a mechanism in which such a pressing element, for example a pressing ball here, is permanently pre-tensioned by a spring. This pressing ball then protrudes slightly from the inner wall of the outer plug-in coupling part at one point under spring load and presses against its outer wall when the inner plug-in coupling part is plugged in. This means that this mechanism has a corresponding pressing element and a compression spring. In this variant too, the inner plug-in coupling part can again have at least one, preferably several, suitable recess(es) on its outer side, e.g. dome-shaped, and arranged at the appropriate location for the pressing element. Here too, the number of recesses preferably corresponds to the number of possible rotational positions.

[0027] When the inner plug-in coupling part is inserted into the outer plug-in coupling part, the pressure element is simply pushed back into the wall of the outer plug-in coupling part against the spring force until it finally engages in one of the recesses, ensuring the correct relative position of the plug-in coupling parts. While this mechanism does not exert as much clamping force as an eccentric mechanism, it eliminates the need for a lever. The entire mechanism is simpler in design. The spring force also ensures lateral preload, which eliminates sufficient play in the structure.

[0028] In principle, the second plug-in coupling part of the actuator unit could be plugged into a correspondingly adapted first plug-in coupling part of the fluidic unit. However, the fluidic unit particularly preferably has a male plug-in coupling part in the form of a connecting piece as the first plug-in coupling part. The actuator unit then correspondingly has a female plug-in coupling part as the second plug-in coupling part, in the form of a receptacle for the connecting piece of the fluidic unit. In this preferred embodiment, the actuator unit or an actuator unit connecting piece, in particular the second plug-in coupling part, can then have the mechanism or eccentric mechanism.

[0029] This can then be designed to press the connection piece of the fluidic unit located in the receptacle against a wall of the receptacle of the actuator unit.

[0030] Most media typically dosed with the dosing system according to the invention exhibit a significant temperature dependence of viscosity. To keep the medium sufficiently fluid for dosing, the dosing system preferably has an integrated heating device that can be used to heat the medium or fluid to be dosed.

[0031] This integrated heating device can be located in the fluidic unit.

[0032] Particularly preferably, this heating device comprises a heating block that surrounds at least one feed channel section for the medium and / or at least one nozzle section. Such a heating block is preferably made of a material with good thermal conductivity, for example, a metal such as copper. The feed channel section for the medium or the nozzle section, on the other hand, are preferably themselves made of a material that is as resistant as possible to the medium to be dispensed, for example, stainless steel.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, the actuator unit, preferably the second plug-in coupling part, can have a heating device. If a fluidic unit is coupled to the actuator unit, heat can be transferred from there to a supply channel section and / or a nozzle section of the fluidic unit, e.g., via thermal conduction. This heating device can, for example, comprise one or more heating lines or heating circuit boards (circuit boards with suitable resistors) and, if appropriate, also sensors for measuring heat, which are arranged within the plug-in coupling part and / or on the plug-in coupling part. The plug-in coupling parts of the fluidic unit and the actuator unit are then preferably coupled to one another in such a way that good heat conduction is ensured, at least in the direction of the fluidic unit.

[0034] Particularly preferably, the feed channel section and / or at least the nozzle section are detachably, i.e., replaceably, fixed in a material block (which could also be referred to as a "fluidic body"). Preferably, the feed channel section and / or the nozzle section can be fixed in the material block by means of a clamping mechanism, preferably comprising a clamping screw.

[0035] If the fluidic unit is to include a heating device, this material block can be designed, for example, as a heating block. For example, it can be made of a particularly conductive material and have recesses, e.g., holes or the like, in which heating conductors and / or sensors for the heating device are arranged. This heating block is then preferably surrounded by an insulating frame part or casing to allow the fluidic unit to be touched even when the heating block is hot.

[0036] If the heating device is assigned to the actuator unit, in particular, if it is located in and / or on its plug-in coupling part, and no heating device is required in the fluidic unit, the material block can also be made of a heat-resistant plastic (e.g., PEEK). This results in less material to heat in the fluidic unit, which can potentially lead to the target temperature being reached more quickly. Furthermore, the fluidic unit could then be touched and disassembled even with the heating device heated, since the heat-resistant plastic acts as an insulator and can be touched.

[0037] Furthermore, it is preferred if adjacent feed channel sections and / or the nozzle section are pressed tightly together at the ends by sealing cones to form a continuous feed line, thus achieving a continuous material feed line all the way into the nozzle. For example, in a preferred variant, the clamping screw could be designed such that it can be screwed into the material block along a screw axis running in the longitudinal direction of a part of a feed channel section and / or nozzle section surrounded by the material block, thus pressing the feed channel sections or the nozzle section against each other at the ends in the axial direction, or into each other with the aid of the sealing cones.

[0038] The heating device can be connected to a heating control system by means of a heating control connection, which controls the heating device during operation, preferably regulating it to a desired (set) temperature in order to keep the medium at the desired temperature.

[0039] Most preferably, the heating device, in particular the fluidic unit and / or the actuator unit, comprises a memory unit (e.g., an EEPROM or the like) in which data is stored that is assigned to the actuator unit and / or the fluidic unit, in particular the heating device, and that is transferred to the heating control or can be read out by the latter when the heating control is connected to the heating control connection in order to connect it to the actuator unit and / or fluidic unit or the heating device. The heating control connection can, for example, comprise a plug connection (preferably with several contacts) or the like. Additionally or alternatively, it can also have an interface for the (at least partially) wireless connection of the heating control to the actuator unit and / or fluidic unit, in particular the heating device, e.g.,that the heating current is transmitted via a galvanic connection and data transmission between the heating control and the actuator unit and / or fluidic unit or heating device is wireless.

[0040] Particularly preferably, control parameters for controlling the heating device by the heating control system can be stored in the memory unit. Typically, a heating control system comprises a controller that requires various control parameters for the respective connected heating device. These control parameters determine the control characteristics. These can include, in particular, the so-called PID control parameters (PID = proportional / integral / derivative component). The control parameters can also be device-specific, i.e., they can vary from fluidic unit to fluidic unit or at least be different for different types of fluidic units.

[0041] Since the fluidic unit (possibly with the integrated heating device) - as explained above - should be replaceable as quickly as possible, the storage of the data assigned to the fluidic unit or the heating device for the heating control system, in particular the aforementioned control parameters, for automatic transmission to the heating control system is of great interest. In particular, this feature can also contribute to faster replacement if the fluidic unit and actuator unit are coupled in a different way than described above, for example, using a previously common coupling method, since then at least reprogramming or separate data transfer to the heating control system is no longer necessary, which also significantly speeds up the replacement process. In this respect, this data storage is also advantageous in its own right.

[0042] However, the combination with the quick plug-in coupling according to the invention is particularly advantageous, in which the fluidic unit and the actuator unit can be plugged into one another along a plug-in axis and coupled to one another.

[0043] In this case, the data, particularly the control parameters, for each heating device and / or fluidic unit can be stored in the memory unit at the factory. If necessary, these can be determined for each individual heating device and / or fluidic unit in advance in a test process.

[0044] Calibration data can also be stored in the storage unit as additional data. This can be used, for example, to calibrate the heating system on-site in an application. During calibration, offset values could be defined for use with large flow rates, etc. Application-specific target temperatures or similar values could also be stored in the storage unit for use by the heating control system.

[0045] Further data stored in the actuator unit and / or the fluidic unit and / or the heating device can be characteristic data, for example, a unique unit identifier, a type designation, or the like. These characteristic data can also be considered indirect control parameters, calibration data, etc., if, for example, different control parameter sets, calibration data sets, etc., are stored in the heating control system for different characteristic data, which the heating control system then accesses.

[0046] As mentioned, the actuator unit comprises an actuator system with one or more actuators which, depending on the specific design, act directly or indirectly (e.g., via a movement mechanism) on the closure or ejection element (e.g., the plunger) of the fluidic unit when the actuator unit and the fluidic unit are properly coupled to one another. For example, in this coupled position, a contact surface of an element of the actuator system, such as a lever of the movement mechanism or the like, can press against a contact surface of the movably mounted element or closure and / or ejection element (e.g., against a contact surface on a plunger head of the plunger) of the fluidic unit to move it, in particular against a spring force, as will be explained later.

[0047] The design can be such that the contact surface of the actuator unit, e.g. of the lever, (with the fluidic unit installed) is permanently in contact with the contact surface of the movable, mounted element, e.g. of the plunger. As explained in more detail later, it would also be possible for there to be a gap between the contact surface of the actuator unit and the contact surface of the movable, mounted element of the fluidic unit in an initial or rest position, and for the contact surfaces to only press against each other when the movable, mounted element of the fluidic unit moves. For example, when a lever of the actuator unit is pivoted downwards, it could first travel freely over a certain section of its travel and only then strike the contact surface of a plunger of the fluidic unit.

[0048] Since the contact between the actuator system of the actuator unit and the element movably mounted in the fluidic unit occurs via these contact surfaces, this also represents a "separation point" between the actuator unit and the fluidic unit, which, according to the invention, can be quickly separated from the actuator unit and recoupled to it as a complete fluidic assembly by means of the plug-in coupling parts on the actuator unit and the fluidic unit or fluidic assembly.

[0049] The dosing system is preferably designed such that the second plug-in coupling part is adjustable along the plug-in axis relative to other components of the actuator unit, or such that the first plug-in coupling part is adjustable along the plug-in axis relative to other components of the fluidic unit. As explained later, the second plug-in coupling part is particularly preferably adjustably mounted in the actuator unit. This makes it possible to adjust the position of the closure or ejection element, for example the plunger, relative to the actuator system in the actuator unit. With such position or travel adjustment, wear on the plunger tip and / or in the sealing seat of the nozzle can be compensated.

[0050] The invention will be explained in more detail below, with reference to the accompanying figures, using exemplary embodiments. In the various figures, identical components are provided with identical reference numerals. They show: Figure 1 a perspective external view obliquely from above of an embodiment of a dosing system according to the invention, wherein the fluidic unit is coupled to the actuator unit, Figure 2 a front view of the dosing system Figure 1 , Figure 3 another front view of the dosing system Figure 1 , but the fluidic unit is separated from the actuator unit, Figure 4 a perspective external view from above of the fluidic unit of the dosing system according to the Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 5 a sectional view through the fluidic unit and the lower part of the actuator unit in the coupled state as in Figure 2 , Figure 6 another sectional view through the fluidic unit and the lower part of the actuator unit in the decoupled state as in Figure 3 , Figure 7 a side view of the plug-in coupling part of the fluidic unit of the dosing system according to the Figures 1 to 6 , Figure 8a perspective view from above of the plug-in coupling part of the actuator unit of the dosing system according to the Figures 1 to 6 , Figure 9 a sectional view through the plug-in coupling part along the section plane E Figure 8 , Figure 10 a sectional view through the plug-in coupling part from the Figures 7 and 8 along a section line B - B Figure 9 , Figure 11 a schematic representation of a possible coupling of fluidic unit and actuator unit of an embodiment of a dosing system according to the invention seen from above in different coupling positions.

[0051] Based on the Figures 1 to 10 A concrete preferred embodiment of a dosing system 100 according to the invention will now be explained. Figures 1 to 3 show the dosing system 100 from different perspectives or in different coupling states.

[0052] The dosing system 100 has two essential basic components: an actuator unit 60 and a fluidic unit 10. In the Figures 1 to 3 and 5 to 6 The dosing unit 100 is shown in the usual position, with the fluidic unit 10 being coupled from below to the actuator unit 60. In this position, the nozzle 20 (with a nozzle insert 18 with a nozzle opening 21 or nozzle bore 21, which will be explained later) of the fluidic unit 10 is at the bottom, so that the drops of the medium are ejected in an ejection direction R (see Figure 2) are ejected downwards. Where the terms "down" and "up" are used below, these specifications always refer to such a generally common position of the dosing system 100. However, this does not preclude the dosing system 100 from being used in a different position in special applications, with the drops being ejected laterally, for example. Depending on the medium, pressure, and precise design and control of the entire ejection system, this is also generally possible.

[0053] The actuator unit 60 has a housing block 80, as will be shown later in the sectional drawing in Figure 5 and Figure 6explained, has essentially parallel chambers next to one another, namely, on the one hand, an actuator chamber 81 with an actuator system 90 located therein with at least one actuator 91, and, on the other hand, an action chamber 82, into which a movable ejection element 30, here a plunger 30, of the fluidic unit 10 projects in the coupled state. Via a movement mechanism 92, which projects from the actuator chamber 81 into the action chamber 82, the plunger 30 is actuated by means of the actuator system 90 such that the medium to be dosed is ejected from the fluidic unit 10 in the desired quantity at the desired time. The plunger 30 closes the nozzle opening 21 here - as will be explained later - and thus also serves as a closure element 30. However, since the largest part of the medium is only ejected from the nozzle opening 21 when the plunger 30 moves in the closing direction, it is referred to here as the ejection element 30.

[0054] To control the actuator system 90, the actuator system 90 or the actuator 91, in this case a piezo element stack 91 (also called a "piezo stack"), is electrically or signal-wise connected to a controller (not shown here). The connection to this controller is made via control cables 95, which are connected at their ends to suitable actuator system control connections 96, e.g., suitable connectors. The actuator unit 60, in particular the actuator system control connections 96, can be provided, for example, with a suitable memory unit (e.g., an EEPROM or the like) in which information such as an article designation, etc., or control parameters for the actuator unit 60 are stored. These can then be read by the control unit to identify the actuator unit 60 and control it appropriately. The control cables 95 can comprise multiple control lines and data lines.Since the basic control of piezo elements is known, this will not be discussed further. If the actuator system 90, unlike the one shown here, is not electrically operated, but rather pneumatically or hydraulically, for example, a corresponding control cable 59 could also include suitable hoses or the like to supply and discharge the required control medium.

[0055] The fluidic unit 10 comprises, as will also be explained later with reference to the Figures 5 and 6As explained, all components that come into contact with the medium to be dosed, in particular a nozzle 20 with an ejection element 30 or tappet 30 movably mounted therein. This fluidic unit 10 also contains most of the wear parts, which should be replaced first after certain downtimes during regular use of the dosing system 100. In particular, this fluidic unit 10 also comprises a reservoir connection 51, to which a supply line for the medium can be connected or directly a reservoir 101 for the medium, for example as shown here in Figure 1 and 2 shown in the form of a medium cartridge 101. As shown in Figure 1 and 2As shown, a reservoir pressure connection 102 is located on the top of the reservoir 101, through which sufficient pressure can be applied to the medium to convey it toward the nozzle 20. The reservoir 101 or the medium cartridge 101 can in principle also be considered part of the fluidic unit 10.

[0056] The entire fluidic unit 10 has, as will be explained in more detail later, a heating device 40, which is why the fluidic unit 10 here also has a heater connection cable 46, which is connected at the end to a heater control connection 49 for connection to a heater control (not shown here). This heater connection cable 46 can comprise several lines, for example, on the one hand one or more heater control lines to supply a heating current to the heater 40 in the case of an electrically operated heater 40, as here, and on the other hand one or more measuring lines to query values from temperature sensors via the heater control and thus be able to set a precisely defined temperature in the fluidic unit 10, as well as optionally one or more communication lines for the exchange of control parameters and other characteristic data on an EEPROM, for example.In principle, instead of an electrically operated heating device, a heating device in which a hot medium is added could also be used. In this case, the heating connection cable would include the corresponding line for the heating medium.

[0057] As can be seen from the Figures 1 to 3 As can be clearly seen, the dosing system 100 can also be provided with a holder 103, which is fixed, for example, to the housing block 80 of the actuator unit 60 and to which the reservoir 101 can be additionally fastened for safety purposes and to which the heating connection cable 46 can also be clamped when the fluidic unit 10 is mounted, if desired.

[0058] As shown in the perspective view in Figure 4 and especially the sectional views in the Figures 5 and 6As can be clearly seen, the fluidic unit 10 here has a frame part 59 in which the other components of the fluidic unit 10 are arranged. The frame part 59 can be made of a thermally insulating material, for example, a heat-resistant plastic, to ensure a certain degree of protection against contact.

[0059] In the figures, the plug-in coupling part 11 ("first plug-in coupling part") of the fluidic unit 10 for connection to the actuator unit 60 is located on the right-hand side. For this purpose, this plug-in coupling part 11 protrudes upwards from the frame part 59 with an upper section having a connecting piece 13, so that it can be inserted along a plug-in axis S into a corresponding plug-in coupling part 61 ("second plug-in coupling part" 61, hereinafter also referred to as "counter plug-in coupling part" 61) of the actuator unit 60 and coupled to this counter plug-in coupling part 61, as will be explained in more detail later.

[0060] In addition, the plug-in coupling part 11 of the fluidic unit 10 extends with a nozzle section 16 (see Figure 7 ) downwards beyond the frame part 59 and forms an essential part of the nozzle 20.

[0061] As shown in the sectional views in the Figures 5 and 6As can be clearly seen, in this lower nozzle section 16 of the plug-in coupling part 11 there is a nozzle chamber 22 which is open at the bottom and is closed there by a nozzle insert 18 in which a fine nozzle opening 21 is located. This nozzle insert 18 is provided on the inside facing the nozzle chamber 22 with a sealing seat 19 which tapers conically towards the nozzle opening 21 and which interacts with a plunger tip 31 of the plunger 30 inside the plug-in coupling part 11 in that the plunger tip of the plunger 30 presses against the sealing seat 19 in a closed position. This plunger is movably mounted in a longitudinal direction of the plug-in coupling part 11 which runs coaxially to the plug-in axis S. The plug-in axis S therefore also corresponds to the movement axis or longitudinal axis of the plunger 30 and the ejection direction R of the droplets.Since the plug-in coupling part 11 can advantageously be manufactured as an additional turned part and only needs to be slightly reworked using other techniques, for example by milling (for example in order to apply the toothing explained later), this plug-in axis S is simultaneously also the rotation axis of the plug-in coupling part 11.

[0062] To fix the nozzle insert 18 with the nozzle opening 21 on or in the lower front opening of the plug-in coupling part 11, the plug-in coupling part 11 has a thread 17 on its lower nozzle section 16 (see Figure 7 ), over which a nozzle jacket section 43 can be screwed on like a cap nut (see Figures 5 and 6). This nozzle jacket section 43 can be made of a material with particularly good thermal conductivity, preferably the same material as the heating block 42 of the heating device 40 of the fluidic unit 10, which will be explained later, and can be designed so that it has good thermal conductivity in contact with the remaining parts of the heating block 42.

[0063] How to continue in the Figures 5 and 6As can be seen, a tappet seal 37 with a central bore which is adapted to the diameter of the tappet 30 is inserted into the plug-in coupling part 11 from above, i.e. from the front opening which, in the assembled state, points in the direction of the actuator unit 60, in order to support the tappet 30. A sealing support disk 36 is placed over this and then a tappet bearing part 35 is screwed in from above, which also has a suitable through-bore for the tappet 30. The tappet 30 has, at its upper end opposite the tappet tip 31, a widened tappet head 32, the free end of which has a contact surface 33 for a lever 93, explained later, of the movement mechanism 92 of the actuator system 90.Here, a spring 34 is pushed onto an upwardly extending guide section of the tappet bearing 35, which spring pushes the tappet head 32 upwards from the tappet bearing part 35 in the axial direction and thus also pushes the tappet tip 31 away from the sealing seat 19. This means that without external pressure from above on the contact surface 33 of the tappet head 32, the tappet tip 31 is at a distance from the sealing seat 19 of the nozzle insert 18 in the rest position of the spring 34.

[0064] As particularly in Figure 7As can be seen, the plug-in coupling part 11 of the fluidic unit 10 has a plurality of subsections 13, 14, 15 on the section that projects upwards beyond the frame part 59 and can be inserted into the mating plug-in coupling part 61 of the actuator unit 60. Adjoining the frame part 59 at the bottom is a clamping section 15, on which, when the fluidic unit 10 is assembled in the actuator unit 60, an additional clamping action is effected by means of an eccentric mechanism 70 of the actuator unit 60 or the mating plug-in coupling part 61, which will be explained later. For this purpose, the clamping section 15 has a plurality of spherical caps 24. Above this, there is a circumferential annular groove 14 for a seal 23, for example a typical O-ring 23. This seal 23 ensures that the plug-in coupling part 11 of the fluidic unit 10 and the counter-plug-in coupling part 61 of the actuator unit 60 are annularly sealed against each other when assembled together.Above this annular groove 14 is a bayonet coupling section 13 or toothed section 13 or connecting piece 13, on each end of which a plurality of radially outwardly extending projections 12 or teeth 12 are arranged. As explained later, matching teeth 62 inside the mating plug-in coupling part 61 can interact with this so that the plug-in coupling parts 11, 61 can be coupled together according to the invention.

[0065] In the Figures 5 and 6 It is also clearly visible that the plug-in coupling part 11 of the fluidic unit 10 has, in a central region located in the frame part 59 of the fluidic unit 10 when assembled, a lateral bore extending radially upwards and outwards from the nozzle chamber 22. This bore serves to supply the medium to be dosed into the nozzle chamber 22.

[0066] On the outside, a supply channel section 54 is connected to this bore of the plug-in coupling part 11, to the free end of which the reservoir interface 50 is connected. This contains a channel with matching channel sections 52a, 52b, which runs from the supply channel section 54, which leads to the nozzle 20, to the reservoir connection 51.Since the reservoir connection 51 is directed upwards here, so that the reservoir 101 can be arranged parallel to a longitudinal direction of the housing block 80 of the actuator unit 60 and the medium also flows partly by gravity from the reservoir 101 towards the nozzle 20, the channel sections 52a, 52b in the reservoir interface 50 are arranged at an angle to one another, namely a first channel section 52a, which runs in the extension of the supply channel section 54, and a second channel section 52b, which runs from the first channel section 52a essentially perpendicularly upwards to the reservoir connection 51. The reservoir connection 51 has an external thread in order to be able to screw onto an opening of the reservoir 101 equipped with a matching internal thread or a supply connection (not shown).The tight fixation of the feed channel section 54 to the plug-in coupling part 11 as well as the reservoir interface 50 to the feed channel section 54 is achieved here by clamping using a clamping screw 55, which will be explained later.

[0067] The plug-in coupling part 11 of the fluidic unit 10 with the nozzle chamber 22 located therein, as well as the feed channel section 54 and the reservoir interface 50, are preferably made of a material that is highly resistant to the various media to be metered, for example, stainless steel in this case. The same applies to the tappet seal 37, the tappet 30 itself, and the nozzle insert 18. The sealing support disc 36 is also made of a suitable resistant material. Thus, all components that come into contact with the medium are made of a medium-resistant material.

[0068] To keep the medium at a desired temperature during dosing, the fluidic unit 10, as mentioned, has a heating device 40. This comprises, as an essential element, a relatively solid heating block 42, which is shaped such that it surrounds the area of the plug-in coupling part 11 containing the nozzle chamber 22, the feed channel section 54, and part of the reservoir interface 50 like a jacket. This heating block 42 is made of a material with particularly good thermal conductivity, for example, copper or at least a copper-containing metal. Located in the heating block 52 are at least one heating wire (not shown) and at least one temperature sensor (not shown). The heating wire is connected to a heating control line 47 in the heating connection cable 46, which can, for example, form an extension of the heating wire in order to conduct current of a desired intensity through the heating wire and thus heat the heating block 42.The temperature sensor is connected to a temperature measuring line 48 in the heating connection cable 46 in order to record the current temperature of the heating block 42 and thus of the medium. The heating control line 47 and the temperature measuring line 48 are led via the heating connection cable 46 to the aforementioned heating control connection 49 (also called heating plug 49), to which the heating control can be connected. A memory unit 44, for example an EEPROM 44, is preferably located in the heating control connection 49, which contains various data about the fluidic unit 10 and in particular the heating device 40 (also called heating module 40) and can be read by the heating control, for example an identifier for the fluidic unit 10 and / or the heating device 40, an article designation, etc., in order to identify the fluidic unit 10 and / or the heating module 40 and, for example,to enable control of which heating module 40 is connected to which heating circuit. Furthermore, control parameters, such as PID control parameters, for a control unit in the heating control system are preferably stored therein. When the heating control system is connected to the heating control connection 49, the data from the storage unit 44 can be automatically read by the heating control system and are available for control purposes.

[0069] The heating block 42 is also shaped in such a way that it can be used to fix the reservoir interface 50 to the feed channel section 54 and to fix the feed channel section 54 to the plug-in coupling part 11 of the fluidic unit 10. For this purpose, an approximately cuboid-shaped recess 45 is located in an upper region of the heating block 42, into which the feed channel section 54 can first be placed and then pushed through a bore in the heating block 42, which bore leads to the lateral, obliquely radial opening in the plug-in coupling part 11 to the nozzle chamber. This opening in the plug-in coupling part 11 tapers conically or conically from the inside outwards, so that the feed channel section 54 can be inserted therein with a correspondingly shaped conical tip. At its rear end facing the reservoir interface 50, this feed channel section 54 has a likewise inwardly conical or conical tip.conically tapered opening for receiving a sealing cone 58 at the end of the channel section 52a in the reservoir interface 50, which runs in the same axial direction as the feed channel section 54. For this purpose, the reservoir interface 50 is also inserted into the recess 45 of the heating block 42 and then pushed from behind with the sealing cone 58 into the feed channel section 52. In the further axial direction of the feed channel section 54 and the coaxially extending channel section 52a of the reservoir interface 50, the aforementioned clamping screw 55 can then be screwed into a clamping screw section 41 of the heating block 42 at the rear end of the channel section 52a, remote from the plug-in coupling part 11. The screwing direction of this clamping screw 55 also runs coaxially to the longitudinal direction of the feed channel section 54 or the corresponding channel section 52a in the reservoir interface 50.This channel section 52a of the reservoir interface 50, which runs coaxially to the feed channel section 54, is a continuous channel that is open again in the direction of the clamping screw 55 and also has a conical section that tapers inwards and into which a tip 56 of the clamping screw 55 can press. If the clamping screw 55 is screwed into the clamping screw section 41, the tip 56 is automatically pressed into the end of the channel section 52a of the reservoir interface 50 facing the clamping screw 55, and the front end (the sealing cone 58) of this channel section 52b is in turn pressed into the end section of the feed channel section 54 facing the reservoir interface 50, whereby the tip of the feed channel section 54 is simultaneously pressed into the correspondingly conically tapered opening in the plug-in coupling part 11.Thus, when clamped, the entire supply line is automatically sealed against each other by the sealing cones formed at the ends of the channel sections. To apply the necessary pressure, the clamping screw 55 has a screw head 57, which is provided on the outside, for example, with knurling or with engagement points for a tool, e.g., an external and / or internal hexagon.

[0070] To connect the fluidic unit 10 with the actuator unit 60, the actuator unit 60 has, as mentioned, the counter plug-in coupling part 61, which is also shown in the sectional drawings in the Figures 5 and 6 is clearly visible and which is also in the Figures 8 to 10 shown in perspective and in different sections.

[0071] This counter plug-in coupling part 61 has, at its end facing the plug-in coupling part 11 of the fluidic unit 10, a bayonet coupling section 63 or receiving section 63 (also called receptacle 63 for short), into which the bayonet coupling section 13 or toothed section 13 of the plug-in coupling part 11 of the fluidic unit 11 can be inserted up to an annular collar 67 (or shoulder which serves as a stop) projecting inwards from the inner wall of the plug-in coupling part 11. At a distance below this collar 67 or shoulder 67, corresponding projections 62 or teeth 62 are located on the inner wall of this receptacle 63 of the counter plug-in coupling part 61, which can interact with the teeth 12 that extend radially outwards on the bayonet coupling section 13 of the plug-in coupling part 11 of the fluidic unit 10.The design and arrangement of the teeth 12, 62 is selected such that in at least a first angular position or rotational position (relative to a rotation about the plug-in axis S) of the plug-in coupling part 11 and the counter-plug-in coupling part 61 relative to one another, the teeth 12, 62 pass one another when the plug-in coupling parts 11, 61 are plugged into one another. This rotational position could be referred to as plug-in position SP1, SP2 (which will be explained later with reference to the . Figure 11 explained). The two plug-in coupling parts 11, 61 can then be rotated relative to one another about the plug-in axis S, so that the teeth 12 of the plug-in coupling part 11 of the fluidic unit 10 engage behind the teeth 62 extending inward in the mating plug-in coupling part 61 and prevent the plug-in coupling part 11 from being pulled out of the mating plug-in coupling part 61 again.

[0072] Extending upwards in the direction of the plug-in axis S is a further section of the counter-plug-in coupling part 61, referred to here as the engagement section 64. This section has recesses 66 on two radially opposite sides, one of which, as explained later, serves to enable a lever 93 of the movement mechanism 92 of the actuator system 90 to come into contact with or actuate the plunger 30 of the mounted fluidic unit 10.

[0073] At its upper end, the mating plug-in coupling part 61 then has a fixing section 65, which serves to fix the complete mating plug-in coupling part 61 within the housing block 80 of the actuator unit 60. For this purpose, particular reference is made to Figure 6This fixation is achieved by an adjusting screw 85 running in the direction of the plug-in axis S from above through the housing block 80, which has a screw head 86 at its upper end, which protrudes from the top of the housing block 80 and which projects into the action chamber 82 with a lower plug-in coupling connection section 87.

[0074] As already mentioned, the housing block 80 has various adjacent chambers, namely, on the one hand, an action chamber 82 which is open downwards towards the fluidic unit 10 and into which the counter plug-in coupling part 61 is inserted and fixed, and on the other hand, an actuator chamber 81 which is essentially parallel to it and open upwards but can be closed there, and in which the actuator system 90 with its actuator 91, here the piezo stack 91, and a movement mechanism 92 with a lever 93, which will be explained later, is arranged. Via an opening 83, the lever 93 can protrude from the actuator chamber 81 into the action chamber 82 and there interact with the plunger 30 of a fluidic unit 10 connected in the actuator unit 60 (see Figure 5 ).

[0075] For this purpose, the adjusting screw 85 is inserted from above through a corresponding hole in the housing block 80, and a threaded piece 88 is pushed onto the plug-in coupling connection section 87 projecting into the action chamber 82. The threaded piece 88 is fixed to the adjusting screw 85 in a rotationally fixed manner at the end by a nut 89, which is screwed onto a thread on the plug-in coupling connection section 87. This means that this threaded piece 88 engages with the adjusting screw 85 in such a way that when the adjusting screw 85 is turned, for example from the outside using the screw head 86, the threaded piece 88 is also turned. This threaded piece 88 has an external thread which engages an internal thread 69 in the fixing section 65 of the mating plug-in coupling part 61. As a result, the position of the mating plug-in coupling part 61 within the housing block 80 of the actuator unit 60 can be precisely adjusted using the adjusting screw 85.Thus, the "height adjustment" of the plunger 30 mounted in the fluidic unit 10 (which should always be in a precisely defined position within the mating plug-in coupling part 61 due to the bayonet-like toothing of the plug-in coupling parts 11, 61) can be adjusted relative to the housing block 80 and thus also relative to the movement mechanism 92 of the actuator system 90 or to a contact point 97 on the lever 93. This means that it is possible to precisely adjust how far the plunger 30, in a defined initial position of the actuator system 90, is pressed against the spring 34 via the movement mechanism 92, namely the lever 93, toward the sealing seat 19 of the nozzle 20. Two cylindrical pins 61Z in the housing block 80 of the actuator unit 60 provide a downward stop for the height adjustment of the mating plug-in coupling part 61.

[0076] As mentioned, the actuator chamber 81 contains a piezo stack 91, which can expand and contract in the longitudinal direction of the actuator chamber 81 according to a circuit controlled by a control device. This piezo stack 91 can be inserted into the actuator chamber 81 from above. A spherical cap 91K, whose height can be adjusted by a screwing movement, then serves as the upper abutment. This is screwed into a thread in the actuator chamber 81 and thus enables precise adjustment of the actuator system 90, and in particular of the piezo stack 91, to the lever 93. The thread is designed and dimensioned such that the necessary preload forces and operational force peaks can be absorbed, while simultaneously ensuring very precise position adjustment during assembly.To ensure vibration-proof protection for the spherical cap 91K, it is screwed to a cover 99 using four countersunk screws, thus preventing rotation during operation. This spherical cap 91K presses from above against an upper pressure piece of the piezo stack 91, which is adapted to the spherical cap 91K. The position of the spherical cap 91K relative to the cover 99 allows the position of the upper bearing of the piezo stack 91 to be precisely defined or a preload to be applied to the piezo stack 91. At the bottom, the piezo stack 91 is mounted on a lever 93 via a pressure piece tapered at an acute angle. This lever, in turn, rests on a lever bearing 94 at the lower end of the actuator chamber 81. Via this lever bearing 94, the lever 93 can be tilted about a tilting axis K, so that a lever arm of the lever 93 projects through the opening 83 into the action chamber 82 and there projects through the recess 66 into the engagement section 64 of the counter-plug-in coupling part 61.At the end of the lever arm, it has a contact surface 97 pointing in the direction of the plunger 30 of a fluidic unit 10 coupled in the actuator unit 60, which presses on the contact surface 33 of the plunger head 32.

[0077] It should be mentioned at this point that in the illustrated embodiment, this contact surface 97 of the lever 93 (with the fluidic unit 10 mounted) is permanently in contact with the contact surface 33 of the plunger head 32, in which the spring 34 presses the plunger head 32 from below against the lever 93. In principle, however, it would also be possible for a distance to exist between the plunger 30 and the lever 93 in an initial or rest position of the spring 34, so that the lever 93 initially travels freely through a certain section of travel when pivoting downwards, picking up speed in the process, and then impacts the plunger 30 or its contact surface 33 with a high impulse in order to increase the ejection impulse that the plunger 30 in turn exerts on the medium.

[0078] To enable a nearly constant preload of the lever-piezo drive system of the actuator system 90, regardless of the required adjustment via the fixing section 65, the lever 93, at the end where it comes into contact with the plunger 30, is pushed upward by an actuator spring 79, which is mounted in its own guide cylinder 98. Due to this mounting, an operator-side change in the position of the fluidic unit 10 in the coupled state via the adjusting screw 85 does not lead to a change in the length of the actuator spring 79 and thus to a significantly changed preload force of the piezoelectric drive. The guide cylinder 98 is fixed in its position in the housing block 80 of the actuator unit 60 by two cylindrical pins 98Z, thus providing a stationary bearing for the actuator spring 79.This guide cylinder 98 has a through-bore on its lower end face, approximately at the height of the teeth 62 of the mating plug-in coupling part 61, which is adapted to the diameter of a corresponding section of the tappet bearing 35, which is screwed into the plug-in coupling part 11 of the fluidic unit 10 from above. When the fluidic unit 10 and actuator unit 60 are coupled together, the toothed section 13 or bayonet coupling section 13 of the plug-in coupling part 11 of the fluidic unit 10 is thus located in an annular gap arranged coaxially to the plug-in axis S between the toothed section 63 or bayonet coupling section 63 of the mating plug-in coupling part 61 and an outer wall of this guide cylinder 98.

[0079] For additional manual securing of the fluidic unit 10 to the actuator unit 60 and in particular so that the plug-in coupling part 11 and the counter-plug-in coupling part 61 are coupled to one another without play in the assembled state, the counter-plug-in coupling part 61 has an already mentioned eccentric mechanism 70.

[0080] For this purpose, an eccentric holder 76 extends radially outward from the bayonet coupling section 63 on one side of the plug-in coupling part 61. This holder can be formed in one piece with the mating plug-in coupling part 61. However, if the mating plug-in coupling part 61 is manufactured as a turned part, this eccentric holder 76 is advantageously flanged laterally to the outer wall of the mating plug-in coupling part 61, for example with corresponding screws, coupling pins, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, this eccentric holder 76 extends radially outward along an underside of the housing block 80 of the actuator unit 60, which has corresponding bores and recesses in a lower region so that this eccentric holder 76 and the other parts of the eccentric mechanism 70 can be accommodated there.

[0081] In this eccentric holder 76 there is a through-bore 77 running parallel to the plug-in axis S, into which an eccentric shaft 71 is inserted, which projects both downwards and upwards beyond the eccentric holder 76. In an upper section on the eccentric shaft 71 there is a spring 73, by which the eccentric shaft 71 (with a counter plug-in coupling part 61 inserted in the housing block 80 of the actuator unit 60) is pushed away from the housing block 80 and is pressed with a lower shoulder of an eccentric section 72 of the eccentric shaft 71 against a matching collar of the through-bore 77 in the eccentric holder 76. This spring 73 also ensures that the counter-plug-in coupling part 61 is pressed downwards in the thread of the threaded piece 88 of the adjusting screw 85 and is thus positioned in the actuator unit 60 without play.From this eccentric section 72, a further section 78 extends downwards out of the eccentric holder 76, which is coupled to an eccentric lever 74 which can be operated by an operator in order to rotate the eccentric shaft 71 about its longitudinal axis, which is at the level of the eccentric section 72 which, as in . Figure 10As can be clearly seen, it is eccentrically shaped in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the eccentric shaft 71. A press ball 75, on which this eccentric section 72 acts, is inserted into a through-bore 68 or the like between the bore 77 for the eccentric shaft 71 and the inner region of the bayonet coupling section 63 of the mating plug-in coupling part 61.If a plug-in coupling part 11 of a fluidic unit 10 has now been inserted into the mating plug-in coupling part 61 from below and is in the desired coupling position in which the teeth of the bayonet-like coupling mechanism are interlocked, the operator can rotate the eccentric shaft 71 about its own axis by simply tilting the eccentric lever 74 and thus also rotate the eccentric section 72 in such a way that the press ball 75 is pushed out of the through-bore 68 with relatively high pressure against the outer wall of the plug-in coupling part 11, namely in the area of the clamping section 15 into one of the spherical caps 24 (see . Figure 7). Thus, the entire plug-in coupling part 11 is always pressed against the inner wall of the mating plug-in coupling part 61 opposite the press ball 75, whereby, after tightening the eccentric lever 74, a precisely defined position of the plug-in coupling part 61 of the fluidic unit 10 relative to the mating plug-in coupling part 61 of the actuator unit 60 is ensured. The through-bore 68 is preferably designed such that the press ball 75 cannot completely penetrate into the interior of the receiving section 63 of the mating plug-in coupling part 61.

[0082] In another mechanism (not shown), which can be used, for example, as an alternative to the eccentric mechanism, the pressing ball 75 is pressed out of the through-bore 98 into the interior of the receiving section 63 of the mating plug-in coupling part 61 by a compression spring instead of the eccentric section 72. This mechanism then acts as a locking mechanism. When the plug-in coupling part 11 is inserted into the mating plug-in coupling part 61, the pressing ball 75 is pressed back into the through-bore 98 against the spring force until it engages one of the spherical caps 24 in the outer wall of the plug-in coupling part 11.

[0083] As is clear from the prescribed embodiment, the invention offers the great advantage that a coupling of a fluidic unit 10 to an actuator unit 60 of a dosing system 100 according to the invention is possible from different sides.

[0084] This will be demonstrated again by Figure 11explained, which shows a rough schematic view from above of an actuator unit 60 and a fluidic unit 10 in various possible positions relative to one another, rotated about the plug-in axis S. For example, the plug-in coupling part 11 of the fluidic unit 10 could be inserted into the mating plug-in coupling part 61 of the actuator unit 60 along the plug-in axis S, optionally in at least two different plug-in positions SP1, SP2. By simply pivoting the fluidic unit 10 relative to the actuator unit 60, for example by 45 degrees about the plug-in axis S, the fluidic unit 10 can then be brought into a coupling position KP1, KP2, KP3 relative to the actuator unit 60, in which the toothing is engaged one behind the other and the plug-in coupling part 11 of the fluidic unit 10 can no longer be pulled out of the mating plug-in coupling part 61 of the actuator unit 60. In the Figure 11Three possible coupling positions KP1, KP2, KP3 are shown, in which the fluidic unit 10 is located at three different rotational positions, each offset by 90 degrees. Additional securing can then be achieved, if desired, using the eccentric mechanism 70 or another mechanism, for example, the locking mechanism described.

[0085] The invention thus allows for particularly convenient and rapid coupling of fluidic unit 10 and actuator unit 60, even under very confined conditions within a dosing system. Finally, it is pointed out once again that the components of the dosing system described in detail above are merely exemplary embodiments which can be modified in a variety of ways by those skilled in the art, and whose features can be recombined without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, it would also be possible to couple the fluidic unit to the actuator unit using only the toothing, or to achieve fixation using only the eccentric mechanism. Likewise, as already mentioned above, in addition to or alternatively to the heating device of the fluidic unit, the actuator unit could have a heating device. This could, for example, be located in and / or on its plug-in coupling part.The heating device of the fluidic unit can then be dispensed with, and a material block made of a heat-resistant plastic (e.g., PEEK) can be used instead of the heating block. Furthermore, one of these material blocks can mechanically perform the same functions as the heating block 42 described above, i.e., it can, in particular, serve to press the feed channel sections 53, 54 and / or the nozzle section 16 into one another in the manner described, in order to form a continuous, sealed supply line for the dosing substance to the nozzle. Furthermore, the invention can also be used in other dosing methods, i.e., not only in microdosing technology, even if it is particularly valuable in this area due to the specific problems that arise there. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite articles "a" or "an" does not exclude the possibility that the respective features may be present multiple times.In addition, "units" can consist of one or more components, even those arranged spatially. List of reference symbols:

[0086] 10 Fluidic unit 11 (first) plug-in coupling part 12 Projection / tooth 13 Bayonet coupling section / toothed section / connecting piece 14 Annular groove 15 Clamping section 16 Nozzle section 17 Thread 18 Nozzle insert 19 Sealing seat 20 Nozzle 21 Nozzle opening / nozzle bore 22 Nozzle chamber 23 Seal / O-ring 24 Spherical cap 30 Movable element / ejection element / tappet 31 Tappet tip 32 Tappet head 33 Contact surface 34 Spring 35 Tappet bearing part 36 Sealing support disk 37 Tappet seal 40 Heating device / heating module 41 Clamping screw section 42 Heating block 43 Nozzle jacket section 44 Memory unit / EEPROM 45 Recess 46 Heater connection cable 47 Heater control line 48 Temperature measuring line 49 Heater control connection / Heater connector 50 Reservoir interface 51 Reservoir connection 52a, 52b Channel sections 54 Supply channel section 55 Clamping screw 56 Tip 57 Screw head 58 Sealing cone 59 Frame part 60 Actuator unit 61 (second) plug-in coupling part / counter plug-in coupling part 61ZCylinder pins 62 Projection / tooth 63 Bayonet coupling section / receiving section / receptacle 64 Engagement section 65 Fixing section 66 Recesses 67 Collar / shoulder 68 Through hole 69 Internal thread 70 Eccentric mechanism 71 Eccentric shaft 72 Eccentric section 73 Spring 74 Eccentric lever 75 Press ball 76 Eccentric holder 77 Through hole 78 Section 79 Actuator spring 80 Housing block 81 Actuator chamber 82 Action chamber 83 Breakthrough 85 Set screw 86 Screw head 87 Plug-in coupling connection section 88 Threaded piece 89 Nut 90 Actuator system 91 Actuator / piezo element stack / piezo stack 91K Piezo encapsulation 92 Movement mechanism 93 Lever 94 Lever bearing 95 Control cable 96 Actuator system control connections 97 Contact surface 98 Guide cylinder 98Z Cylinder pins 99 Cover 100 Dosing system 101 Reservoir / medium cartridge 102 Reservoir pressure connection 103 Bracket K Tilt axis KP1, KP2, KP3 Coupling position R Ejection direction S Plug-in axis SP1, SP2 Plug-in position

Claims

1. A dosing system (100) with an actuator unit (60) and a fluidic unit (10) which can be coupled thereto in a detachable manner, wherein the fluidic unit (10) has a nozzle (20) and an element (30), mounted in a movable manner, and the actuator unit (60) has an actuator system (90), in order to actuate the movable element (30) of the fluidic unit (10), wherein the fluidic unit (10) has a first plug coupling part (11) and the actuator unit (60) has a second plug coupling part (61), which can be plugged into one another for coupling the fluidic unit (10) to the actuator unit (60) along a plugging axis (S) and can be coupled to one another integrally, characterised in that the first plug coupling part (11) and the second plug coupling part (61) have interacting projections (12, 62) and / or recesses.

2. The dosing system according to Claim 1, wherein the actuator unit (60) and the fluidic unit (10) are constructed in such a manner that the fluidic unit (10) can be coupled to the actuator unit (60) under at least two different rotational positions (KP1, KP2, KP3) around the plugging axis (S).

3. The dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, having a mechanism (71), preferably an eccentric mechanism (71), which is constructed in order to press the first plug coupling part (11) and the second plug coupling part (61) against one another in a mutually plugged position, preferably radially to the plugging axis (S).

4. The dosing system according to Claim 3, wherein the mechanism (71), particularly the eccentric mechanism (71), acts on an internal plug coupling part (11) of the two plug coupling parts (11, 61) and presses the same against an inner wall of an outer plug coupling part (61) of the two plug coupling parts (11, 61).

5. The dosing system according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the mechanism (71), particularly the eccentric mechanism (71), acts on at least one of the two plug coupling parts (11, 61), preferably by means of a pressure element (75).

6. The dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluidic unit (10) has a connecting piece (13) as first plug coupling part (11) and the actuator unit (60) has a mount (63) for the connecting piece (11) of the fluidic unit (10) as second plug coupling part (61).

7. The dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluidic unit (10) has a heating device (40), preferably with a heating block (42) surrounding a supply channel section (53, 54) and / or at least one nozzle section (16) and / or wherein the actuator unit (60), preferably the second plug coupling part (61), has a heating device, which preferably outputs heat to a supply channel section (53, 54) and / or nozzle section (16) of the fluidic unit (10) - in the case of a fluidic unit (10) coupled to the actuator unit (60).

8. The dosing system according to Claim 7, wherein the supply channel section (53, 54) and / or at least the nozzle section (16) are fixed in a material block, preferably in the heating block (42), in a detachable manner.

9. The dosing system according to Claim 8, wherein the supply channel section (53, 54) and / or the nozzle section (16) are fixed in the material block, preferably heating block (42), by means of a clamping screw (55), and / or wherein adjacent supply channel sections (53, 54) and / or the nozzle section (16) are pressed into one another at the ends by means of conical nipples (58, 59) to form a continuous supply line.

10. A dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator unit (60) and / or the fluidic unit (10) comprise a heating device (40) and a heating control connection (49) for connection to a heating control and a memory unit (44), in which data for the heating control assigned to the actuator unit (60) and / or the fluidic unit (10), particularly the heating device (40), are stored, particularly preferably control parameters for controlling the heating device (40) by means of the heating control.

11. The dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second plug coupling part (61) can be adjusted along the plugging axis (S) relatively to further components of the actuator unit (60) and / or wherein the first plug coupling part (11) can be adjusted along the plugging axis (S) relatively to further components of the fluidic unit (10).

12. The dosing system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and / or the second plug coupling part (11, 61) are produced as turned parts.

13. A fluidic unit (10) for a dosing system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluidic unit (10) has a nozzle (20), an element (30) mounted in a movable manner and a first plug coupling part (11), which can be plugged along a plugging axis (S) into or over a second plug coupling part (61) of an actuator unit (60) of the dosing system (100) and can be coupled integrally to the same, in order to couple the fluidic unit (10) to the actuator unit (60), which has an actuator system (90), in a detachable manner, in order to actuate the movable element of the fluidic unit (10), characterised in that the first plug coupling part (11) and the second plug coupling part (61) have interacting projections (12, 62) and / or recesses.

14. An actuator unit (60) for a dosing system (100) according to one of the preceding Claims 1 to 12, wherein the actuator unit (60) has a second plug coupling part (61), which can be plugged along a plugging axis (S) into or over a first plug coupling part (11) of a fluidic unit (10) of the dosing system (100) and can be coupled integrally to the same, in order to couple the fluidic unit (10), which has a nozzle (20) and an element (30) mounted in a movable manner, to the actuator unit (60) in a detachable manner, so that an actuator system (90) of the actuator unit (60) can actuate the element (30), mounted in a movable manner, of the fluidic unit (10), characterised in that the first plug coupling part (11) and the second plug coupling part (61) have interacting projections (12, 62) and / or recesses.

15. A method for the detachable coupling of a fluidic unit (10) to an actuator unit (60) of a dosing system (100), wherein the fluidic unit (10) has a nozzle (20) and an element (30), mounted in a movable manner, and the actuator unit (60) has an actuator system (90), in order to actuate the movable element (30) of the fluidic unit (10), wherein plug coupling parts (11, 61) of the fluidic unit (10) and the actuator unit (60) are plugged into one another along a plugging axis (S) and are coupled to one another integrally, wherein a first plug coupling part (11) and a second plug coupling part (61) have interacting projections (12, 62) and / or recesses.