Applicator for the application of a high-viscosity material, exchangeable part therefor and corresponding operating method

Abstract

The invention relates to an applicator (1) for the application of a coating agent (for example a high-viscosity material) to a component (for example a body component of a motor vehicle) comprising a nozzle (4-11) having a nozzle opening with a specific nozzle geometry, in particular for applying a bead of high-viscosity material to the surface of a component. The invention provides that the nozzle geometry of the nozzle opening is adjustable without exchanging the nozzle (4-11), in particular by a relative movement of two nozzle parts (4, 6). The invention also comprises an exchangeable part (6, 12) for such an applicator (1) and an operating method therefor.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an application robot for applying a viscous substance (e.g., adhesive or sealant) to a motor vehicle body component, namely for applying a bead of the viscous substance to a component surface. The invention further relates to a corresponding operating method for this purpose.

[0002] It is known from the prior art to apply a so-called adhesive bead to a component surface using an applicator. The applicator is guided along a predetermined path across the component surface by an application robot. During this movement, the applicator dispenses the adhesive from a nozzle onto the component surface, so that the adhesive then forms the adhesive bead. The known nozzles for such an applicator typically consist of a tube that narrows in the direction of flow and has a V-shaped nozzle slot in the tube wall at its end. The nozzle is guided across the component surface during the application of the adhesive bead, with the nozzle angled transversely to the component surface. A similar applicator is also known, for example, from DE 199 38 328 A1.

[0003] A disadvantage of these known applicators is that the nozzle geometry is fixed and can only be changed by replacing the nozzle. However, changing a nozzle takes a certain amount of time, which is problematic in a high-viscosity coating system for the serial coating (e.g., adhesive coating) of automotive body components because the required time can limit the achievable cycle time during painting.

[0004] For the general technical background of the invention, reference should also be made to DE 10 2012 014 974 A1. However, this publication discloses a different subject matter, namely a device for adhesive coating of book spines. This publication is therefore not relevant.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 10 2007 056 121 B3 also discloses a different type of product, namely a wide-slot nozzle for coating raw carpet or artificial turf. This publication is therefore also irrelevant.

[0006] Furthermore, reference should also be made to US 2007 / 0210187 A1 regarding the technical background of the invention.

[0007] Finally, WO 2013 / 030828 A2 discloses an application robot according to the preamble of claim 1. However, this known application robot is not suitable for applying thick material beads to motor vehicle body components.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the objective of solving this problem.

[0009] This problem is solved by an application robot according to the invention or by a corresponding operating method according to the dependent claims.

[0010] The invention comprises the general technical teaching of creating an applicator in which the nozzle geometry of the nozzle opening is adjustable without replacing the nozzle, in particular by a relative movement of two nozzle parts, which will be described in detail below.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the applicator is adapted to apply a viscous substance, such as an adhesive, a sealant, or an insulating material. The term "viscous substance" thus also includes, for example, sprayable materials, often containing PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which are used, for instance, in weld sealing, cavity preservation, or underbody protection of car bodies. However, the invention is not limited to such viscous substances with regard to the coating material to be applied, but can also be implemented with other types of coating materials.

[0012] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the applicator is preferably adapted to apply the coating material (e.g., thick substance) to a motor vehicle body component. However, the invention is not limited to motor vehicle body components with regard to the type of component, but can also be implemented with other types of components in principle.

[0013] As mentioned above, the invention offers the possibility of adjusting the nozzle geometry of the nozzle opening without replacing the nozzle. For example, the size of the nozzle opening can be adjusted, particularly its height in the axial direction, to influence the height of the thick material bead on the component surface. For instance, with a V-shaped nozzle opening, the height of the resulting triangular bead on the component surface is determined by the axial length of the V-shaped nozzle opening. However, the invention also allows for the shape of the nozzle opening to be adjustable in order to adapt the resulting shape of the thick material bead on the component surface accordingly. These two possibilities (adjusting the size and adjusting the shape of the nozzle opening) can also be combined within the scope of the invention.However, the invention also offers the possibility that only the size of the nozzle opening is changed, while the shape (e.g. triangular shape or V-shape) remains unchanged.

[0014] According to the invention, the nozzle has an inner tube, which is preferably fixed to the applicator and through which the coating material to be applied (e.g., a thick substance) flows during operation. Furthermore, the nozzle has an outer tube that surrounds the inner tube and runs coaxially to it. The outer tube is rotatable relative to the inner tube about its longitudinal axis in order to adjust the nozzle geometry. The nozzle geometry of the nozzle opening thus depends on the relative angle of rotation of the outer and inner tubes.

[0015] For this purpose, both the inner and outer tubes each have a nozzle contour on their outer surface, which together form the nozzle opening. Depending on the angular orientation of the outer tube relative to the inner tube, these two nozzle contours lie more or less in alignment within the inner and outer tubes, with the overlapping area of ​​the two nozzle contours forming the free nozzle opening. A rotation of the outer tube relative to the inner tube thus leads to a change in the overlapping areas of the two nozzle contours, thereby altering the cross-section of the free nozzle opening.

[0016] The nozzle contours in the inner and outer tubes are preferably essentially V-shaped and extend from the circumferential edge of the inner and outer tubes, respectively, at their free ends, narrowing in the proximal direction. This means that a rotation of the two V-shaped nozzle contours relative to each other leads to a corresponding change in the V-shaped nozzle cross-section. It should be noted that the shape of the nozzle opening remains V-shaped regardless of the angle of rotation of the inner and outer tubes. In this embodiment, a rotation of the inner and outer tubes therefore only changes the size of the nozzle opening, not its shape.

[0017] Regarding the inventive construction with an outer tube and an inner tube, it should be noted that the inner diameter of the outer tube is essentially equal to the outer diameter of the inner tube. The wall of the outer tube at the circumferential edge of the second nozzle contour within the outer tube is knife-shaped and rests with a cutting edge against the outer wall of the inner tube. This ensures a sharp breaking edge at the transition from the inner tube to the outer tube.

[0018] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the applicator preferably has a drive for adjusting the nozzle geometry, wherein the drive moves the two nozzle parts (e.g., outer tube and inner tube) relative to each other. The drive preferably includes a motor (e.g., an electric motor) to perform the adjustment. However, the drive can also operate pneumatically or be designed as a direct drive. For example, the drive can have a gear drive. In this case, a first gear is preferably rotatably arranged coaxially with the outer tube and rigidly connected to it. A rotation of this first gear thus results in a corresponding rotation of the outer tube relative to the inner tube. In addition, the gear drive can have a rotatable second gear that engages with the first gear to rotate the outer tube relative to the inner tube.The first gear on the outer tube can be integrally molded onto the outer tube, enabling cost-effective manufacturing of the outer tube and gear together. For example, the first gear and the outer tube can form a single injection-molded part.

[0019] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the nozzle is preferably designed in such a way that it forms a thick bead (e.g. adhesive bead) on the component surface during operation, which is known from the prior art and therefore does not need to be described in more detail.

[0020] Furthermore, it should be noted that the applicator preferably has a mounting flange for detachable mounting of the applicator, for example, to an application robot. This mounting flange can be designed to be operated without tools, so that the applicator can be detached from the application robot without tools. For example, a bayonet fitting can be used for this purpose.

[0021] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the outer tube can also be attached to and detached from the inner tube without tools, for which a bayonet fitting can also be used. This makes it possible to manufacture the outer tube, possibly with the integrated gear, as a replaceable part that does not require cleaning but can simply be swapped out.

[0022] The invention enables the use of such a replacement part, which is characterized by the fact that it is movable on the applicator in the mounted state in order to allow adjustment of the nozzle geometry.

[0023] The other features of this replacement part (e.g. outer tube) have already been described above and therefore do not need to be explained further.

[0024] The invention claims protection for a complete application robot with such an applicator. Finally, the invention also claims protection for a corresponding operating method for such an application robot.

[0025] The individual features of the operating method according to the invention are already evident from the preceding description, so that a separate description of the operating method according to the invention can be dispensed with.

[0026] However, it should be noted that the invention makes it possible to adjust the nozzle geometry during nozzle movement. This allows the geometry of the thick material bead on the component surface to be adapted along the bead.

[0027] Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims or are explained in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. The figures show: Figure 1A a schematic perspective view of an applicator for an application robot according to the invention in a setting with a maximum nozzle opening size, Figure 1B legs side view of the applicator made of Figure 1A Figure 2A, a schematic perspective view of the applicator from the Figures 1A and 1B in a setting with a reduced nozzle opening size, Figure 2 Legs Side view of the applicator from Figure 2A Figure 3A shows a side view of the applicator on a component surface for applying a bead of thick material; Figure 3B shows the resulting size of the nozzle opening in the setting according to Figure 3A Figure 4A shows a different setting than in Figure 3Awith a reduced nozzle opening size, as well as Figure 4B, the reduced nozzle opening size.

[0028] The drawings show different views of an applicator 1 for applying a bead of thick material (e.g. adhesive, sealant) to a component surface 2 of a component 3 (e.g. motor vehicle body component).

[0029] In principle, it is known from the prior art to apply thick material beads to component surfaces, so a detailed description of the application of thick material beads can be omitted, since reference is made to the prior art in this regard.

[0030] It should also be mentioned that the drawings only schematically represent the principle of the invention, so that variations regarding the size and design of the individual components are possible.

[0031] The applicator 1 initially has a hollow cylindrical inner tube 4, through which the coating material to be applied flows during operation and which has a frontal opening 5 at its free end.

[0032] Furthermore, the applicator 1 has an outer tube 6 which surrounds the inner tube 4 and runs coaxially to the inner tube 4. The inner diameter of the outer tube 6 is equal to the outer diameter of the inner tube 4.

[0033] It should also be mentioned that the inner tube 4 is fixedly mounted on the applicator 1, while the outer tube 6 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis 7 relative to the inner tube 4.

[0034] The inner tube 4 has a V-shaped nozzle contour 8 at its free end in its outer surface, which narrows in a V-shape from the free end in a proximal direction.

[0035] The outer tube 6 has a V-shaped nozzle contour 9 at its free end in its outer surface, which extends from the free end of the outer tube 6 and narrows in a V-shape in the proximal direction.

[0036] The two V-shaped nozzle contours 8, 9 in the inner tube 4 and in the outer tube 6 can be brought more or less into alignment by rotating the outer tube 6 relative to the inner tube 4, thus forming a nozzle opening 10 with an adjustable size.

[0037] In the position according to the Figures 1A and 1B The two nozzle contours 8, 9 of the outer tube 6 and the inner tube 4 lie exactly on top of each other. This results in a maximum size for the resulting nozzle opening 10.

[0038] In the angular position according to the Figures 2A and 2B In contrast, the two nozzle contours 8, 9 of the outer tube 6 and the inner tube 4 are twisted relative to each other, which results in the nozzle opening 10 being correspondingly smaller.

[0039] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the outer tube 6 forms a cutting edge 11 at the edge of the V-shaped nozzle contour 9, which rests on the outer wall of the inner tube 4 and forms a sharp tear-off edge for the coating material (e.g. adhesive).

[0040] The size of the nozzle opening 10 of the applicator 1 can therefore be continuously and very precisely adjusted by rotating the outer tube 6 relative to the inner tube 4. This rotation is driven by a gear drive, which in turn is driven by an electric motor (not shown). The gear drive initially comprises a gear 12, which is rigidly connected to the outer tube 6. Furthermore, the gear drive comprises another gear 13, which engages with the gear 12 and is driven by the electric motor. Thus, rotation of the electric motor, via the two gears 12 and 13, results in a corresponding rotation of the outer tube 6 relative to the inner tube 4 and consequently a corresponding change in the size of the nozzle opening 10.

[0041] It should be noted that the gear 12 is integrally molded onto the outer tube 6, which enables cost-effective manufacturing. Furthermore, it should be noted that the outer tube 6 and the gear 12 are manufactured together as an injection-molded part and are both made of plastic.

[0042] Alternatively, it is also possible that the outer tube 6 and the gear 12 are made of metal.

[0043] Furthermore, the outer tube 6 with the gear 12 can be manufactured by additive manufacturing processes ("Rapid Prototyping").

[0044] The outer tube 6, together with the molded gear 12, forms a replaceable part that can be easily and inexpensively replaced, so that no cleaning is required.

[0045] The assembly and disassembly of the outer tube 6 with the molded-on gear 12 can be carried out without tools, for example by means of a bayonet fitting (not shown).

[0046] From the Figures 3B and 4B It is further evident that by rotating the outer tube 6 relative to the inner tube the height h1 or h2 of the nozzle opening 10 can be changed, whereby this change in the height h1, h2 of the nozzle opening 10 leads to a corresponding change in the height of the applied thick material bead.

[0047] The invention enables, firstly, precise adjustment of the applied amount of thick material, particularly with small quantities and narrow seam widths. Furthermore, the invention allows for dynamic, variable adjustment, even during coating. In addition, the invention simplifies maintenance, as the replacement part, consisting of the outer tube 6 and the gear 12, can be easily changed without cleaning. Another advantage is the ease of nozzle replacement, since the outer tube 6 with the molded-on gear 12 can be changed without tools. Reference symbol list:

[0048] 1 Applicator 2 Component surface 3 Component 4 Inner tube 5 End face opening of the inner tube 6 Outer tube 7 Longitudinal axis of outer and inner tubes 8 V-shaped nozzle contour in the inner tube 9 V-shaped nozzle contour in the outer tube 10 Nozzle opening 11 Cutting edge 12 Gear 13 Gear h1 Height of the nozzle opening in axial direction h2 Height of the nozzle opening in axial direction

Claims

1. Application robot with an applicator (1) for applying a coating agent to a component (3), with a nozzle (4-11) with a) a nozzle opening (10) having a certain nozzle geometry, wherein the nozzle geometry of the nozzle opening (10) is adjustable without replacement of the nozzle (4-11), b) an inner tube (4), wherein the coating agent to be applied flows through the inner tube (4) during operation, c) an outer tube (6), wherein the outer tube (6) c1) surrounds the inner tube (4) on the outside, c2) runs coaxially to the inner tube (4), c3) is rotatable relative to the inner tube (4) about its longitudinal axis (7) in order to adjust the nozzle geometry, and c4) has an inner diameter, which is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the inner tube (4), characterized in d) that the wall of the outer tube (6) is knife-shaped at the peripheral edge of the second nozzle contour (9) and rests with a cutting edge (11) on the outer wall of the inner tube (4).

2. Application robot according to claim 1, characterized in a) that the size of the nozzle opening (10) is adjustable, in order to influence the height of the thick matter bead on the component surface (2), and b) that the shape of the nozzle opening (10) is adjustable.

3. Application robot according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner tube (4) is fixedly attached to the applicator (1).

4. Application robot according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in a) that the inner tube (4) has a first nozzle contour (8) in its circumferential surface, which forms the nozzle opening (10), b) that the outer tube (6) has a second nozzle contour (9) in its circumferential surface, which forms the nozzle opening (10), and c) that the first nozzle contour (8) in the inner tube (4) and the second nozzle contour (9) in the outer tube (6) lie more or less on top of one another depending on the angular orientation of the outer tube (6) relative to the inner tube (4) and form the nozzle opening (10) in the region lying on top of one another conforming to each other.

5. Application robot according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first nozzle contour (8) and / or the second nozzle contour (9) is substantially V-shaped and starts from the peripheral edge of the inner tube (4) or the outer tube (6) at its free end and narrows in the proximal direction.

6. Application robot according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in, a) that the applicator (1) has a drive (12, 13) for adjusting the nozzle geometry of the nozzle opening (10), and b) that the drive (12, 13) has a motor , and c) that the drive (12, 13) is a gear drive (12, 13), and d) that a first gear wheel (12) is arranged rotatably and coaxially to the outer tube (6) and rotationally rigidly connected to the outer tube (6), and e) that a rotatable second gear (13) engages the first gear wheel (12) to rotate the outer tube (6) relative to the inner tube (4), and f) that the first gear wheel (12) is integrally formed on the outer tube (6), and g) that the first gear wheel (12) together with the outer tube (6) forms an injection-moulded part, and h) that the drive operates pneumatically or is designed as a direct drive.

7. Application robot according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle (4-11) is designed such that, in operation, it applies a thick matter bead , to a component surface (2) of the component (3) when the nozzle (4-11) is moved over the component surface (2).

8. Application robot according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in, a) that the applicator (1) has a connecting flange for detachable mounting of the applicator (1), for example on an application robot, the connecting flange being operable without tools, and b) that the outer tube (6) can be removed from the inner tube (4) without tools.

9. Operating method for an application robot according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the nozzle geometry of the nozzle opening (10) is adjusted without replacing the nozzle (4-11), namely by a rotation of the outer tube (6) relative to the inner tube (4).

10. Operating method according to claim 9, characterized by the following steps: a) moving the applicator (1) over a component surface (2) along a predetermined path, in particular by means of an application robot, and b) applying a thick matter through the nozzle (4-11) during the movement of the nozzle (4-11) so that the applied thick matter forms a thick matter bead on the component surface (2), and c) adjusting the nozzle geometry of the nozzle opening (10) of the nozzle (4-11) during movement of the nozzle (4-11).

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