Applicator for applying an application agent

Abstract

The invention relates to an applicator (1) for applying an application agent (e.g. sealant, insulating material) to a component (e.g. motor vehicle body component), said applicator comprising: a mounting flange (2), in particular for mounting the applicator (1) on an application robot; a plurality of nozzles (7-9) each for emitting a jet of the application agent onto the component, the nozzles (7-9) each being in the form of a separate component; and an applicator head (6) at the distal end of the applicator (1), the applicator head (6) having a nozzle receptacle for mounting each of the individual nozzles (7-9). According to the invention, the individual nozzles (7-9) are each mounted directly in the associated nozzle receptacles of the applicator head (6).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Applicator for applying an application agent

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to an applicator for applying an application agent (e.g. sealant, insulating material) to a component (e.g. motor vehicle body component).

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] In the field of sealing applications for vehicle bodywork, so-called 3D applicators ("3D guns") have been standard in application technology for many years. These well-known 3D applicators are typically designed by well-known manufacturers with a manufacturer-specific, standardized interface for nozzle attachment at the end of a lance. Various nozzles can then be mechanically adapted to this interface as needed. The nozzles have a base body that fits the mechanical mount of the 3D applicator and can be mounted with repeatable precision using a mounting plate.

[0007] This type of nozzle adaptation has proven to be quite practical as long as the nozzles could be designed with an equally compact "foot" due to their compact size. However, this has changed with the introduction of nozzles for the application of, for example, liquid insulation materials or standing seams. These nozzles are constructed in several parts (cf. DE 10 2011 011 850 Al) and, due to their application, are larger in their geometric dimensions than, for example, airless or flatstream nozzles.

[0008] For this reason, the nozzles according to the state of the art are constructed in such a way that a nozzle body is first assembled, which is constructed in several parts and accommodates the various plates required for its function. In order to be able to adapt this nozzle body to a 3D applicator, this nozzle body is connected to a suitable adapter plate. This complete assembly can then be mounted with repeatable accuracy on the standardized holder of the 3D applicator. Figures 1-4 show such a conventional applicator 1, which can be used to apply an insulating material or a sealant, as is known per se from the prior art. For this purpose, the known applicator 1 first has a mounting flange 2 with which the applicator 1 can be mounted on an application robot. In addition, the applicator 1 has a rotary feedthrough 3 in which an elongated lance 4 is rotatably mounted.At the distal end of the lance 4 is a lance head 5 with an integrated valve block with main valves, as will be described in detail below. An applicator head 6 is attached to the lance head 5, in which three flat jet nozzles 7-9 are mounted. The flat jet nozzles 7-9 are mounted in the applicator head 6 using an adapter 10-12 each. The individual flat jet nozzles 7-9 are screwed into the corresponding adapters 10-12 using screws 13-15. The adapters 10-12 with the flat jet nozzles 7-9 screwed into them are then mounted on the applicator head 6. The flat jet nozzles 7-9 are therefore not mounted directly in the applicator head 6, but rather using the adapters 10-12. This has the consequence that the applicator 1 has a relatively large interference contour 16 in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lance 4, as can be seen from Figure 4.Thus, the interfering contour 16 of the conventional applicator 1 has a lateral extent a in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lance 4. Furthermore, the conventional applicator 1 also has a relatively large interfering contour 17 in a side view according to Figure 9, which has a lateral extent c.

[0009] A disadvantage of the known applicator 1 described above is the fact that the interfering contours 16, 17 of the known applicator 1 are relatively large. This makes it difficult for the applicator 1 to reach the areas to be applied in some applications.

[0010] For the technical background of the invention, reference should also be made to DE 10 2014 017 856 Al, DE 103 20 856 B3, US 2002 / 0 083 895 Al, US 2002 / 0 130 194 Al, DE 10 2017 008 227 Al and DE 10 2010 056 071 Al.

[0011] Description of the invention

[0012] The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a correspondingly improved applicator which should have the smallest possible interference contour.

[0013] This object is achieved by an applicator according to the invention according to the main claim. The applicator according to the invention is generally suitable for applying a fluid or pasty application agent. The applicator is preferably designed for applying a thick material, such as an insulating material, a sealant, or an adhesive, to name just a few examples. However, the invention is not limited to application agents with specific properties.

[0014] Furthermore, it should be noted that the applicator according to the invention is preferably designed to apply the application agent (e.g., sealant, insulating material) to a motor vehicle body component. However, the invention is not limited to motor vehicle body components with regard to the component.

[0015] The applicator according to the invention, in accordance with the known applicator described at the outset, has a mounting flange in order to be able to mount the applicator on a handling device, such as an application robot.

[0016] Furthermore, the applicator according to the invention, in accordance with the known applicator described above, also has a plurality of nozzles, each of which can deliver a jet of the application agent onto the component, wherein the nozzles are each formed as a separate component. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the applicator has a total of three nozzles, which is why such applicators are also referred to as 3D applicators ("3D guns"). However, the invention is not limited to exactly three nozzles with regard to the number of nozzles, but can also be implemented with a different number of nozzles.

[0017] Furthermore, the applicator according to the invention, in accordance with the known applicator described above, also has an applicator head at the distal end of the applicator, i.e., at the end of the applicator facing away from the mounting flange. This applicator head also has a plurality of nozzle receptacles for accommodating the individual nozzles in the applicator according to the invention.

[0018] The applicator according to the invention is characterized in that the individual nozzles are each mounted directly and immediately in the corresponding nozzle receptacles of the applicator head. This direct and immediate mounting of the individual nozzles in the nozzle receptacles of the applicator head according to the invention is to be distinguished from the indirect and indirect mounting of the nozzles in the nozzle receptacles described above. Thus, in the conventional applicator described above, the nozzles are mounted indirectly in the nozzle receptacles via adapters. In contrast, the invention dispenses with such adapters, so that the nozzles are mounted directly in the nozzle receptacles in the applicator head.

[0019] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the nozzles are each anchored directly in the corresponding nozzle receptacle of the applicator head by a force-fitting or form-fitting connection, for example, by a screw connection. However, the invention is not limited to a screw connection with regard to the type of connection of the nozzles in the corresponding nozzle receptacle. Rather, other connection types are also possible within the scope of the invention.

[0020] Furthermore, it should be noted that in the preferred embodiment, the nozzles each have a flat contact surface, as is also the case with conventional nozzles, such as those described in DE 10 2011 011 850 A1. In the applicator according to the invention, the nozzle receptacles in the applicator head for mounting the nozzles preferably also each have a flat contact surface. In the mounted state, the flat contact surfaces of the nozzles on the one hand and the nozzle receptacles on the other hand lie plane-parallel to one another.

[0021] Furthermore, the applicator head can have a receiving groove for accommodating one of the nozzles, with one of the nozzles being mounted in the receiving groove in the applicator head. In the preferred embodiment, this type of fastening using a receiving groove is only provided for one of the three nozzles. However, within the scope of the invention, it is also fundamentally possible for this type of mounting using a receiving groove to be provided for several or all nozzles.

[0022] It was already mentioned above that the nozzles can be anchored in the nozzle receptacles by a screw connection. In the design described above, with flat and plane-parallel contact surfaces of the nozzles on the one hand and the nozzle receptacles on the other, these screw connections are preferably aligned perpendicular to the contact surfaces. The fastening screws can then be anchored in a threaded hole in the respective contact surface of the nozzle receptacle of the applicator head.

[0023] It was briefly mentioned above that the individual nozzles can each have several nozzle plates arranged parallel to one another, as described, for example, in DE 10 2011 Oll 850 A1. In this case, the nozzles can also have two clamping plates, with the nozzle plates being arranged between the two clamping plates, with the screw connection passing through the two clamping plates and the nozzle plate. The two clamping plates are thus arranged on the outside of the nozzles and can also be referred to as counter plates.

[0024] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the nozzles are each flat jet nozzles, each emitting a flat jet in a separate jet plane. The flat jet nozzles are preferably arranged so that the jet planes of the individual flat jet nozzles run parallel to each other.

[0025] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the applicator comprises an elongated lance with a lance head at the distal end of the lance, with the applicator head being attached to the lance head. The connection between the applicator head and the lance head is preferably detachable. Furthermore, it should be noted that the lance is preferably rotatable relative to the applicator's mounting flange. A rotary union can be provided to guide the application agent through the rotary union to the nozzles in various rotational positions of the lance.

[0026] The inventive mounting of the nozzles directly and immediately in the applicator head advantageously enables a reduction of the interfering contour of the applicator head. Thus, the interfering contour perpendicular to the lance can have a maximum lateral extension of less than 200 mm, 150 mm, 100 mm, or 80 mm. In a side view perpendicular to the lance, the interfering contour can have a maximum extension of less than 200 mm, 150 mm, 100 mm, or 80 mm.

[0027] As briefly mentioned above, the applicator can also include a valve unit for controlling the flow of the application agent to the nozzles, whereby the valve unit can enable selective material dispensing from the individual nozzles. In the preferred embodiment, this valve unit is located in the lance head.

[0028] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a main valve is provided for each individual nozzle to control the flow of application agent to the nozzles. There is no additional valve between the main valves and the associated nozzles, so that the main valves control the material flow from the associated nozzles. The line length between the individual main valves and the associated nozzles is preferably relatively short and can be less than 50 cm, 25 cm, 20 cm, 10 cm, or 5 cm. This short line length advantageously enables a fast and dynamic response and prevents dripping from the nozzles when the main valves close.

[0029] Furthermore, a material circulation of the application agent is preferably provided upstream of the valve unit. The applicator according to the invention therefore has a supply line and a return line. The supply line carries the application agent to the valve unit, while the return line carries the application agent back from the valve unit.

[0030] Furthermore, it should be noted that the nozzles can be, for example, airless nozzles or flat-jet nozzles, as are known from the prior art. These individual nozzles preferably emit their jets in different directions.

[0031] Finally, it should be noted that the invention not only claims protection for the applicator described above as a single component. Rather, the invention also claims protection for an application robot with such an applicator.

[0032] Brief description of the drawings

[0033] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the known applicator described above.

[0034] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the applicator head of the known applicator according to Figure 1.

[0035] Figure 3 shows a side view of the applicator head according to Figures 1 and 2.

[0036] Figure 4 shows a front view of the known applicator according to Figures 1-3 to illustrate the interference contour.

[0037] Figure 5 shows a corresponding front view with the interference contour in an applicator according to the invention.

[0038] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the applicator according to the invention.

[0039] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the applicator according to the invention in the area of ​​the applicator head. Figure 8 shows an enlarged perspective detailed view of the applicator head.

[0040] Figure 9 shows superimposed side views of the applicator head of the applicator according to the invention on the one hand and the conventional applicator on the other hand.

[0041] Figure 10 shows a schematic representation of an applicator according to the invention.

[0042] Figure 11 shows a schematic representation of an application robot according to the invention with an applicator according to the invention.

[0043] Detailed information

[0044] The applicator 1 according to the invention will now be described, as shown in Figures 5-11. The applicator 1 according to the invention largely corresponds to the conventional applicator 1, as shown in Figures 1 to 4. To avoid repetition, reference is therefore largely made to the above description, with the same reference numerals being used for corresponding details.

[0045] A special feature of the applicator 1 according to the invention is that the adapters 10-12 for mounting the flat jet nozzles 7-9 in the applicator head 6 are omitted. Instead, the flat jet nozzles 7-9 are mounted directly in the applicator head 6. For this purpose, the applicator head 6 has three nozzle receptacles 18-20, into which the flat jet nozzles 7-9 are screwed using screws 13-15. The individual flat jet nozzles 7-9 consist of several nozzle plates clamped between two counter plates 21-20.

[0046] It should be noted that the two nozzle receptacles 18, 20 each have a flat contact surface. The counter plates 22 and 25 then rest against these flat contact surfaces of the nozzle receptacles 18, 20.

[0047] The nozzle holder 19, on the other hand, has a receiving groove in which the flat jet nozzle 8 is mounted with the counter plates 23, 24.

[0048] This direct and immediate mounting of the flat jet nozzles 7-9 in the applicator head 6 enables a reduction of the interfering contour 16 or 17, as can be seen from Figures 4 and 9, respectively. Thus, the interfering contour 16 in the applicator 1 according to the invention has only a lateral extension b

[0049] The schematic representation of the applicator 1 according to the invention according to Figure 10 will now be described.

[0050] It should be noted that three main valves 27-29 are located in the lance head 5, which control the material discharge from the flat jet nozzles 7-9. The main valves 27-29 are connected to the flat jet nozzles 7-9 via lines 30-32. The short length of the lines 30-32 is advantageous, enabling rapid response and preventing dripping when the main valves 27-29 close.​

[0051] Furthermore, it can be seen from the diagram that the applicator 1 has a material circulation with a forward line 33 and a return line 34.

[0052] Finally, Figure 11 shows an application robot 35 with a robot base 36, a rotatable robot member 37, a proximal robot arm 38, a distal robot arm 39, a robot hand axis 40 and the applicator 1 according to the invention. It should be noted that the application robot 35 is arranged in an application cabin 41.

[0053] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment described above. Rather, a multitude of variants and modifications are possible, which also utilize the inventive concept and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and features of the subclaims, independently of the respective claims referred to, and in particular even without the features of the main claim. The invention thus encompasses various aspects of the invention that enjoy independent protection.

[0054] Advantages of the invention

[0055] The invention is characterized by the following advantages, among others:

[0056] • Significant reduction of the interfering contour of the applicator (“3D gun”) with attached nozzles.

[0057] • Better accessibility to the vehicle body due to the smaller interfering contour of the applicator. • Reduced complexity, as fewer individual parts are required overall.

[0058] • Weight reduction.

[0059] • Reducing the length of the material channel between the main needle seat (main valve) and the nozzle outlet improves application quality. • The nozzle adaptation type can be used for various nozzle types.

[0060] List of reference symbols

[0061] 1 applicator

[0062] 2 Mounting flange of the applicator

[0063] 3 rotary union

[0064] 4 Lance of the applicator

[0065] 5 Lance head of the lance (valve block)

[0066] 6 Applicator head

[0067] 7-9 flat jet nozzles

[0068] 10-12 adapters

[0069] 13-15 screws for fastening the flat jet nozzles in the adapters

[0070] 16 Interference contour of the applicator in a front view

[0071] 17 Interference contour of the applicator in a side view

[0072] 18-20 nozzle holders in the applicator head for the individual nozzles

[0073] 21-26 counter plates

[0074] 27-29 Main valves in the lance head

[0075] 30-32 lines from the main valves to the flat jet nozzles

[0076] 33 Line through the lance to the main valves

[0077] 34 Return line through the lance from the main valves

[0078] 35 application robots

[0079] 36 Basis of the application robot

[0080] 37 Rotating link of the application robot

[0081] 38 Proximal robot arm of the application robot ("Arm 1")

[0082] 39 Distal robot arm of the application robot (“Arm 21”)

[0083] 40 Robot hand axis of the application robot

[0084] 41 Application booth a lateral extension of the interfering contour 16 in the conventional applicator b lateral extension of the interfering contour 16 in the applicator according to the invention c lateral extension of the interfering contour 17 in the conventional applicator d lateral extension of the interfering contour 17 in the applicator according to the invention

Claims

REQUIREMENTS 1. Applicator (1) for applying an application agent, in particular an insulating material, to a component, in particular a motor vehicle body component, comprising a) a mounting flange (2), in particular for mounting the applicator (1) on an application robot, so that the applicator (1) is guided by the application robot, b) several nozzles (7-9) for each delivering a jet of the application agent onto the component, wherein the nozzles (7-9) are each designed as a separate component, and c) an applicator head (6) at the distal end of the applicator (1), wherein the applicator head (6) has a nozzle receptacle (18-20) for mounting each of the individual nozzles (7-9), characterized in that the individual nozzles (7-9) are each mounted directly in the associated nozzle receptacles (18-20) of the applicator head (6).

2. Applicator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the nozzles (7-9) are each anchored directly in the associated nozzle receptacle (18-20) of the applicator head (6) by a force-fit or form-fit connection, in particular by a screw connection.

3. Applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) the nozzles (7-9) each have a flat contact surface, b) the nozzle receptacles (18-20) in the applicator head (6) for mounting the nozzles (7-9) each have a flat contact surface, and c) the flat contact surfaces of the nozzles (7-9) on the one hand and of the nozzle receptacles (18-20) on the other hand are parallel to each other in the mounted state of the nozzles (7-9).

4. Applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) one of the nozzle receptacles (18-20) of the applicator head (6) has a receiving groove for receiving one of the nozzles (7-9), and b) one of the nozzles (7-9) is mounted in the receiving groove of the nozzle receptacle (18-20) in the applicator head (6).

5. Applicator (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4 characterized in that a) that the screw connections between the nozzles (7-9) and the associated nozzle receptacles (18-20) are each aligned perpendicular to the contact surfaces of the nozzle on the one hand and the nozzle receptacle (18-20) on the other hand, and / or b) that the screw connections are each anchored in a threaded bore in the respective contact surface of the nozzle receptacle (18-20) of the applicator head (6).

6. Applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) the nozzles (7-9) each have several nozzle plates arranged parallel to each other, b) the individual nozzle plates are preferably flat, c) the nozzles (7-9) preferably each have two clamping plates, wherein the nozzle plates are arranged between the two clamping plates, d) the screw connection preferably passes through the two clamping plates and through the nozzle plates.

7. Applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) the nozzles (7-9) are flat jet nozzles, each emitting a flat jet in a jet plane, b) the flat jet nozzles are preferably arranged such that the jet planes of the individual flat jet nozzles run parallel to each other.

8. Applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) the applicator (1) has an elongated lance (4) with a lance head (5) at the distal end of the lance (4), wherein the applicator head (6) is attached to the lance head (5), b) that the applicator head (6) is preferably detachably mounted on the lance head (5), c) that the lance (4) is preferably rotatable relative to the mounting flange (2) of the applicator (1), d) that the applicator (1) preferably has a rotary feedthrough (3) in order to be able to guide the application medium through the rotary feedthrough (3) to the nozzles (7-9) in different rotational positions of the lance (4).

9. Applicator (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, a) that the applicator head (6) has a disturbance contour (16) in cross-section perpendicular to the lance (4) which has a maximum lateral extent (b) of less than 200 mm, 150 mm, 100 mm or less than 80 mm, and / or b) that the applicator head (6) has a disturbance contour (17) in a side view transverse to the lance (4) which has a maximum extent (d) transverse to the lance (4) of less than 200 mm, 150 mm, 100 mm or less than 80 mm.

10. Applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) the applicator (1) has a valve unit (27-29) for controlling the material flow of the application agent to the nozzles (7-9), wherein the valve unit (27-29) enables selective material dispensing from the individual nozzles (7-9), b) that the valve unit (27-29) is preferably arranged in the lance head (5).

11. Applicator (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that a) the valve unit (27-29) for controlling the material flow of the application agent to the nozzles (7-9) has a main valve for each of the individual nozzles (7-9), wherein preferably no further valve is located between the main valves (27-29) and the associated nozzles (7-9), so that the main valves (27-29) control the material flow from the associated nozzles (7-9), b) that the individual main valves (27-29) are each connected to the associated nozzles (7-9) by a line (30-32), and c) that the lines (30-32) from the main valves (27-29) to the nozzles (7-9) each have a line length of less than 50 cm, 25 cm, 10 cm or 5 cm.

12. Applicator (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by a material circulation of the application medium upstream of the valve unit (27-29) with a supply line (33) for supplying the application medium to the valve unit (27-29) and a return line (34) for returning the application medium from the valve unit (27-29).

13. Applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) the nozzles (7-9) a) are airless nozzles (7-9) or a2) are flat jet nozzles, each emitting a flat jet of the application agent, and / or b) that the applicator (1) has exactly three nozzles (7-9), and / or c) that the nozzles (7-9) emit their jets in different directions.

14. Application robot (35) with an applicator (1) after one of the previous spraying operations.

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