Nozzle assembly for applying fluids and system for applying fluids

Abstract

The invention relates to a nozzle arrangement (1) for applying fluids (2), in particular thermoplastic adhesives, to a substrate (21), wherein the nozzle arrangement (1) has a spray nozzle (3), wherein the spray nozzle (3) has a nozzle body (5) extending in the longitudinal direction (4) of the spray nozzle (3) with a first fluid channel (6) extending in particular coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body (5) for the fluid (20) to be applied to the substrate (21), and wherein the spray nozzle (3) further has a nozzle housing (7) in which the nozzle body (5) is received at least partially, wherein a plurality of second fluid channels (10) for forming air are formed at least partially between a lateral surface of the nozzle body (5) and an inner surface of the nozzle housing (7).According to the invention, it is particularly provided that the second fluid channels (10) extend - over their entire length - in the longitudinal direction (4) of the spray nozzle (3) parallel to the first fluid channel (5) and open into a conical or cone-shaped gap (16) at an end nozzle outlet area (11) of the spray nozzle (3), wherein the conical or cone-shaped gap (16) preferably tapers uniformly in the direction of a nozzle outlet opening (8) of the nozzle body (5).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the application of fluids, including thermoplastic or fibrous adhesives, to a substrate by means of at least one nozzle arrangement which is preferably detachably attached or attachable to a mounting surface of a distributor or distributor head, wherein this distributor or distributor head generally serves to supply the fluid to be applied to the at least one nozzle arrangement.

[0002] The purpose of such a system is to apply fluids to, for example, substrates moving relative to the at least one nozzle arrangement, and in particular to apply adhesives in partial spray patterns to partially cover a substrate.

[0003] For example, EP 0 872 580 A discloses a plurality of melt-blown nozzle assemblies or nozzles that can be mounted side by side at one or both ends of a conventional distributor or distributor head, which provides a metered supply of adhesive to each nozzle assembly. The nozzle assemblies each comprise a plurality of substantially parallel plate elements that form a series of adhesive-dispensing openings on a discharge surface. The series of fluid discharge openings of each nozzle assembly forms a section of a longer series formed by the plurality of adjacent nozzle assemblies arranged along a common end of the distributor head.One or both sides of the distributor can be attached alongside the side of a similarly constructed distributor head to form even longer rows of fluid outlet openings, thus providing a modular melt-blown adhesive dispensing system that can accommodate substrate of any dimensional width.

[0004] In some adhesive dispensing applications, the adhesive is applied to cover the full width of the substrate, while in other applications it is desirable to apply the adhesive only to selected sections or areas of the substrate, leaving other sections or areas free of adhesive. This applies, for example, to applications where a folded edge area of ​​a substrate needs to be coated with adhesive.

[0005] Folding refers to the process of folding a material around a partial edge by 90 degrees or 180 degrees. The resulting folded area is then often attached to a substrate using a suitable joining method, particularly gluing.

[0006] Such folding processes are used particularly in the automotive industry for trim panels. The increasingly complex three-dimensional geometries of these trim panels pose a significant challenge to the joining methods employed. A particular problem lies in applying a suitable adhesive pattern uniformly and continuously in folded areas using a nozzle arrangement guided by a robot arm.

[0007] FIG. 1 Figure 50 shows a schematic and isometric view of a conventional system 50 for applying thermoplastic adhesives 20 to a substrate 21 which has corresponding fold areas.

[0008] The System 50 according to FIG. 1 consists essentially of a distributor head 30, which is preferably equipped with a (in FIG. 1 The robot arm (not shown) is connected or connectable to the substrate 21 and is movable along a direction of movement relative to the substrate 21. A nozzle arrangement 101 is preferably interchangeably connected to the distributor head 30 in a mounting area of ​​the distributor head 30. The distributor head 30 serves to supply the thermoplastic adhesive 20 to be sprayed and, if necessary, molding air, etc., to the nozzle arrangement 101 in a suitable manner.

[0009] The nozzle arrangement 101 used in the conventional system 50 for applying thermoplastic adhesives 20 to a substrate 21 has a base body 102 which - viewed from above - is at least essentially rectangular and which is connected to the mounting area of ​​the distributor head 30.

[0010] The basic body of the nozzle arrangement 101 has a front-side side surface through which the thermoplastic adhesive 20 to be applied to the substrate 21 is discharged via the exit surface.

[0011] This is - as in FIG. 1 indicated - an outlet nozzle 105 is formed on the end face of the base body 102 of the nozzle arrangement 101, wherein the outlet opening of the outlet nozzle 105 is designed such that a main flow axis defined by the outlet opening, along which the adhesive jet 20 emitted by the outlet nozzle moves, forms a right angle (90 degrees) with the end face of the base body 102.

[0012] The fundamental problem with this design of the nozzle arrangement 101 is that when the distributor head 30 moves relative to the substrate 21 in the direction of the FIG. 1As indicated by the arrow, there is a risk that, due to the complex three-dimensional geometry of the substrate 21, the distributor head 30 may either come into contact with the substrate 21 or certain areas of the substrate 21, in particular areas in a bending area of ​​the substrate 21, may no longer be reached by the nozzle arrangement 101.

[0013] German patent application DE 23 56 229 A1 relates to an atomizing nozzle with one or more passages for the material to be atomized and for at least one propellant gas, which forms a gas vortex outside the atomizing nozzle. The atomizing nozzle known from this prior art is used in particular for spraying metal particles or for thin metallic coatings and the like. The atomizing nozzle is designed to atomize the liquid containing the metal particles to be sprayed and to transform it into a kind of liquid curtain.

[0014] For this purpose, DE 23 56 229 A1 teaches that the fluid channels for the propellant gas should be arranged centrally and not concentrically at an end nozzle outlet area of ​​the atomizing nozzle in order to set the liquid to be sprayed into rotation.

[0015] Although the atomizing nozzle known from DE 23 56 229 A1 may at least in principle be suitable for spraying the liquid with the metal particles in a sufficient manner to produce thin metallic coatings, this is not, or at least not directly, transferable to applications according to the present invention, in which, in particular, thermoplastic adhesives are to be transferred to a substrate.

[0016] In particular, it has been shown that the principle known from DE 23 56 229 A1 is especially sensitive to parameter changes in applications for applying thermoplastic adhesives. Particularly with even minimal pressure changes of the propellant gas, optimal atomization of the adhesive, especially thermoplastic adhesives, is no longer possible with the approach known from DE 23 56 229 A1.

[0017] Based on this problem, the invention aims to provide a nozzle arrangement for applying fluids, in particular thermoplastic adhesives, to a substrate, wherein the nozzle arrangement makes it possible to apply the thermoplastic adhesive or the fluid in a sufficiently atomizing manner, even with complex geometries of the substrate and with differing process parameters.

[0018] Furthermore, a correspondingly optimized system for applying fluids, especially thermoplastic adhesives, to substrates with a correspondingly complex geometry should be specified.

[0019] With regard to the nozzle arrangement, the problem underlying the invention is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1, with advantageous further developments of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention being specified in dependent claims 2 to 14.

[0020] With regard to the system, the problem underlying the invention is solved by the subject matter of dependent claim 15.

[0021] Accordingly, the present invention relates in particular to a nozzle arrangement for applying fluids, in particular thermoplastic adhesives, to a substrate, wherein the nozzle arrangement has a spray nozzle that is preferably interchangeable with a mounting area of ​​a distributor.

[0022] In order to ensure that the thermoplastic adhesive or fluid can be applied precisely with the nozzle arrangement even with complex geometric geometries of the substrate, the invention provides in particular that the spray nozzle of the nozzle arrangement is designed as a relatively long finger spray nozzle with a relatively small diameter, in order to enable the fluid (especially the thermoplastic adhesive) to be applied precisely with the spray nozzle even to areas of the substrate that are otherwise difficult to access.

[0023] In this context, a two-part design of the spray nozzle is particularly recommended for the design of the finger spray nozzle, wherein the spray nozzle has a nozzle body extending in the longitudinal direction of the spray nozzle, in particular rod-shaped, as a first component and a nozzle housing as a second component, in which the nozzle body is received or can be received at least partially.

[0024] The nozzle body, which is particularly rod-shaped, has at least one first fluid channel and preferably exactly one (single) first fluid channel for the fluid to be applied to the substrate. This preferably single first fluid channel extends, in particular, coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body, which is particularly rod-shaped.

[0025] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the spray nozzle of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention is designed to dispense the fluid, and in particular the thermoplastic adhesive, at the end nozzle outlet region of the spray nozzle without deflection, and especially not in a spiral direction, but rather as a fully atomized cone. In this context, it is particularly desirable that the fluid is dispensed at the end nozzle outlet region of the spray nozzle in the most perfectly round fully atomized cone possible. Dispensing the fluid at the end nozzle outlet region of the spray nozzle in the form of a fully atomized cone has the decisive advantage that the nozzle arrangement does not always have to be aligned with the surface of the substrate when applying the fluid.This is usually not possible, or only achievable with great effort, when applying fluids in a folded area, because the shape of the substrate is usually very complex in folded areas and the nozzle arrangement must be constantly realigned relative to the substrate with regard to the complex shape of the folded area.

[0026] In order to form an atomized full cone of the fluid discharged from the first fluid channel at the nozzle outlet area of ​​the spray nozzle, appropriate shaping air is used in the solution according to the invention.

[0027] In this context, it is particularly intended that a plurality of second fluid channels for forming air are formed at least in certain areas between a lateral surface of the nozzle body and an inner surface of the nozzle housing of the spray nozzle.

[0028] The invention is characterized in particular by the fact that the second fluid channels extend - over their entire length - in the longitudinal direction of the spray nozzle and parallel to the first fluid channel and open into a cone- or conical-shaped gap space at an end-side nozzle outlet area of ​​the spray nozzle, wherein the cone- or conical-shaped gap space tapers towards a nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body.

[0029] This makes it possible to ensure that the fluid is dispensed from the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body in an atomized full cone shape in a uniform manner and, in particular, essentially independent of parameter changes, such as changes in the pressure of the forming air.

[0030] In other words, the end nozzle outlet area of ​​the spray nozzle is specifically designed as a full cone atomizing nozzle with internal mixing of the fluid to be applied to the substrate and the forming air.

[0031] In particular, it is provided that the second fluid channels open in such a straight line into the cone- or conical-shaped gap space that the forming air emitted by the second fluid channels is deflected only in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body, but not perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the nozzle body.

[0032] In other words, unlike prior art nozzle arrangements, there is no spiral deflection of the fluid discharged or to be discharged from the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body. Such a spiral deflection varies considerably depending on the pressure and fluid velocity of the forming air and is therefore very sensitive to parameter changes.

[0033] Various designs are possible for forming the cone- or conical-shaped gap at the end nozzle outlet area of ​​the spray nozzle.

[0034] It is particularly preferred that the nozzle body is conical or cone-shaped at the end outlet region of the spray nozzle. Likewise, the nozzle housing is conical or cone-shaped at the end outlet region of the spray nozzle, with the conical or cone-shaped gap being formed between the conical or cone-shaped end region of the nozzle body on the one hand and the conical or cone-shaped end region of the nozzle housing on the other.

[0035] Preferably, the distance between the conical or cone-shaped outer surface of the end region of the nozzle body and the conical or cone-shaped inner surface of the end region of the nozzle body is 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm and preferably 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm. The distance is preferably constant.

[0036] To enable particularly efficient atomization of the fluid supplied by the first fluid channel, implementations of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention provide that the first fluid channel opens into the cone-shaped or conical gap space opposite the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body. This ensures that internal mixing is possible within the conical gap space.

[0037] According to preferred embodiments of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention, it is provided that at the end-side nozzle outlet region of the spray nozzle, at least the inner surface of the nozzle housing has a conical shape that tapers towards the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body and is particularly adapted to a conical shape of the nozzle body, such that two spaced-apart hollow cones are formed, between which the conical or cone-shaped gap region is formed.

[0038] Preferably, the nozzle body has a shape that tapers towards the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body at the end nozzle outlet area of ​​the spray nozzle, in particular at least substantially a conical or cone shape with a cone or cone angle of preferably 30° to 120° and in particular with a cone or cone angle of about 50° to about 100°.

[0039] Of course, other shapes of the nozzle body at the end nozzle outlet area of ​​the spray nozzle are also conceivable.

[0040] According to preferred implementations of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention, the nozzle housing is designed at least partially as a sleeve-shaped body that surrounds the nozzle body at least partially.

[0041] In this context, it is advantageous for the nozzle housing to be attached, or to be attachable, preferably together with the nozzle body, to a connection area of ​​a connection body of the nozzle arrangement, in a manner that is particularly removable and / or replaceable.

[0042] In preferred embodiments of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention, a compression fitting effected by a union nut is used at the connection area of ​​the connection body to fasten the nozzle housing with the nozzle body to the connection area of ​​the connection body.

[0043] This embodiment has the decisive advantage that by loosening the union nut, both the nozzle housing and the nozzle body can be removed from the connection area of ​​the connecting body. Loosening the union nut also releases the connection between the nozzle housing and the nozzle body, allowing both components to be cleaned and / or serviced separately, or for the two components to be replaced independently.

[0044] Various designs are possible for the formation of the nozzle body, which is particularly rod-shaped.

[0045] In particular, according to preferred implementations of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention, it is provided that the at least exactly one first fluid channel, extending in particular coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body, is designed as a through-bore in the rod-shaped nozzle body.

[0046] To form the second fluid channels, it is advantageous for the nozzle body, which is particularly rod-shaped, to have a polygonal cross-sectional profile, at least in some areas. When the rod-shaped nozzle body with the polygonal cross-sectional profile is mounted in the nozzle housing, the individual second fluid channels are formed in the area of ​​the polygonal cross-sectional profile's surfaces.

[0047] According to preferred realizations of the rod-shaped nozzle body, it has in particular a hexagonal cross-sectional profile with a diameter of 6 mm to 10 mm and a wrench flat dimension of the hexagon between 5 mm and 9 mm.

[0048] With such a rod-shaped nozzle body, a total of six secondary fluid channels are formed due to the hexagonal cross-sectional profile when the rod-shaped nozzle body is received in the nozzle housing.

[0049] In principle, it is advantageous if the diameter of the rod-shaped nozzle body is in the range of 6 mm to 12 mm, and preferably in the range of 6 mm to 10 mm. With these dimensions, a particularly "slim" finger spray nozzle can be realized.

[0050] As an alternative to the last-mentioned embodiment, it is conceivable that the nozzle body, which is particularly rod-shaped, has at least in some areas a cross-sectional profile that is at least substantially circular cylindrical, wherein groove areas extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body are formed in order to create the second fluid channels in the outer surface of the circular cylindrical nozzle body.

[0051] In order to achieve the most perfect and, in particular, uniform atomization of the fluid discharged at the end-side nozzle outlet area of ​​the spray nozzle via the first fluid channel, the second fluid channels should be uniformly distributed across the outer surface of the nozzle body and, in particular, be equidistant from each other.

[0052] According to implementations of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention, the nozzle body is designed, at least in the area where it is received by the nozzle housing, at least partially as a substantially cylindrical nozzle body, wherein groove areas extending in the longitudinal direction of the spray nozzle and / or recessed areas extending in the longitudinal direction of the spray nozzle with respect to the cylindrical surface of the body are formed in the substantially cylindrical nozzle body, which together with the inner surface of the nozzle housing at least partially define the second fluid channels.

[0053] Of course, other designs for the nozzle body are also possible.

[0054] According to a further aspect of the present invention, it is provided that at the end-side nozzle outlet area of ​​the spray nozzle, at least the inner surface of the nozzle housing has a conical shape that tapers towards the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body and is particularly adapted to a conical shape of the nozzle body.

[0055] This aspect is a particularly easy-to-implement yet effective measure to achieve the most perfect cone shape and atomization of the fluid discharged from the first fluid channel at the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body.

[0056] In this context, it is advantageous that grooves and / or recesses are formed in the nozzle body at the end outlet of the spray nozzle, each of which is fluidically connected to one of the secondary fluid channels. This allows the forming air transported by the secondary fluid channels to be directed precisely to the end outlet of the spray nozzle.

[0057] At the end nozzle outlet area of ​​the spray nozzle, the nozzle body preferably has a conical shape that tapers towards the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body, with a cone angle of preferably 30 degrees to 120 degrees and in particular with a cone angle of 50 degrees to 100 degrees.

[0058] According to preferred embodiments of the spray nozzle according to the invention, the nozzle body – viewed in the longitudinal direction of the spray nozzle – has a length of 20 mm to 100 mm, preferably a length of 30 mm to 80 mm, and even more preferably a length of 40 mm to 60 mm.

[0059] Alternatively or additionally, it is advantageous if the nozzle body and nozzle housing have an average diameter of no more than 20 mm, and preferably an average diameter of no more than 15 mm. This makes it possible to realize particularly slim finger spray nozzles with the solution according to the invention.

[0060] According to a further aspect of the present invention, it is provided that in a state of the spray nozzle being mounted on the connection area of ​​the connecting body, a preferably annular area is formed in an area between the connecting body and the spray nozzle, which is connected on the one hand fluidically to a source of forming air, in particular to a compressed air source, and on the other hand fluidically to the second fluid channels of the spray nozzle.

[0061] By providing such a preferably annular area at the connection area of ​​the connection body, it is ensured that a preferably equal and constant amount of forming air is fed into every second fluid channel per unit of time.

[0062] According to a further development of the aforementioned aspect, it is particularly provided that a seal, in particular in the form of a sealing ring, is assigned to the nozzle body to separate the area, which is in particular annular, for forming air and an area preferably arranged axially with regard to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body, through which the fluid to be applied to the substrate can be fed into the first fluid channel of the spray nozzle.

[0063] The invention further relates to the use of the aforementioned nozzle arrangement according to the invention for applying a fluid, in particular a thermoplastic adhesive, to a folded area of ​​a component.

[0064] Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for applying fluids, in particular thermoplastic adhesives, to a substrate, wherein the system has a distributor head which is movable along a direction of movement relative to the substrate. Preferably, the distributor head is connected to or connectable to a robot arm.

[0065] The system further comprises at least one nozzle arrangement of the type described above according to the invention, which is preferably interchangeably connected to the distributor head in a mounting area of ​​the distributor head.

[0066] The nozzle arrangement according to the invention makes it possible, in particular, for even complex geometric areas of the substrate to be effectively drawn into the area of ​​the nozzle outlet opening of the spray nozzle when the fluid is applied to the substrate, without any contact occurring between the nozzle arrangement or the distributor or distributor head and the substrate.

[0067] The invention further relates to a method for applying fluids, in particular thermoplastic adhesives, to a substrate, wherein a nozzle arrangement is moved relative to the substrate in a direction of movement, wherein the nozzle arrangement is in particular a nozzle arrangement of the type described above according to the invention.

[0068] In the application method according to the invention, a fluid jet is further discharged through the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body of the nozzle arrangement, particularly during the movement of the nozzle arrangement relative to the substrate.

[0069] In particular, it is provided that the fluid jet emitted through the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body is preferably deflected with the aid of shaping air, especially to generate a predetermined pattern of the fluid jet to be applied to the substrate.

[0070] Advantageously, the substrate is a component with a folding area, wherein, during the emission of the fluid jet through the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body, the nozzle arrangement is moved at least partially into the folding area of ​​the substrate.

[0071] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0072] They show: FIG. 1 schematically and in an isometric view a conventional system for applying thermoplastic adhesives to a substrate; FIG. 2 schematically and in an isometric view an exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention for applying thermoplastic adhesives to a substrate; FIG. 3 schematically and in an isometric view another exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention for applying thermoplastic adhesives to a substrate; FIG. 4 schematically and in an isometric exploded view an exemplary embodiment of a spray nozzle for the system according to the invention for applying thermoplastic adhesives to a substrate. FIG. 2 or FIG. 3nozzle arrangement used; FIG. 5 schematically and in a longitudinal sectional view an exemplary embodiment of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention for a system for applying thermoplastic adhesives to a substrate, in particular for a system according to FIG. 2 or FIG. 2 .; FIG. 6 schematically and in a detailed view of the end nozzle outlet area of ​​the spray nozzle of the nozzle arrangement according to FIG. 5 ; and FIG. 7 schematically and in an isometric view the exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention. FIG. 2 when applying a thermoplastic adhesive to a substrate.

[0073] It has long been recognized that thermoplastic adhesives form excellent bonding agents. They harden quickly, which is a particular advantage when the adhesive is applied in stages, allowing the parts to be bonded immediately, resulting in a very strong bond. Furthermore, the wide range of components available for thermoplastic adhesives means that a suitable adhesive composition can easily be created for any given application.

[0074] Nevertheless, the widespread use of these adhesives has been hampered by certain difficulties, insofar as the thermoplastic adhesive cannot always be applied automatically, or only with considerable difficulty, to specific, selected areas of a substrate, particularly those with complex geometries. This applies especially to folded areas of substrates formed as molded parts.

[0075] In FIG. 1 A conventional system 50 is shown schematically and in an isometric view, with which a thermoplastic adhesive 20 is applied automatically to certain areas of a substrate designed as a molded part. The conventional system 50 for applying thermoplastic adhesives 20 to a substrate 21 designed as a molded part has a distributor head 30, which is preferably equipped with a FIG. 1 which is connected or connectable to the robot arm not shown, and which can be moved along a direction of movement relative to the substrate 21 with the aid of the robot arm.

[0076] As in FIG. 1As shown, the conventional system 50 for applying thermoplastic adhesives further comprises a nozzle arrangement 101, which is preferably interchangeably connected to the distributor head 30 in a mounting area of ​​the distributor head 30. The nozzle arrangement 101 is essentially formed by an approximately rectangular base body 102, via which the nozzle arrangement 101 is connected to the mounting area of ​​the distributor head 30. This essentially rectangular base body 102 of the nozzle arrangement 101 – viewed from above – has an end face 103 in which an outlet nozzle 105 is formed. The main flow axis defined by the outlet nozzle 105 or the outlet opening of the outlet nozzle 105, along which the thermoplastic adhesive material 20 discharged by the outlet nozzle 105 moves, forms an at least substantially right angle with the end face 103 of the base body 102 of the nozzle arrangement 101.Furthermore, the end-face side surface 103 of the base body 102 is in the direction of movement of the distributor.

[0077] In applications of the conventional System 50 for molded parts with complex geometric structures and especially folded areas, it is generally unavoidable that either parts of the system, in particular the distributor head or the nozzle arrangement, come into contact with areas of the molded part, or that the nozzle arrangement cannot reach all necessary areas of the molded part.

[0078] To solve this problem, an optimized nozzle arrangement 1 is proposed according to the invention, wherein exemplary embodiments of this nozzle arrangement 1 are described in more detail below with reference to the illustrations in FIG. 2 to FIG. 12.

[0079] In detail, in FIG. 2An exemplary embodiment of the system 19 according to the invention is shown in a schematic and isometric view, wherein this system 19 serves for applying fluids 20, in particular thermoplastic adhesives, to a substrate 21, and wherein the system 19 essentially comprises a distributor head 2, which is preferably connected or connectable to a robot arm, and which moves along a direction of movement relative to the (in FIG. 2 Substrate 21 (not shown) is movable.

[0080] The in FIG. 2 System 19, shown schematically, further comprises a nozzle arrangement 1 which is preferably interchangeably connected to the distributor head 2 in a mounting area of ​​the distributor head 2.

[0081] The structure and function of the [device / system] in [location] FIG. 2 The nozzle arrangement 1 used in the schematically shown system 19 is described below with reference to the illustrations in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6described in more detail.

[0082] FIG. 3 Figure 1 shows a schematic and isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the system 19 according to the invention for applying fluids 20 to a (also in FIG. 3 substrate 21 (not shown). The difference lies in FIG. 3 schematically shown exemplary embodiment of the system 19 according to the invention, essentially from the one in FIG. 2 The schematically shown system 19 is achieved by the construction of the distributor head 2, to which the nozzle arrangement 1 according to the invention is connected.

[0083] The following refers to the representations in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 An exemplary embodiment of the nozzle arrangement 1 or the spray nozzle 3 of the nozzle arrangement 1 according to the invention is described in more detail.

[0084] The nozzle arrangement 1 serves to apply fluids 20, in particular thermoplastic adhesives, to a substrate 21, wherein the nozzle arrangement 1 has a connecting body 9 which is preferably interchangeable with a mounting area of ​​a distributor 2 and a spray nozzle 3 which is preferably interchangeable with the connecting body 9.

[0085] As is particularly evident in the exploded view in FIG. 4 The spray nozzle 3 according to the invention has a substantially two-part structure, consisting of a nozzle body 5 extending in the longitudinal direction 4 of the spray nozzle 3, in particular a rod-shaped one, and a nozzle housing 7. The nozzle housing 7 has a sleeve-shaped base body.

[0086] A first fluid channel 6 for the fluid 20 to be applied to the substrate 21 is formed in the rod-shaped nozzle body 5. In this context, particular reference should be made to the sectional view in FIG. 4referred to. The first fluid channel 6 extends in particular coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the (rod-shaped) nozzle body 5.

[0087] Between the outer surface of the rod-shaped nozzle body 5 and the inner surface of the nozzle housing 7, which is particularly partially sleeve-shaped, a plurality of secondary fluid channels 10 are formed, which serve to supply forming air to the end nozzle outlet region 11 of the spray nozzle 3. In particular, the forming air supplied by means of the secondary fluid channels 10 serves to atomize the fluid 20 discharged or to be discharged from the nozzle outlet opening 8 of the nozzle body 5.

[0088] In detail, and how this applies in particular to, for example, the sectional view in FIG. 5The nozzle housing 7 of the spray nozzle 3 is designed, at least in part, as a sleeve-shaped body that surrounds, at least in part, the (rod-shaped) nozzle body 5. It is particularly provided that the nozzle housing 7, preferably together with the nozzle body 5, is attached to the connection area 12 of the connection body 9 in a manner that is detachable and / or replaceable, in particular by means of a compression fitting on the connection area 12 of the connection body 9, effected by a union nut 13.

[0089] On the other hand, the (in particular rod-shaped) nozzle body 5 is designed, at least in the area where it is received by the nozzle housing 7, at least partially as a substantially cylindrical nozzle body 6, wherein groove areas extending in the longitudinal direction 4 of the spray nozzle 3 are present in the substantially cylindrical nozzle body 5, or alternatively (as in FIG. 4(As indicated) areas 15 are formed extending in the longitudinal direction 4 of the spray nozzle 3 and recessed with respect to the outer surface of the cylindrical nozzle body 5. These areas (groove areas or recessed areas 15) together with the inner surface of the nozzle housing 7 at least partially delimit the individual second fluid channels 10 of the spray nozzle 3.

[0090] Specifically, the following applies to the in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 In the exemplary embodiment of the nozzle arrangement 1 shown according to the invention, it is provided that the rod-shaped nozzle body 5 has at least in some areas a multi-sided cross-sectional profile in order to form the corresponding second fluid channels 10 over the surface areas 15 of the multi-sided cross-sectional profile (and the inner surface of the nozzle housing 7).

[0091] In detail, the embodiment according to FIG. 4 to FIG. 6It is provided that the nozzle body 5, which is in particular rod-shaped, has at least in some areas a hexagonal cross-sectional profile in order to form a total of six second fluid channels 10 together with the nozzle housing 7.

[0092] According to preferred embodiments, the diameter of the rod-shaped nozzle body 5 is preferably in a range between about 6 mm and about 12 mm and particularly preferably in a range between about 6 mm and about 10 mm.

[0093] Especially in FIG. 4 The diameter of the rod-shaped nozzle body 5 is, in particular, about 6 mm to about 10 mm, with a wrench flat dimension of the hexagon between 5 mm and 9 mm, due to the recognizable hexagonal cross-sectional profile shape of the rod-shaped nozzle body 5.

[0094] As an alternative to such a polygonal cross-sectional profile of the rod-shaped nozzle body 5, it is conceivable that the nozzle body 5 of the spray nozzle 3 is provided at least partially with a substantially circular cylindrical cross-sectional profile, wherein groove areas extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body 5 (not shown in the drawings) are formed in the cylindrical surface of the circular cylindrical nozzle body 5 to form the second fluid channels 10.

[0095] Regardless of how the second fluid channels 10 are ultimately designed, the second fluid channels 10 should be uniformly spaced relative to each other over the outer surface of the nozzle body 5 and, in particular, equidistant from each other in order to achieve the most optimal atomization of the fluid discharged from the nozzle outlet opening 8 of the nozzle body 5 at the nozzle outlet area 11.

[0096] According to the invention, the second fluid channels 10 extend along their entire length in the longitudinal direction 4 of the spray nozzle 3 parallel to the first fluid channel 5 and open into a conical or cone-shaped gap 16 at an end nozzle outlet area 11 of the spray nozzle 3, wherein the conical or cone-shaped gap 16 preferably tapers uniformly in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening 8 of the nozzle body 5.

[0097] The end-side nozzle outlet area 11 of the spray nozzle 3 is in particular designed as a full cone atomizing nozzle, preferably with internal mixing of the fluid 20 to be applied to the substrate 21 and the forming air.

[0098] The representation in FIG. 6It can be seen in particular that the second fluid channels 10 open in such a straight line into the cone- or conical-shaped gap space 16 that the forming air emitted by the second fluid channels 10 is deflected only in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening 8 of the nozzle body 5, but not perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 4 of the spray nozzle 3.

[0099] It can also be seen that the nozzle body 5 is designed in a conical or cone shape at the end nozzle outlet region 11 of the spray nozzle 3, and the nozzle housing 7 is also designed in a conical or cone shape at the end nozzle outlet region 11 of the spray nozzle 3, with the conical or cone-shaped gap 16 being formed between the conical or cone-shaped end region of the nozzle body 5 on the one hand and the conical or cone-shaped end region of the nozzle housing 7 on the other.

[0100] In this case, a cone- or conical-shaped outer surface of the end region of the nozzle body 5 and a conical or conical-shaped inner surface of the end region - in a macroscopic area - are each designed without contour.

[0101] The distance between the conical or cone-shaped outer surface of the end region of the nozzle body 5 and the conical or cone-shaped inner surface of the end region of the nozzle housing is 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm and preferably 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm.

[0102] The representation in FIG. 6 It can also be seen that the first fluid channel 6 opens into the cone-shaped gap space 16 opposite the nozzle outlet opening 8 of the nozzle body 5.

[0103] At the end nozzle outlet region 11 of the spray nozzle 3, the nozzle body 5 has a conical or conical shape that tapers towards the nozzle outlet opening 8 of the nozzle body 5, with a conical or conical angle of preferably 30° to 120° and, in particular, with a conical or conical angle of preferably 50° to 100°. In this context, particular reference should be made to the detailed view in FIG. 6 referred.

[0104] Similarly, in the case of the FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 In the nozzle arrangement 1 shown, it is provided that at the end nozzle outlet area 11 of the spray nozzle 3 at least the inner surface of the nozzle housing 7 has a tapered shape in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening 8 of the nozzle body 5 and in particular a conical or cone shape.

[0105] The detailed view in FIG. 6It can be seen that at the end nozzle outlet region 11 of the spray nozzle 3, a spacer region 14 is preferably formed integrally with the nozzle body 5 on the at least substantially conical outer surface of the nozzle body 5, such that the conical-conical gap space 16 is formed between the nozzle body 5 and the nozzle housing 7, through which atomization of the fluid 20 discharged or to be discharged from the nozzle outlet opening 8 of the nozzle body 5 is effected with the help of the forming air discharged from the second fluid channels 10 at the nozzle outlet region 11.

[0106] The section view in FIG. 5It can be deduced that in a state where the spray nozzle 3 is mounted on the connection area 12 of the connection body 9, a preferably annular area 17 is formed in an area between the connection body 9 and the spray nozzle 3, which on the one hand is not in flow-wise connected to a source of forming air, in particular a compressed air source. FIG. 5 shown, and on the other hand, is fluidically connected to the second fluid channels 10 of the spray nozzle 3.

[0107] Furthermore, according to the sectional view FIG. 5 It can be seen that a seal 18, in particular in the form of a sealing ring, is assigned to the nozzle body 5 in order to separate the particularly annular area 17 for forming air and an area preferably arranged axially with regard to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body 5, through which the fluid to be applied to the substrate 21 is fed into the first fluid channel 6 of the spray nozzle 3.

[0108] The invention further relates to the use of the nozzle arrangement 1 according to the invention for applying a fluid, in particular a thermoplastic adhesive, to a folded area of ​​a component, as shown schematically and in an isometric view in FIG. 7 shown.

[0109] With the help of the second fluid channels 10, forming air is directed towards the thermoplastic adhesive jet emitted from the end nozzle outlet area 11 of the spray nozzle 3 in order to atomize the adhesive jet 20.

[0110] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, but results from a combination of all the features disclosed herein. Reference symbol list

[0111] 1 Nozzle assembly 2 Distributor / Distributor head 3 Spray nozzle 4 Longitudinal direction of the spray nozzle 5 Nozzle body 6 First fluid channel 7 Nozzle housing 8 Nozzle outlet opening 9 Connection body of the nozzle assembly 10 Second fluid channels 11 Nozzle outlet area 12 Connection area of ​​the connection body 13 Union nut 14 (Spacer) area 15 Surface areas for forming the second fluid channels 16 Gap space 17 Annular area for molding air 18 Seal 19 System for applying fluids 20 Thermoplastic adhesive 21 Substrate 30 Distributor head State of the art 50 System for applying thermoplastic adhesive State of the art 101 Nozzle arrangement State of the art 102 Base body State of the art 103 Front side surface State of the art 105 Outlet nozzle State of the art

Claims

1. Nozzle arrangement (1) for applying fluids (2), in particular thermoplastic adhesives, to a substrate (21), wherein the nozzle arrangement (1) has a connecting body (9) that can preferably be exchangeably connected to a mounting area of ​​a distributor (30) and a spray nozzle (3) that can preferably be exchangeably connected to the connecting body (9), wherein the spray nozzle (3) has a nozzle body (5) that extends in the longitudinal direction (4) of the spray nozzle (3), in particular a rod-shaped nozzle body, with at least one and preferably exactly one first fluid channel (6) that extends in particular coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body (5) for the fluid (20) to be applied to the substrate (21), wherein the spray nozzle (3) further has a nozzle housing (7) in which the nozzle body (5) is received or can be received at least in part,wherein a plurality of second fluid channels (10) for shaping air are formed at least in regions between a lateral surface of the nozzle body (5) and an inner surface of the nozzle housing (7), , characterized in that the second fluid channels (10) extend - over their entire length - in the longitudinal direction (4) of the spray nozzle (3) parallel to the first fluid channel (5) and open into a conical or cone-shaped gap space (16) at an end-side nozzle outlet region (11) of the spray nozzle (3), wherein the conical or cone-shaped gap space (16) preferably tapers uniformly in the direction of a nozzle outlet opening (8) of the nozzle body (5).

2. Nozzle arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the end nozzle outlet region (11) of the spray nozzle (3) is designed as a full-cone atomizer nozzle, preferably with internal mixing of the fluid (20) to be applied to the substrate (21) and the shaping air.

3. Nozzle arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second fluid channels (10) open straight into the conical or cone-shaped gap (16) in such a way that the shaping air emitted by the second fluid channels (10) is deflected only in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening (8) of the nozzle body (5), but not perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (4) of the spray nozzle (3).

4. Nozzle arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the nozzle body (5) is conical or cone-shaped at the end-side nozzle outlet region (11) of the spray nozzle (3), and wherein the nozzle housing (7) is also conical or cone-shaped at the end-side nozzle outlet region (11) of the spray nozzle (3), wherein the conical or cone-shaped gap (16) is formed between the conical or conical end region of the nozzle body (5) on the one hand and the conical or conical end region of the nozzle housing (7) on the other hand.

5. Nozzle arrangement (1) according to claim 4, wherein a conical or cone-shaped outer surface of the end region of the nozzle body (5) and a conical or cone-shaped inner surface of the end region - in a macroscopic area - are each designed without contours.

6. Nozzle arrangement (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a distance between the conical or cone-shaped outer surface of the end region of the nozzle body (5) and the conical or cone-shaped inner surface of the end region of the nozzle housing is 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm and preferably 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm.

7. Nozzle arrangement (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the first fluid channel (6) opens into the conical gap (16) opposite the nozzle outlet opening (8) of the nozzle body (5).

8. Nozzle arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at the end nozzle outlet region (11) of the spray nozzle (3) the nozzle body (5) has a shape tapering in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body (5), in particular at least substantially conical or conical shape with a cone or cone angle of preferably 30° to 120° and in particular with a cone or cone angle of approximately 50° to approximately 100°.

9. Nozzle arrangement (1) according to claim 8, wherein at the end-side nozzle outlet region (11) of the spray nozzle (3) on the at least substantially conical or cone-shaped outer surface of the nozzle body (5) at least one region (14) is preferably formed integrally with the nozzle body (5), in such a way that the conical or conical gap (16) is formed between the nozzle body (5) and the nozzle housing (7).

10. Nozzle arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the nozzle housing (7) is designed at least in regions as a sleeve-shaped body which at least in regions surrounds the nozzle body (5), wherein the nozzle housing (7) can be fastened, preferably together with the nozzle body (5), to a connection area (12) of the connection body (9), in particular in a detachable and / or replaceable manner, in particular by means of a compression screw connection on the connection area (12) of the connection body (9) effected by a union nut (13).

11. Nozzle arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the in particular rod-shaped nozzle body (5) has a polygonal cross-sectional profile at least in some regions, wherein the diameter of the rod-shaped nozzle body (5) is preferably in a range between 6 mm and 12 mm and preferably between 6 mm and 10 mm, wherein the in particular rod-shaped nozzle body (5) preferably has, at least in some regions, in particular a hexagonal cross-sectional profile with a diameter between 6 mm and 10 mm and a key surface dimension of the hexagon between 5 mm and 9 mm; or wherein the in particular rod-shaped nozzle body (5) has, at least in some regions, an at least substantially circular-cylindrical cross-sectional profile, wherein, for forming the second fluid channels (10), groove regions extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body (5) are formed in the lateral surface of the cylindrical nozzle body (5).

12. Nozzle arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the second fluid channels (10) are formed uniformly relative to one another over the lateral surface of the nozzle body (5) and in particular in an equidistant manner relative to one another.

13. Nozzle arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the nozzle body (5) is formed, at least in the region in which it is received by the nozzle housing (7), at least in some regions as a substantially cylindrical nozzle body (5), wherein groove regions extending in the longitudinal direction (4) of the spray nozzle (3) and / or regions (15) extending in the longitudinal direction (4) of the spray nozzle (3) and recessed with respect to the lateral surface of the cylindrical nozzle body (5) are formed in the substantially cylindrical nozzle body (5), which regions, together with the inner surface of the nozzle housing (7), at least in some regions delimit the second fluid channels (10);and / or wherein a total of at least three second fluid channels (10) and preferably at least five second fluid channels (10) and more preferably exactly six second fluid channels (10) are formed uniformly relative to one another over the lateral surface of the nozzle body (5) and in particular in an equidistant manner relative to one another.; 14. Nozzle arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the nozzle body (5) - viewed in the longitudinal direction (4) of the spray nozzle (3) - has a length of approximately 20 mm to approximately 100 mm and preferably a length of approximately 30 mm to approximately 80 mm and more preferably a length of approximately 40 mm to approximately 60 mm; and / or wherein the nozzle body (5) with the nozzle housing (7) has an average diameter of a maximum of approximately 20 mm and preferably an average diameter of a maximum of approximately 15 mm;and / or wherein, in a state of the spray nozzle (3) mounted on the connection region (12) of the connection body (9), a preferably annular region (17) is formed in a region between the connection body (9) and the spray nozzle (3), which region is fluidly connected on the one hand to a source of shaping air, in particular to a compressed air source, and on the other hand to the second fluid channels (10) of the spray nozzle (3), wherein the nozzle body (5) is preferably assigned a seal (18), in particular in the form of a sealing ring, for separating the particularly annular region (17) for shaping air and a region preferably arranged axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body (5), via which region the fluid (20) to be applied to the substrate (21) can be fed into the first fluid channel (6) of the spray nozzle (3); 15. A system (19) for applying fluids (20), in particular thermoplastic adhesives, to a substrate (21), the system (19) comprising: - a distributor head (2), which is preferably connected or connectable to a robot arm and which is movable along a direction of movement relative to the substrate (21); and - at least one nozzle arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, which is preferably interchangeably connected to the distributor head (2) in a mounting region of the distributor head (2).

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