Applicator assembly and nozzle for applying a fluid viscous material, and method for using the applicator assembly.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HENKEL KGAA
- Filing Date
- 2023-04-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-21
AI Technical Summary
In the aftermarket, it is difficult for technicians to apply liquid applied sound deadening (LASD) materials precisely and flawlessly in specific patterns, such as multi-bead structures, due to the lack of specialized tools and inefficient manual operations, leading to poor noise and vibration control.
A nozzle with a distal opening having a sawtooth, sine-shaped, or wavy edge is used to apply fluid viscous materials like LASD in specific patterns, allowing for uniform distribution of material beads without the need for specialized tools.
The nozzle enables easy and cost-effective application of LASD in multi-bead structures, ensuring uniform bead formation and effective noise and vibration control in non-production line situations.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a nozzle for applying a flowable viscous material, an applicator assembly and / or system comprising the nozzle, and a method of using the applicator assembly, and in particular the applicator is a handheld tool capable of applying a flowable viscous material in a non-production line situation.
Background Art
[0002] Noise and / or vibration control is a very important factor in the design and manufacture of automobiles. Usually, for the purpose of reducing noise (such as structure-borne noise) and / or vibration, a liquid applied sound deadening (LASD) material is applied as a sound deadening sheet or vibration damping sheet on the vehicle body structure or between two components of an automobile such as structural parts of the automobile, so that after the sound deadening sheet or vibration damping sheet is firmly attached to the structural parts, potential noise and / or vibration that may occur on or between the components can be reduced. The LASD is composed of a damping sound insulation material that is dispensed in a liquid state by an applicator system having a nozzle. In an automobile manufacturing plant, dedicated tools are equipped so that the LASD can be applied in a specific pattern such as a multi-bead texture. Those dedicated tools may have an applicator with a nozzle and other devices. They are configured to cooperate with each other to ensure that the LASD can be applied in a specific pattern.
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0003] After a vehicle leaves the factory, it may undergo inspection and / or repair. While the vehicle is being repaired or inspected, service shop technicians may disassemble the structural parts of the vehicle to which LASD has been applied. After the structural parts have been inspected and / or repaired or replaced with new ones, new sound-absorbing or vibration-damping sheets may be reattached to the structural parts. In this case, LASD must be reapplied on and / or between the structural parts before the sheets are attached to the structural parts. However, in the aftermarket, it is extremely difficult for technicians to apply LASD precisely and flawlessly in the same specific pattern as the manufacturer. This is because it is very expensive in the aftermarket, and special conditions are required for service shops to equip themselves with the manufacturer's specialized tools. Sometimes, technicians must create a structure similar to the required multi-bead structure by repeatedly applying multiple beads of adjacent material using a conventional nozzle capable of applying a single bead of LASD. However, this manual operation is inefficient, and the coated structure typically has beads that are not specially shaped, fed out, or equidistant from each other, thus differing significantly from the required multi-bead structure. This significantly reduces noise and / or vibration control. Furthermore, in the prior art, technicians may use a nozzle to coat a wider, flatter strip of LASD onto a surface, and then use a scraper to scrape off the coated strip to create a structure similar to the required multi-bead structure. However, this manual operation suffers from the same drawbacks as described above.
[0004] If LASD cannot be applied precisely and without defects in certain patterns, such as multi-bead structures where material beads are specially shaped, fed out, and equally spaced from one another, noise and / or vibration control will be poor after the automotive components are assembled.
[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to develop a device or applicator that can be easily operated manually by a service shop technician to apply LASD to a surface in a multi-bead structure. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] To address the aforementioned problems, this disclosure aims to propose a novel nozzle that can be installed in a dispenser cartridge, particularly in the aftermarket, that allows fluid-viscous materials such as LASD or fluid sealants to be applied through the nozzle in specific patterns, such as multi-bead structures.
[0007] According to one aspect, this disclosure is, A nozzle for a dispenser configured to dispense a flowable viscous material, wherein the nozzle is A proximal end that is releasably connected to the cartridge of the applicator, having an end side in which a single proximal opening is formed, The distal end opposite to the proximal end, having an end side where a single distal opening is formed, The nozzle comprises a hollow chamber defined between the proximal end and the distal end, which is in fluid communication with both the proximal opening and the distal opening, The proposed nozzle is configured such that, when dispensed by the nozzle, the fluid viscous material is supplied from the proximal end to the distal end and discharged from the distal opening, and the distal opening has a straight edge and a sawtooth, sine-shaped, or wavy edge opposite to the straight edge.
[0008] In one embodiment, the applicator is configured as a handheld tool capable of applying the fluid viscous material only in non-production line situations.
[0009] In one embodiment, the fluid viscous material is a fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material or a fluid sealant.
[0010] Therefore, taking fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material as an example, the fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material can be distributed in a multi-bead structure through a nozzle. Unlike the use of special tools or scrapers in prior art (such as in production line situations) in a factory, the multi-bead structure, which consists of material beads, can be directly distributed in one go by the nozzle, and furthermore, the applied material beads can be uniformly formed or fed out. Thus, in non-production line situations, it is easy and cost-effective for technicians to apply LASD to surfaces such as the surfaces of aftermarket automotive components.
[0011] In one embodiment, the distal opening has a smaller cross-sectional area than the proximal opening.
[0012] The different cross-sectional regions of the distal and proximal openings are ensured to allow the fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material to be sufficiently compressed and therefore further pressurized when supplied through the nozzle.
[0013] In one embodiment, the nozzle is divided into a proximal segment in which the proximal end is located and a distal segment in which the distal end is located, and the hollow chamber is substantially cylindrical in the proximal segment, and as the hollow chamber of the distal segment extends from a position a certain distance from the proximal end toward the end side in which the distal opening is formed, it widens in the distal segment, and when observed along the thickness direction of the nozzle, the hollow chamber of the distal segment gradually tapers from the proximal segment toward the position, and then gradually widens from that position toward the end side in which the distal opening is formed.
[0014] This type of hollow chamber design has the advantage of ensuring that the fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material does not get unexpectedly blocked as it flows through the hollow chamber, and that the material can then be smoothly pressurized.
[0015] In one embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the hollow chamber is substantially minimized at the position.
[0016] In one embodiment, the hollow chamber of the distal segment is configured to have two opposing inner walls between the position and the end side where the distal opening is formed.
[0017] In one embodiment, the first inner wall of the two opposing inner walls is substantially flat, and the second inner wall of the two opposing inner walls is configured such that it moves outward from the first inner wall as it extends from the position toward the end where the distal opening is formed.
[0018] In one embodiment, the multiple raised portions protrude from the second inner wall toward the first inner wall, but are formed on the second inner wall at intervals from the first inner wall.
[0019] In one embodiment, at least some of the multiple raised portions have different lengths.
[0020] In one embodiment, the raised portions are on the same plane at the end side of the distal end such that the sawtooth, sinusoidal, or wavy edges are defined by the raised portions of the distal opening.
[0021] In one embodiment, the raised portions are spaced apart from each other along the width direction of the nozzle.
[0022] In one embodiment, each of the raised portions is configured such that the cross-sectional area of the raised portion itself gradually increases as it extends from the starting point in the hollow chamber toward the distal end, eventually reaching its maximum at the distal end.
[0023] In one embodiment, the cross-section of the raised portion is triangular in shape, with the vertex of the triangle pointing to the first inner wall.
[0024] In one embodiment, in the case of the serrated edge portion, as each raised portion extends from the starting point in the hollow chamber toward the end side of the distal end portion, the apexes of the triangular cross-sectional regions of the raised portions form an apex line.
[0025] In one embodiment, in the case of the sinusoidal or wavy edge portion, as each raised portion extends from its respective starting point in the hollow chamber toward the end side of the distal end portion, the apexes of the crests of the sinusoidal or wavy cross-sectional shape of the raised portion form an apex line.
[0026] In one embodiment, the apex lines of the raised portions are parallel to each other, spaced from each other by a first interval in the width direction, and spaced from the first inner wall by a second interval smaller than the first interval in the thickness direction.
[0027] In one embodiment, each raised portion has two inclined surfaces that intersect each other at the apex line of the raised portion.
[0028] In one embodiment, a channel is formed between two adjacent raised portions by two inclined surfaces facing each other of the adjacent raised portions, and / or a channel is formed between the side wall on the side of the hollow chamber and the outermost raised portion of the raised portions along the width direction adjacent to the side wall so that several channels are formed in the hollow chamber.
[0029] In one embodiment, the distal segment is formed with two opposite outer surfaces each provided with a reinforcing rib configured to have a length extending along the longitudinal central axis of the nozzle.
[0030] <00001We propose a dispensing assembly having a nozzle as described herein, wherein the nozzle is configured to be releasably connected to the cartridge, and the fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material can be selectively distributed through the nozzle by manual operation of the dispensing dispenser.
[0031] In one embodiment, the applicator is configured as a handheld tool capable of applying the fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material only in non-production line situations.
[0032] In one embodiment, the dispensing dispenser is a manually operated dispensing dispenser.
[0033] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for applying a fluid viscous material to a surface to be coated, the apparatus being: The nozzles described here, The nozzle is releasably connected to the applicator, A pump device configured to communicate fluidly with the aforementioned applicator, We propose an apparatus comprising a container configured to store a fluid viscous material and to be in fluid communication with the pump device.
[0034] In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a heater configured to selectively heat the fluid viscous material during or before application of the fluid viscous material through the nozzle.
[0035] In one embodiment, the fluid viscous material is a fluid damping and sound insulation material or a fluid sealant.
[0036] In one embodiment, the surface to be coated is the surface of a component of an automobile after the automobile has been repaired or inspected.
[0037] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method using a coating assembly as described herein, Steps include: connecting a nozzle to a cartridge before the cartridge is installed in a handheld applicator, only in non-production line situations, wherein the cartridge is configured to house a fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material; We propose a method comprising the steps of connecting the cartridge to the dispensing dispenser of the dispensing device in a non-production line situation so that the fluid vibration-damping sound-insulating material can be selectively distributed through the nozzle to a surface to be coated at room temperature by manual operation of the dispensing dispenser.
[0038] In one embodiment, during the distribution of the fluid vibration-damping sound-insulating material, the sawtooth, sinusoidal, or wavy edge of the distal opening of the nozzle is positioned closer to the surface being coated than the straight edge of the distal opening.
[0039] In one embodiment, the pressure and / or amount of the fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material distributed through the nozzle can be adjusted by the applicator.
[0040] The technical means of this disclosure make it easy and convenient to apply LASD in a multi-bead structure to surfaces such as the surfaces of structural parts of automobiles, so that service plant technicians can attach sound-absorbing or vibration-damping sheets to surfaces via applied LASD, particularly in non-production line situations, thereby achieving noise and / or vibration control as performed in automobile factories. When the LASD material is applied, the multi-bead structure has multiple beads of material that are directly adjacent to each other and uniformly formed or fed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0041] The principles and other aspects of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings of this disclosure, features having the same configuration or function may be represented by the same reference numeral.
[0042] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a nozzle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an end view of the nozzle as seen from the distal end, and schematically shows the nozzle in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the nozzle. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the nozzle. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view obtained along line AA of the nozzle in Figure 3. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view showing one half of a nozzle subdivided along a virtual central plane of the nozzle. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view showing the other half of the nozzle subdivided along a virtual central plane of the nozzle. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram showing a device having a nozzle. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a photograph showing a multi-bead structure obtained by the nozzle of the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a nozzle according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a nozzle according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0043] A nozzle 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown in Figure 1. The nozzle 100 is integrally formed from a heat-resistant material such as an engineering plastic. The nozzle 100 has two opposite ends, namely end 110 and end 120. Inside the nozzle 100, a hollow chamber is defined between ends 110 and 120. End 120 of the nozzle 100 is configured to be releasably connected to a dispenser 200, as shown in Figure 8. For example, the dispenser 200 and the nozzle 100 releasably connected to the dispenser can constitute a dispenser assembly. In the context of the present disclosure, end 120 may also be referred to as the proximal end. Thus, end 110 may also be referred to as the distal end.
[0044] Figure 8 shows an apparatus comprising a dispenser 200, a pumping device 300, and a container 400. For example, the dispenser 200 can take the form of a dispensing gun (not shown). The dispenser 200 is connected to the pumping device 300 via a pipeline (such as a hose, not shown). Thus, the dispenser 200 is configured to be in fluid communication with the pumping device 300. Furthermore, the dispenser 200 is equipped with a switch (not shown) capable of controlling the operation of the pumping device 300. The pumping device 300 is also connected to the container 400 via a pipeline (such as a hose, not shown). Thus, the pumping device 300 is configured to be in fluid communication with the container 400. The container 400 is configured to store a fluid viscous material inside. The pumping device 300 is configured to deliver the fluid viscous material through the dispenser 200 and ultimately out of the nozzle 100 in response to manual operation of the switch. In one embodiment, a heater (not shown) may be installed in the apparatus to heat the fluid viscous material to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time while or before the fluid viscous material is dispensed. According to this application, the fluid viscous material may be a fluid vibration-damping sound-insulating material suitable for forming a liquid-coated sound-insulating material, or other suitable fluid viscous materials such as a fluid sealant. Therefore, although embodiments of this application will be described below using a fluid vibration-damping sound-insulating material as an example, it should be understood that these embodiments are also applicable to other suitable fluid viscous materials such as fluid sealants.
[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the nozzle 100 can be used to dispense a fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material at room temperature. In this case, the fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material can be filled into a cartridge (not shown here). The nozzle 100 can be directly attached to the cartridge (not shown here). The cartridge can be operably and detachably connected to a dispensing dispenser, such as a manually operated or electrically operated dispensing dispenser. For example, the cartridge can be at least partially mounted on a dispensing dispenser so that the fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material can be applied or extruded through the nozzle 100 by manual operation of the dispensing dispenser. In one embodiment, the dispensing device 200 may have a dispensing dispenser and a cartridge. The application pressure and / or extrusion speed may be manually adjusted by the dispensing dispenser.
[0046] While the apparatus is shown in Figure 8, it should be understood that this does not mean that the nozzle 100 and / or applicator 200 can only be used in production line situations (such as those manufacturing plants) as described in the background section. According to this disclosure, it is more preferable that the nozzle 100 and / or applicator 200 and / or applicator assembly be used only in non-production line situations, under room temperature conditions, to distribute fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material. It should be understood that in the context of this disclosure, the term “non-production line situation” may refer to situations different from those manufacturing plants, particularly automobile manufacturing plants. For example, such non-production line situations could be automobile service workshops, or other suitable situations where manual (non-mechanical) distribution or application of fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material is required.
[0047] During use of the applicator assembly, the nozzle 100 is first connected to a cartridge and then to a dispensing dispenser, particularly at room temperature in non-production line situations, thereby allowing the fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material to be selectively distributed through the nozzle to the surface to be coated by manual operation of the dispensing dispenser. Depending on the different regions of the globe where the nozzle 100 and / or applicator 200 and / or applicator assembly are used, the room temperature can range from 10°C to 50°C, or be lower or higher.
[0048] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the proximal end 120 has an end side in which a single opening is formed. For example, this single opening may be called the proximal opening 120A. Similarly, the distal end 110 has an end side in which a single opening is formed. For example, this single opening may be called the distal opening 110A. The distal opening 110A and the proximal opening 120A are in fluid communication with the hollow chamber. The distal opening 110A has a smaller cross-sectional area than the proximal opening 120A. In the context of this disclosure, the cross-section of the nozzle 100 or hollow chamber or feature refers to the cross-section of the nozzle 100 or hollow chamber or feature perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the nozzle 100 or hollow chamber or feature. For example, in Figures 1, 3 to 5, the longitudinal central axis O is shown, and the longitudinal central axis O is parallel to the longitudinal direction or along the longitudinal direction.
[0049] In one embodiment, the proximal end 120 is formed with a female thread 120B on its inner wall so that it can be removably connected to the applicator 200, and the corresponding ports of the applicator 200 (not shown here) are formed with male threads (not shown here) so that they can engage or disengage with one another. In an alternative embodiment, the proximal end 120 may be formed with a male thread on its outer wall, and the corresponding ports of the applicator 200 may each be formed with a female thread.
[0050] From the proximal end 120 to the distal end 100, the nozzle 100 can be divided into two segments 121 and 111. Segment 121 may be called the proximal segment 121, and segment 111 may be called the distal segment 111. The proximal end 120 is defined or formed into the proximal segment 121, and the distal end 110 is defined or formed into the distal segment 111. The proximal segment 121 has a substantially cylindrical shape with an annular flange that defines the proximal end 120. As shown in the figures, the distal segment 111 is configured to gradually widen towards the end side where the distal opening 110A is formed, from a position roughly indicated by reference numeral D in Figures 3 to 5, at a certain distance from the proximal segment 120. As shown in Figure 3, because the distal segment 111 gradually widens, the outer shape of the distal segment 111 has two lateral edges that are angled α to each other. The angle α is in the range of 50 to 90 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the angle α is 70.9 degrees. As shown in Figure 4, when observed along the thickness direction of the nozzle 100, the distal segment 111 is formed to gradually taper from the proximal segment 120 to the aforementioned position D, and then gradually widen from the aforementioned position D toward the end where the distal opening 110A is formed. The distal segment 111 is provided with two opposite reinforcing ribs 112 and 113 on its opposite outer surface, respectively, to increase the structural strength of the nozzle 100 and prevent accidental breakage during use. When observed in the plan view of Figure 3, each of the reinforcing ribs 112 and 113 is configured to have a length extending along the longitudinal central axis O. Furthermore, each of the reinforcing ribs 112 and 113 is configured to stand perpendicular to their respective surfaces. It should be noted that the wall thickness or shape of the distal segment 111 does not take into account the reinforcing ribs 112 and 113. Although only a single reinforcing rib formed on each surface is shown, it is possible to form two or more similar reinforcing ribs on each surface (as needed) to achieve the effect of increased structural strength.
[0051] The hollow chamber defined within the nozzle 100 substantially follows the external shapes of the proximal segment 121 and the distal segment 111. That is, the hollow chamber is substantially cylindrical in the proximal segment 121 and widens in the distal segment 111 as the hollow chamber of the distal segment 111 extends from position D towards the end where the distal opening 110A is formed. Furthermore, observed along the thickness direction of the nozzle 100, the hollow chamber of the distal segment 111 gradually tapers from the proximal segment 121 towards position D. In addition, as shown in Figure 4, the outer surface of the distal segment 111, where the reinforcing rib 112 is formed from position D towards the end where the distal opening 110A is formed as described in the previous paragraph, is flat and configured to extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal central axis O. However, as described in the previous paragraph, the outer surface of the distal segment 111 on the end side where the distal opening A is formed from position D is configured such that the reinforcing rib 113 is formed, and as the outer surface extends, the outer surface gradually moves outward from the longitudinal central axis O. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the outer surface of the proximal segment 121 on which the reinforcing rib 112 is formed is also configured to curve from the proximal segment 121 to position D, as described in the previous paragraph. Similarly, the outer surface of the proximal segment 121 on which the reinforcing rib 113 is formed is also configured to curve from the proximal segment 121 to position D, as described in the previous paragraph. The two outer surfaces are curved so that they protrude inward or toward each other. The hollow chamber of the distal segment 111 from the proximal segment 121 to position D has two opposing inner walls 111A, 111B which have the same shape as their respective outer surfaces. Such a design of the hollow chamber of the distal segment 111 is advantageous in that, as the fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material supplied by the applicator 200 flows through the hollow chamber, particularly from the proximal segment 121 toward the distal segment 111, the fluid material is naturally and smoothly pressurized by the inwardly curved inner wall so that it is not unexpectedly blocked at a position substantially corresponding to position D as described in the previous paragraph.If such a design is not adopted, the cross-sectional area of the hollow chamber is generally minimized at a position substantially corresponding to position D, as described in the previous paragraph, making it highly likely that unexpected blockage of the flowing material will occur.
[0052] In another embodiment, as shown, the hollow chamber of the distal segment 111 has two opposing inner walls 111C and 111D extending toward the end from position D where the distal opening 110A is formed. Inner wall 111C is configured to be continuous with inner wall 111A, and inner wall 111D is configured to be continuous with inner wall 111B. Unlike inner walls 111A and 111B as shown, inner wall 111C is configured to be substantially flat. Unlike inner wall 111C, inner wall 111D is configured to move outward from the longitudinal central axis O or inner wall 111C as it extends toward the end from position D where the distal opening 110A is formed.
[0053] In one embodiment, there are several protrusions 140 formed on the inner wall 111D. At least some of the protrusions 140 may have different lengths. Furthermore, all of the protrusions 140 are formed to project from the inner wall 111D toward the inner wall 111C, but at a certain distance from the inner wall 111C. At the end side of the distal end 110, the protrusions 140 are coplanar with each other. The protrusions 140 are substantially parallel to each other and with respect to the longitudinal central axis O. Furthermore, when observed in the width direction of the nozzle 100, the protrusions 140 are spaced apart from each other. Each of the protrusions 140 is configured such that the cross-sectional area of the protrusion 140 itself gradually increases (as shown in Figures 6 and 7) as each protrusion 140 extends from the starting point in the hollow chamber toward the end side of the distal end 111, eventually reaching its maximum at the end side. In one embodiment, the cross-section of the raised portion 140 is triangular in shape, with the vertices of the triangle pointing toward the inner wall 111C (as shown in Figure 2). It is conceivable that the vertices may be chamfered. As each raised portion 140 extends from the starting point in the hollow chamber toward the distal end 111, it can be understood that the vertices of the triangular cross-sectional areas of the raised portions form a vertex line. In this case, the vertex lines of the raised portions 140 are spaced apart from each other by a first interval in the width direction. Furthermore, the vertex lines of the raised portions 140 are spaced apart from the flat inner wall 111C by a second interval in the thickness direction. In one embodiment, the first interval is greater than the second interval. Each raised portion 140 has two slanted surfaces that intersect each other at the vertex line of the raised portion 140. Between two adjacent raised portions 140, a path is formed by the two slanted surfaces of the adjacent raised portions 140 facing each other. For the outermost of all the ridges 140 along the width direction, a path is formed between the side wall of the hollow chamber and the slope of the outermost ridge 140 facing the side wall. Thus, multiple paths are formed within the hollow chamber. The presence of these paths ensures that when the fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material suitable for forming the LASD is distributed from the nozzle 100 to the surface to be coated, a flat strip of material bead remains on the surface to be coated.With the nozzle 100 according to the embodiments of this disclosure, a multi-bead structure of the material can be applied to the surface when several flat strips (only one strip S is shown in Figure 9) are left side by side on the surface. Unlike the prior art, a scraper is not required to generate a similar multi-bead structure. According to this disclosure, the beads are generated naturally as the material is dispensed out of the nozzle 100. This is therefore very convenient for service shop technicians to apply a predetermined multi-bead structure of fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material to the surface of an automotive part after repairing or inspecting that part. At least for service shop technicians, this results in higher work efficiency.
[0054] Returning to Figure 2, we can also see that along the thickness direction of the nozzle 100, the distal opening 110A has two opposing edges, one of which is a straight edge and the other is a serrated edge. The straight edge is formed by the inner wall 111C, and the serrated edge is formed by the raised portion 140. The two bevels of one raised portion 140 have an angle with respect to each other. This angle and the first spacing can be determined according to the bead of the material being applied. For example, this angle can be in the range of 40 to 80 degrees, and the first spacing can be in the range of 2 mm to 10 mm. In a preferred embodiment, this angle can be 64 degrees, and the first spacing can be 3.9 mm. It is understood that the path between two adjacent raised portions 140 has a width that gradually increases as the path extends toward the distal opening 110A. According to this disclosure, the raised portion 140 is advantageous in that it can ensure that it can apply the bead of the material stably and uniformly.
[0055] When the nozzle 100 is used, it is releasably connected to the applicator 200 via its proximal end 120. After the applicator 200 is switched on, vibration-damping and sound-insulating material suitable for forming the LASD can be dispensed from the container 400 through the applicator 200 and heated. The vibration-damping and sound-insulating material can then be distributed to the surface of the automobile to be coated through the distal opening 110A of the nozzle 100. During material distribution, the straight edge of the distal opening 110A of the nozzle 100 is closer to the surface than the serrated edge of the distal opening 110A. In the multi-bead structure generated by material distribution, the beads of the material are exposed and adjacent to each other. The beads are uniformly formed or dispensed to generate an increased surface area on which a sound-absorbing or vibration-damping sheet can be placed. Thus, the sound-absorbing or vibration-damping sheet can be safely attached to the surface so that noise and / or vibration control can be easily achieved to the same level as when the automobile leaves the manufacturing plant. In alternative embodiments, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the serrated edge of the distal opening 110A can be replaced with a sinusoidal or wavy edge. In this case, the sinusoidal or wavy edge is also defined by the raised portion of the distal opening 110A such that the vertices of the sinusoidal or wavy peaks in the cross-sectional area of the raised portion form a vertex line as the raised portion extends from each starting point in the hollow chamber toward the distal end. It should be noted that the term “sine” can alternatively refer to “cosine.” It should be noted that the terms “wavy” or “wave-shaped” can refer to “rectangular wave-shaped,” “square wave-shaped,” or “regular-wave-shaped,” respectively. In alternative embodiments, the raised portion 140 can have the same or different cross-sections. In alternative embodiments, the raised portion 140 can have different or identical shapes.
[0056] For example, the vibration-damping and sound-insulating material can be Teroson WT 330T or Teroson WT 330V, which are available on the market. For example, the distribution gun can be Teroson ET POWERLINE II, which are available on the market. In one embodiment, the vibration-damping and sound-insulating material is not yet distributed.
[0057] While several specific embodiments and / or examples of the Disclosure are described herein, they are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered to limit the scope of the Disclosure in any sense. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments and / or examples described herein can be combined with one another. Various substitutions, modifications, and alternatives can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the Disclosure.
Claims
1. A nozzle (100) for a dispenser (200) configured to dispense a fluid viscous material, wherein the nozzle (100) is A proximal end (120) that is releasably connected to the applicator (200), the proximal end (120) having an end side in which a single proximal opening (120A) is formed, The distal end (110) opposite to the proximal end (120) has an end side where a single distal opening (110A) is formed, The nozzle (100) comprises a hollow chamber defined between the proximal end (120) and the distal end (110), which is in fluid communication with both the proximal opening (120A) and the distal opening (110A), The nozzle (100) is configured such that, when dispensed by the nozzle (100), the fluid viscous material is supplied from the proximal end (120) to the distal end (110A) and discharged from the distal opening (110A), and the distal opening (110A) is configured to have a straight edge and a sawtooth, sinusoidal, or wavy edge opposite to the straight edge. Nozzle (100).
2. The distal opening (110A) has a smaller cross-sectional area than the proximal opening (120A). The nozzle (100) according to claim 1.
3. The nozzle (100) is divided into a proximal segment (121) where the proximal end (110) is located and a distal segment (111) where the distal end (120) is located, and the hollow chamber is substantially cylindrical in the proximal segment (121), and widens in the distal segment (111) as it extends from a position (D) at a certain distance from the proximal end (110) toward the end where the distal opening (110A) is formed, and when observed along the thickness direction of the nozzle (100), the hollow chamber of the distal segment (111) gradually tapers from the proximal segment (121) toward position (D), and then gradually widens from position (D) toward the end where the distal opening (110A) is formed. The nozzle (100) according to claim 1 or 2.
4. The cross-sectional area of the hollow chamber is substantially minimized at position (D). The nozzle (100) according to claim 3.
5. The hollow chamber of the distal segment (111) is configured to have two opposing inner walls between the position (D) and the end side where the distal opening (110A) is formed. The nozzle (100) according to claim 4.
6. The first inner wall (111C) of the two opposing inner walls is substantially flat, and the second inner wall (111D) of the two opposing inner walls is configured such that as it extends from position (D) toward the end where the distal opening (110A) is formed, the second inner wall (111D) moves away from the first inner wall (111C). The nozzle (100) according to claim 5.
7. Multiple raised portions (140) protrude from the second inner wall (111D) toward the first inner wall (111C), but are formed on the second inner wall (111D) at intervals from the first inner wall (111C). The nozzle (100) according to claim 6.
8. At least some of the plurality of raised portions (140) have different lengths. The nozzle (100) according to claim 7.
9. The raised portion (140) is located on the end side of the distal end (110) and is on the same plane as the other, such that the sawtooth, sinusoidal, or wavy edge is defined by the raised portion (140) of the distal opening (110A). The nozzle (100) according to claim 8.
10. The raised portions (140) are spaced apart from each other along the width direction of the nozzle (100). The nozzle (100) according to claim 9.
11. Each of the raised portions (140) is configured such that, as each raised portion (140) extends from the starting point in the hollow chamber toward the distal end (111), the cross-sectional area of the raised portion (140) itself gradually increases, and finally reaches its maximum size toward the distal end (111). The nozzle (100) according to claim 10.
12. The cross-section of the raised portion (140) is triangular in shape, with the vertex of the triangle pointing to the first inner wall (111C). The nozzle (100) according to claim 11.
13. In the case of the sawtooth-shaped edge, as each raised portion (140) extends from the starting point in the hollow chamber toward the distal end (111), the vertices of the triangular cross-sectional area of the raised portion form a vertex line. The nozzle (100) according to claim 12.
14. In the case of the sinusoidal or wavy edge, as the raised portion extends from each starting point within the hollow chamber toward the distal end, the vertices of the sinusoidal or wavy peaks in the cross-sectional area of the raised portion form a vertex line. The nozzle (100) according to claim 12.
15. The vertex lines of the aforementioned raised portions (140) are parallel to each other, spaced apart by a first interval in the width direction, and spaced apart by a second interval smaller than the first interval from the first inner wall (111C) in the thickness direction. The nozzle (100) according to claim 13.
16. Each raised portion (140) has two slopes that intersect each other at the apex line of the raised portion (140). The nozzle (100) according to claim 15.
17. Between two adjacent raised portions (140), a path is formed by the two mutually facing slopes of the adjacent raised portions (140), and / or, a path is formed between the side wall of the hollow chamber and the outermost raised portion of the raised portion (140) along the width direction adjacent to the side wall, such that a plurality of paths are formed within the hollow chamber. The nozzle (100) according to claim 16.
18. The distal segment (111) has two opposite outer surfaces, each formed by a reinforcing rib configured to have a length extending along the longitudinal central axis of the nozzle (100). The nozzle (100) according to claim 4.
19. The aforementioned fluid viscous material is a fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material or a fluid sealant. The nozzle (100) according to claim 1.
20. The applicator is configured as a handheld tool or line machine capable of applying the fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material or the fluid sealant. The nozzle (100) according to claim 19.
21. A dispensing assembly capable of dispensing a fluid viscous material, A dispensing device (200) including a cartridge for containing the fluid viscous material, and a dispensing dispenser that is operable and detachably connected to the cartridge, A nozzle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle (100) is configured to be releasably connected to the cartridge, and the fluid viscous material can be selectively dispensed through the nozzle (100) by manual operation of the dispensing dispenser, Applicator assembly.
22. The aforementioned dispensing dispenser is a manually operated dispensing dispenser. The coating apparatus assembly according to claim 21.
23. The applicator is configured as a handheld tool capable of applying the fluid viscous material. The coating apparatus assembly according to claim 21.
24. The aforementioned fluid viscous material is a fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material or a fluid sealant. The applicator assembly according to claim 23.
25. A method using the applicator assembly described in claim 21, A step of connecting a nozzle (100) to a cartridge before the cartridge is installed in a handheld dispenser, wherein the cartridge is configured to contain a fluid viscous material inside, The method comprises the step of connecting the cartridge to the applicator so that the fluid viscous material can be selectively distributed through the nozzle to a surface to be coated at room temperature by manual operation of the applicator dispenser of the applicator assembly, method.
26. During the distribution of the fluid viscous material, the sawtooth, sinusoidal, or wavy edge of the distal opening (110a) of the nozzle (100) is brought closer to the surface to be coated than the straight edge of the distal opening (110A). The method according to claim 25.
27. The pressure and / or amount of the fluid viscous material distributed through the nozzle can be adjusted by the applicator. The method according to claim 25.
28. The aforementioned fluid viscous material is a fluid vibration-damping and sound-insulating material or a fluid sealant. The method according to claim 27.