DOSAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A DOSAGE SYSTEM - Patent application

Abstract

To provide a dosing system for administering a dosing material.SOLUTION: A dosing system includes: a housing comprising a nozzle and a feed passage for administering a material; a discharge element which is movably attached to an interior of the housing; and an actuator unit which is coupled to the discharge element. The actuator unit comprises an actuator having a film which can be pressurized by a pressure medium in order to move the discharge element in a discharge direction. The discharge element is separately formed, and is pressed against a side face facing toward a direction of the discharge element by a force acting on the discharge element in order to couple to the actuator unit. Further, the present invention relates a method for controlling the dosing system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing system for dispensing a liquid to a viscous dispensed material, preferably for applying the dispensed material to a substrate, and to a method for controlling such a dispensing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Dosing systems of the above kind are used in various fields of application for the targeted administration of a dosing medium, which is usually a liquid to viscous dosing material. In the context of so-called "microdosing technology", it is often necessary to transport minute amounts of a medium to a target surface with high precision, i.e., at the right time, at the right place, and in a precisely administered amount.

[0003] Dosing is often non-contact, i.e., there is no direct contact between the dosing system and the target surface. This can be done, for example, by dropwise delivery of the dosing material through a nozzle of the dosing system. In this case, the medium only comes into contact with the interior space of the nozzle and, to a large extent, the area of ​​the ejection element of the dosing system. The size of the droplets or the amount of medium per droplet can be predicted as accurately as possible depending on the structure and control of the nozzle and the targeting effect achieved thereby. Such non-contact methods are often called "jet methods." Typical examples are the dosing of glue dots, solder paste, etc., in the assembly of circuit boards or other electronic components, or the application of converter materials for LEDs.

[0004] A movable discharge element can be arranged in the nozzle of the dosing system for delivery of the medium from the dosing system. The discharge element can be pushed forward inside the nozzle at a relatively high speed towards the nozzle orifice or outlet opening, discharging a drop of medium, and then retracted again. This means that in the above-mentioned dosing system and in the dosing system according to the invention, the dispensed material is ejected from the nozzle by the discharge element itself. For ejection from the nozzle, the discharge element comes into contact with the dispensed material to be ejected, and the movement of the discharge element and / or the nozzle "pushes" the dispensed material from the nozzle of the dosing system. Thus, the dispensed material is essentially "actively" ejected from the nozzle by the movable discharge element. This type of dosing system, and the dosing system according to the invention, therefore differs from other dispenser systems in which only the movement of a closing element leads to the nozzle opening, and the pressurized dispensed material then emerges from the nozzle by itself. This applies, for example, to injection valves in the case of internal combustion engines.

[0005] Typically, the discharge element may also be in a closed position, in which it is firmly connected to the sealing seat of the nozzle opening in the nozzle and remains there temporarily. With more viscous dosage materials, it may also be sufficient for the discharge element to simply remain in the retracted position, i.e., away from the sealing seat, without any drop of medium appearing.

[0006] The movement of the dispensing element required to dispense the dosage material is usually performed by means of an actuator unit of the dosing system. Such an actuator unit can basically be realized in various ways, for example by means of pneumatically or hydraulically actuated actuators. Alternatively, piezoelectric and / or electromagnetically actuated actuators are used. Compared to the actuator principles mentioned above, actuator units with pneumatic or hydraulic actuators are characterized by a relatively simple construction, which further reduces the overall complexity of the dosing system. Therefore, pneumatic or hydraulic actuators represent a cost-effective solution for the operation of the dosing system, especially in the processing of dosage materials that are easy to dispense.

[0007] The pneumatic or hydraulic actuator can be realized in various ways. For example, dosing systems are known in which the actuator is realized by a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. In such systems, a relatively high degree of wear occurs in the area of ​​the friction seal of the cylinder, so more and more pneumatic or hydraulic actuators are used which are realized by bellows that can be pressurized by a pressure medium.

[0008] A further preferred alternative is to form the pneumatic or hydraulic actuator by means of a membrane that can be pressurized by a pressure medium. This variant has the advantage, on the one hand, that it is possible to dispense with friction seals, such as in pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders. On the other hand, it is possible to reduce the design and manufacturing effort compared to "bellows-actuated" actuators. A further advantage is that "membrane-actuated" pneumatic or hydraulic actuators can be operated at higher clock frequencies than is usually the case with "bellows-actuated" or "cylinder-actuated" actuators. Therefore, "membrane-actuated" pneumatic or hydraulic actuators are particularly suitable for very precise dosing requirements.

[0009] In order to transmit the force generated by a "membrane-actuated" pneumatic or hydraulic actuator on the dispensing element of the dispensing system, the deflectable membrane of the actuator is rigidly connected to the dispensing element of the dispensing system of the known dispensing systems. For example, the dispensing element can be permanently welded, riveted, screwed, soldered or glued to the membrane. Similarly, the dispensing element can penetrate completely through the membrane and be rigidly screwed to the membrane on at least one side of the membrane, or rigidly connected to the membrane by a fixing ring or pinning. A fixed connection between the dispensing element and the membrane can actually be achieved by the above methods.

[0010] However, this configuration also means that the total mass of the membrane to be moved is increased due to the required connection mechanism. To still deflect or move the membrane in the desired manner, the diameter of the membrane can be increased to increase the membrane's acceleration force. However, an increase in membrane diameter also means that the volume of the actuator chamber of the pneumatic or hydraulic actuator, which is filled with a pressure medium to deflect the membrane, must be increased. However, by design, this also means that the process of filling or emptying the actuator chamber takes longer, unnecessarily slowing down the clock frequency of the dispensing system.

[0011] On the other hand, in conventional pneumatic or hydraulic actuators, the membrane can be significantly weakened due to the fixed connection of the discharge element to the membrane. In particular, the connection point between the discharge element and the membrane can form a weak spot in the membrane in the form of a predetermined breaking point, which can be problematic especially in continuous operation of the dosing system. As a result, the service life or useful life of the pneumatic actuator can be significantly reduced, which can lead to higher maintenance efforts and higher maintenance costs for the dosing system. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing system having an actuator in which the above-mentioned drawbacks are reduced and preferably avoided. Furthermore, it is an object to provide a method for controlling such a dispensing system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] This object is achieved by a dosing system according to claim 1 and by a method for controlling such a dosing system according to claim 13.

[0014] The dosing system according to the invention for dosing liquid to viscous dosing materials, particularly preferably for contactless application of the dosing material to a substrate, has an optionally multi-part housing, which housing comprises at least one nozzle and a feed channel for dosing the material, the dosing material passing through the feed channel of the dosing system into the nozzle chamber of the nozzle.

[0015] The dosing system further comprises a dispensing element movably arranged in the housing and an actuator unit coupled to or interacting with the dispensing element to dispense the dosed material. As a result of the coupling, the actuator unit interacts with the dispensing element in such a way that dispensing of the dosed material is effected by the dispensing element from a nozzle of the dosing system. As mentioned above in the introductory part of this application, such a dispensing element "actively" dispenses the dosed material. Preferably, the dosing system can be realized in the form of a jet valve, which allows for the above-mentioned contactless dispensing of the dosed material.

[0016] According to the invention, the actuator unit comprises at least one actuator, which preferably has a disk-shaped membrane, which may also be called an "actuating membrane", as will be described below. In particular, the actuator preferably comprises only a single membrane.

[0017] The actuator unit may further comprise further components required for the movement of the dispensing element within the dosing system, as will be described below. In contrast, preferably the components of the dosing system that come into contact with the dispensed material, e.g. the dispensing element, are concentrated in a fluidic unit of the dosing system, also as will be described below.

[0018] The actuator membrane, in particular the side of the membrane facing away from the discharge element, can be pressurized by at least one pressure medium so that the discharge element is displaced or distorted away from the nozzle in the discharge direction of the discharge element to discharge the dispensed material. When the membrane is pressurized, in particular the moving pressure medium directly strikes or impinges on the side (upper side) of the membrane facing away from the discharge element, as the term "pressurizing" indicates. This means that the membrane is distorted directly by the pressure medium itself to discharge the dispensed material from the nozzle. For this purpose, the discharge element is moved by the membrane in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening. The movement can be such that the tip of the discharge element directly abuts the sealing seat of the nozzle upon completion of the discharge movement. Alternatively, the discharge movement can be stopped in advance so that a certain distance remains between the tip of the discharge element and the sealing seat of the nozzle.

[0019] According to the invention, the discharge element is formed separately from the membrane, i.e., it is a component separate from the membrane itself. The discharge element is particularly preferably formed in one piece. To couple to the actuator unit, the discharge element is pressed into an operating position during operation of the dosing system by a force acting directly on the discharge element by contact pressure on the side of the membrane facing the discharge element. The side of the membrane provided for coupling faces away from the side of the membrane that can be pressurized by the pressure medium. The two sides of the membrane correspond, in terms of their design, to the bottom side of the membrane, as will be explained below.

[0020] The side facing the discharge element or nozzle is typically oriented "downward" when the dispensing system is used as intended (i.e., because the dispensing system in use is typically positioned so that the dispensed agent is discharged downwards from the nozzle), and is therefore hereinafter referred to, without limitation thereto, as the "underside" of the membrane. The surface of the membrane opposite the underside, which can be pressurized by a pressure medium, is therefore referred to as the "upper side" of the membrane.

[0021] Due to the coupling between the ejection element, e.g., plunger, and the actuator unit, the force is only exerted on the ejection element itself and thus only indirectly via the ejection element and not directly on the membrane, i.e., at least part of the force for coupling can be transmitted from the ejection element to the membrane.

[0022] According to the present invention, as described above, the discharge element is formed separately, i.e., it is not fixedly or permanently connected to the membrane. In particular, to bond the discharge element to the actuator unit or to the membrane of the actuator, a secure and material connection between the respective components is not required. Rather, bonding is performed on the adhesive principle. Due to the force acting on the discharge element, the discharge element can be continuously kept in operative contact with the side of the membrane facing the discharge element during operation of the dispensing system. The discharge element and the membrane again form two separate, unbonded components only when the force acting on the discharge element to bond them is absent or below a certain value.

[0023] The retention of the discharge element on the membrane is thus performed in particular "pierce-free" and "damage-free", meaning that the discharge element is not, for example, screwed, welded, glued, etc. to the membrane. In particular, there are substantially no changes in the surface condition of the underside and / or upper side of the membrane for bonding.

[0024] Because the dispensing element and the membrane are formed as separate, unconnected components that are combined only by the force acting on the dispensing element from the functional unit (dosing system), the dispensing system according to the invention advantageously allows only a very small mass to be moved by the actuator of the actuator unit during operation of the dispensing system. Thus, on the one hand, it is possible to keep the total weight of the actuating membrane as low as possible, and the volume of the actuator chamber for actuating the membrane can be kept small. This design makes it possible to accelerate the process of filling and emptying the actuator chamber, so that the actuator achieves very high dynamic values. Advantageously, the dispensing system is therefore suitable for dispensing highly viscous dosing materials, despite its relatively simple design.

[0025] Furthermore, advantageously, in the dosing system according to the invention, design-related weakening of the membrane material in the area of ​​the fixed connection between the membrane and the discharge element, which is often the case in conventional dosing systems, can be almost completely avoided. Furthermore, it is possible to dispense with friction seals in the actuator, which are necessary, for example, in pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders. Advantageously, the dosing system according to the invention therefore makes it possible to extend the uninterrupted service life of the actuator and thus of the dosing system as a whole, while at the same time allowing very high clock frequencies when dispensing the dosing material.

[0026] In a method according to the invention for controlling a dosing system for dosing a liquid to viscous dosing material, particularly preferably for contactless application of the dosing material to a substrate, the dosing system comprises an optionally multi-part housing, which comprises at least one nozzle and a feed channel for dosing the material, and as mentioned above, the housing comprises a dispensing element movably arranged therein and an actuator unit coupled to or interacting with the dispensing element to dispense the dosing material.

[0027] According to the invention, the (actuating) membrane of the actuator of the actuator unit is pressurized by a pressure medium to move or distort the discharge element in the discharge direction of the discharge element in order to expel the dosing material from the nozzle. Preferably, the side of the membrane facing away from the discharge element (also called the "upper side") is pressurized by the pressure medium to move the discharge element in the direction of the nozzle. A force is applied to the discharge element itself in order to couple it to the actuator unit. The force acting on the discharge element presses the discharge element by contact pressure against the side of the membrane facing towards the discharge element (also called the "lower side"). During operation of the dosing system, a force can be applied to the discharge element such that the discharge element is continuously kept in working contact with the membrane, in particular with the side of the membrane facing towards the discharge element.

[0028] Furthermore, particularly advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention are evident from the dependent claims and the following description, and the independent claims of a claim category can also be developed in the same way as the dependent claims, and the embodiments of another claim category and, in particular, individual features of further different embodiments or variants can be combined into new embodiments or variants.

[0029] Preferably, the dosing system is configured such that the force acting on the coupling discharge element, e.g., plunger, in the direction of the discharge direction, i.e., the direction of the discharge movement, is directed to the opposite side of the discharge element. The discharge direction corresponds to the (linear) movement of the discharge element to dispense the dosed material from the nozzle. The discharge direction is thus directed towards the nozzle, starting from the coupling point (between the discharge element and the membrane) of the dosing system. Preferably, therefore, the coupling force can be applied to the discharge element such that the (actuating) direction of the force points away from the nozzle and is aligned approximately perpendicular to the bottom surface of the actuator membrane.

[0030] The opposite movement of the dispensing element, also called the "plunger," i.e., away from the nozzle, is called the retraction movement, and is thus the retraction direction of the dispensing element, as explained below.

[0031] Particularly preferably, the dosing system can be configured in such a way that the force applied by at least one spring and / or pressure device permanently presses the discharge element for coupling to the actuator unit towards the underside of the membrane during operation, in particular the force exerted by the spring and / or pressure device is large enough to keep the discharge element in continuous direct contact with the underside of the membrane also during its retraction movement, i.e. when the discharge element is moved away from the nozzle towards the actuator unit after dispensing the dosed material.

[0032] The spring and / or pressure device may simply consist of multiple springs or other spring-loaded components as a spring device. In the simplest, and therefore often preferred, case, it may consist of a single spring-loaded component, for example, a single spring, in particular a coil spring. Hereinafter (without limitation of generality), the spring device will also be referred to as a spring or "return spring" for simplicity's sake. Alternatively or additionally, the spring and / or pressure device may also have a pressure element in another form, such as a pneumatic cylinder, another membrane device, etc.

[0033] Preferably, the return spring can be configured to move the discharge element to its rest position within a certain time interval, in particular as soon as the membrane is no longer pressurized by the pressure medium. The rest position of the discharge element is characterized in that (during operation) the maximum possible distance between the tip of the discharge element and the nozzle is reached, i.e. the discharge element is pushed by the spring as far as possible upwards in the direction of the actuator unit. Preferably, the discharge element also abuts directly against the underside of the membrane in the rest position.

[0034] Furthermore, the return spring may preferably also exert a "resetting effect" on the membrane. The membrane may indeed preferably be formed in such a way that it automatically returns to its rest position as soon as it is no longer pressurized by the pressure medium within a certain time interval, i.e. the membrane may be formed elastically. However, the force exerted by the return spring may at least supplement the elastic properties of the membrane, i.e. the spring may facilitate the return of the membrane to its rest position.

[0035] Thus, the return spring is preferably configured to transmit a force to the membrane (indirectly via the discharge element), which force preferably acts in a direction away from the nozzle in the direction of the actuator unit, and is preferably determinable so that the return spring also pushes the membrane (indirectly) upwards by a certain amount and / or places it in its rest position. The rest position of the membrane occurs when the membrane is not currently pressurized by a pressure medium and / or is not distorted in the direction of the nozzle. In the rest position, the membrane, or the membrane wall, may preferably extend substantially in one plane, i.e., it has a profile that is approximately straight or rectilinear in cross section. However, it is also conceivable that the membrane is "upward" in the rest position, at least in cross section, i.e., for example, the membrane is pushed up by the discharge element and curved in the direction of the actuator unit.

[0036] Preferably, the force may act on the discharge element to couple as described above, again so that the discharge element in the rest position actually abuts directly against the underside of the membrane, but the aforementioned linear profile of the membrane is substantially maintained in cross section. Alternatively, however, the spring may further be dimensioned and / or designed so that the discharge element (in the rest position) pushes or deflects the membrane (in the rest position) upwards by a specific amount in the direction of the actuator unit. Preferably, in the rest position, the membrane may abut directly against the base of the actuator, at least in multiple areas.

[0037] The membrane of the actuator may preferably be formed in the shape of a disk. In this case, disk is generally understood to mean a geometric body or structure whose base is many times larger than its thickness. The base corresponds to the area of ​​the membrane with the largest area. Thus, on the one hand, the base corresponds to the side of the membrane facing the plunger, and on the other hand, the (opposite) side of the membrane that can be pressurized by the pressure medium.

[0038] The thickness of the membrane corresponds to the extension of the membrane perpendicular to the bottom surface, and the thickness is obtained, for example, from a section across the bottom surface. Preferably, the membrane may have a constant, uniform thickness over its entire extent. However, it is also conceivable that the edge regions of the membrane (in cross section) are thinner than the central region of the membrane. Thus, the stiffness of the membrane may be increased, for example, in the central region where the membrane's ejection element abuts, and the membrane is distorted mainly in the edge regions when pressurized by a pressure medium. The effective area of ​​the membrane, and thus the force exerted by the membrane, may consequently be increased. Alternatively, or in addition, the membrane may have beads in the edge regions, as is the case, for example, in loudspeakers.

[0039] It is also conceivable that the membrane is corrugated in cross section, for example in the manner of a corrugated sheet, in which the spring constant, and hence the restoring force, of the membrane is reduced compared to a "non-corrugated" or flat membrane. In what follows, for simplicity and without limitation thereto, the starting point is a flat membrane of uniform thickness which, in the rest position, has a predominantly straight profile in cross section.

[0040] Regardless of the specific configuration of the membrane, the thickness of the membrane may be at least 10 μm, preferably at least 50 μm, preferably at least 150 μm. The maximum thickness of the membrane may be no more than 1000 μm, preferably no more than 300 μm, preferably no more than 200 μm.

[0041] Preferably, the bottom surface of the membrane may be formed substantially round or circular. However, in principle, it may also be oval, rectangular or formed in any other way. Preferably, the membrane is formed as a flat or thin, thus "plate-like" structure. Particularly preferably, the membrane is formed without cavities, i.e., there are no cavities, such as liquid-filled or gas-filled chambers, located within the membrane. A membrane is thus significantly different from a bellows, for example a metal bellows. Unlike a membrane, a bellows comprises a somewhat elastic hose that folds "accordion-like" and an internal space sealed against the environment, for example a cavity filled with gas.

[0042] The membrane is preferably entirely made of metal. Preferably, it can comprise a mixture or alloy of different metals. For example, it can be made of stainless steel (spring steel). Alternatively, it can comprise, for example, a beryllium-copper alloy. Furthermore, elastomers or plastics are conceivable as membrane materials. Depending on the requirements, it is also conceivable to use multi-layer membranes, where the individual layers can be made of the same or different materials. For example, the upper and / or lower membranes can have special coatings. Preferably, the membrane can be made to have high vibration resistance and a certain elasticity, so that the desired deformation of the membrane is possible. Preferably, the membrane is made to represent an "active" expansion element relative to the rigid substrate of the actuator, as explained below.

[0043] Preferably, the membrane, in particular its edge regions, is completely peripherally bonded in a sealed manner to the rigid, possibly multi-part, base of the actuator. An actuator chamber of the actuator, which can be pressurized by a pressure medium, is formed between the actuator base and the membrane, in particular the upper side. The membrane can, for example, be welded or soldered to the body to form the actuator chamber. Furthermore, the membrane can further be packed into the actuator base, for example, in which the membrane is sandwiched and sealed between two housing parts of the actuator base.

[0044] The actuator chamber is thus located within the actuator itself. Preferably, the actuator chamber can be made airtight and / or liquidtight with respect to the environment of the actuator. Preferably, the actuator base comprises a through-hole (hereinafter, without limitation of generality, referred to as "hole") on the opposite side of the membrane, which leads from the actuator chamber to the outside of the actuator chamber to enable actuation of the actuator. Preferably, a control valve of the actuator unit is directly adjacent to the hole to control the flow of pressure medium through the hole, and "opens" and "closes" the actuator chamber, as explained below.

[0045] Advantageously, the actuator is realized by only one membrane, so that only this sealed membrane needs to be connected to the actuator base. This allows for a simplified construction of the dosing system, especially compared to "bellows-actuated" systems, where the bellows or hose usually needs to be sealed at both ends.

[0046] A pressure medium can be supplied to control the actuator, the actuator chamber, for example, via the aforementioned hole. Preferably, an overpressure can be generated in the actuator chamber to deflect the membrane "downward," i.e., starting from the rest position, i.e., toward the nozzle of the dosing system. The amount of overpressure can be determined and can act, for example, depending on the properties (e.g., viscosity) of the dosing material. For example, the overpressure can be in the range of approximately 5 bar to 8 bar. However, as will be explained later, significantly higher pressures are also conceivable. The membrane can also be called a pressure membrane, which is formed in such a way that it transmits force to the plunger and simultaneously seals the actuator chamber. Furthermore, the actuator chamber can also be emptied again via the same hole, i.e., the overpressure in the actuator chamber is reduced and the membrane is returned to its preferably vertical rest position by its elasticity and / or by a return spring.

[0047] The actuator chamber can basically be filled with any flowing fluid, i.e., (compressed) gaseous and / or liquid substances can be used as pressure media. Preferably, compressed gaseous fluids, such as a single gas or a gas mixture, for example air, can be used as pressure media. In the following, it is assumed that the actuator is operated using compressed chamber air, since this is already available in most systems with dosing systems. The actuator is therefore also referred to synonymously as a pneumatic actuator in the context of this application. However, the invention should not be so limited.

[0048] In order to optimally control the actuator for dispensing the dosage material, the aforementioned opening of the actuator chamber, as mentioned directly, is preferably adjacent to a control valve of the actuator unit, in particular in an airtight and / or liquid-tight manner. The control valve is preferably configured to control and / or regulate the supply of pressure medium into the actuator chamber and the discharge of pressure medium from the actuator chamber. For this purpose, the control valve is preferably coupled to a control and / or regulation unit of the dosage system. The control valve can be realized, for example, by a solenoid valve. Preferably, the control valve can be realized by a 3 / 2-way valve (e.g., in an open rest position). Alternatively, the control valve can comprise, for example, two 2 / 2-way valves. The control valve can also be called a pneumatic valve.

[0049] Preferably, the control valve may be arranged in the actuator unit such that a first connection (working connection) of the (airtight) control valve interacts with a bore of the actuator chamber, which may be filled and emptied again by this connection with a pressure medium. Preferably, a second connection (compressed air connection) of the control valve is operatively connected to a compressed air supply of the dosing system. As will be described below, a third connection (ventilation connection) of the control valve may be connected to a vent area of ​​the actuator unit. Depending on the control of the control valve, the working connection may preferably interact with either the compressed air connection or the ventilator connection.

[0050] In order to supply a sufficient amount of pressure medium to the actuator chamber by the control valve during operation, the housing of the dosing system may comprise an internal pressure reservoir or pressure tank for pressurized pressure medium.

[0051] Preferably, the pressure tank may be formed within the housing of the administration system so as to be bounded or isolated from other housing regions. The pressure tank may have at least one supply opening for the pressure medium into the pressure tank and an outlet opening for the pressure medium leaving the pressure tank, in particular for the supply line into the control valve. Preferably, the pressure tank may be dimensioned so that it can contain a quantity of pressure medium sufficient for at least 250, preferably at least 2000, particularly preferably at least 10,000 deformations of the membrane. Preferably, the pressure of the pressure medium in the pressure reservoir may be at least 2 bar, preferably at least 3 bar, and particularly preferably at least 5 bar. Preferably, the pressure should be no more than 1000 bar, more preferably no more than 20 bar, and most preferably no more than 10 bar.

[0052] The pressure tank may be coupled to an external compressed air supply of the dosing system. For example, compressed pressure medium may be supplied to the pressure reservoir by, for example, a supply opening through which an external pressure medium supply is connected to a corresponding connection point on the housing of the dosing system. Preferably, a predeterminable pressure (target pressure) may be maintained substantially constant in the pressure tank, also during operation of the dosing system.

[0053] For the most efficient operation of the pneumatic actuator possible, the pressure reservoir may be located inside the housing directly adjacent to the control valve of the actuator unit. Preferably, the pressure reservoir is arranged in the housing of the dosing system so that the pressure medium can flow directly from the pressure tank into the actuator chamber via the shortest possible path. That is, the pressure reservoir may be located as close as possible to the "point of demand". Preferably, the outlet opening of the pressure tank is directly (gas-tightly) connected to the compressed air connection of the control valve.

[0054] Advantageously, the pressure reservoir thus represents a "pressure medium buffer" inside the dosing system for damping pulsating consumption of pressure medium, particularly at high dosing frequencies. Dosing systems with pneumatic actuators usually have an external pressure tank for this purpose. However, due to line losses, there can be a pressure drop in the pressure medium on the way from the external pressure tank to the actuator, so that the actuator chamber is not filled with the desired, particularly constant, pressure. Furthermore, the pressure with which the actuator is filled, also referred to as the actuator's filling pressure, has a considerable influence on the dosing accuracy of the dosing system and, as will be explained later, can even have a negative effect on it.

[0055] In contrast, in the described dosing system, the "pressure medium buffer" is arranged in the close vicinity of the actuator, so that no line between the pressure tank and the actuator chamber is necessary. This ensures that the actuator chamber is always filled with pressure medium having a specific target pressure, even at very high clock frequencies. On the other hand, this has a positive effect on dosing accuracy.

[0056] On the other hand, this design allows for significantly higher clock frequencies than conventional dosing systems with pneumatic actuators, since no line losses occur between the pressure tank and the pneumatic actuator, even at very high clock frequencies. While dosing frequencies of up to about 330 Hz have been possible up until now, the described structure allows dosing frequencies of 600 Hz and above. Essentially, the internal "pressure medium buffer" also allows even higher clock frequencies (>700 Hz), at which point the control valve represents the speed-limiting factor due to heating.

[0057] It should be noted that the configuration of the pressure reservoir inside the housing, in the immediate vicinity of the actuator, is not limited to the above-described dispensing system according to the invention, but rather this advantageous configuration represents an independent partial aspect of the invention.

[0058] Therefore, advantageously, an internal pressure reservoir can also be arranged in dosing systems with pneumatic cylinders or in conventional "bellows-actuated" or "membrane-actuated" dosing systems, i.e., dosing systems in which, for example, the discharge element is connected to the membrane of the pneumatic actuator in a fixed manner, i.e., independently of the coupling according to the invention. Preferably, the dosing system can comprise a housing with a nozzle and a feed channel for dispensing the material, as well as a discharge element movably mounted in the housing and an actuator unit coupled to the discharge element. The actuator unit can comprise an actuator with a membrane that can be pressurized by a pressure medium to move the discharge element in the discharge direction. Furthermore, the housing of the dosing system can comprise an internal pressure reservoir for the pressure medium. Particularly preferably, the reservoir can be directly adjacent to a control valve of the actuator unit for controlling the actuator.

[0059] It is thus advantageously possible, even in conventional dosing systems, to increase the cycle frequency of dispensing the dosing material and at the same time achieve the highest possible dosing accuracy (for the reasons mentioned above).

[0060] In order to further improve the advantageous effect of the internal "pressure medium buffer", the dosing system may preferably comprise, in addition to the internal pressure tank, a further, possibly larger, external pressure tank, for example in the external pressure medium supply.

[0061] The internal pressure tank concept can be advantageously supplemented by at least one pressure sensor arranged in the pressure reservoir, such that the pressure of the pressure medium is measured in the pressure reservoir. For example, the pressure sensor can be realized in the wall of the pressure tank.

[0062] Preferably, the pressure sensor is arranged as close as possible to the pneumatic actuator. The pressure sensor may preferably be coupled to transfer the measured data to a control and / or regulating unit of the dosing system. On the one hand, the control and / or regulating unit may be formed as a direct component of the dosing system, or on the other hand, it may be realized separately to the dosing system. A third possibility is that the control and / or regulating unit is formed separately and assigned to several dosing systems simultaneously for controlling them separately from each other.

[0063] The term control is used below as a synonym for control and / or regulation. That is, even when a controller is mentioned, the controller may include at least one regulation process. In closed-loop control (regulation), a regulated variable (as an actual value) is generally continuously recorded and compared with a reference variable (as a target value). Regulation is usually performed such that the regulated variable is adjusted to the reference variable. This means that the regulated variable (actual value) continuously influences itself in the path of action of the control loop.

[0064] To control the pressure in the pressure reservoir, the dosing system may comprise at least one controllable pressure regulator, which is preferably configured to control and / or regulate the pressure of the pressure medium in the pressure reservoir as a function of an input parameter, preferably by controlling and / or regulating the pressure of the pressure medium flowing into the housing of the dosing system or into the reservoir.

[0065] The pressure in the pressure reservoir, and therefore the pressure applied before the control valve, is also called the supply pressure of the actuator. The supply pressure is the maximum pressure with which the actuator chamber can be filled, i.e. it determines the maximum pressure that the pressure medium can have when flowing into the actuator chamber. In the simplest case, the supply pressure may also correspond to the actuator filling pressure. The actuator filling pressure corresponds to the pressure that the pressure medium in the (filled) actuator chamber actually has, for example during deflection of the membrane. Depending on the configuration of the dosing system, it is also conceivable that the actuator filling pressure may deviate from the supply pressure, as will be explained below. Therefore, the pressure regulator may preferably also be configured to control and / or adjust the pressure with which the actuator is filled with pressure medium (actuator filling pressure) as a function of input parameters.

[0066] The pressure regulator, on the other hand, can be mechanically or manually actuated. Preferably, the input parameters are then transmitted to an operator of the administration system, who can then adjust the pressure regulator to reach the target pressure in the pressure reservoir.

[0067] Preferably, it is also possible to use an electronic pressure regulator. Particularly preferably, the pressure regulator can be controlled by a control and / or regulating unit of the dosing system, in particular taking into account the input parameters. Regardless of the specific configuration (mechanical and / or electronic), the pressure regulator can preferably be arranged on the housing of the dosing system and / or in the external pressure medium supply line.

[0068] Preferably, the (mechanical or electronic) pressure regulator can be controlled or adjusted as a function of input parameters so that during operation of the administration system a specific, e.g. constant, speed of the ejection element (plunger speed) is achieved during the ejection movement.

[0069] An input parameter for control or regulation can be, for example, the current pressure in the pressure reservoir. Preferably, the measurement data of the pressure sensor as input parameter (actual value) can be continuously compared with a predefined target value by the control and / or regulation unit during operation. The pressure regulator is then preferably controlled so that the target pressure is continuously present in the internal pressure tank or a constant plunger speed is achieved during operation.

[0070] Advantageously, the dosing accuracy of the dosing system can be further improved by a pressure sensor and an internal pressure reservoir interacting with the control and / or regulating unit. A decisive factor for the amount of dispensed material per plunger stroke is, in particular, the plunger speed when it impacts into the nozzle or into its sealing seat. Preferably, therefore, the plunger speed (during the dispensing movement) can be adjusted within an operational target value. The plunger speed is highly dependent on the actuator filling pressure.

[0071] In this regard, a higher actuator filling pressure results in a higher acceleration force of the membrane, resulting in a higher velocity of the plunger. A lower actuator filling pressure correspondingly results in a lower plunger velocity during the ejection process. Pressure fluctuations during the actuator chamber filling process can therefore have a negative effect on dosing accuracy. Advantageously, by controlling and / or regulating the pressure in the pressure tank and / or the actuator filling pressure, the plunger velocity can be set to a predefined value and kept constant, for example, to improve dosing accuracy, even with highly dynamic and / or high dosing requirements. For example, pressure fluctuations in the supply line can be compensated for by this control or regulation.

[0072] To further improve dosing accuracy, the dosing system may comprise at least one sensor for measuring the speed of movement of the dispensing element. Preferably, the speed sensor may be arranged in the region of the rigid actuator base. Preferably, the sensor may be arranged in the region of the actuator base opposite the upper side of the membrane, i.e., "above" the membrane. Preferably, the speed sensor and the dispensing element, e.g., the plunger head, may be arranged on an imaginary (vertical) line. Preferably, the speed sensor is coupled to the control unit.

[0073] The speed sensor is preferably configured to detect the speed of the dispensing element during its entire dispensing movement and / or its entire retraction movement. For example, the speed sensor may be realized by a position sensor (stroke sensor) configured to detect the plunger position as a function of time. Preferably, the speed sensor may be realized by a Hall sensor. Preferably, in that case, the "head region" of the dispensing element, which abuts the membrane, may be provided with a magnet.

[0074] Alternatively, the speed sensor may comprise a capacitive distance sensor, for example the distance sensor and the membrane (as the movable mating surface) may form an electric capacitor, for example the membrane being shaped like a capacitor plate.

[0075] Advantageously, the speed sensor measurement value can be supplied to the control unit as a further input parameter. Instead of or in addition to the pressure sensor measurement value, the speed measurement value can be used to control and / or adjust the actuator supply pressure and / or the actuator filling pressure, for example, to achieve a constant plunger speed, especially when impacted in the sealing seat of the nozzle during operation. For example, variations in the properties of the dispensed material can be compensated for by this control or adjustment.

[0076] A further alternative or additional possibility to setting the plunger speed is to control the filling process of the actuator by means of a throttle device. Preferably, the dosing system, e.g., a control valve, comprises at least one controllable throttle device. The throttle device can be configured to control and / or adjust the pressure of the pressure medium in the actuator, in particular in the actuator chamber, as a function of an input parameter. Preferably, the throttle device can be configured to dynamically control and / or adjust the pressure in the actuator, in particular as a function of the input parameter. Preferably, the throttle device can be controlled so that the pressure in the actuator during a (first) delivery movement is different from the pressure in the actuator during a subsequent (second) delivery movement, i.e., the pressure in the actuator can be changed "pulse by pulse."

[0077] Preferably, the throttle device may comprise at least one controllable proportional valve and / or a controllable pressure regulator. The throttle device may be configured to control and / or regulate the volumetric flow rate or flow rate of the pressure medium flowing into the actuator chamber. For example, the throttle may be arranged in the working connection of the control valve and / or in a bore in the actuator base. Preferably, the control of the flow cross section may result in a reduction or further increase, for example, corresponding to the maximum possible flow cross section. Alternatively, in each case, a controllable proportional valve may be arranged in the compressed air connection or in the ventilation connection of the control valve.

[0078] Furthermore, the throttle may alternatively or additionally be configured or controlled so that the flow of pressure medium into the actuator chamber is completely interrupted at a certain point in time. Preferably, the proportional valve in the work port may be (completely) closed as soon as a certain pressure is applied in the actuator chamber during filling. Preferably, the throttle may be controlled so that a certain, e.g., maximum, allowable pressure in the actuator chamber is not exceeded. Under certain circumstances, this may lead to the pressure of the filled actuator (to distort the membrane) being lower than the supply pressure. The dosing system may have a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in the actuator chamber.

[0079] The throttling device may be realized by a mechanical or manual throttle. Preferably, at least one input parameter is communicated to an operator of the dosing system, who may then adjust the throttle (which may also be called an expansion valve) so that a particular (target) flow is achieved through the throttle, and thus a desired plunger velocity, during the plunger's discharge movement.

[0080] Preferably, the throttle device may be realized by an electronic throttle, for example a proportional valve. Preferably, the throttle may be controlled by the control unit as a function of an input parameter, for example the actual plunger speed, so that a specific flow rate or desired pressure is achieved in the actuator chamber. Alternatively or additionally, the throttle device may be controlled so that a specific pressure in the actuator is not exceeded, particularly during filling. Particularly preferably, the throttle device may be controlled in response to at least one input parameter, for example, so that a constant, identifiable plunger speed is achieved during the discharge movement and / or the retraction movement.

[0081] Advantageously, the plunger speed can be set to a constant value during the expulsion movement during operation by a controllable throttle device, which thus represents a second alternative, or a further modification, for keeping the plunger speed constant during operation and thus further improving the dosing accuracy.

[0082] It should be pointed out that the aforementioned throttle device, which is configured to control and / or regulate the pressure in the actuator as a function of input parameters, preferably by a control and / or regulation unit of the dosing system, does not limit the above-described dosing system according to the invention, but represents an independent partial aspect of the invention. This means that dosing systems of conventional design, for example having a pneumatic actuator with a pneumatic cylinder or a fixed connection between the discharge element and the membrane, can also have such a throttle device.

[0083] In order to be able to further improve the dosing result, the dosing system may be configured to set a specific speed profile of the dispensing element during each dispensing and / or retraction movement. Dynamic control of the speed of the dispensing element is also called flank control. Preferably, the dosing system, preferably the control valve, may comprise at least one throttle device configured to control and / or adjust the pressure profile during filling of the actuator with pressure medium and / or during emptying or venting of the actuator. Preferably, the control and / or adjustment may be performed as a function of at least one input parameter.

[0084] For this purpose, the throttle device may be configured to regulate the flow rate of the fluid flowing through a local (variable) constriction of the flow cross section so that the filling process of the actuator chamber can be controlled in time. This means that the throttle makes it possible to control the pressure increase in the actuator chamber in time (temporal control of the pressure profile). Preferably, the throttle may be configured to dynamically control or adjust the flow rate during each discharge movement and / or each retraction movement of the discharge element.

[0085] Preferably, the throttling device may be controlled so that the pressure increase in the actuator chamber is dynamic or variable, i.e., the pressure in the actuator chamber does not increase constantly or linearly. The pressure in the actuator, and particularly in the actuator chamber, as a function of time (during filling or venting) is referred to herein as a pressure profile. Preferably, the throttling device may be controlled so that the speed of the plunger varies during the discharge movement, i.e., the plunger has two or more different speeds in a single discharge movement, or is accelerated to two or more different speeds. Preferably, the speed of the plunger during the entire plunger movement, i.e., from a rest position to impact in the nozzle, may be controlled and / or adjusted.

[0086] The throttle device can be realized by a controllable proportional valve. Preferably, at least one, for example, piezoelectrically actuated actuator with variable flow can be used for controlling the velocity profile of the plunger during the discharge process with as high a resolution as possible. Preferably, an electronically controllable piezoelectrically actuated actuator is part of the throttle device and can be controlled by a control unit to control the volumetric flow rate (flow rate) of the pressure medium flowing into and / or out of the actuator with virtually no delay. For example, a control valve can be configured such that the flow cross-section of the working connection of the control valve (for example, a 3 / 2-port valve or two 2 / 2-port valves) during the inflow and / or outflow of pressure medium into or from the actuator can be substantially controlled (changed) in real time by the actuator.

[0087] Alternatively, instead of a 3 / 2-way valve, the control valve can comprise two independently controllable proportional valves, whereby a throttling device is simultaneously realized. In that case, it is possible to use a first proportional valve for the (time-controlled) filling of the actuator chamber and a second proportional valve for the (time-controlled) venting of the actuator chamber, the two proportional valves being able to use the same or different holes in the actuator chamber. As a result, the pressure profile can be controlled or adjusted separately during filling and venting.

[0088] The input parameter on which the regulation depends may for example be the measurement signal of a speed sensor.

[0089] Preferably, a predeterminable speed profile of the plunger may also serve as an input parameter that may be generated and stored in the control unit, for example depending on the properties of the dosage material and / or dosage requirements. Preferably, the control unit is then able to control (adapt) the pressure during filling of the actuator as a function of the actual speed of the plunger so that the desired speed profile is achieved in the ejection process. For example, the throttle device may be controlled so that the plunger is initially accelerated by the membrane from its rest position to a very high speed (strong inflow of pressure medium into the actuator, i.e., a sudden pressure increase in the actuator chamber) to achieve shearing of the dosage material. In the second stage of the ejection movement, the plunger speed may then be reduced (reduced inflow of pressure medium into the actuator, i.e., a slower pressure increase in the actuator chamber) to achieve smooth ejection of the dosage material from the nozzle.

[0090] Advantageously, the dosing system can be controlled, in particular by a throttle device designed in this way, to control the pressure and / or time profile of the filling of the actuator. This can result in the setting of a desired speed profile of the plunger movement during each stage of the dispensing movement (also called controlling the flank). Advantageously, the dosing accuracy is thus further improved, in particular in that it may be possible to effectively compensate for external influences. For example, variations in the dosing medium that may occur due to batch dependence (viscosity), temperature dependence or age (curing process of adhesives) can be compensated for. Furthermore, slight manufacturing tolerances or wear processes can also be compensated for by controlling the flank.

[0091] As already mentioned, the throttle device can furthermore be configured or controlled to adjust the pressure and / or time profile of the emptying, also when the actuator is vented. This means that even in the retraction movement the plunger can have two or more different speeds or defined speed profiles. The adjustment can preferably be made as a function of input parameters, for example measurement data of a speed sensor, in order to achieve a predeterminable speed profile of the plunger. Advantageously, the retraction speed of the plunger can be determined such that during the retraction movement no air is sucked in through the nozzle opening of the nozzle, and the formation of air bubbles in the dosed material droplets subsequently expelled from the nozzle can be avoided.

[0092] Basically, the control and / or adjustment of the pressure profile during filling or emptying of the actuator chamber, preferably by means of a throttling device, such that the speed of the discharge element during the discharge movement and / or during the retraction movement is varied, is not limited to the above-described dosing system according to the invention, but represents an independent partial aspect of the invention. This means that even dosing systems of conventional design with pneumatic actuators, e.g. with pneumatic cylinders or fixed connections between the discharge element and the membrane, may have the aforementioned throttling device, which allows such (known) dosing systems to be operated with a desired speed profile of the plunger movement.

[0093] Preferably, the dosing system can further be configured to increase its uninterrupted service life. To this end, the actuator unit can be configured to use the pressure medium flowing from the actuator or from the actuator chamber as a cooling medium for cooling the control valve. Venting or emptying the actuator chamber is preferably performed by a vent connection of the control valve that opens into the vent area of ​​the actuator unit.

[0094] A control valve, e.g., a solenoid valve, generates increased heat during operation with an increased clock frequency, and overheating can lead to failure of the control valve. Preferably, the ventilation area is therefore formed as a cavity in the housing of the dosing system so as to surround or enclose the entire control valve from the outside. Preferably, the pressure medium can be guided past the control valve so that as much heat as possible is discharged by the pressure medium from the surface of the control valve. The pressure medium, e.g., compressed air, is hardly heated by passing through the actuator and can therefore be used as a cooling medium. The ventilation area, which may also be called a cooling area, thus forms a cooling device for the dosing system using the pressure medium. The housing may have holes for discharging the pressure medium from the ventilation area.

[0095] In particular, for effective cooling of the control valve, the pressure medium can be actively cooled to a certain temperature before entering the housing, for example by a cooling device. The control valve can thus be kept permanently below a critical operating temperature. Furthermore, regulation of the active cooling is conceivable, for example, in which the control valve is equipped with a temperature sensor and transfers a corresponding measured value to the control unit. The control unit can then control the cooling device as a function of the measured value so that it provides a correspondingly strongly cooled pressure medium in order to keep the temperature of the control valve below the critical value.

[0096] Advantageously, this cooling device can ensure that the control valve is maintained below the critical operating temperature during operation, improving the reliability of the dosing system. On the one hand, this makes it possible to operate the dosing system even at high external temperatures. On the other hand, the clock frequency of the dosing system can be increased with respect to conventional dosing systems, since even at very high clock frequencies sufficient heat energy can be expelled from the control valve.

[0097] To further improve the reliability of the dosing system, it is possible to apply a pressure in the area between the actuator membrane and the plunger seal, which pressure substantially corresponds to the cartridge pressure (the pressure of the dosing material in the dosing material cartridge). The plunger seal surrounds the plunger and is realized as part of the fluid unit of the dosing system. Preferably, the plunger seal is arranged opposite the outlet opening of the nozzle, and at the top, the plunger seal defines the nozzle chamber of the nozzle. Due to the substantially same pressure on both sides of the plunger seal, any tendency for the dosing material to be pushed through the seal during operation is counteracted. Advantageously, the life of the seal can thus be increased.

[0098] Alternatively, a negative pressure, in particular a vacuum, can be applied between the actuator membrane, preferably its underside, and the plunger seal. Advantageously, the performance of the actuator or of the dosing system can thereby be improved, since the vacuum facilitates or assists the deflection of the membrane in the direction of the nozzle. This can be particularly advantageous in the case of difficult-to-dosage media, for example with dosing materials having high viscosity.

[0099] In a method for controlling a dosing system (control method), in order to advantageously realize the above-mentioned advantageous embodiments of the dosing system during operation, the pressure of the pressure medium flowing in the housing of the dosing system or in the internal pressure tank is controlled and / or adjusted by a pressure regulator of the dosing system as a function of at least one input parameter so that the speed of the discharge element during the discharge movement, in particular when it is impinged in the nozzle, preferably corresponds to a target value. Preferably, the pressure regulator is controlled by a control unit of the dosing system.

[0100] The pressure of the pressure medium flowing into and / or out of the actuator or actuator chamber is preferably controlled and / or regulated by a throttling device of the dosing system as a function of at least one input parameter so that the speed of the discharge element corresponds to a target value during the respective discharge and / or retraction movement. During operation, the control unit of the dosing system is preferably capable of continuously receiving measured values ​​from at least one sensor, for example a speed sensor, for real-time comparison of the measured values ​​(actual values) with predefinable target values. In response to this monitoring, the throttling device is then preferably controlled so that the pressure medium flows into or out of the actuator at such a flow rate to achieve the desired plunger speed during the discharge and / or retraction movement.

[0101] Furthermore, the control unit can control the throttle device so that the speed of the discharge element is changed during a single discharge movement and / or a single retraction movement. Preferably, the discharge element can be accelerated to two or more different speeds for each single movement. Preferably, as a function of at least one input parameter, e.g., speed measurement data, the flow rate of pressure medium through the throttle device, the control unit can control so that a specific speed profile of the plunger is realized during the discharge movement and / or the retraction movement. For example, an expansion valve can be controlled so that the actuator is first filled with a first pressure for a (single) discharge movement to reach a first discharge speed, and then filled with a second, different pressure to reach a second discharge speed that may differ from the first discharge speed.

[0102] As mentioned above, expansion valves or throttles can also be used in dosing systems of conventional design, which can then be used, as mentioned above, for example to control and / or regulate the pressure of the pressure medium so that the speed of the discharge element is varied during the discharge movement and / or during the retraction movement, i.e. the control method allows the dosing system to be operated in such a way that a desired speed profile of the plunger movement is achieved, regardless of the specific connection of the discharge element to the membrane. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0103] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which identical components are given the same reference numerals in the various figures. The figures are generally not drawn to scale. They show, in schematic form:

[0104] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial view of the administration system of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a further enlarged view of the administration system of FIGS. 1 and 2. [Figure 4] 4 shows a dispensing system according to a further embodiment of the invention in cross section in a similar section to FIG. 3 . [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram of an actuator unit of a dispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram of the administration system of FIG. 1 in another functional position. [Figure 7] 1 is an illustration of a control method for a dispensing system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10A-10C are diagrams of possible velocity profiles of plunger movement, according to embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0105] A specific embodiment of a dosing system 1 according to the invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 1. The dosing system 1 is shown here in cross section in its normal position during its intended operation. In this case, the nozzle 70 is arranged in the lower region of the dosing system 1, so that droplets of medium are ejected downwards in the ejection direction RM via the nozzle 70. Therefore, insofar as the terms "bottom" and "top" are used below, these details always refer to such a normal, customary position of the dosing system 1. However, this does not exclude that the dosing system 1 can also be used in different positions and in special fields of application, and that the droplets are, for example, ejected sideways. Depending on the medium, pressure, precise configuration and control of the entire ejection system, this is also basically possible.

[0106] The dispensing system 1 comprises, as essential components, an actuator unit 10 and a fluidic unit 60 coupled thereto. The dispensing system 1 shown here further comprises a dispensing material cartridge 64 coupled to the fluidic unit 60.

[0107] In the embodiment of the dosing system 1 shown here, the actuator unit 10 and the hydraulic unit 60 are realized in the manner of a plug-in connection that can be connected to each other to form a quick coupling. Advantageously, the actuator unit 10 and the hydraulic unit 60 can thus be connected to each other without tools to form the dosing system 1. The quick coupling comprises a coupling mechanism 50 with a coupling spring 51 that keeps a sphere 52 under constant tension. The coupling spring 51 and the sphere 52 are here provided by the (first) actuator unit housing block 11a and form the first plug-in connection. This is particularly clear in Figure 2, which shows a detail of the dosing system of Figure 1 in an enlarged view.

[0108] The coupling mechanism 50 has several spherical carrots 54 (only one is shown in FIG. 2 ) in which the spheres 52 can engage for coupling. The spherical carrots 54 are arranged in the second plug-in couplings 53 of the fluidic unit 60, which is provided by the (second) fluidic unit housing block 11 b. For coupling, the first plug-in coupling (actuator unit 10) and the second plug-in coupling (fluidic unit 60) can be plugged into each other along a (virtual) plug-in axis and thereby coupled to each other. For example, the fluidic unit 60 can be plugged into the actuator unit 10 in the direction RM ( FIG. 1 ) and coupled to the actuator unit 10 in a suitable rotational position.

[0109] The sphere calotte 54 is arranged in the second plug-in coupling 53 of the fluidic unit 60 such that different latching positions are possible, i.e. different rotational positions of the fluidic unit 60 about the plug-in axis. The spring-loaded spheres 52 of the plug-in coupling 53 engage in one of several possible latching positions to form the dosing system 1.

[0110] The dosing system 1 thus here comprises a housing 11 having the two housing parts (housing blocks) 11a and 11b mentioned above.

[0111] However, it should be noted that the respective assemblies 10, 60 may further be rigidly connected to one another, for example by means of fixing screws, to form the housing 11.

[0112] As can be seen in Figure 1, the actuator unit 10 comprises substantially all components that provide actuation or movement of the discharge element 80, here the plunger 80, within the nozzle 70, as described below, i.e., for example, a pneumatic actuator 12 for actuating the discharge element 80 of the fluid unit 60, a control valve 20, a control unit (not shown in Figures 1 and 2) for controlling the pneumatic actuator 12 and similar components.

[0113] The fluidic unit 60 comprises, in addition to the nozzle 70 and the supply line 62 for the medium to the nozzle 70, all other parts in direct contact with the medium and the components necessary to assemble the associated parts in contact with the medium together or to maintain their position on the fluidic unit 60. Additionally, the fluidic unit 60 also comprises means for returning the dispensing element 80 to a rest or starting position after dispensing of the dosage material, as will be explained below.

[0114] The basic structure of the delivery system is known, so for the sake of clarity, mainly those components that at least indirectly affect the present invention are shown here.

[0115] In the embodiment shown here (Figures 1 and 2) of the dosing system 1, the actuator unit 10 comprises a pneumatic actuator 12 which, as mentioned above, can be pressurized by a pressure medium, in this case preferably compressed air. Actuator It should be noted that actuator 12, and its coupling to the ejection element, are shown only diagrammatically. In particular, membrane 13 of actuator 12 is shown only diagrammatically, i.e., not in the actual position or configuration that membrane 13 actually has during operation during deflection or retraction. This is described below with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0116] The pneumatic actuator 12 (FIG. 1) is coupled to the fluidic unit 60 in such a way that a plunger 80 is driven under the control of the pneumatic actuator 12 so that the medium to be dispensed from the fluidic unit 60 is expelled at the desired time and in the desired amount. In the case shown here, the plunger 80 currently closes the nozzle opening 72 and thus also acts as a closure element 80. However, since the majority of the medium has already been expelled from the nozzle opening 72 when the plunger 80 is moved in the expelling direction RA (see FIG. 2), it is referred to herein as the expelling element 80. The coupling between the pneumatic actuator 12 and the plunger 80 will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 3.

[0117] The pneumatic actuator 12 is arranged in the actuator unit 10 in close proximity to a control valve 20 for controlling the actuator 12. The control valve 20, e.g. a pneumatic 3 / 2-way valve, is configured to supply pressure medium, e.g. compressed chamber air, to the actuator 12 and / or discharge pressure medium from the actuator 12. For this purpose, the actuator 12 is arranged in the actuator unit 10 in such a way that the bore 17 of the actuator 12 interacts with and is spatially connected to the working connection 23 of the control valve 20. This becomes particularly clear in FIG. 2.

[0118] The control valve 20 further comprises a compressed air connection 22 and a ventilation connection 24 which interact with or are connected to the working connection 23 depending on the control or switching position of the control valve 20. The control valve 20 is coupled to a circuit board 42 of the dosing system by a connecting cable 21 and can further be controlled (e.g. electronically) by a control unit of the dosing system 1 (see Figure 1).

[0119] It can be seen in Figure 2 that the control valve 20 is arranged in the actuator unit 10 in such a way that the compressed air connection 22 interacts with or is connected to a hole 25 (here, top left), the hole 25 and the compressed air connection 22 having substantially the same diameter. The hole 25 is realized here as a discharge opening 25 of an internal pressure reservoir 32 (hereinafter also referred to as pressure tank 32) of the dosing system 1. Pressure medium can be supplied via this hole 25 to the control valve 20 (via the compressed air connection 22) and thus later also to the actuator 12 (via the work connection 23 and the hole 17).

[0120] The pressure tank 32 is here directly adjacent to the control valve 20. Therefore, other than the hole 25, no connecting line between the pressure tank 32 and the control valve 20 is required, so that line losses in the printing medium can be largely prevented. The pressure tank 32 extends within the housing block 11a between the discharge opening 25 and a pressure medium supply device 30, which has a connection point 31 (see FIG. 1) for an external pressure medium supply (not shown) and represents a cavity or chamber within the dosing system 1. Pressure medium having a certain pressure in the direction RD can be supplied to the pressure reservoir 32 by the pressure medium supply device 30. In addition to what is shown here, the external pressure medium supply line can further be equipped with a controllable pressure regulator, as will be explained with reference to FIG. 7.

[0121] The pressure tank 32 is configured in particular in cooperation with the pressure supply device 30 and the pressure regulator to supply the pressure medium DK with a certain pressure during operation (see FIG. 6). The pressure of the pressure medium in the pressure tank 32 corresponds to the supply pressure of the actuator 12.

[0122] The pressure tank 32 here comprises a pressure sensor 33 for measuring the pressure of the pressure medium in the pressure tank 32 (see FIG. 1 ). The pressure sensor 33 is here arranged on a circuit board 42 of the dosing system 1. The circuit board 42 may comprise or be coupled to various other electronic components, for example a temperature sensor 48 or a heating device or heating element 47. The circuit board 42 is connected to a connection device 40 which comprises connection points 41 for a connection cable of a control unit (not shown). On the one hand, measurement signals of the pressure sensor 33 or further sensors of the control unit of the dosing system 1 can be supplied by means of the connection points 41, for example a socket. On the other hand, the control unit can access various electrical components of the dosing system 1 by means of the connection device 40 and thus control, for example, the heating device 47. Furthermore, the control unit can also control the control valve 20 by means of the connection device 40, the circuit board 42 and the connection cable 21.

[0123] 1 further shows that the control valve 20 comprises a vent connection 24 which interacts with or is connected to a hole 26 (here, top right) in a vent area 34 of the administration system 1, the hole 26 and the vent connection 24 having substantially the same diameter. By means of the vent connection 24 and the hole 26, pressure medium can be expelled from the actuator 12 and advantageously still be used to cool the control valve 20. The vent area 34 will be described below with reference to FIG. 6.

[0124] The control valve 20 can be controlled by the control unit of the dosing system 1 in order to operate the pneumatic actuator 12 in the desired manner. The control valve 20 (hereinafter also referred to as "pneumatic valve") shown in Figure 1, for example a pneumatic 3 / 2-way solenoid valve in its normal position, can be open ("fill" position). Thus, in the normal position of the pneumatic valve 20, pressure medium is fed to the working connection 23 from the pressure reservoir 32 via the compressed air connection 22 arranged in the pneumatic valve 20 and the flow path 27 (shown here by dashed lines). In this first switching position of the control valve 20, the pressure medium flows at the pressure in the actuator chamber of the actuator 12 (supply pressure), which prevails in the pressure reservoir 32, so that the plunger 80 moves downward in the discharge direction of the plunger 80 and a drop of dosing material is expelled from the nozzle 70.

[0125] This means that in the normal position (first switching position) of the pneumatic valve 20, the actuator 12 is under a certain pressure and the plunger tip 82 of the plunger 80 abuts against the sealing seat 73 of the nozzle 70, i.e. the nozzle 70 or the dispensing system 1 is closed (see FIG. 2). However, it may differ from what is shown here in that the plunger tip 82 in the normal position of the solenoid valve 20, and therefore at maximum deformation of the membrane, does not impinge completely in the nozzle 70, but the discharge movement of the plunger 80 is stopped short of the nozzle 70, i.e. away from the nozzle 70.

[0126] 2, the actuator 12 is filled with a pressure applied directly before the control valve 20, i.e. the supply pressure of the actuator 12 also corresponds to the actuator filling pressure. However, it is basically also possible to fill the actuator 12 with a pressure lower than the supply pressure and / or with a dynamic pressure profile. Thus, for example, a specific speed profile of the ejection movement of the plunger 80 can be realized. To achieve this, the dosing system 1, for example the solenoid valve 20, can be supplemented by one or more controllable actuators with variable throughput, for example piezoelectrically driven actuators. Such actuators can, for example, be arranged in the region of the working connection 23 (not shown).

[0127] To return the actuator 12 to its rest position after dispensing the dosage material, the pneumatic valve 20 can be switched by the control unit so that the working connection 23 is connected to the vent connection 24 (second switching position) by means of an internal flow path 27' of the solenoid valve 20 (see Figure 6). The pressure medium then flows into the vent area of ​​the actuator unit 10. This will be explained below with reference to Figure 6.

[0128] The rest position of the actuator 12 occurs when the membrane 13 and the discharge element 80 are in the rest position, as previously described. The membrane 13 of the actuator 12, which is not currently pressurized by the pressure medium, returns to its rest position due to its residual stresses. 72 The plunger head 81 of the plunger 80 is urged upwards by a return spring 84 towards the control valve 20 to return the plunger 80 to its rest position so that the valve 20 is released. The exact operation of the actuator 12 will be described below with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0129] It is particularly clear from FIG. 2 that the hydraulic unit 60 of the dosing system 1 comprises a second housing part 11b and is connected to the actuator unit 10 or its housing part 11a by a quick coupling, as described above, to form the housing 11 here. The hydraulic unit 60 comprises a plunger 80 that directly abuts a contact surface 86 of a plunger head 81 on the side (underside) of the membrane 13 of the actuator 12 that faces the plunger 80. The plunger 80 here is one-piece, i.e., formed in one piece, as is generally preferred in dosing systems. To be coupled to the actuator unit 10 (only partially shown), the plunger 80, in particular the plunger head 81, is pressed axially upwards against the membrane 13 by a spring 84. The return spring 84 abuts a plunger bearing 83, which is connected downwards to a plunger seal 85. In the case shown here (FIG. 2), the (schematically shown) membrane 13 of the actuator 12 is pressurized by a pressure medium (actuator 12 working position), so that the plunger tip 82 abuts against the sealing seat 73 of the nozzle 70 .

[0130] When the actuator 12 is disposed in a rest position other than that shown, i.e., when the membrane 13 of the actuator 12 is not pressurized or distorted, the plunger tip 82 is pushed away from the sealing seat 73 of the nozzle 70 by the return spring 84. The plunger tip 82 is then disposed at any position from the sealing seat 73 of the nozzle 70, so that the nozzle opening 72 is in an open or unlocked state.

[0131] The dosage material is supplied to the nozzle 70 via its nozzle chamber 71, to which a supply channel 62 leads (see FIG. 2). The supply channel 62 is here embedded in the fluid body 61. The supply channel 62 is on the other hand connected to a dosage material cartridge 64. The supply channel 62 is closed to the outside by a tightening screw 65. The dosage material cartridge 64 is reversibly fastened to the housing 11 in the region of the connection point 63. Furthermore, the cartridge 64 is here fastened to the actuator unit 10 by a fixing element 45 (see FIG. 1).

[0132] To heat the dispensed material in the region of the nozzle 70 to a specific processing temperature, the dispensed system 1 comprises at least one heating device 47, for example one or more heating plates 47 or heating foils 47. This becomes particularly clear in the enlarged view in FIG. 2. The heating device 47 can be controlled by a control unit. The heating device 47 is here integrated into the actuator unit 10 and first heats the coupling of the actuator 10, and thus, for example, the coupling mechanism 50. As soon as the plug-in coupling 53 of the fluidic unit 60 is inserted into the coupling of the actuator unit 10, the plug-in coupling 53, and in particular the dispensed material in the nozzle 70, is heated to a specific temperature. The plug-in coupling 53 is designed to provide the best possible heat conduction in the direction of the nozzle 70. The fluidic unit 60 here does not comprise a separate heating device and can therefore be easily handled or disassembled even during operation.

[0133] In order to protect the pneumatic actuator 12, and in particular the control valve 20, from overheating, substantial thermal decoupling of the heating device 47 is provided by the pneumatic actuator 12 in the dosing system 1. When the dosing system is assembled as intended, i.e., when the fluidic unit 60 and the actuator unit 10 are coupled together as shown in Figure 2, the dosing system 1 comprises a number of gas-filled cavities 46, 46'. The cavities 46, 46' are used for thermal decoupling of the pneumatic actuator 12 from the fluidic unit 60. Heat transfer from the heating device 47 in the direction of the actuator unit 10 and the control valve 20 can be effectively prevented by these cavities 46, 46'.

[0134] Figure 3 shows a further enlarged view of the dosing system 1 according to Figures 1 and 2. However, the dosing system 1 is now shown at a different stage of the dosing process. As mentioned above, Figures 1 and 2 show the dosing system 1 during the process of ejection of the dosing material from the nozzle. The nozzle 70 of the dosing system in this case is closed by the plunger 80 (Figures 1 and 2). In contrast, Figure 3 shows the pneumatic actuator 12 in a rest position, i.e. the membrane 13 of the actuator 12 is not distorted and the ejection element 80 is located in a rest position. In the pneumatic actuator 12 according to Figure 3, the nozzle 70 is therefore not closed by the ejection element 80.

[0135] The pneumatic actuator 12 of Fig. 3 is in direct operating contact with the working connection 23 of the pneumatic valve 20 by means of a hole 17. As mentioned above, the actuator 12 here comprises a rigid actuator body 14 formed by two components 14a, 14b. The two components 14a, 14b are preferably arranged stationary relative to one another so that they form a cavity in cross section between them. In contrast, the two components 14a, 14b rest directly against one another within the outer region of each component 14a, 14b and are detachably pressed against one another therein, so that the membrane 13 can be replaced if necessary.

[0136] As mentioned above, the (drive) membrane 13 is sealed between two rigid base parts 14a, 14b to form the actuator chamber 16 of the actuator 12. It is clear here that the actuator 12 for moving the plunger 80 comprises only a single membrane 13. The membrane 13 is shown here in a rest position and is curved upward in a central region where the ejection element 80 abuts against it. The spring 84 and the ejection element 80 here press the membrane 13 against its upper actuator base 14a, against which the membrane 13 abuts at least in several regions. The actuator base 14a here thus limits the upward stroke or deflection of the membrane 13. However, it is also conceivable that the actuator 12 is formed in such a way that the membrane abuts against the upper actuator base 14a at least partially, for example, in a predominantly horizontal rest position with the actuator base 14a having an extension pointing towards the membrane 13 or a bulge (not shown) in the region of the plunger head 81.

[0137] Although this is not apparent in the cross-sectional view according to Figure 3, the membrane 13 preferably has a circular bottom and is completely hermetically bonded in its circumferential edge region to the two base components 14a, 14b of the rigid base 14. For this purpose, the membrane 13 is pressed from below in its edge region onto the upper base component 14a by the lower base component 14b. For sealing, a sealing ring 15, e.g., an O-ring 15, is arranged between the membrane 13 and the upper component 14a.

[0138] As mentioned above, the actuator chamber 16 of the actuator 12 is here formed between the side (upper side) of the membrane 13 facing away from the ejection element 80 and the rigid upper actuator base part 14a, here. The actuator chamber 16 can be filled by means of holes 17 with a pressure medium to deflect the membrane 13 downwards from the rest position shown here. This is again shown schematically below with reference to Figure 4.

[0139] The plunger head 81 is pressed by a spring 84 against the underside 19 of the membrane 13 in order to couple the discharge element 80 to the actuator unit. The return spring 84 is configured to exert such a (spring) force on the plunger 80 that it is held in direct working contact with the underside 19 also in the rest position of the actuator 12. In the case shown, the plunger 80 pushes the membrane 13 (at least in the central region of the membrane 13) upwards beyond its horizontal rest position, the deflection being limited by the element 14a.

[0140] Figure 4 shows a section of a dosing system shown in section according to a further embodiment. The difference with respect to the dosing systems shown so far (Figures 1 to 3) is that the pneumatic actuator 12 here further comprises a sensor 18 for determining the speed of movement of the discharge element 80.

[0141] The sensor 18 is here arranged in the upper actuator base part 14a so that it is arranged together with the plunger 80 on an imaginary vertical line (corresponding to the longitudinal extent of the plunger 80). The sensor 18 and the plunger head 81 are located directly opposite each other on respective different sides of the membrane 13. To measure the speed of the plunger 80 during each phase of the ejection and / or retraction movement, the sensor 18 may comprise a position sensor 18 for detecting the distance between the sensor 18 and the plunger head 81 as a function of time. For example, the sensor 18 may be a Hall sensor in which the plunger head 81 is equipped with a magnet (not shown). The sensor 18 is coupled to a control unit (not shown here) of the administration system 1 for transferring the measurement data.

[0142] Furthermore, the deformation of the membrane 13 to dispense the dosage material is evident in the detailed view of Figure 4. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the actuator 12 is also shown here in the operating position, which means that the upper side of the membrane 13 is now pressurized by the pressure medium. As can be seen, the membrane 13 is not uniformly deflected downwards in the direction of the plunger 80 due to the pressure applied. Rather, there are areas of the membrane 13 that are displaced downwards to a greater extent, and other areas that show little change in position.

[0143] By design, the edge region of the membrane 13, where the membrane 13 is bonded to the actuator base 14, is hardly deflected. Furthermore, the region of the membrane 13 that abuts the plunger head 81 is deflected relatively little. This is because the plunger 80 is pressed against the underside 19 of the membrane 13 by the spring 84. The spring 84 thus sets the deflection of the membrane 13 for a specific force. However, the spring 84 is configured such that the membrane 13 overcomes the spring force of the spring 84 during deflection and deflects the plunger 80 to dispense the desired amount of dosage material towards the nozzle.

[0144] In contrast, the central region of the membrane 13, shown in cross section and located between the plunger head 81 and the edge region of the membrane 13, is subjected to a relatively strong downward strain, and the membrane 13 is thus deformed during strain as a virtual "wave".

[0145] 5 further illustrates, in a general schematic manner, the structure and control of an actuator unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The actuator unit 10 includes an internal pressure reservoir 32 that holds pressure medium at a specific supply pressure. The pressure medium is supplied to a control valve 20 in a flow direction RD. The control valve 20 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) to cause the pressure medium to flow in a direction RD' into the actuator chamber 16 of the pneumatic actuator 12. Depending on the configuration of the actuator unit 10, an optional throttling device (not shown) can be controlled to fill the actuator chamber 16 with pressure medium at the supply pressure or at an actuator filling pressure deviating therefrom.

[0146] Upon application of pressure by the pressure medium, the membrane 13 and thus also the discharge element 80 are deflected downwards in the direction RA in order to dispense the dosage material.

[0147] In a next step, the control valve 20 is controlled by the control unit so that the actuator chamber 16 is vented immediately after dispensing the dosage material. The pressure medium leaves the actuator chamber 16 in flow direction RD" and flows into the control valve 20 before it leaves it in flow direction RD'". The pressure reduction in the actuator chamber 16 causes the membrane 13 to return to its rest position. The discharge element 80 immediately or simultaneously follows the movement of the membrane 13 and, if necessary, also assists the movement of the membrane 13, and is returned to its rest position by the spring 84. The cycle of dispensing dosage material is completed.

[0148] Figure 6 shows the dosing system of Figures 1 to 3 during venting of the pneumatic actuator. The control valve 20 is now controlled by a control unit (not shown) so that the working connection 23 interacts with the vent connection 24. For this purpose, the control valve 20 is moved to its second switching position so that inside the control valve 20, a channel 27' (shown here with a dashed line) connects the two connections 23, 24. The pressure medium leaves the actuator 12 via the bore 17 and is passed via the channel 27' to the vent connection 24 and finally into the vent area 34. The plunger 80 is pushed by the spring 84 upwards in the direction of the actuator unit 10 and away from the nozzle 70, so that the plunger tip 82 and the sealing seat 73 A small gap is formed between the membrane 13 and the actuator chamber 14 (not shown). The membrane 13 is shown here in a horizontal "middle position", i.e. the membrane has now returned to its rest position due to venting of the actuator chamber.

[0149] The vent area 34 represents a cavity or chamber within the housing of the actuator unit 10. In this illustration, the chamber of the vent area 34 is filled with the inlet pressure medium DE. The pressure medium has a low pressure within the vent area 34, which is the actuator supply pressure, and is therefore referred to as inflation pressure medium DE. On the one hand, the vent area 34 is directly adjacent to the control valve 20 by means of the holes 26, and on the other hand, it has holes on the outside of the dosing system (not shown). As shown here, the vent area 34 surrounds a substantial part of the control valve 20 from the outside.

[0150] The vent area 34 is separated spatially and in terms of control technology, in particular from the pressure tank 32 of the actuator unit 10. The pressure tank 32 is here filled with compressed pressure medium DK, and the chamber forming the pressure tank 32 is covered by the pressure medium DK.

[0151] The pressure medium flowing in the vent area 34 can be guided beyond the control valve, for example by a flow directing element, in order to remove as much heat as possible from the surfaces of the control valve 20. The pressure medium, for example compressed air, is barely heated by passing through the actuator 12 and can therefore be used as a cooling medium. Due in particular to the relatively large volume of the vent area 34 relative to the actuator chamber, the pressure of the pressure medium in the vent area 34 may be significantly lower than in, for example, the pressure reservoir 32 and / or in the actuator chamber.

[0152] 7 shows a schematic diagram of a control method for a dosing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The dosing system 1 here comprises its housing 11 in which the actuator unit 10 and the essential components of the fluidic unit are enclosed. The dosing system 1 further comprises a control unit 43 with several connecting cables 44 for separately controlling each component of the dosing system 1.

[0153] The control unit 43 is in turn coupled to a pressure regulator 35 in order to control and / or regulate the pressure of the pressure medium flowing in the internal pressure tank 32. The pressure regulator 35 is coupled to a pressure medium supply 37 and is here arranged outside the housing 11 of the dosing system 1, for example as a component of the actuator 10. An external pressure reservoir 36 is optionally arranged here between the pressure regulator 35 and the internal pressure tank 32. The pressure regulator 35 may be controlled by the control unit 43, preferably as a function of an input parameter, for example the plunger speed, so that a certain pressure is present in the external pressure tank 36 or in the internal pressure tank 32 in order to achieve a constant plunger speed during the expulsion process.

[0154] To control the actuator 12, the control unit 43 is on the other hand able to control the control valve 20 to fill (with pressure medium from the internal pressure tank 32) or vent (by means of the pressure medium outlet DA) the actuator chamber of the actuator 12. The actuator 12 of the dosing system 1 is coupled to a sensor 18, e.g. a position sensor 18, the measurement data of which are transmitted to the control unit 43 as input parameters.

[0155] The control unit 43 processes these and further input parameters, for example from a pressure sensor in the internal pressure tank 32, and can be used to control and / or adjust ("flank control") the plunger speed or the plunger speed profile. Depending on the measured values, the control unit 43 controls the pressure regulator 35 so that a certain target pressure of the pressure medium (supply pressure) is present in the internal pressure tank 32, for example to achieve a constant plunger speed.

[0156] Alternatively, or in addition, the control unit 43 may control the throttle device 28 to regulate the flow of pressure medium, for example using a piezoelectric actuator 28, here in the area of ​​the control valve 20, as a function of input parameters to achieve a particular plunger speed or a desired speed profile during the discharge and / or retraction movements of the plunger 80.

[0157] The control unit 43 is further capable of controlling the heating device 47 of the dosing system 1 to heat the dosing material in the nozzle 70 to a desired temperature. The control unit 43 may preferably control and / or adjust the heating device 47 as a function of a temperature measurement determined by the temperature sensor 48.

[0158] The control unit 43 also has access to a second pressure regulator 35 ′ which controls the pressure of the pressure medium within the dosage material cartridge 64 (cartridge pressure).

[0159] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of a possible velocity profile of the plunger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control of the velocity profile is also called flank control. The relative position PS of the plunger tip is shown with respect to the relative time t of the ejection process. The position PD of the sealing seat of the nozzle in the dosing system is shown here by a dashed line.

[0160] The plunger is in a rest position before the start of the dispensing process, at time T1, which means that the nozzle of the dispensing system is in an unlocked state, since the tip of the plunger has the maximum possible distance from the nozzle.

[0161] At time T2, the actuator is filled with pressure medium at high pressure, which leads to a high ejection speed of the plunger. For example, the piezoelectric actuator may be fully opened for this purpose to allow the maximum possible air flow.

[0162] At time T3, for example, the plunger's ejection speed is reduced shortly before the plunger tip impacts in the nozzle's sealing seat. For example, the speed of the air flowing through the pneumatic actuator is reduced. Thus, the plunger tip impacts in the nozzle's sealing seat at a lower speed at time T4, which may improve the dosing accuracy of a particular dosing material.

[0163] For completeness' sake only, it should be noted that such flank control is of course also possible for the rearward movement of the plunger.

[0164] Finally, it is pointed out once again that the dosing system described in detail above is merely an embodiment that can be modified in various ways by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the dosing system may be equipped with additional sensors for measuring appropriate operating parameters, for example, a sensor for determining the temperature of the control valve. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude that there may also be a plurality of said features. [Explanation of symbols]

[0165] 1. Administration System 10 Actuator Unit 11. Housing 11a, 11b Housing block / housing components 12 Actuators 13 membrane 14 Actuator base 14a, 14b Actuator base components 15 Actuator seal ring 16 Actuator Chamber 17 Actuator chamber hole 18 Sensors 19 Underside of membrane 20 Control Valve 21 Control valve connection cable 22 Compressed air connection 23 Working connection 24 Ventilation connection 25 Pressure tank discharge opening / hole 26 Ventilation area holes 27, 27' channel 28 Throttle device 30 Pressure medium supply device 31 Connection point 32 Pressure Reservoir 33 Pressure Sensor 34 Ventilation Area / Cooling Device 35, 35' Pressure Regulator 36 External Pressure Reservoir 37 Pressure medium supply section 40 Connection 41 Connection point for connecting cable 42 Circuit Board 43 Control Unit 44 Control unit connection cable 45 Fixed Elements 46, 46' cavity 47 Heating device 48 Temperature Sensor 50 Coupling mechanism 51 Connecting spring 52 balls 53 Plug-in joint 54 Spherical Carrot 60 fluid units 61 Fluid Body 62 Supply route 63 Media Cartridge Connection Point 64 Media Cartridges 65 Clamping screw 70 nozzles 71 Nozzle Chamber 72 Exit opening 73 Sealing seat 80 Dispensing Element / Plunger 81 Plunger head 82 Plunger tip 83 Plunger bearing 84 Plunger spring 85 Plunger seal 86 Contact surface DE Expanded pressure medium DK Compressed pressure medium DA Pressure medium outlet PD Sealing Seat Position PS Plunger tip position RA Plunger discharge direction RD, RD', RD'', RD''' Flow direction pressure medium RM Discharge direction of dispensed material t Discharge movement time Time points T1, T2, T3, and T4

Claims

1. 1. A dosing system (1) for dosing a dosing material, the dosing system (1) comprising a housing (11) with a nozzle (70) and a supply channel (62) for dosing the material, a discharge element (80) movably mounted within the housing (11), and an actuator unit (10) coupled to the discharge element (80), the actuator unit (10) comprising an actuator (12) having a membrane (13) that can be pressurized by a pressure medium to move the discharge element (80) in a discharge direction (RA), and the housing (11) of the dosing system (1) comprising a reservoir (32) for the pressure medium.

2. A dosing system (1) as described in claim 1, wherein the reservoir (32) is directly adjacent to a control valve (20) of the actuator unit (10) for controlling the actuator (12).

3. 3. A dispensing system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one pressure sensor (33) is arranged in the reservoir (32).

4. The dosing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the actuator unit (10) is configured to use the pressure medium flowing out of the actuator chamber (16) of the actuator (12) as a cooling medium for cooling the control valve (20).

5. The dosing system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dosing system (1) comprises at least one sensor (18) for measuring the speed of movement of the discharge element (80).

6. 6. The dosing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dosing system (1) comprises at least one pressure regulator (35) for controlling and / or regulating the pressure of the pressure medium as a function of input parameters by a control and / or regulation unit (43) of the dosing system (1).

7. A dosing system (1) for dosing a dosing material according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control valve (20) of the dosing system (1) for controlling the actuator (12) comprises at least one throttle device (28) configured to control and / or regulate the pressure in the actuator (12) as a function of an input parameter by means of a control and / or regulation unit (43) of the dosing system (1).

8. A dosing system (1) for dosing a dosing material according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control valve (20) of the dosing system (1) for controlling the actuator (12) comprises at least one throttling device (28) configured to control and / or adjust the pressure profile during filling of the actuator (12) and / or during emptying of the actuator (12).

9. The dosing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the dosing system (1) is configured such that a pressure corresponding to the cartridge pressure is maintained in the area between the membrane (13) and the plunger seal (85), and / or the dosing system (1) is configured such that a negative pressure is maintained in the area between the underside of the membrane (13) and the plunger seal (85).

10. A dosing system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the membrane (13) is disc-shaped.

11. A dosing system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the membrane (13) does not have a cavity.

12. A method of controlling a dosing system (1) for dosing a dosing material according to claim 1, said dosing system (1) having a housing (11) with a nozzle (70) and a supply line (62) for dosing the material, a dispensing element (80) movably mounted within said housing (11), and an actuator unit (10) coupled to said dispensing element (80); a membrane (13) of an actuator (12) of the actuator unit (10) is pressurized by a pressure medium delivered from a reservoir (32) provided in the housing (11) in order to move the discharge element (80) in a discharge direction (RA); A method for controlling a dosing system (1) for dosing a dosing material.

13. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the pressure of the pressure medium is controlled and / or regulated as a function of an input parameter such that the velocity of the discharge element (80) corresponds to a target value during the discharge movement.

14. 14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the pressure of the pressure medium flowing into the actuator (12) and / or the pressure of the pressure medium flowing out of the actuator (12) is controlled and / or regulated as a function of input parameters so that the speed of the discharge element (80) corresponds to a target value during the discharge movement and / or the retraction movement.

15. 15. A method for controlling a dosing system (1) for dosing a dosing material according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein a throttle device (28) of the dosing system (1) is controlled by a control and / or regulating unit (43) of the dosing system (1) so that the speed of the dispensing element (80) is varied during the dispensing movement and / or during the retraction movement.

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