Method and application device for applying a filling material into a cavity

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for applying a fluid filling material to the cavity (1) of a component (2), in particular the battery module (2) of an electric battery, specifically for filling the cavities in the battery module (2), which includes the following steps: - transfer of the filler material to an applicator (3) at a predetermined flow rate (Q) by means of at least one dosing device (6, 7), - injection of the filler material into the cavity (1) of the component (2) via the applicator (3), where a certain injection pressure (p) is created and - measurement of injection pressure (p) via a pressure sensor (9), The invention also envisages the following steps: - Determination of the first pressure increase of the injection pressure (p), where the first pressure increase occurs preferably as a result of the injection front of the filling material hitting the walls in the void (1) and being subjected to a corresponding counter-pressure from the walls of the void (1), where the walls of the void (1) are preferably flexible and - reduction of the flow rate (Q) of the dosing device (6, 7) at a first pass point during the first increase of the injection pressure (p). In addition, the invention also includes an application device for this. (Figure 1)

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a method for applying a fluid filling material into a cavity of a component, in particular in a battery module of an electric battery, especially for gap filling in a battery module. The invention further relates to a corresponding application device. Background of the invention

[0002] In the production of battery modules for electric vehicles, thermally conductive filler materials are used to fill cavities within the modules and to thermally couple the battery cells to the module's housing. These filler materials are typically "gap fillers" or "thermal interface materials" (TIMs), which are generally highly viscous, densely packed with solids, highly abrasive, and therefore have a high density and consequently high weight.

[0003] From DE 10 2019 109 208 B3 an application device and a corresponding application method are known which make it possible to insert such a filling material into a cavity of a battery module.

[0004] A disadvantage of this known state of the art is the fact that when an injection process is completed, the filling material can ooze out of the battery module, which is undesirable.

[0005] For the technical background of the invention, reference should also be made to JP 2003-208 888 A, DE 10 2021 118 644 A1, WO 2020 / 207872 A1, DE 10 2019 132 395 A1 and WO 2014 / 127 277 A1.

[0006] Finally, DE 10 2020 107 399 A1 discloses a method according to the preamble of claim 1. However, this known method does not solve the aforementioned problems. Description of the invention

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the objective of preventing the filling material from oozing out at the end of the injection process when filling cavities in battery modules.

[0008] This problem is solved by a method according to the invention or a corresponding application device according to the independent claims.

[0009] The method according to the invention is generally used for applying a fluid filling material into a cavity of a component. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the component is a battery module of an electric battery. However, the invention is not limited to a battery module with regard to the component, but is also suitable for filling cavities in other components.

[0010] Regarding the injectable filler material, it should be noted that it is preferably a thermally conductive filler material, such as "gap fillers" or "thermal interface materials" (TIMs), and therefore their composition does not require further description. However, the invention is not limited to such thermally conductive filler materials. For example, the filler material could also be a viscous material, such as an insulating material, a sealant, or an adhesive, to name just a few.

[0011] The inventive method initially provides, in accordance with the known application method described at the outset, that the filling material is conveyed to an applicator by at least one metering device with a predetermined conveying flow.

[0012] The term "meter" used in the context of the invention preferably means that the flow rate at the meter's outlet is independent of the pressure conditions between the meter's inlet and outlet. This is to be distinguished from conventional pumps, which also deliver a flow rate, but this flow rate depends on the pressure conditions at the pump's outlet. However, the invention is not limited, with regard to the design and operation of the meter, to the meter described above in the narrower sense, according to the usual meaning in technical terminology. The term "meter" used in the context of the invention can therefore also include conventional pumps.

[0013] Furthermore, the inventive method, in accordance with the known method described at the outset, provides that the applicator injects the filling material into the cavity of the component, whereby a specific injection pressure is established.

[0014] Furthermore, the inventive method also provides, in accordance with the prior art, that the injection pressure of the filling material is measured by a pressure sensor.

[0015] However, in the context of the invention, pressure measurement serves a different technical purpose than in the prior art described above. The invention is based on the technical and physical insight that the disruptive oozing of the filling material from the battery module at the end of an injection process results from the fact that the walls of the cavity are elastic and are easily deformed during the injection process due to the injection pressure. At the end of an injection process, switching off the injection pressure then causes the elastic walls of the cavity to be relieved of the pressure and return to their original position, which leads to the disruptive ejection of the filling material from the cavity.

[0016] The method according to the invention therefore provides that the pressure increase of the injection pressure is determined during an injection process. This pressure increase is based on the fact that an injection front of the filling material in the cavity strikes the walls of the cavity and experiences a corresponding counter-pressure from the cavity walls. The pressure increase is measured by the aforementioned pressure sensor. At a certain pressure increase of the injection pressure, a switching point is provided at which the feed rate of the metering device is reduced. Thus, at the beginning of an injection process, the cavity is initially filled with the filling material using a high feed rate. The injection pressure then rises sharply at first and then drops slightly after reaching a maximum value. The injection pressure then rises again when the injection front of the filling material in the cavity strikes the walls of the cavity.At this point, the flow rate is switched to a smaller flow rate.

[0017] Regarding the concept of a pressure increase used in the context of the invention, it should be noted that the respective pressure increase does not necessarily lead to a global maximum. Rather, it is also possible that the respective pressure increase leads only to a local maximum.

[0018] The reduction of the flow rate at the first switching point can be achieved, for example, by an absolute reduction value or by a percentage reduction value, whereby the reduction value can optionally also take into account the geometric properties of the cavity (e.g., shape, volume). Furthermore, the reduction value can optionally depend on the viscosity of the filling material.

[0019] When determining the timing of the first switchover point for reducing the flow rate, it is preferably not the injection pressure itself that is evaluated, but rather the rate of change of the injection pressure. The first switchover point for reducing the flow rate is then set at a time when the rate of change of the measured injection pressure exceeds a certain first limit value, where the first limit value is preferably positive, but can also be zero or negative.

[0020] Following the reduction in flow rate at the first switching point, as described above, the flow rate and injection pressure initially remain largely constant. Only immediately before the cavity is completely filled does the injection pressure increase again. At this point, a second switching point is provided, at which the metering unit's flow rate is further reduced.

[0021] To determine the timing of the second switching point, the temporal slope of the measured injection pressure is preferably evaluated again, i.e., the second switching point is determined depending on the temporal slope of the measured injection pressure.

[0022] Preferably, the second switching point is set at a time when the time-dependent slope of the measured injection pressure becomes positive or exceeds a predetermined second limit value. The second limit value can optionally be positive, zero, or negative. Furthermore, the invention allows for the two limit values ​​for the time-dependent slope of the injection pressure to be the same. Alternatively, the two limit values ​​for the time-dependent slope of the injection pressure can be different at the first and second switching points.

[0023] As mentioned above, the flow rate is further reduced at the second switching point to prevent overfilling of the cavity with the filling material. For example, the flow rate can be reduced to zero at the second switching point. However, in a preferred embodiment, the flow rate is first reduced to a negative flow rate at the second switching point to quickly lower the injection pressure to zero. Only then is the flow rate reduced to zero.

[0024] It should also be mentioned that the filling material can be mixed from several components using a mixer, with the pressure sensor measuring the injection pressure at the mixer's outlet. However, the invention also allows for the possibility of providing multiple pressure sensors that measure the injection pressure of the various components upstream of the mixer.

[0025] The method according to the invention has been described above. However, the invention also claims protection for a corresponding application device comprising an applicator, a dispenser, a pressure sensor, and a control unit that queries the first pressure sensor and controls the dispenser accordingly.

[0026] The control unit is characterized by the fact that it executes the inventive method described above during operation. For this purpose, the control unit can include a control computer on which a control program runs that, when executed, performs the inventive method described above.

[0027] However, within the scope of the invention, it is also possible that the pressure sensor is mechanically connected to the applicator and is moved together with the applicator, for example by an application robot.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the application device has two pressure sensors for measuring the injection pressure of the filling material. The second pressure sensor is preferably also mechanically connected to the applicator and moves together with it. Typically, the filling material is injected into an injection opening on the component and, to prevent overfilling, can exit the cavity through two riser openings. The two pressure sensors are then preferably positioned to measure the injection pressure of the filling material at the riser openings of the component.

[0029] However, there is also the alternative possibility that the second pressure sensor is arranged separately from the applicator, for example on a plug of an opening of the cavity or on a wall of the cavity.

[0030] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the application device comprises a crossbeam, with the two pressure sensors being mounted at opposite ends of the crossbeam to measure the injection pressure at the two riser openings on the component. The applicator is preferably also mounted on the crossbeam, preferably centrally between the two pressure sensors.

[0031] It should be noted that the pressure sensors on the crosshead are each mounted at a bearing point, which preferably allows the pressure sensors to move from their neutral position relative to the crosshead. This prevents damage to the pressure sensors or the riser openings on the component when the application device is placed on it. The movement of the pressure sensors is preferably perpendicular to the application direction. The bearing point can optionally include a spring or a compressed air supply to return the respective pressure sensor to its neutral position.

[0032] Furthermore, the invention provides for the possibility that the applicator can be detachably connected to the traverse by means of a bayonet fitting. This bayonet fitting can optionally also include a cable gland for sensor cables of the pressure sensors.

[0033] The individual pressure sensors can have a conical tip to ensure self-centering within their corresponding riser opening on the component. The applicator can also have a similar conical tip to ensure self-centering within its corresponding injection opening on the component.

[0034] The cone tip can each carry a sealing ring to ensure a seal of the cone tip in the respective opening (injection opening or riser opening).

[0035] Furthermore, the application device according to the invention preferably comprises an application robot for positioning the traverse with the applicator attached to the traverse and the pressure sensors attached to the traverse.

[0036] Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims or are explained in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures. Brief description of the drawings

[0037] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an application device according to the invention for injecting a thermally conductive filling material into a cavity of a battery module. Figure 2 shows a flowchart to explain the operating procedure of the application device. Figure 1 . Figure 3 shows a diagram with the curves of the injection pressure and the flow rate during an injection process. Figure 4A shows a perspective view of an application device according to the invention with a traverse with an applicator and two pressure sensors. Figure 4B shows a cross-sectional view through the application device according to Figure 4A . Figure 4Cshows a cross-sectional view through the applicator of the application device according to the Figures 4A and 4B . 4D Figure shows a cross-sectional view through the application device according to the Figures 4A-4C . Detailed description of the drawings

[0038] The following will now describe the in Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment of an application device according to the invention is described, wherein the operating mode of this application device is shown in Figure 2 in the form of a flowchart.

[0039] The application device according to the invention serves to inject a thermally conductive filling material into a cavity 1 in a battery module 2, wherein the battery module 2 with the cavity 1 is shown here only schematically.

[0040] For injecting the filling material into the cavity 1, the application device has an applicator 3 which can be placed on an injection opening on the cavity 1 for injecting the filling material.

[0041] The filling material consists of two components A and B, which are supplied via two feed lines 4 and 5, each containing a metering device 6 and 7. The two metering devices 6 and 7 dispense the two components A and B of the filling material at a specific flow rate QA and QB, respectively, to a mixer 8, which mixes the two components A and B to form the filling material. In this embodiment, the mixer 8 is a static mixer, such as a grid mixer or helical mixer.

[0042] The filling material, mixed from the two components A and B, then flows with a flow rate Q from the mixer 8 to the applicator 3 and is injected into the cavity 1 of the battery module 2.

[0043] Between the mixer 8 and the applicator 3, a pressure sensor 9 measures the injection pressure p, with which the filling material is injected into the cavity 1, and transmits the measured value of the injection pressure p to a control unit 10. The control unit 10 then controls the two dispensers 6, 7 so that they deliver the desired flow rate CA and QB, respectively, to the mixer 8.

[0044] Regarding the specified pressure values, it should be noted that these are generally referenced to an ambient pressure p₀, which serves as a reference pressure. With an ambient pressure p₀ = 1 bar (one bar corresponds approximately to atmospheric pressure, i.e., 1 bar = 100,000 Pa), a (relative) pressure value of p = 2 bar means that the absolute pressure is 3 bar.

[0045] The following will now be described with reference to the flowchart according to Figure 2 and the diagram according to Figure 3 the operating mode of the application device according to Figure 1described. It should be noted that the steps described below, one after the other, sometimes occur simultaneously during operation.

[0046] In a first step S1, the filling material is injected by the applicator 3 into the cavity 1 of the battery module 2.

[0047] In step S2, the injection pressure p is measured by the pressure sensor 9.

[0048] In step S3, the pressure increase ṗ injection pressure p is measured, i.e., the time change dp / dt of the injection pressure p.

[0049] If the pressure increase ṗ does not exceed a predetermined maximum value ṗ MAX1, then steps S1-S4 are repeated in a loop.

[0050] If, on the other hand, the determined pressure increase ṗ exceeds the maximum value ṗ MAX1, then in step S5 the flow rate Q to the applicator 3 is reduced from a value Q=Q1 to Q=Q2, for example by 50 percent. This occurs in the diagram according to Figure 4 at time t=t1 at a first switching point. The pressure increase ṗ at the first switching point can be attributed to the fact that the injection front of the filling material in the previously unfilled cavity 1 of the battery module 2 impacts the walls of the cavity 1, which leads to a corresponding pressure increase.

[0051] In the next step S6, the injection of the filling material into cavity 1 of battery module 2 is then carried out.

[0052] In the next step S7, the injection pressure p is measured again during the injection of the filling material into the cavity 1 of the battery module 2.

[0053] In the next step S8, the pressure increase ṗ of the injection pressure p is measured again.

[0054] In step S9, it is then checked whether the pressure increase ṗ exceeds a predefined second maximum value ṗ MAX2. This is shown in the diagram. Figure 3 The two maximum values ​​ṗ MAX1 and ṗ MAX2 are equal. However, within the scope of the invention, it is also possible that the two maximum values ​​p Max1 and ṗ MAX2 are equally different.

[0055] If the pressure increase ṗ does not exceed the specified second maximum value ṗ MAX2, steps S6-S9 are repeated in a loop.

[0056] Otherwise, in step S10, the flow rate Q is briefly reversed to Q=Q3<0 in order to quickly reduce the injection pressure p to zero. This occurs according to the diagram. Figure 3 at the second switching point at time t=t2.

[0057] The pressure increase at the second switching point at time t=t2 is due to the fact that the cavity 1 in the battery module 2 is almost completely filled.

[0058] Finally, the flow of Q is completely switched off in step S11.

[0059] An advantage of the operating method described above according to the invention is that no filling material escapes from the cavity 1 of the battery module 2 after the injection process. The disruptive oozing out of the filling material from the cavity 1 of the battery module 2 is thus completely prevented.

[0060] The following will now describe the content in the Figures 4A-4D The illustrated embodiment of an application device 11 according to the invention is described, which can be used to inject a thermally conductive filling material into a cavity of a battery module.

[0061] The application device 11 initially comprises an applicator 12, which serves to inject the filling material and has a conical tip 13, wherein the conical tip 13 enables the applicator 12 to self-center in the injection opening when the applicator 12 is placed on an injection opening on a battery module.

[0062] Furthermore, the application device 11 has a crossbar 14, the crossbar 14 being connected to the applicator 12 by a bayonet fitting 15. The bayonet fitting 15 allows for an easily detachable connection between the applicator 12 on the one hand and the crossbar 14 on the other.

[0063] At each of the two opposite ends of the traverse 14 is a pressure sensor 16, 17 for measuring the injection pressure at two riser openings of the battery module. The filling material is injected into the battery module by the applicator 12 through the injection opening and, as the filling level increases, can eventually leak out of the riser openings of the battery module, which is to be prevented. During an injection process, the pressure sensors 16, 17 are placed over the two riser openings to measure the injection pressure in the battery module at the riser openings.

[0064] The two pressure sensors 16, 17 each have a conical tip 18 to enable self-centering of the respective pressure sensor 16, 17 in the associated riser opening.

[0065] The cone tips 18 each have a sealing ring 19 to seal the cone tip 18 in the associated riser opening.

[0066] Furthermore, it is from 4D Figure It can be seen that the pressure sensors 16, 17 each have a measuring opening 20 in order to measure the injection pressure at the respective riser opening.

[0067] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the two pressure sensors 16, 17 are each mounted in a bearing point 21, 22 at opposite ends of the crossbeam 14. It should be noted that the two bearing points 21, 22 each allow for a flexible mounting of the pressure sensor 16, 17 in the respective bearing point 21, 22, as shown in 4D Figure This is represented by the double arrow. This avoids mechanical stresses between the battery module on the one hand and the pressure sensors 16, 17 on the other.

[0068] Furthermore, it can be seen that the pressure sensors have sensor lines 23, 24 to transmit the respective pressure measurements. Reference symbol list:

[0069] 1 Cavity in the battery module 2 Battery module 3 Applicator 4 Supply line for component A 5 Supply line for component B 6 Dispenser for component A 7 Dispenser for component B 8 Mixer for mixing components A and B 9 Pressure sensor for measuring the injection pressure between mixer and applicator 10 Control unit 11 Application device 12 Applicator 13 Cone tip of the applicator 14 Crossbar of the application device 15 Bayonet fitting for connecting the applicator and crossbar 16 Pressure sensor on the crossbar of the application device 17 Pressure sensor on the crossbar of the application device 18 Cone tips of the pressure sensors 19 Sealing ring on the cone tip of the pressure sensor 20 Measuring opening of the pressure sensor 21 Bearing point for the flexible mounting of the pressure sensor on the crossbar 21 Bearing point for the flexible mounting of the pressure sensor on the crossbar 23 Sensor cable of the pressure sensor 24 Sensor line of the pressure sensor A First component of the filling material B Second component of the filling materialpInjection pressure ṗPressure rise dp / dt CA Flow rate of component ACA Flow rate of component B Q1Flow rate before the first switching point Q2Flow rate between first and second switching points Q3Flow rate after the second switching point QFlow rate of the mixture of the two components A and B t1First switching point t2Second switching point

Claims

1. Method for applying a fluid filling material into a cavity (1) of a component (2), in particular in a battery module (2) of an electric battery, in particular for gap filling in the battery module (2), comprising the following steps: a) Conveying the filling material by at least one metering device (6, 7) with a predetermined flow rate (Q) to an applicator (3; 12), b) injecting the filling material into the cavity (1) of the component (2) by the applicator (3; 12), whereby a specific injection pressure (p) being established, which initially rises sharply and then falls slightly after reaching a maximum value, whereupon the injection pressure then rises again when the injection front of the moulding material in the cavity (1) comes into contact with the walls of the cavity (1), and c) measuring the injection pressure (p) by a pressure sensor (9; 16, 17), characterized by the following steps: d) determining a first pressure increase of the injection pressure (p), wherein the first increase of the injection pressure (p) is then detected and forms a first switchover point when the injection pressure (p), following the sharp rise at the start of an injection process and after reaching its maximum value, falls again and then rises once more when the injection front of the moulding material in the cavity strikes the walls of the cavity, and e) reducing the flow rate (Q) of the metering device (6, 7) at the first switchover point at the point when the injection pressure (p) begins to rise again at the first pressure increase of the injection pressure (p).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in a) that the reduction of the flow rate (Q) at the first switchover point takes place by an absolute or by a percentage reduction value, the reduction value optionally being dependent on geometric properties of the cavity (1), in particular on the size of the cavity (1), b) that the reduction value is optionally dependent on the viscosity of the filling material.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following steps for determining the timing of the first switchover point: a) determining the temporal gradient (ṗ) of the measured injection pressure (p), b) temporal determination of the first switchover point by evaluating the temporal gradient (p) of the measured injection pressure (p).

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in a) that the first switchover point is fixed at a time (t1) at which the temporal gradient (ṗ) of the measured injection pressure (p) becomes positive or exceeds a predetermined first limit value (ṗMAX1), b) that the predetermined first limit value (ṗMAX1) is optionally positive, zero or negative.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following steps: a) determining a second pressure increase of the injection pressure (p), the second pressure increase of the injection pressure (p) preferably being based on the fact that the cavity (1) is almost completely filled with the filling material, and b) reducing the flow rate (Q) of the metering device (6, 7) at a second switchover point at the second pressure increase of the injection pressure (p), and preferably the following steps for temporally setting the second switchover point: c) determining the temporal gradient (ṗ) of the measured injection pressure (p), d) setting the timing of the second switchover point with the second pressure increase of the injection pressure (p) by evaluating the time gradient (ṗ) of the measured injection pressure (p), e) wherein the second switchover point is preferably set to a time (t2) when the temporal gradient (ṗ) of the measured injection pressure (p) becomes positive or exceeds a predetermined second limit value (ṗMAX2), f) wherein the predetermined second limit value (ṗMAX2) is optionally positive, zero or negative, g) wherein the predetermined second limit value (ṗMAX2) is optionally equal to the first limit value (ṗMAX1), h) that the flow rate (Q) is preferably reduced to zero at the second switchover point.

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in a) that the flow rate (Q) of the metering device (6, 7) is initially reduced to a negative flow rate (Q3) at the second switchover point in order to reduce the injection pressure (p) to zero, and b) that the flow rate (Q) of the metering device (6, 7) is then reduced to zero after the second switchover point.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in a) that the filling material is mixed from several components (A, B) by means of a mixer (8), and b) that the pressure sensor (9; 16, 17) measures the injection pressure (p) at the outlet of the mixer (8).

8. Application device (11) for applying a fluid filling material into a cavity (1) of a component (2), in particular in a battery module (2) of an electric battery, in particular for gap filling in the battery module (2), having a) an applicator (3; 12) for injecting the filling material into the cavity (1), whereby a certain injection pressure (p) is established, b) at least one metering device (6, 7) for conveying the filling material to the applicator (3; 12) at a specific flow rate (Q), c) a first pressure sensor (9; 16, 17) for measuring the injection pressure (p) of the filling material, and d) a control unit (10) which interrogates the first pressure sensor (9; 16, 17) and controls the metering device (6, 7), characterized in e) that the control unit (10) carries out the method according to one of the preceding claims.

9. Application device (11) according to claim 8, characterized in that the first pressure sensor (9; 16, 17) is mechanically connected to the applicator (3; 12) and is movable together with the applicator (3; 12).

10. Application device (11) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by a second pressure sensor (9; 16, 17) for measuring the injection pressure (p) of the filling material.

11. Application device (11) according to claim 10, characterized in a) that the second pressure sensor (9; 16, 17) is also mechanically connected to the applicator (3; 12) and is movable together with the applicator (3; 12), or b) that the second pressure sensor is arranged separately from the applicator, in particular b1) on a plug of an opening of the cavity or b2) on a wall of the cavity, c) that the two pressure sensors (16, 17) are preferably mounted at the opposite ends of a traverse (14) in order to measure the injection pressure (p) at two riser openings on the component (2), the riser openings allowing excess filling material to escape from the cavity (1) of the component (2), and d) that the applicator (3; 12) is preferably mounted between the two pressure sensors (16, 17) on the traverse (14), in particular centrally, in order to inject the filling material into an injection opening on the component (2).

12. Application device (11) according to claim 11, characterized in a) that the pressure sensors (16, 17) are each mounted on the traverse (14) in a bearing point (21, 22), the bearing point (21, 22) enabling an evasive movement of the pressure sensors (16, 17) from their neutral position relative to the traverse (14), b) that the evasive movement of the pressure sensors (16, 17) is preferably oriented at right angles to the application direction of the applicator (12), c) that the bearing point (21, 22) optionally has a spring or a compressed air supply in order to return the respective pressure sensor (6, 17) to its neutral position.

13. Application device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in a) that the applicator (12) is connected to the traverse (14) by a bayonet lock (15), b) that the bayonet lock (15) optionally also contains a cable bushing for sensor cables (23, 24) of the pressure sensors (16, 17).

14. Application device according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in a) that each of the pressure sensors (16, 17) has a respective conical tip (18) in order to effect self-centering of the pressure sensor (16, 17) in the associated riser opening on the component (2), b) that the applicator (12) has a conical tip (13) to effect self-centering of the applicator (12) in the associated injection opening on the component (2), and / or b) that the conical tip (18) of the pressure sensors (16, 17) carries a sealing ring (19) to seal the associated riser opening on the component (2) when the conical tip (18) of the pressure sensor (16, 17) is inserted into the associated riser opening.

15. Application device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized by an application robot for positioning the traverse (14) with the applicator (3; 12) attached to the traverse (14) and the pressure sensors (16, 17) attached to the traverse (14).