Metering device for metering a fluid

Abstract

The invention relates to a metering device for metering a fluid, in particular a liquid, comprising: a spindle which is movable in a first direction and in a second direction, wherein the first direction is counter to the second direction; a nut which surrounds at least portions of the spindle and interacts with the spindle; a drive which is designed to move the nut so that the spindle moves in the first direction or in the second direction; and a metering piston which is coupled to the spindle so that the metering piston moves with the spindle in the first direction or in the second direction.

Description

[0001] Atlas Copco IAS GmbH, Case: 11N2024EM1043DE

[0002] Dosing device for dosing a fluid

[0003] The present invention relates to a metering device for dispensing a fluid. The present invention also relates to a method for dispensing a fluid.

[0004] Technical background

[0005] Application systems are used in numerous industrial applications, for example in the automotive, construction, energy, and semiconductor industries, as well as in industrial assembly. Application systems serve to apply media, especially viscous and / or liquid media, to or into components. Examples of liquid media include adhesives, foams (especially polyurethane foams), battery foams, and insulating foams, as well as paints and cleaning fluids. In the automotive sector, application systems are used, for example, to apply battery foams and / or adhesives to the batteries of electric vehicles, and / or to apply adhesives to body parts and / or vehicle windows, such as windshields.

[0006] An application system typically comprises a dosing device, also called a dispenser, and an application device, also called an applicator. The dosing device and the application device can be designed together as a single device or together form a system. The dosing device is used for dosing, for example, by controlling the flow of the medium. The dosing device receives the medium from a source, such as a storage container, particularly a drum. The application device is used to apply the medium to or into a component.

[0007] Dosing devices can comprise a spindle and a nut, each with a thread, which interact with each other. The spindle rotates around its longitudinal axis, and the nut is stationary, causing the spindle to move along its longitudinal axis. This movement drives a dosing piston. The system is relatively complex and requires the movement of relatively large masses.

[0008] Summary of the invention Atlas Copco IAS GmbH, Case: 11N2024EM1043DE

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a dosing device with a compact design. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a dosing device that is easy to operate. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a dosing device whose drive can be used for different applications.

[0010] At least one of the problems, or further problems, that arise for a person skilled in the art from the present disclosure are solved by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the description.

[0011] A metering device for dispensing a fluid, in particular a liquid, may include a spindle. The spindle may be movable in a first direction and in a second direction. The first direction may be opposite to the second direction. The metering device may include a nut. The nut may at least partially surround the spindle. The nut may interact with the spindle. The metering device may include a drive. The drive may be configured to move the nut, causing the spindle to move in the first direction or in the second direction. The metering device may include a metering piston. The metering piston may be coupled to the spindle, causing the metering piston to move with the spindle in the first direction or in the second direction.

[0012] The metering device can be used in a process for metering a fluid.

[0013] A method for metering a fluid may comprise the following steps: Moving, by means of a drive, a nut that at least partially surrounds and interacts with a spindle, thereby moving the spindle in a first or second direction. Moving, by means of the spindle, a metering piston in the first or second direction. Metering or controlling a volume or mass flow rate of the fluid by moving the metering piston.

[0014] Because the nut is moved instead of the spindle, the dosing device has a simple and compact design. This also reduces the mass to be moved when the dosing device is in operation (Atlas Copco IAS GmbH, Case: 11N2024EM1043DE). Furthermore, the spindle can be coupled with various dosing pistons, making the dosing device suitable for different dosing applications.

[0015] The spindle can only be moved in the first direction and in the second direction.

[0016] The nut can be fixed in place (relative to one or more stationary components of the dispensing device). "Fixed in place" can mean that movement in at least one direction and in the other direction is prevented. Rotation of the nut is possible.

[0017] The drive can include a motor, in particular an electric motor. The drive can be configured to rotate the nut. The nut can be rotatably mounted in the metering device. In general, the movement of the nut can be a rotation of the nut, in particular about an axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the spindle.

[0018] By moving the nut and its fixed mounting, the spindle can be moved in the first or second direction.

[0019] The metering piston can be coupled or connected to the spindle directly or indirectly. Preferably, the metering piston contacts the spindle directly. Alternatively, a coupling element can be provided between the spindle and the metering piston.

[0020] The metering piston can perform the same movement as the spindle. In particular, the movement of the metering piston can be in the same direction as the movement of the spindle and / or the movement of the metering piston can be over the same distance as the movement of the spindle.

[0021] The metering device may include a bearing. The nut may be mounted in the bearing. In particular, the bearing includes one or more ball bearings.

[0022] The metering device may include a housing. The housing may enclose at least a section of the bearing, nut, and / or spindle. Atlas Copco IAS GmbH, Case: 11N2024EM1043DE

[0023] The dispensing device may include a clamping nut. The clamping nut allows components of the dispensing device, such as the spindle, the nut itself, the bearing, and / or the housing, to be secured. The clamping nut may be detachably arranged within the dispensing device.

[0024] The spindle and the nut can each have a thread. The threads of the spindle and the nut can interact so that the movement of the nut causes the movement of the spindle.

[0025] The threads of the spindle and the nut can interlock. The spindle can be screwed into the nut. Through the interaction of the spindle and the nut, rotation of the nut can cause movement of the spindle in either the first or second direction. The axis of rotation of the nut can be parallel to the first and / or second direction.

[0026] The spindle can have a thread, in particular an external thread, at least in sections. The thread can extend over at least 50%, preferably at least 70% or at least 90% of the total length of the spindle.

[0027] The thread of the spindle can extend over a maximum of 50%, preferably a maximum of 40%, or a maximum of 30% of the spindle's total length. The spindle can have a threaded section and a section with a smooth surface. Preferably, the spindle includes a thread roller. The thread roller can be arranged at one end of the spindle.

[0028] The nut may have an internal thread.

[0029] The metering piston can be configured to control the volume or mass flow rate of a fluid based on its movement in either the first or second direction. For example, the metering piston can be mounted in a mixing chamber or fluid channel. Depending on the penetration depth into the mixing chamber or fluid channel, different cross-sectional areas can be exposed to the fluid flow. The larger the cross-sectional area, the higher the volume or mass flow rate of the fluid into or out of the mixing chamber or into or out of the fluid channel. Atlas Copco IAS GmbH, Case: 11N2024EM1043DE

[0030] The spindle can be coupled to a toothed belt pulley. The toothed belt pulley can be coupled to the drive via a toothed belt.

[0031] Brief description of the characters

[0032] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to a figure.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a dosing device 10.

[0034] Detailed description

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a metering device 10. The metering device 10 can comprise a spindle 1 and a nut 2. The spindle 1 can interact with the nut 2. In particular, a section of the nut 2 contacts a section of the spindle 1. The spindle 1 and the nut 2 can be connected to each other in such a way that a force can be transmitted between the spindle 1 and the nut 2.

[0036] The spindle 1 can be moved in a first direction +y and (with a time delay) in a second direction -y. The nut 2 cannot be moved in either the first or second direction +y, -y. The nut 2 can be mounted so that it can rotate. Preferably, the nut 2 is mounted so that it can rotate about its longitudinal axis or the longitudinal axis of the spindle 1.

[0037] The dosing device can include a drive 9. The drive 9 can be configured to rotate the nut 2. By rotating the nut 2, the spindle 1 can be moved in the first direction +y or in the second direction -y.

[0038] The spindle 1 can be connected to a metering piston 5. The metering piston 5 can move in the same direction as the spindle 1 in the first direction +y or in the second direction -y. In particular, the distance traveled by the metering piston 5 is equal to the distance traveled by the spindle 1. The metering piston 5 can define different flowable areas (based on its position). When the metering piston 5 moves in the first direction +y, the flowable area can increase. When the metering piston 5 moves in the second direction -y, the flowable area can decrease.

[0039] The metering device 10 can include a toothed belt pulley 3. The toothed belt pulley 3 can be coupled to the nut 2. In particular, the toothed belt pulley 3 is coupled to the nut 2 by frictional, positive, or material engagement. The toothed belt pulley 3 can be in direct contact with the nut 2. When the toothed belt pulley 3 rotates, it can cause the nut 2 to rotate. The toothed belt pulley 3 can be rotated by the drive 9.

[0040] The metering device 10 can include a toothed belt 4. The toothed belt 4 can couple the drive 9 to the nut 2, in particular to the toothed belt pulley 3. A force can be transmitted from the drive 9 to the nut 2 via the toothed belt 4.

[0041] The metering device 10 can include a bearing 7. The nut 2 can be supported by the bearing 7. In particular, the nut 2 is rotatably supported in the metering device 10 by the bearing 7. The bearing 7 can include or consist of one, and in particular two, ball bearings.

[0042] The dosing device 10 can comprise a housing 6. The housing 6 can (at least partially) surround or enclose some of the components of the dosing device 10. Preferably, the bearing 7 is completely surrounded by the housing.

[0043] The dispensing device 10 can include a clamping nut 8. The clamping nut 8 can be located below (in the second direction -y) the bearing 7. The clamping nut 8 can fix or hold components of the dispensing device 10 in position. The clamping nut 8 can be detachably screwed to the dispensing device 10.

[0044] Due to the special design of the dosing device, it is shorter and smaller. The moving masses are lower. Atlas Copco IAS GmbH, Case: 11N2024EM1043DE

[0045] Due to its design, the spindle can be equipped with different piston / material chamber combinations. This allows for different sizes of the dosing device with an identical drive unit (spindle, nut, drive, etc.).

Claims

Atlas Copco IAS GmbH, Case: 11N2024EM1043DE Claims 1. Metering device (10) for metering a fluid, in particular a liquid, the metering device (10) comprising: a spindle (1) movable in a first direction (+y) and in a second direction (-y), wherein the first direction (+y) is opposite to the second direction (-y); a nut (2) which surrounds the spindle (1) at least partially and interacts with the spindle (1); a drive (9) configured to move the nut (2) such that the spindle (1) moves in the first direction (+y) or in the second direction (-y); and a metering piston (5) coupled to the spindle (1) such that the metering piston moves with the spindle (1) in the first direction (+y) or in the second direction (-y).

2. Metering device according to claim 1, wherein the spindle (1) and the nut (2) each have a thread, and the threads of the spindle (1) and the nut (2) interact such that the movement of the nut (2) causes the movement of the spindle (1).

3. Metering device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the metering piston (5) is configured to control a volume or mass flow of a fluid based on movement in the first direction (+y) or in the second direction (-y).

4. Metering device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spindle (1) is coupled to a toothed belt pulley (3) and the toothed belt pulley (3) is coupled to the drive (9) by means of a toothed belt (4).

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