Application device having a wobble tube

Abstract

The invention relates to an application device (1) for applying an application agent (e.g. adhesive, insulating material, sealant) to a component (e.g. a motor vehicle body component). The application device (1) according to the invention comprises a wobble tube (2) having a tube inlet for feeding the application agent into the wobble tube (2) and having a nozzle (13) at the end of the wobble tube (2) for applying the application agent. Also provided is a wobble drive (8, 9) having a rotatably driven eccentric (8), wherein the end of the wobble tube (2) is mounted in the eccentric (8) such that the nozzle (13) at the end of the wobble tube (2) is moved over the component along a wobbling circular path. Furthermore, the application device (1) has a shut-off valve (14) which selectively allows or shuts off the application of the application agent at a valve closing point (5). The invention provides that the valve closing point (5) of the shut-off valve (14) is arranged in the wobble tube (2) downstream of the tube inlet of the wobble tube (2). This reduces the quantity of application agent which is located downstream of the valve closing point (5) and can therefore escape in an uncontrolled manner through the nozzle (13) when the shut-off valve (14) is being closed.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Application device with a wobble tube

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to an application device for applying a coating agent to a component, in particular for applying a viscous substance (e.g., adhesive, insulating material, sealant) to a motor vehicle body component. Furthermore, the invention also relates to an application system with a multi-axis application robot that guides the application device according to the invention over the surface of the component to be coated (e.g., motor vehicle body component). The invention also relates to an operating method for an application system according to the invention.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] In modern paint shops for automotive body components, not only is the actual paint applied to the components, usually using rotary atomizers, but also so-called viscous substances (e.g., adhesives, insulating materials, sealants). Special application devices, also known under the product name "E-Swirl," are used for this purpose. One such application device is known, for example, from WO 2016 / 055179 Al and is described below with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0007] Figure 1 shows a conventional application device 1 that can be used to apply viscous materials (e.g., adhesives, insulating materials, sealants). For this purpose, the known application device 1 has a so-called wobble tube 2, which carries a nozzle 3 at its distal end to apply the viscous material, as indicated in the drawing by an arrow pointing to the nozzle 3. The viscous material to be applied is fed into the wobble tube 2 via a connection 4, which opens into the wobble tube 2 at a valve closure 5. The wobble tube 2 is supported at both ends by bearings 6 and 7, respectively, with bearing 7 being a rolling bearing located in a rotatable eccentric 8. The bearing 6 can be formed by an elastomer seal, for example, one or more O-rings, which allows the wobble tube 2 to move and simultaneously provides a seal.The eccentric 8 can be rotated about its axis of rotation 10 by an electric motor 9, thereby imposing a circular wobbling motion 11 on the wobble tube 2 and thus also on the nozzle 3, as shown in Figure 2. Rotational speeds of the eccentric 8 exceeding 24,000 rpm are possible. 1possible. The electric motor 9 has an external stator 12 and an internal rotor 13, with the wobble tube 2 passing through the rotor 13. Furthermore, the known application device 1 has a needle valve 14 that can selectively allow or block the flow of the viscous material through the connection 4 into the wobble tube 2 at the valve closing point 5. For this purpose, the needle valve 14 has a movable valve needle 15, which can be selectively moved by a piston 16 either into the closed position shown in the drawing or to the left into an open position. The movement of the piston 16, and thus also of the valve needle 15, into the closed position is effected by a closing spring 17, whereas the reverse movement of the valve needle 15 from the closed position to the open position is pneumatically effected by introducing compressed air into a pneumatic cylinder 18.

[0008] A disadvantage of the known application device 1 described above is a disruptive stringing 19 when the needle valve 14 is closed at a point 20 along the path of movement v of the application device 1, as can be seen in Figure 2. Thus, even after the needle valve 14 is closed, the thick substance located downstream of the valve closing point 5 in the wobble tube 5 exits uncontrollably through the nozzle 3, which leads to the disruptive stringing 19.

[0009]

[0010] the

[0011] The invention is therefore based on the objective of preventing, as completely as possible, the disruptive thread pulling when switching off the application of the application agent.

[0012] This problem is solved by an application device according to the invention as defined in the main claim.

[0013] The application device according to the invention is generally suitable for applying a coating agent to a component. Preferably, however, the application device according to the invention is designed to apply a viscous, thick substance (e.g., adhesive, insulating material, or sealant) to a motor vehicle body component. In particular, the application device according to the invention can be designed to apply polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as a sealant. However, the invention is not limited to the aforementioned examples with regard to either the component type or the type of coating agent.In accordance with the known application device described above according to the prior art, the application device according to the invention also has a hollow wobble tube which, during operation, is set into a wobbling motion by a wobble drive via a rotatably driven eccentric, so that a nozzle at the distal end of the wobble tube is moved along a wobbling circular path over the surface of the component during operation. For this purpose, the distal end of the wobble tube is mounted in the eccentric, so that a wobbling motion is forced upon the distal end of the wobble tube. It should be noted, however, that the mounting of the wobble tube in the eccentric does not necessarily have to be located at the very end of the wobble tube. Rather, within the scope of the invention, it is also possible for the mounting of the wobble tube in the eccentric to take place slightly forward of the distal end of the wobble tube.The application agent enters the tumbling tube via a pipe inlet, then flows through the hollow tumbling tube to the nozzle at the distal end of the tumbling tube and is dispensed there.

[0014] Furthermore, the application device according to the invention also has a controllable shut-off valve in accordance with the known application device described at the outset, which selectively releases or shuts off the application of the application agent at a valve closing point.

[0015] The invention is based on the technical and physical insight that the disruptive stringing when the application agent is dispensed is caused by a relatively large volume of material in the wobble tube between the valve closing point of the shut-off valve and the nozzle, which initially remains filled with the application agent even after the shut-off valve closes. After the shut-off valve closes, this volume of application agent can escape uncontrollably through the nozzle, leading to the disruptive stringing. The invention therefore provides that the valve closing point of the shut-off valve is relocated distally (i.e., in the flow direction of the application agent) within the wobble tube towards the nozzle, thus reducing the volume in the wobble tube between the valve closing point and the nozzle.In the application device according to the invention, the valve closing point of the shut-off valve is therefore located downstream of the pipe inlet where the application agent enters the wobble tube.

[0016] Firstly, the inventive relocation of the valve closing point of the shut-off valve from the inlet opening of the wobble tube in a distal direction (i.e. in the flow direction of the application agent) towards the nozzle offers the advantage that the disturbing stringing occurring in the prior art is largely prevented.

[0017] On the other hand, the inventive relocation of the valve closing point of the shut-off valve towards the nozzle also offers the advantage that the nozzle is less contaminated by uncontrolled escaping application material.

[0018] Preferably, the valve closing point of the shut-off valve is located in the wobble tube at a small distance of at most 25 cm, 10 cm, 5 cm, 2 cm, or 1 cm from the nozzle. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve closing point of the shut-off valve is even located directly in the nozzle within the wobble tube. Relocating the valve closing point of the shut-off valve towards the nozzle advantageously results in a small volume in the wobble tube downstream of the valve closing point, this volume preferably being less than 25 ml, 10 ml, 5 ml, or even less than 1 ml.

[0019] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the shut-off valve is a needle valve with a movable valve needle that is displaceable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the valve needle blocks the valve seat and thus also blocks the application of the application material. In the open position, on the other hand, the valve needle releases the valve seat, thereby also enabling the application of the application material. The valve needle is preferably arranged at least along a portion of its length within the wobble tube, with the valve seat and thus also the valve closing point preferably being located directly in the nozzle.

[0020] In the arrangement of the valve needle within the wobble tube described above, the valve needle is subject to the wobble motion of the wobble tube during operation and must therefore be flexible. The valve needle is therefore preferably made at least partially of a permanently elastic material.

[0021] The needle tip of the valve needle, however, must meet different requirements. For example, the needle tip does not need to be flexible. However, it must be as wear-resistant as possible, since it is subject to considerable wear during the numerous closing cycles in operation. Therefore, the needle tip is preferably made of a wear-resistant material. Furthermore, it should be noted that the valve needle in the application device according to the invention is longer than in the conventional application device described above. This is because the valve closing point is shifted towards the nozzle, necessitating a correspondingly longer valve needle. In the application device according to the invention, the valve needle therefore typically has a length of at least 5 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, or even 50 cm.

[0022] Furthermore, it should be generally mentioned that the valve needle can have a circular or elliptical cross-section, although other cross-sections of the valve needle are also possible in principle.

[0023] Furthermore, it should be noted that the needle tip of the valve needle can be made of a different material than the valve seat, so that different materials with different hardnesses come into contact during the closing process. However, it is also possible for the needle tip and the valve seat to be made of the same material.

[0024] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that a valve actuator is provided for moving the valve needle, preferably comprising a pneumatic cylinder in which a piston can be pneumatically moved. The piston in the pneumatic cylinder is preferably pushed into the open position by a controllable pneumatic pressure. The movement of the piston into the closed position, on the other hand, is preferably achieved by a mechanical preload using a closing spring, which pushes the piston, and thus also the valve needle, into the closed position.

[0025] It should be noted that the closing spring should be sufficiently strong to force the valve needle into the closed position very quickly when the pneumatic pressure in the pneumatic cylinder is switched off. This is important so that the application of the dispensing agent can be controlled very dynamically and thus with a correspondingly fine spatial resolution. Therefore, the closing spring is preferably strong enough that the valve needle can be moved into the closed position within a short closing time of at most 1 s, 500 ms, 250 ms, 100 ms, 25 ms, or at most 10 ms when the pneumatic pressure in the pneumatic cylinder is abruptly switched off.

[0026] Furthermore, the valve actuator should also enable highly dynamic opening of the needle valve (shut-off valve). The valve actuator should therefore be designed so that, in response to a corresponding control signal, the needle valve opens within a short opening time of at most 1 s, 500 ms, 250 ms, 100 ms, 25 ms or at most 10 ms, by moving the valve needle into its open position.

[0027] However, instead of the pneumatic valve actuator described above, the invention also provides for the possibility that the shut-off valve is driven by an electric or an electromagnetic valve actuator.

[0028] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the valve needle can have a needle point that can be, for example, tapered (e.g., conical) or round (e.g., spherical). Similarly, the valve seat can also be tapered (e.g., conical) or round (e.g., spherical).

[0029] In the case of a spherical shape of both the valve seat and the needle tip, the radius of curvature of the spherical shapes of the valve seat and the needle tip is preferably the same. This facilitates wobbling movements of the valve needle in the valve seat, such as can occur during wobbling of the wobble tube.

[0030] As mentioned above, the valve needle and its tip must meet different requirements. The valve needle must be flexible to adapt to the wobbling motion of the wobble tube. The needle tip, on the other hand, must be as hard as possible to minimize wear even after numerous closing cycles. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve needle is therefore multi-part, consisting of a needle shaft and a needle tip. This multi-part design allows the needle shaft and the needle tip to be manufactured from different materials, each optimized for its respective technical function.

[0031] In this case, the needle tip is possibly connected to the needle shaft of the valve needle by a pin connection. Such a pin connection essentially consists of a pin in one component (needle shaft or needle tip) and a pin hole for receiving the pin in the other component (needle tip or needle shaft).

[0032] Furthermore, it should be noted that the nozzle can be detachably connected to the oscillating tube, for example, by a screw connection. Preferably, the nozzle has an internal thread that screws onto a corresponding external thread at the end of the oscillating tube, allowing the nozzle to be screwed onto the end of the tube. The detachable connection between the oscillating tube and the nozzle allows for easy nozzle replacement. Such a nozzle replacement may be necessary, for example, if the nozzle becomes worn or if the application medium is changed, which may then also require the replacement of a suitably adapted nozzle.

[0033] As mentioned above, the valve needle preferably runs inside the wobble tube and is therefore subject to the wobble motion of the wobble tube during operation. This can lead to disruptive vibrations of the valve needle during operation. To avoid such disruptive vibrations of the valve needle within the wobble tube, the valve needle is preferably supported or guided in the wobble tube at at least one bearing point between the tube inlet and the nozzle. At the bearing point, the radial position of the valve needle is preferably fixed relative to the wobble tube, while the valve needle is rotatable relative to the wobble tube and can also be moved axially. Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the bearing point is preferably permeable to the application medium in the longitudinal direction of the wobble tube, so that the application medium can flow in the wobble tube from the tube inlet through the bearing point to the nozzle.The bearing point therefore does not form an insurmountable flow obstacle for the application medium in the wobbling tube.

[0034] In one embodiment of the invention, the bearing point in the wobble tube for supporting the valve needle is a multi-point bearing (e.g., a three-point bearing) that has several bearing contacts between the multi-point bearing and the valve needle. For this purpose, the multi-point bearing has several webs that project radially inwards from the inner wall of the wobble tube and whose radially inner ends form the bearing contacts with the valve needle.

[0035] In one embodiment of the invention, the wobble tube is supported in two rolling bearings, namely a proximally (i.e., rearwardly) arranged rolling bearing on the one hand and a distally (i.e., frontally) arranged rolling bearing on the other. Between the two rolling bearings, preferably two bearing points (e.g., three-point bearings) are provided for supporting the valve needle within the wobble tube.

[0036] In a further embodiment of the invention, the wobble tube is mounted in a proximal (i.e. rear) bearing designed as an elastomer seal on the one hand and in a distal (i.e. front) rolling bearing on the other.

[0037] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the wobble tube is preferably mounted in a rolling bearing within the eccentric, the rolling bearing allowing rotational movement of the eccentric relative to the wobble tube. During the wobble movement, tilting between the inner and outer rings of this rolling bearing should be avoided. Therefore, the rolling bearing within the eccentric is preferably inclined with its bearing axis to the axis of rotation of the eccentric or the drive motor, and preferably such that the bearing axis of the rolling bearing is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wobble tube.

[0038] As mentioned above, the application device according to the invention has a shut-off valve that either releases or blocks the discharge of the application agent from the tumbling tube through the nozzle. Furthermore, an additional shut-off valve can be provided that selectively releases or blocks the flow of the application agent into the tumbling tube, as is known from the prior art described above. This additional shut-off valve can be designed as a poppet valve. For this purpose, the valve needle can move a valve poppet that either releases or blocks the flow of the application agent into the tumbling tube.

[0039] In the embodiment with two shut-off valves, one with a proximal (i.e., rear) and one with a distal (i.e., front) valve closing point, only one of the two valve closing points should form an axial stop, as otherwise axial forces would be introduced into the application device, leading to a corresponding mechanical load on the application device. The needle tip of the valve needle is therefore preferably pin-shaped (cylindrical) and, in the closed state, engages in a complementary, and thus hollow-cylindrical, valve seat. When the pin-shaped (cylindrical) needle tip is inserted into the hollow-cylindrical valve seat, no axial stop occurs.

[0040] Furthermore, it should be noted that the gyratory drive preferably has a defined stop angle, so that the eccentric, and thus also the gyratory tube with the nozzle, always comes to a stop in the same angular position when the gyratory drive is switched off. This ensures uniform coating conditions when the same coating area on the component surface is coated multiple times, as the gyratory tube is always in the same angular position at the start of the application. Moreover, the defined stop angle is also advantageous when the application unit is replaced, as identical coatings can then be applied reproducibly after the replacement. The defined stop angle of the gyratory drive can be implemented, for example, in an "internal rotor" with a 2-pole rotor, which is held in a predetermined position by the corresponding winding current (electrical magnetic field).

[0041] It should also be mentioned that the wobble drive can rotate the eccentric at a relatively high speed during operation, with the speed being, for example, at least 1,000 rpm. 1 , 2,000 min 1 , 5,000 min 1 , 10,000 min 1 or at least 24,000 minutes 1 can amount to.

[0042] The wobbling motion of the wobble tube can have an eccentricity at the nozzle, relative to the rotation axis of the eccentric, in the range of 0.1 mm to 1.2 mm. In special cases and depending on the application, larger eccentricity values ​​are also possible. For example, the eccentricity can also assume values ​​of more than 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, or 5 mm. However, it is preferred that the wobbling motion at the nozzle has an eccentricity of 0.8 mm.

[0043] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the wobble drive for the rotary drive of the eccentric can be an electric motor (e.g., DC motor, AC motor, three-phase motor), whereby such an electric motor may or may not have a commutator. Alternatively, however, the wobble drive for the rotary drive of the eccentric can also be pneumatically driven.

[0044] When using an electric motor to drive the eccentric's rotation, the electric motor can optionally have an internal rotor and an external stator, or vice versa. In this configuration, the wobble tube with the valve needle can run inside the internal rotor of the electric motor, meaning the internal rotor surrounds the wobble tube in a ring-like fashion.

[0045] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the motor (e.g., electric motor) of the wobble drive can be connected to the eccentric by a friction-fit or positive-fit coupling. For example, this coupling can consist of a friction wheel, a gear, a toothed belt, or a driveshaft.

[0046] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the wobble tube is preferably mounted in at least one rolling bearing in the eccentric, wherein the rolling bearing allows a rotational movement of the eccentric relative to the wobble tube.

[0047] Furthermore, it should also be mentioned that the wobble tube preferably performs the rotating wobble motion, whereas the valve needle in the wobble tube does not have to perform a rotational movement.

[0048] The application device according to the invention has been described above as a single component. However, the invention does not only claim protection for a single application device. Rather, the invention also claims protection for an application system comprising such an application device and a multi-axis application robot that guides the application device according to the invention across the surface of the component in a program-controlled manner. Furthermore, the application system according to the invention also includes a control device for controlling the application robot and the application device.

[0049] The control unit can select one of two different operating modes. In the first mode, the wobble drive is switched off, so the wobble tube does not perform any wobbling motion. In this mode, the application robot guides the application device across the surface of the component with the wobble drive stationary. In the second mode, the wobble drive is switched on, so the wobble tube performs the wobble motion, and the application robot moves the application device across the surface of the component while the wobble tube performs the wobble motion.

[0050] As mentioned above, the gyratory drive can have a defined stop angle, ensuring that the gyratory tube always comes to a stop at a specific angle when the drive is switched off. This is advantageous when a coating area on the component is to be coated multiple times in succession. The application unit then starts each new coating application with the same angular position of the gyratory tube, making each application of the coating material reproducible because it begins with the same angular position of the gyratory tube and, consequently, the nozzle.

[0051] The term "control unit" as used in the invention is not limited to a single component that performs the described control tasks. Rather, the various control tasks can be distributed across different components and optionally implemented in software or hardware. The term "control unit" as used in the invention thus encompasses both a centralized control architecture and a decentralized control architecture.

[0052] Finally, the invention also claims protection for an operating method for the application system according to the invention, wherein the process steps of the operating method according to the invention are already apparent from the preceding description and therefore do not need to be described separately.

[0053] 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.

[0054] Brief description of the drawings

[0055] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a conventional application device with a wobble tube for applying a thick material.

[0056] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a wobbling circular path of the thick material, with a disturbing thread pull occurring.

[0057] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an application device according to the invention with a wobble tube for applying a thick substance.

[0058] Figure 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view in the area of ​​the connection between the wobble tube and the nozzle in a closed position of the needle valve.

[0059] Figure 5 shows a modification of Figure 4 with a spherical needle tip of the valve needle.

[0060] Figure 6 shows a modification of Figures 4 and 5, in which the needle tip and the valve seat are each spherically shaped.

[0061] Figure 7 shows a simplified representation of an application system according to the invention with an application robot for guiding the application device.

[0062] Figure 8A shows a modified embodiment with two three-point bearings for supporting the valve needle in the wobble tube.

[0063] Figure 8B shows a schematic cross-sectional view through the three-point bearing according to Figure 8A. Figure 9A shows a modified embodiment with an additional disc valve for controlling the flow of the application medium into the wobble tube.

[0064] Figure 9B shows a complete view of the embodiment shown in Figure 9A.

[0065] Figure 10A shows a schematic representation of a valve needle in an open position.

[0066] Figure 10B shows the valve needle from Figure 10A in a closed position.

[0067] Detailed description of the drawings

[0068] The application device 1 according to the invention, as shown in Figure 3, will now be described. The application device 1 according to Figure 3 largely corresponds to the conventional application device 1 as shown in Figure 1 and described above. To avoid repetition, reference is therefore made to the preceding description of Figure 1, with the same reference numerals being used for corresponding details.

[0069] A special feature of the application device 1 according to the invention is that the valve closing point 5 of the needle valve 14 (shut-off valve) is located directly in the nozzle 3. For this purpose, the valve needle 16 is guided through the hollow wobble tube 2 and extends to the valve closing point 5 in the nozzle 3. The valve needle 15 is therefore significantly longer than in the conventional application device 1 according to Figure 1.

[0070] Relocating the valve closing point 5 from the pipe inlet into the wobble tube 2 to the front into the nozzle 3 offers the advantage that the volume between the valve closing point 5 and the outlet opening of the nozzle 3 is significantly smaller. Therefore, when the needle valve 14 closes, almost no viscous material (e.g., adhesive, insulating material, sealant) can escape uncontrollably from the nozzle 3, thus almost completely eliminating the disruptive stringing 19, as shown in Figure 2, which represents the prior art.

[0071] However, in the application device 1 according to the invention, the valve needle 15 must be capable of following the wobbling motion of the wobble tube 2. Therefore, in the application device 1 according to the invention, the valve needle 15 is made of a permanently elastic material in order to withstand the deformations of the valve needle 15 caused by the wobbling motion of the wobble tube 2.

[0072] Furthermore, the valve needle 15, particularly at its tip, must have the longest possible service life and withstand the mechanical stresses during closing operations. The permanently elastic material of the valve needle 15 is therefore only partially suitable for giving the needle tip the desired service life. The needle tip of the valve needle 15 is therefore preferably provided with a harder coating. This combination of materials achieves, on the one hand, sufficient flexibility of the valve needle 15 and, on the other hand, sufficient hardness and durability of the needle tip.

[0073] Furthermore, it should be noted that the valve needle 15 does not completely fill the wobble tube 2. Rather, an annular gap 21 remains between the inner wall of the wobble tube 2 and the outer surface of the valve needle 15, so that the viscous substance to be applied can flow through the connection 4 and the annular gap 21 to the nozzle 3.

[0074] Furthermore, it can be seen from the drawing that the wobbling circular motion of the nozzle 13 has an eccentricity e with respect to the axis of rotation 10 of the eccentric 8, whereby the eccentricity e at the nozzle 13 can be in the range of e = 0.1 mm to e = 1.2 mm. However, it should be noted that the eccentricity e can be larger in special cases and depending on the application.

[0075] The selection of a suitable nozzle material for nozzle 3 is important with regard to the various functions that nozzle 3 is intended to fulfill. Firstly, nozzle 3 is to serve as a valve seat for the valve needle 15, which requires high wear resistance. Secondly, nozzle 3 must also be able to be screwed to the wobble tube 2, so nozzle 3 must also be able to form a screw connection, as will be described in detail below.

[0076] Furthermore, it should be noted that the closing spring 17 of the needle valve 14 in the application device 1 according to the invention must move a larger mass than in the prior art, since the valve needle 15, as the moving mass, is significantly longer than in the prior art. This is because, in the prior art, the valve closing point 5 is located at the proximal end of the wobble tube 2, whereas in the application device 1 according to the invention, the valve closing point 5 is located at the distal end of the drum tube 2, so that the valve needle 15 must be extended by the length of the wobble tube 2 and has a correspondingly larger mass. Despite this larger mass of the valve needle 15, the closing time of the needle valve 14 (i.e., the time required for closing) should not be longer than in the prior art in order to achieve the most precise possible application of the application agent.The closing spring 17 in the application device 1 according to the invention is therefore somewhat stronger than in the prior art, specifically strong enough to move the valve needle 15 into the closed position within a short closing time of at most 1 s, 500 ms, 250 ms, 100 ms, 50 ms, 25 ms, or 10 ms. This highly dynamic valve closing behavior is particularly important when the application device 1 according to the invention is moved very quickly along a coating path by an application robot at a high path speed and, despite this high path speed, the application medium is to be applied with high spatial accuracy.

[0077] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that the needle tip of the valve needle 15 is detachably connected to the valve needle 15, which in the preferred embodiment is made possible by a pin connection. Here, one component (valve needle 15 or needle tip) has a pin, while the other component (needle tip or valve needle 15) has a corresponding pin hole. This detachable connection allows the needle tip to be replaced when it becomes worn due to a high number of switching operations of the needle valve 14.

[0078] The following describes the representation in Figure 4, which shows a magnification in the area of ​​the connection between the nozzle 3 and the distal end of the wobble tube 2.

[0079] The drawing shows that the nozzle 3 is connected to the wobble tube 2 by a screw connection 22. For this purpose, the wobble tube 2 has an external thread on its outer surface at its distal end, while the nozzle 3 is designed as a union nut and has an internal thread that is screwed into the external thread on the wobble tube 2. The screw connection 22 allows for easy replacement of the nozzle 3, which may be necessary, for example, if the nozzle 3 is to have a different nozzle geometry.

[0080] Furthermore, it can be seen that the valve needle 15 has a needle tip 23 which tapers conically in the distal direction, which is easy to implement in manufacturing.

[0081] The following describes the embodiment shown in Figure 5, which largely corresponds to the embodiment shown in Figure 4. Therefore, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the preceding description, using the same reference numerals for corresponding details. A special feature of this embodiment is that the needle tip 23 is convex or spherical, resulting in reduced friction, less wear, and improved sealing of the wobbling needle tip in the valve seat of the nozzle 3.

[0082] The following describes the modification according to Figure 6, which also largely corresponds to the representations according to Figures 4 and 5, so that to avoid repetition, reference is again made to the preceding description, using the same reference symbols for corresponding details.

[0083] A special feature of this modification is that the needle tip 23 is spherically shaped with a radius of curvature RI, while the valve seat in the nozzle 3 is also spherically shaped with a radius of curvature R2. It is particularly noteworthy that the two radii of curvature RI and R2 are essentially the same, which allows the valve needle 15 to pivot within the valve seat. This modification is characterized by improved wear resistance and better sealing in the closed position.

[0084] Finally, Figure 7 shows a simplified representation of an application system according to the invention with the application device 1 described above, which is guided by an application robot 24. The application robot 24 and the application device 1 are controlled by a control unit 25.

[0085] Firstly, the control unit 25 controls the application robot 24 in a conventional manner, so that the application unit 1 is moved along a pre-programmed coating path across the component surface, as is known from the prior art. The programming of such a coating path is also referred to as "teaching" in technical terminology.

[0086] On the other hand, the control unit 25 also controls the application unit 1 and, in particular, specifies whether the electric motor 9 of the gyratory drive is switched on or off. Thus, the application unit 1 can be moved over the surface of the component to be coated either with the gyratory drive running or with the gyratory drive stationary. In addition to the gyratory drive, the control unit 25 also controls the needle valve 14 of the application unit to determine the switch-on / switch-off times of the application. Furthermore, the application unit 1 can also be moved multiple times over specific coating areas of the component surface. In this case, the gyratory drive can be switched off after the first coating and then assumes a defined stop position at a predetermined angle.This allows the application device 1 to start again with the same angular position of the wobble drive when recoating the same coating area.

[0087] The modified embodiment of an application device 1 according to the invention, as shown in Figures 8A and 8B, will now be described. This modified embodiment largely corresponds to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, so that reference is made to the preceding description to avoid repetition, with the same reference numerals being used for corresponding details.

[0088] The drawings also show a pneumatic supply line 26 for supplying compressed air to actuate the piston 16 of the needle valve 14 with compressed air in order to bring the needle valve 14 into an open position.

[0089] Furthermore, the drawing shows a rod seal 27 on the needle valve 14.

[0090] Furthermore, the drawing schematically shows two three-point bearings 28, 29 for supporting the valve needle 15 in the wobble tube 2. The three-point bearing 28 is arranged near the bearing 6, while the other three-point bearing 29 is arranged near the bearing 7. The front three-point bearing 29 serves to stabilize the valve needle 15 in front of the valve closing point 5. The rear three-point bearing 29, on the other hand, serves to stabilize the valve needle 15 in front of the rod seal 27 on the needle valve 14.

[0091] Figure 8B shows a schematic cross-sectional view through the three-point bearing 28, with the other three-point bearing 29 constructed accordingly. The drawing shows that three radial webs 30 are formed on the inner wall of the wobble tube 2, projecting radially inwards and forming three bearing contacts with their inner ends for supporting the valve needle 15.

[0092] Another special feature of this embodiment is that the front bearing 7 is inclined with its bearing axis to the axis of rotation 10 of the eccentric 8, such that the plane of rotation of the bearing 7 is aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wobble tube 2, as shown by the angle in Figure 8A. This prevents tilting between the inner and outer rings of the bearing 7 during the rotation of the eccentric 8.

[0093] The modified embodiment of an application device 1 according to the invention, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B, will now be described. This modified embodiment largely corresponds to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, so that reference is made to the preceding description to avoid repetition, with the same reference numerals being used for corresponding details.

[0094] A special feature here is that the valve needle 15 at the proximal end of the wobble tube 2 has a valve disc 31 which, depending on the axial position of the valve needle 15, either closes or opens the opening of the wobble tube 2. In this way, the flow of the application medium into the wobble tube 2 can be controlled.

[0095] In this embodiment, the application device 1 therefore has two shut-off valves, namely a first shut-off valve for releasing or blocking the discharge of the application agent through the nozzle 3 and a second shut-off valve for blocking or releasing the flow of the application agent through the connection 4 into the wobble tube 2.

[0096] The modified embodiment of an application device 1 according to the invention, as shown in Figures 10A and 10B, will now be described. This modified embodiment largely corresponds to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, so that reference is made to the preceding description to avoid repetition, with the same reference numerals being used for corresponding details.

[0097] A special feature of this embodiment is that the needle tip 23 of the valve needle 15 is shaped like a cone, i.e. cylindrical.

[0098] Figure 10A shows the valve needle 15 in its open position. In this position, the valve disc 31 on the valve needle 15 allows the application medium to flow from the port 4 into the wobble tube 2. Simultaneously, the needle tip 23 also allows the application medium to flow out of the wobble tube 2 through the nozzle 3. Figure 10B, on the other hand, shows the valve needle 15 in its closed position. In this position, the valve disc 31 blocks the flow from the port 4 into the wobble tube 2. Furthermore, the conical needle tip 23 constricts the nozzle 3, thus blocking the application medium from the wobble tube 2 through the nozzle 3. It should be noted that the nozzle 3 is also cylindrical so that the cylindrical needle tip 23 can be inserted into the complementary nozzle 3, creating a thin radial gap.A sufficiently viscous coating material cannot pass through this gap without pressure, thus creating a certain sealing effect. It is particularly important to note that the needle tip 3 does not form an axial stop when switching from the open to the closed position. The valve disc 31 at the other end of the valve needle 15 therefore forms the only axial stop. This prevents axial forces from being introduced during the switch between the open and closed positions.

[0099] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a multitude of variants and modifications are possible, which also make use of the inventive concept and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and the features of the dependent claims independently of the respective referenced claims and especially also without the features of the main claim. It should be noted in particular that the wobble drive does not necessarily have to include an eccentric that imposes the wobble movement on the wobble tube. Rather, it is also possible within the scope of the invention for the wobble drive to generate the wobble movement of the wobble tube in another way. The invention thus comprises various aspects of the invention that enjoy independent protection.This applies in particular to the following aspects of the invention, which have their own protectable significance even without the features of the main claim:.

[0100] • Multi-point bearing for supporting the valve needle in the wobble tube.

[0101] • Angled installation of the rolling bearing in the rotatable eccentric.

[0102] • Additional shut-off valve (e.g., disc valve) to release or block the flow of the application medium into the wobble tube.

[0103] Advantages of the invention

[0104] The invention offers several advantages, which are briefly summarized below: By relocating the valve closing point towards the nozzle, the disruptive stringing that occurs in the prior art when the application is interrupted is almost completely prevented.

[0105] Furthermore, the nozzle becomes less contaminated by uncontrolled escaping of the application material.

[0106] Despite the extension of the valve needle according to the invention, the valve closing time can be kept short by appropriately strengthening the closing spring of the shut-off valve to compensate for the higher mass of the valve needle.

[0107] By using a suitable combination of materials for the valve needle and the coating of the needle tip, the valve needle can withstand both the deformations occurring during operation due to the wobbling motion and the mechanical stresses during closing processes, and has a long service life.

[0108] The nozzle can be detachably connected to the oscillating tube to allow for easy nozzle replacement. This may be necessary, for example, when changing the application medium, in order to adapt the nozzle to the new medium. Furthermore, nozzle replacement may also be necessary if the nozzle is damaged or worn.

[0109] A suitable design of the valve seat in the nozzle allows for a low-friction wobbling motion of the valve needle relative to the valve seat, thereby improving wear behavior.

[0110] The needle tip of the valve needle can be detachably connected to the valve needle to allow for replacement of the needle tip when it becomes worn due to a high number of switching operations.

[0111]

[0112] 1 Application setup

[0113] 2 wobble tube

[0114] 3 nozzles

[0115] 4 Connection for supplying the sealant

[0116] 5 Valve closing point of the needle valve

[0117] 6 bearings for supporting the wobble tube at the valve closing point

[0118] 7 bearings for supporting the wobble tube in the eccentric

[0119] 8 Eccentric 9 Electric motor for driving the wobble tube

[0120] 10 Rotation axis of the eccentric

[0121] 11. Wobbling circular path on the component surface

[0122] 12 Stator of the electric motor

[0123] 13 Rotor of the electric motor

[0124] 14 needle valve

[0125] 15 Valve needle

[0126] 16 pistons in the pneumatic cylinder for moving the valve needle

[0127] 17 Closing spring for pre-tensioning the piston and valve needle into the closed position 18 Pneumatic cylinder for actuating the needle valve

[0128] 19 Thread pull after closing the needle valve

[0129] 20 Point of closing the needle valve

[0130] 21 Annular gap between valve needle and wobble tube

[0131] 22 Screw connection between nozzle and wobble tube

[0132] 23 Needle tip of the valve needle

[0133] 24 application robots

[0134] 25 Control unit

[0135] 26 Pneumatic supply line

[0136] 27 rod seal

[0137] 28 Three-point bearings for supporting the valve needle in the wobble tube

[0138] 29 Three-point bearings for supporting the valve needle in the wobble tube

[0139] 30 radial webs of the three-point bearing

[0140] 31 valve plates

[0141] v Direction of movement of the application device

[0142] e eccentricity of the wobble motion at the nozzle

[0143] RI radius of curvature of the needle tip of the valve needle

[0144] R2 radius of curvature of the valve seat

Claims

REQUIREMENTS 1. Application device (1) for applying a coating agent to a component, in particular for applying a thick material to a motor vehicle body component, in particular for applying adhesive, insulating material or sealant, with a) a hollow wobble tube (2) with a tube inlet for supplying the application agent to be applied into the wobble tube (2) and a nozzle (3) at the distal end of the wobble tube (2) for applying the application agent through the nozzle (3), b) a wobble drive (8, 9) with a rotatably driven eccentric (8), wherein the distal end of the wobble tube (2) is mounted in the eccentric (8), so that the nozzle (3) at the distal end of the wobble tube (2) is moved along a wobbling circular path (11) over the surface of the component during operation when the eccentric (8) rotates, and c) a controllable shut-off valve (14) that selectively releases or shuts off the application of the application agent at a valve closing point (5), characterized by d) that the valve closing point (5) of the shut-off valve (14) is located downstream of the pipe inlet in the wobble tube (2).

2. Application device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, a) that the valve closing point (5) of the shut-off valve (14) is located in the wobble tube (2) at a small distance of no more than 25 cm, 10 cm, 5 cm, 2 cm or 1 cm from the nozzle (3), and / or b) that the valve closing point (5) of the shut-off valve (14) is located in the wobble tube (2) directly in the nozzle (3), and / or c) that the wobble tube (2) between the valve closing point (5) of the shut-off valve (14) and the nozzle (3) contains a small volume of at most 25 ml, 10 ml, 5 ml or 1 ml.

3. Application device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a) that the shut-off valve (14) is a needle valve with a movable valve needle (15) which, in a closed position, forms a valve seat and thus prevents the application of the application agent. locks and, in an open position, releases the valve seat, thus enabling the application of the application agent. b) that the valve needle (15) runs at least part of its length inside the wobble tube (2), and c) that the valve seat is preferably located in the nozzle (3).

4. Application device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, a) that the valve needle (15) is flexible in order to follow the wobbling motion of the wobble tube (2), and / or b) that the valve needle (15) is at least partially made of a permanently elastic material, and / or c) that the valve needle (15) has a length of at least 5 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm or 50 cm, and / or d) that the valve needle (15) has a circular cross-section, and / or e) that the valve needle (15) has a needle tip (23) made of the same material as the valve seat or of a different material.

5. Application device (1) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that a) a valve actuator (16-18) is provided for moving the valve needle (15), in particular al) a pneumatic valve actuator, a2) an electric valve actuator or a3) an electromagnetic valve actuator, b) that the valve actuator (16-18) preferably has a pneumatic cylinder (18) for moving the valve needle (15) into the open position, which is actuated by a pneumatic pressure, c) that the valve actuator (16-18) preferably has a closing spring (17) for moving the valve needle (15) into the closed position, and d) that the closing spring (17) is preferably sufficiently strong to move the valve needle (15) into the closed position within a short closing time of at most 1 s, 500 ms, 250 ms, 100 ms, 50 ms, 25 ms or 10 ms when the pneumatic pressure in the pneumatic cylinder (18) is abruptly switched off, e) that the valve actuator (16-18) is preferably designed such that the valve needle (15) is moved into the closed position in response to a control signal within a short closing time of at most 500 ms, 250 ms, 100 ms, 50 ms, 25 ms or 10 ms.

6. Application device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that a) the valve needle (15) has a needle tip (23) which is shaped as follows: a) tapering to a point, especially conical, or a2) round, especially spherical, and / or b) that the valve seat is shaped as follows: bl) tapering to a point, especially conical, or b2) round, especially spherical.

7. Application device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that a) the valve needle (15) has a needle tip (23) with a spherical shape with a first radius of curvature (RI), b) that the valve seat has a spherical shape with a second radius of curvature (R2), and c) that the first radius of curvature (RI) of the needle tip (23) is essentially equal to the second radius of curvature (R2) of the valve seat to facilitate a wobbling motion of the valve needle (15) in the valve seat.

8. Application device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that a) the valve needle (15) is multi-part and has a needle shaft and a needle tip (23), b) that the needle shaft is preferably made of a different material than the needle tip (23) in order to combine good elasticity of the needle shaft with high wear resistance of the needle tip (23), c) that the needle tip (23) of the valve needle (15) is preferably detachably connected to the needle shaft of the valve needle (15), d) that the needle tip (23) of the valve needle (15) is preferably connected to the needle shaft of the valve needle (15) by a pin connection, wherein the pin connection has a pin and a pin hole for receiving the pin.

9. Application device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a) that the nozzle (3) is detachably connected to the wobble tube (2), and / or b) that the nozzle (3) is connected to the wobble tube (2) by a screw connection (22), in particular with an internal thread in the nozzle (3) and an external thread at the end of the wobble tube (2), so that the nozzle (3) can be screwed onto the end of the wobble tube (2). can be.

10. Application device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a) that the valve needle (15) is supported and / or guided in the wobble tube (2) at at least one bearing point between the tube inlet and the nozzle (3) in order to stabilize the valve needle (15) and / or reduce vibrations of the valve needle (15), in particular in a radial bearing, b) that the bearing point preferably fixes the radial position of the valve needle (15) relative to the wobble tube (2), c) that the bearing point preferably allows a rotational movement of the wobble tube (2) relative to the valve needle (15), d) that the bearing point preferably allows axial movement of the valve needle (15) relative to the wobble tube (2), e) that the bearing in the wobble tube (2) is preferably permeable to the application medium in the longitudinal direction of the wobble tube (2), so that the application medium can flow along the wobble tube (2) from the tube inlet through the bearing to the nozzle (3), f) that the bearing in the wobble tube (2) is preferably a multi-point bearing (28, 29), in particular a three-point bearing (28, 29), so that the valve needle (15) has several bearing contacts with the multi-point bearing (28, 29) at the bearing, and / or g) that the multi-point bearing (28, 29) has several webs (30) which extend radially inwards from the inner wall of the wobble tube (2) and form the bearing contacts to the valve needle (15) with their radially inward ends.

11. Application device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that, a) that the wobble tube (2) is mounted in a proximally arranged bearing (6), which is formed in particular by an elastomer seal, b) that the wobble tube (2) is mounted in a distally arranged bearing (7), in particular in a rolling bearing (7) c) that the valve needle (15) is mounted in the wobble tube (2) at a proximally arranged bearing point (28) between the two bearings (6, 7), preferably by a multi-point bearing (28), d) that the valve needle (15) is mounted in the wobble tube (2) at a distally arranged bearing point (29) between the two bearings (6, 7), preferably by a multi-point bearing (29), e) that the proximally arranged bearing point (28) is preferably located closer to the proximally arranged bearing (6) than to the distally arranged bearing (7), f) that the distally arranged bearing point (29) is preferably located closer to the distally arranged bearing (7) than to the proximally arranged bearing (6).

12. Application device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a) that the wobble tube (2) is mounted in the eccentric (8) in a rolling bearing (7), wherein the rolling bearing (7) allows a rotational movement of the eccentric (8) relative to the wobble tube (2), b) that the rolling bearing (7) is inclined with its bearing axis to the axis of rotation (10) of the drive motor (13), c) that the bearing axis of the rolling bearing (7) is preferably aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wobble tube (2).

13. Application device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a) that a further controllable shut-off valve (31) with a proximally arranged valve closing point is provided to control the flow of the application medium into the wobble tube (2), b) that the further shut-off valve (31) with the proximally arranged valve closing point is preferably a disc valve with a valve disc (31) at the proximal end of the valve needle (15), so that the flow of the application medium into the wobble tube (2) is released or blocked depending on the position of the valve needle (15).

14. Application device (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that, a) that the valve disc (31) forms an axial stop for the valve needle (15) at the proximally arranged valve closing point when it strikes the valve seat, b) that the valve needle (15) does not form an axial stop at the distally arranged valve closing point (5), so that the two shut-off valves (14, 31) form only a single axial stop for the valve needle (15), c) that the needle tip (23) of the valve needle (15) and the distally arranged valve seat are preferably cylindrical to allow a seal without an axial stop.

15. Application device (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the two shut-off valves selectively allow the following valve positions: a) the proximally arranged valve closing point and the distally arranged valve closing point (5) are both open, so that the application medium can flow into the wobble tube (2) and exit the wobble tube (2) through the nozzle (3), b) the proximally arranged valve closing point is closed so that the application medium can no longer flow into the wobble tube (2), while the distally arranged valve closing point (5) is open at most to the extent that at most a part of the remaining application medium can still exit from the wobble tube (2) through the nozzle (3).

16. Application device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wobble drive (8, 9) has a defined stop angle, so that the eccentric (8) and thus also the nozzle (3) always comes to a stop in the same angular position when the wobble drive (8, 9) is switched off.

17. Application device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a) that the wobble drive (8, 9) drives the eccentric (8) during operation at a speed of at least 1,000 min 1 , 2,000 min 1 , 5,000 min 1 , 10,000 min 1 , 20,000 min 1 or at least 24,000 minutes 1 turns, and / or b) that the wobbling motion of the wobble tube (2) at the nozzle (3) with respect to the axis of rotation (10) of the eccentric (8) has an eccentricity (e) of at least 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm or at least 1.2 mm, in particular an eccentricity (e) of 0.8 mm, and / or c) that the wobble drive (8, 9) for the rotational drive of the eccentric (8) has an electric motor (9), in particular cl) a DC motor c2) an AC motor or c3) a three-phase motor, and / or d) that the electric motor (9) for the rotary drive of the eccentric (8) has a commutator or does not have a commutator, and / or e) that the electric motor (9) for the rotational drive of the eccentric (8) has a stator (12) and a rotor (13), wherein el) the stator (12) is on the outside, while the rotor (13) is on the inside, or e2) the stator (12) is located inside, while the rotor (13) is located outside, and / or f) that the wobble drive (8, 9) for the rotational drive of the eccentric (8) has a motor (9) which is connected to the eccentric (8) via a frictional or positive-locking coupling is connected, in particular by means of a friction wheel, a gear, a toothed belt or a driveshaft, and / or g) that the wobble tube (2) is supported in the eccentric (8) in at least one rolling bearing (6, 7), wherein the rolling bearing (6, 7) allows a rotational movement of the eccentric (8) relative to the wobble tube (2), and / or h) that the wobble tube (2) performs the rotating wobble motion, whereas the valve needle (15) does not perform a rotational motion in the wobble tube (2), and / or i) that the wobble drive (8, 9) for the rotation drive of the eccentric (8) has a pneumatic rotation drive.

18. Application device (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that, a) that the electric motor (9) for the rotational drive of the eccentric (8) has an internal rotor (13) and an external stator (12), b) that the wobble tube (2) with the valve needle (15) preferably passes through the inner rotor (13) of the electric motor (9).

19. Application system for applying a coating agent to a component, in particular for applying a thick material to a motor vehicle body component, in particular for applying adhesive, insulating material or sealant, in particular in a painting system for painting motor vehicle body components, with a) an application device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, b) a multi-axis application robot (24) which guides the application device (1) across the surface of the component in a program-controlled manner, and c) a control device (25) which cl) controls the shut-off valve (14) of the application device (1), c2) controls the wobble drive (8, 9) of the application device (1) and preferably specifies the speed of the wobble drive (8, 9) and / or selectively switches the wobble drive (8, 9) off or on, and c4) controls the application robot (24) and specifies a movement path of the application device (1) so that the application robot (24) moves the application device (1) along the specified movement path.

20. Application system according to claim 19, characterized in that, a) that the control unit (25) selects either a first operating mode or a second operating mode of the application unit (1), b) that the control device (25) switches off the wobble drive (8, 9) in the first operating mode, so that the wobble tube (2) with the nozzle (3) does not perform a wobble movement, wherein the application robot (24) moves the application device (1) with the stationary wobble drive (8, 9) over the surface of the component, and c) that the control device (25) switches on the wobble drive (8, 9) in the second operating mode, so that the wobble tube (2) performs the wobble movement, wherein the application robot (24) moves the application device (1) over the surface of the component while the wobble tube (2) performs the wobble movement.

21. Application system according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, a) that the control device (25) controls the application robot (24) in such a way that the application device (1) is repeatedly moved over the same coating area on the component surface, b) that the wobble tube (2) of the application device (1) and, accordingly, the nozzle (3) has a predetermined initial angular position at the beginning of the first coating of the coating area, c) that the control device (25) switches off the wobble drive (8, 9) of the application device (1) after the first coating of the coating area, so that the wobble tube (2) returns to the predetermined initial angular position, and d) that the wobble tube (2) and, accordingly, the nozzle (3) again have the specified initial angular position at the beginning of the second coating of the coating area.

22. Operating method for an application system according to one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the application device (1) applies a thick substance to a motor vehicle body component, in particular an adhesive, an insulating material or a sealant.

23. Operating method according to claim 22, characterized in that, a) that the control unit (25) selects either a first operating mode or a second operating mode of the application unit (1), b) that the control device (25) switches off the wobble drive (8, 9) in the first operating mode, so that the wobble tube (2) with the nozzle (3) does not perform a wobble movement, wherein the application robot (24) moves the application device (1) with the stationary wobble drive (8, 9) over the surface of the component, and c) that the control device (25) switches on the wobble drive (8, 9) in the second operating mode, so that the wobble tube (2) with the nozzle (3) performs the wobble movement, wherein The application robot (24) moves the application device (1) over the surface of the component, while the wobble tube (2) performs the wobble movement.

24. Operating method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized by the following steps: a) Applying the thick substance to a predetermined coating area on the surface of the motor vehicle body component, wherein the wobble drive (8, 9) with the nozzle (3) assumes an initial angular position at the beginning of the application and rotates during the application, b) Stopping the wobble drive (8, 9) after coating the specified coating area, whereupon the wobble drive (8, 9) automatically returns to its initial angular position, and c) Re-application of the thick substance to the same coating area on the surface of the motor vehicle body component, after the wobble drive (8, 9) with the nozzle (3) has returned to its initial angular position at the beginning of the re-application and rotates during the re-application.

Images