Temperature-Controlled Print Head for Continuous Paint Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing application devices for motor vehicle body components, such as atomizers and drop-on-demand valve jet printers, face inefficiencies in continuous operation, leading to overheating and inconsistent paint application due to high opening-closing frequencies or permanent valve openings, which affect the viscosity and quality of the paint.
Innovation Solution
A print head with a temperature control device that includes heating and cooling mechanisms to maintain a constant temperature, reducing drive heating and ensuring consistent paint viscosity and application efficiency by using a tempering fluid and heat-conducting structures to manage the temperature of the drive and application agent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high opening-closing frequency or permanent valve opening is used in continuous operation, then productivity is improved, but the drive overheats and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A cooling device is introduced as an intermediary element between the drive and the environment. The cooling device includes a cooling fluid conduit that circulates cooling fluid around the drive, acting as a mediator to transfer heat away from the drive without interfering with its operational function. This allows continuous high-frequency operation while preventing overheating and maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If cooling device is added to prevent overheating, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fluid conduit serves multiple functions: it cools the drive, manages heat from the valve drive mechanism, and can be integrated with existing fluid lines in the spray system. By making the cooling system multi-functional and integrating it with existing system components, the additional complexity is minimized while achieving reliable temperature control.
3Productivity
If valve opens permanently for continuous application, then productivity is improved, but paint viscosity fluctuates due to heat, worsening manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device acts as an intermediary thermal control system that maintains stable temperatures in the paint supply lines and nozzle area. By circulating cooling fluid through conduits positioned near the paint flow path, the system prevents heat-induced viscosity fluctuations without interfering with the continuous paint application process, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables serial and continuous application of paint with reduced overspray, maintaining consistent application results and extending the service life of the drive by controlling temperature fluctuations, thereby improving application efficiency and paint deposition on the component.
Implementation Method 1
heating the application agent, the viscosity of the application agent can be reduced
Implementation Method 2
at least one temperature control device comprises... a heat exchanger device for cooling the at least one drive
Implementation Method 3
at least one temperature control device comprises at least one temperature control fluid line for a temperature control fluid, with the temperature control fluid line running inside the print head and/or extending along the outside of the print head in order to cool the print head
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention relates to an application device (V) for applying an application agent to a component, preferably for applying a coat to a motor-vehicle body component. The application device (V) comprises a printhead (100) for preferably serially and/or continuously applying the application agent, wherein the printhead (100) has: a nozzle plate (1), at least one nozzle (2) in the nozzle plate (1) for dispensing the application agent, at least one valve element (9) movable relative to the nozzle plate (1) for controlling the dispensing of the application agent by means of the at least one nozzle (2), wherein the at least one movable valve element (9) closes the at least one nozzle (2) in a closed position and opens the at least one nozzle in an open position, and at least one drive (A) for moving the at least one valve element (9). The application device (V) is characterized in particular in that the application device comprises at least one temperature-control device (T1-T8) for reducing heating of the at least one drive (A) during the application of the application agent.