Temperature-Controlled Print Head for Stable Paint Viscosity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing application devices for motor vehicle body components, such as paint atomizers, suffer from inefficiencies leading to overspray and temperature-related variations in paint viscosity, which can damage the paint and reduce application efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a temperature control apparatus within the print head to manage the temperature of the drive and application medium, using heating and cooling mechanisms to maintain consistent conditions and reduce drive heating, thereby ensuring efficient and consistent paint application without overspray.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the valve is opened and closed with maximum frequency or kept permanently open to maintain continuous operation, then the productivity is improved, but the drive overheats and causes negative effects on the application medium
Solution Approach 1:
A cooling device is introduced as an intermediary component between the drive and the environment. This cooling device actively removes excess heat from the drive, enabling continuous high-frequency valve operation without temperature-related degradation. The cooling device acts as a mediator that allows the drive to operate at high productivity levels while maintaining safe operating temperatures.
2Productivity
If the valve operates at high frequency to improve application efficiency, then the productivity increases, but the heat generated damages the application medium and varies its viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device serves as an intermediary that protects the application medium from thermal damage. By actively cooling the drive, it prevents heat transfer to the application medium, thereby maintaining consistent viscosity and chemical properties even during high-frequency operation that enables high productivity.
3Temperature
If the drive is cooled to prevent overheating, then the temperature stability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional cooling components
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is designed to be integrated with the existing print head structure, utilizing the application medium supply lines and existing thermal pathways. The system leverages the circulation of application medium or integrated cooling channels to remove heat, reducing the need for separate, complex cooling systems. This self-service approach allows effective temperature control while minimizing additional complexity.
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 significantly reduces drive heating, maintains consistent paint viscosity, and enhances application efficiency by ensuring that nearly all applied paint is deposited on the component, minimizing overspray and maintaining application quality across varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one temperature control apparatus, in particular for cooling the at least one drive
Implementation Method 2
The heating apparatus serves in particular to heat a heating fluid
Implementation Method 3
at least one heat-conducting construction composed of heat-conductive material
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an application device for applying an application medium onto a component, preferably for application of a coating onto a motor vehicle body component. The application device includes a print head for preferably serial and/or permanent application of the application medium, wherein the print head has: a nozzle plate, at least one nozzle in the nozzle plate in order to discharge the application medium, at least one valve element, which is movable relative to the nozzle plate, for control of the application medium discharge through the at least one nozzle, wherein the at least one movable valve element closes the at least one nozzle in a closing position and releases it in an opening position, and at least one drive for moving the at least one valve element. The application device is characterised in particular in that it includes at least one temperature control apparatus for reducing heating of the at least one drive during application of the application medium.