JP2004167484A - Method, device, and cartridge for supplying fluid - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and device for supplying fluid which is sent from the fluid source of the fluid supply device 1 and is supplied through a discharge orifice 12 assigned to the supply device 1. <P>SOLUTION: In the method and device for supplying the fluid, before the fluid is supplied through the discharge orifice 12 the fluid, the fluid flows through heat transmission chambers 36∼46 having a large number of communication cavities and comprising a fluid permeable structure through which the fluid flows and, thereby, is heated or cooled. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for supplying fluid, wherein the fluid is sent from a fluid source of the device for supplying fluid and is supplied through a discharge orifice associated with the supply device.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a fluid supply device having a flow path that can be connected to a fluid source and that is open in a discharge orifice for supplying fluid.

  In many industrial applications, a fluid substance (fluid) is supplied with the aid of a fluid supply device and is deposited on or applied to a substrate. The fluid substance may be, for example, an adhesive, a paint, or a sealing material, and the substrate may be a personal care product, a plastic sheet, furniture, mechanical parts, and the like. Depending on the field of application, the fluid substance can be supplied, for example, in the form of droplets, strips or films, or the substance can be sprayed using a gas jet acting on the fluid. The fluid supply is connected to a fluid source, for example, an adhesive storage container, and the fluid is pumped by a pump through a so-called application valve to, for example, a circular or slot-shaped discharge orifice.

  In some applications, it may be advantageous to heat the fluid before delivery. In the spraying process, it is advantageous to heat the gas acting on the fluid to be supplied. To this end, by electrically heating the base of the supply device, the liquid or gas flowing through the flow path formed in the base is heated by convective heat transfer at the inner wall delimiting the flow path. It is well known that It is well known that a gas flow path according to a zigzag pattern can be formed for heating a gas in a fluid supply device. The purpose of the zig-zag design is to improve the heat transfer in this way by lengthening the available flow paths for the heat transfer. However, this has the disadvantage that the design required to create this type of flow path is very complex and therefore expensive.

  It is an object of the present invention to develop a method and apparatus of the type described above and a cartridge that improves heat transfer.

  The present invention achieves the object with respect to a method of the above type in that the fluid is heated or cooled through a heat transfer chamber before supplying the fluid through a discharge orifice. Since the heat transfer chamber is a fluid permeable structure having a number of communicating cavities, fluid circulates through the structure.

  Furthermore, the present invention achieves the object for an apparatus of the above type by means of a heat transfer chamber for heating or cooling a fluid comprising a fluid permeable structure having a number of communicating cavities.

  An advantage of the method according to the invention and of the device according to the invention is that the heat transfer for heating or cooling before the liquid and / or gas is supplied by the supply device is achieved by the fluid permeable structure according to the invention, in which the fluid passes and circulates. The improvement is considerably improved by providing. The fluid permeable structure is preferably a sintered material, particularly a sintered metal having a plurality of interconnecting cavities that are inherently rigid and through which fluid circulates. Due to the fluid-permeable structure present in the flow path of the heat transfer chamber, the heat transfer is improved by a significant doubling of the surface area which is decisive for the heat transfer between the structure and the fluid to be heated or possibly cooled. . The structure is heated by means described in detail below so that heat transfers to the fluid over a large surface area of the structure. Furthermore, the transfer of heat is improved by the fluid being repeatedly deflected as it flows through the structure, causing a certain amount of turbulence, which in turn promotes heat transfer. Thus, according to the invention, the transfer of heat, for example the heating of a liquid or a gas, is considerably improved, so that the device can be manufactured relatively compact. The increase in flow resistance caused by the fluid-permeable structure can be neglected compared to free-flow channels, especially when heating compressed gas for a supply device for spraying liquids such as hot-melt adhesives. it can. The use of sintered metal as a preferred material has the advantage that it has a large internal heat transfer surface, is dimensionally stable, is easy to manufacture and process, and is therefore suitable for several specific applications Has advantages. However, alternatively, according to the invention, it is also possible to use another open-pore, preferably essentially rigid structure, such as a textile, a metal blade or a rigid open-pore cellular plastic. .

  As the fluid flows through the heat transfer chamber, it is advantageous that the fluid be heated or cooled and simultaneously filtered by the fluid permeable structure, thus purifying gases or liquids in addition to being heated.

  Preferably, the fluid permeable structure is in contact with the interior surface of the heat transfer chamber to introduce heat to or remove heat from the fluid. Thus, efficient heat transfer occurs.

  It is particularly preferred that the fluid is a liquid, especially a fluid plastic such as a hot melt adhesive, and is heated by flowing through a heat transfer chamber. Similarly, the fluid is preferably a gas, especially air, and is heated by flowing through a heat transfer chamber, which is advantageous for spray applications.

  The device of the present invention is improved by simple design changes by forming the heat transfer chamber as a section of the flow path into which the fluid permeable structure is inserted. In this way, by inserting the fluid-permeable structure of the invention, heat transfer can be improved in a simple manner in the flow path formed in the housing or base of the supply device.

  It is particularly advantageous for the fluid-permeable structure to be designed essentially as a cylinder inserted essentially into the cylindrical bore. This is because it allows for simple manufacture and installation and replacement of the fluid-permeable structure.

  Yet another advantage is realized if the fluid-permeable structure is a mechanically finished sintered metal part, preferably a turned sintered metal part. The heat transfer between the sintered metal part and the heat transfer part is further improved by mechanical finishing, for example turning, of the surface of the sintered metal part in contact with the heat transfer chamber. As a result of the turning, the outer holes are partially sealed and a larger contact surface is obtained without adversely affecting the internal structure through which the fluid flows.

  Advantageously, the heat transfer chamber is formed in a metal housing, the housing including a heating element for heating the housing.

  It is particularly preferred that the fluid-permeable structure is designed as part of a cartridge that can be inserted into the device. The cartridge is removably attached to the device and fluid flows therethrough. This allows for quick and easy replacement. With regard to the cartridge, it is advantageous to have at least one heating element.

According to another aspect, an apparatus has a base, wherein one or more heat transfer chambers are mounted on the base, and one or more application modules are provided, wherein the application module is located on the base. It is proposed to be fitted and include a discharge orifice for supplying a fluid. If necessary, several heat transfer chambers can be connected in parallel or in series. These heat transfer chambers are preferably mounted in separate housing sections that can be mounted on each other.
Additional advantageous modifications are specified in the dependent claims.

Next, the present invention will be described based on preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
The devices shown in FIGS. 1-3, also known as applicator heads or fluid supply devices, supply liquids such as adhesives, hot melt adhesives, cold glues, sealants to various substrates. Used to apply. The apparatus 1 comprises a metal base 2 and four supply or application modules 4, 6, 8, 10; each application module is screwed into the base 2 and fluid is supplied from each application module through at least one discharge orifice 12. You. The application modules 4 to 10 are also supplied with compressed gas, which appears in the area of the discharge orifice 12 through the compressed gas nozzle and acts on the fluid in such a way as to cause a spray or swirling of the fluid. The substrate to be coated is transported by a transport device, not shown, through the device 1 below the discharge orifice, for example in the direction indicated by arrow 14. The device 1 can be attached to the support structure by means of clamping screws 16 which are fixed to the base 2.

  A hose connection socket 18 is used to connect the device 1 to a fluid source such as an adhesive storage container (not shown) for a liquid adhesive. By well-known means, the adhesive is transported through the channel, which consists of several sections, passes through the base 2 into the application modules 4 to 10 and reaches the discharge orifice 12. The adhesive flow path includes a first hole 20, shown only schematically in dashed lines, a transverse distribution channel 22, and a beveled hole 24 communicating with the transverse distribution channel 22 and communicating with each of the modules 4-10. , And additional channels formed within the application modules 4-10 and open into the discharge orifices 12.

  Each module 4-10 includes a valve system (not shown in detail) that can selectively start and stop the flow of adhesive within the device 1, which valve system A valve body that is pneumatically movable from a position to a closed position and interacts with the valve seat. The valve system is shown only by an electrically controllable solenoid valve 26, a control air line 28 connected to the solenoid valve, and dashed lines 30, 32, but with a compressed gas dispensing module. 4 to 10 are operated by means of compressed gas channels formed in the base 2 which are used to guide into.

  An air connection socket 34 is mounted on the base 2 for supplying a gas, for example a compressed gas in the present invention. The compressed gas flows through a number of compressed gas channels, which will be described in greater detail below, and is used to cause atomization or swirling of the fluid supplied through the discharge orifice 12.

  Several heat transfer chambers 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 are formed inside the base 2 for heating the atomizing gas, preferably air. The gas flows through the heat transfer chamber in the direction indicated by the arrow. In the present invention, there are two serially connected preheating heat transfer chambers 36, 38 and four additional parallel connected heat transfer chambers 40-46 assigned to the application modules 4-10. However, alternatively, another number of series or parallel heat transfer chambers or a single heat transfer chamber may be provided, depending on the particular application. The heat transfer chambers 36 to 46 are arranged parallel to each other in a plane in the upper section of the base. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base 2 consists of several housing sections which are clamped together by threaded joints. Each housing section holds at least one heat transfer chamber and serves for mounting one of the application modules 4-10.

  A fluid permeable structure including a number of communicating cavities is provided in each heat transfer chamber. In the embodiment shown here, this structure is formed by a cylindrical sintered metal part 48. The heat transfer chamber in which the fluid-permeable structure is located serves mainly to improve the heat transfer of the gas flowing through the fluid-permeable structure, ie to improve the heating in this embodiment. The sintered metal part is rigid in nature and can for example consist of a bronze copper alloy. Alternatively, however, the fluid permeable structure can be constructed of metal fabric, metal blades, or rigid open pore cellular plastic through which gas or liquid can flow.

  The sintered metal part 48 is cylindrical and fits into a cylindrical hole 50 formed in the base 2 and is inserted therein. The addition or removal of heat is described below. Each cylindrical bore 50 is formed as a through hole in the base or, more precisely, in its housing section. A sintered metal portion 48 can be inserted from the inlet end 52 of the cylindrical bore 50, which can be easily distinguished in FIG. The inlet end 52 and the opposite end 54 of the cylindrical bore 50 are both provided with internal threads and can be hermetically sealed in a working state by means of a screw plug (not shown here). The gas conducted through the intake socket 34 flows through the heat transfer chamber 36, then through the transverse hole 56 into the heat transfer chamber 38, then through the transverse hole 58 into the heat transfer chamber 40, and finally To the application module 4. Gas also continues to flow through additional transverse holes 60, 62, 64 to corresponding heat transfer chambers 42, 44, 46 and into corresponding application modules 6, 8, 10. To replace the sintered metal part 48, the plug screwed into the inlet end 52 is removed and the tool is removed as far as possible using tools. This tool can be inserted into the opposite end 54 to extrude the sintered metal part 48.

  In order to supply heat to the heat transfer chambers 36-46 and the fluid permeable structure (sintered metal part 48), an electric resistance heater is provided inside the base 2, i.e. for several heaters as shown in FIG. Attached inside the lumens 58,60. In a manner not shown, a cylindrically shaped electric resistance heater is inserted into the transverse holes 58, 60 and current is supplied to the electric resistance heater through a connection 62 to the transverse holes 58, 60. The resistance heater constitutes a heating element for heating the base 2. As heat energy is transmitted through the base 2 by heat transfer, the individual heat transfer chambers 36-46 and the fluid permeable structures inserted therein are sufficient to transfer the heat energy to the gas flowing through the fluid permeable structure. It can be heated to a temperature and the gas is heated. The surface available for heat transfer is significantly increased, and the gas circulating through the structure bends and is thus agitated, creating a certain amount of turbulence that promotes heat transfer, so that heat transfer is It is significantly improved by the permeable structure. In a manner not shown, instead of a heating element, it is also possible to provide a coolant, which cools the base 2 and thus the temperature of the heat transfer chambers 36 to 46 and the fluid-permeable structure, for example, a cooled It is for reducing a coolant, such as a gas or a coolant, by introducing it into the transverse holes 58, 60.

  FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment having a design that is basically similar to the design of the device 1 described with reference to FIGS. The differences from the device 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described below, but otherwise the above description applies entirely to this alternative embodiment. The base 2 shown in FIG. 4 holds three coating modules, not shown, which are assigned three heat transfer chambers 42, 44, 46, which are the same as those shown in FIG. Can be mounted in any way. Two heat transfer chambers 36, 38 connected in series are formed in the left housing section 64 in FIG. A fluid permeable structure in the form of a sintered metal part 50 is likewise inserted into the cylindrical bore 48. For this purpose an inlet end 52 is provided, which can be sealed off by a stopper not shown. The gas to be heated is introduced through inlet 66. The gas can then flow through the transverse holes 56, 58, 60, 62 to individual heat transfer chambers 42-46 connected to the outlet ends of the transverse holes.

  FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the fluid supply device according to the present invention, in which a liquid, such as a hot melt adhesive, is heated or cooled by the heat transfer chamber 68 and a fluid permeable structure formed therein. You. As described in detail above, the fluid permeable structure is inserted into a cylindrical bore 72 formed in the base 2 such that there is contact between the sintered metal portion 70 and the inner surface of the cylindrical bore 72. It is preferably designed as a shaped cylindrical sintered metal part 70. As has also been explained above with reference to the first embodiment, the description of which is fully applied here, the base 2 can be provided by a heating element, preferably an electric heating element, in a manner not shown in FIG. It can be heated or cooled by a coolant, so that the adhesive passes from the fluid source connected by the connection socket 18 in the direction of the arrow 74 through the heat transfer chamber 68 and through the hole 76 at the outlet of the heat transfer chamber. The adhesive flowing through the fluid-permeable structure is heated or cooled with the aid of the sintered metal part 70 as it flows through the at least one application module 4 having a discharge orifice 12 for supplying fluid.

  FIG. 6 shows a fluid-permeable structure according to the present invention in the form of a cylindrical sintered metal part, which can be inserted into the flow path for the liquid or gas to be supplied by the supply device 1, Used for transmission, preferably for heating. At the same time liquids or gases can be filtered. After being sintered, the sintered metal part 48 can be mechanically finished on its outer cylindrical surface, preferably by turning, so that the pores present on the cylindrical surface are partially sealed by deformation This results in an increased surface in contact with the inner wall of the lumen into which the sintered metal portion 48 is inserted. In this way the heat transfer is further improved. Alternatively, although not shown, it is also possible for several individual sections of the sintered metal part to be placed in a row in the heat transfer chamber.

  FIG. 7 shows a cartridge 70 according to the invention, for insertion into a fluid supply device 1, for example of the type specified in the above description. The cartridge 70 can be removably attached to the heat transfer chambers 36-46 using, for example, a stopper, a bayonet socket, or a threaded joint. The cartridge 70 has an external heating element 72 in the form of a hollow cylinder. The heating element 72 includes a number of electrical conductors (not shown) that generate heat when current is applied. An electrical connection (not shown) is provided for this purpose. A fluid-permeable structure according to the invention in the form of a cylinder 74, preferably a sintered metal part which fits into the cavity of a hollow cylinder, is formed inside the heating element 72. When the cartridge 70 is inserted, the liquid to be heated, eg, a hot melt adhesive, or the gas to be heated, eg, compressed air, flows through the fluid permeable structure of the cylinder 74 in the manner described above. , Heating occurs.

  An alternative embodiment of the cartridge 71 according to the invention shown in FIG. 8 differs from the cartridge 70 described with reference to FIG. 7 in that no heating element is provided and instead a fluid permeable designed as a sintered metal part The difference is that a housing is provided in the form of a cylinder 73 that holds the sex structure. The tube is made of, for example, aluminum or other good heat conductor material. Two grooves 76 are formed in the outer cylindrical surface of the tube 73 near the end of the tube, into which a gasket ring, for example, an O-ring, is inserted in a manner not shown, so that the heat transfer chamber in the base 2 is formed. Since a seal can be formed for the lumen, the fluid to be heated flows through a well-defined passage through a fluid permeable structure designed as a sintered metal portion 74.

  The alternative cartridge shown in FIG. 9 is a centrally mounted electric heating element 80 and a fluid permeable, in the form of a sintered metal part designed as a hollow cylinder 82 in which the heating element 80 fits within its internal cavity. Having a structure. As described above, the cartridge 78 is also disposed at the base of the fluid supply device 1 and is removably clamped, and the fluid flows through the sintered metal portion 80 so that the cartridge is heated.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the hot-melt adhesive is heated in the heat transfer chamber 68 and sent into the coating module 4.

The mode of operation of the method according to the invention is as follows.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, liquid flows into the base 2 and the modules 4-10 through the connection socket 18 and is then supplied by the discharge orifice 12. The gas flows into the base 2 through the connection socket 34 and is heated by flowing through the heat transfer chambers 36 to 46 according to the invention, preferably by using a cartridge of the type illustrated in FIGS. To this end, the inner walls of the heat transfer chambers 36 to 46 and the fluid-permeable structure are heated by a heating element or, in the case of cooling, cooled by a coolant. The heated or cooled gas then flows through the base 2 into the coating modules 4 to 10 and, in this heated state, acts to create a mist or turbulence in the liquid to be supplied. .

1 is a side view of a fluid supply device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is another side view of the device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of several heat transfer chambers for the device according to FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the fluid supply device according to the invention, capable of heating a fluid. It is a perspective view of a cylindrical sintered metal part. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cartridge of the fluid supply device. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a cartridge. FIG. 14 illustrates another alternative embodiment of a cartridge.

Claims (33)

  A method for supplying a fluid, wherein the fluid is supplied from a fluid source of a fluid supply device (1) and supplied by a discharge orifice (12) disposed in the supply device (1), wherein the fluid is supplied to the discharge orifice. Prior to being provided through (12), the fluid is heated or cooled by flowing through heat transfer chambers (36-46), the heat transfer chamber including a fluid permeable structure having a number of communicating cavities, wherein the fluid is fluid permeable. Flowing through a sexual structure.   The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid-permeable structure is rigid in nature and comprises a sintered material, a sintered metal, a woven material, a metal fabric, or a cellular plastic.   Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fluid is heated or cooled as it flows through the heat transfer chambers (36-46) and at the same time is filtered by the fluid permeable structure.   That the inner surfaces of the heat transfer chambers (36-46) are at a higher or lower temperature than the fluid flowing into them, and that the fluid permeable structure is in contact with the inner surfaces of the heat transfer chambers (36-46). 4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:   A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid flows through several series or parallel connected heat transfer chambers (36-46) and is heated or cooled. .   A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid, in particular a fluid plastic, such as a hot-melt adhesive, is heated by flowing through the heat transfer chambers (36-46).   The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid is a gas, preferably air, and is heated by flowing through a heat transfer chamber (36-46).   An apparatus for supplying a fluid having a flow path connectable to a source of fluid and open into a discharge orifice (12) for supplying the fluid, the apparatus comprising a plurality of communicating cavities. An apparatus featuring a heat transfer chamber (36-46) for heating or cooling a fluid, including a permeable structure.   9. The device of claim 8, wherein the fluid permeable structure comprises a sintered material, a sintered metal, a textile material, a metal blade, or an open-pore, essentially rigid cellular plastic.   Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the heat transfer chamber (36-46) is formed by a section of the channel, into which the fluid-permeable structure is inserted.   Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the fluid-permeable structure is designed essentially as a cylinder inserted into a cylindrical bore (50).   Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the fluid-permeable structure is a mechanically finished sintered metal part, preferably a turned sintered metal part.   The heat transfer chamber (36-46) is formed in a metallic housing (2) and the housing (2) includes a heating element for heating the housing (2). Item 13. The apparatus according to any one of Items 8 to 12.   Device according to any of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the fluid-permeable structure contacts the inner wall of the cylindrical bore (50) and fits into said cylindrical bore.   The fluid permeable structure is designed as part of a cartridge (70, 78) that can be inserted into the device (1), and the cartridge can be removably attached to the device, through which the fluid passes. Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 14, characterized by flowing.   Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the cartridge (70, 78) has at least one heating element (80).   The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the heating element (80) is centrally mounted inside the cartridge (78), and wherein the fluid permeable structure surrounds the heating element (80).   Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the heating element (80) is designed essentially as a cylinder and the fluid-permeable structure is designed as a hollow cylinder surrounding the cylinder.   Device according to claims 17 and 18, characterized in that the heating element (72) is designed essentially as a hollow cylinder and the fluid-permeable structure is mounted inside the hollow cylinder.   A base (2) having one or more heat transfer chambers (36-46) attached thereto and one or more application modules (4, 6, 8, 10) provided; 20. Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 19, wherein the application module comprises a discharge orifice (12) mounted on the base (2) for supplying a fluid.   Device according to any of claims 8 to 20, characterized in that a heat transfer chamber (36-46) comprising a fluid-permeable structure is connected in the liquid flow path of the device (1). .   The device according to any one of claims 8 to 21, characterized in that a heat transfer chamber (36-46) comprising a fluid permeable structure is connected in the gas flow path of the device (1). .   23. Apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 22, characterized in that the fluid flows through a number of parallel or series connected heat transfer chambers (36-46) and is heated.   Claims: A number of housing sections containing heat transfer chambers (36-46) are attached to each other such that fluid flows through the heat transfer chambers (36-46) continuously or simultaneously. Item 24. The apparatus according to any one of Items 8 to 23.   25. One or more of the claims 8 to 24, characterized in that at least one heat transfer chamber (36-46) has a fluid-permeable structure and is assigned to each application module (4-10). The device according to item.   26. Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 25, characterized in that a cylindrical bore (50) into which a fluid-permeable structure can be inserted can be sealed with a stopper.   Cartridge (70, 78) for a fluid supply having a fluid permeable structure that serves the purpose of heat transfer.   28. Cartridge according to claim 27, wherein the cartridge (70, 78) has a preferably hollow cylindrical housing (70, 71) holding a fluid permeable structure.   29. Cartridge according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that the fluid-permeable structure is a sintered part, preferably a sintered metal part (74).   A cartridge according to any one of claims 27 to 29, designed according to at least one of claims 16 to 18.   A heat transfer device for a fluid supply device having a housing (2) and a flow path formed in the housing, wherein the heat transfer device heats or cools a fluid including a fluid permeable structure having a number of communicating cavities. Device characterized by a heat transfer chamber (36-46).   32. The heat transfer device according to claim 31, wherein the fluid-permeable structure comprises a sintered material, a sintered metal (50), a woven material, a metal fabric, or an open-pore essentially rigid cellular plastic. .   32. The heat transfer device according to claim 31, wherein the heat transfer chamber (36-46) is formed inside the housing (2).

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