EP2002898A1 - Application device for applying a fluid onto a substrate with valve devices, method for cleaning the application device and valve device for application device - Google Patents

Abstract

Application device comprises a cleaning valve arrangement (20) assigned to the fluid inlet channel (110) of a distribution fluid chamber with a cleaning valve nozzle (30) and a valve actuating unit (5) for closing and opening the cleaning valve nozzle. A flow path (100) for cleaning the fluid chamber is formed in the distribution fluid chamber between the fluid inlet channel and the cleaning valve arrangement when the cleaning valve nozzle is open. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) Method for cleaning the application device; and (2) Electronic control device for the application device. Preferred Features:.

Description

The invention is directed to an applicator for applying fluid to a substrate comprising a series of valve means each provided with an application valve nozzle for blasting the fluid under pressure and associated valve actuation means for controlling fluid emission by closing and opening the application valve nozzles and comprising a common distribution fluid chamber pressurizable with the fluid interconnecting the application valve means for impinging the fluid, the distribution fluid chamber being provided with a fluid inlet passage arranged to communicate with the distribution fluid chamber Pressure fluid is distributed along the row of application valve means on this. The invention also relates to a method for cleaning the application device and to a valve device for the application device.

It is a application device, which is equipped in particular with electromagnetically operated valves. The valves are opened and closed by individual actuation to form a dot or line application, which can result in a two-dimensional application, on a substrate, e.g. to produce on a flat web or a surface part. As the application fluid is any liquid substance, in particular paint or ink suitable for an application of paint. It is also possible to carry out coatings or impregnations with adhesives, coating compositions or the like. The control determines applied amounts, applied areas, patterns and / or applied characters.

Cleaning and maintenance of the application device are of particular importance. The valve nozzles have a diameter of eg only 60 to 150 micrometers. The valve nozzles and fluid paths in the valve devices can through clog the finest particles or smallest deposit easily. Common application devices often need to be completely disassembled, particularly to clean the distribution fluid chamber which feeds the valve means together. Impurities occur in particular after a first assembly. But even during operation, faults occur due to deposits. In addition, there are special cleaning requirements when the application substance to change, so for example, a color change is made. Conventional application devices must then be mostly completely or largely disassembled into their components and adjusted after subsequent assembly with considerable effort using separate micrometering devices. Here is the invention to remedy the situation.

The invention is based on the objectives to improve the cleaning of the application device and its valve devices and to make it easy. The application device or the valve device should be effective and easy to clean for a variety of cases even without disassembly, especially while maintaining adjustment settings of the valve nozzles.

The objectives of the invention are achieved in connection with the characteristics of the application device of the type mentioned above in that at least one fluid inlet channel of the distribution fluid chamber is associated with at least one cleaning valve device, which is connected to the distribution arrangement in order to connect to the distribution fluid chamber. Valve means is incorporated and equipped with a cleaning valve nozzle and associated valve actuator for closing or opening the cleaning valve nozzle, wherein in the distribution fluid chamber between the fluid inlet channel and the at least one associated cleaning valve means effective at open cleaning valve nozzle flow path for cleaning the common distribution fluid chamber is formed.

The objects are achieved according to a method according to the invention for cleaning the application device according to the invention in that (i) the distribution fluid chamber, which connects the valve devices in series along the associated cleaning flow path, with pressurized Cleaning fluid is applied, (ii) the application valve means are kept closed, whereas the cleaning valve nozzle of the cleaning flow path associated cleaning valve means is opened, and (iii) then the cleaning valve nozzle of the cleaning valve means is closed and the Application valve devices are opened upon pressurization of the distribution fluid chamber with pressurized cleaning fluid.

A valve device according to the invention of a application device for applying fluid to a substrate, in particular plurality of series arrangement in a application device according to the invention comprises a valve housing having a valve housing with valve nozzle for emitting the fluid under pressure, a fluid pressure acted upon supply fluid chamber, a valve actuator, by a solenoid device is formed with a reciprocatingly movable, engaging in the valve seat for closing and opening the valve nozzle valve piston, and a piston stopper against which the valve piston operates, the valve actuator is disposed between the supply fluid chamber and the valve housing and wherein the Valve housing is releasably secured together with the valve nozzle on the valve nozzle having nozzle side of the valve device, whereby the valve piston released with the valve housing removed wherein the valve means is provided with at least one straight-line, fluid-free fluid passage which, passing the valve actuator, connects the supply fluid chamber to the valve seat, the valve piston and a part of the piston stop together forming a wall of the straight fluid channel; which is released when the valve housing is removed, and wherein the piston stop is formed by an adjusting piston, which is adjustably mounted for adjusting and adjusting the piston stroke in the stroke direction.

The application device according to the invention is characterized in particular in that the distribution fluid chamber, which supplies fluid to all the valve devices of the application device, can be cleaned simply and effectively without the application device being opened or disassembled. The cleaning valve device according to the invention is designed such that when the cleaning nozzle is open and the application nozzles are closed, the common fluid chamber is flushed through, that cleaning fluid is pressed under pressure at high speed and thus impulsively sweeping through the distribution fluid chamber. In order to form the cleaning flow path through the distribution fluid chamber, the valve nozzle of the cleaning valve device has a relatively large nozzle cross section. It is a nozzle cross-section, which is not suitable for fluid application. As a result, the cleaning valve device differs significantly from the application valve devices. Incidentally, the purge valve means and the application valve means of the application means are suitably the same and coincident in design to inexpensively produce the application means and to simplify the valve control.

With the application device according to the invention, a particularly effective cleaning process can be carried out. Thus, it is particularly advantageous if the application valve devices are cleaned by program-controlled method steps i) to iii) by means of electronic control, wherein the valve nozzles are controlled closed or opened by means of the valve actuation devices and in step iii) the application Valve devices are opened by opening the application valve nozzles. Preferably, the application valve means are opened one at a time only one at a time, while the other application valve nozzles are kept closed. As the fluid for cleaning, it is desirable to use water, detergent optionally dissolving with the coating substance or otherwise suitable cleaning fluid.

The control of the cleaning process with the controlled opening and closing of the nozzle openings can be carried out in a simple manner with an electronic processor control device set up for this purpose in that it is equipped with a control program which represents the said sequence of method steps and provides for execution. Such a control device can be used in the usual way e.g. be set up with a computer in conjunction with a program representing the method sections.

Although it can be provided according to the invention that a plurality of groups of valve devices are formed in a application device, each assigned between a cleaning valve device and a fluid inlet channel, a preferred embodiment of the invention is that the fluid inlet channel and the associated cleaning valve device are provided in single number, wherein all application valve devices of the application device between the one fluid inlet channel and the one cleaning Valve device are arranged. It has been found that, in particular in such an arrangement, a particularly effective cleaning flow path through the distribution fluid chamber is generated when the cleaning valve nozzle of the cleaning valve means has an effective flow cross-section which is several times, preferably about 10 times greater than that is the same or largest flow area of the application valve nozzles of the application valve devices.

A application device according to the invention which is particularly preferred for paint application in practice has the one cleaning valve device and eight application valve devices. But also devices with fewer application nozzles, for example with five nozzles, or with more application nozzles, e.g. with fifteen nozzles prove to be especially practical. Application units with preferably five to fifteen application valve devices and in each case one cleaning valve device are expediently also set up as a module element which is joined together with the same module elements to form a application device with radiation nozzles arranged in rows and columns. Such application module elements can be assembled with plug connections and / or screw connections.

A application device according to the invention is formed in a preferred design with electromagnetically operated valve devices. In connection with the inventive arrangement of the cleaning valve device can be achieved particular advantages.

The electromagnetic configuration of the application device according to the invention is that the valve actuation devices of the valve devices are arranged in a row arrangement spatially between the distribution fluid chamber and the nozzle side of the application device having the valve nozzles of the valve devices in that each valve actuating device has a solenoid device with a valve piston that can be moved back and forth, that each valve device has a valve housing with valve nozzle and valve seat, with which the associated valve piston for opening and closing the valve nozzle cooperates, that each valve device with a piston stop, against the the valve piston operates, is formed, wherein the piston stop is formed by an adjusting piston, which is adjustably mounted for adjusting and adjusting the piston stroke in the stroke direction, and that each valve device is provided with at least one straight running, free from flow corners fluid channel, the common Fluid chamber connects to the valve seat, wherein the valve piston and a part of the Justierkolbens together form a wall of the straight fluid channel, and wherein each valve means on the nozzle side of the application device has a mounting opening a ufweist, in which the valve housing is used as a closure element in releasable connection and the valve housing when the valve piston for removal from the valve device and the piston wall having straight fluid channel is free.

Said application device according to the invention, equipped with electromagnetic valves, in combination with the cleaning valve device provided according to the invention and the cleaning flow path achieved thereby also offers advantages for cleaning the valve fluid channels between the distribution fluid chamber and the application valve nozzles. Thus, according to the invention, it is important that first the cleaning of the distribution fluid chamber is carried out by fluid flow at high speed, that is from the supply fluid channel to the cleaning valve nozzle, a considerable, impurities entraining flow of the cleaning fluid is generated. Since it is ensured that the common distribution fluid chamber is first cleaned, now also the individual high-pressure application valve devices may conveniently be flushed one by one, as explained above. From the already flushed distribution fluid chamber no contaminants can get into the respective purged valve fluid channel between the distribution fluid chamber and the associated application valve nozzle. The straight-running, free from flow corners valve fluid passage ensures an excellent conditioner. Flow shadows in known application devices caused by undercuts, dead corners, areas with slow flow velocities or the like are avoided. Harmful air bubbles are avoided because a particularly effective ventilation is achieved by the straight, running on the wall of the adjusting piston and the valve piston flow path. The cleaning fluid cleans at each individually opened application valve means the distance between the distribution fluid chamber and the valve seat or the valve nozzle arranged thereon, without the application device must be disassembled. In this case, there is a significant advantage in that the set with the adjusting piston adjustment position of the valve piston is maintained.

Suitably, the valve nozzle is part of the valve housing. There is a nozzle aperture formed. Only by replacing the valve housing with a differently dimensioned valve nozzle can be realized for applying other subtleties and fluid quantities (amounts of ink).

The adjustable adjusting piston also guarantees considerable advantages. An adjusting device is preferably formed by a screw connection with fine thread. By turning the adjustment piston in and out, the distance to the valve piston and thus the desired fine piston stroke can be set exactly. The piston stroke directly affects the flow of the valve device, so that a precise adjustment for achieving a uniform application, in particular a uniform print image is particularly important. In the case of the nozzle construction according to the invention, the setting of the stroke can take place during valve operation. The rotational adjustment of the adjusting piston results in an immediate change of the flow through the valve nozzle.

A further advantage of said embodiment is that, after the distribution fluid chamber has been cleaned according to the invention, the fluid channel between the distribution fluid chamber and the associated application nozzle can also be cleaned by removing the releasably mounted valve housing in the event of gross contamination. The valve housing and the valve piston are easily removed and reassembled on the nozzle side of the application device, that is to say on the underside of the device forming the application side. Such partial disassembly may be required if a fluid change, eg a color change is to be made. In contrast to conventional application devices, the adjusting pistons, ie adjusting devices arranged therefor at the top or rear of the application device, are not dismantled. This is of considerable advantage, since just the adjusting devices are very sensitive to damage. The slightest damage can already falsify adjustments in the range of a few micrometers. As a result of the flushing of the distribution fluid chamber according to the invention with the cleaning valve device, the adjusting pistons for cleaning are also detected without disassembly taking place at the top / rear of the application device.

The valve device for an application device according to the invention in the aforementioned embodiment with electromagnetic actuation devices also comes as an independent device independent inventive significance. It is thus achieved with this valve device in a single design that a straight longitudinal flow takes place along the straight valve channel path between the supply fluid chamber and the valve nozzle. The longitudinal construction otherwise avoids flow shadows created by undercuts, dead corners, areas with slow flow velocities or the like. Thus, the single valve device can not only, as already explained, clean very well by flushing. The longitudinal flow also effectively cools the inner region of the electromagnetic device, namely a magnetic coil which partially surrounds the adjusting piston and the valve piston. This has a favorable effect on the life of the valve device. Design and installation of the valve device are particularly simple.

Moreover, the single valve device has the advantages that have been mentioned in connection with the valve means of the application device. In the case of a particularly coarse blockage, the valve body can be easily removed. The mounting opening is so large that the valve piston can also be easily removed. Thus, the valve fluid channel or the piston chamber to the nozzle side, ie downwardly open. By flushing with cleaning fluid under pressure, the valve fluid channel or the piston chamber are flushed through, and any dirt particles are flushed down. The adjusting piston or the adjusting device will not be dismantled. Adjustment adjustments can also be made precisely during the operation of the device, ie during the application.

Fig. 1A bis 1D

in Seitenansichten bzw. axonometrischer Ansicht eine erfindungsgemäße Auftragungseinrichtung mit acht Auftragungs-Ventildüsen und einer Reinigungs-Ventildüse,

Fig. 2

einen Längsschnitt durch eine Auftragungseinrichtung gemäß Fig. 1A bis D,

Fig.3

das Detail D der Fig. 2 und

Fig.4

eine erfindungsgemäß Einzel-Ventileinrichtung.

Subclaims are directed to the mentioned and still other expedient and advantageous embodiments of the invention. Particularly useful and advantageous embodiments or possibilities of the invention will be described with reference to the following description of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the schematic drawing. Show it

Fig. 1A to 1D

in side view or axonometric view of an application device according to the invention with eight application valve nozzles and a cleaning valve nozzle,

Fig. 2

a longitudinal section through a application device according to Fig. 1A to D .

Figure 3

the detail D of the Fig. 2 and

Figure 4

a single valve device according to the invention.

In the Fig. 1A to D illustrated application device according to the invention comprises a box-like valve body 15 which is composed of a base base 151 and a lid top 152. The lower part 151 is closed by a narrow elongated nozzle plate 121 which receives valve nozzles 3. The valve nozzles 3 are arranged on the nozzle / application side 12 in a straight row. On the opposite side, the application device 1 has an electrical plug connection 17 and a connection opening 16 for application fluid. In the exemplary embodiment, the row of valve nozzles 3 is determined by eight application valve nozzles 31 and a cleaning valve nozzle 30 terminating the nozzle row. The cleaning valve nozzle 30 is arranged according to the invention at the opposite end of the connection opening 16 of the nozzle row.

As from the sectional view according to Fig. 2 As can be seen, the valve body 15 is connected to an electronic power switching device 9. This switching device 9 is connected by means of a frame 19 in plug connection 18 with a cap 153 of the upper part 152. In this connection, the circuit device 9 is electrically connected directly to the valve body 15 via the plug connection 17 without using a ribbon cable connection. The electrical plug-in connection 17 produces electrical connections (not shown) to electromagnetic valve actuation devices 5 of the application device 1.

Out Fig. 2 and the detail according to Fig. 3 go structure and structure of the application device 1 according to the invention in the exemplary embodiment.

In the lower part 151 recesses are incorporated, which receive in a straight row next to each other nine valve devices 2. The valve device 20 at one end of the row is a cleaning valve device provided according to the invention, which is equipped with the cleaning valve nozzle 30. The eight other valve devices 21 are application valve devices whose valve nozzles 31 emit pressurized application fluid during normal operation.

In the upper part 152 of the valve body 15, there is formed a distribution fluid chamber 11 which can be fed from one side through the connection port 16 via a fluid inlet passage 110 with pressurized fluid. The chamber is in the form of an elongate channel of substantially circular cross-section extending along the row of valve means 2. The distribution fluid chamber 11 is provided on its side facing the valve actuators 5 at equal intervals with openings 73. These are each the opening 73 of a through hole or a through hole 70 in the lower part 151. The bore 70 opens into a projection 154, which engages in a mounting opening 13 of the nozzle plate 121.

The lower part 151, this downwardly closing nozzle plate 121, the upper part 152 and this upwardly closing cap 153 are joined together with not shown screw connections expediently. With the invention will be advantageous achieved that these parts remain when cleaning the application device 1 in the assembled state.

In Fig. 1A to D a closure element 155 can be seen, with which the fluid distribution channel 111 is sealed at its end opposite the fluid inlet channel 110. If necessary, this closure element can be used to vent the distribution fluid chamber 11. Due to the measures according to the invention, however, it is not necessary to remove this closure element 155 for cleaning the application device 1. Also, a vent is only exceptionally.

The valve devices 2, namely the cleaning valve device 20 and the application valve devices 21 are basically identical and identical. According to the invention, however, an essential difference is that the cleaning valve device 20 is equipped at the end of the series arrangement with the cleaning valve nozzle 30, which has a substantially larger flow cross-section than the flow cross-section of the application valve nozzle 31 of each application valve device 21. In the exemplary embodiment the application valve nozzles 31 have the same flow cross-section. In the exemplary embodiment, the flow cross section of the cleaning valve nozzle 30 should be ten times greater than the flow cross section of the application valve nozzle 31.

The valve device 2, which is thus provided nine times, will be described below.

The electromagnetic valve device 2 comprises the valve actuating device 5 arranged in the valve body 15, a valve housing 4 with the valve nozzle 3 and a valve seat 41, a valve piston 51 and an adjusting device 6 with an adjusting piston 61 against which the valve piston 51 operates. The valve housing 4 with the valve nozzle 3 forms a screw-in nozzle orifice.

The valve actuator 5 is designed as a solenoid device with a magnetic coil 50 which surrounds the through hole 70. From the through hole 70 projects on the projection 154 of the valve piston 51 down into a piston chamber 8. The valve piston 51 forms the solenoid armature of the solenoid coil 50 and immersed in the through hole 70 in the solenoid coil 50 inside. The valve piston 51 is mounted centrally in the through hole 70. Appropriately, not shown multipoint bearing is provided according to the invention. This is suitably formed by three at the longitudinal periphery of the valve piston 51 offset by 120 ° nubs. Thus, an annular gap is formed between the longitudinal circumferential surface of the valve piston 51 and the bore wall of the through hole 70. The through-bore 70 and the valve piston 51 expediently have a circular cross-section.

The lying in the solenoid 50 rear of the valve piston 51 abuts against a congruent trained piston stop 60 of the adjusting piston 61. The adjusting piston 61 is immersed in the through hole 70 in the solenoid coil 50 from the distribution fluid chamber 11 side. In this case, the adjusting piston 61 extends approximately two-thirds in the magnetic coil, while the valve piston 51 is immersed in the remaining third. The adjusting device 6 comprises a screw connection 63, which is formed on the wall of the distribution fluid chamber 11, which is opposite to the wall of the fluid inlet openings 73.

The adjusting piston 61 has the same cross section as the valve piston 51, wherein the two pistons are arranged in alignment. The adjusting piston 61 is centered by the Schraublagerung the screw 63 in the through hole 70. Thus, an annular gap is equally formed between the longitudinal periphery of the adjusting piston 61 and the wall of the through hole 70. The two annular gaps in the through bore 70 along the adjusting piston 61 and along the valve piston 51 form a valve fluid channel 7 in the form of an annular chamber channel 72. This extends from the fluid inlet port 73 to the outlet port 74 on the projection 154. The annular chamber channel 72 forms along the two Piston 51, 61 and the through hole 70 from a straight running flow path, which remains free of flow shadow forming corners and edges. In that regard, it is also important according to the invention that the adjusting piston 61 and the valve piston 51 come to rest with closed surfaces. Between the contact surfaces is in the embodiment only a stroke distance of approx. 0.5 μm. In any case, the stroke distance with the closed end faces of the two pistons 51, 61 is kept so small that the flow path through the annular chamber channel 72 in a straight path remains smooth and undisturbed.

The adjusting piston 61 projects far into the outlet fluid chamber 11 at the fluid inlet opening 73 of the annular chamber channel 72. The cross section of the adjusting piston 61 is kept relatively small in the flow cross section of the distribution fluid chamber 11, in order to obtain a large effective flow cross section in the distribution fluid chamber 11 to the fluid inlet openings 73 out.

According to the invention u.a. the design of the valve housing 4 of particular importance. It is designed in the form of a nozzle orifice which is an easily attachable and removable closure member 14. The valve housing 4 is formed as a rotating part with an external thread and screwed into releasable screw in the associated, having an internal thread mounting opening 13 on the nozzle plate 121. The valve housing 4 closes outwardly with an abutting on the nozzle / application side 12 edge panel. In the valve housing 4, the valve nozzle 3 is recessed in the middle. It is advantageously made of ceramic and can be inserted by pressing firmly into the valve housing 4.

The valve housing 4 has a frustoconical interior 8, which corresponds to the projection 154 in order to receive this precisely and centrally. Moreover, the interior 8 of the valve housing 4 is formed to receive a preloaded conical spring 52, which is part of the valve actuator 5, wherein it presses a head-closing element 54 of the valve piston 51 to close the valve nozzle 3 against this. The valve nozzle 3 is formed to the side of the valve piston 51 with the valve seat 41, to which the valve piston 51 engages with the head-closing element 54. In this case, the conical spring 52, which sits on the valve piston 51, held or clamped in its prestressed state between an annular edge of the projection 154 and a ring edge at the head end of the valve piston 51.

As will not be described in more detail here and as can be seen from the drawing, the components of the application device 1 are applied to adjoining interlocking surfaces in the region of fluid-carrying chambers and channels in the usual way with seals, e.g. O-ring seals sealed against each other.

In particular, based on the Fig. 2 and 3 the function of the cleaning valve device 20 according to the invention and the implementation of method steps according to the invention will be explained.

Via the fluid inlet channel 110, the distribution fluid chamber 11 is acted upon by pressurized cleaning fluid. This takes place in a state in which all valve devices 2 are closed. In the Fig. 2 and 3 For clarity of illustration, only the cleaning valve nozzle 30 is inserted into the nozzle plate 121. Of course, the remaining valve housing 4 are also attached to the nozzle plate 121 for closing all the valve means 2. The cleaning fluid is expediently water, optionally mixed with application substance particularly dissolving cleaning agent used.

While now the application valve means 21 are kept closed, the cleaning valve nozzle 30 is opened by means of the associated valve actuator 5. The valve piston 51 is moved against the force of the conical spring 52 over the stroke distance against the adjusting piston 61, so that cleaning fluid flows out of the cleaning valve nozzle 30 under pressure. The cleaning valve nozzle 30 has, as described above, a relatively large flow cross-section. It is thereby achieved that the fluid from the fluid inlet channel 110 passes at high flow speed along the distance 100 in the distribution fluid chamber 11 through the annular chamber channel 72 of the cleaning valve device 20 to the cleaning valve nozzle 30. Along the flow path 100, which passes through all the valve devices 2, the distribution fluid chamber 11 is cleaned particularly effectively of impurities such as particles or deposits. These are microparticles, for which the currently running annular chamber channel 72 is not an obstacle. It is essential to the extent that due to the large nozzle opening a high, very fine impurities entraining flow is generated. It is emphasized here that the flow cross section the cleaning valve nozzle 30 is so large that this nozzle is not suitable for an application operation and is not used for this purpose. The stroke of the adjusting device 6 of the cleaning valve device is set so large that the flow cross section of the valve nozzle 30 comes to full advantage.

After the distribution valve chamber 11 has been purged in the manner described, the cleaning valve device 20 is closed by normally switching the valve actuator 5. The application valve devices 21 are now opened successively by activation of the associated valve actuation devices 5. That is, one after the other, only one of the application valve nozzles 31 is opened while the other application valve nozzles 31 are kept closed. The distribution fluid chamber 11 is fed with pressurized cleaning fluid. In this way, one achieves in each case an effective cleaning and flushing of the annular chamber channel 72 and of the conical spring 52 receiving the interior 8 of the valve housing 4 including the application valve nozzle 30th

The sequence of the pressurization with cleaning fluid and the closing or opening of the valve devices 2 carried out for the described cleaning method is advantageously carried out by an electronic control device. This is set up with a control program such that the sequence of the method steps is predetermined in the manner according to the invention and can be carried out. As an electronic control device, the usual control electronics of a computer and / or a logic circuit can be used for application control, wherein the program steps according to the invention are additionally integrated. Such an electronic control device is not shown in the drawing. It is turned on, for example by means of a logic board to the electrical contacts 91 of the power electronics 9.

According to the cleaning method described above in the embodiment, the application device 1 is rinsed particularly effective especially after the initial assembly. It is of great advantage that cleaning and rinsing take place in a state of the application device in which the adjusting devices 6 of the application device 1 remain mounted. At the nozzle plate 121 opposite side of the application device 1 so no manipulation takes place by disassembly.

Only in particular cases, namely, if greater contamination is to be eliminated in the valve devices, according to the invention first with closed application valve means 21, the above-described flushing of the distribution fluid chamber 1 1 carried out by opening the cleaning valve nozzle 30 of the cleaning valve device 20, and Subsequently, the valve housing 4 of the application valve devices 21 are then successively unscrewed or reapplied, so that only one application valve device 21 is always cleaned.

The removal of the valve housing 4 is particularly simple. After the valve housing 4 has been removed, the mounting opening 13 releases the valve piston 51 and the conical spring 52, parts which, as such, are simply removed downward through the mounting opening 13. There is then a rinse under high pressure, for example with water or a special detergent. The valve piston 51, the conical spring 52 and the valve housing 4 with its valve nozzle 3 are cleaned individually. Moreover, to complete the cleaning, the valve housing 4 of the cleaning valve device 20 can still be removed and flushed with water at then closed application valve devices. Such measures take place only in exceptional cases in case of gross contamination. In most cases, the application valve devices 21 can be cleaned particularly effectively without removing the valve housings 4 (nozzle orifices) according to the invention.

Even with the last-described cleaning method, it is of particular importance that the adjusting devices 6 remain mounted. Manipulation is required only at the bottom of the application device 1.

After the application valve devices 21 have again been mounted with valve piston 51, conical spring 51 and valve housing 4, the desired fine lift between closed position and open position of the valve piston 51 is adjusted in each case with the adjusting device 6 in a simple manner. For this purpose, the adjusting device 6 has a micrometer fine thread 622 with adjusting screw 621.

A application device 1, as in the embodiment of the Fig. 1 to 3 has been described, can be advantageously provided as a modular unit, which can be combined with the same module units to a application device arranged in rows and columns radiating nozzles.

In the described embodiment, the valve devices 2 are housed and formed in the parts 151 to 153 of the common valve body 15. Of course, the valve devices can also each be formed by a single valve device. Such a valve device is in the embodiment in Fig. 4 shown. The single valve device has the same parts or corresponding parts as the valve device 2 of the application device 1 described. In Fig. 4 this is indicated by the fact that the in Fig. 1 to 3 used reference numerals are used by item numbered after item 1.

A single valve device 2.1 according to Fig. 4 can be assembled in plurality to a application device according to the invention. It is then necessary, as in Fig. 4 not shown, supply fluid comb 11.1 connected by suitable, not shown sealing means in series. Such an assembly of individual valve devices is known per se.

A valve device 2.1 according to Fig. 4 has the features, functions and advantages explained with respect to the valve device 2 of the application device 1 described above in the exemplary embodiment. The valve device 2.1 has independent inventive significance even without application in a application device according to the invention. It should be emphasized that the arrangement of the adjusting device 6.1, the annular chamber channel 72.1, which forms the straight longitudinal flow path, and the downwardly removable, formed by the valve housing 4.1 nozzle orifice in combination have advantages.

In particular, the straight flow path of the annular chamber channel 72.1 can be easily and effectively cleaned in the case of a nozzle panel which is easy to remove and attach. The nozzle orifice can be quickly exchanged with the desired valve nozzle 3.1 and to be assembled. There is only one manipulation on the underside of the valve device 2.1. At the top / rear of the valve device 2.1 all parts remain mounted. The adjustment adjustment is easy and exact to carry out despite the replaceable nozzle orifice. The straight flow path of the annular chamber channel 72.1 has the advantage that flow shadows are avoided, otherwise particles will stick in the region in which deposits are formed and / or impair the flow, for example as a result of air inclusions. Due to the longitudinal flow, the inner region of the magnetic coil 50.1 is cooled very effectively.

Claims (16)

Applicator (1) for applying fluid to a substrate comprising a series arrangement of valve means (21) each having an application valve nozzle (31) for blasting the fluid under pressure and associated valve actuation means (5) for controlling the fluid emission by closing and opening the application valve nozzles (31), and comprising a fluid-pressurizable common distribution fluid chamber (11) interconnecting the application valve means (21) for pressurizing the fluid, the distribution fluid chamber (11 ) is provided with a fluid inlet channel (110) arranged to distribute the fluid under pressure in the distribution fluid chamber (11) along the row of application valve means (21), characterized in that at least the a fluid inlet channel (110) of the distribution fluid chamber (11) at least one cleaning valve device (20) associated with the distribution fluid chamber (11) in the series arrangement of the application valve means (21) and with a cleaning valve nozzle (30) and associated valve actuation means (5) for closing and opening, respectively the cleaning valve nozzle (30) is equipped, wherein in the distribution fluid chamber (11) between the fluid inlet channel (110) and the at least one associated cleaning valve device (20) with an open cleaning valve nozzle (30) effective flow path (100) for cleaning the common distribution fluid chamber (11) is formed. Applicator device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid inlet channel (110) and the associated cleaning valve device (20) are provided in single number, wherein all application valve means (21) of the application device (1) between the fluid inlet channel (110) and the cleaning Valve device (20) are arranged. Applicator device according to claim 2, characterized in that the application device (1) comprises five to fifteen, preferably eight application valve devices and the one cleaning valve device (20). Applicator device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cleaning valve nozzle (30) of the cleaning valve device (20) has an effective flow cross-section which is several times, preferably about 10 times larger than the matching or largest flow cross-section of the application Valve nozzle (31) of the application valve means (21). Applicator device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the valve actuation devices (5) of the valve devices (2) are arranged in series spatially between the distribution fluid chamber (11) and the nozzle side (11) of the valve devices (3) ) of the application device (1) are arranged such that each valve actuating device (5) has a solenoid device (54) with a reciprocating piston valve (51) which can be moved back and forth, that each valve device (2) has a valve housing (4) with valve nozzle (3) and Valve seat (41), with which the associated valve piston (51) for opening and closing the valve nozzle (30, 31) cooperates, that each valve device (2) with a piston stopper (60) against which the valve piston (51) works formed is, wherein the piston stopper (60) by an adjusting piston (61) is formed, which adjust for adjusting and adjusting the piston stroke in the stroke direction ar, and in that each valve device (2) is provided with at least one straight fluid passage (7) free from flow corners which connects the distribution fluid chamber (11) to the valve seat (41), the valve piston (51) and a part (61) of the adjusting piston (61) together form a wall (71) of the straight fluid channel (7), and wherein each valve device (2) has a mounting opening (13) on the nozzle side (12) of the application device (1), in which the valve housing (4) is used as a closure element (14) in releasable connection and with the valve housing (4) the valve piston (51) for removal from the valve device (2) and the piston wall having straight fluid channel (7) releases , Application device according to claim 5, characterized in that the cleaning valve nozzle (30) is part of the valve housing (4). Applicator according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is formed by a module element, which can be combined with the same module elements to a application device arranged in rows and columns radiating nozzles. Method for cleaning a application device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that i) the distribution fluid chamber (11), which connects the valve devices (2) in series along the associated cleaning flow path (100), is subjected to pressurized cleaning fluid, ii) the application valve means (21) are kept closed while the cleaning valve nozzle (30) of the cleaning flow path (100) associated with the cleaning valve means (20) is opened, and iii) then closing the cleaning valve nozzle (30) of the cleaning valve means (20) and opening the application valve means (21) upon pressurization of the cleaning fluid chamber (11). A method according to claim 8, characterized in that in step iii) the application valve means (21) are opened by each application valve means (21) for this purpose at the valve nozzle (31) having the nozzle side (12) Application device (1) has a with a detachably mounted valve housing (4) closed mounting opening (13) is opened by removing the valve housing (4) with valve nozzle (31) and exposing the mounting hole (13). Method according to Claim 8, characterized in that the application valve devices (21) are cleaned by program-controlled method steps i) to iii) by means of electronic control, wherein the valve nozzles (3) are closed or closed by means of the valve actuation devices (5) and in step iii) the application valve means (21) are opened by opening the application valve nozzles (31). A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the application-valve nozzles (31) one after the other only opened individually, while the remaining application valve nozzles (31) are kept closed. Electronic control device of an application valve device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, which controls the opening and closing states of the valve nozzles (3) of the valve devices (2) by driving the valve actuators (5) of the valve devices (2), characterized in that the electronic control device is equipped with a control program which represents the sequence of the method steps according to one of claims 8 to 11 and provides for execution. Valve device (2.1) of a application device (1) for applying fluid to a substrate, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a valve housing (41.1) exhibiting a valve housing (4.1) with valve nozzle (3.1) for emitting the fluid under pressure, a a fluid pressure actuated supply fluid chamber (11.1), a valve actuator (5.1), which by a solenoid device with against restoring force back and forth, in the valve seat (41.1) for closing and opening the valve nozzle (3.1) engaging the valve piston (51.1) is formed and a piston stopper (60.1) against which the valve piston (51.1) operates, the valve actuator (5.1) being disposed between the supply fluid chamber (11.1) and the valve housing (4.1) and the valve housing (4.1) together with the valve nozzle (3.1) on the valve nozzle (3.1) having nozzle side (12.1) of the valve device (2) removably attached whereby the valve piston (51.1) is released when the valve housing (4.1) is removed, characterized in that the valve device (2.1) is provided with at least one straight running fluid passage (7.1) free of flow corners, the valve actuating device (5.1) passing, the supply fluid chamber (11.1) with the valve seat (41.1) connects, wherein the valve piston (51.1) and a part of the piston stop (60) together form a wall (71.1) of the straight fluid channel (7.1), which is removed with the valve housing ( 4.1) is released, and that the piston stopper (60.1) by an adjusting piston (61.1) is formed, which is adjustably mounted for adjusting and adjusting the piston stroke in the stroke direction. Valve device according to claim 13, characterized in that the valve nozzle (3.1) is part of the valve housing (4.1). Valve device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the adjusting piston (61.1) and the valve piston (51.1) come to rest with closed surfaces and between the contact surfaces a stroke distance of about 0.5 to about 50 microns is provided. Valve device according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the valve piston (51.1) and the adjusting piston (61.1) are held in a common piston chamber (70) surrounding a valve piston (51.1) and a part of the adjusting piston (61.1) Ring chamber channel (7.1) is formed, which establishes the straight fluid connection between the supply fluid chamber (11.1) and the valve seat (4.1).

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