EP2498916B1 - Device and method for preserving components - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device and a corresponding method for the cavity preservation of motor vehicle body components with a preservative. Preferably, the invention finds application in the preservation difficult to access, to be preserved areas, which in addition to cavity preservation z. Also applies to seam seals (e.g., seamed seams), etc. of automotive body components.

The cavity preservation, i. the preservation of an inner surface of a cavity, is usually used in high-quality vehicles to extend the corrosion protection significantly. Typical is the use of the cavity preservation, especially in countries where high promises are made regarding the so-called "rust-through guarantee" (corrosion protection guarantee), which applies in particular to many European countries. Some vehicles imported into such countries, unless they have already been subjected to a cavity preservation, subsequently subjected to a cavity preservation.

In particular, in high-quality vehicles with high corrosion protection guarantees can not be waived on a cavity preservation.

For cavity preservation of motor vehicle bodies essentially two methods are known, namely the flooding method and the spraying method.

In the flood process, the cavities to be preserved of the vehicle body are filled with solvent-free and liquefied by heating wax, wherein a portion of the wax deposited on the cavity walls and thereby preserved, while the excess wax expires.

On the other hand, in the cavity-preserving spraying method, the wax serving as a preservative is sprayed on the inner walls of the cavities using, for example, an application tube (lance) inserted into the cavities from the outside and having exit ports for the wax.

As a cavity preserving material, a wax is usually used. In the prior art, processing is typical in which the wax is pre-atomized together with air in a pre-atomizing chamber and directed by air through hoses (e.g., 3-8m in length) to the body. The air is used for atomization, transport and distribution in the cavity. The wax is introduced into the cavity and is usually intended to seal it. It has to get lost. This is usually supported by a tilting station, which "tilts" the body part in order to support the course (penetration) of the wax. Openings (spouts) in the body part to be preserved indicate that the cavity is successfully coated.

The disadvantage of this is that leaking wax is undesirable, in particular can pollute following conveyor areas.

This disadvantage is minimized by providing a wax dryer. This wax dryer heats the body parts to a certain minimum temperature over a certain minimum time, eg 1 min. at 60 ° C. A usual wax dryer length is for example 60 m. After the drying process, the leakage of wax is substantially stopped. One speaks in this connection also of the so-called "drop stop". The wax hardens for a few days / weeks, but never becomes firm, but remains flexible. Such wax dryers are associated with a number of disadvantages, such as high energy consumption during operation, high investment and / or maintenance costs, high cleaning effort, large space consumption, lack of retrofitting for many customers, etc.

DE 10 2008 011 489 A1 discloses a method for cavity sealing of a motor vehicle component by spraying a curable preservative such. As wax, to which a crosslinking component can be added directly before spraying. For the application of the preservative, a spray gun known as per se is provided, which engages with an application element in the cavity to be preserved. The crosslinking component is mixed in a mixing chamber with the preservative.

DE 103 20 341 A1 discloses a method of forming a polyurethane article wherein a first and a second base of a polyurethane system is injected into an infinite space over a mold. US 5 071 683 A discloses a similar method for making an elastomer polyurethane layer in a mold. GB 2 251 396 A discloses schematically a method of applying two components from two nozzles.

The documents DE 35 18 584 A1 . EP 2 067 530 A1 . DE 36 16 235 C2 . EP 1 795 282 A1 . DE 31 42 154 C2 . EP 2 098 302 A1 and US 4 703 894 A describe further technological background concerning the invention.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus and an improved method for the preservation of components. In particular, it should be possible, after the application of the preservative and optionally subsequent successful penetration in a short time and / or without a dryer or oven to achieve a "drop stop". In cavity preservation, for example, it should be possible in a simple manner to prevent preservative from escaping from the cavity to be preserved.

This object is achieved with the features of the independent claims.

The invention includes the general technical teaching of mixing a preservative and a hardener in the preservation of components to make the preservative faster to harden, in particular, to achieve a "drop stop".

The device according to the invention for the preservation of components with a preservative is characterized in particular in that in addition to the preservative, a curing agent is applied, which reacts with the preservative to cure the preservative. The device is thus preferably provided to apply a hardener in addition to the preservative to react with the preservative, whereby curing of the preservative is achievable.

It is advantageous in particular that to achieve a "drop stops" no dryer or oven is required.

Another advantage of the invention is that the device can be designed so that no or only a very few sections of the device come into contact with a mixture of preservative and hardener. The preservative cures through the hardener from the mixing process. A conventional mixer can not sit directly in the nozzle for reasons of space, but would have to be cultivated a few inches to a few meters from the nozzle. Since the hardener reacts with water, the water or the residual moisture from the air / compressed air is sufficient to initiate a reaction. As a result of the process of empty blowing of the feed line after pre-atomizing and / or mixing, residues would remain in the feed line which would no longer be completely discharged even in subsequent coating operations. Even rinsing would not make the feed line and other contaminated parts of the device 100% clean. Thus, residues would remain which harden, resulting in a number of problems. To be particularly problematic are: Clogging of the nozzles, changing the nozzle geometry by deposits, change in the application result, malfunction / failure of individual components (eg valves), pressure losses, leaks at interfaces (eg to interchangeable heads), etc. Furthermore, contamination of external geometries by sputtering may occur, in particular nozzles , Nozzle tubes, interchangeable heads, robotic components, etc. may be affected. The above problems lead to increased cleaning and maintenance costs.

According to the invention, the mixing of preservative and hardener may preferably be carried out fluidically at an end portion of the device, such as in an application device, an application element and / or a nozzle. It is also possible to design the device so that the preservative and the hardener mix in flight (in the air), in a cavity to be preserved and / or on a component to be preserved. The initiation of the mixing is thus preferably carried out in an application device, an application element, a nozzle, in flight (in the air), in a cavity to be preserved and / or on a component to be preserved. Consequently, preferably no mixing of preservative and hardener occurs before the application device, in front of the application element, in front of a nozzle and / or in front of an outlet opening of a nozzle. Thus, the above disadvantages can be completely avoided, or at least significantly mitigated.

According to the invention, the device comprises an application device for applying the preservative and the hardener to the component to be preserved, a preservative line for supplying the preservative to the Application device and a hardener line for supplying the hardener to the application device

According to the invention, the application device has an application element with an outlet opening. The application element can be, for example, an application tube, a lance, a probe, etc.

In a preferred embodiment, the application element has a nozzle on which the outlet opening is provided. According to the invention, the preservative line and the hardening line open into the application element in such a way that the preservative and the hardener mix in the application element. The mixing process can thus be initiated in the application element. The advantage of this is that only a few sections come into contact with a mixture of preservative and hardener.

According to the invention, there is also the possibility that the preservative line and the hardening line lead into the application element in such a way that the preservative and the hardener mix immediately before the first nozzle and / or in the nozzle. The mixing process can thus be initiated immediately before and / or in the nozzle. The advantage of this is that only a few sections come into contact with a mixture of preservative and hardener.

Furthermore, a second outlet opening can be provided on the nozzle.

The application element may further comprise a second nozzle, on which a second outlet opening is provided.

The preservative line preferably leads to the first outlet opening and the hardener line leads to the second outlet opening so that the preservative and the hardener mix in the flight and / or on the component to be preserved. The mixing process can thus be initiated fluidically behind the outlet openings. The preservative and the hardener mix in the flight and / or on the component to be preserved. The advantage of this is that no internal sections of the device come into contact with a mixture of preservative and hardener. There is also the possibility that the application device has a second application element with at least one second outlet opening. Preferably, the first and second application elements are two separate parts that are independently movable and / or controllable, e.g. one after the other in a cavity to be preserved can be performed. For example, the first application element can be arranged on a first robot arm in a preservative application station, whereas the second application element can be arranged on a second robot arm in a curing agent application station. The preservative applicator station and the curing agent application station may preferably be provided parallel to a conveying path for motor vehicle body components to be preserved.

Similar to the first application element, the second application element may have a second nozzle, on which a second outlet opening is provided.

Preferably, the preservative conduit leads to the first exit port and the hardener conduit to the second exit port so that the preservative and the hardener mix in the flight and / or at the area to be preserved. The mixing process can thus be initiated fluidically behind the outlet openings. The advantage of this is that no internal sections of the device come into contact with a mixture of preservative and hardener.

The first and / or second application element are designed such that it can be guided to hard-to-reach areas to be preserved (for example cavities, undercuts, etc.). The first and / or second application element may preferably be an application tube, a lance, a probe, etc. The first and / or second outlet opening is preferably provided on these elements, preferably on a nozzle. The application element is e.g. designed so that it can be passed through an opening in a cavity to be preserved in order to spray its interior surfaces to be preserved with preservative and / or hardener.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide a mixer, in particular in the application device, an application element, preferably an application tube, and / or in a nozzle. The mixer may also extend over at least two of the aforementioned portions (eg, from the application tube to the nozzle). To accommodate the mixer, for example, in the nozzle and / or in the application tube, the mixer must be correspondingly small in size, and still achieve sufficient mixer results, which conventional mixers are not able. A suitable for the invention Mixer could preferably be produced by means of generative methods (eg rapid prototyping).

Furthermore, means may be provided, in particular the application device, the application element and / or the first and / or second nozzle with a solvent / rinsing agent, a reactive substance (eg a reaction retarder, such as an organic acid chloride), the curing substantially stops or inhibits, and / or a monofunctional substance (eg, propanol or butanol, especially in the case of an isocyanate functionality) that reacts with the preservative and / or hardener to substantially stop or inhibit curing (in particular, by their chain reaction is substantially prevented), to flow through, to coat and / or to fill. The reactive substance and / or the monofunctional substance thus act as a blocking agent to retard, preferably substantially prevent, curing of the preservative or mixture comprising preservatives and hardeners. It is possible that the mixture may contain other ingredients, e.g. a dissolving and / or rinsing agent comprises.

The monofunctional substance is preferably a reactive, monofunctional substance which reacts with a preservative component and / or a hardener component, preferably with a hardener component, but does not lead to polymer chains due to its monofunctionality, but ideally to a molecule or Oligomer of one hardener molecule and two blocking agent molecules. Suitable monofunctional substances are, in particular, amines or alcohols, preferably lower alcohols, such as, for example, ethanol, propanol, butanol and / or their isomers. The reactivity of the chain reaction by the monofunctional Substance is substantially suppressed, should be higher than that of the chain-forming reaction. The fact that, for example, the bi- or multi-functional hardener molecules react with a short-chain monofunctional molecule, the viscosity of the mixture (preservative, hardener, monofunctional substance) remains low.

As such, the reactive substance should not enter the cavities to be preserved.

As already mentioned above, the invention opens up the possibility of designing the device such that the preservative and the hardener can be mixed in the device, in the application device, in an application element, in a nozzle, outside the application device, outside an application element, outside outlets, in flight (in the air) and / or on the component to be preserved.

For example, the preservative line and the hardening line may flow into the first and / or second application element in such a way that the mixing of the preservative and the hardener is initiated in flight, on the component to be preserved, in the first application element, and / or in the first nozzle.

It is also possible to apply the preservative and the hardener simultaneously and / or sequentially.

It is also possible to arrange the application device on only one robot, preferably on only one single robot arm. However, it is also possible, the first application element to a first robot, preferably the free end of a robot arm, and to arrange the second application element on a second robot, preferably the free end of a second robot arm. For example, the robot (s) could be positioned along a conveyance path for automotive body components. However, the invention is not limited to this, but can also be used, for example, in handheld devices, semi-automatic systems, robotic systems, wax machines, etc.

Further, means may be provided to atomize the preservative and / or the hardener.

Usually, a cavity to be preserved has at least one opening from which the introduced preservative can undesirably escape again. The invention makes it possible to close this opening by means of the preservative and the hardener. Preferably, the preservative (with and / or without hardener) is transported to the cavity to be preserved. Then, in particular, the area around the opening is specifically provided with the hardener. The advantage of this variant is above all the saving of hardener. It is also possible to selectively provide the areas around the opening with hardener without the need for the opening to close.

Alternatively, the opening in the cavity to be preserved can also be closed by means of a plug. The graft may preferably be of metal, plastic, rubber, wax, or a dissolving material (eg, water-soluble parts, ice, etc.) which will dissolve after the preservative has dried.

Furthermore, the invention also includes a method for the cavity preservation of motor vehicle body components with a device according to the invention, with which the advantages described above can be achieved.

The method is particularly characterized by the fact that in addition to the preservative, a hardener is applied to the component to be preserved, which reacts with the preservative to cure the preservative.

As a preservative, e.g. a wax, whereas as a hardener e.g. Isocyanate can be used. However, the invention can also be combined with other components, e.g. different paints are used.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Konservierung von Bauteilen gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Konservierung von Bauteilen gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Konservierung von Bauteilen gemäß einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Konservierung von Bauteilen gemäß einem vierten Ausführungsbeispiel.

Other advantageous developments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims or will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein, however, in the Figures 2 . 3 and 4 no device according to claims 1 and 9 is shown. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a device for the preservation of components according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of a device for the preservation of components according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of a device for the preservation of components according to a third embodiment;

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of an apparatus for preserving components according to a fourth embodiment.

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a device for the preservation of components according to a first embodiment, preferably for the preservation of an inner surface of a cavity. The device is designed to apply, in addition to a preservative, a hardener to the component to be preserved, which reacts with the preservative, allowing the preservative to cure.

Shown in Fig. 1 in particular, an application device 10. The application device 10 can be arranged on a robot arm (not shown), preferably at the free end of the robot arm.

According to the first exemplary embodiment, the application device 10 comprises an application element 11. The application element 11 is preferably an application tube which, in terms of flow, essentially represents an end section of the device or the application device 10.

On the application element 11, a nozzle 12 is provided. At the nozzle 12, an outlet opening 13 is provided. Further, a preservative line 50 for supplying a preservative 51 (e.g., wax) to the applicator 10 and a curing line 52 for supplying a hardener (e.g., isocyanate) 53 to the applicator 10 are provided.

In the first embodiment, the preservative line 50 and the hardening line 52 open (open) in The mixing of the preservative 51 and the hardener 53 thus takes place in the application element 11, ie that the mixing of the preservative 51 and the hardener 53 in the application element 11 is initiated. M1 characterizes this mixing area within the application element 11. Preferably, there is no mixing of preservative 51 and hardener 53 in front of the application element 11.

As in Fig. 1 As can be seen, the preservative line 50 and the hardener line 52 open in the nozzle 12, which is provided on the application element 11, so that in the first embodiment, the preservative 51 and the hardener 53 are mixed in the nozzle 12.

It is also possible for the preservative line 50 and the hardener line 52 to open, in particular directly in front of the nozzle 12, so that the preservative 51 and hardener 53 are mixed in the application element 11, preferably an application tube, and the nozzle 12.

If necessary, a mini mixer can be arranged in the application element 11 and / or the nozzle 12.

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention. Parts similar to the first embodiment or identical parts are given similar or identical reference numerals, so that reference may be made to the description of the first embodiment to avoid repetition.

Shown in Fig. 2 in particular, an application device 20. According to the second exemplary embodiment, the application device 20 comprises an application element 21. The application element 21 is preferably an application tube, which essentially represents an end section of the device or the application device 20 in terms of flow.

At the application element 21, a nozzle 22 is provided. At the nozzle 22, two outlet openings 23A and 23B are provided. Furthermore, a preservative line 50 for supplying a preservative 51 to the application device 20 and a hardener line 52 for supplying a hardener 53 to the application device 20 are provided.

In the second embodiment, the preservative line 50 leads to the first exit opening 23A and the hardener line 52 leads to the second exit opening 23B.

The nozzle 22 and the first and second outlet openings 23A and 23B are arranged and / or positionable such that the preservative 51 and the hardener 53 are mixed outside the application element 22 in the schematically represented area M2.

The mixing of the preservative 51 and the hardener 53 thus takes place in flight and / or on a surface to be preserved.

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a device according to a third embodiment of the invention. Parts or identical parts that are similar to the first and / or second embodiment have the same or identical reference numbers so that reference may be made to the description of the first and / or second embodiment in order to avoid repetition.

Fig. 3 1 shows an application device 30. Similar to the first and second exemplary embodiments, the application device 30 comprises an application element 31. The application element 31 is preferably an application tube, which essentially represents an end section of the device or the application device 30 in terms of flow.

However, the application member 31 has not only one nozzle but two nozzles 32A and 32B. The first nozzle 32A has a first exit opening 33A and the second nozzle 32B has a second exit opening 33B.

Furthermore, a preservative line 50 for supplying a preservative 51 to the application device 30 and a hardener line 52 for supplying a hardener 53 to the application device 30 are provided.

In the third embodiment, the preservative line 50 leads to the first nozzle 32A and the first exit port 33A, respectively, so that the preservative 51 can be conveyed out of the first exit port 33A. The hardener conduit 52 leads to the second nozzle 32B and the second outlet opening 33B, respectively, so that the hardener 53 can be conveyed out of the second outlet opening 33B.

The first and second nozzles 32A and 32B and the first and second exit openings 33A and 33B are arranged and / or are positionable such that mixing of the preservative 51 and the hardener 53 outside the application element 31 takes place in the schematically illustrated area M3.

The mixing of the preservative 51 and the hardener 53 thus takes place in flight and / or on the surface to be preserved.

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a device according to a fourth embodiment, which is arranged along a conveying path F for motor vehicle body components. Parts or identical parts that are similar to the first, second and / or third exemplary embodiment are provided with similar or identical reference symbols, so that reference can be made to the descriptions relating to these exemplary embodiments in order to avoid repetition.

In Fig. 4 is essentially an application device 40 to see, which is shown on the one hand to robots R1, R2 and on the other hand in an enlarged view. In contrast to the previous exemplary embodiments, the application device 40 has two separate application elements 41A and 41B, which may each preferably be an application tube. In each case, the application element 41A and the application element 41B essentially represent end sections of the device or of the application device 40.

The first application element 41A can be arranged on a robot arm of a robot R1, preferably at its free end, whereas the second application element 41B can be arranged on a robot arm of another robot R2, preferably at the free end thereof.

The first application element 41A includes a first nozzle 42A to which a first exit port 43A is provided. The second application element 41B comprises a second nozzle 42B, at which a second outlet opening 43B is provided.

Furthermore, a preservative line 50 for supplying a preservative 51 to the application device 40 and a hardener line 52 for supplying a hardener 53 to the application device 40 are provided.

In the fourth embodiment, the preservative line 50 terminates at the first nozzle 42A and the first exit port 43A, respectively, so that the preservative 51 can be conveyed out of the first exit port 43A. The hardener line 52 opens at the second nozzle 42B and the second outlet opening 43B, respectively, so that the hardener 53 can be conveyed out of the second outlet opening 43B.

Preferably, the cavity preserving device according to the fourth embodiment is arranged on the conveying path F for transporting automotive body components. The first application element 41A may then be provided in a preservative application station S1, and the second application element 41B may be provided in a curing agent application station S2. In this case, the hardener application station S2 could be positioned directly after the preservative application station S1.

Preferably, the material, in particular the preservative and the hardener, could be so matched to one another that only a defined course time after the introduction of the hardener is possible. After the preservative, preferably a wax, is penetrated, the bleeding should be stopped very quickly ("drop-stop"). However, the curing agent application station S2 could also be positioned according to the process time of penetration away from the preservative application station S1. The hardener could then react without delay to trigger the "drop stop".

The first and second nozzles 42A and 42B and the first and second exit openings 43A and 43B are provided so that the preservative 51 and the hardener 53 can be mixed outside the application device 40.

Preferably, the release of preservative 51 and hardener 53 occurs sequentially, i. In a first step, the first application element 41A applies the preservative 51 to the component to be preserved, and in a second step, the second application element 41B applies the hardener 53 to the component to be preserved. The mixing of the preservative 51 and the hardener 53 is thus preferably carried out on the component to be preserved.

The application device can thus have one application element or several application elements. The application device preferably represents, in terms of flow, substantially an end section of the device. The application element or elements are preferably arranged downstream of the application device or preferably represent a substantially end section of the application device. The application element (s) are preferably designed such that they one or more several outlet openings can be placed on hard-to-reach areas to be preserved, such as cavities to be preserved, undercuts, etc.

According to the invention, means for atomizing the preservative and / or the hardener may be provided, which is disclosed, for example, in Offenlegungsschrift DE 103 22 170 A1 is described, so that the content of this disclosure is fully attributable to the present description.

The invention is preferably applicable to manual systems, semi-automatic systems, robotic systems, wax machines, etc. In manual systems or semi-automatic systems, a worker guides the corresponding nozzle (s) or outlet (s) into the cavity to be preserved and manually starts the coating process. The amount of material can be dosed automatically. At the end of the process, the nozzle is brought to the next opening and the process is repeated. Often different nozzles and material quantities and the other process parameters for different components on the vehicle are different. Preferably, a controller may provide information regarding the nozzle (s) to be used, whether and when the nozzle should be changed, the setting of relevant parameters, etc. After stripping (start), the coating may be fully automatic.

Robotic systems are usually used where a high degree of flexibility is required, such as Body variants, low numbers, changes, etc. The robots preferably have interchangeable heads, with one or more nozzles per head, which accommodate the nozzle heads according to the body opening and bring in the corresponding body openings. The coating can be fully automatic.

In wax machines, the body is usually mechanically positioned (centered). Then, by means of a mechanism, the nozzle (s) introduced into the body openings and applied the wax. These systems work fully automatically

The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a variety of variants and modifications is possible, which also make use of the inventive idea.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10, 20, 30, 40

application device

11, 21, 31, 41A

First application element

41B

Second application element

12, 22, 32A, 42A

First nozzle

32B, 42B

Second nozzle

13, 23A, 33A, 43A

First outlet

23B, 33B, 43B

Second exit opening

50

Preservatives line

51

preservative

52

tougher line

53

Harder

M1, M2, M3

mixed areas

F

conveying

S1

Konservierungsmittelapplizierstation

S2

Härterapplizierstation

R1, R2

robot

Claims (18)

1. Device for the cavity preservation of motor vehicle body components with a preservative agent (51), the device being provided in order to apply in addition to the preservative agent (51) a hardener (53) that reacts with the preservative agent (51), which causes the preservative agent to harden, with

   a) an application device (10) for applying the preservative agent (51) and the hardener (53) to the component to be preserved;

   b) a preservative agent line (50) for feeding the preservative agent (51) to the application device (10); and

   c) a hardener line (52) for feeding the hardener (53) to the application device (10), wherein the application device (10) comprises an application element (11) in the form of an application tube, a lance or a probe with an outlet opening (13) and preferably comprises a nozzle (12) on which the outlet opening (13) of the application element (11) is provided,

   characterized in that
   the preservative agent line (50) and the hardener line (52) discharge into the application element (11) in such a way that the preservative agent (51) and the hardener (53) can be mixed in the application element (11), and/or the preservative agent line (50) and the hardener line (52) discharge into the application element (11) in such a way that the preservative agent (51) and the hardener (53) can be mixed immediately upstream from and/or in the nozzle (12) of the application element (11).
2. The device according to Claim 1, wherein
   furthermore a second outlet opening is provided on the nozzle.
3. The device according to Claim 1, wherein
   the application element has a second nozzle on which is provided a second outlet opening.
4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein

   a) the application element (11) is formed in such a way that it can be guided into a cavity to be preserved; and/or ,

   b) the application element (11) is an application tube or a probe.
5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a mixer is provided in the application element (11) and/or in the nozzle (12).
6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein means are provided in order to flow through and/or to coat and/or to fill

   a) the application device (10) and/or

   b) the application element and/or

   c) a first and/or second nozzle
   with

   d) a solvent/rinsing agent; and/or

   e) a reactive substance, which essentially stops or inhibits the hardening; and/or

   f) a monofunctional substance, which reacts with the preservative agent and/or the hardener, preferably with the hardener, to essentially stop or inhibit the hardening.
7. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein furthermore a robot arm on which the application device (10) and/or the application element (11) is arranged.
8. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein means are provided to atomize the preservative agent (51) and/or the hardener (53).
9. Method for the preservation of cavities of mtor vehicle body components with a preservative agent (51), with a device according to any one of the preceding claims, whereinin addition to the preservative agent (51) a hardener (53) is applied that reacts with the preservative agent (51), which causes the preservative agent (51) to harden.
10. The method according to Claim 9, wherein
    the preservative agent and the hardener are mixed by a mixer.
11. The method according to any one of Claims 9 or 10,
    wherein the preservative agent (51) and the hardener (53) are applied from a nozzle (12).
12. The method according to any one of Claims 9 to 11,
    wherein the application of the preservative agent (51) and of the hardener (53) is executed simultaneously.
13. The method according to any one of Claims 9 to 12,
    wherein the hardener (53) is applied only to regions around an opering on a cavity to be preserved of the component to be preserved in such a way that remaining regions of the component to be preserved remain essentially handener-free.
14. The method according to any one of Claims 9 to 13,
    wherein the application of the preservative agent (51) is executed in a preservative agent application station (S1) and the application of the hardener (53) in a hardener application station (S2), wherein the preservative agent application station (S1) and the hardener application station (S2) are positioned along a conveying route (F) for motor vehicle body components.
15. The method according to any one of Claims 9 to 14,
    wherein an opening of the component to be preserved on the cavity to be preserved is closed by the preservative agent (51) and the hardener (53).
16. The method according to any one of Claims 9 to 15,
    wherein an opening of the component to be preserved on the cavity to be preserved is closed by means of a plug made of

    a) metal;

    b) plastic;

    c) rubber;

    d) wax; or

    e) a self-soluble material, which dissolves by itself once the preservative agent is dried.
17. The method according to any one of Claims 9 to 16,
    wherein

    a) the application device and/or

    b) the application element and/or

    c) the first nozzle
    is flown through, coated or filled with

    d) a solvent/rinsing agent; and/or

    e) a reactive substance, which essentially stops or inhibits the hardening; and/or

    f) a monofunctional substance, which reacts with the preservative agent and/or the hardener preferably with the hardener, to essentially stop or inhibit the hardening.
18. The method according to Claim 17, wherein
    the flow through and/or coating and/or filling is executed

    a) after each motor vehicle body component;

    b) after every X body components; and/or

    c) in pauses.

Images