EP3402599B1 - Perforated plate with increased hole spacing in one or both edge regions of a row of nozzles - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a perforated plate (for example a panel) for an application device (for example an application device) for applying a fluid serving as a coating agent to a motor vehicle body and / or an attachment therefor. The invention also relates to an application device and an application method in which such a perforated plate is used.

From the DE 10 2013 002 413 A1 a perforated plate for an application device for in particular overspray-free application of a coating agent is already known. The perforated plate comprises several through holes for applying the coating agent, the through holes being arranged in several rows of nozzles in the form of a matrix and thus in a 2-dimensional configuration. As a result, sharp-edged coating agent webs can be produced. A disadvantage of this, however, is that the sharp-edged coating agent webs are unsuitable for overlapping, since they have an at least almost rectangular cross-sectional profile. Figure 13 shows e.g. B. an almost perfect joint of two coating agent webs B1 * and B2 * with a rectangular cross-sectional profile. Such a perfect joint should have a variance of +/- 50 µm, resulting in an in Figure 13 resulting optimal coating shown on the right. Such a perfect shock is in practice such. B. is not possible or only possible with considerable effort due to tolerances. Figure 14 shows two coating agent webs B1 * and B2 * with a rectangular cross-sectional profile that do not touch or overlap in the joint / overlap area, resulting in an in Figure 14 disadvantageous dent shown on the right in the resulting coating. Figure 15 shows two coating material webs B1 * and B2 * with a rectangular cross-sectional profile, which overlap in the joint / overlap area in such a way that an overcoating occurs, which leads to an in Figure 15 disadvantageous mountain or elevation shown on the right in the resulting coating.

From the DE 10 2010 019 612 A1 an application device is known which discloses a cross-sectional profile in the form of a trapezoid that is more suitable for the overlapping of coating material webs. The trapezoidal profile is generated by several through holes for applying the coating agent, the through holes being arranged in several rows of nozzles in the form of a matrix and thus in a 2-dimensional configuration. Nozzle diameters of different sizes, distributed regularly or over a large area, pursue the goal in particular of improved resolution in the case of flat coating. The 2-dimensional configuration, with nozzle diameters of the same or different sizes, and the trapezoidal profile created by it, are initially very complex due to the large number of through holes. In addition, the 2-dimensional configuration results in an undesirably high flow of coating agent, in particular when the coating agent is applied continuously, as is customary when coating motor vehicle bodies. The 2-dimensional configuration also means that when a coating agent web is applied, coating agent is applied from a row of nozzles downstream relative to the direction of movement onto coating agent from a row of nozzles upstream relative to the direction of movement, which can disadvantageously lead to coating agent splashes because Coating agent strikes not yet sufficiently dried or solidified coating agent.

DE 10 2011 056 823 A1 discloses a nozzle device for a furnace for the heat treatment of steel sheets or the like. This nozzle device consists essentially of a supply pipe of circular cross-section with a gas supply connection and a number of nozzle openings for outflowing gas. In one embodiment, the nozzle openings in two edge regions of the supply pipe can have a greater mutual spacing than the nozzle openings in the central region of the nozzle pipe.

DE 20 2011 001 109 US deals with the production of composite elements from cover layers and a core made of PU foams using a tube arranged above the cover layer with a series of openings or bores for applying liquid reaction mixtures to the cover layer. The diameter or mutual spacing of the openings can decrease from the supply of the liquid reaction mixture to the edges of the tube.

To the general state of the art, the U.S. 5,769,946 A and the US 2003/155451 A1 to be named.

One object of the invention is to create an improved and / or alternative perforated plate, in particular a perforated plate, which enables an improved abutment or overlap area of two fluid paths and / or an at least substantially fluid splash-free application of fluid.

This object can be achieved by the features of the main and secondary claims. Advantageous further developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims and the following description preferred embodiments of the invention are taken.

The invention creates a perforated plate (e.g. cover, strip, plate, etc.) for an application device (e.g. an application device) for applying a fluid used as a coating agent to a motor vehicle body and / or an attachment for this.

The perforated plate and / or the application device is used in particular for the application of the fluid without atomization and / or masking.

The fluid used as a coating agent can in particular be a lacquer, a sealant, a release agent, a functional layer or an adhesive.

The fluid preferably has a viscosity of greater than 50 mPas, greater than 80 mPas or even greater than 100 mPas, in particular measured at a shear rate of 1000 s ^-1 . It can Fluid have a Newtonian or a non-Newtonian flow behavior.

The perforated plate has at least four or at least five through holes for the passage of the fluid. The through holes are expediently arranged in a preferably essentially linearly aligned row of nozzles, the row of nozzles having two edge regions and a central region expediently extending between the two edge regions. The through holes are spaced apart from one another by hole spacings.

The perforated plate is characterized in that the at least one outer hole spacing of the row of nozzles in at least one edge area is greater than at least one hole spacing in the central area, so that a fluid application (e.g. fluid path) with a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional profile is possible, e.g. B. substantially right-angled, isosceles or unequal-sided trapezoidal cross-sectional profile and / or substantially Gaussian-shaped cross-sectional profile.

The at least one outer hole spacing corresponds in particular to the first hole spacing from the outside of the row of nozzles in the at least one edge region.

The at least two, at least three and / or at least four outer hole spacings correspond in particular to the two, three and / or four first hole spacings of the nozzle row in the at least one edge region.

The gradation and thus appropriate enlargement of the hole spacing can only be done for the outermost and thus the one from the outside first hole spacing in only one edge area or both edge areas.

The gradation and thus appropriate hole spacing enlargement can, however, also take place via the at least two, at least three and / or at least four outermost and thus at least two, at least three and / or at least four from the outside first hole spacings in only one edge area or both edge areas.

In the case of an enlargement of the hole spacing in only one edge area, a fluid application (e.g. fluid path) with an essentially right-angled trapezoidal cross-sectional profile can preferably be generated.

In the case of an enlargement of the hole spacing in both edge regions, a fluid application (e.g. fluid path) with a substantially equal-sided or unequal-sided trapezoidal cross-sectional profile can preferably be produced.

The invention enables in particular an improved layer thickness distribution in the joint or overlap area of two fluid applications (e.g. fluid paths), which leads to optically uniform fluid surfaces (e.g. coating surfaces), expediently without layer thickness fluctuations that would be disadvantageous to the human eye. Alternatively or in addition, the invention enables in particular that application splashes are reduced or completely avoided by applying the fluid from preferably only a single row of nozzles and thus a 1-dimensional nozzle configuration, because the row of nozzles applies the fluid directly to the component, possibly with the exception of a possible impact - or overlap area of two fluid applications, the above in the butt or overlap area Applied fluid is usually already sufficiently dried or solidified and therefore no longer tends, or at least only to a greatly reduced extent, to fluid splashes.

By means of the perforated plate according to the invention, a distance tolerance between two appropriately sharp-edged fluid applications (e.g. fluid paths) of up to +/- 150 μm, +/- 200 μm, +/- 500 μm, +/- 1 mm or even +/- 2 mm can be reached.

It is possible for the perforated plate to have only a single row of nozzles for applying the fluid, so that a 1-dimensional nozzle configuration can preferably be made possible.

It is possible for the row of nozzles to be centered linearly and / or center axes preferably of all through holes of the row of nozzles to be linearly aligned, e.g. B. along one and the same alignment line (useful straight alignment).

It is possible that preferably all through holes of the row of nozzles are designed to be uniform (for example essentially the same).

The outermost hole spacing of the row of nozzles in at least one edge area can expediently have the largest hole spacing of the row of nozzles.

The at least two outer hole spacings of the nozzle row in at least one edge area can be greater than at least one hole spacing in the central area.

The at least two outermost hole spacings in at least one edge area can, for. B. uniform (expediently essentially the same size) or inconsistent (expediently different sizes).

The central area has at least three or at least four hole spacings and thus expediently at least four or at least five through holes.

The at least one edge area can, for. B. have at least two or at least three hole spacings.

It is possible for the hole spacings in the central area to be uniform (expediently essentially the same size), so that the through holes in the central area are evenly spaced from one another. As an alternative or in addition, the through holes in the central area can expediently be designed uniformly.

It is possible for the outermost hole spacing in one edge area of the row of nozzles to be uniform (e.g. essentially the same) or non-uniform (e.g. different) relative to the outermost hole spacing in the other edge area.

It is also possible that the at least two outermost hole spacings in one edge area of the row of nozzles are uniform (e.g. essentially the same) or non-uniform (e.g. different) relative to the at least two outermost hole distances in the other edge area.

The at least one outermost hole spacing in one edge area is greater than at least one hole spacing in the central area and the at least one outermost hole spacing in the other edge area can be uniform (e.g. essentially large) relative to the at least one hole spacing in the central area.

All through holes of the row of nozzles each have a hole opening on the upstream side of the perforated plate and a hole opening on the downstream side of the perforated plate and a pipe stub as a three-dimensional structure on the downstream side of the perforated plate.

The hole openings can, for. B. have a larger passage cross-section than the hole openings and / or the pipe stubs can expediently have an outer jacket surface which tapers towards the free end of the respective pipe stub, in particular conically.

The two edge areas can e.g. B. be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The row of nozzles is preferably designed symmetrically overall, in particular axially symmetrical and / or mirror-symmetrically relative to an axis of symmetry running transversely to the row of nozzles.

It is possible that the outer hole spacing in at least one edge area is at most a factor of 2 or 3 greater than a hole spacing in the central area.

It is possible that the at least two outer hole spacings of the row of nozzles in at least one edge area are in each case a maximum of a factor of 2 or 3 greater than one hole spacing in the central area.

It is possible that preferably all through holes of the row of nozzles are designed uniformly (expediently essentially identical), in particular have the same passage cross section.

It is possible that at least one through hole in the middle area of the row of nozzles and / or at least one through hole in at least one edge area of the row of nozzles has a funnel-shaped hole opening and preferably a cylindrical hole opening. The funnel-shaped opening of the hole preferably tapers in the direction of flow of the fluid. The funnel-shaped opening of the hole of the at least one through hole in the central area can, for. B. lead deeper into the perforated plate than the funnel-shaped opening of the hole of the at least one through hole in the at least one edge region. Alternatively or additionally, an inlet cross-section (e.g. the inlet-side passage cross-section) of a hole opening of at least one through-hole in the middle area of the nozzle row can be larger than an inlet cross-section (e.g. the inlet-side passage cross-section) of a hole opening of at least one through-hole in at least one edge area of the nozzle row.

The row of nozzles is designed to form a fluid application (z. B. fluid path) with a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional profile, z. B. substantially right-angled, isosceles or unequal-sided trapezoidal cross-sectional profile and / or substantially Gaussian-shaped cross-sectional profile, so that the row of nozzles is particularly suitable for generating overlap-optimized fluid paths.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the hole openings of the through holes of the row of nozzles have a larger flow cross section than the hole opening.

The invention is not limited to a perforated plate, but also includes an application device, e.g. B. an application device for applying a fluid, the application device having at least one perforated plate as disclosed herein.

It is possible for the application device to be designed to ensure a pressure-equal flow of fluid over the entire row of nozzles and thus expediently over all through holes.

It is also possible for the application device to be designed to ensure a fluid flow to the at least one edge area that can be controlled (for example, regulated) independently of the central area.

The two edge areas can e.g. B. be supplied with fluid by the same fluid delivery unit or by a separate fluid delivery unit each, so that in particular each edge area can be supplied with fluid by a separately controllable (z. B. regulatable) fluid delivery unit.

The application device is preferably used to apply a fluid with a viscosity of over 50 mPas, over 80 mPas or over 100 mPas, in particular at a shear rate of 1000s ^-1 . The fluid can have a Newtonian or a non-Newtonian flow behavior.

It is possible for the application device to have at least two perforated plates arranged next to one another, whose Rows of nozzles are preferably arranged offset to one another in the longitudinal direction of the rows of nozzles.

The at least one perforated plate can in particular be arranged on (for example on or in) an outer end face of the application device and thus preferably represent an outer plate. The at least four through holes consequently preferably form exit holes from the application device. The invention also comprises an application method for applying a fluid by means of at least one application device and / or at least one perforated plate as disclosed herein.

It is particularly possible here for the fluid to be applied from a single row of nozzles on the perforated plate.

It should be mentioned that the fluid is a coating agent, e.g. B. a paint, a sealant, a release agent, an adhesive, etc., and / or can be used to form a functional layer.

The functional layer category includes, in particular, layers that result in surface functionalization, such as B. adhesion promoters, primers or layers to reduce transmission.

It is possible to use the perforated plate as described herein by features of WO 2014/121926 A1 , in particular their claims.

The perforated plate according to the invention has hole openings on the upstream side of the perforated plate and hole openings on the downstream side of the perforated plate and z. B. three-dimensional structuring on the upstream side of the perforated plate and includes three-dimensional structuring on the downstream side of the perforated plate.

It is possible that the hole openings are fluidically optimized, in particular nozzle-shaped, and / or that the hole openings have a larger (passage) cross section than the hole openings.

Tube stubs which protrude from the downstream side of the perforated plate and into which the through holes merge, in particular to reduce the wetting area at the hole openings, are used as structuring.

The pipe stubs can, for. B. have an outer circumferential surface which tapers towards the free end of the respective pipe stub, in particular conically.

The perforated plate can, for. B. have a greater thickness at the edge than in a central area with the through holes. It is possible that preferably all through holes in the perforated plate are at least partially produced by an etching production method, in particular dry etching or wet etching.

The perforated plate can in particular at least partially consist of a semiconductor material, for. B. made of one of the following materials: silicon, silicon dioxide, silicon carbide, gallium, gallium arsenide and / or indium phosphide.

It should be mentioned that within the scope of the invention the feature of a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional profile preferably also z. B. may comprise a substantially Gaussian-shaped cross-sectional profile.

Figur 1

zeigt eine Lochplatte mit einer Düsenreihe gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Figur 2

zeigt eine Lochplatte mit einer Düsenreihe gemäß einer anderen Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Figur 3

zeigt eine Lochplatte mit einer Düsenreihe gemäß einer noch anderen Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Figur 4

zeigt eine Lochplatte mit einer Düsenreihe gemäß einer wiederum anderen Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Figur 5A

zeigt eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung zweier durch eine erfindungsgemäße Lochplatte erzeugter Fluidapplikationen gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Figur 5B

zeigt eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung einer durch eine erfindungsgemäße Lochplatte erzeugte Fluidapplikation gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Figur 6

zeigt eine Querschnittsansicht durch ein Durchgangsloch einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Lochplatte,

Figur 7A

zeigt eine Querschnittsansicht durch ein Durchgangsloch einer anderen nicht erfindungsgemäßen Lochplatte,

Figur 7B

zeigt die Querschnittsansicht aus Figur 7A mit Beschichtungsmittel in dem Durchgangsloch,

Figur 8A

zeigt eine Abwandlung von Figur 7A mit einem zusätzlichen Rohrstummel zur Verringerung der Benetzungsfläche gemäß einer anderen Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Figur 8B

zeigt die Querschnittsansicht aus Figur 8A mit Beschichtungsmittel in dem Durchgangsloch,

Figur 9

zeigt eine Abwandlung von Figur 8A mit einem konisch zulaufenden Rohrstummel gemäß einer anderen Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Figur 10A

zeigt eine schematische Querschnittsansicht durch eine nicht erfindungsgemäße Lochplatte mit einem verstärkten Rand und einem dünneren mittigen Bereich mit den Durchgangslöchern,

Figur 10B

zeigt eine nicht erfindungsgemäße Abwandlung von Figur 10A,

Figur 11

zeigt eine nicht erfindungsgemäße Abwandlung von Figur 6,

Figur 12A

zeigt eine Applikationsvorrichtung (Applikationsgerät) mit einer Lochplatte gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Figur 12B

zeigt eine Applikationsvorrichtung (Applikationsgerät) gemäß einer anderen Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Figur 13

zeigt zwei Beschichtungsmittelbahnen gemäß Stand der Technik,

Figur 14

zeigt zwei Beschichtungsmittelbahnen gemäß Stand der Technik,

Figur 15

zeigt zwei Beschichtungsmittelbahnen gemäß Stand der Technik,

Figur 16

zeigt eine Querschnittsansicht durch ein Durchgangsloch einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Lochplatte,

Figur 17

zeigt eine Querschnittsansicht durch ein Durchgangsloch einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Lochplatte,

Figur 18

zeigt eine Querschnittsansicht durch ein Durchgangsloch einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Lochplatte,

Figur 19

zeigt eine Querschnittsansicht durch ein Durchgangsloch einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Lochplatte.

The preferred embodiments of the invention described above can be combined with one another. Other advantageous developments of the invention are disclosed in the claims or result from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

Figure 1

shows a perforated plate with a row of nozzles according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2

shows a perforated plate with a row of nozzles according to another embodiment of the invention,

Figure 3

shows a perforated plate with a row of nozzles according to yet another embodiment of the invention,

Figure 4

shows a perforated plate with a row of nozzles according to yet another embodiment of the invention,

Figure 5A

shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of two fluid applications generated by a perforated plate according to the invention according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 5B

shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of a fluid application generated by a perforated plate according to the invention according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 6

shows a cross-sectional view through a through hole of a perforated plate not according to the invention,

Figure 7A

shows a cross-sectional view through a through hole of another perforated plate not according to the invention,

Figure 7B

shows the cross-sectional view from Figure 7A with coating agent in the through hole,

Figure 8A

shows a modification of Figure 7A with an additional pipe stub to reduce the wetting area according to another embodiment of the invention,

Figure 8B

shows the cross-sectional view from Figure 8A with coating agent in the through hole,

Figure 9

shows a modification of Figure 8A with a conically tapered pipe stub according to another embodiment of the invention,

Figure 10A

shows a schematic cross-sectional view through a perforated plate not according to the invention with a reinforced edge and a thinner central area with the through holes,

Figure 10B

shows a modification of FIG Figure 10A ,

Figure 11

shows a modification of FIG Figure 6 ,

Figure 12A

shows an application device (application device) with a perforated plate according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 12B

shows an application device (application device) according to another embodiment of the invention,

Figure 13

shows two coating agent webs according to the prior art,

Figure 14

shows two coating agent webs according to the prior art,

Figure 15

shows two coating agent webs according to the prior art,

Figure 16

shows a cross-sectional view through a through hole of a perforated plate not according to the invention,

Figure 17

shows a cross-sectional view through a through hole of a perforated plate not according to the invention,

Figure 18

shows a cross-sectional view through a through hole of a perforated plate not according to the invention,

Figure 19

shows a cross-sectional view through a through hole of a perforated plate not according to the invention.

The embodiments described with reference to the figures partially match, so that the same reference symbols are used for similar or identical parts, and reference is also made to the description of one or more other embodiments for their explanation, in order to avoid repetition.

Figure 1 shows a perforated plate 1 for an application device for the preferably atomization-free and mask-free application of a fluid to a component, e.g. B. a motor vehicle body and / or an attachment therefor.

The perforated plate 1 comprises seven through holes 2.1, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 for the passage of the fluid, the through holes 2.1, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 being assigned to a row of nozzles with a central area 2 and two edge areas 3a and 3b and by hole spacings a1, a2 and a3 are spaced from each other.

The row of nozzles comprises in particular a central area 2 with four through holes 2.1, a first in Figure 1 left edge area 3a with two through holes 3.1 and 3.2 and a second in Figure 1 right edge area 3b with a through hole 3.3.

The first edge area 3a comprises two most outer hole spacings a1 and a2. The second edge region 3b comprises an outermost hole spacing a3.

The two most outer hole spacings a1 and a2 in the edge area 3a are greater than the hole spacings a3 in the central area.

The through holes 2.1 in the central area 2 are evenly spaced from one another by means of equally large hole spacings a3.

The outermost hole spacing a3 in the edge area 3b is designed to be uniform to the hole spacing a3 in the central area 2.

The two most outer hole spacings a1 and a2 in the edge region 3a can expediently be designed uniformly (a1 = a2) or non-uniformly (a1 ≠ a2).

The perforated plate 1 comprises only a single row of nozzles, the row of nozzles being centered and linearly aligned along a straight alignment line (alignment line) 4, so that the central axes preferably of all through holes 2.1, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 of the row of nozzles are linearly aligned along one and the same Alignment line 4.

The through holes 2.1, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 of the row of nozzles are preferably designed to be uniform and thus essentially identical.

The double arrow 5 indicates the two possible directions of movement of the perforated plate 1 relative to the component.

Figure 2 shows a perforated plate 1 according to another embodiment of the invention.

At the in Figure 2 The perforated plate 1 shown, the gradation and thus the increase in the hole spacing takes place in both edge regions 3a and 3b.

The through holes 3.1 and 3.2 of the first edge region 3a can be spaced apart from one another by means of the hole spacings a1 and a2 and the through holes 3.1 and 3.2 of the second edge region 3b by means of the hole spacings a4 and a5.

The hole spacings a1, a2, a4 and a5 are all greater than the uniform hole spacings a3 in the center area 2.

The two most outer hole spacings a1 and a2 in the edge area 3a can be designed to be uniform or non-uniform relative to the two most outer hole distances a4 and a5 in the edge area 3b (a1 = a5; a1 ≠ a5; a2 = a4; a2 ≠ a4).

At the in Figure 2 embodiment shown can, in contrast to Figure 1 , the row of nozzles can be designed to be overall symmetrical, in particular axially symmetrical and / or mirror-symmetrical relative to an axis of symmetry S running transversely to the row of nozzles.

Figure 3 shows a perforated plate 1 according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

At the in Figure 3 perforated plate 1 shown, the hole spacing is increased in both edge regions 3a and 3b. However, the two edge regions 3a and 3b do not include as in FIG Figure 2 two hole spacings each, but only one hole spacing a1 and a4.

The outermost hole spacing a1 in the edge region 3a can be designed to be uniform or non-uniform relative to the outermost hole spacing a4 in the edge area 3b (a1 = a4; a1 ≠ a4).

Figure 4 shows a perforated plate 1 according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

At the in Figure 4 Perforated plate 1 shown, only the outer hole spacing a1 of the row of nozzles in the edge area 3a is greater than the uniform hole spacing a3 in the central area 2.

The outermost hole spacing a3 in the edge area 3b is designed to be uniform to the hole spacing a3 in the central area 2.

Figure 5A shows a schematic representation of the cross section through two fluid paths B1 and B2, which can be generated by means of a perforated plate 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

The cross-sections of the coating agent webs B1 and B2 have an essentially isosceles trapezoidal shape 6 and overlap in a joint or overlap area. The distance tolerance between the two fluid paths B1 and B2 can take place in the range of +/- 150 pm, +/- 200 pm, +/- 500 pm, +/- 1 mm or even +/- 2 mm. The trapezoidal shape 6 leads to an in Figure 5A Optimal coating shown on the right, especially in the overlap area.

Figure 5B shows a schematic representation of the cross section of a fluid path B1, which can be generated by means of a perforated plate 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The cross section has an essentially rectangular trapezoidal shape 6.

The perforated plate 1 according to the Figures 1 to 4 is expediently used with an application device for applying a fluid. The application device can be designed to ensure an essentially pressure-equal flow of the fluid over the entire row of nozzles. However, the application device can also be designed to enable a fluid flow to the at least one edge area 3a or 3b that can be controlled (for example, regulated) independently of the central area 2.

The two edge regions 3a and 3b can, for. B. be supplied with fluid via the same fluid delivery unit or by a separate fluid delivery unit.

the Figures 6 to 11 illustrate through-hole designs according to which the respective through-holes 2.1, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 of the row of nozzles can be designed. The perforated plate 1 and in particular the through holes can be designed as shown in FIG WO 2014/121926 A1 disclosed.

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view through a perforated plate 1 in the region of one of the through-holes, the arrow in the cross-sectional view indicating the direction of flow of the coating agent through the through-hole. It can be seen from the cross-sectional view that the through hole has a flow-optimized hole opening 30, as a result of which the flow resistance of the through hole is reduced.

In addition, the perforated plate 1 has a structuring on the downstream side at the peripheral edge of the through holes, which reduces the tendency to wetting.

the Figures 7A and 7B show an alternative cross-sectional view through the perforated plate 1 in the area of a through hole, wherein Figure 7A shows the through hole without a coating agent, whereas in Figure 7B a coating agent (e.g. fluid) 50 is shown.

It can be seen from this that the coating agent 50 wets a wetting surface 60 on the downstream surface of the perforated plate 1, which makes a jet-shaped detachment of the coating agent 50 from the perforated plate 1 more difficult.

the Figures 8A and 8B show a preferred embodiment of the invention with a reduced tendency to wetting. For this purpose, the perforated plate 1 has a tubular stub 70 on the circumferential edge of the individual through holes, the through hole merging into the tubular stub 70 so that the end face of the tubular stub 70 forms a wetting surface 80 at the free end of the tubular stub 70. The wetting area 80 is therefore limited to the free end face of the pipe stub 70 and is therefore significantly smaller than the wetting area 60 according to FIG Figure 7A . This facilitates the detachment of the coating agent 50 from the perforated plate 1.

The stub tube 70 has between the downstream side of the perforated plate 1 and the free end of the stub tube 70 z. B. a length L, which is preferably greater than 50 pm, 70 pm, or 100 microns and / or smaller than 200 microns, 170 microns or 150 microns, so that the pipe stub 70 z. B. a length L. may be between 50 to 200 µm, 70 to 170 µm or 100 to 150 µm.

Figure 9 shows a modification of Figure 8A , wherein the outer jacket surface of the pipe stub 70 tapers conically to the free end of the pipe stub 70, so that the wetting surface at the free end of the pipe stub 70 is minimal.

Figure 10A shows a schematic cross-sectional view through a perforated plate 1, which partially corresponds to the perforated plates described above, so that to avoid repetition, reference is made to the above description, the same reference numerals being used for corresponding details.

A special feature of this exemplary embodiment is that the perforated plate 1 has a relatively thick edge 90 on the outside and a thinner area 100 with the through holes in the middle. The thick edge 90 of the perforated plate 1 ensures sufficient mechanical stability, while the reduction in thickness in the area 100 with the through holes ensures that the through holes offer only a relatively low flow resistance.

Figure 10B shows a modification of Figure 10A so as to avoid repetition on the description too Figure 10A is referred to, the same reference numerals being used for corresponding details.

A special feature of this exemplary embodiment is that the area 100 is only reduced in thickness on one side.

The sharp edges and corners shown in the figures are only shown by way of example and can advantageously also be rounded off in order to make them more fluid in terms of flow or to achieve better flushability.

A special feature of the in Figure 11 The embodiment shown of the through hole is that the through hole at the upstream hole confluence initially has a cylindrical region 200 with a first inner diameter.

The cylindrical region 200 is then adjoined in the flow direction by a conical region 210 which tapers in the flow direction.

It is important here that the inner diameter d of the opening of the hole is preferably significantly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical region 200.

Figure 12A shows in a greatly simplified schematic representation an application device, in particular an application device, with a perforated plate 1 according to the invention for coating a component 160 (for example a motor vehicle body component).

Coating agent jets 170 emerge from the individual through holes of perforated plate 1 and form a coherent coating agent film on the surface of component 160. The individual jets of coating agent 170 can be jets of drops, as in FIG Figure 12A shown, or as continuous coating agent jets, in particular without drop formation, as in Figure 12B shown, trained.

Furthermore show the Figures 12A and 12B another applicator 180 connected to the perforated plate 1 and application technology 190 which is connected to the applicator 180 by lines shown schematically.

Figures 12A and 12B also show that the perforated plate 1 is arranged on an outer end face of the application device, so that the through holes of the perforated plate 1 form exit holes from the application device.

Figure 16 shows a cross-sectional view through a through hole of a perforated plate 1. The through hole comprises a funnel-shaped hole opening 30 with an inlet cross-section E and a cylindrical hole opening 40.

Figure 17 shows a cross-sectional view through a through hole of a perforated plate 1. The through hole comprises a funnel-shaped hole opening 30 with an inlet cross section E and a cylindrical hole opening 40, the funnel-shaped hole opening 30 from FIG Figure 17 leads deeper into the perforated plate 1 than the funnel-shaped hole opening 30 of the Figure 16 .

Figure 18 shows a cross-sectional view through a through hole of a perforated plate 1. The through hole comprises a funnel-shaped hole opening 30 with an inlet cross section E and a cylindrical hole opening 40, the funnel-shaped hole opening 30 from FIG Figure 18 leads deeper into the perforated plate 1 than the funnel-shaped hole opening 30 of the Figure 17 .

Figure 19 shows a cross-sectional view through a through hole of a perforated plate 1. The through hole comprises a funnel-shaped hole opening 30 with an inlet cross section E and a cylindrical hole opening 40, the funnel-shaped hole opening 30 from FIG Figure 19 leads deeper into the perforated plate 1 than the funnel-shaped hole opening 30 of the Figure 18 .

The Figures 16 to 19 In particular, an additional possibility of influencing the fluid flow by changing the cylindrical portion of a through hole can be obtained by designing its opening 30 in the shape of a funnel. By providing a funnel-shaped hole opening 30, so that the cylindrical portion of the through hole is reduced or enlarged, the fluid volume flow through the through hole can also be increased or decreased and that although, for. Tie Figures 16 to 19 the (reference) passage diameter d and the inlet cross-sections E are the same. Figure 16 enables the smallest, Figure 17 the second smallest, Figure 18 the third smallest and Figure 19 the largest fluid volume flow.

The ones in the Figures 16 to 19 The through-holes shown can expediently be used in the central region 2 of the row of nozzles and / or in at least one edge region 3a, 3b of the row of nozzles.

It should also be mentioned that an application device according to one embodiment of the invention can have at least two perforated plates 1 arranged next to one another, the nozzle rows of which are arranged offset from one another in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle rows. The perforated plates 1 are here on an outer one Arranged face of the application device so that they represent outer panels.

The invention is not restricted to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a large number of variants and modifications are possible, which also fall within the scope of protection. In addition, the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and the features of the subclaims.

List of reference symbols

1

Perforated plate, e.g. B. Aperture

2

Middle area

2.1

Through hole in the middle area

3a

Edge area, useful first

3b

Edge area, useful second

3.1

Outermost through hole

3.2

Second outermost through hole

4th

Alignment guideline, useful alignment straight line

5

Direction of movement of the perforated plate

6th

Essentially trapezoidal fluid cross-sectional profile

30th

Opening of the hole

40

Hole outlet

50

Fluid (coating agent)

60

Wetting surface

70

Pipe stub

80

Wetting surface

90

edge

100

Area with through holes

110

Reinforcement strips

160

Component

170

Fluid / coating agent jets

180

Applicator

190

Application technology

200

Cylindrical area of the through hole

210

Conical area of the through hole

d

Passage diameter

a1

outer hole spacing of one edge area

a2

second outer hole spacing of one edge area

a3

Hole spacing, especially uniform hole spacing in the middle area

a4

second outer hole spacing of the other edge area

a5

outermost hole spacing of the other edge area

B1

Fluid application, in particular fluid path

B2

Fluid application, in particular fluid path

S.

Axis of symmetry

L.

Length of tube stub

E.

Inlet cross-section

Claims (23)

1. Perforated plate (1) for an application device for application of a fluid serving as a coating medium onto a motor vehicle body and/or an attachment for this, with at least four through-holes (2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) for passage of the fluid, wherein the through-holes (2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) are assigned to a nozzle row with a central region (2) and two edge regions (3a, 3b) and spaced apart from each other by hole spacings (a1, a2, a3, a4, a5),
   wherein the at least one outermost hole spacing (a1, a2) of the nozzle row in at least one edge region (3a) is larger by at most the factor of 3 than at least one hole spacing (a3) in the central region (2), characterised in that all through-holes (2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) of the nozzle row each have a hole inlet opening (30) on the upstream side of the perforated plate (1) and a hole outlet opening (40) with a pipe stub (70) as a three-dimensional structuring on the downstream side of the perforated plate (1).
2. Perforated plate (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the perforated plate (1) has only one single nozzle row for application of the fluid,
   and/or that the nozzle row is aligned centred linearly and/or the centre axes of all through-holes (2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) of the nozzle row are aligned linearly, preferably along one and the same straight alignment line (4).
3. Perforated plate (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that all through-holes (2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) of the nozzle row are formed uniformly.
4. Perforated plate (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outermost hole spacing (a1) of the nozzle row in at least one edge region (3a) has the largest hole spacing of the nozzle row,
   and/or that the at least two outermost hole spacings (a1, a2) of the nozzle row in at least one edge region (3a) are larger than at least one hole spacing (a3) in the central region (2) .
5. Perforated plate (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least two outermost hole spacings (a1, a2) of the nozzle row in at least one edge region (3a) are formed uniformly (a1=a2) or non-uniformly (a1≠a2).
6. Perforated plate (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that

   - the central region (2) has at least two, at least three or at least four hole spacings (a3), and/or

   - the at least one edge region (3a) has at least two or at least three hole spacings (a1, a2).
7. Perforated plate (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hole spacings (a3) in the central region (2) are formed uniformly so that the through-holes (2.1) in the central region (2) are spaced evenly apart, and/or all through-holes (2.1) in the central region (2) are formed uniformly.
8. Perforated plate (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that

   - the outermost hole spacing (a1) in the one edge region (3a) of the nozzle row is formed uniformly or non-uniformly relative to the outermost hole spacing (a5) in the other edge region (3b), or

   - that the at least two outermost hole spacings (a1, a2) in the one edge region (3a) of the nozzle row are formed uniformly or non-uniformly relative to the at least two outermost hole spacings (a4, a5) in the other edge region (3b) .
9. Perforated plate (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one outermost hole spacing (a1, a2) in the one edge region (3a), which hole spacing is larger than at least one hole spacing (a3) in the central region (2), and the at least one outermost hole spacing (a1, a2) in the other edge region (3b) is formed uniformly relative to the at least one hole spacing (a3) in the central region (2).
10. Perforated plate (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hole inlet openings (30) have a larger passage cross-section than the hole outlet openings (40), and/or the pipe stubs (70) have an outer casing surface which tapers, in particular conically, towards the free end of the respective pipe stub (70).
11. Perforated plate (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the two edge regions (3a, 3b) are formed symmetrically or asymmetrically, or the nozzle row is formed symmetrically overall, in particular axially symmetrically and/or mirror symmetrically, relative to an axis of symmetry (S) running transversely to the nozzle row.
12. Perforated plate (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that

    - the outermost hole spacing (a1) in at least one edge region (3a) is larger by at most a factor of 2 or 3 than a respective hole spacing (a3) in the central region (2), or

    - the at least two outermost hole spacings (a1, a2) of the nozzle row in at least one edge region (3a) are each larger by at most a factor of 2 or 3 than a respective hole spacing (a3) in the central region (2).
13. Perforated plate (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one through-hole (2.1) in the central region (2) of the nozzle row and/or at least one through-hole (3.1) in at least one edge region (3a) of the nozzle row has a hopper-shaped hole inlet opening (30) and preferably a cylindrical hole outlet opening (40).
14. Perforated plate (1) according to claim 13, characterised in that the hopper-shaped hole inlet opening (30) of the at least one through-hole (2.1) in the central region (2) extends more deeply into the perforated plate (1) than the hopper-shaped hole opening (30) of the at least one through-hole (3.1) in the at least one edge region (3a).
15. Perforated plate (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that an inlet cross-section (E) of a hole inlet opening (30) of at least one through-hole (2.1) in the central region (2) of the nozzle row is larger than an inlet cross-section (E) of a hole inlet opening (30) of at least one through-hole (3.1) in at least one edge region (3a) of the nozzle row.
16. Application device for application of a fluid serving as a coating medium, with at least one perforated plate (1) according to any of the preceding claims.
17. Application device according to claim 16, characterised in that the application device is configured for a fluid inflow in at least one edge region (3a) which can be controlled independently of the central region (2).
18. Application device according to claims 16 or 17, characterised in that the two edge regions (3a, 3b) are connected to the same fluid delivery unit or each connected to its own fluid delivery unit.
19. Application device according to any of claims 16 to 18, characterised in that the application device comprises at least two perforated plates (1) arranged next to each other, the nozzle rows of which are arranged offset to each other in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle rows.
20. Application device according to any of claims 16 to 19, characterised in that the at least one perforated plate (1) is arranged on an outer end face of the application device, preferably such that the at least four through-holes (2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) form outlet holes from the application device.
21. Application method for application of a fluid serving as a coating medium, which fluid is applied to a component by means of at least one perforated plate (1) according to any of claims 1 to 15 or an application device according to any of claims 16 to 20, wherein an application of the coating medium with a substantially trapezoid cross-section is formed.
22. Application method according to claim 21, characterised in that the application device is configured for a fluid inflow with equal pressure over the entire nozzle row.
23. Application method according to claim 21 or 22, characterised in that the application device applies a fluid with a viscosity of over 50 mPas, ober 80 mPas or over 100 mPas.

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