EP4326448A1

EP4326448A1 - Metering module

Info

Publication number: EP4326448A1
Application number: EP22722504.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mario Fließ
Original assignee: Vermes Microdispensing GmbH
Current assignee: Vermes Microdispensing GmbH
Priority date: 2021-04-19
Filing date: 2022-04-12
Publication date: 2024-02-28
Also published as: JP2024515553A; CN117098609A; DE102021109850A1; KR20230171929A; US20240191729A1; WO2022223377A1; CA3209822A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a metering module (1, 1'') for metering a metering medium, having a plurality of metering valves (4a, 4b), having a first valve actuator group (2), which has at least two valve actuators (3) arranged alongside one another in a row direction (QR, QR''), which valve actuators (3) each comprise at least one metering head part (4) with an expulsion element (4a), and a second valve actuator group (5) with at least one valve actuator (3), preferably with a plurality of valve actuators (3) that are arranged alongside one another in a row direction (QR, QR''), which at least one valve actuator (3) also comprises a metering head part (4) with an expulsion element (4a). Here, the metering head parts (4) of the first valve actuator group (2) and of the second valve actuator group (5) face one another. Furthermore, the metering module (1, 1'') comprises a metering nozzle arrangement (4') having a plurality of metering nozzles (4b), wherein each metering head part (4) is assigned a metering nozzle (4b) of the metering nozzle arrangement (4') such that the metering nozzle (4b), with the expulsion element (4a) of the metering head part (4), forms in each case a metering valve (4a, 4b).

Description

dosing module

The invention relates to a dosing module with a plurality of dosing valves in the form of a dosing valve group arrangement.

Metering valves are usually used to meter a medium to be metered, typically a liquid to viscous metering substance, for example by dispensing the metering medium in droplets or metering points by means of the ejection element via a metering nozzle of the metering valve. With such a delivery, a dosing point or “blob” (drop) can be placed at a point on a workpiece in a single dosing step (to put it very simply with a single ejection movement of said ejection element). Metering valve group arrangements of such metering valves are therefore used so that the medium to be metered can be delivered simultaneously at several such metering points, for example along a straight metering path or droplet path from metering points, in the simplest case in the form of drops or blobs.

A fundamentally different form of material application is spraying. In this regard, DE 10 2010 014 952 A1, for example, discloses a spraying device for spraying a liquid or suspension onto a surface of a shaping tool. In such spray devices, in contrast to dosing modules of the type mentioned at the outset, the material is not ejected, but emerges under pressure, so that the material can only be applied over a large area by nebulization instead of a discrete point application.

Such a dosing module is known from EP 0 676 247 B1, for example as an application head for the dosed dispensing of flowing media, which is only narrow in width. Due to its width, it is possible to arrange a large number of such application heads next to one another in an adhesive application machine using a fastening device. With such an adhesive application machine, it is true that several dosing points can be applied simultaneously along a drop path. In a single dosing process with the adhesive application machine in question, however, there is always a considerable distance between the individual dosing points or drops, which is at least the width of an application head. It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve known dosing modules.

This task is solved by a dosing module according to patent claim 1 .

As mentioned at the outset, the dosing module includes a plurality of dosing valves. They are used for dosing or dosed delivery of a dosing medium on a workpiece or substrate, in particular in order to deliver several drops or dosing points simultaneously along a dosing substance line or dosing path, as described above.

The dosing module also includes a first valve actuator group, which has at least two valve actuators arranged next to one another in a row direction, each of which includes at least one dosing head part with an ejection element. As the name already implies, the ejection element is an element which actually ejects or conveys material out during the ejection movement. In addition to the dosing head part, such a valve actuator can, as usual, also include other, in particular internal, components. In particular, such a valve actuator can be constructed on the inside like a dosing system described in DE 10 2021 102 657. However, an embodiment of such a valve actuator will also be explained in more detail later on the basis of a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment of the metering valve group arrangement.

At least two valve actuators means that the first valve actuator group has a plurality, i. H. a plurality of valve actuators, positioned next to one another in a row direction, i.e. one next to the other.

Furthermore, the dosing module comprises a second valve actuator group with at least one valve actuator, which also has a dosing head part with an ejection element. In the simplest case, the second "valve actuator group" means a group according to the mathematical definition, i. H. a so-called “trivial group” with exactly one element, here e.g. B. exactly one valve actuator.

However, the second valve actuator group can preferably have a plurality of, ie at least two, valve actuators arranged next to one another in a row direction, which also each comprise at least one dosing head part with an ejection element. Preferred can Accordingly, the second valve actuator group can be constructed in accordance with the first valve actuator group.

According to the invention, the dosing head parts of the first valve actuator group and the at least one dosing head part of the second valve actuator group of the dosing module also face each other. “Facing each other” is to be understood as meaning that the two valve actuator groups are arranged relative to one another in such a way that their dosing head parts with the ejection element lie on plan sides that point toward one another. In other words, the two valve actuator groups, more precisely their valve actuators, are aligned in the opposite direction to one another, rotated by 180°.

To complete the metering valves, the metering module includes a metering nozzle arrangement or nozzle group with a plurality of metering nozzles. Each dosing head part is assigned a dosing nozzle of the dosing nozzle arrangement, so that the dosing nozzle forms a dosing valve with the ejection element of the dosing head part.

The dosing nozzles of the dosing nozzle arrangement can, for example, each be separate dosing nozzles, for example manufactured in one piece, which in the operating state in connection with the ejection element of the respective dosing head part of a valve actuator each form a detachably coupled dosing head of the valve actuator. An ejection element is then arranged in a so-called valve seat or sealing seat in a metering nozzle in the dosing head.

Likewise, the dosing nozzle arrangement could also consist of several groups or dosing groups of dosing nozzles or be combined, which dosing nozzles can be firmly connected to one another at least within the group and then in turn coupled detachably as a group to a corresponding group of valve actuators in terms of the number of valve actuators could become.

Preferably, however, all metering nozzles of the metering nozzle arrangement can be installed in a component that belongs together or form a component that belongs together, as will be explained in more detail below.

The dosing section already mentioned above means a dosing nozzle arrangement with dosing nozzles and an arrangement of dosing head parts with ejection elements in a row in a row direction of the valve actuator, with several dosing points at the same time can be applied to a workpiece along a dosing substance line or dosing path only slightly offset from one another in a single static dosing step, without, for example, a dosing nozzle having to be moved dynamically relative to a workpiece along a line several times for dosing, as would be the case with a single dosing nozzle has to be moved or moved.

With the aid of the invention, machine productivity of a higher-level metering machine or metering system equipped with a metering module in the form of a metering valve group arrangement can be increased. On the one hand, a dosing medium or dosing substance can be applied to a target surface of a workpiece more quickly, ie in a shorter time. On the other hand, more dosing medium can also be applied at the same time, ie a dosing quantity can be increased. Larger areas can thus be served in the same time interval, for example in a single dosing step a straight path of dosing points in the manner of a straight dosing line or dosing section. The dosing points can also be lined up even more densely.

The construction according to the invention also enables - integrated in a superordinate dosing machine or dosing system that can be controlled in at least two spatial directions - a dosing method in the manner of a "3D printing or 3D printing method" in which material is applied layer by layer. For example, the dosing medium can be fed by parallel movement of the dosing module in a longitudinal direction of the valve actuator (perpendicular to the direction of the row) via a flat, z. B. horizontal metering surface can be applied repeatedly, in between the metering module could be moved in a height or depth direction to apply another layer.

Further, particularly advantageous refinements and developments of the invention result from the dependent claims and the following description, it also being possible for individual features of different exemplary embodiments or variants to be combined to form new exemplary embodiments or variants.

Preferably, the first group of valve actuators and the second group of valve actuators of the dosing module can run parallel to one another in a row direction. The mutually parallel groups of valve actuators of the dosing module can, for example, form a common (valve actuator) double row, ie a double row of valve actuators in two parallel (dosing valve or valve actuator) rows. There are preferred options for the relative arrangement of the valve actuator groups of the dosing module (for example in the form of the dosing valve group arrangement).

The valve actuator groups can preferably be arranged shifted to one another in the row direction.

For example, in a straight row direction, the valve actuator groups could be parallel to each other, e.g. B. in the transverse direction or direction of the width of the valve actuator or be offset. In this way, the valve actuators of one valve actuator group can be arranged linearly displaced relative to the valve actuators of the opposite valve actuator group in the row direction or direction of extension of the valve actuator groups.

Particularly preferably, three opposing valve actuators (two from one valve actuator group and one from the other valve actuator group) can be offset opposite one another and at least in places, such as e.g. B. at the dosing head parts, directly to each other or adjoin.

Such a mutually shifted or staggered arrangement of the valve actuators of one valve actuator group to the other valve actuator group in a dosing module in the form of the dosing valve group arrangement makes possible, for example (with appropriate control during operation) after application of a group or series of discrete (dosing substance) drops or dosing points, among other things, by means of the ejector elements of the first valve actuator group on a workpiece in a very simple manner the application of a second group or row of further dosing points between the previously applied dosing points. To do this, it is sufficient to move the two valve actuator groups after dispensing the first group or row of dosing points or drops in a row connecting direction (transverse, preferably perpendicular to the row direction of the groups) of the two valve actuator groups by the distance between the valve actuator groups relative to the workpiece to proceed in order to then apply the second group or series of dosing points on the workpiece. In this way, the dosing points can be applied at half the distance from one another along a discrete line of dosing points extending in the row direction. By a discrete line of dosing points is meant a line in which the dosing points are at least somewhat spaced apart. In addition, with sufficiently large discrete dosing points, with the said arrangement and such a procedure, a continuous or continuous dosing path, i.e. a dosing substance line, could be applied to a workpiece extremely quickly with a simple linear movement, in which the individual dosing points border one another or at least each other partially overlap.

In addition, this arrangement allows (with appropriate control during operation) - by the dosing module is performed under continuous delivery of dosing in rows connecting direction over a workpiece - also the formation of a flat, d. H. two-dimensionally extending dosing substance surface by extending the dosing substance line already described above in the series connection direction to a dosing substance surface with the width of the dosing substance line and an arbitrary length.

Preferably, the dosing head parts of the two groups of valve actuators can be interlocked. For this purpose, the arrangement of the valve actuators can be selected appropriately. By "interleaved" is meant that the valve actuators are at least partially interleaved in the row direction. Further preferred configurations of the toothing are explained further below.

There are also various options for aligning the valve actuators with one another or with one another.

The valve actuators of a respective valve actuator group can preferably be aligned essentially parallel to one another. “Aligned parallel to each other” means a similar alignment or orientation of the valve actuators, in which each valve actuator of a valve actuator group is oriented or aligned identically or similarly to all other valve actuators of the same valve actuator group.

Alternatively, the valve actuators of a respective valve actuator group can preferably be aligned with an angular offset relative to one another. This has the advantage that the valve actuators of the respective group can be aligned to a few or only one common dosing point, in order to increase the dosing quantity at a few or at one dosing point, for example. In principle, the alignment of the valve actuators to one another is independent of the course of the row direction.

Preferably, the valve actuators of one of the valve actuator groups, e.g. B., if they are aligned with an angular offset to each other, be arranged in a fan-like manner next to each other in an arcuate row direction or on a convexly curved arc, so that they can all be aligned to a dosing point, for example.

Particularly preferably, the valve actuators of at least one valve actuator group can be directed towards a common dosing point. This ensures that the valve actuators can be arranged at the same distance from the target surface. In other words, the valve actuators are arranged and aligned in sections on a kind of "cylinder surface" inclined to one another.

Very particularly preferably, the valve actuators of both groups of valve actuators can be directed towards a common dosing point. This means that the valve actuators are arranged in sections on a kind of “spherical surface” and are aligned inclined to one another or to the center of the sphere, as will be explained later using an exemplary embodiment.

Preferably, the valve actuators of one of the valve actuator groups may be arranged in a straight line next to each other in a straight line direction.

Preferably, both groups of valve actuators can be straight or both can be fan-shaped. But you can also be different, for example, z. B. one valve actuator group as a straight line and the other as an arcuate fan.

A valve actuator can preferably be in contact in the row direction with at least one further adjacent valve actuator, in particular an end section of a valve actuator (as will be explained further below), or housing can rest against housing.

In the simplest structure (with the lowest floor plan requirements), two adjacent valve actuators of a valve actuator group arranged next to one another, for example along one floor plan side, i.e. floor plan side to floor plan side, can be in contact with one another or abut one another and form a “valve actuator pair”, so to speak. Basically they could do it at the rest Floor plan pages can be structured in almost any way, e.g. B. connections etc. have. With such a “valve actuator pair”, which at least as a pair can be arranged compactly and extremely closely together, a relatively narrow double row of dosing points can be formed very easily along a dosing section, in which the dosing points are then dosed at least in pairs in one step close to each other be able. A second valve actuator pair of the second valve actuator group could be arranged according to the invention for twice the order quantity. The valve actuator z. B. locked together, glued, clicked or screwed.

However, the above statements on the valve actuator pairs should not be viewed as limiting. For example, the valve actuators can also be closely contacted in larger groups.

For example, in the case of two straight groups of valve actuators or in the case of two groups of valve actuators curved in the same way, the valve actuators can be in contact with at least one further valve actuator.

Likewise, the valve actuator groups of the double row z. B. on mutually facing shorter plan pages (explanation later) of the respective valve actuator, preferably almost directly, ie z. B. only a gap apart, be arranged in a relatively small distance to each other relative to the length of the valve actuator.

Particularly preferably, the valve actuators or the dosing head parts of the two valve actuator groups can even be arranged interlocked so deeply that the dosing head parts with the ejection elements form a common straight dosing path of dosing points that are spaced apart from one another, as will be explained later using a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment. For this purpose, the two groups of valve actuators are pushed into one another in a sawtooth-like manner in the series connection direction. Further advantages of such an interlocking arrangement of the two valve actuator groups with respect to one another are also explained further below.

In other words, all valve actuators - except for the two outermost valve actuators at the beginning and end of the two groups - can be arranged or interlocked in such a way that (at least in the area of the dosing head parts or in the bay section of the valve actuator) their ejection element is in the middle between two opposite Ejection elements of two valve actuators of the other valve actuator group intervene. This means that an additional dosing point can be applied between two dosing points of a valve actuator group without an intervening movement of the higher-level dosing system, so that the distances between the dosing points are halved compared to the distances between the ejection elements with only one valve actuator group with valve actuators oriented in only one direction . So it is an extremely low, here z. B. half the distance created between the dosing points, which is in any case smaller than a previously possible distance with the known constructions of the prior art. Because there, a minimum possible distance between individual dosing points is always limited to the thickness or width of the respective individual valve, ie a closer arrangement is not possible.

At this point it should be mentioned that in the case of an arc-shaped row direction, the valve actuators or the dosing head parts of the two valve actuator groups can also be interlocked so deeply into one another, for example. Then, however, the dosing head parts with the ejection elements form a dosing path running on an arc of dosing points spaced apart from one another.

In addition, the dosing module is not limited to such a recessed interlocking of the ejector elements. In many cases, however, even a smaller, only slight toothing would achieve a corresponding effect such as an almost straight application line or metering path of the metered substance (without such a traversing movement in the row-connecting direction, as already described above). This depends on the settings and the dosing substance or quantities of dosing substance, namely how large the area of the dosing points on the workpiece is.

So could z. B. achieve at least a slightly wavy dosing distance of the dosing points even with less interlocking, in which the waveform would be visible depending on the dosing point size, if necessary, only when viewed enlarged. Particularly in applications where a 100% straight dosing line is not important, wider valve actuators or dosing head parts could already be used that cannot be arranged so deeply interlocked with the same dosing point distance. However, the dosing points of such wider valve actuators can still be arranged significantly closer to one another than is the case with only one group of valve actuators arranged next to one another in a common orientation. Preferably, the valve actuator groups or the individual valve actuators of the valve actuator groups can each be shifted or offset by half the width of a valve actuator, preferably as exactly as possible within the usual tolerances.

Such an arrangement enables the application of a group or series of discrete dosing points at half the distance from one another (relative to a distance between two valve actuators of a valve actuator group arranged next to one another).

As an alternative or in addition, the valve actuator groups can each be arranged shifted relative to one another by a width of an end section of a valve actuator explained below in, for example, a straight row direction.

There are also preferred options for arranging the valve actuators of a valve actuator group. In principle, each of the above valve actuators could be square in outline in plan.

Preferably, however, a valve actuator can have a substantially rectangular, in particular rather elongated, outline or plan, i. H. with two shorter and two longer ground plan sides, in order to be able to arrange or group the valve actuators with their dosing head parts with the ejection element extremely closely next to one another at the smallest possible distance, in particular to be able to line them up. “Essentially rectangular” is to be understood in such a way that the valve actuator can be rectangular in shape except for an end section on one of the shorter plan sides—which end section forms the dosing head part with the ejection element. In other words, a valve actuator can be narrower in the area of the ejection element in a transverse direction or row direction (in which the other valve actuators of the valve actuator group are also connected laterally beyond the relevant valve actuator) than in the remaining part in the longitudinal direction (perpendicular to the transverse direction or in Direction away from the other parallel valve-actuator group) behind the ejection element.

The shorter plan side, ie the broad side or transverse side, can preferably have or be at most two thirds, particularly preferably at most one half, of a length of the longer plan side, ie the long side. The dosing head parts with the ejection element of the valve actuator can preferably protrude like an oriel on the respective valve actuator, for example by the above-mentioned end section on one of the shorter plan sides protruding in the form of an oriel from the rest of the plan of the valve actuator, i.e. forming a so-to-speak oriel section containing the ejector element, which is only part of it the floor plan page. The ejection elements can be positioned centrally along the shorter plan side in the bay section of the valve actuator.

A valve actuator can preferably have a maximum width (shorter plan side or broadside) of 30 mm at most. The maximum width is the width at the thickest part of the valve actuator. A valve actuator can particularly preferably have a maximum width of 20 mm and very particularly preferably a maximum width of 10 mm.

Preferably, a valve actuator on the dosing head part with the ejection element or an entire housing side of the ejection element can have half the width or half of the aforementioned maximum width, i.e. it can also be formed off-centre only over a first or second half of the width.

This means that such valve actuators of a first valve actuator group can be arranged side by side and additionally with a second valve actuator group of identical construction or at least congruent valve actuators facing each other with mirrored dosing head parts, each with an ejection element, so that in the transverse direction (or row direction) along the double row of the dosing module, for example in the form of the dosing valve group arrangement, with dosing valves alternately offset in two directions relative to one another, an ejector element of a valve actuator of the first valve actuator group alternates with an ejector element of a valve actuator of the second valve actuator group. Overall, valve actuators of this type with particularly narrow dosing head parts can be arranged in a very compact manner with the nozzle distance halved in relation to one another. A dosing substance can thus be placed side by side at closer intervals than the actual width of the relevant floor plan side of the valve actuator would permit due to the space available.

Preferably, the ejection elements can be in a series connection direction of the two groups of valve actuators perpendicular to the direction of the width or transverse direction of the Valve actuator, advantageously also very snugly, be interlocked.

As already mentioned above, the metering nozzles of the metering nozzle arrangement can be installed on or in a component that belongs together. Preferably, the metering nozzle arrangement of the metering module can have a nozzle unit with a plurality of metering nozzles that are integrated or can be inserted detachably into the nozzle unit.

In addition to the metering nozzle arrangement, the nozzle unit can also include other parts or functional areas, such as e.g. B. a metering media supply or parts thereof (for example, a suitable channel structure to the metering nozzles, etc.), as will be explained later.

A particularly preferred nozzle unit could be designed, for example, in the form of a nozzle plate with an area with predefined nozzle positions for the metering nozzles or metering nozzles already formed in the nozzle unit, without restricting the nozzle unit to a plate-like, essentially two-dimensional shape. The nozzle unit can preferably be coupled to the at least two valve actuator groups, in particular to each individual valve actuator, in order to mechanically couple or connect all the valve actuators to one another like a clip or bridge. The nozzle unit can particularly preferably be fitted with detachable fastening means, such as e.g. B. screws, be coupled to the valve actuators.

The nozzle unit can preferably be designed in the form of a nozzle plate curved in an arc shape, particularly preferably in the form of a nozzle plate in the shape of a segment of a cylinder. This is e.g. B. at fan-like arranged valve actuators.

With a nozzle unit such. B. a nozzle plate, for fastening the individual valve actuator groups or the valve actuators of the valve actuator groups (e.g. also simply via a plug connection for even faster coupling and decoupling), the metering module could, preferably in the form of a complete metering valve group arrangement, as a finished component with a Multiple slots are offered for a variable number of valve actuators. The customer himself could easily and quickly replace individual valve actuators for maintenance or cleaning purposes in a minimum of time. If necessary, a space for attaching a separate control unit for the dosing module could be reserved on the nozzle unit or the Control unit already placed on it to be able to jointly or individually control the valve actuator of the dosing module, for example when attached to a higher-level dosing system or a robot for spatial control, via a connection using the control unit for dosing. The nozzle unit can then also serve to jointly attach the dosing module to the dosing system or the robot.

Preferably, the dosing module can additionally be configured with a common supply of dosing media for at least some of the dosing nozzles of the dosing nozzle arrangement, preferably on or in the nozzle unit. The individual dosing media supply connections of the individual dosing nozzles of the dosing nozzle arrangement could be connected to such a dosing medium supply for the continuous supply of dosing substance from a dosing substance reservoir or tank, e.g. B. a cartridge, via a suitable channel structure in series or individually connected or coupled.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the metering nozzle arrangement can comprise a plurality of separate metering nozzles, which can each be coupled separately to the at least two valve actuator groups, in particular to the individual valve actuators. The separate dosing nozzles can particularly preferably be releasably coupled to the at least two valve actuator groups, in particular to the individual valve actuators.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached figures using exemplary embodiments. The same components are provided with identical reference numbers in the various figures. As a rule, the figures are not to scale and should only be understood as a schematic representation. Show it:

1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a dosing module according to the invention in the form of a dosing valve group arrangement, with the nozzle unit removed,

FIG. 2 shows a view from below of the exemplary embodiment from FIG.

Figure 3 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1, FIG. 4 is a perspective bottom view obliquely from below of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 1, but now with a coupled nozzle unit,

FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section through the nozzle unit according to FIG. 4, without a reservoir and compressed air supply hose, with two coupled valve actuators (partially shown),

FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section through a further exemplary embodiment of a metering module according to the invention in the form of a fan-type metering valve group arrangement, with a correspondingly adapted, coupled nozzle unit.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a dosing module 1 according to the invention in the form of a dosing valve group arrangement 1 (here with a decoupled nozzle unit 20). The metering valve group arrangement 1 is referred to below as a metering valve row arrangement 1 without loss of generality, since in the exemplary embodiments the valve actuator groups 2, 5 each comprise at least two valve actuators 3, which are each arranged or lined up in a double row.

The metering valve row arrangement 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment has, on the one hand, five valve actuators 3 arranged next to one another in a transverse direction QR and forming a first row 2 of valve actuators. On the other hand, five further valve actuators 3 forming a second row 2 of valve actuators are arranged next to one another in a longitudinal direction LR opposite and offset in the transverse direction QR. The metering valve row arrangement 1 of the present exemplary embodiment therefore forms, for example, as shown in the present exemplary embodiment, a double row 2, 5 of ten mutually identical valve actuators 3. The valve actuators 3 of both valve actuator rows 2, 5 are arranged interlocked with one another or with their respective dosing head part 4 , wherein the dosing head parts 4 each have an ejection element 4a for dosing a dosing medium on a workpiece. The toothing is such that the ejection elements 4a together form a straight metering path D, as can be seen in FIG. 2 using a view of the metering valve row arrangement 1 from below. Said ejection elements 4a are here in the form of elongated plungers 4a with a plunger tip at the front, workpiece side End and a plunger head formed at the rear, lever-side end, as will be explained below.

Since a plurality of identical valve actuators 3 are involved, the (illustrated) external structure of a single valve actuator 3 will be described in more detail below and the internal structure (not shown) will be described in somewhat less detail below.

Relative directions such as "top", "bottom", "top", "bottom", "side", "short side", "long side", "front", "back" etc. refer here as well as in the entire writing arbitrarily on the representation in the figures, even if the metering valve array 1 is used in operation predominantly in the orientation shown in Figure 1, i. H. mostly a dosing onto a work piece occurs essentially with the force of gravity, ie in the dosing direction DR or counter to a depth direction TR downwards.

Each valve actuator 3 essentially has a cuboid housing 8 that extends in three orthogonal spatial directions, namely in the transverse direction QR, the longitudinal direction LR and the depth direction TR. The cuboid housing 8 itself, shown in a bottom view in Figure 2, is essentially rectangular in plan, i. H. formed with two shorter plan pages 6 (in the transverse direction QR) and two longer plan pages 7 (in the longitudinal direction LR) with a length I.

At least in the connected state of a valve actuator 3 for operation, several lines or connections branch off from the cuboid housing 8 on the upper side (upward in the depth direction TR). In addition to two lines or cables 9 for exchanging data with a control unit (not shown here), for supplying the power required during operation (e.g. for the integrated heating) and for controlling and monitoring the piezoelectric drives on a top side of the Housing 8 are three more connections, namely a plug-in connection of a supply channel 15 and two plug-in connections of two discharge channels 16 for a cooling medium for cooling the valve actuator 3. The cooling medium can, for. B. be a gas such as air, but also a cooling liquid. A dynamic pressure of the Cooling medium are minimized and thus a cooling capacity or cooling effectiveness of the cooling can be maximized.

However, since the arrangement according to the invention of the valve actuators 3 in a metering valve row arrangement 1 depends in particular on a width b of the housing 8 of the valve actuator 3, the width b of the valve actuator 3, i.e. a transverse extension in the transverse direction QR, is already designed to be as narrow as possible overall.

A special feature in terms of an additional local narrowing in the transverse direction QR is the dosing head part 4 already mentioned or the entire housing side of the valve actuator 3 pointing to the other row of valve actuators 2, 5 on the side of the dosing head part 4 (i.e. e.g. in Figure 3: the left housing side of the right valve actuator

3)

The dosing head part 4 or the entire side of the housing in the area of the dosing head part 4 (i.e. in particular also the part in the depth direction TR above the actual dosing head part

4) thus only protrudes in the middle on the relevant shorter floor plan side 6 in the manner of a “bay-like extension” or bay section 3e, so that the housing side is narrowed overall. The housing 8 on the housing side of the dosing head part 4 is continuous from the top to the bottom, d. H. in the bay section 3e or end section 3e, it is narrower at the end in the transverse direction QR than the rest of the housing 8. There it has only half the width b' of the dosing head part 4, preferably approximately half the width b of the rest of the valve actuator 3.

With this so to speak narrowed or “tapered” side of the housing in the transverse direction QR, the valve actuator 3 adjoins at least one opposite valve actuator 3 of the other valve actuator row 2 , 5 . More precisely, it can be arranged in such a way that the narrowed bay section 3e protrudes between two equally “tapered” housing sides, i.e. between two equally narrowed bay sections 3e of two opposite valve actuators 3 of the other valve actuator row 2, 5.

The dosing head parts 4 of the valve actuators 3 are thus positioned next to one another in an essentially interlocked manner. So it is in this arrangement according to the invention in each case a valve actuator 3 of a valve actuator row 2, 5 with its dosing head part 4 flush on the side of a dosing head part 4 of a valve actuator 3 of the other valve actuator series 2, 5. With this structural design and arrangement, a distance between the individual dosing head parts 4 and thus the distance between the individual dosing points is once again reduced. In particular when using the same dosing substance in all dosing nozzles, this small distance can be used to produce a close-meshed, quasi-continuous drop path of dosing points. Depending on the size of the droplets, such droplets then have no or almost no distance from one another and thus, as already mentioned, possibly form a continuous dosing substance line from one dosing substance.

On the remaining side of the case beyond the narrowing, i. H. In the wider part, the valve actuator 3 is, as stated, of the same width or thickness, as can be seen in particular in FIG. There is also a cover plate 10 on the outside of the housing 8. It covers or protects, among other things, a processor circuit board or control circuit board arranged centrally in the longitudinal direction LR for controlling the valve actuator 3 inside the valve actuator 3 an insulating circuit board for insulation from the actuators (as explained below), a connection circuit board, a Hall sensor circuit board and a voltage supply for the valve actuator 3 can also be integrated.

In order to hold the plunger 4a of a valve actuator 3 and to guide it suitably for an ejection movement (in the direction of the nozzle opening), the dosing head part 4 also includes a plunger centering screw for guided reception of the plunger 4a, which is held or received in an annular manner surrounded by the dosing head part 4 . In order to resiliently mount the tappet 4a in the valve actuator 3, a tappet spring is located between a tappet head of the tappet 4a and the tappet centering screw. By means of a fluidic positioning 11 on the underside of the valve actuator 3, the ram 4a mounted in the ram centering screw is held tensioned against a lever of the valve actuator 3 (here located above it in the housing 8).

The interior of the metering valve row arrangement 1 can in particular be constructed in the same way as the metering system from DE 10 2021 102 657 on the inside. Within the housing 8 of the valve actuator 3, there is a lever mounted tiltably in a lever support directly on the tappet head, which in turn is acted upon alternately around its tilting axis (directly to the right and left or before and after the tilting axis) with a tilting moment which is divided by two piezoelectric actuators or actuators that are positioned at an angle to one another and are present on the lever at two actuator contact points of the lever are triggered. The whole Mechanism of movement (ie the lever bearing via the lever against the two actuators) is braced or prestressed against or in the housing by means of a spring element, here for example designed as a plate spring assembly. For the detailed structure, reference is therefore made to DE 10 2021 102 657, the content of which is incorporated here in this respect.

For dosing operation in a dosing system (not shown here), the valve actuator group formed from the rows 2, 5 of valve actuators 3, each with their dosing head parts 4, is used to form a dosing valve row arrangement 1 with a nozzle unit 20, more precisely the dosing nozzles 4b of the dosing nozzle arrangement 4', e.g. B. in an area on the nozzle unit 20 coupled.

FIG. 4 shows a nozzle unit 20 designed as a nozzle plate 20 in a perspective view from below.

The nozzle plate 20 is shown again in FIG. 5 without a reservoir and compressed air supply hose (which can also include a heating connection cable if necessary) in a longitudinal section through the nozzle plate 20 along the section line V-V to show the inner workings. 5 (here on the right) shows only two valve actuators 3 of the valve actuator rows 2, 5, at least partially, in the coupled state with the nozzle plate 20, in order to make the structure of the nozzle plate 20 more visible. This makes it possible to see how the coupled state of the valve actuator 3 with the dosing nozzles looks inside, i.e. how an ejection element 4a is positioned or seated in the so-called sealing seat or valve seat in a nozzle chamber 4b′ of a dosing nozzle 4b. In the construction in FIG. 4, all dosing nozzles 4b are actually each coupled to a dosing head part 4 or a valve actuator 3 of the valve actuator rows 2, 5.

The metering valve row arrangement 1 with the tappets 4a of the valve actuator 3 is arranged or positioned in a metering position on the nozzle plate 20 of the metering nozzle arrangement 4'. As a result, the tappets 4a of the valve actuators 3 protrude into a respective metering nozzle 4b or into a respective seal of a metering nozzle 4b on the nozzle plate 20, forming the valve seat or sealing seat. For sealing between the valve actuators 3 and the metering nozzles 4b, more precisely between the tappets 4a and the nozzle chambers 4b', there are appropriate seals in an upper part of the metering nozzles 4b, e.g. B. ring seals or membrane seals (not shown here), which in the coupled state of the valve actuator 3 with the nozzle plate 20 (as shown in Figure 4) then sit annularly between the nozzle chambers 4b 'and the tappets 4a.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the valve actuators 3 of the dosing module 1 are each detachably screwed to the nozzle plate 20 with screws 26 which are screwed through the nozzle plate 20 into the valve actuator 3 . The nozzle plate 20 itself could in turn be fastened to a robot arm of the higher-level dosing system, for example by means of the screws 27, in order to fasten the dosing module 1 with the nozzle plate 20 to the dosing system as a whole for the dosing operation.

The nozzle plate 20 further includes an integrated dosing medium supply 21 or channel structure 21 from a reservoir 22 or tank 22 to the dosing nozzles 4b for the sufficient and constant supply or tracking of a dosing medium for the valve actuator l from the common reservoir 22. The channel structure 21 leads from the reservoir 22 via a vertical channel into the interior of the nozzle plate 20, from where a horizontal channel leads to the metering nozzles 4b. Since the metering nozzles 4b corresponding to the valve actuator 3 of the valve actuator rows 2, 5 are interlocked so deeply that all the metering nozzles 4b lie on a straight line, the channel structure 21 manages with a single channel that runs horizontally through the nozzle plate 20 and all the metering nozzles 4b or nozzle chambers 4b' of the dosing nozzles 4b and supplied with dosing medium.

However, the channel structure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown. In principle, a nozzle plate can have any number of channels. For example, a separate channel could run to each nozzle chamber of each dosing nozzle. Alternatively or additionally, for example, further channels branching off perpendicularly to the row direction from one or more channels running parallel to the row direction could also branch off to the individual nozzle chambers or to a group of nozzle chambers.

Furthermore, the nozzle chambers of the dosing nozzles of the respective rows could, for example, be supplied in groups by means of corresponding supply channels or be connected to at least one reservoir.

Alternatively or additionally, the metering nozzles of the metering valves, e.g. B. individually, in groups or in rows, preferably with different media or dosing media (z. B. from a corresponding number of reservoirs) are supplied. On the way between reservoir 22 and the dosing nozzles 4b, more precisely at a junction to the nozzle chambers 4b' of the dosing nozzles 4b of the nozzle unit 20, the dosing medium supply 21 comprises an opening which is closed with a closure element 24 at least during normal dosing operation. The opening can be opened if the channel of the dosing medium supply 21 is to be cleaned. In addition, this opening helps with the introduction of the metering medium supply 21 or channel structure 21 in the nozzle unit 20, particularly when the channel structure 21, the z. B. consists of a vertical and a horizontal channel to the metering nozzles, is drilled.

Alternatively or additionally, a nozzle plate, particularly if it has a more complex channel structure, e.g. B. has one of the variants described above, for example, be produced or printed in a 3D printing process.

As also shown in FIG. 4, the nozzle plate 20 here additionally includes a reservoir 22, which can be pressurized via a pressure supply. Since dosing processes are generally very temperature-sensitive, temperature control of the nozzle plate 20 via heating or cooling or nozzle plate 20 is obvious. This can be done centrally, ie for the entire nozzle plate 20, or individually via the stop surfaces of the respective valve actuators 3. An additional temperature control of the reservoir 22 and any supply line or piping between the reservoir 22 and the nozzle plate 20 is also conceivable as an option, but is not explicitly shown in the exemplary embodiments.

On the underside of the valve actuator 3 described above, there is also a heating element 12 with a temperature sensor on the fluidic positioning 11, which in the coupled state with the metering nozzle arrangement 4' of the nozzle unit 20 heats the nozzle chamber 4b' of the metering nozzle 4b on the nozzle unit 20, particularly when during operation, the tappet 4a is moved through the nozzle chamber 4b' to an open or closed position in the nozzle opening 25 of the dosing nozzle 4b. The heating element 12 is screwed to the fluidic positioning 11 by means of at least one screw 14 .

FIG. 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a metering module 1” according to the invention in the form of a fan-like or arc-shaped metering valve row arrangement 1” with a Nozzle unit 20" in the form of a nozzle plate 20" in longitudinal section. The exemplary embodiment shown here can be configured essentially identically to the previous exemplary embodiment, with the exception of the differences listed below.

In contrast to the previous exemplary embodiment, the nozzle plate 20" is arcuate, at least in the area of the metering nozzles 4b, i.e. the valve actuators 3 are not arranged in the same two-dimensional plane parallel to one another perpendicular to the row direction QR (as was the case in the previous exemplary embodiment), but fan-like with dosing directions inclined towards one another along an arc-shaped row direction QR” directed or inclined towards a common dosing point overlapping in the longitudinal section.

Specifically, on the one hand, the upper side of the nozzle plate 20'' on which the valve actuators 3 are coupled to the metering nozzles 4b, as in the previous exemplary embodiment, is slightly curved upwards in the area of the metering nozzles 4b. On the other hand, the underside of the nozzle plate 20" in the area of the metering openings 25" of the metering nozzles 4b is recessed in an arc shape upwards, so that the nozzle plate 20" has the shape of a circular ring sector with a uniform thickness in the longitudinal section between the top and bottom. Inside the circular ring sector of the nozzle plate 20", the metering nozzles 4b are aligned radially between the top and bottom of the nozzle plate 20" towards the imaginary center point of the circular ring sector. At this point it should be mentioned that the two rows of metering nozzles 4b for the valve actuator 3 of the valve actuator rows 2, 5, as in the previous exemplary embodiment, are again interlocked so deeply that all metering nozzles 4b are in one line and are therefore connected to a single horizontal channel of the Channel structure 21 or dosing medium supply 21 are connected to one another.

The five valve actuators 3 of the two valve actuator rows 2, 5 shown here, for example, are slightly angularly offset from one another - with the dosing head parts 4 lying almost flush on the surface of the nozzle plate 20" and with the ejection elements 4a protruding into the dosing nozzles 4b - with the radially to the surface in the nozzle plate 20 "coupled trained metering nozzles 4b. The three valve actuators 3 of the first row of valve actuators 2 (in the longitudinal section in the foreground) and the other two valve actuators 3 of the second row of valve actuators 5 (in the longitudinal section in the background in the two spaces between the three valve actuators 3) are interlocked in such a way that all five valve actuators 3 of viewed above (not shown) would lie on a dosing line. With a suitably selected distance to the workpiece surface, a single dosing point (at the intersection of the dosing jets) can be achieved with this arrangement with dosing valves offset at an angle.

Alternatively or additionally, several dosing points lying arbitrarily close or close to one another could also be set or dosed on a workpiece via a variable distance from the target surface.

With the dosing module 1" according to the second exemplary embodiment, mixing could in principle also be the aim, i. H. for example, a dosing medium consisting of several components is used, with the components then advantageously being able to mix with the appropriate channel structure only during dosing on the workpiece.

During operation, the dosing system can use the dosing module 1, 1" in the form of the

Control or move the metering nozzle row arrangement 1 accordingly into a desired metering position relative to a workpiece, in which the metering medium is then selectively dispensed from the metering nozzles 4b or the nozzle chambers 4b' of the metering nozzles 4b or the nozzle chambers 4b' of the metering nozzles 4b by means of a corresponding metering movement of the plunger 4a - depending on the opening cross section or diameter of the Nozzle opening 25 dosed very fine - can be ejected.

For the ejection of dosing material or dosing substance, a movement mechanism within the valve actuator 3 then generates and transmits a corresponding ejection and retraction movement to the ram head of the ram 4a for deflecting the ram 4a in the dosing direction DR already mentioned above.

The structure described above has the advantage that with the valve actuators 3 of the metering valve row arrangement 1, 1" during operation, a desired metering medium is dispensed in portions from one or more nozzle chambers 4b' of one or more metering nozzles 4b in succession, simultaneously or alternately onto a workpiece in small or large Quantities can be applied or released. For this purpose, the metering valve row arrangement 1, 1″ can be controlled accordingly. With each dosing or each dosing process, a selected dosing nozzle 4b is controlled and driven indirectly via the lever by means of a rapid movement or ram movement of the ram 4a through an opening cross section or the nozzle opening 25 already mentioned the actuators working in opposite directions deliver at least one droplet of a desired dosing medium that can be precisely dosed in a quantity in a dosing direction DR. For this purpose, the nozzle opening 25 can also be designed in the form of an exchangeable nozzle insert on the dosing nozzle 4b in order to be able to easily and quickly set a dosing quantity and form specifically for different areas of application.

Finally, it is pointed out once again that the device described in detail above is merely an exemplary embodiment which can be modified in a wide variety of ways by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, several metering valve group arrangements, in particular z. B. a metering valve array according to the first embodiment and another metering valve array according to the second embodiment, arranged in a metering system and / or be arranged significantly more valve actuators in a metering valve array. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not rule out the possibility that the characteristics in question can also be present more than once.

reference list

1.1" dosing module / dosing valve group arrangement / dosing valve row arrangement

2 first row of valve actuators

3 valve actuators

3e end section, bay window / oriel section

4 dosing head part

4a Ejection element / plunger

4' dispensing nozzle arrangement

4b dosing nozzle

5 second row of valve actuators

6 shorter floor plan pages

7 longer floor plan pages

8 housing

9 cables

10 cover plate

11 Fluidics Positioning

12 heating element

14 screw

15 supply channel for a cooling medium

16 discharge channels for a cooling medium 20, 20" nozzle unit / nozzle plate

21 Dosing media supply / channel structure

22 reservoir/tank

23 compressed air supply hose

24 Closing element 25, 25" nozzle openings

26 screws to attach the valve actuators to the nozzle assembly

27 screws for mounting the dosing module on a higher-level dosing system

A-A section line b width of a valve actuator b' width / diameter of the dosing head part of the valve actuator

I length of a valve actuator

D straight dosing section

DR dosing direction LR Longitudinal

QR cross direction / row direction, straight

QR” row direction, arc-shaped

TR depth direction

Claims

patent claims

1. Metering module (1, 1") for metering a metering medium with a plurality of metering valves (4a, 4b),

- with a first valve actuator group (2), which has at least two valve actuators (3) arranged next to one another in a row direction (QR, QR"), which valve actuators (3) each comprise at least one dosing head part (4) with an ejection element (4a),

- and a second valve actuator group (5) with at least one valve actuator (3), preferably with several valve actuators (3) arranged next to one another in a row direction (QR, QR"), which at least one valve actuator (3) also has a dosing head part (4) with a Ejection element (4a), wherein the dosing head parts (4) of the first valve actuator group (2) and the second valve actuator group (5) face each other, and with a dosing nozzle arrangement (4') with a plurality of dosing nozzles (4b), each dosing head part ( 4) a dosing nozzle (4b) is assigned to the dosing nozzle arrangement (4'), so that the dosing nozzle (4b) forms a dosing valve (4a, 4b) with the ejection element (4a) of the dosing head part (4).

2. Dosing module according to claim 1, wherein the first valve actuator group (2) and the second valve actuator group (5) run parallel to one another in the row direction (QR, QR”), preferably directly adjacent to one another.

3. Dosing module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve actuator groups (2, 5) are arranged shifted to one another in the row direction (QR, QR”).

4. Dosing module according to claim 3, wherein the dosing head parts (4) of the two valve actuator groups (2, 5) are arranged interlocked.

5. Dosing module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve actuators (3) of a respective valve actuator group (2, 5) are aligned essentially parallel to one another or with an angular offset to one another.

6. Dosing module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve actuators (3) of one of the valve actuator groups (2, 5) are arranged in a straight line next to one another in a straight row direction (QR). or wherein the valve actuators (3) of one of the valve actuator groups (2, 5) are arranged in a fan-like manner next to one another in an arcuate row direction ("QR"), with the valve actuators (3) preferably being at least one valve actuator row (2, 5), particularly preferably both valve actuator groups (2nd , 5) are aimed at a common dosing point.

7. Dosing module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a valve actuator (3) is in contact with at least one other valve actuator (3) adjacent in the row direction (QR, QR”).

8. Dosing module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve actuator groups (2, 5) each by half a width (b) of a valve actuator (3) and/or by a width (b') of an end section (3e) of a valve actuator (3) are arranged shifted from one another in the row direction (QR).

9. Dosing module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a valve actuator (3) has a substantially rectangular outline (6, 7), preferably with a longer outline side (7) and a shorter outline side (6).

10. Metering module according to claim 9, wherein the shorter outline side (6) has at most two thirds, preferably at most one half, of a length of the longer outline side (7).

11. Dosing module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the dosing head parts (4) of the valve actuator (3) protrude like an oriel.

12. Metering module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a valve actuator (3) has at most a maximum width (b) of 30 mm, preferably at most a maximum width (b) of 20 mm, particularly preferably at most a maximum width (b) of 10 mm preferably having a valve actuator (3) on the dosing head part (4) having half a width (b') of the maximum width (b).

13. Dosing module according to one of claims 4 to 12, wherein the dosing head parts (4) of the two valve actuator groups (2, 5) are interlocked in such a way that the Metering head parts (4) of the valve actuator (3) of the two valve actuator groups (2, 5) form a common linear metering section (D).

14. Dosing module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the dosing nozzle arrangement (4') has a nozzle unit (20, 20") with a plurality of dosing nozzles (4b) that are integrated or can be used detachably in the nozzle unit (20, 20"), with preferably the Nozzle unit (20, 20") with the at least two

Valve actuator groups (2, 5), in particular the individual valve actuators (3) can be coupled.

15. dosing module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

Metering nozzle arrangement (4') comprises a plurality of separate metering nozzles (4b), which can each, preferably individually, be coupled to the at least two valve actuator groups (2, 5), in particular to the individual valve actuators (3) separately.

16. Metering module according to claim 14, with a common metering medium supply (21) for at least some of the metering nozzles (4b) of the metering nozzle arrangement (4').