Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D25/38—Devices for discharging contents
  • B65D25/40—Nozzles or spouts
  • B65D25/42—Integral or attached nozzles or spouts
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B1/00—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
  • B05B1/02—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to produce a jet, spray, or other discharge of particular shape or nature, e.g. in single drops, or having an outlet of particular shape
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups
  • B05B17/04—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods
  • B05B17/06—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations
  • B05B17/0607—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers
  • B05B17/0623—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers coupled with a vibrating horn
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B17/00—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups
  • B05B17/04—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods
  • B05B17/06—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations
  • B05B17/0607—Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by the preceding groups operating with special methods using ultrasonic or other kinds of vibrations generated by electrical means, e.g. piezoelectric transducers
  • B05B17/0653—Details
  • B05B17/0669—Excitation frequencies
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05C5/00—Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is projected, poured or allowed to flow on to the surface of the work
  • B05C5/02—Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is projected, poured or allowed to flow on to the surface of the work the liquid or other fluent material being discharged through an outlet orifice by pressure, e.g. from an outlet device in contact or almost in contact, with the work
  • B05C5/0225—Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is projected, poured or allowed to flow on to the surface of the work the liquid or other fluent material being discharged through an outlet orifice by pressure, e.g. from an outlet device in contact or almost in contact, with the work characterised by flow controlling means, e.g. valves, located proximate the outlet
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05C5/00—Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is projected, poured or allowed to flow on to the surface of the work
  • B05C5/02—Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is projected, poured or allowed to flow on to the surface of the work the liquid or other fluent material being discharged through an outlet orifice by pressure, e.g. from an outlet device in contact or almost in contact, with the work
  • B05C5/0225—Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is projected, poured or allowed to flow on to the surface of the work the liquid or other fluent material being discharged through an outlet orifice by pressure, e.g. from an outlet device in contact or almost in contact, with the work characterised by flow controlling means, e.g. valves, located proximate the outlet
  • B05C5/0229—Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is projected, poured or allowed to flow on to the surface of the work the liquid or other fluent material being discharged through an outlet orifice by pressure, e.g. from an outlet device in contact or almost in contact, with the work characterised by flow controlling means, e.g. valves, located proximate the outlet the valve being a gate valve or a sliding valve
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
  • G01F11/00—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it
  • G01F11/02—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement
  • G01F11/021—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement of the piston type
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T29/00—Metal working
  • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
  • Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a metering system for a liquid to viscous dosing agent or a medium to be metered, with a nozzle having an outlet opening, in the region of which a closure element is movably arranged, which is moved in an ejection and / or withdrawal direction.
• the invention also relates to a metering method for such a metering agent and a production method for such a metering system.
• liquid to viscous dosing agents such as adhesives, paints, printing inks, bound in a binder system conductive substances such as solder pastes, converters for LEDs (ie mostly viscous pastes with high filler content, especially ceramic fillers) u.v.m. serves the targeted application of such dosing on target surfaces.
• conductive substances such as solder pastes, converters for LEDs (ie mostly viscous pastes with high filler content, especially ceramic fillers) u.v.m. serves the targeted application of such dosing on target surfaces.
• electronic printed circuit boards are purposefully and precisely provided with conductive substances, which replaces relatively inflexible processes, such as mask processes or doctor blade processes.
• a special challenge consists in transporting the dosing substances onto the target surface with high precision, ie at the right time, in the right place and in a precisely dosed amount.
• the dosing agent can be sprayed in a jet or sprayed in a mist.
• US Pat. No. 6,450,416 B1 describes a metering system of the type mentioned at the beginning, in which a piezoelectric actuator is connected to a plunger and moves the plunger in an ejection and / or withdrawal direction.
• a piezoelectric actuator is connected to a plunger and moves the plunger in an ejection and / or withdrawal direction.
• Such a system can enable very fine and very fast ram movements.
• it has the disadvantage that can be provoked by the possible very fast strokes of the piezoelectric actuator vibrations in the metering system, which significantly reduce the smoothness and stress the metering system strong mechanical.
• Object of the present invention is to provide an improvement of a dosing system mentioned above. It is especially a special attention to it that vibrations and / or mechanical stress of the metering system and / or individual components thereof are reduced.
• the closure element is coupled to at least two piezoelectric actuators which are connected in opposite directions such that a first piezoelectric actuator, when expanded during operation, moves the closure element in the withdrawal direction and a second piezoelectric actuator, when expanded during operation, moves the closure element in the ejection direction.
• the coupling of the closure element can be directly or directly, d. H. that the closure element is, for example, directly connected to the first piezoelectric actuator and / or the second piezoelectric actuator or, depending on the specific structure, held between them.
• the closure element can also be indirectly or indirectly coupled to the first piezoelectric actuator and / or the second piezoelectric actuator, for example via suitable coupling or connecting elements, a linkage or other mechanism.
• a push-push arrangement in which one of the piezoelectric actuators in each case pushes the closure element (directly or indirectly) or presses it in the desired direction. Ie. while a first one of the actuators expands and pushes the closure element in one of the two directions, the second actuator contracts and thus releases the necessary space for the movement of the closure element in the desired direction. If the closure element is then moved in the other direction, the functions of the actuators are reversed, d. H. the second actuator expands again and now pushes the shutter member while the first actuator contracts and releases the path.
• piezo elements are generally well loadable on pressure, a load on train, however, can quickly lead to damage or complete destruction of the piezo elements, a particularly stable piezoelectric actuator system is provided in this way.
• the dimensioning, arrangement and control of the actuators can be particularly preferably such that the contracting actuator still exerts a (small) back pressure and thus provides for a certain bias of the expanding piezoelectric actuator, so that it is not too strong at the end of the movement overshoots and internal stresses are avoided or minimized, which could lead to damage to the piezoelectric elements.
• An inventive metering for a dosing carried out by means of a metering system with a nozzle having an outlet opening, in the region of a closure element is moved by an expansion of a first piezoelectric actuator in a withdrawal direction and by an expansion of a second piezoelectric actuator for ejecting dosing from the Nozzle is moved in an ejection direction.
• An inventive production method for a metering system comprises at least the following steps:
• an integral or multi-piece element which preferably has an elongated shape, for example a cylindrical shape, that is, for example, a plunger, for example produced using silicon. However, it may also be a round or oval closure element which is arranged or mounted movably in the closure channel.
• the closure element can be arranged in a closure channel, a hollow body, preferably a cylindrical hollow body, which defines on its inner side a cavity, ie encloses, within which In this case, however, it should be noted that the closure effect can be complex and does not consist of a complete sealing of the cavity by the closure element: In the metering system according to the invention can it is also an open system, as described in more detail below.
• the dosing system has an actuator system for automated controlled movement of the closure element, wherein the actuator system comprises at least two piezoelectric actuators.
• piezoelectric actuators have the advantage of very precise and faster controllability, in particular a short reaction time, compared to other mechanical, electromechanical or pneumatic / hydraulic systems. In addition, they require relatively little space.
• a component is defined as a piezoelectric actuator, which may be formed from a plurality of elements, for example a plurality of piezocrystals or crystal layers or similar piezoelements stacked on top of one another, but forms a composite which, as a whole, is composed of a control unit is driven, that is, z.
• the actuator elements can each act as in a series circuit, d. H. that, for example, the expansion of the piezo elements is added up, or parallel to one another, d. H. that z. B. the actuator elements are connected side by side so that, for example, increases the effective pressure surface. Even with a plurality of parallel actuator elements, these can in each case in turn be constructed as a stack of series-connected piezo elements (so-called piezo stacks).
• the first piezoelectric actuator and the second piezoelectric actuator are preferably arranged and formed such that the ejecting direction and the retreating direction of the Closing element substantially along, ie parallel or preferably coaxially to, lie a direction of action axis of the piezoelectric actuators.
• the effective direction axis of an actuator is to be understood here as the (imaginary) axis along which the actuator has its essential expansion direction and in which it can exert the desired pressure or its effect as a pressure element.
• a parallel and in particular a coaxial alignment of the effective direction axes of the actuators and the ejection or withdrawal direction of the closure element has the effect that, in particular, very low active losses, ie force losses, can be recorded during the movement of the closure element. On the one hand, this increases the precision and, on the other hand, the possible speed of the closure element and thus overall the effectiveness of the dosing system.
• the effective direction axes of the two piezoelectric actuators preferably coincide to form an effective direction axis.
• the first piezoelectric actuator and the second piezoelectric actuator may, for example, be arranged one behind the other along the effective direction axis.
• the ejection or retraction direction of the closure element can then run along this common direction of action axis of the piezoelectric actuators.
• the opening or closing direction of the closure element can, in particular in an annular configuration of the piezoelectric actuators or in an arrangement of a plurality of parallel acting actuator elements which are arranged for example around a kind of active axis, in which moves the closure element, coaxial with the direction of action of the piezoelectric Actuators, or in other trained piezoelectric actuators also parallel to the direction of action.
• the rectilinearity of the effective directions of the actuators and the opening and closing direction of the closure element has the effect that, in particular, very little active, i. Force losses are recorded in the movement of the closure element. On the one hand, this increases the precision and, on the other hand, the speed of the closure element and thus overall the effectiveness of the dosing system. Thus, the dosing system can achieve significantly higher resonance frequencies and thus unfolds an equally increased performance.
• the shutter member may preferably (directly or indirectly) at a contact position between the first piezoelectric actuator and the second piezoelectric actuator with the first piezoelectric actuator and / or with the coupled second piezoelectric actuator.
• the contact position is to be understood as the space between the mutually facing boundary surfaces or sides of the two piezoelectric actuators arranged in series.
• z. B a coupling part of the closure element between the two piezoelectric actuators in series "switched".
• the closure element can be firmly clamped between the first and second piezoelectric actuators. This results in an effective power coupling between the piezoelectric actuators and the closure element, which significantly reduces friction and power transmission losses and therefore in turn increases the effectiveness of the entire metering system benefits. Furthermore, the closure element can be firmly connected to the first or second piezoelectric actuator, for example in a cavity of the first or second piezoelectric actuator.
• the metering system can be constructed so that the two piezoelectric actuators in their combination always have the same overall length along their direction of action and compensate each other in their expansion, ie that the first piezoelectric actuator compensates in operation by its movement, the movement of the second piezoelectric actuator and the second piezoelectric actuator in operation compensates, by its movement, the movement of the first piezoelectric actuator.
• the mechanical loads on the (in particular outer) overall structure of the metering system can be kept as low as possible.
• the first piezoelectric actuator compensates for a change in dimension of the second piezoelectric actuator in operation by its dimensional change and the second piezoelectric actuator compensates in operation by its dimensional change a dimensional change of the first piezoelectric actuator.
• Such compensation is achieved on the one hand by the (preferably the same or approximately the same) stroke of the two piezoelectric actuators, for example by using piezoelectric actuators whose dimensions are dimensioned the same direction in the direction of dimensional change - preferably by identical piezoelectric actuators.
• one or more control unit (s) for one or both piezoelectric actuators must be designed so that they generate / generate control commands during operation, which realize such a uniform compensation of the respective dimensional changes of the piezoelectric actuators.
• the design of the piezoelectric actuators and their control (s) are matched to each other for the purpose of such compensation.
• the closure element for example, drop-shaped, spherical, elliptical, irregular or conical on one or two sides.
• the nozzle has such a closure element, which defines an effective direction of the closure element by an elongated extent.
• it comprises an elongated plunger.
• Such a plunger is constructed substantially cylindrical, wherein it (as well as any other closure element) on its outer surface may also have some bulges or indentations, which may be formed, for example, as through holes. Such bulges or indentations may in particular serve to connect the closure element with engagement elements of other mechanical devices. By means of these points of application, a force or positive connection can be achieved with such devices for the purposeful movement of the closure element.
• At least one of the piezoelectric actuators is cylindrical, preferably tubular. He can thus be particularly uniform and has a particularly advantageous cross-section: namely, it can be particularly easily inserted into an actuator chamber, as cylindrical cross-sections of actuators came mers in comparison, for example, to square chambers particularly easy to manufacture and provide.
• a combination of a first, cylindrical, piezoelectric actuator and a second, non-cylindrical actuator is also possible. (Right-) angular actuators have the advantage of easier manufacturability and therefore also the more favorable relationship.
• the closure element may be at least partially disposed in a cavity formed by a shape of at least one of the piezoelectric actuators, wherein it is then also possible, for example, that the second piezoelectric Actuator is hollow.
• Such an arrangement of the closure element in a region of the cavity of at least one of the piezoelectric actuators is particularly space-saving and offers the opportunity of a very precise and simple force coupling between the piezoelectric actuator and the closure element.
• a tubular piezoelectric actuator can also be replaced, for example, by a plurality, preferably at least two, particularly preferably at least three, parallel and parallel-acting piezoelectric actuator elements, in particular piezoelectric rods or the like, which act collectively as a group (or as an actuator). be controlled.
• piezoelectric actuator elements or piezoelectric rods in each case realized as piezo stacks, for example
• These piezoelectric actuator elements or piezoelectric rods can be arranged substantially evenly distributed on a circular ring around the closure element (or a coupling element coupled thereto), in order to have the same effect as with a tubular piezoelectric actuator to achieve.
• both piezoelectric actuators are of identical construction. This saves not only expenses in the coordination of the two actuators successive, but also in the design of an actuator chamber and accordingly in the vote of the motion processes.
• At least one of the two piezoelectric actuators is preferably arranged in an actuator chamber.
• both piezoelectric actuators are arranged in a common actuator chamber.
• the first piezoelectric actuator and the second piezoelectric actuator are limited to a defined maximum overall dimension in their dimensional changes within the actuator chamber, which operations are performed jointly during operation.
• Such a maximum overall size may be defined solely by the internal dimensions of the actuator chamber, but it may also be additionally spacers disposed within the actuator chamber, which reduce the internal dimensions of the actuator chamber so that the defined maximum overall size is reached exactly.
• the overall dimension can also be varied in a defined manner, for example by the fact that the position of such a spacer can be finely adjusted by means of screws or similar adjusting elements from outside the actuator chamber.
• a plurality of units to be separated from one another are arranged: on the one hand, the nozzle itself, which serves to meter the discharge of the dosing agent, and on the other hand, the actuator system, which moves moving parts (ie in particular the closure element) in the nozzle, and finally the dosing agent storage chamber and their conduits towards the nozzle which provide the dosing agent.
• these are arranged as a functionally separable units in separate areas.
• the dosing system comprises a first housing part which comprises the nozzle, and a second housing part which fixes at least one actuator (for example at least one piezoelectric actuator).
• the first housing part and the second housing part are elastically connected to each other via springs.
• Such elastic suspension serves to absorb vibrations during operation of the actuator system and to provide certain tolerances.
• the actuator system can be completely separated during maintenance from the area of the nozzle. The situation is similar with the Dosierstoffvorratshunt, which is preferably also separated from the actuator, so for example from the first and second piezoelectric actuator.
• the dosing preferably comprises an electronic control unit for controlling the actuator system and / or a pressure in a Dosierstoffvorratshunt the dosing.
• the control unit does not necessarily have to be arranged inside a housing of the dosing system but can also be arranged outside. Via signal lines, it can then be connected to the interior of the housing of the metering system.
• the actuator system is not active because of its inherent logic, but it is "intelligently" controlled by an electronic control unit, which may include, for example, a processor that outputs software-controlled control signals to the actuator system.
• the metering system comprises a nozzle with a closure channel within which the closure element is controlled by an automatic control unit in operation in an opening and / or closing direction is moved, wherein the closure channel in at least a cross section perpendicular to the opening and / or closing direction relative to the cross section of the closure element in the same sectional plane is formed so that between the outer surface of the closure member and the inner surface of the closure channel results in a passage gap which is shaped and / or dimensioned so that he at least partially forms a passage for the dosing.
• control unit is particularly preferably designed so that it selectively moves the closure element during operation such that the viscosity of the dosing substance is reduced at least in a region of the passage gap.
• any liquid or liquid mixture comprising a liquid having flow properties is defined under a liquid to viscous dosing substance in the context of the invention.
• the definition of viscosity extends here from a viscosity above that of water to a viscosity which corresponds almost to the properties of a solid. It is particularly preferred that the dosing thixotropic or shear thinning (ie pseudoplastic) properties, that is, that its viscosity is higher in a resting state than in a state of motion and that upon return to a resting state, the original higher viscosity at least approximately (if necessary After a certain rest period) is reached again.
• substances or media are referred to, which have properties of a solid in a resting state and which are flowable only in the state of motion.
• Decisive for the development of an open metering system described here is the interaction between the closure element and the closure channel in the sense that at least in regions a sufficiently large passage gap is defined between the closure element and the closure channel, through which the dosage material can pass.
• This passage gap forms a passage for the dosing, which is preferably connected to the outlet opening of the nozzle.
• the dosing material can flow in a sufficiently agitated state through the passageway. In a stationary state, however, or in a movement pattern in which the viscosity is only slightly lowered, the dosing remains preferably in the passageway formed by the passage gap, without further flow.
• the dimensioning of the passage gap or of the passage channel is selected so that no or substantially no flow is possible under the respective predetermined pressure ratios of the dosing in the dosing system at the intended operating temperature, as soon as the dosing material is no longer or possibly only slightly in motion ,
• the closure element and its associated passage closed together against the Dosierstoff, that is, against the medium which is retained by this closure.
• such a closure is formed by providing a generally open arrangement whereby the dosing agent can flow relatively freely in a sufficiently agitated state, but then automatically closes due to the thixotropic or shear thinning properties of the dosing material when the movement of the dosing agent is stopped Closing element ends in the closure channel.
• the dimensioning of the cross section of the closure element in relation to the cross section of the closure channel is selected on the one hand as a function of the viscosity of the dosing substance to be applied (or its viscosity as a function of a movement state) and on the other hand by a pressure applied to the dosing.
• the rules of thumb are:
• the size of the passage gap in cross-section ie, the cross-sectional area of the passage gap, is selected so that the dosing material at a standstill of the closure element performs no or a significantly reduced movement compared to a free flow under equal pressure conditions.
• the principle of The invention thus consists in dimensioning the passage gap between the closure element and the closure channel as a function of the respective dosing agent and / or the applied pressure of the dosing agent such that, in spite of the passage gap, a closure effect within the nozzle results from the shear viscosity of the dosing substance.
• the passage gap should also be dimensioned so that the viscosity of the dosing is reduced with sufficient movement of the closure element within the closure channel so that the dosing flow through the closure channel and a volumetric tracking can be ensured.
• the passage gap becomes the passage for the dosing material as soon as the closure element moves within the closure channel. The closure effect by the interaction between closure element and closure channel is therefore a temporary and is reversed upon movement of the closure element by an excitation of the dosing to flow into the opposite.
• the applied to the dosing pressure does not need to be increased dramatically; Rather, it is sufficient to provide conventional pressure conditions, as they are also applied to low-viscosity dosing. At the same time can be achieved by reducing the viscosity of the dosing during operation of the nozzle that it can be dosed at all and also more accurate. So it is a finer dosage possible and a high-precision predefined drop breakage of each drop of Dosierstoffs can be achieved. This also increases the dosing speed, i. in effect, the potential throughput of the dosing system according to the invention.
• the passage gap In order to allow a flow of the dosing agent through the passage gap, it is necessary for the passage gap to have at least one expansion between the outer surface of the closure element and the inner surface of the closure channel corresponding to the extent of one, preferably at least three, particles of the sealant. side by side, more preferably at least 0.05 mm. It should be noted that at least the largest particles of the dosing must pass through the passage gap.
• particle has to be defined very flexibly in this context: it also encompasses polymer chains or individual subassemblies thereof, which can be separated when polymer shearing forces are exerted on polymer chains.
• the term "largest particles” refers to those particles which are present when shear forces which substantially reduce the viscosity are exerted.
• the reduction in viscosity can also be due to the fact that the polymer chains are torn open in certain regions and thus smaller particle sizes arise, the largest of which must be able to pass through the passage gap.
• the size specification of the minimum expansion further refers to at least one of the largest particles of the dosing agent in the sense that it has the highest expansion value of all particles of the dosing in its direction of expansion with the smallest extent. By this least extent is meant such an expansion, which occurs when the particle is compressed within its own elastic limits.
• the flow of dosing agent can be ensured in particular if a plurality, i. At least two, preferably at least three particles in the passage gap next to each other place.
• a plurality i. At least two, preferably at least three particles in the passage gap next to each other place.
• an annular passage gap is particularly well suited to achieve a controlled flow or a controlled closure effect. This can be achieved by a circular cross section of the inner surface of the closure channel in combination with a circular cross section of the closure element and a preferably axially centered arrangement of the closure element in the closure channel.
• the gap width of the passage gap is defined as follows:
• the flow resistance acting on the dosing agent due to the expansion must be at least equal to a flow resistance on the dosing agent in the region of an exit opening of the nozzle. If the flow resistance in the region of the closure channel were smaller than in the region of the outlet opening, the dosing agent would not be forced out of the outlet nozzle.
• the passage gap When dimensioning the passage gap, in addition to the flow resistance, it should also be taken into consideration that the dosing material in the passage gap is to be slowly transferred from a flowing to a stationary state and then close the passage gap.
• the passage gap must therefore have a certain deceleration effect. possible. This deceleration effect is preferably always initiated when the closure element is set by a movement relative to the closure channel in a standstill.
• the passage gap in the cross section may also be formed only in a discrete region, for example by a recess in the closure element.
• the particular shape can be selected individually, in particular as a function of the above-described influencing factors of the pressure on the dosing agent and its viscosity.
• the dosing system according to the invention therefore preferably comprises a plurality of (exchange) closure elements and / or (exchange) closure channels, of which at least one closure element and a closure channel are matched in shape to one another in such a way that they interact to form a passage gap of the above-explained Make kind of.
• replacement devices can therefore be used depending on the dosing material to be dosed in the nozzle.
• the respective (replacement) closure elements or (exchange) closure channels have markings on the basis of which their mutual association and / or their suitability for particular dosing substances can be derived.
• the nozzle further comprises a dosing agent collecting cavity in the nozzle region, particularly preferably in a nozzle end region adjacent to an outlet opening of the nozzle.
• This dosing agent collecting cavity is arranged between the closure channel and the outlet opening for the dosing material and is shaped and / or localized such that the closure element at least does not completely fill it due to its shape and / or localization. It is preferable that a dosing agent collecting cavity whose dimensions are larger in cross section than the total area of the passage gap between the closure member and the sealing channel.
• the dosing material which has flowed through the passage gap can be collected in this dosing agent collecting cavity and can then be pushed through the outlet opening in a targeted manner by a larger stroke of the closure element during a movement in the ejection direction, a clearly metered, faster and more precise ejection of the dosing material, in particular in the form of drops, is achieved , possible.
• the dosing agent in the nozzle is fed via a line from a Dosierstoffvorratshunt.
• the passage gap merely as a type of reservoir or activation region for the dosing agent, in the parts of the dosing material supplied are deposited and liquefied by corresponding movements of the closure element.
• the dosing system preferably comprises a supply of a line from a Dosierstoffvorratshunt to provide the Dosierstoffs, wherein the feed leads into the passage formed by the sealing passage and / or arranged at an exit opening of the nozzle end facing away from the closure channel.
• the supply line from the Dosierstoffvorratshunt thus leads in this case directly or indirectly in the region of the closure channel, that is the passage gap. This has the effect that the dosing material must in any case at least partially flow through the passage gap, so that the passage gap exerts an opening or closing effect for the flow of dosing.
• a seal On the other side of an end of the closure channel facing away from an outlet opening of the nozzle, a seal can be arranged which seals the nozzle against an actuator region of the dispensing system such that the dosage material can not pass through it in the intended condition.
• This seal for example a ring seal in the region in which the closure element is connected to the actuator region, seals in the direction of the actuator region and optionally also other functional regions of the dosing system in an effective and easy-to-provide manner.
• the metering system preferably also comprises a metering material storage chamber, which is connected to the nozzle via a line in the direction of an outlet opening.
• the storage of dosing thus takes place within the metering system, so that it can be installed or transported as a unit.
• control unit is designed such that it generates control signals for different movements of the closure element in at least two movement modes during operation.
• Such movement modes that is to say quality levels of the movement of the closure element in which the closure element passes through different movement patterns, can in particular serve to cover different functions during the dosing process of the dosing substance.
• a first such function would be, for example, that of keeping the dosing liquid liquid in a liquid hold mode.
• a first movement mode preferably comprises a movement pattern with highly fine reciprocating movements of the closure element, whose stroke (ie amplitude) and / or frequency and / or rhythm are chosen so that they are suitable for overcoming forces within the dosing, the viscosity significantly, ie by at least 50%, preferably by at least 99%.
• a "very fine" to-and-fro movement is to be understood as meaning a movement whose stroke is lower and whose frequency is higher than the movement in the second movement mode (specified in greater detail below).
• the frequency of the high-precision movement is above 10 kHz.
• a simple oscillation movement with a very small stroke is already suitable for achieving such a reduction of the viscosity, given the correct choice of the frequency (or increased in comparison to the second movement mode) or the rhythm.
• This first mode of movement thus serves to ensure the flow of dosing.
• the movement pattern with the highly fine oscillatory movements but preferably under the respective predetermined pressure ratios of the dosing in the dosing system alone, so without a suitable ejection movement through the closure element, as z. B. is described below, not that dosing flows out of the nozzle.
• a second such function preferably serves to eject the dosing agent through the outlet opening of the nozzle.
• a second movement mode comprises a movement pattern with ejection movements of the closure element whose stroke and / or frequency and / or rhythm is selected such that they are suitable for dropping the dosing agent dropwise and / or beamwise through an outlet opening of the nozzle when the closure element is moved in the ejection direction.
• metering material in the nozzle may flow in front of the shutter member to be ejected from the nozzle at the next movement in the ejection direction.
• the stroke is preferably larger in magnitude than the above-mentioned high-fine movement pattern of the first movement mode
• the frequency may also be chosen smaller and a rhythm may also include longer distances than the rhythm associated with the first function.
• a movement mode can also be defined by the fact that the closure element is just not moving. This movement mode can be referred to as a standstill or shutter mode, since the dosing by the complete inactivity of the closure element is first decelerated and then remains at a standstill. In this standstill, its viscosity increases significantly, so that no further flow through the passage gap is possible.
• a further movement mode may preferably have a movement pattern with reciprocating movements between two extreme positions, the closure element being retained for at least one extreme position for a certain period of time. This is particularly advantageous in a mode of movement which serves to eject the dosing material through the exit opening of the nozzle. It can then be made, for example, consciously that the dosing material in a certain position of the closure element before ejecting the dosing material can first flow in front of the closure element or that after the ejection of a drop of dosing initially something comes to rest and the flow is stopped more so ,
• the control unit is designed, in particular programmed, that it the different movements, d. H. the different movement patterns and / or movement modes combined.
• a motion mode may advantageously have a superposition of different motion patterns.
• the movements of the first and second mentioned functions can be superimposed on each other so that, for example, oscillations according to the first movement pattern are combined with ejection movements of larger stroke according to the second movement pattern so that the ejection movements contain a kind of internal dithering movement.
• the control can also be carried out such that different movement modes are carried out successively, preferably alternately.
• the alternating implementation has the advantage that very targeted and precise at certain times the discharge of the dosing is caused.
• the control unit may therefore preferably have a memory in which the movement patterns for the different movement modes and the sequence of the movement modes are stored for different dosing substances and dosing tasks.
• FIG. 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of a metering system according to the invention
• FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the same metering system along a section line A - A from FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 shows a detail view of the sectional view from FIG. 2,
• FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the same metering system along a section line B-B from FIG. 1,
• FIG. 5 shows a detail view of the sectional view from FIG. 4,
• FIG. 6 shows a schematic movement curve of a closure element according to a first embodiment of the method according to the invention
• FIG. 7 shows a schematic movement curve of a closure element according to a second embodiment of the method according to the invention
• FIG. 8 shows a schematic movement curve of a closure element according to a third embodiment of the method according to the invention.
• FIG. 9 shows a schematic movement curve of a closure element according to a fourth embodiment of the method according to the invention.
• FIG. 1 and 2 show a metering system 3 according to an embodiment of the invention
• Figure 3 is a detail view of Figure 2.
• the metering system 3 comprises a nozzle 1, a Dosierstoff matterer 5 with a Dosierstoffvorratshunt 7 and a housing 35, in which except the nozzle 1 a Actuator chamber 25 is arranged.
• the housing 35 includes a first, lower housing part 37 and a second, upper housing part 39.
• the two housing parts 37, 39 are resiliently connected to each other via retaining screws 41 and connected by the retaining screws 41, vertically oriented springs 43. It therefore results at the edge between the two housing parts 37, 39 on both sides of a gap 53, so a certain game.
• the actuator chamber 25 is arranged centrally in an actuator region 59.
• a first piezoelectric actuator 23a and a second piezoelectric actuator 23b are aligned and positioned along the axis X orientation. Together, the piezoelectric actuators 23a, 23b form an actuator system 61.
• the actuator chamber 25 is closed at the top by a spacer 27, the position of which can be regulated via a spacer adjusting screw 29 from outside the housing 35.
• Two contact terminals 31 and 33 are used for contacting an electronic control unit 63 with the two piezoelectric actuators 23a, 23b at a maximum voltage of 240V.
• Both piezoelectric actuators 23a, 23b are formed as tubular, cylindrical, piezoelectric actuators 23a, 23b and arranged so that they deflect in operation substantially in the axial direction along the axis X.
• the piezoelectric actuators 23a, 23b are preferably piezo stacks of annular piezoelements.
• an elongated connecting element 51 is arranged, which fills the entire cavity and on the end facing the second piezoelectric actuator 23b of the first piezoelectric actuator 23a protrudes.
• the connecting element 51 therefore connects the two piezoelectric actuators 23a, 23b positively and non-positively in the region of its collar and ensures a mechanical force coupling between the two.
• a tubular piezoelectric actuator 23a, 23b for example, by a plurality, preferably at least two, more preferably at least three, arranged in parallel and parallel acting piezoelectric rods (for example, in the form of piezo-stacks) are replaced.
• These piezoelectric rods can, for example, be distributed uniformly on a circular ring and actuated together as a group (or as an actuator) in order to achieve the same effect as with a tubular piezoelectric actuator 23a, 23b. Ie.
• the direction of movement of the connecting element 51 is coaxial with the axis of action of acting as a common actuator, parallel piezoelectric rods.
• the two piezoelectric actuators 23a, 23b are connected in opposite directions. This means that the first piezoelectric actuator 23a reduces its overall length in the longitudinal direction, that is, in the vertical direction, while the second piezoelectric actuator 23b simultaneously increases its length in the same direction to the same extent. Conversely, the first piezoelectric actuator 23a increases its overall length in the longitudinal direction while the second piezoelectric actuator 23b simultaneously reduces its length in the same direction to the same extent.
• a closure element 21 protrudes in the form of an elongated ceramic plunger 21.
• Ceramic closure elements are particularly well suited because of their extreme lightness.
• the housing and nozzle parts surrounding the closure element 21 are preferably made of high-strength materials such as titanium.
• the plunger 21 is connected to the first piezoelectric actuator 23a via a guide element 47 screwed into the connecting element 51 (on the upper side of the collar of the connecting element 51).
• the plunger 21 is also aligned along the axis X and is held by the guide member 47 in this orientation.
• the guide member 47 is sleeve-like arranged around the plunger 21 around and engages an upper-side widening of the plunger 21 positively to this.
• the plunger 21 extends on its side facing away from the first piezoelectric actuator 23a into the region of the nozzle 1. It is guided by a seal 45, namely a ring seal 45, and leads further into a closure channel 55.
• This closure channel 55 is formed by a cylindrical sleeve-like element 55, which encloses a cylindrical cavity on the inside.
• At the closure channel 55 closes below at the end of the plunger 21 to a dosing agent collecting cavity 17, below which the outlet opening 19 of the nozzle 1 is located.
• This dosing-collecting cavity 17 is shaped so that it can fill the plunger 21 due to its shape and position in any operating position completely.
• the Dosierstoffvorratshunt 7 is acted upon by an overpressure, which causes the dosing agent is pressed through the conduit 13 in the direction of the nozzle 1.
• a fastening screw To connect the Dosierstoffvorratshunt 7 with the other parts of the dosing system 3 is a fastening screw. 9
• the electronic control unit 63 During operation of the dosing system 3, the electronic control unit 63 generates first control signals SSi and second control signals SS 2 , which are passed on via the contact terminals 31, 33 to the two piezoelectric actuators 23a, 23b and control their movement, ie deflection. These control signals SSi, SS 2 are designed so that the two piezoelectric actuators 23a, 23b are excited in opposite directions. This creates the above-described opposite movement pattern of the two piezoelectric actuators 23a, 23b. By the movement of the first piezoelectric actuator 23a, which is operatively connected to the plunger 21, the plunger 21 is excited to a lifting and pushing movement.
• the plunger 21 is urged in the retraction direction R by the first piezoelectric actuator 23a.
• the plunger 21 is pushed in an ejection direction E by the second piezoelectric actuator 23b down.
• the opening effect in this embodiment of the dosing system 3 according to the invention can be termed rather than an ejection effect, as a pure opening effect.
• This ejection effect arises from the fact that the plunger 21 penetrates into an upper region of the metering substance collecting cavity 17 and generates such an overpressure there that the dosing agent collected therein is forced out through the outlet opening 19. Accordingly, the ejection direction may also be referred to as the "opening direction.”
• a plunger would open in exactly the opposite direction: it would release an orifice of a nozzle and allow it to flow through an exit orifice. when the plunger after ejection again in the opposite retraction direction, z. B.
• the withdrawal direction can also be regarded as a "closure direction".
• the plunger 21st In this cross-section and (as preferred according to the invention) in all cross-sections along the longitudinal direction of the closure channel 55 between the plunger 21 and the closure channel 55 is a circumferential, annular passage gap 57 (preferably also always along the cross-sections have the same area).
• the passage gap 57 has a gap width between the outer surface Si of the plunger 21 and the inner surface S 2 of the closure channel 55 of 0.1 mm.
• the dosing material is a shear-thinning or a thixotropic mixture having a high viscosity
• the distance between the two surfaces Si, S 2 is selected to be 0.1 mm so that its viscosity at rest is so great that the Dosing is held in the passage gap 57. This therefore applies to a rest state of the plunger 21, in which thereby no flow movement through the passage gap 57 is allowed.
• the viscosity of the dosing agent can be reduced to a degree that allows relatively easy flow through the passageway gap 57. This has the effect that the dosing material can flow virtually free from the feed 15 in the direction of the dosing agent collecting cavity 17. There he collects and can then be ejected by a targeted ejection movement of the plunger 21.
• Each of the two piezoelectric actuators 23a, 23b has a stroke of 0.069 mm. In order to overcome the viscosity of the dosing, only a smaller stroke than this 0.069 millimeters is necessary. In the end, with many dosing agents, it is sufficient to slightly oscillate the tappet 21 in order to overcome the shear forces within the dosing material in such a way that a flow through the passage gap 57 is made possible.
• FIG. 6 shows in this connection a possible schematic movement curve of the plunger 21. Over the time t (not scaled), the path s (not scaled) of the plunger 21 is plotted. It can be seen that the plunger 21 performs three different modes of movement Mi, M 2 , M 3 .
• a first movement mode M-1 is performed between a zero time t 0 and a first time t- 1 , between a second time t 2 and a third time t 3, and between a fourth time t 4 and a fifth time t 5 .
• This movement mode M-1 consists in a slight, relatively fast oscillation movement between two positions si, s 2 .
• the movement of the plunger 21 thus has only a small amplitude A-1 or a small stroke Ai, and has a uniform rhythm with a relatively high frequency. This movement is used only for keeping the liquid Dosierstoffs, but it is not so much liquefied that permanently dosing from the nozzle 1 passes.
• the first movement mode Mi can therefore also be characterized as a liquid-holding mode.
• the second movement mode M 2 which is carried out between the first time and the second time t 2 , between the third time t 3 and the fourth time t 4 and between the fifth time t 5 and a sixth time t 6 , has a different kind Movement pattern on. It serves to eject the dosing material from the dosing agent collecting cavity 17 and can therefore be referred to as the discharge mode. It therefore has a larger amplitude A 2 and a larger stroke A 2 . Its frequency, which can be seen in particular in the case of the double ejection movement between the fifth time points t 5 and the sixth time t 6 , is significantly lower than that of the movement in the first movement mode M-1. The rhythm of this movement can also be called uniform.
• the third movement mode M 3 which is carried out after the sixth time t 6 , consists of a simple standstill of the plunger 21 and causes the dosing in the passage gap 57 is first slowed down due to its internal friction and then held, since its viscosity is no longer through the movement of the plunger 21 is reduced.
• the movement curve according to FIG. 7 differs from the movement curve according to FIG. 6 only by the discharge mode M 4 .
• the plunger 21 instead of a simple sawtooth-shaped up and down movement as in the second movement mode M 2 according to Figure 6, the plunger 21 now holds each in the upper position s 4 for a certain period of time. During this time dosing material can flow in front of the plunger 21. Then, a very fast movement of the plunger 21 in the ejection direction E. In the maximum position s 3 in the ejection direction of the plunger 21 is then held again for a while. During this time, the movement of the dosing is stopped somewhat to prevent dripping of the dosing during the subsequent movement of the plunger 21 in the withdrawal direction.
• the movement curve according to FIG. 8 differs from the movement curve according to FIG. 7 only in turn only by the discharge mode M 5 .
• the movement pattern during the ejection movement according to the movement mode M 4 of Figure 7 is simply the movement pattern in the first movement mode Mi, that is, the dithering movement of the plunger 21, superimposed. This is useful if it is a dosing, which relatively quickly increases its viscosity again, when the very fine dithering stops. By superimposing the movement patterns, it can be ensured that the viscosity of the dosing agent is permanently reduced.
• Figure 9 shows a movement curve which is suitable, for example, for drawing a "caterpillar", ie a continuous strip, of uniform thickness by closely juxtaposing individual dots of dosing agent
• the last drop are larger than the inter-metered drops, even if the same lift height of the plunger 21 is selected for each drop.
• a movement mode M 2 with a lower stroke can be selected higher than for the drops dosed in between.

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Coating Apparatus (AREA)
• Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)

Priority Applications (5)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=49115486

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Cited By (5)

Families Citing this family (26)

Citations (10)

Family Cites Families (29)

• 2012
  • 2012-09-27 DE DE102012109123.4A patent/DE102012109123A1/de not_active Ceased
• 2013
  • 2013-08-22 EP EP13756845.7A patent/EP2900390B1/de active Active
  • 2013-08-22 JP JP2015533496A patent/JP6173467B2/ja active Active
  • 2013-08-22 US US14/432,134 patent/US9457935B2/en active Active
  • 2013-08-22 CN CN201380050879.4A patent/CN104684656B/zh active Active
  • 2013-08-22 WO PCT/EP2013/067490 patent/WO2014048643A1/de not_active Ceased
  • 2013-08-22 KR KR1020157007759A patent/KR102061170B1/ko active Active

Patent Citations (11)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events