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WO2025002845A1 - Dispositif de dosage à tête rotative - Google Patents

Dispositif de dosage à tête rotative Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2025002845A1
WO2025002845A1 PCT/EP2024/066531 EP2024066531W WO2025002845A1 WO 2025002845 A1 WO2025002845 A1 WO 2025002845A1 EP 2024066531 W EP2024066531 W EP 2024066531W WO 2025002845 A1 WO2025002845 A1 WO 2025002845A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
dosing
rotary head
metering
valve
valves
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/EP2024/066531
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Mario Fließ
Andreas Steinhauser
Michael SANITZ
Robert Kotter
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Vermes Microdispensing GmbH
Original Assignee
Vermes Microdispensing GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from DE102023132149.8A external-priority patent/DE102023132149A1/de
Application filed by Vermes Microdispensing GmbH filed Critical Vermes Microdispensing GmbH
Publication of WO2025002845A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025002845A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B9/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour
    • B05B9/03—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material
    • B05B9/035—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material to several spraying apparatus
    • 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
    • B05B1/14—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openings; with strainers in or outside the outlet opening
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B13/00—Machines or plants for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces of objects or other work by spraying, not covered by groups B05B1/00 - B05B11/00
    • B05B13/02—Means for supporting work; Arrangement or mounting of spray heads; Adaptation or arrangement of means for feeding work
    • B05B13/04—Means for supporting work; Arrangement or mounting of spray heads; Adaptation or arrangement of means for feeding work the spray heads being moved during spraying operation
    • B05B13/0421—Means for supporting work; Arrangement or mounting of spray heads; Adaptation or arrangement of means for feeding work the spray heads being moved during spraying operation with rotating spray heads
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B15/00—Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories
    • B05B15/60—Arrangements for mounting, supporting or holding spraying apparatus
    • B05B15/65—Mounting arrangements for fluid connection of the spraying apparatus or its outlets to flow conduits
    • B05B15/658—Mounting arrangements for fluid connection of the spraying apparatus or its outlets to flow conduits the spraying apparatus or its outlet axis being perpendicular to the flow conduit
    • 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
    • B05C5/0208—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 for applying liquid or other fluent material to separate articles
    • B05C5/0212—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 for applying liquid or other fluent material to separate articles only at particular parts of the articles
    • B05C5/0216—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 for applying liquid or other fluent material to separate articles only at particular parts of the articles by relative movement of article and outlet according to a predetermined path
    • 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
    • B05C5/027—Coating heads with several outlets, e.g. aligned transversally to the moving direction of a web to be coated
    • B05C5/0275—Coating heads with several outlets, e.g. aligned transversally to the moving direction of a web to be coated flow controlled, e.g. by a valve
    • B05C5/0279—Coating heads with several outlets, e.g. aligned transversally to the moving direction of a web to be coated flow controlled, e.g. by a valve independently, e.g. individually, flow controlled
    • 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
    • B05B1/08—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 of pulsating nature, e.g. delivering liquid in successive separate quantities
    • B05B1/083—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 of pulsating nature, e.g. delivering liquid in successive separate quantities the pulsating mechanism comprising movable parts
    • 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
    • B05B1/30—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages
    • B05B1/3033—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages the control being effected by relative coaxial longitudinal movement of the controlling element and the spray head
    • B05B1/304—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages the control being effected by relative coaxial longitudinal movement of the controlling element and the spray head the controlling element being a lift valve
    • B05B1/3046—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages the control being effected by relative coaxial longitudinal movement of the controlling element and the spray head the controlling element being a lift valve the valve element, e.g. a needle, co-operating with a valve seat located downstream of the valve element and its actuating means, generally in the proximity of the outlet orifice
    • B05B1/3053—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages the control being effected by relative coaxial longitudinal movement of the controlling element and the spray head the controlling element being a lift valve the valve element, e.g. a needle, co-operating with a valve seat located downstream of the valve element and its actuating means, generally in the proximity of the outlet orifice the actuating means being a solenoid
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B15/00—Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories
    • B05B15/50—Arrangements for cleaning; Arrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage; Arrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter
    • B05B15/55—Arrangements for cleaning; Arrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage; Arrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter using cleaning fluids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B15/00—Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories
    • B05B15/50—Arrangements for cleaning; Arrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage; Arrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter
    • B05B15/58—Arrangements for cleaning; Arrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage; Arrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage by recirculating the fluid to be sprayed from upstream of the discharge opening back to the supplying means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B7/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas
    • B05B7/02—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge
    • B05B7/08—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with separate outlet orifices, e.g. to form parallel jets, i.e. the axis of the jets being parallel, to form intersecting jets, i.e. the axis of the jets converging but not necessarily intersecting at a point
    • B05B7/0892—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with separate outlet orifices, e.g. to form parallel jets, i.e. the axis of the jets being parallel, to form intersecting jets, i.e. the axis of the jets converging but not necessarily intersecting at a point the outlet orifices for jets constituted by a liquid or a mixture containing a liquid being disposed on a circle

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a dosing device with a rotary head and with at least one dosing valve which is arranged on the rotary head, which dosing valve has a nozzle for dispensing dosing material, a movably mounted element and an actuator unit coupled to the movably mounted element and/or the nozzle.
  • the invention further relates to a rotary head for a dosing device, a method for controlling a rotary head of a dosing device and a method for producing a rotary head for a dosing device.
  • Dosing valves of the type mentioned above are used in a wide variety of applications to dose a medium to be dosed, typically a liquid to viscous dosing substance.
  • a medium to be dosed typically a liquid to viscous dosing substance.
  • micro-dosing technology it is often necessary for very small amounts of the medium to be applied to a target surface with high precision, i.e. at the right time, in the right place and in a precisely dosed amount.
  • the dosing medium can be dispensed from a dosing valve in a contact-free or contactless manner, i.e. without direct contact between the dosing valve and the target surface.
  • the dosing medium can, for example, be applied to the target surface in a flat, linear and/or point-like manner.
  • Metering valves are increasingly being used in the manufacture of rotors and stators for motors and generators.
  • Such rotors and stators regularly consist of several thin sheets, which are punched out of an endless strip or cut out using a laser, for example, and the individual sheet metal parts are then joined together to form packages.
  • Mechanical joining processes for producing such sheet metal packages are known, e.g. riveting, laser welding or crimping.
  • these joining processes can have a detrimental effect on the flux density and efficiency of the rotors and stators, e.g. due to the occurrence of short circuits between the individual sheets.
  • adhesive processes can be used as a joining process.
  • an adhesive varnish can be applied to an electrical strip or electrical sheet, also known as a baked varnish coating, whereby the sheet metal parts are separated, stacked and baked in a two-stage temperature step to form a solid sheet metal package.
  • Sheet metal packages produced in this way can have a high level of precision and good magnetic and mechanical properties, but are relatively expensive and time-consuming to manufacture.
  • dosing valves When dosing valves are used, the requirements for the dosing process for applying the adhesive increase. For example, the required dosing patterns can become more complex, e.g. with regard to the point density of an adhesive on a target surface. In other areas of technology too, e.g. in the context of additive manufacturing (3D printing), it is desired to use dosing valves to apply complex dosing patterns to a target surface in the shortest possible time and as efficiently as possible. This applies in particular, but not exclusively, to the application of adhesives, e.g. adhesive dots, to flat workpieces, for example.
  • adhesives e.g. adhesive dots
  • the number of dosing valves for a dosing process can increase, which increases the technical effort, maintenance and acquisition costs.
  • the space required by each dosing valve also limits the possible point density that can be dosed onto a target surface.
  • the time window available for a dosing process is often limited. For example, when manufacturing sheet metal packages for rotors and stators, the adhesive application should be coordinated with the operation of a punching tool. This is why known systems with dosing valves can often no longer meet the increasing demands placed on the dosing process in various technical areas.
  • a dosing device has at least one rotary head and at least one dosing valve for the targeted delivery of a dosing substance onto a dosing surface.
  • the dosing valve can be designed to apply the dosing substance to the dosing surface, also referred to as the target surface, in a contact-free or contact-free manner.
  • the dosing substance can be applied to the dosing surface by the dosing valve in a flat manner, e.g. as a spray mist, in a linear manner and/or in a point-like manner.
  • the dosing valve is not limited to a specific function type. However, it is preferred that the dosing valve is a jet valve. In this case, contactless dosing is preferably carried out by ejecting drops of a dosing substance.
  • the at least one metering valve is arranged, preferably detachably, on the rotary head during operation of the metering device, in particular on a movable part of the rotary head.
  • the movable part of the rotary head which is in continuous rotation during operation of the metering device and faces a metering surface at least during metering operation, is referred to as a rotating rotary head.
  • the metering valve preferably the jet valve, has at least one nozzle for dispensing metering material, a movably mounted element and an actuator unit coupled to the movably mounted element and/or the nozzle.
  • the movably mounted element can preferably be an ejection element for ejecting metering material from the nozzle of the metering valve, in particular from the nozzle of a jet valve.
  • the rotary head can have two or more such metering valves, preferably jet valves.
  • the rotary head is designed to generate a continuous, i.e. non-stop or uninterrupted, rotation of the at least one dosing valve around a rotation axis of the rotary head during operation of the dosing device, in particular during an interruption of dosing substance delivery from the dosing valve.
  • the continuous rotation can take place in particular with respect to a dosing surface.
  • the rotation axis of the rotary head is preferably transverse, in particular orthogonal, to a dosing surface.
  • the rotation of the dosing valve and/or the rotating rotary head can preferably take place at a constant rotational speed or rotational speed during operation of the dosing device.
  • At least one dosing valve can have a constant rotational speed during dosing substance delivery and/or during a temporary interruption of dosing substance delivery.
  • the dosing valve can be controlled in such a way that dosing substance can be delivered to a dosing surface during the continuous rotation.
  • the rotary head is designed and/or can be controlled in such a way that the dosing valve on the rotary head is set into a continuous or ongoing rotary motion around the rotary axis of the rotary head by the rotary head during operation of the dosing device, in particular during a change of the dosing surface and/or between two consecutive dosing jobs, and/or is kept in a continuous or ongoing rotary motion around the rotary axis of the rotary head.
  • the rotary head can preferably form a valve carousel for dosing valves. Accordingly, the rotary head is designed and/or can be controlled in such a way that the rotary head itself rotates continuously during operation of the dosing device, in particular during a temporary interruption of the dosing substance dispensing from the dosing valve.
  • the dosing valve can be moved several times in succession over the same points on a dosing surface by the continuous rotation and the dosing surface can in a short time, even at the same places, several times in succession with dosing material from the dosing valve.
  • the dosing valve therefore does not have to be positioned separately for each dosing material dispensing, but the dosing material dispenses from the rotational movement.
  • continuous rotation is understood in the context of the invention to mean that the respective metering valve and/or the rotary head perform a rotary movement of more than 360° (degrees) starting from a starting position during operation of the metering device. This means that during operation of the metering device, the starting position is passed several times in succession as a result of the rotation of the metering valve.
  • continuous rotation therefore refers to a continuous movement of the metering valve and/or the rotary head at a certain angular speed.
  • the rotary head preferably moves the metering valve in such a way that the respective metering valve performs two or more complete circular movements, i.e.
  • 360° rotations around the axis of rotation which immediately follow one another, in particular without changing a rotational speed and/or a direction of rotation.
  • This distinguishes the rotary head according to the invention from devices in which a metering valve can only be moved by a limited angle of rotation to apply the metered substance and is then returned to a starting position.
  • This can involve a rotation of up to 360°, but not a rotation of more than 360°, i.e. no continuous rotation, as with the rotary head according to the invention. Since the dosing valve rotates continuously even during times when no dosing agent is being dispensed, e.g.
  • a rotary head with a jet valve has the additional advantage that jet valves enable particularly high clock frequencies of up to 1 kHz or more, so that, particularly in combination with a high path speed of the dosing valve, e.g. 1 m/s (meters per second), 2 m/s, 5 m/s, or possibly even higher, even complex dosing patterns, e.g. with high dot densities, can be generated on a dosing surface in the shortest possible time. This saves time and manufacturing costs.
  • a rotary head according to the invention for a dosing device preferably for a dosing device according to the invention, has at least one dosing valve, preferably a jet valve, which is The rotary head is preferably arranged detachably.
  • the metering valve is preferably arranged on a movable part of the rotary head.
  • the metering valve has at least one nozzle for dispensing metered substance, a movably mounted element, preferably an ejection element, and an actuator unit coupled to the movably mounted element and/or the nozzle.
  • the rotary head is designed to generate a continuous, i.e. non-stop or uninterrupted, rotation of the metering valve about an axis of rotation of the rotary head during operation of the metering device.
  • the rotary head can preferably be integrated into a metering device.
  • the rotary head can preferably be modular and can be coupled, e.g. temporarily, to a specific metering device in order to implement a proper metering operation of the metering valves.
  • a method according to the invention for controlling a rotary head relates to a rotary head of a dosing device, which is preferably designed as part of a dosing device according to the invention, which rotary head has at least one dosing valve for the targeted dispensing of a dosing substance onto a dosing surface, preferably a jet valve, which is preferably detachably arranged on the rotary head, in particular on a movable part thereof.
  • the dosing valve has a nozzle for dispensing dosing substance, a movably mounted element and an actuator unit coupled to the movably mounted element and/or the nozzle.
  • the rotary head is operated in such a way that during operation of the dosing device, in particular during an interruption of a dosing substance dispensing from the dosing valve, a continuous, i.e. non-stop or uninterrupted, rotation of the dosing valve is generated around a rotation axis of the rotary head.
  • the movably mounted element is preferably an ejection element of a jet valve.
  • the method is carried out in such a way that dosing material can be dispensed onto a dosing surface during continuous rotation.
  • the method is preferably carried out in such a way that the dosing valve and/or the rotary head rotate at a constant rotational speed or rotational speed around the axis of rotation of the rotary head during operation of the dosing device, in particular during dosing material dispensing and/or in times when no dosing material is dispensed.
  • the method can preferably be carried out by a control device of the dosing device and/or by a control unit of the rotary head.
  • the method is carried out in such a way that the respective dosing valve in dosing operation, i.e. during a proper dosing substance dispensing of the dosing valve, dispenses at least two dosing substance drops, preferably a plurality of separate dosing substance drops, onto the target surface during a single rotation about the axis of rotation.
  • the steps described above can be integrated into a control method for a dosing device with a rotary head.
  • a method for controlling a dosing device can then comprise the method steps described above for controlling the rotary head.
  • a method according to the invention for producing a rotary head for a dosing device, preferably for operation in a dosing device according to the invention, which rotary head has at least one dosing valve for the targeted dispensing of a dosing substance onto a dosing surface comprises at least the following steps:
  • At least one rotary head is provided which is designed to generate a continuous, i.e. non-stop or uninterrupted, rotation of a dosing valve arranged on the rotary head about a rotation axis of the rotary head during operation of an associated dosing device, in particular also when the dosing substance delivery from the dosing valve is interrupted.
  • the rotation of the dosing valve and/or the rotary head can preferably take place at a constant rotational speed or rotational speed during operation of the dosing device.
  • At least one metering valve is provided which has a nozzle for dispensing metering substance, a movably mounted element and an actuator unit coupled to the movably mounted element and/or the nozzle, as well as optionally further components.
  • the metering valve is preferably a jet valve.
  • the movably mounted element is preferably an ejection element of a jet valve. In the method, preferably two or more such metering valves, preferably jet valves, can be provided.
  • the at least one metering valve is arranged, preferably detachably, on the rotary head, in particular on a movable part of the rotary head.
  • the steps described above can be integrated into a manufacturing process for a metering device with a rotary head.
  • a process for manufacturing a metering device can then comprise the previously described process steps for manufacturing the rotary head.
  • the rotary head for operation in a dosing device can achieve similar effects to those described with reference to the dosing device.
  • the operation of the dosing device comprises at least the dosing operation of the respective dosing valves of the rotary head and can preferably comprise further situations, in particular an interval between two consecutive dosing jobs, a change of the dosing surface, e.g. a coil change and/or a modification of the rotary head, e.g. with regard to the positioning of the dosing valves on the rotary head.
  • the rotary head can be in continuous rotation at least during the situations mentioned.
  • the dosing device and the rotary head are not limited to a specific type of dosing valve. It is possible, for example, for a rotary head to have two or more different types of dosing valves.
  • the at least one dosing valve is a jet valve for contactless dosing.
  • the movably mounted element is preferably an ejection element of the jet valve.
  • the jet valve is preferably designed to dispense a dosing substance or a dosing medium drop by drop from the dosing valve.
  • the ejection element can be pushed forwards inside the nozzle at a relatively high speed in the direction of a nozzle opening, whereby a drop of the dosing substance is ejected and then retracted again.
  • the dosing substance is ejected from the nozzle by the ejection element itself.
  • the ejection element comes into contact with the dosing agent and "presses” or “pushes” the dosing agent out of the nozzle of the dosing valve due to a movement of the ejection element and/or the nozzle.
  • the dosing medium can be "actively” ejected from the nozzle using the movable ejection element.
  • the size of the droplets or the amount of dosing agent per drop can be predicted as precisely as possible by the design and control of the dosing valve and the resulting effect of the nozzle.
  • the respective jet valve can preferably have at least one piezoelectric actuator and/or a pneumatic actuator and/or an electromagnetic actuator to move the ejection element and/or the nozzle.
  • the respective metering valve has a pneumatic actuator, since this can result in particular advantages in combination with the rotary head, in particular with regard to the control of the actuator.
  • the metering substance is an adhesive. In principle, other metering substances or mixtures of different substances can also be used, e.g. oil, grease, wax, sealing material and the like.
  • the terms metering substance and metering medium are used synonymously in the description. If the description describes advantageous further developments using a rotary head as part of a dosing device, these further developments apply analogously to the rotary head itself, which is designed for operation in a dosing device.
  • the dosing device in particular the rotary head, can preferably be assigned to a punching tool, preferably a punching tool for electrical sheets.
  • the punching tool can be designed to punch thin and preferably insulated sheet metal parts out of a continuous sheet or continuous strip. Such a continuous sheet can, for example, have a thickness of 0.1 to 1 millimeter.
  • the punching process can be multi-stage.
  • the punching tool can preferably have a joining unit for aligning and stacking sheet metal parts and for connecting sheet metal parts provided with adhesive to form a sheet metal package.
  • the joining unit can, for example, have a die with a brake that exerts a contact force on the stacked sheet metal parts.
  • the sheet metal packages can, for example, be used to produce rotors and stators for electric motors and generators.
  • the rotary head of the dosing device can be connected directly upstream of the punching tool and/or can be integrated into the punching tool.
  • the dosing material can be dispensed by the respective dosing valve (only) before the punching process, in particular by dosing onto an endless belt (as a dosing surface).
  • an entire dosing process to form a respective dosing pattern on the endless belt, also referred to as a dosing job, to take place during only one belt holding time of the punching tool.
  • the rotary head can be designed to carry out a specific respective dosing job, in particular onto an endless sheet, during a belt holding time of approximately 1 second, preferably a belt holding time of 0.05 seconds to a maximum of 1 second.
  • the dosing material can be dispensed between two or more punching steps.
  • dosing can be done on a sheet metal part (as a dosing surface) that already has a certain pattern and is partially punched out. It is possible, for example, that dosing first takes place on an endless belt (as a dosing surface) and after a first punching step, dosing takes place on the partially punched out sheet metal part or endless belt (as a dosing surface) in order to end a dosing job.
  • the dosing material can (also) be dispensed after punching, in particular on a completely punched out sheet metal part (as a dosing surface). Accordingly, the punching process for providing a (finished) sheet metal part and/or the respective dosing job for generating a dosing pattern on a sheet metal part can take place in several coordinated sub-steps.
  • the rotary head of the dosing device can also be assigned to a device in which sheet metal parts are removed from an endless belt using a laser.
  • the dosing material can be dispensed (only) onto an endless belt (as a dosing surface) and/or can be of laser cutting, possibly also parallel to laser cutting, and/or can (also) take place after completion of laser cutting.
  • the dosing device in particular the rotary head, can also be assigned to another machine for producing preferably flat substrates, e.g. a machine for additive manufacturing of components.
  • the rotary head can be designed and/or controlled in such a way that the dosing agent is dispensed onto an additively manufactured, preferably round, component (as a dosing surface).
  • the possible uses of the rotary head are not limited to the examples mentioned.
  • the rotary head can generally be designed and/or controlled in such a way that the dosing agent is dispensed onto a preferably flat workpiece (as a dosing surface), preferably a round workpiece, in particular regardless of the specific nature of the workpiece, e.g. with regard to material and type of manufacture.
  • the rotary head can preferably have at least two metering valves, which are arranged on the rotary head, in particular on a movable part, preferably detachably.
  • at least the rotating part of the rotary head can have a circular base surface on which the metering valves can be arranged directly or indirectly, e.g. by means of an additional base plate.
  • the base surface of the rotary head faces the metering surface, with the respective nozzles of the metering valves pointing in the direction of the metering surface.
  • the term metering operation is understood to mean the intended delivery of metering substance by the metering valves of the rotary head to produce a specific metering pattern on the metering surface, i.e.
  • the metering operation can be carried out in such a way that two or more, in particular a large number, of metering jobs are carried out directly one after the other and/or separated from one another by a short interval.
  • the dosing operation is preferably included in the operation of the dosing device and forms a part thereof.
  • the rotary head is also in continuous rotation during the dosing operation.
  • the rotary head can rotate above the dosing surface (relative to the vertical direction) at least during the dosing operation.
  • a diameter of the rotating rotary head can correspond to a diameter of the target surface and/or a diameter of a specific dosing pattern on the target surface.
  • the rotary head can have four metering valves, preferably six metering valves, preferably eight metering valves, in particular ten metering valves or more.
  • the respective metering valves are preferably arranged detachably on the rotary head.
  • the rotary head preferably has an even number of metering valves.
  • the respective metering valves are preferably connected to a control unit of the rotary head and/or to a control device of the metering device.
  • the respective metering valves are preferably designed to be separately controllable.
  • the metering valves are preferably jet valves.
  • the respective metering valves can basically all have the same distance from the axis of rotation of the rotary head and can be moved on the same circular path during operation of the metering device, preferably at least during metering operation.
  • the rotary head can have at least two metering valves, which are preferably detachably arranged on the rotary head, wherein the at least two metering valves have a different distance from the axis of rotation of the rotary head.
  • one metering valve can be moved on a (separate) circular path.
  • the rotary head can also have three or more metering valves, each at a different distance from the axis of rotation.
  • the rotary head can have a first group of at least two metering valves, which are preferably detachably arranged on the rotary head, wherein these metering valves are moved on a (common) first circular path during operation of the metering device, preferably at least in metering mode.
  • the rotary head can have at least a second group of at least two metering valves, which are preferably detachably arranged on the rotary head, wherein these metering valves are moved on a different (common) second circular path during operation of the metering device, preferably at least in metering mode, which differs from the first circular path with regard to the respective circular path diameter or the distance from the axis of rotation.
  • the metering valves of a respective group are characterized in that these metering valves have the same distance from the axis of rotation.
  • the rotary head can have three groups, four groups, five groups of metering valves or more, wherein the metering valves of a respective group are moved on the same circular path during operation of the metering device, preferably at least during metering operation.
  • a respective group can have three metering valves, four metering valves, five metering valves or more.
  • the rotary head can have at least two metering valves, which are preferably detachably arranged on the rotary head, wherein the metering valves are opposite one another in relation to the axis of rotation of the rotary head, preferably diametrically to one another.
  • the metering valves are located on a straight line that runs through the axis of rotation.
  • more than two metering valves can be arranged on the rotary head such that one metering valve is opposite another metering valve, in particular diametrically, in relation to the axis of rotation of the rotary head.
  • the metering valves of a respective group can be arranged on the rotary head such that one metering valve of the group is opposite another metering valve of the same group, in particular diametrically, in relation to the axis of rotation of the rotary head.
  • the dosing valves of a respective group are moved on the same circular path during operation of the dosing device, preferably at least during dosing operation, and dose the dosing material in a circular pattern onto the dosing surface.
  • the dosing surface corresponds to a surface onto which a specific dosing pattern is applied.
  • the dosing surface can preferably be a workpiece or a be part of it, e.g. a metal sheet.
  • the dosing valves of a respective group can form a dosing circle with a specific diameter during dosing operation.
  • the dosing valves of a respective group can preferably create a dosing circle of dosing substance on the dosing surface, with all dosing substance points dispensed by this group being the same distance from a center point of the dosing surface.
  • the dosing substance points of a dosing circle preferably form a concentric circle of dosing substance and/or lie on the same circle.
  • the dosing circle can have a large number of individual drops that can be spaced apart from one another. Other embodiments are also possible, as described elsewhere.
  • a dosing circle can also be just an arc of a circle with a specific length. Accordingly, a dosing circle does not have to be a complete or self-contained circle.
  • a dosing circle can also be created by just one dosing valve (at a time).
  • each group can generate a specific metering circuit.
  • the metering circuit diameters of the respective groups preferably differ from one another.
  • the metering circuit diameters can be fixed or unchangeable and/or changeable during operation of the metering device.
  • a dosing circuit can have a diameter of at least 1 mm, preferably at least 10 mm, preferably at least 20 mm and/or at most 2000 mm, preferably at most 1000 mm, preferably at most 500 mm.
  • the rotary head can advantageously be used to manufacture different components, e.g. in the manufacture of electric motors for motor vehicles but also generators for wind turbines.
  • the metering valves of a respective group can be located on one and the same (imaginary) circle and thereby form a metering valve circuit on the rotary head.
  • a metering valve circuit can be implemented in the manner of a hole circle.
  • the respective metering valve circuits can preferably have a different diameter.
  • the rotary head is preferably designed such that a metering valve circuit is assigned to a specific metering circuit on the metering surface, i.e. is designed to generate the metering circuit. Purely as an example, the rotary head can have five metering valve circuits with different diameters, with each metering valve circuit having two metering valves.
  • such a rotary head can further accelerate the respective dosing process or dosing job, since several dosing circuits can be supplied with dosing material at the same time with each rotation of the rotary head around the axis of rotation.
  • the provision of two or more dosing valves per circular path can be advantageous in order to keep the rotation speed of the rotary head below a path speed that is critical for dosing accuracy. For example, if the speed of the dosing valves is too high, particularly on the outer circular path, the dosing material may not hit the dosing surface in the desired shape, which may have a detrimental effect on the dosing of delicate structures on the dosing surface.
  • the dosing device can have two or more rotary heads, each with at least one detachably arranged dosing valve, in particular with a plurality of jet valves.
  • the advantageous further developments described with reference to a single rotary head preferably apply in a corresponding manner to a respective rotary head of the dosing device.
  • the two or more rotary heads, in particular also their respective dosing valves, can preferably be controlled separately during operation.
  • a first rotary head can advantageously carry out a first part of a dosing job, e.g. by initially dosing only partial sections of the respective dosing circles, e.g. semicircles or quarter circles.
  • a second rotary head can then carry out a second part of the dosing job, e.g. by dosing further partial sections of the respective dosing circles. This procedure can be repeated several times in succession until the entire dosing job is finished.
  • the target surface e.g. the workpiece, can be processed between the respective dosing processes.
  • a device for punching or laser cutting can have partial sections of dosing circles dosed by a first rotary head during a first belt holding time and further partial sections of the same dosing circles dosed by another rotary head during at least one subsequent belt holding time.
  • the rotary heads can, for example, be arranged one behind the other.
  • the respective dosing job can be divided into several belt holding positions, so that the respective belt holding time can be significantly shorter.
  • the rotary heads can have the same or different designs, in particular with regard to the number and/or positioning of the dosing valves on the rotary head. Accordingly, the two or more rotary heads can supply the same and/or different dosing circuits with dosing material.
  • the positioning of the dosing valves on the rotary head can preferably be carried out taking into account the dosing pattern to be generated.
  • all dosing valves on the rotary head can be arranged linearly in a (single) row. It is also possible for the dosing valves to be arranged in a cross or star pattern on the rotary head.
  • a plurality of dosing valves in the form of a dosing module can be arranged preferably detachably on the rotary head, e.g. in the form of a dosing module, which is described in more detail in DE 10 2021 109 850 A1. In this regard, reference is made to DE 10 2021 109 850 A1, the content of which is hereby incorporated into this application.
  • two or more metering valves can be arranged on the rotary head, starting from the axis of rotation or radially offset from one another in relation to the axis of rotation of the rotary head. This means that the metering valves are located on different diameter lines.
  • the term "diameter” refers to a specific distance.
  • the metering valves of a first group are arranged radially offset on the rotary head from the rotary axis or in relation to the rotary axis of the rotary head compared to the metering valves of a second, different group.
  • the metering valves of the first group and the metering valves of the second group can be located on different diameter lines.
  • the rotary head preferably has a plurality of metering valves, in particular several groups, which are arranged on the rotary head to form an axial symmetry. This means that some or all of the metering valves can be arranged axially symmetrically on the rotary head. The metering valves can be arranged distributed over an entire circular area of the rotary head.
  • a particularly smooth running of the rotary head can be achieved, e.g. by avoiding an imbalance, which is essential for the most accurate dosing pattern possible.
  • the dosing device in particular the rotary head, is preferably designed and/or can be controlled in such a way that a distance and/or a position of a specific respective dosing valve and/or a distance and/or a position of a specific respective group of dosing valves in relation to the axis of rotation of the rotary head and/or in relation to other dosing valves of the rotary head can be adjusted, preferably in an automated process.
  • different dosing circle diameters can be set or approached and/or a specific dosing pattern can be set.
  • the automated process can be controlled by a control unit of the rotary head and/or by a control device of the dosing device.
  • a respective metering valve can be moved along one or more axes (linear axes) on the rotary head.
  • the respective metering valves can be moved radially along of the rotary head, preferably automatically.
  • the metering valves of the rotary head can be controlled separately and preferably moved electrically. Positioning of some or all of the metering valves can be carried out in the automated process while the rotary head is kept in continuous rotation, ie during operation of the metering device.
  • the rotary head is advantageously particularly flexible and can be quickly adapted to different dosing requirements.
  • the rotary head can be modified while the dosing device is in operation, without any direct manual intervention.
  • This can be advantageous, for example, when producing prototypes.
  • Automatic modification of the rotary head can be advantageous if each dosing surface, e.g. each new workpiece, requires a different dosing pattern or different dosing circle diameters.
  • the position of a dosing valve can be changed during rotation in order to create different dosing circles with the same dosing valve, even in the same dosing job.
  • An automatic modification of the rotary head can also be advantageous in combination with additively manufactured and possibly rotationally symmetrical components, since a desired dosing pattern can be created particularly quickly and flexibly, within certain limits. It is also possible to move two or more dosing valves or groups of dosing valves that have different distances from the axis of rotation together, in particular simultaneously. Preferably, at least two dosing valves and/or at least two groups of dosing valves can be moved together on the rotary head while maintaining a constant, e.g. fixed, distance from each other.
  • the desired maximum coating diameter could be distributed over several evenly distributed circles, which enable seamless coating through a common movement and thus enable a high surface coating performance.
  • the rotary head it is also possible for the rotary head to be modified manually when the rotary head is at a standstill. This can be useful if the dispensing surface changes, e.g. if the external shape and/or the surface geometry of the dispensing surface to be processed changes over the long term.
  • the rotary head can have a plurality of metering valves, ie two or more metering valves that form a metering unit of the rotary head.
  • the metering valves of the metering unit are preferably arranged on a base element of the rotary head.
  • the base element can be arranged detachably or reversibly on the rotary head.
  • the rotary head can additionally have at least one controllable drive, optionally with encoder, in order to rotate at least the metering valves and/or the metering unit during operation of the metering device, e.g. a rotary table with a turntable with direct drive.
  • the drive of the rotary head is separate from other Components of the rotary head, in particular spatially separated therefrom.
  • the drive can be spatially separated from the metering valves and/or the metering unit.
  • the controllable drive can be radially spaced from the axis of rotation.
  • the rotary head can then preferably have a belt drive in order to drive the rotating part of the rotary head during operation.
  • the controllable drive can preferably have a rotation axis with a movable part for accommodating at least the metering valves.
  • the rotation axis e.g. of the rotary table, preferably runs along the rotation axis of the rotary head.
  • the rotation axis of the rotary head is preferably designed to establish at least one electrical and/or pneumatic and/or fluid-carrying connection between a stationary part of the metering device and a movable part of the rotary head during operation of the metering device, preferably at least during metering operation, preferably by means of rotary feedthroughs for compressed air, various media and electrical signals or electrical energy.
  • the metering head can comprise further components, as described elsewhere.
  • the parts of the rotary head that rotate during operation preferably at least the rotation axis, the metering valves and/or a base element, can form the rotating rotary head.
  • the rotating rotary head can comprise the rotation axis and movable parts adjoining it at the end in the direction of the metering surface.
  • the rotary head prefferably has a rotary axis that runs along the rotary axis of the rotary head and is designed separately from the drive. This means that the rotary axis is then not formed by the drive itself.
  • a controllable drive can be assigned to the rotary head, e.g. an electric motor that is arranged next to the rotary axis and/or next to the rotary axis.
  • the rotary axis can be set in rotation by means of a belt drive, in particular can be kept in continuous rotation (temporarily). This advantageously makes it possible to achieve a particularly flat design.
  • the advantageous further developments of the rotary axis apply to the rotary axis in general, in particular independently of the remaining construction of the rotary axis and the drive.
  • parts of the rotary head can be permanently installed in the dosing device during operation.
  • the drive and immovable parts of the rotary unions such as hose fittings can be fixed in the dosing device or in a punching tool.
  • the entire rotary head it is also possible for the entire rotary head to be designed to be movable in relation to the dosing surface.
  • the entire rotary head can be moved manually or in an automated process in relation to other components of the dosing device, e.g. by a robot arm.
  • this allows a distance between the dosing valves and the dosing surface and/or an alignment of the dosing valves in relation to the dosing surface to be set individually and in a time-saving manner.
  • the dosing unit of the rotary head can be designed to be coupled to and/or decoupled from the rotary head as a unit or as a whole, preferably in each case in an automated process.
  • the base element with the dosing valves located thereon can be detachably coupled to or decoupled from an assigned coupling point on the rotary head, e.g. on the axis of rotation, in an automated process.
  • the dosing unit can be a separate component that can be reversibly connected to other components of the rotary head during operation of the dosing device.
  • the dosing unit can be part of the rotary head at least temporarily.
  • this allows the dosing valves of the rotary head to be changed particularly quickly, e.g. for cleaning fluid-carrying parts, for maintenance or replacing wearing components, to change a modification of the rotary head or to minimize downtime in the event of a fault.
  • the dosing unit can preferably be coupled to other parts of the rotary head or decoupled from them again, in particular changed, in an automated process using an automatic changing device, e.g. a movable, multi-axis robot arm with gripper. Alternatively, the dosing unit can also be handled manually.
  • the dosing unit is preferably changed when the rotary head is at a standstill.
  • the entire rotary head can be designed to be coupled as a whole to a part of the dosing device and/or to be decoupled therefrom as a unit, preferably in each case in an automated process.
  • the dosing device can comprise further components, in particular components that do not rotate during operation.
  • the dosing device can preferably have a control device for controlling the rotary head and/or the respective dosing valves, devices for supplying the dosing valves with compressed air, dosing material, flushing medium and electrical signals or electrical energy, devices for cleaning or maintaining decoupled dosing valves and the like.
  • the communication and/or the supply of the rotating rotary head can, depending on the embodiment, take place via the rotation axis.
  • the dosing device can be fully or partially integrated into another machine, e.g. in a punching tool.
  • the rotary head preferably the base element, can have at least one coupling point for the detachable coupling of at least one specific part of a metering valve, preferably a plurality of coupling points for each metering valve.
  • the base element can preferably form a support structure for a plurality of coupling points.
  • the base element can have a flat base plate.
  • the base element can also have a frame and/or a grid structure on which coupling points are arranged, preferably movably.
  • the coupling points can also be arranged directly on the rotary head, preferably movably, i.e. without a base element.
  • the respective coupling point also referred to as a docking station, is preferably designed to support the entire metering valve during operation. to hold the dosing device, in particular at least during the dosing operation, on the rotary head, preferably on the base element, and/or to form at least one supply line to the dosing valve.
  • the respective docking station can be arranged in a fixed (stationary) manner on the rotary head or on the base element. It is preferred that the respective docking station is movable in relation to the rotary head and/or the base element, in particular in an automated process. Preferably, a respective docking station can be moved along one or more axes (linear axes) on the rotary head or on the base element, preferably automatically. This makes it possible to set a specific radial distance of the respective docking station from the rotary axis and/or a position of the individual docking stations relative to one another.
  • the respective coupling point is preferably designed to supply the coupled metering valve with a pressure medium and/or with metering substance during operation of the metering device, in particular at least during the metering operation.
  • the respective coupling point is designed to form an electrical connection of the metering valve to a control unit of the rotary head and/or to a control device of the metering unit during operation of the metering device, in particular at least during the metering operation.
  • the docking station can form a mounting interface for the metering valve in order to hold the connected metering valve on the rotary head at least during the metering operation, to supply it with media and to control the metering operation.
  • the respective docking station can, depending on the embodiment, be connected to the rotary feedthroughs of the rotary axis.
  • the respective coupling point can have an actuator coupling point, also referred to as an actuator docking station, for coupling an actuator unit of the metering valve and/or a fluidic coupling point, also referred to as a fluidic docking station, for coupling a fluidic unit of the (same) metering valve.
  • the actuator docking station and the fluidic docking station can be designed as one piece or in one piece. However, it is preferred that the respective coupling point is designed in several parts, with a first part forming an actuator docking station and a second, different part forming a fluidic docking station.
  • the actuator docking station and the fluidic docking station can be arranged spatially separated from one another on or in the base element or on the rotary head, particularly in the case of a multi-part coupling point.
  • the coupling point in particular the actuator docking station, can be designed to specifically couple (only) the actuator unit of the metering valve detachably to the base element and/or the rotary head (e.g. in a variant without a base element) and/or to decouple it therefrom, preferably in an automated process.
  • the actuator docking station is preferably designed to specifically hold the actuator unit of the metering valve on the rotary head and/or to enable the actuator unit of the metering valve to operate as intended, in particular to supply it with compressed air and/or electrical signals and/or electrical energy.
  • the actuator unit can be moved upwards for decoupling from the base element, in particular in a direction that points away from the dosing surface.
  • the coupling can preferably be carried out in the opposite direction.
  • the coupling point in particular the fluidic docking station, can be designed to specifically couple (only) the fluidic unit of the metering valve detachably to the base element and/or the rotary head (e.g. in a variant without a base element) and/or to decouple it therefrom, preferably in an automated process.
  • the fluidic docking station is preferably designed to specifically hold the fluidic unit of the metering valve on the rotary head and/or to at least supply the fluidic unit with metering substance.
  • the fluidic unit can preferably be moved downwards for decoupling from the base element and/or the rotary head, in particular in the direction of the metering surface.
  • the coupling can preferably be carried out in the opposite direction.
  • the coupling point can be designed to detachably couple and/or decouple an entire metering valve, i.e. an actuator unit and a fluidic unit connected thereto, to the base element and/or the rotary head (e.g. in a variant without a base element), preferably in an automated process.
  • a complete metering valve can be moved upwards away from the base element for decoupling, in particular in a direction that points away from the metering surface.
  • the coupling can preferably be carried out in the opposite direction.
  • the entire metering valve (including fluidic unit) can be detachably held on the base plate and/or on the rotary head by means of the actuator docking station.
  • the media supply can be carried out by the fluidic docking station, which is coupled to the fluidic unit.
  • this allows tolerances to be kept very low, e.g. in the case of a pneumatic actuator, a distance between the nozzle and the membrane, since there is no additional tolerance chain of the coupling point, e.g. with regard to a distance between the actuator unit and the fluidic unit.
  • This variant is therefore particularly preferred.
  • a specific actuator unit to be removed individually, e.g. as a module, from the base element or from the rotary head.
  • the fluidic unit of the same metering valve can remain on the base element and/or the rotary head when only the actuator unit is changed.
  • other actuator units that have not yet reached a maintenance interval can remain on the base element and/or the rotary head.
  • a specific fluidic unit which comprises at least the nozzle, the ejection element, parts carrying the dosing agent and seals, can advantageously be removed individually from the base element or from the rotary head and/or from the actuator unit.
  • a change of only the fluidic unit may be necessary in order to maintain or replace wearing parts, e.g. the ejection element, and/or to clean the fluidic unit.
  • the actuator unit can advantageously the same metering valve and, if necessary, the other metering valves remain on the rotary head during the change of the fluidic unit.
  • the change process can be simplified and accelerated by changing only certain parts of a metering valve or only a certain (entire) metering valve, while other metering valves of the rotary head remain untouched.
  • a change process in particular the detection of a component to be replaced, can be carried out by an automatic change device, e.g. a movable multi-axis robot arm. It is also possible, for example, that the actuator unit of a certain metering valve is first detached from the coupling point and then the fluidic unit of the same metering valve is detached from the coupling point.
  • the change processes described can also be carried out manually.
  • the fluidic unit of the respective metering valve can have a bayonet coupling in order to reversibly connect the fluidic unit to the fluidic docking station.
  • the principle of such a bayonet coupling is described in DE 10 2017 122 034 A1.
  • the fluidic unit can have a first plug-in coupling part and the fluidic docking station can have a second plug-in coupling part, which can be plugged into one another and coupled to one another along a (virtual) plug-in axis in order to couple the fluidic unit to the fluidic docking station.
  • the fluidic unit and the associated fluidic docking station are preferably designed such that the fluidic unit can be coupled to the fluidic docking station in at least two different rotational positions about the plug-in axis.
  • the first plug-in coupling part of the fluidic unit and the second plug-in coupling part of the fluidic docking station can preferably have interacting projections and/or recesses.
  • These projections and/or matching recesses in the first plug-in coupling part and in the second plug-in coupling part can be designed such that the plug-in coupling parts can be coupled together in a bayonet-like manner, wherein the plug-in coupling parts are first pushed into one another in a first rotational position relative to the plug-in axis and then the first and second plug-in coupling parts are rotated against one another about the plug-in axis in such a way that they cannot be pulled apart again without being rotated.
  • the fluidic unit can be coupled to the fluidic docking station by means of the interacting plug-in coupling parts in such a way that the fluidic unit can interact with an actuator unit, which is coupled to an associated actuator docking station, to form a metering valve for a proper metering operation of the metering valve.
  • the base element can have a heater in order to heat the nozzles of coupled metering valves, preferably separately, to a target temperature.
  • the respective fluidic unit can have at least one feed channel for a medium into the fluidic unit and optionally a discharge channel for medium out of the fluidic unit, in particular for a dosing material supply and for a flushing function.
  • the respective fluidic coupling point can have a feed line for medium into the fluidic unit of the coupled dosing valve and optionally a discharge or return line for medium out of the fluidic unit of the coupled dosing valve.
  • the feed line and return line can preferably be implemented by a media distributor of the docking station, which is connected to other fluid-carrying parts of the rotary head and/or the dosing device.
  • the feed line and the return line can be connected to separate hoses or channels of the base element, which are each connected to non-rotating parts of the dosing device by means of rotary unions.
  • the feed line and the return line can each be connected to a reservoir for dosing material and/or for flushing medium located outside the rotary head.
  • the supply line is connected to a storage tank of the rotary head for dosing material.
  • the fluidic unit preferably comprising a bayonet coupling
  • the fluidic unit is preferably designed such that the supply channel is brought into operative contact with the supply line of the fluidic docking station as a result of the coupling of the fluidic unit to the coupling point, in particular by rotating the two plug-in coupling parts against each other.
  • the fluidic unit preferably comprising a bayonet coupling
  • the medium can preferably be a dosing agent and/or cleaning medium or rinsing medium.
  • the coupled fluidic unit can advantageously be supplied with dosing material using the supply line of the docking station during dosing operation.
  • a flushing process with a cleaning agent can be carried out on the respective dosing valve in the coupled state.
  • the rotary head can remain installed in the dosing device during a flushing process, e.g. in a punching tool, whereby particularly short downtimes are sufficient for cleaning the dosing valves.
  • cleaning can also take place while the rotary head is rotating. Since no dismantling has to take place for cleaning, the availability of the dosing device can advantageously be increased.
  • the rotary head and/or the dosing device can be controlled in such a way that only a single or certain dosing valves are flushed, whereby preferably all dosing valves can be flushed at the same time.
  • the rotary head can preferably have a control unit that rotates during operation for the preferably separate control of the respective metering valves.
  • the control unit can be designed to receive signals from a higher-level control device of the metering device.
  • the control unit can be designed to receive metering signals or to generate trigger signals for the respective dosing valve, i.e. to control the intended operation of the individual dosing valves.
  • the control unit can be designed to evaluate sensor data from the rotary head and/or to use sensor data from the rotary head and/or to transmit sensor data from the rotary head to the higher-level control device of the dosing device.
  • control unit can be designed to at least evaluate measurement data generated during operation by sensors of the rotary head, to use it if necessary and to transmit it to the higher-level control device of the dosing device if required.
  • the higher-level control device could initiate the use and/or transmission of sensor data.
  • a control unit that is arranged on or in the rotary head and that rotates when the dosing device is in operation can advantageously help to keep the costs for providing and maintaining the rotary head as low as possible.
  • the dosing valves of the rotary head are connected to several electrical lines during operation, in particular trigger lines and heating control lines.
  • Trigger lines are understood to be lines for controlling the actuator unit, in particular for moving the ejection element.
  • these can be, for example, separate lines for supplying power to a coil of a solenoid valve and for switching the coil.
  • trigger lines and other electrical lines must be transmitted individually using rotary unions, which in particular increases the maintenance effort.
  • parameters of a dosing job can be transmitted from the higher-level control device to the rotating control unit, e.g. a number of dosing drops per revolution and dosing valve, a respective size of the dosing drops, a heating temperature and the like.
  • the transmission can preferably take place via bus communication in order to reduce the number of electrical lines.
  • Trigger signals or dosing signals can advantageously be generated by the rotating control unit itself. Particularly with pneumatic actuators, particularly space-saving hardware can be used for this.
  • the rotary head includes monitoring for dosing parameters, e.g. corresponding sensors, measured values can be transmitted to the rotating control unit and also fed to the higher-level control device, e.g. via bus communication.
  • a volume flow measurement for example, a drop detection, a pressure monitoring (in the dosing material and/or a pneumatic pressure) or a temperature monitoring (of the fluidic unit and/or in the dosing material) can be carried out.
  • a pressure monitoring in the dosing material and/or a pneumatic pressure
  • a temperature monitoring of the fluidic unit and/or in the dosing material
  • the combination of a co-rotating control unit and a higher-level control device that interacts with it can be advantageous, since there are hardly any space restrictions for the higher-level control device and a PLC can be used, for example. Accordingly, it can be advantageous to outsource certain tasks to the higher-level control device and to only control the actual dosing operation of the dosing valves by the control unit of the rotary head. In principle, it is also possible to control the entire operation of the rotary head, including the dosing operation of the respective dosing valves, using only the control unit of the rotary head.
  • the rotary head is assigned at least one (speed) sensor, which is designed at least for index signal generation and/or for index signal output, optionally for generating or outputting further signals, which sensor is usable or designed to determine a speed of the rotary head during operation of the dosing device, preferably at least during dosing operation, and for determining the angle as accurately as possible at a specific point in time.
  • the sensor can be arranged at least partially on or in the rotary head and rotate during operation.
  • at least one signal is generated for each revolution of the rotary head about the axis of rotation.
  • the sensor can comprise, for example, a light barrier, a capacitive sensor, a Hall sensor and/or an inductive sensor.
  • at least two such sensors can be used for a rotary head to determine the direction of rotation of the rotary head.
  • such a sensor can be used to calculate a current speed, since the rotary head preferably has a very good synchronous speed after an acceleration phase.
  • the sensor signal generated reflects an absolute position, so that this signal can serve as a trigger or signal generator for a dosing sequence or a dosing job.
  • a delay between the individual drops of the respective dosing valve of the rotary head can be determined from the speed, so that jitter in dosing operation is as low as possible.
  • a time offset between the generation of a trigger signal and the corresponding dosing agent delivery by the dosing valve can be minimal in order to improve dosing accuracy.
  • a co-rotating (speed) sensor can be arranged on or in the rotary head.
  • a static marker can be provided outside the rotary head, which interacts with the sensor. Then measured values from the sensor can be fed at least to the control unit of the rotary head, optionally also to the control device of the dosing device, and can be processed and used there.
  • a co-rotating marker can be provided, which is arranged on or in the rotary head. Measurement values from the sensor can then be fed at least to the control unit of the dosing device and processed and used there, optionally also to the control unit of the rotary head.
  • the rotary head may be associated with one or more additional components, which are described below.
  • the rotary head may be associated with a contactless system for transmitting electrical signals to the rotary head for controlling the dosing operation of the respective dosing valves of the rotary head.
  • a radio system can be assigned to the rotary head for transmitting electrical signals to the rotary head to control the dosing operation of the respective dosing valves of the rotary head.
  • the radio system can be arranged at least partially on or in the rotary head and rotate during operation.
  • an inductive system can be assigned to the rotary head for transmitting electrical signals to the rotary head to control the dosing operation of the respective dosing valves of the rotary head.
  • the inductive system can be arranged at least partially on or in the rotary head and rotate during operation.
  • a system for transmitting optical signals i.e. data transmission
  • the transmission can be carried out using light, laser, infrared light such as Li-Fi (English for "light fidelity").
  • the system can be arranged at least partially on or in the rotary head and rotate during operation.
  • a generator can be assigned to the rotary head for generating electrical energy by the rotary head, in particular on the rotating rotary head.
  • the rotating rotary head can have at least one generator that is (co-)driven by the drive of the rotary head, in particular by the rotation axis, and serves to generate electricity.
  • a power supply device can be assigned to the rotary head for inductive transmission of electrical energy to the rotary head.
  • an alternating field can be generated outside the rotary head or applied from outside.
  • the power supply device can be arranged at least partially on or in the rotary head and can rotate during operation.
  • the rotary head can be assigned a power supply device for the contact-based or contact-based transmission of electrical energy to the rotary head.
  • the rotary head can be assigned a signal transmission device for the contact-based or contact-based transmission of signals to the rotary head for controlling the dosing operation of the respective dosing valves of the rotary head.
  • the rotary head can preferably have at least one slip ring, preferably two or more slip rings.
  • at least one slip ring, in particular two slip rings can be used for the Voltage supply or power supply of the rotary head.
  • a further slip ring can be provided and designed to transmit electrical (control signals) for the metering valves.
  • the respective slip ring can be arranged on the outside of the rotary head, in particular encircling an outer circumference of the rotating rotary head.
  • at least one brush is assigned to the respective slip ring, which is located outside the rotating rotary head.
  • the respective slip ring is preferably designed separately from rotary feedthroughs, e.g. separately from rotary feedthroughs for compressed air.
  • the rotating rotary head can have a pressure regulator that is designed to regulate compressed air provided by a rotary union down to a specific dosing material pressure that is applied to the dosing material for dosing.
  • the dosing valves on the rotary head can be operated directly with the compressed air provided, so that a rotary union for compressed air can be saved.
  • a pressure generating unit can be assigned to the rotary head to generate compressed air through the rotary head.
  • the pressure generating unit can preferably be arranged on or in the rotating rotary head itself.
  • the compressed air generated can be used to supply the metering valves on the rotary head, in particular the respective actuator units, and/or to pressurize the dosing material.
  • Compressed air for the dosing operation can advantageously be provided on the rotary head without having to guide the compressed air through the rotation axis. This allows the number of rotary feedthroughs to be further reduced, which has a positive effect on the maintenance effort of the rotary head.
  • the rotary head can preferably have at least one reservoir or tank for dosing material that rotates during operation, in order to supply the respective dosing valves with dosing material during operation.
  • the reservoir can preferably be connected to the supply line of a respective coupling point.
  • the size of the tank is preferably such that a certain number of dosing jobs can be carried out without interruption.
  • the tank content can be dimensioned such that all sheet metal parts that are separated from an endless strip or coil can be equipped with a certain dosing pattern without interruption.
  • a tank content can be, for example, 1 liter or 2 liters. This advantageously means that a rotary union for dosing agents, which often contain aggressive ingredients, can be dispensed with, and maintenance requirements can be reduced.
  • the rotary head can have at least one coupling point for a media supply device or tank device in order to supply a medium to the reservoir when the rotary head is at a standstill and/or to remove medium from the rotary head.
  • the medium can be a dosing medium or dosing material and/or a rinsing medium or cleaning medium.
  • the tank device can be connected to reservoirs of the dosing device at the end via lines, e.g. for dosing material, fresh rinsing medium and used rinsing medium.
  • the tank device can preferably have at least two separate (tank) nozzles that can be reversibly coupled to the coupling point of the rotary head.
  • a first tank nozzle can preferably be designed to supply medium into the reservoir.
  • a second tank nozzle can be designed to return the medium from the rotary head.
  • the respective connection between the tank nozzle and the coupling point or reservoir can be made via mechanical fittings that close mechanically when the connection is released.
  • a combined cleaning and refueling of the rotary head can be carried out, whereby no rotary unions for medium are required.
  • the tank device can be coupled to the coupling point of the stationary rotary head in one step.
  • residual medium in the tank can be discharged from the reservoir by return line from the rotary head using a nozzle of the tank device.
  • flushing medium can be introduced into the reservoir through another nozzle.
  • the flushing medium can preferably enter the supply lines of the respective coupling points of the rotary head from the reservoir and then flow through or flush the respective fluidic units. This allows contamination from fluid-carrying parts of the fluidic unit to be removed.
  • the flushing medium can then exit the fluidic units again through the respective return lines and can then flow through the channels or lines of the rotary head connected to them and be (re)led to the coupling point, e.g. without flowing through the reservoir again.
  • the flushing medium can be discharged through the return line from the rotary head using a nozzle of the tank device.
  • the reservoir and optionally the fluid-carrying channels or lines of the rotary head can be cleaned of flushing medium using supplied compressed air.
  • dosing material can be refilled into the reservoir by supplying it.
  • the movement of the tank device e.g. to establish the coupling, can preferably take place in an automated process.
  • the steps described above can preferably be carried out using the control device of the dosing unit. It is also possible in principle for the reservoir to be filled with dosing material only using the tank device (without cleaning) or for the reservoir to be cleaned only (without subsequent filling).
  • the rotating reservoir of the rotary head can have at least one level sensor for dosing material in order to determine the current level of the reservoir.
  • a float, a capacitive sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a pressure sensor and/or an optical sensor can be arranged inside the reservoir or tank.
  • the control unit can generate a signal to initiate refilling of the tank and/or (previous) cleaning of the tank.
  • the control unit can generate a signal to stop the dosing operation.
  • the control unit can generate a signal to end a refilling process.
  • the rotary head can be designed and/or can be operated in such a way that at least one metering valve, preferably certain metering valves or all metering valves, dispenses dosing substance drops of different sizes during a rotation of the rotary head about the axis of rotation.
  • the respective drop size can vary over the circumference of a dosing circle.
  • the rotary head can be designed and/or operated in such a way that at least one metering valve, preferably certain metering valves or all metering valves, has a varying metering frequency during metering operation during one rotation of the rotary head about the axis of rotation, preferably for generating a specific sequence or pattern of metering substance drops along a respective metering circuit.
  • the metering frequency of a respective metering valve can vary over the circumference of the associated metering circuit. This can, for example, prevent metering substance from running into cutting areas.
  • the rotary head can be designed and/or operated in such a way that at least one metering valve, preferably certain metering valves or all metering valves, dispenses a large number of metering substance drops in such a way that a continuous metering substance track is created on the metering surface, in particular the workpiece, which forms at least a partial section of a circle.
  • the individual metering substance drops touch one another. This makes it possible, for example, to create seals shaped in a certain way on a workpiece.
  • the rotary head can be designed and/or operated in such a way that at least one metering valve, preferably certain metering valves or all metering valves, dispenses a plurality of dosing drops in such a way that a surface coating is produced on a metering surface, in particular a workpiece.
  • a metering surface be covered with dosing material over the entire surface or in parts of it.
  • round, flat coatings can be created.
  • the rotary head can be designed and/or operated such that at least two metering valves of the rotary head, in particular two metering valves that are moved on the same circular path, dispense different dosing substances.
  • the rotary head can be designed and/or operated in such a way that at least one metering valve, preferably certain metering valves or all metering valves, are controlled in such a way that a metering agent is dispensed during a strip holding time of a punching tool, optionally a device for laser cutting.
  • the metering agent dispensing for a metering job can, for example, take place during just a single strip holding time or during several consecutive strip holding times and/or can also take place at a different time, e.g. after punching has finished.
  • the rotary head can be designed and/or operated in such a way that a flushing medium or cleaning medium is passed through a fluidic unit, in particular through a feed channel, a discharge channel and a nozzle chamber inside the nozzle, of at least one metering valve arranged on the rotary head, wherein the flushing medium is passed out of the fluidic unit again.
  • a flushing medium or cleaning medium is passed through a fluidic unit, in particular through a feed channel, a discharge channel and a nozzle chamber inside the nozzle, of at least one metering valve arranged on the rotary head, wherein the flushing medium is passed out of the fluidic unit again.
  • certain metering valves or all metering valves on the rotary head can be flushed simultaneously.
  • the rotary head can be designed and/or can be operated such that a path speed of a metering valve located on the outside of the rotary head (greatest distance from the axis of rotation) in the metering operation is at least 1 (m/s), preferably at least 3 (m/s), preferably at least 4 (m/s), and/or at most 15 (m/s), preferably at most 10 (m/s), preferably at most 6 (m/s).
  • the respective dosing valve can preferably contain a buffer medium in order to shield the dosing substance, in particular adhesive, in the dosing valve from outside air before it is released from the dosing valve.
  • the rotary head can preferably be designed in such a way that the respective metering valves are arranged axially symmetrically on the rotary head in order to avoid imbalance as far as possible during operation of the metering device.
  • imbalance can still occur due to manufacturing tolerances or uneven consumption of metering material during operation of the metering device. This can lead to vibrations of the rotary head, which can have an influence on the metering accuracy or position accuracy. It is therefore preferred that during operation of the metering device a relationship between the axis of rotation of the rotary head and a main axis of inertia of the rotary head, in particular of the rotating rotary head, is determined at least once.
  • a weight distribution of the rotary head can be adjusted (also during continuous rotation), preferably in an automated process, such that a main axis of inertia of the rotary head, in particular the main axis of inertia running through the center of gravity of the rotating rotary head, corresponds to the axis of rotation of the rotary head.
  • the rotating rotary head can preferably have at least one acceleration sensor and/or one force sensor and/or one gyroscope. During the continuous rotation, accelerations and/or forces acting on the axis of rotation can be measured or determined using at least one such sensor.
  • the control unit and/or the control device can preferably determine in which area of the rotating rotary head a weight distribution must be adjusted or changed. The areas of the rotary head in which certain (additional) weights (with a defined weight force) should be arranged in order to compensate for a detected imbalance can preferably be determined.
  • the weight distribution can be adjusted manually, but preferably in an automated process, e.g. by the control unit and/or the control device.
  • the rotary head can preferably have several automatically movable weights that can be moved radially and/or in relation to the respective metering valves.
  • the rotary head can have several tanks, which can preferably be automatically filled with liquid in order to get a certain mass to the desired position.
  • the rotary head can have a mechanism for balancing the rotary head in order to avoid imbalance as completely as possible during operation of the dosing device and to further improve the dosing accuracy.
  • the rotary head can have a base element that is designed to form two or more (functional) metering valves.
  • the base element can preferably have two or more fluidic base bodies, each of which comprises at least parts of a fluidic unit.
  • Each fluidic base body can have at least one nozzle with a sealing seat and a nozzle chamber, optionally a feed channel for a medium into the nozzle and a discharge channel for medium out of the nozzle.
  • the base element can preferably have a feed line for medium into the respective nozzle and optionally a discharge or return line for medium out of the respective nozzle.
  • the nozzle can be connected to fluid-carrying parts of the rotary head and/or the metering device, in particular for a metering substance supply and for a rinsing function, in a similar way to that described using a coupleable fluidic unit.
  • Such a base element with a plurality of fluidic base bodies is referred to as “combined fluidics”.
  • each fluidic base body is assigned a coupling area for the detachable coupling of an actuator unit to the fluidic base body, preferably in an automated process.
  • the actuator unit in addition to the actual actuator for actuating the ejection element, can also have components that usually belong to the fluidic unit, but which are not included in the fluidic base body in this embodiment.
  • the respective actuator unit can preferably have at least one ejection element that interacts with the respective fluidic base body to dispense the dosing substance.
  • an operational dosing valve can be formed.
  • a combined fluidic system can preferably be formed as part of a dosing unit that is detachably arranged on the rotating rotary head, in particular in an automated process.
  • the dosing device can preferably have a controllable cleaning device that is at least temporarily assigned to the rotary head.
  • the cleaning device is preferably designed to clean at least one nozzle insert of a nozzle of a respective dosing valve of the rotary head, preferably in an automated process.
  • the nozzle insert is preferably part of the nozzle and comprises a nozzle opening through which dosing material is dispensed from the dosing valve during operation.
  • the ejection element can preferably physically contact the nozzle insert at least temporarily. Preferably, outward-facing areas of the nozzle insert and/or a nozzle opening can be cleaned by means of the cleaning device.
  • the cleaning device can be designed to push a cleaning substrate, e.g. a wiper cloth or a lip, e.g. in the manner of a windscreen wiper lip, laterally under the axis of rotation, in particular transversely to the axis of rotation, so that the cleaning substrate faces the respective nozzle inserts.
  • the axis of rotation can then perform a complete revolution, with all nozzle inserts simultaneously cleaned by physical contact with the cleaning substrate.
  • the cleaning substrate only needs to be moved along one axis in relation to the rotary head and can remain stationary during cleaning.
  • the cleaning substrate itself in particular the wiping lip, can perform a full rotation around the rotary axis in order to wipe each nozzle insert once, at least from the outside, by making contact.
  • the lip or cloth can be actively moved for this purpose.
  • the cleaning device can alternatively or additionally have a (vacuum) suction unit.
  • the suction unit is preferably designed and can be controlled in such a way that a vacuum can be temporarily generated at least at the nozzle insert, in particular in areas that border the nozzle opening. Accordingly, the cleaning device and/or the rotary head can be controlled or moved in such a way that direct contact can be established temporarily between the (vacuum) suction unit and a specific nozzle insert.
  • the (vacuum) suction unit and the rotary head can be designed and controlled to clean the respective nozzle inserts one after the other.
  • the (vacuum) suction unit can be movable in at least two axes, in particular transversely to the axis of rotation or rotation axis and parallel thereto.
  • the rotary head, in particular the axis of rotation, and the (vacuum) suction unit can be moved relative to one another in such a way that a vacuum is temporarily applied to a (first) nozzle insert.
  • the (vacuum) suction unit and the (first) nozzle insert can be spaced apart from one another, with the axis of rotation then being rotated in order to position another (second) nozzle insert to match the (vacuum) suction unit so that a vacuum can temporarily be generated on this (second) nozzle insert.
  • the rotating rotary head in particular the axis of rotation, can be rotated intermittently in order to clean several nozzle inserts one after the other.
  • the (vacuum) suction unit is designed to clean two or more nozzle inserts simultaneously. It should be noted that mixed forms of the embodiments of the cleaning device are also possible.
  • An automatic cleaning device can advantageously help to achieve particularly good dosing results, regardless of the specific design. For example, depending on the dosing material, it may be necessary from time to time to clean or wipe the nozzle insert, e.g. to remove residues of dosing material. This step can also be necessary, e.g. after a cleaning step or rinsing process of the fluidic unit of the respective dosing valve. Since the operation of the cleaning device can preferably be controlled by means of the control device of the dosing device, in particular in an automated process, a particularly efficient cleaning of the nozzle inserts can be achieved. With a (vacuum) suction unit, the advantage can also be This means that suction can be carried out as often as desired, without the need to change the cleaning substrate. Furthermore, with a (vacuum) suction unit, the internal areas of the nozzle insert and/or the nozzle can also be cleaned.
  • Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a part of a rotary head according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 5 is a schematic view of a coupling point of a rotary head according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 6 is a schematic view of a rotary head according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of a dosing surface
  • FIG. 1 shows a purely schematic side view of a dosing device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the dosing device 1 comprises a rotary head 2 which, when the dosing device 1 is in operation, is kept in continuous rotation R around a rotation axis X of the rotary head 2.
  • the rotary head 2 comprises a drive 26, here a rotary table 26, which can be controlled via control connections 28 by a control device 6 of the dosing device 1.
  • the drive 26 can be installed in a fixed position via flanges 27, e.g. in a punching tool or in another machine.
  • the rotary table 26 can also be installed on a movable robot arm (not shown) and can then move to different dosing positions.
  • the drive 26 preferably forms a non-rotating part of the rotary head 2. This means that the drive 26, at least in the dosing operation, does not rotates in relation to a dosing surface 9.
  • the drive 26 forms a rotation axis 29 (only partially visible) which runs along the rotation axis X and which rotates continuously in the direction of rotation R during operation of the dosing device 1.
  • the rotation axis 29 has some rotary unions 8 above the drive 26 (not shown in detail), e.g. for compressed air, dosing material and electrical signals or electrical energy.
  • the rotary unions 8 can have, e.g., hose fittings 29' on the outside for supplying compressed air.
  • the rotary unions 8 can comprise slip rings (not shown) in order to electrically connect the rotary head 2 to non-rotating parts of the dosing device 1.
  • the slip rings of the rotary unions 8 are connected via electrical lines 10, e.g. to the control device 6.
  • the dosing device 1 here comprises supply devices 11, e.g. for providing compressed air, dosing material, flushing medium and the like, wherein the connection of the rotary head 2 to the supply devices 11 is not shown in the schematic representation.
  • the rotation axis 29 is connected here at the bottom in the direction of the dosing surface 9 to a reservoir 24 for dosing material.
  • a dosing unit 5 Adjoining the reservoir 24 in the direction of the dosing surface 9 is a dosing unit 5 which has a number of dosing valves 3 which are arranged on a base plate 50 as a base element 50.
  • the dosing valves 3 are shown purely schematically, with lines for switching the dosing valves 3 not being shown.
  • the base plate 50 is connected to the reservoir 24 in a manner not shown in detail and can alternatively or additionally be connected to the rotation axis 29.
  • the rotational movement R of the rotation axis 29 means that both internal parts of the rotary feedthroughs 8 and the reservoir 24 and the dosing valves 3 on the base plate 50 or the dosing unit 5 are kept in continuous rotation about the rotation axis X.
  • the storage unit 24, the dosing unit 5, the rotation axis 29 and movable parts of the rotary unions 8 form a rotating rotary head 20 as part of the rotary head 2.
  • Figure 2 shows a schematic view of part of a rotary head 2.
  • the rotary head 2 here comprises, for example, ten metering valves 3, which are moved on five different circular paths B, B', B" during operation.
  • two metering valves 3 are arranged on a first metering valve circuit and have the same distance a from the axis of rotation X and therefore form a first group 4 of metering valves 3.
  • the two internal metering valves 3 are moved on the same internal circular path B during operation.
  • the two metering valves 3 of a second group 4' have a slightly larger distance a' from the axis of rotation X than the first group 4.
  • the two metering valves 3 of the second group 4' in turn form a common metering valve circuit whose diameter is slightly larger than the metering valve circuit diameter of the first group 4.
  • the metering valves 3 of the second group 4' are moved during operation on a second circular path B' whose diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the innermost circular path B.
  • the remaining metering valves 3 are arranged on the rotary head 2 in such a way that two metering valves 3 are at the same distance from the axis of rotation and therefore form a group that is moved on a common circular path B" during operation.
  • the distance from the axis of rotation X increases between the respective groups, so that the diameter of the respective circular path B" also increases.
  • the metering valves 3 are arranged distributed over a circular area of the rotary head 2.
  • Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of parts of a rotary head 2 according to the invention, namely a dosing unit 5.
  • the dosing unit 5 comprises a plurality of dosing valves 3, here jet valves 3, each of which has an actuator unit 30 and a fluidic unit 40 operatively connected thereto.
  • the dosing valves 3 shown here on the left are detachably attached to the base plate 50 by means of a coupling point 51. Details of the dosing valves 3, in particular lines for supplying the actuator unit 30, are not shown in this schematic representation.
  • the actuator units 30 are arranged reversibly by means of screws at the coupling point 51 purely as an example.
  • the metering valve 3 shown here on the right is shown in a decoupled state, e.g. as a result of a change of the metering valve 3.
  • the metering valve 3 can be moved in a coupling direction RK towards the coupling point 51, e.g. manually, and can be connected to the coupling point 51 when a target position is reached.
  • an entire metering valve 3 comprising an actuator unit 30 and a fluidic unit 40 can be connected to the base plate 50 at once via the coupling point 51 or removed from it again in a direction opposite to the coupling direction RK.
  • FIG 4 shows a schematic perspective view of parts of a rotary head 2 according to the invention with a dosing unit 5.
  • the dosing unit 5 has a base plate 50 on which several dosing valves 3 are each detachably arranged via a coupling point 51.
  • the base plate 50 is shown obliquely from below, with the underside 57 of the base plate 50 visible here pointing in the direction of a dosing surface during dosing operation. It can be seen that the dosing valves 3 are arranged on the base plate 50 through interaction with the coupling point 51 in such a way that the nozzles 41 of the dosing valves 3 protrude or protrude from the base plate 50.
  • the fluidic unit 40 is decoupled from the base plate 50, while at the same time the actuator unit 30 of the same metering valve 3 remains at the coupling point 51. In this case, only the fluidic unit 40 is detached from the coupling point 51.
  • the fluidic unit 40 is moved downwards in a decoupling direction RK, e.g. in the direction of a metering surface 9 ( Figure 1), away from the base plate 50.
  • FIG. 5 shows a schematic detail of a coupling point 51 of a rotary head, whereby only the base plate 50 of the rotary head is partially visible.
  • the coupling point 51 is formed in two parts and comprises an actuator coupling point 52 and a fluidic coupling point 53.
  • the Actuator coupling point 52 and a part of the fluidic coupling point 53 are realized in a common component, which here lies above the base plate 50, wherein the fluidic coupling point 53 comprises an additional coupling region in the base plate 50.
  • the actuator coupling point 52 is arranged on a top side 58 of the base plate 50 and, unlike the way shown here, can be designed to be movable with respect to the top side 58.
  • the actuator coupling point 52 here has two holes through which an actuator unit can be detachably arranged at the coupling point. Unlike the way shown here, the actuator coupling point 52 can be designed to establish a reversible connection to the actuator unit in an automated process and in the most time-saving way possible. In the situation shown here, the actuator unit of a metering valve can be changed, with the fluidic unit of the same metering valve remaining on the base plate 50.
  • the fluidic unit 40 is coupled to the base plate 50 here by means of a bayonet coupling.
  • the fluidic unit 40 has a first plug-in coupling part 48 and the fluidic coupling point 53 has a second plug-in coupling part 49, which can be plugged into one another along a (virtual or imaginary) plug-in axis to couple the fluidic unit 40 to the fluidic coupling point 53 and can be coupled to one another in the process.
  • the plug-in axis here corresponds to an ejection direction RA' of dosing material from the fluidic unit 40.
  • the first plug-in coupling part 48 comprises, for example, a recess 49", into which a spring-mounted press ball 49' of the second plug-in coupling part 49 engages in the coupled state.
  • the first plug-in coupling part 48 can be pushed into the second plug-in coupling part 49 in a direction opposite to the ejection direction RA', whereby the first plug-in coupling part 48 can then be rotated about the plug-in axis relative to the second plug-in coupling part 49 in order to lock the two plug-in coupling parts 48, 49.
  • the first plug-in coupling part 48 can be rotated so that the press ball 49' engages in the recess 49".
  • the steps mentioned can be carried out in reverse order or in the opposite direction, e.g. in an automated process.
  • the fluidic coupling point 53 has a media distributor 56 with a feed line 54 or a supply line 54 for medium and a discharge line 55 for medium.
  • the fluidic unit 40 can be positioned as a result of the coupling to the coupling point 51 in such a way that a connection is established between the feed line 54 and a feed channel 44 of the fluidic unit 40 and between the discharge line 55 and a discharge channel 45 of the fluidic unit 40.
  • O-rings 47 are provided for a fluid-tight connection between the fluidic unit 40 and the media distributor 56.
  • the fluidic unit 40 can be supplied with dosing material in dosing mode in accordance with a feed direction RZ via the media distributor 56 and the feed line 54.
  • the media distributor 56 is connected to the feed line 54 and lines or channels shown here only schematically and partially, e.g. hollow spaces in the base plate 50 and/or hoses, eg in the case of a rotary head without a flat base plate 50, in connection with a reservoir for dosing material.
  • the reservoir can be immobile and connected to the media distributor 56 by means of rotary unions in the rotation axis.
  • a movable reservoir 24 can be arranged on or at the rotation axis, as described with reference to Figure 6.
  • a flushing medium can be supplied to the fluidic unit 40 in a supply direction RZ via the media distributor 56 and the supply line 54.
  • the flushing medium can flow through the fluidic unit 40 and can thereby clean in particular a nozzle chamber 41' inside the nozzle 41 as well as other areas of the fluidic unit that come into contact with dosing material during dosing operation.
  • the nozzle 41 comprises a nozzle insert 41 which forms a nozzle opening 41" and delimits the nozzle 41 in an ejection direction RA'.
  • the flushing medium can exit the fluidic unit 40 again through the discharge channel 45 and is led away from the rotary head through the discharge line 55 and the lines or channels connected to it, which are only shown here purely schematically and partially, in accordance with a discharge direction RA.
  • used flushing medium can be disposed of by means of rotary unions in a stationary tank of the dosing device.
  • used flushing medium can be discharged directly from the rotary head by means of a media supply device which can be temporarily coupled to the rotary head, as described with reference to Figure 6.
  • the fluidic unit 40 has a movably mounted element 42, here an ejection element 42 or a tappet 42, wherein in the dosing mode a tappet head 43 is in operative contact with an actuator unit of the dosing valve coupled to the coupling point 51.
  • the tappet 42 can be moved intermittently in an ejection direction RA' by the actuator unit, whereby a drop of a dosing substance is dispensed onto the dosing surface 9.
  • the tappet 42 can then be brought into an initial position, e.g. by means of spring force, before a renewed deflection by the actuator unit takes place to dispense another drop of dosing substance.
  • an overpressure can be generated in the discharge channel 45 and/or in the discharge line 55 (compared to the dosing material pressure) in order to prevent dosing material from entering the discharge channel 45. It is also possible that the discharge channel 45 and/or the discharge line 55 are filled with dosing material during dosing operation.
  • Figure 6 shows a schematic view of a rotary head 2 and a media supply device 7 or tank device 7.
  • the rotary head 2 has, among other things, a rotary table 26 as a drive 26, a rotary axis 29 and a storage device 24 which is connected to the rotary axis 29 and a base plate 50 with metering valves 3 arranged thereon.
  • the base plate 50 has a control unit 21 which rotates during metering operation and is shown as an example, for example to control the metering operation of the metering valves 3.
  • the rotary head 2 can also be connected to a higher-level control device 6 of the metering device 1 ( Figure 1).
  • the rotary head 2 has a coupling point 25 for the tank device 7, the coupling point 25 being made up of several parts in order to separately contact two nozzles 72, 73 of the tank device 7.
  • the tank device 7 is designed to be movable in relation to the rotary head 2, e.g. in a direction of movement RB, so that a nozzle 72 for the supply line and a nozzle 73 for the return line can be temporarily and reversibly connected to the rotary head 2 by means of the coupling point 25, e.g. by inserting the nozzles 72, 73 into corresponding openings in the coupling point 25.
  • the tank device 7 is connected at the end by media lines 71, e.g. to storage units for dosing material, flushing medium and used flushing medium.
  • residual medium can be returned from the reservoir 24 through the nozzle 73 of the coupled tank device 7.
  • Fresh flushing medium can then be fed to the reservoir 24 through the nozzle 72.
  • used flushing medium is returned through the nozzle 73 of the tank device 7.
  • the reservoir 24 and lines or hoses of the rotary head 2 can then be cleaned of flushing medium using compressed air, whereby compressed air can be introduced into the reservoir 24 through the nozzle 72.
  • the reservoir can then be filled with fresh dosing material through the nozzle 72.
  • Figure 7 shows a schematic top view of a dosing surface 9, e.g. a punched-out sheet metal part.
  • a large number of individual dosing agent drops 80 are arranged on the dosing surface 9, which form five dosing circles 81 with different diameters on the dosing surface 9.
  • the respective dosing circles 81 are traced with dashed lines for clarity.
  • the dashed-line dosing circles 81 correspond to the circular paths on which the dosing valves are moved over the dosing surface 9 during dosing operation. It can be seen that the dosing frequency is constant along the circumference of the two outer dosing circles 81.
  • the middle dosing circle 81 here has a dosing frequency that is not constant or varies along the circumference.
  • the fourth dosing circle 81 from the outside here has, for example, a connected dosing agent track 82 made up of interconnected dosing agent drops 80.
  • the internal dosing circuit 81 has a constant dosing frequency along its circumference, whereby the size of the individual dosing droplets varies along the circumference of the dosing circuit 81.
  • Figure 8 shows a schematic view of a rotary head according to an embodiment of the invention, which is characterized by a particularly flat design.
  • the rotary head 2 has a plurality of metering valves, with the nozzles 41 of the metering valves and partly the actuator units 30 being visible.
  • the respective metering valves are detachably connected to a coupling point 51 in order to arrange the metering valves on a base element of the rotary head 2 (not shown here).
  • the base plate and further details of the rotary head 2, in particular details of the actuator units 30, are not shown here.
  • the rotary head 2 comprises inside there is a rotation axis (not visible here) that runs along the rotation axis of the rotary head 2 and that rotates during operation, thereby causing the base element and the metering valves to rotate.
  • the rotation axis can be designed, for example, to supply the actuator units 30 with compressed air by means of rotary unions.
  • the rotation axis is in operative contact with a belt 61 of a belt drive at the end, pointing away from the nozzles 41.
  • the belt drive has a controllable drive 60, here an electric motor 60, which drives the belt 61.
  • the electric motor 60 is part of the rotary head 2 and is radially spaced from the rotation axis and does not rotate during metering operation.
  • the electric motor 60, the rotation axis and the base plate as well as other components of the rotary head 2 are arranged here on a frame 63 or a holder 63, wherein the rotary head 2 can be moved thereon in a system, e.g. relative to other parts of a dosing device and/or relative to a dosing surface.
  • the rotary head 2 has two slip rings 62, 62', each of which is arranged on the outside of the rotating rotary head 2 and completely encircles an outer circumference of the rotating part of the rotary head 2.
  • the slip rings 62, 62' can be arranged on the rotation axis, for example, and rotate accordingly.
  • the slip rings 62, 62' are part of a power supply device for the contact-based or contact-based transmission of electrical energy to the rotary head 2.
  • two slip rings 62, 62' are provided for the voltage supply of the rotary head 2.
  • Each slip ring 62, 62' is assigned a brush 64, which contacts the respective slip ring 62, 62' at least during dosing operation.
  • dosing device and the rotary heads described in detail above are merely exemplary embodiments which can be modified in a variety of ways by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • a dosing device can also have several rotary heads which can be controlled separately and may be designed differently.
  • the use of the indefinite articles "a” or “an” does not exclude the possibility that the relevant features can also be present multiple times.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de dosage (1) ayant une tête rotative (2) et au moins une soupape de dosage (3), de préférence une soupape à jet (3), qui est disposée sur la tête rotative (2), ladite soupape de dosage (3) ayant une buse (41) pour distribuer une matière de dosage, un élément monté mobile (42) et une unité d'actionnement (30) couplée à l'élément monté mobile (42) et/ou à la buse (41). La tête rotative (2) est conçue pour générer une rotation continue (R) de la soupape de dosage (3) autour d'un axe de rotation (X) de la tête rotative (2) pendant le fonctionnement du dispositif de dosage (1). L'invention concerne également une tête rotative (2) pour un dispositif de dosage (1), un procédé de commande d'une tête rotative (2) d'un dispositif de dosage (1) et un procédé de production d'une tête rotative (2) pour un dispositif de dosage (1).
PCT/EP2024/066531 2023-06-26 2024-06-14 Dispositif de dosage à tête rotative Pending WO2025002845A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102023116674 2023-06-26
DE102023116674.3 2023-06-26
DE102023132149.8 2023-11-17
DE102023132149.8A DE102023132149A1 (de) 2023-06-26 2023-11-17 Dosiereinrichtung mit Rotationskopf

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2025002845A1 true WO2025002845A1 (fr) 2025-01-02

Family

ID=91621129

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2024/066531 Pending WO2025002845A1 (fr) 2023-06-26 2024-06-14 Dispositif de dosage à tête rotative

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2025002845A1 (fr)

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5564877A (en) * 1995-01-10 1996-10-15 Reynolds Metals Company Liner machine for applying sealing compound to can ends
US6391387B1 (en) * 1998-11-25 2002-05-21 Preferred Machining Corporation Pivoting fluid dispensing method
US20050000417A1 (en) * 2002-06-05 2005-01-06 Jose Penalver Garcia Edging/gumming machine for non-circular metal covers intended for containers
WO2010130054A1 (fr) * 2009-05-14 2010-11-18 Savior Power Corporation Système pour déverser de l'eau vers une turbine afin de produire de l'électricité
US9181002B2 (en) * 2010-12-17 2015-11-10 Industrias Penalver, S.L. Revarnishing head for lids of a rounded shape
US20170050202A1 (en) * 2014-04-30 2017-02-23 Industrias Peñalver, S.L. Programmable Concentric Head for the Application of Liquid to Lids of Different Shapes
DE102017122034A1 (de) 2017-09-22 2019-03-28 Vermes Microdispensing GmbH Dosiersystem mit Aktoreinheit und lösbar koppelbarer Fluidikeinheit
KR102214916B1 (ko) * 2018-12-12 2021-02-10 (주)세경하이테크 휴대폰 글라스의 곡면 에지 코팅 장치 및 그 방법
DE102021109850A1 (de) 2021-04-19 2022-10-20 Vermes Microdispensing GmbH Dosiermodul

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5564877A (en) * 1995-01-10 1996-10-15 Reynolds Metals Company Liner machine for applying sealing compound to can ends
US6391387B1 (en) * 1998-11-25 2002-05-21 Preferred Machining Corporation Pivoting fluid dispensing method
US20050000417A1 (en) * 2002-06-05 2005-01-06 Jose Penalver Garcia Edging/gumming machine for non-circular metal covers intended for containers
WO2010130054A1 (fr) * 2009-05-14 2010-11-18 Savior Power Corporation Système pour déverser de l'eau vers une turbine afin de produire de l'électricité
US9181002B2 (en) * 2010-12-17 2015-11-10 Industrias Penalver, S.L. Revarnishing head for lids of a rounded shape
US20170050202A1 (en) * 2014-04-30 2017-02-23 Industrias Peñalver, S.L. Programmable Concentric Head for the Application of Liquid to Lids of Different Shapes
DE102017122034A1 (de) 2017-09-22 2019-03-28 Vermes Microdispensing GmbH Dosiersystem mit Aktoreinheit und lösbar koppelbarer Fluidikeinheit
KR102214916B1 (ko) * 2018-12-12 2021-02-10 (주)세경하이테크 휴대폰 글라스의 곡면 에지 코팅 장치 및 그 방법
DE102021109850A1 (de) 2021-04-19 2022-10-20 Vermes Microdispensing GmbH Dosiermodul

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