EP3900840B1 - Nozzle arrangement for applying fluid, use of the nozzle arrangement and system for applying fluids - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates generally to the application of fluids, including thermoplastic or fibrous adhesives, to a substrate through at least one nozzle arrangement which is preferably releasably attached to a mounting surface of a distributor or a distributor head, said distributor or distributor head typically serving to supply the fluid to be applied to the at least one nozzle arrangement.

The purpose of such a system is to apply fluids to, for example, substrates moving relative to the at least one nozzle arrangement, and in particular to apply adhesives in partial spray patterns to partially cover a substrate.

The publication DE 295 19 681 U1 relates to an adhesive nozzle for applying an adhesive or other viscous mass in strips to a surface with the aid of a spray air stream surrounding the mass strand, with an inner tube, the lower end of which forms a nozzle opening for the mass, an outer tube which tightly surrounds the inner tube, and a number of grooves on the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube which, together with the outer tube, form spray air channels which end in the peripheral region of the nozzle opening for the viscous mass.

The publication EN 10 2005 056 006 A1 relates to a device for conveying powder and a collecting nozzle which can be used in the powder conveying device.

The publication EP 0 872 580 A discloses, for example, a plurality of meltblowing nozzle assemblies or nozzles mountable side by side at one or both ends of a conventional manifold or manifold head which provides a metered supply of adhesive to each nozzle assembly. The nozzle assemblies each comprise a plurality of substantially parallel plate members defining a row of adhesive dispensing orifices on an exit surface. The row of fluid exit orifices of each nozzle assembly forms a portion of a longer row defined by the a plurality of adjacent nozzle assemblies arranged along a common end of the manifold head. One or both sides of the manifold may be mounted adjacent to the side of a similarly constructed manifold head to form even longer rows of fluid exit orifices, thereby providing a modular meltblown adhesive dispensing system which accommodates substrate of any dimensional width.

In some adhesive dispensing applications, the adhesive is applied to cover the full width of the substrate, and in other applications it is desirable to apply the adhesive only to selected sections or areas of the substrate and to keep other sections or areas of the substrate free of adhesive. This is the case, for example, in applications where a fold-over area of a substrate needs to be provided with adhesive.

Folding is the process of folding a material around a partial edge by 90 degrees or 180 degrees. The folded area thus formed is then often attached to a carrier part using a suitable joining process, in particular gluing.

Such folding processes are used in particular in the automotive industry for trim parts. The increasingly complex three-dimensional geometries of the trim parts pose a great challenge for the joining processes to be used. One particular problem is to apply an appropriate adhesive pattern evenly and continuously in folding areas using a nozzle arrangement guided by a robot arm.

FIG.1 shows in a schematic and isometric view a conventional system 50 for applying thermoplastic adhesives 20 to a substrate 21 having corresponding folding areas.

The System 50 according to FIG.1 consists essentially of a distributor head 30, which is preferably provided with a (in FIG.1 not shown) robot arm, and which is movable along a direction of movement relative to the substrate 21. In a mounting area of the distributor head 30, a nozzle arrangement 101 is preferably exchangeably connected to the distributor head 30. The distributor head 30 serves to provide the nozzle arrangement 101 to supply the thermoplastic adhesive 20 to be sprayed and, if necessary, forming air etc. in a suitable manner.

The nozzle arrangement 101 used in the conventional system 50 for applying thermoplastic adhesives 20 to a substrate 21 has a base body 102 which - seen in plan view - is at least substantially rectangular and which is connected to the mounting area of the distributor head 30.

The base body of the nozzle arrangement 101 has a front side surface via which thermoplastic adhesive 20 to be applied to the exit surface of the substrate 21 is dispensed.

For this purpose - as in FIG.1 indicated - an outlet nozzle 105 is formed on the front side surface of the base body 102 of the nozzle arrangement 101, wherein the outlet opening of the outlet nozzle 105 is designed such that a main flow axis predetermined by the outlet opening, along which the adhesive jet 20 emitted by the outlet nozzle moves, encloses a right angle (90 degrees) with the front side surface of the base body 102.

The basic problem with this design of the nozzle arrangement 101 is that when the distributor head 30 moves relative to the substrate 21 in the direction of the FIG.1 In the direction of movement indicated by the arrow, there is a risk that, due to the complex three-dimensional geometry of the substrate 21, the distributor head 30 either comes into contact with the substrate 21 or certain areas of the substrate 21, in particular areas in a folding area of the substrate 21, can no longer be reached by the nozzle arrangement 101.

Based on this problem, the invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a nozzle arrangement for applying fluids, in particular thermoplastic adhesives, to a substrate, wherein this nozzle arrangement allows the thermoplastic adhesive or fluid to be applied in a targeted manner even in the case of complicated geometric geometries of the substrate.

Furthermore, a correspondingly optimized system for applying fluids, in particular thermoplastic adhesives, to substrates with a correspondingly complex geometry is to be specified.

With regard to the nozzle arrangement, the object underlying the invention is solved by the subject matter of independent patent claim 1, wherein advantageous further developments of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention are specified in dependent patent claims 2 to 11.

With regard to the system, the object underlying the invention is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claim 13.

The independent patent claim 12 relates to the use of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention for applying a fluid, in particular thermoplastic adhesive, to a folding area of a component.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a nozzle arrangement for applying fluids, in particular thermoplastic adhesives, to a substrate, wherein the nozzle arrangement has a spray nozzle that can preferably be used interchangeably with a mounting region of a distributor.

In order to ensure that the thermoplastic adhesive or fluid can be applied in a targeted manner using the nozzle arrangement even in the case of complicated geometric geometries of the substrate, the invention provides that the spray nozzle of the nozzle arrangement is designed as a relatively long finger spray nozzle which has a relatively small diameter in order to enable the fluid (in particular the thermoplastic adhesive) to be applied in a targeted manner using the spray nozzle even to areas of the substrate which are otherwise difficult to access.

In this context, a two-part construction of the spray nozzle is provided for the design of the finger spray nozzle, wherein the spray nozzle has a nozzle body extending in the longitudinal direction of the spray nozzle, in particular a rod-shaped nozzle body, as the first component, and a nozzle housing as the second component, in which the nozzle body is received or can be received at least in some areas.

At least one first fluid channel and preferably exactly one (single) first fluid channel for the fluid to be applied to the substrate is formed in the nozzle body, which is in particular rod-shaped. This preferably single first fluid channel extends in particular coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body, which is in particular rod-shaped.

The spray nozzle of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention is designed to dispense the fluid and in particular the thermoplastic adhesive in a spiral shape at the end nozzle outlet area of the spray nozzle. In particular, it is desirable in this context that the fluid is dispensed in a spiral that is as perfect as possible at the end nozzle outlet area of the spray nozzle. The spiral dispensing of the fluid at the end nozzle outlet area of the spray nozzle has the decisive advantage that the nozzle arrangement does not always have to be aligned accordingly with regard to the surface of the substrate when the fluid is applied. This is generally not possible, or only possible with great effort, particularly when applying fluids in a folding area, since the shape of the substrate in folding areas is generally very complex and the nozzle arrangement has to be realigned again and again with regard to the complex shape of the folding area when aligning the nozzle arrangement relative to the substrate.

In order to form a spiral shape of the fluid discharged from the first fluid channel at the nozzle outlet region of the spray nozzle, appropriate shaping air is used in the solution according to the invention.

In this context, it is provided that a plurality of second fluid channels for shaping air are formed at least in some areas between a lateral surface of the nozzle body and an inner surface of the nozzle housing of the spray nozzle. At the end nozzle outlet area of the spray nozzle, these second fluid channels for the shaping air extend in the direction of a nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body in such a way that a spiral-shaped deflection of the fluid delivered or to be delivered from the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body can be or is brought about with the shaping air delivered by the second fluid channels at the nozzle outlet area.

According to preferred implementations of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention, it is provided that the nozzle housing is designed at least in regions as a sleeve-shaped body which at least in regions surrounds the nozzle body.

In this case, it is advisable that the nozzle housing is or can be fastened, preferably together with the nozzle body, to a connection area of a connection body of the nozzle arrangement, in particular in a detachable and/or replaceable manner.

In order to fasten the nozzle housing with the nozzle body to the connection area of the connection body, according to preferred embodiments of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention, a compression screw connection effected via a union nut is used on the connection area of the connection body.

This design has the decisive advantage that by loosening the union nut, both the nozzle housing and the nozzle body can be removed from the connection area of the connection body. By loosening the union nut, the connection between the nozzle housing and the nozzle body is also released, so that both components can be cleaned and/or maintained separately or the two components can be replaced independently of each other.

Different designs are possible for the formation of the nozzle body, which is particularly rod-shaped.

In particular, according to preferred implementations of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention, it is provided that the preferably exactly one first fluid channel, which extends in particular coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body, is designed as a through-bore in the rod-shaped nozzle body.

To form the second fluid channels, it is advisable for the nozzle body, which is in particular rod-shaped, to have a polygonal cross-sectional profile at least in some areas. If the rod-shaped nozzle body with the polygonal cross-sectional profile is accommodated in the nozzle housing, the individual second fluid channels are formed in the area of the surfaces of the polygonal cross-sectional profile.

According to preferred realizations of the rod-shaped nozzle body, it has in particular a hexagonal cross-sectional profile with a diameter of 6 mm to 10 mm and a key surface dimension of the hexagon between 5 mm and 9 mm.

In such a rod-shaped nozzle body, a total of six second fluid channels are formed due to the hexagonal cross-sectional profile when the rod-shaped nozzle body is accommodated in the nozzle housing.

In principle, it is advantageous if the diameter of the rod-shaped nozzle body is in a range between 6 mm and 12 mm and preferably in a range between 6 mm and 10 mm. With these dimensions, a particularly "slim" finger spray nozzle can be realized.

As an alternative to the last-mentioned embodiment, it is conceivable that the nozzle body, in particular rod-shaped, has at least in some regions an at least substantially circular-cylindrical cross-sectional profile, wherein groove regions extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body are formed in the lateral surface of the circular-cylindrical nozzle body to form the second fluid channels.

In order to achieve the most perfect spiral shape possible of the fluid discharged via the first fluid channel at the end nozzle outlet region of the spray nozzle, the second fluid channels should be formed uniformly over the jacket surface of the nozzle body and in particular in an equidistant manner from one another.

In the nozzle arrangement according to the invention, it is provided that the nozzle body is designed as a substantially cylindrical nozzle body, at least in the region in which it is received by the nozzle housing, at least in regions, wherein groove regions extending in the longitudinal direction of the spray nozzle and/or recessed regions extending in the longitudinal direction of the spray nozzle with respect to the outer surface of the cylindrical body are formed in the substantially cylindrical nozzle body, which regions, together with the inner surface of the nozzle housing, at least in regions delimit the second fluid channels.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, it is provided that at the end nozzle outlet region of the spray nozzle at least the inner surface of the nozzle housing has a conical shape that tapers in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body and in particular is adapted to a conical shape of the nozzle body, in such a way that at least at the nozzle outlet region of the spray nozzle the second fluid channels are aligned decentered in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body and in particular with regard to the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body.

This aspect is a particularly simple but nevertheless effective measure to achieve the most perfect spiral shape possible of the fluid discharged from the first fluid channel at the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body.

In this context, it is advantageous that groove and/or recess areas are formed in the nozzle body at the end nozzle outlet area of the spray nozzle, which are each fluidly connected to one of the second fluid channels. In this way, the shaping air transported by the second fluid channels can be delivered in a targeted manner to the end nozzle outlet area of the spray nozzle.

At the end nozzle outlet region of the spray nozzle, the nozzle body preferably has a conical shape tapering in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body with a cone angle of preferably 30 degrees to 120 degrees and in particular with a cone angle of 50 degrees to 100 degrees.

By varying the cone angle, the radius of the spiral shape of the fluid discharged from the first fluid channel at the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body can be varied. By reducing the cone angle, the diameter/radius of the spiral shape is thus reduced.

According to preferred implementations of the spray nozzle according to the invention, the nozzle body - seen in the longitudinal direction of the spray nozzle - has a length of 20 mm to 100 mm and preferably a length of 30 mm to 80 mm and more preferably a length of 40 mm to 60 mm.

Alternatively or additionally, it is advantageous if the nozzle body with the nozzle housing has an average diameter of no more than 20 mm and preferably an average diameter of no more than 15 mm. Particularly slim finger spray nozzles can thus be realized with the solution according to the invention.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, it is provided that in a state of the spray nozzle mounted on the connection region of the connection body, a preferably annular region is formed in a region between the connection body and the spray nozzle, which on the one hand is fluidly connected to a source of shaping air, in particular to a compressed air source, and on the other hand is fluidly connected to the second fluid channels of the spray nozzle.

By providing such a preferably annular region at the connection region of the connection body, it is ensured that a preferably equal and constant amount of shaping air per unit of time is fed into every second fluid channel.

According to a further development of the aforementioned aspect, it is provided in particular that a seal, in particular in the form of a sealing ring, is assigned to the nozzle body for separating the in particular annular region for shaping air and a region preferably arranged axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body, via which the fluid to be applied to the substrate can be fed into the first fluid channel of the spray nozzle.

The invention further relates to the use of the aforementioned nozzle arrangement according to the invention for applying a fluid, in particular thermoplastic adhesive, to a folding area of a component.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for applying fluids, in particular thermoplastic adhesives, to a substrate, wherein the system comprises a distributor head which is movable along a direction of movement relative to the Substrate is movable. Preferably, the distributor head is connected or connectable to a robot arm.

The system further comprises at least one nozzle arrangement of the type according to the invention described above, which is preferably exchangeably connected to the distributor head in a mounting region of the distributor head.

The nozzle arrangement according to the invention makes it possible, in particular, that when the fluid is applied to the substrate, even particularly complex geometric regions of the substrate can effectively reach the region of the nozzle outlet opening of the spray nozzle without contact occurring between the nozzle arrangement or the distributor or distributor head and the substrate.

The invention further relates to a method for applying fluids, in particular thermoplastic adhesives, to a substrate, wherein for this purpose a nozzle arrangement is moved relative to the substrate in a direction of movement, wherein the nozzle arrangement is in particular a nozzle arrangement of the type according to the invention described above.

In the application method according to the invention, a fluid jet is further discharged through the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body of the nozzle arrangement, in particular during the movement of the nozzle arrangement relative to the substrate.

In this case, it is particularly provided that the fluid jet emitted through the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body is preferably deflected with the aid of shaping air, in particular for producing a spiral-shaped pattern of the fluid jet to be applied to the substrate.

Advantageously, the substrate is a component with a folding region, wherein during the discharge of the fluid jet through the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body, the nozzle arrangement is moved at least partially into the folding region of the substrate.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1

schematisch und in einer isometrischen Ansicht ein herkömmliches System zum Auftragen von thermoplastischen Klebstoffen auf ein Substrat;

FIG. 2

schematisch und in einer isometrischen Ansicht eine exemplarische Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Systems zum Auftragen von thermoplastischen Klebstoffen auf ein Substrat;

FIG. 3

schematisch und in einer isometrischen Ansicht eine weitere exemplarische Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Systems zum Auftragen von thermoplastischen Klebstoffen auf ein Substrat;

FIG. 4

schematisch und in einer isometrischen Explosionsdarstellung eine erste exemplarische Ausführungsform einer Sprühdüse der erfindungsgemäßen Düsenanordnung;

FIG. 5

schematisch und in einer isometrischen Ansicht die exemplarische Ausführungsform der Sprühdüse der erfindungsgemäßen Düsenanordnung gemäß FIG. 4 im zusammengebauten Zustand;

FIG. 6

schematisch und in einer isometrischen Detailansicht den Düsenkörper der Düsenanordnung gemäß FIG. 4 an dem endseitigen Düsenauslassbereich;

FIG. 7

schematisch und in einer isometrischen Explosionsdarstellung eine weitere exemplarische Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Düsenanordnung;

FIG. 8

schematisch und in einer isometrischen Ansicht die weitere exemplarische Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Düsenanordnung gemäß FIG. 7 im zusammengebauten Zustand;

FIG. 9

schematisch und in einer isometrischen Detailansicht den Düsenkörper der Düsenanordnung gemäß FIG. 7 an dem endseitigen Düsenauslassbereich;

FIG. 10

schematisch und in einer Seitenansicht eine weitere exemplarische Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Düsenanordnung;

FIG. 11

schematisch und in einer Längsschnittansicht die weitere exemplarische Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Düsenanordnung gemäß FIG. 10; und

FIG. 12

schematisch und in einer isometrischen Ansicht die exemplarische Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Systems gemäß FIG. 2 beim Auftragen eines thermoplastischen Klebstoffes auf ein Substrat.

Show it:

FIG.1

schematically and in an isometric view a conventional system for applying thermoplastic adhesives to a substrate;

FIG.2

schematically and in an isometric view an exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention for applying thermoplastic adhesives to a substrate;

FIG.3

schematically and in an isometric view another exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention for applying thermoplastic adhesives to a substrate;

FIG.4

schematically and in an isometric exploded view a first exemplary embodiment of a spray nozzle of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention;

FIG.5

schematically and in an isometric view the exemplary embodiment of the spray nozzle of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention according to FIG.4 in assembled condition;

FIG.6

schematically and in an isometric detail view the nozzle body of the nozzle arrangement according to FIG.4 at the end nozzle outlet area;

FIG.7

schematically and in an isometric exploded view a further exemplary embodiment of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention;

FIG.8

schematically and in an isometric view the further exemplary embodiment of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention according to FIG.7 in assembled condition;

FIG.9

schematically and in an isometric detail view the nozzle body of the nozzle arrangement according to FIG.7 at the end nozzle outlet area;

FIG.10

schematically and in a side view a further exemplary embodiment of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention;

FIG.11

schematically and in a longitudinal sectional view the further exemplary embodiment of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention according to FIG.10 ; and

FIG.12

schematically and in an isometric view the exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention according to FIG.2 when applying a thermoplastic adhesive to a substrate.

It has long been recognized that thermoplastic adhesives form good binding agents. They harden quickly, which is a particular advantage when the adhesive is applied gradually and the parts to be bonded are then bonded immediately, and the bond obtained is very strong. Furthermore, the choice of components from which thermoplastic adhesives can be composed is so large that an appropriate adhesive composition can easily be produced for a given purpose.

However, certain difficulties have arisen in the way of the widespread use of these adhesives, in that the thermoplastic adhesive cannot be applied in an automated manner to certain, selected areas of a substrate, particularly those with a complex geometry, or can only be applied with great difficulty. This applies in particular to the folding areas of substrates designed as molded bodies.

In FIG.1 is shown schematically and in an isometric view a conventional system 50 with which a thermoplastic adhesive 20 is applied in an automated manner to certain areas of a substrate formed as a molded part. The conventional system 50 for applying thermoplastic adhesives 20 to a substrate 21 formed as a molded body has a distributor head 30, which is preferably provided with a FIG.1 is connected or connectable to a robot arm, not shown, and which is movable along a direction of movement relative to the substrate 21 with the aid of the robot arm.

As in FIG.1 As shown, the conventional system 50 for applying thermoplastic adhesives further comprises a nozzle arrangement 101, which is preferably interchangeably connected to the distributor head 30 in a mounting area of the distributor head 30. The nozzle arrangement 101 is essentially formed by an approximately rectangular base body 102, via which the nozzle arrangement 101 is connected to the mounting area of the distributor head 30. This - seen in plan view - essentially rectangular base body 102 of the nozzle arrangement 101 has a front side surface 103 in which an outlet nozzle 105 is formed. The main flow axis defined by the outlet nozzle 105 or the outlet opening of the outlet nozzle 105, along which the thermoplastic adhesive material 20 discharged from the outlet nozzle 105 moves, forms an at least substantially right angle with the front side surface 103 of the base body 102 of the nozzle arrangement 101. Furthermore, the front side surface 103 of the base body 102 is in the direction of movement of the distributor.

In applications of the conventional system 50 for molded parts with complex geometric structures and in particular folding areas, it is generally unavoidable that either parts of the system, in particular the distributor head or the nozzle arrangement, come into contact with areas of the molded part or that not all necessary areas of the molded part can be reached with the nozzle arrangement.

In order to solve this problem, an optimized nozzle arrangement 1 is proposed according to the invention, exemplary embodiments of this nozzle arrangement 1 being described below with reference to the illustrations in FIG. 2 to FIG. 12 be described in more detail.

In detail, FIG.2 in a schematic and isometric view, an exemplary embodiment of the system 19 according to the invention is shown, wherein this system 19 serves for applying fluids 20, in particular thermoplastic adhesives, to a substrate 21, and wherein the system 19 essentially comprises a distributor head 2, which is preferably connected or connectable to a robot arm, and which is movable along a direction of movement relative to the (in FIG.2 not shown) substrate 21 is movable.

This in FIG.2 The system 19 shown schematically further comprises a nozzle arrangement 1 which is preferably exchangeably connected to the distributor head 2 in a mounting region of the distributor head 2.

The structure and functionality of the FIG.2 The nozzle arrangement 1 used in the schematically shown system 19 are described below with reference to the illustrations in FIG. 4 to FIG. 11 described in more detail.

FIG.3 shows in a schematic and isometric view an alternative embodiment of the system 19 according to the invention for applying fluids 20 to a (also in FIG.3 not shown) substrate 21. The FIG.3 schematically shown exemplary embodiment of the system 19 according to the invention essentially differs from that shown in FIG.2 schematically shown system 19 by the structure of the distributor head 2, to which the nozzle arrangement 1 according to the invention is connected.

The following are based on the illustrations in FIG. 4 to FIG. 11 exemplary embodiments of the nozzle arrangement 1 according to the invention or the spray nozzles 3 of the nozzle arrangement 1 according to the invention are described in more detail.

In brief, all embodiments have in common that the nozzle arrangement 1 serves to apply fluids 20, in particular thermoplastic adhesives, to a substrate 21, wherein the nozzle arrangement 1 has a connecting body 9 that can preferably be exchangeably connected to a mounting area of a distributor 2 and a spray nozzle 3 that can preferably be exchangeably connected to the connecting body 9.

As is particularly evident in the exploded views in FIG.4 and FIG.7 and the sectional view in FIG.11 can be removed, the spray nozzle 3 according to the invention has an essentially two-part structure, namely consisting of a nozzle body 5 extending in the longitudinal direction 4 of the spray nozzle 3, in particular a rod-shaped nozzle body, and a nozzle housing 7. The nozzle housing 7 has a sleeve-shaped base body.

A first fluid channel 6 for the fluid 20 to be applied to the substrate 21 is formed in the rod-shaped nozzle body 5. In this context, to the detailed view, for example in FIG.6 or in FIG.9 or on the section view in FIG.11 The first fluid channel 6 extends in particular coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the (rod-shaped) nozzle body 5.

A plurality of second fluid channels 10 are formed between the outer surface of the rod-shaped nozzle body 5 and the inner surface of the nozzle housing 7, which is in particular sleeve-shaped in some areas and serves to supply shaping air to the end nozzle outlet region 11 of the spray nozzle 3. In particular, the shaping air supplied with the aid of the second fluid channels 10 serves to cause a spiral-shaped deflection of the fluid 20 discharged or to be discharged from the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body 5.

In detail, and as it is particularly the case, for example, with the sectional view in FIG.11 can be removed, the nozzle housing 7 of the spray nozzle 3 is designed at least in some areas as a sleeve-shaped body which at least in some areas surrounds the (rod-shaped) nozzle body 5. In this case, it is provided in particular that the nozzle housing 7 can be fastened, preferably together with the nozzle body 5, to the connection area 12 of the connection body 9, in particular in a detachable and/or exchangeable manner, in particular with the aid of a compression screw connection on the connection area 12 of the connection body 9, effected by a union nut 13.

On the other hand, the (particularly rod-shaped) nozzle body 5 is designed, at least in the area in which it is received by the nozzle housing 7, at least in some areas as a substantially cylindrical nozzle body 5, wherein groove areas 14 extending in the longitudinal direction 4 of the spray nozzle 3 or areas 15 extending in the longitudinal direction 4 of the spray nozzle 3 and recessed with respect to the outer surface of the cylindrical nozzle body 5 are formed in the substantially cylindrical nozzle body 5. These areas (groove areas 14 or recessed areas 15) together with the inner surface of the nozzle housing 7 at least in some areas delimit the individual second fluid channels 10 of the spray nozzle 3.

At the FIG. 7 to FIG. 9 In the exemplary embodiment of the nozzle arrangement 1 according to the invention shown, it is provided that the rod-shaped nozzle body 5 has a polygonal cross-sectional profile at least in some areas, in order to form the corresponding second fluid channels 10 over the surface areas 15 of the polygonal cross-sectional profile (and the inner surface of the nozzle housing 7).

In detail, the embodiment according to FIG. 7 to FIG. 9 It is provided that the particularly rod-shaped nozzle body 5 has a hexagonal cross-sectional profile at least in some regions, so as to form a total of six second fluid channels 10 together with the nozzle housing 7.

According to preferred implementations, it is provided in this context that the diameter of the rod-shaped nozzle body 5 is preferably in a range between 6 mm and 12 mm and particularly preferably in a range between 6 mm and 10 mm.

In particular in FIG.9 recognizable hexagonal cross-sectional profile shape of the rod-shaped nozzle body 5, the diameter of the rod-shaped nozzle body 5 is in particular 6 mm to 10 mm with a wrench surface dimension of the hexagon between 5 mm and 9 mm.

At the FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 The exemplary embodiment of the nozzle arrangement 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 is in contrast to the embodiment previously described with reference to the illustrations in FIG. 7 to FIG. 9 In the embodiment described, the rod-shaped nozzle body 5 of the spray nozzle 3 is provided at least in regions with a substantially circular-cylindrical cross-sectional profile, wherein groove regions 14 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body 5 are formed in the lateral surface of the circular-cylindrical nozzle body 5 to form the second fluid channels 10.

Regardless of the question of how the second fluid channels 10 are ultimately formed, the second fluid channels 10 should be formed uniformly over the lateral surface of the nozzle body 5 and in particular in an equidistant manner from one another in order to be able to effect the most optimal spiral-shaped deflection possible of the fluid discharged from the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body 5 at the nozzle outlet region 11.

The exemplary embodiments of the nozzle arrangement 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings also have in common that the nozzle body 5 has a conical shape tapering towards the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body 5 at the end nozzle outlet area 11 of the spray nozzle 3, with a cone angle of preferably 30 degrees to 120 degrees and in particular with a cone angle of preferably 50 degrees to 100 degrees. In this context, reference is made, for example, to the detailed view in FIG.6 or in FIG.9 or on the section view in FIG.11 referred to.

In the same way, in the nozzle arrangements 1 shown in the drawings, it is provided that at the end nozzle outlet area 11 of the spray nozzle 3 at least the inner surface of the nozzle housing 7 has a conical shape that tapers in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body 5 and is particularly adapted to a conical shape of the nozzle body 5, in such a way that at least at the nozzle outlet area 11 of the spray nozzle 3 the second fluid channels 10 are aligned decentered in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body 5 and in particular with regard to the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body 5. In this context, particular reference is made to the detailed view in FIG.9 referred to.

Also the detail view in FIG.6 or FIG.9 It can be seen that according to embodiments of the nozzle arrangement 1 according to the invention, groove and/or recess regions 8 are formed in the nozzle body 5 at the end nozzle outlet region 11 of the spray nozzle 3, which are each fluidly connected to one of the second fluid channels 10.

The sectional view in FIG.11 It can be seen that in a state of the spray nozzle 3 mounted on the connection area 12 of the connection body 9, a preferably annular area 17 is formed in an area between the connection body 9 and the spray nozzle 3, which on the one hand is connected in terms of flow to a source of shaping air, in particular to a compressed air source (not in FIG.10 shown), and on the other hand is fluidly connected to the second fluid channels 10 of the spray nozzle 3.

Furthermore, the sectional view according to FIG.11 It can be seen that the nozzle body 5 is assigned a seal 18, in particular in the form of a sealing ring, in order to separate the in particular annular region 17 for shaping air and a region which is preferably arranged axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body 5 and via which the fluid to be applied to the substrate 21 is fed into the first fluid channel 6 of the spray nozzle 3.

The invention further relates to the use of the nozzle arrangement 1 according to the invention for applying a fluid, in particular thermoplastic adhesive, to a folding area of a component, as shown schematically and in an isometric view in FIG.12 is shown.

With the help of the second fluid channels 10, shaping air (compressed air) is directed in the direction of the thermoplastic adhesive jet emitted from the end nozzle outlet region 11 of the spray nozzle 3 in order to thus suitably deflect the adhesive jet 20. In particular, it is provided in this context that the emitted thermoplastic adhesive jet is deflected in a spiral shape.

List of reference symbols

1

Nozzle arrangement

2

Distributor/distributor head

3

Spray nozzle

4

Longitudinal direction of the spray gland

5

Nozzle body

6

first fluid channel

7

Nozzle housing

8th

Groove/recess areas at the nozzle outlet area

9

Nozzle assembly connector

10

second fluid channels

11

Nozzle outlet area

12

Connection area of the connector body

13

Union nut

14

Groove areas for forming the second fluid channels

15

Surface areas for forming the second fluid channels

17

annular area for shaping air

18

poetry

19

System for applying fluids

20

thermoplastic adhesive

21

Substrat

30

Distribution head (state of the art)

50

System for applying thermoplastic adhesive (state of the art)

101

Nozzle arrangement (state of the art)

102

Base body (state of the art)

103

front side surface (state of the art)

105

Outlet nozzle (state of the art)

Claims (13)

1. A nozzle arrangement (1) for applying fluids (20), in particular thermoplastic adhesives, onto a substrate (21), wherein the nozzle arrangement (1) comprises a terminal body (9) that can be preferably exchangeably connected to a mounting region of a manifold (30) and a spray nozzle (3) that can be preferably exchangeably connected to the terminal body (9), wherein the spray nozzle (3) comprises a nozzle body (5) extending in the longitudinal direction (4) of the spray nozzle (3), being in particular rod-shaped and having at least one and preferably exactly one first fluid channel (6), which extends in particular coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body (5), for the fluid (20) to be applied onto the substrate (21), wherein the spray nozzle (3) further comprises a nozzle housing (7), in which the nozzle body (5) is or can be received at least in regions, wherein, between a lateral surface of the nozzle body (5) and an inner surface of the nozzle housing (7), a plurality of second fluid channels (10) are configured at least in regions for shaping air, wherein, at an end-side nozzle outlet region (11) of the spray nozzle (3), the second fluid channels (10) extend in the direction of a nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body (5) in such a way that, with the shaping air output by the second fluid channels (10) at the nozzle outlet region (11), a spiral-shaped deflection of the fluid (20) that is output or to be output by the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body (5) is or can be effected,
   wherein, at least in the region in which it is received by the nozzle housing (7), the nozzle body (5) is configured at least regionally as a substantially cylindrical nozzle body (5), characterized in that, in the substantially cylindrical nozzle body (5), groove regions (14) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body (5) and/or regions (15) that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body (5) and are recessed in relation to the lateral surface of the cylindrical nozzle body (5) are formed, which, together with the inner surface of the nozzle housing (7), at least partially limit the second fluid channels (10), wherein, at the end-side nozzle outlet region (11) of the spray nozzle (3), at least the inner surface of the nozzle housing (7) has a conical shape that tapers in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body (5) and is in particular adapted to a cone shape of the nozzle body (5), such that, at least at the nozzle outlet region (11) of the spray nozzle (3), the second fluid channels (10) are aligned in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body (5) and in particular in a decentered manner in relation to the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body (5).
2. The nozzle arrangement (1) according to claim 1,
   wherein the nozzle housing (7) is configured, at least in regions, as a sleeve-shaped body, which surrounds the nozzle body (5) at least in regions, wherein the nozzle housing (7) can preferably be fastened, in particular in a detachable and/or exchangeable manner, together with the nozzle body (5) at a terminal region (12) of the terminal body (9), in particular with the aid of a squeeze connection produced by a swivel nut (13) at the terminal region (12) of the terminal body (9).
3. The nozzle arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2,
   wherein the in particular rod-shaped nozzle body (5) has, at least in regions, a multi-edged cross-sectional profile, wherein the diameter of the rod-shaped nozzle body (5) is preferably in a range between 6 mm and 12 mm, preferably between 6 mm and 10 mm, wherein the in particular rod-shaped nozzle body (5) preferably has, at least in regions, in particular a hexagonal cross-sectional profile with a diameter of between 6 mm and 10 mm and a wide square measure of the hexagon of between 5 mm and 9 mm.
4. The nozzle arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2,
   wherein the in particular rod-shaped nozzle body (5) has, at least in regions, an at least substantially circular-cylindrical cross-sectional profile, wherein the groove regions (14) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body (5) are configured in the lateral surface of the circular-cylindrical nozzle body (5) in order to form the second fluid channels (10).
5. The nozzle arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
   wherein the second fluid channels (10) are configured so as to be uniform in relation to one another over the lateral surface of the nozzle body (5), being configured in particular equidistant to one another.
6. The nozzle arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
   wherein a total of at least three second fluid channels (10) and preferably at least five second fluid channels (10) and more preferably precisely six second fluid channels (10) are configured uniformly in relation to one another over the lateral surface of the nozzle body (5), being configured in particular equidistant to one another.
7. The nozzle arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
   wherein groove and/or recess regions (8) are formed in the nozzle body (5) on the end-side nozzle outlet region (11) of the spray nozzle (3), each of which is fluidically connected to one of the second fluid channels (10).
8. The nozzle arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
   wherein, at the end-side nozzle outlet region (11) of the spray nozzle (3), the nozzle body (5) has a conical shape which tapers in the direction of the nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body (5) with a cone angle of preferably 30 degrees to 120 degrees and in particular with a cone angle of preferably 50 degrees to 100 degrees.
9. The nozzle arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

   wherein the nozzle body (5), when viewed in the longitudinal direction (4) of the spray nozzle (3), has a length between 20 mm and 100 mm, and preferably a length between 30 mm and 80 mm, and more preferably a length between 40 mm and 60 mm; and/or

   the nozzle body (5) with the nozzle housing (7) has a maximum average diameter of 20 mm and preferably a maximum average diameter of 15 mm.
10. The nozzle arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
    wherein the spray nozzle (3) is mounted on the connecting region (12) of the connecting body (9), a preferably ring-shaped region (17) is formed in a region between the connecting body (9) and the spray nozzle (3) and, on the one hand, is fluidically connected to a source for shaping air, in particular with a compressed air source, and, on the other hand, is fluidically connected to the second fluid channels (10) of the spray nozzle (3).
11. The nozzle arrangement (1) according to claim 10,
    wherein a seal (18), in particular in the form of a sealing ring, is associated with the nozzle body (5) in order to separate the in particular ring-shaped region (17) for shaping air and a region which is preferably arranged axially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body (5) and via which the fluid (20) to be applied to the substrate (21) can be fed into the first fluid channel (6) of the spray nozzle (3).
12. A use of the nozzle arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 for applying a fluid (20), in particular a thermoplastic adhesive, to a bending region of a component (21) .
13. A system (19) for applying fluids (20), in particular thermoplastic adhesives, onto a substrate (21), wherein the system (19) comprises the following:

    - a distributor head (2) which is preferably connected or connectable to a robotic arm, and which is movable along a direction of movement relative to the substrate (21); and

    - at least one nozzle arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which is preferably exchangeably connected to the distributor head (2) in a mounting region of the distributor head (2).

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