SET OF NOZZLES FOR A SPRAY GUN, SPRAY GUN SYSTEM, METHOD FOR EMBODYING A NOZZLE MODULE, METHOD FOR SELECTING A NOZZLE MODULE FROM A SET OF NOZZLES FOR A PAINT JOB, SELECTION SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT

Abstract

A set of nozzles for a spray gun, especially a compressed-air paint spray gun, comprises at least one nozzle module group with at least two different nozzle modules for mounting in or on the same base module of a spray gun. The nozzle modules have different medium flow rates under the same spray conditions, the spray jets generated by the nozzle modules having substantially the same spray jet section height and the same spray jet section width, the spray jet sections of the different nozzle modules in particular being congruent. A spray gun system, a method for embodying a nozzle module, a method for selecting a nozzle module from a set of nozzles for a paint job, a selection system, in particular a “slide gate system”, and a computer program product are also disclosed. The user can select the nozzle module which is ideal for the paint job and mode of operation in question.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A set of nozzles for a spray gun, the set comprising at least one nozzle module group with at least two different nozzle modules for mounting in or on one and the same base module of a spray gun, wherein the nozzle modules are designed such that the nozzle modules have different medium flow rates under the same spray conditions, with spray jets generated by the nozzle modules having substantially the same spray jet section height and substantially the same spray jet section width, with the spray jet sections of the different nozzle modules being congruent.

17. The set of nozzles as in claim 16, wherein the set of nozzles further includes at least one additional nozzle module group which comprises at least two, different nozzle modules for mounting in or on one and the same base module, with the nozzle modules of the additional nozzle module group being designed such that the nozzle modules of the additional nozzle module group have different medium flow rates under the same spray conditions and that the spray jets generated by the nozzle modules have substantially the same spray jet section height and substantially the same spray jet section width, with the spray jet sections of the different nozzle modules being congruent, with the spray jets generated by the nozzle modules of the two nozzle module groups each having different cross-sectional shapes, such that the spray jets generated by the nozzle modules of one nozzle module group have a cross section with, in at least in certain parts, a substantially constant width and the spray jets generated by the nozzle modules of the other nozzle module group have a cross section with a substantially oval shape.

18. The set of nozzles as in claim 17, wherein the set of nozzles further has at least one additional (third) nozzle module group which comprises at least two different nozzle modules for mounting in or on one and the same base module, with the nozzle modules of the additional nozzle module group being designed such that the nozzle modules of the third nozzle module group have different flow rates under the same spray conditions and wherein the spray jets generated by the nozzle modules have substantially the same spray jet section height and substantially the same spray jet section width, such that the spray jet sections of the different nozzle modules are congruent, with the nozzle modules of one nozzle module group being configured as low-pressure nozzle modules and the nozzle modules of the additional nozzle module group being configured as high-pressure nozzle modules.

19. The set of nozzles as in claim 18, wherein the spray jets generated by the low-pressure nozzle modules and the spray jets generated by the high-pressure nozzle modules have the same cross-sectional shape, with, at least in certain parts, a substantially constant width or a cross section with a substantially oval shape.

20. The set of nozzles as in claim 16, wherein the set of nozzles has at least two different nozzle module groups, with the nozzle modules of the nozzle module groups being designed such that, to each nozzle module of a nozzle module group, a nozzle module of at least one other nozzle module group or groups can be dedicated, which nozzle module has the same medium flow rate under the same spray conditions.

21. The set of nozzles as in claim 16, wherein the nozzle modules each comprises at least one air cap, each with at least two horns with at least one internal horn air outlet aperture and one external horn air outlet aperture, wherein horn air flows out of the at least one external horn air outlet aperture at a defined external horn air outflow angle relative to a vertical axis, with the vertical axis extending perpendicularly relative to a central axis of the air cap, wherein horn air flows out of the at least one internal horn air outlet aperture at a defined internal horn air outflow angle relative to the vertical axis, and wherein the sums of the external horn air outflow angle and the internal horn air outflow angle within a nozzle module are different in the different nozzle modules of at least one nozzle module group.

22. The set of nozzles as in claim 16, wherein the nozzle modules each have at least one air cap, each with at least one central aperture and at least two control bores, with the control bores being arranged diametrically to each other on opposite sides of the at least one central aperture and at a defined control bore distance relative to the at least one central aperture, wherein the control bore distance in the different nozzle modules of at least one nozzle module group is different.

23. The set of nozzles as in claim 16, wherein the nozzle modules each have at least one spray medium nozzle with a substantially hollow-cylindrical front section and a spray medium outlet aperture, with the inside diameter of the spray medium outlet aperture and/or the axial extension of the substantially hollow-cylindrical front section of the spray medium nozzle being different in the different nozzle modules of at least one nozzle module group.

24. The set of nozzles as in claim 16, wherein the nozzle modules of a nozzle module group are designed such that, under the same spray conditions, the medium flow rate between nozzle modules, which consecutively follow each other at increasing medium flow rates, each increases by an equidistant value.

25. A spray gun system, wherein the spray gun system comprises at least one set of nozzles as in claim 16 and a base module, with the nozzle modules of the set of nozzles being interchangeably mounted on the base module.

26. A method for embodying a nozzle module for a set of nozzles as in claim 16, the method comprising: specifying at least one spray jet section height and/or one spray jet section width and/or one cross-sectional shape of a spray jet to be generated by the nozzle module, constructing the nozzle module which generates a spray jet with the defined spray jet section height and/or spray jet section width and/or shape of the spray jet section, wherein construing the nozzle module includes constructing an air cap by adapting an external horn air outflow angle and/or an internal horn air outflow angle and/or a control bore distance to a medium flow rate and/or to an internal nozzle pressure of the nozzle module, with the external horn air outflow angle being the angle, at which horn air flows out of an external horn air aperture of the air cap relative to a vertical axis, with the vertical axis extending at right angles relative to a central axis of the air cap, with the internal horn air outflow angle being the angle, at which horn air flows out of an internal horn air outlet aperture of the air cap relative to the vertical axis, and with the control bore distance being the distance between at least one control bore in the air cap and a central aperture in the air cap.

27. The method as in claim 26, wherein the method includes producing the nozzle module.

28. A method for selecting a nozzle module from a set of nozzles as in claim 16 for a paint job, the method comprising selecting and/or specifying one or a plurality of the following attributes of the painting job: the previously used nozzle module of a set of nozzles, the previously used nozzle module of a different set of nozzles, the pressure spray painting technique, the spray gun model, the spray gun manufacturer, the type of medium to be sprayed, the viscosity of the medium to be sprayed, the recommendation of the manufacturer of the medium to be sprayed, the shape of the spray jet, the coating thickness, the ambient condition, the painting speed, the controllability, the nozzle size, and wherein, based on the selection and/or specification, a proposal for a nozzle module of the set of nozzles is generated.

29. A selection system, for implementing the method as in claim 28, wherein the system comprises selection and input means for selecting and inputting attributes of the paint job and means for generating and displaying a proposal for a nozzle module of the set of nozzles.

30. A computer program product, wherein the computer program product comprises commands which, during execution of the program by a data processing device, cause the program to generate a method of the selection system as in claim 29.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0063] Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail below by way of example, with reference to the 5 figures. The figures show:

[0064] FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a spraying procedure;

[0065] FIG. 2 a schematic diagram of an example of a coating thickness profile across the height of the spray image;

[0066] FIG. 3 a table listing examples of nozzle modules of different nozzle module groups of an embodiment of a set of nozzles according to the invention;

[0067] FIG. 4 a sectional view of a first air cap of a nozzle module of an illustrative embodiment of a set of nozzles according to the invention, and

[0068] FIG. 5 a sectional view of a second air cap of a different nozzle module of an illustrative embodiment of a set of nozzles according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of how a spray jet or, more specifically, a spray image 3 is generated by means of a spray gun 1 which here takes the form of a compressed-air atomizing paint spray gun. The spray gun 1 comprises, in particular, a base module 11 and a nozzle module 15 which is mounted on the base module 11. In the example at hand, the nozzle module 15 or, more specifically, the spray gun 1 with the nozzle module 15, generates an above-described O-jet; however, the situation for an I-jet is substantially the same. The figure does not show a realistic view; instead, the spray gun 1 is shown in a in a lateral view, and the spray image 3 is shown in a front view relative to the spray image 3. The broken lines illustrate the upper and lower outermost boundaries of the spray jet generated and the upper and lower outermost boundaries of the core of the spray jet. When striking a flat object which is disposed perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal axis Z and at a spraying distance d relative to the nozzle, especially relative to the front end of a spray medium nozzle, of the spray gun, the spray jet generates the spray image 3 with its outer spray jet zone 7 and its core or core zone 5. The outermost boundaries of the outer spray jet zone 7 and the transition between the outer spray jet zone 7 and the core zone 5 are fluid. In realistic spray images, however, at least the core zone 5 can, as a rule, be readily identified and measured. The core zone 5 has a defined height and a defined width, here referred to as spray jet section height h and spray jet section width b. Here, the longitudinal axis Z is a longitudinal axis of the upper part of the spray gun 1, a spraying axis, a longitudinal axis of the nozzle and a central axis of the air cap.

[0070] The spray jet 3 illustrated in FIG. 2 is shown rotated by 90° with respect to the representation in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 schematically shows an example of a coating thickness profile across the height of the entire spray jet. The curve 9 in the diagram shows an initially relatively flat slope of the coating thickness in pm in the outer spray jet zone 7. In the core zone 5, the coating thickness increases sharply, then reaches its peak and subsequently again drops sharply. In the outer spray jet zone 7, the curve 9 flattens again. The distance between the measured points, which form the X-axis of the diagram, here is not equal to 1 cm.

[0071] FIG. 3 shows a table with examples of different nozzle modules of different nozzle module groups 10, 20, 30, 40 of an embodiment of a set of nozzles according to the invention. In the table, the individual nozzle module groups 10, 20, 30, 40 are outlined in bold. The first nozzle module group 10 comprises five nozzle modules of different nozzle sizes, especially different nominal nozzle sizes. The medium flow rate of the five nozzle modules within the nozzle module group 10 increases from one nozzle size to the next by an equidistant value, i.e., 15 g/min. The 1.1 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 135 g/min, the 1.2 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 150 g/min, the 1.3 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 165 g/min, the 1.4 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 180 g/min, and the 1.5 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 195 g/min. All nozzle modules within the nozzle module group 10 are configured as HVLP nozzle modules, i.e., as low-pressure nozzle modules, and all nozzle modules have the same spray jet section height and the same spray jet section width, which, as already mentioned above, are here defined as the spray jet section height h and the spray jet section width b of a core zone 5 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The spray jet sections, i.e., the core zones 5 of the spray images generated by the nozzle modules within the nozzle module group 10, are congruent, i.e., they have the same shape and the same size. Only the coating thickness of the core zone 5 of the spray image would be different due to the different medium flow rate. The spray jet section height and the spray jet section width of the nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 10 serve as a reference for the spray jet section heights and spray jet section widths of the nozzle modules of the other nozzle module groups and are therefore shown at 100%. The nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 10 are configured in the form of the above-described O-nozzle modules, i.e., they each generate a spray jet, the cross section of which has a substantially oval, in particular substantially elliptical shape.

[0072] Thus, the user of an embodiment of a set of nozzles according to the invention, which comprises at least two nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 10, can change the nozzle size of the spray gun used, i.e., the user can remove the first nozzle module having a first nozzle size, in particular nominal nozzle size, mounted on the base module of the spray gun and mount a different nozzle module of the nozzle module group 10 having a different nozzle size, in particular nominal nozzle size, on the same base module, and achieve a spray jet with the same spray jet section height, spray jet section width and cross-sectional shape at a defined changed medium flow rate.

[0073] Another nozzle module group 20 also comprises five nozzle modules with different nozzle sizes, in particular different nominal nozzle sizes. The medium flow rate of the five nozzle modules within the nozzle module group 20 increases from one nozzle size to the next by an equidistant value, i.e., 15 g/min. The 1.1 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 135 g/min, the 1.2 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 150 g/min, the 1.3 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 165 g/min, the 1.4 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 180 g/min, and the 1.5 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 195 g/min. All nozzle modules within the nozzle module group 20 are configured in the form of HVLP nozzle modules, i.e., as low-pressure nozzle modules, and all nozzle modules have the same spray jet section height and the same spray jet section width, which, as already mentioned above, are here defined as the spray jet section height h and the spray jet section width b of a core zone 5 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The spray jet sections, i.e., the core zones 5 of the spray images generated by the nozzle modules within the nozzle module group 20, are congruent, i.e., they have the same shape and the same size. Only the coating thickness of the core zone 5 of the spray image would be different due to the different medium flow rate. The spray jet section height of the nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 20 is greater than the spray jet section height of the nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 10, in the example at hand, greater by 6%. The spray jet section width of the nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 20, on the other hand, is smaller than the spray jet section width of the nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 10, in the case at hand, it amounts to 88% of the spray jet section width of the nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 10. The nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 20 are configured in the form of the above-described I-nozzle modules, i.e., they each generate a spray jet, the cross section of which has, at least in certain areas, a substantially constant width.

[0074] Thus, the user of an embodiment of a set of nozzles according to the invention, which comprises at least two nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 20, can change the nozzle size of the spray gun used, i.e., the user can remove the first nozzle module having a first nozzle size, in particular nominal nozzle size, disposed on the base module of the spray gun and mount a different nozzle module of the nozzle module group 20 having a different nozzle size, in particular nominal nozzle size, on the same base module, and achieve a spray jet with the same spray jet section height, spray jet section width and cross-sectional shape at a defined changed medium flow rate.

[0075] Another nozzle module group 30 also comprises five nozzle modules with different nozzle sizes, in particular different nominal nozzle sizes. The medium flow rate of the five nozzle modules within the nozzle module group 30 increases from one nozzle size to the next by an equidistant value, i.e., 15 g/min. The 1.1 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 155 g/min, the 1.2 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 170 g/min, the 1.3 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 185 g/min, the 1.4 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 200 g/min, and the 1.5 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 215 g/min. All nozzle modules within the nozzle module group 30 are configured as compliant nozzle modules, i.e., in the above understanding as high-pressure nozzle modules, and all nozzle modules have the same spray jet section height and the same spray jet section width, which, as already mentioned above, are here again defined as the spray jet section height h and the spray jet section width b of a core zone 5 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The spray jet sections, i.e., the core zones 5 of the spray images generated by the nozzle modules within the nozzle module group 30, are congruent, i.e., they have the same shape and the same size. Only the coating thickness of the core zone 5 of the spray image would be different due to the different medium flow rate. The spray jet section height of the nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 30 is greater than the spray jet section height of the nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 10, in the example at hand, greater by 15%. The spray jet section width of the nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 30 is the same as the spray jet section width of the nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 10. The nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 30 are configured in the form of the above-described O-nozzle modules, i.e., they each generate a spray jet, the cross section of which has an oval, in particular substantially elliptical shape.

[0076] Thus, the user of an embodiment of a set of nozzles according to the invention, which comprises at least two nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 30, can change the nozzle size of the spray guns used, i.e., the user can remove the first nozzle module having a first nozzle size, in particular nominal nozzle size, mounted on the base module of the spray gun and mount a different nozzle module of the nozzle module group 30 having a different nozzle size, in particular nominal nozzle size, on the same base module, and achieve a spray jet with the same spray jet section height, spray jet section width and cross-sectional shape at a defined changed medium flow rate.

[0077] Another nozzle module group 40 also comprises five nozzle modules with different nozzle sizes, in particular different nominal nozzle sizes. The medium flow rate of the five nozzle modules within the nozzle module group 40 increases from one nozzle size to the next by an equidistant value, i.e., by 15 g/min. The 1.1 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 155 g/min, the 1.2 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 170 g/min, the 1.3 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 185 g/min, the 1.4 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 200 g/min, and the 1.5 nozzle module has a medium flow rate of 215 g/min. All nozzle modules within the nozzle module group 40 are configured as compliant nozzle modules, i.e., in the above understanding as high-pressure nozzle modules, and all nozzle modules have the same spray jet section height and the same spray jet section width, which, as already mentioned above, are here again defined as the spray jet section height h and the spray jet section width b of a core zone 5 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The spray jet sections, i.e., the core zones 5 of the spray images generated by the nozzle modules within the nozzle module group 40, are congruent, i.e., they have the same shape and the same size. Only the coating thickness of the core zone 5 of the spray image would be different due to the different medium flow rate. The spray jet section height of the nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 40 is greater than the spray jet section height of the nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 10, in the example at hand, greater by 20%. The spray jet section width of the nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 40, on the other hand, is smaller than the spray jet section width of the nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 10, in the case at hand, it amounts to 88% of the spray jet section width of the nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 10. The nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 40 are configured in the form of the above-described I-nozzle modules, i.e., they each generate a spray jet, the cross section of which has, at least in certain areas, a substantially constant width.

[0078] Thus, the user of an embodiment of a set of nozzles according to the invention, which comprises at least two nozzle modules of the nozzle module group 40, can change the nozzle size of the spray guns used, i.e., the user can remove the first nozzle module having a first nozzle size, in particular nominal nozzle size, mounted on the base module of the spray gun and mount a different nozzle module of the nozzle module group 40 having a different nozzle size, in particular nominal nozzle size, on the same base module, and achieve a spray jet with the same spray jet section height, spray jet section width and cross-sectional shape at a defined changed medium flow rate.

[0079] A set of nozzles according to the invention for a spray gun, in particular a compressed-air atomizing paint spray gun, can comprise at least two, preferably at least four, different nozzle modules from the same nozzle module group for optional mounting in or on one and the same base module of a spray gun, which offers the user the advantages mentioned.

[0080] In addition, however, a set of nozzles according to the invention can each also have at least two, preferably at least four, different nozzle modules from one or a plurality of different nozzle module groups for optional mounting in or on one and the same base module. For example, a set of nozzles according to the invention can comprise at least two, preferably at least four, different nozzle modules from the nozzle module group 10 and at least two, preferably at least four, different nozzle modules from the nozzle module group 20 and/or at least two, preferably at least four, different nozzle modules from the nozzle module group 30 and/or at least two, preferably at least four, different nozzle modules from the nozzle module group 40.

[0081] Alternatively, a set of nozzles according to the invention can comprise, for example, at least two, preferably at least four, different nozzle modules from the nozzle module group 20 and at least two, preferably at least four, different nozzle modules from the nozzle module group 30 and/or at least two, preferably at least four, different nozzle modules from the nozzle module group 40.

[0082] Alternatively, a set of nozzles according to the invention can comprise, for example, at least two, preferably at least four, different nozzle modules from the nozzle module group 30 and at least two, preferably at least four, different nozzle modules from the nozzle module group 40.

[0083] A set of nozzles according to the invention can preferably comprise at least two, preferably at least four, different nozzle modules from three different nozzle module groups; most preferably, however, a set of nozzles according to the invention comprises at least two, preferably at least four, different nozzle modules from all four different nozzle module groups.

[0084] Each of the different nozzle modules from the different nozzle module groups can be interchangeably mounted on one and the same base module. To this end, most preferably, all of the nozzle modules from the different nozzle module groups have the same connecting means.

[0085] As the table indicates, in the set of nozzles according to the invention, to each nozzle module of a nozzle module group, a nozzle module of at least one different nozzle module group can be dedicated, which nozzle module has the same medium flow rate under the same spray conditions. The nozzle modules with the same nozzle size have the same medium flow rate, especially within one pressure spray painting technique. For example, the 1.1 HVLP O-nozzle module has the same medium flow rate of 135 g/min as the 1.1 HVLP I-nozzle module, the 1.2 HVLP O-nozzle module has the same medium flow rate as the 1.2 HVLP I-nozzle module and so on. The same applies to the compliant nozzle modules. For example, the 1.1 compliant O-nozzle module has the same medium flow rate of 155 g/min as the 1.1 compliant I-nozzle module, the 1.2 compliant O-nozzle module has the same medium flow rate as the 1.2 compliant I-nozzle module and so on.

[0086] The table further indicates that the spray jets generated by means of the low-pressure nozzle modules, here HVLP-nozzle modules, and the spray jets generated by means of the high-pressure nozzle modules, here compliant nozzle modules, can have the same cross-sectional shape, in particular such that the spray jets generated by means of the low-pressure nozzle modules and the spray jets generated by means of the high-pressure nozzle modules have a cross section with, at least in certain parts, a substantially constant width (I-nozzle modules) or a cross section with a substantially oval, in particular substantially elliptical shape (O-nozzle modules). This allows the user to exchange, for example, a nozzle module from the nozzle module group 10 for a nozzle module from the nozzle module group 30, and thus to switch from the low-pressure spraying method, in particular HVLP spraying method, to the high-pressure spraying method, in particular compliant spraying method, without having to do without the O-jet, which is ideal for the user's mode of operation. Similarly, the user can exchange a nozzle module from the nozzle module group 20 for a nozzle module from the nozzle module group 40, and thus to switch from the low-pressure spraying method, in particular HVLP spraying method, to the high-pressure spraying method, in particular compliant spraying method, without having to do without the I-jet, which is ideal for the user's mode of operation.

[0087] In addition to the advantages mentioned above, the set of nozzles according to the present invention has the additional advantage that the user can exchange, for example, a nozzle module from the nozzle module group 10 for a nozzle module from the nozzle module group 20, and thus is able to replace a nozzle module which generates an O-jet, which allows a fast coating application, for a nozzle module which generates an even more readily controllable I-jet, without having to give up working with the desired HVLP type of pressure spray painting technique and, in particular, without having to accept changes in the medium flow rate as a tradeoff. Similarly, it is possible to switch from a nozzle module from the nozzle module group 30 to a nozzle module from the nozzle module group 40, without having to give up the desired compliant pressure spray painting technique and, in particular, without having to accept changes in the medium flow rate as a tradeoff. Vice versa switches are, of course, possible as well.

[0088] Using the set of nozzles according to the invention, the user can choose the nozzle module ideal for the painting job at hand and/or the mode of operation desired. As a rule, the ideal nozzle module can be selected based on a number of different attributes, especially based on the previously used nozzle module of a set of nozzles according to the invention, on the previously used nozzle module of a different set of nozzles, on the type of pressure spray painting technique desired, on the spray gun model to be used, the manufacturer of the spray gun to be used, the type of medium to be sprayed, the viscosity of the medium to be sprayed, the recommendation of the manufacturer of the medium to be sprayed, the desired shape of the spray jet, the coating thickness required, the ambient conditions, especially the temperature and the relative air humidity inside the painting booth, based on whether the user attaches greater importance to the painting speed or to good controllability of the coating application, and/or on the nozzle size desired. When making this selection, in particular, the method according to the invention for selecting a nozzle module from a set of nozzles for a paint job, the selection system and/or the inventive computer program product according to the invention is/are helpful.

[0089] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a first air cap 55 of a nozzle module of an embodiment of a set of nozzles according to the invention. The air cap 55 comprises a first horn 68 and a second horn 70. A vertical axis L extends perpendicularly relative to the central axis Z of the first air cap 55, with the central axis Z extending through the center of the central aperture 80. The central axis A of an external horn air outlet channel 57 forms a defined angle with the vertical axis L, and the central axis B of an internal horn air outlet channel 59 forms a defined second angle with the vertical axis L. In the present embodiment, it can be assumed that the major portion of the horn air, which flows out of the external horn air outlet aperture 57a of the external horn air outlet channel 57, follows the central axis A of the external horn air outlet channel 57, and that the center of this horn air jet is located on the central axis A of the external horn air outlet channel 57. Similarly, it can also be assumed that the major portion of the horn air, which flows out of the internal horn air outlet aperture 59a of the internal horn air outlet channel 59, follows the central axis B of the internal horn air outlet channel 59, and that the center of this horn air jet is located on the central axis B of the internal horn air outlet channel 59. The angle, which the central axis A of the external horn air outlet channel 57 forms with the vertical axis L, can therefore be referred to as the external horn air outflow angle W1, and the angle, which the central axis B of the internal horn air outlet channel 59 forms with the vertical axis L, can be referred to as the internal horn air outflow angle W3. Preferably, the horn air outlet channels of the second horn 70 lying opposite to the horn air outlet channels mentioned form the same angles with the vertical axis L.

[0090] FIG. 4 further shows the external control bore 61 and the internal control bore 63 which are located, respectively, at an external control bore distance Y7 and an internal control bore distance Y9 relative to the central axis Z of the first air cap 55.

[0091] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a second air cap 155 of a different nozzle module of an embodiment of a set of nozzles according to the invention. The air cap 155 comprises a first horn 168 and a second horn 170. Here again, the vertical axis L extends perpendicularly relative to the central axis Z of the second air cap 155, with the central axis Z extending through the center of the central aperture 180. The central axis C of an external horn air outlet channel 157 forms a defined angle with the vertical axis L, and the central axis D of an internal horn air outlet channel 159 forms a second angle with the vertical axis L. In the embodiment at hand, it can again be assumed that the main portion of the horn air, which flows out of the external horn air outlet aperture 157a of the external horn air outlet channel 157, follows the central axis C of the external horn air outlet channel 157 and that the center of this horn air jet is located on the central axis C of the external horn air outlet channel 157. Similarly, it can be assumed that the main portion of the horn air, which flows out of the internal horn air outlet aperture 159a of the internal horn air outlet channel 159, follows the central axis D of the internal horn air outlet channel 159 and that the center of this horn air jet is located on the central axis D of the internal horn air outlet channel 159. The angle, which the central axis C of an external horn air outlet channel 157 forms with the vertical axis L, can therefore be referred to as the external horn air outflow angle W101, and the angle, which the central axis D of an internal horn air outlet channel 159 forms with the vertical axis L, can be referred to as the internal horn air outflow angle W103. Preferably, the horn air outlet channels of the second horn 170 lying opposite to the horn air outlet channels mentioned form the same angles with the vertical axis L.

[0092] FIG. 5 also shows an external control bore 161 which is located at an external control bore distance Y107 relative to the central axis Z of the second air cap 155. Since the control bores in this air cap 155 are arranged in the form of a triangle—wherein the apex of the triangle is oriented in the direction of the internal or the external horn air outlet apertures, i.e., only the control bore 161, which forms the apex of the triangle, is in line with the internal horn air outlet aperture 159a, the external horn air outlet aperture 157a and the center of the central aperture 180 in the air cap 155, and the sectional plane extends only through the control bore 161, the internal horn air outlet aperture 159a and the external horn air outlet aperture 157a—the two other control bores on one side of the central aperture 180 and the two other control bores on the other side of the central aperture 180 are not visible, but are here only tentatively identified by their central axes. The internal control bore distance Y109 is the distance between the central axis Z and an axis extending parallel to this central axis Z through a projection of the center of the respective control bore onto the sectional plane.

[0093] In a nozzle module with the air cap 55, the sum of the angles W1 plus W3 can differ from the sum of the angles W101 plus W103 in a different nozzle module with the air cap 155. The nozzle modules can be part of the same nozzle module group.

[0094] Finally, it should be noted that the illustrative embodiments discussed describe only a limited number of possible embodiments and therefore in no way constitute a limitation of the present invention.