NOZZLE ARRANGEMENT FOR APPLYING FLUIDS, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A MAIN BODY OF SUCH A NOZZLE ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A nozzle arrangement for applying fluids to a substrate has a main body which is able to be connected to a mounting region of a distributor and which has an end-side side surface. At least one first outlet nozzle for the fluid to be applied to the substrate is provided in or on the end-side side surface of the main body. A first fluid channel system is formed in the main body, via which the at least one first outlet nozzle is connected in terms of flow to a first fluid connector, which is provided in the main body of the nozzle arrangement. The nozzle arrangement is a monolithic component produced by an additive production method.

Claims

1. A nozzle arrangement for applying fluid to a substrate, the nozzle arrangement comprising: a main body configured to be connected to a mounting region of a distributor, the main body including side surface with at least one first outlet nozzle for the fluid to be applied to the substrate, the at least one first outlet nozzle in or on the end-side side surface of the main body, wherein, a first fluid channel system is formed in the main body, via which the at least one first outlet nozzle is fluidly connected to a first fluid connector provided in the main body, wherein the nozzle arrangement is a monolithic component produced by an additive production method.

2. The nozzle arrangement of claim 1, wherein at least one second outlet nozzle is in or on the end-side side surface of the main body for dispensing shaping air in a targeted manner to influence a direction of a fluid jet dispensed from the at least one first outlet nozzle, wherein the at least one second outlet nozzle is fluidly connected to a second fluid connectors on the main body via a second fluid channel system formed in the main body.

3. The nozzle arrangement of claim 2, wherein one or more of the first fluid channel system or the second fluid channel system has at least one three-dimensionally curved fluid channel section.

4. The nozzle arrangement of claim 2, wherein the additive production method comprises: determining three-dimensional information about the main body that includes the at least one first outlet nozzle and the at least one second outlet nozzle and in which the first and second fluid channel systems are formed; converting the three-dimensional information into multiple layers that define cross-sectional layers of the main body, wherein at least one empty space that defines the first and second fluid channel systems is defined within at least some of the layers; and successively forming each of the layers of the main body by melting a metallic powder using one or more of laser energy or electron beam energy.

5. The nozzle arrangement of claim 4, wherein the additive production method is a laser sintering method or a direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) method.

6. The nozzle arrangement of claim 2, wherein an extension region in which at least one of the first outlet nozzle or the second outlet nozzle is formed is located on the end-side side surface of the main body, wherein the extension region and the at least one of the first outlet nozzle or the second outlet nozzle are formed such that an outlet opening of the at least one of the first outlet nozzle or the second outlet nozzle is at a distance from the end-side side surface of the main body and a main flow axis, the main flow axis predefined by the outlet opening of the at least one of the first outlet nozzle or the second outlet nozzle and along which the fluid dispensed from the at least one first outlet nozzle moves, encloses an acute angle with the end-side side surface of the main body.

7. The nozzle arrangement of claim 6, wherein the main body is at least substantially of right-angled form, and wherein the extension region is at least substantially of trapeziform or triangular form and is connected via a longer base side of the extension region to the end side of the main body.

8. The nozzle arrangement of claim 7, wherein the outlet opening of the at least one first outlet nozzle is assigned at least one fluid opening of the second outlet nozzle, the fluid opening having a main flow axis along which the fluid dispensed from the fluid opening of the at least one second outlet nozzle moves, the main flow axis inclined in the direction of the main flow axis of the outlet opening of the first outlet nozzle.

9. A method for producing a main body of a nozzle arrangement for applying fluids to a substrate, wherein the main body has at least one first outlet nozzle and at least one second outlet nozzle, and wherein, in the main body, there are formed at least one first fluid channel system and at least one second fluid channel system, via which one or more of the at least one first outlet nozzle or the at least one second outlet nozzle are fluidly connected to one or more of a first connector or a second connector on the main body of the nozzle arrangement, wherein the production method is an additive production method comprising: determining three-dimensional information about the main body, which includes the at least one first outlet nozzle and the at least one second outlet nozzle and in which the at least one first fluid channel system and the at least one second fluid channel system are formed; converting the three-dimensional information into multiple layers which define cross-sectional layers of the main body, wherein at least one empty space within at least one of the layers is defined which defines the at least one first fluid channel system and the at least one second fluid channel system; and successively forming each of the layers of the main body by melting a metallic powder using one or more of laser energy or electron beam energy.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein successively forming each of the layers of the main body also comprises melting the metallic powder that includes at least one of cobalt-chromium, HS188, or INCO625.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein successively forming each of the layers of the main body also comprises melting the metallic powder having a particle size between approximately 10 m and approximately 75 m.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] FIG. 1 schematically, a conventional nozzle arrangement with a laminated construction, known in the prior art;

[0049] FIG. 2 schematically, the nozzle arrangement known in the prior art per FIG. 1 in an exploded view;

[0050] FIG. 3 schematically and in a partially see-through isometric view, an example embodiment of the nozzle arrangement according to the inventive subject matter;

[0051] FIG. 4 schematically and in a plan view, the example embodiment of the nozzle arrangement according to the inventive subject matter per FIG. 3; and

[0052] FIG. 5 schematically and in a partially see-through isometric view, another example embodiment of the nozzle arrangement according to the inventive subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] FIG. 1 shows part of a conventional nozzle arrangement 100 known in the prior art, revealing the laminated construction.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows the nozzle arrangement 100 of FIG. 1 in an exploded view.

[0055] Specifically, it can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 that the conventional nozzle arrangement 100 is composed of a plurality of individual plates 101.1 to 101.6, which are joined flush with each other in the assembled state (see FIG. 1). For this, a pin element can be used, for example, which is inserted through a corresponding hole 102 or through a corresponding opening in the individual plates 101.1 to 101.6 and holds the individual plates 101.1 to 101.6 together.

[0056] Various recesses or holes 103 to 107 are provided in the individual plates 101.1 to 101.6, which in the assembled state form a fluid channel system in the main body 101 of the nozzle arrangement 100, in order to connect the individual outlet nozzles 108 at one end face of the nozzle assembly fluidically to a fluid port on the main body 101 of the nozzle assembly.

[0057] It can be seen from the representations in FIGS. 1 and 2 that the laminated construction of the nozzle arrangement does not allow the forming of arbitrarily designed fluid channel systems inside the main body 101. Furthermore, the number of individual fluid channel systems in the main body 101 of the nozzle arrangement 100 is limited, as is the number of individual outlet nozzles 108 on the end-side lateral surface of the main body 101.

[0058] In order to accomplish a larger number of outlet nozzles 108 and/or a more complex fluid channel system in the main body 101 of the nozzle arrangement 100as com-pared to the nozzle arrangements 100 known in the prior artit is proposed according to the inventive subject matter that the nozzle arrangement is a monolithic component generated by an additive manufacturing method.

[0059] An example embodiment of the nozzle arrangement 1 according to the inventive subject matter is shown in FIG. 3 (in a partly see-through isometric view) and in FIG. 4 (in a plan view).

[0060] Briefly summarized, the example embodiment of the nozzle arrangement 1 according to the inventive subject matter shown schematically in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is a monolithic component generated by an additive manufacturing method.

[0061] The nozzle arrangement 1 comprises a main body 2 having an end-side lateral sur-face, which is able to be connected, preferably exchangeably, to a mounting region of a distributor or distributor head and having in or on the end-side lateral surface 3 of the main body 2 at least one first outlet nozzle 4 for a fluid to be applied to a substrate with the aid of the nozzle arrangement 1.

[0062] Furthermoreas can be seen in particular from the representation in FIG. 3there is formed in the main body 2 of the nozzle arrangement 1 a first fluid channel system 5, via which the at least one first outlet nozzle 4 is connected fluidically to a first fluid port, which is provided in the main body 2 or on the main body 2 of the nozzle arrangement 1.

[0063] Moreover, it can be seen from the representation of FIG. 3 that in or on the end-side lateral surface 3 of the main body 2 there is provided at least one further second outlet nozzle 6 for the purpose of dispensing shaping air in a targeted manner via this at least one second outlet nozzle 6 in order to influence, as needed, the direction of a fluid jet discharged from the at least one first outlet nozzle 5.

[0064] It is likewise seen from the partly see-through representation of FIG. 3 that the at least one second outlet nozzle 6 for shaping air is connected fluidically by a second fluid channel system 7 formed in the main body 2 to a second fluid port provided on the main body 2 of the nozzle arrangement 1.

[0065] Thanks to the additive manufacturing method with which at least the main body 2 of the nozzle arrangement 1 is produced, it is possible for the first fluid channel system 5 and the at least one further, second fluid channel system 7 to have at least fluid channel sections formed in a partially three-dimensionally curved manner, as can likewise be seen from the representation of FIG. 3.

[0066] The example embodiment of the nozzle arrangement 1 according to the inventive subject matter that is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a nozzle arrangement 1 designed in particular to apply fluids, such as thermoplastic adhesives, to substrates with a correspondingly complex geometry.

[0067] For this purpose, an extension region 10 is formed on the end-side lateral surface 3 of the main body 2 of the nozzle arrangement 1, in which the at least one first outlet nozzle 4 for the fluid being applied to the substrate is formed. The extension region 10 and the first outlet nozzle 4 are formed such that the outlet opening of the first outlet nozzle 5 is at a distance from the end-side lateral surface 3 of the main body 2 of the nozzle arrangement 1.

[0068] Moreover, it may be provided that a main flow axis which is predefined by the outlet opening of the first outlet nozzle 5, along which the thermoplastic adhesive material is discharged from the first outlet nozzle 5, makes an acute angle with the end-side lateral surface 3 of the main body 2.

[0069] In the example embodiment of the nozzle arrangement 1 according to the inventive subject matter shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 it is provided in particular thatlooking in plan viewthe main body 2 of the nozzle arrangement 1 is at least substantially rectangular, and thatlikewise looking in plan viewthe extension region 10 is at least substantially trapezoidal, and is connected by its longer base side to the end face of the main body 2. Specifically, one leg of the trapezoidal extension region 10 in plan view is flush with a lateral surface 3 of the main body 2.

[0070] Moreover, it is provided that the at least one outlet opening of the first outlet nozzle 5 is formed in one leg of the trapezoidal extension region 10 as seen in plan view, situated opposite the leg which is flush with the lateral surface 3 of the main body 2.

[0071] In the nozzle arrangement 1 according to the inventive subject matter, the extension region 10 together with the at least one first outlet nozzle 4 in the extension region 10 and together with the rest of the main body 2 of the nozzle arrangement 1 is formed as a monolithic component with the aid of an additive manufacturing method.

[0072] Thus, corresponding fluid channel systems 5, 7 can be formed in especially simple manner in the main body 2 and in the extension region 10 of the nozzle arrangement 1, which are fluidically connected to the first outlet nozzle 5 and/or to the second outlet nozzles 6 of the nozzle arrangement 1.

[0073] As already indicated and as can be seen schematically in FIG. 3, the outlet opening of the first outlet nozzle 4 is associated with one and preferably with a plurality of further fluid openings, whose main axis along which a fluid (especially pressurized air) is dispensed from the further fluid openings is slanted in the direction of the main flow axis of the outlet opening of the first outlet nozzle 4. Moreover, it is provided that the fluid openings of the second outlet nozzle 6 are offset in regard to the outlet opening of the first outlet nozzle 4 in the direction of the lateral surface 3 of the extension region 10 on or in which the outlet opening of the first outlet nozzle 4 is formed.

[0074] With the aid of these fluid openings of the second outlet nozzle 6, it is possible to steer compressed air in the direction of the jet of thermoplastic adhesive dispensed by the first outlet nozzle 5, and thereby deflect the jet of adhesive as needed. In particular, in this way it is possible to deflect the jet of adhesive dispensed through the first outlet nozzle 4 periodically from the main flow axis, for example in order to form an Omega-shaped pattern of the jet of adhesive applied to the substrate.

[0075] FIG. 5 shows schematically and in a partly see-through isometric view a further example embodiment of the nozzle arrangement 1 according to the inventive subject matter. This nozzle arrangement 1 corresponds substantially in structural and functional respects to the nozzle arrangement 1 of FIG. 3; however, the representation of FIG. 5 shows the fluid channel systems 5, 7 formed in the main body 2, especially their curved configuration in multiple axes.

[0076] The inventive subject matter is not confined to the example embodiments shown in the drawings, but rather emerges from a combined consideration of all the features disclosed herein.