MODIFICATION UNIT AND APPLICATION DEVICE FOR APPLYING FLOWABLE MEDIUM ONTO A SUBSTRATE

Abstract

An application device for applying a flowable medium onto a substrate, having a discharge valve having a closure member which, in its open position, releases a metering opening of the discharge valve, such that the flowable medium can flow through the metering opening in the direction of the substrate, wherein the closure member is movable by an electromagnet of the discharge valve from a closing position, in which it closes the metering opening, to an open position, and having a main control unit, which is connected to the discharge valve, and which delivers electrical output voltage signals which moves and maintains the closure member to the open position. A modification unit is arranged between the main control unit and the discharge valve, which is configured such it receives output voltage signals from the main control unit, modifies these signals and relays the latter in a modified form to the electromagnet.

Claims

1. An application device for applying a flowable medium onto a substrate, in particular a hotmelt adhesive, having a discharge valve (13) comprising a closure member which, in its an open position, releases a metering opening of the discharge valve, such that the flowable medium can flow through the metering opening in the direction of the substrate, wherein the closure member is movable by an electromagnet of the discharge valve (13) from a closing position, in which it the discharge valve (13) closes the metering opening, to an open position, and comprising a main control unit (17), which is connected to the discharge valve (13), namely a PLC (programmable logic controller), and which delivers electrical output voltage signals, in a periodic manner, for the controlled voltage supply of the electromagnet, which signals move the closure member to the open position and maintain the closure member in this position, further comprising a modification unit (19) arranged between the main control unit (17) and the discharge valve (13), the modification unit (19) configured such it the modification unit (19) receives output voltage signals from the main control unit (17), modifies these signals, and relays these signals in a modified form to the electromagnet.

2. The application device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, for the transmission of output voltage signals to the modification unit (19), a power cable is routed from the main control unit (17) to the modification unit (19) and in that, for the transmission of (modified) output voltage signals to the electromagnet, a power cable is routed from the modification unit (19) to the discharge valve (13).

3. The application device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main control unit (17) is configured such that, for each movement of the closure member from the closing position to the open position, it the main control unit (17) respectively generates an output voltage signal having a constant voltage amplitude of a magnitude greater than zero, which is sufficient to move the closure member, by the action of the electromagnets, from the closing position to the open position, and in that the modification unit (19) is configured such that it the modification unit (19) modifies each of these output voltage signals during a modification time interval (22), namely, either over the entire signal duration of the respective output voltage signal or over a fractional time interval of the signal duration of the respective output voltage signal, by the timing of the respective output voltage signal during the modification time interval (22), such that the mean voltage amplitude of the respective output voltage signal over the modification time interval (22) is lower than would be the case, were the respective output voltage signal not be modified.

4. The application device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the voltage amplitude of the respective output voltage signal, without modification by the modification unit (19), respectively assumes a constant value over the entire signal duration, and in that, by the timing of the respective output voltage signal during the modification time interval (22), the r.m.s. value of voltage amplitude during this modification time interval (22) is less than 50% of the value of the above-mentioned constant voltage amplitude of the output voltage signal.

5. The application device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the voltage amplitude of the respective output voltage signal, without modification by the modification unit (19), respectively assumes a constant value of 24 V over the entire signal duration, and in that the respective output voltage signal during the modification time interval (22) is modified such that the r.m.s. value of voltage amplitude during the modification time interval (22) is lower than 12 V, and preferably lower than 10 V.

6. The application device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the timing of the respective output voltage signal is executed such that a periodic sequence of individual square-wave signal pulses with first voltage amplitudes is generated, namely of voltage amplitudes which correspond to the voltage amplitude of the respective, and as yet unmodified output voltage signal, wherein, for the entire sequence of signal pulses, in each case, two sequential signal pulses are respectively separated from one another by a signal pause having a second voltage amplitude, which is lower in comparison with the first voltage amplitudes, namely a voltage amplitude having a magnitude of zero.

7. The application device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the respective modification time interval (22), during which the respective output voltage signal is modified, respectively succeeds a time interval in which no modification of the respective output voltage signal is executed, and in which the voltage amplitude of the output voltage signal which is relayed to the electromagnet corresponds to the voltage amplitude of the respectively unmodified output voltage signal which is generated by the main controller.

8. The application device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the respective output voltage signal, during the time interval in which no modification occurs, generates an opening current in the electromagnet, as a result of which the closure member is moved from the closing position to the opening position, and in that the respective output voltage signal, during the subsequent modification time interval (22), generates a holding current which is lower, in relation to the opening current.

9. The application device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modification unit (19) is arranged remotely from the main controller (17), externally to a housing of the main controller (17).

10. The application device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modification unit (19) comprises an electronic circuit for the execution of the modification of output voltage signals, namely a driver.

11. The application device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modification unit (19) comprises an analyzer device, which is particularly configured in the form of a microcontroller, for the analysis of respective output voltage signals and/or a device for detecting operating states of the electromagnet of the discharge valve (13), or for detecting faults such as a failure in the power cable between the modification unit (19) and the discharge valve (13).

12. The application device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modification unit (19) comprises a display for the representation of information and/or a transmitter unit, namely for the wireless transmission of information to a remote receiver unit, the information being with respect to operating states of the discharge valve (13) or cable faults.

13. The application device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modification unit (19) comprises an electronic memory in which, by means of the microcontroller, information can be saved and/or from which, by means of the microcontroller, information can be retrieved, the information being information which is generated or delivered by the microcontroller with respect to operating states of the discharge valve, or with respect to faults on the power cable which is routed from the main control unit (17) to the modification unit (19), or on the power cable which is routed from the modification unit (19) to discharge valve (13).

14. The application device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main control unit (17) is configured such that it energizes the output voltage signals with an additional minimum voltage, for the supply of energy to the modification unit (19).

15. A modification unit for an application device for applying a flowable medium onto a substrate, in particular a hotmelt adhesive, wherein the application device is provided with a discharge valve (13) comprising a closure member which, in its an open position, releases a metering opening of the discharge valve (13), such that the flowable medium can flow through the metering opening in the direction of the substrate, wherein the closure member is movable by an electromagnet of the discharge valve (13) from a closing position, in which the discharge valve (13) closes the metering opening, to an open position, and wherein the application device comprises a main control unit (17), which is connected to the discharge valve (13), namely a PLC (programmable logic controller), and which delivers electrical output voltage signals, in a periodic manner, for the controlled voltage supply of the electromagnet, which signals move the closure member to the open position and maintain the closure member in this position, and wherein the modification unit (19) is configured such that it the modification unit (19) can be arranged between the main control unit (17) and the discharge valve (13), receives output voltage signals from the main control unit (17), modifies these signals and relays these signals in a modified form to the electromagnet.

16. The modification unit as claimed in claim 15, wherein the main control unit (17) is configured such that, for each movement of the closure member from the closing position to the open position, the main control unit (17) respectively generates an output voltage signal having a constant voltage amplitude of a magnitude greater than zero, which is sufficient to move the closure member, by the action of the electromagnets, from the closing position to the open position, and in that the modification unit (19) is configured such that the modification unit (19) modifies each of these output voltage signals during a modification time interval (22), namely, either over the entire signal duration of the respective output voltage signal or over a fractional time interval of the signal duration of the respective output voltage signal, by the timing of the respective output voltage signal during the modification time interval (22), such that the mean voltage amplitude of the respective output voltage signal over the modification time interval (22) is lower than would be the case, were the respective output voltage signal not be modified.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Further features of the present invention proceed from the attached patent claims, from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, and from the attached drawings. In the drawings:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows an oblique view (schematic representation) of an application device according to the invention, having an electromagnetically operated discharge valve for the application of portions of a fluid medium to a substrate, having a main controller for generating output voltage signals for the discharge valve, and having a modification unit for the modification of output voltage signals;

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a section of the device according to FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a diagram representing output voltage signals which are modified by means of the modification unit, wherein the electric voltage U is plotted on the x-axis and time t is plotted on the y-axis;

[0027] FIG. 4 shows a temporally structured diagram, which represents the time characteristic of the electric current I (on the x-axis) which is generated in an electromagnet of the discharge valve of the application device according to FIG. 1, if the latter is energized with output voltage signals according to FIG. 3;

[0028] FIG. 5 shows an overhead view of a partial section of the substrate represented in FIG. 1, with medium portions which have been applied by the discharge valve according to FIG. 1, which is controlled by the output voltage signals represented in FIG. 3; and

[0029] FIG. 6 shows a schematic sketch of the modification unit represented in FIG. 1, and the arrangement thereof between the discharge valve and the main controller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] In the present example, the application device 10 represented in FIG. 1 is employed for the application of mutually spaced (longitudinal) portions 11 of a flowable medium, in the present case a hotmelt adhesive, to a substrate 12, in the present case a material web 12 (in the present case, in particular, a material web of paper).

[0031] The material web represented is only one example of a substrate 12, to which an application device 10 according to the invention can apply a flowable medium. It is understood that the invention is not limited to this type of substrate.

[0032] For the application of medium portions 11, in the present case, the application device 10 comprises, by way of a core component, a discharge valve 13 which is known per se and which, in a likewise known manner, has an unrepresented closure member which, by means of an unrepresented electromagnet, can be moved from a closing position, in which it closes a (lower) metering opening 14 of the discharge valve 13, to an (upper) open position.

[0033] In the closing position, a closure member of this type is generally secured by a closure element which exerts a closing force, for example a spring which applies a reset force, or by means of permanent magnets, the mutual repulsion of which delivers a closing force.

[0034] The closure member forms the armature of the electromagnet and, correspondingly, at least in sections, is formed of a metallic material, such that the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet is able to move the closure member into the open position.

[0035] The liquid medium or, in the present case, the liquid hotmelt adhesive is delivered to the discharge valve 13 from a corresponding medium source 34, in the present case a melting device, via a medium line 15 or medium hose which, in the present case, is heated by means of a heater. A power cable 16, which is connected to a power supply unit of the medium source 14, supplies power to the heater for the medium line 15.

[0036] For the delivery of individual medium portions 11, the electromagnet of the discharge valve 13 is controlled in an appropriate manner. To this end, the application device 10 comprises a main control unit 17, in the present case a PLC (programmable logic controller), which periodically generates individual output voltage signals 18 which are mutually spaced in timesee FIG. 3and are delivered to the electromagnet of the discharge valve 13.

[0037] These output voltage signals are previously modified, in a manner which is described in greater detail hereinafter, by a modification unit 19 which is arranged between the discharge valve 13 and the main controller 17, which unit receives output voltage signals from the main control unit 17, which are then modified and finally relayed, in a modified form, as modified output voltage signals 18 to the discharge valve 13 or to the electromagnet of the discharge valve 13. In other words, the main controller 17, the modification unit 19 and the discharge valve 13, or the electromagnet thereof, are electrically connected or arranged in series (in a sequential manner).

[0038] The modification unit 19, in a series-connected arrangement, is thus firstly connected by means of a first power cable 20a to the main controller 17 in an electrically conductive manner and, secondly, is connected by means of a second power cable 20b to the discharge valve 13 or to the electromagnet in an electrically conductive manner.

[0039] In the present case, the main controller 17 generates individual (electric) output voltage signals in a periodic manner, i.e., mutually spaced in time, each of which has a constant voltage amplitude or constant voltage value over the full signal duration, in the present case 24V respectively.

[0040] In the diagram according to FIG. 3, for exemplary purposes, two sequential output voltage signals 18 which have been modified by the modification unit 19 are represented.

[0041] Firstly, a time interval 21 can be observed between the two modified output voltage signals 18. This also corresponds to the time interval between the unmodified output voltage signals, in the form in which they are received by the modification unit 19.

[0042] The modification unit 19 ensures that each of the output voltage signals received by the latter is modified within a modification time interval 22, which is shorter than the overall signal duration of the respectively received output voltage signal, or which forms a subinterval of the overall signal duration. Conversely, in a preceding time interval 25, or during the remainder of the signal duration, the respectively received output signal is not modified such that, at this point, the modified output voltage signal 18 which is relayed by the modification unit 19 corresponds to the received or unmodified output signal.

[0043] Modification during the modification time interval 22 is executed such that, in the electromagnet of the discharge valve 13, a weaker current setting is appliedsee FIG. 4than would be the case in the absence of this modification.

[0044] In the present case, to this end, each output voltage signal 18 is timed within the modification time interval 22 such that, in each case, modified output voltage signals 18, (only) during this modification time interval 22, in place of the temporally constant voltage amplitude of the respectively received unmodified output voltage signal, contain a periodic sequence of individual, in the present case square-wave signal pulses 23.

[0045] In the present case, the respective voltage amplitude of each signal pulse 23 is of equal magnitude to the voltage amplitude of the unmodified output voltage signal.

[0046] In each case, two sequential signal pulses 23, moreover, are mutually separated by a signal pause 24, or by short time intervals 24 which are voltage-free, or in which the respective voltage amplitude is zero.

[0047] In place of signal pauses 24 with respective voltage amplitudes of zero, the voltage pulses 23 might also be theoretically separated by voltage pulses having a respective magnitude which is greater than zero, but is lower than the voltage amplitude of the unmodified output voltage signals.

[0048] Modified output voltage signals 18 according to the invention, in the present case according to FIG. 3, in the electromagnet of the discharge valve 13, generate a characteristic for the current I flowing therein represented in FIG. 4.

[0049] The signal portion of the modified output voltage signal 18 corresponding to the time interval 25 in which the modified output voltage signal 18 matches the unmodified output voltage signal results in a rise in the current I in the electromagnet, up to a maximum value I.sub.peak.

[0050] This, in turn, results in a magnetic field (of maximum strength) of the electromagnet, which generates the requisite magnetic force to produce an opening motion of the closure member of the discharge valve 13, by means of which the reset force which holds the closure member in the closing position can be overcome.

[0051] The broken line in FIG. 4 represents the subsequent time characteristic of the current curve I which would be established with no modification of the output voltage signal 18, or in the absence of any such modification unit 19. The current I, up to the respective end of the unmodified output voltage signal, would thus remain at the value I.sub.peak.

[0052] Conversely, the modification according to the invention, or the timing of the respective output voltage signal 18 described herein, results instead in a reduction in current during the modification time interval 22.

[0053] In the present case, timing is executed such that the resulting mean value of voltage amplitude during the modification time interval is lower than the voltage amplitude of the unmodified voltage signal, in the present case lower than 50% thereof. The r.m.s. value of voltage amplitude during the modification time interval 22 is lower than 12 volts, and preferably lower than 10 volts.

[0054] The modification of the output voltage signal 18 is selected such that, during the modification time interval 22, in practice, a holding current (hold is established in the electromagnet, which is sufficient to maintain the closure member of the discharge valve 13 in the holding position. The electromagnet delivers a magnetic force which is lower, and which can be lower than the opening force which is required to permit the movement of the closure member into the open position by the opening motion.

[0055] By means of this current reduction, in addition to energy saving effects, in particular, the electromagnet undergoes a lower in-service heat-up than would be the case, were it to be operated with the (higher) opening current over the full respective signal duration. As a result, inter alia, unwanted influences of the corresponding waste heat from the electromagnet upon the flowable medium can be reduced.

[0056] In FIG. 5, broken lines indicate the shape which, in each case, would disadvantageously be assumed by the medium portion 11 in the event of an excessively strong heat-up of the discharge valve 13, namely, with a potential spreading thereof, in comparison with the optimum shape.

[0057] Finally, with regard to the design of the modification unit 19, the latter comprises inter alia in the present case a (protective) housing 26.

[0058] Within the housing 26, in addition to other components, a driver 27 is located, namely, an appropriate electronic circuit which is responsible for the actual modification of the incoming unmodified output voltage signal.

[0059] In the present case, moreover, a microcontroller 28 is arranged therein, which is capable of analyzing the incoming output voltage signalsee reference number 29. It can be provided that the microcontroller 28 detects operating states of the discharge valve 13, particularly of the electromagnet of the discharge valve 13, or detects faults such as, for example, a failure of one of the power cables 20a or 20b.

[0060] The modification unit 19 can comprise a preferably electronic memory, which is not represented. In the latter, the microcontroller 28 can save the above-mentioned information regarding operating states of the discharge valve 13 or faults in the power cables 20a, 20b. This information can then be read-out or retrieved later, if required.

[0061] In the present case, the modification unit 19 moreover comprises an energy supply unit 30, particularly for the driver 27 and the microcontroller 28.

[0062] This can be connected, for example by means of a separate power cable, to a remote voltage supply, for example to a voltage supply which is delivered by the main controller 17.

[0063] It is also conceivable, however, that the main control unit 17 energizes the individual output voltage signals with an additional minimum voltage, which is then converted by the energy supply unit 30 into useful energy for those corresponding components or modules of the modification unit which require energy.

[0064] It is further conceivable that the modification unit 19 comprises a radio module 31, which wirelessly delivers operating states thus determined, or other information, particularly further to the read-out thereof from the above-mentioned memory, to a corresponding (remote) receiver, for example to a smartphone 32. Additionally or alternatively, a display 33 for the representation of such information can also be provided.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0065] 10 Application device [0066] 11 Medium portions [0067] 12 Substrate [0068] 13 Discharge valve [0069] 14 Metering opening [0070] 15 Medium line [0071] 16 Power cable [0072] 17 Main control unit [0073] 18 Modified output voltage signal [0074] 19 Modification unit [0075] 20a Power cable [0076] 20b Power cable [0077] 21 Interval [0078] 22 Modification time interval [0079] 23 Signal pulse [0080] 24 Signal pause [0081] 25 Time interval [0082] 26 (Protective) housing [0083] 27 Driver [0084] 28 Microcontroller [0085] 29 Analysis [0086] 30 Energy supply unit [0087] 31 Radio module [0088] 32 Smartphone [0089] 33 Display [0090] 34 Medium source