GUIDE SYSTEM FOR DETECTION DEVICES

Abstract

The invention relates to a guide system (1) for a detection device (3) for monitoring a substance (23) coming out of a nozzle orifice (5) of a metering device (2), wherein a nozzle orifice region (6) for arrangement at the nozzle orifice (5) is associated with the guide system (1), and the guide system (1) comprises at least one material body (15, 16) in which at least two guide ducts (7) are formed, which are designed to guide signal conductors (8) to the nozzle orifice region (6), wherein the end regions (14) of two guide ducts (7) facing the nozzle orifice region (6) are arranged, with regard to their central axes (9), substantially on a common straight line (G) relative to one another and are arranged, with regard to the nozzle orifice region (6), opposite one another. The invention further relates to a detection device (3) and to a metering device (2) having such a guide system (1) and to a method for configuring a detection device (3) having such a guide system (1).

Claims

1. A guide system for a detection device for monitoring a metering substance coming out of a nozzle orifice of a metering device, wherein a nozzle orifice region for arrangement at the nozzle orifice is associated with the guide system, and the guide system comprises at least one material body, in which at least two guide ducts are formed, which are designed to guide signal conductors to the nozzle orifice region, wherein the end regions of the two guide ducts facing the nozzle orifice region are arranged with regard to their central axes substantially on a common straight line (G) relative to one another and with regard to the nozzle orifice region are arranged opposite one another.

2. The guide system according to claim 1, wherein the guide ducts have over their length at least up to the end regions a constant cross-section which preferably has the shape of a regular polygon, an ellipse or a circle, and wherein the guide ducts are preferably configured so that they can serve as hollow conductors.

3. The guide system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a guide duct is formed as a recess in a material block and/or at least a portion of a guide duct is present in a pipe, and preferably here the material block and/or the pipe has a coating on a wall of the guide duct, preferably a coating with a lower frictional resistance and/or with a greater hardness than the base material of the material block or pipe.

4. The guide system according to claim 1, wherein at least one guide duct is stabilized in itself and/or by means of a number of stabilizing elements, so that the end region of the guide duct substantially does not move relative to the nozzle orifice region, and preferably the guide duct also does not deform, wherein a guide duct is particularly preferably so immobile that, at least in the end region, it is deflected no more than 1 mm in the case of a lateral force of 0.1 N.

5. The guide system according to claim 1, wherein the common straight line (G), on which the end regions of two guide ducts lie with regard to their central axes, is aligned substantially orthogonally to an emission direction (R) as intended, of substance coming out of the nozzle.

6. The guide system according to claim 1, with signal conductors which are arranged in the guide ducts, wherein optical wave guides are preferred as signal conductors, particularly preferably with one or more of the following characteristics: an external diameter of between 0.2 to 2.5 mm, a permissible operating temperature of between 65 C. and 125 C., a maximum attenuation of less than 400 dB/km with a wavelength of 650 nm, a numerical aperture of between 0.3 and 0.7.

7. The guide system according to claim 1, wherein a guide duct, preferably in its end region, has an internal diameter which is more than 0.01 mm greater than the external diameter of the signal conductor used as intended, wherein the preferred internal diameter of the guide ducts is greater than 0.1 mm and/or smaller than 10 mm.

8. The guide system according to claim 1, wherein a guide duct, preferably at its end region, has an internal diameter which is less than 1 mm greater than the external diameter of the signal conductor used as intended, wherein the end region, facing the nozzle orifice region, of a guide duct, preferably within the last centimetre, has an elastic layer on the inner side of its wall, and the internal diameter of the guide duct preferably corresponds there maximally to the external diameter of the signal conductor as intended.

9. The guide system according to one claim 1 with fixing elements for fastening a signal transmitting unit and a signal receiving unit, wherein the fixing elements are preferably arranged relative to the guide ducts in such a way that the signal transmitting unit and the signal receiving unit are able to be connected to the respective signal conductors exiting from the guide ducts.

10. The guide system for a detection device for monitoring a substance coming out from a nozzle orifice of a metering device, in particular according to claim 1, wherein the guide system has a nozzle orifice region for arrangement on the nozzle orifice and has at least one material body, in which at least two guide ducts are formed, which are designed to guide signal conductors to the nozzle orifice region, wherein at least one guide duct has at least two adjacent curves, preferably in a common spatial plane or in two spatial planes which are tilted relative to one another, wherein the two spatial planes are inclined relative to one another preferably in an angle () of between 45 and 135.

11. The guide system according to claim 10, wherein in the curves respectively the course of the central axis of the guide duct changes in an angle (, , ) of between 15 and 135 and/or wherein the curves lie in two spatial planes, which stand substantially orthogonally relative to one another, and wherein preferably the curve which lies closest to the end region of the guide duct facing the nozzle orifice region, runs in a plane which is aligned at an angle of up to 20, preferably up to 15, tilted about the common straight line (G) or orthogonally to the emission direction (R) of substance exiting from the nozzle, and the curve adjacent thereto preferably runs in a plane parallel to this emission direction (R).

12. The guide system according to claim 1, comprising a strain relief for a signal conductor arranged in the guide duct, preferably for the clamping of a casing (M) of the signal conductor, and/or a quick coupling arrangement, preferably able to be actuated in a tool-free manner, for mounting the guide system on further components of a metering device, preferably comprising a clamping arrangement for clamping the guide system on the further components of the metering device.

13. A detection device for monitoring a substance coming out of a nozzle orifice of a metering device, wherein the detection device has a signal transmitting unit, a signal receiving unit and a signal evaluating unit and the guide system according to claim 1.

14. A metering device, comprising a nozzle with a nozzle orifice and the guide system according to claim 1.

15. A method for configuring a detection device for monitoring a substance coming out of a nozzle orifice of a metering device, comprising at least the steps: providing the guide system, in particular according to claim 1, wherein a nozzle orifice region for arrangement at a nozzle orifice of the metering device is associated with the guide system, and wherein the guide system comprises at least one material body, in which at least two guide ducts are formed, which are designed to guide signal conductors to the nozzle orifice region, inserting at least two signal conductors into the guide ducts of the guide system, connecting the end of one of the signal conductors, facing away from the nozzle, with a signal transmitting unit, connecting the end of another of the signal conductors, facing away from the nozzle with a signal receiving unit.

16. A metering device, comprising a nozzle with a nozzle orifice and the detection device according to claim 13.

Description

[0103] The invention is explained again in further detail with reference to the enclosed figures with the aid of example embodiments. Here, the same components are provided with identical reference numbers in the various figures. The figures are generally not to scale. There are shown respectively:

[0104] FIG. 1 a diagrammatic illustration of a preferred guide system in a preferred detection device,

[0105] FIG. 2 a preferred example embodiment of a metering device with a preferred example embodiment of a guide system,

[0106] FIG. 3 the guide system according to FIG. 2 in the form of an exploded view,

[0107] FIG. 4 details of the guide system according to FIGS. 2 and 3,

[0108] FIG. 5 further details of the guide system according to FIGS. 2 and 3, to illustrate a quick coupling arrangement for arranging the guide system on a metering device,

[0109] FIG. 6 further details regarding a clamping jaw of the quick coupling arrangement of the guide system according to FIG. 5,

[0110] FIG. 7 a diagrammatic illustration of a preferred arrangement of curves in a guide duct of the guide system according to FIGS. 2 and 3,

[0111] FIG. 8 a further preferred embodiment of a guide system on a metering device,

[0112] FIG. 9 a diagrammatic illustration of a further preferred arrangement of curves in guide ducts of an example embodiment of a guide system according to the invention.

[0113] FIG. 1 shows in a rough diagrammatic manner an arrangement of a preferred example embodiment of a guide system 1 in a preferred detection device 3. A nozzle 4 which is part of a metering device 2 is illustrated in top view. This can be configured for example in the manner as it is later explained with the aid of FIGS. 2 and 8. By means of the nozzle 4, for example drops of a metering substance 23 (see FIG. 2) or medium, e.g. adhesive, can be jetted or respectively metered.

[0114] In FIG. 1 the view is directed from below onto the nozzle 4, so that jetted drops would move out from the plane of the drawing, i.e. the emission direction R points out from the plane of the drawing. This view is intended merely to illustrate the function and arrangement of the most important components in relation to one another. The lengths and shapes of individual components are not realistic in this illustration.

[0115] The nozzle 4 has a nozzle orifice 5, from which the medium leaves the nozzle. At the position of the nozzle orifice 5, the (only virtual) nozzle orifice region 6 of the guide system 1 is arranged, which in the absence of the nozzle 4, therefore e.g. in the case of a guide system 1 not arranged on a metering device 2, represents the reference region for the guide ducts 7. The guide ducts 7 are arranged on two sides lying opposite one another, which guide ducts in particular can be present in pipes or can be milled-out portions in a material block, as is shown further later. Its central axis 9 lies centrally in each guide duct 7.

[0116] In FIG. 1 an arrangement can be seen in which the two guide ducts 7 are exactly diametrically opposite one another with regard to the nozzle orifice 5 or respectively the nozzle orifice region 6. The two central axes 9 run here between the ends of the guide ducts 7 on a common straight line G and would meet the respective opposite guide duct 7 centrally. This straight line G runs perpendicularly through the emission direction R.

[0117] Signal conductors 8 which extend up to the nozzle 4 are introduced in the guide ducts 7. They can terminate flush with the guide ducts 7 at the nozzle 7, but can alsoas shown hereprotrude slightly. Theoretically, they can also extend up to the nozzle orifice 5. The signal conductors 8 together with the guide system 1 (or respectively as part thereof), if applicable with fixing elements 10, with a signal transmitting unit 11, with a signal receiving unit 12 and with a signal evaluating unit 13, constitute a preferred detection device 3 (or respectively a detection system 3). It should be noted that FIG. 1 only sketches the detection device 3 very roughly. In practice, it would be a great advantage to arrange the electronic elements further remotely from the nozzle orifice 5, and to configure the guide ducts 7 and the signal conductors 8 to be longer.

[0118] FIG. 2 shows a preferred metering device 2 with a nozzle 4, which has a nozzle orifice 5. The nozzle 4 is situated in a nozzle block 40, in which the actual nozzle mechanism is situated, in order to open and close the nozzle 4 or respectively the nozzle orifice 5 e.g. in the desired manner, or respectively in order to eject the metering substance in the desired manner in the form of small drops. This nozzle block is flanged onto a control block 41, in which the control mechanism is arranged for actuating the closing mechanism in the nozzle block 40. The actuation of the control mechanism can take place for example hydraulically, pneumatically, through piezo elements or suchlike. The metering material is fed to the nozzle 4 via a line 42 (not able to be seen in FIG. 2, but see FIG. 8). Corresponding metering devices 2 with a nozzle 4, which can be used within the scope of the invention, are, however, known to the specialist in the art and therefore do not need to be explained here in detail. To merely name one example of a suitable metering device, reference can be made to DE 10 2011 108 799 A1. The invention is, however, also able to be used on other metering devices.

[0119] A guide system 1 is arranged on the metering device 2 illustrated in FIG. 2, so that the nozzle orifice region 6 of the guide system 1 is situated precisely at the position of the nozzle orifice 5. In the close proximity of the nozzle 4 the end regions 14 of the guide ducts 7 are situated, which at the same time also correspond to the end regions of the signal conductors 8, here light conductors 8. They again lie opposite one another here with regard to the nozzle orifice region 6.

[0120] At the lower part of the metering device 2 the guide ducts 7 are embodied as milled-out portions or as differently produced recesses in a material block 15 whichas is shown further later with the aid of FIG. 3can be formed from two material block segments 15u, 150 or respectively material block parts.

[0121] The guide ducts 7 run here upwards in a curved line, in the direction of the Z-coordinate, or respectively contrary to the emission direction R, up to a coupling point 24. From this coupling point 24, the light conductors 8 can be introduced, after they have been previously stripped of insulation of the conventional casing M or respectively with their casing removed at their lower end portions which run in the guide ducts. The stripping of insulation takes place here to an extent such that in a portion of the guide ducts 7 facing away from the nozzle orifice region 6, in which portion the diameter is slightly greater than in the remaining portion of the guide ducts 7, a portion of the light conductor casing M can just be inserted.

[0122] The light conductors 8 can then be fixed there with their light conductor casing M by means of clamps 17K, to form a strain relief 17. By means of these clamps 17K, the light conductor casings M in the illustrated embodiment can also be separated from the material block 15 again easily and can be drawn out from the guide system together with the light conductors 8, e.g. for exchanging the light conductors 8 or for cleaning. These clamps 17K, which are embodied here as spring-mounted push-buttons 17K can be released easily by a pressure thereon. These push-buttons 17K are secured against falling out by means of a barrier 18. This barrier consists here respectively of a pin 18, which is inserted into a bore running in the region of the clamps 17K parallel to the guide duct 7.

[0123] The guide system 1 is connected by a quick coupling arrangement 28, to be explained later in more detail with the aid of FIGS. 5 and 6, in the form of a clamping with a component 40, 41 of the metering device 2, for example the nozzle block 40 and/or the control block 41. The quick coupling arrangement 28 can be actuated in a tool-free manner by means of a knurled screw 19.

[0124] As mentioned above, FIG. 3 shows the guide system 1 according to FIG. 2 with a segmented material block 15. In the lower part of the material block 15 in FIG. 3 (the lower material block segment 15u), the guide ducts 7 can be seen which in this two-part form of the material blocks 15 can be easily produced as milled-out portions. Both the lower material block segment 15u and also the upper material block segment 15o are configured so as to be substantially L-shaped, with a lower L leg 15L, which respectively lies, in a mounted state onto the metering device 2, on a lower side of the metering device 2, at which the nozzle orifice 5 is situated, and with an upper L leg, which runs parallel to a front side of the metering device 2, at which the guide system 1 is mounted. The upper material block segment 15o is shaped so that the outer contour of the L is adapted to the inner contour of the L of the lower material block segment 15u, so that the upper material block segment 15o can be fitted into the lower material block segment 15u.

[0125] In the lower, front part or respectively lower L leg 15L of the lower material block segment 15u in FIG. 3, a circular recess can be seen, in the centre of which the nozzle orifice region 6 is drawn. There, the nozzle of the metering device 2 is positioned. In the upper region or respectively upwardly directed L leg of the lower material block segment 15u two large holes can be seen in two lateral portions at which also the light conductors 8 are fed from above, in which holes the clamps 17K (see FIGS. 2 and 4) of the strain relief 17 can be introduced, and in the lower part three holes 20G, 20F which serve for realizing a quick coupling arrangement 28 which is be explained further later. Further holes can also be seen in the segments, which serve for the mounting of the material block segments 15u, 150 on one another, e.g. by means of screws, and which do not have to be explained further in detail.

[0126] Also in the upper material block segment 15o in FIG. 3, the nozzle orifice region 6, lying in a recess, in the lower L leg 15L, and the milled-in guide ducts 7 can be seen, in which the light conductors 8 run. These light conductors 8 do not necessarily have to be, but can definitely be part of the guide system 1. In addition, here also holes can be seen for the clamps 17K, at which respectively the casing M of an inserted light conductor 8 terminates. In this upper material block segment 15, the end regions 14 of the guide ducts 7 can also be seen, which lie opposite in relation to the nozzle orifice region 6.

[0127] FIG. 4 shows further individual details of this guide system 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, namely the two light conductors 8 arranged into the guide ducts 7 in the material block 15, various individual elements 17K, 17F, 18 of the strain relief 17 and a movable clamping jaw 29 of the already mentioned quick coupling arrangement 28 with the knurled screw 19.

[0128] As can be seen here, the light conductors 8 are still provided with their casing M in the upper region, and are already removed of their casing in the lower region by which the light conductors 8 are to be pushed through the guide ducts 7. The end regions 14 of the signal conductors 8, when they are inserted into the material block of FIG. 3, are to correspond to the end regions of the guide ducts 7 in the material block 15.

[0129] The clamps 17K of the strain relief 17 and one of the barriers 18 which are to be found in the joined-together material block segments of FIG. 3, can also be readily seen here. The clamps 17K consist here substantially respectively of a push-button 17K in the form of a pin which has two circumferential grooves 17S, 17L beneath a pressure surface onto which an operator can press to release the clamping. The push-buttons 17K are inserted in a pre-stressed manner respectively into a corresponding recess in the material block 15 against a spring 17F. By means of this spring 17F, the push-buttons 17K would be pressed out again from the recess in the material block 15. However, they are secured within the recess in the material block 15 by a pin 18, serving as a barrier 18, engaging into the upper securing groove 17S (directly beneath the pressure surface), which pin is inserted into a corresponding bore parallel to the guide duct 7. The second signal conductor groove 17L running to this upper securing groove 17S is arranged in the region of the guide duct 7 so that a light conductor 8 which is inserted into the guide duct 7 is clamped securely with its casing M in the signal conductor groove 17N when the push-button 17K is pressed by the spring 17F against the pin 18 which is arranged in the upper securing groove 17S. To release the light conductor 8, the push-button 17K only has to be pressed down a little by the operator against the spring force. This mechanism is particularly convenient in order to achieve a sufficient strain relief of the light conductor 8 in the material block 15.

[0130] As mentioned, the guide system 1 is advantageously equipped with a quick coupling arrangement 28, in order to couple in a tool-free manner with the metering device 2, here in practice on the nozzle block 40. This quick coupling arrangement 28 can be best explained with the aid of FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0131] FIG. 5 shows, for this, the material block 15 with the guide ducts 7 from a similar perspective to FIG. 3, namely viewed from the metering device 1 (not shown here), but in the assembled state of the two material block segments 15u, 15o and with a movable clamping jaw 29 arranged displaceably in a clamping direction K in a guide duct 31 in the material block 15. This guide duct 31 is formed by a cavity adapted to a cross-section of the clamping jaw 29 lying perpendicularly to the clamping direction K, which cavity is situated in the upper side of the material block 15, which points towards the incoming signal conductors 8 (the side arranged above in FIGS. 3 and 5). This cavity is delimited on the side pointing to the metering device 2 by a front wall 32 arranged at the end of the upper L leg of the upper material block segment 150, and to the side pointing away from the metering device 2, by a rear wall 33, which is formed by an upper L leg of the lower material block segment 15u pointing to the incoming signal conductors 8 (see also FIG. 3 in this respect). Between the front wall 32 and the two lateral portions for feeding the light conductors 8 in the upper L leg of the upper material block segment 150, two guide slots 34 are situated for two retaining fingers 29a, 29b or respectively retaining claws of the clamping jaw 29, which are explained further below.

[0132] FIG. 6 shows once again the released clamping jaw 29 with the knurled screw 19, which runs (here parallel to the upper portion of the light conductors 8) from top downwards through the clamping jaw 29, freely rotatably in the latter, so that a threaded portion of the knurled screw 19 projects downwards out from the clamping jaw 29 and at the top side (at the upper end) a knurled wheel is situated for actuating the knurled screw 19. Two guide pins 20a extend here, from the underside of the clamping jaw 29, parallel to the threaded portion of the knurled screw 19.

[0133] In the base of the cavity in the material block 15, forming the guide duct 31, a threaded hole 20G (or respectively threaded bore) for the thread of the knurled screw 19, and fitting thereto adjacently two guide holes 20F (or respectively guide bores) for the guide pins 20F are introduced approximately centrally. Both the threaded hole 20G and also the guide holes 20F run through the upper material block segment 15o and run into the lower material block segment 15u, here preferably even through the latter. However, the thread of the threaded hole 20G is preferably situated only in the lower material block segment 15u, so that the threaded portion of the knurled screw 19 can slide freely through the upper part of the threaded hole 20G in the upper material block segment 150.

[0134] By turning the knurled screw 19, the clamping jaw 29 can therefore be moved to and fro very precisely and finely in the guide channel 31 of the material block 15 parallel to the upper L leg in the clamping direction K, i.e. in the direction of the lower L leg 15L of the material block 15, wherein through the transmission of the rotatory force by means of the knurled screw 19, a relatively great force can be exerted in the clamping direction K. The guide holes 20F interacting with the guide pins 20F provide here for an exact parallel guiding of the clamping jaw 29 in the guide duct 31 of the material block 15.

[0135] The movable clamping jaw 29 has, as mentioned, retaining fingers 29a, 29b, which project through guide slots 34 in the lower material block 15 out from the guide duct 31 of the material block 15 substantially parallel to the end-side course of the lower L leg 15L of the material block 15. Between the retaining fingers 29a, 29b of the movable clamping jaw 29 and the lower L leg 15L of the material block 15, which forms an immobile clamping jaw (or respectively a stationary counter-clamping jaw relative to the material block 15), a clamping mechanism is thus formed in the manner of a vice, so that by tightening of the knurled screw 19 a portion of the metering device 2, here the nozzle block 40 of the metering device 2, can be clamped securely therebetween and therefore the entire guide system 1 can be fixed on the metering device 2.

[0136] In the case illustrated here, the two retaining fingers 29b engage from above onto the nozzle block 40, wherein one of the retaining fingers 29a is inserted into a slot 43 (which can be seen in FIG. 2 or 8) between the nozzle block 40 and the control block 41. The lower L leg 15L presses here as counter-clamping jaw from below against the nozzle block 40, wherein automatically the nozzle orifice region 6 lies in a fitting manner at the nozzle orifice 5.

[0137] The one retaining finger 29a is embodied so as to be relatively thin, in order to fit into the above-mentioned slot 43 between the nozzle block 40 and the control block 41, and the other retaining finger 29b is shaped in order to lie on another position of the nozzle block 40 in a form-fitting manner. Alongside the thin retaining finger 29a, the material of the movable clamping jaw 29 is inclined. The inclination 30 accommodates the given form of the control block.

[0138] By means of this quick coupling arrangement 28, both a secure hold of the guide system 1 on the metering device 2 is guaranteed and also an easy exchanging of the guide system 1 is possible, because by a simple turning of the knurled screw 19 the clamping is tightened or released and therefore the guide system 1 can be quickly coupled or uncoupled.

[0139] FIG. 7 shows diagrammatically a preferred arrangement of curves 21, 21a in a guide duct 7. This curved guide corresponds to the curved guide in the preferred example embodiment shown with the aid of FIGS. 2 to 4. A guide duct 7 is illustrated, the end region 14 of which can be seen at the bottom in the figure, and the upper end of which is open for the introducing of a signal conductor. The central axis 9 is shown centrally in the guide duct. At the bottom in the figure, the guide duct 7 runs toward the end region 14 firstly in a curve 21 in a first spatial plane 25 which, with an arrangement of the guide duct in a metering device, would stand orthogonally to the emission direction of drops. The course of the guide duct 7 and therefore also the course of its central axis 9 changes with this curve about the angle , which corresponds here to 90. In the further course, the guide duct 7 is bent in a further curve 21a in a further spatial plane 26, wherein this further spatial plane 26 stands in an angle to the first spatial plane 25, which corresponds here to 90. The two spatial planes 25, 26 therefore stand orthogonally to one another. The course of the guide duct 7 and therefore also the course of its central axis 9 changes with this further curve 21a about the angle , which corresponds again here to 90.

[0140] In this way, the alignment of the guide duct 7 changes from a horizontal orientation in the end region 14 by means of two curves 21, 21a into a perpendicular alignment.

[0141] FIG. 8 shows in a perspective manner a further preferred embodiment of a guide system 1 on a metering device 2, wherein this can be the same metering device 2 here as in the example embodiment according to FIGS. 2 to 4. In contrast to this other example embodiment, the guide ducts are formed here by pipes 18 without the use of a material block. These pipes 16 can be additionally stabilized by means of stabilizing elements 22 and a stabilizing plate 27. In the lower part, the resulting jetting direction R is illustrated contrary to the Z-axis, on which jetted drops 23 would move.

[0142] The stabilizing elements 22 can be formed, at the same time, as a type of strain relief. For example, the casing M of the light conductor could be clamped here again.

[0143] The pipes 16 also end directly at the nozzle 4 here, so that the end regions 14 of these guide ducts lie opposite at the nozzle orifice 5 of the nozzle 4 of the metering device 2. At the upper part of the pipes, fixing elements 10 are illustrated, by means of which measuring units of a detection device can be connected with the structure. The pipes could also be embodied at least partially as a Bowden cable, and thereby able to be laid in a flexible manner, wherein preferably the start and the end would be fixed.

[0144] FIG. 9, finally, shows another preferred arrangement of curves 36, 36a in guide ducts 7. This curved guide serves in particular for the feeding of particularly fine glass fibre cables, which preferably only have a core diameter of maximally approximately 0.5 mm, particularly preferably approximately 0.3 mm, and an external diameter of approximately 0.7 mm. Accordingly, the guide ducts have an internal diameter of likewise approximately 0.7 mm. The glass fibres are fed here respectively from the direction of one side to the nozzle orifice region 6. Here, also, the guide ducts 7 are situated respectively in a material block (not illustrated) which, however, is configured so as to be relatively flat and extends on both sides adjacent to the nozzle orifice region 6 away beneath the nozzle block (not illustrated in FIG. 9, but illustrated in FIG. 8 in the bottom view with a different guide system). In order to guide the respective guide duct 7 here as close as possible along the underside of the nozzle block, the guide ducts 7 have respectively a slight or respectively flat S-curve-like curve course with respectively two adjacent curves 36, 36a adjoining one another, which extend in a common spatial plane 35. The angle of these curves 36, 36a is respectively approximately 16.5, wherein the curves 36, 36a run in a diametrically opposed manner, so that the central axis 9 of the guide duct 7 before and after the curve course is only slightly offset within the spatial plane 35. In other words, the guide ducts 7 run along laterally closely under the nozzle block towards the nozzle orifice region 6 and run through the curve formation shortly before the nozzle orifice region 6, so that they still run parallel to the underside of the nozzle block towards the nozzle orifice region 6, but at a slightly greater distance from the nozzle block. The length of the guide ducts here is approximately 1 cm. On, for example, the last 0.5 cm, the light conductor can preferably be clamped in the guide, as described above.

[0145] In conclusion, it is pointed out once again that the devices which are described above in detail are only example embodiments which can be modified in the most varied of ways by the specialist in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a quick coupling device could also be realized without clamping, with e.g. a knurled screw or suchlike, which is used directly for screwing the guide system with the metering device, or a clamping can take place with another mechanism. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite article a does not preclude the respective features also being able to be present in multiple numbers. Likewise, the term unit does not preclude the latter also consisting of several sub-units, if applicable also separated spatially.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0146] 1 guide system [0147] 2 metering device [0148] 3 detection device [0149] 4 nozzle [0150] 5 nozzle orifice [0151] 6 nozzle orifice region [0152] 7 guide duct [0153] 8 signal conductor/light conductor [0154] 9 central axis [0155] 10 holding element [0156] 11 signal transmitting unit [0157] 12 signal receiving unit [0158] 13 signal evaluating unit [0159] 14 end region [0160] 15 material block [0161] 15L lower L leg [0162] 15u lower material block segment [0163] 15o upper material block segment [0164] 16 pipe [0165] 17 strain relief [0166] 17K clamp/push button [0167] 17F spring [0168] 17L signal conductor groove [0169] 17S securing groove [0170] 18 barrier/pin [0171] 19 knurled screw [0172] 20a guide pin [0173] 20G threaded hole [0174] 20F guide hole [0175] 21, 21a curve [0176] 22 stabilizing elements [0177] 23 metering substance [0178] 24 coupling point [0179] 25 spatial plane [0180] 26 spatial plane [0181] 27 stabilizing plate [0182] 28 quick coupling arrangement [0183] 29 movable clamping jaw [0184] 29, 29a retaining finger [0185] 30 inclination [0186] 31 guide duct [0187] 32 front wall [0188] 33 rear wall [0189] 34 guide slot [0190] 35 spatial plane [0191] 36, 36a curve [0192] 40 nozzle block [0193] 41 control block [0194] 42 line [0195] 43 slot [0196] G straight line [0197] M signal conductor casing [0198] K clamping direction [0199] R emission direction [0200] , , angle [0201] angle