Dosing system with dosing material cooling device

Abstract

The invention relates to a dosing system (1) for a dosing material having a dosing device (5) with a housing (11), the housing (11) comprising a feed channel (80) for dosing material, a nozzle (40), a discharge element (31) and an actuator unit (10) coupled to the discharge element (31) and/or the nozzle (40). The dosing device (5) further comprises a dosing material reservoir (70) which is coupled to the housing (11) or integrated into the housing (11). The dosing system (1) has a plurality of temperature control devices (2, 2′, 2″) which are each assigned to different temperature zones (6, 6′, 6″) of the dosing system (1) in order to control the temperature zones (6, 6′, 6″) differently. At least one first temperature zone (6) is assigned to the dosing material reservoir (70) and at least one second temperature zone (6″) is assigned to the nozzle (40). Preferably, at least one of the temperature control devices (2, 2′, 2″), preferably at least the temperature control device (2) assigned to the dosing material reservoir (6), comprises a cooling device (3, 3′, 3″) having a cold source (93, 93′, 95, 99).

Claims

1. A dosing system (1) for a dosing material having a dosing device (5) with a housing (11) comprising a feed channel (80) for dosing material, a nozzle (40), a discharge element (31) and an actuator unit (10) coupled to the discharge element (31) and/or the nozzle (40), and having a dosing material reservoir (70) coupled to the housing (11) or integrated into the housing (11), the dosing system (1) having a plurality of temperature control devices (2, 2′, 2″) which are each assigned to different temperature zones (6, 6′, 6″) of the dosing system (1) in order to control the temperature zones (6, 6′, 6″) to respectively different target temperatures, at least one first temperature zone (6) being assigned to the dosing material reservoir (70) and at least one second temperature zone (6″) being assigned to the nozzle (40), and at least the temperature control device (2) assigned to the dosing material reservoir (70) comprising a cooling device (3, 3′, 3″) having a cold source (93, 93′, 95, 99).

2. The dosing system according to claim 1 [[16]], wherein the cold source (95) of the cooling device (3, 3′, 3″) is configured to cool a cooling medium of the cooling device (3, 3′, 3″) to a predeterminable temperature and/or wherein the cold source (93, 93′) comprises at least one vortex tube (93, 93′).

3. The dosing system according to claim 1, having a control unit (50) and/or regulating unit (50) to control and/or to regulate the temperature control device (2, 2′, 2″).

4. The dosing system according to claim 3, wherein the control unit (50) and/or regulating unit (50) is configured to control and/or regulate the temperature control device (2, 2′, 2″) for controlling the temperature of the dosing material based on at least one input parameter.

5. The dosing system according to claim 4, wherein the temperature control device (2, 2′, 2″) is assigned to at least one temperature sensor (88, 88′) in the dosing system (1) for generating the input parameter.

6. The dosing system according to claim 4, wherein the at least one input parameter comprises a volume flow and/or a temperature and/or a viscosity.

7. The dosing system according to claim 3, wherein the control unit (50) and/or regulating unit (50) regulates the dosing material in the assigned temperature zone (6, 6′, 6″) to a target temperature.

8. The dosing system according to claim 1, wherein the temperature control device (2, 2′, 2″) comprises a heating device (4, 4′, 4″).

9. The dosing system according to claim 8, wherein the temperature control device (2, 2′, 2″) is assigned a control unit (50) and/or regulating unit (50) which is configured to separately control and/or to separately regulate the cooling device (3, 3′, 3″) and the heating device (4, 4′, 4″) of the temperature control device (2, 2′, 2″).

10. The dosing system according to claim 8, wherein the cooling device (3, 3′, 3″) and the heating device (4, 4′, 4″) of the temperature control device (2, 2′, 2″) are spatially separated from one another.

11. The dosing system according to claim 8, wherein the temperature control device (2″) assigned to the nozzle (40) comprises the heating device (4″).

12. The dosing system according to claim 1, wherein the dosing system (1) comprises at least one further temperature control device (2′) which is assigned to a third temperature zone (6′), the third temperature zone being assigned to the feed channel (80) of the dosing system (1).

13. The dosing system according to claim 1, wherein the dosing material reservoir (70) comprises a dosing material supply container (70).

Description

(1) The invention is explained in more detail in the following with reference to the attached figures using embodiments. The same components are provided with identical reference numbers in the various figures. The figures are usually not to scale. Shown are:

(2) FIG. 1 a sectional view of a dosing system according to an embodiment of the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 parts of a dosing system according to another embodiment of the invention,

(4) FIG. 3 parts of a dosing system according to a further embodiment of the invention,

(5) FIG. 4 parts of a dosing system according to a further embodiment of the invention,

(6) FIG. 5 parts of a dosing system according to a further embodiment of the invention,

(7) FIG. 6 a schematic representation of a temperature control system for a dosing system according to an embodiment of the invention.

(8) A specific embodiment of a dosing system 1 according to the invention is now described with reference to FIG. 1. The dosing system 1 is depicted here in the usual intended location or position, for example, during operation of the dosing system 1. A nozzle 40 is located in the lower region of the dosing system 1, so that the drops of the medium are discharged downwards in a discharge direction R through the nozzle 40. Insofar as the terms below and above are used in the following, these details therefore always relate to such a, usually conventional, position of the dosing system 1. However, this does not rule out that the dosing system 1 can also be used in a different position in special applications and the drops are discharged laterally, for example. This is basically also possible depending on the medium, pressure and exact construction and activation of the entire discharge system.

(9) The dosing system 1 comprises, as essential components, an actuator unit 10 and a fluidic unit 30, which together form a dosing device 5, and a dosing material reservoir 70 coupled to the fluidic unit 30.

(10) In the embodiment of the dosing system 1 shown here, the actuator unit 10 and the fluidic unit 30 are fixedly connected to one another, for example, by means of a fixing screw 23 and thus form a housing 11 having two housing parts 11a, 11b. It should be noted, however, that the respective assemblies 10, 30 can also be implemented in the manner of plug-in coupling parts that can be coupled to one another to form a quick-release coupling. The actuator unit 10 and the fluidic unit 30 could then be coupled to one another without tools in order to form the dosing system 1. The actuator unit 10 and the fluidic unit 30 together form the dosing device 5 of the dosing system 1.

(11) The actuator unit 10 substantially comprises all components that ensure the drive or movement of a discharge element 31, here a tappet 31, in the nozzle 40, thus, for example, a piezo actuator 60 and a movement mechanism 14 to be able to actuate the discharge element 31 of the fluidic unit 30, a control unit 50 to be able to activate the piezo actuator 60 and similar components, as is explained below.

(12) In addition to the nozzle 40 and a supply line 80 of the medium to the nozzle 40, the fluidic unit 30 comprises all other parts that are in direct contact with the medium, and the elements that are required in order to assemble together the relevant parts which are in contact with the medium or to hold them in their position on the fluidic unit 30.

(13) In the embodiment of the dosing system 1 shown here, the actuator unit 10 comprises an actuator unit housing block 11 a as a first housing part 11 a having two internal chambers, namely, on the one hand, an actuator chamber 12 having a piezo actuator 60 located therein and on the other hand, an action chamber 13 into which the movable discharge element 31, here the tappet 31, of the fluidic unit 30 protrudes. Via a movement mechanism 14, which protrudes from the actuator chamber 12 into the action chamber 13, the tappet 31 is actuated by means of the piezo actuator 60 so that the fluidic unit 30 discharges the medium to be dosed in the desired amount at the desired time. The tappet 31 here closes a nozzle opening 41 and thus also serves as a closure element 31. However, since most of the medium is only discharged from the nozzle opening 41 when the tappet 31 is moving in the closing direction, it is referred to here as the discharge element 31.

(14) The piezo actuator 60 is connected by electricity or signal to a control unit 50 of the dosing system 1 in order to be activated. The connection to this control unit 50 is via control cables 51, which are connected to suitable piezo actuator control connections 62, for example, suitable plugs. The two control connections 62 are each coupled to a contact pin 61 or to a respective connection pole of the piezo actuator 60 in order to activate the piezo actuator 60 by means of the control unit 50. In contrast to what is depicted in FIG. 1, the control connections 62 can be guided through the housing 11 in a sealed manner such that substantially no air can penetrate into the actuator chamber 12 from the outside in the region of the respective control connections 62 carried out, for example, in order to be able to cool the actuator 60 effectively. For this purpose, the actuator chamber 12 comprises a feed opening 21 for a cooling medium in the upper region in order to apply a cooling medium to the piezo actuator 60. The piezo actuator 60, particularly the piezo actuator control connections 62, can, for example, be provided with a suitable memory unit (for example, an EEPROM or the like) in which information such as an article designation etc. or control parameters for the piezo actuator 60 are stored, the control parameters then being able to be read out by the control unit 50 to identify the piezo actuator 60 and activate in the appropriate way. The control cables 51 can comprise a plurality of control lines and data lines. However, since the basic activation of piezo actuators is known, this will not be discussed further.

(15) The piezo actuator 60 can expand and contract again in the longitudinal direction of the actuator chamber 12 in accordance with a wiring by means of the control device 50. The piezo actuator 60 can be inserted into the actuator chamber 12 from above. A spherical cap that is height-adjustable by means of a screwing movement can then serve as the upper abutment (not shown here), allowing precise adjustment of the piezo actuator 60 to a movement mechanism 14, here a lever 16. Accordingly, the piezo actuator 60 is mounted on the lever 16 in the downward direction via a pressure piece 20 which tapers at an acute angle at the bottom and which in turn rests on a lever bearing 18 at the lower end of the actuator chamber 12. The lever 16 can be tilted about a tilt axis K via this lever bearing 18, so that a lever arm of the lever 16 protrudes through a breakthrough 15 into the action chamber 13. The breakthrough 15 connects the action chamber 13 to the actuator chamber 12, so that the cooling medium can flow from the actuator chamber 12 into the action chamber 13 and leave the housing 11 in the region of a discharge opening 22. In the action chamber 13, the lever arm has a contact surface 17 which points in the direction of the tappet 31 of the fluidic unit 30 coupled to the actuator unit 10 and which presses on a contact surface 34 of a tappet head 33.

(16) It should be mentioned at this point that in the embodiment shown, it is provided that the contact surface 17 of the lever 16 is permanently in contact with the contact surface 34 of the tappet head 33, in that a tappet spring 35 presses the tappet head 33 against the lever 16 from below. The lever 16 rests on the tappet 31. However, there is no fixed connection between the two components 16, 31. In principle, however, it would also be possible for the tappet spring 35 to be at a distance between the tappet 31 and lever 16 in an initial or rest position, so that the lever 16 initially travels freely through a specific path section when it is pivoted downwards and thereby picks up speed and then with a high impulse strikes the tappet 31 or its contact surface 34 in order to increase the discharge impulse which the tappet 31 in turn exerts on the medium. In order to enable an almost constant pre-tensioning of the drive system (lever-piezo actuator-movement system), the lever 16 is pressed upwards by an actuator spring 19 at the end at which it comes into contact with the tappet 31.

(17) The fluidic unit 30 comprises a second housing part 11b and, as mentioned, is here connected to the actuator unit 10 or its housing part 11a by means of a fixing screw 23 to form the housing 11. The tappet 31 is supported by means of the tappet spring 35 on a tappet bearing 37, to which a tappet seal 36 connects downwards. The tappet spring 35 pushes the tappet head 33 away from the tappet bearing 37 in the axial direction upwards. A tappet tip 32 is thus also pushed away from a sealing seat 43 of the nozzle 40. That is, without external pressure from above on the contact surface 34 of the tappet head 31, in the rest position of the tappet spring 35, the tappet tip 32 is located at a distance from the sealing seat 43 of the nozzle 40. Thus, a nozzle opening 41 is also free or not closed in the rest state (non-expanded state) of the piezo actuator 60.

(18) The dosing material is fed to the nozzle 40 via a nozzle chamber 42 to which a feed channel 80 leads. On the other hand, the feed channel 80 is connected to a dosing material reservoir 70, which is implemented here by means of a dosing material cartridge 70. The dosing material cartridge 70 forms the dosing system 1 together with the dosing device 5.

(19) The dosing material cartridge 70 is fastened directly to the housing 11 by means of a coupling point 77 at a coupling point 44 of the housing 11 that interacts therewith, here on the second housing part 11b. The interfaces 44, 77 enable a time-saving, preferably tool-free, reversible fastening of the dosing material reservoir 70 to the housing 11. Since the basic structure of dosing systems is known, for the sake of clarity, predominantly those components are shown here which relate at least indirectly to the invention.

(20) The dosing system further comprises three temperature control devices 2, 2′, 2″, which are each assigned to different temperature zones of the dosing material. A first temperature control device 2 is assigned to the dosing material cartridge 70. The temperature control device 2 comprises a cooling device 3, which is explained in more detail in the following, and a heating device (not shown).

(21) The dosing material cartridge 70 (only shown schematically here) is arranged in the intended state, thus, coupled to the fluidic unit 30, entirely within a cartridge receiving unit 72 of the cooling device 3. The cartridge receiving unit 72 is substantially closed in an airtight manner by means of a cover and comprises a feed opening 75 for a precooled cooling medium, for example, a coupling point for an external cooling medium supply line. A precooled cooling medium can be supplied to a cooling channel 73 by means of the feed opening 75. The cooling channel 73 is arranged here in a wall 74 of the cartridge receiving unit 72 and is configured such that it encloses the cartridge 70 in a substantially helical shape. The cooling channel 73 ends in a discharge opening 76 by means of which the cooling medium can leave the cooling channel 73 again in a flow direction RM. In this embodiment of the cooling device 3, the cartridge receiving unit 72 is initially cooled by means of the cooling medium, and then the dosing material in the cartridge 70 is also cooled indirectly.

(22) In contrast to what is shown here, the first temperature control device could alternatively or additionally also comprise at least one cooling channel running substantially in a straight line, for example, along a longitudinal extension of the cartridge (thus here vertically), in the wall of the cartridge receiving unit. If the cooling device comprises a plurality of separate cooling channels, each cooling channel can comprise a separate feed opening or discharge opening for cooling medium. Alternatively, only one common (“central”) feed opening or discharge opening can be assigned to a plurality of separate cooling channels.

(23) In another embodiment of the cooling device (not shown), the cooling channel could be designed between a cartridge wall 71 forming the cartridge and an inner wall of the cartridge receiving unit, thus, in an interior of the cartridge receiving unit, and thus surround the cartridge in a ring shape from the outside.

(24) The dosing material can be controlled substantially in the entire dosing material cartridge 70 up to the entry into the feed channel 80 to a (first) specific (target) temperature by means of the first temperature control device 2.

(25) The dosing system 1 comprises a second temperature control device 2′, which is assigned to the feed channel 80. The feed channel 80 can, for example, have a substantially circular cross-section. The second temperature control device 2′ also comprises a (separately activatable) cooling device 3′ and a heating device (not shown). The cooling device 3′ comprises a “cooling element” 82, here a cooling channel 82, which is arranged in a wall 81 of the feed channel 80. The cooling channel 82 winds helically around the entire feed channel 80. This means that both the here vertical subsection (following the cartridge 70) and the following horizontal subsection of the feed channel 80, particularly the dosing material in the respective subsection, are in operative contact with the cooling device 3′.

(26) In order to feed a precooled cooling medium to the cooling channel 82, the “cooling element” 82 comprises a separately (with respect to the feed opening 75 of the cartridge receiving device 72) designed feed opening 83 for precooled cooling medium, which here is connected to the actual cooling channel 82 by means of a short (horizontal) connecting channel. The cooling channel 82 extends as far as a discharge opening 84 for discharging the cooling medium from the cooling channel 82.

(27) In contrast to what is shown here, the second temperature control device could also comprise a plurality of separately configured cooling channels. The individual cooling channels could each comprise separate feed openings or discharge openings or could be coupled by means of only one common (“central”) feed or discharge opening. For example, the cooling channels could also be arranged in the fluidic unit at a distance from the feed channel, that is, the respective cooling channels then do not run directly in a wall of the feed channel.

(28) Alternatively, a single cooling channel could also be configured such that it surrounds the feed channel in a ring shape from the outside (when considering a cross-section of the feed channel) and extends along its course.

(29) As mentioned, the second temperature control device 2′ comprises a heating device (not shown) which is arranged in a frame part 45 of the housing 11 and can be activated by means of heating connection cables 87. The dosing material can be controlled to a (second) (target) temperature substantially in the entire feed channel 80 by means of the second temperature control device 2′.

(30) A third temperature control device 2″ of the dosing system 1 is assigned to the nozzle 40 in order to control the dosing material to a (third) (target) temperature in a nozzle chamber 42 inside the nozzle 40, which nozzle chamber 42 is directly connected to the feed channel 80. This third temperature control device 2″ comprises a heating device 4″, which is implemented here by means of heating elements 85. The heating elements 85 can, for example, be configured as an annular heating element 85 in order to limit the nozzle chamber 42 to the outside or relative to the housing 11. The heating elements 85 could, however, also be arranged in the housing 11 itself. The third temperature control device 2″ can furthermore comprise a cooling device 3″ (not shown here).

(31) In the embodiment shown here, the respective temperature control devices 2, 2′, 2″ are configured and arranged in the dosing system 1 in order to continuously control the dosing material to a respective specific (target) temperature from provision, for example, from the time the dosing material cartridge 70 is coupled to the housing 11 until it is discharged from the nozzle 40. This means that the temperature zones assigned to the respective temperature control devices 2, 2′, 2″ are directly adjacent to one another. This is particularly clear in FIG. 2.

(32) FIG. 2 shows parts of a dosing system according to another embodiment of the invention. The dosing system 1 here comprises three temperature zones 6, 6′, 6″. A first temperature zone 6 is assigned to the dosing material reservoir 70, wherein the temperature zone 6 completely encompasses the dosing material reservoir 70. The dosing material reservoir 70 can also be configured larger, in contrast to what is shown here. Substantially all of the dosing material in the dosing material reservoir 70 can be controlled by means of the assigned temperature control device 2 or the cooling device 3. The cooling device 3 substantially corresponds to that shown in FIG. 1 and comprises a cooling channel 73 which is arranged in the wall of the cartridge receiving unit 72 and which helically surrounds the cartridge 70. However, a feed device for cooling medium is arranged here in the region of a cover of the cartridge receiving unit 72 and is connected to the actual cooling channel 73 by means of a short (vertical) connecting channel.

(33) The first temperature zone 6 assigned to the dosing material reservoir 70 directly adjoins a second temperature zone 6′ assigned to the feed channel 80 in the region of a temperature zone boundary 8. The temperature control device 2′ assigned to the second temperature zone 6′ is configured to control substantially the entire dosing material in the feed channel 80. The dosing material flows through the feed channel 80 in a direction RD.

(34) The second temperature control device 2′ comprises a cooling device 3′ which corresponds to the structure of the second cooling device 3′ (assigned to the feed channel) from FIG. 1 and is therefore not explained in more detail here. In contrast to FIG. 1, however, here a coupling point 83 is coupled to an external cooling medium supply line 97′ in order to supply the cooling channel 82 with a precooled cooling medium in a flow direction RM.

(35) The temperature control device 2′ assigned to the second temperature zone 6′ further comprises a heating device 4′ having a heating cartridge 85, which here is arranged above the feed channel 80.

(36) The second temperature zone 6′ directly adjoins a third temperature zone 6″ assigned to the nozzle 40 in the region of a further temperature zone boundary 8′. As soon as the dosing material flowing in the direction of RD passes this temperature zone boundary 8′, thus, enters the nozzle chamber 42, the dosing material is controlled by means of the third temperature control device 2″ assigned to the nozzle, for example, heated to a dosing material-specific processing temperature. Continuous, “gap-free” control of the dosing material in the dosing system is possible according to this embodiment of the invention.

(37) FIG. 3 shows a subsection of a fluidic unit according to a further embodiment of the invention. A temperature control device 2′ having a cooling device 3′ and a heating device 4′ is assigned to a feed channel 80 here.

(38) In contrast to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cooling device 3′ here comprises two separately designed cooling channels 82′, 82″ which extend on two opposite sides of the feed channel 80. In the top view in FIG. 3, a first cooling channel 82′ runs in the wall 81 to the left or below the feed channel 80 and a second cooling channel 82″ in the wall 81 to the right or above the feed channel 80. The cooling channels can originate in a common feed opening. In contrast to FIG. 1, the cooling channels 82′, 82″ therefore do not enclose the feed channel 80 in a helical manner here, but run substantially in a straight line (apart from a kink) along the feed channel 80.

(39) The region of the wall 81 of the feed channel 80 (between the two cooling channels 82′, 82″) that is not in direct operative contact with the cooling device 3′ is at least partially encompassed by a heating device 4′. The heating device 4′, here a number of heating wires 86′, is directly supported on the wall 81 from the outside and can therefore feed heat to the dosing material in the feed channel 80 in a targeted manner.

(40) The feed channel 80 furthermore comprises four temperature sensors 88′, which are arranged in different regions on an inside of the wall 81. The temperature sensors 88′ can feed a control unit of the dosing system (see FIG. 6) with a temperature of the dosing material in different regions of the dosing system as an input parameter for controlling the temperature.

(41) In FIG. 3, it is particularly clear that the temperature control device 2′ (like the other temperature control device of the dosing system) is configured to cool and also to heat the dosing material in an assigned temperature zone within the context of controlling the temperature simultaneously (“overlapping regulation”).

(42) FIG. 4 shows a fluidic unit according to a further embodiment of the invention. In contrast to FIG. 3, the temperature control device 2′ assigned to the feed channel 80 here comprises a cooling device 3′ having only one cooling channel 82′ which (in a top view) runs to the left or below the feed channel 80.

(43) The heating device 4′ of the temperature control device 2′ comprises a number of separately activatable heating cartridges 85 which are coupled to the control unit by means of separate heating connection cables 87. The heating cartridges 85 are arranged, on the one hand, in direct proximity to the feed channel 80 and can, for example, directly adjoin the wall 81 (here in the region above the feed channel 80). On the other hand, the heating cartridges 85 can also be arranged in the frame part 45 at a distance from the feed channel 80, wherein the cooling channel 82′ can run between the heating cartridges 85 and the feed channel 80.

(44) FIG. 5 shows a fluidic unit according to a further embodiment of the invention. In contrast to FIGS. 1 to 4, the cooling device 3′ here does not comprise a flowing, precooled cooling fluid, but instead a stationary cold source integrated into the fluidic unit 30, here a Peltier element 99. The Peltier element 99 is arranged here directly in a wall 81 of the feed channel 80. The Peltier element 99 can be activated by the control unit by means of connection cables 89 to control the cooling capacity.

(45) The Peltier element 99 can, on the one hand, be used to actively cool the dosing material in the feed channel 80. On the other hand, the same Peltier element 99 can also be used to heat the dosing material in the feed channel 80. An electric current in the Peltier element 99 has the effect of (actively) cooling a region or a side of the Peltier element 99, while an opposite side of the Peltier element 99 is heated. The Peltier element 99 thus forms the cold side and a warm side.

(46) Depending on requirements, a direction of an electrical current flowing through the Peltier element 99 can be selected so that one side of the Peltier element 99, for example, a side facing the feed channel 80, is either cooled or heated. Thus, the dosing material in the feed channel 80 can either be cooled or even heated by means of just one Peltier element 99, as desired. The Peltier element 99 can thus be operated either as a cold source or as a heating device. Correspondingly, due to the different operating modes of the Peltier element 99, a separate heating device could in principle be dispensed with.

(47) For particularly effective cooling of the dosing material by means of the Peltier element 99, the Peltier element 99 can preferably be arranged in the fluidic unit 30 such that the heat generated during operation of the Peltier element 99 can be dissipated as effectively as possible from the Peltier element 99. For this purpose, the “heat generating” side of the Peltier element 99 (here the side pointing away from the feed channel 80) can experience flow from outside the dosing system, for example, with compressed room air.

(48) In spite of the different operating modes of the Peltier element 99, the temperature control device 2′ here comprises a separate heating cartridge 85, which (in a top view of the feed channel 80) is arranged on a side of the feed channel 80 opposite the Peltier element 99.

(49) The two “control components” 85, 99 are arranged “offset” here, based on the direction of flow RD of the dosing material in the feed channel 80. The case shown in FIG. 5 could show a feed channel 80 in the region shortly before the feed channel 80 opens into the nozzle. By means of the Peltier element 99 it is, for example, on the one hand, possible to cool the dosing material up to a defined region of the feed channel 80, for example, until reaching the right end of the Peltier element 99.

(50) Since the dosing material in the nozzle (not shown) is typically heated to a processing temperature, it can be advantageous to end the cooling of the dosing material already in a region of the feed channel 80 shortly before the nozzle and instead to begin with a “precontrol” of the dosing material, for example, by means of the heating cartridge 85. Correspondingly, the temperature control device 2′ can be configured, as shown here, such that only cooling of the dosing material takes place in a first subregion of the temperature zone, wherein pure heating of the dosing material takes place in a second, here “downstream” subregion of the temperature zone.

(51) FIG. 6 schematically shows the structure of a temperature control system 7 according to an embodiment of the dosing system.

(52) A control unit 50 activates a cold source 95, for example, a compression refrigeration machine 95, as a function of at least one input parameter of the dosing system 1 so that a cooling medium is cooled to a specific (first) temperature. The cooling medium, for example, compressed room air, is supplied to the refrigeration machine 95 by means of a compressed air supply 90. The cooling medium emerging from the compression refrigeration machine 95 has already been cooled to a temperature below the ambient temperature of the dosing system 1 and reaches two (parallel) downstream vortex tubes 93, 93′ by means of suitable insulated lines.

(53) The two vortex tubes 93, 93′ are configured to cool the pre-controlled cooling medium to a final (target) temperature in a targeted manner. The two vortex tubes 93, 93′ can be activated separately by means of the control unit 50 in order to cool the cooling medium to different (target) temperatures.

(54) To regulate the cooling capacity, each of the two vortex tubes 93, 93′ comprises a controllable regulating valve 94, 94′ in the region of a hot air outlet HAW of the respective vortex tube 93, 93′. Both the temperature and the (volume) flow of the cooled cooling medium (“cold air component”) can be regulated by means of the valve 94, 94′. In principle, opening the valve 94, 94′ leads to a reduction in the flow as well as the temperature of the cooled air emerging from the respective vortex tube 93, 93′. The cooled cooling medium leaves the respective vortex tube 93, 93′ at a cold air outlet of the vortex tube 93, 93′ in a direction RM. A “hot air component” of the respective vortex tube 93, 93′ is led away from the vortex tube 93, 93′ by means of the respective hot air outlet HAW. To regulate the respective volume flow of the cooling medium entering the vortex tube 93, 93′, a separate proportional valve 92, 92′ can be connected upstream of the respective vortex tube 93, 93′, the proportional valve being able to be activated by means of the control unit 50.

(55) In the embodiment of the temperature control system 7 shown here, the precooled cooling medium of a first (here left) vortex tube 93 is used to control the temperature of a temperature zone assigned to the dosing material cartridge 70. The cooling medium enters a cooling channel 73 for cooling the dosing material in the cartridge 70 by means of a cooling medium supply line 97 which, on the one hand, is coupled to the vortex tube 93 and, on the other hand, to a coupling point of a cartridge receiving unit 72. The cooling medium leaves the cooling channel 73 by means of a cooling medium discharge line 98 in a region of a hot air outlet HAD of the dosing system. A controllable pressure reducer 96 is optionally provided here between the vortex tube 93 and the cooling channel 73.

(56) The cooling medium emerging from the second (here on the right) vortex tube 93′ is provided for control of a temperature zone assigned to the feed channel (not shown) of the fluidic unit 30. The cooling medium enters the feed channel by means of a separate cooling medium supply line 97′ into a cooling channel 82 for cooling the dosing material. Here, too, an optional pressure reducer 96′ is provided between the vortex tube 93′ and the cooling channel 82. Due to the separately operated (second) vortex tube 93′, the dosing material in the feed channel can be controlled to a different, preferably higher, (target) temperature than the dosing material in the cartridge 70. The cooling medium leaves the cooling channel 82 by means of a separate cooling medium discharge line 98′.

(57) In FIG. 6, the cold compression system 95 interacts with two cooling devices 3, 3′ of the dosing system 1. In the case depicted here, the respective cooling devices 3, 3′ for cooling the dosing material in the cartridge 70 or in the feed channel are implemented by means of separate sub-cooling circuits 3, 3′ which are each coupled separately to the cold compression system 95. This means that the cooling device 3 assigned to the dosing material reservoir 70 and the cooling device 3′ assigned to the feed channel jointly use the cold provided by the cold compression system 95.

(58) The cooling device 3 assigned to the dosing material reservoir 70 comprises, in addition to the cooling channel 73, a coupling point for a cooling medium supply line 97 and such a feed 97, also a separate vortex tube 93. Furthermore, the sub-cooling circuit 3 is, as mentioned, coupled to the cold compression system 95 in order to use the cold provided. In a corresponding manner, the cooling device 3′ assigned to the feed channel also comprises a cooling channel 82, a coupling point having a cooling medium supply line 97 and its own vortex tube 93′ and is also (separately) coupled to the cold compression system 95.

(59) In order to be able to operate the two sub-cooling circuits 3, 3′ separately, thus, in order to be able to individually determine the cooling of the respectively assigned temperature zone, a volume flow of the cooling medium in a respective sub-cooling circuit 3, 3′ can be controlled by the control unit 50 by means of the assigned proportional valve 92, 92′ and/or the temperature of the cooling medium in a respective sub-cooling circuit 3, 3′ can be controlled by the control unit 50 by means of the regulating valve 94, 94′ of the respective vortex tube 93, 93′. In the embodiment shown here, each of the two cooling devices 3, 3′ comprises two different cold sources 55, 93 and 55, 93′. It is therefore a multi-part cold source.

(60) In order to achieve a control of a respective temperature zone that is as stable as possible, and particularly less susceptible to failure, the temperature control device 2 assigned to the dosing material reservoir 70 and the temperature control device 2′ assigned to the feed channel each comprise a separate heating device 4, 4′, which here is implemented by means of a respective heating wire 86, 86′. Depending on the activation by the control unit 50, the dosing material in the cartridge 70 and/or in the feed channel can be controlled using the concept of “overlapping regulation”.

(61) The temperature control device 2″ assigned to the nozzle 40 also comprises a heating device 4″, here in the form of a heating wire 86″, in order to heat the dosing material in the nozzle 40 to a processing temperature. The individual heating devices 4, 4′, 4″ of the different temperature control devices 2, 2′, 2″ can be activated separately by the control unit 50 by means of heating connection cables 87.

(62) The dosing system 1 further comprises a number of temperature sensors 88, 88′ in order to detect a temperature of the dosing material in the cartridge 70 and in the feed channel. In contrast to what is shown here, a number of temperature sensors could also be assigned to the nozzle 40 or the nozzle chamber. The corresponding measurement data are supplied separately to the control unit 50 as input parameters by means of temperature sensor connection cables 52.

(63) As a function of these or further input parameters, the control unit 50 can calculate or carry out temperature management of the dosing system in order to carry out the most advantageous possible control of the dosing material in the different temperature zones. For this purpose, the control unit 50, using corresponding control signals, can act upon the cold compression system 95, the respective proportional valves 92, 92′, the respective vortex tubes 93, 93′ or the regulating valves 94, 94′, the respective pressure reducers 96, 96′, the respective heating devices 4, 4′, 4″ and optionally further components.

(64) The actuators described above, thus, the controllable compression refrigeration machine 55, the proportional valves 92, 92′, the pressure reducers 96, 96′ and the controllable regulating valves 94, 94′, can be used individually or in addition. The shown arrangement of the basic temperature control system 7 thus shows an almost maximum stage of extension in order to describe the individual components in their function.

(65) Finally, it is pointed out once again that the dosing systems described in detail above are merely embodiments which can be modified in the most varied of ways by the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a single cooling device can also comprise a plurality of vortex tubes. Alternatively or additionally, a cooling device can also comprise a plurality of cold compression lengths. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude the possibility that the relevant characteristics can also be present several times.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

(66) 1 dosing system 2, 2′, 2″ temperature control device 3, 3′, 3″ cooling device 4, 4′, 4″ heating device 5 dosing device 6, 6′, 6″ temperature zone 7 temperature control system 8, 8′ temperature zone boundary 10 actuator unit 11 housing 11a (first) housing part 11b (second) housing part 12 actuator chamber 13 action chamber 14 movement mechanism 15 breakthrough 16 lever 17 lever contact surface 18 lever bearing 19 actuator spring 20 pressure piece 21 feed opening/actuator chamber 22 discharge opening/actuator chamber 23 fixing screw 30 fluidic unit 31 tappet 32 tappet tip 33 tappet head 34 tappet contact surface 35 tappet spring 36 tappet seal 37 tappet bearing 40 nozzle 41 nozzle opening 42 nozzle chamber 43 sealing seat 44 coupling point/housing 45 frame part 50 control unit 51 control cable 52 temperature sensor connection cable 60 piezo actuator 61 contact pin 62 actuator control connections 70 dosing material cartridge 71 cartridge wall 72 cartridge receiving unit 73 cooling channel/cartridge 74 cartridge receiving unit wall 75 feed opening/cartridge 76 discharge opening/cartridge 77 coupling point/cartridge 80 feed channel 81 feed channel wall 82, 82′, 82″ cooling channel/feed channel 83 feed opening/feed channel 84 discharge opening/feed channel 85 heating cartridge 86, 86′, 86″ heating wire 87 heating connection cable 88, 88′ temperature sensor 89 Peltier element connection cable 90 compressed air supply 92, 92′ proportional valve 93, 93′ vortex tube 94, 94′ valve vortex tube 95 cold compression system 96, 96′ pressure reducer 97, 97′ cooling medium supply line 98, 98′ cooling medium discharge line 99 Peltier element HAW hot air outlet vortex tube HAD hot air outlet dosing system K tilt axis R discharge direction RD flow direction dosing material RM flow direction cooling medium