Patent Application
20180036760
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the dosed dispensing of a liquid.
There is known from the prior art an apparatus by which a dosed dispensing of liquid from an air-tight dispensing vessel takes place. The dispensing vessel has a dispensing opening for the liquid and a compressed-air port so that the dispensing vessel can be pressurized. When a particular pressure is applied for a certain time, the liquid is pushed out of the dispensing vessel for said time. A compressed-air system is provided for the provision of the compressed air. The compressed-air port of the dispensing vessel is connected to the compressed-air system by way of a connecting line. The fill level of the liquid in the dispensing vessel can be measured by means of a sensor device. This ensures that a dispensing vessel in use can be replaced in good time by a new, full dispensing vessel.
If, for example, a PUR hot-melt adhesive in liquid form is to be applied by the apparatus to surfaces that are to be bonded, the PUR hot-melt adhesive in the dispensing vessel must be kept at a certain temperature, which limits the choice of possible sensors. The particular nature of the liquid can also rule out those sensors that must have direct contact with the liquid in order to detect the fill level.
Capacitive sensors, which operate on the basis of the change in capacitance of an individual capacitor or of an entire capacitor system, have the advantage that they need not come into contact with the liquid when determining the fill level. However, it should be noted that the chemical composition of the liquid for which the fill level is to be determined has an influence on the measurement results of the capacitive sensor. For different liquids, therefore, the measured values of the sensor may differ for the same fill levels, and therefore a liquid-specific calibration of the sensor is required. Use of the capacitive sensor is also limited if the dispensing vessel has a large wall thickness. However, in the case of dispensing vessels which are pressurized in order to dispense the liquid, the wall thickness cannot be reduced as desired due to strength requirements. In addition, when replacing an empty dispensing vessel with a new dispensing vessel, it may be complicated to reattach and realign the sensor on the vessel.
The problem addressed by the invention is therefore that of providing an apparatus for the dosed dispensing of a liquid, in particular for dispensing a liquid adhesive such as heated PUR hot-melt adhesive, by which a dosed dispensing of the liquid and the determination of the fill level of the liquid in the dispensing vessel are possible in a simple and reliable manner.
The problem addressed by the invention is solved by the combination of features according to claim 1. Exemplary embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention can be found in the claims dependent on claim 1.
According to claim 1, the sensor device is connected by way of the connecting line to the dispensing vessel. In addition, the dispensing opening is closable. The sensor device may comprise a pressure sensor which measures the pressure in the connecting line. As an alternative or in addition, the sensor device may comprise an air quantity sensor which measures the quantity of air flowing through or into the connecting line.
The apparatus according to the invention has the advantage that, when replacing the vessel, the sensor device is connected directly as a result of connecting the connecting line to the compressed-air port of the dispensing vessel. There is no need for separate attachment and alignment, on the dispensing vessel, of a sensor for determining the fill level. As will be explained in greater detail below, a pressure change can be brought about in the dispensing vessel in various ways via the compressed-air system. The magnitude of the pressure change that results for a particular volume change or for a particular additional quantity of air flowing into the dispensing vessel depends on the air volume within the dispensing vessel. The liquid volume, that is to say the volume taken up by the liquid in the dispensing vessel, can be calculated from the air volume. For this, the air volume is subtracted from the constant total volume.
If the pressure is increased in the dispensing vessel for the purpose of determining the fill level, it should be ensured that no liquid is dispensed from the dispensing vessel while doing so. For this reason, the dispensing opening must be closable. The dispensing opening may be assigned a shut-off valve, by which the dispensing opening can be opened and closed. The shut-off valve may be a switching valve, which is actuated via a signal line.
In one exemplary embodiment, computer means are provided which calculate the fill level in the dispensing vessel from the measurement result of the pressure sensor and/or of the air quantity sensor. For example, a volume change ΔV can be brought about in the dispensing vessel, which leads to a pressure increase in the dispensing vessel. The air volume in the dispensing vessel, and thus the fill level and/or the liquid volume, can then be calculated from the pressure increase as a function of the volume change ΔV.
The compressed-air system may comprise a pneumatic cylinder which is directly or indirectly connected to the connecting line. The cylinder having the cylinder volume, the dispensing vessel having the air volume, the connecting line, as well as further lines or line sections of the compressed-air system which connect the dispensing vessel and pneumatic cylinder, form a test system having a corresponding test volume. This test volume can be reduced by reducing the cylinder volume by moving a piston in the cylinder. The cylinder volume is thus reduced by the stroke volume. The pressure sensor measures the pressure increase in the test volume or the pressure prior to actuation of the piston and the pressure after actuation of the piston. By using the general ideal gas equation:
P·V=m·R
S
·T=const. (1)
where P pressure,
V volume,
M quantity of air,
RS specific gas constant, and
T temperature,
the air volume in the dispensing vessel can be determined. Knowing the total volume of the dispensing vessel, the liquid volume taken up by the liquid, which is a measure of the fill level, can be obtained from the air volume in the dispensing vessel. The pressure increase in the test system can in this case be measured at different points since the same pressure is quickly set throughout.
The compressed-air system may comprise a throttle valve which is connected to the connecting line. It is thus possible to introduce into the dispensing vessel an air flow that is limited in terms of its magnitude. An air quantity sensor measures the quantity of air in question. If the pressure increase thereby brought about in the test system is determined, it is thus once again possible to calculate the air volume in the dispensing vessel and thus the fill level of the liquid in the dispensing vessel. Particularly in the case of a dispensing vessel that is almost completely empty, which then has a large air volume, the difference between the quantity of air flowing into the dispensing vessel and the total quantity of air supplied to the test system is large whenever measured with the same pressure increase.
The pressure system may comprise a proportional valve which is connected (directly or indirectly) to the connecting line. In this case, there is no need for a separate throttle valve.
On the one hand, the proportional valve can be used to bring about the pressure change in the dispensing vessel that is necessary in order to determine the fill level. On the other hand, however, it can also provide the pressure for dispensing liquid from the dispensing vessel. However, the compressed-air system may also comprise a switching valve which serves only to provide the pressure for dispensing liquid. A further switching valve may be provided only for generating a pressure change for determining the fill level. For example, it could generate pressure for moving the piston in the cylinder so that the test volume is reduced by the stroke volume in the cylinder. Or it is used, preferably in conjunction with a throttle valve, to generate an air flow that is delivered into the dispensing vessel or into the test system, the latter being composed of the dispensing vessel, the connecting line and the relevant parts of the compressed-air system.
A further problem addressed by the invention, that of providing a simple method for the dosed dispensing of liquid and for determining the fill level, is solved by the combination of features according to claim 8. Exemplary embodiments can be found in the claims dependent on claim 8.
The method according to the invention uses the above-described apparatus for dispensing liquid, wherein the apparatus is operated in a dispensing mode in which the dispensing opening is open. In order to determine the fill level of liquid in the dispensing vessel, the apparatus is operated in a test mode in which the dispensing opening is closed. Both in the dispensing mode and in the test mode, the dispensing vessel is pressurized or the pressure is changed. In the dispensing mode, the pressure serves to push liquid out of the dispensing vessel. In the test mode, the pressure change leads to new state variables P2, V2 at an instant t2, from which the air volume in the dispensing vessel can then be determined according to equation 1 in comparison to old state variables P1, V1 at an earlier instant t1.
Preferably, the compressed-air system in the test mode brings about a pressure change in the dispensing vessel. The pressure change may be brought about by a particular volume change which, as described above, is achieved for example by moving the piston in the pneumatic cylinder. The pressure change and/or the pressure in the dispensing vessel is measured.
In one exemplary embodiment, a reference pressure change is determined for a reference fill level in the dispensing vessel. By way of example, the reference fill level may be the fill level of a completely empty dispensing vessel. Such a state can then be associated with corresponding pressure change which is then the reference pressure change. When using a full or half-full dispensing vessel, the pressure change then measured can be compared with the reference pressure change. If the measured pressure change is greater than the reference pressure change, preferably taking account of a safety margin of 0.1 to 0.3 bar or a safety factor of 2 to 5%, this permits the conclusion that the dispensing vessel is not yet (completely) empty. The apparatus can in this case continue to be operated.
However, if the measured pressure change corresponds to the reference pressure change, or if the measured pressure change is close to the reference pressure change, it must be assumed that the dispensing vessel is completely empty and must be replaced. By way of example, the apparatus may have display means which indicate an excessively low fill level. As an alternative or in addition, a stop signal may be generated in this case. Instead of the reference pressure change, an absolute reference pressure can also be used as the basis.
A predetermined value can be predefined for the pressure change or for a pressure in the dispensing vessel, the quantity of air required for the pressure change or for building up the pressure being measured. The larger the quantity of air, the greater the air volume in the dispensing vessel. Detecting the required quantity of air has the advantage that, for an almost empty dispensing vessel, relatively large values are measured for the required quantity of air. The measurement accuracy thus increases as the liquid volume or fill level decreases. This enables relatively precise information regarding the fill level for a completely or almost completely empty dispensing vessel. It is also possible to predefine a value for the quantity of air to be supplied and then to measure the resulting pressure change. However, this can lead to measurement inaccuracies since small or smaller pressure changes are to be expected for a completely empty dispensing vessel.
For a reference fill level, a reference quantity of air can be determined in the dispensing vessel in the context of a reference measurement, a measured quantity of air being compared with the reference quantity of air. Here, too, the reference fill level may be the fill level of an (almost) completely empty dispensing vessel (for example 1 to 3% of the total volume of the dispensing vessel. For such a fill level, the quantity of air for generating a particular pressure change in the dispensing vessel or a particular pressure therein is determined. When the quantity of air required to obtain the predetermined value for the pressure change or the pressure is then determined for a partially filled dispensing vessel, this average quantity of air can be compared with the reference quantity of air. As long as the measured quantity of air is less than the reference quantity of air, the fill level is greater than the fill level at the time of performing the reference measurement.
In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus is operated alternately in the dispensing mode and then in the test mode. A dispensing interval or a block of two, three or more dispensing intervals is thus always followed by a test interval. If in each case a particular quantity of liquid is to be dispensed in a dispensing interval (setpoint value), the test interval following the dispensing interval is used to determine how large a quantity of liquid has actually been dispensed in the dispensing interval (actual value). To this end, the fill level in the dispensing vessel at the end of the dispensing interval is compared with the fill level in the dispensing vessel at the start of the dispensing interval. As the fill level at the start of a dispensing interval n, use can be made of the fill level at the end of a preceding dispensing interval n−1. By comparing the actual value with the setpoint value, quality control can be carried out for each individual dispensing interval. If, for example in the context of series production, a particular quantity of adhesive is applied to a component by the apparatus according to the invention in one dispensing interval, it is possible in the subsequent test mode to make a decision as to whether said component should be rejected on account of an excessively large difference between the setpoint value and the actual value. For a dispensing vessel that is being emptied, the comparison of setpoint value to actual value can also be used to track the pressure by which the adhesive is being pressed out of the dispensing vessel. For example, the pressure can be raised if the actual value is moving increasingly further away from the setpoint value as the dispensing vessel empties.
Regardless of the above-described comparison of setpoint value and actual value of a dispensing interval, different pressures can be applied to the dispensing vessel in the dispensing mode depending on the fill level. For example, as the fill level decreases, the pressure can be increased via a function that has been determined beforehand and then stored. To this end, the fill level can be determined at regular intervals in the test mode. By virtue of a higher pressure, it is possible to compensate for a certain temporal delay in the dispensing of liquid in response to the pressurization of the dispensing vessel. The greater the air volume in the dispensing vessel, the softer and less precise is the dispensing behavior of the apparatus. This effect can be compensated by increasing the pressure with which the liquid is pushed out of the dispensing vessel.
The invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing, in which:
When the dispensing vessel 10 is in the use position shown in
A compressed-air port 14 is provided at an end opposite the dispensing opening 12. Connected to said compressed-air port 14 is a connecting line 15 which connects the dispensing vessel 10 to a compressed-air system 16. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the compressed-air port 14 and the dispensing opening 12 are arranged diametrically to one another, which is not absolutely necessary. It is sufficient if the dispensing opening 12 is positioned in such a way that the liquid is in front of this dispensing opening 12 and dispensing without air is possible. In the present case, gravity ensures this.
When the air-tight dispensing vessel 10 is pressurized by the compressed-air system 16 via the connecting line 15 and the compressed-air port 14, liquid is pressed out of the dispensing vessel 10 through the dispensing opening 12 and the open shut-off valve 13. By way of example, the vessel 10 may be a glue cartridge containing PUR hot-melt adhesive. Hot-melt adhesive can thus be applied by the apparatus to components or surfaces to be bonded. The dispensing vessel 10 must be kept at a temperature such that the hot-melt adhesive remains liquid. It may thus have heating means or connections for a heating medium for heating the liquid in the dispensing vessel.
The compressed-air system 16 has a first switching valve 17 which is configured as a 3/2-way valve. The switching valve 17 can be switched into a first switching position and into a second switching position.
A manually adjustable pressure regulator 22 is disposed upstream of the first inlet 18 of the first switching valve 17. A pressure PM, which is provided by a pressure supply 24, is applied to an inlet 23 of the pressure regulator 22. From the main pressure PM, the pressure regulator 22 generates an adjustable pressure PE. Via a (pressure) line 25, which connects the outlet 24 of the pressure regulator 22 to the first inlet 18 of the first switching valve 17, this pressure PE can be switched to the dispensing vessel 10 by way of the first switching valve 17. When the shut-off valve 13 is open, liquid is thus pushed out of the dispensing vessel 10 through the dispensing opening 12. If the dispensing of liquid is to be interrupted, the shut-off valve 13 is closed.
The compressed-air system 16 has a second switching valve 26. This switching valve 26 is also configured as a 3/2-way valve. A first inlet 27 of the second switching valve 26 is connected to the pressure supply 24. An outlet 28 of the second switching valve 26 can be depressurized via a second inlet 29 when the second switching valve 26 is in the switching position shown in
Also provided is a pneumatic cylinder 40 which is disposed downstream of the second switching valve 26. The cylinder 40 has an inlet 30 and an outlet 31. If the main pressure PM is switched to the inlet 30 of the cylinder 40 by way of the second switching valve 26, a piston 32 of the cylinder 40 pushes the air located in the cylinder 40 into the line 32 via the outlet 31. If it is assumed that the cylinder volume VZ corresponds to the volume that can be pushed out of the cylinder 40 by the piston, the remaining cylinder volume is zero in an upper dead center of the piston 32.
Connected to the pressure line 33 is a pressure sensor 34, by which the pressure in the pressure line 33 and thus also in the dispensing vessel 10 can be measured.
The apparatus can be operated in a dispensing mode and in a test mode. In the dispensing mode, the shut-off valve 13 is open. The switching valves 17, 26 are in the switching positions shown in
In the test mode, the first switching valve 17 is in the second switching position, in which the outlet 19 is closed. The shut-off valve is closed. At an instant t1, at which the piston 32 is in the position shown in
(VL+VZ+V33+V15)·P1=(VL+V33+V15)·P2 (2)
where VL air volume in the dispensing vessel;
VZ cylinder volume;
V33 volume of the pressure line 33;
V15 volume of the connecting line 15;
P1 pressure at the instant t1;
P2 pressure at the instant t2.
From equation 2, the air volume VL can be calculated by transformation. Knowing the total volume VG of the dispensing vessel 10, the quantity VF or the fill level to be determined can be obtained directly from the air volume VL.
The basic structure of the apparatus shown in
Provided in addition to the pressure sensor 34 is an air quantity sensor 38 which measures the quantity of air flowing through the compressed-air line 33. The line 33 connects the outlet 37 of the throttle valve 35 to the connecting line 15.
The structure differing from the first exemplary embodiment has essentially no effect on the operation of the apparatus of
m
D
·R
S
·T=(VL+V15+V33)·(P2−P1) (3)
where mD quantity of air supplied in time interval between t1 and t2;
T temperature of the supplied quantity of air;
RS specific gas constant;
V33 volume of the pressure line 33;
V15 volume of the connecting line 15;
P1 pressure at the instant t1;
P2 pressure at the instant t2.
Compared to the exemplary embodiment of
In the exemplary embodiment of
The test volume of the test system (air-filled portion of the dispensing vessel 10, connecting line 15 and line 33) can be 1 to 2000 ml, preferably 60 to 350 ml. The cylinder volume VZ can assume values of 1 to 2000 ml. A preferred range for VZ extends from 12 to 70 ml. The pressures P1 and P2 can be 0.1 to 12, preferably 0.2 to 5 bar. The pressure change P2−P1 brought about by reducing the test volume by the cylinder volume VZ or by the supplied quantity of air can assume values of 0.02 to 5 bar. The supplied quantity of air can be between 80 and 0.25 mg, preferably between 40 and 0.28 mg. The temperature in the dispensing vessel can be 10 to 200, preferably 20 to 180 or 100 to 170° C.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102015206760.2 | Apr 2015 | DE | national |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/EP2016/055776 | Mar 2016 | US |
| Child | 15783336 | US |
