Abstract:
A dispensing apparatus for dispensing adhesive includes an adhesive source and a dispensing member. The dispensing member is movably attached to the adhesive source. A dispensing nozzle is located on the dispensing member to dispense adhesive onto a component. A heating element is also located on the dispensing member to heat the component. Finally, a roller element is located on the dispensing member to apply pressure to the adhesive.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates, generally, to bonding adhesives, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for applying adhesive to a material. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Bonding adhesives are commonly used with automotive vehicles to bond components of the vehicle together. In particular, bonding adhesives are used to attach sheet metal components for the vehicle to the vehicle body. The bonding adhesive is applied to the sheet metal components with dispensing machines. The bonding adhesive is applied to the components at the assembly plant, prior to placing the sheet metal components on the vehicle body. 
         [0003]    The components are prepared ahead of time and shipped to the plant for assembly. The sheet metal is precut to the desired shape and size for the intended function of the sheet, i.e. a vehicle door, a vehicle roof, etc. To prevent the sheet metal component from rusting prior to vehicle assembly coatings are often applied to the surface of the material during the preparation of the components. In addition, lubricants are applied to the sheet metal to prevent the components from clinging to one another during shipping and prior to assembly. As a result of the lubricant and other contaminants being in contact with the material, when the bonding adhesive is applied to the sheet metal the adhesive can sag or drop off the sheet prior to the components being assembled on the vehicle body. This is especially common for components that are vertically oriented during application of the bonding adhesive, e.g. a vehicle door. 
         [0004]    Furthermore, a component is often delayed from application to the vehicle body after the adhesive has been applied. For example, the adhesive is applied at the end of a working day and must wait until the next day before the assembly line moves the vehicle body into the proper place to adhere the component thereon. These delays provide additional opportunity for the adhesive to slump or drop off of the components. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    An arrangement for applying bonding adhesive to a vehicle component that has improved resistance to adhesive slumping on the vehicle component is desired. 
         [0006]    A dispensing apparatus for dispensing adhesive includes an adhesive source and a dispensing member. The dispensing member is movably attached to the adhesive source. A dispensing nozzle is located on the dispensing member to dispense adhesive onto a component. A heating element is also located on the dispensing member to heat the component. Finally, a roller element is located on the dispensing member to apply pressure to the adhesive. 
         [0007]    A method of dispensing the adhesive on the component includes at least heating the component with the heater element to remove contaminants from a surface of the component and dispensing adhesive from the dispenser nozzle onto the component 
         [0008]    The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and best modes for carrying out the present invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a dispensing apparatus and a component; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view of a component for the dispensing apparatus of  FIGS. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a dispensing apparatus and a component; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment for a dispenser nozzle for the dispensing apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 3 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4B  is a bottom view of the first embodiment for the dispenser nozzle of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment for a dispenser nozzle for the dispensing apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 3 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5B  is a bottom view of the second embodiment for the dispenser nozzle of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment for a dispenser nozzle for the dispensing apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 3 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6B  is a bottom view of the third embodiment for the dispenser nozzle of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment for a dispenser nozzle for the dispensing apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 3 ; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 7B  is a bottom view of the fourth embodiment for the dispenser nozzle of  FIG. 7A . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    Referring to the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to the same or similar components throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a dispensing apparatus  10  for applying adhesive  12  to a component  14 . The dispensing apparatus  10  includes an adhesive source  16  and a dispenser member  18 . The adhesive source  16  may be remotely connected to the dispenser member  18  through a flexible connecting member  20 , as schematically shown. For example, the flexible connecting member  20  may be tubing to allow adhesive  12  to move from the adhesive source  16  to the dispenser member  18 . The flexible connecting member  20  allows the dispenser member  18  to move relative to the adhesive source  16  to assist in application of the adhesive  12  to the component  14 , as described below. 
         [0021]    The dispenser member  18  includes a dispenser nozzle  22  to apply the adhesive  12  to the component  14 . Additionally, the dispensing member  18  includes a roller element  24  on one side of the dispenser nozzle  22  and a heating element  26  on an opposing side of the dispenser nozzle  22 . The roller element  24  applies pressure to the adhesive  12  once the adhesive is on the component  14 . The heating element  26  provides heat  28  to the component  14  prior to applying the adhesive  12  to the component  14 . The heat  28  burns, dries or evaporates contaminants  30  from the surface of the component  14  to provide a clean surface  32  for applying the adhesive  12 . In the embodiment shown the heater element  40  is a blower or a knife-edge heater. 
         [0022]    In operation, the dispensing member  18  may move relative to the component  14 , as indicated by arrow  34 , or the component  14  may move relative to the dispensing member  18 , as indicated by arrow  36 . The dispensing apparatus  10  component  14  and assembly environment would determine whether the component  14  or dispensing member  18  is moved in order to apply the adhesive  12 . In both instances, the heating element  26  applies heat  28  to the component  14 . Subsequently, the dispensing nozzle  22  applies the adhesive  12  to the component  14  and then the roller element  24  applies pressure to the adhesive  12 . The roller element  24  only needs to apply enough pressure to the adhesive  12  to ensure sufficient contact between the adhesive  12  and the component  14  to retain and properly spread the adhesive  12  on the component  14 . That is, enough pressure is applied to the adhesive  12  to ensure the contact between the adhesive  12  and the component  14  is enough to sustain the weight of the adhesive  12  on the component  14  until further assembly can occur. 
         [0023]    The distance between the dispensing nozzle  22  and the component  14  is determined by several factors including the type of adhesive  12  to be applied to the component  14 . One skilled in the art would know the proper adhesive  12  and distance between the dispensing nozzle  22  and the component  14  for a particular application. Based upon the determined distance between the dispensing nozzle  22  and the component  14  a roller arm  38  and a heater arm  40  may be adjusted in length, accordingly. 
         [0024]    The distance between the dispensing nozzle  22  and the heater element  26  may vary depending on the application and arrangement of the dispensing nozzle  22 . A minimum distance between the heater element  26  and the dispensing nozzle  22  would be based upon the ability of the component  14  to dissipate the heat  28  after the contaminants  30  are removed. For example, if the component  14  is sheet metal a minimal distance would be required between the heater element  26  and the dispensing nozzle  22  as the sheet metal would quickly dissipate the heat  28 . No maximum distance is required as long as the heater element  26  is located prior to the dispensing nozzle  22 . 
         [0025]    Additionally, the distance between the roller element  24  and the dispensing nozzle  22  may vary as long as the dispensing nozzle is located prior to the roller element  24 . Therefore, the size of the dispensing member  18  may be varied as required by the application and the conditions the dispensing member  18  is used under. One skilled in the art would be able to determine an optimal size for the dispensing member  18  based upon the conditions and applications for use. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a component  14  having a bead  42  of adhesive  12 . The pressure on the bead  42  by the roller arm  38  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) is enough to create sufficient contact between the adhesive  12  and the component  14  without unduly effecting the “wet-out” of the bead  42 . Wet-out refers to the change in size of the bead  42  on the component  14  when pressure is applied. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  schematically illustrates another embodiment of a dispensing apparatus  110  for applying adhesive  112  to a component  114 . The dispensing apparatus  110  includes an adhesive source  116  and a dispenser member  118 . The adhesive source  116  may be remotely connected through a flexible connecting member  120 , as schematically shown. The flexible connecting member  120  allows the dispenser member  118  to move relative to the adhesive source  116  to assist in application of the adhesive  112  to the component  114 . 
         [0028]    The dispenser member  118  includes a dispenser nozzle  122  to apply the adhesive  112  to the component  114 . Additionally, the dispensing member  118  includes a roller element  124  on one side of the dispenser nozzle  122  and a heating element  126  on an opposing side of the dispenser nozzle  122 . The roller element  124  applies pressure to the adhesive  112  once the adhesive  112  is on the component  114 . The heating element  126  provides heat  128  to the component  114  prior to applying the adhesive  112  to the component  114 . Based upon the desired distance between the dispensing nozzle  122  and the component  114  a roller arm  138  and a heater arm  140  may be adjusted in length, accordingly. 
         [0029]    The heat  128  burns or evaporates the contaminants  130  from the surface of the component  114  to provide a clean surface  132  for applying the adhesive  112 . In the embodiment shown the heater element  126  is a resistance heater. If the component  114  is a conductive material, the heating element  126  may be a copper roller used to conduct a current to the component  114  to create heat  128 . By varying a current magnitude, application time and electrode force of the heating element  126  joule heat is created and controlled. The heat  128  created can burn, dry or decompose the contaminants. 
         [0030]    In operation the dispensing member  118  may move relative to the component  114 , as indicated by arrow  134 , or the component  114  may move relative to the dispensing member  118 , as indicated by arrow  136 . In both instances, the heating element  126  applies heat  128  to the component  114 . Subsequently, the dispensing nozzle  122  applies the adhesive  112  to the component  114  and then the roller element  124  applies pressure to the adhesive  112 . The roller element  124  applies pressure to ensure sufficient contact between the adhesive  112  and the component  114  to retain the adhesive  112  on the component  114 . 
         [0031]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate one embodiment for a dispensing nozzle  22 ,  122  for use with the dispensing apparatus  10 ,  110  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). The dispensing nozzle  22 ,  122  has a dispensing column  44 . The dispensing column  44  defines a plurality of dispensing tubes  46  through which the adhesive  12 ,  112  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) may travel. In the embodiment shown, there are two dispensing tubes  46  which each have a generally circular shape. Each of the dispensing tubes  46  would create an adhesive bead  42  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The dispensing tubes  46  each have a width  48  and a height  50 . The width  48  and the height  50  of the dispensing tube  46  determine the shape for each bead  42  of the adhesive  12 ,  112 . For example, a width to height ratio for an adhesive bead  42  typically ranges from 1:1 up to 5:1. Therefore, the dispensing tubes  46  may have a width  48  to height  50  ratio ranging from 1:1 up to 5:1. Other width to height ratios may be achieved by varying the width  48  and height  50  of the dispensing tubes  46 . One skilled in the art would be able to determined the appropriate width to height ratio based upon the combination of the dispensing nozzle  22 ,  122  and the adhesive  12 ,  112  to be used. 
         [0032]    Further, several factors determine the overall size of the dispensing tubes  46 . For example, the size of the dispensing tubes  46  may vary depending on; the type of adhesive  12 ,  112 , the size of the component  14 ,  114  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) and the environment condition the dispensing nozzle  22 ,  122  is located. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate another embodiment for a dispensing nozzle  22 ,  122  for use with the dispensing apparatus  10 ,  110  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). The dispensing nozzle  22 ,  122  has a dispensing column  144 . The dispensing column  144  defines a plurality of dispensing tubes  146  through which the adhesive  12 ,  112  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) may travel. In the embodiment shown, there are three dispensing tubes  146  which each have a generally circular shape. Each of the dispensing tubes  146  would create an adhesive bead  42  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The dispensing tubes  146  each have a width  148  and a height  150 . The width  148  and the height  150  of the dispensing tube  146  determine the shape for each bead  42  of the adhesive  12 ,  112 . One skilled in the art would be able to determined the appropriate width to height ration based upon the combination of the dispensing nozzle  22 ,  122  and the adhesive  12 ,  112  to be used. Three dispensing tubes  146  may be used to apply the same overall amount of adhesive  12 ,  112  to a smaller component  14 ,  114  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) than the dispensing tubes  46  of  FIGS. 4A and 4B . The dispensing tubes  146  may also reduce the cycle time (i.e., time spent in each production cell) and/or improve the wet-out of the adhesive  12 ,  112 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 6A and 6B  illustrate another embodiment for a dispensing nozzle  22 ,  122  for use with the dispensing apparatus  10 ,  110  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). The dispensing nozzle  22 ,  122  has a dispensing column  244 . The dispensing column  244  defines a plurality of dispensing tubes  246  through which the adhesive  12 ,  112  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) may travel. In the embodiment shown, there are two dispensing tubes  246  which each have a generally rectangular shape. Each of the dispensing tubes  246  would create an adhesive bead  42  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The dispensing tubes  246  each have a width  248  and a height  250 . The width  248  and the height  250  of the dispensing tube  246  determine the shape for each bead  42  of the adhesive  12 ,  112 . For example, a width to height ratio for an adhesive bead  42  typically ranges from 1:1 up to 5:1. Therefore, the dispensing tubes  246  may have a width  248  to height  250  ratios ranging from 1:1 up to 5:1. Other width to height ratios may be achieved by varying the width  248  and height  250  of the dispensing tubes  246 . One skilled in the art would be able to determine the appropriate width to height ration based upon the combination of the dispensing nozzle  22 ,  122  and the adhesive  12 ,  112  to be used. 
         [0035]    Further, several factors determine the overall size of the dispensing tubes  246 . For example, the size of the dispensing tubes  246  may vary depending on the type of adhesive  12 ,  112 , the size of the component  14 ,  114  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) and the environment condition the dispensing nozzle  22 ,  122  is located. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate another embodiment for a dispensing nozzle  22 ,  122  for use with the dispensing apparatus  10 ,  110  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). The dispensing nozzle  22 ,  122  has a dispensing column  344 . The dispensing column  344  defines a plurality of dispensing tubes  346  through which the adhesive  12 ,  112  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) may travel. In the embodiment shown, there are three dispensing tubes  346  which each have a generally rectangular shape. Each of the dispensing tubes  346  would create an adhesive bead  42  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The dispensing tubes  346  each have a width  348  and a height  350 . The width  348  and the height  350  of the dispensing tube  346  determine the shape for each bead  42  of the adhesive  12 ,  112 . Three dispensing tubes  346  may be used to apply the same overall amount of adhesive  12 ,  112  to a smaller component  14 ,  114  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) than the dispensing tubes  246  of  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
         [0037]    While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.