Spreading unit

Abstract

Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to a spreading unit, having a shaper, for spreading viscous material, in particular sealing material, on a component, wherein the shaper has a shaping contour for the forming of the viscous material in the course of the spreading. It is proposed that the shaping contour of the shaper for the forming of the viscous material is adjustable by actuator-based means.

1 . A spreading unit, comprising:
 a shaper, for spreading viscous material on a component, the shaper comprising a shaping contour for the forming of the viscous material in the course of the spreading,   wherein the shaping contour of the shaper for the forming of the viscous material is adjustable by actuator-based means.   
     
     
         2 . The spreading unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the spreading unit has a nozzle for applying the viscous material on the component. 
     
     
         3 . The spreading unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the spreading unit has a sensor for detecting that region of the component which is to be coated. 
     
     
         4 . The spreading unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shaper has rods, which are adjustable by actuator-based means for the adjustment of the shaping contour. 
     
     
         5 . The spreading unit as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the rods are adjustable by actuator-based means in one motional direction and in the direction opposite to the motional direction, and/or wherein the rods are adjustable by actuator-based means in one motional direction and are pretensioned in the direction opposite to the motional direction. 
     
     
         6 . The spreading unit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shaper has a casing, which provides the shaping contour. 
     
     
         7 . The spreading unit as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the spreading unit has a contour shaft having a servo drive for the adjustment of the rods. 
     
     
         8 . The spreading unit as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein, for the adjustment of the shaping contour, a plurality of rods are individually driven. 
     
     
         9 . The spreading unit as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the rods are adjustable via piezo actuators. 
     
     
         10 . A system for spreading viscous material on a component, the system comprising a component receptacle for receiving a component, wherein the system has a spreading unit as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . The system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the system has a manipulator having the spreading unit as the end effector. 
     
     
         12 . A method for spreading a viscous material on a component using a spreading unit having a shaper having a shaping contour, the spreading unit being configured as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the shaping contour of the shaper for changing the shape of the viscous material is adjusted by actuator-based means.   
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein a sensor detects a region to be coated of the component, and the sensor data are analyzed by a control system, the shaping contour of the shaper is controlled and/or regulated in dependence on the sensor data. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the control system controls and/or regulates, in dependence on the sensor data, the relative movement between the component and the spreading unit. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the control system regulates and/or controls, in dependence on the sensor data, the volume flow and/or mass flow of viscous material through a nozzle onto the region to be coated. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein that region of the component which is to be coated has a joint, and wherein the shaping contour is adapted to the joint. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein, with the spreading of the viscous material, a seam is produced. 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein, in the course of the spreading, cross-sectional changes of the seam are continuously performed by alteration of the shaping contour. 
     
     
         19 . The spreading unit as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the casing consists of elastomer material and/or comprises elastomer material. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the sensor comprises a line laser.