Active Energy Radiation Unit Inert Gas Ejection for Oxygen Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The curing of film materials using active energy rays is hindered by oxygen in the surrounding environment, leading to inconsistent processing results due to varying oxygen concentrations.
Innovation Solution
An active energy radiation unit that includes a main gas supply mechanism to eject inert gases, forming a low-oxygen region around the active energy radiation area, and a sub gas supply mechanism to block airflow from the sides, ensuring a consistent low-oxygen environment for effective curing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If inert gas is supplied to form a low-oxygen region around the active energy radiation region, then the processing result is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for gas supply mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply mechanism is divided into multiple ejection ports (first ejection port and second ejection port) positioned at different locations. The first ejection port supplies inert gas to form the low-oxygen region, while the second ejection port supplies inert gas to block air flow from the upstream side. This segmentation allows each port to perform a specific function, improving processing consistency without requiring a single complex gas supply system.
Solution Approach 2:
Inert gas is introduced as an intermediary substance to displace oxygen and block air flow toward the active energy radiation region. The inert gas serves as a mediator between the active energy radiation part and the surrounding air, creating a protective low-oxygen environment that enables consistent curing without direct contact with oxygen.
2Manufacturing precision
If the inactive region is enlarged to improve processing results, then the curing effectiveness increases, but the oxygen concentration control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply mechanism utilizes multiple spatial dimensions by positioning ejection ports at different locations (first ejection port for forming the inactive region, second ejection port for blocking air flow from upstream). This multi-dimensional approach allows simultaneous control of oxygen concentration in different regions, making it easier to maintain low oxygen levels throughout the enlarged inactive region.
Solution Approach 2:
The second ejection port supplies inert gas in advance to block air flow from the upstream side before air can reach the active energy radiation region. This preliminary action prevents oxygen from entering the inactive region, making oxygen concentration control more effective across the enlarged region.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enlarges the region with a desired processing result by maintaining a low oxygen concentration, thereby improving the consistency and effectiveness of the curing process.
Implementation Method 1
a main gas supply mechanism which extends in the first direction, is disposed to be adjacent to the active energy radiation part in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and ejects an inert gas for forming an inactive region including the active energy radiation region between the target object and the active energy radiation part
Implementation Method 2
The inert gas is ejected from the first ejection port of the main gas supply mechanism. The ejected inert gas becomes a first flow and flows downstream. Then, the inert gas forms the inactive region having a low oxygen concentration around the active energy radiation region
Implementation Method 3
From the second ejection port, a second flow of the inert gas which is directed vertically downward toward the target object is generated. The vertically downward flow of the inert gas can block a flow of air toward the active energy radiation region
Data Source
AI summary
An active energy radiation unit includes a light source which radiates ultraviolet rays onto a target object, and a main gas supply mechanism which is disposed to be adjacent to the light source and ejects an inert gas. The main gas supply mechanism includes a receiving part which receives nitrogen gas, a first ejection port which is provided at a position between the receiving part and the light source in a transfer direction and closer to the target object than the receiving part and a second ejection port which is provided between the receiving part and the first ejection port in the transfer direction.