Height-Adjustable Aperture Field for Uniform Workpiece Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for drying and tempering flat workpieces require complex nozzle arrangements and adaptations for different workpiece dimensions and coatings, leading to inefficiencies and long downtimes due to the need for consistent air flow direction and pressure, which complicates the process and reduces productivity.
Innovation Solution
A device with a height-adjustable aperture field and fan system that conveys process air through a series of aperture openings, allowing for optimal air distribution and uniform drying or tempering without the need for complex nozzle adjustments, enabling efficient processing of workpieces with varying dimensions and coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If nozzles are used to direct process air onto the workpiece surface with defined flow direction and acceleration, then drying and tempering quality can be achieved, but the device requires complex nozzle arrangements that must be adapted to different workpiece dimensions and coatings
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the air distribution function into multiple adjustable aperture panels with numerous small openings, replacing complex nozzle arrangements. Each panel can be independently positioned to create optimized air distribution patterns for different workpiece types, eliminating the need for complete nozzle reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture panels are made dynamically adjustable in position and orientation, allowing the device to adapt to different workpiece dimensions and coatings without physical reconfiguration. This dynamic adjustment capability replaces static nozzle arrangements that require complex conversion for different workpiece types.
2Manufacturing precision
If nozzle arrangements are adapted to different workpiece dimensions and coatings, then consistent drying or tempering quality is ensured, but complex conversion with long device downtimes occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamically adjustable aperture panels that can be repositioned and reconfigured quickly for different workpiece types, eliminating the need for time-consuming nozzle conversion. The panels can be adjusted during operation to maintain consistent drying quality across varying workpiece dimensions and coatings.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes operational parameters (aperture panel positions, distances from workpiece, air flow rates) rather than physically converting components. This allows rapid adaptation to different workpiece types while maintaining consistent drying quality, significantly reducing device downtime between different production runs.
3Productivity
If higher process air flow rates are used to compensate for inadequate nozzle adaptation, then productivity is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture panels provide locally optimized air distribution tailored to specific workpiece areas and requirements. This localized optimization ensures efficient drying with appropriate air flow rates for each zone, eliminating the need to increase overall air flow rates across the entire system and thereby reducing energy consumption.
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 achieves consistent and efficient drying and tempering with reduced energy consumption and operational effort, as the adjustable aperture field ensures optimal air flow distribution and temperature control, even for workpieces with different dimensions and coatings, thereby improving productivity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The blower is fluidically connected to the baffle array in such a way as to convey process air to the baffle array and via the baffle openings into the passage area
Implementation Method 2
The use of the height-adjustable aperture panel makes it possible to set an optimal distribution of process air within the passage area
Implementation Method 3
by varying the passage height between the baffle array and the conveyor, it is possible to position the baffle array so that an optimal distance of the baffle array from the workpiece surface can be set
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Device (1) for drying and/or tempering a flat workpiece (2) comprising a conveying means (3) for receiving the flat workpiece (2) and transporting it along a conveying direction (5), an aperture field (7) which is designed at least partially as a thin-walled plate element with a plurality of aperture openings (8), wherein the conveying means (3) and the aperture field (7) enclose a passage area for the workpiece (2) which extends along the conveying direction (5) and wherein the aperture field (7) is arranged at a variable passage height (10) relative to the conveying means (3), and a blower (9) which is fluidically connected to the aperture field (7) in such a way as to convey process air (6) to the aperture field (7) and through the aperture openings (8) into the passage area.