Ceramic Reflector Dovetail Clip for Heating Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating modules face challenges in securely fixing ceramic reflectors due to large size tolerances, leading to potential heat loss and instability during thermal conditioning in blow molding processes.
Innovation Solution
A heating module design featuring a dovetail connection between ceramic reflectors and a steel clip, specifically made of thermostable spring steel, which accommodates manufacturing tolerances and maintains fixation through elastic bending areas, ensuring secure attachment and minimal heat loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If ceramic reflectors are used in heating modules, then heat reflection efficiency is improved, but manufacturing tolerances cause instability and heat loss
Solution Approach 1:
The steel clip is designed with elastic bending areas that allow it to dynamically adapt to variations in reflector dimensions. The clip can elastically deform to accommodate tolerances while maintaining secure contact, transforming a static rigid connection into a dynamic adaptive one that compensates for manufacturing variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system changes the physical state of the steel clip from rigid to elastically deformable through predetermined bending zones. This parameter change allows the clip to absorb dimensional variations in the ceramic reflector while maintaining stable thermal contact, effectively converting manufacturing tolerance issues into manageable elastic deformations.
2Ease of manufacture
If ceramic reflectors with large tolerances are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but secure fixation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The steel clip incorporates localized elastic bending areas specifically at the contact points with the reflector, while maintaining rigidity in other regions. This local quality differentiation allows the clip to accommodate dimensional variations in specific areas without compromising overall structural integrity or fixation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system transforms from a rigid fixed-position connection to a dynamic adaptive connection where the steel clip can elastically adjust its shape to match the actual dimensions of the ceramic reflector, ensuring reliable fixation despite manufacturing tolerances.
3Device complexity
If rigid fixed-position connections are used for reflectors, then device complexity is reduced, but thermal expansion compensation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The steel clip incorporates elastic bending areas that allow it to dynamically adjust during thermal cycles. As the heating module undergoes thermal expansion and contraction, the clip can elastically deform to maintain proper contact with the reflector, compensating for thermal effects without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system utilizes the elastic properties of steel to change its physical state between rigid and flexible depending on thermal conditions. The predetermined bending zones allow the clip to undergo reversible elastic deformation in response to thermal expansion, maintaining stable contact pressure and position throughout the heating cycle.
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 effectively compensates for manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion, providing a secure and efficient heating process with reduced heat loss by using a universal steel clip that adapts to the reflector's dovetail connection, ensuring reliable attachment and improved radiation reflection.
Implementation Method 1
Especially if the clip is made of thermostable spring steel and is appropriately contoured, such a connection effectively compensates for tolerances in the manufacture of the reflector or the segments and any thermal effects during the heating and cooling of the heating module
Implementation Method 2
Heating elements are located in the area of one of the side walls of the heating module; these are typically horizontally oriented, vertically stacked, tubular heating devices that emit infrared radiation
Implementation Method 3
A reflector, located on this side between the heating devices and the side wall and referred to as the main reflector, ensures that the radiation emitted from the heating elements and directed backwards into the heating module, towards a preform
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a heating module and a primary reflector for a heating module of a heating duct in a moulding machine for producing containers from preforms, in which heating module thermoplastic preforms are heated, said primary reflector being provided between tubular heating devices, which run parallel on a side wall of the heating module, are arranged one above the other and emit infrared radiation, and the side wall and consisting of ceramic material. The heating module is characterised in that the primary reflector is connected to the side wall by means of a dovetail connection, wherein respective dovetail-type connecting regions are formed on the reflector, each region being securable to a clip made of steel, more particularly spring steel, with dimensions matching the dovetail.