Coating Apparatus Reflecting Member Uniform Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coating systems struggle to provide optimal treatment of the lateral, head, and tail surfaces of manufactured articles, leading to non-uniform treatments and increased costs due to the need for additional processing steps.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a conveying system and optic groups featuring reflecting members that distribute radiation uniformly across the upper, lateral, head, and tail surfaces of manufactured articles, combined with a nitrogen injection system to maintain an inert atmosphere, ensuring comprehensive and efficient treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If reflecting systems are used to treat lateral surfaces, then treatment coverage is improved, but treatment uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface coverage areaVSAvoidtreatment uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The radiation source is moved from a lateral position to a superior (top) position relative to the panel, treating lateral surfaces by irradiating from above at an angle. This dimensional change allows simultaneous treatment of upper and lateral surfaces while maintaining uniform radiation distribution through the angled incidence geometry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple treatment passes are implemented, then treatment completeness is improved, but process time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment completenessVSAvoidprocess time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment of upper surfaces and lateral surfaces is merged into a single irradiation pass by positioning the radiation source superior to the panel. The angled radiation from the top position simultaneously treats both surface types in one operation, eliminating the need for separate treatment passes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A single radiation source configuration serves multiple functions: treating the upper surface directly and treating lateral surfaces through angled irradiation. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would traditionally require separate treatment systems or passes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If nitrogen pumping systems are used, then inert atmosphere quality is improved, but nitrogen consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinert atmosphere qualityVSAvoidnitrogen consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Nitrogen is injected locally at specific positions (superior and lateral to the panel) rather than pumping the entire chamber. This localized injection provides inert atmosphere protection exactly where the radiation sources operate, reducing overall nitrogen consumption while maintaining atmosphere quality in the treatment zone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 apparatus ensures uniform treatment of all surfaces, reduces nitrogen consumption, and enhances the quality of the inert atmosphere, thereby improving the coating process efficiency and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

at least one radiation source for the treatment of said photosensitive paint

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Light

Implementation Method 2

said at least one optic group comprises a reflecting member arranged in said housing cavity, in correspondence of said radiation source, so as to spread its emitted radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

these manufactured articles are subjected to illumination by means of an excimer lamp, with ultraviolet radiation usually having a wavelength of 172 nm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltraviolet radiation: Light

Implementation Method 4

Treatment by means of excimer lamps has to take place in an inert atmosphere. Therefore, the plants according to the prior art provide nitrogen pumping systems, to minimize the oxygen within the volume

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInert atmosphere:

Data Source

PatentEP3995218B1Apparatus for coating manufactured articles
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 ELMAG SPA
  • EP3995218B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3995218B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~3B
  • EP3995218B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~7B

AI summary

The present invention relates to an Apparatus for coating (1; 1'; 1") manufactured articles (P), such as panels made of wood, fiberglass, ceramic and the like, on which a photosensitive paint is applied beforehand, wherein said manufactured article (P) has an upper surface (Ps), a head surface (Pt), a tail surface (Pc), two side surfaces (PI) and a lower surface (Pi), comprising at least one radiation source (41, 61) for the treatment of said photosensitive paint, and a conveying system (3), wherein said manufactured article (P) is movable on said conveying system (3) in a forward direction (A), and wherein said conveying system (3) comprises at least one optic group (33, 34) having a housing cavity (335, 345), arranged in correspondence of said at least one radiation source (41, 61), characterized in that said at least one optic group (33, 34) comprises a reflecting member (334, 344) arranged in said housing cavity (335, 345), in correspondence of said radiation source (41, 61), so as to spread its emitted radiation, wherein said reflecting member (334, 344) has a superficial shape so as to spread the incident radiation on said head surface (Pt) and on said tail surface (Pc) when respectively said panel (P) moves towards, and moves away from said housing cavity (335, 345) while it is moved by said conveying system (3).