Conveyor Coating Blow-Off Layout for Uniform Underside Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coating machines struggle to form thin, completely closed coatings from higher-viscosity coating materials, which are visually advantageous and protective against atmospheric oxygen and humidity.
Innovation Solution
A method and coating machine design that utilizes gas jets to blow off excess coating material from the undersides and sides of objects on a conveyor belt, with specific angles and positions to ensure complete coverage and prevent lifting, using a blow-off device positioned below the objects and laterally adjacent to the conveying direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional coating machine with direct blowing from above is used, then the structure is simple, but the blow-off device becomes contaminated by excess coating material and cannot effectively blow off excess material from undersides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional blow-off approach by positioning gas jets below the conveyor belt to blow excess coating material upward from the undersides of objects, rather than blowing from above downward. This inversion allows the blow-off device to remain uncontaminated while effectively removing excess material from all surfaces including undersides.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-direction (top-down) blow-off approach to a multi-directional approach by introducing gas jets at the bottom to blow upward, creating a three-dimensional coating removal system that addresses all surfaces of the objects comprehensively.
2Reliability
If higher-viscosity coating materials are used, then the coating material has better protective properties, but it becomes difficult to form thin, completely closed coatings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies coating material to objects before they enter the blow-off zone, allowing the material to initially settle and form a base layer. The subsequent upward blow-off from below then removes excess material systematically, enabling thin uniform coatings even from higher-viscosity materials that would otherwise be difficult to control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic gas jets positioned at the bottom to blow upward through the coating layer, creating controlled airflow that removes excess high-viscosity coating material from undersides and creates uniform thin films on all surfaces, overcoming the difficulty of working with thicker materials.
3Productivity
If gas jets are positioned directly below the objects to blow off excess material, then the blow-off effectiveness is maximized, but the blow-off device is contaminated by excess coating material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the upward-blowing gas jets as an intermediary mechanism between the excess coating material and the removal system. The gas jets act as a mediator that lifts excess material away from the bottom surface without direct contact between the blow-off device and the coating material, preventing contamination while maintaining removal efficiency.
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
Achieves thin, continuous coatings on all sides of objects even with high-viscosity materials, preventing contamination of the blow-off device and ensuring efficient coating application.
Implementation Method 1
with at least a first gas jet, which is blown out at a first blow-off position, which is arranged below the undersides of the objects and laterally next to the undersides of the objects with respect to the conveying direction
Data Source
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AI summary
To coat objects (2) with a flowable coating mass (34), objects (2) resting on an upper run (10) of a conveyor belt (4) are conveyed by moving the upper run (10) in a conveying direction (11). The coating mass (34) is applied to the objects (2) resting on the upper run (10) and conveyed by moving the upper run (10) in the conveying direction (11). Excess coating mass (34) is blown off the objects (2) resting on the upper run (10) and conveyed by moving the upper run (10) in the conveying direction (11).The excess coating mass (34) applied to the undersides (26) of the objects (2) resting on the upper run (10) and conveyed by moving the upper run (10) in the conveying direction (11) is blown off with at least one first gas jet (46), which is blown out at a first blow-out position (25) which is located below the undersides (26) of the objects (2) and laterally next to the undersides (26) of the objects (2) with respect to the conveying direction (11).