Curtain Coating Height-Adjustable Transport for Curved Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing curtain-coating devices face challenges in coating thin, panel-shaped components with slight convex or concave curvatures, leading to uneven coating and potential curtain breaks due to the components' flexibility and curvature, which disrupts the coating process.
Innovation Solution
The device features adjustable input and output transport devices that automatically adapt in height to accommodate the curvature of panel-shaped components, ensuring a smooth and even coating by guiding the components through the coating curtain in an inclined manner, preventing hits and breaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If thin panel-shaped components are guided through the coating curtain at high speed, then productivity is improved, but the components may bend downwards causing curtain breaks and coating errors
Solution Approach 1:
The output transport device is made height-adjustable and can be dynamically tilted relative to the input transport device. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to the bending behavior of thin panels during high-speed coating, preventing curtain breaks while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary support of the panel's rear section by tilting the output transport device before the panel completely leaves the input transport device. This preliminary action prevents downward bending and curtain breaks that would occur at high speeds
2Device complexity
If the output transport device is positioned at the same height as the input transport device, then the device structure is simple, but the front section of curved panels may hit the output transport device causing coating disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The output transport device is made height-adjustable and can be tilted relative to the input transport device. This dynamic configuration allows the system to create an inclined guidance path for curved panels, preventing hits on the output transport device while maintaining relatively simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a vertical dimension adjustment by tilting the output transport device relative to the input transport device. This creates a three-dimensional guidance path that accommodates panel curvature without requiring complex horizontal adjustments
3Adaptability or versatility
If thin panels with large length-to-thickness ratio are coated, then adaptability to various panel types is improved, but the panels bend downwards causing coating errors and process disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The height-adjustable output transport device provides dynamic support that adapts to the specific bending behavior of different thin panel types. This maintains coating uniformity across various panel configurations while preserving adaptability to different panel specifications
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
This solution enables homogeneous coating of thin, curved panels, reducing coating errors and improving the quality of the printed images on wood-based panels, particularly suitable for long and thin components like MDF or HDF panels, by maintaining a consistent coating process even at high speeds.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid curtain of coating material is generated, through which the components to be coated are guided. The curtain of liquid coating material may for instance leave from a dispenser and may fall down freely due to gravity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device 10 and a method for curtain-coating of panel-shaped components 60 as well as components which have been manufactured by such a method. The device comprises a device 40 for generating a liquid curtain 42 of coating material, an input transport device 20 and an output transport device 30, wherein the output transport device 30 and/or the input transport device 20 can be height-adjusted.