Dielectric Drying of Ceramic Bodies Using Electric Field Adjusting Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dielectric drying methods for ceramic formed bodies face challenges in achieving uniform drying, leading to variations in dried states and potential cracking or non-uniform dimensions, particularly in the arrangement direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating at least one electric field adjusting member below the drying table not supported by the conveyor belt, which helps to maintain a consistent electric field intensity across the arrangement direction, thereby reducing variations in drying states and promoting uniform drying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If dielectric drying is performed on ceramic formed bodies placed on a drying table supported by conveyor belts, then the drying process can be continuous and automated, but variations in electric field intensity occur in the arrangement direction leading to non-uniform drying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous automated dryingVSAvoiduniformity of drying state

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing electric field adjusting members specifically in regions where the drying table is not supported by conveyor belts. This creates localized adjustments to the electric field distribution, compensating for the variations caused by the conveyor belt support structure. The adjusting members are strategically positioned to ensure uniform electric field intensity across the entire drying area, thereby achieving uniform drying state while maintaining continuous automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the drying table is supported by conveyor belts in the arrangement direction, then structural stability is improved, but electric field intensity becomes non-uniform in the arrangement direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stability of drying tableVSAvoiduniformity of heating distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses electric field adjusting members as intermediary elements between the conveyor belt support structure and the ceramic formed bodies. These adjusting members mediate the electric field distribution by compensating for the disturbances introduced by the conveyor belt supports. They ensure that the heating field remains uniform across the arrangement direction while the conveyor belts maintain structural stability, thus resolving the conflict between structural stability and heating uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If electric field adjusting members are added to uniformize the electric field, then drying uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of dried stateVSAvoidstructure of drying device

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

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 solution effectively suppresses variations in the dried states of ceramic formed bodies in the arrangement direction, enabling the production of ceramic structures with uniform shapes and dimensions.

Implementation Method 1

a current can be conducted through the electrodes to subject a dipole of water in the ceramic formed body to molecular movement, and the ceramic formed body can be dried by the frictional heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 2

at least one electric field adjusting member is arranged below the drying table that is not supported by the conveyor belt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS20240085105A1Dielectric drying method and dielectric drying device for ceramic formed bodies, and method for producing ceramic structures

Publication Date: 2024.03.14 NGK INSULATORS LTD

AI summary

A dielectric drying method for ceramic formed bodies includes drying a plurality of ceramic formed bodies placed side by side in an arrangement direction Y perpendicular to a conveying direction X on an upper surface of a drying table by conveying the ceramic formed bodies between electrodes of an upper electrode and a lower electrode, and applying a high frequency between the electrodes. The drying table is conveyed by a conveyor having at least one conveyor belt for supporting a portion of the drying table in the arrangement direction Y. At least one electric field adjusting member is arranged below the drying table that is not supported by the conveyor belt.