Double Strip Heating Press Microwave Antenna Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing double band heating press technologies face challenges in achieving homogeneous heating and radiation safety due to inhomogeneous microwave radiation distribution, complex power control, and the risk of electrical arcs, particularly in the production of lightweight sandwich panels with wooden frame cores.

Innovation Solution

A double belt heating press design featuring upper and lower press tables with rollers, microwave-permeable conveyor belts, and strategically arranged rod-shaped microwave antennas, with a radiation-tight interior and adaptive power control to ensure uniform heating and prevent radiation leakage, using deflection rollers and contact strips for continuous support and electrical connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If microwave radiation sources are transmitted via waveguides and punctiform vertical radiation between individual narrow idlers, then the adhesive can be heated, but homogeneous heating of the workpieces is problematic and shielding of personnel from escaping microwave radiation is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive heatingVSAvoidhomogeneous heating
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The microwave heating system is divided into multiple rod-shaped microwave antennas arranged in rows between support tubes, with each antenna acting as an independent radiation source. This segmentation allows targeted heating zones and eliminates the need for complex waveguide systems while achieving homogeneous heating through distributed radiation sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support tubes serve as a dual-function intermediary structure: they provide mechanical support for the conveyor belts and simultaneously act as radiation shields to contain microwave radiation within the heating chamber. This eliminates the need for separate shielding systems while maintaining heating effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If several microwave radiation sources are used to heat the adhesive, then heating can be achieved, but the power control requires a high level of technical complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive heatingVSAvoidpower control
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The microwave heating system is divided into multiple rod-shaped microwave antennas arranged in rows between support tubes, with each antenna acting as an independent radiation source. This segmentation allows targeted heating zones and eliminates the need for complex waveguide systems while achieving homogeneous heating through distributed radiation sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support tubes serve as a dual-function intermediary structure: they provide mechanical support for the conveyor belts and simultaneously act as radiation shields to contain microwave radiation within the heating chamber. This eliminates the need for separate shielding systems while maintaining heating effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a large number of individual, narrow support rollers are used, then the conveyor belts can be supported, but it makes it difficult to produce homogeneous workpieces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyor belt supportVSAvoidworkpiece homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple individual narrow support rollers are merged into a continuous support tube structure. The support tubes extend continuously across the width of the conveyor belt, providing uniform support distribution and eliminating the gaps and pressure points created by discrete rollers, thereby enabling homogeneous workpiece production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support tubes are designed with a cylindrical hollow structure that allows the conveyor belts to be supported over a large area. The tubular geometry provides continuous support while maintaining flexibility and conforming to the workpiece thickness variations, ensuring uniform heating and pressing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Device complexity

If microwave radiation is reflected in an uncontrolled manner within the housing, then the heating system can be simple, but the heat output on the workpieces can only be used very inhomogeneously and electrical voltage peaks form locally which can lead to unwanted arcing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating systemVSAvoidheat output distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support tubes serve as a dual-function intermediary structure: they provide mechanical support for the conveyor belts and simultaneously act as radiation shields to contain microwave radiation within the heating chamber. This eliminates the need for separate shielding systems while maintaining heating effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The microwave antennas are designed with specific lengths and arranged at different heights to control the standing wave patterns and radiation distribution. By adjusting the antenna parameters (length, position, height), homogeneous heating is achieved while preventing voltage peaks and arcing through optimized electromagnetic field distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables homogeneous heating and pressing of workpieces with enhanced radiation safety, simplified power control, and reduced risk of electrical arcs, allowing for efficient production of lightweight sandwich panels with consistent adhesive layer heating.

Implementation Method 1

rod-shaped microwave antennas of a microwave heating system arranged in between in a housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 2

heat the adhesive, which are transmitted via waveguides

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 3

microwave-permeable conveyor belts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave permeability: Permeation

Implementation Method 4

contact strips, which electrically connect the transport rollers to one another

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 5

The height of the microwave oven interior is further determined by the respective workpiece thickness

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFaraday cage: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP2767389B1Double strip heating press
Publication Date: 2016.06.08 WEMHOENER SURFACE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2767389B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2767389B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2767389B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The twin tape heating press device (1) has supporting tubes (7) that are arranged on supporting rollers (2). A conveying tape (5) is rolled in a clearance gap (8) between the horizontally adjacent supporting tubes. The rod-shaped microwave antennas are arranged coaxially to the supporting tubes as radiation sources. The gap between the horizontally adjacent supporting tubes is shorted with the electrically connected terminal boards (9).