Dryer Dual-Path Conveyor and Segmented Blower for Moisture Re-adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dryers for drying objects with applied liquids face inefficiencies in drying speed and size reduction, as well as issues with cockling and re-adhesion of moisture, due to limitations in heating roller and drum configurations and air circulation.
Innovation Solution
The dryer incorporates a conveyor system with dual paths and a blower having separate air outlets for each path, along with heating rollers and a circular heating drum arranged in an arc shape, to enhance heat transfer and air circulation, preventing re-adhesion of moisture by collecting and exhausting air containing vaporized components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional heating roller and single-path conveyor are used, then the dryer structure is simple, but the drying speed is slow and the apparatus size cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor path is divided into two separate paths (first path and second path) that allow the web to be conveyed in different directions. The blower is also segmented with first and second air outlets corresponding to each path, enabling independent air blowing control for each path. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by increasing drying speed through parallel processing while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-path linear conveyor to a dual-path three-dimensional conveyor configuration. The web can be conveyed along the first path in one direction and along the second path in another direction, utilizing spatial dimensionality to increase drying efficiency without proportionally increasing apparatus footprint, thus resolving the contradiction between drying speed and apparatus size.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional single-path conveyor is used, then the apparatus size is smaller, but re-adhesion of moisture occurs due to insufficient air circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The blower is divided into first and second air outlets that correspond to the first and second conveyor paths respectively. This segmentation allows air to be blown onto the web at multiple locations and in multiple directions, effectively preventing moisture re-adhesion by ensuring adequate air circulation throughout the drying chamber without requiring an overly complex single-unit blower system.
Solution Approach 2:
Different air outlets are positioned to blow air onto specific regions of the web depending on which path the web is traveling on. This local quality approach ensures that air circulation is optimized for each specific location and path, preventing moisture re-adhesion in targeted areas while maintaining a relatively simple overall blower configuration.
3Temperature
If heating rollers with large diameter are used, then heat transfer is adequate, but the apparatus size increases and cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses smaller diameter heating rollers in combination with a dual-path conveyor configuration. By allowing the web to traverse heating rollers multiple times through the two paths, adequate heat transfer is achieved without requiring large diameter rollers. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining effective heating while reducing apparatus size through intelligent path design rather than relying on oversized components.
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 configuration allows for faster drying, reduced cockling, and improved efficiency by utilizing dual heating areas and effective air management, enhancing the drying process while maintaining a compact apparatus size.
Implementation Method 1
The heating roller conveys a base material (an object to be dried) onto which a liquid is applied along a conveyance path by winding the base material around an outer peripheral surface of the heating roller and rotating while heating the base material
Implementation Method 2
The dryer includes a blower for blowing air onto the base material wound around the outer peripheral surface of the heating roller
Data Source
AI summary
A dryer for conveying and drying an object to be dried, the dryer includes a conveyor including a first path and a second path along which the object to be dried is conveyed, a conveyance direction of the second path being different from a conveyance direction of the first path, and a blower to blow air onto the object to be dried. The blower includes a first air outlet that faces the first path and blows the air onto the object to be dried conveyed along the first path, and a second air outlet that faces the second path and blows the air onto the object to be dried conveyed along the second path.