Dryer Suction Members for Sheet Warping Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dryers face challenges in effectively absorbing and conveying sheets, particularly smaller ones, due to insufficient suction force near support rollers and warping issues, which can lead to absorption failures and sheet misalignment.
Innovation Solution
The dryer incorporates a conveyor belt with suction members arranged in the conveyance direction, where at least one suction member generates a stronger suction force than others, positioned downstream to counteract warping, and additional suction members are placed between rollers to ensure consistent absorption, along with air blowers directing air to prevent sheet curling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uniform suction force is applied by all suction members, then the structure is simple, but sheets experience warping and absorption failure near support rollers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating suction forces among suction members based on their positions. Suction members near support rollers generate stronger suction forces to compensate for warping, while other members use standard forces. This localized differentiation ensures reliable absorption throughout the conveyor belt, resolving the contradiction between absorption reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements asymmetry by making suction forces non-uniform across different suction members. Specifically, suction members positioned near support rollers are configured with higher suction forces than those in other locations. This asymmetric configuration addresses the warping issue and improves overall absorption reliability without requiring complete redesign of the entire suction system.
2Manufacturing precision
If suction members are placed only at standard positions, then the device is simple, but sheets curl and misalign near support rollers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning additional suction members specifically near support rollers where sheet curling occurs. These locally added members provide targeted suction force to prevent curling and maintain alignment, improving manufacturing precision without requiring comprehensive redistribution of all suction members throughout the entire conveyor system.
3Reliability
If stronger suction force is applied throughout, then sheet absorption is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating stronger suction forces only where needed—specifically near support rollers where warping and absorption failures occur. Other suction members operate at standard or reduced forces. This localized approach improves sheet absorption reliability at critical locations while minimizing overall energy consumption compared to applying strong suction uniformly across the entire system.
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 ensures proper absorption and conveyance of sheets, preventing warping and curling, and maintaining sheet alignment, thereby improving the reliability of the drying process.
Implementation Method 1
an absorber including multiple suction members inside the endless loop of the conveyor belt, the suction members arrayed in the conveyance direction to absorb the sheet onto the absorption surface of the conveyor belt
Implementation Method 2
a drying unit facing an absorption surface of the conveyor belt to dry the sheet on the absorption surface
Data Source
AI summary
A dryer includes: a conveyor belt having a shape of an endless loop to convey a sheet in a conveyance direction; a drying unit facing an absorption surface of the conveyor belt to dry the sheet on the absorption surface; and an absorber including multiple suction members inside the endless loop of the conveyor belt, the suction members arrayed in the conveyance direction to absorb the sheet onto the absorption surface of the conveyor belt, and at least one suction member of the multiple suction members to generate a suction force different from suction forces of other suction members.