Elliptical Reflector UV Drying for Flat Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UV drying apparatuses for flat parts require multiple reflectors and lamps to efficiently dry both horizontal surfaces and vertical edges, leading to increased complexity, cost, and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A single elliptical reflector positioned with its major axis perpendicular to the part and a UV lamp at its first focus is used, concentrating reflected UV rays on both horizontal surfaces and vertical edges, while non-reflected rays directly hit the top surface, eliminating the need for additional reflectors and lamps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple reflectors and lamps are used to dry both horizontal surfaces and vertical edges, then drying effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single reflector is segmented into two distinct functional zones: a first reflective portion angled to direct UV rays onto vertical edges, and a second reflective portion angled to direct UV rays onto horizontal surfaces. This segmentation allows one reflector to perform the work of multiple reflectors while maintaining drying effectiveness on all surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The single UV lamp serves multiple functions by positioning itself to illuminate both the first and second reflective portions of the reflector, which in turn direct UV rays to both vertical edges and horizontal surfaces. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate lamps for different surfaces, reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive drying coverage.
2Reliability
If multiple reflectors and lamps are used to dry both horizontal surfaces and vertical edges, then drying effectiveness is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is divided into two reflective portions with different angles, allowing a single manufactured component to replace multiple separate reflectors and lamps. This segmentation enables cost-effective manufacturing by reducing the number of parts that need to be produced, assembled, and maintained, while still achieving effective drying on all surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of multiple reflectors and multiple lamps into a single integrated reflector structure with two reflective portions. This consolidation reduces material costs, manufacturing complexity, and assembly requirements, directly lowering the overall cost of the drying apparatus while maintaining the capability to dry both vertical edges and horizontal surfaces effectively.
3Reliability
If multiple lamps are used, then drying effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single reflector is segmented into two reflective portions that strategically redirect UV rays from one lamp to cover both vertical edges and horizontal surfaces. This segmentation maximizes the utilization of energy from a single lamp, eliminating the need for multiple lamps and thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining comprehensive drying effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector design ensures continuous and efficient UV ray distribution across all surfaces through its two angled reflective portions. By continuously directing UV rays onto both vertical edges and horizontal surfaces from a single lamp, the system maintains effective drying action throughout the treatment area without the energy waste associated with multiple lamps, some of which would illuminate overlapping or less critical areas.
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 simplifies the drying oven design, reduces costs, conserves energy, and ensures effective drying of both horizontal and vertical edges with optimized UV ray utilization.
Implementation Method 1
a UV lamp (12), emitting UV radiations (18, 19)
Implementation Method 2
concentrate UV radiations emitted by a UV lamp
Implementation Method 3
UV radiations which are reflected through a suitably shaped parabolic or elliptic reflector
Implementation Method 4
In the case of an ellipse, the lamp is positioned in one of the two foci of the ellipse
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Apparatus (11) for drying paint applied on the surface and vertical edges of basically flat parts (14), comprising a UV lamp (12), a reflector (13) and a conveying system (15, 16, 17) for translating the flat part beneath the reflector (13), wherein it comprises only one reflector (13) having elliptical shape, positioned so that ellipse's major axis crossing both foci is perpendicular to the part to be dried (14), wherein the UV lamp (12) is in the first focus of the ellipse and wherein the second focus is in proximity of the lower edge of reflector (13).