Gas-Permeable Counter-Reflector for Infrared Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drying methods for printing substrates, particularly those with solvent-containing inks, face challenges such as bubble formation and condensation issues during the drying process, which affect the efficiency and reproducibility of the drying process.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a gas-permeable counter-reflector with inlet and outlet openings to introduce and remove cooling gas, which interacts with the material to control temperature and prevent condensation, thereby reducing bubble formation and enhancing drying efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high radiation flux density is used for rapid drying, then drying speed is improved, but bubble formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
A gas-permeable counter-reflector is introduced as an intermediary component between the irradiated material and the irradiation space. This counter-reflector allows cooling gas to pass through while reflecting radiation, thereby mediating the thermal field to prevent bubble formation while maintaining drying efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the drying environment by introducing cooling gas flow through the counter-reflector. This modifies the thermal and convective conditions in the irradiation space, enabling high-speed drying without excessive bubble formation by controlling temperature and moisture removal rates
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cooling gas is introduced into the reflector space, then condensation is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas-permeable counter-reflector performs multiple functions simultaneously: it reflects infrared radiation, allows cooling gas to pass through, and prevents condensation. By combining these functions into a single component, the patent avoids increasing device complexity while achieving multiple technical objectives
Solution Approach 2:
The counter-reflector is constructed as a gas-permeable porous material that allows cooling gas to pass through while maintaining its structural integrity and reflective properties. This porous structure enables the component to serve multiple purposes without requiring additional separate systems
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 high-speed drying with reduced bubble formation and prevents condensation, ensuring a more efficient and reproducible drying process for solvent-containing printing inks by controlling temperature and moisture removal.
Implementation Method 1
Emission of infrared radiation in the direction of the material for irradiation by means of a radiator unit comprising at least one infrared radiator
Implementation Method 2
Reflecting infrared radiation back onto the material for irradiation by means of a counter-reflector
Implementation Method 3
a cooling gas is introduced into the reflector space via inlet openings in the reflector wall
Data Source
AI summary
Known infrared irradiation devices for drying a material for irradiation that is moved through a process chamber have a radiator unit with at least one infrared radiator for emitting infrared radiation and have a counter-reflector with a reflector wall, wherein the reflector wall has a plurality of inlet openings for admitting cooling gas into the reflector space. Proceeding from this, in order to provide an irradiation device for the drying method, which irradiation device is, in particular for drying solvent-containing and in particular water-based printing ink, distinguished by high-speed drying with a low level of bubble formation and a low level of condensation in the reflector space at the same time, it is proposed that the reflector wall has at least one outlet opening for conducting waste air out of the reflector space.