Heating Lamp Coating Layout for Uniform Ink Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing halogen lamps used for drying ink on workpieces are inefficient due to mismatched wavelength bands of light intensity and absorption, leading to uneven drying and potential deformation of the workpiece.

Innovation Solution

A lamp configuration with a main and auxiliary tube body, each equipped with coating layers that reflect and transmit light to superimpose light spectra, adjusting the peak wavelength to match the absorption spectrum of the ink, ensuring uniform illumination and efficient drying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a halogen lamp is used as a heating light source, then the lamp structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the wavelength band of light intensity does not match the absorption spectrum of ink, resulting in inefficient drying and uneven heating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelamp structure simplicityVSAvoiddrying efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The tube body is divided into multiple sections along the light propagation direction, with each section containing coating layers having different optical properties. This segmentation allows the lamp to emit light across multiple wavelength bands, matching both the near-infrared absorption peak and visible absorption band of ink, thereby improving drying efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple lamp structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple coating layers with different material compositions are applied to the tube body surface. These composite coating structures enable the lamp to emit light with a broadened spectrum that simultaneously matches multiple absorption peaks of ink, resolving the contradiction between simple lamp structure and high drying efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If a halogen lamp with straight tube shape is used, then the device structure is simple, but only half of the emitted light reaches the workpiece, requiring additional reflective films and reducing overall efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelamp structure complexityVSAvoidlight emission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Different sections of the tube body are assigned different coating properties: sections facing the workpiece have coatings optimized for direct emission, while side sections have reflective coatings to redirect light toward the workpiece. This local differentiation eliminates the need for external reflective films and ensures all emitted light contributes to heating, reducing energy loss without increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the light wavelength does not match the ink absorption spectrum, then the lamp can be used for various ink types, but the drying time increases significantly and uneven drying occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different ink typesVSAvoiddrying time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The lamp is designed with multiple coating layers that emit light across a broad spectrum covering multiple absorption peaks of ink. This multi-functional light emission capability allows the same lamp structure to efficiently dry various types of ink by matching their respective absorption characteristics, achieving both versatility and reduced drying time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 lamp configuration efficiently dries solvents and paints on workpieces, preventing uneven drying and deformation by aligning light intensity with absorption peaks, thus enhancing drying efficiency and uniformity.

Implementation Method 1

a first coating layer that reflects part of the first light, and transmits another part of the first light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a second coating layer that is irradiated with the first light to emit second light having a peak wavelength that belongs to a wavelength band on a longer wavelength side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Implementation Method 3

a wavelength band in which an absorption rate is relatively high is different from a wavelength band in which a light intensity is relatively high

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4669031A1Lamp for heating and light source unit
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 USHIO INC
  • EP4669031A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4669031A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4669031A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided are a lamp for heating and a light source unit that are capable of efficiently drying a solvent, paint, or the like that adheres to a workpiece, and prevent uneven drying from occurring. The lamp for heating includes: a main tube body that extends in a first direction; a main light emitter that is housed in the main tube body, and emits first light having a peak wavelength within a near-infrared region; a first coating layer that reflects part of the first light, and transmits another part of the first light, the first coating layer being provided in at least part of a first portion from among the first portion and a second portion of a tube wall of the main tube body, the first portion and the second portion facing each other in a radial direction of the main tube body with a tube axis of the main tube body interposed between the first portion and the second portion; and a second coating layer that is irradiated with the first light to emit second light having a peak wavelength that belongs to a wavelength band on a longer wavelength side in comparison with a peak wavelength of the first light, the second coating layer being provided in at least part of the second portion.