Hot Gas Coating Device With Controlled Cooling for Heat-Sensitive Materials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coating technologies using hot gas devices risk damaging workpieces and coating materials due to high thermal loads, particularly when wood and plastic components are exposed to temperatures above their ignition or melting points.

Innovation Solution

A hot gas device with a cooling system that includes a deflection device and a control mechanism to manage the supply of hot and cold gases, ensuring controlled thermal management by activating a functional layer on workpieces and coating materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hot gas is used to activate the functional layer, then the coating material can be bonded to the workpiece, but the workpiece and coating material may be damaged due to high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding reliabilityVSAvoidthermal damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The workpiece and coating material are pre-cooled before the hot gas is applied. This preliminary cooling action ensures that the base temperature is low enough to prevent damage, while still allowing the functional layer to be activated by the hot gas. The cooling is performed in advance, creating a temperature buffer that protects the materials during the subsequent heating phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system alternates between cooling phases and heating phases. During operation, the cooling device and hot gas device are controlled in a periodic manner, where cooling is applied during intervals or before/after the hot gas activation. This periodic action allows the functional layer to be activated when needed while preventing excessive temperature buildup that would cause damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If the hot gas temperature is increased to ensure functional layer activation, then bonding effectiveness improves, but the risk of ignition or melting increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivation effectivenessVSAvoidignition risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The workpiece and coating material are pre-cooled before the hot gas is applied. This preliminary cooling action ensures that the base temperature is low enough to prevent damage, while still allowing the functional layer to be activated by the hot gas. The cooling is performed in advance, creating a temperature buffer that protects the materials during the subsequent heating phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling device acts as an intermediary between the hot gas device and the workpiece/coating material. It provides a protective thermal buffer that mediates the interaction between the high-temperature hot gas and the temperature-sensitive materials. This intermediary cooling system allows the hot gas to reach the functional layer for activation while preventing excessive heat from damaging the base materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If continuous cooling is applied to prevent thermal damage, then material protection improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal protectionVSAvoidcooling energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system alternates between cooling phases and heating phases. During operation, the cooling device and hot gas device are controlled in a periodic manner, where cooling is applied during intervals or before/after the hot gas activation. This periodic action allows the functional layer to be activated when needed while preventing excessive temperature buildup that would cause damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling is applied selectively based on temperature parameters and operational conditions. Rather than continuous cooling at constant intensity, the system adjusts cooling parameters (temperature, flow rate, timing) to match the operational requirements. Cooling is intensified when thermal damage risk is high and reduced or suspended when the hot gas is actively heating the functional layer, optimizing energy usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Prevents damage to workpieces and coating materials by reducing thermal stress through precise cooling, maintaining operational reliability and energy efficiency during the coating process.

Implementation Method 1

A hot-gas device can be provided for this purpose. This provides a hot gas that heats the functional layer to an activation temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal convection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the cooling device comprises a control system by means of which the cooling and/or the supply of the hot gas can be controlled

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal convection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

The deflection device can thus dissipate high levels of thermal radiation and convection heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3741529B1Hot gas device for providing hot gas and coating device and method for coating workpieces
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 HOMAG GMBH
  • EP3741529B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a hot gas device (10) for supplying hot gas to a coating device (1) for coating workpieces (2) with a coating material (3), in particular for coating narrow sides (4) of plate-shaped workpieces (2) with a narrow-area coating material, with an energy source (11) for supplying the hot gas and with at least one hot gas guide path (12) for supplying the hot gas to a deflection device (9), wherein the deflection device (9) has at least one outlet opening (13) to activate a functional layer provided on the coating material (3) and/or on the workpiece (2) with the hot gas, wherein a cooling device (14) is provided.by which at least the deflection device (9) and/or the workpiece (2) and/or the coating material (3) and/or the energy source (11) can be cooled, as well as a coating device (1) and a method for coating workpieces (2) with a coating material (3).