Lacquer Transfer Roller with Depressions for Aircraft Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lacquer transfer devices face issues with poor lacquer adhesion quality due to dust, dirt, and irregular surface roughness on aerodynamic surfaces like aircraft wings.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a surface preparation unit, such as a sanding or cleaning unit, upstream of the transfer roller, and a UV-light hardening unit to prepare and immediately harden the lacquer on the work surface, along with a slit nozzle system that dispenses lacquer into depressions on the transfer roller for controlled application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lacquer is applied directly to the work surface using conventional devices, then the application process is simple, but the lacquer adhesion quality suffers due to dust, dirt, and irregular surface roughness
Solution Approach 1:
A surface preparation unit is integrated upstream of the transfer roller to clean and smooth the work surface before lacquer application. This preliminary action removes dust, dirt, and irregularities that would otherwise compromise adhesion, ensuring high reliability without requiring complex post-processing or surface inspection systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions (surface preparation, lacquer transfer, and UV hardening) into a single integrated device. The surface preparation unit, transfer roller with depressions, and UV-light unit work together in one coordinated system, achieving high adhesion quality while maintaining manageable device complexity through functional integration
2Productivity
If the transfer roller rotates at high speed for efficient lacquer application, then productivity increases, but slip-stick effects occur causing irregular lacquer film thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer roller features circumferential depressions that create localized lacquer reservoirs. These depressions ensure continuous lacquer supply at the contact point with the work surface, maintaining consistent film thickness even during high-speed rotation when slip-stick effects would otherwise cause irregularities
Solution Approach 2:
The depressions in the transfer roller act as intermediaries between the lacquer supply system and the work surface. They buffer the lacquer flow and ensure steady delivery to the application point, decoupling the high-speed rotation from the lacquer transfer process to eliminate slip-stick effects
3Reliability
If UV-light hardening is applied immediately after lacquer transfer, then the lacquer sets quickly and prevents defects, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV-light unit is integrated within the interior space of the transfer roller, merging the hardening function with the transfer mechanism. This compact integration achieves immediate lacquer setting for high reliability while avoiding the need for separate hardening equipment or complex positioning systems
Solution Approach 2:
The UV-light unit is nested within the interior space defined by the transfer roller. This nested arrangement allows the hardening function to be incorporated without increasing the overall device footprint or requiring additional mounting structures, maintaining device simplicity while ensuring reliable lacquer setting
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
Significantly enhances lacquer adhesion quality by removing dust and dirt, smoothing the surface, and ensuring consistent lacquer film thickness, preventing slip-stick effects during rotation.
Implementation Method 1
a UV-light unit configured for hardening the lacquer in a contactless way by emitting UV-light
Implementation Method 2
The transfer roller is configured to roll with the outside contact surface on a work surface of a work piece for transferring the lacquer from the depressions to the work surface of the work piece
Data Source
AI summary
A device for lacquer transfer is disclosed including a frame, a transfer roller with a circumferential lateral wall, and a nozzle for dispensing lacquer, wherein the nozzle is connected to the frame, wherein an outside contact surface of the lateral wall comprises several depressions, wherein the transfer roller is mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation at the frame, wherein the nozzle is arranged contactless to or in direct contact with the outside contact surface of the lateral wall for dispensing lacquer into respective depressions in the lateral wall while the transfer roller is rotated about the axis of rotation, and wherein the transfer roller is configured to roll with the outside contact surface on a work surface of a work piece for transferring the lacquer from the depressions to the work surface of the work piece.