Low-Pressure UV Lamp Coating Curing Heat Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current UV polymerization technologies for organic coatings face issues with high heat generation, ozone production, and complex implementation, particularly due to the use of high-pressure mercury vapor lamps, which are costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The use of low-pressure lamps emitting quasi-monochromatic short ultraviolet (U.V.-C) light for polymerizing and crosslinking organic coatings, which reduces heat generation, eliminates ozone production, and simplifies the technology, allowing for efficient industrial-scale coating at high speeds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high-pressure mercury vapor lamps are used for UV polymerization, then the coating can be cured effectively, but high heat is generated and ozone is produced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating cure effectivenessVSAvoidheat generation and ozone production
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the key parameter of UV lamp operating pressure from high-pressure to low-pressure operation. This parameter change fundamentally alters the emission characteristics, reducing heat generation and eliminating ozone production while maintaining effective UV-C output for coating polymerization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive, complex high-pressure lamp systems with simpler, more economical low-pressure lamp systems. The low-pressure lamps are more cost-effective and have simpler implementation requirements, making the overall system more economical

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Power

If high-pressure mercury vapor lamps are used, then sufficient UV power is provided, but the implementation becomes complex with expensive equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUV irradiation powerVSAvoidequipment complexity and cost
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating pressure parameter from high to low, which fundamentally simplifies the lamp construction and power supply requirements. Low-pressure lamps operate at much lower voltages and have simpler cooling requirements, reducing equipment complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive high-pressure lamp systems with more economical low-pressure alternatives. The simplified lamp design and lower operational requirements reduce both capital investment and operating costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If low-pressure lamps are used, then heat generation and ozone production are reduced, but UV-C irradiation power is insufficient for industrial coating speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat and ozone reductionVSAvoidUV-C irradiation power
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the UV irradiation function into multiple low-pressure lamp units arranged in series or parallel. By segmenting the total power requirement across multiple lower-power lamps, the system achieves sufficient cumulative UV-C output while maintaining the low heat and zero ozone advantages of individual low-pressure lamps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines multiple low-pressure lamp outputs to achieve the total UV-C power needed for industrial coating speeds. The synergistic effect of multiple lamps working together provides sufficient irradiation power while maintaining the beneficial low heat and ozone-free characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 approach results in a more economical and efficient process with lower equipment costs, reduced heat output, and comparable peel strength to conventional methods, while enabling continuous coating speeds up to 600 m/min without odor issues.

Implementation Method 1

low-pressure lamps which emits in the U.V.-C range a light quasi-monochromatic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission from low-pressure lamp: Luminescence

Implementation Method 2

the light energy of UV radiation which allows the formation of active protagonists, by radical cleavage, and thus the triggering and continuation of crosslinking and/or polymerization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 3

the light energy of UV radiation which allows the formation of active protagonists, by radical cleavage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadical cleavage: Photodissociation

Data Source

PatentEP1933993A1Method for preparing reticulated organic coatings on a base
Publication Date: 2008.06.25 BLUESTAR SILICONES FRANCE IND PROPERTY DEPARTMENT

AI summary

The invention relates to a novel method for polymerising and/or reticulating an organic coating composition, in particular to the preparation of a reticulated organic coating on a base under short ultraviolet radiation (U.V.-C).