Modular Oven Air Channel Structure for Uniform Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional glass fiber oven technology faces challenges with high energy consumption, non-uniform air flow, and large size, which affects drying efficiency and product quality, and requires a more efficient and compact solution to meet increasing production demands.

Innovation Solution

A modular oven structure with a frame and air channel system, featuring a tunnel drying chamber, inlet and return chambers, and a circulation fan, with aperture distributions optimized for uniform air flow and temperature control, allowing for easy maintenance and energy conservation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a large oven is used to increase production capacity, then the output can be increased, but the energy consumption increases and heat dissipation is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction capacityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The oven is divided into multiple independent modular units, each with its own drying chamber and air circulation system. This allows the oven to be configured in series to increase production capacity while each module maintains efficient energy usage, avoiding the exponential energy increase that would occur with a single large oven.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If a large drying chamber is used to increase output, then the production capacity is improved, but the air flow becomes non-uniform affecting drying efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction capacityVSAvoiddrying uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the drying chamber into multiple smaller modular units, each chamber maintains optimal air circulation characteristics. The air flow can be uniformly distributed in each small chamber while the series configuration of multiple chambers provides the cumulative drying capacity of a large chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of increasing the volume of a single drying chamber, the invention increases production capacity by adding more chambers in series (temporal dimension). This maintains uniform air flow in each chamber while achieving the total output of a large chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Power

If a circulation fan is arranged outside the drying chamber with large air pipe connection, then the air circulation capacity is improved, but the oven size increases and heat dissipation is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair circulation capacityVSAvoidoven size
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The circulation fan is nested within the oven structure itself, integrated into the modular chamber design. This eliminates the need for external fan housings and large connection air pipes, reducing the overall oven volume while maintaining adequate air circulation capacity through optimized internal airflow paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Productivity

If a traditional large oven structure is used, then the production capacity is sufficient, but the appearance is not aesthetically pleasing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction capacityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented modular design creates a more compact and aesthetically pleasing appearance compared to a single large oven. The modular units can be arranged in an organized series configuration that is more visually appealing while providing equivalent or greater production capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 modular oven design achieves stable and efficient drying with reduced energy consumption, improved air circulation, and increased production capacity while maintaining a compact and aesthetically pleasing form.

Implementation Method 1

A circulation fan is arranged at the top of the frame, and an air inlet of the circulation fan is in communication with the top of the fan air inlet chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

a heater is arranged in the fan air inlet chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

the distribution density of apertures in the upper portion of the tunnel air inlet plate is higher than the distribution density of apertures in the lower portion of the tunnel air inlet plate, and the distribution density of apertures in the upper portion of the tunnel air return plate is lower than the distribution density of apertures in the lower portion of the tunnel air return plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow distribution:

Data Source

PatentEP3730883B1Modular oven structure and tunnel oven
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 JUSHI GRP CO
  • EP3730883B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3730883B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3730883B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided are a modular oven structure and a tunnel oven. The modular oven structure comprises a frame and an air channel structure, wherein a tunnel air inlet chamber, a tunnel air return chamber and a tunnel drying chamber are arranged in the frame, a fan air inlet chamber is arranged above the tunnel drying chamber, and a heater is arranged in the fan air inlet chamber; a fan air outlet chamber is arranged between the fan air inlet chamber and the top of the frame; and a circulation fan is arranged at the top of the frame, and an air inlet of the circulation fan is in communication with the top of the fan air inlet chamber. The modular oven structure further comprises a temperature control system and a control device, wherein the temperature control system comprises several temperature sensors, and the temperature sensors are arranged in the tunnel air inlet chamber and/or the tunnel air return chamber; and output ends of the temperature sensors are connected to the control device, and an output end of the control device is connected to a control signal input end of the heater and a control signal input end of the circulation fan.