Off-Center Arc Reflectors for Wire Rod Photoirradiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photoirradiation devices for curing UV-curable resin on thin wire rods, such as optical fibers, face inefficiencies due to complex configurations required to surround the wire rod with light sources, particularly when using LED devices, which struggle to project light effectively onto the thin diameter of the wire rod, leading to poorer production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A photoirradiation device with a simple structure featuring a first and second circular arc reflector positioned off-center relative to the wire rod's path, along with a light source on the opposite side, enhances light projection efficiency by directing light more effectively onto the wire rod, utilizing multiple reflectors with varying decentering distances to improve irradiation coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light sources are arranged to surround the wire rod, then light irradiation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the LED device and the wire rod. The light guide member receives light from the LED device and guides/redirects it toward the wire rod, enabling effective irradiation without requiring light sources to be positioned in direct contact with or surrounding the wire rod. This mediator approach maintains high illumination efficiency while preserving a simpler device structure.
2Illumination intensity
If wire rod movement speed is slowed down, then light irradiation amount is increased, but production efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical approach (slowing down wire rod movement to increase light exposure time) with an optical approach. By using LED devices with high luminous efficiency and a light guide member to optimize light delivery, the system achieves sufficient curing at normal production speeds, eliminating the need to sacrifice productivity for adequate irradiation.
3Device complexity
If LED devices are used instead of mercury lamps, then device simplicity is improved, but light projection efficiency to thin wire rod deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide member serves as a mediator that compensates for the limitations of LED devices in directly irradiating thin wire rods. It captures light from the LED device and redirects it onto the wire rod surface, maintaining the simplicity of using LED devices while achieving effective light projection onto the thin 0.1-1.0mm diameter wire rod.
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 configuration significantly increases the amount of light projected onto the wire rod, enhancing curing efficiency while maintaining a straightforward device structure, thus improving production efficiency without the need for slowing down the wire rod's movement.
Implementation Method 1
a first reflector having a circular arc shape centered on a point shifted from a center of the insertion path by a first distance, one side of the first reflector facing the insertion path being a reflective surface
Data Source
AI summary
A photoirradiation device includes an insertion path for inserting a wire rod; a first reflector having a circular arc shape centered on a point shifted from a center of the insertion path by a first distance, one side of the first reflector facing the insertion path being a reflective surface; a second reflector disposed adjacent open edges of the first reflector and having a circular arc shape centered on a point shifted from the center of the insertion path by a second distance that is different from the first distance, one side of the second reflector facing the insertion path being a reflective surface; and a light source that is positioned on an opposite side of the insertion path from the first reflector and that projects light toward the wire rod.