Polymer Film Drying Process with Edge Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing processes for producing polymer films, particularly polyimide films, face challenges in productivity due to heat loss at the gripped edges, requiring additional equipment and increasing running costs, and existing solutions do not adequately address these issues.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a first heat treatment with uniformly blown hot air in the film width direction and a second heat treatment with continuous hot air in the direction parallel to the running direction at the gripped edges of the gel film, enhancing heating and drying efficiency without the need for extra heat sources or intentional temperature increases in the oven.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If hot air is uniformly blown in the width direction of the gel film during heating, then the film is heated evenly, but the edges are cooled by heat loss and gripping members blocking hot air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different heating approaches to different regions of the film: uniform hot air blowing across the entire film width for general heating, while specifically targeting the gripped edge portions with additional heating consideration to compensate for heat loss and blocking effects
2Temperature
If the heating temperature at gripped portions is increased to compensate for heat loss, then the temperature uniformity improves, but extra equipment and running costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the existing heating oven and hot air blowing system to heat the gel film, allowing the system to serve its primary function without requiring additional specialized heating equipment for the gripped portions
3Productivity
If the heating temperature at gripped portions is increased, then the drying efficiency improves, but the running cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing heating oven and hot air system are utilized to perform both uniform heating and edge portion heating functions, eliminating the need for additional energy-consuming equipment while maintaining drying efficiency
4Productivity
If the oven length is extended to allow faster film transport, then the productivity increases, but the equipment cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the heating parameters (hot air temperature, flow rate, and distribution) to achieve efficient drying at the gripped portions, allowing for faster film transport through the existing oven length without requiring extension
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 process effectively increases the productivity of polymer film production by uniformly heating and drying the edges, reducing the risk of film damage and allowing for faster film transport without extending the oven length, thus achieving high productivity and maintaining film quality.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat treatment is performed by uniformly blowing hot air in the film width direction of the gel film
Implementation Method 2
a second heat treatment is performed by continuously blowing hot air in a direction parallel to the running direction of the gel film at both edge portions gripped in the film width direction of the gel film
Implementation Method 3
heating the gel film by transporting it through a heating oven so as to finish heating and drying the gel film
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a process for producing a polymer film at high productivity: during a process for drying gripped portions of both edges of a gel film, a first heat treatment is performed by blowing hot air in the film width direction and a second heat treatment is performed by blowing hot air at gripped portions of both edges of the gel film in a direction parallel to the film running direction.