Retaining Surface Gap Design for Wet-Chemical Liquid Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for treating planar materials in wet-chemical processes, such as circuit board manufacturing, often damage sensitive surfaces due to direct contact with nip rolls, which can lead to surface pressure and particle-induced damage.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a retaining surface positioned to create a gap between the surface of the material and the retaining surface, allowing for the accumulation and removal of treatment liquid without direct contact, using a combination of gap design and fluid flow to manage liquid levels and prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If nip rolls are used to accumulate and remove treatment liquid, then liquid removal efficiency is improved, but surface damage to sensitive materials increases
Solution Approach 1:
A liquid-permeable membrane is introduced as an intermediary between the nip rolls and the sensitive material surface. The membrane allows treatment liquid to pass through while preventing direct contact between the rolls and the material, thus eliminating surface damage caused by particles and pressure while maintaining effective liquid removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact (nip rolls pressing on material) with a fluid-based system where treatment liquid is removed through the permeable membrane. This substitution eliminates mechanical surface damage while achieving the same liquid removal function through fluid dynamics rather than mechanical force.
2Quantity of substance
If nip rolls bear against the material surface, then treatment liquid accumulation is improved, but contact-induced surface damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid-permeable membrane serves as a mediator that enables treatment liquid to be accumulated and removed without requiring direct contact between nip rolls and the material surface. The membrane allows liquid passage while blocking mechanical contact, thus achieving liquid management without surface damage.
3Device complexity
If direct contact between rolls and material is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but surface sensitivity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid-permeable membrane is a relatively simple component that can be integrated into existing roll structures. It provides the necessary protection for sensitive surfaces while adding minimal complexity to the overall device, maintaining ease of operation and liquid removal functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to remove treatment liquid (21) from a planar material to be treated (10), which is transported in an assembly for wet-chemical treatment of the material to be treated (10), a retaining surface (4, 14) is provided for holding back the treatment liquid (21). The retaining surface (4, 14) is arranged relative to a transport path of the material to be treated (10) so that a gap (8, 18) remains between the retaining surface (4, 14) and a surface of the material to be treated (10) opposing the retaining surface (4, 14), when the material to be treated (10) is moved past the retaining surface (4, 14). The retaining surface (4, 14) may, for example, be provided as an offset portion of a peripheral surface of a roll (2, 3).