Drying Apparatus with Rotating Target for Uniform Airflow

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drying apparatuses under reduced pressure in decompression chambers face inefficiencies due to uneven airflow contact with target objects, leading to incomplete drying of certain areas.

Innovation Solution

A drying apparatus with a decompression section and a moving section to rotate the target object within the chamber, combined with an airflow generation system to ensure effective airflow contact, and radiation heating to enhance drying efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a decompression drying chamber with a drying heater is used, then drying efficiency is improved, but uneven airflow contact with the target object occurs resulting in insufficient drying of certain portions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoiddrying uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the target object rotate during the drying process. The rotation mechanism ensures that all surfaces of the target object are dynamically exposed to the airflow from the drying heater, transforming a static drying process into a dynamic one. This rotation eliminates the uneven airflow contact problem by continuously changing the orientation of the target object relative to the airflow source, ensuring uniform drying across all surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a rotating holder or support structure as an intermediary between the drying heater and the target object. This intermediary mechanism facilitates the rotational movement of the target object, enabling uniform exposure to the drying environment. The holder acts as a mediator that translates the drying action into a uniform process across all surfaces of the target object.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the target object is stationary in the drying chamber, then the structure is simple, but the airflow does not evenly contact the object resulting in incomplete drying

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoiddrying efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the stationary drying setup into a dynamic one by introducing rotation of the target object. This dynamic approach maintains relative structural simplicity while dramatically improving drying efficiency. The rotation ensures that airflow contacts all surfaces of the target object uniformly, eliminating incomplete drying areas without requiring complex multi-directional airflow systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If high temperature heating is applied to increase drying speed, then productivity improves, but image distortion and quality issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying speedVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by ensuring uniform distribution of thermal energy across all surfaces of the target object through rotation. Instead of concentrating heat in one area or having hot spots, the rotational movement distributes the thermal exposure evenly throughout the drying process. This uniform local heating prevents image distortion while maintaining high drying speed, as each portion of the target object receives consistent thermal treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic rotation of the target object during heating ensures that no single area is exposed to excessive heat for prolonged periods. The continuous movement distributes the thermal load uniformly, preventing localized overheating that would cause image distortion. This dynamic thermal management maintains both high drying speed and image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 increases the efficiency of drying by ensuring uniform airflow contact and controlled temperature, preventing image distortion and quality issues during the drying process.

Implementation Method 1

a drying chamber (2) that can be connected to a decompression section (8)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDecompression: Depressurisation

Implementation Method 2

a moving section (26) that can move a target object (M) in the interior (6) of the drying chamber (2)... an airflow generated by the movement of the target object (M)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow generation through object movement: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the drying chamber (2) includes a radiation heating section (7)... the radiation heating section (7) heats the interior (6) of the drying chamber (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadiation heating: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS10518557B2Drying apparatus, recording apparatus, and drying method
Publication Date: 2019.12.31 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • US10518557B2 patent drawing
  • US10518557B2 patent drawing
  • US10518557B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A drying apparatus includes a drying chamber configured to be connected to a decompression section, and a moving section configured to move a target object in the interior of the drying chamber. With this structure, the pressure in the interior of the drying chamber can be reduced and the target object can be dried in the interior of the drying chamber, and thereby the drying efficiency of the target object can be increased.