UV Cured Road Marking Applicator for Rapid Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current road marking paints require extensive drying time, delaying road openings and increasing traffic control costs, and exposing contractors to hazards if roads are opened before full drying, as they can be compromised by vehicle contact.
Innovation Solution
A ground surface marker system that uses a paint applicator, a dispenser for glass or quartz beads, and an LED UV light source to rapidly dry the paint by refracting UV light through the beads, allowing for immediate traffic access and durable markings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional road marking paint is used, then the paint can be applied to the road surface, but the paint requires extensive drying time (5 minutes to 1 hour touch dry, 24 hours or more full drying)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional thermal drying mechanisms with UV light curing. The UV LED light source activates photoinitiators in the paint formulation, triggering rapid polymerization and curing within seconds, eliminating the need for prolonged evaporative drying processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the paint by incorporating UV-curable resins and photoinitiators. This chemical modification enables the paint to undergo rapid cross-linking and curing when exposed to UV light, transforming the drying mechanism from slow evaporation to fast photochemical reaction.
2Productivity
If the road is opened before full drying of the paint, then traffic flow is maintained, but the road markings may be compromised by contact with vehicle wheels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies UV light curing immediately after paint application to achieve rapid initial setting and curing. This preliminary action creates a durable marking surface within seconds that can immediately withstand vehicle traffic, eliminating the vulnerability period present with conventional paints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/thermal drying processes with UV photochemical curing. This substitution creates a cross-linked polymer network that provides immediate mechanical strength and durability, allowing the markings to resist vehicle wheel contact from the moment of application.
3Illumination intensity
If reflectors are embedded in the paint, then the markings reflect visible light for enhanced visibility, but the paint must remain open for extended drying time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal drying with UV light curing, enabling the paint to set rapidly around embedded glass beads or quartz beads. This allows reflectors to be incorporated into the marking without extending drying time, as the UV-cured paint immediately encapsulates the beads and achieves traffic-bearing strength.
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 system enables rapid drying of paint within 0.5 to 1.5 seconds, reducing the need for extended road closures and allowing for immediate vehicle traffic without compromising the markings, thus minimizing delays and safety risks.
Implementation Method 1
the UV light refracts through the reflectors and into the paint to dry the paint
Implementation Method 2
an LED UV light source
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a ground surface marker and method for surface marking. It is known to apply surface markings, for example road markings, using paint. Many current road marking paints have a touch dry time from about five minutes to one hour, with full drying taking 24 hours or more, depending on the air temperature. The dry time of current paints can delay the opening of a road which may be costly because it increases the need for traffic control and can expose contractors to motoring hazards. If roads are opened prior to full drying of the paint, then the road markings may be compromised by contact with vehicle wheels. The invention aims to go at least some way toward addressing these problems by providing a ground surface marker comprising a paint applicator, a dispenser associated with reflectors, and a UV light source.