Self-Contained Cooling System for UV Ink Curing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink curing apparatus require complex and inefficient cooling systems due to the intense heat generated by UV lamps, often involving extensive water cooling networks or separate heat exchangers to manage heat effectively.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained cooling system within a single housing where hot air from the lamp is directed over water-cooled surfaces and then recycled, utilizing a parallel water pipe system with inner and outer channels to cool reflectors and other components, allowing for efficient heat dissipation and reduced fan size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a complex water cooling system with multiple pipes is used to cool the lamp, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and number of inlets/outlets increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling of multiple components (lamp, reflectors, housing) into a single integrated air cooling system. The cooled air generated by cooling the lamp is reused to cool other components, creating a cascading cooling effect that eliminates the need for separate cooling systems for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling air serves multiple functions: it cools the lamp, cools the reflectors, cools the housing, and is then reheated and recirculated. This multi-functional use of a single cooling medium (air) simplifies the overall cooling system architecture.
2Temperature
If a separate large cooling unit with heat exchanger is used, then the cooling capacity is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat exchanger function directly into the housing structure. The housing walls themselves serve as heat exchange surfaces, eliminating the need for a separate external heat exchanger unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational environment (the air already present in the housing) as the cooling medium. The air is continuously circulated and reused, making the system self-contained and eliminating external cooling infrastructure.
3Temperature
If extensive water cooling networks are used to cool various components, then the thermal management is improved, but the number of inlets and outlets increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses air (a gas) instead of water as the cooling medium. This allows for easier circulation through the housing and components, and eliminates the need for complex water distribution networks with multiple valves and connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The air cooling system is self-contained within the housing, with air being continuously recirculated. This eliminates the need for external water supply and drainage connections, simplifying installation and operation.
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 solution effectively reduces air temperature from 750°C to 32°C, providing a compact and efficient cooling mechanism that minimizes the fan's cooling load and simplifies coolant inlets and outlets, enhancing the overall thermal management of the ink curing process.
Implementation Method 1
hot air from the lamp is directed over water-cooled surfaces and then recycled
Implementation Method 2
a path to direct air emitted from the lamp, in use, over cooled surfaces within the housing towards the fan
Implementation Method 3
a lamp and in the other end of which is provided a fan, the apparatus having defined therein a path to direct air emitted from the lamp
Implementation Method 4
lamp partially surrounded by reflectors to direct UV light onto a substrate
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Ink curing apparatus having a fully self-contained cooling system. The apparatus comprises a single housing (10) with a lamp (14) and fan (24) and means to direct heat from the fan (24) over cooled surfaces of the housing (10).