UV Curing System Heat-Powered Actuator for 3D Object Rotation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

UV curing systems face inefficiencies due to heat generated by UV lamps being wasted and the inability to effectively cure 3D objects with shadowed areas, leading to incomplete curing and potential skin irritation.

Innovation Solution

A UV curing system that utilizes the heat generated by UV lamps to convert into mechanical energy, actuating a movement mechanism to rotate objects and ensure all surfaces are exposed to UV light, incorporating an actuator with expansion gas and a controller to regulate UV light intensity and movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If UV lamps are used to generate UV light for curing objects, then curing speed and productivity are improved, but heat is generated as waste energy that needs to be dissipated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuring speedVSAvoidheat energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful waste heat generated by UV lamps into useful mechanical energy to drive the movement mechanism. The actuator receives heat from the UV lamp and converts it to mechanical energy, which actuates the movement mechanism to move objects through the curing station, thereby eliminating waste heat while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Productivity

If objects are moved quickly through the UV curing station, then productivity is improved, but heat generated by UV lamps cannot be effectively utilized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction speedVSAvoidheat utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the heat generated by the UV lamps themselves to power the movement mechanism. The actuators are positioned to receive heat directly from the UV lamps, and this heat is converted to mechanical energy to move objects through the curing station, creating a self-sustaining system where the curing process itself provides the energy for material handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If UV lamps operate at high temperatures to generate sufficient UV light, then curing effectiveness is improved, but skin irritation and safety hazards increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuring effectivenessVSAvoidskin irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful high-temperature heat into useful mechanical energy before it can cause skin irritation. By positioning actuators to capture heat directly from UV lamps and convert it to mechanical work, the system reduces the temperature buildup that would otherwise create safety hazards, while maintaining effective UV curing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If multiple UV lamp units are used to cure all surfaces of 3D objects, then curing completeness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuring completenessVSAvoidnumber of lamp units

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic movement of objects through the curing station using heat-powered actuators. Instead of using multiple static lamp units to illuminate all surfaces, the system moves objects dynamically through the UV field, allowing comprehensive curing with fewer lamp units. The movement mechanism ensures all surfaces are exposed to UV light at appropriate stages.

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

Efficiently utilizes heat energy for mechanical movement, ensuring complete curing of 3D objects by rotating them to expose all surfaces to UV light, reducing operational temperature and improving curing consistency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

an actuator (5) adapted to receive heat from the UV lamp (2) and to convert the heat energy to mechanical energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy conversion:

Implementation Method 2

the actuator comprises an expansion gas (7) having high expansion coefficient in influence of when exposed to heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

UV curing is a process in which ultraviolet light and visible light is used to initiate a photochemical reaction that generates a cross-linked network of polymers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUV light generation:

Data Source

PatentEP3476601B1UV curing system

Publication Date: 2020.03.11 VESTEL ELEKTRONIK SANAYI & TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a

AI summary

A UV curing system (1) comprising an UV lamp (2) for generating an UV light (3) to cure an object (4) when the object (4) passes under the UV light (3), the UV lamp (2) is adapted to generate heat while generating the UV light (3), characterized in that the UV curing system (1) comprises an actuator (5) adapted to receive heat from the UV lamp (2), and to convert heat energy to mechanical energy, and to actuate a movement mechanism (6), and the movement mechanism (6), when actuated by the actuator (5), adapted to move the object (4).