UV Curing Lamp with Optical Filter for Elongated Cavities

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Devices for curing coatings or plastic liners in elongated cavities using UV lamps emit harmful short-wave ultraviolet radiation, posing health risks and material degradation, while existing solutions do not adequately address these issues.

Innovation Solution

A UV lamp device with a gallium-containing filling gas and an optical filter element that reduces or eliminates UV radiation in the 400 nm to 450 nm range, using a quartz glass hollow cylinder as the filter, ensuring a safe and effective curing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If pure quartz glass is used as the lamp material for UV lamp, then the lamp can emit UV radiation in the UVC-VUV range for curing coatings, but harmful short-wave ultraviolet radiation is emitted causing health risks and material degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUV radiation emission for curingVSAvoidharmful short-wave UV radiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An optical filter element is introduced as an intermediary component between the UV lamp and the surrounding environment. This filter selectively transmits the beneficial 400-450 nm UV radiation needed for curing while blocking harmful shorter-wave UV radiation, thus mediating between the radiation source and the affected components/personnel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The emission spectrum parameters of the UV lamp are modified by introducing gallium-containing filling gas and using an optical filter element. This changes the radiation output from broad-spectrum harmful UV to a controlled 400-450 nm range that is effective for curing without the harmful short-wave components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If UV radiation in the 400 nm to 450 nm range is reduced to eliminate harmful UV, then health risks and material degradation are minimized, but the curing effectiveness of the coating is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharmful UV radiationVSAvoidcuring effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The optical filter element is designed with specific local properties: it has high transmission (at least 80% cm-1) in the 400-450 nm wavelength range while providing strong attenuation in the harmful UV range below 400 nm. This localized spectral selectivity ensures curing effectiveness is maintained while harmful radiation is blocked

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution minimizes health risks and extends the service life of components by selectively filtering out non-essential UV radiation, maintaining sufficient irradiation intensity for curing within the 400 nm to 450 nm working range.

Implementation Method 1

a gas discharge lamp with a filling gas containing gallium is provided as the radiation source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas discharge emission: Electric Glow Discharge

Implementation Method 2

an optical filter element is provided which has a spectral transmission of at least 80% cm-1 and which eliminates or attenuates the UV radiation component of the optical radiation emitted by the radiation source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical absorption filtering: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2739894B1Device for curing coatings or plastic liners on the inner wall of elongated cavities
Publication Date: 2015.09.09 HERAEUS NOBLELIGHT GMBH
  • EP2739894B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A UV lamp for emitting optical radiation is provided with an outer bulb in a known device for curing coatings or plastic liners on the inner wall of elongated cavities. The aim of the invention is to provide a device on this basis for curing coatings or plastic liners on the inner wall of elongated cavities, said device having a long service life and reducing the risk of health hazards and material damage. According to the invention, this is achieved in that an optical filter element for reducing the emission of an ultraviolet radiation portion of the optical radiation is provided. The optical filter element has a spectral transmission of at least 80%cm-1 in a wavelength range of 400 nm to 450 nm, and the cut-off wavelength of the optical filter element is in the range of 350 nm to 380 nm.