UV Curing Apparatus Slot Barrier and Gas Diffuser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultraviolet curing apparatuses for optical articles on production lines face challenges in effectively curing coatings on moving substrates while maintaining a controlled environment to prevent ambient air from entering the curing chamber.
Innovation Solution
A curing apparatus with a housing and interior chamber that includes a slot for the article carrier to pass through, equipped with a deflectable barrier, inert gas injection, and a reflective element to ensure uniform exposure to UV radiation, while maintaining an inert atmosphere within the chamber using adjustable gates and a diffuser plate for gas distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the article carrier moves through the curing chamber via a slot in the housing, then the curing process can be maintained while the substrate moves on an external guideway, but ambient air may enter the chamber through the slot opening
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible barrier curtain is positioned within the slot opening to prevent ambient air from entering the curing chamber while allowing the article carrier to pass through. The barrier curtain acts as a flexible seal that moves with the carrier, maintaining the inert atmosphere without restricting substrate transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier curtain serves as an intermediary element between the external environment and the internal curing chamber. It mediates the interaction by blocking ambient air while permitting the article carrier to transit through the slot, thus resolving the contradiction between open transport and sealed curing environment.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If inert gas is injected into the curing chamber to maintain controlled atmosphere, then ambient air entry is prevented, but complex gas distribution systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
A porous diffuser plate is positioned at the bottom of the curing chamber to distribute inert gas uniformly throughout the space. The porous structure allows gas to permeate and spread evenly without requiring complex piping or multiple injection points, simplifying the gas distribution system while maintaining effective atmosphere control.
3Manufacturing precision
If UV radiation sources are positioned to ensure uniform curing, then curing effectiveness is improved, but the chamber geometry becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
UV radiation sources are positioned above and below the curing chamber in addition to side positioning. This multi-dimensional arrangement ensures uniform UV exposure of the substrate surfaces without requiring complex curved chamber geometries, achieving even curing through spatial distribution of radiation sources.
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 ensures efficient curing of coatings on moving optical articles by maintaining a controlled inert atmosphere and uniform UV exposure, enhancing the curing process and preventing ambient air entry.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ultraviolet radiation source operative for transmitting ultraviolet radiation into the interior chamber
Implementation Method 2
at least one reflective element positioned within the interior chamber, the at least one reflective element having an angled reflective surface configured for reflecting at least a portion of the ultraviolet radiation from the at least one ultraviolet radiation source toward a lateral side of the article
Implementation Method 3
at least one nozzle in flow communication with the interior chamber, the at least one nozzle configured to inject inert gas into the interior chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A curing apparatus (400) includes a housing (402) having a sidewall (404) with an inlet (408) spaced apart from an outlet (410) along an axis, the housing defining an interior chamber (406). At least one opening (419) extends through the sidewall of the housing, for example from the inlet to the outlet. At least one ultraviolet radiation source (426) is operative for transmitting ultraviolet radiation into the interior chamber. At least one nozzle (436) is in flow communication with the interior chamber. The at least one opening is an open slot configured to receive a portion of an article carrier moving along a guideway outside of the housing such that an article supported by the article carrier moves through the interior chamber from the inlet to the outlet on the portion of the article carrier extending through the slot.