V-Shaped Conveyor Belt for Multi-Surface Panel Matting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for achieving a matte finish on raised panels, particularly those with non-planar surfaces, are limited as they typically only allow for matte finishing on main surfaces and not on lateral edges, requiring multiple steps and separate treatments.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a conveyor belt with a V-shaped path and additional rollers to create a nitrogen atmosphere for excimer treatment, allowing for simultaneous matte finishing of all sides of a panel, including edges, through a combination of UV radiation and inert gas management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional excimer treatment method is used, then a matte finish can be achieved on main surfaces, but the lateral edges cannot be matted and require separate treatment steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a V-shaped belt path that redirects the belt at an angle, allowing excimer lamps positioned above and below the belt to treat not only the main surfaces but also the lateral edges of panels. This dimensional change in belt configuration enables multi-surface treatment in a single pass, resolving the contradiction between treatment completeness and process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment process is segmented into multiple irradiation zones with excimer lamps positioned at different locations (above, below, and at angles to the belt). Each lamp segment targets specific panel surfaces (main surfaces, edges, or both), allowing comprehensive coverage through coordinated segmented treatment rather than a single uniform approach.
2Productivity
If the belt conveyor is modified to create a V-shaped path for edge treatment, then all sides can be matted in one step, but the belt tensioning complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic tensioning pulleys that can adjust their position and tension force in response to belt movement and panel loading conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the V-shaped belt path to maintain proper tension and alignment without requiring complex fixed mechanical structures, resolving the contradiction between enhanced treatment capability and conveyor complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If excimer treatment is performed in natural atmosphere, then the process is simpler, but oxygen interference prevents effective matting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nitrogen-purged treatment chamber that maintains an oxygen-free inert atmosphere during excimer irradiation. This inert environment prevents oxygen interference with the photopolymerization process, ensuring reliable and effective matting treatment while using nitrogen (a readily available and inexpensive gas) to achieve the required atmospheric conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Nitrogen gas serves as an intermediary substance that displaces oxygen from the treatment chamber atmosphere. This intermediary inert gas creates a suitable environment for excimer treatment to proceed effectively without oxygen interference, resolving the contradiction between atmospheric simplicity and treatment reliability.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate treatments are used for different panel surfaces, then each surface can be optimized, but the production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple treatment functions into a single integrated excimer treatment chamber. By positioning excimer lamps to simultaneously treat main surfaces, lateral edges, and both sides of panels as they pass through the V-shaped belt path, the system combines what would otherwise require separate treatment steps into one continuous process, eliminating time losses between operations while maintaining surface-specific treatment optimization.
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
Enables a single industrial step for achieving a matte finish on five out of six sides of a panel, enhancing scratch resistance, touch softness, and anti-fingerprint properties while minimizing inert gas usage.
Implementation Method 1
the photopolymerization/drying of photopolymerizable/dryable chemical products (paints) through UV radiations
Implementation Method 2
A first step wherein the panels are first coated and then gelled through UV radiations gelling the coating film
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus (100) for matting a coating applied on mainly flat panels (10), provided with a cleaning workstation (300) and an excimer treatment workstation (500), wherein said panels (10) are conveyed by a belt conveyor (30) provided with an upper outward section (31) and a lower return section (32), characterized in that in said cleaning station (300) the upper outward section (31) of said belt conveyor (30) is provided with a V-shaped path formed by three rollers (41, 42, 43), of which the first (41) and third roller (43) are in contact with the panel advancing plane, and said second roller (42) is placed lower than the first and third roller (41, 43), while in correspondence of the V-shaped path said panel (10) moves on at least two advancing rollers, preferably three motorized rollers (51, 52, 53) among which gaseous nitrogen is supplied, brushing all the sides of the panel, and characterized in that in said treatment workstation (500) the outward upper section (31) of the said belt is provided with a V-shaped path formed by a group of three rollers (41 ', 42', 43'), of which the first (4 V) and third roller (43') are in contact with the panel advancing plane, and said second roller (42') is placed lower than the first and third roller (41, 43), while in correspondence of the V-shaped path said panel (10) moves on at least two advancing rollers, preferably three motorized rollers (5V, 54, 53') while said panel (10) is irradiated by an excimer emitter (56).