Veneer Drying Jet Box Support Surface Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Roller conveyor type veneer dryers experience frequent jamming due to veneers propagating to the wrong side of rollers, leading to production slowdowns and shutdowns, particularly when drying thin or warped veneers.
Innovation Solution
A supportive surface is designed within the jet box to guide veneers towards the correct gap between rollers, using a primary support surface configured to minimize the angle between the support surface and the planar design trajectory, and a guide element is applied to existing dryers to prevent veneer diving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a roller conveyor type dryer is used to dry veneers, then drying efficiency is improved, but jamming frequency increases due to veneers propagating to the wrong side of rollers
Solution Approach 1:
A guide element is introduced as an intermediary component between the jet box and the rollers. This guide element mediates the interaction by providing a supportive surface that redirects veneers back toward the correct gap, preventing them from propagating to the wrong side while maintaining the dryer's high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The guide element is designed as a separate, detachable component that can be applied to existing dryers. This segmentation allows the guide function to be added without redesigning the entire dryer system, maintaining productivity while addressing the jamming issue
2Reliability
If the angle between the support surface and the planar design trajectory is large, then veneer guidance is improved, but the supportive surface occupies more space and may interfere with the drying medium flow
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is designed with specific geometric parameters including a controlled angle relative to the planar design trajectory. By optimizing this angle parameter, the element provides effective veneer guidance while minimizing the occupied area and avoiding interference with drying medium flow
Solution Approach 2:
The guide element provides localized guidance only where needed - at the interface between the jet box and the rollers. The supportive surface is positioned and angled to affect only the problematic area, minimizing overall surface area while maintaining effective veneer direction
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 significantly reduces jamming frequency by ensuring veneers follow the intended path, improving production efficiency and reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
a first primary jet box arranged in between the first primary roller and the second primary roller, having a support surface configured to support the veneer in use of the device
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~4a
Figure 2b~4b
AI summary
A device (100) for drying a veneer (111). The device (100) comprises a first primary roller (211) and a first secondary roller (212) together forming a first pair (210) of rollers configured to move the veneer (111) through a first gap (215) of the first pair (210). The device comprises a second primary roller (221) and a second secondary roller (222) together forming a second pair of rollers (220) rollers configured to move the veneer (111) through a second gap (225) of the second pair (220). At least a part of a first primary jet box (311) arranged in between the primary rollers (211, 221) and has a primary support surface (313). The gaps (215, 225) define a planar design trajectory (T). A primary imaginary plane (P1) that is defined by the first gap (215) and the primary support surface (313) in such way that (i) the primary imaginary plane (P1) makes a contact with the primary support surface (313) and (ii) an angle (β1) between the primary imaginary plane (P1) and the planar design trajectory (T) is minimized intersects a surface of the second primary roller (221) at such a first primary intersection line (111) that a primary angle (α1), which is left in between the primary imaginary plane (P1) and a tangent plane (TP1) of the second primary roller (221) at the first primary intersection line (I11) is at least 115 degrees. Alternatively, the primary imaginary plane (P1) does not intersect the surface of the second primary roller (221). A method for adapting a dryer to form such a device (100). A method for drying a veneer with such a device (100).