GB2468702A

GB2468702A - Ink curing apparatus with integrally formed reflector and cooling means

Info

Publication number: GB2468702A
Application number: GB0904723A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcom Rae; James Hicks
Original assignee: GEW
Current assignee: GEW
Priority date: 2009-03-19
Filing date: 2009-03-19
Publication date: 2010-09-22
Also published as: GB0904723D0; WO2010106332A1

Abstract

An ink curing apparatus (1) having a fully self-contained cooling system (11, 13, 15, 17) comprising at least two complementary housing members (3a, 3b) fixed together around a UV light source (9) wherein each housing means (3a, 3b) is integrally formed with at least one reflector (5, 7) and at least one cooling means (11, 13, 15, 17).

Description

IMPROVED HOUSING FOR INK CURING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a housing for a UV light source and cooling system for ink curing apparatus.

Ink curing apparatus, comprising a housing and a lamp partially surrounded by reflectors to direct UV light onto a substrate to cure ink, are well-know. The apparatus contains a cooling system to compensate for the intense heat emitted from the lamp. Existing lamp housings comprise multiple separate component parts which are fixed together prior to use. The component parts include the housing, the lamp, the reflectors, the shutter and the cooling system. The housing is in the form of an interchangeable cassette, which slides in and out of a casing in the ink curing apparatus.

Existing housings are costly and complex to produce due to the multiple component parts. There is a considerable amount of machining involved in *: producing each component part separately and significant time and skill is invested to fix all of the parts together. The number of parts involved increases the likelihood of introducing errors during construction, which *.S.

: can lead to the multiple interlocking components of the apparatus being incorrectly fitted. Furthermore, the number of components leads to a risk that the parts may work their way loose during use and become misplaced or fall out of the housing. The majority of the components are concealed within the housing and this makes it difficult to fix the components back into place if they do become loose. Thus, the time, complexity and cost of maintenance are also increased.

It has also been found that, especially when the housing is used with a water-cooled system, any gaps between the parts of the housing and/or the housing and its casing reduces the efficiency of heat transfer and so cooling of the apparatus. This increases the required power input and the cost of running and maintaining the apparatus.

The present invention sets out to provide an improved housing for ink curing apparatus which alleviates the problems described above by providing a housing which allows for improved heat transfer and is simpler and cost-effective to produce.

In one aspect, the invention provides a housing member for an ink curing apparatus comprising at least one reflector and at least one cooling means wherein the or each reflector and the or each cooling means are integrally formed with the housing member.

In a second embodiment, the invention provides an ink curing apparatus having a fully self-contained cooling system comprising at least two complementary housing members fixed together around a UV light source wherein each housing means is integrally formed with at least one reflector and at least one cooling means. * * *S..

For the purposes of this specification, "integral" and "integrally formed" S...

: are understood to mean that the reflector/s and the cooling means are a single unit with the housing member. * S. * . .

* A housing member with integral reflector and cooling means reduces the number of separate component parts to be manufactured and used in the ink curing apparatus. This eliminates the risk of the reflector or components of the cooling system becoming loose and improves the accuracy of production. There are no moving parts in the cooling system and so the ink curing apparatus is more robust. Production is also quicker and more cost-effective.

There are no gaps or breaks in the surface of each housing member, which leads to more efficient heat transfer and cooling of the apparatus.

The reflector/s and outer walls of each housing member are kept at a substantially equal temperature and so thermal equilibrium is ensured.

Within the context of this specification the word "comprises" is taken to mean "includes, among other things". It is not intended to be construed as consists of only".

Preferably, the at least two housing members are symmetrical.

Preferably, the or each cooling means comprises at least one channel within the housing member.

An integrally formed channel does not have any moving components and so the risk of breakage and the time and cost of maintenance are reduced. S... * S * S. S

More preferably, the or each channel is substantially parallel to the length of the housing member. *.S. OSS0

A longitudinal channel/s allows, in use, for cooling along the entire length of the apparatus. Efficient cooling of the housing improves the efficiency * S. of the apparatus and also allows an operator to touch the outer surface of S..

the housing without risk of injury.

Preferably, each housing member comprises at least one channel adjacent to the or each reflector.

Efficient cooling of the reflectors improves the efficiency of the apparatus and reduces the required power input and running costs.

For the purposes of clarity and a concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments; however it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an ink curing apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is a perspective view from the side of the ink curing apparatus of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, the apparatus 1 comprises two housing members 3a, 3b, which are symmetrical about the transverse axis of the housing 3.

The housing members 3a, 3b are bolted together at their upper ends.

S... . . . Each housing member 3a, 3b comprises a single-piece integrally formed to each comprise a dichroic reflector 5, 7 and a recess for housing a UV I...

lamp 9. The UV lamp 9 is partially surrounded by the dichroic reflectors 7, 9. The housing members 3a, 3b each further comprise longitudinal *:*::* channels 11, 13, 15, which are used for water cooling of the apparatus 1.

* The channels 11, 13, 15 are substantially parallel to the length of the housing 3. A first channel 11 is adjacent to the upper end of the housing 3. A second channel 13 is adjacent to the reflector 5, 7. A third channel 15 is adjacent to the lower end of the housing 3. The housing 3 comprises an air exhaust channel 17, which extends substantially parallel to the length of the housing 3 at the upper end of the apparatus. A moveable shutter 19 is rotatable around the lamp 9 at the lower end of the apparatus 1. The shutter 19 shields the UV lamp 9 when the apparatus 1 is not in use.

The apparatus 1 is manufactured by extruding aluminium. The method of manufacture of the apparatus 1 reduces the machining necessary to generate the desired profile. A small amount of computer numerical controller (CNC) machining is required to allow assembly of the complete apparatus 1. Water channels 11, 13, 15 and the two symmetrical components of the housing 3a, 3b are cut out of the extruded aluminium.

The two complementary, symmetrical halves of the housing 3a, 3b are then fitted together around the UV lamp 9 and the shutter 19. The lamp housing 3 is then bolted into place.

Referring to Figure 2, a further cross-sectional recess 19a is extruded at one end of the rectangular housing 3 and a shutter actuator mechanism is inserted. End plates 23, 25 are fixed at both ends of the housing 3. With the end plates 23, 25 bolted into position the UV lamp 9 and the shutter 19 are held firmly in place. The housing 3 is tightly sealed to prevent dust or other contaminants entering the apparatus 1. The UV lamp 9 and its terminals are accessible from the underside of the housing 1 to allow for maintenance and replacement of the lamp 9. * *

In use, a substrate, which carries ink for curing/drying, is transported *...

through the apparatus 1 directly beneath the UV lamp 9. Reference is made herein to a single UV lamp 9, but it is understood that for most * ** curing applications an array of UV lamps are used. When the reflectors 5, 7 are in an open position, UV light is directed onto the substrate for a *** * period of time sufficient to cure/dry the ink on the substrate.

In use, cold water is directed into the apparatus 1 through an inlet pipe 21, which passes through the end plate 23 at a first end of the housing 3.

The water flows along the upper cooling channel 11 substantially parallel to the length of the housing 3. The water then flows downwards through channels in the end plate 25 at the second end of the housing 3 and back through the channels 13, 15. The water, once hot, is directed out of the apparatus through a water outlet pipe 27 in the end plate 23 at the first end of the housing 3. The water passes through a channel 13 adjacent to the reflectors 5, 7 to cool the surface of each reflector. Water is passed through the upper and lower channels 11, 15 to cool the walls of the housing 3.

The above described embodiment has been given by way of example only, and the skilled reader will naturally appreciate that many variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claims. * S S S. S *S*. * * 555. *IS. * *.*

S * 5* * S S * S.

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Claims

Claims 1. A housing member for an ink curing apparatus comprising at least one reflector and at least one cooling means wherein the or each reflector and the or each cooling means are integrally formed with the housing member.
2. A housing member for an ink curing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the or each cooling means comprises at least one channel within the housing member.
3. A housing member for an ink curing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the or each channel is substantially parallel to the length of the housing member.
4. A housing member according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein each housing member comprises at least one channel adjacent to the or each reflector. * * ****
5. An ink curing apparatus having a fully self-contained cooling system *S*S comprising at least two complementary housing members fixed together around a UV light source, wherein each housing means is *:::* integrally formed with at least one reflector and at least one cooling means. S..
6. An ink curing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the at least two housing members are symmetrical.
7. An ink curing apparatus according to claim 5 of claim 6 wherein the or each cooling means comprises at least one channel within the housing member.
8. An ink curing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the or each channel is substantially parallel to the length of the housing member.
9. An ink curing apparatus according to c'aim 7 or claim 8 wherein each housing member comprises at least one channel adjacent to the or each reflector.
10. An ink curing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described or referred to in Figures 1 or 2. * * * ** S S... * S *s*. *.*. * *SS * S. * * . * .S *5SS