JPH04301456A - Irradiation device for ultraviolet curing - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To produce a gas atmosphere on the upper surface of an object to be irradiated with a small amount of a nitrogen gas and cure instantly and uniformly the coating or ink on the surface of the object to be irradiated. CONSTITUTION:A blowing cylinder 16 having a nozzle for gently blowing an inert gas from the lower end inside of said blowing cylinder is provided on an end portion of an irradiation device body 11, that is, a starting point in a direction in which an object to be irradiated is conveyed, and further, a recessed space 20 is defined under the irradiation device body, whereby the irradiation device body is so constructed that a nitrogen gas flows swirlingly between the irradiation device body 11 and the object 17 to be irradiated, and that the nitrogen gas is stagnated in the recessed space.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to improvements in irradiation equipment for ultraviolet curing.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an irradiation device for ultraviolet curing, as shown in FIG. A conveyor 3 is placed on the side, and the upper surface of the conveyor 3 is filled with an inert gas, such as nitrogen gas, to block oxygen that is harmful to the curing effect of ultraviolet rays, and instantly cure the coated surface of the irradiated object on the conveyor. It is used to harden paints and inks. Further, the nitrogen gas is configured to be sent out using a nozzle having a flat tip.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] According to the ultraviolet curing irradiation device having the above-described structure, nitrogen gas is ejected from the nozzle having a flat tip, so that the surface on the conveyor 3 is maintained in an inert state. To do this, a large amount of nitrogen gas is consumed, which increases manufacturing costs, and if the amount of nitrogen gas delivered is below a certain level, oxygen inhibition may occur and the paint or ink on the surface of the irradiated object may instantly harden. Furthermore, the curing of paint or ink on the painted surface of the object to be irradiated may be uneven depending on the position of the conveyor.

The present invention has a simple structure, effectively utilizes nitrogen gas, and can maintain a gas atmosphere on the surface to be irradiated with a small amount of inert gas. An object of the present invention is to provide an irradiation device for curing ultraviolet rays that can instantly cure.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. That is, in the first aspect, a light source is installed inside the irradiation device main body, and an irradiator having a heat ray cut filter on the lower surface is disposed, and the object to be irradiated is transported under the irradiator. Further, a blower tube having a nozzle that gently and uniformly sends out an inert gas from inside the lower end is provided at the starting end of the irradiation device main body in the direction of transport of the irradiated object, and a recessed space is provided at the bottom of the irradiation device main body. The apparatus is configured such that nitrogen gas flows spirally between the irradiation apparatus main body and the irradiated object to be transported, and stagnation of inert gas occurs in the upper space below the irradiation apparatus main body. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a nitrogen gas regulator is disposed near the lower end opening of the blower tube and controls the flow of a part of the inert gas.

[0006]

[Operation] According to the ultraviolet curing irradiation device having the above-described structure, nitrogen gas flows in a spiral shape between the irradiation device main body and the irradiated object being transported. In addition, stagnation of inert gas occurs in the recessed space at the bottom of the irradiation device body, and a small amount of nitrogen gas can create a gas atmosphere on the top surface of the irradiated object, instantly removing paint and ink from the painted surface of the irradiated object. can be cured.
In addition, in claim 2, in the gas regulating body located near the lower end opening of the blower tube, a part of the inert gas is directly sent to the irradiated object, and the rest hits the gas regulating body and is gradually changed in a spiral shape. In addition, since the nitrogen gas is uniformly delivered, the nitrogen gas can be used effectively.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In the figure, 11 is a box-shaped irradiation device main body, 12 is an irradiator provided inside the irradiation device main body 11, and a light source 13 is installed inside. Further, the irradiator 12 is configured to be able to move vertically to adjust the height of the light source. The light source 13 is configured using, for example, a 4.8 kilowatt high pressure mercury lamp. Reference numeral 14 denotes a heat ray cut filter provided on the lower surface of the irradiator 12, and is configured to be detachable. 15
is a reflector configured to cover the light source 13 inside the irradiator 12, and is configured using, for example, a cold mirror that transmits heat rays and reflects visible light.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a blower tube provided at the starting end of the irradiation device main body 11 in the transport direction of the object to be irradiated, and is configured to send out inert gas slowly and uniformly from the inside of the lower end. The lower end of the blower tube 16 may have a triangular cross section with a gap as shown in FIG. 1, or may have a protrusion at the top as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example. For example, nitrogen gas is used as the inert gas. Reference numeral 17 denotes an irradiated object provided on the lower surface of the irradiation device main body 11, and has paint or ink adhered to its surface. 18 is a conveyor that conveys the object to be irradiated, and 19 is a base that supports the conveyor. Note that it is also possible to implement the same method with a structure in which the object to be irradiated is directly conveyed without using a conveyor. Further, the irradiation device main body 11 is configured to have a recessed space 20 on the lower side thereof. The concave space 20 is configured by having protrusions at the outer end of the blast tube 16 and the outer end of the irradiation device main body 11.

According to the ultraviolet curing irradiation device, nitrogen gas flows in a spiral shape between the irradiation device main body and the irradiated object being transported, and at the same time, inert gas stagnates in the space above the lower surface of the irradiation device main body.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention provides a blower tube having a nozzle that gently sends out an inert gas from the inside of the lower end at the starting point end of the irradiation device main body in the direction of conveyance of the irradiated object,
In addition, since a concave space is formed below the irradiation device main body, nitrogen gas flows in a spiral shape between the irradiation device main body and the irradiated object being transported, and inert gas flows in the space below the irradiation device main body. Stagnation occurs, and with a small amount of nitrogen gas, a gas atmosphere can be created on the upper surface of the object to be irradiated, and the paint or ink on the surface of the object to be irradiated can be instantly cured. Furthermore, in claim 2, a part of the inert gas is directly sent out by the gas regulating body provided near the lower end opening of the blower tube, and the rest hits the gas regulating body and changes current in a spiral shape, so that the upper surface of the object to be irradiated is uniformly distributed. It has the unique effect of uniformly curing the paint or ink on the painted surface of the irradiated object.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of the ultraviolet curing irradiation device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a conventional ultraviolet curing irradiation device.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Irradiation device main body 12 Irradiator 13. Light source 14 Heat ray cut filter 15 Reflector 16　Blow tube 17 Object to be irradiated 18 Conveyor 20 Recessed space

Claims (2)

[Claims] Claim 1: An irradiator having a light source installed inside the irradiator main body and a heat ray cut filter on the lower surface is disposed, and an object to be irradiated is conveyed to the lower side of the irradiator. In the ultraviolet irradiation device, a blow tube having a nozzle that gently sends out an inert gas from the inside of the lower end is provided at the starting point end of the irradiation device main body in the transport direction of the object to be irradiated, and a recess is provided on the lower side of the irradiation device main body. The space is configured such that nitrogen gas flows in a spiral between the irradiation device main body and the irradiated object to be transported, and inert gas stagnates in the recessed space below the irradiation device main body. An irradiation device for ultraviolet curing. 2. The ultraviolet curing irradiation device according to claim 1, further comprising a nitrogen gas regulator located near the opening at the lower end of the blast tube to control the flow of a portion of the inert gas.