DE102018101053B4 - Infrared irradiation module - Google Patents

Abstract

An infrared irradiation module for treating a substrate, comprising: (a) a module housing (1), (b) a radiator unit (2) comprising a plurality of infrared radiators (5) for emitting infrared radiation to the substrate, and holding means (50) for mounting the infrared radiator (5), (c) a cooling air supply unit (3) with a cooling air collecting space (21) having openings (13) for the supply of cooling air (24) to the infrared radiators (5), (d) an exhaust air unit (4) having at least one exhaust duct (23) for the discharge of cooling air (24), characterized in that the holding device (50) comprises a hinged or rotatably mounted mounting member (52) having a radiator receptacle (55) for receiving at least a part of an end-side emitter tube pinch (56) of the infrared radiator (5).

Description

Technical background

1. (a) ein Modul-Gehäuse,
2. (b) eine Strahlereinheit, die mehrere Infrarotstrahler zur Emission von Infrarotstrahlung auf das Substrat sowie eine Halteeinrichtung zur Halterung der Infrarotstrahler aufweist,
3. (c) eine Kühlluft-Zuführungseinheit mit einem Kühlluft-Sammelraum, der Öffnungen für die Zuleitung von Kühlluft zu den Infrarotstrahlern aufweist, und
4. (d) eine Ablufteinheit mit mindestens einem Abluftkanal für die Ableitung von Kühlluft.

The invention relates to an infrared radiation module for treating a substrate comprising:

1. (a) a module housing,
2. (B) a radiator unit having a plurality of infrared radiators for emitting infrared radiation to the substrate and a holding device for holding the infrared radiator,
3. (C) a cooling air supply unit having a cooling air collecting space having openings for the supply of cooling air to the infrared radiators, and
4. (D) an exhaust unit with at least one exhaust duct for the discharge of cooling air.

Such infrared radiation modules (hereinafter also referred to for short as "IR modules") are used, for example, for heating substrates in heating processes, for treating, drying or curing paints or lacquer-like coatings, for electroplating windable sheet metal, for drying paper and cardboard and products thereof and of printed products, as well as for the lamination of plastic films on various substrates used.

In many of these applications, a large area, high power density radiation zone is desired, which can be created by a parallel arrangement of multiple elongated infrared radiators. In this case, infrared radiators are frequently used, in which a heating filament made of carbon or tungsten is enclosed in helical or band shape in an inert gas-filled radiator tube. The Heizfilament is connected to electrical terminals, which are led out over bruises at one end or at both ends of the radiator tube. Such infrared radiators, for example, have an emission wavelength in the range of about 800 to 2750 nm and usually - especially in tight spaces, as they are typical for printing presses - are actively cooled to protect them and any reflectors from overheating.

State of the art

Frequently, the essential functional units such as infrared radiators, cooling air supply and exhaust air are combined in infrared radiation modules. For example, describes the EP 2 151 278 A1 an irradiation device composed of a radiator mounting part, an air cooler part and an air filter plate. These components have the same length and width and result in an IR module in cuboid form. The infrared radiators have on both sides by bruises closed ends taken in the base and each equipped with a contact pin. The contact pins are accommodated sockets, which are attached to the lamp housing, and extend to which power lines. By means of the grid-shaped air filter plate arranged at the back of the module, cooling air is sucked from the environment by means of a fan and blown into the radiator mounting part for cooling the infrared radiators and the associated reflectors. The spotlight housing consists of a baffle structure with numerous openings, through which cooling air coming from the fan can pass behind and between the reflectors and also act on the particularly sensitive ends of the heaters.

Technical task

The temperature of the infrared radiator influences the result of the infrared treatment. Basically, a locally and temporally reproducible and generally uniform temperature distribution is therefore desirable.

The ends of the infrared radiators, which are closed by pinching, are generally not exactly geometrically equal. Theoretically, the longitudinal axes of the pinch and the infrared radiator are parallel. However, it may happen that the longitudinal axis of the pinch has a different direction and encloses an angle with the radiator longitudinal axis or runs obliquely thereto. Even if dimensional deviations and the variability of the pinch alignment are within specified tolerances, they can complicate the tool-free replacement of the infrared radiators.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide an infrared radiation module, which allows a tool-free change of the infrared radiator.

General description of the invention

This object is achieved on the basis of a device of the type mentioned in the present invention, that the holding device comprises a hinged or rotatably mounted mounting member having a radiator receptacle for receiving at least a portion of an end-side emitter tube pinch of the infrared radiator.

The IR module is equipped with at least two infrared radiators. The infrared radiators have a radiator tube which is closed at least on one side with a pinch. The holding device attacks this bruise. For this purpose, the holding device is equipped with a mounting member which cooperates with the pinch by receiving at least a portion of the pinch. The geometric variability of the pinch, in particular as regards the orientation of the pinch with respect to the radiator longitudinal axis, is compensated by an articulated or rotatable mounting of the mounting element in or on the holding device. The rotatable or articulated mounting takes place for example by a universal joint (universal joint), swivel or a ball joint. This results in a certain tolerance with respect to the spatial orientation of the pinch, which enables the use of the pinch for the holder of the infrared radiator and what facilitates the realization of a tool-free replacement of the infrared radiator.

It has proven useful if the mounting element is designed as a ball provided with the radiator receiving, and that the holding device has a bearing housing for rotatably supporting the ball.

The ball mounted in the bearing housing is rotatable about a plurality of axes of rotation and forms part of a ball joint. It has a receptacle into which the end-side emitter tube pinch protrudes.

This radiator receptacle is preferably designed as a longitudinal slot in the ball surface, wherein the bearing housing has a pointing in the direction of the emitter tube pinch opening through which the front-side emitter tube pinch protrudes into the longitudinal slot.

So that the ball can not escape from the bearing housing, it is advantageous if the opening has an opening width which is smaller than the ball.

At least one dimension of the opening is smaller than the ball diameter, so that the ball does not pass through the opening. On the other hand, the opening is large enough for the frontal contusion of the infrared radiator, so that it can protrude through the opening into the radiator receptacle.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the infrared radiation module according to the invention, a compression spring is received in the bearing housing, whose spring force presses the ball in the direction of the opening.

The spring force exerts a pressure on the infrared radiator in the direction of the infrared radiator longitudinal axis via the ball. As a result, the opposite end face of the infrared radiator is pressed against a bearing, such as in a connection-side plug contact, which is formed from contact pin and contact socket.

In particular, with regard to a homogeneous or a desired non-uniform temperature distribution of the infrared radiator is provided in a further preferred embodiment of the infrared radiation module according to the invention that the cooling air supply unit has a front, air distribution element and a rear air distribution element, wherein the front air distribution element a first number N1 of air passage openings having a first central opening cross-section A1 have, and wherein the downstream air distribution element seen in the flow direction of the cooling air is arranged downstream, with a second number N2 is provided by air passage openings which are evenly distributed along an infrared radiator longitudinal axis, and having a second central opening cross-section A2 where N2> N1 and A1> A2, and preferably: N2> 5xN1 and A1> 4xA2.

The air distribution elements are elongated and adapted to the length of the infrared radiator. The position information for the air distribution elements as "front" and "rear" refer to the flow direction of the cooling air. The front air distribution element upstream in the direction of flow serves to distribute the inflowing cooling air in a predefined manner - for example uniformly or as a function of the local temperature of the infrared radiators - above the rear air distribution element downstream of the flow direction and there deliver a predetermined air volume distribution (over the length of the infrared radiators seen). For example, it may be favorable to provide a lower cooling air volume at the two front ends of the infrared radiators than in the infrared radiator center. The locally provided cooling air volume is determined by the distribution and / or by the shape and size of the first air passage openings. Compared to the second air passage openings, the average size of the first air passage openings are larger and their number smaller. As a mean measure of the size of the mold, the average opening cross-section of the air passage openings, which is calculated as the quotient of the total opening cross section of the first air passage openings and the number N1 ,

The rear air distribution element essentially serves to transmit the profile of the air volume distribution predetermined by the front air distribution element (via the infrared radiator length) to the infrared radiators. The second air passage openings are therefore generally distributed uniformly over the entire length of the infrared radiator and they have a relatively small Opening width. Also in the case of the second air passage openings, the average opening cross section results as a quotient of the total opening cross section of the air passage openings and the number N2 ,

The front air distribution element and the rear air distribution element are formed in the simplest and preferred case as each as a perforated plate with air passage openings, wherein for the number ( N1 ; N2 ) and for the cross-sectional area ( A1 ; A2 ) of the respective air passage openings preferably applies: N2> 5xN1 and A1> 4xA2. The air passage openings are usually through holes with a circular cross-section.

In one embodiment of the infrared radiation module, the cooling air collecting space is bounded above by an end plate, which has at least two inlet openings in the cooling air collecting space, which lie in a front quarter or in a rear quarter of the total length of the end plate.

The cooling air collecting space and the end plate are also elongated and their length corresponds to the length of the front and rear air distribution element. The cooling air is in this case fed to at least two positions in the cooling air collecting space, which are in the region of the two front ends of the cooling air collecting space. The locally inhomogeneous distribution of the cooling air as a result of the end-side feed into the cooling air collecting space is as completely as possible compensated by the air passage openings in the front air distribution element, which closes the cooling air collecting space in the flow direction downwards.

In particular, with regard to a homogeneous or a desired non-uniform temperature distribution of the infrared radiator is provided in a further preferred embodiment of the infrared radiation module that the exhaust unit has at least two exhaust ducts, each with an elongated suction opening, which extend along opposite longitudinal sides of the radiator unit.

The exhaust unit generates an exhaust air flow that is axisymmetric with respect to the radiator unit. As a result, turbulences in the area of the infrared radiators are avoided, which can lead in a non-reproducible manner to changes in the temperature in the process space and to undesired mixing and interactions with other process gases.

A preferred embodiment of the infrared radiation module is characterized in that the exhaust air unit has at least two exhaust air ducts, each with an elongated intake opening, which extend along opposite longitudinal sides of the radiator unit.

The exhaust unit generates an exhaust air flow that is axisymmetric with respect to the radiator unit. As a result, turbulences in the area of the infrared radiators are avoided, which can lead in a non-reproducible manner to changes in the temperature in the process space and to undesired mixing and interactions with other process gases.

Particularly preferred are embodiments of the equipped with an axially symmetric suction unit infrared radiation module, which have a holding device for the infrared radiator, as explained in more detail above.

list of figures

• 1 eine räumliche Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Infrarot-Bestrahlungsmoduls in einem Längsschnitt,
• 2 das Infrarot-Bestrahlungsmodul in einem Schnitt entlang der Linie A-A von 1,
• 3 die anschlussseitige Halterung des Infrarotstrahlers in einer Draufsicht,
• 4 die anschlussseitige Halterung in einer Seitenansicht, und
• 5 die Halterung des Infrarotstrahlers an seinem anschlussfreien Ende.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment and a patent drawing. In the drawing shows in detail:

• 1 a spatial representation of an infrared radiation module according to the invention in a longitudinal section,
• 2 the infrared radiation module in a section along the line AA from 1 .
• 3 the connection-side holder of the infrared radiator in a plan view,
• 4 the connection-side bracket in a side view, and
• 5 the holder of the infrared radiator at its connection-free end.

1 shows a spatial representation of an embodiment of the infrared radiator module (IR module) according to the invention, and 2 shows a cross section thereof along the line AA ,

The IR module has an outer frame that acts as a housing 1 is designated, and in which a radiator unit 2 a cooling air supply unit 3 and an exhaust unit 4 are housed. Unless a separate, specific designation is used, in the following also components firmly connected to the outer frame are understood as part of the "housing" and referred to as such.

In the radiator unit 2 are several infrared radiators 5 arranged (in the exemplary embodiment, there are two, parallel to each other arranged infrared radiator, wherein the longitudinal section of 1 only one of the two infrared radiators 5 shows). Each of the infrared radiators 5 is designed as a so-called twin tube radiator. The twin tube radiator consists of a quartz glass enveloping bulb which is eight-shaped in cross section and enclosing two subspaces separated by a central web. The total radiator length covers the format width of a substrate to be treated and is for example 70 cm. The outer dimensions of the outer bulb are 34 × 14 mm. The twin tube heaters can be socketed on one or both sides and the power connection can be single-sided or double-sided. The exemplary embodiment is a single-ended twin tube radiator with single-sided power supply. The power connection side is with a ceramic base 32 ( 3 ), from which the power connections in the form of pins 31 ( 3 protrude). The power connection page is below based on the 3 and 4 explained in more detail.

Both ends of the infrared radiator 5 are by means of so-called bruises 33 ; 56 ( 3 to 5 ) sealed gas-tight. The opposite end of the connection side is hereinafter also referred to as "connection-free end". The mounting and storage of the infrared radiator using the pinch 56 at the connection-free end in a holding device 50 will be discussed below 5 described in more detail.

About his radiation length is the infrared radiator 5 from a reflector layer 7 made of opaque quartz glass, which covers the top, which is opposite to the main emission direction.

Above the infrared radiator 5 and over its entire length extend two perforated plates 8th . 9 , which the cooling air supply unit 3 are assigned. The lower perforated plate 8th serves as a gas diffuser and it is equipped with a variety of circular orifices 13 provided uniformly over the perforated plate length and the entire length of the infrared radiator 5 are distributed. The diameter of the nozzle openings is in the exemplary embodiment 5 mm and their center distance is the same and is 10 mm.

1. (1) Einerseits physikalische Gegebenheiten, wonach in der Mitte der Infrarotstrahler 5 in der Regel eine höhere Temperatur herrscht als an den Strahlerenden, dass aber andererseits die Strahlerenden besonders temperaturempfindlich sind und daher vergleichsweise kühl gehalten werden müssen. Die den Enden und der Infrarotstrahler-Mitte zugeführte Kühlluftmenge ist von daher größer als in den anderen Bereichen,
2. (2) Und andererseits konstruktive Gegebenheiten, und dabei insbesondere die axiale Position der Kühlluft-Zufuhr in Bezug auf die Infrarotstrahler-Längsachse. Vorzugsweise erfolgt die Zufuhr von Kühlluft an mehreren Positionen entlang der Infrarotstrahler-Längsachse und besonders bevorzugt an mindestens zwei von der Mitte der Infrarotstrahler-Längsachse beabstandeten Positionen.

Seen in the direction of flow of the cooling air, the lower perforated plate 8th the upper perforated plate 9 downstream. With respect to the flow direction, the upper perforated plate forms 9 a "front perforated plate", and the lower perforated plate 8th forms a "rear perforated plate". The front, upper perforated plate 9 also has a number of through holes 14 wherein the hole pattern is optimized by means of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) with regard to a cooling air distribution profile which is on the rear, lower perforated plate 8th to be transferred. The optimized cooling air distribution profile takes into account:

1. (1) On the one hand physical conditions, according to which in the middle of the infrared radiator 5 In general, a higher temperature prevails than at the radiator ends, but on the other hand, the radiator ends are particularly sensitive to temperature and therefore must be kept relatively cool. The amount of cooling air supplied to the ends and the infrared radiator center is therefore larger than in the other areas,
2. (2) And on the other hand constructive conditions, and in particular the axial position of the cooling air supply with respect to the infrared radiator longitudinal axis. Preferably, the supply of cooling air takes place at a plurality of positions along the infrared radiator longitudinal axis, and more preferably at least two spaced from the center of the infrared radiator longitudinal axis positions.

In the embodiment, therefore, the hole pattern of the upper perforated plate 9 at both ends and in the middle of a larger hole density than in the other areas. The hole diameter of the through holes 14 in the upper perforated plate 9 are the same and amount to 10 mm in the embodiment. The hole center distance increases over the perforated plate length from the center to the edge in steps of 15 mm, 18 mm and 25 mm. In the transverse direction, the hole center distance is the same and is 12 mm.

The ratio of the mean opening widths of the through holes 14 and the hole nozzles 13 is a bit more than 4 , and the number N1 the through holes 14 and the number of hole nozzles N2 behaves in the embodiment as N2> 5xN1.

The cooling air collecting chamber 21 gets up from a graduation plate 10 limited. The graduation sheet 10 has two inlet openings in the cooling air collecting chamber 21 , their center positions when dividing the total length L _{A of} the end plate 10 in four quarters on ¼ L _A and on ¾ L _A. Above both inlet openings are filter systems with built-in axial fans 11 arranged, which suck in cooling air and into the underlying cooling air collecting chamber 21 to distribute.

The suction of the infrared radiators 5 heated cooling air takes place by means of a mounted on the outside of the housing fan 16 via two exhaust ducts 23 , which are laterally left and right along the radiator chamber 22 run. The opening of each exhaust duct is in each case of perforated Anstrikmblechen 17 covered. The exhaust unit 4 and the cooling air supply unit 3 are fluidly separated from each other. At this separation carry obliquely employed plates 18 at, on both sides of the axial fan 11 and the upper perforated plate 15 extend.

2 shows by means of directional arrows the flow of the cooling air 24 within the IR Irradiation module. The over the upper perforated plate 15 by means of the axial fans 11 sucked cooling air 24 is in the cooling air collecting chamber 21 the upper perforated plate 9 supplied and passes from there through the through holes 14 in a given air volume distribution profile on the diffuser plate 8th , through its evenly distributed nozzle openings 13 that from the upper perforated plate 15 given cooling air distribution profile on the infrared radiator 5 is directed. Due to the predetermined distribution of the cooling air 24 in the radiator chamber 22 An optimal cooling of the infrared radiator is guaranteed. The heated cooling air 24 leaves the radiator chamber 22 and is on the obliquely set Anströmbleche 17 in the exhaust air ducts 23 transferred and by means of the fan 16 removed from the IR module. The oblique employment of the inflow sheets 17 facilitates the entry of the flow of heated cooling air in the mutual exhaust ducts 23 ,

For the designation of identical or equivalent components or components of the IR module are in the 3 to 5 the same reference numerals as in the 1 and 2 ,

From the 3 and 4 it can be seen that the ceramic socket 32 a part of the connection-side pinch 33 surrounds. For mounting the infrared radiator 5 on the connection side are those from the ceramic socket 32 outstanding contact pins 31 in a contact spring socket 34 introduced, from the connecting wires 37 are led out to the top. A middle bead 35 , the integral component of the bruise 33 is, engages in a recess 36 of the ceramic base 32 on. With its free end lies the ceramic base 32 at a stop 38 of the housing 1 on, the axial end position of the infrared radiator 5 pretends and stabilizes its situation.

5 shows a holding device 50 for storage and fixation of the infrared radiator 5 on its connection-free side. The holding device 50 includes a bearing housing 51 into which a metal ball 52 can be used and is rotatably mounted therein. This is the metal ball 52 by means of a spiral spring 53 against an opening 54 of the bearing housing 51 pressed, which is smaller than the diameter of the metal ball 52 , At her the opening 54 facing side has the metal ball 52 a longitudinal slot 55 , In the longitudinal slot 55 the bruise juts into it 56 the connection-free side of the infrared radiator 5 , The bearing housing 51 is fixed to the case 1 connected, and the back of the bearing housing 51 is from a wall of the housing 1 educated.

Width and length of the longitudinal slot 55 in the metal ball 52 are designed to be slightly larger than the corresponding nominal lateral dimensions of the pinch 56 , As a result of their rotatable and tiltable storage, the slotted metal ball 52 occurring tolerances in the angular position of the pinch 56 compensate. The spiral spring 53 gives the necessary pressure, the infrared radiator 5 in connection-side plug contact from contact pin 31 and contact sockets 34 pressed.

For removal of the infrared radiator 5 from the holding device 50 this is against the force of the coil spring 53 in the direction of the arrow B moved and can thereby removed from the connection-side holder and then from the holding device 50 in the opposite direction B be pulled out. The insertion of the infrared radiator 5 takes place in reverse sequence of these assembly steps. A tool is not required for this.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Module housing

2

radiator unit

3

Cooling air supply unit

4

exhaust unit

5

IR emitters

7

reflector layer

8th

diffuser plate

9

Upper perforated plate

10

closing panel

11

Axial

12

openings

13

orifices

14

Through holes

15

perforated sheet

16

fan

17

Anströmplatten

18

Slanted sheets

19

Upper perforated plate

20

Cooling air plenum

21

radiator chamber

31

contact pins

32

base

33

bruise

34

Contact socket

35

central ridge

36

recess

37

Lead wire

38

recess

50

holder

51

bearing housing

52

metal ball

53

spiral spring

54

opening

55

longitudinal slot

56

bruise

Claims (10)

An infrared irradiation module for treating a substrate, comprising: (a) a module housing (1), (b) a radiator unit (2) comprising a plurality of infrared radiators (5) for emitting infrared radiation to the substrate, and holding means (50) for mounting the infrared radiator (5), (c) a cooling air supply unit (3) with a cooling air collecting space (21) having openings (13) for the supply of cooling air (24) to the infrared radiators (5), (d) an exhaust air unit (4) having at least one exhaust duct (23) for the discharge of cooling air (24), characterized in that the holding device (50) comprises a hinged or rotatably mounted mounting member (52) having a radiator receptacle (55) for receiving at least a part of an end-side emitter tube pinch (56) of the infrared radiator (5). Infrared radiation module after Claim 1 , characterized in that the mounting element as a with the radiator receptacle (55) provided ball (52) is executed, and that the holding device (50) has a bearing housing (51) for rotatably supporting the ball (52). Infrared radiation module after Claim 2 , characterized in that the radiator receptacle is designed as a longitudinal slot (55) in the ball surface, and that the bearing housing (51) in the direction of the emitter tube pinch (56) facing opening (54), through which the front-side radiator tube Crimp (56) protrudes into the longitudinal slot (55). Infrared irradiation module according to 3, characterized in that the opening (54) has an opening width which is smaller than the ball (52). Infrared radiation module according to one of Claims 3 or 4 , characterized in that in the bearing housing (51) a compression spring (53) is received, whose spring force presses the ball (52) in the direction of the opening (54). Infrared irradiation module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling air supply unit (3) comprises a front, air distribution element (9) and a rear air distribution element (8), wherein the front air distribution element (9) a first number N1 of air Having passage openings (14), which have a first central opening cross-section A1, and wherein the rear air distribution element (8) is arranged downstream of the viewed in the flow direction of the cooling air (24), which is provided with a second number N2 of air passage openings (13) which are uniformly distributed along an infrared radiator longitudinal axis, and which has a second central opening cross-section A2, where: N2> N1 and A1> A2. Infrared radiation module after Claim 6 , characterized in that the front air distribution element (9) and the rear air distribution element (8) are each formed as a perforated plate with air passage openings (13; 14), wherein for the number (N1; N2) and for the cross-sectional area (A1; Preferably, the N2> 5xN1 and A1> 4xA2 apply to the air passage openings (13; 14). Infrared irradiation module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling air collecting space (21) is bounded above by a cover plate (10) having at least two inlet openings in the cooling air collecting space (21) in a front quarter or in a rear quarter of the total length of the end plate (10). Infrared irradiation module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the exhaust air unit (4) has at least two exhaust air ducts (23), each having an elongated suction opening, which extend along opposite longitudinal sides of the radiator unit (2). Infrared irradiation module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the exhaust air unit (4) has at least two exhaust air ducts (23) each having an elongated suction opening extending along opposite longitudinal sides of the radiator unit (2).

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