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Title:
DEVICE HAVING LIGHT EXPOSURE ELEMENTS FOR SURFACE TREATMENT OF OBJECT
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2015/041598
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The present invention concerns a device (100) for the surface treatment and/or for the use in connection with surface treatment of an object, e.g., a vehicle detail or the like, comprising a UV irradiation device. The UV irradiation device is arranged on a panel device (10) and comprises a plurality of irradiation elements (1), which are fixedly or detachably arranged on the panel device. The device comprises furthermore a support device (20), and the panel device (10) is provided with first connection elements for fixed or detachable connection to said support device (20). The support device (20) and the panel device (10) are arranged in such a way that the panel device (10) is movable or transferable in at least one way or direction.

Inventors:
LINDGREN PATRIK (SE)
Application Number:
PCT/SE2014/051080
Publication Date:
March 26, 2015
Filing Date:
September 18, 2014
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
CARAWAY AB (SE)
International Classes:
B05D3/06; B05D7/14; F26B3/30
Domestic Patent References:
WO2013095274A12013-06-27
Foreign References:
US20060273265A12006-12-07
US20090130328A12009-05-21
US20130224398A12013-08-29
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
CEGUMARK AB (S Göteborg, SE)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS 1. Device (100 ; 100A; 100B; lOOC; 100D; 100E) for the surface treatment and/or for the use in connection with surface

treatment of an object, e.g., a vehicle detail or the like, comprising a UV irradiation device,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the device furthermore comprises a panel device

(10; 10A; 10B; IOC ; 10D ; 10E ; 10i ; 102 ; 103 ) , that it comprises UV lamps, which work with flash technology, i.e., that the UV lamps flashes after an interruption of a few seconds, that the irradiation elements further comprise a number of IR lamps, where the number of IR lamps is below the number of UV lamps and/or UV fluorescent tubes, that the UV irradiation device is arranged on the panel device and that it comprises a plurality of irradiation elements (Ιχ-,-Ιι...) where said irradiation elements are fixedly or detachably arranged on said panel device, and a support device

(20,30;30A,40;30B,40B;30C,40C;45C;30D,40D;40E) , the panel device (10; 10A; 10B; IOC; 10D; 10E; 10i; 102; 103) being provided with first connection elements for fixed or detachable connection with said support device (20 , 30 ; 30A, 40 ; 30B, 40B; 30C , 40C ; 45C ; 30D , 40D ; 40E) , and that the support device (20 , 30 ; 3 OA, 40 ;

30B, 40B; 30C, 40C;45C; 30D, 40D;40E) and the panel device (10;10A; 10B; IOC; 10D; 10E; ΙΟχ,- 102; 103) are arranged in such a way that the panel device is movable or transferable in at least one way or direction .

2. Device according to claim 1,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the support device

(20,30;30A,40;30B,40B;30C,40C;45C;30D,40D; 40E) comprises at least one first support member (20;40; 40B ; 40C ; 40D ; 40E) , and that the panel device, by said first connection elements

(31;45B;45C;44D;33D;32E) , is fixedly or detachably connected with said support member. 3. Device according to claim 2,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that said first connection elements comprise a joint connection (31;45B;45C;44D;32E) , and that the panel device is articulately connected with said first support member.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the support device comprises at least two support members (20 , 30 ; 30A, 40 ; 30B, 40B; 30C, 40C) , which are interconnected in such a way that the panel device at least is movable to and fro along two different axes (essentially perpendicular to each other.

5. Device according to claim 4,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the support device comprises at least three support members (20 , 30A, 40 ; 30C, 40C, 45C) arranged in relation to and connected with each other in such a way that the panel device is movable in three planes essentially perpendicular to each other.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that at least one support member (20 , 30 ; 30A; 30B) consists of a railing, beam, or the like.

7. Device according to claim 6,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that said railing (20 , 30 ; 30A; 30B) or the like is vertically or horizontally arranged.

8. Device according to claim 7,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the device comprises at least two support members (20,30) , and that said railing (20) is movably connected with a second support member comprising two parallel railings (30,30) or the like to which outer ends of said railing are movably mounted by second connection element (32,32) .

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the support device comprises a support member comprising a telescoping device (40) having a second telescoping element (42) , which is displaceably arranged in a first telescoping element (41) and to which the panel device (10A) is articulated by said first connection elements (31) .

10. Device according to claim 9,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the telescoping device is fixed or, by means of an

articulated connection (32A) , movably connected with another support member (3 OA) .

11. Device according to any one of claims 1-10,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that one of said support members comprises a link lever

connection (40B ; 40C ; 40D; 40E) having one (40D) or several articulately interconnected link levers

(41B,42B;42C,42C;41E,42E) .

12. Device according to claim 11,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the link lever connection (40C) is connected to a stand (25) .

13. Device according to claim 12,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the stand (25) is movable and comprises a bar (30C) or the like connected with a wheeled plate (45C) .

14. Device according to claim 11,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the link lever connection (40D) is connected to a bracket or a fastening element (43D,43E), or the like.

15. Device according to any one of claims 1-5,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the connection device (40D) comprises one or more

presettable railing (s) (43D) having fastening element (s) (43D) , for instance, for temporary fastening to railing, wall, border, or the like.

16. Device according to any one of the preceding claims,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the irradiation elements (l;li) comprise UV lamps and/or UV fluorescent tubes.

17. Device according to any one of the above claims

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that they comprise a control unit (15) and that the irradiation elements (l;li) can be controlled, at least be turned on and off, collectively, individually, or in groups.

18. Device according to any one of the above claims,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the irradiation elements (l;li) are arranged to be turned on/off manually.

19. Device according to claim 17,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the control unit (15) is formed to be programmable and/ controllable from a control panel (18) at the control unit, connected irelessly or via line (19) , with the control unit (15) .

20. Device according to any one of the preceding claims

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the panel device is quadratic, rectangular, oval,

elliptical, triangular, or the like.

21. Device according to claim 20,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the panel device has a curved surface (10i)

22. Device according to any one of claims 20-21,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the panel device (103) comprises two or several panel elements (103i, 1032) which form an angle with each other that fixed or settable .

Description:
Title :

DEVICE HAVING LIGHT EXPOSURE ELEMENT FOR SURFACE TREATMENT OF OBJECT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns a device having a light exposure device for the surface treatment and/or for the use in

connection with the surface treatment of an object, for example a vehicle detail, having the features defined in the first part of claim 1. The invention also concerns use of such a device in connection with the surface treatment of an object.

Particularly, the invention concerns a device to be used in the repair treatment of a vehicle or particularly a vehicle detail, in particular in jobs with UV curing products.

BACKGROUND

Many different methods are known for the surface treatment of cars or greater or smaller body parts or something else. A particular field concerns so-called repair treatment, which may consist of hammering, puttying, touch-up works generally, clear varnish painting.

Treated vehicles or vehicle parts have to cure and dry. A much used method consists of transferring heat, for example by convection, to the treated vehicle or the vehicle detail. It comprises generating a flow having a high temperature, which is directed toward the vehicle/vehicle detail. Known devices comprise a drying oven or a booth in which the vehicle/vehicle detail is placed. Disadvantages in the use of such proceedings are that drying ovens and booths are large and space-requiring and that the methods are very energy- and time-consuming. Drying and curing, respectively, may in principle occur in room temperature, but may then take up to a day. The drying procedure and the curing procedure, respectively, can be speeded up by drying in a plant as described above, at a temperature of approx. 60°, and the time can then be reduced to maybe between half an hour and one hour. But also this is to be considered as a long time in the context and involves high costs because the throughput time for a vehicle or a vehicle detail becomes very long and a large surface is blocked even if maybe only a part of the vehicle needs to be treated.

In order to avoid the complex of problems of time and blocked working surface, it has become common, where possible, to carry out surface treatment of body parts or minor damage by IR irradiation to accelerate the drying. In doing so, a basecoat has first been applied, airing has been effected, after which a clear varnish has been applied, which has been allowed to dry under IR irradiation for 20-25 min. Also this involves

relatively long drying/curing times with blocked space.

It has also been proposed, for particular materials, to carry out the curing in two steps, a first one with radiation curing by UV light, and then at a temperature of between 130° -200°, alternatively in room temperature (EP-A-0 000 407) .

EP-A-0 826 431 discloses a method for multiple-repair coating for improving minor damage where, after short drying or curing of a basecoat layer either for 3-10 min at a temperature of 40°- 80° or IR drying for 3-6 min, a clear varnish layer is applied, which is dried by pulsed high-energy UV irradiation with a portable high-energy UV flash lamp.

This proceeding is intended for the treatment of minor damage, point damage and cannot be used for major damage, even if maybe not the entire vehicle needs to be treated. In such repair painting, one is still reduced to methods where an entire booth or a major area becomes blocked. It should be noted that plastic components, e.g., bumpers, may be deformed if they are exposed to high temperatures. Plastics may deform at temperatures of above approx. 75°, which

illustrates the importance of being able to treat only those areas that indeed are damaged and that other parts or areas should be influenced to the smallest possible extent.

US 2010/0088921 discloses a device for drying a painted vehicle, which comprises an arch having panels at a workstation or a booth, which are provided with sources of light emitting IR radiation with two different emission spectra, which is attained by blowing a mixture of compressed air and oxygen against a catalytic panel.

US 4 416 068 discloses a device consisting of a repair booth to hasten drying and/or curing in connection with touching up a car. IR sources and heat radiating elements are arranged in such a way that their positions and orientation can be selected in a suitable way. In spots difficult to access, reflectors are utilized. The IR sources are arranged in horizontal or vertical groups or rows of a ceiling mounted structure moving

reciprocally above the car. A uniform temperature distribution is aimed at, wherein the drying time can be reduced. However, this device does not work optimally neither what concerns speed, quality of the processing, nor the working environment, and in repair jobs, the entire repair booth is blocked. In addition, the energy consumption becomes high since IR as well as heat irradiation are utilized. Another disadvantage consists of the entire plant shaking when moving along railings in the ceiling. Again another disadvantage consists of, since all surface treatment jobs are highly susceptible to dust and dirt, the ceiling mounting makes that dust, etc. easily is accumulated in nooks and the like above the object, and may fall down onto the object, to an even greater extent as a fan is utilized to blow air toward the reflectors. Generally, the curing, when using traditional clear varnish, takes approx. 30-60 min. After curing, the clear varnish is very sensitive for a couple of days and difficult to handle.

The requirements of speed and homogeneous curing and drying are particularly high what concerns the use of substances having lower content of solvent or water-based substances cured by UV light. What concerns repair treatment, damage may be of

different size, very small, up to some centimetres, or also an entire detail, e.g., an entire bonnet, an entire door, or an entire screen, may need to be treated. If such a greater damage is to be treated, according to known methods, an entire

workstation or an entire booth has to be utilized as has been discussed above, and the flexibility becomes limited and the costs become high. None of methods/devices known hitherto gives an acceptable solution what concerns treatment of damage of medium-size, or requires treatment of a vehicle detail, or an area that exceeds a few centimetres, especially a larger area, for example an entire booth, has to be coated, which makes the treatment space- requiring and expensive. Moreover, known solutions do not work fully satisfying neither what concerns speed, energy

consumption, quality, price, simplicity, flexibility, nor environment -friendliness . Particularly, individual treatments will be unnecessary demanding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a device by which one or more of the above-mentioned problems are solved. Particularly, it is an aim of the invention to define a device for the surface treatment, particularly drying and/or curing of an object, for example a car part, in repair

treatment, by which the access across the entire object becomes extraordinarily good and even, which allows quick curing and/or drying with and makes possible high-quality repair of surface damage, particularly in case of damage which has a certain extension, but which does not embrace, for instance, an entire vehicle . A particular aim is to define a device that is very flexible and user- friendly, and makes that repair jobs can be made on car parts or the like without access to an entire station, or a booth or an arch, being required and accordingly also can be used in smaller workshops or privately, or that an entire booth or an entire workstation actually not needing to be used. Particularly, it is an aim to define such a device by which it is facilitated to use substances with a smaller amount of solvents, particularly UV curing substances such as UV sanding sealer, UV putty, UV clear varnish. Particular aims of the invention are to define a device by which surface treatment can take place in an environmental -friendly way, which allows less discharge of hazardous substances in total and also less discharge of harmful substances generally as well as to the one who carries out the work and which in addition is environmental - friendly and inexpensive in operation, among other things that the energy consumption is low.

It is an aim to define such a device that is quick, allows a simple logistics or easily can be adapted to specific work, short duration of treatment, and is simple and safe to handle.

Particularly, it is an aim to define a device which is simple and inexpensive to produce, acquire, and use. It is also an aim to define a device whereby an object after curing is not as sensitive as in known treatments, but in an easier way can be handled, recoated, etc.

Therefore, a device is provided as initially has been indicated having the features defined in the characterizing part of claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments are defined by the features defined in the dependent claims. It is an advantage of the invention that there is provided a device which makes possible a simple and flexible surface treatment of objects, particularly car parts, in particular in repair jobs and in particular at medium- sized damage, which may embrace areas exceeding a few centimetres, but which does not concern an entire vehicle, or as extra equipment when using treatment booths or treatment arches. In repair jobs, it will in many cases be possible to completely take care of most damage in approx. 30-40 min and particularly, space can be saved in surface treatment jobs. It is also an advantage that the energy consumption can be kept low. By quick treatment only on the spot where it is needed, optimum use of products having a low content of solvent is enabled, which also results in the emission of harmful substances decreasing.

Another advantage is that the device easily can be integrated into or be used as supplement in a plant in which different types of jobs can be carried out, but also in smaller workshops. It is an advantage that in addition to energy consumption also consumption of material can be kept down, as well as that environmental -friendly substances can be used, for instance for sanding sealer (filler) , but also for clear varnish, which are particularly sensitive upon curing and normally require long curing time, and give a very good, high-quality result.

It is an advantage that there is provided a device which gives good access to different surfaces to be treated, and also to irregular surfaces, having nooks and the like, which in addition is simple to use as well as inexpensive to produce and acquire, and the use of which easily can be adapted to different circumstances regarding available work space, as well as the object which should be treated, and which in addition is advantageous also in respect of working environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, the invention will be described, in a non- limiting way, and with reference to accompanying figures, in which :

Fig. 1 shows schematically a device as seen from below

according to a first embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1A is a side view showing an example of an embodiment of a device,

Fig. IB is a side view showing an alternative example of an

embodiment of a device, Fig. 2 schematically shows a device according to another

embodiment of the invention having a support device comprising a movable stand carried by wheels,

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a device according to an

embodiment example comprising a support device in the form of brackets or railings having hooks,

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a device according to an

embodiment example having a support device comprising an articulated arm for, for instance, wall mounting, Fig. 5 shows an example of a panel included in a device as seen from the front,

Fig. 6 shows a side view of the panel in Fig. 5 according to an embodiment example,

Fig. 7 shows an alternative example of a panel included in a device as seen from the front, Fig. 8 is a view from the front of an alternative embodiment of a device according to the invention having a foldable panel, and

Fig. 9 is a schematic view of a device having a control unit and a control panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a surface treatment device 100 intended to be used in the surface treatment of a vehicle detail, for instance a hood, a door, or a screen, or the like. The surface treatment itself may be of different types and particularly curing and/or drying work are intended in

connection with car painting, particularly in repair job and when so-called UV sanding sealer, or UV putty, or UV clear varnish is used, i.e., compounds having a reduced amount of solvent in relation to conventional compounds. In certain cases, the amount of solvent may be reduced, e.g., by up to 50-70 %.

The treatment device comprises a panel device (panel) 10 provided with a number of UV irradiation elements 1 distributed in a desired way across the panel 10. Preferably, the irradiation elements are evenly distributed across the panel 10, but they may also be arranged at a smaller distance from each other on some part of the panel and at a greater distance from each other on some other part of the panel . The number of irradiation elements may also vary and may advantageously be between 2, 3 up to 20 or more, often around 10. This is, however, only examples.

The panel 10 may be formed in various ways, it may be quadratic, rectangular, or have any other desired shape, triangular, and so on. Preferably, it is not flat but curved with a desired curvature angle, which is illustrated below, for instance, in Figure 6, where it, however, comprises fluorescent tubes as irradiation elements instead. The panel may accordingly consist of a number of irradiation elements, which consist of individual lamps 1 and/or of fluorescent tubes li. It should, however, be appreciated that the panel also may be flat . The panels may consist of aluminium, stainless steel, sheet-metal plate or another suitable material as well as that reflectors, if any, comprise a suitable reflector material, e.g., aluminium.

In the embodiment example shown, the panel 10 is provided with mounting members or connection elements (not shown) by which it may be mounted to be transferable or displaceable on a support device comprising a railing 20, which, for instance, is mounted at a certain height above a spot where an object such as a detail of a vehicle should be treated.

In an advantageous embodiment, the panel 10, on its side turned from the irradiation elements 1, is provided with a mounting device, which is formed in such a way that it may be mounted in various ways on railings or frames or the like. In the example shown, the support device comprises a railing 20, which is displaceably mounted at two parallel overhead railings 30, 30, which allows that the entire railing 20 with the panel 10 displaceably mounted to the same can be displaced along the two parallel overhead railings 30, 30 so that accordingly

displaceability in the direction according to the two-way arrow A in the figure is obtained. By the panel 10 being movably mounted to the transverse railing 20, which is displaceably mounted 32, 32 to the two parallel railings 30, 30, the panel is also movable as is shown by the two-way arrow B in the figure. Accordingly, the panel is movable in two orthogonal directions. In addition, it may be articulately journalled to the railing 20, and accordingly rotatable.

In one embodiment example, the panel is movable in two ways in a plane but it may also be movable in a third direction,

perpendicular to said plane, for instance, the panel 10 may in Fig. 1 in addition be mounted as shown in Fig. 1A.

Figure 1A shows an embodiment in which a panel 10A is mounted to a telescoping device 40 by a joint connection 31 where the telescoping device 40, for instance, at a certain height is mounted to a railing 30A, for instance an overhead railing, by means of a mounting element 32A. Thereby, it becomes

transferable in the direction of the arrow A. It may also be displaceable in a direction corresponding to the arrow B in Figure 1, in and out of the paper (not shown in this example) , but this is not necessary. In the example shown in Figure 1A, the panel 10A is connected with an inner telescoping element 42, which is included in the telescoping device 40 and arranged to be displaceable in an outer telescoping element 41 in a way known per se. Preferably, the panel is also articulately journalled 31 to the inner telescoping element 42 so that it also can be angled in relation to the same. By the panel 10A being arranged on the

longitudinally presettable telescoping device 40, the panel 10A will be transferably arranged or vertically adjustable in accordance with the arrow C in Figure 1A. Also in this

embodiment example, the panel may of course be formed in various ways and comprise individual irradiation elements (lamps) and/or fluorescent tubes, etc., as well as it may be flat or curved in a desired way.

In an alternative embodiment, the railing 3 OA could, instead of being mounted as an overhead railing, be mounted as a vertical or horizontal railing, e.g., a wall railing or the like and the illumination panel 10A instead be telescopic in a plane parallel to a floor surface or a table surface or the like, or in a plane perpendicular thereto.

Figure IB shows a treatment device 100B comprising a panel 10B provided with a number of irradiation elements 1 as has been previously described, i.e., either individual sources of light or fluorescent tubes arranged in a desired way. The panel 10B is connected to an outer link lever 42B, preferably via an

articulated connection 45B so that the panel can be rotated in different directions. In one embodiment example, the connection 45 may comprise a ball-and-socket joint, but it should be appreciated that it does not need to be articulated at all but that it may be any other suitable connection. The outer link lever 42B is articulately connected with an inner link lever 41B, which in turn is articulately connected with a horizontal railing 30B, for instance an overhead railing, so that the entire device can be displaced in accordance with the arrow A. Instead of being articulating, one or more of the connection links may be fixed, i.e., not allow settability.

If the link lever is stretched in the joint 44B so that the link levers 41B, 42B extend perpendicularly to the railing 30B by setting at the joint 32B, maximum length is achieved. The railing 30B may also be intended for horizontal or vertical mounting, for instance wall mounting, which makes that the irradiation device can be angled out in planes, parallel to or perpendicular to, for instance, floor surface or the like.

Figure 2 shows a further example of a device lOOC according to the invention where a panel IOC having a number of illumination elements, as has previously been discussed, is connected to a mobile stand 25 comprising a plate or the like 48C provided with, for instance, two pairs of wheels 46, 46, e.g., having movable shafts, on which plate a vertical bar 30C is fixedly or detachably mounted, possibly articulated. With said bar 30C, for instance, a link device 40C is connected. Here, the link device 40 comprises a first link lever 41C, which via a joint 45C is articulately connected with the vertical bar 30C, and in its opposite end via a joint 44C is connected to a second link lever 42C at which in turn, via a joint 43C, the panel IOC is

arranged. The link device 41C, 42C may be vertically adjustably connected with the vertical bar 30C and lockable at desired height by means of lock members 47 formed in a suitable way. 1080

14

In this embodiment example, a curved panel is shown. It should be appreciated that it does not need to be curved in this way but that many alternatives are possible. The surface may be concave as well as convex or flat, or comprise part surfaces angled in relation to each other.

In Figure 3, a further example is shown of a device 100D

according to the invention, which here consists of a single panel 10D, which however, does not need to be flat as shown in Figure 3 but may also be of another shape and/or curved or angled in a desired way. The figure only intends to show that the device may be provided with a single suspension device in the form of a bracket or railing 40D having a fastening member, e.g., a hook or the like 43D by which it may be hooked to a beam, railing, or the like. Of course, said hook or the like may be formed in many different ways and, for instance, be lockable, etc. Alternatively, the railing 40D may be provided with a recess, a loop, or the like to be hooked into a hook. The essential is that it is a connection device, which in some manner easily can be suspended and connected to e.g., a beam, a railing, a plate having recesses or the like.

In the example shown, the connection bracket 40D is provided with an elongate opening 49D and allows vertical presettability by means of lock members 44D, which may be formed in many different ways. Alternatively or in addition to such a device for suspension, the device may be provided with a mounting device 30D for horizontal suspension or hooking, here via two hooks or the like 31D, 32D, which may be arranged on an

attachment 33D, which particularly may be displaceable so that fastening device 30D can be laterally displaced as is shown the arrow II in the figure.

In an example, it may also be rotatably journalled on a fulcrum so that it can be suspended obliquely and rotated in a direction of rotation indicated by the arrow III. Of course, the device may also be fixedly mounted or provided with a joint device so that the panel can be angled horizontally and/or vertically. In Figure 4, an example is schematically shown of a panel 10E, which like earlier embodiment examples may be curved in a desired way or flat and have any desired shape at all and be provided with either a number of irradiation elements in the form of separate elements or with a number of fluorescent tubes. In the example shown, the panel 10E is connected, via a first connection device 32E, which may be some form of joint allowing mobility horizontally and/or vertically, with a joint device 40E comprising a first link lever 42E articulately connected via a joint 43E by a second link lever 41E, which in turn is connected (articulately or not) with a fastening element 43E intended to, in a desired way, be attached to a wall, a border, a stand, or the like. Even if a simple fastening plate is shown in this figure, it may of course be replaced by a mounting member formed in many different ways.

In Figure 5, an example is schematically shown of a panel 10χ comprising a number of irradiation elements li arranged in parallel, which here consist of UV fluorescent tubes. Of course, the invention is not limited to any particular distance between the fluorescent tubes or any particular number of fluorescent tubes. Also the power of the UV lamps or the UV fluorescent tubes may be selected in various ways.

In Figure 6 , a perspective view is shown of the panel in Figure 5 where it can be seen that it is curved.

In Figure 7 , an alternative embodiment is shown of a panel 10 2 comprising a number of separate irradiation elements, which may consist of UV sources. This panel may, as has previously been discussed, have a desired shape, quadratic, rectangular,

circular, oval, elliptical, etc. and may also be curved in a desired way, concave or convex with a desired curvature angle.

Figure 8 shows a further example of a panel device 10 3 according to the invention, which consists of two panel elements 10 3 i , 10 32 , which are articulately interconnected on a shaft 15 , which makes that the panel elements can be arranged at a desired angle in relation to each other or be planely arranged. It should be appreciated that the angle in that connection may be greater or smaller than 180 ° . The embodiment schematically shown in Figure 8 is not limited to separate irradiation elements but may of course also comprise fluorescent tubes.

The panels shown in Figures 5- 8 in the form of examples may be provided with any one of the mounting devices as previously described, reference being made to Figures 1 -4 , in a suitable way, or other similar mounting devices. In alternative

embodiment examples, certain of the irradiation elements may instead consist of IR sources. Figure 9 shows very schematically a panel 10, which may

correspond to the panel shown in Figure 1, but the concept is just as well applicable to any other panel at all regardless of shape, size, used irradiation elements, flatness, curvature, and so on.

In the example shown, a number of irradiation elements are coupled by lines 17 to a control unit 15, which in the example shown, via a line 19, is coupled to a control panel 18 having a keyset 14 and/or a touch/display unit 14' by which turning on/off of the irradiation elements 1 can be controlled, for instance also how long they, or individual elements, should be on, which irradiation elements that are to be on, and, if there are UV as well as IR irradiation elements, which are to be turned on when, how long, etc. The irradiation elements l,li may in different embodiments be controlled individually or in groups so that it can be determined when, which elements should be turned on, turned off, how long they should be on, etc. A number of alternatives are possible. In certain examples, said control panel 18 may be placed or attached at a suitable spot by means of the connection 19. Alternatively, it may be wirelessly connected with the control unit 15. As a further alternative, there is an extra wireless control panel 24 so that selectably either the wired control panel 18 or the wireless unit 24 can be used. Alternatively, exclusively a wireless unit may be used.

By means of a device according to the invention, it is possible to cure, for instance, entire details of vehicles such as private cars and the like, i.e., it will be possible to easily carry out repair jobs of parts or entire details of vehicles and not only so-called spot jobs. A particular advantage of the device is found in the curing of UV sanding sealer. By combining a panel with a suitable variant of stands, suspension device, fixed or movable, where the panel preferably is rotatable in different directions as well as vertically adjustable and may be provided with curved surfaces or surfaces being adjustable in relation to each other, a very flexible and efficient device is obtained.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, a panel is provided with fastening elements which may be of different types so that a panel may be applied to different suspension devices, or stands. Different panels may also exist. Thereby, a suitable panel/suspension device can be used at a suitable spot or for a suitable detail to be treated.

An advantage of the invention is also that relatively large repair jobs can be carried out without there being required large advanced workshops or without it being required that space is occupied without cause by an entire vehicle in spite of only a detail being to be treated.

Devices according to the invention are of course also of advantage in large car painting workshops featuring

workstations. Particularly, a device according to the invention may be used in combination with, for instance, a device for the surface treatment as disclosed in any one of the applications previously filed by the applicant, SE 1350728-0 and SE 1350966- 6. By means of the device, it will also be easy to adapt to individual treatments for individual vehicles. The devices may be adapted or are adapted to individual jobs which can be carried out manually but also be automatized and controllable, which makes that the device can be used in large car painting workshops as well as in smaller car repair shops/garages or for private individual treatment .

The panels may be formed in many different ways, as has been discussed above. In certain embodiments, they may have a length/width of between approx. 30 cm and upward and a

width/length of about 1 m. Of course, every other size is also possible as long as a plurality of irradiation elements can be arranged on the panel. It may be flat but preferably it is curved and possibly provided with reflectors, this in order to further facilitate access in corners and spaces difficult to access.

Preferably, all the irradiation elements comprise UV lamps, but in certain cases, UV lamps as well as IR lamps may be used.

Preferably, then the number of UV lamps exceeds the number of IR lamps. By a combination of UV as well as IR lamps, a good curing and drying effect can be obtained, which gives an even and homogeneous effect with a good luminous flux and distribution from different angles. In one embodiment example, the power of the UV lamps is 100 W at approx. 3 cm distance, but this is indicated only for

exemplifying purposes. The better the contour of the object can be followed at an even, small distance, the better the result will be. In certain embodiment examples, one or more UV flash lamps may be used on a panel, whereby a curing and/or drying process can be further speeded up. Preferably, exclusively UV lamps are utilized as irradiation elements when even surfaces, which have few or no corners, hidden spaces, and so on, are to be treated. For surfaces where there are many corners and nooks and the surfaces have large direction changes, it may be advantageous to also include IR lamps, since these have a higher temperature, which makes that the access can be further improved. The heat produced by the use of IR lamps in addition to the UV irradiation may also

contribute to a generally improved curing/drying, however, in many embodiments, no IR lamps are utilized.

The panel may be made of aluminium, sheet -metal plate or 11 and be provided with reflectors for irradiation elements. According to different embodiments, the proper irradiation elements are fixedly mounted or angled and movable, rotatable, on the proper panel. In more advanced embodiments, the devices may be provided with, for instance, driving devices comprising piston type cylinders or the like for the alignment, placement, setting to be possible to be managed in a simpler way. A panel may also comprise more than two panel elements (Figure

8) , e.g., three or four or more panel elements, which are or may be individually controllable. The different panel elements may also have different shape, curvature angle, and so on. Even if, in all embodiment examples, the irradiation elements have been illustrated as having the same size, the size may, of course, vary, within a panel as well as between different panel elements, different UV lamps may have different sizes and UV and IR lamps may have different sizes just as well as different IR lamps may have different sizes. This is guided by desires what concerns complexity of the device and the possibility of, respectively, in a demand- control led way being able to control size, shape, and alignment depending on the objects to be treated . According to an example, panels can be replaceable, and when details or the like that are irregular, have more nooks, are to be treated, for such applications, panels having more or more closely arranged irradiation elements can be used. Advantageously, the lamps are replaceable. According to

different embodiments, also the control unit and the control panel may be more or less advanced. For simple embodiments, it is also possible to apply an entirely manual switching on and off of several or groups or all irradiation elements

simultaneously by a coupling element, which is placed directly adjacent to or on the panel. Many variants are possible.

The invention is not limited to specific embodiments but may be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the appended claims.