DEVICE FOR CURING AND/OR FOR DRYING OBJECT IN CONNECTION WITH SURFACE TREATMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns a device for curing and/or for drying object, e.g., vehicle details in connection with surface treatment, comprising irradiation means therefor.

BACKGROUND

Different devices and methods are known for use in connection with painting, lacquering, clear varnishing, puttying work, etc. of cars or vehicle details, particularly in connection with repair or touching up jobs.

Such jobs are impaired by many different problems. Also for

conventional products, having relatively high content of solvent and which are used in connection with repair job or the like, there are problems by the fact that drying and curing are energy, as well as time- and space-requiring, which means that the process becomes expensive .

Use of products having lower content of solvent makes that the curing and drying procedure becomes even more demanding.

By using varnishes, paints, sanding sealer, and so on, which can be radiation cured using UV radiation and IR radiation, the curing and drying time, respectively, can be shortened. UV curing allows use of products such as varnishes, paints, sanding sealer, and so on, which contain considerably lower content of solvent or are in principle free from solvent. However, another problem is that the surfaces of objects, or the parts of an object, which need to be treated are varying, from so-called point or spot damage to entire vehicles, which makes that various equipment is required in order to, in an optimum way, be able to treat a damage or an object.

Drying and curing, respectively, may in principle be effected in room temperature but then takes a very long time, e.g., up to a day and night. The drying and hardening process, respectively, can be speeded up by it being effected in a plant at a temperature of approx. 60°, which means that the drying time can be reduced to maybe between half an hour and an hour. Also this is in the context a very long time and the plant is large, which in turn implies that a large surface is blocked.

In order to decrease the problems what concerns blocked surface and long drying time, it is known to carry out surface treatment of body parts or smaller damage by IR irradiation to accelerate the drying. For instance, a basecoat has in that connection first been applied, airing has taken place, and thereafter clear varnish has been applied, which has been allowed to dry at IR irradiation for 20-25 min. Also this represents, however, relatively long drying and curing times. EP-A-0 000 407 suggests a proceeding using curing in two steps for special materials and comprises a first step of radiation curing by DV light and then curing at a temperature of between 130-200° or

alternatively in room temperature. EP-A-0 826 431 suggests a proceeding for the improvement of smaller damage wherein, 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 high-energy UV flash lamp. This proceeding is intended for the treatment of minor damage, spot damage and cannot be used for somewhat larger damage, and is in addition time-consuming. Known devices having so-called repair booths are in themselves inappropriate in those cases smaller damage or damage to smaller parts should be taken care of because of large, unnecessary space being occupied, which makes that it becomes expensive and unnecessary time- consuming and, in addition, plastic components, which hardly can be protected in booths, are sensitive to high temperatures.

EP-A-0 668 800 discloses a proceeding for drying and curing varnishes and other radiation curable products by so-called UV flash technique to additionally speed up the drying and hardening process,

respectively, . This is provided by compact, portable flash radiation sources, which have an intensity of illumination of at least 10 Mix but which preferably does not exceed 80 Mix.

Also by further patent publications, devices for curing and/or for drying objects are previously known, e.g., US 2011/0274855A1, DE 10 2008 014378A1, WO 2013/095280 Al, and US 2010/0242299 Al. Neither these known devices solve the intended problems mentioned in that connection efficiently and reliably. However, the requirements of speed and in particular homogeneous curing and drying are particularly high what concerns use of

substances having lower content of solvent or water-based substances, which are cured or can be cured by UV light. No one of the devices known hitherto shows a device working satisfying in this respect, in particular what concerns medium-sized jobs which neither concern, for instance, an entire vehicle nor so-called spot damage, and by which drying and curing can be carried out at desired speed and in

particular allow homogeneous curing and drying also on hidden spots at the same time as it is inexpensive, reliable and easy to use, and environmental-friendly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is a goal of the present invention to provide a device by which one or more of the above-mentioned problems can be solved.

Particularly, it is a goal of the invention to specify a device for the drying and/or the curing of an object, e.g., a vehicle component, such as a body part or the like, in particular in repair treatment, by which the access across the entire object, or relevant areas which should be treated, becomes extraordinarily good and homogeneous and which allows quick curing and/or drying.

A particular goal is also to specify a device that allows high- quality, quick and easy repair of surface damage by an extraordinarily efficient curing and/or drying process, particularly in case of damage which has a certain extension or of components of a certain size but which do not embrace an entire vehicle.

It should, of course, be appreciated that the invention does not only concerns vehicle components or body parts but also can be used for curing and/or for drying other objects that are treated by compounds having a low content of solvent or which are water-based and which can be cured by UV irradiation.

A particular goal is to specify a device that is flexible, reliable, and user-friendly and makes that repair jobs, or painting and curing jobs in general, can be made on objects, e.g. vehicle parts or the like, without access being required to an entire station or without an entire station or a booth or the like needing to be occupied.

Particularly, it is a goal to specify such a device by which the use of substances with a smaller amount of solvents, particularly UV curing substances such as UV sanding sealer, uv putty, UV clear varnish, etc. can be used and that accordingly facilitate the

implementation of surface treatment measures in an environmental- friendly way. Thus, it is also a goal to specify a device that only gives low content of emission of hazardous substances in total and that also makes that staff or the persons who carry out the work to a very small extent are exposed to harmful substances by the use of substances friendlier to the environment as well as by the possibility of controlling the release of solvent.

It is a particular goal to specify a device that allows simple logistics, that is flexible and easily can be adapted to specific work and that is simple and safe to handle. 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 that makes possible a simple and flexible surface treatment of objects by facilitating the drying and/or curing procedure, e.g., car parts, in particular in repair jobs, however not exclusively in repair jobs, and in particular for objects/damage of medium size. It is an

advantage that there is provided a device that can work as extra equipment or as complement to treatment booths or treatment arches for, for instance, entire vehicles but also as complement to handheld devices for the repair of spot damage so that also somewhat larger damage can be handled.

It is also an advantage that the energy consumption can be kept low, and that, by quick treatment only of exactly the area where treatment indeed is needed, an optimum use of products having low content of solvent is enabled, which in turn also contributes to the amount of emissions of harmful substances decreasing. Another advantage is that, by the invention, it is made possible to, in addition to energy consumption, also keep down the consumption of material at the same time as environmental-friendly substances can be used, which are particularly sensitive upon curing/drying and normally require long curing time, and still give a very good, high-quality result. It is also an advantage of the invention that there is provided a device that gives a very good and steady access across an object and also what concerns irregular surfaces having nooks and the like and where desired requirements of purity and freedom from dust can be

maintained, which further contributes to an extraordinarily good quality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

Fig. 1 schematically shows a device according to an embodiment of the invention in the form of a section so that an inside view of the device is shown,

Fig. 2 schematically shows a side view from the outside of a device according to a second, similar embodiment,

Fig. 3 schematically shows a third embodiment of a device according to the invention in opened state, ready to receive an object,

Fig. 4 shows the device according to the embodiment in Figure 3 but in a closed treatment state,

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view through a device

according to a further embodiment example. Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing again another alternative embodiment of a device according to the invention, Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a further alternative device ,

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another device according to the invention with the cross-section being taken from the side where an openable door is arranged, but with the door removed, and

Fig. 9 schematically shows an example of a further device according to the invention in opened state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a device 10 according to the invention, which comprises a chamber li, which essentially is eggshell- shaped. In the figure, a longitudinal section is assumed to be taken in such a way that the inside of one half of the eggshell-shaped chamber l _x is shown. The inner surface has arched smooth surfaces of preferably gloss polished aluminium provided with attachments or seats for a number of UV irradiation elements (radiation sources) 8i . The UV radiation sources 8χ may be arranged in many different ways, regularly, in groups, and be of a suitable number. In certain embodiments, the device is also provided with a number of IR radiation sources, or some of the radiation sources shown consist of IR radiation sources in combination or instead. So as to be able to dry effectively on hidden locations of the object in question that is dried/cured.

The eggshell -shaped chamber l _x consists of a central part I and two extreme parts, which form openable doors 2 _lt 3 _1; which are articulately connected with the central part In (main body) of the chamber in such a way that, when an object (not shown) should be treated, for instance, a door 2 _X is opened, the object is inserted, the door 2 _X is closed, and the UV irradiation elements 8 _X are activated in a suitable way, either manually, via a switching device or via a control unit (not shown in this figure) by means of which the UV irradiation elements can be controlled. The UV irradiation elements 8 ₁ are coupled to a control unit or activating means in a suitable way. According to different embodiments, all the irradiation elements (e.g., UV lamps) can be controlled simultaneously so that activation implies that all are switched on and are switched off simultaneously upon deactivation, respectively. Alternatively, different groups or individual UV lamps may be switched on/off separately. Thus, it is possible with

individual control as well as in groups. It is also possible to utilize time-based control in such a way that a certain number of or a certain portion of the irradiation elements should be activated at a certain point of time and/or be activated for a certain period of time while another part should be activated only a shorter period of time or be activated earlier/later. Accordingly, the control may relate to either a number of lamps to be activated, which lamps should be activated, when which lamps should be activated, absolutely in time or time in relation to the first activation of one or more irradiation elements for the treatment of a certain object, turning on, door closing, position in relation to object or size of object, or

regarding certain given irradiation schemes, and so on. In a similar way, it may be proceeded if certain of the irradiation elements consist of IR radiation sources instead. The object may be arranged in a suitable way within the chamber, not shown in this figure, but examples will be given below.

By the fact that the surfaces on the inside are smooth, homogeneous and high reflective, the UV and IR light, respectively, will be reflected to and fro between the walls which makes that the object will be hit under a large number of different angles. Thus, no shadow is formed therein because of disturbing parts, e.g., by frameworks as in a device known therefor. After terminated treatment, the opposite door 3i is instead opened and the object can be taken out on another side than where it was inserted, e.g., opposite each other, which makes that a fast treatment flow can be obtained; objects are prepared for introduction on one side, and are taken care of after

drying/curing in a suitable way on the other side. Alternatively, there may be only one door and the object is inserted and taken out through the same door.

Adjacent to the upper part of the chamber, an intake fan 41 is arranged and opposite the same part, at the bottom, an exhaust fan 51 is arranged to ensure that air circulation is provided inside the chamber, which further contributes to an improved, e.g. more

homogeneous, and faster drying/curing.

Figure 2 shows a device 20 similar to the one in Figure 1 but of somewhat different shape in that it has a greater height and a smaller length extension. Figure 2 is a schematic view from the outside showing the chamber 2 ₂ from the outside, a fan device 4 ₂ working as intake, and a fan device 5 ₂ on the other side of the device that works as an exhaust. The chamber 1 ₂ essentially consists of three chamber parts, a central part surrounded on opposite sides by two openable doors 2 ₂ , 3 ₂ . As in the preceding example, the device may alternatively be formed in such a way that it comprises only one door. In the embodiment examples shown, the insides of the doors are included in the smooth, arched chamber and are likewise provided with UV radiation sources correspondingly as the central part of the chamber and the doors are articulately connected via hinges 11 or the like,

schematically illustrated in the figure. Figure 3 shows a further example of a device 30 having a chamber 1 ₃ according to the invention, which, as in the preceding embodiment examples, has an eggshell-shaped, elliptical or oval smooth inside of high-gloss polished aluminium and having a plurality of recesses or mounting elements for UV, and also IR radiation sources 8 ₃ . In the figure, reference designation 9 ₃ illustrates the high-gloss polished surfaces. The chamber 1 ₃ is also here formed of a central section and two openable inner sections 2 ₃ , 3 ₃ . The openable sections 2 ₃ , 3 ₃ comprise doors, which can be opened and closed as has been described above.

In the example shown, the proper chamber 1 ₃ is surrounded by an outer cover 31 ₃ having two doors 2' ₃ , 3' ₃ . Also the outer cover is

accordingly divided into three parts where, in this embodiment, a central part is provided with hinges 11' , and the insides of the doors 2' 3, 3' 3 form the inner sections, which, together with the central section, form the arched, even high-gloss polished aluminium surface 9 ₃ . The chamber is, via the cover 3l ₃ , connected with intake and exhaust fans 4 ₃ , 5 ₃ as has been described above and which can be arranged in a suitable way. In the figure, it is illustrated highly schematically by dashed lines how some of the radiation sources 8 ₃ are connected with wires (which are located inside the gloss polished surfaces). Of course, all radiation sources are coupled to switches, a control device or the like (not shown in Figure 3) for turning off and on.

In Figure 4, the device in Figure 3 is shown with the door 2' ₃ closed. Also the door 3' ₃ on the opposite side is closed, and on the outside of, in this case, the entrance door 2' ₃ , a control unit 15 ₃ is arranged, which may be provided with a display 16 ₃ . As has been previously mentioned, the UV radiation sources can be controlled in various ways, for instance, the display may comprise a touch screen by means of which radiation sources, groups of radiation sources, selected radiation sources, and so on, can be controlled and

activated, e.g., at a certain point of time, and/or be controlled to be on for a certain period of time. Alternatively, buttons may be arranged for manual turning off and on radiation sources in groups, individually or all at once, and/or a remote control. The chamber may be provided with temperature sensors to sense the temperature inside the chamber or other relevant parameters, e.g.

moisture, which in turn are coupled to the control unit which either can give a signal or automatically adjust up/down power or activation time of the irradiation elements, or where more or fewer irradiation elements should be activated, or which type of irradiation element.

Figure 5 shows that once again an alternative embodiment of a device 40 according to the invention, which like the embodiment in Figures 3 and 4, comprises an outer cover 41 having a chamber 1 ₄ formed of a central section and two outer sections that are openable. With the doors in closed state, a homogeneous arched surface is formed, for instance similar to an eggshell from the inside, provided with a plurality of UV radiation sources 8 , and where appropriate also IR radiation sources. In this case, the doors 3' ₄ , 2' ₄ are thicker, which only intends to show that doors may be thick as well as thin. As in the previous embodiment examples, the device is also here provided with intake and exhaust, respectively, fans 4 ₄ , 5«. In the figure, a support or holding device 47 is also shown, which here consists of a carriage 45 or the like, which can be moved on wheels. When the door 2' ₄ is open, the carriage 45 can be driven in carrying an object 100, for instance a wing or the like, placed on a holder or a stand part 48A, 48B of the carriage 45, which preferably is provided with a holder 47 of such a height that the object 100 ends up as centrally as possible in the chamber 1 ₄ where the UV light is concentrated. In an alternative example (not shown) , the pillar 47 is vertically

adjustable and may, for instance, consist of a telescopic device. It should be appreciated that the carriage with holding device may be formed in many different ways. In the figure, it is illustrated highly schematically how the UV radiation sources 8 ₄ transmit UV light in many directions and is reflected in a large number of directions so that the object will be evenly irradiated. Preferably, the carriage and the holding device are constructed by slender and thin, respectively, elements or components in order not to reduce the amount of UV radiation hitting the object from certain angles.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of a device 50 according to the invention, which consists of a chamber l _s in a cover 51 having doors

3' 5, 4' 5 as has been described above and having intake and exhaust fans 4 ₅ , 5 ₅ , which can be arranged in a suitable way. In the example shown, the support and holder device consists of a suspension device, which comprises a rail 55 or the like formed to be arranged horizontally and connected with the internal walls of the chamber by fastening elements (not shown) in a way known per se. Two telescopic devices 55A, 55B are here displaceably connected, possibly also articulately 56A, 56B, with the rail 55 or the like, which devices in the opposite, free ends thereof are provided with possibly hook-shaped elements 58A, 58B, for instance articulately connected via joint connections 57A, 57B at the lower end of the telescopic element so that the angles that they form with the lower parts of the telescopic elements can be set (arrows V in the figure) . If a telescopic element is used, it is made possible that a position where the object is held can be set and adapted to the size of object and shape of object, respectively. In the example shown, the telescopic devices are arranged on one and the same rail; alternatively, there may be two or three parallel rails each having one or two holding devices (possibly telescopic devices) . It is also possible that the holding devices are detachably arranged at the rail so that it is possible to select between either using the rail-carried holding device or also a carriage, as described with reference to Figure 5, to bring objects in and out, e.g., depending on shape and size of the objects to be treated. Figure 7 shows an alternative device 60 according to the invention wherein there are only used holder elements, in the form of holder elements attached in the upper part of the chamber with hooks 65A, 65B, which are fixed. In other respects, the device comprises a chamber l _e in a cover 61, also here with two doors 3' ₆ , 2' ₆ . This example is shown only to illustrate that very simple support and holding devices may be used. Thereby, the device is not, of course, limited to comprising two elements as is shown in the figure; in preferred embodiments, different hooks or other fastening members may, for instance, be arranged at the top in the chamber so that such simple hooks 65Ά, 65B can be suspended in different locations in the chamber, or be replaceable so that holders with hooks of different length, shape, and so on, can be used. In the example shown, the device comprises two intake fans 4 ₆₁ , 4 ₆₁ arranged at the top and two exhaust fans 5 _β ι, 5 ₆ . arranged at the bottom. Alternatively, there may be two exhaust fans and one intake fan or vice versa. Many

alternatives are possible.

Figure 8 shows highly schematically an alternative device 70 according to the invention, which here is assumed to comprise only one openable part (door) and the figures show a view with the door removed, from "the door opening's" side. Here, the chamber is, if anything, in the form of the inside of a globe or a sphere 8 and comprises only one door formed of a shell-shaped spherical cap having the same thickness as the rest of the globular shell and these together form the chamber. Alternatively, the device may be assumed to be in two pieces having hinges (not shown) between two hemispheric shells 71 and provided with different forms of articulated suspension devices 65A, 65B, 65C being fixed in what is forming the upper parts of the chamber (when it is placed on a horizontal surface) or fixable on different locations in the upper part of the chamber so that they can be placed in a desired way. In the figure, there is given an example that they may be provided with a plurality of lockable joints so that one or more objects can be suspended or be applied on desired locations inside the chamber. As in previous embodiment examples, the chamber is on the inside provided with a number of UV radiation sources 8 ₇ and in certain cases also a number of IR radiation sources 18 ₇ , which are coupled to one or more switches or a common control unit (or a plurality of control units) as has been described above. Figure 9 shows an embodiment of a device 80 consisting of an eggshell- shaped chamber 1 ₈ , which consists of two essentially similar parts 1 _81/ 1 ₈₂ articulately interconnected in in such a way that the upper chamber part lei forms a lid. Alternatively, the upper part may be smaller. The insides of the two chamber parts consist of, as has previously been described, gloss polished aluminium having a number of UV radiation sources 8 ₈ and in certain cases also of IR radiation sources 18 ₈ , which can be distributed in a desired way and consist of a desired number of radiation sources. In the example shown, at the top, the upper chamber part is provided with an intake fan 4 ₈ and the lower part with an exhaust fan 5 ₈ . The two chamber parts may alternatively be split, articulately connected and consist of two essentially equal parts so that they form two halves separated by a vertical plane, for instance, in the centre or displaced towards either side, and perpendicular to a horizontal bottom plate 88 or the like, which, for instance, may be provided with two pairs of wheels 87, 87 so that it can be moved. Of course, the chamber does not need to be fixedly or detachably

connected with a plate or moreover, not even with a plate having wheels; this only indicates an advantageous embodiment example.

Irrespective of whether the chamber is split vertically or

horizontally to form two chamber halves, it may be provided with a control device 15 ₈ on one of the halves as well as that intake and exhaust fans may be arranged in a desired way. It may also be provided with a considerably lower number of radiation sources than shown in the figure.

The UV radiation sources may, for instance, have powers of between 300-2000 W. The IR radiation sources may also, where appropriate, have powers of between 300-2000 W. In certain cases, it may be

extraordinarily advantageous to have a high power of the IR radiation sources and instead activate them for a shorter period of time than what would have been the case at a lower power, which gives good quality as well as is advantageous from energy saving point of view. Activation time for the radiation sources may, for instance, be between 3-9 min, particularly 5-7 min and may also vary between radiation sources depending on position in relation to the object, the shape, aesthetics, material, etc. of the object. Advantageously, the total time that the device is active upon the treatment of an object, i.e., by some active radiation source may amount to between 3-10 (15) min.

However, it should be appreciated that all time indications and power indications are approximate as well as only exemplifying, and

activation time as well as power may assume other values than those indicated for individual irradiation elements as well as groups or all. There is also a relation between time and power so that it is possible to select greater power and shorter time or vice versa depending on different circumstances, object, material, energy saving desire, etc.

It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to

embodiment examples shown, but it may be varied in a variety of ways within the scope of the attached claims. The essential is that the inner surface is arched, smooth, homogeneous, and high reflective and that it comprises a plurality of, (at least UV) irradiation elements, which can be switched on and turned off and that the doors, or the door where appropriate, or the different chamber parts, can be closed so that an even and tight joint is formed, which is as small as possible and does not give rise to greater uneven areas impairing the homogeneity of light propagation. The size of the device may also vary depending on application, from smaller transportable units to large fixed units.