UV LED CURING ASSEMBLY

• US 20110290179A1
• Filed: 05/26/2011
• Published: 12/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baldwin UV Limited (Forsyth Baldwin LLC)
• Original Assignee: Baldwin UV Limited (Forsyth Baldwin LLC)
• Inventors: ARMITAGE, David, STOWELL, Quinton
• Granted Patent: US 9,018,600 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 118/642
• CPC Class Codes: B41F 23/0409 Ultraviolet dryers
• CPC Class Codes: B41F 23/0453 by ultraviolet dryers
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/00214 using UV radiation
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 3/28 by radiation, e.g. from the sun
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 3/283 in combination with convection
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 11/003 Mountings with a dove tail element, e.g. "Picatinny rail systems"

Abstract

A curing assembly for curing of inks and the like comprises at least one array of UV LEDs 18. A reflector 4 with an elongate reflective surface 14 partly surrounds the array 18 and has an opening for emission of radiation towards a substrate. A lens 24 is positioned between the array 18 and the opening.

Claims

1. A curing assembly comprising at least one array of UV LEDs, a reflector with an elongate reflective surface partly surrounding the array and having an opening for emission of radiation towards a substrate supported in a position to receive radiation emitted through the opening for curing a coating thereon, and a lens between the array and the opening.

2. A curing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reflective surface has two focal points and the array is located at one focal point and the substrate support position at the other.

3. A curing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reflective surface and lens have a common focal point at the substrate support position.

4. A curing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reflective surface is shaped and positioned to maximise reflection of radiation which does not pass through the lens and to minimise the amount of radiation which is reflected back onto the lens.

5. A curing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lens is a cylindrical rod.

6. A curing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lens is a rod of semicircular cross-section.

7. A curing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lens is a rod formed of quartz.

8. A curing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lens is a convergent lens arranged to focus radiation at the substrate support position.

9. A curing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the LEDs are arranged in a pattern, the LEDs in outer regions being closer together than the other LEDs.

10. A curing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the LEDs are arranged in a pattern including a central region where the LEDs are rotated relative to other LEDs.

11. A curing assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein the LEDs in the central region are rotated 45 degrees relative the other LEDs.

12. A curing assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein the LEDs in the central region are spaced further apart than the other LEDs.

13. A curing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the LEDs have a packing density of 15 to 50%, preferably 20 to 38%.

14. A curing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the LEDs are mounted on a water cooled circuit board.

15. A curing assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a substrate support for supporting a substrate in a position to receive radiation emitted through the opening.