Mobile UVA curing system for collision and cosmetic repair of automobiles

• US 9,919,338 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2015
• Issued: 03/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPDI, Inc.
• Original Assignee: SPDI, Inc.
• Inventors: Wilson, John, Schenk, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): IPPOLITO, NICOLE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US14/664,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20170043368A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,095 Days
• Field of Search: 2504921, 2504931, 250504 R
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 21/00 Accessories or implements for use in connection with applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, not provided for in groups B05C1/00 - B05C19/00 accessories or implements for use in connection with painting or artistic drawing and fully provided for in B44D3/02 - B44D3/38, see subgroups of B44D3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 3/067 Curing or cross-linking the coating
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/0827 using UV radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 73/34 for local heating
• CPC Class Codes: B41F 23/00 Devices for treating the surfaces of sheets, webs, or other articles in connection with printing
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 2210/12 Vehicle bodies, e.g. after being painted
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 3/28 by radiation, e.g. from the sun

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a mobile radiation system that comprises a mobile radiation device coupled to a control unit; a radiation blocker having an adaptor opening for receiving said mobile radiation device when said mobile radiation device is in a seated position on said radiation blocker; and a mobile carrier comprising a first compartment for housing said radiation blocker, a second compartment for housing said control unit, and one or more carrier motion devices. The adaptor opening can dimensionally fit the mobile radiation device to block radiations from the mobile radiation device when said mobile radiation device is in the seated position. The mobile radiation device can produce radiation having peak radiation wavelength in a range of from 250 nm to 450 nm and can have a peak irradiation power in a range of from 0.5 W/cm² to 10 W/cm².

Claims

1. An automobile part curing system for curing a radiation curable coating composition applied to an automobile part to form a cured coating layer comprising:

a radiation device comprising a housing having a top, a bottom, a height, a length, a width, a reflector positioned within said housing and a UV source positioned within said housing between said reflector and said bottom;

said reflector positioned at a fixed location within said housing, extending along the length of the radiation device length, adapted and positioned to reflect UV radiation along its length and to focus radiation toward said bottom

a handle positioned on the top of said radiation device housing;

a housing having a top, a bottom, a power supply, a power cord extending from said power supply to said radiation device and a radiation blocker;

said radiation blocker including a cavity adapted to receive and seat said radiation device in a seated position;

said radiation blocker adapted to prevent at least some of said UV radiation from exiting said radiation blocker when said radiation device is seated in said radiation blocker;

whereby irradiation of said coating composition forms said cured coating layer on said vehicle part.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising wheels positioned on the bottom of said housing and adapted to permit said housing to be moved in relation to said automobile part.

3. The system of claim 1 further including a UV power measuring device.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the UV source is a UV lamp.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the UV source is a UV LED.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said radiation blocker is adapted to permit visible radiations to exit the radiation blocker while blocking UV radiations from exiting said radiation blocker when the radiation device is in the seated position.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said radiation blocker includes transparent blocking elements.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said radiation blocker includes translucent blocking elements.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said radiation blocker includes UV blocking glass.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said radiation blocker includes UV blocking plastic.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said radiation blocker includes UV blocking polymers.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said radiation blocker is adapted to block substantially all UV radiations and substantially all visible radiations from exiting said radiation blocker.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said radiation blocker includes metal sheets.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein said radiation blocker includes a metal sheet.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein said radiation blocker includes a metal block.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein said radiation blocker includes a ceramic sheet.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein said radiation blocker includes a ceramic block.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein said radiation blocker includes a material capable of blocking UV radiations and of blocking visible radiations.

19. The system of claim 1 further including a cooling device adapted to cool the radiation blocker.

20. The system of claim 1 further including a vent and a fan positioned in the radiation device.