DE102022113391A1 - Heat recovery unit, finisher system and finisher assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat recovery unit for attachment to an open finisher device, the heat recovery unit having a heat exchanger which is designed as a countercurrent heat exchanger. The invention further relates to an associated finisher system and an associated finisher arrangement.

Description

The invention relates to a heat recovery unit for attachment to an open finisher device, an associated finisher system and a finisher arrangement.

Open finisher devices are generally known and are used, for example, as ironing devices for drying and/or smoothing items of clothing. For example, they can be used to dry and/or smooth shirts or pants.

Open finisher devices fundamentally differ from closed systems, so-called tunnel finishers, in that they have a mostly stationary, active support part that expands the items of clothing to be treated before or during the finisher treatment.

For example, an open finisher system is in the document DE 10 2011 008 501 B3 described. The finisher system has a heat recovery unit, which can heat incoming supply air using hot exhaust air and thus ensures that the gas temperature required for the finishing process is generated with less energy expenditure.

It is an object of the invention to provide a heat recovery unit which, compared to the known prior art, is designed alternatively or better, for example enables even better utilization of heat in the exhaust air flow and/or enables a better or more variable arrangement of the components. It is a further object of the invention to provide an open finisher system with such a heat recovery unit and a finisher arrangement with at least one such finisher system. This is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are claimed, for example, in the subclaims.

The invention relates to a heat recovery unit for attachment to an open finisher device, which comprises an active support part for expanding garments, the heat recovery unit having a heat exchanger for heating a supply air stream from the environment by means of an exhaust air flow from the finisher device. The heat exchanger has a supply air inlet through which cool, dry ambient air can preferably flow in. The heat exchanger has a supply air outlet through which the ambient air heated in the heat exchanger can flow to the finisher device. The heat exchanger has an exhaust air inlet through which hot, moist exhaust air from the finisher device in particular can flow to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has an exhaust air outlet through which the moist exhaust air cooled in the heat exchanger can flow out. In particular, the heat exchanger is designed as a countercurrent heat exchanger. Such a design as a countercurrent heat exchanger further increases the efficiency of energy transfer, so that even more heat can be extracted from the exhaust air, which would otherwise be released unused into the environment. In a countercurrent heat exchanger, the supply air flow and exhaust air flow typically run anti-parallel to one another. This allows for a compact design and efficient heat transfer.

The heat exchanger can in particular guide the supply air flow and the exhaust air flow at least partially parallel to one another. In particular, the supply air flow and exhaust air flow can be separated from each other by plates. Such plates can in particular be part of the heat exchanger. This means that the supply air flow and exhaust air flow can be guided very close to one another, while still preventing an exchange of air.

In particular, the supply air inlet can be designed for the horizontal inflow of supply air. This allows a compact arrangement since air can be sucked in directly from the surroundings of the heat recovery unit. In particular, air can be sucked in from a room in which the heat exchanger or the finisher system is located.

The supply air inlet can in particular be arranged on a side opposite to the finisher device. This also allows for a compact arrangement, as the air flow can be directed in one direction towards the finisher device. In principle, it is also possible here to attach the supply air inlet to side surfaces so that the air flow, viewed in a horizontal plane, can be deflected by at least approximately 90°, for example.

The supply air outlet can be designed in particular for the downward flow of supply air. This allows the supply air to be easily delivered to a finisher system on which the heat exchanger can be mounted. In particular, the supply air outlet can be arranged on an underside of the heat recovery unit. The bottom of the heat recovery unit can be placed on a finisher system and can therefore be easily installed.

The heat recovery unit can be used in particular with the underside on the finisher front sit up in the direction. This allows for easy installation and reliable mounting. In addition, a compact design is achieved.

The supply air flow can be deflected at least substantially by 90°, particularly in the heat recovery unit. In particular, it can be redirected downwards. This achieves an advantageous air flow, since a large-area supply air inlet can be realized for sucking in ambient air and the supply air flow can be delivered downwards to the finisher system, where it can be appropriately supplied for the intended use.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the exhaust air inlet is arranged on an upper side of the heat recovery unit. This allows an advantageous supply from a fume hood, which is typically arranged above a garment to be processed, so that the exhaust air flow is typically supplied from above the heat recovery unit. In particular, the exhaust air outlet can be arranged on an upper side of the heat recovery unit. This enables a particularly advantageous connection of the exhaust air outlet to an exhaust air line, which can be arranged above the finisher system and can ensure exhaust air removal, in particular from several finisher systems.

The exhaust air flow can in particular be deflected at least substantially by 180°. This enables suitable guidance of the exhaust air flow within the heat recovery unit, so that it can be supplied from above and also discharged upwards again. This makes it possible to achieve a compact arrangement and a compact installation of finisher systems in an arrangement of several finisher systems.

The exhaust air outlet can in particular be designed for connection to an upper exhaust air line. Such an exhaust air line can be used in particular to remove the exhaust air from several finisher systems. This allows the exhaust air to be discharged together, so that excessive heating and/or excessive humidification of the environment is avoided. This also prevents such exhaust air from being sucked in again by the supply air inlet.

The heat recovery unit can in particular be attachable to a rear side of the finisher device, which can be opposite to a front side on which the active carrier part is arranged. The active carrier part can in particular be designed in such a way that a piece of clothing to be processed can be picked up or fastened in some other way. By arranging the heat recovery unit on the back of the finisher device, a compact design is achieved, and it is also achieved that the supply air is sucked in at a point which is away from a point at which operating personnel may manually operate the active support part, for example, to exchange clothing items. This is particularly the case if the supply air inlet is arranged opposite to the finisher device, as already described.

The invention further relates to an open finisher system, in particular for treating shirts or trousers, with a finisher device which comprises an active support part for expanding garments, and with a heat recovery unit as described herein. All versions described can be used with regard to the heat recovery unit. The advantages already mentioned can be achieved.

In particular, the heat recovery unit can be arranged on a rear side of the finisher device. The supply air outlet of the heat recovery unit can in particular be in flow connection with a supply air connection of the finisher device. This allows supply air to be advantageously supplied to the finisher device.

The invention further relates to a finisher arrangement with one or more finisher systems as described herein and an exhaust air line which is arranged above the finisher system or systems and is connected to the exhaust air outlets. Such a finisher arrangement can in particular combine several finisher systems so that they can be used in parallel, with a common exhaust air duct improving efficiency.

An inflatable doll, for example, can be used as the active carrier part. This can be used in particular for ironing shirts. Spring-loaded tensioning elements can also be used, particularly for ironing trousers. When designed as a doll, air and/or steam flows through the active carrier part, for example, and in the process expands the piece of clothing pulled over the doll. In the variant with tensioning elements, the garment is expanded by the tensioning element, for example in the case of trousers at the waistband, so that steam and/or air can easily flow into the garment. As a result of this steam and/or air flow, the garment can optionally be additionally expanded and smoothed. In particular Hot steam can be used, in which water is in gaseous form. After the treatment, the garment is removed from the active carrier part and the next garment to be treated is attached to the active carrier part.

The finisher device can in particular have a suction hood which sucks air from above the active carrier part. This air can be redirected and fed to the exhaust air inlet. The suction hood can in particular be height-adjustable.

A filter, in particular a lint filter, is preferably arranged upstream of the exhaust air inlet, in particular in the suction hood. This filter prevents lint from the garment being ironed from clogging the air channels in the heat exchanger and thereby impairing the energy transfer from the exhaust air flow to the supply air flow.

A condensate container or a condensate outlet is preferably provided in the heat recovery unit. This can, in particular, absorb or remove condensation from the exhaust air flow that accumulates on the heat exchanger. The condensate container can be emptied occasionally or can have a drain through which the resulting condensate is continuously drained away.

The heat recovery unit can be understood in particular as an additional module for a finisher device. This can also be retrofitted to an existing finisher device, for example. This allows modular use.

The finisher system preferably has a fan for exhaust air and/or a fan for supply air. The performances of the two fans can be coupled to one another in particular via a control unit. For example, the power of the fan for supply air can be reduced while the clothing on the carrier part is being replaced. Advantageously, the two fans are linked in terms of control so that in this case the output of the fan for exhaust air is also reduced, since only a small amount of heated exhaust air is available for suction. Such a simple coupling of the two fans also contributes to energy savings when operating the finisher system.

In particular, the finisher device can have means for heating the supply air. These can, for example, be designed as electric heaters. They can be used to heat supply air in addition to heating by the heat exchanger. The finisher device can also have means for humidifying the supply air. This allows the desired water or steam content to be achieved.

Finisher devices typically smooth and dry textiles in one operation. The garment is shaped using steam and tension and then dried using a fan and heat (ironing). The trick is to design the devices so that different cuts and sizes can be processed equally well. To ensure this, both the height and the shoulder width can preferably be varied. In some cases, the appropriate height is set automatically by a sensor (e.g. light barrier). The more accurately the size adjustment is achieved, the less preparatory and subsequent work is necessary. The required steam can be produced in a central steam generator and transported to the device via pipes or it has a built-in steam generator (→ commercial steam ironing system). The steam pressure achieved is significantly higher than with standard household devices and can reach up to 6.5 bar.

In the vapor phase, steam, especially superheated steam, typically emerges, causing the fibers to swell slightly, making them easier to straighten. A fan then typically dries the fabric so that it remains smooth. The length of the steam phase, the duration of the fan (air time) and the amount of air can be adjusted and adapted to the fibers and the residual moisture of the textiles.

• 1: ein Finisher-System,
• 2: das Finisher-System in einer anderen Ansicht,
• 3: einen Schnitt durch das Finisher-System, und
• 4: eine Finisher-Anordnung.

Further features and advantages of the invention result from the following description of the accompanying drawing. Show:

• 1 : a finisher system,
• 2 : the finisher system in another view,
• 3 : a section through the finisher system, and
• 4 : a finisher arrangement.

1 shows purely schematically a finisher system 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The finisher system 10 has a finisher device 11. This has an active carrier part 12, which can be designed, for example, as an inflatable doll. The active carrier part 12 can in particular be air-permeable and/or have active tensioning elements. For example, a shirt can be stretched on it for ironing. There is an exhaust hood 14 above it.

A heat recovery unit 20 is located directly on a rear side of the finisher device 11. The heat recovery unit 20 has a rear side 22. The back 22 is aligned opposite to the finisher device 11 or a front side of the finisher device 11, on which the carrier part 12 is located. The heat recovery unit 20 also has a bottom 24 and a top 26. The top 26 points upwards. The underside 24 of the heat recovery unit 20 rests on the finisher device 11 or on a base part 16 of the finisher device 11.

A supply air inlet 30 is arranged on the back 22. This allows a supply air stream to be drawn in from the environment. An exhaust air outlet 37 is arranged on the top 26. This allows exhaust air to be released.

2 shows the finisher system 10 of 1 in a different view. Regarding the description, please note 1 referred. The air flows are discussed below with reference to 3 to be discribed.

3 shows the finisher system 10 in a sectional view and in particular shows further components and the air flows flowing through. A supply air stream 40 is sucked in through the supply air inlet 30 and initially runs horizontally through the heat recovery unit 20. The supply air stream 40 runs through a heat exchanger 31 of the heat recovery unit 20, the heat exchanger 31 being designed as a countercurrent heat exchanger. In this case, at least one plate 33 is formed, which separates supply air and exhaust air from one another.

After passing through the heat exchanger 31, the supply air flow 40 is redirected downwards by approximately 90°, whereby it reaches the supply air outlet 32 of the heat recovery unit 20. The supply air stream 40 passes through a supply air connection 15 of the finisher device 11 into the base part 16, on which the heat recovery unit 20 rests and in which the supply air stream 40 is in turn deflected. A fan 18 is also arranged in the base part 16, which ensures a directed movement of the supply air flow 40. This can also contain means for humidifying and/or heating the supply air flow. In particular, during a drying phase, moistening can be dispensed with.

The supply air stream 40 is then deflected upwards and reaches the active carrier part 12 as a warm supply air stream 45. The supply air stream 40 is already heated, in particular by the effect of the heat exchanger 31 and also by the means for heating or a heater, which can also be arranged in the base part 16. The warm supply air stream 45 flows out in the active carrier part 12 and is used to process or iron a piece of clothing. The air is then at least predominantly sucked in as an exhaust air stream 50 through the exhaust hood 14. There is also a fan 19 for sucking in the air flow. The exhaust air flow 50 is then deflected downwards and reaches the exhaust air inlet 35 of the heat recovery unit 20. It then reaches the heat exchanger 31 and runs at least along a distance parallel to the supply air flow 40. Heat transfer takes place through the plate 33, so that heat is transferred to the exhaust air flow 50 is withdrawn and fed to the supply air stream 40. The exhaust air stream 50 is then directed upwards again into the exhaust air outlet 37, which it leaves as a cooled exhaust air stream 55. The exhaust air can then be removed in a suitable manner.

4 shows a finisher arrangement 5 according to an embodiment of the invention. Here, purely schematically, three finisher systems 10 are shown, which are arranged next to each other and which, for example, as with reference to 1 until 3 can be carried out as described. The respective exhaust air outlet 37 is connected to a common exhaust air line 6. The exhaust air line 6 is arranged above the finisher systems 10 and ensures that the resulting exhaust air is removed together.

Such arrangements are particularly advantageously possible because the exhaust air outlet 37 or a nozzle forming the exhaust air outlet 37 can be positioned more freely than in other designs. This is due to the air flow described, which is made possible by the countercurrent heat exchanger.

Overall, the design described can achieve a spatially compact and energetically efficient design, where superheated steam can be fed to an active carrier part and the lowest possible external heat supply is required for this. The resulting exhaust air can be efficiently drained away, thus creating a pleasant working environment for operating personnel.

Reference symbol list

5

Finisher arrangement

6

exhaust pipe

10

Finisher system

11

Finisher device

12

active carrier part

14

exhaust hood

15

Supply air connection

16

bottom part

18

fan

19

fan

20

Heat recovery unit

21

Heat exchanger

22

back

24

bottom

26

Top

30

Supply air inlet

32

Supply air outlet

33

plate

35

Exhaust air inlet

37

Exhaust air outlet

40

supply air flow

45

warm supply air flow

50

Exhaust air flow

55

cooled exhaust air flow

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102011008501 B3 [0004]

Claims (17)

Heat recovery unit (20) for attachment to an open finisher device (11), which comprises an active carrier part (12) for expanding garments, wherein the heat recovery unit (20) has a heat exchanger (21) for heating a supply air stream (40) from the environment by means of an exhaust air stream (50) from the finisher device (11), the heat exchanger (21) having the following: - a supply air inlet (30) through which cool, dry ambient air can flow in, - a supply air outlet (32), through which the ambient air heated in the heat exchanger (21) can flow to the finisher device (11), - an exhaust air inlet (35), through which hot, moist exhaust air from the finisher device (11) can flow to the heat exchanger (21), and - an exhaust air outlet (37), through which the moist exhaust air cooled in the heat exchanger (21) can flow out, - Wherein the heat exchanger (21) is designed as a countercurrent heat exchanger. Heat recovery unit (20). Claim 1 , - wherein the heat exchanger (21) leads the supply air flow (40) and the exhaust air flow (50) at least partially parallel to one another. Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the heat exchanger (21) has one or more plates (33) which separate the supply air flow (40) and exhaust air flow (50) from one another. Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, - The supply air inlet (30) is designed for the horizontal inflow of supply air. Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, - The supply air inlet (30) is arranged on a side opposite to the finisher device (11). Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, - The supply air outlet (32) is designed for the downward flow of supply air. Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the supply air outlet (32) is arranged on an underside (24) of the heat recovery unit (20). Heat recovery unit (20). Claim 7 , - the heat recovery unit (20) rests with its underside (24) on the finisher device (11). Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the supply air flow (40) in the heat recovery unit (20) is deflected at least substantially by 90°. Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the exhaust air inlet (35) is arranged on a top side (26) of the heat recovery unit (20). Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the exhaust air outlet (37) is arranged on an upper side (26) of the heat recovery unit (20). Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, - Wherein the exhaust air flow (50) is deflected at least substantially by 180°. Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, - The exhaust air outlet (37) is designed to be connected to an upper exhaust air line (6). Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the heat recovery unit (20) can be mounted on a rear side of the finisher device (11), which is opposite to a front side on which the active carrier part (12) is arranged. Open finisher system (10), in particular for treating shirts or trousers, with a finisher device (11), which comprises an active carrier part (12) for expanding garments, and a heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims. Finisher system (10). Claim 15 , - wherein the supply air outlet (32) of the heat recovery unit (20) is in flow connection with a supply air connection (15) of the finisher device (11). Finisher arrangement (5), comprising - one or more finisher systems (10). Claim 16 , and - an exhaust pipe (6), which is above the or the finisher systems (10) is arranged and is connected to the exhaust air outlets (37).

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