EP4107457B1 - Tempering system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a tempering system for tempering workpieces, in particular for heating and/or cooling vehicle bodies.

For example, tempering systems have a tempering chamber through which the workpieces can be conveyed along a conveying direction. In addition, an air supply system for supplying air to the tempering chamber, an exhaust air system for removing exhaust air from the tempering chamber and one or more recirculation systems for circulating at least part of the air guided in the tempering chamber are usually provided.

For reasons of energy efficiency, the supply air system and the exhaust air system are usually coupled with each other, in particular in order to be able to transfer heat from the exhaust air to the supply air. However, the disadvantage here can be that a complex duct system and/or a large amount of space is required. Examples from the prior art are disclosed, for example, in US2014/352169 A1 , EP 2 738 501 A2 , EN 10 2015 003856 A1 , US 2013/014406 A1 , US 2019/389434 A1 , EP 0 047 432 A1 , EN 10 2015 214706 A1 and EP 0 268 691 A1 .

The present invention is based on the object of providing a temperature control system which has a reduced installation effort and a smaller space requirement.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a temperature control system according to claim 1.

The tempering system for tempering workpieces is in particular a tempering system for heating and/or cooling vehicle bodies.

The tempering system comprises a tempering chamber through which the workpieces can be conveyed along a conveying direction. Furthermore, the temperature control system comprises an air supply system for supplying air to the temperature control room and/or an exhaust air system for removing exhaust air from the temperature control room.

The temperature control system comprises one or more recirculation systems for circulating at least part of the air in the temperature control room.

Reduced installation effort and/or reduced space requirements can result, for example, if the supply air system and the exhaust air system are arranged spatially separate from each other.

The supply air system and the exhaust air system are spaced apart from each other along the conveying direction.

The supply air system and the exhaust air system preferably do not have any components that overlap along the conveying direction or are otherwise in direct spatial connection or operative connection.

It can be advantageous if the supply air system and the exhaust air system have fans that are different from one another and/or can be operated independently of one another.

One or more recirculation systems are arranged with respect to the conveying direction between the supply air system on the one hand and the exhaust air system on the other.

The one or more recirculation systems are arranged along the conveying direction between the supply air system and the exhaust air system. In particular, the supply air system and the exhaust air system are arranged at opposite ends of the temperature control room.

By means of the one or more air circulation systems, air can be taken from the temperature control room and at least partially fed back into the temperature control room. For this purpose, the one or more air circulation systems each comprise one or more fans, which are designed in particular as cascade fans.

The one or more recirculation systems do not necessarily serve to guide the air in a closed circuit. Rather, "circulation" is preferably understood to mean any type of air removal from the tempering room and renewed air supply to the tempering room, especially when the air removal and the air supply take place at different points along the conveying direction.

It may be advantageous if the supply air system, the exhaust air system and the one or more recirculation air systems are each assigned to different temperature control room sections of the temperature control room, in particular with regard to the respective air supply and/or air discharge.

In particular, the temperature control system comprises a plurality of temperature control system sections arranged successively along the conveying direction, which are formed in particular by temperature control system modules.

Preferably, each temperature control system section is assigned exactly one or more temperature control room sections.

Furthermore, it can be provided that each temperature control system section forms or comprises exactly one or more temperature control room sections.

Each temperature control system section is preferably assigned to exactly one supply air system, exactly one exhaust air system and/or exactly one recirculation air system.

Furthermore, it can be provided that several temperature control system sections are each assigned exclusively to a supply air system or exclusively to an exhaust air system or exclusively to a recirculation system.

It may be advantageous if the supply air system, the exhaust air system and the one or more recirculation systems each comprise one or more fans, in particular for driving an air flow.

The supply air system, the exhaust air system and the one or more recirculation systems preferably each comprise independent ducts and/or ducts for connecting them to the temperature control room.

It can be advantageous if the supply air system and the exhaust air system are connected to each other by means of a return duct, whereby the return duct extends in particular past one or more recirculation systems.

By means of the return duct, in particular, exhaust air from the exhaust air system can be mixed with the supply air in the supply air system as required. In particular, an adjustable, controllable and/or adjustable portion of the exhaust air can be fed into the supply air system via the return duct.

As an alternative or in addition to the addition of exhaust air to the supply air, provision can be made for the supply air to be supplied with unconditioned or conditioned hall air and/or hot air from a heating device, for example fresh air from a clean gas-heated fresh air heat exchanger. Hot air can also be provided, for example, by means of a hot water register or another heating device, for example a thermal exhaust air purification device.

It can be advantageous if a fresh air heat exchanger is oversized so that it can condition more than just one gas volume flow required for a dryer section of the temperature control room, so that in particular a partial volume flow of a total gas volume flow conditioned by the fresh air heat exchanger, in particular in the form of hot fresh air, can be fed to a cooling section of the temperature control chamber. One or more heat exchangers, which would in particular be assigned to the cooling section of the temperature control chamber, are preferably dispensable as a result.

The supply air system, the exhaust air system and/or one or more recirculation systems are preferably arranged laterally next to the temperature control room and/or horizontally adjacent to the temperature control room or to a housing surrounding the temperature control room.

The supply air system, the exhaust air system and/or the one or more recirculation systems are directly adjacent to a housing wall of a housing of the temperature control room or are integrated into the housing of the temperature control room.

In particular, it can be provided that the supply air system, the exhaust air system and/or the one or more recirculation systems are located on an outer side, in particular an outer wall, of a housing surrounding the temperature control chamber, directly adjacent to the housing.

By means of an opening in the housing wall, a fluid connection is then preferably established or can be established between the supply air system, the exhaust air system or the one or more recirculation systems on the one hand and an interior of the housing, in particular the temperature control chamber.

Preferably, the supply air system, the exhaust air system and/or the one or more recirculation air systems rest essentially completely on a floor on which the housing that surrounds the temperature control room also rests. A separate support structure for accommodating the supply air system, the exhaust air system and/or the one or more recirculation air systems is then preferably unnecessary.

It may be advantageous if, by means of one or more recirculation systems, air from at least one temperature control chamber section can be removed from the temperature control chamber and fed to one or more further temperature control chamber sections, in particular to temperature control chamber sections preceding or following in the conveying direction.

By means of one or more recirculation systems, air in a floor area of at least one temperature control room section can be extracted.

It may be advantageous if, by means of one or more recirculation systems, air can be supplied to a ceiling area of an interior space surrounded by the housing, in particular to one or more pressure chambers.

It can be advantageous if several filter stages are provided for filtering the supply air and/or the recirculated air.

Preferably, at least a first filter stage is integrated into the supply air system and/or the recirculation air system or arranged in the supply air system and/or the recirculation air system.

At least a second filter stage is preferably arranged within a housing surrounding the temperature control chamber.

The at least one second filter stage is in particular a filter stage close to the nozzle, which is arranged in particular upstream with respect to a flow direction of the air and thus in front of one or more nozzles for supplying air to the temperature control chamber.

The at least one first filter stage is preferably a coarse filter stage, which for example meets filter class D4 at most. This makes it possible to achieve a large air throughput with a low pressure loss, especially if the size of the at least one first filter stage is limited due to spatial conditions.

The at least one second filter stage is preferably a fine filter stage, which in particular has filter class F5 or finer. This makes it possible to remove in particular impurities from the air stream which have passed through the at least one first filter stage.

The at least one second filter stage is arranged in particular within the housing surrounding the temperature control chamber and is formed, for example, by several filter mats. The at least one second filter stage can thus preferably be designed to have a large surface area, so that the finer filter class also generates a preferably low pressure loss.

The at least one second filter stage is arranged in particular between the at least one pressure chamber and the temperature control chamber.

Alternatively, it can also be provided that one or more, in particular all, filter stages are arranged exclusively within the housing surrounding the temperature control chamber. This one filter stage or these several filter stages then preferably have individual or several or all features of a filter stage referred to as the "first filter stage" and/or individual or several or all features of a filter stage referred to as the "second filter stage".

It may be advantageous if the supply air system, the exhaust air system and/or the one or more recirculation systems are arranged on one side on or in a side wall of a housing of the temperature control room.

In particular, it can be provided that the supply air system, the exhaust air system and/or the one or more recirculation systems are arranged on or in the same side wall of the housing of the temperature control room.

Only one or more distribution ducts of the supply air system, the exhaust air system and/or the one or more recirculation air systems preferably run above the temperature control chamber, in particular above the housing or within the housing.

The tempering room is or forms in particular a tempering tunnel.

It may be advantageous if a supply air duct for the intake of supply air and/or an exhaust air duct for the discharge of exhaust air is/are designed as a ventilation tower, wherein the respective ventilation tower rests on a floor and/or extends vertically upwards from a floor, in particular free of flow deflections and/or free of support structures, preferably free of external and/or separate support structures.

It can be advantageous if one or both ventilation towers each have at least one lateral access opening, in particular a flap. A section of the respective ventilation tower having the access opening is then preferably reinforced by means of a reinforcing structure. The reinforcing structure can in particular be an insertable or pluggable stiffening ring. Such a reinforcing structure makes it possible to dispense with additional, in particular external, support structures or load-bearing structures for stabilizing the respective ventilation tower.

It can be provided that the tempering system comprises a conveying device by means of which the workpieces can be conveyed through the tempering chamber in a longitudinal orientation thereof.

Alternatively, the tempering system may comprise a conveying device by means of which the workpieces can be conveyed through the tempering chamber in a transverse orientation thereof.

A longitudinal alignment is in particular an alignment of the workpieces such that a workpiece longitudinal axis, for example a vehicle longitudinal axis, is aligned parallel to the conveying direction when the workpieces are conveyed along the conveying direction.

In the case of transverse alignment, a longitudinal axis of the workpiece is preferably aligned transversely to the conveying direction, in particular perpendicular to the conveying direction, during the conveying of the workpiece.

In both the longitudinal and transverse orientations, the longitudinal axis of the workpiece is preferably aligned horizontally or forms an angle of no more than approximately 30°, preferably no more than approximately 10°, with the horizontal.

It can be advantageous if one or more intake openings are provided in a floor area of the temperature control system for the recirculation system and/or the exhaust air system.

It may be advantageous if supply air and/or circulated air can be supplied to the temperature control room, in particular exclusively, via one or more pressure chambers of the temperature control system arranged only on one side, in particular on the same side of the temperature control room.

It can be provided that a pressure chamber is formed on both sides of the temperature control chamber, through which the air can be introduced into the temperature control chamber. The two pressure chambers are preferably fluidically connected to one another by means of a connecting channel and/or connecting chamber.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that at least one partition wall separating the tempering chamber on the one hand and the one or more pressure chambers on the other hand is adapted at least in sections to a contour of the workpiece to be treated. It can be advantageous if the temperature control system comprises several temperature control system sections, wherein each temperature control system section corresponds to a holding position of the workpieces in a cyclic conveying operation of a conveying device of the temperature control system.

It can be advantageous if the connecting channel and/or the connecting space is arranged inside a housing that surrounds the temperature control space. An arrangement outside the housing is also conceivable.

In particular, if the temperature control system is to have as short an overall length as possible along the conveying direction, it can be provided that the axis of rotation of one or more fans of the supply air system, the exhaust air system and/or the one or more recirculation air systems is/are aligned perpendicular to the conveying direction. This means that a removal space extending laterally away from the temperature control system can be used for maintenance purposes.

Furthermore, in particular when the supply air system, the exhaust air system and/or the one or more recirculation systems are far apart from one another, an alignment of the rotation axis of the one or more fans running parallel to the conveying direction can be selected. This makes it possible to minimize the space required for maintenance purposes on one or both sides of the temperature control system.

The optimized arrangement and/or design of the supply air system, the exhaust air system and/or the one or more recirculation systems means that a separate support structure, in particular a steel structure, is not required. In addition, this preferably allows a high degree of pre-assembly to be achieved. Furthermore, the temperature control system can preferably be implemented cost-effectively and with little effort.

According to an advantageous combination of features, it is provided that a pressure chamber is formed on each side of the temperature control chamber, via which the air can be introduced into the temperature control chamber, wherein the two pressure chambers are fluidly connected to one another by means of a connecting channel and/or connecting chamber, wherein the connecting channel and/or the connecting chamber is arranged within a housing which surrounds the temperature control chamber.

Such a configuration can be particularly advantageous if the temperature control system is a temperature control system for heating vehicle bodies.

The one or more recirculation systems are or include, in particular, heating systems for heating the air.

Alternatively or additionally, the one or more recirculation systems may also be or include cooling systems for cooling the air.

In particular, one or more heat exchangers can be provided for heating or cooling the air circulated by means of the one or more recirculation systems.

It can be advantageous if the housing is essentially cuboid-shaped.

The housing preferably comprises an outer wall which at least partially forms or comprises a thermal insulation region, in particular for thermally insulating an interior of the housing from an environment thereof.

Preferably, the connecting channel and/or the connecting space is completely within an interior space of the Housing, in particular thermally insulated from an environment of the housing by means of the thermal insulation region.

It may be advantageous if the connecting channel and/or the connecting space is delimited by an outer wall of the housing, in particular a thermal insulation area of the outer wall of the housing, and/or by a partition wall delimiting the temperature control space.

The connecting channel and/or the connecting space is delimited by the partition wall, in particular with respect to the downward direction of gravity. With respect to the upward direction of gravity, the connecting channel and/or the connecting space is preferably delimited by the outer wall, in particular a ceiling wall of the housing.

The connecting channel and/or connecting space preferably extends above the temperature control space, in particular directly above the temperature control space.

Preferably, the connecting channel and/or connecting space fills a spatial area within the housing which lies in a vertical projection above the temperature control space.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the connecting channel and/or connecting space is formed by a spatial area within the housing which lies in a vertical projection above the temperature control space.

It may be advantageous if the connecting channel and/or connecting space has a length along the conveying direction which corresponds to at least approximately twice, preferably at least approximately five times, in particular at least approximately ten times, a height of the connecting channel and/or the connecting space.

The height is in particular an extension in the vertical direction.

The dimensions given in this description and the appended claims refer in particular to mean values of the specified parameters.

It may be advantageous if the connecting channel and/or connecting space has a width in the horizontal direction and perpendicular to the conveying direction which corresponds to at least approximately twice, preferably at least approximately four times, in particular at least approximately eight times, a height of the connecting channel and/or the connecting space.

The dimensioning of the connecting channel and/or connecting space described above makes it possible to achieve efficient air flow within the housing with minimized pressure loss.

It may be advantageous if a partition wall separates the temperature control chamber from at least one of the pressure chambers and/or from the connecting channel and/or connecting chamber.

It can be advantageous if the partition wall is made up of several parts.

It may be advantageous if the partition wall comprises a ceiling partition wall separating the temperature control chamber from the connecting duct and/or the connecting chamber.

Alternatively or in addition to this, it can be provided that the partition wall comprises one or more side partition walls, each of which separates a pressure chamber from the temperature control chamber and/or each of which has one or more inlet openings for supplying air from the respective pressure chamber to the temperature control chamber. One or more inlet openings are provided in particular with one or more nozzles or nozzle receptacles.

It can be advantageous if the partition wall comprises one or more filter partition walls, each of which forms a filter stage within the temperature control chamber and/or between a pressure chamber and the temperature control chamber. The one or more filter partition walls form, in particular, fine filter stages.

It may be advantageous if the partition wall comprises one or more distribution spaces, which are each arranged and/or formed in particular between a filter partition wall of the partition wall and a side partition wall of the partition wall.

The one or more filter partitions each comprise in particular one or more receptacles for one or more filter elements, for example filter mats.

The one or more distribution chambers serve in particular to uniformly supply the air flowing from the pressure chambers through the one or more filter elements to the one or more inlet openings.

It may be advantageous if one or more of the one or more recirculation systems each comprise a heating device by means of which at least part of the air guided in the temperature control chamber can be heated.

The heating device can in particular comprise a heat exchanger, by means of which heat can be transferred from a heat transfer medium to at least part of the air fed into the temperature control chamber.

The heat transfer can occur directly or indirectly.

For example, clean gas heating can be provided with a decentralized heat exchanger. In this case, one or more recirculation systems can each be assigned a clean gas heat exchanger, with the help of which heat is transferred from a clean gas (heating gas) to the air to be supplied to the temperature control room.

Alternatively or in addition to this, a clean gas heating system can be provided by means of a central heat exchanger. In this case, one or more of the recirculation systems can be provided with a hot gas flap (hot air flap), by means of which hot gas from a central heat exchanger can be mixed in a controlled and/or regulated manner with the air circulated by the respective recirculation system.

Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, a burner heater can be provided, with one or more of the recirculation systems each being provided with its own burner for directly or indirectly heating the air. The air used for the respective burner can be fresh air, in particular hall air. Furthermore, air from the temperature control room can be used to operate the burner, in particular exhaust air from the exhaust air system, with the resulting burner flue gas preferably being fed to a regenerative thermal oxidation system for further exhaust gas aftertreatment, for example.

Furthermore, it can be provided that a burner serves to completely clean the exhaust air. This can be provided in particular in the case of a modular thermal exhaust gas cleaning device, especially if the burner serves both to provide heating energy and to clean the exhaust air.

It may be advantageous if the supply air system, the exhaust air system and/or the one or more recirculation systems each comprise one or more guide elements, in particular guide plates, for influencing a flow.

Influencing the flow can be particularly advantageous if the supply air system, the exhaust air system and/or one or more recirculation systems are located laterally next to the temperature control room and/or in the horizontal direction are arranged adjacent to the temperature control chamber or to a housing surrounding the temperature control chamber. By means of one or more guide elements, in particular guide plates, a uniform distribution of the flow can then be achieved in particular along and/or across the conveying direction and/or on both sides of the temperature control chamber.

In particular, when the supply air system, the exhaust air system and/or one or more recirculation air systems are arranged to the side of the temperature control chamber and/or horizontally adjacent to the temperature control chamber or to a housing surrounding the temperature control chamber, it can also be advantageous if air discharged from the temperature control chamber is sucked in and/or supplied via one or more guide elements, in particular guide plates, which extend at least largely in the horizontal direction and/or deflect in the vertical direction, wherein the air is then distributed to one or more filter elements and/or to one or more heat exchangers, for example by means of one or more guide elements, in particular guide plates, which extend at least largely in the vertical direction and/or deflect in the horizontal direction.

Preferably, at least one distributor structure is arranged upstream, in particular directly upstream, of one or more filter elements and/or upstream, in particular directly upstream, of one or more heat exchangers, which in particular each comprises one or more guide elements or is formed therefrom.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that upstream, in particular immediately upstream, of one or more filter elements and/or upstream, in particular immediately upstream, of one or more heat exchangers, at least one collecting structure is arranged, which in particular comprises one or more guide elements or is formed therefrom.

Preferably, one or more guide elements are formed completely or in sections uniformly and/or continuously curved, whereby preferably a gentle flow deflection or flow diversion can be achieved, in particular while avoiding or minimizing turbulence.

A guide element is in particular an element different from a channel or other spatially limiting flow guide.

In particular, a guide element serves to influence the flow within a flow channel and/or flow space.

It may be advantageous if the connecting channel and/or the connecting space comprise one or more guide elements for influencing a flow within the connecting channel and/or the connecting space.

The one or more guide elements preferably extend at least approximately over an entire height of the connecting channel and/or the connecting space.

In particular, the one or more guide elements extend over at least approximately 10%, preferably at least approximately 30%, for example at least approximately 50%, of an entire length of a respective connecting channel and/or connecting space along the conveying direction.

The one or more guide elements preferably serve to deflect and/or distribute the air flowing into the connecting channel and/or connecting space transversely to the inflow direction. In particular, it can be provided that the air flows into the connecting channel and/or connecting space essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction and is then deflected by means of one or more guide elements, in particular in a direction which has an angle of less than 45°, preferably less than 20°, with the conveying direction. In this way, the entire length the connecting channel and/or connecting space along the conveying direction can be used to distribute the incoming air to one or both pressure spaces.

One or more guide elements are preferably vertically deflecting guide elements, in particular guide plates.

Alternatively or in addition to this, it can be provided that one or more guide elements are guide elements that deflect in the horizontal direction, in particular guide plates.

It can be provided that one or more guide elements each have one or more through-openings. This preferably allows air distribution to be optimized by means of the one or more guide elements.

In particular, it can be provided that one or more guide elements are designed as perforated plates or each comprise at least one perforated plate.

It may be advantageous if one or more guide elements are arranged with respect to a transverse direction running horizontally and perpendicular to the conveying direction between two guide regions of the conveying device extending along the conveying direction, in particular in a spatial region located above the tempering chamber or below the tempering chamber.

A guide region of the conveying device is formed in particular by a rail extending along the conveying direction and/or by a plurality of roller elements or guide elements arranged one after the other along the conveying direction.

It may be advantageous if the one or more recirculation systems each have one or more fans and/or one or more heating devices and/or one or more cooling devices and/or each comprise independent channels and/or feedthroughs for connection to the temperature control room.

For example, it can be provided that each air circulation system is assigned exactly one fan, by means of which air can be sucked in from the temperature control chamber and fed from one side of the housing surrounding the temperature control chamber into the interior of the housing. The air, which is preferably fed in the ceiling area, is preferably distributed to both pressure chambers arranged on both sides of the temperature control chamber via the connecting duct and/or connecting chamber and fed to the temperature control chamber via the pressure chambers.

It can be advantageous if the air is discharged from the temperature control room essentially centrally in a respective temperature control system section with respect to the conveying direction. This can preferably minimize air exchange or other impairment between adjacent temperature control system sections.

In the case of a cycle conveyor device, it is preferably provided that the air is discharged from the respective tempering system section between two cycle positions (cycles; holding positions) at which the workpieces are stopped for one cycle. This preferably minimizes an undesirable influence of the air discharge on the tempering of the workpieces.

It can be advantageous if the extraction and/or removal of the air from the tempering chamber takes place between two cycle positions. This can preferably generate an optimized convection flow between the cycle positions. Furthermore, the extraction and/or removal can preferably take place completely outside the individual spatial areas in which the workpieces are stopped for a cycle. This in turn preferably enables a flexible and/or restriction-free arrangement of nozzles over the entire individual spatial areas in which the workpieces are stopped for one cycle.

By means of the extraction and/or removal between the cycle positions and/or by means of an arrangement of outlets and/or channels required for the extraction and/or removal between the cycle positions, space can preferably be created for an arrangement of nozzles for supplying air to the tempering chamber, distributed along the conveying direction over an entire cycle position (cycle; stopping position; body length/stopping space length). This preferably enables uniform tempering of the workpieces.

In particular, by integrating a connecting channel and/or connecting space into an interior of the housing, a particularly compact design of the temperature control system can be achieved. For example, this can be used to accommodate a temperature control system with two temperature control spaces that run parallel to each other at least in sections in a small space.

In this case, it can be provided in particular that the temperature control system comprises two temperature control rooms which run parallel to one another at least in sections and to which different and/or independent recirculation systems are assigned.

In this case, it can be provided that two housings surrounding the temperature control chambers are directly adjacent to one another and/or are formed at least in sections by the same walls, in particular a common outer wall, which then forms an intermediate wall.

Alternatively or in addition to this, it can be provided that the one or more recirculation systems of each temperature control room are arranged on an outside of the housing surrounding this temperature control room, whereby these The outside is arranged facing away from the other housing. The two temperature control rooms are thus arranged between the recirculation systems in a direction that runs horizontally and perpendicular to the conveying direction.

In particular, one or more conveying devices can be provided for conveying the workpieces through a temperature control chamber.

For example, a chain conveyor and/or a roller conveyor can be provided as a conveying device. Rail conveyors and/or ground-based transport systems, in particular free-moving driverless transport systems, can also be provided. In addition to cyclic conveying, continuous conveying can also be provided.

Further preferred features and/or advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawings of embodiments.

Fig. 1

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform einer Temperieranlage;

Fig. 2

eine weitere schematische perspektivische Darstellung der Temperieranlage aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

einen schematischen vertikalen Querschnitt durch eine Zuluftanlage der Temperieranlage aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

einen weiteren schematischen vertikalen Querschnitt durch die Zuluftanlage der Temperieranlage aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 5

einen schematischen vertikalen Querschnitt durch eine Umluftanlage der Temperieranlage aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 6

einen schematischen vertikalen Querschnitt durch eine Abluftanlage der Temperieranlage aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 7

einen schematischen vertikalen Längsschnitt durch eine Zuluftanlage, eine Umluftanlage und eine Abluftanlage der Temperieranlage aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 8

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer Temperieranlage;

Fig. 9

eine weitere schematische perspektivische Darstellung der Temperieranlage aus Fig. 8;

Fig. 10

einen schematischen vertikalen Längsschnitt durch seitliche Druckräume der Temperieranlage aus Fig. 8;

Fig. 11

einen schematischen vertikalen Längsschnitt durch eine Zuluftanlage, eine Umluftanlage und eine Abluftanlage der Temperieranlage aus Fig. 8;

Fig. 12

einen schematischen horizontalen Schnitt durch einen Bodenbereich der Temperieranlage aus Fig. 8;

Fig. 13

eine schematische Draufsicht von oben auf den horizontalen Schnitt aus Fig. 12;

Fig. 14

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Oberseite der Temperieranlage aus Fig. 8;

Fig. 15

einen Abschnitt eines Lüftungsturms einer Zuluftanlage oder Abluftanlage der Temperieranlage aus Fig. 8, wobei eine Verstärkungsstruktur zur Verstärkung vorgesehen ist;

Fig. 16

einen schematischen perspektivischen vertikalen Querschnitt durch eine dritte Ausführungsform einer Temperieranlage, welche nicht Teil der beanspruchten Erfindung ist;

Fig. 17

einen schematischen perspektivischen vertikalen Längsschnitt durch eine Umluftanlage der Temperieranlage aus Fig. 16 zur Illustration der Luftströmungen; und

Fig. 18

einen schematischen perspektivischen vertikalen Querschnitt durch eine vierte Ausführungsform einer Temperieranlage, welche nicht Teil der beanspruchten Erfindung ist.

The drawings show:

Fig.1

a schematic perspective representation of a first embodiment of a temperature control system;

Fig.2

another schematic perspective view of the temperature control system from Fig.1 ;

Fig. 3

a schematic vertical cross-section through a supply air system of the temperature control system Fig.1 ;

Fig.4

another schematic vertical cross-section through the supply air system of the temperature control system Fig.1 ;

Fig.5

a schematic vertical cross-section through a recirculation system of the temperature control system from Fig.1 ;

Fig.6

a schematic vertical cross-section through an exhaust air system of the temperature control system Fig.1 ;

Fig.7

a schematic vertical longitudinal section through a supply air system, a recirculation air system and an exhaust air system of the temperature control system from Fig.1 ;

Fig.8

a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a temperature control system;

Fig.9

another schematic perspective view of the temperature control system from Fig.8 ;

Fig.10

a schematic vertical longitudinal section through lateral pressure chambers of the temperature control system Fig.8 ;

Fig. 11

a schematic vertical longitudinal section through a supply air system, a recirculation air system and an exhaust air system of the temperature control system from Fig.8 ;

Fig. 12

a schematic horizontal section through a floor area of the temperature control system Fig.8 ;

Fig. 13

a schematic top view of the horizontal section from Fig. 12 ;

Fig. 14

a schematic plan view of a top side of the temperature control system Fig.8 ;

Fig. 15

a section of a ventilation tower of a supply air system or exhaust air system of the temperature control system Fig.8 , wherein a reinforcing structure is provided for reinforcement;

Fig. 16

a schematic perspective vertical cross-section through a third embodiment of a temperature control system, which is not part of the claimed invention;

Fig. 17

a schematic perspective vertical longitudinal section through a recirculation system of the temperature control system from Fig. 16 to illustrate the air currents; and

Fig. 18

a schematic perspective vertical cross-section through a fourth embodiment of a temperature control system, which is not part of the claimed invention.

Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

One in the Fig. 1 to 7 The first embodiment of a tempering system, designated as a whole by 100, shown in FIG. 1 serves in particular for tempering workpieces 102, for example vehicle bodies 104 (see in this regard the Fig. 18 shown fourth embodiment).

A tempering system 100 comprises in particular a tempering chamber 106 through which the workpieces 102 can be conveyed along a conveying direction 110 by means of a conveying device 108.

The temperature control chamber 106 is in particular surrounded by a housing 112, which is, for example, essentially cuboid-shaped.

The air in the temperature control chamber 106 is preferably itself tempered, in particular conditioned, for tempering the workpieces 102. For example, cooling and/or heating of the air is provided.

For this purpose, the temperature control system 100 comprises an air supply system 114, by means of which air supply, in particular tempered fresh air, can be supplied to the temperature control room 106. The air supply system 114 comprises in particular an air supply duct 116, which is designed, for example, as a ventilation tower 118 and serves to suck in air above a hall roof.

The supply air system 114 further comprises a fan 120 for driving the air and a distribution channel 122, by means of which the air can be distributed to one or two pressure chambers 124 within the housing 122 in order to ultimately be supplied to the temperature control chamber 106 via the pressure chambers 124 (see the Fig. 3 to 6 ).

As is particularly evident from Fig.7 As can be seen, the supply air system 114 can further be provided with one or more filter stages 126 and/or one or more heat exchangers 128, in particular for cleaning and/or conditioning the air.

Humidification and/or dehumidification of the air can also be optionally provided by means of appropriate conditioning devices.

The temperature control system 100 further comprises a recirculation system 130, which in particular comprises at least one fan 120 and serves to remove air from the temperature control chamber 106 and to supply it again to the temperature control chamber 106.

Furthermore, the temperature control system 100 comprises an exhaust air system 132, which in particular comprises an exhaust air duct 134.

The exhaust air duct 134 is designed, for example, as a ventilation tower 136 and serves to remove exhaust air from the temperature control room 106 and to release the exhaust air into the environment, for example via a hall roof.

The exhaust air system 132 further comprises a fan 120, by means of which air can be extracted from the temperature control chamber 106 and released into the environment.

Optionally, a return duct 138 can also be provided, by means of which a connection can be established between the exhaust air duct 134 of the exhaust air system 132 and the supply air duct 116 of the supply air system 114.

In particular, exhaust air can be mixed with the supply air via the return channel 138. For this purpose, in particular a flap and/or a valve device can be provided together with a suitable control and/or regulation in order to control and/or regulate the mixing of a predetermined exhaust air flow with the supply air.

In particular Fig.1 As can be seen, the temperature control system 100 can be divided into several temperature control system sections 140, wherein each temperature control system section 140 forms, for example, a temperature control system module.

The temperature control system sections 140 are arranged successively in particular along the conveying direction 110.

The supply air system 114 is preferably assigned to a temperature control system section 140.

The exhaust air system 132 is preferably assigned to a further temperature control system section 140.

The supply air system 114 and the exhaust air system 132 are preferably arranged at opposite ends of the temperature control system 100 in temperature control system sections 140.

The recirculation system 130 is in particular assigned to or arranged on one or more temperature control system sections 140, which are arranged between the supply air system 114 and the exhaust air system 132.

In the Fig. 1 to 7 In the first embodiment of the temperature control system 100 shown, the components of the supply air system 114, the recirculation system 130 and the exhaust air system 132 are relatively far apart from each other, so that an installation space along the conveying direction 110 can be used optimally.

The fans 120 of the supply air system 114, the recirculation air system 130 and/or the exhaust air system 132 are preferably aligned such that their axes of rotation 142 run essentially parallel to the conveying direction 110.

An installation space and/or maintenance space for the fans 120 thus extends essentially parallel to the conveying direction 110 away from the respective fan 120, whereby the space required laterally for the maintenance of the temperature control system 100 can be minimized.

As in particular the Fig.1 and 7 As can also be seen, the following components are preferably arranged in succession in the supply air system 114, starting from one end of the temperature control system 100 along the conveying direction 110: first, the fan 120 is provided, which is followed along the conveying direction 110 by one or more heat exchangers 128 and/or one or more filter stages 126. This is then followed along the conveying direction 110 by a support area 144 for supporting the supply air duct 116, which is designed as a ventilation tower 114, for example.

By designing the supply air system 114 in this way, the temperature control system 100 can preferably be made particularly short, since no further components are required along the conveying direction 110 beyond the temperature control chamber 106. Rather, the air is sucked in in an intermediate area spaced from the end of the temperature control chamber 106, whereby the air can still be supplied to the temperature control chamber 106 at the immediate end of the temperature control chamber 106.

One in the Fig. 8 to 15 The second embodiment of a temperature control system 100 shown in the Fig. 1 to 7 illustrated first embodiment essentially in that the temperature control system 100 is very compact and has a shorter length, particularly in the conveying direction 110.

The resulting reduced installation space along the conveying direction 110 is compensated in this embodiment in particular by the fact that the rotation axes 142 of the fans 120 (see in particular Fig. 11 ) are not aligned parallel to the conveying direction 110, but perpendicular to it.

The individual components of the supply air system 114, the recirculation air system 130 and the exhaust air system 132 can thereby be arranged particularly close to one another and/or one after the other.

Such a shortened design of the temperature control system 100 can be provided in particular in the case of transverse conveyance of the workpieces 102.

In such a transverse conveying, a longitudinal axis of the workpieces 102 is aligned essentially horizontally and perpendicular to the conveying direction 110, while the workpieces 102 are conveyed along the conveying direction 110 through the tempering chamber 106. As is particularly evident from the Fig. 12 and 13 As can be seen, in the air circulation system 130 as well as in the exhaust air system 132 of the temperature control system 100 according to the second embodiment, one or more intake openings 145 are provided in a floor area 146 of the temperature control system 100. The air is supplied via one-sided pressure chambers 124 (see in particular Fig.10 ).

How Fig. 12 As can also be seen, in the second embodiment of the tempering system 100, five tempering system sections 140 of the tempering system 100 are provided, wherein each tempering system section 140 corresponds to a holding position of the workpieces 102 in a cyclic conveying operation of the conveying device 108.

At the first two holding positions (temperature control system sections 140), i.e. at the holding positions I and II (cycle 1 and cycle 2), suction takes place the air from the temperature control chamber 106 by means of the exhaust air system 132. An underfloor duct 147 is provided in the temperature control system section 140 forming the holding position II. The underfloor duct 147 runs beneath the temperature control chamber 106 and connects the intake opening 145 of the holding position II with the fan 120 of the exhaust air system 132.

An intake opening 145 of the holding position I is connected by means of a connecting region 149 to the end of the underbody channel 147 of the holding position II facing the intake opening 145 of the holding position II, so that both the air from the holding position I and the air from the holding position II can be sucked in via the underbody channel 147 of the holding position II.

At the three further temperature control system sections 140, i.e. at the holding positions III, IV and V (cycle 3, cycle 4, cycle 5), extraction takes place by means of the recirculation system 130. Preferably, each of the holding positions III, IV, V has a separate underfloor channel 147 for connecting the suction opening 145 of each holding position III, IV, V to the fan 120 of the recirculation system 130.

The air supplied via the supply air system 114 in the last cycle (holding position V, cycle 5) thus flows through the temperature control chamber 106 against the conveying direction 110, since it is first circulated in the temperature control system sections 140 forming the holding positions III, IV, V by means of the recirculation system 130 and finally discharged in the temperature control system sections 140 forming the holding positions I and II by means of the exhaust air system 132.

As finally Fig. 15 can be seen, it can be advantageous if a supply air duct 116 designed as a ventilation tower 118 and/or an exhaust air duct 134 designed as a ventilation tower 136 comprises an access opening 148, for example a flap. In this way, in particular a return duct 138 can be connected or a maintenance access can be created.

Since the access opening 148 could result in a structural weakening of the ventilation tower 118, 136, it is preferably provided with a reinforcing structure 150.

The reinforcement structure 150 is in particular a rectangular reinforcement ring or stiffening ring which can be inserted through the access opening 148 into the section 152 of the ventilation tower 118, 136 having the access opening 148.

By means of the reinforcement structure 150, additional external stiffening or reinforcement or other support of the ventilation tower 118, 136 can thus be avoided, whereby the entire structure of the temperature control system 100 can be simplified.

Such a reinforcement of the ventilation tower 118, 136 can also be used in other configurations of the temperature control system 100, for example according to the Fig. 1 to 7 shown first embodiment.

Moreover, the Fig. 8 to 15 shown second embodiment of the temperature control system 100 in terms of structure and function with the one shown in the Fig. 1 to 7 illustrated first embodiment, so that reference is made to the above description thereof in this respect.

One in the Fig. 16 and 17 The third embodiment of a temperature control system 100 shown differs from that shown in the Fig. 1 to 7 illustrated first embodiment essentially in that the distribution channels 122 are not arranged above the housing 112 of the temperature control system 100. This third embodiment is not part of the claimed invention.

Rather, the distribution channels 122 are in the Fig. 16 and 17 illustrated third embodiment is integrated into the housing 112.

The housing 112 comprises one or more outer walls 154, which are in particular provided with or form an insulation region 156. As a result, a large temperature difference between the interior of the housing 112 and the surroundings thereof can be maintained with the lowest possible energy loss.

Preferably, both the outer wall 154 and the insulation regions 156 surround the temperature control chamber 106 in cross-section completely or at least in sections, in particular at least on two sides or at least on three sides.

The function of the distribution channels 122 is described in the Fig. 16 and 17 shown third embodiment of the temperature control system 100 is achieved by a connecting space 158.

The connecting chamber 158 connects in particular the two pressure chambers 124 on both sides of the temperature control chamber 106 with each other.

The connecting space 158 preferably extends over an entire width of the temperature control space 106 above the temperature control space 106, in particular in a vertical projection of the temperature control space 106 up to the outer wall 154 and/or the insulation region 156.

A partition wall 160 separates the connecting space 158 from the temperature control space 106.

This partition wall 160 is in particular designed as an uninsulated metal sheet or comprises such.

The partition wall 160 comprises in particular a ceiling partition wall 162, which limits the temperature control chamber 106 at the top and separates it from the connecting chamber 158.

One or more inlet openings 164 for supplying air to the temperature control chamber 106 can optionally be provided in the ceiling partition wall 162.

The connecting space 158 preferably extends over a greater length along the conveying direction 110 than a supply opening 166 for supplying the air from the recirculation system 130 into the interior of the housing 112.

It can be advantageous if - as in Fig. 17 shown - the feed opening 166 is connected to a feed channel 167, which connects the feed opening 166 to the fan 120 and widens upwards in the direction of the feed opening 166 and/or against the direction of gravity. The widening design of the feed channel 167 preferably allows a more even distribution of the air to the pressure chambers 124.

With a view to an optimal distribution of the supplied air to both pressure chambers 124, one or more guide elements 168 are preferably provided. For example, one or more guide elements 168 can be arranged in the connecting chamber 158 in order to distribute the air flow flowing into the connecting chamber 158 along the conveying direction 110 and evenly to both pressure chambers 124. This preferably makes it possible to achieve a uniform flow on both sides of the workpieces 102 in the tempering chamber 106.

How Fig. 16 As can also be seen, the temperature control system 100 preferably comprises at least one further filter stage 126 in addition to the filter stage 126 assigned to the recirculation system 130.

In particular, the filter stage 126 assigned to the recirculation system 130 is a coarse filter stage 170.

The further filter stage 126 is in particular a fine filter stage 172. Preferably, the further filter stage 126 is arranged in the interior of the housing 112, for example integrated into the partition wall 160.

For this purpose, the partition wall 160 comprises in particular a side partition wall 174, which faces the temperature control chamber 106, and a filter partition wall 176 assigned to the respective pressure chamber 124.

In the filter partition 176, one or more receptacles for one or more filter elements, in particular filter mats 178, are arranged and/or formed, which form the filter stage 126.

A distribution space 180 is preferably formed between the filter partition 176 and the side partition 174 in order to be able to evenly distribute the air flowing through the filter stage 126 to one or more inlet openings 164 in the side partition 174 and thus to enable a uniform supply of air to the temperature control space 106.

Because the connecting space 158 connects the two pressure spaces 124 to one another over a large length along the conveying direction 110 and thus enables a large channel cross-section even at a low height, the entire temperature control system 100 can be designed to be compact. In addition, the use of the connecting space 158 can preferably optimize thermal insulation.

Fig. 16 Finally, it can be seen that the extraction takes place by means of the fan 120 in the floor area 146 in order to remove air from the temperature control chamber 106 and finally supply it to one or more heat exchangers 128 and/or one or more filter stages 126.

In particular, when using the temperature control system 100 to heat workpieces 102, it can be provided that the air is heated to a high temperature by means of one or more heat exchangers 128. A uniform The flow to the respective heat exchanger 128 is preferably ensured by means of one or more guide elements 168, in particular guide plates 182.

In particular, different stages of guide elements 168 can be provided in order to distribute the air flowing in, for example, from the floor area 146, first in a vertical direction and then or simultaneously in a horizontal direction evenly to the heat exchanger 128 (see in particular Fig. 17 ).

This makes it possible to achieve uniform heating of the air circulated, for example, by means of a recirculation system 130.

Moreover, the Fig. 16 and 17 illustrated third embodiment of the temperature control system 100 in terms of structure and function with the Fig. 1 to 7 illustrated first embodiment, so that reference is made to the above description thereof in this respect.

In a further embodiment of a temperature control system 100 (not shown), it can be provided that the connecting space 158 is designed in several parts and in particular enables an air flow in both directions perpendicular to the conveying direction 110 and horizontally.

This can be particularly advantageous if one-sided recirculation of air is undesirable and thus a return of air through the connecting space 158 is also desired.

In Fig. 18 A fourth embodiment of a temperature control system 100 is shown, which essentially corresponds to the Fig. 16 and 17 illustrated third embodiment, but comprises two tempering chambers 106 running parallel to one another. This fourth embodiment is not part of the claimed invention.

In Fig. 18 Furthermore, it is not apparent that several recirculation systems 130 are arranged on the opposite outer walls 154 of the two temperature control rooms 106, which serve in particular to heat the air circulated in the temperature control room 106.

By using connecting spaces 158 according to the Fig. 16 and 17 In the third embodiment shown, such a double arrangement of temperature control chambers 106 can be made possible in a particularly compact space, in particular without the need for further components of a supply air system 114, a recirculation air system 130 and/or an exhaust air system 132 to be mounted between the temperature control chambers 106.

Furthermore, the Fig. 18 The fourth embodiment shown is similar in structure and function to that shown in the Fig. 16 and 17 illustrated third embodiment, so that reference is made to the above description thereof in this respect.

Claims (13)

1. Annealing system (100) for annealing workpieces (102), in particular for cooling vehicle bodies (104), wherein the annealing system (100) comprises the following:

   - an annealing chamber (106) through which the workpieces (102) can be conveyed along a conveying direction (110);

   - a feed air system (114) for supplying feed air to the annealing chamber (106);

   - an exhaust air system (132) for discharging exhaust air from the annealing chamber (106);

   - one or more air circulation systems (130) for circulating at least some of the air guided in the annealing chamber (106),

   wherein the feed air system (114) and the exhaust air system (132) are arranged spatially separated from one another, so as to be spaced apart from one another along the conveying direction (110),

   wherein one or more air circulation systems (130) are arranged between the feed air system (114) on one side and the exhaust air system (132) on the other side with respect to the conveying direction (110), and

   wherein the feed air system (114), the exhaust air system (132) and/or the one or more air circulation systems (130) directly adjoin a housing wall of a housing (112) of the annealing chamber (106) or are integrated into the housing (112) of the annealing chamber (106).
2. Annealing system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that

   a) the feed air system (114), the exhaust air system (132) and the one or more air circulation systems (130) are each assigned to different annealing chamber portions of the annealing chamber (106); and/or

   b) in that the feed air system (114), the exhaust air system (132) and the one or more air circulation systems (130) each comprise one or more fans (120) and/or ducts and/or feedthroughs, which are independent of one another, for connection to the annealing chamber (106).
3. Annealing system (100) according to either of claims 1 or 2,
   characterized in that

   a) the feed air system (114) and the exhaust air system (132) are connected to one another by means of a return duct (138), the return duct (138) extending in particular past one or more air circulation systems (130), it being preferably provided that, by means of the return duct (138), in particular exhaust air from the exhaust air system (132) can be added to the feed air in the feed air system (114) as required, in particular can be added in an adjustable manner or so as to be controllable in an open-loop and/or closed-loop manner; and/or

   b) in that the feed air system (114) and the exhaust air system (132) are connected to one another by means of a return duct (138), wherein, in addition to adding exhaust air to the feed air, it is preferably provided that unconditioned or conditioned indoor air and/or hot air from a heating device, for example fresh air from a fresh air heat exchanger which is in particular heated by pure gas, can be supplied to the feed air.
4. Annealing system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that air from at least one annealing chamber portion can be discharged from the annealing chamber (106) by means of one or more air circulation systems (130) and supplied to one or more further annealing chamber portion(s), in particular upstream or downstream annealing chamber portions in the conveying direction (110).
5. Annealing system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a plurality of filter stages (126) are provided for filtering the feed air, at least one first filter stage (126) being integrated in the feed air system (114) and/or the air circulation system (130) or being arranged in the feed air system (114) and/or the air circulation system (130), and at least one second filter stage (126) being arranged inside a housing (112) of the annealing system (100) surrounding the annealing chamber (106), it optionally being provided that,

   a) the at least one first filter stage (126) is a coarse filter stage (170); and/or

   b) that the at least one second filter stage (126) is a fine filter stage (172).
6. Annealing system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the feed air system (114), the exhaust air system (132) and/or the one or more air circulation systems (130) are arranged on one side of or in a lateral wall of a housing (112) of the annealing chamber (106).
7. Annealing system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a feed air duct (116) for drawing in feed air and/or an exhaust air duct (134) for discharging exhaust air is/are designed as a ventilation tower (118, 136), the relevant ventilation tower (118, 136) resting on a floor and extending vertically upward therefrom, in particular so as to be free from flow deflections and/or free from support structures, it optionally being provided that one ventilation tower (118, 136) or both ventilation towers (118, 136) each have at least one lateral access opening (148), in particular a flap, a portion (152) of the relevant ventilation tower (118, 136) that has the access opening (148) being reinforced by means of a reinforcing structure (150), in particular by means of an insertable stiffening ring.
8. Annealing system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the annealing system (100) comprises a conveying device (108), by means of which the workpieces (102) can be conveyed through the annealing chamber (106) in a longitudinal orientation of said workpieces.
9. Annealing system (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that in the air circulation system (130) and/or in the exhaust air system (132) of the annealing system (100), one or more intake openings (145) are provided in a base region (146) of the annealing system (100) in each case.
10. Annealing system (100) according to either of claims 8 or 9,
    characterized in that feed air and/or circulated air can be supplied to the annealing chamber (106) exclusively via one or more pressure chambers (124) of the annealing system (100) arranged only on one side, in particular on the same side of the annealing chamber (106).
11. Annealing system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a pressure chamber (124) is formed in each case on both sides of the annealing chamber (106), via which the air can be introduced into the annealing chamber (106), the two pressure chambers (124) being fluidically connected to one another by means of a connection channel and/or connection space (158), the connection channel and/or the connection space (158) being arranged within a housing (112) which surrounds the annealing chamber (106).
12. Annealing system (100) according to any of claims 10 to 11,
    characterized in that at least one partition wall (160) separating the annealing chamber (106) on one side and the one or more pressure chambers (124) on the other side is adapted, at least in portions, to a contour of the workpiece (102) to be treated.
13. Annealing system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the annealing system (100) comprises a plurality of annealing system portions (140), each annealing system portion (140) corresponding to a holding position of the workpieces (102) in a cyclic conveying operation of a conveying device (108) of the annealing system (100).

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