Modular air supply device and working method

Abstract

The invention discloses a modularized air supply device and a working method, and relates to the technical field of air supply devices.The modularized air supply device comprises a shell and a pair of air valve mechanisms, a main air inlet is formed in the position, close to the center, of one side of the shell, a pair of air outlets is formed in the bottom end of the main air inlet, a fan air inlet is formed in the bottom end of the shell, and a fan is installed on the fan air inlet; the pair of air valve mechanisms is arranged on the shell. The independent air valve mechanism composed of the electric adjusting valve, the transmission mechanism and the blades is arranged at the air outlets in a matched mode, the electric adjusting valve can receive analog quantity signals to achieve 0-100% continuous accurate adjustment, the complementary control logic of the air valves on the two sides is matched, the air supply amount of each air outlet can be independently adjusted and controlled, the problem of air amount imbalance is solved, and the service life is prolonged. And one-zone-one-strategy zoned air supply according to needs is achieved, and the differentiated ventilation requirements of different process zones are met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of air supply devices, and in particular relates to a modular air supply device and its working method. Background Technology

[0002] In the industrial production and warehousing sector, processes such as meat product air-drying and fermentation, precision assembly, and clean production have stringent requirements for the uniformity of environmental temperature, humidity, and airflow speed. For example, in meat product air-drying and fermentation workshops, materials such as ham and sausages need to be placed in multiple layers on racks, requiring that the temperature, humidity, and water loss rate of the materials on the upper and lower layers of the racks be consistent; otherwise, it will lead to uneven material quality. Precision assembly workshops need to avoid dust accumulation caused by localized airflow dead zones. Cleanrooms need to maintain positive pressure to prevent the intrusion of external pollutants. Large storage warehouses need to flexibly adjust the air supply range according to changes in the stacking area of ​​goods. To meet the environmental control requirements of the above processes, centralized air conditioning duct systems are commonly used in industrial settings to achieve ventilation and temperature and humidity control of the space. The core design of this traditional system is "centralized air handling + complex duct network distribution". Specifically, a large air conditioning unit handles the air uniformly, and then the treated air is delivered to various areas of the workshop through a complex duct network consisting of main pipes, branch pipes, diffusers, manual air valves, etc. The airflow organization is usually a "top supply and bottom return" or "top supply and side return" mode with ceiling air supply and floor / side wall return.

[0003] Existing centralized air conditioning duct systems require complex networks of main and branch pipes to distribute airflow. The length, diameter, and direction of the ducts must be custom-designed and constructed according to the workshop layout. In contrast, simple individual air supply units consist of decentralized components such as the casing, fan, and dampers. These require custom-made installation brackets and fixing structures on-site, lack standardized hoisting accessories, and cannot achieve rapid ceiling installation. Construction is time-consuming, and due to varying duct lengths and local resistance, traditional systems are prone to issues such as excessive airflow near the main unit and insufficient airflow further away. While manual damper adjustment is possible, precise dynamic airflow distribution is not possible. Furthermore, the entire system's airflow is controlled by a single fan, which is insufficient for meat processing needs. The invention addresses the differentiated real-time air supply needs of different racking areas in workshops and different production stations in cleanrooms. For example, in a ham thawing workshop, traditional air supply can cause a temperature difference of up to 2°C between the center of the material on the top and bottom racks, directly affecting thawing quality. Moreover, the airflow distribution of traditional air supply equipment is fixed, with sufficient air exchange at process points along the "mainstream," while process points in the "airflow shadow zone" experience slow environmental updates. In scenarios such as multi-layer racking in meat product drying and fermentation workshops and around workbenches in precision assembly workshops, this inherent non-uniformity directly leads to uneven material quality and affects the assembly precision of parts. Therefore, this invention proposes a modular air supply device and its working method. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a modular air supply device and its operating method. The device integrates a fan and a valve mechanism as independent units within a housing, and features lifting lugs with mounting holes on the housing to form a standardized lifting structure. The main air inlet uses a standardized circular flange compatible with general industrial ductwork. On-site installation requires only the lifting device and connection to the functional unit via a short pipe, eliminating the need for customized construction and completely eliminating complex non-standard ductwork projects. This significantly shortens the construction cycle and reduces construction costs. Furthermore, the flow field layout design, with side air intake at the main air inlet, bottom return air at the fan inlet, and downward air supply from both side outlets, combined with the negative pressure suction of the fan, creates a closed-loop airflow circulation of "top supply, bottom suction, and four-sided return" below the device. This effectively prevents airflow short-circuiting and ensures that the airflow fully passes over process equipment such as overhead conveyors. It is perfectly suited for "top supply and top return" conditions in meat processing workshops and equipment-intensive production workshops where it is impossible to install a lower return air inlet. By equipping the air outlet with an independent air valve mechanism consisting of an electric regulating valve, a transmission mechanism, and blades, the electric regulating valve can receive analog signals to achieve continuous and precise adjustment from 0-100%. Combined with the complementary control logic of the dual-sided air valves, it can independently regulate the airflow of each air outlet, eliminating airflow imbalance and achieving zoned on-demand air supply for each area, meeting the differentiated ventilation needs of different process zones. Furthermore, by symmetrically arranging a pair of air outlets on both sides of the fan inlet, and combining this with differentiated opening adjustment of the dual-sided air valves, the airflow flux is changed to achieve dynamic offset of the airflow convergence point. Through program control, the convergence point can also be periodically and continuously moved, forming a uniform sweeping effect. This ensures that all points within the process area receive sufficient airflow exchange, completely eliminating airflow dead zones, significantly improving airflow coverage uniformity, and ensuring process quality stability. In summary, this solves the problems in the background technology.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] The present invention provides a modular air supply device and its operating method, comprising:

[0007] The housing and a pair of air valve mechanisms are provided. A main air inlet is cut out on one side of the housing near the center. A pair of air outlets are cut out at the bottom of the main air inlet. A fan inlet is cut out at the bottom of the housing, and a fan is installed on the fan inlet. The pair of air valve mechanisms are both provided on the housing.

[0008] The air valve mechanism includes a frame, an electric regulating valve, a transmission mechanism, and multiple blades. The frame is mounted on the housing, the electric regulating valve and the transmission mechanism are both mounted on the frame, and the multiple blades are rotatably connected to the frame through bearings and shafts. The electric regulating valve is connected to the multiple blades through the transmission mechanism.

[0009] Furthermore, the pair of air outlets are located on both sides of the fan inlet, the main air inlet and the fan inlet are both circular, and the air outlets are rectangular.

[0010] Furthermore, the pair of frames are located on both sides of the fan, and the interior of each pair of frames is connected to the interior of the casing.

[0011] Furthermore, a pair of lifting lugs are fixedly connected to both sides of the housing near the top, and mounting holes are drilled on the lifting lugs.

[0012] Furthermore, the main air inlet is used to connect to external functional units, and both the fan and the electric regulating valve are electrically connected to the controller.

[0013] A method for operating a modular air supply device includes the following steps:

[0014] S1. Air handling and delivery: The functional unit handles the air and delivers the handled air into the housing through the main air inlet;

[0015] S2. Airflow mixing and pressurization: When the fan is started, air in the space below the device is drawn in through the fan inlet as return air. The return air is mixed with the processing air entering from the main air inlet inside the housing to form a supply airflow, and the supply airflow is pressurized.

[0016] S3. Precise air volume adjustment: The controller outputs a control signal to the electric regulating valve of the pair of air valve mechanisms. The electric regulating valve drives the blades to rotate through the transmission mechanism, thereby adjusting the ventilation cross-sectional area of ​​the corresponding air outlet and thus independently adjusting the air volume of each air outlet.

[0017] S4. Airflow distribution and delivery: The pressurized airflow is distributed by the housing and then sent downward through the adjusted air outlet;

[0018] S5. Closed-loop airflow circulation: After the airflow delivered from the air outlet reaches the ground of the space below, it spreads outwards and flows upwards. Under the suction of the fan, it re-enters the housing through the fan inlet and mixes with the fresh processed air entering from the main air inlet to form a closed-loop airflow circulation.

[0019] Furthermore, in step S3, when the controller adjusts the two electric regulating valves, it follows the complementary control logic that the sum of the opening degree of the left electric regulating valve and the opening degree of the right electric regulating valve is always 100%.

[0020] Furthermore, the controller periodically changes the opening ratio of the two electric regulating valves, causing the confluence point of the two airflows from the two air outlets to move periodically within the working area below the device, forming a uniform sweeping effect.

[0021] Furthermore, multiple modular air supply devices are hoisted in the workshop. Each device is connected to a functional unit to form an independent air supply unit. The controllers of multiple air supply units are connected to a centralized control system for unified management or independent control.

[0022] The present invention has the following advantages over the prior art:

[0023] (1) Convenient installation and optimized flow field: This technical solution integrates the fan and air valve mechanism into an independent unit through the shell, and sets up a standardized hoisting structure with a hoisting lug with mounting holes in the shell. The main air inlet adopts a circular standardized flange to adapt to the general industrial air duct. Only the hoisting device is needed on site and the functional unit is connected through a short pipe. No customized construction is required, which completely eliminates the complex non-standard air duct project, greatly shortens the construction cycle and reduces the construction cost. Moreover, through the flow field layout design of side air intake through the main air inlet, bottom air return through the fan air inlet, and downward air supply through the double-sided air outlet, combined with the negative pressure suction effect of the fan, a closed-loop airflow circulation of "upward supply and downward suction, and four-sided return" is formed under the device, which effectively prevents airflow short circuit and ensures that the airflow can fully pass over the process equipment such as the rack. It is perfectly adapted to the "upward supply and upward return" working conditions in meat processing workshops, equipment-intensive production workshops, etc., where it is impossible to arrange the lower return air inlet.

[0024] (2) Precise air adjustment and on-demand allocation: This technical solution is equipped with an independent air valve mechanism consisting of an electric regulating valve, a transmission mechanism, and blades at the air outlet. The electric regulating valve can receive analog signals to achieve continuous and precise adjustment from 0 to 100%. With the complementary control logic of the dual-sided air valves, it can independently regulate the air volume of each air outlet, eliminate the problem of air volume imbalance, realize the "one zone, one policy" zoned on-demand air supply, and meet the differentiated ventilation needs of different process areas.

[0025] (3) Dynamic sweeping to eliminate dead angles: This technical solution arranges a pair of air outlets symmetrically on both sides of the fan inlet, and combines the differential opening adjustment of the double-sided air valves to change the airflow flux and realize the dynamic offset of the airflow convergence point. Through program control, the convergence point can also be moved periodically and continuously to form a uniform sweeping effect, so that each point in the process area can obtain sufficient airflow exchange, completely eliminate airflow dead angles, greatly improve the uniformity of airflow coverage, and ensure the stability of process quality.

[0026] Of course, any product implementing this invention does not necessarily need to achieve all of the advantages described above at the same time. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a modular air supply device according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a modular air supply device of the present invention from a bottom view angle;

[0030] Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 2 Enlarged structural diagram at point A;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a partial three-dimensional structural diagram of a modular air supply device of the present invention from a bottom view angle;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the housing and the air valve mechanism in this invention;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the air valve mechanism in this invention;

[0034] Figure 7 This is an installation diagram of a modular air supply device according to the present invention;

[0035] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the airflow circulation of a modular air supply device according to the present invention;

[0036] Figure 9 For the present invention Figure 8 Schematic diagram of airflow circulation under different opening degrees of the central vent valve;

[0037] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the working method of a modular air supply device according to the present invention.

[0038] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:

[0039] 1. Housing; 2. Main air inlet; 3. Air outlet; 4. Fan; 5. Fan inlet; 6. Frame; 7. Electric regulating valve; 8. Transmission mechanism; 9. Blades; 10. Lifting lugs. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0041] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "relative", "one end", "inner", "lateral", "end", "both ends", "both sides", "front", "one end face", "the other end face", etc., which indicate orientation or positional relationship, are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the components or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting this invention. Specific Implementation

[0042] Please see Figures 1-9 As shown, a modular air supply device and its working method according to the present invention include:

[0043] The housing 1 and a pair of air valve mechanisms are provided. A main air inlet 2 is cut out on one side of the housing 1 near the center. A pair of air outlets 3 are cut out at the bottom of the main air inlet 2. A fan air inlet 5 is cut out at the bottom of the housing 1, and a fan 4 is installed on the fan air inlet 5. The pair of air valve mechanisms are both set on the housing 1.

[0044] The damper mechanism includes a frame 6, an electric regulating valve 7, a transmission mechanism 8, and multiple blades 9. The frame 6 is mounted on the housing 1. The electric regulating valve 7 and the transmission mechanism 8 are both mounted on the frame 6. The multiple blades 9 are rotatably connected to the frame 6 through bearings and shafts. The electric regulating valve 7 is connected to the multiple blades 9 through the transmission mechanism 8.

[0045] In the specific implementation process, the housing 1 serves as the overall load-bearing body, realizing the integrated installation of various components and the containment and guidance of airflow; the main air inlet 2 is the fresh air / treated air inlet, used to receive the temperature and humidity treated air delivered by the functional unit; the fan inlet 5 is the return air inlet; the fan 4 (in this embodiment, the fan 4 is an axial flow fan or a centrifugal fan, wherein the axial flow fan model is T35-11No.4.5, rated speed 1450r / min, rated air volume 3786m³ / h, rated total pressure 187Pa, equipped with a 0.37kW, 380V / 50Hz motor, and operating noise ≤68dB(A); the centrifugal fan model is 4-72No.3.2A, rated speed 2900r / min, rated air volume 3650m³ / h, rated total pressure 318Pa, equipped with a 0.75kW, 380V / 50Hz motor) The motor operates at Hz with a noise level ≤75dB(A) and is suitable for suspended installation. It draws indoor air from below the device through the port, causing the treated air and return air to mix inside the housing 1 to form a supply airflow that meets the process requirements. A pair of air valve mechanisms are the core of air volume regulation, integrated on the housing 1 and corresponding to the air outlets 3 one by one. The electric regulating valve 7ZAJW-16K type is a miniature electric air volume regulating valve that can receive 4-20mA analog control signals and continuously adjust the opening from 0-100%. It is suitable for industrial automation control. After receiving the control signal, it drives the blades 9 to deflect through the transmission mechanism 8, changing the ventilation cross-sectional area between the blades 9 (in this embodiment, the blades 9 are made of galvanized steel plate and have a double-layer spot-welded composite structure, which can effectively regulate the airflow) to precisely regulate the supply air volume of the corresponding air outlet 3, thereby realizing differentiated air volume control of the two air outlets 3.

[0046] It is worth noting that in this embodiment, the overall operation of this device is based on industrial automation control and closed-loop airflow circulation design. All actions are completed under the unified control of an external controller (Siemens S7-200SMARTSR40 PLC, an industrial small programmable logic controller that supports 4-20mA analog signal output / input, can be connected to temperature, humidity and wind speed sensors, adapts to the automated control of industrial ventilation, and supports the MODBUS-RTU communication protocol. The controllers of multiple devices can be connected to a centralized control system to realize remote operation and maintenance and collaborative control). This adapts to the centralized / independent control requirements of distributed air supply systems.

[0047] It is worth noting that, in this embodiment, the instruction manual is attached... Figure 7 The labels in the text are as follows:

[0048] A (Air supply device): The modular air supply device of the present invention is an independent hoisting standardized air supply unit that integrates housing 1, fan 4, air valve mechanism and lifting lug 10. It is the core execution component of the distributed air supply system and can realize the mixing, pressurization, precise adjustment and delivery of airflow. A single device can serve a standard process area, and multiple devices can be networked to form a distributed air supply system.

[0049] B (Room): refers to the space in which this device is used, specifically large industrial spaces such as meat product drying and fermentation workshops, precision machinery / electronic production workshops, pharmaceutical / electronic cleanrooms, and large industrial warehouses that require precise control of temperature, humidity, and airflow uniformity. These spaces typically have characteristics such as dense floor equipment, inability to install lower return air vents, and the need for zoned environmental control. These are common knowledge and mature technologies known in the prior art and will not be described in detail here.

[0050] C (Cart): This is the core service object of this device. It is a multi-layer hollow material rack / work trolley commonly used in industrial settings. It is made of 304 stainless steel, and the partitions are grid-shaped (with gaps of 20-50mm). There are no completely sealed solid plates. It is used to place meat products such as ham, sausages, and precision parts in multiple layers. The airflow organization of the device is designed around the cart to ensure that the airflow can fully pass over each layer of workpieces on the cart. This is common knowledge and mature technology known in the prior art, and will not be described in detail here.

[0051] D (Functional Unit): This is the air handling equipment for this unit. It uses industrial air handling equipment such as air-cooled heat pump units, chiller + air handling unit, and rotary dehumidifier. It can cool, heat, dehumidify, and filter outdoor air according to process requirements. It is connected to the main air inlet 2 of the air supply device through standardized short air ducts to provide the unit with the treatment air that meets the temperature, humidity, and cleanliness requirements. It forms a "1:1" independent air supply unit with the air supply device. It is common knowledge and mature technology known in the prior art and will not be described in detail here.

[0052] It is worth noting that in this embodiment, the transmission mechanism 8 is composed of a reduction gearbox and a linkage mechanism. The reduction gearbox is a planetary gear reduction structure, and the linkage mechanism includes a driving link and several driven links (corresponding one-to-one with the number of blades 9).

[0053] The connection and fixation between the electric regulating valve 7 and the transmission mechanism 8: The output shaft of the electric regulating valve 7 and the input shaft of the reduction gearbox of the transmission mechanism 8 are connected by a flat key, and the shaft end is axially fixed by a lock nut (M10) to prevent rotation and loosening; the reduction gearbox and the frame 6 are connected by M5×20 stainless steel bolts; the active connecting rod and the driven connecting rod are connected to the rotating shaft and the output shaft of the reduction gearbox by hinge pins (304 stainless steel). This is common knowledge and mature technology in the field of industrial ventilation, and is only briefly described here. This invention does not improve its core structure, but only provides structural adaptation for this device.

[0054] Transmission and adjustment principle: After receiving the 4-20mA analog control signal from the controller, the electric regulating valve 7 drives the output shaft to rotate. The high-speed, low-torque rotation of the output shaft is reduced and amplified by the reduction gearbox before being transmitted to the active connecting rod. The active connecting rod reciprocates around the output shaft, and through the hinge pin, it pulls the driven connecting rod on the rotating shaft of each blade 9 to swing synchronously, thereby driving all blades 9 to deflect synchronously around their own rotating shaft. The deflection angle of the blades 9 is linearly related to the rotation angle of the output shaft of the electric regulating valve 7, thus realizing continuous adjustment of the valve opening from 0-100% and accurately controlling the ventilation cross-sectional area of ​​the air outlet 3. This is common knowledge and mature technology known in the prior art, and will not be described in detail here.

[0055] Furthermore, a pair of air outlets 3 are located on both sides of the fan inlet 5. Both the main air inlet 2 and the fan inlet 5 are circular, while the air outlets 3 are rectangular.

[0056] A pair of air outlets 3 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the fan inlet 5, so that the delivered airflow forms a symmetrical jet field below the device, providing a structural basis for the dynamic adjustment of the airflow convergence point, while ensuring that the fan inlet 5 can evenly draw the return airflow delivered by the two side air outlets 3, forming a closed-loop airflow circulation; in terms of shape, the main air inlet 2 and the fan inlet 5 are designed to be circular, which is compatible with the standardized connection of circular air ducts in industrial ventilation, reducing the difficulty of connecting with functional units and return air ducts; the air outlets 3 are designed to be rectangular, increasing the airflow outlet cross-sectional area, so that the airflow is delivered downward in a flat jet, expanding the coverage range of the airflow, effectively covering the multi-layer workpieces of the lower frame C, and avoiding excessive local airflow caused by concentrated airflow.

[0057] It is worth noting that in this embodiment, a rubber flexible joint (canvas + rubber material) is fitted between the main air inlet 2 (equipped with a circular flange) and the connecting air duct of the functional unit. The two ends of the flexible joint are locked to the flange with stainless steel hose clamps. At the same time, a fluororubber sealing gasket is laid on the flange mating surface and bonded with 3MVHB4950 foam double-sided tape to achieve the dual effects of sealing and shock absorption. This is common knowledge and mature technology known in the prior art and will not be described in detail here.

[0058] Furthermore, a pair of frames 6 are located on both sides of the fan 4, and the interior of both frames 6 is connected to the interior of the casing 1.

[0059] The frame 6 (made of cold-rolled galvanized steel sheet and welded, with good corrosion resistance and strength) is symmetrically arranged on both sides of the fan 4, so that the mixed airflow after the fan 4 pressurizes can be evenly distributed to the double-sided air valve mechanism, avoiding uneven airflow distribution caused by excessive airflow pressure on one side; in terms of connectivity, the interior of the frame 6 is completely connected to the interior of the shell 1, ensuring that the airflow enters the air valve mechanism from the shell 1 without obstruction, reducing the pressure loss of the airflow during transmission, improving the air delivery efficiency, and at the same time ensuring the independence of airflow regulation of the double-sided air valve mechanism, the opening adjustment of the air valve on one side will not affect the airflow pressure on the other side.

[0060] It is worth noting that in this embodiment, the connection between the frame 6 and the shell 1 is seamlessly welded. After welding, stainless steel sealant is used to fill and seal the gap to prevent airflow from leaking from the weld gap. The weld is ground smooth to avoid airflow turbulence. This is common knowledge and mature technology known in the prior art, and will not be described in detail here.

[0061] Furthermore, a pair of lifting lugs 10 are fixedly connected to both sides of the housing 1 near the top, and mounting holes are drilled on the lifting lugs 10.

[0062] A pair of lifting lugs 10 are symmetrically arranged on the top of both sides of the shell 1, and mounting holes are opened, so that the whole device becomes an independent hoisting unit. The device can be directly hoisted onto the steel structure / concrete ceiling of room B through the lifting rod and expansion bolts, without the need for on-site customized installation brackets, which is suitable for the ceiling installation needs of industrial workshops.

[0063] It is worth noting that in this embodiment, the lifting lug 10 is made of Q235 carbon steel, which is formed by bending and welding. The rated load of each lifting lug is ≥200kg, which is suitable for the overall weight of the device. The diameter of the mounting hole is Φ12mm, which is suitable for M10 expansion bolts / lifting eye bolts, which is a standardized specification for industrial lifting.

[0064] The lifting lug 10 is fully welded to the shell 1. After welding, rust prevention treatment is carried out (spraying epoxy zinc-rich primer) to ensure the connection strength. This is common knowledge and mature technology known in the prior art, and will not be described in detail here.

[0065] The main air inlet 2 is used to connect to the external functional unit D, and the fan 4 and the electric regulating valve 7 are both electrically connected to the controller.

[0066] A method for operating a modular air supply device includes the following steps:

[0067] S1. Air handling and delivery: Functional unit D, according to process requirements (such as temperature and humidity for meat product air drying and fermentation, and cleanliness requirements of cleanrooms), cools, heats, dehumidifies, and filters the incoming outdoor fresh air / indoor return air. After adjusting the air parameters to the set values, the treated air is stably delivered to the inner cavity of the shell 1 through the short-distance connecting air duct and the main air inlet 2 by the static pressure drive of the unit's built-in fan, providing a qualified air source for subsequent air circulation.

[0068] In this embodiment, the setpoints are core air environment parameter thresholds that need to be stably maintained, formulated according to the target application scenario, corresponding process quality requirements, and industry standards of the air supply device A. All setpoints are input into the device's control system, which is linked with the air supply module in a closed-loop control to ensure that the actual parameters in the working area stably match the setpoints. For example, in a meat processing workshop (ham thawing, air-drying fermentation), the setpoints are precisely divided according to the process stage: the core setpoints for the low-temperature, high-humidity thawing process (ham / poultry meat thawing) are:

[0069] Air supply temperature: 1℃~3℃, control accuracy ±0.5℃, the goal is to eventually stabilize the material center temperature at around 0℃;

[0070] Relative humidity: 90%~98%RH. A high humidity environment prevents the surface of meat from forming a crust and losing water, ensuring uniform thawing inside and out.

[0071] Working area wind speed: 0.1~0.3m / s, to avoid excessive wind speed causing the surface to dry out, and too low wind speed causing insufficient defrosting efficiency;

[0072] Cleanliness: ISO 8 level (Class 100,000), equipped with medium and high efficiency filters, filtration efficiency ≥99%@0.5μm, in compliance with food processing hygiene standards.

[0073] S2. Airflow Mixing and Pressurization: After the fan 4 starts, the impeller rotates at high speed to form a negative pressure field. Through the fan inlet 5 at the bottom center of the casing 1, the indoor air below the device after heat and mass exchange is continuously drawn in as return air. The return air and the treatment air sent in by the main air inlet 2 are fully mixed in the sealed inner cavity of the casing 1 to form a supply airflow that meets the process requirements. The fan impeller does work on the mixed airflow, converting mechanical energy into static pressure energy and dynamic pressure energy of the airflow, pressurizing the airflow, and providing sufficient power for the airflow to be sent out from the air outlet 3 and complete the airflow circulation of the whole space.

[0074] S3. Precise Airflow Adjustment: Based on the preset program or real-time feedback from the temperature and humidity (Rochoric HC2A-SH industrial-grade temperature and humidity transmitter, suitable for meat product thawing / drying and fermentation workshops) and wind speed sensor (Honeywell HAF series hot-wire wind speed sensor (with industrial protective housing), suitable for meat product thawing / drying and fermentation workshops) in the working area, the controller outputs 4-20mA analog control signals to the electric regulating valves 7 of the dual-sided air valve mechanism respectively; after receiving the signal, the internal motor drives the output shaft to rotate, and after deceleration and torque increase by the transmission mechanism 8, it drives multiple blades 9 of the air valve to deflect synchronously, changing the ventilation cross-sectional area between the blades, adjusting the airflow resistance of the corresponding air outlet 3, and finally realizing independent, continuous and precise adjustment of the airflow of each air outlet 3;

[0075] Detailed introduction of controller preset program:

[0076] In this embodiment, the preset program is a standardized industrial control program pre-installed in the Siemens S7-200SMARTSR40 PLC controller. It is developed based on STEP7-MicroWINSMARTV2.7 software and is developed entirely around the patented core logic of this modular air supply device. It has a built-in CFD simulation and experimental calibration database, which enables it to be used immediately after installation without the need for complex on-site programming.

[0077] (a) Program Infrastructure

[0078] It adopts modular ladder diagram (LAD) programming, divided into 4 independent layers, with each module encapsulated and isolated, allowing for flexible configuration and expansion.

[0079] Basic operation layer: responsible for system power-on initialization, hardware self-test, signal acquisition and basic calculation;

[0080] Core control layer: Built-in patented core air valve complementary control, dynamic air sweeping, and PID closed-loop regulation logic;

[0081] Functional application layer: Built-in process condition packages for different scenarios, fault alarms and protection, and fan linkage control;

[0082] Communication networking layer: Enables networking of multiple devices and interaction with the centralized control system for commands and data upload.

[0083] (II) Seven core functional modules of the preset program

[0084] System initialization and self-test module

[0085] Core function: After power-on, it completes the system safety startup verification to ensure reliable operation of the equipment.

[0086] Preset operating logic: After power-on, the PLC, analog module, fan, and electric regulating valve are first tested for hardware communication, and then the sensors are tested for signal disconnection and over-range detection. After the self-test passes, the preset process parameters are automatically loaded, the air valve is initialized to the 50% / 50% balance position, the fan speed is reduced to 30% of the rated speed, and the system enters standby mode. If a fault is detected, the start-up permission is immediately locked and the corresponding fault code is output.

[0087] Preset content: hardware fault judgment threshold, normal signal range of sensor, initial state parameters, self-test timing logic.

[0088] Complementary opening control module for core air valves (patented core logic)

[0089] Core function: Strictly implement the complementary control rule of "left side opening + right side opening = 100%" to achieve precise synchronous adjustment of the two-sided air valves, ensuring a constant total air volume and only changing the air volume distribution ratio.

[0090] Preset operating logic: Built-in fixed complementary calculation formula, only one side opening target value needs to be set, the other side opening is automatically calculated synchronously, avoiding total air volume fluctuation caused by asynchronous adjustment of the two sides; 0~100% opening is linearly converted into 4-20mA analog signal output to electric regulating valve, while receiving valve opening feedback, and corrected by closed loop through pre-tuned PID algorithm, the opening control accuracy is ≤±2%; Built-in 10% minimum opening safety limit to avoid fan surge caused by full closure of one side valve.

[0091] Preset content: complementary operation logic, opening degree-analog linear conversion formula, PID closed-loop tuning parameters, opening degree safety protection threshold.

[0092] Dynamic air-sweeping control module (core innovative function)

[0093] Core function: To enable the periodic and continuous movement of the airflow convergence point, forming a uniform sweeping effect and solving the problem of poor uniformity in traditional fixed air supply.

[0094] Pre-defined operating logic: Three built-in, directly callable air-sweeping modes, eliminating the need for user programming:

[0095] Uniform speed continuous sweeping (default mode): Preset left side opening 10%→90%→10% continuous cycle, opening step size 1%~5% adjustable, sweeping cycle 5min~30min adjustable, default cycle 10min, to achieve smooth movement of the confluence point.

[0096] Fixed-point step-by-step air sweeping: Five calibration opening points are preset: 10 / 90, 30 / 70, 50 / 50, 70 / 30, and 90 / 10. The dwell time at each point is adjustable from 30 seconds to 5 minutes, with a default dwell time of 1 minute, achieving fixed-point coverage of the entire area.

[0097] Enhanced airflow in key areas: Based on sensor feedback, the corresponding opening degree is automatically calculated for areas with excessive temperature and humidity, and the dwell time at that point is extended to achieve precise air replenishment in the deviation area.

[0098] Meanwhile, the built-in pre-stored "valve opening ratio - airflow confluence point coordinates" mapping table (from CFD simulation + standard experimental chamber calibration) can automatically calculate the corresponding opening based on the target confluence point location to achieve accurate positioning.

[0099] Preset content: Standard parameters for 3 sweep modes, opening-merging point mapping database, default values ​​for sweep cycle / step size, and automatic reinforcement logic for out-of-tolerance areas.

[0100] Sensor closed-loop feedback adjustment module

[0101] Core function: Based on real-time feedback from sensors, it automatically adjusts the opening of the air valve and the speed of the fan to achieve closed-loop stable control of the environmental parameters in the working area.

[0102] Preset operating logic: Real-time acquisition of sensor signals, after digital filtering to remove interference, comparison with preset process settings to calculate deviation; Automatic adjustment of damper opening distribution, air sweeping mode, and fan speed through PID algorithm; If local parameters exceed the tolerance, automatic shift of airflow convergence point to the out-of-tolerance area until parameters return to the set range; If parameters deviate across the entire area, automatic linkage of functional units to adjust cooling / heating / dehumidification output to achieve global closed-loop control.

[0103] Preset content: PID tuning parameters for different scenarios, threshold for judging parameter deviation, automatic adjustment logic for local deviation, and sensor signal filtering algorithm.

[0104] Wind turbine operation and protection control module

[0105] Core function: Controlling the start and stop of the fan and regulating its speed to achieve safety protection throughout the entire life cycle of the fan.

[0106] Preset operating logic: Enables soft start of the fan to avoid starting current surge; linearly adjusts the fan speed according to process requirements, corresponding to the adjustment of total air volume; collects fan operating current and temperature signals in real time, and immediately shuts down for protection in case of overload, overheating, or phase loss faults; built-in valve-fan linkage compensation logic, automatically fine-tunes the fan speed when the valve opening is adjusted to compensate for changes in duct resistance and ensure stable total air volume.

[0107] Preset content: fan start / stop sequence, soft start parameters, overload protection threshold, and damper-fan linkage compensation logic.

[0108] Fault alarm and safety protection module

[0109] Core function: To monitor equipment operating status in all dimensions, handle faults in a graded manner, and ensure equipment and production safety.

[0110] Preset operating logic: Built-in 20+ fault monitoring points, covering all aspects including sensors, air valves, fans, power supply, and communication; adopts a three-level fault handling mechanism: Level 1 faults (fan short circuit, power failure) immediately shut down for protection; Level 2 faults (sensor deviation, opening deviation) maintain operation and alarm; Level 3 faults (filter blockage) provide early warning; can store the most recent 100 fault history records, including fault time, type, and operating parameters, and supports traceability query.

[0111] Preset content: fault classification rules, protection action logic, fault code definition, and historical fault storage rules.

[0112] Distributed networking communication module

[0113] Core function: To enable networking of multiple air supply devices with a centralized control system, supporting unified global scheduling and independent zone control.

[0114] Preset operating logic: Built-in industrial standard MODBUS-RTU communication protocol, preset communication address, baud rate, register mapping table, can be directly connected to host computer / touch screen centralized control system; supports global start and stop, batch distribution of operating modes, and independent parameter setting of single device; can upload the operating status, real-time parameters, and fault information of all devices to achieve global monitoring; preset multi-machine collaborative air sweeping logic, adjacent devices can execute air sweeping actions synchronously to achieve uniform coverage of large areas.

[0115] Preset content: MODBUS communication parameters, register address mapping table, multi-machine collaborative control logic, and data interaction rules.

[0116] (III) Pre-packaged standard process condition package

[0117] The program comes pre-loaded with a complete package of operating parameters for the core application scenarios of this device. Users can simply select and activate it without needing to configure it themselves.

[0118] Low-temperature thawing process package for meat products: preset temperature 1~3℃, humidity 90~98%RH, uniform and continuous air sweeping, cycle 10min, wind speed 0.1~0.3m / s;

[0119] Meat product air-drying and fermentation process package: preset temperature and humidity parameters in stages, fixed-point step-by-step air sweeping, single-point residence for 2 minutes, wind speed 0.15~0.25m / s;

[0120] Cleanroom operating conditions package: preset temperature 22±2℃, humidity 45~60%RH, uniform speed continuous air sweeping, cycle 5min;

[0121] Precision assembly working condition package: preset temperature 20±1℃, humidity 40~60%RH, low-speed continuous air sweeping, cycle 15min;

[0122] General operating condition package for warehousing: preset temperature 16~28℃, humidity 40~70%RH, intermittent air sweeping, low speed energy saving operation.

[0123] All preset parameters can be customized via touchscreen / host computer, and secondary program development is also supported to adapt to special process requirements.

[0124] S4. Airflow Distribution and Delivery: The mixed airflow, pressurized by the fan 4, is evenly distributed to the air valve mechanism and air outlet 3 on the left and right sides under the guidance of the streamlined guide cavity inside the housing 1. The air outlet 3 adopts a long rectangular structure with its long axis parallel to the long side of the housing 1. After the airflow is rectified by the air outlet, it forms a flat, downward / slanted downward attached jet, which is sent into the lower working area with a stable flow rate and direction, providing a basis for subsequent airflow circulation and heat and mass exchange.

[0125] S5. Closed-loop airflow circulation: The air jets delivered downwards from the dual air outlets 3 reach the floor of the room with sufficient air momentum, diffuse along the ground and then converge towards the central area below the device. Subsequently, the airflow flows upwards under the continuous negative pressure suction of the fan 4, passing over the multi-layered workpieces on the rack and completing heat and mass exchange with the workpieces (removing heat, moisture, dust, etc.), thus achieving environmental control of the process area. The airflow that has completed heat and mass exchange is finally drawn back into the housing 1 through the fan inlet 5, where it mixes again with the new processing air delivered by the main air inlet 2 and enters the next air supply cycle, forming a complete and continuous closed-loop airflow circulation of "upward delivery, downward suction, and surrounding return".

[0126] Furthermore, in step S3, when the controller adjusts the two electric regulating valves 7, it follows the complementary control logic that the sum of the opening degree of the left electric regulating valve and the opening degree of the right electric regulating valve is always 100%.

[0127] Furthermore, the controller periodically changes the opening ratio of the two electric regulating valves 7, so that the confluence point of the two airflows sent from the two air outlets 3 moves periodically within the working area below the device, forming a uniform sweeping effect.

[0128] Furthermore, multiple modular air supply devices are hoisted in the workshop. Each device is connected to a functional unit D to form an independent air supply unit. The controllers of multiple air supply units are connected to a centralized control system for unified management or independent control.

[0129] The circuits, electronic components, and chip modules involved in this invention are all existing technologies, which can be fully implemented by those skilled in the art, and need not be elaborated upon. The content protected by this invention does not involve improvements to the software and methods.

[0130] All standard parts used in the application documents can be purchased from the market. All components in this application document can be customized according to the description and drawings. The specific connection methods of each part adopt conventional methods such as bolts, rivets, and welding that are mature in the prior art. The machinery, parts and equipment adopt conventional models in the prior art. The electrical components mentioned in this document are all electrically connected to external controllers and power supplies, and the controller is a conventional known device that can play a control role.

[0131] The working principle of this invention is:

[0132] When this invention is in use, (in this embodiment, taking a single air supply device A as an example, the room B has dimensions of 3100*3100*4500mm (length*width*height), the rack C has dimensions of 1000*1000*2500mm (length*width*height), the air supply device A has dimensions of 2500*1200*600mm (length*width*height), and four racks D are arranged in a 2*2 configuration with a rack spacing of 100mm), the functional unit D, according to process requirements (such as temperature and humidity for drying meat products, cleanliness of cleanrooms), cools / heats / dehumidifies / filters the air, and then delivers the treated air to the main air inlet 2 of the air supply device A through a standardized short air duct, entering the interior of the housing 1;

[0133] The controller controls the start of the fan 4. The fan 4 draws in the indoor return air in room B through the fan inlet 5, so that the return air and the treatment air entering through the main air inlet 2 are fully mixed inside the casing 1 to form a supply airflow that meets the process requirements. The fan 4 pressurizes the mixed airflow to provide power for airflow delivery.

[0134] According to the preset program or the feedback signal from the temperature, humidity and wind speed sensor in room B, the controller outputs a 4-20mA analog control signal to the electric regulating valves 7 on both sides. The electric regulating valves 7 on both sides follow the complementary control logic of left opening degree + right opening degree = 100%. Through the transmission mechanism 8, the blades 9 are deflected to adjust the ventilation cross-sectional area of ​​the air valves on both sides, thereby changing the air volume distribution ratio of a pair of air outlets 3.

[0135] The pressurized mixed airflow is evenly distributed to the two side frames 6 through the housing 1. It is then sent out as a flat jet from the rectangular air outlet 3 through the adjusted air valve mechanism. Due to the different air volume on both sides, there is a difference in airflow flux. The high momentum airflow is squeezed towards the low momentum airflow side, causing the airflow confluence point to dynamically shift above the frame C. The controller can control the periodic cyclical change of the air valve opening, so that the airflow confluence point moves continuously above the frame C, forming a uniform sweeping effect.

[0136] After the airflow from the outlet 3 reaches the floor of room B, it spreads outwards and flows along the floor to the central area below the device. Then it flows upwards and back, fully sweeping over the multi-layered workpieces on the rack C, carrying away the heat / moisture of the workpieces and completing the environmental control of the process area. Finally, the airflow that has completed heat and mass exchange enters the housing 1 again through the air inlet 5 of the fan under the negative pressure suction of the fan 4, and mixes with the new processing air to form a closed-loop airflow circulation with upward delivery, downward suction, and surrounding return.

[0137] When room B is a large industrial space, multiple air supply units A can be installed, each unit corresponding to a functional unit, forming a distributed air supply unit of "one unit per area". The controllers of all units are connected to a centralized control system, which can realize independent environmental control or coordinated air sweeping of each area to meet the zoning process requirements of large spaces.

[0138] The preferred embodiments of the present invention disclosed above are merely illustrative of the invention. These preferred embodiments do not exhaustively describe all details, nor do they limit the invention to the specific implementations described. Clearly, many modifications and variations can be made based on the content of this specification. This specification selects and specifically describes these embodiments to better explain the principles and practical applications of the invention, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize the invention. The invention is limited only by the claims and their full scope and equivalents.

Claims

1. A modular air supply device and its operating method, characterized in that, include: The housing (1) and a pair of air valve mechanisms and a controller are provided. A main air inlet (2) is cut out on one side of the housing (1) near the center. A pair of air outlets (3) are cut out at the bottom of the main air inlet (2). A fan inlet (5) is cut out at the bottom of the housing (1), and a fan (4) is installed on the fan inlet (5). The pair of air valve mechanisms are both set on the housing (1). The damper mechanism includes a frame (6), an electric regulating valve (7), a transmission mechanism (8), and multiple blades (9). The frame (6) is mounted on the housing (1). The electric regulating valve (7) and the transmission mechanism (8) are both mounted on the frame (6). The multiple blades (9) are rotatably connected to the frame (6) through bearings and shafts. The electric regulating valve (7) is connected to the multiple blades (9) through the transmission mechanism (8).

2. The modular air supply device and its working method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pair of air outlets (3) are located on both sides of the fan inlet (5). The main air inlet (2) and the fan inlet (5) are both circular, and the air outlets (3) are rectangular.

3. The modular air supply device and its operating method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pair of frames (6) are located on both sides of the fan (4), and the interior of the pair of frames (6) is connected to the interior of the shell (1).

4. The modular air supply device and its operating method according to claim 1, characterized in that, A pair of lifting lugs (10) are fixedly connected to both sides of the housing (1) near the top, and mounting holes are drilled on the lifting lugs (10).

5. The modular air supply device and its operating method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main air inlet (2) is used to connect to an external functional unit (D), and the fan (4) and the electric regulating valve (7) are both electrically connected to the controller.

6. The method of operating a modular air supply device according to claim 1, providing method support for a modular air supply device according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Air handling and delivery: The functional unit (D) handles the air and delivers the handled air to the housing (1) through the main air inlet (2); S2, airflow mixing and pressurization: The fan (4) is started and draws air from the space below the device through the fan inlet (5) as return air, so that the return air mixes with the processing air entering from the main inlet (2) inside the housing (1) to form a supply airflow and pressurize the supply airflow. S3, Precise air volume adjustment: The controller outputs a control signal to the electric regulating valve (7) of the pair of air valve mechanisms. The electric regulating valve (7) drives the blade (9) to rotate through the transmission mechanism (8) to adjust the ventilation cross-sectional area of ​​the corresponding air outlet (3), thereby independently adjusting the air volume of each air outlet (3). S4, airflow distribution and delivery: After being pressurized, the airflow is distributed by the housing (1) and then sent downward through the adjusted air outlet (3); S5. Closed-loop airflow circulation: After the airflow sent from the air outlet (3) reaches the ground of the space below, it spreads to all sides and flows upward. Under the suction of the fan (4), it enters the housing (1) again through the fan inlet (5) and mixes with the new processing air entering from the main air inlet (2) to form a closed-loop airflow circulation.

7. The operating method of the modular air supply device according to claim 6, characterized in that, In step S3, when the controller adjusts the two electric regulating valves (7), it follows the complementary control logic that the sum of the opening degree of the left electric regulating valve and the opening degree of the right electric regulating valve is always 100%.

8. The operating method of the modular air supply device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The controller periodically changes the opening ratio of the two electric regulating valves (7), so that the confluence point of the two airflows sent from the two air outlets (3) moves periodically in the working area below the device, forming a uniform sweeping effect.

9. The operating method of the modular air supply device according to claim 6, characterized in that, Multiple modular air supply devices are hoisted in the workshop. Each device is connected to a functional unit (D) to form an independent air supply unit. The controllers of multiple air supply units are connected to a centralized control system for unified management or independent control.

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