An energy-saving sponge block cooling and conveying system

Abstract

This utility model discloses an energy-saving sponge block cooling and conveying system, including a cooling box, a roller conveyor, and a ventilation system. The cooling box is installed on the roller conveyor, and insulated curtains are installed at both the inlet and outlet of the cooling box, along with a drive device for raising and lowering the insulated curtains. The ventilation system includes a first centrifugal fan, a second centrifugal fan, an air supply duct, an upper air outlet duct, a lower air outlet duct, a return air duct, and a refrigeration unit. The upper and lower air outlet ducts are located inside the cooling box and on the upper and lower sides of the roller conveyor, respectively. Several air outlet holes are provided on the opposite sides of the upper and lower air outlet ducts. The return air duct is installed on the top of the cooling box. The return air duct, the first centrifugal fan, the refrigeration unit, and the second centrifugal fan are connected in sequence and connected to the air supply duct, forming a closed-loop air circulation system. This closed-loop design allows the cooled air to be recovered and reused after being cooled by the refrigeration unit, avoiding waste of cooling capacity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of cooling system technology, specifically to an energy-saving sponge block cooling and conveying system. Background Technology

[0002] After high-temperature foaming and molding, sponge blocks (such as polyurethane foam) accumulate a large amount of heat inside, reaching extremely high temperatures. If they are not cooled promptly and evenly, this can lead to poor product shaping, decreased physical properties (such as reduced elasticity and shrinkage deformation), and even the risk of spontaneous combustion due to internal heat buildup. Currently, common cooling methods are natural cooling or simple fan cooling. Natural cooling is extremely time-consuming, occupies significant space, and is inefficient, impacting production cycles. While fan cooling accelerates airflow to some extent, the cooling effect is uneven, often only cooling the surface while the interior of the sponge block remains hot, and the continuous operation of the fan consumes a lot of energy. Furthermore, traditional conveyor systems only handle workpiece transfer, disconnected from the cooling process, resulting in a single function. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides an energy-saving sponge block cooling and conveying system that features a reasonable structure, uniform and efficient cooling, and energy saving and consumption reduction.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides the following technical solution: An energy-saving sponge block cooling and conveying system includes a cooling box, a roller conveyor installed inside the cooling box, and a ventilation system for supplying air to the cooling box. The cooling box is mounted on the roller conveyor, and insulated curtains are installed at both the inlet and outlet of the cooling box, along with a drive device for raising and lowering the insulated curtains. The ventilation system includes a first centrifugal fan, a second centrifugal fan, an air supply duct, an upper air outlet duct, a lower air outlet duct, a return air duct, and a refrigeration unit. The upper and lower air outlet ducts are both located within the cooling box. Inside the box, and located on the upper and lower sides of the roller conveyor, the upper and lower air outlet pipes are provided with several air outlet holes on their opposite sides. The air supply pipe is arranged on the outside of the roller conveyor, and the outlet end of the air supply pipe is connected to the upper and lower air outlet pipes. The return air pipe is installed on the top of the cooling box. The return air pipe, the first centrifugal fan, the refrigeration unit, and the second centrifugal fan are connected in sequence. The outlet end of the second centrifugal fan is connected to the air supply pipe, forming a closed air circulation loop.

[0005] Preferably, the cooling box includes a bottom box with a top opening, side plates fixed to both sides of the bottom box, and a top plate fixed to the upper ends of the side plates. The two side plates are bolted to both sides of the roller conveyor frame, so that the roller conveyor is located between the side plates. The bottom box is located below the roller conveyor, and the top of the bottom box contacts the roller conveyor frame. The top plate is located above the roller conveyor, and both ends of the top plate have slotted holes. The thermal insulation curtain is movably disposed within the slotted holes. A counterweight is connected to the lower end of the thermal insulation curtain. By releasing the thermal insulation curtain, under the gravity of the counterweight, the thermal insulation curtain moves downward within the slotted holes, thereby blocking the inlet or outlet of the cooling box and reducing the speed at which cold air diffuses outward.

[0006] Preferably, the driving device includes bearing seats fixed at both ends of the strip hole, a roller rotatably connected to the two bearing seats, and a motor mounted on the top plate. A drive wheel is drivenly connected to the motor shaft, and a driven wheel is drivenly connected to one end of the roller. The drive wheel and the driven wheel are connected by a transmission belt. The insulating soft curtain is wound around the roller. Starting the motor drives the roller to rotate, which releases or retracts the insulating soft curtain, thus opening and closing the cooling box.

[0007] Preferably, the air supply duct includes a main pipe, a tee pipe connected to the main pipe, a first branch pipe and a second branch pipe connected to the tee pipe. The first branch pipe enters from the upper side wall of the cooling box and connects to the upper air outlet pipe, and the second branch pipe enters from the bottom of the cooling box and connects to the lower air outlet pipe. The main pipe is connected to the outlet end of the second centrifugal fan. The air that has undergone heat exchange enters the first and second branch pipes through the tee pipe and is then sent to the upper and lower air outlet pipes respectively, thus blowing air onto the upper and lower sides of the sponge block simultaneously.

[0008] Preferably, a one-way valve is installed on the return air duct, and control valves are installed on the return air duct, the first branch pipe, and the second branch pipe. By installing a one-way valve on the return air duct, backflow of air exiting the cooling box can be prevented, and by installing control valves, the opening and closing of the corresponding pipes can be controlled.

[0009] Preferably, it also includes a control system, which is electrically connected to the drive device, refrigeration unit, first centrifugal fan, second centrifugal fan, and control valve, and is used to automatically start and stop the equipment and adjust operating parameters (such as fan frequency and cooling capacity) according to a preset program or a signal fed back by a temperature sensor, so as to achieve energy-saving operation.

[0010] Preferably, the inner wall of the cooling box is lined with a layer of heat-insulating material to reduce heat loss.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: (1) Through the forced convection of the closed circulation, the cold air blows towards the sponge block from both the top and bottom, so that it can be fully and evenly cooled, which significantly improves the cooling efficiency and quality.

[0012] (2) A closed-loop design is adopted, and the cooled air is recycled and cooled again by the refrigeration unit, avoiding the waste of cooling capacity. At the same time, the heat-insulating channel and heat-insulating soft curtain greatly reduce the leakage of cold air, and with the cooperation of the drive device, the heat-insulating soft curtain can be automatically raised and lowered, improving efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention installed after the roller conveyor; In the diagram: 1-Roller conveyor, 2-Insulated curtain, 3-First centrifugal fan, 4-Second centrifugal fan, 5-Upper air outlet pipe, 6-Lower air outlet pipe, 7-Return air pipe, 8-Refrigeration unit, 9-Bottom box, 10-Side plate, 11-Top plate, 12-Strip hole, 13-Counterweight, 14-Bearing seat, 15-Motor, 16-Main pipe, 17-Tee pipe, 18-First branch pipe, 19-Second branch pipe, 20-Check valve, 21-Control valve. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0015] Example 1

[0016] Please see Figures 1-2 An energy-saving sponge block cooling and conveying system includes a cooling box, a roller conveyor 1 disposed inside the cooling box, and a ventilation system for supplying air into the cooling box. The roller conveyor includes a frame, a plurality of rollers rotatably connected to the frame, and a transmission mechanism for driving the rollers to rotate. The roller conveyor is prior art and a conventional technical choice for those skilled in the art; therefore, it will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0017] The cooling box includes a bottom box 9 with an open top, side plates 10 fixed to both sides of the bottom box, and a top plate 11 fixed to the upper part of the side plates. The side plates 10 are bolted to both sides of the frame of the roller conveyor 1. The bottom box 9 is located below the roller conveyor 1, and the top plate 11 is located above the roller conveyor 1. Slotted holes 12 are provided at both ends of the top plate 11, near the inlet and outlet of the cooling box. Insulating curtains 2 are movably installed within the slotted holes 12, and a counterweight 13 is connected to the lower end of the insulating curtains 2. By releasing the insulating curtains 2, under the gravity of the counterweight 13, the insulating curtains 2 move downwards within the slotted holes 12, thereby blocking the inlet or outlet of the cooling box and reducing the speed at which cold air diffuses outwards.

[0018] The top plate is equipped with drive devices at both ends to raise and lower the thermal insulation curtain 2. The drive devices include bearing seats 14 fixed to both ends of the strip-shaped holes, a roller rotatably connected to the two bearing seats, and a motor 15 mounted on the top plate. A drive wheel is driven to the motor shaft of the motor 15, and a driven wheel is driven to one end of the roller. The drive wheel and the driven wheel are connected by a transmission belt. The thermal insulation curtain 2 is wound around the roller. Starting the motor 15 drives the roller to rotate, which releases or retracts the thermal insulation curtain 2, thus opening and closing the cooling box. Furthermore, when installing the cooling box, the distance between adjacent rollers and the length of the cooling box can be calculated so that the counterweight and the thermal insulation curtain can pass between adjacent rollers and enter the bottom box, thereby maximizing the coverage of the cooling box's inlet and outlet.

[0019] The ventilation system includes a first centrifugal fan 3, a second centrifugal fan 4, an air supply duct, an upper air outlet duct 5, a lower air outlet duct 6, a return air duct 7, and a refrigeration unit 8. The upper air outlet duct 5 and the lower air outlet duct 6 are both located inside the cooling box and are situated on the upper and lower sides of the roller conveyor 1, respectively. Several air outlet holes are provided on the opposite sides of the upper air outlet duct 5 and the lower air outlet duct 6. The air supply duct is arranged on the outside of the roller conveyor 1, and its outlet end is connected to the upper air outlet duct 5 and the lower air outlet duct 6. The return air duct 7 is installed on the top of the cooling box. The return air duct 7, the first centrifugal fan 3, the refrigeration unit 8, and the second centrifugal fan 4 are connected sequentially. Specifically, the end of the return air duct 7 furthest from the cooling box is connected to the inlet end of the first centrifugal fan 3; the outlet end of the first centrifugal fan 3 is connected to the inlet end of the refrigeration unit 8; the outlet end of the refrigeration unit 8 is connected to the inlet end of the second centrifugal fan 4; and the outlet end of the second centrifugal fan 4 is connected to the air supply duct.

[0020] The air supply pipeline includes a main pipe 16, a tee pipe 17 connected to the main pipe, a first branch pipe 18 and a second branch pipe 19 connected to the tee pipe. The first branch pipe 18 enters from the side wall of the upper part of the cooling box and is connected to the upper air outlet pipe 5. The second branch pipe 19 enters from the bottom of the cooling box and is connected to the lower air outlet pipe 6. The main pipe 16 is connected to the outlet end of the second centrifugal fan 4.

[0021] A closed-loop air circulation circuit is formed by the return air duct, the first centrifugal fan, the refrigeration unit, the second centrifugal fan, the air supply duct, and the cooling box.

[0022] The refrigeration unit described in this embodiment includes a compressor, a condenser, a throttling expansion mechanism, and an evaporator. The evaporator, serving as a cold source, is preferably connected in series between the first and second centrifugal fans in the return air duct, used to condense and dehumidify the moisture in the circulating air and cool it. The refrigeration unit is a commercial air-cooled chiller or a direct evaporation refrigeration system. Its cooling capacity and power can be matched and selected according to process requirements such as the volume of the cooling channel, the initial temperature of the sponge block, and the production cycle time; this is a conventional design choice for those skilled in the art. This embodiment will not describe it in detail.

[0023] A one-way valve 20 is installed on the return air duct 7, and control valves 21 are installed on the return air duct 7, the first branch pipe 18, and the second branch pipe 19. A temperature sensor is also provided inside the cooling box to sense the temperature inside the cooling box. This cooling conveying system also includes a control system, which is electrically connected to the drive device, the refrigeration unit, the first centrifugal fan, the second centrifugal fan, the control valve, and the temperature sensor.

[0024] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows: During operation, the high-temperature sponge block slowly enters the cooling box via roller conveyor 1. Once inside, motors 15 at both ends drive the insulated curtain 2 downwards, closing the cooling box's inlet and outlet. Then, the first centrifugal fan 3 operates, drawing air from the cooling box through the return air duct 7. The air is cooled and dehumidified as it flows through the evaporator of the refrigeration unit 8. The cooled and dehumidified air is then forced into the air supply duct by the second centrifugal fan 4 and delivered to the upper and lower outlet ducts 5 and 6, respectively, blowing simultaneously outwards through the outlet holes onto the upper and lower sides of the sponge block. The cold air impacts and penetrates the sponge block from both sides, carrying away a significant amount of heat. The heated air rises in temperature, ascends within the cooling box, and flows towards the outlet, eventually being drawn back into the return air duct 7, forming a closed cooling cycle. Throughout this process, the refrigeration unit 8 continuously operates, maintaining the low temperature and low humidity of the circulating air.

[0025] The control system (not shown in the diagram) monitors the internal air temperature through temperature sensors installed in the channel, and adjusts the speeds of the first and second centrifugal fans via frequency converters. It also regulates the cooling capacity of the refrigeration unit by adjusting the compressor power, thus achieving on-demand cooling and optimal energy efficiency. The fully cooled sponge blocks are output from the cooling box outlet, their temperature reduced to a safe and suitable range for subsequent processing.

[0026] Example 2

[0027] The inner wall of the cooling box is covered with a layer of insulation material, preferably closed-cell rubber and plastic insulation cotton, which is tightly adhered to or fixed to the metal wall panel of the cooling box to reduce cooling leakage.

[0028] It should be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0029] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An energy-saving sponge block cooling and conveying system, characterized in that: Includes a cooling box, a roller conveyor (1) installed inside the cooling box, and a ventilation system that supplies air into the cooling box; The cooling box is installed on the roller conveyor (1). The inlet and outlet of the cooling box are equipped with heat-insulating soft curtains (2) and a drive device for driving the heat-insulating soft curtains (2) to rise and fall. The ventilation system includes a first centrifugal fan (3), a second centrifugal fan (4), an air supply duct, an upper air outlet duct (5), a lower air outlet duct (6), a return air duct (7), and a refrigeration unit (8). The upper air outlet duct (5) and the lower air outlet duct (6) are both located inside the cooling box and are located on the upper and lower sides of the roller conveyor (1), respectively. The upper air outlet duct (5) and the lower air outlet duct (6) have several air outlet holes on their opposite sides. The air supply duct is arranged on the outside of the roller conveyor (1). The outlet end of the air supply duct is connected to the upper air outlet duct (5) and the lower air outlet duct (6). The return air duct (7) is installed on the top of the cooling box. The return air duct (7), the first centrifugal fan (3), the refrigeration unit (8), and the second centrifugal fan (4) are connected in sequence. The outlet end of the second centrifugal fan (4) is connected to the air supply duct, forming a closed air circulation loop.

2. The energy-saving sponge block cooling and conveying system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling box includes a bottom box (9) with a top opening, side plates (10) fixed to both sides of the bottom box, and a top plate (11) fixed to the upper part of the side plates. The two side plates (10) are bolted to both sides of the frame of the roller conveyor (1). The bottom box (9) is located below the roller conveyor (1), and the top plate (11) is located above the roller conveyor (1). The top plate (11) has strip holes (12) at both ends. The heat-insulating soft curtain (2) is movably installed in the strip holes (12). The lower end of the heat-insulating soft curtain (2) is connected to a counterweight (13).

3. The energy-saving sponge block cooling and conveying system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The driving device includes bearing seats (14) fixed at both ends of the strip hole, a roller rotatably connected to the two bearing seats, and a motor (15) mounted on the top plate. The motor shaft of the motor (15) is connected to a drive wheel, and one end of the roller is connected to a driven wheel. The drive wheel and the driven wheel are connected by a transmission belt. The heat-insulating soft curtain (2) is wound on the roller.

4. The energy-saving sponge block cooling and conveying system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The air supply pipeline includes a main pipe (16), a tee pipe (17) connected to the main pipe, a first branch pipe (18) and a second branch pipe (19) connected to the tee pipe. The first branch pipe (18) enters from the side wall of the upper part of the cooling box and is connected to the upper air outlet pipe (5). The second branch pipe (19) enters from the bottom of the cooling box and is connected to the lower air outlet pipe (6). The main pipe (16) is connected to the outlet end of the second centrifugal fan (4).

5. The energy-saving sponge block cooling and conveying system according to claim 4, characterized in that: A one-way valve (20) is installed on the return air duct (7), and control valves (21) are installed on the return air duct (7), the first branch pipe (18), and the second branch pipe (19).

6. The energy-saving sponge block cooling and conveying system according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes a control system, which is electrically connected to the drive unit, the refrigeration unit, the first centrifugal fan, the second centrifugal fan, and the control valve.

7. The energy-saving sponge block cooling and conveying system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inner wall of the cooling box is lined with a layer of thermal insulation material.

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