TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICE AND ASSEMBLY METHOD FOR A TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICE FOR HEATING AND / OR COOLING GAS OR GAS MIXTURES, IN PARTICULARLY FOR USE IN RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a temperature control device for heating and / or cooling gases or gas mixtures, particularly for use in respiratory protection for painters, carpenters, and varnishers, wherein the temperature control device comprises a housing, a compressed air inlet, a supply outlet, and a vortex tube with an air inlet, a warm air outlet, and a cold air outlet. Furthermore, the invention relates to an assembly method for a temperature control device for heating and / or cooling gases or gas mixtures, particularly for use in respiratory protection, wherein the housing of the temperature control device comprises at least a base body with a warm air side and a cold air side, an exhaust cap, a supply cap, and a compressed air inlet with a locking element.

[0002] The processing of paints and varnishes typically generates harmful gases and vapors, which arise either from the evaporation of solvents and / or the atomization of liquids. Such air contamination is particularly common during atomizing painting processes. Therefore, exposure to such contaminated atmospheres is only permitted with appropriate respiratory protection. This includes, among other things, respiratory protective devices such as hoods or helmets that can cover either the entire head or, as half- or full-face masks, parts of the face. These devices can be designed to operate either with or without an external air supply.In the field of paint processing using atomization, externally ventilated respiratory masks or hoods are generally used, as the duration of stay in the contaminated atmosphere with ambient air-dependent respiratory protection is severely restricted or not permitted by corresponding regulations.

[0003] In self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), the inhaled air is typically supplied via a compressed air hose, with the air first passing through a multi-stage filter. An activated carbon filter is used, among other components, to ensure sufficient purification of the supplied air. The activated carbon filter is either part of the multi-stage filter system or worn by the wearer on their belt. A humidifier can also be used to add moisture to the air, making breathing easier for the wearer.

[0004] In the painting and varnishing industry, compressed air is typically supplied by drawing in ambient air, compressing it via a compressor, and then conveying it to the point of use through compressed air lines. A compressed air dryer is usually connected to the compressor, where the compressed air is cooled to a low temperature of approximately 3 to 4 °C for drying. The compressed air is then usually tempered to a constant temperature, such as 20 °C. If the compressed air is transported over a longer distance, the influence of the ambient temperature on the compressed air temperature increases significantly. For example, the temperature drops considerably if the compressed air lines are laid underground for a considerable distance. If the compressed air lines are not insulated from the ambient temperature over a significant distance, the ambient temperature also has a strong influence on the temperature of the compressed air.In this case, solar radiation or a high outside temperature, for example, leads to a warming of the compressed air.

[0005] If the air supplied to the respiratory protection system is too warm or too cold, this can be uncomfortable for the wearer and may even lead to health problems. For example, the temperature of the compressed air can rise to well below 5°C in certain latitudes or to well above 40°C in others. This demonstrates that a temperature control device, which can be attached to the wearer's belt, for instance, can improve the wearer's comfort and prevent health problems such as catching a cold.

[0006] Temperature control devices for respiratory protection typically operate using a vortex tube, also known as a Ranque-Hilsch tube, as this design requires no external energy source other than compressed air to temperature-control the breathing air. The air to be cooled is introduced tangentially into a section of the tube, causing it to rotate and split into an outer warm air stream and an inner cold air stream. The outer warm air stream is then discharged from the warm air outlet of the vortex tube, while the inner cold air stream is deflected by a deflector to the cold air outlet and discharged there. Depending on whether the breathing air is to be heated or cooled, either the warm or the cold air stream can be directed to the breathing mask.Since the separation of the warm and cold air streams in the vortex tube produces a loud, high-frequency noise, it is advantageous to route the unused gas stream through a silencer to prevent noise pollution before it is released into the ambient air. According to the prior art, such silencers are formed by one or more chambers flowing through them sequentially, which generally surround at least part of the vortex tube. However, such chambers take up a lot of space and have a relatively low damping effect.

[0007] With comparable devices for temperature-controlled breathing air, the airflow is typically only heated by separating a cold air stream using a vortex tube. However, under specific operating conditions, cooling the breathing air can also be advantageous for the wearer of the respiratory protection equipment. This is the case, for example, when the respiratory protection system is supplied with particularly warm air. For this situation, breathing air coolers are available, which can be used to cool the airflow supplied to the respiratory protection system. Accordingly, whether the breathing air needs to be supplied directly, heated, or cooled generally depends on the outside temperature and its effect on the compressed air lines.

[0008] Several devices for temperature-controlling breathing air are known from the prior art, which utilize a vortex tube to influence the temperature. For example, a breathing air warmer is disclosed, which is arranged in a housing. Air is drawn into the housing via an air inlet and then divided into a cold and a warm air stream by means of a vortex tube. The warm air stream is directed to the breathing unit via a supply outlet, and the cold air stream is discharged from the housing via an exhaust outlet. To regulate the temperature of the warm air stream, a throttle is provided on the cold air side, which controls how much air flows out of the housing into the environment via the exhaust outlet.Thus, closing the throttle reduces the temperature at the supply outlet, as the cold airflow cannot be completely expelled from the housing via the exhaust outlet and is therefore also discharged at the supply outlet. The throttle is adjusted by rotating one side of the housing relative to the other. To ensure a consistent airflow at the supply outlet, a second throttle is provided, connected to the first via the rotatable side of the housing, which controls the amount of air entering the housing through the air inlet. Furthermore, the device includes a silencer through which the portion of the air exiting the housing via the exhaust outlet flows.The silencer is formed from two nested pipe sections, whereby the airflow must first traverse the cavities between the pipe sections in one direction and then in the opposite direction in a labyrinthine fashion. For improved sound attenuation, the pipe sections are lined with a sound-absorbing material. Further temperature control devices are known from DE202015005881U1, US2014 / 123978A1 and DE3017688A1.

[0009] The object of the invention is to create an improved temperature control device for tempering breathing air, especially for painters, carpenters and varnishers, which can be assembled with little additional production effort as both a breathing air heater and a breathing air cooler from at least mostly the same components and can be assembled with little effort.

[0010] This problem is solved by a temperature control device according to claim 1. Further advantageous details and embodiments of the invention are evident from the dependent claims and the drawing explained below.

[0011] The invention solves the problem by providing a temperature control device for heating or cooling gases or gas mixtures, wherein such temperature control devices are used in particular in the field of respiratory protection for painters, carpenters or painters.

[0012] Since the temperature control device according to the invention is used, among other things, in paint booths or in comparable areas, a housing is preferably provided to protect the interior of the temperature control device from contamination by paints and varnishes.

[0013] For the supply of compressed air, the housing is provided with a compressed air inlet through which compressed air from a compressed air source is fed into the housing. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the housing has a supply outlet through which the temperature-controlled air is directed from the housing to a breathing mask, a breathing hood, or a comparable device such as a protective suit. Since it is clear to those skilled in the art that a respiratory mask can also be replaced by another device for supplying breathing air to the wearer of the temperature control device, such devices are to be considered synonymous and are not suitable for restricting the scope of protection of the application.

[0014] In particular, the temperature control device is a portable temperature control device that can be worn by the user, preferably on a belt around the hips.

[0015] Apart from the compressed air inlet and the supply outlet, the housing also has an exhaust outlet. This outlet directs the portion of the airflow that, due to its temperature, cannot be used to supply the support structure of the temperature control device into the environment. Thus, the exhaust outlet provides a fluid-conducting connection between the interior of the housing and the environment.

[0016] To temper the airflow directed via the supply outlet to the respiratory mask or a comparable device, a vortex tube is advantageously provided within the housing, operating according to the Ranque-Hilsch principle already described. Accordingly, air is introduced into the housing via the compressed air inlet and then tangentially into the vortex tube, causing the air to rotate within the tube. This results in a warmer airflow on the inside of the vortex tube and a colder airflow in the core. To ensure the separate discharge of these two airflows, a cold air reflection element is provided at the warm air outlet of the vortex tube. This element deflects at least a large portion of the cold airflow towards the cold air outlet, while a significant portion of the warm airflow is discharged through the warm air outlet.For the same purpose, a warm air reflection element is provided at the cold air end, whereby the warm air flow is largely deflected by the warm air reflection element towards the warm air end, and the cold air flow is largely discharged at the cold air end. Thus, the warm air flow leaves the vortex tube at the warm air outlet and the cold air flow at the cold air outlet.

[0017] Since both a breathing air warmer and a breathing air cooler are to be manufactured with minimal additional production effort, it is particularly advantageous for the breathing air warmer and the breathing air cooler to differ in as few parts as possible, thereby achieving considerable savings in the manufacturing of the individual components of the temperature control device. Accordingly, it is particularly advantageous to create a temperature control device in which both a breathing air cooling device and a breathing air heating device can be assembled from the same parts. According to the invention, this is achieved by allowing the vortex tube of the temperature control device to be installed in at least two different final assembly arrangements, with at least the same basic components being used for both arrangements.

[0018] The final assembly configurations differ in that, in the first configuration of the vortex tube, there is a fluid-conducting connection between the cold air outlet of the vortex tube and the supply outlet of the temperature control unit. In contrast, in the second configuration, there is a fluid-conducting connection between the warm air outlet of the vortex tube and the supply outlet of the temperature control unit. This change in the vortex tube configuration allows the respiratory protection component to be supplied with a cold air stream from the cold air outlet of the vortex tube in the first configuration and with a warm air stream from the warm air outlet of the vortex tube in the second configuration.

[0019] To facilitate the assembly of at least two final assembly arrangements, the housing of the temperature control device consists of a base body, an exhaust cap, and a supply cap, with the base body positioned between the supply cap and the exhaust cap. It should be noted that the supply outlet is attached to the supply cap or is part of the supply cap. Similarly, the exhaust outlet is attached to the exhaust cap or is formed as part of the exhaust cap. Both the supply cap and the exhaust cap can be made from a single piece or as an assembly of several individual parts.

[0020] Preferably, both the supply cap and the exhaust cap are advantageously made of plastic, and both caps can be designed differently, identically, or at least largely identically in order to further reduce production costs. In a preferred embodiment, both caps are manufactured to a similar overall appearance but differ significantly in some aspects. For example, the supply cap has a receptacle for the supply outlet, into which the supply outlet can be screwed. Furthermore, the supply cap can have an opening, closed with a sealing element, through which a fluid-conducting connection exists to the interior of the housing or to the fluid-conducting connection between the vortex tube and the exhaust outlet.After removing the sealing element, a measuring device can be inserted into the fluid-conducting connection inside the housing to measure certain parameters between the vortex tube and the supply outlet.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment, the supply cap or the closing element of the supply cap has a receptacle for a color code, the color of which can be changed to distinguish between different, possibly identical, temperature control devices. The exhaust cap, on the other hand, preferably has a receptacle for an adjustment element, the receptacle extending around the lower part of the exhaust cap. In addition, the exhaust cap has an exhaust outlet, which can be designed as an elongated recess in the lower part of the exhaust cap. Unlike the supply cap, which is closed on the top, the exhaust cap is open on its underside, with the opening being closed in the final assembly arrangements by the adjustment element and a control element.

[0022] As previously described, the housing of the temperature control device can consist of several parts, but it must include at least a base body and a supply cap. The base body has a cold air side and a warm air side. In one final assembly configuration, its cold air side is connected to the supply cap, and in a second final assembly configuration, its warm air side is connected to the supply cap. Similarly, the exhaust cap is attached to the base body. Again, the housing must consist of at least a base body and an exhaust cap, with the base body having a cold air side and a warm air side. In one final assembly configuration, the base body is connected to the exhaust cap with its warm air side, and in a second final assembly configuration, its cold air side is connected to the exhaust cap.

[0023] Accordingly, the orientation of the housing relative to the supply cap can be changed. It should be noted that the vortex tube is connected to the base body, and the vortex tube outlets are reversed by rotating the base body by 180°, without changing the orientation of the vortex tube within the base body. Therefore, during assembly, it can be selected whether the base body should be mounted in one orientation for a first final assembly arrangement as a breathing air cooler or in a second orientation for a second final assembly arrangement as a breathing air warmer. Thus, the assembly of the temperature control device is significantly simplified by the option of mounting the base body in two different orientations, as fewer different parts need to be mounted in the same way every time, and only the orientation of the base body needs to be adjusted.This also has the advantage that both the costs for manufacturing different individual parts and the assembly costs can be significantly reduced. To further simplify assembly, the base body is provided with at least one assembly marking to indicate the correct orientation of the base body for the corresponding final assembly arrangement. For better understanding, the assembly marking can include a symbol showing which final assembly arrangement is mounted in a specific orientation of the base body. According to the invention, the described assembly marking is only visible on the base body and is concealed in the assembled state by part of the supply cap and / or by part of the exhaust cap.

[0024] As previously explained, it is advantageous for the vortex tube to be mounted within the base body, with the vortex tube being at least partially enclosed within the base body and oriented such that the warm air outlet of the vortex tube is located on the warm air side of the base body and the cold air outlet of the vortex tube is located on the cold air side of the base body. The vortex tube is connected to the base body of the temperature control device via a positive fit, frictional fit, or material bond. Additionally, a sealing element can be provided between the vortex tube and its receptacle in the base body, creating a fluid-tight connection between the vortex tube and the base body. For example, an O-ring can serve as the sealing element, extending around a section of the vortex tube. A circumferential recess can be provided in the vortex tube to hold and secure the O-ring.Additional vortex tube receptacles can be provided, with particular advantage being that each vortex tube outlet is surrounded by a receptacle. In this configuration, the vortex tube outlet facing the supply cap is surrounded by an end receptacle, and the outlet facing the exhaust cap is also surrounded by an end receptacle. These end receptacles are inserted into the base body and secure the vortex tube outlets within it. For improved sealing, the contact surfaces between the vortex tube and the end receptacles can be fitted with sealing elements to prevent air from escaping between these surfaces. Similarly, sealing elements can be provided between the base body and the end receptacles to prevent air from escaping at the contact surfaces between the base body and the end receptacles.It is particularly advantageous for fulfilling the task if the vortex tube and the base body are designed in such a way that the same part is used for both end fittings. This allows the same part to be used twice, which, as already described elsewhere, simplifies the assembly of the temperature control device and reduces the production costs of the individual parts.

[0025] Since the assembly of the temperature control device according to the invention should require minimal effort, despite the possibility of mounting various final assembly arrangements, the individual parts of the housing are specially designed for this purpose. The housing of the temperature control device can consist of at least two housing parts, each of which has at least one fastening element with a fastening opening. The fastening openings of the fastening elements overlap at least partially in the first and second final assembly arrangements, and a locking element is provided that extends through the overlapping areas of the two fastening openings and connects the at least two housing parts to each other by means of a positive fit. For example, a part of the compressed air inlet or another element can serve as the locking element.This has the advantage that no additional locking element is required, thereby reducing both the production costs of the individual parts of the temperature control device and the assembly costs.

[0026] As already described, the housing of the temperature control device preferably consists of three housing parts. It is advantageous if the exhaust cap and the supply cap each have a fastening element with a fastening opening, and the base body is arranged between the exhaust cap and the supply cap and also has a fastening opening, wherein the fastening opening of the base body, the fastening opening of the exhaust cap's fastening element, and the fastening opening of the supply cap's fastening element overlap at least partially in a first final assembly arrangement and a second final assembly arrangement.To connect the base body, the exhaust cap, and the supply cap, a locking element is provided that extends from the outside of the housing, at least through the overlapping areas of the mounting openings of the exhaust cap and the supply cap, into the mounting opening of the base body. The locking element can be fixed in the mounting opening of the base body and connects the exhaust cap, the supply cap, and the base body by positive locking. When connecting the individual parts of the housing, the locking element can be fixed in the base body, for example, by screwing the locking element into the base body. However, it is also possible to design the fixing of the locking element differently, for which various connection options are known from the prior art.

[0027] To connect the housing body to the exhaust cap and the supply cap, the locking element can be designed accordingly. It is advantageous if the locking element has an elongated anchoring section with a constant cross-section and a circumferential shoulder, whereby the geometry of the anchoring section's cross-section widens at the shoulder such that its cross-sectional geometry projects radially beyond that of the anchoring section in at least one area. This design of the locking element facilitates the assembly of the temperature control device, as the shoulder acts as a stop for positioning, preventing, for example, the locking element from being screwed too far into the housing body, which would risk stripping the thread or damaging the temperature control device housing.If the locking element is not screwed in, but glued in place, for example, the shoulder also significantly facilitates its positioning. Furthermore, the shoulder can generate a clamping force between the shoulder of the locking element and the base body, whereby the fastening element of the supply cap and the fastening element of the exhaust cap are fixed by frictional engagement in the area surrounding the mounting openings.

[0028] Since the assembly of the temperature control device should be carried out with reduced effort in both a first and a second final assembly arrangement, the locking element is preferably formed by at least part of the compressed air inlet. This has the advantage that, at least on this side of the housing, no additional element is necessary to fix the housing parts, as the compressed air inlet provides the fixation. A further advantage of this design is that the manufacturing or procurement costs for at least one additional part can be saved, and only one part needs to be assembled instead of at least two, thus saving time and therefore costs.

[0029] Since the housing parts are only secured on one side of the housing by the compressed air inlet, it is advantageous to also secure them on the opposite side. However, it is also conceivable that no further fastening is required on the opposite side of the housing, or that the individual housing parts or the compressed air inlet are designed such that securing the compressed air inlet in the base body secures both the side of the housing facing the compressed air inlet and the opposite side of the housing parts. According to the preferred embodiment of the temperature control device, however, only one-sided fastening of the housing parts by the compressed air inlet is provided.Accordingly, it is advantageous if the supply cap and the exhaust cap are connected to each other via at least one other part of the temperature control unit, at least on the side of the unit facing away from the compressed air inlet. It should be noted that the supply cap and the exhaust cap can only be connected indirectly on the side facing away from the compressed air inlet. For example, the connecting plate can serve as an indirect connection between the two caps.

[0030] The individual housing parts are preferably connected by means of the connecting plate in such a way that both the connecting plate and the base body have two spaced-apart screw recesses, and both the supply cap and the exhaust cap each have one screw recess. Since the temperature control device can be installed in at least two different final assembly configurations, either the supply cap or the exhaust cap is located on the cold air side of the base body, or either the exhaust cap or the supply cap is located on the warm air side of the base body.The housing components are then connected via the connecting plate such that an upper fastening screw passes through the upper screw recess of the connecting plate and the screw recess of the supply cap, with the upper fastening screw being screwed into the corresponding screw recess of the base body depending on its orientation. Additionally, a further lower fastening screw passes first through the lower screw recess of the connecting plate and the screw recess of the exhaust cap, with the lower fastening screw being screwed into the corresponding screw recess of the base body depending on its orientation.Accordingly, the individual housing components are fastened both via the compressed air inlet and via the connecting plate. Both methods of connection are particularly robust, easy to assemble, and cost-effective. Furthermore, these connections allow for a particularly compact and lightweight temperature control unit, as various parts can be omitted or designed with reduced material usage.

[0031] To make the temperature control device particularly compact and lightweight, a central constriction and a recess in the housing can be incorporated. For this purpose, the housing can be narrowed, at least in the middle between the supply and exhaust air caps, essentially to the diameter of the vortex tube. This constriction creates a recess between the straight connecting plate and the narrowed section of the housing. Aside from the weight reduction, this design simplifies the mounting of the vortex tube within the main body, as the receptacle for the vortex tube is formed by the outer wall of the housing, eliminating the need for an additional mounting element. In addition to the weight savings and compact design, this design also results in material savings, leading to cost reductions.In addition, the housing of the temperature control device is also visually appealing due to the corresponding narrowing.

[0032] As mentioned, an exhaust cap is provided, which can be mounted on either the cold air side or the warm air side of the main body. The exhaust cap has an exhaust outlet that creates a fluid-conducting connection between the interior of the housing and the environment. The cross-section of this fluid-conducting connection can be reduced and / or expanded at least at one point by a throttle valve. This throttle valve is responsible for regulating the temperature of the airflow that is directed to the respiratory protection component via the supply outlet.The temperature is regulated by partially blocking either the warm air flow at the warm air outlet of the vortex tube or the cold air flow at the cold air outlet. Only a portion of the partially blocked airflow can exit the housing of the temperature control device via the exhaust outlet. The blocked portion of the airflow, along with the oppositely temperature-controlled airflow at the unblocked outlet of the vortex tube, is directed through the supply outlet to a respiratory mask or similar device. Accordingly, partially closing the fluid-conducting connection between the vortex tube and the environment via a throttle valve reduces the efficiency of the vortex tube and allows for a controllable mixing of the warm and cold air flows within the vortex tube.

[0033] Regarding temperature control, it should be noted that the temperature of the air flowing out of the supply outlet depends fundamentally on the ratio of the airflow at the exhaust outlet to the airflow at the supply outlet, a ratio that can be influenced by the throttle valve. The maximum temperature difference between the airflow at the supply outlet and the airflow at the compressed air inlet largely depends on the efficiency of the vortex tube and the pressure at which the air is supplied at the compressed air inlet. Accordingly, with a particularly small proportion of tempered air at the supply outlet, a particularly large proportion of exhaust air, and a high inlet pressure, a particularly cold or a particularly warm airflow can be generated at the supply outlet, depending on which vortex tube outlet is connected to the supply outlet.Since particularly high or low temperatures can be unpleasant or even dangerous for the user of the temperature control device, a temperature sensor can be provided to measure the temperature at the supply outlet. Additionally, the airflow at the compressed air inlet and / or the airflow at the exhaust outlet can be adjusted when a certain temperature limit is exceeded or fallen below, so that the temperature at the supply outlet returns to a range between the limit temperatures, or to a range that is safe and, if possible, comfortable for the user, as quickly as possible. This control can be implemented electronically or mechanically. In a mechanical implementation, a bimetallic strip can be used as both the temperature sensor and the actuator for influencing the airflow(s).Both temperature sensors and actuators that can be used in place of a bimetallic strip are known in various designs from the prior art.

[0034] As mentioned previously, the individual components of the temperature control device can advantageously be used to assemble both a first and a second final assembly, with the supply outlet being connected to either the cold air outlet or the warm air outlet of the vortex tube. The same applies to the exhaust air outlet, with the exhaust air outlet in the first final assembly being fluidly connected to the warm air outlet of the vortex tube, and the exhaust air outlet in the second final assembly being fluidly connected to the cold air outlet of the vortex tube.

[0035] As explained above, a temperature change at the supply outlet requires adjusting the position of the throttle valve. To simplify this process, an adjusting element is provided. This element allows the cross-sectional area of ​​a fluid-conducting connection between the warm air outlet or the cold air outlet of the vortex tube and the surrounding environment to be changed directly or indirectly at at least one point. The adjusting element extends at least partially around the front face of the housing, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the fluid-conducting connection can be changed directly or indirectly by rotating the adjusting element. It is important to note that the adjustment element rotates primarily around the axis of the housing.

[0036] To enable the user of the temperature control device to always select the same temperature, or to prevent unintentional adjustment of the adjusting element, predefined detents can be provided for the adjusting element. Adjusting between two adjacent detents requires overcoming a force that initially increases and then decreases from a certain point. Corresponding rotatable adjusting elements with detents are well known in the art and can be designed in various ways.

[0037] The adjustment element also features an indicator element, which can be detected by touch and whose position allows the user to perceive, at least haptically, the extent to which the adjustment element's position has changed relative to a neutral position. This is particularly important when the adjustment element cannot be seen by the wearer due to its position, but can only be felt. Since the wearer of the temperature control device typically also wears a respirator or similar device that can restrict their field of vision, this allows for targeted adjustment of the air temperature without removing the respirator. The corresponding indicator element can, for example, be designed as an arrow whose position relative to the housing changes when the adjustment element is rotated.Particularly preferably, the adjusting element is designed in a specific color, the color of which indicates whether the temperature control device is mounted in a first final assembly arrangement as a breathing air cooler or in a second final assembly arrangement as a breathing air heater, thus preventing confusion between the two. For example, the adjusting element of a first final assembly arrangement as a breathing air cooler can be blue and the adjusting element of a second final assembly arrangement as a breathing air heater can be red.

[0038] Apart from the features described, the adjusting element preferably also has a recess through which the exhaust air outlet is visible depending on the rotational position of the adjusting element, with the air discharged through the exhaust air outlet flowing into the environment essentially through the visible area of ​​the exhaust air outlet and the overlapping area of ​​the recess. Besides its function as a discharge element for the airflow discharged into the environment via the exhaust air outlet, the recess of the adjusting element, together with the indicator element, also serves as a tactile indicator for the rotational position of the adjusting element.

[0039] As already described, it is advantageous if the adjusting element is mounted on an end face of the temperature control device and extends at least partially around the housing, wherein the adjusting element has at least one opening towards the end face of the temperature control device, through which the adjusting element is connected to the housing of the temperature control device or the exhaust cap by a control element. At least part of the control element can be designed as a throttle valve, with adjustment of the throttle valve being effected by the interaction of the adjusting element and the control element when the adjusting element is rotated.The control element or adjustment element can be secured using a snap ring. First, the adjustment element is slid onto the end face of the temperature control device. Then, the control element is inserted into the housing of the temperature control device through the opening on the side of the adjustment element facing away from the housing. Finally, the control element can be secured to the housing with a snap ring. This snap ring is inserted into the housing through the exhaust outlet and the recess of the adjustment element and anchored in the locked position.

[0040] To prevent the support structure of the temperature control device from being disturbed by noise from the outgoing air, the device can be equipped with a silencer. The silencer is positioned around the corresponding end of the vortex tube in the area of ​​the exhaust cap and is made of a porous material, allowing the air to escape into the environment through the pores of the material. The silencer can be made of plastic or other materials, such as a sintered metal or ceramic body.

[0041] Apart from the features of the temperature control device already described, the invention further relates to an assembly method according to claim 6.

[0042] Apart from the features described so far, it is advantageous to also provide assembly markings that facilitate the assembly of the temperature control device. The base body can thus have one or more assembly markings which, based on their position and / or design, indicate how the base body must be oriented relative to the other housing parts for the assembly of a first final assembly arrangement and how for the assembly of a second final assembly arrangement.

[0043] The compressed air inlet and the associated assembly of the individual housing parts are advantageously carried out in a specific manner. The housing of the temperature control device can thus comprise a base body with a hot air side and a cold air side, an exhaust cap, a supply cap, and a compressed air inlet with a locking element. It should be noted that the locking element advantageously has an elongated anchoring section and a circumferential shoulder, wherein the cross-sectional geometry of the anchoring section expands at the shoulder such that the cross-sectional geometry of the shoulder projects radially beyond the cross-sectional geometry of the anchoring section in a certain area.Furthermore, the exhaust cap and the supply cap can each have a fastening element with a mounting opening, wherein the base body preferably also has a mounting opening, and the exhaust cap is slid onto the warm air side of the base body towards the cold air side of the base body for a first final assembly arrangement and aligned such that the mounting opening of the base body and the mounting opening of the exhaust cap are substantially coaxial with each other. Subsequently, the supply cap is mounted, which is slid onto the cold air side of the base body towards the warm air side and aligned such that the mounting opening of the supply cap is substantially coaxial with the mounting opening of the base body and the mounting opening of the exhaust cap.After the mounting openings are aligned essentially coaxially with each other, the locking element is installed. The locking element can be mounted either as a separate component or as part of the compressed air inlet. Installation is carried out by passing the anchoring section through the mounting openings of the supply cap and the exhaust cap and inserting it into the mounting opening of the base body up to the shoulder. It is important to note that the shoulder serves as a stop for the insertion depth of the anchoring section, and the anchoring section is secured in this position within the base body.

[0044] Apart from securing the individual housing parts via the compressed air inlet, the connecting plate is also mounted, and this connecting plate can also serve to fasten the individual housing parts. When mounting the connecting plate, it should be noted that the housing of the temperature control device can comprise at least a base body with a hot air side and a cold air side, an exhaust cap, a supply cap, and a connecting plate. The base body and the connecting plate preferably each have an upper screw recess and a lower screw recess, and the supply cap has an upper screw recess and the exhaust cap a lower screw recess.The temperature control device is advantageously assembled by first sliding the exhaust cap onto the warm air side of the base body towards the cold air side and aligning it so that the lower screw recess of the base body and the lower screw recess of the exhaust cap are essentially coaxial. Subsequently, the supply cap is advantageously assembled by sliding it onto the cold air side of the base body towards the warm air side and aligning it so that the upper screw recess of the base body and the upper screw recess of the supply cap are essentially coaxial.Preferably, the connecting plate is then mounted in such a way that the upper screw recess of the connecting plate is aligned with the upper screw recess of the supply cap and the upper screw recess of the base body, and the lower screw recess of the connecting plate is aligned with the lower screw recess of the exhaust cap and the lower screw recess of the base body in a substantially coaxial manner.To fasten the parts, preferably an upper fastening screw is screwed into the coaxially aligned upper screw recesses and a lower fastening screw into the coaxially aligned lower screw recesses, wherein the upper fastening screw connects the base body, the supply cap, and the connecting plate to each other in a form-fit and / or force-fit manner, and the lower fastening screw connects the base body, the exhaust cap, and the connecting plate to each other in a form-fit and / or force-fit manner. According to the described possible embodiment, the exhaust cap and the supply cap are connected to each other, at least in the area of ​​the connecting plate, exclusively indirectly via the base body and the connecting plate.

[0045] As previously described, instead of assembling the first assembly using the components of the first assembly, a second assembly can preferably be assembled. This second assembly of the temperature control device differs from the first in that the base body is positioned such that the exhaust cap is on the cold air side of the base body and the supply cap is on the warm air side. Apart from this, the assembly of the second assembly is advantageously carried out in the same manner as the assembly of the first, with the warm air side and the cold air side of the base body being oriented in the opposite direction to the first assembly.Because both final assembly arrangements use the same parts and the assembly of both arrangements is exactly the same and particularly simple (apart from the alignment of the base body), several advantages arise compared to other prior art devices. For example, the manufacturing costs of both final assembly arrangements are reduced to such an extent that, instead of one product, two different products can be manufactured without significant additional costs.

[0046] As described, the individual parts of the temperature control unit housing can be connected via either the connecting plate or the compressed air inlet. It is irrelevant whether the connecting plate or the compressed air connection is mounted first. Accordingly, the locking element can be mounted first, followed by the connecting plate, with the screw holes and mounting holes being aligned essentially coaxially. Alternatively, the connecting plate can be mounted first, followed by the locking element, with the mounting holes and screw holes being aligned essentially coaxially.

[0047] The invention is explained below with reference to four drawings. These drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a temperature control device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a sectional view of a first final assembly arrangement as a breathing air cooler, Fig. 3 a sectional view of a second final assembly arrangement as a breathing air heater and Fig. 4 an exploded view of a second final assembly arrangement of a temperature control device according to the invention.

[0048] In Fig. 1 is a temperature control device 1 for heating and / or cooling gases or gas mixtures, especially for use in respiratory protection, wherein Fig. 1 The figure shows the temperature control device 1, a housing 2, a compressed air inlet 3, a supply outlet 4, an exhaust outlet 5, an adjustment element 15 with a recess 29, a display element 16, a connecting plate 26, and a color indicator 30. The housing 2 of the temperature control device 1 serves to protect the components inside from contamination. The compressed air inlet 3 supplies the temperature control device with compressed air, and the supply outlet 4 directs the temperature-controlled air from the housing 1 to the respiratory protection component. The supply outlet 4 can also be equipped with a quick-release coupling 43, which allows a connection to a respiratory mask or similar device.

[0049] Furthermore, in Fig. 1 an exhaust air outlet 5 as part of the in Fig. 3 and 4The illustrated exhaust cap 13 is shown, which creates a fluid-conducting connection between the interior of the housing 2 and the environment, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the fluid-conducting connection between the interior of the housing 2 and the environment is determined by a throttle valve 17. Fig. 2 at least in one place it can be reduced and / or expanded or changed.

[0050] Fig. 1 also shows an adjusting element 15, via which the cross-sectional area of ​​a fluid-conducting connection between the warm air outlet 8 from Fig. 2 or the cold air outlet 9 from Fig. 2 of the vortex tube 6 from Fig. 2 and the environment can be changed directly or indirectly at at least one point, wherein the adjusting element 15 extends at least partially around the housing 2 at its front face and the cross-sectional area of ​​the fluid-conducting connection can be changed directly or indirectly by rotating the adjusting element 15. The adjusting element 15, as well as the entire temperature control device 1, can be colored in such a way that the color scheme directly allows a first final assembly arrangement as a breathing air cooler and a second final assembly arrangement as a breathing air warmer to be distinguished. Furthermore, in Fig. 1 It can be seen that the adjusting element 15 has a display element 16, which can be felt by touch and whose position indicates, at least haptically, the extent to which the position of the adjusting element 15 is changed relative to a basic position. As can be seen from Fig. 1 As can be seen, the position of the indicator element 16 changes when the adjusting element 15 is rotated, thus making the deviation from the basic position apparent. Even if the indicator element 16 is in Fig. 1 Although represented as an arrow, many other configurations are possible to allow the tactile detection of the display element 16. At the same time, the display element 16 can also be designed in such a way that it is not perceptible by touch.

[0051] Furthermore, in Fig. 1 A connecting plate 26 is shown which serves as an additional connecting element of the housing 2. Apart from this, the connecting plate 26 can serve to detachably attach the temperature control device 1 to a belt, wherein a second belt element may be provided to which the connecting plate 26 can be detachably attached, and the belt element can be permanently attached to a belt. Fig. 1 It is also shown that the adjusting element 15 has a recess 29 through which the exhaust air outlet 5 is visible, depending on the rotational position of the adjusting element 15. The air discharged through the exhaust air outlet 5 flows into the environment primarily through the visible area of ​​the exhaust air outlet 5 and the overlapping area of ​​the recess 29. However, the recess 29 can also be designed so that the exhaust air outlet 5 is not visible through it. Accordingly, the recess 29 can also be concealed or at least partially provided with bores or slots through which the discharged air can escape. It is also readily possible to direct the air out of the housing 2 at a different location and to reposition or otherwise adapt the recess 29 accordingly.

[0052] On the top side of the temperature control device 1, there is in Fig. 1 furthermore, a color marking 30 can be identified, wherein the color marking 30 is detachably attached directly or indirectly to the housing 2 and serves to distinguish between two identical temperature control devices 1, whereby a comparable marking may also be provided at another location on the temperature control device 1.

[0053] Fig. 2 Figure 1 also shows the temperature control device 1 in a first final assembly arrangement for cooling gases or gas mixtures, in particular for use in respiratory protection, wherein the temperature control device 1 has a housing 2, a compressed air inlet 3, a supply outlet 4 and a vortex tube 6 with an air inlet 7, a warm air outlet 8 and a cold air outlet 9, wherein in this first final assembly arrangement of the vortex tube there is a fluid-conducting connection between the cold air outlet 9 of the vortex tube and the supply outlet 4 of the temperature control device 1 and in a Fig. 3 In the second final assembly arrangement shown, a fluid-conducting connection exists between the warm air outlet 8 of the vortex tube 6 and the supply outlet 4 of the temperature control device 1.

[0054] Since one of the vortex tube outlets 8, 9 of the vortex tube 6 is fluidly connected to the supply outlet 4 and one vortex tube outlet 8, 9 of the vortex tube 6 is fluidly connected to the exhaust air outlet 5, the exhaust air outlet 5 is accordingly fluidly connected to the warm air outlet 8 of the vortex tube 6 in the first final assembly arrangement, wherein the exhaust air outlet 5 is fluidly connected to the cold air outlet 9 of the vortex tube 6 in the second final assembly arrangement.

[0055] From the in Fig. 2 The sectional drawing also shows the adjustment element 15 already described and the throttle valve 17 interacting with it, wherein the control element 34, also shown, is connected to the adjustment element via the snap ring 41 and is designed such that it can rotate together with the adjustment element. For this purpose, the two parts can be connected to each other by a positive locking mechanism in such a way that they cannot rotate relative to each other, and various embodiments are known to those skilled in the art.

[0056] The throttle valve 17 is located in the Fig. 2 The illustrated embodiment is designed as part of the control element 34. Accordingly, the throttle valve 17 is adjusted by rotating the control element 34 together with the adjusting element 15 relative to the housing 2 of the temperature control device 1. The throttle valve 17 can be formed from two slots or differently shaped recesses, wherein both recesses overlap maximally in an open position and minimally in a closed position, and the airflow to be discharged flows out over the overlapping area of ​​both recesses. However, a multitude of other solutions are also known to those skilled in the art.

[0057] Furthermore, it is from Fig. 2 It is evident that the housing 2 consists of at least a base body 10 and / or an exhaust cap 13 and / or a supply cap 14. Furthermore, Fig. 2 to remove a locking element 23 with an anchoring section 24 and a shoulder 25, wherein the locking element 23 serves, among other things, to connect the housing parts 10, 13, 14 together.

[0058] To connect the individual housing parts, a connecting plate 26, an upper fastening screw 31 and a lower fastening screw 32 are also shown, which connect the housing parts 10, 13, 14 of the temperature control device 1 to each other on the side opposite the compressed air inlet 3.

[0059] Other features include Fig. 2 A vortex tube receptacle 35, formed from a part of the base body 10 of the housing 2, into which the tubular section of the vortex tube 6 can be inserted. Since the fluid-conducting connection between the compressed air inlet 3 and the air inlet 7 of the vortex tube 6 must be designed to be as fluid-tight as possible, a sealing element 36 is provided between the base body 10 and the tubular section of the vortex tube 6 to prevent air from flowing out between the vortex tube 6 and the base body 10.

[0060] To fix the vortex tube 6 in the base body 10, the following are provided in Fig. 2 A first and a second end fitting 37, 38 are also shown, both of which are the same part and serve to fix the warm air outlet 8 and the cold air outlet 9 of the vortex tube in the base body. Furthermore, the end fittings 37, 38 serve to create a seal between the warm air outlet 8 and the cold air outlet 9 of the vortex tube 6 and the base body 10, so that the airflows exiting the vortex tube 6 are not directed back into the housing 2. For this purpose, sealing elements can be provided between the outlets 8, 9 of the vortex tube 6 and the end fittings 37, 38, and between the end fittings 37, 38 and the base body 10, thereby achieving a corresponding seal at these points. Of course, other designs of the end fittings are also possible. For example, the end recordings can be integrated into part of the housing 2.

[0061] Another element is in Fig. 2 A silencer 40 is shown, through which the air flowing out through the downstream exhaust outlet 5 flows, ensuring that as little noise as possible escapes from the interior of the temperature control device 1 to the outside. To enable a particularly compact silencer 40, it can be made of an open-pored material, for example, a suitable body made of plastic or another material. Alternatively, the silencer 40 can also be a sintered body made of a sinterable material.

[0062] Particularly characteristic of the in Fig. 2 The illustration of the temperature control device 1 shows how the individual parts of the housing 10, 13, 14 are connected to one another. The housing 2 of the temperature control device 1 basically consists of at least two housing parts 10, 13, 14, wherein the at least two housing parts 10, 13, 14 each have at least one fastening element 18, 19 with a fastening opening 21, 22, wherein the fastening openings 21, 22 of the fastening elements 18, 19 overlap at least partially in the first and in the second final assembly arrangement, and a locking element 23 is provided which extends through the overlapping areas of the two fastening openings 21, 22 and connects the at least two housing parts 10, 13, 14 to one another by means of a positive fit.

[0063] This is after the in Fig. 2 The illustrated preferred embodiment is realized in such a way that the exhaust cap 13 and the supply cap 14 each have a fastening element 18 and 19 made of Fig. 4 with a mounting opening 21, 22 made of Fig. 4 exhibits and the base body 10 is arranged between the exhaust cap 13 and the supply cap 14 and also has a mounting opening 20 made of Fig. 4 exhibits features which, at least in the first and second final assembly arrangements, correspond at least partially to the mounting opening 21. Fig. 4 of the fastening element of the exhaust cap 18 made of Fig. 4 and the mounting opening 22 from Fig. 4 of the fastening element of the supply cap 19 from Fig. 4 overlaps. Furthermore, a locking element 23 is provided, which extends from the outside of the housing 2 at least through the overlapping areas of the mounting openings of the exhaust cap 21. Fig. 4 and the supply cap 22 from Fig. 4 up to the mounting opening of the base body 20 Fig. 4 extends, wherein the locking element 23 is in the mounting opening of the base body 20. Fig. 4 can be fixed, and connects the exhaust cap 13, the supply cap 14 and the base body 10 by means of a positive fit.

[0064] To connect the housing parts as described, the locking element 23 has an elongated anchoring section 24 with a constant cross-section and a circumferential shoulder 25, wherein the geometry of the cross-section of the anchoring section 24 widens at the shoulder 25 such that the geometry of the cross-section of the shoulder 25 projects radially beyond the geometry of the cross-section of the anchoring section 24 in at least one region. It is particularly advantageous if the locking element 23 is formed by at least a portion of the compressed air inlet 3.

[0065] As previously mentioned, the individual housing parts 10, 13, 14 of the temperature control device 1 are connected to each other via a second connection opposite the compressed air inlet, in addition to the connection via the locking element 23 or the compressed air inlet 3. For this purpose, the supply cap 14 and the exhaust cap 13 can only be connected to each other indirectly via at least one other part of the temperature control device 1, at least on the side of the device facing away from the compressed air inlet 3.

[0066] According to the description of the in Fig. 2 The individual parts shown will now be used to illustrate the functionality of the temperature control device 1. Fig. 2 This will be explained in more detail below. First, it should be noted that the temperature control device 1 is supplied with compressed air via compressed air inlet 3, whereby the supplied airflow enters the housing via the compressed air inlet 3 and is introduced into the vortex tube via a fluid-conducting connection at the air inlet 7.

[0067] In the vortex tube, the airflow is split into a cold and a warm airflow, as already described at the beginning of the application. The cold airflow is discharged from the vortex tube 6 at the cold air outlet 9, and the warm airflow is discharged from the vortex tube 6 at the warm air outlet 8. In the Fig. 2 In the first final assembly arrangement shown, the cold air outlet 9 of the vortex tube 6 is fluidly connected to the supply outlet 4, wherein the cold air flow from the supply outlet 4 can be directed to a respirator mask (not shown) or a comparable device that supplies the carrier of the temperature control device 1 with uncontaminated air from the temperature control device 1.

[0068] Unlike the cold air outlet 9, the warm air outlet 8 is fluidly connected to the exhaust outlet 5, whereby the warm airflow passes at least partially through the silencer 40 and the exhaust outlet 5 before being discharged into the environment. The opening position of a throttle valve 17 can be influenced via the adjusting element 15, which is connected to the control element 34. As explained at the beginning, when the throttle is at least partially closed, a portion of the warm airflow is redirected back into the vortex tube 6, mixed with the cold airflow, and discharged at the cold air outlet and thus at the supply outlet. Therefore, when the throttle valve 17 is closed, there is virtually no temperature change at the supply outlet 4.Since the first final assembly arrangement is a temperature control device 1 for cooling breathing air, closing the throttle valve 17 results in an increase in the temperature of the airflow at the supply outlet 4. Conversely, a fully open throttle valve 17 results in a maximum decrease in the temperature of the airflow at the supply outlet 4.

[0069] As mentioned, the temperature control device 1 can be installed in at least two final assembly configurations, which differ based on the orientation of the base body 10 relative to the other housing parts 13, 14 and based on the arrangement of the vortex tube outlets 8, 9 relative to the outlets 4, 5 of the temperature control device 1. Thus, the second final assembly configuration differs from the first only in that the vortex tube is fluidly connected with its warm air outlet 8 to the supply outlet 4 and with its cold air outlet 9 to the exhaust air outlet 5. Therefore, in the second final assembly configuration, a portion of the cold air flow is directed back into the vortex tube 6 when the throttle valve 17 is at least partially closed. This portion of the cold air flow mixes with the warm air flow in the vortex tube 6, and a mixture of both air flows is discharged at the supply outlet 4.Accordingly, the temperature of the airflow discharged at supply outlet 4 in the second final assembly arrangement can be reduced by at least partially closing the throttle valve 17.

[0070] In Fig. 3 A temperature control device 1 in a second final assembly arrangement for heating gases or gas mixtures, particularly for use in respiratory protection, is shown. Accordingly, it is made of Fig. 2 and 3 The different arrangement of the base body is recognizable. Apart from the orientation of the base body, all parts correspond to the parts made of Fig. 2 The temperature control device 1 can be installed in at least two different final assembly configurations, with the base body 10 being located between the exhaust air cap 13 and the supply cap 14 in a first and a second orientation. For this purpose, the base body 10 has a cold air side 11 and a warm air side 12. In the first final assembly configuration, its cold air side 11 is connected to the supply cap 14, and in the second final assembly configuration, its warm air side 12 is connected to the supply cap 14. Accordingly, in the first final assembly configuration, the base body 10 is connected to the exhaust air cap 13 with its warm air side 12, and in the second final assembly configuration, its cold air side 11 is connected to the exhaust air cap 13.It should be noted that the vortex tube 6 is at least partially enclosed in the base body 10, with the vortex tube 6 being oriented such that the warm air outlet 8 of the vortex tube 6 is located on the warm air side 12 of the base body 10 and the cold air outlet 9 of the vortex tube 6 is located on the cold air side 11 of the base body 10. The connection between the vortex tube 6 and the base body 10 is achieved either by positive locking, frictional locking, or material locking, wherein in . Fig. 2 and 3 A connection via force transmission is shown.

[0071] In Fig. 4 An exploded view of a second final assembly arrangement is shown, with the assembly of the temperature control device to be explained in more detail using the illustration. For this purpose, the following are shown: Fig. 4 Various parts of the temperature control device are shown. For example, it is in Fig. 4 A vortex tube 6 with a warm air outlet 8 and a cold air outlet 9 is shown. It should be noted that the vortex tube is constructed from several parts, but can also consist of a single piece. Furthermore, the vortex tube can be adapted to the specific application by means of attachments or components. For example, a sleeve can be pressed into the warm air outlet to influence how the airflow within the vortex tube is separated into a warm and a cold airflow. The vortex tube can also be designed differently from the one shown in the drawings, and various designs of vortex tubes are known from the prior art.

[0072] Furthermore, the base body 10 of the temperature control device 1 is shown, wherein the base body 10 has a cold air side 11 and a warm air side 12, a mounting opening 20 and two mounting markings 39. It should be noted that the vortex tube 6 is anchored in the base body 10 such that the warm air outlet 8 of the vortex tube 6 is located on the warm air side 12 of the base body 10.

[0073] In addition to the under Fig. 2 and 3 The anchoring of the vortex tube 6 in the base body 10 is described in a first end view 37 and a second end view 38, with the outlets 8, 9 of the vortex tube as described below. Fig. 2 described, into which the end images 37, 38 are inserted. This is also from the midline in Fig. 4 The drawing clearly shows how the temperature control device 1 is assembled during installation. The end fittings 37, 38 may also be designed differently than shown in the drawings. It is also conceivable that the end fittings 37, 38 are formed by another part of the temperature control device 1, so that no additional parts are necessary for fixing the vortex tube outlets 8, 9.

[0074] Furthermore, an assembly marking 39 is shown on the base body 10, which serves to indicate, based on its position and / or its design, how the base body 10 must be oriented relative to the other housing parts 13, 14 for the assembly of a first final assembly arrangement and how it must be oriented for the assembly of a second final assembly arrangement. The assembly marking 39 can be designed in various ways. For example, a complex representation with additional information or a simple representation consisting only of a dot or line can be chosen.

[0075] Further housing components include an exhaust cap 13 and a supply cap 14, wherein the exhaust cap 13 has the exhaust outlet 5, a fastening element 18 with a fastening opening 21 and a lower screw recess 28, and the supply cap 14 has a supply outlet 4 and also a fastening element 19 with a fastening opening 22 and an upper screw recess 27. A locking element 23 with an anchoring section 24 and a shoulder 25 is also shown, wherein the locking element 23 forms part of the compressed air inlet 3. Fig. 2 is formed and is anchored in the base body 10 during assembly, for example with a thread.

[0076] Apart from the characteristics described so far from Fig. 4 The figure shows an adjusting element 15, a control element 34, a silencer 40, a spacer element 42, and a snap ring 41. As mentioned previously, the adjusting element 15 serves to regulate the temperature at the supply outlet 4 by rotating the adjusting element 15 relative to the housing, with the rotation occurring essentially around the central axis of the temperature control device 1. For this purpose, the adjusting element 15 is connected directly or indirectly to the control element 34 by frictional, positive, or material connection, with the spacer element 42 positioned between the adjusting element 15 and the control element 34. The spacer element serves to create a preload between the adjusting element 15 and the exhaust cap 13 and can, for example, be designed as a wave washer.This preload forces the control element 34, which is connected to the exhaust cap 13 via a snap ring, and the adjustment element 15 largely apart in the direction of the axis of the temperature control device 1, thereby creating a contact pressure between an inner surface of the adjustment element 15 and a surface of the exhaust cap 13 in the area of ​​the adjustment element 15. The pressed-together surfaces of the adjustment element 15 and the exhaust cap 13 can be provided with raised sections such that detents are created which are perceptible when the adjustment element 15 is rotated and hold the adjustment element 15 in the selected position. It should be noted that the adjustment element 15 is secured via the spacer element 42 and the control element 34, with the control element 34 being connected to the exhaust cap 13 via the snap ring 41.The adjusting element 15 is assembled by first sliding it onto the underside of the exhaust cap 13 from the side facing away from the temperature control device, towards the supply cap 14. Then, the spacer element 42 is inserted into the adjusting element 15 in a substantially coaxial manner towards the supply cap 14. Next, the control element 34 is inserted substantially coaxially into the adjusting element 15 and part of the exhaust cap 13. After positioning, the parts are connected to the exhaust cap 13 by means of the snap ring 41, which exits through the exhaust outlet 5. Fig. 2 it is inserted into the exhaust cap and anchored there.

[0077] Fig. 4 also shows the from Fig. 1 The color code 30 is connected to the closure element 33, wherein the closure element 33 is connected to the supply cap 14 of the temperature control device 1 via a thread. The color code 30 can then be detachably attached to the closure element 33 by means of force or form fit.

[0078] Since the temperature control device 1 is to be installed with particularly little effort, the installation of the temperature control device 1 is described in more detail below.

[0079] During the assembly of a first final assembly arrangement, the exhaust cap 13 is first slid onto the warm air side 12 of the base body 10 in the direction of the cold air side 11 of the base body 10 and aligned such that the mounting opening of the base body 20 and the mounting opening of the exhaust cap 21 are substantially coaxial with each other. Next, the supply cap 14 is mounted, slid onto the cold air side 11 of the base body 10 in the direction of the warm air side 12, and aligned such that the mounting opening of the supply cap 22 is substantially coaxial with the mounting opening of the base body 20 and the mounting opening of the exhaust cap 21. After the substantially coaxial alignment of the mounting openings 20, 21, 22, the locking element 23 is mounted, the locking element 23 being either a separate component or part of the compressed air inlet 3. Fig. 2 can be mounted and the mounting is carried out in such a way that the anchoring section 24 is inserted through the mounting opening of the supply cap 22 and the mounting openings of the exhaust cap 21 and into the mounting opening of the base body 20 up to the shoulder 25, the shoulder 25 serving as a stop for the insertion depth of the anchoring section 24 and the anchoring section 24 being anchored in this position in the base body 10.

[0080] As already described, the housing 10 of the temperature control device 1 is made of, apart from the connection via the locking element 23 or the compressed air inlet 3, Fig. 2The components are also connected via a connecting plate 26, which is also shown. The connecting plate 26 and the base body 10 each have an upper screw recess 27 and a lower screw recess 28, respectively. Furthermore, the supply cap 14 has an upper screw recess 27, and the exhaust cap 13 has a lower screw recess 28. An upper fastening screw 31 and a lower fastening screw 32 are also provided, which are inserted into the corresponding upper screw recess 27 and the corresponding lower screw recess 28 and screwed into the base body.

[0081] The connecting plate 26 is then mounted in such a way that the connecting plate 26 is aligned so that the upper screw recess 27 of the connecting plate 26 is aligned with the upper screw recess 27 of the supply cap 14 and the upper screw recess 26 of the base body 10 and the lower screw recess 27 of the connecting plate 26 is aligned with the lower screw recess 28 of the exhaust cap 13 and the lower screw recess 28 of the base body 10 essentially coaxially.After positioning the connecting plate 26 and the individual housing parts 10, 13, 14 relative to each other, an upper fastening screw 31 is screwed into the coaxially aligned upper screw recesses 27 and a lower fastening screw 32 into the coaxially aligned lower screw recesses 28, whereby the upper fastening screw 31 positively connects the base body 10, the supply cap 14 and the connecting plate 26, and the lower fastening screw 32 positively connects the base body 10, the exhaust cap 13 and the connecting plate 26. Thus, the exhaust cap 13 and the supply cap 14 are connected to each other, at least in the area of ​​the connecting plate 26 on the side facing away from the compressed air inlet 3, exclusively indirectly via the base body 10 and the connecting plate 26.

[0082] In principle, the assembly of the temperature control device 1 can begin either with the assembly of the compressed air inlet 3 or the locking element 23, or with the assembly of the connecting plate 26, although two different final assembly arrangements are possible. The first final assembly arrangement is carried out by sliding the exhaust cap 13 onto the warm air side 12 of the base body 10 in the direction of the cold air side 11 of the base body 10 and aligning it so that the lower screw recess 28 of the base body 10 and the lower screw recess 28 of the exhaust cap 13 are essentially coaxial with each other.The supply cap 14 is then mounted. It is slid onto the cold air side 11 of the base body 10 in the direction of the warm air side 12 of the base body 10 and aligned such that the upper screw recess of the base body 10 and the upper screw recess 27 of the supply cap 14 are essentially coaxial with each other. The assembly of the second final assembly differs from the first only in that the base body 10 is positioned such that the exhaust cap 13 is located on the cold air side 11 of the base body 10 and the supply cap 14 is located on the warm air side 12 of the base body 10. The assembly of the second final assembly is carried out in the same way as the assembly of the first final assembly, except that the warm air side 12 and the cold air side 11 of the base body 10 are oriented in the opposite direction to the first final assembly in the second final assembly.

[0083] As already described, it is irrelevant for assembly whether the compressed air inlet 3 with the locking element 23 or the connecting plate 26 is mounted first. Accordingly, the locking element 23 can be mounted first, followed by the connecting plate 26, with the screw recesses 27, 28 being aligned substantially coaxially with the mounting holes 20, 21, 22. Alternatively, the connecting plate 26 can be mounted first, followed by the locking element 23, with the mounting holes 20, 21, 22 being aligned substantially coaxially with the screw recesses 27, 28.

[0084] It is understood that the figures merely illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention. Other designs, materials, or connection types that meet the requirements of the invention are conceivable and will be apparent to a person skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing explanations and the prior art, provided they fall within the scope of protection of the attached claims.

Claims

1. Temperature control device (1) for heating and / or cooling gases or gas mixtures, in particular for use in the field of respiratory protection, the temperature control device (1) comprising a housing (2), a compressed air inlet (3), a supply outlet (4) and a vortex tube (6) having an air inlet (7), a warm air outlet (8) and a cold air outlet (9), the vortex tube (6) of the temperature control device (1) being installable in at least two final assembly arrangements, there being a fluid-conducting connection between the cold air outlet (9) of the vortex tube (6) and the supply outlet (4) of the temperature control device (1) in a first final assembly arrangement of the vortex tube, and a fluid-conducting connection between the warm air outlet (8) of the vortex tube (6) and the supply outlet (4) of the temperature control device (1) in a second final assembly arrangement, characterized in that the housing (2) consists of at least a main body (10) and an exhaust air cap (13) and a supply cap (14), the main body (10) having a cold air side (11) and a warm air side (12), and the main body (10) being connected to the supply cap (14) on its cold air side (11) in the first final assembly arrangement, and being connected to the supply cap (14) on its warm air side (12) in the second final assembly arrangement, and the main body (10) being connected to the exhaust air cap (13) on its warm air side (12) in the first final assembly arrangement, and being connected to the exhaust air cap (13) on its cold air side (11) in the second final assembly arrangement, the exhaust air cap (13) having an exhaust air outlet (5) which creates a fluid-conducting connection between the interior of the housing (2) and the surroundings, the cross-sectional area of the fluid-conducting connection between the interior of the housing (2) and the surroundings being changeable at least at one point by means of a throttle valve (17), the exhaust air outlet (5) being fluidically connected to the warm air outlet (8) of the vortex tube (6) in the first final assembly arrangement, and the exhaust air outlet (5) being fluidically connected to the cold air outlet (9) of the vortex tube (6) in the second final assembly arrangement.

2. Temperature control device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (2) of the temperature control device (1) consists of at least two housing parts, the at least two housing parts each having at least one fastening element having a fastening opening, the fastening openings of the fastening elements at least partially overlapping in the first and in the second final assembly arrangement, and a locking element (23) being provided which extends through the overlapping regions of the two fastening openings and connects the at least two housing parts to one another by means of positive locking.

3. Temperature control device (1) according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the exhaust air cap (13) and the supply cap (14) each have a fastening element (18, 19) having a fastening opening (21, 22), and the main body (10) is arranged between the exhaust air cap (13) and the supply cap (14) and also has a fastening opening (20) which, at least in the first and the second final assembly arrangement, at least partially overlaps with the fastening opening (21) of the fastening element of the exhaust air cap (18) and the fastening opening (22) of the fastening element of the supply cap (19), a locking element (23) being provided which extends from the outside of the housing (2) at least through the overlapping regions of the fastening openings of the exhaust air cap (21) and the supply cap (22) into the fastening opening of the main body (20), the locking element (23) being fixable in the fastening opening of the main body (20) and connecting the exhaust air cap (13), the supply cap (14) and the main body (10) to one another by positive locking.

4. Temperature control device (1) according to either claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the locking element (23) is formed by at least part of the compressed air inlet (3).

5. Temperature control device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that an adjusting element (15) is provided, via which the cross-sectional area of a fluid-conducting connection between the warm air outlet (8) or the cold air outlet (9) of the vortex tube (6) and the surroundings can be changed directly or indirectly at at least one point, the adjusting element (15) extending at least partially around the housing (2) at the end thereof, and the cross-section of the fluid-conducting connection being changeable directly or indirectly by rotating the adjusting element (15).

6. Assembly method for a temperature control device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main body (10) has at least one identifier (39) which, based on its position and / or its design, shows how the main body (10) is to be aligned relative to the other housing parts for the assembly of a first final assembly arrangement, and how it is to be aligned for the assembly of a second final assembly arrangement.

7. Assembly method for a temperature control device (1) for heating and / or cooling gases or gas mixtures, in particular for use in the field of respiratory protection, according to claim 6, wherein the housing (2) of the temperature control device (1) has at least one main body (10) having a warm air side (12) and a cold air side (11), an exhaust air cap (13), a supply cap (14) and a compressed air inlet (3) having a locking element (23), wherein the locking element (23) has an elongate anchoring portion (24) and a circumferential shoulder (25), wherein the geometry of the cross section of the anchoring portion (24) expands at the shoulder (25) in such a way that the geometry of the cross section of the shoulder (25) projects radially beyond the geometry of the cross section of the anchoring portion (24) in at least one region, wherein the exhaust air cap (13) and the supply cap (14) each have a fastening element (18, 19) having a fastening opening (21, 22), and the main body (10) also has a fastening opening (20), wherein the exhaust air cap (13), for a first final assembly arrangement, is pushed onto the warm air side (12) of the main body (10) in the direction of the cold air side (11) of the main body (10), and is aligned in such a way that the fastening opening of the main body (20) and the fastening opening of the exhaust air cap (21) are aligned substantially coaxially with one another, wherein the assembly of the exhaust air cap (13) is followed by the assembly of the supply cap (14), which is pushed onto the cold air side (11) of the main body (10) in the direction of the warm air side (12) and is aligned in such a way that the fastening opening of the supply cap (22) is aligned substantially coaxially with the fastening opening of the main body (20) and the fastening opening of the exhaust air cap (21), wherein the assembly of the locking element (23) takes place after the substantially coaxial alignment of the fastening openings (20, 21, 22) to one another, wherein the locking element (23) can be assembled either as an individual part or as part of the compressed air inlet (3), and the assembly takes place in such a way that the anchoring portion (24) is guided through the fastening openings of the supply cap (22) and of the exhaust air cap (13) and is inserted into the fastening opening of the main body (20) up to the shoulder (25), wherein the shoulder (25) is used as a stop for the insertion depth of the anchoring portion (24), and the anchoring portion (24) is anchored in this position in the main body (10).

8. Assembly method for a temperature control device (1) for heating and / or cooling gases or gas mixtures, in particular for use in the field of respiratory protection, according to claim 6, wherein the housing (2) of the temperature control device (1) has at least one main body (10) having a warm air side (12) and a cold air side (11), an exhaust air cap (13), a supply cap (14) and a connecting plate (26), wherein the main body (10) and the connecting plate (26) each have an upper screw recess (27) and a lower screw recess (28), and the supply cap (14) has an upper screw recess (27) and the exhaust air cap (13) has a lower screw recess (28), wherein the assembly is carried out in such a way that the exhaust air cap (13), for a first final assembly arrangement, is pushed onto the warm air side (12) of the main body (10) in the direction of the cold air side (11) of the main body (10) and is aligned in such a way that the lower screw recess (28) of the main body (10) and the lower screw recess (28) of the exhaust air cap (13) are aligned substantially coaxially with one another, wherein the assembly of the exhaust air cap (13) is followed by the assembly of the supply cap (14), which is pushed onto the cold air side (11) of the main body (10) in the direction of the warm air side (12) of the main body (10) and is aligned in such a way that the upper screw recess of the main body (10) and the upper screw recess (27) of the supply cap (14) are aligned substantially coaxially with one another, wherein the assembly of the connecting plate (26) then takes place, which connecting plate is aligned in such a way that the upper screw recess (27) of the connecting plate (26) is aligned substantially coaxially with the upper screw recess (27) of the supply cap (14), and the upper screw recess (26) of the main body (10) and the lower screw recess (27) of the connecting plate (26) are aligned substantially coaxially with the lower screw recess (28) of the exhaust air cap (13) and the lower screw recess (28) of the main body (10), wherein an upper fastening screw (31) is then screwed into the coaxially aligned upper screw recesses (27) and a lower fastening screw (32) is screwed into the coaxially aligned lower screw recesses (28), wherein the upper fastening screw (31) connects the main body (10), the supply cap (14) and the connecting plate (26) to one another in a positive-locking manner, and the lower fastening screw (32) connects the main body (10), the exhaust air cap (13) and the connecting plate (26) to one another in a positive locking manner, wherein the exhaust air cap (13) and the supply cap (14), at least in the region of the connecting plate (26), are exclusively indirectly connected to one another via the main body (10) and the connecting plate (26).

9. Assembly method for a temperature control device (1) according to any of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that, instead of assembling the first final assembly arrangement, a second final assembly arrangement can be assembled from the components of the first final assembly arrangement, the second final assembly arrangement of the temperature control device (1) differing from the first final assembly arrangement, in that the main body (10) is positioned in such a way that the exhaust air cap (13) is arranged on the cold air side (11) of the main body (10) and the supply cap (14) is arranged on the warm air side (12) of the main body (10), the assembly of the second final assembly arrangement taking place in the same way as the assembly of the first final assembly arrangement, the warm air side (12) and the cold air side (11) of the main body (10) in the second final assembly arrangement being aligned in the opposite way to the first final assembly arrangement.