METHOD FOR OBTAINING A SEPARATION DEVICE

Description

[0001] The innovation proposed here relates to the technical field of separating particles carried by an air stream (raw gas stream), in particular the separation of paint or varnish particles carried by a so-called paint mist as a raw gas stream (paint mist separation). Devices, namely separation devices, for this purpose are already known, for example in the form of the separation device described in EP 2 532 409 B and referred to there as a filter module, or in the form of the separation device described in DE 10 2014 003 608 A1 and also referred to there as a filter module, or in the form of the device described in CN 209985061 U.

[0002] One objective of the proposed innovation is to specify a further improved form of a separation device, in particular an improved form of the separation device known from EP 2 532 409 B or a comparable separation device.

[0003] A separation device, from which the proposed innovation is based, comprises an outer frame which houses one or more separation elements within it. During operation, such a separation device is subjected to a flow of raw gas laden with particles. The outer frame of the separation device accordingly has a large opening for the inlet of the raw gas flow (inlet opening) and another for the outlet of the raw gas flow (outlet opening).

[0004] The aforementioned problem is solved according to the invention by means of a method for obtaining a separation device with the features of claim 1. This device is designed for separating particles carried along with a raw gas stream. It has a frame for receiving at least one separation element, and the frame has at least two openings in its ready-to-use state, namely an inlet opening and an outlet opening.

[0005] The special feature of the separation device proposed here is that the frame material, which closes these openings before they are opened, can be used to create a pre-separation unit that can be attached to the separation device. In other words, the special feature is that the frame material that closes the openings before they are opened can be used to create a pre-separation unit that can be attached to the separation device.

[0006] The frame material that closes the openings before they are opened is referred to below as the cover. Due to the inlet and outlet openings, there are two covers (inlet cover and outlet cover). After the openings are opened, the two covers can be combined to form a pre-separation unit. The covers, or the pre-separation unit formed by them, can be arranged on the frame of the separator device in the area of ​​the inlet opening. Because the pre-separation unit is formed by means of the two covers, these can also be referred to as pre-separation unit components; the inlet cover is the first pre-separation unit component, and the outlet cover is the second pre-separation unit component.

[0007] The aforementioned problem is also solved according to the invention by means of a method for obtaining a pre-separation unit that can be used together with a separation device. As described above and below, the separation device has a frame for receiving at least one separation element and, in its ready-to-use state, two openings in the frame, namely an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The frame material that closes these openings before they are opened acts as a first cover and a second cover. To obtain the pre-separation unit, the two covers are combined after the openings have been opened, and the resulting pre-separation unit is arranged on the frame in the area of ​​one of the openings, namely the inlet opening.

[0008] Separation devices with a frame for holding a separation element and two initially sealed openings in the frame are known from US patents 2006 / 236876 A1 and 3,321,345 A. The openings are revealed after the respective frame material is removed. However, unlike what is proposed here, this material is not reused and is apparently discarded.

[0009] The advantage of the proposed innovation lies in the fact that the frame material closing the openings – the covers – is not discarded but instead put to a specific and useful purpose. By combining the covers into a pre-separation unit, an additional separation stage is created that can be used together with the separation device, thus increasing the separation efficiency of the device. A further advantage of the proposed innovation is that combining the covers into a pre-separation unit and attaching the pre-separation unit to the separation device can be done entirely without tools and also without any significant time expenditure.

[0010] The innovation proposed here thus also involves the use of frame material from a separation device designed for separating particles carried in a raw gas stream as covers that can be combined to form a pre-separation unit. The separation device has a frame for receiving at least one separation element and, in its operational state, two openings in the frame. The frame material closes these openings before they are opened. The covers, or the frame material functioning as a cover, have one or all of the features described below.

[0011] The proposed innovation thus ultimately includes the use of a separation device as described here and below, together with a pre-separation unit combined with it and formed from the frame material of the separation device, for separating particles carried along with a raw gas stream.

[0012] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the further claims. References within the claims indicate the further development of the subject matter of the referenced claim by the features of the respective dependent claim. They are not to be understood as a waiver of the right to obtain independent, substantive protection for the features or combinations of features of a dependent claim. Furthermore, with regard to the interpretation of the claims and the description, when specifying a feature in a dependent claim in more detail, it should be assumed that no such limitation exists in the preceding claims or in a more general embodiment of the device in question. Therefore, any reference in the description to aspects of dependent claims is to be read, even without specific indication, as a description of optional features.

[0013] The separation device proposed here also includes a method for obtaining a pre-separation unit usable with the separation device, as well as the use of frame material from a separation device as covers that can be combined to form a pre-separation unit. To avoid unnecessary repetition, for the following description, features and details described in connection with the separation device or the pre-separation unit naturally also apply to and in connection with a method for obtaining a pre-separation unit usable with a separation device, as well as to and for the use of frame material from a separation device as covers that can be combined to form a pre-separation unit, and vice versa.Accordingly, the process can also be further developed by means of one or more process features relating to the function or design of one or more features of the separator or pre-separator unit, and the separator or pre-separator unit can be further developed accordingly by features resulting from the process. Consequently, features and details described in connection with the process naturally also apply to and in connection with the separator or pre-separator unit, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the proposed innovation, there is always, or can always be, a reciprocal reference.

[0014] In preferred embodiments of the separation device, the lids can be connected to each other without tools by means of a plug connection, for example by means of laterally folded tabs of one lid which can be inserted into recesses in the other lid to form a pre-separation unit.

[0015] The claims filed with the application are proposed formulations without prejudice to obtaining further protection. Since the features of the dependent claims, in particular, may constitute independent inventions with regard to the prior art on the priority date, the applicant reserves the right to make these or further combinations of features, previously disclosed only in the description and / or drawings, the subject matter of independent claims or divisional declarations. These may also include independent inventions that exhibit a design independent of the subject matter of the respective referenced claims.

[0016] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Corresponding objects or elements are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0017] The exemplary embodiment is not to be understood as a limitation of the invention. Rather, within the scope of the present disclosure, additions and modifications are entirely possible, in particular those which, for example, can be deduced by a person skilled in the art with regard to the solution of the problem by combining or modifying individual features in conjunction with those described in the general or specific descriptive part and contained in the claims and / or the drawing, and which, through combinable features, lead to a new subject matter or to new process steps or sequences of process steps.

[0018] They show Fig. 1 shows a known separation device with an inlet opening and an outlet opening; Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show a separation device with a closed inlet opening and a closed outlet opening, wherein the frame material closing the inlet opening and the outlet opening, respectively, can be used to obtain a pre-separation unit attachable to the separation device; Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show a separation device according to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 with a pre-separation unit.

[0019] The representation in Figure 1 This is shown as an example and using the image elements of the representation in Figure 1EP 2 532 409 B describes a separating device 10, specifically in the form of a snapshot during its manufacture. A separating device, including the separating device 10 shown, comprises an outer frame 12 and, within the frame 12, at least one separating element 14. The frame 12 is, for example, a conventional cardboard box, such as is otherwise used for packaging and / or shipping purposes. The at least one separating element 14 is placed within the frame 12. The dashed lines show how and where the separating element 14 is placed within the frame 12. In the illustration in Figure 1 The cardboard box (the frame 12) is still open to accommodate the separating element 14. After the separating element 14 has been inserted, the cardboard box (the frame 12) is closed, for example by gluing it shut.

[0020] In EP 2 532 409 B, the separating element 14 is a paper mesh filter web folded over several times. The specific type and number of separating elements 14 are expressly irrelevant for the innovation proposed here, and accordingly, the separating device 10 is defined as a separating device 10 designed for separating particles, in particular paint particles, carried by an airflow, with an outer frame 12 and at least one separating element 14 placed therein.

[0021] The frame 12 of the separation device 10 proposed here (Fig. 2ff) functions as a housing. The frame 12 is a housing, namely a housing for the at least one separation element 14 inside the frame 12 (inside the housing). A cardboard box, as mentioned above or as in EP 2 532 409 B, is always considered as the frame 12. Whenever the term "frame" is mentioned, a cardboard box functioning as the frame 12 is always implied, and the term "frame" includes at least the term "cardboard box" but also other possibilities for accommodating at least one separation element 14, for example, a box made of wood, metal, plastic, or the like.

[0022] It is essential that the frame 12 has two large openings 20, 22. During operation, the separator 10 is permeated by an airflow (raw gas flow) laden with particles, for example, paint particles. This airflow enters the frame 12 – and thus the separator 10 as a whole – through one of the openings 20, 22. One of the openings 20 is accordingly the inlet opening or inflow opening 20. The raw gas flow exits the frame 12 – and thus the separator 10 – through the other opening 22. This opening 22 is accordingly the outlet opening or outflow opening 22. (See illustration in...) Figure 1The reference lines each run to a boundary line of these openings 20, 22. When flowing through the separating device 10, the raw gas stream passes through the at least one separating element 14 inside the frame 12, so that particles carried along with the raw gas stream are separated there in a manner that is generally known per se.

[0023] In the delivered state of a separator device 10, the inlet opening 20 and the outlet opening 22 are usually closed. This ensures, for example, the protection of the at least one separator element 14 located inside the frame 12. Closed openings 20, 22 mean that the frame 12 is opened to create flowable openings 20, 22. For this purpose, the shape and size of the openings 20, 22 are predetermined, for example, by a perforation or the like in the material of the frame 12. Opening the inlet and outlet openings 20, 22 is thus achieved by at least partially removing the frame material that closes the openings 20, 22 from the frame 12. The frame material limited by a perforation or the like is referred to below as the cover 24, 26 (Fig. 2ff).In view of the inlet and outlet openings 20, 22, the frame 12 comprises an inlet cover 24 and an outlet cover 26, and when the inlet and outlet openings 20, 22 are opened, an inlet cover 24 and an outlet cover 26 are formed.

[0024] The representations in Figure 2 and Figure 3 The figures show isometric views of a separation device 10 in its delivered state. The illustration in Figure 2 The eye is drawn, among other things, to that side surface of the frame 12 which, during operation, functions as the side exposed to the flow of the raw gas and which (in the configuration shown) still has an inlet opening 20 closed by means of the inlet opening cover 24. In the illustration in Figure 3The view falls, among other things, on the side surface of the frame 12 which, during operation, faces the side exposed to the airflow and which (in the configuration shown) still has the outlet opening 22 closed by the outlet cover 26. When the separator device 10 is used to separate particles carried along with a raw gas stream, i.e., in the ready-to-use state, the inlet opening 20 and the outlet opening 22 are open. In the illustration in Figure 2 The side facing the wind is labelled "Front" solely for orientation and differentiation purposes.

[0025] The two covers 24, 26 (inlet cover 24, outlet cover 26) are preferably structured, for example, by having a plurality of holes 28 (only some are labelled). The number, shape, and / or distribution of the holes 28 are irrelevant, and the illustration in the figures is expressly only an example. If the covers 24, 26 are structured by means of a plurality of holes 28, the covers 24, 26 are perforated. In other words, if the parts 24, 26 are structured by means of a plurality of holes 28, the covers 24, 26 have a grid-like shape due to the holes 28, whereby the holes 28—as shown by way of example—can be groups of holes 28 of different sizes.

[0026] The representation in Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the separation device 10 according to Figure 2 and Figure 3with the inlet opening 20 open (the outlet opening 22, which is not visible, is also open), the covers 24, 26 obtained when opening the openings 20, 22 (inlet and outlet openings 20, 22) are combined to form a pre-separation unit 30. This combination of the two covers 24, 26 takes place after the openings 20, 22 have been opened. The two covers 24, 26 can be combined to form a pre-separation unit 30 and can be arranged on the frame 12. They are combined and arranged on the frame 12 to form a pre-separation unit 30. This arrangement on the frame 12 takes place in and / or at the inlet opening 20.

[0027] The two covers 24, 26 are generally referred to in the claims and sometimes also in the following description as the first cover 24 and the second cover 26, because certain features shown in the exemplary embodiment as being implemented on the inlet or outlet cover 24, 26 can equally be implemented on the outlet or inlet cover 26, 24. This interchangeability should always be understood in the following. With reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the first cover 24 is the inlet cover 24 and the second cover 26 is the outlet cover 26. This refers only to the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures and is not to be interpreted restrictively.

[0028] To combine the two covers 24, 26, two opposite sides of one of the two covers 24, 26 (in the exemplary embodiment of the first cover 24 / the inlet opening cover 24) are folded over. These opposite sides are the exposed sides of the inlet opening cover 24 after the inlet opening 20 has been opened, thus allowing the folding to occur.

[0029] The folding occurs at an angle of 90° or at least substantially 90° relative to the remaining surface of the lid 24. Due to the folding, folded tabs 32, 34 are formed on the opposite sides (first tab 32, second tab 34). In the illustration in Figure 4 The second tab 34 is concealed by the lid 24 itself. These two tabs 32, 34 are inserted into marginal, slot-like recesses 36, 38 when the lids 24, 26 are combined ( Fig. 3) in the other cover 26 (in the exemplary embodiment, the second cover 26 / the outlet opening cover 26) and, in the case of combined covers 24, 26, are inserted into these. The recesses 36, 38 are marginal recesses 36, 38 because they originate from one of the edges (the rim line) of the cover 26. The recesses 36, 38 are optionally oriented transversely to the adjacent rim line or at least substantially transversely to this rim line of the cover 26. The edge with the recesses 36, 38 is referred to as the first edge 40 for reference. The opposite edge is the second edge 42.

[0030] By being inserted into the recesses 36, 38, the tabs 32, 34 are fixed in the folded configuration. The folded tabs 32, 34 stabilize the cover 24. Each folded tab 32, 34 forms an L-profile with the adjacent surface of the cover 24, and this gives the cover 24 considerable stability.

[0031] To improve the durability of the combination of the two covers 24, 26, a preferably elongated slot 44 is provided in one of the two covers 24 and a marginal, leaf-like protrusion 46 is provided on the other cover 26. In the exemplary embodiment, the cover 24 with the lateral tabs 32, 34 (the inlet opening cover 24; first cover 24) has the elongated slot 44 parallel to the edge closest to (adjacent to) the slot 44. Correspondingly, the cover 26 with the marginal recesses 36, 38 (the outlet opening cover 26; second cover 26) has the leaf-like protrusion 46.

[0032] When the two covers 24, 26 are combined (when the tabs 32, 34 are inserted into the recesses 36, 38), the leaf-like support 46 of the second cover 26 is inserted into the elongated slot 44 in the first cover 24. When the covers 24, 26 are combined, the leaf-like support 46 of the second cover 26 is inserted into the elongated slot 44 in the first cover 24. The leaf-like support 46 engages in the elongated slot 44.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the leaf- or spring-like support 46 (leaf-like in the sense of a paddle blade; spring-like in the sense of a tongue-and-groove joint) on the second cover 26 in the region of its first edge 40 is formed by shortening the second cover 26 in the region of the recesses 36, 38 (i.e., in the region of its corners) and in the direction of the recesses 36, 38. Between the cuts in the region of the corners, a longer section remains along the first edge 40 (longer when measured along the cover 26 and perpendicular to its first edge 40), and this section is referred to as the leaf-like support 46 on the second cover 26.

[0034] One of the two covers 24 (in the exemplary embodiment, the cover 24 with the side tabs 32, 34 / the first cover 24) remains partially connected to the opening 20, which was previously closed by it, and thus to the frame 12, even after the opening 20, namely the inlet opening 20, has been opened. This cover 24 is therefore the inlet opening cover 24.

[0035] The connection to the frame 12 is made along one of the edges of the inlet opening 20. This edge is one of the two horizontal, or at least substantially horizontal, edges of the separator 10 when it is installed as intended or at least in its usual configuration, specifically the upper of these two edges. The connection is made by the cover 24 remaining attached to the frame 12 at this edge, while it is released from the frame 12 at the other three edges of the inlet opening 20, which was previously closed by the cover 24. The connection is a hinged connection similar to a film hinge, and the cover 24 is pivotally connected to the frame 12 at this edge (the cover 24 remains / is pivotally hinged to the frame 12). To maintain a straight pivot axis, this edge is preferably, for example, perforated.This perforation is a different perforation than the perforation mentioned above, which allows the respective cover 24, 26 to be removed from the frame 12, namely a less severe perforation, so that when the cover 24 is removed from the inlet opening 20 (in the area of ​​the three other edges) this edge does not tear out.

[0036] When combining the two covers 24, 26 to form a pre-separator unit 30, the inlet opening cover 24 is pivoted outwards (projecting from the surface with the inlet opening 20 at an angle of < 90°) and is pivoted outwards for combination with the other cover 26 (the outlet opening cover 26). The combination preferably takes place, as described above, at least by means of the lateral tabs 32, 34 and by inserting the tabs 32, 34 into the recesses 36, 38 provided for this purpose. Before or after combining the two covers 24, 26, the outlet opening cover 26, which is completely detached from the outlet opening, is inserted into the inlet opening 20 with one of its free edges – second edge 42. This free edge 42 is the edge of the outlet opening cover 26 which is opposite an edge in the area where the two covers 24, 26 are combined.When the two covers 24, 26 are combined by inserting the tabs 32, 34 of the inlet cover 24 into the corresponding recesses 36, 38 of the outlet cover 26, the free edge 42 is the edge opposite the edge 40 with the recesses 36, 38. The outlet cover 26 is inserted into the inlet opening 20 until its free edge 42 abuts a designated stop inside the frame 12. The limiting element (stop) is, for example, the at least one separating element 14 inside the frame 12 or one of the separating elements 14 inside the frame 12. The insertion of the outlet opening cover 26 into the inlet opening 20 therefore only occurs to a small extent, and the largest part of the outlet opening cover 26 remains outside the frame 12.The outlet cover 26, which is inserted into the inlet opening 20, engages with its free edge 42 in the frame 12 and in its inlet opening 20.

[0037] The representation in Figure 5 The separating device 10 is shown according to Figure 4 with attached pre-separation unit 30 in a view looking centrally at the side of the separation device 10 with the inlet opening 20.

[0038] The section of the outlet cover 26 inserted into the inlet opening 20 – the free edge 42 or a part thereof – can be folded over. If a pre-separation unit 30 is attached to the separator 10, the folded section can be inserted into the inlet opening 20. When inserted, the folded section preferably extends inside the frame 12 to the bottom of the frame 12.

[0039] In the depictions in Figure 2 and Figure 3Three side surfaces of the frame 12 are visible. One of the side surfaces has the respective opening 20, 22 (inlet or outlet opening 20, 22). One of the side surfaces (shown in the figures as the upward-facing surface) is completely closed. The remaining surface of the three shown side surfaces is the bottom or top area of ​​the frame 12 (the top area is closed after the placement of at least one separator element 14 in the frame 12). The orientation of the openings 20, 22, and thus also the orientation of the covers 24, 26, can be determined from these side surfaces. This is essential in the case of openings 20, 22 with unequal lengths of their parallel edges (rectangular, not square openings 20, 22). The longer edges of openings 20, 22 determine the width of openings 20, 22. The shorter edges of openings 20, 22 determine their height.The width and height of the two openings 20, 22 are each the same or at least essentially the same.

[0040] In such rectangular openings 20, 22, the two covers 24, 26, while still connected to the frame, are rotated 90° relative to each other with their longest axes. When combining the two covers 24, 26, the outlet cover 26 is rotated after being removed from the outlet opening 22 so that its short edges 40, 42 are parallel to the long edges of the inlet opening 20. The distance between the long edges of the outlet cover 26 (measured perpendicular to the long edges) is less than the width of the inlet opening 20. The outlet cover 26 (or its free edge 42, or a portion thereof) can therefore be easily inserted into the inlet opening 20 when combining the two covers 24, 26 to form the pre-separation unit 30.

[0041] The frame 12 preferably receives the at least one separating element 14 in a mate fit. When such a mate fit is provided, the at least one separating element 14, with at least a slight initial interference and a resulting compression of the separating element 14, abuts at least the side wall of the frame 12 with the inlet opening 20 and the opposite side wall. Then, the free edge 42 inserted into the inlet opening 20, or a portion thereof of the free edge 42 of the outlet opening cover 26, is clamped between the inner surface of the side of the frame 12 with the inlet opening 20 and the at least one separating element 14 mate fit within the frame 12. The clamping takes place between the inside of the side surface of the frame 12 with the inlet opening 20 on the one hand and the at least one separator element 14 which is received in the frame 12 in a fitted position on the other hand.Clamping is achieved by the at least one separating element 14, which is held in a fitted position in the frame 12, pressing the free edge 42 or a portion thereof of the free edge 42 of the outlet cover 26 against the inner side of the side surface of the frame 12 with the inlet opening 20. In this configuration, the clamped free edge 42 or a portion thereof of the free edge 42 of the outlet cover 26 is secured particularly well, at least to a degree sufficient for the use of the pre-separation unit 30 in separating particles carried along with a raw gas stream.

[0042] The user can completely remove and dispose of the covers 24, 26 from the frame 12 without tools if the use of the covers 24, 26 as a pre-separation unit 30 is not desired.

[0043] The covers 24, 26 can also be supplied separately, for example as cut pieces with the shape and properties described here. Such covers 24, 26 do not originate from the frame 12. The combination of such covers 24, 26 is also carried out as described here. Attachment to a frame 12 of a separating device 10 is achieved, for example, by positive locking or by insertion, gluing, stapling, or the like.

[0044] Key aspects of the submitted description can be summarized as follows: A separation device 10 for separating particles carried in a raw gas stream is described. The separation device 10 comprises a frame 12 for receiving at least one separation element 14 and, in its operational state, two openings 20, 22 – an inlet opening 20 and an outlet opening 22 – within the frame 12. The frame material, which closes the openings 20, 22 before they are opened, can be used to create a pre-separation unit 30 that can be attached to the separation device 10. For this purpose, the frame material that closes the openings 20, 22 before they are opened acts as a first cover 24 and a second cover 26.The two covers 24, 26 are combined to form a pre-separation unit 30 after opening the openings 20, 22 and can be combined to form a pre-separation unit 30 after opening the openings 20, 22 and can be arranged or arranged in the area of ​​the inlet opening 20 on the frame 12. Reference symbol list

[0045] 10 Separator 12 Frame 14 Separator element 16, 18 (free) 20 Opening, inlet opening 22 Opening, outlet opening 24 Cover, first cover, inlet opening cover 26 Cover, second cover, outlet opening cover 28 Hole 30 Pre-separator unit 32 First side tab 34 Second side tab 36 Edge recess 38 Edge recess 40 First edge 42 Second edge 44 Slot 46 Stop

Claims

1. A method for obtaining a pre-separation unit (30) that can be used in conjunction with a separation device (10) for separating particles carried along with a raw gas stream, wherein the separation device (10) has a frame (12) for receiving at least one separation element (14) as well as, in the operational state, two openings (20, 22) - an inlet opening (20) and an outlet opening (22) - in the frame (12), wherein, prior to opening the openings (20, 22), the frame material closing the openings (20, 22) functions as a first cover (24) and as a second cover (26), and wherein the two covers (24, 26) are combined after the openings (20, 22) have been opened to obtain the pre-separation unit (30), and the pre-separation unit (30) is arranged on the frame (12) in the area of the inlet opening (20).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein lateral tabs (32, 34) are formed by folding down two opposite sides of one of the two covers (24) thereon, and wherein said lateral tabs (32, 34) are inserted into recesses (36, 38) in the other cover (26) when the covers (24, 26) are combined to form a pre-separation unit (30), namely into recesses (36, 38) extending from an edge line of the other cover (26).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover (24), with the lateral tabs (32, 34), remains connected in segments to the respective opening (20) even after the opening (20) has been opened, wherein said opening (20) is the inlet opening (20), wherein the cover (24), remaining connected in segments to the inlet opening (20), is pivoted outward from the surface with the inlet opening (20) when the covers (24, 26) are combined to form a pre-separation unit (30), and wherein the other cover (26) is completely detached from the opening (22) - outlet opening (22) - and is combined with the cover (24) to obtain the pre-separation unit (30).