Heat recovery unit, finisher system, and finisher assembly
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023734717
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-05-27
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-09
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
AI Technical Summary
Existing open finisher devices for drying and smoothing clothing inefficiently utilize heat from exhaust air, leading to energy wastage and suboptimal design for component arrangement.
A countercurrent heat recovery unit with a heat exchanger that heats supply air using exhaust air, allowing for efficient heat transfer and compact design by guiding air flows in a way that prevents mixing, with a modular and adjustable setup for easy integration with finisher systems.
Enhances energy efficiency by maximizing heat recovery from exhaust air, reducing environmental impact, and enabling a compact, versatile installation that can handle various garment sizes and types effectively.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] Heat recovery unit, finisher system and finisher arrangement
[0002] The invention relates to a heat recovery unit for attachment to an open finisher device, an associated finisher system and a finisher arrangement.
[0003] Open finishers are generally known and are used, for example, as ironing machines for drying and / or ironing garments. For example, they can be used for drying and / or ironing shirts or trousers.
[0004] Open finisher devices differ fundamentally from closed systems, so-called tunnel finishers, in that they have a mostly stationary, active support part that expands the garments to be treated before or during the finisher treatment.
[0005] An open finisher system is described, for example, in document DE 10 2011 008 501 B3. The finisher system features a heat recovery unit that uses hot exhaust air to heat incoming air, thus ensuring that the gas temperature required for the finishing process is generated with less energy consumption.
[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a heat recovery unit which, compared to the known prior art, is designed alternatively or better, for example, enabling even better utilization of heat in the exhaust air stream and / or enabling a better or more variable arrangement of the components. It is further an object of the invention to provide an open finisher system with such a heat recovery unit and a finisher arrangement with at least one such finisher system. This is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are claimed, for example, in the subclaims.
[0007] The invention relates to a heat recovery unit for attachment to an open finishing device, which comprises an active support part for expanding garments. The heat recovery unit has a heat exchanger for heating a supply air flow from the environment by means of an exhaust air flow from the finishing device. The heat exchanger has a supply air inlet through which preferably cool, dry ambient air can flow. The heat exchanger has a supply air outlet through which the ambient air warmed in the heat exchanger can flow to the finishing device. The heat exchanger has an exhaust air inlet through which, in particular, hot, humid exhaust air from the finishing device can flow to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has an exhaust air outlet through which the humid exhaust air cooled in the heat exchanger can flow out. In particular, the heat exchanger is designed as a counterflow heat exchanger.This counterflow heat exchanger design further increases the efficiency of energy transfer, allowing even more heat to be extracted from the exhaust air, which would otherwise be released unused into the environment. In a counterflow heat exchanger, the supply air flow and the exhaust air flow typically run antiparallel to each other. This allows for a compact design and efficient heat transfer.
[0008] The heat exchanger can, in particular, guide the supply air flow and the exhaust air flow at least partially parallel to each other. In particular, the supply air flow and the exhaust air flow can be separated from each other by plates. Such plates can, in particular, be part of the heat exchanger. This allows the supply air flow and the exhaust air flow to be guided very close to each other while still preventing air exchange.
[0009] In particular, the supply air inlet can be designed for horizontal air flow. This allows for a compact arrangement, as air can be drawn in directly from the area surrounding the heat recovery unit. In particular, air can be drawn in from a room in which the heat exchanger or finisher system is located.
[0010] The supply air inlet can be arranged, in particular, on a side opposite the finisher device. This also allows for a compact arrangement, as the air flow can be directed in one direction toward the finisher device. In principle, it is also possible to mount the supply air inlet on side surfaces, so that the air flow can be deflected, for example, by at least approximately 90° in a horizontal plane.
[0011] The supply air outlet can be designed, in particular, for the downward discharge of supply air. This allows for easy delivery of the supply air to a finisher system on which the heat exchanger can be mounted. In particular, the supply air outlet can be arranged on the underside of the heat recovery unit. Using the underside, the heat recovery unit can be placed on a finisher system, allowing for easy installation.
[0012] The heat recovery unit can be mounted on the bottom of the finisher device, allowing for easy installation and reliable mounting. It also achieves a compact design.
[0013] The supply air flow can be deflected at least substantially by 90°, particularly in the heat recovery unit. In particular, it can be deflected downwards. This achieves advantageous air flow, as a large-area supply air inlet can be created for the intake of ambient air, and the supply air flow can be discharged downwards to the finisher system, where it can be appropriately directed for its intended use.
[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment, the exhaust air inlet is arranged on a top side of the heat recovery unit. This allows advantageous supply from a fume hood, which is typically arranged above a garment to be processed, so that the exhaust air flow is typically supplied from above the heat recovery unit. In particular, the exhaust air outlet can be arranged on a top side of the heat recovery unit. This enables a particularly advantageous connection of the exhaust air outlet to an exhaust air duct, which can be arranged above the finisher system and can ensure exhaust air removal, in particular from multiple finisher systems.
[0015] In particular, the exhaust air flow can be deflected at least substantially by 180°. This enables suitable guidance of the exhaust air flow within the heat recovery unit, so that it can be supplied from above and also discharged upwards. This allows for a compact arrangement and compact integration of finisher systems into an arrangement of multiple finisher systems.
[0016] The exhaust air outlet can be designed, in particular, for connection to an upper exhaust air duct. Such an exhaust air duct can be used, in particular, to discharge the exhaust air from multiple finishing systems. This allows the exhaust air to be discharged together, thus preventing excessive heating and / or humidification of the environment. This also prevents such exhaust air from being sucked back into the supply air inlet.
[0017] The heat recovery unit can in particular be attached to a rear side of the finisher device, which can be opposite a front side on which the active support part is arranged. The active support part can in particular be designed such that a piece of clothing to be processed can be received or secured in some other way. By arranging the heat recovery unit on the rear side of the finisher device, a compact design is achieved, and it is also achieved that the supply air is sucked in at a point which is remote from a point at which operating personnel might manually operate the active support part, for example to exchange items of clothing. This is particularly the case if the supply air inlet is arranged opposite the finisher device, as already described.
[0018] The invention further relates to an open finishing system, particularly for treating shirts or trousers, comprising a finishing device that includes an active support member for expanding garments, as well as a heat recovery unit as described herein. Regarding the heat recovery unit, all described embodiments can be used. The aforementioned advantages can be achieved.
[0019] In particular, the heat recovery unit can be arranged on the rear side of the finisher device. The supply air outlet of the heat recovery unit can, in particular, be connected to a supply air connection of the finisher device. This allows for an advantageous supply of supply air to the finisher device.
[0020] The invention further relates to a finisher arrangement comprising one or more finisher systems as described herein and an exhaust air duct arranged above the finisher system(s) and connected to the exhaust air outlets. Such a finisher arrangement can, in particular, combine multiple finisher systems so that they can be used in parallel, with a common exhaust air duct improving efficiency.
[0021] An inflatable doll, for example, can be used as an active support part. This can be used in particular for ironing shirts. Spring-loaded tensioning elements can also be used, particularly for ironing trousers. In the doll version, air and / or steam flows through the active support part, expanding the garment pulled over the doll. In the version with tensioning elements, the garment is expanded by the tensioning element, for example at the waistband of trousers, so that steam and / or air can easily flow into the garment. As a result of this steam and / or air flow, the garment can be further expanded and smoothed if necessary. In particular, superheated steam can be used, in which water is in gaseous form. After treatment, the garment is removed from the active support part and the next item of clothing to be treated is attached to the active support part.
[0022] The finisher device can, in particular, have an extraction hood that extracts air from above the active support part. This air can be redirected and fed to the exhaust air inlet. The extraction hood can, in particular, be height-adjustable.
[0023] Preferably, a filter, in particular a lint filter, is arranged upstream of the exhaust air inlet, in particular in the extraction hood. This filter prevents lint from the garment being ironed, which may be present in the exhaust air, from clogging the air ducts in the heat exchanger and thereby impairing the energy transfer from the exhaust air stream to the supply air stream. Preferably, a condensate container or a condensate outlet is provided in the heat recovery unit. This can collect or discharge condensate from the exhaust air stream, particularly at the heat exchanger. The condensate container can be emptied occasionally or can have a drain through which the condensate is continuously discharged.
[0024] The heat recovery unit can be considered an add-on module for a finishing device. It can also be retrofitted to an existing finishing device, for example. This allows for modular use.
[0025] The finisher system preferably has a fan for exhaust air and / or a fan for supply air. The power of the two fans can be coupled, in particular via a control unit. For example, the power of the supply air fan can be reduced while the garments on the wearer's part are being replaced. Advantageously, the two fans are controlled in such a way that the power of the exhaust air fan is also reduced in this case, since only a small amount of heated exhaust air is available for extraction. Such a simple coupling of the two fans also contributes to energy savings during operation of the finisher system.
[0026] In particular, the finisher device can comprise means for heating the supply air. These can be implemented, for example, as electric heaters. They can be used to heat the supply air in addition to the heating provided by the heat exchanger. The finisher device can also comprise means for humidifying the supply air. This allows a desired water or steam content to be achieved.
[0027] Finishing devices typically smooth and dry textiles in a single operation. Steam and tension are used to shape the garment, which is then dried (ironed) using a fan and heat. The trick lies in designing the devices so that different cuts and sizes can be processed equally well. To ensure this, both the height and shoulder width can be varied. In some cases, the appropriate height is automatically set using a sensor (e.g., a light barrier). The more precise the size adjustment, the less preparation and rework is necessary. The required steam can be produced in a central steam generator and transported to the device via pipes, or the device can have a built-in steam generator (-> commercial steam ironing system). The steam pressure achieved is significantly higher than with conventional household devices and can reach up to 6.5 bar.
[0028] During the steam phase, steam, especially hot steam, is typically released, which causes the fibers to swell slightly, making them easier to flatten. A fan then typically dries the fabric to keep it smooth. The length of the steam phase, the duration of the fan (air time), and the air volume can be adjusted to suit the fibers and the residual moisture content of the textiles.
[0029] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings. These show:
[0030] Fig. 1 : a finisher system,
[0031] Fig. 2: the finisher system in a different view,
[0032] Fig. 3: a section through the finisher system, and
[0033] Fig. 4: a finisher arrangement.
[0034] Fig. 1 shows a purely schematic view of a finishing system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The finishing system 10 comprises a finishing device 11. This device comprises an active support part 12, which can be designed, for example, as an inflatable doll. The active support part 12 can, in particular, be permeable to air and / or have active clamping elements. For example, a shirt can be stretched onto it for ironing. An exhaust air hood 14 is located above it.
[0035] A heat recovery unit 20 is located directly on the rear side of the finisher device 11. The heat recovery unit 20 has a rear side 22. The rear side 22 is oriented opposite the finisher device 11 or a front side of the finisher device 11, on which the support part 12 is located. The heat recovery unit 20 further has a bottom side 24 and a top side 26. The top side 26 faces upward. With the bottom side 24, the heat recovery unit 20 rests on the finisher device 11 or on a base part 16 of the finisher device 11.
[0036] An air inlet 30 is located on the rear side 22. This allows the intake of fresh air from the surroundings. An exhaust air outlet 37 is located on the top side 26. This allows the exhaust air to be discharged.
[0037] Fig. 2 shows the finisher system 10 of Fig. 1 in a different view. For the description, please refer to Fig. 1. The air flows will be described below with reference to Fig. 3.
[0038] Fig. 3 shows the finisher system 10 in a sectional view, particularly showing additional components and the airflows flowing through it. A supply air flow 40 is drawn in through the supply air inlet 30 and initially flows horizontally through the heat recovery unit 20. The supply air flow 40 then flows through a heat exchanger 31 of the heat recovery unit 20, which is designed as a counterflow heat exchanger. In this case, at least one plate 33 is formed within the heat exchanger, which separates the supply air from the exhaust air.
[0039] After passing through the heat exchanger 31, the supply air stream 40 is redirected downward by approximately 90°, reaching the supply air outlet 32 of the heat recovery unit 20. The supply air stream 40 passes through an air supply connection 15 of the finisher device 11 into the base part 16, on which the heat recovery unit 20 rests and in which the supply air stream 40 is again redirected. A fan 18 is also arranged in the base part 16, which ensures a directed movement of the supply air stream 40. This fan can also contain means for humidifying and / or heating the supply air stream. Humidification can be omitted, particularly during a drying phase.
[0040] The supply air stream 40 is then redirected upwards and enters the active support part 12 as a warm supply air stream 45. The supply air stream 40 is already heated, in particular by the action of the heat exchanger 31 and further by a heating means or a heater, which can also be arranged in the base part 16. The warm supply air stream 45 flows out of the active support part 12 and is used for processing or ironing a piece of clothing. Subsequently, the air is at least predominantly drawn in as an exhaust air stream 50 through the exhaust air hood 14. This also contains a fan 19 for drawing in the air stream. The exhaust air stream 50 is then redirected downwards and reaches the exhaust air inlet 35 of the heat recovery unit 20. It then enters the heat exchanger 31 and runs at least along a path parallel to the supply air stream 40.Heat transfer occurs through the plate 33, so that heat is extracted from the exhaust air stream 50 and fed into the supply air stream 40. The exhaust air stream 50 is then directed upwards again into the exhaust air outlet 37, which it exits as a cooled exhaust air stream 55. The exhaust air can then be removed in a suitable manner.
[0041] Fig. 4 shows a finisher arrangement 5 according to an embodiment of the invention. In this case, three finisher systems 10 are shown purely schematically, which are arranged side by side and which can be designed, for example, as described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. The respective exhaust air outlet 37 is connected to a common exhaust air duct 6. The exhaust air duct 6 is arranged above the finisher systems 10 and ensures the collective removal of the resulting exhaust air.
[0042] Such arrangements are particularly advantageous because the exhaust air outlet 37, or a nozzle forming the exhaust air outlet 37, can be positioned more freely than in other designs. This is due to the described air flow, which is made possible by the counterflow heat exchanger.
[0043] Overall, the described design allows for a spatially compact and energy-efficient design, whereby superheated steam can be fed to an active support part, requiring as little external heat input as possible. The resulting exhaust air can be efficiently removed, thus creating a pleasant working environment for operating personnel.
[0044] 5 Finisher arrangement
[0045] 6 Exhaust air duct
[0046] 10 Finisher System
[0047] 1 1 Finisher device
[0048] 12 active carrier part
[0049] 14 Exhaust hood
[0050] 15 Supply air connection
[0051] 16 Base part
[0052] 18 Fan
[0053] 19 Fan
[0054] 20 heat recovery unit
[0055] 21 heat exchangers
[0056] 22 Back
[0057] 24 subpage
[0058] 26 Top
[0059] 30 Supply air inlet
[0060] 32 Supply air outlet
[0061] 33 plate
[0062] 35 Exhaust air inlet
[0063] 37 Exhaust air outlet
[0064] 40 Supply air flow
[0065] 45 warm supply air flow
[0066] 50 exhaust air flow
[0067] 55 cooled exhaust air flow
Claims
Patent claims 1. Heat recovery unit (20) for mounting on an open finisher device (11), which includes an active support part (12) for widening garments, wherein the heat recovery unit (20) has a heat exchanger (21) for heating a supply air stream (40) from the environment by means of an exhaust air stream (50) from the finisher device (11), wherein the heat exchanger (21) has the following: a supply air inlet (30) through which cool, dry ambient air can flow, a supply air outlet (32) through which the ambient air heated in the heat exchanger (21) can flow to the finisher device (11), an exhaust air inlet (35) through which hot, moist exhaust air from the finisher device (11) can flow to the heat exchanger (21), and an exhaust air outlet (37) through which the air heated in the heat exchanger (21) can be expelled. ) cooled, moist exhaust air can flow out, the heat exchanger (21 ) being designed as a counterflow heat exchanger.
2. Heat recovery unit (20) according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger (21) guides the supply air flow (40) and the exhaust air flow (50) at least partially parallel to each other.
3. Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat exchanger (21) has one or more plates (33) which separate the supply air flow (40) and the exhaust air flow (50) from each other.
4. Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply air inlet (30) is designed for horizontal supply air flow.
5. Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the air inlet (30) is arranged on one side opposite the finisher device (1 1).
6. Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply air outlet (32) is designed for downward flow of supply air.
7. Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply air outlet (32) is arranged on a bottom side (24) of the heat recovery unit (20).
8. Heat recovery unit (20) according to claim 7, wherein the heat recovery unit (20) sits with its underside (24) on the finisher device (11).
9. Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply air flow (40) in the heat recovery unit (20) is deflected at least substantially by 90°.
10. Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the exhaust air inlet (35) is arranged on a top side (26) of the heat recovery unit (20). 1 1 . Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the exhaust air outlet (37) is arranged on a top side (26) of the heat recovery unit (20).
12. Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the exhaust air flow (50) is deflected at least substantially by 180°.
13. Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the exhaust air outlet (37) is designed for connection to an upper exhaust air duct (6).
14. Heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat recovery unit (20) can be attached to a rear side of the finisher device (1 1 ) which is opposite a front side on which the active carrier part (12) is arranged.
15. Open finisher system (10) particularly for treating shirts or trousers, comprising a finisher device (1 1 ) comprising an active carrier part (12) for widening garments, and a heat recovery unit (20) according to one of the preceding claims.
16. Finisher system (10) according to claim 15, wherein the supply air outlet (32) of the heat recovery unit (20) is in flow communication with a supply air connection (15) of the finisher device (11).
17. Finisher arrangement (5) comprising one or more finisher systems (10) according to claim 16, and an exhaust air duct (6) which is arranged above the finisher system(s) (10) and is connected to the exhaust air outlets (37).