Air treatment unit and method for manufacturing such air treatment unit

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an air treatment unit (100) comprising: an air treatment module (10) including a desiccant rotor (20) arranged for dehumidifying process air (PA), and an inlet assembly (30) and an outlet assembly (40) arranged on opposite sides of the rotor (20); and a housing (80) surrounding the air treatment module (10), wherein the air treatment module (10) is configured to prevent the airflow from reaching the space between the air treatment module (10) and the housing (80) and the air treatment module (10) will thereby dehumidify process air (PA) independently of the housing (80).

Description

[0001] AIR TREATMENT UNIT AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH AIR TREATMENT UNIT

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to an air treatment unit and a method for manufacturing such air treatment unit. Specifically, the present invention relates to an air treatment unit and a method for manufacturing such air treatment unit as defined by the appended claims.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] Within the technical field of air treatment, different types of air treatment units are used that comprises a sorption media for adsorbing or absorbing gases. Such air treatment unit may for example comprise a desiccant rotor where the sorption media, also referred to as rotor media, is configured for absorbing moisture. The rotor rotates slowly between a process and a regeneration airstream and typically comprises a process section and a regeneration section. The process air flows through the channels of the rotor media and the rotor media either adsorbs or absorbs moisture. When the rotor rotates, the rotor media is heated by the hot regeneration air, and the rotor media releases its moisture into the regeneration air. Following regeneration, the rotor rotates back into the process airstream, where the process repeats itself.

[0006] A desiccant rotor is typically suspended inside a housing and the housing also accommodates various components for achieving the process airflow and the regeneration airflow through the desiccant rotor. Typically, manufacturing or assembly of such air treatment units start from the bottom wall of the housing where after other components are mounted on said bottom wall. In many cases, the rotor suspension and airflow components are attached at several attachment points to the housing. Such configuration of the air treatment unit causes long tolerance chains and entails a rather complex assembly. It also complicates repair and service of the different components. To achieve optimal airflows and ensure good performance of the air treatment unit, air treatment units comprising desiccant rotors also typically requires multiple sealing interfaces. Sealing interfaces may involve risks for leakage, which would affect the performance negatively.

[0007] There is thus a need to develop an improved air treatment unit comprising a desiccant rotor, which facilitates manufacturing and ensures optimal performance.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art and solve at least the above-mentioned problems.

[0010] An object of the present invention is thus to achieve an air treatment unit and a method for manufacturing such an air treatment unit, which facilitates manufacturing and lowers the manufacturing costs.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to achieve an air treatment unit and a method for manufacturing such an air treatment unit, which ensures an optimal performance of the air treatment unit.

[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to achieve an air treatment unit, which is more lightweight but has an improved robustness.

[0013] Hence, according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an air treatment unit comprising: an air treatment module including a desiccant rotor arranged for dehumidifying process air, and an inlet assembly and an outlet assembly arranged on opposite sides of the rotor; and a housing surrounding the air treatment module, wherein the air treatment module is configured to prevent the airflow from reaching the space between the air treatment module and the housing and the air treatment module will thereby dehumidify process air independently of the housing.

[0014] By means of the air treatment unit as disclosed herein, the parts and components for dehumidifying process air are incorporated in the air treatment module, thereby separating the airflows from the housing. The air treatment module may therefore be referred to as the functional module of the air treatment unit. The air treatment module being configured to prevent the airflow from reaching the space between the air treatment module and the housing means that the airflow (particularly the airflow of process air) will be prevented from flowing inside and pressurize the housing. With an air treatment unit according to the present disclosure, the housing will not be pressurized. Thus, the air treatment module is configured to separate the airflow from the housing to avoid pressurizing the housing. Specifically, the air treatment module is arranged with the inlet assembly and the outlet assembly positioned in relation to the housing, in such a manner that the airflow through the air treatment module is separate from the space between the air treatment module and the housing. Today, similar air treatment units typically comprise pressurised housings, which have to be airtight to direct the air through the rotor efficiently and therefore comprises multiple sealing interfaces that are prone to leakage. With an air treatment unit according to the present disclosure, the housing will not be pressurised and multiple sealing interfaces with regard to the housing will thereby not be required. By means of the air treatment unit according to the present disclosure, optimal air-tightness and performance can be ensured solely by means of the configuration of the air treatment module. Also, having an air treatment module separating the airflows from the housing means that the air treatment module can be manufactured separately from the housing and subsequently be positioned inside the housing in a single step, which facilitates manufacturing. The air treatment module may thus be arranged inside the housing as a single unit or one piece. Common air treatment units are typically manufactured by starting from a bottom of the housing and mounting the different components one by one on that bottom and up. The different components will thereby be connected to the different walls of the housing and to each other and there will be several sealing arrangements to ensure air-tightness and great air flows through the rotor. This complicates manufacturing as well as service and maintenance. With a separate air treatment module according to the present invention, the rotor suspension is no longer part of the housing and the tolerance chains are shorter. The rotor suspension is incorporated in the air treatment module. This will facilitate manufacturing. Furthermore, a housing that is not part of the dehumidifying process and thus has lower functional requirements allows a higher design freedom and the manufacturing costs of the housing can be reduced. The air treatment unit according to the present invention being a modular air treatment unit increases flexibility and enables use of more standardised components since the functional components do not have to be customised and adapted to a customised housing.

[0015] The air treatment module may be removably arranged inside the housing. This allows the whole air treatment module to be removed from the housing in one go, which will facilitate service and maintenance. Replacement of certain parts or components will also be facilitated. The air treatment module may thus be pre-built and subsequently lowered into the housing where it is connected to all necessary interfaces. The air treatment module is suitably arranged inside the housing such that the functional components of the air treatment module are not in contact with the housing. Since the functional components of the air treatment unit are incorporated in the air treatment module and are not in direct contact with the housing, any impact on the housing will have less damaging effect on the functional components. Thus, larger deformation zones to fragile parts are achieved and the robustness of the air treatment unit is improved.

[0016] The inlet assembly and the outlet assembly may each comprise a rotor chassis part with suspension members for suspension of the rotor. The suspension members of the inlet and outlet assembly are connected to a rotor shaft extending through the center of the rotor. Typically, the rotor comprises a hub surrounded by the rotor media, wherein the rotor shaft extends centrally through the hub. The rotor chassis part of the inlet assembly and the rotor chassis part of the outlet assembly may at least partly surround the rotor. The rotor chassis part of the inlet assembly and the rotor chassis part of the outlet assembly may further be connected to each other when being arranged on opposite sides of the rotor. The rotor chassis part of the inlet assembly and the rotor chassis part of the outlet assembly may be connected to each other by means of fasteners, a snap-fit coupling or similar.

[0017] The inlet assembly may further comprise a process fan for achieving a process airflow through the rotor. The inlet assembly may also comprise sealing elements for sealing all airflows in and out of the rotor. The sealing elements may be integrated or arranged in the rotor chassis part of the inlet assembly. The inlet assembly may additionally comprise a sealing element for sealing against an air inlet of the air treatment unit. Furthermore, the inlet assembly may comprise sealing interfaces to other parts of the air treatment unit. The outlet assembly may comprise sealing elements for sealing all airflows in and out of the rotor. The outlet assembly may further comprise sealing elements for sealing against an outlet of the air treatment unit. The sealing elements may be integrated or arranged in the rotor chassis part of the outlet assembly.

[0018] The inlet assembly may comprise sealing elements for sealing against an air inlet of the housing and the outlet assembly may comprise sealing elements for sealing against an air outlet of the housing. This way, the air treatment module will prevent airflow from flowing in the space between the air treatment module and the housing, and thereby prevent the housing from being pressurized.

[0019] The air treatment unit typically comprises a plurality of sealing elements for sealing airflows in and out of the air treatment module to ensure that air does not leak out from the air treatment module into the housing and pressurises the housing. Such sealing elements may form part of the air treatment module, or they may form part of the housing or other parts of the air treatment unit. The sealing elements are arranged to direct the airflows coming in and out of the air treatment module past the housing. Such sealing elements are typically not arranged in abutment with the housing, but with other components mounted from outside the housing. This way is ensured that the housing does not become pressurised on the inside.

[0020] The air treatment module may further comprise a drive arrangement for driving the rotor. Such drive arrangement may comprise a motor and a drive belt. The motor may be arranged on the outlet assembly and the drive belt is arranged around the rotor. It is to be understood that the drive arrangement may comprise other components as long as it forms part of the air treatment module.

[0021] The housing may comprise an air inlet for process air and an air outlet for process air, typically arranged on opposite sides of the housing. The housing may further comprise a regeneration air inlet and a regeneration air outlet. The air treatment module is suitably arranged inside the housing, such that the inlet assembly is fluidly connected to the air inlet of the housing and such that the outlet assembly is fluidly connected to the air outlet of the housing. In one example, the air treatment module further comprises a heater assembly arranged in fluid communication with the inlet assembly. The heater assembly is typically mechanically connected to the outlet assembly and is arranged in fluid communication with the inlet assembly and the rotor. The heater assembly is configured for heating regeneration air before passing through the rotor. The inlet assembly may comprise a regeneration air inlet through which regeneration air enters the air treatment module. The air treatment module may further comprise a connection hose connecting the regeneration air inlet of the inlet assembly and the heater assembly. The regeneration air will enter the regeneration air inlet, flow through the connection hose to the heater assembly and subsequently pass through the rotor. After having passed through the rotor, the regeneration air may flow via a regeneration connection of the inlet assembly to be discharged through the regeneration air outlet of the air treatment unit. The regeneration connection of the inlet assembly may be connected to a regeneration fan of the air treatment unit, arranged in fluid communication with the regeneration air outlet of the air treatment unit. The regeneration fan is configured to achieve the regeneration airflow through the air treatment module.

[0022] As an example, the housing may comprise a side wall arrangement, a bottom wall and a top wall, wherein the side wall arrangement comprises a plurality of support surfaces on which the air treatment module is resting. The side wall arrangement may comprise four side walls. During assembly, the side wall arrangement is typically mounted on the bottom wall, whereby the air treatment module is lowered into the housing and the top wall is subsequently fastened on top of the side wall arrangement. The air treatment module is thus supported by the side wall arrangement compared to other known solutions where the functional components mainly are supported by the bottom wall. The air treatment module of the present invention may thus be somewhat free-floating inside the housing and the housing will thereby have a shock-absorbing function.

[0023] At least one support surface may be shaped to receive and support the inlet assembly of the air treatment module. Such support surface may be essentially arc-shaped or curved. The side wall arrangement may thus comprise at least one support surface shaped to correspond to a curved part of the rotor chassis part of the inlet assembly. The curved support surface will also act as a guide for positioning the air treatment module correctly inside the housing. The support surface(s) configured to support the inlet assembly may be arranged in association with the air inlet of the housing. Typically, the side wall arrangement comprises a plurality of support surfaces configured to receive and support the inlet assembly and a plurality of support surfaces configured to receive and support the outlet assembly. The side wall arrangement may comprise two support surfaces configured to receive and support the outlet assembly, arranged in opposite corners of the housing. The two support surfaces may be configured to receive two protruding attachment portions of the rotor chassis part of the outlet assembly.

[0024] The side wall arrangement may be manufactured as a single unit comprising four side walls. The side wall arrangement and the integrated support surfaces can this way be manufactured as a single unit, which will facilitate assembly of the air treatment unit and reduce the sealing requirements of the housing.

[0025] The air treatment module may be attached to the side wall arrangement of the housing by means of fasteners. In one example, the attachment points for attaching the air treatment module coincides with the support surfaces.

[0026] According to an example, the air treatment unit further comprises a regeneration fan for creating a regeneration airflow through the rotor, wherein the regeneration fan is comprised in the air treatment module. In another example, the regeneration fan is comprised in the bottom wall of the housing. The regeneration fan may be mounted from underneath the bottom wall. The regeneration fan is fluidly connected to the inlet assembly.

[0027] The weight of the air treatment unit is preferably less than 30 kilograms, preferably around 25 kilograms. The air treatment unit may thus be portable. This will facilitate transportation and installation of the air treatment unit. With such a lightweight air treatment unit, manufacturing and assembly will also be facilitated.

[0028] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing an air treatment unit as disclosed herein is provided. The method comprises the steps of: manufacturing a desiccant rotor; manufacturing an inlet assembly and an outlet assembly; assembling an air treatment module by connecting the inlet assembly and the outlet assembly to the rotor; manufacturing a housing; and inserting the assembled air treatment module into the housing, such that the air treatment module is configured to prevent the airflow from reaching the space between the air treatment module and the housing and the air treatment module will thereby dehumidify process air independently of the housing. By having a separate air treatment module configured to dehumidify process air independently of the housing, the manufacturing is facilitated and there will be lower functional requirements on the housing.

[0029] Manufacturing a desiccant rotor is considered to be generally known and exactly how that is performed does not form part of the present invention. There are various ways of manufacturing desiccant rotors and it will not be further described herein. Similarly, the manufacturing process and exact configuration of the inlet assembly and the outlet assembly are not relevant for the invention as long as the functional components required for dehumidifying process air are comprised in the air treatment module.

[0030] The step of inserting the assembled air treatment module into the housing may comprise positioning the air treatment module on support surfaces of a side wall arrangement of the housing. The method may further comprise attaching the air treatment module to the side wall arrangement of the housing.

[0031] The step of inserting the assembled air treatment module into the housing may comprise arranging the air treatment module such that sealing elements seal airflows in and out of the air treatment module.

[0032] The air treatment unit may be referred to as a dehumidifier or a dehumidifying device. The air treatment unit may be comprised in a larger system of air treating units and may be connected to, for example, a condenser or similar. The other air treating units of such system may also be portable.

[0033] It is to be understood that features and advantages mentioned in relation to the air treatment unit as disclosed herein, are also applicable on the method for manufacturing such an air treatment unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and nonlimiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an air treatment unit according to an example of the present invention;

[0036] Fig. 2 schematically illustrate an air treatment unit according to an example of the present invention;

[0037] Fig. 3a-b schematically illustrate an air treatment module according to an example of the present invention;

[0038] Fig. 4 schematically illustrates an air treatment module according to an example of the present invention;

[0039] Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a housing of an air treatment unit according to an example of the present invention;

[0040] Fig. 6a-c schematically illustrate details of an air treatment unit according to examples of the present invention;

[0041] Fig. 7a-b schematically illustrate details of an air treatment unit according to examples of the present invention;

[0042] Fig. 8 schematically illustrate details of an air treatment unit according to examples of the present invention; and

[0043] Fig. 9 schematically illustrates a method for manufacturing an air treatment unit according to the present invention.

[0044] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given below. The detailed description and specific examples disclose preferred embodiments of the disclosure by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art understand from guidance in the detailed description that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosure. Hence, it is to be understood that the herein disclosed invention is not limited to the particular component parts of the device described or steps of the methods described since such device and method mayvary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context explicitly dictates otherwise. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" and similar wordings do not exclude other elements or steps.

[0046] Figure 1 schematically illustrates an air treatment unit 100 according to an example of the present invention. Figure 1 shows the air treatment unit 100 somewhat disassembled. The air treatment unit 100 comprises an air treatment module 10 including a desiccant rotor 20 arranged for dehumidifying process air, and an inlet assembly 30 and an outlet assembly 40 arranged on opposite sides of the rotor 20. The air treatment unit 100 further comprises a housing 80 surrounding the air treatment module 10, wherein the air treatment module 10 is configured to dehumidify process air independently of the housing 80. The housing 80 is the outermost housing of the air treatment unit 100. The air treatment module 10 is removably arranged inside the housing 80.

[0047] The housing 80 comprises a side wall arrangement 82, a bottom wall 84 and a top wall 86. In this figure, the top wall 86 is removed and the air treatment module 10 is lifted out from the hosing 80. The housing 80 will be further described with regard to Figure 5.

[0048] Figure 2 schematically illustrates an air treatment unit 100 according to an example of the present invention. The air treatment unit 100 may be configured as disclosed in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows the air treatment unit 100 assembled. The figure shows airflows illustrated with dashed or dotted lines. In this example, the housing 80 comprises an air inlet 81 through which process air PA is entering the air treatment unit 100. The air inlet 81 is in fluid communication with the inlet assembly 30 of the air treatment module 10. The housing 80 further comprises an air outlet (not shown) for process air PA opposite to the air inlet 81. The process air PA thus enters the air treatment unit 100 via the air inlet 81, passes through the air treatment module 10 and leaves the air treatment unit 100 via the air outlet. Furthermore, the housing 80 comprises a regeneration air inlet 88, and a regeneration air outlet 83 for discharging regeneration air RA. The air treatment unit 100 is suitably portable and weighs less than 30 kilograms, preferably less than 25 kilograms

[0049] Figures 3a-b schematically illustrate an air treatment module 10 according to an example of the present invention. The air treatment module 10 may be comprised in an air treatment unit 100 as disclosed in Figure 1 or 2. Figure 3a shows an exploded view of the air treatment module 10, showing the rotor 20, the inlet assembly 30 and the outlet assembly 40.

[0050] The inlet assembly 30 comprises a rotor chassis part 32 and the outlet assembly 40 comprises a rotor chassis part 42.

[0051] The rotor 20 comprises rotor media 21 and a hub 22 arranged centrally of the rotor media 21. The rotor 20 further comprises a rotor shaft 24 extending through the hub 22. As seen in Figure 3b showing the assembled air treatment module 10, the rotor chassis part 32 of the inlet assembly 30 and the rotor chassis part 42 of the outlet assembly 40 may at least partly surround the rotor 20 and may be connected to each other.

[0052] The inlet assembly 30 comprises a process air inlet 35 through which process air PA enters the air treatment module 10. The outlet assembly 40 similarly comprises a process air outlet 45 through which process air PA leaves the air treatment module 10. The inlet assembly 30 may comprise a sealing element 35' at the process air inlet 35, and the outlet assembly 40 may comprise a sealing element 45' at the process air outlet 45. Said sealing elements 35', 45' are configured for sealing airflows in and out of the air treatment module 10. This way is ensured that the housing 80 will not be pressurized. The air treatment module 10 is typically arranged inside the housing 80 so that the process air inlet 35 and the process air outlet 45 are aligned with the air inlet 81 respectively air outlet 89 of the housing 80. The sealing elements 35', 45' will thereby be arranged in association with the air inlet 81 and the air outlet 89 of the housing 80. The inlet assembly 30 also comprises a process fan (not shown) and a fan cover 38 connected to the rotor chassis part 32. The outlet assembly 40 comprises sealing elements 40' for sealing the airflows in and out from the rotor 20. The inlet assembly 30 comprises corresponding sealing elements 30' for sealing all airflows in and out from the rotor 20. The air treatment module 10 further comprises a heater assembly 50 arranged in fluid communication with the inlet assembly 30. The heater assembly 50 is mechanically connected to the outlet assembly 40 and is arranged in fluid communication with the inlet assembly 30 and the rotor 20. The heater assembly 50 is configured for heating regeneration air RA upstream of the rotor 20. The inlet assembly 30 comprises a regeneration air inlet 31 through which the regeneration air RA enters the air treatment module 10. The air treatment module 10 further comprises a connection hose 54 connecting the regeneration air inlet 31 of the inlet assembly 30 and the heater assembly 50. After having passed through rotor 20, the regeneration air RA flows through a regeneration connection 33 of the inlet assembly 30 to be discharged through the regeneration air outlet 83 of the air treatment unit 100. This is illustrated by means of dashed arrows in Figure 3b. In order to prevent leakage of air out from the air treatment module 10 into the housing 80, the inlet assembly 30 comprises sealing elements 31', 33' at the regeneration air inlet 31 and the regeneration connection 33 respectively.

[0053] The air treatment module 10 further comprises a drive arrangement 70 arranged to drive and rotate the rotor 20. The drive arrangement 70 in this example comprises a motor 72 and a drive belt 74.

[0054] Figure 4 schematically illustrates an air treatment module 10 according to an example of the present invention. The figure shows a cross-sectional side view of the air treatment module 10. The air treatment module 10 may be configured as in Figures 3a-b.

[0055] In this example, the rotor chassis parts 32, 42 of the inlet assembly 30 and the outlet assembly 40 comprises suspension members 34, 44 for suspension of the rotor 20. The suspension members 34, 44 are connected to the rotor shaft 24 extending through the hub 22 of the rotor 20.

[0056] The inlet assembly 30 further comprises a process fan 36 for achieving a process airflow through the rotor 20. As previously mentioned, the inlet assembly 30 typically also comprises sealing elements 30' for sealing all airflows in and out of the rotor 20. The outlet assembly 40 may also comprise sealing elements 40' for sealing all airflows in and out of the rotor 20, as well as sealing interfaces to the air outlet of the air treatment unit 100.

[0057] Figure 5 schematically illustrates a housing 80 of an air treatment unit 100 according to an example of the present invention. The air treatment unit 100 may be configured as disclosed in Figures 1 or 2. The housing 80 comprises a side wall arrangement 82, a bottom wall 84 and a top wall 86 as previously described. In this example, the side wall arrangement 82 comprises four side walls 82' forming an essentially quadratic housing, but it is to be understood that the housing 80 may have any shape. The side wall arrangement 82 may be manufactured as a single unit comprising four side walls 82'.

[0058] The side wall arrangement 82 further comprises a plurality of support surfaces 90 on which the air treatment module 10 is resting when being mounted inside the housing 80. The air treatment module 10 is thus supported by the side wall arrangement 82. The support surfaces 90 will be further described in Figures 6a-c.

[0059] Figures 6a-c schematically illustrate details of an air treatment unit 100 according to examples of the present invention. The air treatment unit 100 may be configured as disclosed in any of the previously described figures. Figure 6a shows the side wall arrangement 82 of the housing 80 from above. The loadbearing support surfaces 90 on which the air treatment module 10 will rest are arranged to interact with the inlet assembly 30 and the outlet assembly 40. Thus, the air treatment module 10 is connected to the housing 80 via the inlet assembly 30 and the outlet assembly 40. The side wall arrangement 82 comprises support surfaces 92 for the inlet assembly 30, and support surfaces 94 for the outlet assembly 40. Figure 6b shows the side wall 82' comprising the air outlet 89 from inside the housing 80 and further shows two support surfaces 94 for supporting the outlet assembly 40.

[0060] Figure 6c shows a side wall 82' comprising the air inlet 81 of the housing 80. This side wall 82' comprises a support surface 92 for supporting the inlet assembly 30. The support surface 92 is shaped to receive and support a part of the rotor chassis part 32 of the inlet assembly 30. The support surface 92 is essentially arc-shaped or curved to match with a similarly curved part of the rotor chassis part 32. Figures 7a-b schematically illustrate details of an air treatment unit 100 according to examples of the present invention. The air treatment unit 100 may be configured as disclosed in any of the previously described figures. Figure 7a shows the outlet assembly 40 with the process air outlet 45 formed in the rotor chassis part 42. The outlet assembly 40 further comprises two protruding attachment portions 47 on opposite sides of the process air outlet 45. The attachment portions 47 comprises through holes for attaching the attachment portions 47 to the side wall arrangement 82 by means of fasteners. The attachment portions 47 are configured to rest on the support surfaces 90, 94 for supporting the outlet assembly 40 and also to attach the air treatment module 10 to the side wall arrangement 82 of the housing 80.

[0061] Figure 7b shows the inlet assembly 30 with the process air inlet 35 formed in the rotor chassis part 32. The inlet assembly 30 further comprises two attachment points 37 on opposite sides of the process air inlet 35. The attachment points 37 are configured for attaching the inlet assembly to the side wall arrangement 82 by means of fasteners. The figure also shows a curved surface S of the rotor chassis part 32, which is configured to abut a correspondingly shaped support surface 90, 92 of the side wall arrangement 82 for supporting the inlet assembly 30.

[0062] Figure 8 schematically illustrates a detail of an air treatment unit 100 according to examples of the present invention. The air treatment unit 100 may be configured as disclosed in any of the previously described figures. More specifically, the figure shows the bottom wall 84 of the housing 80 of the air treatment unit 100 according to an example. The air treatment unit 100 comprises a regeneration fan 60 for creating a regeneration airflow RA through the rotor 20. In this example, the regeneration fan 60 is comprised in the bottom wall 84 of the housing 80. The regeneration fan 60 is typically mounted from underneath the bottom wall 84 and is arranged in fluid communication with the regeneration air outlet 83 of the housing 80. The regeneration fan 60 may be arranged on a base plate 62, which will form part of the outer wall of the bottom wall 84 when the regeneration fan 60 is mounted.

[0063] Figure 9 illustrates a diagram for a method for manufacturing an air treatment unit 100 according to the present invention. The air treatment unit 100 may be configured as disclosed in any on the preceding figures. The method comprises the steps of: manufacturing slOl a desiccant rotor 20; manufacturing sl02 an inlet assembly 30 and an outlet assembly 40; assembling sl03 an air treatment module 10 by connecting the inlet assembly 30 and the outlet assembly 40 to the rotor 20; manufacturing sl04 a housing 80; and inserting sl05 the assembled air treatment module 10 into the housing 80, such that the air treatment unit 100 is configured to dehumidify process air PA independently of the housing 80.

[0064] It is to be understood that the steps of manufacturing the desiccant rotor 20, manufacturing the inlet and outlet assemblies 30, 40 and manufacturing the housing 80 may be performed in parallel or successively. Manufacturing a desiccant rotor 20 is considered to be generally known and exactly how that is performed does not form part of the present invention.

[0065] Manufacturing the inlet assembly 30 and the outlet assembly 40 may include forming a rotor chassis part 32, 42 and attaching functional components to the respective rotor chassis part 32, 42. For example, manufacturing the inlet assembly 30 may comprise attaching a process fan 36 to the rotor chassis part 32 of the inlet assembly 30. The step of manufacturing sl02 the inlet and outlet assembly 30, 40 may comprise mold casting or similar.

[0066] The step of assembling sl03 the air treatment module 10 may comprise connecting the inlet assembly 30 and the outlet assembly 40 with each other. The assembling step may also comprise connecting the rotor shaft 24 of the rotor 20 with suspension members 34, 44 of rotor chassis parts 32, 42 of the inlet and outlet assemblies 30, 40.

[0067] The step of manufacturing sl04 the housing 80 may comprise manufacturing a side wall arrangement 82, a bottom wall 84 and a top wall 86. The side wall arrangement 82 may be manufactured as a single unit.

[0068] The step of inserting sl05 the assembled air treatment module 10 into the housing 80 may comprise positioning the air treatment module 10 on support surfaces 90, 92, 94 of the side wall arrangement 82 of the housing 80. The method may further comprise attaching the air treatment module 10 to the side wall arrangement 82 of the housing 80. The step of inserting sl05 the assembled air treatment module 10 into the housing 80 may comprise arranging the air treatment module 10 such that sealing elements 31', 33', 35', 45' seal airflows in and out of the air treatment module 10. Thus, the air treatment module 10 may be arranged so that said sealing elements 31', 33', 35', 45' prevent air leakage from the air treatment module 10 out to the housing 80.

[0069] Furthermore, the method may finally comprise attaching the top wall 86 of the housing 80 to the side wall arrangement 82. It should be noted that the examples shown in the drawings are for illustrating purposes only, and many other alternatives may be contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An air treatment unit (100) comprising: an air treatment module (10) including a desiccant rotor (20) arranged for dehumidifying process air (PA), and an inlet assembly (30) and an outlet assembly (40) arranged on opposite sides of the rotor (20); and a housing (80) surrounding the air treatment module (10), wherein the air treatment module (10) is configured to prevent the airflow from reaching the space between the air treatment module (10) and the housing (80) and the air treatment module (10) will thereby dehumidify process air (PA) independently of the housing (80).

2. The air treatment unit (100) according to claim 1, wherein the air treatment module (10) is removably arranged inside the housing (80).

3. The air treatment unit (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlet assembly (30) and the outlet assembly (40) each comprises a rotor chassis part (32, 42) with suspension members (34, 44) for suspension of the rotor (20).

4. The air treatment unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet assembly (30) comprises a process fan (36).

5. The air treatment unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air treatment module (10) further comprises a heater assembly (50) arranged in fluid communication with the inlet assembly (30).

6. The air treatment unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (80) comprises a side wall arrangement (82), a bottom wall (84) and a top wall (86), wherein the side wall arrangement (82) comprises a plurality of support surfaces (90, 92, 94) on which the air treatment module (10) is resting.

7. The air treatment unit (100) according to claim 6, wherein the side wall arrangement (82) is manufactured as a single unit comprising four side walls (82').

8. The air treatment unit (100) according to claims 6 or 7, wherein at least one support surface (90, 92) is shaped to receive and support the inlet assembly (30).

9. The air treatment unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a regeneration fan (60) for creating a regeneration airflow (RA) through the rotor (20), wherein the regeneration fan (60) is comprised in the air treatment module (10).

10. The air treatment unit (100) according to any one of claims 6-8, further comprising a regeneration fan (60) for creating a regeneration airflow (RA) through the rotor (20), wherein the regeneration fan (60) is comprised in the bottom wall (84) of the housing (80).

11. The air treatment unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the weight of the air treatment unit (100) is less than 25 kilograms, so that the air treatment unit (100) is portable.

12. The air treatment unit (100) according to anyone of claims 6-11, wherein the air treatment module (10) is attached to the side wall arrangement (82) of the housing (80) by means of fasteners.

13. The air treatment unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet assembly (30) and the outlet assembly (40) each comprises sealing elements (30', 40') for sealing airflows in and out of the rotor (20).

14. The air treatment unit (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising sealing elements (31', 33', 35', 45') arranged for sealing airflows in and out of the air treatment module (10).

15. The air treatment unit (100) according to claim 14, wherein the inlet assembly (30) comprises sealing elements (35') for sealing against an air inlet (81) of the housing (80)and the outlet assembly (40) comprises sealing elements (45') for sealing against an air outlet (89) of the housing (80).

16. A method for manufacturing an air treatment unit (100) according to anyone of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of:- manufacturing (slOl) a desiccant rotor (20);- manufacturing (sl02) an inlet assembly (30) and an outlet assembly (40);- assembling (sl03) an air treatment module (10) by connecting the inlet assembly (30) and the outlet assembly (40) to the rotor (20);- manufacturing (sl04) a housing (80); and- inserting (sl05) the assembled air treatment module (10) into the housing (80) such that the air treatment module (10) is configured to prevent the airflow from reaching the space between the air treatment module (10) and the housing (80) and the air treatment module (10) will thereby dehumidify process air (PA) independently of the housing (80).

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of inserting (sl05) the assembled air treatment module (10) into the housing (80) comprises positioning the air treatment module (10) on support surfaces (90, 92, 94) of a side wall arrangement (82) of the housing (80).

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein inserting (sl05) the assembled air treatment module (10) into the housing (80) comprises arranging the air treatment module (10) such that sealing elements (31', 33', 35', 45') seal airflows in and out of the air treatment module (10).

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