Drying device, and method for drying an adhesive of a workpiece which has an adhesive connection

Abstract

The invention relates to a drying device (1) with a drying chamber (2) and a first air inlet unit (4), the first air distributor box (5) of which is located in the interior (3). A second air distributor box (7) of a second air inlet unit (6) is located in the interior (3), wherein the first air distributor box (5) is positioned below the second air distributor box (7) with respect to the vertical direction (z) of the drying chamber (2). A vortex tube (15) of a vortex tube unit (14) of the drying device (1) comprises a hot air outflow element (17) which is fluidically coupled to the first air inlet unit (4). In a method for drying an adhesive of a workpiece which has an adhesive connection, the workpiece is positioned in the interior (3) of the drying chamber (2). Compressed air is supplied into the vortex tube (15) through an inflow element (16) of the vortex tube (15), whereby hot air flowing out of the hot air outflow element (17) flows through the first air inlet unit (4) and consequently into the interior (4). Thus, an adhesive or an adhesive connection can be dried in a particularly efficient manner.

Description

[0001] DRYING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DRYING AN ADHESIVE OF A WORKPIECE HAVING AN ADHESIVE JOINT

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The present invention relates to a drying device comprising a drying chamber into whose interior workpieces to be dried can be placed. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for drying an adhesive for such workpieces that have an adhesive bond formed by said adhesive.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Water-based flock adhesives are more environmentally sustainable than conventional flock adhesives due to their solvent-free nature, which is why they are increasingly preferred in the manufacture of products or workpieces. However, since water has a higher evaporation temperature than solvents, the drying time of water-based adhesives is longer than that of solvent-based adhesives. While the drying time of water-based adhesives can be accelerated by creating a particularly dry drying environment, for example, by using a desiccant (silica gel, zeolite, sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, aluminum oxide, calcium sulfate, potassium carbonate, etc.), its regeneration—that is, restoring its water absorption capacity—requires heat and, consequently, energy.Furthermore, thermal energy can be added to the adhesive being cured, but this also requires a high level of energy. It can be seen that the ecological advantages of water-based adhesives have so far been significantly downplayed. Drying at room temperature in order to avoid the need for an electric heating unit, however, results in a high space requirement within a production facility. This is because workpieces with an uncured adhesive bond, especially an uncured, stained adhesive surface, cannot be easily handled and, for example, stacked. Instead, the adhesive bond or the adhesive surface must first cure to at least a predetermined strength / hardness at which damage to or deformation of the adhesive bond or adhesive surface through normal handling or stacking of the workpieces is prevented.

[0006] For this, the workpieces must be stored for several hours, for example, at least eight hours. At room temperature, the adhesive reaches its final hardness after about three to seven days.

[0007] Description of the invention

[0008] The object of the invention is to enable particularly efficient drying of an adhesive or an adhesive bond.

[0009] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims, the description, and the figures. Features, advantages, and possible embodiments presented in the description for one of the subject matter of the independent claims are to be regarded, across categories and embodiments, at least analogously as features, advantages, and possible embodiments of the respective subject matter of the other independent claims, as well as any possible combination of the subject matter of the independent claims, optionally in conjunction with one or more of the subclaims.

[0010] According to the invention, a drying device is proposed that has a drying chamber, in the interior of which a workpiece can be arranged that has an adhesive or an adhesive surface or an adhesive bond. Furthermore, a method is proposed in which the drying device is used as intended for drying the workpiece, i.e., the adhesive or the adhesive bond. In this respect, the drying device has means required to carry out the method according to the invention.

[0011] The drying device has a first air inlet unit, the first air distribution box of which is arranged in the interior of the drying chamber. In addition, the drying device has a second air inlet unit, the second air distribution box of which is arranged in the interior. The first air distribution box is arranged below the second air distribution box with respect to a vertical direction (z) of the drying chamber. The vertical direction (z) here is the spatial vertical, which means that when the drying device, in particular the drying chamber, is used or set up as intended, the first air inlet unit is arranged closer to a floor on which the drying chamber is set up than the second air inlet unit. One possible embodiment provides that a first air outlet surface of the first air distribution box and a second air outlet surface of the second air distribution box point parallel to one another.This means that the first air distribution box is arranged on a floor of the interior, whereas the second air distribution box is arranged on a ceiling of the interior. The air outlet surfaces face each other: the first air outlet surface points upwards, i.e. in the Z direction, whereas the second air outlet surface points downwards, i.e. opposite to the Z direction. This arrangement of the air distribution boxes is referred to as a "horizontal arrangement". In an alternative embodiment, the first air outlet surface and the second air outlet surface are arranged flush along the vertical direction (z). In this case ("upright arrangement"), the air distribution boxes are arranged in particular on a side wall. The respective air outlet surface is formed, for example, by a perforated or grid plate, whereby this plate forms a wall element of the corresponding air distribution box.

[0012] The drying device further comprises a vortex tube unit with a vortex tube that functions as follows: A compressed air stream is fed into an inlet element of the vortex tube. The compressed air stream fed into the vortex tube is split into a hot air stream and a cold air stream due to the Ranque-Hilsch effect, which is caused by a special internal geometry of the vortex tube. The hot air stream exits a hot air outlet element of the vortex tube, whereas the cold air stream exits a cold air outlet element. The vortex tube, also known as a Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube, is known per se to those skilled in the art and therefore requires no further explanation. The hot air outlet element and the first air inlet unit are fluidically coupled to one another. Depending on the size orIn a possible further embodiment, the drying device, in particular its vortex tube unit, can comprise two or more vortex tubes, depending on the volume of the interior of the drying chamber. The two or more vortex tubes are, in particular, connected in parallel fluidically. According to a possible further development, the drying device is free of an electric heating device. The temperature increase used to dry the workpieces then results exclusively from the vortex tube effect.

[0013] In the method for drying the adhesive of the workpiece having the adhesive bond using the drying device, the workpiece is positioned in the interior of the drying chamber. Compressed air is then fed into the vortex tube through an inlet element of the vortex tube, causing hot air flowing out of the hot air outlet element to flow through the first air inlet unit and subsequently flow into the interior. In this way, the interior of the drying chamber is heated by the vortex tube unit, significantly reducing the drying time of the adhesive. At the same time, cold air flows out of a cold air outlet element of the same vortex tube.According to a possible refinement, compressed air is fed into the vortex tube through the inlet element at a pressure of 5 bar or more, resulting in the hot air flowing out of the hot air outlet element having a temperature of 100 °C or more, for example, 120 °C. This increases the heating effect and shortens the drying time of the adhesive. The drying device does not convert electrical energy into heat.

[0014] The vortex tube is advantageous in that it has no moving components (shafts, wheels, etc.), which means that very little maintenance is required for the vortex tube and, consequently, for the drying device containing the vortex tube. Furthermore, the vortex tube's particularly reliable operation is guaranteed, as it is particularly resistant to failure due to the absence of moving components. Furthermore, the vortex tube provides both heating and cooling functionality, requiring only compressed air. In other words, no electrical heating unit is required to establish and maintain the drying temperature. Since the only energy required for the entire drying function of the drying device on site is "compressed air" (operation of the vortex tube), the drying device can be used particularly flexibly, especially in an otherwise conventional production facility.Electrical energy, as a form of energy, is only used on-site for a possible control device and / or actuator of the drying device and is available almost everywhere in an otherwise conventional production facility these days. In particular, minimal pressure windows are used to operate the vortex tube, or rather, they only allow small and simple ventilation into the dryer. This ensures the most efficient use of energy required to provide the compressed air. This dryer concept, which uses a vortex tube unit with one or two or more vortex tubes, has the further advantage that the cold air and / or hot air generated by the vortex tube can be used to air-condition a room.The cold air can be used at least partially to cool and / or dehumidify the room air, while the hot air can be used alternatively or additionally to heat the room air. Water-based adhesives, in combination with energy-efficient drying, contribute to improved sustainability of the product containing the adhesive. Internal studies have shown that a drying environment with a drying temperature of 20°C to 80°C and a relative humidity of 0% to 20% for the adhesive to be cured or for the workpiece containing the adhesive to be cured leads to particularly favorable drying results. It has been found that water-based flock adhesive achieves sufficient strength / hardness after just 20 minutes, i.e. particularly quickly, for the workpieces to be handled and, in particular, packaged without damage to the adhesive surface.Therefore, through further consideration, the inventors came up with a possible further development of the drying device, in which heating and dehumidifying the air in the drying environment are combined to create the aforementioned drying environment values. The desired drying temperature and humidity values ​​can be selected from the aforementioned value ranges with particular flexibility and as needed—for example, depending on the adhesive used, the workpiece geometry, etc.

[0015] In said further development, the cold air outlet element of the vortex tube is fluidically coupled to the second air inlet unit. As the air into which the cold air generated by the vortex tube flows (for example, in the interior of the drying chamber) is cooled, water precipitates due to thermodynamic relationships, which means a reduction in air humidity. The dehumidified air removes moisture or water from the adhesive to be dried, thereby further accelerating the drying of the adhesive. Therefore, no separate flash-off time needs to be planned for the drying of the water-based adhesive, as the adhesive is dehumidified by the cold air. The cold air, which in this process flows out of the cold air outlet element at the same time as the hot air flowing out of the hot air outlet element, has a temperature of -20 °C or less, for example -40 °C. This dehumidifies the air particularly efficiently.In combination with the hot air, a 2-component reaction or curing reaction of the adhesive is forced, particularly efficiently at a drying temperature of 30 °C to 80 °C. Alternatively or additionally, the cold air outlet element of the vortex tube is fluidically coupled to an inlet opening of an air dehumidification unit, the outlet opening of which is fluidically connected to the second air inlet unit. In this way, air originating from the environment of the drying chamber, which is less cold, can be dehumidified and directed into the interior of the drying chamber. A possible further development provides for a fan to be arranged at the outlet opening, which blows air expelled from the cold air outlet element during operation into the environment of the drying device. Furthermore, a further fan can be arranged at the inlet opening, which blows air expelled from the cold air outlet element during operation into the environment of the drying device.It can further be provided that - for example by means of a directional and / or throttle valve unit - the cold air outlet element is adjustable, in particular continuously, between a fluidic coupling only with the second air inlet unit, a fluidic coupling only with the inlet opening of the air dehumidification unit or a fluidic coupling with both the second air inlet unit and the inlet opening of the air dehumidification unit.

[0016] According to a possible further development, the air dehumidification unit has a counterflow heat exchanger. The inlet opening then forms a first end of a cooling strand of the counterflow heat exchanger, with a second end of the cooling strand opening into the environment of the drying device. In this case, the outlet opening forms a first end of an air supply strand of the counterflow heat exchanger, with a second end of the air supply strand opening into the environment. In this way, the less cold air from the environment is dehumidified particularly efficiently. In particular, the fan is arranged at the inlet opening of the air dehumidification unit, in particular at the second end of the cooling strand. The further fan can be arranged between the outlet opening or the first end of the air supply strand or at the second end of the air supply strand. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a fan can be arranged between the outlet opening or the first end of the air supply strand.The additional fan is located at the first end of the supply air line, with another fan being arranged at the second end of the supply air line, which, during operation, blows air from the environment into the supply air line or into the air inlet unit.

[0017] According to a further possible embodiment, the vortex tube unit of the drying device has a sound-damping device comprising a sound-damping housing in which the vortex tube is arranged. This ensures particularly quiet operation of the drying device. Furthermore, it is conceivable, alternatively or in addition to the sound-damping housing, to integrate a sound damper into a duct element by means of which the hot air outlet element and the first air inlet unit or air distribution box are connected. The same applies analogously to a duct element connected to the cold air outlet element. This makes the operation of the drying device even quieter. Since suppressing the whistling sound associated with the vortex tube effect results in a reduction in the temperature difference between the hot air and the cold air, a compromise solution must be found here between the required temperature difference and noise emission.

[0018] To prevent dirt or other particles from being introduced into the interior with the hot air and / or cold air, a further possible embodiment provides for the first air inlet unit and / or the second air inlet unit to have a filter. The filter(s) can be flowed through by air and ensure, on the one hand, that no dirt gets into the interior of the drying chamber. On the other hand, the air that flows through the corresponding filter is distributed so that the air flows into the interior over a particularly large area, rather than in a specific spot, for example as a sharp jet. This ensures that the workpieces arranged in the interior of the drying chamber are not damaged or moved by such an air jet.

[0019] To further promote the dehumidification of the adhesive, the drying device can, in another possible embodiment, comprise an ultrasonic unit whose ultrasonic emitter is arranged in the interior of the drying chamber. Two or more ultrasonic emitters are of course conceivable. During operation of the drying device, ultrasonic waves are generated by the respective ultrasonic emitter, which compress and expand the air in the interior of the drying chamber according to a waveform. This causes the water bound in the air to precipitate out, making it easier to remove it from the interior. The ultrasonically dried air can then absorb new water from the adhesive of the workpieces arranged in the interior, further accelerating the drying of the adhesive.

[0020] According to another possible embodiment of the drying device, the drying chamber has a vent flap that can be adjusted between a venting position and a closed position. In the venting position, the interior of the drying chamber and its surroundings are fluidly connected to one another, whereas in the closed position, the interior and the surroundings are sealed from one another. The drying chamber can be provided with two or more vent flaps. By means of the vent flap arranged in the venting position, unwanted overpressure in the interior can be prevented by releasing air from the interior via the vent flap.If, on the other hand, the ventilation flap is arranged in the closed position, it is avoided that heated and / or dried air flows out of the interior without resistance too early, i.e. without having had an effect on the drying of the adhesive, and / or that moist air from the environment enters the interior.

[0021] The vent flap is adjustable between the venting position and the closed position by means of an actuator, as provided in a possible further development. This allows the vent flap to be actively or directly adjusted between the venting position and the closed position as needed, for example, using a control device. Alternatively or additionally, the vent flap can be indirectly adjustable between the venting position and the closed position, namely by means of a pressure that can be generated in the interior using the vortex tube unit. For this purpose, the vent flap can be tensioned toward the closed position, for example, by means of a spring.The spring is designed in such a way that its spring force must rise above a predetermined minimum pressure due to the pressure generated in the interior by the vortex tube unit and driving the vent flap towards the venting position in order to deflect the vent flap from the closed position while overcoming the spring force.

[0022] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention can be derived from the following description of possible embodiments and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone, can be used not only in the respective specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0023] Short character description

[0024] The drawing shows

[0025] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a drying device and

[0026] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the drying device in a further embodiment.

[0027] Identical and functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures. A drying device 1, as shown schematically in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, has a drying chamber 2, in the interior 3 of which a workpiece (not shown) to be dried can be arranged, which workpiece has a water-based adhesive or an adhesive surface or an adhesive bond made of this adhesive. The drying device 1 has a first air inlet unit 4 with a first air distribution box 5 and a second air inlet unit 6 with a first air distribution box 7. The air distribution boxes 5, 7 are both arranged in the interior 3, wherein the first air distribution box 5 is arranged below the second air distribution box 7 with respect to a vertical direction z of the drying chamber 2. In Fig.1 shows a horizontal arrangement of the air distribution boxes 5, 7, wherein the first air distribution box 5 is arranged on a floor 8 of the interior space 3, whereas the second air distribution box 7 is arranged on a ceiling 9 of the interior space 3. A first air outlet surface 10 of the first air distribution box 5 and a second air outlet surface 11 of the second air distribution box 7 face parallel to one another. Fig. 2 shows a variant in which the air distribution boxes 5, 7 are positioned in an upright arrangement in the interior space 3, wherein the first air outlet surface 10 and the second air outlet surface 11 are arranged flush along the vertical direction z. In this case, the air distribution boxes 5, 7 are arranged on one of the side walls 12, 13 of the interior space 3 or of the drying chamber 2. It can be seen that the air distribution boxes 5, 7 in the example in the standing arrangement each have two box parts 5a, 5b respectively.7a, 7b, wherein the box parts 5a and 5b and - separately therefrom - the box parts 7a, 7b can be fluidically connected to one another.

[0028] In this example, the drying device 1 is free of an electric heating device and has a vortex tube unit 14 with a vortex tube 15, which has an inflow element 16, a hot air outflow element 17, and a cold air outflow element 18. Depending on requirements, the drying device 1 can have two or more vortex tubes 15 or vortex tube units 14. The two or more vortex tubes 15 are then fluidically connected in parallel. As can be seen in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the hot air outflow element 17 and the first air inlet unit 4 are fluidically coupled to one another, whereas the cold air outflow element 18 is fluidically connected to the second air inlet unit 6 and / or to an inflow opening 19 of an air dehumidification unit 20, the outflow opening 21 of which is fluidically connected to the second air inlet unit 6.A fan 35 can be arranged at the inlet opening 19, which, during operation, blows air expelled from the cold air outlet element 18 into the surroundings of the drying device 1. Alternatively or additionally, a further fan 36 can be arranged at the outlet opening 21, which, during operation, blows air from the surroundings and / or air from the vortex tube 15 into the air inlet unit 4. If the air distribution boxes 5, 7 each have the box sections 5a, 5b and 7a, 7b, respectively, alternatively or in addition to the fluidic connection between them, the respective box section 5a, 5b can be separately fluidically connected to the hot air outlet element 17, and / or the respective box section 7a, 7b can be separately fluidically connected to the cold air outlet element 18 or the outlet opening 21.

[0029] According to the example described here, the cold air outlet element 18 is adjustable, in particular continuously, by means of a directional and / or throttle valve unit (not shown) of the drying device 1 between a fluidic coupling only with the second air inlet unit 6, a fluidic coupling only with the inlet opening 19 of the air dehumidification unit 20, and a fluidic coupling with both the second air inlet unit 6 and the inlet opening 19. The air dehumidification unit 20 here comprises a counterflow heat exchanger 22, which has a cooling line 23 and an air supply line 24. During operation of the counterflow heat exchanger 22, coolant flows through the cooling line 23, which here is formed by at least part of the cold air generated by the vortex tube 15.A medium to be cooled, which flows through the supply air line 24 during operation of the counterflow heat exchanger 22, is here air originating from an environment of the drying device 1, for example, air from a production hall or the like. In such a case, the inlet opening 19 forms a first end 25 of the cooling line 23, the second end 26 of which opens into the environment. The fan 35 can be arranged at the inlet opening 19 of the air dehumidification unit 20, in particular at the second end of the cooling line 23. In this case, the outlet opening 21 forms a first end 27 of the supply air line 24 of the counterflow heat exchanger 22, with a second end 28 of the supply air line 24 opening into the environment. The further fan 36 can be arranged between the outlet opening 21 or the first end 27 of the supply air line 24 or at the second end 28 of the supply air line 24. Furthermore, it is conceivable that between the outlet opening 21 orthe first end 27 of the supply air line 24 is the further fan 36, with a further fan 37 being arranged at the second end 28 of the supply air line 24, which fan blows air from the environment into the supply air line 24 or into the air inlet unit 4 during operation. During operation of the counterflow heat exchanger 22, water condensate falls out of the air in the supply air line 24 or hall air, which is cooled by the air flowing through the cooling line 23, and is collected in a collecting container 22a of the counterflow heat exchanger 22. The dehumidified hall air then flows out of the counterflow heat exchanger 22 through the outlet opening 21 or through the first end 27 of the supply air line 24 and consequently into the first air inlet unit 4. From there, the dehumidified and cooled air flows into the drying chamber 2.

[0030] Furthermore, the vortex tube unit 14 comprises a sound-damping device, which has a sound-damping housing 29 in which the respective vortex tube 15 is arranged. If the drying device 1 or vortex tube unit 14 comprises two or more vortex tubes 15, it can be provided that two or more of the vortex tubes 15 are arranged together in a common sound-damping housing 29.

[0031] To prevent dirt or other particles from being introduced into the interior 3 with the hot and / or cold air, the first air inlet unit 4 and the second air inlet unit 6 each have a filter (not shown) through which air can flow. In addition to their cleaning function, the filters ensure that air is distributed over a large area and not just flowing into the interior 3 at specific points.

[0032] Furthermore, ultrasonic emitters 30 of an ultrasonic unit of the drying device 1 are shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, and are arranged in the interior space 3 of the drying chamber 2. Fig. 1 shows that one or more of the ultrasonic emitters 30 can be arranged at an angle. Furthermore, Fig. 2 shows that one or more of the ultrasonic emitters 30 can be attached to the ceiling 9 of the interior space 3. During operation of the drying device 1, ultrasonic waves are emitted into the air in the interior space 3 by means of the respective ultrasonic emitter 30, which subsequently compresses and then expands again. As a result, the water bound in the air precipitates out of the air, which can then be more easily removed from the interior space 3.

[0033] Furthermore, the drying chamber 2 of the drying device 1 in this example has a vent flap 31. It is clear from the figures that two or more such vent flaps 31 can be provided. The respective vent flap 31 is adjustable between a venting position and a closed position, wherein in the venting position the interior space 3 and its surroundings are fluidically connected to one another, whereas in the closed position the interior space 3 and the surroundings are sealed from one another. The vent flap 31 is adjustable, for example, by means of an actuator (not shown) between the venting position and the closed position. Alternatively or additionally, the respective vent flap 31 can be adjusted indirectly between the venting position and the closed position, namely by means of a pressure that can be generated in the interior space 3 using the vortex tube unit 14.Here, the drying device 1 has a spring (not shown) by which the vent flap 31 is tensioned toward the closed position. The spring is designed such that its spring force must rise above a predetermined minimum pressure due to the pressure generated in the interior space 3 by the vortex tube unit 14 and driving the vent flap 31 toward the vent position in order to deflect the vent flap 31 from the closed position while overcoming the spring force.

[0034] The drying device 1 is used in a method for drying the adhesive of the workpiece having the adhesive bond. For this purpose, the workpiece is positioned in the interior 3 of the drying chamber 2. Compressed air is fed into the vortex tube 15 through the inflow element 16 of the vortex tube 15, whereby hot air flowing out of the hot air outlet element 17 flows through the first air inlet unit 4 and consequently flows into the interior 3. In this way, the interior of the drying chamber is heated by the vortex tube unit, significantly reducing the drying time of the adhesive. At the same time, cold air flows out of a cold air outlet element 18 of the vortex tube 15.In the present case, the compressed air is fed into the vortex tube 15 through the inflow element 16 at a pressure of 5 bar or more, as a result of which the hot air flowing out of the hot air outlet element 17 has a temperature of 100 °C or more, for example 120 °C. The cold air, which in the process flows out of the cold air outlet element 18 at the same time as the hot air flowing out of the hot air outlet element 17, has in particular a temperature of -20 °C or less, for example -40 °C. Arrows 32 indicate a flow of hot air in the figures, wherein it can be seen that the hot air flows out of the first air outlet surface 10 of the first air distribution box 5 (Fig. 1) or from the box sections 5a, 5b (Fig. 2). The arrows characterizing the hot air flow show that the hot air in the interior 3 rises upwards, i.e. in the Z direction.Arrows 33 indicate a flow of cold air in the figures, whereby it can be seen that the cold air flows out of the second air outlet surface 11 of the second air distribution box 7 (Fig. 1) or from the box sections 7a, 7b (Fig. 2). The arrows characterizing the cold air flow indicate that the cold air falls downward, i.e., opposite the Z direction. As the cold air and the hot air meet in the interior space 3, a turbulent flow is created in the interior space 3, which is indicated in the figures by arrow 34.

[0035] The drying device 1 and the method for drying the adhesive of the workpiece having the adhesive bond using the drying device 1 show a respective possibility of how drying an adhesive or an adhesive bond can be carried out particularly efficiently.

[0036] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0037] 1 drying device

[0038] 2 drying chamber

[0039] 3 Interior

[0040] 4 Air intake unit

[0041] 5 Air distribution box

[0042] 5a box portion

[0043] 5b box portion

[0044] 6 Air intake unit

[0045] 7 Air distribution box

[0046] 7a box portion

[0047] 7b Box share

[0048] 8 Floor

[0049] 9 Ceiling

[0050] 10 Air outlet area

[0051] 11 Air outlet area

[0052] 12 side wall

[0053] 13 Side wall

[0054] 14 Vortex tube unit

[0055] 15 Vortex tube

[0056] 16 Inflow element

[0057] 17 Hot air outlet element

[0058] 18 Cold air outlet element

[0059] 19 Inlet opening

[0060] 20 dehumidification unit

[0061] 21 Outlet opening

[0062] 22 counterflow heat exchangers

[0063] 23 Cooling line

[0064] 24 supply air duct

[0065] 25 first end of the cooling line

[0066] 26 second end of the cooling line

[0067] 27 first end of the supply air line

[0068] 28 second end of the supply air line

[0069] 29 Silencing housing 30 Ultrasonic emitter

[0070] 31 Ventilation flap

[0071] 32 Hot air flow

[0072] 33 cold air flow 34 turbulent flow

[0073] 35 fan

[0074] 36 fan

[0075] 37 Fan

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Drying device (1), comprising: - a drying chamber (2), in the interior (3) of which a workpiece to be dried can be arranged, - a first air inlet unit (4), the first air distribution box (5) of which is arranged in the interior (3), - a second air inlet unit (6), the second air distribution box (7) of which is arranged in the interior space (3), the first air distribution box (5) being arranged below the second air distribution box (7) with respect to a vertical direction (z) of the drying chamber (2), - a vortex tube unit (14) with a vortex tube (15), the hot air outlet element (17) of which and the first air inlet unit (4) are fluidically coupled to one another.

2. Drying device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a cold air outlet element (18) of the vortex tube (15) is fluidically coupled - with the second air inlet unit (6) and / or - with an inlet opening (19) of an air dehumidification unit (20), the outlet opening (21) of which is fluidically connected to the second air inlet unit (6).

3. Drying device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the air dehumidification unit (20) has a countercurrent heat exchanger (22), wherein - a first end (25) of a cooling line (23) of the counterflow heat exchanger (22) is formed by the inlet opening (19), and a second end (26) of the cooling line (23) opens into an environment of the drying device (1), and - a first end (27) of a supply air line (24) of the counterflow heat exchanger (22) is formed by the outflow opening (21), and a second end (28) of the supply air line (24) opens into the environment.

4. Drying device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vortex tube unit (14) has two or more vortex tubes (15) connected in parallel.

5. Drying device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vortex tube unit (14) has a sound damping device which has a sound damping housing (29) in which the vortex tube (15) is arranged.

6. Drying device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is free of an electrical heating device.

7. Drying device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first air inlet unit (4) and / or the second air inlet unit (6) has / has a filter.

8. Drying device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first air outlet surface (10) of the first air distribution box (5) and a second air outlet surface (11) of the second air distribution box (7) - parallel to each other or - are arranged flush along the vertical direction (z).

9. Drying device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an ultrasonic unit whose ultrasonic emitter (30) is arranged in the interior (3) of the drying chamber (2).

10. Drying device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drying chamber (2) has a venting flap (31) which is adjustable between a venting position, in which the interior (3) of the drying chamber (2) and its surroundings are fluidically connected to one another, and a closed position in which the interior (3) and the surroundings are sealed off from one another.

11. Drying device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the venting flap (31) is adjustable between the venting position and the closed position by means of an actuator and / or by means of a pressure which can be produced in the interior by means of the vortex tube unit (14).

12. Method for drying an adhesive of a workpiece having an adhesive bond using the drying device (1) designed according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the workpiece is positioned in the interior (3) of the drying chamber (2), - compressed air is fed into the vortex tube (15) through an inflow element (16) of the vortex tube (15), whereby hot air flowing out of the hot air outlet element (17) flows through the first air inlet unit (4) and consequently flows into the interior space (3).

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the compressed air is fed into the vortex tube (15) through the inflow element (16) at a pressure of 5 bar or more, whereby the hot air flowing out of the hot air outlet element (17) has a temperature of 100 °C or more.

Images