Temperature-control system for controlling the temperature of workpieces, and method for controlling the temperature of workpieces

Abstract

The invention relates to a temperature-control system (100) for controlling the temperature of workpieces, in particular for drying treated vehicle bodies or parts thereof using temperature-controlled circulating air, wherein the temperature-control system comprises the following: at least one system housing (124) equipped with at least one temperature-control chamber (106), through which the workpieces can be conveyed in a conveying direction (102) in order to control the temperature thereof using circulating air, and with at least one pressure chamber (108); and at least one temperature-control device (112) for controlling the temperature of and / or circulating the circulating air, the at least one pressure chamber (108) being situated between a housing wall (142) of the at least one system housing (124) and the at least one temperature-control chamber (106), and, in order to circulate the circulating air through the temperature-control chamber (106), the at least one pressure chamber (108) being fluidically connected to the at least one temperature-control chamber (106) via at least one inlet opening (126) and at least one outlet opening (130). The invention also relates to a corresponding method for controlling the temperature of workpieces, in particular for drying treated vehicle bodies or parts thereof using temperature-controlled circulating air.

Description

[0001] Temperature control system for temperature control of workpieces and methods for temperature control of workpieces

[0002] The present invention relates to a temperature control system for temperature-controlling workpieces, in particular for drying treated vehicle bodies or parts thereof with temperature-controlled recirculated air. The present invention further relates to a corresponding method for temperature-controlling workpieces.

[0003] In practice, continuous dryers designed for heating vehicle bodies are known. These typically feature a pulsed or continuous feed of the vehicle bodies.

[0004] Temperature control systems for heating vehicle bodies can also be called dryers, with the temperature control room of the system, through which the vehicle bodies are conveyed, also being called a dryer tunnel.

[0005] In known systems, the recirculated air is circulated and temperature-controlled by means of recirculation units or temperature control devices. Separate or integrated devices for this purpose are known from the prior art.

[0006] For example, the separate units or devices can be positioned above, below or to the side of the dryer tunnel or the temperature control room.

[0007] Regarding the heat sources used to heat the circulating air, direct or indirect burner heating, electric heating or pure gas heating using one or more heat exchangers are possible, for example.

[0008] In contrast, in an integrated arrangement, the temperature control device or the recirculating air unit is located on the same level as the temperature control room or the dryer tunnel.

[0009] The fan used for recirculating the air can be positioned on either side of the dryer tunnel, relative to the direction of airflow. Alternatively, the fan can be inserted into the dryer tunnel from above, so that, in the case of a radial fan, the impeller axis is vertically oriented. In the case of integrated recirculation units or temperature control devices, it is currently preferred to position the heat source for temperature control of the recirculated air on either side of the temperature control chamber or dryer tunnel, whereby, in addition to a combustion chamber, a clean gas duct can also be used as a radiant heat source for heating the recirculated air.

[0010] The recirculated air supply to the temperature control room or the dryer tunnel can be on both sides or on one side, depending on the conveying direction.

[0011] In a one-sided supply, part of the recirculated air is routed from the side of the temperature control system on which the recirculating air unit or the temperature control device is located to the other side of the temperature control system by means of a connecting duct or a duct or a connecting space or a ceiling.

[0012] The recirculated air from the temperature control room or the dryer tunnel can be from both sides or one side.

[0013] With a two-sided recirculation system, the recirculated air from the temperature control room can be drawn in at the beginning or end of the room or a section thereof, for example, via the side walls or through the floor or ceiling. Recirculation or exhaust air in the center of the temperature control room is also a common practice.

[0014] With regard to one-sided recirculation of air, a bottom-side or at least near-bottom recirculation in the middle of the temperature control room is preferred, in relation to the conveying direction.

[0015] The arrangement of the previously described recirculating air units or temperature control devices on a temperature control system entails a corresponding space requirement for the temperature control system, particularly in a width direction of the system, which is aligned horizontally and perpendicularly to the conveying direction of the workpieces.

[0016] From WO 2023 / 208895 A1, a drying module for a continuous drying system for drying painted workpieces and / or painted assemblies is known, which has a module housing, a drying tunnel which is radially enclosed on the outside of the module housing with respect to its longitudinal extent and in which painted workpieces or assemblies passing through the drying tunnel can be supplied with drying air, and at least one space arranged between the module housing and the drying tunnel.In order to enable more energy-efficient drying with less assembly effort, the intermediate space is connected to the drying tunnel via at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet, forming at least one drying air circuit, wherein at least one drying air blower, with which the drying air can be circulated within the drying air circuit, and at least one electric drying air heating device, with which the drying air can be heated within the intermediate space, are each at least partially arranged.

[0017] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a temperature control system that has a small footprint, is easy to set up, enables energy-efficient workpiece treatment and is easily accessible.

[0018] This problem is solved according to the invention by a temperature control system for temperature control of workpieces with the features according to the independent device claim.

[0019] The temperature control system is, in particular, a system for drying treated vehicle bodies or parts thereof with temperature-controlled recirculated air.

[0020] The temperature control system comprises the following: at least one system housing in which at least one temperature control chamber, through which the workpieces can be conveyed for temperature control with recirculated air in one conveying direction, and at least one pressure chamber are arranged; and at least one temperature control device for temperature control and / or recirculation of the recirculated air.

[0021] The at least one pressure chamber is arranged between a housing wall of the at least one system housing and the at least one temperature control chamber.

[0022] The housing wall is, in particular, a side wall, a ceiling wall or a bottom wall of the system housing.

[0023] Furthermore, the at least one pressure chamber for circulating the recirculated air through the temperature control chamber is fluidly connected to the at least one temperature control chamber via at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening. The temperature control system is preferably modular in design, with each module forming a treatment zone or part of a treatment zone and comprising one or more cycle stations, i.e., in particular, one or more treatment stations for a workpiece.

[0024] The temperature control device is in particular a heating and / or cooling device or integrated therein and circulates the air between pressure chambers and the temperature control chamber in a cycle.

[0025] It can be advantageous if the temperature control device includes at least one blower device and at least one temperature control unit.

[0026] The temperature control unit is preferably an electric heating unit.

[0027] An electric heating unit preferably comprises a plurality of heating elements which are arranged at least partially, preferably approximately completely, within the same pressure chamber.

[0028] It can be advantageous if the blower device includes a radial fan or is designed as such.

[0029] The fan axis is preferably aligned horizontally and perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0030] The fan axis can alternatively or additionally be aligned vertically and perpendicular to the direction of flow.

[0031] In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the temperature control unit of the temperature control device is arranged downstream of the blower device.

[0032] This is particularly advantageous when the blower is designed as a radial fan, which radially discharges the recirculated air drawn in or returned from the temperature control chamber. The recirculated air then flows radially from the fan to the temperature control unit, which is located downstream of the fan. Consequently, this recirculated air is temperature-treated again before being introduced into the temperature control chamber via the inlet openings for temperature control of the workpieces. Alternatively, the temperature control unit of the temperature control device can be located upstream of the blower.

[0033] It may also be provided that the temperature control device is arranged to the side of the temperature control chamber with respect to the conveying direction.

[0034] It can also be advantageous if the temperature control device is at least partially located in the pressure chamber.

[0035] By integrating the temperature control device into a pressure chamber of the temperature control system, the width of the temperature control system can be significantly reduced.

[0036] There may be cases where horizontal installation of the blower devices of the temperature control units on one or both sides of the temperature control room in the pressure chamber(s) is not possible, because a) one or both sides of the temperature control system are located directly against a building wall or directly adjacent to another building, b) a double dryer is to be installed in which two temperature control units are placed directly next to each other, or c) the available installation space is insufficient to install or remove the blower devices horizontally.

[0037] In these cases, it can be advantageous if the blower devices, which are preferably designed as radial fans, are inserted or mounted into the respective pressure chamber from above, i.e. with a vertically oriented fan axis, or are arranged or placed on the respective pressure chamber.

[0038] As with a laterally horizontal integration of the blower devices, the motor of the blower devices is preferably arranged outside the respective pressure chamber due to the high temperatures within the temperature control system.

[0039] In sections, zones, or modules of the temperature control system or temperature control chamber designed as a cooling zone or cooling area, the motor of an associated blower device can also be located within the respective pressure chamber. The air from a blower device introduced from above can be discharged radially in one or both directions within the respective pressure chamber, i.e., in particular, in and against the conveying direction.

[0040] The blower devices introduced from above can be arranged symmetrically on both sides of the temperature control chamber, in particular for supplying the temperature control chamber with recirculated air from both sides in a heating zone.

[0041] Alternatively, such blower devices can also be arranged on one side, for example when the temperature control room is supplied with recirculated air in a holding zone.

[0042] Within a zone, it can be advantageous, whether the blowers are arranged on one side or both sides, to place the blower device in the center of the pressure chamber with respect to the conveying direction, thereby achieving optimal zone air balance without cross-flows to adjacent zones.

[0043] Alternatively, two blower units can be positioned at the beginning and end of a pressure chamber, relative to the direction of airflow. This also achieves optimal zone air circulation balance without cross-flows to adjacent zones. Furthermore, the air volume per blower unit and pressure chamber can be halved, resulting in weight reduction during installation and removal of the corresponding blower units in the ceiling area.

[0044] It can be advantageous to provide an expansion rail or a portal connected to the temperature control system, which can assist in handling the blower devices during installation and removal from above or during maintenance work from above.

[0045] If the blower device is arranged in the upper area of ​​the pressure chambers, the recirculated air or the recirculated air extraction from the temperature control chamber can be arranged in the upper area of ​​the side walls of the temperature control chamber.

[0046] Alternatively or additionally, the recirculated air can also be arranged in a lower section of the side walls of the temperature control chamber. In this case, a supply channel in the pressure chamber is preferably required, connecting the lower intake point and the upper blower unit. In both intake and recirculation configurations, the temperature control units of the temperature control system can be arranged on the intake and / or pressure side of the blower units.

[0047] In a pressure-side arrangement, the temperature control units can be arranged vertically in an upper area of ​​the pressure chamber, i.e. on the ceiling wall, or horizontally, i.e. on the side wall of the temperature control chamber or the housing wall of the plant enclosure.

[0048] In the pressure-side arrangement, the temperature control units can be arranged in front of and / or behind the respective blower device, with respect to the conveying direction.

[0049] In the case of a suction-side arrangement of the temperature control units, it may be advantageous if, in the event of recirculated air in an upper or lower area of ​​the side walls of the temperature control room, the temperature control units are arranged vertically in the upper area of ​​the pressure chamber, i.e. on the ceiling wall, or horizontally, i.e. on the side wall of the temperature control room or the housing wall of the system housing, provided that this area is accessible.

[0050] It also applies here that the temperature control units are arranged in front of and / or behind the respective blower device, depending on the direction of conveyance.

[0051] In the case of recirculated air in a lower area of ​​the side walls of the temperature control chamber, the temperature control units can alternatively be arranged in the supply duct if they are positioned on the suction side. In this case, the temperature control units can be installed and / or removed horizontally from the housing wall, provided this area is accessible, thus facilitating maintenance.

[0052] It can be advantageous if the temperature control device can be installed in the temperature control system from outside the system housing or removed from the temperature control system.

[0053] Thus, the installation and / or removal of temperature control devices is easily carried out, and no additional space needs to be provided above or below the temperature control system. In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that, with respect to the conveying direction, at least one pressure chamber is arranged on each side of the temperature control chamber.

[0054] The arrangement of pressure chambers on both sides ensures, in particular, an at least approximately symmetrical flow of air to the workpieces to be treated in the temperature control chamber.

[0055] It may also be provided that two temperature control devices are arranged on different sides of the temperature control chamber, preferably opposite each other, with respect to the conveying direction.

[0056] It can also be advantageous if all temperature control devices are arranged on one side of the temperature control room, relative to the conveying direction.

[0057] In a one-sided arrangement of the temperature control devices, two temperature control systems can be set up side by side as a double line, preferably with the sides of the temperature control systems that do not have temperature control devices adjoining each other.

[0058] Furthermore, temperature control systems with temperature control devices arranged on one side can be set up or installed with their free side, i.e. the side of the system without temperature control devices, against a hall wall or other obstruction.

[0059] In one embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that the temperature control device is designed as a temperature control module, in particular as a compact temperature control module, which comprises a housing in which at least one blower device and at least one temperature control unit are at least partially enclosed.

[0060] The housing of such a temperature control module is preferably arranged vertically, i.e., particularly along the direction of gravity, on a pressure chamber. The housing of a temperature control module is therefore, in particular, mounted on the ceiling wall of the system housing above a pressure chamber.

[0061] The housing of a temperature control module preferably does not project beyond the side of the system housing, but rather is approximately flush with the system housing.

[0062] Preferably, the blower of a temperature control module is designed as a radial fan and the temperature control unit of a temperature control module is designed as an electric heating unit. The blower and the electric heating unit are preferably installed horizontally in the housing of the temperature control module.

[0063] The electric heating unit is preferably arranged downstream of the blower device, i.e. on its pressure side.

[0064] For the installation of temperature control devices as temperature control modules on the ceiling wall of the system housing, the ceiling wall is preferably accessible so that, for example, maintenance work or similar tasks can be carried out on the temperature control modules. For this purpose, a central maintenance walkway can be provided on the ceiling wall, from which the temperature control modules can be accessed.

[0065] It can be advantageous if the electrical control cabinet associated with a temperature control module, which is preferably designed separately, is also located on the ceiling wall of the system housing.

[0066] In the event that a temperature control module includes a radial fan whose fan axis is aligned horizontally and perpendicular to the conveying direction due to the horizontal installation, the associated pressure chamber above which this temperature control module is arranged is divided into two vertically separated areas by a partition wall.

[0067] One of these areas is the pressure area, which is located between the partition wall and the side wall of the temperature control room and is connected to the pressure side of the radial fan.

[0068] The other of these areas is the suction area, which is located between the partition wall and the side wall of the system housing and is connected to the suction side of the radial fan.

[0069] Each suction area is preferably connected to the temperature control room by means of at least one recirculated air or recirculated air extraction system.

[0070] Filter elements and / or inlet openings, through which the temperature-controlled recirculated air is introduced from the pressure chamber into the temperature control chamber, are preferably arranged in the pressure zone of a divided pressure chamber. By providing a suction zone and a vertically separated pressure zone, the pressure zones in which the filter elements are preferably arranged are narrower than comparable pressure chambers without vertically separated zones. Therefore, it can be advantageous to change filter elements not via one or more access points to the pressure zone of the pressure chamber, but rather from within the temperature control chamber, specifically via the corresponding side wall of the temperature control chamber.

[0071] It can also be advantageous if the temperature control modules, especially the housings of the temperature control modules, are at least partially insulated.

[0072] Furthermore, it can be provided that the temperature control modules can be connected to the suction and pressure zones of the associated pressure chamber without ductwork or the like. The temperature control modules are therefore preferably directly connectable to the suction and pressure zones.

[0073] It can be advantageous if the pressure chambers are fluidly connected to each other by means of a connecting channel and / or a connecting chamber.

[0074] This allows, in the case of a one-sided arrangement of the temperature control devices, for a homogeneous and symmetrical flow of air to the workpieces in the temperature control room, a portion of the tempered recirculated air to be conveyed to the other side of the temperature control room, i.e., the side furthest from the temperature control devices.

[0075] The connecting channel or connecting space, through which the recirculated air is guided from one pressure chamber to another, can be located above or below the temperature control chamber.

[0076] The connecting channel or connecting space may, with respect to the conveying direction, have a smaller extent than the connected pressure spaces or at least correspond approximately to the extent of the pressure spaces or the respective zone.

[0077] In one embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that the workpieces can be conveyed through the temperature control room in a transverse and / or longitudinal orientation.

[0078] Furthermore, the temperature control system may be designed to have at least two zones of different temperatures along the conveying direction. It may be advantageous if the temperature control system has at least one heating zone and / or at least one holding zone.

[0079] Furthermore, it may be provided that the temperature control system has at least one cooling zone in which the treated workpieces are actively and / or passively cooled within the temperature control room.

[0080] In the case of workpieces which are treated in their longitudinal orientation in a heating zone, it can be advantageous to supply them with tempered circulating air from both side walls of the temperature control room.

[0081] In the case of workpieces which are treated in their longitudinal orientation in a holding zone where the temperature of the circulating air is preferably only maintained, it may be sufficient to introduce or supply the circulating air into this zone from only one side and to also discharge it from one side.

[0082] The supply and discharge can preferably take place via the same side, and preferably via the side on which one or more associated temperature control devices of the zone are arranged.

[0083] In the case of workpieces which are treated in their transverse orientation in a heating zone or a holding zone, it may be advantageous to introduce the tempered recirculated air into the temperature control room on one side via a side wall.

[0084] This side wall with the inlet openings is preferably designed such that it follows the workpiece contour, at least in sections. For example, such a side wall runs diagonally in the area of ​​the A-pillar of a workpiece designed as a vehicle body, and also horizontally and / or diagonally in the area of ​​the hood and vertically in the area of ​​the engine compartment and the sills.

[0085] When workpieces are oriented transversely, the recirculated air is preferably discharged from the temperature control chamber via the other side wall of the chamber, i.e., the side wall opposite the wall with the inlet openings. The outlet openings can be located at the bottom, top, and / or between the floor and top. If the temperature control devices are designed as temperature control modules, preferably located on the top wall of the system housing, and pressure chambers are provided on both sides that are not connected by a connecting duct or chamber, then each zone of the temperature control system preferably has at least two temperature control modules, each assigned to one of the pressure chambers. The total number of temperature control modules per system is therefore at least the number of zones multiplied by two.

[0086] It can be advantageous if the zones can be separated atmospherically and / or thermally from each other and / or from the environment of the temperature control system by a) one or more barrier elements and / or b) one or more airlocks.

[0087] A barrier element can be, in particular, a physical barrier such as a sliding door, a vertically movable gate leaf, or the like.

[0088] Furthermore, a barrier element can be at least partially thermally insulated.

[0089] In the open position of a locking element, it can preferably be located in a recess, chamber, niche or interim position provided for this purpose above, below or to the side of the temperature control room and from there be moved into the temperature control room for zone separation.

[0090] A locking element can be one-piece or multi-piece.

[0091] In the case of multi-part locking elements, the individual elements can either move in opposite directions or parallel to each other.

[0092] One or more locking elements are preferably provided between at least two zones if the cycle time is sufficiently long, wherein the cycle time is in particular the time during which a workpiece is processed in a zone.

[0093] This is the case, for example, when the cycle time is greater than or equal to the time required for the closing and opening of the locking elements. It is particularly preferred if the cycle time for workpiece processing is equal to or greater than five times the time required for the closing and opening of the locking elements. Furthermore, it is advantageous if an airlock is designed as a flow barrier for atmospheric and / or thermal separation between any two zones or process areas of a temperature control system.

[0094] Preferably, the airlock is designed in the form of a vertical, workpiece-contoured double silhouette.

[0095] In the case of temperature-graded process areas, which can be designed as a pre-dryer, a main dryer or a cooling zone and have different temperature levels, the airlock is preferably provided between each pair of temperature areas.

[0096] The airlock can be formed from the ceiling, one or both side walls, or the floor of the temperature control room; in particular, the airlock air is introduced into the temperature control room from these positions.

[0097] It can be advantageous if the airlock air from a slot nozzle, which is arranged on the ceiling of the temperature control chamber, is directed at an angle to the direction of gravity in the range of 20 to 40 degrees, preferably approximately 30 degrees, towards the warmer atmosphere, i.e., in the direction of the adjacent zone with the higher temperature. Such an airlock thus creates an impulse against the thermal pressure of the adjacent zone with the higher temperature.

[0098] It is advisable to keep the area of ​​the airlock clear or to move it clear using a conveyor-based rapid evacuation system, so that the air jet in the airlock is not disturbed by a workpiece remaining there.

[0099] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the airlock is designed vertically and contoured to the workpiece.

[0100] In this process, air is introduced into the temperature control chamber, for example, between two metal sheets that follow the contour of the workpiece as it moves longitudinally or transversely. The air flows primarily vertically from top to bottom and is extracted from the temperature control chamber via a floor extraction system. However, it is also conceivable that the air flows against gravity from bottom to top and is extracted at the ceiling of the temperature control chamber.

[0101] The air from the airlock can also flow through the temperature control room in a horizontal direction, i.e., it flows into the temperature control room from one side wall and is extracted or drawn off in the area of ​​the opposite side wall.

[0102] The resulting air curtain or air silhouette preferably runs essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the workpieces.

[0103] It can be advantageous if the nearly vertical air curtain formed by an airlock can form between two cycles or between two workpieces being processed during timed conveying of the workpieces.

[0104] Airlocks can be operated with fresh air, recirculated air, or a mixture of recirculated air and fresh air.

[0105] It may also be provided that the airlock upstream of the temperature control room has at least one electric heating element in order to a) bring preheated air in the airlock (fresh air or recirculated air or a mixture of both) to the target temperature; or b) bring fresh air from the environment of the temperature control system or the hall in which the temperature control system is installed to the target temperature near the airlock.

[0106] This eliminates the need for complex air ducts from a central airlock heating system to the airlock.

[0107] The airlock, which is arranged particularly between two workstations, each preferably processing a workpiece, can furthermore be designed as a vertical, workpiece-contoured double silhouette. The two silhouettes can be the same or different with respect to their temperature and / or their ratio of fresh air to recirculated air.

[0108] An air curtain or the silhouette of an airlock preferably extends over the entire width of the temperature control room. In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that at least one temperature control device is provided in each zone of the temperature control system, wherein the blower devices of the temperature control devices are preferably at least approximately the same size.

[0109] Given the need for a uniform design, it can be advantageous if the blower devices integrated in the heating zones and holding zones are of the same dimensions, i.e., in particular, if they use the same fan.

[0110] The fans preferably match in their impeller size, fan chamber and / or fan flange plate.

[0111] Since the different zones of the temperature control system require different air volumes, they are preferably operated at different speeds, with the speed of the motor of the blower devices preferably controlled and / or regulated via a frequency converter.

[0112] For example, the recirculated air volume flow is 40,000 m³ / h. 3 / h up to 60,000 m 3 / h, preferably 45,000 m 3 / h, and the rotational speed of 45 Hz to 55 Hz, preferably 50 Hz, for fans of temperature control devices of a heating zone.

[0113] In contrast, the recirculated air volume flow rate is, for example, 45,000 m³ / h. 3 / h up to 70,000 m 3 / h, preferably 60,000 m 3 / h, and the rotational speed 55 Hz to 70 Hz, preferably 63 Hz, for fans of temperature control devices of a holding zone.

[0114] The fan axis is preferably aligned horizontally and / or perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0115] Since different shaft powers of the fans are required to achieve these volume flows, either all motors of the recirculation fans can be designed for the highest shaft power, or different sized motors can be used for the fans of different zones.

[0116] It may also be provided that a heating zone comprises one to three indexing stations, i.e., in particular defined, successive temperature control positions in the conveying direction for the workpieces to be tempered in the respective zone, wherein the required air volume per workpiece is, for example, 10,000 m³ 3 / h up to 25,000 m 3 The air recirculation volume flow rate that must be provided by one of the temperature control modules of such a heating zone is therefore 5,000 m³ / h. 3 / h up to 37,500 m 3 / h, so that with at least two temperature control modules per heating zone, the required total air volume of 10,000 m³ 3 / h up to 75,000 m 3 / h can be provided for one, two or three clock positions.

[0117] It may also be provided that a holding zone comprises two to six cycle stations, with the required air volume per workpiece in the holding zone being, for example, 5,000 m³. 3 / h up to 7,500 m 3 / h.

[0118] The recirculated air volume flow rate that must be provided by one of the temperature control modules of such a holding zone is therefore 10,000 m³ / h. 3 / h up to 45,000 m 3 / h, so that with at least two temperature control modules per holding zone, the required total air volume of 20,000 m³ 3 / h up to 90,000 m 3 / h can be provided for two to six clock positions.

[0119] It may also be provided that at least one compensation device for absorbing the thermal expansion in the conveying direction is provided between each two zones of the temperature control system.

[0120] It can be advantageous to use a metal compensator with a bellows or a textile compensator that is welded or screwed in between the two zones or modules.

[0121] It can be advantageous if each zone is designed as a module which is supported on at least one fixed base, the fixed base preferably being arranged below a temperature control device.

[0122] To ensure controlled expansion behavior of the modules of a temperature control system at operating temperature, with the aim of avoiding mechanical overload of the sheet metal construction or the welded joints, it can be advantageous to provide fixed feet or fixed points.

[0123] It can be advantageous if the individual modules can be extended both in the conveying direction and perpendicular to it. The fixed points or feet of modules arranged one behind the other are preferably aligned along a common line in the conveying direction. In the transverse direction, i.e., perpendicular to the conveying direction, the fixed feet of a module are also preferably aligned along a common line.

[0124] In the case of the heating zone or holding zone module, it is advantageous if the respective fixed foot is located below the blower device of the temperature control device and thus below the area with the greatest surface load.

[0125] It can be advantageous if the temperature control chamber has at least two side walls which are aligned parallel to each other and / or to the conveying direction, at least in sections, with each side wall of the temperature control chamber having a plurality of inlet openings through which recirculated air can be introduced into the temperature control chamber.

[0126] In one embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that the inlet openings comprise nozzles or are designed as such.

[0127] The shape, size and spacing of the inlet openings to each other and / or to the edge of the side walls can preferably be adapted to the workpieces to be tempered.

[0128] In this context, the synchronized operation of the temperature control system or synchronized conveying is advantageous, since these individual areas of the workpieces designed as vehicle bodies can be selectively supplied with tempered recirculated air during the temporary standstill or rest period of the workpieces within a time cycle.

[0129] The inlet openings can have the same or different flow cross-sections or flow diameters.

[0130] Preferably, the nozzles can be aligned to predetermined areas of the workpieces.

[0131] Aligning the nozzles with predetermined areas of the workpieces is particularly preferable when the workpieces are conveyed through the temperature control chamber in a timed manner, thus defining the temporary rest positions of the workpieces in the temperature control chamber for the individual treatment steps.

[0132] The nozzles are particularly movable and therefore individually adjustable. For example, the nozzles have an outlet diameter or flow cross-section of 100 mm and can be pivoted by up to 15 degrees in one direction relative to a main nozzle axis or an axis perpendicular to the respective side wall of the temperature control chamber.

[0133] Alternatively, the nozzles can also be designed as inclined nozzles with a fixed angle of, for example, 25 degrees, whereby the inclination or angle is specifically related to an axis perpendicular to the respective side wall of the temperature control chamber.

[0134] The nozzles can also be arranged in groups on the respective side wall of the temperature control room.

[0135] For example, four angled nozzles can form a nozzle grouping or nozzle arrangement, which are preferably directed towards a predetermined area of ​​the workpiece to be treated.

[0136] The nozzles of such a grouping can have the same angle or different angles.

[0137] By grouping angled nozzles, an almost identical jet or flow characteristic can be achieved as with movable nozzles, without a significant increase in length in the axial direction, i.e., perpendicular to the side wall towards the temperature control chamber. Consequently, no expansion of the corresponding pressure chamber is required.

[0138] The nozzles of the opposing side walls of a cycle or zone are preferably arranged in such a way that, for example in the case of vehicle bodies as workpieces to be treated, there is no jet or flow segregation inside the vehicle body.

[0139] It may also be provided that a large number of filter elements are arranged upstream of the inlet openings for filtering the recirculated air.

[0140] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if at least one pressure chamber is accessible via at least one pressure chamber door for maintenance and / or adjustment work. Due to the at least partial arrangement of the temperature control devices within the pressure chambers, these chambers are interrupted in sections and therefore cannot be used as a passageway. One or more pressure chamber doors located at one of the end faces of the temperature control system are therefore insufficient to provide access to all inlet openings and / or filter elements, for example.

[0141] It can therefore be advantageous if the pressure chamber door is located in a side wall of the temperature control room or in a housing wall of the system housing.

[0142] Preferably, each printing room should be accessible via at least one printing room door.

[0143] For internal pressure chamber doors, i.e. doors in the side walls of the temperature control room, access to the pressure chamber can be designed, for example, in such a way that no inlet openings are provided in the associated side wall in the area or section of the respective pressure chamber door, i.e. the arrangement of the inlet openings or nozzles in the associated side wall is interrupted in this area by a pressure-tight door which leads from the perspective of the temperature control room into the pressure chamber behind it.

[0144] Alternatively, access via internal pressure room doors can also be designed in such a way that the arrangement of the inlet openings or nozzles in the side walls is not interrupted during operation of the system.

[0145] For this purpose, for example, a nozzle cassette or nozzle panel is removablely arranged on the side of a pressure room door facing the temperature control room.

[0146] The nozzle panel can preferably be detachably attached to the side wall surrounding the pressure chamber door by means of latches and removed to provide access to the covered pressure chamber door.

[0147] The pressure chamber door itself has one or more filter elements, which are, for example, integrated into the pressure chamber door or arranged on the side facing away from the temperature control room, causing them to be swung out of their operating position when the pressure chamber door is opened.

[0148] External pressure chamber doors, i.e., doors in the housing walls of the system enclosure, are preferably pressure-tight and insulated. If the pressure chambers are so narrow that they cannot be entered, openings are preferably provided in the side walls of the temperature control chamber. These openings allow the filter elements to be guided from the temperature control chamber in one orientation, and then detachably attached in the same or a different orientation to the side of the respective side wall of the temperature control chamber facing away from the chamber.

[0149] The filter elements are preferably clamped against the respective side wall of the temperature control chamber, wherein a seal is preferably provided between the filter element and the contact area of ​​the associated side wall, the sealing effect of which is increased by the contact pressure resulting from the clamping on the side wall and / or by the circulating air flow during operation.

[0150] The mounting openings in the side walls provided for attaching the filter elements are preferably covered by the respective filter element in its operating or filter position on the side facing away from the temperature control room, so that recirculated air enters the respective opening at least approximately exclusively through the filter element and not past the filter element.

[0151] These mounting openings are preferably covered from the direction of the temperature control chamber with a nozzle panel or a nozzle cassette as an arrangement of inlet openings, wherein these nozzle panels are preferably detachably attached to the associated side wall of the temperature control chamber with latches.

[0152] To ensure that as little or almost no recirculated air as possible can flow past a nozzle panel into the temperature control chamber, a nozzle panel, for example, has a circumferential V-shaped lip which, when installed in the side wall, points away from the temperature control chamber.

[0153] In addition, the corresponding opening in the side wall of the temperature control chamber has a corresponding circumferential, V-shaped recess into which the V-shaped bend of the nozzle panel can engage.

[0154] The recirculated air flowing from the pressure chamber towards the nozzle panel is thus largely trapped in the edge area of ​​the nozzle panel and does not flow past it into the temperature control chamber. A suitably designed seal and / or a sealing lubricant can be arranged between the opening and the edge of the nozzle panel, or applied to at least one of the contact surfaces.

[0155] In the case of a pressure chamber that is reduced in width, i.e., perpendicular to the conveying direction, unwanted heat input from a temperature control unit into the respective pressure chamber can occur. It can therefore be advantageous if the temperature control unit is at least partially thermally insulated in the direction of the inlet openings to prevent local overheating of the recirculated air passing through the pressure chamber.

[0156] In one embodiment of the invention, inlet openings or nozzles may be provided in areas of the side walls of the temperature control chamber where, for space reasons, filter elements cannot be installed upstream of these inlet openings, such as in the area of ​​the blower device or in the area of ​​a pressure chamber door in the housing wall of the system housing. In this case, such filterless inlet openings are supplied with filtered recirculated air from at least one of the adjacent pressure chambers or pressure chamber sections.

[0157] In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that all pressure chambers are accessible for maintenance and / or adjustment work via two pressure chamber doors per temperature control device, which are arranged before and after the temperature control device with respect to the conveying direction.

[0158] Thus, all areas of a pressure chamber are accessible, even if a temperature control device is at least partially located in a pressure chamber.

[0159] It can be particularly advantageous if all temperature control devices in a temperature control system with one zone or module, or with two zones or two modules, are arranged adjacent to the end faces of the temperature control system, i.e., in the area of ​​the inlet and outlet of the temperature control system.

[0160] This means that it is sufficient to provide only one central pressure chamber door on each side of the temperature control chamber, since the pressure chambers are not interrupted by a temperature control device in the conveying direction.

[0161] It may also be provided that the recirculated air from the temperature control room can be extracted. The recirculated air is preferably extracted from the floor of the temperature control room.

[0162] Alternatively or additionally, the recirculated air can also be extracted from the ceiling of the temperature control room.

[0163] The removal of recirculated air from the temperature control room can be done on one or both sides.

[0164] The recirculated air can be extracted from the temperature control room at specific points and / or by means of at least one extraction duct which extends along a zone or module in the direction of conveyance and preferably has adjustable outlets.

[0165] In the case of a one-sided arrangement of the temperature control devices and a one-sided discharge, the discharge preferably takes place on the side of the temperature control room on which the temperature control devices are also arranged.

[0166] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the at least one outlet opening for removing the recirculated air from the temperature control room is designed as a return channel or includes one, wherein the return channel is preferably designed at least partially funnel-shaped on the outlet side to increase and / or change the shape of the flow cross-section.

[0167] The return channel is designed in such a way that its shape changes from the conveying device in the temperature control room towards the fan, while maintaining an approximately constant cross-section.

[0168] The return channel is preferably fluidly connected to a suction channel.

[0169] It can be advantageous if the workpieces can be conveyed through the temperature control room by means of at least one conveying device, preferably a bottom-mounted conveying device.

[0170] The conveyance of the workpieces through the temperature control room can be clocked or continuous.

[0171] In one embodiment of the invention, the at least one conveying device may have at least one section with a slope. This allows the conveying device to be guided over elements within the temperature control chamber which are arranged at floor level, near floor level, or on the floor wall.

[0172] It may also be provided that the at least one conveying device includes a chain conveying device and / or a roller conveying device, or is designed as such.

[0173] It can also be advantageous if at least one conveying device is accessible.

[0174] It can be advantageous to have a chain conveyor and / or a roller conveyor in the heating zones and / or holding zones, whereas a roller conveyor can be provided in the cooling zones.

[0175] For example, one conveyor device can be provided per zone or module. However, it is also possible for one conveyor device to transport the workpieces through at least two zones or modules.

[0176] In particular, in the case of atmospheric and / or thermal separation of two adjacent zones by one or more barrier elements, a conveying device is arranged upstream and downstream of the barrier element(s) with respect to the conveying direction.

[0177] The conveying device is therefore interrupted in the area of ​​the locking element(s) and a transfer from the upstream conveying device to the downstream conveying device takes place when the locking elements are in their open position.

[0178] Alternatively, a hybrid conveying device can be provided, designed as a roller conveyor with a continuous conveyor chain, thus eliminating the need to change the conveying device, and in particular the chain, between two zones or modules. This is especially feasible if atmospheric and / or thermal separation between the zones is achieved by one or more airlocks. The essentially vertical air curtain is therefore preferably positioned between two indexing stations or workpieces to be processed, thus eliminating the need to clear the area of ​​the airlock.

[0179] In the event that the free cross-sectional area below the conveying device or conveying technology is insufficient to implement recirculated air extraction or recirculated air intake from the temperature control room between the two strands of the conveying device, it is advantageous to achieve the required conveying device height by guiding the conveying device chain and / or the conveying device rollers along a ramp in the area of ​​entry or inlet into the temperature control room and in the area of ​​exit or outlet from the temperature control room.

[0180] This inclined travel eliminates the need for a complex lifting station at the interfaces to the preceding and subsequent conveying device or conveyor technology.

[0181] Since the pressure chambers on the sides of the temperature control room are interrupted by blower devices, temperature control units, intake chambers, return channels or the like, and it is therefore not possible to enter the pressure chambers unhindered in the conveying direction for maintenance or adjustment work, pressure chamber doors are provided in the housing walls and / or in the side walls of the temperature control room.

[0182] In the latter case, it is advantageous if the conveying equipment within the temperature control room is accessible. This can be achieved, for example, by means of cover plates and / or gratings.

[0183] The conveying device can be segmented in a long temperature control room, i.e., it can consist of several separate sections or strands, each with a separate drive and, for example, a separate clamping station.

[0184] A conveying device enables, in particular, the timed conveying of workpieces, in which the workpieces are optimally aligned with the recirculated air introduced into the temperature control chamber. A conveying device thus enables the conveying of workpieces in the conveying direction from one indexing station to the next. The conveying device preferably comprises at least two conveying strands, which are aligned at least approximately parallel to each other and parallel to the conveying direction.

[0185] A conveyor line is preferably a roller conveyor or a chain conveyor.

[0186] The conveying device is preferably designed such that the return channel runs below the conveying strand that is located closer to the temperature control device or the fan. This conveying strand is preferably a roller conveyor, since, unlike a chain conveyor, it has no slack on the underside and therefore provides more ground clearance for routing the return channel underneath.

[0187] The inlet of the recirculated air extraction or recirculation, i.e. the inlet of the recirculation channel, is preferably arranged between a roller conveyor and a chain conveyor, with this inlet preferably being located at the level of the temperature control device with respect to the conveying direction.

[0188] Furthermore, it is advantageous if, for the sake of low-friction and low-wear conveying, the chain conveyor device has so-called trolleys which absorb the normal force when conveying the workpieces, whereas the tensile force is provided via the chain of the conveyor device.

[0189] It can be advantageous if a) between the at least one conveying device and at least one side wall of the temperature control chamber, preferably on the bottom side on both sides of the conveying device; and / or b) between any two conveying devices arranged side by side or one behind the other in the conveying direction; and / or c) in or on the temperature control chamber above the workpieces, one or more additional inlet openings, which preferably comprise nozzles or are designed as such, are arranged.

[0190] The additional inlet openings between the side walls and the conveyor system preferably comprise sill nozzles or floor nozzles for the sills of the workpieces designed as vehicle bodies, or are designed as such. Furthermore, floor nozzles may be arranged between the two conveyor sections. The recirculated air supply is achieved by alternately pressurizing opposing pressure chambers.

[0191] In the case of a conveying device with a single-sided or double-sided conveyor chain, recesses or depressions in the floor area below the conveyor chain(s) may be necessary for the floor nozzles.

[0192] Alternatively, it may be necessary to raise the height of the conveying device.

[0193] Depending on the arrangement of the temperature control devices and the design of the conveying device, an asymmetrical recirculated air supply into the temperature control chamber may also be necessary, for example by controlling and / or regulating the recirculated air flow through the connecting channel, which fluidly connects the pressure chambers on different sides of the temperature control chamber, by one or more throttling devices.

[0194] Additional inlet openings or nozzles in the ceiling or ceiling area of ​​the temperature control room preferably introduce recirculated air from the connecting duct between the pressure rooms into the temperature control room.

[0195] It can be advantageous if nozzles for introducing tempered recirculated air are installed in the ceiling area of ​​the temperature control room, which direct or guide this recirculated air towards the windshield and / or rear window opening of a workpiece designed as a vehicle body.

[0196] Preferably, the recirculated air flows from these nozzles at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to a vertical in the direction of the windshield and / or rear window opening.

[0197] It may also be provided that a so-called sandwich ceiling is arranged below the ceiling of the temperature control room, which allows for the free placement of additional inlet openings or nozzles above the workpieces to be treated.

[0198] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one additional temperature control unit may be arranged upstream of the additional inlet openings. By having additional temperature control units upstream of the additional inlet openings in the floor area, the heating behavior of mass-dense workpiece areas, such as the sills or certain floor structures of a treated vehicle body, can be accelerated.

[0199] It may also be provided that at least one air duct is provided which is a) located in or on a ceiling wall of the plant housing and / or b) located in a pressure chamber, wherein the at least one air duct preferably extends in the conveying direction.

[0200] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if at least two different air ducts, preferably a fresh air duct and an exhaust air duct, are provided, which run at least approximately parallel to each other and are a) arranged next to or above each other in or on the ceiling wall of the system housing and / or b) arranged in one or different pressure chambers.

[0201] Typically, fresh air and exhaust air ducts are arranged as external ducts along the temperature control system, which at least results in additional space requirements.

[0202] Integrating such channels into the plant housing or pressure chambers eliminates the need for additional space.

[0203] Since the temperature of the fresh air and the exhaust air generally does not deviate significantly from the recirculated air temperature, the corresponding air ducts can be directly connected or welded to the system housing or the pressure chambers.

[0204] Thermal insulation is only required at the contact surfaces of the air ducts to the hall or to the surroundings of the temperature control system; i.e., thermal insulation between the temperature control room and the air duct is unnecessary.

[0205] The connection of air ducts between two consecutive modules of a temperature control system, or between two consecutive temperature control systems, can be achieved at the expansion joints of adjacent air ducts using metal and / or textile expansion joints to compensate for thermal expansion. Since the fresh air and exhaust air do not deviate significantly from the recirculated air temperature, these air ducts can also be embedded in a pressure chamber. Additional thermal insulation against the recirculated air passing through the pressure chamber is not required.

[0206] It can be particularly advantageous if the cross-section of the two channels has the shape of a right-angled triangle, the right angle of which is located in the respective corner of the associated pressure chamber between the housing wall and the pressure chamber ceiling, so that filter elements which are located upstream of the inlet openings in the respective pressure chamber are still accessible from the respective pressure chamber and can be adequately supplied with recirculated air.

[0207] In the case of a narrow, non-accessible pressure chamber, the cross-section of air ducts arranged within the pressure chamber can even take the form of a rectangle. It is only necessary to ensure that the filter elements on the side of the chamber's walls facing away from the temperature control chamber receive sufficient recirculated air.

[0208] The object of the present invention is further achieved by a method for tempering workpieces with the features according to the independent method claim.

[0209] The process is a method for drying treated vehicle bodies or parts thereof using temperature-controlled circulating air.

[0210] The method preferably incorporates one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the temperature control system. Furthermore, the temperature control system preferably incorporates one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the method.

[0211] The method according to the invention comprises the following steps:

[0212] Temperature control of recirculated air, particularly in one or more pressure chambers, by means of at least one temperature control unit of one or more temperature control devices; introduction of temperature-controlled recirculated air through one or more inlet openings from the one or more pressure chambers into the temperature control chamber;

[0213] Temperature control of the workpieces conveyed through the temperature control chamber; extraction of the recirculated air from the temperature control chamber into one or more pressure chambers via one or more outlet openings; and

[0214] Supplying the recirculated air to one or more temperature control units for re-temperature control, wherein the recirculated air is circulated between one or more pressure chambers and the temperature control chamber by means of at least one blower device, preferably a radial fan, which circulates between one or more temperature control devices.

[0215] Further preferred features and / or advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the graphic representation of embodiments.

[0216] The figures show:

[0217] Fig. 1 shows a schematic, perspective view of a first embodiment of a temperature control system according to the invention;

[0218] Fig. 2 is a schematic vertical section view with respect to the section plane AA in Fig. 1;

[0219] Fig. 3 is a schematic horizontal section view with respect to the section plane B-B in Fig. 1;

[0220] Fig. 4 shows a schematic vertical section view of a second embodiment of a temperature control system according to the invention;

[0221] Fig. 5 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a third embodiment of a temperature control system according to the invention; and

[0222] Fig. 6 shows a schematic horizontal section of a section of a nozzle panel in a side wall of a temperature control room.

[0223] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0224] A first embodiment of a temperature control system, designated as a whole by 100 and shown in Figures 1 and 2, serves to control the temperature of workpieces (not shown). The temperature control system 100 is, in particular, a system for drying treated vehicle bodies (not shown) or parts thereof using temperature-controlled recirculated air.

[0225] The workpieces are conveyed in the temperature control system 100 along a conveying direction 102.

[0226] Preferably, the workpieces designed as vehicle bodies are conveyed in their longitudinal direction along the conveying direction 102 through the temperature control system 100.

[0227] The temperature control system 100 comprises two temperature control modules 104, which are arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction 102.

[0228] The temperature control modules 104 together form a continuous temperature control chamber 106.

[0229] The workpieces can be conveyed into, through, and out of the temperature control room 106.

[0230] Each temperature control module 104 has a pressure chamber 108 on both sides of the temperature control chamber 106, through which tempered recirculated air can be introduced into the temperature control chamber 106.

[0231] The workpieces can be conveyed through the temperature control room 106 by means of conveying devices 110.

[0232] As can be seen in Fig. 3, each temperature control module 104 has a conveying device 110.

[0233] The conveying devices 110 are preferably installed only after the temperature control modules 104 have been set up and adjusted.

[0234] Each temperature control module 104 of the temperature control system 100 further comprises two temperature control devices 112, which are arranged opposite each other with respect to the conveying direction 102, as can be seen in Fig. 3.

[0235] The temperature control devices 112 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the conveying direction 102, whereby a lateral integration of the temperature control devices 112 in each of the pressure chambers 108 enables a particularly compact design of the temperature control system 100.

[0236] The temperature control devices 112 serve to circulate and temperature control the recirculated air conveyed through the temperature control chamber 106.

[0237] Each temperature control device 112 comprises a blower device 114 and a temperature control unit 116.

[0238] The blower device 114 is preferably a radial fan 118.

[0239] The temperature control unit 116 is in particular an electric heating unit 120.

[0240] The temperature control devices 112 are at least partially arranged in the pressure chambers 108.

[0241] The temperature control room 106 is separated from the pressure rooms 108 on both sides by side walls 122 with respect to the conveying direction 102.

[0242] The temperature control system 100 also includes a system housing 124, which surrounds the pressure chambers 108 and the temperature control room 106.

[0243] In the side walls 122 of the temperature control room 106, a plurality of inlet openings 126 are provided, through which tempered recirculated air is introduced into the temperature control room 106.

[0244] The inlet openings 126 are designed in particular as nozzles 128.

[0245] The inlet openings 126 can have different and / or the same shapes and sizes. The shape, size, and spacing of the inlet openings 126 relative to each other and / or to the edge of the side walls 122 can be adapted to the workpieces to be tempered.

[0246] The recirculated air from the temperature control chamber 106 is discharged or extracted from the temperature control chamber 106 at the bottom on both sides of the respective conveying device 110 of a temperature control module 104 via at least one outlet opening 130. The outlet openings 130 in Figures 1 to 3 are designed as a return channel 132, which directs the recirculated air from the temperature control chamber 106 to the respective radial fan 118.

[0247] Furthermore, filter elements 134 are provided on the side of the side walls 122 facing away from the temperature control room 106, through which the temperature-controlled recirculated air is filtered before it is introduced into the temperature control room 106 via the inlet openings 126.

[0248] As shown in Fig. 2 with arrows, the recirculated air in the pressure chambers 108 is tempered by the respective temperature control unit 116 and introduced from the pressure chamber 108 into the temperature control chamber 106 via the filter elements 134 and the inlet openings 126, in order to flow towards the workpiece to be treated.

[0249] Furthermore, the recirculated air is drawn in from both sides at floor level via the return channels 132 by the radial fan 118 and fed to the temperature control units for re-tempering.

[0250] The recirculated air is thus guided through the pressure chambers 108 and the temperature control chamber 106 in cycles by the temperature control devices 112.

[0251] A temperature control module 104 is designed as a treatment zone or as part of a treatment zone and includes one or more cycle stations, i.e., in particular one or more treatment stations for a workpiece.

[0252] The respective zone of a temperature control module 104 can in particular be a heating, holding or cooling zone.

[0253] Between the temperature control chamber sections of the two temperature control modules 104 shown, one or more barrier elements can be arranged for atmospheric and / or thermal separation.

[0254] Alternatively or additionally, one or more airlocks can be arranged between the two sections.

[0255] The temperature control chamber 106 may further have one or more locking elements and / or one or more airlocks at its inlet 135 and / or its outlet 136 in order to atmospherically and / or thermally separate the temperature control chamber 106 from an environment 138. Additional inlet openings 140 are also arranged between the conveying devices 110 and the side walls 122, by means of which, in particular, heavy parts of a vehicle body, such as sills, can be selectively supplied with temperature-controlled recirculated air.

[0256] On each side of the temperature control system 100, with respect to the conveying direction 102, a pressure chamber door 144 is provided in a housing wall 142 of the system housing 124.

[0257] The pressure rooms 108 are accessible via the pressure room doors 144 for maintenance work, such as filter changes, or adjustment work, in particular adjustment work on the inlet openings or nozzles.

[0258] In the temperature control system 100 in Figs. 1 to 3, the four temperature control devices 112 are arranged in pairs opposite each other on the two end faces 146 of the temperature control system 100, whereby the pressure chambers 108 are formed continuously on both sides of the temperature control chamber 106 and accordingly one pressure chamber door 144 per pressure chamber 108 is sufficient.

[0259] In the event that the temperature control devices 112 are inserted into or arranged in the pressure chambers 108, for example, in the middle of the respective temperature control module 104 with respect to the conveying direction 102, preferably two pressure chamber doors 144 are provided for each pressure chamber 108, so that the pressure chambers 108 are accessible from both sides of a temperature control device 112.

[0260] Fig. 4 shows a schematic vertical section view of a second embodiment of the temperature control system 100.

[0261] In contrast to the first embodiment in Figs. 1 to 3, the temperature control system 100 has two air ducts 146 which are integrated into a ceiling wall 148 of the temperature control room 106 or of the temperature control system 100.

[0262] The air ducts 146 are arranged side by side and extend in the conveying direction 102.

[0263] One of the two air ducts 146 leads, as a fresh air duct 150, fresh air, for example to the

[0264] Recirculated air, which is circulated through the temperature control room 106 and the pressure rooms 108, or to one or more airlocks which are arranged between the zones for atmospheric and / or thermal separation of these.

[0265] The other air duct 146 preferably carries away exhaust air from the temperature control room as an exhaust air duct 152, in particular for afterburning or post-treatment.

[0266] An arrangement of the two air ducts 146 preferably enables simple implementation in the temperature control system 100, since the supply or the discharge only needs to be set up on one side of the temperature control system 100.

[0267] These two air ducts 146 are not thermally insulated from the temperature control room 106 or the pressure rooms 108, since a temperature difference between the recirculated air and the fresh air or the exhaust air is not important.

[0268] Again, both air ducts 146 are preferably thermally insulated from the environment 138.

[0269] The air ducts 146 for supplying fresh air and extracting exhaust air can have different dimensions in cross-section and arrangement than shown in Fig. 4.

[0270] For example, both air ducts 146 can be flatter and wider and arranged one above the other.

[0271] Fig. 5 shows a schematic vertical section view of a third embodiment of the temperature control system 100, which differs from the second embodiment in that an air duct 146 is arranged in one of the pressure chambers 108.

[0272] In this case, the cross-section of the air ducts 146 is preferably not rectangular, but triangular. The triangular shape is, in particular, that of a right-angled triangle, the right angle of which borders the right angle between the housing wall 142 and the ceiling wall of the pressure chamber 108.

[0273] As can be seen in Fig. 5, a triangular cross-section of the air ducts 146 allows the filter elements 134 to remain accessible. The corresponding air ducts 146 of two adjacent temperature control modules 104 in the conveying direction 102 are preferably connected by means of metal or textile expansion joints.

[0274] Fig. 6 shows a schematic horizontal section of a section of a nozzle panel 148 in a side wall 122 of the temperature control room 106.

[0275] Such a nozzle panel 148, which preferably has a plurality of inlet openings 126 designed as nozzles 128, is arranged, for example, in or on an opening 150, which serves to change filter elements 134 in very narrow pressure spaces 108.

[0276] The nozzle panel 148 is preferably detachably attached in its operating position to the associated side wall 122 of the temperature control chamber 106 by means of latches.

[0277] To ensure that as little or at least almost no recirculated air, the flow of which is indicated by the arrows in Fig. 6, can flow undirected past a nozzle panel 148 into the temperature control chamber 106, a nozzle panel 148 preferably has a circumferential V-shaped flange 152, which, when inserted in the side wall 122, points away from the temperature control chamber 106.

[0278] In addition, the associated opening 150 in the side wall 122 of the temperature control chamber 106 has a corresponding circumferential, V-shaped receptacle 154 into which the V-shaped flange 152 of the nozzle panel 148 can engage.

[0279] The recirculated air flowing from the pressure chamber 108 towards the nozzle panel 148 is thus mostly trapped in the edge area of ​​the nozzle panel 148 and does not flow past it into the temperature control chamber 106.

[0280] Between the receptacle 154 of the opening in the side wall 122 and the flange 152 of the nozzle panel 148, a suitably designed or shaped seal and / or a sealing lubricant can preferably be arranged or applied to at least one of the contact surfaces to additionally ensure that no ambient air can pass through in the area of ​​the contacting surfaces. Reference numeral list

[0281] temperature control system

[0282] Direction of flow

[0283] Temperature control module

[0284] temperature control room

[0285] Printing room

[0286] Conveyor

[0287] Temperature control device

[0288] blower device

[0289] temperature control unit

[0290] Radial fan electric heating unit

[0291] side wall

[0292] System housing

[0293] Inlet opening

[0294] nozzle

[0295] outlet opening

[0296] Return channel

[0297] Filter element

[0298] entrance

[0299] exit

[0300] Vicinity

[0301] Additional inlet opening

[0302] housing wall

[0303] Pressure room door

[0304] air duct

[0305] Nozzle panel

[0306] opening

[0307] Edge trimming of a nozzle panel

[0308] Recording of the opening

Claims

Patent claims 1. Temperature control system (100) for temperature control of workpieces, in particular for drying treated vehicle bodies or parts thereof with temperature-controlled recirculated air, wherein the temperature control system (100) comprises: at least one system housing (124) in which at least one temperature control chamber (106) through which the workpieces can be conveyed for temperature control with recirculated air in a conveying direction (102) and at least one pressure chamber (108) are arranged; and at least one temperature control device (112) for temperature control and / or circulation of the recirculated air, wherein the at least one pressure chamber (108) is arranged between a housing wall (142) of the at least one system housing (124) and the at least one temperature control chamber (106), and wherein, for circulating the recirculated air through the temperature control chamber (106), the at least one pressure chamber (108) is fluidly connected to the at least one temperature control chamber (106) via at least one inlet opening (126) and at least one outlet opening (130).

2. Temperature control system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature control device (112) comprises at least one blower device (114) and at least one temperature control unit (116), in particular an electric heating unit (120).

3. Temperature control system (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the blower device (114) comprises a radial fan (118) or is designed as such, wherein it is preferably provided that the fan axis is a) horizontal and perpendicular to the conveying direction (102) and / or b) vertical and perpendicular to the conveying direction (102).

4. Temperature control system (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that one temperature control unit (116) is arranged downstream of the blower device (114).

5. Temperature control system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the temperature control device (112) is arranged laterally to the side of the temperature control chamber (106) with respect to the conveying direction (102).

6. Temperature control system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the temperature control device (112) is arranged at least partially in the pressure chamber (108).

7. Temperature control system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the temperature control device (112) can be mounted in the temperature control system (100) from outside the system housing (124) or removed from the temperature control system (100).

8. Temperature control system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, with respect to the conveying direction (102), at least one pressure chamber (108) is arranged on both sides of the temperature control chamber (106).

9. Temperature control system (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that each temperature control device (112) is designed as a temperature control module which comprises a housing in which at least one blower device (114) and at least one temperature control unit (116) are at least partially enclosed.

10. Temperature control system (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that each housing of a temperature control module is arranged in a vertical extension, in particular along the direction of gravity, on and / or above one of the pressure chambers (108).

11. Temperature control system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that two temperature control devices (112) are arranged on different sides of the temperature control chamber (106), preferably opposite each other, with respect to the conveying direction (102).

12. Temperature control system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that all temperature control devices (112), with respect to the conveying direction (102), are arranged on one side of the temperature control chamber (106).

13. Temperature control system (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that the pressure chambers (108) are fluidly connected to each other by means of a connecting channel and / or a connecting chamber.

14. Temperature control system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the workpieces can be conveyed through the temperature control chamber (106) in a transverse orientation and / or a longitudinal orientation.

15. Temperature control system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the temperature control system (100) has at least two zones of different temperatures along the conveying direction (102).

16. Temperature control system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the temperature control system (100) has at least one heating zone and / or at least one holding zone.

17. Temperature control system (100) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the zones are atmospherically and / or thermally separable from each other and / or from an environment (138) of the temperature control system (100) by a) one or more barrier elements and / or b) one or more airlocks.

18. Temperature control system (100) according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that at least one, preferably two, temperature control devices (112), in particular two temperature control modules, are provided in each zone of the temperature control system (100), wherein the blower devices (114) of the temperature control devices (112) are preferably dimensioned at least approximately the same.

19. Temperature control system (100) according to one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that at least one compensation device for absorbing the thermal expansion in the conveying direction is provided between each two zones of the temperature control system (100).

20. Temperature control system (100) according to one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that each zone is designed as a module (104) which is based on is supported by at least one fixed foot, the fixed foot being preferably arranged below a temperature control device (112).

21. Temperature control system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the temperature control chamber (106) has at least two side walls (122) which are aligned parallel to each other and / or to the conveying direction (102) at least partially, wherein the side walls (122) of the temperature control chamber (106) each have a plurality of inlet openings (126) through which recirculated air can be introduced into the temperature control chamber (106).

22. Temperature control system (100) according to claim 21, characterized in that the inlet openings (126) comprise nozzles (128) or are designed as such, wherein it is preferably provided that a) the workpieces can be conveyed through the temperature control chamber (106) in a timed manner and / or b) the nozzles (128) can be aligned to predetermined areas of the workpieces.

23. Temperature control system (100) according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that a plurality of filter elements (134) are arranged upstream of the inlet openings (126) for filtering the recirculated air.

24. Temperature control system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that at least one pressure chamber (108) is accessible via at least one pressure chamber door (144) for maintenance and / or adjustment work.

25. Temperature control system (100) according to claim 24, characterized in that the pressure chamber door (144) is arranged in a side wall (122) of the temperature control chamber (106) or a housing wall (142) of the system housing (124).

26. Temperature control system (100) according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that all pressure chambers (108) are accessible for maintenance and / or adjustment work via two pressure chamber doors (144) per temperature control device (112), which are arranged before and after the temperature control device (112) with respect to the conveying direction (102).

27. Temperature control system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the recirculated air from the temperature control room (106) can be discharged, preferably at floor level.

28. Temperature control system (100) according to claims 1 to 27, characterized in that the at least one outlet opening (130) for removing the recirculated air from the temperature control chamber (106) is designed as a return channel (132) or comprises one, wherein preferably the return channel (132) is designed at least sectionally in a funnel shape on the outlet side to increase and / or change the shape of the flow cross-section.

29. Temperature control system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that the workpieces can be conveyed through the temperature control room (106) by means of at least one conveying device (110), preferably a bottom-side conveying device.

30. Temperature control system (100) according to claim 29, characterized in that the at least one conveying device (110) has at least one section with a slope.

31. Temperature control system (100) according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that the at least one conveying device (110) comprises a chain conveying device and / or a roller conveying device or is designed as such.

32. Temperature control system (100) according to one of claims 29 to 31, characterized in that the at least one conveying device (110) is walkable.

33. Temperature control system (100) according to one of claims 29 to 32, characterized in that a) between the at least one conveying device (110) and at least one side wall (122) of the temperature control chamber (106), preferably on the bottom side on both sides of the conveying device (110); and / or b) between each pair of conveying devices (110) arranged side by side or one behind the other in the conveying direction (102); and / or c) in or on the temperature control chamber (106) above the workpieces, one or more additional inlet openings (140), which preferably comprise nozzles or are designed as such, are arranged.

34. Temperature control system (100) according to claim 33, characterized in that at least one additional temperature control unit is arranged upstream of the additional inlet openings (140).

35. Temperature control system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 34, characterized in that at least one air duct (146) is provided, which is a) arranged in or on a ceiling wall of the system housing (124) and / or b) arranged in a pressure chamber (108), wherein the at least one air duct (146) preferably extends in the conveying direction (102).

36. Temperature control system (100) according to claim 35, characterized in that at least two different air ducts (146), preferably a fresh air duct and an exhaust air duct, are provided, which run at least approximately parallel to each other and are arranged a) next to each other or one above the other in or on the ceiling wall of the system housing (124) and / or b) in one or different pressure chambers (108).

37. Method for temperature-controlling workpieces, in particular for drying treated vehicle bodies or parts thereof with temperature-controlled recirculated air, in a temperature-control system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 36, wherein the method comprises the following steps: Temperature control of recirculated air, in particular in one or more pressure chambers (108), by means of at least one temperature control unit (116) of one or more temperature control devices (112); Introducing tempered recirculated air through one or more inlet openings (126) from the one or more pressure chambers (108) into the temperature control chamber (106); Temperature control of the workpieces which are conveyed through the temperature control room (106); Discharge of the recirculated air via one or more outlet openings (130) from the temperature control chamber (106) into one or more pressure chambers (108); and Supplying the recirculated air to one or more temperature control units (116) for re-temperature control, wherein the recirculated air is circulated between one or more pressure chambers (108) and the temperature control chamber (106) by means of at least one blower device (114), preferably a radial fan (118), which circulates between one or more temperature control devices (112) and the one or more pressure chambers (108).

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