Device, system, and method for controlling the temperature of workpieces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle body drying systems face inefficiencies due to varying heat capacities across different areas, leading to prolonged cycle times and potential overheating, especially when using traditional temperature control zones that require additional space and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A dual temperature control system comprising a full-space temperature control device and independently controllable local temperature control units, allowing for uniform whole-body temperature control while targeting high-mass areas with localized heating, supported by movable temperature control units like pivotable nozzle bars and robotic arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional temperature control zones are used to heat the vehicle body as a whole, then the entire workpiece can be tempered, but areas with different heat capacities experience uneven heating and prolonged cycle times
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control system is segmented into a full-space temperature control device for overall heating and multiple local temperature control units for targeted heating of specific areas. This segmentation allows different regions of the vehicle body to receive appropriate heating intensity based on their individual heat capacity requirements, thereby reducing overall drying cycle time while maintaining temperature uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
Local temperature control units are positioned to provide enhanced heating to specific areas with high heat capacity such as the sill area and floor pan. These units deliver concentrated thermal energy to regions that require it most, while other areas receive only the background heating from the full-space device, optimizing the overall drying process efficiency.
2Reliability
If the dwell time is extended to accommodate high-mass areas, then complete drying is achieved, but low-mass areas become overheated
Solution Approach 1:
The local temperature control units are equipped with independent control systems that dynamically adjust their operation based on real-time temperature feedback from sensors. This dynamic control allows the system to provide intensive heating to high-mass areas when needed while automatically reducing or stopping heating in low-mass areas to prevent overheating, ensuring reliable drying without damage.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors are distributed throughout the drying chamber to monitor the temperature of both high-mass and low-mass areas. The control system uses this feedback information to independently regulate the full-space and local temperature control devices, ensuring that all areas reach the required drying temperature without exceeding maximum safe temperatures for any region.
3Adaptability or versatility
If local temperature control devices are added to address specific areas, then targeted heating is improved, but device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The local temperature control units are designed as modular, multi-functional components that can be selectively activated based on the specific drying requirements of different vehicle body regions. Each unit serves multiple purposes: providing supplemental heating to high-mass areas, compensating for heat loss in specific zones, and working in coordination with the full-space device. This modular universality allows the system to achieve targeted control capability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables simultaneous drying of high-mass and low-mass areas, reducing cycle times and preventing overheating, while maintaining a compact temperature control system design.
Implementation Method 1
Temperature-controlled air can be discharged via these pressure chambers through nozzles onto the outer surface and possibly also onto the inner surface of the vehicle body
Implementation Method 2
the vehicle body as a whole is tempered with the tempering device
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for controlling the temperature of workpieces (16), in particular for drying vehicle bodies (18), comprising a housing (20), a temperature-controlling tunnel (22) which is accommodated in the housing (20), and a temperature-controlling system (86, 94) for controlling the temperature of workpieces (12). The temperature-controlling system (86, 94) comprises a full-space temperature-controlling device (86), by means of which the temperature of a workpiece as a whole can be controlled, and a local temperature-controlling device (94), by means of which the temperature of locally delimited regions (18a, 18b, 18c) of the workpiece (16) can be controlled and which comprises multiple temperature-controlling units (96) that can be activated and actuated independently of one another for this purpose. The full-space temperature-controlling device (86) and the local temperature-controlling device (94) are provided in the temperature-controlling tunnel (22) such that a workpiece (16) at least within an active section (98) in the temperature-controlling tunnel (22) can be under the influence of both the full-space temperature-controlling device (86) as well as the local temperature-controlling device (94). A system (14) and a method for controlling the temperature of workpieces (16) are additionally provided.