Tunnel Finisher Counterflow Air for Energy-Efficient Garment Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tunnel finishers face high energy consumption and issues with residual moisture in difficult-to-dry areas of clothing, leading to overheating or damage, especially in sensitive materials.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using a counter air flow directed opposite to the clothing's transport direction within the treatment chamber, along with extended admission and discharge chambers, and air curtains at the openings to enhance drying efficiency and reduce energy usage, while maintaining lower temperatures to prevent fabric damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high temperatures are used in the after treatment zone to eliminate residual moisture, then drying effectiveness is improved, but fabric damage occurs through overheating, discoloration or burning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying effectivenessVSAvoidfabric damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the drying parameters by introducing a counter air flow that moves opposite to the clothing transport direction. This creates a temperature gradient where the air temperature decreases along the transport direction, allowing effective drying through extended residence time rather than high temperature. The counter flow ensures that moist air is continuously replaced with drier air from the admission chamber, achieving complete drying without overheating sensitive fabrics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If conventional air flow is used in tunnel finishers, then energy consumption is high due to warm air exiting at admission and discharge openings, but this is the standard operating mode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidstandard operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional air flow direction by introducing a counter air flow that moves opposite to the clothing transport direction. The air flow is directed from the discharge chamber toward the admission chamber, creating a positive pressure in the admission chamber that prevents cold outside air from entering. This inversion ensures that warm air is retained within the system and reused, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective drying operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If the residence time of articles in admission and discharge chambers is increased, then drying completeness is improved, but the tunnel finisher length increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying completenessVSAvoidtunnel finisher length

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous counter air flow throughout the treatment chamber that moves opposite to the clothing transport direction. This continuous action ensures that articles are constantly exposed to drier air from the admission chamber throughout their entire residence time, maximizing drying efficiency within the existing chamber length. The counter flow creates a continuous temperature and humidity gradient that maintains optimal drying conditions without requiring extended tunnel length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 results in more rapid and effective drying of clothing, reduced energy consumption, and protection of sensitive materials by minimizing overheating, allowing for complete drying of critical areas without raising drying temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

subjecting the articles of clothing to a counter air flow directed counter to the transporting direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCounter air flow: Convection

Implementation Method 2

an at least small positive pressure is produced in the admission chamber by the counter air flow, as a result of which a smaller amount of cold outside air can enter the admission chamber through the admission opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure production: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

directing a transverse air flow transversely with respect to the transporting direction of the articles of clothing through the treatment chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTransverse air flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS8151392B2Method for smoothing articles of clothing, and tunnel finisher

Publication Date: 2012.04.10 HERBERT KANNEGIESSER GMBH & CO

AI summary

A method for additionally conducting the hot air for finishing the articles of clothing (14) along the articles of clothing (14) in counterflow to the transporting direction (13). This leads to more effective finishing of the articles of clothing (14) with greater energy efficiency, and therefore the tunnel finisher according to the invention consumes less energy.