Process Chamber Air Curtain and Recirculation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drying systems for vehicle bodies face challenges in efficiently separating the interior process chamber from the environment while maintaining an adequate supply of fresh air, which is crucial to prevent contamination and explosive solvent levels during the drying process.
Innovation Solution
A system with a process chamber that utilizes an air lock with a dual function: creating a fresh air curtain to separate the interior from the environment and dilute solvents, featuring a circulating air line system for temperature control and fresh air supply, with adjustable flow control to optimize energy consumption and prevent solvent buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a fluid flow curtain is used to seal the process chamber interior from the environment, then thermal separation and contamination prevention are improved, but the supply of fresh air to dilute solvents is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the air supply function into two separate paths: (1) a fluid flow curtain path through nozzles at openings for thermal separation and contamination prevention, and (2) a recirculating air duct system path for supplying fresh air to dilute solvents. This segmentation allows each path to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculating air duct system acts as an intermediary mechanism that extracts air from the receiving area, passes it through a tempering device for heating or cooling, and returns it to the receiving area. This intermediary system enables controlled fresh air supply while maintaining the sealing function of the fluid flow curtain.
2Reliability
If fresh air flow is increased to dilute solvents and prevent explosions, then safety is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculating air duct system continuously circulates air through the tempering device and back into the receiving area, maintaining constant fresh air supply for solvent dilution without requiring continuous high-volume fresh air intake. This continuous circulation ensures safety while reducing energy consumption compared to continuous high-volume fresh air replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The tempering device modifies the temperature parameter of the recirculating air, heating or cooling it as needed before returning to the receiving area. This parameter change allows the system to maintain effective solvent dilution with lower volumetric flow rates, reducing the energy required for air handling and heating compared to introducing large volumes of ambient temperature fresh air.
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
The system effectively seals the interior from the environment, dilutes solvents to prevent explosions, and reduces energy consumption by adjusting fresh air flow based on chamber utilization, ensuring safe and efficient drying processes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one nozzle or orifice for generating a fluid flow curtain between the opening and the receiving area for workpieces
Implementation Method 2
the circulated gaseous fluid is guided through a device for tempering, in particular for heating gaseous fluid from the receiving area
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system (1), comprising a process chamber (5), which comprises an interior (39) having an accommodating region (15) for workpieces (3). The process chamber (5) has an opening (12, 14) for supplying or removing workpieces (3). The process chamber (5) is formed with a device (17, 9, 25, 29, 33, 37, 35) for blowing gaseous fluid into the interior (39), which device has at least one nozzle (17, 19) or orifice for producing a fluid flow curtain (21, 23) between the opening (12, 14) and the accommodating region (15) for workpieces (3). The process chamber (5) has an apparatus (74) for supplying fresh air, by means of which fresh air can be introduced into the accommodating region (15) on a side of the fluid flow curtain (21, 23) facing away from the opening (12, 14).