Temperature control device and method for assembling a temperature control device for heating and/or cooling gases or gas mixtures, in particular for use in the respiratory protection sector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature control devices for respiratory protection in the varnishing and painting sectors often require separate components for heating and cooling, leading to increased production costs and complexity, and do not effectively manage temperature fluctuations caused by ambient conditions, which can result in uncomfortable and potentially harmful temperatures for users.
Innovation Solution
A temperature control device that can be assembled as both a respiratory air heater and cooler using largely the same components, featuring a vortex tube that can be oriented differently to direct hot or cold air flows to the supply output, with a housing design that includes a compressed air input, supply output, and exhaust air output, and utilizes a throttle valve for temperature regulation, allowing for efficient temperature adjustment without the need for additional parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate components are used for heating and cooling in temperature control devices, then heating and cooling functions can be provided, but production costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single temperature control device that can function as both a heater and a cooler through the configurable orientation of the vortex tube. The housing is designed with symmetric fastening openings that allow the vortex tube to be mounted in different orientations, enabling the same device to provide either heating or cooling based on the desired airflow direction, thereby eliminating the need for separate heating and cooling components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate components are used for heating and cooling in temperature control devices, then heating and cooling functions can be provided, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces production costs by implementing a universal device design where the same housing, fastening elements, and vortex tube serve dual heating and cooling functions. By configuring the vortex tube orientation rather than manufacturing separate devices, the patent eliminates redundant components and assembly steps, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and production costs while maintaining full heating and cooling functionality.
3Device complexity
If ambient temperature fluctuations are not managed, then the device structure remains simple, but the respiratory air temperature becomes uncomfortable or harmful for users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses ambient temperature fluctuations by enabling dynamic parameter changes in the respiratory air through vortex tube orientation adjustment. By changing the orientation of the vortex tube, the device can switch between delivering heated air and cooled air, allowing adaptation to varying ambient conditions and user needs without complicating the overall device structure.
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 device provides a cost-effective and efficient solution for temperature control, allowing for easy assembly and reduced production costs by using shared components, effectively managing temperature fluctuations to maintain comfortable and safe respiratory air temperatures for users.
Implementation Method 1
a vortex tube with an air inlet 7, a hot air outlet 8 and a cold air outlet 9
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature control device for heating and/or cooling gases or gas mixtures, in particular for use in the respiratory protection sector. The temperature control device has a housing, a compressed air input, a supply output and a vortex tube with an air inlet, a hot air outlet and a cold air outlet. The vortex tube is installable in at least two final assembly arrangements. In a first arrangement, there is a fluid-conducting connection between the cold air outlet of the vortex tube and the supply output of the temperature control device and, in a second arrangement, there is a fluid-conducting connection between the hot air outlet of the vortex tube and the supply output of the temperature control device. By this configuration, the temperature control device is both a device for heating and cooling respiratory air from mainly the same components with little additional outlay on production and little additional effort during assembly.