Treatment system and method for treating workpieces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing treatment systems for drying coated vehicle bodies are not energy-efficient due to inefficient heating systems and gas circulation methods.

Innovation Solution

A treatment system with a self-contained heating gas duct that recirculates heated gas through circulating air modules, allowing for efficient heating and reuse of gas, reducing energy consumption by maintaining a consistent temperature and minimizing fresh gas supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a conventional heating system with open gas flow is used, then the system design is simple, but energy efficiency is poor due to continuous fresh gas supply and exhaust gas discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidheating system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system continuously recirculates heated gas through the treatment chamber via the flue gas guide, maintaining continuous useful heating action without continuous fresh gas supply, thereby improving energy efficiency while managing system complexity through structured gas flow paths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system recovers heated gas from the treatment chamber and redirects it through the flue gas guide back into the treatment chamber, preventing energy waste by reusing the heated gas instead of discarding it with exhaust, thus improving energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Loss of energy

If fresh gas is continuously supplied and exhaust gas is discharged, then gas quality is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidfresh gas supply quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system recovers heated gas that would otherwise be discharged as exhaust and redirects it through the flue gas guide back into the treatment chamber, reducing the quantity of fresh gas needed and minimizing energy loss by reusing thermal energy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The flue gas guide creates a feedback loop where heated gas from the treatment chamber is continuously redirected back into the treatment chamber, maintaining gas quality and temperature while reducing the need for continuous fresh gas supply and minimizing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If the flue gas guide is designed as a closed ring structure, then gas is recirculated multiple times improving energy efficiency, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy lossVSAvoidflue gas guide structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flue gas guide is designed as a closed ring structure with curved paths that enable gas to circulate multiple times through the treatment chamber, improving energy efficiency by maximizing heat utilization while the structured geometric design manages the complexity through predictable flow patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The closed ring flue gas guide serves multiple functions: it recirculates heated gas, maintains temperature consistency, reduces energy loss, and provides a structured path for gas flow, thereby improving energy efficiency while the multi-functionality justifies the structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 achieves energy-efficient workpiece drying by effectively recycling and reheating gas, reducing energy costs and improving the efficiency of the drying process.

Implementation Method 1

heating of the gas flows by means of a hot gas flow which is guided in a self-contained hot gas line of a heating system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

gas flows guided in separate circuits... heating of the gas flows by means of a hot gas flow which is guided in a self-contained hot gas line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

The flue gas guide is preferably designed to be ring-shaped and closed, so that at least a partial gas flow of a flue gas flow guided in the flue gas guide passes through the flue gas guide multiple times

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas recirculation: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3730884B1Treatment system and method for treating workpieces
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 DUERR SYST AG
  • EP3730884B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3730884B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3730884B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In order to provide a treatment system that is simple in design and enables energy-efficient workpiece treatment, it is proposed that the treatment system comprise the following: a treatment room comprising several treatment room sections, each assigned to one of several separate recirculating air modules of the treatment system; a heating system comprising a self-contained hot gas flow, with several recirculating air modules coupled to the hot gas flow, in particular for heating the gas passed through the treatment room sections.