EP1080788A1 - Cooling zone of a painting installation and method for operating such a cooling zone - Google Patents

Abstract

The cooling zone has a tunnel-shaped cabin (106) with bounding walls (114,118) extending between an entrance and exit for the painted object and nozzles (162) in the bounding for cooling air walls into the interior of the cabin. At least part of the bounding walls of the cooling zone cabin can be heated in the entrance region. An Independent claim is also included for a method of cooling a painted and dried object or vehicle in a cooling zone.

Description

The present invention relates to a cooling zone of at least one a painting booth, a heated dryer to dry painted objects and one in the direction of the dryer cooling zone downstream of the objects for cooling of the painted and dried objects Painting system, the cooling zone being a tunnel-like cooling zone cabin with the interior of the refrigerator compartment Boundary walls, which are between a Entry opening and an exit opening of the cooling zone cabin extend for the painted objects, and the boundary walls the cooling zone cabin in one to the entrance opening adjacent inlet area of the cooling zone with nozzles for blowing cooling air into the interior of the cooling zone cabin are provided.

A paint shop for which such a cooling zone is provided is, in particular a painting system for coating Vehicle bodies with paints, has as an essential part a tunnel-like row of cabins that go from one to another painting object, such as a vehicle body, be run through one after the other; to this end a conveyor extends through the cabin row through, with the help of the objects to be painted be transported through the painting system. In doing so, a Object to be painted, if necessary after a suitable one Pretreatment in a paint booth where it is can be a paint spray booth, coated with paint, which is then dried in a heated dryer, for what purpose the painted surfaces on a prescribed increased temperature must be brought. The in Solvent vapors are removed from the dryer extracted and burned, for example, before the dryer exhaust air is led outdoors. In the direction of the There are paint objects behind the dryer the cooling zone provided with the tunnel-like cooling zone cabin, in which the painted and dried objects cooled become. If the dryer is operated continuously, it is required for thermal separation of the dryer from the colder areas of the paint shop adjacent to the dryer a dryer entrance and a dryer exit lock to provide the also tunnel-like, from the painted Objects have through-going cabins, usually in the heated fresh air is blown into an air curtain to form, through which the painted objects passed become. Even with such an air curtain can not be avoided, however, that from the dryer in the Cooling zone get solvent vapors from the painted and dried items from the dryer into the cooling zone be carried over and / or during transport of the painted Objects from the dryer into the cooling zone from the dryer exit and get into the cooling zone.

These solvent vapors cause problems in the cooling zone, because they are on the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin in the inlet area condense in the cooling zone due to the The fact that the solvent vapors are warm and therefore inside the cooling zone cabin rise, preferably in upper area of the boundary walls of the refrigerator compartment. Drips on the upper areas of the boundary walls of the refrigerator compartment condensed solvent condensate on the painted objects conveyed through the cooling zone cabin this can damage the painted surfaces arise. That flows on the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin solvent condensate formed on the boundary walls descending and getting into the area of the nozzles, through which cooling air into the interior of the cooling zone cabin is blown in, the solvent condensate can be blown in Cooling air flow entrained and to the painted objects worn, which in turn damages the painted surfaces.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to create a cooling zone of the type mentioned, the allows the painted objects to cool down quickly, without the presence of solvent condensate on these objects caused paint damage occur.

This task is carried out in a cooling zone with the characteristics of Preamble of claim 1 solved according to the invention in that that at least a portion of the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin is heatable in the inlet area of the cooling zone.

By heating the partial area of the boundary walls Refrigerated zone booth will start the formation of solvent condensate this sub-area significantly reduced or completely eliminated. The solvent vapors emitted by the painted objects are instead with the cooling air from the cooling zone cabin aspirated.

The fact that in the inlet area of the invention Cooling zone at the same time by blowing the painted objects effectively cooled by cooling air and yet by heating of the partial area of the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin the formation of solvent condensate in the inlet area effective on the heatable portion of the boundary walls is prevented, the cooling zone according to the invention enables the painted objects for a short period of time in the inlet area to cool so far that the painted objects no more solvent vapors emit without having to stay in the inlet area there is a risk that the boundary walls of the Cooling zone cabin dripping or from the cooling air flow to the Painted objects transported solvent condensate damages the painted surfaces of the objects.

After the painted objects in the inlet area of the Cooling zone have been cooled so far that they do not release solvent vapors can emit more, the objects into one outlet area adjoining the inlet area of the cooling zone in which the objects are brought through Blowing of cooling air can be cooled further without the Boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin in this outlet area should be heated.

It is essential for the solution according to the invention that the blowing in of cooling air into the interior of the refrigerator compartment and heating a portion of the boundary walls of the Refrigeration zone cabin does not take place separately from each other, but both at the same time in the inlet area of the cooling zone he follows.

Would only in the inlet area of the cooling zone by blowing in Cooled air would be cooled due to condensation of solvent on the boundary walls of the refrigerator compartment set the above problems in this area.

On the other hand, would only be a partial area in the lead-in area the boundary walls of the refrigerator zone heated, the painted objects in the inlet area, however, not at the same time also cooled, so would be on the boundary walls the cooling zone cabin in the inlet area no solvent condensate form; however, there would be no solvent vapors transported away from the painted objects, and the painted objects would not be in a sufficiently short time Cooled down so far that they do not emit solvent vapors and transported to an unheated cooling zone could become.

The cooling zone according to the invention is therefore much more suitable for a sufficiently rapid cooling of the painted objects avoiding damage from solvent condensate to achieve than already known from the prior art Solutions where, for example, the cabin ceiling one between the dryer and the cooling zone of a paint shop arranged cabin-like lock is heated without that in this lock cooling air to cool the painted Objects is blown.

To reduce the risk that solvent condensate from the Cooling air flow blown through a nozzle to the painted Objects, it is advantageous if at least one of the nozzles through which the cooling air enters the interior the cooling zone cabin is blown into the heatable Part of the boundary walls of the refrigerator compartment in the Inlet area is arranged.

To entrain solvent condensate through a flow of cooling air to largely prevent the painted objects, it is particularly convenient if everyone is in the infeed area the cooling zone arranged nozzles in the heatable Part of the cooling zone cabin are arranged.

As already stated, the solvent vapors rise in the inlet area the cooling zone cabin upwards, so that in particular in the ceiling area of the refrigerator zone, there is a risk of Solvent condensate formation. In a preferred one Embodiment of the invention is therefore provided that a Top wall of the cooling zone cabin in the inlet area of the cooling zone is essentially fully heated.

Also the upper areas of the side walls of the refrigerator section are preferred places for the formation of solvent condensate is therefore advantageously provided that a upper area of the side walls of the cooling zone cabin in the inlet area the cooling zone can be heated essentially over the entire surface is.

Especially when the upper area of the side walls of the Cooling zone cabin in the entrance area of the cooling zone in such a way is inclined that an upper edge of this area of a vertical Longitudinal median plane facing the cooling zone and a lower one Edge of this area of the vertical median longitudinal plane of the Cooling zone facing away, it is advantageous to use this upper area designed to be fully heatable, especially with a sidewall portion inclined as described above there is a risk that such a side wall area formed solvent condensate from the top of the painted objects dripping down.

To prevent the formation of solvent condensate on the heatable Partial area of the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin effective to prevent, it is advantageously provided that the heatable part of the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin in the inlet area of the cooling zone by heating to a Temperature from about 80 ° C to about 130 ° C can be brought.

About the type of heating of the heatable sections of the Boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin have so far been no details given.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, that the heatable portion of the boundary walls the cooling zone cabin in the inlet area of the cooling zone an electric resistance heater is heated. A such electrical heating is particularly easy on the desired temperature adjustable.

The installation of the electrical resistance heater designed is particularly easy when the heated section the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin comprise wall elements, in each of which an electrical resistance heating element is integrated is.

Such wall elements are simple and inexpensive to manufacture, if they each have two sheets of an electrically insulating Material, preferably glass plates, and a between electrical resistance heating element arranged in these plates include.

In particular, it can be provided that the electrical resistance heating element as a transparent resistance heating layer is trained; when using glass plates this remains maintain the transparency of the wall elements.

Alternatively or in addition to electrical heating can also be provided that the heatable portion of the Boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin by means of a hot gas is heated.

Such heating can be implemented in a simple manner be that the cooling zone one in the inlet area of the Cooling zone arranged hot gas duct includes which with the heatable part of the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin is in heat-conducting contact.

A particularly efficient heat transfer from the hot gas to the heatable section is achieved when advantageously a lateral limitation of the hot gas duct through the heatable part of the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin is formed.

When the hot gas duct clean gas from a thermal exhaust air purification system can be supplied to the painting system as hot gas, it is thereby avoided that additional to heat the hot gas Energy needs to be spent on. Rather, in this case, the heating of the heatable part of the Boundary walls of the refrigerator compartment to an efficient Use of the in the clean gas of the thermal exhaust air cleaning system the heat contained in the painting system.

Because the clean gas of the thermal exhaust air cleaning system immediately after exiting the exhaust air cleaning system in usually has a higher temperature than that for heating of the heatable section to a temperature in Range from about 80 ° C to about 130 ° C is required is, can optimal use of the contained in the clean gas Heat should be provided that the clean gas from the thermal Exhaust air purification system before being fed to the hot gas duct by at least one heat exchanger for heating air circulating through the dryer.

Since the hot gas even after passing through the hot gas channel temperature in the cooling zone is higher than the outside air temperature has, can lead to an efficient use of the residual heat content the hot gas be provided that the hot gas after being fed to the hot gas duct through a heat exchanger for heating those to be blown into the locks of the dryer Fresh air can be passed through.

Since the contact with the painted objects in the Cooling zone cabin warmed and loaded with solvent vapors Cooling air due to the buoyancy in the cooling zone cabin rises above, it is advantageous if the refrigerator compartment in the outlet openings arranged in the upper region of their boundary walls for the exit of the cooling air from the interior of the Refrigerated zone cabin includes a complete suction of all To reach solvent vapors from the refrigerator compartment.

The cooling zone cabin is simple in construction when the outlet openings are between each Ceiling wall and a side wall of the refrigerator zone cabin arranged are.

Is alternatively or additionally provided that the Cooling zone cabin arranged in the lower region of its boundary walls Outlet openings for the outlet of the cooling air includes from the interior of the refrigerator compartment, so is by this measure a favorable flow pattern in the interior of the Refrigerated zone cabin generated in which a large part of the blown Cooling air surfaces and, if necessary, the inner surfaces of painted objects before painting the Cooling zone cabin leaves again, so that a particularly effective Cooling of the painted objects in the cooling zone cabin is achieved.

The one from the interior of the refrigerator compartment in the inlet area escaping cooling air is through an inlet area cooling air discharge duct removed from the cooling zone. Since the from the Cooling air escaping inlet solvent condensate droplets contains which should not get into the ambient air, is advantageously in the inlet area cooling air discharge duct at least one condensate separator arranged.

This condensate separator can, depending on the drop size and Amount of solvent condensate as separation medium a wire mesh, comprise a monofilament or a lamellar structure.

To prevent contamination of the downstream of the condensate separator Areas of the inlet area cooling air discharge duct, in particular an exhaust air fan or exhaust air unit arranged therein, Preventing them as completely as possible is preferred provided that in the inlet area cooling air discharge duct at least two in the flow direction of the cooling air condensate separators arranged one behind the other are. Such a multi-stage condensate separation essentially all of the cooling air discharged contained contained solvent condensate droplets.

As already stated, the painted objects in the Inlet area of the cooling zone cooled down so far that then a further cooling of the objects is possible without that solvent vapors are emitted from the objects, so that no heating to avoid solvent condensate formation more is needed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention is therefore provided that the cooling zone is in the flow direction of the objects adjoining the infeed area Has outlet area, the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin in the outlet area with nozzles for blowing in Cooling air is provided in the interior of the cooling zone cabin, the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin in the outlet area but do not have to be heated.

By not heating the boundary walls of the Cooling zone cabin in the outlet area, the cooling zone is cheaper producible and operable.

To extract the cooling air from the interior of the cooling zone cabin to keep the required fan power low, it is advantageously provided that the cooling zone next to the inlet area cooling air discharge duct through which the exiting from the interior of the cooling zone cabin in the inlet area Cooling air is extracted, a separate outlet area cooling air discharge duct for those from the interior of the Cooling zone cabin in the outlet area includes cooling air. As from the interior of the cooling zone cabin in the outlet area escaping cooling air not with solvent condensate is loaded, it is not necessary in the outlet area cooling air discharge duct to provide a condensate separator, what the of the cooling air flow through the outlet area cooling air discharge duct flow resistance to be overcome decreased.

Since there may be adverse operating conditions or in the event of a heating failure that can occur Solvent condensate on the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin in the inlet area, it is favorable if the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin in the inlet area are provided with shielding elements on the boundary walls condensate flowing down from the inlet openings of the nozzles at which the injected cooling air into the interior the refrigerator compartment enters, keep away. This will even under unfavorable operating conditions or in the event of failure prevents the heating of the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin, that solvent condensate in the area of the inlet openings of the nozzles and the injected cooling air flow transported to the painted objects becomes.

If necessary, in a lower area free of nozzles solvent condensate formed on the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin To be able to remove from the cooling zone can be provided be that the cooling zone at least one, preferably Condensate container that can be removed from the cooling zone for storage of the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin in the inlet area includes dripping condensate.

The present invention is based on the further object a method for cooling in a paint booth painted and dried objects in a heated dryer in a direction in which the objects pass Dryer downstream cooling zone, the cooling zone a tunnel-like cooling zone cabin with the interior of the cooling zone cabin delimiting boundary walls, which are between an inlet opening and an outlet opening the cooling zone cabin for the painted objects, in the cooling air by means of the boundary walls the cooling zone cabin in an adjacent to the inlet opening Inlet area provided nozzles in the interior of the Cooling zone cabin is blown in to create a quick Allows the painted objects to cool without that caused on these objects by solvent condensate Paint damage occurs.

This task is carried out in a method with the characteristics of Preamble of claim 26 solved according to the invention in that that at least a portion of the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin is heated in the inlet area of the cooling zone.

Special configurations of the method according to the invention are the subject of claims 27 to 44, the advantages of which are already above in connection with the special configurations the cooling zone according to the invention has been explained are.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer teilweise aufgebrochenen ersten Ausführungsform einer Kühlzone, deren Kühlzonenkabine im Einlaufbereich elektrisch beheizt wird, wobei die Kühlluft durch Austrittsöffnungen im oberen Bereich der Kühlzonenkabine austritt;

Fig. 2

einen schematischen vertikalen Längsschnitt durch die Kühlzone aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

einen schematischen horizontalen Längsschnitt durch die Kühlzone aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

einen schematischen Querschnitt durch den Einlaufbereich der Kühlzone aus Fig. 1 im Bereich eines Kühlluft-Zuführkanals;

Fig. 5

einen schematischen Querschnitt durch den Einlaufbereich der Kühlzone aus Fig. 1 im Bereich eines Einlaufbereich-Kühlluft-Abführkanals;

Fig. 6

einen schematischen Querschnitt durch einen Auslaufbereich der Kühlzone aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht auf einen als Drahtgestrick ausgebildeten Kondensatabscheider;

Fig. 8

einen Querschnitt durch den als Drahtgestrick ausgebildeten Kondensatabscheider aus Fig. 7;

Fig. 9

eine Draufsicht auf einen als Monofilament ausgebildeten Kondensatabscheider;

Fig. 10

einen Querschnitt durch den als Monofilament ausgebildeten Kondensatabscheider aus Fig. 9;

Fig. 11

einen Querschnitt durch einen aus Lamellen aufgebauten Kondensatabscheider;

Fig. 12

einen schematischen vertikalen Längsschnitt durch eine zweite Ausführungsform einer Kühlzone mit einer im Einlaufbereich elektrisch beheizten Kühlzonenkabine, die im unteren Bereich ihrer Seitenwände angeordnete Austrittsöffnungen für die in den Einlaufbereich eingeblasene Kühlluft aufweist;

Fig. 13

einen schematischen horizontalen Längsschnitt durch die Kühlzone aus Fig. 12;

Fig. 14

einen schematischen Querschnitt durch den Einlaufbereich der Kühlzone aus Fig. 13 im Bereich von Kühlluft-Zuführkanälen;

Fig. 15

einen schematischen vertikalen Längsschnitt durch eine dritte Ausführungsform einer Kühlzone mit einer im Einlaufbereich durch Heißgas beheizten Kühlzonenkabine, die im oberen Bereich ihrer Seitenwände angeordnete Austrittsöffnungen für in den Einlaufbereich eingeblasene Kühlluft aufweist;

Fig. 16

einen schematischen vertikalen Längsschnitt durch die Kühlzone aus Fig. 15;

Fig. 17

einen schematischen Querschnitt durch den Einlaufbereich der Kühlzone aus Fig. 15; und

Fig. 18

eine schematische Darstellung der Heißluft-Führung durch die Kühlzone aus Fig. 15.

Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and drawing of exemplary embodiments. The drawings show:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a partially broken first embodiment of a cooling zone, the cooling zone cabin is electrically heated in the inlet area, the cooling air exiting through outlet openings in the upper region of the cooling zone cabin;

Fig. 2

a schematic vertical longitudinal section through the cooling zone of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

a schematic horizontal longitudinal section through the cooling zone of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

a schematic cross section through the inlet area of the cooling zone of Figure 1 in the area of a cooling air supply duct.

Fig. 5

2 shows a schematic cross section through the inlet area of the cooling zone from FIG. 1 in the area of an inlet area cooling air discharge duct;

Fig. 6

a schematic cross section through an outlet area of the cooling zone of FIG. 1;

Fig. 7

a plan view of a wire mesh condensate separator;

Fig. 8

a cross section through the wire mesh condensate separator from Fig. 7;

Fig. 9

a plan view of a condensate separator designed as a monofilament;

Fig. 10

a cross section through the condensate separator formed as a monofilament from Fig. 9;

Fig. 11

a cross section through a condensate separator built up of fins;

Fig. 12

a schematic vertical longitudinal section through a second embodiment of a cooling zone with a cooling zone cabin electrically heated in the inlet area, which has outlet openings arranged in the lower region of its side walls for the cooling air blown into the inlet area;

Fig. 13

a schematic horizontal longitudinal section through the cooling zone of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14

a schematic cross section through the inlet area of the cooling zone of Figure 13 in the area of cooling air supply channels.

Fig. 15

a schematic vertical longitudinal section through a third embodiment of a cooling zone with a cooling zone cabin heated by hot gas in the inlet area, which has outlet openings arranged in the upper region of its side walls for cooling air blown into the inlet region;

Fig. 16

a schematic vertical longitudinal section through the cooling zone of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17

a schematic cross section through the inlet area of the cooling zone of Fig. 15; and

Fig. 18

15 shows a schematic illustration of the hot air guidance through the cooling zone from FIG. 15.

The same or functionally equivalent elements are in all Figures with the same reference numerals.

One shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, designated as a whole by 100 first embodiment of a cooling zone comprises a standing on a hall floor 102, essentially cuboid Outside cabin 104, which has a tunnel-like inside Cooling zone cabin 106 accommodates. The cooling zone cabin 106 and the outer cabin 104 extend parallel to one another along a common longitudinal direction 108 (perpendicular to 4 to 6).

The cooling zone cabin 106 and the outer cabin 104 have one common floor 110 on which the side walls 112 of the Outside cabin 104 and the side walls 114 of the cooling zone cabin 106 wears.

The outer cabin 104 is up through a flat ceiling wall 116 and the cooling zone cabin 106 by an angled Ceiling wall 118 completed.

In through the floor 110, the side walls 114 and the roof 118 limited interior 120 of the refrigerator compartment 106 is one Conveyor device 122, for example a chain conveyor, arranged, by means of which vehicle bodies mounted on skid frame 124 126 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction 108 Direction of conveyance through the cooling zone cabin 106 are eligible.

The conveyor device 122 is known per se and its concrete Design plays for the present invention no role, so that a detailed description of the Conveyor 122 is dispensed with.

The conveyor device 122 conveys the previously in a (not painted booth and painted in a (not shown) heated dryer dried vehicle bodies 126 by one designated by 128 in FIGS. 2 and 3 Entry opening into the cooling zone booth 106 and on an outlet opening (not shown) from the same out, the contours of the inlet opening 128 and the Outlet opening the cross section shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 correspond to the cooling zone cabin 106.

The inlet opening 128 is followed by a one designated by 132 Inlet area of the cooling zone 100, which in turn a front part 134, which directly to the Inlet opening 128 is adjacent, and one along the conveying direction the rear part following the front part 134 136 includes (in Fig. 1, only the rear portion 136 of the lead-in area shown).

A schematic cross section through the front part 134 of the Inlet area 132 is shown in FIG. 4.

As can be seen from Fig. 4, forms in the front part 134 of the inlet area 132 of the between the cooling zone cabin 106 and the outer cabin 104 remaining space front inlet area cooling air supply chamber 138 into which of through the top wall 116 of the outer cabin 104, a cooling air supply duct 140 flows.

The cooling air supply channel 140 is on the cooling air supply chamber 138 opposite end to a (not shown) Cooling air supply connected with a cooling air supply fan.

The symmetrical to a vertical longitudinal median plane 142 of the Cooling zone cabin 106 and the outer cabin 104 are formed and arranged side walls 114 in the front part 134 of the inlet area 132 each include a lower vertical Sidewall area 144 that extends upward from floor 110 extends, an adjoining one, from the vertical Longitudinal median plane 142 inclined lower oblique side wall region 146, one adjoining it upwards middle vertical side wall area 148, one itself adjoining upwards, to the vertical longitudinal median plane 142 inclined upper sloping side wall area 150 and one at the same upper vertical adjoining upwards Side wall area 152, which is the angled ceiling wall 118 the cooling zone cabin 106 carries.

Each of the upper sloping sidewall regions 150 is made of FIG the conveying direction successive, essentially rectangular wall elements 154 assembled, which by means of between two successive wall elements 154 from the top of the central vertical sidewall area 148 to the bottom of the upper vertical sidewall area 152 extending support rails 156 on the middle vertical sidewall area 148 and the top vertical sidewall area 152 are set.

The rectangular wall elements 154 each comprise two rectangular, stacked glass plates 158 and 160, between which a transparent electrically conductive resistance layer is arranged.

Furthermore, each of the wall elements 154 is provided with a nozzle 162, which is the outer glass plate 158 and the inner glass plate 160 penetrates the wall element 154 and the nozzle axis 164 essentially perpendicular to the respective wall element 154 is directed to the vehicle body 126 so that cooling air from each leading inlet cooling air supply chamber through each nozzle 162 138 in the interior 120 the cooling zone cabin 106, directly onto the one to be cooled Vehicle body 126, can be blown.

The nozzles 162 are preferably arranged and aligned in such a way that that the one blown into the interior 120 by the same Cooling air through 126 existing on the vehicle bodies Openings 166, for example window openings, in reach the interior of the vehicle bodies 126 to be cooled can to the inner surfaces of the vehicle bodies 126 paint over and thus achieve a good cooling effect can.

The angled top wall 118 of the cooling zone screen 106 is in the inlet area 132 from successive, along the conveying direction, essentially rectangular wall elements 168 composed.

The wall elements 168, like the wall elements 154, are made of two stacked glass plates 158 and 160 and one interposed transparent resistance layer is formed.

The wall elements 168 are between each other by two successive wall elements 168 extending support rails 171 on each of the upper vertical side wall areas 152 and one in the longitudinal direction 108 extending ridge rail 172 set.

The electrically conductive resistance layers of the wall elements 154 and 168 are each connected via a (not shown) Temperature controller to a power supply (not shown) connected so that wall elements 154 and 168 by means of ohmic shears generated in these resistance layers Heat to a predetermined temperature in the range of approximately 80 ° C to about 130 ° C can be heated.

Which extends along the conveying direction to the front part 134 of the inlet area 132 adjoining rear part 136 of the Inlet area 132 differs, as can be seen from FIG. 5 from the front part 134 of the lead-in area 132 in that between the outside cabin 104 and the cooling zone cabin 106 remaining gap by slightly against the horizontal sloping false ceilings 174 in below the Intermediate ceilings 174 rear inlet area cooling air supply chambers 176 and one above the false ceilings 174 arranged inlet area cooling air discharge chamber 178, in which from above through the top wall 116 of the outer cabin 104 an inlet area cooling air discharge duct 180 opens, divided is.

As can best be seen from FIG. 2, follows the vertical, into the inlet area cooling air discharge chamber 178 opening section of the inlet area cooling air discharge duct 180 a horizontal region 184 of the inlet region cooling air discharge duct 180 in which a first condensate separator 186 and a second condensate separator 188 along the Flow direction of the cooling air arranged one behind the other are.

Each of the condensate traps 186 and 188 includes one a separator medium 192 arranged on a carrier grid 190.

Examples of such separating media are shown in FIGS. 7 to 11 shown.

The separating medium can, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, can be designed as a wire mesh 194, through its mesh, the cooling air in the direction of flow 222 flows through, the condensate droplets carried therein get stuck on wire mesh 194.

Alternatively, the separating medium can be used as a so-called Monofilament 196 may be formed, as in FIGS. 9 and 10 shown, the mesh-like monofilament pyramid-shaped Funnel spans, which flows through the cooling air be, the entrained condensate droplets on the webs of the monofilament get stuck.

There is also the possibility of the separating medium a coulter aligned parallel to one another, transverse to Flow direction of the cooling air of mutually spaced fins 198 to form, which is transverse to the flow direction 222 the cooling air are corrugated and a first curved one Have scraper 200, which in the flow direction the cooling air is located just behind the respective shaft crest and a second curved scraper 201, which in the flow direction of the cooling air behind the first wiper 200 and on the opposite surface of each Slat 198 is arranged. The separation effect comes about in that the entrained in the cooling air Condensate droplets preferred due to their inertia into the spaces between the wipers 200 and 201 and the respective lamella 198 and get stuck there, if the cooling air condensate aerosol through the bulge the slats 198 is accelerated transversely to the direction of flow.

The slats 198 and the monofilament 196 can be made from one Plastic material such as polyethylene or polytetrafluoroethylene be educated.

That in the flow direction of the cooling air behind the condensate separators 186 and 188 lying end of the horizontal area 184 of the inlet area cooling air discharge duct 180 connected to a cooling air discharge chimney (not shown).

The front end of the inlet area cooling air discharge chamber as seen in the conveying direction 178 is vertical front partition 202 (see FIG. 2) opposite the front Entry area cooling air supply chamber 138 completed.

The rear lead-in area cooling air supply chambers 176 are however, at its front end in the conveying direction towards the front inlet area cooling air supply chamber 138 open so that the cooling air supplied to the cooling zone 100 is out the cooling air supply passage 140 through the front lead-in cooling air supply chamber 138 into the rear inlet area cooling air supply chambers 176 can reach.

Furthermore, the upper vertical side wall regions 152 are in the rear part 136 of the inlet area 132 not, as in its front part 134, completely closed, but with Inlet area outlet openings 204, which are between each of the upper sloping side wall areas 150 on the one hand and the angled ceiling wall 118 of the cooling zone cabin 106, on the other hand, extend in the longitudinal direction 108.

That from the cooling air from the interior 120 of the cooling zone cabin 106 flow-through clear width of the inlet area outlet openings 204 is on the angled ceiling wall 118 held, slidable in the vertical direction 206 adjustable.

Otherwise, the structure of the cooling zone 100 in the rear is correct Part 136 of the inlet area 132 with its structure in the front Part 134 of the inlet area 132 match.

In particular, wall elements 154 and 168 are the top sloping side wall region 150 or the top wall 118 in trained in the manner already described and thus electrically during the operation of the cooling zone to a temperature heatable in the range from approximately 80 ° C. to approximately 130 ° C.

Furthermore, the wall elements 154 have nozzles 162 through which Cooling air from the rear inlet area cooling air supply chambers 176 blown into the interior 120 of the refrigerator compartment 106 can be.

When viewed in the conveying direction to the rear, the inlet area cooling air discharge chamber is 178 through a vertical rear Partition 208 completed.

From this partition 208 to the exit opening of the cooling zone cabin 106 extends in the conveying direction the lead-in area 132 following lead-out area 210 of the cooling zone 100.

As can be seen from Fig. 6, the structure differs the cooling zone 100 in the outlet area 210 from its construction in the rear part 136 of the inlet area 132 in that the angled ceiling wall 118 'of the cooling zone cabin 106 in the outlet area 210 not from heated wall elements, but is formed by non-heatable sheets 212.

The upper sloping side wall area 150 'of the cooling zone cabin 106 cannot be heated in the outlet area 210. The between the outside cabin 104 and the cooling zone cabin 206 in Spout area 210 is left by a gap horizontal false ceiling 214 in below the false ceiling 214 arranged outlet area cooling air supply chambers 216, which with the rear inlet area cooling air supply chambers 176 communicate so that cooling air from the cooling air supply duct 140 through the front lead-in cooling air supply chamber 138 and the rear inlet area cooling air supply chambers 176 into the outlet area cooling air supply chambers 216, and into one above the false ceiling 214 arranged outlet area cooling air discharge chamber 218 into which from above through the top wall 116 of the outer cabin 104 Outlet area cooling air discharge duct 220 opens, divided.

The drain area cooling air discharge chamber 218 is with the interior 120 of the cooling zone cabin 106 via outlet area outlet openings 221, the clear width by means of sliders 223 is adjustable, connected.

The outlet area cooling air discharge duct 220 is via a Cooling air suction fan (not shown) to a cooling air discharge chimney connected through which from the interior 120 of the cooling zone cabin 106 extracted cooling air into the Environment can escape.

It can also be provided that the inlet area cooling air discharge duct 180 on a in the flow direction of the cooling air behind the condensate separators 186 and 188 Merged with the outlet area cooling air discharge duct 220 is so that both discharge channels through the same suction fan and the same cooling air discharge chimney into the surrounding one Atmosphere.

As can be seen from Fig. 6, the upper slopes are also Sidewall regions 150 ′ of the outlet region 210 with nozzles 162 provided which the upper inclined side wall regions 150 ' enforce essentially vertically and through which the Cooling air from the exit area cooling air supply chambers 216 in the interior 120 of the cooling zone cabin 106 is inflatable.

For a higher cooling capacity in the outlet area 210 of the cooling zone To achieve 100 is the number of nozzles 162 per unit area in the upper sloping side wall areas 150 ' of the outlet area 210 higher than in the upper inclined side wall areas 150 of the lead-in area 132 also the middle vertical rare wall areas 148 ', the lower sloping side wall portions 146 'and the lower vertical Side wall regions 144 'of the side walls 114 of the cooling zone cabin 106 provided in the outlet area 210 with nozzles 162, whose nozzle axes 164 to those through the cooling zone booth 106 funded vehicle bodies 126 are directed.

The first embodiment of a cooling zone described above 100 works as follows:

The vehicle bodies 126 are in one in the pass direction of the vehicle bodies 126 upstream of the cooling zone 100 Paint booth painted and in a heated dryer dried. The vehicle bodies 126 leave the Tumble dry in the heated state and run in this state through the inlet opening 128 into the inlet area 132 of FIG Cooling zone 100 on.

Together with the vehicle bodies 126, there are solvent vapors from the dryer into the inlet area 132 of the Cooling zone 100 carried over. Furthermore, from the coatings, the seam sealing materials, insulating mats etc. the heated ones Vehicle bodies 126 so long solvent vapors and / or plasticizer vapors are emitted until the vehicle bodies 126 have cooled sufficiently.

The cooling of the vehicle bodies 126 in the entry area 132 of the cooling zone 100 is achieved in that by means of Cooling air supply fan blows in outside air at ambient temperature and under increased pressure through the cooling air supply duct 140 into the front intake area cooling air supply chamber 138 and the two rear inlet area cooling air supply chambers 176 is funded. These chambers become the cooling air blown through the nozzles 162 onto the vehicle bodies 126, which cool down through contact with the cooling air. The heated by contact with the vehicle bodies 126 and cooling air loaded with solvent vapors is removed by the Inlet area outlet openings 204 in the upper area of the Cooling zone booth 106 into the entry area cooling air discharge chamber 178 extracted from where it enters the intake area cooling air discharge duct 180 arrives.

When flowing through the cooling air discharge duct in the inlet area 180 deposed condensate separators 186 and 188 those contained in the cooling air solvent condensate aerosol Solvent condensate droplets deposited so that a Contamination in the flow direction of the cooling air the condensate absorbers 186 and 188 following areas of the inlet area cooling air discharge duct 180 and the cooling air extractor and the cooling air discharge chimney through solvent condensate is largely prevented.

The course of the cooling air flow through the inlet area 132 the cooling zone 100 is indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5 by arrows 222.

Condensation of solvent vapors on the interior 120 facing inner sides of the top wall 118 and the top sloping side wall regions 150 are thereby avoided that these wall areas by means of electrical heating the resistance heating layers arranged therein during operation the cooling zone 100 at a temperature in the range of approximately 80 ° C to about 130 ° C.

In the lower, unheated side wall areas 148, 146 and 144, no nozzles 162 are provided, so that the lower ones Solvent condensate that forms on the side walls also not with injected cooling air on the vehicle bodies 126 can reach.

Rather, formed runs on the lower side wall areas Condensate to the bottom 110 of the refrigerator zone 106 down.

Optionally, the condensate draining off at the bottom 110 of the Cooling zone screen 106 arranged (not shown) condensate collection containers to be caught.

Such condensate collection containers are preferably from the Cooling zone booth 106 can be removed to the accumulated therein To be able to dispose of condensate from time to time.

The dwell time of each vehicle body 126 in the lead-in area 132 of the cooling zone 100 is typically approximately 1 up to 2 minutes.

It can be provided that the conveyor 122 Vehicle body 126 substantially during the dwell time continuously through the inlet area 132 of the cooling zone 100 conveyed through.

Alternatively, it can also be provided that the conveyor device 122 works in cyclical operation, that is, a vehicle body 126 into the inlet area 132 of the cooling zone 100 into the vehicle body 126 during the dwell time of about 1 to 2 minutes in the lead-in area 132 can rest and then the vehicle body 126 in the Outflow area 210 of the cooling zone 100 further promotes. Such a intermittent operation of the conveyor 122 offers the Advantage that the length of the inlet area 132 is along the conveying direction only slightly larger than the length of a vehicle body 126 must be chosen.

The dwell time in the inlet area 132 of the cooling zone 100 is dimensioned so that the vehicle bodies 126 at the end of the stay are cooled so far that they are essentially no longer emit solvent and / or plasticizer vapors. In the outlet area adjoining the inlet area 132 210 of the cooling zone 100 can the vehicle bodies 126 therefore continue to be cooled with great cooling capacity without that the risk of condensation on the inner walls of the Cooling zone cabin 106, so that the heating Top wall 118 'and the upper sloping side wall areas 150 'can be dispensed with in the outlet area 210.

In the outlet area 210 is through the rear inlet area cooling air supply chambers 176 the lead-out area cooling air supply chambers 216 cooling air supplied through nozzles 162 in the interior 120 of the cooling zone blown 106 and through the outlet area outlet openings 221 into the outlet area cooling air discharge chamber 218 suctioned from where the in the interior 120 heated cooling air through the outlet area cooling air discharge duct 220, the cooling air suction fan and the Cooling air discharge chimney gets into the environment. Because the in the outlet area 210 extracted cooling air essentially no solvent condensate is in the outlet area cooling air discharge duct 220 no condensate separator required.

Through the separate extraction of the cooling air from the inlet area 132 of the cooling zone 100 on the one hand and from the outlet area 210 of the cooling zone 100 on the other hand, it is achieved that only the cooling air extracted from the inlet area 132, which is loaded with solvent condensate, one or more Condensate trap must pass.

On the one hand, this allows the condensate separator to be made smaller than would be required if the entire cooling air extracted from the cooling zone 100 the condensate separator should happen.

Further occurs only in the inlet area cooling air discharge duct 180 a pressure loss caused by the condensate separator on, so that to extract the cooling air from the cooling zone 100 suction fans used are correspondingly smaller can be.

A second embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 a cooling zone 100 differs from that above described first embodiment in that the in Interior 120 blown cooling air in the inlet area 132 of the Cooling zone not through in the upper area of the cooling zone cabin 106 arranged outlet openings, but through in the lower Area of the cooling zone cabin 106 in the lower vertical Sidewall areas 144 of the inlet area 132 provided Outlet openings 224 is sucked off, the clear width is adjustable by means of sliders 225.

As can be seen from FIG. 14, in the inlet area 132 second embodiment of a cooling zone 100 between the Outside cabin 104 and the cooling zone cabin 106 remaining space through at the top of the bottom vertical Sidewall areas 144 arranged, substantially horizontal False ceilings 226 in below the false ceiling 226 arranged inlet area cooling air discharge chambers 178 ' and inlet area cooling air supply chambers located above the false ceilings 226 176 'divided.

The two are arranged on the left and right of the refrigerated zone booth 106 Entry area cooling air supply chambers 176 'are included by means of one extending in the longitudinal direction 108 vertical partition 228 separated from one another as possible symmetrical flow pattern of the cooling air in the interior 120 to achieve. In each of the lead-in area cooling air supply chambers 176 'opens from above through the top wall 116 of the Outside cabin 104 each have a cooling air supply duct 140.

The top wall 118 ″ of the cooling zone cabin 106 is in the in 12 to 14 shown second embodiment a cooling zone 100 not angled, but flat; however, this embodiment could easily be used an angled ceiling wall can be used.

As best seen in Fig. 12, the inlet area cooling air discharge chambers open 178 'at the rear in the conveying direction lying end of the inlet area 132 in a vertical Inlet area cooling air discharge shaft 230. The two Inlet area cooling air discharge shafts 230 in turn lead into an inlet area cooling air - discharge duct 180, which like the inlet area cooling air discharge duct of the first embodiment with a first condensate separator 186 and a second condensate separator 188 is provided.

The outlet area 210 of the second embodiment also Cooling zone 100 differs from that of the first embodiment only in that the cooling air through in outlet outlet openings arranged at the lower vertical side wall regions 144 ' 232 is suctioned off. Which resulting changes in the structure of the outlet area 210 of the second embodiment correspond exactly to those Changes in the construction of the lead-in area described above 132, so that a detailed description of this Changes are not necessary.

As in the first embodiment, a cooling zone 100 also in the inlet area 132 in the second embodiment the top wall 118 '' and the upper sloping side wall areas 150 made of electrically heatable wall elements 154 and 168 formed so that even in the second embodiment Condensation on the inner walls in the upper area of the Cooling zone cabin 106 is reliably prevented. As a result of that in the second embodiment, the cooling air in the lower area the cooling zone cabin 106 is sucked off, becomes a special favorable, indicated in FIG. 14 by arrows 222, Flow pattern in the interior 120 of the cooling zone cabin 106 reached, in which a large part of the injected cooling air the openings 166 on the vehicle bodies 126 into the interior of vehicle bodies 126 penetrates and through openings on the undersides of the vehicle bodies 126 again emerges from the same, so that it is ensured that also inner surfaces of vehicle bodies 126 that are difficult to access swept by a sufficient cooling air mass flow become.

Otherwise, the second embodiment of a cooling zone is correct 100 in structure and function with the first embodiment agree, reference to their description above is taken.

A third embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 to 18 a cooling zone 100 differs from that above described first embodiment in that instead of a electric heating of the ceiling wall and the upper sloping Side wall areas of the cooling zone cabin 106 in the inlet area 132 heating of these areas by means of them Hot gas passed through wall regions is provided.

As can be seen from the schematic illustration in FIG. 18 is the clean gas of a thermal exhaust air purification system 234 used, in which the dryer 236, in which the painted vehicle bodies 126 dried are removed through a dryer exhaust line 238 Dryer exhaust air through oxidation of the hydrocarbons contained in it is cleaned and heated.

The clean gas of the thermal exhaust air purification system 234 supplied to the cooling zone 100 through a hot gas supply line 240, which is on the warm side before entering the cooling zone 100 passes through a first heat exchanger 242, the cold side of circulating through a heating zone 244 of the dryer 236 Circulated air is flowed through, and a second heat exchanger on the warm side 246 passes through, the cold side of through a holding zone 248 of the dryer 236 circulating circulating air becomes.

After the hot gas is placed in the cooling zone 100 Has flowed through hot gas channel 250, it arrives in a hot gas discharge line 252, in which the hot gas on the warm side flows through third heat exchanger 254, which on the cold side of fresh air drawn in from the environment is flowed through, which after heating in the third heat exchanger by a Fresh air supply line 256 partially an entrance lock 258 and partially an exit lock 260 of the dryer 236 is supplied.

After flowing through the third heat exchanger 254, this occurs Hot gas through a hot gas fireplace 262 into the environment.

The hot gas flow described above ensures that the heat content of the clean gas of the thermal Exhaust air purification system 234 used as completely as possible before the hot gas escapes into the environment.

As best seen in Fig. 17, it differs the structure of the lead-in area 132 of the third embodiment a cooling zone 100 of that of the first embodiment in that the roof 118 '' 'and the upper sloping side wall areas 150 '' of the cooling zone cabin 106 not by electrical heated wall elements are formed, but instead whose hot gas channels extend in the longitudinal direction 108 250 include the interior 120 of the refrigerator compartment 106 facing boundary walls 263 also inner walls of the cooling zone cabin 106 and that by reinforcing ribs 265 can be stiffened. To the interior 120 of the Cooling zone booth 106 facing away from the hot gas channels 250 each has a thermal insulation 264 made of a material poor thermal conductivity arranged to release Heat from the hot gas flowing through the hot gas channels 250 at the between the outside cabin 104 and the cooling zone cabin To prevent 106 remaining space.

The upper sloping side wall portions 150 ″ of the third embodiment are just like the corresponding wall areas the first embodiment with nozzles 162 through which Cooling air from the inlet area cooling air supply chambers 176 blown into the interior 120 of the refrigerator compartment 106 can be. The nozzles 162 are through the thermal insulation 264 separated from the hot gas channels 250 to prevent that the cooling air blown into the interior 120 by the hot gas flowing through the hot gas channels 250 is heated.

The inlet area cooling air discharge chamber 178 is via inlet area outlet openings 204 in the upper area of the Cooling zone cabin 106 with the interior 120 of the cooling zone cabin 106 and at its rear end in the conveying direction with the inlet area cooling air discharge duct 180 of the third Embodiment connected (see Fig. 15).

The hot gas channels 250 are on their in the conveying direction front ends with one in the front part of the inlet area 132 arranged hot gas inlet chamber 272 connected, in which opens the hot gas supply line 240 and in which a hot gas fan 274 is arranged, which hot gas from the hot gas supply line 240 into the hot gas channels 250 promotes.

The hot gas channels 250 in the ceiling wall 118 '' 'and in the upper sloping side wall areas 150 '' are at their in ends of the conveying direction through hot gas shafts 268 connected to each other so that the hot gas through the hot gas channel in the ceiling wall 118 '' 'to the rear end of the inlet area 132 and from there through the hot gas channels 250 into the upper sloping side wall areas 150 '' back in the hot gas inlet chamber 272 arrives.

It also opens into the hot gas inlet chamber 272 from above an inclined partition 269 a hot gas discharge shaft 270 (see FIG. 15), which terminates at the hot gas discharge line 252 is.

Because both the hot gas channels 250 and the hot gas discharge shaft 270 open directly into the hot gas inlet chamber 272, The hot gas fan 274 partially pumps the hot gas into the hot gas channels 250 and partly in the hot gas discharge shaft 270, so that no additional suction fan for suction of the hot gas from the cooling zone 100 is required.

In the operation of the third embodiment of a cooling zone 100 the interior 120 of the cooling zone booth 106 facing inner sides of the ceiling wall 118 '' 'and the upper sloping side wall region 150 ″ of the inlet region 132 of the Cooling zone 100 by absorbing heat from the hot gas, which is conveyed through the hot gas channels 250 and the cooling zone 100 leaves through the hot gas discharge shaft 270 to one Temperature in the range of about 80 ° C to about 130 ° C heated so that the Cooling zone cabin 106 cannot form solvent condensate.

If the ceiling wall 118 '' 'and the upper oblique side wall areas 150 '' but condensate should these wall areas arise, this condensate, if it is on the side walls 114 of the refrigerator compartment 106 runs down, through above and to the side of the nozzle openings arranged shielding elements 276 around the nozzle openings diverted and thus kept away from the nozzle openings, so that even in the event of heating failure prevents condensate drops from entering the interior 120 of the cooling zone cabin 106 entrained cooling air flow and deposited on the vehicle bodies 126 become.

The shielding elements 276 preferably have the shape of a downwardly open U and are on the upper sloping side wall area 150 '', for example by welding. Basically, such shielding elements are also used electrical heating can be used.

Otherwise, the third embodiment of a cooling zone is correct 100 in structure and function with the first embodiment agree, reference to their description above is taken.

Claims (44)

Cooling zone of at least one painting booth, a heated dryer (236) for drying painted objects (126) and a cooling zone (100) downstream of the dryer (236) in the direction of passage of the objects (126) for cooling the painted and dried objects (126) ,
wherein the cooling zone (100) comprises a tunnel-like cooling zone cabin (106) with boundary walls (114, 118; 118 ';118'';118''') delimiting the interior (120) of the cooling zone cabin (106), which is located between an inlet opening ( 128) and an outlet opening of the cooling zone cabin (106) for the painted objects (126),
and the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin (106) in an inlet area (132) of the cooling zone (100) adjacent to the inlet opening (128) are provided with nozzles (162) for blowing cooling air into the interior (120) of the cooling zone cabin (106),
characterized in that
at least a portion of the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin (106) can be heated in the inlet area (132) of the cooling zone (100). Cooling zone according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the nozzles (162) in the heatable section the boundary walls of the refrigerator compartment (106) is arranged in the inlet area (132). Cooling zone according to claim 2, characterized in that all arranged in the inlet area (132) of the cooling zone (100) Nozzles in the heatable part of the boundary walls the cooling zone cabin (106) arranged are. Cooling zone according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that that a ceiling wall (118; 118 ''; 118 '' ') the cooling zone cabin (106) in the inlet area (132) of the Cooling zone (100) can be heated essentially over the entire surface is. Cooling zone according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that that an upper area (150; 150 '') of Side walls (114) of the cooling zone cabin (106) in the inlet area (132) of the cooling zone (100) essentially is fully heated. Cooling zone according to claim 5, characterized in that the upper region (150; 150 '') of the side walls (114) of the Cooling zone cabin (106) in the inlet area (132) of the cooling zone (100) is inclined in such a way that an upper edge this area of a vertical longitudinal median plane (142) facing the cooling zone (100) and a lower edge of this Area of the vertical longitudinal median plane (142) of the cooling zone (100) is turned away. Cooling zone according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that that the heatable portion of the boundary walls the cooling zone cabin (106) in the inlet area (132) the cooling zone (100) by heating to a temperature from about 80 ° C to about 130 ° C. Cooling zone according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that that the heatable portion of the boundary walls the cooling zone cabin (106) in the inlet area (132) the cooling zone (100) by means of an electrical resistance heater is heated. Cooling zone according to claim 8, characterized in that the heatable part of the boundary walls of the Refrigerated zone cabin (106) comprises wall elements (154, 168), in each of which is an electrical resistance heating element is integrated. Cooling zone according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that that the wall elements (154, 168) each two plates made of an electrically insulating material, preferably glass plates (158, 160), and an between electrical resistance heating element arranged in these plates include. Cooling zone according to claim 10, characterized in that the electrical resistance heating element as a transparent Resistance heating layer is formed. Cooling zone according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that that the heatable portion of the boundary walls the cooling zone cabin (106) by means of a hot gas is heated. Cooling zone according to claim 12, characterized in that the cooling zone (100) one in the inlet area (132) Cooling zone (100) arranged hot gas channel (250) comprises which with the heatable part of the boundary walls the cooling zone cabin (106) in heat-conducting contact stands. Cooling zone according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized characterized in that a lateral limitation of the hot gas duct (250) through the heatable section of the Boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin (106) are formed becomes. Cooling zone according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that that the hot gas duct (250) from clean gas a thermal exhaust air purification system (234) Painting system can be fed. Cooling zone according to claim 15, characterized in that the clean gas from the thermal exhaust air cleaning system (234) before being fed to the hot gas channel (250) at least one heat exchanger (242, 246) for heating of air circulating through the dryer (236) is. Cooling zone according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that that the hot gas after being fed to the Hot gas duct (250) through a heat exchanger (254) for Heating in locks (258, 260) of the dryer (236) fresh air to be blown in is passed through. Cooling zone according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that that the cooling zone cabin (106) in the upper Area of their boundary walls arranged outlet openings (204, 221) for the exit of the cooling air from the Interior (120) of the refrigerator compartment (106). Cooling zone according to claim 18, characterized in that the outlet openings (204, 221) each between one Ceiling wall (118; 118 '; 118' '') and a side wall (114) of the cooling zone cabin (106) are arranged. Cooling zone according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that that the cooling zone cabin (106) in the lower Area of their boundary walls arranged outlet openings (224, 232) for the exit of the cooling air from the Interior (120) of the refrigerator compartment (106). Cooling zone according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that that the cooling zone (100) has an inlet area cooling air discharge duct (180) for removal from the Interior (120) of the cooling zone cabin (106) in the inlet area (132) leaking cooling air in which at least one condensate separator (186, 188) is arranged is. Cooling zone according to claim 21, characterized in that at least in the inlet area cooling air discharge duct (180) two in the direction of flow of the cooling air arranged condensate separator (186, 188) arranged are. Cooling zone according to one of claims 21 or 22, characterized characterized in that the cooling zone (100) one in the Direction of passage of the objects (126) to the inlet area (132) has adjoining outlet area (210), the boundary walls of the refrigerator compartment (106) in the outlet area (210) with nozzles (162) for Blowing cooling air into the interior (120) of the cooling zone cabin (106) are provided and the cooling zone next to the inlet area cooling air discharge duct (180) an outlet region cooling air discharge duct (220) for from the interior (120) of the cooling zone cabin (106) in the outlet area (210) leaking cooling air. Cooling zone according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that that the boundary walls of the refrigerator compartment (106) in the inlet area (132) with shielding elements (276) are provided, the flowing down on the boundary walls Condensate from the inlet openings of the nozzles (162) keep away. Cooling zone according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the cooling zone at least one, preferably Removable condensate container from the cooling zone for receiving from the boundary walls of the refrigerator compartment (106) dripping in the inlet area (132) Includes condensate. Method for cooling objects painted in a painting booth and dried in a heated dryer in a cooling zone downstream of the dryer in the direction of passage of the objects, the cooling zone comprising a tunnel-like cooling zone cabin with boundary walls delimiting the interior of the cooling zone cabin, which are located between an inlet opening and an outlet opening of the Extend the cooling zone cabin for the painted objects, in which cooling air is blown into the interior of the cooling zone cabin by means of nozzles provided in the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin in an inlet area adjacent to the inlet opening,
characterized in that
at least a portion of the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin is heated in the inlet area of the cooling zone. A method according to claim 26, characterized in that Cooling air through at least one in the heated section the boundary walls of the refrigerator compartment in the Inlet area arranged nozzle in the interior of the Cooling zone cabin is blown. A method according to claim 27, characterized in that the cooling air in the inlet area of the cooling zone only through in the heated section of the boundary walls the cooling zone cabin arranged nozzles in the interior the cooling zone cabin is blown in. Method according to one of claims 26 to 28, characterized characterized in that a ceiling wall of the refrigerator zone cabin in the inlet area of the cooling zone essentially over the entire surface is heated. Method according to one of claims 26 to 29, characterized characterized by an upper area of side walls the cooling zone cabin in the inlet area of the cooling zone in is essentially heated over the entire surface. Method according to one of claims 26 to 30, characterized characterized in that the heated portion of the boundary walls the cooling zone cabin in the inlet area of the Cooling zone to a temperature of about 80 ° C to about 130 ° C is brought. Method according to one of claims 26 to 31, characterized characterized in that the heated portion of the boundary walls the cooling zone cabin by means of an electrical Resistance heating is heated. Method according to one of claims 26 to 32, characterized characterized in that the heated portion of the boundary walls the cooling zone cabin by means of a hot gas is heated. A method according to claim 33, characterized in that the hot gas through a in the inlet area of the cooling zone arranged hot gas duct is routed, which with the heated part of the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin is in heat-conducting contact. Method according to one of claims 33 or 34, characterized characterized in that the hot gas duct clean gas from a thermal exhaust air purification system is supplied. A method according to claim 35, characterized in that the clean gas from the thermal exhaust air cleaning system before being fed to the hot gas duct by at least a heat exchanger for heating through the dryer circulating air is passed through. Method according to one of claims 33 to 36, characterized characterized in that the hot gas after passing through through the hot gas duct through a heat exchanger for heating of to be blown into locks of the dryer Fresh air is passed through. Method according to one of claims 26 to 37, characterized characterized in that the cooling air from the interior of the Cooling zone cabin through in the upper area of the boundary walls the cooling zone cabin arranged outlet openings is suctioned off. Method according to one of claims 26 to 38, characterized characterized in that the cooling air from the interior of the Cooling zone cabin through in the lower area of the boundary walls the cooling zone cabin arranged outlet openings is suctioned off. Method according to one of claims 26 to 39, characterized characterized in that from the interior of the refrigerator compartment Cooling air extracted in the inlet area by a Inlet area cooling air discharge duct is directed in which arranged at least one condensate separator is. A method according to claim 40, characterized in that at least in the inlet area cooling air discharge duct two in the direction of flow of the cooling air arranged condensate separators are arranged. Method according to one of claims 40 or 41, characterized characterized in that the cooling air from the interior of the Refrigeration zone cabin in one in the flow direction of the objects adjoining the infeed area Outflow area in which the boundary walls of the cooling zone cabin with nozzles for blowing cooling air into the Interior of the refrigerator compartment are provided in one separated from the inlet area cooling air discharge duct Outlet area cooling air discharge duct is directed. Method according to one of claims 26 to 42, characterized characterized in that on the boundary walls of the refrigerator compartment condensate flowing down in the inlet area by means of shielding elements from the inlet openings of the Nozzles is kept away. Method according to one of claims 26 to 43, characterized characterized in that by the boundary walls of the refrigerator zone cabin condensate dripping down in the inlet area is collected in at least one condensate container.

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