JP-2022520513-A5 -

Dates

Publication Date

20230523

Application Date

20181204

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for heat treatment of automobiles or automobile parts, particularly for the purpose of killing harmful organisms. The heat treatment or high-temperature treatment of an automobile is understood to be the heating of an automobile in such a manner that the automobile, at its coldest point, exceeds a predetermined minimum temperature for a predetermined period of time. Such heat treatment may be used, in particular, to comply with statutory or statutory regulations requiring the treatment of goods to be exported or imported for the purpose of controlling pests. In particular, Australia and New Zealand currently require that vehicles imported from designated countries within a specified period of the year be treated, for example, within 120 hours before the ship departs, in order to control the brown marmorated stink bug (Braun marmorierten Baumwanze (Brown marmorated stink bug, BMSB)). Currently, it is considered sufficient to heat each vehicle so that it reaches a temperature of at least 50°C (Australia) for at least 20 minutes at its coldest point, or at least 56°C (New Zealand) for at least 30 minutes. In this process, the handling of each vehicle must be documented individually, along with all parameters. Depending on the size of the vessel, up to 2,000 vehicles must undergo such handling for cargo. It is well known that such heat treatment can be carried out by reinforcing (ertuechtigt) the warehouse for this purpose or by building it specifically for this purpose. However, this solution involves high investment and a long time for building regulations approval. This is a diagram of an apparatus according to the present invention.This is a plan view of an apparatus according to the present invention.This is a view of the rear wall of the apparatus according to the present invention, from the outside. Figure 1 shows an apparatus according to the present invention with an open cargo opening of an insulated cargo container 1 and cargo ramps 2a and 2b that are opened and extended. For example, a car to be heat-treated for the purpose of killing pests can travel over the cargo ramps 2a and 2b into the interior of the container. After the cargo ramps 2a and 2b are tilted upward, the cargo opening can be closed by the rotation of both double doors 3a and 3b. When the cargo opening is closed, one component 4a , 4b is located on each end side of the interior chamber of the cargo container 1, with one heat exchanger and one blower integrated within each component . A transverse wall 5 is located on the end side of the interior chamber of the cargo container 1, facing the cargo opening, and behind this transverse wall 5 is a cooling unit (not shown) with two blowers. This cooling unit (not shown in this figure) forms a vertical duct. The rear wall of this cooling unit functionally complements the container wall facing the cargo opening. The lateral wall 5 has through-openings (not shown) through which air can flow from the duct into the interior of the container. Within the ceiling region of the interior of the container, and within the region of the longitudinal side wall, pipes 6a and 6b are arranged parallel to the longitudinal side surface, and these pipes can distribute air into the interior of the container through a number of adjustable outlets 7 arranged at regular intervals. One radial flow fan (not shown ) is attached to each end of the pipes facing away from the cargo opening. Ribs 8 are arranged on the floor of the container, through which air can flow, and this air is pressed into the space between the ribs by a blower (not shown) in the cooling unit. These ribs are partially covered by plates 9, so that the air flowing between the ribs can flow upward only through openings that exist between these plates. A measuring sensor 10, connected to a cable, is suspended from the longitudinal wall of the inner compartment of the container. Furthermore, a horn 11, sprinkler system 12, rotating light 13, operation indicators 14a and 14b, and an emergency stop switch 15 are indicated. The plan view shown in Figure 2 illustrates the arrangement of the cooling unit 16 inside the refrigerated container. Figure 3 schematically shows the container wall, located opposite the cargo opening, as viewed from the outside. This rear wall is functionally complemented by the rear wall of the cooling unit.