Monoblock linear air diffuser plenum assembly that can be installed concealed in a wall, as well as the method of installing it on the wall

Abstract

A monoblock assembly of a plenum and linear diffuser that can be fixed to a wall (P) within a specific housing (A), for example, a plasterboard or masonry wall of a ceiling or suspended ceiling, for distributing air between a central air distribution unit and a space of interest. The assembly comprises an air distribution plenum (2) that can be fluidly connected to the central air distribution unit and includes a substantially elongated main collector structure (20) that can be discreetly inserted into the wall (P), with an internal cavity (22). The assembly further includes a linear diffuser (1) comprising an elongated hollow body (10) defining an axis (X) with at least one slot (14) extending along the axis and that can be placed in the specific housing (A), configured to establish fluid communication between the internal cavity (22) and the space of interest.

Description

Monoblock linear air diffuser plenum assembly that can be installed concealed in a wall, as well as the method of installing it on the wall Technical field of the invention The present invention relates, in general, to the technical field of air distribution. In particular, the invention relates to a linear air plenum-diffuser assembly that can be concealed within a wall, as well as to a method for installing it in a wall. Definitions In this document, the expression "air distribution" and its derivatives are used to indicate the distribution of air both in the supply, i.e., from a central control unit to one or more spaces of interest, and in the extraction, i.e., from the latter to the central control unit. State of the art In the technical field of air distribution, there are different types of diffusers, including linear diffusers. Such diffusers have an elongated body with a slot which can be arranged facing the space of interest and, in a typically opposite position, a portion connecting to an air distribution plenum. The Italian patent document IT PD20120134 A1 discloses an example of this type of diffuser that includes a plenum. Typically, such plenums have an elongated body with an air distribution slot, positioned in the diffuser slot. Typically, the linear diffuser system and plenum are installed concealed within the wall, for example, made of plasterboard. During installation, the plenum and diffuser are connected to each other and fixed to the wall of interest and adjacent walls by means of appropriate supports, sealants and stucco, then, for a final finish, with specific wall paint. However, such installations are often expensive due to the assembly of the diffuser and plenum, as well as their attachment to the walls. Furthermore, gaps form between the diffuser and plenum bodies and the installation wall, which often harbor mold and the like, resulting in damage to the fixing of the diffuser and plenum to the wall, as well as a negative aesthetic impact. European patent document EP 3064673 B1 discloses a one-piece linear plenum-diffuser assembly according to the preamble of claim 1. Compendium of the invention An object of the present invention is to overcome, at least partially, the drawbacks illustrated above by providing a linear plenum-diffuser assembly that is quick to install concealed in a wall. An additional object of the present invention is to overcome, at least partially, the drawbacks illustrated above, by providing a linear plenum-diffuser assembly that can be stably fixed to a wall. Another object of the present invention is to provide a linear plenum-diffuser assembly that prevents the formation of gaps and the like when installed in a wall. Another object of the present invention is to provide a linear plenum-diffuser assembly that prevents the formation of mold and the like when installed on a wall. Another object of the present invention is to provide a linear plenum-diffuser assembly that is highly efficient and cost-effective. These and other objects, which will become more apparent later in this specification, are achieved by means of a linear plenum-diffuser assembly and / or a method for installing it on a wall, as defined in the independent claims and described herein. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments of the invention. Brief description of the drawings Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent in light of the detailed description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIGS.1A and 2A are axonometric views of a set 3; FIG.1B is an axonometric view of an assembly 3 in a different embodiment; FIG.2B is a schematic view of a 3030 connecting element; FIG.3 is a schematic exploded view of an assembly 3; FIG.4A is a schematic side view of assembly 3 in FIG.1A; FIG.4B is a schematic side view of assembly 3 in FIG.1B; FIG.5 is a schematic view of an assembly 3 installed on a wall P. Detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the invention With reference to the figures mentioned above, this document describes a monoblock linear plenum-diffuser assembly 3 that can be installed concealed in a wall P in a specially obtained housing A in the same. For example, wall P could be a plasterboard or masonry wall in the ceiling or false ceiling of a room, workspace, or similar. Such a wall P may have a pair of flat opposite faces F1 and F2, while the accommodation A may be defined by boundary walls A'. In particular, face F1 can be exposed while face F2 can be concealed. Assembly 3 may include a plenum 2 to distribute air from a central air unit and a diffuser 1 to distribute air into a space of interest. Therefore, plenum 2 and diffuser 1 define different portions of a single monoblock 3, which is a single body. In other words, plenum 2 and diffuser 1 are made in one piece, and therefore diffuser 1 acts as an outlet for air diffusion from plenum 2. In other words, set 3 is a concealable linear plenum-diffuser set. Therefore, when in the description that follows in this document reference is made to plenum 2 and diffuser 1, they will be considered as portions of set 3, that is, such portions will be identified by their function, therefore, portion with plenum function and portion with diffuser function. This solution will allow obtaining a set 3 for wall installation P that is extremely easy and quick. Advantageously, the plenum 2 for air distribution can be used as a supply or exhaust plenum for ventilated MVHR (mechanical ventilation) units, for air conditioning units, for fan coil units, for dehumidifiers, or as distribution plenums for MVHR systems, or even as a plenum for air vents such as mouths, grilles, diffusers, ventilation valves and the like, or as plenums in centralized suction systems. In any case, it is clear that air can flow both in supply, or from a central air unit to plenum 2, in particular to individual distribution spaces, and in extraction, or from individual spaces, to plenums 2 and to the central air unit, passing through diffuser 1. Advantageously, plenum 2 includes an elongated main collector structure 20 which can be concealedly inserted into wall P. Such structure 20 may include a plurality of walls 21 which may define an internal compartment 22. The diffuser 1 has an elongated body 10, known per se, and which defines an X axis, which can also be inserted, at least partially, in a hidden manner in the wall P. Preferably, both body 10 and structure 20 can be made of selected polymeric material such as PVC, ABS, PP or similar. For example, the choice of PVC can allow obtaining an overall set 3 that is healthy, strong, with a risk of mold formation and minimized condensation to facilitate the health of the environment where diffuser 1 distributes air. Preferably, body 20 and / or body 10 can be coated with insulating materials, such as, for example, closed-cell polyethylene foam or foamed PP or polyester fiber or similar, to ensure optimal thermal insulation and excellent resistance to air leaks. The insulating material can also be sound-absorbing, for example as in the case of foamed polyethylene, to ensure appropriate acoustic insulation. Advantageously, the body 10 includes at least one slot 14, which can be positioned in the housing A of the wall P to allow airflow between the central air distribution unit and the space of interest. Although, for the sake of simplicity, the description that follows in this document will refer to a single slot 14, it is clear, however, that the body 10 can include multiple slots 14 without falling outside the scope of protection of the accompanying drawings. Specifically, slot 14 can place in fluid communication the internal cavity 22 and the space towards which slot 14 is oriented. Preferably, body 10 may include a pair of walls 10' and 10" arranged facing each other and extending along a direction parallel to the X-axis and a pair of walls 100' and 100", also arranged facing each other and extending along a direction perpendicular to the X-axis. Such walls 10', 10", 100' and 100" can be inserted in use, at least partially, into housing A to be arranged, at least partially, oriented towards the contour walls A' of the latter. According to the invention, body 10 includes a flat mesh element 13 with a portion 130 fixed, at least partially, to body 10 and a portion 131 which can be fixed to wall P once the assembly is installed in a concealed manner. For example, such a mesh element 13 can be positioned on one or either of the two walls mentioned above 10', 10", 100', 100", or preferably at least along walls 10' and 10" or along walls 100' and 100". For example, portion 130 can be attached to the front portion FR of walls 10', 10", 100', 100", arranged facing the space of interest, as shown particularly in FIGS.4A and 4B. In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the mesh element 13 can completely surround the slot 14 and can therefore be positioned along all walls 10', 10", 100', 100". In other words, in any embodiment described above, the mesh element 13 can surround the slot 14 while keeping the fluid connection of the plenum 2 to the space of interest free through the diffuser 1, without the mesh element 13 being positioned in the airflow area F. In other words, portion 130 will not be in the airflow area F and therefore mesh element 13 will not act as an air filter, but will be used for fixing assembly 3 to wall P. To this end, to enable such a connection, adhesive means of the selected type of double-sided tape or adhesive agents or a combination of the two may be provided. For example, the mesh element 13 can be in the form of a webbing in which a portion 130 can be made to adhere to the walls 10', 10", 100', 100", for example on the front portion FR, and an opposite side 131 can be fixed to the wall P on the exposed face F1. Advantageously, portion 131 can be fixed to the latter by means of suitable fixing agents, stucco, or similar materials, or a combination of two or more thereof. Such fixing agents can thus create a coating layer 15 over the mesh element 13, in particular over portion 131, so that the latter is not exposed and is fully embedded in the fixing agent. In this way, such action can make the fixation between diffuser 1 and wall P extremely stable, thus preventing the formation of grooves and the resulting mold and similar issues. Once fixed, the coating layer 15 and wall P will therefore be flush. Therefore, the aesthetic impact can be extremely pleasing. It is clear that the aforementioned fixing agent and stucco can be made to penetrate groove 14 for a better aesthetic effect. For optimal installation, assembly 3 can, however, be supported by means of appropriate supports connected, typically, to the walls adjacent to wall P. In this way, the fixing of mesh element 13 can help support assembly 3, reducing the possible tilting around the axis that passes through the centroid of assembly 3. For example, in the case of installation of assembly 3 concealed in a false ceiling that defines wall P, assembly 3 can be connected to the ceiling by means of supports and can then be fixed to wall P by embedding mesh element 13 in it, as described above. Advantageously, mesh element 13 can be a mesh obtained from a wire or thread made of polymeric material. For example, the latter can be selected from polyethylene, nylon, or polyester. Preferably, the mesh element 13 may have a width I measuring 1-3 cm. However, it is clear that it may have different widths, without departing from the scope of protection of the appended claims. Advantageously, the walls 10', 10", 100', 100" may include centering means 16 which may bear against face F2 of wall P. In this way, such centering means 16 can act as a centering device for body 10, particularly shown in FIG.4A. The centering means 16 can also remain at a predetermined distance d from the mesh element 13. In other words, the centering means 16 may be interposed between the latter and the walls 21 of the plenum 2. In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the centering means 16 may include one or more pairs of longitudinal fins 160', 160" each positioned along walls 10', 10" or 100', 100". Preferably, the centering means 16 may include a single longitudinal fin 160' along wall 10' and a longitudinal fin 160" along wall 10". Advantageously, the 160' fin can have a 1600' portion attached to the 10' wall, for example by gluing or by means of screws or the like, and a 1600" portion that can rest against face F2 to allow centering of assembly 3 during installation. Similarly, the 160" fin may have a 1600" portion attached to the 10" wall, for example by gluing or by means of screws or the like, and a 1600" portion that can rest against face F2 to allow centering of assembly 3 during installation. Therefore, the 1600' and 1600" portions can define longitudinal fins 160' and 160" with an L-shaped profile in plan view. It is clear that the 1600" portions of the 160' and 160" fins can be attached to face F2 by means of suitable means known per se, such as gluing, by means of screws or similar. Such a solution may allow for the support of assembly 3, along with the use of supports that are known per se and are typically connected to the walls adjacent to wall P, as described above. Additionally, set 3 may include suitable spacers which can be used to fill any identified gaps between the 160' and 160" fins and face F2. It is clear that the centering means 16 can also be of any other type without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims. With particular reference to plenum 2, in a first embodiment, the walls 21 of structure 20 may comprise an opening which may be directly connected to the central air distribution unit, which is known per se and is therefore not depicted in the accompanying figures. In a second embodiment, shown in FIG.3, the walls 21 may include at least one opening 23, for example, a plurality of the latter, which may be connected to the central air distribution unit or to a different plenum by means of a semi-rigid connecting tube. In this case, the assembly may comprise at least one connecting element 3030 for the connection between each opening 23 and the connecting tube. Advantageously, the connection element 3030, shown in FIG.2B, can include a portion 3131 which can be coupled to the fluid connection tube with the central control unit and a portion 3232 which can be detachably coupled to each opening 23. For example, each opening 23 may include a connection portion 231 with a surface 232 that is at least partially threaded. On the other hand, portion 3232 may include a surface 34 that is at least partially threaded in a complementary manner and that can be connected to surface 232 to allow detachable connection of the same. In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, surfaces 34 and 231 can extend along the entire perimeter 3232' and 231', respectively, of portion 3232 and portion 231. In any embodiment described above, the walls 21 may include a plurality of openings 24 which may be connected to the same space or to different spaces of interest, for example, by means of a connecting tube and special air vents. If such openings 24 are not used, they can be closed by means of suitable covers 40. Therefore, set 3 can also include these latter ones. From an operational standpoint, assembly 3 may be pre-fixed to a wall adjacent to the wall of interest, if one is present. Therefore, wall P can be fixed or constructed, creating a suitable recess A in groove 14, which will then need to be aligned with recess A. The diffuser body 10 can then be inserted, at least partially, through recess A, or vice versa, so that groove 14 is exposed. Then, one can proceed to a subsequent step to fix mesh element 13, hence portion 131, to wall P on face F1. Therefore, for this purpose, the fixing step may include providing the coating layer 15 over the mesh element 13 so that the coating layer 15 and the wall P are flush. Furthermore, if the centering means 16 mentioned above were present, before fixing portion 131 and subsequently inserting body 10 into housing A, the latter can be centered in housing A so that such means 16 rest against face F2, and fixed to the latter. In light of the above, the invention achieves the pre-established objectives. The present invention may include various similar or identical parts and / or elements. Unless otherwise specified, similar or identical parts and / or elements shall be designated using a single reference number, it being understood that the technical characteristics described are common to all similar or identical parts and / or elements. The invention is subject to modifications and variations, all of which fall within the inventive concept described in the appended claims. In particular, elements of the invention may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements. Furthermore, the materials can be selected depending on the needs, without deviating from the scope of protection of the invention. If the technical elements specified in the claims are followed by reference signs, such reference signs are included for the sole purpose of enhancing the intelligibility of the invention and, therefore, do not entail any limitation on the scope of protection claimed.

Claims

1. A monoblock linear plenum-diffuser assembly which can be concealed in a wall (P), for example, a plasterboard or a masonry wall of a ceiling or false ceiling, having an exposed face (F1), a concealable face (F2), which provides a housing (A), suitable for the monoblock linear plenum-diffuser assembly, obtained in the same wall (P) and defined by contour walls (A'), the assembly being configured for air distribution between a central air distribution unit and a space of interest and comprising: - an air distribution plenum (2) which can be in fluid connection with the central air distribution unit and comprising a substantially elongated main collector structure (20) which can be concealedly inserted in the wall (P),comprising the main collector structure (20) a plurality of walls (21) defining an internal cavity (22); - a linear diffuser (1) comprising an elongated hollow body (10) defining an axis (X) with at least one slot (14) extending along the latter and positionable in a specific housing (A), said body (10) being suitable for insertion, at least partially, into the housing (A) of the wall (P), the slot (14) being configured to provide fluid communication between said internal cavity (22) and the space of interest; wherein said plenum (2) and said linear diffuser (1) are made in one piece (3) so as to define two different portions of the assembly (3), said linear diffuser (1) acting as an air distribution outlet for said plenum (2) to the space of interest; characterized in that said linear diffuser (1) includes at leasta substantially flat mesh element (13) having a first portion (130) fixed, at least partially, to said elongated body (10) and a second portion (131) configured to be fixed to the wall (P) on the exposed face (F1) once the diffuser is installed concealed in the wall (P).

2. Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein said elongated body (10) includes a pair of first walls (10', 10") arranged facing each other and extending in a direction substantially parallel to said axis (X) and a pair of second walls (100', 100") arranged facing each other and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said axis (X), said pairs of first and second walls (10', 10", 100', 100") being in use, at least partially, inserted in the housing area (A) of the wall (P) and arranged, at least partially, facing the corresponding contour walls (A'),surrounding said at least one mesh element (13) said at least one slot (14) in at least one pair of said pairs of first (10', 10") and second (100', 100") walls.

3. Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one mesh element (13) completely surrounds said at least one slot (14) in said pairs of first (10', 10") and second (100', 100") walls.

4. Assembly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said at least one mesh element (13) surrounds said at least one slot (14) maintaining free fluid connection between said plenum (2) and the space of interest through said linear diffuser (1), said at least one mesh element (13) being positioned outside the airflow area (F).

5. Assembly according to claim 2 or 3 or 4, wherein the walls of at least one of said pairs of first and second walls (10', 10", 100',100") of said elongated body (10) of said diffuser (1) include centering means (16) capable of interacting in use with the wall (P) on the concealable face (F2), the centering means (16) remaining at a predetermined distance (d) from said at least one mesh element (13).

6. Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein said centering means (16) include at least one pair of fins (160', 160") each positioned on a wall of said at least one of said pairs of first and second walls (10', 10", 100', 100"), each fin having a first portion (1600') integrally coupled with a respective wall of said at least one of said pairs of first and second walls (10', 10", 100', 100") and a second portion (1600") capable of bearing against the concealable face (F2) in the housing (A) of the wall (P).

7. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein said at least one mesh element (13) is a mesh made of a first polymeric material, the latter being selected from polyethylene, nylon, polyester, and the like, or a combination of two or more thereof.

8. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first portion (130) of said at least one mesh element (13) is fixed to said elongated body (10) by means of adhesives, the latter being selected from double-sided tape or adhesive agents, or a combination of two or more thereof.

9. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second portion (131) of said at least one mesh element (13) can be fixed to the wall (P) by means of fixings selected from fixing agent, stucco, or the like, or a combination of two or more thereof, the latter providing at least a coating layer (15) on said at least one mesh element (13),once fixed, said at least one coating layer (15) and the wall (P) substantially flush.

10. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said elongated body (10) and said main structure (20) are made of a polymeric material selected from PVC, ABS, PP or the like.

11. A method for the concealable installation of an air distribution assembly according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, to a wall (P) between a central air distribution unit and a space of interest, the wall (P) being, for example, a plasterboard or a masonry wall of a ceiling or suspended ceiling, having an exposed face (F1), a concealable face (F2) and a specific housing (A) for the monoblock linear plenum-diffuser assembly made in the wall (P) and defined by contour walls (A'), the method comprising an insertion step, at least partial,of said main body (10) of said diffuser (1) in the housing (A) of the wall (P) such that said groove (14) is exposed; characterized in that subsequent to said insertion step, a fixing step of said second portion (131) of said at least one mesh element (13) to the wall (P) on the exposed face (F1) is carried out.

12. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein said fixing step is carried out by means of fixing means selected from fixing agents, stucco or the like or a combination of two or more thereof, said fixing step including a step of providing at least one coating layer (15) on said at least one mesh element (13) such that, once fixed, said at least one coating layer (15) and the wall (P) are substantially flush.

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