Device for controlling an air volumetric flow

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for regulating the volume flow rate of air, in particular in an air distribution network, comprising a through-flow air channel which defines a longitudinal central axis. The device has a throttle valve (6) in order to change the size of the cross-section of the air channel through which the air can flow. A flow element (3) is arranged in the air channel, the flow element (3) having a housing (30), the cross-section of which increases in a first direction away from the throttle valve (6). The housing (30) has an end region facing away from the throttle valve (6), which end region is inclined in a second direction and forms an outflow edge (31), the second direction being opposite the first direction. The device optimizes outflow characteristics.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for regulating an air volume flow, in particular an intake valve. Background Art

[0002] Air distribution networks are used, in particular, in buildings for ventilation and exhaust air and partly for air conditioning of rooms. Controlled residential and office ventilation installations are currently mature systems which use central or decentralized ventilation devices.

[0003] A wall, ceiling or floor opening in a building has an air duct with an insert The air duct is connected to the air distribution network. Such an air duct changes the shape of the air flow and / or regulates the air volume flow. Depending on the direction of the flow into or out of the room, the air duct is called an inlet valve or an outlet valve. The air duct limits the cross section in the air passage, wherein the size of the limitation can be selected with the aid of a throttle valve.

[0004] Unfortunately, such inlet and outlet valves are usually not adjustable in the installed state or can only be adjusted with relatively great effort. Another disadvantage is that, depending on the degree of adjustment of the valve, the individual components of the valve extend to different degrees into the room, protrude from the building wall and impair the visual appearance of the room.

[0005] Inlet valves, i.e. valves through which air flows into the room, also generally have the disadvantage that they distribute the outflowing air unevenly. People who are sitting or lying down and are directly exposed to the outflowing air may find this uncomfortable. In addition, this results in streaks of dirt accumulation that are more clearly visible than a uniform accumulation. The uneven outflow behavior also causes increased noise generation.

[0006] Another disadvantage is that the exhaust valve, ie the valve through which the air flows out of the room, usually has a different shape than the intake valve. This causes a less peaceful appearance in the room.

[0007] WO 2022 / 101056 A1 discloses an air volume throttle valve having an air guide body in the form of a rotor blade. The air guide body is formed by a first air guide unit and a second air guide unit, which can be twisted relative to each other so that the spacing between the air guide bodies and thus the cross section of the air channel through which the air can flow can be changed. The device can achieve a change in the free flow cross section while keeping the location of the narrowest flow cross section unchanged. This simplifies the control of the valve. Summary of the invention

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for regulating a volume flow.

[0009] A device having the features of the invention achieves said object.

[0010] The device according to the invention for regulating the air volume flow, in particular in an air distribution network, has an air channel through which flow can flow, the air channel defining a longitudinal center axis. The device has a throttle valve in order to change the size of the cross section through which flow can flow. A flow element is arranged in the air channel, wherein the flow element has a housing, the cross section of which increases in a first direction away from the throttle valve. The housing has an end region facing away from the throttle valve, the end region being inclined in a second direction and forming an outflow edge, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction.

[0011] The provision of the end region with the outflow edge and the second flange causes the air flowing out of the valve to be deflected towards the ceiling or the wall.

[0012] The air flow is already applied to the wall or ceiling at an early stage, ie in the vicinity of the air inlet valve. This avoids backflow areas. As a result, there is hardly any accumulation of dirt or dust on the wall or ceiling.

[0013] Due to the arc shape of the outlet area of ​​the air channel generated by the inclined outflow edge, a vortex is formed. The vortex is mixed with the downstream air flow directed radially by the throttle valve. Thus, a uniform outflow in the range of 360° can be achieved.

[0014] Preferably, the outflow edge is wedge-shaped in cross section.

[0015] The upwardly inclined outflow edge can be used in throttle valves of different designs.

[0016] Preferably, the outflow edge is designed to be circumferential. It preferably has no interruptions that would disrupt the uniform distribution of the outflowing air.

[0017] The flow element is preferably designed to be air-impermeable, so that all air conducted through the device flows along the outer surface of the flow element.

[0018] Preferably, the flow element is designed in a bell-shaped manner. Preferably, the bell widens toward the outlet, ie toward the inside of the building.

[0019] Preferably, the housing or at least the end region with the outflow edge is designed rotationally symmetrically. The air flow is optimized if the housing is curved inwards except for the end region facing away from the throttle valve.

[0020] The outer surface of the housing is preferably flat, ie, without elevations or depressions. The air flow can thus diffuse unimpeded. Preferably, at least in the outlet region of the air channel, ie in the region of the outflow edge, there are no obstacles or bends extending into the air channel.

[0021] Preferably, the device has a surrounding surface opposite the end region of the housing, which together with the end region forms an output region, ie an outlet, of the air channel. If the surrounding surface is also inclined in the second direction, the flow characteristics are further optimized.

[0022] The surrounding surface is preferably designed to be flat in order to have no interfering factors.

[0023] The outlet is preferably designed as an annular channel which is delimited by an end region forming an outflow edge and by a surrounding surface, wherein the annular channel has a constant cross-sectional area in the direction of the longitudinal center axis. This leads to a further optimization of the flow characteristics.

[0024] A further optimization occurs if the inclination of the end region in the region of the outflow edge and the inclination of the surrounding surface are identical.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the device has a housing in which the throttle valve and the flow element are arranged. The surrounding surface is a flange of the housing, wherein the flange is designed to be attached to a wall. This simplifies the installation of the device in a wall opening and also allows the outlet of the air duct to be arranged close to the ceiling or the wall.

[0026] The proximity arrangement is further simplified if, in the state of the device installed in the wall opening, the second direction points toward the wall.

[0027] The installation and adjustment of the device are simplified if the flow element is designed to be hollow and can be closed by means of a cover.

[0028] Preferably, when the setting of the throttle valve is changed, the position of the flow element relative to the housing or relative to the wall surface does not change. Likewise, when the setting of the throttle valve is changed, the cross section of the outlet channel or outlet of the air channel preferably does not change.

[0029] Other implementations are given in the description below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are only used for illustration and should not be interpreted as limiting. In the accompanying drawings:

[0031] Figure 1 A longitudinal section through the device according to the invention installed in a wall opening is shown;

[0032] Figure 2 Shown from above Figure 1 Exploded view of the equipment;

[0033] Figure 3 Shown below according to Figure 1 a first exploded view of the device;

[0034] Figure 4 Shown below according to Figure 1 a second exploded view of the device;

[0035] Figure 5 Shown from above Figure 1 A perspective view of the device in a partially closed position of the throttle valve; and

[0036] Figure 6 Show according to Figure 5 A perspective view of the device in the fully open position of the throttle valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Figure 1 The valve V according to the invention is shown installed in a wall opening 10 in a wall 11. The wall opening 10 is preferably part of an air distribution network of a building. The terms "below" and "above" used in this text relate to the installation position of the valve in the wall opening of the ceiling of the building. If the wall opening is in another wall of the building, the terms should be interpreted accordingly.

[0038] The valve V is preferably an inlet valve which directs air from the air distribution network through the wall opening into the room of the building. However, the valve can also be used as an outlet valve which directs air from the room of the building into the wall opening 10.

[0039] The valve V is described below as an inlet valve, wherein the valve is designed identically in its function as an outlet valve.

[0040] As in Figures 2 to 4 As can be clearly seen in FIG. 1 , the valve V has a housing 2 , an inner flow element 3 , a rotary pin 4 , a cover 5 and a throttle valve 6 .

[0041] The housing 2 is preferably constructed in two parts. The housing preferably has a circular cross section. The first housing part 20 has a hollow, cylindrical basic body 200, the lowermost end of which forms a flange 201 protruding radially outward. The valve V is placed against the building wall 11 by means of the flange 201, such as at Figure 1 The first flange 201 is preferably rigid and serves as a stop when the valve V is pushed into the wall opening 10, as shown in Figure 1As can be seen in . The first flange forms a closure for covering irregularities in the surrounding wall 11. The first flange 201 is also used to limit the outlet 80 of the air channel 8, as described further below in this article. For this purpose, the first flange 201 has an inclination toward the wall 11. Preferably, the inclination is achieved by a continuous thinning of the flange 201 toward its outer surrounding edge. The downwardly pointing surface of the flange 201 is flat, that is, it has no protrusions or depressions. The flange 201 is circumferentially, closed and preferably has no interruptions. Possible interruptions are holes for screwing the housing 2 into the wall opening 10. However, preferably, the housing 2 is fixed in the wall opening in other ways and methods.

[0042] The base body 200 has a first step 202 and a second step 203 on its outer circumference. The circumferential upper end face 204 is preferably flat and has a recess 205 for passing the rotary pin 4 therethrough.

[0043] In the upper region of the first housing part 20 , a third throttle valve 22 is formed, which is described in this document further below together with the first and second throttle valve parts 60 , 61 of the throttle valve 6 .

[0044] The second housing part 21 has a narrow, hollow cylindrical or annular basic body 210. The basic body is surrounded by a radially protruding second flange 211. The second flange 211 is preferably designed as a flexible sealing and / or clamping ring. The second flange serves to seal the valve V and to detachably fasten it in the wall opening 10, such as in Figure 1 As can be seen in . For this purpose, the wall opening 10 preferably has a circular cross section. The second flange 211 can be connected to the second basic body 210 by injection molding, one-piece molding or other methods.

[0045] The second housing part 21 surrounds the upper region of the first housing part 20 . The second housing part rests on the first step 202 and preferably extends as far as the second step 203 .

[0046] The housing 2 encloses a central air duct which defines a longitudinal center axis L and a radial direction.

[0047] An internal flow element 3 is arranged in the housing 2, which extends downwards towards the interior of the building, such as in Figure 1 As can be seen in FIG. The inner flow element 3 is preferably hollow and can be closed at the bottom by means of a cover 5. The flow element 3 is designed to be closed at the top except for the through-opening 33 for passing the rotary pin 4.

[0048] The flow element 3 is preferably designed to be essentially rotationally symmetrical. It has a bell-shaped shape with a cross section that widens downwards and an inwardly curved outer shell 30. The flow element 3 preferably extends up to the outer edge of the first flange 201 or extends beyond the outer edge.

[0049] The flow element 3 is fixedly held in the first housing part 20, preferably by means of a snap-on closure or by means of another detachable and re-establishable connection. The coupling element is preferably arranged in the region of the longitudinal center axis L. Figure 2 2 and 3. The second coupling element 220 of the first housing part 20 and the matching coupling element 34 of the flow element 3 can be clearly seen in FIG. The coupling elements are plug-and-screw connections in the form of snap-on closures.

[0050] As in Figure 1 As can be seen in the figure, a flow channel, here called air channel 8, is formed between the first housing part 20 and the flow element 3. The air channel leads from the wall opening 10 through the throttle valve 6 and through the annular gap between the first flange 201 and the housing 30 of the flow element 3 into the building interior. The annular gap forms the outlet 80 of the air channel 8. Regardless of the adjustability of the throttle valve 6 described further below in this article, the gap is usually always the same size. Therefore, even when the adjustment of the throttle valve 6 is changed, and thus when the cross section through which the throttle valve 6 can flow changes, the outflow cross section of the valve V remains unchanged.

[0051] The upwardly curved outflow edge 31 of the flow element 3 optimizes the outflow characteristics, such as Figure 1 As can be seen in FIG. 3 . The outflow edge 31 is formed by the end region of the housing 30 which is spaced apart from the throttle valve 6. The outflow edge is circumferential and preferably uninterrupted. The housing 30 is designed to be flat at least in the end region, but preferably over the entire surface facing the throttle valve 6. The surface is overflowed by the air flow.

[0052] The outflow characteristics are further optimized due to the first flange 201 which is also inclined upwards. Preferably, the inclination is the same, so that the outlet has a cross section in the direction of the longitudinal center axis L which remains constant.

[0053] Preferably, the housing 30 has a diameter slightly larger than the second flange 201, as in Figure 1 As can be clearly seen in.

[0054] The flow element 3 has a lower annular edge which forms a flat lower end face 32, against which the cover 5 rests. The annular edge surrounds an inlet which leads into the hollow interior. The cover 5 has a base plate 50 with a preferably flat lower end face 51. The cover can preferably be placed on the flow element 3 and removed from it without tools. For this purpose, magnets are provided in both components. Figure 2 The magnet of the flow element 3 can be seen in FIG. The magnet is provided with reference numeral 35. Figure 2 and Figure 4 The magnet of the cover 5 can be seen in FIG.

[0055] The flow element 3 is preferably arranged in a stationary manner relative to the housing 2 and is preferably not adjustable at least in the direction of the longitudinal center axis L, ie not axially adjustable.

[0056] A throttle valve 6 is arranged in the upper region of the valve V. Any throttle valve can be used. Preferably, the throttle valve has an adjustable element for selectively narrowing the central air channel. In other embodiments, the throttle valve is not adjustable or the throttle valve has only an open position and a closed position.

[0057] The throttle valve shown here has a variable cross section which determines the air flow that can flow through the central air duct. The variable cross section determined by the throttle valve 6 is referred to in this document as the flow-through cross section.

[0058] Downstream of the throttle valve 6 in the flow direction, i.e. towards the building interior, the cross section of the central air channel is preferably no longer adjustable. However, the cross section is not necessarily the same everywhere. The downstream cross section is preferably formed by the spacing between the preferably inwardly curved inner wall of the housing 2 and the outer shell 30 of the flow element 3.

[0059] In the embodiment, the throttle valve 6 is composed of three components. The first throttle valve component 60 is connected to the housing 2 and / or to the third throttle valve component 22 in a rotationally fixed manner. The third throttle valve component 22 is formed in one piece with the housing 2 and is also rotationally fixed with respect to the first throttle valve component 60. The second throttle valve component 61 is arranged between the first throttle valve component and the third throttle valve component 60, 22 and can be pivoted or rotated about the longitudinal center axis L.

[0060] In other embodiments, the third throttle valve element 22 is also an independent component preferably connected to the housing 2 in a rotationally fixed manner. In other embodiments, there are only the first throttle valve element and the second throttle valve element 60, 61, but no third throttle valve element 22, or there are only the second throttle valve element and the third throttle valve element 61, 22, but no first throttle valve element 60. If there are only two throttle valve elements, then preferably, the second throttle valve element 61 is also designed with an optimized design of its upstream surface or downstream surface.

[0061] The first throttle valve part 60 has a blocking element in the form of a first blade 601 similar to a rotor, which extends outwardly from a common central part. The central part forms the first coupling element 600. In the example described, there are five first blades 601. However, three, four, six or other number of blades may also be used.

[0062] A hook or protrusion 602 is molded at the end side of the free end of the first blade 601. The hook or protrusion is used to mount an exhaust filter and / or a cover. The hook or protrusion is placed, for example, on the upper end face of the second throttle valve component 61. This Figure 1 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 It can be clearly seen in.

[0063] The first blade 601 widens toward its free end. Preferably, all blades 601 are formed identically and are of equal size. The first blade 601 is designed to be curved in the radial direction. Preferably, the surface free between two blades 601 corresponds to the surface of the blade 601 .

[0064] The upper incident surface of the first blade 601 is preferably designed to be curved, so that an aerodynamically favorable body is formed.

[0065] The third throttle valve component 22 has a blocking element in the form of a third blade 221, which forms a geometric counterpart relative to the first blade 601. Therefore, in the example described, the blocking element is also formed in a curved manner in the radial direction. The third blade 221 does not end freely, but the peripheral end of the third blade is molded on the inner wall of the first housing component 20. The central end of the third blade transitions in one piece into the central component formed by the second coupling element 220.

[0066] The first coupling element 600 has a hook 603 protruding downwards, which engages in a receiving opening of the second coupling element 220. In the manner described, the first throttle element 60 is connected to the third throttle element 22 and also to the housing 2 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0067] In the assembled valve V, the first blade and the third blade 601, 221 are aligned with each other. The first blade and the third blade 601, 221 overlap each other. Preferably, the free surface of the third blade 221 is also curved. Therefore, the frontal surface is also optimized in terms of aerodynamics. Preferably, the flow surfaces of the first blade and the third blade 601, 221 are curved in the same way, so that the valve V forms the same frontal surface and outflow surface, so that it can be used for intake and exhaust in the same way.

[0068] The second throttle valve component 61 located therebetween has an outer ring 610. An inwardly projecting blocking element in the form of a second blade 611 is molded at the upper end of the ring 610. The outer ring 610 rests with its free lower end of the outer shell on the second step 203 of the housing 2. The outer ring also rests with its upper surrounding edge extending inward on the upper end face 204 of the housing 2. This is Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 It can be clearly seen in.

[0069] The ring 610 and thus the second throttle element 61 are rotatable about the longitudinal center axis L, wherein the second throttle element is guided during the rotation by the base body 210 of the second housing part 21 and is fixed in its axial position by the projection 602 of the first throttle element 60 .

[0070] The second blade 611 of the second coupling part 61 ends freely toward the longitudinal center axis L. The second blade is also curved, wherein the second blade preferably has the same bending radius as the first blade and the third blade 601, 221. The number of second blades 611 is the same as the number of first blades and the third blade 601, 221. The number of second blades 611 is preferably the same as the number of first blades and the third blade 601, 221. The second blade 611 can be flat. Other configurations are possible.

[0071] Thus, the second throttle disc 61 forms a flat disc with a surrounding guide housing, wherein the disc is arranged between the flat end faces of the first and third blades 601, 221 and can rotate relative to the end faces. The rotation is preferably continuous. In other embodiments, the rotation is stepwise. In all cases, there is preferably an optical, tactile and / or acoustic mechanism to indicate to the user the discrete position of the throttle disc 61. In addition, such a mechanism resists unintentional adjustment.

[0072] The rotation of the throttle disk 61 serves to adjust the valve V. The rotation is preferably carried out manually. Alternatively or additionally, however, the rotation can also be carried out by motor drive.

[0073] The adjustment can preferably also be performed when the valve V is already installed in the wall opening 10. In a simple embodiment, this can be performed by removing the flow element 3 and the cover 5. In a preferred embodiment, which is shown only by way of example, only the cover 5 is removed, if any. The through-opening 33 in the housing 31 of the flow element 3 enables access to the adjustment element, here the swivel pin 4. This is done in a simple embodiment. Figures 1 to 4 It can be clearly seen in.

[0074] The rotating pin 4 has a pin 40, a head 41 configured as a gear and a knurling 42 at the circumference of the free end of the pin 40. The knurling 42 increases the grip when the rotating pin 4 is rotated by hand without using other tools. However, a tool can also be used for this purpose.

[0075] The rotation pin 4 passes through the recess 205 of the first housing part 20, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 Here, the head 41 is placed on the first housing part 20.

[0076] The second throttle valve member 61 has a toothing 612 in the area of ​​its inner circumference. The gear of the head 41 engages in the toothing 612 due to the recess 205. By rotating the rotating pin 4, the second throttle valve member 61 can be rotated around the longitudinal center axis L. Therefore, the position of the second blade 611 relative to the first blade and the third blade 601, 221 can be manually adjusted.

[0077] Preferably, the first housing part 20 has a scale 222 in addition to the recess, which interacts with the reference 614 of the second throttle valve part 61. This allows the adjustment of the throttle valve to be noted and the rotational position of the blades relative to each other to be recognized. This can be done at Figure 2 and Figure 3 It can be seen in.

[0078] The device according to the invention for regulating a volume flow optimizes the outflow characteristic.

[0079] Reference numerals list

[0080] 10 Wall openings

[0081] 11 walls

[0082] 2 Shell

[0083] 20 first housing member

[0084] 200 Primitives

[0085] 201 First Flange

[0086] 202 First Step

[0087] 203 Second Step

[0088] 204 upper surface

[0089] 205 concavity

[0090] 21 second housing member

[0091] 210 Primitives

[0092] 211 Second flange

[0093] 22Third throttle valve component

[0094] 220 second coupling element

[0095] 221 Third Leaf

[0096] 222 Scale

[0097] 3 Flow elements

[0098] 30 Shell

[0099] 31 outflow edge

[0100] 32 lower end surface

[0101] 33Through opening

[0102] 34 coupling element

[0103] 35 Magnets

[0104] 4 Rotation pins

[0105] 40 pins

[0106] 41Head

[0107] 42 Knurling

[0108] 5 Cover

[0109] 50 substrates

[0110] 51 lower end surface

[0111] 52 Magnets

[0112] 6Throttle valve

[0113] 60 first throttle valve component

[0114] 600 first coupling element

[0115] 601 First Blade

[0116] 602 Bump

[0117] 603 Hook

[0118] 61 Second throttle valve component

[0119] 610 Ring

[0120] 611 Second Leaf

[0121] 612 Tooth

[0122] 613 Central through opening

[0123] 614 Reference Department

[0124] 8 air channels

[0125] Exit 80

[0126] V-Valve

[0127] L longitudinal centerline

Claims

1. A device for regulating the air volume flow, in particular in an air distribution network, wherein the device has an air channel through which flow can flow, the air channel defining a longitudinal center axis, and wherein the device has a throttle valve (6) in order to change the size of the through-flow cross section of the air channel, It is characterized in that A flow element (3) is arranged in the air channel, wherein the flow element (3) has a housing (30), the cross section of which increases in a first direction away from the throttle valve (6), and The housing (30) has an end region facing away from the throttle valve (6), the end region being inclined in a second direction and forming a flow-out edge (31), wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction.

2. The device according to claim 1, The outflow edge (31) is designed to be circumferential.

3. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, The flow element (3) is designed to be air-impermeable.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The flow element (3) is designed in a bell-shaped manner.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The housing (30) is curved inwards, except for an end region facing away from the throttle valve (6).

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The outflow edge (31) is designed to be rotationally symmetrical.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The outer surface of the housing (30) is flat.

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The device has a circumferential surface (201) which is opposite an end region of the housing (30) and which together with the end region forms an outlet (80) of the air channel (8).

9. The device according to claim 8, The surrounding surface (201) is inclined in the second direction.

10. The device according to any one of claims 8 or 9, The circumferential surface (201) is designed to be flat.

11. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, The outlet (80) is designed as an annular channel which is delimited by the end region forming the outflow edge (31) and by the circumferential surface (201), wherein the annular channel has a cross-sectional area which remains constant in the direction of the longitudinal center axis.

12. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, The inclination of the end region in the region of the outflow edge and the inclination of the surrounding surface (201) are identical.

13. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 12, The device comprises a housing (2) in which the throttle valve (6) and the flow element (3) are arranged, and the circumferential surface (201) is a flange of the housing (2), wherein the flange (201) is designed to abut against a wall.

14. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, In this case, when the device is installed in the wall opening, the second direction leads to the wall.

15. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The flow element (3) is designed to be hollow and can be closed by means of a cover (5).

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