Improvements in or relating to meeting rooms
By integrating a self-contained HVAC arrangement in the conference space shell, the problem of limited positioning and high reconfiguration costs in the existing technology is solved, flexible spatial positioning and independent air management are realized, and users' diverse needs for size and location are met.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380074226.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-10-21
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-23
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-20
AI Technical Summary
The positioning of existing conference spaces in larger enclosed spaces in buildings or similar structures is limited, and due to the need to connect to a larger HVAC infrastructure, the location is not flexible enough, and expensive reconfigurations are difficult to meet the size and location needs of users.
A self-contained HVAC arrangement is provided that allows the meeting space housing to be freely positioned within a larger enclosed space, independently managing the air temperature, purity and humidity of the interior space with only electrical connections required by installing an operable fan and heating/cooling unit on the ceiling.
It realizes flexible positioning and independent air management of the conference space shell in a larger enclosed space, reduces dependence on the building's HVAC infrastructure, reduces the cost and complexity of reconfiguration, and meets the diverse needs of users for size and location.
Smart Images
Figure CN120187986A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a meeting space, and more particularly to a meeting space enclosure provided within a larger enclosed space of a building or similar structure. Background Art
[0002] Office spaces typically need to be configured to meet several different user requirements. For example, a portion of an office space may be configured for open-plan collaborative work with shared desks, while another portion may be partitioned to provide individual office spaces.
[0003] It is also often necessary to provide one or more meeting spaces within an office space that can accommodate two or more occupants. Such meeting spaces may include enclosed spaces that provide privacy for the occupants of the meeting space relative to the wider office space in which the meeting space is located. Preferably, the meeting space may be provided with sound mitigation measures to prevent conversations taking place within the meeting space from being heard in the wider office space.
[0004] Enclosed meeting spaces of the above type can be constructed within an office space (such as a floor of an office building) by floor-to-ceiling partition panels. The interior of the meeting space needs to be ventilated and provided with heating and cooling, and the size and location of the meeting space within the office space can be regulated or restricted by the configuration of the building HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. Such systems typically utilize the ceiling location of the office space. The constraints imposed by the building HVAC system can result in the meeting space not meeting the expectations of the user, particularly with regard to size and location and the need for expensive reconfiguration of the building HVAC system. Summary of the Invention
[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided a meeting space enclosure for use within a larger enclosed space, the meeting space enclosure comprising the following structure: a structure having at least one wall and a ceiling defining an interior space therebetween, and a closable access allowing users to enter and exit the interior space, wherein the meeting space enclosure includes a self-contained HVAC arrangement mounted on the ceiling and operable to control the temperature, purity, and humidity of the air within the interior space.
[0006] The term "self - contained" is used to indicate that the HVAC arrangement does not need to be connected to the HVAC infrastructure of a larger enclosed space, such as those provided to the floor of an office building in which the conference space enclosure is located. Instead, only an electrical connection is required. Providing a self - contained HVAC arrangement allows the conference space enclosure to be more freely positioned within the larger enclosed space because its location is not governed by the configuration of the building's HVAC infrastructure. Thus, the self - contained HVAC arrangement of the conference space enclosure draws air from the larger enclosed space to introduce it into the interior space of the conference space enclosure and discharges the drawn - in air from the interior space of the conference space enclosure back into the larger enclosed space.
[0007] The wall of the conference space enclosure can be modular and consist of at least one panel. The wall can consist of multiple panels. At least one of the multiple panels can be a glass panel.
[0008] The self - contained HVAC arrangement can include a fan arrangement operable to move air into and out of the interior space, and an air heating and cooling unit operable to heat or cool the air moved into the interior space by the fan arrangement.
[0009] The fan arrangement can include a first fan operable to move air into the interior space through the heating and cooling unit, and a second fan operable to move air out of the interior space of the conference space enclosure. In this embodiment, the first fan can move air from the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space into the interior space, and the second fan can move air from the interior space out to the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space.
[0010] The heating and cooling unit can include a first inlet and a first outlet, and a second inlet and a second outlet, where the first fan is operable to move air into the first inlet, through the heating and cooling unit and out of the first outlet, and the second fan is operable to move air into the second inlet, through the heating and cooling unit and out of the second outlet. The first outlet of the heating and cooling unit can be in fluid communication with an inlet hole provided in the ceiling of the conference space enclosure structure so that heated or cooled air can be introduced into the interior space. In this embodiment, the heating and cooling unit can be in fluid communication with the ceiling inlet hole through an enclosed duct. The first fan can be positioned adjacent to the first inlet of the heating and cooling unit.
[0011] The second inlet of the heating and cooling unit is in fluid communication with an outlet hole provided in the ceiling of the conference space enclosure structure. In this embodiment, the second inlet of the heating and cooling unit can be in fluid communication with the ceiling outlet hole through an enclosed duct. The second fan is preferably positioned adjacent to the second inlet of the heating and cooling unit.
[0012] The flow direction of the first fan can be the same as that of the second fan. In this embodiment, the flow directions of the first fan and the second fan can be substantially parallel.
[0013] The heating and cooling unit may include a reversible heat pump. Alternatively, the heating and cooling unit may include a Peltier device.
[0014] The heating and cooling unit may include a condensate management system that includes at least one absorption core positioned in the path of the air moved through the unit by the first fan and at least one absorption core positioned in the path of the air moved through the unit by the second fan, wherein the condensate absorbed by the core can be evaporated by the air passing through the core. The heating and cooling unit may be provided with a plurality of absorption cores. The HVAC arrangement of the present invention may include an ionization arrangement that is operable to ionize the air passing through the HVAC arrangement. In this embodiment, the ionization arrangement is operable to ionize the air before the air is moved into the interior space of the conference space enclosure by the first fan. Alternatively or additionally, the ionization arrangement is operable to ionize the air extracted from the interior space by the second fan before the extracted air is moved to the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0016] Figure 1 A simplified perspective view of a conference space enclosure according to the present invention is shown;
[0017] Figure 2 A perspective view of the HVAC arrangement is shown;
[0018] Figure 3 A side view of the HVAC arrangement is shown;
[0019] Figure 4 A side view of an alternative embodiment of the HVAC arrangement is shown;
[0020] Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 a plan view of the HVAC arrangement; and
[0021] Figure 6 A perspective view of the HVAC arrangement is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] First, refer to Figure 1, shows a conference space enclosure generally designated 10, which enclosure 10 includes a structure having a ceiling 12 and a plurality of walls 14, 16, 18, 20 that define an interior space 22 of the enclosure 10. For purposes of describing the configuration of the enclosure 10, the ceiling 12 is shown separated from the walls 14, 16, 18, 20. The structure is also provided with closures such as a door 24 to allow users to enter and leave the interior space 22. In use, the enclosure 10 is intended to be positioned within a larger enclosed space 26 (such as, for example, a floor of an office building). A self - contained HVAC arrangement, generally designated 30, is provided on the exterior of the ceiling 12 and will be described in more detail hereinafter.
[0023] The generally cubic - shaped construction of the enclosure 10 is shown only by way of example and is not intended to be limiting. It should be understood that other configurations of the enclosure 10 are possible. For example, one or more of the walls of the enclosure 10 may be defined by one or more walls of the larger enclosed space 26 in which the enclosure 10 is located.
[0024] The walls 14, 16, 18, 20 are of modular construction. Each wall may include a plurality of panels 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b that are positioned onto base rails (not shown) that fit into the floor of the larger enclosed space 26. Upright corner posts (not shown) are provided to define the corners of the enclosure 10. One or more of the panels 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b may be glass panels. The glass panels may be single - or double - glazed. One or more of the panels 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b may be solids having the same or different finishes on opposite sides. The solid panels include sound - absorbing media. The door 24 may be glass, partially glass, or solid. The ceiling 12 includes sound - absorbing tiles or panels.
[0025] Now referring to Figure 2 , shows a self - contained HVAC arrangement 30 for the enclosure. The arrangement 30 includes first and second fans 32, 34 and a heating and cooling unit 36. The heating and cooling unit 36 includes an exhaust outlet 38, a recirculation inlet 40, an ambient air inlet 42, and a conditioned air outlet 44. The first and second fans 32, 34 are arranged in a side - by - side configuration near the ambient air inlet 42 and the recirculation inlet 40 of the heating and cooling unit. The flow axes of the fans 32, 34 are arranged in a generally parallel orientation, and the flow direction of the first fan 32 is the same as the flow direction of the second fan 34. A controller 35 is provided between the fans 32, 34, and in use, the controller controls the operation of the fans 32, 34 and the heating and cooling unit 36.
[0026] The first fan 32 is provided with an ambient air inlet 46 and an ambient air outlet 48. The ambient air outlet 48 of the first fan 32 is connected to the ambient air inlet 42 of the heating and cooling unit 36. The ambient air inlet 46 of the first fan 32 is provided with a particulate filter (not shown). It should be understood that the ambient air inlet 46 of the first fan 32 draws air from the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space in which the housing 10 is located.
[0027] The second fan 34 is provided with a recirculation inlet 52 and a recirculation outlet 54. The recirculation inlet 52 of the second fan 34 is connected to a section of duct 56 that extends to an inlet aperture 58 provided in the ceiling 12 of the housing 10. The recirculation outlet 54 of the second fan 34 is connected to the recirculation inlet 40 of the heating and cooling unit 36 via a short duct 60. A particulate filter (not shown) is provided at the recirculation inlet of the second fan 34.
[0028] The exhaust outlet 38 of the heating and cooling unit 36 discharges into the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space 26 in which the housing 10 is located. The conditioned air outlet 44 of the heating and cooling unit 36 is connected via a duct 62 to an outlet aperture 64 provided in the ceiling 12 of the housing 10.
[0029] In use, the first fan 32 is operable to move air from the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space 26 into the ambient air inlet 42 of the heating and cooling unit 36, through the heating and cooling unit 36 to the conditioned air outlet 44 and into the interior space 22 of the housing 10. The first fan 32 is thus operable to introduce conditioned air into the interior space 22 of the housing 10.
[0030] In use, the second fan 34 is operable to move air from the interior space 22 of the housing, through the duct 56 connected to the ceiling inlet aperture 58, through the heating and cooling unit 36 and out of the exhaust outlet 38. The second fan is thus operable to extract “stale air” from the interior space 22 of the housing 10.
[0031] Separate fans 32, 34 are used to introduce and remove air from the interior space 22 of the housing 10, maintaining a pressure balance within the interior space 22.
[0032] Heating and cooling of the air introduced into the internal space 22 of the housing 10 is achieved by heating or cooling of the air moved through the heating and cooling unit 36 by the first fan 32. Thus, the heating and cooling unit 36 may comprise a reversible heat pump having a refrigerant, a compressor, an expansion valve and two condenser / evaporator arrangements. Alternatively, the heating and cooling unit 36 may comprise an electric heating and cooling arrangement, such as for example a Peltier device. In both cases, a heat exchange arrangement is provided inside the heating and cooling unit 36 for heating or cooling the air conveyed through the unit 36 by the first fan 32.
[0033] In use, the heating and cooling unit 36 is operable to heat or cool the air introduced into the internal space 22 of the housing 10 above or below the temperature of the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space 26. The amount of air introduced into the internal space 22 that the unit 36 is capable of heating or cooling may vary according to user demand. As a non-limiting example, the unit 36 may be operable to heat or cool the air by up to four degrees Celsius relative to the temperature of the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space 26.
[0034] The heating and cooling unit 36 further comprises a recirculated condensate management arrangement. Operation of the heating and cooling unit 36 may result in the production of condensate within the heating and cooling unit 36. When heated air is introduced into the internal space 22 by the first fan 32, the condensate may be released from the air extracted from the internal space 22 by the second fan 34. This is due to the elevated humidity levels within the internal space caused by the occupants' breathing. When cooled air is introduced into the internal space by the first fan 32, then the condensate may be released from the air drawn into the heating and cooling unit by the first fan 32. This may occur if there are elevated humidity levels in the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space 26.
[0035] In order to manage the production of condensate in both cases and avoid the need for external condensate discharge, the heating and cooling unit 36 is provided with a condensate trough and a wicking arrangement. Condensate produced within the heating and cooling unit 36 is captured and held in the trough or a similar storage system. A wick is provided within the heating and cooling unit 36, which extends through the path of the air guided through the unit 36 by the fans 32, 34. The condensate is wicked and thereafter evaporated by the air flow over the wick.
[0036] The wicking arrangement may be used to maintain a stable humidity level within the internal space 22 of the housing by recirculating the moisture produced by the occupants of the internal space 22. However, it should be understood that the moisture is recirculated into the conditioned air, which is introduced into the internal space 22 of the housing from the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space 26.
[0037] The HVAC arrangement 30 may also include an ionization arrangement, more specifically a bipolar ionization arrangement. The ionization arrangement may be associated with the first fan 32 such that the air introduced into the interior space of the housing 10 is ionized. In an alternative configuration, the ionization arrangement may be positioned at the conditioned air outlet 44 such that the air moved through the outlet 44 by the first fan 32 is ionized before entering the interior space 22 of the housing 10.
[0038] Alternatively or additionally, the ionization arrangement may be associated with the second fan 34 such that the air extracted from the interior space 22 of the housing 10 is ionized before being discharged into the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space 26. In an alternative configuration, the ionization arrangement may be positioned at the exhaust outlet 38 such that the air moved through the outlet 38 by the second fan 34 is ionized before being discharged into the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space 26 that surrounds the housing 10.
[0039] It should be understood that the ionization of the conditioned air is beneficial to the occupants of the housing 10, while the ionization of the exhausted air is beneficial to the occupants of the larger enclosed space in which the housing 10 is located. It should also be understood that other forms of air treatment may be employed as an alternative to or in addition to ionization to combat airborne pathogens. For example, HEPA filters and / or UV light may be used to treat the air passing through the HVAC arrangement 30.
[0040] Now referring Figures 3 to 6 to Figure 1 and 2 shows an alternative embodiment of an HVAC arrangement generally designated 130. Features common to the HVAC arrangements described with reference
[0041] to
[0042] are identified with like reference numerals prefixed with "1". The arrangement 130 differs from the previously described arrangement in that the controller 135 is no longer located between the fans 132, 134 but is located on one side of the heating and cooling unit 136. The controller 135 is thus more readily accessible. Figures 3 to 6 Instead of the controller 135, a fan mounting bracket 166 is provided between the fans 132, 134. Each fan 132, 134 is carried by a separate bracket 166 which is in turn mounted to the ceiling 12 of the housing 10. As
[0043] As can be seen from the figure, the fan mounting bracket 166 is connected, for example, by threaded fasteners to the structural beam 168 of the ceiling 12. The structural beam 168 of the ceiling 12 also serves to support the duct mounting bracket 174 for the duct work of the HVAC arrangement 130.
[0044] Further optional developments of the invention include:
[0045] 1. An integrated temperature, humidity and CO2 sensor as part of the control system, having the ability to manage, monitor and control the fan speed to provide an optimal fresh air flow.
[0046] 2. A differential air pressure sensor as part of the HVAC arrangement and control system, having the ability to manage the incoming and outgoing fan speeds to regulate the internal load compared to the external surroundings.
[0047] 3. A duct CO2 sensor - an optional additional service in place of the temperature / humidity / CO2 sensor to help counter the number of additional monitoring devices in the enclosure.
[0048] 4. Integrating anti-vibration bushings onto the frame of the enclosure to ensure that the box and brackets housing the HVAC arrangement are fully isolated / acoustically controlled.
[0049] 5. Duct inlet / outlet revisions within the enclosure - including combining both lighting and occupancy sensors into a common unit to reduce the number of penetrations in the enclosure ceiling.
[0050] It should be understood that the present invention provides a modular structure and a modular HVAC system for such a structure.
Claims
1. A conference space enclosure for use within a larger enclosed space, the conference space enclosure comprising a structure having at least one wall and a ceiling defining an interior space therebetween and an enclosure allowing users to enter and exit the interior space, wherein the conference space enclosure comprises a self - contained HVAC arrangement mounted on the ceiling and operable to control the temperature, purity, and humidity of the air within the interior space, wherein the self - contained HVAC arrangement comprises: A fan arrangement operable to move air into or out of an interior space; An air heating and cooling unit operable to heat or cool air moved into the interior space by the fan arrangement, the fan arrangement comprising: a first fan operable to move air into the interior space through the heating and cooling unit, and a second fan operable to move air out of the interior space of the conference space enclosure.
2. The conference space enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the wall is modular.
3. The conference space enclosure according to claim 2, wherein the wall comprises at least one panel.
4. The conference space enclosure according to claim 2, wherein the wall comprises a plurality of panels.
5. The conference space enclosure according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the plurality of panels is a glass panel.
6. The conference space enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fan moves air from the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space into the interior space, and the second fan moves air from the interior space out to the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space.
7. The conference space enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating and cooling unit comprises a first inlet and a first outlet, and a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein the first fan is operable to move air into the first inlet, through the heating and cooling unit and out of the first outlet, and the second fan is operable to move air into the second inlet, through the heating and cooling unit and out of the second outlet.
8. The conference space enclosure according to claim 7, wherein the first outlet of the heating and cooling unit is in fluid communication with an inlet hole provided in the ceiling of the conference space enclosure structure so that heated or cooled air can be introduced into the interior space.
9. The conference space enclosure according to claim 8, wherein the first outlet of the heating and cooling unit is in fluid communication with the ceiling inlet hole through a closed conduit.
10. The conference space enclosure according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the first fan is positioned adjacent to the first inlet of the heating and cooling unit.
11. The conference space enclosure according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the second inlet of the heating and cooling unit is in fluid communication with an outlet hole provided in the ceiling of the conference space enclosure structure.
12. The conference space enclosure according to claim 11, wherein the second inlet of the heating and cooling unit is in fluid communication with the ceiling outlet hole through a closed conduit.
13. The meeting space enclosure according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the second fan is positioned adjacent to the second inlet of the heating and cooling unit.
14. The meeting space enclosure according to any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the flow direction of the first fan is the same as the flow direction of the second fan.
15. The meeting space enclosure according to claim 14, wherein the flow directions of the first fan and the second fan are substantially parallel.
16. The meeting space enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating and cooling unit includes a reversible heat pump.
17. The meeting space enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating and cooling unit includes a Peltier device.
18. The meeting space enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating and cooling unit includes a condensate management system, the condensate management system comprising: At least one absorbent core positioned in the path of air moved through the unit by the first fan, and at least one absorbent core positioned in the path of air moved through the unit by the second fan, wherein condensate absorbed by the core can be evaporated by air passing through the core.
19. The meeting space enclosure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the HVAC arrangement includes an ionization arrangement operable to ionize the air passing through the HVAC arrangement.
20. The meeting space enclosure according to claim 19, wherein the ionization arrangement is operable to ionize the air before the air is moved into the internal space of the meeting space enclosure by the first fan.
21. The meeting space enclosure according to claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the ionization arrangement is operable to ionize the air extracted from the internal space by the second fan before the extracted air is moved to the ambient atmosphere of the larger enclosed space.