VENTILATION UNIT AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE WITH A VENTILATION UNIT

Abstract

A ventilation unit (1), in particular for recreational vehicles such as motorhomes, caravans or campervans, wherein the ventilation unit (1) comprises: an air intake arrangement (30) configured to define an intake airflow path (IFP) from the environment (E) of an enclosed space (CS) into the enclosed space (CS) in an installed state of the ventilation unit (1); an air outlet arrangement (40) configured to define an outlet airflow path (EFP) from the enclosed space (CS) to the environment (E) of the enclosed space (CS) in an installed state of the ventilation unit (1); a partition (56) designed to separate the intake air flow path (IFP) and the exhaust air flow path (EFP) from each other; characterized in that the partition (56) includes at least one opening (57) designed to equalize a pressure difference between the intake air flow path (IFP) within the air intake arrangement (30) and the exhaust air flow path (EFP) within the air outlet arrangement (40).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a ventilation unit and a recreational vehicle with such a ventilation unit.

[0002] In general, enclosed spaces intended to accommodate occupants must be equipped with ventilation units to ensure an adequate supply of fresh air for the occupants. This is especially true for relatively confined enclosed spaces such as those found in recreational vehicles such as motorhomes, caravans, or camper vans. It has been observed that while the recreational vehicle is in motion, an undesirably high positive or negative pressure can occur within the enclosed space because the external airflow increases the pressure on the intake air. Such positive or negative pressure can be uncomfortable for the occupants in the enclosed space. The same has also been observed when the recreational vehicle is parked, when strong winds act on the ventilation unit, thereby increasing the pressure on the intake air or the exhaust air.

[0003] DE 10 2021 208 289 A1 discloses a generic ventilation unit for a recreational vehicle, comprising an air intake assembly and an air outlet assembly separated from the air intake assembly by a partition wall, which define an intake air flow path and an outlet air flow path, respectively. Further exemplary ventilation units are disclosed in KR 10 2010 0 092 070 A and JP 2020 - 199 805 A.

[0004] In view of this problem, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ventilation unit which makes it possible to maintain the desired pressure within the enclosed space during the ventilation processes, even if the ventilation unit is affected by an increased air flow during travel or by strong wind.

[0005] This object is achieved by the ventilation unit according to claim 1. Preferred modifications thereof are presented in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a ventilation unit, in particular for recreational vehicles such as mobile homes, caravans, or motorhomes, comprises an air intake arrangement, an air outlet arrangement, and a partition wall. The air intake arrangement is configured to define, in an installed state of the ventilation unit, an intake air flow path from the surroundings of a closed space into the closed space. The air outlet arrangement is configured to define, in an installed state of the ventilation unit, an outlet air flow path from the closed space into the surroundings of the closed space. The partition wall is designed to separate the intake air flow path and the outlet air flow path from one another. The partition wall further comprises at least one opening designed to equalize the pressure between the intake air in the intake air flow path and the outlet air in the outlet air flow path.

[0007] The opening in the partition wall allows increased pressure within the air intake arrangement and the air outlet arrangement to be compensated, thereby avoiding or at least reducing undesirably high overpressure within the enclosed space.

[0008] Preferably, the at least one opening is covered by a flap configured to open the opening when a specific pressure difference between the intake air flow path within the air intake assembly and the exhaust air flow path within the air outlet assembly is exceeded. With the opening covered by a flap, the intake air flow path and the exhaust air flow path can be regularly separated, and pressure equalization only occurs when the pressure difference exceeds a specific pressure difference, e.g., due to strong wind or increased air supply to the air intake assembly while driving.

[0009] Preferably, the air intake assembly comprises an air intake duct connected to a first opening of the partition wall. The air intake duct is configured to define a bypass intake air flow path from the ambient to the air outlet assembly. The air outlet assembly comprises an air outlet duct connected to a second opening of the partition wall. The air outlet duct is configured to define a bypass outlet air flow path from the air intake assembly to the ambient. This configuration allows ambient air flow of any direction to enter both the air intake assembly and the air outlet assembly, even if the other of the air intake assembly and the air outlet assembly is the one facing the ambient air flow. The pressure difference between the intake air flow path and the outlet air flow path due to backpressure is thereby avoided or at least reduced.

[0010] Preferably, the ventilation unit further comprises a heat transfer unit configured to perform passive heat transfer between the intake air in the intake air flow path and the exhaust air in the exhaust air flow path. Through passive heat transfer, the intake air from the surroundings of the enclosed space is passively cooled or heated via the exhaust air in the exhaust air flow path, so that the temperature of the intake air flow approaches the temperature of the exhaust air, and the temperature fluctuations resulting from the ventilation process are reduced. With the heat transfer unit, this is achieved without complex and often expensive air conditioning measures such as cooling circuits or the like.

[0011] Preferably, the air intake assembly comprises an intake fan unit configured to force a flow of intake air through the intake air flow path. Additionally or alternatively, the air outlet assembly comprises an outlet fan unit configured to force a flow of exhaust air through the exhaust air flow path. This configuration makes it possible to increase the amount of air replaced by the ventilation unit in the enclosed space. Preferably, the heat transfer unit comprises a heat transfer disc and a rotary motor configured to rotate the heat transfer disc. The heat transfer disc is configured such that a portion of the heat transfer disc is always in contact with the intake air in the intake air flow path and another portion of the heat transfer disc is always in contact with the exhaust air in the exhaust air flow path.The rotary motor allows the section of the heat transfer disc in contact with the intake air to be moved into contact with the exhaust air, and the section of the heat transfer disc in contact with the outlet air to be moved into contact with the intake air, resulting in highly efficient heat transfer between the exhaust air and the intake air. This provides a fairly simple yet reliable implementation for the heat transfer unit.

[0012] Preferably, the intake fan unit and / or the exhaust fan unit comprise a fan driven by an electric motor with a control input. In particular, the electric motor is a 12-volt DC motor operated with pulse-width-modulated operating signals. Additionally or alternatively, the rotary motor is a 12-volt DC motor operated with pulse-width-modulated operating signals. Such motors allow for highly controllable, reliable, and relatively inexpensive overall configurations.

[0013] Preferably, the ventilation unit comprises a control unit. The control unit has a circuit board. The control unit is configured to control the operation of the intake fan unit, the exhaust fan unit, and / or the heat transfer unit. In particular, the control unit is configured to control the electric motors of the fan units and / or the rotary motor of the heat transfer unit. Such a control unit enables centralized and highly specific control of the operation of the various components of the ventilation unit.

[0014] Preferably, the control unit is configured to receive and process signals from a gas sensor, in particular a carbon dioxide (CO2) sensor and / or a volatile organic compound sensor, which measures the air quality in the enclosed space. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to control the components of the ventilation unit based on these signals. Such a configuration enables automated control of the various components of the ventilation unit.

[0015] Preferably, the control unit is configured to receive and process signals from a differential pressure sensor. The control unit is further configured to control the components of the ventilation unit to create a pressure equalization between the enclosed space and the environment. This makes it possible to maintain a constant pressure between the enclosed space and the environment and prevent heat losses due to air flows other than those through the ventilation unit.

[0016] Preferably, the ventilation unit comprises a housing that encloses various components of the ventilation unit. The housing is coupled to a base of the ventilation unit, wherein the base is designed for securing the ventilation unit at a desired location. In particular, the housing is made of fiber-reinforced material, preferably hemp-fiber-reinforced polypropylene. Such a housing ensures the protection of the various components of the ventilation unit while being lightweight, so that the overall configuration increases only minimally.

[0017] The ventilation unit preferably comprises sealing elements and / or filter units. The sealing elements are designed to seal various components of the ventilation unit against the ingress of liquid. The filter units are configured to filter, in particular, the intake air in the intake air flow path. Such a configuration makes it possible to protect both the ventilation unit itself and the enclosed space from contaminants from the environment of the enclosed space.

[0018] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a recreational vehicle, in particular a mobile home, a caravan or a motorhome, comprises at least one of the ventilation units described above.

[0019] This makes it possible to use the technical effects described above, which are achieved with the ventilation units, in a recreational vehicle.

[0020] These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred, non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the ventilation unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an installed state of the ventilation unit; Fig. 2 another spatial view of the ventilation unit of Fig. 1 is; Fig. 3 a cross-sectional view of the ventilation unit of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is; Fig. 4 a spatial partial view of the ventilation unit of the Fig. 1 to 3; Fig. 5 another spatial partial view of the ventilation unit of the Fig. 1 to 3; Fig. 6 a spatial partial view of the ventilation unit of the Fig. 1 to 5; and Fig. 7 is a partial perspective view of a ventilation unit according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] As can be seen from the accompanying drawings, a ventilation unit 1 comprises a housing 10. The housing 10 is connected to a base 20 (see Fig. 2). The base 20 is configured to be mounted at a desired location on the roof surface RT of a recreational vehicle, as shown in Fig. 1 is shown.

[0022] The housing 10 comprises a housing frame 10A and a housing cover 10B. The housing frame 10A has ventilation openings 12 provided on two opposite sides of the ventilation unit 1, as shown, for example, in Fig. 2 is shown.

[0023] How best in Fig. 3, the ventilation unit 1 comprises an air intake arrangement 30 and an air outlet arrangement 40. The air intake arrangement 30 defines an intake air flow path IFP. The air outlet arrangement 40 defines an outlet air flow path EFP. In a state in which the ventilation unit 1 is installed in a roof area RT, as shown in Fig. 2, the intake air flow path IFP is provided from the environment E of a closed space CS (e.g., the interior of a recreational vehicle) into the closed space CS, and the exhaust air flow path EFP is provided from the closed space CS below the roof surface RT to the environment E of the closed space CS.

[0024] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the air intake assembly 30 includes an intake fan unit 32. The intake fan unit 32 is configured to force a flow of intake air through the intake air flow path IFP. The air outlet assembly 40 includes an exhaust fan unit 42. The exhaust fan unit 42 is configured to force a flow of exhaust air through the exhaust air flow path EFP. As shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the two fan units 32 and 42 are arranged within the housing 10 and are both provided on an internal housing 50. The internal housing 50 defines a temperature exchange space within the ventilation unit 1. An energy storage device 52 in the form of a battery unit is coupled to the internal housing 50, as shown in Fig. 4. In the present case, the energy storage device 52 is coupled to the internal housing via a clamp 54, but other suitable means are also possible.

[0025] A partition wall 56 separates the intake air flow path IFP and the exhaust air flow path EFP from each other within the internal housing 50. The ventilation unit 1 according to the illustrated embodiment further comprises a passive heat transfer unit 60, which includes a flat heat transfer disc 62 and a rotary motor 64. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat transfer disc 62 is a perforated ceramic disc. However, other configurations are also possible. The rotary motor 64 is arranged in a space formed in the partition wall 56 and is coupled to the heat transfer disc 62 such that the rotary motor 64 rotates the heat transfer disc 62.

[0026] As in Fig. 5, the heat transfer disc 62 is configured such that a first portion 62A of the heat transfer disc 62 is in contact with the outlet air flow path side of the temperature exchange space within the internal housing 50 (left). A second portion 62B of the heat transfer disc 62 is in contact with the intake air flow path side of the temperature exchange space within the internal housing 50 (right). Thus, the first portion 62A is in contact with the outlet air flowing through the outlet air flow path EFP, and the second portion 62B is in contact with the intake air flowing through the intake air flow path IFP. During ventilation operations, the outlet air flowing through the outlet air flow path EFP heats or cools the first portion 62A of the heat transfer disc 62 depending on the temperature of the outlet air compared to the temperature of the first portion 62A of the heat transfer disc 62.Subsequently, the rotation motor 64 rotates the heated or cooled first portion 62A of the heat transfer disc 62 from the exhaust air flow path EFP into the intake air flow path IFP. Thus, the corresponding portion of the heat transfer disc 62 rotated into the intake air flow path IFP becomes the second portion 62B of the heat transfer disc 62. Then, the heated or cooled second portion 62B of the heat transfer disc 62 heats or cools the intake air flowing through the intake air flow path IFP. This process occurs continuously, so that heat is constantly transferred between the exhaust air in the exhaust air flow path EFP and the intake air in the intake air flow path IFP.

[0027] The intake fan unit 32 and the exhaust fan unit 42 each comprise a fan. The fan of each fan unit 32, 42 is driven by an electric motor. In the illustrated embodiment, the electric motors of the fan units 32 and 42 as well as the rotary motor 64 of the heat transfer unit 60 are each 12-volt DC motors operated with pulse-width-modulated operating signals. The electric motors of the fan units 32 and 42 as well as the rotary motor 64 of the heat transfer unit 60 are coupled to the energy storage device 52 for power supply. The ventilation unit 1 further comprises a control unit (not explicitly shown) with a circuit board. The control unit is coupled to the two fan units 32 and 42 as well as to the heat transfer unit 60 and is designed to control the operation of these components of the ventilation unit 1.In particular, the control unit is configured to supply pulse-width modulated operating signals to the electric motors of the two fan units 32 and 42 as well as to the rotary motor 64 of the heat transfer unit 60.

[0028] The control unit is also configured to be coupled to gas sensors, such as a CO2 sensor and a volatile organic compound sensor, which measure the air quality in the enclosed space CS, as well as to differential pressure sensors, which measure the pressure difference between the environment E of the enclosed space CS and the enclosed space CS itself. Based on the signals received by the sensors and processed in the control unit, the control unit controls the various components of the ventilation unit 1, such as the electric motors of the fan units 32 and 42 or the rotary motor 64 of the heat transfer unit 60. For example, the control unit can be configured to increase the speed of the fans of the fan units 32 and 42 when the air quality in the enclosed space CS, as detected by the gas sensors, falls below a predetermined value.At the same time, the control unit can adjust the respective speeds for the fans of the fan units 32 and 42 to each other so that the pressure difference between the environment E of the enclosed space CS and the enclosed space CS itself is kept constant, in order to avoid heat losses due to air flows other than those through the ventilation unit. Of course, the control unit can be designed such that other sensors, such as temperature sensors, humidity sensors, motion sensors, or the like, can be coupled to the control unit to supplement and improve the functionality of the control unit.

[0029] For example, in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the ventilation unit 1 comprises various filter units with filter mats 70, which are arranged behind the ventilation openings 12, as seen from outside the ventilation unit 1, so that the air flowing through the ventilation unit 1 is filtered. Furthermore, the ventilation unit 1 comprises a plurality of sealing elements configured to seal the various components of the ventilation unit 1 against the ingress of liquids.

[0030] As in Fig. 6, the exemplary embodiment of the ventilation unit 1 comprises two openings 57, each covered by a flap 58 within the partition wall 56, which connect the air intake arrangement 30 to the air outlet arrangement 40. As shown, an air flow from the environment E enters the air intake arrangement 30 through the ventilation openings 12 in the frame 10A. Due to a pressure difference between the air intake arrangement 30 and the air outlet arrangement 40 that exceeds a predetermined pressure difference, the flaps 58 are opened, so that the air flow can flow through the openings 57 into the air outlet arrangement 40 and out of the air outlet arrangement 40 through the ventilation openings 12 in the frame 10A into the environment E. Both the Fig. 6 as well as the air flow shown in Fig. 3 air flows shown can occur simultaneously.

[0031] Another exemplary embodiment is shown in Fig.7, which has a substantially identical structure to the first exemplary embodiment. However, in this exemplary embodiment, an air intake pipe 59A is arranged within the air intake assembly 30. The air intake pipe 59A connects a ventilation opening 12 to a first opening 57 in the partition wall 56. The air intake pipe 59A defines a bypass intake air flow path BIF from the environment E of the ventilation unit 1 to the air outlet assembly 40. An air outlet pipe 59B is arranged within the air outlet assembly 40. The air outlet pipe 59B connects a second opening 57 in the partition wall 56 to a ventilation opening 12. The air outlet pipe 59B defines a bypass outlet air flow path BEF from the air intake assembly 30 to the environment E of the ventilation unit 1.With this design, an air flow entering the ventilation unit 1 horizontally from the environment E from any side can enter both the air intake arrangement 30 and the air outlet arrangement 40, whereby the pressure difference between the air intake arrangement 30 and the air outlet arrangement 40 is at least reduced due to the back pressure.

[0032] Finally, it is emphasized that the present invention relates not only to the illustrated and described ventilation unit 1, but also to recreational vehicles such as mobile homes, caravans or motorhomes that are equipped with at least one such ventilation unit 1.

[0033] The above-described embodiments are preferred, but merely represent exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the described embodiments of the present invention do not limit the achieved scope of protection, as defined by the appended set of claims. Those skilled in the art will be able to conceive various modifications to the above-described configurations without violating the basic concept of the present invention and / or departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims. REFERENCE SYMBOL 1 ventilation unit 10 housings 10A frame 10B lid 12 ventilation openings 20 Base 30 Air intake arrangement 32 intake fan unit 40 Air outlet air arrangement 42 Exhaust fan unit 50 internal housing 52 energy storage units 54 bracket 56 Partition wall 57 Opening 58 flap 59A Air intake pipe 59B Air outlet pipe 60 heat transfer unit 62 Heat transfer disc 62A first section of the heat transfer disc 62B second section of the heat transfer disc 64 rotary motor 70 filter mats BEF bypass outlet air flow path BIF bypass intake air flow path CS closed room E environment EFP outlet air flow path IFP intake air flow path RT roof area

Claims

[1] A ventilation unit (1), in particular for recreational vehicles such as mobile homes, caravans or motor homes, the ventilation unit (1) comprising: an air intake arrangement (30) configured to define, in an installed state of the ventilation unit (1), an intake air flow path (IFP) from the environment (E) of a closed space (CS) into the closed space (CS); an air outlet arrangement (40) configured to define, in an installed state of the ventilation unit (1), an outlet air flow path (EFP) from the enclosed space (CS) to the environment (E) of the enclosed space (CS); a partition wall (56) configured to separate the intake air flow path (IFP) and the exhaust air flow path (EFP); characterized by , that the partition wall (56) comprises at least one opening (57) designed to compensate for a pressure difference between the intake air flow path (IFP) within the air intake arrangement (30) and the exhaust air flow path (EFP) within the air outlet arrangement (40). [2] The ventilation unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one opening (57) is covered by a flap (58) configured to open the opening (57) when a certain pressure difference between the intake air flow path (IFP) within the air intake assembly (30) and the exhaust air flow path (EFP) within the air outlet assembly (40) is exceeded. [3] The ventilation unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the air intake assembly (30) comprises an air intake pipe (59A) connected to a first opening (57) of the partition wall (56) configured to define a bypass intake air flow path (BIF) from the environment (E) to the air outlet assembly (40); and the air outlet assembly (40) comprises an air outlet pipe (59B) connected to a second opening (57) of the partition wall (56) configured to define a bypass outlet air flow path (BEF) from the air intake assembly (30) to the environment (E). [4] The ventilation unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ventilation unit (1) comprises a heat transfer unit (60) configured to perform passive heat transfer between intake air within the intake air flow path (IFP) and exhaust air within the exhaust air flow path (EFP). [5] The ventilation unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the air intake assembly (30) comprises an intake fan unit (32) configured to force a flow of intake air through the intake air flow path (IFP); and / or the air outlet assembly (40) comprises an exhaust fan unit (42) configured to force a flow of exhaust air through the exhaust air flow path (EFP). [6] The ventilation unit (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the heat transfer unit (60) comprises a heat transfer disc (62) and a rotary motor (64), wherein the rotary motor (64) is configured to rotate the heat transfer disc (62), wherein the heat transfer disc (62) is configured such that at all times a portion (62B) of the heat transfer disc (62) is in contact with intake air within the intake air flow path (IFP) and another portion (62A) of the heat transfer disc (62) is in contact with exhaust air within the exhaust air flow path (EFP). [7] The ventilation unit (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the intake fan unit (32) and / or the outlet fan unit (42) comprises a fan driven by an electric motor with a control input, in particular a 12-volt DC motor operated with pulse-width-modulated operating signals; and / or wherein the rotary motor (64) is a 12-volt DC motor operated with pulse-width-modulated operating signals. [8] The ventilation unit (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the ventilation unit (1) comprises a control unit having a circuit board, the control unit being configured to control the operation of the intake fan unit (32), the exhaust fan unit (42) and / or the heat transfer unit (60). [9] The ventilation unit (1) according to claim 8, wherein the control unit is configured to receive and process signals from a gas sensor, in particular from a CO2 sensor and / or a sensor for volatile organic compounds, which measures the air quality within the enclosed space (CS), and wherein the control unit is further configured to control the components of the ventilation unit (1) based on the signals received from the sensors. [10] The ventilation unit (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the control unit is configured to receive and process signals from a differential pressure sensor, and wherein the control unit is further configured to control the components of the ventilation unit (1) such that a predetermined overpressure is generated within the closed space (CS) with respect to the environment (E) of the closed space (CS). [11] The ventilation unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation unit (1) comprises a housing (10) which surrounds the components of the ventilation unit (1), and the housing (10) is coupled to a base (20) of the ventilation unit (1), wherein the base (20) is designed to fix the ventilation unit (1) at a desired location, and wherein the housing (10) consists in particular of fiber-reinforced material, preferably of hemp fiber-reinforced polypropylene. [12] The ventilation unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation unit (1) comprises sealing elements and / or filter units, wherein the sealing elements are configured to seal various components of the ventilation unit (1) against the ingress of liquid, and wherein the filter units are configured to filter in particular the intake air in the intake air flow path (IFP). [13] Recreational vehicle, in particular a mobile home, caravan or camper van, with at least one ventilation unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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