Universal, robust and tool-free mounting viewing windows for heating, ventilation or climate chambers

Abstract

The viewing window with transparent elements (panes) connected by a screw connection, characterized in that the viewing window panes are attached separately to the inner and outer panel sheets.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a viewing window for insertion into a viewing opening, in particular a viewing opening of a room air conditioning system (HVAC system) and / or a climate chamber, with two panes that can be inserted into the viewing opening from each side, i.e. from the inside and outside, from opposite directions and can be securely fastened.

[0002] Such viewing windows are essential for industrial HVAC systems and climate chambers with a wide variety of units and machines installed in enclosed enclosures. Due to both positive and negative pressure and a wide range of temperature and / or humidity conditions, such viewing windows allow for regular monitoring of the condition of installed equipment during operation.

[0003] Common viewing windows usually have two panes. The first pane is inserted from the inside of the viewing opening, and the second from the outside, and is clamped in place with several mounting bolts. This compresses the internal seal and seals the viewing opening. The mounting bolts can be located inside or outside the seal.

[0004] This approach has several disadvantages. Mounting bolts located outside the gasket require additional holes with special gaskets. The mounting bolts themselves also require sealing due to the climatic conditions in HVAC systems, which differ significantly from the ambient environment. The length of the mounting bolts depends on the panel thickness, which means that different panel thicknesses require different mounting bolts.

[0005] With mounting bolts located within the gasket, additional panel drilling is no longer required. The need for additional sealing remains. This method poses the risk of the viewing window being pushed out of the center of the opening during installation. This results in the force generated by the mounting bolts deforming the edges of the opening irregularly. This results in leaks for the viewing window and the panel, and the need for a leak test upon commissioning. Additional issues with panel thickness remain.

[0006] Both designs require careful installation, potentially costly leak testing, and thus increased installation time. This means additional costs for both manufacturers and customers.

[0007] Another known design, according to EP3375968, involves mounting a viewing window with a screw or threaded connection. This approach offers several advantages. Mounting bolts are no longer required to install the viewing window, and the viewing opening is sealed evenly. Threaded mounting allows such viewing windows to be used for multiple panel thicknesses, significantly reducing installation time.

[0008] The disadvantage is that during installation of the system, the inner and outer panels move against each other due to lifting, shifting, or leveling, creating indefinable forces in the viewing window that firmly connects the inner and outer panels. During installation, the viewing window is prestressed almost to its strength limit, and the additional stress leads to cracks or even destruction of the viewing window. This results in the loss of the panel's airtightness and operational disruption.

[0009] The dimensions and tolerances of the panels (i.e., the insulation material and panel sheet), the viewing window, and the seals are interdependent, which limits the door selection. For significantly larger or smaller panel thicknesses, different viewing window dimensions are required. This requires additional, costly tools for manufacturing.

[0010] Another known design (EP3375968) is one in which one pane of the viewing window is mounted directly on the inside of the panel, and the other on the outside using mounting bolts without any connection to each other. This separates the panel sheets, which improves load distribution, but at the same time doubles the number of mounting bolts and increases the sealing effort.

[0011] Polycarbonate (PC), which is usually used for the viewing window, is not sufficiently transparent, scratchy, fogs up and yellows under UV radiation, and ages quickly.

[0012] Based on such a viewing window, the object of the present invention is to offer a viewing window that is both easy to install and leak-resistant and inexpensive.

[0013] This task is solved by mounting the viewing window, consisting of a viewing window pane and a mounting ring, which are connected by a screw connection, separately on the inner and outer panels. A PUR or conventional O-ring seal is located between the viewing window pane and the panel sheet.

[0014] The viewing window is identical for all possible panels, with all dimensions, tolerances, and protective coatings of the panel sheet. To ensure secure installation of the viewing window, a recess in the panel sheet and a corresponding elevation on the viewing window pane are provided.

[0015] The assembly is carried out by screwing the panels together, thus ensuring tightness through even force distribution and harmonious and controlled seal compression.

[0016] Because there are no mounting bolts and no longer any seals required, installation is quick and cost-effective.

[0017] Identical parts are used for both the inside and outside of the panels, which means that additional viewing window sizes and the associated investment in tools are no longer necessary.

[0018] The window can be made of PUA (polyurea) or coated with PUA on the back and / or front. Its seal is made of PUA or coated with PUA to provide scratch resistance and better UV protection.

[0019] PUA's properties are unique, as it is fog-, scratch-, impact-, and UV-resistant. The material is well-suited for temperatures ranging from -50°C to +150°C, which is advantageous for air-conditioning systems.

[0020] The PUA is transparent (202022001053), dirt-repellent (CN103804689), insect-repellent (KR1020190023565), hydrophobic (IN201817018142), fire-resistant (WO / 2013 / 053566), quick-drying (US20170015862), anti-fog (DE000069601778) and is used for eye lenses (US20110181954) and armor plating (WO / 2005 / 103363).

[0021] Further details and advantages of the present invention are explained below with the aid of an embodiment shown in the figures.

[0022] Showing: Fig. 1 - Viewing window Fig. 2 - Viewing window in exploded view Fig. 3 - A representation of the anti-twist device Reference symbol: 1 panel sheet1 A - recess on the panel 2 viewing windows 2 A Raised area on the viewing window 3 Seal 4 mounting ring 5 Insulation QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3375968 [0007, 0010] CN 103804689

[0020] KR 1020190023565

[0020] WO 2013 / 053566

[0020] US 20170015862

[0020] DE 000069601778

[0020] US 20110181954

[0020] WO 2005 / 103363

[0020]

Claims

[1] The viewing window with transparent elements (panes) connected by a screw connection, characterized by that the viewing windows are attached separately to the inner and outer panel sheets. [2] The viewing window according to claim 1, characterized by that it is universal, suitable for all possible panel thicknesses and panel sheets, regardless of the corrosion protection used, tolerances for the panel sheets and insulation material. [3] The viewing window according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by that it is made of PUA (polyurea) or is coated with PUA on the back and / or front. [4] The viewing window according to claims 1-3, characterized by that the seal is made of PUA or coated with PUA, or is attached to the viewing window as PUR foam, with or without PUA coating. [5] The viewing window according to claims 1-4, characterized bythat elements made of PUA or coated with PUA are transparent, waterproof, airtight, environmentally friendly and do not age.

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