Weather protection wall unit

Abstract

Weather-protection wall unit for ventilation systems of buildings, comprising a housing that can be mounted on an external wall of a building and comprises a supply air area and an exhaust air area for guiding supply air (10) and exhaust air (11), wherein the supply air area is a fluidically defined section within the housing that guides the supply air (10) in the form of outside air from one or more air inlet openings (1.1) in the housing to a wall-side supply air connection, and wherein the exhaust air area is a fluidically defined section that guides the exhaust air (11) from a wall-side exhaust air connection out of the housing, wherein a condensate drainage profile (2.1) having a drip edge is attached to the underside of the housing, characterized in that the weather-protection wall unit comprises: - an air path separating plate (3) integrated into the housing for the fluidic separation of the supply air area from the exhaust air area, and - an exhaust air nozzle (4) which can be connected to the wall-side exhaust air connection and which is connected to an air outlet opening (1.2) in the housing and has a main outlet opening connected to the air outlet opening (1.2) in the housing for discharging the exhaust air (11) and an additional condensate drain opening (4.1) for discharging condensate (12) separated from and / or entrained by the exhaust air (11), wherein the exhaust air nozzle (4) forms an exhaust air duct aligned along a main flow direction of the exhaust air (11), which directs the majority of the exhaust air (11) from the wall-side exhaust air connection to the main outlet opening connected to the air outlet opening (1.2) in the housing, and wherein the condensate drain opening (4.1) is arranged such that the condensate (12) flows out of the housing onto and via the condensate drain profile (2.1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a weatherproof wall unit for ventilation systems, in particular for centralized or decentralized ventilation systems in buildings, in which outside air is directed both as supply air and exhaust air via a unit on the exterior wall. The weatherproof wall unit serves both to protect the air openings from the elements and to provide flow guidance for the supply and exhaust air.

[0002] Ventilation systems for buildings often include weather protection wall units mounted on the exterior walls, which serve to protect air outlets from the elements such as rain, snow, or the ingress of foreign matter. Such units, often referred to as weather protection grilles, can be part of centralized or decentralized ventilation systems and serve both to supply outside air and to extract exhaust air. In common designs, these are often equipped with louvres arranged at a defined angle to reduce the penetration of precipitation while still allowing sufficient airflow.

[0003] DE 10 2022 122 700 A1 discloses a weatherproof wall unit designed specifically for connection to building services equipment such as heat pumps or ventilation units. This unit features an integrated drip rail located beneath an exterior wall grille. The drip rail is formed in one piece and includes edges designed to prevent water from running down sideways and to specifically keep drips away from the facade. The focus here is particularly on the drainage of rainwater or condensate that forms on the exterior surfaces of the weatherproof wall unit.

[0004] Weatherproof wall units of this type fulfill basic protective functions against external influences and enable air flow through the building envelope. However, they generally lack structural measures for the targeted separation of supply and exhaust air flows. In particular, bypass flows—i.e., the recirculation of exhaust air into adjacent intake openings—are not always adequately prevented.

[0005] Another problem often not adequately addressed with conventional weatherproof wall units concerns the collection and drainage of condensate from ventilation systems. Condensation in and on ventilation systems typically forms in areas with so-called thermal bridges. When warm, humid air meets a cooler surface, condensation occurs. The resulting moisture collects particularly on metallic surfaces with high thermal conductivity, forming droplets. Since condensate in ventilation systems can cause significant damage—for example, through icing, electrical malfunctions, corrosion on fans, or deposits that lead to functional impairment—targeted drainage is essential.

[0006] In addition to ventilation systems in which the condensate is separated inside the unit and discharged via a separate drain pipe, there are also ventilation systems in which drainage occurs via the exhaust air. In such cases, the air ducts to the exterior of the building run at a slight gradient, which transports the condensate toward a weather protection wall unit installed outside. At this point, the condensate must be drained away in a targeted and safe manner to reliably prevent damage to the ventilation system and the building facade.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a weatherproof wall unit that ensures reliable protection of exterior wall air vents against weather-related influences and simultaneously enables reliable air flow for ventilation systems with combined supply and exhaust air paths. Furthermore, the handling of moisture-laden exhaust air is to be improved and the impairment of adjacent components due to escaping condensate is to be prevented.

[0008] This object is achieved by a weather protection wall unit for ventilation systems of buildings having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are listed in claims 2 to 12.

[0009] According to the invention, the weatherproof wall unit for building ventilation systems comprises a housing that can be mounted on the exterior wall of a building. This housing has a supply air section and an exhaust air section for guiding the supply air and exhaust air. Attached to the underside of the housing is a condensate drain profile with a drip edge, which serves both to drain dew or rainwater away from the wall and to drain condensate from the ventilation system(s) away from the wall.

[0010] The supply air area is designed as a fluidically defined section within the housing, which serves to direct the supply air in the form of outside air from one or more air inlets of the weather protection wall unit to a wall-side supply air connection. The exhaust air area is also designed as a fluidically defined section, which is intended to direct the exhaust air out of the housing from a wall-side exhaust air connection.

[0011] The weatherproof wall unit also includes an air path separator plate integrated into the housing, which serves to fluidically separate the supply air from the exhaust air. The air path separator plate is typically designed as a dividing plate.

[0012] In addition, the weatherproof wall unit features an exhaust air nozzle that can be connected to the wall-mounted exhaust air connection and is connected to an air outlet in the casing. This exhaust air nozzle, in turn, has a main outlet opening for the exhaust air, connected to the air outlet in the casing, as well as an additional condensate drain opening for the removal of condensate separated from or entrained by the exhaust air.

[0013] The exhaust air nozzle forms an exhaust air duct aligned along the main flow direction of the exhaust air, which serves to direct the majority of the exhaust air from the wall-side exhaust air connection to the main outlet opening—and thus to the air outlet opening in the casing. The condensate drain opening is positioned so that the separated condensate flows out of the casing onto and over the condensate drain profile. For this purpose, it is usually designed as a recess or passage in the lowest wall area of the exhaust air nozzle walls surrounding the exhaust air duct.

[0014] The proposed weather protection wall unit is characterized by a clear flow separation of supply air and exhaust air, controlled condensate separation and effective facade protection.

[0015] By creating a supply air zone and an exhaust air zone as flow-defined sections within the housing, controlled, directed air flow is ensured. Separating these zones prevents backflow or bypass flows, which could cause exhaust air to be recirculated into the supply air duct. This contributes to ensuring air quality and the hygienic function of ventilation systems.

[0016] The air path separation plate integrated into the housing fulfils a central function by structurally separating the air flows within the housing, i.e. creating two separate interior spaces for the supply air and the exhaust air.

[0017] The arrangement of an exhaust air nozzle connected to an air outlet opening in the housing allows the exhaust air to be directed to the outside in a targeted manner while simultaneously removing moist air constituents from the airflow in a controlled manner. The exhaust air nozzle forms the exhaust air duct, which is aligned along the main flow direction of the exhaust air and directs the majority of the exhaust air directly to the main outlet opening of the exhaust air nozzle and thus to the air outlet opening in the housing.

[0018] Only a small portion of the exhaust air reaches the areas of the exhaust air area outside the exhaust air duct—that is, the zones surrounding the exhaust air nozzle—via the condensate drain opening. The main exhaust air flow is only marginally influenced by the condensate drain opening.

[0019] The two-stage separation of supply air and exhaust air achieved by the exhaust air nozzle and the air path separation plate almost completely prevents any mutual influence of the air flows.

[0020] A particular advantage of the weather protection wall unit according to the invention is the direct separation and targeted drainage of condensate carried in the exhaust air. This makes the device particularly suitable for ventilation systems, i.e. central or decentralized ventilation systems, in which the accumulating condensate is discharged via the ventilation ducts. The targeted positioning of the condensate drain opening within the exhaust air nozzle and the associated drainage via a condensate drain profile with a drip edge arranged on the underside of the housing enable controlled drainage of the accumulating condensate. This keeps the condensate - as well as rainwater hitting the weather protection wall unit or condensate forming on it - away from the building's outer wall, reliably preventing soiling, moisture penetration, or damage to the plaster.

[0021] The weather protection wall unit is preferably designed as a modular unit, suitable for both flush-mounted and surface-mounted installation. This modular design provides increased flexibility with regard to the installation method and the structural conditions on site. The option of flush-mounted installation allows for a largely flush integration of the weather protection wall unit into the facade of a building, achieving an unobtrusive appearance and improved weather protection. At the same time, the surface-mounted version enables easy retrofitting or use in existing exterior wall structures without complex structural interventions.

[0022] The exhaust air nozzle is preferably positioned on the housing so that its main outlet opening is flush with an outer surface of the housing, in particular with an outer surface of the housing. Such a flush design promotes unobstructed flow of the exhaust air and reduces turbulence at the main outlet opening.

[0023] In particular, the weather protection wall unit can comprise a peripheral seal that completely encloses the contact area between the exhaust air nozzle and the housing at the main outlet opening of the exhaust air nozzle. The peripheral seal is designed such that it seals the aforementioned contact area over its entire circumference, thereby reliably preventing exhaust air from escaping laterally from the exhaust air duct. In particular, the complete enclosure of the contact area ensures a defined separation between the exhaust air flow inside the exhaust air duct and its surroundings. The peripheral seal can be designed, among other things, in the form of a sealing ring, for example made of an elastomer material, or a corresponding sealing sleeve.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the weather protection wall unit, the housing is designed so that the condensate flowing out of the condensate drain opening hits an inner wall surface of the housing. This wall surface is designed in such a way that it directs the condensate specifically to the condensate drain profile outside the housing. The arrangement of the condensate drain opening in combination with the incline or shape of the inner wall surface of the housing ensures that the condensate separated inside the weather protection wall unit does not remain uncontrolled within the housing or accumulate in unintended places. Instead, the design of the wall surface directs the condensate specifically to the outside of the housing, where it flows onto the condensate drain profile. The condensate drain profile collects the drained condensate and, thanks to its external geometry, guides it away from the building's outer wall in a controlled manner.

[0025] It can also be provided that insulation is attached to the air path separator plate, which serves to thermally separate the supply air and exhaust air zones. The insulation on the air path separator plate reduces direct heat transfer between the adjacent air flows in the supply air and exhaust air zones. The insulation thus prevents the usually undesirable heat exchange through the building structure separating the supply air and exhaust air zones and helps prevent temperature losses or condensation due to thermal bridges at this point. The combination of the air path separator plate and the applied insulation leads to an improved, energy-efficient separation of the two air ducts and supports the fluidic and thermal integrity of the weather protection wall unit, especially under changing outdoor climatic conditions.

[0026] Preferably, the housing is constructed from a hood support and a detachably attached weather protection hood. The hood support forms a mountable base structure that can be connected to the building's exterior wall. By designing the housing from two functionally separate but interconnected components, a modular design is achieved that simplifies both the manufacture and installation of the weather protection wall unit. The hood support serves as the support element for all components to be mounted on the wall and represents the interface to the building's exterior wall. Due to its design as an mountable base structure, all functional elements of the weather protection wall unit can be accommodated on it. The weather protection hood is connected to the hood support in such a way that it can be detachably attached if necessary.This allows for easy disassembly for maintenance, cleaning, or inspection purposes without having to remove the entire unit from the wall. At the same time, the attached weather protection hood protects the air-conducting areas from external influences such as rain, snow, or mechanical damage. The air inlet and outlet openings are usually located in the weather protection hood.

[0027] The exhaust air nozzle is typically designed as a tubular component with a straight or slightly conical inner contour. This design of the exhaust air nozzle serves to facilitate the flow of the exhaust air within the exhaust air duct. The tubular design allows for easy manufacture and connection to other components of the ventilation system, such as exhaust air ducts. At the same time, this shape ensures a stable, mechanically resilient structure that can be easily integrated into the casing of the weather protection wall unit. In particular, the exhaust air nozzle has a circular cross-section, i.e., it is designed as a round tube.

[0028] The condensate drain opening is preferably arranged at a position along the axial depth line of the exhaust air nozzle. The axial depth line extends as the deepest flow path along the inner wall of the exhaust air nozzle in the direction of the main flow direction of the exhaust air. In particular, the condensate drain opening is designed as an elongated opening whose longitudinal extent runs along the axial depth line of the exhaust air nozzle. The elongated design of the condensate drain opening increases the drainage area along the flow path and thus promotes the continuous removal of condensate, even under changing operating conditions or slightly varying installation positions. Furthermore, the condensate drain opening can be tapered in its outline in a direction parallel to the axial depth line, with the tapered end oriented in the main flow direction of the exhaust air.The condensate drain opening designed in this way has approximately the outline shape of a drop aligned in the main flow direction.

[0029] In particular, the geometry of the condensate drain opening, as in the case of the above-mentioned design of the condensate drain opening with an axially aligned, elongated, and / or drop-shaped configuration, is designed to optimize flow. This leads to the reduction or elimination of flow noise.

[0030] According to a further embodiment of the weather protection wall unit, the air outlet opening and the air inlet openings in the housing, which are usually incorporated in the weather protection hood, are arranged on opposite surfaces of the housing. This arrangement ensures that the aforementioned openings are spatially positioned in such a way that they fulfill a recirculation-preventing function. The arrangement of the air outlet opening and the air inlet openings on opposite surfaces of the housing prevents outflowing exhaust air from being directly recirculated into the supply air intake area. This prevents exhaust air from being recirculated into the supply air area, which is particularly important for compact, exterior-wall-mounted designs of weather protection wall units.

[0031] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings, in which identical or similar features are provided with the same reference numerals; in this case: Fig. 1: a version of the weather protection wall unit in two perspective views, Fig. 2: the design of the weather protection wall unit in exploded view, Fig. 3: the design of the weather protection wall unit in longitudinal section through the exhaust air area, and Fig. 4: the exhaust air nozzle of the weather protection grille in two perspective views.

[0032] The weather protection wall unit of a ventilation system according to the Fig. 1 to Fig. The version shown in Figure 4 has a modular design, the main components of which are the weather protection hood 1 and the hood support 2. Together, the weather protection hood 1 and the hood support 2 form the housing of the weather protection wall unit. The weather protection hood 1 and the hood support 2 are detachably connected to each other by means of fastening elements 9, in this case screw connections.

[0033] The weather protection hood 1 is designed as a protective outer element that covers the functional units underneath. On the front - see Fig. 1, partial view (a), and Fig. 2 - the air outlet opening 1.2 is visible, through which the exhaust air 11 is discharged from the exhaust air duct 4. The air outlet opening 1.2 is located at the front of the weather protection hood 1. The air inlet openings 1.1, however, are located - to avoid recirculation - at the top, sides and bottom of the weather protection hood 1 - visible in Fig. 1, partial view (b), and Fig. 2. Outside air flows through the air inlet openings 1.1 into the supply air area of the weather protection wall unit and is then directed into the ventilation system as supply air 10.

[0034] The hood support 2 forms the mountable base structure of the weather protection wall unit and is designed for attachment to the building's exterior wall or facade. Among other things, it supports the air path separation plate 3, which provides the fluidic separation between the supply air and exhaust air sections within the housing.

[0035] The exhaust air nozzle 4 is designed as a round pipe, the walls of which enclose the exhaust air duct within the exhaust air area. The exhaust air nozzle 4 leads from a wall-side exhaust air connection (not shown) towards the air outlet opening 1.2 at the front of the weather protection hood 1, i.e. the casing. The exhaust air duct is aligned along the main flow direction of the exhaust air 11 and serves to selectively discharge the majority of the exhaust air 11 from the casing. The exhaust air nozzle 4 is - see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 - mounted flush with the front wall of the weather protection hood 1 on the inside of the housing by means of the circumferential seal 5, so that the main outlet opening of the exhaust air nozzle 4 connects directly to the air outlet opening 1.2 in the weather protection hood 1.

[0036] The condensate drain opening 4.1 is located in the lower part of the exhaust air nozzle 4. This is arranged along the axial depth line and allows the condensate 12 to drain away. The condensate 12 dripping or flowing out of the condensate drain opening 4.1 hits - see Fig. 3 - onto an inner wall surface of the weather protection hood 1, i.e., the housing, exits through a flow opening near the hood support 2 and then reaches the condensate drainage profile 2.1. The condensate drainage profile 2.1 has a drip edge over which the condensate 12 drips off the weather protection wall unit and is thus specifically kept away from the building's exterior wall.

[0037] For thermal separation between the supply air area and the exhaust air area - see Fig. 2 - the insulation 6 is applied flatly to the air path separation plate 3.

[0038] Between the hood support 2 and the building exterior wall - see Fig. 1, partial view (b), Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 - there is a wall seal 7, which provides an airtight seal for the installation opening. Additionally, the wall-side sealing sleeves 8 are provided, which form flexible seals against the wall-side supply air and exhaust air connections (not shown).

[0039] The exhaust air 11 enters - see Fig. 3 - via the wall-side exhaust air connection into the exhaust air duct within the exhaust air nozzle 4, flows through the exhaust air nozzle 4 along the main flow direction of the exhaust air 11 (in Fig. 3 (marked by the arrows) and leaves the housing via the air outlet opening 1.2. The condensate 12 from the ventilation system, which is carried along with the exhaust air 11, is discharged to the outside via the condensate drain opening 4.1, the inner wall surface of the housing, ie the weather protection hood 1, and the condensate drain profile 2.1.

[0040] In the two partial views (a) and (b) of the Fig. 4 shows the exhaust air nozzle 4, which is designed as a round pipe, in detail. The drop-shaped outline of the exhaust air nozzle 4, which is aligned along the axial depth line, Condensate drain opening 4.1 ensures the targeted drainage of the condensate 12. This flow-optimized geometry of the condensate drain opening 4.1 avoids the disturbing noise when the exhaust air 11 flows through the exhaust air nozzle 4. List of reference symbols 1 weather protection cover 1.1 Air inlet opening 1.2 Air outlet opening 2 hood supports 2.1 Condensate drainage profile 3 Airway separation plate 4 exhaust air nozzles 4.1 Condensate drain opening 5 Circulating seal 6 Insulation 7 Wall seal 8 Sealing sleeve 9 Fasteners 10 Supply air (outside air) 11 Exhaust air 12 Condensate 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] DE 10 2022 122 700 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Weather-proof wall unit for ventilation systems of buildings, comprising a housing which can be mounted on an external wall of a building and which comprises a supply air area and an exhaust air area for guiding supply air (10) and exhaust air (11), wherein the supply air area is a fluidically defined section within the housing which guides the supply air (10) in the form of outside air from one or more air inlet openings (1.1) in the housing to a wall-side supply air connection, and wherein the exhaust air area is a fluidically defined section which guides the exhaust air (11) from a wall-side exhaust air connection out of the housing, wherein a condensate drainage profile (2.1) having a drip edge is attached to the underside of the housing, characterized by that the weather protection wall unit includes: - an air path separating plate (3) integrated into the housing for the fluidic separation of the supply air area from the exhaust air area, and - an exhaust air nozzle (4) which can be connected to the wall-side exhaust air connection and which is connected to an air outlet opening (1.2) in the housing and has a main outlet opening connected to the air outlet opening (1.2) in the housing for discharging the exhaust air (11) and an additional condensate drain opening (4.1) for discharging condensate (12) separated from and / or entrained by the exhaust air (11), wherein the exhaust air nozzle (4) forms an exhaust air duct aligned along a main flow direction of the exhaust air (11), which directs the majority of the exhaust air (11) from the wall-side exhaust air connection to the main outlet opening connected to the air outlet opening (1.2) in the housing, and wherein the condensate drain opening (4.1) is arranged such that the condensate (12) flows out of the housing onto and via the condensate drain profile (2.1). [2] Weather protection wall unit according to claim 1, characterized bythat it is designed as a modular unit for both flush-mounted and surface-mounted installation. [3] Weather protection wall unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the weather protection wall unit comprises a circumferential seal (5) which completely encloses the contact area between the exhaust air nozzle (4) and the housing at the main outlet opening of the exhaust air nozzle (4) and seals against lateral escape of exhaust air (11) from the exhaust air duct. [4] Weather protection wall unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing is designed such that the condensate (12) flowing out of the condensate drain opening (4.1) strikes an inner wall surface of the housing and this wall surface directs the condensate (12) to the condensate drain profile (2.1) outside the housing. [5] Weather protection wall unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat an insulation (6) is attached to the air path separation plate (3) for thermal separation between the supply air area and the exhaust air area. [6] Weather protection wall unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing is constructed from a hood support (2) and a weather protection hood (1) detachably attached thereto, wherein the hood support (2) forms an installable base structure which can be connected to the outer wall of the building. [7] Weather protection wall unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the exhaust air nozzle (4) is designed as a tubular component with a straight or slightly conical inner contour. [8] Weather protection wall unit according to claim 7, characterized by that the exhaust air nozzle (4) has a substantially circular cross-section. [9] Weather protection wall unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the condensate drain opening (4.1) is arranged at a position along the axial depth line of the exhaust air nozzle (4), wherein the axial depth line extends as the deepest flow path along the inner wall of the exhaust air nozzle (4) in the direction of the main flow direction of the exhaust air (11). [10] Weather protection wall unit according to claim 9, characterized by that the condensate drain opening (4.1) is designed as an elongated opening whose longitudinal extent runs along the axial depth line of the exhaust air nozzle (4). [11] Weather protection wall unit according to claim 10, characterized by that the condensate drain opening (4.1) is tapered in its outline shape in a direction parallel to the axial depth line, the tapered end being oriented in the main flow direction of the exhaust air (11). [12] Weather protection wall unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the air outlet opening (1.2) and the air inlet openings (1.1) in the housing are arranged on surfaces of the housing facing away from each other to prevent recirculation.

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