Ventilator

Abstract

Ventilation device with a housing and with air ducts (6) and device components arranged in the housing, wherein the housing is made of expanded polystyrene [= EPS], wherein the housing has at least two assemblies (3) with molded air ducts (6) and with receiving openings (9, 10) for the device components and wherein the assemblies (3) are arranged axially symmetrically to each other with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the housing.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a ventilation unit comprising a housing and air ducts and device components arranged within the housing. The air ducts serve for an exhaust air flow directed through the ventilation unit and a fresh air flow or outside air flow directed through the ventilation unit.

[0002] Such ventilation units are well known in the art. They are used, for example, to control supply and exhaust air in buildings or individual rooms within buildings. Ventilation units are also used for heat recovery by extracting at least some of the thermal energy contained in the exhaust air and transferring it to the fresh air.

[0003] DE 10 2008 006 021 A1, for example, describes an air distributor with a housing forming an air distribution chamber, which has a plurality of air guide connections for distributing and / or merging air flows, wherein the housing can be formed from expanded homopolymer.

[0004] Furthermore, WO 2008 / 105586 A1 describes a ventilation system comprising: upper and lower molded bodies made of a non-metallic material such as polypropylene (PP), which are detachably connected to one another and provided with air passage holes and an air flow guide which, when assembled, allows an inlet and outlet flow of air on opposite sides; a heat exchanger which is attached to a flexible mounting guide formed in the upper and lower molded bodies and which performs heat exchange of the air flowing through the upper and lower molded bodies; a fan motor support which is integrally formed with at least one of the upper and lower molded bodies; a plurality of fan motors which are housed in the fan motor receiving part of the upper molded body, are connected to the fan motor support and drive air to flow into and out of the plurality of air passage holes;an outer cover tightly connected to the lateral sides of the interconnected upper and lower mold bodies; a corner support member connected to a corner between the plurality of outer covers to support the outer covers; and a cover and a base plate detachably connected to the upper and lower sides of the upper and lower mold bodies.

[0005] The housings of such ventilation units are currently made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) and / or expanded polypropylene (EPP). These plastics have the advantage of excellent insulation properties, eliminating the need for additional insulation materials, which are required, for example, in a sheet metal housing. The plastics also offer advantageous design options, particularly with regard to the design of the air ducts. However, the plastic parts should, if possible, not have any undercuts, as this can cause problems during demolding. Finally, the individual device components must be glued together, and the adhesive surfaces or adhesive seams always pose a risk of leaks.

[0006] The ventilation units are conveniently designed so that the air ducts leading out of the housing, as described above, can be positioned on either the left or right side of the unit. This allows the same unit to be operated in either a left- or right-hand version, depending on the location of the building connections.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of designing a ventilation device in such a way that the individual housing components can be assembled easily and reliably and that the device can be operated in both a left-hand and a right-hand variant.

[0008] This object is achieved by the ventilation device with the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0009] According to the invention, the housing comprises expanded polystyrene, which will be referred to as "EPS" for short. To enable the housing to be operated in both left- and right-hand versions, key components such as the supply and exhaust air ducts, the bypass duct, or the heating register duct, as well as empty spaces for filters or heating registers, and connections or positioning options for sensors, cable lines, cable compartments, or the like, are provided in duplicate. This is achieved through a substantially symmetrical housing design.

[0010] The invention is based on the fundamental idea of ​​combining the required air ducts on the one hand, and the mounting openings, connections, or positioning options for the device components on the other, into two assemblies. The use of assemblies has the advantage that the technical functions of the ventilation unit are largely combined in the assemblies. Both assemblies incorporate the supply and exhaust air ducts, the bypass duct, and the heating register duct. Furthermore, mounting openings for device components such as sensors, heating registers, and bypass motors are provided. Finally, cable compartments and cable ducts are also integrated into the assemblies.

[0011] Depending on whether the left- or right-hand version is to be implemented, one of the two assemblies is upgraded for operation as a ventilation unit by installing all of the aforementioned components. The other assembly is used for another purpose, for example, as an exhaust air duct without the necessary heating devices.

[0012] The use of EPS components makes it possible to optimize the air ducts' flow characteristics. The air ducts are designed for optimal flow, keeping pressure loss in the airflow to a minimum. Especially the areas of the air ducts where high air velocities prevail can be optimally shaped. The air ducts can be precisely adapted to the fan outlet duct, and turbulence caused by sudden cross-sectional changes can be avoided.

[0013] Furthermore, it is advantageous to provide recesses in the EPS housing components where no material is required. This saves both material and process time during the production of the parts.

[0014] The ventilation unit follows the further basic idea of ​​providing as few device components as possible, thereby reducing the number of joints between housing components and thus also the number of adhesive surfaces or adhesive seams.

[0015] According to the invention, the two aforementioned assemblies each consist of only two individual components. This allows the device components and cables to be easily installed in the respective assembly to be upgraded. At least one or both individual components for the assemblies are designed identically. In this way, the concept of an identical structure on the left and right sides of the device is consistently pursued through the use of these identical parts. This also applies to the device components to be installed, which are also designed as identical parts, so that they can be installed in the same way in a left-hand or right-hand arrangement.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment, the channel openings in the assemblies are provided with end-face end caps, particularly end caps designed as annular connectors. This way, the adhesive seams in the area of ​​the joint between the two individual components are not forced apart but rather relieved of pressure, which increases the tightness of the assembly.

[0017] Following the basic idea of ​​using fewer housing components, the housing, in a further advantageous embodiment, is composed of a base part, an intermediate part, and the two assemblies with the ring nozzles. Thus, the housing is composed of only ten housing components, with the four ring nozzles and at least one individual component of the two assemblies being identical parts, so that a maximum of six different housing components are used. If both individual components of the assemblies are identical, the number of parts is reduced to just five different housing components.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the housing components are designed such that only predominantly vertical and / or horizontal joints or parting planes are present between the housing components. The term "predominantly" vertical or horizontal refers here in particular to a shape that allows for vertical or horizontal removal of the housing components. In other words, the course of the joints is designed such that demolding in one direction is ensured.

[0019] In this way, undercuts and shadows on the housing components can be consistently avoided. The use of horizontal and vertical parting planes between the housing components also simplifies demolding of the individual housing components during production, as two demolding directions are available. In addition, dividing the housing into several parts provides additional design flexibility while not further complicating production, as demolding remains guaranteed in one direction.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment, the joints or parting planes between the individual housing components are designed as tongue-and-groove joints. These tongue-and-groove joints initially form a defined adhesive joint between the individual housing components. The resulting adhesive surfaces or adhesive seams are particularly advantageous because the risk of leaks due to leaks between the individual housing components is significantly reduced. The tongue-and-groove joints in the area of ​​the joints or parting planes of the individual housing components also facilitate housing assembly.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment, centering pins can be provided in one component in the area of ​​the joints or parting planes between adjacent housing components, and complementary centering holes can be provided in the associated other component. This makes it very easy and efficient to correctly match and assemble the individual housing components.

[0022] The invention is further explained using the ventilation device shown in the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 an exploded view of the housing of the ventilation unit Fig. 2 a top view of the inside of the two components of the ventilation unit, Fig. 3 a further exploded view of another embodiment of the ventilation unit, Figs. 4 to 6 a version of the ventilation unit with housing in a partially exploded view, Figs. 7 to 9 detailed views of connection levels of the inner component and the outer component.

[0023] Identical and structurally identical parts are provided with identical reference numbers. For clarity, some figures do not show all reference symbols. Some figures contain simplified or schematic representations. Different views of identical parts may be scaled differently.

[0024] The exploded view in Fig. 1 shows, at the bottom, the base part 1 with a condensate tray, the intermediate part 2 placed on the base part 1 in the final assembled state, and the two assemblies 3. The two assemblies 3 are made up of two individual components, namely an inner component 4 and an outer component 5. Air ducts 6 are molded into the assemblies 3, each of which opens into a duct opening 7 at the top of the assembly 3. The circular duct openings 7 are each lined with an annular nozzle 8. The base part 1, the intermediate part 2, the assemblies 3 composed of the inner components 4 and outer components 5, and the annular nozzles 8 are molded parts made of expanded polystyrene [= EPS].

[0025] In the two outer components 5, there are formed receiving openings 9 for filters and, underneath, receiving openings 10 for heating registers. Fig. 1 It is clearly evident that the left assembly 3, composed of the left outer component 5 and the inner component 4 arranged next to it, and the right assembly 3, composed of the outer component 5 on the outside right and the associated inner component 4, are constructed axially symmetrically to one another.

[0026] This axisymmetric structure of the modules 3 is also in Fig. 2 Reproduced. Visible in the assemblies 3 are the duct openings 7 of the air ducts 6, the receiving openings 9 for filters, and the receiving openings 10 for heating registers. Furthermore, bypasses 11 with their insertable bypass motors 12 are provided, as well as empty spaces 13 for cables or sensors, and a fan arrangement 14 in the base section 1.

[0027] In the presentation of the Fig. 2 The separating joint 15 between the base part 1 and the intermediate part 2 is also visible, as well as its structure as a tongue and groove combination. Fig. 1 The circumferential spring lip 16 protruding from the base part 1 in the area of ​​the joint 15 is visible, which in the assembled state is Fig. 1 not visible groove on the underside of the intermediate part 2. Furthermore, Fig. 2 A hexagonal mounting opening 17 is also visible. The mounting opening 17 serves to accommodate a central heat exchanger, which is also hexagonal. Finally, the figures also show centering bolts 18 and the corresponding centering holes 19.

[0028] The functionality of the housing is as follows: In the exemplary embodiment, in particular in Fig. 2 A right-hand version of the ventilation unit is shown. In the example shown in Fig. 2 In the assembly 3 shown on the left, the mounting opening 17 and the receiving openings 10 for the heating registers as well as the receiving openings 9 for the filters are therefore closed. Fig. 2 In assembly 3 shown on the right, filters are mounted in the mounting openings 9 and heating registers in the mounting openings 10, and a heat exchanger is inserted into the mounting opening 17. Bypass motors 12 and fans are also present in the area of ​​the fan assembly 14.

[0029] The inner components 4, the outer components 5, and the assemblies 3 are positively locked together in the area of ​​their jointly formed vertical joints 15 and additionally glued. The assemblies 3 are positively locked to the intermediate part 2, and the intermediate part 2 is in turn locked to the base part 1 in the area of ​​the jointly formed horizontal joints 15, and additionally glued. The annular connectors 8 are also inserted into the duct openings 7 of the air ducts 6 and additionally glued. The annular connectors 8 prevent the joints 15 between the inner component 4 and the outer component 5 from breaking open in the area of ​​the duct opening 7.

[0030] Fig. 3 corresponds essentially Fig. 1 , wherein in this embodiment, two symmetrically formed separating plates 30 are additionally provided between the intermediate part 2 and the assembled assemblies 3. The separating plates 30 are preferably made of metal, in particular aluminum or stainless steel.

[0031] Fig. 4 shows schematically and exemplarily the ventilation unit of the Fig. 1 bis 3 , around which a particularly metallic housing 40 is additionally arranged, in an exploded view. The housing 40 comprises a base plate 41, several side walls 42, 43, 44, and 45, as well as a ceiling panel 46 with control panels 47 and 48.

[0032] In Fig. 5 is also the one in Fig. 4 The ventilation device shown is shown schematically and by way of example, whereby only the housing 40 is shown in an exploded view and the rest of the ventilation device is shown in assembled form.

[0033] In Fig. 6 The ventilation unit is shown schematically and exemplarily from Fig. 4 and 5 with the housing 40 also closed.

[0034] Fig. 7 and 8 show schematically and exemplarily the inner component 4 from two sides. In Fig. 7 the connection plane between two opposite internal components 4 is shown, while Fig. 8 the view from the outside, i.e. the connection level with the external component 5.

[0035] Fig. 9 Finally, it shows the outer component 5 schematically and exemplarily from the inside, i.e. with a view of the connection between outer component 5 and inner component 4. Bezugszeichenliste

[0036] 1.Base section 2.Intermediate section 3.Assembly 4.Inner component 5.Outer component 6.Air duct 7.Duct opening 8.Ring connector 9.Receiving opening (filter) 10.Receiving opening (heating register) 11.Bypass 12.Bypass motor 13.Empty space 14.Fan assembly 15.Parting joint 16.Spring lip 17.Mounting opening 18.Centering bolt 19.Centering hole

Claims

1. Ventilation unit with a casing and with air channels (6) and unit components arranged in the casing, wherein the unit components comprise a filter and a heating coil, wherein the casing comprises expanded polystyrene (EPS), wherein the casing has at least two assemblies (3) made of EPS, each with two moulded-in air channels (6) and with receiving openings (9, 10) for at least the filter and the heating coil, wherein the assemblies (3) are constructed symmetrically to one another with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the casing, and wherein the assemblies (3) are each composed of two individual components (4, 5) and that at least one individual component (4, 5) is identically configured on both assemblies (3).

2. Ventilation unit according to claim 1, wherein the assemblies (3) each have two channel openings (7) with cover masks at the ends.

3. Ventilation unit according to claim 2, comprising circular channel openings (7) with identical diameters and with identical ring connectors (8), which are inserted into the channel openings (7).

4. Ventilation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the casing is composed of a base part (1) with a condensate pan, an intermediate part (2) for at least partially accommodating a central unit component, for example a heat exchanger, and the two assemblies (3).

5. Ventilation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the parting lines (15) between the casing components substantially define vertical or horizontal parting planes in such a way that demoulding is possible in one direction.

6. Ventilation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the parting lines (15) between the casing components are designed as tongue and groove joints.

7. Ventilation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein adjacent casing components have centring bolts (18) in the area of their parting lines (15) and centring holes (19) complementary to the centring bolts (18).

8. Ventilation unit according to claim 4, wherein at least one separating plate (30), in particular a metallic separating plate, is configured between the intermediate part (2) and the two assemblies (3).

9. Ventilation unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation unit is enclosed by a particularly metallic casing (40).

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