Ventilation unit and recreational vehicle with a ventilation unit

Abstract

Ventilation unit (1), in particular for recreational vehicles like campers, caravans or mobile homes, comprising an air intake arrangement (30) configured to define an intake air flow path from the environment (E) of a confined space into the confined space in an installed state of the ventilation unit (1), an air exhaust arrangement (40) configured to define an exhaust air flow path from the confined space to the environment (E) of the confined space in an installed state of the ventilation unit (1), and a separation wall (56) configured to separate the intake air flow path and the exhaust air flow path from each other, wherein the separation wall (56) comprises at least one opening (57) configured to equalize a pressure difference between intake air within the intake air flow path and exhaust air within the exhaust air flow path.

Description

[0001] VENTILATION UNIT AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE WITH A VENTILATION UNIT

[0002] This invention relates to a ventilation unit and a recreational vehicle with such a ventilation unit.

[0003] In general, confined spaces in which persons are expected to spend their time, have to be provided with ventilation units to ensure an appropriate supply with fresh air for the persons within the confined space. This holds in particular for relatively limited confined spaces as it is the case for example in recreational vehicles like campers, caravans or mobile homes. It has been observed that during driving of the recreational vehicle, an undesired high overpressure or negative pressure within the confined space can occur due to the external air flow increasing the pressure on the intake air. Such an overpressure or negative pressure can discomfort the persons within the confined space. The same has further been observed during parking of the recreational vehicle when strong winds act on the ventilation unit, thereby also increasing the pressure on the intake air or exhaust air.

[0004] In view of this problem, it is the scope of the present invention to provide a ventilation unit allowing for maintaining the desired pressure inside the confined space during ventilation processes even if the ventilation unit is affected by increased airflow while driving or due to strong wind.

[0005] This scope is achieved by the ventilation unit according to claim 1. Preferable 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 like campers, caravans or mobile homes, comprises an air intake arrangement, an air exhaust arrangement and a separation wall. The air intake arrangement is configured to define an intake air flow path from the environment of a confined space into the confined space in an installed state of the ventilation unit. The air exhaust arrangement is configured to define an exhaust air flow path from the confined space to the environment of the confined space in an installed state of the ventilation unit. The separation wall is configured to separate the intake air flow path from and the exhaust air flow path from each other. The separation wall further comprises at least one opening configured to equalize the pressure between intake air within the intake air flow path and exhaust air within the exhaust air flow path.

[0007] With the opening in the separation wall, an increased pressure within the air intake arrangement and the air exhaust arrangement can be equalized thereby avoiding or at least reducing an undesired high overpressure within the confined space. Preferably, the at least one opening is covered by a flap configured to open the opening when a certain pressure difference between the intake air flow path within the air intake arrangement and the exhaust air flow path within the air exhaust arrangement is exceeded. With the opening covered by a flap, the air intake flow path and the air exhaust flow path can be regularly separated and the pressure equalization only takes place when the pressure difference exceeds a certain pressure difference for example due to strong wind or increased air flow to the air intake arrangement while driving.

[0008] Preferably, the air intake arrangement comprises an air intake tube connected to a first opening of the separation wall. The air intake tube being configured to define a bypass intake air flow path from the environment to the air exhaust arrangement. The air exhaust arrangement comprises an air exhaust tube connected to a second opening of the separation wall. The air exhaust tube being configured to define a bypass exhaust air flow path from the air intake arrangement to the environment. This configuration allows for an environmental air flow of any direction to enter both the air intake arrangement and the air exhaust arrangement even if the other of the air intake arrangement and the air exhaust arrangement is the one on the environmental air flow facing side. The pressure difference between the air intake flow path and the air exhaust flow path due to back pressure is thereby avoided or at least reduced.

[0009] Preferably, the ventilation unit further comprises a heat transfer unit configured to conduct a passive heat transfer between intake air within the intake air flow path and exhaust air within the exhaust air flow path. Via the passive heat transfer, the intake air from the environment of the confined space is cooled or heated passively via the exhaust air within the exhaust air flow path such that the temperature of the intake air flow is changed towards the temperature of the exhaust air reducing temperature variations resulting from the ventilation process. With the heat transfer unit, this is achieved without the need of complex and in many times expensive air conditioning arrangements like cooling circuits or similar.

[0010] Preferably, the air intake arrangement comprises an intake fan unit configured to force a flow of intake air through the intake air flow path. In addition or alternatively, the air exhaust arrangement comprises an exhaust fan unit configured to force a flow of exhaust air through the exhaust air flow path. This configuration allows to increase the amount of air replaced within the confined space by the ventilation unit.

[0011] Preferably, the heat transfer unit comprises a heat transfer disc and a rotation motor configured to rotate the heat transfer disc. The heat transfer disc is configured such that always one section of the heat transfer disc is in contact with intake air within the intake air flow path and another section of the heat transfer disc is in contact with exhaust air within the exhaust air flow path. With the rotation motor, the section of the heat transfer disc being in contact with the intake air can be moved into contact with the exhaust air and the section of the heat transfer disc being in contact with the exhaust air can be moved into contact with the intake air resulting in a very efficient heat transfer between the exhaust air and the intake air. Thus, is it achieved a quite simple but reliable implementation for the heat transfer unit.

[0012] Preferably, the intake fan unit and / or the exhaust fan unit comprised) a fan driven by an electric motor with control input. In particular, said electric motor is a 12 Volt DC motor operated by pulse width modulated operation signals. In addition or alternatively, the rotation motor is a 12 Volt DC motor operated by pulse width modulated operation signals. Such motors allow the implementation of highly controllable, reliable and quite inexpensive overall configurations.

[0013] Preferably, the ventilation unit comprises a control unit. The control unit has a printed circuit board. The control unit is configured to control the operation of the intake fan unit, of the exhaust fan unit and / or of the heat transfer unit. In particular, the control unit is configured to control the electric motors of the fan units and / or the rotation motor of the heat transfer unit. Such a control unit allows a central 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 to process signals from a gas sensor, in particular from a carbon dioxide sensor (CO2 sensor) and / or a volatile organic compounds sensor, measuring the air quality within the confined space. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to control the components of the ventilation unit based on these signals. Such a configuration allows an automated control of the various components of the ventilation unit.

[0015] Preferably, the control unit is configured to receive and to process signals from a differential pressure sensor. The control unit is further configured to control the components of the ventilation unit to generate a pressure equalization between the confined space and the environment. Thus, it is possible to keep the pressure equal between the confined space and the environment avoiding heat losses through air flows other than through the ventilation unit.

[0016] Preferably, the ventilation unit comprises a housing surrounding various components of the ventilation unit. The housing is coupled to a base of the ventilation unit, while the base is configured to attach the ventilation unit to a desired location. In particular, the housing is made of fiber reinforced material, preferably of hemp fiber reinforced polypropylene. Such a housing ensures the protection of the various components of the ventilation unit while being lightweight at the same time, thus adding only little weight to the overall configuration.

[0017] Preferably, the ventilation unit comprises sealing members and / or filtering units. The sealing members are configured to seal various components of the ventilation unit against fluid ingress. The filtering units are configured to filter in particular intake air within the intake air flow path. Such a configuration allows to protect the ventilation unit itself as well as the confined space against pollution from the environment of the confined space.

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

[0019] Thus, it is possible to take advantage of the above described technical effects 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:

[0021] Fig. 1 is a spatial view of ventilation unit according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an installed state of the ventilation unit;

[0022] Fig. 2 is a further spatial view of the ventilation unit of Fig. 1 ;

[0023] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ventilation unit of Figs. 1 and 2;

[0024] Fig. 4 is a spatial partial view the ventilation unit of Figs. 1 to 3;

[0025] Fig. 5 is a further spatial partial view of the ventilation unit of Figs. 1 to 4;

[0026] Fig. 6 is a spatial partial view of the ventilation unit of Figs. 1 to 5; and

[0027] Fig. 7 is a spatial partial view of a ventilation unit according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] With reference to the accompanying drawings, a ventilation unit 1 comprises a housing 10. The housing 10 is coupled to a base 20 (see Fig. 2). The base 20 is configured to be coupled to a desired location of the rooftop RT of a recreational vehicle, like it is illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0029] The housing 10 comprises a housing frame 10A and a housing cover 10B. The housing frame 10A comprises ventilation openings 12 provided on two opposing sides of the ventilation unit 1 , as it is for example shown in Fig. 2. As it is best seen in Fig. 3, the ventilation unit 1 comprises an air intake arrangement 30 as well as an air exhaust arrangement 40. The air intake arrangement 30 defines an intake air flow path IFP. The air exhaust arrangement 40 defines an exhaust air flow path EFP. In a state in which the ventilation unit 1 is installed in a roof top RT, as it is illustrated in Fig. 2, the intake air flow path IFP is provided from the environment E of a confined space CS (for example, the inside of a recreational vehicle) into the confined space CS, and the exhaust air flow path EFP is provided from the confined space CS below the rooftop RT to the environment R of the confined space CS.

[0030] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the air intake arrangement 30 comprises 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 exhaust arrangement 40 comprises an exhaust fan unit 42, The exhaust fan 42 is configured to force a flow of exhaust air through the exhaust air flow path EFP. As can be seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the two fan units 32 and 42 are positioned within the housing 10 and are both provided on an internal housing 50. The internal housing 50 defines a temperature exchange room within the ventilation unit 1 . A power storage 52 in the form of a battery unit is coupled to the internal housing 50 as can be seen in Fig. 4. In the present case the power storage 52 is coupled to the internal housing with a clam 54, but any other suitable means are also possible.

[0031] A separation wall 56 separates the intake air flow path IFP and the exhaust air flow path EFP within the internal housing 50 from each other. The ventilation unit 1 according to the illustrated embodiment further has a passive heat transfer unit 60 comprising a flat heat transfer disc 62 as well as a rotation motor 64. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat transfer disc 62 is a perforated ceramic disc. However, also other configurations are possible. The rotation motor 64 is positioned within a space which is built in the separation wall 56 and is coupled to the heat transfer disc 62 in such a manner that the rotation motor 64 is configured to rotate the heat transfer disc 62.

[0032] As it is illustrated in Fig. 5, the heat transfer disc 62 is configured such that a first section 62A of the heat transfer disc 62 is in contact with the exhaust air flow path side of the temperature exchange room within the internal housing 50 (on the left). A second section 62B of the heat transfer disc 62 is in contact with the intake air flow path side of the temperature exchange room within the internal housing 50 (on the right). Thus, the first section 62A is in contact with exhaust air flowing through the exhaust air flow path EFP and the second section 62B is in contact with intake air flowing through the intake air flow path IFP. During ventilation processes, the exhaust air flowing through the exhaust air flow path EFP heats or cools the first section 62A of the heat transfer disc 62 depending on the temperature of the exhaust air compared to the temperature of the first section 62A of the temperature transfer disc 62. Then the rotation motor 64 rotates the heated or cooled first section 62A of the heat transfer disc 62 from the exhaust air flow path EFP into the intake air flow path IFP. Thus, the respective section of the heat transfer disc 62 which is rotated into the intake air flow path IFP becomes the second section 62B of the heat transfer disc 62. Then the heated or cooled second section 62B of the heat transfer disc 62 heats or cools the intake air flowing through the intake air flow path IFP. This process occurs in a continuous manner such that heat is transferred permanently between the exhaust air within the exhaust air flow path EFP and the intake air within the intake air flow path IFP.

[0033] Each of the intake fan unit 32 and exhaust fan unit 42 comprises a fan. The fan of each fan unit 32, 42 is driven by an electric motor. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the electric motors of the fan units 32 and 42 as well as the rotation motor 64 of the heat transfer unit 60 are 12 Volt DC motors operated by pulse width modulated operation signals. The electric motors of the fan units 32 and 42 and the rotation motor 64 of the heat transfer unit 60 are coupled to the power storage 52 for power supply. The ventilation unit 1 further comprises a control unit (not illustrated explicitly) having a printed circuit board. The control unit is coupled to each of the two fan units 32 and 42 as well as to the transfer unit 60 and is configured to control the operation of these components of the ventilation unit 1 . In particular, the control unit is configured to provide pulse width modulated operation signals to the electric motors of the two fan units 32 and 42 as well as to the rotation motor 64 of the heat transfer unit 60.

[0034] The control unit is further configured to be coupled to gas sensors, like a CO2 sensor and a volatile organic compounds sensor measuring the air quality within the confined space CS, as well as to differential pressure sensors measuring pressure difference between environment E of the confined space CS and the confined space CS itself. Based on the signals receives from said sensors processed in the control unit, the control unit controls the various components of the ventilation unit 1 like the electric motors of the fan unit 32 and 42 or the rotation motor 64 of the heat transfer unit 60. For example, the control unit can be configured to increase the rotation speed for the fans of the fan units 32 and 42 when the air quality within the confined space CS determined by the gas sensors, falls below a predetermined value. At the same time, the control unit can set the respective rotation speeds for the fans of the fan units 32 and 42 in such a manner relative to each other that the pressure difference between the environment E of the confined space CS and the confined space CS itself is kept equal, in order to avoid heat losses through air flows other than through the ventilation unit. Of course, the control unit can be configured such that also other sensors, like for example temperature sensors, humidity sensors, movement sensors or the like, can be coupled to the control unit to supplement and improve the functionality of the control unit.

[0035] As can be seen for example in Fig. 4, the ventilation unit 1 comprises various filtering units having filter pads 70 positioned, when seen from outside the ventilation unit 1 , behind the ventilation openings 12 such that air passing through the ventilation unit 1 is filtered. Besides, the ventilation unit 1 comprises several sealing members configured to seal the various components of the ventilation unit 1 against fluid ingress.

[0036] As illustrated in Fig. 6, the exemplary embodiment of the ventilation unit 1 comprises two openings 57 each covered by a flap 58 inside the separating wall 56, which connect the air intake arrangement 30 with the air exhaust arrangement 40. As illustrated, an air flow enters the air intake arrangement 30 from the environment E through the ventilation openings 12 in the frame 10A. Due to a pressure difference between the air intake arrangement 30 and the air exhaust arrangement 40 exceeding a predetermined pressure difference, the flaps 58 are open allowing the air flow to pass through the openings 57 into the air exhaust arrangement 40 and out of the air exhaust arrangement 40 to the environment E through ventilation openings 12 in frame 10A. Both the air flow illustrated in Fig. 6 and the air flow as illustrated in Fig. 3 can occur simultaneously.

[0037] Another exemplary embodiment is illustrated in Fig. 7, which has basically an identical structure as the first exemplary embodiment. However, in this exemplary embodiment an air intake tube 59A is arranged within the air intake arrangement 30. The air intake tube 59A connects a ventilation opening 12 with a first opening 57 in the separation wall 56. The air intake tube 59A defines a bypass air intake flow path BIF from the environment E of the ventilation unit 1 to the air exhaust arrangement 40. An air exhaust tube 59B is arranged within the air exhaust arrangement 40. The air exhaust tube 59B connects a second opening 57 in the separation wall 56 with a ventilation opening 12. The air exhaust tube 59B defines a bypass air exhaust flow path BEF from the air intake arrangement 30 to the environment E of the ventilation unit 1 . With this configuration an air flow entering the ventilation unit 1 from the environment E from any horizontal side can enter both the air intake arrangement 30 and the air exhaust arrangement 40, thereby at least reducing the pressure difference between the air intake arrangement 30 and the air exhaust arrangement 40 due to back pressure.

[0038] Finally, it is highlighted that the present invention not just refers to the illustrated and described ventilation unit 1 , but the present invention refers also to recreational vehicles like campers, caravans or mobile being provided with at least one such ventilation unit 1 .

[0039] The above described configurations are preferred but provide merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Hence, the described configurations of the present invention do not limit the achieved scope of protection as defined by the appended set of claims. A skilled artisan will be able to imagine various modifications of the above described configurations without contravening the basic concept of the present invention and / or leaving the scope of protection as defined by the appended set of claims. REFERENCE SIGNS

[0040] 1 ventilation unit

[0041] 10 housing

[0042] 10A frame

[0043] 10B cover

[0044] 12 ventilation openings 0 base

[0045] 30 air intake arrangement

[0046] 32 intake fan unit 0 air exhaust arrangement 2 exhaust fan unit

[0047] 50 internal housing

[0048] 52 power supply

[0049] 54 clamp

[0050] 56 separation wall

[0051] 57 opening

[0052] 58 flap

[0053] 59A air intake tube

[0054] 59B air exhaust tube

[0055] 60 heat transfer unit

[0056] 62 heat transfer disc

[0057] 62A first section of heat transfer disc

[0058] 62B second section of heat transfer disc

[0059] 64 rotation motor

[0060] 70 filter pads

[0061] BIF bypass air intake flow path

[0062] BEF bypass air exhaust flow path

[0063] CS confined space

[0064] E environment

[0065] EFP exhaust air flow path

[0066] IFP intake air flow path

[0067] RT roof top

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A ventilation unit (1), in particular for recreational vehicles like campers, caravans or mobile homes, the ventilation unit (1) comprising: an air intake arrangement (30) configured to define an intake air flow path (IFP) from the environment (E) of a confined space (CS) into the confined space (CS) in an installed state of the ventilation unit (1); an air exhaust arrangement (40) configured to define an exhaust air flow path (EFP) from the confined space (CS) to the environment (E) of the confined space (CS) in an installed state of the ventilation unit (1); a separation wall (56) configured to separate the intake air flow path (IFP) and the exhaust air flow path (EFP) from each other; characterized in that the separation wall (56) comprises at least one opening (57) configured 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 exhaust 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 arrangement (30) and the exhaust air flow path (EFP) within the air exhaust arrangement (40) is exceeded.

3. The ventilation unit (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the air intake arrangement (30) comprises an air intake tube (59A) connected to a first opening (57) of the separation wall (56) configured to define a bypass intake air flow path (BIF) from the environment (E) to the air exhaust arrangement (40); and the air exhaust arrangement (40) comprises an air exhaust tube (59B) connected to a second opening (57) of the separation wall (56) configured to define a bypass exhaust air flow path (BEF) from the air intake arrangement (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 conduct a 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 arrangement (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 exhaust arrangement (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 rotation motor (64), the rotation motor (64) being configured to rotate the heat transfer disc (62), wherein the heat transfer disc (62) is configured such that always one section (62B) of the heat transfer disc (62) is in contact with intake air within the intake air flow path (IFP) and another section (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 exhaust fan unit (42) comprised) a fan driven by an electric motor with control input, in particular a 12Volt DC motor operated by pulse width modulated operation signals; and / or wherein the rotation motor (64) is a 12Volt DC motor operated by pulse width modulated operation 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 printed circuit board, wherein the control unit is configured to control the operation of the intake fan unit (32), of the exhaust fan unit (42) and / or of the heat transfer unit (60).

9. The ventilation unit (1) according to claim 8, wherein the control unit is configured to receive and to process signals from a gas sensor, in particular from a CO2 sensor and / or a volatile organic compounds sensor, measuring the air quality within the confined 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 to process signals from a differential pressure sensor, and wherein the control unit is further configured to control the components of the ventilation unit (1) to generate a pressure equalization between the confined space (CS) and the environment (E) of the confined space (CS).11 . The ventilation unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation unit (1) comprises a housing (10) surrounding the components of the ventilation unit (1) and the housing (10) being coupled to a base (20) of the ventilation unit (1), wherein the base (20) is configured to attach the ventilation unit (1) to a desired location, and wherein the housing (10) in particular is made of fiber reinforced material, preferably of hemp fiber reinforced polypropylene.

12. The ventilation unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation unit (1) comprises sealing members and / or filtering units, wherein the sealing members are configured to seal various components of the ventilation unit (1) against fluid ingress, and wherein the filtering units are configured to filter in particular intake air within the intake air flow path (IFP).

13. Recreational vehicle, in particular a camper, caravan or a mobile home, comprising at least one ventilation unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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