Door or architectural construction comprising a fancoil

Abstract

An architectural construction (200), which comprises: - a building wall (40) comprising opposite outer surfaces (27', 28') separated by a thickness of said building wall (40), said outer surfaces (27', 28') circumscribing between them a containment compartment (30), and wherein said building wall (40) delimits at least one first opening (32) and at least one second opening (31); - a fan coil device (50) comprising at least, housed in the containment compartment (30): (a) at least one heat exchanger unit (12, 13); (b) ventilation means (33) configured to draw in an air stream through the first opening (32), to move said air stream so that it exchanges heat with the heat exchanger unit (12, 13), and to then blow out said air stream from the second opening (31); (c) at least one air filter (15) for filtering the air stream between the first opening (32) and the heat exchanger unit (12, 13); wherein a finish of at least one outer surface (27'; 28') overlapping the containment compartment (30) is the same as a finish of one or more second surfaces (39) which surround or flank the containment compartment (30).

Description

[0001] DOOR OR ARCHITECTURAL CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A FANCOIL

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of the invention

[0004] The invention falls within the sector relating to the air-conditioning of indoor environments. In particular the present invention relates to a door or an architectural construction comprising a fan coil device at least partially (for example, completely) incorporated inside it.

[0005] Prior art

[0006] During the course of the last 50 years, radiant floor heating systems have enjoyed an upsurge of popularity and been further developed such that they have gradually become the system which is most widely used. During at least the last decade there has been the tendency to combine this heating system (which has now become conventional) with a reversible application where this system can also be used in the summer for cooling purposes. In this latter case, the operation of the cooling floor during the summertime must be necessarily combined with an air dehumidification plant in order to be able to ensure suitable comfort from a thermo-hygrometric point of view.

[0007] The advantages of employing this type of heating and cooling system compared to other systems have thus become well-known, but much less so the disadvantages which are associated with this system.

[0008] During the last few decades, the energy policies adopted on an international level have defined various priorities, including incentives to develop and use renewable energy, greater energy efficiency in buildings, and reduced consumption levels. As a result, the sensitivity regarding environmental issues has increased, building constructions have undergone changes, and heat calculation methods have been adapted.

[0009] It has therefore been possible to note a significant reduction in the winter heating requirements of buildings (a decrease of more than 50%) owing to the reduction in the heat transmission coefficients of constructional elements (roofs, flooring, ceilings, walls, windows, etc.) and also climate change. This latter aspect, since an increase of 2.5°C in the average annual temperature has been recorded during the last 50 years, has helped further reduce the winter heating demand (-10%), although there has been an increase by a similar percentage amount in the summertime cooling demand. It therefore seems likely that the buildings of the future will require an increasingly greater amount of power for summer cooling and increasingly less power for winter heating.

[0010] Architectural design has also undergone a significant change during the last 30 years, initially favouring increasingly more luminous internal environments and facilitating the entry of natural light from the outside through windows and glass structures with increasingly larger dimensions. This tendency in the architectural sector has favoured, in addition to the entry of a greater amount of natural light, also the entry of heat due to solar radiation (during both the summer and winter), thereby increasing the thermal inertia of materials such that they accumulate heat in a given moment and then release into an environment in thermal contact with these materials.

[0011] EP 1 441 184 A1 , DE 10 2007 055245 A1 and FR 3 061 267 A1 belong to the prior art.

[0012] In the light of the above, in the interior design sector it would be desirable to provide new heating and / or cooling systems which are characterized by a low impact from an aesthetic point of view and by small dimensions.

[0013] The Applicant, after a long and in-depth R&D investigation work, has developed a door and an architectural construction which are able to provide a suitable response to the existing limitations, drawbacks and problems.

[0014] Summary of the invention

[0015] The object of the invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0016] The present invention therefore relates to a door 100 comprising:

[0017] - a door frame 25, which circumscribes a frame opening 26;

[0018] - at least one door leaf 2 which is movable with respect to said door frame 25 between a position where it overlaps the frame opening 26 and a position where it is offset with respect to said frame opening 26; wherein said door leaf 2 comprises opposite outer surfaces 27, 28 separated by a thickness 29 of said door leaf 2, said outer surfaces 27, 28 circumscribing between them a containment compartment 30, and wherein said door leaf 2 delimits at least one first opening 32 and at least one second opening 31 ;

[0019] - a fan coil device 50, comprising at least, housed in the containment compartment 30:

[0020] (a) at least one heat exchanger unit 12, 13;

[0021] (b) ventilation means 33 configured to draw in an air stream through the first opening 32, to move said air stream so that it exchanges heat with the heat exchanger unit 12, 13, and to then blow out said air stream from the second opening 31 ;

[0022] (c) optionally at least one air filter 15 for filtering the air stream between the first opening 32 and the heat exchanger unit 12, 13; wherein said first opening 32 and said second opening 31 are arranged and / or oriented so that said air stream is drawn in and blown out from the front of the same outer surface 27; 28.

[0023] The present invention also relates to an architectural construction 200 which comprises: a building wall 40 comprising opposite outer surfaces 27’, 28’ separated by a thickness of said building wall 40, said outer surfaces 27’, 28’ circumscribing between them a containment compartment 30, and wherein said building wall 40 delimits at least one first opening 32 and at least one second opening 31 ;

[0024] - a fan coil device 50, comprising at least, housed in the containment compartment 30:

[0025] (a) at least one heat exchanger unit 12, 13;

[0026] (b) ventilation means 33 configured to draw in an air stream through the first opening 32, to move said air stream so that it exchanges heat with the heat exchanger unit 12, 13, and to then blow out said air stream from the second opening 31 ;

[0027] (c) optionally at least one air filter 15 for filtering the air stream between the first opening 32 and the heat exchanger unit 12, 13; wherein a finish of at least one outer surface 27; 28 overlapping the containment compartment is the same as a finish of one or more second surfaces 39 which surround or flank the containment compartment 30.

[0028] Advantages of the invention

[0029] The invention has the advantages described below.

[0030] Advantageously, the door according to the present invention performs the functions of a door and of a fan coil for environments so as to produce, heating, cooling and / or dehumidification.

[0031] Advantageously, the door according to the present invention comprises a door leaf which is substantially indistinguishable (in terms of dimensions, functionality and appearance) from a conventional door leaf. This advantage is even more evident in the case of embodiments where the outer surfaces are devoid of openings for the passage of the air stream. Advantageously, the door or architectural construction according to the present invention ensures a high degree of acoustic comfort, not only as a result of the ventilation means and the baffles described here.

[0032] Advantageously, the architectural construction according to the present invention has been designed to avoid stratification of hot air at the top and cold air at the bottom and to reduce any disturbance caused by cold air streams.

[0033] Advantageously, the sound-absorbing baffles are able to convert part of the incident sound energy - by means of the air stream - into heat.

[0034] Advantageously, the presence of special hinges allows the movement of the door leaf to be controlled, for example so as to prevent accidental collisions or avoid excessive pulling or compression of the lines.

[0035] Advantageously, the internal components of the door or the architectural construction according to the present invention may be selected or provided with dimensions as desired according to the specific requirements, for example depending on a required thermal or refrigerating power demand.

[0036] Advantageously, the door or architectural construction according to the present invention allows easy maintenance also of the components inside the containment compartment.

[0037] Advantageously, the door or architectural construction according to the present invention offers the major advantage that it occupies only the space needed and does not negatively affect the overall appearance of the surrounding environment (i.e. an advantage not only in aesthetic terms). Although small-size fan coil units are now commercially available, the space they occupy is still considerable and therefore constitutes a design (i.e. ultimately physical) problem within an environment.

[0038] Commercially available dehumidifiers of the ducted type specific for radiant flooring to be mounted in the lowered ceiling require at least a net working height of not less than 25 cm, plus another 5 cm downwards for the thickness of the support structure. This results in a significant reduction in the internal height and volume which the environment loses. Also the installation of the complete radiant flooring assembly requires a greater thickness of at least 6-8 cm heightwise, which needs to be taken into account during the architectural design stage. Also, in the case of dehumidifiers of the visible wall-mounted type, their significant size constitutes an obstacle when they must be installed on an internal wall, occupying a portion thereof. This also constitutes a disadvantage from a cost point of view.

[0039] Advantageously, the structure of the door leaf or the wall allows the aesthetic appearance to be personalized with greater design freedom.

[0040] Additionally, the door or architectural construction according to the present invention also offers economic advantages due to lower installation costs compared to ceiling-mounted fan coil units, resulting in saved space, even heightwise, within an environment.

[0041] Advantageously, the door or architectural construction according to the present invention ensures a greater responsiveness and thermal efficiency, since the heat-transfer process occurs by means of convection, allowing the desired temperatures to be reached more quickly compared to a radiant floor heating and cooling system.

[0042] Advantageously, the architectural construction according to the present invention has been designed in order to reduce or eliminate the risk of mixing between the air sucked in (for example along a floor) and the air blown out (for example along a ceiling). Owing to the considerable distance between the air stream which is sucked in at the bottom and the air stream blown out at the top, any risk of the air stream which is blown out from being sucked back together with the sucked-in air stream, without passing uniformly throughout the environment, is reduced or total eliminated, thus ensuring that the air in the environment is completely treated.

[0043] Advantageously, the evacuation of condensate released from the air passing over the cooling unit in the door or architectural construction according to the present invention results in a self-cleaning function of the cooling unit.

[0044] Advantageously, the door or architectural construction according to the present invention allows the evacuation of the condensate released from the air passing over the cooling unit. As a result of this feature it is possible to achieve low surface temperatures on the heat exchanger unit and dehumidification of the air passing over the unit. This results in drier air, improved breathing (more oxygen and less water vapour in the air), more natural sweating (dissipation of latent heat), and a perception of fresher air in the installation environment.

[0045] Advantageously, the door or architectural construction according to the present invention has a greater acoustic efficiency and lower head losses (energy dissipation) of the air flowing through it, due to the sound-absorbing means described here. Reduced head losses lead to a favourable decrease in the electrical energy requirement / consumption of the ventilation systems.

[0046] Advantageously, the door or architectural construction according to the present invention has a compartmentalized internal compartment so that the air stream passes outside the space housing the electrical components. This results in greater safety and increased convenience during potential maintenance operations.

[0047] Advantageously, the fan coil device used in the door or architectural construction according to the present invention occupies a very small amount of space in a vertical direction.

[0048] Preferred embodiments

[0049] In accordance with various embodiments, the door 100 is a door for indoor environments or external environments (namely has only a single surface 27, 28, directed outwards). Preferably, the door 100 is a door for indoor environments.

[0050] In accordance with one embodiment, the door frame 25 comprises a frame member 43 which can be connected to a counter-frame 44, and at least one covering element 45 which overlaps at least partly the frame member 43 so as to cover an intermediate space between the frame member 43 and the counterframe 44. The counter-frame 44 is preferably connected to a support wall 47.

[0051] In accordance with another embodiment, the door frame 25 comprises at least one sealing element 48 inserted in a seat of the frame member 43. In the overlapping position, the sealing element 48 is contact with the door leaf 2. Preferably, the sealing element 48 is made of an elastomeric or compressible material. Therefore, in the overlapping position, said sealing element 48 is at least partly compressed by the door leaf 2.

[0052] The door 100 preferably comprises at least one closing device (for example a lock) for securing the door leaf 2 to the door frame 25, and at least one operating element 42 (for example a knob or a handle) for operating the closing device and switching it from a locking configuration into a released condition, and vice versa, of the closing device.

[0053] Preferably, the door 100 comprises an operating element 42, for each outer surface 27, 28.

[0054] According to the embodiments shown, the outer surfaces 27, 28, 27’, 28’ extend in planes which are substantially parallel to each other.

[0055] Preferably, the door leaf 2 delimits a plurality of first openings 32 which are spaced from each other

[0056] Preferably, the door leaf 2 delimits a plurality of second openings 31 which are spaced from each other

[0057] The overlapping position is preferably a position where the frame opening 26 is substantially closed. In the overlapping position, said door leaf 3 is in at least partial abutment with the door frame 25, for example with a frame member 43 or an upright of the door frame 25. The offset position is preferably a position where the frame opening 26 is at least partially (for example completely) open. In the offset position, said door leaf 2 is at least partially rotated with respect to the overlapping position.

[0058] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the door leaf 2 is mounted on the door frame 25 rotatably about a rotation axis 49 by means hinges 35.

[0059] Preferably, one or more hinges 35 are provided with a device for limiting the angle of rotation of the door leaf 2. Preferably, one or hinges 35 are of the stepped type.

[0060] In accordance with one embodiment, the arrangement or the orientation of the first opening 32 and the second opening 31 are such that the air stream may be drawn and blown out transversely with respect to the door leaf 2, on the same side of the latter (i.e. inside the same environment). However, the first opening 32 and / or the second opening 31 need not necessarily be arranged on the outer surface 27, 28 in order to obtain said directing effect of the air stream.

[0061] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, neither the first opening 32 nor the second opening 31 are arranged on the outer surfaces 27, 28.

[0062] In accordance with one embodiment, the door leaf 2 comprises connecting surfaces 34, 36 which extend between the outer surfaces 27, 28 along the thickness 29.

[0063] Preferably, the door leaf 2 comprises at least one projecting edge 52 which extends - for example laterally and / or at the top - as well as one or more connecting surfaces 34, 36, so that said projecting edge 53 at least partially conceals from view the first opening 32 and / or the second opening 31 .

[0064] The first opening 32 or the second opening is preferably arranged along a longitudinal connecting surface 34, and the second opening 31 or first opening is preferably arranged along a transverse, for example upper - transverse connecting surface 36. Preferably, the first opening 32 and / or the second opening 31 face a space 1 delimited between the door leaf 2 and the door frame 25.

[0065] In accordance with one embodiment, in the overlapping position, the door leaf 2 and the door frame 25 delimit jointly at least said space (or open passage) 1 for the air stream, said space or open passage 1 being in fluid communication with the first opening 32 and / or with the second opening 31 .

[0066] In accordance with another embodiment, the door leaf 2 or the building wall 40 comprises one or more baffles 4, 16 housed in the containment compartment 30 in a position between the first opening 32 and the heat exchanger unit 12, 13 and / or between the heat exchanger unit 12, 13 and the second opening 31.

[0067] Said one or more baffles 4, 16 are preferably at least partly made of a soundabsorbing material, for example mineral wool. More preferably, said baffles 4, 16 comprise a mineral wool core lined with a fabric. Optionally the mineral wool core and the fabric may be housed inside a cage made of metal mesh or perforated sheet metal.

[0068] Said one or more baffles preferably comprise first (curved or straight) baffles 16 situated, in the fluid flow direction, upstream of the heat exchanger unit 12, 13) and / or second (curved or straight) baffles situated, in the fluid flow direction, downstream of the heat exchanger unit 12, 13.

[0069] In accordance with one embodiment, the door leaf 2 or the building wall 40 comprises an inner frame 3 to which the heat exchanger unit 12, 13, a motor 11 of the ventilation means 33 and said optional one or more baffles 4, 16 are fixed

[0070] In accordance with another embodiment, at least one removable panel 37 which delimits at least part of one of the outer surfaces 27, 28, 27’, 28’ is connected to said inner frame 3. Preferably, the removable panel 37 is connected to the inner frame 3 by means of one or more magnets.

[0071] In accordance with one embodiment, the inner frame 3 is configured or shaped so as to separate physically the electrical operation components of the fan coil device 50 (for example the electric control unit, the motor, and / or the one or more deviation valves) from an air stream flow path within the door or the architectural construction. Preferably, said electrical operation components of the fan coil device 50 could be arranged in a lateral compartment (for example on the right-hand side or left-hand side) extending preferably in a vertical direction.

[0072] In accordance with one embodiment, the door comprises at least one power supply line 19 for the ventilation means 33 and optional management and control means 7 of the fan coil device 50, and a plurality of hydraulic lines 22, 23 for the at least one heat exchanger unit 12, 13.

[0073] In accordance with another embodiment, the management and control means 7 comprise a user interface situated along a connecting surface, preferably a longitudinal connecting surface 34 of the door leaf 2, more preferably a longitudinal connecting surface 34 opposite the hinges 35.

[0074] As regards the operation of the management and control means 7, adjustment of the temperatures may be performed by means of a functional connection between the management and control means 7 and the ventilation means 33, which increases or reduces a flowrate of the air stream.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the management and control means 7 could be functionally connected to one or more deviation valves 17, 18 (for example one or more electrovalves) located along the hydraulic lines 22, 23 so that these adjust - by means of their electric or electromechanical actuator - a flowrate of the heat-transfer fluid supplied to the heat exchanger units 12, 13.

[0076] The power supply line 19 and the hydraulic lines 22, 23 extend preferably outside of the containment compartment 30, passing through the door frame 25, and are at least partially housed in a support wall 47.

[0077] Preferably, the hydraulic lines 22, 23 comprise flexible tubes 20 for following the movement of the door leaf 2 from the overlapping position into the offset position, and vice versa.

[0078] In accordance with one embodiment, the door comprises an extendable or gusseted element 38 which extends between the door leaf 2 and the door frame 25 so as to conceal at least partially (for example completely) from view the power supply line 19 and the hydraulic lines 22, 23.

[0079] Preferably, the finish of the outer surface 27’; 28’ overlaps the containment compartment 30 is the same as that of said one or more second surfaces which surround or flank the containment compartment 30 as regards at least one of the following features: colour, saturation, transparency, decorative pattern or coating.

[0080] Preferably, the first opening 32 and said second opening 31 are arranged and oriented on the building wall 40 so that said air stream is drawn in and blown out from the front of the same outer surface 27, 28.

[0081] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the first opening 32 and the second opening 31 are arranged at opposite ends - in the vertical direction - of the same outer surface 27’; 28’. By way of example, the first opening 32 is situated along a floor 51 of the architectural construction 200, while the second opening 31 is situated along a ceiling 52 of said architectural construction 200.

[0082] Preferably, the architectural construction comprises at least one soundabsorbing element 41 located on or close to at least one inner surface of the containment compartment 30 and / or an inner surface of the removable panel 37 facing the containment compartment 30.

[0083] Preferably, in said architectural construction 200, the power supply line 19 and the hydraulic lines 22, 23 extend outside of the containment compartment 30 and are at least partially inserted in a support wall 47 or in a floor adjoining the building wall 40.

[0084] Preferably, the ventilation means 33 comprises a tangential or centrifugal fan 5. Preferably, the ventilation means 33 comprise an adjustable-speed motor 11 (for example, an inverter).

[0085] Preferably, said door 100 or architectural construction are of the total recirculation type, since all the air drawn in via the first opening 32 is blown out from the second opening 31 .

[0086] Preferably, a passage section through the containment compartment 30 of the architectural construction is delimited laterally (i.e. in the transverse direction) so as to ensure sufficient sucking in and blowing out of the air stream. More preferably, the inner frame 3 and / or the baffles are configured so as to delimit the passage section through the containment compartment 30.

[0087] In accordance with an advantageous embodiment, the air filter 15, the heat exchanger unit 12, 13 and the ventilation means 33 are arranged in series (for example in said order), preferably adjacent to each other, along a path of the air stream between the first opening 32 and the second opening 31. More preferably, the air filter 15, the heat exchanger unit 12, 13 and the ventilation means 33 are arranged in a same plane which optionally is vertical.

[0088] In accordance with another embodiment, the fan coil device 50 comprises at least one condensate collection container 14, 21 housed inside the containment compartment 30. Said condensate collection container 14, 21 is preferably arranged vertically underneath a heat exchanger unit which is a cooling unit 13. Said condensate collection container 14, 21 is connected or can be connected to a hydraulic line 24 for discharging the condensate.

[0089] Preferably, the building wall 40 comprises at least one silencer device 60 located at the top of the first opening 32 and / or the second opening 31 , said silencer device 60 comprising a plurality of silencing elements 54. More preferably, one or more pairs of silencing elements 54 delimit between them a passing space 55 for the air stream.

[0090] In accordance with one embodiment, each silencing element 54 has a length 55 oriented along the direction of the air stream and is circumscribed by shaped element surfaces 57 so as to offer a minimum resistance to the air stream. Preferably, said element surfaces 57 are arranged around an ellipsoidal section of said silencing element 54.

[0091] In accordance with another embodiment, at least one silencing element 54 comprises a core 58 of sound-absorbing material, optionally a layer 59 for containing said core 58, and a casing 61 arranged around the core 58 or the optional containment layer 59.

[0092] Preferably, the sound-absorbing material has a density equal to or greater than 100 kg / m3, more preferably equal to greater than 120 kg / m3, for example about 100 kg / m3, 110 kg / m3, 120 kg / m3or 130 kg / m3. For example the soundabsorbing material is mineral wool.

[0093] More preferably, the containment layer 59 comprises a fabric,

[0094] The casing 61 is preferably made of metal mesh or perforated sheet metal.

[0095] In accordance with one embodiment, the fabric could comprise glass fibres or could be a fabric made of glass fibres. By way of example, the containment layer 59 comprises or consists of a vitreous coating.

[0096] The advantages of the invention will emerge even more clearly from the detailed description given below based on the attached figures provided by way of example and therefore of a non-limiting nature.

[0097] Fig. 1 is a front view of a door, according to the present invention, in accordance with a possible embodiment, in which the door leaf is in an overlapping position;

[0098] Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the door of Fig. 1 ;

[0099] Fig. 3 shows a horizontal section through the door of Fig. 1 , where the components inside the door have been omitted for greater clarity;

[0100] Fig. 4 shows a vertical section through the door of Fig. 1 , where the components inside the door have been omitted for greater clarity;

[0101] Fig. 5 is a front view of a possible embodiment of an architectural construction according to the present invention;

[0102] Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal section through the architectural construction according to Fig.5;

[0103] Fig. 7 is a partially sectioned perspective view of an embodiment of a silencer device according to the present invention;

[0104] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a silencing element used in the silencer device shown in Fig. 7.

[0105] Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a door according to the invention

[0106] Fig. 1 shows a door 1 which comprises a door frame 25 and at least one door leaf 2. The door frame 25 circumscribes a frame opening 26 visible in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The door leaf 2 is shown in a position where it overlaps the frame opening 26 and is mounted on the door frame 25 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 49, by means of hinges 35, from the overlapping position into an offset position. In the offset position, the door leaf 2 is at least partially rotated about the rotation axis 49 with respect to the position of Fig. 1 so that the frame opening 26 is partially accessible.

[0107] The door leaf 2 comprises outer surfaces 27, 28 separated by a thickness 29 of said door leaf 2. A removable panel 37 could delimit least at least part of one of the outer surfaces 27, 28, said removable panel 37 being fixed to an inner frame 3 of the door leaf 2.

[0108] The door leaf 2 comprises an optional closing device (for example a lock) for securing the door leaf 2 to the door frame 25, and a handle 42 for operating the closing device. The handle 42 is mounted projecting from at least one outer surface 27, 28.

[0109] In the overlapping position, the door leaf 2 and the door frame 25 jointly delimit at least one open passage or space 1 for an air stream entering and leaving the door leaf 2.

[0110] Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the door 100 of Fig. 1.

[0111] A containment compartment 30 is circumscribed between the outer surfaces 27, 28, and this compartment 30 houses at least part of a fan coil device 50, in particular at least one heat exchanger unit 12, 13 and ventilation means 33 of said fan coil device 50.

[0112] The fan coil device 50 comprises a heating unit 12 and a cooling unit 13 connected, respectively, to a heating plant (for example comprising a boiler) and a cooling plant (for example comprising a refrigeration device).

[0113] Said connection is performed by means of hydraulic lines 22, 23 configured to convey a heat-transfer fluid cooled by the cooling plant to the cooling unit 13 and to convey a heat-transfer fluid heated by the heating plant to the heating unit 12. These hydraulic lines 22, 23 are configured to then convey said fluids back from the units 12, 13 to the respective plants after a heat exchange with the air stream has been performed. The hydraulic lines 22, 23 therefore extend outside of the containment compartment 30, passing through the door frame 25, and are at least partially housed in the support wall 47.

[0114] The hydraulic lines 22, 23 comprise flexible tubes 20 which are designed to follow the movement of the door leaf 2 from the overlapping position into the offset position, and vice versa.

[0115] The ventilation means 33 comprises a motor 11 and a tangential or centrifugal fan 5, the latter being keyed onto a drive shaft of said motor 11 . The motor 11 is supported inside the containment compartment 30 by a motor support bracket 9 fixed to the inner frame 3, said bracket 9 being provided with rolling means 10 (for example one or more bearings) for the drive shaft. The ventilation means also comprise a baffle 6 for the air stream associated with the tangential fan 5.

[0116] The door leaf 2 delimits at least one first opening 32 and at least one second opening 31 which are in fluid communication with the containment compartment 30.

[0117] The first opening 32 and the second opening 31 are arranged and / or oriented so that the air stream is drawn in and blown out from the front of the same outer surface 27; 28. In other words, the air stream does not cross completely the thickness 29 of the door leaf 2.

[0118] More precisely, the first opening 32 and the second opening 31 are arranged on connecting surfaces 34, 36 which extend between the outer surfaces 27, 28 along the thickness 29. Furthermore, the first opening 32 and the second opening 31 are in fluid communication with the open passage 1 .

[0119] The door leaf 2 comprises - housed in the containment compartment 30 - first curved or straight baffles 16 in a position between the first opening 32 and the heat exchanger unit 12, 13 and second straight baffles 4 between the heat exchanger unit 12, 13 and the second opening 31 .

[0120] The containment compartment 30 has, housed inside it, also an air filter 15, configured to retain dust and / or particles suspended in the air stream, and at least one condensate collection container 14, 21 of the fan coil device 50, said condensate collection container 14, 21 being located vertically underneath the cooling unit 13. The condensate collection container 14, 21 is connected to a hydraulic line 24 for discharging the condensate.

[0121] The door 100 comprises at least one power supply line 19 for the ventilation means 33 and optional management and control means 7 of the fan coil device 50. The management and control means 7 comprise a user interface situated along a longitudinal connecting surface 34 of the door leaf 2, more preferably the longitudinal connecting surface 34 opposite the hinges 35.

[0122] The power supply line 19 and the hydraulic line 24 for discharging the condensate also comprise flexible tubes or cables for following the movement of the door leaf 2.

[0123] The ventilation means 33 are configured to draw in an air stream through the first opening 32, to move said air stream so that it exchanges heat with the heat exchanger unit 12, 13, and to then blow out said air stream from the second opening 31 .

[0124] More precisely, the air stream is drawn in through the open passage 1 situated laterally and the first opening 32, is deviated by the first curved baffles 16 towards the air filter 15, and is then conveyed so to exchange heat with the heat exchanger unit 12, 13.

[0125] If the air stream must be heated, a quantity of heat is transferred from the heated heat-transfer fluid to the air stream exiting the air filter 15.

[0126] If the air stream must be cooled, a quantity of heat is transferred from the air stream exiting the air filter 15 to the cooled heat-transfer fluid 15. During cooling, dehumidification of the air stream also occurs, so that a condensate is deposited on the cooling unit 13 and is then collected in the condensate collection container 14, 21.

[0127] After the heat exchange in the heat exchanger unit 12, 13, the air stream reaches the tangential fan 5 from where it is then forced along the second straight baffles 4 and, from there, it is blown out from the second opening 31 and from the open passage 1 located above it.

[0128] Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show, respectively, a horizontal cross-section and a vertical cross-section through the door of Fig. 1 in which the construction of the door frame 25 - among other things - is visible.

[0129] The door frame 25 comprises a frame member 43 which is / can be connected to a counter-frame 44, and at least one covering element 45 which overlaps at least partly the frame member 43 so as to cover an intermediate space between the frame member 43 and the counter-frame 44. The counter-frame 44 is connected to a support wall 47.

[0130] The door frame 25 comprises at least one sealing element 48 inserted in a seat of the frame member 43, said sealing element 48 being in contact with the door leaf 2 in the overlapping position.

[0131] An optional extendable or gusseted element 38 (see Fig. 3) extends between the door leaf 2 and the door frame 25 (more precisely between the door leaf 2 and the frame member 43 so to conceal at least partly from view the power supply line 19 and the hydraulic lines 22, 23, including the hydraulic line 24 for discharging the condensate.

[0132] Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of an architectural construction according to the invention

[0133] Fig. 5 shows an architectural construction 200 which comprises a building wall 40 and a fan coil device 50.

[0134] The building wall 40 comprises opposite outer surfaces 27’, 28’ separated by a thickness of the building wall 40, the outer surfaces 27’, 28’ circumscribing between them a containment compartment 30. The building wall 40 delimits at least one first opening 32 and at least one second opening 31 .

[0135] Fig. 6 shows how the containment compartment 30 houses at least part of the fan coil device 50, in particular at least one heat exchanger unit 12, 13 and ventilation means 33 of said fan coil device 50.

[0136] The features of the fan coil device 50 are identical or correspond to those described above in connection with the door 100, unless otherwise indicated. In the architectural construction 200 also the air stream is therefore drawn in and blown out from the front of the same outer surface 27’, 28’. Differently from the door 100, the first opening 32 and the second opening 31 delimited by the building wall 40 are located at opposite ends - in the vertical direction - of the same outer surface 27’, 28’.

[0137] Differently from the door 100, the first baffles 16 are straight.

[0138] Differently from the door 100, the power supply line 19 and the hydraulic lines 22, 23 - including the hydraulic line 24 discharging the condensate - extend outside of the containment compartment 30 and are inserted in a support wall 47 or in a floor 51 adjoining the building wall 40.

[0139] A finish of at least one outer surface 27’; 28’ overlapping the containment compartment 30 is the same as a finish of one or more second surfaces 39 which surround or flank the containment compartment 30. The expression “same as” means that said finishes are identical as regards at least one of the following features: material, colour, saturation, transparency, decorative pattern or coating.

[0140] Fig. 7 shows a partially cross-sectioned view of a possible embodiment of a silencer device which may be positioned along the first opening 31 and / or the second opening 31 .

[0141] Said silencer device 60 comprises a silencing body 62 - for example with an open box-shaped structure - inside which silencing elements 54 are fixed facing each other.

[0142] One or more pairs of silencing elements 54 delimit between them a space 55 through which the air stream F passes. More precisely, surfaces 57 of adjacent silencing elements 54 delimit this through-space 55.

[0143] The element surfaces 57 are shaped so as to offer a minimum resistance to the air stream. The element surfaces 57 may be arranged around an ellipsoidal section of the silencing element 54.

[0144] Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of a silencing element extracted from the silencer device shown in Fig. 7. From Fig. 8 it can be seen that the air stream F passes over the element surfaces 57 along a trajectory which is not straight.

[0145] The silencing element 54 comprises a core 58 made of sound-absorbing material, an optional containment layer 59 for containing the core 58, and a casing 61 made of metal mesh or perforated sheet metal, arranged around the core 58 or the containment layer 59 (if present).

[0146] It is pointed out that, for greater illustrative clarity, in Fig. 7 the perforations of the metal sheet are shown on only one silencing element 54 of the five elements shown and that in Fig. 8 these perforations cover only a part of the silencing element 54. However, all the silencing elements 54 are preferably provided with perforations over most of or all of their element surface 57.

[0147] Even though not previously specified, a person skilled in the art may, drawing on the typical expertise in the sector, vary or replace some of the aspects indicated above with other technically equivalent elements. These variation or replacements also fall within the scope of the following claims.

[0148] Moreover, any alternative illustrated in relation to a particular embodiment may be implemented independently of the other variants described.

[0149] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0150] 1 open passage or space

[0151] 2 door leaf

[0152] 3 inner frame

[0153] 4 baffle, preferably second baffle, more preferably curved or straight

[0154] 5 tangential or centrifugal fan

[0155] 6 air stream deviator

[0156] 7 management and control means

[0157] 8 electric control unit

[0158] 9 motor support bracket

[0159] 10 rolling means, preferably bearings

[0160] 11 motor, preferably adjustable-speed motor

[0161] 12 heat exchanger unit, preferably a heating unit

[0162] 13 heat exchanger unit, preferably a cooling unit

[0163] 14 condensate collection container

[0164] 15 air filter, preferably flat

[0165] 16 baffle, preferably first baffle, more preferably curved or straight

[0166] 17 deviation valve, preferably of the three-way type, of the heat exchanger unit 13

[0167] 18 deviation valve, preferably of the three-way type, of the heat exchanger unit 12

[0168] 19 power supply line

[0169] 20 flexible tube, preferably corrugated and made of metallic material

[0170] 21 auxiliary condensate collection container

[0171] 22 hydraulic lines, preferably for cooled heat-transfer fluid (for example water)

[0172] 23 hydraulic line, preferably for heated heat-transfer fluid (for example water)

[0173] 24 hydraulic line for discharging the condensate

[0174] 25 door frame

[0175] 26 frame opening

[0176] 27, 27’ outer surface

[0177] 28, 28’ outer surface

[0178] 29 thickness

[0179] 30 containment compartment

[0180] 31 second opening or discharge opening

[0181] 32 first opening or intake opening

[0182] 33 ventilation means

[0183] 34 connecting surface, preferably longitudinal

[0184] 35 hinge

[0185] 36 connecting surface, preferably transverse 37 removable panel

[0186] 38 extendable or gusseted element

[0187] 39 second surface

[0188] 40 building wall

[0189] 41 sound-absorbing element

[0190] 42 operating element, preferably knob or handle

[0191] 43 frame member

[0192] 44 counter-frame

[0193] 45 covering or wire-protection element

[0194] 46 intermediate space or play

[0195] 47 supporting wall

[0196] 48 sealing element

[0197] 49 rotation axis

[0198] 50 fan coil device

[0199] 51 floor

[0200] 52 ceiling

[0201] 53 projecting edge

[0202] 54 silencing element

[0203] 55 through-space

[0204] 56 length 57 element surface, preferably aerodynamic

[0205] 58 core

[0206] 59 containment layer

[0207] 60 silencing device 61 casing

[0208] 62 silencing body

[0209] 100 door

[0210] 200 architectural construction

[0211] F air stream

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An architectural construction (200) comprising:- a building wall (40) comprising opposite outer surfaces (27’, 28’) separated by a thickness of said building wall (40), said outer surfaces (27’, 28’) circumscribing between them a containment compartment (30), and wherein said building wall (40) delimits at least one first opening (32) and at least one second opening (31 );- a fan coil device (50) comprising at least, housed in the containment compartment (30):(a) at least one heat exchanger unit (12, 13);(b) ventilation means (33) configured to draw in an air stream through the first opening (32), to move said air stream so that it exchanges heat with the heat exchanger (12, 13), and to then blow out said air stream from the second opening (31 );(c) at least one air filter (15) for filtering the air stream between the first opening (32) and the heat exchanger (12, 13); wherein a finish of at least one outer surface (27’; 28’) overlapping the containment compartment (30) is the same as a finish of one or more second surfaces (39) surrounding or flanking the containment compartment (30).

2. The architectural construction according to the preceding claim, wherein said finish of the outer surface (27’; 28’) overlapping the containment compartment (30) is the same as said finish of one or more second surfaces surrounding or flanking the containment compartment (30) as regards at least one of the following features: material, colour, saturation, transparency, decorative pattern or coating.

3. The architectural construction according to any one of the precedingclaims, wherein the fan coil device (50) comprises at least one condensate collection container (14, 21 ) housed inside the containment compartment (30), said condensate collection container (14, 21 ) being arranged vertically underneath a heat exchanger unit (12, 13) which is a cooling unit (13), said condensate collection container (14, 21 ) being connected to a hydraulic line (24) for discharging condensate.

4. The architectural construction according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said air filter (15), said heat exchanger unit (12, 13) and said ventilation means (33) are arranged in series, preferably adjacent to each other, along a path of the air stream between the first opening (32) and the second opening (31 ).

5. The architectural construction according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said building wall (40) comprises one or more baffles (4, 16) housed in the containment compartment (30) in a position between the first opening (32) and the heat exchanger unit (12, 13) and / or between said heat exchanger unit (12, 13) and the second opening (31); said one or more baffles (4, 16) being made of sound-absorbing material.

6. The architectural construction according to the preceding claim, wherein said one or more baffles (4, 16) comprise first straight baffles (16) situated, in the fluid flow direction, upstream of the heat exchanger unit (12, 13), and second straight baffles (4) situated, in the fluid flow direction, downstream of the heat exchanger unit (12, 13).

7. The architectural construction according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first opening (32) and said second opening (31) are arranged and oriented on said building wall (40) in such a way that said air stream is drawn in and blown out from the front of the same outer surface (27’; 28’).

8. The architectural construction according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first opening (32) and said second opening (31 ) areplaced at the opposite ends - in the vertical direction - of the same outer surface (27’; 28’).

9. The architectural construction according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said building wall (40) comprises an inner frame (3) to which said heat exchanger unit (12, 13), a motor (11 ) of said ventilation means (33) and said optional one or more baffles (4, 16) are fixed, and wherein at least one removable panel (37) delimiting at least part of one of said outer surfaces (27’; 28’) is connected to said inner frame (3).

10. The architectural construction according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one sound-absorbing element (41 ) placed along or near at least one inner surface of the containment compartment (30).

11. The architectural construction according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one power supply line (19) for the ventilation means (33) and optional management and control means (7) of said fan coil device (50), and a plurality of hydraulic lines (22, 23) for the at least one heat exchanger unit (12, 13); wherein said power supply line (19) and said hydraulic lines (22, 23) extend outside the containment compartment (30) and are at least partially housed in a supporting wall (47) or floor (51 ) adjoining said building wall (40).

12. The architectural construction according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation means (33) comprise a tangential or centrifugal fan (5), and wherein the ventilation means (33) comprise an adjustable-speed motor (11 ).

13. The architectural construction according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said building wall (40) comprises at least one silencer device (60) positioned along said first opening (32) and / or said second opening (31 ), wherein said silencer device (60) comprises a plurality of silencing elements (54), one or more pairs of silencing elements (54)delimiting between them a passing space (55) for the air stream.

14. The architectural construction according to the preceding claim, wherein each silencing element (54) has a length (56) oriented along a direction of the air stream and is circumscribed by shaped element surfaces (57) so as to offer minimum resistance to the air stream; preferably, said element surfaces (57) are arranged around an ellipsoidal section of said silencing element (54).

15. The architectural construction according to any of claims 13 or 14, wherein at least one silencing element (54) comprises: - a core (58) made of sound-absorbing material, with a density equal to or greater than 100 kg / m3, preferably equal to or greater than 120 kg / m3;- optionally a containment layer (59) of the core (58);- a casing (61 ) made of metal mesh or perforated sheet metal, arranged around said core (58) or said optional containment layer(59).

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