Self-contained air extraction device

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-contained air extraction device (100) from an interior space of a dwelling to the outside, comprising an extraction chimney (110) having an end (111) referred to as the interior end and an end (112) referred to as the exterior end, intended to connect the interior space of the dwelling and the outside, and an extraction fan (120) arranged in the extraction chimney (110), said device being characterized in that it further comprises - a power supply module comprising a photovoltaic panel (140) and a rechargeable battery (150) electrically connected to the photovoltaic panel (140) and to the extraction fan (120), and - a support structure (130) for the power supply module on the chimney (110), fixed to the chimney (110) at its exterior end (112).The invention also relates to a kit comprising such a self-contained device (100) and a wall-mounting assembly for a dwelling, as well as a dwelling comprising such a device on one of its walls. See Figure 2 for the abbreviation.

Description

Title of the invention: Autonomous air extraction device TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The field of the invention is that of air extraction, in particular from an interior space to the exterior.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a self-contained air extraction device.

[0003] The invention finds applications in particular in individual and collective housing equipment, in particular at the level of the roof of a building, with the aim of evacuating the air located under the attic of a roof. STATE OF THE ART

[0004] Techniques for extracting air from an interior space, such as that of a dwelling, to the exterior are known from the prior art.

[0005] Such installations are intended to evacuate the air inside the home, which may be hot and / or humid. In particular, the stagnation of hot air can result in increased use of air conditioning in summer, and the stagnation of humid air in winter can result in the development of microorganisms such as mold or fungi, which can degrade the ambient air and / or weaken the structure of the home. For example, the appearance of dry rot, which is a fungus that can develop in a humid environment and attacks the frames of buildings, can be avoided by using an air extraction device.

[0006] Thus, known techniques propose connecting the interior space to the exterior by a passive ventilation duct, the air circulating naturally under the effect of differences in temperature and / or internal and external pressure.

[0007] However, these techniques do not allow a large volume of air to circulate, and this generally results in insufficient evacuation of hot and / or humid air.

[0008] Other techniques propose, for example, using extraction chimneys connecting the interior of the dwelling to the exterior, the convection of the air being forced by an extraction fan placed in the chimney.

[0009] However, these techniques have the disadvantage of requiring a specific electrical connection to power the fan, and they consume electrical energy.

[0010] Thus, none of the current systems allows for reliable and efficient air extraction, while consuming little energy and being easy to install. Statement of the invention

[0011] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the state of the art cited above.

[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a self-contained device for extracting air from an interior space of a dwelling to the exterior, comprising an extraction chimney having a so-called interior end and a so-called exterior end, intended to connect the interior space of the dwelling and the exterior, and an extraction fan arranged in the extraction chimney, said device further comprising - a power supply module comprising a photovoltaic panel and a rechargeable battery electrically connected to the photovoltaic panel and to the extraction fan, and - a support structure for the power module on the chimney, fixed to the chimney at its outer end.

[0013] Thus, efficient air extraction is obtained thanks to forced convection of the air by means of the fan. However, the extraction device does not have any of the drawbacks of the prior art, being energy autonomous thanks to the photovoltaic panel and / or the battery.

[0014] Indeed, the device can operate regardless of the weather conditions, i.e. both during periods of sunshine (mainly thanks to the photovoltaic panel) and during cloudy periods or at night (mainly thanks to the battery).

[0015] Thus, the air extraction device can, for example, operate several hours after sunset, when the photovoltaic panel alone no longer produces enough energy, but the air inside a home is still warm, due to the inertia of the building.

[0016] In addition, the energy autonomy of the device allows installation anywhere in a home, since no electrical connection to the domestic network is necessary.

[0017] According to a preferred variant, the extraction chimney comprises a side wall perforated at its outer end, and in which the support structure comprises a support plate closing the extraction chimney at its outer end, so as to direct a flow of extracted air through the perforated side wall, the photovoltaic panel and the battery being further fixed to the support plate.

[0018] Thus, the extracted air is redirected through the side wall of the extraction chimney, which allows the photovoltaic panel and the battery to be placed at the end of the extraction chimney, via the support plate.

[0019] In other words, although an outer end opening of the extraction chimney is closed by the support plate, the air can be evacuated laterally. The positioning of the support plate directly at the end of the chimney allows a particularly simple design of the extraction device, since no additional support of the photovoltaic panel and / or the battery, for example on the roof of the house, is required. In addition, since the extraction chimney generally projects orthogonally to the roof, an optimal orientation of the photovoltaic panel (i.e. inclined, different from horizontal) is naturally obtained without additional means.

[0020] According to a preferred variant, the support structure further comprises an annular deflector arranged around the extraction chimney opposite the openwork side wall.

[0021] In this way, it is possible both to prevent any intrusion into the extraction chimney from the outside, for example by insects, and to obtain acoustic attenuation of the air evacuated by the device.

[0022] According to a preferred variant, the support structure further comprises a support frame for the deflector, forming a rectangular parallelepiped outline surrounding the deflector, the deflector being fixed to the support frame at a lower level of the support frame, proximal to the inner end of the extraction chimney, and the support frame being fixed to the support plate at an upper level of the support frame, proximal to the outer end of the extraction chimney.

[0023] Such a frame allows the deflector, located upstream of the outer end of the extraction chimney, to be cleverly suspended from the support plate, which is securely fixed to the extraction chimney. In addition, thanks to its parallelepiped shape, the support frame allows the support structure to be stiffened, which can thus support a photovoltaic panel of substantial size (approximately 0.6 square meters) and a battery of substantial capacity (24V battery with a capacity of approximately 4 Ah).

[0024] According to a preferred variant, the photovoltaic panel is fixed to the support plate at a distance from the latter by means of a plurality of support pads, preferably at a distance greater than or equal to 50 mm from the support plate.

[0025] In this way, natural air convection between the support plate and the photovoltaic panel can take place. Thus, any overheating of the photovoltaic panel can be avoided.

[0026] According to a preferred variant, the device further comprises a temperature probe intended to measure the temperature of the air in the interior space of the dwelling, and a control unit electrically connected to the extraction fan, to the battery and to the temperature probe, configured to control the power supply to the extraction fan when the temperature measured by said temperature probe is higher than a set temperature, and to interrupt the power supply to the extraction fan when the temperature measured by said temperature probe is lower than a set temperature.

[0027] Thus, on the one hand it is possible to regulate the air temperature inside a home, the air extraction starting or stopping according to a set temperature. On the other hand, it can be ensured that the device is only active when necessary, which makes it possible to dedicate the energy produced by the photovoltaic panel to recharging the battery and / or to save the energy stored in the battery.

[0028] According to a preferred variant, the photovoltaic panel has a nominal power greater than the nominal power of the extraction fan, so as to be able to charge the battery and electrically power the extraction fan when the electrical production of the photovoltaic panel is greater than the nominal power of the extraction fan.

[0029] It can thus be ensured that the photovoltaic panel can charge the battery whatever the circumstances. For example, on a very sunny day, requiring significant air extraction, it is possible for the fan to be continuously powered by the photovoltaic panel. However, on such a day, it is desirable for the battery to be charged in order to be able to continue extracting air once the sun has set. Thanks to the aforementioned provisions, it is possible to ensure such charging, even when the fan is also powered.

[0030] According to a preferred variant, the extraction chimney and the support structure are made of aluminum.

[0031] Thus, the device can be manufactured in a particularly simple manner by cutting and folding. In addition, the device is lightweight, which allows for easy transport, and durable, particularly resistant to corrosion, which is particularly important when installing on the roof of a house.

[0032] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a kit comprising a stand-alone device according to one of the preceding embodiments, and an assembly for fixing to a wall of a dwelling, in particular a roof of a dwelling, comprising a skirt intended to be fixed at the level of an opening of the dwelling, and an element for fixing the extraction chimney to said skirt.

[0033] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a dwelling comprising an autonomous device according to one of the preceding embodiments arranged at a wall of the dwelling, in particular at a roof of the dwelling. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0034] Other advantages, aims and particular characteristics of the present invention will emerge from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the devices and methods which are the subject of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: • [Fig.l] is a perspective view of an example of a self-contained device according to the invention, when it is fixed to a residential roof, • [Fig.2] is an exploded perspective view of the device of [Fig.l], • [Fig.3] is an exploded perspective view of a fixing kit comprising the device of [Fig.l] and a fixing assembly, • [Fig.4] is a longitudinal sectional view of the device of [Fig.l]. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The present description is given without limitation, each characteristic of an embodiment being able to be combined with any other characteristic of any other embodiment in an advantageous manner.

[0036] [Fig.l] represents an air extraction device 100 according to a possible embodiment.

[0037] The device 100 comprises an extraction chimney 110, here of substantially square section.

[0038] The chimney 110 comprises a first end, called the interior end 111, which is intended to be placed on the side of an interior space of a dwelling.

[0039] Opposite the inner end 111, the chimney has a second end called the outer end 112, which is intended to be located outside the dwelling.

[0040] Thus, the chimney 100 connects the interior space of the dwelling to the exterior.

[0041] The chimney 110 has, for example, a length of the order of one meter and a side of the order of 20 to 50 cm. It can be made, for example, by means of two U-shaped half-tubes, connected longitudinally. The chimney 110 can in particular be made of aluminum.

[0042] [Fig.2] shows the device 100 in exploded view.

[0043] The device 100 comprises an extraction fan 120, arranged in the chimney 110. The fan 120 is configured to circulate air through the chimney 110 from the inner end 111 to the outer end 112.

[0044] More specifically, the fan 120 is here fixed inside the chimney 110 at a substantially middle position between the inner 111 and outer 112 ends. For this, the device 100 comprises a fan support frame 121, which can be fixed to the chimney 110, for example by screwing.

[0045] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the chimney 110 has a side wall 113 perforated at the outer end 112, through which the air can circulate.

[0046] Here, the section of the chimney 110 is square, and the side wall 113 is perforated on each side of the chimney 110.

[0047] Here, the side wall 113 is perforated by means of longitudinal slots, however any other type of opening is also possible.

[0048] The device 100 further comprises a power supply module comprising a photovoltaic panel 140 and a battery 150.

[0049] In addition, the device 100 comprises a support structure 130, which notably supports the photovoltaic panel 140 and the battery 150 forming part of the power supply module.

[0050] The support structure 130 comprises a support plate 131, which closes the chimney 110 at its outer end 112. The extracted air is thus evacuated through the perforated side wall 113.

[0051] The support plate 131 is fixed to the chimney 110, for example by means of fixing tabs 114 of the chimney 110, which are folded at the outer end 112 at a right angle towards the inside of the chimney 110.

[0052] The support plate 131 is here of substantially square shape, with dimensions greater than the section of the chimney 110.

[0053] The support plate 131 further comprises two side walls topped with edges, which are used for positioning the photovoltaic panel 140 and for fixing it.

[0054] The photovoltaic panel 140 is fixed to the support plate 131, at the level of an upper face of the support plate 131, that is to say the face oriented away from the chimney 110.

[0055] In this way, the photovoltaic panel 140 is placed on a free surface and can be exposed to the sun in order to provide electrical energy.

[0056] Preferably, the photovoltaic panel 140 comprises a support frame fixed to the support plate 131 by screwing, for example in the side walls.

[0057] In addition, the photovoltaic panel 140 can rest on the support plate 131 by means of pads (not shown).

[0058] Thus, the photovoltaic panel 140 is arranged at a distance from the support plate 131, which prevents any overheating of the photovoltaic panel 140. Indeed, the space provided between the photovoltaic panel 140 and the support plate 131 allows natural air convection. Preferably, the pads are chosen so as to provide a space of approximately 50 millimeters, or more, between the photovoltaic panel 140 and the support plate 131.

[0059] Advantageously, the photovoltaic panel 140 is covered with a layer of glass. weather resistant.

[0060] The battery 150 is for example formed by one or more lithium-phosphate accumulators. Such a battery is suitable for use on a roof, exposed to climatic hazards and extreme temperatures, and has a long service life. The battery has for example a capacity of the order of 4Ah.

[0061] The battery 150 can for example be fixed on a lower face of the support plate 131, that is to say oriented towards the chimney 110, opposite the photovoltaic panel 140.

[0062] The photovoltaic panel 140 and the battery 150 are sources of electrical energy for powering the fan 120, which is powered by an electric motor.

[0063] The support structure 130 also comprises a support frame 132.

[0064] The support frame 132 here follows a substantially rectangular parallelepiped contour.

[0065] More precisely, the support frame 132 is formed by strips 133 following the contours of the rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0066] For example, the frame 132 is formed from aluminum sheet. In particular, the frame 132 is formed in two substantially symmetrical parts, connected at vertical sides of the frame 132.

[0067] The sides of the support frame 132 are substantially the same size as the sides of the support plate 131. Thus, the support frame 132 is such that it surrounds the chimney 110.

[0068] The support frame 132 is fixed to the support plate 131 at an upper level of the frame, for example at the level of upper strips 133 and by screwing into the edges of the support plate 131.

[0069] In addition, here, the upper strips 133 of the support frame 132 overlap the edges of the photovoltaic panel 140, which allows reliable maintenance of the photovoltaic panel 140.

[0070] When secured to the support plate 131, the support frame 132 extends from the outer end 112 of the chimney 110 substantially to a position upstream of the slots in the side wall 113.

[0071] The support frame 132 is not fixed to the chimney 110 at a lower level of the frame, but has a free lower face at this location.

[0072] The support structure 130 comprises an annular deflector 134, which is arranged around the chimney 110 opposite the perforated side wall 113.

[0073] The annular deflector 134 is fixed at the level of the free lower face of the support frame 132, that is to say at a lower level of the frame.

[0074] For example, the annular deflector 134 is fixed by means of fixing lugs 135 to the support frame.

[0075] The arrangement of the annular deflector 134 is such that it is arranged inside the parallelepiped contour defined by the support frame 132. In other words, the support frame 132 surrounds the annular deflector 134.

[0076] Thus, the annular deflector 134, which is here substantially tubular with a square section, has a height and sides less than the height and sides of the support frame 132. The deflector, however, has a side greater than the side of the section of the chimney 110.

[0077] The support frame 132 therefore plays a dual role of supporting the annular deflector 134, without requiring additional fixing to the chimney 110, and of stiffening the support structure 130. Indeed, the support frame 132 forms a skeleton supporting the support plate 131 and stiffening the latter. This allows the support plate 132 to support a substantial mass, formed by the photovoltaic panel 140 and the battery 150.

[0078] The electrical operation of the device 100 is as follows:

[0079] The photovoltaic panel 140 is electrically connected to the battery 150.

[0080] Preferably, the photovoltaic panel 140 has a nominal power greater than the nominal power of the fan 120, so as to be able to charge the battery 150 and electrically power the fan 120 when the electrical production of the photovoltaic panel 140 is greater than the nominal power of the fan 120.

[0081] For example, the fan 120 is driven by a 30W motor. The motor is chosen so as to allow the evacuation of 1000 cubic meters of air per hour, at a rotation speed of 2000 revolutions per minute. In addition, the motor is such that it withstands temperature variations between -20°C and 80°C.

[0082] The photovoltaic panel 140 has, for example, a nominal power of 35 to 40W.

[0083] Thus, it is possible to power the fan 120 by means of the photovoltaic panel 140, under normal conditions, while charging the battery 150.

[0084] In addition, in order to control the set of electrical components of the device 100, the latter also comprises a control unit (not shown).

[0085] The control unit is for example fixed to the support plate 131, at the level of the battery 150.

[0086] The control unit is electrically connected to the battery 150 and the fan motor 120.

[0087] The device 100 advantageously also comprises a temperature sensor (not shown), intended to be arranged inside the dwelling. The temperature sensor can also be fixed at the lower end 111 of the chimney 110.

[0088] The temperature sensor is electrically connected to the control unit.

[0089] The control unit is configured to control, or order, the electrical supply of the fan 120 when the temperature measured by the temperature probe is higher than a set temperature, and to interrupt the electrical supply of the fan 120 when the temperature measured by the temperature probe is lower than a set temperature.

[0090] The set temperature can be fixed or adjustable by a user. For example, it can be 20°C.

[0091] Thus, the device 100 is only switched on when the interior temperature is too high, and air must be evacuated.

[0092] Now, an example of integration of the device 100 on a residential roof will be briefly described.

[0093] The device 100 described above is intended to be placed at the level of a wall of a dwelling intended to be equipped with the device 100. The wall is in particular a roof of a dwelling.

[0094] In particular, the device 100 is arranged such that the chimney 110 projects from the roof in a substantially orthogonal manner.

[0095] In other words, the inclination of the photovoltaic panel 140 is generally substantially the same as that of the roof, when the latter is inclined.

[0096] For example, an inclination of approximately 30° is optimal, and allows the best performance of the photovoltaic panel to be obtained while avoiding the accumulation of dust and debris on the photovoltaic panel, which can in particular be evacuated by the rain.

[0097] In order to fix the device 100 on the roof, or on a wall in general, a kit is provided comprising the device 100 as well as a fixing assembly.

[0098] The fixing assembly here comprises a skirt 210. The skirt 210 may be of substantially square shape. It may be formed by an aluminum sheet, for example.

[0099] The skirt 210 is intended to be fixed at an opening in the wall of the dwelling, for example at a roof where some tiles are removed. The skirt 210 also aims to ensure sealing between the roof and the device 100.

[0100] The skirt 210 has a central opening 211.

[0101] Here the opening 211 is of substantially rectangular shape, of length substantially equal to the side of the section of the chimney 110, and of width less than the side of the section of the chimney 110.

[0102] The fixing assembly further comprises a fixing element 220 for fixing the chimney 110 to the skirt 210. The fixing element 220 is here an annular end piece, of L-shaped section, comprising a horizontal outer rim 221 and a vertical inner rim 222.

[0103] The fixing element 220 is here substantially rectangular, with a shape complementary to the opening 211 of the skirt 210.

[0104] Thus, the fixing element 220 is on the one hand fixed to the skirt 210, at the level of the horizontal outer rim 221, for example by screwing.

[0105] On the other hand, the fixing element 220 is fixed to the chimney 110, at the level of the vertical inner rim 222, for example by screwing.

[0106] As can be seen in the sectional view of [Fig.4], given the rectangular shape of the fixing element 220, the latter is fixed to the chimney 110 only at its width sides, to opposite walls of the chimney 110. The length sides of the fixing element 220 are not fixed to the chimney 110.

[0107] In this arrangement, the air first circulates through the fixing element 220, of reduced section compared to the section of the chimney 110, then through the chimney 110. This results in behavior similar to that of an expansion chamber, when the air arrives in the chimney 110.

[0108] The fixing assembly may also comprise a sealing gasket 230. The gasket 230 is placed between the horizontal outer rim of the fixing element 220, and the skirt 210, and is held by compression between these two elements.

[0109] It is recalled more generally that the invention is not limited to the examples described and represented.

Claims

Claims

1. Autonomous device (100) for extracting air from an interior space of a dwelling to the outside, comprising an extraction chimney (110) having an end (111) called the interior end and an end (112) called the exterior end, intended to connect the interior space of the dwelling and the outside, and an extraction fan (120) arranged in the extraction chimney (110), said device being characterized in that it further comprises - a power supply module comprising a photovoltaic panel (140) and a rechargeable battery (150) electrically connected to the photovoltaic panel (140) and to the extraction fan (120), and - a support structure (130) for the power supply module on the chimney (110), fixed to the chimney (110) at its exterior end (112), in which the extraction chimney (110) comprises a side wall (113) openwork at its outer end (112),and wherein the support structure comprises a support plate (131) closing the extraction chimney (110) at its outer end (112), so as to direct an extracted air flow through the perforated side wall (113), the photovoltaic panel (140) and the battery (150) being further fixed to the support plate (131), and wherein the support structure (130) further comprises an annular deflector (134) arranged around the extraction chimney (110) opposite the perforated side wall (113).,

2. A self-contained device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the support structure (130) further comprises a support frame (132) of the deflector (134), forming a rectangular parallelepiped outline surrounding the deflector (134), the deflector (134) being fixed to the support frame (132) at a lower level of the support frame, proximal to the inner end (111) of the extraction chimney (110), and the support frame (132) being fixed to the support plate (131) at an upper level of the support frame, proximal to the outer end (112) of the extraction chimney (110).

3. Autonomous device (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, in which the photovoltaic panel (140) is fixed on the support plate (131) at a distance therefrom by means of a plurality of support pads, preferably at a distance greater than or equal to 50 mm from the support plate (131).

4. Autonomous device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a temperature probe intended to measure the temperature of the air in the interior space of the dwelling, and a control unit electrically connected to the extraction fan (120), to the battery (150) and to the temperature probe, configured to control the electrical supply of the extraction fan (120) when the temperature measured by said temperature probe is higher than a set temperature, and to interrupt the electrical supply of the extraction fan (120) when the temperature measured by said temperature probe is lower than a set temperature.

5. Autonomous device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the photovoltaic panel (140) has a nominal power greater than the nominal power of the extraction fan (120), so as to be able to charge the battery (150) and electrically power the extraction fan (120) when the electrical production of the photovoltaic panel (140) is greater than the nominal power of the extraction fan (120).

6. Self-contained device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the extraction chimney (110) and the support structure (130) are made of aluminum.

7. Kit comprising a stand-alone device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, and an assembly for fixing to a wall of a dwelling, in particular a roof of a dwelling, comprising a skirt (210) intended to be fixed at the level of an opening of the dwelling, and an element (220) for fixing the extraction chimney (110) to said skirt (210).

8. Dwelling comprising an autonomous device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6 arranged at a wall of the dwelling, in particular at a roof of the dwelling.

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