Airflow distribution box

Abstract

Airflow distribution housing (1), comprising: - a body (2) made of expanded polypropylene, the body (2) comprising: ○ a cavity (6) having an airflow inlet (10) and two airflow outlets (11) in fluidic communication with the airflow inlet (11); ○ a receiving interface (14) for a branch support (20) at one of the outlets (11); - a branch support (20) removably mounted on the receiving interface (15) of the body (2), the support (20) comprising: ○ a frame (21) made of expanded polypropylene and defining an outlet orifice (22) for the airflow outlet to connect the cavity (6) with an air duct (61); ○ A flow control device (23) disposed across the outlet orifice (22) to regulate the airflow through the outlet (11). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Airflow distribution box technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of building construction, in particular building ventilation. Specifically, the invention relates to an airflow distribution box for a supply or exhaust air system for a plurality of zones in a building, comprising a spigot support and such a spigot support. Previous technique

[0002] To distribute an incoming airflow into different areas of a building, it is known to use an airflow distribution box.

[0003] This housing generally comprises a hollow body forming a cavity connected to an air inlet, from an air source, for example a heat pump, and outlets on which spigots are mounted. Each building zone is connected to the housing via a duct mounted on the spigot.

[0004] In order to prevent condensation and limit heat exchange to the outside of the enclosure, thermal insulation is generally necessary. This adds complexity to the structure of the distribution boxes.

[0005] Furthermore, the housings are generally composed of a complex assembly of parts, particularly at the outlets where motorized flaps are used. These assemblies complicate the installation and eventual maintenance of the housings. Description of the invention

[0006] There is a need for an airflow distribution box with a simple structure but with good thermal insulation. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention addresses this need by means of, according to one of its aspects, an air flow distribution unit for an air supply or extraction system for a plurality of zones in a building, comprising:

[0008] - a main body at least partially made of expanded polypropylene, the main body comprising:

[0009] O a cavity comprising at least one airflow inlet, intended to be connected to an air supply source, and at least two airflow outlets in fluidic communication with the airflow inlet;

[0010] O at least one receiving interface of a tapping support at the level of one of said at least two outputs;

[0011] - at least one tapping support removably mounted on said at least a main body receiving interface, said at least one tapping support comprising:

[0012] O at least one frame made of expanded polypropylene and defining an outlet orifice of the airflow outlet to make the cavity communicate with an air duct;

[0013] O at least one flow control device disposed across the outlet orifice to regulate the airflow through the airflow outlet.

[0014] Having a main body at least partially made of expanded polypropylene, by the properties of the latter, allows both good thermal insulation of the cavity and a good mechanical structure, in terms of resistance to stress and shocks.

[0015] The main body can be at least partially made of expanded polypropylene at said at least one receiving interface.

[0016] Preferably, the main body is made entirely of expanded polypropylene.

[0017] Said at least one receiving interface may include at least one body relief, the frame of the tapping support including at least one support relief, said at least one body relief and said at least one support relief being configured to cooperate when the support is mounted on said at least one receiving interface to hold the tapping support on said at least one receiving interface.

[0018] At least one body relief may extend along a wall of the main body and may partially surround the outlet at said at least one receiving interface. Such a body relief partially surrounding the outlet may facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the tapping support, which may be done without tools.

[0019] The cooperation between said at least one body relief and said at least one support relief can be achieved by elastic deformation of said at least one body relief and / or said at least one support relief. This allows for simple assembly and disassembly without the use of special tools.

[0020] Said at least one body relief may be in relief.

[0021] Said at least one support relief may be salient.

[0022] Alternatively, said at least one body relief is salient and said at least one support relief is recessed.

[0023] At least one of the main body and said at least one tapping support may have a sealing relief on an external surface at least partially surrounding the outlet at said at least one receiving interface, the sealing relief being configured to prevent the passage of an airflow through of said airflow outlet other than through the outlet orifice of the tapping support.

[0024] The airflow inlet can form a substantially parallelepiped-shaped opening.

[0025] Said at least two outlets can each form a substantially circular opening.

[0026] The body may include side walls, a bottom wall and a lid wall configured to form the cavity.

[0027] At least one of the side walls can define a wall plane, the branch support being configured to be mounted and dismounted from the main body by translation in a plane parallel to the wall plane. Thus, mounting and dismounting are simple to perform by an operator, particularly in degraded conditions such as in attics or in a dimly lit and cramped false ceiling. In particular, the mounting and dismounting of the branch support can be carried out manually, without tools.

[0028] At least one side wall may have a recess extending from an edge of the side wall and forming an opening in a portion of the bottom wall or the lid wall, said at least one receiving interface being at least partially formed by the recess, the tapping support being configured to be mounted and dismounted from the main body by sliding within the recess and through the opening in the portion of the wall. Such a recess provides a visual and tactile marker for the receiving interface. It also helps to reduce the overall size of the housing when a tapping support is mounted on the housing.

[0029] Said at least one body relief can be understood on the recess, in particular along an edge of the recess.

[0030] Said at least one airflow inlet can be configured to be connected to a temperature-controlled air supply. In this case, the unit advantageously allows for airflow control for controllable temperature regulation of different zones of the building, for heating or cooling.

[0031] In one embodiment, the main body further comprises at least one fresh air flow inlet, intended to be connected to a fresh air supply source.

[0032] Thus, the unit allows both an airflow for temperature control of different areas of the building and an airflow for ventilating different areas of the building with fresh air. This is particularly advantageous when the unit is used in a building for professional use.

[0033] By "fresh air" we mean unspoiled air from outside the building or from recirculation after a purification treatment.

[0034] Said at least one fresh air inlet and said at least one temperature-controlled air inlet may be connected to the cavity.

[0035] Alternatively, or in addition, the body may include a fresh air cavity, separate from the cavity, comprising at least one fresh air flow inlet and at least one fresh air flow outlet.

[0036] The fresh air cavity may include at least one fresh air outlet at the level of said at least one receiving interface, in particular near an air outlet of the cavity.

[0037] The outlet orifice of the tapping support can allow the fresh air cavity to communicate with an air duct. Spike support

[0038] The invention also relates, according to another of its aspects, in combination with the above, to a tapping support for an air flow distribution box as defined above comprising at least one frame made of expanded polypropylene defining an outlet orifice of the air flow outlet to communicate the cavity with an air duct, and at least one flow regulation device disposed through the outlet orifice to regulate the air flow through the air flow outlet of the box.

[0039] Said at least one frame may comprise a first part and a second part fixed together in a removable manner.

[0040] The regulating device may include at least one portion enclosed between the first part and the second part of the frame so that its translation along the axis of the outlet orifice is blocked.

[0041] The regulating device may include a movable flap, the movement of the flap being configured to regulate the airflow through the airflow outlet of the housing.

[0042] The shutter is motorized by a motor enclosed between the first part and the second part of the frame.

[0043] The tapping support may include a control card for the regulation device.

[0044] The control board can be mounted removably on an external part of the frame, in particular by snapping.

[0045] Alternatively, the control board can be enclosed between the first and second parts of the frame so that its translation along the axis of the outlet is blocked.

[0046] The tapping support can be a tapping cassette, in particular with a width less than or equal to 50 mm. Flow regulation system

[0047] The invention also relates, according to another aspect, in combination with the foregoing, to a flow regulation system for a plurality of zones in a building comprising:

[0048] - an airflow distribution box as defined above;

[0049] - an air supply source connected to said at least one airflow inlet of the case;

[0050] - at least one branch connected to said at least one branch support.

[0051] The air supply source can provide air at a regulated temperature. Brief description of the drawings

[0052] The invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description that follows, the non-limiting examples of its implementation, and upon examination of the accompanying drawing, in which

[0053] [Fig-1] illustrates, in perspective, schematically, an example of a housing according to the invention,

[0054] [Fig.2] is an enlargement of [Fig.1] according to II,

[0055] [Fig.3] illustrates, in perspective, in isolation, a support for the pinning of the housing of the [Fig.l],

[0056] [Fig.4] partially illustrates a longitudinal section of the tapping support of the [Fig.3],

[0057] [Fig.5] illustrates, partially, in perspective, a section of a first part of the frame of the tapping support of [Fig.3],

[0058] [Fig.6] illustrates, in perspective, a second part of the support frame of [Fig.3],

[0059] [Fig.7] set a similar view to [Fig.6] on which the flow control device mounted on the second part,

[0060] [Fig.8] illustrates, partially, in perspective, an upper part of the support of [Fig.3]

[0061] [Fig.9] illustrates, in perspective, schematically, another example of a casing according to the invention,

[0062] [Fig. 10] illustrates, in perspective, schematically, another example of a housing according to the invention,

[0063] [Fig. 11] illustrates, in perspective, schematically, another side of the casing of [Fig. 10], and

[0064] [Fig. 12] illustrates, schematically, an example of a flow regulation system according to the invention. Detailed description

[0065] In the remainder of this description, identical elements or elements with identical functions shall be referred to by the same reference numeral. For the sake of brevity in this description, They are not described in relation to each of the figures, only the differences between the modes of embodiment are described.

[0066] In the figures, the actual proportions have not always been respected, for the sake of clarity.

[0067] An example of an airflow distribution housing 1 according to the invention has been illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0068] The housing 1 comprises a main body 2.

[0069] Body 2 is for example entirely made of expanded polypropylene.

[0070] The body 2 has a general parallelepiped shape and comprises a lid wall 3, a bottom wall 4 and side walls 5 which together form a cavity 6.

[0071] The cavity 6 has a rectangular airflow inlet 10 on a side wall 5.

[0072] The cavity 6 also includes a plurality of airflow outlets 11, in this example four, on another side wall 5.

[0073] The body 2 also includes a receiving interface 15 of a tapping support 20 at each output 11, as particularly illustrated on the enlargement of [Fig.2].

[0074] Each receiving interface 15 is formed by a recess 14 extending from an edge 16 between the side wall 5 and the lid wall 3 and forming an opening 17 on a portion of the lid wall 3.

[0075] The housing 1 also includes spigot supports 20, in this example three cassettes, removably mounted on the receiving interface 15.

[0076] In [Fig. 1], one of the supports 20 is disassembled, another is being assembled, and a final one is assembled. In this example, each support 20 is assembled by translation along an axis X parallel to a wall plane P of the lateral surface 5 carrying the outlets 11.

[0077] Each tapping support 20 includes an expanded polypropylene frame 21 which defines an outlet orifice 22.

[0078] Each support 20 has a motorized flap 23 disposed through the outlet orifice 22 to regulate the airflow through the outlet 11.

[0079] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the frame 21 has on a peripheral edge 25 a support relief 26 projecting in the form of a U.

[0080] The support relief 26 is configured to fit into a body relief 27 on a peripheral edge 28 of the recess 14 of the receiving interface 15. The body relief 27 is, in this example, a hollow and extends in the form of a U, the arms of the U opening at the level of the opening 17 of the lid wall 3. The body relief 27 thus partially surrounds the opening 11.

[0081] During the mounting of a support 20, the support relief 26 is inserted into the body relief 27. At least one of the support relief 26 and the body relief 27 is elastically deformed when the support 20 is force-mounted on the body 2.

[0082] Each support 20 also includes a sealing relief 30 extending over the peripheral edge 25 and over a rear face 31 of the frame 21 intended to be opposite the receiving interface 15.

[0083] The sealing relief 30 is salient and extends from one end 32 of one of the branches of the U of the support relief 26 to the end 32 of the other branch.

[0084] The sealing relief 30 is inserted into a sealing hollow 33 in the recess 14 of the receiving interface 15, when the support 20 is mounted on the body 2. At least one of the sealing relief 30 and the sealing hollow 33 is elastically deformed.

[0085] The sealing relief 30 and the support relief 26 completely surround the orifice 22, thus preventing the passage of an airflow through said airflow outlet other than through the outlet orifice 22.

[0086] The frame 21 of each support 20 comprises a first part 40 and a second part 41 assembled together in a removable manner, each of the parts having an opening 45.

[0087] The first part 40 has a snap-in recess 42, which extends all around the orifice 45, as illustrated in figures 4 and 5.

[0088] The second part 41 has a snap-fit ​​relief 46, which extends all around the orifice 45, as illustrated in Figures 4, 6 and 7. The relief 46 and the hollow 42 are configured to cooperate by elastic deformation to form the frame 21.

[0089] The first part 40 and the second part 41 each have receiving areas 50 allowing elements to be received and enclosed in the frame 21.

[0090] As illustrated in figures 6 and 7 for the second part 41, one of the receiving areas 50 is an area 51 allowing to receive a motor 52 of the flap 23.

[0091] Another zone 53 allows a bearing 54 to be enclosed in which an axis of the flap 23 is inserted.

[0092] As can be seen in [Fig.8], the support 22 also includes a control board 35 for the motorized shutter 23. The control board 35 is enclosed between the two parts 40 and 41 by tabs 36.

[0093] Thus, the assembly and disassembly of each support 20 is simple to implement and can be carried out without tools.

[0094] The second part 41 also includes a circular rim 60 around the orifice 22 allowing connection of a branch 61 of an air duct.

[0095] A variant of housing 1 according to the invention is illustrated in [Fig.9].

[0096] In this variant the height H of the housing 1 is reduced compared to the embodiments of [Fig.1], in order to be installed in a smaller space.

[0097] The diameter of the rim 60 of the supports 20 remains unchanged, to allow the use of conventional spigots 61. Since the cavity of the body 2 has a height less than the diameter of the rim 60, a half-cover 65 is installed in the opening 22 of the supports 20. In addition, a half-flap 23 is used.

[0098] In another variant, illustrated in figures 10 and 11. The body 2 has two separate cavities: a cavity 6 for air at a regulated temperature, and a cavity 70 for fresh air.

[0099] The fresh air cavity 70 is connected to a fresh air inlet 71.

[0100] The cavity 70 also includes a fresh air outlet 72 at each outlet 11 of cavity 11. In this example, each fresh air outlet 72 is adjacent to an air outlet 11, together forming a circle. The orifice 22 of the support 20 is opposite this circle and therefore opposite the fresh air outlet 72 and the air outlet 11.

[0101] Thus, the rim 60 always has the same diameter allowing the use of conventional spigots 61.

[0102] Figure 12 illustrates a flow control system for a plurality of zones Z1, Z2 and Z3 of a building B comprising:

[0103] - an airflow distribution box 1;

[0104] - an air supply source 80 connected to the airflow inlet 10 of the housing 1;

[0105] - 61 connected branch connections.

[0106] The air supply source 80 can provide air at a regulated temperature. For example, the air supply source 80 is a heat pump.

[0107] The invention is not limited to the examples just described.

[0108] In particular, the housing 1 may have a different number of receiving interfaces, for example between 2 and 10.

Claims

Demands

1. Air flow distribution box (1) for an air supply or extraction system for a plurality of zones (Z1; Z2; Z3) of a building (B), comprising: - a main body (2) at least partially made of expanded polypropylene, the main body (2) comprising: O a cavity (6) having at least one air flow inlet (10), intended to be connected to an air supply source (80), and at least two air flow outlets (11) in fluidic communication with the air flow inlet (11); O at least one receiving interface (14) for a spigot support (20) at the level of one of said at least two outlets (11);- at least one tapping support (20) removably mounted on said at least one receiving interface (15) of the main body (2), said at least one tapping support (20) comprising: O at least one frame (21) made of expanded polypropylene and defining an outlet orifice (22) of the airflow outlet to communicate the cavity (6) with an air duct (61); O at least one flow control device (23) disposed through the outlet orifice (22) to regulate the airflow passing through the airflow outlet (11).

2. Housing (1) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one receiving interface (15) has at least one body relief (27), the frame (21) of the tapping support (20) having at least one support relief (26), said at least one body relief (27) and said at least one support relief (26) being configured to cooperate when the support (20) is mounted on said at least one receiving interface (15) to hold the tapping support (20) on said at least one receiving interface (15).

3. Housing (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one body relief (27) extends over a wall of the main body (2) and partially surrounds the outlet (11) at the level of said at least one receiving interface (15).

4. Housing (1) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the cooperation between said at least one body relief (27) and said at least one support relief (26) is achieved by force through deformation elastic said at least one body relief (27) and / or said at least one support relief (26).

5. Housing (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said at least one body relief (27) is recessed and said at least one support relief (26) is salient.

6. Housing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the main body (2) and said at least one tapping support (20) has a sealing relief (30; 33) on an external surface (31: 15) surrounding at least partially the outlet (11) at said at least one receiving interface (15), the sealing relief (30: 33) being configured to prevent the passage of airflow through said outlet (11) of airflow other than through the outlet orifice (22) of the tapping support (20).

7. Housing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (2) has side walls (5), a bottom wall (4) and a lid wall (3) configured to form the cavity (6), at least one of the side walls (5) defining a wall plane (P), the tapping support (20) being configured to be mounted and detached from the main body (2) by translation in a plane parallel to the wall plane (P).

8. Housing (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one side wall (5) has a recess (14) extending from an edge (16) of the side wall (5) and forming an opening (17) on a portion of the bottom wall (4) or the lid wall (3), said at least one receiving interface (15) being at least partially formed by the recess (14), the tapping support (20) being configured to be mounted and detached from the main body (2) by translation in the recess (14) and through the opening (17) on the portion of wall.

9. Support (20) for tapping for an air flow distribution housing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising at least one frame (21) made of expanded polypropylene defining an outlet orifice (22) of the air flow outlet to communicate the cavity (6) with an air duct (61), and at least one flow control device (23) disposed through the outlet orifice (22) to regulate the air flow through the air flow outlet (11) of the housing (1).

10. Support (20) for stitching according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one frame (21) comprises a first part (40) and a second part (41) fixed together in a removable manner.

11. Support (20) for tapping according to the preceding claim, in which the regulating device (23) comprises at least one portion enclosed between the first part (40) and the second part (41) of the frame (21) so that its translation along the axis of the outlet orifice (22) is blocked.

12. Support (20) for tapping according to any one of claims 10 and 11, wherein the regulating device (23) comprises a movable flap, the movement of the flap being configured to regulate the airflow through the airflow outlet (11) of the housing (1), the flap being motorized by a motor (52) enclosed between the first part (40) and the second part (41) of the frame (21).

13. Support (20) for tapping according to any one of claims 10 to 12, comprising a control card (35) for the control device (22), the control card (35) being mounted removably on an external part of the frame, in particular by snap-fitting.

14. Flow control system for a plurality of zones of a building (B) comprising: - an air flow distribution box (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8; - an air supply source (80) connected to said at least one air flow inlet of the box (1); - at least one branch (61) connected to said at least one branch support (20).

15. System according to the preceding claim, wherein the air supply source (80) is adapted to provide air at a regulated temperature.