Non-return flap

Abstract

The invention relates to a non-return flap (1) for preventing the return flow of air in a ventilating device, comprising at least one rectangular frame (2) which is designed to be traversed by air and comprising at least one rectangular flap (3) which is pivotally arranged with respect to the frame, wherein the flap (3) is made of a flexible material and is secured to the frame (2) on one side of the flap periphery and is equipped with a weighted piece (4) on the opposing side.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Check valve

[0003] Technical area

[0004] The invention relates to a non-return valve for the discharge of air, in particular for the discharge of air from a means of transport.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Passenger and driver compartments of means of transport such as rail vehicles are generally equipped with a ventilation or air conditioning system which supplies these spaces with heated or cooled air. In this case, part of the room air is usually circulated, while another part is taken from the outside air, treated accordingly and also fed into the interior. This makes it necessary to remove a volume flow from the interior of the vehicle that corresponds to the part of the outside air supplied. This air is guided via defined outlet openings in the body of the vehicle which allow the air to flow out as unhindered as possible, but seal it off against external influences such as water, noise, dirt, animals, etc.Furthermore, sealing is required to protect against pressure fluctuations compared to the environment, as occurs, for example, in rail vehicles when trains pass each other, enter tunnels or during strong acceleration. These pressure fluctuations could allow outside air to enter the car interior against the flow direction of the ventilation system, which can reduce passenger comfort. According to the state of the art, so-called exhaust air flaps or check valves are therefore arranged in the flow path of the ventilation system, close to the outlet point on the car body of the vehicle. These check valves must, on the one hand, have a low pressure loss in the direction of flow, and on the other hand, quickly and reliably close the air flow against the desired flow direction (blocking direction).Conventional check valves have metallic flaps, which can generate noise during operation and, due to their design, can easily be damaged accidentally, for example, during cleaning. Currently, no check valves are known that operate silently and exhibit very low flow resistance in the direction of flow.

[0007] Description of the invention

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a non-return valve which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art and operates silently.

[0009] This object is achieved by a check valve having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of subordinate claims.

[0010] According to the basic idea of ​​the invention, a non-return valve for preventing the backflow of air in a ventilation device is described, which comprises at least one rectangular frame designed for the flow of air and at least one rectangular flap arranged pivotably with respect to the frame, wherein the flap is made of flexible material and is fastened to the frame on one side of its circumference and is equipped with a weight along the opposite side.

[0011] This has the advantage of preventing air from flowing back through the check valve, while the closing process of the valve is silent.

[0012] According to the invention, the non-return valve is constructed from at least one frame which is designed for the flow of air and in which a flap is installed in such a way that it prevents the flow of air through the frame in one position.

[0013] The flap is made of flexible material and has a rectangular shape, the dimensions of which are calculated according to the flow opening in the frame, so that the flow opening is completely covered and thus the most effective sealing possible by the flap in the blocking direction of the check valve is ensured.

[0014] The flap made of flexible material is to be fastened to the frame on one side of its circumference and equipped with a weight along the opposite side so that the flap is always flat and is under no circumstances twisted or crumpled. Since the function of the check valve according to the invention is achieved by the influence of gravity on the flap made of flexible material, one side on which the flap is fastened to the frame is to be oriented upwards when the check valve is installed. The flap made of flexible material can be fastened to the frame in various ways, for example by gluing, screwing or riveting. It is particularly advantageous to fix the flap made of flexible material in a recess in the frame by means of a piping, since this type of fastening can be produced quickly and can also be removed quickly in the event of repairs. This piping, i.e.The thickening in the material of the flap can be designed as a stitching around a rod.

[0015] Glass or polyester fiber fabrics are preferably used as the material for the flap. What all fabrics have in common is that, unlike metal flaps, they move silently in the blocking direction of the check valve. The weight on the lower edge of the flap should advantageously be covered with the flexible material of the flap, for example by sewing it around it like a piping. It is particularly advantageous to provide at least part of the contact surface on the frame, against which the flap rests when closed, with a seal. This further dampens the closing noise and ensures improved sealing against unwanted air penetration.

[0016] In a further development of the invention, it is advantageous to construct the frame from extruded light metal profiles, since such profiles allow formations and recesses to be provided in their cross-section, each of which can fulfil specific tasks. In this way, a frame can also be created which has a plurality of flow openings arranged one above the other, which are horizontally separated by a light metal profile. This is particularly advantageous because the light metal profiles can be designed in such a way that, in addition to a recess for fastening the flap made of flexible material by means of a piping, they can also comprise fastening means for the positive fastening of the light metal profiles to one another. In this way, a multi-part check valve can be created whose individual frames are positively connected without further connecting means solely by formations and recesses provided in the frame.For this purpose, the light metal profiles forming the frame have a shape along one side and a recess on the opposite side, so that frames can be lined up in a form-fitting manner, i.e. they can be pushed into one another, for example.

[0017] This design allows the size of the flow opening (flow cross-section) to be determined by arranging any number of frames (light metal profiles) and associated flaps, so that the production of check valves of different sizes is simple and economical.

[0018] In a further development of the invention, it is advantageous to provide the flow opening with webs arranged transversely to the air flow direction. This provides additional protection against malfunctions, since the flap, made of flexible material, can rest on these webs in the closed position and does not bulge in such a way that air can flow past the edges of the flap in the blocking direction of the check valve.

[0019] If the check valve is constructed from light metal extruded profiles, the manufacture of the webs is particularly simple, since the flow opening can be machined from the profile anyway and the provision of remaining material (webs) is easily possible.

[0020] If a check valve comprises more than one frame, it is particularly advantageous to design the connection point between the frames in an aerodynamically favorable manner. This means that the check valve has only low flow resistance in the direction of flow. To this end, the area of ​​the frame profile around the formation or recess, with which two similar frames can be connected to one another along a horizontal line, must be provided with an aerodynamically favorable cross-section. For this purpose, bevels or rounded sections, for example, can be provided, which only slightly impede the airflow through the check valve.

[0021] A preferred embodiment of the invention provides for the at least one frame to be arranged in a housing formed as a section of a ventilation duct. In this way, a check valve according to the invention can be easily integrated into a ventilation system.

[0022] Brief description of the drawings

[0023] Examples include:

[0024] Fig. l Check valve open.

[0025] Fig. 2 Check valve closed.

[0026] Fig. 3 Check valve section.

[0027] Fig. 4 Check valve detail. Execution of the invention

[0028] Fig. 1 shows an example and schematically a non-return valve in the open position. A non-return valve 1 is shown in a sectional view, which is constructed from three frames 2. These frames 2 are arranged one above the other and are positively connected to one another and to a housing 9 enclosing the frames 2. Each frame 2 is assigned a flap 3 made of flexible material, which is arranged in such a way that it allows air to pass through as unhindered as possible in the direction of flow, but lies tightly against the frame 2 in the opposite direction and prevents the air from passing through. The exemplary embodiment shown shows a three-part non-return valve 1, the three frames 2 of which are each constructed from a light metal extruded profile.The longitudinal direction of the profiles is oriented horizontally so that the cross section of the profiles can have shaped features which enable both the arrangement of the flaps 3 on the frame 2 and the fastening of the frames 2 to one another to be carried out as simply as possible and without excessive expenditure on fastening means. The fastening of the flaps 3 made of flexible material takes place via a piping 5 which is introduced into a corresponding recess 6 in the frame 2. The flaps 3 are thus detachably connected to the respectively assigned frame 2 in a form-fitting manner so that a damaged flap 3 can be repaired or replaced without having to loosen a large number of fastening means. In particular, the fastening takes place without hinges.Furthermore, the flaps 3 are each provided with a weight 4, which is arranged on the edge opposite the fastening and which holds the flexible material of the flap 3 taut and prevents it from penetrating the frame 2 in the locking direction. The weight is rod-shaped and is surrounded by the flexible material of the flap 3. On the support surface for the flap 3 on the frame, in the area of ​​the weight 4, a seal 11 is arranged, which can be made of elastic material, for example, and glued to the frame 2.

[0029] The frames 2 are also positively and detachably connected to one another; a detailed illustration of this connection can be seen in Fig. 4. The frames 2, designed as extruded light metal profiles, have a constant cross-section over their length after their production. However, since the direction of flow requires the frame 2 to penetrate, openings 12 are required in the frame 2. In the exemplary embodiment shown, several openings 12 are provided for each frame 2, which are separated from one another by webs 13. These webs 13 prevent the flap 3 from being blown through an opening 12 in the event of a large air pressure difference in the blocking direction of the check valve 1. Individual webs 13 offer less flow resistance in the flow direction than, for example, a grid and are considerably easier to manufacture since machining of the frames 2 is necessary anyway.A grille arranged in this position would require additional components. The housing 9 is designed such that it can be inserted into the course of a ventilation device, i.e., it includes corresponding flanges for coupling to additional air duct sections.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows an example and schematically a check valve in the closed position. The check valve 1 from Fig. 1 is shown in the closed position, with the flaps 3 made of flexible material resting against the associated frame 2 and thus preventing the air flow in this blocking direction. The rod-shaped weights 4 hold the flaps 3 stretched and prevent the flaps from being blown through the frame 2 in the blocking direction of the check valve 1 due to the pressure difference between the two sides of the check valve 1.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows, by way of example and schematically, a non-return valve in a sectional view. The non-return valve 1 from Figs. 1 and 2 is shown in the closed position, wherein in particular the structure of frames 2, which are positively inserted into one another, is evident. The flaps 3 are in the closed position, so that no air flow can occur against the flow direction 10.

[0032] Fig. 4 shows, by way of example and schematically, a detail of a non-return valve. It shows a section through the non-return valve from Fig. 1 at a connection point between two frames 2, wherein the positive connection of the frames 2 by means of a formation 7 and a recess 8 and the fastening of the flap 3 made of flexible material by means of a piping 5 is visible. The ability to arrange the frames 2 in series requires that all frames 2 have the same cross-section, wherein a frame 2 has a formation 7 on one edge and a recess 8 on its opposite edge, so that it can be detachably connected to further, similar frames 2. Each frame 2 furthermore has a recess 6 for fastening the flap 3, into which a piping 5 can be introduced, wherein the piping 5 is held in a positively locking manner in this recess 6.A seal 11 is arranged on a frame 2, on which the flap 3 rests in the region of the weight 4 in the closed position. The frames 2 have a cross-section in the region of the formation 7 and the recess 8 such that a flow-optimized cross-section is formed along the connection point between the frames 2 formed by them. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the frames have a bevel oriented transversely to the flow direction with a strong rounding, so that both the flow resistance and the noise generation of the check valve are kept as low as possible.

[0033] List of names

[0034] 1 check valve

[0035] 2 Frame 3 Flap made of flexible material

[0036] 4 weights

[0037] 5 piping

[0038] 6 Recess for fastening the flap

[0039] 7 Formation 8 Recess

[0040] 9 housings

[0041] 10 Flow direction passage

[0042] 11 Seal

[0043] 12 Opening 13 Bridge

Claims

Patent claims 1. Non-return valve (1) for preventing the backflow of air in a ventilation device, comprising at least one rectangular frame (2) designed for the flow of air and at least one rectangular flap (3) arranged to be pivotable with respect to the frame, characterized in that the flap (3) is made of flexible material and is fastened to the frame (2) on one side of its circumference and is equipped with a weight (4) along the opposite side.

2. Check valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (2) is formed from a light metal extruded profile which comprises a recess (6) for fastening the flap (3) by means of a piping (5).

3. Non-return valve (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the frame (2) comprises a recess (7) along one side and a recess (8) on the opposite side, so that frames can be lined up in a form-fitting manner.

4. Non-return valve (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the light metal extruded profile forming the frame (2) comprises a plurality of machined openings 12 for the flow of air, wherein between these openings 12 at least a web (9) remains in the frame.

5. Check valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the valve (3) is made of flexible material made of a glass fiber fabric.

6. Check valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the valve (3) is made of flexible material made of a polyester fiber fabric.

7. Check valve (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one frame (2) is arranged in a housing (9) which is designed as a section of a ventilation duct.

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