Fan coil assembly and its installation method

Abstract

A fan coil assembly (1; 100) comprises a naked fan coil (10) and a casing (12; 112; 1012) adapted to cover the naked fan coil (10) so as to at least partially conceal it from view. The casing (12; 112; 1012) comprises at least one modular panel comprising a plurality of panel modules being mutually couplable along a horizontal direction (X) parallel to the wall so as to define the length of the respective panel in said horizontal direction (X). The fan coil assembly further comprises support means (30) adapted to connect the casing (12; 112; 1012) to the wall and / or to the naked fan coil (10).

Description

"Fan coil assembly and its installation method"DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a fan coil assembly and a relative installation method, in particular for the replacement of an existing radiator with a wall-mounted fan coil .

[0002] As is known, fan coils , also known by the Anglo- Saxon term " fan coil units" , are terminals used in heating and air conditioning systems . A fan coil usually comprises at least one air / water heat exchange battery, at least one fan, for example arranged in a lower portion of the fan coil so as to draw ambient air from below, and an air filter . The fan coil is provided with connections to the hot and / or chilled water network .

[0003] For exposed installations , for example wall-mounted installations , fan coils are usually provided with a covering casing that conceals the structure , the electrical connections , and the hydraulic connections .

[0004] The ambient air is drawn by the fan, passes through the filter, is conveyed towards the heat exchange battery, wherein, by forced convection, it exchanges heat with the water before being expelled . In the case of heating, heat i s supplied, whereas in the case ofcooling, heat is removed . When the air is cooled, the fan coil also performs a dehumidi fication function, since as the air cools , its moisture-carrying capacity decreases , causing moisture to condense into water . The fan coil can therefore also be provided with a condensate collection tray .

[0005] Thanks to forced convection, the heat exchange capacity of fan coils , that i s , the delivered power density, is greater compared to that of traditional radiators . Alternatively, with equal delivered power, fan coils have smaller overall dimensions compared to radiators .

[0006] This greater power density means that fan coils , with equal delivered power, can also operate with lower temperatures compared to radiators and therefore make better use of heat pump or hybrid heating / cooling systems .

[0007] For the purpose o f energy ef ficiency improvement and decarbonisation of building-plant systems , there is an increasing need to replace heating systems based on boilers and radiators with heating / cooling systems based on heat pumps or hybrid systems and fan coils , maintaining the existing water distribution pipe network,especially in cases where the installation of a radiant floor heating system ( or similar systems ) is not possible or would require excessively burdensome interventions .

[0008] However, even the replacement of a traditional radiator with a fan coil presents some critical aspects . In particular, while radiators are composed of modules and can have very di f ferent dimensions , especially in the hori zontal direction, the fan coils currently available on the market have limited si zes and therefore do not of fer the same flexibility as radiators .

[0009] Moreover, since fan coils have , with equal delivered power, signi ficantly smaller overall dimensions compared to radiators , when wanting to maintain the supply and water return connections of the existing water distribution network of the heating system, there arises the problem of the aesthetic impact of the pipes connecting the fan coil to the connections . This drawback is even more evident when the radiator to be replaced is installed in a compartment below a window, as the position of the fan coil must be centred with respect to the window, with the consequence that , being the fan coil more compact than the radiator, the connecting pipes are even more visible .

[0010] In these situations , therefore , it is not poss ible to simply replace the radiator with a fan coil , but it is necessary to carry out building and hydraulic works to adapt the connections to the position of the fan coil .

[0011] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a fan coil assembly and its installation method capable of overcoming the drawbacks mentioned above .

[0012] In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to allow the replacement of traditional radiators with fan coils , while reducing as much as possible , or even avoiding, building works .

[0013] This purpose is achieved with a fan coil assembly in accordance with claim 1 and with a related installation method according to claim 17 and with a kit according to claim 21 .

[0014] The dependent claims describe preferred or advantageous embodiments of the fan coil assembly, of the installation method, and of the kit according to the invention .

[0015] The features and advantages of the fan coil assembly, of the related installation method, and of the kit according to the invention will however be evidentfrom the description below of preferred embodiments thereof , provided by way of example and not of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings , in which :

[0016] - Figure 1 is a front view of a naked fan coil , that is , without a casing;

[0017] - Figures 2 , 2a, and 2b are an elevation view, a top plan view, and a side view of a fan coil assembly according to the invention, in an embodiment ;

[0018] - Figure 3 is an elevation view of a modular casing of the fan coil assembly of Figure 2 according to the invention, in an embodiment ;

[0019] - Figures 4 , 4a, 4b, 4c are an elevation view, a top plan view, a bottom plan view, and a side view of a fan coil assembly according to the invention, in another embodiment ;

[0020] - Figure 6 shows a lower panel module of the modular casing of the assembly of Figure 4 .

[0021] - Figure 7 is a perspective view of an upper portion of a fan coil assembly with modular front panel , provided with flaps for deflecting the conditioned air flow exiting the fan coil ;

[0022] - Figure 8 is a partial sectional view of the flaps of Figure 7 ;

[0023] - Figure 9 is a perspective view of an upperportion of another example of fan coil assembly with modular front panel, provided with air delivery grilles for the conditioned air exiting the fan coil;

[0024] - Figure 10 is a perspective view of a modular casing in accordance with a further embodiment;

[0025] - Figure 12 is a perspective view of a part of a modular front panel of a casing according to the invention, seen from the inner side; and

[0026] - Figure 12 is a perspective view of a part of a modular front panel of a casing according to the invention, seen from the inner side; and

[0027] - Figure 13 shows, in elevation view, a traditional radiator - on the left - and the fan coil assembly of Figure 2 - on the right - configured and sized to replace the traditional radiator.

[0028] In the following description, all directional references (for example, upper, lower, upwards, downwards, left, right, towards the left, towards the right, at the top, at the bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are used considering the fan coil assembly positioned for its wall-mounted installation (P) and solely for identification purposes to assist the reader in understanding the described embodiments and do not createlimitations, in particular with regard to the position, orientation, or use of the described embodiments.

[0029] The joining references (for example, fixed, coupled, connected, and the like) must be constructed in a broad sense and may include intermediate elements between a connection of elements and a relative movement between elements. Therefore, the joining references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected and in a fixed relationship to one another.

[0030] In said drawings, the reference number 1; 100 denotes a fan coil assembly according to the invention as a whole.

[0031] In said drawings, the reference number 1; 100 denotes a fan coil assembly according to the invention as a whole.

[0032] The fan coil comprises a naked fan coil 10 and a casing 12; 112; 1012 adapted to cover the naked fan coil 10 so as to at least partially conceal it from view.

[0033] The term "naked fan coil" is intended to mean a fan coil without a casing, or covering cabinet, and therefore the set of functional elements of the fan coil and the structure that connects and supports them.

[0034] Therefore, the naked fan coil 10 comprises (Figure 1) at least one air / water heat exchange battery 14, a fan16, for example arranged in a lower portion of the fan coil so as to draw ambient air from below, an air filter 18 associated with the fan 16, a conditioned air delivery mouth 20, for example facing upwards, a water inlet duct 22, a water outlet duct 24.

[0035] The water inlet duct 22 and the water outlet duct 24 are connected to the heat exchange battery 14.

[0036] The fan coil is operatively connected to an electronic control and command unit - not shown - which may be mounted on board the fan coil itself or connected to it by means of a wired or wireless connection.

[0037] In some embodiments, the fan coil may also be provided with water shut-off valves and with a condensate collection tray if the fan coil is also adapted to perform cooling. In a general embodiment, the casing 12; 112; 1012 is at least partially made of a plurality of casing modules 26; 126; 1026 that are mutually couplable along a horizontal direction X parallel to the wall P so as to define the length of the casing 12; 112; 1012 in said horizontal direction, for example depending on the size of the naked fan coil 10 and / or to conceal water supply and water return connections on the wall.

[0038] In other words, given that the fan coils currently available on the market are offered in a limited number of sizes, for example 5 / 6 sizes, the casing modules 26;126; 1026 allow to make casings 12; 112; 1012 that not only cover the naked fan coils already available on the market but, in the case of replacing a radiator 2 with a fan coil having smaller overall dimensions, extend the front surface of the casing so as to also conceal the water supply connections 3 and water return connections 4 and the related pipes.

[0039] More precisely, the casing 12; 112; 1012 comprises a front panel 12a; 112a; 1012a adapted to conceal from view the front side of the naked fan coil 10 and / or an upper panel 12b; 112b; 1012b adapted to conceal from view the upper side of the naked fan coil and / or a lower panel 112c adapted to conceal from view the lower side of the naked fan coil 10.

[0040] At least one among said front panel 12a; 112a; 1012a, upper panel 12b; 112b; 1012b, and lower panel 112c is a modular panel comprising a plurality of panel modules being mutually couplable along the horizontal direction X so as to define the length of the respective panel in said horizontal direction X.

[0041] In some embodiments, such as the one illustrated in Figures 4a, 4b, and 6, the panel modules are provided with interlocking coupling means, for example made with tabs and slots, adapted to achieve a mutual coupling between two adjacent panel modules.

[0042] In other embodiments, such as the one illustrated in Figure 12, the assembly comprises module coupling means 34 adapted to connect together two adjacent panel modules. For example, such module coupling means 34 may comprise clips, screws, magnets, clamps, etc.

[0043] With regard to the height extension of the casing 12; 112; 1012, it has been found that only two heights, for example 700 and 900 mm, may be sufficient to allow the casing to conceal, in the vast majority of cases, the existing water supply connections 3 and water return connections 4 and the related pipes of a heating system.

[0044] However, if necessary, more than two heights may be provided for the casing, or casing modules can be made with modularity also along the vertical direction.

[0045] The fan coil assembly 1; 100 is provided with support means 30 adapted to allow anchoring of the casing 12; 112; 1012 to the wall and / or to the naked fan coil 10.

[0046] In one embodiment, the support means 30 are also configured so as to allow adjustment of the length of the casing, that is, its extension along the horizontal direction X, through the use of a desired number of panel modules .

[0047] In other words, the assembly of the casing 12; 112;1012 is not constrained, at least along the horizontaldirection X, by the extension of the naked fan coil 10 along said horizontal direction X.

[0048] In the example of fan coil assembly 100 of Figures 4-4c, Figure 4c shows an example of one or more support brackets 30a fixed to the wall and one or more corresponding hooking plates 30b fixed to an inner side of the casing 112, for example to an inner side of each lateral side of the casing, and adapted to be hooked to the support brackets 30a.

[0049] In one embodiment, the fan coil assembly 1; 100 comprises one or more guide rails 32; 1032 adapted to support the casing modules 26; 1026 and / or constrain the positioning thereof (Figures 3 and 11) .

[0050] The guide rails 32; 1032 extend along the horizontal direction X. In one embodiment, the guide rails 32; 1032 are modular or telescopic. Alternatively, the guide rails 32; 1032 have a fixed length and are made available in various sizes.

[0051] In one embodiment, the guide rails 32; 1032 are constrained, for example rigidly, to the support means 30, for example to the hooking plates 30b. In some embodiments, the guide rails 32; 1032 are hooked to the support means 30 by means of interlocking couplings or with provided connecting means, such as screws, clamps, clips, magnets.

[0052] In one embodiment, the casing modules 26; 126; 1026 include two lateral sides 26a; 126a; 1026a adapted to conceal from view the sides of the naked fan coil 10.

[0053] If the front panel 12a; 1012a is modular, the front panel comprises a plurality of front panel modules 40; 1040 that are mutually couplable along the horizontal direction X so as to define the length of the front panel 12a; 1012a, for example depending on the size of the naked fan coil 10 or, in the presence of existing water supply connections 3 and water return connections 4, to ensure the covering of said connections so as to conceal them from view.

[0054] If the upper panel 12b; 112b; 1012b is (also) modular, the upper panel comprises a plurality of upper panel modules 50; 150; 1050 that are mutually couplable along the horizontal direction X so as to define the length of the upper panel, for example depending on the size of the naked fan coil or, in the presence of existing water supply connections 3 and water return connections 4, to ensure the covering of said connections so as to conceal them from view.

[0055] In one embodiment, the casing further comprises the lower panel 112c adapted to conceal from view the lower side of the fan coil, for example around the air filter 18.

[0056] I f the lower panel 112c is also a modular panel , said lower panel 112c comprises a plurality of lower panel modules 160 that are mutually couplable along the hori zontal direction X so as to define the length of the lower panel , for example depending on the si ze of the naked fan coil or, in the presence of existing water supply connections 3 and water return connections 4 , to ensure the covering of said connections so as to conceal them from view .

[0057] Furthermore , in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4 , the lower panel 112c, together with the upper panel 112b and the lateral sides 126a, allows the formation of a modular frame capable of housing the front panel 112a .

[0058] In one embodiment , two front panel end modules 12a ; 112a ; 1012a and / or upper panel end modules 12b ; 112b ; 1012b and / or lower panel end modules 112c are suitable for coupling to the respective lateral sides 26a ; 126a ; 1026a . Such coupling may involve a type of interlocking connection or may simply be an abutting arrangement that creates continuity between the front and / or upper and / or lower panels and the lateral sides .

[0059] In the example of Figure 3 , each portion of casing formed by an upper panel module 12b, an adj acent front panel module 12a, and an optional adj acent lower panel module may be made in a single body forming asubstantially "L"-shaped or "C"-shaped panel module 26 ' .

[0060] In the example of Figure 3 , each panel module 26 ' i s supported by the guide rails 32 . For example , the assembly 1 is provided with an upper guide rail 32a, an intermediate guide rail 32b, and a lower guide rail 32c .

[0061] The lateral sides 26a, which are coupled to terminal panel modules so as to create continuity between the panel modules and the lateral sides , may also be supported by the guide rails 32 .

[0062] For example , the panel modules 26 ' may be made of metallic material or other material , for example thermoplastic material , while the lateral sides 26a may also be made of metal or of a thermoplastic material , for example ABS .

[0063] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4- 6 , the casing 112 comprises a front panel 112a made of a single plate , a modular upper panel 112b, and a lower panel 112c, also modular .

[0064] For example , the plate may be made of plasterboard so as to be easily cut to the desired length and height .

[0065] Alternatively, the plate may be made of wood or of a metallic material or of a plastic material .

[0066] The upper panel 112b and the lower panel 112c are modular panels . The modules 150 , 160 of said panels can be coupled to one another by interlocking . For example ,each module 150 , 160 has one side provided with male coupling elements 150 ' , 160 ' and the opposite side provided with female coupling elements 150" , 160" . In this way, the male elements of one module are coupled to the female elements of an adj acent module .

[0067] In the example of Figures 4-4c, the casing comprises two "C"-shaped lateral sides 126a that is , each comprising two hori zontal ends 126a' , upper and lower, which extend hori zontally above and below the front panel 112a . These hori zontal portions 126a' of the lateral sides 126a can be used to support the terminal modules of the upper panels 112b and lower panels 112c . To thi s end, the hori zontal portions 126a' of the lateral sides 126a can also be provided with male and female coupling elements .

[0068] Moreover, the "C"-shaped lateral sides 126a, which as mentioned above can be hooked to respective support brackets 30a fixed to the wall P , can serve the function of supporting the front panel 112a . In this case , therefore , the fan coil assembly does not require the use of guide rails , since both the front panel and the modules of the upper and lower panels are supported by the lateral sides .

[0069] In the exemplary embodiment of casing of Figures 10 and 11 , the front panel 1012a consists of a plurality ofvertical modules 1040 that may be mutually coupled by interlocking .

[0070] Similarly, the upper panel 1012b i s also formed by a plurality of upper panel modules 1050 that may be mutually coupled by interlocking . In this case , moreover, the upper panel modules 1050 are supported by an upper guide rail 1032 formed by a pair of parallel rod-like elements .

[0071] As mentioned above , the vertical modules 1040 and / or the upper panel modules 1050 can be mutually coupled by interlocking and / or by means of provided module coupling means , such as clips , screws , clamps , magnets , etc .

[0072] In one embodiment , in a portion of the casing, for example a front or upper portion, at least one conditioned air outlet opening 70 ; 170 ; 1070 is formed . For example , the front outlet opening is used in cases where the fan coil must be installed in a position in which it cannot deliver the conditioned air vertically, that is , parallel to the wall P, for example when it must be installed in a compartment below a window, for example to replace a pre-existing radiator 2 .

[0073] In particular, in the example of casing of Figure 3 , in each front panel module 40 an air outlet opening 70 is formed .

[0074] In the example of casing of Figures 4- 6 , in thefront panel 112a an air outlet opening 70 is formed, for example provided with a grid.

[0075] In the example of casing of Figure 10, the front panel modules 1040 have a lower height compared to the height of the lateral sides 1026a, so that a single air outlet opening 1070 is formed between the upper end of the front panel modules 1040 and the upper panel 1012b.

[0076] Therefore, in some embodiments, the outlet opening 70; 1070 is formed in a modular panel. In other words, the outlet opening 70; 1070 is formed in a plurality of panel modules. In these embodiments, therefore, the outlet opening 70; 1070 is a modular outlet opening.

[0077] As shown in particular in the section of Figure 5, in one embodiment, the fan coil assembly comprises a conveyor 80 adapted to be aeraulically coupled to the delivery mouth 20 of the naked fan coil 10 and to the at least one conditioned air outlet opening 70; 170; 1070 so as to convey the conditioned air from the delivery mouth 20 to the outlet opening(s) 70; 170; 1070. For example, the conveyor forms a 90° bend.

[0078] It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the width, along the horizontal direction X, of the modular outlet opening 70; 1070, chosen so as to extend substantially along the entire length of the casing in said horizontal direction X, is greater than thecorresponding extension of the conveyor 80 coupled to the outlet opening 70; 1070. In fact, the conveyor 80 being a component of the naked fan coil, is made in predefined sizes and even in the largest size its conveyor opening facing the outlet opening 70; 1070 may not have a sufficient extension along the horizontal direction X to be aeraulically coupled to all the modules of the modular outlet opening 70; 1070.

[0079] In this case, the openings of the panel modules not aeraulically coupled to the conveyor 80 could be made as blind openings, so as to preserve the aesthetic appearance of the casing and at the same time prevent dust or other external bodies from entering the volume housing the naked fan coil. For example, such blind openings could be made by providing a closure wall, preferably hidden from view, for example behind the grille or the flaps for directing the exiting air flow, as described below.

[0080] Returning to the conditioned air outlet openings 70; 170; 1070, in one embodiment each outlet opening is provided with at least one flap 90, fixed or orientable. If it is orientable, the flap 90 allows to adjust the delivery direction of the conditioned air.

[0081] In the example of Figures 7 and 8, each air outlet opening 70 of the front panel modules 40 is provided withan orientable flap 90 and all the flaps are simultaneously orientable by means of a single control mechanism comprising a control rod 92 that passes through all the flaps 90 and which is , for example , supported by end slots .

[0082] In the example of Figure 8 , the control rod 92 is also modular . In particular, two holes 90a, 90b are obtained in each flap, each hole facing a hole of a flap of an adj acent module . The control rod 92 consists of a plurality of pins 92a, each provided with a spring 94 . The spring 94 may also be housed in one of the two holes 90a, 90b of each flap 90 instead of being integral with the pin 92a . In any case , the compression of the spring 94 allows each pin 92a to be inserted between the facing holes of two adj acent flaps , so as to make said adj acent flaps rotational ly integral . Therefore , by actuating one flap 90 , simultaneous rotation of all the flaps 90 of the casing is achieved .

[0083] In the example of Figure 9 , each outlet opening 70 is provided with a plurality of overlapping flaps 90 forming a grid .

[0084] The obj ect of the present invention is also a wallmounting method for a fan coil assembly as described above in its possible , non-limiting embodiments .

[0085] In a general embodiment , the installation methodprovides for fixing the naked fan coil 10 to the wall . Subsequently, connecting the water inlet duct 22 to a wall-mounted water supply connection 3 and the water outlet duct 24 to a wall-mounted water return connection 4 , by means of respective pipes 5 , 6 , for example flexible pipes .

[0086] Once the hydraul ic connections have been made , the casing 12 ; 112 ; 1012 can be applied to the naked fan coil 10 so as to at least partially, preferably completely, conceal it from view .

[0087] In one embodiment , the installation method provides for fixing the support means 30 to the wall and / or to the naked fan coil 10 , assembling the casing 12 ; 112 ; 1012 , and hooking the assembled casing to the support means 30 .

[0088] In an alternative installation method, after fixing the support means 30 to the wall and / or to the naked fan coil 10 , the individual panel modules are hooked onto the support means 30 and subsequently the panel modules are mutually coupled .

[0089] It should be noted that , in some embodiments , it is possible to choose the height of the casing and the number of panel modules so that the casing, when applied to the naked fan coil , conceals the wall-mounted water supply and water return connections from view .

[0090] Indeed, in one embodiment , the fan coil assemblyaccording to the invention is particularly suitable for replacing a radiator 2 .

[0091] In this case , the step of fixing the naked fan coil 10 to the wall is preceded by a step of removing the existing radiator connected to the wall-mounted water supply connections 3 and water return connections 4 . The height of the cas ing and the number of casing modules are chosen so that the casing, when applied to the naked fan coil , conceals from view, for example by means of the lateral sides , the wall-mounted water supply and water return connections .

[0092] Figure 13 shows such an application of a fan coil assembly 1 replacing a traditional radiator 2 .

[0093] In Figure 13 , on the left the radiator 2 to be replaced is shown, connected to the wall-mounted hot water supply and hot water return connections 3 , 4 . On the right , an example of a fan coil assembly 1 according to the invention is shown, si zed to completely conceal even the wall-mounted water supply and water return connections 3 , 4 . The radiator 2 and the connections 3 , 4 are shown in dashed lines in the right-hand image .

[0094] The obj ect of the present invention is also a kit for making a covering casing for a naked fan coil 10 to be wall-mounted . For example , such a kit may be provided to the installer who will assemble the casing on site . Asdescribed above , the kit comprises a plurality o f panel modules mutually couplable along the hori zontal direction X parallel to the wall so as to form at least one of the front panel , upper panel , and lower panel .

[0095] In some embodiments , at least one conditioned air outlet opening 70 ; 1070 is obtained in at least some of said panel modules of the kit .

[0096] As described above , in some embodiments , at least one of said outlet openings is a blind opening .

[0097] The kit provided to the installer may also comprise the support means 30 and / or the module coupling means 34 .

[0098] It is particularly evident from Figure 13 how the proposed fan coi l assembly allows the replacement of an existing radiator with a fan coil :

[0099] - maintaining the existing water distribution network in the building;

[0100] - avoiding or minimising building works ;

[0101] - preserving the aesthetic appearance in the vicinity of the replaced terminal , in particular where it is also necessary to ensure centring with respect to a building reference ( e . g . , under-window installation) , a condition achievable thanks to the modularity of the casing .

[0102] To the embodiments of the fan coil assembly, its installation method, and the kit according to theinvention, a quali fied person may make modi fications , adaptations , and replacements of elements with others functionally equivalent , without departing from the scope of the following claims . Each of the features described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be implemented independently of the other described embodiments .

Claims

Claims1. A fan coil assembly (1; 100) , comprising: a naked fan coil (10) , comprising at least one air / water heat exchange battery (14) , a fan (16) adapted to draw ambient air, an air filter (18) , a conditioned air delivery mouth (20) , a water inlet duct (22) , a water outlet duct (24) , said water inlet and outlet ducts being connected to the air / water heat exchange battery (14) ;- a casing (12; 112; 1012) adapted to cover the naked fan coil (10) so as to at least partially conceal it from view, wherein :- the casing (12; 112; 1012) comprises a front panel(12a; 112a; 1012a) adapted to conceal from view the front side of the naked fan coil and / or an upper panel (12b; 112b; 1012b) adapted to conceal from view the upper side of the naked fan coil and / or a lower panel (112c) adapted to conceal from view the lower side of the naked fan coil, wherein at least one of said front panel, upper panel, and lower panel is a modular panel comprising a plurality of panel modules being mutually couplable along a horizontal direction (X) parallel to the wall so as to define the length of the respective panel in said horizontal direction (X) ;the fan coil assembly further comprises support means(30) adapted to connect the casing (12; 112; 1012) to the wall and / or to the naked fan coil (10) .

2. Fan coil assembly according to claim 1, wherein said support means (30) are configured so as to allow defining the length of each modular panel irrespective of the length of the naked fan coil (10) .

3. Fan coil assembly according to claim 1 or 2, comprising one or more guide rails (32; 1032) adapted to support the panel modules and / or constrain the positioning thereof.

4. Fan coil assembly according to claim 3, wherein the guide rails (32; 1032) are modular or telescopic.

5. Fan coil assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the casing comprises two lateral sides (26a; 126a; 1026a) adapted to conceal from view the sides of the naked fan coil.

6. Fan coil assembly according to claim 5, wherein two front and / or upper and / or lower panel end modules are adapted to couple to the respective lateral sides.

7. Fan coil assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front panel (112a) comprises at least one plasterboard plate, or a metal plate, or a plastic plate, or a panel made of wood-based material .

8. Fan coil assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each casing portion formed at least by an upper panel module (12b) and an adjacent front panel module is made in a single body forming a substantially "L"- or "C"-shaped panel module (26' ) .

9. Fan coil assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panel modules are provided with interlocking coupling means (150' , 150"; 160', 160") adapted to obtain a mutual coupling between two adjacent panel modules.

10. Fan coil assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising module coupling means (34) adapted to connect together two adjacent panel modules.

11. Fan coil assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one conditioned air outlet opening (70; 170; 1070) is obtained in a portion of the casing.

12. Fan coil assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the outlet opening (70; 1070) is obtained in a modular portion of the panel, the outlet opening (70; 1070) being a modular outlet opening.

13. Fan coil assembly according to claim 11 or 12, comprising a conveyor (80) adapted to be aeraulically coupled to the delivery mouth (20) of the naked fan coil and to the at least one conditioned air outlet opening(70; 170; 1070) so as to convey the conditioned air from said delivery mouth to said outlet opening.

14. Fan coil assembly according to claim 13, wherein the width, along the horizontal direction (X) , of the modular outlet opening (70; 1070) is greater than the corresponding extension along said horizontal direction (X) of the conveyor (80) .

15. Fan coil assembly according to claim 14, wherein the openings of the panel modules not aeraulically coupled to the conveyor (80) are made as blind openings.

16. Fan coil assembly according to any one of claims lilt, wherein each outlet opening is provided with at least one flap (90) , said at least one flap being orientable so as to adjust the delivery direction of the conditioned air .

17. A wall-mounting method for a fan coil assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:- fixing the naked fan coil to the wall;- connecting, for example by means of flexible pipes (5, 6) , the water inlet duct to a wall-mounted water supply connection and the water outlet duct to a wall-mounted water return connection;- applying the casing to the naked fan coil so as to at least partially conceal the naked fan coil from view.18 . Method according to claim 17 , wherein the step of applying the casing comprises the sub-steps of : fixing the support means to the wall and / or to the naked fan coil ; assembling the casing;- hooking the assembled casing to the support means .19 . Method according to claim 17 , wherein the step of applying the casing comprises the sub-steps of : fixing the support means to the wall and / or to the naked fan coil ;- hooking individual panel modules to the support means ;- mutually coupling the panel modules .20 . Method according to any one of claims 17- 19 , wherein the height of the casing and the number of panel modules are chosen so that the casing, when applied to the naked fan coil , conceals from view the wall-mounted water supply and water return connections .21 . A kit for making a covering casing for a naked fan coil to be wall-mounted, wherein the casing comprises a front panel adapted to conceal from view the front side of the naked fan coil and / or an upper panel adapted to conceal from view the upper side of the naked fan coil and / or a lower panel adapted to conceal from view the lower side of the naked fan coil , the kit comprising a plurality of panel modules mutually couplable along ahorizontal direction parallel to the wall so as to form at least one among said front panel, upper panel, and lower panel.

22. Kit according to claim 21, wherein at least one conditioned air outlet opening (70; 1070) is formed in at least some of said panel modules.

23. Kit according to claim 22, wherein at least one of said outlet openings is a blind opening.

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