VENTILATION VALVE AND INSTALLATION KIT

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a novel ventilation valve (100) for directing fresh air and exhaust air between the interior and exterior of the receiving building. The ventilation valve (100) comprises a casing (110) forming in installed condition an intake air channel (101) opening below the casing (110) and an exhaust air channel (102) opening in the front area of the casing (110). The ventilation valve (100) also comprises an exhaust air conduit (130), the inner end (134) of which can be connected to the inside volume of the receiving structure and the outer end (133) of which is in connection with the exhaust air channel (102) of the casing (110). When installed, the inner end (134) of the exhaust air conduit (130) is higher than the outer (133).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to construction technology. The invention relates especially to a ventilation valve for installation in the wall of a building for transferring intake air and exhaust air between the building and the atmosphere. In more detail the invention relates to a ventilation valve according to the preamble of claim 1.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Ventilation valves for installation in the wall for allowing intake air into the building and blowing exhaust air into the atmosphere are previously known. Existing ventilation valves are provided with a nozzle to be connected to the wall for exhaust air. An one-sided box is built around the nozzle, allowing intake air to enter the intake air inlet through an opening in the bottom and the exhaust air to be exhausted via the nozzle through an opening in the end plate. A commercially available example of this is the Vallox Out/In wall and air intake hood.

[0003] There is, however, a need to provide a reliable or at least useful alternative to currently existing solutions.

SUMMARY

[0004] It is herein proposed a novel air ventilation valve for directing intake air and exhaust air between the interior of the receiving structure and ambient air. The ventilation valve comprises a casing forming an air intake channel opening on the lower side of the casing, and an air exhaust channel opening on the frontside of the casing when installed. The ventilation valve also comprises an exhaust air conduit, the inner end of which can be connected to the interior of the receiving structure and the outer end of which is connected to the exhaust air channel of the casing. When installed, the inner end of the channel is higher than the outer end.

[0005] The invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterizing part of the independent claim.

[0006] Considerable advantages are achieved by means of the new solution. Because the exhaust air conduit comprises an transition tube descending in the direction of flow, rain water or other humidity or impurities transported by ambient air cannot easily be transferred to the ventilation tube of the building, which improves the service life of the ventilation system and thereby also the reliability of the system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] In the following, some embodiments of the invention are disclosed in more detail by means of reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a ventilation valve according to at least one embodiment,

FIGURE 2 is an exploded view of the ventilation valve of Figure 1, and

FIGURE 3 is an perspective view of the ventilation valve of Figure 1 without the casing.

EMBODIMENTS

[0008] FIGURE 1 shows a ventilation valve 100 according to one embodiment in installation assembly. FIGURE 1 does not show a receiving structure, such as a wall of a building or a vehicle, such as a ship. A conventional installation place for the present ventilation valve 100 is a vertical exterior wall of a residential or industrial building, which is here being used as an example for describing the embodiments. The ventilation valve 100 can especially be an air intake and exhaust valve, i.e. a combination valve for exchanging both intake and exhaust air between the building and the outside air. FIGURE 1 shows that the ventilation valve 100 comprises a casing 110, which after installation extends from the exterior wall of the building so that it takes fresh air from below and blows the exhaust air on its front. In this context the word "front" means the frontside of a ventilation valve, opposite the side facing the wall, or the sides of the ventilation valve, i.e. the sides in front of the wall. Thus, an air intake channel 101 opens below the ventilation valve 100 and an exhaust air channel 102 opens on the frontside thereof. According to the embodiment shown in the FIGURE the exhaust air channel 102 opens on the frontside of the ventilation valve 100.

[0009] FIGURE 2 shows the components of the ventilation valve 100 in an exploded view. The first component, as seen from the installation location, of the ventilation valve 100 is the installation frame 120, exhaust air conduit 130, an adapter 150 if necessary, the casing 110 and cover 140. The main purpose of the installation frame 120 is to attach to the installation location, such as the exterior wall of a building, and to act as a body of the ventilation valve 100, connecting other components 110, 130, 140, 150 to the installation location. The installation frame 120 can be made of a plastic mix or metal alloy, especially by injection moulding. For fastening to the installation location the installation frame 120 comprises fastening openings 126 for receiving fasteners 160, such as screws.

[0010] The installation frame 120 also comprises an opening 123 defined by a first inner edge 122 and a second opening 125 defined by an adjacent second inner edge 124. Two adjacent openings 123, 125 that can be installed on the place of the corresponding two adjacent ventilation tubes of the receiving structure. In the example shown in FIGURE 2 the first opening 123 is installed to align with the exhaust air tube (not shown in FIGURE) of the building and the second opening is installed to align with the air intake tube (not shown in the FIGURE). The first and second openings 123, 125 are separated by a spacer 127 running in the centre of the installation frame 120. Preferably the installation frame 120 is symmetrical about its vertical centreline. The inner edges 122, 124 are shaped as non-rotationally symmetrical, such as octagonal. The inner edges 122, 124 are especially shaped to connect to the exhaust air conduit 130 preferably so that the angular position between the pieces is unchanged. The inner edges 122, 124 are also dimensioned so that a sufficient air mass flowing in the ventilation system of the receiving structure can be made to flow through them. The diameter of the intake and exhaust tubes of the system can be, for example, 125 mm or 160 mm. The installation frame 120 also comprises an outer edge frame 121 formed to connect to the casing 100. For this purpose the outer edge frame 121 comprises a plurality of flexible interlocking claws and/or grooves extending from the outer edge frame, arranged to connect to the corresponding interlocking claws and/or grooves in the rear edge frame 113, correspondingly, in the casing 110.

[0011] The purpose of the exhaust air conduit 130 connected to the installation frame 120 is to form a part of the exhaust air channel 102 of the ventilation valve 100. More specifically the purpose of the exhaust air conduit 130 is to connect the exhaust air channel (not shown in the FIGURES) of the building or such to ambient air by directing exhaust air to the front of the ventilation valve 100. The exhaust air conduit 130 can be installed on either of the openings 123, 125 in the installation frame 120 depending on which opening 123, 125 is installed on the place of the exhaust air tube of the building. In the shown example the first opening 123 is installed to contact the exhaust air tube of the building, thus the exhaust air conduit 130 is installed in the first opening 123 of the installation frame 120. When installed, the flange 135 of the exhaust air conduit connects with the identically contoured first inner edge 122 of the installation frame 120, both being octagonal in the shown example. The purpose of the non-rotationally symmetrical connection form is to lock the angular position of the exhaust air conduit 130 in relation to horizontal plane. When installed, the rear part, i.e. the inner end 134 of the exhausts air conduit 130 forms a sealed connection with the exhaust air tube of the building. To ensure the tightness the inner end 134 of the exhaust air conduit 130 preferably comprises a sealing ring.

[0012] Between the inner end 134 and outer end 133 of the exhaust air conduit 130 there is a transition tube 131, from which the flange 135 extends radially. The transition tube 131 is formed to direct exhaust air in vertical and horizontal direction. Because of this the transition tube 131 is downwardly curved in the direction of flow. More specifically the inner end 134 of the exhaust air 130, being in connection with the indoors air of the building via the ventilation system, is higher than the outer end 133 of the exhaust air conduit 130 when installed. More specifically the centre of the inlet opening at the inner end 134 or the normal extending therefrom is higher in the direction of flow than the outlet opening at the outer end 133 or the normal extending therefrom. It is also possible to add a guide to the inner end of the exhaust air conduit 130 to drain away any water that has entered the conduit. The guide can simply be a fin or other protrusion extending upwards from the bottom of the inside surface of the exhaust air conduit to form a kind of baffle plate. For the flow it is preferable that the guide be inclined so as to be in the direction of the flow for avoiding turbulence. This will prevent rain water from entering the ventilation machine via the exhaust air channel 102 of the ventilation valve 100. In the shown example the inner end 134 of the transition tube 131 is circular in shape and the outer end 133 is oval or the shape of a "racetrack". Thus, the cross-sectional geometry of the transition tube 131 changes in the direction of flow.

[0013] The purpose of the casing 110 of the ventilation valve 100 is to provide an intake air channel 101, protected from weather and other external factors, such as debris and small animals. The casing 110 comprises a shell 111 having a downwards sloping upper surface and sides and a horizontal bottom grid 115 for preventing the ingress of foreign matter into the casing 110. Preferably the casing 110 is symmetrical about its vertical centreline. Thus the ventilation valve can be customized for installation in a construction the intake and exhaust air tubes of which can be arranged either way. The interlocking joints of the rear edge frame 113 of the casing 110 are formed to connect with the corresponding interlocking of the installation frame 120. For example the form connection claws of the upper edge of the rear edge frame 113 of the casing 110 are connected to the interlocking groove of the upper edge of the outer edge frame 121 of the installation frame 120, the interlocking grooves of the sides (vertical portions) of the rear edge frame 113 of the casing 110 are connected to the interlocking claws of the side edges of the outer edge frame 121 of the installation frame 120 and the interlocking claws of the lower edge of the rear edge frame 113 of the casing 110 are connected to the interlocking groove of the lower edge of the outer edge frame 121 of the installation frame 120. Preferably the interlocking joints are shaped so that the casing 100 can be simply pushed into place, whereby the interlocking claws bend enough to conform with the corresponding interlocking groove. The front edge frame 112 of the casing 110 on its part delimits at least one exhaust opening 116, 117, forming a part of the exhaust air channel 102. In the shown example the spacer 114 separates the front part of the casing 110 into two adjacent exhaust openings, i.e. the first exhaust opening 116 and the second exhaust opening 117.

[0014] In the example of FIGURE 2 the exhaust air conduit 130 is to be connected to the second exhaust opening 117 of the casing 110, whereby the first exhaust opening 116 is closed by a lid 140. The lid 140 is attached by its edge 142 to the front edge 112 of the casing 110. The plate 141 of the lid 140 covers the first exhaust opening 116 of the casing 110 and the opening 144 of the lid 140 opens the ambient air into fluid connection with the exhaust air channel 102 of the ventilation valve 100, i.e. with the exhaust air conduit 130 located inside the casing 100. The edge 143 delimited by the opening 144 of the lid 140 is preferably formed into similar shape as the outer end 133 of the exhaust air conduit 130. As can be seen, the lid 140 is asymmetrical in relation to its vertical centre line, whereby the symmetrical casing 110 can be customized by means of an asymmetrical lid 140. In case the lid 140 were installed facing the other way from that shown in FIGURE 2, the plate 141 would cover the second exhaust 117 opening and would leave the first exhaust opening 116 to be used by the exhaust air channel 102.

[0015] According to an alternative embodiment the lid is arranged to cover only one of the said two adjacent exhaust openings (not shown in the drawings). In this alternative embodiment there is no need for the lid to comprise a dedicated opening. Thus the lid can be arranged to connect, for example, by its edge to the front edge frame 112 of the casing as in the above-described embodiment. The lid can alternatively be arranged to connect to the casing by means of fasteners, such as screws, bayonet joints, band joints to the receiving protrusion or by claws or from the side by sliding into the receiving groove. It can also be conceived that the lid be connected to the casing by gluing. This also applies to the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 to 3. Thus, the lid is arranged to be fastened to the casing for closing one exhaust opening. In this case one of the two exhaust openings 116, 117 stays open.

[0016] It is also possible that the front part of the casing 110 be fully open and only comprise one exhaust opening (not shown in the drawings). In other words, according to one embodiment the casing 110 does not comprise the spacer 114 shown in FIGURES 1 to 3. In this case the lid is arranged to close the exhaust opening at least partly for delimiting the exhaust opening for the exhaust air conduit 130.

[0017] As has been mentioned above, the lower part of the casing 110 comprises a bottom grid 115, through which the ventilation machine of the building can take fresh air via the ventilation valve 100. The intake air channel 101 is formed inside the casing 110 between the grid 115 and the second opening 125 of the installation frame 120. The opening of the installation frame 120 is chosen on the basis of which opening is free. In the shown example the exhaust conduit 130 is installed in the first opening 123, whereby the intake air is directed into the second opening 125 and further into the intake air tube of the ventilation system of the building (not shown). Similarly to the exhaust air channel 102, the intake air channel 101 could also be provided with a conduit, but in the present example such a conduit is not provided for simplifying the structure.

[0018] According to one embodiment the exhaust air conduit 130 extends all the way to the lid 140 of the casing 110. Thereby the ventilation valve 100 is arranged to optimally work as a part of only one kind of ventilation arrangement. However, the embodiment shown in FIGURE 2 only comprises an optional adapter 150 for modifying the exhaust air channel 102, the purpose of the adapter being is to adjust the exhaust air channel 102 to correspond with the flow characteristics of the exhaust air tube of the receiving structure. A corresponding example, wherein the diameter of the exhaust air tube of the receiving structure is 125 mm can be considered. Thereby the adapter 150 is shaped to reduce the exhaust air channel 102 to be suitable to transport exhaust air originating from the exhaust air tube of the ventilation system of the building, the diameter of which is 125 mm and the flow rate corresponds with the said diameter. Usually, in e.g. apartments of a block of flats the preferred exhaust blow speed is about 5 m/s. A corresponding example, wherein the diameter of the exhaust air tube of the receiving structure is 160 mm can also be considered. Thereby the adapter 150 is shaped to reduce the exhaust air channel 102 to be suitable to transport exhaust air originating from the exhaust air tube of the ventilation system of the building, the diameter of which is 160 mm and the flow rate corresponds with the said diameter. The adapter mentioned later will reduce the air flow less than the previously mentioned one. Therefore it is preferable to include the casing 110, installation frame 120, exhaust air conduit 130 and the lid 140 with the installation kit, which will also comprise at least two adapters 150 of different sizes for adapting the ventilation valve 100 to suit ventilation tubes of different sizes. The adapter 150 is connected at its rear edge frame 153 to the outer end 133 of the exhaust air conduit 130 and at its front edge frame 152 to the edge 143 of the opening 144 of the lid 140. FIGURE 3 shows a part assembly, in which the outer end 133 of the exhaust air conduit 130 is connected to the adapter 150, which in turn is connected to the lid 140. Preferably the connection between the exhaust air conduit 130 and the lid 140 can be formed by means of interlocking without tools and with good sealing.

[0019] The installation of the ventilation valve 100 is straightforward. First, the installation frame 120 positioned so that one of the openings 123, 125 is located at the exhaust air tube and the other at the intake air tube. The positioned installation frame 120 is attached to the wall of the building or other receiving structure by means of fastener 160. When the installation frame 120 has been installed, the exhaust air conduit 130 is connected to the exhaust air tube in a sealed manner. Alternatively the exhaust air conduit 130 can be fastened prior to fastening the installation frame 120. In the connection the inner end 134 of the exhaust air conduit 130 is pushed to contact the exhaust air tube, whereby the flange 135 is connected to the inner edge 122 defined by the opening 123 of the installation frame 120. The non-rotationally symmetrical shape of the flange 135 and the opening 122 maintains a correct installation angle for the exhaust air conduit 130. When the exhaust air conduit 130 has been installed, an adapter 150 of correct size is chosen such that it corresponds with the diameter of the exhaust air tube of the installation place, and it is connected to the outer end 133 of the exhaust air conduit 130, preferably by means of snap connections. After this, the casing 110 is installed on its place by pressing the interlocking means of the rear edge frame 113 of the shell 111 against the corresponding interlocking means of the outer edge frame 121 of the installation frame 120 until the casing 110 has clicked into place. The unused exhaust opening 116 is covered by a lid 140 by pressing it into the front part of the casing 110, whereby the edge 142 of the lid 140 is connected to the front edge frame 112 of the shell 111 and whereby the edge 143 of the opening 144 of the lid 140 is connected to the front edge frame 152 of the adapter 150. When installed, the ventilation valve 100 forms an intake air channel 101 opening below and an exhaust air channel 102 opening at the front of the valve, such as on the frontside or at the side thereof. As the exhaust air conduit 130 contains an transition tube 131 descending in the direction of flow, rainwater or other moisture carried by the ambient air is not allowed to be transported into the ventilation tube of the building. On the other hand, the bottom grid 115 protecting the intake air channel 101 prevents ingress of foreign matter and small animals into the intake air tube.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Number	Feature	Number	Feature
100	ventilation valve	127	spacer
101	intake air channel	130	exhaust air conduit
102	exhaust air channel	131	transition tube
110	casing	132	collar
111	shell	133	outer end
112	front edge frame	134	inner end
113	rear edge frame	135	flange
114	spacer	140	lid
115	bottom grid	141	plate
116	first exhaust opening	142	edge frame
117	second exhaust opening	143	edge
120	installation frame	144	opening
121	outer edge frame	150	adapter
122	first inner edge	151	frame
123	first opening	152	front edge frame
124	second inner edge	153	rear edge frame
125	second opening	160	fastener
126	fastening opening

Claims

1. A ventilation valve (100) for directing intake and exhaust air between the interior of the receiving structure and ambient air, the ventilation valve (100) comprising:

- a casing (110), forming in installed condition an intake air channel (101) opening below the casing (110) and an exhaust air channel (102) opening in the front of the casing (110), and

- an exhaust air conduit (130), an inner end (134) of which is connectable to the interior of the receiving structure and an outer end (133) of which is in connection with the exhaust air channel (102) of the casing (110).

characterized in that, when installed, the inner end (134) of the exhaust air conduit (130) is higher than the outer end (133).

2. The ventilation valve (100) according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust air conduit (130) comprises a transition tube (131) connecting the inner end (134) and the outer end (133), the transition tube being formed to direct exhaust air in vertical and horizontal direction.

3. The ventilation valve (100) according to claim 2, wherein the inner end (134) of the channel has a shape different from that of the outer end (133), whereby the transition tube (131) comprises a changing cross-sectional geometry.

4. The ventilation valve (100) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the casing (110) comprises a shell (111), the front edge frame (112) of which defines at least one exhaust opening (116, 117) which forms a part of the exhaust air channel (102).

5. The ventilation valve (100) according to claim 4, comprising a lid (140) which is configured to be fastened to the casing for at least partially closing one exhaust opening (116, 117).

6. The ventilation valve (100) according to claim 4, comprising a lid (140) the edge frame (142) of which is arranged to be connected into the front edge frame (112) of the shell (111) and that comprises at least one opening (144) which is configured to be in fluid connection with the said at least one exhaust air opening (116, 117) of the shell (111) for forming a part of the exhaust air channel (102).

7. The ventilation valve (100) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the shell (111) comprises two adjacent exhaust openings (116, 117), whereby the lid (140) is capable of being installed to the shell (111) for selectively opening one exhaust opening (117) into the ambient air and for covering the other exhaust opening (116).

8. The ventilation valve (100) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the ventilation valve (100) comprises an installation frame (120) which is configured to be installed on an exterior wall of the receiving structure.

9. The ventilation valve (100) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the casing (110) comprises a shell (111), the rear edge frame (113) of which shell (111) is configured to be installed to the installation frame (120).

10. The ventilation valve (100) according to claim 9, wherein the outer edge frame (121) of the installation frame (120) and the rear edge frame (113) of the shell (111) comprise mutually coupling interlocking joints.

11. The ventilation valve (100) according to any of the previous claims 8 to 10, wherein the installation frame (120) comprises two adjacent openings (123, 125) that are capable of being installed to into alignment with the corresponding two adjacent ventilation tubes of the receiving structure, whereby the exhaust air conduit (130) is configured to be connected to either one of the openings (123, 125) of the installation frame (120).

12. The ventilation valve (100) according to claim 11, wherein:

- the openings (123, 125) are defined by edges (122, 124) and wherein

- the transition tube (130) correspondingly comprises a rotationally non-symmetrical flange (135) which is configured to connect to the edge (122) in a certain installation angle.

13. The ventilation valve (100) according to any of the previous claims 8 to 12, wherein the installation frame (120) or the casing (110) or both is/are symmetrical about their vertical centre line.

14. An installation kit comprising a ventilation valve (100) according to any of the previous claims, characterized by an adapter (150) that is capable of being installed to the transition tube (130) for constricting the exhaust air channel (102).

15. The installation kit according to claim 14, wherein the adapter (150) is configured to connect at its front end (152) to the lid (140) and at its rear end (153) to the outer end (133) of the transition tube (130), the opening at the front end (152) of the adapter being smaller than the opening at the outer end (133) of the transition tube (130).

16. The installation kit according to claim 14 or 15, comprising two or more adapters (150) of different sizes for adapting the ventilation valve (100) to suit ventilation tubes of different diameter.

Drawing