Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention concerns a ventilation opening of the type which is built into
roof constructions and typically includes a frame part and a lid part, where this
lid part in case of fire or smoke formation is opened at a front edge and is hinged
to the frame part at an opposing hinge line, thereby being used for ventilating a
room, wherein the lid part under normal conditions is used for comfort ventilation,
where the ventilation opening is provided with mechanical means mounted between frame
parts extending in parallel with the hinge line, where the mechanical means include
at least one controlled linear actuator, where the linear actuator is attached between
a crossbar and at least one lift arm for opening the ventilation opening, and where
activation of the opening is effected manually or automatically by the said mechanical
means.
Description of Prior Art
[0002] Ventilation openings or ventilating windows for incorporation in roof constructions
have been known for many years, and many different embodiments have been offered.
In recent years, still higher requirements have been made to ventilation in connection
with fire or smoke formation in commercial buildings, in industrial buildings as well
as office buildings. Also, by the modem building design where glass fronts and large
window sections are used, an increasing need for comfort ventilation has arisen. In
many places, this is addressed by mechanical renewal of the air, but where possible,
the installed ventilation openings are often used as a possibility of improving the
indoor climate.
[0003] In daily use, where the ventilation opening is used for comfort ventilation, the
opening speed is not crucial, but in case of smoke formation by a fire or similar,
it is very important that the ventilation opening can open quickly and with a sufficient
opening angle. This opening is to be effected at the required speed, irrespective
if it is windy, if there is snow on the ventilation opening or if anything else loads
the window. Therefore, prior art types of ventilation openings are made with ingenious
mechanical opening mechanisms, typically with two or more strong actuators that are
powered by electricity or pressurised air or by combinations of electricity and pressurised
air connected in series. Other variants are with only one actuator, the actuator being
so long that it can open the ventilation opening right away. These mechanisms are
often rather distinct, and such solutions may e.g. be with an opening mechanism extending
some distance down into the room below the ventilation opening Such a solution is
not discreet and nice, and present-day architects, engineers and customers, not the
least, expect solutions that are more unobtrusive and elegant while at the same tide
enabling opening of the ventilation opening rapidly and efficiently at the desired
and/or required opening angle.
[0004] It is the object of the invention to indicate a ventilation opening that fulfils
the demands made by the present, which is sturdy, with high opening speed, large opening
angle and which at the same time only occupies minimal space and which does not appear
dominating.
Description of the Invention
[0005] As mentioned in the introduction, the invention concerns a ventilation opening with
mechanical means that include at least one controlled linear actuator, where the direction
of movement of the linear actuator is preferably away from the front edge, where the
actuator is pivotably fastened to a crossbar, preferably at one end, and is connected
to a rod mechanism, preferably at the other end, where the rod mechanism via a movable
bearing is connected to a displacing suspension/slide groove which is in fixed connection
with the lid part of the ventilation opening. By such a ventilation opening there
is achieved a solution wherein an actuator with relatively short stroke can be used
for opening even large ventilation openings. By this solution there is provided optimal
utilisation of the forces available from the actuator, as the point of attack on the
lid part is moved all the time as the ventilation opening is opened or closed. This
is achieved by the invention in that a displacing suspension/slide groove is applied
between mechanism and lid part.
[0006] In a preferred embodiment of a ventilation opening according to the invention, the
rod mechanism may include a first lever arm to which the actuator is movably connected,
where the first lever arm is pivotably fixed at one end to the crossbar, and where
a first lift arm is pivotably connected to the lever arm, where the first lift arm
is further with a displacing suspension which is connected with a displacing suspension/slide
groove in fixed connection with the lid part. This solution indicates a mechanism
with a single lift arm and which is particularly suited for ventilation openings of
small size on which large external forces do not act. It is thus possible to make
a simple mechanism according to the invention for the ventilation openings that do
not require great forces in order to be opened.
[0007] A preferred embodiment includes a ventilation opening where the rod mechanism includes
a first lever arm to which the actuator is movably connected, where the first lever
arm is pivotably fixed at one end to the crossbar, and where a first lift arm is pivotably
connected to the lever arm, where the first lift arm is further connected to a second
lift arm, where the second lift arm is movably connected to the crossbar and is further
provided with a displacing suspension which is connected with a displacing suspension/slide
groove in fixed connection with the lid part. By applying yet a lift arm there is
achieved the advantage that an even more optimised solution is achieved with regard
to forces for opening a ventilation opening, and that an actuator with a given stroke
may in principle open ventilation openings which are even larger.
[0008] In another preferred variant of the invention, the at least one controlled actuator
is supplemented by a least one second actuator, preferably of the gas spring type,
where the at least one second actuator is arranged between the crossbar and a lift
arm such that a lifting force is exerted at least on the lid part of the ventilation
opening during the first part of the opening action, preferably until the ventilation
opening is opened at least 60°. By this embodiment there is achieved increased safety
in connection with snow loads, wind loads or other conditions that may influence and
counteract the opening of the ventilation opening. Alternatively, a given actuator
may be used for a larger ventilation opening as it is supplemented by an additional
actuator/gas spring.
[0009] By disposing this at least one second actuator between crossbar and lift arm it is
achieved that by closing the ventilation opening, there is also exerted a lifting
force on the lid part of the ventilation opening at least during the first part of
the closing action, preferably until the lid part is only open at 90°. Thus is provided
additional force just at the times where it is needed the most and where the self-weight
of the lid part of the ventilation opening is to be lifted off the frame part or be
closed after ending ventilation.
[0010] A ventilation opening according to the invention may advantageously be adapted such
that the at least one actuator is connected with a system of one or more further actuators
in other ventilation openings, where these actuators are controlled and regulated
via one or more control and regulating units. It is thus possible to operate a plurality
of ventilation openings at once and thus rapidly achieve an efficient ventilation.
[0011] A preferred variant of the invention includes a ventilation opening wherein actuator
and rod mechanism are arranged at the end of the crossbar which is closest to the
hinge line, where the crossbar thus is adaptable longitudinally at the other end.
Hereby it is possible to use a standard mechanism for various sizes of ventilation
openings, as adaptation to the actual ventilation opening only requires cutting off
one end of the crossbar and the slide groove for the lid part.
[0012] A ventilation opening according to the invention may be designed such that the at
least one actuator is an electric powered actuator, a pneumatically powered actuator
or a hydraulically powered actuator. Irrespective of the type of actuator used, this
may be supplemented by e.g. one or more gas springs that are arranged such that they
exert a force assisting in opening and closing the lid part, respectively.
[0013] A ventilation opening according to the invention can open at least 150°, and it may
be adapted such that the lid part can be opened at least 140° relative to the frame
part in less than one minute.
[0014] A ventilation opening according to the invention may be designed in different ways
than those indicated here. The mentioned variants are all preferred embodiments which
the skilled in the art can provide in other variants which are not discussed in this
publication. However, it is obvious that such variants will still be included in the
scope of the invention.
Short Description of the Drawing
[0015] The invention is described in more detail with reference to the drawing, where:
- FIG. 1
- shows a ventilation opening as seen from the end.
- FIG. 2
- shows a mechanism for a ventilation opening in partly open position.
- FIG. 3
- shows a mechanism for a ventilation opening in completely open position.
- FIG. 4
- shows a mechanism for a ventilation opening in closed position.
- FIG. 5
- shows an isometrical view of a mechanism for a ventilation opening.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0016] In Fig. 1 appears a ventilation opening 1 which in principle consists of a frame
part 2 intended for incorporating in a roof construction, and a lid part 3 which is
typically designed with a frame and with a lid of a translucent sheet material. The
lid itself is typically made with curved shape or other shape allowing snow to fall
off more easily. The lid part 3 is fixed to the frame part 2 via a hinge 4, and between
the frame part 2 and the lid part 3 there is a mechanism 5 which is partly fixed to
the frame part 2 and partly to the lid part 3, respectively, and which may act on
lid parts 3 for opening and closing, respectively.
[0017] In Fig. 2 appears the same mechanism 5 as in Fig. 1, but here it is seen from the
other side and without frame part 2 and lid part 3. Also, for more clearly seeing
and overviewing the mechanism 5, some parts of the mechanism itself, which otherwise
would hide the details to be described below, are removed. The parts removed are,
however, all parts of which there are a right and a left one, respectively. No removal
of parts from the drawing that may disturb the understanding has thus taken place.
To the extreme right in Fig. 2 appears the hinge 4, and for mounting the not shown
parallel frame parts 2 is seen the crossbar 6 which at its ends is provided with mounting
flanges 7 for mounting to the frame 2. This crossbar extends transversely in the frame
part, and ample rigidity in the mechanism is attained in this way. In a rotatable
fixed point 8 on the crossbar 6 is fastened an electric actuator 9 with connecting
wire 10. The piston 11 of the actuator is fixed to a lever arm 12 at a rotary point
13. The lever arm 12 is fixed to the crossbar 6 close to the hinge 4 at a rotary point
14. On the lever arm 12 there is a further rotary point 15 at which the first lift
arm 16 is fastened. At its other end, this first lift arm 16 is fastened to the second
lift arm 17 at a further rotary point 18. The second lift arm 17 is fixed at one end
at the rotary point 19 to a fitting 20 which is rigidly connected to the crossbar
6 and at the other end at a displacing suspension 21 connected with a slide rail 22
to be fixed to the lid part 3. This displacing suspension 21 includes a slide member
which during opening and closing is moved back and forth in the slide rail 22, whereby
the point of attack of the second lift arm 17 is moved in the slide rail 22, depending
on how much open or closed the ventilation opening 1 is. As it appears from the Figure,
there is a section of the crossbar 6 at the end opposite the hinge side to which nothing
is fastened, and this section may be shortened such that a mechanism 5, as shown,
may be adapted to other sizes of ventilation openings 1. The slide rail 22 may obviously
also be shortened, and depending on the load etc., the second lift arm may also be
shortened or, alternatively, replaced with a shorter one of the same kind. Similarly
to a shortening, an elongation of the crossbar 6, slide rail 22 and possibly the second
lift arm 17 may occur as well. Such an operation is, however, to be calculated accurately
in order to ensure that sufficient force is available. In Fig. 2 appears furthermore
a gas spring 23 which is fastened to the fitting 20 at one end 24 and to the second
lift arm 17 at the other end 25. This gas spring 23 acts by a force in direction towards
the second lift arm 17, thus assisting in lifting the slide rail 22 and the lid part
3. When the slide rail comes up to about vertical position, the gas spring 23 has
performed its work and cannot become any longer. By further opening action, a compression
of the gas spring 23 occurs due to the self-weight of the lid part 3 and due to the
force from the actuator 3, thus causing the gas spring 23 also to assist in lifting
the lid part 3 while closing from a position where the fitting 20 and the second lift
arm 17 are flush with each other.
[0018] In Fig. 3 appears a mechanism 5 like the one shown in Fig. 3, but here shown in completely
open position, and in Fig. 4 the same mechanism 5 is seen again, but here in closed
position.
[0019] In Fig. 5 the same mechanism 5 is seen again at the same position as shown in Fig.
2, however this time viewed isometrically, so that it readily appears that the mechanism
5 is designed as a frame structure where practically all elements are in a right and
in a left version, whereby a stable and robust construction is achieved and where
a skew loading of the elements of the mechanism does not occur.
1. A ventilation opening of the type which is built into roof constructions and typically
includes a frame part and a lid part, where this lid part in case of fire or smoke
formation is opened at a front edge and is hinged to the frame part at an opposing
hinge line, thereby being used for ventilating a room, wherein the lid part under
normal conditions is used for comfort ventilation, where the ventilation opening is
provided with mechanical means mounted between frame parts extending in parallel with
the hinge line, where the mechanical means include at least one controlled linear
actuator, where the linear actuator is attached between a crossbar and at least one
lift arm for opening the ventilation opening, and where activation of the opening
is effected manually or automatically with the said mechanical means, where the actuator
is pivotably fastened to the crossbar, preferably at one end, and is connected to
a rod mechanism, preferably at the other end, where the rod mechanism via a movable
bearing is connected to a displacing suspension/slide groove which is in fixed connection
to the lid part of the ventilation opening, characterised in that the rod mechanism includes a first lever arm to which the actuator is movably connected,
where the first lever arm is pivotably fixed at one end to the crossbar, and where
a first lift arm is pivotably connected to the lever arm, where the first lift arm
is further connected to a second lift arm, where the second lift arm is movably connected
to the crossbar and is further provided with a displacing suspension which is connected
with a displacing suspension/slide groove in fixed connection with the lid part.
2. Ventilation opening according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one controlled actuator is supplemented by a least one second actuator,
preferably of the gas spring type, where the at least one second actuator is arranged
between the crossbar and a lift arm such that a lifting force is exerted at least
on the lid part of the ventilation opening during the first part of the opening action,
preferably until the ventilation opening is opened at least 60°.
3. Ventilation opening according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the at least one second actuator is arranged in such a way between crossbar and lift
arm that by closing the ventilation opening, there is also exerted a lifting force
on the lid part of the ventilation opening at least during the first part of the closing
action, preferably until the lid part is only open at 90°.
4. Ventilation opening according to any of claims 1-3, characterised in that the at least one actuator is connected with a system of one or more further actuators
in other ventilation openings, where these actuators are controlled and regulated
via one or more control and regulating units.
5. Ventilation opening according to any of claims 1 -4, characterised in that actuator and rod mechanism are arranged at the end of the crossbar which is closest
to the hinge line, where the crossbar thus is adaptable longitudinally at the other
end.
6. Ventilation opening according to any of claims 1 -5, characterised in that the at least one actuator is an electric powered actuator.
7. Ventilation opening according to any of claims 1 -5, characterised in that the at least one actuator is a pneumatically powered actuator.
8. Ventilation opening according to any of claims 1 -5, characterised in that the at least one actuator is a hydraulically powered actuator.