TECHNICAL FlELD
[0001] The invention concerns an improvement in the field of air flow diffusers, specifically
linear slot diffusers or 'lineaire spleetroosters' [in Dutch], and relates specifically
to an improved slot diffuser for blowing air into a room. In addition, the invention
concerns a method for manufacturing the improved slot diffuser, as well as for installing
the slot diffuser and using the improved slot diffuser for blowing air into a room.
PRIOR ART
[0002] A problem with the known slot diffusers, as further discussed, is that these are
built up from different part elements, so to speak slot by slot. This does allow some
flexibility in construction (choice of number of slots is not fixed), but in practice
this is not an advantage, since for building enterprises of some size this choice
is already determined beforehand. Moreover, the construction of the current slot diffusers
is so labour-intensive, and also requires specialised equipment, that these are already
constructed beforehand anyway and directly purchased and ready for installation. The
known slot diffusers consist of a number of separate dividing walls or side walls
(which are typically extruded) between the ventilation slots, which have to be fixed
to each other with spacer elem ents, which must be placed in the correct position
(and in certain designs must subsequently be pressed) on the side walls in order so
to mutually connect said walls. Since the side walls are produced separately, and
subsequently need to be mounted onto each other (manually) to form a slot diffuser,
this is a particularly labour-intensive step and/or will require the procurance of
additional machines (for example for pressing).
[0003] However, a small mutual deviation on the spacer elements can result in an inferior
slot diffuser, which can lead to problems upon installation. Furthermore, breakage
of spacer elements can easily occur during the pressing step, or deformation in the
rest of the slot diffuser, so rendering the whole product unsuitable. Moreover, this
will result in the slot diffusers, as they are currently available, only being able
to be of a limited length before undesired effects occur, such as bending upon installation.
[0004] A known slot diffuser is described, for example, in
US 2012/052790, in which it is clear that the side walls (elements 204 in the figures) are held
together by extra elements (206). This results in a higher production cost for the
abovementioned reasons and moreover also results in a less reliable slot diffuser,
since deviations or damage is much likelier. Other known slot diffusers are discussed
in inter alia
US 5194042,
US 5788572 and
US 6648752, but none met the desired requirements, to wit simpler production (both faster and
cheaper) but also high values with respect to strength.
[0005] Many known slot diffusers further provide deflectors in each room which from a central
point in the room (or centrally at the back of the room) are pivotally fixed, and
so are either in an open or closed state, in that regard allowing or not allowing
air flow through the slot diffuser. An example hereof is described in
US 2012/052790 or
US 5,194,042. In order to allow such placement of said deflectors, an additional element, a deflector
holder, must be provided that is adapted to hold said deflectors in a manner that
allows rotation. Said element must moreover be present at regular intervals in the
chambers of the slot diffuser along the length so as to ensure a robust anchoring
of said deflectors, since said deflectors are often manipulated and so for that reason
must be safely fixed. This requires a large number of complex elements per ventilation
opening of the slot diffusers, however, which elements would be expensive but moreover
would also block a large part of the available surface area to air flow. This results
in an at least proportionally larger energy cost for the generation of the desired
air flow rate, while it should moreover be noted that such elements often also lead
to undesired swirling in the air flows that further reduces the energy efficiency,
considering the large amounts of said deflector holders that would need to be provided.
[0007] The current invention seeks to find a solution for at least some of the abovementioned
problems. It is the intention to produce continuous slot diffuser structures in a
more limited number of actions, that so doing can also be manufactured stronger and
longer, the air flow moreover being guaranteed by providing specifically developed
deflector holders or holding-down organs that further contribute to the structural
strength of the slot diffuser.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention concerns in a first aspect an improved slot diffuser according to claim
1 for blowing air into a room.
[0009] In a second aspect, the invention concerns a method for manufacturing a slot diffuser
for blowing air into a room according to claim 13.
[0010] The applicant observed in this regard that the punching out of the cut-outs is further
preferable with regard to efficiency.
[0011] The invention concerns in a third aspect a slot diffuser for blowing air into a room.
Said slot diffuser comprises an elongated, essentially beam-shaped frame, said frame
comprising a front and a mainly open rear side, and said frame further comprising
one or more elongated chambers, extending essentially parallel with respect to each
other along the longitudinal axis of said frame and being delimited by said front
and said rear side and two side walls, each of the chambers comprising a ventilation
slot in the front, said ventilation slot extending along the longitudinal axis of
said frame. Said slot diffuser further comprises one or more elongated deflectors,
preferably two deflectors per ventilation slot, essentially of the same length as
the ventilation slots, said deflectors being fixed to said side walls of the chambers,
pivotally around the longitudinal axis of said frame, and said deflectors being adapted,
in a first position, to substantially prevent air flow through the chambers, and,
in a second position, to allow the flow of air through the chambers. Finally, said
slot diffuser comprises one or more holding-down organs, enclosed in one or more of
the chambers, and the holding-down organs being adapted for the retention of said
deflectors in the first position.
[0012] In a fourth aspect, the invention concerns a holding-down organ for positioning one
or more deflectors in a slot diffuser and suitable to be clamped in an elongated ventilation
chamber of a slot diffuser. For this, the holding-down organ comprises a central portion
with one or more connectors provided at lateral, opposite extremities of the central
portion. The connectors comprise a groove, inwards with respect to the holding-down
organ, oriented along a lateral axis of the holding-down organ, the groove extending
along a longitudinal axis and being suitable for receiving a projecting snap-fit connector.
The central portion is substantially hollow and has one or more openings substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis, the openings being suitable
for receiving an attachment means through them for fastening the holding-down organ
to an upper-lying structure.
[0013] Preferably this concerns a slot diffuser according to an embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0014]
Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a slot diffuser according to the invention.
Fig. 2A-B show a holding-down organ of a slot diffuser according to an embodiment of the invention,
Fig. 2B rendering the inner side of the holding-down organ.
Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the holding-down organ according to the invention.
Fig. 4-5 show views along the longitudinal axis of a slot diffuser according to an embodiment
of the invention, Fig. 4 also including an element for plenum attachment to which
said slot diffuser is fastened.
Fig. 6A-F show views along the longitudinal axis of possible embodiments of a slot diffuser
according to the invention.
Fig. 7 shows an enlarged view of a slot diffuser according to an embodiment of the invention
along the longitudinal axis.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The invention concerns an improved slot diffuser for blowing air into a room, comprising
a flat front, the front comprising at least two longitudinally parallel extending
slats spaced apart over a predetermined distance from each other, between which ventilation
slots are formed, and a side wall extending substantially perpendicular from each
of said slats at the front and extending along the longitudinal axis of said slats,
the longitudinal extremities of said side walls all being connected with (longitudinal
extremities of) said abutting side walls via end bridges on said side walls at said
rear side of said slot diffuser and said end bridges and said side walls and said
slats consisting of one piece, said end bridges extending between said abutting side
walls near the distal extremities of said side walls with respect to said slats. Optionally,
said abutting side walls are further connected via centre bridges, said centre bridges
and said side walls consisting of one piece and said centre bridges extending between
said abutting side walls near the distal extremities of said side walls with respect
to said slats.
[0016] Said slot diffuser comprises in this regard an elongated, substantially beam-shaped
frame with a flat front and a rear side, substantially parallel to the front. Abutting
side walls define a chamber in between said abutting side walls.
[0017] According to the invention, abutting side walls are only connected at said rear side
of said frame via said end bridges (and optionally centre bridges), which provides
advantages in production (frame is single), but also upon use, by a more efficient
air flow (no spacers needed).
[0018] Said slot diffuser is in that regard further provided with one or more holding-down
organs in one or more of the chambers, said holding-down organs being adapted to anchor
themselves to both said side walls of the chamber, the holding-down organ in that
regard extending at least to a central zone of both said side walls of the chamber.
Said holding-down organs further contribute to the sturdiness of said slot diffuser
structure (lateral forces), and also function as 'stop' for said deflectors. Since
the holding-down organs extend to a central zone of said side walls, more strength
is moreover provided to said slot diffuser to accommodate forces here that could normally
cause a moment of force on a structure that is only connected at one extremity.
[0019] In a possible embodiment, the holding-down organs clamp themselves fixedly on side
walls at said rear side of said slot diffuser. In this regard, the holding-down organ
extends at both side walls up to a central zone of said side walls. Alternatively
(or complementarily), the holding-down organs clamp themselves fixedly on a central
zone of said side walls.
[0020] In contrast to existing systems, as for example
GB 1514459 A, the applicant observed that it is more advantageous to attach said side walls at
said rear side of said slot diffuser to each other, since the air also enters said
slot diffuser there and is further conducted through (to beyond the ventilation slot).
By allowing the constriction to occur immediately at the ingression of the air, the
created air flow is less turbulent upon leaving said slot diffuser, since a part of
the turbulences is already filtered out in said slot diffuser itself. In
GB 1514459 A, the constriction does not occur until a central point, thus causing the emission
of a turbulent air flow from said slot diffuser.
[0021] Notice that in first instance there is a matter of two or more slats (and thus one
or more ventilation slots). The choice of a certain number of slats depends on the
situation, size and positioning of the plenum in which said slot diffuser is typically
fixed into. Nevertheless, the advantages of the invention are applicable, regardless
of the number of slats and ventilation slots. Said slot diffusers can comprise 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more ventilation slots, and substantially consist of
a single piece (with some additional elements of less structural importance, as end
pieces, and said deflectors itself). The applicant observed that the current slot
diffusers were always modularly built up from elements comprising a slat with a side
wall, as discussed in the invention. These were connected after production (typically
extrusion) via spacer elements connecting the separate slat-wall pieces and holding
them at a fixed distance. The desired number of ventilation slots were so obtained
by adding further slat-wall pieces and holding them in place via spacer elements (see
the figures also). In this regard, it should be remarked that this process causes
a much lower production rate by the large number of steps that moreover partly need
to be carried out manually or requires heavily specialised equipment to be carried
out automatically. On the other hand, the applicant observed that by the placement
of the spacer elements (that must be placed at regular distances to obtain reliable
connections for the old type of slot diffuser), the 'open' structure of said slot
diffuser is partly reduced and a part of the air passage through said slot diffuser
is obstructed. This results firstly in undesired air flow effects (swirling, unexpected
flows), but secondly and more importantly, for a higher energy cost in order to generate
a desired flow rate. Since ventilation systems keep working seemingly constantly throughout
the day, this can lead to an enormous additional cost. The applicant observed that
by using the spacer elements, old designs of slot diffusers have at least 7.5% less
free flow-through surface area, and to compensate this at least 8% more energy shall
have to be used to provide the desired flow rate, apart from the side effects of the
interrupted structure of the free flow-through surface area that typically result
in a further reduced efficiency.
[0022] For those reasons, the applicant designed a type of slot diffuser that (substantially)
consisted of one piece (at any rate where said slats and side walls could be produced
in one piece and remain as one piece), said slats at said rear side only being connected
to the longitudinal extremities. This somewhat ensures the necessary anchoring and
shape retention of said slot diffuser, without extra spacer elements having to be
added to create said slot diffuser.
[0023] Further, the use of spacer elements entails additional problems. Since a large number
of connections via spacer elements are needed to connect two slat-wall pieces, these
must therefore be very accurately produced in order to guarantee the same intermediate
distance perfectly. Deviations on the spacer elements have major consequences, such
as inter alia deformation of said slot diffuser (and/or plenum), badly fitting slot
diffusers, undesired air flow effects (noise), reduced efficiency and/or increased
energy cost. By opting for a single structure, this connection is automatically as
desired, and a perfectly dimensioned slot diffuser is produced. As mentioned previously,
the use of spacer elements also results in a much more complex manner of assembling
said slot diffusers, which delays the production process and makes it more expensive.
The spacer elements must be place manually at a specific position that is dependent
on of the type rooster and the number of slots.
[0024] In a further disadvantage, the pressing of the spacer elements and the slat-wall
pieces also results in much loss by deformation, and there is a restriction to the
length of said slot diffusers that can be produced in this manner. For larger desired
lengths, the different pieces need to be connected via so-called `butt plates' joining
the extremities of the separate pieces together. These however entail a further problem,
such as bending and alignment problems between successive pieces of slot diffuser.
In addition, this of course also hampers the installation process, which needs to
be carried out in more intermediate steps.
[0025] For this and still further reasons, the applicant proposes an adapted slot diffuser
in which spacer elements are no longer necessary, since said slats and side walls
are already mutually connected and consist of a single piece (except for possible
additional elements which, however, are not necessary for the connection of said slats
and side walls). The various slats are so held at a correct distance as a matter of
course. Additional reinforcements can then be added as desired or needed (as further
discussed).
[0026] In general it should be observed that said deflectors are positioned and dimensioned
such that, if they are in an open position, the opening of the ventilation slot allowed
hereby at the front of said slot diffuser has an area that is smaller than the opening
at said rear side of said slot diffuser. In that regard, the same condition also applies
as when only one of said deflectors is in an open state. This condition is crucial,
since this ensures that the air flow through the ventilation slot is stable, since
a constriction occurs for the air flow. A broadening would result in a pressure drop
that causes eddying currents (and thus energy loss as well as a reduced comfort for
persons in the room the air flows into). Since the improved design of said slot diffuser
according to the invention results in a larger opening at said rear side of said slot
diffuser, the opening at the front can also be made larger (by allowing said deflectors
to further recede from each other for example, or by the improved positioning and/or
dimensioning hereof). This ultimately leads to a strongly improved air flow and so
to a much higher efficiency than in known systems.
[0027] According to the invention, said side walls on each side abutting another side wall
comprise a pivot groove, running along the longitudinal axis of said side wall, said
pivot groove being adapted for pivotally holding a deflector. In this regard, it should
be kept in mind that said deflectors are pivotable around the longitudinal axis of
said slot diffuser.
[0028] Preferably said pivot groove is approximately cylinder-shaped, the mantle of the
cylinder comprising a longitudinally running opening. Said pivot groove is in that
sense suitable for receiving an also cylinder-shaped, thickened pivot edge of a deflector,
said deflector extending from said pivot groove via the longitudinally running opening
thereof. Said opening is sufficiently wide to allow said deflector to pivot.
[0029] In this regard, it should further also be observed that the holding-down organs extend
up to the central zone where said pivot groove is disposed, and thus also where the
pivot edge of said deflector is disposed. The applicant provides in this regard somewhat
flexible closing components (for example a lip or arm, see also the figures) on the
holding-down organ near the central zone, said flexible closing component enclosing
the pivot edge in said pivot groove. The flexibility of the closing component still
allows said deflectors to pivot on the one hand, but does provide sufficient force
to keep the pivot edge fixed in said pivot groove, and so to anchor said deflector
on the pivot axis (the pivot edge).
[0030] From that point of view, the applicant therefore proposes thinner trailing ends (either
parallel to and longitudinal along said rear side of said slot diffuser or perpendicular
thereto and longitudinal therewith) as closing components, which, dependent upon an
appropriate choice of material (see also further in the text), can provide the necessary
flexibility and durability.
[0031] Since the slots or holders run longitudinally along said side walls, this is particularly
simple to apply in said slot diffusers according to the invention, for example via
extrusion. Since the slots or holders moreover also form part of said slot diffuser
itself, no additional elements need to be provided (as for example in
US 2012/052790) that lead to additional complexity, both in production and upon installation.
[0032] According to the invention, said slot diffuser further comprises one or more, preferably
two, longitudinal deflectors, preferably comprising plastic, per ventilation slot,
substantially just as long as the ventilation slot, said deflectors comprising a pivot
edge on one longitudinal side, and the pivot edge being adapted to be pivotally held
in said pivot groove around the pivot edge. Preferably the pivot edge is thickened
with respect to the rest of said deflector. In this way, it is simpler to dispose
said deflector in said pivot groove with the pivot edge, where it can be clicked fast,
for example, in said pivot groove. In this regard, the holding-down organs attached
in said slot diffuser are adapted to fix the pivot edge in said pivot groove.
[0033] Said deflectors are generally components having a length that is substantially equal
to the length of the ventilation slots and wide enough for said deflectors to be able
to close off the ventilation slot. Moreover, when using two deflectors per ventilation
slot, one can opt for a directed air flow by, for example, bringing one of said deflectors
in an open position and the other in a closed position.
[0034] According to the invention, the holding-down organ is adapted to partly close off
said pivot grooves over the longitudinal axis thereof for enclosing the pivot edge
of said deflectors, preferably where the holding-down organ specifically comprises
one or more closing components for partially closing off said pivot grooves, and the
closing components with further preference forming an additional limitation for pivoting
said deflectors to the first position.
[0035] According to the invention, the holding-down organ is adapted to partly close off
said pivot grooves along the longitudinal axis for enclosing the pivot edge of said
deflectors, the holding-down organ comprising on either side a closing component suitable
for enclosing the pivot edge of said deflectors in said pivot groove, the closing
components exhibiting limited flexibility or play with respect to the holding-down
organ to pivotally enclose said deflectors, the closing components preferably being
narrow trailing ends of the holding-down organ.
[0036] According to the invention, the holding-down organ comprises on either side a closing
component which is suitable for partly closing off said pivot groove across the longitudinal
axis, the closing components exhibiting limited flexibility or play with respect to
the holding-down organ, the closing components preferably being narrow trailing ends
of the holding-down organ.
[0037] In a still further preferred embodiment, said deflectors have a curved profile that
is constant across the longitudinal axis of said deflectors, and said deflectors are
pivotable between a first closed position and a second open position, the ventilation
slot being closed when the two deflectors of the ventilation slot are in a closed
position. At the least, said deflectors are curved at opposite edge the with respect
to the pivot edge (thus curved around a longitudinal axis of said deflector) in order
to so minimalise air resistance.
[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the outer side walls are adapted to be fastened in a plenum,
preferably where the outer side walls have a snap-fit component and can be fastened
in the plenum via the snap-fit component.
[0039] Such a connection system is highly suitable for simplifying the installation in a
plenum. In this way, said slot diffuser can be temporarily mounted in the plenum via
the snap-fit connection and subsequently fastened via more reliable means. In current
systems, a person skilled in the art must hold said slot diffuser in the plenum, and
meanwhile apply fastening means such as screws and fasten them to definitively attach
said slot diffuser. In the current embodiment, the person skilled in the art has his
hands free to secure the fastening, since the snap-fit connection is strong enough
to temporarily hold said slot diffuser. In practice, the plenum will have an adapted
snap-fit component in order to couple with the snap-fit component of said slot diffuser
(typically male-female connectors that are clicked fast as it were). In this case,
the snap-fit component of said slot diffuser will be strongly rigid (preferably steel,
for example galvanised steel or spring steel; possibly aluminium), and for that reason
the snap-fit component of the plenum will be better deformable in order so to be able
to couple. In a possible embodiment, the plenum has on the inner side on both longitudinal
sides a male snap-fit component (connector) that protrudes with a T-shaped profile,
and said slot diffuser has a female snap-fit component (connector) with a T-shaped
cut suitable for receiving the male snap-fit component of the plenum. Notice that
the snap-fit components of said slot diffuser do not necessarily need to run along
the whole length of said slot diffuser, although this is indeed preferably the case,
since this simplifies extrusion. The same applies for the snap-fit components of the
plenum itself, although this is typically not produced via extrusion.
[0040] In a preferred embodiment, said slot diffuser comprises a rear side parallel to the
front, and said rear side being substantially open in between said side walls, said
side walls being mutually connected via said end bridges, and at predetermined distances
via centre bridges, said centre bridges and said side walls consisting of one piece
and said centre bridges extending between said abutting side walls near the distal
extremities of said side walls with respect to said slats.
[0041] This extension describes more precisely what the preferred structure is of said slot
diffuser at said rear side. From here, an air flow for ventilation is supplied to
the front (through the ventilation slots, whether or not - partly - closed off by
deflectors), and so to the desired chamber. By having a rear side that is as open
as possible, that nevertheless is connected to said slats at the front and said side
walls, an optimal air flow is guaranteed (thus at minimal energy cost). Preferably
only at the longitudinal extremities narrow end bridges are provided that mutually
connect said side walls and hold them together, and optionally between said end bridges
in one or more centre bridges (for reinforcement of longer slot diffusers). Optionally
a narrow edge can further extend from said side walls at said rear side, along a very
limited distance (a few mm). This possibly allows additional elements to be clamped
fast to said slot diffuser.
[0042] As mentioned, this aspect clashes strongly with the known slot diffusers, in which
said side walls are mutually only connected with the aid of additional spacer elements.
Since said additional spacer elements are artificially added to the structure of said
slot diffuser (whilst said end bridges of the invention are an extension of the material
of said side walls/slats), these must also be placed at (very precise) fixed distances
in order to ensure a constant spacing between said slats, as well as providing sufficient
sturdiness to said slot diffuser. In addition, the spacer elements also add many extra
costs upon production, for example in man hours and/or equipment, since the spacer
elements must either be mounted very accurately or be automated with a machine designed
for that purpose; and after which said slot diffuser assembled in this way must subsequently
still be pressed to effectively anchor the spacer elements with said side walls. In
that regard, it should be noted that, in this pressing step for the known slot diffusers,
breakage of the end products often occurs and so there is quite an amount of losses
through spoils in this phase. One of the advantages of the invention is therefore
that this pressing step is made redundant and that the losses thereby do not occur.
In other known elaborations of slot diffusers, no pressing step is carried out but
other connection elements are used to attach said side walls to each other in other
ways, which again results in an extra mechanical step that is labour and material
intensive and can lead to breakage.
[0043] In a preferred embodiment, said slot diffuser at the longitudinal extremities of
said slats and said side walls is provided with a detachable end piece or end cap
in order to work said slot diffuser into a frame, but also serves for mutual connection
of the longitudinal extremities of said side walls. The end piece or end cap comprises
a profile piece that connects to the surface of said slats and further extends along
a predetermined distance thereof, and preferably the end piece or end cap is detachably
fastened to said slot diffuser on said side walls.
[0044] By (typically at both extremities) providing an end piece or end cap, an extra reinforcement
is created between said slats, and the danger of deformation is much lower. In this
regard, it should be noted that the forces exerted on an installed slot diffuser are
reasonably limited. In particular it is possible, via the end pieces or end caps,
to create additional (indirect) connections between said side walls, where said additional
connections can be placed closer to said slats than said end bridges (and/or centre
bridges), and provide said slot diffuser with more sturdiness at the front. In a possible
embodiment, said side walls (on an inner side, thus abutting another side wall) can
have an additional slot or groove (or more) along the longitudinal axis in which a
screw (or another attachment means) can be screwed into in order to attach the end
pieces or end caps. In general said end pieces, however, serve to work said slot diffuser
uniformly into an already present frame.
[0045] In a preferred embodiment, said side walls stand at a mutual distance between 20
mm and 45 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 40 mm, with further preference approximately
34 mm, the ventilation slots having a width between 15 and 35 mm, preferably between
20 and 30 mm, and with further preference approximately 25 mm. Said slats can in this
regard have a width between 10 mm and 25 mm, but are typically between 15 mm and 21
mm, preferably 18 to 20 mm (notice that the outer slats are typically somewhat wider
than said slats of side walls within said slot diffuser). As there are standardised
dimensions in most situations, certainly with respect to distance between said side
walls, plenums often also have standard dimensions and are adapted to be able to receive
slot diffusers with a certain number of ventilation slots. Naturally it should be
presumed in this regard that in specific situations said slot diffusers can be very
simply adapted with respect to width by adapting the production process in a very
limited way, this in contrast to the prior art slot diffusers, where new spacer elements
must be made (new moulds and such needed).
[0046] In a preferred embodiment, said side walls and slats have a uniform wall thickness.
This makes said slot diffuser highly suitable to be produced at high speeds, for example
by extrusion, specifically precision extrusion. In a further preferred embodiment,
said slot diffuser would have a symmetrical mass distribution between the front and
rear side if said rear side between said end bridges were completely closed with the
material of said slot diffuser (thus continuous presence between said end bridges),
which would make the design highly suitable for manufacturing via precision extrusion.
Afterwards cut-outs could subsequently be made at said rear side to retain only said
end bridges (and any centre bridges) and to obtain the desired open structure on said
rear side.
[0047] In a preferred embodiment, said slats and said side walls comprise aluminium. This
can concern both so-called hard aluminium and soft aluminium. Besides aluminium several
kinds of material are possible, such as steel for example, although this is more difficult
to process. The applicant observed, however, that aluminium is to be preferred since
this is easy to process (for example extrusion, punching, milling, ...), is sufficiently
light (and thus easy to be held in a plenum without too many fastening means), cheap
and sufficiently strong to avoid deformation.
[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the holding-down organs along the longitudinal axis are
provided in the chamber at equidistant positions with respect to each other, the holding-down
organs attached in said slot diffuser having a width along the longitudinal axis of
said slot diffuser of maximally 4 cm (for example 3.9 cm, 3.8 cm, 3.7 cm, 3.6 cm,
3.5 cm, 3.4 cm, 3.3 cm, 3.2 cm, 3.1 cm), preferably maximally 3 cm. With still further
preference the width is further limited, for example to 2.9 cm, 2.8 cm, 2.7 cm, 2.6
cm, 2.5 cm, 2.4 cm, 2.3 cm, 2.2 cm, 2.1 cm, 2 cm or less. Notice that intermediate
values are by no means excluded. By limiting the width of the holding-down organs,
the influence on the air flow through said slot diffuser is also limited as much possible.
[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the holding-down organs comprise plastic. Typical examples
hereof are polypropylene (high and/or low density), polyethylene (high and/or low
density), polyester, but others can also be used. Preferably, the holding-down organs
comprise polyoxymethylene (POM) or polyacetal. This thermoplastic is particularly
suitable for this application due to its high strength and structural stiffness, low
friction with other materials (slot diffuser itself) and exhibiting little creep.
[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the holding-down organs are slidably attached in said
slot diffuser along the longitudinal axis of said slot diffuser along a distance of
minimally 2% of the length of said slot diffuser. This allows a certain degree of
manoeuvrability of the holding-down organs in said slot diffuser, which can be especially
opportune if the holding-down organs are additionally also used for the fastening
of said slot diffuser to a ceiling, for example in a plenum or frame, since the holding-down
organs can so be simply aligned with corresponding connectors on the ceiling. Preferably
the holding-down organs are mounted with intermediate distances between 150 mm and
700 mm, preferably between 200 mm and 600 mm, with further preference between 250
mm and 500 mm, as for example 275 mm, 300 mm, 325 mm, 350 mm, 375 mm, 400 mm, 425
mm, 450 mm, 475 mm.
[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the holding-down organs attached in said slot diffuser
are adapted to be fixed, preferably detachably, to or in an upper-lying structure
on said rear side of said slot diffuser via one or more fastening means, the holding-down
organs preferably being adapted to be fixed, via an attachment means provided with
a screw thread (for example screw) to or in the upper-lying structure and the holding-down
organs having one or more openings perpendicular to said rear side of said slot diffuser
through the holding-down organs for fastening with the attachment means. As mentioned,
the holding-down organ has in this regard the additional functionality of being used
for installing said slot diffuser. Moreover, if the holding-down organs are (somewhat)
movable along the longitudinal axis as mentioned previously, this can be quite useful
upon installation in aligning the holding-down organs perfectly with the connectors
on the ceiling.
[0052] In a further preferred embodiment, the holding-down organ is adapted to partly close
off said pivot grooves along the longitudinal axis for including the pivot edge of
said deflectors. The proposed embodiment makes it possible in first instance to simply
place said deflectors in said slot diffuser, with the thickened pivot edge in said
pivot grooves, such that the placing of the holding-down organs fastens said pivot
edge in said pivot groove (pivoting indeed still being allowed over a certain angle).
This serves as an additional safeguard that said deflectors are sufficiently fixed.
Preferably the holding-down organ comprises one or more closing components for the
partly closing off of said pivot grooves across the longitudinal axis, the closing
components with further preference forming an additional limitation for pivoting said
deflectors to the first position and not further away from the second position. By
dimensioning also the closing components such that they reflect the first or closed
position of said deflectors (and preventing further pivoting of said deflectors once
the first position is reached), this also serves as an additional assurance that the
desired position is reached. Notice that in principle the holding-down organ thus
does not require a solid central portion to keep said deflectors in first position,
and can simply use the closing components for this purpose. In principle, the central
portion can be made substantially hollow with a surface area as limited as possible
that can obstruct air flow through the ventilation slots. A possible embodiment hereof
would be a beam-shaped element with two opposite walls removed, which allows a good
air flow whilst retaining the structural strength of the holding-down organ. Alternatively,
a beam-shaped skeleton structure can also be used, which would also allow a good air
flow. Notice that the term 'beam-shaped' mainly refers to the fact that the connection
between said side walls would normally be done with an essentially rectangular element
as base. The height of the beam-shaped structure can in that regard be very limited
and is then mainly intended for sturdiness.
[0053] In a possible embodiment, a holding-down organ can be chosen in which both the central
portion and the closing components allow said deflectors to be placed correctly in
the first position. Thus the closing components can be mounted to first prevent pivoting
to the first position, the central portion being disposed to prevent a possibly forced
'over-pivoting' (said deflectors possibly being able to overcome the resistance of
the closing components by application of sufficient force) in order so to avoid breakage
of the closing components. Notice also that using the closing components in this way
could prevent a rattling noise. After all, small vibrations on said deflector with
respect to the holding-down organ can cause continuous clashes, and so cause undesired
sounds. The closing components provide a buffer such that said deflectors in first
position no longer rest against the central portion, and also no longer contact the
central portion in the event of small vibrations or movements. This too was a problem
with the known systems.
[0054] In a preferred embodiment, said rear side of said slot diffuser is open for at least
75%, preferably at least 80% open. A larger open surface area leads to a larger air
flow, and moreover less turbulence in the air flow.
[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the holding-down organ comprises a central portion with
one or more connectors provided at lateral, opposite extremities of the central portion,
the connectors comprising a groove, inwards with respect to the holding-down organ,
oriented along a lateral axis of the holding-down organ, the groove extending along
a longitudinal axis and being suitable for receiving a projecting snap-fit connector,
the central portion being substantially hollow, the central portion optionally having
one or more openings substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the
lateral axis and being suitable to receive an attachment means through the same for
fastening the holding-down organ to an upper-lying structure.
[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the most laterally positioned slats extend laterally lengthwise,
away from the other slats. This adaptation of the design allows said slot diffusers
to be simply mounted in a plenum, by somewhat widening said slats on the lateral sides
(on either side of the longitudinal axis) of said slot diffuser.
[0057] The invention concerns an improved method for manufacturing a substantially elongated
slot diffuser for blowing air into a chamber according to claim 13.
[0058] Notice that, instead of punching or milling out, other techniques can also be used,
such as water jet cutting, laser cutting and others, or even a combination. The applicant
observed, however, that punching or milling out seemed to be practical in a number
of areas. With milling out, the focus was specifically on CNC (computer numerical
control) milling and/or multi-spindle milling. CNC milling has the advantage of being
quite flexible, for example, but is more limited with respect to capacity in cutting.
Multi-spindle milling can process large volumes faster but results in excessive heat
development that must be counteracted (for example by immersion in a solution). Moreover,
both techniques can be applied to structures with little wall thickness without deforming
the structure (by heat development inter alia), which also applies for water jet cutting.
[0059] Most of the advantages of this improved method were already discussed extensively
above. Thus the design of the improved slot diffuser ensures that it can be manufactured
in a strongly simplified manner, and also at increased speed, which leads to high
savings in production costs (labour hours, investments in equipment, ...) and so will
reduce the consumer price considerably. Since said slot diffuser can be completed
almost wholly in a single processing step (extrusion), the labour-intensive step of
assembly of the old slot diffusers is no longer necessary. While the prior art slot
diffusers still needed to be put together according to the number of desired ventilation
slots, said slot diffusers can now be manufactured substantially completed via extrusion.
In prior art slot diffusers, said slot diffuser consisted of separate parts (each
consisting of a slat and side wall as in the current embodiment), that subsequently
had to be fixed to each other via several spacers (manually or automated, both with
disadvantages already discussed), associated with a pressing step (causing spoils).
Moreover, this leads to a greater uniformity in the dimensioning of said slot diffusers
of the invention, since these are all extruded from the same mould and the subsequent
steps have limited (no) influence on the general appearance.
[0060] A second advantage is that, by providing a single slot diffuser instead of an assembled
one, slot diffusers of greater length can be manufactured and installed, which simplifies
installation considerably, inter alia because no coupling pieces (butt plates) need
to be placed to connect successive slot diffusers. The applicant observed in this
regard that it is possible to produce slot diffusers having a length of several meters
(2 m, 4 m, 6 m, 8 m, 10 m or even more) and to install them without compromising the
quality or without other problems arising. For the current known slot diffusers, a
length of 2 m is already problematic with respect to bending and alignment problems
upon installation.
[0061] Notice moreover that the removed material of the cut-outs is preferably re-used for
further slot diffusers.
[0062] In that which follows, the invention is described on the basis of non-limiting examples
that illustrate the invention, and which are not intended to limit, or may not be
interpreted as lim iting, the scope of the invention which is defined by the appending
claims.
EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE 1:
[0063] Fig. 1, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 show a slot diffuser (1) according to the invention
(with mutually small differences), or a part thereof (since this can extend further
than now shown), seen from above (looking to the rear side (4)). Said slot diffuser
of the figure has two ventilation slots (8) and three side walls (2) ending in three
flat slats (3) at the front (5) of said slot diffuser, between which the two ventilation
slots (8) lie. In this regard, the interconnection between the different side walls
(2) via said end bridges (9) and said centre bridges (10) is also clearly visible.
Notice that said connections are preformed and form a single structure with said side
walls (2), and are not artificial connections that need to be added after the extrusion
of side walls (2). Said end bridges (9) and centre bridges (10) can be placed at fixed
mutual distances from each other to ensure a uniform sturdiness. Notice that in this
case said centre bridges (10) and end bridges (9) are repeatedly paired (thus run
from one side wall (2) to the other in line with each other), but this is by no means
possible. The applicant observed, however, that this does lead to a sturdier structure
and is also simpler with respect to production steps. In the figure, a number of important
parts are also clearly visible. In first instance, the open structure of said rear
side (4) of said slot diffuser must be pointed out. In known forms of said slot diffuser,
the necessity of an open rear side (4) is precisely the reason that said side walls
(2) are actually produced separately and are only later connected via spacers, the
spacers then nullifying a piece of the openness, which is not the case in a slot diffuser
according to the invention. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, said rear side (4) of said
slot diffuser is approximately flat between the two outer side walls (2), and between
each of said side walls (2) cut-outs (14) have been made in said rear side (4), whereby
only a limited number of end and centre bridges (10) remain. Preferably, the cut-outs
(14) do not completely reach from one side wall (2) to the other and a protruding
clamping edge (11) thereof is left at said side walls (2) (going from 1 mm to 5 mm,
for example 2, 3 or 4 mm).
[0064] Said deflectors (6) comprise a thickened pivot edge (19), with which they are partly
enclosed in slots (in a rotating manner around the pivot edge (19)) in said side walls
(2) (on both sides thereof) running along the longitudinal axis of said slot diffuser.
The form of the slots or holders in said side walls (2) can be freely adapted, for
example to enclose or not enclose said pivot edges (19) in a manner to render lateral
movement impossible (and thus only able to be inserted or removed longitudinally by
sliding them in the slots). Said deflector (6) can be fixedly enclosed by allowing
said pivot groove to clasp the pivot edge (19) sufficiently far so that the pivot
edge (19) is too wide to be able to emerge here from other than by sliding said deflector
(6) out along the longitudinal axis. Alternatively said pivot groove can, however,
also sooner form a grip, and extra elements can then be used to retain said deflectors
(6) (specifically their pivot edges (19)) in place. An example of such an element,
a holding-down organ (15), is visible in Fig. 1, and can also have further applications,
for example for fastening in a plenum, via plenum attachments (17) and fastening elements
(16).
[0065] As discussed previously, said deflectors (6) are partly curved (undulating) and of
a width that allows the ventilation slot (8) to be fully covered. Notice however that
said deflectors (6) do not necessarily need to be undulating. The applicant experienced,
however, that a curved deflector (6) leads to better characteristics of the air flow
created via said slot diffuser, by providing a smoother 'throw', being the specific
horizontal and vertical distance the air flow traverses after leaving said slot diffuser.
The throw is determined by the Coanda-effect, the effect whereby an air flow that
is expelled near a parallel surface tends to 'cleave' to this surface whilst the air
flows further. The Coanda-effect in slot diffusers is caused by a constriction in
the flow surface near said deflectors (6). This causes a `jet', the air flow accelerates,
whereby air is sucked in (i.e. Venturi-effect). This results in local underpressure,
whereby the air flow holds on to the surface. By providing curved deflectors (6),
it is ensured that this is effect is minimal (certainly in closed state of said deflectors
(6)) since there are no abrupt transitions in said slot diffuser.
[0066] In addition, alignment grooves (12) are provided at the outer side walls (2), outwardly
oriented with respect to said slot diffuser. These are provided to align various successive
slot diffusers with each other, and typically an alignment element (18) is slid into
the alignment grooves (12) of both successive slot diffusers to enable them to follow
correctly. In Fig. 1, the alignment grooves (12) are an approximately T-shaped recess,
highly suitable in preventing the alignment elements (18) to break loose once said
slot diffusers are installed.
EXAMPLE 2:
[0067] Fig. 2A-2B and Fig. 3 show the so-called holding-down organs (15), which are preferably
substantially hollow and open at the bottom, on the one hand to retain therewith said
deflectors (6) at said pivot edges (19) in said pivot grooves (7) or holders, and
on the other hand to limit the closed position of said deflectors (6) (by resting
against the holding-down organ (15)), and finally, with the aid of the holding-down
organs (15), to be fixed in a plenum, via a possibly further plenum attachment (17)
and fastening means. In Fig. 2A-2B inter alia a snap-fit connector (21) can be seen.
Notice also how the holding-down organs (15) in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show how said deflectors
(6) can be restricted in their deviation, Fig. 4 focusing more attention to how the
holding-down organs (15) are used to attach said slot diffuser in a plenum. Since
the holding-down organs (15) in the current embodiment are open at the bottom thereof,
an attachment element (16) can be used to fasten said slot diffuser to a plenum attachment
(17) or directly in a plenum. The holding-down organs (15) immediately also show the
benefit for the protruding clamping edges (11) at said rear side (4) of said side
walls (2).
[0068] Fig. 3 shows a holding-down organ (15) in an alternative embodiment, where at the
front of the holding-down organ (15) (again to be interpreted as the side lying at
the front of said slot diffuser when therein operationally fixed) on both lateral
sides a closing component (22) is present that extends further from the front and
is adapted to further close off said pivot groove (7), such that the pivot edge (19)
is better enclosed in said pivot groove. This is also visible in Fig. 7 and others,
where a closing component (22) extends at the front of the holding-down organ (15).
In this regard, it should also be noted that the closing component (22) follows the
curvature of a thickened pivot edge (19) and preferably extends (over a certain length)
such that the closing component (22) restrains said deflector in the first position,
as mentioned, in order in this way to prevent said deflector (6) from making contact
with the central portion (26) of the holding-down organ (15). Notice that the holding-down
organ (15) in Fig. 3 is again provided with an opening (27) with which the holding-down
organ (15) can be coupled to an overhanging structure such as a plenum, via fastening
means as screws and such.
EXAMPLE 3:
[0069] Fig. 4, 5, 6 and 7 show longitudinal cross sections of a slot diffuser according
to the invention, with deflectors (6) mounted and not mounted therein, and in some
cases (for example in Fig. 4, 5, 7) also with holding-down organs (15) and even with
further plenum attachment elements (17) (Fig. 4). In this regard, it can also be clearly
seen how the holding-down organs (15) are adapted to be clamped fast in said slot
diffuser, inter alia by downward sloping ridges that can slide in under the protruding
clamping edges (11), and so maintaining the holding-down organ (15) in a fixed position.
Fig. 4 and 5 show a slot diffuser with two ventilation slots (8), and thus three side
walls (2). In this regard, a number of structures in or with said side walls (2) are
formed (typically via extrusion thus running over the length of said slot diffuser),
in first instance a pivot groove for said deflectors (6), specifically holding the
thickened pivot edge (19) thereof. Said pivot groove is located approximately halfway
on said side walls (2) between the front (5) and rear side (4) of said slot diffuser.
In the case of the figures, the slots are adapted to only partly enclose the pivot
edge (19) and not to be able to hold them without additional support of the holding-down
organs (15). Creating such a pivot groove, whether via extrusion or not, is simpler,
since the clasping structures protrude less and are less long than for a fuller clasping,
and would be simpler to produce, without production loss by damage. In second instance,
the outer side walls (2) also comprise another two slots, so-called alignment grooves
(12), to correctly align successive slot diffusers (via an alignment element (18)
running in an alignment groove (12) of both slot diffusers and so correctly positioning
them). Said alignment grooves (12) provide a recess in said side wall (2), which on
the inner side (with respect to said slot diffuser) also follow the same contour in
order so to guarantee sufficient sturdiness.
[0070] Finally, an additional groove (20) still needs to be observed on the inner side of
the outer side walls (2), in this case present just above said pivot groove for said
deflectors (6). On the basis hereof, successive slot diffusers can again be correctly
aligned, by inserting a pin herein running between the successive slot diffusers.
Notice that this is not a necessary part of said slot diffuser per se.
[0071] Fig. 4 shows further a plenum attachment element (17) to which the holding-down organs
(15), and thus said slot diffuser, are fixed via fastening means (for example screws).
The holding-down organs (15), substantially hollow and open at the bottom, have an
opening at the top side (or a weakening whereby an attachment means can be inserted
in order so to make an opening) to slide the attachment means through and so to fasten
the holding-down organ (15) to the plenum attachment (17).
[0072] Fig. 6A-E show a range of possible slot diffusers according to the invention with
different numbers of ventilation slots (8). Notice that from this viewpoint it is
not clear whether the cut-outs (14) are already mounted at said rear side (4) of said
slot diffuser. This image therefore makes clear that a great advantage of the proposed
slot diffuser lies therein that it can be produced as a single piece and the cut-outs
(14) can be subsequently implemented to finish said slot diffuser. Finally, it should
also be observed that such slot diffusers can also be made with yet more ventilation
openings, and that the invention is by no means limited by that which is shown here.
[0073] Finally, Fig. 7 shows an enlarged image of a slot diffuser with two ventilation slots
(8) with a holding-down organ (15). In this regard it is quite clear that the form
of the holding-down organ (15) is specifically adapted to be placed by clamping in
said slot diffuser. Thus there is the slanted rising side to be pushed along said
rear side (4) of said slot diffuser, past the protruding clamping edges (11), and
the recess following that to then fixedly position the holding-down organ (15) with
respect to said clamping edge (11). In addition, there are also two lip-shaped structures
present at the bottom of the holding-down organ (15) that specifically serve to retain
said deflectors (6) in their place (in the slots). By the form of the structures,
these have some flexibility (and can serve as a spring). This allows a flexible mounting
and can partly accommodate dimensional tolerances.
[0074] It is presumed that the current invention is not limited to the embodiments described
above and that some adaptations of, or changes to, the examples described can be added
without departing from the invention which is defined by the scope of the claims.
1. Slot diffuser (1) for blowing air into a chamber, comprising an elongated substantially
beam-shaped frame with a flat front (5) and a rear (4) side, preferably substantially
parallel with the front, the front comprising two or more longitudinally parallel
extending slats (3) spaced a predetermined distance from each other, between which
ventilation slots are formed, and a side wall (2) extending substantially perpendicular
from each of said slats (3) at the front and extending along the longitudinal axis
of said slats, whereby abutting side walls (2) define a chamber between them, whereby
the longitudinal extremities of said side walls (2) are all connected with said abutting
side walls (2) via end bridges (9) at said rear side of said slot diffuser, said end
bridges (9) and said side walls (2) and said slats consisting of a single piece, said
end bridges (9) extending between said abutting side walls near the distal extremities
of said side walls with respect to said slats, and said abutting side walls optionally
being further connected via centre bridges (10) at saic rear side of said slot diffuser,
said centre bridges (10) and said side walls consisting of one piece and said centre
bridges (10) extending between said abutting side walls near the distal extremities
of said side walls with respect to said slats, said slot diffuser further being provided
with one or more holding-down organs (15) in one or more of the chambers, said holding-down
organs (15) not being single-piece with the slot diffuser itself, said holding-down
organs (15) being adapted to anchor themselves to both said side walls (2) of the
chamber by clamping fixedly on the side walls at the rear side of the slot diffuser,
the holding-down organ (15) thereby extending at least to a central zone of both said
side walls of the chamber, whereby said side walls on each side abutting another side
wall comprise a pivot groove (7) running along the longitudinal axis of said side
wall, said pivot groove being adapted for pivotally holding a deflector(6), characterized in that said slot diffuser further comprises two longitudinal deflectors (6) per ventilation
slot substantially as long as the ventilation slot, said deflectors comprising a pivot
edge (19) on one longitudinal side, and the pivot edge being adapted to be pivotally
held in said pivot groove (7) around the pivot edge wherein said holding-down organ
i (15) is adapted to partly close off said pivot grooves (7) across the longitudinal
axis for enclosing said pivot edge (19) of said deflectors, saic holding-down organ
(15) comprising on either side a closing component (22) suitable for enclosing said
pivot edge (19) of said deflectors (6) in said pivot groove, the closing components
(22) exhibiting limited flexibility or play with respect to said holding-dowr organ
(15) to pivotally enclose said deflectors. deflectors (6).
2. Slot diffuser according to the previous claim 1, wherein the holding-down organs anchored
in the slot diffuser are attached slidably over a distance of at least 2% of the length
of the slot diffuser along the longitudinal axis of the slot diffuser.
3. Slot diffuser according to the previous claim 1 or 2, said pivot groove being positioned
in the central zone of side walls.
4. Slot diffuser according to any of the previous claims 1 to 3, wherein the longitudinal
deflectors comprise plastic.
5. Slot diffuser according to any of the previous claims 1 to 4, wherein said pivot edge
is thickened, characterized in that said holding-down organs attached in said slot diffuser are adapted to fasten said
pivot edge in said pivot groove.
6. Slot diffuser according to one of the previous claims 2 to 5, said deflectors having
a curved profile that is constant along the longitudinal axis of said deflectors,
and being pivotable between a first closed position and a second open position, the
ventilation slot being closed when the two deflectors of said ventilation slot are
in a closed position.
7. Slot diffuser according to one of the previous claims 1 to 6, said slot diffuser comprising
a rear side parallel to the front and said rear side being substantially open in between
said side walls, said side walls being mutually connected via said end bridges and
at predetermined distances via centre bridges, said centre bridges and said side walls
consisting of one piece and said centre bridges extending between said abutting side
walls near the distal extremities of said side walls with respect to said slats.
8. Slot diffuser according to one of the previous claims 1 to 7, said slot diffuser at
the longitudinal extremities of said slats and said side walls being provided with
a detachable end piece for further mutual connection of the longitudinal extremities
of said side walls, and said end piece comprising a profile piece that connects to
the flat of said slats and further extends along a predetermined distance thereof,
the end piece preferably being detachably fastened to said slot diffuser on said side
walls.
9. Slot diffuser according to one of the previous claims 1 to 8, said side walls standing
at a mutual distance between 20 mm and 45 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 40 mm,
with further preference approximately 34 mm, said ventilation slots having a width
between 15 and 35 mm, preferably between 20 and 30 mm, and with further preference
approximately 25 mm.
10. Slot diffuser according to one of the previous claims 1 to 9, said side walls and
slats having a uniform wall thickness.
11. Slot diffuser according to one of the previous claims 1 to 10, said holding-down organs
attached in said slot diffuser being adapted, preferably detachably, to be fixed to
or in an upper-lying structure at said rear side of said slot diffuser via one or
more fastening means, said holding-down organs preferably being adapted, via an attachment
means provided with a screw thread, to be fixed to or in said upper-lying structure
and said holding-down organs having one or more openings perpendicular to said rear
side of said slot diffuser through said holding-down organs for fastening with the
attachment means.
12. Slot diffuser according to one of the previous claims 1 to 11, said holding-down organ
comprising a central portion with one or more connectors provided at lateral, opposite
extremities of the central portion, the connectors comprising a groove, inwards with
respect to said holding-down organ, oriented along a lateral axis of said holding-down
organ, said groove extending along a longitudinal axis and being suitable for receiving
a projecting snap-fit connector, the central portion being substantially hollow, the
central portion optionally having one or more openings substantially perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis and being suitable to receive an attachment
means through the same for fastening said holding-down organ to an upper-lying structure.
13. Method for manufacturing a substantially elongated slot diffuser for blowing air into
a chamber, comprising the following steps:
e. the continuous extruding of said slot diffuser according to a fixed profile from
a single piece of material to an elongated, essentially beam-shaped frame, said frame
comprising one or more elongated chambers, extending essentially parallel with respect
to each other along the longitudinal axis of said frame and being delimited by the
front and said rear side and two side walls, preferably comprising aluminium, the
extruded slot diffuser comprising a substantially flat, full rear side, further comprising
two or more mutually equidistant side walls substantially perpendicular to said rear
side and along the longitudinal axis of said slot diffuser, further comprising flat,
mutually equidistant slats extending substantially parallel from on a distal extremity
of said side walls with respect to said rear side, along said side walls, ventilation
slots being present between said abutting slats and extending along the longitudinal
axis, whereby said side walls on each side abutting another side wall comprise a pivot
groove running along the longitudinal axis of said side wall;
f. the subsequently punching or milling out, preferably punching out, of substantially
rectangular cut-outs in said rear side of said slot diffuser between said side walls
along almost the entire length of said rear side, said side walls remaining connected
via end bridges to the longitudinal extremities of said rear side, said rear side
being open for at least 75%;
g. said abutting side walls, during the punching or milling out, preferably punching
out, optionally remaining further connected via centre bridges, said centre bridges
and said side walls consisting of one piece and said centre bridges extending between
said abutting side walls near the distal extremities of said side walls with respect
to said slats;
h. the placing of deflectors in said frame, said deflectors being fixed to said side
walls of the chambers, pivotally around the longitudinal axis of said frame, and said
deflectors being adapted, in a first position, to substantially prevent air flow through
the chambers, and, in a second position, to allow the flow of air through the chambers;
and providing one or more holding-down organs, not being single-piece with the slot
diffuser itself, in said chambers, said holding-down organs being adapted for the
retention of said deflectors in the first position, said holding-down organs being
adapted to anchor themselves to both said side walls of the chamber by clamping fixedly
on the side walls at the rear side of the slot diffuser, the holding-down organ thereby
extending at least to a central zone of both said side walls of the chamber, said
pivot groove being adapted for pivotally holding a deflector,
characterized in that in that said slot diffuser further comprises two longitudinal deflectors per ventilation
slot, substantially as long as the ventilation slot, said deflectors comprising a
pivot edge on one longitudinal side, and the pivot edge being adapted to be pivotally
held in said pivot groove around the pivot edge,
wherein said holding-down organ is adapted to partly close off said pivot grooves
across the longitudinal axis for enclosing said pivot edge of said deflectors, said
holding-down organ comprising on either side a closing component suitable for enclosing
said pivot edge of said deflectors in said pivot groove, the closing components exhibiting
limited flexibility or play with respect to said holding-down organ to pivotally enclose
said deflectors.
1. Schlitzauslass (1) zum Blasen von Luft in eine Kammer, einen langgestreckten, im Wesentlichen
balkenförmigen Rahmen mit einer flachen Vorderseite (5) und einer Rückseite (4), die
vorzugsweise im Wesentlichen parallel zur Vorderseite liegt, umfassend, wobei die
Vorderseite zwei oder mehrere längsgerichtete, sich parallel erstreckende Lamellen
(3) umfasst, die in einem festgelegten Abstand voneinander beabstandet sind, zwischen
denen Belüftungsschlitze gebildet sind, und eine Seitenwand (2), die sich im Wesentlichen
senkrecht von jeder der Lamellen (3) an der Vorderseite erstreckt und sich entlang
der Längsachse der Lamellen erstreckt, wobei angrenzende Seitenwände (2) zwischen
sich eine Kammer definieren,
wobei die längsgerichteten Endpunkte der Seitenwände (2) mittels Endbrücken (9) an
der Rückseite des Schlitzauslasses alle mit den angrenzenden Seitenwänden (2) verbunden
sind, wobei die Endbrücken (9) und die Seitenwände (2) und die Lamellen aus einem
Stück bestehen, wobei sich die Endbrücken (9) zwischen den angrenzenden Seitenwänden
(2) nahe den distalen Endpunkten der Seitenwände in Bezug auf die Lamellen erstrecken,
und die angrenzenden Seitenwände ferner optional mittels Mittelbrücken (10) an der
Rückseite des Schlitzauslasses verbunden sind, wobei die Mittelbrücken (10) und die
Seitenwände aus einem Stück bestehen und sich die Mittelbrücken (10) zwischen den
angrenzenden Seitenwänden nahe den distalen Endpunkten der Seitenwände in Bezug auf
die Lamellen erstrecken,
wobei der Schlitzauslass ferner mit einem oder mehreren Niederhalteorganen (15) in
einer oder mehreren der Kammern versehen ist, wobei die Niederhalteorgane (15) nicht
einstückig mit dem Schlitzauslass selbst gebildet sind, wobei die Niederhalteorgane
(15) dafür eingerichtet sind, sich selbst an beiden der Seitenwände (2) der Kammer
zu verankern, indem sie sich an der Rückseite des Schlitzauslasses an den Seitenwänden
festklemmen, wobei sich die Niederhalteorgane (15) dadurch mindestens zu einem mittleren
Bereich beider Seitenwände der Kammer erstrecken, wobei die Seitenwände an jeder Seite,
die an eine andere Seitenwand angrenzt, eine Drehrille (7) umfassen, die entlang der
Längsachse der Seitenwand verläuft, wobei die Drehrille dafür eingerichtet ist, eine
Prallplatte (6) drehbar zu halten, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schlitzauslass ferner zwei längsgerichtete Prallplatten (6) pro Belüftungsschlitz
umfasst, die im Wesentlichen so lang wie der Belüftungsschlitz sind, wobei die Prallplatten
eine Drehkante (19) an einer Längsseite umfassen, und die Drehkante dafür eingerichtet
ist, rings um die Drehkante drehbar in der Drehrille (7) gehalten zu werden,
wobei das Niederhalteorgan (15) dafür eingerichtet ist, die Drehrillen (7) über die
Längsachse teilweise zu verschließen, um die Drehkante (19) der Prallplatten einzuschließen,
wobei das Niederhalteorgan (15) an jeder Seite eine Verschlusskomponente (22) umfasst,
die dazu geeignet ist, die Drehkante (19) der Prallplatten (6) in der Drehrille einzuschließen,
wobei die Verschlusskomponenten (22) begrenzte Flexibilität oder begrenztes Spiel
in Bezug auf das Niederhalteorgan (15) aufweisen, um die Prallplatten (6) drehbar
einzuschließen.
2. Schlitzauslass nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch 1, wobei die in dem Schlitzauslass
verankerten Niederhalteorgane gleitfähig über eine Distanz von mindestens 2 % der
Länge des Schlitzauslasses entlang der Längsachse des Schlitzauslasses angebracht
sind.
3. Schlitzauslass nach dem vorhergehenden Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Drehrille in dem
mittleren Bereich der Seitenwände positioniert ist.
4. Schlitzauslass nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei die längsgerichteten
Prallplatten Kunststoff umfassen.
5. Schlitzauslass nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei die Drehkante
verdickt ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, das die in dem Schlitzauslass angebrachten Niederhalteorgane dafür eingerichtet
sind, die Drehkante in der Drehrille zu befestigen.
6. Schlitzauslass nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 2 bis 5, wobei die Prallplatten
ein gekrümmtes Profil aufweisen, das entlang der Längsachse der Prallplatten konstant
ist und zwischen einer ersten, geschlossenen Position und einer zweiten, geöffneten
Position drehbar ist, wobei der Belüftungsschlitz geschlossen ist, wenn sich die zwei
Prallplatten des Belüftungsschlitzes in einer geschlossenen Position befinden.
7. Schlitzauslass nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei der Schlitzauslass
eine Rückseite umfasst, die parallel zur Vorderseite liegt, und die Rückseite zwischen
den Seitenwänden im Wesentlichen offen ist, wobei die Seitenwände mittels der Endbrücken
und in festgelegten Abständen mittels Mittelbrücken wechselseitig verbunden sind,
wobei die Mittelbrücken und die Seitenwände aus einem Stück bestehen und sich die
Mittelbrücken zwischen den angrenzenden Seitenwänden nahe den distalen Endpunkten
der Seitenwände in Bezug auf die Lamellen erstrecken.
8. Schlitzauslass nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 7, wobei der Schlitzauslass
an den längsgerichteten Endpunkten der Lamellen und den Seitenwänden mit einem lösbaren
Endstück für eine weitere wechselseitige Verbindung der längsgerichteten Endpunkte
der Seitenwände versehen ist, und das Endstück ein Profilstück umfasst, das mit der
flachen Seite der Lamellen verbunden ist und sich ferner über einen festgelegten Abstand
derselben erstreckt, wobei das Endstück vorzugsweise lösbar an den Seitenwänden an
dem Schlitzauslass befestigt ist.
9. Schlitzauslass nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 8, wobei die Seitenwände
in einem Abstand zwischen 20 mm und 45 mm zueinander stehen, vorzugsweise zwischen
25 mm und 40 mm, bevorzugter von ungefähr 34 mm, wobei die Belüftungsschlitze eine
Breite zwischen 15 und 35 mm aufweisen, vorzugsweise zwischen 20 und 30 mm und bevorzugter
von ungefähr 25 mm.
10. Schlitzauslass nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 9, wobei die Seitenwände
und die Lamellen eine einheitliche Wanddicke aufweisen.
11. Schlitzauslass nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 10, wobei die in dem
Schlitzauslass angebrachten Niederhalteorgane dafür eingerichtet sind, mittels eines
oder mehrerer Befestigungsmittel vorzugsweise lösbar an oder in einer darüberliegenden
Struktur an der Rückseite des Schlitzauslass befestigt zu sein, wobei die Niederhalteorgane
vorzugsweise dafür eingerichtet sind, mittels eines Anbringungsmittels, das mit einem
Schraubgewinde versehen ist, an oder in der darüberliegenden Struktur befestigt zu
sein, und die Niederhalteorgane eine oder mehrere Öffnungen senkrecht zu der Rückseite
des Schlitzauslasses durch die Niederhalteorgane hindurch zum Befestigen mit dem Anbringungsmittel
aufweisen.
12. Schlitzauslass nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 11, wobei das Niederhalteorgan
einen mittleren Abschnitt mit einem oder mehreren Verbindungsstücken umfasst, die
an seitlichen, gegenüberliegenden Endpunkten des mittleren Abschnitts bereitgestellt
sind, wobei die Verbindungsstücke in Bezug auf das Niederhalteorgan einwärts eine
Rille umfassen, die entlang einer lateralen Achse des Niederhalteorgans ausgerichtet
ist, wobei sich die Rille entlang einer Längsachse erstreckt und zur Aufnahme eines
hervorstehenden Schnappverbindungsstücks geeignet ist, wobei der mittlere Abschnitt
im Wesentlichen hohl ist, wobei der mittlere Abschnitt optional eine oder mehrere
Öffnungen aufweist, die im Wesentlichen senkrecht zu der Längsachse und der lateralen
Achse liegen und geeignet sind, durch sich hindurch ein Anbringungsmittel zum Befestigen
des Niederhalteorgans an einer darüberliegenden Struktur aufzunehmen.
13. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines im Wesentlichen langgestreckten Schlitzauslasses zum
Blasen von Luft in eine Kammer, die folgenden Schritte umfassend:
a. das kontinuierliche Extrudieren des Schlitzauslasses gemäß einem festen Profil
aus einem einzigen Materialstück zu einem langgestreckten, im Wesentlichen balkenförmigen
Rahmen, wobei der Rahmen eine oder mehrere langgestreckte Kammern umfasst, die sich
in Bezug zueinander im Wesentlichen parallel entlang der Längsachse des Rahmens erstrecken
und durch die Vorder- und die Rückseite und zwei Seitenwände begrenzt sind, vorzugsweise
Aluminium umfassend, wobei der extrudierte Schlitzauslass eine im Wesentlichen flache
massive Rückseite umfasst, ferner zwei oder mehr wechselseitig gleich beabstandete
Seitenwände im Wesentlichen senkrecht zu der Rückseite und entlang der Längsachse
des Schlitzauslasses umfasst, ferner flache, wechselseitig gleich beabstandete Lamellen
umfasst, die sich im Wesentlichen parallel von einem distalen Endpunkt der Seitenwände
in Bezug auf die Rückseite erstrecken, wobei entlang der Seitenwände zwischen den
angrenzenden Lamellen Belüftungsschlitze vorhanden sind und sich entlang der Längsachse
erstrecken, wobei die Seitenwände an jeder Seite, die an eine andere Seitenwand grenzt,
eine Drehrille umfassen, die entlang der Längsachse der Seitenwand verläuft;
b. das nachfolgende Ausstanzen oder Ausfräsen, vorzugsweise Ausstanzen, im Wesentlichen
rechteckiger Ausschnitte in der Rückseite des Schlitzauslasses zwischen den Seitenwänden
entlang fast der gesamten Länge der Rückseite, wobei die Seitenwände mittels Endbrücken
zu den längsgericheten Endpunkten der Rückseite verbunden bleiben, wobei die Rückseite
zu mindestens 75 % offen ist,
c. wobei die angrenzenden Seitenwände während des Ausstanzens oder Ausfräsens, vorzugsweise
Ausstanzens, optional ferner mittels Mittelbrücken verbunden bleiben, wobei die Mittelbrücken
und die Seitenwände aus einem Stück bestehen und sich die Mittelbrücken zwischen den
angrenzenden Seitenwänden nahe den distalen Endpunkten der Seitenwände in Bezug auf
die Lamellen erstrecken,
d. das Platzieren von Prallplatten in dem Rahmen, wobei die Prallplatten an den Seitenwänden
der Kammern, drehbar um die Längsachse des Rahmens, befestigt sind und die Prallplatten
dafür eingerichtet sind, in einer ersten Position im Wesentlichen das Strömen von
Luft durch die Kammern zu verhindern, und in einer zweiten Position das Strömen von
Luft durch die Kammern zu gestatten,
und Bereitstellen eines oder mehrerer Niederhalteorgane, die nicht einstückig mit
dem Schlitzauslass selbst gebildet sind, in den Kammern, wobei die Niederhalteorgane
dafür eingerichtet sind, die Prallplatten in der ersten Position zu halten, wobei
die Niederhalteorgane dafür eingerichtet sind, sich an beiden der Seitenwände der
Kammer durch Festklemmen an den Seitenwände an der Rückseite des Schlitzauslasses
zu verankern, wobei sich das Niederhalteorgan dadurch mindestens zu einem mittleren
Bereich beider der Seitenwände der Kammer erstreckt, wobei die Drehrille dafür eingerichtet
ist, eine Prallplatte drehbar zu halten,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schlitzauslass ferner zwei längsgerichtete Prallplatten pro Belüftungsschlitz
umfasst, die im Wesentlichen so lang wie der Belüftungsschlitz sind, wobei die Prallplatten
eine Drehkante an einer Längsseite umfassen, und die Drehkante dafür eingerichtet
ist, rings um die Drehkante drehbar in der Drehrille gehalten zu werden,
wobei das Niederhalteorgan dafür eingerichtet ist, die Drehrillen über die Längsachse
teilweise zu verschließen, um die Drehkante der Prallplatten einzuschließen, wobei
das Niederhalteorgan an jeder Seite eine Verschlusskomponente umfasst, die dazu geeignet
ist, die Drehkante der Prallplatten in der Drehrille einzuschließen, wobei die Verschlusskomponenten
begrenzte Flexibilität oder begrenztes Spiel in Bezug auf das Niederhalteorgan aufweisen,
um die Prallplatten drehbar einzuschließen.
1. Diffuseur à fentes (1) pour insuffler de l'air dans une chambre, comprenant un cadre
allongé sensiblement en forme de poutre avec un côté avant plat (5) et un côté arrière
(4), de préférence sensiblement parallèle à l'avant, l'avant comprenant deux lames
ou plus s'étendant parallèlement longitudinalement (3) espacées d'une distance prédéterminée
les unes des autres, entre lesquelles des fentes de ventilation sont formées, et une
paroi latérale (2) s'étendant sensiblement perpendiculairement à partir de chacune
desdites lames (3) au niveau de l'avant et s'étendant le long de l'axe longitudinal
desdites lames, moyennant quoi des parois latérales aboutées (2) définissent une chambre
entre elles,
moyennant quoi les extrémités longitudinales desdites parois latérales (2) sont toutes
reliées auxdites parois latérales aboutées (2) via des ponts d'extrémité (9) au niveau
dudit côté arrière dudit diffuseur à fentes, lesdits ponts d'extrémité (9) et lesdites
parois latérales (2) et lesdites lames étant constituées d'une seule pièce, lesdits
ponts d'extrémité (9) s'étendant entre lesdites parois latérales aboutées à proximité
des extrémités distales desdites parois latérales par rapport auxdites lames, et lesdites
parois latérales aboutées étant en outre éventuellement reliées via des ponts centraux
(10) au niveau dudit côté arrière dudit diffuseur à fentes, lesdits ponts centraux
(10) et lesdites parois latérales étant constitués d'une seule pièce et lesdits ponts
centraux (10) s'étendant entre lesdites parois latérales aboutées à proximité des
extrémités distales desdites parois latérales par rapport auxdites lames,
ledit diffuseur à fentes étant en outre pourvu d'un ou plusieurs organes d'ablocage
(15) dans une ou plusieurs des chambres, lesdits organes d'ablocage (15) n'étant pas
monobloc avec le diffuseur à fentes lui-même, lesdits organes d'ablocage (15) étant
prévus pour s'ancrer auxdites deux parois latérales (2) de la chambre par serrage
fixe sur les parois latérales au niveau du côté arrière du diffuseur à fentes, l'organe
d'ablocage (15) s'étendant ainsi au moins jusqu'à une zone centrale desdites deux
parois latérales de la chambre, moyennant quoi lesdites parois latérales de chaque
côté en butée contre une autre paroi latérale comprennent une rainure de pivotement
(7) s'étendant le long de l'axe longitudinal de ladite paroi latérale, ladite rainure
de pivotement étant conçue pour maintenir de manière pivotante un déflecteur (6),
caractérisé en ce que ledit diffuseur à fentes comprend en outre deux déflecteurs longitudinaux (6) par
fente de ventilation, sensiblement aussi longs que la fente de ventilation, lesdits
déflecteurs comprenant un bord pivotant (19) sur un côté longitudinal, et le bord
pivotant étant conçu pour être maintenu de manière pivotante dans ladite rainure de
pivotement (7) autour du bord pivotant,
dans lequel ledit organe d'ablocage (15) est conçu pour obturer partiellement lesdites
rainures de pivotement (7) à travers l'axe longitudinal pour enfermer ledit bord pivotant
(19) desdits déflecteurs, ledit organe d'ablocage (15) comprenant de chaque côté un
composant de fermeture (22) conçu pour enfermer ledit bord pivotant (19) desdits déflecteurs
(6) dans ladite rainure de pivotement, les composants de fermeture (22) présentant
une souplesse ou un jeu limités par rapport audit organe d'ablocage (15) pour enfermer
de manière pivotante lesdits déflecteurs (6).
2. Diffuseur à fentes selon la revendication précédente 1, dans lequel les organes d'ablocage
ancrés dans le diffuseur à fentes sont fixés de manière coulissante sur une distance
d'au moins 2 % de la longueur du diffuseur à fentes le long de l'axe longitudinal
du diffuseur à fentes.
3. Diffuseur à fentes selon la revendication précédente 1 ou 2, ladite rainure de pivotement
étant positionnée dans la zone centrale des parois latérales.
4. Diffuseur à fentes selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes 1 à 3, dans
lequel les déflecteurs longitudinaux comprennent du plastique.
5. Diffuseur à fentes selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes 1 à 4, dans
lequel ledit bord pivotant est épaissi, caractérisé en ce que lesdits organes d'ablocage fixés dans ledit diffuseur à fentes sont conçus pour fixer
ledit bord pivotant dans ladite rainure de pivotement.
6. Diffuseur à fentes selon l'une des revendications précédentes 2 à 5, lesdits déflecteurs
ayant un profil courbe qui est constant le long de l'axe longitudinal desdits déflecteurs,
et pouvant pivoter entre une première position fermée et une deuxième position ouverte,
la fente de ventilation étant fermée lorsque les deux déflecteurs de ladite fente
de ventilation sont en position fermée.
7. Diffuseur à fentes selon l'une des revendications précédentes 1 à 6, ledit diffuseur
à fentes comprenant un côté arrière parallèle à l'avant et ledit côté arrière étant
sensiblement ouvert entre lesdites parois latérales, lesdites parois latérales étant
reliées mutuellement par l'intermédiaire desdits ponts d'extrémité et à des distances
prédéterminées via des ponts centraux, lesdits ponts centraux et lesdites parois latérales
étant constitués d'une seule pièce et lesdits ponts centraux s'étendant entre lesdites
parois latérales aboutées à proximité des extrémités distales desdites parois latérales
par rapport auxdites lames.
8. Diffuseur à fentes selon l'une des revendications précédentes 1 à 7, ledit diffuseur
à fentes au niveau des extrémités longitudinales desdites lames et desdites parois
latérales étant pourvu d'un embout amovible pour une connexion mutuelle supplémentaire
des extrémités longitudinales desdites parois latérales, et ledit embout comprenant
une pièce profilée qui se raccorde au plat desdites lames et s'étend en outre sur
une distance prédéterminée de celles-ci, ledit embout étant de préférence fixé de
manière amovible audit diffuseur à fentes sur lesdites parois latérales.
9. Diffuseur à fentes selon l'une des revendications précédentes 1 à 8, lesdites parois
latérales étant situées à une distance mutuelle comprise entre 20 mm et 45 mm, de
préférence entre 25 mm et 40 mm, plus préférentiellement à environ 34 mm, lesdites
fentes de ventilation ayant une largeur comprise entre 15 et 35 mm, de préférence
entre 20 et 30 mm, et encore plus préférentiellement d'environ 25 mm.
10. Diffuseur à fentes selon l'une des revendications précédentes 1 à 9, lesdites parois
latérales et lames ayant une épaisseur de paroi uniforme.
11. Diffuseur à fentes selon l'une des revendications précédentes 1 à 10, lesdits organes
d'ablocage fixés dans ledit diffuseur à fentes étant conçus, de préférence de manière
amovible, pour être fixés à ou dans une structure supérieure au niveau dudit côté
arrière dudit diffuseur à fentes via un ou plusieurs moyens de fixation, lesdits organes
d'ablocage étant de préférence conçus, via un moyen de fixation pourvu d'un filetage,
pour être fixés à ou dans ladite structure supérieure et lesdits organes d'ablocage
ayant une ou plusieurs ouvertures perpendiculaires audit côté arrière dudit diffuseur
à fentes à travers lesdits organes d'ablocage pour la fixation avec les moyens de
fixation.
12. Diffuseur à fentes selon l'une des revendications précédentes 1 à 11, ledit organe
d'ablocage comprenant une partie centrale avec un ou plusieurs connecteurs prévus
au niveau d'extrémités latérales opposées de la partie centrale, les connecteurs comprenant
une rainure, vers l'intérieur par rapport audit organe d'ablocage, orientée le long
d'un axe latéral dudit organe d'ablocage, ladite rainure s'étendant le long d'un axe
longitudinal et étant apte à recevoir un connecteur à encliquetage en saillie, la
partie centrale étant sensiblement creuse, la partie centrale comportant éventuellement
une ou plusieurs ouvertures sensiblement perpendiculaires à l'axe longitudinal et
à l'axe latéral et étant conçues pour recevoir un moyen de fixation à travers celles-ci
pour fixer ledit organe d'ablocage à une structure supérieure.
13. Procédé de fabrication d'un diffuseur à fentes sensiblement allongé pour insuffler
de l'air dans une chambre, comprenant les étapes suivantes :
a. l'extrusion en continu dudit diffuseur à fentes selon un profil fixe à partir d'une
seule pièce de matériau en un cadre allongé essentiellement en forme de poutre, ledit
cadre comprenant une ou plusieurs chambres allongées, s'étendant essentiellement parallèlement
les unes aux autres le long de l'axe longitudinal dudit cadre et étant délimité par
l'avant et ledit côté arrière et deux parois latérales, comprenant de préférence de
l'aluminium, le diffuseur à fentes extrudé comprenant un côté arrière plein sensiblement
plat, comprenant en outre deux parois latérales ou plus mutuellement équidistantes
sensiblement perpendiculaires audit côté arrière et le long de l'axe longitudinal
dudit diffuseur à fentes, comprenant en outre des lames plates mutuellement équidistantes
s'étendant sensiblement parallèlement à partir d'une extrémité distale desdites parois
latérales par rapport audit côté arrière, le long desdites parois latérales, des fentes
de ventilation étant présentes entre lesdites lames aboutées et s'étendant le long
de l'axe longitudinal, moyennant quoi lesdites parois latérales de chaque côté en
butée contre une autre paroi latérale comprennent une rainure de pivotement s'étendant
le long de l'axe longitudinal de ladite paroi latérale ;
b. le poinçonnage ou le fraisage subséquent, de préférence le poinçonnage, de découpes
sensiblement rectangulaires dans ledit côté arrière dudit diffuseur à fentes entre
lesdites parois latérales sur presque toute la longueur dudit côté arrière, lesdites
parois latérales restant reliées par des ponts d'extrémité aux extrémités longitudinales
dudit côté arrière, ledit côté arrière étant ouvert à au moins 75 % ;
c. lesdites parois latérales aboutées, pendant le poinçonnage ou le fraisage, de préférence
le poinçonnage, restant éventuellement reliées en outre par des ponts centraux, lesdits
ponts centraux et lesdites parois latérales étant constitués d'une seule pièce et
lesdits ponts centraux s'étendant entre lesdites parois latérales aboutées à proximité
des extrémités distales desdites parois latérales par rapport auxdites lames ;
d. le placement de déflecteurs dans ledit cadre, lesdits déflecteurs étant fixés auxdites
parois latérales des chambres, de manière pivotante autour de l'axe longitudinal dudit
cadre, et lesdits déflecteurs étant conçus, dans une première position, pour empêcher
sensiblement la circulation d'air à travers les chambres, et, dans une seconde position,
pour permettre la circulation d'air à travers les chambres ;
et la fourniture d'un ou plusieurs organes d'ablocage, non monobloc avec le diffuseur
à fentes lui-même, dans lesdites chambres, lesdits organes d'ablocage étant conçus
pour maintenir lesdits déflecteurs dans la première position, lesdits organes d'ablocage
étant conçus pour s'ancrer auxdites deux parois latérales de la chambre par serrage
fixe sur les parois latérales au niveau du côté arrière du diffuseur à fentes, l'organe
d'ablocage s'étendant ainsi au moins jusqu'à une zone centrale desdites deux parois
latérales de la chambre, ladite rainure de pivotement étant conçue pour maintenir
de manière pivotante un déflecteur,
caractérisé en ce que ledit diffuseur à fentes comprend en outre deux déflecteurs longitudinaux par fente
de ventilation, sensiblement aussi longs que la fente de ventilation, lesdits déflecteurs
comprenant un bord pivotant sur un côté longitudinal, et le bord pivotant étant conçu
pour être maintenu de manière pivotante dans ladite rainure de pivotement autour du
bord pivotant,
dans lequel ledit organe d'ablocage est conçu pour obturer partiellement lesdites
rainures de pivotement à travers l'axe longitudinal pour enfermer ledit bord pivotant
desdits déflecteurs, ledit organe d'ablocage comprenant de chaque côté un composant
de fermeture conçu pour enfermer ledit bord pivotant desdits déflecteurs dans ladite
rainure de pivotement, les composants de fermeture présentant une souplesse ou un
jeu limités par rapport audit organe d'ablocage pour enfermer de manière pivotante
lesdits déflecteurs.