Background of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a box-like body for housing an apparatus for dual-flow
mechanical ventilation with heat recovery of a closed room, for example of an apartment
or an office, intended to be installed on a perimeter wall of a facade of a building
covered with a thermal coat, in particular in a suitable recess of the wall, maintaining
insulation continuity on the facade.
State of the art
[0002] In recent years, machines for dual-flow controlled mechanical ventilation with heat
recovery (hereinafter referred to as VMC machines or more simply as VMCs) have entered
our homes and offices to ensure the correct air exchange and the lowest possible energy
expenditure.
[0003] VMC machines, in particular, are normally installed inside the room to be ventilated.
[0004] For internal installation, VMC machines are in some cases embellished in the form
and in the optional, so much so that they become real furnishing elements for the
interior, but this embellishment is reflected in the price.
[0005] Further, VMCs can reach rather important dimensions that hardly adapt to today's
building market which is significantly shifting towards the construction of multilevel
buildings with many increasingly small apartments.
[0006] It would therefore be desirable to find an alternative solution for installing VMC
machines that maintains the energy efficiency of the VMC and which, at the same time,
enables any required maintenance tasks to be performed easily thereupon.
[0007] Further, it would be desirable for the alternative solution to have great simplicity
and be practical to install, in combination with a great flexibility of installation
and low cost.
Objects of the invention
[0008] The main object of the present invention is to propose a box-like body for housing
an apparatus for dual-flow mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, i.e. a VMC machine,
which enables the VMC machine to be installed on a perimeter wall of a facade of a
building.
[0009] A further object of the present invention is that the aforesaid box-like body is
very simple and practical to install, in combination with a great installation flexibility.
[0010] A further object of the present invention is that the aforesaid box-like body has
a low cost.
[0011] A further object of the present invention is that the aforesaid box-like body preserves
the energy efficiency of the VMC machine regardless of the place of installation,
ensuring the continuity of insulation on the outer facade of the building.
[0012] A further object of the present invention is that the aforesaid box-like body enables
the VMC machine to be accessed easily if it is necessary to proceed with a maintenance
work.
Short description of the invention
[0013] These objects are achieved by a box-like body for vertical housing of an apparatus
for dual-flow mechanical ventilation with heat recovery according to the first claim.
Short description of the drawings
[0014] The invention can be better understood with reference to the attached drawings illustrating
an embodiment thereof by way of a non-limiting example, in which:
Fig.1 is a perspective view of a box-like body according to the invention provided
with removable ports and caps and associated with a removable or openable blind hatch,
the latter being removed so as to show an apparatus for dual-flow mechanical ventilation
with heat recovery housed inside the box-like body itself, in a first operating configuration;
Fig.2 shows the box-like body of Fig.1 in a second operating configuration;
Fig.3 is a partially exploded rear perspective view of the box-like body of Fig.1,
showing removable ports and removable caps;
Fig.4 is a perspective view of a removable or openable hatch with slits, which can
be associated to the box-like body of Fig. 1;
Fig.5 is a perspective view of the box-like body of Fig. 1 with some parts removed;
Fig.6 is a perspective view of the box-like body of Fig.3 in a third operating configuration;
Fig.7 is a perspective view of the box-like body of Fig.6 associated with the removable
or openable hatch with slits of Fig.4, the latter having a part removed to enable
the apparatus housed inside the box-like body to be seen;
Fig.8 is a perspective view of the box-like body of Fig.1 in a fourth operating configuration;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the box-like body of Fig.8 associated with the removable
or openable hatch with slits of Fig.4, the latter having a part removed to enable
the apparatus housed inside the box-like body to be seen.
Detailed description of the invention
[0015] With reference to Figs. 1-5, the illustrated box-like body, indicated generically
by 10, for housing in a vertical position an apparatus A for dual-flow mechanical
ventilation with heat recovery, comprises a housing seat 12, inside which the apparatus
A is housed and at which air introduction/extraction chambers 13-16 are obtained,
the latter being communicating with the housing seat 12.
[0016] The box-like body 10 is associable both with a removable or openable, for example
by an hinge, hatch with slits 11A, shown in Figs.6-9, and with a removable or openable,
for example with an hinge, blind hatch 11B, shown in Figs. 1,2. In particular, the
removable or openable hatch with slits 11A has two slits 34,35, the first obtained
at a lower portion of the removable or openable hatch with slits 64 with respect to
the vertical housing direction, referred also as the lower slit 35, and the second
obtained at an upper portion of the removable or openable hatch with slits 63 with
respect to the vertical housing direction, referred also as the upper slit 34.
[0017] The air introduction/extraction chambers 13-16, as can be seen in Figs.3,5, have
respective air introduction/extraction openings 17-28 to connect the box-like body
10 to a room to be ventilated and to an external environment. Further, as represented
in Figs.5-9, the box-like body 10 is provided with canalizations 29 and passages 30-33,
which are closed in an openable manner, to put the air introduction/extraction chambers
13-16 in communication with the slits 34,35, when the box-like body 10 is associated
with the removable or openable hatch with slits 11A.
[0018] The passages 30-33 closed in an openable manner can be for example passages closed
by removable caps, or can be made by a predefined wall area suitable for being cut
so as to be able to remove the wall area and, in this manner, open the passage. Similarly,
the canalizations 29 closed in an openable manner can be provided for example with
removable walls, or can have walls 67,68 provided with a predefined area suitable
for being cut so as to be able to remove the wall area and, in this manner, form the
passage.
[0019] The box-like body 10 has doors 50-53 to put the air introduction/extraction chambers
13-16 in communication with the housing seat 12. The doors 50-53, in particular, are
aligned with respective air introduction/extraction openings of the apparatus A once
the apparatus A has been housed inside the housing seat 12.
[0020] In the embodiment represented in the figures, the number of air introduction/extraction
chambers 13-16 is equal to the number of air introduction/extraction openings of the
apparatus A, and is equal to the number of passages 30-33; in particular, the air
introduction/extraction chambers 13-16 are four and each one has, respectively, one
or more, for example three, air introduction/extraction openings 17-28 orthogonal
to one another; more in particular, as can be seen in Fig.5, of the four air introduction/extraction
chambers 13-16, two are upper, i.e. positioned at an upper portion of the box-like
body 65 with respect to the vertical housing direction, whereas the other are lower,
i.e. positioned at a lower portion of the box-like body 66 with respect to the vertical
housing direction; the housing seat 12 is arranged between the two upper chambers
and the two lower chambers, i.e. between the upper portion of the box-like body 65
and the lower portion of the box-like body 66.
[0021] In detail, when the box-like body 10 is associated with the removable or openable
panel with slits 11A, the two passages 30,33 are suitable for respectively connecting
the upper chamber 14 with the upper slit 34 and the lower chamber 15 with the lower
slit 35, whereas the other two passages 31,32 are suitable for respectively putting,
via canalizations 29, the other upper chamber 13 in communication with the lower slit
35 and the other lower chamber 16 in communication with the upper slit 34. As shown
in Fig.5, the canalizations 29 are provided with two walls 67,68 provided with a cuttable
area, one separating the canalizations 29 from the second upper chamber 13 and the
other separating the canalizations 29 from the second lower chamber 16.
[0022] The box-like body 10, as can be seen in Figs.3,5, is provided with outlets 54,56
to convey the condensation formed inside the box-like body 10 to the outside or to
enable the transit of a pipe to discharge the condensation, and with outlets 55,57
for the passage of electric cables or for the transit of pipes inside which electric
cables run.
[0023] In addition, as represented in Fig.5, the box-like body 10 is provided with a trimmable
frame 62 in order to modify the depth h of the box-like body 10 itself so as to adapt
the box-like body 10, for example, to the depth of a recess present on an outer perimeter
wall of a room to be ventilated.
[0024] As shown in Fig.3, the box-like body 10 further features several fixing holes 58-61
to fix the box-like body 10 to a wall or a ceiling of a room, or to a facade of a
building. Furthermore, the box-like body 10 is made of an insulating material, for
example polypropylene (PP), so as not to degrade the energy performance of the house
or the room to be ventilated if the box-like body 10, and thus the apparatus A, is
installed outside, and so as to avoid dispersion of the VMC itself.
[0025] The box-like body 10 thus made enables different passage configurations to be defined
for an introduction air flow I and an extraction air flow E, generated by the apparatus
A, with reference to the room to be ventilated and to the external environment, avoiding
direct contact therebetween.
[0026] First of all, reference is made to the box-like body 10 combined with the removable
or openable blind hatch 11B, illustrated in Figs. 1,2. In this case, as there are
no slits 34,35, the passages 30-33 and canalizations 29 remain closed, and the connection
of the box-like body 10 to the room to be ventilated and to the external environment
is made only through the air introduction/extraction openings 17-28.
[0027] Depending on the geometry of the ventilation ducts, the air introduction/extraction
openings 17-28 chosen for the connection are provided with respective removable ports
36-39, whereas the others are kept closed by removable caps 40-49. In particular,
in the present exemplary embodiment, three different possible air introduction/extraction
openings 17-28 are available for each air introduction/extraction chamber 13-16, enabling,
in this manner, to choose the passage configuration of the air flows which is better
suited to the ventilation ducts of the room to be ventilated.
[0028] In this case, therefore, the paths that the introduction air flow I and the extraction
air flow E follow inside the box-like body 10 reflect those inside the apparatus A,
as can be seen in Figs. 1,2.
[0029] In particular, two different paths are possible for the air flows inside the box-like
body 10: a first path, illustrated in Fig.1, in which the box-like body 10, and thus
the apparatus A, is connected to the external environment via the two lower chambers
15,16, whereas the connection with the room to be ventilated is made via the two upper
chambers 13,14; and a second path, illustrated in Fig.2, in which, on the other hand,
the box-like body 10 is connected to the external environment via the two upper chambers
13,14 and, on the other hand, the connection with the room to be ventilated is made
via the two lower chambers 15,16. It should in fact be noted how the extraction air
flow E and the introduction air flow I are reversed in Fig.2 with respect to Fig.1.
[0030] When the box-like body 10 is associated with the removable or openable blind hatch
11B, it is possible to install the apparatus A both inside and outside the room to
be ventilated. In particular, by installing the box-like body 10 outside the room
to be ventilated, only the ventilation ducts suitable for connecting the box-like
body 10, and thus the apparatus A housed inside, to the room to be ventilated will
be necessary, given the direct connection of the box-like body 10 with the external
environment.
[0031] Otherwise, when the box-like body 10 is associated with the removable or openable
hatch with slits 11A, as illustrated in Figs.6-9, the apparatus A can be arranged
only outside the room to be ventilated because the connection with the external environment,
made via the suitably opened passages 30-33 and canalizations 29, is conveyed by the
slits 34,35.
[0032] The box-like body 10 is, on the other hand, again connected to the room to be ventilated
by the air introduction/extraction openings 17-28. In particular, depending on the
geometry of the ventilation ducts, the air introduction/extraction openings 17-28
chosen for the connection are provided with respective removable ports 36-39, whereas
the others are kept closed by removable caps 40-49. In particular, three different
possible air introduction/extraction openings 17-28 are available for each air introduction/extraction
chamber 13-16, enabling to choose the transit configuration of the air flows which
is better suited to the ventilation ducts of the room to be ventilated.
[0033] Also in this case, two different paths for the air flows inside the box-like body
10 are possible. In particular, the box-like body 10 can be connected to the room
to be ventilated via the two upper chambers 13,14 (which can be seen in Fig.5), as
illustrated in Figs.6,7, or by the two lower chambers 15,16 (which can be seen in
Fig.5), as illustrated in Figs.8,9; nevertheless, the introduction air flow I must
necessarily enter inside the box-like body 10 through the upper slit 34, whereas the
extraction air flow E has to exit the box-like body 10 through the lower slit 35;
for this reason, the paths that the introduction air flow I and the extraction air
flow E follow inside the box-like body 10 do not reflect, in this case, those inside
the apparatus A.
[0034] In particular, the first path illustrated in Figs.6,7 should be considered, in which
the box-like body 10 is connected to the room to be ventilated by the two upper chambers
13,14 (which can be seen in Fig.5).
[0035] In this case, the passages will be opened which, respectively, put the lower chamber
15 in communication with the lower slit 35 and put the lower chamber 16 in communication
with the upper slit 34, whereas the others will remain closed; moreover, the lower
wall 68 which separates the canalizations 29 from the lower chamber 16 will be cut
out.
[0036] Doing so, the introduction air flow I enters inside the upper slit 34 and flows through
the canalizations 29 to the second lower chamber 16, through which it enters inside
the apparatus A, whereas the extraction air flow E exits the lower slit 35 passing
through the lower chamber 15.
[0037] Otherwise, now attention must be directed to the second path, illustrated in Figs.8,9,
in which the box-like body 10 is connected to the room to be ventilated via the two
lower chambers 15,16 (which can be seen in Fig.5).
[0038] In this case, the open passages and the passages which remain closed are reversed
with respect to the preceding case and the same thing happens for the walls 67,68.
In detail, the passages are opened which, respectively, put the upper chamber 14 in
communication with the upper slit 34 and the upper chamber 13 in communication with
the lower slit 35, whereas the upper wall 67 which separates the canalizations 29
from the upper chamber 13 is cut out.
[0039] In this manner, the introduction air flow I enters inside the upper slit 34 and flows
inside the apparatus A through the upper chamber 14, whereas the extraction air flow
E, passing through the upper chamber 13, flows along the canalizations 29 to the lower
slit 35, through which it exits.
[0040] In conclusion, the box-like body 10 for the vertical housing of an apparatus A for
dual-flow mechanical ventilation with heat recovery which has just been described
has excellent installation flexibility thanks to the possibility of defining different
configurations for the transit of the introduction air flow I and of the extraction
air flow E. Furthermore, the box-like body 10 is also easy and practical to install
thanks to the presence of several fixing holes 58-61 and of a trimmable frame 62.
[0041] Using an insulating material to make the box-like body 10 enables the energy efficiency
of the apparatus A to be maintained regardless of the place of installation, in particular
it ensures a great energy efficiency of the apparatus A housed internally even when
the box-like body 10 is installed outside the room to be ventilated.
[0042] In addition, the costs of the box-like body 10 according to the invention can be
contained by making it in an insulating material that is inexpensive, for example
by making it in PP.
[0043] Lastly, the box-like body 10 enables the apparatus A to be accessed easily if it
is necessary to proceed with a maintenance task thanks to the fact that the hatch
that is fitted to the box-like body 10, without or with slits, is removable or openable.
[0044] Variants on the configuration of the box-like body 10 and on the configuration and
number of the components thereof are possible.
1. Box-like body (10) for housing an apparatus (A) for dual-flow mechanical ventilation
with heat recovery, the box-like body (10) being associable with a removable or openable
hatch with slits (11A) or with a removable or openable blind hatch (11B), and comprising
an housing seat (12), inside which the apparatus (A) is housed and at which air introduction/extraction
chambers are obtained (13-16) communicating with the housing seat (12) itself, wherein
each of the air introduction/extraction chambers (13-16) is provided with respective
air introduction/extraction openings (17-28) to connect the box-like body (10) to
a room to be ventilated and to an external environment, and wherein the box-like body
(10) is provided with canalizations (29) and passages (30-33), which are closed in
an openable manner, to put the air introduction/extraction chambers (13-16) in communication
with the slits (34,35), when present, so as to define different passage configurations
for an introduction air flow (I) and an extraction air flow (E), generated by the
apparatus (A), respectively to the room to be ventilated and to the external environment,
avoiding any direct contact therebetween.
2. Box-like body (10) according to claim 1, associated with the removable or openable
blind hatch (11B), wherein the air introduction/extraction openings (17-28) that are
suitable for connecting the box-like body (10) to the room to be ventilated and to
the external environment are provided with respective removable ports (36-39), whereas
the other air introduction/extraction openings (17-28) are kept closed by removable
caps (40-49), and wherein, moreover, all the passages (30-33) and the canalizations
(29) are kept closed.
3. Box-like body (10) according to claim 1, associated with the removable or openable
hatch with slits (11A), wherein removable ports (36-39) are supplied only to the air
introduction/extraction openings (17-28) that are suitable for connecting the box-like
body (10) to the room to be ventilated, whereas the other air introduction/extraction
openings (17-28) are kept closed by removable caps (40-49), and the connection with
the external environment is made via the suitably opened passages (30-33) and canalizations
(29).
4. Box-like body (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the passages
(30-33) which are closed in an openable manner are chosen from within a group containing
passages that are closable by removable caps and passages made by a predefined wall
area suitable for being cut.
5. Box-like body (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the canalizations
(29) closed in an openable manner are chosen from within a group containing canalizations
having removable walls and walls (67,68) provided with a predefined area suitable
for being cut.
6. Box-like body (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, provided with doors
(50-53) to put the air introduction/extraction chambers (13-16) in communication with
the housing seat (12), the doors (50-53) being aligned with respective air introduction/extraction
openings of the apparatus (A) once the apparatus (A) has been housed inside the housing
seat (12).
7. Box-like body (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the number of air introduction/extraction
chambers (13-16) is equal to the number of air introduction/extraction openings of
the apparatus (A), and is equal to the number of passages (30-33).
8. Box-like body (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the introduction/extraction
chambers (13-16) are four, each one comprising respectively one or more air introduction/extraction
openings (17-28) that are orthogonal to one another.
9. Box-like body (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the main direction of
extent of the box-like body is parallel to the main direction of extent of the removable
or openable hatches, when they are associated, which in turn is parallel to the housing
direction.
10. Box-like body (10) according to claim 1 associated with the removable or openable
hatch with slits (11A), wherein the apparatus (A) is housed in a vertical position,
and wherein the slits (34,35) of the removable or openable hatch with slits (11A)
are two, the first obtained at a lower portion of the removable or openable hatch
with slits (64) with respect to the vertical housing direction and the second obtained
at an upper portion of the removable or openable hatch with slits (63) with respect
to the vertical housing direction.
11. Box-like body (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein outlets (54,56)
are provided to convey the condensation formed inside the box-like body (10) to the
exterior and outlets (55,57) are provided for the transit of electric cables.
12. Box-like body (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the box-like
body (10) is provided with one or more fixing holes (58-61) to fix the box-like body
(10) to a wall or ceiling of a room, or to an outer wall of a building.
13. Box-like body (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the box-like
body (10) is provided with a trimmable frame (62) so as to modify the depth (h) of
the box-like body (10) itself.
14. Box-like body (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, made of an insulating
material.