EP3158272A1

EP3158272A1 - Building with ventilation system and terminal

Info

Publication number: EP3158272A1
Application number: EP15736668.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Frank UIT DEN BOGAARD
Original assignee: Toptech International NV
Current assignee: Airspot Bv
Priority date: 2014-06-19
Filing date: 2015-06-19
Publication date: 2017-04-26
Also published as: NL2013030B1; WO2015194960A1

Abstract

A terminal (10) for a ventilation duct (5, 7) of a ventilation system (3) is provided. The terminal comprises a rear wall (22) defining a ventilation opening (V) for an air flow (A) of the ventilation system. The terminal comprises a luminaire (20), wherein at least part of the luminaire is located in front of the rear wall (22), spanning the ventilation opening (V) to control, in particular guide and deflect, an air flow (A) from the ventilation opening and to cover and obscure the ventilation opening. A building is also provided.

Description

Building with ventilation system and terminal The present disclosure relates to ventilation systems, and in particular to terminals of such ventilation systems.

Ventilation systems for buildings comprising ventilation ducts are widely known. The ventilation ducts may be integrated in wall and/or ceiling portions. Generally, the ventilation ducts are provided with terminals such as covers, vents and/or baffles to direct and/or diffuse air flows from the ventilation ducts. However, with traditional terminals drafts and accumulation of dirt tend to occur, which is undesired.

Consequently, improvements are desired.

In an aspect, herewith a terminal for a ventilation duct of a ventilation system is provided. The terminal comprises a rear wall defining a ventilation opening for an air flow of the ventilation system and it comprises a luminaire . At least part of the luminaire is located in front of the rear wall, spanning the ventilation opening to control, in particular guide and deflect, an air flow from the ventilation opening and to cover and obscure the ventilation opening.

By arranging the luminaire over the ventilation opening, the luminaire may be cooled by the passing air flow, extending lifetime of a lamp in the luminaire. Conversely, the air flow may be heated by a burning lamp in the luminaire and thus reduce cold drafts. By the integration of a luminaire in the terminal the number of objects in a space in a building may be reduced and locating of luminaires and ventilation around the building space may be facilitated, as both light and ventilation are generally required in locations close to people, e.g.

locations of work, eating and/or leisure. A more efficient use of space and resources is therewith provided. Covering and obscuring of the ventilation opening prevents direct air gusts and drafts and prevents confrontation with the ventilation hole which many find unpleasant and it reduces noise entering and/or exiting the duct.

In an embodiment, the luminaire is at least partly, preferably fully, recessed in the terminal. Thus, contact of the air flow with the luminaire increased, improving heat contact and -exchange. Further, turbulence of the air flow is induced improving mixing of the air and reducing drafts. Further, air turbulence may cause dropping and/or deposition of impurities entrained in the air flow, which therefore may be localised in a predetermined space in or near the terminal and reduce

conspicuousness of the terminal.

E.g., the luminaire may be configured to laterally deflect the air flow from the luminaire and against an interior side wall of the terminal so that turbulence within the terminal may be promoted.

In an embodiment, the terminal comprises side walls extending from the rear wall and defining a front plane of the terminal, the rear wall defines the ventilation opening spaced from the side walls by a first distance, the luminaire comprises a front wall being located in front of the rear wall to deflect an air flow from the ventilation opening, and the front wall is recessed in the terminal, being spaced from the side walls by a second distance less than the first distance and spaced from the front plane by a third distance equal or larger than the second distance. In such embodiment the terminal provides a space in front of the front plate for air mixture. Further, the luminaire may be recessed quite deep into the terminal, improving heat exchange with the air and reducing its visible volume. The first, second and third distances may prevent a straight line of access and sight to the ventilation opening from the front plane, so that only generally parallel plates may be visible and the terminal may provide a certain clearly visible depth, facilitating cleaning of the terminal and providing a generally pleasant appearance to the terminal. It is noted that a connection of the ventilation duct to the terminal may be at the rear side of the terminal (see below) and/or at a lateral side thereof.

The terminal may comprises a flow controller, e.g.

comprising a diaphragm and/or one or more baffles located in or behind the ventilation opening, possibly being unitary with the rear wall. Thus, a predetermined air flow may be provided.

Baffles that are unitary with the rear wall may reduce weight, increase stability and robustness, reduce manufacturing cost and/or reduce noise.

The ventilation opening and/or the flow controller may be adjustable, possibly remotely adjustable, so that the air flow can be adapted to circumstances. Remote adjustability facilitates adjustment. Adjustment mechanisms may be visible or hidden from view, e.g. by the luminaire.

In an embodiment, the luminaire comprises a first plate providing the rear wall and a second plate being positioned separate, spaced from and in front of the first plate,

preferably substantially parallel to the first plate,

overlapping the first plate and providing the front wall. Thus, the design and manufacturing of the terminal are simplified, in particular in case the first plate comprises the flow controller and one or more lamp holders are integrated in or attached to the second plate.

The luminaire may comprise an adjustable lamp holder and/or optical element for directing emitted light, which may be adjustable remotely. Thus, light distribution such as spot lighting may be provided as desired.

The terminal, in particular the luminaire, may be water resistant for use in possibly wet locations such as bath rooms.

The terminal may be used for an air flow from the ventilation opening through the terminal to a building space or in reverse for an air flow from a building space through the terminal to the ventilation opening, e.g. to accommodate excess air and/or for an aspirating system of a ventilation system.

In accordance with the above, a further aspect relates to a building. The building comprises a ventilation system comprising a ventilation duct for an air flow. The ventilation duct is provided with a terminal as disclosed herein.

In the building, the terminal may be at least partly recessed into a ceiling or wall of the building. Thus, the terminal may protrude and invade little into a space to be ventilated and illuminated such as a room, a hallway or another building compartment. Further, deposition of dust etc. on an outside wall of the terminal may be reduced. Such embodiment may be particularly suitable when the ventilation duct is at least partly embedded in or positioned behind the ceiling or wall of the building.

In an embodiment, the ventilation system comprises plural ventilation ducts provided with such terminals as

described herein. This facilitates achieving a predetermined distribution of air flows in the building.

The ventilation system may comprise an impeller, e.g. a fan, for forced air flow through the ventilation duct, enabling reaching of predetermined ventilation rate and/or flow

distribution. The forced air flow may be directed out of the duct, e.g. for blowing an air flow into the building, or into the duct, e.g. for aspirating air into the duct. In combination, the ventilation system may be configured for balanced

ventilation, providing both air flow into and out of (a space in) the building.

The ventilation system may comprise an air conditioning system such as a control system for at least one of air

temperature, humidity, dust, pollen, chemical contaminants, etc. Thus, conditioned air may be provided to the building and/or properties like heat or humidity may be harvested from aspired air and energy and resources may be spared. The above-described aspects will hereafter be more explained with further details and benefits with reference to the drawings showing a number of embodiments by way of example.

Fig. 1 shows a building with a ventilation system with ceiling-mounted ventilation terminals;

Fig. 2 is a front view of a terminal for the ventilation system of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the terminal of Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the terminal of Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the terminal of Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 6 is a cross section view of the terminal of Fig. 2 along the line A-A of Fig. 5.

It is noted that the drawings are schematic, not necessarily to scale and that details that are not required for understanding the present disclosure may have been omitted.

Further, like elements have like reference numerals.

Fig. 1 shows a building 1 with a ceiling 2 and having a ventilation system 3 comprising ventilation ducts 5, 7 and an impeller 9 connected with a ventilation duct 5 for generating a forced air flow in the duct 5. The exemplary ventilation ducts 5, 7 are embedded in the ceiling 2. The ventilation ducts 5, 7 are provided with terminals 10, here being mounted to the ceiling 2 as an example.

Figs. 2-6 are different views of a terminal 10. A

Cartesian reference system (X, Y, Z) is indicated in the Figures for orientation and explanatory purposes only. Relative position and orientation terms "upward", "downward", "below", "above", and the like in this text relate to the embodiments as shown and oriented in the drawings, unless otherwise specified.

The terminal 10 comprises a housing 11, here in the form of a rectangular box formed by a segmented rear panel 12 bounding an opening 14 for connection to the ventilation duct 3, 7, and by side walls 16, 18. The terminal 10 further comprises a luminaire 20 recessed in the housing 11. The shown terminal 10 has a rear side RS and a front side FS, and the side walls 16, 18 define a front plane FP of the terminal 10, which here is completely open.

The shown exemplary luminaire 20 comprises an optional first plate 22 and a second plate 24. Here, the first plate 22 provides a rear wall in the terminal 10 defining a ventilation opening V. In another embodiment, not shown, (the rear panel 12 of) the terminal housing 11 may itself define the ventilation opening. Note that, in particular in case of a luminaire

providing the rear wall, a ventilation duct may be connected with the terminal 10 on a lateral side of (a housing of) the terminal, relative to the front side FS and back side BS . The second plate 24 is separate from the first plate 22 and

positioned in front of (Z direction) the first plate 22, here being supported by posts 26, so that air may pass between the plates 22, 24 with little to minimal obstruction of wall

segments. The first plate 22 may be referred to as rear plate 22 and the second plate 24 may also be referred to as front plate 24. The second plate 24 spans the ventilation opening V and extends laterally outward from it, covering the ventilation opening V in X and Y directions and obscuring the ventilation opening V against visibility. Here, the first and second plates 22, 24 are parallel (and parallel to the XY-plane) .

In the shown embodiment, plate 22 is provided with movable baffles 28. Here in particular the baffles 28 are unitary segments of the first plate 22, suspended by bridge portions 29 so that the baffles 28 may be rotated out of the plane of first plate 22 (not shown) by bending the bridge portions. A metallic first plate 22, e.g. stainless steel, is suitable but plastics may also be employed. However, other hinge- and/or baffle arrangements may be provided. Adjustment of (the position of) the baffles 28 determines the effective open area of the ventilation opening V, as well as directing an air flow (indicated with arrows A in Fig. 6) passing the baffles 28. The ventilation opening V is spaced from the insides of the nearest side walls 16, 18 of the terminal 10 by a first distance D1X, D1Y in X- and Y- directions respectively. The second plate 24 is spaced from the nearest side walls 16, 18 by second distances D2X, D2Y respectively, and it is spaced from the front plane FB by a third distance D3 and from the first plane 22 by a fourth distance D4. Here, the distances in each direction are constant but they may differ. The respective distances are selected such that any line of sight from the front plane FP to the ventilation opening V is interrupted by the front plate 24 and only parallel plates 22, 24 can be seen, providing the terminal 10 with an apparent bottom and a finite depth. This makes the terminal more agreeable to be looked at than a view of a ventilation duct and/or baffles. By proper selection of the respective distances D1X-D4 it may be assured that the open area for the air flow path has a minimum size at the ventilation opening V and is larger otherwise so that the air flow is accurately controlled by the ventilation opening V.

It is noted that the terminal 10 and the luminaire 20 comprised in it may be provided in different shapes, e.g.

polygonal with more or less than four sides and/or different angles between adjacent walls, and/or having rounded portions such as elliptical, circular or intricate designs. It is

preferred that the ventilation opening V and the luminaire 20 are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other and that 20 luminaire and the side walls 16, 18 of the terminal 10 are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other, e.g. the separation between the front plate 24 and the side walls 16, 18 being constant and equal around the luminaire 20. This improves a balanced air flow A through and from the terminal 10.

In the shown embodiment the second plate 24 supports two lamp holders 30 attached to the second plate 24. Here the lamp holders 30 are realised as adjustable spot lights for halogen bulbs, with reflectors 32 that are rotary supported in arms 34 which in turn are rotary attached to the second plate 24. The spot lights 30 may be fixed in desired positions.

However, more, less and/or differently formed lamp holders and/or for other lamps such as LEDs may be provided, and

actuators for automated adjustment of a lamp and/or lamp holder may be provided. One or more power cords for the lamps may be fed from the lamp holders 30 through the front and rear plates 22, 24 towards a power supply, e.g. through conduits 36.

As indicated in Fig. 1, the terminal may 10 may be connected with a ventilation duct 5, 7, wherein the respective ventilation duct 5, 7 is connected to the rear side RS of the terminal 10 such that air flow A between the ventilation duct and a building space runs through the respective terminal 10. Plural terminals 10 may be connected to a single ventilation duct 5, 7. Thus connected, the air flow A may pass through the ventilation opening V, strike (the rear side of) the front plate 24 and be deflected by the plate 24 to pass between the rear and front plates 22, 24, towards the side walls 16, 18 of the terminal 10 and out toward the front plane FP of the terminal 10 by which the air may undergo turbulence and mixing in the space of terminal 10 between the front plate 24 and the front plane FP. The terminal 10 also accommodates a reverse air flow.

The terminals 10 may be integrated and embedded into a ceiling or possibly a wall, wherein the front plane FP may be flush with the ceiling or wall surface facing the space to be ventilated and illuminated (not shown) . Thus, a trimless cove light arrangement may be provided.

Typical materials may comprise plastics, metals and/or (fibre-) board material for the walls 12, 16, 18 of the terminal and plastics and/or metals for the luminaire.

The disclosure is not restricted to the above described embodiments which can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the claims. For instance the ventilation opening may be provided with more, less or differently shaped baffles. Plural ventilation openings may be provided in the terminal, all being spanned and covered by a luminaire. A ventilation opening may be provided with more, less or differently shaped baffles. The ventilation system may comprise more or less ventilation ducts and/or one or more controllers (not shown) . A connection to a ventilation duct need not be located at a rear side of the terminal but may be made in a side wall behind the luminaire. The front wall may comprise one or more flow controllers towards the ventilation opening, e.g. one or more cones for directing an air flow. Providing the front wall with an object such as a flow controller may reduce vibrations and/or dampen vibratory and/or acoustic resonances and/or noise.

Elements and aspects discussed for or in relation with a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments, unless explicitly stated otherwise .

Claims

1. Terminal (10) for a ventilation duct (5, 7) of a ventilation system (3), wherein the terminal comprises a rear wall (22) defining a ventilation opening (V) for an air flow (A) of the ventilation system and wherein the terminal comprises a luminaire (20), wherein at least part of the luminaire is located in front of the rear wall (22), spanning the ventilation opening (V) to control, in particular guide and deflect, an air flow (A) from the ventilation opening and to cover and obscure the ventilation opening.

2. Terminal (10) according to claim 1, wherein the terminal comprises a housing (11) and the luminaire (20) is at least partly, preferably fully, recessed in the housing.

3. Terminal (10) according to claim 2, wherein the luminaire (20) is configured to laterally deflect the air flow (A) from the luminaire and against an side wall (16, 18) of the housing (11).

4. Terminal (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the housing (11) comprises side walls (16, 18) extending from the rear wall (22) and defining a front plane (FP) of the terminal, wherein the rear wall (22) defines the ventilation opening (V) spaced from the side walls (16, 18) by a first distance (D1X, D1Y) ,

wherein the luminaire (20) comprises a front wall (24) being located in front of the rear wall (22) to deflect an air flow (A) from the ventilation opening (V) ,

wherein the front wall (24) is recessed in the housing (11), being spaced from the side walls (16, 18) by a second distance (D2X, D2Y) less than the first distance and spaced from the front plane (FP) by a third distance (D3) equal or larger than the second distance (D2X, D2Y) .

5. Terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal comprises a flow controller (28), e.g. comprising a diaphragm and/or one or more baffles (28) located in or near of the ventilation opening (V) , possibly being unitary with the rear wall (22) .

6. Terminal (10) according to claim 5, wherein the ventilation opening (V) and/or the flow controller (28) is adjustable, possibly remotely adjustable.

7. Terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the luminaire (20) comprises a first plate (22) providing the rear wall (22) and a second plate (24) being positioned spaced from and in front of the first plate (22), preferably substantially parallel to the first plate,

overlapping the first plate and providing a front wall (22) .

8. Terminal (10) according to claim 7, wherein the first plate (22) comprises the flow controller (28) and one or more lamp holders (30) are integrated in or attached to the second plate (24) .

9. Terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the luminaire (20) comprises an adjustable lamp holder (30) and/or optical element (32) for directing emitted light, which may be adjustable remotely.

10. Terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal is water resistant.

11. Building (1) comprising a ventilation system (3) comprising a ventilation duct (5, 7) for an air flow, wherein the ventilation duct (5, 7) is provided with a terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. Building (1) according to claim 11, wherein the terminal (10) is at least partly recessed into a ceiling or wall of the building (1) .

13. Building (1) according to any one of claims 11-12, wherein the ventilation system (3) comprises plural ventilation ducts (5, 7) provided with terminals (10) according to any one of the claims 1-10.

14. Building (1) according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein the ventilation system (3) comprises an impeller (9), e.g. a fan, for forced air flow through the ventilation duct

(5) .

15. Building (1) according to claim 14, wherein the ventilation system (3) is configured for balanced ventilation, providing both air flow into and out of a space in the building (1) .

16. Building (1) according to any one of claims 11-15, wherein the ventilation system (3) comprises an air conditioning system such as a control system for at least one of air

temperature, humidity, dust, pollen, chemical compositions, etc ..