GB2210684A - Device for selecting the air flow drawn in by an environment conditioning unit - Google Patents

Description

DEVICE FOR SELECTING THE AIR FLOW DRAWN IN BY AN ENVIRON- 1 T T MENT COND

1ONING UNIT.

The present invention relates to a device for selecting the air flow drawn in by an environment conditioning unit, more particularly a unit of the type installed on a raised floor below which conditioned air is present.

For the purpose of selecting the air to be treated and to be introduced into the environment, motorized shutters are generally provided in such apparatus and are most often disposed vertically, although they constitute a considerable encumbrance for the other components of the u n i t.

This entails the need to give large dimensions to the containing cabinet and gives rise to difficulties in respect of the internal arrangement of the various components.

The aim of the present invention is to develop a device for selecting the air flow drawn in by an environment conditioning unit which makes it possible to reduce the space required and to achieve a rational arrangement of the various internal components.

An object derived from this aim consists in providing a particularly simple device which ensures accurate operation without requiring manipulations or adjustments.

Yet another object is the provision of an inexpensive device which can easily be fitted to environment conditioning units.

The aims and objects proposed are achieved with the aid of a device for selecting the air flow drawn in by an environment conditioning unit, characterized by the fact that it comprises a partition supported laterally by two circular sectors mounted on pivots at their gecimetrical centres on the frame of an environment conditioning unit, each of said sectors being provided on their curved edge with a rack acted on by two pinions mounted on a motorized shaft, so that said partition can assume two POO (JUALITY - 2 positions, one of which closes the access path for conditioned air and the other closes the ambient air recycling path, means also being provided for returning the partition in opposition to the movement of the motor operating the device and for setting a bypass providing a constant inflow of conditioned air.

The characteristics of the invention are described more clearly below in a detailed description of a preferred embodiment, wh ich is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a conditioning unit provided with the device forming the object of the invention, in the ambient air intake position; Figure 2 is an elevation of a conditioning unit of the type shown in Figure 1, with the device positioned to draw in air from under the floor; Figure 3 is an exploded view in perspective of the device, and in particular of the partition and its operating means; Figure 4 is a side view, partly in section, of the operating and support devices of the movable partition, and Figure 5 shows a detail of the bypass and its adjustment means.

The invention illustrated in these drawings is used in a conditioning unit 1 of the type consisting of a small cabinet containing the operating means and installed on a raised floor 2, below which is to be found air conditioned by a refrigeration and treatment unit not shown in the drawings.

This conditioning unit is provided with a first aperture 3 through which it can draw in ambient air 4 by means of a fan 5 which, before returning this air to the environment, may pass it over a heating means 6.

In this position, shown in Figure 1, the air treated by the unit 1 is practically ambient air, which can thus only be heated by the resistors 6.

The unit is also provided with a second aperture 3 7 through which it draws in air 8 from under the raised f loor 2.

This position is shown in Figure 2.

In order to permit the selection of the two intake paths for air 4 or air 8, the device forming the object of the present invention was conceived.

The device is composed of a partition 9, preferably of metal and rectangular in shape, supported by two sectors 10 mounted on pivots on the frame 11 of the unit 1, at positions corresponding to their geometrical centres.

They are pivotally mounted on an axis 12 indicated by an axis line in the drawings, about which axis the two sectors 10 are free to turn.

The curved end of each o'f the sectors 10 is provided with a rack 13 acted on by a pinion 14 associated with a motorized shaft 15 turned by an electric motor 16 provided with a reduction gear unit 17.

The turning of the electric motor 16 brings about the angular rotation of the two sectors 10 and therefore of the partition 9, which can thus be moved to close alternately the first and second apertures indicated respectively by the reference numbers 3 and 7.

Facing the rack 13 and at the level of the axis 12 of their pivotal mounting each of the support sectors 10 has an attached member 18 to the end of which is fastened a spring 19, the other end 20 of which is fastened to the frame of the conditioning unit 1.

The motor 16 thus acts in opposition to the action of the spring 19, and when.its electricity supply is cut off these springs 19 return the sectors 10 to the position of rest, which corresponds to that shown in Figure 1, that is to say the position which corresponds to the intake of ambient air 4.

In this way, when the partition 9 is in the position in which it closes the aperture 3, as shown in Figure 2, the motor 16 reaching the end position, after having moved the sectors 10, continues to be fed with electricity in such a manner as to generate a torque opposing the 4 resilient return action of the springs 19 throughout the period when it is necessary to draw in air 8 from under the floor.

In this embodiment the control system and the motor. are of an extremely simple type, since it is not necessary for the motor to be bidirectional, nor is it necessary to provide an electric or electronic limit switch capable of swit ching off the supply to the motor in a predetermined pos it ion.

In practice, when the motor is switched on air will be drawn in from under the floor, while when it is switched off ambient air will be d rawn in.

In order to ensure good leaktightness between the partition 9 and the respective intake apertures 3 and 7, resilient blades 21 adapted to brush against the edges of these apertures are provided on the longer edges of the partition 9.

In these conditioning units there is always an intake, however slight, of conditioned air from under the f I oor.

In order to achieve this, an adjustable stop wedge 22 is provided, which is mounted by means of an adjustment device 23 and against which the sectors 10 are brought to bear through their movement under the action of the return springs 19.

The wedge adjustment means 23 enables the wedge to be moved in the direction of the arrow 24, so that the resilient blade will, as shown in Figure 5, be situated at a greater or smaller distance from the side panel 25, thus leavi,ng a bypass aperture 26 through which air 8 from under the floor is always drawn in, in one way or another.

From what has been described and illustrated it will be seen that the device is particularly simple, both in respect of its construction and in respect of the means operating it.

The choice of a partition supported by two sectors enables it to make a movement which always takes place under the fan 5, thus considerably reducing the space required for accommodating the components of the unit 1.

As already stated, the two different positions for the intake of air are simply obtained either through the action of the electric motor or through the action of the return springs.

Thus, the operating and control devices are greatly simplified, since in order to change from one of the two positions to the other it is sufficient simply to switch the electric motor on or off.

Similarly, the regulation of the bypass opening is particularly simple both from the point of view of construction and from the point of view of setting the adjustment.

From what has been described and illustrated it can be seen that all the aims proposed have been achieved, and that a very simple air selection device for a conditioning unit has been provided, which at the same time is very rational and functional.

Starting from the same inventive concept, the shapes of the various components could of course be selected as desired, to suit requirements.

The materials may also be selected in accordance with economic convenience.

CLA 1 MS 1. Device for select ing the air f fo\, drawn in by an environment condi tioning unit, comprising a partition supported late-ally by two circular sectors mounted on pivots at their geometrical centres on the frame of an environment conditioning unit, each of said sectors being provided on their curved edge wi th a rack acted on by two pinions mounted on a motorized shaft, so that said partition can assume two positions, one of which closes the access path for conditioned air and the other closes the ambient air recycling path, means also being provided for returning the partition in opposition to the movement of the motor operating the device and for setting a bypass providing a constant inflow of condi tioned air.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said partition, which is pre ferably of metal and rectangular in shape, has its two shorter sides associated with said support sectors, while the two longer sides -are associated with two resilient blades adapted to effect sealing against the edges of the intake apertures which are alternately closed.

3. Device accor J7rig to claim 1, wherein said sectors are each provided, in the opposite position to that of the curved edge provided with a rack, with an attached member, at the end of which is fastened a spring whose other end is fastened to the frame of the unit.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein said pinions are mounted on a shaft which is driven by a motor equipped with a reduction gear unit, the action of said motor being in opposition to the action of said return springs.

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein, when said sectors are in their end of travel position in opposition to the action of the return springs, said motor remains constantly in circuit in order to produce a torque opposing the action of said springs so as to hold the partition in the desired position.

POOR GUALITY 11 6. Device according to claim 1, wherein said position of the sectors through the action of the spring is obtained b\. a limit stop consisting of a "edge, the vertical displacement of said wedge permitting regulation of the stop position of the sectors and consequently the position of the partition. 7. Device accordirg tc claims ' and 6 wherein the end cf travel position of said Partition determined by the wedge forms a bypass for the passage of air, the amount of which is adjustable in accordance with the position of said wedge, from under the floor. 8. Device according to claim 1, wherein said partition is always moved under the suction fan of said unit. 9. Device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings 11 1 Sp-w:es Bra 5._ Mai7; Cray. Orping=--- Ken BR5 37: DY Con 1 B7