EP0794278A1 - A piece of furniture with ventilation - Google Patents

Abstract

A pieces of steel furniture, e.g. a wardrobe, has a pedestal (12) and a housing (18) and features ventilation openings (30,40) in the top part of at least one wall. The sum total of the cross-sections of all bottom openings (30,32,52) is greater than the clear cross-section of the wardrobe interior. This cross section is greater than the sum total of the clear cross sections in the head section (18) which, in turn, are greater than the cross section of the outflow opening (40).

Description

The invention relates to a ventilated piece of furniture according to the preamble of claim 1.

For the storage of various objects, it can be important that an air exchange takes place in a closable and generally closed container. For furniture this is e.g. useful or even necessary for hanging clothes. Conventional ventilated furniture often leaves much to be desired in this regard. This applies in particular to steel furniture such as wardrobes or locker cabinets and the like.

A wardrobe according to DE 8 600 248 U1 has in addition to a lower air supply opening in the upper area an opening with a blower, which can not be used everywhere for reasons of noise; moreover, the energy requirement is usually not justifiable in relation to the desired effect. In the case of special cabinets with forced convection, the head section is vented more often, using a perforated spiral duct in the cabinet or a ventilation duct. It has also been proposed to blow in air from below via a fan module integrated in a row of cupboards and to suck it off through a perforated tube at the top. In general, however, there was hardly any uniform ventilation respected. The use of commercially available poppet valves, rotary valves or simple tampers in the perforated spiral duct only allows limited air regulation.

Attempts have also been made to achieve "natural" ventilation through slots of a certain shape, which have conventionally been arranged in groups on the lower and upper front, but also in the floor area and above or next to cabinet doors. Frontal openings alone, e.g. described in DE 9 012 537 U1, can generally not cause air flow in areas near the rear wall in use. Even where an air supply through floor openings is desired, for example according to DE 9 012 536 U1 or DE 9 014 770 U1, contrary to the information given there, the ventilation achieved is in no way optimal. Above all, the cabinet content, which changes greatly in price, its condition and the respective flow obstacles or conditions is generally not adequately taken into account, although variously large air inlet openings in the form of heavily perforated foot parts or by designing the foot part as a rod or grating floor are already being taken into account has provided.

According to DE 41 25 138 A1, a system is provided for installation in cupboard furniture, which has a suction fan arranged on the bottom. Room air entering at the top reaches the clothes compartment via a combined activated carbon and dust filter; from there it is blown out laterally at the bottom after renewed filtering. The flow resistances inside the cabinet are remarkable; As a result, either the air throughput is low or a powerful fan with a correspondingly large amount of noise is required, which greatly limits the possible uses. The effort is even greater with a laundry drying cabinet according to EP 0 556 907 B1, which discloses a sealed drying chamber with a dehumidifying refrigeration system and a circulating air fan, but takes no account of the flow in the area of the goods to be dried, as does its arrangement and condition.

It is an important object of the invention to remedy the situation and to achieve a substantial improvement in the ventilation of the furniture with the most economical possible means. In particular, new types of ventilated furniture should ensure that objects contained therein are properly stored, with the ingress and swirling of dust being largely excluded.

Main features of the invention are set out in claim 1. Embodiments are specified in claims 2 to 19.

For furniture, especially ventilated steel furniture such as wardrobes or locker cabinets and the like. With floor, walls and front or door and head part, ventilation openings being provided in or near the floor and in the upper area of at least one wall or the head part, the invention provides according to claim 1 that the sum of the cross sections (1 + 2 + 3) of all lower openings near the floor is larger than the free cross section (4 + 5) of the interior of the furniture, that this is larger than the sum of the free cross sections (5 + 6) in the head part and that the latter is larger than the cross section of the outflow opening (see Figs. 3 and 4). Thanks to this basic measure, indoor air convection can also take place in furniture, which is generally due to the temperature and density difference between the near-floor and higher air layers. In a very simple way, the pressure drop due to the construction of conventional constructions is switched off or at least largely reduced. The result is a significantly improved air circulation with the advantage that even textiles, such as rain-soaked clothes, wet hand or bath towels, etc., which are hung in the closet, can dry in a reasonable amount of time, which is considerably shortened even without a fan compared to the previous conditions.

Both to the appearance and to the ventilation effect, it contributes positively if, according to claim 2 - apart from in or near the floor - lower and upper ventilation openings are only arranged in the rear wall and are present on or next to these, by means of which a minimum distance increases a vertical surface possibly opposite the rear wall is specified. This not only opens up the possibility of an attractive design, especially of the fronts, but also promotes air circulation, especially in the conventionally neglected rear cabinet parts. The spacers can be distributed over the height of the furniture and can be designed as continuous strips or as individual elements.

According to claim 3 are arranged transversely to the walls such as floors, parcel shelves and the like. designed as perforated panels or perforated sheets. This ensures that the flow resistance inside the furniture is minimized.

The chimney effect of the convection is therefore largely retained even when the cabinet is heavily filled.

An important development of the invention, for which independent protection is asserted, consists in a piece of furniture with a foot-supported base according to claim 4, that the floor has a platform raised from a large openwork main surface and that there is space on all sides between the base surface and the platform surface which strongly promote the free air flow inside the cabinet. This allows large entry cross-sections in the area close to the floor, without having to make slots or other openings on the front.

It is very useful to arrange the pedestal according to claim 5 in a central area between the walls or the front or door, so that the air flowing in from below is distributed to all sides. Not only the floor, but also the platform surface itself can be perforated according to claim 6, preferably including a shoe shell formed or held by it. Water can drip off damp shoes and the platform surface next to it also contributes to circulation.

In this context, the feature of claim 7 is particularly advantageous, according to which transverse flat bodies located above the floor have a free space at least towards a wall or front or door that cannot be occupied and is consequently constantly available for high-flow air. In accordance with claim 8, an upper shelf is preferably shortened compared to the depth of the furniture and provided with a storage tray, which is often very pleasant for ease of use. In the bowl you can e.g. Small parts such as watches, rings, money etc. that are temporarily not required. lay, which is often very desirable in sports changing rooms.

At least one upper shelf can consist of plastic or can be designed as a plastic composite body, which ensures high scratch resistance and good cleaning options.

Independent protection is also claimed for the measure of claim 10, according to which the ventilation openings and / or the transverse flat bodies have a degree of perforation and a free space portion of at least 50% - based on transverse surfaces or compartment volumes. The ratio of the material-free cross section to the sum of all existing material cross sections is therefore optimized. The convection breakthroughs can be made very large thanks to the sufficient strength of the remaining material webs. Such a design is of great advantage for maximum air entry and passage, especially with regard to drying options.

If, according to claim 11, the front or door is completely hole-free, but has a gap towards the bottom, a further inflow opening is provided in a manner known per se. No visible openings are required in the front or door area, which are often perceived as unattractive with conventional furniture and also e.g. can be blocked by objects placed in front of it. Insofar as additional outflow openings are required, they are laid on the rear wall, in particular on or next to their outer edges.

An important embodiment of the invention according to claim 13 is that shafts, channels or the like are assigned to the ventilation openings on the inflow side, which connect in a sealed manner to the floor or the area of the rear wall near the floor. You can z. B. Introduce filtered air into the interior of the cabinet, thus preventing the ingress of dust or other contaminants. The ducted air supply also helps to further improve the flow conditions.

Independent claim 14 provides that the rear wall has a plug-in receptacle for a knee socket in the area of at least one ventilation opening. This inevitably acts as a spacer, but primarily serves to redirect the supply air or extract air. In addition, this makes it easier to install forced ventilation, which contributes significantly to faster and / or uniform air circulation. Optionally, air can be drawn off at the bottom or at the headboard or, conversely, a gaseous medium can be introduced. The components used outside the furniture are used only for airflow. Assembly is effortless.

The development of claim 15 is that a knee socket in the area of the head part can be connected to an on-site suction system. Thanks to the modular Retrofitting existing furniture is also possible without any problems.

In another variant, the piece of furniture is connected or connectable to a dryer. Regardless of room temperature and air humidity, this ensures the best drying of the furniture content in the shortest possible time.

Such a dryer can be predetermined by the customer, but the invention also provides according to claim 17 that a circulating air duct provided with a blower can be connected to the head part and bottom knee supports. This gives the furniture or a row of cupboards a forced ventilation that can be retrofitted, which ensures even air passage. According to claim 18, a heater can be present in or on the dryer, which is preferably controllable, so that the heating power and air circulation temperature can be optimally adapted to the respective needs.

The development according to claim 19 is particularly advantageous, according to which exhaust air pipes connected or connectable to one another can be connected to the exhaust air outlets of grouped cabinet compartments in such an arrangement and dimensioning that different pipe cross sections bring about uniform ventilation and aeration.

Fig. 1

eine schematisierte Schrägansicht eines belüfteten Schranks,

Fig. 2

eine Schrägansicht eines bodenseitigen Podests,

Fig. 3 und 4

je eine schematisierte Schnittansicht der Strömungs-Verhältnisse in einem leeren bzw. vollen Schrank,

Fig. 5 bis 7

je eine schematisierte Schrägansicht unterschiedlicher Bauformen,

Fig. 8A

eine Vorderansicht eines Anschlußstutzens,

Fig. 8B

eine Schnittansicht entsprechend der Linie B-B in Fig. 8A und

Fig. 9

ein Vergleichs-Diagramm von Trocknungsabläufen.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention result from the wording of the claims and from the following explanation of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. In it show:

Fig. 1

a schematic oblique view of a ventilated cabinet,

Fig. 2

an oblique view of a base-side platform,

3 and 4

each a schematic sectional view of the flow conditions in an empty or full cabinet,

5 to 7

each a schematic oblique view of different designs,

Figure 8A

a front view of a connecting piece,

Figure 8B

a sectional view along the line BB in Fig. 8A and

Fig. 9

a comparison diagram of drying processes.

1 shows a cabinet or locker, generally designated 10, which has a base 12 on feet 14 and an attachment 16 with a head part 18. The left half is drawn in a transparent manner, so to speak, while the right side represents the cabinet 10, which is closed with a front or door 20, and is opaque.

A base 22 is located on the base 12, to which a rear wall 24 connects at the rear and a side wall 26 on each side. Inflow openings 30 and outflow openings 40 are provided only in the rear wall, while the front or door 20 is continuously closed, i.e. is free of such openings. An inlay 28 is arranged in the upper area between the walls 24, 26 and is arranged to be displaceable on rails 46 in the depth direction and has openings 44 and a storage tray 48 in the main part of its surface.

As can be seen particularly clearly from FIG. 2, the floor 22 has a large floor opening 32, above which a platform 34 is located. It can be designed as a shoe shell and is supported by webs 36 on the edge of the bottom opening 32. There are large lower free spaces 50 between the webs 36 and the surfaces 22, 34. The main surface of the bottom 22 is provided with openings 38. The platform surface 34 can also be perforated.

The flow conditions of the cabinet ventilation are illustrated schematically in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the empty cabinet (Fig. 3) the entire inner volume is available for the flow. A gap 52 present between the door 20 and the base 12 forms a relatively small inflow cross-section 1. The cross-section of the inflow opening 2, namely the bottom opening 32, is large. The lower ventilation opening 30 corresponding to the conventional designs provides a supplementary inflow cross-section 3. The dimensioning is chosen in this way that the sum of the inflow cross sections 1 + 2 + 3 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the interior of the cabinet, which is composed of the cross sections 4 and 5.

On the outflow side, the insert board 28 forms an obstacle to flow, but its openings 44 and an upper free space 54 which is provided towards the front 20 are dimensioned in such a way that good air throughput is ensured thanks to a degree of perforation of more than 50%. Supplement the flow cross section 5 of the free space 54 and the total cross section 6 of the openings 44 of the flange 28 to the sum of the outflow cross sections at the head, which is larger than the cross section 7 of the outflow openings 40. This results in the chimney effect shown schematically in FIG. 3 next to the cabinet 10.

The following cross-sections should be mentioned as an example of the conditions in a furniture version:

The same applies according to FIG. 4 also in the case of a normally filled cupboard, for example when objects such as a hat H are placed on the board 28 and items of clothing K are hung underneath and shoes S are placed on the pedestal 30. This loading reduces the free cross section in the lower cabinet space by the loading area A ₁ and in the middle or upper cabinet area by the loading area A ₂ . Regardless of this, there is still an excess of free cross sections on the inflow side, and the free spaces or degrees of perforation in the interior are so large that sufficient ventilation is ensured because the chimney effect continues. By comparing Fig. 4 with Fig. 3 it can be seen that the loading of the cabinet basically reduces the free cross-sections in the interior of the cabinet, but only to such a minimum that the flow resistance and the resulting pressure losses do not question free convection. As a result, there is also a chimney effect in the loaded cabinet 10, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

The results based thereon are shown in practical measurement results, as shown in the diagram in FIG. 9. On the basis of a relative air humidity of 50%, drying processes over a period of 9 hours are compared with one another, starting from an initial water content of 100 g. Conventional ventilation results with simple convection are plotted as the rearmost curve a (dark). The brightly colored curve b in front shows the measurement results with conventional forced ventilation. The middle curve c (dark) shows an improved drying by applying some features according to the invention. Again bright, another curve d is shown, from which the drying process results with the forced ventilation according to the invention. The front curve e (dark) illustrates the measurement results with ventilation optimized according to the invention.

It can be seen that even with the convective ventilation according to curve c, drying is about three times better after approx. 4 h than with conventional constructions. This is expressed with ventilation numbers N according to Prof. Geropp in such a way that a conventional ventilation number range N = 15 ... 20 according to the invention is opposed to ventilation numbers in the range N = 53 ... 55. In the air circulation process - as can be seen from curve e - complete drying is achieved after only 2 hours.

Further embodiments are shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. Furniture 10 of the same basic structure but with different equipment is shown schematically in a transparent oblique view. Similar elements are designated with the same reference numbers as before.

The cabinet 10 shown in FIG. 5 stands with its base 12 on feet 14 and is provided in this floor area with channels L or shafts which channel the supply air at the inflow openings 30. The rear wall 24 has additional outflow openings 41, in particular in a linear arrangement near the outer edges. A channel L in turn connects to the upper outflow openings 40. Arrows illustrate the flow directions.

The furniture 10 according to FIG. 6 is designed similarly. However, it has a plug-in receptacle 56 for a knee socket 58 in the head part 18 on the rear wall 24, which can also act as a spacer 42. An exhaust air knee 68 connects to a pipe transition 66, which enables the flow connection to an on-site suction system.

The construction of the knee support 58 is illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B. It can be seen that it delimits an exhaust air passage 60 with a flat edge 62. With a trailing edge 64, the pipe transition 66, which bends at a right angle, closes to the front, i. H. away from the rear wall 24. The flat edge 62 can be inserted into the receptacle 56 and z. B. by means of mushroom heads in a known manner. A sealed press fit is preferred.

In the example of FIG. 7, in addition to the exhaust air knee arrangement 58/68, a supply air knee 78 is provided in the floor area, which can be fixed in a lower plug-in receptacle 76 in a non-positive and / or positive manner and can be connected to an supply air duct 74. This connects to a blower 72, from the head part 18 via the exhaust air knee 68 and a recirculating air duct 70 which is supplied with air discharged from the interior of the cabinet. Such circulating air equipment can therefore also be easily retrofitted to existing furniture 10.

The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments shown. However, it can be seen that a ventilated piece of furniture with a base 12 and an attachment 16 consisting of floor 22, walls 24, 26 and front or door 20 and head part 18 has ventilation openings such that the sum of the cross sections 1 + 2 + 3 of all lower, bottom openings 30, 32, 52 is larger than the free cross section 4 of the interior of the furniture, that this is larger than the sum of the free cross sections 5 + 6 in the head part 18 and that the latter is larger than the cross section 7 of the outflow opening 40 , 40 are only arranged at the bottom and top of the rear wall 24. Spacers 42 provide a minimum distance from a vertical surface. Cross-flat body such as floor 22, parcel shelves 28 and the like. are perforated panels, perforated sheets, grids and the like. educated. The floor 22 has a large opening with a raised platform 34. There are free spaces 50 on all sides between this and the main floor area. An upper plastic shelf 28 is shortened in relation to the depth of the furniture t and is provided with a storage tray 48. The ventilation openings 30, 40 and / or transverse flat bodies 22, 28 located above the base 12 have a degree of perforation and a free space portion of at least 50%. The completely hole-free front or door 20 has a gap 52 towards the base 12.

The rear wall 24 can have additional outflow openings 41, in particular along its outer edges, and it can be in the region of at least one ventilation opening 40; 30 have a plug-in receptacle 56 or 76 for a knee socket 58 or 78, which allows a connection to an on-site suction system and / or to an air supply 70, 72. Shafts, channels L or the like can also be assigned to the ventilation openings on the inflow side, which connect to the floor 22 or the area of the rear wall 24 near the floor in a sealed manner. So it is easily possible to z. B. initiate ozone-enriched or mixed with disinfectant air and blow through. The furniture 10 can also be connected to a dryer T, in particular by connecting a circulating air duct 70, 74 provided with a blower 72 to the knee supports 58 and 78 on the headboard and base sides. A heater may be present in or on the dryer T.

Significant advantages of the invention are based on the fact that rapid and uniform ventilation is achieved by means of favorable flow guidance. Because the individual components form the components of a modular system, starting from a basic cabinet, even higher requirements can be met in an extremely economical manner by means of additives that can be easily (re) installed. Different compartment widths from e.g. 300 mm and 400 mm can be easily implemented. Assemblies mounted on the outside do not need to absorb static loads, since they only serve to guide the air. If forced ventilation is provided, no actuators or shut-off devices are required.

All of the features and advantages arising from the claims, the description and the drawing, including structural details and spatial arrangements, can be essential to the invention both individually and in the most varied of combinations.

Reference list

A ₁ , A ₂

Loading areas

H

cap

K

clothes

L

Channels / shafts

S

Shoes

t

depth

T

dryer

1 ... 7

cross-section

10th

Cupboard / locker

12th

base

14

Feet

16

Essay

18th

Headboard

20th

Front / door

22

ground

24th

Back wall

26

side walls

28

Insert board

30th

Inflow openings

32

Floor openings

34

Pedestal / shoe shell

36

Walkways

38

Breakthroughs

40.41

Outflow openings

42

Spacers

44

Breakthroughs

46

rails

48

Storage tray

50

lower free spaces

52

gap

54

upper free spaces

56

Socket

58

Knee support

60

Exhaust vent

62

Flat rim

64

Trailing edge

66

Pipe transition

68

Exhaust knee

70

Recirculation duct

72

fan

74

Supply air duct

76

Socket

78

Supply air knee

Claims (19)

Ventilable furniture, in particular steel furniture such as wardrobes or locker cabinets and the like, with a base (12) and an attachment (16) consisting of floor (22), walls (24, 26) and front or door (20) and headboard (18), ventilation openings (30, 40) being present in or near the bottom (22) and in the upper region of at least one wall or of the head part (18), characterized in that the sum of the cross sections (1 + 2 + 3 ) of all lower openings near the floor (30, 32, 52) is larger than the free cross section (4) of the interior of the furniture, that this is larger than the sum of the free cross sections (5 + 6) in the head part (18) and that the latter is larger is as the cross section (7) of the outflow opening (40). Furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that - except in or near the floor (22) - lower and upper ventilation openings (30, 40) are arranged only in the rear wall (24) and that spacers (42) are located on or next to them , by means of which a minimum distance to a vertical surface possibly opposite the rear wall (24) is specified. Furniture according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that flat bodies, such as floors (22), parcel shelves (28) and the like, arranged transversely to the walls (24, 26). as perforated panels, perforated sheets, grids and the like. are trained. Furniture in particular according to claim 3, with a base (12) supported on feet (14), characterized in that the base (22) has a platform (34) raised from its main surface which is open to a large area and that between the main surface of the base (22) and the platform surface (34) in particular has free spaces (50) on all sides. Furniture according to claim 4, characterized in that the platform (34) is arranged in a central region between the walls (24, 26) or the front or door (20). Furniture according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the platform surface (34) and / or a shoe shell formed or held by it is perforated. Furniture according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that transverse flat bodies (28) located above the floor (22) have a free space (54) at least towards a wall or front or door (20). Furniture according to claim 7, characterized in that an upper shelf (28) is shortened in relation to the furniture depth (t) and is provided with a storage tray (48). Furniture according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the transverse flat bodies, or at least an upper shelf (28), consist of plastic or are designed as a composite plastic body. Furniture according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the ventilation openings (30, 40) and / or the transverse flat bodies (22, 28) have a degree of perforation and a free space portion of at least 50%. Furniture according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the front or door (20) is completely hole-free, but has a gap (52) towards the base (12). Furniture according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the rear wall (24) has additional outflow openings (41), in particular at or next to its outer edges. Furniture according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that shafts, ducts (L) or the like are assigned to the ventilation openings (30) on the inflow side and are sealed to the floor (22) or the region of the rear wall (24) near the floor. connect. Furniture in particular according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the rear wall (24) in the area of at least one Ventilation opening (40; 30) has a plug receptacle (56 or 76) for a knee socket (58 or 78). Furniture according to claim 13 and 14, characterized in that a knee socket (58) in the area of the head part (18) can be connected to an on-site suction system. Furniture at least according to claim 14, characterized in that it is connected or can be connected to a dryer (T). Furniture at least according to claim 16, characterized in that a circulating air duct (70, 74) provided with a blower (72) can be connected to the knee supports (58 and 78) on the headboard and base sides. Furniture according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that a heating device is present in or on the dryer (T). Furniture according to one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that exhaust air pipes (66, 70) which are interconnected or connectable to one another at the exhaust air passages (60) of cupboard compartments (10) arranged in groups in such an arrangement and dimensioning that different pipe cross sections ensure uniform removal. and cause ventilation.

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