EP3812661B1 - Air guiding device and method for ventilating buildings - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an air guidance device and a method for building ventilation with the features of the independent claims.

Fresh air is added to ventilate the rooms in living, office and business rooms. For this purpose, devices are used for a controlled flow, but also for cleaning and analyzing the supply and exhaust air. In general, a distinction is made between facilities with controlled supply air (supply air system), controlled exhaust air (exhaust air system) or a combined control of supply and exhaust air (supply and exhaust air system). In exhaust air systems, the exhaust air is led from different rooms using pipe or duct systems into an exhaust air collection box and from there to a common outlet.

There are devices that, during installation, require the operator or professional to manually adjust a flow for different volumes of the premises. Valve units are used to ensure a controlled flow. The valve units in the known devices have a complex structure and cannot be installed in existing ventilation systems. In addition, individual control of the room air is often not possible.

EP 2 743 597 discloses an exhaust system with which exhaust air is removed from individual rooms. The system has a housing with at least one inlet and a fan. The inlets can be opened and closed using flaps. In addition, the flap is equipped with sensors that measure, for example, the CO ₂ content or the humidity in the exhaust air. The flaps are controlled depending on the CO ₂ content and the humidity of the exhaust air.

NL 2 014 563 A discloses an exhaust system for removing exhaust air in buildings with several rooms. Individual rooms are supplied with supply air by connecting auxiliary ducts to a distributor. Using cassettes located at the passage between auxiliary connections and auxiliary channels, the humidity, CO ₂ content and the like are measured by a butterfly valve flow controller, a motor and a sensor. However, this device has various disadvantages. For example, continuous measurements of air quality are not possible when the valves are closed.

US 2015/368961 A1 discloses an air guiding device according to the preamble of claim 1.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to avoid the disadvantages of the known, in particular to provide an air guidance device and a method for building ventilation which allows simple retrofitting of existing systems and which enables individual control and in particular continuous measurement of the air quality and/or or measurements of flow allowed.

These tasks are solved with an air guiding device for building ventilation with the features of the independent patent claims.

An air collection box contains at least two inlets for receiving exhaust air from a room and at least one outlet for releasing the captured room air into the environment. In an alternative embodiment, the air collection box contains at least one inlet for receiving supply air from the environment and at least one outlet for distributing the intake air in at least one room. There is a valve in at least one outlet or inlet assigned to regulate an air flow through the respective outlet or inlet. At least one sensor for measuring a parameter of the exhaust or supply air is provided at the outlet or inlet. The air guiding device has a control unit which is operatively connected to the sensor and the valve in such a way that the valve can be adjusted autonomously depending on parameters which can be measured with the sensor. The valve and the at least one sensor form a valve unit. The valve unit therefore functions autonomously. It can be easily installed in existing systems as no connection to external sensors is required. However, the valve unit can optionally exchange additional information with external components, for example via a radio connection. This makes it possible to transmit exhaust or supply air parameters to a higher-level control system.

The air guidance device can have a self-configuring system bus, which ensures that the individual valve units are controlled. Each device is connected to the system bus without prior bus configuration. The system bus can be a ring architecture or a daisy/bus. A master can assign a unique identification to the individual valve units, e.g. based on the hop distance to the master.

With the help of existing sensor technology, training data for a neural network can be collected. The training data for the neural network is generated during the system's runtime and can reduce the system's dependencies on the sensors. As a result, the operation of the air guiding device is not necessarily dependent on the measured parameters of each individual valve unit. This means that system availability can be increased by linking the system bus and the training data become. The model for the control is constantly updated with the data. Due to the model, the system can continue to maintain its full range of functions, even if individual sensors fail.

The valve and the sensor are preferably constructed as a modular unit, which are inserted into the air collection box in the area of at least one outlet or inlet. This allows, for example, easy retrofitting of existing air collection boxes.

According to the invention, the air guiding device has a passage which is arranged in such a way that exhaust or supply air can flow from the at least one outlet or inlet into the air collection box, even if the corresponding valve is closed. The sensor is arranged in such a way that a parameter is measured in the exhaust or supply air that flows through the passage. The passage is formed, for example, by a flow opening. The passage forms a bypass in the valve for a small part of the exhaust or supply air flow. This ensures continuous measurement of at least one parameter of the exhaust or supply air, even when the valve is closed.

The air guiding device preferably has a second passage, with a second sensor being arranged in the second passage. Preferably, at least one, if possible all, passages lead through a closure element of the valve, which serves to close the outlet or inlet.

The valve unit can have a centering foot to center the valve unit in a channel. The passage can advantageously be arranged on this centering foot.

The valve is preferably a poppet valve which has a sealing plate. One or more passages lead through one or more flow openings on the sealing plate. The sensor is preferably suitable for measuring one or more of the following parameters: VOC concentration, CO2 concentration, temperature, absolute pressure, differential pressure, volume flow, noise emissions, humidity. These parameters can be used to control the valve unit. This enables continuous control or regulation of the amount of exhaust air in each valve.

The air quality (in particular CO2, VOC and the relative humidity rH) can be controlled using the air collection box, for example, with a coordinated fuzzy set and an associated fuzzy controller.

The control unit is therefore preferably set up so that the valve can be controlled or regulated depending on the parameter(s) measured in the passage(s).

The air guiding device preferably has a valve at two, three or more outlets or inlets for regulating an exhaust or supply air flow through the respective outlet or inlet. A sensor for measuring a parameter of the exhaust or supply air is provided on the valves. The air guiding device then has one passage per valve. The passage is arranged in such a way that exhaust or supply air can flow from the respective outlet or inlet into the air collection box, even if the corresponding valve is closed. The sensor is arranged so that a parameter in the exhaust or supply air flowing through the passage can be measured. Due to the majority of influences of the exhaust or supply air on the air guiding device, it is possible to control the ventilation of the different rooms individually and to ensure optimal ventilation of the respective room.

The invention also relates to a method for building ventilation. Exhaust or supply air is led from a room in a building through an exhaust or supply air duct into the air collection box. The air collection box is equipped with a valve as described above. The valve directs the exhaust or supply air from a room in a building through an outlet or inlet.

Part of the exhaust or supply air is branched off in a passage, with the sensor measuring at least one parameter of the exhaust or supply air. The exhaust or supply air can flow through the passage, even if the valve is closed. This ensures continuous measurement of at least one parameter of the exhaust or supply air.

The invention further relates to a valve unit for the air guiding device. A valve is used to regulate air flow through a respective outlet or inlet of an air collection box.

The valve unit has at least the sensor for measuring a parameter of the exhaust or supply air, the sensor being assigned to the valve. According to the invention, the valve unit has a control which is operatively connected to the sensor and the valve in such a way that the valve can be adjusted depending on parameters that can be measured with the sensor. The valve unit can be installed in various ventilation systems of different buildings. Installation of the valve device does not require any special training or expertise.

A valve unit is preferably equipped as a modular unit, which has a shape and size such that it can be inserted into the existing air collection box. This modular unit makes it easy to retrofit existing systems. It is also conceivable to arrange only one valve unit in a common inlet channel. At least one, preferably several, supply air ducts lead from the supply air distribution box to the individual rooms in a building. It is also conceivable to arrange valve units in one or more of these supply air ducts.

Fig. 1:

eine Ausführungsform einer Ventileinheit einer Abluftsammelvorrichtung im geöffneten Zustand

Fig. 2:

die Ventileinheit aus Figur 1 im geschlossenen Zustand

Fig. 3:

die Ventileinheit aus Figur 1 im Schnitt

Fig. 4:

die Ventileinheit aus Figur 1 von einer Luftzufuhrseite aus gesehen

Fig. 5:

die Ventileinheit aus Figur 1 ohne ein Gehäuse der Steuereinheit

Fig. 6a:

Erste detaillierte Darstellung der Steuereinheit und einer Leiterplatte

Fig. 6b:

Zweite detaillierte Darstellung der Steuereinheit und einer Leiterplatte

Fig. 7:

eine Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Abluftsammelvorrichtung

The invention is explained in more detail below using the figures and exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1:

an embodiment of a valve unit of an exhaust air collection device in the open state

Fig. 2:

the valve unit Figure 1 in the closed state

Fig. 3:

the valve unit Figure 1 on average

Fig. 4:

the valve unit Figure 1 seen from an air supply side

Fig. 5:

the valve unit Figure 1 without a control unit housing

Fig. 6a:

First detailed representation of the control unit and a circuit board

Fig. 6b:

Second detailed representation of the control unit and a circuit board

Fig. 7:

an embodiment of an exhaust air collection device according to the invention

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a valve unit 1 according to the invention. This is designed in shape and size so that it can be installed in existing ventilation systems. The valve unit 1 is cylindrical and essentially consists of a base housing 4 and a sealing plate 3. It also has a control unit 2.

The basic housing 4 includes an annular seal 15 and a hollow cylindrical air guide, which extends from the seal 15.

The seal has a larger outside diameter than the cylindrical air guide. Outside the air duct, at least one, preferably three, guide cylinders 9 are connected in one piece to the cylindrical air duct. The base housing 4 is preferably made of plastic and manufactured using an injection molding process.

The valve plate, together with a valve seat 19, forms a valve 30.

The guide cylinders 9 are arranged evenly on the circumference of the basic housing 4. The guide cylinders 9 carry the control unit 2, form a supporting structure of the valve unit 1 and guide the sealing plate 3. The guide cylinders 9 are cylindrical.

The control unit 2 is constructed in several parts and is mounted on the guide cylinders 9. A housing 35 is mounted on a carrier plate 34 and thus forms the control unit 2. The control unit 2 preferably comprises one, particularly preferably two, electrical connections 10, which are formed on the housing 35. The electrical connections 10 are used to supply electricity. However, it is also optionally conceivable to transmit data via the connections.

The housing 35 is made of plastic and is preferably manufactured using an injection molding process.

The carrier plate 34 has tabs 37 with which the assembly on the guide cylinders 9 is realized. These tabs 37 are arranged evenly around the circumference and form an intermediate angle of 120°.

Inside the control unit 2 there is an electric motor 13 ( Fig. 3 ), which moves the sealing plate 3 up and down in an axial direction 18 with a spindle 5. With this movement, the valve 30 is closed and/or opened.

The sealing plate 3 has three guide elements 33 on the circumference and is secured against rotation with the guide cylinders 9. The guide elements 33 include a curved guide surface which rests on the guide cylinders 9. The guide cylinders 9 also serve to axially center the sealing plate 3.

The sealing plate 3 is reinforced with support ribs 11 (see Fig. 2 ). The spindle 5 runs through a threaded receptacle 12 ( Fig. 2 ), which is part of the sealing plate 3. The support ribs 11 are arranged in a star shape and are connected in one piece to the sealing plate 3. The sealing plate is preferably made of plastic and manufactured using an injection molding process. The support ribs 11 form an intermediate angle of 120°.

The larger the opening between the sealing plate 3 and the base housing 4, the more exhaust air can flow through the valve unit 1. In the in Figure 1 In the position of the sealing plate 3 shown, exhaust air from a supply side 21 can pass through a flow opening 22 ( Fig. 4 ), as well as between the sealing plate 3 and the base housing 4. For this purpose, the flow opening 22 is arranged in the sealing plate, through which a circuit board 39 is guided ( Fig. 4 ). A gap is created between the flow opening 22 and the circuit board 39, whereby a flow of exhaust air is generated even when the valve unit is closed.

The valve unit 1 is equipped with a channel fixing bracket 7 in the axial direction. The channel fixing bracket 7 is bent at both ends and is preferably made of spring steel. Thanks to the bend, the valve unit can be firmly anchored in an exhaust air duct 26 ( Fig. 7 ).

The basic housing 4 has an outer installation diameter 31 for a channel diameter according to the following table. Channel diameter: [mm] Installation diameter: [mm] 40 - 80 100 80-100 120 100 - 125 145 125 - 150 170 150 - 200 220 200 - 250 270

The geometry and material of the seal 15 ensure additional tightness at the interface to an exhaust air collection box 28 ( Fig. 5 ). The seal 15 is preferably made of a slightly elastic plastic, which also has a high load-bearing strength.

The free installation height of the valve unit is 100 mm with an installation diameter of 100 mm. Depending on the size of the channel diameter, the free installation height is preferably proportional to the example above.

Fig. 2 shows the valve unit 1 in a closed state. The sealing plate 3 lies on the valve seat 19 ( Fig. 3 ) of the base housing 4 and thus closes the valve 30. In this position there is no flow between the valve plate 3 and the valve seat 19. However, due to the flow opening 22 ( Fig. 4 ) allows a low flow of exhaust air. This allows at least one parameter of the exhaust air to be determined using at least one sensor 42 ( 6a and 6b ) to eat. The temperature of the exhaust air is measured, for example, by a heated, electrical resistance sensor. Due to the flow through the passage opening 22 can be measured with sensor 42 even when the valve is closed.

Fig. 3 shows the valve unit 1 in a vertical section. The mechanism for opening and closing the valve unit 1 is shown. The electric motor 13, together with a control in the control unit 2, ensures automatic control of the opening and closing of the valve 30.

The electric motor 13 transmits a torque to the spindle 5 via a clutch 20. The electric motor 13 can carry out a rotational movement in both a clockwise and counterclockwise direction. The transmission of the torque causes the spindle 5 to rotate in the direction of rotation 17. A thread is attached to the spindle 5. The thread is preferably a trapezoidal thread. The rotational movement causes the sealing plate 3 to move in the axial direction 18. The trapezoidal thread has a large pitch, which enables a relatively large path of the sealing plate 3 in the axial direction 18 with a small number of revolutions of the electric motor 13.

The centering feet 14 are used to center the exhaust air duct 26 during assembly. In addition, they support the spindle 5 and are connected to the base housing 4. The centering feet are arranged in a star shape and form an intermediate angle of 120°.

The valve unit 1 is in Fig. 3 shown in an open state. For example, if the number of people increases, the flow can be adjusted using the control unit 2 of the valve unit 1 due to the changed parameters of the exhaust air. The valve 30 is opened or closed.

Fig. 4 shows the valve unit 1 according to the invention from the air supply side 21. The seal 15 is arranged on the base housing 4 and allows installation on existing exhaust systems. The valve unit 1 can be in the housing of an exhaust air collection device 25 ( Fig. 5 ) are mounted and installed in an exhaust air duct 26 ( Fig. 5 ) can be secured using the channel fixing bracket 7. For this purpose, an inside of the seal 15 is brought into contact with a stop 32.

A holder 40 is formed between the centering feet 14. The circuit board 39 is mounted on the holder 40. The circuit board 39 is T-shaped and is arranged with its base in the control unit 2. At the front end of the circuit board 39, which faces the feed side 21, there is at least one sensor 42 ( 6a and 6b ) educated. The holder 40 is connected in one piece to the basic housing 4 and is preferably made of plastic.

The Figure 5 shows the valve unit 1 without the housing 35. A web 41 is formed on the carrier plate 34. This web 41 serves for centering and as an assembly aid for the housing 35. Further rib-shaped webs are formed on the carrier plate 34, which additionally increase the stability of the carrier plate 34 and protect the control elements 16. The electric motor 13 is attached to the carrier plate 34. The circuit board 39 is also mounted on the mounting plate 34. Two electrical connections 10 are arranged on the web. The openings of the electrical connections 10 point away from the center of the carrier plate 34. The electrical connections 10 are connected to the circuit board 39. The circuit board 34 extends through the carrier plate 34 and the sealing plate 3 ( 6a and 6b ). The carrier plate 34 is preferably made of a plastic and produced by the injection molding process. In the Figure 5 is the thread mount 12 shown, which is arranged in the center of the base housing.

The Figures 6a and 6b show some components of the valve unit 1 and the control unit 2. The T-shaped circuit board 39 is shown from two different perspectives. Furthermore, the sensors 42 and the control elements 16 as well as the electric motor 13 and the spindle 5 are shown.

In the Figure 6a the arrangement of the components of the control unit 2 is illustrated. The T-shaped circuit board 39 runs through an opening in the mounting plate 43. The sensors 42 are arranged at the end of the circuit board 39.

The Figure 6b shows an underside of the carrier plate 34. Rib-shaped webs are also arranged on the underside of the carrier plate 34. In the center of the carrier plate 34, the coupling 20 protrudes, with which the connection from the electric motor 13 to the spindle 5 is realized.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of an exhaust air collection box 28 according to the invention with three valve units 1 for three different rooms. The exhaust air collection box 28 has a length 24 and a height 23. The height 23 of the exhaust air collection box 28 is preferably more than 100 mm. The length 24 of the exhaust air collection box 28 can be selected arbitrarily and depends on the number of rooms in the building. The installation height of the valve unit within the exhaust air collection box 28 is approx. 100 mm.

Three exhaust air ducts 26, which are connected to the different rooms, open into the exhaust air collection box 28. The exhaust air from the different rooms is marked with R1, R2 and R3.

At least one valve unit 1 is provided for each room. In Fig. 7 It can be seen that the different valve units 1 are opened differently for each room. For example, the valve unit 1 for the first room is closed, so that the flow R1 for the first room is zero. The middle valve unit 1 is open and generates a flow R2 for the second room, with the valve position being adapted to the volume of the room. The third valve unit 1 is almost completely open and generates a flow R3 for the third room. The flow R3 for the third room is greater than that of the second room. If the measured parameters of the exhaust air change, the position of the valve 30 is individually adjusted by the control units 2 of the various valve units 1 so that a suitable flow is generated for each room.

The exhaust air collecting device 25 has an exhaust air outlet A1, which is arranged laterally in this exemplary embodiment. The exhaust air collection device 25 can also have several exhaust air outlets A1. All exhaust air from the various rooms flows through the exhaust air outlet A1.

The arrangement of the valve units 1 in the exhaust air collecting device 25 can, for example, as in Figure 7 take place in a row or be arranged in a matrix. This depends on the number of rooms and the installation space of the exhaust air collection device 25, but can be expanded and adjusted as desired. By measuring the parameters of the individual exhaust air flows R1, R2 or R3, the openings of the valve units 1 can be adjusted arbitrarily and continuously in order to adjust the flow of the individual rooms at any time.

Retrofitting the valve units 1 is possible at any time thanks to the modular structure of the valve units 1. The basic housing 4, in particular the outer diameter 31, is designed such that the valve unit 1 can be mounted in conventional exhaust air collecting devices 25 using the mounting stop 38. Alternatively, assembly is carried out with a screw connection. Such a connection can be supported with a magnet that sticks to a metal pipe.

When used in a supply air collection box, the valve units 1 are arranged in the same way, with the exhaust air flowing away on the supply side 21.

Claims (10)

1. Air guiding device (25) for a building ventilation system, comprising

   a. an air collecting box (28) with

   at least two inlets (R1, R2, R3) for taking in exhaust air from a room and with at least one outlet (A1) for discharging the taken-in room air to the environment, or

   at least one inlet for receiving supply air from the environment and at least one outlet for distributing the received supply air in at least one room,

   b. wherein at least one outlet or inlet (R1) is associated with a valve (30) for regulating an exhaust or supply air flow through the respective outlet or inlet (R1),

   c. wherein at least one sensor (42) for measuring a parameter of the exhaust or supply air is provided at the outlet or inlet (R1),

   wherein the air guiding device (25) comprises a control unit (2) which is operatively connected to the sensor (42) and the valve (30) in such a way that the valve is autonomously adjustable in dependence on parameters which are measurable with the sensor (42), characterized in that the air guiding device (25) comprises a passage (8) arranged to allow exhaust or supply air to flow from said at least one outlet or inlet (R1) into said air collecting box (28) even when the corresponding valve (30) is closed, and wherein said sensor (42) is arranged to measure a parameter in the exhaust or supply air flowing through said passage (8).
2. The air guiding device (25) according to claim 1, wherein the valve (30) and the sensor (42) are constructed as a modular unit which is inserted into the air collecting box (28) in the region of at least one of the outlets or inlets (R1) .
3. An air guiding device (25) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the air guiding device (28) comprises a second passage (8), and wherein a second sensor (42) is disposed in the second passage (8).
4. Air guiding device (25) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one, preferably all, of the passages leads through a closure element (3) of the valve (30) for closing the outlet or inlet (R1).
5. An air guiding device (25) according to claim 4, wherein the valve (30) is a poppet valve and comprises a sealing disc (3), and wherein one or more passages (8) pass through one or more through holes on the sealing disc (3) of the poppet valve (30).
6. Air guiding device (25) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (42) is adapted to measure one or more of the following parameters: VOC concentration, CO2, humidity, concentration, temperature, absolute pressure, differential pressure, volumetric flow, noise emissions.
7. Air guiding device (25) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (2) is arranged to control the valve (30) in dependence on the parameter(s) measured in the passage(s) (8).
8. Air guiding device (25) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the box comprises at two, three or more outlets or inlets (R1, R2, R3) each a valve (30) for regulating a flow of exhaust or supply air through the respective outlet or inlet (R1), and wherein at the valves (30) each a sensor (42) is provided for measuring a parameter of the exhaust or supply air wherein the air guiding device (25) comprises, for each valve (30), a passage (8) arranged to allow exhaust or supply air to flow from the respective outlet or inlet (R1) into the air collecting box (28) even when the corresponding valve (30) is closed, and wherein the sensor (42) is arranged to measure a parameter in the exhaust or supply air flowing through the passage (8).
9. A method for building ventilation system by the air guiding device (25) according to any of claims 1 to 8, comprising the steps of

   a. Conducting exhaust or supply air from a room or in a room of a building through an exhaust or supply air duct (26) into or out of the air collecting box (28) through an outlet or inlet (R1) of the air collecting box (28) having the valve (30)

   b. branching off a portion of the exhaust or supply air in one or more of the at least one passage (8) in which the corresponding sensor (42) measures a parameter of the exhaust or supply air, the exhaust or supply air flowing through the passage (8) even when the valve (30) is closed.
10. An air guiding device (25) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a valve unit (1)

    a. comprising the valve (30) for regulating a flow of air through the respective outlet or inlet (R1) of the air collecting box (28), and

    b. at least the sensor (42) for measuring the parameter of the exhaust or supply air, which sensor (42) is associated with the valve (30),

    the valve unit (1) having the control unit, which is operatively connected to the sensor (42) and the valve (30) in such a way that the valve (30) can be adjusted as a function of parameters which can be measured by the sensor (42) .

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