EP4174397A1 - Ventilation box - Google Patents

Abstract

Ventilation box, comprising an internal compartment (22), an access opening (52), a hinged panel (55), and a hinge (70) guiding movement of the hinged panel (55) between closed and open positions. To reduce the risk of damage to the ventilation box and facilitate maintenance, the hinge (70) comprises: a fixed knuckle (71), which is fixed to the internal compartment (22), a movable knuckle (72), which is attached to the fixed knuckle (71) by being pivotable with respect to the fixed knuckle (71) around a pivot axis (X71); and a slider (73), which is attached to the movable knuckle (72) while sliding relative to the movable knuckle (72) along a sliding axis (R72) perpendicular to the pivot axis (X71) and being parallel to the panel flap (55), the flap panel (55) being fixed to the slider (73) to be attached to the internal compartment (22) via the hinge (70).

Description

The present invention relates to a ventilation box.

The ventilation boxes must be regularly maintained, for example to be cleaned or to have their filters replaced. To this end, an access opening is generally provided, which, during operation of the box, is closed to constitute a wall of the box, and which can be opened by the technician to access the interior of the box and carry out the operations. maintenance required.

In particular, a double-flow ventilation box is known which is suspended from the ceiling of a room, which comprises an air inlet giving onto the outside of the room and an air outlet giving onto the inside of the room, to admit a first flow of air towards the interior of the room, and which comprises an air inlet giving on the interior of the room and an air outlet giving on the outside of the room, to extract a second air flow outside the room. In this known ventilation box, the box contains a heat exchanger to cause an exchange of heat between the two air flows within the box.

This ventilation box being suspended from the ceiling, it comprises an access opening on the underside, giving access to the interior of the box to the technician without removing the box from the ceiling. The access opening is closed by a removable panel. Since the ventilation box is suspended, the removable panel is made of a material which, to be light, is relatively fragile. The panel is attached to the box via two hinges and is kept closed by four bolts distributed around its perimeter, two of which are on the same side as the hinges and two others are on the opposite side. Each hinge comprises a slide which is fixed to the box and a lug which is attached to the slide so as to be able both to slide vertically and to pivot relative to the slide, around an axis perpendicular to a sliding axis.

To open the panel, the technician must first open the two locks which are on the side of the hinges. Once the first two locks have been opened, this side of the panel deviates from the box downwards, by gravity, being retained by the hinges. This spacing of the panel downwards is obtained at each hinge, by sliding the tab downwards. At the same time, the other side of the panel is still retained by the other two locks. In this situation, the technician who has unlocked only the first two locks must hold the panel in place, against the action of gravity, in order to avoid excessive stress on the two remaining locks, which would cause irreparable bending, or even tearing of parts as well solicited. Then, the two other locks are unlocked and the panel opens by pivoting around the hinges, the legs pivoting within the slides, like a swinging hatch.

To open the panel, it is important that the technician open the locks in the correct order, starting with the locks that are on the hinge side. If the technician first opens the locks which are on the side opposite the hinges, then the panel is not retained and forces on the two locks provided on the side of the hinges, at the risk of bending, tearing, and/or damage said locks.

One of the aims of the invention is to propose a new ventilation box whose risk of damage is reduced during a maintenance operation and for which the maintenance operation is facilitated.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a ventilation box, configured to be fixed to a ceiling and comprising: an outer casing, which delimits an internal compartment of the ventilation box; an access opening, which is formed through the outer casing, to provide access to the internal compartment from an exterior of the ventilation box through the access opening; a hinged panel; and a hinge, which attaches the swing panel to the internal compartment, while guiding a movement of the swing panel between: a closed position, in which the swing panel closes the access opening, and an open position, in which the swing panel releases the access opening to provide access to the internal compartment from the outside through the access opening. According to the invention, the access opening leads to the underside of the ventilation box, so that when the ventilation box is fixed to the ceiling, the flap panel extends horizontally when it is in position closed and extends downward when in the open position. According to the invention, the hinge comprises: a fixed knuckle, which is fixed to the internal compartment; a movable knuckle, which is attached to the fixed knuckle while being pivotable with respect to the fixed knuckle around a pivot axis; and a slider, which is attached to the mobile knuckle by being sliding with respect to the mobile knuckle along a sliding axis, the sliding axis being radial with respect to the pivoting axis and being parallel to the hinged panel, the hinged panel being attached to the slider to be attached to the internal compartment via the hinge.

Preferably, said sliding is, except for play, the only degree of freedom of the slide relative to the knuckle.

A basic idea of the invention is to provide that a sub-assembly of the hinge, including the mobile knuckle and the slider, pivot around the pivot axis without sliding relative to the outer casing. In other words, contrary to art front, the pivot axis is advantageously fixed relative to the outer casing. Sliding of the flap panel with respect to the outer casing is nevertheless authorized, but is always carried out radially with respect to the pivot axis, parallel to the flap panel, along the sliding axis. In other words, the sliding axis is movable relative to the outer casing, rotating around the pivot axis at the same time as the hinged panel.

Thanks to the hinge of the invention, when the flap panel is in the closed position, a rear edge of the flap panel, along which the hinge is attached to the panel, is held flat against the access opening directly by the hinge. Preferably, it is therefore not necessary to provide a lock to hold this rear edge of the panel which is supported by the hinge. When the swing panel is moved from the closed position to the open position, there is no risk of deformation of the swing panel, since the hinge allows the swing panel to pivot around the pivot axis, avoiding bending stresses, while allowing the swing panel to disengage from the access opening as it pivots around the pivot axis, by radial sliding of the swing panel relative to the outer casing , along the sliding axis. It is therefore advantageously not necessary for the technician to manually hold in place the rear edge of the hinged panel attached by the hinge, since the hinge ensures this holding without risk of deformation or tearing.

While no lock is advantageously necessary on the side of the hinge, the total number of locks is necessarily reduced, which facilitates the work of the technician. Advantageously, one or more locks are provided, but only on an opposite side of the swing panel, where the swing panel is hingeless, which reduces the quantity of locks necessary to maintain the swing panel in the closed position, compared to the prior art. It is therefore easier for the technician to put the flap panel in the open position, from the closed position and vice versa.

Preferably, the slider is fixed to an inner wall belonging to the swing panel, the inner wall being turned towards the inside of the internal compartment when the swing panel is in the closed position.

Preferably, the hinge includes fasteners to secure the slider to the swing panel. Preferably, the hinged panel comprises an outer wall, which is turned towards the outside of the box when the hinged panel is in the closed position and which hides the fixing elements, so that the fixing elements are not visible from the outside of the ventilation box when the hinged panel is in the closed position.

Preferably, the slider comprises a first profile, which extends parallel to the sliding axis. Preferably, the movable knuckle comprises: a pivoting end, via which the movable knuckle is attached to the fixed knuckle while being pivoted with respect to the fixed knuckle around the pivot axis; and a second profile, which is complementary with the first profile, the first profile and the second profile being received one inside the other so that the slider is slidable with respect to the movable knuckle along the sliding axis.

Preferably, the slider slides between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the movable knuckle, along the sliding axis, the slider being farther from the fixed knuckle when it is in the deployed position than when it is in the retracted position . Preferably, the hinge comprises an abutment and a finger, which abuts against the abutment when the slider is in the deployed position to limit the sliding of the slider to the deployed position.

Preferably, the slider comprises a notch, parallel to the sliding axis, which forms the stop and which is crossed by the finger.

Preferably, the ventilation box includes a latch, which is designed to move between: a locked configuration, to prevent movement of the swing panel to the open position when the swing panel is in the closed position; and an unlocked configuration, to allow movement of the leaf panel between the open position and the closed position.

Preferably, the slider is attached to the swing panel along a rear edge of the swing panel; and the latch is mounted to the swing panel along a front edge of the swing panel, the rear edge and the front edge being opposed.

• [FIG 1] La figure 1 est une vue schématique en coupe du dessus d'un caisson de ventilation selon l'invention.
• [FIG 2] La figure 2 est une vue en perspective du dessous du caisson de ventilation de la figure 1, où des panneaux battants sont en position fermée.
• [FIG 3] La figure 3 est une vue en perspective similaire à celle de la figure 2, où les panneaux battants sont en position ouverte.
• [FIG 4] La figure 4 est une vue en perspective partielle du caisson de ventilation des figures précédentes, montrant en particulier l'un des panneaux battants en position ouverte et une charnière supportant ce panneau battant, selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention.
• [FIG 5] La figure 5 est une vue de dessus de la charnière de la figure 4, alors que le panneau battant est en position fermée.
• [FIG 6] La figure 6 est une vue de face de la charnière des figures 4 et 5, alors que le panneau battant est en position ouverte.
• [FIG 7] La figure 7 est une vue en perspective partielle du caisson de ventilation des figures précédentes, montrant en particulier un verrou, alors que le panneau battant est en position ouverte.
• [FIG 8] La figure 8 est une vue en perspective partielle du caisson de ventilation des figures précédentes, où la charnière du premier mode de réalisation est remplacée par une charnière selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention appear in the following description of embodiments of the invention, given solely by way of example and with reference to the following drawings.

• [ FIG 1 ] There figure 1 is a schematic sectional view from above of a ventilation box according to the invention.
• [ FIG 2 ] There picture 2 is a perspective view of the underside of the ventilation box of the figure 1 , where flapping panels are in the closed position.
• [ FIG 3 ] There picture 3 is a perspective view similar to that of the figure 2 , where the hinged panels are in the open position.
• [ FIG 4 ] There figure 4 is a partial perspective view of the ventilation box of the preceding figures, showing in particular one of the leaf panels in the open position and a hinge supporting this leaf panel, according to a first embodiment of the invention.
• [ FIG 5 ] There figure 5 is a top view of the hinge of the figure 4 , while the swing panel is in the closed position.
• [ FIG 6 ] There figure 6 is a front view of the hinge of the figure 4 And 5 , while the swing panel is in the open position.
• [ FIG 7 ] There figure 7 is a partial perspective view of the ventilation box of the preceding figures, showing in particular a lock, while the flap panel is in the open position.
• [ FIG 8 ] There figure 8 is a partial perspective view of the ventilation box of the preceding figures, where the hinge of the first embodiment is replaced by a hinge according to a second embodiment of the invention.

THE figures 1 to 7 relate to a ventilation box 1, which equips a building. The ventilation box 1 is arranged inside a room belonging to the building, the room comprising a wall 2 and a ceiling 3 partially represented on the figure 1 And 2 . The wall 2 separates the inside of the room vis-à-vis the outside of the room, which can be the outside of the building or the inside of another room.

The ventilation box 1 comprises an outer casing 10, which here is parallelepipedic. The outer envelope 10 comprises for example four side faces 11, 12, 13 and 14, an upper face 15 and a lower face 16. The faces 11 and 12 are opposite and parallel. Faces 13 and 14 are opposite and parallel and connect faces 11 and 12 together. Faces 15 and 16 are opposite and parallel and are connected by faces 11, 12, 13 and 14 at their periphery.

The box 1 is advantageously fixed to the ceiling 3, by means of a suitable fixing system. Then, the upper face 15 is found flat against the ceiling 3. Thus, fixed, the faces 15 and 16 are horizontal and the faces 11 to 14 are vertical. Preferably, thus fixed, one of the faces 11 to 14 is placed flat against a wall of the room. here, face 13 is flat against wall 2. Faces 13 and 14 are then parallel to wall 2, face 14 facing away from wall 2.

As shown on the figure 1 , the ventilation box 1 is here a double flow ventilation box, to admit a flow of ventilation air F1, entering towards the interior of the room and to extract a flow of ventilation air F2, exiting towards the exterior of the premises. However, provision could be made for the ventilation box to be another type of box, in particular a single-flow ventilation box or a ventilation box with a smoke extraction function.

The box 1 comprises several external openings for the circulation of air, provided through the outer casing 10. At least one of them opens outside the room and another inside the room. In the context where box 1 is a double-flow box, the box 1 preferably comprises an external inlet opening 31 and an external outlet opening 32 opening outside the room, as well as an external inlet opening 33 and an external outlet opening 34 leading inside the room.

Each opening 33 and 34 advantageously opens directly inside the room. Each opening 33 and 34 is preferably protected by a grid. Here, as shown in figure 2 , opening 33 is formed through face 16 and opening 34 is formed through face 14. For simplicity, the figure 1 shows opening 33 through face 14.

Each opening 31 and 32 is advantageously connected, via a respective stitching belonging to the casing 1, to a respective through opening made through a wall of the room. Here, as shown in figure 1 , the two openings 31 and 32 are connected to respective openings provided through the wall 2, to emerge outside the room. Here, the openings 31 and 32 are formed through the face 13, but they could be formed through another wall.

As a variant, the wall of the room thus traversed could be the ceiling or another wall, for one or more external openings of the ventilation box leading to the outside. In this case, the external opening or openings facing the outside are advantageously provided through a corresponding wall of the outer casing 10, other than the face 13.

Each flow of air circulating within the ventilation box enters the box through an external inlet opening and leaves the ventilation box through an external outlet opening. Here the flow F1 is admitted from outside the room, enters the box 1 through the opening 31 and exits through the opening 34 towards the inside of the room. Here, the flow F2 is admitted from inside the room, enters the box 1 through the opening 33 and leaves through the opening 32 to the outside of the room.

The outer casing 10 delimits internal compartments of the box 1, guiding the circulation of the air flow or flows. The internal compartments include for example an internal compartment 21, an internal compartment 22 and an internal compartment 23, visible in particular on the figure 1 . Compartment 22 is preferably arranged between compartments 21 and 23, so as to be delimited by compartments 21 and 23, by faces 12 and 14 and by faces 15 and 16. Compartment 21 is delimited by faces 11, 13 , 14, 15 and 16 and by the compartment 22. The compartment 23 is delimited by the faces 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 and by the compartment 22. One can optionally provide one or more other internal compartments which are not crossed by an airflow of ventilation, for example to accommodate electronic equipment, a control panel or a motor.

The box 1 comprises at least one fan to force the circulation of the air flow or flows. Here, a fan 41 is provided, in the compartment 21, to force the circulation of the flow F1. Here, a fan 42 is provided, in the compartment 22, to force the circulation of the flow F2. Advantageously, the compartment 22 here contains a heat exchanger 43 to obtain a heat exchange between the flows F1 and F2.

Opening 31 fluidly connects compartment 21 with the outside of the room. The opening 34 fluidically connects the compartment 22 with the interior of the room, in particular, fluidically connects a primary battery of the exchanger 43 with the interior of the room. The flow F1 is conducted from outside the room into the compartment 21 via the opening 31, then into the compartment 22 through an internal opening connecting the compartments 21 and 22. In particular, this internal opening leads the flow F1 in the primary battery of the exchanger 43. The flow F1 passes through the opening 34 to be admitted inside the room, after having exchanged heat with the flow F2 within the exchanger 43, without entering contact or be mixed with flux F2.

The opening 33 fluidically connects the compartment 23 with the interior of the room, in particular, fluidically connects a secondary battery of the exchanger 43 with the interior of the room. Opening 32 fluidly connects compartment 23 with the outside of the room. The flow F2 is led from inside the room into the compartment 22 via the opening 33. In particular, this opening 33 leads the flow F2 into the secondary coil of the exchanger 43. The flow F2 then passes through an internal opening connecting the compartment 22 to the compartment 23, to be admitted into the compartment 23, after having exchanged heat with the flow F1 within the exchanger 43, without coming into contact or being mixed with the flow F1. The flow F2 is finally conducted from the compartment 23 to the outside of the room through the opening 32.

As seen on the figure 2 And 3 , the casing 1 comprises three access openings 51, 52 and 53 which are made through the outer casing 10, through the lower face 16. Each opening 51, 52 and 53 leads to the underside of the casing 1, that is to say downwards, opposite the upper face 15 and the ceiling 3. The opening 51 gives access to the compartment 21, by putting this compartment 21 in communication with the interior of the room, so that the interior of the compartment 21 is accessible by a person from inside the room via the opening 51 to carry out maintenance operations inside the compartment 21. Similarly, the opening 52 gives access to the compartment 22. Similarly, opening 53 provides access to compartment 23.

As seen on the figure 2 And 3 , the box 1 comprises three flap panels 54, 55 and 56, respectively equipping the access openings 51, 52 and 53. Each flap panel 54, 55 and 56 is individually movable between a closed position, as shown in the figure 2 , and an open position, as shown in the picture 3 . In the closed position, each leaf panel 54, 55 and 56 closes off the corresponding access opening 51, 52 and 53, so that the corresponding internal compartments 21, 22 and 23 are not accessible from outside the box. In operation of the box 1, the panels 54, 55 and 56 are closed and respectively delimit the compartments 21, 22 and 23, in particular to ensure the guidance of the flows F1 and F2. In the open position, the panel 54 releases the access opening 51 to provide access to the internal compartment 21 from below the box, through the access opening 51. In the open position, the panel 55 releases the opening access 52 to provide access to the internal compartment 22 from below the box, through the access opening 52. In the open position, the panel 56 releases the access opening 53 to provide access to the internal compartment 23 from the underside of the box, through the access opening 53.

Preferably, each panel 54, 55 and 56 comprises an inner wall 57 and an outer wall 58 which are rectangular and superimposed. The walls 57 and 58 are advantageously distant and parallel, to form a double skin. Between the walls 57 and 58 there is advantageously provided a layer of insulation, or an air gap. Each wall 57 and 58 is advantageously formed by a thin sheet or a plastic plate. As a variant, provision could be made for the flap panel to be solid, the interior wall and the exterior wall then forming only faces of this solid flap panel. Each panel 54, 55 and 56 also includes an edge, here formed by four straight edges of the flapping panel. The four edges are parallel in pairs, and include in particular a rear edge 59 and a front edge 60.

Each panel 54, 55 and 56, when in the closed position, is advantageously oriented horizontally, in the same plane as the face 16. When all the panels are in the closed position, they are coplanar with each other and with the face 16. In the closed position, the wall 58 faces the outside of the box and the wall 57 faces the inside to delimit the internal compartment concerned. As seen on the figure 2 , in the closed position, each panel 54, 55 and 56 is retracted inside the access opening 51, 52 or 53 which it closes. In other words, in the closed position, the panel 54 is entirely received inside the opening 51, that is to say it is surrounded by the edges of the opening 51 so as not to exceed the opening 51 downwards. In particular, the wall 57 is inside the box, while the wall 58 is flush with the lower face 16.

A seal is advantageously provided, in one part or in several parts, over the entire interior contour of the opening 51. This seal comes into contact with the edge of the panel 54 when the panel 54 is in the closed position. , in order to prevent the flow F1 from leaking through the opening 51. Alternatively, all or part of this seal can be carried by the edge of the panel 54 to come into contact with the inner contour of the opening 51.

Likewise, in the closed position, the panel 55 is entirely received inside the opening 52, being surrounded by the edges of the opening 52 so as not to protrude from the opening 52 downwards. A seal is advantageously provided in order to prevent flow F1 and flow F2 from leaking through the opening 52 when the panel 55 is in the closed position. Likewise, in the closed position, the panel 56 is entirely received inside the opening 53, being surrounded by the edges of the opening 53 so as not to protrude from the opening 53 downwards. Advantageously, a seal is provided in order to prevent the flow F2 from leaking through the opening 53 when the panel 56 is in the closed position.

Each panel 54, 55 and 56, when in the open position, is advantageously oriented vertically, if not almost vertically, or at least obliquely, extending downwards from the face 16.

As a variant, the number of access openings can be different from three. At least one hinged panel is provided for each access opening. Advantageously, at least one access opening is provided per internal compartment.

Box 1 also includes hinges 70, one of which is visible in detail on the figures 3 to 6 . Each hinge 70 attaches one of the flap panels 54, 55 or 56 to the outer casing 10, while guiding the movement of this flap panel between the open position and the closed position. Preferably, in the open position, each panel 54, 55 and 56 is attached to the rest of the casing 1 only by its hinges 70. In the example, each panel 54, 55 and 56 is attached to the outer casing 10 by two hinges 70, so that the box 1 has six hinges 70. The hinges 70 are distributed along the same edge of each panel 54, 55 and 56, namely the rear edge 59. At a minimum, a hinge is provided 70 per leaf panel, but a number of hinges 70 greater than two can be provided.

The description of the hinges 70 is made in the following only for one of them in connection with the figures 4 to 6 , concerning panel 55, but applies to the other hinges 70 and panels 54 and 56, mutatis mutandis.

Each hinge 70 comprises a fixed knuckle 71, a mobile knuckle 72 and a slider 73. On the figure 4 And 6 , the hinge 70 is shown in a configuration open, corresponding to the open position of the panel 55. On the figure 5 , the hinge 70 is shown in a closed configuration, corresponding to the closed position of the panel 55.

The fixed knuckle 71 is fixed to the internal compartment 22, on the inside, on a fixed vertical wall of the box 1. The fixed knuckle 71 is therefore immobile with respect to the outer casing 10. The knuckle 71 is advantageously positioned along the access opening 52. Here, the fixed knuckle 71 is fixed to the outer casing 10, on a wall which forms the face 13. For this, the fixed knuckle 71 is for example fixed by screws or other organs similar fasteners. The fixed knuckle 71 being disposed inside the internal compartment 22, it is not visible from the outside when the panel 55 is in the closed position.

The mobile knuckle 72 is attached to the fixed knuckle 71 while being pivotable with respect to the fixed knuckle 71 around a pivot axis X71, which is fixed with respect to the outer casing 10. Apart from clearance, this pivoting is the only degree freedom of the knuckle 72 relative to the knuckle 71. The axis X71 is parallel to the panel 55 and to the edge of the access opening 52 along which the knuckle 71 is fixed.

The slider 73 is attached to the movable knuckle 72 while sliding relative to the movable knuckle 72 along a sliding axis R72, which is radial relative to the axis X71, that is to say perpendicular to the axis X71. Except for play, this sliding is the only degree of freedom of the slider 73 relative to the knuckle 72. The axis R72 is fixed relative to the slider 73 and is parallel to the panel 55, in particular to the wall 57. The axis R72 is perpendicular to edges 59 and 60.

The slider 73 is fixed to the panel 55 along the edge 59, that is to say opposite the edge 60. The panel 55 is thus fixed to the slider 73 to be attached to the compartment 22 via the hinge 70, via knuckle 72 and knuckle 71.

More precisely, the slider 73 is fixed on the inner wall 57 of the panel 55, so as not to be visible from the outside of the box 1 when the panel 55 is in the closed position. Preferably, the fixing of the slider 73 on the panel 55 is carried out using fixing members 74, such as screws, symbolized on the figure 4 by their respective axis line. Advantageously, these fastening means pass through the inner wall 57 without reaching the outer wall 58 so as not to be visible from the outside when the panel 55 is in the closed position. In other words, the outer wall 58 hides the fixing members 74, so that the fixing members 74 are not visible from the outside of the ventilation box 1 when the hinged panel 55 is in the closed position.

In the closed position of the panel 55, the hinge 70 is bent, that is to say that the slider 73 forms for example a right angle with the knuckle 71 around the axis X71. In the closed position of the panel 55, the slider 73 is, along the axis R72, in a sliding position, called "retracted position", where the slider 73 is closer to the axis X71 than when the panel 55 is in the open position.

On the contrary, in the open position of the panel 55, the hinge is straight or slightly bent, for example in that the axis R72 is parallel to the face 14, or forms an obtuse angle with respect to the face 14, around the axis X71. In the open position of the panel 55, under the weight of the panel, the slider 73 is, along the axis R72, in a so-called "extended position" sliding position, where the slider 73 is farther from the axis X71 than when the panel 55 is in the closed position. In summary, the slider 73 slides between a retracted position, shown in the figure 5 , and a deployed position, shown on the figure 4 And 6 , with respect to the movable knuckle 72, along the sliding axis R72, the slider 73 being farther from the fixed knuckle 71 when it is in the deployed position than when it is in the retracted position

This particular kinematics of the hinge 70 makes it possible to obtain that, when the panel 55 is in the closed position, the hinge 70 maintains the edge 59 of the panel 55 vertically in position in the access opening 52, since the panel 55 does not is authorized to slide only along the axis R72, then horizontal. Nevertheless, the possibility of sliding along the axis R72 allows the panel 55 to adjust horizontally in position to be received inside the opening 52. When the panel 55 is passed from the closed position to the open position, there is no risk of deformation of the wall 57 of the panel 55, since the hinge 70 allows the pivoting of the panel 55 around the axis X71, avoiding bending stresses. The panel 55 can nevertheless slide along the axis R72, the orientation of which changes as the movement of the panel 55 from the closed position to the open position. The orientation of the axis X72 changes from horizontal to oblique to a vertical position or close to the vertical when the panel 55 is in the open position. This possibility of sliding allows the panel 55 to disengage from the access opening 52 in which it was housed, as it pivots around the axis X71. There is therefore no risk of damage to the panel 55 and its handling is particularly easy.

For the embodiment of figures 3 to 7 , the slider 73 is in the form of a profile, which extends parallel to the sliding axis R72. In other words, the slider 73 has a substantially identical cross section along the axis R72, from one end to the other of the slider 73. This cross section is clearly visible on the figure 6 . For example, the profile of the slider 73 forms a bridge 75 and two lugs 76, the bridge 75 bearing against the panel 55 via the lugs 76, the lugs each being traversed by several fixing members 74, preferably two members 74 by lug 76. Transversely with respect to the axis R72, the lugs 76 are arranged on either side of the bridge 75.

Like the slider 73, the movable knuckle 72 forms, at one of its ends, a profile 77, visible on the figure 6 , which is complementary with the profile formed by the slider 73. The profile 77 is received inside the profile formed by the slider 73, in particular inside the bridge 75, between the bridge 75 and the panel 55. Thus , the profiles cooperate mechanically with each other sliding along the axis R72, to support the sliding of the slider 73 relative to the movable knuckle 72. A reverse arrangement could be provided, in which it is a profile of the slider which is received in a section of the movable knuckle. In any case, the fact of providing sliding sections makes the hinge 70 particularly strong and light, which is important given the fact that the box 1 is suspended.

The mobile knuckle 72 also comprises a pivoting end 78, through which the axis X71 passes, and via which the knuckle 72 is attached to the fixed knuckle 71 while being pivotable as described above. To support this pivoting, it is advantageously provided that a pivot shaft 79, here formed by a bolt, coaxial with the axis X71, crosses both the knuckle 71 and 72 while being axially fixed relative to the knuckle 71 and 72 .

Preferably, the slider 73 includes a notch 80, which is formed through the bridge 75 and which, in the direction of the length of the notch 80, extends parallel to the axis R72. The notch 80 thus forms a rail along the axis R72. The notch comprises two opposite ends along the axis R72, including one end 81, which is arranged on the side of the knuckle 71.

Preferably, the knuckle 72 comprises a finger 82, which is formed projecting from the profile 77, and which passes through the notch 80. For example, the finger 82 is formed by a tongue bent perpendicular to the axis R72, which is made in one piece with the profile. During sliding, the finger 82 circulates in the notch from one end to the other. The finger 82 and the notch 80 constitute an abutment system for the hinge 70. Indeed, the end 81 constitutes an abutment for the finger 82. When the slider 73 arrives in the deployed position, the finger 82 comes into abutment against the end 81 forming the abutment, the abutment of the finger 82 against the end 81 limits the sliding of the slider 73 relative to the knuckle 72 in this deployed position. In other words, when the slider 73 slides from the retracted position to the deployed position, it cannot exceed the deployed position, because the finger 82 comes into abutment.

As a variant, an inverse arrangement is provided in which the abutment belongs to the movable knuckle and the finger belongs to the slider.

Thanks to this abutment, the panel 55 remains suspended from the hinge 70 when the panel 55 is in the open position.

The box 1 also includes locks 90, visible on the figure 2 And 3 . A lock 90 is shown in detail on the figure 7 . Each lock 90 equips one of the swing panels 54, 55 and 56. Each swing panel 54, 55 and 56 is here equipped with two locks 90. More locks 90 could be provided for each swing panel. Preferably, at least one latch 90 is provided per swing panel.

For each hinged panel, the locks are advantageously arranged along the front edge 60, that is to say opposite the hinges 70. Preferably, no lock is provided along the rear edge 59 where are provided hinges 70.

Each lock 90 changes between a locked configuration, shown in the picture 2 , and an unlocked configuration, shown on the figure 3 And 7 .

The locked configuration is used to hold the swing panel in the closed configuration. In this case, the lock 90 then prevents the movement of the swing panel concerned towards the open position. The panel 54, 55 or 56 is thus prevented from opening when at least one of the locks 90 equipping this panel is in the locked configuration. Preferably, all of the latches 90 of a swing panel should be in a locked configuration to properly hold the swing panel in the closed position. In particular, in the closed configuration, the lock 90 maintains the edge 60 in position in the access opening that the flap panel closes.

In the unlocked configuration, the latch 90 allows movement of the leaf panel between the open position and the closed position, being supported by the hinges 70.

In the present example, to move between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration, the lock 90 is for example pivotable around an axis Z90 with respect to the flapping panel, the axis Z90 being perpendicular to the flapping panel concerned. The Z90 axis is shown in the context of panel 55, on the figure 7 . The lock 90 pivots for example by a quarter turn or a half turn to move between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration.

The latch comprises, for example, a radial arm 92, which is arranged on the interior side of the leaf panel, in particular on the side of the interior wall 57. In the locked configuration, the arm 92 is turned in the direction of the edge 60 to come into engagement with a complementary holding means, such as a notch or a rib, provided inside the internal compartment, to thus ensure the holding of the leaf panel in the closed position. In the unlocked configuration, the arm 92 is turned so that its end is spaced from the edge 60, for example in that the arm 92 is parallel to the edge 60 as shown on the figure 7 , to be released from the holding means, so that the panel is no longer held by the lock 90.

The lock 90 comprises an actuating head 91, which is accessible from outside the box 1 even when the hinged panel is in the closed position. The actuating head 91 is here formed on the outer wall 58 of the swing panel concerned. The actuating head 91 allows a technician to actuate the lock 90 to move it between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration. For this, the actuating head 91 has for example the shape of an imprint that can be actuated by a key or a tool, such as a screwdriver. Whatever the solution adopted, the lock 90 is configured to be actuated from outside the box 1, in particular when the flap panel is in the closed position.

There figure 8 shows a second embodiment, where, within the same ventilation box 1 as that of the figures 1 to 7 , the hinge 70 is replaced by a hinge 170. The hinge 170 comprises a fixed knuckle 171, a mobile knuckle 172 and a slider 173, which have the same operation as the fixed knuckle 71, the mobile knuckle 72 and the slider 73. particular, the fixed knuckle 171 is fixed to the internal compartment, the mobile knuckle 172 is attached to the fixed knuckle 171 while being pivotable with respect to the fixed knuckle 171 around a pivot axis X171, and the slider 173 is attached to the mobile knuckle 172 sliding relative to the movable knuckle 172 along a sliding axis R172, the sliding axis R172 being perpendicular to the pivot axis X171 and being parallel to the swing panel. The hinged panel is fixed to the slider 173 to be attached to the internal compartment of the box 1 by means of the hinge 170. The details of the construction, the operation and the advantages of the hinge 70 are found on the hinge 170 and are not again exposed. Only the main differences between the hinge 170 and the hinge 70 are set out below.

For the sliding of the slide 173 along the axis R172, instead of providing mechanical cooperation between two sections as for the hinge 70, the hinge 170 comprises two fingers 197 and 198, which belong to the movable knuckle 172 and which are oriented perpendicularly to axes X171 and R172, being distributed along axis R172. For example, each finger 197 and 198 is formed by a respective threaded rod which is fixed to one end of the knuckle 172. The slider 173 provides a sliding notch 199, which is elongated in shape along the axis R172. The sliding notch 199 is crossed by the two fingers 197 and 198 to guide the sliding along the axis R172. Preferably, each finger 197 and 198 is captured axially in the notch 199, in that a capture member, such as a nut or a head, is fixed on each rod beyond the notch 199. Consequently , the slider 173 is captured between the two organs of captures and the end of the knuckle 172 carrying the fingers 197 and 198. Thus, except for clearance, the only degree of freedom of the slider 173 with respect to the knuckle 172 is the sliding along the axis R172. The ends of the notch 199 advantageously serve as a stop, by cooperating with the fingers 197 and 198, to limit the sliding of the slider 173 between the deployed position and the retracted position.

Claims (8)

Ventilation box (1), configured to be fixed to a ceiling (3) and comprising: • an outer casing (10), which delimits an internal compartment (21, 22, 23) of the ventilation box (1); • an access opening (51, 52, 53), which is made through the outer casing (10), to give access to the internal compartment (21, 22, 23) from outside the ventilation box (1 ) through the access opening (51, 52, 53); • a hinged panel (54, 55, 56); And • a hinge (70; 170), which attaches the flap panel (54, 55, 56) to the internal compartment (21, 22, 23), while guiding a movement of the flap panel (54, 55, 56) between: + a closed position, in which the hinged panel (54, 55, 56) closes the access opening (51, 52, 53), and + an open position, in which the hinged panel (54, 55, 56) releases the access opening (51, 52, 53) to provide access to the internal compartment (21, 22, 23) from the outside through the access opening (51, 52, 53); the access opening (51, 52, 53) leading to the underside of the ventilation box (1), so that when the ventilation box (1) is fixed to the ceiling (3), the hinged panel (54 , 55, 56) extends horizontally when in the closed position and extends downwards when in the open position, the hinge (70; 170) comprising: • a fixed knuckle (71; 171), which is fixed to the internal compartment (21, 22, 23); • a mobile knuckle (72; 172), which is attached to the fixed knuckle (71; 171) while being pivotable relative to the fixed knuckle (71; 171) around a pivot axis (X71; X171); And • a slider (73; 173), which is attached to the movable knuckle (72; 172) while sliding relative to the movable knuckle (72; 172) along a sliding axis (R72; R172), the sliding axis ( R72; R172) being radial to the pivot axis (X71; X171) and being parallel to the swing panel (54, 55, 56), the swing panel (54, 55, 56) being attached to the slider (73; 173) to be attached to the internal compartment (21, 22, 23) via the hinge (70; 170). Ventilation box (1) according to Claim 1, in which the slider (73; 173) is fixed to an interior wall (57) belonging to the hinged panel (54, 55, 56), the interior wall (57) facing the interior of the internal compartment (21, 22, 23) when the flap panel (54, 55, 56) is in the closed position. Ventilation box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which: • the hinge (70; 170) comprises fixing members for fixing the slider (73; 173) on the leaf panel (54, 55, 56); And • the hinged panel (54, 55, 56) comprises an outer wall, which is turned towards the outside of the box when the hinged panel (54, 55, 56) is in the closed position and which hides the fixing elements, so that the fasteners are not visible from outside the ventilation box (1) when the hinged panel (54, 55, 56) is in the closed position. Ventilation box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which: • the slider (73; 173) comprises a first profile, which extends parallel to the sliding axis (R72; R172); And • the movable knuckle (72; 172) comprises: ◆ a pivoting end (78), via which the movable knuckle (72; 172) is attached to the fixed knuckle (71; 171) by being pivoted with respect to the fixed knuckle (71; 171) around the swivel axis (X71; X171); And ◆ a second profile (77), which is complementary with the first profile, the first profile and the second profile (77) being received one inside the other so that the slider (73; 173) is slidable relative to the knuckle mobile (72; 172) along the sliding axis (R72; R172). Ventilation box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which: • the slider (73; 173) slides between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the movable knuckle (72; 172), along the sliding axis (R72; R172), the slider (73; 173) being further away the fixed knuckle (71; 171) when it is in the deployed position than when it is in the retracted position; And • the hinge (70; 170) comprises a stop (80; 199) and a finger (82; 197), which abuts against the stop (80; 199) when the slider (73; 173) is in the deployed position to limit the sliding of the slider (73; 173) to the deployed position. Ventilation box (1) according to Claim 5, in which the slider (73; 173) comprises a notch, parallel to the sliding axis (R72; R172), which forms the abutment (80; 199) and which is crossed by the finger (82; 197). Ventilation box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the ventilation box (1) comprises a lock (90), which is designed to change between: • a locked configuration, to prevent movement of the swing panel (54, 55, 56) to the open position when the swing panel (54, 55, 56) is in the closed position; And • an unlocked configuration, to allow movement of the swing panel (54, 55, 56) between the open position and the closed position. Ventilation box (1) according to claim 7, in which: • the slider (73; 173) is fixed to the leaf panel (54, 55, 56) along a rear edge (59) of the leaf panel (54, 55, 56); And • the lock is mounted on the leaf panel (54, 55, 56) along a front edge (60) of the leaf panel (54, 55, 56), the rear edge (59) and the front edge (60) being opposed.

Images