EP4705693A1

EP4705693A1 - Support device of a nozzle for an air conditioning system

Info

Publication number: EP4705693A1
Application number: EP25710145.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luca Gatti
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2024-03-06
Filing date: 2025-02-25
Publication date: 2026-03-11
Also published as: WO2025186657A8; WO2025186657A1

Abstract

A support device (1) for a nozzle of an air conditioning or air treatment system, comprising at least a bottom wall (2), two side walls (3,4), a conditioned air outlet opening (5) defined by said nozzle and two closing walls (6,7). According to the invention, the aforementioned device has two closing walls each comprising a closing cap (8) molded in plastic material. The cap (8) has first connection means (9) for connecting with at least said bottom and side walls and positioning means (12) for the ends of a first and a second sections (13,14) of which said nozzle (5) is composed, said positioning means cooperating with said first connection means (9) to square said nozzle.

Description

SUPPORT DEVICE OF A NOZZLE FOR AN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system or a preferably ducted fresh air system.

As is known, the construction of a support device for a nozzle, also called a connecting plenum or calm box, for air conditioning systems consists in taking a sheet of polyurethane foam coated with a metal foil, made of aluminum, galvanized sheet metal, or other materials, and making two or more parallel grooves with 45 degree inclined faces on it, so as to divide the sheet into a bottom wall and two side walls and optionally a front wall.

The edges of the bottom wall and those of the side walls are also cut at 45 degrees to accommodate closing walls which also have edges cut at 45 degrees so they can match with the edges of the bottom wall and side walls and optionally the front wall.

The next step consists of applying an adhesive in the grooves and folding the two side walls at 90 degrees relative to the bottom wall and optionally the front wall and then attaching the closing walls, again by gluing, thus obtaining a substantially box-shaped body.

Everything is then sealed with silicone along all the junction edges to ensure good rigidity of the device together with the air supply or extraction nozzle of a room.

From the above it is clear that the construction of a support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system involves numerous drawbacks mainly due to the fact that, depending on the different sizes of the nozzles to be installed, it is necessary to pre-prepare the corresponding support boxes in the workshop using specialized personnel for the purpose.

Furthermore, the use of adhesives and silicones for their construction, in addition to issues of pollution and occupational health, results in long production times due to the drying time thereof required before transport and installation of each support device.

Consequently, it is necessary to keep a large stock of boxes in the warehouse to promptly meet market demands in terms of both quantity and size. This leads to significant space requirements and considerable storage costs.

The same drawback also occurs during the transportation of the boxes from the factory to the installation site as their bulk prevents a considerable number from being transported using a standard vehicle.

Regarding the nozzle, it is currently manufactured using four metal sections, usually made of aluminum, of various shapes with their ends cut at 45 degrees so they can fit together perfectly.

The sections are joined using squares which are typically punched onto the ends of the sections to make the entire frame perfectly planar and rigid.

For this reason, since it is no longer possible to disassemble the frame once assembled, the fins for directing the airflow exiting the nozzle are installed before its assembly.

The fins are inserted into suitable holes located in the sections and are packed into the frame during its construction.

In particular, patent IT201900004341 neither describes nor suggests a plenum featuring a tab (25) that extends coplanar to the cap and engages with the ends of the sections keeping them aligned on the same plane.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Within this aim, an important object of the invention is to design a support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system that can be squared automatically without the use of adhesives and sections.

Another object is to create a support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system that allows its construction while automatically achieving both the squaring of its walls and an optimal degree of rigidity for its immediate installation.

Yet another object is to create a support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system that can be stored and transported with an extremely compact footprint as it has a flat rather than a box-like shape.

A further object is to create a support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system in which the nozzle requires only simple 90 degrees mechanical cutting of the sections compensating for any assembly tolerances.

Yet another object is to create a support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system in which the nozzle, after installation, can still be manually disassembled for the replacement of one or more components.

A further object is to create a support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system that allows its construction in extremely short times, at least 70% less than a conventional device, as it is completed dry without the use of adhesives and/or silicones and with material savings.

Not least among the objects is to create a support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system that is already equipped and prepared for quick fastening to a mounting window made in drywall without any positioning error.

This aim, along with these and other objects, are achieved by a support device (1 ) for a nozzle of an air conditioning system, as claimed in claim 1 .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more evident from the following indicative and non-limiting description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system illustrated in the following figures, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation view of the outer face of the cap of the support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system according to the invention;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a construction variant of the two sections of the support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system according to the invention;

Fig. 5 is a schematic side elevation view of the construction variant of the two sections of the support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system according to the invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the blade holder blocks with their connection rod of the support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system according to the invention;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the polyurethane foam sheet that forms the walls of the support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With particular reference to the figures described above, the support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system, according to the invention, is generally indicated by reference number 1 .

The support device 1 comprises a bottom wall 2, two side walls 3 and 4 (where, depending on requirements, an opening for air intake is made), a conditioned air outlet opening 5, two closing walls 6 and 7 and a front wall 20 where the conditioned air outlet opening 5 is located and also referred to as the nozzle 5.

The two closing walls 6 and 7 each comprise a closing cap produced by plastic molding, generally indicated by 8, having first connection means for connecting with said bottom and side walls which are generally indicated by 9.

The cap 8 also includes positioning means 12 for the ends of a first and a second sections 13 and 14 so that they lie in pairs on the same plane.

The positioning means 12 together with the first connection means 9 allow for a perfect squaring of the nozzle 5, as will be seen later. The cap also includes second connection means 15 for connecting with second bottom and side walls of a second support device for a second nozzle which is not shown but having the same structure and configuration as the device 1 .

Thanks to the second connection means 15, multiple devices can be assembled in line with each other to achieve any desired length of a nozzle 5 using a limited number of components (only two sections per device), at low cost and with absolute ease of assembly and such that it can be carried out at the installation site.

Advantageously, the support device 1 also comprises a front wall 20 orthogonally having a first 22 and a second 23 support walls for the sections 13 and 14.

The second wall 23 is simply an extension of the side wall 4 of the device.

The support walls are thus designed to define the nozzle or conditioned air outlet opening 5.

Specifically, the first connection means 9 comprise a continuous channel 24 with a width and length substantially corresponding to the thickness and length of the following walls: bottom wall 2, side walls 3 and 4, front wall 20 and first and second support walls 22 and 23.

Appropriately, the positioning means 12 for the ends of sections 13 and 14, as mentioned, designed to square the nozzle together with the first connection means 9, include a tab 25 that extends coplanar to the cap and engages with the ends of the sections keeping them aligned on the same plane.

More specifically, the second connection means 15 include a second continuous channel 26 with a width and length substantially corresponding to the thickness and length of the second bottom wall, the second side walls, the second front wall and the third and fourth support walls of the second device, not shown, which in this way can be associated in a perfectly coaxial manner with the device 1 using a single cap 8.

This association of devices can be easily carried out to obtain a nozzle of a predetermined length according to specific needs, saving material, as a single cap 8 is used between two consecutive devices and only four sections are needed ensuring the squaring of all the elements composing each device.

It should also be noted that the cap 8, on its surface 6 and 7, internally enclosed within channels 24 and 26, features an easy break-out panel 32 for the formation of a connection opening with a transport duct (not shown) for conditioned air or sanitized air from a VMC system.

Both the continuous channel 24 and the second channel 26 have inside them engagement means 36 for engaging with said bottom wall, side walls, front wall and first and second support walls.

The engagement means include small teeth 36 arranged on the opposing surfaces of the channels 24 and 26 to evenly distribute the retaining forces of the cap 8 across the different walls of the device.

The support device also includes at least one support element 37 for at least one first block 38 to which at least one fin 41 is associated for directing an airflow and in particular, depending on the transverse width of the nozzle, a sufficient number of fins is provided to direct the airflow or adjust its flow rate within the room.

In particular, the support element 37 has at least a first surface 28 extending internally between the sections and the support walls 22 and 23 and a second surface 39 extending orthogonally to the first surface.

On the second surface 39 there are elastic means (not shown and of a known type) for the snap connection with the first block 38 which can, in this way, be snap connected or disconnected into the nozzle.

Appropriately, the first block 38 has seats 40, each designed to rotatably house a fin. Obviously, any number of blocks and fins can be used depending on the requirements.

The seats 40 are separated from each other by notches 42 which allow for the elastic deformation of the seats when the fins are elastically engaged within them.

The blocks then have a pin 43 with a mushroom-shaped head 44 to engage in a snap fit with the elastic means, such as a clip.

The first block has a first axial hole 60 for the connection with at least one second block 45 through a rod 46 which can be inserted into the first cavity of the first block and into a second hole 61 of a second block 45.

The aforementioned allows each individual fin 41 to be replaced in case of wear or breakage thereof, to change its shape or color, to add or remove fins depending on the size of the nozzle, simply by snapping the block on or off.

Each of the sections has a cavity 50 in which the first and second support walls 22 and 23 are engaged.

The cavity 50 is associated with a first housing wall 52 which, together with a second housing wall 53 orthogonal to it, forms a housing designed to accommodate, for example, a panel of plasterboard or other material with a precise fit.

The first housing wall 52 can be made with variable dimensions allowing the second wall 53 to be shifted further inward to reduce the width of the conditioned air outlet opening and consequently of the nozzle without having to reduce the distance between the first and second support walls 22 and 23.

On the tab 25, which extends coplanar to the cap 8 and engages with the ends of the sections 13 and 14 keeping them aligned on the same plane, there is a detachable area that can be easily removed if, as mentioned, the variable dimensions of the first housing wall 52 are increased to reduce the opening of the nozzle.

In this latter case, a rotatable retaining seat 54 for a fin 41 is provided on the first wall 53, as it is not possible to use a blade holder block 38 due to the reduced dimensions.

In summary, the device of the present invention offers the following advantages.

The use of adhesives or silicone or other chemical substances is completely eliminated during the assembly of the device. This allows for faster and healthier assembly (no waiting for glue drying times), which is also simpler.

The plastic caps 8 automatically ensure the squaring of the device 1 and the perfect parallelism of the two sections 13 and 14 which make up the entire frame of the nozzle. Additionally, the four ends of the two sections are automatically aligned on the same plane thanks to the tab 25.

The break-out panel 32 of the caps allows the air transport duct to be connected, depending on requirements, not only to the bottom wall but also to either side of the nozzle.

Simply by shifting the bending area (on the front wall) of the first support wall 22 of section 13 it is possible to obtain a larger nozzle with different airflow functionality, without modifying anything else in the device.

Additionally, all components of the device are replaceable, if needed, with spare parts.

Furthermore, the blocks can be removed along with the fins allowing for easy internal cleaning of the device.

The in-line assembly with the same correct squaring of multiple devices allows for nozzles of unlimited lengths.

Additionally, the nozzle frame consists of only two longitudinal sections that are simply cut at a 90 degrees angle without requiring any special measures.

This also saves material as the transverse end sections of the nozzle are completely eliminated.

Last but not least, as shown in Fig. 7, the polyurethane foam sheet that forms the walls of the support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system consists of five walls, four of which - forming the bottom wall, side walls, and front wall - feature a groove 70 with double 45 degrees non-through cuts.

The groove 70 is oriented inward toward the box-shaped body which is formed by the 90 degrees folding of the walls while the fifth support wall 22 features a 45 degrees groove 80, opposite to the groove 70, allowing it to fold outward from the box-shaped body.

From the aforementioned it is easy to understand that in order to vary the width of the nozzle it is sufficient to shift the groove 80 along the surface of the support wall 22 and simultaneously increase or decrease the width of the surface of the side wall 4.

Apart from this small and quick machine adjustment for creating the grooves, no further modifications to device 1 are needed, resulting in significant time and material savings.

It is understood that all the aforementioned characteristics also apply in the case where the device is made of a metal sheet with reduced thickness and the dimensions of the elements described above and which constitute the device of the invention must be proportionated accordingly.

The device, as conceived, is susceptible to modifications and variations, all falling within the inventive concept. Additionally, the materials and dimensions may be of any type, depending on specific needs.

Claims

1. Support device (1 ) for a nozzle of an air conditioning or air treatment system, said device comprising at least a bottom wall (2), two side walls (3,4), a conditioned air outlet opening (5) defined by said nozzle and two closing walls (6,7), characterized in that said two closing walls each comprise a closing cap (8) molded in plastic material, said cap having first connection means (9) for connecting with at least said bottom and side walls and positioning means (12) for the ends of a first and a second sections (13,14) of which said nozzle (5) is composed, said positioning means comprising a tab (25) that extends coplanar to said cap and engages with said ends of said sections keeping them aligned on the same plane.

2. Support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system according to claim 1 , characterized in that said device comprises a front wall (20), orthogonally having a first and a second support walls (22, 23) for said sections, said support walls being suitable to define said conditioned air outlet opening (5).

3. Support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system according to claim 2, characterized in that said first connection means (9) comprise a first continuous channel (24) with a width and length substantially corresponding to the thickness and length of said bottom wall (2), side walls (3,4), front wall (20), and first and second support walls (22,23).

4. Support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system according to claim 1 , characterized in that said positioning means (12) for the ends of said sections and said first continuous channel square said nozzle.

5. Support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system according to claim 1 , characterized in that said cap features second connection means (15) for connecting with second bottom and side walls of a second support device for a second nozzle, said second connection means (15) comprising a second continuous channel (26) with a width and length substantially corresponding to the thickness and length of said second bottom wall, second side walls, second front wall and third and fourth support walls of said second device.

6. Support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that said cap (8) has on its surface internally enclosed within said first and second channels (24,26) an easy break-out panel (32) for the formation of a connection opening with a transport duct for said conditioned air.

7. Support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system according to claim 6, characterized in that said first and second continuous channels have engagement means (36) for engaging with said bottom wall, side walls, front wall and first and second support walls.

8. Support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one support element (37) for at least one first block (38) to which at least one fin (41 ) is associated adapted for directing an air flow, said support element having at least a first surface (28) thereof extending internally between said sections and said support walls (22,23), and a second surface (39) extending orthogonally to it, said second surface having elastic means for snap connecting with said at least one first block, said first and at least one second block having seats (40) each for rotatably housing said at least one fin (41 ), said seats being separated from each other by notches (42) suitable for their elastic deformation, at least one pin (43) with a mushroom-shaped head (44) being provided to engage in a snap fit with said elastic means.

9. Support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system according to claim 8, characterized in that said first block has a first axial hole (60) for the connection with at least one second block (45) through a rod (46) that can be fitted into said first hole of said first block and into a second hole (61 ) of said at least one second block.

10. Support device for a nozzle of an air conditioning system according to claim 1 , characterized in that each of said first and second sections has a cavity (50) in which said first and second support walls (22,23) are respectively engaged, said cavity being associated with a first wall (52) suitable to form a housing with a second wall (53), said first and second walls being orthogonal to each other to accommodate a drywall panel with a precise fit, said first wall (52) having a variable width to reduce the width of said conditioned air outlet opening (5), a seat (54) for rotatable support of a fin (41 ) being further provided on said first wall.