ES2999665T3 - Air distributor unit - Google Patents

Abstract

An air distributor unit (1) is described comprising a tubular base body (2) having an outer side wall (21) spanning an interior space (22), the tubular base body (2) being made of a polymeric material and extending in a longitudinal direction of the air distributor unit between a first end (23) and a second end (24), and comprising at the first end a first opening (25) and at the second end a second opening (26); wherein the open cross-sectional area of the first opening (25) and the open cross-sectional area of the second opening (26) are each larger than the inner cross-sectional area of the outer side wall (21) of the tubular base body (2) between the first end (23) and the second end (24) of the tubular base body. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, no legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Air distribution unit

Description field

The present invention relates to the technical field of air distribution in a ventilation system and, in particular, relates to an air distribution unit, a kit of parts including one or more such units and an air distribution assembly.

Background, prior art

Air distribution units are used in ventilation systems, for example, to distribute incoming fresh air to several different rooms and/or to expel exhaust air from rooms to the outside of the building via various pipes that are fluidly connected to the air distribution unit. During installation, the air distribution units can be cast in concrete, for example in the floor of the building in question, or they can be installed as wall installations. Documents EP 2 660 526 A2 and US 5954371 A describe ventilation apparatus known in the prior art.

Common air distribution units are typically made of metal or polymer material. Metal offers the advantage of greater stability, while polymer material is lighter and more convenient to manufacture.

Summary of the description

Many well-known air distributor assemblies have the disadvantage of not allowing for flexibility during installation. For example, many air distributor assemblies are available in lengths, diameters, and/or include a predetermined number of connectors for connecting ventilation pipes. However, due to widely varying construction requirements, it is desirable to provide an air distributor assembly that can be assembled quickly and flexibly.

Furthermore, although many metal air distributor units or assemblies comprising one or more such units typically have increased stability, they have a high weight, which typically influences the static and negatively affects the installation of the assembly.

Furthermore, although air distribution units made of polymeric material are known, their manufacture is typically difficult and/or cumbersome, because from a manufacturing point of view they usually have difficult geometries and parts, which are necessary to connect different ventilation tubes, to connect different units together in order to form an assembly and to ensure the fluid tightness of the unit or assembly.

Therefore, a general object of the present invention is to advance the state of the art with respect to air distributor units and assemblies, and preferably to completely or partially overcome one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. In favorable embodiments, an air distributor unit and a corresponding assembly are provided that exhibit improved airtightness, are lightweight, allow for more flexible and/or faster installation, and/or are efficiently manufactured.

The general objective is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Other favorable embodiments are derived from the dependent claims and the invention as a whole.

A first aspect of the invention relates to an air distribution unit comprising a tubular base body. The tubular base body has an outer side wall comprising an interior space of the air distribution unit. The tubular base body is made of a polymeric material and extends in a longitudinal direction of the air distribution unit between a first end and a second end of the air distribution unit. The air distribution unit, and in particular the tubular base body, comprises a first opening at the first end and a second opening at the second end. It is clear to those skilled in the art that the first end and the first opening are different from the second end and the second opening. The open cross-sectional area of the first opening, i.e., the open space defined by the first opening, and the open cross-sectional area of the second opening, i.e., the open space defined by the second opening, are each larger than the inner cross-sectional area, in particular the inner open cross-sectional area, of the outer side wall between the first end and the second end of the tubular base body, i.e., they are each larger than the inner cross-sectional area of the outer side wall at any given position between the first end and the second end of the tubular base body. The inner cross-sectional area is the area of the planar surface defined by the outer side wall, i.e., excluding the wall thickness of the outer side wall, at any given position between the first end and the second end. The open cross-sectional areas and the inner cross-sectional area are typically all parallel to each other and/or arranged essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The outer side wall comprises only the wall that spans the interior space, i.e. any additional elements such as reinforcing columns, rods and the like that may extend across the interior space are not part of the outer side wall and therefore do not reduce the interior cross-sectional area of the outer side wall.

The first end and the second end are the outermost surfaces and/or positions of the air distribution unit along the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction can typically be the direction in a three-dimensional coordinate system in which the air distribution unit has the greatest extension, and which can extend, in particular, through the center of the interior space and/or through the center of the first opening and the center of the second opening.

In some embodiments, the first opening is configured to connect to the second opening of another air distribution unit according to any of the embodiments described herein. Vice versa, the second opening is configured to connect to the first opening of another air distribution unit according to any of the embodiments described herein.

In some embodiments, the first opening and the second opening face each other. In particular, the first opening and the second opening are arranged diametrically opposite each other.

The interior space is typically a compartment of the air distribution unit, which may be configured to accommodate air. The interior space extends, in particular, between the first opening and the second opening. Air may be supplied to the interior space via the first opening and/or the second opening and/or via any lateral connector openings.

In some embodiments, the outer sidewall comprises at least one side connector opening into the interior space. The side connector opening is typically configured to establish a fluid connection between the interior space and a ventilation tube. It is understood that the side connector opening is different from, i.e., not identical to, the first and second openings. Thus, in an embodiment with one side connector opening, there are three different fluid connections to the interior space. In some embodiments, the outer sidewall comprises a plurality of air connector openings of different types, e.g., of different diameters or different open cross-sectional areas. The side connector openings are openings that define an open cross-sectional area that is planar and arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction.

In some embodiments, the outer side wall comprises 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 side connector openings.

In some embodiments, the tubular base body has a polygonal shape, i.e., it may be a prism, particularly a cuboid or hexagonal prism. In alternative embodiments, the tubular base body may be a cylinder.

In some embodiments, the outer side wall comprises an interchangeable wall section, preferably comprising a side connector opening in the interior space. An interchangeable wall section is a wall section that can be released and reconnected to the outer side wall. For example, the interchangeable wall section may comprise a frame defining the side connector opening. Such embodiments have the advantage that ventilation tubes already connected to a corresponding wall section can be quickly connected to the air ventilation unit. The removable wall section can be mounted, for example, on the outer wall by means of a form-locking structure, e.g., a snap-fit connection. The term "interchangeable" means that the wall section can be exchanged without destroying the outer side wall, e.g., by cutting the outer side wall.

In some embodiments, the outer side wall comprises a plurality of wall planes spanning the interior space and arranged at angles to one another. The wall planes are typically arranged directly adjacent to one another. For example, if the tubular body is a cuboid, the outer side wall comprises four wall planes, arranged at angles to one another and arranged directly adjacent to one another, respectively, side by side.

In specific embodiments, the outer side wall comprises at least two or at least three side connector openings within different wall planes and/or within the same wall plane. For example, one wall plane may be a bottom wall or a top wall having a single side connector opening, while another wall plane may be a side wall that is arranged substantially at 90° to the bottom wall and/or the top wall, and which may have one or more side connector openings. In other embodiments, all of the side connector openings may be comprised within the side wall, while the top wall and the bottom wall are free of side connector openings. In some specific embodiments, the outer side wall comprises two or three side connector openings within the same wall plane.

The tubular base body is designed as a single-piece tubular base body. A single-piece tubular body has the advantage of preventing leaks. Leakage is, for example, a problem if the base body is made of different parts, for example, two half-shells, which are connected in a separate stage.

The tubular base body is injection molded. In some embodiments, the air distributor unit may be injection molded. Since the open cross-sectional area of the first opening and the open cross-sectional area of the second opening are each larger than the inner cross-sectional area of the outer sidewall of the tubular base body between the first end and the second end of the base body, the tubular base body may be produced as a single piece by injection molding, since deformation is allowed through the first and second openings, thereby significantly increasing manufacturing efficiency.

The tubular base body comprises a first flange around the first opening and a second flange around the second opening. The first flange may be configured to connect to a second flange of a corresponding additional tubular base body as described in any of the embodiments herein. Vice versa, the second flange may be configured to connect to a first flange of a corresponding additional tubular base body as described in any of the embodiments herein. Such flanges allow different air distribution units to be connected in a rapid and modular manner.

In some embodiments, the first tab and the second tab each comprise at least one folding edge defining a rear handle. The rear handle may extend perpendicularly, in particular, to the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the folding edge may be configured to form a male portion of a form-locking connection when two air distribution units are connected adjacent to each other. In particular, each folding edge may be configured such that it forms one half of a male portion of a positive-locking connection. Therefore, when two air distribution units are joined adjacent to each other, the two corresponding folding edges are configured such that they come into contact with each other and together form the male portion of a connection. In particular, the connection may be a dovetail connection. In embodiments in which the outer side wall has different wall planes surrounding the interior space and angled towards each other, each rear handle can extend partially or completely, in particular along one, or preferably along two, in particular two, opposite wall planes.

In some embodiments, the base body comprises, at the first end and at the second end of its front sides, protruding teeth and depressions each to receive a tooth. Typically, the depressions are configured such that they can receive the corresponding tooth of another air distributor unit according to any of the embodiments described herein, when the two air distributor units are connected adjacent to each other. In other words, the shape of each tooth corresponds to the shape of each depression. Such teeth and depressions allow for easy and rapid assembly of multiple air distributor units to form an air distributor assembly comprising multiple such air distributor units.

In some embodiments, the base body comprises a groove on each of its front sides, which is arranged circumferentially around the first or second opening and is configured to accommodate a sealing lip. These grooves, together with a sealing lip, increase the tightness of the air distribution unit.

In some embodiments, the air distributor unit further comprises a male connector structure that is arranged circumferentially, particularly radially, around the first opening and a female connector structure that is arranged circumferentially, particularly radially, around the second opening. The male and female connector structures correspond to each other, that is, the male connector structure of a first air distributor unit is configured such that it can form a connection, in particular a form-locking connection, such as a plug connection, with the corresponding female connector structure of another air distributor according to any of the embodiments described herein. Such structures allow rapid assembly of multiple air distributor units of any of the embodiments described herein to form an air distributor assembly.

In some embodiments, the outer sidewall comprises at least one securing structure for securing at least one support leg. The securing structure may be configured, for example, to establish a positive and/or forced connection with a support leg or a foot. For example, the securing structure may comprise one or more threaded blind holes or a latch or the like.

In certain embodiments, the attachment structure is configured to establish a snap-fit or latching connection with the at least one support leg or foot.

In particular embodiments, the mounting structure is configured such that the at least one support leg or foot can be fixed in several different planes. The legs or feet can therefore be easily installed at a specifically required height. In particular, the mounting structure is configured such that the at least one support leg or foot can be fixed, i.e., is fixed, in a plurality of different levels spaced at regular intervals.

In some embodiments, the air distributor unit further comprises a plurality of feet protruding from the base body. Preferably, each of the feet is extendable. In such embodiments, an additional securing structure as described above may be present or omitted. The feet may be integrally connected to the tubular base body, for example, by molding them directly to the tubular base body, or they may be mounted to the tubular base body by form-locking and/or force-locking and/or material-bonding means. The feet may be extendable so that the height of the tubular base body may be easily and quickly adjusted. In some embodiments, a foot may be connected to a support leg, which, in turn, is connected to the air distributor unit.

In some embodiments, the outer side wall comprises a first slope, in particular a first linear slope, extending from the first opening toward a constriction, and a second slope, in particular a second linear slope, extending from the second opening toward the constriction. The first slope increases from the first opening toward the constriction, and the second slope increases from the second opening toward the constriction. The constriction refers to the position of the tubular base body along the longitudinal direction where the inner cross-sectional area of the outer side wall has the lowest, i.e., minimum, value. The constriction is further arranged between the first opening and the second opening. The first slope and the second slope are each arranged inside the outer side wall, respectively, they are oriented toward the interior space. Preferably, the distance along the longitudinal direction from the first opening to the narrowing is equal to the distance along the longitudinal direction from the second opening to the narrowing. The first and second inclines may extend circumferentially around the interior space. Thus, in some embodiments, the interior space may have a truncated pyramidal or truncated conical shape from the first opening to the constriction, and further from the second opening to the constriction, a truncated pyramidal or truncated conical shape.

In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the interior space decreases, particularly it decreases continuously from the first opening to the constriction and also from the second opening to the constriction.

In some embodiments, the first linear inclination and the second linear inclination each comprise an inclination angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of 0.5° to 6°, in particular 1° to 5°.

In some embodiments, the ratio of the open cross-sectional area of the first opening and/or the second opening to the inner cross-sectional area of the outer wall at the constriction is between 1:0.90 to 1:0.99, in particular between 1:0.93 to 1:0.98.

In some embodiments, the open cross-sectional area of the first opening and the second opening are each between 200 cm2 to 300 cm2 in particular between 230 cm2 and 260 cm2.

In some embodiments, the total length, i.e. the total extension along the longitudinal direction, of the air distribution unit is between 200 mm and 600 mm, in particular between 400 mm and 500 mm.

In some embodiments, the polymeric material is an organic polymer. In particular, the polymeric material may be selected from polyethylene, particularly HDPE, polyurethane, polystyrene, polyamide, and the like. In particular embodiments, the polymeric material is an expanded, i.e., foamed, polymer.

In some embodiments, the open cross-sectional area of the first opening and the second opening are of equal size.

In some embodiments, the open cross-sectional area of the first opening and the second opening are each larger than the open cross-sectional area of any side connector opening.

In some embodiments, the open cross-sectional area of the first opening and the second opening are each between 50 cm2 to 1000 cm2, particularly between 150 cm2 to 500 cm2, particularly between 150 cm2 to 300 cm2.

In some embodiments, the outer side wall has a wall thickness of at least 3 mm, in particular between 3 mm and 10 mm, in particular from 4 mm to 8 mm. This thickness is sufficient both to provide a relatively low total weight and also to provide sufficient stability so that breakage does not occur when the air distribution unit is cast in concrete.

In some embodiments, the interior space surrounded by the outer sidewall is completely hollow, i.e., the total space available to be filled with fluid is only defined by the outer sidewall, thereby avoiding any turbulence causing structural elements.

In some embodiments, the interior space is defined by one or more planar interior walls of the exterior side wall.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a kit of parts comprising at least two air distributor units according to any of the embodiments described in the first aspect above. It is understood that the at least two air distributor units do not have to conform to the same embodiment. The kit further comprises one or more sealing lips configured to provide a sealing connection, in particular a fluid-tight seal, between two adjacent connected air distributor units, and optionally a plurality of connection elements. The sealing lips are typically configured such that they can be arranged circumferentially around the first opening and/or the second opening.

In some embodiments, the connecting elements are configured to connect two adjacent air distributor units via a form-lock connection. Furthermore, the connecting elements may be configured to slide over at least a portion of each of the two adjacently arranged air distributor units. For example, the connecting elements may slide over the rear handles of the first tab of one of the air distributor units and over the rear handles of the second tab of another of the air distributor units.

The connecting elements can also be made of a polymeric material.

In some embodiments, the kit further comprises a plurality of lugs and/or support pins, which in certain embodiments can be configured to be fixed to the at least one fixing structure of at least one of the air distribution units. In some embodiments, the support pins can be adjustable, in particular with respect to their length. Preferably, the pins can be adjusted between 30 and 50 mm. In particular, in the least extended configuration, the pins protrude between 30 and 40 mm from the base body and between 60 and 90 mm from the base body in the most extended configuration.

In some embodiments, the kit further comprises a first end cap with a connector opening and a second end cap with a connector opening. The first end cap is configured to be connected to the first end of one of the air distributor units, and the second end caps are configured to be connected to the second end of another of the air distributor units. In particular, as is the case for the air distributor units, the first end cap and the second end cap may each comprise a tab, particularly with a folding edge, preferably forming a rear handle as mentioned above. Therefore, the connecting elements may also be used to adjacently connect the first end cap to the first end of one of the air distributor units, in particular by form-locking. Preferably, the first end cap and the second end cap are each tapered, i.e., funnel-shaped. Such end caps have the advantage that the kit can be used to assemble an air distributor assembly as described below in the third aspect of the invention, which has on each of its two front sides along the longitudinal direction an additional longitudinal connector opening, for example, for connecting a tube of a ventilation system.

In a third aspect, the invention relates to an air distributor assembly comprising at least two adjacent connected air distributor units according to any of the embodiments described in the first aspect above. It is understood that the at least two air distributor units do not have to be according to the same embodiment, although this may be the case for some embodiments. The first opening of one of the air distributor units is connected to the second opening of the other air distributor unit. Furthermore, a sealing lip is arranged between the two connected air distributor units. By connecting the two air distributor units, the interior space of each of the two units together forms a combined interior space. The sealing lip extends radially in the circumferential direction around the combined interior space.

In some embodiments, the two air distribution units are connected by at least one connecting element, preferably via a form-lock connection.

Furthermore, the connecting elements can slide over at least a portion of each of the two air distribution units arranged adjacent to each other. For example, the connecting elements can slide over the rear handles of the first flange of one of the air distribution units and over the rear handles of the second flange of another of the air distribution units.

The connecting elements can also be made of a polymeric material.

In some embodiments, the support legs or feet may be attached to the at least one mounting structure of at least one or all of the air distribution units. In some embodiments, the support legs may be adjustable, particularly with respect to their length.

In some embodiments, the air distributor assembly further comprises a first end cap with a connector opening and a second end cap with a connector opening. The first end cap is connected to the first end of one of the air distributor units, and the second end caps are configured to be connected to the second end of another of the air distributor units. All of the air distributor units are arranged along the longitudinal direction between the first end cap and the second end cap. In particular, as is the case for the air distributor units, the first end cap and the second end cap may each comprise a tab, particularly with a folding edge, preferably forming a rear handle as mentioned above. Thus, a connecting element may adjacently connect the first end cap to the first end of its directly adjacent air distributor unit, in particular by form-locking, and vice versa, a connecting element may adjacently connect the second end cap to the second end of its directly adjacent air distributor unit, in particular by form-locking. Preferably, the first end cap and the second end cap are each tapered, i.e., funnel-shaped, along the longitudinal direction.

Brief description of the figures

The invention described herein will be more fully understood from the detailed description given below and the accompanying drawings, which should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the appended claims. The drawings show:

Fig. 1: a perspective view of an air distribution unit according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2: A cross-sectional view along the longitudinal direction of the air distribution unit of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3: an exploded view of an air distributor assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4: a perspective view of an air distributor assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5: a bottom view of the air distributor assembly of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6: An enlarged view of section A in Fig. 5.

Examples of implementation

Fig. 1 shows an air distributor unit 1 comprising a tubular base body 2 made of a polymeric material, comprising an outer side wall 21 spanning the interior space 22. As can be seen, the outer side wall 21 circumferentially spans the interior space 22 along the longitudinal direction LO. The tubular base body 2 extends between the first end 23 and the second end 24 of the air distributor unit 1. The air distributor unit, particularly the base body 2, comprises at the first end 23 a first opening 25, and at the second end 24 a second opening 26. Both the first opening and the second opening open into the interior space 22 and are arranged along the longitudinal direction LO so as to be diametrically opposite each other. The outer side wall 21 comprises, in the embodiment shown, three lateral connector openings 211, 212 and 213, each of which provides a fluid connection to the interior space 22. In the embodiment shown, the tubular base body 2 is a cuboid base body, i.e. the outer side wall 21 consists of four different wall planes, which are arranged adjacent to one another, i.e. each wall plane is in direct contact with other wall planes. The wall planes are respectively angled at an angle of essentially 90° to each other. As can be seen, the lateral connector opening 213 is comprised in the upper wall plane, while the lateral connector openings 211 and 212 are comprised within the same lateral plane. The tubular base body 2 further comprises a first flange 3 extending radially around the first opening 25 and arranged at the first end 23, and additionally a second flange 4 extending radially around the second opening 26 and arranged at the second end 24. Both the first flange 3 and the second flange 4 comprise at least one folding edge 31 and 41, each forming a rear handle. In the embodiment shown, the rear handle extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction LO, i.e. along the corresponding side wall plane, which is perpendicular to the upper wall plane and the lower wall plane. At the first end 23 and at the second end 24, the base body comprises, on its end sides, protruding teeth 241 (for clarity, only a single tooth is referred to) and corresponding depressions 242. In this or any other embodiment described herein, the teeth may protrude in particular from the first flange, respectively, the second flange. In this or any other embodiment described herein, the teeth and depressions may also be included in the first flange 3, respectively in the second flange 4. A corresponding depression means that a tooth of a first air distributor unit can be received in a depression of a second, i.e., different, air distributor unit, or could hypothetically be received by the depression in the first air distributor unit. The base body 2 also has on its two end sides, respectively at the first end and at the second end, a groove 243 arranged circumferentially and/or radially around the second opening 26 and designed to receive a sealing lip (the corresponding groove around the first opening is not visible in this perspective view). The outer side wall 21 further comprises a fixing structure 214, which in the embodiment shown is configured to establish a force-locking connection with a support leg or foot via threaded blind holes. The blind holes are arranged at different levels at regular intervals, thereby allowing the support leg to be mounted at different levels.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal direction of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. As can be seen, the open cross-sectional area of the first opening 25, i.e. the open space defined by the first opening 25, and also the open cross-sectional area of the second opening 26, i.e. the open space defined by the second opening 26, are each larger than the inner cross-sectional area, in particular the inner open cross-sectional area, of the outer side wall at any given position between the first end 23, respectively the first opening 25, and the second end 24, respectively the second opening 26, of the tubular base body 2. The outer side wall 21 comprises in the shown embodiment, in the cross-section along the longitudinal direction, a first slope 215 extending from the first opening 25, respectively from the first end 23, to the constriction 6, wherein the inner cross-sectional area of the outer side wall 21 has the lowest value, that is, minimum.

Furthermore, the outer side wall 21 is comprised in the cross-section along the longitudinal direction a second slope 216 extending from the second opening 26, respectively from the second end 24, to the constriction 6. The interior space between the first opening 25 and the constriction 6 thus comprises a truncated pyramidal shape. Similarly, the interior space between the second opening 26 and the constriction 6 also comprises a truncated pyramidal shape.

Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of an air distributor assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising two air distributor units 1 and 1', each according to any of the embodiments described herein. The two air distributor units 1 and 1' are connected adjacent to each other, that is, the first end 23 of the first air distributor unit 1 is connected to the second end 24' of the second air distributor unit 1'. As can be seen, the sealing lip 102 is arranged between the two connected air distributor units 1 and 1'. In this particular embodiment, the air distributor assembly consists of two air distributor units. While the air distributor unit 1' comprises seven lateral connector openings (only 211', 212' and 213' are references for clarity), the air distributor unit 1 comprises eight lateral connector openings (not referenced for clarity).

Fig. 4 shows the air distributor assembly 100 of Fig. 4 in the assembled state in a perspective view. As can be seen, the two air distributor units 1 and 1' are connected to each other via the connecting element 101, which can be slid over the rear handles of the two units. Thus, by arranging the units 1 and 1' adjacent to each other, the rear handles together form the male part of the form-locking connection, which is secured by means of a form-locking by sliding the connecting element 101 over the two rear handles. Furthermore, the air distributor assembly 100 comprises the foot 5 (for reasons of clarity, only a single foot is shown), which is mounted on the fixing structure 214' (see Fig. 3).

Fig. 5 shows a bottom view of the air distributor assembly of Fig. 5, exemplifying how the connecting element 101 slides over the two rear handles. Furthermore, it can be seen how the first end 23 of the first air distributor unit 1 and the second end 24' of the second air distributor unit 1' are connected directly adjacent to each other. An enlarged view of section A is shown in Fig. 6, showing the rear handles 31 and 41' of the first air distributor unit 1, respectively of the second air distributor unit 1'. By arranging the two units directly adjacent to each other, the two tabs with the rear handles together form the male portion of the form-lock connection, allowing quick and easy assembly of the air unit assembly 100.

List of reference signs

1, 1' Air distribution unit

100 Air distributor assembly

101 Connecting element

102 Sealing lip

2 Base body

21 Exterior side wall

211,212, 213 Side connector opening

214 Fixing structure

215 First bow

216 Second bow

22 Interior space

23 First end

24 Second end

241 Tooth

242 Depression

243 Slot

25 First opening

26 Second opening

First tab

Second tab

,41 Fold edge

Foot

Constriction

Claims (14)

1. Air distribution unit (1) comprising a. a tubular base body (2) with an outer side wall (21) surrounding an inner space (22), the tubular base body (2) being made of a polymeric material and extending in a longitudinal direction of the air distribution unit between a first end (23) and a second end (24), and comprising at the first end a first opening (25) and at the second end a second opening (26), wherein the tubular base body (2) is injection molded and configured as a one-piece tubular base body; b. wherein the open cross-sectional area of the first opening (25) and the open cross-sectional area of the second opening (26) are each larger than the inner cross-sectional area of the outer side wall (21) of the tubular base body (2) between the first end (23) and the second end (24) of the tubular base body; characterized in that the tubular base body (2) comprises a first flange (3) around the first opening (25) and a second flange (4) around the second opening (26). 2. The air distribution unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the outer side wall (21) comprises at least one side connector opening (211,212,213) in the inner space (22). 3. The air distribution unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer side wall (21) comprises an interchangeable wall section, preferably comprising a side connector opening (211,212,213) in the interior space (22). 4. The air distribution unit (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the outer side wall (21) comprises a plurality of wall planes spanning the interior space and angled to each other, and wherein the outer side wall comprises at least two lateral connector openings (211, 212, 213) within different wall planes and/or within the same wall plane. 5. The air distribution unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first tab (3) and the second tab (4) each comprise at least one folding edge (31,41) defining a rear handle. 6. The air distribution unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular base body (2) comprises at the first end (23) and at the second end (24) of its front sides projecting teeth (241) and depressions (242) for receiving a tooth; and/or wherein the tubular base body (2) comprises at each of the first end (23) and the second end (24) of its front sides a groove (243) which is arranged circumferentially around the first opening (25) or the second opening (26) and which is configured to receive a sealing lip. 7. The air distribution unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a male connector structure that is circumferentially arranged around the first opening (25) and a female connector structure that is circumferentially arranged around the second opening (26). 8. The air distribution unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer side wall (21) comprises at least one fixing structure (214) for fixing at least one support leg, wherein preferably the fixing structure (214) is configured to establish a snap-fit or latching connection with the at least one support leg. 9. The air distribution unit (1) according to claim 8, wherein the fixing structure (214) is configured such that the at least one support leg can be fixed at a plurality of different levels. 10. The air distribution unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the air distribution unit (1) further comprises a plurality of feet (5) protruding from the tubular base body (2), wherein preferably each of the feet (5) is extensible. 11. The air distribution unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer side wall (21) comprises a first inclination (215), in particular a first linear inclination, extending from the first opening (23) towards a constriction (6), and a second inclination (216), in particular a second linear inclination, extending from the second opening (26) towards the constriction (6), wherein the constriction (6) is arranged between the first opening (25) and the second opening (26). 12. The air distribution unit (1) according to claim 11, wherein the first linear inclination (215) and the second linear inclination (216) each comprise an inclination angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of 0.5° to 6°, particularly 1° to 5°. 13. A kit of parts comprising at least two air distributor units (1, 1'), each according to any one of the preceding claims, one or more sealing lips (102) configured to provide a seal between two adjacent connected air distributor units (1, 1'), and optionally a plurality of connecting elements (101), wherein preferably the connecting elements (101) are configured to connect two adjacent air distributor units (1, 1') via a form-lock connection; wherein preferably the kit further comprises a plurality of support legs and/or feet (5) that are preferably configured to be fixed to the at least one fixing structure (214). 14. An air distributor assembly (100) with at least two air distributor units (1, 1') connected side by side according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the first opening of one of the air distributor units (1) being connected to the second opening of the other air distributor unit (1'), a sealing lip being arranged between the two connected air distributor units (1, 1'), the two air distributor units (1, 1') preferably being connected by at least one connecting element (101), preferably by a form-locking connection.