NO347505B1

NO347505B1 - A multifunctioning window airing system comprising a bladeless fan

Info

Publication number: NO347505B1
Application number: NO20210982A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Mads Bøhn; Roman Kinsley Grinsted
Original assignee: Maturitas As
Priority date: 2021-08-17
Filing date: 2021-08-17
Publication date: 2023-11-27
Also published as: NO20210982A1; WO2023021032A1

Description

A multifunctioning window airing system comprising a bladeless fan.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a window system providing at least improved airing of rooms with air streams from a bladeless fan arranged as part of a window frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ventilation of interior spaces of houses is normally provided for via a ventilation system comprising a fan located for example in an attic wherein the fan blows used air out of the house while another fan is blowing fresh air from the outside back into respective rooms of the house via adapted ventilation ducts. It is common to have a heat recirculating system harvesting heat from the used inside air and using the harvested heat to heat up the fresh outside air before the fresh air is delivered into respective rooms. In wintertime this may save energy while in summertime the heat exchanger can be replaced with for example an air conditioner aggregate.

In houses with less technical ventilation infrastructures, people rely on opening windows letting fresh air into a room and using stand-alone fans circulating the air inside a room when for example there is a high temperatures outside. The airstream generated by a fan has a cooling effect when the airstream hits a human body.

US 11054158 B2 disclose a ventilation fan including a body unit, which has a fan disposed in a body case and a fan controller operable to control an air volume of the fan. The ventilation fan also includes a sensor module having an indoor environment detecting sensor and a module controller operable to control a detecting operation of the indoor environment detecting sensor. The module controller outputs detection information obtained based on a detection result of the indoor environment detecting sensor to the fan controller, which in turn controls the air volume of the fan based on the detection information inputted thereto.

US 20090186570 A1 disclose a system and method which capitalize on heating and air conditioning ductwork to draw fresh air through a house and cool the attic. Outside air enters through open windows and is drawn into return air vents. A blower fan, which is housed within the duct assembly or an air handling unit, draws air through the return duct work and exhausts into an exhaust duct. A damper in the exhaust duct has an exhaust position and a return position. In the exhaust position, air exhausts through a vent in an attic space, where the attic space is vented to the outside. In the return position air continues to the heating and air conditioning unit. The present invention provides a means to direct the fresh air flow through a house using return vents while cooling the attic space without the use of an attic fan.

GB 2452490 A disclose a bladeless fan assembly 1 comprising a nozzle 10 and means for creating an air flow through the nozzle 10. The nozzle comprises in interior passage 20 communicating with a mouth 12, which is arranged to direct airflow from the interior passage 20 over an adjacent surface 14, which may be convex. The air flow through the nozzle 10 may be created by a motor 30 and an impeller and there may be a duct communicating with the motor 30 and the nozzle.

US 5216224 disclose a Coanda effect air circulation (21) wherein air is heated by a wall of a heated room air is circulating above.

JP S63279039 A disclose a ventilation device 3 is fixed to an outer wall 2 positioned over a window 1. The ventilation device is mainly composed of a suction blowing passage 4, a discharging blowing passage 5, a main blowing passage 6, a vane wheel 7 and a motor. Indoor hot air is sucked through the sucking blowing passage, then passed through the vane wheel, and lastly discharged out of a room through the discharging blowing passage. The discharging air passage is constructed such that the discharged air is discharged along an outer surface of the window pane faced to the outer wall, so that the outer surface of the window pane is always exposed to hot indoor air, resulting in that a difference in temperature across the window pane is kept quite low and thus it is possible to prevent any condensation. In addition, since a cross sectional area of the discharging air blowing passage is kept smaller than that of the sucking air blowing passage, so that it is further possible to increase the discharging air speed and to get a further reaching distance.

CN 109057666 A disclose an exhaust fan solving a stated technical problem known in prior art related to prior art exhaust fans that are usually installed in doors and windows, etc., to form convection between indoors and outdoors, to change indoor air, and to keep indoor air fresh. However, the exhaust fan in the prior art usually occupies a large space in parts such as doors and windows, which seriously affects indoor lighting, and also limits the use of the exhaust fan. Exhaust fans in the prior art are generally used in bathrooms, etc. where the lighting requirements are not strong. In rooms where classrooms, classrooms, etc. are densely packed or people stay for a long time, it is often necessary to install an exhaust fan to promote air circulation. However, the exhaust fan of the prior art is obviously unable to meet both the requirements of daylighting and exhaust. The disclosed solution to this technical problem is to arrange an air outlet channel around the periphery of a window frame, wherein the outlet opening of the channel points towards the interior of a building the window frame is mounted.

A complex ventilation system is normally possible to install when a house is built. The cost is normally high. Retro fitting airing ducts etc. in an older house is a costly and a time-consuming task as well.

Therefore, there is a need of an improved ventilation system that can easily be installed when building a new house as well as needing less installation time and less intervention with existing building structures when retro fitting a ventilation system in a house.

An aspect of the present invention is to arrange a bladeless fan as part of a window frame. Besides enabling an airflow into a room when the window is open, the system allows for further application of the bladeless fan when a window is closed.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an alternative to the prior art.

In particular, it may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide a bladeless fan as part of a window frame enabling multiple functions when a window is open as well as when the window is closed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous for obtaining a window frame comprising a bladeless ventilation fan.

Thus, the above-described object and several other objects are intended to be obtained in a first aspect of the invention by providing a multifunctioning airing system of a house comprising:

- a fan arranged on a side of a window frame supporting a glass plate supported by a supporting frame hinged to the window frame,

- the fan delivers an airstream to an airing duct arranged around the circumference of the window frame,

- wherein a slot is arranged on an upper surface running around the whole circumference of the window frame on area of the upper surface located opposite the window frame,

- wherein an opening of the slot is facing towards the window frame,

- wherein respective window surface of the window frame facing towards the glass supporting frame is stretching outwardly and is meeting an upper curved or convex surface of the airing duct along an intersection line running around the whole periphery of the airing duct, and

- wherein the intersection line is formed as a smooth interface area.

Respective aspects of the present invention may each be combined with any of the other aspects. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described herein

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The ventilation system according to the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The attached figures illustrate an example of embodiment of the present invention and is not to be construed as being limiting to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set.

Figure 1 illustrates an example of a ventilation system according to the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates further details of the example disclosed in Figure 1.

Figure 3 illustrates further details of the example disclosed in Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the specified embodiments, it should not be construed as being in any way limited to the presented examples. The scope of the present invention is set out by the accompanying claim set. In the context of the claims, the terms "comprising" or "comprises" do not exclude other possible elements or steps. Further, the mentioning of references such as "a" or "an" etc. should not be construed as excluding a plurality. The use of reference signs in the claims with respect to elements indicated in the figures shall also not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Furthermore, individual features mentioned in different claims, may possibly be advantageously combined, and the mentioning of these features in different claims does not exclude that a combination of features is not possible and advantageous.

Figure 1 illustrates a cross section of an example of embodiment of the present invention. The cross section follows a vertical side face of a window frame 11a. The illustrated multifunctioning window fan system 10 comprises the window frame 11a supporting a glass window plate 12 arranged inside a hinged glass supporting frame 11b hinged to the window frame 11a via hinges 13, 14. The window frame 11a can be arranged on a wall of a house, either when building the house or when retrofitting a window on an existing building wall. The hinged glass window supported by the glass supporting frame 11b is configured for example to be opened inwards into a room the window frame is facing when mounted on a house wall.

The window frame 11a is arranged with an airing duct 16 running around the whole outer circumference of the window frame 11a. This is also illustrated in Figure 2 and Figure 3. The airing duct 16 has an upper surface 21b facing towards an opening of the window frame 11a facing outwardly from a house wall when mounted. The shape of the upper surface 21b is curved upwards or is convex. In Figure 1 the cross section of the airing duct 16 is illustrated as being an ellipse shaped object. A fan system 18, for example located below the window frame 11a inside the wall or as a unit attached to the outside of the wall, is delivering an air stream 17 into the airing duct 16. The fan system 18 may for example comprise an impeller. A continuous slot or opening 15 runs around the whole circumference on the upper airing duct surface 21b on an edge area of the surface 21b located opposite the window frame 11a. The slot 15 divides the upper surface 21b of the airing duct in two sections 21a and 21b. The slot 15 is arranged such that the upper surface section 21a overlaps the other upper surface section 21b such that the slot 15 is arranged in between the two overlapping upper surface sections 21a and 21b. Typically, the height of the opening is in a range from 1mm to 5mm.

The airing duct 16 is arranged as a part of the window frame 11b such that the slot 15 is facing towards the window plate 12 on all sides of the window. When the glass supporting frame 11b is closed the glass supporting frame 11b is touching an adapted recess (not illustrated) in the window frame 11a enabling a tight closing of the window, for example via a compressible sealing element arranged in respective edge areas of the window frame 11b facing towards the recess in the window frame 11a. The bottom side surface of the window frame 11a facing upwards towards the glass supporting frame 11b stretches outwardly towards the upper convex surface 21b of the airing duct 16 and the respective surfaces intercepts along a common line 22.

When the glass supporting frame 11b is open the convex surface of the airing duct 21b is flush with the bottom surface of the window frame 11a facing the bottom side of the glass supporting frame 11b along the intercepting line 22. The intercepting line 22 may in some embodiments of the present invention be arranged as a curved or smooth interface area allowing a smooth airflow across the smooth interface area.

The airing duct 16 can be arranged with different inclination angles relative to the front surface of the window plate 12 as indicated with the angle α as indicated in Figure 1. The angle 15 can be for example in the range of one to ten degrees.

Figure 2 illustrates an example of embodiment of the present invention arranged on an outside house wall 27. The illustrated window frame 11a is illustrated supporting two window section plates 12a and 12b. Each window section can be opened independently from each other. A window bar 23 can be attached to one of the window sections plates 12a, 12b. When both window sections are closed the bar will provide a sealing of the window opening. When both window sections are open, the whole window opening corresponds to the combined opening provided by the two window section plates 12a, 12b.

The fan system 18 is positioned below the window but can be positioned on any side of the window frame 11a. An air stream 17 from the fan system 18 is delivered to the airing duct 16 via an adapted pipe section. The air inlet to the fan system 18 (refer reference numeral 19 and 20 in Figure 1) can be arranged towards the exterior of the wall 27 or towards the interior of the house. In some examples of embodiments of the present invention, the fan system can be arranged to be selectable with respect to which air inlet 19, 20 to be used.

When the respective window section plates 12a, 12b are closed use of the fan 18 will enable an airstream to pass through the slot 15 in between the upper surface sections 21a and 21b as discussed above. This airstream can be arranged to remove dust and rain droplets from the window surfaces dependent on the air stream velocity generated by the fan system 18. In wintertime, warm air from the inside of the house may be used as an air inlet to the fan system 18. Then dew, ice or snow etc. can be removed from the outside window surface by the warmer air.

Figure 3 illustrates a further example of embodiment according to the present invention. A single glass window plate 12 is illustrated and can for example be opened inwards as discussed with reference to Figure 1. In this example the supporting glass frame 11b is hinged to the window frame 11a on the left-hand side of the window.

A lightweight squeegee 24 is arranged vertically on the glass surface of the window 12. The squeegee 24 is for example configured to move across the window surface from left to right and then back again to the left-hand side of the window. When parked on the left-hand side of the window the squeegee can be locked to the window frame 11a. When the window opens the squeegee remains in the locked position to the window frame 11a. The locking mechanism can be embodied inside the window frame 11a (not illustrated).

The squeegee 24 can also be adapted to spray cleaning soap on the glass

surface of the glass plate 12. Movements of the squeegee 24 over the glass surface will remove the soap water and clean the surface of the window glass 12.

In an example of embodiment, the airstream out of the slot 15 can be arranged to only come out of the slot 15 on the left-hand side of the window frame. This can be achieved with vent arrangement inside the airing duct 16. The airstream can then push the light wait squeegee 24 across the window surface of the window glass 12. The arrangement may also include that the airstream comes only out of a few openings distributed along the opening 15 on the left-hand side of the window frame 15. The squeegee 24 can also be guided by arranged recesses arranged in the upper horizontal surface and lower horizontal surface of the window frame 11a facing towards the window glass 12. The upper end 26b of the squeegee 24 and the lower end 26d of the squeegee 24 can be inserted into the respective recesses.

When the squeegee 24 has reached the right-hand side of the window frame 11a the vent arrangement inside the airing duct 16 is changed to allow air to flow out of the slot 15 only on the right-hand side of the window frame 11a. Then the squeegee 24 moves back again towards the left-hand side of the window frame 11a.

These operations can be controlled electronically via an adapted controller arranged for example on an inside wall surface close to the window. The controller may also comprise a container for housing soap and water which can be delivered to the squeegee 24 via a flexible pipe connected for example to one of the ends 26b, 26d of the squeegee 24.

Another example of operating the squeegee 24 can be to use the airflow from the fan 18 to drive a chain 25a, 25b connected to a respective cogwheel arranged in the end sections 26b and 26d of the squeegee 24. The cogwheels are part of a rack and pinion gear wherein the rack is arranged on the respective upper and lower surfaces of the window frame 11a. An airflow driven motor 26a, 26c can then move the chain in a direction turning the respective cogwheels such that the squeegee is driven from left to right and vice versa when the respective air flow driven motors drive the chains in an opposite direction. This can be achieved by an arrangement of airflow vents that direct the airflow towards the airflow driven motors 26a, 26c in respective opposite directions towards the airflow driven motors 26a, 26c.

When the window is opened and air is flowing out of the slot 15 around the whole circumference of window frame 11a, the convex upper surface 21b of the airing duct 16 will affect the airstream according to the known Coanda effect, i.e., the air flow follows the contour of the convex surface towards the open the window frame 11a. The known Venturi effect will lower the local air pressure above the convex surface like the effect of an airplane wing. Then there is generated a pressure difference between the area around the slot 15 towards the window frame 11 and the pressure of outside air in the exterior area outside the airing duct 16. Then the air outside the window will start moving towards the window opening since air moves from a high-pressure area towards a low-pressure area. Another effect is also that the air stream across the curved surface 21b will draw more and more air towards the opening in the window frame 11a.The total effect is that an airstream will flow through the window opening and the system function as a blade less fan arranged in the window frame.

Therefore, a multifunctioning airing system of a house is achieved with the same inventive technical features.

An example of a multifunctioning airing system 10 of a house may comprise: a fan 18 arranged on a side of a window frame 11a supporting a glass plate 12 supported by a supporting frame 11b hinged 13, 14 to the window frame 11a, the fan 18 delivers an airstream 17 to an airing duct 16 arranged around the circumference of the window frame 11a,

wherein a slot 15 is arranged on an upper surface 21b running around the whole circumference of the window frame 11a on area of the upper surface 21b located opposite the window frame 11a.

The example of embodiment disclosed above, wherein the upper surface of the airing duct 16 may be divided in a first surface area 21a and a second surface area 21b such that the first surface area 21a overlaps the second surface area 21b leaving an open gap in between the respective surface areas 21a, 21b being the slot 15.

The example of embodiment disclosed above, wherein the open gap between the first and second surface areas 21a, 21b may be facing towards the window frame 11a.

The example of embodiment disclosed above, wherein the airing duct 16 may be arranged with an inclination angle α relative to the bottom surface of the window frame 11a when the frame 11a is mounted vertically on a house wall.

The example of embodiment disclosed above, wherein a bottom surface of the window frame 11a facing towards a bottom surface of the glass supporting frame 11b may be stretching outwardly meeting the upper surface 21b of the airing duct 16 along an intersection line 22.

The example of embodiment disclosed above, wherein the intersection line 22 may be formed as a smooth interface area.

The example of embodiment disclosed above, wherein the fan 18 may have an air inlet drawing air from the exterior air of a house via a duct 20 or is drawing air from an interior of the house via a duct 19.

The example of embodiment disclosed above, wherein the air inlet to be used by the fan 18 is selectable.

The example of embodiment disclosed above, wherein the fan 18 may be arranged inside a house wall.

The example of embodiment disclosed above, wherein the fan 18 may be arranged as a unit attachable to a wall surface of a house.

The example of embodiment disclosed above, wherein when the window frame 11a is closed the fan 18 may deliver an airstream towards the window glass plate 12 which can blow away dust and water droplets and similar items from the window glass plate 12.

The example of embodiment disclosed above, when the air inlet of the fan 18 is from the interior of the house, the fan 18 may deliver a warmer airstream capable of removing dew, ice, and snow from the window glass plate 12.

The example of embodiment disclosed above, wherein a squeegee 24 can be arranged to be moved across and backwards on the surface of the window glass plate 12 by the airstream delivered by the fan 18.

The example of embodiment disclosed above, wherein when the window frame 11a is open, the airstream from the fan 18 will function as a bladeless fan.

Claims

1. A multifunctioning airing system (10) of a house comprising:

- a fan (18) arranged on a side of a window frame (11a) supporting a glass plate (12) supported by a supporting frame (11b) hinged (13, 14) to the window frame (11a),

- the fan (18) delivers an airstream (17) to an airing duct (16) arranged around the circumference of the window frame (11a),

- wherein a slot (15) is arranged on an upper surface (21b) running around the whole circumference of the window frame (11a) on a part of the upper surface (21b) of the airing duct (16) located opposite the window frame (11a),

- wherein an opening of the slot (15) is facing towards the window frame (11a),

c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y:

- wherein respective window surfaces of the window frame (11a) facing towards the glass supporting frame (11b) is stretching outwardly and is meeting an upper curved or convex surface (21b) of the airing duct (16) along an intersection line (22) running around the whole periphery of the airing duct (16), and

- wherein the intersection line (22) is formed as a smooth interface area.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the airing duct (16) is divided in a first surface area (21a) and a second surface area (21b) such that the first surface area (21a) overlaps the second surface area (21b) leaving an open gap in between the respective surface areas (21a, 21b) being the slot (15).

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the open gap between the first and second surface areas (21a, 21b) is facing towards the window frame (11a).

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the airing duct (16) is arranged with an inclination angle ( α) relative to the bottom surface of the window frame (11a) when the frame (11a) is mounted vertically on a house wall.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the fan (18) has an air inlet drawing air from the exterior air of a house via a duct (20) or is drawing air from an interior of the house via a duct (19).

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the air inlet to be used by the fan (18) is selectable.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the fan (18) is arranged inside a house wall.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the fan (18) is arranged as a unit attachable to a wall surface of a house.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein when the window frame (11a) is closed the fan (18) will deliver an airstream towards the window glass plate (12) which can blow away dust and water droplets and similar items from the window glass plate (12).

10. The system of claim 5, when the air inlet of the fan (18) is from the interior of the house, the fan (18) can deliver a warmer airstream capable of removing dew, ice and snow from the window glass plate (12).

11. The system of claim 1, wherein a squeegee (24) is arranged to be moved across and backwards on the surface of the window glass plate (12) by the airstream delivered by the fan (18).

12. The system of claim 1, wherein, when the window frame (11a) is open, the airstream from the fan (18) will function as a bladeless fan.