AIR EXCHANGE DEVICE
An air exchange device includes: an air-guiding tube having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the first end having a first inlet and a first outlet, and the second end having a second inlet and a second outlet; a partition settled inside the air-guiding tube and dividing a room inside the air-guiding tube into a first air-guiding space and a second air-guiding space, the first air-guiding space communicating with the first inlet and second outlet, and the second air-guiding space communicating with the first outlet and the second inlet; a fan arranged with the air-guiding tube and adapted to induce an airflow; and a control module connecting with at least one of the first and second ends of the air-guiding tube and electrically connecting with the fan.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an air exchange device and, more particularly, to an air exchange device for exchange of air inside and outside of a room.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to
However, in order to settle this air exchange device 9, two through holes serving as the inlet 911 and outlet 912 are necessary, and this dual hole arrangement may result in decreasing of structural strength of the wall 91. Moreover, the necessary area on the surface of the wall 91 for these two through holes is so big that the use of the surface is thus largely limited. Besides, since a side of the fans 92 is exposed to the external space via the inlet 911 or the outlet 912, the heat and humidity of the external space may easily damage the fans 92, and thus lower the lifetime of the fans 92.
Furthermore, the fans 92 are conventionally connected with control modules composed by driving circuits, control circuits or other electronic elements, so that the fans 92 can be driven to inwardly or outwardly guide the air. However, since the control modules tend to generate a large amount of heat during the operations, an additional cooling sink or cooling device is required to lower the working temperature of said modules. This will increase the cost of the air exchange device 9.
Additionally, since the fans 92 are simply connected to the wall 91 without any sound-insulating design, the operational noise of the fans 92 can easily transmit to the environment as noise pollution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONWhat is needed is an air exchange device unnecessary to be mounted on a divider via two openings of this divider but still able to provide a desirable performance in air convection about the divider, to maintain the structural strength of the divider, and to provide an area of the surface of the divider large enough for any further use.
Another need is an air exchange device able to perform the air convection as well as to cool a control module.
A still another need is an air exchange device able to lower or shade the noise made during operation of the fan.
A further need is an air exchange device capable of increasing the structural strength of the divider without having to drill through holes on the divider.
A still further need is an air exchange device which ensures that the necessary amount of area of the divider is sufficient without having to drill through holes on the divider.
In one implementation, an air exchange device includes: an air-guiding tube having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the first end having a first inlet and a first outlet, and the second end having a second inlet and a second outlet; a partition settled inside the air-guiding tube and dividing a room inside the air-guiding tube into a first air-guiding space and a second air-guiding space, the first air-guiding space communicating with the first inlet and second outlet, and the second air-guiding space communicating with the first outlet and the second inlet; a fan arranged with the air-guiding tube and adapted to induce an airflow; and a control module connecting with at least one of the first and second ends of the air-guiding tube and electrically connecting with the fan.
In this implementation, one or more of the following features may be included: the control module connects with the second end of the air-guiding tube, and at least one of the second inlet and second outlet faces the control module; the control module has a housing with an opening, an auxiliary outlet, and an auxiliary inlet, the housing connects with the second end of the air-guiding tube by an edge defining the opening, and the opening communicates with the second inlet and the second outlet; a board is disposed inside the housing, divides an inner room of the housing into a first branch space and a second branch space, and also divides the opening into a first section and a second section, wherein the first branch space communicates with the first section and the auxiliary outlet, and wherein the second branch space communicates with the second section and the auxiliary inlet; a driving circuit or control circuit is disposed in the first branch space or the second branch space and electrically connects with the fan; a light emitter is arranged inside the first branch space or the second branch space; an alarm is arranged inside the first branch space or the second branch space; a negative air ions generator is arranged inside the first branch space or the second branch space; the fan is settled inside the first air-guiding space, the control module has an auxiliary fan disposed in the second branch space of the housing and aligned with the second air-guiding space through the second section, and a driving circuit or a control circuit is disposed inside the second branch space and electrically connects with the fan; the fan is settled inside the second air-guiding space, the control module has an auxiliary fan disposed in the first branch space of the housing and aligned with the first air-guiding space through the first section, and a driving circuit or control circuit is disposed inside the first branch space and electrically connects with the fan; the first end of the air-guiding tube has a first surface and a second surface adjacent to or opposite to each other, at least one bent portion is formed between the first and second surfaces, the first inlet is formed in the first surface, and the first outlet is formed in the second surface; the first end of the air-guiding tube has a first surface and a second surface adjacent to each other, a bent portion is formed between the first and second surfaces, the first inlet is formed in the first surface, and the first outlet is formed in the second surface; the partition has a first section, a second section and an inclined connecting section linking the first and second sections; the fan is arranged inside the first air-guiding space or second air-guiding space; the fan is arranged inside the first air-guiding space, and the control module has an auxiliary fan corresponding to the second air-guiding space; the fan is arranged inside the second air-guiding space, and the control module has an auxiliary fan corresponding to the first air-guiding space; the air exchange device further comprising another fan, with the two fans arranged inside the first and second air-guiding spaces respectively; the air-guiding tube is a tube with an adjustable axial length; the air-guiding tube further has a sleeve moveably mounted on the first end, the sleeve independently forms a first room and a second room inside, two apertures are formed in the wall of the sleeve and communicate with the first and second rooms respectively, the first room communicates with the first air-guiding space, and the second room communicates with the second air-guiding space; the first inlet or first outlet of the air-guiding tube has a filter; the auxiliary inlet or auxiliary outlet has a filter; a layer of sound-insulating material is applied to an inner surface of the air-guiding tube; the fan electrically connects with a rotation control circuit; the auxiliary fan electrically connects with a rotation control circuit; the air exchange device further comprising a cover connecting with the air-guiding tube and covering the first end of the air-guiding tube; the cover comprises an inner wall spaced from the first inlet and the first outlet; the cover has an opening; and a filter is mounted in the opening.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, including:
In the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the term “first,” “second,” “inner,” “external,” “internal,” “downwards,” and similar terms are used hereinafter, it should be understood that these terms refer only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings, and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONIn the following contents, a “divider” is a structure adapted to separate an external space and an internal space. For example, when a housing of an electronic product serves as the divider, the external space is the space outside the housing, and the internal space is the space inside the housing. As another example, when a wall of a building serves as the divider, the external space is the space outside the building, and the internal space is the space inside the building. Furthermore, in the following contents, a “control module” is a module including electronic elements, such as driving circuit, control circuit, or user interface, which is capable of fan driving and control, for controlling the operation of a disclosed air exchange device. Besides, according to user's need, the control module can also include various electronic members with function of lighting, alarm, or air-filtering, such as light emitter, alarm, and negative air ions generator.
Referring to
The air-guiding tube 1 can be a tube with any kind of sectional shape, and the one shown in
The partition 2 settled inside the air-guiding tube 1 can be integrally formed within the air-guiding tube 1 or detachably connected with the air-guiding tube 1. Specifically, the partition 2 divides the room inside the air-guiding tube 1 into two independent spaces: a first air-guiding space 21 and a second air-guiding space 22. In this embodiment, the partition 2 includes a first section 2a, a second section 2b and an inclined connecting section 2c, which links the first and second sections 2a, 2b. With the inclined connecting section 2c, airflow can be smoothly guided from the first section 2a to the second section 2b.
The fan 3 settled inside the air-guiding tube 1 is adapted to generate airflow. The position of the fan 3 is not limited as long as the airflow generated by the fan 3 can finally enter or exit the air-guiding tube 1. For example, the fan 3 can be arranged in the first air-guiding space 21 or second air-guiding space 22; specifically, the fan 3 can be arranged at the first inlet 111, the first outlet 112, the second inlet 121, or the second outlet 122. Therefore, it is not necessary to largely increase the size of the air-guiding tube 1 for containing the fan 3. Alternatively, there can also be another fan 3 settled inside the air-guiding tube 1 as shown in
The control module 4 connects with at least one of the first and second ends 11, 12 of the air-guiding tube 1 integrally or detachably, and the control module 4 also electrically connects with and operates the fan 3. Preferably, the control module 4 connects with the second end 12 and is disposed in the internal space “S2,” so that the repair and maintenance processes of the control module 4 can be easily performed when the divider “D” is a wall of a building. The control module 4 is preferably in a position where at least one of the second inlet 121 and second outlet 122 faces, so that the heat generated by the control module 4 can be easily dispelled when the airflow driven by the fan 3 enters or exits the air-guiding tube 1. In this embodiment, the control module 4 has a housing 41. The housing 41 has an opening 411, an auxiliary outlet 412 and an auxiliary inlet 413, with the housing 41 connecting with the second end 12 by an edge defining the opening 411. The opening 411 communicates with the second inlet 121 and second outlet 122. A board 42 is disposed inside the housing 41 and across the opening 411, so as to divide the inner room of the housing 41 into a first branch space 41a and a second branch space 41b, and also to divide the opening 411 into a first opening 411a and a second opening 411b. Specifically, the first branch space 41a communicates with the first opening 411a and the auxiliary outlet 412; and the second branch space 41b communicates with the second opening 411b and the auxiliary inlet 413. Besides, the first opening 411a faces the second outlet 122, and the second opening 411b faces the second inlet 121. With the above arrangement, when a driving circuit or control circuit of the fan 3 is disposed in the first branch space 41a or the second branch space 41b and electrically connects with the fan 3, the heat generated by this circuit can be dissipated by the airflow passing through the first branch space 41a or the second branch space 41b. Furthermore, an electronic member with function of lighting, alarm, or air-filtering can also be arranged inside the first branch space 41a or the second branch space 41b. The electronic member is adapted to provide said function of lighting, alarm, or air-filtering, therefore, the electronic member may be a light emitter, an alarm, or a negative air ions generator.
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In sum, with the above illustrated air exchange device, for air convection between the external space “S1” and the internal space “S2,” only the single through hole “D1” has to be set in the divider “D” for arrangement of this air exchange device. Therefore, the structural strength of the divider “D” is maintained, and the necessary amount of area of the divider “D” is also significantly limited. Moreover, the area of the air exchange device exposed to the external space “S1” is small, and thus damages caused by heat or humidity can be efficiently avoided. As a result, the disclosed air exchange device has advantages such as high efficiency in cooling and air-convection, long lifetime, and high degree in convenience of usage.
Additionally, since the fan 3 is settled inside the air-guiding tube 1, the internal space “S2” can get ride of the noise pollution due to the operational sound of the fan 3, especially when most parts of the air-guiding tube 1 and the fan 3 are outside the internal space “S2.” Besides, with the control module 4 connecting with the second end 12 of the air-guiding tube 1 and corresponding to the second inlet 121 and second outlet 122, the heat generated by the control module 4 can be dissipated when airflows are induced by the fan 3. Therefore, there is no need to additionally arrange any fin or fan for cooling the control module 4, and thus the cost of the air exchange device is limited.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to its presently preferable embodiments, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.
Claims
1. An air exchange device, comprising:
- an air-guiding tube having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the first end having a first inlet and a first outlet, and the second end having a second inlet and a second outlet;
- a partition settled inside the air-guiding tube and dividing a room inside the air-guiding tube into a first air-guiding space and a second air-guiding space, the first air-guiding space communicating with the first inlet and second outlet, and the second air-guiding space communicating with the first outlet and the second inlet;
- a fan arranged with the air-guiding tube and adapted to induce an airflow; and
- a control module connecting with at least one of the first and second ends of the air-guiding tube and electrically connecting with the fan.
2. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control module connects with the second end of the air-guiding tube, and at least one of the second inlet and second outlet faces the control module.
3. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control module has a housing with an opening, an auxiliary outlet, and an auxiliary inlet, the housing connects with the second end of the air-guiding tube by an edge defining the opening, and the opening communicates with the second inlet and the second outlet.
4. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 3, wherein a board is disposed inside the housing, divides an inner room of the housing into a first branch space and a second branch space, and also divides the opening into a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first branch space communicates with the first opening and the auxiliary outlet, and wherein the second branch space communicates with the second opening and the auxiliary inlet.
5. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 4, wherein a driving circuit or a control circuit is disposed in the first branch space or the second branch space and electrically connects with the fan.
6. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 4, wherein a light emitter is arranged in the first branch space or the second branch space.
7. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 4, wherein an alarm is arranged in the first branch space or the second branch space.
8. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 4, wherein a negative air ions generator is arranged in the first branch space or the second branch space.
9. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fan is settled in the first air-guiding space, the control module has an auxiliary fan disposed in the second branch space of the housing and aligned with the second air-guiding space through the second section, and a driving circuit or a control circuit is disposed inside the second branch space and electrically connects with the fan.
10. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fan is settled in the second air-guiding space, the control module has an auxiliary fan disposed in the first branch space of the housing and aligned with the first air-guiding space through the first opening, and a driving circuit or a control circuit is disposed inside the first branch space and electrically connects with the fan.
11. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end of the air-guiding tube has a first surface and a second surface adjacent to or opposite to each other, at least one bent portion is formed between the first and second surfaces, the first inlet is formed in the first surface, and the first outlet is formed in the second surface.
12. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end of the air-guiding tube has a first surface and a second surface adjacent to each other, a bent portion is formed between the first and second surfaces, the first inlet is formed in the first surface, and the first outlet is formed in the second surface.
13. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the partition has a first section, a second section and an inclined connecting section linking the first and second sections.
14. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fan is arranged in the first air-guiding space or second air-guiding space.
15. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the fan is arranged in the first air-guiding space, and the control module has an auxiliary fan corresponding to the second air-guiding space.
16. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the fan is arranged in the second air-guiding space, and the control module has an auxiliary fan corresponding to the first air-guiding space.
17. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 14, further comprising another fan, with the two fans arranged in the first and second air-guiding spaces respectively.
18. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air-guiding tube is a tube with an adjustable axial length.
19. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the air-guiding tube further has a sleeve moveably mounted on the first end, the sleeve independently forms a first room and a second room inside, two apertures are formed in the wall of the sleeve and communicate with the first and second rooms respectively, the first room communicates with the first air-guiding space, and the second room communicates with the second air-guiding space.
20. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first inlet or first outlet of the air-guiding tube has a filter.
21. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the auxiliary inlet or auxiliary outlet has a filter.
22. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a layer of sound-insulating material is applied to an inner surface of the air-guiding tube.
23. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fan electrically connects with a rotation control circuit.
24. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the auxiliary fan electrically connects with a rotation control circuit.
25. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the auxiliary fan electrically connects with a rotation control circuit.
26. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the auxiliary fan electrically connects with a rotation control circuit.
27. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the auxiliary fan electrically connects with a rotation control circuit.
28. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cover connecting with the air-guiding tube and covering the first end of the air-guiding tube.
29. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 28, wherein the cover comprises an inner wall spaced from the first inlet and the first outlet.
30. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 28, wherein the cover has an opening.
31. The air exchange device as claimed in claim 30, wherein a filter is mounted in the opening.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 20, 2014
Publication Date: Mar 26, 2015
Inventors: Ming-Tsung Li (Kaohsiung City), Tsung-Chi Wang (Kaohsiung City)
Application Number: 14/309,991
International Classification: F24F 11/00 (20060101); F24F 7/007 (20060101);