FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a ventilation apparatus conformed for the disposal of condensation generated during the heat exchange steps to which the processed stream of air is subjected. In particular, the apparatus comprises a containing structure suitable to allow an effective discharge of the condensation irrespective of the installation condition of the ventilation apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ventilation apparatuses are known, for example of the heat recovery type, which typically comprise a closed containing structure in which a heat exchanger is housed, for the heat treatment of a determinate stream of air.

Such heat exchangers, which are generally unable to recover the latent component of the heat contained in the stream of air, allow the formation of condensation, and the condensation deposits on the bottom of the containing structure.

The condensation thus determines the formation of water stagnation, in which molds and bacterial cultures can grow, and there may be leaks to the outside or other situations which can compromise the quality of the air introduced by the apparatus into the environment, as well as other inconveniences for the user and the need for maintenance interventions.

It is usual practice to provide a discharge for the condensation, which is designed and made on the containing structure in a specific manner, so that it is effective in a pre- determined installation condition of the apparatus, typically on vertical walls or horizontal surfaces.

The need to install such ventilation apparatuses in preexisting environments is felt more and more in the field, environments in which the possibility of positioning the ventilation apparatuses was not originally provided.

This need provides the installation of apparatus both on substantially vertical surfaces and on horizontal and/or differently inclined surfaces, on different occasions, depending on the installation spaces available.

This need contrasts with the present specific design and embodiment of the containing structure and the relative discharges, limiting the installation possibilities of the ventilation apparatus, without guaranteeing an efficient discharge of the condensation.

A specific design and embodiment of the ventilation apparatus, depending on the actual inclination of the installation surface, which can vary on each occasion, causes uneconomical differentiations of the product.

Purpose of the present invention is to achieve a ventilation device which is substantially universal, that is, which can be installed indifferently on vertical surfaces or on horizontal surfaces or on differently inclined surfaces, guaranteeing in all cases an efficient discharge of the condensation.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purpose, a ventilation apparatus according to the present invention comprises at least a containing structure, inside which one or more ventilation members and/or conditioning members of a stream of air are able to be positioned.

According to a characteristic feature of the present invention, the containing structure comprises at least a first discharge hole made on a first wall of the containing structure, through which the condensation can be discharged. The containing structure also comprises at least a first inclination element, able to adjust in a desired manner the position of the containing structure with respect to a relative first installation surface, so as to define a first installation condition in which it allows the condensation to be discharged through the first discharge hole.

In this way, thanks to the cooperation between the first discharge hole and the first adjustable element, the correct discharge of the condensation from the containing structure is guaranteed, irrespective of the inclination of the installation surface.

With the present invention we have a ventilation apparatus of the substantially universal type in which, in a single design solution, the correct positioning and discharge is guaranteed.

Therefore, the ventilation apparatus according to the present invention has a particularly advantageous application in environments which are not pre- disposed for this application.

According to a variant, the containing structure comprises at least a second discharge hole, made on a relative second wall of the containing structure, and a second inclination element, which allows to selectively adjust the position of the containing structure with respect to a relative second installation surface, so as to define a second installation condition in which it allows the condensation to be discharged through the second discharge hole.

Advantageously, the second discharge hole is made on a second wall of the containing structure, different from the first wall on which the first discharge hole is made.

In this variant solution, depending on the prevalent inclination of the installation surface of the ventilation apparatus, that is, depending on whether the surface is mainly horizontal or vertical, the installer chooses to carry out the discharge either through the first discharge hole, with the assistance of the first inclination element, or through the second discharge hole with the assistance of the second inclination element.

Potentially, in some limit installation conditions, it can be provided that in order to correctly direct the discharge toward one or the other of the two discharge holes, both inclination elements can be used at the same time.

In this variant solution, packing means are provided, disposed in cooperation with one or the other of the discharge holes, depending on the actual use thereof, in order to guarantee the correct pneumatic seal inside the containing structure.

According to a variant, the packing means are disposed from the outside and are suitable to hermetically seal at least the second discharge hole.

According to another variant at least the first discharge hole is blind and is selectively opened when installed, depending on the actual conditions of use.

According to another variant the containing structure comprises an inner lining made of anti-bacterial plastic material, and an external casing made of metal, which guarantees the hydraulic seal, and on which the first discharge hole and possibly the second discharge hole are made.

According to a variant, on at least one internal surface of the inner lining made of plastic material, in correspondence with the first or the second discharge hole, a conveyor shaping is made, suitable to induce the possible condensation to move toward the relative first or second discharge hole.

According to a further variant, the inner lining made of plastic material comprises a through conveyor hole made in correspondence with the first or second discharge hole, so as to put the conveyor shaping into hydraulic communication with the relative first or second discharge hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a schematic view in section of a ventilation apparatus according to the present invention in a first installation condition;

- fig. 2 is a schematic view in section of a ventilation apparatus according to the present invention in a second installation condition;

- fig. 3 is a schematic view of an enlarged detail of fig. 2;

- fig. 4 is a schematic view of a section from IV to IV in fig. 3.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify common elements in the drawings that are substantially identical. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one form of embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other forms of embodiment without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERENTIAL FORM OF

EMBODIMENT

A ventilation apparatus according to the present invention is indicated in its entirety with the reference number 10 and comprises a containing structure 1 1 of a substantially box-like shape, inside which, in this case, a heat exchanger 12 is disposed, able to condition thermally a desired stream of air.

In particular, the containing structure 1 1 comprises an external casing 13 made of metal, and an inner lining 15, made of plastic material.

The external casing 13 is made of welded sheet metal and guarantees the hydraulic seal of the containing structure 11

Moreover, a first discharge hole 16 and a second discharge hole 17 are made on the external casing 13, both through holes on the external casing 13, the function of which will be explained more fully hereafter.

The first discharge hole 16 is made on a first wall 13a of the external casing 13, while the second discharge hole 17 is made on a second wall 13b of the external casing 13, different from the first wall 13a.

First inclination elements 19 and second inclination elements 20 are also selectively associable with the external casing 13.

In particular, the first inclination elements 19 are selectively associable with the first wall 13a of the external casing 13 and are able to be disposed in correspondence with a front edge, on the left in fig.1, and with a back edge, on the right in fig. 1, of the first wall 13 a.

The first inclination elements 19 comprise two or more supports 19a, able to define a desired inclination of the ventilation apparatus 10, with respect to a first installation surface "OS", in this case substantially horizontal.

The inclination defined by the supports 19a is such that the first discharge hole 16 is substantially the nearest part of the external casing 13 to the support surface "OS".

The inclination can be adjusted either by moving the support 19a toward the center with respect to the first wall 13a, or by providing the possibility of varying the length of each support 19a, for example telescopically, by jointing or other.

In this way a first installation condition of the ventilation apparatus 10 is defined.

The second inclination elements 20 can be selectively associated again with the first wall 13a of the external casing 13 and are able to be disposed in proximity to the back edge, at the bottom in fig. 2, of the first wall 13 a.

The second inclination elements 20 comprise a supporting ridge 20a, able to define a desired inclination of the ventilation apparatus 10, with respect to a second installation surface "VS", in this case substantially vertical.

The inclination defined by the supporting ridge 20a is such that the second discharge hole 17 is substantially the lower part of the second wall 13b of the external casing 13, with respect to a hypothetical horizontal plane. The supporting ridge 20a can also be selectively adjusted, so as to define different inclination conditions of the containing structure.

The inclination can be adjusted either by moving the supporting ridge 20a upward, along the first wall 13a, or by providing the possibility of varying the thickness occupied by the supporting ridge 20a, for example with a screw mechanism. In this way a second installation condition of the ventilation apparatus 10 is defined.

The inner lining 15 is made, as has been said, of plastic material, for example expanded polypropylene, having the following characteristics: lightness, good injection molding properties, lower energy consumptions for its workingresistance to knocks and possible impermeability, the latter after suitable and simple treatments.

Moreover, it is known that this type of material impedes the formation and proliferation of bacterial cultures.

The inner lining 1 comprises at least a first internal surface 15 a, in correspondence with the first wall 13a, and a second internal surface 15b in correspondence with the second wall 13b.

In this case, the first internal surface 15a is substantially solid and flat, while a conveyor shaping 21 is made in the second internal surface 15b, in correspondence with the second discharge hole 17, which is able to convey the stream of condensation toward a specific collection point.

In this case the collection point coincides with the second discharge hole 17.

Moreover, on the second internal surface 15b a through conveyor hole 22 is made, in correspondence with the collection point defined by the conveyor shaping 21 , to put the conveyor shaping 21 in hydraulic communication with the second discharge hole 17.

According to a variant, not shown, a conveyor shaping is also made on the first internal surface 15a, in order to convey the stream of condensation toward a specific collection point.

In the solution shown, the first discharge hole 16 in any case remains sealed by the first internal surface 15a. This allows a free use of the second discharge hole 17, without the risk of air seeping inside the containing structure 1 1 , through the first discharge hole 16. If the first discharge hole 16 is used, the first internal surface 15a is holed, during use, in a through manner and in correspondence with the first discharge hole 16, while the second discharge hole 17 is hermetically sealed by means of a packing 23, in order to avoid seepages of air from the outside.

In one form of embodiment, the packing 23 is integrated to one of the support levers 19a of the first inclination elements 19.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the ventilation apparatus 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of ventilation apparatus, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.