Box for air-conditioning appliances

(42) Date of commencement of the patent: 15. 3.1998 (45) Date of issue: 25.11.1998 (56) Documentation:

GB 2280951A EP 0427626A1 US 4860918A

DE 3929442A1 (73) Patentee:

AKRA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT FL-9490 VADUZ (LI).

CQ (54) AIR CONDITIONING BOX (57) A box for air conditioners having a preferably parallelepiped frame (1), by covers (3), screwless to the frame (1) are attached, is hermetically sealed and in the direction perpendicular to the individual covers plug-in directions (2) an undercut (4) for receiving a biased towards the frame spring element (11) and a stop bar (5), on which a seal (16) and at least one cover (3) are seated, and this at least partially in the region of their face, encloses on all sides. To fully use the interior, Flow losses, Noise nuisance and dirt deposits are to be avoided, in that the covers (3) have a recess (18) on their side facing away from their outside, the depth of which substantially corresponds to the thickness of the stop bar (5) together with the seal (16), wherein the flow channel facing side of the stop bar (5), the thickness of which is substantially the same as the thickness of the covers 1:10 to 1: 7, preferably 1: 8 behaves with the inside of the cover (3) lies in a plane and the stop bar (5) in its free end region on the side facing away from the inside of the box, directed against the outside, has convex thickening (17).

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UJR € 078012

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The invention relates to a box for air conditioning units according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such boxes for air conditioners consist of a galvanized steel profile frame construction, which guarantees airtight seal with the covers via a seal. To fix the covers are used by their end walls protruding leaf springs, which snap into the frame, insert into an undercut of the frame profile after insertion of the respective Abdekkung. A cross-sectionally substantially T-shaped seal is clamped between the stop bar of the frame profile and a, overlapping in the region of the end faces, inner and outer lid of the cover. However, this complicated shape increases the production cost. The cover has in this type of construction in the region of its end faces on a gap between the inner and the outer lid, which is only partially filled by the seal Thus, the side walls of this gap tend to vibrate due to the constant vibration. In addition, the stop bar of the frame protrudes into the interior of the space enclosed by the frame, and it is therefore not possible to fully exploit the existing interior. The flow resistance is increased by the projecting into the interior stop bar and by the air flowing through the box for air conditioning, creates an unpleasant whistling, which is getting louder with increasing flow velocity. Another problem associated with this type of construction is the build up of dust on the stop bar. For reasons of hygiene, they require frequent cleaning, during which time the air conditioning can not be operated.

In GB 2 280 951 a climate box is disclosed, the inner sides of the cover plates lie with the inner edges of the stop bar in a plane, whereby the flow mar no resistance, but through the thickness of the stop plate and the arrangement of the seal an air gap between the Front side of the recess and the front side of the Anschlagieiste arises, which contributes to both noise and Schimutzablagerungen

The air conditioning box disclosed in US 4,860,918 also consists of a frame construction between which covers are attached. The inner sides of the cover plates are also here with the inner side of the stop bar in a plane. However, there is no seal between inner cover plate and Anchlagleiste, whereby a rubbing together of the metal parts takes place, which in turn leads to noise nuisance.

The object of the present invention is now to provide a box for air conditioners of the type described above, the flow losses, noise and dirt susceptibility are minimized, and the interior space is optimally utilized.

This object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1.

The construction allows the use of simple, rectangular seals. In addition, the stop bar and the inwardly facing side of the cover lie in one plane, whereby the best possible space utilization of the box is guaranteed for air conditioners. The air flow inside the box is no longer hindered by the aligned arrangement of stop bar and inner cover of the cover, which additionally reduces the noise and dust deposits on the stop bar is avoided. The large air gap between the inner and outer cover of the cover, which was responsible for the disturbing vibrations, can also be reduced to a minimum. Thus, in the region of the end faces, the outer cover of each cover can lie directly against its inner cover. The convex thickening at the free end of the stop bar effectively prevents slippage of the seal and the emergence of an air gap, which causes the disadvantages described above. In addition, the frame profile can be produced with lower material loads. The escape of air from the cross section of the flow channel is completely avoided.

The embodiment of the recess of claim 1 as a stage according to claim 2, allows an accurate positioning of the cover relative to the frame.

According to claim 3, it is possible to use easy-to-manufacture seals of strand material, which can be found to produce with simple tools Auslangen.

In the following the invention will be described with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. Showing:

Fig. 1 is an overall view of a box for air conditioners.

Fig. 2 shows a detail of the overall view of a box for air conditioners.

Fig. 3 shows a cross section through a portion of a box according to the invention for air conditioners with frame and cover.

Fig. 4 is a view of a spring element

Fig. 1 shows an overall view of a box for air conditioners, where very well the cuboid frame and held by him covers can be detected.

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Fig. 2 shows a detail of the overall view. The individual covers (3) are in the direction of

Arrow (2) pushed into the frame and held by the leaf springs (12) described in Figure 3.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section through a portion of a box according to the invention for air conditioners with frame 1 and cover. 3 A molded from a galvanized roll profile frame 1 has in an indicated by an arrow 2 insertion direction of a cover 3, an undercut 4 and a stop bar 5 on. The one outer cover 6 and an inner cover 7 and between a non-combustible and rotting mineral insulation 8 having cover 3 is in the region of its end wall 9 with a fold 10, which is formed on the frontal region of the outer cover 6 of the cover 3, Provided, wherein the outer part 6 abuts substantially directly on the frontal region of the inner lid 7 of the cover 3, This fold 10 serves to receive a spring element 11, which has a multiplicity of leaf springs 12 arranged approximately at a distance of 10 cm from each other, one of which is shown in FIG. 4 is shown in plan view

These stuck with their foot part 13 in the fold 10 of the cover 3 and are bent with its soluble free end projecting from the end wall. The leaf spring 12 is with its free-standing, front end 14 to the plant or Support at an angle of about 60 'to 80' to the end wall 9 of the cover 3 arranged wall 15 of the undercut 4 is provided. To seal the cover 3 relative to the frame 1, a rectangular rubber seal 16 is provided in the region of the stop bar 5. The inner lid 7 of the cover 3 has a recess 18 whose depth corresponds to the thickness of the seal 16 together with the stop bar 5 on. The stop bar 5 is provided at its free end with a seal 16 facing convex thickening 17. According to the invention reduces the stop bar 5, by their alignment with the inner lid of the cover 3, the flow resistance and guarantees a silent passing the air inside the box. In addition, there is no opportunity for dust or dirt to invest.

A variant of the invention is the step-shaped design of the recess 18, whereby an accurate and easy positioning of the cover in the frame is made possible.