LABORATORY CONTAINING AN ARRANGEMENT OF WORKBENCHES AND A VENTILATION ASSEMBLY DISPOSED ABOVE THE WORKBENCHES

A laboratory assembly, and method of operation, having workbenches with a rear longitudinal edge and a ventilation assembly disposed above the workbenches. The ventilation assembly has a central supply-air channel and a return-air channel disposed above the central supply-air channel, said channels being held above the workbenches on a frame composed of profiled supports. Air-guiding panels are disposed laterally to the central supply-air channel. The air-guiding panels have panel edges curved in the upward direction; the air which is heated under the workbenches by laboratory devices and/or IT devices and which rises through a gap provided along the rear longitudinal edges of the workbenches is deflected by said panel edges away from the central supply-air channel in the upward direction into the spatial region above the air-guiding panels.

The invention relates to a laboratory containing an assembly of workbenches and a ventilation assembly arranged above the workbenches, according to the preamble of claim1.

In building technology, for fitting out research laboratories such as for chemistry of physics research, it is known that ceiling constructions are used in which the supply lines for exhaust air, supply air, the technical gases, liquids, power and data lines required in the laboratory, etc. are fastened directly to the associated building ceiling, inside the ceilings, with the aid of suitable fastening means, by means of dowels. Since in this case the laying of the lines is generally carried out successively by different staff, the difficulty arises that the route of the lines is sometimes not only criss-cross and alternately in a plurality of planes, but rather in addition the individual mounting of the fastening devices means that spatial changes to an existing laboratory arrangement can be undertaken retrospectively only with great effort.

A ceiling construction for a laboratory room is known from EP 1 934 414 B1, in which the gaseous and liquid media and also electricity are conducted in an ordered manner in main supply lines, extending in parallel with one another, in the region of the laboratory ceiling, which lines are received in a carrier frame composed of profile supports. The different media are conducted from the main supply lines, via flexible branch lines which can be connected to the supply lines via quick couplings, to the respective suspended media columns, which are received above the laboratory benches, at the corresponding workplaces, on the underside of the carrier frame.

Although the above-described ceiling construction offers a plurality of advantages compared with conventional laboratory ceilings having disordered guidance of the media lines, the problem arises in this case that the supply of the respective workplaces takes place exclusively via the suspended media columns, and the supply of the media to the fixtures on the laboratory benches is carried out not via the bench itself but rather merely via the lines hanging down from the media columns. WO 20 12 031 700 A1 discloses an assembly for ventilating a laboratory which has an aisle region that is delimited on both sides by workbenches. The ventilation assembly comprises a combined supply air channel/air outlet, arranged above the aisle region, for supplying fresh air into the room, and an exhaust air channel arranged thereabove for removing exhaust air from the room. The combined supply air channel/air outlet, which is also referred to generally as a supply air channel, has a plurality of air outlet openings, from which the supply air escapes above the aisle region, laterally in the direction of the workbenches. The exhaust air channel comprises two slit-like suction openings which extend substantially in parallel with the supply air channel and which are arranged in the region of the ceiling of the room. During operation of the assembly, an air roll forms on both sides of the aisle region, via which air roll supply air heated in the region of the workbenches reaches the region of the ceiling of the room, in the vertical direction, which comprises a plurality of planar plate-shaped ceiling panels which form a suspended ceiling, inside which the supply lines for the media required in the laboratory are guided.

The laboratory, in which the last-mentioned ventilation assembly is used, has a significantly reduced energy requirement, compared with laboratories having conventional supply and exhaust air channels, for the statutory air exchange, since the supplied, cleaned, and in summer generally cooled, supply air does not mix directly with the heated air above the benches, before said air is removed via the exhaust air channel.

According thereto, an object of the present invention is that of providing a laboratory having an assembly of workbenches contained therein and a ventilation assembly arranged above the workbenches, which laboratory has a further reduced energy requirement for air exchange compared with the laboratory disclosed in WO 2012031700A1.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a laboratory having the features of claim1.

A further object of the invention consists in designing a laboratory, having an assembly of workbenches contained therein and a ventilation assembly arranged above the workbenches, in such a way that said laboratory has a reduced energy requirement for the exchange of the air guided in the laboratory.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the use of an air guiding panel in a laboratory according to claim14.

Further features of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a laboratory which contains an assembly of workbenches having a respective rear longitudinal edge and a ventilation assembly arranged above the workbenches having a central supply air channel and an exhaust air channel arranged thereabove, which are received above the workbenches on a frame of support profiles, at least one air guiding panel arranged to the side of the central supply air channel. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of air guiding panels, preferably located side-by-side in a row in each case, is arranged on both sides of the supply air channel, which panels together form a suspended ceiling having a substantially closed ceiling surface, in which the supply and removal lines for the respective media, such as gas, water, air, vacuum and electricity, extend.

The laboratory is characterized in that the air guiding panels, which are oriented substantially horizontally in the working position, have angled panel edges at the ends thereof remote from the supply air channel, when viewed in the upwards direction. Said edges deflect the air, which is heated under the workbenches by laboratory equipment and/or EDP devices, and which rises through a gap that extends along the rear longitudinal edges of the workbenches and is delimited thereby, away from the central supply air channel, in the upwards direction, into the room region above the air guiding panels.

Viewed from the side, the air guiding panels have a curved air-guiding surface which is directed downwards towards the floor in the horizontal working position and which has the shape of a horizontal, flattened S or a lever, of which in each case one longitudinal edge preferably originates in the region above the associated central combined supply air channel/air outlet, and the other free longitudinal edge is angled in the upwards direction. In this case, the first longitudinal edge preferably lies flush on the outside of the combined central supply air channel/air outlet, in a region in which no air outlet openings are provided. For the sake of simplicity, the combined central supply air channel/air outlet, which preferably consists of a film provided with micro-perforations, is also referred to in the following as the supply air channel.

The air guiding panels preferably consist of a sound-absorbing plastics foam, e.g., extruded polypropylene (EPP), and preferably have a substantially constant material thickness over their length and width.

In a preferred embodiment, the frame, which is preferably directly fastened to the ceiling of the laboratory room, comprises horizontal profile supports which are opposite one another in pairs and extend away from the central supply air channel to the side, on both sides of said channel, and between or on which the air guiding panels are received.

In this case, it is particularly advantageous for access to the media lines and devices arranged above the panels, such as lights, fans, connection couplings, and other devices, if at least some, but preferably each, of the air guiding panels can in each case be pivoted about an associated pivot axis, out of the horizontally extending working position, with one end downwards, into an access position.

In this embodiment, the air guiding panels can particularly preferably be folded down about the pivot axes, with their angled outer ends, i.e., the ends facing away from the central supply air channel, in order to achieve particularly good access to the mentioned supply lines for the media and/or ceiling-side supply points.

In order to prevent unintended pivoting of the air guiding panels during operation of the laboratory out of the closed working position, in a preferred embodiment of the invention said panels can preferably be fixed in their horizontal working positions by locking means, so as to be detachable by hand.

For this purpose, the locking means can comprise spring-loaded displaceable locking bolts and/or displaceable spring-loaded locking balls, and/or magnet means, such as permanent magnets, that are fastened to the lateral edges of the air guiding panels, which interact with corresponding complementary mating means which are preferably received on the horizontal profile supports, but can optionally also be arranged on the central supply air channel.

According to a further concept on which the invention is based, the laboratory additionally comprises at least one media column having a carrier body that extends in the vertical direction and on the front side of which at least one module element can be detachably fastened, to which element gaseous and/or liquid media can be supplied via supply lines. The module element comprises a housing having a front side in which at least one extraction fitting is received, via which the gaseous and/or liquid media can be output. The carrier body comprises a flat, inherently rigid profile which is elongated in the vertical direction, in particular a metal profile, which is fastened by its first lower end, in a standing manner, on the upper side of a standing platform. In this case, the at least one module element is arranged on the front side of the inherently rigid profile, at such a distance from the upper side of the standing platform, or can be arranged, by displacement in corresponding grooves in the profile, at such a distance that the underside of the housing is located at a small distance of e.g. a few mm to a few cm above the worktop of the workbenches arranged in a row, such that the housing protrudes beyond the worktop. The supply lines for the gaseous and/or liquid media preferably comprise flexible line portions which can be guided in a curved manner from the second upper end of the inherently rigid profile to a ceiling-side supply point for the gaseous and/or liquid media.

The invention likewise includes the possibility that the module elements can contain interfaces for data processing devices, e.g. modems, routers or switches, which can be connected to the respective EDP devise via data sockets arranged on the front side or the side walls of the housing of the module elements, and which are preferably primarily connected via a wireless network for data communication.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, which allows for very quick rearrangement of a workplace of the laboratory, e.g. for a different experimental set-up, the standing platform comprises rollers on its underside, the axes of rotation of which rollers are preferably fixedly arranged on the standing platform in such a way that the axes of rotation of the rollers extend in parallel with the front side of the inherently rigid profile.

The media column is preferably configured in such a way that it is arranged having the front side of the inherently rigid, elongated profile close to the rear longitudinal edge of the worktop of a workbench, wherein the housing of the lowest module element extends having its underside above the upper side of the worktop, in such a way that the media column can be moved to different positions, in the lateral direction, along the rear longitudinal edge of the worktop of the workbench or of the longitudinal edge, extending in parallel with the supply air channel, of the worktops of a row of workbenches arranged side-by-side.

According to a further embodiment of the laboratory, the assembly of workbenches comprises at least two workbenches positioned back-to-back relative to one another, and two media columns arranged between these, back-to-back, wherein the clear distance between the rear longitudinal edges of the two workbenches is greater than twice the depth of the inherently rigid, elongated, vertical profile of the carrier body at the height of the rear longitudinal edges of the worktops. This results in the advantage that the two media columns can be moved freely past one another along the gap that is defined between the longitudinal edges of the worktops, which further improves the possibilities for rearrangement of the workplaces.

The use of the above-mentioned media columns results in the advantage that the adjustment of the supply of the workplaces with the necessary media, in the case of a rearrangement of a workplace in a laboratory, can take place with a significantly greater degree of flexibility, without experienced technicians and fitters and lifting equipment being required, which have to mechanically detach the media columns from the retainers, transfer them, and fasten them again, as is required in the case of known media columns, which are received suspended on the building ceiling or a ceiling grid of a laboratory.

Finally, the invention comprises the use of an above-described air guiding panel comprising a panel edge which is angled in the upwards direction and which is configured to deflect the air, which is heated under the workbenches by laboratory equipment and/or EDP devices, and which rises through the gap that is delimited along the rear longitudinal edges of a workbench, away from the central supply air channel, in the upwards direction, into the room region above the air guiding panels, in a laboratory. This diverted exhaust air is then conducted, according to the invention, above the ceiling surface formed by the panels, to the suction openings of the exhaust air channel, and specifically in a manner separated from the supply air supplied in the region of the underside of the panels, which supply air escapes via corresponding outlet openings in the supply air channel.

As is shown inFIGS.1to6, a media column1for distributing gaseous and/or liquid media in a laboratory100comprises a carrier body2which extends in the vertical direction and on the front side2fof which at least one module element10, but preferably a plurality of module elements10.1,10.2and10.3, are detachably fastened one above the other, to which the media, such as gaseous and liquid media, e.g. technical gases, compressed air and water, coolant and vacuum, as well as electrical current and communication, are supplied via corresponding supply lines120.

Each of the modules10has a housing12having a front side12fin which at least one extraction fitting14, or a plug or a data interface, e.g., an ethernet network plug, is received, via which media can be output.

As is shown in detail inFIGS.1and2, the carrier body consists of a flat, inherently rigid profile2which is elongated in the vertical direction and which preferably has a solid profile which is rectangular in cross-section and is made of metal, in particular aluminum or stainless steel. Said profile is fastened at its first lower end2uso as to stand on the upper side of a standing platform6, for which purpose the lower end face of the profile2can be screwed and/or welded to the standing platform.

As is further shown in the illustrations ofFIGS.3,4and5, the laboratory100, in which the media column1according to the invention is used, comprises a plurality of workbenches110which each have a worktop112having a rear longitudinal edge112r. The workbenches110are arranged, in the laboratory100, in a known manner in rows extending in parallel with the aisle regions, which rows, however, are not shown in the drawings for the sake of clarity. Above the aisle regions of the laboratory100, ventilation assemblies300are fastened on the ceiling of the laboratory room, which ventilation assemblies, as shown inFIGS.4and5, have a central combined supply air channel/air outlet310, which is suspended on the underside of a horizontally extending frame320or ceiling grid composed of support profiles, and preferably extends centrally along each aisle region of the laboratory100. Each central combined supply air channel/air outlet310, referred to in the following as a supply air channel, preferably comprises a plastics film that is curved in a D-shape and in which a plurality of air outlet openings (not shown) is arranged, as is described for example in WO 20 12 031 700 A1, mentioned above.

As can be furthermore seen, in this case, from the illustrations ofFIGS.4and5, at least one ceiling-side supply point122, which is fed via a central supply (not shown in further detail) for the different media, is arranged above each supply air channel310. For the sake of clarity, the individual supply lines120for the different media, such as inert gases, compressed air, water, and coolant, as well as electricity, etc., are shown in the drawings only as two individual schematic lines, and generally comprise an entire bundle of pipelines, guided in parallel with one another, as well as also cables and flexible hoses, depending on the required media.

As can be seen most clearly inFIG.3, each of the workbenches100, which are preferably standard laboratory workbenches, comprises a worktop112which has a rear longitudinal edge112rthat protrudes beyond the framework114of the workbenches110. In this case, the distance by which the worktop112protrudes beyond an imaginary connecting line118that connects the two rear bench legs116of the benches110(FIGS.4and5) is in the region of preferably approximately 30 cm, and therefore a usable free space119is provided under the rear longitudinal edge112rof each workbench110, which free space, in the case of workbenches110, positioned having their back on one of the building walls of the laboratory100, is of a depth of approximately 30 cm. In the case of the workbenches110shown inFIG.5in the center of the laboratory room100and positioned back-to-back, the free space119is of a width of preferably more than 60 cm.

As can furthermore be seen from the illustration ofFIGS.3to6, in the media columns1according to the invention the lowest module element10.1is positioned on the front side2fof the inherently rigid profile2, depending on the respective working height of the worktop112of a workbench110, in such a way that the underside12uof the approximately 160 mm deep housing12of the module element10.1is located at a small distance, for example a distance of 0.5 cm to 50 cm, above the respective worktop112of the workbench110in question, and the housing12of the lowest module element10protrudes beyond the worktop112. This provides the possibility that the media columns1according to the invention can be freely shifted along the rear longitudinal edges112rof the respective worktops112of the workbenches110in a space-saving manner, in order to place the media columns1at a desired location on the rear side of the workbenches110.

In order to in this case allow a movement path of for example 1 to 3 m along the rear longitudinal edges112rof the workbenches110, without having to change the length of the supply lines120for the media in a complex manner by shortening or by inserting adapter parts, it is provided, according to the invention, for the supply lines120for the media to comprise flexible line portions120awhich can be guided from the second upper end20of the inherently rigid profile2, in a curved manner, to a ceiling-side supply point122for the gaseous and/or liquid media.

Although the module elements10are preferably arranged above the worktops112of the workbenches110, according to an embodiment that is not shown in greater detail it can also be provided that additionally one or more modules are received under the worktops112on the inherently rigid profile2, in order to supply laboratory equipment (not shown) with the required media. In this case, the supply lines to the module elements10arranged under the worktops112preferably extend over the front side2fof the inherently rigid profile2, which can, for this purpose, be covered in this region with a flat covering.

In order to further facilitate the relocation of the media columns1in the case of a rearrangement of a workplace, it is provided in the preferred embodiment of the invention that the standing platform2comprises rollers8on its underside, as shown in the drawings, the axes of rotation of which rollers are fixedly arranged on the standing platform6, such that the rotation planes of the rollers8extend in parallel with the front side2fof the inherently rigid profile2. This results in the advantage that the relevant media column1can always be moved along the rear longitudinal edge112rof a workbench110in a straight line and with little force outlay, without having to raise the standing platform6, as is necessary in the case of a simplified embodiment in which the underside of the standing platform6is planar and does not comprise any rollers.

Although in the embodiment of the media column1shown in the drawings the rollers8are configured as rollers which are screwed directly onto the underside of the standing platform6, according to a further alternative embodiment of the invention it is particularly advantageous for the standing platform6to be thicker and to preferably comprise four rollers, which are configured having a smaller diameter and are received sunk into corresponding recesses, in the underside of the standing platform6, such that the underside of the rollers protrudes beyond the standing platform6only slightly, for example by 1 mm. This integral arrangement of the rollers8in associated recesses on the underside of the standing platform6results in a particularly elegant design of the media column1in conjunction with increased structural stability. In this embodiment, it may also be advantageous for the recesses to be made in the corner regions of the standing platform6and for the rollers to extend, with their peripheral surfaces, only laterally by e.g. 1-2 mm beyond the edges of the platform, such that the peripheral surfaces of the rollers8come into contact with the floor only by slight lateral tilting of the media columns1by e.g. 20°, and the media columns1can be shifted. The structural stability of the media columns1can be further improved thereby.

According to a further concept on which the invention is based, the elongated, flat, inherently rigid profile2is fastened to the rear side6rof the standing platform6, such that the rear side of the inherently rigid profile2preferably extends flush with the rear edge of the standing platform6. This results in the advantage that the front portion6fof the standing platform6opposite the rear side6rthereof can be arranged under the worktop112of a workbench110when the front side2fof the elongated, inherently rigid profile2is resting on the rear longitudinal edge112rof the worktop112in question. As a result, an optimal use of space of the free space119provided under the rear longitudinal edge112rof the worktop112is achieved, and the additional space requirement is reduced, by the media column1according to the invention, merely to the depth of the inherently rigid, vertical profile plus a safety distance of for example 5 to 10 mm, which ensures that the front side2fof the inherently rigid profile2does not contact the rear longitudinal edge112rof a workbench110when the media column1is used, and is not damaged thereby.

It can furthermore be provided that, in a further embodiment of the invention, the elongated, inherently rigid profile2comprises grooves (not shown in further detail in the drawings) in the region of its front side, which grooves extend in the longitudinal direction of the profile2, and that complementary engagement elements, in particular protrusions or latching lugs, are formed on the housing12, by means of which the housing12can preferably be latched into the grooves without tools. This results in the advantage that the module elements10can be moved, in a very short time, to a desired position, in the longitudinal direction of the elongated, inherently rigid profile2, in order, for example in the case of a workbench110having a worktop112that can be adjusted in a variable manner in height, to be able to adjust the distance between the underside12uof the housing12of the lowest module element10.1, in a very short time and without tools, to a new working height.

For this purpose, the housings12of the module elements10consist of an inherently rigid but reversibly deformable material, e.g. aluminum or stainless steel, and preferably have a U-shaped cross-section, which surrounds the front side2fof the inherently rigid, elongated profile2, forming a peripherally closed cavity, in the interior of which the supply lines120for the media are guided from the second upper end20of the carrier body to the extraction fittings14of the respective module elements10. By pressing together the two free limbs of the U-shaped housing, the rear longitudinal edges thereof can be inserted into the grooves on the front side2fof the profile2, in which they are fixed by a frictional connection, after release of the pressure on the outsides of the two limbs, by the restoring forces.

As has already been stated above, preferably two or more module elements10.1,10.2for the same or also for different media and/or for electricity and data are detachably received, positioned one above the other, on the elongated, inherently rigid profile2, the housings12of which module elements, as shown inFIG.3, rest against one another with their underside and upper side, such that a continuous surface results to the outside, in which the connections of the extraction fittings14are arranged.

In order to further improve the visual appearance, optimized in this way, of the media column according to the invention, a blind module10.3is arranged above the uppermost module element10.2, which contains an extraction fitting14, which blind module has a housing that is likewise U-shaped in cross-section and which, in cross-sectional shape, preferably substantially corresponds to the shape of the U-shaped housing12of the remaining module elements10. Said blind module10.3extends, as shown for example inFIG.3, as far as the second upper end20of the inherently rigid profile2, and covers the supply lines120(not shown in further detail) which are fastened thereto and which are guided in the interior of the housing12from the upper end20of the inherently rigid profile as far as the respective extraction fittings14.

According to a further concept on which the invention is based, it can furthermore be provided for at least one flexible supply line120for the media, but preferably a plurality of supply lines120, to be guided from the second upper end20of the inherently rigid, elongated profile2, in a curved manner, to the ceiling-side supply point122, which is preferably arranged on the top of the supply air channels310, as is shown in the illustration ofFIG.5. In order here, in the case of lines which, although flexible, do not have the necessary inherent rigidity for ensuring the shown curved guidance thereof in the region between the ceiling-side supply point122and the respective media column1, it is provided, according to a further embodiment of the invention, for the lines to be movably interconnected by connection means124indicated inFIG.3, such as cable ties and/or clips, at at least one, but preferably at a plurality of, connection point(s), in a form-fitting manner viewed in the peripheral direction of the flexible supply line portions120aand with a friction fit viewed in the longitudinal direction of the flexible supply line portions120a. This results in the advantage that the area of moment inertia of the wiring harness consisting of a plurality of lines can be increased significantly with minimal material being required, such that these do not bend on account of gravity and therefore retain their curved shape. Nonetheless, on account of the displaceability, remaining as before, of the lines relative to one another in the longitudinal direction, this embodiment advantageously allows for a comparatively large displacement path of the media columns1according to the invention relative to the rear longitudinal edges112rof the workbenches110which, depending on the distance between the supply point122and the respective media column, can be up to 2.5 m or even more, without additional lengthening of the line portions being required.

According to a further concept of the invention, an assembly102of workbenches in a laboratory100comprising at least one workbench110which has a worktop112having a rear longitudinal edge112r, is characterized in that said assembly comprises at least one media column1as described above which is arranged having the front side2fof the inherently rigid, elongated profile2close to the rear longitudinal edge112rof the worktop112of the workbench110, in such a way that the housing12of the lowest module element10uextends above the upper side of the worktop112and the media column1can be moved to different positions, in the lateral direction along the rear longitudinal edge112rof the worktop112of the associated workbench110.

As can be seen in this case from the illustration ofFIG.5, in a preferred embodiment the assembly102comprises at least two workbenches110that are positioned back-to-back relative to one another and two media columns1arranged back-to-back therebetween. In this case, the clear distance D between the rear longitudinal edges112rof the two workbenches110is preferably greater than twice the depth of the inherently rigid elongated vertical profile2of the media column1at the height of the rear longitudinal edges112rof the worktops112.

As has already been described above, the workbenches110, which are preferably all configured identically in a laboratory room100, comprise a framework114having in each case2rear bench legs116and a worktop112, which extends, in the horizontal direction, beyond the imaginary connecting line118between the two rear bench legs116, such that a free space119results under the rear longitudinal edge112rof each workbench110, in which free space the standing platform6can be moved in a collision-free manner when the media column1is displaced along the rear longitudinal edge112r. In the case of workbenches110arranged along rows, it can also be provided in this case that, instead of a workbench110, a large item of equipment is arranged between two neighboring adjoining benches110.

As has further been acknowledged by the applicant, it is a particular advantage here if the free space119provided under the worktop112between the rear longitudinal edge112rof a workbench110and the two rear bench legs116is configured to receive an item of laboratory equipment or an item of furniture, preferably of a standard width of 60 cm, in order to use the free space119and to close it in the lateral direction by the inserted laboratory equipment or item of furniture (not shown), in particular when the two workbenches110are positioned back-to-back, according to the embodiment ofFIG.5, and the free space119is thus twice the width plus twice the depth of the profiles2of e.g. 60 mm.

As a result of the above-described clear distance D between the rear longitudinal edges112rof the workbenches110arranged back-to-back in parallel rows, or the distance or gap, provided by the depth of the inherently rigid profile2, between the benches110and an adjacent wall of the laboratory100, laboratory equipment, arranged under the bench, can be supplied from above the benchtop112, with the respective media from the media columns1according to the invention. This preferably takes place in that the flexible supply and removal lines for the respective media to the laboratory equipment or also EDP devices arranged under the workbenches110and also on said benches are advantageously supplied via hoses and/or cables laid in a tubular manner, which are guided through the gap. In this case, the curved or tubular guidance of the supply and removal lines through the gap formed along the longitudinal edges112rmakes it possible to provide a line reservoir, as it were, which further facilitates the lateral displacement of the media columns1according to the invention. Thus, for example by providing a loop which is guided to the floor and up again to the corresponding media module of the media column1, through the gap, a sufficiently large supply line clearance can be achieved, which makes it possible that the relevant workbench110, together with an item of laboratory equipment located thereon, can be pulled forward out of the row of benches and into the aisle region, without separating the supply and removal lines. This allows for simple access to the rear of the laboratory equipment for maintenance or repair work, for which sometimes heavy equipment otherwise has to be completely separated from the supply lines and raised from the benches110via corresponding lifting devices.

Since in this case the media lines extend, in a manner bundled straight to the rear, downwards via the rear longitudinal edges112rof the workbenches110, said lines no longer rest loosely on the worktops112of the benches as loops, behind the devices. This ensures neatness and allows for easier cleaning of the bench surfaces.

In order to provide a particularly reliable, efficient and pleasant airflow within the laboratory100in the region of the workbenches110, in conjunction with the ventilation assembly300shown inFIGS.4and5, it can furthermore be provided that the worktops112of the workbenches110, which are preferably arranged along rows (not shown in greater detail) extending in parallel, on both sides of the central supply air channels310of the ventilation assemblies300, comprise a nose or lip113which deflects an airflow, rising up from the region under the worktop112, in the vertical direction, in the manner of a spoiler, such that said airflow can rise up optimally. As the inventor has found, this can advantageously further reduce the energy requirement for providing the air exchange required in a laboratory. As the applicant has also identified, the space under the worktops112of the benches110is also covered and rinsed by said airflow.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG.6, longitudinal grooves4for receiving the vertically extending lateral edges of planar separating elements130can be formed in the lateral end faces of the elongated vertical profile2of the media columns1, which separating elements can be arranged between the inherently rigid profiles2of two media columns1positioned at a distance from one another, in order to spatially separate the work regions as a splashback, in particular in the case of the workbenches110positioned back-to-back, shown inFIG.5.

As is furthermore shown inFIG.7, the previously mentioned longitudinal grooves4can also be used to receive fastening elements (not shown in greater detail) for shelves150, on which fastening elements for example the bases of the shelves150can be fastened. The fastening elements can for example be flattened metal brackets having crossbars formed thereon, which are mechanically fixed, in particular clamped, in the longitudinal grooves4after being inserted therein.

In the case of the last-described embodiment of the invention, it can furthermore be provided that the media columns1are arranged, also back-to-back in pairs, on workbenches110arranged opposite one another and back-to-back, and are screwed together or interconnected in a form-fitting manner by clamping devices or clasps I order to increase the stability. In this way, if required mobile shelf assemblies can be created in a very short time, using the media columns1according to the invention, comprising shelves150which are displaceable along the longitudinal edges112rof the workbenches110and offer increased stability against falling over.

According to a further concept on which the invention is based, the laboratory100or the assembly102of workbenches110contained therein comprises a ventilation assembly300that is arranged above the workbenches110and comprises a central combined supply air channel/air outlet310, and an exhaust air channel330arranged thereabove. The central combined supply air channel/air outlet310and the exhaust air channel arranged thereabove, which is indicated merely schematically inFIG.4, are received on a frame320of support profiles, above the workbenches110, which frame is fastened to the ceiling of the laboratory room via vertical profiles. The frame320comprises horizontal profile carrier members325which are opposite one another in pairs and extend away from the central combined supply air channel/air outlet310, to the side, on both sides, and between or on which air guiding panels340are received. As can be seen from the illustrations ofFIGS.4and5, the air guiding panels340have a downwardly curved, air-guiding surface in the form of a horizontal, flattened S, of which in each case one longitudinal edge originates in the region above the associated central supply air channel310, and the other free longitudinal edge, as shown, is angled in the upwards direction. By means of this upwardly angled, curved shape of the free panel edges, which edges are located in the region above the rear longitudinal edges112rof the workbenches110and form a continuous air guiding surface, the heated air, which is heated under the workbenches110by laboratory equipment and/or EDP devices (not shown) and rises up through the gap formed along the rear longitudinal edges112rof the workbenches110, is deflected away from the central combined supply air channel/air outlet310in the upwards direction, into the room region above the air guiding panels340, and guided in said region to the exhaust air channel330that is located above the central combined supply air channel/air outlet. Said exhaust air channel preferably comprises two slit-like suction openings (not shown) which extend substantially in parallel with the supply air channel310and via which the exhaust air is suctioned out. In this case, the exhaust air is separated, in a manner according to the invention, from the fresh air supplied via the outlet openings of the central combined supply air channel/air outlet, by means of air guiding panels340, which leads to a separation of supply air and exhaust air that is very advantageous in terms of energy. In other words, as shown inFIG.4, the edges of the air guiding panels340are fixed between the air outlet openings of the combined supply air channel/air outlet310and the suction openings of the exhaust aur channel330located above the supply air channel, such that the ceiling surface spanned by the air guiding panels340brings about a separation, which is advantageous in terms of energy, between the suctioned exhaust air and the fed-in supply air.

As was acknowledged by the applicant, this advantageous design, which is S-shaped in a wing-like or lever-like manner, of the air guiding panels340arranged on both sides of the central supply air channel310, in conjunction with the gap defined between the rear longitudinal edges to112rof the workbenches by the depth of the inherently rigid profile, results in a flow of heated air that is directed in the upwards direction. This is indicated inFIG.4by the arrows, and ensures, in conjunction with the curved shape of the panel edges, directed in the upwards direction, a particularly effective separation of the heated rising exhaust air form the cooled and/or cleaned supply air that is supplied via the central combined supply air channels/air outlets310. As was acknowledged by the applicant, the energy requirement for providing the fresh air supplied via the central combined supply air channels/air outlets310, which is suctioned off again via the respective exhaust air channel330arranged above the air guiding panels340, can advantageously be significantly reduced as a result. The exhaust air channels330are not shown in the illustration ofFIG.5, for the sake of clarity.

According to a further embodiment, the air guiding panels340, which can alternatively also be used without an above-described displaceable media column1, in a laboratory100, which comprises an assembly102of workbenches110having worktops112, the rear longitudinal edges112aof which are separated from one another or from an adjacent vertical wall by a gap, advantageously consist of a foamed, sound-absorbing plastics material. As a result, the otherwise disruptive reverberation times of sound, which propagates in conventional laboratories with little damping, on account of the large number of hard surfaces of the workbenches and other laboratory installations, can advantageously be significantly reduced. Although the air guiding panels340can also have sound-absorbing openings, which, for improved separation of supply air and exhaust air, are merely configured as blind holes, in the preferred embodiment the undersides and upper sides of the air guiding panels340are closed, spatially formed surfaces having a continuously closed surface.

Furthermore, in the case of the last-described embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the air guiding panels340are preferably foldable downwards, with their angled, outer ends, about pivot axes342merely indicated inFIG.5, in order, upon shifting of the media columns1, to achieve access to the supply lines120or their flexible line portions120a, and also to the ceiling-side supply points122, within an extremely short time. This offers the possibility of, if necessary, re-laying or transferring the supply lines120that are preferably connected by means of quick couplings to the extraction fittings14of the module elements12and the ceiling-side supply point112, and of removing supply lines that are not required.

In order to fix the air guiding panels340in their horizontal working positions, shown inFIGS.4and5, said panels can be provide with latching means (not shown in greater detail), e.g. spring-loaded, displaceable locking bolts, displaceable, spring-loaded locking balls, or the like, or also magnet means, such as permanent magnets, which are fastened to the lateral edges of the air guiding panels340and interact with corresponding complementary mating means on the horizontal profile supports325. The latching means and complementary mating means (not shown in further detail) can also be arranged in the reverse manner on the profile supports325and the air guiding panels340, and make it possible that the air guiding panels340can preferably be released, and pivoted in the upwards direction, by hand, without tools.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1media column2carrier body/elongated, inherently rigid profile2ufirst, lower end of the inherently rigid profile2ffront side of the inherently rigid profile2oupper end of the carrier body4longitudinal grooves in lateral end faces of the inherently rigid profile6standing platform6rrear side of the standing platform6ffront-side portion of the standing platform8rollers10module element10.1first module element10.2second module element10.3blind module12housing of the module element12uunderside of the housing14extraction fitting100laboratory102assembly of workbenches110workbench112worktop112rrear longitudinal edge of the worktop113nose or lip on rear longitudinal edge114framework of the workbenches116rear bench legs118imaginary connecting line between the rear bench legs119free space120supply lines for the media120aflexible supply line portions122ceiling-side supply point124connection means130planar separating element150shelf300ventilation assembly310central combined supply air channel/air outlet320frame composed of support profiles325profile support330exhaust air channel340air guiding panel having a panel edge that is angled in the upwards direction342pivot axisD clear distance between the rear longitudinal edges of two workbenches arranged back-to-back