Patent Description:
Ventilation of residence are important for the well-being of persons within the residence but also for the residence itself as a well-ventilated residence has a reduced risk of moist damage.

A single valve or two in a residence may be closed without any severe performance reduction in the ventilation, but if a user closes most or all valves and does not open these for several days or weeks, the residence will not be fully ventilated.

The person will typically close all valves when there is a storm due to drag.

The person may close all valves when there is a nearby fire due to smell and smearing from soot.

The problem is that the person will often forget about these valves and as a consequence the residence will not be fully ventilated causing discomfort for the person and increasing risk of moist damage. The person experiencing discomfort will often not suspect that the discomfort is due to the reduced or stopped ventilation.

<CIT> describes window with a ventilation device, wherein the ventilation device is driven by means of a motor coupled to the closure of the ventilation duct. The motor is controlled by humidity sensor set for a threshold value of relative humidity, thereby, causing automatic dehumidification.

<CIT> describes a ventilation device for a window or a door, which is easily installed and retrofitted in different variants of window and doors, without changing the structural components already present in the frame. The air flow in the ventilation device is regulated by an actuator by means of manual or automatic actuation.

Thus, there is a need for a solution improving the well-being of both the person within the residence and the residence.

It is an object of the invention to provide a ventilation valve, which will not be closed for days or weeks due to the forgetfulness of a person.

An object of the invention is achieved by a self-triggering ventilation valve for automatically self-opening after a pre-set time.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is proposed a self-triggering ventilation valve as defined in claim <NUM>.

According to further aspects of the invention, there is proposed an actuator unit for retrofitting a ventilation valve as defined in claim <NUM>, the use of said actuator unit as defined in claim <NUM> and a method for self-opening a ventilation valve as defined in claim <NUM>.

The valve comprises a block member, which is connected to the body and is displaceable between an open position and a closed position blocking the body channel.

The actuator unit may be a separate unit which is installed in a ventilation valve by insertion and attachment in the body channel, thereby transforming the ventilation valve to a self-triggering ventilation valve.

The body of the ventilation valve determines in-which kinds of ventilation windows or other ventilations channels the valve can be used. The specific body shape is not as such essential to the invention as long as the ventilation valve can act as a valve. Typically, the body shape has a substantially rectangular cross-section.

The block member has a shape adapted to the body channel to enable blocking of the body channel and thus the channel opening of a ventilation window or of another type of ventilation channel. The skilled person would know how make the block member being displaceable between the open position and the closed position as such solution are readably available.

The actuator unit may comprise a battery or a cord for powering the actuator unit.

The pre-set time may be between <NUM>-<NUM> hours, <NUM>-<NUM> hours, <NUM>-<NUM> hours, or <NUM> hours.

The displacement member will, when the block member is in the closed position, substantially face the block member in order for the displacement member being able to provide a force to the block member causing the block member to be displaced from the closed position to the open position.

The detection of the block member being displaced to the closed position can be an indirect detection, wherein the detection is not performed directly to the block member.

The trigger member may be a photo-sensor such as an IR or visible light sensor registering a sudden drop in luminescence.

The trigger member may be a piezoelectric sensor detecting when the block member is displaced to the closed position.

In some embodiments, the displacement member may be adapted for retaining the block member in the closed position. The displacement member may have a hook for engaging part of the block member and thereby retaining the block member.

The block member may have a flange for the hook to grip and thereby retain the block member. The block member may have a longitudinal extend and said flange may be placed in either end of the block member along said longitudinal extend.

The present application uses the term ventilation window, said term is to include the meaning the term airflow window.

In an aspect of the invention, the block member may be configured to displace the displacement member when the block member is displaced to the closed position, and the trigger member being configured for detecting the displacement of the displacement member.

The mutual displacement dependency of the block member simplifies the overall design of the ventilation valve as displacement of the block member to the closed position will displace the displacement member to the closed position and the displacement member may then reverse the displacement by being displaced and thus displacing the block member from the closed position to the open position.

This enables that the trigger member can indirectly detect the position of the block member and that a detection of a displacement of the displacement member in the closed position will mean that the block member is in the closed position.

The trigger member may be a piezoelectric sensor or light sensors detecting when the displacement member is displaced to the closed position.

The trigger member may be a switch such as a microswitch detecting when the displacement member is displaced to the closed position.

In an aspect of the invention, the actuator unit may further comprise a cogwheel controlled by the controller. The cogwheel comprises a peg. The peg is positioned off-center and is adapted for displacing the displacement member, when the cogwheel rotates.

The controller may control the cogwheel by powering a motor causing the cogwheel to rotate. The controller and motor may be powered by a battery.

The peg is positioned off-center relative to the center for the cogwheel such that it moves in at a radial distance around the center. Thereby enabling the peg to displace the displacement member by simply pushing the displacement member.

The peg may be positioned between the center of the cogwheel and the thread of the cogwheel.

The displacement member may have an anvil adapted to engaging with the peg.

The anvil will, when the displacement member is in a closed position, be positioned above part of the cogwheel such that the peg can push the anvil.

In an aspect of the invention, the actuator unit comprises means for detecting a single revolution of the cogwheel, wherein detecting causes the controller to change to a hibernation state.

The means for detecting a single revolution of the cogwheel may be a secondary trigger member, such as a piezo element or switch or microswitch.

The piezo element or switch or microswitch may be adapted for detecting the peg.

The hibernation state of the controller will significantly increase the battery lifetime as power is used after triggering of the triggering member and until the cogwheel has made a single rotation and caused the displacement member to displace block member from the closed position to the open position.

In an aspect of the invention, the actuator unit may comprise a channel, and the displacement member comprises a first leg complementary to the channel for a slideable engagement between the first leg and the channel.

The first leg and the channel ensure a stable and reliable displacement in the direction defined by the channel.

In most embodiments, the channel will be substantially perpendicular to the block member.

The channel may be formed in actuator housing of the actuator unit.

In an embodiment, the displacement member may be a pawl, which is loaded by a biasing member such as a spring.

The pawl is a simple, but energy-efficient solution when combined with a biasing member.

The actuator unit comprises a release mechanism causing the biasing member to force the pawl towards the block member causing the block member to be displaced from closed position to the open position.

The pawl may have a pawl flange extending substantially perpendicular relative to a longitudinal axis of the pawl, wherein the biasing member is adapted to for engaging said pawl flange. The biasing member may be cylindrical spring.

In an embodiment, the pawl and the biasing member is configured such that the user displacing the block member to the closed position will compress the biasing member thereby storing potential energy to be released after the pre-set time. The self-triggering ventilation valve works is especially energy efficient when the member is a spring-loaded pawl as the person closing the valve will also load the spring thereby the valve is more energy efficient as there is only a need for releasing the spring.

In an embodiment, the displacement member and the trigger member may be the same member.

Thereby, the overall design of the self-triggering ventilation valve is simplified as it comprises fewer parts.

The displacement member may be a pawl, which will be displaced when the block member is displaced to the closed position. The actuator unit can detect the displacement of the pawl using a sensor such as IR-sensor or piezoelectric sensor.

In an embodiment, the block member may comprise a flange facing the actuator unit.

The actuator unit may comprise a hook for releasably gripping the flange.

Thereby, the actuator unit has double effect as the hook will ensure that the block member will stay in the closed position until the pre-set time wherein the displacement will member will force the block member away causing the hook to lose its grips.

In an aspect of the invention, the actuator unit may comprise a motor controlled by the controller, wherein the motor is adapted for displacing the displacement member.

The motor is an energy efficient way for displacing the displacement member.

In an aspect of the invention, the actuator unit may be a separate unit to be inserted into the body channel.

Thereby, the actuator unit is enabled to be retrofitted into a ventilation valve, thereby making the ventilation valve a self-triggering ventilation valve.

In an aspect of the invention, the actuator unit may comprise an actuator face, wherein the displacement member and the trigger member extend from the actuator face.

The actuator unit is positioned within the ventilation valve such that the actuator face faces the block member.

The actuator face may have a height preventing the whole actuator unit to be inserted into the ventilation valve.

An object of the invention is achieved by an actuator unit, which comprises.

An object of the invention is achieved by use of an actuator unit for retrofitting a ventilation valve into a self-triggering ventilation valve.

Thereby, the actuator unit can be used to retrofitting in already installed ventilation valves thereby making the ventilation valves to self-triggering ventilation valve.

An object of the invention is achieved by a window or ventilation window comprising a ventilation channel extending between an interior channel opening and an exterior channel opening, wherein the window or ventilation window comprises a self-triggering ventilation valve positioned in the interior channel opening or an exterior channel opening.

An object of the invention is achieved by a method for self-opening a ventilation valve of a window or ventilation window, the method comprises the steps of.

Thereby, the method ensures that the ventilation valve of the ventilation window self-opens after being closed for a pre-set time.

The method may comprise a step of hibernating after performing the act of displacing.

Thereby the self-opening of a ventilation valve will become more energy efficient.

<FIG> illustrates a ventilation window <NUM>, a ventilation valve <NUM>, and an actuator unit <NUM>.

<FIG> discloses a well-known ventilation window <NUM>, wherein air can flow through the channel opening <NUM> through the ventilation valve <NUM> being in an open position <NUM>. In modern houses the ventilation is calibrated on the assumption that the ventilation valves <NUM> are in the open position <NUM>.

However, it may be necessary to close the ventilation valves <NUM> due to noise generated by a storm or due to a fire near the house or for other reasons. The problem arises if the ventilation valves <NUM> are not opened after the fire or storm as this causes the house to not be sufficiently ventilated. This often happens as the average user seldom is aware or forgets the importance of having the ventilation valves open.

<FIG> discloses a ventilation valve <NUM>. The ventilation valve <NUM> comprises a body <NUM> having a body shape <NUM> for engaging a channel opening <NUM> of a ventilation window <NUM>, the body <NUM> comprising a body channel <NUM> (not shown)s for allowing passage of an air flow from the channel opening <NUM> and through the body <NUM> or in the reverse direction. The body shape <NUM> and body channel <NUM> is adapted for respective ventilation window <NUM>.

<FIG> discloses illustration of an actuator unit positioned in the body channel <NUM> of a ventilation valve <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a ventilation valve <NUM> and an exploded view of an actuator unit <NUM>.

The ventilation valve <NUM> comprises a body <NUM> having a body shape <NUM> for engaging a channel opening <NUM> of a window <NUM>, the body <NUM> comprising a body channel <NUM> for allowing passage of an air flow from the channel opening <NUM> and through the body <NUM>.

The ventilation valve <NUM> comprises a block member <NUM> (not shown) connected to the body <NUM> and being displaceable between an open position <NUM> and a closed position <NUM> blocking the body channel <NUM>. Embodiments of the block member <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, and <FIG>.

The ventilation valve <NUM> further comprise two screws for securing the actuator unit <NUM> to the ventilation valve <NUM>.

The exploded actuator unit <NUM> comprises an actuator housing <NUM> for housing the components shown in the figure.

The exploded actuator unit <NUM> comprises a displacement member <NUM> being adapted for displacing the block member <NUM> from the closed position <NUM> to the open position <NUM>.

The actuator unit <NUM> and in this embodiment the actuator housing <NUM> comprises a channel <NUM>, and the displacement member <NUM> comprises a first leg <NUM> complementary to the channel <NUM> for a slideable engagement between the first leg <NUM> and the channel <NUM>.

The displacement member <NUM> further comprises a second leg <NUM>, which is substantially parallel to the first leg <NUM>. The second leg <NUM> is configured to trigger the trigger member <NUM>, which is configured for detecting the block member <NUM> being displaced to the closed position <NUM>.

In this embodiment the trigger member <NUM> will indirectly detect the block member <NUM> being displaced to the closed position <NUM> as the block member <NUM> is configured to displace the displacement member <NUM> when the block member <NUM> is displaced to the closed position <NUM>. The trigger member <NUM> is a microswitch being triggered by the shown protrusion of the second leg <NUM>.

The actuator unit <NUM> comprises a controller <NUM> configured for activating the displacement member <NUM> after a pre-set time of detecting the block member <NUM> being in the closed position <NUM>. Thus, the trigger member <NUM> will trigger a countdown by the controller.

The controller <NUM> is powered by a battery <NUM> and the controller <NUM> controls a motor <NUM>.

The actuator unit <NUM> further comprises a cogwheel <NUM> controlled by the controller, the cogwheel <NUM> comprises a peg <NUM> being positioned off-center and being adapted for displacing the displacement member <NUM>, when the cogwheel <NUM> rotates. The rotation of the cogwheel is actuated by the motor <NUM> controlled by the controller <NUM>.

A pin secures the cogwheel <NUM> to the actuator housing <NUM>.

The displacement member <NUM> further comprise an anvil <NUM> adapted for engaging with and being pushed by the peg <NUM>.

The actuator unit <NUM> comprises means for detecting a single revolution of the cogwheel <NUM>. In the embodiment the means for detecting is a second trigger member 70II in the form of a microswitch adapted to engage the peg <NUM> after a single revolution. The detection at the second trigger member 70II causes the controller <NUM> to change to a hibernation state until the trigger member 70I is once again detects a displacement.

<FIG> illustrates a top view of an actuator unit <NUM>.

The shown actuator unit <NUM> is the same actuator unit <NUM> as shown in <FIG> shown in an un-exploded view. The top cap is not shown in order to be able to see the inside of the actuator unit <NUM>.

The functioning of the actuator unit <NUM> is shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, wherein <FIG> illustrates closing of a ventilation valve and <FIG> illustrates opening of a ventilation valve.

<FIG> illustrates closing of a ventilation valve <NUM> (5A) and triggering of an actuator unit <NUM> (5B).

The ventilation valve <NUM> comprises a body <NUM> having a body shape <NUM> for engaging a channel opening <NUM> of a window <NUM>, the body <NUM> comprising a body channel <NUM> (not shown)s for allowing passage of an air flow from the channel opening <NUM> and through the body <NUM> or in the reverse direction. The body shape <NUM> and body channel <NUM> is adapted for respective window <NUM>.

The ventilation valve <NUM> comprises a block member <NUM> connected to the body <NUM> and being displaceable between an open position <NUM> and a closed position <NUM> blocking the body channel <NUM>.

The ventilation valve <NUM> will also function in a ventilation window <NUM>.

The actuator unit <NUM> is also shown in detail in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The displacement of the block member <NUM> from the open position <NUM> to the closed position <NUM> will also cause the displacement member <NUM> to be displaced. The displacement member <NUM> comprises a first leg <NUM> (not shown) being displaced in the channel <NUM> (not shown) which ensures a stable and reliable displacement. The displacement member <NUM> further comprises a second leg <NUM> which is adapted to trigger the trigger member 70I causing the processor to begin a pre-set count down.

In <FIG> the second leg <NUM> is triggering the trigger member. The ventilation valve <NUM> is in a closed position <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates opening of a ventilation valve <NUM> (5A) and hibernating the actuation unit <NUM> (5B).

In <FIG>, the preset time has passed and the controller <NUM> has activated the motor <NUM> causing rotation of the cogwheel <NUM> to rotate and thereby the peg <NUM> rotates and pushes the anvil <NUM> causing the displacement member <NUM> to displace the block member <NUM> moving from the closed position <NUM> to the open position <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the cogwheel <NUM> and the peg <NUM> have rotated one revolution and the peg <NUM> triggers a second trigger member 72II causing the controller to enter a hibernation. <FIG> is identical to <FIG> as the actions are reversible.

Thereby, <FIG> disclose a method <NUM> for self-opening a ventilation valve <NUM> of a window or ventilation window <NUM>.

The method comprises acts of detecting <NUM> an act of displacing the block member <NUM> closing the ventilation valve <NUM>.

The method comprises acts of waiting <NUM> a pre-set time followed by an act of displacing <NUM> the displacement member <NUM> for displacing the block member <NUM>, thereby opening the ventilation valve <NUM>.

The method may comprise an act of hibernating <NUM> the controller <NUM> until the next act of detecting <NUM>, thereby reducing power consumption and prolonging lifetime.

<FIG> illustrates another embodiment of an actuator unit <NUM>.

In the shown embodiment, the actuator unit <NUM> comprises a hook <NUM> for retaining block member <NUM> in the closed position.

The actuator unit <NUM> comprises a displacement member <NUM> and trigger member <NUM> being the same unit. The displacement member <NUM> is loaded by a biasing member (not shown) such as a spring.

Claim 1:
A self-triggering ventilation valve (<NUM>) for automatically self-opening after a pre-set time, the ventilation valve (<NUM>) comprises:
- a body (<NUM>) having a body shape (<NUM>) for engaging a channel opening (<NUM>) of a window (<NUM>), the body (<NUM>) comprising a body channel (<NUM>) for allowing passage of an air flow from the channel opening (<NUM>) and through the body (<NUM>);
- a block member (<NUM>) connected to the body (<NUM>) and being displaceable between an open position (<NUM>) and a closed position (<NUM>) blocking the body channel (<NUM>); and
- an actuator unit (<NUM>) comprising:
- a displacement member (<NUM>) being adapted for displacing the block member (<NUM>) from the closed position (<NUM>) to the open position (<NUM>);
- a trigger member (<NUM>) configured for detecting the block member (<NUM>) being displaced to the closed position (<NUM>); and
- a controller (<NUM>) configured for activating the displacement member (<NUM>) after a pre-set time of detecting the block member (<NUM>) being in the closed position (<NUM>) by displacing the block member (<NUM>) from the closed position (<NUM>) to the open position (<NUM>).