Roof window system with a ventilation unit mounted adjacent to the roof window, and a method of providing ventilation for a building

Abstract

The roof window system (1) is configured for being mounted in an opening in a roof structure (23) of a building and includes a ventilation unit (5) configured for being mounted adjacent to a roof window (13) and adapted for providing ventilation of the interior of the building in which the roof window is mounted. The roof window comprises a frame (2) defining a frame plane and including a pane (4) mounted in said frame. The frame comprises a top frame member (2a) intended for being located highest in the mounted state when seen in the direction of inclination of the roof structure, a bottom frame member opposite the top frame member, and two side frame members extending between the top frame member and the bottom frame member, said frame members together form a window structure delimiting a frame opening and each having an interior side (2f) intended for facing the interior in the mounted state, an exterior side intended for facing the exterior, an inner side (2d) facing the frame opening and an outer side (2e) facing away from the frame opening. The ventilation unit is configured for being arranged primarily adjacent to the outer side of a frame member, and comprises a lower side (24) configured for being arranged adjacent to or at the interior side (2f) of said frame member (2a). The roof window system further comprises a ventilation panel (3) allowing air passage from one side of the ventilation panel to another side of the ventilation panel, thereby defining an intended air flow direction, said ventilation panel being configured for facing the interior of the building and extending away from the interior side of the frame member adjacent to which the ventilation unit is mounted.

Claims

1. A roof window system configured for being mounted in an opening in a roof structure of a building, said roof window system including a ventilation unit configured for being mounted adjacent to a roof window and adapted for providing ventilation of an interior of the building in which the roof window is mounted, where said roof window comprises at least one frame defining a frame plane and including a pane mounted in said at least one frame, the at least one frame comprising a top frame member intended for being located highest in a mounted state when seen in a direction of inclination of the roof structure, a bottom frame member opposite the top frame member, and two side frame members extending between the top frame member and the bottom frame member, said top frame member, said bottom frame member and said two side frame members together form a window structure delimiting a frame opening and each having an interior side intended for facing an interior in the mounted state, an exterior side intended for facing an exterior, an inner side facing the frame opening and an outer side facing away from the frame opening, where the ventilation unit is configured for being arranged primarily adjacent to the outer side of a corresponding frame member, and the ventilation unit comprises a frame facing side configured for being arranged adjacent to or at the interior side of said corresponding frame member and the roof window system further comprising a ventilation panel allowing air passage from one side of the ventilation panel to another side of the ventilation panel, thereby defining an intended air flow direction, said ventilation panel being configured for facing the interior of the building, wherein the ventilation unit and/or ventilation panel when installed are oriented relative to the roof window so that the roof window system includes at least one of the following: (i) the ventilation unit ventilates the interior of the building without air passing through the at least one frame, (ii) a first plane extending from the exterior to the interior and passing through a center of said ventilation unit does not pass through the frame opening, the first plane extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of inclination of the roof structure, (iii) the ventilation panel extends inwardly from an innermost surface of the interior side of the corresponding frame member, wherein the interior side of the corresponding frame member forms a bottom of the corresponding frame member, (iv) at least a portion of the ventilation panel is positioned at or below an innermost surface of the interior side of the corresponding frame member; and, (v) at least a portion of the ventilation unit extends outwardly from an outermost portion of the outer side of the corresponding frame member in a direction parallel to the frame plane such that an exterior air inlet is horizontally offset outwardly from the frame opening.

2. A roof window system according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation panel is configured such that the ventilation panel does not extend below a window frame plane defined by the inner side of the corresponding frame member in a mounted state.

3. A roof window system according to claim 2, wherein the ventilation panel is configured for being accommodated in a groove in the frame adapted for receiving a lining panel and/or the ventilation panel is provided with a groove configured to accommodate a lining panel.

4. A roof window system according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation panel is configured such that the intended air flow direction is extending substantially perpendicular to the frame plane in the mounted state.

5. A roof window system according to claim 4, wherein the ventilation panel is configured for being accommodated in a groove in the frame adapted for receiving a lining panel and/or the ventilation panel is provided with a groove configured to accommodate a lining panel.

6. A roof window system according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation unit is configured to be arranged at the top frame member.

7. A roof window system according to claim 6, wherein the ventilation panel is configured for being accommodated in a groove in the frame adapted for receiving a lining panel and/or the ventilation panel is provided with a groove configured to accommodate a lining panel.

8. A roof window system according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation panel is configured for being accommodated in a groove in the frame adapted for receiving a lining panel and/or the ventilation panel is provided with a groove configured to accommodate a lining panel.

9. A roof window system according to claim 1, further comprising a lining panel, wherein the ventilation panel is integrated in the lining panel.

10. A roof window system according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation panel comprises a grating and/or a closure.

11. A roof window system according to claim 1 comprising a ventilation assembly comprising the ventilation unit that is configured for being arranged adjacent to the outer side of the corresponding frame member and a housing, said housing accommodates the ventilation unit.

12. A roof window system according to claim 11, wherein dimensions of the housing are chosen such that a length of the housing is parallel to a length of the corresponding frame member which the ventilation unit is adjacent to and does not exceed the length of the corresponding frame member, and a height of the housing is parallel to a height of the corresponding frame member which the ventilation unit is adjacent to and does not exceed the height of the corresponding frame member.

13. A roof window system according to claim 11, wherein the housing comprises a solar cell mounted on an exterior side of the housing for supplying electricity to the ventilation unit.

14. A roof window system according to claim 1, further comprising a sash, comprising a top member, bottom member and two side members defining a sash plane, wherein the ventilation unit is configured for being mounted such that the ventilation unit, the corresponding frame member adjacent to which the ventilation unit is mounted and a corresponding sash member are located substantially in continuation of each other when seen in a direction of the frame plane in the mounted state.

15. A roof window system according to claim 1, wherein a ventilation assembly further comprising an input and exhaust of air and/or a ventilator and/or an air purifying filter.

16. A roof structure including a roof window system, said roof window system including a ventilation unit configured for being mounted adjacent to a roof window and adapted for providing ventilation of an interior of the building in which the roof window is mounted, where said roof window comprises at least one frame defining a frame plane and including a pane mounted in said at least one frame, the at least one frame comprising a top frame member located highest when seen in a direction of inclination of the roof structure, a bottom frame member opposite the top frame member, and two side frame members extending between the top frame member and the bottom frame member, said top frame member, said bottom frame member and said two side frame members together form a window structure delimiting a frame opening and each having an interior side facing the interior, an exterior side facing the exterior, an inner side facing the frame opening and an outer side facing away from the frame opening, where the ventilation unit is arranged at the outer side of a corresponding frame member, wherein the ventilation unit comprises a lower side configured for being arranged adjacent to or at the interior side of said corresponding frame member, the roof window system further comprising a ventilation panel facing the interior of the building, wherein the ventilation unit and/or ventilation panel when installed are oriented relative to the roof window so that the roof window system includes at least one of the following: (i) the ventilation unit ventilates the interior of the building without air passing through the at least one frame, (ii) a first plane extending from the exterior to the interior and passing through a center of said ventilation unit does not pass through the frame opening, the first plane extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of inclination of the roof structure, (iii) the ventilation panel extends inwardly from an innermost surface of the interior side of the corresponding frame member, wherein the interior side of the corresponding frame member forms a bottom of the corresponding frame member, (iv) at least a portion of the ventilation panel is positioned at or below an innermost surface of the interior side of the corresponding frame member; and, (v) at least a portion of the ventilation unit extends outwardly from an outermost portion of the outer side of the corresponding frame member in a direction parallel to the frame plane such that an exterior air inlet is horizontally offset outwardly from the frame opening.

17. A method of providing ventilation for a building using a ventilation unit configured for being mounted adjacent to a roof window, where said roof window comprises at least one frame defining a frame plane and a pane mounted in said at least one frame, the at least one frame comprising a top frame member intended for being located highest in a mounted state when seen in a direction of inclination of a roof structure, a bottom frame member opposite the top frame member, and two side frame members extending between the top frame member and the bottom frame member, said top frame member, said bottom frame member and said two side frame members together form a window structure delimiting a frame opening and each having an interior side intended for facing an interior in the mounted state, an exterior side intended for facing an exterior, an inner side facing the frame opening and an outer side facing away from the frame opening, said method comprising the steps of: arranging the ventilation unit adjacent to the outer side of a corresponding frame member, said ventilation unit being adapted for providing ventilation of an interior of the building, arranging a ventilation panel so that the ventilation panel it faces the interior of the building, orienting the ventilation unit and/or ventilation panel relative to the roof window so that at least one of the following exists: (i) the ventilation unit ventilates the interior of the building without air passing through the at least one frame, (ii) a first plane extending from the exterior to the interior and passing through a center of said ventilation unit does not pass through the frame opening, the first plane extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of inclination of the roof structure, (iii) the ventilation panel extends inwardly from an innermost surface of the interior side of the corresponding frame member, wherein the interior side of the corresponding frame member forms a bottom of the corresponding frame member, (iv) at least a portion of the ventilation panel is positioned at or below an innermost surface of the interior side of the corresponding frame member; and, (v) at least a portion of the ventilation unit extends outwardly from an outermost portion of the outer side of the corresponding frame member in a direction parallel to the frame plane such that an exterior air inlet is horizontally offset outwardly from the frame opening, and passing air through the ventilation panel from one side of the ventilation panel to another side of the ventilation panel in an intended air flow direction using the ventilation unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be described in more detail below by means of non-limiting examples of embodiments and with reference to the schematic drawings, in which

(2) FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of a roof window system in an embodiment,

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a mounted roof window system,

(4) FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a roof window system including the ventilation panel in another embodiment,

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a roof window system in an alternative embodiment,

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the details of an embodiment of the ventilation panel,

(7) FIG. 6a is a sectional view of an embodiment of the ventilation unit mounted on a roof window system;

(8) FIG. 6b is a schematic perspective view of a ventilation unit of a roof window system in an embodiment according to the invention;

(9) FIG. 7a is a cross-section view of a roof window system in an alternative embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(10) Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 showing the overall appearance and principles underlying a roof window system in an embodiment of the invention, the roof window system comprises a roof window 13, a ventilation unit 5 and a ventilation panel 3.

(11) As shown in FIG. 1, the roof window system 1 comprises a ventilation unit 5 mounted adjacent to the frame 2 of the roof window 13, which also includes a sash 15 and a pane 4. The frame 2 is adapted to be built into a roof structure 23 of virtually any kind, typically comprising a number of rafters, battens, and further non-shown details such as vapour barrier collars etc., below a roofing material. The ventilation unit 5 is arranged adjacent to the outer side 2e of the frame member adjacent to which the ventilation unit is placed adjacent to, i.e. in this case the top frame member 2a. The ventilation panel 3 allows air to pass from one side of the ventilation panel to the other, defining an intended air flow direction 20. The intended flow direction 20 that is allowed by the ventilation panel 3 extends substantially perpendicular to the frame plane in the mounted state of the roof window 13. The ventilation panel 3 is positioned, facing the interior 14 of the building, and extends away from the interior side 2f of the frame member.

(12) The frame (and/or the sash) of the window may be made of wooden members or members made of cast or extruded polyurethane (PUR). In the mounted state, the frame 2 and the sash 15 are protected by cover elements including a top frame covering 9 and a flashing arrangement 7, which are here interconnected by the top case 8 of the housing of the ventilation assembly 17. Towards the interior, a lining panel 10 is provided as a suitable finishing. In FIG. 1 the ventilation panel 3 is arranged in continuation of the lining panel 10 and engaging a groove 12 in the interior side 2f of the frame member normally used for receiving the lining panel, and in FIG. 3 the ventilation panel 3 is integrated into the lining panel. The lower side of the ventilation unit 24 is positioned closest to the lining panel 10.

(13) In relation to the roof window system, an exterior direction 21 is defined as facing towards the surrounding of the building, an interior direction 22 is the opposite direction of the exterior facing towards the interior 14 of the building. An inner direction is defined as facing towards the frame opening 16, while an outer direction is the opposite of the inner one. An inner frame plane A1 is defined by the inner side of the frame member, while an outer frame plane A2 is defined by the outer side of the frame member.

(14) As illustrated in FIG. 2, the frame comprises a top frame member 2a which is located highest in the mounted state as seen in the direction of inclination of the roof structure, a bottom frame member (not shown here) opposite the top frame member, and two side frame members 2b, 2c, extending between the top frame member 2a and the bottom frame member. The frame members together delimit a frame opening 16. Each of them has an interior side 2f facing the interior in the mounted state, an exterior side facing the exterior, an inner side facing the frame opening and an outer side 2e facing away from the frame opening 16.

(15) The ventilation assembly 17 comprises the ventilation unit 5 and the housing 6. The ventilation unit 5 may be adapted to be connected to the ventilation assembly 17 of the roof window 13 so as to provide an air connection between the interior of the building 14 and the exterior, in the mounted state. The housing 6 accommodates the ventilation unit 5 and is placed adjacent to the top frame member 2a. In this embodiment, the ventilation assembly further comprises a ventilator 11 and an exterior air grating 18 as seen in FIG. 1. In the ventilation assembly 17, an air purification filter, shown by a rectangular box 30 in FIG. 1 may be also comprised. A groove 12 is provided in the frame member. The housing 6 is generally designed as having a top case or cover 8, a bottom part and/or (an) end piece(s). In this embodiment, solar cells, shown by a rectangular box 29 in FIGS. 1 and 2, are placed on the exterior surface of the housing, which is denoted by the top case of the housing 8.

(16) FIG. 3 shows details of an embodiment of the roof window system 1 including the ventilation panel 3. Here too, the ventilation panel extends away from the interior side of the frame member and is in continuation with the lining panel 10.

(17) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the roof window 13 during installation of the lining panel 10 on the interior side of the building 14.

(18) FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of an air grating 19 of the ventilation panel for an inclined roof window system. The air grating 19 provides a closure for the ventilation panel 3. The air grating 19 may be temporary locked between a closed and an open position.

(19) FIG. 6a shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the roof window system. FIG. 6b is included to provide a better overview of the components, in particular the ventilation panel 3 and the exterior grating 18. The longitudinal channel 26 is mounted onto the window frame 2, in parallel to the longitudinal edge of the top frame member. The housing 6 comprises a drainage channel 27 extending from the longitudinal channel to the ventilator 11, forming a positive angle with a bottom side of the longitudinal channel, such that rainwater is drained out to the roof. In FIG. 6a, it is shown how the ventilation panel 3 is integrated into the lining panel 10 near the window pane 4. The ventilation panel 3 could also be in continuation with the lining panel 10. The lower side of the ventilation unit 24 is positioned closest to the lining panel 10. The insulation 25 is adjusted at the top end so that the ventilation panel is placed near the window pane 4. When the roof window system is mounted, the exterior air grating 18 is placed such that it is higher than the plane of the roof window, so that rainwater does not enter into the exterior air grating 18 and into the ventilation unit 5.

(20) FIG. 7a shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the roof window system, wherein the dimensions of the housing 6 are chosen such that the length of the housing 6 is parallel to the length of the frame member 2, which the ventilation unit 5 is adjacent to. The length of the housing 6 does not exceed the length of the frame member 2. The height of the housing 6 is parallel to the height of the frame member 2 which the ventilation unit 5 is adjacent to and does not exceed the height of the frame member 2.

(21) The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(22) 1 roof window system 2 frame 2a top frame member 2b side frame member 2c side frame member 2d inner side of top frame member 2e outer side of top frame member 2f interior side of top frame member 3 ventilation panel 4 pane 5 ventilation unit 6 housing 7 flashing member 8 top case of housing 9 top frame covering 10 lining panel 11 ventilator 12 groove 13 roof window 14 interior of building 15 sash 16 frame opening 17 ventilation assembly 18 exterior air grating 19 air grating 20 intended air flow direction 21 exterior direction 22 interior direction 23 roof structure 24 lower side of ventilation unit 25 insulation 26 longitudinal channel 27 drainage channel 28 ventilation passage 29 solar cells 30 air purifying filter A1 inner frame plane A2 outer frame plane