Roof window system with a ventilation unit mounted adjacent to the roof window, a roof structure including a roof window system, a method of providing a roof window system and a method of retrofitting a roof window system

Abstract

In a roof window system, the housing (6) of the ventilation unit (5) is prepared for accommodation of a standard ventilator and/or a regenerator allowing an air current through a ventilation passage (28), from an exterior grating (18) to a ventilation panel (3) integrated into or in continuation of a lining panel of a room in the interior of the building in which the roof window is installed.

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 adjacent to the outer side of a frame member, said ventilation unit comprises a housing with a top side facing an exterior of the building and being configured for accommodation of a ventilator, said housing comprising a lower side configured for being arranged adjacent to or at the exterior side of a corresponding frame member, said housing constitutes a separate module mounted adjacent to the roof window, the top side is positioned substantially in a plane of the frame plane, and the housing comprises a longitudinal channel, said longitudinal channel is mounted onto the at least one frame of the roof window, in parallel to a longitudinal edge of the top frame member, and the housing comprises a drainage channel extending from the longitudinal channel to the ventilator, such that the drainage channel forms a positive angle with a bottom side of the longitudinal channel, defined in an opposite direction of the top side.

2. The roof window system as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said longitudinal channel is disposed between the top frame member and a vertical plane passing through a center of the housing wherein the vertical plane extends parallel to the top frame member.

3. 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 adjacent to the outer side of a frame member, said ventilation unit comprises a housing with a top side facing an exterior of the building and being configured for accommodation of a ventilator, said housing comprising a lower side configured for being arranged adjacent to or at the exterior side of a corresponding frame member, said housing constitutes a separate module mounted adjacent to the roof window, the top side is positioned substantially in a plane of the frame plane, and the housing comprises a longitudinal channel, said longitudinal channel is mounted onto the at least one frame of the roof window, in parallel to a longitudinal edge of the top frame member, and the housing comprises a drainage channel extending from the longitudinal channel to the ventilator, such that the drainage channel forms a positive angle with a bottom side of the longitudinal channel, defined in an opposite direction of the top side; and, said roof window system further comprises a lining panel, and wherein said housing is configured to receive a ventilator and/or a regenerator allowing an air current through a ventilation passage created by a ventilation panel, said ventilation panel extending from one side of the ventilator to the lining panel, such that said ventilation panel connects the space defined by the housing with the space at an internal side of the roof window defined by the interior of the building.

4. A roof window system according to claim 3, wherein the ventilation panel is configured such that said ventilation panel extends from one side of the ventilator to the lining panel that is located adjacent the pane of the roof window, such that intended air flow direction of the air current 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 integrated in the lining panel.

6. A roof window system according to claim 4, wherein the ventilator and/or regenerator comprises mechanical means for generating an air current through the ventilation passage, said mechanical means includes one or more fans.

7. A roof window system according to claim 3, wherein the housing is configured for being arranged adjacent to the outer side of the top frame member.

8. A roof window system according to claim 3, wherein the housing comprises a top case which is located adjacent to the at least one frame of the roof window and covers the top side of the housing, said top case comprises an air inlet allowing an air passage into the housing, such that the air inlet is located substantially in a plane defined by the exterior side of a side frame member.

9. A roof window system according to claim 3, wherein the longitudinal channel has a cross-section in the shape of letter U.

10. A roof window system according to claim 4, wherein the ventilation passage has a removable plug and/or a closure and/or an air grating to cover the ventilation passage from the interior of the building.

11. 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 adjacent to the outer side of a frame member, said ventilation unit comprises a housing with a top side facing an exterior of the building and being configured for accommodation of a ventilator, said housing comprising a lower side configured for being arranged adjacent to or at the exterior side of a corresponding frame member, said housing constitutes a separate module mounted adjacent to the roof window, the top side is positioned substantially in a plane of the frame plane, and the housing comprises a longitudinal channel, said longitudinal channel is mounted onto the at least one frame of the roof window, in parallel to a longitudinal edge of the top frame member, and the housing comprises a drainage channel extending from the longitudinal channel to the ventilator, such that the drainage channel forms a positive angle with a bottom side of the longitudinal channel, defined in an opposite direction of the top side; and, 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 housing 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 housing is adjacent to and does not exceed the height of the corresponding frame member.

12. A roof structure including a roof window system, said roof window system comprising a housing configured for being mounted adjacent to a roof window, 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 a housing is configured for being arranged adjacent to the outer side of a corresponding frame member, said housing is adapted for accommodating a ventilator providing ventilation to an interior of the building in which the roof window is mounted, said housing is facing an exterior of the building and extending away from the exterior side of the corresponding frame member adjacent to which the housing is mounted, and in that said housing constitutes a separate module mounted adjacent to the roof window; and, said roof window system further comprises a lining panel, and wherein said housing is configured to receive a ventilator and/or a regenerator allowing an air current through a ventilation passage created by a ventilation panel, said ventilation panel extending from one side of the ventilator to the lining panel, such that said ventilation panel connects the space defined by the housing with the space at an internal side of the roof window defined by the interior of the building.

13. A method of providing a roof window system comprising a housing 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 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 housing adjacent to the outer side of a frame member, said housing being adapted for accommodating a ventilator, arranging the housing so that the housing faces an exterior of the building and extends away from the exterior side of a corresponding frame member adjacent to which the housing is mounted 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 housing 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 housing is adjacent to and does not exceed the height of the corresponding frame member, and allowing air to pass through a ventilation panel from one side of the ventilation panel to another side of the ventilation panel in an intended air flow direction using the ventilator.

14. A method of providing a roof window system according to claim 13, the method comprising further the steps of: adapting insulation of the interior of the building, installing the ventilation panel, installing a closure for the ventilation panel.

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. 1a is a perspective view of a housing of the ventilation unit in an embodiment,

(3) FIG. 1b is a perspective sectional view of the ventilation unit of FIG. 1a,

(4) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a mounted roof window system in an inclined roof structure, with a ventilation unit,

(5) FIG. 3a is a sectional view of a further embodiment of the ventilation unit mounted on a roof window system;

(6) FIG. 3b is a schematic perspective view of a ventilation unit of a roof window system in the further embodiment according to the invention,

(7) FIG. 4a is a cross-sectional view of a roof window system including the ventilation panel in an alternative embodiment,

(8) FIGS. 4b and 4c are perspective view of details of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 4a,

(9) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the top case of the housing in an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(10) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5 showing the overall appearance and principles underlying a roof window system in embodiments of the invention, the roof window system comprises a roof window 13 and a ventilation unit 5. In the embodiments shown, a ventilation panel 3 is furthermore provided at an arbitrary position to provide ventilation to the interior of the room of the building in which the roof window system is installed.

(11) Referring initially to FIGS. 1a to 1b and FIG. 2, the ventilation unit 5 of the roof window system 1 is mounted adjacent to a 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 of the frame member adjacent to which the ventilation unit is placed adjacent to, i.e. in this case the top 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, of which the top frame covering 9 is shown. Towards the interior, a lining panel 10 is provided as a suitable finishing A groove 12 is provided in the frame member for receiving the lining panel. In FIG. 2 the roof window is mounted on an inclined roof structure, while the ventilation panel is not shown. A 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.

(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 window pane 4, while an outer direction is the opposite of the inner one.

(14) The ventilation unit 5 comprises a housing 6. The ventilation unit 5 may be adapted to be connected to 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. In this embodiment, the ventilation unit 5 further comprises a ventilator 11 and an exterior air grating 18 as seen in FIGS. 1a and 1b. In the ventilation unit 5, an air purification filter may be also comprised. The housing 6 is generally designed as having a top case or cover 8, a bottom part and/or (an) end piece(s). in FIG. 1a, the relationship between the roof window as represented by its top frame covering 9, the longitudinal channel 26 and the top case 8 of the ventilation unit 5 is shown.

(15) A ventilation passage 28 forms the transitional area from the ventilation unit 5 to the roof window 13 to provide the air connection aimed at. Turning now also to FIGS. 3a to 3b and 4a to 4c, the ventilation passage 28 is configured to provide connection to the ventilation panel 3 (not shown in FIG. 2) to allow 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 may be provided in accordance with the specific needs of the room of the building, or in accordance with existing structural solutions, such that the ventilation panel 3 may extend substantially perpendicular to the frame plane, in parallel with the frame plane, or at an angle to the frame plane in the mounted state of the roof window 13. In any event, the ventilation panel 3 is positioned facing the interior 14 of the building, and extends away from the interior side of the frame member.

(16) FIG. 3a shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the roof window system. FIG. 3b 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. 3a, 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.

(17) FIG. 4a shows an alternative embodiment in which only details relative to the embodiment of FIG. 3a will be described in detail. Here, the ventilation panel 3 is integrated into the lining panel 10 at a distance from the pane 4. FIGS. 4b and 4c show details of the embodiment, namely an air grating 19 for the ventilation passage facing towards the interior of the building 14. 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. Furthermore, an example of a flexible tubing serving as the ventilation passage 28 is shown.

(18) In this way, the housing 6 of the ventilation unit 5 is prepared for accommodation of a standard ventilator and/or a regenerator allowing an air current through the ventilation passage 28 created by a ventilation panel 3 in that the ventilation panel 3 extends from one side of the ventilator to the lining panel 10, such that it connects the space defined by the housing with the space at the internal side of the window defined by the interior of the building. Thus, an air current is allowed to pass through the ventilation passage 28, from the exterior grating 18 to the interior of the room, here in the form of a ventilation panel 3 integrated into or in continuation of a lining panel of a room in the interior of the building in which the roof window is installed.

(19) FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the top case 8 of the housing showing the exterior air grating 18. 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.

(20) 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

(21) 1 roof window system 2 frame 3 ventilation panel 4 pane 5 ventilation unit 6 housing 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 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