Wall assembly, hot-water supply system and architecture

Abstract

A wall assembly comprises a front plate having a window provided therein for accommodating the display screen of a display module of a thin, large-screen television receiver, a holding unit for holding a housing in which the display module is installed, a cooling jacket disposed in contact with a heat conductive sheet joined by pressure to the back side of the housing for cooling and having a flow passage through which a heat exchange medium runs, and a rear plate disposed to confront the front plate, wherein the front plate and the rear plate accommodate the holding unit and the cooling jacket for assembling with the display module.

1 . A wall assembly, comprising:
 a wall body having an AV device held therein; and   a cooling unit installed in the wall body as disposed in contact with the AV device and having a flow passage where a heat exchange medium runs through.   
   
   
       2 . The wall assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit is disposed in contact with a part, entire, or a heat generating part of the AV device. 
   
   
       3 . The wall assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the AV device includes a display module, the display module being held by the holding unit while the cooling unit being disposed in contact with a part or entire of the display module. 
   
   
       4 . The wall assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit is disposed to confront the front plate and substantially equal in size to the front plate. 
   
   
       5 . The wall assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit is of a hollow shape having a flow inlet and a flow outlet provided in one side thereof for passing the heat exchange medium and a flow labyrinth passage extending from the flow inlet to the flow outlet. 
   
   
       6 . The wall assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit is of a hollow shape having a flow inlet provided in one side thereof and a flow outlet provided in the other side thereof opposite to the one side for passing the heat exchange medium. 
   
   
       7 . The wall assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit is of a zigzag tubular shape. 
   
   
       8 . The wall assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit has a heat absorbing part and a zigzag tube which is disposed in contact with the heat absorbing part and where the heat medium runs through, and the heat absorbing part is disposed in contact with the AV device. 
   
   
       9 . The wall assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the window is of a rectangular shape,
 a plurality of the holding units are provided, each holding unit having a slot of a rectangular shape at a plan view provided lengthwisely therein and a bulkhead joint disposed detachably along the slot thereof,   the holding units are arranged to confront each other along one end and the other end of the window, and   the bulkhead joints are connected with conduits for introducing and discharging the heat exchange medium on the cooling unit.   
   
   
       10 . The wall assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit is fixedly joined to the rear plate. 
   
   
       11 . The wall assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange medium is either water or alternatives for chlorofluorocarbon. 
   
   
       12 . The wall assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit has a flow inlet for introducing the heat exchange medium and a flow outlet for discharging the heat exchange medium, and
 further comprising:   conduits connected to the flow inlet and the flow outlet; and   a circulation pump for delivering the heat exchange medium via the conduit to the cooling unit.   
   
   
       13 . A wall assembly, comprising:
 a front plate having a window provided therein for a display unit or an operating unit of an AV device;   a holding unit for holding the AV device;   a cooling unit disposed in contact with the AV device and having a flow passage where a heat exchange medium runs through; and   a rear plate disposed to confront the front plate,   wherein the front plate and the rear plate accommodate the holding unit and the cooling unit.   
   
   
       14 . The wall assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the cooling unit is disposed in contact with a part, entire, or a heat generating part of the AV device. 
   
   
       15 . The wall assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the AV device includes a display module, the display module being held by the holding unit while the cooling unit being disposed in contact with a part or entire of the display module. 
   
   
       16 . The wall assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the cooling unit is disposed in contact with a heat generating part of the display module. 
   
   
       17 . The wall assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the display module is of a parallelepiped shape having a display screen provided at one side thereof, and
 the cooling unit is of a hollow shape having a recess fittable into the other side thereof opposite to the display module side.   
   
   
       18 . The wall assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the cooling unit is disposed to confront the front plate and substantially equal in size to the front plate. 
   
   
       19 . The wall assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the cooling unit is of a hollow shape having a flow inlet and a flow outlet provided in one side thereof for passing the heat exchange medium and a flow labyrinth passage extending from the flow inlet to the flow outlet. 
   
   
       20 . The wall assembly according to  claim 19 , wherein the cooling unit has a narrowed part at midway between the flow inlet and the flow outlet. 
   
   
       21 . The wall assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the cooling unit is of a hollow shape having a flow inlet provided in one side thereof and a flow outlet provided in the other side thereof opposite to the one side for passing the heat exchange medium. 
   
   
       22 . The wall assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the cooling unit has a narrowed part at midway between the flow inlet and the flow outlet. 
   
   
       23 . The wall assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the cooling unit is of a zigzag tubular shape. 
   
   
       24 . The wall assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the cooling unit has a heat absorbing part and a zigzag tube which is disposed in contact with the heat absorbing part and where the heat medium runs through, and the heat absorbing part is disposed in contact with the AV device. 
   
   
       25 . The wall assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the window is of a rectangular shape,
 a plurality of the holding units are provided, each holding unit having a slot of a rectangular shape at a plan view provided lengthwisely therein and a bulkhead joint disposed detachably along the slot thereof,   the holding units are arranged to confront each other along one end and the other end of the window, and   the bulkhead joints are connected with conduits for introducing and discharging the heat exchange medium on the cooling unit.   
   
   
       26 . The wall assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the cooling unit is fixedly joined to the rear plate. 
   
   
       27 . The wall assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the heat exchange medium is either water or alternatives for chlorofluorocarbon. 
   
   
       28 . The wall assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the cooling unit has a flow inlet for introducing the heat exchange medium and a flow outlet for discharging the heat exchange medium, and
 further comprising:   conduits connected to the flow inlet and the flow outlet; and   a circulation pump for delivering the heat exchange medium via the conduit to the cooling unit.   
   
   
       29 . The wall assembly according to  claim 28 , wherein the AV device has a power switch, and
 a start switch for starting the circulating pump is interlocked with the action of the power switch.   
   
   
       30 . The wall assembly according to  claim 28 , wherein the cooling unit includes a temperature sensor, and the start switch of the circulation pump is turned on based on a detection signal from the temperature sensor. 
   
   
       31 . The wall assembly according to  claim 28 , wherein the cooling unit includes a temperature sensor, and the delivery output of the circulation pump is controlled based on a detection signal from the temperature sensor. 
   
   
       32 . The wall assembly according to  claim 28 , wherein the heat exchange medium is water, and
 further comprising a water storage tank,   wherein the water stored in the water storage tank is fed to the cooling unit by the circulation pump.   
   
   
       33 . A hot-water supply system, comprising:
 the wall assembly defined in  claim 1 ; and   a hot water container for heating up the water supplied.   
   
   
       34 . The hot-water supply system according to  claim 33 , wherein the heat exchange medium to be supplied to the cooling unit is water, the water being conveyed to the hot water container. 
   
   
       35 . The hot-water supply system according to  claim 33 , further comprising
 a heat exchanger,   wherein the heat exchanger exchanges heat between the water and the heat exchange medium, and the water heated in the heat exchanger is conveyed to the hot water container.   
   
   
       36 . The hot-water supply system according to  claim 33 , further comprising a water storage tank,
 wherein the water in the water storage tank is used as the heat exchange medium for passing through the cooling unit and conveyed to the hot water container.   
   
   
       37 . The hot-water supply system according to  claim 33 , further comprising:
 a water storage tank; and   a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the water supplied from the water storage tank and the heat exchange medium,   wherein the water heated in the heat exchanger circulates through the water storage tank and the heat exchanger.   
   
   
       38 . A hot-water supply system, comprising:
 the wall assembly defined in  claim 13 ; and   a hot water container for heating up the water supplied.   
   
   
       39 . The hot-water supply system according to  claim 38 , wherein the heat exchange medium to be supplied to the cooling unit is water, the water being conveyed to the hot water container. 
   
   
       40 . The hot-water supply system according to  claim 38 , further comprising
 a heat exchanger,   wherein the heat exchanger exchanges heat between the water and the heat exchange medium, and the water heated in the heat exchanger is conveyed to the hot water container.   
   
   
       41 . The hot-water supply system according to  claim 38 , further comprising a water storage tank,
 wherein the water in the water storage tank is used as the heat exchange medium for passing through the cooling unit and conveyed to the hot water container.   
   
   
       42 . The hot-water supply system according to  claim 38 , further comprising:
 a water storage tank; and   a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the water supplied from the water storage tank and the heat exchange medium,   wherein the water heated in the heat exchanger circulates through the water storage tank and the heat exchanger.   
   
   
       43 . An architecture, comprising:
 the wall including the wall assembly defined in  claim 1 .   
   
   
       44 . An architecture, comprising:
 the wall including the wall assembly defined in  claim 13 .   
   
   
       45 . An architecture, comprising:
 the hot-water supply system defined in  claim 33 .   
   
   
       46 . An architecture, comprising:
 the hot-water supply system defined in  claim 38 .   
   
   
       47 . A wall assembly, comprising:
 a wall body for accommodating an AV device therein;   an air passage provided in the wall body for communicating with the AV device accommodated in the wall body; and   an opening communicated with the air passage.   
   
   
       48 . The wall assembly according to  claim 47 , wherein a plurality of the openings are provided, and
 further comprising a valve for selecting one of the openings for ventilation.   
   
   
       49 . The wall assembly according to  claim 47 , further comprising a fan disposed in the opening. 
   
   
       50 . The wall assembly according to  claim 47 , further comprising an AV device held by the holding member. 
   
   
       51 . A wall assembly, comprising:
 at least two columnar members;   a holding member disposed between the two columnar members for holding an AV device;   a cover plate for covering between the two columnar members;   an air passage defined between the holding member and the covering plate or defined in the holding member; and   an opening communicated with the air passage.   
   
   
       52 . The wall assembly according to  claim 51 , wherein the opening is provided in the cover plate. 
   
   
       53 . The wall assembly according to  claim 51 , wherein the cover plate is made from at least one material selected from wooden board, cement board, gypsum board, and steel board. 
   
   
       54 . The wall assembly according to  claim 51 , wherein a plurality of the openings are provided, and
 further comprising a valve for selecting one of the openings for ventilation.   
   
   
       55 . The wall assembly according to  claim 51 , further comprising a fan disposed in the opening. 
   
   
       56 . The wall assembly according to  claim 51 , further comprising an AV device held by the holding member. 
   
   
       57 . A wall assembly, comprising:
 at least two columnar members;   a holding member disposed between the two columnar members for holding an AV device;   a front cover plate for covering between the two columnar members from the front of the AV device;   a rear cover plate for covering between the two columnar members from the back of the AV device;   an air passage defined between the holding member and the rear cover plate or defined in the holding member; and   an opening communicated with the air passage,   wherein the front cover plate has a window provided therein from which the AV device to be held by the holding member is exposed.   
   
   
       58 . The wall assembly according to  claim 57 , wherein the holding member includes:
 a plate member joined at both ends along the transverse direction between the two columnar members to extend from the upper end to the lower end of the columnar members;   a rectangular opening provided in the plate member for accommodating an AV device; and   clamping members disposed along both the upper and lower ends of the opening for securely clamping the AV device from the upper and the lower directions.   
   
   
       59 . The wall assembly according to  claim 58 , wherein each of the clamping members has a ventilation hole provided in the rear cover plate side for passing the air from lower to upper or transversely. 
   
   
       60 . The wall assembly according to  claim 57 , wherein the opening is provided in either the front cover plate or the rear cover plate. 
   
   
       61 . The wall assembly according to  claim 57 , wherein a plurality of the openings are provided, and
 further comprising a valve for selecting one of the openings for ventilation.   
   
   
       62 . The wall assembly according to  claim 61 , further comprising:
 a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the outside of the wall assembly; and   a controller for controlling the selecting action of the valve in response to a detection result of the temperature sensor.   
   
   
       63 . The wall assembly according to  claim 61 , further comprising:
 a detector for detecting the power on and off of the AV device; and   a controller for controlling the action of the valve in response to a detection result of the detector.   
   
   
       64 . The wall assembly according to  claim 57 , further comprising a fan disposed in the opening. 
   
   
       65 . The wall assembly according to  claim 64 , further comprising:
 a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the inside of the wall assembly; and   a controller for controlling the action of the fan in response to a detection result of the temperature sensor.   
   
   
       66 . The wall assembly according to  claim 64 , further comprising:
 a detector for detecting the power on and off of the AV device; and   a controller for starting the action of the fan when the AV device is turned on and canceling the action of the fan when the AV device is turned off.   
   
   
       67 . The wall assembly according to  claim 57 , wherein the front cover plate and the rear cover plate are made from at least one material selected from wooden board, cement board, gypsum board, and steel board. 
   
   
       68 . The wall assembly according to  claim 57 , further comprising an AV device held by the holding member. 
   
   
       69 . The wall assembly according to  claim 68 , wherein the AV device includes a cabinet covering the back side,
 the cabinet having ventilation holes provided in both the upper and the lower thereof.   
   
   
       70 . The wall assembly according to  claim 68 , wherein the AV device includes at least a cabinet covering the back side,
 the cabinet having ventilation holes provided in both the upper and the lower thereof,   further comprising a guide member for guiding the air passed through the air passage into the ventilation hole.   
   
   
       71 . The wall assembly according to  claim 68 , wherein the AV device includes at least a cabinet covering the back side,
 the cabinet having ventilation holes provided in both the upper and the lower thereof,   further comprising a partition member disposed to separate the air passage into a ventilation opening side at the upper and a ventilation opening side at the lower.   
   
   
       72 . The wall assembly according to  claim 68 , wherein the AV device includes a cabinet which having a back side, an upper side, and a lower side thereof,
 the cabinet having ventilation openings provided in both the upper and lower sides thereof.   
   
   
       73 . The wall assembly according to  claim 68 , wherein the AV device includes a cabinet covering the back side and an electric circuit covered with-the cabinet,
 the cabinet having ventilation openings provided in both the upper and lower sides thereof above and beneath the electric circuit.   
   
   
       74 . The wall assembly according to  claim 68 , wherein the AV device includes a cabinet covering the back and an electric circuit covered with the cabinet,
 the cabinet having a projection provided on the back side thereof to extend rearwardly from a location facing the electric circuit,   ventilation openings are provided in both the upper and lower sides of the projection.   
   
   
       75 . The wall assembly according to  claim 68 , wherein the AV device includes a heat radiating member exposed to the rear cover plate for radiating heat generated by the AV device. 
   
   
       76 . The wall assembly according to  claim 75 , further comprising a guide member for guiding the air passed through the air passage towards the heat radiating member. 
   
   
       77 . An architecture, comprising the wall assembly defined in  claim 47 . 
   
   
       78 . The architecture according to  claim 77 , further comprising:
 a ventilation device for ventilating the room; and   a duct for connecting between the ventilation device and the opening of the wall assembly.   
   
   
       79 . The architecture according to  claim 78 , wherein the ventilation device includes a duct for communicating to the outside of the architecture. 
   
   
       80 . An architecture, comprising the wall assembly defined in  claim 51 . 
   
   
       81 . The architecture according to  claim 80 , further comprising:
 a ventilation device for ventilating the room; and   a duct for connecting between the ventilation device and the opening of the wall assembly.   
   
   
       82 . The architecture according to  claim 81 , wherein the ventilation device includes a duct for communicating to the outside of the architecture. 
   
   
       83 . An architecture, comprising the wall assembly defined in  claim 57 . 
   
   
       84 . The architecture according to  claim 83 , further comprising:
 a ventilation device for ventilating the room; and   a duct for connecting between the ventilation device and the opening of the wall assembly.   
   
   
       85 . The architecture according to  claim 84 , wherein the ventilation device includes a duct for communicating to the outside of the architecture.