U.S. patent application number 12/275600 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-21 for exhaust fan and method of operating the same.
Invention is credited to Corey Scott Jacak, Mirko Zakula.
Application Number | 20090130970 12/275600 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40642476 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090130970 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jacak; Corey Scott ; et
al. |
May 21, 2009 |
EXHAUST FAN AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME
Abstract
The present invention provides an exhaust fan including a
ventilation grille having a plurality of louvers extending across
an exterior face of the grille. Two of the louvers can define an
opening and can be oriented such that the interior of the fan is
obscured from view of a person through the opening, when the person
is positioned in the room such that the person's eyes are outside
an area of the room defined by a first reference plane oriented at
an angle of less than 25 degrees with respect to a second reference
plane and intersecting the second reference plane along a
horizontal reference line and a third reference plane oriented at
an angle of less than 25 degrees with respect to the second
reference plane and intersecting the second reference plane along
the horizontal line.
Inventors: |
Jacak; Corey Scott;
(Kewaskum, WI) ; Zakula; Mirko; (New Berlin,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL BEST & FRIEDRICH LLP
100 E WISCONSIN AVENUE, Suite 3300
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202
US
|
Family ID: |
40642476 |
Appl. No.: |
12/275600 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60989656 |
Nov 21, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/354 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2007/001 20130101;
F24F 7/007 20130101; F24F 13/082 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/354 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/007 20060101
F24F007/007 |
Claims
1. An exhaust fan supported on a ceiling in a room of a structure,
the exhaust fan comprising: a housing having an air inlet, an air
outlet, and an interior positioned between the inlet and the
outlet; a motor and a fan driven by the motor, the fan being
supported in the interior of the housing and being operable to move
at least 1415 liters per minute of air from the room, through the
interior of the housing to a location exterior to the room; and a
ventilation grille extending across the air inlet and having a
plurality of louvers extending across an exterior face of the
grille, two of the plurality of louvers having an opening
therebetween and being oriented such that the interior of the
housing is obscured from view of a person through the opening, when
the person is positioned in the room such that eyes of the person
are outside an area of the room defined by a first reference plane
oriented at an angle of less than 25 degrees with respect to a
second reference plane and intersecting the second reference plane
along a horizontal reference line and a third reference plane
oriented at an angle of less than 25 degrees with respect to the
second reference plane and intersecting the second reference plane
along the horizontal reference line, the horizontal reference line
extending through the opening between the at least two louvers, the
second reference plane being perpendicular to a floor of the room
and extending across the face of the grille in a direction
substantially parallel to the two of the plurality of louvers.
2. The exhaust fan of claim 1, wherein a nose of one of the two of
the plurality of louvers extends at least partially across the
opening.
3. The exhaust fan of claim 2, wherein the nose is oriented at an
angle of about 120 degrees with respect to a tail of the
louver.
4. The exhaust fan of claim 3, wherein the tail of the louver has a
first width in a direction substantially perpendicular to the
airflow through the opening and the nose of one of the plurality of
louvers has a second width, and wherein the second width is greater
than the first width.
5. The exhaust fan of claim 1, wherein the plurality of louvers
each include a nose at an exterior end and a tail at an interior
end, such that the nose has a greater width than the tail.
6. The exhaust fan of claim 1, wherein the angle is less than 25
degrees.
7. The exhaust fan of claim 1, wherein the louvers are oriented at
an angle of between about 60 and about 68 degrees from the second
reference plane.
8. The exhaust fan of claim 1, wherein a space between two adjacent
louvers has a first length at an interior end and a second length
at an exterior end, such that the first length is greater than the
second length.
9. An exhaust fan supported on a ceiling in a room of a structure,
the exhaust fan comprising: a housing having an air inlet, an air
outlet, and an interior positioned between the inlet and the
outlet; a motor and a fan driven by the motor, the fan being
supported in the interior of the housing and being operable to move
air from the room, through the interior of the housing to a
location exterior to the room; and a ventilation grille extending
across the air inlet and having a plurality of louvers extending
across an exterior face of the grille, the plurality of louvers
each including a nose at an exterior end and a tail at an interior
end, such that the nose has a greater width than the tail, the nose
extending toward an adjacent louver, two of the plurality of
louvers having an opening therebetween and being oriented such that
the interior of the housing is obscured from view of a person
through the opening, when the person is positioned in the room such
that eyes of the person are outside an area of the room defined by
a first reference plane oriented at an angle of less than 25
degrees with respect to a second reference plane and intersecting
the second reference plane along a horizontal reference line, and a
third reference plane oriented at an angle of less than 25 degrees
with respect to the second reference plane and intersecting the
second reference plane along the horizontal reference line, the
horizontal reference line extending through the opening between the
at least two louvers, the second reference plane being
perpendicular to a floor of the room and extending across the face
of the grille in a direction substantially parallel to the two of
the plurality of louvers.
10. The exhaust fan of claim 9, wherein a nose of one of the two of
the plurality of louvers extends at least partially across the
opening.
11. The exhaust fan of claim 10, wherein the nose is oriented at an
angle of about 120 degrees with respect to a tail of the
louver.
12. The exhaust fan of claim 11, wherein the tail of the louver has
a first width in a direction substantially perpendicular to the
airflow through the opening and the nose of one of the plurality of
louvers has a second width, and wherein the second width is greater
than the first width.
13. The exhaust fan of claim 9, wherein the fan moves at least 1415
liters per minute of air from the room, through the plurality of
louvers, to a location exterior to the room.
14. The exhaust fan of claim 9, wherein the angle is less than 25
degrees.
15. The exhaust fan of claim 9, wherein the louvers are oriented at
an angle of between about 60 and about 68 degrees from the second
reference plane.
16. A method of ventilating a room of a structure, the method
comprising the acts of: providing a housing having an air inlet, an
air outlet, and an interior positioned between the air inlet and
air outlet; driving a fan with a motor to move at least 1415 liters
per minute of air from the room, between the plurality of louvers,
and through the interior of the housing to a location exterior to
the room; and obscuring the housing interior from view of a person
through an opening defined between two of the plurality of louvers
with a ventilation grille having an exterior surface and a
plurality of louvers oriented at an angle of about 65 degrees with
respect to the exterior surface such that when the person is
positioned in the room so that eyes of the person are outside an
area of the room defined by a first reference plane oriented at an
angle of less than 25 degrees with respect to a second reference
plane and intersecting the second reference plane along a
horizontal reference line and a third reference plane oriented at
an angle of less than 25 degrees with respect to the second
reference plane and intersecting the second reference plane along
the horizontal line the person is unable to see the interior of the
housing, the horizontal reference line extending through the
opening between the at least two louvers, the second reference
plane being perpendicular to a floor of the room and extending
across the face of the grille in a direction substantially parallel
to the two of the plurality of louvers.
17. The exhaust fan of claim 16, wherein a space between two
adjacent louvers has a first length at an exterior end and a second
length at an interior end, such that the first length is greater
than the second length.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising orienting the first
reference plane at an angle of less than 25 degrees from the second
reference plane, and orienting the third reference plane at an
angle of less than 25 degrees from the second reference plane.
19. The exhaust fan of claim 16, wherein the plurality of louvers
each include a nose at an exterior end and a tail at an interior
end, such that the nose has a greater width than the tail.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein a nose of one of the two of the
plurality of louvers extends at least partially across the opening,
and wherein the nose is oriented at an angle of about 120 degrees
with respect to a tail of the louver.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of prior-filed,
co-pending Provisional Patent Application No. 60/989,656, filed
Nov. 21, 2007, the contents of which is incorporate herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an exhaust fan and, more
particularly, to an exhaust fan having a grille for obscuring an
interior of the exhaust fan from view while also allowing a given
airflow.
SUMMARY
[0003] In some embodiments, the present invention provides an
exhaust fan supported on a ceiling in a room of a structure. The
exhaust fan can include a housing having an air inlet, an air
outlet, and an interior positioned between the inlet and the
outlet. The exhaust fan can also include a motor and a fan driven
by the motor. The fan can be supported in the interior of the
housing and be operable to move at least 1415 liters per minute of
air from the room, through the interior of the housing to a
location exterior to the room. The exhaust fan can also include a
ventilation grille extending across the air inlet and having a
plurality of louvers extending across an exterior face of the
grille. Two of the plurality of louvers can have an opening
therebetween and be oriented such that the interior of the housing
is obscured from view of a person through the opening, when the
person is positioned in the room such that eyes of the person are
outside an area of the room defined by a first reference plane
oriented at an angle of less than 30 degrees with respect to a
second reference plane and intersecting the second reference plane
along a horizontal reference line and a third reference plane
oriented at an angle of less than 30 degrees with respect to the
second reference plane and intersecting the second reference plane
along the horizontal line. The horizontal reference line can extend
through the opening between the at least two louvers. The second
reference plane can be perpendicular to a floor of the room and
extending across the face of the grille in a direction
substantially parallel to the two of the plurality of louvers.
[0004] In addition, the present invention provides an exhaust fan
supported on a ceiling in a room of a structure. The exhaust fan
can include a housing having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an
interior positioned between the inlet and the outlet. The exhaust
fan can also include a motor and a fan driven by the motor. The fan
can be supported in the interior of the housing and can be operable
to move air from the room, through the interior of the housing to a
location exterior to the room. The exhaust fan can also include a
ventilation grille extending across the air inlet and having a
plurality of louvers extending across an exterior face of the
grille. The plurality of louvers each include a nose at a distal
end and a tail at a proximate end, such that the nose has a greater
width than the tail and the nose extends toward an adjacent louver.
Two of the plurality of louvers can have an opening therebetween
and be oriented such that the interior of the housing is obscured
from view of a person through the opening, when the person is
positioned in the room such that eyes of the person are outside an
area of the room defined by a first reference plane oriented at an
angle of less than 25 degrees with respect to a second reference
plane and intersecting the second reference plane along a
horizontal reference line, and a third reference plane oriented at
an angle of less than 25 degrees with respect to the second
reference plane and intersecting the second reference plane along
the horizontal reference line. The horizontal reference line can
extend through the opening between the at least two louvers. The
second reference plane can be perpendicular to a floor of the room
and extend across the face of the grille in a direction
substantially parallel to the two of the plurality of louvers.
[0005] The present invention also provides a method of ventilating
a room of a structure. The method can include the acts of providing
a housing having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an interior
positioned between the air inlet and air outlet, driving a fan with
a motor to move at least 1415 liters per minute of air from the
room, between the plurality of louvers, and through the interior of
the housing to a location exterior to the room, and obscuring the
housing interior from view of a person through an opening defined
between two of the plurality of louvers with a ventilation grille
having an exterior surface and a plurality of louvers oriented at
an angle of about 65 degrees with respect to the exterior surface
such that when the person is positioned in the room so that eyes of
the person are outside an area of the room defined by a first
reference plane oriented at an angle of less than 25 degrees with
respect to a second reference plane and intersecting the second
reference plane along a horizontal reference line and a third
reference plane oriented at an angle of less than 25 degrees with
respect to the second reference plane and intersecting the second
reference plane along the horizontal line the person is unable to
see the interior of the housing, the horizontal reference line
extending through the opening between the at least two louvers. The
second reference plane can be perpendicular to a floor of the room
and extending across the face of the grille in a direction
substantially parallel to the two of the plurality of louvers.
[0006] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of an
exhaust fan according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the exhaust fan of
FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a grill of the exhaust fan
of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the grill taken along
4-4 of FIG. 3.
[0011] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken from circle
5 of FIG. 4.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the grille of the exhaust
fan of FIG. 1 mounted in a room of a structure and showing an area
of the room from which an interior of the exhaust fan is obscured
from view.
[0013] FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the grille and showing
the area of the room from which the interior of the exhaust fan is
obscured from view.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a top view of the room and also showing the area
of the room from which the interior of the exhaust fan is obscured
from view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including,"
"comprising," and "having" and variations thereof herein is meant
to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as
well as additional items.
[0016] Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted,"
"connected," "supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are
used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings,
connections, supports, and couplings. Further, "connected" and
"coupled" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections
or couplings.
[0017] Also, it is to be understood that phraseology and
terminology used herein with reference to device or element
orientation (such as, for example, terms like "central," "upper,"
"lower," "front," "rear," and the like) are only used to simplify
description of the present invention, and do not alone indicate or
imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular
orientation. In addition, terms such as "first", "second," and
"third" are used herein for purposes of description and are not
intended to indicate or imply relative importance or
significance.
[0018] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exhaust fan 10 including a fan
housing 14 defining an interior 16. The exhaust fan 10 also
includes a motor 22 and a fan wheel 26 for moving air into,
through, and out of the exhaust fan 10. In the illustrated
embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, both the motor 22 and the fan wheel 26
are positioned in the interior 16 of the housing 14. In other
embodiments, one or both of the motor 22 and the fan wheel 26 can
be located outside the housing 14. In addition, while the fan 26 of
the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 is a fan wheel 26, in
other embodiments, the fan 26 can have other shapes and
constructions, including, but not limited to, axial-flow fans, a
centrifugal fan, a scroll fan, a cross-flow fan, etc.
[0019] In some embodiments, the exhaust fan 10 is employed to
ventilate, illuminate, and/or heat a room, area, or space. With
reference to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the fan
wheel 26 can draw air from the room into the fan housing 14 and
exhaust the air to an exterior location through a wall or ceiling
of the room, or alternatively, through a ducting system, to other,
more remote locations.
[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the fan housing 14 has a
generally rectangular box-like shape with inlets and outlets
located on opposite sides. In other embodiments, the fan housing 14
can have other shapes and orientations, such as, for example, a
round, triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal, or any other polygonal
cross-sectional shape, oval, irregular, and the like and can
include inlets and outlets having other relative orientations. The
fan housing 14 can form a base or frame for the exhaust fan 10,
thereby providing points and areas of attachment for other
components of the exhaust fan 10.
[0021] Some embodiments of the exhaust fan 10 include a louvered
ventilation grille 30 connected to the fan housing 14. The
illustrated exemplary fan housing 14 has a generally box-like shape
with an open end (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The illustrated grille 30 has
a generally rectangular shape (see FIGS. 3-5), but can instead take
any other shape matching or substantially matching the shape of the
fan housing 14. In other embodiments, the grille 30 can have a
shape different than that of the fan housing 14 it covers or at
least partially covers.
[0022] The grille 30 can be positioned over an air inlet 31 of the
fan housing 14 to at least partially conceal the fan housing 14. In
some embodiments (e.g., the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-2),
the air inlet 31 of the fan housing 14 is shaped and dimensioned to
be received within an open end of the grille 30. In some
embodiments, the grille 30 is formed from a molded plastic
material, such as by one-shot plastic injection molding. In other
embodiments, the grille 30 is formed from other materials (e.g.,
metals, ceramics, etc.).
[0023] With reference to FIGS. 3-5, the grille 30 can include first
and second sets of apertures or openings extending between
substantially parallel louvers of respective first and second sets
of louvers 34, 42 for receiving a flow of air. The first set of
louvers 34 can guide air (which can include moisture, steam, smoke,
exhaust, and the like) into the fan housing 14. The louvers of the
first and second sets 34, 42 extend across a face 35 of the grille
30.
[0024] In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 3-5, the second set
of louvers 34 is positioned on an opposite side of the grille 30
from the first set of louvers 42. In other embodiments, the second
set of louvers 42 can be positioned in other locations on the
grille 30. By way of example only, the second set of louvers 42 in
the illustrated exemplary embodiment is located at an end of the
grille 30 and fan housing 14 opposite the first set of louvers 34
with a generally planar un-louvered middle portion 50 defined
between the first and second sets of louvers 34, 42.
[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, and shown specifically in
FIG. 4, each of the louvers of the first set of louvers 34 is
angled toward the un-louvered portion 50 of the grille 30. Each of
the louvers of the second set of louvers 42 is also angled toward
the un-louvered portion 50, such that the angles of the louvers of
the first and second sets of louvers, 34 and 42 respectively, are
substantially equal, but facing in opposite directions. As
illustrated in FIG. 5, the angle between each of the louvers 34 and
the grille 30 is labeled as angle A. In some embodiments, the angle
A of the louvers 34, 42 is between about 45 and about 85 degrees
from vertical, see FIG. 5. In other embodiments, the angle A of the
louvers 34, 42 is between about 55 and about 75 degrees from
vertical. In still other embodiments, the angle A of the louvers
34, 42 is between about 60 and about 68 degrees from vertical. As
explained below, the angle A of the louvers 34 can help to
substantially conceal interior portions of the exhaust fan 10 from
view from the exterior of the exhaust fan 10.
[0026] Because the first and second sets of louvers 34, 42 can be
mirror images of each other, only the first set of louvers 34 will
be described in detail, but the description is also applicable to
the second set of louvers 42. As shown in FIG. 5, the louvers of
the first set of louvers 34 extend outwardly from the grille 30.
Each of the louvers of the first set of louvers 34 have a first end
54 and second end 58. The first end 54 of each of the louvers of
the first set of louvers 34 is located toward the interior 16 of
the grille 30 and includes a tail 62, whereas the second end 58 is
spaced apart from the first end 54 and includes a nose portion 66.
The nose 66 of one of the louvers of the first set of louvers 34
extends across and partially covers the opening between each of the
adjacent louvers of the first set of louvers 34, although an
end-most opening can be free or substantially free of a nose 66.
This can help to further conceal or substantially conceal the
housing 14 and other components positioned inside the grille 30
from view from the outside of the grille 30.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the nose 66 can be angled at angle B
from the tail 62. In some embodiments, angle B is between about 95
degrees and about 135 degrees. In other embodiments, angle B is
between about 105 and about 125 degrees. In still other
embodiments, angle B is between about 112 and about 120
degrees.
[0028] In some embodiments, the exhaust fan 10 can be oriented such
that the louvers of the first and second sets 34, 42 provide
considerable masking of the exhaust fan interior 16 from
significant portions of a room in a structure. More particularly,
the grille 30 can be oriented on the ceiling of a room so that a
person standing in a doorway of the room or moving along a traffic
flow path through the room is prevented from seeing the fan
interior 16. For example, the louvers of the first and second set
of louvers 34, 42 can be parallel to a travel path, such that, as a
person moves along the travel path, the exhaust fan interior 16 is
substantially concealed. Because the exhaust fan 10 is often
installed in a bathroom, there is usually a sink, toilet and often
a shower, bathtub, or other furniture, which can inhibit a person
from straying far from a travel path and thereby inhibit the person
from seeing into the exhaust fan interior 16 from other angles.
Further, it is uncommon for an individual to look straight up
above, so even if an individual could see the exhaust fan interior
16 from directly below, this is unlikely to occur.
[0029] The louvers of the first set of louvers 34 each have a
height H between the first end 54 and the second end 58. In some
embodiments, the height H is between about 0.1 and about 0.5 inches
(between about 0.254 cm and about 1.27 cm). In other embodiments,
the height H is between about 0.2 and about 0.3 inches (between
about 0.508 cm and about 0.762 cm). In yet other embodiments, the
height H is between about 0.25 and about 0.27 inches (between about
0.635 cm and about 0.686 cm).
[0030] The tail 62 of the louvers 34 has a width W1 that is
substantially constant along the tail 62. In some embodiments, the
width W1 (which is measured perpendicular to a length of the
louvers of the first set of louvers 34) is between about 0.5 and
about 1.0 inches (between about 1.27 cm and about 2.54 cm). In
other embodiments, the width W1 is between about 0.7 and about 0.8
inches (between about 1.778 cm and about 2.108 cm). In yet other
embodiments, the width W1 is between about 0.73 and about 0.74
inches (between about 1.854 cm and about 1.88 cm). The nose portion
66 has a width W2 that is greater than the width W1. In some
embodiments, the width W2 is between about 0.075 and about 0.2
inches (between about 0.19 cm and about 0.508 cm). In other
embodiments, the width W2 is between about 0.1 and about 0.12
inches (between about 0.254 cm and about 0.305 cm). In yet other
embodiments, the width W2 is between about 0.111 and about 0.117
inches (between about 0.282 cm and about 0.297 cm). In each of
these embodiments, the width W2 of the nose 66 is greater than the
width W1 of the tail 62.
[0031] Adjacent louvers of the first set of louvers 34 are
positioned on the grille 30 so that the tails 62 are spaced apart
by length L1. In some embodiments, length L1 is between about 0.1
and about 0.2 inches (between about 0.254 cm and about 0.508 cm).
In other embodiments, the length L1 is between about 0.15 and about
0.16 inches (between about 0.381 cm and about 0.406 cm). In yet
other embodiments, the length L1 is between about 0.157 and about
0.159 inches (between about 0.399 cm and about 0.404 cm). Because
the tail 62 on a louver 34 can have a different width than the nose
66, the distance between noses 66 of adjacent louvers 34 is defined
by length L2, which can be different from length L1. In some
embodiments, length L2 is between about 0.1 and about 0.2 inches
(between about 0.254 cm and about 0.508 cm). In other embodiments,
the length L2 is between about 0.15 and about 0.17 inches (between
about 0.381 cm and about 0.432 cm). In yet other embodiments, the
length L2 is between about 0.159 and about 0.161 inches (between
about 0.404 cm and about 0.409 cm).
[0032] In some embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated
specifically in FIG. 4, the louvers of the first and second sets of
louvers 34, 42 are oriented along a curve. In other embodiments,
the louvers of the first and second sets of louvers 34, 42 are
curved, as illustrated in FIG. 5. This can provide an aesthetically
pleasing appearance and can provide greater air flow through the
grille 30. Due to the arcuate curvature, some of the louvers of the
first or second sets of louvers 34, 42 may have different shapes,
dimensions, or relative spacing, such as angle A, angle B, height H
and lengths (L1 and L2) between the individual louvers of the first
and second sets of louvers 34, 42 than other louvers 34, 42 on the
same grille 30. For example, the louvers of the first and second
sets of louvers 34, 42 that are positioned farthest away from the
un-louvered portion 50 may have a greater height H and/or a smaller
angle A than louvers 34, 42 that are positioned closer to the
un-louvered portion 50.
[0033] The illustrated embodiment has been tested to assure that
the noise level of the exhaust fan 10 during operation is
acceptable. The operating noise level of the grille 30 falls within
an acceptable range with the advantage that the exhaust fan
interior 16 is better concealed by the arrangement of the louvers
34, 42. For example, the noise level the grille 30 has been
measured in sones. In an embodiment that includes a variable DC
motor, the exhaust fan 10 can operate at various speeds, which
affects the volume of air flowing through the louvers 34, 42 and
the noise of the motor.
[0034] The illustrated embodiment has also been tested to assure
that the velocity of air flow from the room, through the grille 30
to a location exterior to the room during operation is acceptable.
The air flow through the grille 30 during operation also falls
within an acceptable range with the advantage that the exhaust fan
interior 16 is better masked by the arrangement of the louvers 34,
42.
[0035] Table I, shown below, illustrates various models having
differing cubic feet per minute (CFM) ratings with the respective
liters per minute rating and sone rating.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I CFM Liters/Minute Rating Rating Sones Rated
50 1415 <0.3 80 2264 <0.3 110 3113 0.7 150 4245 1.5
[0036] FIGS. 6-8 illustrate the ventilating exhaust fan 10
installed in a room of a structure, such as a bathroom 70. The
illustrated bathroom 70 includes a ceiling 74 and a floor 78 and a
plurality of walls 82A, 82B, 82C, 82D. Wall 82A is positioned a
length of L5 away from wall 82C. In some embodiments, L5 is about
10' (about 3.05 m) to represent a length of a larger than average
bathroom 70. Although four walls 82A-82D are illustrated, more or
fewer walls can be included, including but not limited to, alcoves
in one or more corners of the bathroom 70. The ceiling 74 and floor
78 can be spaced apart a distance H5. An average residential
ceiling height is about 8' (about 2.44 m), but could be as low as
6' (1.83 m) and as high as 10' (3.05 m) or higher.
[0037] The bathroom 70 has a travel path along arrows 86 that a
person would be most likely to travel in the bathroom 70. The
travel path 86 can relate to the position of a doorway 90 and any
furniture in the room, as shown in FIG. 8. The fan 10 can be
positioned to provide sufficient ventilation, such as in middle of
the bathroom 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 6-8. The fan 10 can also be
oriented to substantially obscure or conceal the fan interior 16 by
orienting the louvers 34, 42 to extend substantially perpendicular
to the travel path 86, as shown in FIG. 6. This orientation can
substantially conceal the interior of the fan 10 and provide a more
aesthetic appearance, without sacrificing the air flow rates or the
ability of the fan 10 to vent air out of the bathroom 70.
[0038] The louvers 34, 42 help to conceal the fan interior 16.
However, in some embodiments, some of the fan interior 16 can be
viewed in some locations below the fan 10. In order to further
illustrate the impact of the louver shape, a region in which the
fan interior 16 is visible is herein described. The region of
visibility is the region in which a person is able to view at least
a portion of the fan interior 16. The region boundaries are
determined by the location of a person's eyes at which at least
some visibility is possible. Outside the visibility region, the fan
interior 16 is concealed from view by the shape and position of the
louvers. The visibility region changes over different distances
below the fan (i.e. persons of differing heights and ceilings of
differing heights). However, interior ceilings, such as residential
ceilings are often spaced about 8' (about 2.44 m) from the
floor.
[0039] FIG. 6 includes two examples demonstrating the region of
visibility below the fan 10. A first example demonstrates the
visibility region for a female of average height having an eye
level at a height of H3 above the floor 78. In some embodiments, H3
is between about 4'6'' and about 5'6'' (between about 1.37 m and
about 1.68 m). In other embodiments, H3 is between about 4'9'' and
about 5'3'' (between about 1.45 m and about 1.6 m). In still other
embodiments, H3 is about 5'0'' (about 1.52 m) above the bathroom
floor. A female with a height of H3 would be capable of seeing the
fan interior 16 directly below the fan 10 across a length L3, to
define a visibility region across the room width, as indicated by
the single cross-hatching. In some embodiments, L3 is between about
10'' and about 50'' (between about 25.4 cm and about 127 cm). In
other embodiments, L3 is between about 20'' and about 40'' (between
about 50.8 cm and about 102 cm). In yet other embodiments, L3 is
between about 25'' and about 30'' (between about 63.5 cm and about
76.2 cm). A plane P3 is positioned a height H3 from the floor 78
and extends the length L3 across the depth of the room. The edges
of plane P3 represent the area at eyelevel H3 in which a female of
height H3 can at least partially see into the fan interior 16. An
angle .theta.3 extends downwardly between the center of fan 10 and
an edge of the plane P3. The angle .theta.3 can be calculated from
the following equation .theta.3=tan.sup.-1(1/2*L3/(H5-H3)). From
this equation and the ranges mentioned above, in some embodiments
.theta.3 is between about 10 and about 30 degrees. In yet other
embodiments, .theta.3 is between about 15 and about 25. In still
other embodiments, .theta.3 is between about 19 and about 22
degrees. In one specific example, H3 is equal to 5'0'' (1.52 m),
thereby making L3 equal to about 27'' (68.6 cm) and .theta.3 equal
to about 21 degrees.
[0040] A second example demonstrates the visibility region for a
male of average height having an eye level about a height of H4
above the floor 78. The second example demonstrates the visibility
region for a male of average height having an eye level at a height
of H4 above the floor 78. In some embodiments, H4 is between about
5' (about 1.52 m) and about 6' (about 1.83 m). In other
embodiments, H4 is between about 5'3'' (about 1.6 m) and about
5'9'' (about 1.75 m). In still other embodiments, H4 is about 5'7''
(about 1.7 m) above the bathroom floor. A male with a height of H4
would be capable of seeing the fan interior 16 directly below the
fan 10 across a length L4, to define a visibility region across the
room width, as indicated by the double cross-hatching. In some
embodiments, L4 is between about 5'' and about 45'' (between about
12.7 cm and about 114 cm). In other embodiments, L4 is between
about 10'' and about 30'' (between about 25.4 cm and about 76.2
cm). In yet other embodiments, L4 is between about 15'' and about
20'' (between about 38.1 cm and about 50.8 cm). A plane P4 is
positioned a height H4 from the floor 78 and extends the length L4
across the depth of the room. The edges of plane P4 represent the
area at eyelevel H4 in which a male of height H4 can at least
partially see into the fan interior 16. An angle .theta.4 extends
downwardly between the center of fan 10 and an edge of the plane
P4. The angle .theta.4 can be calculated from the following
equation .theta.4=tan.sup.-1(1/2*L4/(H5-H4)). From this equation
and the ranges mentioned above, in some embodiments .theta.4 is
between about 5 and about 35 degrees. In yet other embodiments,
.theta.4 is between about 10 and about 25 degrees. In still other
embodiments, .theta.4 is between about 16 and about 20 degrees. In
one specific example, H4 is equal to 5'7'' (1.7 m), thereby making
L4 equal to about 9.4'' (23.4 cm) and .theta.4 equal to about 18
degrees.
[0041] FIG. 7 illustrates the ventilating exhaust fan 10 mounted to
the ceiling 74 of a bathroom 70. Two louvers 34 are shown on the
grille 30 and a substantially horizontal line 92 is drawn between
the two louvers 34. A first reference plane P5 extends through the
horizontal line 92 and downward from the grille 30. A second
reference plane P6 extends through the horizontal line 92 and
downward from the grille 30 perpendicular to the grille 30. The
first reference plane P5 and the second reference plane P6
intersect along the horizontal line, and the first reference plane
P5 extends at an angle of .theta.5 from the second reference plane
P6. A third reference plane P7 extends through the horizontal line
92 and downward from the grille 30. The third reference plane P7
intersects the first reference plane P5 and the second reference
plane P6 at the horizontal line 92. The third reference plane P7
extends at an angle of .theta.6 from the second reference plane P6.
The first reference plane P5, the second reference plane P7 and the
floor 78 form a triangular prism that bounds the region below the
grille 30 in FIG. 7 in which an interior of the grille 30 is at
least partially visible.
[0042] In some embodiments, angle .theta.5 the same or similar to
angle .theta.6. In other embodiments, angle .theta.5 is less than
angle .theta.6. In still other embodiments, angle .theta.5 is
greater than angle .theta.6. For example, in some embodiments,
angle .theta.5 is between about 17 and about 27 degrees. In other
embodiments, angle .theta.5 is between about 19 and about 25
degrees. In yet other embodiments, angle .theta.5 is between about
21 and about 23 degrees. For example, in some embodiments, angle
.theta.6 is between about 17 and about 27 degrees. In other
embodiments, angle .theta.6 is between about 19 and about 25
degrees. In still other embodiments, angle .theta.6 is between
about 21 and about 23 degrees.
[0043] A plane P3 is positioned within the visibility region, such
that two corners of the plane P3 are adjacent the first reference
plane P5 and two corners of the plane P3 are adjacent the third
reference plane P7. Plane P3 is representative of eye height of a
first individual. A plane P4 is representative of eye height of a
second individual. Plane P4 is positioned above plane P3 and also
positioned such that two corners of plane P4 are adjacent the first
reference plane P5 and that two corners of plane P4 are adjacent
the third reference plane P7. In some embodiments, the planes P3
and P4 of FIG. 7 are positioned at similar heights as planes P3 and
P4 of FIG. 6. In other embodiments, planes P3 and P4 of FIG. 7 are
positioned at different heights than planes P3 and P4 of FIG.
6.
[0044] FIG. 8 illustrates the bathroom 70 including the ventilating
exhaust fan 10 and typical bathroom furniture, such as a sink 94, a
bathtub, 98, a toilet 102 and a linen closet 106. The walking path
86 through the doorway 90 and between the furniture is illustrated.
Two visibility regions are defined by L6 and L7. In some
embodiments L6 and L7 are the same as L3 and L4, but in other
embodiments L6 and L7 are different from L3 and L4. Visibility
region lines defined by L6 and L7 are extrapolated outside the
bathroom 70 in phantom. The widths of the visibility regions (L6,
L7) are not necessarily constant and linear, as illustrated in the
tapering lines outside the bathroom 70. For example, as an
individual is spaced a great distance, such as 10' (3.05 m)
horizontally from the fan 10, the visibility region is different
than if that same person were spaced 1' (14.5 cm) horizontally from
the fan 10. However, the visibility region lines are substantially
linear for a distance that is greater than the width or length of
an average bathroom 70. Therefore, in most or all bathrooms, the
visibility region for a given height will be substantially linear
across the length or width of the bathroom.
[0045] The embodiments described above and illustrated in the
figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended
as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present
invention. As such, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary
skill in the art that various changes in the elements and their
configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *