U.S. patent application number 15/220968 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-02 for centrifical blower and heating element apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lasko Holdings, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Lasko Holdings, Inc.. Invention is credited to Vasanthi Iyer, William Lewis.
Application Number | 20170059204 15/220968 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58103835 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170059204 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Iyer; Vasanthi ; et
al. |
March 2, 2017 |
CENTRIFICAL BLOWER AND HEATING ELEMENT APPARATUS
Abstract
A centrifugal blower and heating element apparatus includes a
base, a scroll housing having primary and secondary inlet ports,
and an integrated heating element, motor and impeller. The
apparatus may be provided as a portable appliance used for heating
a room. The apparatus may have an elongated aspect ratio and a
space efficient design.
Inventors: |
Iyer; Vasanthi; (Wilmington,
DE) ; Lewis; William; (Denver, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lasko Holdings, Inc. |
Wilmington |
DE |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Lasko Holdings, Inc.
Wilmington
DE
|
Family ID: |
58103835 |
Appl. No.: |
15/220968 |
Filed: |
July 27, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62208855 |
Aug 24, 2015 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 29/283 20130101;
F04D 25/105 20130101; F04D 25/10 20130101; F04D 27/006 20130101;
F24H 3/0417 20130101; F04D 29/281 20130101; F04D 29/582 20130101;
F04D 29/424 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24H 3/04 20060101
F24H003/04; F04D 29/58 20060101 F04D029/58; F04D 29/28 20060101
F04D029/28; F04D 29/42 20060101 F04D029/42; F04D 25/10 20060101
F04D025/10; F04D 27/00 20060101 F04D027/00 |
Claims
1. A centrifugal blower and heating element combination comprising:
a scroll housing comprising: a primary wall defining a first
interior space; at least one primary inlet port in said primary
wall; at least one secondary wall located in said first interior
space and defining a second interior space; at least one secondary
inlet port in said secondary wall; and at least one exit port in
said primary wall; an air impeller located at least partially
within said second interior space; a motor connected to said
impeller and rotating said impeller; an air stream generated by a
rotation of said impeller; a first flow path of said air stream
entering said first interior space through said at least one
primary inlet port; a second flow path of said air stream passing
through said secondary inlet port and entering said second interior
space; a third flow path of said air stream exiting said first
interior space through said at least one exit port; and at least
one heating element located between said impeller and said at least
one exit port and within said first interior space and/or said
second interior space, wherein said air stream exiting said at
least one exit port along said third flow path comprises a heated
air stream.
2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said primary wall further
comprises a first half and a second half.
3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said at least one primary
inlet port is located in one of said first or second halves of said
primary wall and said at least one exit port is located in the
other of said first or second halves of said primary wall.
4. The combination of claim 2 wherein said at least one secondary
wall is unitary to one or both of said first and/or said second
halves.
5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first flow path and said
third flow path are substantially orthogonal to said second flow
path.
6. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said
primary wall defines a profile required to facilitate said
generation of said air stream when said impeller is rotated and
absent said profile of said primary wall said generation of said
air stream would not ensue.
7. The combination of claim 1 further comprising a base wherein
said base supports said scroll housing, said air impeller and said
motor relative to a support surface.
8. The combination of claim 7 further comprising an axis of
rotation of said impeller, wherein said axis of rotation in
substantially orthogonal to said support surface.
9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said axis of rotation in
substantially parallel to said support surface.
10. The combination of claim 7 wherein said base further comprises
attachment features to attach said base to a mounting surface.
11. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said
at least one secondary wall further comprising an additional
non-unitary component relative to said primary wall.
12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said additional non-unitary
component serves to create a passageway for electrical and/or
control wires and impedes said electrical and/or control wires from
contacting said impeller.
14. The combination of claim 11 wherein said additional non-unitary
component serves as a high temperature mounting structure for said
heating element.
15. The combination of claim 1 further comprising an overall height
dimension H as measured from said support surface to a top of said
scroll housing and an overall width dimension W as measured left to
right wherein said overall height dimension H is at least 3 times
(300% of) said overall width dimension W.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 62/208,855 filed Aug. 24, 2015, which patent
application is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
TECHNOLOGY FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to portable space heaters.
More specifically, the disclosure relates to a simplified portable
electric space heater having a reduced physical size while
maintaining the same heating capability of larger sized space
heaters.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Portable electric heaters have been used for many years as
an efficient manner to directly heat an area or individual.
Permanent heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems (HVAC)
use duct work and other permanent structures that may be expensive
to construct. The physical structures of HVAC systems may also
absorb heat. The heat absorption of duct work etc. contributes to
system inefficiencies of permanent structures. Portable heaters may
reduce the energy usage normally required to heat an entire room or
building.
[0004] Conventional portable electric heaters may use approximately
1500 watts of power. Safety is a concern for both the manufacturer
and the consumer. Portable electric heaters have used many types of
heating elements, such as for example, nickel chromium (NiCr)
resistance wire, quartz tubes, Positive Temperature Coefficient
(PTC) heating elements and the like. Some of these heating elements
have excessive surface temperatures and may present a safety
compromise if the portable electric heater is not constructed
properly. For example, the surface temperatures of NiCr resistance
wire used in a heater may be in excess of 1000.degree. F.
[525.degree. C.]. The combustion temperatures of many household
materials are well below the surface temperature of the NiCr
resistance wire.
[0005] These heating elements also require the delivery of high
amperage current. The conductors and electrical connections need to
be thermally protected from the heat generated by the element to
avoid physical deterioration. Air generators used to move air
through the heating system of a conventional portable electric
heater also need to be protected from the heat generated by the
heating element.
[0006] Manufacturers desire to make an aesthetically pleasing
product for the consumer market. The thermal and electrical safety
requirements of a conventional portable heater have limited
manufacturers when attempting to reduce the size of portable
heaters. The size of portable electric heaters is important since
the user may place devices in close proximity in an effort to
acquire the needed thermal relief. The size of the devices can
limit the proximity of the heater relative to the user. The size of
the device can also limit the ability of the user to place a
conventional portable heater on or below a desk or table top. The
ability to reduce the size of the device also amplifies the
portability of the device.
[0007] Size reduction can also have the effect of lowering
transportation costs for the device. As the size is reduced, the
quantity of units in a given shipping space will increase as well
therefore lowering the cost of transportation.
SUMMARY
[0008] Described herein are embodiments a centrifugal blower and
heating element apparatus that improve upon conventional
heaters.
[0009] Embodiments of the centrifugal blower and heating element
apparatus as described use a unique structure that engenders
several advantages when compared to conventional portable electric
heaters. In some embodiments, the size of the device permits the
device to be located proximate the user. In certain embodiments,
the reduced size of the device further allows the user to place the
device on a desktop or below a desk without interfering with the
normal functionality of the workspace.
[0010] In some embodiments, a unique structural use in conjunction
with a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) type heat electric
heating element assures a self-regulating low surface temperature
of approximately 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius) on
the heating element surface. The self-regulating low surface
temperature of the PTC heating element may be below the combustion
temperatures of many household materials, allowing the low wattage
space heater to be utilized in a manner not possible with
conventional heaters using nickel chromium (NiCr) resistance wire
or quartz tubes.
[0011] In certain embodiments, a heating element is incorporated
into the structure of a blower scroll to reduce the size and costs
of the device compared to conventional portable heaters as
additional housings and materials are not needed. Multi-functional
components within the structure may serve to enhance the dynamic
performance of the air generator while simultaneously isolating the
electrical connections from physical and thermal damage.
[0012] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at
least a portion of a secondary wall further comprising an
additional non-unitary component relative to a primary wall. The
additional component may serve to create a passageway for
electrical and/or control wires and impedes the electrical and/or
control wires from contacting an impeller. According to another
embodiment of the present disclosure, the additional component
serves as a high temperature mounting structure for the heating
element.
[0013] According to yet another embodiment of the present
disclosure, the primary wall further comprises a first half and a
second half and a portion of a secondary wall is unitary to one or
both of the first and/or said second halves. In an embodiment of
the present disclosure the primary inlet port is located in one of
the first or second halves of the primary wall and the one exit
port is located in the other of the first or second halves of the
primary wall.
[0014] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure
further includes a base attached to a scroll housing wherein the
base supports the centrifugal blower with heating element relative
to a support surface and the axis of rotation of the impeller is
orthogonal to the support surface.
[0015] Another advantageous aspect of the centrifugal blower and
heating element apparatus results in a reduced shipping cube. This
has cost and value advantages to both the manufacturer and
consumer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The disclosure is best understood from the following
detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying
drawing. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the
various features of the drawing are not to scale. The dimensions of
the various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for
clarity. Included in the drawing are the following Figures:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a front and a side view of an exemplary embodiment
centrifugal blower and heating element apparatus;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the centrifugal
blower and heating element apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of another embodiment
of the centrifugal blower and heating element apparatus;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a side cross sectional view of the centrifugal
blower and heating element apparatus of FIG. 1 along plane
"4-4";
[0021] FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the
centrifugal blower and heating element apparatus of FIG. 1 along
plane "5-5"; and
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment
centrifugal blower and heating element apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a front and a side view of an exemplary embodiment
centrifugal blower and heating element apparatus 100, according to
an embodiment of the disclosure. Centrifugal blower and heating
element apparatus 100 includes scroll housing 110, base 150. Scroll
housing 110 is comprised of primary rear wall 110a and primary wall
110b. Primary inlet ports 120 are located in primary wall rear 110a
and primary outlet port 130 is located in primary wall front 100b.
Outlet grill 140 is located proximate primary outlet port 130. Base
150 is utilized to maintain the vertical upright position of scroll
housing 110.
[0024] Also shown are overall dimensions W, D and H, wherein W is
the maximum dimension left to right width of centrifugal blower and
heating element apparatus 100 and D is the maximum dimension front
to back depth of centrifugal blower and heating element apparatus
100 and H is the maximum dimension height of centrifugal blower and
heating element apparatus 100. As can be seen centrifugal blower
and heating element apparatus 100 has a vertical aspect ratio
defined by dimension H being greater than dimension W and dimension
D.
[0025] Also shown are sectional planes 4-4 and 5-5 which correspond
to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 respectively.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the centrifugal
blower and heating element apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, according to an
embodiment of the disclosure. As shown, scroll housing 110 may also
include secondary walls 110c, 110d, 110e and 110f. As shown,
secondary walls 110e and 110f are unitary with primary rear wall
110a while secondary walls 110c and 110d are assembled to primary
wall 110b as separate components. Secondary inlet ports 114 are
located in secondary walls 110c, 110d, 110e and 110f and are
comprised of portions 114a, 114b, 114c and 114d. When assembled,
primary walls 110a and 110b of scroll housing 110 define a first
interior space and secondary walls 110c, 110d, 110e and 110f define
a second interior space.
[0027] Located within secondary interior space is impeller 162
which is connected to motor 160. Also located within said first
interior space is heating element 166 located proximate primary
outlet port 130 of scroll housing 110. Air cut off 164 is shown as
part of a unitary structure that includes secondary walls 110c and
110d. Also shown is control 170, control wires 174 and safety
device 172.
[0028] Scroll housing 110 is connected to oscillation plate 186.
Oscillation plate 186 is rotatable with reference to base 150.
Oscillator motor 180, drive pin 182 and bearing segments 184 are
used to move scroll housing 110 relative to base 150. When
assembled drive pin 182 engages oscillation plate via slot 187 and
a rotation on drive pin 182 by oscillator motor 180 causes scroll
housing to rotate in an oscillating fashion relative to base 150.
Base 150 is comprised of base top 152, base bottom 154 and feet
156. As shown in the present embodiment oscillation motor 180 is
located inside base top 152 when fully assembled.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of centrifugal blower
and heating element apparatus 300, according to an embodiment of
the disclosure. Centrifugal blower and heating element apparatus
300 is similar to centrifugal blower and heating element apparatus
100 of FIG. 2. Unlike centrifugal blower and heating element
apparatus 100 heat bower centrifugal blower and heating element
apparatus 300 incorporates element holder 367 as s part of a
unitary structure that includes secondary walls 110c and 110d and
air cut off 164. Heating element 166 is assembled to element holder
367 through passage 368 and held in position by retainers 369. As
such only the unitary structure that includes element holder 367
may need to be composed of heat resistant materials. This is unlike
centrifugal blower and heating element apparatus 100 where all of
front housing 110b may need to be composed of heat resistant
material. This generates material cost savings for the manufacturer
of centrifugal blower and heating element apparatus 300.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a side cross sectional view of the air generator
along plane "4-4" of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the
disclosure. As shown, when impeller 162 is rotated by motor 160,
air enters inlet ports 120 along first flow path 400 and
subsequently air passes through secondary inlet ports 114 along
second flow path 402. The air then passes through heating element
160 and primary outlet port 130 along third flow path 404 as a
heated exhaust air. In this embodiment second flow path 402 is
substantially orthogonal to first flow path 400 and third flow path
404.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the
centrifugal blower and heating element apparatus of FIG, according
to an embodiment of the disclosure. 1 along plane "5-5". As can be
seen the shape rear scroll housing 110a and front scroll housing
110b define the needed profile and form in conjunction with air cut
off 164 to facilitate air movement generation when impeller 162 is
rotated. Rear scroll housing 110a and front scroll housing 110b
also present a compact and aesthetically pleasing design. The
structure including primary and secondary inlet ports 120 and 114
respectively allows both the functional and aesthetically pleasing
design of centrifugal blower and heating element apparatus 100
without the use of additional housings normally required on
conventional portable electric heaters. This reduces the size and
cost of the device and increases the portability of the device,
these improving the deficiencies of conventional portable electric
heaters.
[0032] Air cut off 164 in conjunction with front scroll housing
110a defines passageway 500. Passageway 500 prevents control wires
174 from contacting impeller 162 and creates a thermal shield
protecting control wires 174 from the heat generated by heating
element 166.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment
centrifugal blower and heating element apparatus 600, according to
an embodiment of the disclosure. Centrifugal blower and heating
element apparatus 600 includes scroll housing 610 and base 650.
Also shown is control 670 located on base 650. Primary outlet port
630 is located on scroll housing 610 and outlet grill 640 is
located proximate primary outlet port 630. Scroll housing 610
rotates along axis 680 relative to base 650. Outlet port 630 can be
moved through motion
* * * * *