WO2023237820A1

WO2023237820A1 - Stand-mounted electrical appliance convertible between a deployed state for use and a compact state for storage and/or transport

Info

Publication number: WO2023237820A1
Application number: PCT/FR2022/051480
Authority: WO
Inventors: Romuald Zayana; Sébastien LEDOUX; Ludovic DIALLO; Camille CONREUR
Original assignee: Carrefour
Priority date: 2022-06-07
Filing date: 2022-07-24
Publication date: 2023-12-14
Also published as: FR3136270A1

Abstract

The invention proposes an electrical appliance, in particular a fan (20), that is convertible between a state for use and a compact state for storage and/or transport, comprising a functional upper unit (22), for example a fan unit, and a stand for supporting the functional upper unit (22), the stand comprising a lower base and a dismantlable pole, and wherein the lower base (26) comprises at least one storage cavity for storing the pole (24) and means for attaching the lower base (26) to the front face (40) of the upper unit (22), characterised in that the storage cavity (80) is open within the lower face (26i) of the lower base (26) to allow the pole, after having been dismantled into two sections (24i, 24s), to be stored therein, and in that, when the electrical appliance (20) is in the compact state, the lower face (26i) of the lower base (26) is adjacent to said front face. The invention can also be applied to a lighting fixture such as a floor lamp.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE: STANDING ELECTRIC DEVICE CONVERTIBLE BETWEEN A DEPLOYED STATE OF USE AND A COMPACT STATE OF STORAGE AND/OR TRANSPORT

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to an electrical appliance, in particular a fan, on a stand whose support foot of its upper functional unit, such as an upper ventilation unit, comprises a lower base and a removable mast allowing, without any special packaging or packaging , to store the device in a compact condition.

Technical background

The invention thus relates to an electrical appliance convertible between a deployed state of use and a storage and/or transport state, comprising: a) - a functional upper unit comprising:

-- an enclosure for protecting a source of emission of a functional flow and which includes a front face for outputting the functional flow;

-- a source of emission of a functional flow, in a general axial direction, arranged inside the protective enclosure; and b) a support foot for the upper unit functional in the deployed state of the electrical appliance comprising:

- i) a lower base, one lower face of which is capable of resting on a surface; ii) and a removable mast of which a lower end is fixed in a removable manner to the lower base and of which an upper end is fixed in a removable manner to the upper functional unit, and in which the lower base has at least one housing for storing the mast and means for fixing the lower base on the front face of the protective enclosure in the compact state of the electrical appliance.

The invention aims to provide an electrical device of this type whose design is as simple as possible, whose conversion is as simple and intuitive as possible and whose aesthetics are optimized, both in its state of use and in its compact storage condition

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes a convertible electrical appliance of the type mentioned above, characterized: - i) in that said at least one storage housing is open in said lower face of the lower base to allow the mast to be stored there;

- ii) and in that, in said compact state of the electrical appliance, the lower face of the lower base is adjacent to the front face of the protective enclosure.

According to other characteristics of the invention:

-the mast is made in several sections comprising at least one lower section of which a lower end is fixed in a removable manner to the lower base, and at least one upper section of which an upper end is fixed in a removable manner to the upper functional unit and, in said compact state of the electrical appliance, said at least two sections are arranged in said at least one open storage storage housing in the underside of the lower base;

- in said compact state of the electrical appliance, said at least two sections of the mast extend parallel to each other along the largest dimension of said at least one storage housing;

- the lower base comprises an annular peripheral frame and a central upright for fixing the lower end of the mast in which said at least one storage housing for the mast is formed;

- said annular peripheral frame of the lower base is circular in shape and said central fixing amount is a diametrical amount;

- said means for fixing the lower base to the protective enclosure of the upper functional unit comprises a bayonet fixing mechanism whose axis of translation and rotation is coaxial with said general direction of emission;

- said front face of the perforated enclosure comprises a perforated front wall which, in the compact state of the electrical appliance, extends opposite said lower face of the lower base;

- the storage housing comprises means for retaining the mast in the stowed position, in particular elastically deformable retaining means;

- the upper functional unit includes a handle for carrying the electrical appliance in its used state or in its compact state;

- the lower base is shaped into a hollow half-shell having a flat open lower face capable of resting on a surface;

- the lower base is made by molding in a single piece, particularly in plastic material.

The electrical appliance according to the invention is characterized in that the upper functional unit is an upper ventilation unit comprising:

-- a perforated protective enclosure capable of being traversed axially by an air flow and which has a front face for exiting the air flow;

-- a propeller arranged inside the perforated enclosure;

-- an electric motor for driving the propeller in rotation to circulate said air flow axially through said front face, so as to produce a standing fan convertible between a deployed state of use and a storage and/or transport state.

Alternatively, the electrical appliance according to the invention is characterized in that the upper functional unit is an upper lighting unit comprising:

-- an enclosure for protecting a source of emission of a luminous flux and which includes a front face for outputting the luminous flux;

-- a source of emission of a luminous flux, in a general axial direction, arranged inside the protective enclosure, so as to produce a floor lamp, or a standing lamp, convertible between a deployed state of use and a state of storage and/or transport.

Brief descriptions of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during reading of the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which we will refer to the appended drawings in which:

[Fig. 1 ] - Figure 1 is a front three-quarter perspective view which represents an example of embodiment according to the invention of a convertible fan which is illustrated on the one hand in its deployed state of use and on the other hand in its compact storage condition;

[Fig.2] - Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 in which the fan, in its two deployed and compact storage states, is shown in perspective and from three-quarter rear;

[Fig.3A] - Figure 3A is a perspective view from below of the lower base of the fan shown in Figures 1 and 2;

[Fig.3B] - Figure 3B is a view similar to that of Figure 3A in which the lower section of the mast is illustrated in the stowed position in its storage housing of the lower base, and the upper section of the mast is illustrated in position intermediate storage, outside its storage space in the lower base;

[Fig.3C] - Figure 3C is a view similar to that of Figure 3B in which the two sections of the mast are illustrated in the stored position in the storage housing of the lower base;

[Fig.4] - Figure 4 is a rear three-quarter perspective view which illustrates an intermediate step of mounting the lower base, and the two sections of the mast which are housed there, on the front face of the upper unit fan ventilation;

[Fig.5A] - Figure 5A is a perspective view of a detail of construction of the perforated propeller protection enclosure which represents one of the lugs belonging to the bayonet system for fixing the lower base on the front face of this openwork enclosure;

[Fig.5B] - Figure 5B is a view similar to that of Figure 5A after the installation by axial translation of the lower base on the perforated enclosure; [Fig.5C] - Figure 5C is a view similar to that of Figure 5B after locking by rotational translation of the lower base on the perforated enclosure;

[Fig.6] - Figure 6 is a perspective view of a detail of construction of the perforated propeller protection enclosure which represents one of the lugs belonging to the bayonet system for fixing the lower base on the front face of this openwork enclosure;

[Fig.7] - Figure 7 is a perspective view of a detail of construction of the lower base which represents one of the "L" grooves belonging to the bayonet system for fixing the lower base on the front face of this perforated enclosure ;

[Fig.8] - Figure 8 is a front three-quarter perspective view which illustrates in particular the upper ventilation unit;

[Fig.9] - Figure 9 is a view similar to that of Figure 8 which represents certain components of the upper ventilation unit in exploded perspective. ;

[Fig.10] - Figure 10 is a perspective view of a construction detail which represents the arrangement for storing the power cord of the fan's electric motor.

Detailed description of a fan according to the invention

For the description of the invention and the understanding of the claims, we will adopt on a non-limiting basis and without limiting reference to terrestrial gravity the vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations according to the reference V, L, T indicated in the figures whose longitudinal axes L and transverse T extend in a horizontal plane.

By convention, the longitudinal axis L is oriented from rear to front.

In the description which follows, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numerals.

First example of realization

We show in Figures 1 and 2 a fan 20 of the type known as a “standing fan” which in its deployed state of use extends generally vertically and comprises, from top to bottom, an upper ventilation unit 22 (also called head fan), a removable vertical mast 24, and a lower base 26 generally in the shape of a disc, a generally flat lower face of which is capable of resting on a horizontal surface, for example on the ground (Not shown).

The lower base 26 equipped with the mast 24 constitutes the foot 28 of the fan 20 which supports the upper ventilation unit 22.

The foot extends along a vertical axis A28.

The upper ventilation unit 22 comprises a perforated enclosure 30, here in the form of a mesh enclosure, of generally cylindrical shape whose general axis A30 is here horizontal and perpendicular to the axis A28 of the foot 28. As can be seen in particular in Figure 2, at the rear of the perforated enclosure 30, the upper ventilation unit 22 comprises a rear axial drive block 32 which, at its lower part, comprises a vertical tube 34 for its removable attachment to the upper end of the mast 24.

In known manner and as can be seen in Figures 8 and 9, the rear drive unit 32 comprises a geared motor with an electric motor whose output shaft 33 extends axially along the axis A30 inside the openwork enclosure 30.

The rear drive unit 30 may also include transmission means making it possible to drive the upper ventilation unit 22 in alternate pivoting around the vertical axis A28 so as to enable an alternating sweeping movement of the space by the flow of ventilation air produced by the fan 20.

The perforated enclosure 30 is here made in two parts including a hollow cylindrical rear part 36 on the rear face of which the rear drive block is fixed, and the front flat face 40 of which is open.

The perforated enclosure 30 further comprises a front grille 42 for closing its front face 40 which is in the form of a flat grille 42 of circular outline.

The front grille 42 is assembled and fixed on the cylindrical rear part 36 by a bayonet type mechanism comprising a series of peripheral lugs 46, carried by the front grille 42, and a series of complementary “L” shaped grooves 48.

The perforated enclosure 30 contains a propeller 56 which is rotated by the output shaft 33 on which it is fixed by means of a nut 58.

Under the action of the electric motor, the propeller 56 can be rotated to produce a flow of ventilation air which passes through the perforated enclosure - axially from rear to front along axis A30.

The ventilation air leaves the perforated enclosure 30 by passing through the front grille 42 which closes the open front face of its rear part 36.

At the upper part of the hollow cylindrical rear part 36, the upper ventilation unit 22 is equipped with a handle 60 allowing the fan 20 to be transported, particularly when it is in its compact storage and/or transport state. . The axial positioning of the handle 60 along the axis A30 is determined according to the center of gravity of the assembly to be handled. Thus, this position is not limited to the position shown and the handle could for example be fixed to the upper part of the rear drive block 32.

The perforated enclosure 30 in two parts 36 and 42 as well as the propeller 56 and its nut 58 are advantageously made by molding in plastic material.

The mast 24 is a mast that can be dismantled into several sections which, without limitation, here comprise an upper section 24s and a lower section 24i.

The two sections are here of the same length and the lower end 62i of the upper section 24s is fixed in a removable manner - using any type of means known for this purpose, to the upper end 64s of the lower section 24i. The upper end 62s of the upper section 24s is able to be fixed in a removable manner - here by tight fitting - to the tube 34, while the lower end 64i of the lower section 24i is fixed in a removable manner - here by tight fitting - in a well 66 of the lower base 26 which is open vertically upwards.

Advantageously, the design of the upper free ends 62s and lower 64i of the removable mast 24, and of the complementary parts 34 and 66 which receive them are identical to allow assembly in one or the other direction of the mast 24.

The lower base 26, generally in the shape of a hollow disc, is in the form of a half-shell which is for example made by molding in plastic.

Non-limitatively, the hollow lower base 26 here comprises an annular peripheral frame in the shape of a half-crown 70 and a central diametrical upright 72.

As can be seen in particular in Figures 3A to 3C and 4, the lower face 26i of the hollow lower base 26 is an open face which extends in a plane which contains in particular the lower outer edges 69 and inner 71 of the frame 70 and the lower edges 73 of the central upright 72.

All of its edges 69, 71 and 73 constitute the edges of the flat lower face 26i of the lower base 26 which rest on the ground when the fan 20 is in its deployed state of use.

At the center of the central upright 72, the lower base 26 includes a hub 74 in which the well 66 is formed.

As can be seen in particular in Figures 1 and 2, the upper face 26s of the lower base 26 is substantially flat and hollow and it comprises, in the center of the lower base 26 and in the middle of the central upright 72, the open well 66 which receives the the lower free end 64i of the lower section 24i of the mast 24.

The design is not limited to an upper face and a lower base hollowed out on either side of the central upright 72, the upper face being able for example to be solid.

The open lower face 26i of the lower base 26 gives access to two housings 80, each of which is capable of receiving in the stored position a section 24i, 24s of the removable mast 24. The two storage housings 80 are two housings diametrically opposed to the central axis of the lower base 26 and each extends here inside the hollow central upright 72, substantially over the entire length of the latter.

Each storage housing 80 is delimited by a peripheral side wall 82 of rectangular outline and whose dimensions are such that they allow each storage housing 80 to accommodate in the stored position a section 24i, 24s of the removable mast 28.

Each storage housing 80 here comprises means for retaining by elastic deformation of a section 24i, 24s which are made up of two ribs 84 in the shape of a cylinder acting as elastic clamps with a contour complementary to the circular cylindrical external profile of each section 24i, 24s of the removable mast 24. As can be seen in particular in Figures 3C and 4, each section 24i, 24s can be housed entirely in a storage housing 80 and be retained elastically without in any way projecting beyond the plane of the open lower face 26i of the lower base 26 After dismantling the mast 24 and storing its two sections 24s and 24i in the housings 80 of the lower base 26 (See Figures 4 and 5C), the lower base 26 is designed to be fixed on the upper ventilation unit 22.

More precisely, the lower base 26 is attached and fixed to the front face 40 of the perforated enclosure 30 of the upper ventilation unit 22.

The mounting and fixing are such that, in the fixed position of the lower base 26 on the perforated enclosure 30, the open lower face 26i of the lower base 26 is adjacent to the front face of the hollow cylindrical rear part 36 of the perforated enclosure to at least partially cover the latter.

The secure fixing of the lower base 26 on the perforated enclosure 30 is here carried out ergonomically by means of a bayonet fixing system which comprises a set of lugs 90 each of which is able to be received in a series of grooves in complementary "L" to allow the mounting and fixing of the lower base 26 on the front face of the perforated enclosure 30 first by an axial translation movement (from front to rear) of each lug 90 which enters into the axial section 96 for introducing an “L” shaped groove, then then by a rotation (around axis A30) of the lower base 26 relative to the perforated enclosure 30 which causes a corresponding and simultaneous rotation of each lug 90 in the circumferential section 98 of the “L” groove which extends the axial section 96.

The lugs 90 and the “L” grooves are four in number here and are distributed angularly in a regular manner.

Non-limitatively and as can be seen in particular in Figures 5A, 6 and 9, the fixing lugs 90 are arranged projecting, radially outwards, on the edge of the convex external cylindrical face 54 of the crown of front end 52 of the cylindrical rear part 36.

Each locking lug 90 further comprises a central notch 91 which is able to receive a complementary boss 99 formed in the vicinity of the closed end of the circumferential section 98 of each “L” groove 92 so as to provide additional locking in the fixed position of the lower base 26 on the perforated enclosure 30.

Each of the four “L”-shaped grooves 92 is formed on the concave internal cylindrical wall 75 of the annular peripheral frame 70.

To help the user in the maneuver of fixing the lower base 26 on the perforated enclosure 30, marking elements are provided.

As can be seen in Figures 5A and 6, near one of the lugs 90 and in the upper part near the handle 60, the convex external cylindrical face 54 of the front end crown 52 of the rear part cylindrical 36 has a double marking 100 and 102 representing an open padlock and a closed padlock which are spaced apart angularly or circumferentially from one another by an angle corresponding to the rotational stroke of each lug 90 inside the section 98 of the “L”-shaped groove in which it is received.

As can be seen in Figure 5B, the convex cylindrical outer face 77 of the annular frame 70 has additional marking in the form of an axial line 104. As illustrated in Figure 5B, the user aligns the axial line 104 with the open padlock 100 and in this relative angular position it can simultaneously introduce each lug 90 axially into the axial section 96 of an "L" groove 92.

Then, it rotates the lower base 26 relative to the perforated enclosure 30 until reaching the angular fixing and locking position which it can check by noting the alignment of the axial line 104 with the closed padlock 102 (See Figure 5C).

As can be seen or understood by referring in particular to Figures 1 and 4, in the compact storage state of the fan 20, the open lower face 26i of the lower base 26 is covered by the front grille 42 of the perforated enclosure 30, and it is the “smooth” upper face 26s of the lower base 26 which is visible on the outside.

The lower base thus takes the form of a cover attached to the perforated enclosure 30.

In addition, the maintenance or retention of the two sections 24s and 24i of the removable mast 24 - which have previously been put in place and fitted elastically into the storage housings 80 of the lower base 26 - are "locked" inside the lower base 26 fixed to the perforated enclosure 30 without using any other additional component for closing the open lower face.

Furthermore, in the deployed state of use of the fan 20 and as can be seen in particular in Figures 1 and 2, the upper face of the lower base 26 resting on the ground has an aesthetic appearance.

As shown in Figure 10, when the electric motor is AC and must be connected to the mains to be powered, the rear drive unit 32 comprises a power cord 106 provided with a connection socket 108 which, for storage, can be wrapped around the cylindrical body31.

After winding in either direction, to avoid accidental unwinding, the power cord includes a clip or clamp 110 which is able to be fixed by elastic interlocking on a portion facing the the perforated enclosure, here on a bar of the mesh structure of the rear cylindrical part of the perforated envelope 30.

Fan design variations

The invention is not limited to the embodiment of a fan which has just been described. The electric motor can be powered by direct current, for example by batteries which can be housed in the different sections of the mast 24 and/or in other housings arranged for this purpose in the hollow lower base 26.

Advantageously, batteries arranged in the lower base can be easily replaced and they also constitute ballast for the foot 28. Batteries housed in the base can be electrically connected to the upper drive block 32 by electrical connection and connection means integrated into the different sections of the mast 24.

The removable fixing means of the lower base 26 can take any other form of design and for example means of fixing by snap-fastening or elastic interlocking in the axial direction A30.

The sections of the mast can be fixed in a removable manner on the tube 34 and in the well 66 by screwing.

The upper ventilation unit 22 and the lower base 26 are not necessarily of a generally circular cylindrical shape. The latter can for example be generally cubic with an open front face of square outline; as well as for the lower base 26 whose peripheral frame is also square in outline.

In the latter case, the square hollow peripheral frame has four rectilinear peripheral uprights, each of which can include a housing for storing a section of mast or a housing for a cylindrical or parallelepiped battery in the shape of a bar; and the base may comprise two central cross-shaped uprights, for example corresponding to the diagonals of the peripheral frame.

Another variant of implementation of the teachings of the invention

The main characteristics of the invention can be applied in the same way to the design of a floor lamp or a standing lamp.

Claims

1. Electrical appliance (20) convertible between a deployed state of use and a storage and/or transport state, comprising: a) - a functional upper unit (22) comprising:

-- an enclosure (30) for protecting a source of emission of a functional flow and which comprises a front face (40) for outputting the functional flow;

-- a source (56) for emitting a functional flow, in a general axial direction (A30), arranged inside the protective enclosure (30); and b) a foot (28) for supporting the upper unit (22) functional in the deployed state of the electrical appliance (20) comprising:

- i) a lower base (26) of which a lower face (26i) is capable of resting on a surface;

-ii) and a removable mast of which a lower end is fixed in a removable manner to the lower base (26) and of which an upper end is fixed in a removable manner to the upper functional unit (22), and in which the lower base (26 ) comprises at least one housing for storing the mast (24) and means (90, 92) for fixing the lower base (26) on the front face (40) of the protective enclosure (30) in the compact state of the electrical appliance (20), characterized:

- iii) in that said at least one storage housing (80) is open in said lower face (26i) of the lower base (26) to allow the mast (24) to be stored there;

- iv) and in that, in said compact state of the electrical appliance (20), the lower face (26i) of the lower base (26) is adjacent to the front face (40) of the enclosure (30) of protection.

2. Electrical apparatus (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the mast (24) is made in several sections (24i, 24s) comprising at least one lower section (24i) of which a lower end (64i) is fixed by removable manner to the lower base (26), and at least one upper section (24s) of which an upper end (62s) is fixed in a removable manner to the upper functional unit (22), and in that, in said compact state of the electrical appliance (20), said at least two sections (24i, 24s) are arranged in said at least one storage housing (80) open in the lower face (26i) of the lower base (26).

3. Electrical appliance (20) according to claim 2, characterized in that, in said compact state of the electrical appliance (20), said at least two sections (24i, 24s) of the mast (24) extend parallel to the one to the other along the largest dimension of said at least one storage housing (80).

4. Electrical appliance (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower base (26) comprises an annular peripheral frame (70) and a central upright (72) for fixing the lower end (64i ) of mast (24) in which said at least one housing (80) for storing the mast (24) is formed.

5. Electrical apparatus (20) according to claim 4, characterized in that said annular peripheral frame (70) of the lower base (26) is circular in shape and in that said central fixing amount (72) is a diametrical amount.

6. Electrical appliance (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means for fixing the lower base (26) on the enclosure (30) for protecting the upper functional unit (22) comprises a bayonet fixing mechanism (90, 92) whose axis (A30) of translation and rotation is coaxial with said general direction of emission.

7. Electrical appliance (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said front face (40) of the perforated enclosure (30) comprises a perforated front wall (42) which, in the compact state of the electrical appliance (20) extends opposite said lower face (26i) of the lower base (26).

8. Electrical appliance (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage housing (80) comprises means (84) for retaining the mast (24) in the stored position, in particular retaining means ( 84) elastically deformable.

9. Electrical appliance (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper functional unit (22) comprises a handle (60) for transporting the electrical appliance (20) in its state of use or in its compact state.

10. Electrical appliance (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower base (26) is shaped like a hollow half-shell comprising a flat open lower face (26i) capable of resting on a surface.

11. Electrical appliance (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower base (26) is made by molding in a single piece, in particular in plastic material.

12. Electrical appliance (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper functional unit is an upper ventilation unit (22) comprising:

-- a perforated protective enclosure (30) capable of being traversed axially by an air flow and which has a front face (40) for exiting the air flow;

-- a propeller (56) arranged inside the perforated enclosure (30);

-- an electric motor for driving the propeller in rotation (56) to circulate said air flow axially through said front face (40), so as to produce a standing fan (28) convertible between one state deployed for use and a state of storage and/or transport. Electrical apparatus (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the upper functional unit is an upper lighting unit comprising: