CN112074664B

CN112074664B - Control of fan assembly

Info

Publication number: CN112074664B
Application number: CN201980029956.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M.阿德金; D.霍尔斯; L.巴克利; A.桑德斯; G.巴法劳卡斯
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-04
Filing date: 2019-02-27
Publication date: 2022-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 2039-02-27
Also published as: GB201805564D0; CN112074664A; GB2572592B; WO2019193306A1; US20210095681A1; GB2572592A

Abstract

A method of controlling the direction of airflow emitted from a fan assembly capable of changing the direction of airflow emitted from the fan assembly to any direction within the adjustment range of the fan assembly is provided. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a user input selecting a swing angle and determining a center emission direction of an airflow emitted from a fan assembly; and controlling the direction of emission of the fan assembly such that the emitted airflow oscillates through a selected oscillation angle, wherein the oscillation of the emitted airflow is centered about a central emission direction.

Description

Control of fan assembly

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method of controlling a fan assembly, a fan assembly and an electronic device configured to control the fan assembly.

Background

Conventional domestic fans typically comprise a set of blades or blades mounted for rotation about an axis, and drive means for rotating the set of blades to generate an airflow. The movement and circulation of the airflow may generate "chill" or breeze, and as a result, the user may dissipate heat through convection and evaporation, thereby obtaining a cooling effect. The blades are typically located in a cage that allows airflow through the housing while preventing a user from coming into contact with the rotating blades during use of the fan.

US 2,488,467 describes a fan that does not use shroud blades to eject air from the fan assembly. Instead, the fan assembly includes a base housing a motor-driven impeller for drawing air into the base and a series of concentric annular nozzles connected to the base, and each nozzle includes an annular outlet at a front of the nozzle for emitting an air flow from the fan. Each nozzle extends about an orifice axis to define an orifice about which the nozzle extends.

Each nozzle is in the shape of an airfoil and may thus be considered to have a leading edge aft of the nozzle, a trailing edge forward of the nozzle, and a chord line extending between the leading and trailing edges. In US 2,488,467, the chord line of each nozzle is parallel to the nozzle bore axis. The air outlet is located on the chord line and is arranged to emit an air flow in a direction extending away from the nozzle and along the chord line.

Another fan assembly that does not use shroud blades to eject air from the fan assembly is described in WO 2010/100451. The fan assembly comprises a cylindrical base which also houses a motor impeller for drawing a primary air flow into the base, and a single annular nozzle connected to the base and comprising an annular mouth/outlet through which the primary air flow is emitted from the fan. The nozzle defines an opening through which air in the local environment of the fan assembly is drawn by the primary air flow emitted from the mouth, thereby amplifying the primary air flow. The nozzle includes a coanda surface over which a mouth is arranged to direct the primary air flow. The coanda surfaces extend symmetrically about the central axis of the opening so that the airflow generated by the fan assembly is in the form of an annular jet having a cylindrical or frusto-conical profile.

WO2010/046691 also describes a fan assembly. The fan assembly includes a cylindrical base housing a motor-driven impeller for drawing a primary air flow into the base, and an annular nozzle connected to the base and including an annular air outlet through which the primary air flow is emitted from the fan. The fan assembly includes a filter for removing particulates from the airflow. A filter may be provided upstream of the motor-driven impeller, in which case particles are removed from the airflow before passing through the impeller. This protects the impeller from debris and dust which may be drawn into and damage the fan assembly. Alternatively, the filter may be disposed downstream of the motor-driven impeller. In this configuration, air drawn in by the motor-driven impeller, including any exhaust air, may be filtered and cleaned before passing through the elements of the fan assembly and supplied to the user.

WO2016/128732 describes a fan assembly similar to WO 2010/100451 and WO 2010/046691. The fan assembly is provided with an air inlet which extends around the entire circumference of the fan body to maximise the available area available for drawing air into the fan assembly. The fan assembly is therefore also provided with a tubular, cartridge-type filter fitted concentrically on the body of the fan and surrounding the entire circumference of the fan body upstream of the air inlet, and with a nozzle removably mounted on the body. The filter is not connected to either the main body or the nozzle, but is held firmly in place by the nozzle when the nozzle is mounted on the body and can only be removed from the fan assembly after the nozzle has been removed. This arrangement provides for a simple lowering of the filter onto the body before the filter is secured in place by engagement of the nozzle with the body, and also provides for the filter to be easily detached from the body after removal of the nozzle to allow cleaning or replacement of the filter.

The fan assemblies described in each of WO 2010/100451, WO2010/046691 and WO2016/128732 each include a plurality of user-operable buttons that enable a user to operate the fan. WO 2012/017219 then also describes a fan assembly in the form of a portable fan heater provided with a plurality of user operable buttons to enable a user to control various functions of the fan assembly and a display for providing a visual indication to the user of the temperature setting of the fan assembly. Similarly, GB2509111 describes a fan assembly provided with user interface circuitry including a user actuatable switch for operating the fan assembly and a display for displaying current operating settings of the fan assembly.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect, there is provided a method of controlling the direction of airflow emitted from a fan assembly, the fan assembly being capable of changing the direction of airflow emitted from the fan assembly to any direction within the adjustment range of the fan assembly. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a user input selecting a swing angle and determining a center emission direction of an airflow emitted from a fan assembly; and controlling the direction of emission of the fan assembly such that the emitted airflow oscillates through a selected oscillation angle, wherein the oscillation of the emitted airflow is centered about a central emission direction.

The fan assembly preferably includes one or more swing motors configured to change the direction of emission of the airflow emitted from the fan assembly to any position within the adjustment range.

The step of receiving user input may comprise any one of: receiving a user input selecting a center emission direction of the air flow emitted from the fan assembly, and then receiving a user input selecting a swing angle of the emission direction; and receiving a user input selecting a swing angle of the emission direction and then receiving a user input selecting a center emission direction of the air flow emitted from the fan assembly.

The method may further include determining, after receiving user input selecting both a yaw angle and a center transmit direction, whether the selected yaw angle conforms to an available adjustment range when centered on the selected center transmit direction. If it is determined that the selected oscillation angle does conform to the available adjustment range when centered on the selected center emission direction, the selected center emission direction is used as the center emission direction of the emission direction oscillation performed by the fan assembly. If it is determined that the selected swing angle centered on the selected center emission direction does not conform to the available adjustment range, the center emission direction is modified such that the selected swing angle conforms to the adjustment range of the fan assembly.

The fan assembly preferably receives user input from a remote control device. The method may then include, at the remote control device, accepting a user input selecting a center emission direction, and transmitting the user selected center emission direction to the fan assembly. The method may then further include, at the remote control device, generating an image on a display of the remote control device showing an available adjustment range of the fan assembly, accepting user input selecting a position within the adjustment range as a center emission direction, and transmitting the selected center emission direction to the fan assembly.

Accepting user input selecting a position within the adjustment range as the centre firing direction may include, at the remote control device, generating an indicator on the display showing the current firing direction of the fan assembly within the adjustment range, accepting user input moving the indicator towards a limit of the adjustment range, and sending instructions to the fan assembly to steer the firing direction towards the respective limit of the adjustment range. The method may then include, at the fan assembly, receiving instructions from a remote controller, and operating one or more swing motors to steer the firing direction toward respective limits of the adjustment range.

The method may include, at the remote control device, determining when a user stops movement of the indicator, identifying a stop position of the indicator within an adjustment range as a selected center firing direction, and sending instructions to the fan assembly to turn the firing direction toward the center firing direction. The method may then include, at the fan assembly, receiving instructions from a remote controller, and stopping operation of the one or more swing motors when a firing direction of the fan assembly reaches a center firing direction.

The method may include, at the remote control device, accepting a user input selecting a swing angle, and transmitting the selected swing angle to a fan assembly. The method may comprise, at the remote control device, accepting user input selecting one of a plurality of predetermined values of the swing angle. The plurality of predetermined values of the swing angle may be in the range of 0 degrees to 350 degrees, and may preferably include any one of 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 350 degrees.

The method may then further include, at the remote control device, generating an image on a display of the remote control device showing each of the plurality of predetermined values of the swing angle, accepting a user input selecting one of the plurality of predetermined values, and transmitting the selected predetermined value of the swing angle to the fan assembly.

The method may include determining whether the selected yaw angle conforms to an available adjustment range when centered about the selected central transmit direction. If it is determined that the selected oscillation angle does conform to the available adjustment range when centered on the selected center emission direction, the selected center emission direction is used as the center emission direction of the emission direction oscillation performed by the fan assembly. If it is determined that the selected swing angle centered on the selected center firing direction does not conform to the available adjustment range, the center firing direction is modified such that the selected swing angle conforms to the adjustment range of the fan assembly.

The step of determining whether the selected swing angle, centred on the selected centre-firing direction, complies with the available adjustment range may be performed at a remote control device, and the method then further comprises, at said remote control device, transmitting the centre-firing direction to the fan assembly.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a fan assembly comprising: a motor-driven impeller arranged to generate an airflow; an air outlet arranged to emit an air flow from the fan assembly; one or more swing motors configured to change an emission direction of an airflow emitted from the fan assembly to any position within an adjustment range of the fan assembly; a receiver configured to receive a control signal from a control device; and a controller configured to control the one or more swing motors. In response to a control signal received from the control device that includes a center firing direction and a swing angle of the firing direction, the processor is configured to control the one or more swing motors such that the firing direction of the fan assembly swings through the swing angle, wherein the swing of the firing direction is centered about the center firing direction. Each of the one or more swing motors may be configured to move at least a portion of the fan assembly to change the direction of emission to any position within the adjustment range.

In response to a control signal received from the control device comprising an instruction to move the firing direction to the limit of the adjustment range, the controller may be configured to control the one or more swing motors to steer the firing direction towards the limit of the adjustment range. In response to a control signal received from the control device including an instruction to move to a center firing direction, the controller may be configured to stop operation of the one or more swing motors when the firing direction of the fan assembly reaches the center firing direction.

The fan assembly may comprise a nozzle mounted on the fan body, the motor-driven impeller being housed within the fan body, the air outlet being provided by the nozzle, and the nozzle being arranged to receive the airflow from the fan body and to emit the airflow from the air outlet. The nozzle may then define an aperture through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the airflow emitted from the air outlet and combined with the airflow emitted from the air outlet to produce an amplified airflow.

The fan assembly may include a pan and tilt motor configured to move at least a portion of the fan assembly such that the emission direction rotates in a horizontal plane. The fan assembly may include a tilt and swing motor configured to move at least a portion of the fan assembly such that the emission direction rotates in a vertical plane.

According to a third aspect, there is provided an electronic device configured to control a fan assembly capable of changing a direction of an air flow emitted from the fan assembly to any direction within an adjustment range of the fan assembly. The device includes a user input device, a controller, and a transceiver. In response to a user input received from the user input device including a selected center emission direction and a swing angle of the selected emission direction, the controller is configured to send instructions to the fan assembly causing the fan assembly to change the emission direction of the fan assembly such that the emitted airflow swings through the swing angle, wherein the swing of the emission direction is centered about the center emission direction.

In response to a user input received from the user input device comprising a selected central emission direction and a swing angle of the selected emission direction, the controller may be configured to determine a central emission direction for the airflow emitted from the fan assembly.

After receiving user input selecting both a yaw angle and a center transmit direction, the controller may be configured to determine whether the selected yaw angle conforms to an available adjustment range when centered on the selected center transmit direction; if it is determined that the selected oscillation angle does conform to the available adjustment range when centered on the selected center emission direction, the controller may be configured to use the selected center emission direction as the center emission direction of the emission direction oscillation implemented by the fan assembly. If it is determined that the selected swing angle centered on the selected center firing direction does not conform to the available adjustment range, the controller may be configured to modify the selected center firing direction such that the selected swing angle conforms to the adjustment range of the fan assembly.

In response to a user input received from the user input device comprising a selected center emission direction, the controller may be configured to transmit the selected center emission direction to the fan assembly.

The electronic device may also include a display. The controller may then be configured to generate an image on the display showing the available adjustment range of the fan assembly; receiving a user input from a user input device selecting a position within the adjustment range as a center transmission direction; and sending the selected center emission direction to the fan assembly.

The controller may be further configured to generate an indicator on the display showing a current direction of emission of the fan assembly within the adjustment range; receiving a user input from a user input device to move the pointer toward the limit of the adjustment range; and sending instructions to the fan assembly to steer the firing direction toward the respective limit of the adjustment range. The controller may be further configured to determine when a user stops movement of the indicator; identifying a stopping position of the indicator within the adjustment range as a selected center firing direction; and sending instructions to the fan assembly to turn the launch direction toward the center launch direction.

The display and user input device may be provided by a touch screen display of the electronic device. To move the pointer toward the limits of the adjustment range, the touch screen display may then be configured to accept user input that drags the pointer within the adjustment range shown on the touch screen display. To determine when the user stops the movement of the pointer, the controller may then be further configured to determine when the user stops the dragging of the pointer.

The controller may be configured to accept a user input from a user input device that selects one of a plurality of predetermined values of the swing angle. The plurality of predetermined values of the swing angle may be in the range of 0 degrees to 350 degrees, and may preferably include any one of 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 350 degrees.

The controller may be configured to generate an image on the display showing each of the plurality of predetermined values of the swing angle, receive a user input from the user input device selecting one of the plurality of predetermined values, and transmit the selected predetermined value of the swing angle to the fan assembly.

In response to a user input received from the user input device including a selected yaw angle, the controller may be configured to determine whether the selected yaw angle conforms to an available adjustment range when centered about a selected center transmit direction. If it is determined that the selected oscillation angle does conform to the available adjustment range when centered on the selected center emission direction, the controller may be configured to use the selected center emission direction as the center emission direction of the emission direction oscillation implemented by the fan assembly. If it is determined that the selected swing angle centered on the selected center firing direction does not conform to the available adjustment range, the controller may be configured to modify the selected center firing direction such that the selected swing angle conforms to the adjustment range of the fan assembly.

The electronic device may include any of a remote controller associated with the fan assembly and a wireless computer device such as a tablet computer or smartphone.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method of controlling a fan assembly;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a detailed embodiment of a method of controlling a fan assembly;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a system suitable for implementing the methods described herein;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method of controlling a fan assembly when implemented by a system such as that shown in FIG. 3;

fig. 5a to 5d show examples of images that may be generated on a display of a control device implementing the methods described herein.

Detailed Description

A method of controlling the direction of airflow emitted from a fan assembly will now be described. The method is applicable to a fan assembly that is capable of changing the direction of airflow emitted from the fan assembly to any direction within the adjustment range of the fan assembly. As used herein, the term "fan assembly" refers to a fan assembly configured to generate and deliver an air flow for the purposes of thermal comfort and/or environmental or climate control. Such a fan assembly may be capable of generating one or more of a dehumidified airflow, a humidified airflow, a purified airflow, a filtered airflow, a cooled airflow, and a heated airflow.

As used herein, the term "adjustment range" refers to the extent to which the direction of the emitted airflow may be changed, and is therefore synonymous with the terms range of motion and range of travel when used with respect to a mechanical system. For example, some fan assemblies are configured to be pan (pan) (i.e., rotate in a horizontal plane/about a vertical axis) such that the adjustment range will be defined by the angle at which the fan assembly can be panned, while some other fan assemblies are configured to be pan and tilt (i.e., rotate in a vertical plane/about a horizontal axis) such that the adjustment range will be defined by a combination of the angle at which the fan assembly can be panned and the angle at which the fan assembly can be tilted. As a further example, some fan assemblies are provided with outlet guide vanes that can be rotated to adjust the direction of the emitted airflow. In this case, the adjustment range will be defined by the angle by which the outlet guide vane is rotatable.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method of controlling a fan assembly. The steps executed are as follows:

A1. user input is received that selects a yaw angle for the launch direction and determines a center launch direction of the airflow launched from the fan assembly.

A2. In response to these user inputs, the fan assembly's direction of emission is then controlled/manipulated/adjusted such that the emitted airflow oscillates through a selected oscillation angle and the oscillation of the emitted airflow is centered about a central emission direction.

The method provides that a user of the fan assembly can easily define a desired emission direction for the air flow emitted from the fan to any position within the available adjustment range of the fan assembly. Furthermore, it allows the user to set the swing of the emission direction to any subrange within the available adjustment range by allowing the user to define the location of the desired swing concentration within the adjustment range. In this regard, the center of oscillation of the fan assembly is the midpoint within the angular range defined by the angle of oscillation. For example, for a swing angle of 90 degrees, the direction of the emitted airflow will swing at a 45 degree angle with respect to either side of the point where the swing is concentrated.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a detailed embodiment of a method of controlling a fan assembly. This embodiment illustrates that user input selecting the yaw angle for the transmit direction and selecting the center transmit direction may be provided in any order. In particular, if the user input received first is a selection of the central emission direction of the airflow emitted from the fan assembly (step B1 a), then there is then a subsequent step in which a user input is received selecting a swing angle for the emission direction (step B2 a). Alternatively, if the user input received first is a selection of a swing angle for the emission direction (step B1B), then a subsequent step is followed in which a user input is received selecting a central emission direction for the airflow emitted from the fan assembly (step B2B).

Upon receiving the user selection of the central transmission direction and the user selection of the yaw angle, it is then determined whether the selected yaw angle conforms to the available adjustment range when centered on the selected central transmission direction (step B3).

If it is determined that the selected oscillation angle does conform to the available adjustment range when centered on the selected center emission direction, the selected center emission direction is used as the center emission direction of the emission direction oscillation performed by the fan assembly. Thus, the fan assembly swings the emitted airflow through the selected swing angle, and the swing is centered on the selected center emission direction (step B5). However, if it is determined that the selected swing angle centered on the selected center emission direction does not conform to the available adjustment range, the center emission direction is modified such that the selected swing angle conforms to the adjustment range of the fan assembly (step B4). In other words, instead of using only the user-selected central emission direction, an alternative central emission direction is selected which ensures that the emission direction can be swung within the user-selected overall swing angle. For example, in a preferred embodiment, if the user were to select a swing angle of 180 degrees and a center firing direction that is located 30 degrees from the first end or limit of the available adjustment range, the center firing direction would be modified to be located 90 degrees from the first end of the available adjustment range so that the firing direction can be swung 90 degrees to either side of the modified center firing direction. Thus, such a modification of the central emission direction will allow a selected 180 degree swing. The fan assembly then oscillates the emitted airflow through the selected oscillation angle, wherein the oscillation is centered on the modified central emission direction (step B5). Thus, both the user-selected center emission direction and the yaw angle may be used to determine the center emission direction of the fan assembly, either by using the user-selected center emission direction or by modifying the user-selected center emission direction, as described above.

Preferably, the user input is received by a remote control device configured to communicate wirelessly with the fan assembly. The remote control device then responds to user input by generating instructions that are sent to the fan assembly and cause the fan assembly to oscillate, the instructions being determined by input received from a user of the remote control device. Thus, fig. 3 schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of a system suitable for implementing the methods described herein, wherein the system comprises a fan assembly 100 and a remote control device 200 capable of wirelessly communicating with the fan assembly 100.

The fan assembly 100 is implemented as a combination of mechanical components, computer hardware, and software, and includes a motor-driven impeller 110 arranged to generate an airflow, an air outlet 120 arranged to emit the airflow from the fan assembly 100, an oscillating motor 130 configured to change the emission/discharge direction of the airflow emitted from the fan assembly 100 to any position within the fan assembly's adjustment range, a transceiver 140 configured to receive control signals from a remote control device 200, and a controller 150 configured to respond to the control signals received from the remote control device 200 and to control both the motor-driven impeller 110 and the one or more oscillating motors 130. For example, the transceiver 140 can wirelessly transmit and/or receive information using infrared, using Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology such as Wi-Fi, or Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) technology such as Bluetooth.

The controller 150 of the fan assembly 100 may include a processor, such as a microcontroller. The controller 150 may then further include a memory that provides storage for any data required by the controller, such as any computer programs/software applications implemented by the processor.

The remote control device 200 is implemented as a combination of computer hardware and software and includes a user input device 210 configured to receive input provided by a user of the remote control device 200, an electronic display 220 arranged to present images and/or data to the user of the remote control device 200, a controller 230 configured to generate graphics on the display 220, to respond to user input received from the user input device 210, and to generate control signals for the fan assembly 100, and a transceiver 240 configured to transmit the control signals to the fan assembly 100. For example, the transceiver 240 can wirelessly transmit and/or receive information using infrared, using Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology such as Wi-Fi, or Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) technology such as Bluetooth.

The controller 230 of the remote controlling apparatus 200 may include a processor, such as a microcontroller or a microprocessor. The controller 230 may then further include a memory that provides storage for any data required by the controller, such as any computer programs/software applications implemented by the processor. Thus, the remote control device 200 may be provided by any suitable electronic device. For example, the remote control device 200 may be provided by a remote controller specifically associated with the fan assembly 100 (i.e., specifically configured to operate with and control the fan assembly) and a wireless computer device (e.g., a tablet computer or smartphone configured with a computer program/software application that implements the necessary processing).

In an exemplary embodiment in which the method of controlling the fan assembly described herein is implemented by a system such as that shown in fig. 3, a user interacts with the remote control device 200 such that it enters a mode in which the user can provide input relating to the direction of the airflow emitted from the fan assembly 100, referred to herein as a wiggle control mode. Upon entering the swing control mode, the controller 230 of the remote control device 200 generates an image/graphic on the display 220 showing the available adjustment range of the fan assembly 100. For example, for a fan assembly configured to be capable of shaking, the image/graphic generated on the display may include an arc that shows the range of angles over which the direction of airflow emitted from the fan assembly may be adjusted.

The user then interacts with the remote control device 200 using the user input device 210 to provide an input that selects a center emission direction for the airflow emitted from the fan assembly. Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, the first received user input is a selection of a center transmit direction. Expanding on the above example of a fan assembly configured to be capable of being panned, the user input may include a selection of a location of the image along an arc generated on the display. The user input device 210 provides the user input to the controller 230, and the controller 230 then transmits the user selected center emission direction to the fan assembly 100 using the transceiver 240. These instructions will then be received at the fan assembly 100 using the transceiver 140, and the controller 150 of the fan assembly 100 is then configured to operate the one or more swing motors 130 such that the direction of emission of the fan assembly 100 is turned toward the center direction of emission.

In a preferred embodiment, when generating the image/graphic showing the available adjustment range of the fan assembly 100, the controller 230 of the remote control device 200 will be further configured to generate an indicator on the display 220 showing the current emission direction of the fan assembly 100 within the adjustment range of the fan assembly 100. The user input device 210 will then be configured to receive input from the user that moves the indicator along the adjustment range and thus towards the end or limit of the adjustment range. The controller 230 will then be configured to send instructions to the fan assembly 100 to move the firing direction to the respective limit of the adjustment range while user input to move the indicator along the adjustment range is in progress. These instructions will then be received at the fan assembly 100 using the transceiver 140, and the controller 150 of the fan assembly 100 is then configured to operate the one or more swing motors 130 such that the firing direction of the fan assembly 100 moves toward the respective limit of the adjustment range. Doing so provides that the direction of emission of the fan assembly 100 will be adjusted in near real time according to user input, thereby providing instantaneous feedback to the user when adjusting the center direction of emission of the fan assembly 100.

In the preferred embodiment, the controller 230 of the remote control device 200 would then be further configured to determine when the user stopped the movement of the pointer and identify the fixed/stopped position of the pointer along the image of the adjustment range as the user selected center launch direction. The controller 230 will then be configured to send instructions to the fan assembly 100 to move the firing direction of the fan assembly 100 to the user-selected center firing direction. These instructions will then be received at the fan assembly 100, and the controller 150 of the fan assembly 100 is then configured to stop operation of the one or more swing motors 130 when the firing direction of the fan assembly 100 has reached the center firing direction.

After selecting the center emission direction, the user then interacts with the remote control device 200 using the user input device 210 to provide an input that selects a yaw angle for the airflow emitted from the fan assembly 100, thereby providing a second received user input. In an alternative embodiment, the controller 230 may be configured to accept a user input from the user input device 210 selecting one of a plurality of predetermined values of the swing angle. For example, the plurality of predetermined values of the swing angle may be in the range of 0 degrees to 350 degrees, and may include values such as 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 350 degrees. In this alternative embodiment, the controller 230 may be configured to generate a graphic/image on the display 220 that displays each of the plurality of predetermined values of the pan angle.

In a preferred embodiment, the controller 230 of the remote control device 200 will be configured to determine whether the selected yaw angle conforms to the available adjustment range when centered about the user selected center transmit direction in response to a user input including the selected yaw angle received from the user input device 210. If it is determined that the selected yaw angle does conform to the available adjustment range when centered about the user-selected center transmit direction, the controller 230 will be configured to use the selected primary transmit direction as the center transmit direction and, therefore, transmit a predetermined value of the selected yaw angle to the fan assembly 100 using the transceiver 240. These instructions will then be received at the fan assembly 100, and the controller 150 of the fan assembly 100 is then configured to control the operation of the one or more swing motors 130 such that the direction of emission of the fan assembly 100 swings through a selected swing angle, wherein this swing of the direction of emission is centered on a user-selected central direction of emission.

Conversely, if it is determined that the selected yaw angle does not conform to the available adjustment range when centered on the user-selected center-firing direction, the controller 230 will be configured to modify the center-firing direction such that the selected yaw angle conforms to the available adjustment range, and then transmit the modified center-firing direction and the predetermined value of the selected yaw angle to the fan assembly 100 using the transceiver 240. These instructions will then be received at the fan assembly 100, and the controller 150 of the fan assembly 100 is then configured to control the operation of the one or more swing motors 130 such that the fan assembly's emission direction swings through a selected swing angle, wherein this swing of emission direction is centered on a modified central emission direction, rather than a user-selected central emission direction.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating another exemplary embodiment of a method of controlling a fan assembly when implemented by a system such as that shown in FIG. 3. The steps executed are as follows:

C1. upon entering the swing control mode, the controller 230 of the remote control device 200 generates an image/graphic on the display 220 showing the available adjustment range of the fan assembly 100 and an indicator showing the current emission direction of the fan assembly within the adjustment range of the fan assembly 100. Fig. 5a shows an example of an image that may be generated on the display 220 for a fan assembly configured to be capable of panning, wherein the image 221 of the fan assembly 100 is shown in the center of an arc 222 representing the adjustment range, with an indicator provided by a dashed line 223 representing the current emission direction of the fan assembly 100.

C2. The user then interacts with the remote control device 200 using the user input device 210 to move the indicator along the illustrated adjustment range and thus towards the end or limit of the adjustment range. Fig. 5b shows an example of an image that may be generated on the display 220, wherein input received from the user causes the indicator 223 to move towards a first end or limit 224 of the adjustment range (as indicated by the dashed arrow).

C3. While user input to move the indicator 223 along the adjustment range 222 is in progress, the controller 230 sends instructions to the fan assembly 100 to steer the emission direction toward the respective limit of the adjustment range.

C4. These instructions are received at the fan assembly 100 using the transceiver 140, and the controller 150 of the fan assembly 100 then operates the one or more swing motors 130 such that the firing direction of the fan assembly 100 moves toward the respective limit of the adjustment range.

C5. The user then stops moving the indicator 223 along the illustrated adjustment range 222.

C6. Then, the controller 230 of the remote controlling apparatus 200 recognizes the fixing/stopping position 225 of the indicator 223 along the adjustment range 222 as the center transmitting direction selected by the user. Fig. 5c shows an example of an image that may be generated on the display 220, wherein after the user moves the indicator 223, the indicator 223 is in a fixed/stopped position 225 along the shown adjustment range 222.

C7. The controller 230 of the remote controlling apparatus 200 then sends an instruction to the fan assembly 100 to move the emission direction of the fan assembly 100 to the user-selected center emission direction.

C8. These instructions are received at the fan assembly 100 and then the controller 150 of the fan assembly 100 stops the operation of the one or more swing motors 130 when the firing direction of the fan assembly 100 has reached the user-selected center firing direction.

C9. The user then interacts with the remote control device 200 using the user input device 210 to provide an input selecting one of a plurality of predetermined values of the swing angle. FIG. 5d shows an example of an image that may be generated on the display 220, where each of a plurality of predetermined values for the pan angle is shown on the display within a corresponding circle 226a-226e, and the user-selected value is highlighted 226c. In addition, the sub-range within the available adjustment range selected by the user through the combination of the selected center emission direction and the selected yaw angle is shown on the display 220 by an arc 227 defined by a dashed-dotted line.

C10. Then, the controller 230 of the remote controlling apparatus 200 determines whether the selected swing angle conforms to the available adjustment range when centering on the center transmitting direction selected by the user.

C11. In this example, the controller 230 of the remote control device 200 determines that the selected swing angle is indeed within the available adjustment range when centered on the user-selected center transmit direction, and therefore transmits a predetermined value of the selected swing angle to the fan assembly 100 using the transceiver 240.

C12. These instructions are received at the fan assembly 100, and the controller 150 of the fan assembly 100 then controls the operation of the one or more swing motors 130 such that the firing direction of the fan assembly 100 swings through a selected swing angle, wherein the swing of the firing direction is centered on a user-selected center firing direction.

In a preferred embodiment, the remote control device 200 is provided by a wireless computer device, such as a tablet computer or smart phone, that is running a computer program/software application that allows it to control the fan assembly 100. In such an embodiment, both the user input device 210 and the display 220 of the remote control device 200 would typically be provided by a touch screen of the remote control device 200. Thus, to move the pointer toward the limits of the adjustment range, the touch screen display will be configured to accept user input that drags the pointer to a location along the adjustment range shown on the touch screen display. Then, in order to determine when the user stops the movement of the pointer, the controller 230 of the remote controlling apparatus 200 will be configured to determine when the user stops the dragging of the pointer. The term "drag" as used herein refers to the movement of an image on a display using a user input device. In the context of a user input device that includes a touch screen, this movement will be accomplished by the user touching the touch screen with a finger and dragging the finger across the touch screen.

In a preferred embodiment, the fan assembly will include one or both of a pan and tilt swing motor. The pan and tilt motor will be configured to move at least a portion of the fan assembly such that the emission direction rotates in a horizontal plane (i.e., when the fan assembly is positioned on a substantially horizontal support surface). The range of adjustment of the fan assembly including the pan and tilt motor will then be defined at least in part by the angle at which the pan and tilt motor can rotate the direction of emission. Instead, the tilt and swing motor will be configured to move at least a portion of the fan assembly such that the emission direction rotates in a vertical plane (i.e., when the fan assembly is positioned on a substantially horizontal support surface). The range of adjustment of the fan assembly including the pitch and yaw motor will then be defined at least in part by the angle at which the pitch and yaw motor can rotate the firing direction.

In an alternative embodiment, the fan assembly is a bladeless fan. As used herein, the term "bladeless" refers to a fan assembly in which the airflow emitted from the fan assembly has no visible/external moving blades. In other words, a bladeless fan assembly may be considered to have an output or emission area with no moving blades. Thus, in this alternative embodiment, the fan assembly preferably includes a nozzle mounted on the fan body, the motor-driven impeller being housed within the fan body, and the air outlet being provided by the nozzle. Thus, the nozzle is arranged to receive the airflow from the fan body and to emit the airflow from the air outlet. In a preferred embodiment, the nozzle defines an aperture through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the airflow emitted from the air outlet and combined with the airflow emitted from the air outlet to produce an amplified airflow.

It should be understood that each item described above can be used alone or in combination with other items shown in the drawings or described in the specification, and items mentioned in the same paragraphs as each other or in the same drawings as each other can be used in combination with each other. In addition, the expression "device" may be replaced by a desired actuator or system or device. Additionally, any reference to "comprising" or "consisting" is not intended to be limiting in any way, and the reader is to interpret the description and claims accordingly.

Furthermore, while the present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments as described above, it should be understood that these embodiments are illustrative only. In view of this disclosure, those skilled in the art will be able to make modifications and substitutions that are considered to be within the scope of the appended claims. For example, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above-described invention may be equally applicable to stand-alone fan assemblies and other types of environmentally controlled fan assemblies. Such a fan assembly may be, for example, any of a stand alone fan assembly, a ceiling or wall mounted fan assembly, and an in-vehicle fan assembly.

Additionally, in the preferred embodiment described above, the user input is received by a remote control device configured to wirelessly communicate with the fan assembly. However, in alternative embodiments, the user input may be received by an electronic device directly connected to the fan assembly, which may be an integral part of the fan assembly or may be an integral part of the fan assembly and the control device but a separate part of another system. For example, the control device may be provided by a user interface device provided as part of the fan assembly. As a further example, the control device may be provided by an onboard computer system that is connected to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a vehicle that includes one or more fan assemblies.

Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment described above, the user input device is provided by a touch screen. However, the user input device may equally be provided by any other suitable device, such as a touchpad, a trackball, a mouse, a pointing stick or a gesture recognition system.

Although the embodiments of the invention described with reference to the drawings comprise a computer processor and a process performed by a computer processor, the invention also extends to computer programs, particularly computer programs on or in a carrier, adapted for putting the invention into practice. The program may be in the form of source code or object code, or in any other form suitable for use in the implementation of the processes according to the invention. The carrier may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. For example, the carrier may comprise a storage medium, such as a ROM, e.g. a CD ROM or a semiconductor ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, e.g. a floppy disk or hard disk. Further, the carrier may be a transmissible carrier such as an electrical or optical signal, which may be conveyed via electrical or optical cable or by radio or other means. When the program is embodied in a signal which may be conveyed directly by a cable or other device or means, the carrier may be constituted by such cable or other device or means. Alternatively, the carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the program is embedded, the integrated circuit being adapted for performing, or for use in the performance of, the relevant processes.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a direction of airflow emitted from a fan assembly capable of changing the direction of airflow emitted from the fan assembly to any direction within an adjustment range of the fan assembly, the method comprising:

receiving a user input selecting a yaw angle and determining a center emission direction of an airflow emitted from a fan assembly;

controlling a firing direction of the fan assembly such that the fired airflow oscillates through a selected oscillation angle, wherein the oscillation of the fired airflow is centered about a central firing direction,

wherein the method further comprises:

after receiving user input selecting both a yaw angle and a center transmit direction, determining whether the selected yaw angle conforms to an available adjustment range when centered on the selected center transmit direction;

if it is determined that the selected oscillation angle does conform to the available adjustment range when centered on the selected central emission direction, using the selected central emission direction as the central emission direction of the emission direction oscillation performed by the fan assembly; and

if it is determined that the selected swing angle centered on the selected center firing direction does not conform to the available adjustment range, the center firing direction is modified such that the selected swing angle conforms to the adjustment range of the fan assembly.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fan assembly includes one or more swing motors configured to change a direction of emission of the airflow emitted from the fan assembly to any position within an adjustment range.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving user input comprises any one of:

receiving a user input selecting a center emission direction of the air flow emitted from the fan assembly, and then receiving a user input selecting a swing angle of the emission direction; and

a user input is received selecting a yaw angle of the emission direction, and then a user input is received selecting a center emission direction of the airflow emitted from the fan assembly.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the fan assembly receives user input from a remote control device.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

at the remote control device, accepting user input selecting a center emission direction, and sending the selected center emission direction to the fan assembly.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

at the remote control device, an image is generated on a display of the remote control device showing an available adjustment range of the fan assembly, user input is accepted selecting a position within the adjustment range as a center emission direction, and the selected center emission direction is sent to the fan assembly.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein accepting user input selecting a position within the adjustment range as the center firing direction comprises:

at the remote control device, an indicator showing a current emission direction of the fan assembly within the adjustment range is generated on the display, user input is accepted to move the indicator towards a limit of the adjustment range, and instructions are sent to the fan assembly to steer the emission direction towards the corresponding limit of the adjustment range.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

at the fan assembly, instructions are received from a remote control device, and one or more swing motors are operated to steer a firing direction toward respective limits of an adjustment range.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

at the remote control device, it is determined when the user stops movement of the indicator, a stop position of the indicator within the adjustment range is identified as a selected center firing direction, and instructions are sent to the fan assembly to turn the firing direction toward the center firing direction.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the fan assembly includes one or more swing motors configured to change a direction of emission of the airflow emitted from the fan assembly to any position within the adjustment range, the method further comprising:

receiving, at the fan assembly, an instruction from a remote control device, and stopping operation of the one or more swing motors when a firing direction of the fan assembly reaches a center firing direction.

11. The method of any of claims 4 to 10, further comprising:

at the remote control device, user input selecting a swing angle is accepted, and the selected swing angle is transmitted to the fan assembly.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

at the remote control device, user input is accepted selecting one of a plurality of predetermined values of the swing angle.

13. A fan assembly, comprising:

a motor-driven impeller arranged to generate an airflow;

an air outlet arranged to emit an air flow from the fan assembly;

one or more swing motors configured to change a direction of emission of the airflow emitted from the fan assembly to any position within an adjustment range of the fan assembly;

a receiver configured to receive a control signal from a control device; and

a controller configured to control the one or more swing motors;

wherein, in response to a control signal including a center emission direction and a swing angle of the emission direction received from the control device, the controller is configured to control the one or more swing motors such that the emission direction of the fan assembly swings through the swing angle, wherein the swing of the emission direction is centered on the center emission direction,

wherein the controller is further configured to:

14. The fan assembly of claim 13, wherein each of the one or more swing motors is configured to move at least a portion of the fan assembly to change the direction of emission to any position within the adjustment range.

15. The fan assembly of claim 13, wherein in response to a control signal received from the control device comprising an instruction to move the firing direction to a limit of the adjustment range, the controller is configured to control the one or more swing motors to steer the firing direction toward the limit of the adjustment range.

16. The fan assembly of claim 15, wherein in response to a control signal received from the control device comprising an instruction to move to a center firing direction, the controller is configured to stop operation of the one or more swing motors when the firing direction of the fan assembly reaches a center firing direction.

17. The fan assembly of claim 13, wherein the fan assembly comprises a pan motor configured to move at least a portion of the fan assembly such that the emission direction rotates in a horizontal plane.

18. The fan assembly according to any of claims 13-17, wherein the fan assembly comprises a tilt motor configured to move at least a portion of the fan assembly such that the emission direction rotates in a vertical plane.

19. An electronic device configured to control a fan assembly capable of changing a direction of an airflow emitted from the fan assembly to any direction within an adjustment range of the fan assembly, the electronic device comprising:

a user input device;

a controller; and

a transceiver;

wherein, in response to a user input received from a user input device comprising a selected central emission direction and a selected swing angle of the emission direction, the controller is configured to send instructions to the fan assembly causing the fan assembly to change the emission direction of the fan assembly such that the emitted airflow swings through the swing angle, wherein the swing of the emission direction is centered on the central emission direction,

wherein, upon receiving a user input selecting both a yaw angle and a center transmit direction, the controller is configured to:

determining whether the selected yaw angle conforms to an available adjustment range when centered on the selected central transmit direction;

if it is determined that the selected yaw angle centered about the selected center firing direction does not conform to the available adjustment range, the selected center firing direction is modified such that the selected yaw angle conforms to the adjustment range of the fan assembly.

20. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein, in response to a user input received from the user input device comprising a selected center emission direction and a selected swing angle of emission direction, the controller is configured to determine a center emission direction for an airflow emitted from a fan assembly.

21. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein, in response to a user input received from the user input device comprising a selected center emission direction, the controller is configured to transmit the selected center emission direction to a fan assembly.

22. The electronic device defined in claim 19 further comprising a display.

23. The electronic device of claim 22, wherein the controller is configured to:

generating an image on a display showing the available adjustment range of the fan assembly;

receiving a user input from a user input device selecting a position within the adjustment range as a center transmission direction; and

the selected center emission direction is sent to the fan assembly.

24. The electronic device of claim 23, wherein the controller is configured to:

generating an indicator on the display showing a current emission direction of the fan assembly within the adjustment range;

receiving a user input from a user input device to move the pointer toward the limit of the adjustment range; and

instructions are sent to the fan assembly to steer the firing direction toward the respective limit of the adjustment range.

25. The electronic device of claim 24, wherein the controller is configured to:

determining when a user stops movement of the indicator;

identifying a stopping position of the indicator within the adjustment range as a selected center firing direction; and

sending instructions to the fan assembly to turn the launch direction toward the center launch direction.

26. The electronic device of claim 24, wherein the display and user input device are provided by a touch screen display of the electronic device.

27. The electronic device of claim 26, wherein to move the pointer toward the limit of the adjustment range, the touch screen display is configured to accept user input dragging the pointer within the adjustment range shown on the touch screen display.

28. The electronic device of claim 27, wherein to determine when a user stops movement of the pointer, the controller is configured to determine when a user stops dragging of the pointer.

29. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein the controller is configured to accept a user input from a user input device selecting one of a plurality of predetermined values of the swing angle.

30. The electronic device of any of claims 19-29, wherein the electronic device comprises any of a wireless computer device and a remote controller associated with the fan assembly.

31. The electronic device of claim 30, wherein the wireless computer device is a tablet computer or a smartphone.