EP3023700A1

EP3023700A1 - Far infrared heater using biofuel

Info

Publication number: EP3023700A1
Application number: EP14194238.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jaesoon Youn
Original assignee: Luxcom Co Ltd
Current assignee: Luxcom Co Ltd
Priority date: 2014-11-20
Filing date: 2014-11-21
Publication date: 2016-05-25
Also published as: KR20160060493A

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a far infrared heater using biofuel. The far infrared heater includes a fuel combustion unit (110), a far infrared transmission window (120), a thermal power controller (130) and an automatic extinguishing unit (140). The fuel combustion unit burns a biofuel stored therein to generate heat. The far infrared transmission window surrounds the fuel combustion unit to prevent flames generated by burning the biofuel from being exposed to the outside. The far infrared transmission window allows far infrared rays generated from the heat source to be radiated to the outside through the far infrared transmission window. The thermal power controller adjusts the degree to which the opening formed in the fuel combustion unit opens and thus controls the thermal power of the heater. The automatic extinguishing unit automatically closes the opening of the fuel combustion unit when the heater vibrates or tilts thus preventing the biofuel from burning or leaking.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to far infrared heaters using biofuel. More particularly, the present invention relates to a far infrared heater, using biofuel, which is portable and able to reduce emission of harmful gases because clean biofuel is used; which has high efficiency in emission of far infrared rays so that fuel consumption for heating is reduced; and which is configured such that if the heater excessively vibrates or tilts, combustion of the heater can be automatically interrupted and leakage of biofuel can be automatically prevented, whereby a high level of safety can be ensured.

2. Description of the Related Art

In winter, different kinds of heating apparatuses are used in places, such as houses, hotels, offices, plants, driving ranges, restaurants, churches or various shopping centers, where many people gather. Particularly, the use of heating apparatuses known as far infrared heaters is becoming increasingly common.
Unlike typical convectional hot-air blowers or air heaters, the currently available far infrared heaters that have been widely used radiate far infrared rays and supply heat to human bodies. Such far infrared heaters are not affected by wind, and the heating effects thereof are superior because the heat radiation distance is comparatively long due to inherent characteristics of infrared rays. Furthermore, far infrared heaters do not cause air pollution while heating.
Far infrared heaters are widely used both indoors as well as outdoors because far infrared heaters do not contaminate indoor air when the heaters are used indoors.
A representative example of such a far infrared heater was proposed in Korean Patent Unexamined Publication No. 10-2013-0075870 , entitled 'Pellet far infrared heater.'
A conventional far infrared heater includes: a main body, having on a front end thereof, a heat radiation unit provided with a reflective plate so that heat can be radiated forward; a burner that is installed in the main body and which burns fuel and generates high-temperature flames and combustion gases; a combustion chamber into which flames and combustion gases discharged from the burner are directed; and a heat radiation pipe that is connected at one end thereof to an upper end of the combustion chamber and is connected at the other end thereof to an exhaust port provided on an upper end of the main body. The heat radiation tube radiates heat generated from the flames to the outside and discharges combustion gases to the outside.
However, the conventional pellet far infrared heater having the above-mentioned construction typically has in the main body a fuel tank for storing lamp oil and uses lamp oil as a fuel. Therefore, the conventional pellet far infrared heater has a problem of high fuel expenses, particularly, in recent years when oil costs are high.
Furthermore, lamp oil when burning exhausts a large amount of carbon and thus causes environmental pollution. Given this, in advanced countries including Europe, the use of alternative fuel such as wood pellets is gradually increasing while reducing the use of lamp oil as fuel for heating.
Moreover, in the conventional pellet far infrared heater, the actual amount of far infrared rays that are radiated is very small because the far infrared rays generated during a combustion process are blocked by the heat radiation pipe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a far infrared heater using biofuel that is portable and is able to reduce emission of harmful gases because clean biofuel is used.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a far infrared heater using biofuel that has high efficiency in emission of far infrared rays so that fuel consumption for heating is reduced, whereby the energy saving effect can be achieved.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a far infrared heater using biofuel that is configured such that if the heater vibrates or tilts, combustion of the heater can be automatically interrupted and leakage of biofuel can be automatically prevented, whereby a high level of safety can be ensured.
The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-stated objects, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other not mentioned objects from the accompanying description.
In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a far infrared heater using biofuel, including: a fuel combustion unit having an opening having a predetermined shape, the fuel combustion unit burning a biofuel stored therein and generating a heat source; a far infrared transmission window surrounding the fuel combustion unit to prevent flames, generated by burning the biofuel, from being exposed to an outside, the far infrared transmission window allowing far infrared rays generated from the heat source to be radiated to the outside through the far infrared transmission window; a thermal power controller adjusting a degree to which the opening formed in the fuel combustion unit opens and thus controlling thermal power of the heater; and an automatic extinguishing unit automatically closing and sealing the opening of the fuel combustion unit when the heater vibrates or tilts and preventing the biofuel from burning or leaking.
The biofuel may be made of bioethanol.
The fuel combustion unit may include: a cylindrical casing having at least one fan-shaped opening in an upper surface thereof, the cylindrical casing having heat resistance and thermal insulation performance; and a storage container disposed in the casing, the storage container storing the biofuel therein.
The far infrared transmission window may be made of any one selected from the group consisting of Zinc Selenide (ZnSe), Zinc Sulfide (ZnS), Thallium Bromoiodide (TIBr-TII), Potassium Bromide (KBr), Potassium Chloride (KCL), Alumimum Silicate, Gallium Arsenide (GaAs), Germanium and AMTIR-1 (Ge₃₃ASi₂Se₅₅).
An inner surface of the far infrared transmission window may be coated with a DLC (diamond-like carbon) layer.
An anti-reflection layer may be applied between the far infrared transmission window and the DLC layer.
The thermal power controller may include: an opening cover plate having a shape corresponding to the opening and rotatably coupled to the upper surface of the casing, with gear teeth formed on an outer circumferential edge of the opening cover plate; and a handle provided on a predetermined portion of the opening cover plate, the handle being used for rotating the opening cover plate relative to the upper surface of the casing.
The automatic extinguishing unit may include: a vibration and tilt sensor disposed at a predetermined position within the heater and provided to sense vibration or tilt of the heater; a drive motor having an output shaft on which a gear is provided, the gear engaging with the gear teeth formed on the outer circumferential edge of the opening cover plate so that as the gear rotates, the opening cover plate rotates and thus closes and seals the opening; a control unit controlling operation of the drive motor in response to a sensing signal transmitted from the vibration and tilt sensor; and a battery provided to supply power to the vibration and tilt sensor, the drive motor and the control unit.
A far infrared heater using biofuel according to the present invention has the following effects.
First, the far infrared heater is portable and is able to reduce generation of harmful gases because clean biofuel is used.
Furthermore, thanks to high efficiency in emission of far infrared rays, fuel consumption is reduced in heating. Therefore, the energy saving effect can be achieved
In addition, if the heater excessively vibrates or tilts, combustion of the heater is automatically interrupted and leakage of biofuel is prevented. Therefore, the far infrared heater according to the present invention ensures a high level of safety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a far infrared heater using biofuel according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a fuel combustion unit shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of a thermal power control means shown in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the construction of an automatic extinguishing unit of the far infrared heater according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The terminology which is used in common will be used for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Furthermore, terms and words used by the applicant may be used for special cases. In this case, the meaning of terms or words must be understood with due regard to the meaning expressed in the specification rather than taking into account only the basic meaning of the terms and words.
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a far infrared heater using biofuel according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a fuel combustion unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of a thermal power control means shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the construction of an automatic extinguishing unit of the far infrared heater according to the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the far infrared heater 100 using biofuel according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a fuel combustion unit 110 that has an opening 111 having a predetermined shape and burns stored biofuel 112 to generate a heat source.
The fuel combustion unit 110 includes a casing 114 having a predetermined shape, and a storage container 115 that is disposed in the casing 114 and stores the biofuel 112 therein.
The casing 114 can have a variety of shapes. In this embodiment, the casing 114 has a cylindrical shape or a square pillar shape and has a hollow space therein so that the storage container 115 can be disposed in the hollow space of the casing 114.
A variety of materials can be used for forming the casing 114. For example, in this embodiment, the casing 114 can be made of different kinds of materials having thermal resistance and thermal insulation performance. The material of the casing 114 is not limited to a special material.
The opening 111 having a predetermined shape is formed in the casing 114. The opening 111 is used for directing flames 113 generated by combustion of the biofuel 112 stored in the storage container 115, out of the casing 114. The opening 111 can also have a variety of shapes.
In this embodiment of the present invention, the opening 111 has a plurality of fan-shaped sections that have the same central angle and are arranged around the center of the upper surface of the casing 114.
The opening 111 is configured such that when any one of the fan-shaped sections is open, an adjacent fan-shaped section is closed and another fan-shaped section adjacent to the closed fan-shaped section is open.
That is, the opening 111 is configured such that the open fan-shaped sections and the closed fan-shaped sections alternate with each other.
The casing 114 may be integrally formed with the opening 111. Alternatively, the casing 114 may include an upper casing part having the opening 111 therein, and a lower casing part removably coupled to the upper casing.
The reason why the casing 114 is divided into the upper casing part and the lower casing part is to facilitate refilling biofuel after the biofuel 112 stored in the storage container 115 has been consumed.
Different kinds of fuels can be used as the biofuel 112 used in the far infrared heater 100 according to the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, bioethanol is used as the biofuel 112.
In the present invention, the far infrared heater 100 using biofuel further includes a far infrared transmission window 120 that surrounds the fuel combustion unit 110 to prevent flames 113 generated by combustion of the biofuel 112 from being exposed to the outside but allows far infrared rays generated from the heat source to be radiated to the outside through the far infrared transmission window 120.
Preventing the flames 113 generated by combustion of the biofuel 112 from being exposed to the outside, the far infrared transmission window 120 functions to prevent an accident such as a fire due to the flames 113 or to protect a user from being burned by the flames 113.
Far infrared rays refer to infrared rays with 25 µm or more in wavelength. Far infrared rays are invisible because the wavelength thereof is longer than that of visible rays, and have high thermal action performance and high penetration depth.
Furthermore, far infrared rays have a high resonant effect upon organic compound molecules. Thanks to the above characteristics, far infrared rays are used to supply heat in a variety of industrial and medical fields.
In order to obtain the above-stated far infrared ray effects, radiated far infrared rays must directly reach a target.
However, the conventional far infrared heaters use a protective plate made of material such as glass to reduce the risk of burns to the user or a fire, wherein the protective plate acts to block radiated far infrared rays from reaching a target.
Therefore, the conventional far infrared heaters cannot properly exert the intended functions thereof.
Given this, in an embodiment of the far infrared heater 100 using biofuel according to the present invention, the far infrared transmission window 120 that maximally transmits far infrared rays to the outside despite ensuring the safety of the user is made of any one selected from the group consisting of: Zinc Selenide (ZnSe), Zinc Sulfide (ZnS), Thallium Bromoiodide (TIBr-TII), Potassium Bromide (KBr), Potassium Chloride (KCL), Alumimum Silicate, Gallium Arsenide (GaAs), Germanium and AMTIR-1 (Ge₃₃As₁₂Se₅₅).
Preferably, Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) is used. The reason why Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) is used is because Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) is inexpensive compared to the other above-mentioned materials.
Meanwhile, in an embodiment of the far infrared heater 100 using biofuel according to the present invention, an inner surface of the far infrared transmission window 120 is coated with a DCL (diamond-like carbon) layer.
The reason for coating the far infrared transmission window 120 with DCL (diamond-like carbon) is to enhance the heat resistance of the inner surface of the far infrared transmission window 120 that is brought into direct contact with flames 113 when the biofuel 112 burns.
Furthermore, the DCL (diamond-like carbon) layer applied to the inner surface of the far infrared transmission window 120 can prevent far infrared rays generated by combustion of the biofuel 112 from being reflected by the inner surface of the far infrared transmission window 120 rather than being radiated to the outside.
To more effectively prevent far infrared rays generated by combustion of the biofuel 112 from being reflected by the inner surface of the far infrared transmission window 120 rather than being radiated to the outside, an anti-reflection layer is applied between the far infrared transmission window 120 and the DCL layer.
The anti-reflection layer can be formed in a variety of ways and be made of various materials; therefore, the anti-reflection layer is not limited to a specific example.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of air inlet holes 122 is formed in the far infrared transmission window 120 at a predetermined position, more specifically, at a height at which the flames 113 are formed. Thereby, the biofuel 112 can be more effectively burned.
With regard to this, air in the far infrared transmission window 120 forms ascending air currents derived from combustion of the biofuel 112. Air required for the combustion is forcibly drawn into the far infrared transmission window 120 through the air inlet holes 122. As such, air required for the combustion of the biofuel 112 can be reliably supplied into the far infrared transmission window 120 through the air inlet holes 122.
The far infrared heater 100 using biofuel according to the present invention further includes a thermal power controller 130 that adjusts the degree, to which the opening 111 formed in the fuel combustion unit 110 opens, and thus controls the thermal power of the heater 100.
The thermal power controller 130 includes an opening cover plate 132 and a handle 133. The opening cover plate 132 has a shape corresponding to the opening 111 and is rotatably coupled to the upper surface of the casing 114. Gear teeth 131 are formed on an outer circumferential edge of the opening cover plate 132. The handle 133 is provided on a predetermined portion of the opening cover plate 132 for use in rotating the opening cover plate 132 relative to the upper surface of the casing 114.
The handle 133 protrudes to the outside through the far infrared transmission window 120. For this, a slot 121 is horizontally formed in the far infrared transmission window 120.
In the far infrared heater 100 having the above-mentioned construction, the thermal power can be controlled by adjusting the open area of the opening 111 and the amount of air required for combustion in such a way that the user uses the handle 133 and manually rotates the opening cover plate 132 having a shape corresponding to the opening 111.
The far infrared heater 100 using biofuel according to the present invention further includes an automatic extinguishing unit 140 that automatically closes and seals the opening 111 of the fuel combustion unit 110 when the heater 110 vibrates or tilts, thus preventing combustion or leakage of the biofuel 112.
The automatic extinguishing unit 140 is provided at a predetermined position within the heater 100 so as to automatically close and seal the opening 111 of the fuel combustion unit 110. The automatic extinguishing unit 140 is provided with a vibration and tilt sensor 141 for use in sensing vibration or tilt of the heater 100.
The vibration and tilt sensor 141 is provided in a lower portion of the casing 114. Any kind of sensor can be used as the vibration and tilt sensor 141 so long as it can sense vibration and tilt of the heater 100. In other words, the vibration and tilt sensor 141 is not limited to a special kind of sensor.
Meanwhile, the automatic extinguishing unit 140 further includes a drive motor 143 that is provided with an output shaft on which a gear 142 is provided. The gear 142 engages with the gear teeth 131 formed on the outer circumferential edge of the opening cover plate 132. As the drive motor 143 rotates the gear 142, the opening cover plate 132 is rotated, thereby closing and sealing the opening 111.
As stated above, provided on the output shaft of the drive motor 143, the gear 142 rotates engaging with the gear teeth 131 formed on the outer circumferential edge of the opening cover plate 132.
In other words, the rotation of the gear 142 means the rotation of the gear teeth 131. Then, provided above the opening 111, the opening cover plate 132 rotates along with the gear teeth 131 and closes the opening 111, thus extinguishing the heater 100 and preventing the biofuel 112 from leaking out of the storage container 115.
The automatic extinguishing unit 140 further includes: a control unit 144 that controls the operation of the drive motor 143 in response to a sensing signal transmitted from the vibration and tilt sensor 141; and a battery 145 that is provided to supply power to the vibration and tilt sensor 141, the drive motor 143 and the control unit 144.
A variety of methods can be used as a means for supplying power. In the embodiment of the present invention, the battery 145 is used to enhance the portability of the far infrared heater 100.
As described above, a far infrared heater using biofuel according to the present invention is portable and is able to reduce emission of harmful gases because clean biofuel is used.
Furthermore, thanks to high efficiency in emission of far infrared rays, fuel consumption for heating is reduced. Therefore, the energy saving effect can be achieved. In addition, if the heater excessively vibrates or tilts, combustion of the heater is automatically interrupted and leakage of biofuel is prevented. Therefore, a high level of safety can be ensured.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

A far infrared heater using biofuel, comprising:
a fuel combustion unit (110) having an opening (111) having a predetermined shape, the fuel combustion unit burning a biofuel stored therein and generating a heat source;

a far infrared transmission window (120) surrounding the fuel combustion unit (110) to prevent flames, generated by burning the biofuel, from being exposed to an outside, the far infrared transmission window (120) allowing far infrared rays generated from the heat source to be radiated to the outside through the far infrared transmission window (120);

a thermal power controller (130) adjusting a degree to which the opening (111) formed in the fuel combustion unit (110) opens and thus controlling thermal power of the heater; and

an automatic extinguishing unit (140) automatically closing and sealing the opening (111) of the fuel combustion unit (110) when the heater vibrates or tilts and preventing the biofuel from burning or leaking.
The far infrared heater as set forth in claim 1, wherein the biofuel is made of bioethanol.
The far infrared heater as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the fuel combustion unit comprises:
a cylindrical casing (114) having at least one fan-shaped opening in an upper surface thereof, the cylindrical casing having heat resistance and thermal insulation performance; and

a storage container (115) disposed in the casing (114), the storage container storing the biofuel therein.
The far infrared heater as set forth in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the far infrared transmission window (120) is made of any one selected from the group consisting of Zinc Selenide (ZnSe), Zinc Sulfide (ZnS), Thallium Bromoiodide (TIBr-TII), Potassium Bromide (KBr), Potassium Chloride (KCL), Alumimum Silicate, Gallium Arsenide (GaAs), Germanium and AMTIR-1 (Ge₃₃As₁₂Se₅₅).
The far infrared heater as set forth in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an inner surface of the far infrared transmission window (120) is coated with a DLC (diamond-like carbon) layer.
The far infrared heater as set forth in claim 5, wherein an anti-reflection layer is applied between the far infrared transmission window (120) and the DLC layer.
The far infrared heater as set forth in one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the thermal power controller (130) comprises:
an opening cover plate (132) having a shape corresponding to the opening and rotatably coupled to the upper surface of the casing (114), with gear teeth (131) formed on an outer circumferential edge of the opening cover plate (132); and

a handle (133) provided on a predetermined portion of the opening cover plate (132), the handle (133) being used for rotating the opening cover plate (132) relative to the upper surface of the casing (114).
The far infrared heater as set forth in claim 7, wherein the automatic extinguishing unit (140) comprises:
a vibration and tilt sensor (141) disposed at a predetermined position within the heater and provided to sense vibration or tilt of the heater;

a drive motor (143) having an output shaft on which a gear (142) is provided, the gear (142) engaging with the gear teeth (131) formed on the outer circumferential edge of the opening cover plate (132) so that as the gear rotates, the opening cover plate rotates and thus closes and seals the opening (110);

a control unit (144) controlling operation of the drive motor (143) in response to a sensing signal transmitted from the vibration and tilt sensor (141); and

a battery (145) provided to supply power to the vibration and tilt sensor (141), the drive motor (143) and the control unit (144).