FR2897675A1 - Radiator for drying e.g. towel in bathroom, has one heating zone with heat source distinct from heat source of another zone and heating ambient air by natural convection or radiation, and control device controlling operation of heat sources - Google Patents

Abstract

The radiator has a heating zone (1) to receive towels and including a heat source constituted of heating modules that are spaced from each other and fixed on vertical posts (2a, 2b). A heating zone not covering the towels includes a heat source that is distinct from former heat source and heats the ambient air by natural convection or radiation, where the heating zones are constituted of resistance formed in polymer material. A control device controls operation of the heat sources.

Description

The present invention relates to a towel-type radiator

  ladder, for drying towels and the simultaneous heating of the ambient air, as well as its use especially in bathrooms.

  For drying clothes such as washcloths, towels, bath towels, in bathrooms for example, radiators radiators are generally equipped with towel bars arranged offset from the front face of the radiator. Such devices are cumbersome because they double or triple the volume occupied by the drying of the clothes and the heating of the room, without the latter function being carried out optimally since the towels create obstacles to radiation on the front of the radiator. In addition, the drying of the laundry is not optimal either, because only the towel closest to the heating element dries effectively. High-powered fan convectors, also equipped with towel bars, are also used, but these devices are used instead. For less space, and for better drying and heating of towels, different types of scale-shaped heating devices have been designed. According to a first known type, these are heat transfer fluid devices for which the fluid circulates inside one or more vertical collector tubes and a plurality of horizontal bars on which can be placed directly towels for example. According to a second known type described in patent EP-B-0 859 837, the heating bars consist of a heating element, such as a resistor, embedded in a polymer material.

  However, when linen covers these bars, and this especially when several towels are superimposed on it, the function of heating the ambient air to the bathroom, for example, is markedly degraded, since this laundry prevents heat exchange between the two. device and the air of the room. In addition, regardless of the nature of the heating source used (electric or heat transfer fluid), when laundry covers most of the heating surface of the device, the temperature under the cloth increases. If, for safety reasons, the appliance is equipped with a thermal limiter, the latter cuts off the power supply when the temperature under the laundry reaches or exceeds a certain threshold temperature, the heating function is then interrupted prematurely, then when the temperature has dropped, there is a discontinuous heating, where full heating periods follow periods of total shutdown, but for obvious safety reasons it is not possible to Increasing the threshold temperature of the thermal limiter placed under the towels In order to improve the room heating function, one solution is to fix separately controlled fan-type heating elements on conventional towel warmers. However, these fan units are noisy, unattractive and also create a significant additional energy consumption (for example 1000 W), nece In some cases, it is possible to dimension the electrical installation of the room higher. According to another solution for improving the heating function of the room, and in particular to evacuate more quickly the calories brought by the heater to the room, bathroom for example, it has recently been proposed heating elements comprising lateral evacuations of the heated air, either by means of air outlets formed in the vertical end walls of the convector casing (FR-A-2,847,662 and FR-A-2,868,518), or by means of a particular form of the heating element such as a heating blade curved at its upper part, defining a laterally open space, over the entire height of the heating element (FR-A-2 858 048) . These particular forms of the heating elements, however, have the disadvantage of being more expensive to manufacture than the standard elements. In addition, a disadvantage common to the current devices as well as to the apparatus described in documents FR-A-2,847,662, FR-A-2,868,518 and FR-A-2,858,048 is the impossibility of heating and Dry the towels properly in normal (non-forced) operation if the room temperature is naturally high, ie when the appliance is operating at a low operating rate. Indeed, the operation of these devices being regulated with respect to the ambient temperature of the room: if this ambient temperature is high, the operating rate of the apparatus is low and the towels are practically not heated. An object of the invention is therefore to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a heating device of simple construction, which simultaneously allows to heat the ambient air and to dry, continuously, the linen covering it, regardless of the rate operating the device, that is to say whatever the ambient air temperature of the room, and without using fan-type heating elements. To this end, the present invention provides a scale-type towel heater, comprising at least a first heating zone for receiving towels, including a heat source consisting of at least two heating modules, spaced apart from one another. other and fixed on one or more substantially vertical uprights, characterized in that it comprises at least a second heating zone, not intended to be covered by towels, including a heat source separate from the heat source of said first zone and for heating the ambient air by natural convection or radiation, and in that the operation of the heat sources of the first and second heating zones is controlled by a single control device. Thus, it is possible with a single radiator, of simple construction, and therefore with a smaller footprint, to heat both the air of the room and the towels, continuously and economically. No additional heating is needed to heat the room, the total power of the radiator is not increased compared to a conventional towel radiator. By control device is meant here all the elements such as the thermostat, the electronic control board and the probe or probes, all interconnected, even if they are placed at different locations on the radiator. Advantageously, the control device may comprise a single thermostat and a single temperature sensor, generally disposed in the lower part of the heater. This temperature probe may be indifferently disposed near the first or the second heating zone. The user sets, as desired, the operating mode, and possibly the temperature setpoints, separately for each of the heating zones. This mode of operation allows in particular the control law of the radiator to favor the operation of the first heating zone, that is to say drying and heating towels. Thus, when the ambient temperature of the room is high, the heat source of the second zone (that used for heating the ambient air) can be deactivated or put on standby (automatically or manually), and the operation of the heat source of the first zone, receiving the towels, held to heat and dry the towels, without its operation having a significant impact on the temperature of the room. The radiator according to the invention thus makes it possible to heat the laundry or the towels, arranged on the first heating zone, by heating (or deliberately choosing not to heat) the room, using a single control device. The first heating zone may consist of a plurality of heating modules comprising heating bars, heating blades, and / or heating boxes superimposed and spaced from each other.

  Preferably, the second heating zone comprises the amount (s) on which are fixed the heating modules of the first heating zone. If there are several amounts, the surface and the power of this second heating part can be distributed over all of these amounts. Any type of heating source or any combination of two or more heating sources may be used in such an apparatus. The heat sources of the first and second heating zones may be chosen from the following sources: molded resistance in a polymer material, radiating panel, natural convection heating element, resistance immersed in a heat transfer fluid or heat transfer fluid from a heating installation central with boiler.

  According to a first embodiment of the invention, the heat sources of the first and second heating zones are of the same nature, for example either of electric type or heat transfer fluid. In the case where these two parts are of the same nature, it is possible, according to a first variant, to have for example, the first heating zone located under the cloth, formed of a polymer molded resistance, and the second zone also operating with an electrical resistor, such as a polymer-molded resistor, a convector-type heating element, or a radiating panel, or the combination of several of them. For convector-type heating elements, the hot air outlet can advantageously be lateral or frontal. According to a second variant, the two heating zones can use the so-called "fluid" technology, that is to say heat transfer fluid, while constituting separate parts, that is to say each comprising a supply and heating fluid.

  According to a second embodiment of the invention, the heat sources of the first and second heating zones are of different nature, that is to say one of the electric type, the other heat transfer fluid. In this embodiment, the advantages of the two types of aforementioned technologies, "fluid" and "electrical", are used by combining them. According to a preferred variant, it is possible for the first part to be of the "electrical" type, with resistance molded in a polymer, and the second part of "fluid" type being, for example, connected to the central heating circuit of the dwelling. It has been found advantageous that the second heating zone has a lower total external surface area and a total power greater than that of the first heating zone. The radiator according to the present invention finds an interesting use for drying towels and simultaneous heating of the ambient air, including a bathroom or a cloakroom.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the illustrative examples hereinafter with reference to the figures in which: FIGS. 1a and 1b show diagrammatic front views of a heating apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a front view of a heater according to a first variant of the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows a top view of the apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a schematic horizontal section of another heater according to a first variant of the first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 shows a schematic cross-section of yet another heating apparatus according to a first variant of the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 shows a schematic horizontal sectional view of a heater according to a second variant of the first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 is a schematic horizontal sectional view of a heater according to the second embodiment of the invention. Figure 8 shows a front view of a heater according to the first embodiment of the invention. EXAMPLE 1 FIGS. 1a and 1b schematically illustrate scale-type towel warmers according to the invention. The first heating zone 1 serving as a towel support may be in the form of tubes 3 or bars, blades 4 or caissons 5 as diagrammatically shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, or may comprise several different types of support among these . These supports 3, 4, 5 are fixed, by their end, on one or two uprights 2, 2a, 2b. This or these amount (s) constitute (s) the second heating zone of the heater according to the invention.

  In the case of Figure 1b, this amount 2 is wide and preferably the top is cutaway to avoid hanging or drop towels or laundry, which would be screen between the second heating zone and the air ambient. In the case of Figure 1a, the tubes 3, blades 4 or boxes 5 are fixed at their two ends on the one hand to a first upright 2b wide and at the other end to a narrower amount 2a. The upright 2b is part of the second heating zone, the upright 2a can be either heating or serve only to attach to the bars 3, blades 4 or caissons 5. These bars, blades or boxes are spaced apart to serve as multiple supports to the towels. they come to heat by direct contact. Example 2 The radiator is illustrated in Figure 2 (front view) and Figure 3 (sectional view). It comprises twelve blades 3 grouped by three and are fixed at one of their ends to a wide vertical upright constituting the second heating zone 2. These twelve blades consist of heating resistors 7 embedded in a polymeric material and form the first heating zone 1.25 The vertical upright 2 which is hollow and contains an electrical resistance 11 acts as a convector with an air outlet via multiple orifices on the front here in the form of small squares 6. This single amount constitutes the second heating zone 2.

  For example, a radiator of this type 1.15 m high and 56 cm wide has, with blades of the order of 7 cm high, a surface S1 corresponding to the first heating zone equal to about 0.85 m2 and the second heating zone S2 an area of about 0.53 m2. The total power of the radiator (750 W) is distributed in a first zone to pl = 350 W and a second zone to P2 = 400 W. Such a radiator allows the heating of a room or bathroom of 7 m2 with a height ceiling height of 2.5 m. Example 3 In this example illustrated in Figure 4 (sectional view), the first heating zone and the second heating zone consist of resistors 7 embedded in a polymer material. The two heating sources are therefore identical, but the part corresponding to the second heating zone 2 is arranged at the rear and also constitutes the fixing support mast of the first heating zone 1. An appropriate form of the top of this second zone (For example as visible in Figures 1a and 1b) avoids to rest there towels that would mitigate the heating function of the room. Example 4 In this example illustrated in FIG. 5, the first heating zone 1 has, as in the preceding example, a heating source consisting of a resistor 7 embedded in a polymer material, against the second heating zone 2 consists of a hollow post in which is housed a resistor 9 for heating the air. The heated air can be evacuated on the rear side face of this hollow upright.

  If necessary, to complete the heating of the ambient air, it is possible to add to this heating apparatus another part 2c such as a heating film coming to apply both to the vertical upright and to the fixing end of the blades or caissons of the first heating zone 1.

  The lateral air outlet 10 of the heating mast may be provided over the entire height of this mast. EXAMPLE 5 This example is illustrated in FIG. 6. In this case, the radiator is of the "fluid" type, that is to say with heat transfer fluid circulating in the first heating zone. A separate part allows in the second heating zone 2 to also circulate a heat transfer fluid. Each zone 1 and 2 heating thus has its source of heat. EXAMPLE 6 In this example illustrated in FIG. 7, a mixed apparatus is presented including, for the first heating zone, a resistor embedded in a polymer and, for the second heating zone, a coolant circulating in the uprights 8. Example 7 and Examples The radiator shown in FIG. 8 is of scale type with two identical masts 2a, 2b on and between which are fixed five identical heating chambers 5 superimposed, spaced apart from one another. These heating chambers each include a polymer-molded resistor according to EP-B-859 837. The height of the radiator is 1.50 m, the box dimensions are about 500 x 250 mm. The total width of the radiator is approximately 550 mm. It has a total power of 750 W. In such a configuration, according to the comparative examples, the apparatus shown is in accordance with the ladder-type radiators according to the prior art, ie with a single heating zone consisting exclusively of the boxes 5. heated in the central part of the radiator. The boxes each have a power of 150 W, the masts 2a, 2b are not heating. According to Comparative Example 1, the boxes each include a polymer-molded resistor according to EP-B-859 837. According to Comparative Example 2, in order to promote room heating, the boxes are convectors. of the type with lateral air outlet according to FR-A-2 847 662. With the same configuration, according to example 7 according to the invention, the apparatus has two distinct heating zones, consisting: for the first heating zone 1 of five heating chambers 5 of power each equal to 70 W (ie a power P, = 350 W) (for example of the type each including a polymer-molded resistance according to EP-B-859 837), and for the second zone 2 of two hollow cylindrical masts 2a, 2b open laterally in a longitudinal slot extending over most of the mast height (i.e., having an approximately C-shaped section), enclosing a electric resistance and playing the role of a convector. The power of each of the heating masts is 200 W, a power P2 of the second heating zone equal to 400 W. By way of comparison, three bath towels were placed on the central part of the caissons 5, on radiators of dimensions identical, and identical total power, each arranged in a bathroom of 19 m3 (7.5 m2 x 2.5 m under ceiling). Room temperatures and towels were measured at different operating rates, ie, depending on the outside temperatures of the tested room ranging from -10 ° C to + 15 ° C (corresponding to climatic conditions). very cold to quite hot). The results are summarized in Table 1. (By rate of operation is meant here the percentage of operating time over a given time, example 1 hour). In Comparative Example 1, the radiator has as heating source only the boxes 5. The bath sheets cover these boxes and prevent the diffusion of calories to the room air, therefore when the outside climate is cold and very cold. cold it is impossible to heat the room properly, a temperature of 24 C can not be reached because the limiter frequently cuts the temperature under the towels as soon as it becomes too high.

  In the case of Comparative Example 2, the temperature of the room regardless of the overall operating rate is correct and remains at 24 C, indeed the limiter never cuts because the temperature under the towels is acceptable even at high rates as warm air comes out of the boxes and warms the room.

  However, as the heating element is regulated according to the temperature of the room, when it is high (for example in summer), the overall operating rate is very low and the towels are hardly heated. With a radiator according to the present invention (Example 7), there is a second heating zone constituted by the masts 2a, 2b.

  In a very cold outdoor climate, the first heating zone dries the towels and the second heating zone heats the room. The results are consistent with those of Comparative Example 2 without the need to provide boxes with air outlets towards the room. In a fairly hot outdoor climate (+15 C), only the first heating zone can be operated. In this case for an overall operating rate of 20%, there is, for example, 0% for the second heating zone and 40% for the first heating zone. Only heating chambers dedicated to towel drying work. The ambient temperature of the room is then little influenced because most of the energy goes directly under the towels, the towels are hot (50 C). The heat source of the boxes operated approximately twice as long for the same overall power, as for Comparative Example 2. The results in Table 1 clearly show that for the same total power of the radiator and the same overall operating rate, towels are better heated with the radiator according to the invention than with that of Comparative Example 2. This result is in particular very clear low rate of march. Table 1 Gait rate 20% 50% 80% 100% I Outdoor Clim. sweet I Climate ext. cold Climate ext. very cold Climate ext. enough (5 C) (-5 C) (-10 C) warm (15 C) single zone Temperature of the room 24 20 19 19 heating (C) (eg comparative 1) single zone Room temperature 24 24 24 24 heating (C) (eg comparative 2) Temperature of 30 40 60 65 towels (C) .... ........... two zones Temperature of the room 24 24 24 24 heating (C) (example 7) Temperature of the 50 60 60 65 towels (C)

Claims (7)

  A ladder-type towel heater, having at least a first heating zone for receiving towels, including a heat source consisting of at least two heating modules (3, 4, 5) spaced apart from each other and other fixed on one or more uprights (2a, 2b) substantially vertical, characterized in that it comprises at least a second heating zone, not intended to be covered by towels, including a heat source separate from the source of heat of said first zone (1) and intended to heat the ambient air by natural convection or radiation, and in that the operation of the heat sources of the first (1) and second (2) heating zones is controlled by a device single order.   2. Radiator according to claim 1, characterized in that the second zone (2) heating comprises the amount (s) (2a, 2b) on which (s) are attached the heating modules (3, 4). 5) of the first heating zone (1).   3. Radiator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat sources of the first (1) and second (2) heating zones are selected from the following sources: resistance (7) molded in a polymer material, panel radiator, natural convection heating element, resistance immersed in a heat transfer fluid, or heat transfer fluid from a central heating installation with a boiler.   4. Radiator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat sources of the first (1) and second (2) heating zones are of the same nature, either electrical type or heat transfer fluid.   5. Radiator according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the heat sources of the first and second heating zones are of different nature, one of the electric type, the other heat transfer fluid.   6. Radiator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second zone (2) heating has a lower total external surface and a total power greater than those of the first zone (1) heating. 12   7. Use of the radiator according to any one of the preceding claims for drying towels and simultaneous heating of the ambient air, including a bathroom or a cloakroom.