GB2577707A

GB2577707A - Heatfan

Info

Publication number: GB2577707A
Application number: GB1816133.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Abraham Petrus Groot De Albertus
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-10-03
Filing date: 2018-10-03
Publication date: 2020-04-08

Abstract

A mounting arrangement for a fan unit 1 having an elongated body with integrated fans 2 that is detachably mounted to a domestic central heating radiator such as a double panelled radiator. The elongated body has compartments 4 pivotally mounted at either end of the elongated body, wherein each compartment has magnets 6 that allow the body to be clamped to the radiator e.g. directly under, on top of, or in between the panels of the radiator. Preferably each compartment has one or more sliding parts 5 to adjust the position of the magnets, wherein the compartments width may be narrower than the width 10 of the elongated fan unit. One or more magnets may be in contact and transmit changes in the radiators temperature to a temperature sensor (13, fig 7) or thermostat thereby allowing the speed of the fan(s) to be controlled according to the temperature of the radiator. Preferably the hinges 7 have an open shaft providing a passageway (18, fig 6) for electrical wires. The hinges when rotated may act as supporting legs to the fan (fig 2).

Description

The invention can be applied in combination with a device to accelerate the air flow, to increase the heat exchange, for example with radiators within a heating system.

Commonly heat exchange radiators are designed with 1, 2 or 3 vertical plates, each plate containing 2 parallel fitted vertical surfaces creating a flat reservoir, such that the water can flow through, warming the conductive plates. The heat exchange with the environment takes place through radiant heat, and by transmission to the air. The heated air is rising within the room, and an air circulation is created within a room.

Positioning one or more electrical fans within the air circulation, the air flow is accelerated and the heat exchange of the radiator can be increased. Preferred positions are direct under, on top or in the radiator between the radiator plates.

Fitting electrical fans in the air circulation or radiator is well known as in EP2218974, GB2337811, US2.151.725 from C.C. Woolley" in which fans are positioned under, above or in between the radiator plates, to increase the heat exchange with fans by accelerating the air.

Fitting the fans or sets of fans to radiators is knows as in W02007067082, clamping modules of fans to radiators by clamping with springs, hooks or screws.

Also known is the clamping with magnets, for example as the model is registered by Speedcomfort by. In the EUIPO's database of design under 404600.

To fit a standard size fan, or series of fans in a body for general use in combination with different manufactures of plated-radiators, the fans/bodies need provisions to secure the position, either in between the plates, under or above the radiator. Separate brackets and additional adaptors, with and without magnets are commonly used.

The speed of the fans, is commonly controlled and switched by measuring the temperature-change of the radiator due to the water circulation of the radiator. The sensor is commonly a bi-metal thermostat fitted in a device separate from the body containing the fans. The bimetal thermostat is usually connected by wire to the fans, controlling the speed.

Alternatively -like the Speedcomfort -the bimetal thermostat can be positioned at the side of the body -in which the fans are secured -making direct contact to the radiator, reaction on the temperature change of the radiator. The bimetal thermostat has typical characteristics of a tolerance of a few degrees and a necessarily temperature gab of 8-10 degrees to switch on and off.

As due to the design of the radiators and the water flow, and because of the characteristics of the bimetal thermostat, the actual switch has a delay pending on the position to the radiator. Specific further away from the water inlet and outlet, and at the bottom of the radiator, are specific area's causing delay in switching as the due to the water circulation.

The temperature sensor as part of the body will only function if the body is fitted in between the radiator plates, and not if the body is direct under or above the radiator, due to a lack of contact. The temperature sensor fitted direct to the water inlet of the radiator, wired to the fans, becomes more popular. If the body is not fitted in between as the space is too small to fit the body, bodies are fitted under or on top of the radiator. Adapters or brackets are commonly used, and the temperature sensor is now positioned outside in a specific device due to a lack of contact.

The invention includes compartments linked to the body that contains fans by hinges, such that the complete unit -body and compartments -can be executed in a straight line, for example in between two parallel radiator plates. The hinges also providing the flexibility to adjust the position of the compartments to the body in -for example -a 90 degrees angle in, either in clockwise or anticlockwise position, such that the compartments can be fitted partly in between the radiator, while the body with the fans are positioned under or above the radiator.

As magnets are fitted in these compartments, the positions of the magnets can be changed by applying the hinges linked to the compartments, such that the magnets can be clamped to the iron radiator securing the position of the body in between the radiator plates, but also on top and/or under the radiator. This is a large benefit as no adaptors or brackets are longer required, and the fitting procedure becomes easier and cost efficient.

One of the preferred models is to fit a temperature sensor, making direct contact with the magnet, such that the metal magnet transmits the heat change due to the water circulation, initiating the sensor and the control of the speed of the fans. A preferred position is direct behind the magnet using the conductivity of the metal magnet. The benefit of this is the fact that no additional external device, connected either by wire or transmitting is needed to sensor the temperature and controlling the speed of the fans. The fitting procedure becomes easier and more cost efficient.

One of the preferred alternatives is the use of a sensor connected to a PCB, controlling the speed of the fans, in which the PCB has also conductive material at the surface towards the magnet, transmitting the temperature change to the temperature sensor. One of the preferred ways of sensing the temperature is the use of a thermistor, such as an NTC (electrical resistor based on negative temperature coefficient). With this thermistor the temperature switch can be set accurate and for example with only a small temperature difference. Tests switching on at 27 C and switching off at 26 C, did function, and provides to fit the device also in area's of the radiator in which the water circulation is poorer. A delay in time is neglectable.

Hinges in general are created based on the principle that two surfaces a mating and the outer surface can rotate round an inner axle. One of the preferred alternatives devices is the use of a hinge creating such that the inner axle is open, providing a passageway between the body and the compartments. In addition this internal passageway allows to connect the fans to the power by wires from compartment to the body and vice versa. This created passageway is not recordable from the outside, and no wires need to pass outside the unit. Besides the lean appearance it also reduce the failure mode.

Figure 1 gives an impression of the body (3) fitted in between a two plates (19) of a radiator. Here both compartment (4) are in the same line as the body. The compartments (4) containing magnets and are clamping the body (3) and compartments (4) to the plates (19) of the radiator.

This can be the top view or equally a bottom view of a radiator.

Figure 2 gives an impression of a fitted unit (1) with one of the compartments (4) demonstrated to be in a 90 degrees angle towards the longitudinal direction of the body (3), such that the magnets in the compartment, included in the adjustable slide (5), clamp the iron radiator plates. The adjustable slide (5) is positioned in a way to reduce the width mating the width of the radiator plates.

Figure 3 shows a unit (1) containing fans (2) secured in position in a body (3) with the two compartments (4). The two compartments (4) containing an adjustable slide (5), magnets (6) to be claimed to iron to secure the position of the unit. The adjustable slide (5), containing a magnet (6) such that the clamping magnet can be positioned pending on the distance to position the body for example between two vertical radiator plates, wider as the width of the body (10). The adjustable slide (5) can move freely in direction (8). The two compartments (4) are fitted to the body (3) as a hinge (7), to be rotated over an axle (9). In this figure the width of the compartments (4), including the adjustable slides (5) is wider as the width of the body indicated by the arrow (10).

Figure 4 shows the unit (1) in which the two compartments (4) are being rotated over the axle (9) such that a part of the compartment (4) is now positioned differently to the longitudinal direction of the body (20), such that the magnets (6) and the adjustable slide (5) can clamp the unit (1) for example under an heat exchanger such as a radiator. Also shows the inlet for the power connector (15).

Figure 5 shows an alternative position of the two compartments (4) being rotated over the axle (9) such that a part of the compartment (4) is now positioned differently to the longitudinal direction body (20), to clamp or position the unit up or above an heat exchanger such as a radiator, to clamp the unit (1) even when the width of the body (10) is wider as the space between the radiator plates or a single radiator plate and the wall. Here the width of the compartment (21) is reduced by the adjustable slide (5) and for that reason smaller as the width of the body (10).

Figure 5 shows a part of the body (3), one of the compartments (4) with the adjustable slide (5), and the magnets (6). Also the rotatable axle (9), a sliding rail (11), in which the block (12) can slide of the adjustable slide (5) in the sliding direction (8). Here the compartment (4) included the adjustable slide (5) is wider as the width of the body.

Figure 6 is the same object as in figure 5, providing an internal view. Important is the contact with the magnet (6) to a temperature sensor (13) here fitted on a PCB (14) , recording the temperature change of the magnet (6), and controlling the speed of the fans in the body.

In this figure the temperature sensor (13) is fitted on a PCD (14) connected to the magnet (6) with high conductive material on the mating surface such as copper or direct to the magnet, to record the temperature change of the magnet (6).

The printed circuit board (14), also containing a connector (15) for the power. The PCB (14) also contains connectors (22) to connect the fans, to provide power.

This figure gives a clear view on half of the hinge (7) connecting the body (3) to the compartment (4), providing the possibility to rotate the compartment (4) separate from the body (3).

Here the sliding part of the hinge of the body (16) provides a passageway (18) from body (3) to compartment (4) and vice versa, for example for electrical wires connected to the PCB (14) and the fans (2). In this figure the inner sliding part axle of the hinge (16) is formed by the body (3), and the outer rotating part (17) of the hinge (7) is formed by the compartment (4).

Figure 7 shows the magnet (6) as part of the adjustable slide (5) and the block (12) as part of the adjustable slide(5) is shown. Here an internal view of a part of the body (3) and the compartment (4) is demonstrated, showing the PCB (14), the power connector (15) and the connectors of the fans (22). Also the temperature sensor (13) -here a thermistor NTC-is fitted on the PCB (14). The PCD has the characteristics to have printed conductive layers on both sides such that the temperature sensor (13) is connected as part of the electrical circuit, but also in contact to the magnet (6) by conductive material transferring the temperature change of the magnet (6).

Figure 8 shows a closer version of figure 8, showing the adjustable slide (5), with the magnet (6) , the sliding rail (11) all part or fitted to the compartment (4).