WO2004092671A1

WO2004092671A1 - Electric motor power supply arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2004092671A1
Application number: PCT/IT2003/000240
Authority: WO
Inventors: Valerio Giordano Riello
Original assignee: Giordano Riello International Group S.P.A.
Priority date: 2003-04-16
Filing date: 2003-04-16
Publication date: 2004-10-28
Also published as: AU2003233181A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a power-supply unit for a direct-current electric motor (2), particularly for a convector apparatus (20) for conditioning air in closed environments. The convector apparatus comprises an air-outlet opening (23) provided with an orientable deflector element (24) operated by the electric motor (2). The power-supply unit for the electric motor (2) is characterized in that it comprises a housing (3) suitable for receiving a battery (4) for supplying energy to the electric motor (2) and a transformer-rectifier unit (5) for supplying energy to the electric motor (2).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Title: "Electric motor power supply arrangement"

The present invention relates to a power-supply unit for an electric motor according to the preamble to Claim 1.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a power- supply unit for an electric motor in convector apparatus for conditioning air in closed environments .

Convector apparatuses provided with systems for the opening and/or closure or one or more deflector elements are known.

In fan-assisted convectors, these opening and/or closure systems are provided with means for their movement that can be operated by electric motors supplied at the mains voltage and frequency.

European patent application EP-A-837288 describes a fan- assisted convector with deflector elements that can be oriented about an axis between a plurality of positions, that is, between a closed position and a fully-open position. This is brought about by transmission means operated by an electric motor which is supplied at the mains voltage and is controlled in dependence on the temperature detected by a thermostat.

However, this solution has the disadvantage of requiring building work to enable the electric motor to be supplied with energy, which naturally increases installation costs. International patent application PCT/IT02/00425 describes a thermal convector with a deflector element that can be oriented to a plurality of angular positions between a closed position and a fully-open position. The deflector element is operated by means of a direct-current electric motor which is supplied by a battery and is connected to switching means for switching the state of operation of the electric motor.

By virtue of the direct-current electric motor and the switching means, the thermal convector enables the temperature range within which the movement of the deflector element takes place to be varied.

In particular, the use of a battery for the energy supply of the electric motor leads to a series of advantages such as, for example, the advantage that the thermal convector can easily be moved from one position to another without the need to provide connections to the electrical mains, so that its installation is quick and easy.

The use of a direct-current electric motor and of means for transmitting the movement to the deflector which are described in International application PCT/IT02/00425 would also lead to considerable advantages in a fan-assisted convector, particularly in terms of the control of the variation of the temperature range within which the movement of the deflector element takes place.

Moreover, the use of this . solution both in a thermal convector and in ■ a fan-assisted convector would lead to considerable advantages at the production stage, in which the problem of producing a structure which is interchangeable between the two convectors would be solved.

There is therefore a considerable need to provide a power- supply unit for the electric motor which can be used interchangeably for thermal convectors and for fan-assisted convectors .

In fact, this would produce advantages not only from the point of view of the manufacture of the convectors, but also with regard to the versatility- of use of both of the convector apparatuses which are currently used, that is, thermal convectors and fan-assisted convectors.

The technical problem underlying the present invention is that of providing a power-supply unit for electric motors for convector apparatuses that has structural and functional characteristics such as to satisfy the above-mentioned need.

This problem is solved by a power-supply unit for an electric motor according to Claim 1.

Further characteristics and the advantages of the power- supply unit according to the present invention will become clear from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which is given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a power-supply unit for a direct-current electric motor according to the invention,

Figure 2 shows a thermal convector which uses the power- supply unit of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a fan-assisted convector which uses the power-supply unit of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a block diagram of the thermal convector of Figure 2 , and

Figure 5 is a block diagram of the fan-assisted convector of Figure 3.

With reference to the above-mentioned drawings, a power- supply unit according to the invention for the supply of a direct-current electric motor 2 is generally indicated 1.

The power-supply unit 1 can be used in a convector apparatus for conditioning air in closed environments, for example, a thermal convector or a fan-assisted convector.

The power-supply unit 1 comprises a housing 3 for receiving a battery 4, and a transformer-rectifier device 5.

The transformer-rectifier device 5 and the battery 4 are intended to supply energy to the electric motor 2.

The direct-current electric motor 2 is, for example, a motor which can operate at low voltages imparted by the battery 4 or by the transformer-rectifier device 5, with a low current consumption .of the order of a few tens of mA.

The transformer-rectifier device 5 comprises a power transformer 6 connected to a voltage rectifier 7. When the power transformer 6, which is of known type and is therefore not described in detail, receives an alternating input voltage V₁, for example, a mains voltage of 220 V at 50 Hz, it provides an alternating output voltage N₂ of reduced amplitude, for example 10V.

The voltage rectifier 7, which is of known type and is therefore not described in detail, receives as an input the voltage V₂ output by the power transformer 6 and outputs, via terminals 7a and 7b, a direct-current voltage V₃, for example, of 6 V for the supply ^' of the electric motor 2 (Figure 1) .

When the battery 4 is fitted in the housing 3, it provides an output voltage V_DC for the supply of the electric motor 2. The battery 4 preferably has a nominal voltage of between seven and twelve volts, preferably nine volts.

According to a preferred embodiment, the voltage V_DC is taken from the battery 4 by the provision of suitable terminals 3a, 3b in the housing 3, in known manner, the terminals 3a, 3b being in communication with the output terminals of the battery 4 (not shown in the drawings) .

Alternatively, the voltage V_DC may be taken directly from the output terminals of the battery 4.

The battery 4 may be, for example, a battery of the standard AA, AAA, C or D, alkaline, lithium, rechargeable or disposable types .

According to a preferred embodiment, the terminals 3a, 3b of the housing 3 for the battery 4 are connected electrically to the terminals 7a, 7b of the rectifier 7. In other words, the voltage V₃ output by the rectifier 7 is in parallel with the voltage V_DC output from the housing 3 for the battery 4.

When the battery 4 is not fitted in the housing 3, the voltage V_DC is zero and the motor 2 is supplied by the voltage V₃ output by the rectifier 7.

For this purpose, a mains voltage, for example the voltage V₁, must be provided at the input to the transformer- rectifier device 5, that is, to the transformer 6..

The way in which the voltage V_x is supplied to the transformer 6 will be described in detail below with reference to the use of the power-supply unit 1 of the present invention in a fan-assisted convector.

When the battery 4 is fitted in the housing 3, a voltage V_DC is available for supply to the electric motor 2.

In this case, according to a preferred embodiment, the transformer-rectifier device 5 is not connected to a mains . supply and the voltage V₁ input to the transformer 6 is zero.

The voltage N₃ output by the rectifier 7 is consequently also practically zero, apart from leakage currents of the windings of the transformer 6, and the electric motor 2 is supplied solely by the voltage N_DC of the battery 4.

Basically, the battery 4 and the transformer-rectifier device 5 can be used individually and alternatively. If the transformer-rectifier device 5 is connected to a mains supply and the battery 4 is fitted in the housing 3, both the voltage V₃ at the terminals 7a, 7b of the rectifier 7 and the voltage V_DC at the terminals 3a, 3b of the housing 3 of the battery 4 are available for supply to the electric motor 2.

In this case, to prevent unnecessary consumption from the battery 4, a sensor (not shown in the drawings) may be provided to detect the presence of the battery 4 and exclude it from the supply circuit.

In the event of a malfunction of the transformer-rectifier device 5 or a lack of electrical current from the mains, the sensor arranges for the battery 4 to be connected in the supply circuit, ensuring continuous operation of the deflector element of the convector apparatus in which it is used, at least as far as the electric motor 2 is concerned.

As stated above, the power-supply unit 1 of the present invention can be used interchangeably in a thermal convector or in a fan-assisted convector.

Figure 2 shows a thermal convector, generally indicated 20.

The thermal convector 20 comprises, as basic functional elements, an ambient-air inlet opening 21, a heat exchanger 22, and an outlet opening 23 provided with an adjustable deflector element 24.

The air-inlet opening 21 advantageously has an air filter 21b. The air flow 25 is conveyed from the surrounding environment through the opening 21 and towards the heat exchanger 22 by virtue of the natural thermosiphonic convection effect which is produced owing to the temperature gradient which is created between the temperature outside the thermal convector 20 and that inside the thermal convector 20.

The heat exchanger 22 comprises a coil (not shown in the drawings) through which a hot fluid, preferably but not necessarily water, flows.

The air-flow 25 taken from the environment surrounding the thermal convector 20 is heated by the heat exchanger 22 and conveyed towards the outlet opening 23.

The flow-rate of the air-flow 25 emerging from the convector apparatus 20 through the outlet opening 23 is regulated by means of the adjustable deflector element 24.

The adjustable deflector element 24 is operated by the direct-current electric motor 2 via transmission means 26. The electric motor 2 is also connected to switching means 27 which can switch the state of operation of the electric motor 2.

The switching means 27 comprise a first switch 27a which can switch according to a predefined temperature range and a second switch 27b which can switch according to the transmission means 26.

The method of operation of the thermal convector 20, of the transmission means, of the switching means 27, and of the electric motor 2 are described in International application PCT/IT02/00425 to which reference is made.

According to the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 2, the thermal convector 20 is defined by a body 28 and by a headpiece 29 associated with the top of the body 28.

The electric motor 2, the adjustable deflector element 24, the transmission means 26, the switching means 27, and the power-supply unit 1 are advantageously housed in the headpiece 29, whereas the heat exchanger 22 is housed inside the body 28.

Alternatively, the power-supply unit 1 may be housed in the body 28 with the provision of electrical terminals (not shown in the drawings) for connecting the power-supply unit 1 to the electric motor 2.

For example, the electrical terminals may be male terminals disposed on the upper surface of the body 28 so as to correspond to respective female electrical terminals disposed on the lower surface of the head 29, or vice versa.

Since the thermal convector 20 does not require a mains supply, the direct-current electric motor 2 is supplied by the battery 4 of the power-supply unit 1 whilst the transformer-rectifier device 5 remains unused during the operation of the thermal convector.

With reference to Figure 3, a fan-assisted convector. is generally indicated 30. The parts of- the fan-assisted convector 30 which are structurally and/or functionally equivalent to those of the thermal convector 20 are marked with the same reference numerals in the drawing and, for brevity of explanation, are not described again.

The fan-assisted convector 30 comprises a fan 31 operated by an electric motor 32.

The air-flow 25 is taken in from the environment surrounding the fan-assisted convector 30 by means of the fan 31 and is conveyed through the intake opening 21 towards the heat exchanger 22 and from this towards the outlet opening 23.

The electric motor 32 of the fan 31 is an alternating- current electric motor and therefore has to be supplied with a mains voltage.

Since a mains supply is available, the direct-current electric motor 2 can be supplied by the transformer- rectifier device 5 which supplies the direct-current voltage V₃-

It is consequently not necessary to fit the battery 4 in the housing 3 of the power-supply unit 1 although, as stated above, this hypothesis does not prejudice the operation of the power-supply unit 1.

The power-supply unit 1 of the present invention is particularly advantageous, when it is fitted in the fan- assisted convector 30, should the electrical current fail for an appreciable period of time.

In this situation, the fan-assisted convectors of the prior art are unusable since both the electric motor of the fan and the electric motor of the orientable deflector element require a mains supply for their operation because they are alternating-current electric motors. Consequently, although the hot fluid continues to circulate inside the heat exchanger, the air-conditioning function is lost and the conditioning of the closed environment in which the fan- assisted convector is disposed becomes dependent on the open or closed position of the orientable deflector element 24.

In contrast, by virtue of the power-supply unit 1 of the present invention, in the absence of electrical current, the fan-assisted convector can continue to operate with reduced functional capacities, at least as a thermal convector.

In particular, the electric motor 2 for operating the deflector element 24 can continue to be supplied by the battery 4. If the battery 4 is already fitted in the housing 3, a circuit may be provided for automatically detecting the absence of a mains supply and causing the battery 4 to take over in the supply circuit of the electric motor 2.

Alternatively, the user can easily fit the battery 4 in the housing 3 as required.

In order to supply the electric motor 32 of the fan 31, the fan can be connected directly to a mains supply 35.

According to a preferred embodiment, the electric motor 32 of the fan 31 is connected to a power-supply panel 33 which in turn is connected to the mains supply 35.

This is also particularly advantageous since the transformer-rectifier device 5, in particular the power transformer 6, can be connected to the power-supply panel 33.

A voltage V₁ is thus made available at the input to the power transformer 6 and a voltage V₃ is made available by the voltage rectifier 7 for the supply of the direct-current electric motor 2.

Alternatively, the power transformer 6 may be connected directly to the mains supply 35.

According to a preferred embodiment, the power-supply panel 33 is housed in the body 28 and has three terminals: a phase terminal 33a, an earth terminal 33b, and a neutral terminal 33c.

The electric motor 32 of the fan 31 is advantageously connected to a fan-speed switch 34 by means of which it is possible to adjust the speed of rotation of the electric motor 32.

According to a preferred embodiment, the speed switch 34 is housed in the head-piece 29.

A series of male-female connections may be provided between the body 28 and the head-piece 29 in order to put the electric motor 32 of the fan 31 and the power-supply panel 33, which are housed in the body 28 of the fan-assisted convector 30, into electrical connection with the power- supply unit 1, the electric motor 2, the switching means 27, and the speed switch 34, which are housed in the head-piece 29. Alternatively, electrical connections of other types having the same purpose, for example, comb contacts, may be used.

As can be appreciated from the foregoing description, the power-supply unit for a direct-current electric motor according to the present invention satisfies the needs and overcomes the disadvantages discussed with reference to the prior art in the introductory portion of the present description.

In particular, when the power-supply unit 1 of the present invention is housed in the head-piece of a convector apparatus, the same head-piece structure can be associated interchangeably with a fan-assisted convector or with a thermal convector.

This facility is particularly advantageous during the mass- production of convector apparatuses, with clear advantages in terms of economy and hourly piece-production rates.

Naturally, in order to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, a person skilled in the art may apply to the above-described power-supply unit according to the invention many modifications and variations all of which, however, are included in the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the appended claims .

Claims

1. A power-supply unit (1) for a direct-current electric motor (2) , particularly for a convector apparatus (20, 30) for conditioning air in closed environments, the convector apparatus (20, 30) comprising an air-inlet opening (21) , a heat exchanger (22) , and an air-outlet opening (23) provided with at least one orientable deflector element (24) , the at least one orientable deflector element (24) intercepting the air-flow emerging from the air-outlet opening (23) and being orientable to a plurality of angular positions between a closed position and a fully-open position, the at least one orientable deflector element (24) being operated by the direct-current electric motor (2) ,

characterized in that the power-supply unit (1) comprises:

a housing (3) for receiving a battery (4) , and

a transformer-rectifier device (5) ,

in which the battery (4) and the transformer-rectifier device (5) are intended to supply the direct-current electric motor (2) .

2. A power-supply unit (1) for an electric motor (2) according to Claim 1 in which the convector apparatus (20, 30) is defined by a body (28) and by a head-piece (29) associated with the top of the body (28) .

3. A power-supply unit (1) for an electric motor (2) according to Claim 2 in which the power-supply unit (1) is housed in the head-piece (29) .

4. A power-supply unit (1) for an electric motor (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the convector apparatus (20, 30) is a thermal convector (20) .

5. A power-supply unit (1) for an electric motor (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 , in which the convector apparatus (20, 30) is a fan-assisted convector (30) .

6. A power-supply unit (1) for an electric motor (2) according to Claim 5, in which the transformer-rectifier device (5) is suitable for connection to a power-supply panel (33) , the power-supply panel (33) being connected to a mains supply (35) .

7. A power-supply unit (1) for an electric motor (2) according to Claim 6 in which the power-supply panel (33) is housed in the body (28) .