WO2019087076A1

WO2019087076A1 - Fixing plates

Info

Publication number: WO2019087076A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/058506
Authority: WO
Inventors: Darius Rahimi
Original assignee: Zehnder Group International Ag
Priority date: 2017-10-30
Filing date: 2018-10-30
Publication date: 2019-05-09
Also published as: GB201717850D0; GB2568235A; GB2568235B; EP3704420A1

Abstract

A fixing plate 2 for a fan comprises at least one mount point 10 for mounting the fixing plate to a fixed surface and at least one first attachment member 12 for removably attaching a fan to the fixing plate. The fixing plate is arranged to be electrically connected to a power supply 17 and the fixing plate further comprises at least one electrical connection terminal 16 which is arranged to electrically connect the power supply to the fan when the fan is attached to the fixing plate.

Description

Fixing plates

This invention relates to fans, in particular ventilation fans such as extractor fans of the type suitable for affixing to a wall or a ceiling or in a window.

Fans of this type may be used to ventilate a room via a wall or ceiling duct. During such use, dust, along with other contaminants, may accumulate within the fan and the duct, and therefore regular cleaning is required to ensure unimpeded and hygienic ventilation.

Typically, fans of this type are permanently mounted (e.g. via several screws) to a wall or ceiling to ensure that the fan is secure and positioned correctly, but this makes cleaning difficult. To provide adequate access for cleaning of the duct and the fan itself, the whole fan must be detached from the surface (e.g. by unscrewing each of the screws), which can be highly time consuming. In addition, regularly mounting and detaching the fan from the surface can weaken the surface, reducing the strength of the attachment and potentially increasing the likelihood of the surface failing, and the fan coming loose. Such a failure is not just inconvenient but may be dangerous, particularly when a fan is installed, for example, in a domestic setting or in commercial premises in proximity to customers (e.g. fans used in hotel rooms).

From a first aspect, the invention provides a fixing plate for a fan comprising:

at least one mount point for mounting the fixing plate to a fixed surface;

at least one first attachment member for removably attaching a fan to the fixing plate;

wherein the fixing plate is arranged to be electrically connected to a power supply; and

the fixing plate further comprises a first electrical connection terminal which is arranged to electrically connect the power supply to the fan when the fan is attached to the fixing plate.

Thus a fixing plate for a fan is provided that enables a fan to be quickly and easily removed from or fitted to an operating position without having to manually detach the fan from or attach the fan to a fixed surface. The fixing plate may be mounted to the fixed surface once upon initial installation, and the fan can be easily fitted and removed multiple times without any detriment to the strength of the connection between the fixing plate and the fixed surface. The at least one first attachment member preferably comprises at least one quick release first attachment member, wherein a fan may be attached or detached by a quick and relatively small rotational and/or axial movement of the fan. Preferably the fixing plate is configured such that a fan may be attached or detached without the use of any tools. Additionally or alternatively, the fixing plate may be configured such that a fan may be attached or detached by a user using only one hand. This is particularly useful where the fan is installed at a height which may require a ladder to reach it, e.g. high on a wall or in a ceiling.

The fixing plate may be mounted to the fixed surface such that the exact position and/or orientation of the fan with respect to the fixed surface is fixed. Because attaching or detaching a fan does not require the fixing plate to be dismounted or adjusted, the fixing plate may be positioned relative to the fixed surface (e.g.

surrounding a duct) precisely upon installation, and during subsequent use this position does not vary. Preferably, therefore, the fixing plate is mounted to the fixed surface in a position that enables optimal operation of a fan.

One of the most significant difficulties encountered when removing or fitting

conventional fans involves the electrical connection between the fan and a power supply. Typically fans must be "wired in" on fitting and electrically disconnected manually every time they are removed , a process that is both time consuming, and often must be performed by a professional electrician. The present invention, however, requires the fixing plate to be manually wired in only once upon installation, and then a simple connection from the power supply to the fan is made using the first electrical connection terminal when subsequently removing or attaching the fan to the fixing plate, with no complex wiring required. The first electrical connection terminal may be a safe connector with recessed contacts so that there is no risk of exposure to electrically live wires when making/breaking the connection between the power supply and the fan. Because no manual wiring is required to make an electrical connection between the fan and the first electrical connection terminal, removal and fitting is faster, safer and cheaper. In other embodiments, the fixing plate is arranged such that attaching the fan to the fixing plate causes the first electrical connection terminal to electrically connect the power supply to the fan. For example, in some embodiments attaching the fan to the fixing plate comprises a relative movement of the fan and the fixing plate (e.g. a rotation or a translation), and this movement may bring electrical contacts that form part of the first electrical connection terminal into contact with corresponding electrical contacts on the fan, thus creating an electrical connection between the fan and the power supply. This making/breaking of the electrical connection simultaneously with the mounting/removal of the fan adds to the ease of use (ease of installation and ease of removal) as well as increasing the physical separation between the user and the electrical connections.

In some embodiments, the fixing plate is arranged to be electrically connected to the power supply via a terminal block connection (e.g. a chocolate-block connector or screw terminal connector). Preferably the terminal block connection is not directly accessible when the fixing plate is mounted to the fixed surface. In some embodiments the fixing plate comprises a removable cover, which encloses any otherwise exposed electrically conductive surfaces (e.g. the terminal block connection or exposed wires). This ensures that a user is shielded from any electrical connections which they could otherwise come into contact with when, for example they are attaching and/or detaching a fan.

In some embodiments, the power supply comprises live, neutral and switched live components. Preferably the fixing plate contains no transformers or other electronic components such that the when the fan and fixing plate are attached, the fan is directly connected to the power supply. It will be appreciated that the power supply may be a mains power supply or may be a lower voltage (e.g. SELV) supply. The power supply may comprise an earth conductor.

The back frame may be mounted to the fixed surface proximal to a duct. In some embodiments, the back frame comprises a central aperture that is aligned with the duct. The fixing plate may comprise a rearwardly projecting spigot to which ducting (e.g. flexible ducting) can be connected. Such ducting would normally be connected directly to the rear spigot of the fan and would need to be detached for cleaning of the fan. By attaching the ducting to the spigot of the fixing plate the fan can simply be removed, leaving the ducting in place. Fans are typically designed to operate in conjunction with a duct of a particular shape, but in some cases the shape of the duct may not be compatible with a particular fan (e.g. a duct with a circular cross section may have too large a diameter). In some embodiments of the present invention therefore, the fixing plate may also act as a so-called picture frame adapter, wherein it enables a fan designed for use with a duct having a first shape to operate with a duct having a second, different shape, the adapter covering any discrepancy in shape and presenting an aesthetic front end to the user.

The fixing plate may be used as part (e.g. an external or internal part) of a window kit, wherein the fixed surface comprises a window. Alternatively, although not

exhaustively, the fixed surface may comprise a wall, a ceiling or a floor within a building.

From another aspect, the present invention provides a fan assembly comprising: a fan; and

a fixing plate as disclosed herein;

wherein the fan comprises at least one second attachment member, which is configured to engage with the first attachment member to removably attach the fan to the fixing plate.

Preferably, the fan further comprises a second electrical connection terminal, which is arranged to engage with the first electrical connection terminal to connect the fan to the power supply when the fan and fixing plate are attached. As described above, in some embodiments the electrical connection may be made by the same action as is used to mount the fan. This is particularly advantageous for one-handed

mounting/demounting.

In some embodiments, the electrical connection between the fan and first electrical connection terminal may comprise a plug/socket or male/female connection. The first electrical connection terminal is preferably the female (socket) connector and the second electrical connection terminal is preferably the male (plug) connector. This connection can be made by hand without tools. It will be appreciated that such connectors can be shaped to ensure that it is not possible to connect the fan to the fixing plate incorrectly as well as preventing electrical exposure, thus making/breaking this connection does not require an electrician.

Although the invention can be applied to any size of fan assembly and for any purpose, in preferred embodiments the fan comprises a ventilation fan of the type typically used in kitchens and bathrooms. Further preferably the fan assembly is mountable on a wall or a ceiling or in a window.

In some embodiments engaging the at least one first attachment member and the at least one second attachment member comprises rotating the fan and the fixing plate relative to each other.

The at least one second attachment member and the at least one first attachment member are preferably configured to engage and conversely to disengage without the use of any tools, such that the fan may be attached to the fixing plate merely through user manipulation. This may increase the ease and speed with which the fan may be removed and attached from the fixing plate. The at least one second attachment member preferably comprises at least one quick release second attachment member, such that the fan may be attached or detached by a quick and relatively small rotational and/or axial movement. Preferably the fan assembly is configured such that the fan may be attached or detached by a user using only one hand.

The fan assembly may comprise a plurality of second attachment members and first attachment members, for example the fan assembly may comprise two, three, four or more second attachment members and/or two, three, four or more first attachment members. Increasing the number of attachment members may increase the strength of the attachment between the fan and the fixing plate, although too many attachment members may make attaching the fan and the fixing plate more difficult, as well as increasing the cost and complexity of manufacture.

While the fan may be adequately secured to the fixing plate solely through the engagement of at least one second attachment member and the at least one first attachment member, in some embodiments the fan assembly further comprises a securing member, e.g. a securing screw, which is arranged to prevent relative movement of the fan and the fixing plate. This may help to prevent accidental disengagement.

Preferably the fan assembly is positioned proximal to a duct, and the fan is operable to cause air to flow through the duct. Removing the fan from the fixing plate, as described herein, preferably provides access to the duct, e.g. for cleaning as well as allowing better cleaning and maintenance access to the (removed) fan unit itself. This easy removal and replacement is particularly advantageous where regular cleaning is required. For example, hotels have a particularly large throughput of freshly laundered, fluffy towels which can clog up the extractor fans in hotel rooms faster than would be expected in a normal domestic setting. Accordingly, more frequent cleaning is required. This combined with a large number of such fans in a hotel (e.g. one in each room) means that any difficulties in detaching and reattaching the fan are amplified, especially if an electrician is required to detach and then rewire each fan each time cleaning is required.

In preferred embodiments, the at least one second attachment member and the at least one first attachment member form at least one quick release lug and keyhole slot pair. Such a lug and keyhole slot pair is engageable by axially inserting the lug into the keyhole slot and then moving the lug laterally with respect to the keyhole slot such that the lug is retained in the keyhole slot. The fan assembly may comprise a plurality of quick release lug and keyhole slot pairs, for example two, three, four or more lug and keyhole slot pairs. In some such embodiments the at least one second attachment member comprises a plurality of quick release lugs, and the at least one first attachment member comprises a plurality of keyhole slots. In some such embodiments the plurality of quick release lugs and the plurality of keyhole slots are arranged such that the fan and fixing plate may be engaged by axially inserting the plurality of quick release lugs into the plurality of keyhole slots, and then rotating the fan relative to the fixing plate such that each of the lugs is retained in its respective keyhole slot. In some embodiments, the fan may be configured such that it is possible to mount the fan directly to the fixed surface without the use of a fixing plate. Providing the same fan for both fixing plate and non-fixing plate installations may reduce manufacturing costs while providing great versatility for a single design of fan unit. In some such embodiments, the at least one second attachment member is removable from the rest of the fan.

The present invention is particularly suited to application in which regular cleaning of the fan is required, for example in hotels. The fan assembly may therefore further comprise or support features typical of domestic extractor fans, e.g. timed operation, overrun operation linked to a light switch and variable speed operation.

The present invention extends to a method of assembling a fan assembly comprising: providing a fixing plate comprising at least one first attachment member and a first electrical connection terminal;

providing a fan comprising at least one second attachment member;

connecting the fixing plate to a power supply;

engaging the first and second attachment members to attach the fan to the fixing plate;

using the first electrical connection terminal to electrically connect the fan to the fixing plate such that the fan is connected to the power supply.

Features of any aspect or embodiment described herein may, wherever appropriate, be applied to any other aspect or embodiment described herein. Where reference is made to different embodiments or sets of embodiments, it should be understood that these are not necessarily distinct but may overlap.

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

Figures 1 and 1 a show a fixing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a fan assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention during assembly; and

Figures 3 and 3a show an alternative view of the fan assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention during assembly; and

Figure 4 shows a fan assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention in a final stage of assembly.

Figure 1 shows a frontal view of a fixing plate 2 comprising an annular outer portion 4 and an annular inner portion 6 which is located radially interior to, and recessed from, the outer portion 4. The inner portion 6 comprises a central circular aperture 8, mounting points 10 and defines the edges of three keyhole slots 12 which are spaced around the circumference of the central aperture 8. The keyhole slots 12 each comprise a tangentially extending slot with an enlarged section at one end.

During installation, the mounting points 10 are used to mount the fixing plate 2 to a fixed surface (e.g. a wall, not shown) that comprises a duct (also not shown). The fixing plate 2 is securely mounted to the fixed surface such that the central circular aperture 8 is aligned with the duct. The fixing plate 2 is mounted using, for example, screws that project through each mounting point 10 and into the fixed surface. As seen in more detail in Figure 1 a, the inner portion 6 further comprises a recessed section 13, in which a cable grip 14 and an electrical terminal block 16 are disposed. During installation, a cable 17 comprising a power supply (not shown) made up of three components is fed into the recessed section 13 from the rear of the fixing plate 2, wired such that each of the components is connected to a corresponding input on the electrical terminal block 16, and secured using the cable grip 14. As shown in Figure 1 , a cover 18 encloses the recessed section 13 to prevent a user coming into contact with the terminal block 16, or any of the components of the power supply.

The fixing plate 2 further comprises a first electrical connection terminal 19, which is connected to the terminal block 16 via a flexible cable and comprises a female "socket" connector. The flexible cable projects from the rear of the fixing plate 2 through a secondary aperture in the inner portion 6 such that the first electrical connection terminal 19 hangs free at the front of the fixing plate 2. The three keyhole slots 12 serve as first attachment members with which a fan (not shown) may be attached to the fixing plate 2 to form a fan assembly. Such a fan assembly is shown in Figures 2, 3, 3a and 4 and described in more detail below.

A fan assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 2, wherein the fan assembly 100 comprises the fixing plate 2 and a fan 102. The fan 102 comprises a main portion 104 and a spigot portion 106, wherein the spigot portion 106 is sized to fit within the central circular aperture 8 of the fixing plate 2, and the main portion 104 comprises three quick release lugs 108, which are sized and positioned to engage with the three keyhole slots 12 on the fixing plate 2.

The fixing plate 2 further comprises a fixing plate spigot 9 of slightly larger diameter than the spigot portion 106, which projects rearwardly from the central circular aperture 8. Upon installation, ducting (e.g. flexible ducting) may be connected directly to the fixing plate spigot 9 rather than to the spigot portion 106 of the fan 102, such that the ducting does not have to be removed from the spigot portion 106 every time the fan 102 is detached from the fixing plate 2.

Each of the lugs 108 comprises a first cylindrical portion 1 10 and a second cylinder portion 1 12 positioned coaxially. The first cylindrical portion 1 10 has a first radius and the second cylinder portion 1 12 has a second radius that is larger than the first radius. The second radius is such that the second cylinder portion 1 12 can axially only pass through the enlarged section of the keyhole slots 12, whereas the first radius is such that the first cylindrical portion 1 10 can axially pass through any section of the keyhole slots 12.

The fan 102 further comprises an impeller and control circuitry (not shown), which are configured to cause air to flow through the spigot portion 106. As seen in Figures 3 and 3a, the fan 102 comprises a second electrical connection terminal 1 13 which is, during assembly, connected to the first electrical connection terminal 19 to connect the fan 102 to the power supply. The second electrical connection terminal 1 13 comprises a male "plug" connector which can be easily connected by hand to the "socket" of the first electrical connection terminal 19.

The fan assembly 100 is assembled by connecting the first and second electrical connection terminals 19, 1 13 as described above, then bringing the fan 102 and the fixing plate 2 together in an axial direction shown by the arrows in Figure 2. The spigot portion 106 is inserted into the central aperture portion 8, and each of the lugs 108 is inserted into the enlarged section of a correspondingly located keyhole slot 12. Figure 4 shows the fan assembly 100 at this stage of assembly.

Figure 3 shows the spigot portion 106 positioned in the central circular aperture 8 such that the spigot portion 106 projects from the fixing plate 2 and the lugs 108 extend through the keyhole slots 12. The fan 102 is then rotated in a direction shown by the arrows in Figure 4, relative to the fixing plate 2. The second cylindrical portion 1 12 of each key member 108 is thus no longer aligned with the enlarged section of the tangential slot, and is trapped on the rear of the fixing plate 2 by the edge of the keyhole slot 12. The fan 102 therefore, as a result of the engagement of the key members 108 and the keyhole slots 12, is attached to the fixing plate 2 such that it cannot be separated from the fixing plate 2 solely through axial movement. A securing screw 1 14 (seen in Figure 3a) is then inserted from the front of the fan assembly 100, such that it extends from the fan 102 into the fixing plate 2 and prevents relative rotation (and possible subsequent disconnection) of the fan 102 and the fixing plate 2.

Before assembly, the fixing plate 2 is mounted to a fixed surface (not shown) which may connect to a duct (also not shown), such that the central circular aperture 8 is aligned with the duct. When the fixing plate 2 is mounted in this way, and the fan assembly 100 is assembled as described above, the fan 102 is operable to cause air to flow through the duct in order to, for example, provide ventilation to a room. In such ventilation applications, for reasons of hygiene and maintenance it is desirable to periodically clean both the fan 102 and the duct. To clean the fan 102 and the duct, the fan 102 is detached from the fixing plate by reversing the assembly steps described above. Detaching the fan 102 grants access to the duct through the central circular aperture 8, and also enables greater access to the fan 102 itself. The fan 102 is disconnected from the power supply when it is detached and as such may even be safely partially disassembled to facilitate cleaning and/or maintenance/repair. Once cleaning is completed, the assembly steps are repeated to reattach the fan 102 to the fixing plate 2, and consequently reconnect the fan 102 to the power supply. Aside from cleaning purposes, the fan assembly 100 described herein also facilitates quick and easy replacement of the fan 102, for example if a fan is faulty. In contrast to conventional fans 102, this (along with cleaning) requires no rewiring and can be completed quickly and easily. As mentioned above, this is particularly advantageous in organisations where a large number of fans are installed and where such fans are relied on heavily (e.g. hotels). In such cases the organisation can keep spare fan units on hand for rapid replacement in the event of a failure as well as benefiting from the much more efficient cleaning procedure.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention has been illustrated by describing one or more specific embodiments thereof, but is not limited to these embodiments; many variations and modifications are possible, within the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

1 . A fixing plate for a fan comprising:

at least one mount point for mounting the fixing plate to a fixed surface;

wherein the fixing plate is arranged to be electrically connected to a power supply; and the fixing plate further comprises at least one electrical connection terminal which is arranged to electrically connect the power supply to the fan when the fan is attached to the fixing plate.

2. A fixing plate as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one first attachment member comprises at least one quick release first attachment member.

3. A fixing plate as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the fixing plate is configured such that a fan may be attached to or detached from the fixing plate without the use of any tools.

4. A fixing plate as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first electrical connection terminal comprises a socket connector.

5. A fixing plate as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fixing plate is arranged to be electrically connected to the power supply via a terminal block connection.

6. A fixing plate as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the power supply comprises live, neutral and switched live components.

7. A fixing plate as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fixing plate comprises a picture frame adapter.

8. A fixing plate as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fixing plate comprises part of a window kit.

9. A fan assembly comprising:

a fan; and

a fixing plate as disclosed herein;

10. A fan assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fan further comprises a second electrical connection terminal, which is arranged to engage with the first electrical connection terminal to connect the fan to the power supply when the fan and fixing plate are attached.

1 1 . A fan assembly as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the first and second electrical connection terminals comprise a plug and socket pair.

12. A fan assembly as claimed in any of claims 9 to 1 1 , wherein the fan comprises a domestic ventilation fan.

13. A fan assembly as claimed in any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the at least one second attachment member and the at least one first attachment member are configured to engage or disengage without the use of any tools.

14. A fan assembly as claimed in any of claims 9 to 13, comprising a plurality of second attachment members and first attachment members.

15. A fan assembly as claimed in any of claims 9 to 14, further comprising a securing member, arranged to prevent relative movement of the fan and the fixing plate.

16. A fan assembly as claimed in any of claims 9 to 15, wherein the at least one second attachment member and the at least one first attachment member form at least one quick release lug and keyhole slot pair.

17. A fan assembly as claimed in any of claims 9 to 16, wherein the at least one second attachment member is removable from the rest of the fan.

18. A method of assembling a fan assembly comprising :

providing a fixing plate comprising at least one first attachment member and a first electrical connection terminal;

providing a fan comprising at least one second attachment member;

connecting the fixing plate to a power supply;