Description:TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to aspects of a space heater. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a space heater capable of providing space heating in 360 degrees.

BACKGROUND

An electric heater is an electrical appliance that provides heating to a space, such as a room. The electric heater includes a heating element and a set of heat dissipating surfaces, such as heat radiators or heating fins adapted to dissipate heat to air. Further, the heating element can be a radiative heater, a nichrome wire, and/or heating oil. The electric heater can be of different types and may have different configurations. One such type is a radiant type including a parabolic reflector that radiates the heat from a heating element. Another type is a convective type in which the heat dissipating surfaces such as fins dissipate the heat into the air.

Electric heaters are designed to maximise heating efficiency. One of the ways to achieve maximise heating efficiency is to increase heating fins to enhance heat transfer. However, increasing the size and number of the heating fins hinders the movement of air through the fins. One way to mitigate this issue is to make a large-sized heater. However, an increase in size renders the electric heater bulky. Another limitation of the current electric heater, owing to their design, is that the electric heater relies on the convection of air along a single direction which results in a longer time to heat the space. Such longer heating time also results in greater power consumption.

Therefore, there exists a need for an improved space heater that addresses the limitations of currently known electric heaters.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention nor intended to determine the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a space heater is disclosed that includes a housing comprising a plurality of fins disposed around a periphery of the housing and along a length of the housing, such that the plurality of fins extends radially from the housing and is adapted to heat the air in the space. The space heater also includes a heating unit disposed in the housing and adapted to heat the plurality fins, such that adjacent fins of the plurality of fins form a channel to allow air to travel therethrough to heat the air passing through the channel.

According to the present disclosure, the fins are arranged radially around the housing thereby resulting in 360 degrees heating. Moreover, the fins are arranged to form channels that allow the air to enter and flow therethrough resulting in convective flow all around the space heater thereby resulting in homogenous heating of a large volume of air. Moreover, the housing allows for the placement of additional accessories thereto to further enhance the capability of the space heater.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a space heater, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the space heater, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the space heater showing a flow of air, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of another space heater with an aroma device installed on the space heater, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 5 illustrates a schematic showing connections between electrical/electronic components of the space heater, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”

The terminology and structure employed herein are for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and do not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.

More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” “one or more elements” “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element does NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one or more . . . ” or “one or more element is REQUIRED.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having an ordinary skill in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “a further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any feature and/or element described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate those elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate different views of a space heater 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the space heater 100 whereas Figure 2 illustrates a top view of a space heater 100. Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the space heater 100 showing the flow of air, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The space heater 100 of the present disclosure may be employed to provide heating in a space, such as a room. The space heater 100 is designed in such that the space heater 100 is adapted to provide homogenous and quick heating of air in the space. The space heater 100 provides all-around heating to achieve homogenous heating of air. Further, the space heater 100 is designed to induce a airflow therethrough to achieve natural convention with minimal force convention of air. As a result, unlike conventional electric heaters that require large-sized fans to move the air, the space heater 100 of the present disclosure does away a need for such fans.

The space heater 100 may include, but is not limited to, a housing 102, a plurality of fins 104, an end cap 106, a base 108, and a heating unit. The housing 102 may form the largest component of the space heater 100 and may include a hollow body that may house other components, such as the heating unit and electrical/electronic components therein. In addition, the hollow body housing 102 may transfer the heat generated from the heating unit to the plurality of fins 104. In one example, the hollow body of the housing 102 is designed in such that a width of the housing 102 at bottom is greater than a width of the housing 102 at the top to form a frustum shape, which can be further of different cross sections.

In one instance, the hollow body of the housing 102 may have a hexagonal cross section seen clearly in Figure 2 although the body of the housing 102 may have one of a polygonal, a circular, and an elliptical cross section. In one example, the hollow body of the housing 102 may be made using the casting process, such that the plurality of fins 104 may be casted along with the hollow body. Alternatively, the hollow body of the housing 102 may be casted separately and the plurality of fins 104 may be attached to the hollow body. In either configuration, the plurality of fins 104 may receive heat from the hollow body of the housing 102.

In one example, the plurality of fins 104 may be disposed around a periphery of the housing 102 and along a length of the housing 102. In other words, the plurality of fins 104 may cover the complete outer surface of the housing 102. In case the plurality of fins 104 is casted with the hollow body, the plurality of fins 104 may be defined as the outer surface of the housing 102. Referring to Figure 2, the plurality of fins 104 may extend radially outward from the hollow body of the housing 102 and may include a base 110-1 originating from the hollow body and a tip 110-2 opposite to the base 110-1. In one example, each fin 104 has a solid structure and a taper shape extending from the body at the base 110-1 to the tip 110-2 of each fin 104.

The plurality of fins 104 are arranged in such a way that adjacent fins 104-1, 104-2 form a channel 112. As seen clearly, the housing 102 may include a plurality of channel 112 formed between adjacent fins 104-1, 104-2. Further, each channel 112 may include a trough section defined by bases of adjacent fins 104-1, 104-2 and may have a depth equal to a width of adjacent fins 104-1, 104-2. The working of the channel 112 will be explained later with respect to Figure 3.

The space heater 100 is designed in such a way that the number of fins 104 defining the plurality of fins 104 are based on an amount of heat dissipation to the air. On the other hand, a size of the body is independent of the number of fins 104 and the amount of heat dissipation. In an example, based on the amount of heat to be dissipated, the number of fins 104 may be varied while keeping the dimensions of the housing 102 unchanged. As a result, different space heaters 100 may have different number of fins 104 while keeping the overall size of the housing 102 compact.

Referring to Figure 3, the channels 112 may be between the base 108 and the end cap 106 of the housing 102. The channels 112 allows cold air 302 to enter therein near the base 108 and travel upwards through the channels 112. Further, as the air travels upwards, both the sides of the channel 112 heats the cold air 302 resulting in efficient heating. The cold air 302 may experience Coanda effect which allows the cold air 302 to remain in contact with the channel 112 as the cold air 302 travels upward. The cold air 302 upon absorbing heat exits as heated air 304 near the end cap 106.

The end cap 106 may be mounted on a top of the housing 102 and the base 108 may be mounted underneath the housing 102. In one example, the base 108 adapted to receive the housing, wherein an outer surface of the base is flush with a base tip of each of the plurality of fins 104. On the other hand, the end cap 106 may serve various purposes. For instance, the end cap 106 may provide access to the hollow body to install/ replace electrical components of the housing 102. The end cap 106 may be fastened by a plurality of fasteners 114. The end cap 106 may made of a thermally conductive material and may provide an extended surface for heating. Alternatively, the end cap 106 may be mounting of accessories to the housing 102. Accordingly, the end cap 106 may include a plurality of mounting points 116 to allow the mounting of accessories thereto. The end cap 106 may include a cup-shaped profile which allows the accessories to be installed therein. The accessories may include, but are not limited to, a blower/suction fan, an aroma device, a control panel, a handle or a combination thereof. In one example, the fan may be installed on the disposed on the end cap 104 of the housing 102 and adapted to create an updraft in the plurality of channels 112. Similarly, the base 108 may include one or more fans adapted to push the air in the plurality of channel 112.

Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of another space heater 400 with an aroma device 402 installed on the space heater 400, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated example, the space heater 400 and the space heater 100 are identical and therefore, the details of common components are not repeated for the sake of brevity. Further, the housing 102 of the space heater 400 may have a frustum shape with a circular cross section. In addition, the frustum shape may have a curved shape with a wider section formed towards the base 108 and a narrow section formed towards the end cap 106, such both the base 108 and the end cap 106 have circular shapes. In the illustrated example, the space heater 400 may include an aroma device 402 mounted on the end cap 106.

The aroma device 402 may be housed in a cavity of the end cap 106, such that the aroma device 402 sits entirely in the end cap 106. Further, an outer side surface and inner walls of the end cap 106 form an annular region for the air to enter. The aroma device 402 may include a cutout section 404 to allow install/ uninstall the aroma device 402 on the end cap 106. The aroma device 402 may also include a plurality of vents 406 to allow fragrant air to exit therethrough. The aroma device 402 may include a fragrant liquid and an atomizer which works on the PZT piezoelectric effect to excite at high-frequency resonance to vibrate the membrane. The vibrating membrane is in contact with the fragrant liquid and disperses the liquid fragrant into 8–12-micron aerosol particles. Such size particles may be used for air humidification and purification purposes. The aroma device 402 may be controlled either manually or wirelessly via an application, details of which will be explained later.

Alternatively, the aroma device 402 may include the fragrant, either in liquid or a solid that can undergo sublimation, that gets evaporated by the heat from the heating element and fragrant vapours are carried by air out from the aroma device 402 through the vents 406. Alternatively, the aroma device 402 may include a separate and smaller heating unit which draws power from the housing 102 to evaporate the fragrant. Further, the aroma device 402 may include a small fan to increase air flow through the aroma device 402. Alternatively, a large fan may be mounted over the aroma device 402 that creates airflow through the channels 112 and the aroma device 402.

In the illustrated example, the space heater 400 may include a control panel 408 mounted on the housing 102 along a complete length thereof. In one example, the control panel 408 may be attached over one or more fins 104. The control panel 408 may have the same colour and surface finish as the hollow body of the housing 102 to increase the aesthetics of the space heater 400. The control panel 408 may house various components, such as an input panel, a display panel, and an IOT device, mounted on a printed circuit board. A detailed schematic of such electrical/electronic components is illustrated and explained with respect to Figure 5.

Figure 5 illustrates a schematic 500 showing connections between electrical/electronic components of the space heater 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The following description of the schematic 500 is also applicable for the space heater 400 shown in Figure 4. The heating unit of the space heater 100 may include a plurality of heating elements 502 that are disposed in the hollow body of the housing 102. The heating elements 502, in one example, may be either an electric heating element or a heating oil or a combination thereof. In either case, the heating elements 502 may be adapted to transfer heat to the hollow body of the housing 102.

The space heater 500 may also include a plurality of printed circuit board assemblies (PCBA). In one example the plurality of PCBA may include a power PCBA 504 and a control PCBA 506. The power PCBA 504 may be adapted to control the power flow to the heating elements 502 and the aroma device 402 whereas the control PCBA 506 may be adapted to control an operation of the power PCBA 504. The power PCBA 504 may include a pair of terminals 508 that receives mains electrical supply 510L and 510N. In addition, the power PCBA 504 may include a pair of connection points A, L, and P1 to P13. In one example, some of the connection points P5, P6, P11, P9, and P10 are connected to individual live terminals of the heating elements 502 whereas connection points P7 is connected to a common neutral terminal of the heating elements 502. As may be understood, different connection points can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The power PCBA 504 may also include an aroma connection point A which allows electrical connection with the piezoelectric sensor of the aroma device 402 to power the piezoelectric sensor.

In addition, the power PCBA 504 may include a light connection point L adapted to connect to a light source 520, such as light emitting diode (LED) strip mounted on the housing 102 that illuminates the housing 102. The power PCBA 504 may also include a communication port COM that allows power PCBA 504 to connect to the control PCBA 506 to provide electric power to the control PCBA 506 and to receive instruction signals from the control PCBA 506.

In one example, the control PCBA 506 may be housed in the control panel 408 and may include a main control unit MCU adapted to control the operation of the heating unit and the space heater 100 in general. The MCU can be a single processing unit or several units, all of which could include multiple computing units. The MCU may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processor, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the MCU is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions and data stored in a memory of the MCU. In one example, the MCU may interact with the power PCBA 504 via the COM port.

The control PCBA 506 may include a communication module 512 mounted on the control panel and adapted to receive an instruction to operate the heating unit. In one example, the communication module 512 may include a touch panel, an infrared receiver, a wireless module, either Wi-Fi TM or Bluetooth ® or both that allow the user to input an instruction to the MCU. The control PCBA 506 may include a display unit 514 that may display a state of the heating unit. In one example, the communication module 512 and the display unit 514 may form a user interface installed on an outer surface of the control panel 408. The control PCBA 506 may include an ambient sensor 516 that may sense the temperature of the air in the space and a product sensor 518 that may sense the temperature of the housing 102 and/or the fins 104. The product sensor 518 can be a Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) sensor. Further, both the ambient sensor 516 and the product sensor 518 may communicate with the MCU to relay temperature signals to the MCU.

During the operation, the user may provide an input via the communication module 512. The input can either be manual input via the user interface or through a communication app installed on the user equipment. The input can be to temperature to be achieved/maintained by the space heater. The input may optionally include an instruction to activate the aroma device 402. Based on the received inputs, the MCU may receive temperature signals from the ambient sensor 516 and the product sensor 518 to determine the temperature difference. Based on the difference, the MCU may send instructions to the power PCBA 504 via the COM port to actuate the heating elements 502. The power PCBA 504 may then actuate the heating elements 502 to heat the housing 102. The heat from the housing 102 reaches the fins 104, such that the channels 112 begins heating air in the channel 112. Air, upon heating, exits the channels 112 thereby creating a draft which draws cold air 302 into the channels 112. The cold air 302 absorbs the heat and exits from the top of the channels 112. Since the channels 112 are formed all around the housing 102 in 360 degrees, the heating is homogenous and efficient.

As the air heats, the temperature signals from the ambient sensor 516 and the product sensor 518 change which are communicated in real-time to the MCU to closely monitor the change in temperature change. This process keeps on repeating until the set temperature is achieved, i.e. when the temperature signals from the product sensor 518 and the ambient sensor 516 match at which the MCU may instruct the power PCBA 504 to stop powering the heating elements 502 until the temperature gradient reoccurs.

According to the present disclosure, the fins 104 and channels 112 ensure that the heating is achieved efficiently and homogeneously while keeping an overall form factor of the space heater 100 compact. Moreover, the channels 112 creates the updraft of air to cause air to flow naturally with minimal force circulation. Moreover, the frustum shape of the housing 102 further enhances the flow of air through the channels 112. Moreover, the end cap 106 of space heater 100 includes multiple attachment points to allow the attachment of various accessories, thereby making the space heater 100 modular.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. , Claims:1. A space heater (100, 400) comprising:
a housing (102) comprising a plurality of fins (104) disposed around a periphery of the housing (102) and along a length of the housing (102), wherein the plurality of fins (104) extends radially from the housing (102) and is adapted to heat the air in the space; and
a heating unit disposed in the housing (102) and adapted to heat the plurality fins (104),
wherein adjacent fins (104) of the plurality of fins (104) form a channel (112) to allow air to travel therethrough to heat the air passing through the channel.

2. The space heater (100, 400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing (102) includes a hollow body, and the plurality of fins (104) extends radially from the hollow body.

3. The space heater (100, 400) as claimed in claim 2, wherein a number of fins (104) is based on an amount of heat dissipation to the air, wherein a size of the body is independent of the number of fins (104) and the amount of heat dissipation.

4. The space heater (100, 400) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the body has one of a polygonal, a circular, and an elliptical cross section.

5. The space heater (100, 400) as claimed in claim 2, comprising an end cap (106) mounted on top of the body and adapted to cover a top of the housing (102), wherein a shape of the end cap (106) is based on a cross section of the housing (102).

6. The space heater (100, 400) as claimed in claim 5, comprising an aroma device disposed in the end cap (106) and adapted to receive heat from the heating unit to evaporate a fragrant liquid.

7. The space heater (100, 400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a width of the housing (102) at bottom is greater than a width of the housing (102) at the top to form a frustum shape.

8. The space heater (100, 400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each fin (104) has a solid structure and has a taper shape extending from the body to a tip of each fin.

9. The space heater (100, 400) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a base (108) adapted to receive the housing (102), wherein an outer surface of the base (108) is flush with a base (108) tip of each of the plurality of fins (104).

10. The space heater (100, 400) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the heating unit comprises of electric heating element (502) or a heating oil (502) or a combination thereof adapted to transfer heat to the hollow body.

11. The space heater (100, 400) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a control panel (408) installed along a length of the housing (102), the control panel (408) comprising:
a user interface adapted to receive an instruction to operate the heating unit and display a state of the heating unit.

12. The space heater (100, 400) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a communication module adapted to connect to a user equipment and adapted to:
receive an instruction associated with an operation of the heating unit; and
relay a state of the operation of the heating unit.

13. The space heater (100, 400) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a fan disposed on a top end of the housing (102) and adapted to create updraft in the plurality of first channels.

14. The space heater (100, 400) as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one fan disposed on the base (108) and adapted to push the air in the plurality of first channels.