Heater

Abstract

The utility model provides a heater. The heater comprises an air inlet module configured to suck air into the heater; a heating module coupled to the intake module and configured to heat the air drawn into the heater; and an exhaust module coupled to the heating module and configured to exhaust the heated air. The air inlet module is further configured to draw air into the heater from a position outside the first area where the heater is located.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of environmental engineering, and more particularly to the field of energy saving and emission reduction of consumer electronics. More specifically, the present application relates to a heater. BACKGROUND

[0002] Heaters, i.e. devices designed for warming and heating, are often used to create a comfortable and controlled thermal environment in various settings. Commonly deployed in homes, businesses and factories, as well as in vehicles, these devices regulate air temperature and maintain an ideal level of comfort. The advantages of heaters are numerous; they improve thermal comfort by providing precise temperature management and ensuring a balanced environment. Additionally, when combined with ventilation functions, they can enhance air circulation, leading to a healthier indoor air environment.

[0003] However, heaters face certain challenges. The initial cost of installation is quite substantial, especially for larger or more complex systems. This expense includes equipment, piping systems, control systems, and labor for installation. Furthermore, to maintain optimal performance and extend their lifespan, heaters require routine maintenance. This can include periodic inspection, cleaning, or replacement of components such as heating elements, heat exchangers, and control units. The complexity of heater systems often requires professional knowledge for installation, troubleshooting, and repair. Additionally, the operation of heaters, particularly in large spaces, is energy-intensive, requiring significant amounts of fuel or electricity, which essentially contributes to carbon emissions and results in significant environmental impact.

[0004] In indoor agriculture, traditional heating systems used within or in conjunction with grow tents often recirculate air within the same space, which can lead to an unwholesome environment lacking fresh CO2 required for plant growth. The present disclosure aims to address this issue by modifying the current heater's air intake method, with the goal of allowing the heated air expelled from the heater to contribute fresh CO2 to the air environment of the grow tent, thereby providing a more natural and beneficial environment for plants. SUMMARY

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a portable heater. The portable heater comprises an air intake module configured to draw air into the heater; a heating module coupled to the air intake module and configured to heat the air drawn into the heater; and an air exhaust module coupled to the heating module and configured to exhaust the heated air, wherein the air intake module is further configured to draw air into the heater from a location other than a first area in which the heater is located.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a heater is provided. The heater includes a housing containing internal components of the heater, the housing having an air intake assembly disposed at least partially on a first side of the housing and an air exhaust assembly disposed at least partially on a second side of the housing, the internal components contained in the housing including: an I / O unit configured to receive control information and output status information; a heating unit including a plurality of heating elements that open and close in response to a heating control signal; and a fan configured to circulate air heated by the heating unit to the air exhaust assembly in response to a fan control signal; and a controller in electrical communication with the I / O unit, the heating unit, and the fan, the controller configured to generate both the heating control signal and the fan control signal based at least in part on the control information, and to provide the status information for output by the I / O unit, wherein the air intake assembly includes an air intake vent and a detachable adapter mounted thereon, the detachable adapter configured to interface with a duct to draw air from one or more areas away from the heater into the heater.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a universal portable heater is provided. The multi-functional portable heater includes: a housing including: a front cover, a rear cover having an air intake vent assembly with an air intake vent and an air intake vent adapter coupled thereto, the air intake vent adapter separable from the air intake vent, a bottom cover, and a U-shaped cover recessed toward the bottom cover and having an aperture disposed thereon through which an air exhaust vent assembly passes; internal components disposed within the housing including: a power source, a heating unit including a plurality of heating elements, a control panel including a display area, a fan, and a control unit electrically connected to the power source, the heating unit, the control panel, and the fan; and a temperature-humidity sensor electrically connected to the control unit and including a sensor probe configured to sense an ambient temperature value T ENV and an ambient relative humidity value RH ENV .

[0008] It should be appreciated that all combinations of the above-described concepts and additional concepts described herein (or across aforementioned categories) are contemplated with respect to the subject matter described herein. For example, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated.

[0009] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the of Various Embodiments of the Disclosure. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. All of the foregoing Summary BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] To provide a more clearer representation of the concepts and innovations presented in the present disclosure, the accompanying drawings that will be described in detail in the of Various Embodiments will first be briefly introduced. It is important to note that the drawings provided are merely illustrative of selected embodiments of the present disclosure and are by no means exhaustive. Additional drawings can be derived by one of ordinary skill in the art from these figures without the need for creative effort. A full understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be obtained from the detailed description that follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0011] Figure 1A A schematic front view of a heating device is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 1B A schematic rear view of a heating device is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 1C A schematic exploded view of a heating device is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 1D A schematic front view of a heating device with a front cover removed is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 1E A schematic rear view of a heating device with a rear cover removed is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 2A And 2B A schematic simplified block diagram of a heater is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 3 A schematic wiring diagram of a heating device is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 4A schematic simplified block diagram of a general portable heater is shown in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 5 A schematic flow diagram of the operation of a heater is shown in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 6 A simplified block diagram of a portable heater is shown in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] It is to be understood that the elements shown in the Figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, certain elements can be exaggerated relative to other elements for the purpose of clarity. Additionally, the same reference numbers can be used on the Figures to denote corresponding or analogous elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heating elements or semiconductors are ceramic-based electrical components with temperature-dependent resistance that are used as heating elements. The positive temperature coefficient of PTC allows current to flow better at low temperatures than at high temperatures. As the temperature increases, the natural resistance of PTC increases, while its current conductivity and power output decrease, until a state of equilibrium is reached, and the current can no longer flow, which is the so-called PTC effect. Due to the self-regulating properties of PTC heating elements, they cannot overheat, making PTC heating technology particularly safe and reliable.

[0023] In the context of the present disclosure, it is recognized that there are various commercially available heating elements or components other than PTC heaters or semiconductors. Therefore, when the terms "heater", "heating element", "heating module" or "heating unit" or the like are used herein, they are not limited only to PTC heaters, PTC heating elements or semiconductors. Rather, these terms should be understood to include any suitable heating element regardless of its cost, material composition, typical application or other characteristics.

[0024] REFERENCE Figure 1A , Figure 1A A schematic front view of a heating device is shown in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 1AAs shown, the example heating device 100 can include a front cover 103 having a protective panel 101 disposed thereon. In some embodiments, a control panel configured to at least facilitate user control and / or display of operational information of the heating device 100 can be disposed at least partially on the front cover 103, underneath the protective panel 101. In some embodiments, the protective panel 101 can be made of various suitable materials, such as tempered glass, scratch-resistant plastic, or any other translucent material that provides durability and transparency to ensure that the underlying control panel remains accessible and protected from potential damage. In some embodiments, the protective panel 101 can have a shape of a rectangle, a square, a chamfered rectangle, a chamfered square, a circle, an oval, or any other suitable regular or irregular shape, depending on the particular design requirements. It should be noted that the shape, size, and position of the protective panel 101 shown in the figures are illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0025] As Figure 1A shown, in addition to the front cover, the example heating device 100 can include a rear cover 127. In some embodiments, the rear cover 127 and the front cover 103 are configured in a geometric mirror image structure. That is, they are symmetrical with respect to a mating surface (e.g., a mounting interface). Of course, the rear cover 127 and the front cover 103 can also take a non-mirror image structure, and the present disclosure does not impose any limitation in this regard. As shown, when assembled, the front cover 103 and the rear cover 127 form a U-shaped space (e.g., a U-shaped recess) at their top that accommodates the air outlet 119, the outlet extension 120, and the hose 121 associated with the exhaust of the heater 100. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the recess formed by the assembly of the front cover 103 and the rear cover 127 can take any other suitable shape other than U-shaped. These alternative shapes can include, for example, a parabolic shape, a semi-closed chamfered rectangle, or a semi-closed chamfered square when viewed from a side of the heater 100 that is perpendicular to the plane on which the protective panel 101 lies. The present disclosure does not impose any limitation in this regard. Thus, in the context of the present disclosure, the term “U-shaped” refers to any geometric shape or configuration that characterizes the recess formed by the assembly of the front cover 103 and the rear cover 127, including but not limited to the forms described above. This means that the cross-section of the recess does not necessarily resemble the letter U.

[0026] With continued reference to Figure 1AIn some embodiments, the base 114 can be configured to provide stability and support to the heating device 100, ensuring it stands firmly on various surfaces. In some embodiments, the base 114 can be configured to evenly distribute the weight of the heating device 100, preventing tipping and improving safety. Additionally, the base 114 can be equipped with features such as a cord organizer to neatly manage the power cable when not in use. Additionally or alternatively, the base 114 can be equipped with a wheel assembly (e.g., a set of universal wheels), a slide rail, or any other suitable movable mechanism to enhance the mobility and ease of repositioning of the heating device as needed.

[0027] Referring to Figure 1B , Figure 1B A schematic back view of a heating device according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In some embodiments, an opening 129 can be provided on the back cover 127 and a mesh can be mounted thereon, for example, as shown. In some examples, the opening 129 is located at the lower portion of the back cover 127. In some embodiments, the opening 129 covers an air inlet that is partially provided on the back cover. In some embodiments, a notch 130 that facilitates a user to lift and move the heating device 100 can be located at the upper portion of the back cover 127. In some examples, another notch can be provided on the front cover 103 facing the notch 130.

[0028] In some embodiments, the back cover 127 can also be provided with a first port 131 and a second port 132 thereon, the first port 131 configured to be connected to an external sensor, such as a temperature and humidity sensor, and the second port 132 configured to be connected to a controller, such as an external controller or an external control hub, for managing and controlling a plurality of heating devices including the heating device 100 as shown. By way of example and not limitation, the first port 131 can include an audio earphone jack, and the second port 132 can include a TYPE-C port. It should be noted that the types of the first port 131 and the second port 132 can be changed according to specific requirements, example port types including but not limited to USB, HDMI, Ethernet, VGA, RCA, SD card slot, Audio Line-In / Out, optical audio, RJ-45, serial (COM), PS / 2, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, FireWire, SIM card slot, power port, XLR, BNC, and antenna port, etc. Although a single first port 131 and a single second port 132 are shown in the figure, this is merely exemplary; the first port 131 and the second port 132 can each include any appropriate number of ports, and the types of the first port 131 and the second port 132 can be the same or different, and the present disclosure does not impose any limitation in this regard. It should be noted that the shapes, sizes, positions, and relative positioning of the openings 129, the notches 130, the first port 131, and the second port 132 shown in the figure are illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0029] Referring to Figure 1C , Figure 1C A schematic exploded view of a heating device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. As shown, Figure 1C Non-exhaustive disassembled components and their spatial orientations are depicted to facilitate understanding of the assembly process of the exemplary heating device 100.

[0030] In some embodiments, various components of the heating device 100 can be enclosed within a housing formed by the front cover 103, the back cover 127, the U-shaped cover 113, and the base 114. As mentioned above, the recess of the U-shaped cover 113 need not resemble a letter U when viewed from a side of the heater 100 that is perpendicular to the plane on which the protective plate 101 lies, but can take any geometric shape or structure, such as a parabolic shape, a semi-closed chamfered rectangle, or a semi-closed chamfered square, among others. In some embodiments, the U-shaped cover 113 can be integrally formed with one of the front cover 103 or the back cover 127. Additionally or alternatively, the base 114 can be integrally formed with one of the front cover 103 or the back cover 127. It should be noted that although the housing of the heating device 100 is depicted in the figures as being tapered from the base 114 to the U-shaped cover, this is merely exemplary. The housing can take the form of a cube overall, rather than being tapered, and the present disclosure does not impose any limitation in this regard.

[0031] As Figure 1C shown, the front cover 103 can be provided with a control panel 104 mounted thereon, which is protected by the protective plate 101, such as a tempered glass that is dimensionally matched. The control panel 104 can include a display screen, which can be a touch screen for inputting and outputting control parameters and other information. Additionally, an indicator 102 can be mounted on the front cover 103. In some examples, the indicator 102 can be a logo or an LED indicator. The heating device 100 can include a motor 105. In some embodiments, some or all of the components can be fastened together with appropriate fasteners, such as screws and screw supports, such as the screws 106 and the corresponding screw supports 107, as shown. In some embodiments, the motor 105 can be mounted on motor supports 108 and 109. The components 110 and 115 are also shown as screws. In some embodiments, the heating device 100 can include a heater 124. In some embodiments, the heater 124 can be a PTC heater that includes a plurality of PTC heating elements. In some embodiments, a plurality of transistor sensors can be provided, one of which is denoted as 111 in the figure. In some embodiments, the motor 105 can be configured to drive a fan 112 to appropriately circulate the hot air generated by the heater 124.

[0032] As shown, a bottom power cord storage holder 117 can be provided with the base 114. In some embodiments, the bottom power cord storage holder 117 can be configured to allow a user to pull out the power cord and wrap it on 117 when the heating device is not in use. As shown, a portion of the power cord is denoted as 116. Additionally, a foot pad 118 can be provided on the lower outer surface of the base 114 for providing support of the heating device 100.

[0033] In some embodiments, when the motor 105 is activated, it drives the fan 112 to blow the appropriately heated air from the heater 124 through the connector 122 and the air duct 123 into the hose 121. In some examples, the hose 121 can be terminated at the air outlet 119. Additionally, the outlet extension 120 can be coupled with the air outlet to facilitate connection of a longer pipe or hose to enable delivery of the heated air to an area or space in need of heating that is located away from the heating device 100. As shown, the hose 121 can be located within the U-shaped recess of the U-shaped cover 113, and the U-shaped cover 113 provides support for the hose 121, the air outlet 119, and the outlet extension 120. In some embodiments, where the hose 121 is a retractable hose and the heater is not in operation, the hose 121, the air outlet 119, and the outlet extension 120 can be housed within the recess of the U-shaped cover 113, thereby enabling the heater to have a compact appearance and to be easily stored.

[0034] According to some embodiments of the present application, various sensors and other devices can be connected to the heating device 100 through a connector, such as a type-C USB. By way of example and not limitation, the connector 125 is shown as a TYPE-C connector PCB mounted on the back cover 127 for connecting external sensors and other devices. However, the connector 125 is not limited to USB and can be any other type suitable for the purposes of the present disclosure.

[0035] In some embodiments, some or all of the electrical components, such as the motor 105 and the heater 124, are powered by a battery mounted within a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) box 126. In some embodiments, the electrical components can be controlled by a main control unit that can be integrated into the control panel 104. In some embodiments, the control panel 104 can include a main control board with a chip integrated thereon, such as a system on a chip (SOC) that stores all the mode control algorithms. In some embodiments, the PCBA box can function as a power box that can house the power circuit board of the heating device 100. In some embodiments, the main control unit can be a small computer, a logic device, a programmable logic circuit, a PCBA, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or equivalent. Alternatively, the heating device 100 can be powered by an external AC or DC power source, a battery pack, a solar panel, or an external power adapter, among others.

[0036] In some embodiments, to protect the air inlet, a rear mesh 129 can be mounted on the back cover 127. In some embodiments, a screw hole rubber plug 128 can be used to seal the screw holes on the back cover 127.

[0037] According to embodiments of the present application, the air inlet of the heating device 100 can be configured to be connected to an intake vent port adapter (hereinafter also referred to as an intake vent adapter, or simply an adapter). In this way, it can be allowed for a user of the heating device 100 to select where the incoming air comes from - it is often desired by customers to draw in fresh air from a window rather than from the room in which the growing tent is located, so that the expelled heated air can also provide fresh CO2.

[0038] Figure 1D A schematic front view of a heating device with the front cover removed is shown, according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. With the front cover removed, Figure 1D The deployment of components within the heating device 100 is shown. As shown, a hose 121 is connected to the fan 112 and is coiled within the housing to direct the properly heated air to exit the heating device 100 through the air outlet 119. Figure 1E A schematic rear view of a heating device with the rear cover removed is shown, according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. The components discussed above in Figure 1D are also shown from a rear view in Figure 1E .

[0039] Figure 2A and 2B A schematic simplified block diagram of a heater is shown, according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2A , according to embodiments of the present application, a heater 200 is provided. As shown in Figure 2A , the heater 200 can include a housing 202. In some embodiments, the housing 202 can house internal components of the heater 200. In some embodiments, the housing 202 can be provided with an air intake assembly 2021, which can be at least partially disposed on a first side of the housing 202, and an air exhaust assembly 2022, which can be at least partially disposed on a second side of the housing 202. In some embodiments, the internal components housed in the housing 202 can include, but are not limited to, an input / output (I / O) unit 203, a heating unit 204, and a fan 205. Additionally, the internal components housed in the housing 202 can include a controller 206, as shown in Figure 2A .

[0040] Note that the controller 206 can not be located inside the housing 202 of the heater 200, but at a location remote from the heater 200. For example, the controller 206 can be embodied as a remote control or an application or applet installed on a mobile terminal. In the latter case, the mobile terminal can communicate with the heater 200 through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, etc., to facilitate the transmission of control signaling, acknowledgement signaling, and data signals between the heater 200 (e.g., its electronic components) and the mobile terminal.

[0041] In some embodiments, the I / O unit 203 can be configured to receive control information and output status information. In some embodiments, the heating unit 204 can include a plurality of heating elements that turn on and off in response to a heating control signal. In some embodiments, the fan 205 can be configured to circulate air heated by the heating unit 204 to the exhaust assembly 2202 in response to a fan control signal. In some embodiments, the controller 206 can be in electrical communication with the I / O unit 203, the heating unit 204, and the fan 205. In some embodiments, the controller 206 can be configured to generate the heating control signal and the fan control signal based at least in part on the control information, and to provide the status information for output by the I / O unit 203. In some embodiments, the intake assembly 2021 can include an intake vent 2021-a and a detachable adapter 2021-b mounted thereon. The detachable adapter 2021-b can be configured to connect with a duct for drawing air from one or more areas away from the heater 200 into the heater. In this way, a user of the heater 200 can be allowed to select where the intake air comes from - customers often desire to draw fresh air from a window rather than from the room in which the grow tent is located, so that the heated air that is exhausted can also provide fresh CO2.

[0042] The inclusion of an intake adapter in the heating device provides significant benefits to the indoor residential growing market. By connecting the intake vent to an additional duct or ducting system, the heating device allows for the introduction of fresh outside air, rather than recirculating air from the same room. This feature ensures a healthier growing environment with constant oxygen, CO2 supply, regulated humidity levels, and the ability to control the source of air intake. It also provides flexibility in air circulation and temperature regulation, allowing growers to maintain a more consistent and controlled environment for grow tents or similar indoor spaces.

[0043] Turning to Figure 2B The heater 200 can also include a sensing unit 207. In some embodiments, the sensing unit 207 can include at least one sensor that is separate from the housing 202 and configured to detect environmental information of a first area to which the heated air is supplied. In some examples, the first area can include a space enclosed by a grow tent.

[0044] Referring to Figure 2A and 2B In some embodiments, the controller 206 can be housed in the housing 202 and can include a communication unit 2062 and a processing unit 2061. In some embodiments, the communication unit 2062 can be configured to receive control information and environmental information for processing by the processing unit 2061, and to transmit the heating control signal and the fan control signal generated by the processing unit 2061 to the heating unit 204 and the fan 205, respectively.

[0045] In some embodiments, the I / O unit 203 can include a control panel 2031. In some embodiments, the control information can include a predetermined temperature value and a predetermined relative humidity value for the first zone input via the control panel 2031. In some embodiments, the control panel 2031 can be disposed at least partially on the third side of the housing. Note that the first side, the second side, and the third side of the housing 202 can be different from each other. Alternatively, two of the first side, the second side, and the third side can refer to the same side of the housing 202.

[0046] In some embodiments, the processing unit can include a main control board and a power supply circuit board. In some embodiments, the main control board can be integrated into the control panel 2031. In some embodiments, the power supply circuit board can be electrically connected to the main control board, a power source of the heater 200, the heating unit 204, and the fan 205. In some embodiments, the communication unit 2062 can include a first connector 2062a for connecting to at least one sensor. In some embodiments, the communication unit 2062 can also include a second connector 2062b for connecting to at least one external controller. In some embodiments, the external controller can serve as a remote counterpart of the controller 206. Additionally, in some embodiments, the external controller can override the controller 206, in which case, for example, the control panel 2031 can become unresponsive or disabled.

[0047] In some embodiments, the heater 200 can include a vapor pressure deficit (VPD) mode, for which the control information can include a predetermined temperature value, a predetermined relative humidity value, and a predetermined VPD value, and the environmental information can include a sensed temperature value and a sensed relative humidity value for the first zone, based on which a VPD value for the first zone can be determined or calculated. For novel aspects and details of the calculation of the VPD value, reference can be made to U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 18 / 438,240, filed on February 9, 2024, entitled “HEATING DEVICE AND METHOD WITH VAPOR PRESSURE DEFICIT CONTROL,” the content of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0048] Reference is now made to Figure 3 , Figure 3 A schematic wiring diagram of a heating device according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. By way of example and not limitation, the exemplary heating device 300 can be configured with the functionality of VPD control, and can therefore be referred to as a heating device with VPD control 300.

[0049] As Figure 3As shown, the heating device with VPD control 300 can include several different modules. The heating device with VPD control 300 can include a power board module 310 that provides power and power control. The power board module 310 can also include a thyristor module 315 that can include thyristors for control purposes. The heating device with VPD control 300 can include a DC fan module 320 that can also include, for example, a DC motor and a fan. The DC fan module 320 can be controlled by, for example, the power board module 310. The control can be implemented, for example, by PWM. The heating device with VPD control 300 can include an insulated PTC heating module 330 that can also include a plurality of insulated PTC heating elements. The heating module 330 can be controlled by, for example, the thyristor module 315 of the power board module 310. The insulated PTC heating elements can be turned on and off by appropriate control signals.

[0050] The heating device with VPD control 300 can include a main control board module 340 that contains a control unit such as a small computer, or other equivalent logic circuitry. The main control board module 340 can also include a display screen for input and output of control information and status information, such as an LCD screen or a touch screen. The screen can be mounted, for example, on the front cover as shown. Figures 1A-1E The heating device with VPD control 300 can also include connectors to external sensors and controllers, such as a TYPE-C USB connector 350 to an external controller, and a TYPE-C USB connector 360 to external sensors. Both connectors 350 and 360 can be connected to the main control board module 340, and all sensor signals and control signals can be processed in the control unit on the main control board module 340. The main control board module 340 can also be connected to the power board module 310 and the thyristor module 315. PWM signals can be used to control power, for example. The heating device with VPD control 300 can be powered by a battery or an external power source, such as AC power through an AC power cord module 370. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the heating device with VPD control can be connected to an external controller. In some cases, when the external controller is connected, the buttons on the heating device with VPD control can be disabled. Modes and parameters can be switched and adjusted through the external controller.

[0051] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the power of the heater can include 10 levels, or gears, and the fan speed also has 10 levels, or 10 gear levels. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the heating device with VPD control has a heating mode and a fan mode. With the default fan speed of gear -10 when entering the heating mode, the heating power can be adjusted from gear -0 to gear -10. The heating gears are detailed in Table 1 below, where the fan is at the default full speed gear -10:

[0052] Table 1

[0053]

[0054] Returning to Figure 5 , the control information can include one or both of a minimum and a maximum for a respective mode of OFF mode, ON mode, AUTO mode, TIMER mode, CYCLE mode, and VPD mode of the heater. In some embodiments, in response to a determination that the environmental information differs from the control information for one of the ON mode, AUTO mode, TIMER mode, CYCLE mode, and VPD mode by a first value (e.g., a quantity or a quantity), the fan control signal can be configured to cause the fan to step up to a maximum. In some embodiments, in response to a determination that the environmental information differs from the control information for one of the ON mode, AUTO mode, TIMER mode, CYCLE mode, and VPD mode by a second value (e.g., a quantity or a quantity), the fan control signal can be configured to cause the fan to step down to a minimum. In some embodiments, the MIN and / or MAX can be configured by a user or a default setting.

[0055] Referring to Figure 4 , Figure 4 A schematic simplified block diagram of a general purpose portable heater according to example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As Figure 4 shown, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a general purpose portable heater 400 is provided. As Figure 4As shown, the universal portable heater 400 can include a housing 401. In some embodiments, the housing 401 can include a front cover 4011 and a rear cover 4012 having an air intake vent assembly 40121 thereon. In some embodiments, the air intake assembly 40121 can include an air intake vent 40121-a for air intake purposes as indicated by the left arrow shown. In accordance with embodiments of the present application, the air intake vent 40121-a can be provided with an air intake vent adapter 40121-b coupled thereto, which can be detachable from the air intake vent 40121-a. It should be appreciated that the air intake vent adapter 40121-b can be coupled / connected to the air intake vent 40121-a by different fastening mechanisms. For example, in some embodiments, the fastening mechanisms can be bolts or screws of different sizes and types (e.g., slot, cross, hex, Philips, etc.). Various other fasteners are also possible, including, for example, ball detents, living pins, spring-loaded pins, posts, tongue and groove, etc. It should be appreciated that the air intake vent adapter 40121-b and the air intake vent 40121-a should be fastened tightly to prevent accidental loosening and air leakage. In this way, the user of the heating apparatus 100 can be allowed to select where the intake air comes from - customers often want to draw in fresh air from a window rather than from the room in which the grow tent is located, so that the expelled heated air can also provide fresh CO2.

[0056] As shown, the housing 401 can also include a bottom cover 4013 and a U-shaped cover 4014. In some embodiments, the U-shaped cover 4014 can be recessed towards the bottom cover and provided with an aperture thereon through which an air exhaust vent assembly passes. The air exhaust vent assembly can serve to supply heated air, as indicated by the upper arrow shown.

[0057] The incorporation of an air intake adapter into a heating apparatus brings considerable benefits to those growing plants indoors. By connecting the air intake vent to an additional line or duct, the heater facilitates the inflow of fresh outdoor air, rather than merely circulating air from the same room. This enhancement guarantees a healthier cultivation setup characterized by a steady supply of oxygen and CO2, regulated humidity, and a controlled intake source. Furthermore, it provides growers with greater flexibility in managing air circulation and temperature, enabling them to maintain a more uniform and regulated environment within the grow tent or other indoor cultivation area.

[0058] In some embodiments, the internal components disposed within the housing 401 can include a power supply 4021, a heating unit 4022 including a plurality of heating elements, a control panel 4023 including a display area, a fan 4024, and a control unit 4025 electrically connected to the power supply 4021, the heating unit 4022, the control panel 4023, and the fan 4024. In some embodiments, the universal portable heater 400 can further include a temperature-humidity sensor 403 electrically connected to the universal portable heater 400, for example, to the control unit 4025, among others. In some embodiments, the temperature-humidity sensor 403 can include a sensor probe configured to sense an ambient temperature value T ENV and an ambient relative humidity value RH ENV .

[0059] In some embodiments, the exhaust vent assembly can include a retractable hose housed in a semi-open enclosure formed by a U-shaped cover. In some embodiments, the control panel can be disposed on the front cover of the housing 401, over which tempered glass can be provided. In some embodiments, an aperture can be provided on the rear cover 4012 of the housing 401.

[0060] Reference is now made to Figure 5 , Figure 5 a schematic flowchart illustrating the operation of a heater according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. By way of example and not limitation, the example heater can be configured with VPD-controlled functionality, and the operation of the heater can thus be referred to as a control method 5000 for a heater with VPD control. As shown, the method 5000 includes a first step 5100 of obtaining a temperature To and a humidity Ho from sensors. According to the embodiments discussed above, temperature sensors and humidity sensors are arranged within an indoor growing tent or room with artificial lighting. These temperature sensors and humidity sensors are connected to a control unit in which the temperature and humidity values are received and used to calculate VPD. A second step 5200 is to provide compensation of the temperature and humidity to obtain a temperature T and a relative humidity RH. Then, in a third step 5300, VPD is calculated using the T and RH values. A decision is made to determine which mode to run from a plurality of heating modes and fan modes.

[0061] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, there are, for example, six heating modes: an OFF mode, an ON mode, an AUTO mode, a VPD mode, a TIMER mode, and a CYCLE mode.

[0062] a. The first mode 5410 is OFF mode, where step 5412 is performed: Set OFF mode, default heating setting is gear-0, device is not running. In this mode, the value of minimum gear heating power can be set, which is in the range from gear-0 to gear-10. The minimum gear heating power is the minimum heating power level customized in the heating mode.

[0063] b. The second mode 5420 is ON mode, where step 5422 is performed: Set ON mode, default heating gear is 6. In this mode, the value of maximum gear heating power can be set, which is in the range from gear 0 to gear 10. The ON mode runs the maximum gear heating power gear. The maximum gear heating power is the maximum heating power level customized in the heating mode.

[0064] c. The third mode 5430 is AUTO mode, default setting is OFF, where in step 5432, the temperature T is compared with a predetermined temperature value Ts. The temperature can be set by pressing the INCREASE / DECRESE button and is cycled from 32°F (0°C) to 194°F (90°C). When the predetermined temperature value Ts is set, if the temperature reading T from the sensor is lower than or equal to the predetermined temperature value, step 5436 is performed, triggering the ON mode, and the heating gear is gradually increased to the maximum gear heating power in the ON mode. On the other hand, if the temperature reading T from the sensor is higher than the predetermined value Ts, step 5434 is performed, triggering the OFF mode, and the heating gear is gradually decreased to the minimum gear heating power in the OFF mode.

[0065] d. The fourth mode is VPD mode 5440, where the VPD is compared with a predetermined VPDs. The VPD value can be set and cycled from 0.0 kPa to 3.0 kPa by pressing the INCREASE / DECRESE button. After the VPDs value is set, the VDP value calculated from the sensor reading is compared with the predetermined VPDs. If the VPD is less than or equal to the VPDs, step 5446 is performed: the ON mode is triggered, and the heating gear is gradually increased to the maximum gear heating power in the ON mode. Otherwise, if the VPD > VPDs, step 5444 is performed: the OFF mode is triggered, and the heating gear is gradually decreased to the minimum gear heating power in the OFF mode.

[0066] e. The fifth mode is TIMER mode 5450, where the TIMER is set and tracked, when the TIMER is not zero, step 5456 is performed: the maximum gear heating power gear is run; when the TIMER reaches 0, step 5454 is performed: the minimum gear heating power gear is run; if the TIMER is set to 0, the minimum gear heating power continues to run. The default value of the TIMER is 0:00.

[0067] f. The last mode 5460 is the CYCLE mode, in which the step 5462 is performed: set ON time for CYCLE run ON mode and OFF time for CYCLE run OFF mode; run maximum heat power in ON cycle; run minimum heat power in OFF cycle; run gear 0 when both ON time and OFF time are 0. Default ON time and OFF time are both 0:00. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the user can select gear -2 as the minimum heat gear and gear -7 as the maximum heat gear. In the AUTO mode, the heater runs gear -2 for heating when the temperature is detected to be above the set temperature and runs gear -7 for heating when the temperature is detected to be below the predetermined temperature threshold. Similarly, in the VPD mode, the TIMER mode, and the CYCLE mode, the heater can also run gear -2 and gear -7 as the minimum heat power and the maximum heat power, respectively.

[0068] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, there are four fan modes: OFF mode, ON mode, TIMER mode, and CYCLE mode. In the fan mode, the heater is not turned on, and the fan speed can be adjusted from gear -0 to gear -10. In the fan mode, the heater is turned off. The 10 fan gears are summarized in Table 2 below:

[0069] Table 2

[0070]

[0071] The fan modes are summarized as follows:

[0072] a. OFF mode. The default gear is 0. In the OFF mode, the device is not running. The minimum fan speed value can be set in the OFF mode, ranging from gear -0 to gear -10.

[0073] b. ON mode. The default gear is 6. In the ON mode, the maximum fan speed can be set, ranging from gear -0 to gear -10. The ON mode runs the maximum fan speed gear.

[0074] c. TIMER mode. When the TIMER is set to a non-zero value, the maximum fan speed gear is run during the TIMER countdown. After the TIMER expires, the minimum fan speed gear is run. When the TIMER is set to 0, the minimum fan speed gear continues to run. The default TIME value is 0:00.

[0075] d. CYCLE mode. Set the ON time and OFF time to run in a cycle. During the ON time of the cycle, the maximum fan speed gear operates, while during the OFF time of the cycle, the minimum fan speed gear operates. When both the ON time and OFF time are set to 0, then Gear-0 operates. The default value for both the ON time and OFF time is 0:00.

[0076] Figure 6 A simplified block diagram of a portable heater in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As Figure 6 shown, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a portable heater 600 is provided. The portable heater 600 can include an air intake module 601, a heating module 602, and an air exhaust module 603. In some embodiments, the air intake module 601 can be configured to draw air into the heater 600. In some embodiments, the heating module 602 can be coupled to the air intake module 601 and configured to heat the air drawn into the heater 602. In some embodiments, the air exhaust module 603 can be coupled to the heating module 602 and configured to exhaust the heated air. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the air intake module 601 can also be configured to draw air into the heater 600 from a location other than a first area in which the heater 600 is located. In this way, a user of the heating device 100 can be allowed to select where the intake air comes from - customers often want to draw fresh air from a window rather than from the room in which the grow tent is located, so that the heated air that is exhausted can also provide fresh CO2.

[0077] The addition of an air intake adapter in a heating device is a great benefit to indoor growers. It allows the heater to draw in fresh air from outside through an additional duct or tube, rather than just reusing the room's air. This helps to keep the plants healthy with a steady flow of oxygen and CO2 and the right amount of moisture. The user can also have better control over the movement and temperature of the air in their grow tent or other indoor area.

[0078] In some embodiments, the heater 600 can also include a control module configured to control at least one of an OFF mode, an ON mode, an AUTO mode, a TIMER mode, and a CYCLE mode of the heater.

[0079] In some embodiments, the heater 600 can also include a sensing module electrically connected to the control module and configured to detect at least one of a temperature and a relative humidity of at least one of a plurality of areas, wherein the sensing module performs sensing and the heater performs heating.

[0080] In some embodiments, at least one of the temperature and relative humidity of at least one zone can be transmitted by the sensing module to the control module, in which a vapor pressure deficit (VPD) value is calculated based on the temperature and relative humidity. Further, the control module can also be configured to control a VPD mode of the heater.

[0081] In some embodiments, the intake module can include an intake vent 6011 to which an adapter 6012 is coupled.

[0082] In some embodiments, the adapter coupled to the intake vent can take a pipe sleeve configuration, one end of the adapter configured to be connected to the intake vent by a first fastening mechanism, and the other end of the adapter configured to be connected to the first pipe by a second fastening mechanism.

[0083] In some embodiments, the exhaust module can include a connector having at least two ports, one port of the connector in fluid communication with the heating module, and each of the other ports configured to be connected to a second pipe for supplying heated air.

[0084] In the booming field of high-value crop indoor cultivation, the role of heaters as environmental control devices is widely recognized. Heaters are essential for maintaining ideal temperatures within grow tents, which are popular in the indoor residential growing market due to their compact design and effectiveness in cultivating an environment conducive to cultivation. However, the current market exhibits a significant gap: the lack of specialized environmental control devices designed specifically for grow tents. This limitation hinders the ability to effectively regulate the microclimate within these tents, which is crucial for the growth and health of cultivated plants.

[0085] Existing heaters often employ a one-size-fits-all approach, treating the entire room's environment as a single entity. While this approach guarantees warmth, it lacks the precise temperature control necessary for the delicate balance required by high-value crops within grow tents. Rigidity and lack of targeted control result in inefficiencies, as resources are stifled on heating spaces that do not directly contribute to the cultivation process.

[0086] The common practice is to place heaters directly within the growing space. Although this provides more localized temperature management, it presents challenges. The physical presence of the heater within the confined space can be intrusive, occupying valuable space that could otherwise be used for plant cultivation. This reduction in available space for growth significantly impacts the utility and efficiency of grow tents.

[0087] The cultivation of high-value crops is one of many applications that require precise temperature control. Other cases include agriculture that requires specific temperature distributions for various crops, laboratories, and research facilities that require stable experimental conditions, commercial and residential buildings for the purpose of saving energy while ensuring the comfort of the occupants. The versatility of the heater in these environments is of paramount importance, however, the current options often fail to meet the limited needs of such diverse environments.

[0088] In response to these challenges, the inventors of the present disclosure have developed an innovative heater that is designed to overcome the limitations of existing equipment. This heater not only adapts to its placement, both inside and outside the grow tent, but also provides a high degree of user control over the source of incoming air. Users often prefer to provide fresh air from a window or external source rather than from within the room. This feature not only maintains temperature but also enriches the environment with fresh CO2, which is essential for photosynthesis and can significantly improve plant growth and yield.

[0089] The ability to select the source of incoming air offers several advantages:

[0090] Enhanced photosynthesis: Fresh, CO2-rich air can stimulate photosynthesis, leading to increased growth rates and potentially higher crop yields.

[0091] Energy efficiency: Drawing air from a warmer space can reduce the energy required to heat the air, thereby saving energy and reducing operating costs.

[0092] Humidity control: Introducing high-humidity air from another space and then heating it can help maintain optimal humidity levels within the grow tent, which is beneficial for certain plant species that thrive in more humid conditions.

[0093] Air quality: By supplying air from the exterior or another part of the building, the grow tent can benefit from a continuous supply of fresh air, improving overall air quality and reducing the risk of mold and pests.

[0094] Customized microclimate: The flexibility to choose the air source allows for the creation of a customized microclimate that suits the specific needs of the plants being cultivated, ensuring optimal growth conditions.

[0095] This innovative heater ensures that it adapts to the specific needs of the grow tent environment, providing precise control and maximizing the efficiency of the cultivation space, while contributing to a more sustainable and productive indoor cultivation process.

[0096] In the above embodiments, each embodiment emphasizes certain aspects, and parts that are not described in detail in a specific embodiment can be mentioned in the relevant description of other embodiments.

[0097] The above paragraphs provide a detailed description of various heating systems according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Specific examples are used to illustrate the principles and implementations of the present invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments and examples are only intended to help understand the technical solutions and core ideas of the present disclosure. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments and examples can still be modified without departing from the essence of the corresponding technical solutions within the scope of the embodiments and examples of the present disclosure, or some equivalent technical features thereof can be replaced.

[0098] The heating systems presented in the present disclosure have potential for application in any of the above scenarios, including indoor plant cultivation as well as other suitable environments. These systems exhibit versatility and advanced features that enable them to be adapted to a wide range of applications, such as optimizing the growing of controlled environment agriculture, maintaining stable conditions in laboratories, research facilities, commercial environments and infrastructures (e.g., data centers), and saving energy and ensuring occupant comfort in commercial and residential buildings. With the ability to finely control and monitor air quality, temperature, and humidity, these presented heating systems are adaptable and effective, making them essential for achieving operational success and ensuring the health of occupants in various environments.

[0099] While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated, it will be clear to a person of ordinary skill in the art that various other arrangements can be utilized for the implementation of the functions and / or achieving the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive embodiments. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is / are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

[0100] All definitions defined and used herein shall be construed as governing dictionary definitions, definitions in incorporated references, and / or the general meaning of the defined terms. The indefinite article “a” as used in this specification and claims shall be understood to mean “at least one” unless otherwise expressly stated.

[0101] The phrase “and / or” as used in this specification and claims should be understood to mean “one or two” of the elements so combined, that is, elements that exist together in some cases and separately in others. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be interpreted in the same way, that is, “one or more” of the elements so combined. Other elements may optionally be present in addition to those specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, whether related to or unrelated to those specifically identified elements. Thus, as a non-limiting example, reference to “A and / or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising,” may refer to only A (optionally including elements other than B) in one embodiment; only B (optionally including elements other than A) in another embodiment; both A and B (optionally including other elements) in yet another embodiment; and so on.

[0102] As used in this specification and claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and / or” should be interpreted as inclusive, i.e., including multiple elements or at least one of the elements in the list, but also including more than one, and optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms that clearly indicate the opposite, such as “only one” or “exactly one”, or when used in claims, “consisting of” will refer to exactly including multiple elements or one element in the list. Generally, the term “or” as used herein should only be interpreted to indicate an exclusive substitution (i.e., “one or another but not simultaneously”), when preceding exclusive terms such as “any,” “one,” “only one,” or “exactly one.” When used in claims, “consisting substantially of” should have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0103] As used herein in the specification and claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from among the individual elements in the list of one or more elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of one or more elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of one or more elements. This definition also allows that the

[0104] It should also be understood that, regardless of the content of the following description, including that of the sections entitled “Background” and “Summary,” the description is not intended to limit the scope of the application, but rather is presented as a description of the various aspects, embodiments, examples, and implementations according to the present application. The claims, and not this description, are intended to define the scope of the application. It is believed that the scope of the application will be clearer from a review of the following description and by practicing the application as described herein.

[0105] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03. It should be understood that certain expressions used herein are used in a manner that is intended to cover both the singular and plural forms of the expression, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Accordingly, it is intended that the application be construed as including all such expressions.

[0106] Other aspects of the present disclosure are described in the following enumerated example embodiments (EEEs).

[0107] EEE 1. A portable heater comprising: an air intake module configured to draw air into the heater; a heating module coupled to the air intake module and configured to heat the air drawn into the heater; and an air exhaust module coupled to the heating module and configured to exhaust the heated air, wherein the air intake module is further configured to draw air into the heater from a location other than a first area in which the heater is located.

[0108] EEE 2. The heater of EEE 1, further comprising a control module configured to control at least one of an OFF mode, an ON mode, an AUTO mode, a TIMER mode, and a CYCLE mode of the heater.

[0109] EEE 3. The heater of EEE 1 or EEE 2, further comprising a sensing module electrically connected to the control module and configured to detect at least one of a temperature and a relative humidity of at least one of a plurality of zones in which the sensing module performs sensing and the heater performs heating.

[0110] EEE 4. The heater of any one of EEEs 1 to 3, wherein the at least one of the temperature and the relative humidity of the at least one zone is transmitted by the sensing module to the control module in which a vapor pressure deficit (VPD) value is calculated based on the at least one of the temperature and the relative humidity, wherein the control module is further configured to control a VPD mode of the heater.

[0111] EEE 5. The heater of any one of EEEs 1 to 4, wherein the air intake module comprises an air intake vent to which an adapter is coupled.

[0112] EEE 6. The heater of any one of EEEs 1 to 5, wherein the adapter coupled to the air intake vent adopts a duct sleeve configuration, one end of the adapter being configured to be connected to the air intake vent by a first fastening mechanism and the other end of the adapter being configured to be connected to a first duct by a second fastening mechanism.

[0113] EEE 7. The heater of any one of EEEs 1 to 6, wherein the air exhaust module comprises a connector having at least two ports, one port of the connector being in fluid communication with the heating module and each of the other ports being configured to be connected to a second duct to supply the heated air.

[0114] EEE 8. A heater comprising: a housing containing internal components of the heater, the housing having an air intake assembly disposed at least partially on a first side of the housing and an air exhaust assembly disposed at least partially on a second side of the housing, the internal components contained in the housing comprising: an I / O unit configured to receive control information and output status information; a heating unit comprising a plurality of heating elements that open and close in response to a heating control signal; and a fan configured to circulate air heated by the heating unit to the air exhaust assembly in response to a fan control signal; and a controller in electrical communication with the I / O unit, the heating unit, and the fan, the controller configured to generate both the heating control signal and the fan control signal based at least in part on the control information and to provide the status information for output by the I / O unit, wherein the air intake assembly comprises an air intake vent and a detachable adapter mounted thereon, the detachable adapter configured to interface with a duct to draw air from one or more areas away from the heater into the heater.

[0115] EEE 9. The heater of EEE 8, further comprising a sensing unit, wherein the sensing unit comprises at least one sensor separate from the housing and configured to detect environmental information of a first area to which the heated air is supplied.

[0116] EEE 10. The heater of EEE 8 or EEE 9, wherein the controller is contained in the housing and comprises a communication unit and a processing unit, the communication unit configured to receive the control information and the environmental information for processing by the processing unit and to transmit the heating control signal and the fan control signal generated by the processing unit to the heating unit and the fan, respectively.

[0117] EEE 11. The heater of any one of EEEs 8-10, wherein the I / O unit comprises a control panel, wherein the control information comprises a predetermined temperature value and a predetermined relative humidity value of the first area input via the control panel.

[0118] EEE 12. The heater of any one of EEEs 8-11, wherein the control panel is disposed at least partially on a third side of the housing.

[0119] EEE 13. The heater of any one of EEEs 8-12, wherein the processing unit comprises a main control board integrated into the control panel and a power supply circuit board electrically connected to the main control board, a power source, the heating unit, and the fan, wherein the communication unit comprises a first connector for connection to the at least one sensor.

[0120] EEE 14. The heater of any one of EEEs 8 to 13, wherein the communication unit further comprises a second connector for connecting to at least one external controller.

[0121] EEE 15. The heater of any one of EEEs 8 to 14, wherein the heater further comprises a vapor pressure deficit (VPD) mode, wherein the control information comprises a predetermined temperature value, a predetermined relative humidity value, and a predetermined VPD value, and the environmental information comprises a sensed temperature value and a sensed relative humidity value of the first zone, and a VPD value of the first zone is determined based on the sensed temperature value and the sensed relative humidity value.

[0122] EEE 16. The heater of any one of EEEs 8 to 15, wherein the control information comprises one or both of a minimum setting and a maximum setting for a respective one of an OFF mode, an ON mode, an AUTO mode, a TIMER mode, a CYCLE mode, and a VPD mode of the heater, and in response to a determination that the environmental information differs from the control information for one of the ON mode, the AUTO mode, the TIMER mode, the CYCLE mode, and the VPD mode by a first value, the fan control signal is configured to cause the fan to step up to the maximum setting, and in response to a determination that the environmental information differs from the control information for one of the ON mode, the AUTO mode, the TIMER mode, the CYCLE mode, and the VPD mode by a second value, the fan control signal is configured to cause the fan to step down to the minimum setting.

[0123] EEE 17. A multi-functional portable heater, comprising: a housing comprising: a front cover, a back cover having an air intake vent assembly thereon, the air intake assembly comprising an air intake vent and an air intake vent adapter coupled thereto, the air intake vent adapter being separable from the air intake vent, a bottom cover, and a U-shaped cover recessed toward the bottom cover and having an aperture disposed thereon through which an air exhaust vent assembly passes; internal components disposed within the housing, comprising: a power source, a heating unit comprising a plurality of heating elements, a control panel comprising a display area, a fan, and a control unit electrically connected to the power source, the heating unit, the control panel, and the fan; and a temperature-humidity sensor electrically connected to the control unit and comprising a sensor probe configured to sense an ambient temperature value T ENV and an ambient relative humidity value RH ENV .

[0124] EEE 18. The multi-functional portable heater of EEE 17, wherein the exhaust vent assembly includes a retractable hose contained within a semi-open enclosure formed by the U-shaped cover.

[0125] EEE 19. The multi-functional portable heater of EEE 17 or EEE 18, wherein the control panel is disposed on the front cover of the housing, which is overlaid with tempered glass.

[0126] EEE 20. The multi-functional portable heater of any one of EEE 17 to EEE 19, wherein a notch is disposed on the rear cover of the housing.

Claims

1. A portable heater, characterized in that, Comprising: an air intake module configured to draw air into the heater; a heating module coupled to the air intake module and configured to heat the air drawn into the heater; and an air exhaust module coupled to the heating module and configured to exhaust the heated air, wherein the air intake module includes an air intake vent to which an adapter is coupled, the adapter being configured to interface with a duct to draw air from one or more areas remote from the heater into the heater. Further comprising a control module configured to control at least one of an OFF mode, an ON mode, an AUTO mode, a TIMER mode, and a CYCLE mode of the heater.

2. The portable heater of claim 1, wherein, Further comprising a sensing module electrically connected to the control module and configured to detect at least one of a temperature and a relative humidity of at least one of the plurality of areas in which the sensing module performs sensing and the heater performs heating.

3. The portable heater of claim 2, wherein, At least one of the temperature and the relative humidity of the at least one area is transmitted by the sensing module to the control module in which a VPD value is calculated based on at least one of the temperature and the relative humidity, wherein the control module is further configured to control a VPD mode of the heater.

4. The portable heater of claim 3, wherein, The adapter coupled to the air intake vent takes a duct sleeve configuration, one end of the adapter being configured to connect to the air intake vent by a first fastening mechanism and the other end of the adapter being configured to connect to a first duct by a second fastening mechanism.

5. The portable heater of claim 1, wherein, The air exhaust module includes a connector having at least two ports, one port of the connector being in fluid communication with the heating module and each of the other ports being configured to connect to a second duct to supply the heated air.

6. The portable heater of claim 1, wherein, Comprising:

7. A heater characterized by, a housing containing internal components of the heater, the housing having an air intake assembly disposed at least partially on a first side of the housing and an air exhaust assembly disposed at least partially on a second side of the housing, the internal components contained in the housing including: an I / O unit configured to receive control information and output status information; a heating unit including a plurality of heating elements that open and close in response to a heating control signal; and a fan configured to circulate air heated by the heating unit to the air exhaust assembly in response to a fan control signal; and a controller in electrical communication with the I / O unit, the heating unit, and the fan, the controller configured to generate both the heating control signal and the fan control signal based at least in part on the control information and to provide the status information for output by the I / O unit, wherein the air intake assembly includes an air intake vent and a detachable adapter mounted thereon, the detachable adapter being configured to interface with a duct to draw air from one or more areas remote from the heater into the heater. ​ 8. The heater of claim 7, wherein, Further comprising a sensing unit, wherein the sensing unit comprises at least one sensor separate from the housing and configured to detect environmental information of a first area to which the heated air is supplied.

9. The heater of claim 8, wherein, The controller is housed in the housing and comprises a communication unit and a processing unit, the communication unit is configured to receive the control information and the environmental information for processing by the processing unit, and transmit the heating control signal and the fan control signal generated by the processing unit to the heating unit and the fan, respectively.

10. The heater of claim 9, wherein, The I / O unit comprises a control panel, wherein the control information comprises a predetermined temperature value and a predetermined relative humidity value of the first area input via the control panel.

11. The heater of claim 10, wherein, The control panel is at least partially disposed on a third side of the housing.

12. The heater of claim 10, wherein, The processing unit comprises a main control board integrated into the control panel and a power supply circuit board electrically connected to the main control board, a power supply, the heating unit and the fan, wherein the communication unit comprises a first connector for connecting to the at least one sensor.

13. The heater of claim 12, wherein, The communication unit further comprises a second connector for connecting to at least one external controller.

14. The heater of claim 9, wherein, The heater further comprises a VPD mode, wherein the control information comprises a predetermined temperature value, a predetermined relative humidity value and a predetermined VPD value, and the environmental information comprises a sensed temperature value and a sensed relative humidity value of the first area, and the VPD value of the first area is determined based on the sensed temperature value and the sensed relative humidity value.

15. The heater of claim 14, wherein, The control information comprises one or both of a minimum range and a maximum range of a respective mode of the OFF mode, the ON mode, the AUTO mode, the TIMER mode, the CYCLE mode and the VPD mode of the heater, and In response to determining that the environmental information differs from the control information for one of the ON mode, the AUTO mode, the TIMER mode, the CYCLE mode and the VPD mode by a first value, the fan control signal is configured to step up the fan to the maximum range, In response to determining that the environmental information differs from the control information for one of the ON mode, the AUTO mode, the TIMER mode, the CYCLE mode and the VPD mode by a second value, the fan control signal is configured to step down the fan to the minimum range.

16. A multi-functional portable heater, characterized by, Comprising: a housing comprising: a front cover, a rear cover having an air inlet vent assembly thereon, the air inlet vent assembly comprising an air inlet vent and an air inlet vent adapter coupled thereto, the air inlet vent adapter being separable from the air inlet vent, the air inlet vent adapter being configured to interface with a duct to draw air from one or more areas away from the heater into the heater, a bottom cover, and a U-shaped cover recessed towards the bottom cover and having an aperture disposed thereon through which an air outlet vent assembly passes; internal components disposed within the housing comprising: a power supply, a heating unit comprising a plurality of heating elements, a control panel comprising a display area, a fan, and a control unit electrically connected to the power source, the heating unit, the control panel and the fan; and a temperature-humidity sensor electrically connected to the control unit and comprising a sensor probe configured to sense an environmental temperature value T ENV and an environmental relative humidity value RH ENV of a region of interest.

17. The multi-functional portable heater according to claim 16, wherein The exhaust vent assembly includes a retractable hose contained in a semi-open enclosure formed by the U-shaped cover.

18. The multi-functional portable heater according to claim 16, wherein, The control panel is disposed on the front cover of the shell, which is covered with tempered glass.

19. The multi-functional portable heater as defined in claim 16, wherein, A notch is provided on the rear cover of the shell.

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