Method for controlling the temperature of a room by means of a ventilated towel-drying radiator

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for regulating the temperature of a room using a towel radiator, said method comprising the following steps: - providing a towel radiator comprising a controller configured to regulate the temperature in the room by controlling at least one fan and at least one heating element, said controller being configured to trigger: * an ordinary mode, by activating said at least one heating element and deactivating said at least one fan, and * a fast mode, called "boost" mode, by activating said at least one heating element and activating said at least one fan, - determining the temperature in the room by means of said at least one temperature probe, - regulating the temperature of the room to reach a setpoint temperature by means of the ordinary mode and / or the boost mode.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a towel radiator.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a towel radiator comprising an air supply column communicating with heating boxes. Technological background

[0003] It is common to integrate a so-called "boost" function into towel radiators. This boost function allows a rapid increase in the temperature in the room in which the radiator is installed or the temperature of the radiator itself, particularly when the user is looking to quickly dry a towel.

[0004] Towel radiators typically include a radiator body with a primary heating element installed within it. The radiator body typically includes a fluid that provides thermal inertia. Towel radiators may also include a separate fan unit attached to the radiator body. This fan unit typically includes a fan and a secondary heating element to distribute hot air throughout the room.

[0005] In this second type of towel radiator, a first regulation mode consists of regulating the temperature of the room by means of the main heating element, without ventilation. A second mode, called "boost" mode, consists of activating the fan as well as the secondary heating element to quickly raise the temperature of the room.

[0006] A major drawback of this type of radiator is that the airflow generated by the ventilation unit is not directed towards the towels the user wishes to dry. The ventilation therefore only serves to raise the temperature of the room. In addition, the ventilation unit is bulky, unattractive, and expensive. This type of radiator requires two separate heating elements: a primary one in the radiator body and a secondary one in the ventilation unit.

[0007] To improve the efficiency of temperature regulation and therefore improve towel drying, it could be considered to increase the thermal power of the main heating element. However, a major difficulty is that the surface temperature of the radiator must not exceed a predetermined temperature to avoid any burns to the user. Thus, it is not possible to increase the thermal power of the main heating element, which is generally sized to allow regulation of the room without exceeding this maximum temperature of the radiator surface.

[0008] Another type of towel radiator includes an air supply column and a plurality of heating boxes connected to the air supply column. Heating elements are arranged in the heating boxes to heat the air circulating inside the air supply column. Outlets formed in the heating boxes allow the distribution of hot air into a room where the towel radiator is installed.

[0009] In this last type of towel radiator, the temperature in the room is regulated by combining the action of a heating element with a fan to diffuse hot air through the heating boxes. No boost function is provided because the better air diffusion ensures rapid drying of the towels.

[0010] There is therefore a need for a towel radiator that improves the efficiency and responsiveness of temperature regulation while allowing better drying of towels. Summary of the invention

[0011] To this end, the invention proposes a method for regulating the temperature of a room by means of a towel radiator, said method comprising the following steps: providing a towel radiator comprising: ° at least one air supply column extending along a supply axis and comprising at least one fan for supplying said at least one air supply column with an air flow, and ° a plurality of heating boxes mounted on said at least one air supply column, each heating box being in fluid communication with said at least one air supply column through an inlet orifice formed between each heating box and said at least one air supply column to enable said heating boxes to be supplied with an inlet air flow, ° at least one heating member disposed in the air flow generated by said at least one fan, ° at least one temperature probe for determining the temperature in the room,° a controller configured to regulate the temperature in the room by controlling said at least one fan and said at least one heating member, said controller being configured to trigger: * an ordinary mode, by activating said at least one heating member at a first thermal power value and deactivating said at least one fan, and * a fast mode, called “boost” mode, by activating said at least one heating member at a second thermal power value greater than the first thermal power value and activating said at least one fan, determine the temperature in the room by means of said at least one temperature sensor, regulate the temperature of the room to reach a set temperature by means of the ordinary mode and / or the boost mode.

[0012] The towel radiator controller provides two distinct regulation modes using different thermal powers of the heating element. Increasing the thermal power of the heating element during boost mode improves the efficiency and responsiveness of temperature regulation. Indeed, it is thus possible to raise the temperature of the radiator and in the room much more quickly. Activating the ventilation during boost mode makes it possible to use a higher thermal power because the air flow meets the heating element and thus dissipates heat at the level of this heating element. This dissipation allows to use a higher thermal power without critically increasing the surface temperature of the radiator.

[0013] It is thus possible to oversize the heating element to enable it to perform an ordinary room regulation mode and a boost mode in which it is used at a higher power without risking a dangerous rise in the surface temperature of the radiator, thanks to the air flow meeting the heating element.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the method, the regulation step comprises triggering the ordinary mode and the boost mode.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the method, the regulation step comprises the successive triggering of the ordinary mode and the boost mode.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the method, the regulation step comprises the following steps: trigger boost mode when the temperature in the room is lower than an intermediate set temperature, trigger ordinary mode when the temperature in the room is higher than or equal to the intermediate set temperature.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the method, the intermediate set temperature is lower than the set temperature.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the method, the regulation step comprises determining a temperature of at least one of the heating boxes, the controller being configured to vary the thermal power of said at least one heating member and / or the ventilation power of said at least one fan to maintain the temperature of said heating box lower than or equal to a safety value.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the method, the towel radiator comprises at least one thermal limiter arranged in one of the heating boxes, said at least one thermal limiter being configured to transmit a safety signal to the controller and deactivate said at least one heating member when the measured temperature reaches a safety value.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the method, the boost mode is triggered by the controller following a manual action by the user or automatically in combination with the ordinary mode.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the method, the second thermal power value of said at least one heating member is greater than or equal to 150%, preferably greater than or equal to 200%, of the first thermal power value.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the method, the boost mode comprises varying the ventilation power of said at least one fan as a function of the thermal power value of said at least one heating member. Brief description of the figures

[0023] The following description with reference to the attached drawings, given as non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented. In the attached figures: [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 represents a perspective view of a towel radiator comprising an air supply column and heating boxes attached to the supply column; [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 represents an exploded perspective view of the towel radiator of the figure 1 ; [ Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 represents a flowchart of an ordinary mode of a thermal regulation process of a room, [ Fig. 4 ] There figure 4represents a flowchart of a boost mode of a thermal regulation process of a room, [ Fig. 5 ] There Figure 5 represents a flowchart of a combined process of the ordinary and boost modes of the figures 3 And 4 . Description of embodiment(s)

[0024] The inventive concept is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of elements may be exaggerated for clarity. Like numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings. However, this inventive concept may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Instead, these embodiments are provided so that this description is complete, and communicates the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art.

[0025] A reference throughout the specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the occurrence of the phrase "in an embodiment" at various locations throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Furthermore, the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps.

[0026] A towel radiator is offered which incorporates a boost mode combining the activation of a heating element at a higher thermal power and ventilation directed towards this heating element to enable a rapid rise in the temperature of the room.

[0027] In reference to the figure 1 , the towel radiator 10 comprises an air supply column 12 extending along a supply axis A.

[0028] The towel radiator 10 further comprises a plurality of heating boxes 30 mounted on said at least one air supply column 12. The heating boxes 30 are fixed to the air supply column 12, for example at a front face 22.

[0029] Each heating box 30 is arranged on the air supply column 12 transversely to the supply axis A.

[0030] The air supply column 12 comprises at least one air inlet orifice 14, for example arranged on an upper end face 16 of the air supply column 12. The inlet orifice 14 may be in the form of a grid.

[0031] The air supply column 12 may provide a plurality of air inlet orifices 14, in particular arranged on different faces or portions of faces of the air supply column 12. These inlet orifices 14 may for example be arranged at one or more of a rear face 18, a lower end face 20, the front face 22 or the upper end face 16.

[0032] The heating boxes 30 are in fluid communication with the air supply column 12 at supply ports 26 visible in figure 2. Each heating box 30 is mounted on the supply column 12 opposite a supply orifice 26. Each heating box 30 itself comprises an inlet orifice (not visible). This inlet orifice is formed between each heating box 30 and said at least one air supply column 12 to allow said heating boxes 30 to be supplied with an inlet air flow. The inlet air flow flows into the heating box 30 in an inlet direction B.

[0033] The air supply column 12 comprises at least one fan 24 for generating air circulation from the inlet orifice 14 to one or more supply orifices 26, and therefore to one or more heating boxes 30. The action of the fan 24 thus allows air to be supplied to one or more heating boxes 30.

[0034] The towel radiator 10 is configured so that the air supply to the heating boxes 30 can be independent. It is thus possible to control the air flow supplying each of the heating boxes 30. In other words, it is possible to selectively generate ventilation for one or more of the heating boxes 30. In particular, it is possible to generate ventilation in a number of heating boxes ranging from 1 to n-1 heating boxes 30, n being the total number of heating boxes 30.

[0035] Thus, in a selective operating mode, in particular during a towel or laundry drying function, it is possible to generate an air flow through one or more predetermined heating boxes 30.

[0036] In a global operating mode, it is also possible to generate global ventilation through all of the heating boxes 30.

[0037] According to a first embodiment, a single fan 24 is arranged in the air supply column 12. This fan 24 is arranged to generate a circulation of air from the inlet orifice 14 to each of the supply orifices 26, and therefore to each of the heating boxes 30. Activation of the fan 24 therefore generates an inlet air flow in each of the ventilation boxes 30. An air flow obstruction member may be provided for each of the heating boxes 30 so as to control the air supply to each of the heating boxes 30. This obstruction member is for example a controlled valve. This obstruction member is preferably arranged through the supply orifice 26 or the inlet orifice of the heating box. This obstruction member makes it possible to direct the generated air flow to supply air to one or more predetermined heating boxes 30.

[0038] According to a second embodiment, the air supply column 12 comprises a plurality of fans 24 arranged along the supply axis A. Thus, each fan 24 can be arranged so as to supply one or more predetermined heating boxes 30. Preferably, the air supply column 12 comprises the same number of fans 24 as the number of heating boxes 30. Thus, in the latter case, each fan 24 is arranged so as to supply a single heating box 30. Activating a fan 24 therefore makes it possible to generate an air flow through a heating box 30. In this variant, each fan 24 is preferably arranged opposite a supply orifice 26.

[0039] The first and second embodiments can be combined with a plurality of fans 24, at least one of which generates an air flow capable of supplying several heating boxes 30. One or more obstruction members can be provided to allow the selective orientation of the air flow and thus control the ventilation of the heating boxes independently.

[0040] Each heating box 30 comprises a front box face 32, a rear box face 34 and between these front 32 and rear 34 box faces: an upper box face 38, a lower box face 40 and side box faces 42 connecting the upper 38 and lower 40 faces.

[0041] Said heating box 30 is preferably substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. One or more of the front 32, rear 34, upper 38, lower 40 and side 42 faces may be curved.

[0042] The front 32, rear 34, lower 40, upper 38 and side 42 faces of the box define an interior space of the box 37.

[0043] Each heating box 30 has substantially the shape of a parallelepiped when viewed facing the front wall 32. Alternatively, the front wall 32, and therefore the heating box 30, may have any shape that allows it to be mounted on the air supply column 12, such as for example a curved front wall in one or more views. Each heating box 30 is preferably defined by a height taken along the supply axis A, a width taken perpendicular to the supply axis A and a depth taken perpendicular to the width and the height.

[0044] Each heating box 30 includes a plurality of air outlet ports 46 communicating with the box interior space 37 and formed in one or more of the front 32, rear 34, bottom 40, top 38 and side 42 faces of the box. Thus, air circulation can occur from the inlet ports 14 to the outlet ports 46 by passing through the supply ports 26.

[0045] The plurality of air outlet ports 46 are preferably formed through at least two of the front 32, rear 34, bottom 40, top 38, and side 42 box faces to diffuse air in multiple directions out of the heating box 30.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the plurality of air outlet orifices 46 is formed through the lower 40, upper 38 and side 42 faces of the box so as to obtain an outgoing air flow all around the heating box 30.

[0047] Each face of the heating box 30 comprising air outlet orifices 46 can be produced in the form of a grid or a wall in which a plurality of air outlet orifices 46 are formed.

[0048] Each heating box 30 comprises a heating member 44. This heating member 44 is arranged in the interior space of the box 37. In particular, the heating member 30 preferably extends between the air supply column 12 and the front wall 32. More particularly, the heating member 44 extends between the front 32 and rear 34 faces of the box.

[0049] The heater 44 is positioned in the interior space of the box 37 such that air from the supply port 26 contacts the heater 44 before reaching an outlet port 46. The temperature of the air can therefore be increased via the heater 44 when the latter is in operation. The air entering the interior space 37 is first heated by the heater 44 and then flows out of the heater box 30 to heat the air surrounding the towel radiator 10.

[0050] Alternatively, the heating member 44 may be arranged in the air supply column 12. Generally, the heating member 44 is arranged in the air flow generated by said at least one fan 24.

[0051] The towel radiator 10 further comprises a controller (not visible) for controlling the fan(s) 24 and the heating members 44. Where appropriate, the controller is also configured to control the obstruction member(s) to direct an air flow towards one or more predetermined heating boxes 30. The controller makes it possible in particular to control the activation or deactivation of one or more heating members 44 and one or more fans 24.

[0052] The towel radiator 10 may further comprise at least one temperature sensor (not visible). The temperature sensor has the function of enabling the regulation of the heating provided by the towel radiator 10 according to a set temperature. For the comfort of the user, it is preferable for this temperature sensor to be arranged at a lower zone of the towel radiator 10 to ensure that the set temperature is reached.

[0053] Said temperature sensor is configured to transmit a regulation signal to the controller when the temperature in the heating box 30 reaches a regulation temperature threshold. This regulation temperature threshold is for example greater than or equal to 40°C. The regulation temperature threshold depends on the setpoint temperature but may be different from it. This setpoint temperature can be modified by the user.

[0054] The towel radiator 10 may also further comprise at least one thermal limiter preferably arranged in each heating box 30 to control that the temperature in each of the heating boxes 30 does not exceed a predetermined threshold. In particular, each thermal limiter is configured to transmit a safety signal to the controller when the temperature in the heating box 30 reaches a temperature threshold representative of overheating. This overheating may for example correspond to a temperature causing a risk of burning the user. This overheating may for example be determined when the temperature inside the heating box 30 is greater than or equal to 50°C.

[0055] The thermal limiter is preferably arranged at an upper zone of the heating box 30.

[0056] The controller is configured to regulate the temperature in the room in which the radiator is installed by controlling said at least one fan and said at least one heating element to reach a set value. In particular, the controller is configured to trigger an ordinary regulation mode and a fast regulation mode, called “boost” mode.

[0057] The ordinary regulation mode comprises the activation of said at least one heating member 44 at a first thermal power value and the deactivation of said at least one fan 24. In other words, the ordinary regulation mode only involves the heating member(s) 44 without generating air flow. The absence of air flow makes it possible to carry out regulation without any noise disturbance linked to ventilation.

[0058] This regulation is carried out with the heating element(s) activated at a first thermal power. This first thermal power is for example set between 600 and 900 Watts, preferably at 750W.

[0059] In reference to the figure 3 , the ordinary control mode provides a temperature condition 50 to determine whether the temperature in the room is lower than the set temperature. If this temperature is equal to or higher than the set temperature, the temperature condition 50 is not met and the controller loops back to this same temperature condition 50. If this temperature is lower than the set temperature, the condition is met and a step of activating the heating element at the first thermal power is carried out. A control loop is thus carried out as long as the temperature is lower than the set temperature.

[0060] The boost mode comprises activating said at least one heating member 44 at a second thermal power value and activating said at least one fan 24. Thus, the thermal power of the heating members 44 is increased and combined with an air flow encountering these heating members 44.

[0061] The boost mode is performed at a second thermal power value greater than the first thermal power value. This second thermal power is for example set between 900 and 2000 Watts, preferably 1500 W. The second thermal power value of said at least one heating member 44 is greater than or equal to 150%, preferably greater than or equal to 200%, of the first thermal power value. In other words, the power can be multiplied between at least 1.5 and 2 between the ordinary regulation mode and the boost mode.

[0062] This second thermal power can correspond to the maximum thermal power of the heating member. In other words, the heating member 44 can be sized so that its maximum power corresponds to the boost mode.

[0063] The excess heat induced by this increase in power is dissipated by the air flow. It is thus possible to increase the thermal power of the heater while limiting the temperature rise of the radiator surface to avoid the risk of burning the user.

[0064] The boost mode may comprise varying the ventilation power of said at least one fan as a function of the thermal power value of said at least one heating member. Thus, the air flow supplying the heating boxes 30 is regulated as a function of the thermal power to be dissipated. This makes it possible to limit the noise induced by the air flow to the exact requirement of the thermal power to be dissipated.

[0065] In reference to the figure 4 , the boost mode provides a trigger condition 54. This trigger can be carried out following a one-off request from a user, instantaneous or programmed. This trigger can also be carried out by the controller in a more complex regulation process integrating the use of the boost mode.

[0066] When a boost mode request is made, the trigger condition 54 is met. A combined activation 56 is performed of the heating member(s) 44 and the fan(s) 24. The heating member(s) 44 are activated at the second thermal power.

[0067] Once the combined activation 56 has been carried out, a stop condition 58 occurs corresponding to a manual action by the user or at the end of a boost mode activation period.

[0068] The controller can also regulate the temperature in the room by performing a combination of ordinary and boost modes. In particular, the controller can successively trigger ordinary and boost modes to perform a more complex regulation process. Indeed, ordinary mode has the advantage of generating no noise and having a slower temperature rise than boost mode. Conversely, boost mode has the major advantage of being able to achieve a rapid temperature rise. Thus, it is possible to use boost mode if the temperature in the room is very far from the set temperature and ordinary mode if the temperature in the room is close to the set temperature.

[0069] To do this, the ordinary mode is triggered by the controller when the temperature in the room is greater than or equal to an intermediate set temperature. The boost mode is triggered by the controller when the temperature in the room is lower than the intermediate set temperature. The intermediate set temperature is not zero, i.e. greater than 0°C.

[0070] This intermediate set temperature corresponds to the set temperature subtracted from 6 to 2°C, for example 3°C. Thus, if the set temperature is 20°C, the intermediate set temperature can be from 14°C to 18°C, preferably 17°C. The introduction of this intermediate set temperature allows for two-stage regulation, a first stage in which a rapid temperature increase is made via the boost mode and a second stage in which a slow and noiseless increase is made up to the set temperature. This combination of the two modes thus allows the advantages of both to be benefited from.

[0071] An example of a combined process of ordinary and boost modes is shown in Figure 5 . In this, a first temperature condition 60 is carried out to determine whether the temperature in the room is lower than the set temperature.

[0072] If this first condition 60 is met, the activation of the ordinary mode 62 is carried out by the controller. In this mode, the heating member(s) 44 are activated at the first thermal power, without ventilation.

[0073] Then, a second temperature condition 64 is carried out to determine whether the temperature in the room is lower than the intermediate set temperature.

[0074] If this temperature is higher than the intermediate set temperature, then the condition is not met and ordinary mode is maintained.

[0075] If the temperature in the room is lower than the intermediate set temperature, then the condition is met and activation of the boost mode 66 is triggered. The heating member(s) 44 are activated at the second thermal power and the fan(s) 24 are activated. The boost mode is maintained as long as the third temperature condition 68 is not met, namely if the temperature in the room is equal to or higher than the intermediate set temperature. When the third temperature condition 68 is met, the process returns to the first temperature condition 60.

[0076] Alternatively, it is possible to define the third temperature condition as whether the temperature in the room is equal to or greater than the set temperature to prioritize the speed of reaching the set temperature once the boost mode is triggered.

[0077] Alternatively, it is possible to reverse the activation direction of the ordinary and boost modes by placing the modules of the logic diagram in the following order: 64, 66, 68, 62 and a final temperature condition to know if the set temperature is reached.

[0078] The controller may also be configured to vary the thermal power of said at least one heating member and / or the ventilation power of said at least one fan to maintain the temperature of said heating box 30 below or equal to a safety value. This amounts to reducing the thermal heating power and / or increasing the ventilation power to reduce the surface temperature of the radiator. This temperature may be monitored by means of the temperature sensor arranged in one or more of the heating boxes 30.

[0079] Alternatively or in combination, the towel radiator may comprise one or more thermal limiters configured to transmit a safety signal to the controller when the measured temperature reaches a safety value. These thermal limiters are also configured to deactivate said at least one heating element when the safety value is reached.

Claims

1. A method for regulating the temperature of a room by means of a towel radiator (10), said method comprising the following steps: - providing a towel radiator (10) comprising: ° at least one air supply column (12) extending along a supply axis (A) and comprising at least one fan (24) for supplying said at least one air supply column (12) with an air flow, and ° a plurality of heating boxes (30) mounted on said at least one air supply column (12), each heating box (30) being in fluid communication with said at least one air supply column (12) through an inlet orifice (31) formed between each heating box (30) and said at least one air supply column (12) to enable said heating boxes (30) to be supplied with an inlet air flow (33),° at least one heating member (44) arranged in the air flow generated by said at least one fan (24), ° at least one temperature probe for determining the temperature in the room, ° a controller configured to regulate the temperature in the room by controlling said at least one fan (24) and said at least one heating member (44), said controller being configured to trigger: * an ordinary mode, by activating said at least one heating member (44) at a first thermal power value and deactivating said at least one fan, and * a fast mode, called "boost" mode, by activating said at least one heating member (44) at a second thermal power value greater than the first thermal power value and by activating said at least one fan, - determining the temperature in the room by means of said at least one temperature probe,- regulate the room temperature to reach a set temperature using ordinary mode and / or boost mode., 2. A regulation method according to claim 1, wherein the regulation step comprises triggering the ordinary mode and the boost mode.

3. Regulation method according to claim 2, in which the regulation step comprises the successive triggering of the ordinary mode and the boost mode.

4. Regulation method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the regulation step comprises the following steps: - triggering the boost mode when the temperature in the room is lower than an intermediate set temperature, - triggering the ordinary mode when the temperature in the room is higher than or equal to the intermediate set temperature.

5. Control method according to claim 4, in which the intermediate set temperature is lower than the set temperature.

6. A regulation method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the regulation step comprises determining a temperature of at least one of the heating boxes (30), the controller being configured to vary the thermal power of said at least one heating member (44) and / or the ventilation power of said at least one fan (24) to maintain the temperature of said heating box (30) lower than or equal to a safety value.

7. Control method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the towel radiator comprises at least one thermal limiter arranged in one of the heating boxes, said at least one thermal limiter being configured to transmit a safety signal to the controller and deactivate said at least one heating member (44) when the measured temperature reaches a safety value.

8. A regulation method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the boost mode is triggered by the controller following manual action by the user or automatically in combination with the ordinary mode.

9. Regulation method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the second thermal power value of said at least one heating member is greater than or equal to 150%, preferably greater than or equal to 200%, of the first thermal power value.

10. Regulation method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the boost mode comprises varying the ventilation power of said at least one fan as a function of the thermal power value of said at least one heating member.

Images