Domestic fan with a light frame

Abstract

A domestic fan comprising an electric motor (4), a propeller (3) driven in rotation by said motor (4), and a protective grille (6) disposed around said propeller (3), characterized in that it comprises a light frame (80) supporting at least one light source (81) disposed at the periphery of the protective grille (6), a deflector (84) opposite the light frame (80) and covering at least a periphery portion of the protective grille (6), the deflector (84) reflecting and / or diffusing the light emitted by the light frame (80). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 5

Description

Title of the invention: Domestic fan with a light frame technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of domestic fans comprising an electric motor, a propeller driven in rotation by the motor and a protective grid arranged around said propeller. State of the art

[0002] From document CN204900289, an industrial fan comprising a frame supporting a propeller driven in rotation by an electric motor, the frame comprising a protective grid extending in front of the propeller and including a set of LEDs arranged at the periphery of the protective grid.

[0003] Such an industrial device has the advantage of being usable as a lighting device when the ambient light is low. However, such a device has the disadvantage of emitting light directly from the LEDs, making it dazzling and harsh on the eyes. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome this drawback by providing a domestic fan that can both ventilate and illuminate a room while emitting a light that is pleasing to the eye. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a domestic fan that can serve as a decorative object.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a domestic fan comprising an electric motor, a propeller driven in rotation by the motor and a protective grid disposed around said propeller, characterized in that it comprises a light frame, supporting at least one light source, disposed at the periphery of the protective grid, a deflector coming opposite the light frame and covering at least a periphery part of the protective grid, the deflector reflecting and / or diffusing the light emitted by the light frame.

[0006] The presence of such a deflector allows the light to be diffused more gently. Furthermore, such a deflector allows the light emitted by the light frame to be customized, as the deflector can have a shape and color to suit the user's taste.

[0007] The device may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0008] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the deflector comprises a front wall extending in front of said light frame to diffuse and / or reflect the light emitted by the latter.

[0009] According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the light frame has an annular shape and the front wall of the deflector has an external diameter corresponding substantially to the external diameter of the light frame.

[0010] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the front wall extends from the periphery of the light frame towards the center of the propeller, covering at least part of the protective grid surface swept by the radius of the propeller.

[0011] Such a feature allows the deflector to utilize a significant area of ​​the protective grille for light diffusion and / or reflection. This feature also allows the airflow produced by the propeller to be used to cool the deflector and prevent a significant temperature rise due to its exposure to the light source.

[0012] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the deflector has a central opening allowing the passage of the airflow produced by the propeller.

[0013] Such a feature makes it possible to maintain a direct airflow emitted by the fan in order to maintain the cooling functionality usually offered by fans.

[0014] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the fan includes a cover mounted removably on the light frame and / or on the deflector, the cover closing said central opening of the deflector.

[0015] Such a feature allows the front face of the fan's protective grille to be completely concealed, thus blocking any airflow directly directed towards the user. This feature also allows the entire front surface of the protective grille to be used to diffuse and / or reflect light. This fan configuration is particularly advantageous in winter when the user does not want a direct airflow for cooling but rather a more diffuse airflow, for example, to even out the room's air temperature.

[0016] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the light frame is removably fixed to the protective grid.

[0017] Such a feature allows the fan to be used and / or sold without the light frame, the light frame being able to be offered as an accessory.

[0018] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the light frame is fixed to the protective grid by clipping elements or by magnetic means.

[0019] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the light frame is electrically powered by a power cable, said cable comprising at least a portion, extending outside the light frame, which has a plug allowing its connection to a power source.

[0020] Such a solution allows the light frame to be supplied with current in a simple and economical way.

[0021] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the fan comprises a base and a fan head supported by the base, the fan head enclosing the motor and supporting the protective grille, the base and / or the fan head comprising an electrical power connector which cooperates with the plug to supply the light frame with electricity.

[0022] Such a feature has the advantage of being simple and economical to implement and of offering good ergonomics of use.

[0023] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, said light source is powered with a supply voltage of less than 24V.

[0024] Such a feature makes it possible to have a light source that is not dangerous for the user.

[0025] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, said light source comprises at least one series of LEDs.

[0026] Such a series of LEDs has the advantage of providing a high light output with low power consumption. Furthermore, such LEDs also have the advantage of generating little heat and therefore do not risk causing the deflector to overheat.

[0027] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the fan comprises different types of deflectors which are interchangeable on the light frame.

[0028] Such a feature allows the user to choose the deflector having the shape and color he wants in order to use the fan as a decorative object.

[0029] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the deflector is made of a translucent or opaque plastic material, the front wall advantageously having openings forming decorative patterns.

[0030] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the front wall of the deflector has the shape of a curved disc.

[0031] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the front wall of the deflector has a frustoconical shape. Brief description of the figures

[0032] The objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0033] Figure 1 is a front view of a fan equipped with a lighting device according to a particular embodiment of the invention, the lighting device being illustrated in a configuration without a central lid;

[0034] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the fan head without the lighting device of Fig. 1 in a configuration with the central cover;

[0035] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the fan head and the lighting device shown in exploded view;

[0036] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the fan head with the lighting device shown in exploded view;

[0037] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the fan head equipped with the lighting device in a configuration without a central cover;

[0038] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the fan head equipped with the lighting device of Fig. 1 in a configuration with the central cover;

[0039] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of different types of deflectors and different types of covers that can be fitted to the lighting device;

[0040] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading the drawings, the same elements bear the same reference numerals from one figure to another.

[0041] It should be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "longitudinal", "transverse", used to describe the fan refer to this device in use, when it rests flat on its base with the axis of the fan propeller arranged horizontally.

[0042] Fig. 1 illustrates a domestic appliance, of the pedestal fan type 1, comprising a base 1 intended to rest on a flat surface, such as the floor or a table, and a fan head 2 carried by said base 1.

[0043] According to figures 2 to 5, the fan head 2 comprises a propeller 3 surrounded by a protective grille 6, the propeller 3 being driven in rotation by a motor 4 disposed in a housing 5 which is pivotally mounted on the base 1 by means of a joint 50, the housing 5 having a front longitudinal end which is traversed by an output shaft of the motor 4 to the end of which the propeller 3 is fixed. Advantageously, the fan is equipped with heating means, not shown in the figures, consisting for example of a heating element swept by the airflow produced by the propeller 3, allowing it to be used to heat a room.

[0044] The protective grille 6 comprises a rear grille 60, a front grille 61, and an annular mounting flange 7 which secure the front grille 61 and rear grille 60 to each other. The rear grille 60 and the front grille 61 define a cage in which the propeller 3 is arranged, the rear grille 60 being fixed to the front longitudinal end of the housing 5 and having a central portion extending behind the propeller. 3 and a peripheral portion extending around the periphery of the propeller 3. The peripheral portion of the rear grille 60 has a front end defining a circular opening which is closed by the front grille 61, the latter being fixed to the rear grille 60 by means of the annular mounting flange 7. The front grille 61 advantageously has a curved surface and includes, in its center, a flange 62 positioned opposite the hub of the propeller 3 to conceal it.

[0045] The fixing flange 7 is advantageously made of metal or plastic and locally includes a cutout 70 at a point on its periphery allowing the fixing flange 7 to deform, for the purpose of its removal from the rear grille 60, when manually pulled by the user on either side of the cutout 70. The fixing flange 7 advantageously includes, on either side of this cutout 70, fixing lugs 71, 72 between which is mounted a spring, not shown in the figures, which tends to bring the two edges of the fixing flange 7 together.

[0046] According to figures 3 to 5, the device includes a lighting device 8 mounted on the fan protective grille 6, the lighting device 8 advantageously being in the form of a removable lighting kit 8 comprising an annular light frame 80 which supports at least one light source 81. Preferably, the light source 81 is supplied with electricity by means of a power cable 82 which exits on one side of the light frame 80 and whose free end is provided with a plug 83 intended to engage with a power supply connector 20 carried by the fan head 2.The power connector 20 is advantageously located near the protective grid 6 and is connected to a low voltage transformer which is integrated into the housing 5 of the fan and whose power supply is independent of that of the motor 4, the transformer being connected to the electrical network of the fan and supplying the connector 20 with a direct current of a voltage of 12V.

[0047] The light frame 80 is removably attached to the periphery of the mounting flange 7 and advantageously has a diameter between 40 cm and 60 cm. The light frame 80 can, for example, be held on the mounting flange by magnetic attraction, by clipping, or by friction. Thus, the light frame 80 may include magnets that cooperate with metallic parts of the mounting flange 7 to ensure the magnetic retention of the light frame 80 on the mounting flange 7. In an alternative embodiment, the light frame 80 may be equipped with several mounting clips designed to engage elastically with the mounting flange 7 to secure the light frame 80 to the mounting flange 7.

[0048] The lighting device 8 advantageously comprises a deflector 84 which is removably mounted on the light frame 80 and whose function is to diffuse and / or reflect the light emitted by the light frame 80. The deflector 84 comprises a front wall 84A which extends in front of the front grille 61, advantageously following the curvature of the latter, the front wall 84A having a central opening 84C which is centered with respect to the axis of rotation of the propeller 3 and whose diameter is slightly less than the diameter of the propeller 3.

[0049] Preferably, the front wall 84A of the deflector 84 extends radially from the outer edge of the front grille 61 over less than 30% of the radius of the front grille 61 so that the central opening 84C has a radius representing at least 70% of the radius of the protective grille 6.

[0050] The front wall 84A of the deflector 84 is positioned in front of the light frame 80 and is extended at its periphery by a collar 84B which engages around the light frame 80. The collar 84B is advantageously provided with fastening clips, not visible in the figures, designed to engage elastically on the light frame 80 to secure the deflector 84 to the light frame 80. In an alternative embodiment, the collar 84B may include metal inserts that cooperate with magnets carried by the light frame 80 to ensure magnetic retention of the deflector 84 on the light frame 80.

[0051] The light source 81 is advantageously arranged on the light frame 80 such that the light rays from the light source 81 are emitted from the front face of the light frame 80 and illuminate the front wall 84A of the deflector 84.

[0052] By way of example, the light source 81 comprises at least one LED which is powered with a voltage of 12V by the power cord. Preferably, the light source 81 comprises several LEDs evenly distributed around the entire perimeter of the light frame 80 and arranged in a groove formed on the front face of the light frame 80.

[0053] The front wall 84A of the deflector 84 is preferably made of a translucent material which diffuses the light emitted by the light source 81. In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in [Fig.7], the deflector 84 may also have openings 84D for the passage of light and be made, for example, of an opaque material.

[0054] By way of example, the front wall 84A of the deflector 84 can be made of a translucent white plastic material and the LEDs can emit colored light. Preferably, the LEDs are controlled by an electronic board, advantageously integrated into the light frame 80, which is operated by a remote control, or by means of a dedicated application on a smartphone, allowing the user to choose the lighting color from several possible colors and to vary the lighting intensity.

[0055] In one embodiment of the invention, the lighting device 8 comprises several deflectors 84, of different shapes and / or colors which can be mounted removably on the light frame 80. In this way, the user can choose the deflector 84 of the shape and / or color he wants to have the desired lighting effect.

[0056] Preferably, the lighting device 8 also includes a cover 85 or several covers 85 for closing the central opening 84C provided in the center of the deflector 84. As illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 6, the cover 85 advantageously has the shape of a curved disc with a curvature conforming to the shape of the front grille 61. The cover 85 is preferably held in position on the protective grille 6 by being sandwiched between the light ring and the deflector 84. In an alternative embodiment, the cover 85 may be attached to the deflector 84 by fastening clips or by magnetic attraction.

[0057] As illustrated in [Fig. 7], the cover(s) 85 may also have openings 85A forming decorative patterns and allowing a slight passage of airflow. Thus, the cover 85 may have circular openings 85A of various sizes, preferably with a diameter of less than 10 cm, and / or slots in the form of arcs or various geometric shapes.

[0058] The fan as described above can of course be used without the lighting device 8, like a conventional fan, to produce a flow of air, cold or hot, towards the user, but it has the particular advantage of being able to be used in association with the lighting device 8, allowing the fan to be transformed into a lighting system that can provide ambient light of different colors and intensities according to the user's choice.

[0059] To do this, the user simply needs to mount the light ring on the fixing flange 7 of the protective grille 6, connect the power cord to the connector 20 of the fan housing 5, and then install one of the deflectors supplied with the lighting device 8, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 5. The user chooses the deflector 84 based on its color and patterns to achieve the desired decorative effect.

[0060] The user switches on the light ring using the remote control, which also allows the user to select the color and intensity of the light emitted by the light ring.

[0061] The lighting device 8 can also be used in a configuration with the cover 85, as illustrated in [Fig. 6], such a configuration maximizing the light diffusion of the lighting device 8, particularly when the cover 85 is made of a translucent material. In this configuration, the fan motor 4 can be stopped, so that only the The light produced by the device, or with the motor 4 running, generates a diffusely distributed airflow, by rebounding off the cover 85, towards the rear and periphery of the fan. This use of the fan with the cover 85 is particularly advantageous when the fan is used in heating mode to warm a room, as it prevents an overly directional flow of hot air that could be unpleasant for the user.

[0062] The ventilation device thus produced therefore has the advantage of offering both a ventilation function and a lighting function, which makes it possible to considerably increase the use of such a device, particularly outside of the summer periods.

[0063] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0064] Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the light frame may be devoid of a power cable and incorporate a battery providing the electrical power supply to the light sources.

[0065] Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the deflector may be one piece with the cover and extend over the entire surface of the front grille.

[0066] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0067] Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the light frame may be devoid of a power cable and incorporate a battery providing the electrical power supply to the light sources.

Claims

Claims

1. Domestic fan comprising an electric motor (4), a propeller (3) driven in rotation by said motor (4) and a protective grille (6) arranged around said propeller (3), characterized in that it comprises - a light frame (80), supporting at least one light source (81), arranged at the periphery of the protective grille (6), - a deflector (84) facing the light frame (80) and covering at least a peripheral portion of the protective grille (6), the deflector (84) reflecting and / or diffusing the light emitted by the light frame (80).

2. Domestic fan according to claim 1, characterized in that the deflector (84) comprises a front wall (84A) extending in front of said light frame (80) to diffuse and / or reflect the light emitted by the latter.

3. Domestic fan according to claim 2, characterized in that the light frame (80) has an annular shape and the front wall (84A) of the deflector (84) has an external diameter corresponding substantially to the external diameter of the light frame (80).

4. Domestic fan according to claim 3, characterized in that the front wall (84A) extends, from the periphery of the light frame (80), towards the center of the propeller (3) at least partially covering the surface of the protective grid (6) swept by the radius of the propeller (3).

5. Domestic fan according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the deflector (84) has a central opening (84C) allowing the passage of the air flow produced by the propeller (3).

6. Domestic fan according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a cover (85) removably mounted on the light frame (80) and / or on the deflector (84), the cover (85) closing said central opening (84C) of the deflector (85).

7. Domestic fan according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the light frame (80) is removably fixed to the protective grille (6).

8. Domestic fan according to claim 7, characterized in that the light frame (80) is fixed on the protective grid (6) by clipping elements or by magnetic means.

9. Domestic fan according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the light frame (80) is electrically powered by a power cable (82), said cable (82) comprising at least one part, extending outside the light frame (80), which has a socket (83) allowing its connection to a power source.

10. Domestic fan according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a foot (1) and a fan head (2) supported by said foot (1), said fan head (2) enclosing said motor (4) and supporting said protective grille (6), the foot (1) and / or the fan head (2) comprising an electrical power supply connector (20) which cooperates with the socket (83) to supply the light frame (80) with electricity.

11. Domestic fan according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said light source (81) is supplied with a supply voltage of less than 24V.

12. Domestic fan according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said light source (81) comprises at least one series of LEDs.

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