Towel radiator with air deflector heating element

By integrating heating members as deflector obstacles within the towel radiator's heating boxes to redirect inlet air flows, the design addresses the issue of poor air distribution, achieving a more uniform and efficient heating effect.

FR3150092B1Active Publication Date: 2025-06-06ATLANTIC IND
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Patent Information

Application Number
FR2023006560
Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-06-23
Publication Date
2025-06-06
Estimated Expiration
2043-06-23

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing towel radiators suffer from poor distribution of hot air due to unidirectional air flow, which can be improved but at an increased cost by adding separate air deflectors.

Method used

A towel radiator design featuring heating members arranged to face the inlet orifices, acting as deflectors to redirect the inlet air flow into multiple outlet directions, thereby enhancing air distribution and heat diffusion.

Benefits of technology

The improved air distribution and heat diffusion result in a more uniform heating effect throughout the heating boxes, enhancing the overall efficiency of the towel radiator without the need for additional, costly deflectors.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a towel radiator, comprising: - at least one air supply column (12) extending along a supply axis, 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 and said at least one air supply column to enable said heating boxes (30) to be supplied with an inlet air flow (33) flowing in an inlet direction (B), each heating box (30) further forming a plurality of air outlet orifices (46), - at least one heating member (44) arranged in each heating box, each heating member forms a flat element defined by a width, a length and a depth less than the width and length,characterized in that each heating member (44) is arranged facing the inlet orifice (31) to act as a deflector to form an obstacle to the inlet air flow (33) and deflect said inlet air flow (33) into a plurality of outlet directions. Figure for abstract: Figure 3,
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Description

Title of the invention: Towel radiator with air deflector heating body 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] There is a type of towel radiator comprising an air supply column and a plurality of heating boxes connected to this air supply column. Heating members are arranged in the heating boxes to heat the air circulating inside the air supply column. Outlet orifices formed in the heating boxes make it possible to diffuse hot air into a room where the towel radiator is installed. An example of such a towel radiator is for example described in European patent application EP3578091.

[0004] In the type of towel radiator as described above, the heating member is relatively flat, i.e. with a spatial dimension significantly smaller than the other two spatial dimensions, and extends parallel to a wall of the heating box. The opening between the supply column and the heating boxes faces the edge of the heating member. The air entering the heating boxes flows into the heating box along the heating member. The air flows along the heating member without being deflected or with little deflection and then exits through the outlet orifices.

[0005] Equivalent radiators are also known comprising a part separate from the heating member to deflect and thus guide the hot air towards the outlet orifices. This separate part is generally arranged opposite the supply column relative to the heating member.

[0006] In this type of configuration with an inlet orifice facing the edge of the heating member, the incoming air flow is almost unidirectional, which does not allow the heated air flow to be well distributed throughout the entire heating box. This poor distribution can be mitigated by adding a separate part of the heating member to divert the air flow in another direction. However, this solution is expensive.

[0007] There is therefore a need for a towel radiator having an improved distribution of the flow of hot air coming out of the heating boxes. Summary of the invention

[0008] For this, the invention proposes a towel radiator, comprising: - at least one air supply column extending along a supply axis, 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 stream flowing in an inlet direction, each heating box further forming a plurality of air outlet orifices, - at least one heating member arranged in each heating box, each heating member forms a flat element defined by a width, a length and a depth less than the width and the length, characterized in that each heating member is arranged facing the inlet orifice to act as a deflector to form an obstacle to the inlet air flow and deflect said inlet air flow into a plurality of outlet directions.

[0009] The arrangement of the heating member facing the inlet orifice allows the heating member to act as a deflector to form an obstacle to the inlet air flow and deflect said inlet air flow into a plurality of outlet directions. Thus, the hot air flow is better distributed and the diffusion of heat through the outlet orifices is more uniform.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the towel radiator, each heating member defines a heating plane perpendicular to the depth of the flat element, each heating member is arranged so that the inlet orifice faces the heating plane.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the towel radiator, the heating plane is oriented relative to the inlet direction so as to form an angle of between 75° and 90°.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the towel radiator, the heating plane is perpendicular to the inlet direction.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the towel radiator, each heating member forms a heating plate.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the towel radiator, the plurality of outlet orifices is at least partially formed through a wall of a heating box between said heating plane and the inlet orifice when observed in a plane perpendicular to the heating plane.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the towel radiator, each heating box comprises a front face, a rear face and between these front and rear faces: an upper face, a lower face and side faces connecting the upper and lower faces.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the towel radiator, said at least one outlet orifice comprises a plurality of outlet orifices formed on at least two of the front, rear, upper, lower and side faces.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the towel radiator, the latter comprises at least one outlet orifice on each of the upper, lower and side faces.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the towel radiator, each heating member is arranged in said heating box so that the heating plane is parallel to the front and rear faces, said inlet orifice being formed through the rear face of the heating box. Brief description of the figures

[0019] The description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, given as non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented. In the appended figures:

[0020] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] represents a perspective view of a towel radiator comprising an air supply column and heating boxes attached to the supply column;

[0021] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents an exploded perspective view of the radiator dryer napkin of [Fig.l];

[0022] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a schematic top view in section of a box heating comprising a heating member facing an air flow from the air supply column to form an air deflector;

[0023] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a schematic front view of the heating box of [Fig.3]. 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 with an air deflector heating element is proposed.

[0027] With reference to [Fig.l], 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 orifices 26 visible in [Fig. 2]. Each heating box 30 is mounted on the supply column opposite a supply orifice 26. Each heating box 30 itself comprises an inlet orifice 31. This inlet orifice 31 is formed between each heating box 30 and said at least one air supply column 12 to allow the supply of said heating boxes 30 with an inlet air flow 33 (visible in [Fig. 3]). The inlet air flow 33 flows into the heating box 30 in an inlet direction B.

[0033] The air supply column 12 comprises a fan 24 for generating air circulation from the inlet port 14 to the supply ports 26, and therefore towards the heating boxes 30. The action of the fan 24 thus allows the supply of air to the heating boxes 30.

[0034] According to a variant, the air supply column 12 may comprise a plurality of fans 24 arranged along the supply axis A. Thus, each fan 24 may be arranged so as to supply one or more predetermined heating boxes 30. In this variant, each fan 24 is preferably arranged opposite a supply orifice 26.

[0035] 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 lateral box faces 42 connecting the upper 38 and lower 40 faces.

[0036] 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.

[0037] The front 32, rear 34, lower 40, upper 38 and side 42 faces of the box define the interior space of the box 37.

[0038] 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 according to 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.

[0039] Each heating box 30 includes a plurality of air outlet ports 46 communicating with the interior box 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.

[0040] The plurality of air outlet ports 46 is 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.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment, the plurality of air outlet orifices 46 is formed through the lower 40, upper 38 and lateral 42 faces of the box so as to obtain an outgoing air flow all around the heating box 30.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] The heating member 44 forms a flat element defined by a width La, a length Lo and a depth P less than the width La and the length Lo. The heating member 44 is for example a plate or a shape circumscribed in a rectangular parallelepiped. In the latter case, the depth P, the width La and the length Lo correspond respectively to the depth, the width and the length of this rectangular parallelepiped.

[0045] The heating member 44 takes for example the form of a resistive plate electrically powered to generate heat.

[0046] The heating member 44 is positioned in the interior space of the box 37 such that air from the supply port 26 contacts the heating member 44 before reaching an outlet port 46. The temperature of the air can therefore be increased via the heating member 44 when the latter is in operation. The air entering the interior space 37 is first heated by the heating member 44 and then flows out of the heating box 30 to heat the air surrounding the towel radiator 10.

[0047] The heating member 44 is arranged facing the inlet orifice 31 to act as a deflector of the inlet air flow 33. Thus, the heating member 44 forms an obstacle to the inlet air flow 33 and deflects said inlet air flow 33 into a plurality of outlet directions and therefore outlet air flows 35. This arrangement thus allows on the one hand the inlet air flow to flow towards the heating member 44 and to generate a turbulent air regime improving the heat exchange with the heating member 44 and improving the distribution of the air inside the heating box 30. The hot air can thus be distributed homogeneously through the outlet orifices 46, even when these are formed on a plurality of faces of the heating box 30.

[0048] The heating member 44 defines a heating plane PC perpendicular to the depth P of the heating member 44. Each heating member 44 is preferably arranged so that the inlet orifice 31 faces the heating plane PC. The heating member 44 therefore covers the projection of the inlet orifice 31 onto the heating plane PC.

[0049] The heating plane PC is oriented relative to the inlet direction B so as to form an angle of between 75° and 90°. Thus, the heating member 44 can be slightly angularly offset relative to this inlet direction B. Preferably, the heating plane PC is perpendicular to the inlet direction B so that the distribution of the air flow is optimum.

[0050] To improve the diffusion of hot air through the outlet orifices 46, the plurality of outlet orifices 46 is preferably at least partially formed through a wall of a heating box between said heating plane PC and the inlet orifice 31, when observed in a plane perpendicular to the heating plane PC. In other words, the heating member 44 is preferably arranged near or against the front face 32 of the heating box 30.

[0051] Each heating member 44 is preferably arranged in said heating box 30 so that the heating plane PC is parallel to the front 32 and rear 34 faces. The inlet orifice 31 is formed through the rear face 34 of the heating box 30.

[0052] The towel radiator 10 further comprises a controller (not visible) for controlling the heating members 44. The controller makes it possible in particular to control the starting of one or more of the heating members 44.

Claims

Claims

1. Towel radiator (10), comprising: - at least one air supply column (12) extending along a supply axis, 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 and said at least one air supply column to allow said heating boxes (30) to be supplied with an inlet air flow (33) flowing in an inlet direction (B), each heating box (30) further forming a plurality of air outlet orifices (46), - at least one heating member (44) arranged in each heating box, each heating member forms a flat element defined by a width, a length and a depth less than the width and length,characterized in that each heating member (44) is arranged facing the inlet orifice (31) to act as a deflector to form an obstacle to the inlet air flow (33) and deflect said inlet air flow (33) into a plurality of outlet directions, each heating member (44) defining a heating plane (Pc) perpendicular to the depth of the flat element, each heating member (44) being arranged so that the inlet orifice (31) faces the heating plane, the heating plane (Pc) being oriented relative to the inlet direction (B) so as to form an angle of between 75° and 90°.,

2. A towel radiator (10) according to claim 1, wherein the heating plane (Pc) is perpendicular to the inlet direction (B).

3. A towel radiator (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each heating member forms a heating plate.

4. A towel radiator (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of outlet ports (46) is at least partially formed through a wall of a heating box (30) between said heating plane (Pc) and the inlet orifice (31) when observed in a plane perpendicular to the heating plane (Pc).

5. Towel radiator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each heating box (30) comprises a front face (32), a rear face (34) and between these front (32) and rear (34) faces: an upper face (38), a lower face (40) and side faces (42) connecting the upper (38) and lower (40) faces.

6. A towel radiator (10) according to claim 5, wherein said at least one outlet (46) comprises a plurality of outlets (46) formed on at least two of the front (32), rear (34), top (38), bottom (40) and side (42) faces.

7. A towel radiator (10) according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of outlet ports (46) comprises at least one outlet port (46) on each of the top (38), bottom (40) and side (42) faces.

8. Towel radiator (10) according to one of claims 5 to 7, in combination with claim 2, wherein each heating member (44) is arranged in said heating box (30) so that the heating plane (Pc) is parallel to the front (32) and rear (34) faces, said inlet orifice (31) being formed through the rear face (34) of the heating box (30).