Towel radiator with independent activation of the heating boxes

Abstract

The invention relates to a towel radiator, comprising:- at least one air supply column (12) and comprising at least one fan for supplying said at least one air supply column, and- a plurality of heating boxes (30) mounted on said at least one air supply column (12), - at least one heating member arranged in each heating box (30), - at least one sensor characteristic of a drying need (50),- a controller for controlling said at least one fan and the heating members (30) according to the drying need determined by said at least one sensor characteristic of a drying need (50). Figure for abstract: Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Towel dryer radiator with independent activation of the heating boxes 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] It is known that various types of towel dryers have a rapid towel drying function. To achieve this, the towel dryer generally activates all of the heating and / or ventilation components of the appliance to dry the towels as quickly as possible. This operation is therefore global and undifferentiated.

[0005] A disadvantage of this type of operation for drying towels is that it does not take into consideration the number or position of the towels needing to be dried. In fact, the entire appliance is heated to dry a single towel. Thus, the energy used is greater than the drying requirement, which results in an additional cost for the user and excess heating / ventilation that is not desired by the user.

[0006] There is therefore a need for a towel radiator that can limit energy losses linked to drying towels. Summary of the invention

[0007] For this, the invention proposes 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, 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 arranged in each heating box, - at least one sensor characteristic of a drying requirement arranged at each of the heating boxes and configured to transmit information relating to a drying requirement at a heating box, - a controller for controlling said at least one fan and the heating members, said controller being configured to control an air supply and / or an activation of a heating member of a heating box independently of the other heating boxes depending on the drying need determined by said at least one sensor characteristic of a drying need.

[0008] The configuration of the towel radiator in the form of separate boxes as well as the addition of a sensor characteristic of the drying need on each of these heating boxes allows the controller to be able to control a targeted drying operation on one or more heating boxes. It is thus possible to ventilate and / or heat only the heating box or boxes for which a drying need has been identified. This is for example very useful when a towel is placed on a single heating box. Similarly, a large towel extending along several heating boxes can be dried more efficiently by each of these heating boxes.

[0009] This targeted drying operation allows in particular a reduction in the energy used for drying and better efficiency thereof.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the towel radiator, a towel radiator according to claim 1, in which the controller is configured, for each heating box, to activate the air supply in this heating box and / or activate at least one heating member of this heating box when a drying need is determined as a function of said at least one sensor characteristic of a drying need arranged at this heating box.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the towel radiator, the controller is configured to determine a drying time and / or intensity as a function of the drying requirement determined by said at least one sensor characteristic of a drying requirement.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the towel radiator, said at least one sensor characteristic of a drying need is one of a humidity sensor and a presence sensor.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the towel radiator, said sensor character- characteristic of a drying need is a humidity sensor, each heating box further comprising a temperature probe, said controller being configured to determine a drying need based on the humidity sensor and the temperature probe.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the towel radiator, said at least one sensor characteristic of a drying requirement is arranged, for each of the heating boxes, at the level of an upper portion of the heating box.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the towel radiator, said at least one air supply column comprises a single fan and an air supply shut-off member for each of the heating boxes, the shut-off members being controlled by the controller to allow a selective air supply to each of the heating boxes.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the towel radiator, said at least one air supply column comprises, for each heating box, a fan allowing individual supply of a heating box, the fans being controlled by the controller to allow selective air supply of the heating boxes.

[0017] The invention also provides a method for selectively activating a towel radiator as described above, the method comprising the following steps: - reception of at least one item of information relating to a drying requirement transmitted by a sensor characteristic of a drying requirement placed at the level of a heating box, - determination of a drying requirement at the level of at least one heating box, - activation of the air supply and / or activation of the heating member of said at least one heating box for which a drying requirement has been determined. Brief description of the figures

[0018] 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:

[0019] [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;

[0020] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents an exploded perspective view of the radiator dryer napkin of [Fig.l];

[0021] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a schematic front view of the radiator dryer- towel of [Fig.l] with one or more sensors representative of a need for drying racks placed on the heating boxes. Description of embodiment(s)

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] A towel radiator is proposed which allows independent activation of the ventilation and / or heating of the heating boxes.

[0025] With reference to [Fig.l], the towel radiator 10 comprises an air supply column 12 extending along a supply axis A.

[0026] The towel radiator 10 further comprises a plurality of heating boxes 30 heaters 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.

[0027] Each heating box 30 is arranged on the air supply column 12 transversely to the supply axis A.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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 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.

[0031] The air supply column 12 comprises at least one fan 24 for generating a circulation of air 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 the supply of air to one or more heating boxes 30.

[0032] 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 of one or more of the heating boxes 30. It is in particular 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] In a global operating mode, it is also possible to generate global ventilation through all of the heating boxes 30.

[0035] 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 into 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] The front 32, rear 34, lower 40, upper 38 and side 42 faces of the box define an interior box space 37.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] The plurality of air outlet ports 46 is preferably formed through at least two of the front 32, rear 34, lower 40, upper 38 and side 42 of the box for diffusing air in several directions outside the heating box 30.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] The towel radiator 10 is further configured so that the heating of the heating boxes 30 can be independent. It is thus possible to control the heating of each of the heating boxes 30. In other words, a heating member 44 of a heating box 30 can be activated independently of the other heating boxes 30. It is in particular possible to activate the heating of a number of heating boxes ranging from 1 to n-1 heating boxes 30, n being the total number of heating boxes 30.

[0049] Thus, in a selective operating mode, in particular during a towel or laundry drying function, it is possible to activate the heating of one or more predetermined heating boxes 30.

[0050] This selective activation of the heating of the heating boxes 30 can be combined with the selective generation of ventilation in the heating boxes 30. This combination can be synchronized on the same heating boxes 30 for a combined action or desynchronized to achieve more complex operating modes.

[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 selective activation of one or more of the heating members 44, the activation of one or more fans 24 and, where appropriate, the activation of one or more of the obstruction members.

[0052] The towel radiator includes in particular a rapid drying mode allowing accelerated drying of laundry placed near or on the towel radiator 10. This rapid drying mode can be activated by the controller following a one-off request from a user, in particular by pressing a button, or a programmed action.

[0053] When the rapid drying mode is required, the controller is configured to control an air supply and / or an activation of a heating member of a heating box independently of the other heating boxes. In other words, the controller is configured, for each heating box, to activate the air supply in this heating box and / or activate at least one heating member of this heating box.

[0054] In particular, the activation of the air supply and / or activation of a heating member in a heating box is carried out according to a determined drying requirement.

[0055] To determine a drying need, the towel radiator 10 further comprises at least one sensor characteristic of a drying need 50 arranged at the level of each of the heating boxes 30. Thus, each of the heating boxes 30 comprises at least one sensor characteristic of a drying need 50.

[0056] The sensors characteristic of a drying need 50 are configured to transmit information relating to a drying need at the level of a heating box 30. Each sensor characteristic of a drying need 50 is connected to the controller. Thus, this information is transmitted to the controller.

[0057] The controller may be configured to determine a drying time and / or intensity as a function of the drying need determined by said at least one sensor characteristic of a drying need. The time and / or intensity may be modified according to the number of items of information transmitted to the controller, in particular if several sensors detect a simultaneous need, or according to the nature of the information transmitted, for example reaching a threshold characteristic of a specific drying need (possibility of several thresholds). It is thus possible to extend the duration of the rapid drying mode or to intensify the ventilation and / or heating according to the number of towels detected for drying, their humidity level or even the temperature determined at one or more heating boxes 30.

[0058] According to a first configuration, the sensor characteristic of a drying need 50 is a presence sensor. Thus, the sensor detects the presence of an obstacle at the level of a heating box 30 and transmits this information relating to this obstacle to the controller. It is thus possible to associate the detection of an obstacle with the presence of a towel or a piece of linen. Here, the need for drying is characterized by the presence of an obstacle at the sensor. This first variant can be particularly adapted to a rapid drying mode requested by a user. Drying at the level of a box can thus be activated only on the condition that information relating to the presence of an obstacle is transmitted by the sensor of this heating box 30.

[0059] According to a second configuration, the sensor characteristic of a drying need 50 is a humidity sensor. Thus, the sensor determines a humidity level, for example above a certain threshold, and transmits information relating to a humidity level to the controller. Here, the drying need is characterized by a humidity threshold reached. It is thus possible to associate the determination of a humidity level with a drying need, for example of a towel or damp cloth placed near the sensor. It is thus, for example, possible to adapt the air flow supplying a heating box and / or the heating power according to the humidity level. For this purpose, several humidity thresholds can be provided to adapt the intensity of the necessary drying.

[0060] According to a third configuration, it is also possible to combine the first and second variants, i.e. a presence sensor and a humidity sensor on each of the heating boxes 30 to combine the advantages of each of the sensors. Therefore, it is possible to carry out a more complex determination of the drying requirement.

[0061] Each heating box 30 may also further comprise a temperature probe. The controller may be configured to determine a drying requirement based on the information transmitted by the sensor characteristic of a drying requirement 50 and the temperature probe. It is thus possible to carry out a more complex determination of the drying requirement based on the presence of an obstacle and / or the humidity level but also based on the temperature at the heating box 30. In a manner similar to the second configuration, it is thus for example possible to adapt the intensity of the drying (the air flow supplying a heating box and / or the heating power) based on the temperature at the heating box 30.

[0062] As seen in [Fig. 3], the sensor characteristic of a drying need 50 is preferably arranged, for each of the heating boxes, at the level of an upper portion of the heating box 30. The towels or linen arranged on a towel radiator 10 are generally positioned astride the heating boxes 30 or on a suspension member generally arranged at the level of this upper portion. The upper position of the sensor thus makes it possible to detect effectively place a towel or cloth on the box.

[0063] According to a variant, each heating box 30 may comprise a plurality of sensors characteristic of a drying need 50. These sensors characteristic of a drying need 50 may be arranged at the level of a lower portion of the heating box or even on the lateral portions of this same heating box 30. The addition of sensors characteristic of a drying need 50 makes it possible to make the determination of a drying need more robust by optimizing the detection of a humidity level or the presence of laundry.

[0064] The sensors characteristic of a drying need 50 can be arranged inside the heating box 30 or at a wall of this heating box 30 to open outside the interior space 37. [Fig. 3] illustrates a fictitious configuration of the sensors characteristic of a drying need 50. Indeed, this [Fig. 3] aims to illustrate the possible positions of the sensors characteristic of a drying need 50.

[0065] Preferably, each heating box 30 has an identical configuration of sensors characteristic of a drying requirement 50.

[0066] When the rapid drying mode is activated, upon receipt of at least one item of information relating to a drying need transmitted by the sensor characteristic of a drying need 50 arranged at the level of a heating box, the controller activates the air supply and / or activation of the heating member of said at least one heating box for which a drying need has been determined.

[0067] The drying operation may provide a combination of ventilation and heating of the heating boxes concerned. Alternatively, the drying operation may provide only ventilation of the heating box 30 concerned, the air leaving the box is not additionally heated by the heating member. Similarly, the drying operation may provide only heating of the heating box 30 concerned, the towel is therefore dried by natural convection without additional air flow.

Claims

Claims

1. 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 (24), 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 allow supply of said heating boxes (30) with an inlet air flow, - at least one heating member (44) arranged in each heating box (30),- at least one sensor characteristic of a drying need (50) arranged at each of the heating boxes (30) and configured to transmit information relating to a drying need at a heating box (30), - a controller for controlling said at least one fan (24) and the heating members (30), said controller being configured to control an air supply and / or an activation of a heating member (44) of a heating box independently of the other heating boxes (30) as a function of the drying need determined by said at least one sensor characteristic of a drying need (50).,

2. Towel radiator (10) according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured, for each heating box (30), to activate the air supply in this heating box (30) and / or activate at least one heating member (44) of this heating box when a drying need is determined as a function of said at least one sensor characteristic of a drying need (50) arranged at this heating box (30).

3. Towel radiator (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller is configured to determine a drying time and / or intensity depending on the drying need determined by said at least one sensor characteristic of a drying need (50).

4. Towel radiator (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which said at least one sensor characteristic of a need for drying (50) is one of a humidity sensor and a presence sensor.

5. A towel radiator (10) according to claim 4, wherein said sensor characteristic of a drying need (50) is a humidity sensor, each heating box further comprising a temperature probe, said controller being configured to determine a drying need based on the humidity sensor and the temperature probe.

6. Towel radiator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one sensor characteristic of a drying need (50) is arranged, for each of the heating boxes (30), at an upper portion of the heating box (30).

7. A towel radiator (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one air supply column (12) comprises a single fan (24) and an air supply shutoff member for each of the heating boxes (30), the shutoff members being controlled by the controller to allow selective air supply to each of the heating boxes (30).

8. A towel radiator (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said at least one air supply column (12) comprises, for each heating box (30), a fan (24) allowing individual supply of a heating box (30), the fans (24) being controlled by the controller to allow selective air supply of the heating boxes (30).

9. Method for selectively activating a towel radiator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following steps: - receiving at least one item of information relating to a drying need transmitted by a sensor characteristic of a drying need (50) arranged at a heating box (30), - determining a drying need at at least one heating box (30), - activating the air supply and / or activating the heating member (44) of said at least one heating box (30) for which a drying need has been determined.

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