Electric convection panel

Abstract

An electric panel assembly comprising a metallic housing having located therein a heating element and a fan assembly activatable by respective switches The fan assembly is activatable in conjunction with, or separate to, the heating element.

Description

ELECTRIC CONVECTION PANELFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric convection panel. More especially, the invention relates to an electric heater with an in-built fan assembly.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] The Applicant manufactures electric heating panels which can be secured to internal walls of a building. The heating panels have been designed specifically to have low running costs. They have a slim design and simply plug in to mains electricity. Whilst the panels have proven to be commercially successful the applicant has found that the heat dissipation across the panel can be non-uniform, with the panels being less hot at the base of the panels. This leads to an uneven radiation of heat from the panel into a room. Further, heating panels are only suitable for heating the ambient air within a room.

[0003] The present invention seeks to provide an improved heater panel that includes a fan assembly within the casing which can work in conjunction with, or separate to, the heating element.STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to a first aspect there is provided an electric panel assembly comprising a metallic housing having located therein a heating element and a fan assembly activatable by respective switches, the fan assembly being activatable in conjunction with or separate to the heating element.

[0005] Preferably, the heating element has a sheet form.

[0006] Preferably, the heating element sheet is adhered to a front face of the housing.

[0007] Preferably, the heating element sheet is adhered to the front face using an adhesive tape impregnated or coated in an intumescent material.

[0008] Preferably, the housing has top and bottom panels, each panel having array of slotted apertures.

[0009] Preferably, the fan assembly is locatable on the bottom panel of the housing.

[0010] Preferably, the heating element and / or fan switches are controlled remotely.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 shows the internal structure of electric panel assembly constructed in accordance with the invention; and

[0013] Figure 2 shows the assembly of figure 1 with the back casing in place.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An electric panel assembly, one function of which is an electric heater apparatus, is shown in the figures. The assembly comprises rectangular box housing 2. The housing 2 is made from metal.

[0015] Top and bottom panels 4A, 4B of the housing 2 are provided with an array of slotted apertures 6.

[0016] A heating element 8 is located within the housing 2. The heating element 8 is in sheet form and is adhered to a front face 10 of the housing 2 using heat-resistant adhesive tape 12 around at least part of its periphery. The tape 12 is impregnated or coated with an intumescent material. Other suitable retaining mechanisms may be used to secure the sheet 8 upright within the housing 2.

[0017] Using a sheet heating element 8 allows the housing 2 to have a slim or thin construction whilst also providing an interior space within the housing 2.

[0018] The slotted panels 4 allow heat to radiate from the housing 2 such that it allows the assembly to act as a radiatorwithin a building.

[0019] To this end, a back face 14, on the opposite side of the housing 2 to the front face 10, is closed by a back panel 16 which has connecting clips 18 to connect to respective connectors on a wall (not shown). Each corner of the back panel 16 has an outwardly protruding cylindrical spacers 20 to maintain an air gap between the housing 2 and the wall when installed.

[0020] The back panel 16 has a keyhole 22 to access locking means (not shown) to secure the back panel 16 to the back of the housing 2 in use.

[0021] The interior space within the housing 2 allows for the location of a fan assembly 24, which may sit on the bottom panel 4B, generally centrally within the housing 2. The fan 24 is activatable to circulate hot air within the housing 2 to provide uniform radiant heat to the room, and to exit through the slots in the top panel 4A.

[0022] In the event that the heating element 8 is not activated, for example, in summer months, the fan 24 is activatable to circulate cold air within the housing 2 to provide a uniform distribution of cool air to the room and to exit through the slots 6 in the panels 4.

[0023] To this end, two switches 26 are provided in a side panel 28 of the housing 2, accessible from the outside, to turn on or off the heating element 8 or the fan 24 respectively. Both the heating element 8 and the fan assembly 24 are activatable in conjunction with, or separate to, each other, depending on whether circulation of hot air or cold air is required in a room. The heater 8 and / or fan 24 maybe remotely controlled.

[0024] The bottom panel 4B is slotted to expel air released downwardly from the fan 24 out of the housing 2 to prevent overheating. The base of the bottom panel 4B may have feet to ensure the housing 2 is raised off the ground when installed to provide an air gap underneath. In such a case, the housing 2 could be freestanding and would not need connector members on the back panel 16.

[0025] The spacious interior of the housing 2, despite its slim design, allows for other features to be provided, such as a tray, located within the housing 2 or formed integral with it, for receiving, for example, an essential oil, to be circulated in the air.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An electric panel assembly comprising a metallic housing having located therein a heating element and a fan assembly activatable by respective switches, the fan assembly being activatable in conjunction with or separate to the heating element.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the heating element has a sheet form.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein the heating element sheet is adhered to a front face of the housing.

4. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein the heating element sheet is adhered to the front face using an adhesive tape impregnated or coated in an intumescent material.

5. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing has top and bottom panels, each panel having array of slotted apertures.

6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein the fan assembly is locatable on the bottom panel of the housing.

7. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the heating element and / or fan switches are controlled remotely.

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