Orientable Convector Diffuser for Compact Towel-Warming Radiators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating units with radiators and convectors lack the ability to adjust the direction of hot air flow, making it difficult to direct warm air towards towels or other items, and they are not compact enough in design.
Innovation Solution
A heating unit with an orientable diffuser in the convector that can rotate between 0 and 90 degrees, allowing the hot air flow to be directed horizontally or vertically, combined with a programmable control device for adjusting power and fan speed, and a compact radiator design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the convector has a fixed diffusor for hot air, then the device structure is simple, but the hot air flow direction cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the diffusor rotatable around a vertical axis, allowing it to change orientation from fixed to adjustable positions. This enables the hot air flow direction to be dynamically changed between horizontal and vertical directions, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and flow direction adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces rotational movement around a vertical axis, adding a new dimension of adjustment to the diffusor. This allows the diffusor to orient hot air flow in multiple directions (horizontal, vertical, and intermediate angles), transforming a two-dimensional fixed structure into a three-dimensional adjustable system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the diffusor is made rotatable to adjust hot air flow direction, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diffusor is designed with rotational capability around a vertical axis, transforming from a static to a dynamic component. This allows users to adjust the hot air flow direction according to different needs (warming rooms or drying towels), achieving high adaptability without requiring multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable diffusor enables a single heating unit to perform multiple functions: warming the room by horizontal air flow and drying towels by vertical air flow. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate heating and drying devices, justifying the increased complexity through enhanced versatility.
3Volume of moving object
If the heating unit is designed to be compact, then the space efficiency improves, but the functionality may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the radiator and convector into a single integrated heating unit, combining space heating and towel drying functions in one compact device. The rotatable diffusor is integrated into the convector structure, allowing multiple functions to coexist in a limited space without requiring separate units.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable diffusor mechanism is designed to be space-efficient, rotating around a vertical axis within the compact unit structure. This dynamic component allows full functional adjustability without increasing the overall volume of the heating unit, maintaining compactness while providing versatility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables flexible air flow direction for efficient warming and drying of towels and other items, while maintaining a compact and efficient heating unit design.
Implementation Method 1
an electric fan convector (12) of the electric resistance type
Implementation Method 2
an electric fan convector (12) of the electric resistance type, characterised in that it is equipped with a diffusor (20) of the orientable type
Implementation Method 3
the diffusor (20) can be rotated between a first operative position (11), in which the hot air flow is deviated in a substantially horizontal direction, and a second operative position (12), in which the hot air flow is deviated in a substantially vertical direction upwards, so as to reach the towels hung on the radiator
Data Source
AI summary
The heating unit (10) has a radiator (11), of the hydraulic, electric or mixed type, and an electric fan convector (12). The convector (12) is equipped with an inlet opening (18) for inletting cold air and an outlet opening (19) for outletting hot air. The outlet opening (19) for outletting hot air includes an orientable diffusor (20). The diffusor (20) has a deviation surface (21) for deviating the airflow having a curved shape and is mounted in a rotary manner about a rotation axis arranged at an upper edge of the outlet opening (19) for outletting hot air, between a first operative position, in which the hot air flow is deviated by the diffusor (20) in a substantially horizontal direction, and a second operative position, in which the hot air flow is deviated by the diffusor (20) in a substantially vertical direction upwards.