FR2683895A3 - ELECTRIC CONVECTOR. - Google Patents

Abstract

An electric convector comprises a single casing (1) designed to receive a heating element (15) supported by a side part (2), the latter being fitted onto the body part (1). Perforated closure elements (3, 19) act as an air outlet and an air inlet for the air convection chamber contained in the body part (1). The body part (1) is chosen from a range having different lengths to allow the reception of appropriately sized heating elements (15) so that similar side parts (2) can be nested on the body parts. (1) of different lengths in order to vary the size or the nominal power of the convector. The controls are all mounted in the side part (2).

Description

The present invention relates to an electric convector. Various

  designs of electric convectors have evolved over time but these designs generally include a housing in which one or more electric heating elements are mounted together with the electrical components necessary to make electrical connections to the elements and to support and control these elements The housing has an air inlet and an air outlet and may further include a fan

  electric in order to increase the air flow, i.e.

  say in order to produce a forced convection in place and

instead of natural convection.

  The assembly of the various parts of conventional convectors takes time and design variants, for example either changes in appearance or changes in nominal power or both, usually involve rework and modifications of the assembly procedure. The present invention seeks to facilitate the manufacture and assembly of an electric convector, in particular to reduce the assembly time when the size and / or design of the convector must be modified to meet the requirements of the invention.

customer requirements.

  Document EP-AO 237 428 describes an electric convector comprising a thermostat assembly comprising a housing through which end portions of a heating element pass. The housing contains electrical contacts for connecting and controlling an external supply of electricity for the heating element The thermostat housing is contained in a body part, that is to say inside a convection chamber formed in the body part No specific means is described to support the heating element in the body part of the convector but it is clear (from a safety point of view) that the heating element is not mounted on the thermostat housing This reference does not address the problem solved by this invention. According to the invention, an electric convector comprises a body part in which is received at least one heating element, the body part defining a convection chamber for the air which is heated by said element, said chamber comprising an inlet d air and an air outlet; a perforated closure element fitted on the air outlet; and a side portion through which end portions of said member pass and which contains electrical components for connecting and controlling an external power supply for said member, characterized in that said body portion and said heating element are each chosen from respective ranges of body parts and heating elements having different lengths from which it follows that the convector has the required size or nominal power, said element is mounted on the side part and said side part is fitted on one side of the body part, on

  the outside of the convector chamber.

  Because the heating element is mounted on the side part and the side part is fitted on one side of the body part, on the outside of the convection chamber, and the side part contains all the electrical components , the body part can be fitted together on body parts having different lengths Heating elements of different lengths can also be easily mounted on the side part in order to adapt to the length of the body part La body part should only have a simple construction (eg a pressed steel housing) so that a range of body parts of different lengths can be easily fabricated It follows that a subassembly consisting of the part body and by a suitably sized heating element can be easily fitted onto a body part of a length required to produce convectors with different sizes, different power ratings or different designs to meet different

customer requests.

  Preferably, the electric heating element (or elements) are of the type in which the electrical connections are made at a single end. These connections and the main means of mounting the element are all suitably provided for in the side part The main element mounting means are preferably a single-piece console installed on the side part When it is initially mounted in this way, the element extends, cantilevered, since the

  lateral part in the interior of the body part.

  However, the far end of the heating element can be supported by a mounting or a console installed on a perforated closure element

  fitted on the convection air inlet.

  According to one embodiment of the invention, an electric fan is also mounted in the side part and the side part has an outlet for the air heated by the element and blown by the fan. The invention makes it possible to produce the body part for example as a pressed metal casing from which it follows that its shape and its design can be easily modified (provided that the body part fits on the side part) The housing can be left open at its lower end but (optionally) a perforated element can be fitted on it in the convection air inlet A perforated closing element is

  normally fitted on the convection air outlet.

  The housing can be opened at its lower end and (optional) a perforated element can be fitted on it to define the convection air inlet and a perforated closing element can be fitted on an upper part of the part. body to define the convection air outlet The side part is preferably made of an injection molded plastic material in which the mounting

  main unit or console mentioned above

  tops are formed in one piece Additional fixtures or consoles for the other electrical components can also be formed in one piece on the side part since this significantly reduces or eliminates the need for separate consoles or fixtures This helps to reduce costs of manufacture and assembly When a fan is provided for forced convection, the side part may optionally include a molded part integral with it which forms the casing or volute of the fan or a part of this This can also reduce the manufacturing and assembly costs. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the side part comprises an upper closure element on which controls are mounted, this element also preferably being produced by injection molding The upper closure element can be integral with the part side or be a separate section from that side. The body part can be provided with means making it possible to carry out an interlocking engagement on the lateral part but fixing screws by

  example can also be used for safety.

  The body part and the side part can also be of a construction such that injection molded feet are fitted to them by engagement, the feet being provided to raise the

  body part above ground level.

  An embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which: FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of electric convectors according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view which shows parts of components of the embodiment of the invention, some parts having been broken away; Figure 4 is a simplified side elevation view of a side portion of the convector and shows an internal fan molding in one piece; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an electric heating element; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of a console for supporting a remote end of the element. Figures 1 and 2 each show an electric convector having a body part 1, which is a stamped metal sheet, joined to a side part 2 which has an injection molded plastic construction The body part 1 and the side part 2 each have a generally rectangular cross-section in a vertical plane The lateral part 2 has a generally C-shaped cross-section in a horizontal plane from which it follows that one end of the

  body part 1 is received in the side part 2.

  A perforated closing element or grid 3 extends through the open upper part of the body part 2 and acts as an outlet for the heated air which escapes from the convector by natural convection Another element or grid of perforated closure 19 (FIG. 3) is fitted onto the open lower part of the body part 1 so as to act as an inlet for the air which is sucked in either by natural convection or by an electric fan which drives the air heated through the grid 4 by forced convection One end of the grid 3 is received in an end closure element 5 and its other end is received in an end closure element 6 in which a control button thermostatic 7 a and switches 8 are mounted A timer control button 7 b is mounted on a front face of the side part 2 and it controls a timer (inside part 2) to turn on and stop the convector at preset times The grid 3 which fits on the marginal edges of the body part 1 and under the end closures 5 and 6 is a stamped metal construction The end closures have an injection molded plastic construction As shown in Figure 3, an end closure member 6 may be integrally formed as a section of the side portion 2 Injection molded plastic feet 9 are interlocked

  in the body part 1 and in the side part 2.

  The difference between Figures 1 and 2 is that a forced air outlet 4 is shown in Figure 1 (while it is absent in Figure 2 since the convector of Figure 2 operates by natural convection) and in that the body part of the convector of FIG. 2 is longer than that of FIG. 1 so as to receive a longer heating element (not shown) and to produce by

  therefore increased heat output.

  If we refer to the simplified drawing of FIG. 3, it can be seen that the body part 1 does not contain any electrical component and that it is simply a metallic stamping having

  cutouts 10 and 20 in the side panel 11.

  The body part 1 defines a convection chamber la comprising an air inlet lb and an air outlet lc The panel 11 has edges directed inwards which are fixed together, for example by means of rivets or a spot weld The body part 1 can be left open at the level of the lower part but preferably there is fitted on it a perforated bottom closing element 19 situated in the convection air inlet lb The element 19 is preferably provided with a molded console 13 which supports the most distant end 14 of the heating element 15 when the side part 2 is applied to the body part 1 The body part 1 therefore receives only the element of heater 15 which passes through the cutout 10 and which is received in a slot in the console 13 FIG. 6 represents an enlarged view of the console 13 which has a rectangular part obtained by folding to receive an end 14 of an element 15 This console also has legs 13 a, 13 b provided with feet for

  allow attachment to the grid 19.

  In FIG. 3, the end closure element 6 is formed as a single piece with the side part 2. The element 5 and the grid 3 are similar to those represented on the

Figures 1 and 2.

  The heating element 15 is mounted, at its other end 16, in brackets 17 which are preferably integral with the side part 2 (but which could also be fixed to it). Thus, during the assembly process, the heating elements 15 are initially cantilevered relative to the lateral part 2 but their most distant parts 14 are supported by the console 13 when the convector is assembled FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the element of heating 15 The element has a double row of hairpin elementary parts 15 a extending from each side, the elementary parts being supported by an insulation plate 15 b Each row of elementary parts 15 a is connected in series to respective terminals 15 c, 15 d and to a common terminal 15 e mounted on the plate 15 b All the electrical connections of element 15 are thus carried out in the part la térale 2 Element 15 is chosen from a range of elements with different lengths for

  provide different electrical outputs.

  Figure 4 shows the outer end panel of the side part 2 and indicates (by dotted lines) the position of a main part of a fan housing or diffuser in one piece which communicates with the grid 4 The unitary housing 18 receives an electric motor (not shown) provided with a fan wheel (not shown) mounted on its shaft The fan (when provided) draws air inwards from the body part 1, for example through an appropriately positioned cutout 20

provided in panel 11.

  All the electrical components for establishing and controlling the connection to the heating element 15 and to the fan 18 (when provided), including all the buttons and switches, are mounted on the side part 2 and on a end closing element or part 6 It follows that the side part provided with all its electrical components can be pre-assembled, with all the wiring connections and terminal blocks, etc. before the side part is fitted onto the body part 1 Preferably, the assemblies and brackets (not shown) of these components are formed integrally in the lateral part to reduce the

costs and assembly time.

  The body part 1 is part of a range comprising different lengths and / or external finishes, the heating element 15 having a suitable length to ensure the necessary heat output Convectors having different nominal powers and / or different external finishes can therefore be quickly assembled to meet customer requirements If a fan is to be provided, then the side part 2 has the molding 18 and the grille

exit 4 coming in one piece.

  In order to facilitate assembly, the body part 1 can be provided with elastically loaded lugs (not shown) which engage in corresponding recesses or slots (not shown) formed in the side part 2 or

vice versa.

  The feet 9 can similarly be snapped onto the base of the body part 1, at one end, and on the basis of

the side part 2.

  The design and the length of the grid 3 can be modified to meet the dimensions

  required as well as customer requirements.

  Similar switches 8 can be used with different convectors but their external appearance can be modified using different cabochons The number of switches can vary (for example depending on whether a fan is provided or not) and the missing switch can be replaced by a part stopper or filling placed on the molding The group of switches, their associated thermostat button and the timer control button can be placed in a recess (22) in the side part and behind a transparent hinged cover in order to satisfy construction standards "waterproof" However, various

other arrangements are possible.

he

Claims (5)

  1 electric convector comprising a body part (1) in which at least one heating element (15) is received, the body part (1) defining a convection chamber (la) for the air which is heated by said element (15), said chamber comprising an air inlet (lb) and an air outlet (lc); a perforated closure element (3) fitted on the air outlet (lc); and a side portion (2) through which end portions of said member (15) pass and which contains electrical components for connecting and controlling an external power supply for said member (15);   characterized in that said body part (1) and said heating element (15) are each chosen from respective ranges of body parts and heating elements having different lengths from which it follows that the convector has a size or operating power required, said element (15) is mounted on the side part (2) and said side part (2) is fitted on one side (11) of the body part (1), on   the outside of the convection chamber (la).   2 Convector according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral part (2) comprises a means integral with (17) for mounting one end of the heating element (15), said element (15) comprising electrical connections to the level of only one end.   3 Convector according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that a   electric fan is mounted on the side part and in that the side part has an outlet for the air heated by the element and expelled by the fan. 4 Convector according to claim 3, characterized in that the body part (1) is a metal stamp and in that the side part (2) is made of a molded plastic material in which is provided a housing integral with (18) for the fan. Convector according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the   body part (1) comprises means for ensuring an interlocking engagement on the side part when it is nested there.   6 Convector according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the   side part (2) has a closing element upper (6).   7 Convector according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the   body part (1) and the lateral part (2) each have a rectangular section, in a vertical plane, the lateral part (2) having a generally C-shaped section in a horizontal plane   to receive one end of the body part (1).