PORTABLE HEATER WITH INTERCHANGEABLE BATTERY

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to portable forced air heaters and radiant heaters. Portable air forced air heaters include a blower, a blower housing, a burner disposed within the burner housing, a fuel tank in fluid communication with the burner, a fan pump and a battery connector. The battery connector of this disclosure allows for different batteries with different distinguishing features to be used.

Claims

1. A portable heater comprising: a housing; a burner disposed within the housing; one or more electrical components for operating the burner; and a power interface for connecting with one of a plurality of power sources, the power interface being configured to deliver power to the one or more electrical components from a connected power source, the power interface including: a plurality of electrical contacts; a first connection arrangement for receiving a battery of a first type having a first set of interconnection features; and a second connection arrangement for receiving a battery of a second type, the second battery type having a second set of interconnection features different from the first set of interconnection features.

2. The portable heater of claim 1, wherein the power interface includes a third connection arrangement provided with electrical connections for receiving a female plug from an A/C power source.

3. The portable heater of claim 1, wherein the one or more electrical components includes one or more of an ignition coil, a safety valve, a fuel pump, and a control board.

4. The portable heater of claim 1, wherein the first connection arrangement includes one or more first latch recesses.

5. The portable heater of claim 4, wherein the second connection arrangement includes one or more second latch recesses.

6. The portable heater of claim 1, wherein the power interface includes an adapter plate.

7. The portable heater of claim 6, wherein the adapter plate defines a major surface and one or more side surfaces that together define a recess for receiving the battery of the first or second type.

8. The portable heater of claim 7, wherein the first connection arrangement includes one or more first latch recesses defined in the major surface of the adapter plate.

9. The portable heater of claim 8, wherein the second connection arrangement includes one or more second latch recesses extending from the one more side surfaces.

10. The portable heater of claim 7, wherein the adapter plate includes a pair of oppositely facing wall structures spaced from and extending over the major surface, the wall structures being configured to be received into channel structures of a battery of the first and second types.

11. The portable heater of claim 7, wherein the adapter plate further includes a central recess and opening through the major surface for receiving prongs of an electrical plug.

12. The portable heater of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of electrical contacts is movable relative to the adapter plate.

13. The portable heater of any of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of electrical contacts is fixed relative to the adapter plate.

14. The portable heater of any of claim 10, wherein the first connection arrangement further includes a first set of surfaces defined by the pair of oppositely facing wall structures and the second arrangement further includes a second set of surfaces defined by the pair of oppositely facing wall structures, the second set of surfaces being different from the first set of surfaces.

15. A power interface for supplying power to a device requiring electrical power, the power interface comprising: a plurality of electrical contacts; a first connection arrangement for receiving a battery of a first type having a first set of interconnection features; and a second connection arrangement for receiving a battery of a second type, the second battery type having a second set of interconnection features different from the first set of interconnection features.

16. The power interface of claim 15, wherein the power interface includes a third connection arrangement provided with electrical connections for receiving a female plug from an A/C power source.

17. The power interface of claim 15, wherein one or both of the first connection arrangement and second connection arrangement includes one or more latch recesses.

18. The power interface of claim 15, wherein the power interface includes an adapter plate defining a major surface and one or more side surfaces that together define a recess for receiving the battery of the first or second type.

19. The power interface of claim 18, wherein the first connection arrangement includes one or more first latch recesses defined in the major surface of the adapter plate.

20. The power interface of claim 19, wherein the second connection arrangement includes one or more second latch recesses extending from the one more side surfaces.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 is a view of a portable heater including a power interface having features in accordance with principles of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the power interface shown in FIG. 1 and a power and control circuit of the portable heater shown in FIG. 1.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the power interface shown in FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the power interface shown in FIG. 1.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a side view of the power interface shown in FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the power interface shown in FIG. 1.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a top schematic view of an adapter plate of the power interface shown in FIG. 5.

[0034] FIG. 8 is a schematic bottom view of the adapter plate in FIG. 7.

[0035] FIG. 9 is a schematic end view of the adapter plate shown in FIG. 7.

[0036] FIG. 10 is a schematic top perspective view of the adapter plate shown in FIG. 7.

[0037] FIG. 11 is a schematic centerline side cross-sectional view of the adapter plate shown in FIG. 7.

[0038] FIG. 12 is a schematic bottom perspective partial cross-sectional side of the adapter plate shown in FIG. 7, taken along the line 12-12 in FIG. 7.

[0039] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the adapter plate shown in FIG. 7, taken along the line 12-12 in FIG. 7.

[0040] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a prior art portable heater.

[0041] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a prior art portable heater.

[0042] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a prior art portable heater.

[0043] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a prior art rechargeable battery of a first type.

[0044] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a prior art rechargeable battery of a second type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Various examples will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various examples does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible examples for the appended claims. Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numbers correspond to like or similar components throughout the several figures.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, a portable heater 100 is presented. As shown, the portable heater 100 is configured as a gas fired heater with a housing 102 within which a burner assembly 104 and a blower fan 106 are disposed. The portable heater 100 is also shown as including a base 108 supporting the housing 102 and a handle 109 for carrying the portable heater. The portable heater 100 is also provided with an electrical power and control system 110, which is shown at FIG. 2 as including a control switch 114 for operating the heater 100 and a power interface 200 for supplying electrical power to the heater 100.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 2, additional components of the electrical power and control system 110 are shown. In one aspect, the electrical system 110 includes a circuit 112 to which the power interface 200 is connected and within which the control switch 114 is disposed. Additional electrical components are also shown as being connected to the circuit 112. For example, a fuse 116, a low voltage shut-off switch 118, an electrical motor 122, an ignitor and spark module 124, a solenoid safety valve 126, a thermal switch 128, a thermocouple 130, and a fuel control valve 132 are also shown. Other components may also be provided for the operation of the heater 100. In operation, the power interface 200 connects with either a battery or plug to provide a direct current to the circuit 112 such that the electrical components can be powered to perform their known functions with respect to the operation of a fuel-based heater. In contrast to heaters with only A/C power, the inclusion of the low-voltage shut-off switch 118 enables the circuit 112 to shut off when battery voltage falls below a predetermined level in order to protect the battery.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 13, aspects of the power interface 200 are presented in further detail. In one aspect, and as illustrated at FIGS. 3 to 5, the power interface 200 includes an AC/DC power supply 220 mounted to a back side of an adapter plate 210 with a strap 226 and fasteners 228. As configured, the power supply 220 includes a housing 222 from which a pair of electrical prongs 224 extend through an opening 212g in the adapter plate 210. Accordingly, an electrical plug from a power source can be connected to the power supply 220 when a battery is not used or available to power the heater 100. The adapter plate 210 is provided with electrical contacts 230 mounted to the main body 212 that engage with corresponding contacts on a battery, when a battery is installed onto the adapter plate 210. As shown at FIG. 2, the power supply 220 and the electrical contacts 230 are both wired into the circuit 112 such that power can be supplied to the circuit by either a plugged connection via the power supply 220 or via a battery engaged with the electrical contacts 230.

[0049] Advantageously, the power interface 200 is configured to receive different types of rechargeable batteries having different connection mechanisms. In the particular example shown, the power interface 200 is configured to receive either a battery 10 of the type shown in FIG. 17 or a battery 30 of the type shown in FIG. 18.

[0050] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, it is illustrated that the contacts 230 can be configured to be displaceable along the axis X and along the axis Z between a first position 230A and a second position 230B via slots 212f in the adapter plate 210. As shown, the contacts 230 are spring biased into the position 230A and are displaceable into the position 230B, wherein position 230B is offset in both the X and Z axes with respect to position 230A. With the disclosed configuration, the contacts 230 can be located in the first position 230A to receive, for example battery 10, and the contacts 230 can be located in the second position 230B to receive, for example, battery 30. In some examples, more or fewer contacts 230 can be provided, such as two contacts. In some examples, the contacts 230 can be displaceable along only a single axis, displaceable along three axes, or secured in a fixed position. This latter configuration is shown at FIGS. 7-19, whereby a slightly modified adapter plate 210 is shown as being configured to receive and retain a single pair of contacts 230 in a fixed position.

[0051] With reference to FIGS. 7-19, the adapter plate 210 is presented in further detail. As previously noted, the adapter plate 210 defines a main body 212 with various features configured for connecting batteries of different types. In one aspect, the main body 212 defines a major surface 212a, and sidewall surfaces 212b, 212c, 212d that generally define a recess or cavity area 212e for receiving the battery 10 or 30. In one aspect, the wall 212d includes slots or opening 212f for allowing the contacts 230 to pass from a top side of the main body 212 to a bottom side, where the contacts 230 can be secured to the main body with fasteners, such as screws. In one aspect, the recess or cavity area 212e of the main body 212 defines a central opening 212g for receiving the prongs 224 of the power supply 220 extends below the major surface 212a. In one aspect, the recess area 212a is provided with a depth greater than the length of the prongs 224 such that the prongs 224 do not interfere with the battery 10 or 30, when installed.

[0052] In one aspect, the adapter plate is provided with a pair of identically shaped, oppositely opposing wall structures 214 extending from the sidewall surfaces 212b, 212c and over the major surface 212a. The wall structures 214 are provided with various structures that are received into the channel structures 16, 36 of either an installed battery 10 or battery 30 and function to retain the battery 10, 30 onto the adapter plate 210. As shown, each wall structure 214a is provided with surfaces 214a, 214b, and 214c which generally face towards the major surface 212a. As shown, surface 214a is oriented at an oblique angle to the major surface 212a and functions as a ramped surface or guide such that the wall structures 214 can be received into the channel structures 16, 36 of an installed battery 10, 30. The wall structure 214 is further defined by a top surface 214d that faces in an opposite direction relative to the surfaces 212b, 214c. In one aspect, the surfaces 214b, 214c, 214d are parallel to the major surface 212a. The wall structures 214 are also shown as defining surfaces 214e, 214f which are orthogonally oriented with respect to the major surface 212a. The wall structures are further shown as including a surface 214g that can function to provide a stop surface for the battery 10, 30 during installation. When a battery 10 of the type shown in FIG. 17 is installed onto the adapter plate 210, the surfaces 214a, 214b, and 214c of each wall structure 214 are received within and engaged with the channel structures 16 of the battery 10. When a battery 30 of the type shown in FIG. 18 is installed onto the adapter plate 210, the surfaces 214b are received within and engaged with the channel structures 36 of the battery 30.

[0053] The adapter plate 210 is further shown as including a first latch recess 216 extending downward from the major surface 212a. As configured, the latch recess 216 includes a cavity portion 216a and a catch surface 216b. The latch recess 216 functions to receive the latch member 18 when a battery 10 of the type shown in FIG. 17 is installed. Once installed, the catch surface 216b engages against the latch member 18 to prevent the battery 10 from being slid along the axis X relative to the adapter plate 210. As the interaction between the wall structures 214 and the channel structures 16 prevent the battery 10 from moving along the axis Z, the battery 10 is fully secured to the adapter plate 210 when the latch member 18 is engaged in the latch recess 216. When a battery 30 of the type shown in FIG. 18 is installed onto the adapter plate 210, the latch recess 216 is unused.

[0054] The adapter plate 210 is further shown as including a pair of second latch recesses 218 extending inwardly from the wall surfaces 212b, 212c. As configured, the latch recesses 218 are defined by a wall structure 218a that defines a cavity portion 218b and a catch surface 218c. The latch recesses 218 function to receive the latch members 38 when a battery 30 of the type shown in FIG. 18 is installed. Once installed, the catch surfaces 218c engage against the latch members 38 to prevent the battery 30 from being slid along the axis X relative to the adapter plate 210. As the interaction between the wall structures 214 and the channel structures 36 prevent the battery 30 from moving along the axis Z, the battery 30 is fully secured to the adapter plate 210 when the latch members 38 is engaged in the latch recesses 218. When a battery 10 of the type shown in FIG. 17 is installed onto the adapter plate 210, the latch recesses 218 are unused.

[0055] In one aspect, the power interface 200, with the above-described features, can be characterized as including a first connection arrangement for receiving a first battery type, for example battery 10, and a second connection arrangement for receiving a second battery type, for example battery 30. Accordingly, the features associated with a first connection arrangement can be characterized as including the latch recess 216 and the surfaces 214a, 214b, and 214c. Similarly, the features associated with a second connection arrangement can be characterized as including the latch recesses 218 and the surfaces 214b. With the disclosed power supply 200, not only can A/C power be provided to the heater 100, but also power from batteries of different manufacturer, thereby by giving an operator the greatest flexibility possible in operating the heater 100.