PORTABLE SPACE HEATER

Abstract

A compact portable heater with enhanced functionality is provided. The invention includes a horizontal oscillation portion and a vertical oscillation portion with features that provide the end user with greater use flexibility and selections.

Claims

1. A portable heater comprising: a base supporting said portable heater relative to a support surface; a horizontal oscillating portion rotationally connected to said base comprising; a support structure; a vertical axis of rotation of said horizontal oscillating portion relative to said base; a horizontal oscillation mechanism; a vertical oscillating portion rotationally connected to said horizontal oscillating portion comprising; a housing defining an interior space; a heating element located within said internal space; an air generator located within said interior space comprising; a motor; an impeller rotated by said motor; a horizontal axis of rotation of said vertical oscillating portion relative to said horizontal oscillating portion; a vertical oscillation mechanism; a heated air stream exiting said housing; wherein said heated air stream is directed in multiple directions relative to said support surface via a rotation of said horizontal oscillating portion and/or a rotation of said vertical oscillating portion.

2. The portable heater of claim 1, wherein said vertical oscillation mechanism comprises an electric motor; a link; and a link arm.

3. The portable heater of claim 1, wherein said vertical oscillation mechanism is substantially located within said internal space of said housing.

4. The portable heater of claim 1, wherein said vertical oscillation mechanism is substantially located external to said internal space of said housing.

5. The portable heater of claim 1, wherein said horizontal oscillation mechanism comprises an electric motor; a link; and a link arm.

6. The portable heater of claim 1, wherein said horizontal oscillation mechanism is substantially located within said horizontal oscillating portion.

7. The portable heater of claim 1, wherein said horizontal oscillation mechanism is substantially located within said base.

8. The portable heater of claim 1, further comprising a controller wherein said controller controls a rotational speed of said motor and/or a power level of said heating element.

9. The portable heater of claim 1, further comprising a controller wherein said controller controls an oscillation movement around said vertical axis of rotation and an oscillation movement around said horizontal axis of rotation.

10. The portable heater of claim 9, wherein said control of said oscillation movement around said vertical axis of rotation is controlled independently from said oscillation movement around said horizontal axis of rotation.

11. The portable heater of claim 1, further comprising: a maximum height; a maximum width; a maximum depth; and a calculated volume based on said maximum height, width and depth is less than 1,500 inches.sup.3 (24,600 centimeters.sup.3).

12. The portable heater of claim 11, wherein said maximum height is less than 14 inches (35.5 centimeters).

13. A method to direct a heated air stream along multiple axes of movement providing; a base supporting said method relative to a support surface; a vertical axis of rotation; a first oscillation portion moving around said vertical axis of rotation; a horizontal axis of rotation; a second oscillation portion moving around said horizontal axis of rotation including; a heat generator; a motor; an impeller; rotationally connecting said second oscillation portion to said first oscillation portion along said horizontal axis of rotation; a horizontal oscillation mechanism rotating said first oscillation portion and said second oscillation portion around said vertical axis of rotation relative to said base; a vertical oscillation mechanism rotating said second oscillation portion around said horizontal axis of rotation; directing said heated air stream in multiple directions relative to said support surface.

14. The method of claim 13, further providing: a maximum height; a maximum width; a maximum depth; and a calculated volume based on said maximum height, width and depth is less than 1,500 inches.sup.3 (24,600 centimeters.sup.3).

15. The method of claim 14, further wherein said maximum height is less than 14 inches (35.5 centimeters).

16. The method of claim 13, further providing a controller controlling said movement of said first oscillation portion around said vertical axis of rotation and controlling said movement of said second oscillation portion around said horizontal axis of rotation.

17. The method of claim 16. further providing independent control of said movement of said first oscillation portion around said vertical axis of rotation relative to a control of said movement of said second oscillation portion around said horizontal axis of rotation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawings are the following Figures:

[0009] FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a fully assembled portable heater utilizing the described structure and features;

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a portable heater of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a front view and right-side view of a portable heater showing dimensional aspects of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross section through a portable heater showing the air flow through a portable heater of the present invention; and

[0013] FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c illustrate the heated air distribution options and advantages of a portable heater of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0014] FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a fully assembled portable heater 100 utilizing a multi-axis oscillation system. Included base 110, horizontal oscillating portion 130, and vertical oscillating portion 150. Horizontal oscillating portion 130 is rotationally connected to base 110, rotates about vertical axis 101 and rotates along horizontal oscillating path 102. Vertical oscillating portion 150 is rotationally connected to horizontal oscillating portion 130 and rotates about horizontal axis 103 along vertical oscillating path 104. In the current embodiment, when horizontal oscillating portion 130 rotates about vertical axis 101 along horizontal oscillating path 102, vertical oscillating portion 150 moves along horizontal oscillating path 102, as well.

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a portable heater 100. Base portion 110 includes thrust bearing 210, radial bearing 211, base plate 212, feet 213, base cover 215, and power cord 216. Horizontal oscillating portion 130 includes yoke 230, left side cover 231, right side cover 232, horizontal oscillating plate 234, high voltage PCB 235, control PCB 236, and control cover 233.

[0016] As shown, horizontal oscillation plate 234 is rationally connected to base plate 212 and retained in place by retention washer 214. When oscillation mechanism 240 is energized, thrust bearing 210 and radial bearing 211 facilitate the smooth rotational movement of horizontal oscillation plate 234 relative to base plate 212 along horizontal oscillating path 102 around vertical axis 101.

[0017] Horizontal oscillation mechanism 240 may include motor 241, link 242, and link arm 243. Motor 241 is connected to horizontal oscillation plate 234 and one end of link arm 243 is connected to base plate 212. Motor 241 rotates link 242, which in turn acts on link arm 243 which generates a horizontal oscillation movement of horizontal oscillating plate 234 around vertical axis 101.

[0018] Vertical oscillating portion 150 includes housing 250 which defines internal space 250a. Bearing 251 and bearing 252 provide a rotational interface between vertical oscillating portion 150 and horizontal oscillating portion 130. Vertical oscillating portion 150 is retained onto horizontal oscillating portion 130 by left retention washer 253 and right retention washer 254. Both retention washer 253 and right retention washer 254 remain stationary relative to horizontal oscillating portion 130 when vertical oscillating portion 150 oscillates around horizontal axis 103.

[0019] Located within internal space 250a is mounting structure 255, air generator 256, frame 257 heating element 259, and thermal cut-off (TCO) 258. As shown, mounting structure 255 is fixed to housing 250 and frame 257 is fixed to mounting structure 255. Element 259 is fixed to frame 257 and aligned with air generator 256.

[0020] Shroud 263, air exit grill 262, funnel 260 and protective screen 261 are assembled and connected to the front of housing 250, i.e., closing interior space 250a and preventing user contact with air generator 256, frame 257, and heating element 259.

[0021] Also shown is vertical oscillation mechanism 280, which includes motor 281, link 282, and link arm 283. Motor 281 is connected to mounting structure 255 and one end of link arm 283 is connected to right retention washer 254. Motor 281 rotates link 282, which in turn acts on link arm 283 which generates a vertical oscillation movement of vertical oscillating portion 150 around horizontal axis 103.

[0022] In the embodiment shown, components have been so designed to minimize the quantity of components required to assemble portable heater 100. For example, mounting structure 255 includes features consolidating multiple components, i.e. air generator 256, frame 257 heating element 259 and thermal cut-off (TCO) 258 and oscillation mechanism 280. As such, the consolidated component is subsequently assembled as a single unit into housing 250. The described component consolidation simplifies the manufacturing and lowers the fabrication costs of portable heater 100.

[0023] Control cover 233 facilitates the end user's access to features of control PCB 236. Functions of portable heater 100 controlled by control PCB 236 may be movement along horizontal oscillating path 102 and/or vertical oscillating path 104 as well as a rotational speed of air generator 256 and a power level of Element 259. It is also contemplated that control PCB 236 may also include timers, ambient temperature sensing and the like.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a front view and right-side view showing dimensional aspects of portable heater 100. Dimension H is the maximum height of portable heater 100 as measured from a support surface (not shown) to its highest extent above a support surface. Dimension W is the maximum width of portable heater 100 measured perpendicular to dimension H. Dimension D is the maximum depth of portable heater 100 measured perpendicular to dimension H and on the same plane as dimension W.

[0025] Limiting the maximum measurements: H, W, and D define a compact size for portable heater 100. In one embodiment dimension H is 14 inches (35.5 cm) or less. In another embodiment calculated volume of portable heater 100 based on dimensions H, W, and D is less than 1,500 cubic-inches (24,600 cubic-centimeters).

[0026] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross section through a portable heater 100 showing the air flow 401 into portable heater 100 and exiting as heated air flow 402. As shown, when air generator 256 is energized air flow 401 is drawn into housing 250 through rear openings 410. Air flow 401 passes through air generator 401 and is pushed through heating element 259 and exits portable heater 100 through grill 262 as heated air flow 402.

[0027] As shown air generator 256 uses an axial-type impeller. It is contemplated that other types of impellers can be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is also contemplated that various motor types could be used as part of air generator 256 including alternating current motors or direct current motors.

[0028] In the current embodiment is a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) type heating element with a heat output of approximately 1,500 watts. Other types of heating elements such as nickel chromium (NiCr) resistance wire, quartz tubes may be used without departing from the spirit of the disclosed invention.

[0029] In FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c illustrate the distribution of heater air flow 402 (see FIG. 4) into a room and advantages of a portable heater 100 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5a, portable heater 100 is located on table 500 and heated air flow 402 increases in size like conical form 510 as it moves farther from portable heater 100. As shown in FIG. 5a only a horizontal oscillation along horizontal oscillating path 102 (see FIG. 1) is utilized. The oscillation along horizontal oscillating path 102 created horizontal heat plane 520 in front of portable heater 100.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5b, like FIG. 5a, portable heater 100 is located on table 500 and heated air flow 402 increases in size like conical form 510 as it moves farther from portable heater 100. However, only a vertical oscillation along oscillation path 104 (See FIG. 1) is utilized. Oscillation along vertical oscillating path 104 created vertical heat plane 530 in front of portable heater 100.

[0031] FIG. 5c illustrated the performance advantage of an oscillation of air flow 402 along both horizontal oscillating path 102 and vertical oscillating path 104. Like FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b, portable heater 100 is located on table 500 and heated air flow 402 increases in size like conical form 510 as it moves farther from portable heater 100. However, in FIG. 5c, both horizontal and vertical oscillations are combined. The oscillation along both horizontal oscillating path 102 and vertical oscillating path 104 creates heat plane 540 in front of portable heater 100.

[0032] Heat plane 540 has several distinct advantages over horizontal heat plane 520 and vertical heat plane 530. The area of heat plane 540 serves to allow the heat generated by portable heater 100 to be sensed in a larger area. Heat plane 540 also homogenizes the air temperature in a room more quickly, removing cold spots within the room. It is contemplated that control features could be built into portable heater 100 allowing for oscillation movement only along either horizontal oscillating path 102 (FIG. 5a) or vertical oscillating path 104 (FIG. 5b) separately, or the combined movement of portable heater 100 along both horizontal oscillating path 102 and vertical oscillating path 104 simultaneously (FIG. 5c).

[0033] It is contemplated that the specific speed of motor 241 controlling horizontal oscillating path 102 and motor 281 controlling vertical oscillating path 104 may rotate at different speeds. Different speeds of rotation of motor 241 and motor 281 will vary, i.e. randomize the pattern heated air flow 402 moves within heat plane 540. It is also contemplated that the rotational speed of motor 241 and 281 may be adjustable and controlled by control PCB 236, allowing the end user the ability to determine how air flow 402 moves within heat plane 540.

[0034] As can be appreciated, the ability to move heated air flow 402 along multiple oscillation paths 102 and 104 allow the end user greater control over the comfort level in a room when compared to conventional portable heaters. Combining the multiple oscillation paths 102 and 104 with a compact size (see FIG. 3) is yet a further advantage, allowing portable heater 100 to be used on desks and tables without occupying an inordinate amount of space. All these described features of portable heater 100 result in a high value to the manufacturer, retailer and end user when compared to conventional portable heaters.

[0035] It is contemplated that the components of portable heater 100 can be made from metal, polymers, and other conventional materials. Fastening and assembly devices and techniques such as screws, sonic welding, adhesives, press fit interference and snaps may be used in the assembly of portable heater 100.

[0036] Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather the information should be construed to include other variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention.