The disclosure concerns a louver arrangement () for a portable air treatment unit. The louver arrangement () comprises a first louver portion () having an outer periphery, a second louver portion () moveably connected to the first louver portion (), and a drive arrangement () connected to the first louver portion (). The drive arrangement () is configured to displace the second louver portion () from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the second louver portion () is arranged within the outer periphery of the first louver portion (). In the second position, at least a portion of the second louver portion () extends beyond the outer periphery of the first louver portion ().
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
. A louver arrangement () for a portable air treatment unit (), the louver arrangement () comprising
. The louver arrangement () according to, wherein at least a portion of the first louver portion () extends in a first plane () and at least a portion of the second louver portion () extends in a second plane (), and wherein in the second position, the second plane () extends at an angle to the first plane ().
. The louver arrangement () according to, wherein in the first position of the second louver portion (), the second plane () is arranged substantially in parallel with the first plane ().
. The louver arrangement () according to, wherein the drive arrangement () defines a displacement path for the second louver portion (), and wherein the second louver portion () is displaceable from the first position along the displacement path to the second position.
. The louver arrangement () according to, wherein the drive arrangement () comprises at least a first track forming member () connected to the first louver portion (), wherein
. The louver arrangement () according to, wherein the first guide track () comprises a straight first portion () and a second portion () angled or curved in relation to the first portion (), and wherein the first track follower () is positioned in the second portion () when the second louver portion () is in the second position.
. The louver arrangement () according to, comprising a second track forming member () connected to the first louver portion (), wherein the second track forming member () forms a second guide track (), wherein
. The louver arrangement () according to, wherein the second lateral side () of the second louver portion () is arranged adjacent to the second track forming member () with a play between the second lateral side () and the second track forming member ().
. The louver arrangement () according to, wherein the play between the second lateral side () and the second track forming member () is within a range of 0.1-2% of a length of the second louver portion () along the longitudinal extension (L).
. The louver arrangement () according to, wherein the first track follower () extends from the first lateral side () of the second louver portion () in parallel with the second plane (), and wherein the second track follower () extends from the second lateral side () in parallel with the second plane ().
. The louver arrangement () according to, wherein the second louver portion () comprises a third track follower () extending from the first lateral side () of the second louver portion () in parallel with the second plane () and in parallel with the first track follower ()
. The louver arrangement () according to, wherein the third track follower () is positioned in the first portion () of the first guide track () or in the second portion () of the first guide track () when the second louver portion () is in the second position.
. The louver arrangement () according to, wherein the second louver portion () is connected to the drive arrangement () via the first track follower ().
. The louver arrangement () according to, wherein the first and third track followers (,) extend through the first track forming member (), and wherein the first and third track followers (,) are secured to the drive arrangement () by a mounting member (), the mounting member () connecting to the first and third track followers (,) on opposite sides of the first track forming member ().
. The louver arrangement () according to, wherein the mounting member () is arranged in sliding abutment with the first track forming member ().
. The louver arrangement () according to, wherein drive arrangement () comprises a motor () and a linkage () interconnecting the motor () with the second louver portion ().
. The louver arrangement () according to, wherein drive arrangement () comprises a motor () and a leadscrew () interconnecting the motor () with the second louver portion ().
. A portable air treatment unit () comprising a housing (), wherein an airflow path () for air to be treated extends through the housing (), wherein the airflow path () has an inlet () in the housing () and an outlet () in the housing (), and wherein the portable air treatment unit () comprises a louver arrangement () according toarranged at the outlet () of the airflow path ().
. The portable air treatment unit () according to, wherein the outlet () of the airflow path () is arranged at an upper portion of the housing () when the portable air treatment unit () is positioned on a horizontal surface in an ordinary operating position of the portable air treatment unit ().
. The portable air treatment unit () according to, wherein an opening face of the outlet () extends in an outlet plane (), and wherein the outlet plane () extends at an angle (α) within a range of 0-45 degrees of a horizontal plane when the portable air conditioning unit () is positioned in the ordinary operating position.
. The portable air treatment unit () according to, wherein a longitudinal direction (L) of the first louver portion () extends in parallel with the outlet plane ().
Complete technical specification and implementation details from the patent document.
The invention relates to a louver arrangement and to a portable air treatment unit.
Portable air treatment units of various kinds are known. Typically, a portable air treatment unit is movable by a person in order to be placed in a space, such a room, the air of which is to be treated in one or more ways. The portable air treatment unit may be e.g., carried or wheeled by the person moving the portable air treatment unit.
Air treatment may be performed for the purpose of providing an agreeable climate and/or change certain air properties, such as the cleanliness of air in a space, such as a room or small building.
Accordingly, an air treatment unit may provide one or more of air cooling, air heating, air filtering, dehumidification of air, humidification of air, etc.
A portable air treatment unit may be electrically powered and configured to be connected to mains power.
A common feature of portable air treatment units is that ambient air is drawn through an airflow path defined within the air treatment unit. Along the airflow path one or more treatment devices and/or treatment members affect one or more properties of the air being drawn through the airflow path.
A fan or other kind of displacement device is provided to draw ambient air through an inlet into the airflow path, move air along the airflow path, and discharge the treated air through an outlet of the airflow path. The outlet may be arranged at an upper portion of the air treatment unit. The treated air leaving the air treatment unit is dispersed in the space where the air treatment unit is standing and gradually alters one or more properties, such as temperature, cleanliness, and/or humidity of the air in the space.
The air treatment unit may comprise a so-called louver, by means of which the treated air is directed from the air treatment unit. An angle of the louver may be variable in order to change the angle of the flow of treated air from the air treatment unit into the surrounding space. Dispersion of the treated air into the space where the air treatment unit is standing thus, may be controlled at least to a certain degree.
EP 2835597 discloses an air conditioner. A louver/flap that adjusts an air direction is provided at a blow-out opening for temperature conditioned air. The flap includes a wide upper flap and a slightly narrower lower flap, that extend in the length direction of the air blow-out opening provided in the horizontal direction and that are coupled to form a single unit by joining pieces with a predetermined spacing between the flaps so as to be parallel to each other.
It would be advantageous to improve conditions for distributing treated air from a portable air treatment unit. In particular, it would be desirable to enable a flexibility in the guiding of treated air from a portable air treatment unit. To better address one or more of these concerns, a louver arrangement and/or a portable air treatment unit having the features defined in the independent claims is provided.
According to an aspect, there is provided a louver arrangement for a portable air treatment unit. The louver arrangement comprises a first louver portion having an outer periphery, a second louver portion moveably connected to the first louver portion, and a drive arrangement connected to the first louver portion. The drive arrangement is configured to displace the second louver portion from a first position to a second position in relation to the first louver portion. In the first position, the second louver portion is arranged within the outer periphery of the first louver portion. In the second position, at least a portion of the second louver portion extends beyond the outer periphery of the first louver portion.
Since the louver arrangement comprises the first and second louver portions and since in the first position, the second louver portion is arranged within the outer periphery of the first louver portion and in the second position, at least a portion of the second louver portion extends beyond the outer periphery of the first louver portion—there is provided a compact louver arrangement that is versatile with respect to providing at least two different settings for guiding treated air from a portable air treatment unit.
More specifically, when the second louver portion is arranged in the second position, the length of the louver arrangement is increased along a flow direction of the treated air as it is discharged from the air treatment unit. Thus, the treated air can be discharged from the unit to better penetrate into ambient air than from an air treatment unit comprising a single louver portion of shorter length. An efficient dispersion of the treated air thus, can be achieved in the space where the treatment unit is standing. A high air comfort thus, can be provided quickly by the treatment unit.
Also, when the second louver portion is arranged within the outer periphery of the first louver portion i.e., in the first position, the louver arrangement is compact and thus, provides for it to be compact when arranged e.g., in a closed position in relation to a housing of the air treatment unit.
When the air treatment unit is not in use, the second louver portion can be retracted into the first position in relation to the first louver portion as to allow an outlet for treated air of the unit to be closed.
The second louver portion and the drive arrangement being connected to the first louver portion entail that the louver arrangement form one unit that as such is connectable to a portable air treatment unit. Thus, for instance, the louver arrangement can be connected via the first louver portion to the relevant air treatment unit. A power supply, such as an internal electric cord within the air treatment unit, may be connected to the drive arrangement for powering the same.
The louver arrangement may be configured to be connected to, or form part of, the portable air treatment unit.
The louver arrangement may be configured for directing treated air in at least two different directions from the air treatment unit during use thereof. Thus, dispersion of the treated air into the space where the air treatment unit is standing may be controlled.
Herein, the term guiding contour will be used for the extension of the louver arrangement, along which extension the treated air flows and by the shape of which extension the treated air is directed from the air treatment unit.
An angle of the first louver portion may be variable in relation to the air treatment unit in order to change the angle of the flow of treated air from the air treatment unit into the surrounding space. Also such variability of the angle of the first louver portion may alter the general dispersion of the treated air in the space where the air treatment unit is standing.
According to a further aspect there is provided a portable air treatment unit comprising a housing, wherein an airflow path for air to be treated extends through the housing. The airflow path has an inlet in the housing and an outlet in the housing. The portable air treatment unit comprises a louver arrangement according to any one of aspects and/or embodiments discussed herein arranged at the outlet of the airflow path.
Thus, there is provided a portable air treatment unit comprising a compact louver arrangement that is versatile with respect to providing at least two different settings for guiding treated air from the air treatment unit.
Accordingly, the louver arrangement provides for a portable air treatment unit, from which treated air can be discharged with better penetration into ambient air than from an air treatment unit comprising a simpler louver consisting of only one flap. A more efficient dispersion of the treated air thus, can be achieved in the space where the treatment unit is standing. A high air comfort thus, can be provided quickly by the treatment unit.
The portable air treatment unit may be configured for treating one or more properties of the air in a space, such as a room or a small building, where the portable air treatment unit is placed.
The portable air treatment unit is movable by a person in order to be placed in a space, the air of which is to be treated. The portable air treatment unit may be e.g., carried or wheeled by the person moving the portable air treatment unit.
Herein, the portable air treatment unit may alternatively be referred to as air treatment unit, treatment unit, or simply the unit.
The portable air treatment unit may provide one or more of:
Elements, systems, members, devices, etc., as such that treat the air in the air treatment unit are know and will not be discussed herein in any detail.
Air that has been treated, such as cooled, heated, cleaned, dehumidified, humidified, etc., in the air treatment unit is herein referred to as treated air.
The portable air treatment unit may be electrically powered and configured to be connected to mains power.
A common feature of portable air treatment units is that ambient air is drawn through the airflow path defined within the air treatment unit. Along the airflow path one or more treatment devices and/or treatment members affect one or more properties of the air being drawn through the airflow path.
The treatment unit comprises a fan or other kind of displacement device arranged to draw ambient air through the inlet into the airflow path, move air along the airflow path, and discharge the treated air through the outlet of the airflow path.
The outlet may be arranged at an upper portion of the air treatment unit. The treated air discharged from the air treatment unit is dispersed in the space where the air treatment unit is standing and gradually alters one or more properties, such as temperature, cleanliness, and/or humidity of the air in the space.
According to embodiments, at least a portion of the first louver portion extends in a first plane and at least a portion of the second louver portion extends in a second plane. In the second position, the second plane may extend at an angle to the first plane. In this manner, a greater angular range with maintained low flow resistance as the treated air leaves the treatment unit may be achieved with the louver arrangement, in comparison with a simple louver consisting of only one flap. This means that the treated air may be distributed more efficiently within the space where the unit is standing e.g., in order to quickly improve air comfort therein.
For instance, in order to ensure a high performance in an air treatment unit with the outlet arranged at an upper portion thereof, a shallow i.e., a substantial horizontal, discharge of treated air can be provided without excessively reducing the discharge flow rate, which ensures a good penetration depth of the discharged air. Namely, with the second louver portion in the second position thus, providing a curved guiding contour of the louver arrangement, the louver arrangement can be positioned to provide the shallow discharge of treated air with the first louver portion angled more steeply upwardly than if the louver arrangement would only provide a straight guiding contour.
According to embodiments, the drive arrangement may define a displacement path for the second louver portion, and the second louver portion may be displaceable from the first position along the displacement path to the second position. In this manner, it may be ensured that the second louver portion may be reliably moved from the first position to the second position and vice versa.
According to embodiments, the drive arrangement may comprise at least a first track forming member connected to the first louver portion. The first track forming member may form a first guide track. The second louver portion may comprise at least a first track follower configured to follow the first guide track. When the drive arrangement displaces the second louver portion from the first position to the second position, the first guide track and the first track follower may cause the second louver portion to follow the displacement path. In this manner, the second louver portion may be brought to follow the displacement path.
According to embodiments, the first guide track may comprise a straight first portion and a second portion angled or curved in relation to the first portion. The first track follower may be positioned in the second portion when the second louver portion is in the second position. In this manner, the second louver portion may be arranged at an angle to the first louver portion when the second louver portion is in the second position.
According to embodiments, the louver arrangement may comprise a second track forming member connected to the first louver portion. The second track forming member may form a second guide track. The second louver portion may comprise a second track follower configured to follow the second guide track. The second louver portion has a longitudinal extension extending between a first lateral side and a second lateral side of the second louver portion. The first track forming member may be arranged adjacent to the first lateral side and the second track forming member may be arranged adjacent to the second lateral side. In this manner, the second louver portion may be guided at two lateral side portions thereof as the second louver portion is moved from the first position to the second position. Thus, a steady guiding of the second louver portion may be provided.
According to embodiments, the second lateral side of the second louver portion may be arranged adjacent to the second track forming member with a play between the second lateral side and the second track forming member. In this manner, the second louver portion may be guided as it is moved between the first and second positions without the second louver portion accidentally being locked in relation to the first louver portion e.g., by pinching engagement between the second louver portion and the second track forming member.
According to embodiments, the second louver portion may be connected to the drive arrangement via the first track follower. In this manner, the drive arrangement may move the second louver portion between the first and second positions by engagement with the first track follower of the second louver portion.
According to embodiments of the portable air treatment unit, the outlet of the airflow path may be arranged at an upper portion of the housing when the portable air treatment unit is positioned on a horizontal surface in an ordinary operating position of the portable air treatment unit. In this manner, treated air may be efficiently discharged into the space where the air treatment unit is standing.
Further features of, and advantages with, the invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following detailed description.
Aspects and/or embodiments of the invention will now be described more fully. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.
schematically illustrates a cross section through a portable air treatment unitaccording to embodiments.
A person can carry e.g., by one or more built in handles (not shown), and/or wheel e.g., on built-in wheels (not shown) the portable air treatment unitinto a desired position in a space, the air of which is to be treated.
The air treatment unitcomprises a housingand an airflow path. The airflow pathextends through the housing. The airflow pathhas an inletin the housingand an outletin the housing. The inletforms an inlet opening of the airflow path. The outletforms an outlet opening of the airflow path.
A fan or other displacement unitis arranged along the airflow pathand configured to draw ambient air to be treated into the airflow pathvia the inletand to discharge treated air from the airflow pathvia the outlet.
In the illustrated embodiments, the outletof the airflow pathis arranged at an upper portion of the housingwhen the air treatment unitis positioned on a horizontal surface in an ordinary operating position of the unit. Thus, the treated air which is discharged from the treatment unitmay be discharge from a position that favours dispersion of the treated air in the space where the unitis standing.
Moreover, with the outletat an upper portion of the housing, a compact air treatment unit may be provided when the fancomprises a forward curved centrifugal fan.
Unknown
October 2, 2025
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