Abstrict
The present invention relates to an electric heater with a heat
shield plate. The electric heater of the present invention includes
a heating body which is installed at a reflector 30 and heated when
electrical power is applied thereto, and a safety net 31 which covers
a front surface of the reflector and defines a space for accommodating
the heating body therein. Further, the heat shield plate 80 is installed
at an upper edge of the reflector 30 such that foreign materials
are prevented from falling down onto the heating body through the
safety net, and a plurality of through-holes 81 are dispersedly
formed in the heat shield plate 80 in order to prevent the heat
shield plate from being overheated. The heat shield plate 80 includes
a curved strap-like plate 82 in which the plurality of through-holes
81 are dispersedly formed, and fixing pieces 84 which extend vertically
from the curved plate 82 on one lateral side thereof so that they
are coupled to the reflector 30. Furthermore, the fixing pieces
84 and the curved plate 82 are constructed to be connected with
each other via extension pieces 83 which extend from the curved
plate in a width direction of the curved plate 82.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electric heater with a heat shield plate, including a heating
body which is installed at a reflector (30) and heated when electrical
power is applied thereto, and a safety net (31) which covers a front
surface of the reflector and defines a space for accommodating the
heating body therein, wherein: the heat shield plate (80) is installed
at an upper edge of the reflector (30) such that foreign materials
are prevented from falling down onto the heating body through the
safety net; and a plurality of through-holes (81) are dispersedly
formed in the heat shield plate (80) in order to prevent the heat
shield plate from being overheated.
2. The electric heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat
shield plate (80) includes a curved strap-like plate (82) in which
the plurality of through-holes (81) are dispersedly formed, and
fixing pieces (84) which extend vertically from the curved plate
(82) on one lateral side thereof so that they are coupled to the
reflector (30).
3. The electric heater as claimed in claim 2, wherein extension
pieces (83) extend from at least two positions on the one lateral
side of the curved plate (82) in a width direction thereof, and
each of the fixing pieces (84) coupled to the reflector (30) is
constructed to be bent from one end of each extension piece (83).
4. The electric heater as claimed in claim 3, wherein an additional
space (85) is defined in the curved plate (82) between the extension
pieces (83) connecting with the fixing pieces (84) when the heat
shield plate (80) is coupled to the reflector (30).
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an electric heater with
a heat shield plate for preventing heat heating rays of the heater
and introduction of foreign materials into the heater. More particularly,
the present invention relates to an electric heater in which a heat
shield plate formed with a plurality of through-holes is installed
on a curved plate serving as a reflector to prevent overheat of
the electric heater and perform a heat shielding function.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] As living standards are improved, a heater as a dominant
one of room heating apparatuses has been generally changed from
a conventional oil heater to an electric heater. It goes without
saying that various kinds of electric heaters have been developed
as social demands for the heaters are increased.
[0005] As well known in the art, a fundamental operating principle
of the electric heater is that ambient air is heated with heat generated
when an electric current flows through a heating wire which is placed
within a specific space and protected by a safety net. Furthermore,
additional means for radiating the heat more efficiently from the
heating wire are further installed in the electric heater. As a
typical example thereof, a type of electric heater in which a reflector
manufactured by curving a substantially rectangular metal sheet
to a certain extent is installed behind the heating wire has been
spread. However, this electric heater hardly obtains an effect of
efficient heat radiation. Such a conventional electric heater has
a problem in that a sufficient amount of heat cannot be fully transferred
up to a desired distance. In fact, in a case where an amount of
electric current is increased so as to increase the amount of heat
generated from the heater, there is a risk of overheating and fire.
However, if the amount of electric current is reduced in consideration
of a safety accident due to the increase of the electric current,
it is difficult to obtain the sufficient amount of heat to a desired
extent.
[0006] In order to solve the problems in the conventional electric
heater, a radiant electric heater capable of fully heating room
air by transferring an adequate amount of heat as far as possible
has been developed and disclosed in Korean Laid-Open Utility Model
Publication No. 98-61527.
[0007] Such a radiant electric heater is configured in such a manner
that a spherical reflector is installed behind a heating wire and
a portion to which the heating wire is attached is reduced in diameter
in a rearward direction so that heat cannot be diffused in all directions
and can be concentrated within a narrow range. Therefore, the heat
can be transferred as far as possible. Referring to FIGS. 1 and
2, the electric heater 10 comprises a heat generating unit 10 including
a heating wire, and a supporting unit 20 for supporting the heat
generating unit.
[0008] First, the supporting unit 20 will be described below. A
main circuit for operating and controlling the radiant electric
heater 1 is installed within a stand 21. Further, a power switch
22 for turning electrical power on or off, a temperature control
switch 23 for intermittently turning the electrical power off at
a predetermined temperature so that the temperature of the heating
wire can be kept to be optimal, a power lamp 24 for indicating whether
the electrical power is turned on or off, a safety switch 29 for
intermittently turning the electrical power off in accordance with
whether the electric heater is tilted, a warning lamp 25 for warning
a user when the electric heater is excessively tilted, and the like
are arranged at the top and bottom of the stand 21.
[0009] Furthermore, the heat generating unit 10 and the stand 21
are connected with each other via first and second posts 26, 27
constructed in such a manner that the second post 27 can be inserted
into or put out from the first post 26 after unlocking a control
knob 28. That is, a height of the heat generating unit 10 can be
arbitrarily adjusted.
[0010] In addition, referring to FIG. 2 in which the heat generating
unit of the radiant electric heater is shown in an enlarged scale,
the heat generating unit 10 comprises the heating wire 12 wound
around a heating wire mount 11 of a predetermined shape, the reflector
13 placed behind the heating wire, a safety net 14 connected to
the reflector for defining a front contour of the whole heat generating
unit 10, and a supporting case 15 connected to a rear end of the
reflector 13 for supporting the reflector. Furthermore, the heating
wire 12 is connected to the reflector 13 via a bracket 16, and rods
17 for sensing the heat are attached to the front of the reflector
at desired positions thereof.
[0011] Accordingly, heat rays a from the heating wire 12 are concentrated
within the predetermined range by the reflector 13, contrary to
the conventional structure in which the heat rays are diffused in
all directions. Consequently, the heat generated from the heating
wire can reach a position to be heated across a considerable distance.
At this time, the heat rays a do not remain in the vicinity of the
heat generating unit 10 including the heating wire 12, but are immediately
emitted from the heat generating unit through a reflecting process
of the reflector 13. Thus, overheating of the safety net 14 can
also be prevented.
[0012] Here, a phenomenon that the heat rays are concentrated to
the utmost can be obtained in a case where the reflector 13 is configured
to have a parabolic surface with a central portion thereof being
concave and to include a regular spherical surface such as in a
general concave mirror.
[0013] Moreover, the heating wire mount 11, which is generally
made of a heat-resistant material such as ceramic and around which
the heating wire 12 is wound, is configured in the form of a truncated
cone or a circular cone of which diameter is decreased in a rearward
direction so that all the heat rays a from the heating wire 12 are
caused to be directed toward the reflector 3 and can thus be prevented
from being diffused out of the predetermined range C. At this time,
even though the mount 11 is configured in the form of a triangular
pyramid or polygonal pyramid rather than the truncated cone, the
object of the invention can be sufficiently achieved. That is, any
types of mounts 11 of which sectional areas are reduced in the rearward
direction may be employed in the invention.
[0014] It is apparent that such an electric heater has superior
thermal efficiency. However, since the heating wire of the electric
heater is made in the form of a coil, the coil may be corroded if
it is used for a long time. Thus, there is another problem in that
durability in use is deteriorated and risk of fire is increased.
[0015] Accordingly, an electric heater disclosed in Korean Utility
Model Registration No. 214840 has been developed. The electric heater
is configured such that a halogen lamp is used as a heat generating
means and a reflector is installed in front of the halogen lamp
and fixed to a safety net. FIG. 3 is a front view of the electric
heater of the utility model registration, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged
sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 3. The electric heater
of the '840 utility model registration includes a reflector with
a heat generating means added thereto and a safety net installed
in the formed of the reflector. The electric heater further comprises
a halogen lamp fixing plate 50 with a fixing hole 51 (not shown)
for allowing electrical power to be supplied to the halogen lamp
40 and fixing the halogen lamp 40 horizontally, an auxiliary reflector
60 installed to correspond to a central bent portion of the halogen
lamp 40 for causing heat therefrom to be reflected onto the reflector
30, and a reflector fixture 32 of which one end is connected to
the auxiliary reflector 60 and the other end is fixed to a central
portion of the safety net 31.
[0016] Preferably, the halogen lamp 40 is fixed to the halogen
lamp fixing plate 50 with a ceramic material or the like which can
be isolated from the reflector 30, and the halogen lamp fixing plate
50 is configured to be in close contact with the reflector 30 so
that it cannot hinder heat reflection of the reflector 30. In FIG.
4, reference numeral 52 designates screw holes used for fastening
the halogen lamp fixing plate 50 to the reflector 30 with the screws,
and reference numeral 33 designates a handle used when carrying
the electric heater and preferably formed on an upper surface of
a supporting case 34 for supporting the reflector 30 in the rear
thereof.
[0017] The auxiliary reflector 60 is installed at a front end of
the halogen lamp 40 in such a manner that a concave surface thereof
is directed toward the reflector 30 so that the heat from the halogen
lamp 40 can be reflected onto the reflector 30.
[0018] First, the halogen lamp fixing plate 50 is fastened to the
reflector 30 by screwing the screws into the screw holes 52. The
halogen lamp 40 is then coupled to the halogen lamp plate 50 and
connected to a power cable (not shown). Further, the reflector fixture
32 is fixedly installed at the central portion of the safety net
31 coupled to the reflector 30 so that it is directed toward the
reflector 30, and the auxiliary reflector 60 is fixedly installed
to the reflector fixture 32 in such a manner that the concave surface
thereof is directed toward the reflector 30. Of course, the auxiliary
reflector 60 is installed not to come into contact with the central
front end of the halogen lamp 40. Then, if the power switch is turned
on by using a control knob 35, the electric power is applied to
the halogen lamp 40 to cause the heat to be generated from the halogen
lamp 40. Heat rays emitted from the lamp (for example, H1) are primarily
reflected on the reflector 30 and then transferred to a user, whereas
the other heat rays (for example, H2) are primarily reflected on
the auxiliary reflector 60 and secondarily reflected on the reflector
30 and then transferred to the user. That is, contrary to the electric
heater shown in FIG. 2 in which only the primarily reflected heat
rays are emitted, all the heat rays including secondarily reflected
components thereof by the auxiliary reflector 60 are reflected on
the reflector 30 and emitted in case of the electric heater shown
in FIGS. 3 to 5. Therefore, since the amount of heat to be reflected
and transferred to the user is remarkably increased, heating efficiency
can be relatively improved.
[0019] Moreover, since the auxiliary reflector 60 is installed
in front of the halogen lamp 40, there is an advantage in that children
cannot bring pointed objects (for example, chopsticks) into direct
contact with the lamp so that the lamp can be protected. Further,
since the halogen lamp fixing plate 50 is designed to have a low
height thereof, it can be fixed almost integrally to the reflector
30 and thus easily installed. Since the fixing plate 50 does not
hinder a heat transfer process, the heating efficiency of the electric
heater can be enhanced. However, in a case where such a type of
electric heater is employed, radiant heat resulting from the reflected
heat may be locally concentrated on an upper periphery the reflector
30. In such a case, the children may burn their delicate skin on
the hot upper periphery of the reflector.
[0020] Accordingly, an electric heater disclosed in Korean Utility
Model Registration No. 236788 has been developed. FIG. 5 is a front
view of the electric heater with a conventional heat shield plate
mounted thereto, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line
B-B of FIG. 5. The electric heater also comprises the halogen lamp
fixing plate 50 with the fixing holes 51 (not shown) for allowing
the electrical power to be supplied to the halogen lamp 40 and fixing
the halogen lamp 40 horizontally, the auxiliary curved reflector
60 installed to correspond to the central bent portion of the halogen
lamp 40 for causing the heat to be reflected onto the reflector
30, and the reflector fixture 32 of which one end is connected to
the auxiliary reflector 60 and the other end is fixed to the central
portion of the safety net 31. Further, a heat shield plate 70 for
shielding the radiant heat toward the upper periphery is installed
at an upper edge of the reflector 30, and a ceramic coating layer
71 for increasing heat shield efficiency is also formed on a surface
of the heat shield plate facing the lamp. The heat shield plate
70 is provided at a proper position of a top portion thereof with
protruding portions 72 in which screw holes 73 for fixing the heat
shield plate to the upper edge of the reflector 30 are formed, and
thus, the heat shield plate is fixedly coupled to the reflector
30 with screws 74.
[0021] As described above, according to the previous electric heater,
heat rays H3 shown in FIG. 6 directed toward the upper periphery
of the reflector 30 cause the upper periphery to be heated. Thus,
the children may burn their delicate skin on the hot upper periphery
of the reflector. However, according to the electric heater shown
in FIGS. 5 and 6, since the radiant heat rays H3 directed toward
the upper periphery of the reflector 30 are reflected onto the coating
layer 71 of the heat shield plate 70, the radiant heat directed
toward the upper periphery is completely blocked. Thus, since heat
transfer locally concentrated on the upper periphery P of the reflector
30 is prevented, overheating of the upper periphery P can also be
prevented. Moreover, since the heat-resistant coating layer 71 is
formed on a bottom surface of the heat shield plate 70 so that heat
transfer efficiency can be decreased, heat shield efficiency of
the heat shield plate 70 can be improved. In such a case, it is
preferred that the heat-resistant coating layer 71 be made of ceramic
since the ceramic exhibits the heat-resistant characteristics even
at a temperature of 350.degree. C. However, according to such a
constitution, the heat transferred through the reflector 30 cannot
be still blocked even though the heat-resistant coating layer 71
blocks the radiating heat. Further, since the heat shield plate
70 is horizontally placed, a kind of space for additionally accommodating
heat therein is defined. Thus, since the space may produce another
factor in overheating of any specific portions on the reflector,
there is a further problem in that a desired heat shield effect
cannot be easily achieved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The present invention is conceived to solve the problems
in the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide
an electric heater with a heat shield plate capable of being self-cooled,
wherein heat cannot be transferred to an upper periphery of a heat
reflector by installing the heat shield plate at an upper edge of
the reflector of the heater and the heat can be circulated via a
plurality of through-holes formed in the heat shield plate.
[0023] To this end, the present invention is configured such that
the heat shield plate is installed at the upper edge of the reflector
of the heater and a plurality of through-holes are dispersedly formed
in the heat shield plate. Further, the heat shield plate is fixed
to the reflector via fixing pieces thereof in such a manner that
a predetermined space is defined by extension pieces of the heat
shield plate between the reflector and the heat shield plate.
[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an electric heater with a heat shield plate, including
a heating body which is installed at a reflector and heated when
electrical power is applied thereto, and a safety net which covers
a front surface of the reflector and defines a space for accommodating
the heating body therein. Further, the heat shield plate is installed
at an upper edge of the reflector such that foreign materials are
prevented from falling down onto the heating body through the safety
net, and a plurality of through-holes are dispersedly formed in
the heat shield plate in order to prevent the heat shield plate
from being overheated.
[0025] The heat shield plate may include a curved strap-like plate
in which the plurality of through-holes are dispersedly formed,
and fixing pieces which extend vertically from the curved plate
on one lateral side thereof so that they are coupled to the reflector.
[0026] Preferably, the fixing pieces and the curved plate are constructed
to be connected with each other via extension pieces which extend
from the curved plate in a width direction of the curved plate.
[0027] More preferably, the fixing pieces are dispersedly formed
on at least two positions on the one lateral side of the curved
plate, and an additional space is defined between the extension
pieces connecting with the fixing pieces when the heat shield plate
is coupled to the reflector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The above and other objects and features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following description of
a preferred embodiment given in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional electric heater;
[0030] FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of essential components
of FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a front view of another conventional electric
heater;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG.
3;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a front view of an electric heater with a conventional
heat shield plate mounted thereto;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG.
5;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a heat shield plate for
use in an electric heater according to the present invention; and
[0036] FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a major portion
of the heat shield plate, showing a state where the heat shield
plate is installed according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0037] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0038] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a heat shield plate for
use in an electric heater according to the present invention, and
FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a state where the heat shield
plate is installed according to the present invention. The electric
heater of the present invention includes a heating body which is
installed at a reflector 30 and heated when electrical power is
applied thereto, and a safety net 31 which covers a front surface
of the reflector and defines a space for accommodating the heating
body therein. Further, a heat shield plate 80 is installed at an
upper edge of the reflector 30 such that foreign materials are prevented
from falling down onto the heating body through the safety net,
and a plurality of through-holes 81 are also dispersedly formed
in the heat shield plate 80 in order to prevent the heat shield
plate from being overheated.
[0039] The heat shield plate 80 includes a curved strap-like plate
82 in which the plurality of through-holes 81 are dispersedly formed,
and fixing pieces 84 which extend vertically from the curved plate
82 at both ends of one lateral side thereof so that they are coupled
to the reflector 30.
[0040] Each of the fixing pieces 84 is bent with respect to the
curved plate 82 with each corresponding extension piece 83 interposed
therebetween. The fixing pieces 84 are dispersedly formed at two
or more positions on the one lateral side of the curved plate 82,
and the space 85 is defined between the respective extension pieces
83 connecting the heat shield plate 80 and the fixing pieces 84
when the curved plate 82 are coupled to the reflector 30.
[0041] In the present invention constructed as such, the reflector
30 and the safety net 31 are coupled to each other with screws 74
in a state where the heat shield plate 80 of FIG. 7 is interposed
therebetween. In a case where they are directly coupled to each
other without interposing the heat shield plate therebetween, the
foreign materials (for example, fiber or fabric) fall down onto
the heating source (or heating body) from the above and thus are
burned. According to the present invention, however, the heat shield
plate 80 prevents the foreign materials from falling down directly
onto and coming into contact with the heating source so that a fire
on the heating source can be prevented. Furthermore, since the plurality
of through-holes 81 through which the heat passes upwardly are formed
in the curved plate 82 of the heat shield plate 80, natural cooling
of the heat shield plate through the through-holes 82 can be made
and thus the overheating of the heat shield plate can be prevented.
In addition, when the heat shield plate 80 is coupled to the reflector
30, the extension pieces 83 causes the space 85 to be defined in
the heat shield plate 80 and thus heated air can be discharged even
through the space 85. Therefore, heat concentration at and thence
overheating of the heat shield plate can also be prevented. Moreover,
since transfer of the radiant heat from the heating source is blocked
by the heat shield plate 80, the upper periphery of the reflector
cannot be overheated and thus any burn on the hand can also be prevented
even though the user inadvertently touches the upper periphery.
Although it has been described that the fixing pieces 84 are installed
at both the ends of the lateral side of the heat shield plate, the
present invention is not limited thereto but may be configured in
such a manner that the fixing pieces are installed at any other
or more positions if the additional space 85 can be defined in the
heat shield plate.
[0042] As described above, according to the present invention,
the heat shield plate with the plurality of through-holes is installed
at the upper edge of the reflector of the electric heater so that
the air passing through the holes can cool the heat shield plate.
Further, the additional space is defined in the heat shield plate
that is coupled to the reflector so that the generated heat cannot
be collected therein. Thus, the local heating on the heat shield
plate can be prevented. Further, since the heat shield plate blocks
the heat rays from being directed toward the upper periphery of
the reflector, the temperature of the upper periphery of the reflector
is relatively lowered. Thus, the burn on the hand of the user can
be prevented even though the user inadvertently touches the upper
periphery of the reflector. Furthermore, since the heat shield plate
prevents the foreign materials from falling down onto the heating
source, and thus, the fire thereon can also be prevented.
[0043] Although the present invention has been described with respect
to the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the present invention
is not limited thereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in
the art that various substitutions, changes and modifications can
be made thereto without departing from the technical spirit and
scope of the invention.
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