NL2037545B1

NL2037545B1 - Domestic air circulator comprising a heater

Info

Publication number: NL2037545B1
Application number: NL2037545A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Maria Antonius Naus Bram; Lambert Gerard Maria Van Veldhoven Eduard; Wassenberg Thibo; Angenent Mark; Roeland Frans Soetens Boudewijn
Original assignee: Duux Holding B V
Priority date: 2024-04-25
Filing date: 2024-04-25
Publication date: 2025-11-11
Also published as: WO2025226148A1

Abstract

l 4 The present invention relates to a domestic air circulator comprising a heater, in particular a stand-alone unit, such as a separate or self-contained unit, for heating an enclosed space, at the one hand, and for air circulating at the other hand, such as part of a building, such as a room. The system is provided in a housing with ventilation openings, amongst others for releasing heated air. Electric energy may be converted to heat energy by the electric heater.

Description

P100916NL00

DOMESTIC AIR CIRCULATOR COMPRISING A HEATER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a domestic air circulator comprising a heater, in par- ticular a stand-alone unit, such as a separate or self-contained unit, for heating an enclosed space, at the one hand, and for air circulating at the other hand, such as part of a building, such as a room. The system is provided in a housing with ventilation openings, amongst oth- ers for releasing heated air. Electric energy may be converted to heat energy by the electric heater.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of a fan. A fan is a powered machine used to create flow of air. The fan comprises a rotating arrangement of blades (which may also be referred to as vanes), which act on the air and thereby provide airflow. The rotating assembly of blades and hub is known as a rotor. The rotor may be contained within some form of housing, or case. This casing may direct the airflow, or may increase safety by preventing objects from contacting the fan blades. Most fans are powered by electric motors.

A fan is a turbo machine that causes air or a gas to be set in motion. A fan can be used to supply a room with fresh air or to cool something by letting air flow over it. Usually, the rotor of a fan is driven by a condenser motor. Typically, the air sucked in is moved in- stantaneously.

The present invention is also in the field of a heater, in particular an electric heater.

Therewith electrical energy is converted into heat energy. Common applications include space heating, cooking, water heating and industrial processes. The present heater is howev- er limited to space heating. Typically, a heater comprises a heating element inside, which in view of the electrical current used is an electrical resistor. The electric current passing through the resistor converts electrical energy into heat energy. Typically said electrical re- sistor is at least one wire or the like. The resistor is typically electrically/physically isolated from its environment, in order to prevent injuries and in view of safety, and at the same time provides heat mostly freely to the environment, such as through ventilation openings.

So, the heater may be used for space heating. It typically relates to a convection heat- er or a fan heater. In a convection heater, the heating element heats the air in contact with the heating element by thermal conduction. As hot air is less dense than cool air, it rises due to buoyancy, allowing more cool air to flow in to take its place. This sets up a convection cur- rent of hot air that rises from the heater, heats up the surrounding space, cools and then re- peats the cycle. These heaters may be filled with oil or thermal fluid. They are ideally suited for heating a closed space. They operate silently and have a lower risk of ignition hazard if they make unintended contact with furnishings compared to radiant electric heaters. A fan heater, or forced convection heater, is similar to a convection heater in operation, and further comprises a fan or an impellor to increase airflow over the heater. They operate with more noise caused by the fan. Their advantage is that they are more compact than heaters that use natural convection and are also cost-efficient for portable and small room heating systems.

An issue with heaters is that the heating unit itself may break down or the like. It is then difficult to repair the heater.

A further, more general issue is that space might be limited. It is then difficult to use many appliances within such a space.

The present invention therefore relates to a heating device and further aspects there- of, which overcomes one or more of the above disadvantages, without compromising func- tionality and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present air circulator is a type of fan, a domestic appliance, which is used around the world to circulate air in the room, to speed up heating or cooling the room, or to provide airflow for a variety of uses. It may be used to dry clothes, or to stimulate plant growth, for example. In addition to blowing air, the head of the fan may also oscillate in horizontal and/or vertical direction to help the air circulate the room. In the present invention the kit of part is provided in a modular way, such that a heating element can be added to the fan and removed therefrom, in particular in one movement, that is by simply introducing the heater into the system and fixing it to the system, and vice versa, by retracting the heater from the system. Also, other elements may be added instead or in addition, for example an air filter.

Using a modular build up, a consumer may choose between using the product as a fan, and using it as a heater that helps to spread heat around the room quickly. The present fan hous- ing is constructed in such a way, that an additional or alternative element can be added to it by the consumer without much effort. The fan housing comprises a receiving part, such as an opening, into which this element (such as in the form of some type of cartridge) can be in- serted by the user. The heating element, or cartridge, may be inserted into the kit of parts from the top side of the housing, or from the rear of the product. Both options are considered here. The opening is typically placed behind the fan blade (the inlet side of the fan), so up- stream, so as to minimize the disturbance of the airflow. If the additional element is a heating element, electric power to function is typically provided thereto. A power connection is typi- cally provided between the fan and the additional element. This typically uses the principle of a connector, with pins on one part and holes on the other part that make connection when the cartridge is slid into place. By placing this element well inside the housing and covering the connector parts with a protection cover, such as a plastic housing part, the solution is safe to use because the user can not touch electric connection parts. The present removable heater may comprise two main elements, namely a heating element, such as a heating spiral or a ceramic element, and an electrical connector that can draw power, such as from the AC power supply of the main product to heat up the heating element. A safe power transfer of the AC current from the product to the heating element is considered important. The user of the product should not be exposed to this electrical connection in use, while inserting or ex- tracting the cartridge. To ensure this, the cartridge will feature a connector which is covered by a removable cover, such as a plastic housing, in such a way, that the male and female sides of the connector slide into place easily and do not require the user to touch the metal connection parts. Also, the connector is positioned inside the housing in such a way that us-

ers will not touch the connector parts when inserting or extracting the cartridge. It is an ob- ject of the invention to overcome one or more limitations of the heaters or fans of the prior art and at the very least to provide an alternative thereto. The present invention relates to a kit of parts 100 comprising a domestic air circulator 10 and a removable heater 20, the air circulator comprising at least one air circulator controller 33 configured to provide air circu- lation, and a circulator receiving part 11 for physically receiving the heater, the receiving part comprising at least one electronic air circulator contact 31 for providing power to the heater, and optionally at least one electronic air circulator interface 32 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the heater, the removable heater 20 comprising a heater at- tachment part 26 for physically attaching the heater to the circulator receiving part, at least one electronic heater contact 21 for receiving power from the air circulator contact 31, op- tionally at least one electronic heater interface 22 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the air circulator interface 32, in particular to optionally at least one heater control- ler 23 configured to control heating, a heater air inlet 24, and a heater air outlet 25 configure to provide heated air to the air circulator air inlet 34, in particular an electric heater, wherein the air circulator and heater are removably attachable. The domestic air circulator typically comprises a substantially open casing, the casing comprising a grill shaped front-side, a grill shaped back-side, and a substantially cylindrically shaped side section in between said front- side and back-side. It further typically comprises inside said casing a rotor, the rotor com- prising at least three blades, and wherein the grill shaped front-side and/or back-side com- prises a multitude of radial extensions, each extension for connecting to the side section. The removable heater provides typically 100-5000 W, preferably 500-3000 W, such as 1000- 2500 W. The present heater is typically provided with a controller for varying and maintain- ing an amount of heat provided. Such may be a continuous control, or a step-wise control, having for instance 3-9 positions.

In principle any part or element of a device or product is removable, such as by de- struction or taking apart. Typically that involves a lot of handling and tools. Such is not in- tended with the present term “removable”. As mentioned above, it relates to removing, and likewise introducing, the present heater and/or filter with one movement, without a need to use any tool, and typically fixing it to the present air circulator, such as by a click mecha- nism or the like. When introducing it the necessary connections between the present air cir- culator and heater/filter are “automatically” made, that is an electrical power connection is made, either AC or DC, and optional connections for control and the like. After introducing the heater/filter it is ready for use; when removed the remaining air circulator can be used safely and the heater/filter can be stored.

The present invention provides a solution to one or more of the above mentioned prob- lems and overcomes drawbacks of the prior art.

Advantages of the present description are detailed throughout the description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an exemplary embodiment the present removable heater comprises a handle or a grip, such as an extendable handle. Therewith the heater can be removed with ease, and be placed back.

In an exemplary embodiment the present kit of parts comprises at least one tempera-

ture sensor (41) configured to measure a temperature of the air in the air circulator, wherein the temperature sensor provides input to the at least one heater controller.

In an exemplary embodiment the present kit of parts comprises a relative humidity sensor 42 for providing relative humidity input to the at least one air circulator controller 33 and/or heater controller 23, wherein the at least one air circulator controller 33 and/or heater controller 23 comprises a feedback loop, wherein the heater and/or air circulator is/are con- trolled in view of humidification, in particular wherein the heater controller 21 is configured to increase or decrease humidification provided by the heater.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the air circulator is config- ured to distribute at least one of non-heated air and heated air through a space.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the air circulator comprises a rotor, and attached to the rotor a plurality of blades, in particular 3-12 blades, wherein the rotor and the plurality of blades are incorporated in a casing, wherein the casing comprises an air inlet configured to let air in, and an air outlet in fluidic contact with the air inlet, wherein the rotor and plurality of blades are configured to flow air from the air inlet to the air outlet, in particular wherein the air inlet and the air outlet are provided with a protector, the protector configured to prevent contact from an outside user with the rotor or blades.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the circulator receiving part 11 comprises a heater receiving space configured to incorporate the heater to be introduced into the air-circulator body, in particular wherein the heater is in the form of a cartridge, more in particular wherein the heater receiving space is provided before or after the air circu- lator.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the circulator receiving part comprises at least one receiving element 12 configured to match and to receive at least one incorporation element 27 of the removable heater. The receiving element may relate to one or two ridges, provided at either side of the air circulator receiving part.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the volume of the heater re- ceiving space is substantially the same as of volume of the removable heater.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the removable heater is sub- stantially disc-shaped.

In an exemplary embodiment the present kit of parts comprises at least one wireless transceiver, in particular at least one wireless transceiver 43 in the air circulator.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the air circulator comprises a circulator base 7, wherein the circulator base is configured as the circulator receiving part, and wherein the heater comprises a top heater opening, wherein the top heater opening is configured as the heater attachment part.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the air circulator comprises a circulator base, wherein the circulator base is configured as the circulator receiving part, and wherein the heater comprises a recess, wherein the recess is configured as the heater attach-

ment part.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the circulator receiving part is provided upstream in the flow path provided by the air circulator.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the at least one heater con- 5 troller and the at least one air circulator controller are configured as PCB-controller, and/or wherein the at least one air circulator controller controls the at least one heater controller.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the heater is configured to provide heated air to the circulator heated air inlet or to a heated air distribution space locat- ed in an air flow provided by the circulator, in particular an air distribution space in front of the circulator, or behind the air circulator.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the grill of the air circulator is removable attached to the heater, and wherein the heater is removably attached to the air circulator body.

In an exemplary embodiment the present kit of parts comprises at least one remova- ble particle filter 50, in particular a filter in the form of a cartridge, wherein the filter can be provided in the air flow of the air circulator, at the inlet, at the outlet, mor in particular wherein the particle filter has substantially the same dimensions as the removable heater.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the heater and particle filter are provided in the form of a cartridge.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the rotor and blades are made from a metal or polymeric material.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts “further” elements are made from polymeric materials, that is, elements other than the rotor and the metallic comprising parts, such as contacts.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts a heating element of the heat- er is provided as a glow wire, and/or as a ceramic element.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the heater is configured to provide 50-1000 W heat, in particular 100-500 W, more in particular 200-300 W.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the heater is configured to operate at 110 VAC or 220 VAC, and/or at 50 or 60 Hz, or to operate at 12-48 VDC.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the domestic air circulator is configured to oscillate in at least one of a horizontal and vertical direction to support air cir- culation, in particular wherein the domestic air circulator comprises at least one of an oscilla- tion actuator and oscillation controller.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the circulator receiving part comprises at least one slider for guiding the removable heater into the circulator receiving part and for removing said removable heater.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the air circulator contact 31 comprises a removable cover for protecting the contact from touching.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present kit of parts the air circulator contact is provided in a lower part of the air circulator, in particular out of reach.

With the present removable heater spaces of a few m’ (e.g. 10-20 m*) up to larger spaces of e.g. 50-200 m®, could be heated.

The invention will hereafter be further elucidated through the following examples which are exemplary and explanatory of nature and are not intended to be considered limit- ing of the invention. To the person skilled in the art it may be clear that many variants, being obvious or not, may be conceivable falling within the scope of protection, defined by the present claims.

FIGURES

Figures 1A-C, 2-3A-B, 4A-D, 5A-B, 6A-B, 7A-B and 8A-B, show details of the pre- sent heating device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

In the figures: 100 kit of parts 10 fan 11 receiving part fan 12 receiving element, such as ridge removable heater 20 21 electronic heater contact 22 electronic heater interface 23 heater controller 24 heater air inlet heater air outlet 25 26 heater attachment part 27 incorporation element heater, such as notch 28 grip heater 31 electronic air circulator contact 32 air circulator interface 33 air circulator controller 41 temperature sensor 42 relative humidity sensor 43 wireless transceiver 50 particle filter, such as HEPA

Figs. 1A-C show perspective views of a prior art fan, and air circulator interface 32, air circulator controller 33,

Fig. 2 shows a schematic drawing of the present kit of parts, that is, of the fan part thereof, having a slot, that is a circulator receiving part for receiving the present removable heater (20). The present air circulator is provided on a foot, and may comprise a wire for electrical connection, and further a temperature sensor 41, relative humidity sensor 42, and wireless transceiver 42, typically located in the housing of the fan. The direction of air flow is indicated.

Figs. 3A-B show a schematic drawing of the present kit of parts 100, comprising a fan 10, a removable heater 20 in the form of a cartridge, and/or a filter 50. Further visible are receiving part 11, and in place of the present heater, or in addition thereto, a filter 50. The cartridge is positioned on rear side of the device and completes the shape. The cartridge has a round shape. The cartridge is mounted from the rear by a forward movement for position- ing, followed by pressing down the cartridge in fixed position that also activates the power connector. The power-connector of the heater is situated in the centre of both the device and cartridge. The motor and fan-blade are situated in front of the cartridge. Possible cartridge functions are heating, cooling, filtering, and fresh air/scent.

Figs. 4A-D show a schematic drawing of a further example of the present kit of parts comprising a fan, and a removable heater in the form of a cartridge as in figs. 3. A central electrical male-female contact 21,31 is provided. The heater is rotated and removed by pull- ing, and vice versa attached. Heater attachment parts 26 are provided on the heater, or equiv- alently on the fan, whereas the fan has uptake elements for the attachment parts as indicated in the circle, or vice versa. The cartridge is positioned on rear side of the device and com- pletes the shape. The cartridge has a round shape. The cartridge is mounted from the rear by a forward movement for positioning and to activate the power connector, followed by turn- ing the cartridge a small turn in fixed position. The power-connector is situated in the centre of both the device and cartridge. The motor and fan-blade are situated in front of the car- tridge (not accessible). Possible cartridge functions are heating, cooling, filtering, and fresh air/scent.

Figs. SA-B show a schematic drawing of a further example of the present kit of parts comprising a fan, and a removable heater in the form of a cartridge as in figs. 3-4, with grip 28 for pulling the cartridge out. The cartridge is positioned inside the device and completes the shape. The cartridge has a round shape. The cartridge is mounted from the top by a downward movement for positioning, followed by pressing down the cartridge in fixed posi- tion to activate the power connector(s). The power-connector(s) are situated on the sides of both the device and cartridge. The motor and fan-blade are situated in front of the cartridge.

Possible cartridge functions are heating, cooling, filtering, and fresh air/scent.

Figs. 6A-B show a schematic drawing of a further example of the present kit of parts comprising a fan, and a removable heater in the form of a cartridge as in figs. 3-5, with con- tacts 21 and 31, notch 27, and air circulator interface 32. The cartridge is horse-shoe shaped, having a cut-out section. The cartridge is positioned inside the device and completes the shape. The cartridge is mounted from the top by a downward movement for positioning, fol- lowed by pressing down the cartridge in fixed position to activate the power connector(s).

The power-connector(s) are situated on the sides of both the device and cartridge. The motor is situated in the centre of the cartridge/ back of the device. The fan-blade is situated in front of the cartridge. The housing of the device can therefore be slightly shorter. Possible car- tridge functions are heating, cooling, filtering, and fresh air/scent.

Figs. 7A-B show schematics of electronic air circulator contact 31, ridge 32, elec- tronic heater contact 21, heater controller 23, heater air inlet 24, heater air outlet 25, 6, and incorporation element heater, such as notch.

Figs. 8A-B show schematics of electronic air circulator contact 31 and electronic heater interface 22.

For the sake of searching the following section is added, of which the subsequent section relates to a translation into Dutch thereof, representing the extent of the scope of pro- tection, that is define the matter for which protection is sought, of the patent or patent appli- cation, wherein further the description and drawings shall be used to interpret these. 1. A kit of parts (100) comprising a domestic air circulator (10) and a removable heater (20), the air circulator comprising at least one air circulator controller (33) configured to provide air circulation, and a circulator receiving part (11) for physically receiving the heat- er, the receiving part comprising at least one electronic air circulator contact (31) for provid- ing power to the heater, and optionally at least one electronic air circulator interface (32) for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the heater, the removable heater (20) comprising a heater attachment part (26) for physically at- taching the heater to the circulator receiving part, at least one electronic heater contact (21) for receiving power from the air circulator contact (31), optionally at least one electronic heater interface (22) for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the air circulator in- terface (32), in particular to optionally at least one heater controller (23) configured to con- trol heating, a heater air inlet (24), and a heater air outlet (25) configure to provide heated air to the air circulator air inlet (34), in particular an electric heater, wherein the air circulator and heater are removably attachable. 2. The kit of parts according to embodiment 1, further comprising at least one temperature sensor (41) configured to measure a temperature of the air in the air circulator, wherein the temperature sensor provides input to the at least one heater controller. 3. The kit of parts according to any of embodiments 1-2, further comprising a relative hu- midity sensor (42) for providing relative humidity input to the at least one air circulator con- troller (33) and/or heater controller (23), wherein the at least one air circulator controller (33) and/or heater controller (23) comprises a feedback loop, wherein the heater and/or air circu- lator is/are controlled in view of humidification, in particular wherein the heater controller (21) is configured to increase or decrease humidification provided by the heater. 4. The kit of parts according to any of embodiments 1-3, wherein the air circulator is con- figured to distribute at least one of non-heated air and heated air through a space, and/or wherein the air circulator comprises a rotor, and attached to the rotor a plurality of blades, in particular 3-12 blades, wherein the rotor and the plurality of blades are incorporated in a cas-

ing, wherein the casing comprises an air inlet configured to let air in, and an air outlet in flu- idic contact with the air inlet, wherein the rotor and plurality of blades are configured to flow air from the air inlet to the air outlet, in particular wherein the air inlet and the air outlet are provided with a protector, the protector configured to prevent contact from an outside user with the rotor or blades. 5. The kit of parts according to any of embodiments 1-4, wherein the circulator receiving part (11) comprises a heater receiving space configured to incorporate the heater to be intro- duced into the air-circulator body, in particular wherein the heater is in the form of a car- tridge, more in particular wherein the heater receiving space is provided before or after the air circulator,

Or wherein the heater is configured to be attached to a rear of the air circulator, and/or wherein the circulator receiving part comprises at least one receiving element (12) config- ured to match and to receive at least one incorporation element (27) of the removable heater, and/or, wherein the volume of the heater receiving space is substantially the same as of volume of the removable heater, and/or wherein the removable heater is substantially disc-shaped. 6. The kit of parts according to any of embodiments 1-5, comprising at least one wireless transceiver, in particular at least one wireless transceiver (43) in the air circulator. 7. The kit of parts according to any of embodiments 1-6, wherein the air circulator compris- es a circulator base (7), wherein the circulator base is configured as the circulator receiving part, and wherein the heater comprises a top heater opening, wherein the top heater opening is configured as the heater attachment part, or wherein the air circulator comprises a circulator base, wherein the circulator base is config- ured as the circulator receiving part, and wherein the heater comprises a recess, wherein the recess is configured as the heater attachment part, and/or wherein the circulator receiving part is provided upstream in the flow path provided by the : air circulator. 8. The kit of parts according to any of embodiments 1-7, wherein the at least one heater con- troller and the at least one air circulator controller are configured as PCB-controller, and/or wherein the at least one air circulator controller controls the at least one heater controller. 9. The kit of parts according to any of embodiments 1-8, wherein the heater is configured to provide heated air to the circulator heated air inlet or to a heated air distribution space locat- ed in an air flow provided by the circulator, in particular an air distribution space in front of the circulator, or behind the air circulator. 10. The kit of parts according to any of embodiments 1-9, wherein the grill of the air circu- lator is removable attached to the heater, and wherein the heater is removably attached to the air circulator body. 11. The kit of parts according to any of embodiments 1-10, comprising at least one remova-

ble particle filter (50), in particular a filter in the form of a cartridge, wherein the filter can be provided in the air flow of the air circulator, at the inlet, at the outlet, mor in particular wherein the particle filter has substantially the same dimensions as the removable heater. 12. The kit of parts according to any of embodiments 1-11, wherein the heater and particle filter are provided in the form of a cartridge. 13. The kit of parts according to any of embodiments 1-12, wherein the rotor and blades are made from a metal or polymeric material, and/or

Wherein “further” elements are made from polymeric materials, and/or

Wherein a heating element of the heater is provided as a glow wire, and/or as a ceramic ele- ment. 14. The kit of parts according to any of embodiments 1-13, wherein the heater is configured to provide 50-1000 W heat, in particular 100-500 W, more in particular 200-300 W, and/or

Wherein the heater is configured to operate at 110 VAC or 220 VAC, and/or at 50 or 60 Hz, or to operate at 12-48 VDC. 15. The kit of parts according to any of embodiments 1-14, wherein the domestic air circula- tor is configured to oscillate in at least one of a horizontal and vertical direction to support air circulation, in particular wherein the domestic air circulator comprises at least one of an oscillation actuator and oscillation controller. 16. The kit of parts according to any of embodiments 1-15, wherein the circulator receiving part comprises at least one slider for guiding the removable heater into the circulator receiv- ing part and for removing said removable heater. 17. The kit of parts according to any of embodiments 1-16, wherein the air circulator contact (31) comprises a removable cover for protecting the contact from touching, and/or

Wherein the air circulator contact is provided in a lower part of the air circulator, in particu- lar out of reach.

Claims

Conclusions

1. An assembly (100) comprising a domestic air circulator (10) and a removable heater (20), the air circulator comprising at least one air circulation controller (33) configured to provide air circulation, and a circulator receiving portion (11) for physically receiving the heater, the receiving portion comprising at least one electronic air circulator contact (31) for providing power to the heater, and optionally at least one electronic air circulator interface (32) for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the heater, the removable heater (20) comprising a heater mounting element (26) for physically attaching the heater to the circulator receiving portion, at least one electronic heater contact (21) for receiving power from the air circulator contact (31), and optionally at least one electronic heater interface (22) for transmitting and receiving signals from the air circulator interface (32), in particular optionally comprising at least one heating controller (23) configured to control the heater, a heating air inlet (24), and a heating air outlet (25) configured to supply heated air to the air circulator air inlet (34), in particular an electric heater, wherein the air circulator and the heater are removably mounted.

The assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one temperature sensor (41) measuring a temperature of the air in the air circulator, the temperature sensor providing input to the at least one heating controller.

The assembly of any of claims 1-2, further comprising a relative humidity sensor (42) for providing relative humidity input to the at least one air circulator controller (33) and/or heater controller (23), the at least one air circulator controller (33) and/or heater controller (23) comprising a feedback loop, wherein the heater and/or air circulator is/are controlled for humidification, in particular wherein the heater controller (21) is configured to increase or decrease the humidification provided by the heater.

4. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air circulator is configured to distribute at least one of the unheated and heated air throughout a space, and/or wherein the air circulator comprises a rotor and attached to the rotor a plurality of blades, in particular 3 to 12 blades, the rotor and the plurality of blades being incorporated in a housing, the housing comprising an air inlet configured to admit air, and an air outlet in fluid contact with the air inlet, the rotor and the plurality of blades being configured to flow air from the air inlet to the air outlet, in particular when the air inlet and the air outlet are provided with a protector, the protector being configured to prevent contact from an external user 2037545 :

to prevent the rotor or the blades.

The assembly according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the air circulator receiving part (11) comprises a heater receiving space suitable to receive the heater to be placed in the air circulator body, in particular wherein the heater is in the form of a cartridge, more particularly wherein the heater is placed before or after the air circulator, or wherein the heater is attached to the rear of the air circulator, and/or wherein the circulator receiving part comprises at least one receiving element (12) configured to receive at least one built-in element (27) of the removable heater, and/or, wherein the volume of the heater receiving space is substantially equal to the volume of the removable heater, and/or wherein the removable heater is substantially disk-shaped.

6. The assembly according to any of claims 1 to 5, comprising at least one wireless transceiver, in particular at least one wireless transceiver (43) in the air circulator.

The assembly of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the air circulator comprises a circulator base (7), the circulator base being configured as the receiving portion of the circulator, and the heater comprising an upper heating opening, the upper heating opening being configured as the mounting portion of the heater, or wherein the air circulator comprises a circulator base, the circulator base being configured as the receiving portion of the circulator, and the heater comprising a recess, the recess being configured as the mounting portion of the heater, and/or wherein the circulator receiving portion is disposed upstream in the flow path of the air circulator.

8. The assembly according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one heating controller and the at least one air circulation controller are configured as a PCB controller, and/or wherein the at least one air circulation controller controls the at least one heating controller.

The assembly of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heater is configured to supply heated air to the heated air inlet of the circulator or to a heated air distribution space located in an air stream supplied by the circulator, in particular an air distribution space before the circulator or after the air circulator.

The assembly of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the air circulator grille is removably attached to the heater and the heater is removably attached to the air circulator housing.

11. The assembly according to any of claims 1 to 10, comprising at least one removal

portable particle filter (50), in particular a filter in the form of a cartridge, wherein the filter can be placed in the air flow of the air circulator, at the inlet, at the outlet, and in particular wherein the particle filter has substantially the same dimensions as the removable heater.

12. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the heater and the particle filter are provided in the form of a cartridge.

13. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the rotor and blades are made of metal or polymer material, and/or wherein further elements are made of polymeric materials, and/or wherein a heating element of the heater is formed as a filament and/or as a ceramic element.

The assembly of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the heater is configured to provide 50-1000 W of heat, in particular 100-500 W, more particularly 200-300 W, and/or wherein the heater is configured to operate at 110 VAC or 220 VAC, and/or at 50 or 60 Hz, or to operate at 12-48 VDC.

The assembly of any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the air circulator is configured to oscillate in at least one of a horizontal and vertical direction to assist air circulation, in particular wherein the domestic air circulator comprises at least one of an oscillation actuator and an oscillation controller.

The assembly of any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the circulator receiving portion comprises at least one slide for guiding the removable heater into the circulator receiving portion and for removing the removable heater.

17. The assembly according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein the air circulation contact (31) has a removable cover to protect the contact from contact, and/or wherein the air circulation contact is arranged in a lower part of the air circulation, in particular out of reach.