ELECTRIC STOVE

Abstract

An electric stove comprising a first body made of thermally conductive material and defining a hermetically sealed first chamber; a second body made of thermally conductive material and defining a hermetically sealed second chamber, inside which is contained the first body to make, between the first and the second body, at least one interspace containing at least one working fluid to be heated; a heating device/element/component/unit or the like (or heater), arranged dipped in the working fluid and electrically operable to heat the latter.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electric stove.

BACKGROUND ART

Several electric stoves are known and are generally used for room heating or the like.

In particular, some types of stoves are very widespread which make use of electrical heating elements that can be operated to heat the surrounding air so as to gradually give heat to the room to be heated.

This type of stove generally comprises a supporting frame on which the heating elements are mounted and a special fan adapted to move a flow of air that hits the heating elements themselves, accumulates heat and disperses into the room, by heating it.

In this way, to take advantage of these stoves it is simply needed to place the supporting frame inside the room to be heated and operate the stove, that is, the heating elements and the fan.

However, these types of stoves are susceptible to some refinements.

In particular, the stoves of known type make use of electrical heating elements directly in contact with the air inside the room to be heated. This device facilitates heat transmission, but inevitably reduces the thermal inertia of the stove.

In other words, this type of stove immediately stops to transmit heat to the room to be heated following their switching off.

This drawback greatly limits the performance of this type of stoves, which, therefore, are characterized by low thermal capacity and high power consumption, resulting in higher heating costs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The main aim of the present invention is to devise an electric stove with high thermal inertia.

An additional object of the present invention is to devise an electric stove having appreciable aesthetic features.

Another object of the present invention is to devise an electric stove that allows overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art within a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and low cost solution.

The objects set out above are achieved by the present electric stove having the characteristics of claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment of an electric stove, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the accompanying tables of drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of the stove according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the stove according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the stove according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the first body and of the second body of the stove according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is an axonometric view of another embodiment of the stove according to the invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates an electric stove.

The stove 1 comprises:

• • at least a first body 2, made of thermally conductive material and defining at least a hermetically sealed first chamber 3;
  • at least a second body 4, made of thermally conductive material and defining at least a hermetically sealed second chamber 5, inside which is contained the first body 2 to make, between the first and the second body 2, 4, at least one interspace 6 containing at least one working fluid to be heated;
  • heating means 7, arranged dipped in the working fluid and electrically operable to heat the latter.

In particular, the interspace 6 substantially surrounds the entire first body 2.

Advantageously, the working fluid is of the type of a fluid having high heat capacity, such as e.g. diathermic oil and the like or even fluids of known type.

This device allows the stove to work with a double effect, that is, it allows the working fluid to release heat to the room and at the same time to keep the stove itself at a constant temperature.

In this way, the working fluid retains heat, by releasing it gradually over time even after the stove 1 is turned off.

Conveniently, the first body 2 faces externally the second body 4 containing it, so as to define the interspace 6.

Preferably, the first body 2 comprises a plurality of first walls 8a, 8b, 8c associated in continuity with each other to define the conformation of the first body 2.

According to the invention, the first body 2 preferably comprises a plurality of first side walls 8a, and at least a first lower wall 8b and a first upper wall 8c arranged opposite each other.

Specifically, the first lower wall 8b and the first upper wall 8c define the vertical extension of the first body 2 and the first side walls 8a define the horizontal extension of the first body 2.

Similarly, the second body 4 comprises a plurality of second walls 9a, 9b, 9c associated in continuity with each other to define the conformation of the second body 4.

Furthermore, the second body 2 comprises a plurality of second side walls 9a and at least a second lower wall 9b and at least a second upper wall 9c arranged opposite each other.

In particular, the second lower wall 9b and the second upper wall 9c define the vertical extension of the second body 4 and the second side walls 9a define the horizontal extension of the second body 4.

In particular, the first and the second body 2, 4 have substantially the same conformation and different dimensions from each other.

More specifically, the first body 2 has a smaller size than the second body 4, being contained entirely inside the latter.

In addition, the first body and the second body 2, 4 comprise the same number of walls 8a, 8b, 8c, 9a, 9b, 9c.

Each first wall 8a, 8b, 8c faces, substantially opposite and parallel, a second wall 9a, 9b, 9c.

Preferably, the first and the second body 2, 4 have prismatic conformation, but further embodiments of the stove 1 cannot be ruled out wherein the first body and the second body 2, 4 are of different conformation, e.g. polyhedral, spherical or the like.

Conveniently, the second body 4 defines at least one housing chamber 10 of the heating means 7 communicating with the interspace 6 in a fluid-operated manner.

Preferably, the housing chamber 10 is made below the interspace 6.

The term “below” is used with reference to the conditions of normal use of the stove 1, as shown in FIG. 1 wherein the stove itself is placed resting on a stable surface, such as e.g. the ground.

Conveniently, the stove 1 comprises movement means, not shown in the figures, mounted on the second body 4 and adapted to move the stove on a stable surface, such as e.g. the ground.

Preferably, the movement means comprise a plurality of wheels associated with the second body 4 and arranged to rest on a stable surface on which the stove slides due to the rotation of the wheels themselves.

Advantageously, the stove 1 comprises filling/emptying means 11 mounted on the second body 4 and adapted to fill/empty the working fluid inside/outside of the interspace 6.

In particular, the filling/emptying means 11 comprise at least one tap 28 connected to the interspace 6 in a fluid-operated manner and operable to fill/empty the working fluid inside/outside of the same.

Conveniently, the first chamber 3 contains an operating fluid heated by the working fluid as a result of the heat exchange with the first body 2.

Preferably, the operating fluid completely fills the first chamber 3 and consists of air.

Advantageously, the operating fluid contained inside the first chamber 3 is heated by means of heat supplied by the heating means 7 during the normal operation of the stove 1.

More specifically, the heating means 7 heat the working fluid, which in turn heats the first body and the second body 2, 4.

Similarly, the heat given to the first body 2 is transferred to the operating fluid contained inside the first chamber 3, in contact with the first body 2 only.

Therefore, during the operation of the stove 1, the operating fluid continuously stores heat which is transferred back to the working fluid when the latter reaches a lower temperature than that of the operating fluid itself.

In this way, the operating fluid operates as an additional heat reservoir that increases the heat capacity of the stove 1, increasing the time during which the stove 1 continues to transfer heat to the room as a result of its switching off.

Advantageously, the stove 1 comprises spacing means 12, arranged inside the interspace 6, positioned between the first and the second body 2, 4 and adapted to keep the same spaced apart from each other.

In particular, the spacing means 12 comprise at least one spacer body 13a, 13b, 13c associated with at least one of either the first or the second body 2, 4.

Advantageously, the spacing means 12 comprise a plurality of spacer bodies 13a, 13b, 13c.

Furthermore, the spacer bodies 13a, 13b, 13c are spaced apart from each other and distributed inside the interspace 6 to cover, substantially, the entire extension of the first and second body 2, 4.

Preferably, the spacing means 12 comprise at least one spacer body 13a, 13b, 13c positioned between each of the first and second wall 8a, 8b, 8c, 9a, 9b, 9c.

In particular, the spacing means 12 comprise at least one side spacer body 13a arranged at the first and second side walls 8a, 9a.

Preferably, the spacing means 12 comprise a plurality of side spacer bodies 13a. In addition, the spacing means 12 comprise at least one lower spacer body 13b and at least one upper spacer body 13c, arranged at the first and second lower walls 8b, 9b and the first and second upper walls 8c, 9c, respectively.

Preferably, the spacing means 12 comprise a plurality of lower spacer bodies 13b and a plurality of upper spacer bodies 13c.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, the spacing means 12 comprise at least one side spacer body 13a associated with the first side walls 8a and extending cantilevered towards the second side walls 9a without reaching them.

In addition, the spacing means 12 comprise at least one upper spacer body 13c associated with the second upper wall 9a and extending cantilevered towards the first upper wall 8c without reaching it.

In this way, the spacer bodies 13b, 13c are adapted to abut against the other of either the first or second body 2, 4, as a result of the movement of at least one of either the first or second body 2, 4 moving close to the other of either the first or second body 2, 4, keeping them spaced apart from each other.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, the spacing means 12 comprise at least one lower spacer body 13b associated with the second lower wall 9b and extending towards the first lower wall 8b, abutting against it.

Further embodiments of the stove 1 cannot however be ruled out wherein the spacer body 13 is associated with the first and second body 2, 4, by passing through the interspace 6.

Advantageously, the stove 1 comprises fastening means 15, 16, arranged inside the interspace 6, positioned between the first and second body 2, 4 and adapted to block the first and second body 2, 4 together.

In particular, the fastening means 15, 16 are of the type of removable fastening means, adapted to block the first and second body 2, 4 together in a removable manner.

In particular, the fastening means 15, 16 comprise at least a first portion of fastening 15 associated with one of either the first or second body 2, 4, and at least a second portion of fastening 16, coupleable in a removable manner to the first portion of fastening 15 and associated with the other of either the first or second body 2, 4.

Preferably, the first portion of fastening 15 comprises at least one hook element 17 and the second portion of fastening 16 comprises at least one slot element 18, inside which the hook element 17 is insertable by sliding.

In particular, one of either the hook element 17 or the slot element 18 is coupleable in a sliding manner to the other of either the hook element 17 or the slot element 18 from top to bottom.

Advantageously, the fastening means 15, 16 comprise a plurality of first and second portions of fastening 15, 16 arranged spaced apart from each other and distributed inside the interspace 6 to cover substantially the entire extension of the first and second body 2, 4.

Preferably, the first and second portions of fastening 15, 16 are arranged at the first and second side walls 8a, 9a.

Embodiments of the stove 1 cannot be ruled out wherein the fastening means 15, 16 coincide with the spacing means 12.

In fact, the first and second portions of fastening 15, 16 extend cantilevered towards each other inside the interspace 6, as shown in FIG. 5.

Therefore, when the first and second portions of fastening 15, 16 are coupled together, they define a structural connection element which physically connects the first and the second body 2, 4.

Such a structural connection element makes the first and second body 2, 4 less susceptible to deformation.

In particular, an alternative embodiment of the stove 1 is shown in FIG. 3, wherein the first and second portions of fastening 15, 16 coincide with the side spacer body 13a.

Advantageously, the stove 1 comprises coating means 19 mounted on the second body 4, in order to provide an appreciable aesthetic appearance.

Preferably, the coating means 19 conceal the entire second body 4 from view.

In particular, the coating means 19 comprise at least one coating body 19a, 19b, mounted on the second body 4 and spaced apart from the latter to define, between the second body 4 and the coating body 19a, 19b, at least one interstice 20 containing at least one functional fluid.

Preferably, the interstice 20 entirely surrounds the second body 4.

Conveniently, the functional fluid is heated by thermal conduction from the working fluid through the second body 4 and completely fills the interstice 20. In addition, the functional fluid is preferably air.

Advantageously, the functional fluid contained inside the interstice 20 is heated by means of the heat provided by the heating means 7 during the operation of the stove 1.

In more detail, the heating means 7 heat the working fluid, which in turn heats the first and second body 4.

Similarly, the heat given to the second body 4 is transferred to the functional fluid, which in turn transfers heat to the coating body 19a, 19b.

As a result, the coating body 19a, 19b transfers heat to the room to be heated.

Advantageously, during the operation of the stove 1, the functional fluid remains trapped inside the interstice 20. In this way, the functional fluid continuously accumulates heat, which is gradually transferred to the coating body 19a, 19b.

The functional fluid operates as an additional heat reservoir that increases the heat capacity of the stove 1, thus increasing the time during which the stove 1 continues to transfer heat to the room as a result of its switching off Conveniently, the coating body 19a, 19b has a substantially bell-shaped conformation so as to fit the second body 4 from top to bottom, by coating it.

In particular, the second body 4 faces outwardly from the coating body 19a, 19b which surrounds it.

Preferably, the coating means 19 comprise at least one through gap 21 formed on the coating body 19a, 19b and adapted to set the interstice 20 in fluid-operated communication with the room to be heated.

In this way, the functional fluid is free to flow in a controlled manner between the room to be heated and the interstice 20.

Conveniently, the coating means 19 comprise a plurality of coating bodies 19a, 19b mounted on the second body 4.

Alternative embodiments of the stove 1 cannot however be ruled out wherein the coating means 19 comprise a single monolithic coating body 19a, 19b.

Preferably, the coating bodies 19a, 19b are spaced apart from each other to define one or more through gaps 21.

Alternative embodiments of the stove 1 cannot however be ruled out wherein the coating bodies 19a, 19b match in contact with each other to define a closed interstice 20.

Advantageously, the coating means 19 comprise at least a plurality of side coating bodies 19a, wherein each side coating body 19a faces a second side wall 9a.

Furthermore, the coating means 19 comprise at least one upper coating body 19b arranged facing the second upper wall 9c.

In this manner, the coating means 19 define a coating having a conformation that reproduces the conformation of the second body 4, as shown in FIG. 2.

Conveniently, the stove 1 comprises separating means 23, arranged inside the interstice 20, positioned between the second body 4 and the coating body 19a, 19b and adapted to keep the same spaced apart from each other.

In particular, the separating means 23 comprise at least one separating body 24a, 24b associated with at least one of either the coating body 19a, 19b or the second body 4.

In particular, the separating means 23 comprise a plurality of separating bodies 24a, 24b.

Furthermore, the separating bodies 24a, 24b are spaced apart from each other and distributed inside the interstice 20 to cover substantially the entire extension of the coating body 19a, 19b and of the second body 4.

Preferably, the separating means 23 comprise at least one separating body 24a, 24b positioned between each coating body 19a, 19b and each second wall 9a, 9b.

Advantageously, the separating means 23 comprise at least one side separating body 24a arranged at the second side wall 9a and at the side coating body 19a. Preferably, the separating means 23 comprise a plurality of side separating bodies 24a.

Furthermore, the separating means 23 comprise at least one upper separating body 24b arranged at the second upper wall 9c and at the upper coating body 19b.

Preferably, the separating means 23 comprise a plurality of upper separating bodies 24b.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, the separating means 23 comprise at least one side separating body 24a associated with the second side wall 9a and with the side coating body 19a, by passing through the interstice 20.

Furthermore, the separating means 23 comprise at least one upper separating body 24b associated with the second upper wall 9c and extending towards the upper coating body 19b, abutting against it.

Further embodiments of the stove 1 cannot be ruled out wherein the upper separating body 24b is associated with the second upper wall 9c and with the upper coating body 19b.

Conveniently, the stove 1 comprises clamping means 26, 27, arranged inside the interstice 20, positioned between the coating body 19a, 19b and the second body 4 and adapted to clamp the coating body 19a, 19b to the second body 4.

In particular, the clamping means 26, 27 are of the type of removable clamping means, adapted to clamp the coating body 19a, 19b to the second body 4 in a removable manner.

Advantageously, the clamping means 26, 27 comprise at least a first portion of clamping 26, associated with one of either the coating body 19a, 19b or the second body 4, and at least a second portion of clamping 27 coupleable to the first portion of clamping 26 in a removable manner and associated with the other of either the coating body 19a, 19b or the second body 4.

Preferably, the first portion of clamping 26 comprises at least one hook member 29 and the second portion of clamping 27 comprises at least one slot member 30, inside which the hook member 29 is insertable in a sliding manner.

In particular, one of either the hook member 29 or the slot member 30 is coupleable, in a sliding manner, to the other of either the hook member 29 or the slot member 30, from top to bottom.

Advantageously, the clamping means 26, 27 comprise a plurality of first and second portions of clamping 26, 27 arranged spaced apart from each other and distributed inside the interstice 20 to cover substantially the entire extension of the second body 4 and of the coating body 19a, 19b.

Preferably, the first and second portions of clamping 26, 27 are arranged at the second side walls 9a and at the side coating bodies 19a.

Conveniently, the clamping means 26, 27 coincide with the separating means 23.

In particular, the first and second portions of clamping 26, 27 coincide with the side separating body 24a.

Advantageously, the stove 1 comprises control means, not shown in the figures, of the heating means 7.

In particular, the control means are configured to activate/deactivate the heating means 7.

In addition, the control means are configured to set the temperature reached by the heating means 7.

Conveniently, the control means comprise connection means to at least one remote control device.

In particular, the connection means are of the type of wireless connection means, i.e., connection means configured to communicate with the remote control device by means of a wireless communication network, such as e.g. the Internet.

Furthermore, by control device is meant any electronic device configured to communicate remotely with the connection means via a wireless communication network, such as e.g. the Internet.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects.

In particular, it should be noted that the interspace created between the first and the second body allows the working fluid to be contained inside a closed space, thus increasing the thermal inertia of the stove.

In addition, the first chamber allows the operating fluid to be contained inside a closed space surrounded by the interspace, thus helping to increase the thermal inertia of the stove.

Similarly, the interstice created between the second body and the coating body allows the functional fluid to be contained, thus further increasing the thermal inertia of the stove.

In addition, the coating body allows giving the stove an appreciable aesthetic appearance.

Claims

1) An electric stove, comprising:

at least a first body, made of thermally conductive material and defining at least a hermetically sealed first chamber;

at least a second body, made of thermally conductive material and defining at least a hermetically sealed second chamber, inside which is contained said first body to make, between said first and said second body, at least one interspace containing at least one working fluid to be heated; and

heating means, arranged dipped in said working fluid and electrically operable to heat said working fluid.

2) The electric stove according to claim 1, wherein said first chamber contains an operating fluid heated by said working fluid as a result of the heat exchange with said first body.

3) The electric stove according to claim 1, wherein said second body defines at least one housing chamber of said heating means, fluidly communicating with said interspace.

4) The electric stove according to claim 1, further comprising: spacing means, arranged inside said interspace, positioned between said first and said second body and adapted to keep the same spaced from each other.

5) The electric stove according to claim 1, further comprising: fastening means arranged inside said interspace, positioned between said first and said second body and adapted to block said first body to said second body.

6) The electric stove according to claim 5, wherein said fastening means comprise at least a first portion of fastening, associated with one of either said first or said second body, and at least a second portion of fastening, coupleable in a removable manner to said first portion of fastening and associated with the other of either said first or said second body.

7) The electric stove according to claim 1, further comprising: filling/emptying means, mounted on said second body and adapted to fill/empty said working fluid inside/outside of said interspace.

8) The electric stove according to claim 1, further comprising: coating means mounted on said second body.

9) The electric stove according to claim 8, wherein said coating means comprise at least one coating body, mounted on said second body and spaced apart from said second body to define, between said second body and said coating body, at least one interstice containing at least one functional fluid.

10) The electric stove according to claim 9, further comprising: separating means, arranged inside said interstice, positioned between said second body and said coating body and adapted to keep the same spaced apart from each other.

11) The electric stove according to claim 9, further comprising: clamping means arranged inside said interstice, positioned between said coating body and said second body and adapted to clamp said coating body to said second body.

12) The electric stove according to claim 11, wherein said clamping means comprise at least a first portion of clamping, associated with one of either said coating body or said second body, and at least a second portion of clamping coupleable in a removable manner to said first portion of clamping and associated with the other of said coating body or said second body.

13) An electric stove comprising:

at least a first body, defining at least a hermetically sealed first chamber;

at least a second body, defining at least a hermetically sealed second chamber, inside which is contained said first body to make, between said first and said second body, at least one interspace containing at least one working fluid to be heated; and

a heater, arranged dipped in said working fluid and electrically operable to heat said working fluid, wherein

said at least a first body and said at least a second body are both made of thermally conductive material.

14) The electric stove according to claim 13, further comprising: a spacer or a spacing element, arranged inside said interspace, positioned between said first and said second body.

15) The electric stove according to claim 13, further comprising: a fastener or a fastening element, arranged inside said interspace, positioned between said first and said second body and adapted to block said first body to said second body.

16) The electric stove according to claim 13, further comprising: a filling/emptying device, mounted on said second body and adapted to fill/empty said working fluid inside/outside of said interspace.

17) The electric stove according to claim 13, further comprising: a coating device mounted on said second body.

18) The electric stove according to claim 17, said coating means comprise at least one coating body, mounted on said second body and spaced apart from said second body to define, between said second body and said coating body, at least one interstice containing at least one functional fluid, and said electric stove further comprising: a separating device, arranged inside said interstice, positioned between said second body and said coating body.

19) The electric stove according to claim 18, further comprising: a clamping device, arranged inside said interstice, positioned between said coating body and said second body and adapted to clamp said coating body to said second body.