Portable space heater and surface heating system

Abstract

A portable space heater includes a housing with an air inlet through which ambient air is received and an air vent through which heated air is expelled. A centrifugal fan of the heater is configured to drive air flow into the air inlet. A flow channel of the heater is configured to direct the air flow toward the air vent and a heating element heats the air flow in the flow channel. The heater additionally includes a sensor configured to sense proximity of a body part to the air vent and a controller configured to pause operation of the heating element based on the sensing, wherein the centrifugal fan, the flow channel, the heating element, the sensor and the controller are housed in the housing.

1 . A portable space heater comprising:
 a housing including an air inlet through which ambient air is received and an air vent through which heated air is expelled;   a centrifugal fan configured to drive air flow into the air inlet;   a flow channel configured to direct the air flow toward the air vent;   a heating element configured to heat the air flow in the flow channel;   a sensor configured to sense proximity of a body part to the air vent; and   a controller configured to pause operation of the heating element based on the sensing, wherein the centrifugal fan, the flow channel, the heating element, the sensor and the controller are housed in the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The portable space heater according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes an inductive coil and is configured to sense a change in magnetic field based on proximity of a body part. 
     
     
         3 . The portable space heater according to  claim 2 , wherein the coil encompasses the air vent. 
     
     
         4 . The portable space heater according to  claim 1 , comprising an accelerometer configured to sense jolting of the portable space heater, wherein the controller is configured to pause operation of the heating element based on sensing the jolting. 
     
     
         5 . The portable space heater according to  claim 1 , comprising a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to sense temperature inside the housing and wherein the controller is configured to pause operation of the heating element based on sensing a temperature above a pre-defined temperature. 
     
     
         6 . The portable space heater according to  claim 1 , comprising a cylindrically shaped thermal insulator and a metal guard, wherein the heating element is housed in the cylindrically shaped thermal insulator and the metal guard is positioned on one end of the cylindrically shaped thermal insulator. 
     
     
         7 . The portable space heater according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 a control panel configured for user interface;   a ring shaped optical diffuser encompassing the control panel; and   an LED positioned under the ring shaped optical diffuser, wherein the LED is configured to illuminate through the ring shaped optical diffuser.   
     
     
         8 . The portable space heater according to  claim 7 , wherein the control panel includes a touch screen and wherein the controller is configured to automatically lock the touch screen based on sensing an idle period. 
     
     
         9 . The portable space heater according to  claim 1 , comprising a grill assembly including a grill holder and a grill, wherein the grill includes a plurality of blades extending into the air vent and fixedly angled with respect to direction of the air flow through the flow channel. 
     
     
         10 . The portable space heater according to  claim 9 , wherein the grill holder is configured to connect to an adaptor. 
     
     
         11 . The portable space heater according to  claim 9 , comprising an air vent adaptor configured to removably receive the grill holder. 
     
     
         12 . A mat comprising:
 a first layer formed with at least one open air channel extending from an edge of the first layer in a direction along a surface of the first layer;   a second layer overlaid on a surface of the first layer exposing the at least one open air channel, wherein the second layer includes an array of air holes, and wherein the array of air holes overlap with the at least one open air channel; and   an inlet port mounted on the edge of the first layer and configured to direct air flow from an external source through the at least one open air channel.   
     
     
         13 . The mat of  claim 12 , comprising a third layer overlaid on the second layer, wherein the third layer is a layer of fabric. 
     
     
         14 . The mat of  claim 13 , wherein the fabric is 3D mesh fabric. 
     
     
         15 . The mat of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one open air channel includes a plurality of open air channels and wherein the plurality of open air channels extend across the mat and are spaced from one another. 
     
     
         16 . The mat of  claim 15 , wherein the spacing between each of the plurality of open air channels varies with distance from the inlet port, or wherein the plurality of open air channels are formed with a gradient diameter, wherein the diameter increases with distance from the inlet port. 
     
     
         17 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The mat of  claim 12 , wherein the first layer is formed with polyethylene or ethylene vinyl acetate and wherein the at least one open air channel is integral to the first layer and is formed by molding, or wherein the array of air holes is aligned with the at least one open air channel, or wherein the array of air holes is asymmetrically spread over the second layer. 
     
     
         20 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The mat according to claim  128 , wherein the at least one air channel and the array of air holes are spatially positioned and patterned to provide a uniform temperature across the mat based on air flowing through the at least one air channel and the array of air holes. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A tube assembly configured to direct air from an air vent to a mat including at least one air channel therein, the tube assembly comprising:
 a pair of tubes;   a Y shaped tube connector connected at one end of the pair of tubes:   a pair of tube connectors connected at a second end of the pair of tubes; and   a sleeve covering the pair of tubes.   
     
     
         27 - 32 . (canceled)