Electric Fire

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to electric fires and in particular to an electric fire which includes a partially transparent first screen, a second screen behind the first screen, a flame flicker generator provided forwardly of the second screen, and a mask for defining a flame pattern, and configured to provide for generation of a flame pattern having a flicker effect on the second screen of the fire behind the first screen, wherein the flame flicker generator is orientated such that light exiting the generator passes through the mask and directly to the second screen.

Background Electric fires are well known in the art. Such fires typically include a heating element in for example the form of a fan heater or the like and operably provide for the generation of heat. Such fires have traditionally been provided to replace real combustion fires. As part of this replacement of the real fire it is known to provide electric fires with flame effect simulators which are usefully employed to generate flame effects within an interior of the electric fire such that a user gets the visual impression of a fire burning within the fire. Such flame effect simulators are typically combined with an artificial fuel bed which provides for a simulation of the combustible material that is employed within the electric fire.

With the development of central heating within a domestic environment it is known that the electric fire provides a focal point within the room where it is located and the necessity for the heating element of the fire is not as prevalent. It is therefore known that electric fires can be provided without heating elements and within the context of the present invention the term electric fire is used to describe those fires that both include and omit heating elements.

There are many ways to provide flame effects within the housing of an electric fire. Known arrangements are useful in generating a flicker effect which is visible on the screen, but there is a continued desire to provide more and more realistic effects which can be generated in a manner whereby the user of the fire is not aware of the means used to create the effects. For these reasons and others, there is a need for an improved electric fire which can simulate flame effects on a screen within the fire.

Summary

These and other problems are addressed by an electric fire provided in accordance with the teaching of the present invention.

Accordingly the invention provides an electric fire according to claim 1 . Advantageous embodiments are provided in the dependent claims. These and other features of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following drawings.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side sectional view of an exemplary electric fire according to the present teaching;

Figure 2 is a side sectional view of another exemplary electric fire including a light source disposed within a flame flicker generator, according to the present teaching; Figure 3 is a diagram of an exemplary flame flicker generator according to the present teaching;

Figure 3a is a perspective view of an exemplary flame flicker generator including a moveable baffle on which light filters are arranged, according to the present teaching;

Figure 3b is a perspective view of a flame flicker generator according to another arrangement wherein a cylindrical sleeve is disposed around the moveable baffle and light filters are arranged on the sleeve, according to the present teaching;

Figure 4 is a side sectional view of another exemplary electric fire including a flame flicker generator comprising a container at least partially filled with a plurality of solid elements, according to the present teaching;

Figure 5 is a side sectional view of another exemplary electric fire including a flame flicker generator comprising a container at least partially filled with a fluid, according to the present teaching;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of another exemplary electric fire including a flame flicker generator comprising a plurality of ribbons, according to the present teaching;

Figure 7 is a view of a configuration of a mask comprising a fire pattern template which is partially covered by a light filter, according to the present teaching;

Figure 8 is a view of a configuration of a mask comprising a fire pattern template which is partially covered by two different light filters, according to the present teaching; and

FIG. 9 is a front view of an exemplary electric fire including a lens arrangement, according to the present teaching.

Detailed Description Of The Drawings

Exemplary arrangements of a fire provided in accordance with the teaching of the present invention will be described hereinafter to assist with an understanding of the benefits of the present invention. Such a fire will be understood as being exemplary of the type of fire that could be provided and is not intended to limit the present invention to any one specific arrangement as modifications could be made to that described herein without departing from the scope of the invention. Figure 1 is a side sectional view of an exemplary electric fire 100 according to the present teaching. Referring to Figure 1 , the electric fire 100 includes a housing 105 which defines an interior volume 1 10. The housing 105 includes a partially reflective and partially transparent first screen 105a and a second screen 105b disposed behind the first screen 105a. In this regard, the first screen 105a may comprise a glass sheet. A flame pattern may be operably provided on the second screen 105b behind the first screen 105a. On generation of a flame pattern a user of the fire 100 located to the front of the fire 100 will see the flame pattern on the second screen 105b through the partially transparent first screen 105a. The fire 100 comprises a mask 170 defining a flame template 175 provided therein such that operably light passing through the mask 170 adopts the mask pattern to create a desired flame pattern, corresponding substantially with the pattern of the flame template 175. The mask 170 is located between the light source 130 and the second screen 105b. More specifically, the mask 170 may be disposed between a flame flicker generator 140 to be described later and the second screen 105b. Alternatively, the mask 170 may be disposed between the light source 130 and the flame flicker generator 140. By providing such a mask 170 it is possible to constrain where on the second screen 105b light will be incident. The mask 170, the light source 130 and the flame flicker generator 140 are configured such that the light exiting the light source 130 is projected rearwardly onto the second screen 105b. Typically this orientation is such that the light is transmitted through the flame flicker generator 140 and the mask 170 onto the second screen 105b, desirably without any reflection and redirection off a third surface. Referring to FIG. 7, the flame template may be effected by providing a cut out in a metal sheet or the like or by providing regions of different transparency in a continuous element, such that light passing through the regions of greater transparency will be of higher intensity on the second screen 105b. Referring to FIG. 1 , the mask 170 is provided as a separate element to the flame flicker generator 140. The mask 170 is angularly offset from the second screen 105b so that the height of the flame pattern defined on the second screen 105b is dependent on the angle at which the mask 170 is disposed with respect to the second screen 105b. It will be appreciated that because the mask 170 is not parallel to the second screen 105b, the size of the flame template 175 does not correspond to the actual size of the flame pattern defined on the second screen 105b. Thus, a relatively narrow flame template 175 can effect a relatively large flame pattern on the second screen 105b.

The second screen 105b may be disposed on or close to a rear wall 1 15 of the housing 105. In another arrangement the second screen 105b may be integrally formed with the rear wall 1 15 of the housing 105. Such an

arrangement is optimally provided by having the rear wall 1 15 of the housing 105 provided with an at least partially reflective surface 1 15a. This may be provided by suitably treating the material used for the rear wall 1 15 - such as by painting or the like. Alternatively the material chosen for the rear wall 1 15 may be such as to have a naturally reflective surface. By providing the flame pattern on the second screen 105b of the electric fire 100 behind the first screen 105a, the overall design of the electric fire 100 can have a compact structure.

The fire 100 may comprise a fuel bed 125 abutting the front of the first screen 105a at a level substantially coincident with the bottom of the second screen 105b. Referring to Figure 1 , the fuel bed 125 may be disposed on a partially transparent shelf 126. However, the present teaching is not limited thereto and it will be appreciated that any supporting arrangement may be usefully employed. By providing an at least partially transparent shelf 126, light below the fuel bed 125 may be transmitted up into the fuel bed 125 and to illuminate an interior volume 128 thereof. If the fuel bed 125 includes portions that are at least partially transparent or translucent then it will appear as if the fuel bed 125 is internally illuminated. By forming the fuel bed 125 of a suitable material which is at least partially transparent, such interior illumination will be visible by a user located to the front of the fire 100. The second screen 105b may comprise an at least partially reflective front surface 1 15a, such that it is possible to mirror the fuel bed 125 so as to give the impression that the flame pattern displayed on the second screen 105b originates from a mid portion of the fuel bed 125, thereby enhancing the optical effect of the flame effect generated. In an exemplary configuration the fuel bed 125 is arranged relative to the first screen 105a such that a rear surface of the fuel bed 125 is coincident with or in contact with a front surface of the first screen 105a. By bringing each of the fuel bed 125 and first screen 105a closer together the visual effect of the reflected fuel bed within the first screen 105a is improved. Furthermore, such an arrangement restricts a user located to the front of the fire viewing internal elements or components of the fire as the fuel bed 125 is located substantially in their line of sight. The electric fire 100 may further comprise a front screen (not shown) provided to the front of the fuel bed 125, wherein the front screen prevents access to an interior volume of the fire 100. The front screen may comprise a glass sheet.

A light source 130 which may comprise one or more LEDs is provided in a lower or bottom region 135 of the housing 105 and may be used to illuminate the second screen 105b. The same light source 130 may optimally be used to simultaneously illuminate the fuel bed 125. The light source 130 may be coupled to a power supply (not shown). While it is possible to illuminate the second screen 105b with a single light source 130, a plurality of light sources may be provided. These may allow for a selective direction of light onto different portions of the second screen 105b and/or simply to distribute the light generated across the width of the fire 100. By providing a plurality of individual light sources the light output from each of the light sources can be individually varied such that selective portions of the second screen 105b can be

simultaneously illuminated with different colours. This may be advantageously provided by including one or more multicoloured light emitting diodes (LEDs) within the light source arrangement whose colour output can be varied depending on application of a suitable control signal.

The electric fire 100 further comprises a moveable flame flicker generator 140 for effecting a flame flicker effect on the second screen 105b and in the fuel bed 125. The flame flicker generator 140 may be provided between the light source 130 and the second screen 105b. In one configuration the flame flicker generator 140 is also provided between the light source 130 and the fuel bed 125. The flame flicker generator 140 is disposed forwardly of the second screen 105b, and orientated within the housing 105 such that most of the light exiting the moving flame flicker generator 140 passes directly to the second screen through the mask 170 underneath the fuel bed 125. It does not in this preferred arrangement pass between the fuel bed 125 and the first screen 105a prior to incidence on the second screen 105b. In a preferred arrangement the light passes from the flicker generator 140, through the mask 170 and onto the second screen 105b without passing through the first screen 105a. In this way light generated by the light source 130 passes through the moving flame flicker generator 140 and the mask 170 and is incident on the second screen 105b where it may be used to create the visual impression of one or more flames. At the same time, the light generated by the light source 130 and transmitted through the moving flame flicker generator 140 is incident on the lower surface of the fuel bed 125. By orientating the flame flicker generator 140 such that light exiting the flame flicker generator 140 passes directly to the second screen 105b via the mask 170, it is possible to orientate the first screen 105a and fuel bed 125 within the housing 105 in a manner whereby a user of the fire 100 cannot see the flame flicker generator 140 from a position in front of the fire 100. At least one of the first screen 105a and fuel bed 125 are provided in the line of sight between a user of the fire 100 located to the front of the fire 100 and the flame flicker generator 140. This improves the overall effect of the flame effect in that the user may observe the generated flame pattern but cannot see the means used to generate that pattern. Referring to FIG. 2, the light source 130 may be alternatively disposed within the flame flicker generator 140. It will be appreciated that the flicker effect that is transmitted into the light passing through the moving flame flicker generator 140 is also incident on the fuel bed 125. As the underside of the fuel bed 125 is within the light path of the light passing outwardly from the flame flicker generator 140 it too will be illuminated differently depending on the movement of the flame flicker generator 140.

Movement of the flame flicker generator 140 may be effected by coupling the flame flicker generator 140 to a motor (not shown), activation of which effects movement of the flame flicker generator 140. As the flame flicker generator 140 moves, it causes a break in the light being transmitted onto the second screen 105b and the fuel bed 125, thereby causing flicker effects on the second screen 105b and the fuel bed 125.

Figure 3 shows an exemplary flame flicker generator 140 according to the present teaching. Referring to Figure 3, the flame flicker generator 140 according to this arrangement may comprise a moveable baffle 142 having a plurality of slits 145 provided therein. Desirably the baffle 142 is rotatable and the rotation of the baffle 142 effectively moves the slits 145 in and out of the transmission path between the light source 130 and the second screen 105b. The baffle 142 comprises a curved surface with the plurality of slits 145 arranged circumferentially about an axis of rotation of the baffle 142. When the slits 145 occlude the light path there is a corresponding absence of light on the second screen 105b; when the slits 145 are in the light path, the light generated by the light source 130 may pass through the slits 145, and be transmitted through the mask 170 and onto the second screen 105b to generate a lighting effect on the second screen 105b. The periodic change in intensity of light incident on the second screen 105b creates flicker effects. Desirably the slits 145 have a length 146 and a width 147 and are arranged in the baffle 142 such that the length 146 extends substantially transverse to the axis of rotation A-A' of the baffle 142. In this way the rotation of the baffle 142 gradually increases and then decreases the intensity of light seen on the second screen 105b. In a preferred arrangement the slits 145 are grouped into sets of similar slits; a first set having dimensions larger than the dimensions of the second set. By suitably arranging the individual slits of the two sets relative to one another on the surface of the baffle 142 it is possible to further improve the effect generated. This may optimally be provided by staggering the two sets such that individual slits of a first set are separated by individual ones of the second set.

Typically the moveable baffle 142 is provided in a cylindrical configuration. In such arrangements the light source 130 will be arranged to extend along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. The light source 130 may be disposed below the moveable baffle 142, as shown in FIG. 1 , or within the moveable baffle 142, as shown in FIG. 2. Further, the light source 130 may comprise one or more lighting elements such as LEDs.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of another exemplary electric fire 200 including a mask 270 and a flame flicker generator 240 comprising a container 241 at least partially filled with a plurality of solid elements 242, according to the present teaching. As described above, the mask 270 is angularly offset from a second screen 205b and defines a flame template provided therein (not shown) such that operably light passing through the mask 270 adopts the pattern of the flame template to create a desired flame pattern on the second screen 205b. By offsetting the mask 270 at an angle to the second screen 205b, a relatively narrow flame template can effect a relatively large flame pattern on the second screen 205b. Typically the container 241 will be at most half filled to allow for free movement of the solid elements 242 within the container 241 . Examples of the type of solid elements or bodies that could be usefully employed include coloured or at least partially transparent glass beads, plastic balls, sand, polystyrene bodies or the like. In this arrangement the movement of the container 241 is effected by having the container 241 rotatable about an axis that is parallel to the front of the fire 200. Rotation of the container 241 will cause the elements 242 within the container 241 to move which will operably affect the transmission of light through the container 241 . One or more projections 243 may be provided on an inner surface of the container 241 and as the elements 242 are incident on the projections 243, their movement within the container 241 is altered. The container 241 may be coupled to a motor and while rotation is described, any suitable movement of the container 241 could suffice to impart the necessary movement to the solid elements 242. Again in this configuration the generator 240 is disposed relative to the light source and the second screen 205b such that light exiting the generator 240 passes through the mask 270 and onto the second screen 205b without passing through the first screen. In this way, similarly to that described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3, each of the fuel bed and first screen may be positioned within the housing to prevent a viewing of the flame flicker generator 240 by a user located to the front of the fire 200. Figure 5 is a sectional view of another exemplary electric fire 300 including a mask 370 and a flame flicker generator 340 comprising a container 341 having a fluid 342 provided therein, according to the present teaching. As described above, the mask 370 is angularly offset from a second screen 305b and defines a flame template provided therein (not shown) such that operably light passing through the mask 370 adopts the pattern of the flame template to create a desired flame pattern on the second screen 305b. By offsetting the mask 370 at an angle to the second screen 305b, a relatively narrow flame template can effect a relatively large flame pattern on the second screen 305b. Movement of the fluid 342 creates a suitable flicker effect. It will be appreciated that as light is being transmitted through the container 341 that any movement of the fluid 342 within the container 341 will affect the transmission of the light and can, as a result, be used to generate a flicker effect on a second screen 305b. Desirably the fluid 342 only partially fills the container 341 , typically at most half filling. The container 341 may be moveable so as to impart motion to the fluid 342 within the container 341 . One or more projections 343 may be provided on an inner surface 344 of the container 341 so as to effect more disruption to the fluid 342 as it is moved. Furthermore, one or more moveable solid elements can be provided within the container 341 . These elements will move within the fluid 342 but the effect of the fluid 342 will serve to dampen that movement. Again, in this configuration the flame flicker generator 340 is disposed relative to the light source and the second screen 305b such that light exiting the flame flicker generator 340 passes through the mask 370 and onto the second screen 305b without passing through the first screen. In this way, similarly to that described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3, each of the fuel bed and first screen may be positioned within the housing to prevent a viewing of the flame flicker generator 340 by a user located to the front of the fire 300.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of another exemplary electric fire 400 including a mask 470 and a flame flicker generator 440 comprising a plurality of ribbons 450, according to the present teaching. As described above, the mask 470 is angularly offset from a second screen 405b and defines a flame template provided therein (not shown) such that operably light passing through the mask 470 adopts the pattern of the flame template to create a desired flame pattern on the second screen 405b. By offsetting the mask 470 at an angle to the second screen 405b, a relatively narrow flame template can effect a relatively large flame pattern on the second screen 405b. Referring to Figure 6, the ribbons 450 are arranged to at least partially occlude the light path between a light source 430 and the second screen 405b. The ribbons 450 may be moveable, the movement of which will effect a disruption to the light passing therethrough, this disruption being visible in the form of a movement of flames on the second screen 405b. Again, in this configuration the flame flicker generator 440 is disposed relative to the light source 430 and the second screen 405b such that light exiting the flame flicker generator 440 passes through the mask 470 and onto the second screen 405b without passing through a first screen. In this way, similarly to that described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3, each of the fuel bed and first screen may be positioned within the housing to prevent a viewing of the flame flicker generator 440 by a user located to the front of the fire 400. The fire of the present teaching may further comprise a coloured filter such that light is coloured before being incident on the second screen 105b. In this regard, light filters in the form of for example coloured tape may be used in conjunction with the mask to provide a suitably coloured flame pattern on the second screen so that different parts of the flame are coloured differently as with a natural flame. In this regard, Figure 7 is a view of a configuration of a mask 170 which is partially covered by a light filter 171 , according to the present teaching. Further, Figure 8 is a view of a configuration of a mask 170 which is partially covered by two different light filters 171 and 172, according to another arrangement. The light filters 171 and 172 may be in the form of coloured tape. The mask 170 operably serves to selectively illuminate portions of the second screen so as to create the impression of individual flames, while the flame flicker generator creates the required flicker effect that one would expect from conventional combustion of a fuel. By arranging the filters 171 and 172 relative to one another and to the cut-outs of the template, individual parts of a generated flame pattern may be coloured differently to other parts. For example by not covering a top portion of the cut-out with a filter, light that passes through that portion of the mask 170 will be the same colour as the light source. By overlapping two filters of the same colour, then the light that passes through that region of the mask 170 will be perceived as having a deeper colour on the second screen than a part of the flame that has passed through a different region of the filter. This capacity to vary the intensity and/or colour of the light through a simple arrangement of selectively filtering the apertures within the mask 170 contributes effectively to the overall flame effect generated. In certain configurations the housing may be configured to allow a user to interchange the filters from externally of the housing 105. Such an arrangement may be provided for example by providing one or more slits in side walls of the housing, the slits being dimensioned to receive the individual filters and allow for their presentation across the light path to the second screen.

Alternatively, one or more coloured light filters may be integrally formed on a surface of the flame flicker generator. Referring to Figure 3a, filters 171 may be arranged over one or more respective slits 145 of the flame flicker generator 140 such that light passing through the slits 145 of the flame flicker generator 140 are coloured prior to incidence on the second screen 105b. The number of occluded slits and the colour of the filter used for each slit may be varied depending on the desired coloured flame pattern. It will be appreciated that as the filters are arranged on the surface of the baffle 142 that movement of the baffle 142 will effect a corresponding movement of the filters 171 .

As discussed above, the light filter, which may be in the form of coloured tape, may be disposed on the moveable baffle 142 to provide a suitably coloured flame pattern on the second screen 105b so that different parts of the flame are coloured differently as with a natural flame. Referring to FIG. 3a, the colour filter may comprise a plurality of coloured filters 172 disposed on at least a portion of one or more of the slits 145. The coloured filters 171 may be the same or different colours. The coloured filters 171 may extend substantially transverse to the axis of rotation A-A' of the baffle 142 in order to cover at least a portion of the slits 145.

The filter may alternatively be in the form of a cylindrical sleeve disposed around the flame flicker generator. In this regard, Figure 3b illustrates a flame flicker generator 140 including a moveable baffle 142 and a movable filter in the form of a cylindrical sleeve 152, according to another arrangement. Referring to FIG. 3b, the cylindrical sleeve 152 is disposed concentrically around the moveable baffle 142 such that the sleeve 152 can rotate independently of the baffle 142. The sleeve 152 may comprise one or more coloured filters 172 disposed longitudinally along the surface of the sleeve 152 and parallel to the axis of rotation thereof. The coloured filters 172 may be the same or different colours. In another arrangement the sleeve itself is coloured. The baffle 142 and the sleeve 152 may rotate at different speeds thereby effecting a varying flame effect. A gearing arrangement 175, 176 may be utilised to rotate the baffle 142 and sleeve 152 at different speeds. When the sleeve 152 rotates, the filters 172 on the sleeve 152 periodically cover the slits 145 in the baffle 142. The coloured filters 172 serve to vary the intensity and/or colour of the light through a simple arrangement of selectively filtering the slits 145 within the moveable baffle 142 so that individual parts of a generated flame pattern may be coloured differently to other parts. This capacity to vary the intensity and/or colour of the light contributes effectively to the overall flame effect generated. The rotation of the sleeve 152 may be associated with the rotation of the baffle 140 by use of a common drive shaft or the like. In this way a common motor could be used to drive both elements. Where it is desired that the sleeve rotates at the same frequency as the baffle 142, the sleeve may be directly coupled to the baffle 142 such that movement of one effects a corresponding movement of the other.

It will be appreciated that the cylindrical sleeve arrangement constituting a colour filter disposed around the flame flicker generator described above and illustrated in FIG. 3b may be employed with the flame flicker generators 240 and 340 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Further, referring to Figure 6, coloured filters may be arranged over one or more of the ribbons 450 of the flame flicker generator 440 such that light passing through the flame flicker generator 440 is coloured prior to incidence on the second screen 405b. In combination with using a mask, a lens arrangement may be used to control the light path from the flame flicker generator 140 to the second screen 105b such that selective portions of the second screen 105b will be illuminated greater than other portions. FIG. 9 is a front view of another exemplary electric fire 500 including a lens arrangement, according to the present teaching. A lens arrangement provides for a focusing of the light that has passed through the flame flicker generator 140 and a mask onto specific portions of the second screen 105b. If the lens arrangement is implemented using one or more lenses it is desirable that the lenses are of the type known as convex lenses. Their focal length is such that the parallel light that passes through the flame flicker generator 140 is then focused onto specific regions of the second screen 105b. It will be understood that level of focusing achieved will depend on the distances between the lenses and the second screen 105b and the optical properties, for example the focal length, of the lens. By using a lens arrangement that provides for a selective illumination of portions of the second screen 105b it is possible to generate individual flames within the flame pattern. While it is possible to illuminate the flame generating means 140 with a single light source, in this embodiment a plurality of light sources 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, 130e are provided, each being selectively directed onto different portions of the flame flicker generator 140, as shown in FIG. 9. The light that passes through the flame flicker generator 140 then passes through a selected one of a plurality of lenses 150a, 150b, 150c, 150d, 150e each of which are configured to optically direct the light through the mask and onto specific portions of the second screen 105b so as to generate images of individual flames 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d, 200e. It is also possible for the light to be focused prior to incidence through the flame flicker generator 140. Such focusing could be provided by having the light source 130 provided with an integral lens system or by providing a separate lens arrangement between the flame flicker generator 140 and the light source 130. It will be appreciated that one light source could be used with several lenses or indeed that several light sources could be used with the same lens arrangement. It will be appreciated that such a lens arrangement could also be provided between the flame flicker generator 140 and the mask 170 of FIG. 1 , or between the light source 130 and the flame flicker generator 140. That is, a combination of a mask and a lens arrangement may be used to effect the flame pattern on the second screen 105b. Furthermore, certain arrangements could be implemented without any lens or other optical element at all. It will be appreciated that what has been described herein are exemplary arrangements of an electric fire that includes a flame flicker generator and a mask located forwardly of a second screen of a housing of the fire so as to provide for light modified by the flame flicker generator and mask to be incident on a front surface of the second screen. Movement of the flame flicker generator effects a break in transmission of light incident onto the second screen, thereby generating flicker effects whereas the mask determines the actual geometry of a defined flame pattern. In this way, each of the flame flicker generator and the mask contributes to the overall flame effect.

The words comprises/comprising when used in this specification are to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

While the present invention has been described with reference to some exemplary arrangements it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the teaching of the present invention to such arrangements as modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In this way it will be understood that the invention is to be limited only insofar as is deemed necessary in the light of the appended claims.