EP3795904A1 - Artificial fireplace - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an artificial fireplace comprising an enclosure (2) delimited by a lower wall (3), an upper wall (4) and a peripheral wall (5), the latter comprising an opening (6), a dummy ember bed. (9) being disposed inside the enclosure (2) on a bottom (8) defined by the lower wall (3), in said enclosure (2) being further provided with means for projecting (10) an image, in particular animated flames, towards a display screen (11) arranged in the enclosure (2) in a line of sight (7) extending through said opening (6). ) is defined by a transparent glass plate (13) extending between the dummy ember bed (9) and said projection means (10) forming with respect to the incident ray (14) emanating from the latter an angle between 50 ° and 56 °, said projection means (10) being defined to diffuse images, in particular of animated flames, through a reading linear polarized matter. The invention also relates to a fireplace (23) or stove comprising an artificial hearth.

Description

[The present invention belongs to the field of the fireplace, and more particularly to the field of the decorative fireplace. More specifically, the invention relates to the field of fireplaces, whether it is an open or closed fireplace, a stove or even an insert.

In particular, the present invention relates to an artificial fireplace integrated into a fireplace which preferably has a decorative character.

In general, a fireplace has a hearth delimited by an enclosure inside which it is customary to light and maintain a fire whose heat energy is diffused by radiation and / or conduction and / or convection for heat a room or a house.

Conventionally, the fire can be produced from wood or other fuels, such as alcohol or gas. However, there are also homes with electric heating resistances.

The peculiarity of a fireplace lies in the opening that it usually has in the front part of its peripheral wall, making it possible to make visible the embers and the animation of the flames of wood combustion. This is particularly pleasant to the sight of a user by contributing to an impression of appeasement, warmth and well-being.

In order not to deprive users of a stove of such sensations, it is increasingly common to also equip them with a glazed opening at the periphery offering a line of sight inside the enclosure of the fireplace.

Obviously, the consistency and the cooler color of the flames of a gas burner, or the resistances of an electric fireplace, are not able to provide such impressions of well-being and comfort.

In these cases, in particular, it is known to install, on the bottom of the enclosure of the hearth, an artificial embers bed often constituted by a reproduction of logs sheltering a red / orange lighting with variation of intensity to try to imitate embers that are burning.

There are also artificial fireplaces comprising a hearth delimiting an enclosure within which take position only means of artificial reproduction of a wood fire.

The objective is, in this case, to provide the aforementioned sensations by disregarding the heating function usually provided by such a fireplace.

To meet this need, various means for artificially reproducing a wood fire have been developed.

In particular, it is known from the document GB 2 151 772 an artificial fireplace that includes a reflection hologram illustrating flames depicted on a vertical or slightly inclined plate. In order to simulate movement, the hologram is illuminated alternately by different lamps arranged at the top and bottom of the focus. Lights can be associated with the fictitious fuel elements to simulate a bed of incandescent embers. Consequently, through the opening in the enclosure of the fireplace, the user sees a juxtaposition of elements, namely a bed of embers behind which appears a holographic image of flames.

It is also known from the document WO 02/077533 an artificial fireplace comprising a semi-reflecting plate inclined between 10 ° and 30 ° comprising a hologram representing a combustion chamber. A light source illuminates the semi-reflecting plate from the front and from the top of the fireplace enclosure. A play of light and optical reflection animates the flame of the hologram represented on the semi-reflective plate. Fictitious fuel elements can also come to support the realism of the optical illusion by being arranged at the front and at the rear of the semi-reflecting plate.

Moreover, we know from the document EP 2 807 426 , an artificial fireplace comprising a hearth formed by an enclosure open in the front part, while in the lower part is arranged a bed of artificial embers. A video screen showing images of flames is placed in this enclosure of the fireplace, behind the bed of artificial embers, while a dichroic mirror extends to the front of this screen and above the bed of artificial embers with a tilt angle of 45 °.

In combination, a screen diffusing a fireplace background image is provided under the top wall of the enclosure. This image is reflected on the dichroic mirror by merging it, above and at the level of the bed of embers, with the images of flames broadcast by the video screen.

In a complementary manner, on another internal wall of the enclosure are arranged other elements of composition of a fireplace in such a way as to appear by reflection on the dichroic mirror.

If the solutions mentioned above lead more to a juxtaposition of images, the fireplace described in this document EP 2 807 426 allows the user to appear through the opening in the front part of the hearth enclosure a holographic image extending mainly above the bed of embers.

However, this result is obtained by combining a multitude of images on a dichroic mirror by definition semi-transparent to reflect only part of the visible light with a limited luminosity output. One necessarily loses clarity and felt comfort at the level of the image perceived by an observer located at the front of the fireplace.

As part of an inventive step, we sought to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art through a simple design solution, therefore economical, yet able to reproduce, with a very great impression of realism. , a wood fire in a fireplace, insert, stove or other.

• une enceinte délimitée par une paroi inférieure, une paroi supérieure et une paroi périphérique qui comporte une ouverture,
• un lit de braise factice étant disposé intérieurement à l'enceinte sur un fond défini par la paroi inférieure,
• un écran de visualisation disposé dans l'enceinte,
• une ligne de vision s'étendant depuis l'écran de visualisation jusqu'à l'extérieur du foyer au travers de l'ouverture, et
• des moyens de projection disposés dans l'enceinte, les moyens de projection étant configurés pour émettre une image, notamment de flammes animées, en direction d'un écran de visualisation,

To this end, the invention relates to an artificial fireplace comprising:

• an enclosure delimited by a lower wall, an upper wall and a peripheral wall which has an opening,
• a dummy ember bed being placed inside the enclosure on a bottom defined by the lower wall,
• a display screen placed in the enclosure,
• a line of sight extending from the viewing screen to the exterior of the focal point through the opening, and
• projection means arranged in the enclosure, the projection means being configured to emit an image, in particular of animated flames, towards a display screen,

According to the invention, the focus is characterized in that the projection means are configured to emit, according to an incident ray, images, in particular of animated flames through linear polarized light, the display screen being defined by a transparent glass plate which extends between the dummy ember bed and the projection means, the transparent plate forming with respect to the incident ray an angle of between 50 ° and 56 °.

The advantages resulting from the present invention consist in an impression of spectacular realism of the wood fire which can be seen by an observer situated in front of the opening of the enclosure of the hearth. This result is obtained by implementing technical means of simple design. These means are capable of delivering a holographic image of perfect clarity resulting, on the one hand, from the use of a display screen, and on the other hand, from means of projecting a flame image according to a beam of linear polarized light emitted at an angle corresponding to Brewster's law.

According to a first characteristic of the invention, the projection means are located under the upper wall of the enclosure. The projection means are thus concealed from the line of sight of an observer.

According to a second characteristic of the invention, the display screen is arranged in the enclosure, on the one hand, between the projection means and the dummy ember bed, and on the other hand, in the extension of the opening at a determined angle with respect to the bottom of the enclosure.

According to a third characteristic of the invention, the transparent glass plate comprises, at its rear face, visible through the opening of the enclosure, an anti-reflection treatment.

According to a fourth characteristic of the invention, the transparent glass plate is held in the enclosure by means of a structure support in the form of a console resting on this bottom by defining a screen at the rear of the dummy ember bed.

According to a fifth characteristic of the invention, the transparent glass plate is configured to be adjusted to the walls of the enclosure. This helps to hide the presence of a display screen from an observer.

According to a sixth characteristic of the invention, the artificial hearth is equipped with means of sound diffusion and / or olfactory emissions.

According to a seventh characteristic of the invention, the artificial fireplace comprises lighting means configured to diffuse ambient light in the enclosure. This characteristic helps to reinforce the impression of realism.

According to an eighth characteristic of the invention, the bed of embers is composed of different elements imitating a combination of wood during combustion, embers and ashes in materials chosen to partially allow light rays produced by means of lighting installed under this bed of embers, in the form of LEDs capable of being subjected to a variation of light intensity to simulate the animation of real incandescent embers.

• Des moyens de projection ;
• Et/ou de moyens d'éclairage ambiançant ;
• Et/ou de moyens de diffusion sonore et/ou d'émissions olfactives ;
• Et/ou de moyens d'éclairage sous le lit de braise ;
• Et/ou de moyens de chauffage, notamment électriques, équipant ledit foyer.

According to a ninth characteristic of the invention, the artificial hearth comprises means for controlling and managing the operation:

• Means of projection;
• And / or ambient lighting means;
• And / or means of sound diffusion and / or olfactory emissions;
• And / or lighting means under the bed of embers;
• And / or heating means, in particular electric, equipping said fireplace.

According to a tenth characteristic of the invention, the artificial fireplace is mounted to rotate about a vertical axis through suspension means, such as a dummy smoke duct, or a support base.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a fireplace or stove comprising an artificial fireplace according to the invention. This fireplace or stove is characterized by that it comprises a dummy smoke duct incorporating heating means, preferably of the dry inertia electric type.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent during the description which follows relating to an exemplary embodiment given by way of indication and not by way of limitation.

• [Fig.1] est une représentation schématisée et en coupe d'un foyer selon l'invention ;
• [Fig.2] est une représentation schématisée et en coupe d'une cheminée comportant un foyer conforme à l'invention ; et
• [Fig.3] est une représentation schématique du principe de réflexion utilisé pour afficher une image virtuelle sur un écran de visualisation.

The understanding of this description will be facilitated by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• [ Fig. 1 ] is a schematic and sectional representation of a fireplace according to the invention;
• [ Fig. 2 ] is a schematic and sectional representation of a fireplace comprising a fireplace according to the invention; and
• [ Fig. 3 ] is a schematic representation of the principle of reflection used to display a virtual image on a display screen.

As visible in the figures of the attached drawing, the present invention relates to an artificial fireplace 1, for a fireplace, insert or stove, comprising an enclosure 2 delimited by a lower wall 3, an upper wall 4 and a peripheral wall 5.

Of course, this home 1 can take different embodiments. In particular, the lower 3 and upper 4 wall as well as the peripheral wall 5 can be more or less concave so as to give this focus 1 a substantial sphere shape. As visible in the figure 2 , for example, and the different walls 3, 4, 5 being in continuity with one another. In this example, the lower wall 3 and the peripheral wall 5 give the hearth an oblate shape extended and surmounted by a cone formed by the upper wall 4.

In this context, the lower wall 3 of the fireplace 1 will be considered, that which closes the latter in its lower part. In parallel, the upper wall 4 covers the enclosure 2 of the fireplace 1. Finally, the peripheral wall 5 corresponds to the envelope laterally surrounding this enclosure 2.

In this regard, this peripheral wall 5 has an opening 6 offering a line of sight 7 of the interior of the enclosure 2 of the fireplace 1. In the example of figure 2 , the opening 6 corresponds to a mouth which has an ovoid shape and follows the curvature of the peripheral wall 5. The central part 60 of the opening 6 extends at the level of a plane P or in front of this plane P More precisely, the upper central part 60 extends at the level of the plane P. As for the lower central part 60, it extends in this example, in front of the plane P. This is illustrated on figure 2 , the plane P being tangent to the curvature of the peripheral wall 5. On the other hand, the side edges 61 of the opening 6 are set back from the plane P. This specific configuration of the opening 6 contributes to reducing parasitic reflections that come from outside the enclosure 2.

More particularly, in this enclosure 2, the lower wall 3 of the fireplace 1 defines the bottom 8 of the enclosure. The artificial hearth 1 comprises on the bottom 8 of the enclosure a dummy ember bed 9. In addition, the dummy ember bed 9 is arranged in the line of sight 7.

Inside this enclosure 2 are also provided projection means 10. Preferably, the projection means 10 are configured to emit linear polarized light. As an indication, it is possible to use an LCD type video screen for this purpose. In all cases, according to the invention, the projection means 10 are configured to project an image of animated flames towards a display screen 11.

As shown in figures 1 and 2 , the artificial focus 1 comprises a viewing screen 11 which is arranged in the enclosure 2. Preferably, the viewing screen 11 is arranged in the line of vision 7 of an observer 12 located in front of the opening 6 of the artificial fireplace 1.

Advantageously, these projection means 10 are located under the upper wall 4 of the enclosure 2. The projection means 10 are moreover defined to diffuse images, in particular of animated flames, through linear polarized light. The configuration and cooperation of the viewing screen 11 and the projection means 10 allow the formation of a virtual image in the line of sight 7. In particular, this virtual image is formed. form, on the line of sight 7, behind the display screen 11 at the level where the dummy ember bed 9 is placed.

As for the display screen 11, it is arranged in the enclosure 2 between the projection means 10 and the dummy ember bed 9 and in the extension of the opening 6.

According to the invention, the viewing screen 11 is defined by viewing optics. In practice, the viewing optic is formed by a transparent plate 13. Preferably, this transparent plate 13 is formed of glass. Typically, the transparent plate 13 can be considered as a diopter.

As shown in the figure 3 , the transparent plate 13 is configured so that the projection means 10 emit linear polarized light according to the Brewster angle. This produces a Fresnel reflection at the Brewster angle. For this purpose, the transparent plate 13 is arranged at an angle iB of between 50 ° and 56 ° relative to the incident ray emitted by the projection means 10. This angle measurement corresponds to a so-called Brewster angle.

Advantageously, the projection of a linear polarized light on the transparent plate 13 according to the Brewster angle contributes to eliminating the partial reflection which usually occurs when a light beam is emitted on a diopter. This is because the refracted ray rB is perpendicular to the reflected ray 14a. However, according to this direction of refraction, the refracted light beam does not appear in the line of sight 7 of an observer, it is therefore not visible by the latter (shown in figure 3 ). The clarity of the virtual image which forms on the transparent plate 13 is thus optimized, thus increasing the impression of realism of the virtual image to an observer located on the line of vision 7.

The advantages of this design are that the transparent plate 13 reflects an image towards the line of sight 7 consisting of a single polarized component which is formed by the reflected ray 14a. The clarity of the virtual image which forms on the line of sight 7 is furthermore optimized by the reduction of the reflections coming from the external environment.

To this end, the transparent plate 13 comprises at its rear face 15, visible through the opening 6 of the enclosure 2, an anti-reflection treatment so as to prevent any light emanating from a source other than the corresponding one. to the projection means 10 does not disturb the holographic image thus produced.

In addition, the three-dimensional geometric shape of the hearth 2 and of the opening 6 illustrated in figure 2 , also helps reduce stray light reflections from outside the focus 2.

The observer 12 in front of the opening 6, not perceiving the transparent plate 13, has the illusion that the flames are burning above the dummy ember bed 9.

For this purpose, the transparent glass plate 13 is configured to be fitted to the walls 3, 4, 5 of the enclosure 2. For this purpose, the transparent plate 13 is sized according to the dimensions of the enclosure 2 and in particular of a cross section of the enclosure 2. In addition, the transparent plate 13 advantageously has a shape similar to the geometric shape of a cross section of the enclosure 2. In the example of figure 2 , the cross section has an ovoid geometric shape.

The fact that the transparent plate 13 is fitted to the walls 3, 4, 5 of the enclosure 2 helps to conceal the presence of the transparent plate 13 from the eyes of a user who is in the line of sight 7.

The transparent plate 13 can be maintained in the enclosure 2 under the aforementioned conditions by means of a support structure 16 which can take various embodiments.

Thus, this support structure 16 can be in the form of a simple support rim (not shown) at the level of the peripheral wall 5, inside the enclosure 2 so as to provide support for the upper rim 17 of the plate. transparent 13, the lower edge 18 of which rests, for example, on the bottom 8.

As visible on the figure 2 , this support structure 16 can also take the form of a console 19 resting on this bottom 8, at the rear of the bed of dummy embers 9. On this console rests the upper edge 17 of the transparent plate 13, according to the inclination conditions mentioned above. Furthermore, this console 19 can define a screen 20 at the rear of the dummy ember bed 9.

In the enclosure 2 can also be installed lighting means 21 able to diffuse mood light in the home 1. These lighting means 21 can for example take position at the rear of the screen 20 formed by the console 19, between this screen and the peripheral wall 5 of the enclosure 2.

The fireplace according to the invention can also be equipped with means of sound diffusion and / or olfactory emissions 22. By way of example, these can be installed in the enclosure 2, under the upper wall 4, preferably in outside the field of vision provided by the opening 6. Such means of sound diffusion and / or olfactory emissions 22 can, for example, emit noises imitating the crackling of a wood fire and / or a smell of wood .

As mentioned above, a fireplace according to the invention can equip a fireplace or a stove. It is common ground that the hearth of a fireplace or a stove is traditionally connected to a smoke evacuation duct.

Also, a fireplace 23, as visible in the figure 2 , or a stove comprising a hearth 1 according to the invention can be equipped with a dummy smoke duct 24 inside which heating means 25 can take position. These are preferably of the dry inertia electric type.

Again advantageously, this dummy smoke duct 24 can substantially constitute means for suspending the fireplace 1.

According to another feature of the invention, the fireplace 1 is mounted to rotate about an essentially vertical axis through, as the case may be, these suspension means preferably defined by a dummy smoke duct 24, or a support base on which the focus 1 rests (solution not shown).

As for the ember bed 9, it can be made up of different elements imitating a combination of burning wood, embers and ashes. Advantageously, the materials are chosen to partially leave light rays produced by lighting means 26 preferably located under this bed of ember 9 show through. These lighting means 26, advantageously in the form of LEDs, are capable of being subjected to a variation in light intensity to simulate the animation of real glowing embers.

• Des moyens de projection 10 ;
• Et/ou des moyens d'éclairage ambiancent 21 ;
• Et/ou des moyens de diffusion sonore et/ou d'émissions olfactives 22 ;
• Et/ou des moyens d'éclairage 26 sous le lit de braise 9 ;
• Et/ou des moyens de chauffage 25

According to another feature of the invention, the home 1 comprises means 27 for controlling and managing the operation:

• Projection means 10;
• And / or ambient lighting means 21;
• And / or means of sound diffusion and / or olfactory emissions 22;
• And / or lighting means 26 under the ember bed 9;
• And / or heating means 25

With such control and management means 27 may be associated remote control means 28, via radio frequency, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or other, capable of offering the user a multitude of operating mode selections of the home. 1.

Thus, through such control and management means 27 and / or remote control means 28, a user can, for example, select a video sequence, among several, capable of being projected by the projection means 10. and / or choose different mood lighting and / or select a sound broadcasting band and / or a particular smell emission from a range offered.

The lighting means 26 under the ember bed 9 can also adopt different cycles of variation of the light of the LEDs which compose them, cycles capable of being selected by such remote control means 28 and / or directly by control and management means 27.

Obviously, these same means, 27, 28 are capable of offering the user the possibility of intervening in the operating mode of the heating means 25.

The combination of the means that the fireplace 1 according to the invention comprises finally offers a user the possibility of reproducing in an artificial manner a wood fire in different combustion states, for example that of a high fire animated by large flames for create an atmosphere of welcome and warming or that of a slow combustion fire to generate an impression of appeasement and well-being.

This artificial reproduction of a wood fire is however obtained with a great impression of realism resulting from the use of a perfectly transparent screen almost invisible to an observer placed in front of the fireplace.

Claims (12)

[Artificial fireplace (1) comprising: - an enclosure (2) delimited by a lower wall (3), an upper wall (4) and a peripheral wall (5) which has an opening (6), - a dummy ember bed (9) being disposed inside the enclosure (2) on a bottom (8) defined by the lower wall (3), - a display screen (11) arranged in the enclosure (2), - a line of vision (7) extending from the viewing screen (11) to the outside of the focus (2) through the opening (6), and - projection means (10) arranged in the enclosure (2), the projection means (10) being configured to emit an image, in particular of animated flames, towards the display screen (11), characterized in that the projection means (10) are configured to emit, according to an incident ray (14), images, in particular of animated flames, through linear polarized light, the display screen (11) being defined by a transparent glass plate (13) which extends between the dummy ember bed (9) and the projection means (10), the transparent plate (13) forming with respect to the incident ray (14), an angle between 50 ° and 56 °. Artificial hearth (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection means (10) are located under the upper wall (4) of the enclosure (2). Artificial hearth (1), according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the viewing screen (11) is arranged in the enclosure (2), on the one hand, between the projection means (10 ) and the dummy ember bed (9), and on the other hand, in the extension of the opening (6) extending at a determined angle with respect to the bottom (8) of the enclosure (2). Artificial hearth (1), according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the transparent glass plate (13) has at its rear face (15), visible through the opening (6) of the enclosure (2), an anti-reflective coating. Artificial hearth (1), according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the transparent glass plate (13) is held in the enclosure (2) by means of a support structure (16) under form a console (19) resting on this bottom (8) by defining a screen at the rear of the dummy ember bed (9). Artificial hearth (1), according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the transparent glass plate (13) is configured to be fitted to the walls (3, 4, 5) of the enclosure (2). Artificial hearth (1), according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is equipped with means for sound diffusion and / or olfactory emissions (22). Artificial hearth (1), according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises lighting means (21) configured to diffuse ambient light in the enclosure (2). Artificial hearth (1), according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the ember bed (9) is made up of different elements imitating a combination of burning wood, embers and ashes in materials chosen to partially allow light rays produced by lighting means (26) located under this bed of embers (9) to show through, in the form of LEDs capable of being subjected to a variation of light intensity to simulate the animation of embers real incandescent. Artificial hearth (1), according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises control and management means (27) of the operation: - Projection means (10); - And / or ambient lighting means (21); - And / or means of sound diffusion and / or olfactory emissions (22); - And / or lighting means (26) under the bed of embers (9); - And / or heating means (25), in particular electric, equipping said fireplace (1). Artificial hearth (1), according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is rotatably mounted about a vertical axis through suspension means, such as a dummy smoke duct (24), or d 'a support base. Fireplace (23) or stove comprising an artificial hearth according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a dummy smoke duct (24) incorporating heating means (25), preferably of the dry inertia electric type.

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