GB2371854A - Simulated solid fuel bed for an electric fireplace. - Google Patents

Abstract

A simulated hot bed, which may be used in an electric stove for example, has a base 10 which may include a printed circuit board, above which a number of simulated heat-emitting elements 11 are arranged to simulate logs, coals, peat blocks, fir cones, stones etc. LEDs 14 are arranged in rows and angled rearwardly to illuminate light-coloured areas of the elements 11. The LEDs are operated by an electronic controller 23 such that some are permanently illuminated whilst other flicker to simulate flickering flames. Other LEDs may vary smoothly in intensity to simulate the varying glow of hot elements. Expanded mica 15 can be placed on the base 10 between the elements 10 to simulate ash.

Description

SIMULATED HOT BED TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to simulated hot beds which (without limitation) are suitable for use as imitation solid fuel displays in electric stoves and fires for example.

BACKGROUND In electric stoves, fires and other appliances it is quite common to incorporate a simulated hot bed for visual effect. The main objective is to create a focal point which engenders a sense of relaxation and warmth, although it is also desirable to achieve a visual effect which is very close to that produced by the combustion of solid fuels. The majority of simulated hot beds employ a glass fibre or similar moulding which is shaped and coloured to simulate solid fuel, and a filament lamp is arranged to illuminate the fuel bed using a mechanical flicker device to interrupt the light path and thus create an effect of flickering flames. However, the results which can be achieved with such an arrangement are relatively limited since it is difficult to achieve random variations in intensity and colour in the manner of a real fuel bed. In addition, the power consumption is relatively high.

It is also known to use a light-diffusing viewing screen behind the hot bed on which a moving image reminiscent of flickering flames rising from a hot fuel bed is created.

The present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of simulated hot bed which is inexpensive to build and operate and is capable of producing a very realistic combustion effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention proposes a simulated hot bed which incorporates simulated heat-emitting elements, a plurality of discreet light sources mounted between the simulated heat-emitting elements to illuminate them, and a controller which operates the light sources such as to produce a varying light effect.

The simulated heat-emitting elements may be constructed to simulate any kind of glowing hot bodies. Usually the elements will simulate solid fuel such as, by way of example, coals, logs, peat blocks, fir cones etc., although they may also simulate hot non-combustible materials such as stones. They may be formed from any suitable materials which are preferably of a lightweight nature such as (by way of example only) plastics, resin-impregnated glass fibre, plaster, or ceramic.

The simulated heat-emitting elements may be provided as an integral moulding, although in a preferred form of the invention the simulated hot bed includes a plurality of discreet heat-emitting elements supported on a base. In such an arrangement the light sources are preferably mounted on the base, which could be formed by or incorporate a printed circuit board.

The simulated heat-emitting elements preferably have light and dark areas since the light areas tend to reflect light more than the dark areas, thereby creating a more realistic combustion effect.

The light sources may be low power filament lamps but LEDs are preferred since they consume very little power and have an unlimited life. When LEDs are used they are preferably inclined away from the viewing position in an upward direction.

In a preferred arrangement a proportion of the light sources may be permanently illuminated whilst others are switched on and off at intervals, or varied in intensity between very dull and very bright by means of the controller to give the effect of a varying glow. The light sources may be controlled simultaneously in small groups or individually. It is also preferred to include different coloured light sources so that, for example, red light sources can be used to create an effect of glowing fuel while orange and yellow elements can be switched on and off or varied in intensity to simulate flickering flames. Additional light sources can also be provided to illuminate the hot bed from above and/or the sides to enhance the visual effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put Into practice. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of an electric stove in accordance with the invention, shown in vertical front-rear section; and Figure 2 is a front view of one of the simulated fuel pieces used in the stove.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The stove which is shown by way of example in the drawings has a steel and cast iron casing 1 with a front door 2 containing a transparent window 3. The casing contains an electric heater which may be mounted in any convenient position. In this example the heater is mounted at the top of the casing. The heater includes electrical resistance heating elements 4, which can be selectively switched on and off to control the heat output, with an electric fan 5 arranged to blow air over the elements so that warmed air is emitted from a front grille 6. Heat is also conducted away from the grille through the casing and emitted into surrounding air as radiated heat.

At the bottom of the casing there is a horizontally mounted base 10, which may conveniently incorporate a printed circuit board, above which a number of simulated fuel pieces 11 are arranged. The fuel pieces are preferably moulded of a lightweight material such as a ceramic, and may conveniently be shaped to simulate small logs, as shown in Fig. 2. The surface of each fuel piece is matt and is predominantly dark-coloured (e. g. black, dark gray or dark brown) with light-coloured reflective areas 12. A number of LEDs 14 are mounted on the base 10 between the fuel pieces 11. The LEDs are arranged in groups forming rows between the fuel pieces, and include red, orange and yellow LEDs. The LEDs are angled rearwardly (e g. at about 300 to horizontal) to direct their light onto the front surfaces of the fuel pieces, but the LEDs are hidden behind the fuel pieces so that they are not normally visible through the window 3. In order to enhance the realism of the simulated fuel bed a gray or ash-coloured particulate material 15 may be placed on the board between the LEDs and the fuel pieces to simulate wood ash, a particularly suitable lightweight material being a form of heat-expanded mica known as vermiculite.

A screen 20 rises from the rear of the simulated fuel bed and a second printed circuit board 21 is mounted vertically a short distance behind the screen 20. The lower part of the board 21 carries an electronic controller 23 to operate the LEDs 14, although the controller may be mounted in any convenient place within the casing 1. A mechanical programmer could also be used. Some of the LEDs (usually more than 50%) are illuminated permanently. Thus, for example, red LEDs may be permanently illuminated to simulate glowing regions of the fuel pieces when reflected from their lightcoloured areas. Orange and yellow LEDs may also be permanently illuminated to create a general background glow. Other LEDs (mainly orange and yellow) may be periodically switched on and off so that the light reflected from the light areas of the fuel pieces flickers to simulate the flickering of flames produced by fuel combustion. Further LEDs (also mainly orange and yellow) are controlled by a varying voltage or by pulse-width modulation to continuously and smoothly vary in brightness so that the light reflected from the light areas of the fuel pieces appears to vary to simulate the varying glow produced by combustion of solid fuel. A row of LEDs 14a may be provided at the rear of the simulated fuel bed to illuminate the front surface of the screen 20. These additional LEDs can again be angled rearwardly but at a much larger angle to the board 10, e. g.

80 . Further groups of LEDs can be hidden from view at the sides and top of the casing to illuminate the simulated fuel bed from above. Such LEDs can be switched on and off or varied in intensity by the controller 23, or they can be permanently illuminated.

The use of a controller with a pre-programmed control sequence, possibly with a random element, allows a very realistic effect to be achieved at minimum manufacturing cost and with very low running costs Thus, even when the fan heater is not operating the fuel display can be used to provide a pleasing decorative effect.

It will be appreciated that the features disclosed herein may be present in any feasible combination. Whilst the above description lays emphasis on those areas which, in combination, are believed to be new, protection is claimed for any inventive combination of the features disclosed herein.

Claims (11)

1. CLAIMS 1. A simulated hot bed which incorporates simulated heat-emitting elements, a plurality of discreet light sources mounted between the simulated heat-emitting elements to illuminate them, and a controller which operates the light sources such as to produce a varying light effect.
2. 2. A simulated hot bed according to Claim 1, which includes a plurality of discreet simulated heat-emitting elements supported on a base.
3. 3. A simulated hot bed according to Claim 2, in which the light sources are mounted on the base.
4. 4. A simulated hot bed according to Claim 3, in which the base consists of or includes a printed circuit board.
5. 5 A simulated hot bed according to any preceding claim, in which the simulated heat-emitting elements have light and dark areas.
6. 6. A simulated hot bed according to any preceding claim, in which the light sources consist of or Include LEDs.
7. 7. A simulated hot bed according to Claim 6, in which at least a proportion of the LEDs are inclined away from a viewing position
8. 8. A simulated hot bed according to any preceding claim, in which a proportion of the light sources are permanently illuminated.
9. 9 A simulated hot bed according to any preceding claim, in which a proportion of the light sources are switched on and off at intervals.
10. 10. A simulated hot bed according to any preceding claim, in which a proportion of the light sources are smoothly varied in intensity.
11. 11. A simulated hot bed according to any preceding claim, which includes different coloured light sources.

    12 A simulated hot bed substantially as described with reference to the drawings.