GB2372805A - An electronic simulated flame effect for a fireplace - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic simulated flame effect comprising a flame effect chassis 7 with a printed circuit board 8 disposed within. The PCB includes LED's (light emitting diodes) 13, resistors 14, potentiometers 15, the LED's are varied in colours such as red, blue, yellow and orange. The flame effect chassis is disposed within a casing 9 of a fireplace and secured in place by a fastening means such as glue, a screw or a clip. The flame effect 16 is constructed by cutting or punching a desired flame shape into the chassis or by printing it onto the chassis. The LED's can flicker or pulsate to illuminate the flame effects. An on/off switch is provided with the appropriate rated transformer which are disposed within the fireplace casing.

Description

ELECTRONIC FIRE FLAME EFFECT This invention relates to an electronic fire flame effect.

Electric fires are well known for having a number of different techniques for creating flame effects using various moving parts which can make a noise when in operation. These flame effects need either heat or blowing actions to create the required movement.

According to the present there is provided a chassis for the flame effect together with an electronic arrangement to provide the necessary moving flame effect. No moving parts and therefore complete silence with a long life for the components.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which : Figure 1 shows in perspective the total fire flame effect within the chassis ready for installation into the main electric fire chassis/surround.

Figure 2 shows the chassis of the fire flame effect in both the open and made up positions.

Figure 3 shows the method of printing and or cutting out of the flame effects as required.

Figure 4 shows the electronic (PCB) printed circuit board with components arranged on it to form the flame effect.

Figure 5 shows the transformer which is wired into the electronic PCB board as shown in figure 4.

Figure 6 shows the total unit as above fitted into a typical fire chassis/surround. This can be inserted and located in position be many means of fixings as required by the fire manufacturer.

Refering to the drawing the electronic fire flame effect comprises of a chassis 7 and an electronic unit 8 secured into main chassis 9 with an arrangement of clip, glue or fixing device or similar 10 to hold it in position to the main chassis 9.

The whole unit 7 is placed into position on the inside back of the fire main chassis/surround as required by the manufacturer and fixed with screw, clip, tab or similar device 10 to hold it firmly into place.

Actual item not shown but position indicated on chassis 10, Figure 1.

The low voltage mains transformer 11 is mounted within the main chassis 9 of the manufacturers fire design and wired up to the mains in the conventional way to conform to CE standards or those required by the country where it is to be sold.

The fire flame effect chassis 7 is shown in the open position to indicate the make up of the chassis 7. The material is folded 12 and cut/punched 16 to the desired effect to create the flame shapes effect.

Then the chassis 7 is folded into the desired position to accept the electronic unit 8 into the base of the chassis 7. A low voltage mains transformer 11 is wired up to the electronic unit 8 and then into the mains supply of the main fire chassis wiring as required to CE electrical specification.

The electronic PCB board 8 is designed to accept a range of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in various arrangements and colours as required to pulse and flicker to obtain the desired flame effects on the inside of the chassis flame effects 7.

A number of resistors, potentiometers and capacitors 14 and 15 are fitted onto the PC board 8 and the LEDs 13 are arranged to suit the flame effects as required in various colours, red, blue yellow or orange.

The chassis of the fire flame effect 7 and 12 may be made of a variety of materials and can be in a form to be cut/punched or printed to obtain the flame shapes and effects 16.

In the printing effect on the flame front section 16 of the chassis 7, this can be printed as a shaded area towards the edge of the flame to give the desired effect.

Claims (4)

1. ELECTRONIC FIRE FLAME EFFECT CLAIMS 1 An electronic fire flame effect for use within any manufactures fire design to give a simple flame effect comprising a chassis with an electronic device which is inside the main chassis to provide a flame effect when illuminated using the (LEDs) Light Emitting Diodes via a range of electronic devices to make the LEDs pulsate to give the illusion of movement in confuguration with the special flame effects on the front and rear of the main chassis.
2. 2 An electronic fire flame effect chassis which is designed to allow a printing/cutting of shapes as required for the flame effect when used in conjunction with the PCB board and its electronic components/LEDS to give the desired effect for the flame effect.
3. 3 An electronic fire flame effect with no moving parts and providing a simple efficient unit for manufacturers of electric fires to install the total unit with ease.
4. 4 An electronic fire flame effect substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawing.