GB2453183A

GB2453183A - Flame effect generator using LEDs and corrugated reflector

Info

Publication number: GB2453183A
Application number: GB0721508A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Gale
Original assignee: Be Modern Ltd
Current assignee: Be Modern Ltd
Priority date: 2007-09-27
Filing date: 2007-11-02
Publication date: 2009-04-01
Also published as: GB0721508D0; GB0718854D0

Abstract

Apparatus for generating a flame effect has a reflector 1 with at least one corrugation, and at least one Light emitting diode (LED) 3 to illuminate the corrugation. The corrugated reflector 1 may be made of steel and may be brushed such that score marks cause diffusion of the light falling on the reflector. The corrugations may be non-uniform in shape and may be of curved or v-shaped cross section (figures 3a-3f). The reflector 1 may have many corrugations, each corrugation having one or many LEDs 3. The LEDs 3 may be of different colours and may be controllable to flash or flicker. There may be an optical diffuser (8, figure 4) between the LEDs 3 and the reflector 1. The apparatus may form part of an electric fire, a suite with a fire surround (figures 6-7) or a suite with an upright member (figure 8).

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A FLAME EFFECT

Field of the Invention

The present in ention relates to an apparatus and method for generating a flame effect, ; inch has articular uduit in an electric fire.

Background of the Invention

In order to improve the aesthetic effects of electric fires they are often provided with means for generating a flame pattern. Numerous different arrangements for generating a flame pattern have been proposed, and sonic are in use. For example, one arrangement comprises a number of ribbons which are illuminated from below. In addition to being illuminated, a fan is required to blow the ribbons, and further the ribbons must be mounted behind a mart black semi-transparent display screen which hides the ribbons when the fire is not in use. The combination of the fan and its associated drive, the lighting means and the ribbons require a certain depth (from the front to the rear of the fire).

Another commonly used means for generating a flame pattern comprises a spinner which is illuminated and when rotated generates a flame pattern. This arrangement typically comprises a tungsten bulb above which is mounted a light-weight vented spinner, which is mounted for rotation on a pin. A reflective screen is usually niounted above and to the rear of the flame pattern generator.

This type of flame pattern generator also requires a certain depth.

Each of the abo c-mentioned flame effect generators requires a light source, which is typically a tungsten bulb. In the second type of flame effect generator described it is the heat produced by the tungsten bulb which causes the spinner to rotate. The flame effect generators described have provided a low cost solution to the provision of a flame effect for electric fires for many years.

Howe er, tungsten light bulbs are regarded as inefficient, largel due to the fact that they gi e off significant amounts of heat. Owing to this perceived inefficiency the sale anti use of tungsten bulhs is planned to be outlawed in the near future, at least within the European Union.

Another problem associated with the prior art flame pattern generators is associated with the tendency for the room si?e of ne build dwellings to decrease. Space becomes a premium. from both practical and aesthetic perspecti es. It would therefore he desirable to provide a nieans for generating a flame pattern which occupies less space than those known from the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for generating a flame pattern comprising a reflector and at least one light emitting diode (LED), wherein the reflector includes at least one corrugation, and wherein at least one LED is located substantially adlacent to one of the at least one corrugations.

Advantageously, the reflector comprises a plurality of corrugations and at least one LED is associated with each corrugation.

The corrugations may have a curved cross-section. Alternatively, the corrugations may be "v" shaped in cross-section. In another embodiment, the corrugations may be provided by a surface effect.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a control unit and the LED's are powered by the controller. Powering the LED's via the control unit provides the advantage that the LED's may be programmed to flicker, and further may be programmed to flicker in a number of different ways.

For example the frec.1uency of flicker may be varied.

Advantageously, the I EL)'s ma be of different colours. By pros iding different colours, different flame colours and effects ma' be produced. This may be further enhanced by controlhng the seuence in which differently colour LED's are illuminated.

The material from Inch the reflector is made may be metal, such as steel, and is preferably brushed to produce surface effects in the reflector which diffract light falling thereon. The reflector is preferably pnn ided with surface effects, such as the score marks created by brushing, which he substantially perpendicular to the lirngitudinal axis of the corrugations.

The invention further provides an electric fire including an apparatus for generating a flame effect as described above.

Further, the invention also provides a method of generating a flame effect comprising the step of illuminating the IEI)'s of the apparatus described above.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings, hich illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and are by way of

example:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure Ia is an exploded view of a part of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 2 illustrates the apparatus shown in Figure 1 in perspective; Figure 3a is a plan view of apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 3h is a plan vie of apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 3c is a plan view of apparatus according to another embodiment of the in ention; Figure 3d is a plan view of apparatus according to another emhoclinient of the invention; Figure 3e is a plan ie of apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 3fi'. a plan ie of apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 3g isa plan v1e of apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 31i is a plan view of apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 4a is an exploded view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 4; Figure 4b is an exploded vie of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 4 with a different optical diffuser; Figure 4c is an exploded view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 4 and illustrates a different flame effect to that illustrated in Figure 4a; Figure 5a is a schematic front elevation of a suite comprising a fire surround and an electric fire; Figure Sb is a schematic side elevation of the suite illustrated in Figure Sa; Figure ôa is a schematic front elevation of another suite comprising a fire surround and an electnc fire; Figure ób is a schematic side elevation of the suite illustrated in Figure Cia; Figure 7a is a schematic front elevation of an electric fire including an apparatus for generating a flame effect; Figure h is a schematic side ele ation of the electric fire illustrated in Figure 7a; Figure 8a is a schematic front elnation of a decorative assembly including an apparatus for generating a flame effect; and Figure Sb is a schematic side elevation of the decorati e assembly illustrated in Figure Sa.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring now to Figures 1 to 2, there is shown apparatus according to the invention comprising a reflector 1, an LED mount 2, a p1urabt of LED's 3 mounted on said mount 2, a control unit 4 connected to a power source by a power lead 6 and to a manually operable controller 5, operation of which changes the manner in which the LED's are illuminated, for example the frequency of illumination, the duration of any one illumination, LED's of different colours may be switched on contemporaneously. The manually operable controller assists in this.

From Figures Ia and 2 it can be seen that the reflector I is corrugated, the corrugations being defined by peaks Ia and troughs lb. The 1 ED's 3 are mounted on the mount 2 such that each LED is aligned with a face I c of each corrugation. The pattern made on the reflector by the LED's is illustrated b' broken lines Id and le. In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 2, two LED's 3 work with a two faces I c to either side of a trough lb to produce an image resembling a flame, i.e. there are two distinct elements to the image, as depicted by the lines ld and Ic, and those lines are curved.

Figures 3a to 3h illustrate different shapes of reflector 1 and arrangement of LED's 3.

In I igure 3a the corrugations of the reflector I are cun ed, being formed by a peak 5 and a trough 6. One LED 3 is associated with each corrugation, each LEE) 3 being adjacent a trough 6.

In FigUre 3b the reflector I is of the same type as illustrated in Figure 3a with two LED's associated with each corrugation.

In Figure 3c the reflector lis of the type illustrated in Figure 1.

In Figure 3d the reflector I includes a central part 7 cet back from the parts 8 to either side thereof. A pair of LED's 3 is associated with each corrugation, one LED 3 being adjacent each face Ic of each corrugation. In this embodiment, each LED 3 of the pair emits light of a different colour.

The reflector I and arrangement of LED's illustrated in Figure 3e is similar to that illustrated in Figure 3c except that the depth and width of each corrugation are smaller.

The reflector 1 illustrated in Figure 3f provides shallow corrugations with three LED's 3 grouped together and aligned with the trough lb of each corrugation. In this embodiment, each LED 3 of each group of three LED's is of a different colour.

The arrangement illustrated in Figure 3g uses the same reflector as illustrated in Figure 3f, again with a group of three LED's aligned with the trough lb of each corrugation. However, in this embodiment the three LED's 3 of each group emit hght of the same colour, and a further LED 3 is aligned with each peak Ia of the reflector 1. In this embodiment the single LED's 3 are of a different colour to those of the groups of three LED's.

The arrangement illustrated in Figure 3h comprises a reflector 1 in which an LED 3 is associated with a trough lb of each corrugation. The reflector I is cun-ed and further, the corrugations are not of uniform shape.

The different arrangements of reflector shape, number of LED's, position otLhl)'s and colour of LED's each change the appearance of the image on the reflector. E3v changing one of the aforementioned parameters it is therefore possible to produce a different flame effect \ ith the apparatus of the invention.

Referring no to ligures 4 to 4c, the apparatus comprises a reflector I, a mount 2 and a p1rality of LED's 3 and is similar to the apparatus illustrated in Figures I to 2. Host ever, the apparatus shown in Figures 4 to 4c includes an optical diffuser 8. The optical diffuser 8 is typically of clear acrylic material having prisniatic properties. The optical diffusers 8 illustrated in Figures 4a to 4c respectively each have different light diffusing properties, thereby producing different images on the reflector 1, the images being indicated by broken lines 9.

The reflectors 1 of the apparatus illustrated in Figures I to 4 are preferably formed from a metal, such as steel, which is brushed on its surface adjacent the LED's 3. Preferably, the steel is brushed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the corrugations. The brush marks sen-c to diffract light falling on the reflector. Brushing makes shallow score marks in the surface of the reflector. Means of generating surface effects other than brushing may be employed.

Referring now to Figures 5a and 5b, a suite 11) comprises an electric fire 11 which includes an apparatus 12 for generating a flame effect as described with reference to Figures I to 4, a heater 13, and a fire surround 14.

Figure 6a and 6b again illustrate a suite lii. However, the heater element 13 and the apparatus 12 for generating a flame effect are integral with the surround 14.

Figures 7a and b illustrate an electric fire 15 comprising an apparatus 16 for generating a flame effect 16 and a heater 17. The electric fire ISis attached to a wall 18.

Figures 8a and 8h illustrate another embodiment comprising a decorati e assembly 20. The assembly 20 includes an apparatus 21 for generating a flame effect is mounted in an upright element 22 (luch any he used in a room to simulate a chimne hreast. �\ flat member 23 simulates a hearth, and a television 24is mounted on the front of the upright element 22. The upright element 22 ill typically provide at least one void through hich cabling ma be threaded.

The invention provides an apparatus and method for generating a flame effect hich is substantiall' smaller than those of the prior art. Further, b using LED's the power consumpthrn is signiuicantl reduced. Still further, many different flame effects can be produced by adjusting one or more of the following parameters: profile of corrugations of the reflector, the profile of the reflector, the number of LED's, the colour of the LED's, the spacing between the LED's, and the manner in which the LED's are switched on and off. Still further, by locating one or more LED's adjacent a corrugation in a reflector the edges of the image reflected are curved, thereby simulating a natural flame.

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for generanng a flame pattern comprising a reflector anti at least one light emitting diode (LED), wherein the reflector includes at least one corrugaturn, and wherein at least one LED is located substantially adjacent to one of the at least one corrugations.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises a plurality of corrugations and at least one LED is associated;ith each corrugation.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2. wherein the corrugations each is curved in cross-section.
4. Apparatus according to Claim I or 2, wherein the corrugations are "v" shaped in cross-section.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further including an optical diffuser, which is arranged to diffuse light emanating from the LED's befire the light reaches the reflector.
6. Apparatus according to ant preceding claim, wherein the apparatus includes a control unit and the LED's are powered via the control unit.
7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein the control is programmable with a plurality of illumination sequences.
8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, further comprising a controller connected with the control unit and including switching means to switch between illumination sequences.
9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of LED's may include LED's emitting light of different colours.
10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the corrugations are non-uniform in shape.
ii. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the reflector is curved.
1 2. Apparatus according to ans preceding claim, wherein an axis of the reflector passing through the corrugations thereof is non-planar.
13. Apparatus according to an preceding claim, wherein the surface of the reflector adjacent the LED's is provided ith means to diffract light falling thereon.
14. Apparatus according to Claim 1 3, whettin the means to diffract light comprise score marks.
IS. An electric fire including apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 14.
16. A suite including an apparatus as claimed in any of Claims I to 14 and a fire surround.
17. A suite according to Claim 16, wherein the said apparatus for generating a flanie pattern is part of an electric fire as claimed in Claim 15.
18. An assembly comprising an upright element and an apparatus as claimed in any of (:laims 1 to 14 mounted in the upright element.
19. An assembly according to Claim 18 further comprising a display mounted on the said upright element.
20. An assembly according to Claim 18 or 19, wherein the upright element simulates a chimney breast, the assembly further including a hearth element projecting from the lower part of the upright element.
21. Apparatus substantially as shown in, and as described with reference to, the drawings.