GB2460258A

GB2460258A - Electric fire comprising a secondary light source

Info

Publication number: GB2460258A
Application number: GB0809320A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Betz; Aubrey O'coimin
Original assignee: Basic Holdings
Current assignee: Basic Holdings
Priority date: 2008-05-22
Filing date: 2008-05-22
Publication date: 2009-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 2028-05-22
Also published as: WO2009141432A2; GB0809320D0; WO2009141432A3; GB2460258B

Abstract

An electric fire has a housing 110 defining a fire effect area, and has a secondary light source, in the form of a light well 140 formed from a translucent material such as plastic or glass, provided within the housing to one side of the fire effect area and forwardly of a rear wall of the housing. The light well is illuminated by a user controlled light source. Preferably, the fire effect area includes a flame effect area comprising a flame effect generating screen 120 on which a flame pattern 130 may be generated. The flame effect generating screen may be an electronic screen, such as an LCD, whose generated flame pattern is a replay of a previously recorded burning fire. The light well may define a frame shape and provide a diffuse lighting effect. The light well may be formed as a three dimensional structure having side walls, where an inner set 142 of side walls provides support for a fuel bed 170 which forms part of the fire effect area. A blocking screen 175 with an opaque surface may be provided relative to the light well to selectively block the viewing of the generated light effects from that location. Preferably, the light well includes a plurality of light sources 160, where the light sources may include controllable multi-coloured light emitting diodes (LEDs) so that the colour output from the light well can be varied.

Description

An electric fire

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to electric fires and in particular to electric fires which provides for improved simulation of flame effects.

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.

Despite the prevalence of electric fires and the developments that have been done to improve the quality of the simulated flame or fire effect, there is a need to provide for better arrangements which improve the viewing experience.

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

Such a fire includes a housing defining a fire effect area wherein operably a fire effect may be generated for viewing by a user of the fire. The further comprises a light well provided within the housing and to at least one side of the fire effect area and forwardly of a rear wall of the housing, the light well being operably illuminated by a user controlled light source. Desirably this user controlled light source is a secondary light source that is not useable in the generation of the fire effects such that the fire effects and light well can be independently controlled. It will be appreciated that within the present disclosure the term "light well" is intended to define a secondary light source within the fire.

While the secondary light source may assist in the visual perception of the generated fire effects, its primary purpose is not the generation of the fire effects. The secondary light source is provided within a housing that could be integral with or separate from the housing of the fire.

The fire effect may be a flame effect pattern. In such an arrangement the housing typically provides support for a flame generating screen on which a flame pattern may be generated.

The light well may include at least one diffusing screen. In an exemplary arrangement the light well is fabricated in a box type structure arrangement having front and rear surfaces and side walls. A typical mounting arrangement for such an exemplary embodiment provides the light well located forwardly of the flame generating screen and defining a frame having a viewing portion which may be in the form of a physical aperture through which the flame generating screen is visible. A plurality of light sources are arranged about the flame generating screen and generate a lighting effect visible through the diffusing screen.

The light well may include a front face, substantially parallel with and forwardly provided of the flame generating screen. If provided in a box type structure having a plurality of side walls with each of the side walls being substantially perpendicular to the front face, one or more of the side walls may be fabricated from a diffusing material such that light generated internally within the light well will be diffused through transmission out of the side walls of the light well. An inner and outer set of side walls may be provided. The inner set desirably defines the side walls of the aperture through which the flame generating screen is visible. The outer set of side walls desirably defines a perimeter of the fire.

The inner set of side walls desirably have a depth sufficient to support a fuel bed thereon. The fuel bed, if provided, may be seated on a lower side wall of the inner set. In such an arrangement the fuel bed is located substantially adjacent to a lower portion of the flame generating screen, such that flames generated on the flame generating screen have the visual impression of originating out of the fuel bed.

The plurality of light sources are desirably arranged to project light through both the side walls and the front face of the light well. In such an arrangement, the generated light effects from the plurality of light sources are visible through each of the front face and side walls of the light well. In another arrangement the generated light effects from the plurality of light sources are only visible through selected ones of the front face, the inner or outer set of side walls. Such selective transmission through the front face, inner and outer sets of side walls may be provided by selective provision of an opaque surface between the viewer and the light surfaces so as to block the viewing of the generated light effects from that location. In another arrangement the light well could generate light that is transmitted through the rear of the fire housing and which then reflects against a surface on which the fire is located to be visible about a perimeter of the fire.

Such an opaque surface may be provided by a blocking screen mountable relative to the light well and having a footprint at least that of the surface of the diffusing screen from which the transmission of light is to be blocked. Typically, if provided, this will be a front face of the diffusing screen and the blocking screen is locatable in front of the front face so as to block the transmission of light through the front face of the light well. The blocking screen may be integrally provided with the light well or may be removable from the fire so as to selectively allow a user to block or view light through the front screen.

The plurality of light sources are desirably arranged about the perimeter of the aperture defined by the light well. In such an arrangement, when illuminated, a light field will be defined about the flame generating pattern. The colour output from the light sources may be altered through use of filters or desirably by using multi-coloured light sources such that the generated light field may be formed from a plurality of colours. Such an arrangement may typically be provided by utilisation of multi-coloured light emitting diodes (LED5) whose output changes dependent on the driving signal that is provide thereto or physically distinct monocolour light sources whose selective activation changes the generated colour viewed. The fire may be configured to allow user selection of the desired colour of the light field. In such an arrangement a user interface may be provided whereby the user can selectively modify the drive signal to achieve a desired colour output. The changing colour of the light field may be synchronised with changing colours generated on the flame generating screen.

In an alternative arrangement the colour of the light field could be matched with that of the surrounding room or environment where the fire is located. In such an arrangement the fire could include a user input whereby the user could provide details of for example, the colour of the wall where the fire is located, and the output of the light field would match that colour. In another arrangement the colour of the light field could be configured to contrast with such ambient conditions.

The light well may be formed from one or more diffusing screens which are desirably formed from an at least partially translucent material such as a plastic or glass. A coating may be provided on a surface of the translucent material or the material may be treated to integrally provide a diffuser.

The flame generating screen typically is provided by an electronic screen such as an LCD or the like whose generated flame pattern is a replay of a previously recorded burning fire. Such flat panel display screens and their use in fires is described in our previous applications. Other flame effect generating means could be provided as well.

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 drawing in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a fire provided in accordance with the teaching of the present invention, Figure 2 is section through an assembled fire according to the embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of an alternative configuration of a fire in accordance with the teaching of the invention.

Figure 4 is an exploded view of yet a further alternative arrangement of a fire provided in accordance with the teaching of the present invention.

Detailed Description Of The Drawings

The invention will now be described with reference to exemplary arrangements thereof which is provided to assist in an understanding of the teaching of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1 an electric fire 100 in accordance with the teaching of the present invention is provided in an exploded form. Such a fire 100 includes a housing 110 providing support for a flame generating screen 120 on which a flame pattern 130 may be generated. A diffusing screen 140 located forwardly of the flame generating screen 120 is provided. The diffusing screen is part of a a frame having an aperture 150 through which the flame generating screen is visible once the fire is fully assembled. The frame or box structure defines what will be termed within the present application a light well. This term "light well" is intended to include any light source or plurality of light sources that generate light in addition to the typical fire effects of electric fires and which are provided to at least one side of the fire effect region defined within the housing of the electric fire. In this exemplary arrangement, a plurality of light sources 160 are arranged about the flame generating screen 120 and generate a lighting effect visible through the diffusing screen.

The light well may be formed in a three dimensional structure and as shown in Figure 1 may include a front face 141, substantially parallel with and forwardly provided of the flame generating screeni 20. The well may also include a plurality of side walls, each of the side walls being substantially perpendicular to the front face. An inner 142 and outer set 143 of side walls may be provided. The inner set desirably defines the side walls of the aperture through which the flame generating screen is visible. The outer set 143 of side walls desirably defines a perimeter of the fire.

In the arrangement of Figure 1, the light well is provided in a box type structure, having a width and height corresponding with the dimensions of the fire. The depth of the box is defined by the side walls. In the arrangement of Figure 1, and as will be evident from the section of Figure 2, the box structure is provided without a rear wall or face such that the housing 110 may be received within the volume of the light well. On assembly the fire housing and the light well are effectively integrated with one another. The inner set 142 of the side walls desirably have a depth sufficient to support a fuel bed 170 thereon. The fuel bed, if provided, may be seated on a lower side wall 144 of the inner set. In such an arrangement the fuel bed is located substantially adjacent to a lower portion 121 of the flame generating screen 120, such that flames 130 generated on the flame generating screen 120 have the visual impression of originating out of the fuel bed 170.

The plurality of light sources are desirably arranged to project light through both the side walls 142, 143 and the front face 141 of the light well which are typically fabricated from a diffusing screen or screens. In such an arrangement, the generated light effects from the plurality of light sources 160 are visible through each of the front face 141 and side walls 142, 143 of the diffusing screens.

In another arrangement the generated light effects from the plurality of light sources are only visible through selected ones of the front face, the inner or outer set of side walls. Such selective transmission through the front face, inner and outer sets of side walls may be provided by selective provision of an opaque surface between the viewer and the light surfaces so as to block the viewing of the generated light effects from that location.

Such an opaque surface may be provided by a blocking screen 175 mountable relative to the diffusing screen and having a footprint at least that of the surface of the light well from which the transmission of light is to be blocked.

Typically, if provided, and as shown in Figure 1, this will be the front face 141 of the light well 140 and the blocking screen 175 is locatable in front of the front face so as to block the transmission of light through the front face of the diffusing screen. The blocking screen may be integrally provided with the diffusing front screen or may be removable from the fire so as to selectively allow a user to block or view light through the front screen. In the arrangement of Figure 1 a plurality of fixings 180 are provided to enable a securing of the blocking screen 175 relative to the front screen 141 and the diffuser screen 140 relative to the housing 110. If provided forwardly of the front face of the diffusing screen, it is apparent that the blocking screen will also have an aperture defined therein, of dimensions corresponding with that of the flame generating screen such that when located to the front of the fire 100, that the flame generating screen will still be visible.

The plurality of light sources 160 are desirably arranged about the flame generating screen 120 and as such overlap with a perimeter 151 of the aperture defined by the box structure of the light well 140. In such an arrangement, when illuminated, a light field will be defined about the flame generating pattern, in the exemplary arrangement of Figure 1 about the four sides of the flame generating screen 120. As the light sources are located behind the diffusing screens that provide the side walls of the light well, their light output will be diffused through transmission through the light well 140 such that a viewer to the front of the fire observes a distributed lighting about the flame generating screen, as opposed to individual light elements. The diffusing screens are desirably formed from an at least partially translucent material such as a plastic or glass. A coating may be provided on a surface of the translucent material or the material may be treated to integrally provide a diffuser.

The colour output from the light sources may be altered through use of filters or desirably by using multi-coloured light sources such that the generated light field may be formed from a plurality of colours. Such an arrangement may typically be provided by utilisation of multi-coloured light emitting diodes (LED5) whose output changes dependent on the driving signal that is provide thereto.

The fire may be configured to allow user selection of the desired colour of the light field. In such an arrangement a user interface may be provided whereby the user can selectively modify the drive signal to achieve a desired colour output. The changing colour of the light field may be synch ronised with changing colours generated on the flame generating screen. In an alternative arrangement the colour of the light field could be matched with that of the surrounding room or environment where the fire is located. In such an arrangement the fire could include a user input whereby the user could provide details of for example, the colour of the wall where the fire is located, and the output of the light field would match that colour. In another arrangement the colour of the light field could be configured to contrast with such ambient conditions.

The flame generating screen typically is provided by an electronic screen such as an LCD or the like whose generated flame pattern is a replay of a previously recorded burning fire. Such flat panel display screens and their use in fires is described in our previous International POT Application No. W02006EP062900. Other arrangements for providing flame patterns on a screen, including for example mechanical arrangements using moveable ribbons or the like, could equivalently be used within the context of the teaching of the present invention and examples of such alternatives include those described in our previous applications.

In the arrangement of Figure 1 the light well was described as being in the form of a box without a solid back. The plurality of light sources 160 were provided on a front face of the housing 110 which is used to support the flame generating screen 120. Figure 2 shows a section through an assembled fire of Figure 1, with the blocking screen 175 not attached. The same reference numerals are used for the same components. As will be seen, when the fire is assembled the light sources 160 which are provided on a front surface of the housing 110 abut in and against the rear portion of the front face 141 of the light well. The flame generating screen 120 which is supported within the housing 110 abuts against the inner set 142 of the side walls of the diffuser screens that define the side walls of the light well. The fuel bed 170 also is positioned against the lower portion 121 of the flame generating screen 120. By providing the light well without a back portion and receiving the housing within the area defined by the side walls 142, 143 of the light well it is possible to fabricate a fire having a narrow depth profile while still having a ledge arrangement as provided by the inner side walls. When the light sources are illuminated, light will project through the front face 141 and the inner 142 and outer 143 sets of walls of the light well 140. A viewer of the flame pattern on the flame generating screen 120 will have the flame affect modified by the colouring of the lighting provided about the perimeter of the flame generating screen 120.

Figure 3 shows a modification to the arrangement of Figures 1 and 2 wherein the light well is provided as a complete three dimensional structure having both front 341 and back 344 surfaces which are separated from one another by inner 342 and outer 343 sets of side walls. In a similar arrangement to that of Figure 1 a fuel bed 170 may be received on and seated on a lower side wall of the inner set 342. The plurality of light source 160 are provided on a dedicated support surface 350 whose planar dimensions substantially correspond with that of the diffuser box 340. The flame generating screen 120 is provided on a housing 310. On assembly, each of the four components 310, 350, 340 and 175 are brought into intimate contact to form a sandwich structure. In contrast to that of Figures 1 & 2 such an arrangement is more bulky in depth, but has the advantage that each of the sub-assemblies can be fabricated separately and only need to be brought together to provide the final structure.

Figure 4 shows a further arrangement for a fire including a light well in accordance with the teaching of the present invneiton. Similar reference numerals will be used for similar parts to that described heretofore. In this arrangement a fire housing 410 provides support for a flame generating screen which is fabricated using a plurality of ribbons whose movement is used to resemble the flicker of flames. A fan element 411 is provided below the flame generating screen and can be used to induce the movement of the ribbons located thereabove. Such a mechanical arrangement for generating flame effects will be known to those skilled in the art.

In this arrangement a light well or light box 140 is mountable to the front of the housing. The light well defines an aperture or frame about the screen within the housing such that the screen is visible through the light well. A plurality of individual light sources are arranged within the light well. In this arrangement they are provided about the perimeter of the aperture such that operably the flame generating screen 120 will be framed or defined by a secondary light arranged about all four sides thereof. It will be understood that the light sources within the light well could be arranged to provide lighting to one or more sides of the flame generating screen. Interior side walls of the light well 140 could be usefully employed for supporting a fuel bed, similarly to that described previously with regard to Figure 1.

The dimensions of the light well are greater than that of the housing, ie its footprint is larger and therefore its rear surfaces overlaps that of the front surface of the housing.

Similarly to that provided in Figures 1 to 3, in this arrangement a blocking screen 175 is provided to the front of the light well to at least partially diffuse the light transmitted to the front of the light well. This could be arranged to be a continuous sheet wherein the viewer would also see a diffuse representation of the generated flame effects. Alternatively a portion of that front screen could have a central portion 420 defining an aperture or having a different transmissivity so that light could more easily pass through this central portion than the other portions of the front screen 175, to enable a viewing of the flame generating screen located therebehind. In this arrangement of a fire, light from the secondary light sources within the light well may also pass rearwardly through the housing and then reflect off a mounting surface on which the fire is provided (a wall in the case of a wall mounted fire) so as to generate a lighting about the perimeter of the fire as well as the perimeter of the flame generating screen.

It will be understood that while exemplary arrangements have been described that it is not intended that the teaching of the present invention be limited to any one design or construct of a fire housing. By having a fire comprising a housing providing support for a fire effect area on which fire effects may be generated or simulated is described and providing a light well arranged relative to the fire effect area it is possible to usefully employ the light well to generate a lighting effect secondary to that of the fire effect area. In a preferred arrangement the light well provides a perimeter lighting arrangement about the fire effect area which is provided as diffuse lighting such that a viewer to the front of the fire experiences a distributing lighting affect around the simulated fire effects on the screen which will heighten the flame simulation effect experience.

Therefore it will be understood that modifications can be made to that described herein without departing from the scope of the claimed invention which is to be construed as limited only insofar as is deemed necessary in the light of the appended claims. Where the words "upper", "lower", "interior", "exterior", "inner", "outer" and the like are used it will be appreciated that these are provided as descriptive of the relative locations of components to one another and that if the orientation of the fire is changed that these descriptors may also change.

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.

Claims

Claims 1. An electric fire having a housing defining a fire effect area wherein operably a fire effect may be generated and having a light well provided within the housing and to at least one side of the fire effect area and forwardly of a rear wall of the housing, the light well being operably illuminated by a user controlled light source.
2. The fire of claim 1 wherein the fire effect area includes a flame effect area and where the housing provides support for a flame generating screen on which a flame pattern may be generated.
3. The fire of claim 2 wherein the user controlled light source is provided to at least one side of the flame generating screen and arranged such that operably light is emitted from the at least one light source forwardly of the rear wall of the housing.
4. The fire of claim 2 wherein the user controlled light source is provided to at least one side of the flame generating screen and arranged such that operably light is projected towards the rear wall of the housing
5. The fire of any preceding surface where in the light well provides a diffuse lighting effect.
6. The fire of any preceding claim wherein the light well defines a frame about the fire effect area.
7. The fire of any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the light well defines a frame about the flame generating screen.
8. The fire of claim 2 comprising a diffusing screen located forwardly of the flame generating screen, the diffusing screen forming at least a portion of the light well and defining a frame about the flame generating screen and through which the flame generating screen is visible.
9. The fire of claim 7 including wherein the light well includes a plurality of light sources arranged about the flame generating screen and configured to operably generate a lighting effect.
10. The fire of claim 6 wherein the frames defines a front face, substantially parallel with and forwardly provided of the flame generating screen.
11. The fire of any preceding claim wherein the light well is formed as a three dimensional structure having side walls, at least some of the side walls providing a diffusing surface through which light is diffused on transmission thereth rough.
12. The fire of claim 11 wherein an inner and outer set of side walls are provided, the inner set desirably defining the side walls of an aperture through which the fire effect area is visible.
13. The fire of claim 12 wherein the outer set of side walls define a perimeter of the fire.
14. The fire of claim 12 or 13 wherein the inner set of side walls provide support for a fuel bed located thereon, the fuel bed forming at least a part of the fire effect area.
15. The fire of claim 14 wherein the fuel bed is seated on a lower side wall of the inner set, the fire effect area including a flame generating screen on which a flame pattern may be generated and wherein the fuel bed is located substantially adjacent to a lower portion of the flame generating screen such that flames generated on the flame generating screen have the visual impression of originating out of the fuel bed.
16. The fire of claim 11 wherein the light well includes a front face substantially perpendicular to the side walls and wherein the light well light source is arranged to project light through both the side walls and the front face of the light well and optionally the back wall of the housing.
17. The fire of claim 12 wherein the wherein the light well includes a front face substantially perpendicular to the side walls and wherein the light well light source is arranged to project light through each of the front face and side walls of the light well.
18. The fire of claim 11 wherein the light well includes a front face substantially perpendicular to the side walls and wherein generated light effects are only visible through selected ones or portions of selected ones of the front face and side walls.
19. The fire of any preceding claim further including an opaque surface provided relative to the light well to block the viewing of the generated light effects from that location.
20. The fire of claim 19 wherein the opaque surface is provided by a blocking screen mountable relative to the light well and having a footprint at least that of a surface of the light well from which the transmission of light is to be blocked.
21. The fire of claim 19 wherein the blocking screen is mounted against a front face of the light well so as to block the transmission of light through the front face of the light well.
22. The fire of claim 21 wherein the blocking screen may be integrally provided with the light well or may be removable from the fire so as to selectively allow a user to block or view light through the front screen of the light well.
23. The fire of any preceding claim wherein the light well includes a plurality of light sources arranged about a perimeter of the fire effect area so as to frame the fire effect area.
24. The fire of any preceding claim wherein colour output from the light well may be varied such that the generated light field may be formed from a plurality of colours.
25. The fire of claim 24 wherein the light sources include multi-coloured light emitting diodes (LED5) whose output changes dependent on the driving signal that is provide thereto.
26. The fire of claim 24 or 25 including a user interface to allow user selection of the desired colour of the light field.
27. The fire of any preceding claim wherein the light well is at least partially formed from an at least partially translucent material such as a plastic or glass.
28. The fire of any preceding claim wherein the fire effect area includes a flame generating screen provided by an electronic screen such as an LCD or the like whose generated flame pattern is a replay of a previously recorded burning fire.
29. The fire or any preceding claim wherein the fire effects are operably generated by a primary light source within the fire housing and the user controlled light source of the light well represents a secondary light source of the fire.
30. A fire substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 and 2 or Figure 3 or Figure 4 of the accompanying Figures.