WO2007141013A1

WO2007141013A1 - Flame effect fires

Info

Publication number: WO2007141013A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/005024
Authority: WO
Inventors: Noel O'neill; Martin Betz
Original assignee: Basic Holdings
Priority date: 2006-06-09
Filing date: 2007-06-06
Publication date: 2007-12-13
Also published as: GB2438870A; EP2032903A1; GB0611415D0; CN101495810A

Abstract

A flame effect fire includes an air flow duct defined behind a viewing screen. A fan directs an air flow upwardly through the air flow duct. Flame effect elements mounted in the air flow duct are caused to move by the flow of air. An electrical resistance heating element is mounted at the top of the air flow duct so that air flowing through the duct is heated before passing out of an outlet for space heating.

Description

Flame Effect Fires

The present invention relates to electric heating appliances, and in particular to space heating appliances which in include a simulation of flames as in a real fire.

BACKGROUND

Flame simulating fires are well known and various ways have been suggested for providing a simulation of flames. Most simulations of flames involve reflecting light from a moving reflective or partially reflective surface and/or irregularly interrupting light from a light source by moving reflective or non-reflective means. One group of fires uses reflective or partially reflective material which is flexible in nature, such as textile material. The material is suspended in an air flow so that it is caused to billow and flutter. Light from a light source is reflected by the material onto a viewing screen, thereby to provide the impression of moving flames. An example can be seen in GB 2230335. Conventionally such fires include a first fan for providing the air flow over the material and a separate fan heater for providing a flow of heated air into a room for space heating.

GB 2 395 550 teaches an electric fire which provides a decorative optical effect. The fire includes a front viewing screen F and an air duct 12 at the rear of the fire. The front wall 12a of the air duct provides a projection screen for a moving flame effect. A fan heater 8, 11 is mounted at the base of the fire and directs heated air through the duct 12. Heated air exits through an opening 12 at an upper part of the fire.

GB 2 378 241 teaches a flame effect fire which employs a heat exchanger 29 as the heat source. The heat exchanger is constructed to be connected to a domestic hot water heating system. That is, in use, hot water is circulated through the heat exchanger. The fire includes an air duct 12, with the heat exchanger 29 mounted at the top of the duct. A fan 24 is mounted at the bottom of the duct 12 and directs air through the duct 12 to the heat exchanger so that the air is heated before exiting the fire. Flame simulating means 19 are mounted in the duct 12. The means 19 are formed from pieces of silk having a flame shaped profile and are arranged to move in the flow of air through the duct 12. A viewing screen 22 is mounted at the front of the duct 12. Light from a light source is reflected by the flame simulating means 19 onto the viewing screen to provide the flame simulation. GB 2 350 420 teaches a flame effect gas fire in which a fan 14 is mounted at the base of the fire and directs air through a duct 15. The duct 15 includes suspended ribbons of polyester material which are caused to flutter in the air flow from fan 14. Air from the duct 15 is heated by a heat exchanger before exiting the fire. The heat exchanger is, in turn, heated by the hot combustion products of a gas burner.

GB 1 088 577 teaches a flame effect fire in which a plurality of ribbons 27 are suspended in a chamber behind a viewing screen 20. A fan heater 24 mounted above the ribbons draws air over the ribbons 27 causing them to flutter and expels heated air from the fire.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved flame effect fire which is especially compact in its front-to back dimension and provides heating and a flame effect with the minimum number of moving components.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to the present invention there is provided a flame effect fire comprising: a housing having a back wall and first and second side walls extending forwardly from the back wall; a viewing screen having a front surface, a rear surface, opposed upper and lower edges and opposed side edges, the viewing screen being mounted forwardly of the back wall a simulated fuel bed mounted forwardly of the viewing screen an air flow duct defined between the rear surface of the viewing screen and the back wall a rear reflector mounted at the rear of the air flow duct at least one flame simulating element mounted in the air flow duct between the back wall and the viewing screen at least one light source mounted at a level below the simulated fuel bed and positioned to illuminate the fuel bed and the rear reflector, a fan positioned operatively to direct a flow of air upwardly through the air flow duct to cause movement of the flame simulating element; at least one electrical resistance heating element mounted in the air flow duct proximate the upper edge of the viewing screen; and a heated air outlet arranged above the upper edge of the viewing screen and in communication with the air flow duct.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flame effect fire further comprises at least one opaque baffle mounted between the heating element and the heated air outlet and configured to prevent a user from viewing the heating element through the air outlet.

Preferably the flame effect fire further comprises an air duct defining plate comprising a rear wall configured to abut the rear wall of the housing and side walls configured to extend forwardly substantially to the plane of the viewing screen.

The flame effect fire of the invention preferably further comprises first and second side mounting brackets in which the respective side edges of the viewing screen are supportingly retained and wherein the respective side walls of the air duct defining plate are configured to meet the respective side mounting brackets.

Preferably the rear reflector is mounted on the front surface of the rear wall of the air duct defining plate.

Preferably the rear reflector comprises a web, sheet or plate of metallic or metallised material.

In preferred embodiments the flame effect fire of the invention comprises a plurality of flame simulating elements, each comprising a length of at least partially reflective material. Typical materials include silk and materials having a resemblance to silk such as polyester.

Preferably the flame effect fire further comprises upper and lower attachment brackets for the flame effect elements disposed in respective upper and lower regions of the air flow duct and to which brackets upper and lower margins of the flame effect elements are attached.

Preferably the flame effect fire of the invention further comprises an air duct top wall configured to direct heated air through the heated air outlet, said air duct top wall being spaced apart from the top wall of the housing to provide an air gap therebetween. Preferably the flame effect fire of the invention further comprises a rear baffle plate mounted in spaced apart relation from the rear face of the rear wall of the housing, at an upper portion thereof proximate and above the heating element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect reference will be made by way of example only to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross section through a fire according to the invention; and

Figure 2 is a perspective view, in cross section, of the fire of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, the flame effect fire indicated generally at 10 comprises a housing 12 having a top wall 14, a bottom wall 16 a first side wall 18 and a corresponding opposed second side wall (not shown), and a rear wall 20. The housing carries a decorative frame 22 comprising an upper frame section 22a, a side frame section 22b and an opposed corresponding side section (not shown). A further decorative sub-frame 24 is mounted in front of frame 22 and similarly comprises an upper frame section 24a and opposed side frame sections 24b. The sub-frame 24 defines an aperture 26 which is intended to resemble the open front of a traditional solid fuel fire. Below the aperture 26 is arranged a simulated fuel bed and grate arrangement 28. The grate arrangement typically comprises one or more curved members 28a, 28b which extend forwardly from the aperture 26 generally in the manner of the grate of a traditional fire. At the upper part of the grate arrangement 28 is a supporting member 30 for a simulated fuel bed. The supporting member 30 may be a solid web, such as of a translucent plastic, as illustrated, or may be of openwork construction. The supporting member 30 provides a supporting surface for a plurality of real or simulated fuel pieces, such as real or simulated coal or logs. In an alternative arrangement the supporting member may be absent and the simulated fuel comprises a plastic moulding which is at least locally translucent and which is shaped and coloured to resemble an ember bed with fuel pieces thereon. In a further alternative, a combination of a plastic moulding shaped and coloured to resemble a bed of embers with discrete real or simulated fuel pieces thereon may be used.

Immediately behind and above the simulated fuel bed is disposed a viewing screen 32 in which a user perceives the simulation of flames. The viewing screen is thus disposed in the aperture 26. In the embodiment illustrated the supporting member 30 includes a lip 30a which provides a location for the lower edge of the viewing screen. In preferred arrangements the viewing screen 32 is made diffusing of light. This may be achieved by providing a distinct layer of diffusing material on or adjacent the rear face of the viewing screen 32, or by treating the viewing screen itself. For example, a surface of the viewing screen may be treated with fine abrasions, of the viewing screen may incorporate a fine particulate material, such as titanium dioxide which makes it partially opaque and diffusing. The viewing screen 32 may be made from glass of a substantially translucent plastics material. In a particularly preferred arrangement, the front surface of the screen 32 is treated so that it is partially reflective. For example, the front surface of the viewing screen 32 may be partially silvered so that some of the light incident of the viewing screen 32 from the front of the fire is reflected. In this way, the user sees a reflection of the fuel bed in the viewing screen 32, so that the flame simulation seen in the viewing screen 32 appears to come from the middle of a fuel bed of correspondingly greater depth.

The inner face 32a of the viewing screen defines a front inner wall surface of an air flow duct 34. The air flow duct 34 extends from a region generally below the fuel bed and the lowermost edge of the viewing screen 32 upwardly behind the viewing screen 32 to an upper region of the fire where it communicates with an air outlet 36. The sides of the air flow duct 34 may be provided by the side walls of the housing. Alternatively, an air duct defining plate comprising a rear wall portion configured to abut the rear wall 20 of the housing and side walls configured to extend forwardly substantially to the plane of the viewing screen may be provided. The air flow duct 34 is thus defined by the air duct defining plate and the rear surface 32a of the viewing screen 32. A plurality of flame simulating elements 38 are retained in the air flow duct 34. One such element 38 is shown in Figure 2, the others being omitted for clarity of the remaining illustration. The elements 38 are omitted from Figure 1 for clarity of illustration. The flame simulating elements 38 are made from pieces of reflective or partially reflective material. The material of each element is suspended so that it hangs loosely and can move to a limited extent with respect to its support. Suitable materials include natural silk and synthetic silk-like materials, typically woven fabrics, such as of polyester or nylon. Upper and lower attachment brackets 42, 44 for the flame simulating elements are secured to the fire housing 10, for example to the rear wall 20. Each bracket 42, 44 comprises a plurality of forwardly directed formations 46 to which respective upper and lower end portions of the flame simulating elements 38 are attached. The flame simulating elements may include slits or cut-out portions 38s which can improve the perceived degree of reality of the flame simulation. The air flow duct 34 includes an upper zone or portion 34a extending from immediately above the flame simulating elements 38 to the outlet 36. A heating means 60 and, preferably, a baffle or baffles 64 are disposed in this zone 34a. It should be noted that zone 34a contains no means for moving air or causing a flow of air (other than natural convection caused by the heating means 60).

A rear reflector 40 is mounted against the rear of the fire. Where the fire 10 includes an air duct defining plate, the rear reflector is mounted on the front of the air duct defining plate. The rear reflector 40 is made from a web, sheet or layer of reflective material. In preferred constructions, the rear reflector comprises a sheet of polished metal of suitable colour, typically a brass, gold or silver colour. In alternative arrangements, the rear reflector 40 may be a sheet of metallised plastic, or may be a printed metallic layer. The rear reflector 40 is mounted generally opposite a lower portion of the viewing screen 32. The flame simulating elements 38 are thus located in the air flow duct 34 between the rear reflector 40 and the viewing screen 42.

The fuel bed supporting member 30 (or the moulded fuel or ember bed, where the member 30 is absent) together with the curved members 28a, 28b, the lower wall 16 of the housing 12 and the lower portion of the rear wall 20 define a lower chamber, region or zone 48 in which various components of the fire are located which are not seen by the user in normal use. The lower end region 50 of the air flow duct 34 communicates with the lower chamber 48.

A light source 52 is disposed in the chamber 48. In the illustrated example the light source comprises a pair of convention tungsten filament candle type bulbs (one of which is illustrated), but other types of bulb, such as halogen bulbs may be used. Where a sufficiently high light output is achievable, alternative light sources such as LEDs can be used. The light source 52 directs light to the underside of the fuel bed (through translucent supporting member 30) so that the fuel bed appears to glow in a manner similar to a real solid fuel fire. If required, means may be provided for intermittently interrupting the light from the light source 52, between the light source 52 and the fuel bed. In this way, the intensity of light passing through the fuel bed changes, resembling the changes of intensity of a real solid fuel fire as it burns. Arrangements for this purpose are well known in the art. Light from light source 52 is also directed into air flow duct 34. If necessary an additional reflector may be provided to facilitate direction of light from light source 52 into the air flow duct 34. In the example illustrated, the light source 52 (i.e. the bulbs) are located immediately below and slightly forward of the viewing screen 32 so that light falls directly into the air flow duct 34. Where it is necessary to locate the light source 52 elsewhere, one or more additional reflectors to direct the light into the air flow duct 34 may be particularly desirable. It is also desirable to prevent light from the light source 52 from falling directly onto the rear surface 32a of the viewing screen 32 and one or more light blocking baffles may be located for this purpose if required. Light from the light source 52 entering the air flow duct 34 is reflected by the rear reflector 40 and the flame simulating elements 38 so that it falls on the rear surface 32a of the viewing screen 32.

Chamber 48 also contains a fan or blower 54 which is arranged to draw air into the housing 12 through vents 56 at the front of chamber 48 at the lower marginal edges of curved member 28b and to expel the air into air flow duct 34. Thus a flow of air is provided through the air flow duct which exits the housing through outlet 36. The flow of air through the air flow duct causes movement of the flame simulating elements 38, so that the simulated flames observed by a user in viewing screen 32 also appear to move. The chamber 48 is also provided with a baffle 58 which in the illustrated example has orthogonally arranged planar portions extending laterally across the fire and which serves to prevent light from the light source 52 exiting the fire through the vents 56. The baffle 58 may also assist in directing the flow of air into fan 54. Control arrangements for the fire such as switches and the like are also disposed in the chamber 48 so that relevant parts are accessible to a user. Preferably significant components such as the light source 52 and associated connector or socket 52a, the fan 54 and the control arrangements are mounted on a common sub-assembly which is then fixed in the chamber 48.

In order to provide an output of warm air for space heating electrical resistance heating element 60 is provided at an upper part of the air flow duct 34, that is, in zone 34a. The heating element 60 is mounted on mounting bracket 62. Preferably the heating element 60 is mounted immediately behind the viewing screen 32 proximate the upper marginal o edge thereof. Thus air which is caused by fan 54 to flow upwardly through the air flow duct 34 passes over the heating element 60 and is thereby heated before passing through the remainder of zone 34a out of outlet 36. The heating elements 60 per se may be of conventional design. In preferred constructions the outlet 36 is constructed to have a mouth 36a at least approximately in the same plane as viewing screen 32. Heated air exits the mouth 36a in a predominantly horizontal direction.

It is known in general terms to provide fires with a flow of heated air from an upper part of the fire. Commonly, the air flow is directed downwardly from behind a "canopy" at the front of the fire, similar to item 2 in Figure 3 of GB 2 395 550. However, the design of the present invention intends to minimise the front to back dimension of the fire, to avoid unnecessary additional components and to provide fire of alternative appearance. Thus the air outlet is visible (if not obvious) to a user. A potential problem with this construction is that light from the light source may pass though the air flow duct 34 and fall on the heating element 60. The heating element 60 thus becomes - at least potentially - visible to a user through the air outlet 36. To overcome this problem, the fire of the present invention is provided with a baffle, or preferably a plurality of baffles 64 arranged between the heating element 60 and the air outlet 36. The baffles are opaque and arranged so that while heated air can easily pass between them, there is no line of sight for a user to see the heating element 60 through the air outlet 36. In the illustrated example, three such baffles 64 are provided consisting of spaced apart elongate metal or heat resistant plastic members 64a extending in parallel laterally across the top of the air flow duct 34. The individual members 64a are joined together by a suitable joining element 64b and mounted to the housing by suitable mounting brackets (not shown).

Some of the hot air rising through the duct 34 will of course strike the top wall of the duct before being deflected forwardly and out of the exit 36. Thus the top wall will inevitably become hot and the heat can potentially be transferred to the remainder of the housing 12 which is undesirable. For this reason the top wall 66 is constructed as a heat shield to minimise the transmission of heat to the housing 12. Thus the top wall 66 of the air flow duct 34 is constructed as a substantially separate sheet or web of metal (or heat resistant plastic) and an insulating air gap is provided between the top wall 66 and an upper wall 14 of the housing 12. Preferably the top wall 66 extends forwardly and terminates at an edge or lip 70 proximate the lower margin of the sub-frame upper section 24a. Thus sub-frame upper member 24a is at least to some extent prevented from excessive heating by the flow of heated air exiting the outlet 36. A further heat shield 72 is provided at an upper rear portion of the housing 12. This prevents the housing from transmitting excessive heat to, for example a wall in or against which it is disposed in use, which could potentially have disadvantages effects to the wall. The heat shield 72 preferably consists of two substantially orthogonal portions 72a, 72b which lie respectively in spaced apart relation to an upper part of the rear wall 20 and a rear part of upper wall 14, so that an insulating air gap is disposed between the respective wall portions and the portions 72a, 72b of the heat shield 72. Thus external surfaces of the fire 10 are prevented from becoming undesirably hot.

By providing an air duct 34 which is essentially defined between the viewing screen 32 and the rear wall 20, the front to back dimension of the fire 10 can be minimised, or alternatively the front to back dimension of the fuel bed can be of relatively greater dimension for enhanced realism of the fire 10. By using a single fan to provide an air flow over the flame simulating elements 38 and over an electrical resistance heating element it becomes unnecessary to provide and air-moving fan and a separate fan heater which was the conventional construction. Further directing the heated air directly out of the fire through outlet 36 in a substantially horizontal direction obviates the need for a canopy providing an enhanced aesthetic appearance, and reducing the number of components and weight of the complete fire 10.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", means "including but not limited to", and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.

Claims

1. A flame effect fire comprising: a housing having a back wall and first and second side walls extending forwardly from the back wall; a viewing screen having a front surface, a rear surface, opposed upper and lower edges and opposed side edges, the viewing screen being mounted forwardly of the back wall a simulated fuel bed mounted forwardly of the viewing screen an air flow duct defined between the rear surface of the viewing screen and the back wall a rear reflector mounted at the rear of the air flow duct at least one flame simulating element mounted in the air flow duct between the back wall and the viewing screen at least one light source mounted at a level below the simulated fuel bed and positioned to illuminate the fuel bed and the rear reflector, a fan positioned operatively to direct a flow of air upwardly through the air flow duct to cause movement of the flame simulating element; at least one electrical resistance heating element mounted in the air flow duct proximate the upper edge of the viewing screen; and a heated air outlet arranged above the upper edge of the viewing screen and in communication with the air flow duct.

2. A flame effect fire as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one opaque baffle mounted between the heating element and the heated air outlet and configured to prevent a user from viewing the heating element through the air outlet.

3. A flame effect fire as claimed in claim 1 or 2 further comprising an air duct defining plate comprising a rear wall configured to abut the rear wall of the housing and side walls configured to extend forwardly substantially to the plane of the viewing screen.

4. A flame effect fire as claimed in claim 3 further comprising first and second side mounting brackets in which the respective side edges of the viewing screen are supportingly retained and wherein the respective side walls of the air duct defining plate are configured to meet the respective side mounting brackets.

5. A flame effect fire as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the rear reflector is mounted on the front surface of the rear wall of the air duct defining plate.

6. A flame effect fire as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the rear reflector comprises a web, sheet, layer or plate of metallic or metallised material.

7. A flame effect fire as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a plurality of flame simulating elements, each comprising a length of at least partially reflective material.

8. A flame effect fire as claimed in claim 7 further comprising upper and lower attachment brackets for the flame effect elements disposed in respective upper and lower regions of the air flow duct and to which brackets upper and lower margins of the flame effect elements are attached.

9. A flame effect fire as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising an air duct top wall configured to direct heated air through the heated air outlet, said air duct top wall being spaced apart from the top wall of the housing to provide an air gap therebetween.

10. A flame effect fire as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a rear baffle plate mounted in spaced apart relation from the rear face of the rear wall of the housing, at an upper portion thereof proximate and above the heating element.

11. A flame effect fire substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 and/or Figure 2.