Realistic Flame Simulation with Paddle Element Design
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Summary
Problems
Traditional electric fireplaces produce uniform light for flame images, lacking the intensity variations and realistic flicker patterns of real flames, and often exhibit transverse light flashes that detract from the desired realistic effect.
Innovation solutions
A flame simulating assembly featuring a rotatable flicker element with paddle elements on a rod, where the paddle elements have reflective surfaces with central and perimeter regions of varying planarity, reflecting light to create intensity variations and realistic flicker patterns on a screen.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If uniform light intensity is used for flame images, then the manufacturing and operation are simple, but the realism of the flame effect deteriorates
Why choose this principle:
The paddle element is designed with non-uniform reflective properties across its surface. The central region has a first reflective property while the perimeter region has a second reflective property, creating local variations in light reflection that simulate realistic flame intensity patterns without complicating the overall manufacturing process
Principle concept:
If transverse light flashes are produced, then the light projection mechanism is simple, but the realism of the flame effect deteriorates
Why choose this principle:
The paddle element is configured to rotate about an axis during operation. This rotation dynamically changes the orientation of the reflective surfaces, causing the reflected light to travel generally upwardly rather than transversely, thereby simulating the natural upward movement of real flames while maintaining a simple rotating mechanism
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
A flame simulating assembly featuring a rotatable flicker element with paddle elements on a rod, where the paddle elements have reflective surfaces with central and perimeter regions of varying planarity, reflecting light to create intensity variations and realistic flicker patterns on a screen.
Abstract
A flame simulating assembly (220) including light source(s)(222), a screen (224) to which light from the light source(s) is directed, to provide images of flickering flames thereon, and a rotatable flicker element (232) for reflecting the light from the light sources toward the screen. The flicker element includes a number of paddle elements (238) located in respective predetermined locations on the rod. Each paddle element includes one or more body portions with reflective surfaces thereon. The reflective surface includes a central region (244) and a perimeter region (246) at least partially located around the central region, the perimeter region at least partially defining a perimeter plane (2PR). The central region is substantially non-planar and the perimeter region is at least partially planar. The perimeter region includes a middle part (247) and side parts (249), partially separated by channels.