Electric Fireplace Heater Having LED Flame Simulator

Abstract

An electric fireplace heater having an LED flame simulator includes a main body, a light-guide unit, a roller unit, a plurality of LED light sources, and an electric heating device. The main body includes a frame and artificial logs. The light-guide unit is mounted inside of the main body and behind the artificial logs. The roller unit is mounted inside of the main body and behind the light-guide unit. The roller unit includes a rack, and a cylinder provided with patterned apertures and driven to rotate by a motor. One of the LED light sources is disposed under the artificial logs to simulate burning woods and one of the LED light sources is disposed inside of the cylinder. The light emitted by the LED light source passes through the patterned apertures of the cylinder and is projected onto the light-guide unit, thereby presenting images of simulated flames.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to a heater having an apparatus for simulating flames, and in particular to an electric fireplace heater having an LED flame simulator.[0003]2. The Prior Arts[0004]An electric fireplace heater brings warmth and a cozy feeling to a room. The conventional electric fireplace heater is designed to look like a traditional wood burning fireplace, but does not actually burn wood. However, regular bulbs in the conventional fireplace heater illuminate aluminum pieces on a rotating twisted rod to generate flickering flame images, and artificial logs to generate the appearance of burning logs, thereby closely simulating the real flames.[0005]This type of conventional fireplace heater uses regular bulbs to illuminate. The light bulbs are gradually reducing their light output, and the flame images generated by the light are gradually darkening. In another respect, the light bulbs are operated at high te...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In order to improve the unrealistic and boring simulated flames of the conventional fireplace heater, a fireplace heater according to the present invention provides bright and realistic simulated flames, simulated burning logs and blown-out warm air.

[0008]When the motor drives the cylinder to rotate, the light emitted by the LED's is projected onto the light-guide plate through the patterned apertures on the cylinder. The artificial logs are also illuminated by the LED's. Thus, the flickering flame appears on the light-guide plate and the artificial logs look like burning woods. In order to make the flame more realistic, the cylinder according to the present invention can be a transparent tube wrapped with a red glassine, a yellow glassine and a sheet of paper. The paper includes patterned apertures shaped in flame-like S, lightning bolt, etc. The white light and / or other color light emitted by LCD's are projected through the patterned apertures of the cylinder and the shapes of the patterned apertures are projected onto the light-guide plate, thereby generating the images of flickering flames. Otherwise, the light-guide plate dyed red, yellow or other colors similar to the flame can replace the glassines wrapped on the cylinder, and achieve the same simulated effect of the flickering flames.

[0009]In addition, a heating device is mounted on the main body. The heating device includes heating wires, a switch and a blower to deliver heat to the environment. Thus, the fireplace heater according to the present invention provides a realistic simulation of flickering flames and has warm air blown out just like a wood burning fireplace.

[0010]The electric fireplace heater having an LED flame simulator according to the present invention has the following advantages. First of all, the fireplace heater according to the present invention has a heating function similar to that of a real wood burning fireplace. The fireplace heater can be placed in the fireplace or any place in the room. Secondly, the fireplace heater use LED's as light source. The LED's produce more light per watt than regular light bulbs, save energy and have a long life span. Thirdly, LED's project light upon artificial logs made of translucent material from below, thereby presenting a more realistic burning log appearance. Fourthly, LED's project light through the patterned apertures of the cylinder upon the light-guide plate, thereby present simulated flickering flames. The simulated flickering flames and red hot logs generate a wood burning image. Fifthly, components of the fireplace heater are modularized. It is easy and convenient to repair or replace a damaged module. Sixthly, the components of the fireplace heater are environmental friendly.

Problems solved by technology

However, regular bulbs in the conventional fireplace heater illuminate aluminum pieces on a rotating twisted rod to generate flickering flame images, and artificial logs to generate the appearance of burning logs, thereby closely simulating the real flames.

It shortens the life of the light bulbs and lowers the efficiency of the light bulbs.

The flame images are monotonous and boring.

Therefore the practicability and aesthetics limit the application of the conventional fireplace heater.

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