Transparent device for imitating flames

Abstract

Transparent device for imitating flames, comprising: - a housing (1) comprising a receiving chamber (12) in the center of the housing (1) and two opening areas (13, 14) at the front and rear of the housing (1), wherein two transparent plates (131, 141) are mounted in the opening areas (13, 14); - a control device (2); - a lighting device (3) comprising a lamp base (31) and a plurality of light sources (32), wherein the lamp base (31) is arranged in the receiving chamber (12), wherein the plurality of light sources (32) are arranged on the lamp base (31) and are electrically connected to the control device (2); - a illuminator (4) arranged in the receiving chamber (12) and configured to reflect light rays emitted by the plurality of illuminators (32), wherein the illuminator (3) comprises a motor (41), a shaft (42) and a plurality of reflective plates (43), wherein the motor (41) is electrically connected to the control device (2), wherein the shaft (42) is rotatably received in the receiving chamber (12) and configured to be driven by the motor (41) to rotate, and wherein the plurality of reflective plates (43) are arranged on the shaft (42) and configured to reflect the light rays emitted by the plurality of illuminators (32); and - a flame imitation plate (5) arranged in the lower region of the receiving chamber (12) and comprising a plurality of flame-shaped openings (51) through which the light rays reflected by the flame device (4) can pass; and - at least one projection plate (6) arranged in the center of the receiving chamber (12) and comprising a projection area (61) in its lower region and a viewing area (62) above the projection area (61), wherein the projection area (61) is substantially translucent, and wherein the viewing area (62) is approximately transparent, the transparent device further comprising a reflective plate (16) arranged in the receiving chamber (12) of the housing (1), wherein a portion of the light rays emitted by the plurality of light sources (32) passes through a portion of the plurality of openings (51) of the flame imitation plate (5) and is projected onto one side of the at least one projection plate (6),and wherein another part of the light rays emitted by the plurality of light sources (32) passes through another part of the plurality of openings (51) of the flame imitation plate (5) and is reflected by the reflective plate (16) to be projected onto another side of the at least one projection plate (6).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a transparent device for imitating flames, in particular a transparent device for imitating flames in which the flame imitation pattern can be viewed from two directions and a see-through effect is provided.

[0002] To enhance the visual effect of heat in a room, currently available devices can generate simulated flames, with lamps producing a flame-like glow to create an optical effect similar to blazing flames. For example, US Patent 9,739,433 B2 (see also EP 3,367,002 A1) discloses a flame-simulating device comprising a housing with a front for viewing and a closed back. A light source, a rotatable flame-effect element, a flame-effect element, and a screen are arranged within the housing. The flame-effect element includes at least one opening, allowing the light emitted by the light source to be reflected through the flame-effect element, pass through the opening, and then be projected onto the screen. This creates the appearance of blazing flames on the screen.

[0003] The aforementioned setup for simulating flames only allows viewing of the blazing flames from the front. Images of the blazing flames cannot be viewed from the back, resulting in limited viewing angles.

[0004] CN 2 10 801 000 U discloses an electric fireplace comprising a screen at its front and back, a flame-imitation panel, and a light source. The light rays emitted by the light source pass through the openings in the flame-imitation panel and are projected onto the two screens, so that the simulated flames can be seen from both the front and the back of the electric fireplace. Thus, the electric fireplace is suitable for installation in the center of a wall, and the simulated flames can be seen from opposite sides of the wall, thereby enhancing the visual effect.

[0005] However, a viewer at the front of the electric fireplace cannot see through the fireplace and therefore cannot see the scene behind the electric fireplace.

[0006] To remedy the deficiency of the aforementioned patent, CN101608803B discloses an electric fireplace comprising imaging mechanisms arranged at its front and rear. A viewing window is arranged at the top of the electric fireplace's housing. Thus, simulated flames can be seen from both the front and rear of the wall when the electric fireplace is installed in a wall, and an observer can see the scene in front of and behind the wall through the viewing window.

[0007] CN 2 07 230 706 U describes a device with a plurality of light sources and rotatable reflective plates, as well as a plate with through-holes arranged between these reflective plates and a projection plate. The projection plate comprises a substantially translucent projection area in its lower section and an almost transparent viewing area above the projection area. US 2003 / 0 126 775 A1 discloses, in a similar context, the use of a central projection plate with a transparent section and a slightly darkened area therein.

[0008] However, according to current technology, the volume of the electric fireplace must be increased to match the viewing window, and a larger opening must be made in the wall to install the larger electric fireplace, which is complex and expensive to install. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention is based on the objective of creating a transparent device for imitating flames, in which the flame imitation pattern can be observed from two directions and a see-through effect is provided.

[0010] The invention provides a transparent device for imitating flames, comprising a housing, a control device, a lighting device, a flame imitation device, a flame imitation plate, and at least one projection plate. A receiving chamber is provided in the center of the housing, and openings are provided at both the front and rear of the housing. Two transparent plates are arranged in these two openings. The lighting device has a lamp base and a plurality of light sources. The lamp base is arranged in the receiving chamber. The plurality of light sources are arranged on the lamp base and are electrically connected to the control device. The flame imitation device is arranged in the receiving chamber and is configured to reflect light beams emitted by the light sources. The flame imitation device comprises a motor, a shaft, and a plurality of reflective plates.The motor is electrically connected to the control device. The shaft is rotatably mounted in the receiving chamber and is designed to rotate when driven by the motor. A multitude of reflective plates are arranged on the shaft and are designed to reflect the light beams emitted by the multitude of light sources. The flame imitation plate is located in the lower part of the receiving chamber and comprises a multitude of flame-shaped openings through which the light beams reflected by the flame device can pass. The at least one projection plate is located in the center of the receiving chamber and has a projection area in its lower region and a viewing area above the projection area. The projection area is essentially translucent. The viewing area is approximately transparent.In the invention, a reflective plate is arranged in the receiving chamber of the housing. A portion of the light rays emitted by the plurality of light sources passes through a portion of the plurality of openings in the flame imitation plate and is projected onto one side of the at least one projection plate. Another portion of the light rays emitted by the plurality of light sources passes through another portion of the plurality of openings in the flame imitation plate and is reflected by the reflective plate to be projected onto another side of the at least one projection plate.

[0011] In one embodiment, the projection area of ​​the at least one projection plate is designed gradually and has an increasing transparency from bottom to top.

[0012] In one embodiment, the at least one projection plate has a main body made of a transparent material. A colored layer is applied to the lower area of ​​the at least one projection plate by spraying, gluing, or coating.

[0013] In one embodiment, the thickness of the layer at the lower end of the projection area is greater than the thickness of the layer at the upper end of the projection area, so that the thickness has a gradient.

[0014] In one embodiment, the at least one projection plate comprises a lower plate and an upper plate stacked on top of the lower plate in a vertical direction. The lower plate is translucent and corresponds to the projection area. The upper plate is essentially transparent and corresponds to the viewing area.

[0015] In one embodiment, a further lower plate is stacked on top of the lower plate in a thickness direction perpendicular to the height direction. The lower plate and the further lower plate have different transparencies, so that the projection area has increasing transparency from bottom to top.

[0016] In one embodiment, the at least one projection plate comprises at least a first plate which is substantially transparent, and at least a second plate which is translucent and which is stacked on the lower region of the at least one first plate in a thickness direction, thereby forming the projection area and the view-through area above the projection area.

[0017] In one embodiment, a plurality of light-concentrating screens are arranged on the lamp base, defining a space and an opening. The plurality of light sources are arranged in the space defined by the plurality of light-concentrating screens and are designed to emit light rays towards the opening.

[0018] The transparent device according to the invention for imitating flames can be mounted on a wall. A viewer located at the front of the wall can see the scene behind the wall through the viewing area above the projection area, and a viewer located at the back of the wall can see the scene in front of the wall through the viewing area above the projection area, thus providing the convenience of a window.

[0019] In the operation of the transparent flame-imitating device according to the invention, the control device is operated to activate the plurality of light sources of the lighting device to emit light and to operate the motor of the flame-imitating device. The light beams emitted by the plurality of light sources are concentrated by the plurality of light-concentrating screens to spread out to the plurality of reflective plates, which reflect the light beams so that they pass through the plurality of openings in the flame-impression plate and are then projected onto the projection area in the upper region of the projection plate, thereby producing simulated flames.Furthermore, because the transparency of the projection area is graduated (increasing from bottom to top), the projection brightness at the lower end of the projection area is greater than at the upper end. This allows for the generation of simulated flame patterns, with larger flames in the lower portion, thus providing a vivid visual effect. Moreover, because the projection area is translucent, the simulated flames can be viewed from either the front or the back of the projection area. The transparent flame-imitating device according to the invention allows for the viewing of simulated flames from both the front and the back of the wall.

[0020] The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the invention, which are described in connection with the drawings. Description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of part of a transparent device according to the invention for imitating flames in a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows an exploded view of part of the transparent device according to the invention for imitating flames. Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the transparent device for imitating flames according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the transparent device for imitating flames according to the first embodiment of the present invention after assembly. Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of the transparent device for imitating flames according to the present invention, which is mounted in a wall, illustrating the generation of simulated flames. Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic front view of the transparent device for imitating flames according to the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the generation of simulated flames. Fig. Figure 7 shows a schematic sectional view of a projection plate of a transparent device for imitating flames in a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 7A shows a schematic view of another embodiment of a projection plate of the transparent device for imitating flames according to the invention. Fig. Figure 8 shows a schematic sectional view of a projection plate of a transparent device for imitating flames in a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 9 shows a schematic sectional view of a transparent device for imitating flames in a fourth embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the generation of simulated flames. Detailed description of the invention

[0021] In Fig. 1 to Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a section of a transparent flame-imitating device in a first embodiment of the present invention, an exploded view of a section of the transparent flame-imitating device, a perspective view of the transparent flame-imitating device after assembly, and a sectional view of the transparent flame-imitating device after assembly. The transparent flame-imitating device according to the present invention comprises a housing 1, a control device 2, a lighting device 3, a flame imitation device 4, a flame imitation plate 5, and a projection plate 6. The housing 1 has an annular frame 11 and a receiving chamber 12 located in the center of the housing 1.On the front and rear of the housing 1, opening areas 13 and 14 are provided, spaced apart from each other in the thickness direction. Two vertically extending plates 131 and 141 are mounted in the two opening areas 13 and 14. A slot 15 is provided in the center of the outer frame 11, designed to connect to the circumferential edge of the projection plate 6. The control device 2 is further arranged in the receiving chamber 12.

[0022] The lighting device 3 comprises a lamp base 31 and a plurality of light sources 32. The lamp base 31 is arranged in a lower region of the receiving chamber 12. A plurality of light-concentrating screens 311 are arranged on the lamp base 31 and define a space and an opening 312. The light sources 32 can be light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and are arranged in the space defined by the plurality of light-concentrating screens 311. The plurality of light sources 32 are electrically connected to the control device 2 and are configured to emit light beams toward the opening 312.

[0023] The illuminator 4 is arranged in the receiving chamber 12 and comprises a motor 41, a shaft 42, and a plurality of reflective plates 43. The motor 41 is electrically connected to the control device 2. The shaft 42 is rotatably mounted in the receiving chamber 12 and is designed to rotate when driven by the motor 41. The plurality of reflective plates 43 are arranged on the shaft 42 and are designed to reflect the light rays emitted by the plurality of illuminators 32.

[0024] The flame imitation plate 5 is arranged below the receiving chamber 12 and comprises a plurality of through-openings 51, each of which has the shape of a flame. The light rays reflected by the flame device 4 can pass through the plurality of through-openings 51.

[0025] The projection plate 6 is a flat plate arranged vertically in the center of the receiving chamber 12. The perimeter edge of the projection plate 6 is clamped in the slot 15. The projection plate 6 comprises a projection area 61 in a lower region and a viewing area 62 above the projection area. The projection area 61 is essentially translucent and can be graduated, such that its transparency increases from bottom to top. The viewing area 62 can be nearly transparent.

[0026] The projection plate 6 has a main body made of a transparent material, such as transparent glass, transparent plastic, or any other transparent sheet. Furthermore, a colored thin layer can be formed in the lower area of ​​the projection plate 6 by spraying, gluing, or coating. The thickness of the layer at a lower end of the projection area 61 can also be greater than the thickness of the layer at an upper end of the projection area 61, thus forming a thickness gradient.

[0027] In the present embodiment, a fill light socket 7 is arranged in the receiving chamber 12. A fill light 71 is arranged on the fill light socket 7 and electrically connected to the control device 2. The fill light 71 can emit light towards the center of the receiving chamber 12.

[0028] In Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 illustrates the generation of simulated flames by the transparent flame-imitating device according to the invention. The transparent flame-imitating device according to the invention can be installed in a wall 8. As indicated by the arrow above in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, a viewer at the front of wall 8 can see the scene behind wall 8 through the view-through area 62 above the projection area 61, and a viewer at the back of wall 8 can see the scene in front of wall 8 through the view-through area 62 above the projection area 61, thus providing the convenience of a window.

[0029] In the operation of the transparent flame-imitating device according to the invention, the control device 2 is operated to activate the plurality of light sources 32 of the lighting device 3 to emit light and to operate the motor 41 of the flame-impression device 4. The light beams emitted by the plurality of light sources 32 are concentrated by the plurality of light-concentrating screens 311 to spread out to the plurality of reflective plates, which reflect the light beams so that they pass through the plurality of openings 51 of the flame-impression plate 5 and are then projected onto the projection area 61 in the lower region of the projection plate 6, thereby generating simulated flames 9.Furthermore, because the transparency of the projection area 61 is graduated (increasing from bottom to top), the projection brightness is greater at the lower end of the projection area 61 than at the upper end. This enables the generation of a simulated flame pattern, the lower part of which has larger flames, thus providing a vivid visual effect. Furthermore, because the projection area 61 is translucent, the simulated flames 9 can be viewed from either the front or the back of the projection area 61. Moreover, the transparent flame-imitating device according to the invention, by providing a lighting device 3 and a flame device 4, allows the simulated flames to be viewed from both the front and the back of the wall 8, thus reducing the cost of the components.Furthermore, the scenery on the other side of wall 8 can be seen through the viewing area 62, and the aesthetics of the external appearance can be improved.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the invention, the control device 2 can be used to activate the fill light 71, which provides improved brightness in the recording chamber 12 and improves the atmosphere provided by the device for imitating flames.

[0031] Fig. Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of a transparent device for imitating flames according to the invention, wherein the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, the differences being that the projection plate 6 comprises a lower plate 6B and an upper plate 6A, which are stacked on the lower plate 6B in a vertical direction perpendicular to the thickness direction. The lower plate 6B is translucent and corresponds to the projection area 61. The upper plate 6A is essentially transparent and corresponds to the viewing area 62. Furthermore, the area of ​​the lower plate 6B is smaller than that of the projection plate 5, which is comprised of a single plate, allowing for simpler processing and manufacturing. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the lower plate 6B can be used to create a projection plate 61. Fig. As shown in Figure 7A, another lower plate 6C is stacked on top of the lower plate 6B in the thickness direction perpendicular to the height direction. The lower plate 6B and the other lower plate 6C have different transparencies, so that the projection area 61 has increasing transparency from bottom to top.

[0032] Fig. Figure 8 shows a third embodiment of the transparent flame-imagining device according to the invention, wherein the third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, the differences being that the projection plate 6 comprises at least a first plate 6D, which is substantially transparent, and at least a second plate 6E, which is translucent and which is stacked on the lower region of the at least one first plate 6D in the thickness direction, thereby forming the projection area 61 and the viewing area 62 above the projection area 61. Furthermore, the at least one translucent second plate 6E, with its smaller surface area, is easier to process and manufacture.

[0033] Fig.Figure 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the transparent flame-imitating device according to the invention, wherein the fourth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, the differences being that a reflective plate 16 is arranged in the receiving chamber 12 of the housing 1. A portion of the light rays emitted by the plurality of light sources 32 passes through a portion of the openings 51 of the flame-imitating plate 5 and is projected onto one side of the projection plate 6. Another portion of the light rays emitted by the light sources 32 passes through another portion of the openings 51 of the flame-imitating plate 5 and is reflected by the reflective plate 16 to be projected onto another side of the projection plate. Therefore, more realistic flame simulation is provided.

[0034] The transparent flame-imagining device according to the invention can each comprise a lighting device 3, a flame device 4, and a flame imitation plate 5 on the front and rear of the receiving chamber 12 of the housing 1, and light beams can be emitted to the front and / or rear of the projection plate 6. The simulated flames on the front can differ from the controlled simulated flames on the rear.

[0035] The transparent flame-imitating device according to the invention is applicable to an electric fireplace or other products providing simulated flames and can provide the effect of bidirectional, gradual, vivid simulated flames as well as a see-through effect, allowing a viewer to see the scene on the other side of the wall 8. Although exemplary embodiments have been described in detail, numerous modifications and variations are possible without exceeding the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

[1] Transparent device for imitating flames, comprising: - a housing (1) comprising a receiving chamber (12) in the center of the housing (1) and two opening areas (13, 14) at the front and rear of the housing (1), wherein two transparent plates (131, 141) are mounted in the opening areas (13, 14); - a control device (2); - a lighting device (3) comprising a lamp base (31) and a plurality of light sources (32), wherein the lamp base (31) is arranged in the receiving chamber (12), wherein the plurality of light sources (32) are arranged on the lamp base (31) and are electrically connected to the control device (2); - a illuminator (4) arranged in the receiving chamber (12) and configured to reflect light rays emitted by the plurality of illuminators (32), wherein the illuminator (3) comprises a motor (41), a shaft (42) and a plurality of reflective plates (43), wherein the motor (41) is electrically connected to the control device (2), wherein the shaft (42) is rotatably mounted in the receiving chamber (12) and configured to be driven by the motor (41) to rotate, and wherein the plurality of reflective plates (43) are arranged on the shaft (42) and configured to reflect the light rays emitted by the plurality of illuminators (32); and - a flame imitation plate (5) arranged in the lower region of the receiving chamber (12) and comprising a plurality of flame-shaped openings (51) through which the light rays reflected by the flame device (4) can pass; and - at least one projection plate (6) arranged in the center of the receiving chamber (12) and comprising a projection area (61) in its lower region and a viewing area (62) above the projection area (61), wherein the projection area (61) is substantially translucent, and wherein the viewing area (62) is approximately transparent, the transparent device further comprising a reflective plate (16) arranged in the receiving chamber (12) of the housing (1), wherein a portion of the light rays emitted by the plurality of light sources (32) passes through a portion of the plurality of openings (51) of the flame imitation plate (5) and is projected onto one side of the at least one projection plate (6),and wherein another part of the light rays emitted by the plurality of light sources (32) passes through another part of the plurality of openings (51) of the flame imitation plate (5) and is reflected by the reflective plate (16) to be projected onto another side of the at least one projection plate (6). [2] Transparent device for imitating flames according to claim 1, wherein the projection area (61) of the at least one projection plate (6) is formed gradually and has an increasing transparency from bottom to top. [3] Transparent device for imitating flames according to claim 1, wherein the at least one projection plate (6) has a main body made of a transparent material, wherein a colored thin layer is formed on the lower area of ​​the projection plate (6) by spraying, gluing or coating. [4] Transparent device for imitating flames according to claim 3, wherein a thickness of the layer at a lower end of the projection area (61) is greater than a thickness of the layer at an upper end of the projection area (61), thereby forming a thickness gradient. [5] Transparent device for imitating flames according to claim 1, wherein the at least one projection plate (6) comprises a lower plate (6B) and an upper plate (6A) stacked on the lower plate (6B) in a vertical direction, wherein the lower plate (6B) is translucent and corresponds to the projection area (61), and wherein the upper plate (6A) is substantially transparent and corresponds to the view-through area (62). [6] Transparent device for imitating flames according to claim 5, further comprising another lower plate (6C) stacked on the lower plate (6B) in a thickness direction perpendicular to the height direction, wherein the lower plate (6B) and the other lower plate (6C) have different transparencies such that the projection area (61) has a transparency increasing from bottom to top. [7] Transparent device for imitating flames according to claim 1, wherein the at least one projection plate (6) comprises at least one first plate (6D) which is substantially transparent, and at least one second plate (6E) which is translucent and which is stacked on a lower region of the at least one first plate (6D) in a thickness direction, wherein the lower region of the projection plate (6) in which the first plate (6D) and the at least one second plate (6E) are stacked in a thickness direction corresponds to the projection region (61), and wherein the upper region of the first plate (6D) corresponds to the view-through region (62). [8] Transparent device for imitating flames according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of light-concentrating screens (311) are arranged on the lamp base (31) and define a space and an opening (312), and wherein the plurality of luminaires (32) are arranged in the space defined and configured by the plurality of light-concentrating screens (311) to emit light rays towards the opening (312).

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