TRANSPARENT FLAME IMITATION DEVICE

Abstract

A transparent flame imitation device comprises a housing, a control device, an electroluminescent device, a scintillating device, a flame imitation board, and at least one projection board. The housing includes a receiving chamber and two transparent panels mounted on opposite sides of the receiving chamber. The electroluminescent device includes a lamp base located in the receiving chamber and electroluminescent elements arranged on the lamp base and electrically connected to the control device. The scintillating device is located in the receiving chamber to reflect the light rays emitted by the electroluminescent elements. The flame imitation board is located below the receiving chamber and includes through holes for the passage of light rays reflected by the scintillating device.At least one projection board is arranged in the receiving chamber and includes a translucent projection section at the level of a lower part thereof and a transparent section above the projection section.

Description

Title of the invention: TRANSPARENT FLAME IMITATION DEVICE

[0001] CONTEXT OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a transparent flame imitation device and, more particularly, to a transparent device allowing the observation of simulated flames in two directions while providing a transparent effect.

[0003] To enhance the visual effect of heat inside, a currently available electrical device can generate simulated flames in which lamps generate flame-like light to provide a visual effect similar to burning flames. By way of example, U.S. Patent No. 9,739,433 describes a flame simulation assembly comprising a housing having a front end for display and a closed rear end. A light source for producing light, a rotating scintillating element, a flame-effect element, and a screen are arranged in the housing. The flame-effect element includes at least one orifice, so that the light emitted by the light source can be reflected by the scintillating element to pass through at least one orifice and then projected onto the screen. Thus, images of scintillating flames are generated on the screen.

[0004] However, the above flame simulation system only allows observation of the flickering flame images from the front side. The flickering flame images cannot be observed from the rear side, thus providing limited viewing angles.

[0005] Document CN210801000 describes an electric fireplace comprising two screens on its front and rear sides, a flame-simulating plate, and a light source. The light rays emitted by the light source pass through holes in the flame-simulating plate and are projected onto the two screens, so that the simulated flames can be seen from both the front and rear sides of the electric fireplace. Therefore, the electric fireplace is suitable for installation in the center of a wall, and the simulated flames can be seen from two opposite sides of the wall, thus enhancing the visual effect.

[0006] However, an observer at the front end of the electric firebox cannot see through the electric firebox and, therefore, cannot see the scene behind the electric firebox.

[0007] To overcome the drawback of the above patent, document CN101608803 describes an electric fireplace including front and rear imaging mechanisms arranged respectively on the front and rear sides of a housing to present flames simulated. A transparent window is positioned on one upper end of the housing. Thus, when the electric fireplace is installed in a wall, simulated flames can be seen from both the front and rear sides of the wall, and an observer can view the scene in front of or behind the wall through the transparent window.

[0008] However, the volume of the electric fireplace must be increased to match the transparent window, and the wall must have a larger hole for the installation of the electric fireplace with a larger volume, which is inconvenient for installation and costly.

[0009] BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An objective of the present invention is to provide a transparent flame imitation device allowing observation of simulated flames in two directions while providing a transparent effect.

[0011] A transparent flame imitation device according to the present invention comprises a housing, a control device, an electroluminescent device, a scintillating device, a flame imitation board, and at least one projection board. The housing includes a receiving chamber in its central portion and two opening sections on the front and rear sides of the housing, respectively. Two transparent panels are mounted in the two opening sections. The electroluminescent device includes a lamp base and a plurality of electroluminescent elements. The lamp base is disposed in the receiving chamber. The plurality of electroluminescent elements is disposed on the lamp base and electrically connected to the control device.The scintillating device is arranged in the receiving chamber and is configured to reflect the light rays emitted by the plurality of electroluminescent elements. The flame imitation board is arranged below the receiving chamber and includes a plurality of through holes through which the light rays reflected by the scintillating device can pass. At least one projection board is arranged in a central area of ​​the receiving chamber and includes a projection section at its lower part and a transparent section above the projection section. The projection section is substantially translucent. The transparent section is approximately transparent.

[0012] In one example, the projection section of at least one projection board has a gradient and exhibits increasing transparency from bottom to top.

[0013] In one example, at least one projection board has a main body made of a transparent material. A colored film is formed on the lower part of at least one projection board by spraying, gluing, or coating.

[0014] In one example, a thickness of the film at a lower end of the projection section is greater than a film thickness at one upper end of the projection section, forming a gradient thickness.

[0015] In one example, at least one projection board includes a lower board and an upper board stacked on top of the lower board in a vertical direction. The lower board is translucent and corresponds to the projection section. The upper board is substantially transparent and corresponds to the transparent section.

[0016] In one example, another lower board is stacked on top of the lower board in a thickness direction perpendicular to the height direction. The lower board and the other lower board have different transparencies, so that the projected section has increasing transparency from bottom to top.

[0017] In one example, the at least one projection board includes at least a first board which is substantially transparent and at least a second board which is translucent and which is stacked on a lower part of the at least one first board in a thickness direction, thus forming the projection section and the transparent section above the projection section.

[0018] In one example, a reflective board is arranged in the receiving chamber of the housing. Part of the light rays emitted by the plurality of electroluminescent elements passes through part of the plurality of through holes in the flame-simulating board and is projected onto one side of at least one projection board. Another part of the light rays emitted by the plurality of electroluminescent elements passes through another part of the plurality of through holes in the flame-simulating board and is reflected by the reflective board to be projected onto another side of at least one projection board.

[0019] In one example, a plurality of light-concentrating shields is arranged on the lamp base and defines a space and an aperture. The plurality of electroluminescent elements is arranged in the space defined by the plurality of light-concentrating shields and is configured to emit light rays towards the aperture.

[0020] In one example, the scintillating device includes a motor, a shaft, and a plurality of reflective plates. The motor is electrically connected to the control device. The shaft is rotatably received in the receiving chamber and is configured to be driven in rotation by the motor. The plurality of reflective plates is arranged on the shaft and is configured to reflect the light rays emitted by the plurality of electroluminescent elements.

[0021] The transparent flame imitation device according to the present invention can be mounted in a wall. An observer located on the front side of the wall can see the scene behind the wall via the transparent section above the projection section, and a An observer located on the rear side of the wall can see the scene in front of the wall via the transparent section above the projection section, thus offering the convenience of a window.

[0022] During operation of the transparent flame imitation device according to the present invention, the control device is actuated to activate the plurality of electroluminescent elements of the electroluminescent device to emit light and to activate the motor of the scintillating device so that it operates. The light rays emitted by the plurality of electroluminescent elements are concentrated by the plurality of light-concentrating shields to be incident onto the plurality of reflective plates which reflect the light rays to pass through the plurality of through holes in the flame imitation board, and then project onto the projection section at the lower part of the projection board, thus generating simulated flames.Furthermore, since the transparency of the projection section is a gradient design (transparency increases from bottom to top), the projection brightness at the lower end of the projection section is greater than that at the upper end of the projection area. This allows for the generation of a simulated flame pattern in which the lower portion displays larger flames, thus providing a lifelike visual effect. Additionally, because the projection section is translucent, the simulated flames can be viewed from either the front or the back of the projection section. The transparent flame imitation device according to the present invention allows the simulated flames to be observed from both the front and back of the wall.

[0023] The present invention will become clearer in the light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in relation to the drawings.

[0024] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] [Fig-1] is a partial perspective view of a transparent flame imitation device of a first embodiment according to the present invention.

[0026] [Fig.2] is an exploded perspective view of part of the imitation device transparent flames of the first embodiment according to the present invention.

[0027] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the transparent flame imitation device of the first embodiment according to the present invention.

[0028] [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view of the flame imitation device transparent of the first embodiment according to the present invention after assembly.

[0029] [Fig.5] is a schematic view of the transparent flame imitation device according to the present invention mounted in a wall, illustrating the generation of flames simulated.

[0030] [Fig.6] is a schematic front view of the transparent flame imitation device of the first embodiment according to the present invention, illustrating the generation of simulated flames.

[0031] [Fig.7] is a schematic cross-sectional view of a projection board of a transparent flame imitation device of a second embodiment according to the present invention.

[0032] [Fig.7A] is a schematic view of another example of the projection board of the transparent flame imitation device according to the present invention.

[0033] [Fig.8] is a schematic cross-sectional view of a projection board of a transparent flame imitation device of a third embodiment according to the present invention.

[0034] [Fig.9] is a schematic cross-sectional view of a transparent flame imitation device of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention, illustrating the generation of simulated flames.

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 showing a perspective view of a portion of a transparent flame imitation device of a first embodiment according to the present invention, an exploded view of a portion of the transparent flame imitation device, a perspective view of the transparent flame imitation device after assembly, and a cross-sectional view of the transparent flame imitation device after assembly. The transparent flame imitation device according to the present invention comprises a housing 1, a control device 2, an electroluminescent device 3, a scintillating device 4, a flame imitation board 5, and a projection board 6. The housing 1 includes an annular frame 11 and a receiving chamber 12 in a central portion thereof.Two opening sections 13 and 14 are provided respectively on the front and rear sides of the housing 1 and are spaced apart in a thickness direction. Two vertically extending transparent panels 131 and 141 are mounted respectively in the two opening sections 13 and 14. An insertion groove 15 is provided in the central part of the outer frame 1 and is configured to couple to a perimeter of the projection board 6. In addition, the control device 2 is disposed in the receiving chamber 12.

[0037] The electroluminescent device 3 includes a lamp base 31 and a plurality of electroluminescent elements 32. The lamp base 31 is disposed in a lower part of the receiving chamber 12. A plurality of light-concentrating shields 311 are disposed on the lamp base 31 and define a space and an opening 312. The plurality of electroluminescent elements 32 may be light-emitting diodes. necescent and is arranged in the space defined by the plurality of light concentrating shields 311. The plurality of electroluminescent elements 32 is electrically connected to the control element 2 and is configured to emit light rays towards the aperture 312.

[0038] The scintillating device 4 is disposed in the receiving chamber 12 and includes 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 received in the receiving chamber 12 and is configured to be driven in rotation by the motor 41. The plurality of reflective plates 43 is disposed on the shaft 42 and is configured to reflect the light rays emitted by the plurality of electroluminescent elements 32.

[0039] The flame-simulating board 5 is arranged below the receiving chamber 12 and includes a plurality of through holes 51, each of which is shaped like a flame. The light rays reflected by the scintillating device 4 can pass through the plurality of through holes 51.

[0040] The projection board 6 is a flat board and is arranged vertically in a central area of ​​the receiving chamber 12. The perimeter of the projection board 16 is clamped in the insertion groove 15. The projection board 6 includes a projection section 61 at its lower part and a transparent section 62 above the projection section 61. The projection section 61 is substantially translucent and may be gradient, such that the transparency of the projection section 61 increases from bottom to top. The transparent section 62 may be approximately transparent.

[0041] The projection board 6 has a main body made of a transparent material, such as transparent glass, transparent plastic, or any other transparent board. Furthermore, a colored film can be formed on the underside of the projection board 6 by spraying, gluing, or coating. In addition, the film thickness at a lower end of the projection section 61 can be greater than the film thickness at an upper end of the projection section 61, thus creating a gradient thickness.

[0042] In this embodiment, an auxiliary lighting lamp base 7 is disposed in the receiving chamber 12. An auxiliary lighting lamp 71 is disposed on the auxiliary lighting lamp base 7 and is electrically connected to the control device 2. The auxiliary lighting lamp 71 can emit light towards a center of the receiving chamber 12.

[0043] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the generation of simulated flames by the transparent flame imitation device according to the present invention. The transparent flame imitation device according to the present invention can be mounted in a wall 8. As indicated by the arrow in the upper part of [Fig.5], an observer located on the front side of wall 8 can see the scene behind wall 8 via the transparent section 62 above the projection section 61, and an observer located on the rear side of wall 8 can see the scene in front of wall 8 via the transparent section 62 above the projection section 61, thus providing the convenience of a window.

[0044] During operation of the transparent flame imitation device according to the present invention, the control device 2 is actuated to activate the plurality of electroluminescent elements 32 of the electroluminescent device 3 to emit light and to activate the motor 41 of the scintillating device 4 so that it operates. The light rays emitted by the plurality of electroluminescent elements 32 are concentrated by the plurality of light concentrating shields 311 to be incident onto the plurality of reflective plates 43 which reflect the light rays to pass through the plurality of through holes 51 in the flame imitation board 5 and then be projected onto the projection section 61 at the lower part of the projection board 6, thus generating simulated flames 9.Furthermore, since the transparency of the projection section 61 is a gradient design (transparency increases from bottom to top), the projection brightness at the lower end of the projection section 61 is greater than that at the upper end of the projection area 61. This allows for the generation of a simulated flame pattern in which the lower portion has larger flames, thus providing a vivid visual effect. Moreover, because the projection section 61 is translucent, the simulated flames 9 can be observed from either the front or rear side of the projection section 61. In addition, by providing an electroluminescent device 3 and a scintillating device 4, the transparent flame imitation device according to the present invention allows the simulated flames 9 to be observed from both the front and rear sides of the wall 8, thereby reducing component costs.Furthermore, the scene on the other side of wall 8 can be seen via the transparent section 62; the aesthetics of the outline can be improved.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the control device 2 can be used to activate the auxiliary lighting lamp 71, which provides enhanced brightness in the receiving chamber 12 and which improves the atmosphere provided by the flame simulation device.

[0046] With reference to [Fig. 7] showing a transparent flame imitation device of a second embodiment according to the present invention, the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, and the differences are that the projection board 6 includes a lower board 6B and an upper board 6A stacked on top of the lower board 6B in a height direction perpendicular to the thickness direction. The lower board 6B is translucent and corresponds to the projection section 61. The upper board 6A is substantially transparent and corresponds to the transparent section 62. Furthermore, the surface area of ​​the lower board 6B is smaller than that of the single-board projection board 6, allowing for easier processing and manufacturing. In addition, as shown in [Fig. 7A], another lower board 6C can be stacked on top of the lower board 6B with its thickness perpendicular to its height. The lower board 6B and the other lower board 6C have different transparencies, so that the projection section 61 exhibits increasing transparency from bottom to top.

[0047] With reference to [Fig.8] showing a transparent flame imitation device of a third embodiment according to the present invention, the third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, and the differences are that the projection board 6 includes at least a first board 6D which is substantially transparent and at least a second board 6E which is translucent and which is stacked on a lower part of the at least a first board 6D in the thickness direction, thus forming the projection section 61 and the transparent section 62 above the projection section 61. In addition, the at least a second translucent board 6E having a smaller surface area is easier to process and manufacture.

[0048] With reference to [Fig. 9] showing a transparent flame imitation device of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention, the fourth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, and the differences are that a reflective board 16 is disposed in the receiving chamber 12 of the housing 1. Part of the light rays emitted by the plurality of electroluminescent elements 32 passes through part of the through holes 51 of the flame imitation board 5 and is projected onto one side of the projection board 6. Another part of the light rays emitted by the plurality of electroluminescent elements 32 passes through another part of the through holes 51 of the flame imitation board 5 and is reflected by the reflective board 16 to be projected onto another side of the projection board 6. Thus, better simulated flames are provided.

[0049] The transparent flame imitation device according to the present invention may include an electroluminescent device 3, a scintillating device 4, and a flame imitation board 5 on each of the front and rear sides of the receiving chamber 12 of the housing 1, and light beams may be emitted towards the front and / or rear side of the projection board 6. In addition, the simulated flames on the front side may be different from the simulated flames on the rear side under control.

[0050] The transparent flame imitation device according to the present invention is applicable to an electric fireplace or other products providing simulated flames. and can provide the effect of simulated bidirectional, gradient, bright flames and a transparent effect allowing an observer to see the scene on the other side of wall 8.

[0051] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, many modifications and variations are still possible without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited by the appended claims.

Claims

Demands

1. A transparent flame imitation device comprising: a housing including a receiving chamber in a central portion thereof and two opening sections respectively on the front and rear sides of the housing, and in which two transparent panels are mounted respectively in the two opening sections; a control device; an electroluminescent device including a lamp base and a plurality of electroluminescent elements, in which the lamp base is disposed in the receiving chamber, in which the plurality of electroluminescent elements is disposed on the lamp base and electrically connected to the control device; a scintillating device disposed in the receiving chamber and configured to reflect the light rays emitted by the plurality of electroluminescent elements;a flame imitation board disposed below the receiving chamber and including a plurality of through holes through which the light rays reflected by the scintillating device can pass; and at least one projection board disposed in a central area of ​​the receiving chamber and including a projection section at the level of a lower part thereof and a transparent section above the projection section, wherein the projection section is substantially translucent, and wherein the transparent section is approximately transparent.

2. A transparent flame imitation device according to claim 1, wherein the projection section of at least one projection board is gradient and exhibits increasing transparency from bottom to top.

3. A transparent flame imitation device according to claim 1, wherein at least one projection board has a main body made of a transparent material, and wherein a film exhibiting a color is formed on the lower part of at least one projection board by spraying, gluing or coating.

4. A transparent flame imitation device according to claim 3, wherein a film thickness at a lower end of the projection section is greater than a thickness of the film at the upper end of the projection section, forming a gradient thickness.

5. A transparent flame imitation device according to claim 1, wherein at least one projection board includes a lower board and an upper board stacked on top of the lower board in a height direction, wherein the lower board is translucent and corresponds to the projection section, and wherein the upper board is substantially transparent and corresponds to the transparent section.

6. A transparent flame imitation device according to claim 5, further comprising another lower board stacked on top of the lower board in a thickness direction perpendicular to the height direction, wherein the lower board and the other lower board have different transparencies, so that the projection section has increasing transparency from bottom to top.

7. Transparent flame imitation device according to claim 1, wherein at least one projection board includes at least one first board which is substantially transparent and at least one second board which is translucent and which is stacked on a lower part of at least one first board in a thickness direction, thus forming the projection section and the transparent section above the projection section.

8. A transparent flame imitation device according to claim 1, further comprising a reflective board disposed in the receiving chamber of the housing, wherein a portion of the light rays emitted by the plurality of electroluminescent elements pass through a portion of the plurality of through holes in the flame imitation board and is projected onto one side of at least one projection board, and wherein another portion of the light rays emitted by the plurality of electroluminescent elements passes through another portion of the plurality of through holes in the flame imitation board and is reflected by the reflective board to be projected onto another side of at least one projection board.

9. A transparent flame imitation device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of light-concentrating shields are arranged on the lamp base and define a space and an opening, and wherein the plurality of electroluminescent elements are arranged in the space defined by the plurality of light concentrating shields and is configured to emit light rays towards the aperture.

10. Transparent flame imitation device according to claim 1, wherein the scintillating device includes a motor, a shaft and a plurality of reflective plates, wherein the motor is electrically connected to the control device, wherein the shaft is rotatably received in the receiving chamber and is configured to be driven in rotation by the motor, and wherein the plurality of reflective plates is arranged on the shaft and is configured to reflect the light rays emitted by the plurality of electroluminescent elements.

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