A flame effect device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric fire flame effects are not very realistic due to repetitive and uniform flicker patterns caused by standard spindles with identical reflective elements, which fail to mimic the randomness and variability of real fires, especially when multiple light sources of varying colors are used.
Innovation Solution
A flame effect device with a rotatable spindle and selectively positionable reflector supports, allowing for customizable placement and orientation of reflectors to create a more realistic flame effect by varying the position, number, and shape of reflectors along the spindle, enabling users to control the flame's shape, intensity, and duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard spindles with identical reflective elements are used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the flame effect becomes repetitive and unrealistic
Solution Approach 1:
The spindle is divided into multiple modular reflector supports that can be independently positioned and configured. Each reflector support can hold multiple reflectors at different positions, allowing the system to create varied and realistic flame patterns while maintaining simple individual components that are easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector supports are made slidable along the spindle, allowing dynamic repositioning of reflectors during assembly or operation. This enables the flame effect to be customized for different scenarios while keeping the basic component design simple and manufacturable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources of varying colors are used, then the flame effect can be more colorful and versatile, but the user loses control over the shape, intensity, and duration of each flame
Solution Approach 1:
Each reflector support and reflector combination can be independently configured to control specific flame characteristics. Different reflectors at different positions on the spindle can create flames with different shapes, intensities, and durations, allowing users to control each flame element individually even with multiple colored light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflectors are pre-positioned on the reflector supports before operation, allowing users to configure the desired flame effects in advance. This preliminary arrangement enables precise control over flame parameters while maintaining the versatility of multiple light sources.
3Device complexity
If reflectors are fixed in uniform positions on the spindle, then the device structure is simple, but the flame flicker pattern becomes organized and unrealistic
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector supports can be positioned at asymmetric locations along the spindle, and multiple reflectors can be arranged at different positions and orientations on each support. This asymmetric configuration creates randomised, realistic flame flicker patterns while keeping each individual component simple in design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a highly customizable and realistic flame effect that can be tailored to user preferences, enhancing the visual experience by simulating the randomness and variability of real fires, even with multiple light sources of different colors.
Implementation Method 1
at least one reflector for reflecting light from an associated light source
Data Source
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AI summary
A flame effect device 18 for a flame simulator apparatus of an electric fire 10 is provided. The flame effect device 18 comprises a spindle 20 having a longitudinal axis which is in-use rotatable in a flame simulator apparatus; and a plurality of reflector supports 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, each reflector support 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e comprising: a reflector support body 32 having at least one reflector mounting portion 28 thereon and a mounting aperture 34 for engaging the reflector support 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e with the spindle 20; and at least one reflector 26 for reflecting light from an associated light source 24, wherein the at least one reflector 26 is mounted to the at least one reflector mounting portion 28, the plurality of reflector supports 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e being engagable with the spindle 20, each reflector support 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e of the plurality of reflector supports 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e being selectably positionable along the longitudinal axis of the spindle 20.