Electric fire apparatus and heating system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial electric fireplaces lack a realistic simulated flame effect, with flickering effects being repetitive and not replicating the natural illumination of real fires.
Innovation Solution
An electric fire apparatus with a light-transmissible ember bed base, a projection screen, a rotating spindle, and a mirror assembly that directs scattered light to create the illusion of depth in the flame effect, potentially using holographic elements and multiple screens to enhance realism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a rotating spindle with reflective surfaces is used to create flame effect, then the apparatus produces a flickering effect, but the effect is repetitive and unrealistic compared to natural fire illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus divides the flame effect into multiple segments: a projection screen for the primary flame image, a rotating spindle for dynamic illumination, and a mirror assembly with multiple reflective surfaces to create additional flame representations. This segmentation allows each component to contribute differently to the overall realistic effect, with the screen providing the base image and the rotating elements adding natural randomness.
Solution Approach 2:
A mirror assembly is introduced as an intermediary between the rotating spindle and the projection screen. The mirrors reflect and redirect light from the spindle to create additional flame effects that appear to originate from within the fuel bed, mediating between the mechanical rotation and the visual perception of natural fire behavior.
2Illumination intensity
If the projection screen is positioned at the front of the ember bed base, then the flame effect appears more realistic with depth, but joins or apertures in the ember bed base become visible and detract from realism
Solution Approach 1:
The projection screen is designed with spatially varying properties: an upper transparent portion that allows viewing of the flame effect with depth, and a lower translucent portion that masks the ember bed base and its joins. This local differentiation allows the screen to simultaneously achieve depth perception in the flame display while hiding structural imperfections in the ember bed construction.
3Illumination intensity
If the mirror assembly directs scattered light through the ember bed base onto the projection screen, then the illusion of depth is created, but the apparatus structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror assembly utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning mirrors above and below the ember bed base at angled orientations. This three-dimensional arrangement of reflective surfaces creates multiple light paths that converge on the projection screen, generating the depth illusion without requiring complex lateral arrangements that would increase horizontal space requirements.
4Device complexity
If the projection screen occludes part of the ember bed base, then joins and apertures are hidden, but the overall flame appearance may be impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The projection screen selectively occludes only the lower portion of the ember bed base where joins and apertures are located, while leaving the upper portion transparent. This localized masking preserves the visibility of the flame effect in the critical viewing area while hiding structural imperfections in the lower region that would otherwise be noticeable.
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 more natural and realistic flame appearance with depth, improving aesthetic appeal and hiding any joins or apertures, while maintaining airflow for safety and reducing the risk of electronic component failure.
Implementation Method 1
a light source arranged to direct light towards the rotating spindle
Implementation Method 2
a mirror assembly which defines a reflection chamber adjacent to the rotating spindle, the mirror assembly having at least a forward-facing reflective surface for directing light scattered from the rotating spindle through the ember bed base onto the projection screen
Implementation Method 3
the projection screen may comprise a light-transmissible pane having a holographic layer thereon which is illuminable by the light scattered through the ember bed base
Data Source
AI summary
An electric fire apparatus (110) having an improved simulated flame effect comprising: an outer casing (112) having an at least in part light-transmissible ember bed base (116) therein; a projection screen (124) positioned in front of the ember bed base (116); a rotating spindle (136) positioned below the ember bed base (116); a light source (138) arranged to direct light towards the rotating spindle (136); and a mirror assembly which defines a reflection chamber adjacent to the rotating spindle (136), the mirror assembly having at least a forward-facing reflective surface (134) for directing light scattered from the rotating spindle (136) through the ember bed base (116) onto the projection screen (124). An electric heating system is also provided.