Mist Electric Fire With 3D Flame Effect and Perimeter Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric fires that simulate fire effects lack improvements in realism and heat distribution, with prior art designs often requiring depth behind the fuel bed for flame generation and directing heat forwardly rather than circumferentially.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a housing with transparent side walls, air heating elements, and a chimney with vents to distribute heat around the fire, along with a mist generator and independently operable light sources to create a three-dimensional flame effect and varied lighting, allowing for a freestanding configuration and improved visual realism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional flame generation methods are used, then flame effects can be produced, but the fire requires depth behind the fuel bed and heat is directed forwardly rather than circumferentially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical flame generation systems with an optical system consisting of a mist generator and light sources. The mist generator creates vapor that is illuminated by lights to simulate flame effects, eliminating the need for mechanical flame generation equipment and allowing for freestanding installation without requiring depth behind the fuel bed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of water to mist/vapor form and uses light to illuminate it, creating a flame-like effect. This parameter change from solid/liquid fuel to vapor-phase simulation allows for improved heat distribution and eliminates structural constraints of traditional fire designs.
2Illumination intensity
If opaque side walls are used, then heat can be contained, but the flame effect is not visible from multiple sides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses transparent or translucent materials for side walls that allow light to pass through, enabling the illuminated mist to be visible from multiple sides. The light sources illuminate the mist internally, creating a glowing flame effect that is visible through the transparent walls while the walls still provide some thermal containment.
3Temperature
If heat is directed forwardly, then heating efficiency in front of the fire is improved, but heat distribution around the entire fire is uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the fire unit with omnidirectional heat distribution capability, allowing it to serve as a standalone heating device that provides warmth in all directions around the fire, not just forward. This multi-directional functionality enables the fire to be used as both a visual centerpiece and an effective space heater.
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 enhances the realism of the fire simulation by providing a three-dimensional flame effect visible from multiple sides, allows for freestanding installation, and distributes heat evenly around the fire, improving user experience and installation flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
the flame effect is simulated from an interaction of a light source with a generated mist, the mist being carried upwardly in the fire housing on heated air currents
Implementation Method 2
The side walls may include one or more air heating elements configured to blow heat downwardly over the side walls
Implementation Method 3
the flame effect is simulated from an interaction of a light source with a generated mist
Data Source
AI summary
An electric fire is described. The fire provides one or more three dimensional flame effects to simulate the effects of a burning fire. A fuel bed for use in an electric fire is also described.