Rotary Drum Flame Simulator for Brighter Dynamic Electric Fireplaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric fireplaces with flame simulators lack a simple and effective method to produce a realistic and dynamic flame effect, with existing methods being complex and insufficient in visual simulation.
Innovation Solution
A flame simulator comprising a light source, a flame board, a flame projection screen, and a rotary drum with a light-concentrating block, where the light source is inside the rotary drum, and the light is reflected onto the flame board and then onto the projection screen to create a vivid flame image, driven by a motor for dynamic effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional flame simulator methods (streamers or rotary light source) are used, then flame visual effect is provided, but the production method is complex and simulation quality is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flame board with flame patterns as a template or copy of real flame structure. The light-concentrating block projects this flame pattern onto the translucent screen, creating a simplified yet effective flame simulation that avoids complex mechanical structures while maintaining visual realism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential visual elements of flame (the pattern and light concentration) from the complex conventional systems. By separating the flame pattern projection from mechanical flame generation, it achieves simpler manufacturing while maintaining simulation quality.
2Illumination intensity
If a rotary light source with motor is used, then dynamic flame effect is achieved, but the device structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complex rotary light source mechanism, the patent copies the dynamic flame effect by rotating a simple flame board with patterns. This transfers the complexity from the lighting system to a simple rotational movement of a patterned board, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining dynamic visual effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The flame board acts as an intermediary between the light source and the translucent screen. It carries the flame patterns and rotates to create dynamic effects, mediating the interaction between static light and static screen to produce dynamic flame simulation without requiring complex rotary light sources.
3Illumination intensity
If streamers and flickering lights are used, then flickering visual effect is provided, but spark movements due to intensely burning are not simulated
Solution Approach 1:
The flame board features localized flame patterns at different positions, with the light-concentrating block selectively illuminating specific pattern areas during rotation. This creates localized bright spots that simulate spark movements, adding detail quality to specific regions rather than uniform illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating flame board creates dynamic illumination patterns on the translucent screen. As the board rotates, different flame patterns are illuminated in sequence, creating moving bright spots that simulate the dynamic spark movements of intense burning, transforming a static system into a dynamic one.
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 bright and dynamic flame effect with a simple structure, allowing for convenient production through injection molding, enhancing the visual realism and simulation quality of the flame.
Implementation Method 1
a light-concentrating block is provided on a surface of the rotary drum
Implementation Method 2
light from the light-concentrating block is reflected by the flame board onto the flame projection screen for forming a flame image
Data Source
AI summary
A flame simulator of an electric fireplace, including: a light source (1); a flame board (3); a flame projection screen (4); and a rotary drum (2); wherein the light source (1) is provided in the rotary drum (2); the rotary drum (2) is transparent and a light-concentrating block (20) is provided on a surface thereof; a flame pattern (31) is provided on the flame board (3); light concentrated by the light-concentrating block (20) is projected onto the flame board (3) and reflected by the flame board (3) to the flame projection screen (4) for forming a flame image. The flame is bright and has a sufficient dynamic effect. The rotary drum (2) and the light-concentrating block (20) can be made by injection molding for a simple structure and convenient production.