Flame simulation device

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electric fireplaces with ultra-wide viewing areas, the use of cross-flow fans for flame simulation leads to manufacturing precision issues and noise due to eccentricity, resulting in reduced ornamental effect and shorter fan life, as air cannot be blown between the fans due to the drive motor's presence, causing incomplete flame simulation.

Innovation Solution

A supplementary air-supplying device is placed in the split joint area between two cross-flow fans to blow air onto a second streamer, enhancing disturbance and flame simulation, combined with the disturbance from the first streamer blown by the cross-flow fans, ensuring consistent and improved viewing effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the cross-flow fan is lengthened to achieve ultra-wide viewing area, then the flame simulation coverage is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirement becomes extremely high and vibration noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing areaVSAvoidco-axiality of fan shaft, drive motor, and fan wheel
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the fan system into multiple independent cross-flow fans (at least two) arranged side by side, each with its own drive motor. This segmentation allows each fan to maintain standard dimensions and manufacturing precision while collectively covering an ultra-wide viewing area, avoiding the need for one extremely long fan with high precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If multiple cross-flow fans are used to achieve ultra-wide viewing area, then the flame simulation coverage is improved, but the drive motor blocks air flow to the area between fans, reducing ornamental effect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing areaVSAvoidair flow blockage by drive motor
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the drive motor from the center of the fan assembly and relocates it to the side, allowing air to flow freely through the center area between multiple fans. This enables the streamers in the gap region to be properly disturbed by air flow, maintaining flame simulation effectiveness across the entire ultra-wide viewing area without blockage from the drive motor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 prevents the flame from being cut off, enhances overall coordination, and significantly improves the viewing effect by ensuring air can reach all parts of the streamers, creating a more realistic and dynamic flame simulation.

Implementation Method 1

The cross-flow fans blow air to the first streamer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow:

Implementation Method 2

the supplementary air-supplying device blows air to the second streamer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow:

Implementation Method 3

The light emitted from the light source is directed towards the first streamer and the second streamer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3835660B1Flame simulation device
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 NINGBO RICHEN ELECTRIC APPLIANCE CO LTD
  • EP3835660B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3835660B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3835660B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses a streamer type flame simulation device, which includes a casing (1), some cross-flow fans (2) disposed inside the casing (1), a first streamer (3), a second streamer (4), a supplementary air-supplying device, and a light source (6). There are total of two or more cross-flow fans (2). The first streamer (3) is a series of strips arranged vertically according to the width direction, and the cross-flow fans (2) are arranged along the width of the first streamer (3). The second streamer (3) is a strip. The supplementary air-supplying device is arranged in the split joint area (7) between the two cross-flow fans (2). The cross-flow fans (2) blow air to the first streamer (3), and the supplementary air-supplying device blows air to the second streamer (4). The light emitted from the light source (6) is directed towards the first streamer (3) and the second streamer (4). In the present invention, since a supplementary air-supplying device is provided between two cross-flow fans (2) for supplying air, the deficiency where air was unable to deliver at the space occupied by the drive motor (22) of the cross-flow fans (2) can be avoided. Various parts of the first streamer (3) and the second streamer (4) can be blown, thus preventing the flame from being cut off and enhancing the overall coordination, which greatly improves the viewing effect of the flame area.