GB2462848A

GB2462848A - Flame effect fire with simulated LED flame patterns

Info

Publication number: GB2462848A
Application number: GB0815305A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Jonathan Stokes
Original assignee: Valor Ltd
Current assignee: Valor Ltd
Priority date: 2008-08-22
Filing date: 2008-08-22
Publication date: 2010-02-24
Also published as: GB0815305D0

Abstract

A combustion effect device for use in a heating apparatus 10 comprises an array of light sources 28, which may be light emitting diodes, whose illumination is independently controllable. Light from the plurality of light sources is arranged to impinge on a display 32, which may be a translucent screen 32, to simulate flames. The light may also be directed towards a translucent simulated fuel bed 34 to simulate a glowing bed. The array of LEDs 28 may be circular and they replace the spinner used in conventional flame effect fires. The independent control may consist of a microprocessor (40, Figure 2), The LEDs 28 and microprocessor 40 may be located on a substrate (36, Figure 2) that may be planar. The light sources 28 may produce light of the same colour or of two or more different colours. The microprocessor 40 may be programmed to produce a range of different LED patterns (Figures 2 and 3) that realistically produce a flame effect when they illuminate the screen 32. The apparatus may also include a heater 26 that may be electric or gas-fuelled. The main use is as a domestic household flame effect fire.

Description

DESCRIPTION

COMBUSTION EFFECT DEVICE

The present invention relates to combustion effect devices and in particular, but not exclusively, to flame effect devices for use with electric heating apparatus.

It is well known to incorporate a combustion effect device into an electrically-operated heating apparatus in order to simulate flames and/or a glowing bed of fuel. More recently, other visual effects such as an illuminated bed of pebbles or rocks have been incorporated into heating devices.

One well-known way of simulating flames and/or a glowing fuel bed is to locate a so-called "spinner" above an incandescent light bulb, A spinner is a metal disc formed into a series of vanes and which is pivotally mounted about a vertical axis. The hot air produced by the incandescent light bulb rises and causes the spinner to rotate, thereby interrupting and varying the light from the incandescent light bulb.

By locating the light bulb and spinner beneath a translucent hollow simulated fuel bed, the bed appears to glow in the manner of a real fuel bed, In addition, light from the light bulb as modified by the spinner can be projected onto a vertically-extending translucent screen which can give an impression of moving flames.

A number of electrical heating apparatus have replaced the traditional incandescent light bulb with one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). These have the advantage of much lower consumption of electricity and a much longer working life as compared with incandescent light bulbs. In addition, it has been proposed to phase out incandescent light bulbs completely in due course in view of their relatively low efficiency.

However, LEDs produce very little heat. As a consequence, if a spinner were to be placed above the LED insufficient hot air would be produced to cause the spinner to turn, Consequently, it is not possible to use a spinner to produce combustion effects with LED illumination.

In accordance with the present invention, a combustion effect device comprises a plurality of light sources, display means positioned for illumination by light from said light sources and means for independently controlling the illumination of the plurality of light sources.

By providing a plurality of individual, independently-operable light sources, it is possible to produce a varying pattern of light from the array, which can be used to simulate, for example, flames and/or a glowing fuel bed.

The combustion effect device may comprise a substrate on which the plurality of light sources is located, and the substrate may conveniently be substantially planar. The means for independently controlling the illumination of the light sources is also preferably mounted on the substrate.

Preferably, the light sources are located in a circular pattern.

The light sources may be adapted to produce of the same colour.

Alternatively, the light sources may be arranged to produce light of two or more different colours.

Preferably, the display means is translucent. The display may comprise, for example, a screen or a bed, such as a simulated fuel bed, The present invention also provides a heating apparatus comprising means for generating heat and a combustion effect device in accordance with the present invention.

The display means may comprise a screen and/or a bed, such as a simulated fuel bed.

Preferably, the display means is translucent.

By way of example only, a specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of an embodiment of heating apparatus fitted with an embodiment of combustion effect device in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one component of the combustion effect device of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is an alternative view of the component of Fig. 2, operating in a different mode.

With reference to Fig. 1, the heating apparatus comprises a pressed steel housing 10 having a rectangular planar rear wall 12, two upstanding parallel planar side walls 14, 16, two upstanding parallel upper and lower walls 18, 20 and a peripheral flange 22 extending from the side walls and the upper and lower walls. The side walls and upper and tower walls define a rectangular recess 24 which at the upper end of which a conventional fan heater 26 is mounted. Towards the lower end of the recess 24 is an array 28 of light emitting diodes (LEDs) which, as will be explained, are used to produce a combustion effect. The array 28 of LEDs is secured to the planar rear wall 12 by means of a mounting bracket 30.

The recess 24 is closed off by a planar rectangular sheet 32 of grey glass which is frosted (i.e. translucent or semi-opaque) on its outer surface to form a screen, as will be explained. A simulated fuel bed 34 in the form of a moulded hollow plastics shell shaped to resemble a real fuel bed is located at the base of the housing.

With reference to Fig. 2, the array 28 of LED5 comprises a circular planar substrate 36 and a plurality of identical equally-spaced light emitting diodes (LEDs) 38 located around its periphery in a circular pattern. A microprocessor 40 and other ancillary components 42 are mounted at the centre of the substrate 36 and control the illumination of the light emitting diodes 38. The microchip 40 and light emifting diodes 38 are supplied with electrical power from a transformer and rectifier (not shown) which is connected to the mains electricity supply, In this embodiment, the LEDs are arranged to produce orange light, but LEDs producing other light colours, e.g., red may be used. Indeed, one or more of the LEDs may be arranged to produce a first colour, one or more to produce a second colour, one or more to produce a third colour, and so on.

The microprocessor 40 is arranged to illuminate the LEDs 38 as desired. Several different illuminating modes can be stored in the microchip and can be accessed by suitable controls on the side of the heating apparatus (not illustrated). In one mode (as indicated by an arrow in Fig. 2), the LEDs are arranged to be intermittently illuminated in sequence, to produce a varying light effect similar to that produced by a conventional spinner, as described previously. As indicated in Fig. 3, the LEDs may be illuminated in the opposite rotational direction, and the microchip 40 may be arranged to change direction over time.

In another mode, the LEDs are arranged to be illuminated randomly. In a third mode, different groups of LEDs are arranged to be illuminated in different ways. For example, the LEDs adjacent to the rear wall of the heater may be illuminated intermittently in sequence, to produce a light effect similar to that of a conventional spinner, while the LEDs towards the front of the heating apparatus, nearest the simulated fuel bed, may be arranged to vary their illumination more slowly, in the manner of a conventional glowing fuel bed.

However, the above-described modes are only examples and the microprocessor 40 can be arranged to illuminate the LEDs either intermittently or over longer periods, in whatever way is desired, to produce a desired effect.

When the combustion effect device is in position within the heating apparatus (as shown in Fig. 1), the light from the array 28 impinges on the screen 32, producing an effect of moving flames. In addition, the translucent moulded simulated fuel bed 34 is illuminated by light from the array of LEDs, which causes the simulated fuel bed to glow in the manner of a real fuel bed.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment. For example, although the LEDs have been described as being able to produce red and yellow light, it would be possible, if desired, to utilise LEDs which produce light of other colours, for example, blue, if different visual effects are desired. Furthermore, the light sources and their control may be powered by a battery (preferably rechargeable) rather than by mains electricity in a transformer and rectifier. Indeed, the light sources need not be LEDs but may be other light sources such as halogen lamps or even incandescent lamps.

Although a single array of light sources has been described, two or more arrays (either identical or different) may be used if desired, Conversely, the plurality of light sources may be mounted independently, rather than on a common substrate.

The above embodiment describes a heating apparatus having a combustion effect device which illuminates a simulated fuel bed, However, the array of LEDs may be arranged to illuminate other types of bed, eg. a bed of pebbles, stones or glass pieces.

Furthermore, although the above embodiment refers to a fan heater, other means for generating heat may be provided, such as a radiant heater or a convector heater. Indeed, the invention is not restricted to electrical heating apparatus but may also be used as part of a gas-fuelled heating apparatus.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A combustion effect device comprising a plurality of light sources, display means positioned for illumination by light from said light sources and means for independently controlling the illumination of the plurality of light sources.
2. A combustion effect device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a substrate on which the plurality of light sources is located.
3. A combustion effect device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the substrate is substantially planar.
4. A combustion effect device as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the means for independently controlling the illumination of the light sources is mounted on the substrate.
5. A combustion effect device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the light sources are located in a circular pattern.
6. A combustion effect device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the light sources are adapted to produce light of the same colour.
7. A combustion effect as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the light sources are arranged to produce light of two or more different colours.
8. A combustion effect device as claimed in any of the proceeding claims, wherein the display means is translucent.
9. A combustion effect device as claimed in any of the proceeding claims, wherein the display means comprises a screen. C)
10. A combustion effect device as claimed in any of the proceeding claims, wherein the display means comprises a bed.
11. A combustion effect device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bed comprises a simulated fuel bed.
12. A combustion effect device substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.
13. A heating apparatus comprising means for generating heat and a combustion effect device as claimed in any of the preceding claims.
14. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the display means comprises a screen.
15. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the display means comprises a bed.
16. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the bed comprises a simulated fuel bed.
17. A heating apparatus as claimed in any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the display means is translucent.
18. A heating apparatus as claimed substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.