GB2509007A

GB2509007A - Sound-controlled electric fireplace

Info

Publication number: GB2509007A
Application number: GB1403317.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Weillin Lv
Original assignee: Dongguan Song Wei Electric Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Dongguan Song Wei Electric Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2011-08-26
Filing date: 2012-08-24
Publication date: 2014-06-18
Also published as: GB201403317D0; WO2013029495A1; CN102353091B; CN102353091A

Abstract

A sound-controlled electric fireplace comprises a housing (8), an imaging screen (10) installed in the housing (8), simulated charcoal (3) located in the front lower part of the imaging screen (10), a flame-shaped board (7) located in the back lower part of the imaging screen (10), a light reflecting assembly (6) and a first light source assembly (5); the simulated charcoal (3) is provided with a second light source (4) thereunder; the housing (8) is provided with a sound-controlled generation unit (9) controlling the luminance change of the fireplace simulated flame therein; the sound-controlled generation unit (9) is connected to the second light source (4), and is simultaneously connected to the first light source assembly (5). The present invention uses sound to control the luminance of the electric fireplace simulated flame, enables the flame of the simulated charcoal (3) to change with the change of an external sound signal, generating dynamic flame change effect, and truly reproducing the burning appearance of the simulated charcoal (3), so that the dynamic flame change effect is more outstanding, more realistic and more aesthetic.

Description

SOUND-CONTROLLED ELECTRIC FIREPLACE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Thepresentinventionrelatestoarielectricfireplace, especially to a sound-controlled electric fireplace.

2. Description of the Related Art

The development of fireplace changes day by day. Traditionally, there are wood burning fireplaces, gas fireplaces, and charcoal fireplaces. Besides the traditional fireplaces, electric fireplaces are gradually developed today. Wherein, the electric fireplaces combine the classic form of the European fireplace and the present technology including principles of acoustics and optics. The combination not only helps protect environment but also provides a vivid simulation of burning wood.

Obviously, the electric fireplaces are potentially displacing the traditional fireplaoe. However, the more the electric fireplaces are provided, the more reguirements may be raised for meeting practical demands. The electric fireplaces existing in the market nerely provide ordinary imitated background flames with simulated charcoal. Thus, the illumination of such simulate flame is plain since a real dynamic change of burning flames is difficult to imitate. Therefore, the design of electric fireplace is limited, and the research and development are also restricted, which further affects the electric fireplace industry.

STh&1ARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to provide a sound-controlled electric fireplace that receives external sounds to control the illumination of a simulate flame of the fireplace, so that the simulate flame of simulated charcoal dynamically changes in accordance with variations of divergent voice frequency, thereby oontributing to a novel effeot.

Afore object is achieved by following means: Sound-controlled electric fireplace oomprises a housing, an imaging screen installed in the housing, simulated charcoal disposed in a lower front of the imaging screen, a flame-shaped board disposed in a lower back of the imaging screen, a reflecting module, and a first light source assembly; characterized in that, a second light source is disposed under the simulated charcoal, a sound-controlled generation unit is installed in the housing for controlling illumination of a simulate flame of the fireplace, and the sound-controlled generation unit is connected to the seoond light source.

Accordingly, the present invention has following advantages. While the sound-controlled generation unit is provided in the existing electric fireplace, generated sound controls the illumination of the second light source disposed under the simulated charcoal of the electric fireplace. Concurrently, the simulate flame of the simulated charcoal changes subject to external sound signal. Accordingly, the dynamic simulate flame provides varied effects, which removes the plain simulate flame existing in the traditional electric fireplace.

Thus, a vivid burning image is resulted, and an attractive performance of the simulate flame is achieved. The inventor hopes this innovative electric fireplace provided with the design cf voice ccntrcl collld influence or transform the contemporary electric fireplace industry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing inner structures of the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing a circuitry of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIINTS

A sound-controlled electric fireplace switches a sound signal into a driving voltage signal via an electroacoustic transducer while an external sound is generated, thereby controlling illumination of analog flames. While a simillate flame of simulated charcoal changes subject to amplitude of the input sound, a lifelike burning effect is achieved. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, structures of the present invention are shown as follows: ReferringtoFig. 1, thevoicecontrolelectricfireplacecomprises a housing 8, an imaging screen 10 installed in the housing 8, and a tempered glass 1 covering a front part of the housing. Simulated charcoal 3 is disposed in a lower front of the imaging screen 10, a flame imaging room 11 is disposed around a back side of the imaging screen 10 and the housing 8. A reflecting unit 6 that is rotated by a motor is disposed in the flame imaging room 11. A flame-shaped board 7 is disposed between the refiecting unit 6 and the imaging soreen 10. A first light source assembly 5 is disposed under the reflecting unit 6. Rotating the reflecting unit 6 aliows the first light souroe assembly 5 to emit light toward the flame-shaped board 7. when the iight is filtered by the flame-shaped board 7, a flame pattern is imagedintheimagingscreenlo. Wherein, observerscouldseealifelike burning effect from a front side of the tempered glass 1.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a second light source 4 is disposed under the simulated charcoal 3. The second light source 4 adopts an LED lamp or a low-voltage bulb. A sound-controlled generation unit 9 that is connected to the second light source is installed in the housing 8. As it should, be, the sound-controlled generation unit 9 could be further connected to the first light.

The sound-controlled generation unit 9 includes a sound/electricity converting circuit 22, a comparison amplification integrated chip 21, a sensitivity regulating circuit 26, an input regulating circuit 24, a voltage clamp circuit 25, a driving gear 27, a step-down starting circuit 28, a protecting circuit 29, a power regulating circuit 23, and a control load 30. The control load adopts thesecondlightsourceorfurtheradoptsthefirstlightsourceassembly.

Thesound/electricityconvertingcircuit22 is electricallyconnected to the comparison amplification integrated chip 21. A signal output end of the comparison amplification integrated chip 21 is connected to the sensitivity regulating circuit 26. A power supply end of the comparison amplification integrated chip 21 is connected to the power regulating circuit 23. The voltage clamp circuit 25 is connected to the input regulating circuit 24. The input regulating circuit 24 is connected to a control end of the driving gear 27. An output end of the driving gear 27 is connected to the control load 30. The control load30isconnectedtotheprotectingcircuit29. Thestep-downstarting circuit 28 is connected between the control load 30 and a ground terminal.

Modules structured in the sound-controlled generation unit 9 are depicted as follows: The sound/electricity converting circuit 22 includes an electroacoustic transducer, current limiting resistance Ri, and a coupling capacitance C4. Wherein, the sound/electricity converting circuit freely adopts a microphone MIC or ultrasound equipment that receives external audio signals and turns the audio signals into electricity. Inthis embodiment, the electroacoustic transducer adopts the microphone MIC. One end of the microphone MIS is connected to one ends of the current limiting resistance Ri and the coupling capacitance 04. The other end of the microphone is corrnecteci to the ground terminal. The other end of the current limiting resistance Ri is connected to a power supply end VDD. The other end of the coupling capacitance 04 is connected to a signal input end IN of the comparison amplification integrated chip 21. In this embodiment, the dimension of the microphone MIC is 9.7nma*H6.7mm.

The sensitivity regulating circuit 26 includes a potentiometer 3K for regulating amplitude of input voice, three resistanoes R2, R3, R4, and a coupling capacitance 08. The potentiometer 5K is designed with tn-in-line pins. A third pin of the potentiometer 3K is connected to one end of the coupling capacitance 08, a second pin of the potentiometer SK is connected to one end of the resistanoe R4, and a first pin of the potentiometer 5K is conneoted to the ground terminal.

One ends of the coupling capacitance 08 and the resistance R2 are respectively connected to the signal input end of the comparison amplification integrated chip 21. The other end of the resistance R4 is connected to the signal output end of the oomparison amplification integrated chip 21. The other end of the resistance R2 is connected to one end of the resistance R3 and then further conneoted to a comparison signal input end of the comparison amplification integrated ohip 21.

The other end of the resistance R3 is connected to the ground terminal for forming a sensitive regulating oircuit.

The input regulating cirouit 24 inoludes a capacitance 03, a diode Dl, and a current limiting resistance R5. One end of the capacitance 03 is connected to a signal output end OUT of the oomparison amplification integrated ohip 21. The other end of the capacitance 03 is connected to a positive pole of the diode Dl. A negative pole of the diode Dl is conneoted to one end of the current limiting resistance R5. The other end of the current limiting resistanoe RI is connected to a base control end of a driving unit 18.

The voltage clamp circuit includes capacitances 05, 06, and diodes P2, D3. One end of the capacitanoe C5 is oonnected to a negative pole of the diode P3. The other end of the capacitance 05 is connected to the ground terminal. A negative pole of the diode P2 and a positive pole of the diode D3 are respectively connected to one end of the capacitance CS and a positive pole of the diode Dl. The other end of the diode P2 is connected to the ground terminal. One end of the capacitance C6 is oonnected to the ground terminal. The other end of the capacitance 06 is connected to a negative pole of the diode Dl and one end of the oapacitanoe C5.

The power regulating circuit includes capacitances Cl, 02 and a voltage regulating module ill. An input terminal Vin of the voltage regulating nodule Ul is connected to a power input V+. A ground terminal GND of the voltage regulating module Hi is conneoted to a ground wire.

An output terminal Vout of the voltage regulating module Hi supplies regulated power VDD so as to provide electricity VDD to the oomparison amplification integrated chip 21 and the sound/electricity converting circuit 22.

The driving gear 27, the control load 30, the step-down starting circuit 28, and the protecting oircuit 29 construot a seamless driving circuit for controlling. The driving gear 27 includes triodes Ql, Q2. The step-down starting oircuit 28 includes diodes D4, D5, P6, P7. The protecting circuit 29 includes a diode D8 and a capacitance 07. Connections between afore electronic components are as follows: A positive pole of the diode P8 and one end of the capacitance 07 are connected to a collector of the triode Q3. A negative pole of the diode P8 and the other end of the capacitance 07 are connected to the power input V+. The triodes Qi, Q2 are assembled to a composite transistor. An emitting pole of the triode Ql is connected to a base of the triode Q2. A collector of the triode Qi is connected to one end of a resistance R6. The other end of the resistance R6 is connected to a power V+. The resistanoe R6 provides the collector Ql of the triode Ql with upper bias supply. The collector of the triode Q2 is connected to one end of the control load RL. The other end of the control load RP is connected to the power input V+. The step-down starting circuit 28 provides the control load RL with a lower starting power source, so that the control load RL does not lose power in a very short time. A positive pole of the diode D4 is oonnected to one end of the control load RL and the collector of the triode Q2. Anegative pole of the diode P4 is connective to a positive pole of the diode P5. A negative pole of the diode PS is connected to a positive pole of the diode D6. A negative pole of the diode D6 is connected to a positive pole of the diode D7. A negative pole of the diode P7 and an emitting pole of the triode Q2 are conneoted to the ground terminal.

When the base of the triode Qi receives signals, the emitting pole of the triode Ql transmits oontrol signals to the base of the triode Q2. Thereby, the collector of the triode Q2 is conducted, so that the control load RP is able to operate.

In this embodiment, the triode Q2 of the driving gear adopts a powertriode. ThetriodeQlandthetriodeQ2areassembledtoacomposite triode. The triode Q2 adopts the power triode. The step-down unit of the step-down starting circuit 28 adopts diodes D4, D5, D6, D7 thataredesignedinto seriesstep-down. As itshouldbe, thearrangement of the circuit is not limited. Namely, the diode could be replaced by high power resistance, so that the high power resistance could lessen the voltage. The control load RL is provided for the LED lamps set in series under the simulated charcoal. Thereby, illumination of each LED lamp varies in accordance with amplitude of sound signals by means of the sound-controlled generation unit 9.

Principle adapted to the sound-controlled generation unit 9 is as follows: The sound/electricity converting circuit 22 transforms the sound signal into electricity signal. Wherein, the electricity signal is further transmitted to the comparison amplification integrated chip 21. Accordingly, the comparison amplification integrated chip 21 compares the voltage via an internal circuit amplification signal and outputs a signal for the sensitivity regulating circuit 26 to control. Moreover, the power regulating circuit 23 provides the comparison amplification integrated chip 21 with steady power. The voltage clamp circuit 25 is connected to the input regulating circuit 24. The inpilt regulating circuit 24 is connected to a control end of the driving gear 27. An output end of the driving gear 27 is connected to the control load 30. The control load3O ±sprotectedbytheprotectingc±rcu±t29viaareversevoltaqe, so that the control load 30 is properly controlled.

Claims

I CLAIM: 1. A sound-controlled electric fireplace comprising a housing, an imaging screen installed in saidhousing, simulatedcharcoal disposed ma lower front of said imaging screen, a flame-shaped board disposed in a lower back of said imaging screen, a reflecting module, and a first light source assembly; characterized in that, a second light source is disposedunder said simulated charcoal, a sound-controlled generation unit is installed in said housing for controlling illumination of a simulate flame of said fireplace, and said sound-controlled generation unit is connected to said second light source.
2. The fireplace as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said sound-controlled generation unit is further connected to said first light source assembly.
3. The fireplace as claimed in claim 1, wherein, a circuit module of said sound-controlled generation unit includes a sound/electricity converting circuit, a comparison amplification integrated chip, a sensitivity regulating circuit, an input regulating circuit, a voltage clamp circuit, a driving gear, a step-down starting circuit, a protecting circuit, a power regulating circuit, and a control load; said control load adopts said second light source or further adopts said first light source assembly; said sound/electricity converting circuit is connected to said comparison amplification integrated chip; a signal output end of said comparison amplification integrated chip is connected to said sensitivityregulatingcircuit; apowersupplyendofsaidcomparison amplification integrated chip is connected to said power regulating circuit; said voltage clamp circuit is connected to said input regulating circuit; said input regulating circuit is connected to a control end of said driving gear; an output end of said driving gear is connected to said control load; said control load is connected to said protecting circuit; said step-down starting circuit is connected between said control load RL and a ground terminal.
4. The fireplace as claimed in claim 3, wherein, said sound/electricity converting circuit includes an electroacoustic transducer, current limiting resistance Rl, and a coupling capacitance 04; one end of said electroacoustic transducer is connected to one ends of said current limiting resistance Ri and said coupling capacitance 04; the other end of said electroacoustic transducer is connected to said ground terminal; the other end of said current limiting resistance is connected to a power supply end VDD; the other end of said coupling capacitance 04 is connected to a signal input end IN of said comparison amplification integrated chip.
5. The fireplace as claimed in claim 4, wherein, said electroacoustic transducer adopts a microphone MIC.
6. The fireplace as claimed in claim 3, wherein, said sensitivity regulating circuit includes a potentiometer 5K for regulating amplitudeofinputvoice, threeresistancesR2, R3, R4, andacoupiing capacitance 08; a third pin of said potentiometer 5K is connected to one end of said coupling capacitance 08, a second pin of said potentiometer 5K is connected to one end of said resistance R4, and a first pin of said potentiometer SK is connected to said ground terminal; oneendsof saidcoupiingcapacitanceo8 andsaidresistance R2 are connectedto a signal input endof saidcomparison amplification integrated chip; the other end of said resistance R4 is connected to said signal output end of said comparison amplification integrated chip; the other end of said resistance R2 is connected to one end of said resistance R3 and then further connected to a comparison signal input end of said comparison amplification integrated chip; theotherendofsaidresistanceR3 isconnectedtosaidgroundterminai for forming a sensitive regulating circuit.
7. The fireplace as claimed in claim 3, wherein, said input regulating circuit includes a capacitance 03, a diode Dl, and a current limiting resistance R5; one end of said capacitance 03 is connected to said signal output end CUT of said comparison amplification integrated chip; the other end of said capacitance 03 is connected to a positive pole of said diode Dl; a negative pole of said diode Dl is connected to one end of said current limiting resistance R5; the other end of said current limiting resistance R5 is connected to a base control end of a driving unit.
8. The fireplace as claimed in claim 3, wherein, said voltage clamp circuit includes capacitances 05, 06, and diodes D2, D3; one end of said capacitance 05 is ccnnected to a negative pole of said diode D3; the other end of said capacitance 05 is connected to said ground terminal; a negative pole of said diode D2 and a positive pole of saiddiodeD3arerespectivelyconnectedtooneendofsaidcapacitance 03 and a positive pole of said diode Dl; the other end of said diode D2 is connected to said ground terminal; one end of said capacitance 06 is connected to said ground terminal; the other end of said capacitance 06 is connected to a negative pole of said diode Dl and one end of said capacitance 05.
9. The fireplace as claimed in claim 3, wherein, said power regulating circuit includes capacitances Cl, 02 and a voltage regulating module Ui; an input terminal Vin of said voltage regulating module US is connected to a power V+; a ground terminal CUD of said voltage regulatingmoduleUl is connected to a groundwire; an output terminal Vout of said voltage regulating module Ul is connected to said comparison amplification integrated chip and said sound/electricity converting circuit.
10. The fireplace as claimed in claim 3, wherein, said control load adopts an LED lamp or a low-voltage bulb.