FR3100873A1 - Artificial fireplace - Google Patents

Abstract

Artificial fireplace. The invention relates to an artificial fireplace comprising an enclosure (2) delimited by a lower wall (3), an upper wall (4) and a peripheral wall (5), the latter comprising an opening (6), a dummy ember bed (9) being disposed inside the enclosure (2) on a bottom (8) defined by the lower wall (3), in said enclosure (2) still being provided with means for projecting (10) an image, in particular animated flames, in the direction of a viewing screen (11) arranged in the enclosure (2) in a line of sight (7) extending through said opening (6). According to the invention, the display screen (11) is defined by a transparent glass plate (13) extending between the dummy ember bed (9) and said projection means (10) forming with respect to the radius incident (14) emanating from the latter at an angle of between 50 ° and 56 °, said projection means (10) being defined to diffuse images, in particular of animated flames, through linear polarized light. The invention also relates to a fireplace (23) or stove comprising an artificial hearth. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

artificial hearth

The present invention belongs to the field of fireplaces, and more particularly to the field of decorative fireplaces. More specifically, the invention relates to the field of fireplaces, whether open or closed fireplaces, stoves or inserts.

In particular, the present invention relates to an artificial hearth integrated into a fireplace which preferably has a decorative character.

In general, a fireplace comprises a hearth delimited by an enclosure inside which it is customary to light and maintain a fire whose calorific energy is diffused by radiation and/or conduction and/or convection to heat a room or a home.

Conventionally, fire can be produced using wood or other fuels, such as alcohol or gas. However, there are also fireplaces with electrical resistance heaters.

The particularity of a fireplace lies in the opening that it usually has in the front part of its peripheral wall, making it possible to make visible the embers and the animation of the flames of combustion of the wood. What is particularly pleasant to the sight of a user by contributing to a feeling of calm, warmth and well-being.

In order not to deprive the users of a stove of such sensations, it is increasingly common to also equip them with a glazed opening on the periphery offering a line of sight inside the enclosure of the hearth.

Obviously, the constancy and colder color of the flames of a gas burner, or the resistances of an electric fireplace, are not able to provide such feelings of well-being and comfort.

In these cases, in particular, it is known to install, on the bottom of the enclosure of the hearth, an artificial bed of embers often constituted by a reproduction of logs sheltering a red / orange color lighting with variation of intensity to try to imitate burning embers.

There are also artificial fireplaces comprising a hearth delimiting an enclosure inside which only means of artificial reproduction of a wood fire are positioned.

The objective, in this case, is to provide the aforementioned sensations while disregarding the heating function usually provided by such a fireplace.

To meet this need, various means for artificially reproducing a wood fire have been developed.

In particular, document GB 2,151,772 discloses an artificial fireplace which comprises a reflection hologram illustrating flames represented on a vertical or slightly inclined plate. In order to simulate movement, the hologram is alternately lit by different lamps arranged at the top and bottom of the focus. Dummy fuel elements can be associated with lights to simulate a bed of glowing embers. As a result, through the opening in the fireplace enclosure, the user sees a juxtaposition of elements, namely a bed of embers behind which appears a holographic image of flames.

It is also known from document WO 02/077533 an artificial fireplace comprising a semi-reflecting plate inclined between 10° and 30° comprising a hologram representing a combustion hearth. A light source illuminates the semi-reflecting plate from the front and from the top of the fireplace enclosure. A play of light and optical reflection makes it possible to animate the flame of the hologram represented on the semi-reflecting plate. Dummy fuel elements can also support the realism of the optical illusion by being placed at the front and at the back of the semi-reflecting plate.

Furthermore, document EP 2 807 426 discloses an artificial fireplace comprising a hearth formed by an enclosure open in the front part, while in the lower part there is a bed of artificial embers. A video screen broadcasting images of flames is arranged in this chamber of the hearth, at the rear of the bed of artificial embers, while a dichroic mirror extends to the front of this screen and above the bed of embers artificial with an angle of inclination of 45°.

In combination, a screen broadcasting a hearth background image is provided under the upper wall of the enclosure. This image is reflected on the dichroic mirror by merging it, above and at the level of the bed of embers, with the images of flames diffused by the video screen.

In a complementary way, on another internal wall of the enclosure are arranged other elements of composition of a chimney fire in such a way as to appear by reflection on the dichroic mirror.

If the solutions mentioned above lead more to a juxtaposition of images, the fireplace described in this document EP 2 807 426 reveals to the user through the opening in the front part of the hearth enclosure a holographic image. extending mainly above the ember bed.

However, this result is obtained by combining a multitude of images on a dichroic mirror by definition semi-transparent to reflect only part of the visible light with a limited luminosity efficiency. We necessarily lose clarity and comfort of feeling at the level of the image perceived by an observer located in front of the chimney.

As part of an inventive approach, an attempt has been made to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art through a simple design solution, therefore economical, yet capable of reproducing, with a very great impression of realism , a wood fire in a fireplace, insert, stove or other.

To this end, the invention relates to an artificial hearth comprising:

an enclosure delimited by a lower wall, an upper wall and a peripheral wall which comprises an opening,

a dummy ember bed being placed inside the enclosure on a bottom defined by the lower wall,

a display screen placed in the enclosure,

a line of sight extending from the viewing screen to the exterior of the fireplace through the opening, and

projection means arranged in the enclosure, the projection means being configured to emit an image, in particular of animated flames, in the direction of a display screen,
According to the invention, the hearth is characterized in that the projection means are configured to emit, according to an incident ray, images, in particular of animated flames through a linear polarized light, the display screen being defined by a transparent glass plate which extends between the dummy ember bed and the projection means, the transparent plate forming with respect to the incident ray an angle of between 50° and 56°.

The advantages resulting from the present invention consist of a spectacular impression of realism of the wood fire that an observer located in front of the opening of the enclosure of the hearth can see. This result is obtained by implementing technical means of simple design. These means are capable of delivering a holographic image of perfect clarity resulting, on the one hand, from the use of a display screen, and on the other hand, from means for projecting a flame image according to a beam of linear polarized light emitted at an angle corresponding to Brewster's law.

According to a first characteristic of the invention, the projection means are located under the upper wall of the enclosure. The projection means are thus hidden from the line of sight of an observer.

According to a second characteristic of the invention, the display screen is arranged in the enclosure, on the one hand, between the projection means and the dummy ember bed, and on the other hand, in the extension of the opening at a determined angle with respect to the bottom of the enclosure.

According to a third characteristic of the invention, the transparent glass plate comprises at its rear face, visible through the opening of the enclosure, an anti-reflective treatment.

According to a fourth characteristic of the invention, the transparent glass plate is maintained in the enclosure by means of a support structure in the form of a console resting on this bottom, defining a screen at the rear of the bed of dummy ember.

According to a fifth characteristic of the invention, the transparent glass plate is configured to be fitted to the walls of the enclosure. This contributes to masking the presence of a display screen vis-à-vis an observer.

According to a sixth characteristic of the invention, the artificial hearth is equipped with means of sound diffusion and/or olfactory emissions.

According to a seventh characteristic of the invention, the artificial hearth comprises lighting means configured to diffuse ambient light in the enclosure. This characteristic contributes to reinforce the impression of realism.

According to an eighth characteristic of the invention, the bed of embers is composed of various elements imitating a combination of wood in the process of combustion, embers and ashes in materials chosen to partially reveal light radiation produced by means of lighting installed under this bed of embers, in the form of LEDs capable of being subjected to a variation in light intensity to simulate the animation of real incandescent embers.

According to a ninth characteristic of the invention, the artificial hearth comprises means for controlling and managing the operation:

means of projection;

And/or ambient lighting means;

And/or means of sound diffusion and/or olfactory emissions;

And/or means of lighting under the ember bed;

And/or heating means, in particular electric, fitted to said hearth.

According to a tenth feature of the invention, the artificial hearth is rotatably mounted around a vertical axis through suspension means, such as a dummy flue, or a support base.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a fireplace or stove comprising an artificial hearth according to the invention. This fireplace or stove is characterized in that it includes a dummy flue integrating heating means, preferably of the electric type with dry inertia.

Other aims and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which will follow relating to an example of embodiment given by way of indication and not limitation.

The understanding of this description will be facilitated by referring to the attached drawings in which:

is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a hearth according to the invention;

is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a fireplace comprising a hearth according to the invention; And

is a schematic representation of the principle of reflection used to display a virtual image on a display screen.

As seen in the figures of the attached drawing, the present invention relates to an artificial hearth 1, for a fireplace, insert or stove, comprising an enclosure 2 delimited by a lower wall 3, an upper wall 4 and a peripheral wall 5.

Of course, this hearth 1 can take different embodiments. In particular, the bottom 3 and top 4 wall, like the peripheral wall 5, can be more or less concave so as to give this focus 1 a noticeable spherical shape. As visible in Figure 2, for example, and the different walls 3, 4, 5 being in continuity with each other. In this example, the lower wall 3 and the peripheral wall 5 give the hearth an extended oblate shape surmounted by a cone formed by the upper wall 4.

In this context, will be considered as the lower wall 3 of the hearth 1, the one coming to close the latter in its lower part. In parallel, the upper wall 4 covers the enclosure 2 of the hearth 1. Finally, the peripheral wall 5 corresponds to the envelope laterally surrounding this enclosure 2.

In this regard, this peripheral wall 5 comprises an opening 6 providing a line of sight 7 from the inside of the enclosure 2 of the hearth 1. In the example of FIG. 2, the opening 6 corresponds to a mouth which has an ovoid shape and matches the curvature of the peripheral wall 5. The central part 60 of the opening 6 extends at the level of a plane P or in front of this plane P. More precisely, the upper central part 60 is extends at the level of the plane P. As for the lower central part 60, it extends in this example, in front of the plane P. This is illustrated in FIG. 2, the plane P being tangent to the curvature of the peripheral wall 5 On the other hand, the side edges 61 of the opening 6 are set back from the plane P. This specific configuration of the opening 6 contributes to reducing the parasitic reflections which come from outside the enclosure 2.

More particularly, in this enclosure 2, the lower wall 3 of the hearth 1 defines the bottom 8 of the enclosure. The artificial hearth 1 comprises on the bottom 8 of the enclosure a dummy ember bed 9. In addition, the dummy ember bed 9 is arranged in the line of sight 7.

Inside this enclosure 2 there are also projection means 10. Preferably, the projection means 10 are configured to emit linear polarized light. As an indication, it is possible to use an LCD type video screen for this purpose. In all cases, according to the invention, the projection means 10 are configured to project an image of animated flames towards a display screen 11.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the artificial hearth 1 comprises a display screen 11 which is placed in the enclosure 2. Preferably, the display screen 11 is placed in the line of sight 7 of an observer 12 located in front of opening 6 of artificial hearth 1.

Advantageously, these projection means 10 are located under the upper wall 4 of the enclosure 2. The projection means 10 are also defined to broadcast images, in particular of animated flames, through linear polarized light. The configuration and the cooperation of the display screen 11 and the projection means 10 allow the formation of a virtual image in the line of vision 7. In particular, this virtual image is formed, on the line of vision 7, in rear of the display screen 11 at the level where the dummy ember bed 9 is located.

As for the display screen 11, it is arranged in the enclosure 2 between the projection means 10 and the dummy ember bed 9 and in the extension of the opening 6.

According to the invention, the display screen 11 is defined by a display lens. In practice, the viewing optics is formed by a transparent plate 13. Preferably, this transparent plate 13 is formed from glass. Typically, the transparent plate 13 can be considered as a diopter.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the transparent plate 13 is configured so that the projection means 10 emit linear polarized light according to the Brewster angle. This produces a Fresnel reflection according to the Brewster angle. To this end, the transparent plate 13 is arranged at an angle iB of between 50° and 56° with respect to the incident ray emitted by the projection means 10. This angle measurement corresponds to a so-called Brewster angle.

Advantageously, the projection of a linear polarized light on the transparent plate 13 according to the Brewster angle helps to eliminate the partial reflection which usually occurs when a light beam is emitted on a diopter. This is because the refracted ray rB is perpendicular to the reflected ray 14a. However, according to this direction of refraction, the refracted light beam does not appear in the line of vision 7 of an observer, it is therefore not visible to the latter (illustrated in FIG. 3). The clarity of the virtual image that forms on the transparent plate 13 is thus optimized, thus increasing the impression of realism of the virtual image with an observer located on the line of vision 7.

The advantages of this design consist in that the transparent plate 13 reflects an image in the direction of the line of vision 7 consisting of a single polarized component which is formed by the reflected ray 14a. The clarity of the virtual image that forms on the line of vision 7 is also optimized by the reduction of reflections from the external environment.

To this end, the transparent plate 13 comprises at its rear face 15, visible through the opening 6 of the enclosure 2, an antireflection treatment so as to prevent any light emanating from a source other than that corresponding to the projection means 10 from disturbing the holographic image thus produced.

In addition, the three-dimensional geometric shape of focus 2 and opening 6 shown in Figure 2, also helps reduce stray light reflections from outside focus 2.

The observer 12 in front of the opening 6, not perceiving the transparent plate 13, has the illusion that the flames are burning above the artificial bed of embers 9.

For this purpose, the transparent glass plate 13 is configured to be fitted to the walls 3, 4, 5 of the enclosure 2. To this end, the transparent plate 13 is dimensioned according to the dimensions of the enclosure 2 and in particular of a cross section of the enclosure 2. In addition, the transparent plate 13 advantageously has a shape similar to the geometric shape of a cross section of the enclosure 2. In the example of Figure 2, the cross section has an ovoid geometric shape.

The fact that the transparent plate 13 is fitted to the walls 3, 4, 5 of the enclosure 2 contributes to concealing the presence of the transparent plate 13 from the eyes of a user who is in the line of vision 7.

The transparent plate 13 can be maintained in the enclosure 2 under the aforementioned conditions by means of a support structure 16 which can take different embodiments.

Thus, this support structure 16 can be in the form of a simple support rim (not shown) at the level of the peripheral wall 5, inside the enclosure 2 so as to provide support for the upper rim 17 of the plate transparent 13, whose lower edge 18 rests, for example, on the bottom 8.

As visible in Figure 2, this support structure 16 can still take the form of a console 19 resting on this bottom 8, at the rear of the dummy ember bed 9. On this console rests the upper edge 17 of the plate transparent 13, according to the conditions of inclination mentioned above. Furthermore, this console 19 can define a screen 20 at the rear of the dummy ember bed 9.

In the enclosure 2 can also be installed lighting means 21 capable of diffusing an ambient light in the hearth 1. These lighting means 21 can for example take position at the rear of the screen 20 formed by the console 19, between this screen and the peripheral wall 5 of the enclosure 2.

The hearth according to the invention can also be equipped with means of sound diffusion and/or olfactory emissions 22. By way of example, these can be installed in the enclosure 2, under the upper wall 4, preferably in outside the field of vision provided by the opening 6. Such means of sound diffusion and/or olfactory emissions 22 can, for example, emit noises imitating the crackling of a wood fire and/or a smell of wood .

As mentioned above, a hearth according to the invention can equip a fireplace or even a stove. It is common ground that the hearth of a fireplace or a stove is traditionally connected to a smoke evacuation duct.

Also, a chimney 23, as seen in Figure 2, or a stove comprising a hearth 1 according to the invention can be equipped with a dummy flue 24 inside which heating means 25 can be positioned. -these are preferably of the electric type with dry inertia.

Advantageously again, this dummy flue 24 can substantially constitute means for suspending the hearth 1.

According to another feature of the invention, the hearth 1 is rotatably mounted about an essentially vertical axis through, as the case may be, these suspension means preferably defined by a dummy flue 24, or a support base on which the hearth 1 rests (solution not shown).

As for the ember bed 9, it can be composed of different elements imitating a combination of burning wood, embers and ashes. Advantageously, the materials are chosen to allow the light radiation produced by lighting means 26 preferentially located under this ember bed 9 to partially show through. These lighting means 26, advantageously in the form of LEDs, are liable to be subjected to a variation of light intensity to simulate the animation of real glowing embers.

According to another feature of the invention, the hearth 1 comprises means of control and management 27 of the operation:

Projection means 10;

And/or ambient lighting means 21;

And/or means of sound diffusion and/or olfactory emissions 22;

And/or lighting means 26 under the bed of embers 9;

And/or heating means 25

With such control and management means 27 can be associated remote control means 28, via radio frequency, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or other, capable of offering the user a multitude of selections of mode of operation of the fireplace 1.

Thus, through such control and management means 27 and/or remote control means 28, a user can, for example, select one video sequence, among several, likely to be projected by the projection means 10 and/or choose different ambient lighting and/or select a sound diffusion band and/or a particular odor emission from a proposed range.

The lighting means 26 under the bed of embers 9 can also adopt different light variation cycles of the LEDs which compose them, cycles which can be selected by such remote control means 28 and/or directly by the control and management means 27.

Obviously, these same means, 27, 28 are capable of offering the user the possibility of intervening in the mode of operation of the heating means 25.

The combination of the means that the hearth 1 comprises according to the invention finally offers a user the possibility of artificially reproducing a wood fire in different states of combustion, for example that of a lively fire with large flames to create a welcoming and warming atmosphere or that of a slow-burning fire to generate an impression of calm and well-being.

This artificial reproduction of a wood fire is however obtained with a great impression of realism resulting from the use of a perfectly transparent screen almost invisible to an observer placed in front of the hearth.

Claims (12)

Artificial hearth (1) comprising:

• an enclosure (2) delimited by a lower wall (3), an upper wall (4) and a peripheral wall (5) which includes an opening (6),
• a dummy ember bed (9) being arranged inside the enclosure (2) on a bottom (8) defined by the bottom wall (3),
• a display screen (11) arranged in the enclosure (2),
• a line of vision (7) extending from the viewing screen (11) to the outside of the hearth (2) through the opening (6), and
• projection means (10) arranged in the enclosure (2), the projection means (10) being configured to emit an image, in particular of animated flames, in the direction of the display screen (11),

characterized in that the projection means (10) are configured to emit, according to an incident ray (14), images, in particular of animated flames, through a linear polarized light, the display screen (11) being defined by a transparent glass plate (13) which extends between the dummy ember bed (9) and the projection means (10), the transparent plate (13) forming with respect to the incident ray (14), an angle between 50° and 56°. Artificial hearth (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection means (10) are located under the upper wall (4) of the enclosure (2). Artificial hearth (1), according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the display screen (11) is arranged in the enclosure (2), on the one hand, between the projection means (10 ) and the dummy ember bed (9), and on the other hand, in the extension of the opening (6) extending at a determined angle with respect to the bottom (8) of the enclosure (2). Artificial hearth (1), according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the transparent glass plate (13) comprises, at its rear face (15), visible through the opening (6), the enclosure (2), an antireflection treatment. Artificial hearth (1), according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the transparent glass plate (13) is held in the enclosure (2) by means of a support structure (16) under form of a console (19) resting on this bottom (8) by defining a screen at the rear of the dummy ember bed (9). Artificial hearth (1), according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the transparent glass plate (13) is configured to be fitted to the walls (3, 4, 5) of the enclosure (2). Artificial hearth (1), according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is equipped with means of sound diffusion and/or olfactory emissions (22). Artificial hearth (1), according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises lighting means (21) configured to diffuse ambient light in the enclosure (2). Artificial hearth (1), according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the bed of embers (9) is composed of different elements imitating a combination of wood in the process of combustion, embers and ashes in materials selected to allow light rays to partially show through, produced by lighting means (26) located under this bed of embers (9), in the form of LEDs capable of being subjected to a variation in light intensity to simulate the animation of embers real incandescents. Artificial hearth (1), according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises means for controlling and managing (27) the operation:

• Projection means (10);
• And/or ambient lighting means (21);
• And/or means of sound diffusion and/or olfactory emissions (22);
• And/or lighting means (26) under the bed of embers (9);
• And/or heating means (25), in particular electric, fitted to said hearth (1).

Artificial hearth (1), according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is rotatably mounted around a vertical axis through suspension means, such as a dummy flue (24), or a support base. Chimney (23) or stove comprising an artificial hearth according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a dummy flue (24) integrating heating means (25), preferably of the electric type with dry inertia .