WO2016193340A1

WO2016193340A1 - Electric fire with flame effect generator and baffle

Info

Publication number: WO2016193340A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/062445
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Prendergast; Muiris Flynn; Colm LALLY; Dirk Jan Jacob MUS
Original assignee: Basic Holdings
Priority date: 2015-06-05
Filing date: 2016-06-02
Publication date: 2016-12-08
Also published as: GB201509765D0; GB2539043B; GB2539043A

Abstract

An electric fireplace comprising: a fire housing comprising a flame effect generator which is configured to generate a flame pattern and an at least partially reflective vertically orientated surface on which, or through which, a generated flame pattern is operably viewed; a vertically orientated baffle located forwardly of the vertically orientated surface, the baffle defining a pattern formed by a plurality of apertures through which a user operably views the flame pattern; a light source arranged relative to a rear surface of the baffle and configured to direct light onto the baffle to generate a reflected image of the pattern of the baffle on the vertically orientated surface within the fire housing.

Description

Title

Electric fire with flame effect generator and baffle

Field

The present application relates to electric fires and in particular to electric fires that using use a combination of lighting and reflection to create a virtual pattern within an interior surface of the fire.

Background

Electric fires are well known and are used to create the illusion of a real fire, typically in a domestic environment. Such fires may include a chassis that incorporates a fuel bed that simulates coals or logs. A flame effect is typically provided in a vertical orientation, the flames being provided in one of a number of different fashions, some of which are described in our earlier applications WO02068875. The generated flame effect is typically provided on a vertical surface that is located within a fire housing. The vertical surface is generally provided to the rear of a simulated fuel bed which may incorporate simulated fuel elements such as coals or logs. Other configurations that are known include the use of stones or glass elements to provide a more contemporary effect. The fire housing may include an at least partially reflective surface that is orientated relative to the fuel bed to provide a virtual image of the fuel bed in a location that appears to be behind the vertical surface on which the flame effect is provided. In this way the flame effect is perceived as being generated in the middle of a fuel bed so as to create a three-dimensional flame effect.

Given the level of detail and effort in creating this three-dimensional flame effect, known electric fires focus on improving the visual perception of flames and/or a smoke effect as perceived by a viewer of the fire. In this way efforts are taken to ensure that the presented effect that is generated vertically within the fire are not occluded or baffled by elements that are provided to the front of that effect. In the context of standalone insert fires this typically involves placing a transparent glass or plastic sheet to the front of the fire housing to ensure that a viewer to the front of the fire is provided with an unobstructed view through the front of the fire housing to the generated flame effect.

Despite the success of these known fires there is a continued need to improve the overall effect that is presented to a user.

Summary These and other needs are addressed by an electric fire in accordance with the present teaching. Such a fire includes a fire housing comprising an at least partially reflective vertically orientated surface on, or through, which a flame effect may be viewed. The fire further comprises a vertically orientated baffle located forwardly of the vertically orientated surface, the baffle defining a pattern formed by a plurality of apertures through which a user may operably view a flame effect. The fire further comprises a light source arranged relative to a rear surface of the baffle and configured to direct light onto and through the baffle so as to generate a reflected image of the pattern of the baffle within the fire housing.

The reflected image of the pattern is desirably generated on the vertically orientated surface.

The fire may further comprise a fuel bed located between the vertically orientated surface and the baffle, the surface operably generating reflecting the fuel bed to create a virtual image of the fuel bed which is perceived by a viewer to be located behind the surface.

The baffle desirably has a height that is equivalent to the height of the surface such that a reflected pattern of the baffle on the surface occupies substantially the entire area of the surface. The fire further comprises flame effect generator which is configured to generate a flame pattern which is viewed through or on the reflective surface. The specifics of how the flame pattern may vary. For example, in one

arrangement the flame effect generator comprises an electric display panel such as an LCD panel on which images of a flame effect may be provided. In such a configuration the electric display panel is located behind the reflective surface. In another arrangement the flame effect generator may comprise a mechanical flame effect comprising at least one of a rotisserie or moveable elements which are orientated relative to a light source to create a moving flame effect on the reflective surface.

The baffle may comprise a reflective rear surface such that a higher proportion of light which is incident on the rear surface of the baffle is reflected by the baffle into the housing than would be provided by a non-reflective surface.

The light source for the baffle is desirably located in an upper region of the fire housing and is orientated to direct light forwardly of the housing. In this way light that passes through the baffle may provide a pattern which is viewed on a horizontal surface forwardly of the fire housing. In this way the baffle may be used to create both a vertically orientated pattern within the housing and a horizontally orientated pattern outside the housing. In another configuration the light source is arranged relative to the baffle to minimize formation of any pattern of the baffle on a horizontal surface. This may be achieved by example by orientating the light source to direct light upwardly through the baffle.

The baffle may be arranged to extend about the perimeter of the fire housing. In such an arrangement the baffle may extend fully about the perimeter of the housing such that a baffle is provided on both rear and front surface of the fire housing. In such a configuration the housing may comprise a rearwardly directed light source arranged relative to the baffle provided on the rear surface of the housing to generate a pattern of the baffle on an external surface to the rear of the housing. By judicious orientation of the rearwardly directed light source it is possible to arrange that generated pattern to be viewed on at least one of a vertically orientated or a horizontally orientated surface to the rear of the housing.

The fire may comprise a rear fuel bed located behind reflective surface. By extending the baffle around the side of the fire housing, the rear fuel bed may be viewed through the baffle. This serves to enhance the perception of a viewer of a three dimensional nature of the generated flame effect within the housing.

Where the baffle is arranged to extend about the sides of the fire housing, the baffle may comprise a solid join region which separates front and rear portions of the baffle. The solid join region desirably has a width and is located relative to the reflective surface substantially overlap with a side of the reflective surface.

Accordingly the present teaching provides an electric fire as detailed in claim 1 . Advantageous embodiments are provided in the dependent claims.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

The present application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front of a fire in accordance with the present teaching. Figure 2 shows the fire of Figure 1 configured to generate a flame pattern forwardly of the fire on a horizontal surface external of the fire housing.

Figure 3 shows an example of the fire of Figure 1 arranged to project a pattern forwardly and rearwardly of the fire housing.

Figure 4 shows an example of a fire in accordance with the present teaching in plan view from the top with the top removed, to illustrate provision of physical fuel beds to the front and rear of the fire housing.

Figure 5 is a side view of a fire similar to that of Figure 4, but adopting a circular as opposed to oval footprint showing a fuel bed located to the rear of the fire housing but viewable through the baffle.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of a fire provided in accordance with the present teaching.

Figure 7 is a perspective view from the front of the fire of Figure 6. Detailed Description Of The Drawings

The present teaching will now be exemplified with reference to the following figures. As shown in Figure 1 , an electric fire 100 in accordance with the present teaching includes a fire housing 1 10 comprising an at least partially reflective vertically orientated surface 120 on, or through, which a flame effect 130 may be viewed. In the example of these Figures, the flame effect is generated on an LCD panel 121 - shown in Figure 4 - which is located to the rear of the vertically orientated surface 120. As the surface is only partially reflective, the displayed images of a burning fire are viewable through the surface 120. The effect on a user is however a perception that the flame pattern is on the surface 120. It will be appreciated that the reflectivity of the surface may vary within the overall functionality of being able to view a flame pattern through the reflective surface but at the same time not see too much behind the surface 120. In this regard, a reflectivity of greater than 50%, typically in the range 55-75% are typical appropriate values. The fire 100 further comprises a vertically orientated baffle 140 located forwardly of the vertically orientated surface 120. In the arrangement of the exemplary figures, the baffle is coincident with the perimeter of the fire housing 1 10. The baffle 140 defines a pattern formed by a plurality of apertures 145 through which a user may operably view a flame effect when generated within the fire housing 1 10.

The fire 100 further comprises a light source 150 arranged relative to a rear surface of the baffle 146 (labelled in Figure 4) and configured to direct light onto and through the baffle so as to generate a reflected image 147 of the pattern of the baffle within the fire housing. In the example of Figure 1 , the light source 150 comprises two elements 150a, 150b and it will be appreciated that one or more light elements may be used as appropriate. As shown in Figures, the reflected image 147 of the physical pattern that is defined by the baffle is desirably generated on the vertically orientated surface 140 and appears coincident with a rear surface of the housing whereas the flame effect will be perceived as being forward of this as viewed from the front of the fire housing. The baffle 140 desirably has a height that is equivalent to the height of the surface 120 such that a reflected pattern of the baffle on the surface occupies substantially the entire area of the surface.

The fire may further comprise a fuel bed 1 60 located between the vertically orientated surface 120 and the baffle 140. As the surface is at least partially reflective, the location of the fuel bed in this position results in the surface 120 operably generating a reflection of the fuel bed to create a virtual image of the fuel bed which is perceived by a viewer to be located behind the surface 120.

As discussed above the fire further comprises flame effect generator which is configured to generate a flame pattern which is viewed through or on the reflective surface. In this exemplary arrangement the flame effect generator comprises an electric display panel such as an LCD panel on which images of a flame effect may be provided. In such a configuration the electric display panel is located behind the reflective surface. In another arrangement the flame effect generator may comprise a mechanical flame effect comprising at least one of a rotisserie or moveable elements which are orientated relative to a light source to create a moving flame effect on the reflective surface. Examples of such alternative arrangements to provide a flame effect are described in our earlier applications such as GB 2180927, W002068875, GB2444072 or GB2434640, the contents of which are incorporated herein by way of reference.

The baffle may comprise a reflective rear surface such that a higher proportion of light which is incident on the rear surface of the baffle is reflected by the baffle into the housing than would be provided by a non-reflective surface. The present inventors have however realised that even in the absence of providing an at least partially mirrored surface or otherwise reflective surface on the rear of the baffle that the baffle and light combination will generate an image of the baffle on the screen 120.

As shown in Figure 2, the light source 150 for the baffle is desirably located in an upper region 170 of the fire housing and is orientated to direct light forwardly and downwardly of the housing 1 10. In this way light that passes through the baffle may provide a shadow pattern 200 which is viewed on a horizontal surface forwardly of the fire housing 1 10. In this way the baffle 140 may be used to create both a vertically orientated pattern within the housing- typically on the surface 120- and a horizontally orientated shadow pattern outside the housing 1 10. In other configurations the light source 150 is arranged relative to the baffle 140 to minimize formation of any shadow pattern of the baffle on a horizontal surface. This may be achieved by example by orientating the light source to direct light upwardly through the baffle. As shown in Figures 3-5, the baffle 140 may be arranged to extend about the perimeter of the fire housing. In such an arrangement the baffle may extend fully about the perimeter of the housing such that a baffle is provided to both the front 300 and rear 310 of the fire housing, the baffle will comprise front 140a and rear 140b portions. In such a configuration the housing may comprise a rearwardly directed light source 320 arranged relative to the baffle rear portion 140b to generate a shadow pattern 330, 340 of the baffle on at least one external surface to the rear of the housing. In the example of Figure 3, by judicious orientation of the rearwardly directed light source in a mid-region of the housing, it is possible to arrange that generated shadow pattern to be viewed on at least one of a vertically orientated 331 or a horizontally orientated 332 surface to the rear 310 of the housing 1 10.

As shown in Figure 4, which is a plan view from the top of a fire per the examples of Figures 1 to 3 with the top removed, the fire may comprise a rear fuel bed 1 60b located behind reflective surface 120. In this way the fuel bed 1 60 comprises a rear fuel bed 160b located rearwardly of the reflective surface 120 and a front fuel bed 1 60a located forwardly of the surface 120. As shown in Figure 6, by extending the baffle 140b around the side of the fire housing 1 10, the rear fuel bed 160b may be viewed through the baffle 140b. This serves to enhance the perception of a viewer of a three dimensional nature of the generated flame effect within the housing. It will be appreciated that it is not necessary to provide a flame pattern to be viewed from the rear of the fire housing as typically a user will not be looking at the vertical surface 120 from the rear of the housing. For example as shown in Figure 4, typical locations for such fires are close to a rear wall 331 such that while a user may view elements of the fuel bed 160b from the side of the fire, they will typically not be located between the wall 331 and the fire housing 1 10 and as such it is not necessary to provide a flame effect to be viewed from the rear. However, in circumstances where the fire is to be centrally located and as such viewed from both front and rear, it is possible to replicate the flame pattern to be viewed from the rear. An example of how this may be achieved is by doubling up the reflective surface 120 and LCD panel 121 so as to provide effects to front and back.

Where the baffle is arranged to extend about the sides of the fire housing, such as shown in Figure 5, the baffle may comprise a solid join region 500 which separates front 140a and rear 140b portions of the baffle. The solid join region 500 desirably has a width and is located relative to the reflective surface 120 so as to substantially overlap with a side of the reflective surface. Where the baffle does not extend around the perimeter of the housing, such as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the pattern of the baffle may still terminate in a solid region 600. The solid region 600 desirably extends at least partially forwardly of the reflective surface and provides a perception of continuity between front and rear portions of the housing. By having a gap at the intersection between the baffle and the reflective screen 120, the viewer of the fire is provided with a visual perception of continuity between the front and rear of the housing, irrespective of whether the baffle extends about the rear portion of the housing. It will be appreciated that a fire per the present teaching has been exemplified with reference to particular configurations. Where described with reference to orientations such as horizontal or vertical, it will be appreciated that these are with reference to typical installations of such fires. It is not intended to limit the present teaching to any one configuration or orientation and the terms "vertical" and "horizontal" should be construed as being substantially vertical or horizontal and refer to relative positioning of a first surface or element to a second surface or element.

The words comprises/comprising when used in this specification are to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers , steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

1 . An electric fire comprising:

a fire housing comprising a flame effect generator which is configured to generate a flame pattern and an at least partially reflective vertically orientated surface on which, or through which, a generated flame pattern is operably viewed;

a vertically orientated baffle located forwardly of the vertically orientated surface, the baffle defining a pattern formed by a plurality of apertures through which a user operably views the flame pattern;

a light source arranged relative to a rear surface of the baffle and configured to direct light onto the baffle to generate a reflected image of the pattern of the baffle on the vertically orientated surface within the fire housing.

2. The fire of claim 1 comprising a light source orientated to direct light out of the fire housing and through the baffle to provide a shadow pattern which is operably viewed on a surface external to the housing..

3. The fire of any preceding claim further comprising a fuel bed located between the vertically orientated surface and the baffle, the vertically orientated surface operably reflecting the fuel bed to create a virtual image of the fuel bed which is perceived by a user to be located behind the vertically orientated surface.

4. The fire of any preceding claim wherein the baffle has a height that is equivalent to at least the height of the vertically orientated surface such that a reflected pattern of the baffle on the vertically orientated surface occupies substantially the entire area of the vertically orientated surface.

5. The fire of any preceding claim wherein the flame effect generator comprises an electric display panel on which images of a flame effect may be provided.

6. The fire of claim 5 wherein the electric display panel is located behind the vertically orientated surface.

7. The fire of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the flame effect generator comprises at least one of a rotisserie or moveable elements which are orientated relative to a flame effect generator light source to create a moving flame effect on the vertically orientated surface.

8. The fire of any preceding claim wherein the baffle comprises a reflective rear surface.

9. The fire of any preceding claim wherein the light source is orientated to direct light forwardly of the housing.

10. The fire of claim 9 wherein the light source is orientated such that light that passes through the baffle operably provides a pattern which is viewable on a horizontal surface forwardly of the fire housing.

1 1 . The fire of claim 9 or 10 wherein the baffle is used to create both a vertically orientated pattern within the housing and a horizontally orientated pattern outside the housing.

12. The fire of claim 9 wherein the light source is arranged relative to the baffle to minimize formation of any pattern of the baffle on a horizontal surface located forwardly of the fire housing.

13. The fire of claim 12 wherein the light source is orientated to direct light upwardly through the baffle.

14. The fire of claim 9 wherein the light source is located in an upper region of the fire housing.

15. The fire of claim 9 wherein light from the light source is reflected within the housing prior to passing through the baffle.

16. The fire of any preceding claim wherein the baffle extends about a perimeter of the fire housing.

17. The fire of claim 1 6 wherein the baffle extends fully about the perimeter of the housing such that a baffle is provided at both the rear and front of the fire housing.

18. The fire of claim 1 6 wherein the housing comprises a rearwardly directed light source arranged relative to the baffle provided at the rear of the housing to generate a pattern of the baffle on an external surface to the rear of the housing.

19. The fire of claim 18 wherein the rearwardly directed light source is orientated relative to the baffle provided at the rear of the housing such that the generated pattern is operably viewed on at least one of a vertically orientated or a horizontally orientated surface to the rear of and external to the housing.

20. The fire of any preceding claim comprising a first fuel bed portion located forwardly of the vertically orientated surface and a second fuel bed portion located rearwardly of the vertically orientated surface, each of the first fuel bed portion and the second fuel bed portion being viewable through the baffle.

21 . The fire of any preceding claim wherein the baffle is arranged to extend about the perimeter of the fire housing, the baffle comprising a solid join region which separates front and rear portions of the baffle, the solid join region having a width and being located relative to the vertically orientated surface so as to substantially overlap with a side of the reflective surface.

22. An electric fire comprising:

a fire housing comprising a flame effect generator which is configured to generate a flame pattern and an at least partially reflective vertically orientated surface on which, or through which, a generated flame pattern may be operably viewed;

a vertically orientated baffle located forwardly of the vertically orientated surface, the baffle defining a pattern formed by a plurality of apertures through which a user may operably view a flame effect;

a light source arranged relative to a rear surface of the baffle and configured to direct light out of the fire housing and through the baffle to provide a shadow pattern which is operably viewed on a surface external to the housing.

23. The fire of claim 22 wherein the shadow pattern is formed on a vertical and/or horizontal surface external to the housing.

24. The fire of claim 22 or 23 further comprising a fuel bed located between the vertically orientated surface of the housing and the baffle, the vertically orientated surface operably reflecting the fuel bed to create a virtual image of the fuel bed which is perceived by a viewer to be located behind the vertically orientated surface.

25. The fire of any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein the baffle has a height that is equivalent to at least the height of the vertically orientated surface of the housing such that a reflected pattern of the baffle on the vertically orientated surface occupies substantially the entire area of the vertically orientated surface.

26. The fire of any one of claims 22 to 25 wherein the flame effect generator comprises an electric display panel on which images of a flame effect may be provided.

27. The fire of claim 26 wherein the electric display panel is located behind the vertically orientated surface.

28. The fire of any one of claims 22 to 26 wherein the flame effect generator comprises at least one of a rotisserie or moveable elements which are orientated relative to a flame effect generator light source to create a moving flame effect on the vertically orientated surface of the housing.

29. The fire of any one of claim 22 to 28 wherein the baffle comprises a reflective rear surface.

30. The fire of any one of claims 22 to 29 wherein the light source is orientated to direct light forwardly of the housing.

31 . The fire of claim 30 wherein the light source is orientated to such that light that passes through the baffle operably provides a pattern which is viewable on a horizontal surface forwardly of the fire housing.

32. The fire of claim 30 or 31 wherein the baffle is used to create both the vertically orientated pattern within the housing and the shadow pattern outside the housing.

33. The fire of claim 30 wherein the light source is arranged relative to the baffle to minimize formation of any pattern of the baffle on the horizontal surface located forwardly of the fire housing.

34. The fire of claim 33 wherein the light source is orientated to direct light upwardly through the baffle.

35. The fire of claim 30 wherein the light source is located in an upper region of the fire housing.

36. The fire of claim 30 wherein light from the light source is reflected within the housing prior to passing through the baffle.

37. The fire of any one of claims 22 to 36, wherein the baffle extends about a perimeter of the fire housing.

38. The fire of claim 37 wherein the baffle extends fully about the perimeter of the housing such that a baffle is provided at both the rear and front of the fire housing.

39. The fire of claim 37 wherein the housing comprises a rearwardly directed light source arranged relative to the baffle provided at the rear of the housing to generate the shadow pattern of the baffle on a surface external to the rear of the housing.

40. The fire of claim 39 wherein the rearwardly directed light source is orientated relative to the baffle provided at the rear of the housing such that the generated shadow pattern is operably viewed on at least one of a vertically orientated surface or a horizontally orientated surface external to the rear of the housing.

41 . The fire of any one of claims 22 to 40 comprising a first fuel bed portion located forwardly of the vertically orientated surface and a second fuel bed portion located rearwardly of the vertically orientated surface, each of the first fuel bed portion and the second fuel bed portion being viewable through the baffle.

42. The fire of any claim 22 to 41 wherein the baffle is arranged to extend about a perimeter of the fire housing, the baffle comprising a solid join region which separates front and rear portions of the baffle, the solid join region having a width and being located relative to the vertically orientated surface so as to substantially overlap with a side of the reflective surface.