U.S. patent application number 11/859749 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-26 for electric fireplace heater having led flame simulator.
Invention is credited to Hsien-Jung Chiu.
Application Number | 20090080871 11/859749 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40471741 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090080871 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chiu; Hsien-Jung |
March 26, 2009 |
Electric Fireplace Heater Having LED Flame Simulator
Abstract
An electric fireplace heater having an LED flame simulator
includes a main body, a light-guide unit, a roller unit, a
plurality of LED light sources, and an electric heating device. The
main body includes a frame and artificial logs. The light-guide
unit is mounted inside of the main body and behind the artificial
logs. The roller unit is mounted inside of the main body and behind
the light-guide unit. The roller unit includes a rack, and a
cylinder provided with patterned apertures and driven to rotate by
a motor. One of the LED light sources is disposed under the
artificial logs to simulate burning woods and one of the LED light
sources is disposed inside of the cylinder. The light emitted by
the LED light source passes through the patterned apertures of the
cylinder and is projected onto the light-guide unit, thereby
presenting images of simulated flames.
Inventors: |
Chiu; Hsien-Jung; (Tu-Cheng,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LIN & ASSOCIATES INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
P.O. BOX 2339
SARATOGA
CA
95070-0339
US
|
Family ID: |
40471741 |
Appl. No.: |
11/859749 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
392/348 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 7/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
392/348 |
International
Class: |
F24B 1/18 20060101
F24B001/18 |
Claims
1. An electric fireplace heater having an LED flame simulator,
comprising a main body, which is a case, comprising a frame and
artificial logs disposed inside the frame; a light-guide unit
comprising a light-guide plate disposed inside the main body and
behind the artificial logs; a roller unit comprising a rack mounted
in the main body and behind the light-guide unit, a motor mounted
on one end of the rack, and a hollow cylinder having a plurality of
patterned apertures mounted on the rack and rotatably connected
with the motor at one end thereof; a plurality of LED light sources
comprising a rod and a plurality of LED's mounted on the rod,
wherein one of the LED light source disposed under the artificial
logs and the another LED light source disposed inside of the
cylinder; and an electric heating device comprising heating wires,
a blower and a switch, and mounted on the main body; wherein the
motor drives the cylinder to rotate; the light emitted by the LED's
passes through the patterned aperture and the shapes of the
patterned apertures are projected onto the light-guide plate to
simulate flickering flames; and the LED's illuminate the artificial
logs to simulate burning woods.
2. The electric fireplace heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
light-guide plate comprises a transparent plate and a matte
translucent film attached to a back surface of the transparent
plate.
3. The electric fireplace heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein an
axle sleeve is tightly fitted in an end of the cylinder close to
the motor and a fixing cap is mounted on an end of the rack far
away from the motor; one end of the rod of the LED light source
disposed inside of the cylinder is connected with the fixing cap;
and the axle sleeve is connected with an axle of the motor.
4. The electric fireplace heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
cylinder comprises a tube wrapped in a plurality of glassines; a
sheet of wrapping layer having the patterned apertures is wrapped
around the glassiness.
5. The electric fireplace heater as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
patterned apertures are in various thunderbolt shapes and randomly
distributed on the wrapping layer.
6. The electric fireplace heater as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
patterned apertures are in various S shapes and randomly
distributed on the wrapping layer.
7. The electric fireplace heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
LED light source emits white light.
8. The electric fireplace heater as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
LED light source emits white light.
9. The electric fireplace heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
LED light source emits red light.
10. The electric fireplace heater as claimed in claim 3, wherein
the LED light source emits red light.
11. The electric fireplace heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the artificial logs are made of a material pervious to light.
12. The electric fireplace heater as claimed in claim 4, wherein
the wrapping layer is made of paper.
13. The electric fireplace heater as claimed in claim 4, wherein
the wrapping layer is made of plastics.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a heater having an
apparatus for simulating flames, and in particular to an electric
fireplace heater having an LED flame simulator.
[0003] 2. The Prior Arts
[0004] An electric fireplace heater brings warmth and a cozy
feeling to a room. The conventional electric fireplace heater is
designed to look like a traditional wood burning fireplace, but
does not actually burn wood. However, regular bulbs in the
conventional fireplace heater illuminate aluminum pieces on a
rotating twisted rod to generate flickering flame images, and
artificial logs to generate the appearance of burning logs, thereby
closely simulating the real flames.
[0005] This type of conventional fireplace heater uses regular
bulbs to illuminate. The light bulbs are gradually reducing their
light output, and the flame images generated by the light are
gradually darkening. In another respect, the light bulbs are
operated at high temperatures after long time use. It shortens the
life of the light bulbs and lowers the efficiency of the light
bulbs. Moreover, the flame is simulated by reflecting light from
aluminum pieces on the rotating rod to a screen. The flame images
are monotonous and boring. Therefore the practicability and
aesthetics limit the application of the conventional fireplace
heater.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In order to improve the unrealistic and boring simulated
flames of the conventional fireplace heater, a fireplace heater
according to the present invention provides bright and realistic
simulated flames, simulated burning logs and blown-out warm
air.
[0007] The solution of the present invention is to provide an
electric fireplace heater having an LED flame simulator, which
includes a main body, a light-guide unit, a plurality of LED light
sources, and a roller unit. The main body is a case and includes a
frame and artificial logs disposed inside the frame. The
light-guide unit includes a light-guide plate disposed in the main
body and behind the artificial logs. The LED light source includes
a rod, and a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LED's) that are
mounted on the rod and are connected with electric wires. One set
of LED light sources is disposed beneath the artificial logs. The
roller unit includes a rack disposed inside the main body and
behind the light-guide plate, and a hollow cylinder with patterned
apertures. One end of the cylinder is connected with a motor
mounted on the rack. One of LED light sources is mounted on the
rack and enclosed inside the cylinder.
[0008] When the motor drives the cylinder to rotate, the light
emitted by the LED's is projected onto the light-guide plate
through the patterned apertures on the cylinder. The artificial
logs are also illuminated by the LED's. Thus, the flickering flame
appears on the light-guide plate and the artificial logs look like
burning woods. In order to make the flame more realistic, the
cylinder according to the present invention can be a transparent
tube wrapped with a red glassine, a yellow glassine and a sheet of
paper. The paper includes patterned apertures shaped in flame-like
S, lightning bolt, etc. The white light and/or other color light
emitted by LCD's are projected through the patterned apertures of
the cylinder and the shapes of the patterned apertures are
projected onto the light-guide plate, thereby generating the images
of flickering flames. Otherwise, the light-guide plate dyed red,
yellow or other colors similar to the flame can replace the
glassines wrapped on the cylinder, and achieve the same simulated
effect of the flickering flames.
[0009] In addition, a heating device is mounted on the main body.
The heating device includes heating wires, a switch and a blower to
deliver heat to the environment. Thus, the fireplace heater
according to the present invention provides a realistic simulation
of flickering flames and has warm air blown out just like a wood
burning fireplace.
[0010] The electric fireplace heater having an LED flame simulator
according to the present invention has the following advantages.
First of all, the fireplace heater according to the present
invention has a heating function similar to that of a real wood
burning fireplace. The fireplace heater can be placed in the
fireplace or any place in the room. Secondly, the fireplace heater
use LED's as light source. The LED's produce more light per watt
than regular light bulbs, save energy and have a long life span.
Thirdly, LED's project light upon artificial logs made of
translucent material from below, thereby presenting a more
realistic burning log appearance. Fourthly, LED's project light
through the patterned apertures of the cylinder upon the
light-guide plate, thereby present simulated flickering flames. The
simulated flickering flames and red hot logs generate a wood
burning image. Fifthly, components of the fireplace heater are
modularized. It is easy and convenient to repair or replace a
damaged module. Sixthly, the components of the fireplace heater are
environmental friendly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in
the art by reading the following detailed description of a
preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the attached
drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an electric fireplace
heater having an LED flame simulator in accordance with the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the electric fireplace
heater in accordance with the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic partial view showing the electric
fireplace heater in operation; and
[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the electric fireplace
heater placed in a fireplace.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electric fireplace heater
having an LED flame simulator in accordance with the present
invention includes a main body 1, a light-guide unit 2, a roller
unit 3, a plurality of LED light sources 4, and an electric heating
device 6.
[0017] The main body 1 is a case made of wood or metal plate. The
main body 1 includes a frame 11 and artificial logs 12 disposed at
a bottom of the frame 11. The artificial logs are made of plastic
or other translucent material. The light-guide unit 2, the roller
unit 3 and LED light sources 4 are disposed inside the main body 1.
A cover 5 is mounted at a back of the main body and seals the
light-guide unit 2, the roller unit 3 and LED light sources 4 in
the main body 1.
[0018] The light-guide unit 2 is disposed behind the artificial
logs 12 and divides the space inside the main body 1 into a front
space and a rear space. The artificial logs 12 are disposed in the
front space and the roller unit 3 is disposed in the rear space.
The light-guide unit 2 includes a light-guide plate having a
transparent plate 21 and a matte translucent film 22 attached to a
back surface of the transparent plate 21. The transparent plate 21
is transparent or translucent. The transparent plate 21 may be made
of glass or acrylic glass.
[0019] The roller unit 3 is disposed inside the main body 1 and
behind the light-guide unit 2. The roller unit 3 includes a rack
31, a motor 32, an axle sleeve 34 mounted on an axle of the motor
32, a fixing cap 35 and a cylinder 33. The rack 31 is a narrow U
shaped frame and made of metal. The rack 31 includes a pair of
brackets 311. The axle sleeve 34 is ring shaped and includes a
plurality of ribs at the circumference thereof. The diameter of the
fixing cap 35 is slightly larger than that of the cylinder 33, and
the fixing cap has an engaging notch (not shown in the figures) at
the center thereof. The cylinder 33 is a transparent tube wrapped
in a red glassine and a yellow glassine which generate the color of
the flames. A thick sheet of glossy paper or plastic, which
includes various patterned apertures 331 to simulate flames, is
wrapped around the glassiness The patterned apertures may be in
thunderbolt shapes or in S shapes. The light-guide unit 2 may be
dyed in red, yellow, or other colors similar to the color of the
flames to replace the glassiness
[0020] The LED light source 4 includes a rod 41 and a plurality of
light-emitting diodes (LED's) 42, which are mounted on the rod and
connected with electric wires and a switch. The switch can turn on
and off and control brightness of the LED's 42. The colors of the
emitted light by the LED's 42 can be any colors.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the U-shaped rack 31 is mounted
on the main body 1 and behind the light-guide unit 2. The axle
sleeve 34 is tightly fitted into one end of the cylinder 33 and the
ribs of the axle sleeve 34 are contacted with the inner surface of
the cylinder 33. One end of the LED light source 4 is tightly
fitted into the notch of the fixing cap 35, and the rod 41 faces
the light-guide unit 2 at a 45-degree angle. The motor 32 is then
mounted on the rack 31. The axle of the motor 32 passes through the
brackets 311 and is connected with the axle sleeve 34, which is
fitted into the cylinder 33. Thus, a first end of the cylinder 33
is connected with the motor 32. The LED light source 4 tightly
fitted into the fixing cap 35 is inserted into a second end of the
cylinder 33. The fixing cap 35 loosely covers the second end of the
cylinder 33 and stays stationary without rotating with the cylinder
33. The fixing cap 35 is then fixed on the bracket 311 by screws.
Therefore, the roller unit 3 and the LED light source 4 are
assembled together. The LED light source 4 is stationary and the
cylinder 33 can be driven to rotate by the motor 32.
[0022] The electric heating device 6 is mounted on the main body 1.
The electric heating device 6 includes a blower to send out the
warm air from air outlet 61 and a control panel 62 to control the
speed and temperature setting of the warm air.
[0023] When the electric fireplace heater having the LED flame
simulator according to the present invention is in operation, the
axle of the motor 32 drives the axle sleeve 34 to rotate. Because
the axle sleeve 34 is tightly fitted into the cylinder 33, the
cylinder 33 is driven to rotate. When the LED light source 4 is
turned on, the light emitted by the LED's 42 is projected onto the
light-guide plate through the patterned apertures 331 on the
cylinder 33. Thus, the shapes of the patterned apertures are cast
to form flame images on the light-guide unit 2. Because the rod 41
faces the light-guide unit 2 at a 45-degree angle, the images cast
on the light-guide unit 2 are larger than those at other angles.
The rotating cylinder 33 makes the images of the flames projected
on the light-guide unit 2 to move to and fro. Thus, it looks like
flickering flames. Referring to FIG. 2, the LED light source 4
disposed under the artificial logs 12 illuminates the
light-pervious artificial logs 12, which simulates real blazing
logs and makes the simulated flames more realistic. The brightness
of the LED light sources 4 behind the light-guide unit 2 and under
the artificial logs 12 can be controlled synchronized. The multiple
cylinders 33 are possible. The fireplace heater may include a
plurality of cylinders 33, thereby interlacing the flame images
from various cylinders 33. The images of the flames will be more
realistic.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 4, the electric fireplace heater according
to the present invention includes the main body 1, the artificial
logs 12 disposed inside the main body 1, the light-guide unit 2
behind the artificial logs 12 and the electric heating device 6.
When the electric fireplace heater is in operation, the heater
presents the simulated red burning artificial logs 12 and
flickering flame images on the light-guide unit 2, and blows out
warm air from the electric heating device 6. Therefore, the
electric fireplace heater having the LED flame simulator according
to the present invention flickers and glows like the real thing,
and brings warmth to the room.
[0025] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it is apparent to
those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications and
changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present
invention which is intended to be defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *