HEATING ASSEMBLY WITH LIGHT PROJECTOR AND ELECTRIC FIREPLACE COMPRISING SAME

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to a heating assembly with a light projector and an electric fireplace comprising the same. The heating assembly comprises a light projector disposed on the heating assembly, the light projector is configured to emit a faux projection.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a heating assembly with a light projector and an electric fireplace comprising the same.

BACKGROUND

In most currently available electric fireplaces, an electrical insert portion which commonly contains a heater and a control panel, a light projector, simulated logs and a glass frame, typically comes separately assembled and wired by professional installer. The spindle motor and light source are also wired separately and within the same enclosure as the heater. The electrical insert portion is normally then placed in an opening of a mantel structure, such as a wood mantle. The size and shape of the opening is limited by the size and shape of the electric fireplace insert enclosure. Typically, in this kind of electric fireplaces, all the components are assembled and shipped as a single enclosure. But, these components can not be easily installed by the user since the enclosure can not be opened easily by the user due to the risk of electric shock. Also, it will take up a lot of space for packaging, shipping and storing.

In more recent embodiments, solutions for modular assembled electric fireplace have been presented. These assemblies allow for the traditional fully enclosed construction to be separated into smaller modular parts, thus allowing for more efficient packaging and manufacturing advantages.

Some of the present light projector is placed at the front of the screen, which is typically built into the ornaments in order to make it invisible to the user, which means the grate or logs need to be significantly larger as to house the components that are needed for the generator. In this case, the light projector is integrated into the ornamental grate or simulated logs. Some other present light projectors are formed as an assembly which could be placed for example at the rear of the screen to project light effect onto the screen or even the ornament. Therefore, all of the present light projectors are separated installed and wired with the heater, only the heater and the main circuit board are integrated into a single module.

The disadvantage of such design is that both of the ornamental parts and the light projector should be illuminated with power source, the ornamental parts either have lights that are wired inside them somehow or have some other type of electrical structure to them. Additionally, the replacement and installation of components is very inconvenient, and the space and cost required for packaging and transportation is also large. Furthermore, the heater portion and light projector portion need to be installed independently of each other and then connected by a separate cable and connector.

Therefore, in the prior art, there is a need for an electric fireplace, which allows the heater and projector portion to be combined into a single module for better ease of assembly and eliminating the need for a separate cable connector. This can then be provided with more realistic ornamental objects with small size.

SUMMARY

An objective of the present disclosure is to design a modular heating assembly with a light projector, in which the light projector and heater module is combined into a single module, which is quite different to a separate light projector in the prior art and allows for reduced size packaging and easy installation. Different ornaments can be interchanged without being wired and no longer needs a light projector to be provided therein, which can offer interchangeable ornaments at a lesser cost, since the light projector can be shared without affecting the product.

In one respect, the present disclosure relates to a heating assembly, comprising a light projector disposed on the heating assembly, wherein the light projector is configured to emit a faux projection.

In certain embodiments, the light projector could be disposed in an opening or an accommodating cavity disposed on the heating assembly, or the light projector could be located on a top portion or a bottom portion or a side portion of the heating assembly as a single part; wherein the heating assembly could comprise a heating element, the light projector and the heating element are pre-wired; wherein the heating element could be a heating rod, the heating rod could be disposed in a heating channel, the heating assembly could further comprise a blower, the blower could be positioned nearby or within the heating channel; a main circuit board could be enclosed inside the heating assembly, the main circuit board could be electrically connected to the heating rod, the blower and the light projector. In another embodiment the projector could have an angling projector head which would allow for the head to be stowed in an angle to maximize packaging efficiencies and then placed in a downward position when assembled by the end user.

In particular, the light projector could include a projector which is driven by a motor; in front of the projector, a rotating lens could be disposed to create a dazzling effect; a convex lens could be formed as a front cover on the housing of the light projector in order to magnify the dazzling effect. Another type of projecting device could project an image animation.

In another respect, the present disclosure also relates to electric fireplace, comprising a heating assembly, a projection screen and a cabinet, wherein the heating assembly comprises a light projector disposed on the heating assembly, the light projector is configured to emit a faux projection.

In certain embodiments, the heating assembly could be pre-installed onto the projection screen, the heating assembly and the projection screen could be slotted into the cabinet as a single part; the projection screen could be a translucent screen, and in front of the projection screen could be provided with an ornament; the ornament could be a translucent ornament which have a cavity and an opening portion for receiving the projection light; at least a portion of the ornament and the projection screen could be formed as a single part, preferably at least a portion of the ornament could be formed on the projection screen.

In certain embodiments, a reflective element could be provided in an opposite position to the light projector, the light from the light projector could be projected onto the reflection element and then reflected to the projection screen; an opening could be provided at a lower side of the projection screen, an ornament could be provided in front of the opening, the light reflected by the reflective element simultaneously illuminates the ornament and the projection screen directly; a rigid transparent panel could be added to where the opening is situated; a hollow plate on which a flame shape is hollowed out could be disposed on the reflective element or the reflective material on the reflective element could be cut-out into a flame shape.

In certain embodiments, the light projector could be disposed in front of the projection screen, the projection screen could be an opaque screen; the heating assembly could be mounted to a top panel of the cabinet, or mounted onto a holder disposed in the cabinet; two holders could be provided at each side of the projection screen, the projection screen and the two holders could be engaged in a pluggable manner; the projection screen could include a support member, and the screen could be disposed on the support member, the support member could be a support frame with a cut-out or open area to allow the light to go through or a transparent substrate; the projection screen could include a support member which is a transparent rigid substrate and a screen which is a printed translucent screen with at least one opening, the printed translucent screen could be attached onto the transparent rigid substrate; the projection screen could be a transparent substrate, a portion of which is printed or painted and another portion of which is un-painted or un-printed.

In yet another respect, the present disclosure relates to an electric fireplace, comprises a heating assembly and a cabinet, wherein an ornament is provided in the cabinet, the heating assembly comprises a light projector disposed on the heating assembly, the light projector is configured to emit a faux projection, the light illuminated by the light projector is directly projected onto the ornament.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a heating assembly with a light projector according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of an electric fireplace comprising the heating assembly according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of an electric fireplace comprising the heating assembly according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of an electric fireplace comprising the heating assembly according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of an electric fireplace comprising the heating assembly according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of an electric fireplace comprising the heating assembly according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of an electric fireplace comprising the heating assembly according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 shows a combined view of the electric fireplace as shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows a rear view of an ornament with a cavity and an opening portion;

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a projection screen with a support member;

FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of the projection screen as shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of a projection screen with a support member;

FIG. 13 shows a view of installing a projection screen into a cabinet;

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of a projection screen, with which an ornament is formed as a single part;

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of a projection screen, with which a part of the ornament is formed as a single part;

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of an electric fireplace comprising the heating assembly according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 shows the details in the electric fireplace as shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 shows yet another embodiment of an electric fireplace comprising the heating assembly according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present disclosure clearer, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The technical features in different embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined with each other if not conflicted. More particularly, it enables greater flexibility to the consumer for the overall design, as well as offering various cost and product development efficiencies. For example, numerous options for different components can be incorporated together in any desired manner to provide various alternatives for the consumer in terms of the overall size, shape, design and aesthetic appearance.

Those skilled in the art may understand that the terms for indicating a direction described in the present disclosure for example “rear” or “front” is in relation to a view angle of the observer. In general, the observer should be located at a “front” side of the cabinet.

As shown in FIG. 1, typically, a heating assembly 30 with a light projector includes a heating rod 32 and a blower 33, the heating rod 32 is disposed in a heating channel 36, the blower 33 is positioned nearby or within the heating channel 36. The air blown by the blower 33 is heated by the heating rod 32 in the heating channel 36 and sent out from the outlet 37 located at the front side of the heating assembly 30. The heating assembly 30 further comprises a light projector 27, which could be configured to emit a faux flame or an image animation onto ornamental objects, opaque or translucent panels. The light projector 27 could be disposed for example in an opening 31 or an accommodating cavity disposed on the heating assembly 30 and pre-wired together with the heating assembly 30 to avoid independent wiring. The light projector 27 may preferably be disposed in a rear position of the heating assembly 30. By combining the light generator into the heating assembly, there is no need for the light generator and the heating assembly to be independently assembled nor connected by separate wires into a structural opening of the fireplace cabinet. Also, the light projector could be located on a top portion or a bottom portion or a side portion of the heating assembly as a single part, but combined with the heating assembly.

In a prefer embodiment, an electronic display screen is provided at the front end of the heating assembly for displaying and controlling, also a main circuit board is enclosed inside the heating assembly. Besides, the main circuit board is electrically connected to the electronic display screen, the heating rod, the blower and the light projector.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the heating assembly 30 is disposed in an upper portion of the cabinet. That is to say, the heating assembly 30 is disposed above the observation area. Accordingly, the light projector 27 will be disposed on a bottom position of the heating assembly 30 as shown in FIGS. 2-6. Those skilled in the art are aware that the heating assembly 30 may also be disposed below the observation area. Accordingly, in this case, the light projector 27 will be disposed on a top position of the heating assembly 30. This simple variant is also within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, in front of the light projector 27 is provided with a projection screen 24, the projection screen 24 is vertically disposed between the heating assembly 30 and the base or floor of the cabinet. The light projector 27 could project image onto the projection screen 24. Preferably, the heating assembly 30 with a light projector could be pre-installed onto the projection screen 24 which could have a structural support as described below. Then, heating assembly 30 and the projection screen 24 could be slotted into the cabinet as a single part to avoid independent installation.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the projection screen 24 is a translucent screen, and in front of the projection screen 24 is provided with an ornament 28. The light projector 27 disposed on the heating assembly 30 projects light onto the projection screen 24. Since the projection screen 24 is a translucent screen, a part of the light will pass through the projection screen 24. A part of the light passing through the projection screen 24 will illuminate on the ornament 28, which will present a decorative effect in front of the projection screen 24 so as to form a combined projection effect together with light effect projected on the projection screen 24.

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 9, the ornament 28 could be a translucent ornament which could have a cavity and an opening portion for receiving the light from the rear side thereof.

As shown in FIG. 3, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a reflective element 25 such as a reflector or a mirrored surface may be provided in an opposite position with the light projector 27, so as to add depth and size of the projection within a limited sized structure. The reflective element 25 is also disposed at the rear of the projection screen 24 and could bounce the image back onto the projection screen 24. In this case, the light projector 27 disposed on the heating assembly 30 projects light onto the reflection element 25, and then the light is reflected to the projection screen 24 and even the ornament 28.

As shown in FIG. 4, since the intensity of the light illuminated on the ornament 28 may be weak, an opening 240 may also be provided at a lower side of the projection screen 24. In this case, the light reflected by the reflective element 25 may simultaneously illuminate the ornament 28 and the projection screen 24 directly. Preferably, a rigid transparent panel can also be added to where the opening 240 is situated to add rigidity to the opening area.

As shown in FIG. 5, it is also possible to not provide a projection screen, but the light illuminated by the light projector 27 is directly projected onto the ornament 28 to produce a simulation effect.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the light projector 27 may also be disposed in front of the projection screen 24. In this case, the projection screen 24 is preferably an opaque screen. The light illuminated by the light projector 27 will directly illuminate the ornament 28 and the projection screen 24 simultaneously.

FIGS. 7-8 show an embodiment of the heating assembly 30 with a light projector 27 of the present disclosure applied to an electric fireplace. As shown, the electric fireplace includes a cabinet 10, within which a projection screen 24, an ornament 28 and a heating assembly 30 with a light projector is provided. The heating assembly 30 could be mounted to the top panel 11 of the cabinet 10, or mounted onto a couple of holders 12 which are provided at both sides of the projection screen 24.

As shown in FIGS. 10-11, in particularly, a projection screen 24 according to the present disclosure could also include a support member 40, and the screen is disposed on the support member 40. The support member 40 acts as a structural member to provide supporting and mounting to the projection screen 24. The support member 40 can be a support frame with a cut-out or open area to allow the light to go through or can be a transparent substrate which is preferably rigid. The support member 40 as shown in FIGS. 10-11 may be transparent or translucent, or even opaque to block light in certain unwanted areas. The projection screen 24 of the present disclosure could be translucent and formed with a decorative pattern by for example printing with translucent ink, but allows light to pass through. The decorative pattern shown in the figures is in a shape of brick, and those skilled in the art are aware that any other required decorative patterns such as stone-like pattern may also be used.

As shown in FIG. 12, the support member 40 can further be a transparent substrate which is preferably rigid, and the screen can further be a printed translucent screen with at least one opening 240. The screen is attached onto the transparent substrate using an adhesive or similar method. The transparent portions allow for the light to go through. It is also possible that the printed brick could also be printed or painted directly onto the transparent substrate with translucent ink or paint. A portion could then be left un-painted or un-printed to remain completely transparent as an opening, which would eliminate the need for an additional layer.

As shown in FIG. 13, as an alternative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, two sides of the projection screen 24 may be mounted to two holders 42 which may be fixed on the base of the fireplace. Specifically, the holders 42 and the two sides of the projection screen 24 may be engaged in a pluggable manner. For example, each holder 42 can be provided with a slot, which is compatible with one side of the projection screen 24. When installing, both sides of the projection screen 24 may be inserted into the slots 420 of the holders 42, thus enabling quick vertical installation and secure fixation, without a need to install the projection screen from a structural opening provided at the front side of the cabinet.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the projection screen 24 and the ornament 28 may also be vacuumed or injected to form as a single part, in which preferably the ornament 28 is formed on the projection screen 24. Such an integral structure can further simplify the assembling process and reduce the cost for manufacturing. As a single part, the projection screen 24 and the ornament 28 can be installed directly into the slots 420 of the holders 42 from upside, which can be installed easily and fast. As described before, the heating assembly 30 with a light projector could have also been pre-installed onto the projection screen 24. So, the heating assembly 30 with a light projector, the projection screen 24 and the ornament 28 in this disclosure could be formed as a module to make the installation easy and fast.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, only a portion of the ornament 28 may be integrally molded with the projection screen 24 or attached to the projection screen 24 to form an integral structure, and another portion of the ornament 28 is disposed in front of the projection screen 24. In one modified embodiment, another portion of the ornament 28 may also have a supporting bracket 430 to increase the height of the ornament 28.

FIGS. 16-17 show an electric fireplace comprising the heating assembly according to the present disclosure, in which the light projector 27 is disposed at a side portion of the heating assembly 30. A reflective element 25 is provided in an opposite position to the light projector 27, a hollow plate 250 on which a flame shape is hollowed out is provided on the reflective element 25 or the reflective material on the reflective element 25 could be cut-out into a flame shape. The light from the light projector 27 is projected onto the hollow plate 250 and the reflection element 25, and then reflected to the projection screen 24 to form a flame effect on it. As shown in FIG. 16, the light projector 27 includes a projector 270 which could be driven by a motor 271. In front of the projector 270, a rotating lens is disposed to create a dazzling effect. In order to magnify the dazzling effect, a convex lens could be formed in front of the projector 270, for example as a front cover on the housing of the light projector 27 as shown in FIG. 16. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, the light projector 27 could have an angling projector head which would allow for the head to be stowed in an angle to maximize packaging efficiencies and then placed in a downward position when assembled by the end user. Another type of the light projector 27 could project an image animation for example from an LCD, LED or other type of animation.

Although the implementations of the present disclosure are described above, the contents descried are only implementations used to understand the present disclosure and not intended to limit the present disclosure. Without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed by the present disclosure, any person skilled in the art to which the application belongs can make any modifications and alterations to the forms and details of implementation. However, the protection scope of the present disclosure shall still be subject to the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A heating assembly, comprising a light projector disposed on the heating assembly, wherein the light projector is configured to emit a faux projection or an image animation.

2. The heating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light projector is disposed in an opening or an accommodating cavity disposed on the heating assembly, or the light projector is located on a top portion or a bottom portion or a side portion of the heating assembly as a single part.

3. The heating assembly according to claim 2, wherein the heating assembly comprises a heating element, the light projector and the heating element are pre-wired.

4. The heating assembly according to claim 4, wherein the heating element is a heating rod, the heating rod is disposed in a heating channel, the heating assembly further comprises a blower, the blower is positioned nearby or within the heating channel; a main circuit board is enclosed inside the heating assembly, the main circuit board is electrically connected to the heating rod, the blower and the light projector.

5. The heating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light projector includes a projector which is driven by a motor; in front of the projector, a rotating lens is disposed to create a dazzling effect; a convex lens is formed as a front cover on the housing of the light projector in order to magnify the dazzling effect.

6. The heating assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light projector has an angling projector head which would allow for the projector head to be stowed in an angle and then placed in a downward position when assembled.

7. An electric fireplace, comprising a heating assembly, a projection screen and a cabinet, wherein the heating assembly is the heating assembly according to claim 1.

8. The electric fireplace according to claim 7, wherein the heating assembly is pre-installed onto the projection screen, the heating assembly and the projection screen is slotted into the cabinet as a single part.

9. The electric fireplace according to claim 7, wherein the projection screen is a translucent screen, and in front of the projection screen is provided with an ornament.

10. The electric fireplace according to claim 9, wherein the ornament is a translucent ornament which have a cavity and an opening portion for receiving the projection light.

11. The electric fireplace according to claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the ornament and the projection screen are formed as a single part, preferably at least a portion of the ornament is formed on the projection screen.

12. The electric fireplace according to claim 7, wherein a reflective element is provided in an opposite position to the light projector, the light from the light projector is projected onto the reflection element and then reflected to the projection screen.

13. The electric fireplace according to claim 12, wherein an opening is provided at a lower side of the projection screen, an ornament is provided in front of the opening, the light reflected by the reflective element simultaneously illuminates the ornament and the projection screen directly.

14. The electric fireplace according to claim 13, wherein a rigid transparent panel is added to where the opening is situated.

15. The electric fireplace according to claim 12, wherein a hollow plate on which a flame shape is hollowed out is disposed on the reflective element, or the reflective material on the reflective element is cut-out into a flame shape.

16. The electric fireplace according to claim 7, wherein the light projector is disposed in front of the projection screen, the projection screen is an opaque screen.

17. The electric fireplace according to claim 7, wherein the heating assembly is mounted to a top panel of the cabinet, or mounted onto a holder disposed in the cabinet.

18. The electric fireplace according to claim 17, wherein two holders are provided at each side of the projection screen, the projection screen and the two holders are engaged in a pluggable manner.

19. The electric fireplace according to claim 7, wherein the projection screen includes a support member, and the screen is disposed on the support member, the support member is a support frame with a cut-out or open area to allow the light to go through or a transparent substrate.

20. The electric fireplace according to claim 7, wherein the projection screen includes a support member which is a transparent rigid substrate and a screen which is a printed translucent screen with at least one opening, the printed translucent screen is attached onto the transparent rigid substrate.

21. The electric fireplace according to claim 7, wherein the projection screen is a transparent substrate, a portion of which is printed or painted and another portion of which is un-painted or un-printed.

22. An electric fireplace, comprising a heating assembly and a cabinet, wherein an ornament is provided in the cabinet, the heating assembly is the heating assembly according to claim 1, the light illuminated by the light projector is directly projected onto the ornament.