Candle warning device

Abstract

Candle warning device (1) with a control unit (2) for controlling the candle warning device (1) and a signaling unit (3) for outputting a warning signal, characterized by that the candle warning device (1) comprises a sensor unit (4) for detecting a candle condition and / or a candle parameter, in particular a candle height.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a candle warning device with a control unit for controlling the warning device and a signaling unit for outputting a warning signal.

[0002] Candles are frequently used in private homes and public buildings as a light source or decoration. As they burn, candles continuously decrease in height. If a candle burns down too far, this can lead to safety hazards, such as increased heat exposure to the candle holder, dripping wax, or the ignition of surrounding objects.

[0003] It is usually the user's responsibility to monitor the burning of the candle and extinguish it in time. However, especially with longer burning times or inattentiveness, there is a risk that a critical candle height will be reached without the user noticing in time.

[0004] Against this background, there is a need for improved support for the user to reliably monitor the burning of a candle and to provide timely warnings when a critical candle height is reached.

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the disadvantages known from the prior art, in particular to reduce the safety risk of a fire caused by a burned-down and / or unattended candle.

[0006] The problem is solved by a candle warning device with the features of the independent claim. Advantageous or preferred embodiments are each the subject of a corresponding dependent claim.

[0007] A spark plug warning device is proposed, comprising a control unit for operating the warning device and a signaling unit for outputting a warning signal. The spark plug warning device includes a sensor unit for detecting the spark plug's condition. As an addition or alternative, it is advantageous if the sensor unit is also configured to detect a spark plug parameter. In particular, the spark plug parameter is the spark plug height.

[0008] A candle's condition refers specifically to its operating state, i.e., whether the candle is burning or not. A candle parameter describes, in particular, a measurable or derivable physical quantity that characterizes the candle or its burning state. A candle parameter can include, in particular, the candle's height (e.g., the remaining height of the candle body). Alternatively or additionally, a candle parameter can also relate to the flame height, the temperature in the candle's surroundings, the light intensity, the smoke development, or the candle's position.

[0009] By detecting the candle's status, a user can be warned that the candle is still burning, especially when leaving a room, thus increasing operational safety. Additionally or alternatively, a warning signal can be issued when a candle parameter is reached, particularly when it falls below a predefined height, so that the user is notified in a timely manner that the candle is almost burned out. This facilitates an orderly burn-down and reduces risks (e.g., from unattended continued burning).

[0010] It is advantageous if the sensor unit is designed to detect a critical temperature. Alternatively or additionally, it offers advantages if the sensor unit includes a sensor. It is particularly advantageous if the sensor unit includes a temperature sensor.

[0011] A sensor unit is understood to be a unit designed to detect at least one measured quantity related to the candle and / or its environment and, in particular, to provide a corresponding sensor signal. The sensor unit may comprise at least one sensor, in particular a temperature sensor. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor unit may also comprise an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, a gas sensor, and / or a motion or proximity sensor.

[0012] A critical temperature is a predetermined temperature value or range, the reaching or exceeding of which serves as a threshold condition for a warning and / or action. The critical temperature can be defined, in particular, to indicate a critical operating condition of the candle, such as increased heating near the candle holder, the surface it is placed on, or other flammable objects. Additionally or alternatively, the critical temperature can be used to indirectly determine the burning progress. For example, when using a temperature sensor, a predetermined (remaining) candle height can be inferred from a characteristic temperature profile, such as when the flame approaches a lower part of the candle and thereby causes an increased local temperature at a measurement point.Furthermore, the critical temperature can be a temperature at which the candle should be extinguished to avoid overheating or a dangerous situation.

[0013] By detecting the critical temperature, the candle warning device can issue a warning signal, so that the user is alerted in time to a potentially dangerous overheating and can take appropriate measures (e.g. extinguishing or repositioning the candle).

[0014] It is advantageous if the signaling unit includes an audio element for outputting an acoustic signal.

[0015] By incorporating an audio element into the signal unit, a warning signal can be emitted as an acoustic signal, ensuring that the user is reliably warned even if they are not in the same room as the candle or if the candle is not in their field of vision.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sensor unit has a fastening element for detachable connection to the candle.

[0017] This allows for flexible and reusable attachment of the sensor unit to different candles, as the sensor unit can be attached without damaging the candle and removed after use.

[0018] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the fastening element is designed in such a way that it can be attached to or in the candle and / or positioned along the candle.

[0019] The fastening element can be designed to be attached to the candle, in particular by clamping or enclosing. For example, the fastening element can be designed as a clamp, clip, tension ring, sleeve or bracket that engages the outer surface of the candle.

[0020] Furthermore, a clamping / enclosing attachment allows the height position of the sensor along the candle to be adjusted, making the sensor unit adaptable to different candle heights and desired threshold values ​​(e.g., warning at a certain remaining height).

[0021] Additionally or alternatively, the fastening element can be designed to be attached to the spark plug. For this purpose, the spark plug can, for example, have a designated receiving hole, a recess, or an insertion channel into which a mounting section of the sensor unit can be inserted or slid. Additionally or alternatively, the fastening element can be designed as a pin, pin, or insertion sleeve that penetrates or is held in the spark plug material. This allows for a defined positioning of the sensor unit, which promotes a reproducible measurement geometry and thus more reliable detection of spark plug condition and / or spark plug parameters.

[0022] Furthermore, the fastening element can be designed such that it can be positioned along the spark plug, in particular slidably along a longitudinal direction of the spark plug. For this purpose, the fastening element can, for example, be designed as a sliding ring, slide, or guide element that is guided on the outer surface of the spark plug and can be locked at different heights, for example by means of friction, detents, or clamping. This allows for flexible adjustment of the sensor position, so that, for example, a warning can be set depending on a desired remaining spark plug height.

[0023] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the control unit is designed as a microcontroller. In particular, the control unit is designed as an Arduino controller.

[0024] A microcontroller is a processing unit designed to process sensor signals and, preferably, to control the signal processing unit accordingly. An Arduino controller is a microcontroller-based control module or microcontroller platform that provides, in particular, standardized inputs / outputs and programmable control software.

[0025] Designing the control unit as a microcontroller allows for a compact, energy-efficient, and cost-effective implementation of the control logic, enabling the processing of various sensor signals and the implementation of different warning strategies. Furthermore, using an Arduino controller allows for simpler implementation and customization of the control functions.

[0026] Advantageously, the candle warning device includes an extinguishing unit for extinguishing the candle. An extinguishing unit is understood to be a unit designed to extinguish the candle, in particular by preventing flame formation and / or reducing the oxygen supply to the flame area. The extinguishing unit may, in particular, include a mechanically movable extinguishing element that can be moved into an extinguishing position.

[0027] For example, the extinguishing element can be designed as a flap, lid, slide or cap which, when a predetermined condition is reached, in particular when a defined candle height is undershot and / or when the critical temperature is reached, is moved into the flame area and covers or smothers the flame.

[0028] This increases safety, as the candle can be reliably extinguished even without immediate user intervention, especially when it is almost burned down or reaches a critical temperature. This reduces the risk of fire, overheating, and unattended burning.

[0029] It is advantageous if the control unit is designed to activate the signaling unit when the sensor unit detects a predefined candle height. Additionally or alternatively, it is advantageous if the control unit is designed to activate the signaling unit, in particular the audio element, when the sensor unit detects a critical temperature.

[0030] This allows for a condition-based warning, whereby the signaling unit is specifically activated when a defined burn-down state is reached, particularly when a predefined candle height is detected. This alerts the user in a timely manner that the candle is almost burned out, thus reducing unattended burning and the associated risks.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to activate the extinguishing unit when the sensor unit detects the predefined candle height. As a supplement or alternative, it is advantageous if the control unit is configured to activate the extinguishing unit when the sensor unit detects the critical temperature.

[0032] This advantageously enables automatic and condition-dependent candle extinguishing. By activating the extinguishing unit upon detection of a predefined candle height, a safe burn-out termination can be achieved, as the candle is extinguished before reaching a critical residual state. Additionally or alternatively, activating the extinguishing unit upon detection of a critical temperature allows for a safety-oriented response to potentially dangerous heating, thereby reducing the risk of overheating and fire incidents and increasing operational safety.

[0033] It is advantageous if the control unit can be wirelessly connected to the sensor unit.

[0034] The control unit can be wirelessly connected to the sensor unit, particularly via a radio connection. This radio connection can be, for example, a Wi-Fi connection, a Bluetooth connection, or an NFC connection. This allows the sensor unit to be positioned flexibly on or inside the candle, while the control unit remains separate.

[0035] Additionally or alternatively, a mobile communication device can be configured as a signaling unit or assume a signaling function of the signaling unit, in particular a mobile phone (smartphone) or a tablet. For this purpose, the control unit and / or the sensor unit can be wirelessly coupled with the mobile communication device, in particular via WLAN and / or Bluetooth, so that a warning signal can be output as a notification (e.g. app alarm, push notification) and / or as an acoustic signal via a speaker of the mobile communication device.

[0036] Wireless connectivity allows for simplified installation without the need for cable routing and enables spatial separation of sensors and controls, for example for better placement of the control unit or to reduce visible components.

[0037] Further advantages of the invention are described in the following exemplary embodiment. It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic side view of a candle warning device, Fig. 2 A schematic side view of the candle warning device when a critical temperature is reached.

[0038] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a candle warning device 1. The candle warning device 1 is intended for use with a candle 8. The candle warning device 1 comprises a control unit 2, wherein the control unit 2 has a microcontroller 7.

[0039] Furthermore, the candle warning device 1 includes a signal unit 3 for outputting a warning signal. The signal unit 3 has an audio element 6 for outputting an acoustic warning signal. The signal unit 3 is also connected to the control unit 2, so that the audio element 6 can be controlled by the control unit 2.

[0040] Furthermore, the spark plug warning device 1 includes a sensor unit 4 for detecting a spark plug condition and / or a spark plug parameter. The sensor unit 4 has a temperature sensor 5. The temperature sensor 5 is arranged to detect a temperature in the area of ​​the spark plug 8. The sensor unit 4 is also connected to the control unit 2 so that a sensor signal can be transmitted to the control unit 2.

[0041] The connection between the control unit 2 and the sensor unit 4 can alternatively be wireless. Additionally or alternatively, the signal output can be via an external communication device, in particular a smartphone or tablet.

[0042] The candle warning device 1 serves to warn a user based on its condition, in particular when a predefined candle height is reached and / or a critical temperature is detected. This supports the safe use of the candle 8, as unintentional continued burning and the associated risks can be reduced, and operational safety can be increased.

[0043] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of the candle warning device 1 during the operating state in which the candle 8 has burned down to a predefined candle height and / or a critical temperature has been reached. In this state, the sensor unit 4, in particular the temperature sensor 5, transmits a sensor signal to the control unit 2. The control unit 2 processes the sensor signal by means of the microcontroller 7.

[0044] The critical temperature is understood as a predetermined temperature value or temperature range, the reaching or exceeding of which serves as a trigger criterion. In particular, the critical temperature can be a temperature that occurs in the area of ​​candle 8 during advanced stages of combustion and thus indicates that the predefined candle height has been reached.

[0045] After the sensor signal is transmitted to control unit 2, this unit controls signal unit 3. This activates signal unit 3, in particular audio element 6, so that an acoustic warning signal is emitted. Fig. Figure 2 schematically illustrates this using the depicted sound waves. This demonstrates the functionality of the candle warning device 1, according to which a warning is triggered when a predefined burning state is reached and / or when a critical temperature is detected. Reference symbol list 1 Candle warning device 2 Control unit 3 Signal unit 4 sensor units 5 Temperature sensor 6 Audio element 7 Microcontroller 8 candles

Claims

[1] Candle warning device (1) with a control unit (2) for controlling the candle warning device (1) and a signaling unit (3) for outputting a warning signal, characterized by , that the candle warning device (1) comprises a sensor unit (4) for detecting a candle condition and / or a candle parameter, in particular a candle height. [2] Candle warning device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the sensor unit (4) is designed to detect a critical temperature, and / or that the sensor unit (4) comprises a sensor, in particular a temperature sensor (5). [3] Candle warning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the signaling unit (3) includes an audio element (6) for outputting an acoustic signal. [4] Candle warning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the sensor unit (4) has a fastening element for detachable connection to the candle (8). [5] Candle warning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the fastening element is designed in such a way that it can be attached to or in the candle (8) and / or positioned along the candle (8). [6] Candle warning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the control unit (2) is designed as a microcontroller (7), in particular as an Arduino controller. [7] Candle warning device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the candle warning device (1) includes an extinguishing unit for extinguishing the candle (8). [8] Candle warning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the control unit (2) is designed to control the signal unit (3), in particular the audio element (6), when the sensor unit (4) detects a predefined candle height and / or a critical temperature. [9] Candle warning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the control unit (2) is designed to activate the extinguishing unit when the sensor unit (4) detects the predefined candle height and / or the critical temperature. [10] Candle warning device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the control unit (2) can be wirelessly connected to the sensor unit (4).

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