SOLAR POWERED VOTIVE LAMP

Description

International Patent Office BRESCIA - Piazzale Arna Tel. 030 / 48313 - 37 ”J sck 1 z 1 Q-— ** of the PATENT FOR INDUSTRIAL MODEL OF UTILITY' entitled: “SOLAR BATTERY-POWERED VOTIVE LAMP” in the name of ED ELETTRONICA DEDICATA of Rizza Ing. Leonardo, with registered office in Brescia, Via Stretta 207 / B, of Italian nationality, with domicile for all legal purposes at the MANZONI & MANZONI firm, in Brescia, P.le Arnaldo, 2. Filed on: j 5 FEB. 2002 H.BS20 c 0 c0 UU* This invention concerns lamps intended for use continuous such as, for example, votive lamps. How is it note', the votive lamps allow, and in their replacement light bulbs incandescent or drums. Incandescent light bulbs require a system I'm not on an open flame common ones are used 0 or electronic lights 1X1 -x Electricity is available with a single connection point for each user and requires a supply contract with associated fixed costs. Battery-powered tea lights solve these problems but have a limited lifespan and can pollute the environment. in case of loss of active material from the battery, and their MANZONI & MAN International Office BRESCIA - Piazzale Tel. 030 / 48313 - 3 Patent) light is not as “warm” as that of a light bulb or a flame. The aim of this invention is to remedy the above-mentioned drawbacks and therefore to propose a lamp intended for continuous use equipped with a highly efficient charging system, with a practically unlimited lifespan and which is eco-friendly. Another aim of the invention is to provide a votive lamp capable of emitting a random sequence of light that reproduces the visual effect of a flame whose fluctuation is unpredictable and constantly variable. These purposes are achieved with a lamp, particularly intended for continuous use, such as votive use, comprising a solar panel, at least one battery rechargeable through the current generated by said solar panel, an electronic circuit powered by said battery, and at least one light-emitting diode controlled by said electronic circuit. Further details of the invention will become more evident from the following description made with reference to the attached drawings, which are indicative and not limiting, in which: Fig.1 shows, in perspective view, an example of a votive lamp according to the invention; Fig.2 shows the lamp in frontal section; and Fig.3 shows the lamp in lateral section. International Patent Office! BRESCIA - Square Tel. 030 / 48313 - 3 This description refers to an example of a votive lamp having a square-shaped body 11, like a frame, with a central opening in which a light source 12, for example a pyramid, is placed. The invention is applicable to any shape of lamp, even those intended for uses other than votive. On top of the body 11 is placed a solar panel 13, preferably made of amorphous silicon, designed to generate a current of intensity proportional to the intensity of solar radiation. The body 11 houses a pair of rechargeable alkaline batteries 14, connected to the solar panel 13, and an electronic circuit 15 powered by these batteries. The electronic circuit 15 controls the switching on of the light source 12, which consists of a pair of high-efficiency light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A peculiarity of this electronic circuit is that it switches on the diodes according to a pseudo-random sequence, even operating with voltages lower than one volt and with very low ramp rates. This allows for the avoidance of the use of dedicated reset circuits, which lead to unwanted consumption and increase the number of components used. The electronic circuit 15 is also designed to limit the charge of the batteries 14 in case of very intense lighting in order to avoid overheating, and to prevent the International Patent Office BRESCIA - Arnaldo Square, Tel. 030 / 48313 - 3 batteries discharge on the solar panel when the lighting is nothing. International Patent Office BRESCIA - Arnaldo Square, Tel. 030 / 48313 - 3

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Lamp, particularly intended for continuous use, such as votive use, characterized in that it comprises a solar panel (13), at least one battery (14) rechargeable through the current generated by said solar panel (13), an electronic circuit ( 15) powered by said battery (14), and at least one light emitting diode (12) controlled by said electronic circuit (15). Lamp according to claim 1, wherein the solar panel (13) is amorphous silicon and the battery is alkaline.

3. Lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tu electronic circuit (15) is provided for generating sequences random for controlling the light emitting diode.

4. Lamp according to claim 3, wherein the electronic circuit (15) is designed to operate even with voltages lower than one Volt and with very low rising gradients. Lamp according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the electronic circuit (15) is provided to limit the charge of the battery (14) in the event of very intense lighting so as to avoid overheating. Lamp according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic circuit (15) is provided to prevent the batteries from discharging on the solar panel when illumination is nothing. BRESCIA International Brevet Office - Piazzale Arnaldo, Tel. 030 / 48313 - 3 7. Solar battery votive lamp, as basically described above, illustrated and specified. Brescia on 05 February 2002 / rr claimed for the purposes