Artificial Candle Light Bulb with Segmented Flame Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial candles fail to simulate a realistic candle flame effect, with issues such as uneven brightness and lack of wick illumination in previous designs, resulting in an unsatisfactory simulation.
Innovation Solution
An artificial candle design featuring a hollow cylinder, a light bulb with distinct light emission zones to mimic a candle flame, and an electric wire with a black sheath to simulate a wick, where the light bulb emits light in three zones to replicate the appearance of a real candle flame, with the inner cover having lower transmittance and the outer cover having higher transmittance to achieve a more realistic effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the inner flame cover is secured at the lower part of the lamp body, then the structure is simple, but the lower part of the simulation flame becomes brighter than the upper part, which is opposite to a real candle flame
Solution Approach 1:
The flame cover is divided into multiple sections (first flame cover section and second flame cover section) with different transparency characteristics. The first section has higher transparency than the second section, creating distinct brightness zones that match real flame patterns. This segmentation allows different parts of the flame to have different brightness levels, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and realistic flame appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the flame cover are given different transparency properties to achieve local quality variations. The first flame cover section (lower part) has higher transparency to appear brighter, while the second flame cover section (upper part) has lower transparency to appear darker, matching the natural brightness gradient of a real candle flame where the base is brighter and the tip is darker.
2Device complexity
If the LED lamp is housed in a cup-shaped nub that restricts light to upper direction, then the structure is compact, but the post simulating the wick is not brightened, which is unrealistic
Solution Approach 1:
A reflective layer is introduced as an intermediary between the LED light source and the surrounding structures. This reflective layer redirects light that would otherwise be lost, directing it toward the wick area to illuminate it realistically. The reflective intermediary allows the compact structure to still achieve proper wick illumination by redirecting light paths rather than requiring structural changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting approach transitions from purely vertical upward illumination to multi-directional illumination by using reflective surfaces. Light is redirected in multiple dimensions to reach the wick area, creating realistic illumination without compromising the compact cup-shaped housing structure.
3Device complexity
If a single transparency flame cover is used, then the structure is simple, but the flame simulation lacks realistic brightness gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The flame cover is segmented into multiple sections with different transparency values. The first section has higher transparency and the second section has lower transparency, creating distinct brightness zones that replicate the natural gradient of a real flame. This segmentation provides realistic flame simulation while maintaining relatively simple construction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different local regions of the flame cover are assigned different transparency qualities to match the varying brightness of different flame zones. The lower section (first flame cover section) has higher transparency to match the brighter base of a real flame, while the upper section (second flame cover section) has lower transparency to match the darker flame tip.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design provides a more realistic simulation of a candle flame with distinct zones, enhancing the visual authenticity of the artificial candle, addressing the shortcomings of previous designs by ensuring the wick appears illuminated and the flame has appropriate brightness gradients.
Implementation Method 1
a light source (32) having a long strip shape... the light source (32) is received between the first flame cover section and the second flame cover section
Implementation Method 2
the transparency of the first flame cover section is higher than that of the second flame cover section... light transmitted of the first flame cover section is higher than that of the second flame cover section
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an artificial candle includes a hollow cylinder, an electric wire, and a light bulb. The light bulb includes a light source with a long strip shape, a cup sleeved on and fixed to the electric wire at a position near the first end of the electric wire, an outer cover covered on the cup, and an inner cover sleeved on the light source and defining a receiving space with the cup for receiving a part of the light source and the second end of the electric wire. The light transmitted of the inner cover is less than that of the outer cover and that of the cup. The inner cover is configured for reflecting light emitted from the part, received in the receiving space, of the light source towards the wire holder and an exposed part of the electric wire. A simulating effect of flame is improved.