Electric Candle Flame Optics for Realistic Flicker With Simpler Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric lights, including tapered and pillar types, fail to produce a realistic flame effect while being overly complex and costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
An electric candle device with a pendulum and LED system that simulates a flickering flame, using an electromagnet to move the pendulum within the candle's housing, powered by batteries, and an infrared remote receiver for control, with a lens to focus light onto a flame-shaped element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If existing electric lights use complex structures to simulate flame, then flame effect realism is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simple LED to illuminate a flame-shaped element, creating a realistic flame effect through optical copying rather than complex mechanical or electronic simulations. The flame-shaped element is a static component with a specific geometry that mimics the appearance of a real flame when backlit by the LED.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential visual characteristic of a flame (its shape and light transmission) and implements it through a simple illuminated element, removing unnecessary complex components while preserving the core flame-like appearance.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing electric lights use simplified structures, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but flame effect realism deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flame-shaped element serves as a simple, inexpensive template that copies the essential visual appearance of a flame. This approach achieves realistic flame effects using low-cost materials and simple manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The flame-shaped element can be manufactured as a simple, inexpensive component using common materials, making the overall device cost-effective while maintaining visual realism.
3Illumination intensity
If existing electric lights use multiple components to achieve flame effect, then flame simulation quality is improved, but manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light source (LED) and the flame-shaped element into a single integrated assembly, where the LED is positioned behind the flame-shaped element. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining flame simulation quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The flame-shaped element serves multiple functions: it defines the flame's visual shape, acts as a light diffuser, and creates the characteristic flame appearance when illuminated. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components.
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 device effectively simulates a realistic flame effect while reducing manufacturing time and cost, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution for electric lighting that mimics a real candle.
Implementation Method 1
an LED that illuminates the flame-shaped element continuously
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnet acting as the drive mechanism can be coupled to a first side of the circuit board, and generates a magnetic field that interacts with a magnet coupled to the pendulum
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of electric lighting devices and, in particular, electric candles are described. The devices can include a flame element onto which light can be projected from a light source. Preferably, the light is projected within a focal area on the flame element. The housing of the devices can include projections that help maintain a vertical position of a circuit board within the housing.