Electronic Candle Magnetic Pendulum Flicker Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic candles fail to convincingly simulate the flickering flame of a wax candle, often producing jerky light movements that do not replicate the desired warm and romantic ambiance, and may not fit standard household light fixtures.
Innovation Solution
An electronic candle device that uses a combination of magnetic power and alternating current to swing a light-emitting element, mimicking the movement of a wax candle flame, with a DC current powering the light-emitting member and an induction activating system that includes a dead weight counterbalance, allowing for smooth and realistic flickering motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heated wire is used to simulate a candle flame, then the device provides an alternative to wax candles without fire hazard, but the light emission does not create a realistic flickering flame illusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal heating mechanism with an LED light source driven by alternating current. The LED is mounted on a pivotable support that allows mechanical oscillation, creating natural flame-like flickering motion without relying on thermal effects or complex electronic control circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs alternating current to periodically illuminate the LED and uses a pivot mechanism with dead weight to create periodic oscillating motion. This periodic action in both illumination and physical movement reproduces the natural flickering pattern of a real candle flame, resolving the contradiction between safety and realism.
2Illumination intensity
If electronic components are added to improve flame simulation, then the flickering effect improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the inherent properties of alternating current and simple mechanical gravity-based oscillation to achieve flickering effects. The system serves itself by using the AC power source for both illumination and driving the oscillation mechanism through a simple rectifier circuit, eliminating the need for complex control electronics, microcontrollers, or multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dead weight on the pivotable support to create natural oscillating motion through gravitational force. This mechanical counterbalance system generates realistic flame-like flickering without requiring complex electronic control circuits, motors, or sensors, thereby improving the flickering effect while maintaining simplicity.
3Device complexity
If the light-emitting element is made stationary, then the device structure is simplified, but the simulation of a burning candle flame becomes unrealistic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the stationary LED into a dynamic, pivotable light source that can oscillate back and forth. The support structure includes a pivot point and dead weight that enable natural swinging motion, allowing the LED to dynamically reproduce the erratic movement patterns of a real candle flame while maintaining relatively simple construction.
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 provides a smooth and realistic simulation of a flickering candle light, fitting standard light fixtures and enhancing ambiance with adjustable cadence for multiple units, effectively recreating the warm glow of a wax candle.
Implementation Method 1
an induction activating system that includes a dead weight counterbalance
Implementation Method 2
a light-emitting member, and an induction activating system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
An electronic candle with an LED light member and an electromagnet that causes the LED to move in an intermittent randomly sequenced pendulum manner transversely to a longitudinal axis of a shell surrounding the electromagnet and supporting the light member. The electromagnet uses a pair of spaced-apart permanent magnets to create magnetic flux and generate the power to move the light member while simulating flame of a burning candle.