Flame Element Noise Reduction via Magnetic Levitation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric lights and candles fail to produce a realistic flame effect effectively.

Innovation Solution

The development of electric candles with a flame element that is at least partially illuminated by a primary light source, featuring various cross-sectional shapes and designs that allow for movement and minimize contact with the housing to enhance the flickering flame effect, including the use of magnets and absorbent materials to reduce noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the flame element is designed to move freely to enhance flickering effect, then the realism of flame effect is improved, but noise from contact with housing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflame effect realismVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A magnetic field is introduced as an intermediary between the flame element and housing. The magnet embedded in the housing creates a magnetic field that interacts with the flame element's magnetic properties, enabling contactless interaction that reduces mechanical contact noise while maintaining the flickering motion effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based motion control with magnetic field-based interaction. Instead of mechanical linkages or guides that would create contact noise, the flame element's movement is influenced by magnetic fields, eliminating mechanical contact and associated noise while preserving the desired flickering motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the flame element is constrained to reduce noise, then noise is reduced, but the flickering flame effect is diminished

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovenoiseVSAvoidflame effect realism

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic field serves as a mediator that allows the flame element to move freely without mechanical constraints. The magnetic interaction provides subtle guidance and stabilization while permitting natural motion, achieving both noise reduction and realistic flickering effect simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the interaction parameter from mechanical contact to magnetic field interaction. This parameter change allows the flame element to maintain freedom of motion for realistic flickering while eliminating mechanical contact that would generate noise, resolving the contradiction between constraint and motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the flame element contacts the housing, then structural stability is improved, but noise is generated and flame effect realism is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes mechanical contact-based stability with magnetic field-based stabilization. The magnet in the housing creates magnetic fields that provide stabilizing forces on the flame element without requiring physical contact, thereby maintaining structural stability while eliminating contact noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field acts as an intermediary that transmits stabilizing forces from the housing to the flame element without direct contact. This intermediary mechanism provides the necessary structural stability while preventing the noise and reduced realism associated with mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution provides a more realistic and noise-reduced flickering flame effect, allowing the flame element to pivot and move freely within the housing, thereby improving the overall lighting experience.

Implementation Method 1

The housing can include a magnet that attracts the flame element to pivot and move within the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

The housing can include an absorbent material that reduces noise from the flame element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentUS10655806B2Systems and methods for generating a realistic flame effect

Publication Date: 2020.05.19 L&L CANDLE CO LLC

AI summary

Various embodiments of flame elements and candle housings are disclosed for use in an electric lighting device or candle to help produce a realistic flickering flame effect. The flame element and/or housing can be configured to eliminate noise that occurs when the flame element contacts a wall of the housing.