Flameless Candle Floating Flame Element Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flameless candles lack realistic flame movement, as they often rely on limited pivot or magnet mechanisms, failing to accurately mimic the fluid dynamics of natural candle flames.
Innovation Solution
The flameless candle employs a flame element that floats on either air or liquid, with a fan-induced airflow or magnetic levitation, allowing for up to five degrees of movement and incorporating a light source that emits light through a transparent or translucent flame element with ridges to create a more realistic flickering effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pivot or magnet mechanism is used to move the flame element, then the flame element can move, but the movement is limited and does not accurately mimic natural flame fluid dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a fan to generate airflow that acts upon the flame element, enabling it to move and flicker in response to air currents. This pneumatic approach replaces complex mechanical pivot or magnet mechanisms with a simpler airflow-based system that naturally simulates flame behavior through fluid dynamics, achieving realistic movement without intricate mechanical components
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes mechanical movement mechanisms (pivots, magnets) with an airflow-based system. The fan-generated air currents replace mechanical forces, allowing the flame element to move freely and naturally in response to fluid dynamics rather than constrained mechanical actuation, thereby simplifying the overall mechanism while enhancing realism
2Illumination intensity
If the flame element is made transparent or translucent to allow light propagation, then light can pass through creating a realistic effect, but the structural integrity and light control become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The flame element is constructed from transparent or translucent materials that allow light to propagate through while maintaining structural integrity. This material choice creates a composite structure that combines optical transparency with mechanical strength, enabling realistic light emission effects without compromising the element's durability or ease of manufacturing
3Adaptability or versatility
If the flame element moves with multiple degrees of freedom on a fluid, then realistic flame simulation is achieved, but the control and stability of the flame element position becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The use of airflow from a fan provides a controllable fluid medium that supports the flame element's movement while maintaining stability. The air currents can be regulated to achieve desired movement patterns, balancing the flame element's freedom of motion with positional stability and predictability
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
This design provides a more realistic simulation of a natural candle flame by allowing the flame element to move in multiple degrees of freedom and emit light through a distorted path, enhancing the illusion of a flickering flame.
Implementation Method 1
The fan forces air upwardly while the light is being emitted
Implementation Method 2
The flame element floats on the air
Implementation Method 3
The light emitted by the light source is emitted towards the interior region of the flame element, such that it passes through the interior region and onto the interior surface. The flame element is at least partially transparent or translucent, such that it permits the light to propagate through the flame element and outwardly from the exterior surface
Implementation Method 4
The flame element may have at least one ridge on the interior surface and/or the exterior surface. Such ridge(s) distort the light
Implementation Method 5
The deflector induces turbulence in the forced air before the air impinges on the flame element
Implementation Method 6
The candle may have a first magnet coupled to the flame element and a second magnet configured to repel the first magnet, such that the flame element levitates above the second magnet
Data Source
AI summary
A flameless candle includes a candle body, a light source, and a flame element. The candle body includes an inner region and an upper surface including an aperture. The light source is energized and de-energized selectively to control whether or not a light is emitted. The light emitted by the light source is emitted towards the interior region of the flame element, such that it passes through the interior region and onto the interior surface. The flame element is at least partially transparent or translucent, such that it permits the light to propagate through the flame element and outwardly from the exterior surface. While the light is emitted, the flame element moves with respect to non-moving portions of the candle body. While the light is emitted, at least a portion of the flame element extends through the aperture in the upper surface.