Kinetic Flame Candle With Magnetic Pendulum Flicker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flame simulators fail to convincingly replicate the complex, chaotic motion and light output of a solitary candle flame, often requiring substantial energy inputs and frequent maintenance, and are not suitable for environments where combustion candles are unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A kinetic flame device utilizing a drive mechanism that stimulates interactions between gravity, mass, electromagnetic fields, and air resistance to create a realistic flickering flame effect without direct control, employing pendulum members and a time-varying magnetic field to generate chaotic motion and light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional flame simulation methods are used, then flame effect can be achieved, but energy consumption is high and maintenance is frequent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical combustion systems with an electromagnetic-based system. A time-varying magnetic field generated by a drive mechanism interacts with magnetically coupled pendulum members to create chaotic motion of a flame element, eliminating the need for continuous fuel consumption and reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining realistic flame simulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the interaction between the time-varying magnetic field and magnetically coupled pendulum members to self-generate chaotic motion patterns. The flame element's movement is driven by magnetic coupling and gravitational forces without requiring external mechanical actuators or continuous energy input, reducing both power consumption and maintenance needs.
2Power
If conventional flame simulators are used, then flame effect can be produced, but they require substantial energy inputs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces energy-intensive mechanical combustion systems with an electromagnetic system. The drive mechanism generates a time-varying magnetic field that magnetically couples to pendulum members, creating realistic flame motion with minimal energy input compared to conventional combustion-based or mechanically actuated flame simulators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic variation of the magnetic field by the drive mechanism to induce chaotic motion in the magnetically coupled pendulum members. This periodic electromagnetic action efficiently produces realistic flame flickering and movement patterns while consuming substantially less energy than continuous combustion or mechanical actuation systems.
3Reliability
If combustion-based candles are used, then realistic flame effect is achieved, but safety issues arise in many environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a realistic flame effect by copying the visual and kinetic characteristics of natural flames without using actual combustion. A flame element is manipulated by magnetic coupling and gravitational forces to reproduce the chaotic motion, flickering, and light emission of real flames, providing safety without sacrificing realism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the combustion-based mechanical system with an electromagnetic system. The time-varying magnetic field drives magnetically coupled pendulum members that manipulate a flame element, eliminating open flame and combustion hazards while maintaining realistic flame appearance through electromagnetic actuation.
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 produces a convincing simulation of a flickering flame with reduced maintenance needs and safety risks, adaptable to various form factors, and operates efficiently with low power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
A kinetic flame device is provided including a housing, a drive mechanism for generating a time-varying magnetic field, and a first magnetically coupled pendulum member including a first flame element
Implementation Method 2
A first magnetically coupled pendulum member including a first flame element...chaotic motion and light
Implementation Method 3
A first magnetically coupled pendulum member including a first flame element
Data Source
AI summary
An electric candle device that resembles a real was candle includes an outer shell with an uneven edge around the top of the outer shell. The device includes one or more light emitting elements positioned within a cavity inside the outer shell and that emit beams at a non-zero angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the electric lighting device to provide illumination from within the cavity in an upward direction and reaching above the top surface after passing through the opening. An optical element is positioned to receive light from the one or more light emitting elements and to direct the received light toward the top surface. The optical element has a focal point to change one or both of a size and direction of the light received prior to projecting the light in the direction of the top surface.