LED Light Engine Flame Simulation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting technologies fail to effectively simulate the appearance and dynamics of a flame, particularly in terms of intensity, color, and flickering effects, which are crucial for realistic flame representation.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device comprising a housing with a shroud and a base, featuring a plurality of LEDs controlled by a circuit that uses fuel values and actuation values to simulate a flame by adjusting the brightness and color of LEDs in a sequential and gradient-like manner, mimicking the characteristics of a real flame, including its movement and flickering effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lighting technologies are used, then the lighting device is simple in structure, but it fails to effectively simulate the appearance and dynamics of a flame
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device divides the flame simulation into multiple LED groupings (first, second, third groupings) arranged vertically, with each grouping simulating different portions of the flame. The control circuit processes fuel values separately for each grouping, allowing independent control of intensity and color to achieve realistic flame simulation while managing complexity through modular organization
Solution Approach 2:
Different LED groupings are assigned different actuation values based on their position in the flame simulation. The first grouping (lowermost) receives different fuel value processing than the second and third groupings, creating local variations in intensity and color that replicate the natural gradient and dynamics of a real flame
2Reliability
If multiple LED groupings are used with sequential actuation, then the flame simulation realism is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit actuates different LED groupings at different times using sequential timing (first grouping at time T1, second grouping at time T2, third grouping at time T3). This periodic activation pattern reduces simultaneous energy consumption while maintaining the visual illusion of a continuous, dynamic flame through carefully timed light emissions
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 achieves a highly realistic simulation of a flame, replicating its intensity, color temperature, size, diameter, and flickering patterns, providing a visually convincing and dynamic lighting effect.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of LEDs is encased in the shroud for emitting light through the emission area
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for lighting effects, including simulating a flame, is disclosed. One or multiple three dimensional substrates include one or multiple arrays of light sources, such as LED, mounted on or into them. A control circuit actuates the light sources in a manner to simulate different light effects including flickering flames of different types of flame fuel and the bending of flames in the wind. This system can include a light engine in a light fixture such as an architectural fixture.