Ring-Shaped Light Transmitting Element for Compact Candle Flame Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices that simulate a candle flame are either not compact enough or do not effectively emit light in a wide range of directions, limiting their aesthetic and functional appeal.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device featuring a light transmitting element with a hollow structure and luminescent material that couples and converts light, allowing for compact, multi-directional emission while resembling a candle flame, using a partially light reflecting envelope to create a simulated flame appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a glass envelope shaped to resemble a candle flame is used, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the device size becomes large and not compact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional flame-shaped envelope to a two-dimensional ring-shaped light transmitting element arranged along a perimeter. This dimensional reduction maintains the aesthetic candle flame appearance when viewed from certain angles while dramatically reducing the overall device volume and enabling compact integration into lighting fixtures.
Solution Approach 2:
The light transmitting element is implemented as a thin ring-shaped structure with inner and outer sidewalls, effectively using a shell-like geometry. This thin-film approach preserves the visual appearance of a flame while minimizing material usage and device footprint, achieving compactness without sacrificing aesthetic quality.
2Illumination intensity
If traditional lighting devices are used, then they provide illumination, but they do not emit light in a wide range of directions
Solution Approach 1:
The light transmitting element is divided into distinct functional surfaces: light in-coupling surfaces for receiving light from LEDs, light out-coupling surfaces for emitting light, and sidewalls for guiding light. This segmentation allows each surface to be optimized for specific light emission directions, enabling the device to emit light simultaneously in multiple directions (upwards, sideways, downwards) with controlled intensity distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
By arranging the light transmitting element along a perimeter in a ring configuration, the patent enables light to be emitted in all radial directions around the perimeter as well as vertically. This dimensional arrangement transforms a single-direction or limited-direction light source into a multi-directional illumination device, greatly enhancing adaptability for various lighting applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the light transmitting element is arranged along a perimeter forming a hollow, then multi-directional light emission is achieved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the single ring-shaped light transmitting element: light guidance, light emission in multiple directions, structural support, and aesthetic appearance. By merging these functions into one integrated component rather than using separate elements for each function, the structural complexity is minimized while achieving multi-directional light emission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring-shaped light transmitting element serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a light guide, a structural framework, an aesthetic flame simulator, and a multi-directional light emitter. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the device, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the capability to emit light in various directions.
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 enables a compact, efficient lighting device that emits light in various directions, resembling a candle flame with adjustable shape, color, and intensity, improving both aesthetics and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The light transmitting element is arranged along a perimeter and having an inner sidewall, an outer sidewall and a top surface such that the light transmitting element defines a hollow. The light in-coupling surface is adapted to couple light emitted by at least one light emitting element into the light transmitting element
Implementation Method 2
The lighting device may also comprise a luminescent material for converting light emitted by the at least one light emitting element
Implementation Method 3
The lighting device may also comprise a luminescent material for converting light emitted by the at least one light emitting element
Implementation Method 4
A partially light reflecting envelope at least partially encloses the light transmitting element and is arranged to create a reflected image of the light coupled out of the light transmitting element
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device is disclosed, which comprises a light transmitting element extending along a perimeter such that a hollow is defined by the light transmitting element. The light transmitting element comprises a light in-coupling surface adapted to couple light emitted by at least one light emitting element into the light transmitting element, and a light out-coupling surface adapted to couple light out of the light transmitting element. The lighting device is combined with a light reflecting envelope arranged to enclose the lighting device such that light emitted from the light out-coupling surface is reflected at an inner surface of the envelope. Thereby a reflected image may be produced, having an appearance resembling a candle flame.