Rotating Flame Element Actuator for Flameless Candle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flameless candles require users to physically manipulate the candle to access actuators, which can be inconvenient and add complexity with features like capacitive touch sensors or remote sensing technologies, increasing cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A movable flame element that rotates within the candle body to selectively activate and deactivate the light source, allowing users to control candle functionality without moving the candle sideways or upside-down, using a design where the flame element moves between ON and OFF positions to energize or de-energize the light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional flameless candles use exposed actuators on the candle body, then users can access the actuators to control candle functions, but users must physically manipulate the candle (move it sideways or upside-down) to access the actuators, which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator function is merged with the flame element, which is a naturally visible and accessible component of the candle. The flame element is made rotatable and incorporates the actuator mechanism, so that activating the candle is combined with the natural user interaction of touching or rotating the flame element, rather than requiring separate actuator components
Solution Approach 2:
The flame element serves multiple functions: it provides the visual appearance of a flame, acts as the actuator for turning the candle on/off, and serves as a tactile interface for user interaction. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate actuator components, reducing device complexity while improving ease of operation
2Ease of operation
If flameless candles incorporate capacitive touch sensors or remote sensing technologies for actuator access, then user control is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flame element itself serves as the actuator interface, eliminating the need for separate sensors or remote sensing technologies. The rotational movement of the flame element directly activates or deactivates the light source through mechanical contact with electrical contacts, making the system self-sufficient without additional electronic control components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple mechanical rotation mechanism of the flame element to activate/deactivate the light source, replacing more complex electronic sensing systems like capacitive touch sensors or remote sensing technologies with a straightforward mechanical contact system
3Ease of operation
If the flame element rotates to activate the light source, then users can control candle functions without moving the candle position, but the electrical connection mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The flame element rotates to bring its electrical contact into engagement with the power source terminals, allowing the connection state to change dynamically with the rotational position of the flame element, enabling on/off control without moving the candle body
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
Enables users to easily activate and deactivate candle functions, such as turning the light source ON/OFF, without physically altering the candle's position, reducing complexity and cost by using a tactile and auditory feedback mechanism for position indication.
Implementation Method 1
a flame element including an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the flame element that receives light emitted from the light source at the interior surface and passes through at least a portion of the light to the exterior surface
Data Source
AI summary
A flameless candle may include a candle body configured to house a power source, a light source configured to selectively receive power from the power source; and a flame element. The flame element may include an interior surface and an exterior surface. The flame element may be configured to receive light emitted from the light source at the interior surface and to pass through at least a portion of the light to the exterior surface. The flame element may be configured to move with respect to the candle body to act as an actuator to selectively activate at least one function of the flameless candle.