Solar LED Lamp Flame Effect via Interleaved PCB
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar-powered pathway lights lack a sophisticated mechanism to simulate a flame effect and provide unattended operation in low-light conditions while maintaining durability and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A decorative solar lamp with a translucent cylindrical enclosure housing a single, flat printed circuit board (PCB) with interleaved white and colored LEDs, powered by a rechargeable battery charged by solar cells, featuring a three-position switch and electronic circuitry to control LED modes, including a flame simulation mode, and a light sensor for unattended operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate circuit boards are used to control different LED functions, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple LED control functions (flame effect, illumination, decorative lighting) onto a single circuit board with interleaved LED rows. This integration reduces the number of separate circuit boards needed, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining full functional versatility through software-controlled LED patterns and sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The single circuit board is designed to perform multiple functions by controlling different LED rows in various patterns. The same physical hardware supports flame simulation, general illumination, and decorative lighting modes, making the circuit board universal and adaptable to different operational requirements without needing separate dedicated boards for each function.
2Shape
If a translucent enclosure is used to scatter light for aesthetic effect, then visual appeal is improved, but visibility of LED arrangement for flame simulation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is designed with varying translucency properties - more translucent in areas where general light scattering is desired for aesthetic appeal, and less translucent or with strategic openings in areas where flame simulation visibility is critical. This local variation in optical properties allows the same enclosure to serve both aesthetic and functional lighting requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The flame simulation effect uses periodic and random on/off patterns of specific LED rows to create the appearance of flickering flames. This dynamic, time-varying light output compensates for the light-scattering effect of the translucent enclosure, making the flame simulation visible despite the diffusion caused by the enclosure material.
3Use of energy by moving object
If solar cells are used for charging, then energy independence is improved, but operational reliability in low-light conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system accumulates and stores energy in the battery during periods of sufficient light (daytime) before it is needed (nighttime or overcast conditions). This preliminary energy accumulation allows the lamp to operate reliably even when solar charging conditions are temporarily poor, as the stored energy provides a buffer against inconsistent solar input.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit monitors battery charge levels and operational status, adjusting the LED output and operational modes based on available energy. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable operation by preventing complete battery depletion and managing power consumption according to charging conditions, thereby maintaining system reliability despite variable solar input.
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 effectively simulates a flame effect with interleaved LEDs and ensures unattended operation in low-light conditions, enhancing durability and cost-effectiveness by using a single flat PCB and solar charging, while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
The rechargeable battery is charged by a solar cell or cells, preferably positioned on the top of the lamp when installed
Implementation Method 2
The main PCB has mounted thereon LEDs to emit light and circuitry to operate and drive the LEDs
Implementation Method 3
housed within a housing including a surrounding translucent glass or plastic enclosure which scatters outgoing light while obscuring a clear view of the PCB from outside the enclosure
Data Source
AI summary
A lamp for illumination or decorative lighting having a lamp unit with a roof portion and a base portion, and a translucent cylindrical enclosure. A single, flat, and rigid PCB is disposed within the enclosure, mounted to the roof portion. A white set of LEDs is mounted on the faces of the PCB and arranged in a plurality of white rows. A colored set of LEDs is mounted on the two faces and arranged in a plurality of colored rows, the white rows interleaved with the colored rows. A battery rechargeable by solar cell powers the LEDs. A switch and electronic circuitry selectively control the white set and colored set, the circuitry configured to perform an off mode (white set and colored set are off), an illumination mode (white set is powered on continuously and the colored set is off), and a flame mode (colored LEDs of the colored set are powered on selectively to simulate a flame), selected by the switch or by a remote control.