HK1205785B - Electronic luminary device with simulated flame - Google Patents

Description

Electronic lighting device with simulated flame

Technical Field

In general, the present application relates to techniques for constructing flameless candles. In particular, the present application discloses techniques for simulating candle flames.

Background

Flameless candles may provide the illusion of real (flame) candles, but without the risk of fire. The real candle flame moves in physical space. To simulate such movement, some techniques have used elements that also move in physical space. Moving parts, however, are undesirable for a variety of reasons. For example, moving parts are prone to damage, as during transport, due to careless placement, or due to accidents.

In addition, flameless candles having moving parts may require additional components or systems to move the moving parts. Such components or systems may include fans or magnetic systems. These components or systems can increase the cost of the flameless candle device.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with the techniques of this application, an apparatus may include a sidewall, a base, and an upper surface. The sidewall may have an upper region and a lower region. The base may engage with a lower region of the side wall. The upper surface may extend from an upper region of the sidewall to form an upper recess.

The apparatus may include a projection screen extending upwardly through an aperture in the upper surface. The position of the projection screen may be fixed relative to the position of the upper surface. The projection screen may be flat or may have a concave or convex surface. The projection screen may have a generally two-dimensional or three-dimensional appearance. The projection screen may be flame-like in shape. The projection screen may have a main plane. The projection screen may be transparent. The projection screen may be formed from materials such as plastic, glass, or metal.

The first light source may be positioned below the upper surface and may project light through the aperture onto the projection screen. The second light source may be positioned below the upper surface and may project light through the aperture onto the projection screen. The position of the first light source and the second light source may also be fixed relative to the position of the projection screen.

Light from the first and second light sources may be projected onto a front side of the projection screen or onto both the front and back sides of the projection screen. Light projected onto one side of the projection screen may be transmitted to the other side of the projection screen. Each light source may emit light having a beam axis and a beam width. The one or more beam axes may intersect the main plane of the projection screen at an angle between 20 ° and 40 °. One or more beam widths may be between 30 ° and 35 °.

The light sources may be positioned to project light onto different areas of the projection screen. These regions may be distinct or may overlap.

The circuit may be electrically connected to the first light source and the second light source. The circuit may independently control the intensity of the light projected by the first light source and the second light source.

Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic candle according to the techniques of the present application.

Fig. 2 illustrates a portion of an electronic candle in accordance with the techniques of the present application.

Fig. 3A and 3B illustrate a projection screen and light source according to the techniques of the present application.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain techniques of the present application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For purposes of illustration, certain techniques are illustrated in the figures. It should be understood, however, that the claims are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings. Further, the appearance shown in the drawings is one of many decorative appearances that may be used to achieve the described functionality of the system.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1-3B illustrate an electronic candle 100 according to the techniques of the present application. As shown in fig. 1, an electronic candle 100 may include a sidewall 102 having an upper region and a lower region. A base 150 (see fig. 2) may engage a lower region of the sidewall 102. The upper surface 106 may extend from an upper region of the sidewall 102 to form the upper recess 104. The upper groove 104 may have a variety of different shapes. The upper recess 104 may be shaped like a bowl or a portion of a bowl. For example, the upper region of the sidewall 102 may have different heights around the top perimeter of the electronic candle 100. The upper recess 104 may have a rounded or flat bottom surface. The upper groove 104 may have a smooth or rough bottom surface. The upper groove 104 may have a cylindrical shape.

Projection screen 110 may extend upwardly through an aperture 108 in upper surface 106. The position of projection screen 110 may be fixed relative to upper surface 106. Of course, excessive force may cause projection screen 110 to deflect or change position relative to upper surface 106. However, the intended movement of the electronic candle 100 (e.g., picking or dropping the candle, rotating the candle, or inverting the candle) does not affect the position of the projection screen relative to the upper surface 106.

As shown in fig. 2, the electronic candle 100 may include a base 150. The base 150 may house the batteries in a battery compartment 160. The base 150 may also house circuitry 170. The battery compartment 160 and the circuitry 170 need not be located in the base 150 or around the base 150, and may be located in other areas of the electronic candle 100. For example, the circuit 170 may be embedded in one or more of the light sources 120, 130. The circuit 170 and light sources 120, 130 may receive power from one or more batteries in the battery compartment 160.

A riser 140 may extend upwardly from the base. The light sources 120 and 130 may be located near the top of the riser 140 or at the top of the riser 140. The light sources 120, 130 may include light emitting diodes ("LEDs"), incandescent bulbs, or lasers. In some configurations, a riser is not required. For example, the light source may be embedded in other components of the candle.

The projection screen 110 may extend upward from the riser 140. The projection screen 110 may be rigidly fixed to the riser 140 at or near the top of the riser 140. For example, the projection screen 110 may be integral with the riser 140. The projection screen 110 may be a separate part that is rigidly attached to the riser 140 (e.g., glued or attached at more than one location). By rigidly securing the projection screen 110 and the riser 140 together, the position of the projection screen 110 may be fixed relative to the upper surface 106. Other methods of fixing the position of the projection screen 110 and the upper surface 106 are possible. For example, the projection screen 110 may be secured to the upper surface 106 or the sidewall 102 instead of the riser 140.

Projection screen 110 may be rigid. The projection screen 110 may be formed from one or more materials such as glass, plastic, metal, or foil. Such materials may be at least partially reflective. The projection screen 110 may be opaque, translucent, clear, frosted, or transparent. Projection screen 110 may have a grid surface or other textured surface. Projection screen 110 may facilitate the display of a holographic image.

The surface of projection screen 110 may be planar, concave or convex. The surface of projection screen 110 may be various combinations of planar, concave, and/or convex. Projection screen 110 may have a two-dimensional or three-dimensional appearance. The projection screen 110 may have a flame shape. Such a shape may be static and not change. Projection screen 110 may have one or more projection surfaces. For example, projection screen 110 may have front and rear projection surfaces. Projection screen 110 may have additional projection surfaces. For example, projection screen 110 may have more than three surfaces, each surface receiving light from one or more light sources. Projection screen 110 may have a surrounding surface to form a shape with a significant depth. For example, the projection screen 110 may have a three-dimensional shape that resembles an actual candle flame. In such an example, the light sources may be located around projection screen 110 and may project onto projection screen 110.

The projection screen 110 may be a single color or may have different colors. For example, the projection screen 110 may be colored or patterned to show a simulated wick. To provide the illusion of a real candle flame, the projection screen 110 is darker in color near the area of the intended wick. The projection screen 110 may have different colors (e.g., blue, white, orange, or yellow) to simulate the different flame temperatures and intensities that an observer would expect for a real candle flame. The color may be selected in combination with the color of the light emitted from the light sources 120, 130.

The light sources 120, 130 may be electrically connected to the circuit 170 by one or more conductors 180. Circuitry 170 may include a processor and one or more computer-readable storage devices that store software instructions for execution by the processor. The circuit 170 may independently control one or more different aspects of the light projected by the light sources 120, 130. For example, the circuit 170 can control the intensity or color of each light source 120, 130 individually.

The circuit 170 may illuminate the various light sources 120, 130 with different intensity sequences. Such an order may include a random order, a semi-random order, or a predetermined order. Such an order may include frequencies that are out of phase with each other. The order is dynamically influenced by other factors or inputs. For example, an output signal from a light sensor (not shown) may be received by the circuit 170, and the circuit 170 may then sequentially adjust the intensity level (e.g., increase the intensity at higher light) based on the light sensor output signal. As another example, an output signal from a sound sensor (not shown) may be received by the circuit 170, and the circuit 170 may then sequentially adjust the intensity level (e.g., adjust the frequency of intensity changes in response to characteristics of the received sound) based on the sound sensor output signal.

As shown in fig. 3A, projection screen 110 extends upwardly through aperture 108 in upper surface 106. Although not shown in this example, the position of projection screen 110 is fixed relative to upper surface 106. The light sources 120, 130 may be positioned below the upper surface 106. They may be positioned and configured in such a way that light is projected through the aperture 108 and onto the projection screen 110. The position of the light sources 120, 130 may likewise be fixed relative to the position of the projection screen 110.

Projection screen 110 may have a major plane. Such a plane may be substantially vertical and may generally face the direction of light emitted from the light sources 120, 130. Even if the projection screen 110 is not entirely planar, it should be understood that the projection screen 110 may still have a major plane.

Referring to fig. 3B, each light source 120, 130 may project light (either fully or partially) through an aperture 108 in the upper surface 106 onto the projection screen 110. The light emitted from each light source 120, 130 may be emitted according to a beam width. For example, the beam width of the light emitted from the light sources 120, 130 may be between 30 degrees and 35 degrees. The beam axis of the light emitted from each light source may intersect the major plane of projection screen 110. Such an intersection may have an angle between 20 and 40 degrees. The light sources 120, 130 may project light onto the same side or different sides of the projection screen 110. For example, light source 120 may project light onto a front side of projection screen 110, while light source 130 may project light onto a rear side of projection screen 110. If projection screen 110 is transparent, light projected onto one side may be transmitted to the other side.

Light source 120 may project light onto an area 122 on projection screen 110. Light source 130 may project light onto an area 132 on projection screen 110. The regions 122, 132 may be coextensive, overlap each other, or separate from each other. The regions 122 may have different or similar shapes. The shape may be affected by factors including the beam width of the projected light, the angle of incidence of the beam axis of the main plane of the projection screen 110, the distance of the light sources 120, 130 from the projection screen 110, the profile of the light receiving surface of the projection screen 110, or other factors. For example, a lens, an aperture, or the like may be provided to form a beam having a particular shape. These shapes may affect the shape of the regions 122, 132.

At least some of the light emitted from the light sources 120, 130 may be reflected from the projection screen 110 and directed toward the viewer's eye. For example, light may be directly reflected from projection screen 110 and to the eye of an observer without passing through any intervening material.

As described above, the intensity or color of each light source 120, 130 may be independently controlled by the circuitry 170. By such individual control, a candle flame can be simulated. For example, physical movement and different intensity profiles of candle flames can be simulated without the use of moving parts.

More than two light sources may be used. For example, the light of three light sources may be projected onto one side of projection screen 110. Each of these light sources may be independently controlled, as by the techniques discussed above. As another example, four light sources may be used. Two light sources may project light onto one side of projection screen 110 and two other light sources may project light onto the other side of projection screen 110.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the novel technology disclosed in the present application. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the novel teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. For example, although electronic candles have been primarily disclosed, similar techniques may be applied to other light emitting devices, such as wall candlesticks, lanterns, paper candles, or a tiki torch. Therefore, it is intended that the novel techniques not be limited to the particular techniques disclosed, but that they will include all techniques within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (14)

1. An electronic lighting device with simulated flames, comprising:

a sidewall including an upper region and a lower region,

a base engaging with the lower region of the side wall, an

An upper surface extending from the upper region of the sidewall to form an upper recess, wherein the upper surface includes an aperture;

a projection screen that does not move in physical space, wherein:

the projection screen extends upwards from the upper surface; and

the position of the projection screen is fixed relative to the position of the upper surface;

a first light source positioned below the upper surface, wherein the first light source projects light through the aperture onto the projection screen;

a second light source positioned below the upper surface, wherein the second light source projects light through the aperture onto the projection screen; and

a circuit electrically connected to the first light source and the second light source, wherein the circuit independently controls the intensity of light projected onto the projection screen by the first light source and the second light source.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the positions of the first and second light sources are fixed relative to the position of the projection screen.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the projection screen is flat.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the projection screen comprises a concave surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the projection screen comprises a flame shape.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the projection screen comprises a convex surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the projection screen comprises a main plane;

the first light source emits light comprising a beam axis and a beam width;

the beam axis of the first light source intersects the major plane of the projection screen at an angle of between 20 ° and 40 °;

the second light source emits light comprising a beam axis and a beam width; and is

The beam axis of the second light source intersects the major plane of the projection screen at an angle of between 20 ° and 40 °.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

the beam width of light emitted by the first light source is between 30 ° and 35 °; and is

The beam width of light emitted by the second light source is between 30 ° and 35 °.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the first light source is positioned to project light through the aperture onto a front side of the projection screen; and is

The second light source is positioned to project light through the aperture onto the rear side of the projection screen.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the projection screen comprises a translucent material allowing light of the first light source to penetrate to a rear side of the projection screen and allowing light of the second light source to penetrate to a front side of the projection screen.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the projection screen is rigid.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the projection screen comprises plastic.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the first light source is positioned to project light into a first area on a front side of the projection screen;

the second light source is positioned to project light into a second area on a front side of the projection screen; and is

The second region is different from the first region.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a portion of the first region overlaps a portion of the second region.