Electronic lighting device

• US 10,533,718 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2019
• Issued: 01/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L&L Candle Company, LLC
• Original Assignee: L&L Candle Company, LLC
• Inventors: Li, Xiaofeng
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Laura K
• Application Number:
  US16/395,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20190316748A1
• Time in Patent Office: 264 Days
• Field of Search: 362161-163, 362392-393, 362447, 362810, 362277
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/00 Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/04 simulating flames
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/043 by selectively switching fixed light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/046 by movement of parts, e.g. by movement of reflectors or light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 6/001 being candle-shaped with varying lighting effect of simulating flames F21S10/04; string of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/001 the elements being electrical wires or cables
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/009 the casing being inside the housing of the lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0407 for flashing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0028 Decorative household equipment, e.g. plant holders or food dummies
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/30 Elements containing photoluminescent material distinct from or spaced from the light source shades F21V1/17; globes, bowls or cover glasses F21V3/08, F21V3/12; refractors F21V5/10; reflectors F21V7/26, F21V7/30; elements with provision for controlling the spectral properties or intensity F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/40 with provision for controlling spectral properties, e.g. colour, or intensity
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 Point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/064 Circuit arrangements for actuating electromagnets circuit arrangements for obtaining special operating characteristics H01F7/18; driving circuits for electromagnets making use of a switching regulator H01H47/325
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/38 using boost topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 : by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 : Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/81 : Imitation candle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 : Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4902 : Electromagnet, transformer or inductor

Abstract

An electronic lighting device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The electronic lighting device may comprise a core, which may comprises an enclosure, a light-emitting element, a flame sheet and a swing mechanism. The flame sheet is movably supported or suspended on the enclosure, and may comprise an upper sheet which is of a flame-like shape. The upper sheet is configured to expose above the top of the enclosure. The light-emitting element may be installed on the enclosure. A light outgoing direction of the light-emitting element may be intersected with the surface of the upper sheet so that the light of the light-emitting element is projected on the surface of the upper sheet. The swing mechanism is disposed beneath the flame sheet and can apply a force on the flame sheet to actuate the flame sheet to sway or swing. By the present application, a visual experience of true fire can be achieved and an interestedness and appreciation can be improved.

Claims

1. An electronic lighting device for simulating a candle, comprising:

an enclosure, having an outer shell having a shape to resemble a candle and the enclosure including a curved sidewall spanning around a perimeter of the enclosure and the enclosure having an upper surface intersecting the sidewall and the enclosure having a an opening in a top portion of the enclosure, the opening that extends between an inner cavity of the enclosure and an outside of the enclosure,

a light source holding surface formed in an upper portion of the enclosure;

a flame component structured to include a top portion shaped to look like a flame, the flame component extending above the opening;

a lighting element located within the inner cavity and supported at least partially on the light source holding surface, the lighting element supported to point the lighting element at an non-zero angle with respect to a longitudinal central axis of the enclosure

the lighting element emitting light that blinks from within the internal cavity, directed onto the flame component through the opening; and

a control circuitry which controls the lighting element to emit light that blinks on to the flame component.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the lighting element includes an LED operable to emit the light that blinks on to a top portion of the flame component to produce an elliptical shape on a surface of the top portion to create a flickering effect of a candle flame of the device.

3. The device as in claim 2, wherein the control circuitry causes the light to blink by producing a first level to the LED which causes LED to turn off, and a second level to the LED which causes the LED to turn on.

4. The device as in claim 2, wherein the control circuitry causes the light to blink by producing a first level to the LED which causes LED to reduce in intensity, and a second level to the LED which causes the LED to increase in intensity.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the flame component has a simulated candlewick therein at a bottom portion of the flame component.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the simulated candle wick forms a line embedded in the flame component.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry produces a pulse width modulated signal to control the light that blinks.

8. An electronic lighting device for simulating a candle, comprising:

an enclosure having an outer shell having a shape to resemble a candle and including a curved sidewall spanning around a perimeter of the outer shell and an upper surface intersecting the sidewall and having a through hole which reaches between an inner cavity of the enclosure and an outside of the enclosure;

wherein the enclosure includes a light source enclosure surface formed in an upper portion of the enclosure;

a flame component structured to include a top portion shaped to look like a flame, the flame component extending above the through hole, wherein the flame component includes a line embedded within the flame component at a lower end of the flame component, such that light emitted onto the top portion of the flame component resembles a true candle flame having a candle wick due to irradiation of the light on the lower end having the line embedded within the flame component;

a lighting element contained within the interior of the core and mounted at least partially on the light holding surface, the lighting element supported to point the lighting element at an non-zero angle with respect to a longitudinal central axis of the enclosure,

the lighting element to emit light from within the internal cavity onto the flame component through the through hole; and

a control circuitry which controls the lighting element to emit the light.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the control circuitry controls the lighting element to emit light that blinks on to the flame component.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the lighting element includes a LED light.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein the control circuitry is at least partially disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) that is held inside the enclosure.

12. The device of claim 8, further comprising a battery compartment to contain one or more batteries and to electrically connect the one or more batteries with the control circuitry to supply electrical power to the control circuitry.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the control circuitry controls operations of the lighting element to produce a flickering effect of a candle flame by the emitted blinking light on the flame component.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the control circuitry includes a timer and a switch in electrical communication with the microprocessor to cause the light emitting element to emit the light that blinks for a predetermined duration of a time cycle and not emit the blinking light for a remaining duration of the time cycle outside the predetermined duration.

15. The device of claim 8, wherein the line is a wire embedded into the flame sheet.

16. The device of claim 8, wherein the light that blinks includes a period of substantially 500 ms.

17. The device of claim 8, wherein the flame component includes a middle portion shaped to be narrower than a lower end of the top portion.

18. The device of claim 9, wherein the control circuitry causes the light to blink by producing a first level to the LED which causes LED to turn off, and a second level to the LED which causes the LED to turn on.

19. The device of claim 9, wherein the control circuitry causes the light to blink by producing a first level to the LED which causes LED to reduce in intensity, and a second level to the LED which causes the LED to increase in intensity.

20. The device of claim 9, wherein the control circuitry produces a pulse width modulated signal to control the light that blinks.

21. An electronic lighting device for simulating a candle, comprising:

an enclosure, having an outer shell having a shape to resemble a candle and including a curved sidewall spanning around the perimeter of the outer shell and an upper surface intersecting the sidewall and having an opening in a top portion of the enclosure that extends between an inner cavity of the enclosure and an outside of the enclosure,

a flame component structured to include a top portion shaped to look like a flame, the flame component extending through the opening;

wherein the enclosure includes a light source holding surface formed in an upper portion of the enclosure;

a lighting element contained entirely within the inner cavity and supported at least partially on the light source holding surface, the lighting element supported to point the lighting element at an non-zero angle with respect to a longitudinal central axis of the core, to emit light on to the flame component,

a control circuitry which controls the lighting element to emit light by producing a first signal level to the light source that increases an intensity at a first time, and a second signal level to the light source that decreases an intensity of the light source at a second time, to produce light that gets emitted on to the flame component.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the control circuitry cyclically produces the first signal level and the second signal level.