Electronic lighting device

• US 10,539,283 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2019
• Issued: 01/21/2020
• 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:
  US16/442,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20190301693A1
• Time in Patent Office: 221 Days
• Field of Search: 362277, 362810
• 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 outer shell having a shape to resemble a candle and including a curved sidewall spanning around a perimeter of the outer shell and having an upper surface intersecting the sidewall and the upper surface having a through hole;

a core contained within the outer shell and structured to include an upper portion that encircles an internal cavity of the core and provides an opening that at least partially aligns with the through hole of the upper surface, wherein the core includes a cradle formed in the upper portion;

a flame component structured to include a top portion shaped to look like a flame;

a support element attached to the core and coupled to the flame component within the internal cavity to support the flame component outside of the opening;

a lighting element contained at least partially within the internal cavity of the core and positioned at least partially on the cradle at an angle with respect to a longitudinal central axis of the cavity;

the lighting element is capable of emitting light from within an interior of the core and onto the flame component through the through hole; and

a control circuit coupled to the lighting element to cause the lighting element to emit light onto the flame component.

2. The device as in claim 1, wherein the control circuit drives the lighting element to a high level for a first period of time and a low level for a second period of time.

3. The device as in claim 1, wherein the control circuit drives the lighting element to emit blinking light.

4. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board (PCB);

where the PCB electrically connects one or more battery terminals to the control circuit in order to supply power from batteries attached to the battery terminals, to the control circuit.

5. The device as in claim 1, wherein the control circuit includes a timer to discontinue power to the lighting element after a predetermined amount of time.

6. The device as in claim 1, wherein the flame component is mounted in a way that makes the flame component capable of moving.

7. The device as in claim 1, wherein the top portion of the flame component shaped to look like a flame includes a depression.

8. The device as in claim 1, the lighting element consisting of one or more LEDs.

9. The device as in claim 1, wherein the lighting element is angled at approximately 35 degrees relative to a longitudinal central axis.

10. The device as in claim 1, wherein the flame component is a semitransparent material of a type where a portion of the light emitted onto a front surface of the flame component emerges from a back surface of the flame component.

11. The device as in claim 1, wherein the flame component appears to have a candle wick therein.

12. The device as in claim 4, further comprising batteries coupled to the control circuit;

and

wherein the control circuit turns off the lighting element when a voltage of the batteries falls below a threshold.

13. The device as in claim 3, wherein the control circuit drives the lighting element to a high level for a first period of time and a low level for a second period of time to emit the blinking light;

wherein the control circuit further comprises a timer to discontinue power to the lighting element after a predetermined amount of time;

wherein the top portion of the flame component shaped to look like a flame includes a depression;

wherein the lighting element consisting of one or more LEDs;

wherein the lighting element is angled at approximately 35 degrees relative to the longitudinal central axis;

wherein the lighting element comprises an LED element emitting concentrated light with a relatively narrow emission angle;

wherein the flame component is a semitransparent material of a type where a portion of the light emitted onto a front surface of the flame component can emerge from a back surface of the flame component; and

wherein the flame component appears to have a candlewick.

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

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;

a core contained within the outer shell and structured to include an upper portion that encircles an internal cavity of the core and provides an opening that at least partially aligns with the through hole of the outer shell, wherein the core includes a cradle formed in the upper portion;

a flame component structured to include a top portion shaped to look like a flame;

a support element attached to the core and coupled to the flame component within the internal cavity to support the flame component outside of the opening;

a lighting element contained entirely within an interior of the core and positioned at least partially on the cradle at an angle with respect to a longitudinal central axis of the cavity;

the lighting element being capable of emitting light from within the interior of the core and onto the flame component through the through hole; and

means for controlling power to the lighting element.

15. The device as in claim 14, wherein the means for controlling power to the lighting element further comprising means for discontinuing power to the lighting element after a predetermined amount of time.

16. The device as in claim 14, wherein the means for controlling power to the lighting element produces a first level to the lighting element which causes the lighting element to reduce in intensity, and a second level to the lighting element which causes the lighting element to increase in intensity.

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

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;

a core contained within the outer shell and structured to include an upper portion that encircles an internal cavity of the core and provides an opening that at least partially aligns with the through hole of the outer shell, wherein the core includes a light-source-holding surface in the upper portion;

a flame component structured to include a top portion shaped to look like a flame and extending above the upper surface of the outer shell;

a support element attached to the core and coupled to the flame component to support the flame component;

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

the lighting element is capable of emitting blinking light from within the internal cavity of the core and onto the flame component through the through hole; and

a control circuit coupled to the lighting element to cause the lighting element to emit said blinking light onto the flame component.

18. The device as in claim 17, wherein the lighting element includes an LED operable to emit the blinking light onto the 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.

19. The device as in claim 18, wherein the control circuit 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.