Levitation mechanism for imitation candle devices

• US 10,931,211 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2017
• Issued: 02/23/2021
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L&L Candle Company, LLC
• Original Assignee: L&L Candle Company, LLC
• Inventors: Li, Xiaofeng
• Primary Examiner(s): Garlen, Alexander K
• Application Number:
  US16/604,775
• Publication Number:
  US 20200412281A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,413 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/04 simulating flames
• 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: F21V 1/00 Shades for light sources , i.e. lampshades for table, floor, wall or ceiling lamps
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 15/00 Holding or levitation devices using magnetic attraction or repulsion, not otherwise provided for electric or magnetic devices for holding work on machine tools B23Q3/15 ; monorail vehicle propulsion or suspension B60L13/00; sliding or levitation devices for railway systems B61B13/08; material handling devices associated with conveyors incorporating devices with electrostatic or magnetic grippers B65G47/92; separating thin or filamentary articles from piles using magnetic force B65H3/16; delivering thin or filamentary articles from magnetic holders by air blast or suction B65H29/24; bearings using magnetic or electric supporting means F16C32/04; relieving bearing loads using magnetic means F16C39/06; magnets H01F7/00; dynamo-electric clutches or brakes H02K49/00 ; electric furnaces with simultaneous levitation and heating H05B6/32

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments relate to devices and methods for facilitating the operations and usage of electronic candle devices. In one exemplary aspect, an imitation candle device is disclosed. The imitation candle device comprises a body including a top surface, the top surface including an opening; a flame element having an upper portion shaped to mimic a flame of a candle and to protrude out of the opening, and a magnetic lower portion; and a magnetic base plate positioned within the body and below the flame element, comprising: a central section operable to repel the magnetic lower portion of the flame element, a peripheral section operable to attract the magnetic lower portion of flame element, and a plurality of light sources to emit light onto the flame element.

Claims

1. An imitation candle system, comprising:

a base including a cover and a plurality of magnetic coils operable to generate a magnetic field, and

an imitation candle device that comprises;

a body including a top surface, the top surface including an opening;

a flame element having an upper portion shaped to mimic a flame of a candle and to protrude out of the opening;

a first magnet arranged within the body, the first magnet having a same polarity as the magnetic field generated by the magnetic coils such that the imitation candle device is operable to levitate above the base; and

a magnetic component at a lower portion of the flame element, the magnetic component operable to interact with the magnetic field, to cause movement of the flame element.

2. The imitation candle system of claim 1, wherein the imitation candle device is operable to rotate around a center line of the imitation candle device while levitating above the base.

3. The imitation candle system of claim 2, wherein the base further includes a transducer operable to control a speed of rotation of the imitation candle device.

4. The imitation candle system of claim 1, wherein the first magnet is a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

5. The imitation candle system of claim 1, wherein the base includes a second magnet having an opposite polarity as the first magnet.

6. The imitation candle system of claim 1, wherein the base includes an indicator to delineate an area upon which the imitation candle device can be positioned on the base.

7. The imitation candle system of claim 1, wherein the imitation candle device includes a light source to emit light onto the flame element.

8. The imitation candle system of claim 7, wherein the imitation candle device further includes a power receiver coil, the power receiver coil operable to receive the magnetic field generated by the plurality of magnetic coils and provide electric power to the light source.

9. The imitation candle system of claim 1, further comprising a candle shade positioned on the base to enclose the imitation candle device.

10. The imitation candle system of claim 9, wherein the candle shade is transparent or translucent.

11. The imitation candle system of claim 9, wherein the candle shade includes an etched surface.

12. The imitation candle system of claim 9, wherein the candle shade has a shape of a cylinder or sphere.