CN118057074A

CN118057074A - Candle device

Info

Publication number: CN118057074A
Application number: CN202310334803.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 劳永强
Original assignee: Juqiang Craft Products Huizhou Co ltd
Current assignee: Juqiang Craft Products Huizhou Co ltd
Priority date: 2022-11-18
Filing date: 2023-03-30
Publication date: 2024-05-21
Also published as: CN115789600A

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to candle devices. A candle device comprising a first container having a candle therein, wherein the first container resides within a second container, the candle device further comprising a circuit having a sensor and a power source, the arrangement being such that, in use, when the candle is lit, the sensor is capable of generating a signal upon direct sensing of electromagnetic radiation from the flame of the lit candle, the signal activating an output signal of the circuit.

Description

Candle device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to candle devices, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to candle devices in which candles are contained within a container.

Background

Candles contained in containers are known and are advantageous over bare candles because the container inhibits the escape of molten wax into the area surrounding the candle after the candle is lit. Such containers are typically made of glass.

In recent times, improvements have been made to candles and their containers to create attractive products and enhance the impact of the candles on the user.

One such improvement involves a candle being contained within a container, which in turn is contained within a larger auxiliary container. The candle and its container are suspended in a gel within the auxiliary container. Embedded within the gel is an LED arrangement which is connected to the circuitry within the auxiliary container.

The circuit extends into the candle and connects to an optical fiber that extends generally vertically and parallel to the wick of the candle. When the end of the wick is lit and the candle is lit, light from the flame is incident on the end of the optical fiber. This incident light acts as a signal and propagates along the length of the optical fiber and activates components in the circuit to turn on the LED arrangement.

The net result is that when the wick is lit, the LED is lit and the flickering of the candle flame is transmitted through the circuit to cause a corresponding flickering in the LED that is visible to the user through the auxiliary container. This creates a very pleasing aesthetic for the user as the effect of the candle flame is amplified.

However, this arrangement has some limitations. That is, visible light from the environment surrounding the candle (e.g., light from a ceiling lamp in the room in which the candle resides) may often inadvertently activate the circuit and turn on the LED via the optical fiber. Visible light is in the wavelength range of approximately 380nm to approximately 700nm of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Unfortunately, this inadvertent activation of the circuit is when the user does not wish the candle to be used, and as a result, the charge stored in the battery powering the LED is being used, which is not intended by the user at this time. As a result, the batteries of such candle devices may be quickly depleted and require replacement by the user, or if the batteries are not replaceable, a new candle device may need to be purchased. This both brings additional costs to the user and is wasteful.

Therefore, there is a need to solve this waste and high cost problem. The present invention, at least in its preferred embodiments, is intended to provide such a solution.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a candle device comprising a first container having a candle therein, wherein the first container resides within a second container, the candle device further comprising a circuit having a sensor and a power source, the arrangement being such that, in use, when the candle is lit, the sensor is capable of generating a signal upon direct sensing of electromagnetic radiation from the flame of the lit candle, the signal activating an output signal of the circuit.

Optionally, the sensor is an infrared sensor. This may inhibit unwanted accidental activation of the device due to background electromagnetic radiation in the environment surrounding the device.

Alternatively, the infrared sensor is a passive infrared sensor (PIR sensor).

Optionally, the sensor is angled downwardly in use. This may inhibit the sensor from detecting background electromagnetic radiation in the environment surrounding the device, thus inhibiting unwanted unintentional actuation of the device.

Optionally, the first container is provided with a hole in a side portion thereof, and a portion of the sensor protrudes into the first container through the hole. This may help the sensor to be able to focus and point towards the core and, in use, the flame. This may enable the wiring and circuitry to reside outside of the first container.

Alternatively, the sensor comprises a single thermoelectric element. The sensor may include a plurality of thermoelectric elements. In particular, the sensor may comprise two thermoelectric elements. In particular, the sensor may comprise four thermoelectric elements.

Optionally, the sensor comprises a fresnel lens. The fresnel lens may focus infrared radiation from the candle flame onto the thermoelectric element when in use. This may be advantageous because as the candle burns out, the flame moves relative to the sensor over time. The fresnel lens can increase the viewable area of the sensor.

Optionally, the sensor comprises an infrared filter. The infrared filter may filter out electromagnetic radiation that is not in the wavelength range from approximately 780nm to approximately 1 mm. Thus, the infrared filter may only allow electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range from approximately 780nm to approximately 1mm to be incident on the thermoelectric element. The infrared filter may only allow electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range from approximately 750nm to approximately 1.1mm to be incident on the thermoelectric element.

Optionally, an output signal generated by the circuit activates an LED strip connected thereto. Optionally, the LED strip is molded. The LED light strip may be shaped as a heart. The LED strip may be molded in a star shape. The LED light strip may be molded into a circular shape. The LED light strip may be molded in a triangular shape. The LED strip may be molded into a square shape. The LED light strip may be molded into a rectangular shape. The LED strip may be shaped as a diamond. The LED light strip may be molded into a pentagonal shape. The LED strip may be molded in a hexagonal shape.

Optionally, the circuit comprises a printed circuit board. The components of the circuit may be mounted on a printed circuit board.

Optionally, a recess is provided in the underside of the first container. The recess may be closed with a cover.

Optionally, at least one of the printed circuit board and the power source resides in the recess. Both the printed circuit board and the power source may reside in the recess.

Optionally, the power source is a battery. The battery may be a lithium battery. The battery may be an alkaline battery. The power source may be a mains power source.

Optionally, an annulus is provided between the first container and the second container.

Optionally, the annulus is filled with a gel. The decorative material may be suspended in a gel. Such decorative material may be sparkling.

Optionally, the LED light strip resides within the annulus. The LED light strip may be suspended in an endless belt and secured in place.

Optionally, the first container, the second container and the gel are transparent. This may enable a user to see the flame of the candle through the first container, the second container and the gel when in use.

Optionally, the wick of the candle is secured to the base via a sleeve.

Optionally, the base is positioned on an inner surface of the bottom of the first container. The base may be positioned at a central location of the inner surface of the bottom of the first container.

Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a candle device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view in cross-section of the candle device as shown in FIG. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a partially exploded view of the components of the arrangement shown in fig. 1 and 2.

Detailed Description

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a candle device 101 comprising a candle 103 in a first container 105. The candle 103 includes a wax portion 107 that is generally cylindrical in shape and a wick 109 that protrudes from the wax portion 107 at a generally central location on its upper surface.

The candle 103 in the first container 105 is disposed generally centrally within the second container 111 such that an annulus is formed between the first container 105 and the second container 111. The annulus contains a gel 113 for inhibiting movement of the first container 105 relative to the second container 111.

The LED light strip 115 is disposed in a gel 113 in the annulus, which in turn holds the LED light strip 115 in place. The first container 105 is transparent, the gel 113 is transparent, and the second container 111 is transparent. The effect is that both the candle 103 and the LED light strip 115 are visible to the user through the second container 111.

The LED light strip 115 is an LED arrangement that can be molded into a desired shape (e.g., a star shape) before being positioned in the gel 113 during manufacture.

The candle device 101 also includes an infrared sensor 117 positioned at the upper end of the first container 105 and facing inward toward the wick 109. The infrared sensor 117 is angled downward from the side of the first container 105 at approximately 45 degrees.

As better shown in fig. 2, the infrared sensor 117 is positioned such that a portion of the infrared sensor 117 protrudes through an aperture 119, the aperture 119 passing through the upper end of the first container 105. This arrangement enables the infrared sensor 117 to be directed downward toward the core 109.

The wiring 121 extends from the infrared sensor 117 to the lower end thereof along the outside of the first container 105. The wiring 121 extends below the first container 105 such that the wiring 121 extends between a lower surface 123 of the bottom of the first container 105 and an upper surface 125 of the bottom of the second container 111. The wiring 121 is connected to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 127 such that the infrared sensor 117 is in electrical communication with the PCB 127.

PCB 127 resides within recess 129 in lower surface 123 of first container 105. A battery 131 is connected to the PCB to power the electrical components thereon. A battery 131 also resides within recess 129.

The wiring 133 is connected to the PCB and extends away therefrom so as to extend below the first container 105 such that the wiring 133 extends between the lower surface 123 of the bottom of the first container 105 and the upper surface 125 of the bottom of the second container 111. The wiring 133 is connected to the LED strip 115 such that the LED strip 115 is in electrical communication with the PCB 127.

Further, a base 135 is provided, secured with a sleeve 137, such that the proximal end of the core 109 resides in the sleeve and is thereby secured to the base 135. In making the candle 103, the base 135 (to which the proximal end of the wick is secured) is secured to the upper surface 139 of the bottom of the first container 105 at a generally central location. The distal end of the core 109 is fixed in position directly above the base 135 such that the core is generally straight and generally vertically aligned. Liquid wax is poured into the first container 105 and covers the base 135. The wax fills a major portion of the vessel 105 such that the liquid level resides a short distance below the distal end of the wick 109. The liquid wax dries, leaving a solid wax portion 107 in the first container 105 with the wick 109 substantially centrally embedded therein.

In use, a user ignites the exposed portion of the wick 109 over the wax portion 107 such that the wick 109 burns out a flame in a conventional manner. Electromagnetic radiation is emitted from the flame and incident on the infrared sensor 117. The flame emits electromagnetic radiation in both the visible range and the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The infrared sensor 117 detects electromagnetic radiation emitted by the flame in the infrared region of the spectrum. Electromagnetic radiation in the infrared region has a wavelength between approximately 780nm and approximately 1 mm.

As shown in fig. 3, the infrared sensor 117 is a passive infrared sensor (PIR) including at least one thermoelectric element 141, a fresnel lens 143, a housing 145, and an infrared filter 147. In use, infrared radiation from the flame of the ignition core 109 is incident on the thermoelectric element 141 after passing through the fresnel lens 143 and the infrared filter 147. The thermoelectric element 141 detects a temperature rise due to infrared radiation and generates a corresponding voltage signal, which is transmitted to the PCB 127 via the wiring 121.

This signal triggers a component on the PCB 127 to activate an output signal which in turn activates and lights the LED strip 115 powered by the battery 131. Such components on PCB 127 that facilitate this are transistors.

As a result of this arrangement, when the core 109 is ignited, infrared radiation is constantly incident on the infrared sensor 117, causing it to generate a constant signal, which keeps the PCB 127 generating an output signal, so the LED strip 115 remains lit. Once the user extinguishes the flame and the wick 109 is no longer lit, there is not enough infrared radiation (covering background radiation) incident on the infrared sensor 117 to cause it to generate its signal voltage, so the signal will cease. Thus, the PCB 127 will cease to generate the output signal and the LED strip 115 will be off and no longer light up.

The infrared sensor 117 is configured such that the threshold of incident infrared radiation is such that when the core 109 is ignited, any change in the incident infrared radiation on the infrared sensor 117, for example due to flame flicker, will not affect the voltage signal generated by the infrared sensor but corrupt the output signal generated by the PCB 127. That is, when the core 109 is ignited, there will always be sufficient signal strength from the infrared sensor 117 to activate the output signal of the PCB 127 so that the LED strip 115 remains stably lit during that time. The flickering effect of the flame on the core 109 will not be transferred to the LED strip 115.

As the wick 109 burns off over time and the size of the wax portion 107 decreases, the fresnel lens 143 focuses the incident infrared radiation from the flame onto the thermoelectric element 141.

The fresnel lens 143 widens the source area for incident infrared radiation on the infrared sensor 117. This is useful because as the core 109 burns out, the flame will move relative to the infrared sensor 117 over time. This advantage of fresnel lens 143 is balanced by the fact that: the infrared sensor 117 is angled downward into the first container 105 toward the core 109. This inhibits unwanted infrared radiation from the surrounding environment of the candle device 101 from inadvertently activating the circuit and turning on the LED light strip 115 when the wick 109 has not yet been ignited.

In addition, the infrared filter 147 filters out electromagnetic radiation other than electromagnetic radiation in the infrared region in order to inhibit the thermoelectric element 141 from being inadvertently heated by electromagnetic radiation other than infrared radiation (e.g., visible or UV light from the environment surrounding the candle device 101).

Specifically, the infrared sensor 117 has a part number 301PM04D1-1, and belongs to JSW brand. It operates in electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range 750nm to 1.1 mm.

The first container 105 and the second container 111 are made of glass. The core 109 is made of cotton. Gel 113 is made from a mixture of 70% styrene and 30% butadiene.

It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment, unlike the prior art, no fiber optic cable is used. However, fiber optic cables may be used if desired.

Various modifications may be made to the candle device, for example, the LED light strip may be replaced with a motor and fan arrangement, such that the output signal from the PCB activates the fan arrangement and motor to be powered by the battery. This arrangement may blow air into a closed chamber within the candle device. This may assist the air flow to impinge on the false snow, for example, creating its snowing effect within the enclosed chamber.

The LED strip may be replaced with a motor that moves an object, such as a carousel, when activated.

The LED strip may be replaced with a string of LEDs such that the output signal from the PCB activates the string of LEDs to be powered by the battery.

The LED strip may be replaced with a speaker and memory assembly such that the output signal from the PCB activates the speaker to be powered by the battery, resulting in the playing of music or messages stored on the memory assembly.

The PCB may be configured to change its generated output signal. This may control the LED strip, for example, instead of simply lighting the LED strip, the LED strip may intermittently blink or intermittently pulsate.

Alternative sensors, such as photodiodes, may be used.

The first container may be removed from within the second container. This may enable a user to access the PCB and the battery residing in the recess at the lower portion of the first container. This may enable a user to replace the battery of the PCB if necessary.

101. Candle device

103. Candle with light source

105. First container

107. Wax fraction

109. Core(s)

111. Second container

113. Gel

115 LED lamp strip 117 infrared sensor 119 hole

121. Wiring

123. Lower surface 125 upper surface 127PCB

129. Recess in the bottom of the container

131. Battery cell

133. Wiring

135. Base seat

137. Sleeve barrel

139. Upper surface of

141. Thermoelectric element 143 fresnel lens 145 houses 147 an infrared filter.

Claims

1. A candle device comprising a first container having a candle therein, wherein the first container resides within a second container, the candle device further comprising a circuit having a sensor and a power source, the arrangement being such that, in use, when the candle is lit, the sensor is capable of generating a signal upon direct sensing of electromagnetic radiation from the flame of the lit candle, the signal activating an output signal of the circuit.

2. The candle device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is an infrared sensor.

3. The candle device according to claim 2, wherein the infrared sensor is a passive infrared sensor (PIR sensor).

4. A candle device according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensor is angled downwardly in use.

5. A candle device according to any preceding claim, wherein the first container is provided with an aperture in a side thereof, and a portion of the sensor protrudes through the aperture into the first container.

6. The candle device according to claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises a single thermoelectric element.

7. The candle device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the sensor comprises a fresnel lens.

8. The candle device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the sensor comprises an infrared filter.

9. A candle device according to any preceding claim, wherein the output signal generated by the circuit activates an LED light strip connected thereto.

10. A candle device according to any preceding claim, wherein the circuit comprises a printed circuit board.