throbber
USOO8789986B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Li
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,789,986 B2
`Jul. 29, 2014
`
`(54) ELECTRONIC LIGHTING DEVICE AND
`METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(76) Inventor: Xiaofeng Li, Guangdong (CN)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U_S_C_ 154(1)) by 263 days_
`
`_
`(21) APPI' NO" 13/325,754
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec- 14’ 2011
`
`(65)
`
`PI‘IOI‘ Publication Data
`
`US 2012/0134157 A1
`
`May 31, 2012
`
`_
`_
`Related US. Application Data
`(63) Continuation-in-part
`of
`application
`PCT/CN2011/076449, ?led on Jun. 27, 2011.
`
`No.
`
`4,551,794 A 11/1985 Sande“
`7,159,994 B2
`1/2007 S h
`kl
`7,261,455 B2 *
`3/2007 Szh??zkl: et 31‘ ,,,,,,,, n 362/569
`7,686,471 B2
`3/2010 Reichow
`7,837,355 B2 11/2010 Schnuckle
`2003/0053305 A1
`3/2003 Lin
`2004/0165374 A1
`8/2004 Robinson
`2010/0079999 A1
`4/2010 Schnuckle
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CN
`CN
`CN
`CN
`
`2551859
`2562059
`201103952
`201159425
`
`5/2003
`7/2003
`8/2008
`12/2008
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`U~S~ APPL N0~ 61/101,611 t0 SChIIUCle
`
`(30)
`
`,
`,
`,
`,
`,
`Forelgn Apphcatlon Pnonty Data
`
`Primary Examiner * Jason Moon Han
`(74) Attorney, Agent, 0rFirm * Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A.
`
`Jun. 28, 2010 (CN) ........................ .. 2010 1 0211402
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(200601)
`(200601)
`(200601)
`(200601)
`(200601)
`(200601)
`
`An electronic lighting device may comprise an enclosure, a
`(51) Int_ CL
`light-emitting element, a ?ame sheet and a swing mechanism.
`F2 1V 21/14
`The ?ame sheet is movably supported or suspended on the
`F21V35/00
`enclosure, and may comprise an upper sheet which is of a
`F2 1S 6/00
`?ame-like shape. The upper sheet is con?gured to be exposed
`FZIS 10/04
`above the top of the enclosure. Light from the light-emitting
`F2] Y 101/02
`element intersects with the surface of the upper sheet so that
`F2] W 121/00
`the light projects onto the surface of the upper sheet. The
`(52) U 5 C1
`swing mechanism is disposed beneath the ?ame sheet and can
`FZIS 10/04 (2013 01) F2”, 2101/02
`'
`""""" "(£013 01)_F21S 6/00'1 (2’013 01) F2] W apply a force on the ?ame sheet to actuate the ?ame sheet to
`2121/00~ (2013 01) Y] OS 362/82 (2613 01)
`sway or swing. By the present application, a visual experience
`' 362/39} 3 62 / 4 47_ 362/810
`of true ?re can be achieved and an interestedness and appre
`’
`’
`ciation can be improved. A method for manufacturing the
`
`USPC
`(58) Field 0
`
`USPC ................ .. 362/1614163, 3924393, 447, 810
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`same 15 dISCIOSed'
`24 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`0001
`
`Luminara 2009
`Liown v. Disney
`IPR2016-01785
`
`

`

`US 8,789,986 B2
`Page 2
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`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`GB
`GB
`WO
`
`2323159
`2379731
`2006020839
`
`9/1998
`3/2003
`2/2006
`
`CN
`
`101865413
`
`10/2010
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`0002
`
`

`

`U S Patent
`U S Patent
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`Jul. 29, 2014
`Jul. 29, 2014
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`US 8,789,986 B2
`
`1
`ELECTRONIC LIGHTING DEVICE AND
`METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`The present application is a continuation-in-part of Inter
`national PCT Patent Application No. PCT/CN201 1/ 076449,
`?led Jun. 27, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference
`in its entirety.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present application relates to an electronic lighting
`device.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`In our daily life, various electronic lighting devices are
`widely applied to toys, home decoration products and gifts.
`For instance, candles, kerosene lamps and so on are originally
`used as lamps for illumination. However, people are no longer
`concerned about the illumination function of candles and
`kerosene lamps as electrical light sources are used commonly.
`The candles and kerosene lamps are thus used for interested
`ness or appreciation rather than illumination. Recently, vari
`ous electronic lighting devices, such as electronic ?ashing
`candles, electronic candles, simulated candles and simulated
`kerosene lamps and the like, emerge as required. Lighting
`parts of such electronic lighting devices try to simulate light
`ing patterns of candles or kerosene lamps, namely, to simulate
`?ashing and ?ickering ?ames of candles or kerosene lamps.
`However, compared with the ?ames of candles or kerosene
`lamps, the lighting parts of the electronic lighting devices are
`quite different and have not enough realistic visual effect.
`For instance, a type of electronic candle is disclosed in a
`Chinese application No. 2005200357725, titled “Electronic
`Simulated Flashing Candle”. The electronic candle com
`prises a ?ame shell shaped as true ?ames, LED elements
`disposed in the ?ame shell, and a control circuit. The control
`circuit controls lighting sequences of the LED elements such
`that the LED elements ?ash on and off. As a result, a visual
`experience of winkling and jumping light is given by the
`electronic candle and thus the interestedness or appreciation
`of the electronic candle is enhanced.
`
`20
`
`25
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`30
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`40
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`45
`
`SUMMARY
`
`An objective of the present application is to provide an
`electronic lighting device for simulating true ?re and a
`method for manufacturing the same to simulate true ?re with
`an enhanced visual experience.
`According to an aspect of the present application, an elec
`tronic lighting device comprising a core is provided. The core
`may comprise: an enclosure provided with a through hole on
`a top thereof; a ?ame sheet movably supported or suspended
`on the enclosure, wherein the ?ame sheet comprises an upper
`sheet which is of a ?ame-like shape, and the upper sheet is
`con?gured to expose above the top of the enclosure through
`the through hole of the enclosure; a light-emitting element
`installed on a sidewall of the enclosure such that an outgoing
`direction of a light from the light-emitting element is inclined
`upward and passing through the through hole of the enclo
`sure, wherein the outgoing direction is intersected with a
`surface of the upper sheet, so that the light from the light
`emitting element is projected on the surface of the upper
`sheet; and a swing mechanism disposed beneath the ?ame
`
`50
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`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`sheet, wherein the swing mechanism is con?gured to apply a
`force on the ?ame sheet to actuate the ?ame sheet to sway or
`swing.
`According to another aspect of the present application, a
`method for manufacturing an electronic lighting device is
`provided. The method may comprises: suspending a ?ame
`sheet on an enclosure, wherein the ?ame sheet comprises a
`upper sheet which is of a ?ame-like shape and exposed above
`a top of the enclosure; installing a light-emitting element on a
`sidewall of the enclosure such that an outgoing direction of a
`light from the light-emitting element is inclined upward and
`passing through a through hole of the enclosure to be inter
`sected with a surface of the upper sheet, so that the light from
`the light-emitting element is projected on the surface of the
`upper sheet; and disposing a swing mechanism beneath the
`?ame sheet, wherein the swing mechanism is con?gured to
`apply a force on the ?ame sheet to actuate the ?ame sheet to
`sway or swing.
`In the present application, by the cooperation of the ?ame
`sheet with the light projected thereon, the ?ame sheet may
`sway or swing under the action of its own gravity and the
`swing mechanism. The light given off by the light-emitting
`element is projected on the ?ame sheet and looks like a true
`?ickering ?ame so that the ?ame simulated by the lighting
`device is closer to the wick ?ame of the traditional lighting
`device such as a candle, a kerosene lamp and the like. In the
`case where the device according to the present application is
`applied to electronic products, such as electronic candles or
`simulated kerosene lamps and the like, it further improves the
`visual experience of the electronic products and provides the
`electronic products with enhanced interestedness and appre
`ciation.
`In some embodiments, since the swing mechanism in the
`device of the present application uses a magnetic mechanism,
`the ?ame sheet maintains to sway randomly or disorderly in
`use, so that the light projected on the ?ame sheet keeps
`?ickering and looks like a true ?ame.
`In some embodiments, in the device of the present appli
`cation, the light given off by the light-emitting element has an
`emission angle within a speci?c range, so that the light is
`assured to be projected on the ?ame sheet, and thus the visual
`effect of simulating true ?re is assured.
`In some embodiments, the shell is simulated in to a tradi
`tional candle in shape, so that the device of the present appli
`cation is closer to the traditional candle in visual effect.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an appearance of an
`electronic candle according to a ?rst embodiment of the
`present application;
`FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of the
`electronic candle according to the ?rst embodiment of the
`present application;
`FIG. 3 is an exposed view schematically showing the struc
`ture of the electronic candle according to the ?rst embodi
`ment of the present application;
`FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a structure of a core of
`the electronic candle according to the ?rst embodiment of the
`present application;
`FIG. 5 is an exposed view schematically showing the struc
`ture of the core of the electronic candle according to the ?rst
`embodiment of the present application;
`FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a structure of a ?ame
`sheet of the electronic candle according to the ?rst embodi
`ment of the present application;
`
`0010
`
`

`

`US 8,789,986 B2
`
`3
`FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a circuit part of the
`electronic candle according to the ?rst embodiment of the
`present application;
`FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of an
`electronic candle according to a second embodiment of the
`present application;
`FIG. 9 is an exposed view schematically showing a struc
`ture of a core of an electronic candle according to a third
`embodiment of the present application;
`FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a circuit part of the
`electronic candle according to the third embodiment of the
`present application;
`FIG. 11 is an exposed view schematically showing a struc
`ture of a core of an electronic candle according to a fourth
`embodiment of the present application;
`FIG. 12 is an exposed view schematically showing a struc
`ture of a core of an electronic candle according to a ?fth
`embodiment of the present application;
`FIG. 13 is an exposed view schematically showing a struc
`ture of a core of an electronic candle according to a sixth
`embodiment of the present application; and
`FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing a structure of a ?ame
`sheet of the electronic candle according to the seventh
`embodiment of the present application.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Hereinafter, a detailed description of the present applica
`tion will be given by speci?c embodiments and with reference
`to the appended drawings.
`Embodiment 1
`In particular, the present application provides an electronic
`candle, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a schematic
`view showing the appearance of the electronic candle accord
`ing to the ?rst embodiment. The electronic candle, which is
`shaped as a true candle, comprises: a shell 1, a casing 2
`sleeved within the shell 1, a core 3 and a base 4 installed
`within the casing 2. The casing 2 is provided with a through
`hole at the top-center. A ?ame sheet is arranged in the through
`hole. A portion of the ?ame sheet which protrudes outsides
`through the through hole is shaped as a ?ame of a burning
`candle. The light emitted from a light-emitting element which
`is disposed on the core 3 is projected, at an angle, onto the
`portion of the ?ame sheet which protrudes outsides through
`the through hole. Further, the ?ame sheet may sway freely
`under the action of natural winds or a swing mechanism
`arranged within the core 3. In this way, the ?ame simulated by
`the electronic candle, when viewed from a distance, ?ickers
`like that of a true candle, as if it is a perfectly realistic ?ame,
`and thus can be scarcely distinguished from the true one.
`As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the core 3 comprises an enclo
`sure, a ?ame sheet 31, a LED light 33 and a swing mechanism.
`The enclosure comprises left and right caps 38 and 38' having
`symmetrical shapes with each other. A cylindrical cavity is
`formed when the left and right caps 38 and 38' are arranged to
`engage with each other. Each of the left and right caps 38 and
`38' has a semicircular notch on the top, such that a circular
`opening 380 is formed on the top of the cavity by the semi
`circular notches when the left and right caps 38 and 38' are
`arranged to engage with each other. The left and right caps 38
`and 38' have respective left and right notches 381 and 381' on
`the upper portions of their sidewalls. The left and right
`notches 381 and 381' are concaved inwardly and inclined at a
`certain angle with respect to the sidewalls in such a way that
`an installation location for the LED light, which inclines
`toward and communicates with the opening 380, is formed by
`the left and right notches 381 and 381' when the left and right
`
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`caps 38 and 38' are arranged to engage with each other. The
`LED light 33 is then installed at this installation location such
`that an angle between a longitudinal central axis of the LED
`light 33 and that of the cavity is about 35 degree. Moreover,
`the LED light 33 may be a LED element emitting concen
`trated light with a relatively narrow emission angle (7-10
`degree). Further, combined with an appropriate area of an
`upper sheet 311 of the ?ame sheet 31, it can be assured that
`light emitted from the LED light 33 is maintained to be
`projected onto the surface of the ?ame sheet 31. As a result,
`light beams are increased in brightness and form an elliptical
`light spot on the surface of the ?ame sheet 31, so that the ?ame
`sheet 31 looks more like a ?ame of a true candle in shape.
`With reference to FIG. 6, the ?ame sheet 31 is of sheet type,
`and provided with a through hole 310 at the middle part. The
`?ame sheet 31 is divided, by the through hole 310, into a
`upper sheet 311 shaped as a ?ame of a burning candle and a
`lower sheet 312. The lower sheet 312 has a counterweight
`slightly heavier than that of the upper sheet 311, so that the
`?ame sheet 31 is vertically suspended in a free state (under the
`action of its own gravity without any external force). A sup
`porting rod 32 passes through the through hole 310 and spans
`across the opening 380 of the core’s cavity. The supporting
`rod 32 is V-shaped and depressed slightly at the middle so that
`the ?ame sheet 31 is suspended steadily at the lowest point of
`the supporting rod 32 since the lower sheet 312 has a coun
`terweight slightly heavier than that of the upper sheet 311. It
`is easier for the ?ame sheet suspended vertically in a free state
`(under the action of its own gravity without any external
`force) to sway randomly under the action of an external force.
`In this way, the supporting rod 32 spanning across the open
`ing 380 of the core’s cavity may enable the ?ame sheet 31 to
`sway randomly under the action of an external force, such as
`natural winds. However, the supporting rod 32 may maintain
`a relatively ?xed position relationship between the upper
`sheet 311 of the ?ame sheet 31 and the light outgoing direc
`tion of the LED light 33 such that the light from the LED light
`33 can be projected onto the surface of the upper sheet 311 of
`the ?ame sheet 31. Since the ?ame sheet 31 is manufactured
`by a semitransparent material, a portion of the light can
`emerge from the back of the ?ame sheet 31 when the light is
`projected onto the ?ame sheet 31. In order to improve the
`effect of simulating a true candle’ s ?ame, a wire is embedded
`in the ?ame sheet 31 at the bottom of the upper sheet 311 to
`simulate a candlewick. In the case where the wire is irradiated
`by the light of the LED light 33 projected on the upper sheet
`311, as if there is a candlewick within a ?ame, such that the
`?ame sheet 31 is more like the ?ame of a true burning candle
`in visual effect. In addition, since the supporting rod 32 is
`irradiated by the LED light 33, a shadow of the supporting rod
`32 is formed on the surface of the upper sheet of the ?ame
`sheet 31 and may also look like the candlewick.
`The tubular shell 1 is manufactured by a transparent or
`semitransparent material, such as PVC. The shell 1 comprises
`a tubular sidewall and a diaphragm plate 10 intersected with
`the tubular sidewall. A through hole is provided at the middle
`of the diaphragm plate 10, from which the upper sheet 311 of
`the ?ame sheet 31 protrudes outsides. In order to simulate
`irregular wax melting when a candle is burning, a portion of
`the shell’s sidewall above the diaphragm plate 10 is formed to
`have an irregular end face. For example, the sidewall may be
`lower in front and higher behind. The surfaces of the shell’s
`sidewall and the diaphragm plate 10 are coated with candle
`wax, such that the electronic candle looks more like a true
`candle. The upper sheet 311 of the ?ame sheet 31 protrudes
`outsides through the through hole of the diaphragm plate 10,
`with its front surface (the surface projected by the light)
`
`0011
`
`

`

`US 8,789,986 B2
`
`5
`facing a lower point of the sidewall and its back surface
`obscured by a higher sidewall of the shell. In this way, a user
`is guided to dispose the electronic candle at a preferable angle
`to appreciate the “candle light”, that is to say, the electronic
`candle is viewed from the front surface of the upper sheet 311
`of the ?ame sheet 31 and from the lower point of the sidewall.
`Accordingly, the effect for simulating a true candle by the
`electronic candle according to the ?rst embodiment can be
`improved.
`In order to assure the effect of swaying of the ?ame sheet,
`the core is provided with a swing mechanism which maintains
`to act on the ?ame sheet directly or indirectly with a force
`such that the ?ame sheet maintains to sway or swing. As
`shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the swing mechanism in the embodi
`ment uses a magnetic mechanism comprising a set of magnets
`39, a linkage sheet 35, a linkage rod 34 and a coil 37. The set
`of magnets 39 comprises a ?rst magnet, a second magnet and
`a third magnet. The linkage rod 34 is movably threaded
`through the linkage sheet 35, and arranged to span across the
`core’s cavity. The linkage rod 34 is V-shaped, and depressed
`slightly at the middle so that the linkage sheet 35 is positioned
`at the lowest point at the middle of the linkage rod 34. The
`linkage sheet 35 may be suspended freely in the core’s cavity
`without any external force. The second and third magnets are
`adhered to or embedded into the upper and lower ends of the
`linkage sheet 35, respectively. The ?rst magnet is adhered to
`or embedded into the lower end of the ?ame sheet 31. A
`magnetic pole of the ?rst magnet facing the second magnet
`has a polarity opposite or same to that of a magnetic pole of
`the second magnet at the upper end of the linkage sheet 35
`facing the ?rst magnet, that is to say, they may attract or repel
`each other. The coil 37 is fastened onto a PCB subboard
`through a snap ring 36, and disposed beneath the lower end of
`the linkage sheet 35 so as to be opposite to the third magnet at
`the lower end of the linkage sheet 35.
`The operation principle on the swaying or swinging of the
`?ame sheet 31 is illustrated below. Firstly, an oscillation is
`output through a control circuit. When powered on, the coil 37
`then produces a magnetic ?eld which is opposite to the polar
`ity of the magnet pole of the third magnet at the lower end of
`the linkage sheet 35 facing the coil so that the coil 37 and the
`third magnet at the lower end of the linkage sheet 35 repel
`each other. As a result, the linkage sheet 35 sways toward one
`side. Moreover, since the second magnet at the upper end of
`the linkage sheet 35 and the ?rst magnet at the lower end of
`the ?ame sheet 31 attract or repel each other, the ?ame sheet
`31 sways. When the coil 37 is powered off, the ?ame sheet 31
`freely falls down under the action of its own gravity, and
`continues to sway in an opposite direction under an inertia
`potential energy until the coil 37 is powered on again. Then
`the inertial motion of the ?ame sheet 31 is changed by the
`magnetic force of the coil 37 via the linkage sheet 35, and a
`next sway cycle begins.
`As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base 4 comprises a battery
`tray 41, a battery cover 42, a PCB mainboard 43 and pieces of
`battery shrapnel 44. The pieces of battery shrapnel 44 are
`installed on the battery tray 41 to form a battery chamber for
`accommodating batteries 45. The PCB mainboard 43 is
`installed on the battery tray 41 and arranged at one side of the
`battery chamber. The control circuit and a power switch are
`arranged on the PCB mainboard 43. The PCB mainboard 43
`is electrically connected, via wires, with the LED light 33, the
`PCB subboard installed with the coil 37, and the pieces of
`batter shrapnel. The battery cover 42 is arranged at the bottom
`of the battery tray 41 and can be removed to enable the
`displacement of the batteries in the battery chamber. The core
`3 is installed on the base 4, wherein the PCB subboard
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`installed with the coil 37 is electrically connected with the
`PCB mainboard 43. The circumference of the battery stray 41
`and the bottom of the casing 2 may be snapped together, or
`may be threaded with each other through a bolt. The casing 2
`is a hollow cylinder, the external diameter of which is equal to
`or slightly larger than the internal diameter of the shell 1 so as
`to be tightly ?tted into the shell 1. The casing 2 is provided
`with a through hole on the top, which is used for mating with
`the core 3. When the core 3 is received within the casing 2, the
`upper sheet 311 of the ?ame sheet 31 is exposed out of the
`casing 2 through the casing’s through hole.
`FIG. 7 is a circuit schematic diagram of the embodiment.
`The operation principle of the electronic candle according to
`the embodiment is illustrated below with reference to FIG. 7.
`In the power source part, the energy provided by the bat
`teries is transferred, via a switch SW1, to an input pin of a
`boost converter U1, then into a boost circuit consisting of
`components such as a ?fth capacitor C5, a second inductor
`L2, the boost converter U1, a third capacitor C3 and an eighth
`resistor R8.A stable voltage of 3.3V is then output from a ?fth
`pin of the boost converter U1 to be supplied to a micropro
`cessor U2, a LED light LED1 (expressed as the LED light 33
`in the structure described above, using a warm white light
`similar to true ?re in color) and a coil L1.
`In the case where the switch SW1 is closed such that the
`circuit is powered by the power source part, the microproces
`sor U2 starts to work upon receiving a 3.3-volt voltage. When
`a voltage at a ?fth pin (PB1) of the microprocessor U2 is
`above 1 .82-volt, the microprocessor U2 controls an eighthpin
`(PWM/PCO) to output a square wave pulse of 40 ms on and
`630 off. A MOS transistor Q1 and the coil L1 are controlled
`through the square wave pulse to oscillate so as to produce a
`magnetic ?eld. In the case that the magnetic ?eld produced by
`the magnet at the lower end of the linkage sheet 35 is the same
`as that produced by the coil (both are N poles or S poles), the
`coil repels the magnet. The magnet then brings the linkage
`sheet 35 to sway toward left or right. Further, in the case that
`the magnetic ?eld produced by the magnet at the upper end of
`the linkage sheet 35 is opposite to that produced by the mag
`net at the lower end of the ?ame sheet 3 1, the linkage 35 drives
`the ?ame sheet 31 to sway toward right or left since the
`linkage sheet 35 and the ?ame sheet 31 are arranged to be a
`distance from each other. Meanwhile, the microprocessor U2
`controls a third pin (PB3) to output a high level so as to supply
`about a 0.6-volt voltage to the base of a triode Q2 via a resistor
`R10. Once the triode Q2 is turned on, the LED light LED1 is
`lighted. Then the light is projected onto the ?ame sheet at an
`angle of 35 degree. Under the action of the coil, the ?ame
`sheet, as viewed from a distance, is very similar to that of a
`burning candle. The optimum viewing distance is farther than
`1 m from the electronic candle, the viewing angle being
`smaller than 120 degree.
`The work of circuit in the case where the switch is switched
`such that the circuit is controlled by a timer and a ?rst pin
`(PA3) of the microprocessor U2 is at a low level is illustrated
`below. On one hand, the microprocessor U2 controls the
`eighth pin (PWM/PCO) to output a square wave pulse of 40
`ms on and 630 ms off after halting for 500 ms. The MOS
`transistor Q1 and the coil are controlled through the square
`wave pulse to oscillate so as to produce a magnetic ?eld. In the
`case that the magnetic ?eld produced by the magnet at the
`lower end of the linkage sheet 35 is the same as that produced
`by the coil (both are N poles or S poles), the coil repels the
`magnet. The magnet then brings the linkage sheet 35 to sway
`toward left or right. Further, in the case that the magnet at the
`upper end of the linkage sheet 35 produce a magnetic ?eld
`which is opposite to that produced by the magnet at the lower
`
`0012
`
`

`

`US 8,789,986 B2
`
`7
`end of the ?ame sheet 31, the linkage sheet 35 drives the ?ame
`sheet 31 to sway toward right or left since the linkage sheet 35
`and the ?ame sheet 31 are arranged to be a distance from each
`other. Meanwhile, the microprocessor U2 controls the third
`pin PB3 to output a high level after halting for 500 ms (that is
`to say, the LED light LED1 blinks for once) so as to apply
`about a 0.6-volt voltage to the base of the triode Q2 via the
`tenth resistor R10. Once the triode Q2 is turned on, the LED
`light LED1 is lighted. On the other hand, an oscillation cir
`cuit, which consists of a crystal oscillator X1, a ?rst capacitor
`C1 and a second capacitor C2, provides standard clock infor
`mation to the microprocessor U2. The timer of the micropro
`cessor U2 starts timing upon the LED light LED1 blinks.
`After 5 hours, the microprocessor U2 will controls the eighth
`pin (PWM/PCO) and the third pin (PB3) to output a low level,
`so that the ?ame sheet stops swaying and the LED light LED1
`goes out. After next 19 hours, the microprocessor U2 controls
`the eighth pin (PWM/PCO) to output a square wave of 40 ms
`on and 630 ms off, and the PB3 to output a high level, so that
`the ?ame sheet starts to sway and the LED light LED1 is
`lighted. In view of the above, the total time of a cycle is 24
`hours. The circuit can circularly work in this way, until the
`batteries exhaust or the switch is switched into other states.
`When the battery voltage is below 1.62 volt, the LED light
`will go out no matter that the switch is switched such that the
`circuit is powered by the power source part or controlled by a
`timer. Meanwhile, the ?ame sheet stops swaying, and the
`control circuit goes to a sleep state. The circuit restores to
`work until the batteries are replaced with new ones.
`When the switch is opened, the boost converter U1 and the
`microprocessor U2 stop working since they are not powered
`by the batteries. As a result, the LED light will go out, mean
`while, the ?ame sheet 31 stops swaying.
`Embodiment 2
`With reference to FIG. 8, the swing mechanism according
`to the ?rst embodiment is simpli?ed according to the second
`embodiment. The linkage sheet 35 and components attached
`thereto, such as the linkage sheet 34 and two magnets at both
`ends thereof, are omitted. Thus, the coil 37 is disposed adja
`cent to the lower end of the ?ame sheet 31. In the case that the
`coil 37 produces a magnetic ?eld which is opposite to that
`produced by the magnet at the lower end of the ?ame sheet 3 1,
`the coil 37 and the ?ame sheet 31 repel each other so as to
`keep the ?ame sheet 31 swaying.
`Embodiment 3
`In this embodiment, the swing mechanism in the core 3
`according to the ?rst embodiment is replaced with a swing
`mechanism according the third embodiment. With reference
`to FIG. 9, the swing mechanism according to the third
`embodiment comprises a hanging rope 301, a swing piece
`302, a rotary block 303, a motor ?xed block 304 and a motor
`305. The upper end of the hanging rope 301 is hanged to the
`lower end of the ?ame sheet 31, and the lower end of the
`hanging rope 301 is connected with the swing piece 302. The
`motor 305 is ?xed within the core’s enclosure by the motor
`?xed block 304. The rotary block 303 is ?xed to the output
`shaft of the motor 305. In a natural state (under the action of
`gravity, without the action of any external force), the swing
`piece 302 is, depending on its own gravity, hanged to the
`hanging rope 301 and then the lower end of the swing piece
`302 contacts with the rotary block 303. When the motor 305
`is actuated, the rotary block 303 collides with the swing piece
`302 continually. As a result, the swing piece 302 sways con
`tinually, which makes the ?ame sheet 31 sway disorderly.
`With reference to FIG. 10, a circuit schematic diagram
`according to the embodiment is shown. The operation of the
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`8
`swing mechanism is performed through controlling the rota
`tion of the motor M1 with the eighth pin of the microproces
`sor U2.
`Embodiment 4
`In the fourth embodiment, the swing mechanism in the core
`3 according to the ?rst embodiment is replaced with a swing
`mechanism described below. With reference to FIG. 11, the
`swing mechanism according to the forth embodiment com
`prises a linkage rod 401, a rotary block 402, a motor ?xed
`block 403 and a motor 404. The middle part of the ?ame sheet
`31 is provided with a slot, in which the upper end of the
`linkage rod 401 is stuck. The bottom end of the linkage rod
`401 contacts with the outer wall of the rotary block 402. The
`rotary block 402 has an irregular height, and is provide with a
`pan-like cavity at the middle part. Moreover, the sidewall of
`the pan-like cavity is provided with a tab 4021. The lower end
`of the ?ame sheet 31 is stretched into the pan-like cavity. In a
`natural state, the tab 4021 contacts with the lower end of the
`?ame sheet 31. The motor 404 is ?xed within the enclosure of
`the core by the motor ?xed block 403. The rotary block 402 is
`?xedly connected to an output shaft of the motor 404. When
`the motor 404 is actuated and thus the rotary block 402 is
`forced to rotate, the outer wall of the rotary block 402 will
`continually collides with the bottom end of the linkage rod
`401. As a result, the tab 4021 will continually (or intermit
`tently) collides with the lower end of the ?ame sheet 31,
`which makes the ?ame sheet 31 sway or swing disorderly.
`Embodiment 5
`In the ?fth embodiment, the swing mechanism in the core
`3 according to the ?rst embodiment is rep

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