Patent ID: 12215839

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to make the objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure more apparent and understandable, the following specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

It is to be noted that the terms “first”, “second” and the like in the specification and claims of the present disclosure and the above-described accompanying drawings are used to distinguish between similar objects and need not be used to describe a particular order or sequence. It should be understood that these serial numbers may be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein.

In the description of the present disclosure, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly provided and qualified, the terms “configured”, “assembly”, “communicated”, and “connected” are to be understood in a broad sense. For example, the connection may be a fixed connection, a removable connection, or a one-piece connection; it may be a mechanical connection; it may be a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or a communication within two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this disclosure may be understood on a case-by-case basis.

In the description of the present specification, the description of “embodiment”, “an embodiment” and “an implementation” means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or implementation are included in at least one embodiment or implementation of the present disclosure. In this specification, schematic expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to a same embodiment or implementation. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or implementations in an appropriate manner.

The present disclosure is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In order to solve the above technical problems, as shown inFIGS.1,2, and3, a flame apparatus of an electric candle is provided in embodiments of the present disclosure.

The flame apparatus includes a PCBA board1, a plurality of lamp beads2, a first color-toning layer3, a second color-toning layer4, and a lamp head cover5. The PCBA board1includes a flame portion11that allows light to pass through and has a first side face111and a second side face112disposed opposite to the first side face111. The plurality of lamp beads2are arranged on the first side face111. The first color-toning layer3is colored and allows light to pass through. The first color-toning layer3is disposed on the first side face111and encapsulates the plurality of lamp beads2. The second color-toning layer4allows light to pass through and has a substantially same color as the first color-toning layer3. The second color-toning layer4is disposed on the second side face112. The lamp head cover5is semi-transparent and sleeves the first color-toning layer3and the second color-toning layer4. The lamp head cover5includes a first side wall51and a second side wall52. The first side wall51covers the first color-toning layer3, the second side wall52covers the second color-toning layer4, and the first side wall51has a thickness greater than the second side wall52.

It should be noted that since the flame portion11allows light to pass through, light emitted by the plurality of lamp beads2can pass through the flame portion11and can be emitted from the second side face112. However, a color and brightness of the light may change after passing through the flame portion11. In this embodiment, the first color-toning layer3and the second color-toning layer4both allow light to pass through and have a substantially same color. In addition, the first color-toning layer3is disposed on the first side face111, and the second color-toning layer4is disposed on the second side face112. In this way, that the light after passing through the flame portion11may have a uniform color. Moreover, as the brightness of the light passing through the flame portion11to reach the second side face112may be reduced, the lamp head cover5having various wall thicknesses is arranged to sleeve the flame portion11. In this way, the brightness of the light output from the first side face is substantially the same as the brightness of the light output from the second side face. Moreover, the lamp head cover5scatters the light of the plurality of lamp beads2, preventing the light from exhibiting obvious granularity, and improving simulation of the flame apparatus. In summary, the flame apparatus of the present embodiment has a consistent color and consistent brightness of light on both side faces by arranging the plurality of lamp beads2on only one side face of the PCBA board1, greatly reducing product costs and energy consumption of the flame apparatus of the present disclosure compared to the product in the art.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown inFIG.1, the first color-toning layer3is an encapsulating layer31. The second color-toning layer4is a UV oil layer41.

It should be noted that the encapsulating layer31is an adhesive layer formed by using encapsulation adhesive to encapsulate the plurality of lamp beads2. In this way, waterproof, moisture-proof, anti-vibration, dust-proof, and heat dissipation of the plurality of lamp beads2are achieved. By configuring the first color-toning layer3as the colored and light-transmittable encapsulating layer31, the color of the light transmitted through the encapsulating layer31can be changed, and the plurality of lamp beads2are protected. The UV oil substantially includes UV ink, UV varnish, UV polish, and so on. These UV oils can be cured by being exposed to a UV light. A UV oil, which has the substantially same color as the encapsulating layer31and is transparent, may be used to coat on the second side face112and is cured by UV irradiation, such that the UV oil layer41is formed. The UV oil layer41can also change the color of the light passing through the UV oil layer41. In this way, the light emitted from the two side faces are in substantially the same color.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated inFIG.1, both the first color-toning layer3and the second color-toning layer4are in a color of yellow or orange, which is similar to a color of a candle flame.

It should be noted that the first color-toning layer3and the second color-toning layer4are in the color of yellow or orange. Therefore, in addition to enabling the light output from the two side faces to have substantially the same color, the color of the light is closer to a color of a real candle flame. Moreover, when the first color-toning layer3and the second color-toning layer4are yellow or orange, lamp beads2that emit blue light or light in other colors may be applicable. After being toned by the first color-toning layer3and the second color-toning layer4, and the color output from the lamp beads2can be ultimately shown as being similar to the color of the candle flame, such that a larger number of lamp beads2may be selected.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated inFIGS.1and3, the flame portion11is substantially elliptical shape having a tip end, so as to simulate a shape of the candle flame.

It should be noted that the flame portion11is in the substantially elliptical shape having the tip end, i.e., similar to a shape of an orthographic projection of a common candle flame. Further, the lamp head cover5is arranged to sleeve the flame portion11to form a three-dimensional configuration, such that the flame apparatus can simulate the shape of the candle flame of the real candle more realistically.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated inFIGS.1and3, the lamp head cover5is made of soft silicone and defines an accommodating cavity therein. An opening53is defined in a bottom of the lamp head cover5. The opening53is communicated to the accommodating cavity54. The first color-toning layer3, the flame portion11, and the second color-toning layer4can be inserted to an interior of the lamp head cover5from the opening53.

It is to be noted that the lamp head cover5may be made of white light-transmitting soft silicone, and therefore, the lamp head cover5can be elastically deformed to some extent. The first color-toning layer3, the flame portion11, and the second color-toning layer4are able to expand the opening53to enter the accommodating cavity54. Therefore, the opening53may be small in size, such that the opening may be invisible after assembling. Moreover, due to the elastic deformation of the lamp head cover5, attachment of the wall of the accommodation cavity54with the first color-toning layer3and the second color-toning layer4can be ensured, preventing a large gap, which may affect the light transmission.

Referring toFIGS.1and3, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lamp head cover5may be in a shape of a flat cone similar to a shape of a candle flame.

It is to be noted that the lamp head cover5is substantially flat and has a contour similar to the shape of the candle flame. That is, the lamp head cover5is in a flat conical shape. Understandably, the accommodation cavity54is also in a flat conical shape to accommodate the first color-toning layer3, the flame portion11, and the second color-toning layer4. A width direction of the accommodation cavity54is substantially the same as a width direction of the lamp head cover5. The first side wall51of the lamp head cover5is arranged facing towards the first color-toning layer3, and the second side wall52of the lamp head cover5is arranged facing towards the second color-toning layer4. Both the first side wall51and the second side wall52are flat. A thickness of the first side wall51is greater than a thickness of the second side wall52, so that the brightness of the light transmitted from both sides of the lamp head cover5are substantially the same to each other. It is to be understood that the thickness may also be adjusted according to the brightness demands of the light emitted from the two sides.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown inFIGS.1and3, the thickness of the first side wall51is twice of the thickness of the second side wall52.

It is to be noted that in the present disclosure, the brightness of the light after passing through the first color-toning layer3is compared to the brightness of the light after sequentially passing through the PCBA board1and the second color-toning layer4, and the thicknesses of the first side wall51and the second side wall52are adjusted based on a result of the comparison. When the thickness of the first side wall51is twice of the thickness of the second side wall52, the brightness of the light emitted from the two sides are consistent to each other. It is to be understood that the thicknesses can be determined according to the brightness demands of the light emitted from the two sides.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, referring toFIG.1, the encapsulating layer31covers the first side face111of the flame portion11. An adhesive layer protruding from the first side face111is formed after the encapsulating layer31encapsulating the plurality of lamp beads2. The UV oil layer41is thinly coated on the second side face112of the flame portion11and spread over the entire second side face112.

It should be noted that encapsulation adhesive may include 47% epoxy resin, 35% silicone, 3% color powder, 5% phosphor powder, and 10% diffusion powder, in mass fractions. The color of the encapsulation adhesive is substantially determined by the color of the color powder. By mixing the color powder, a color mimicking the candle flame can be obtained. The encapsulating layer31can be formed by coating the encapsulation adhesive on the first side face111. The encapsulating layer31has a relatively large thickness and is disposed protruding from the first side face111to encapsulate the plurality of lamp beads2. If the encapsulating layer31is further used on the second side face112, production costs may be increased. Therefore, a thin UV oil layer may be coated on the second side face112and cured by UV irradiation to form the UV oil layer41. As the UV oil may be in various colors, the UV oil having a color that is consistent with the encapsulating layer31may be used, such that the color of the light can be changed, and the production costs can be reduced.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in conjunction withFIG.1, the flame portion11is a fully transparent fiberglass board or a semi-transparent fiberglass board.

It is to be noted that the flame portion11is configured as a transparent or semi-transparent fiberglass board, so as to enable the light emitted by the plurality of lamp beads2to pass through the flame portion11and to be output from the second side face112. In addition, the fiberglass board has a certain support strength, which fixedly support the lamp head cover5to prevent the flame apparatus from bending or being deformed to affect the simulation effect. In other embodiments, the flame portion11may be made of other light-transmittable materials, such as a glass-based PCB board, a PET (polyester)-based PCB board, a PC (polycarbonate)-based PCB board, an MMA (methyl methacrylate)-based PCB board, and the like. It is to be understood that the PCBA board1may be configured as a one-piece structure, so that the PCBA board1may entirely be made of the fiberglass board, further reducing processing difficulty.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrated in conjunction withFIG.1, each of the plurality lamp beads2is an inverted micro light-emitting diode21, and the inverted micro light-emitting diode21is attached to the flame portion11.

It should be noted that, since each of the plurality of lamp beads2is a micro light-emitting diode21, the plurality of lamp beads2can be attached to the flame portion11. In this way, the brightness of the light is maintained even after the light passes through the flame portion11, and encapsulation by the encapsulating layer31can be performed easily. In addition, the inverted configuration of the light-emitting diode21achieves a higher light-emitting efficiency, and light transmission and a light-emitting angle can be controlled more efficiently, a loss in the light is reduced, and the encapsulation has a relatively simple structure, further reducing the production costs.

Referring toFIGS.1,2and5, in another embodiment of the present disclosure, the PCBA board1further includes a base portion12and a wick portion13. The base portion12, wick portion13, and flame portion11are sequentially connected to each other. The base portion12is arranged with a control module121. The control module121is electrically connected to each of the plurality of lamp beads2to control the plurality of the lamp beads2to illuminate or control the plurality of lamp beads2to be switched off, according to a set time sequence.

It is noted that the electric candle generally includes a candle tube6. The base portion12is disposed inside the candle tube6, and the wick portion13passes through a center of a top surface61of the candle tube6to be connected with the flame portion11. The base portion12is arranged with a control module121. The control module121is a control chip having a plurality of pins. The PCBA board1is further arranged with a conductive line. Each of the plurality of pins of the control chip is electrically connected to a corresponding lamp bead2through the conductive line to control each of the plurality of lamp beads2to illuminate or to be switched off according to the set time sequence, such that jumping and swaying of the flame of a real candle is simulated realistically.

Referring toFIG.4, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wick portion13is in a shape of an elongated strip. The wick portion13is black in color, or a black housing7is arranged around a periphery of the wick portion13to simulate a color of a burning wick.

It is to be noted that the wick portion13is arranged in the form of the elongated strip, and the wick portion13is coated with black paint, or the wick portion13is peripherally surrounded by the black housing7. In this way, the wick portion13can simulate a shape and a color of a real wick of a real burning candle, the electric candle in overall simulates the real candle more realistically.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrated in conjunction withFIGS.1and5, the plurality of lamp beads2are sequentially distributed along an axial direction of the flame portion11and arranged into a plurality of groups. At least one group of the lamp beads2located at a top113of the flame portion11are distributed to form a shape of a conical tip having a width that is gradually decreased towards the top of the conical tip.

It is to be noted that the plurality of lamp beads2are distributed on the first side face111of the flame portion11in a shape that mimics the candle flame of the real candle. Specifically, the plurality of lamp beads2are sequentially disposed along the axial direction of the flame portion11and are arranged into the plurality of groups. As the top of the candle flame of the real candle is tip-shaped, at least one group of lamp beads2located at the top113of the flame portion11are distributed to form the conical tip having the width that is gradually decreased towards the tip end to simulate a tip end of the candle flame of the real candle. Compared to the related art in which a plurality of lamp beads2are distributed to form a matrix, in the present disclosure, the number of lamp beads2is reduced, while the simulation effect is ensured, further reducing the product costs.

Referring toFIGS.1and5, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, each group of lamp beads2are distributed symmetrically, taking a center axis L of the flame portion11as a symmetrical axis.

It should be noted that each group of lamp beads2are distributed symmetrically, taking a center axis L of the flame portion11as a symmetrical axis, and each group of lamp beads2are arranged to have the conical tip extending upwardly. In an embodiment in the present disclosure, the plurality of lamp beads2are located into six groups. Specifically, each of five groups disposed at a lower part includes five lamp beads2. The five lamp beads2are distributed in a left-right symmetrical manner and are distributed into three rows. A sixth group of lamp beads2located at the top113includes seven lamp beads2. The seven lamp beads2are distributed in a left-right symmetrical manner and are distributed into four rows. Lamp beads of two adjacent groups are partially interlaced with each other in the direction along the center axis L of the flame portion11, such that the lamp beads in the plurality of groups are arranged more closely to each other. When each group of lamp beads2illuminate, light that covers a relatively large-sized triangular region is emitted. When the interlaced plurality of groups of light beads are switched off and illuminate according to a set time sequence, a layering effect of the light is weakened. In this way, a dynamic change of the real candle flame is simulated more realistically.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown inFIGS.1and5, in a direction extending upwardly towards the tip end of the flame, a spacing between lamp beads2arranged on an upper half114of the flame portion11is gradually increased.

It is to be noted that in the present embodiment, in the direction extending upwardly towards the tip end of the flame, the spacing between lamp beads2arranged on the upper half114of the flame portion11is gradually increased, that is, as the lamp beads2are located closer to the top113of the conical tip, the spacing between adjacent rows of lamp beads2is larger. In this way, the dynamic change of the top113is more obvious, and the top end of the real candle flame being fluttered by the wind can be imitated, further improving the simulation effect.

Referring toFIGS.1and5, in another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of groups of lamp beads2include three functional areas distributed along the axial direction of the flame portion11from a bottom to the top. The three functional areas include a breathing functional area, a breathing jumping functional area, and a wind-induced flame functional area in sequence.

It should be noted that, in order to mimic the jumping and swaying of a real burning candle flame, the lamp beads2needs to illuminate or be switched off according to a set time sequence. The plurality of lamp beads2are arranged into three functional areas, distributed from the bottom to the top according to the states in which the lamp beads2illuminate or are switched off. Specifically, the lamp beads in the breathing functional area can mimic a flickering state of the bottom of the real candle flame when the real candle flame is jumping and swaying. The lamp beads in the breathing jumping functional area can mimic the flickering and floating state of a middle of the real candle flame when the real candle flame is jumping and swaying. The lamp beads in the wind-induced flame functional area can mimic the state of leaping upwards even with sparks floating up of the top of a real candle flame when the real candle flame is blown. In this way, a more realistic simulation effect is achieved.

Referring toFIGS.1and5, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the breathing functional area includes at least a first group of lamp beads21and a second group of lamp beads22sequentially arranged from the bottom to the top. The first group of lamp beads21and the second group of lamp beads22are configured to exhibit a breathing variation according to a set time sequence. The second group of lamp beads22has a breathing variation frequency greater than the first group of lamp beads21

It is to be noted that the breathing variation refers to a cyclic change of each lamp bead2from dark to bright and from bright to dark. The breathing variation of the first group of lamp beads21and the second group of lamp beads22can produce a flickering effect, thereby imitating the state of the bottom of a real burning candle flame. Furthermore, as the breathing variation frequency of the second group of lamp beads22is greater than that of the first group of lamp beads21, the produced flickering and swaying effect can be more obvious.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated inFIGS.1and5, the breathing jumping functional area includes at least a third group of lamp beads23and a fourth group of lamp beads24sequentially arranged from bottom to top. The third group of lamp beads23and the fourth group of lamp beads24are configured to be cyclically illuminate in sequence from the bottom to the top and from the top to the bottom, and simultaneously, the third group of lamp beads23and the fourth group of lamp beads24exhibit the breathing variation according to a set time sequence. The fourth group of lamp beads24has a cyclic lighting frequency greater than the third group of lamp beads23, and the fourth group of lamp beads24has a breathing variation frequency lower than the third group of lamp beads23.

It should be noted that the third group of lamp beads23and the fourth group of lamp beads24are configured to cyclically illuminate in sequence from the bottom to the top and from the top to the bottom to imitate the floating and swaying state of the real candle flame. In the process of lighting, the lamp beads2gradually illuminate from dark to bright, and in the process of extinguishing, the lamp beads2are gradually switched off from bright to dark. In this way, the breathing effect can be further superimposed on the floating effect to mimic the flickering state of a real candle flame when it is swaying and floating. The fourth group of lamp beads24has a cyclic lighting frequency greater than the third group of lamp beads23. Correspondingly, when the candle flame is floating, for the upper part of the candle flame, the floating amplitude is larger and the floating speed is faster, so that the floating effect is more obvious. The fourth group of lamp beads24has a breathing variation frequency lower than the third group of lamp beads23. Correspondingly, the flickering effect of the lower part is more pronounced when the candle flame is floating.

Referring toFIGS.1and5, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wind-induced flame functional area includes at least a fifth group of lamp beads25and a sixth group of lamp beads26sequentially arranged from the bottom to the top. The fifth group of lamp beads25and the sixth group of lamp beads26are configured to cyclically illuminate in sequence from the bottom to the top according to a set time sequence. The sixth group of lamp beads26has a cyclic illuminating frequency greater than the fifth group of lamp beads25.

It should be noted that the fifth group of lamp beads25and the sixth set of lamp beads26illuminate sequentially from the bottom to the top, thereby imitating the effect of leaping upwards of the real candle flame while being blown. The sixth group of lamp beads26has a cyclic illuminating frequency greater than the fifth group of lamp beads25, thus the effect of leaping upwards of the top of the candle flame can be more obvious, and the leaping speed can be faster. In summary, the light on and off variation of the six groups of lamp beads2can make the light effect of the flame apparatus more realistic.

It should be noted that the various embodiments not listed above formed by the combination of the aforesaid technical features with each other are considered to be within the scope recorded in the specification of the present application. Moreover, to a person of ordinary skill in the art, improvements or transformations may be made in accordance with the above description, and all such improvements and transformations shall fall within the scope of protection of the appended claims of the present application.