Patent ID: 12259123

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG.1is a perspective view of an embodiment of a candle in accordance with the present invention;

FIG.2is a further perspective view of the candle shown inFIG.1;

FIG.3is a perspective view of a base unit forming part of the candle shown in the preceding Figures;

FIG.4is a side cross-sectional view of the candle shown in the preceding Figures;

FIGS.5A &5Bare side cross-sectional views of the candle shown in the preceding Figures illustrating the operational use thereof; and

FIGS.6A &6Bare side cross-sectional views of a further embodiment of a candle according to the invention illustrating the operational use thereof.

The present invention relates generally to a candle10,110comprising a base unit12,112and a candle body14,114removably mounted to the base unit12,112. The candle body14,114includes a wick16,116and in embodiments a fibre optic16,116running through the candle body14,114. A light sensor20,120is provided and configured, in use, to detect light from the wick16,116—i.e. from a flame when the wick16,116is lit. Upon detection of light from the wick16,116, a light source22,122may be activated to illuminate the candle body14,114. In this way, the present invention provides a candle10,110which may automatically illuminate when lit.

FIGS.1-5Billustrate a first embodiment of a candle10in accordance with the present invention.

The candle10includes a base unit12and a candle body14removably mounted to the base unit12. The candle body14is provided with a wick16and a fibre optic18running therethrough. The base unit12includes a light sensor20for detecting light associated with a flame34present when the candle10is lit. Specifically, light from the flame34is transmitted along the fibre optic18and is incident on the light sensor20. Upon detection of light by the light sensor20, a light source in the form of LEDs12a,12b,12cmay be activated to illuminate the candle body14.

The candle body14is formed mainly of a combustible material, typically paraffin wax and, in the illustrated embodiment, is cylindrical having the wick16and fibre optic18running parallel substantially central along its length. A recess32is provided within the candle body14, here at a lower end of the candle body14in the illustrated orientation. The recess32is shaped so as to correspond with a raised upper portion28on the base unit12. In this way, the recess32and raised upper portion28provide means to removably mount the candle body14to the base unit12, in use.

The raised upper portion28of the base unit12includes a clear (i.e. transparent) cover and houses components of the base unit12, including the light sensor20and LEDs22a,22b,22c. The cover allows for light to be transmitted therethrough—e.g. from the LEDs22a,22b,22cto the candle body14, and from the fibre optic18to the light sensor20. The base unit additionally includes a proximity sensor in the form of infrared sensor24. As is discussed in detail herein, the infrared sensor24is configured at least to identify whether the candle body14is mounted to the base unit12.

Components of the base unit12, i.e. the light sensor20, LEDs22a,22b,22cand the infrared sensor are operatively coupled to a circuit board26which may include one or more processors (not shown) for controlling operation of these components. The circuit board26may also include an interface for coupling a source of power to the circuit board26for powering components associated therewith. The source of power can include a battery or batteries provided within the base unit12, or an interface for coupling the circuit board26to an external source of power.

As discussed herein, the base unit12includes a proximity sensor in the form of infrared sensor24. The infrared sensor24is configured, in use, to detect the presence of the candle body14mounted to the base unit12.

Specifically, the infrared sensor24is operable, in use, to output a control signal for controlling operation of one or more components of the base unit12in dependence on the presence (or absence) of the candle body14mounted to the base unit12. As discussed herein, the control signal may be output directly to the one or more components of the base unit, or indirectly via a central control system—e.g. one or more processors—operable to interpret the output from the infrared sensor and instruct operation of the one or more components of the base unit12accordingly.

The control signal may be for disabling operation of one or more of the LEDs22a,22b,22cin dependence on the absence of the candle body14mounted to the base unit12. Similarly, the control signal may be for enabling operation of one or more of the LEDs22a,22b,22cin dependence on the presence of the candle body14mounted to the base unit12. In this way, the infrared sensor24may be used to prevent operation of one or more of the LEDs22a,22b,22cwhen there is no candle body mounted to the base unit12—e.g. where the light sensor20may be exposed to natural light within the environment which may otherwise be interpreted as a lit wick. This may prevent excessive energy consumption by the LEDs22a,22b,22c.

The infrared sensor24is additionally configured, in use, to identify the candle body14mounted to the base unit12, and to control operation of one or more of the LEDs22a,22b,22cin dependence on the identified candle body type. Controlling operation of the LEDs22a,22b,22cmay include adjusting the intensity or colour of light emitted into the candle body14.

FIGS.6A and6Billustrate a second embodiment of a candle110in accordance with the invention. The candle110is substantially the same as candle10. Accordingly, like reference numerals have been used to represent like components.

In this embodiment, a proximity sensor in the form of infrared sensor124is provided which is configured to detect variations in the size of the candle body114(or features thereof) which are indicative of the type of candle body114mounted to the base unit112. Specifically, the infrared sensor124is configured to detect a depth of a recess132within the candle body114. Here, the depth of the recess132within the candle body114is indicative of the rotational position of the candle body114on the base unit112as described below.

As with base unit12, the base unit112includes a light source in the form of LEDs122a,122b,122c. Here, the base unit112is configured to control operation of the LEDs122a,122b,122cin dependence on the rotational position of the candle body114on the base unit112as determined using the infrared sensor124. Specifically, the base unit112is configured to adjust the intensity of light emitted from the LEDs122a,122b,122cin dependence on the rotational position of the candle body114. In this way, the intensity may be increased and/or decreased by a user simply by rotating the candle body114on the base unit112.

The recess132within the candle body114includes a surface136having a sloped profile. Upon rotation of the candle body114with respect to the base unit112, the portion of the surface136positioned directly above the infrared sensor124will change. By sloping the surface136, the distance between the surface136and the infrared sensor124will change depending on the rotational position of the candle body114. Accordingly, by measuring this distance the rotational position of the candle body114can be determined.

InFIG.6A, the candle body114is in a first rotational position with respect to the base unit112, with the distance X1between the infrared sensor124and the surface136of the recess132. InFIG.6B, the candle body114is in a second rotational position with respect to the base unit112, with the distance X2between the infrared sensor124and the surface136of the recess132. In the illustrated embodiment X1is less than X2, however, it will be appreciated that the candle110may be configured in the opposite sense with X2being greater than X1.

Infrared sensor124is operable to output a signal indicative of the measured distance X1/X2, and the intensity of light emitting from LEDs122a,122b,122cmay be controlled accordingly. As shown, with the candle body114in a first rotational position (as shown inFIG.6A), the LEDs122a,122b,122care controlled to emit light at a first, high intensity. When the candle body114is in a second rotational position (as shown inFIG.6B), the LEDs122a,122b,122care controlled to emit light at a second, lower intensity.

The LEDs122a,122b,122cmay be operable at discrete intensity levels—e.g. the first and second intensity levels shown inFIGS.6A and6B, or indeed any number of discrete levels which may be provided between a minimum (e.g. LEDs off) and a maximum intensity for the LEDs122a,122b,122c. In alternative arrangements, the intensity of the LEDs122a,122b,122cmay be varied continuously in dependence on rotational position of the candle body114.

The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

The invention is defined by the claims.