Mounting mechanisms for electronic lighting devices
Flameless candles are described that improve the mounts used to support the flame sheet. The improved mounts can include a support base or a hook for movably supporting a flame sheet. The enhanced mounts improve the manufacturing of the assembly of the flameless candle and also enable the flame element to have a more natural flame-like flicker of light.
1. A swinging mount for use in a flameless candle, the swinging mount comprising:
a flame sheet having an upper portion shaped to mimic a flame of a candle, a middle portion having a tapered structure, and a lower portion including a counterbalance; and
a support structure comprising a first element and a second element coupled to and extending from a first support stand and a second support stand positioned within the flameless candle respectively, wherein each of the first element and the second element has a U shape, a C shape, or a slotted shape having two ends such that the two ends of the first element and the two ends of the second element are configured to be in contact and pair together to provide an opening within the support structure that fully surrounds the middle portion of the flame sheet at or below the tapered structure to movably support the middle portion of the flame sheet at a point of contact, and wherein an external surface of the middle portion of the flame sheet is polished to reduce friction with the support structure at the point of contact;
a magnet, coupled to a bottom portion of the lower portion of the flame sheet; and
a coil, located adjacent the magnet, causing the magnet to move the flame sheet.
2. The swinging mount of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is not permanently attached to the flame sheet.
3. The swinging mount of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is positioned to support the flame sheet to allow the flame sheet to swing around different axes.
4. The swinging mount of claim 3 , wherein the support structure allows the flame sheet to move along a curved trajectory.
5. The swinging mount of claim 3 , wherein the support structure allows the flame sheet to twist up to a full three hundred and sixty degrees.
6. The swinging mount of claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a plastic material, a metal, or a combination thereof.
7. The swinging mount of claim 1 , further comprising a light source to emit light to the flame sheet.
8. The swinging mount of claim 7 , wherein the light source comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).
9. The swinging mount of claim 1 , further comprising:
an engagement ring surrounding an exterior of the first support stand and the second support stand.
10. A flameless candle for imitating a real-life candle, comprising:
a body with a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface including an opening;
a control board configured to control an operation of the flameless candle;
a flame sheet having an upper portion shaped to mimic a flame of a candle, a middle portion having a tapered structure, and a lower portion having a counterbalance;
a first support stand and a second support stand positioned within the body;
a support structure comprising a first element and a second element coupled to and extending from the first support stand and the second support stand respectively, wherein each of the first element and the second element has a U shape, a C shape, or a slotted shape having two ends such that the two ends of the first element and the second element are configured to be in contact and pair together to provide an opening within the support structure that fully surrounds the middle portion of the flame sheet at or below the tapered structure to movably support the middle portion of the flame sheet at a point of contact, and wherein an external surface of the middle portion of the flame sheet is polished to reduce friction with the support structure at the point of contact;
a light source disposed under the top surface and positioned to emit light to the flame sheet; and
a motion generation engine to cause the flame sheet to move, the motion generation engine comprising a magnet, coupled to a bottom portion of the lower portion of the flame sheet; and
a coil, located adjacent the magnet, causing the magnet to move the flame sheet.
11. The flameless candle of claim 10 , wherein the support structure is positioned to support the flame sheet to allow the flame sheet to swing around different axes.
12. The flameless candle of claim 11 , wherein the support structure allows the flame sheet to move along a curved trajectory.
13. The flameless candle of claim 11 , wherein the support structure allows the flame sheet to twist up to a full three hundred and sixty degrees.
14. The flameless candle of claim 10 , wherein the support structure comprises a plastic material, a metal, or a combination thereof.
15. The flameless candle of claim 10 , wherein:
the motion generation engine comprises a coil located below the magnet and electrically connected to the control board, wherein a magnetic field of the coil interacts with the magnet of the flame sheet to cause the flame sheet to move.
16. The flameless candle of claim 10 , wherein the top surface of the body is flat.
17. The flameless candle of claim 10 , wherein the top surface of the body includes an irregular shape to resemble an at least partially melted candle.
18. The flameless candle of claim 10 , wherein the light source comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).