Levitation mechanism for imitation candle devices
The disclosed embodiments relate to devices and methods for facilitating the operations and usage of electronic candle devices. In one exemplary aspect, an imitation candle device is disclosed. The imitation candle device comprises a body including a top surface, the top surface including an opening; a flame element having an upper portion shaped to mimic a flame of a candle and to protrude out of the opening, and a magnetic lower portion; and a magnetic base plate positioned within the body and below the flame element, comprising: a central section operable to repel the magnetic lower portion of the flame element, a peripheral section operable to attract the magnetic lower portion of flame element, and a plurality of light sources to emit light onto the flame element.
1. An imitation candle system, comprising:
a base including a cover and a plurality of magnetic coils operable to generate a magnetic field, and
an imitation candle device that comprises:
a body including a top surface, the top surface including an opening;
a flame element having an upper portion shaped to mimic a flame of a candle and to protrude out of the opening;
a first magnet arranged within the body, the first magnet having a same polarity as the magnetic field generated by the magnetic coils such that the imitation candle device is operable to levitate above the base; and a magnetic component at a lower portion of the flame element, the magnetic component operable to interact with the magnetic field, to cause movement of the flame element.
2. The imitation candle system of claim 1 , wherein the imitation candle device is operable to rotate around a center line of the imitation candle device while levitating above the base.
3. The imitation candle system of claim 2 , wherein the base further includes a transducer operable to control a speed of rotation of the imitation candle device.
4. The imitation candle system of claim 1 , wherein the first magnet is a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.
5. The imitation candle system of claim 1 , wherein the base includes a second magnet having an opposite polarity as the first magnet.
6. The imitation candle system of claim 1 , wherein the base includes an indicator to delineate an area upon which the imitation candle device can be positioned on the base.
7. The imitation candle system of claim 1 , wherein the imitation candle device includes a light source to emit light onto the flame element.
8. The imitation candle system of claim 7 , wherein the imitation candle device further includes a power receiver coil, the power receiver coil operable to receive the magnetic field generated by the plurality of magnetic coils and provide electric power to the light source.
9. The imitation candle system of claim 1 , further comprising a candle shade positioned on the base to enclose the imitation candle device.
10. The imitation candle system of claim 9 , wherein the candle shade is transparent or translucent.
11. The imitation candle system of claim 9 , wherein the candle shade includes an etched surface.
12. The imitation candle system of claim 9 , wherein the candle shade has a shape of a cylinder or sphere.