DYNAMIC LIGHTING DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dynamic lighting device, including at least two lamps and a base. Each of the at least two lamps is connected to a respective paired flexible stalk configured to rotate in a circumferential direction of the base. When the flexible stalks rotate in the circumferential direction of the base, due to dynamic bending deformation of the flexible stalks, the at least two lamps have random movement in an upright direction and the at least two lamps have circumferential random wiggles against a joint defined between the flexible stalks and the base as a pivotal point.

Claims

1-9. (canceled)

10. A dynamic lighting device, comprising at least two lamps and a base, being characterized in that each of the at least two lamps is connected to a respective paired flexible stalk configured to be able to rotate with respect to the base, so that when the flexible stalks rotate with respect to the base, due to dynamic bending deformation of the flexible stalks, the at least two lamps have random movement in an upright direction and the at least two lamps have random wiggles against a joint defined between the flexible stalks and the base as a pivotal point; wherein the top surface of the base is provided with a solar panel, and the solar panel is electrically connected to a power storage assembly through a mainboard.

11-19. (canceled)

20. A dynamic lighting device, being characterized in that the device comprises at least two lamps and a base, the lamps have their projective images on the base not fully coinciding with each other, the lamps (100b) are connected to their respective paired flexible stalks, the flexible stalks are configured to rotate with respect to the base, when each of the flexible stalks rotates with respect to the base, due to the gravity of the connected lamp, its own gravity and the centrifugal force it is subject to, the flexible stalk undergoes dynamic bending deformation and performs random movements; wherein the top surface of the base is provided with a solar panel, and the solar panel is electrically connected to a power storage assembly through a mainboard.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 depicts a preferred lighting device of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the preferred lighting device of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a partial, close-up view of FIG. 2;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing showing projections of the lamps on the base in a first preferred mode;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing showing projections of the lamps on the base in a second preferred mode; and

[0025] FIG. 6 depicts another preferred lighting device of the present invention.

[0026] 100a: flexible stalk; 300b-2: driving arm; 100b: lamp; 300b-3: rotary actuator; 200: base; 300b-2a: through hole; 500: ground insert; 300b-2b: sliding guide; 200a: watertight cap; 400a: solar panel; 300a: rotating shaft; 400b: power storage assembly; 300b: rotating mechanism; 400c: mainboard; 300b-1: rotating arm; 400d: control switch

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings FIGS. 1 through 6 and preferred embodiments, is set forth as below to illustrate the implement, structure, features and effects of the subject matter of the present invention.

Embodiment 1

[0028] The present embodiment provides a dynamic lighting device, and more particularly a decorative lighting device that has a lighting effect simulating flying fireflies. As shown in FIG. 1, the device comprises lamps 100b and base 200. As shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, the lamps 100b have their projective images on the base 200 not fully coinciding with each other. The number of the lamps 100b is at least two. The lamps 100b are connected to their respective paired flexible stalks 100a. The flexible stalks 100a are configured to rotate with respect to the base 200. When each of the flexible stalks 100a rotates with respect to the base 200, due to the gravity of the connected lamp 100b, its own gravity and the centrifugal force it is subject to, the flexible stalk 100a undergoes dynamic bending deformation and performs random movements. Specifically, the random movements at least involve two aspects. Firstly, the flexible stalk 100a rotates around the circumference of the base 200, thereby making the lamp 100b perform circumferential wiggles (or sways) against a pivotal point that is actually the joint between the flexible stalk 100a and the base 200. Secondly, due to the resultant force and the dynamic deformation of the flexible stalk, the lamp 100b moves randomly in the upright direction (jerking or somehow like floating). Thus, when the light is used in darkness, each of the lamps 100b illuminates and moves like a flying firefly on the flexible stalk 100a with respect to the base 200, so as to provide a visual effect simulate a swarm of twinkling and flying fireflies.

[0029] Preferably, the lamps 100b may each be a point light source and the flexible stalks 100a are opaque. Preferably, the lamps 100b may be LEDs or the like. Preferably, each of the lamps 100b may be shaped like a butterfly, a dragonfly, a flower, or a bird. Preferably, each of the lamps 100b may emit light of a color of at least of red, orange, blue, green, yellow and purple. Preferably, different lamps 100b may emit light of different colors, so as to provide a more colorful and visually dynamic decorative lighting effect.

[0030] Preferably, the at least two lamps 100b are configured to work as point light sources that have different lateral distance and/or upright distance away from the joint. As shown in FIG. 1, the upright distance refers to a distance between the geometric center of the lamp 100b and the joint in the direction of the gravity. As shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, the lateral distance refers to a distance between the geometric center of the lamp 100b and the joint in the direction of the horizontal. Consequently, the projective images of the lamps 100b on the base do not coincide with each other. With such configuration, the altitudes and tracks of the simulated flying fireflies are diverse, thereby further enhancing the vivid decorative performance.

[0031] Preferably, the flexible stalk 100a has a hollow structure for receiving and retaining a control line. The control line has its output end electrically connected to a mainboard 400c and has its input end electrically connected to the lamp 100b. In the present invention, the mainboard 400c is primarily used to control the lamp 100b among different working modes. For example, the mainboard 400c is configured to switch the lamp 100b among the following modes: 1. Constant lighting, for nighttime lighting; 2. Twinkling, resembling twinkling fireflies; and 3. Cyclic lighting, where the lamps 100b illuminate following a predetermined program, such as Lamp 1 on while Lamp 2 off, and Lamp 1 off while Lamp 2 on, for simulating a swarm of fireflies flying in the sky. The mainboard 400c may be an IC board, which is preprogrammed with the foregoing control modes.

[0032] Preferably, the mainboard may comprise a processor, a memory and/or a wireless module. The processor is connected to the memory and the wireless module. The lighting device may be equipped with a wireless remote control. The mainboard may receive instructions from the wireless remote control through the wireless module and accordingly to achieve at least one control of the rotating speed of the rotating mechanism and/or the working mode of the lamps. The wireless module may be one using the Bluetooth technology, the IR technology or the ZigBee technology. In addition, the mainboard, the processor and/or the wireless remote control in the present invention may be composed of any combination and connection of hardware. For example, the mainboard, the processor and/or the wireless remote control may be realized using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an FPGA, a general computer or any other hardware equivalents.

[0033] Preferably, the flexible stalk 100a may be a resilient steel wire, and the control line may be wound around and retained by the resilient steel wire. Alternatively, the control line may be arranged parallel to the resilient steel wire, and the two may be then held together by a flexible sleeve.

[0034] Preferably, the base 200 contains therein a rotating shaft 300a. The flexible stalk 100a juts out of at least one surface of the base 200. As shown in FIG. 1, the flexible stalk 100a extends out the upper surface of the base 200 along the axial direction of the base (or the upright direction). The flexible stalk 100a has one end fixed to the rotating shaft 300a. When the rotating shaft 300a rotates, the flexible stalk 100a drive the lamp 100b to move. Since the present invention is intended to simulate flying fireflies, it is desirable to limit the rotating range of the rotating shaft 300a, and inter the wiggling range of the flexible stalks 100a and the random movement range of the lamps 100b, to a certain angle but not 360°. The rotating shaft 300a is connected to the rotating mechanism 300b.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotating mechanism 300b comprises a rotating arm 300b-1 and a driving arm 300b-2. The driving arm 300b-2 has a sliding guide 300b-2b that forms a sliding pair with a sliding block provide on the rotating arm 300b-1. The driving arm 300b-2 has a through hole 300b-2a for fittingly receiving the rotating shaft 300a. The rotating arm 300b-1 is fixed to the output shaft of a rotary actuator 300b-3 (such as an electric motor or a motor). When the electric motor operates, it drives the rotating arm to rotate, which in turn makes the sliding block moves along the sliding guide 300b-2b, so that the driving arm 300b-2 starts to move and drive the rotating shaft 300a to rotate.

[0036] Preferably, the sliding guide 300b-2b has a length that limit the rotating shaft 300a to rotate within a predetermined acute-angle range. The range for the rotating shaft 300a to rotate is preferably 0˜45°. For example, every time the rotating shaft 300a rotates for 45°, the rotating shaft 300a starts to move reversely. People skilled in the art when determining the length of the sliding guide 300b-2b may refer to the conventional technical means for a mechanical four-link mechanism.

[0037] In addition, another preferred rotating mechanism 300b may comprise a step motor. The step motor directly (or through a reduction gear) drives the rotating shaft 300a to rotate. The step motor has a rotating angle of 0˜45°. In this case, every time the step motor rotates for 45°, the step motor rotates reversely.

[0038] The present embodiment provides an optional power supply mechanism. Preferably, the base 200 is atop provided with a solar panel 400a. The solar panel 400a is electrically connected to power storage assembly 400b through the mainboard 400c. In daytime, the solar panel 400a converts solar energy into electric energy that is stored in the power storage assembly 400b. The power storage assembly 400b may be a rechargeable battery. Preferably, the power storage assembly 400b is electrically connected to the lamps 100a and the rotary actuator 300b-3 through a control switch 400d. The power storage assembly 400b uses the electric energy it sores to power the lamps 100a to illuminate and power the rotary actuator 300b-3 to rotate the rotating shaft. The foregoing circuit layouts can be all achieved using technical means well known in the art, and therefore people skilled in the art can easily determine the related technical indicators such as the conversion power of the solar panel and the capacity of the battery according to the desired time for simulation of flying fireflies. The control switch 400d is such installed on the base that it can be operated from outside.

[0039] Preferably, in the present embodiment, the light may be alternatively or additional charged using the traditional approach where a battery is charged by a 220 kv AC source, so that the light can be used in places without sunlight. In this case, the base is provided with a charge port, such as a USB port, as a backup power solution.

[0040] Preferably, the base 200 has a watertight cap 200a that is sealed to the base 200 for the flexible stalk(s) 100b to pass through. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the watertight cap 200a has a hollow structure and is peripherally formed with threads by which it is screwed and sealed to the base 200. The flexible stalk 100b is fixed behind the rotating shaft and passes through the hollow structure before jutting out of the base 200.

[0041] The present embodiment discloses a ground insert 500 as a means to holding the lighting device in place. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ground insert 500 has one end fixed to (for example, screwed to) the base 200, and has an opposite end shaped with a sharp point for easily insertion into the soil.

[0042] In addition, the lighting device may be made without having any holding parts. In this case, it is shaped to have a flat surface on which it can be placed on the ground stably.

[0043] Preferably, a lighting device that provides a dynamic decretive effect comprises at least one lamp 100b. The lamp 100b is connected to one end of a flexible stalk 100a. The flexible stalk 100a has its opposite end such retained that when the flexible stalk 100a is rotated, the projected image of the lamp 100b in the upright direction does not coincide with the projected image of the flexible stalk 100a in the upright direction for at least a predetermined period of time, thereby making the at least one lamp 100b perform circumferential wiggles. The flexible stalk 100a when rotated, due to the changing resultant force coming from the combination of the dynamic centrifugal force, the gravity of the lamp 100a and its own, can at least have the lamp 100a wiggling irregularly along the circumference of the light in response to the circumferential horizontal component. In addition, when the lamp 100a illuminates, at least the irregular wiggles of the lamp along the circumference of the light can provide a dynamically changing ambiance effect with the help of a little hardware. In an embodiment where plural flexible stalks 100a are bundled together and rotatably retained by the same rotating member, the resulting ambience effect is even more dynamic and vivid, yet the lighting device is easy to wire and store.

[0044] Preferably, the present embodiment discloses a dynamic lighting device comprising at least two lamps 100b and a base 200. Each of the at least two lamps 100b is connected to one end of their respective paired flexible stalk 100a. The flexible stalks 100a have their opposite ends jointly retained by the base 200 in a rotatable manner, so that when the flexible stalks 100a rotate with respect to the base without moving in their axial directions, the at least two lamps 100b can perform circumferential movements along the circumferences of their dynamically changing radiuses. The flexible stalks 100a when rotated, due to the dynamically changing resultant force of the combination of the dynamic centrifugal force, the gravity of the lamps 100a and their own gravity, can at least make the lamps 100a perform irregular wiggles in the radial direction of the lighting device in response to the radial horizontal component. That is, the radial displacements of the lamps 100a with respect to the pivotal point are dynamically changing. However, due to the support from the flexible stalks 100a, the radial displacements changes of the lamps 100a are much smaller than their circumferential displacements changes. When the lamps 100a illuminate, at least the irregular small wiggles of the lamps in the radial direction of the lighting device form a dynamically changing ambience effect with the help of merely a little hardware. In an embodiment where plural flexible stalks 100a are grouped into bundles with different lengths and rotatably retained by the same rotating member, the resulting ambience effect is further more dynamic and vivid, yet the lighting device is easy to wire and store.

[0045] Preferably, the present embodiment discloses a dynamic lighting device comprising at least two lamps 100b and a base 200. The at least two lamps 100b are connected to one end of their respective paired flexible stalks 100a. The flexible stalk 100a has its opposite end rotatably connected to the base 200, so that when the flexible stalk 100a is retained by the base and rotating with respect to the base, at least two projected images of the at least two lamps 100b on the base 200 in the upright direction do not fully coincide with each other, and the lamps 100b have circumferential movement components against their pivotal point, which is the joint between the flexible stalk 100a and the base 200. The flexible stalk 100a is configured to rotate with respect to the base 200. Since the flexible stalks 100a when rotating with respect to the base 200 are subject to the gravity of the lamps 100b, their own gravity, and the centrifugal force, the flexible stalks 100a perform dynamic bending deformation and move randomly. Specifically, the random movements at least involve two aspects. Firstly, the flexible stalk 100a roughly moves along the circumference of the base 200, thereby making the lamp 100b perform circumferential wiggles (or sways) against a pivotal point that is actually the joint between the flexible stalk 100a and the base 200. Secondly, due to the resultant force and the dynamic deformation of the flexible stalk, the lamp 100b moves randomly in the upright direction (jerking or somehow like floating). However, since the flexible stalks 100a are retained in the upright direction, the displacements of the lamps 100a in the upright direction are much smaller than their circumferential displacements. When the lamps 100a illuminate, at least the irregular small wiggles of the lamps in the radial direction of the lighting device can form dynamically changing ambience effect with the help of merely a little hardware. In an embodiment where plural flexible stalks 100a are grouped into bundles that are retained by the same rotating member with the lamps arranged at different altitudes, the resulting ambience effect is dynamic in more dimensions, yet the lighting device is easy to wire and store. Thus, when the light is used in darkness, each of the lamps 100b illuminates and moves like a flying firefly on the flexible stalk 100a with respect to the base 200, so as to provide a visual effect simulate a swarm of twinkling and flying fireflies.

[0046] In addition, the flexible stalk 100a carrying the lamp(s) may be fixed to the base and driven to move by any feasible means. For example, the flexible stalk 100a may be wound into the base so as to make the lamp(s) move in an irregular pattern. Alternatively, the flexible stalk may have its length changed during operation in other possible manners. Moreover, various approaches to having the base 200 or a part thereof rotate and in turn drive the flexible stalk to move are devisable and are within the scope of the present invention.

[0047] The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments and it is understood that the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Moreover, as the contents disclosed herein should be readily understood and can be implemented by a person skilled in the art, all equivalent changes or modifications which do not depart from the concept of the present invention should be encompassed by the appended claims.