A dual-purpose flashlight

Abstract

This invention relates to a dual-purpose flashlight, belonging to the field of automotive lighting technology. It includes a hollow cylindrical housing with a fixed lighting hole on its side and a movable lighting hole on its bottom. A light source is installed inside the cylindrical housing. A flip door is provided between the light source and the movable lighting hole, with the flip door flipping towards the movable lighting hole. A protective door is provided on the outer frame of the housing near the fixed lighting hole, and the protective door is hinged to the housing. This design provides good handheld lighting while reducing size.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of automotive lighting technology, specifically relating to a dual-purpose electric lighting lamp. Background Technology

[0002] Lights are installed in many parts of a car to facilitate getting in and out of the vehicle, finding items inside the car, or reading inside the car.

[0003] However, in daily use inside a vehicle, the placement of some lights can easily cause the light emitted to be blocked by items piled up inside the car. In this case, the light effect on the blocked areas is poor. Furthermore, in some situations, users need lighting after getting out of the car. If the interior lights are fixed, users cannot use them after exiting the vehicle, resulting in low convenience. To address this, Chinese Patent CN111928154B discloses an integrated mounting structure for a fixed and a movable interior light, including a mounting base, a fixed light, and a movable light. The mounting base has a box-like structure and can be installed on the vehicle's sheet metal. The fixed light is fixedly mounted on the mounting base, and the movable light is detachably mounted on the mounting base. The fixed and portable lights are controlled independently. In this solution, the fixed lights serve as regular lighting, while the portable lights can be used as flashlights, reaching into corners and providing illumination outside the vehicle. They can illuminate any area that needs lighting, offering excellent illumination and high flexibility. Furthermore, the fixed and portable lights are integrated and mounted on the mounting base, resulting in a compact, aesthetically pleasing structure that is easy to store and use. This makes them highly practical, especially suitable for installation in the trunks of cars, the luggage compartments of SUVs and MPVs, and the cargo beds of pickup trucks and vans, making them applicable to a wide range of scenarios.

[0004] However, although the above structure makes the entire movable light-emitting part and its protective shell structure detachable, it is essentially a fixed interior lighting structure with a slot for mounting and the entire movable light-emitting part detachably embedded in the slot. In essence, it is an interior lighting plus a flashlight holder, not much different from a simple combination of a general lighting and flashlight holder. First, it cannot use the LEDs of the interior lighting to illuminate the handheld device, resulting in low lighting power. Furthermore, it requires two independent systems, a fixed lighting and a movable lighting, in one system, making the overall lighting structure bulky. Therefore, a dual-purpose flashlight that provides good handheld lighting while being compact is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems in the prior art, this invention provides a dual-purpose flashlight that offers excellent handheld lighting while maintaining a small size.

[0006] The objective of this invention can be achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0007] A dual-purpose flashlight includes a hollow cylindrical housing with a fixed lighting hole on the side and a movable lighting hole on the bottom. A light source is installed inside the cylindrical housing. A flip door is provided between the light source and the movable lighting hole inside the cylindrical housing, with the flip door flipping towards the movable lighting hole. A protective door is provided on the outer frame of the housing near the fixed lighting hole, and the protective door is hinged to the housing.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flip door divides the housing into a main cavity and a secondary cavity. The light source is located in the main cavity. A reflective surface is provided on the side of the flip door near the main cavity. Two reflective plates are provided on the inner surface of the main cavity away from the fixed lighting hole. The two reflective plates are symmetrically arranged along the reference line and facing the fixed lighting hole, with the axis of the cylindrical housing as the reference line.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, it further includes a control module. The two reflectors are hinged to the housing. The control module is electrically connected to the two reflectors and controls the flip angle of the reflectors. The control module has a pre-input fixed mode and a handheld mode. When the control module switches to the fixed mode, it instructs the reflectors to flip to face the fixed lighting hole. When the control module switches to the handheld mode, it instructs the reflectors to flip to be perpendicular to the fixed lighting hole.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the control module is in a fixed mode, it is used to adjust the illumination distance. The control module has a standard angle pre-input. When the control module instructs the reflector to rotate to the standard angle, the reflector flips to be perpendicular to the fixed illumination hole. The direction from the standard angle to the direction towards the fixed illumination hole is used as the reference direction. When the control module receives an instruction to increase the illumination distance, it instructs the reflector to flip towards the reference direction. When the control module receives an instruction to decrease the illumination distance, it instructs the reflector to flip towards the standard angle.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it further includes a switching switch, which is electrically connected to the control module. The control module is electrically connected to the flip door and the safety door and commands the opening and closing of the flip door and the safety door. The switching switch is used to command the control module to switch between a fixed mode and a handheld mode. The control module is electrically connected to the light source, and the switching switch is used to command the light source to open and close through the control module.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the edge portion of the shell is rounded, and an anti-slip pad is provided on the outer surface of the shell.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the side surface of the housing is provided with fixing holes.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0015] (1) By setting a light source inside the cylindrical housing, flipping plate, setting a movable lighting hole on the bottom surface of the housing, and setting a fixed lighting hole on the side of the housing to connect the main cavity and the outside, a single light source provides lighting for two modes, and the handheld mode emits light from the bottom surface of the cylindrical housing, which is more in line with the operating habits of general flashlights, has higher operation convenience, and has good handheld lighting effect while taking into account small size.

[0016] (2) By setting a reflective surface on the flip door, the light that was originally absorbed is reflected into the main cavity in the fixed mode and finally emitted through the fixed lighting hole. In the handheld mode, part of the light that was originally absorbed is reflected into the movable lighting hole, thus improving the lighting effect in both the fixed and handheld modes.

[0017] (3) By setting a reflector on the surface of the main cavity on the other side of the light source relative to the fixed lighting hole, the light emitted by the light source away from the fixed lighting hole is reflected back to the fixed lighting hole, thus improving the lighting effect in the fixed mode;

[0018] (4) By causing the control module to instruct the reflector to flip toward the reference direction when it receives an instruction to increase the illumination distance, and to instruct the reflector to flip toward the standard angle when it receives an instruction to decrease the illumination distance, the reflector is made to point more towards the fixed illumination hole when it is necessary to concentrate the light, and the reflector is made to point less towards the fixed illumination hole when it is not necessary to concentrate the light, thereby completing the adjustment of the light concentration. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a front view structural diagram of the fixed mode of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a frontal cross-sectional view of the structure under the fixed mode of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a side cross-sectional view of the structure in the fixed mode of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a front view structural diagram of the present invention in handheld mode;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a frontal cross-sectional view of the structure in handheld mode of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a side view cross-sectional structural diagram of the present invention in handheld mode.

[0026] Explanation of key component symbols:

[0027] In the diagram: 1. Housing; 11. Fixed lighting hole; 12. Movable lighting hole; 13. Protective door; 14. Flip-up door; 2. Light source; 21. Reflector. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To further illustrate the technical means and effects of the present invention in achieving its intended purpose, the following detailed description of the specific implementation methods, structures, features, and effects of the present invention, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, is provided.

[0029] Please see Figure 1-6 A dual-purpose flashlight includes a hollow cylindrical housing 1, a fixed lighting hole 11 on the side of the cylindrical housing 1, a movable lighting hole 12 on the bottom of the cylindrical housing 1, a light source 2 installed inside the cylindrical housing 1, a flip door 14 provided between the light source 2 and the movable lighting hole 12 inside the cylindrical housing 1, the flip door 14 flipping in the direction of the movable lighting hole 12, and a protective door 13 provided on the outer frame of the housing 1 at the fixed lighting hole 11, the protective door 13 being hinged to the housing 1;

[0030] In this embodiment, the shell 1 is a hollow regular square prism, and the square prism shell 1 has four rectangular sides and two square bottom surfaces;

[0031] A circular hole is drilled in the center of one of the bottom surfaces of the housing 1, serving as a movable lighting hole 12;

[0032] A light source 2 is provided inside the housing 1 on the side near the bottom surface where the movable lighting hole 12 is not provided;

[0033] A flip door 14 is provided between the light source 2 and the movable lighting hole 12 inside the housing 1. The flip door 14 is hinged to one of the inner sides of the housing 1. The axis of rotation of the flip door 14 is perpendicular to the axis of the housing 1. The shape of the flip door 14 is consistent with the cross-sectional shape of the inner cavity of the housing 1. The rotation direction of the flip door 14 is to flip towards the movable lighting hole 12. When the flip door 14 is closed, the four sides of the flip door 14 coincide with the four sides of the inner cavity of the housing 1. At this time, the flip door 14 divides the housing 1 into a main cavity containing the light source 2 and a secondary cavity without the light source 2 but connected to the movable lighting hole 12, blocking the light from the light source 2 to the movable lighting hole 12. When the flip door 14 is open, the door panel of the flip door 14 is in the secondary cavity. At this time, the main cavity, the secondary cavity and the movable lighting hole 12 are connected. The light can be transmitted from the light source 2 to the movable lighting hole 12 and out of the movable lighting hole 12 to the outside.

[0034] A rectangular fixed lighting hole 11 is provided on the side of the housing 1 where the hinge of the flip door 14 is located. The fixed lighting hole 11 is rectangular. One end of the long side of the rectangular fixed lighting hole 11 is 3mm away from the bottom surface where the movable lighting hole 12 is not located, and the other end is 3mm away from the hinge of the flip door 14. At this time, the fixed lighting hole 11 enables the main cavity to communicate with the outside of the housing 1, and ensures that after the flip door 14 is closed, the secondary cavity does not communicate with the outside through the fixed lighting hole 11.

[0035] A pivot is provided on one of the long sides of the rectangular fixed lighting hole 11, and a protective door 13 is hinged on the pivot. The shape of the protective door 13 is consistent with that of the fixed lighting hole 11. When the protective door 13 is flipped to be flush with the side of the housing 1 where the fixed lighting hole 11 is provided, the protective door 13 covers the fixed lighting hole 11, thus completing the covering and protection of the fixed lighting hole 11. When the protective door 13 is flipped outward, it no longer covers the fixed lighting hole 11, and at this time the light in the light source 2 can be transmitted to the outside through the fixed lighting hole 11.

[0036] At this time, along the axis of the cylindrical shell 1, the lighting hole 12, the flip door 14, the light source 2, and the bottom reflective surface are set in sequence.

[0037] Specifically, it also includes a control module, which has pre-input fixed mode and handheld mode. The control module switches between manual mode and fixed mode under the command of external signals. The control module is electrically connected to the flip door 14 and the protective door 13 and commands the opening and closing of the flip door 14 and the protective door 13.

[0038] When the control module switches to the fixed mode, the flip door 14 closes and the protective door 13 opens, ensuring that all the light is concentrated in the main cavity. This prevents the light energy from shining into the movable lighting hole 12, which has been blocked by the surrounding structure after being embedded, and being absorbed by the surrounding structure, thus wasting light energy. At the same time, the protective door 13 opens, and at this time the fixed lighting hole 11 is the only channel connecting the light source 2 with the outside world. The light shines out from the fixed lighting hole 11, and the two flashlights achieve the fixed lighting function.

[0039] Similarly, in handheld mode, the protective door 13 is closed and the flip door 14 is open. At this time, the only communication channel between light energy and the outside world is through the hole formed after the flip door 14 is opened from the light source 2, and into the movable illumination hole 12 located on the other side of the flip door 14 in the secondary cavity, and then out to the outside world.

[0040] Optionally, the interior of the vehicle is provided with a mounting groove that matches the shape of the housing 1. The shape of the mounting groove ensures that the housing 1 can be fixed in the outward position of the lighting hole 11 and embedded in the mounting groove.

[0041] When the user needs fixed lighting inside the vehicle, the command control module switches to fixed mode and puts the light into the mounting slot. At this time, the light source 2 is connected to the outside world only through the fixed lighting hole 11. The light is transmitted to the outside world through the fixed lighting hole 11 to complete the fixed lighting. Since the fixed lighting hole 11 has a large area, it can provide a larger lighting range when providing fixed lighting.

[0042] When the user needs handheld lighting, the light is taken out from the mounting slot and the command control module is switched to handheld mode. At this time, the light source 2 is only connected to the outside world through the movable lighting hole 12. The light is transmitted to the outside world through the movable lighting hole 12 to complete handheld lighting.

[0043] Since the movable lighting hole 12 is located at the bottom of the cylindrical housing 1, the operator can hold the cylindrical housing 1 tightly and point the bottom surface that emits light towards the direction that needs to be illuminated. Compared with the solution of setting both the handheld light-emitting surface and the fixed light-emitting surface on the same side, which requires pointing the side towards the direction that needs to be illuminated when holding the hand, this solution is more in line with the operating habits of general flashlights, has higher operating convenience, and has a better handheld lighting effect.

[0044] Meanwhile, since both fixed lighting and handheld lighting in this solution are provided by the same light source 2, the entire device only has one set of light source 2 and the necessary functional equipment for light source 2, which reduces the size of the handheld part and the overall size of the device, thus taking into account the small size.

[0045] By setting a light source 2 inside the cylindrical housing 1, a flip plate, a movable lighting hole 12 on the bottom surface of the housing 1, and a fixed lighting hole 11 on the side of the housing 1 connecting the main cavity and the outside, a single light source 2 provides illumination for two modes. In the handheld mode, light is emitted from the bottom surface of the cylindrical housing 1, which is more in line with the operating habits of general flashlights, making it more convenient to operate. The handheld lighting effect is good while taking into account the small size.

[0046] In the above scheme, when light shines on the flip door 14, some light is diffusely reflected and some light is absorbed by the flip door 14. This part of the light cannot be used for lighting, reducing the lighting effect. To avoid this situation, a reflective surface is provided on the side of the flip door 14 near the light source 2.

[0047] At this time, when in the fixed mode, when the flip door 14 is closed, the side of the flip door 14 closest to the light source 2 also faces the main cavity. When the light in the main cavity shines on the flip door 14, most of it is reflected back into the main cavity and finally shines out through the fixed lighting hole 11 to complete the fixed lighting function. This avoids the reduction in lighting effect caused by the absorption of light by the flip door 14 and improves the lighting effect of the fixed mode.

[0048] When in handheld mode, when the flip door 14 is open, the flip door 14 is parallel to the side of the cylindrical housing 1. At this time, part of the light emitted from the main cavity comes into contact with the flip door 14. Since the flip door 14 is located between the light source 2 and the movable illumination hole 12, the incident angle and the exit angle between the light transmitted to the flip door 14 and the flip door 14 are small. After being reflected by the flip door 14, the light continues to be transmitted to the movable illumination hole 12 on the other side of the flip door 14 opposite to the light source 2. If there were no reflective surface on the flip door 14, this part of the light would be absorbed by the flip door 14. Therefore, after setting the reflective surface, in handheld mode, the flip door 14 concentrates this part of the light, which improves the lighting effect in handheld mode.

[0049] By setting a reflective surface on the flip door 14, the light that was originally absorbed is reflected into the main cavity in the fixed mode and finally emitted as a light lamp through the fixed lighting hole 11. In the handheld mode, some of the light that was originally absorbed is reflected to the movable lighting hole 12, thereby improving the lighting effect in both the fixed and handheld modes.

[0050] Similar to the absorption of light by the flip door 14 without a reflective surface, when in the fixed mode, except for the portion of light that propagates toward the fixed lighting hole 11, the rest of the light propagates to the inner surface of the main cavity and is absorbed by the inner surface of the main cavity. To avoid this situation, two reflectors 21 are provided on the side of the inner surface of the main cavity away from the fixed lighting hole 11. With the axis of the cylindrical housing 1 as the reference line, the two reflectors 21 are symmetrically arranged along the reference line and are positioned toward the fixed lighting hole 11.

[0051] Specifically, since the fixed illumination hole 11 is located on one side of the quadrangular prism shell 1, the side symmetrical to the axis of the shell 1 is the location of the reflector 21, and the angle between the two reflectors 21 and the side of the shell 1 is an acute angle. At this time, the two reflectors 21 are located on the other side of the light source 2 away from the fixed illumination hole 11 and are facing the fixed illumination hole 11. When the light source 2 emits light towards the side away from the fixed illumination hole 11, part of the light comes into contact with the reflector 21 and is reflected by the reflector 21 to the fixed illumination hole 11, so that this part of the light is transmitted towards the fixed illumination hole 11, thus completing the utilization of this part of the light in the fixed mode.

[0052] By setting a reflector 21 on the surface of the main cavity on the other side of the light source 2 relative to the fixed lighting hole 11, the light emitted by the light source 2 away from the fixed lighting hole 11 is reflected back to the fixed lighting hole 11, thus improving the lighting effect in the fixed mode.

[0053] In handheld mode, the light in the main cavity needs to be transmitted to the movable illumination hole 12 as much as possible. When the angle between the reflector 21 and the side of the connected housing 1 is not a right angle, the incoming light is reflected to the closed protective door 13. The protective door 13 absorbs some of the light and wastes light intensity. To avoid this situation, the control module is electrically connected to the two reflectors 21 respectively and controls the flip angle of the reflectors 21. The control module has a fixed mode and a handheld mode pre-input.

[0054] When the control module switches to the fixed mode, the reflector 21 needs to face the fixed lighting hole 11. At this time, the control module instructs the reflector 21 to rotate until the angle between it and the side of the connected housing 1 is an acute angle, and then instructs the reflector 21 to flip to face the fixed lighting hole 11, so that this part of the light can be used for fixed lighting.

[0055] When the control module switches to handheld mode, there is no need to make the reflector 21 face the fixed illumination hole 11. At this time, the control module instructs the reflector 21 to flip so that it is perpendicular to the fixed illumination hole 11. At this time, the light is reflected along the axis of the housing 1, so that this part of the light is reflected to the movable illumination hole 12, thus completing the utilization of this part of the light in handheld mode.

[0056] In fixed mode, the required fixed lighting distance varies depending on the situation. For example, when concentrated lighting is needed for a specific location, or to increase the concentration of light, the angle between the reflector 21 and the side of the connected housing 1 needs to be reduced, so that the reflector 21 faces the fixed lighting hole 11 more closely, concentrating and reflecting more light to the center of the fixed lighting hole 11. Conversely, when concentrated light is not needed and a wider range of lighting is required, the reflector 21 does not need to face the fixed lighting hole 11, and the angle between the reflector 21 and the side of the connected housing 1 does not need to be reduced. Therefore, when the control module is in fixed mode, it is used to adjust the lighting distance. The control module has a pre-input standard angle, which is when the reflector 21 is perpendicular to the fixed lighting hole 11. In this embodiment, the reflector 21 is also perpendicular to the side of the connected housing 1 at the standard angle. When the control module commands the reflector 21 to rotate to the standard angle, the reflector 21 flips to be perpendicular to the fixed lighting hole 11.

[0057] The reference direction is the direction from the standard angle to the direction facing the fixed lighting hole 11, that is, the direction from the reflector 21 being perpendicular to the side of the connected housing 1 to the direction forming an acute angle with the side of the connected housing 1.

[0058] When the control module receives the instruction to increase the illumination distance, it needs to make the reflector 21 face the fixed illumination hole 11 to a greater extent, so that the angle between the reflector 21 and the side of the connected housing 1 is reduced. The control module instructs the reflector 21 to flip towards the reference direction, so that when it is necessary to concentrate the light, the reflector 21 is pointed to the fixed illumination hole 11 to a greater extent.

[0059] When the control module receives a reduction in illumination distance, it does not need to make the reflector 21 point further away from the fixed illumination hole 11. Instead, it increases the angle between the reflector 21 and the side of the connected housing 1. The control module instructs the reflector 21 to rotate towards the standard angle, so that when there is no need to concentrate the light, the reflector 21 points further away from the fixed illumination hole 11.

[0060] By instructing the control module to flip the reflector 21 toward the reference direction when it receives an instruction to increase the illumination distance, and to flip the reflector 21 toward the standard angle when it receives an instruction to decrease the illumination distance, the control module achieves the following: when it is necessary to concentrate the light, the reflector 21 is directed to a greater extent toward the fixed illumination hole 11; when it is not necessary to concentrate the light, the reflector 21 is directed to a lower extent toward the fixed illumination hole 11, thereby adjusting the concentration of the light.

[0061] The switch has three positions: off, handheld mode and fixed mode. When the switch is switched to off, the switch sends a first signal to the control module. After receiving the first signal, the control module instructs the light source 2 to turn off, the flip door 14 to close and the protective door 13 to open and close. At this time, the housing 1 is closed, the light source 2 no longer works, and the housing 1 forms a column, which is convenient for transportation or long-term storage.

[0062] When the switch is switched to handheld mode, the switch sends a second signal to the control module. After receiving the second signal, the control module instructs the light source 2 to turn on, the flip door 14 to open, and the protective door 13 to close. At this time, the lighting is in handheld mode for convenient handheld lighting.

[0063] When the switch is switched to the fixed mode, the switch sends a third signal to the control module. After receiving the third signal, the control module instructs the light source 2 to turn on, the flip door 14 to close, and the protective door 13 to open. At this time, the lighting forms a fixed mode, which is convenient for fixed recruitment.

[0064] The ease of operation is improved by setting a three-position switch.

[0065] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dual-purpose flashlight, characterized in that: The device includes a hollow cylindrical shell, a fixed lighting hole on the side of the cylindrical shell, a movable lighting hole on the bottom of the cylindrical shell, a light source installed inside the cylindrical shell, a flip door between the light source and the movable lighting hole inside the cylindrical shell, the flip door flipping in the direction of the movable lighting hole, and a protective door located on the outer frame of the shell at the fixed lighting hole, the protective door being hinged to the shell. The flip door divides the housing into a main cavity and a secondary cavity. The light source is located in the main cavity. A reflective surface is provided on the side of the flip door near the main cavity. Two reflective plates are provided on the inner surface of the main cavity away from the fixed lighting hole. The two reflective plates are symmetrically arranged along the reference line and facing the fixed lighting hole, with the axis of the cylindrical housing as the reference line. It also includes a control module. The two reflectors are hinged to the housing. The control module is electrically connected to the two reflectors and controls the flip angle of the reflectors. The control module has a pre-input fixed mode and a handheld mode. When the control module switches to the fixed mode, it instructs the reflectors to flip to an acute angle with the side of the housing and face the fixed lighting hole. When the control module switches to the handheld mode, it instructs the reflectors to flip to be perpendicular to the fixed lighting hole. The edges of the shell are rounded, and the outer surface of the shell is provided with anti-slip pads.

2. A dual-use flashlight according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the control module is in fixed mode, it is used to adjust the lighting distance. The control module has a standard angle pre-input. When the control module instructs the reflector to rotate to the standard angle, the reflector flips to be perpendicular to the fixed lighting hole. The direction from the standard angle to the direction towards the fixed lighting hole is used as the reference direction. When the control module receives an instruction to increase the lighting distance, it instructs the reflector to flip towards the reference direction. When the control module receives an instruction to decrease the lighting distance, it instructs the reflector to flip towards the standard angle.

3. A dual-use flashlight according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a switch, which is electrically connected to the control module. The control module is electrically connected to the flip door and the safety door and commands the opening and closing of the flip door and the safety door. The switch is used to command the control module to switch between a fixed mode and a handheld mode. The control module is electrically connected to the light source, and the switch is used to command the light source to turn on and off through the control module.

4. A dual-use flashlight according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side surface of the housing is provided with fixing holes.

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