Bistable Luminaire for Mobile Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting solutions for mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, are often cumbersome, limited in illumination range, and not universally compatible with varying device dimensions, leading to inadequate lighting for photography and video recording, especially in poor conditions.
Innovation Solution
A compact lighting device featuring a bistable element with a luminous element and a retaining element, connected by a bistable band that can expand for optimal illumination and retract for easy transport, ensuring compatibility with various device sizes through two stable states and spring force retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a ring light is plugged onto a smart phone, then illumination quality is improved, but the device becomes cumbersome and clunky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a bistable spring mechanism that enables the lighting device to dynamically transition between two stable states: an extended state for optimal illumination and a retracted state for compact portability. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction by allowing the device to adapt its physical configuration based on operational needs, eliminating the need to choose between illumination quality and portability.
2Illumination intensity
If a ring light covers part of the smart phone screen, then illumination is achieved, but screen visibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a flexible bistable spring with thin profile that can be positioned around the smartphone without significantly obstructing the screen area. The flexible nature of the spring allows it to conform to the device contours while maintaining illumination functionality, minimizing screen coverage compared to rigid ring light structures.
3Ease of manufacture
If a luminous case is designed for a specific smart phone type, then fit and illumination are optimized, but compatibility with other devices is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the lighting device with a universal attachment mechanism based on a bistable spring that can adapt to various smartphone sizes and shapes. The spring's elastic properties and adjustable configuration enable the same device to fit multiple device types, achieving universality without sacrificing illumination optimization.
4Illumination intensity
If the lighting device is extended for optimal illumination, then illumination range is improved, but transportability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bistable spring mechanism enables the lighting device to transition between an extended configuration for optimal illumination range and a retracted configuration for compact transport. This dynamic transformation allows the device to achieve both large illumination range when needed and small transport volume when carried, resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides sufficient illumination up to a 1-meter radius, ensuring high-quality recordings while being compact and adaptable to different mobile device dimensions, enhancing usability and transportability.
Implementation Method 1
a first bistable element (3), to which the luminous element (1) is attached to a first end section and the retaining element (2) is attached to a second end section opposing the first one
Implementation Method 2
A plate-shaped spring substantially perpendicularly protrudes from the rear wall of the mobile device, in particular smart phone, and thus constitutes a rear support such that the mobile device can be arranged upright
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting apparatus for securing to differently dimensioned objects, in particular mobile devices, is intended to be provided. For this purpose, a lighting apparatus comprising an illuminant and a holding element is proposed, wherein the illuminant is secured to a first end section of a bistable element and the holding element is secured to a second end section of the bistable element, said second end section being situated opposite the first end section. The bistable element is rolled out in a first stable state, such that the illuminant is at a maximum distance from the holding element. The bistable element is rolled together in a second stable state. The lighting apparatus is clampable to the mobile device by spring force of the bistable element.