Conformable Lighting Device for Confined Space Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable battery-powered lighting devices are inadequate for providing flexible and dependable lighting in deep and restricted locations, often failing to maintain proper light beam orientation and becoming loose or lost within body cavities during use.
Innovation Solution
A compact, conformable lighting device with a flexible elongated member and a skin overmolded structure that allows the light source to be oriented in various directions without moving the device body, featuring a power source compartment, electrical conductor, and an irreversible one-way switch for reliable power delivery, ensuring the light source remains securely attached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the lighting device is made rigid and structured, then the light beam orientation is stable, but the device cannot adapt to deep and restricted locations
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is divided into separate functional components: a conformable elongated member for attachment, a light source with independent orientation capability, and a power source. This segmentation allows the light source to be oriented independently while the elongated member adapts to various shapes for access to restricted locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source is designed with dynamic orientation capability, allowing it to be adjusted and reoriented independently from the device body. This enables the light beam to be directed precisely into deep cavities while the main device remains in a stable position on the user or tool.
2Ease of operation
If the lighting device components are made detachable, then the device is easier to assemble and maintain, but parts may become loose and be lost within body cavities
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is permanently integrated with the conformable elongated member through a secure connection mechanism, eliminating the risk of detachment. The power source is housed within a dedicated compartment that provides secure retention, preventing any components from becoming loose or lost within body cavities during surgical procedures.
3Volume of moving object
If the lighting device is made compact, then it can access deep cavities more easily, but the light source orientation flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is positioned at the distal end of the elongated member, extending into the third dimension towards the target cavity. This spatial arrangement allows the compact device body to remain outside the cavity while the light source projects forward, providing both compactness for access and orientation flexibility for illumination.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4E
AI summary
The present document describes a lighting device comprising: a structure comprising a conformable elongated member being adaptable to a shape of an object for securing the lighting device to the object; a light source attached to the structure thereby defining a connection between the light source and the structure; a power source for providing electrical power to the light source; and a skin overmolded onto the structure, the power source, the connection and part of the light source near the connection. There is also described a method for providing lighting in a confined space where a hand-operated tool is used.