Deployable Multi-Sided Illumination Device for Tactical Pre-Illumination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing illumination devices used by police and military forces are static and can render users as targets, limiting their ability to safely illuminate dark areas before entering them, and lack customizable timing for activation.

Innovation Solution

A deployable, multi-sided illumination device with a delayed activation mechanism, allowing it to be thrown or rolled into dark areas and featuring a controller that maintains the lights in an off state until a predetermined delay after activation element removal, providing 360-degree illumination and customizable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If user-mounted or vehicle-mounted lights are used, then the user can illuminate dark areas, but the user becomes a target attracting weapon fire and the attention of hostile subjects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser exposure to hostile fireVSAvoidillumination capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a deployable illumination device as an intermediary between the user and the dark area. The device can be thrown or rolled ahead of the user, providing illumination without requiring the user to physically hold or be attached to the light source. This separates the user from the illumination function, eliminating the user as a target while maintaining illumination capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination device is designed as a separable system that can be deployed independently from the user. The device segments the illumination function from the user's body, allowing it to operate autonomously in the dark area while the user remains concealed or at a distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If vehicle-mounted spotlights are used, then the spotlight can illuminate dark areas, but the spotlight becomes relatively immobile and tethers the user to the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility of illuminationVSAvoidtethering mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination device transitions from a static vehicle-mounted configuration to a dynamic deployable unit. The device can be thrown, rolled, or carried to various locations independently of the vehicle, providing adaptable illumination coverage. The device's ability to change position and orientation dynamically eliminates the tethering constraint while maintaining illumination capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing flashlights and spotlights are used, then the light can be turned on or off, but the timing of turning on and off cannot be customized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming controlVSAvoidcontrol mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination device incorporates a delay mechanism that performs preliminary action before illumination. When activated, the device waits for a predetermined delay period before turning on the lights, and can be programmed to turn off after a specified duration. This allows tactical users to customize timing without complex real-time control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device autonomously manages its own illumination timing through programmable delay circuits. Once activated, the device self-regulates when to turn on and off based on pre-set parameters, eliminating the need for continuous user intervention or complex manual control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If police or military forces enter dark areas without pre-illumination, then they can maintain stealth, but they are subjected to potential danger or surprise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of forcesVSAvoidexposure to surprise attack

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination device enables pre-illumination of dark areas before forces enter. By deploying the device ahead of time or throwing it into the dark area, users can illuminate the space in advance, clearing it of threats before entry. This preliminary illumination action eliminates surprise attacks while maintaining tactical advantage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10302258B2Deployable, multi-sided illumination devices and related methods of use

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 NIGHT ANGEL PROD

AI summary

An illumination device may include a body having twelve sides, the body being formed by a first body portion including six sides of the twelve sides, and a second body portion including six sides of the twelve sides. The first body portion and the second body portion may be coupled to one another at a first interface and at a second interface disposed radially inward of the first interface, wherein the first interface may be positioned in a plurality of planes, and wherein the second interface may be positioned in a single plane. At least a portion of each of the twelve sides may include a transparent window. The illumination device may include a resilient cover disposed around the body.