Flashlight Adjustable Ring Mode Selection and Charge Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flashlights lack versatility in operation modes and efficient power management, with limited brightness control and no indication of charge level, which restricts their functionality and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A flashlight with a housing that includes a power source, an adjustable ring for multiple operation modes, a Hall effect sensor, and a charge indicator ring, allowing for strobe, bright, dim modes, and secondary light wavelength options, along with a charging base for convenient power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional flashlights use simple switch control, then the device structure remains simple, but the operation modes are limited and user experience is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system where an adjustable ring can be rotated to different positions to select between multiple operation modes (strobe, bright, dim). This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the flashlight to adapt to different usage scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flashlight integrates multiple operation modes (strobe, bright, dim) and a charge indication function into a single device. The adjustable ring serves as a universal control element that manages different lighting modes, while the charge indicator ring provides additional functionality. This multi-functionality approach increases adaptability without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If flashlights lack charge level indication, then the device structure remains simple, but power management efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a charge indicator ring that displays different colors or states to indicate the charge level of the power source. This visual feedback mechanism allows users to monitor power status at a glance, enabling better power management decisions. The color-change indication method adds minimal structural complexity while significantly improving power management efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If flashlights provide multiple operation modes, then user experience and operational flexibility are enhanced, but the control mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable ring provides a dynamic and intuitive control interface for mode selection. Users can rotate the ring to different positions corresponding to different operation modes (strobe, bright, dim), making mode selection straightforward and intuitive. This dynamic control mechanism enhances ease of operation while keeping the control structure relatively simple compared to button arrays or digital interfaces.
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
Enables intuitive mode selection, efficient power usage, and real-time charge level indication, enhancing user experience and operational flexibility while maintaining a compact form factor.
Implementation Method 1
The flashlight may include a Hall effect sensor and the adjustable ring may include a magnet, where the at least two positions of the adjustable ring are recognized by the position of the magnet relative to the Hall effect sensor.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided herein is an improved apparatus and system for providing a flashlight and charging base system. The flashlight (100) may include a light source (129), a power source having a charge level, a housing (110) defining a major axis along which the housing (110) extends, an adjustable ring (140) disposed about the housing 110), where the adjustable ring (140) is configured to be rotated between at least two positions, where each of the at least two positions define a different mode of operation, and a switch (150) located proximate the barrel (115), where the switch (150) is configured to turn the flashlight (100) on and off. The adjustable ring (140) may include a magnet, where the housing (110) includes a Hall effect sensor (290), where the at least two positions of the adjustable ring (140) are recognized by the position of the magnet (280) relative to the Hall effect sensor (290).