Flashlight Control Element with Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flashlights with both infrared and visible light sources lack a locking mechanism that prevents accidental activation of the visible light source when transitioning from infrared mode to visible mode, potentially revealing the user's presence to animals or dangerous situations.
Innovation Solution
A flashlight design with a control element that has distinct adjustment ranges for infrared and visible light modes, featuring a locking mechanism that blocks transition from infrared to visible light mode, requiring intentional unlocking to activate the visible light source, while allowing unhindered transition from visible to infrared mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a control element is provided to switch between infrared and visible light modes, then the flashlight can be operated in different modes, but the control element can unintentionally move into the wrong setting range and activate the visible light source accidentally
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is positioned to preemptively block the control element's movement from the first adjustment range (infrared mode) to the second adjustment range (visible light mode). This preliminary blocking action prevents the harmful effect of accidental visible light activation before it can occur, while allowing intentional unlocking when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element acts as an intermediary mechanism between the control element and the visible light source activation. It mediates the transition by requiring intentional interaction (unlocking) to permit the control element to move into the visible light mode setting range, thus preventing unintentional activation.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental visible light activation, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is merged with the control element structure, where the locking and unlocking functions are integrated into the existing control mechanism. This combination reduces overall device complexity by avoiding separate locking components while still providing the necessary protection against accidental activation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The flashlight (10) is provided with a housing (10) having an interior (48) and an exterior, an infrared light source (14) arranged in the interior (48) for operation in at least one infrared light mode, a visible light source (16) arranged in the interior (48) for operation in at least one visible light mode, a power source (50), a control unit for controlling the infrared light source (14) and the visible light source (16), and a manually operable control element (18) arranged on the exterior of the housing for selecting between the at least one infrared light mode, the at least one visible light mode and an off mode.The control element (18) is movable along an adjustment path to different setting positions, comprising a first adjustment range (20) and a second adjustment range (22), wherein in the first range (20) at least one infrared light mode or the off mode can be selected, and in the second range (22) at least one visible light mode can be selected. The flashlight (10) is further equipped with a locking element (26) for locking the control element (18) when it moves from the first range (20) to the second range (22), wherein the locking of the control element (18) when it moves from the first range (20) to the second range (22) can be released by actuating the locking element (26) in the off mode setting position, and wherein the control element (18) moves freely from the second range (22) to the first range (20).