Flashlight Cross-Fade Lighting Control for Mobility and Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional flashlights lose mobility when connected to a stationary external power source, such as an AC wall outlet, as they require direct electrical connection, limiting their use and mobility.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device with multiple lighting sources and a controller that allows for cross-fading of illumination patterns and proportional adjustment of light intensities between flood and spot lighting sources, enabling seamless transition between internal and external power sources without compromising mobility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If the flashlight is directly connected to the AC wall outlet, then the flashlight can continue to illuminate light, but the mobility of the flashlight is eliminated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination durationVSAvoidmobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between battery power and AC power based on operational needs. The controller adjusts the illumination patterns and intensities from multiple lighting sources to provide continuous illumination while maintaining mobility through wireless communication capabilities when operating in battery mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the flashlight is connected to the AC wall outlet via extension cord, then the flashlight can illuminate light, but the flashlight has limited mobility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination durationVSAvoidmobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides dynamic power source selection and switching capabilities, allowing the flashlight to operate independently on batteries for full mobility or switch to AC power for extended illumination when needed. The controller manages multiple lighting sources to optimize performance based on the power source being used.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If multiple lighting sources are used with different illumination patterns, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination areaVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple lighting sources (flood light, spot light, and other lighting elements) within a single flashlight housing, integrating them into a unified system controlled by a single controller that manages illumination patterns and intensities coordinate to provide comprehensive area coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flashlight is designed as a multi-functional device that can produce various illumination patterns (flood, spot, and intermediate patterns) using multiple lighting sources, allowing it to adapt to different lighting requirements and scenarios while maintaining a single integrated device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8324836B2Lighting device having cross-fade and method thereof

Publication Date: 2012.12.04 ENERGIZER BRANDS LLC

AI summary

A lighting device includes a first lighting source, a second lighting source, and a controller. The first lighting source yields a first illumination pattern. The second lighting source yields a second illumination pattern. The patterns overlay to yield a third illumination pattern. The controller shifts available power between the first lighting source and the second lighting source.