Flashlight Lighting System with Magnetic Mode Sequencing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional flashlights with high default output modes in low-light environments cause the human eye to contract, reducing visual sensitivity and conserving battery resources by starting with a lower light mode that minimizes eye strain and allows for stealthy operation.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device with a switch that sequences through modes from low to high output, using multi-use LEDs and pulse-width-modulation to optimize battery usage and provide a stealthy low-light option while allowing for higher output when needed, featuring a programmable logic controller for PWM control and magnetic mode selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the flashlight starts with HIGH output mode, then the user gets immediate bright light, but the user's pupils contract quickly reducing visual sensitivity and battery resources are consumed faster

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight output brightnessVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The flashlight applies preliminary action by starting in LOW output mode before potentially transitioning to HIGH mode. This initial low-state action preserves battery resources and maintains the user's pupil dilation and visual sensitivity, allowing the system to prepare for brighter illumination without immediately consuming excessive energy or compromising visual adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamics by making the light output adaptable and changeable over time. The flashlight can dynamically transition between LOW and HIGH output modes based on operational needs, allowing the illumination intensity to be adjusted without being fixed, thus optimizing both battery consumption and visual performance throughout the operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Illumination intensity

If the flashlight starts with HIGH output mode, then the user gets immediate bright light, but visual sensitivity is reduced due to pupil contraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight output brightnessVSAvoidreduced visual sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flashlight applies preliminary action by starting in LOW output mode before potentially transitioning to HIGH mode. This initial low-state action preserves the user's pupil dilation and visual sensitivity, allowing the system to prepare for brighter illumination without immediately compromising visual adaptation to the environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamics by making the light output adaptable and changeable over time. The flashlight can dynamically transition between LOW and HIGH output modes based on operational needs, allowing the illumination intensity to be adjusted without being fixed, thus optimizing both visual performance and environmental adaptation throughout the operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If the flashlight uses multiple power modes, then battery resources are conserved, but the device complexity increases with sequencing logic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery consumptionVSAvoidmode sequencing control

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flashlight applies segmentation by dividing the power output into distinct, discrete modes (LOW and HIGH) rather than using a continuous range. This segmentation simplifies the control logic compared to managing multiple granular brightness levels, while still achieving significant battery conservation by allowing the system to operate primarily in the lower-power LOW mode when full brightness is not required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The device conserves battery power by starting with a lower light mode that is perceived as brighter due to pupil expansion, allowing for effective use in low-light environments without giving away one's position, while enabling higher output when necessary.

Implementation Method 1

a light emitting diode (LED) configured to propagate white light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller coupled to the LED and configured to vary a duty cycle of electrical pulses propagated to the LED

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPulse-width modulation:

Implementation Method 3

a Hall effect sensor disposed within the handle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11543110B2Lighting system

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 ALLIANCE SPORTS GROUP LP

AI summary

A lighting device is disclosed with one or more magnetic control switches to adjust the power modes of the lighting device.