Flashlight Magnetic Tail for Ferro-Magnetic Attachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flashlights lack the ability to be securely attached to ferro-magnetic surfaces or to pick up small ferro-magnetic items, limiting their versatility.
Innovation Solution
A flashlight design featuring a magnetic tail with a permanent magnet ring integrated into the tail portion, allowing temporary attachment to ferro-magnetic surfaces and enabling the pickup of small ferro-magnetic items, combined with a pushbutton assembly and adjustable light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional flashlight design is used, then the structure is simple, but the flashlight cannot be attached to ferro-magnetic surfaces or pick up small items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a flashlight with a magnetic attachment mechanism by integrating a magnet ring into the flashlight body. The magnet ring is positioned within the housing and works in conjunction with the pushbutton assembly, merging illumination and magnetic attachment functions into a single device. This allows the flashlight to be attached to ferro-magnetic surfaces while maintaining its lighting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The flashlight is designed to perform multiple functions: illumination and magnetic attachment. The magnet ring enables the flashlight to attach to ferro-magnetic surfaces, while the pushbutton assembly provides both operational control and structural support. This multi-functionality increases adaptability without requiring separate devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a magnet ring is added to the flashlight tail, then attachment to ferro-magnetic surfaces is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet ring is nested within the flashlight housing structure, specifically positioned within the tail section. The magnet ring fits inside the housing and works in conjunction with the pushbutton assembly, which serves as both a operational component and a structural element that supports the magnet. This nesting approach minimizes the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pushbutton assembly serves dual purposes: it operates the flashlight and simultaneously provides structural support for the magnet ring. The housing structure itself serves as the mounting framework for the magnet, eliminating the need for separate mounting components and reducing overall device complexity.
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
Enhances the flashlight's functionality by providing secure attachment to ferro-magnetic surfaces and the ability to pick up small items, while maintaining the primary function of illumination.
Implementation Method 1
a permanent magnet ring (18) fixed to the tail portion (12a) and extending around the pushbutton assembly (20, 22, 24)
Implementation Method 2
allows the flashlight to be temporarily held to a ferro-magnetic surface or to be used to pick up small ferro-magnetic item
Data Source
AI summary
A flashlight with magnetic tail has a battery housing having a tail portion, a light source connected to a forward portion of the battery housing, a pushbutton assembly mounted in the tail portion and a magnet ring fixed to the tail portion and extending around the pushbutton assembly.