Flashlight Resilient Connector for Adjustable Beam Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional flashlights are bulky and lack flexibility, making it difficult to redirect the light or adjust their size for user convenience and to cast light in desired directions without manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
A flashlight design featuring a base with a resilient connector made from elastomeric material, scored for predictable bending, allowing the connector to move between extended and retracted positions, enabling angular adjustment and maintaining concentric alignment for flexible light direction and compact size configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the flashlight is made compact, then portability is improved, but flexibility to redirect light and adjust size is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed as a resilient, bendable component that allows the flashlight to dynamically change its configuration between extended and retracted positions, enabling the light direction and size to be adjusted on-demand rather than being fixed in a compact state
Solution Approach 2:
The upper section can be retracted into the base through the resilient connector, creating a nested configuration that reduces the overall flashlight size while maintaining the capability to extend outward when light redirection is needed
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flashlight is made bulky, then flexibility to redirect light is improved, but portability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient connector enables the flashlight to transition from a compact portable state to an extended flexible state only when needed for light redirection, optimizing both portability and adaptability at different times
3Strength
If the connector is made rigid, then structural integrity is improved, but ability to bend and redirect light is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates localized scoring at specific positions to create controlled bending zones, while the rest of the connector maintains sufficient structural integrity to provide strength and electrical connectivity
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is made from resilient material that combines flexibility for bending with sufficient strength to maintain structural integrity during repeated extension and retraction cycles
4Adaptability or versatility
If the connector is made flexible, then ability to redirect light is improved, but structural integrity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The scoring creates localized flexible zones that concentrate the bending action, allowing the connector to be flexible where needed while maintaining overall structural integrity through the resilient material properties
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 design provides a compact, user-friendly flashlight that can be easily reconfigured for different sizes and light directions, enhancing usability by allowing the light to be directed without manual hand movement, while maintaining structural integrity and electrical connectivity.
Implementation Method 1
A connector is made from a resilient material that has a first end and a second end. The connector has at least one score that is located between the first end and second end. The connector is bendable about the score so that the connector is movable between an extended and retracted position.
Data Source
AI summary
A flashlight having a directable beam of light from an upper section affixed to a base. The base has a bottom end and a sidewall extending upwardly from the base. A connector is made from a resilient material that has a first end and a second end. The connector has at least one score that is located between the first end and second end. The connector is bendable about the score so that the connector is movable between an extended and retracted position. An upper section is affixed to the connector and the upper section is located nearer the base when the connector is in its retracted position and relatively far from the base when the connector is in its extended position.