Flashlight One-Handed Focusing via Threaded Head Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flashlights with focusing mechanisms, such as lever systems and magnets, are prone to jamming, complex to manufacture, and require two-handed operation for focusing, which is undesirable for one-handed use in applications like police work or activities where only one hand is available.
Innovation Solution
A flashlight design featuring an adjusting wheel or lever as an actuator with a radially protruding driver that allows for relative displacement of the light source and attachment optics, enabling one-handed operation through a mechanical, cost-effective, and reliable mechanism, where the driver engages in a recess or toothed gear system, allowing for precise focusing or defocusing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lever mechanism or magnet system is used for focusing, then the flashlight can change the light cone shape, but the mechanism is prone to jamming and has high susceptibility to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex lever mechanism and magnet system with a simple threaded rotation mechanism. The lamp head rotates along an external thread on the cylinder, converting rotational motion into linear displacement of the lens and light bulb. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for fragile lever arms and magnets, significantly improving reliability while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the lens or light source independently through complex mechanisms, the patent inverts the approach by rotating the entire lamp head assembly along an external thread. This inversion simplifies the mechanism by using a single rotational degree of freedom to achieve the focusing effect, avoiding the jamming issues of lever systems.
2Ease of operation
If the lamp head is connected via thread for focusing, then the structure is simple, but two-handed operation is required which is undesirable for one-handed use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the focusing function with the lamp head rotation mechanism. The lamp head is designed to rotate along an external thread, combining the structural connection function with the focusing adjustment function in a single integrated mechanism. This allows one-handed operation where the user simply rotates the lamp head to focus, eliminating the need for separate focusing controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded connection on the cylinder serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the lamp head, enables focusing adjustment through rotation, and allows for easy assembly and disassembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components while maintaining one-handed operability.
3Ease of manufacture
If lever arms and joints are used for focusing, then the light source can be displaced, but the manufacture and assembly are complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the focusing function from the complex lever arm assembly and implements it through the rotation of the lamp head along an external thread. This extraction eliminates the need for precision-manufactured lever arms, joints, and associated lubrication requirements, significantly simplifying manufacturing and assembly while reducing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded connection mechanism uses simple, inexpensive components that can be easily manufactured and assembled. The external thread on the cylinder and corresponding threaded lamp head represent a cost-effective solution compared to precision lever mechanisms, prioritizing ease of manufacture over complex precision engineering.
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
Enables reliable, one-handed focusing or defocusing of the flashlight beam, reducing operational complexity and manufacturing costs while ensuring functional reliability and precise control.
Implementation Method 1
an adjusting wheel protruding from the housing or an adjusting lever is provided as the actuator, on whose axis of rotation protruding into the interior of the housing a radially protruding driver is attached, which protrudes into a recess of a rotary ring part
Implementation Method 2
an end face lying obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the housing can be guided along a second end face of a body, which is inclined at the same angle and is stationarily connected to the second carrier of the front optics or light source
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a flashlight with a light source arranged in a housing and an attachment optic, which can be moved relative to each other by means of an adjusting element to focus or defocus the emitted light cone. The adjusting element is formed by an adjusting wheel or lever projecting from the housing, on the axis of rotation of which, extending into the interior of the housing, a radially projecting driver is attached. This driver projects into a recess of a rotating ring part, which is connected to the first support of the light source or the attachment optic and is rotatably arranged in the housing. When the rotating ring part is rotated, an end face inclined to the longitudinal axis of the housing can be guided along a second end face inclined at the same angle. This second end face is fixedly connected to the second support of the attachment optic or the light source, such that the relative distance between the first and second supports changes.