Handheld Collimator Lamp for Surface Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for inspecting surface structures, such as plastered walls, are inefficient due to the need for cumbersome construction spotlights mounted on tripods, which hinder quick and easy repositioning and visibility of unevenness.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held indicator lamp with an elongate housing and collimating optics that generates a narrow, elongated light beam with an opening angle less than 20 degrees, allowing for easy movement and uniform illumination of large wall sections, particularly highlighting unevenness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional construction spotlights mounted on tripods are used to illuminate wall surfaces, then the illumination coverage is sufficient, but the device is cumbersome and difficult to reposition quickly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of repositioningVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the illumination function from the complex tripod-mounted spotlight system, creating a standalone handheld inspection light that combines LED array, collimator optics, and housing into a single portable unit weighing only 0.2-0.5 kg, enabling easy repositioning without the cumbersome tripod structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transforms the static tripod-mounted lighting system into a dynamic handheld device that can be freely moved and repositioned by the operator, with the elongated housing design allowing ergonomic handling and quick adjustment to illuminate different wall sections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If a conventional light source is used, then the illumination is sufficient, but the unevenness and irregularities on the wall surface are not clearly visible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precision of surface irregularitiesVSAvoidillumination intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by using collimator optics to create a directional beam with specific angular characteristics (opening angle <20°) that produces sharp shadows and highlights on the wall surface, enhancing the visibility of local irregularities rather than providing uniform omnidirectional illumination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes optical properties and light interaction with surface features, where the collimated beam creates contrast through shadowing and reflection variations that make surface irregularities visually detectable through changes in light intensity and pattern

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of operation

If a handheld light design is used, then the ease of repositioning is improved, but the ability to illuminate large wall sections uniformly is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of repositioningVSAvoidilluminated wall area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extends the illumination in the longitudinal direction by arranging the LED array and collimator optics elongatedly, creating an extended light beam that covers a larger wall area along the length of the device while maintaining the handheld form factor for easy repositioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 simple and practical inspection of surface structures by providing uniform lighting and making uneven walls more visible due to the focused light beam, facilitating the detection of imperfections without the need for cumbersome equipment.

Implementation Method 1

An LED array and an elongated collimator optic extending in the longitudinal direction are arranged in the housing. The collimator optic is designed to focus the light emitted by the LED array into a light beam extending in the longitudinal direction. The opening angle of the light beam is less than 20 degrees in a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight focusing: Focusing

Data Source

PatentEP3273150B1Control lamp, illumination device and method of controlling surface structures
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 FESTOOL GMBH
  • EP3273150B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3273150B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3273150B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a control light (10) designed as a handheld light with an elongated housing (1) extending in a longitudinal direction (x) in which an LED arrangement (15) and an elongated collimator optic (16) extending in the longitudinal direction (x) are arranged, wherein the collimator optic (16) is designed to focus light emitted by the LED arrangement (15) into a light beam extending in the longitudinal direction (x) whose opening angle (α) in a transverse direction (y) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (x) is less than 20 degrees.