Ergonomic Handheld Light Grip With Tactile Switch Orientation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld lights with cylindrical or symmetrical grips can be uncomfortable to hold and ambiguous to users, making it difficult to locate actuators and operate the light effectively.
Innovation Solution
A hand holdable light with a non-circular rearward portion and a central recess opposite the switch actuator, allowing for ergonomic grip configurations and intuitive operation, along with a battery assembly featuring a symmetrical pattern of electrical contacts for easy orientation and connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cylindrical or symmetrical grip shape is used, then the light can be manufactured simply and uniformly, but the grip becomes ambiguous and uncomfortable for users to hold and operate
Solution Approach 1:
The light body employs an asymmetric grip configuration where the rearward portion has a non-circular cross-section with distinct major and minor axes. This asymmetric shape provides tactile cues that guide the user's hand into the correct gripping orientation, making the actuator location intuitive and eliminating the ambiguity inherent in symmetric cylindrical designs.
2Duration of action of moving object
If multiple battery cells are arranged in the light body, then the light can operate for longer duration, but the grip shape becomes more complex to accommodate the battery arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric rearward portion with non-circular cross-section is specifically designed to accommodate multiple battery cells in an optimized arrangement. This shape allows the battery cells to be positioned efficiently while maintaining an ergonomic grip that provides tactile orientation cues, thus achieving both extended operation duration and user comfort without requiring overly complex geometry.
3Ease of operation
If the actuator is positioned on a symmetrical light body, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the user must finger around to locate the actuator, increasing operation time
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric grip shape with non-circular cross-section creates distinct tactile characteristics at different orientations. When the user grasps the light, these tactile cues immediately indicate the correct orientation and guide the hand to the actuator location, eliminating the need to finger around and significantly reducing the time required to locate and operate the actuator.
4Ease of operation
If the central portion has the same transverse dimension as the rearward portion, then the manufacturing is simpler, but no recess is formed to receive the user's finger for ergonomic gripping
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric design incorporates a central portion with a transverse dimension in the major axis direction that is less than the transverse dimension of the rearward portion. This dimensional reduction creates a recess that receives the user's finger, providing an ergonomic gripping interface that enhances comfort and control while maintaining manufacturability through straightforward geometric modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A hand holdable light comprises: a light body having a forward portion, and a central or second portion; a light source proximate a forward end; and one or more switch actuators for controlling the light source. A rearward portion may have a non-circular cross-section; the actuators is/are on the forward portion; and the central or second portion may have a recess opposite the actuator. The light is holdable by a hand in several ways wherein a finger or thumb is proximate an actuator. A battery assembly comprises: a battery housing for receiving and connecting a battery; an electrical switch on a first end of the battery housing; and a pattern of electrical contacts on a second end of the battery housing, wherein ones of the electrical contacts are connected to the battery.