LED Task Lamp and Flashlight with Dual Arrays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable lighting devices using light emitting diodes (LEDs) are limited by deficiencies in optical components and drive circuits, leading to suboptimal performance in brightness, durability, power efficiency, and versatility, particularly in applications requiring high-intensity flood or spot lighting.
Innovation Solution
A portable lighting device with a combination of elongated shells housing LED light sources and a power supply, featuring a directed array of LED/lens assemblies for flood and spot lighting, along with a current selector circuit and switching regulator circuit to manage power distribution, and a heat sink frame for thermal management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional light sources (incandescent, halogen) are used in portable lighting devices, then they provide sufficient brightness and illumination, but they consume excessive power, generate excessive heat, and have limited operating life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional light sources (incandescent, halogen) to light-emitting diodes (LEDs), fundamentally changing the operating parameters and physical principles of light generation. LEDs convert electrical energy directly to light with much higher efficiency, consuming significantly less power while maintaining or improving brightness output, thus resolving the contradiction between illumination intensity and power consumption
2Illumination intensity
If conventional light sources are used in portable lighting devices, then they provide adequate illumination, but they have limited durability and short operating life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs LEDs which have fundamentally different operational characteristics compared to conventional light sources. LEDs are solid-state devices with no filament or gas discharge components, making them highly resistant to shock, vibration, and thermal stress. This parameter change in the light source technology provides superior durability and extended operating life while maintaining illumination performance
3Use of energy by moving object
If multiple small high-intensity LED light sources are used, then power efficiency and durability improve, but optical component deficiencies result in suboptimal illumination performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the illumination system into multiple discrete LED light sources arranged in arrays, with each LED paired with its own optimized optical components (lenses, reflectors). This segmentation allows independent optimization of each LED-optical assembly, ensuring that each contributes maximally to the overall illumination pattern, thereby achieving superior illumination performance despite using multiple small sources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements customized optical components (lenses and reflectors) tailored to each specific LED type and application requirement. By optimizing the optical properties locally at each LED position rather than using uniform components, the system achieves optimal light distribution, beam patterns, and illumination uniformity, resolving the issue of suboptimal performance from generic optical components
4Reliability
If specialized LED lighting devices are designed for specific applications, then they provide optimized performance for that use, but they limit versatility and increase cost due to low production volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a modular LED lighting system with standardized mounting interfaces, power connections, and control circuits that can accommodate different LED types, configurations, and optical components. This universal platform allows the same basic device structure to be adapted for multiple applications (industrial, commercial, residential, automotive) by simply changing the LED array configuration and optical elements, thereby achieving both application optimization and versatility while maintaining economies of scale
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 solution provides a versatile, high-intensity lighting system with improved brightness and efficiency, capable of producing uniform flood and spot light patterns, suitable for various applications, including security and industrial use.
Implementation Method 1
employ a variety of lighting technologies in products such as task lamps and flashlights... solid state or semiconductor devices such as light emitting diodes are finding use as compact and efficient light sources
Implementation Method 2
a first directed array of LED/lens assemblies for providing flood light illumination and a second directed light array of at least one LED/lens assembly for providing spot light illumination
Data Source
AI summary
A single combination task lamp and flashlight, providing separate flood and spot light beams, independently controlled in a three-state sequence by simple push button switches. The two kinds of light beams are produced by separate arrays of compact light emitting devices. both arrays are driven by a single, rechargeable battery powered electrical circuit that provides separate, regulated constant currents to the respective arrays of LEDs. the optics and electronics are constructed in a single, ruggedized, compact module. The module is enclosed within a slim, rugged housing and easily field replaceable with minimal tools.