Lighted Headgear with Directional LED Module for Glare Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting devices, such as flashlights, are cumbersome and require hands to be occupied, making it difficult to perform tasks while needing illumination, as they do not provide hands-free lighting effectively.
Innovation Solution
The development of lighted headgear, including baseball-style and beanie-style caps, equipped with low-profile light modules that incorporate LEDs, reflectors, and ergonomic actuators, allowing for hands-free illumination by directing light forward and downward, reducing glare from the brim.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flashlight is held to provide illumination, then light source is provided, but hands are occupied and cannot perform other tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light source with headgear (hats, caps, headbands) that users already wear, merging two functions (illumination and headwear) into a single integrated device. This eliminates the need to hold a separate flashlight while providing hands-free illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The headgear serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the light source, acts as the wearable item itself, and enables hands-free operation. The light module can be attached to various types of headgear (baseball caps, beanies, headbands), making the solution universally applicable.
2Illumination intensity
If light source is oriented outwardly for visibility, then wearer can be seen by others, but light does not illuminate area in wearer's field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple light sources with different orientations positioned at specific locations on the headgear. Some LEDs face outward for visibility, while others are angled downward or forward to illuminate the work area. This local differentiation of light direction satisfies both visibility and illumination needs simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system operates in multiple spatial dimensions by positioning light sources at different angles and orientations. Rather than a single directional light, the system distributes illumination across vertical, horizontal, and forward-facing directions, creating comprehensive lighting coverage.
3Illumination intensity
If light source is oriented downward to illuminate area in field of view, then work area is illuminated, but glare from brim is created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions light sources at specific locations and angles to illuminate the work area while deliberately avoiding orientation that would cause glare off the brim. By controlling the local directionality of each LED, the system provides effective illumination without the harmful glare effect.
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 hands-free illumination for tasks like camping, hunting, or jogging by providing focused light forward and downward, reducing glare and allowing users to perform activities without the need to hold a light source.
Implementation Method 1
The light source is one or more LEDs
Implementation Method 2
A reflector may be provided within the housing. The reflector may be positioned to redirect light
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided lighted headgear having various configurations, components thereof, and other accessories combined therewith. Also provided are a light module and a battery pack.