Modular Lantern With Removable Area Lights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable lanterns are inconvenient for illuminating multiple areas simultaneously, as carrying multiple lanterns is impractical and costly, especially in space-limited situations like camping, where it is desirable to provide light in different areas without the need for multiple light sources.
Innovation Solution
A portable lantern system featuring a docking station with a primary power supply that can power and charge multiple removable area lights, allowing each area light to function independently when detached, thus enabling single lantern to illuminate multiple areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple lanterns are carried to illuminate multiple areas simultaneously, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the weight and storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lantern system is divided into a main docking station and multiple removable area lights. Each area light can be independently detached and positioned in different locations, allowing one lantern system to provide illumination across multiple areas without requiring multiple complete lantern units.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support, houses a power supply that can charge multiple area lights, and functions as a charging station when area lights are docked. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate power sources for each light unit.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple lanterns are carried to illuminate multiple areas simultaneously, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the lantern into a docking station and multiple interchangeable area lights, the system allows users to expand illumination coverage by adding modular units rather than managing multiple complete, complex lantern systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple area lights are merged with a single docking station that provides centralized power supply and charging capabilities. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate power sources and control systems in each individual lantern.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple lanterns are purchased to illuminate multiple areas, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows users to purchase one docking station and add multiple area lights only as needed, rather than purchasing multiple complete lantern systems. This modular approach reduces initial cost while maintaining the ability to expand illumination coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station's power supply can charge multiple area lights, eliminating the need for separate batteries in each lantern unit. This shared power infrastructure reduces the overall cost of the system while providing multi-area illumination capability.
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 efficient and cost-effective illumination of multiple areas with a single lantern, as area lights can be easily moved and reused, with the docking station providing continuous power and charging capabilities, reducing the need for multiple lanterns.
Implementation Method 1
A first power supply positioned within the docking station. Each of the plurality of area lights includes a light sources and a second power supply. The first power supply can selectively power each of the light sources of the plurality area lights connected to the docking station
Implementation Method 2
The first power supply can further charge the second power supply of each area lights docked in the docking station
Data Source
AI summary
A lantern having a plurality of removable area lights. Each area light includes a separate power source capable of powering the area light. Each area light is separately selectively illuminable by activating a switch on the area light. The lantern includes a docking station having a docking station power source capable of simultaneously powering all area lights attached to the docking station simultaneously or any subset of the area lights attached to the docking station.