Mouth-Activated Light Device with Mandible Tact Switches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hand-held flashlights are inconvenient for individuals engaged in activities that require both hands, such as fishing, mechanics, and emergency medical technicians, as they cannot easily access instant illumination without using their hands.
Innovation Solution
A light device with a first housing that fits within a user's mouth, featuring tact switches that can be activated or deactivated by mandibles, allowing hands-free operation, and a second housing with a button for manual activation, ensuring convenient and waterproof illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a hand-held flashlight is used, then illumination is provided, but hands are occupied and cannot perform other tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation of holding and operating a flashlight with an oral-operated tactile switch system. The user activates the light by pressing a button with their mouth or lips, substituting hand-based mechanical control with oral-based mechanical control, thereby freeing both hands for other tasks while maintaining illumination functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary device - a mouth-activated flashlight holder with a tactile switch positioned within mouth reach. This intermediary allows the user to control the flashlight through mouth movements rather than direct hand manipulation, serving as a mediator between the user's intent and the flashlight's operation
2Ease of operation
If a mouth-activated device is used, then hands-free operation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal mouth-activated mechanism that can control various lighting devices (flashlights, lanterns, headlamps) through a standard tactile switch interface. The same mouth-activation principle applies across different device types and scenarios, creating a multi-functional solution that doesn't require complex device-specific mechanisms for each application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the tactile switch at a specific location within the mouth holder that is optimally accessible to the user's lips or tongue. By concentrating the activation mechanism at this specific local position, the design achieves hands-free operation without requiring complex overall device restructuring - only the local switch placement and mouth holder geometry need modification
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 users to activate and deactivate light emitting diodes without using their hands, enhancing convenience and usability in situations where hands are occupied, while maintaining water-proof functionality and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
The second housing can encompass a second tact switch, a battery and one or more light emitting diodes
Data Source
AI summary
A device is described that can include a first housing and a second housing. The first housing can encompass a first tact switch. The second housing can be attached to and be continuous with the first housing. The second housing can encompass a second tact switch, a battery and one or more light emitting diodes. The first tact switch can be electrically connected to the battery and the one or more light emitting diodes. The second tact switch can be electrically connected to the battery and the one or more light emitting diodes. The battery can be further connected to the one or more light emitting diodes. Each of the first tact switch and the second tact switch can be activated upon being pressurized by an external force upon a portion of the first housing or the second housing, respectively, to activate the one or more light emitting diodes.