Portable LED Lighting Device with Adjustable Brightness and Flashing Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bicycle lights powered by LEDs lack adjustability in brightness and functionality, particularly failing to optimize light output during dusk or early nightfall, which can reduce battery life and visibility needs.
Innovation Solution
A portable LED-based lighting device with adjustable flashing speeds and brightness, featuring a microcontroller, high-brightness LEDs, and external switches for user configuration, allowing attachment to bicycles or clothing, and including a rechargeable battery pack and water-resistant casing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the light increases brightness during dusk or early nightfall, then visibility is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable brightness levels and flashing patterns that can be dynamically changed based on environmental conditions and user needs. The microcontroller enables the system to transition between different operational states (steady light, flashing patterns, varying intensities) to optimize both visibility and battery consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows modification of key parameters including brightness intensity, flashing frequency, and operational mode. These parameter changes enable the light to adapt to different situations - using higher brightness when visibility is critical and lower brightness or flashing modes when battery conservation is prioritized.
2Illumination intensity
If the light provides constant high brightness, then visibility is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements flashing patterns as an alternative to constant illumination. The microcontroller can program the LED to flash at various frequencies and durations, providing periodic visibility cues that are energy-efficient while still maintaining rider visibility. This periodic action reduces average power consumption compared to continuous high-brightness operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts brightness levels based on operational requirements. Rather than maintaining constant high brightness, the light can switch between different intensity levels, using high brightness only when necessary for visibility and lower brightness for extended operation periods.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the light offers multiple adjustable settings, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller serves multiple functions within a single integrated component: it controls brightness levels, manages flashing patterns, monitors battery status, and responds to user inputs. This multi-functionality approach consolidates what could be separate complex subsystems into a single versatile control unit, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes automatic features such as battery level monitoring and indicator lights that provide status information without user intervention. The microcontroller automatically manages operational parameters and provides feedback through LED indicators, reducing the need for complex manual control mechanisms.
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 device provides enhanced visibility and customizable lighting settings, optimizing battery life and user safety by adjusting brightness and flash patterns, ensuring riders are visible in various conditions without unnecessary battery drain.
Implementation Method 1
light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have become more and more popular with bike enthusiasts because they increase lighting at a reduced size and weight
Implementation Method 2
The light may comprise one or more high-brightness LEDs configured to output, for example, as little as 50 lumens and as much as 150 lumens
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a portable lighting device having an external switch configured to allow a user to control and/or configure the functionality portable lighting device while the light is in use and without the need for extra equipment. In one aspect, a portion of a switch may be configured to control some functionality provided by the light, while another portion of the switch may be configured to control the remaining functions. In another aspect, the circuit board may include a microcontroller which includes an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). Advantageously, the EEPROM may function to save any settings and/or modes configured by the user such that the settings/modes do not need to be reset after the portable lighting device is turned off and then back on.