Rotating Protective Shield for Flashlight Switch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional flashlights lack a simple and inexpensive solution to prevent the light switch from being inadvertently turned on, leading to battery drain.

Innovation Solution

A protective shield and grip for the flashlight, comprising a split cylindrical sleeve that can rotate to expose or cover the switch, preventing inadvertent operation, made from a resilient material that glows in darkness and provides thermal insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional flashlight switch is exposed and accessible, then the user can easily turn the light on and off, but the switch can be inadvertently turned on causing battery drain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch accessibilityVSAvoidbattery drain

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A protective shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the user and the switch. The shield has a window that can be positioned to either expose or cover the switch, acting as a mediator that controls access to the switch while preventing inadvertent activation. The shield includes a grip portion that allows the user to manually position the window over the switch when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective shield is designed to be movable rather than fixed. The shield can rotate or move relative to the flashlight body, allowing the window to dynamically change position between exposing and covering the switch. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt between two states: accessible (for operation) and protected (for battery conservation).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a protection shield is added to cover the switch, then inadvertent operation is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch protectionVSAvoidshield structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective shield is constructed as a thin-walled cylindrical structure that is resilient and flexible. This allows the shield to be simple in form while providing effective protection. The thin-walled construction reduces material usage and manufacturing complexity compared to rigid structures, while still achieving the protective function through its ability to cover and shield the switch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The protective shield serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the switch from inadvertent operation, provides a grip surface for the user, and can be rotated to control switch accessibility. By combining these functions into a single component, the design avoids adding multiple separate parts, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving reliable protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Effectively prevents the switch from being inadvertently turned on, conserving battery life and offering a convenient, durable, and user-friendly solution.

Implementation Method 1

The sleeve is resilient and will yield to an external force applied thereto

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResilience: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The sleeve may be comprised of a resilient polymer which glows in darkness

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Implementation Method 3

thermally insulates the user's hand from hot and cold temperatures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS7744239B2Protection shield and grip for flashlight

Publication Date: 2010.06.29 BONO FR M

AI summary

A thermally-insulating, glow-in-the-dark, protection shield and grip for a flashlight. The shield encircles the switch so that the switch cannot inadvertently be turned ON to discharge the batteries.