Portable Lighting Device With Separate Indicia Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable lighting devices, such as flashlights and lanterns, lack brand recognition and are difficult to locate in dark or low-light conditions, compromising their performance and utility.
Innovation Solution
A portable lighting device with a primary light source and a secondary light source that illuminates an indicia, symbol, or pattern, where the secondary light source is configured to illuminate only the indicia without mixing with the primary light, aiding in brand recognition and location in low-light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a portable lighting device provides illumination in dark conditions, then the utility and performance of the device is improved, but the device becomes difficult to locate and brand recognition is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lighting device into two distinct lighting systems: a primary light source for illumination and a secondary light source for indicia illumination. This segmentation allows each light source to serve its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction by enabling both utility (primary light) and detectability/brand recognition (secondary light on indicia) to operate simultaneously without interfering with each other.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a secondary light source is added to illuminate indicia, then brand recognition and device location are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the secondary light source and the indicia into a single integrated assembly, where the indicia serves as both the branding element and the light-diffusing structure. This merging reduces overall device complexity compared to adding a completely separate indication system, as the indicia itself becomes part of the lighting assembly rather than an additional component.
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
Enhances brand awareness and facilitates easy location of the flashlight in dark environments by providing a distinct indicia illumination without interfering with the primary light source's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
A primary light source with a light emitter emits light axially along a longitudinal axis of the main body or housing through a lens
Implementation Method 2
A secondary light source with a light emitter emits light substantially perpendicular to the axis to illuminate an indicia located in a side region of the illumination assembly
Implementation Method 3
The illumination assembly also has a collimator located between the first light source and the second light source, wherein the collimator constrains passage of light emitted from the first and second light sources
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a portable lighting device with an elongated main body that includes a housing with receiver, and a power source positioned within the receiver. An operational mode selector assembly with a switch assembly that is actuated by a user is operatively coupled to the power source. An illumination assembly is electrically coupled to both the operational mode selector and the power source. The illumination assembly has a primary light source with a light emitter that emits light axially along a longitudinal axis of the main body or housing through a lens. A secondary light source with a light emitter emits light substantially perpendicular to the axis to illuminate an indicia located in a side region of the illumination assembly. During operation of the portable lighting device, the components of the illumination assembly are arranged such that: (i) the primary light source does not illuminate the indicia, (ii) the secondary light source does not emit light through the lens, (iii) an appreciable amount of light emitted from the primary light source does not mix with light that is emitted from the secondary light source within the portable lighting device, and (iv) an appreciable amount of light emitted from the secondary light source does not mix with light that is emitted from the primary light source within the portable lighting device.