Solar Flag Light with Downward Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional flag lights are inefficient in illuminating flags from both the front and rear, often causing shadows and contributing to luminous pollution, and are not effective in low sunlight conditions.
Innovation Solution
A solar-powered flag light with an elongated housing featuring a concave interior surface and downward-facing lights powered by solar cells, which can be securely attached to flagpoles or stands, ensuring even illumination of both sides of the flag without casting shadows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional flag lights direct light upward to illuminate the flag, then the flag can be illuminated, but shadows are cast making it difficult to view both front and rear of the flag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from upward-directed lighting (single dimension) to downward-facing lights positioned on both sides of the flagpole (multiple dimensions). This allows light to reach both the front and rear of the flag simultaneously, eliminating shadows and enabling viewing from both sides without information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple light sources positioned at different locations around the flagpole. Instead of a single upward light, multiple lights are distributed to illuminate different portions of the flag from various angles, ensuring comprehensive coverage of both front and rear surfaces.
2Illumination intensity
If traditional flag lights are used to illuminate the flag, then the flag is visible, but luminous pollution is contributed to the surrounding areas
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is designed to provide localized illumination specifically targeted at the flag and immediate surrounding area. The downward-facing lights concentrate illumination where needed rather than scattering light upward into the environment, reducing luminous pollution while maintaining effective flag visibility.
3Loss of energy
If solar cells are used to power the lights, then energy efficiency is improved and luminous pollution is reduced, but the system requires sufficient sunlight to function
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates solar cells that automatically recharge the battery during daylight hours when sunlight is available. This self-charging mechanism ensures the lights are ready for operation during low sunlight conditions without requiring external intervention or grid power, maintaining reliability while preserving energy efficiency.
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 solar-powered flag light provides efficient and shadow-free illumination of flags in low sunlight conditions, reducing luminous pollution and allowing clear viewing of both flag sides, while being environmentally friendly and convenient to use.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of solar cells disposed along an exterior surface of the elongated housing... At least one power source disposed within the housing and operably connected to the plurality of lights and the plurality of solar cells, such that the solar cells power the lights
Data Source
AI summary
A solar-powered flag light designed to affix to a flagpole or flag stand and thereby illuminate the flag for easy viewing. The solar-powered flag light includes an elongated housing having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The elongated housing has an arcuate shape. A channel is on the interior surface along a central axis designed to receive a pole therein. A plurality of lights is along the interior surface and a plurality of solar cells are disposed along the exterior surface. At least one power source is within the housing and operably connected to the plurality of lights and the plurality of solar cells, such that the solar cells power the lights. In this way, a user is able to illuminate a flag, such that individuals may easily view the flag.