Collapsible Solar Lantern Structure for Portable Lighting and Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power sources, such as generators, are often inadequate and impractical for providing electricity in remote or disaster-stricken areas, where lighting and electronic device charging are critical but difficult to achieve due to lack of distribution and bulkiness.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible solar-powered lamp that can expand into a lantern form, featuring integrated solar panels, a rechargeable battery, and connectors for charging external devices, allowing for both lighting and power supply, with a design that minimizes space and maximizes solar charging efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional power sources like generators are used, then power supply capability is improved, but portability and ease of deployment deteriorate due to bulkiness
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple functional segments: solar panels for energy harvesting, rechargeable batteries for energy storage, LED lights for illumination, and USB ports for device charging. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical power sources (generators, engines) with a solar-electric system. Solar panels convert sunlight directly to electricity, which is stored in batteries and delivered electronically through USB ports, eliminating the need for mechanical moving parts and fuel storage.
2Use of energy by moving object
If solar panels are integrated into the device, then solar charging efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panels serve multiple functions: they generate electricity for charging the internal battery, can directly charge external devices via USB ports when sufficient power is available, and provide a visual indicator of charging status through integrated LEDs. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the solar panels, battery, lighting system, and device charging ports into a single integrated unit. The solar panels are positioned on the exterior surfaces, and all components share a common power management system, reducing overall system complexity compared to separate devices.
3Volume of moving object
If the device is designed to be collapsible, then portability and storage efficiency are improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device features a collapsible housing with flexible or hinged panels that can transition between an expanded operational configuration and a compressed storage configuration. The solar panels, batteries, and electronics are mounted on flexible substrates or rigid panels connected by hinges, allowing the structure to dynamically change shape without damaging internal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing incorporates flexible materials and thin-film construction, particularly in the panels containing solar cells and LED lights. This flexibility allows the device to be folded or rolled into a compact form for transport while maintaining structural integrity during use.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple use points (lights and power ports) are integrated, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device provides multiple functions through a unified system: LED lights for illumination, USB ports for charging external devices, and solar panels for energy harvesting. All these functions share common power management circuitry and the same battery pack, allowing the device to adapt to different needs (lighting, charging, or both simultaneously) without requiring separate independent systems.
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 reliable lighting and charging capabilities in remote or disaster scenarios, being portable, efficient, and adaptable to various forms for easy deployment and storage, addressing the need for power in areas lacking traditional infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
The device may also be provided with a plurality of solar panels, where, in the box example, each of the panels is on a different side of the box when it is expanded... so that they can readily be exposed to sunlight and charge a battery in the device
Implementation Method 2
The expansion from the flat form to the expanded form may be assisted by a stretchable cord inside the device that naturally shortens to draw the device into its expanded form
Data Source
AI summary
A portable device for generating and providing electricity is disclosed. The device includes one or more flat solar panels; one or more batteries arranged to be changed with electric power from the one or more flat solar panels; one or more lights arranged to be powered from the one or more batteries; one or more electric connectors arranged to receive electric power form the one or more batteries and to connect to combined power/data connections on portable electronic devices; and an expandable and collapsible housing holding the solar panels, batteries, and lights, and arranged to form a hollow inner volume when expanded and a flat panel when contracted.