Solar Light Stick with Dispersive Wand for Lawn Ornaments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighted lawn ornaments require AC power, intricate wiring, expensive components, and are limited to white light, making them costly, prone to theft, and lacking versatility in color options.
Innovation Solution
A solar-powered light stick with a support member, solar panel, rechargeable battery, LED, and wand made from durable, inexpensive materials, featuring a light transmissive wand for dispersed light and an ambient light sensor for automatic activation, allowing various colors and no external electrical hookups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If AC power connection and intricate wiring are used, then illumination is provided, but device complexity and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power connection interface from the lawn ornament by using a self-contained rechargeable battery pack that charges via solar panel or external power source through a simple connector. This eliminates the need for intricate wiring between ornaments and AC power sources, while still providing illumination through the LED.
Solution Approach 2:
The lawn ornament incorporates an integrated solar panel that automatically charges the internal rechargeable battery during the day, enabling the ornament to illuminate itself at night without requiring external wiring or power connections. This self-service capability reduces installation complexity while maintaining illumination function.
2Illumination intensity
If incandescent or halogen light bulbs are used, then illumination is provided, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the light source parameter from incandescent/halogen bulbs to LED (light-emitting diode), which consumes significantly less energy to produce the same illumination. The LED is powered by the rechargeable battery, further reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining adequate illumination for lawn ornament purposes.
3Illumination intensity
If only white light is used, then illumination is provided, but versatility in color options is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by incorporating multiple LEDs of different colors (e.g., red, green, blue) within the same lawn ornament housing. This allows the single ornament to provide various color illumination options, increasing versatility while maintaining the illumination function. The controller can activate different LED combinations to produce various colors.
4Illumination intensity
If expensive components are used, then illumination is provided, but cost increases and theft risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts a design philosophy of using inexpensive, replaceable components including the battery pack, solar panel, and LED assembly. If the ornament is stolen or damaged, these cheap components can be easily replaced rather than replacing the entire ornament. This reduces manufacturing cost and theft risk while maintaining illumination capability.
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
Provides durable, cost-effective, and versatile solar-powered lighting for lawns and gardens with automatic operation and multiple color options, reducing energy consumption and installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The solar panel charges the rechargeable battery
Implementation Method 2
provides power to the LED. The LED is positioned to provide light to the interior of the wand
Implementation Method 3
Voids, such as interior bubbles, suspended objects, or surface irregularities may help to disperse light from the LED in a direction external to the wand
Data Source
AI summary
A solar light stick for use as a lawn or garden novelty. The solar light stick has a support member, a solar panel, a rechargeable battery, an LED, and a wand. The wand contains a light transmissive material that may be transparent or translucent. The solar panel charges the rechargeable battery which, in turn, provides power to the LED. The LED is positioned to provide light to the interior of the wand. As such, the LED may be located within a recess in the wand. Voids, such as interior bubbles, suspended objects, or surface irregularities may help to disperse light from the LED in a direction external to the wand.