Transparent-Shaft Walking Stick With Handle-Mounted LED Lighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing walking sticks do not provide adequate illumination for improved visibility in low-light conditions, compromising safety for users and others around them.

Innovation Solution

A lighted walking stick with a transparent shaft, handle-mounted illuminator, and tip-mounted reflector, utilizing an LED light source for enhanced visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a walking stick is made opaque for structural integrity and aesthetic purposes, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but illumination visibility is blocked and safety in low-light conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidshaft structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is made transparent instead of opaque, allowing light to pass through and illuminate the user's path. This transparency enables the illumination function while maintaining structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between visibility and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Reliability

If an illuminator is added to the walking stick to improve visibility in dark environments, then safety is improved, but device complexity and potential failure points increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcomponent count

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The illuminator is integrated into the handle assembly, combining the lighting function with the existing handle structure. This merging approach adds illumination capability while minimizing additional complexity by utilizing the handle as part of the illumination system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A light guide or transparent shaft acts as an intermediary to transmit light from the illuminator to the user's path. This intermediary element efficiently delivers illumination without requiring complex optical systems, maintaining simplicity while improving safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If a transparent shaft is used to allow light transmission, then illumination visibility is improved, but structural strength and durability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight transmissionVSAvoidshaft durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is constructed from transparent materials that provide both optical clarity for light transmission and sufficient structural strength. Materials like transparent polymers or glass can be selected to balance transparency with mechanical durability, resolving the contradiction between light transmission and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 user visibility and awareness to others, ensuring safer navigation in dark environments.

Implementation Method 1

an illuminator mounted within the handle and directed along the axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a transparent shaft defined along an axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS20250280930A1Lighted Walking Stick

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 STOREY ROZILYN RENEE

AI summary

A lighted walking stick includes a transparent shaft defined along an axis; a handle mounted to the transparent shaft along the axis; an illuminator mounted within the handle and directed along the axis; and a tip mounted to the transparent shaft along the axis.