Variable Inductor Lighting Control via Mechanical Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable lighting devices often have limited brightness settings, requiring costly mechanical configurations or user hand position changes, which hampers their functionality in varying lighting conditions.
Innovation Solution
A variable control system utilizing a variable inductor that changes inductance in response to user-actuated movements, inducing an oscillating signal whose characteristics are measured to determine settings for adjusting brightness or other attributes of the lighting device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional switches with multiple settings are used, then brightness control options increase, but device complexity and cost increase due to mechanical configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switches with a variable inductor controlled by a single physical control element. The variable inductor uses magnetic field effects to provide multiple brightness settings without mechanical complexity, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the inductance parameter of the variable inductor in response to user input, which modulates the oscillating signal characteristics to control brightness. This allows continuous or stepped brightness control through a single parameter change rather than multiple mechanical switches
2Ease of operation
If conventional switches are used, then brightness adjustment is possible, but ease of operation deteriorates due to hand position changes or requiring a second hand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single physical control element (such as a tail cap) perform multiple functions by detecting different user inputs (press depth, press duration, press pattern) to provide various brightness settings and control modes, eliminating the need for multiple switches or hand position changes
Solution Approach 2:
The variable inductor automatically detects and responds to user input through changes in its electrical characteristics, providing self-service control without requiring the user to manually configure mechanical switches or change hand positions
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 a flexible and efficient means to adjust lighting settings without the need for complex mechanical configurations, allowing for continuous or stepped control of illumination levels based on user input.
Implementation Method 1
A variable control for a lighting device may be implemented with a variable inductor... An oscillating signal may be induced in a variable inductor circuit that includes the variable inductor. The oscillating signal may exhibit characteristics, such as frequency, that change with the inductance of the variable inductor.
Data Source
AI summary
Various techniques are provided for implementing a lighting device variable control using a variable inductor. In various examples, the variable control may be implemented with a plurality of continuous or stepped settings. The variable control may be adjusted by a user-actuated movement of a part of the lighting device, such as the depression of a tail cap or another appropriate physical control to change the inductance of the variable inductor. An oscillating signal may be induced in a variable inductor circuit that includes the variable inductor. The oscillating signal may exhibit characteristics, such as frequency, that change with the inductance of the variable inductor. Such characteristics may be measured to determine a setting of the variable control and which may be used to adjust the brightness or other attributes of the lighting device.