1. Technical Field
This disclosure generally relates to lighting devices and more particularly to the switching of lighting devices to operate in various modes.
2. Related Art
Conventional lighting devices (e.g., flashlights, headlamps, or others) are often implemented with relatively simple two-wire circuits in which a lighting element is connected to a switch and a battery through a resistor. Such a configuration typically allows for only simple on/off switching of the lighting device and does not permit more sophisticated lighting operations to be performed.
More advanced configurations may be implemented with multiple user-selectable controls. Unfortunately, such controls are often poorly implemented in ways that make them cumbersome to use and may require two hands to operate. Also, such controls may be confusing to users. As a result, such controls are often inconvenient and may be particularly troublesome to use in crisis situations where illumination is immediately required.
Various lighting devices and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, a portable lighting device includes a light source; lighting control circuitry; first and second power terminals adapted to receive a battery power source; first and second electrical connections between the lighting control circuitry and the first and second power terminals; a third electrical connection between the second power terminal and the lighting control circuitry; and a switch adapted to selectively connect and disconnect the third electrical connection, wherein the lighting control circuitry is adapted to operate the light source in response to a signal received over the third electrical connection in response to the switch, wherein the first and second electrical connections are adapted to provide constant power to the lighting control circuitry while the battery power source is connected to the first and second power terminals regardless of operation of the switch.
In another embodiment, a method of operating a portable lighting device includes providing constant power to lighting control circuitry from a battery power source through first and second electrical connections between the lighting control circuitry and first and second power terminals of the battery power source regardless of operation of a switch; receiving a manipulation of the switch to connect or disconnect a third electrical connection between the second power terminal and the lighting control circuitry; receiving a signal over the third electrical connection in response to the switch; and operating a light source by the lighting control circuitry in response to the signal.
In another embodiment, a portable lighting device includes a light source; lighting control circuitry; a body; and a tailcap assembly attached to an end of the body, the tailcap assembly comprising: a multi-position joystick adapted to pivot relative to the body in response to lateral pressure and move vertically relative to the body in response to vertical pressure, and switches adapted to provide signals to the lighting control circuitry in response to pivot movement and vertical movement of the joystick, wherein the lighting control circuitry is adapted to operate the light source in response to the signals.
In another embodiment, a method of operating a portable lighting device comprising a light source, lighting control circuitry, a body, and a tailcap assembly comprising a multi-position joystick and a plurality of switches is provided. The method includes receiving lateral pressure at the joystick; permitting the joystick to pivot relative to the body in response to the lateral pressure; receiving vertical pressure at the joystick; permitting vertical movement of the joystick relative to the body in response to the vertical pressure; operating switches in response to pivot movement or vertical movement of the joystick; receiving signals at the lighting control circuitry in response to the switches; and operating the light source by the lighting control circuitry in response to the signals.
The scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, which are incorporated into this section by reference. A more complete understanding of embodiments will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of one or more embodiments. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings that will first be described briefly.
Embodiments of the disclosure and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures.
In accordance with various embodiments described herein, multiple user controls may be implemented in a lighting device (e.g., a portable lighting device), such as a tailcap of a rechargeable or non-rechargeable flashlight. In one embodiment, a multi-stage switching arrangement may be provided in a tailcap assembly that permits users to switch between a constant on/off mode to a momentary on/off mode with just one hand. Such an embodiment may be advantageous during crisis situations, such as during combat, and does not require the user to use a second hand to twist or otherwise manipulate the tailcap.
In one embodiment, such an arrangement may be implemented using a joystick which may be moved to various positions (e.g., stages) which move one or more washers and/or springs to effectively open and/or close various circuits to effectuate switching. For example, various switches may be selectively operated by pressing down on a joystick (e.g., applying downward pressure or force) to transition between various positions and/or by pushing the joystick to the side (e.g., applying lateral pressure or force) through one or more positions. When moved to the different positions (e.g., press down, press down further, push to the side, and push further to the side in one embodiment), resistors of different resistance values may be introduced into a circuit. The different resistance values may be detected by lighting control circuitry of the lighting device as signals to operate in various modes. Such modes may include, for example: momentary on/off modes to turn on a light source when the joystick is moved to a given position and turn off the light source after the joystick is released from the position; constant on/off modes to turn on a light source when the joystick is moved to a given position, keep the light source turned on after the joystick is released from the position, and turn off the light source after the joystick is moved to the same and/or a different position; light intensity adjustment modes in which the brightness of a light source changes in response to different joystick positions; pattern modes in which a light source flashes in accordance with a pattern; light source selection modes in which different light sources are selected for use; and any other modes as may be desired in particular implementations.
In one embodiment, different positions may be used simultaneously. For example, the joystick may be pushed down to one or more positions and moved to the side to one or more positions simultaneously if desired.
In one embodiment, a washer with multiple aims may be used to capture movement of a joystick, such as 360 degree movement. Such an embodiment may also include an additional washer with multiple arms to capture the pushing-in movement of the joystick. In one embodiment, the joystick may be installed on a spring providing on-axis centering.
In another embodiment, a lighting device, such as a flashlight, may be implemented to provide a complete circuit from a power source (e.g., one or more batteries and/or another power source) to lighting control circuitry (e.g., a microcontroller, microprocessor, and/or other circuitry) of the device such that the lighting control circuitry is constantly powered on (e.g., in a stand by or idle state) and ready to receive switched input signals from user-operable controls (e.g., switches) of the lighting device to control the operation of a light source. In this regard, electrical connections (e.g., also referred to as conductive paths, wires, and electrical traces) may be provided from a power source to lighting control circuitry to maintain the lighting control circuitry in a powered state. Maintaining the lighting control circuitry in a powered state may reduce the likelihood of sparks being created when the light source is switched on. Such an implementation may be particularly advantageous in certain environments and activities, such as mining and explosive areas.
An additional electrical connection may be provided between the power source and the lighting control circuitry. One or more switches (e.g., user-operable switches) may be used to selectively open or close the additional electrical connection and/or introduce one or more resistors between the power source and the lighting control circuitry.
In one embodiment, this additional electrical connection may be provided by a conductive housing of a body of the lighting device. For example, the housing may be used as a conduit for providing switching signals from switches in a tailcap assembly of a flashlight to lighting control circuitry in a head of the flashlight.
In one embodiment, the additional electrical connection may be used in an implementation of the lighting device that also uses a multi-stage switching arrangement as described herein. Moreover, any desired combinations of the various embodiments described herein may be used as desired in particular implementations.
Body 120 includes recharging port 111, a housing 126, and a power source 122 (e.g., one or more batteries such as lithium ion batteries, other types of batteries, and/or other power sources). In rechargeable embodiments, power source 122 may be connected to recharging port 111 through recharging circuitry 113 (e.g., used to recharge power source 122). A power terminal 173 (see
In one embodiment, housing 126 may be conductive so as to provide an additional electrical connection that may be selectively connected and disconnected between power terminal 172 and lighting control circuitry 116 in response to a switch. In one embodiment, such a switch may be provided by rotation of tailcap assembly 130 relative to housing 126. Body 120 may also include a sleeve 127 which may be used to insulate power source 122 and electrical connection 124 from housing 126.
In one embodiment, housing 126 may be made from a conductive material (e.g., aluminum, another metal, or another conductive material) and sleeve 127 may be made from a non-conductive material (e.g., polymer, plastic, or another non-conductive material) to insulate electrical connections 124 and/or 170 from housing 126. As a result, separate electrical connections may be provided from power terminal 172 to head 110 (e.g., one connection may be provided by electrical connection 124 and another connection may be provided by housing 126).
Other configurations are also contemplated. For example, in another embodiment, housing 126 may be made from a non-conductive material, and sleeve 127 may be made from a conductive material. In this regard, one or more additional conductive and/or non-conductive components (e.g., additional electrical connections, conductive and/or non-conductive sleeves, or other components) may be provided (e.g., in nested configurations and/or otherwise) to provide two or more separate electrical connections from tailcap assembly 130 to head 110 as may be desired in particular implementations.
Tailcap assembly 130 may provide various user-operable switches as described herein. Although user-operable switches are described herein with regard to tailcap assembly 130, it is contemplated that one or more user-operable switches may be provided on head 110 and/or body 120 in various embodiments.
Lighting control circuitry 116 may detect signals such as changes in voltage, current, and/or resistance as switches 140, 142, 144, 146, and 148 cause various resistors 150, 152, 154, 156, and 158 to be connected between a terminal of power source 122 and housing 126. In response to such signals, lighting control circuitry 116 may operate light source 114 in any desired fashion. For example, lighting control circuitry 116 may turn light source 114 on or off, adjust the brightness (e.g., intensity) of light source 114, flash light source 114 in any desired pattern, select one or more different light sources 114 (e.g., in embodiments where multiple light sources 114 are provided), and/or perform any other operation as desired.
In some embodiments, each of resistors 150, 152, 154, 156, and 158 may have a different resistance value such that lighting control circuitry 116 may detect the switching of any combination of switches 140, 142, 144, 146, and 148. For example, in some embodiments, resistors 150, 152, 154, 156, and 158 may be implemented with resistances that differ from each other (e.g., by a factor of two or any other desired factor). In one embodiment, the following resistance values may be used: resistor 150 (100 kohm), resistor 152 (4 kohm), resistor 154 (2 kohm), resistor 156 (25 kohm), and resistor 158 (12.5 kohm). Resistors 150, 152, 154, 156, and 158 may be implemented with any desired resistance values in other embodiments.
In one embodiment, resistors 150, 152, 154, 156, and 158 may be surface mounted resistors connected to various nodes. In this regard, nodes are identified in
In one embodiment where power source 122 is a rechargeable battery pack, a resistor 174 (e.g., a 3 kohm resistor in one embodiment) may be connected between power terminals 172 and 173 (e.g., within the rechargeable battery pack).
Referring now to
As shown in
Retaining ring 410 may be conductive and may be used to electrically connect components of tailcap assembly 130 to housing 126 through a bushing 1206 (see
Eyelet 412, washer 414, and spring 416 may be conductive and may be used to electrically connect power terminal 172 to components of tailcap assembly 130 (see
Washer 420 may be conductive and may be used to electrically connect retaining ring 410 to PCB 422. As shown in
PCB 422 includes various conductive paths to support selective switching features of tailcap assembly 130. As shown in
Spring 424 may be conductive and may be used to electrically connect conductive path 463 of PCB 422 to bushing 430.
Spring 426 may be conductive and may be used to electrically connect conductive paths 467 of PCB 422 to PCB 442. In this regard, spring 426 includes a pigtail 427 which may extend through a recess 433 in PCB 432 and an aperture 490 of PCB 442 to connect to PCB 442 through aperture 490 (see
Washer 428 may be conductive and may be used to electrically connect various components of tailcap assembly 130 as described herein. As shown in
Bushing 430 may be conductive and may be used to electrically connect spring 424 to conductive path 499 of PCB 432 (see FIGS. 9A and 12E-F).
PCB 432 includes various conductive paths to support selective switching features of tailcap assembly 130. As shown in
PCB 432 also includes conductive paths 480 (e.g., which may be implemented as conductive through holes in one embodiment). As discussed, ends 471 of arms 466 of washer 428 may selectively contact conductive paths 480. Conductive paths 480 may be used to connect washer 428 to conductive paths 494. Conductive paths 494 are connected to pad 493B. As shown in
PCB 432 also includes a recess 433 which may receive pigtail 427 of spring 426 as discussed. PCB 432 also includes apertures 476 which may receive posts 448 (see
Spring 434 may be conductive and may be used to electrically connect bushing 430 to an end 482 of joystick 438 (see
Housing 436 may be made of non-conductive material and may be used to enclose and insulate various components of tailcap assembly 130 (see
Joystick 438 may be conductive and may be used to selectively close various switches in response to vertical and/or lateral pressure applied by a user. Joystick 438 includes an end 482, a protrusion 483 (e.g., a ring in one embodiment), and a body 484. As shown in
Washer 440 may be conductive and may be used to electrically connect various components of tailcap assembly 130 as described herein. As shown in
Arms 441 of washer 440 also include protrusions 445 (e.g., dimples, bumps, or tabs) on top surfaces which may be used to selectively contact one or more conductive paths 402 of PCB 442 (see
In various embodiments, a plurality of arms 441 may be provided around joystick 438 such that one or more of arms 441 may contact joystick 438 when joystick is moved in any lateral direction. Such a plurality of arms 441 may also provide redundant connections (e.g., in the event that one of arms 441 fails to provide a connection as expected, one or more remaining arms 441 may provide the connection).
Washer 440 also includes tabs 449 which may be inserted into apertures 488 of PCB 442 (see
PCB 442 includes various conductive paths to support selective switching features of tailcap assembly 130. As shown in
PCB 442 also includes conductive paths 402 which are connected together by conductive paths 401 (e.g., which may be implemented as conductive through holes in one embodiment) and conductive path 409. Conductive paths 402 are also connected to a conductive path 407 and pad 408A through a conductive path 406 (e.g., which may be implemented as a conductive through hole in one embodiment). As shown in
Housing 444 may be made of non-conductive material and may engage with housing 436 to enclose and insulate various components of tailcap assembly 130 (see
Joystick housing 446 engages with joystick 438 and cap 452, and may move with joystick 438 and cap 452 as vertical or lateral pressure is applied to joystick 438 (see
Posts 448 may be engaged with various components of tailcap assembly 130 through apertures 405, 470, 476, and 486 as discussed (see
Tailcap 450 may be engaged with housing 126 through complementary threads 1202 (see
Cap 452 may be engaged with tailcap 450 and further may be engaged with joystick housing 446 (see
Retainer 454 may be engaged with tailcap 450 through complementary threads 1214 (see
In
While tailcap assembly 130 in the position of
From the standby position of
As shown in
While tailcap assembly 130 in the position of
In particular, while tailcap assembly 130 is in the position of
When no lateral pressure is applied, a gap 1212 exists between protrusion 483 of joystick 438 and ends 443 of arms 441 of washer 440 (see
As discussed herein, a conductive path is provided from power terminal 172 to bushing 430. Spring 434 provides a further conductive path from bushing 430 to end 482 of joystick 438. Thus, while joystick 438 contacts washer 440, power terminal 172 is electrically connected to washer 440.
Washer 440 is electrically connected to housing 126 through: tabs 449, apertures 488, conductive path 403, pad 404A, resistor 156, pad 404B, aperture 490, spring 426, conductive paths 467, at least one of apertures 462, at least one of tabs 460, washer 420, retaining ring 410, and bushing 1206. Accordingly, when the various components of tailcap assembly 130 are moved in the manner shown in
As shown in
Conductive paths 402 care connected to housing 126 through: conductive paths 401, conductive path 409, conductive path 406, conductive path 407, pad 408A, resistor 158, pad 408B, aperture 490, spring 426, conductive paths 467, at least one of apertures 462, at least one of tabs 460, washer 420, retaining ring 410, and bushing 1206. Accordingly, when the various components of tailcap assembly 130 are moved in the manner shown in
It will be appreciated that tailcap assembly 130 may be selectively moved between any of the positions of
Although certain combinations of switches 140, 142, 144, 146, and 148 have been described with regard to tailcap assembly 130, it will be appreciated that any desired combinations may be used. For example, in certain embodiments, downward and lateral pressure may be simultaneously applied to joystick 438 as desired to simultaneously close one or more of switches 142 and 144 while one or more of switches 146 and 148 are also closed.
In one embodiment, 16 different switched modes may be supported. For example, lighting control circuitry 116 may be configured such that if tailcap assembly 130 is adjusted to the position of
Other switch configurations are also contemplated. For example,
Where applicable, the various components set forth herein can be combined into composite components and/or separated into sub-components. Where applicable, the ordering of various steps described herein can be changed, combined into composite steps, and/or separated into sub-steps to provide features described herein.
Embodiments described herein illustrate but do not limit the disclosure. It should also be understood that numerous modifications and variations are possible in accordance with the principles of the disclosure.
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