Watertight, low power L.E.D. flashlight

• US 20030179573A1
• Filed: 03/22/2002
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James K. Chun
• Original Assignee: James K. Chun
• Inventors: Chun, James K.
• Granted Patent: US 6,793,366 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/200
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/01 Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts F21V15/02 takes precedence housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/005 Sealing arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/38 using boost topology
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

A watertight, low power flashlight is disclosed that uses a voltage tripler and regulator that enables the use of a single AA or lithium battery. The voltage tripler is a “step-up power component” that raises the battery voltage from 1.5 to approximately 5 volts required to sufficiently energize the L.E.D.s. The flashlight also includes a lightweight, compact housing with an optional dimmer switch and a side-mounted “soft” on/off switch.

Claims

1. A flashlight comprising,

a. housing having a center cavity;

b. a transparent lens attached to said housing;

c. printed circuit board disposed inside said housing, said printed circuit board including a power circuit and a voltage multiplier circuit that multiplies the voltage delivered by a battery connected to said power circuit;

d. at least one L.E.D connected to said voltage multiplier circuit;

e. an ON-OFF switch connected to said power circuit on said printed circuit board; and

,

f. a battery connected to said power circuit and used to energize said L.E.D.

2. The flashlight as recited in claim 1, further including a dimmer switch connected to said power circuit.

3. The flashlight as recited in claim 1, wherein said voltage multiplier circuit includes a synchronous boost converter.

4. The flashlight as recited in claim 1, wherein said synchronous boost converter is capable of supplying 3.3 Volts at 150 MA.

5. The flashlight as recited in claim 1, wherein said battery supplies 1.5 Volts.

6. The flashlight as recited in claim 1, wherein said flashlight includes two L.E.D.s.

7. The flashlight as recited in claim 1, further including a key ring attached to said housing.

8. The flashlight as recited in claim 1, further including a belt clip attached to said housing.

9. The flashlight as recited in claim 1, further including a reflector located inside said lens and disposed around said L.E.D.

10. A flashlight comprising,

a. housing having a center cavity;

b. a transparent lens attached to said housing;

c. printed circuit board disposed inside said housing, said printed circuit board including a power circuit and a voltage multiplier circuit that triples the voltage delivered by a battery connected to said power circuit;

d. two L.E.D.s connected to said voltage multiplier circuit;

e. an ON-OFF switch connected to said power circuit on said printed circuit board; and

,

f. a battery connected to said power circuit and used to energize said L.E.D, said battery provides 1.5 volts.

11. The flashlight as recited in claim 10, further including a dimmer switch connected to said power circuit.

12. The flashlight as recited in claim 11, wherein said housing is watertight.

13. The flashlight as recited in claim 11, further including a key ring attached to said housing.

14. The flashlight as recited in claim 11, further including a belt clip attached to said housing.

15. The flashlight as recited in claim 11, further including a reflector located inside said lens and disposed around said L.E.D.'"'"'s.

16. An L.E.D. flashlight, comprising:

a. a housing;

b. a battery;

c. a power circuit that includes at least one battery and an on/off switch;

d. a L.E.D. light circuit having at least one L.E.D. connected to said power circuit, and,

e. a voltage multiplying circuit containing a synchronous boost converter connected between said power circuit and said L.E.D. light circuit.