bpierce
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2014
- Messages
- 17
Hi -- I'm a newbie who is joining these forums to learn more about making LED flashlights. I created a prototype of a new flashlight product, but the characteristics of it may create some interesting design challenges as I look to create a real/final design spec ...and I'm a software engineer, not an electrical engineer. The product is an LED flashlight that docks in a table lamp so that it is always charged (I call it a "Flashlamp" ...not to be confused with a photographic flash-lamp).
A few of the potential design challenges:
(1) Since it's a lamp, it could sit on somebody's end table for many years. Are there particular battery technologies that are recommended for this type of application ...especially considering it will always be plugged in and charging? Is an 18650 Li-ion battery fine in that context?
(2) The flashlight must be bright since it may be used when the power is out ...and because I think that will it more marketable... but I also need to keep the cost down to make the product viable. Should I be looking at alternatives to the most powerful CREE LEDs?
(3) The body of the flashlight has a non-standard shape because it needs to dock into the base of the lamp. Will I have any concerns about being able to dissipate heat with such a body design? The internal side of the flashlight (that is hidden when the flashlight is docked) may be plastic instead of metal - would that create any new issues with regard to dissipating heat?
Maybe these aren't really concerns at all. I am working with an industrial design firm outside of Chicago, but of course they will tell me it's all doable since I'm paying them. Looking for 2nd opinions here, and also suggestions for resources that can best help me climb this learning curve quickly. Pics of the product are below, and a video of the product in action is available at my Kickstarter here: http://kck.st/1uZGjux.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Brian
A few of the potential design challenges:
(1) Since it's a lamp, it could sit on somebody's end table for many years. Are there particular battery technologies that are recommended for this type of application ...especially considering it will always be plugged in and charging? Is an 18650 Li-ion battery fine in that context?
(2) The flashlight must be bright since it may be used when the power is out ...and because I think that will it more marketable... but I also need to keep the cost down to make the product viable. Should I be looking at alternatives to the most powerful CREE LEDs?
(3) The body of the flashlight has a non-standard shape because it needs to dock into the base of the lamp. Will I have any concerns about being able to dissipate heat with such a body design? The internal side of the flashlight (that is hidden when the flashlight is docked) may be plastic instead of metal - would that create any new issues with regard to dissipating heat?
Maybe these aren't really concerns at all. I am working with an industrial design firm outside of Chicago, but of course they will tell me it's all doable since I'm paying them. Looking for 2nd opinions here, and also suggestions for resources that can best help me climb this learning curve quickly. Pics of the product are below, and a video of the product in action is available at my Kickstarter here: http://kck.st/1uZGjux.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Brian
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