DE102015119767B4 - Flashlight with battery spring contact for at least two switching functions - Google Patents

Abstract

Flashlight with at least one first and second switching state, comprising: a) a battery container (1) with an upper (11) and a lower section (12), which is formed with a cavity along a longitudinal axis in order to accommodate at least one battery (8) therein of a predetermined total battery length having first (81) and second battery posts (82);b) a closure (2) connected to and closing off the top portion (11) of the battery container (1) and the has a stop (20) internally in the longitudinal direction towards the battery (8);b) a lamp part (3) which is connected to the lower section (12) of the battery container (1) and closes the cavity to the battery (8), and which has a contact device (4) with a first (K1) and second battery contact (K2) with electronics (5) and with a light source (6), the first battery contact (K1) being electrically connected to the first battery pole (81). , the second battery contact (K2) is arranged adjacent to the second battery pole (82) and makes direct contact with it, and the electronics (5) are connected to the first (K1) and the second battery contact (K2) and the lighting means (6) with a first and another second current;c) an adjustment means (7) which is arranged in a mechanical connection between the stop (20) and the contact device (4) and is designed to manually adjust a distance (A) therebetween with an adjustment path set reversibly and thereby be able to press or push the battery (8) with a variable force (FZ) or the adjustment path against the second battery contact (K2) and thereby make contact; characterized in thatd) the contact device (4) has a force sensor (S1), which is a piezo sensor, a piezo disk or a piezo film and which is arranged to measure the force (FZ) on the second battery contact (K2 ) to measure, wherein the force sensor (S1) generates an analog or digital signal and at least a first force, a first signal and a second force, which is greater than the first force, a second signal and forwards it to the electronics (5); ande) the electronics (5) generating the first switching state and the first current upon detection of the first signal and the second switching state and the second current upon detection of the second signal.

Description

The present invention relates to a flashlight or flashlight with which at least two switching states for controlling a light source can be generated simply by turning a rear part against a front part thereof, and it relates to a corresponding method for controlling.

Background of the invention and prior art

The well-known flashlights or flashlights have on the side or on a rear cover part where batteries can be filled, for example switches or pushbuttons, through which a respective switching state can be set. A respective switching state is understood as a control of, for example, a specific light intensity, a light interval, a light color, a flashing light function, a light signal frequency or light patterns. The switching states are detected by an electronic system, which then controls at least one lamp, such as at least one LED, halogen or xenon lamp, a laser or another lamp according to the switching state. Switches are expensive if you want them to be durable and robust, and they are often difficult to assemble and contact. The switches or buttons also often fail if, for example, they have to be simple in design in the low-price segment.

DE 10 2010 026 713 A1 discloses a flashlight with a printed circuit board with LED and arranged thereon at least two contacts for controlling the LED with at least two brightness levels or colors. In this case, a circuit is closed via different electrical contacts, with at least one of the contacts not being a battery contact.

U.S. 2009/0 251 893 A1 discloses a flashlight with another printed circuit board with LED and arranged thereon at least two contacts for controlling the LED with at least two brightness levels or colors. A second contact printed circuit board with at least two contacts of different lengths to the printed circuit board with the LED is arranged such that it can be manually adjusted in translation, in order to preferably connect either one or both contacts to the printed circuit board in order to control the LED accordingly.

US 2005 / 0 270 773 A1 discloses a switch for a flashlight, the switch being based on a conical-spiral twisted contact spring on a circuit board with at least two flat contacts arranged underneath, with an end of the conical-spiral contact spring remote from the circuit board a battery pole of a battery is connected. Depending on the adjustable distance between the battery and the printed circuit board, the contact spring makes contact with one or more contacts for controlling a light source such as an LED. Due to the mechanical design, however, only a limited number of control states are possible.

U.S. 2008/0 100 413 A1 discloses another variable intensity flashlight, wherein the variable intensity is generated by a conductive elastic material having conductivity versus compression, the conductive elastic material being disposed between a battery post and LED electronics and variably passing therebetween a sliding battery is compressed.

US 2009 0 323 316 A1 discloses a light mounted on the back of a glove and actuatable by a pressure sensor or switch located on an inner surface of the glove.

WO 2009/079 339 A2 , U.S. 7,880,100 B2 , U.S. 7,652,216 B2 and U.S. 8,258,416 B2 disclose, for example, a switch as a button for flashlights that have an electrically conductive dome with laterally protruding feet that can contact a printed circuit board when actuated. One of the lateral feet is shorter than the others. When the dome is pressed together against the printed circuit board, the shorter foot first makes contact with a first dome height, then with a second, smaller dome height, a central part of the dome also makes contact with a contact surface on the printed circuit board. In a corresponding configuration of the dome, the dome folds over reversibly like a snapping frog, so that the shorter foot then lifts off again and makes no contact. A permanent switching function is not possible with these buttons. In addition, cabling is required between the button and the electronics, which should be as close and compact as possible to the light source for cost reasons. It is therefore not possible to completely switch off the function with an inserted battery without providing an additional switch to disconnect the battery voltage. As a result, in an actuated off state of the lamp without an additional off switch, a basic current will still flow in order to keep the electronics ready for detection for a state change.

EP 1 848 016 A2 discloses a button for flashlights, which consists of two click-frog-like buttons arranged one above the other, which have different rigidities and correspondingly different switching points. On In this way, two pressure points can be generated and the flashlight can be controlled differently at a first and at a second pressure point. However, an entire

Decoupling the battery as an off state is again only possible with a separate switch.

GB 1 537 686 A and U.S. 3,941,964A or. DE 25 55 137 A1 disclose similar click-frog-like buttons as the references described above, with the same disadvantages.

An additional circuit breaker is disadvantageous for a number of reasons, such as additional costs and the possibility of failure. The second switch or button represents a further source of leakage. An additional source of errors and failures is generated by each additional contact and each additional electrical line and contact that is required as a result.

DE 20 2010 015 591 U1 discloses a flashlight with a battery container, which has a lid with a threaded connection at an upper part thereof, in order to be able to fill in batteries and to be able to contact them when screwing them on from a certain position. The cover has a first battery contact on the inside for making contact with an upper battery pole. By opening and closing the lid, a simple on/off switching is effected without having to connect another contact or a switch in between. The lamp part is located at the other, lower end of the battery container. The battery housing and the cover create an electrical connection between the upper battery terminal and the lamp part. The lamp part has a contact printed circuit board in the center on the inside with a lower second battery contact for making contact with the second battery pole. Turning the cover back in the opening direction releases one of the battery contacts from one of the battery poles, which turns off the light. The disadvantage here is that only a single switch-on state is possible and in this way only one light intensity can be controlled.

DE 10 2014 112 265 A1 discloses a flashlight with an adjustable brightness and light color, which is controlled by rotating the flashlight around its own axis. However, the control electronics are complex and therefore expensive.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a battery-operated flashlight or flashlight that eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art and with which it is possible to generate at least two switch-on states with the least possible outlay in terms of components and costs, and which is as robust and as possible as possible should be easy to produce.

The above object and other objects to be found in the description are achieved by a flashlight and a method according to the feature combinations of independent claims 1 and 8, respectively.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

• a) einen Batteriebehälter mit einem oberen und einem unteren Abschnitt, der entlang einer Längsachse mit einem Hohlraum ausgebildet ist, um darin mindestens eine Batterie mit einer vorbestimmten gesamten Batterielänge aufzunehmen, die einen ersten und einen zweiten Batteriepol aufweist;
• b) einen Verschluss, der mit dem oberen Abschnitt des Batteriebehälters verbunden ist und diesen abschließt und der innen in Längsrichtung zur Batterie hin einen Anschlag aufweist;
• b) ein Lampenteil, das mit dem unteren Abschnitt des Batteriebehälters verbunden ist und den Hohlraum zur Batterie abschließt, und das eine Kontaktvorrichtung mit einem ersten und zweiten Batteriekontakt mit einer Elektronik und mit einem Leuchtmittel aufweist, wobei der erste Batteriekontakt elektrisch mit dem ersten Batteriepol verbunden ist, der zweite Batteriekontakt angrenzend zu dem zweiten Batteriepol angeordnet ist und diesen direkt kontaktiert, und die Elektronik mit dem ersten und dem zweiten Batteriekontakt verbunden ist und das Leuchtmittel mit einem ersten und einem anderen zweiten Strom ansteuert;
• c) ein Verstellmittel, das in einer mechanischen Verbindung zwischen dem Anschlag und der Kontaktvorrichtung angeordnet und ausgebildet ist, einen dazwischen liegenden Abstand mit einem Verstellweg manuell reversibel einstellen und dadurch die Batterie mit einer variablen Kraft oder dem Verstellweg gegen den zweiten Batteriekontakt drücken oder schieben zu können und dabei zu kontaktieren; wobei erfindungsgemäß
• d) die Kontaktvorrichtung einen Kraftsensor aufweist, der ein Piezo-Sensor, eine Piezo-Scheibe oder eine Piezo-Folie ist und der angeordnet ist, um die Kraft auf den zweiten Batteriekontakt zu messen, wobei der Kraftsensor ein analoges oder digitales Signal und mindestens bei einer ersten Kraft ein erstes Signal und bei einer zweiten Kraft, die größer als die erste Kraft ist, ein zweites Signal erzeugt und an die Elektronik weiterleitet; und
• e) die Elektronik bei Detektion des ersten Signals den ersten Schaltzustand und den ersten Strom und bei Detektion des zweiten Signals den zweiten Schaltzustand und den zweiten Strom erzeugt.

The flashlight with at least a first and second switching state includes:

• a) a battery container having an upper and a lower portion formed with a cavity along a longitudinal axis for receiving therein at least one battery of a predetermined overall battery length having first and second battery posts;
• b) a closure connected to and enclosing the upper portion of the battery container and having an internal stop longitudinally toward the battery;
• b) a lamp part which is connected to the lower section of the battery container and closes the cavity to the battery, and which has a contact device with a first and second battery contact with electronics and with a lighting means, the first battery contact being electrically connected to the first battery pole is, the second battery contact is arranged adjacent to the second battery pole and makes direct contact therewith, and the electronics are connected to the first and the second battery contact and controls the lighting means with a first and a different second current;
• c) an adjustment means, which is arranged in a mechanical connection between the stop and the contact device and is designed to manually and reversibly set a distance in between with an adjustment path and thereby press or push the battery against the second battery contact with a variable force or the adjustment path can and thereby to contact; wherein according to the invention
• d) the contact device has a force sensor which is a piezo sensor, a piezo disk or a piezo film and which is arranged to measure the force on the second battery contact, with the force sensor generating an analog or digital signal and at least a first signal in the case of a first force and a second signal in the case of a second force that is greater than the first force, and forwarding it to the electronics ; and
• e) the electronics generate the first switching state and the first current upon detection of the first signal and the second switching state and the second current upon detection of the second signal.

Because the adjusting means is arranged between the stop and the lamp part and the contact device, the battery inlet/outlet opening between the battery container and the lamp part or the battery container and the closure can be used for this. As a result, the adjusting means are advantageously assigned two functions, such as opening/closing the battery container and a switch or setting function for controlling the flashlight. As a result, no additional externally routed switch is required to control the flashlight. The number of components or switching elements and intervening conductors and contacts and contact transitions are reduced to a minimum, thereby significantly reducing costs and increasing reliability. In the off state, when the adjustment means is at the furthest distance so that one of the battery poles is not contacted, a load on the battery due to a quiescent current, as is the case with a button with electronics that are active for this purpose, is avoided.

A force set by the adjustment means or the corresponding adjustment path can also be determined and detected by the force sensor at a remote location and at the second battery contact using the present invention. Since the first and second battery contacts are arranged on the contact device and the battery voltage is therefore present, both the force sensor and the electronics and the lighting means can be connected very easily and with short current and signal paths. This makes the structure, including the battery contacts, very compact and inexpensive and is preferably a printed circuit board with SMD assembly. In this case, the contact device can also be electrically connected to the first battery pole in a very simple manner, in that the closure and/or the battery container and/or the lamp part are preferably electrically conductive in order to establish the connection via this.

By arranging the force sensor and the electronics for evaluating the signal on the contact device, an existing contact device according to the prior art, such as in DE 20 2010 015 591 U1 disclosed, can be easily replaced by this contact device of the present invention. Advantageously, the mechanics of the known flashlight can be retained. As a result, flashlight mechanisms from the prior art can be retained and improved very easily by the contact device according to the invention. This enables activation with two or a large number of switching states or dimming. In particular, with a bottle lamp as in DE 20 2010 015 591 U1 described, where only the upper cap, which protrudes from the bottle and is accessible, can be used to control the electronics on a lower part of the lamp in the bottle. According to the invention, the battery is used as a means of transmission from the upper closure cover to the electronics and additional means of transmission are made superfluous, which according to the prior art would be either a switching rod or at least one conductor connection.

Known lights, on the other hand, have additional switches or buttons or additional sliding contacts for more than one switching function, which are mechanically and electrically complex and affect the robustness.

A contact device with a simple contact spring as the second battery contact and a third contact arranged underneath on the printed circuit board, as in U.S. 2005/0 270 773 A1 disclosed is indeed very simple, inexpensive and space-saving design, but only a limited number of switching states can be controlled with it.

According to the invention, the present invention includes the pressure or force sensor for measuring the force on the contact device through the battery or on the second battery contact. A digital or analog signal is generated by the force sensor, which the electronics can easily evaluate in order to generate a large number of switching states. The force sensor and the electronics can be built very simply and inexpensively as SMD components. This makes dimming with a large number of stages or analog possible. The possibility of constructing the force sensor, the electronics and the light source 6 in a compact manner on a printed circuit board is particularly advantageous. The battery voltage is present at the contact device anyway. Here, too, an already existing contact device from the prior art can be easily replaced by the contact device according to the invention with an otherwise identical mechanical housing, as long as the housing has the adjusting means.

Further preferred and advantageous features and advantages of the invention are disclosed by the main claims, by the dependent claims and by the detailed description.

A preferred embodiment according to the present invention is illustrated in the following drawings and detailed description, but is not intended to limit the present invention thereto.

character list

• 1 shows in the upper part a side view of a first embodiment of a contact device, which is designed as a printed circuit board and which has a conically spiral spring contact on the upper side as a second battery contact under a second battery pole and a third contact arranged under the spring contact, with a Electronics and a light source are arranged; the middle part being a perspective view of the upper contact device; and the lower part is a plan view of the upper contact device.
• 2 shows a modified first embodiment of the contact device according to FIG 1 , wherein the contact spring is sketched as a dotted line on the printed circuit board, and a second, a third, a fourth, a fifth and a sixth contact are arranged underneath.
• 3 shows a side view of another first embodiment of the contact device, in which the second battery contact is designed as a U-shaped spring, over which the second battery pole is arranged, with the third contact being arranged under the spring.
• 4 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the contact device as a printed circuit board, on which the second battery contact and the third contact are arranged parallel to one another under the second battery pole and each have a different height.
• 5 shows a side view of another second embodiment of the contact device as a printed circuit board, on which the second battery contact and the third contact are arranged in a line under the second battery pole and each have a different height.
• 6 shows a side view of yet another second embodiment of the contact device as a printed circuit board, on which the second battery contact is designed as a spring contact and the third and a fourth contact are designed as spring contacts, which are all arranged under the second battery pole and each have a different height.
• 7 shows a side view of a third embodiment of the contact device with the second battery contact, which is designed flat and essentially as a rigid contact on a pressure sensor between the second battery contact and the contact device, in order to use the pressure sensor to measure the force on the second battery contact, which is the second battery pole is initiated.
• 8th shows a sectional side view of a first embodiment of a battery container with a cover as a closure, which has a threaded adjustment means against the battery container, and with a lamp part in which the contact device is installed, with three batteries being filled into the battery container.
• 9 shows a sectional side view of a second embodiment of the battery container with the closure and the lamp part, the closure preferably being integrally connected to the battery container and the thread-like adjustment means connecting the lamp part, in which the contact device is installed, to the battery container, wherein Battery container three batteries are filled.
• 10 shows a sectional side view of a third embodiment of the battery container with the closure and the lamp part, as in FIG 8th However, the adjusting means is designed as an additional screw element in the closure, which protrudes outwards and through which a height of the battery can be adjusted.
• 11 Figure 12 shows in sectioned side view a fourth embodiment of battery container and contactor adapted to a battery having parallel battery posts on one side.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

A flashlight is designed to have at least a first and a second switching state that can be controlled manually in order to generate at least a first and second light intensity. For example, the flashlight can be a flashlight or other light that is battery operated.

As in 8th - 11 shown, the flashlight essentially comprises a battery container 1 with an upper 11 and a lower section 12, a closure 2 which is connected to the upper section 11 and closes it, and a Lamp part 3, which is connected to the lower portion 12 of the battery container 1 and closes it. As a result, at least one battery 8 can be held in the battery container 1 between the closure 2 and the lamp part 3 . The battery container 1 is formed with a cavity along a longitudinal axis in order to accommodate the at least one battery 8 therein. The at least one battery 8 has a predetermined battery length over the filled batteries 8 and a first 81 and a second battery pole 82. The first 81 and the second battery pole 82 are preferably arranged along the longitudinal axis at opposite battery ends, but they can alternatively also be as in a 9V block battery at one end of the battery. The at least one battery 8 is preferably a rechargeable battery or an accumulator. From now on, the battery 8 is understood to mean the battery pack with the predetermined battery length.

The closure 2 closes off the upper section 11 of the battery container and has a stop 20 on the inside toward the battery 8 . In case the battery 8 has the battery poles at opposite ends, the stop 20 is at the same time an upper battery contact and is electrically connected to a conductor running along the battery container 1 .

The lamp part 3 closes the cavity on the lower section 12 of the battery container 1 and has a contact device 4 with a first battery contact K1 and a second K2. The first battery contact K1 is connected to the first battery pole 81 either via the conductor and the upper battery contact or directly, depending on the type of battery 8 and the structure designed for the battery 8 . The second battery contact K2 is arranged and designed to contact the second battery pole 82 preferably directly. The lamp part 3 has a lighting means 6 and electronics 5, the electronics 5 being electrically connected to the first K1 and the second battery contact K2 and driving the lighting means 6 and supplying it with current.

In the mechanical connection area between the stop 20 and the contact device 4 or the lamp part 3, an adjustment means 7 is arranged and designed to be able to manually and reversibly set a distance A therebetween with an adjustment path. Due to the manually adjustable adjustment path, the battery 8 can be pressed or pushed against the second battery contact K2 with a variable force FZ or the adjustment path in order to make contact with it.

If the first 81 and the second battery pole 82 are contacted, the electronics 5 preferably generates the first switching state.

According to the invention, the contact device 4 has a sensor S1 for detecting the force FZ on the second battery contact K2 or on the contact device 4 or for detecting the adjustment path of the second battery pole 82 in relation to the contact device 4 . In this case, the sensor S1 generates a measurement signal or at least a first signal in the case of a first force or a first adjustment path. In the event of a second force that is greater than the first force, or in the event of a second displacement path that is greater than the first displacement path, sensor S1 generates a second signal. The at least one signal is forwarded to the electronics 5 . The electronics 5 detects the first signal and thereby generates the first switching state and the first current or it detects the second signal and generates the second switching state and the second current. In general, the electronics 5 are designed to evaluate the at least one signal, for example by at least one threshold value decision maker or by a current control unit with the signal as an input variable, and to generate the current for the lighting means.

In 1 - 3 a preferred first embodiment of the contact device 4 is shown, in which the second battery contact K2 is designed as a contact spring with a first K21 and a second section K22. The first K21 and the second section K22 are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis by an elastic spring height H, with the spring height H being set by the force FZ or by the adjustment path in the case of spring elasticity when the second battery pole 82 presses against the second battery contact K2. The second section K22 is rigidly connected to the contact device 4 and preferably to the electronics 5 via a second contact K20. The first section K21 is arranged on the second battery pole 82 and makes contact with it when the battery 8 is inserted and presses against it. The contact device 4 has a third contact K3, which is arranged such that a contact section K23 of the contact spring does not contact the third contact K3 up to the first force and then makes contact from the second force. In an analogous perspective, the third contact K3 is only contacted by the contact spring when the contact spring is pressed in at least so far along a second spring path or by the second adjustment path through the second battery pole 82 that the contact section K23 of the contact spring touches the third contact K3 and contacted. The sensor S1 is formed here by the contact spring and the third contact K3, which transmits the signal from the third contact K3 as an open or short-circuit signal to the second battery con clock K2 generated. In this case, the sensor S1 can be seen as a force sensor or path length sensor with a digital output signal with a switching threshold of the second force or the second adjustment path. According to known spring laws, the second force corresponds to a second spring height or a corresponding second adjustment path of the first section K21 of the battery spring.

According to 1 the contact device 4 preferably comprises a printed circuit board and the second battery contact K2 as a conical spiral-like contact spring which is arranged on an upper side of the printed circuit board towards the second battery pole 82 and is connected to it. The electronics 5 are preferably arranged on an underside of the printed circuit board, but they can also just as easily be arranged partially on the underside and/or partially on the upper side. The first battery contact K1 is preferably arranged in a ring shape in an outer edge area. More preferably, the first battery contact K1 is arranged on a side of the printed circuit board that is opposite the second battery contact K2, so that the force FZ can simultaneously press it against another conductor that is connected to the first battery pole 81 (not shown). The light source 6 is preferably arranged on the underside. The contact device 4 preferably has a compact design and is preferably pre-tested if it is installed as a unit in the flashlight. The conically spiral-like contact spring is preferably designed such that one coil dips into the next adjacent coil, making it particularly robust against a maximum contact pressure that is far outside of a working range. The contact spring cannot be bent by a lower, second stop on the contact device 4 or the printed circuit board. The second section K22 of the contact spring can preferably be simply soldered onto the printed circuit board with the second contact K20. The third contact K3 is preferably located simply as a contact surface under the contact spring as a surface contact, with no additional component than the third contact K3 being required and the construction being very cost-effective, robust and compact.

According to 2 a fourth contact K4 and/or further contacts K5, K6 are preferably arranged under the contact spring, as a result of which at least a third signal can be generated. The fourth contact K4 is arranged in such a way that the contact spring does not contact the fourth contact K4 up to a third force, which is greater than the second force, and makes contact from the third force onwards. The third signal is either open or produces a short-circuit signal to the second battery contact K2. The preferred further contacts K5, K6 are arranged in a similar manner, which also each give a signal at a fourth or higher force which is in each case greater than a switching force for a previously contacted contact. In such a way, a large number of settings can be detected by the adjusting means 7 and corresponding switching states can be generated. The preferred arrangement described above does not require any further components and is very cost-effective and robust and can be easily retrofitted in an existing mechanism for a flashlight from the prior art.

The contact spring is preferably helical, spiral, conical, U-shaped, rocker-like or a combination thereof and has a spring height H in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Other types of springs, such as contact frog-type springs, are also conceivable.

The contact device 4 preferably comprises a circuit board on which the contact spring and the second contact K3 and/or the further contacts are arranged and connected to it. An arrangement of springs of different basic heights lying one above the other and having an increasing outer diameter is also conceivable, with at least the third K3 and/or further contacts K4, K5 being designed as spring contacts.

The contact device 4 preferably comprises a printed circuit board as the base body for the second battery contact K2 and the third contact K3 and/or for the additional contacts.

4-6 show preferred second embodiments of the contact device 4 with the second battery contact K2 as a contact spring with the first K21 and the second section K22, which are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis with an elastic spring height H. According to the well-known laws of springs, the spring height H is set by the force FZ or by the adjustment path. The second section K22 is rigidly connected to the contact device 4, the first section K21 being arranged on the second battery pole 82 and making contact with it when the battery 8 is inserted. The third contact K3 is arranged on the contact device 4 below the second battery pole 82 in such a way that the second battery pole 82 does not contact the third contact K3 up to the first force or up to the first adjustment path and makes contact from the second force or the second adjustment path. The sensor S1 is preferably formed by the arrangement of the contact spring and the third contact K3, which generates the at least one signal as an open or short-circuit signal to the second battery pole 82 and to the second battery contact K2, which also contacts the second battery pole 82.

4 shows a preferred arrangement according to the second embodiment of the contact device 4, in which the second battery contact K2 and the third contact K3, which could also be referred to as the third battery contact, are arranged parallel to one another under the second battery pole 82. In 4 on the right in the picture you can see a section of a side view rotated by 90 degrees of the arrangement on the left.

5 Figure 1 shows a preferred contact device 4 similar to that of Figure 1 4 is. In this case, only the second battery contact K2 and the third contact K3 are not arranged parallel to one another but in series along a straight line.

6 Figure 1 shows a preferred contact device 4 similar to that of Figure 1 4 is having a fourth contact K4, which is arranged under the second battery post 82 so that it is not contacted by the second battery post 82 up to a third force that is less than the second force and is contacted from the third force, wherein the third force is greater than the second force. The fourth contact K4 supplies the third signal as an open signal or as a short-circuit signal to the second battery pole 82 and to the second battery contact K2.

The contact spring preferably has the spring height H in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The second contact spring for the second contact K3 can have a helical, spiral, conical, U-shaped, rocker-like shape or a combination thereof.

The contact device 4 preferably comprises a circuit board on which the contact spring and the third contact K3 and/or the further contacts are arranged and connected to it.

The contact device 4 preferably comprises the printed circuit board, with which the second section K22 of the contact spring is rigidly connected, and on which the third contact K3 and/or the further contact K4, K5 as a conductor surface of the printed circuit board, as a flat contact or as a further Contact spring are formed and arranged.

7 shows a preferred third embodiment of the contact device 4, the sensor S1 being designed as a force sensor and measuring the force FZ on the second battery contact K2 and depending thereon generating at least the first and the second signal. It is also conceivable that alternatively the force FZ on the contact device 4 is measured and output as the signal.

The electronics 5 preferably detect the first switching state by comparing the signal with a threshold value, with the first switching state being detected when the value falls below a threshold value and the second switching state being detected when the threshold value is exceeded.

The electronics 5 preferably detect a large number of switching states by comparing them with a corresponding large number of threshold values and accordingly generate a large number of different currents for driving the lighting means 6. An analog evaluation and control of the current is also conceivable.

The sensor S1 is preferably a piezo sensor, a piezo disk, a piezo film, a pressure-sensitive capacitor, an arrangement of at least one strain gauge or another force sensor that generates an analog or digital signal.

The force sensor is preferably arranged between the second battery contact K2 and the contact device 4 or as a strain gauge on a surface of the contact device 4 .

Preferably, the sensor S1 together with the electronics 5 generates an oscillating frequency dependent on the force FZ, which is set by a feedback circuit and which is detected by the electronics. The electronics preferably generate a pulse width modulation signal from the oscillation frequency for controlling the lighting means 6.

The force sensor preferably generates an analog signal or a multiplicity of resolution stages, with the electronics 5 preferably generating an analog control signal or a current with a multiplicity of switching states or different currents for controlling the lighting means 6 from this. As a result, the lighting means 6 is preferably dimmed in accordance with a setting on the adjustment means 7 .

The electronics 5 are preferably designed to generate a current signal proportional thereto from the analog signal of the sensor S1. However, the electronics 5 can preferably also generate a quantized or pulse-width-controlled current signal.

The stop 20 is preferably designed as a spring or a contact spring in order to reduce a ratio of the force FZ to the adjustment path and to be able to better adjust the force manually using the adjustment means 7 .

Alternatively, the sensor S1 can also be a displacement sensor, with which the distance between the battery 8 and the contact device 4 is determined. In this case, the first K1 and the second battery contact K2 can be designed, as in all the embodiments described above, for example as contact springs or surface contacts.

In 8th a preferred arrangement of the adjusting means 7 is shown, in which the adjusting means 7 is arranged between the closure 2 and the battery container 1 and is respectively connected thereto. The adjusting means 7 is preferably a thread with a counter-thread, as a result of which a rotation of the closure 2 against the battery container 1 sets the distance A. As a result, the battery 8 is pressed against the second battery contact K2 by an adjustment path in order to generate the force FZ or the adjustment path.

As in 9 shown, the adjusting means 7 can alternatively preferably also be arranged between the lamp part 3 and the battery container 1 . The adjusting means 7 is preferably a thread with a counter-thread, as a result of which a rotation of the lamp part 1 against the battery container 1 sets the distance A.

As in 10 shown, the adjusting means 7 can alternatively preferably also be formed in the closure 2 by a screw element 21 which passes through the closure 2 and on the one hand protrudes outwards in order to be able to turn it manually. On the other hand, the screw element 21 protrudes inwards towards the battery 8 or towards the first battery pole 81 and presses or pushes the battery 8 against the second battery contact K2.

In 11 an embodiment of a preferred flashlight is shown, which is designed to match a block battery 8, in which the first 81 and the second battery pole 82 are arranged next to one another on one side. Accordingly, the first K1 and the second battery contact K2 preferably make direct contact with the two battery poles 81, 82.

In general, the following features are conceivable:

The battery container 1 can preferably be opened completely by the adjusting means 7, with at least two functions being fulfilled, such as filling the battery and controlling the at least one first and second switching state.

The adjusting means 7 is preferably a rack thread with a corresponding counter-thread, which produces the length adjustment along the longitudinal axis.

The stop 20 preferably presses or pushes the battery 8 in the longitudinal direction toward the lamp part 3 and the contact device 4 .

Adjusting means 7 can preferably also be arranged in any height range in the connection area between stop 20 and lamp part 3, such as in an area of battery container 1.

The electronics 5 can preferably also generate a respective time-dependent current pattern in a respective switching state.

The lamp part 3 preferably has an arrangement of at least one lens and/or a mirror for focusing or beam expansion.

The illuminant 6 is preferably at least one LED, a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp and/or a laser.

The adjusting means 7 is preferably sealed against liquids and/or dust and/or against gases or gas mixtures.

A recess is preferably provided in the contact device 4 in order to position the contact spring thereon in a predefined manner.

The contact device 4 preferably comprises a printed circuit board, on the top of which the battery contact K2 is arranged and on the underside of which the lighting means 6 is arranged. The sensor S1 and the electronics 5 are preferably arranged on the printed circuit board and form a unit together with the second battery contact K2.

Preferably the lamp unit 3 is formed simply as a continuation of the battery case 1 and preferably integral therewith. The lamp unit 3 is preferably formed integrally with the contact device 4 .

The electronics 5 are preferably designed not to drive the light source 6 in the first switching state and to drive it with a current in the second switching state, the first state being an off state and the first current being zero.

The contact device 4 is preferably designed as a unit and the lamp part 3 can be inserted after it has been pre-tested.

The contact device 4 preferably comprises a printed circuit board.

The first battery contact K1 is preferably connected to the first battery pole 81 via the conductor, which is formed at least in sections by the battery container 1 and/or the closure 2 and/or the lamp part 3, in which case the respective metal part can be conductive or a conductive one Coating may have.

At least two housing parts of the flashlight are preferred, such as the battery container 1, the closure 2, the lamp part 3, the contact device 4 and parts of the adjusting means are integrally connected to one another.

• a) Bereitstellen der Stableuchte mit dem Batteriebehälter 1, der entlang der Längsachse den Hohlraum für die mindestens eine Batterie 8 aufweist, mit
  • dem Verschluss 2 an dem oberen Abschnitt 11 des Batteriebehälters 1, wobei der Verschluss 2 in Längsrichtung zum oberen Abschnitt 11 hin innen den Anschlag 20 für die mindestens eine Batterie 8 aufweist, der die Batterie 8 zu dem unteren Abschnitt 12 des Batteriebehälters 1 schiebt oder hält, und
  • mit dem Lampenteil 3, das am unteren Abschnitt 12 des Batteriebehälters 1 angeordnet und damit verbunden ist und den Hohlraum am unteren Abschnitt 12 mit der Kontaktvorrichtung 4 zur Kontaktierung der Batterie 8 abschließt;
  • wobei die Kontaktvorrichtung 4 den ersten Batteriekontakt K1 aufweist, der mit dem ersten Batteriepol 81 verbunden ist, den zweiten Batteriekontakt K2 aufweist, der zu dem zweiten Batteriepol 82 hin weist, um diesen zu kontaktieren, wenn die Batterie 8 genügend gegen den zweiten Batteriekontakt geschoben ist, und die Elektronik 5 und das Leuchtmittel 6 aufweist, wobei die Elektronik 5 mit dem ersten K1 und dem zweiten Batteriekontakt K2 elektrisch verbunden ist und das Leuchtmittel 6 mit dem ersten oder dem zweiten Strom versorgt, der anders als der erste Strom ist;
• b) Anordnen des Verstellmittels 7, das in der mechanischen Verbindung zwischen dem Anschlag 20 und der Kontaktvorrichtung 4 angeordnet und ausgebildet ist, den dazwischen liegenden Abstand A mit dem Verstellweg manuell reversibel einzustellen und dadurch die Batterie 8 mit der variablen Kraft FZ oder dem Verstellweg gegen den zweiten Batteriekontakt K2 zu drücken oder schieben und zu kontaktieren; gekennzeichnet durch
• c) das Anordnen des Sensors S1 auf der Kontaktvorrichtung 4, um die Kraft FZ auf den zweiten Batteriekontakt K2 oder den Verstellweg des zweiten Batteriepols 82 zu bestimmen, wobei der Sensor S1 mindestens bei der ersten Kraft oder dem ersten Verstellweg das erste Signal und bei der zweiten Kraft, die größer als die erste Kraft ist, oder dem zweiten Verstellweg, der größer als der erste Verstellweg ist, das zweite Signal erzeugt und an die Elektronik 5 weiterleitet; und
• e) durch die Elektronik 5 Detektieren des ersten Signals und Erzeugen des ersten Schaltzustands und des ersten Stroms, und Detektieren des zweiten Signals und Erzeugen des zweiten Schaltzustands und des zweiten Stroms.

A method for controlling a flashlight includes the following steps:

• a) Providing the flashlight with the battery container 1, which has the cavity for the at least one battery 8 along the longitudinal axis
  • the closure 2 on the upper section 11 of the battery container 1, the closure 2 having the stop 20 for the at least one battery 8 in the longitudinal direction towards the upper section 11, which pushes or holds the battery 8 to the lower section 12 of the battery container 1 , and
  • with the lamp part 3, which is arranged on the lower section 12 of the battery container 1 and is connected thereto and closes the cavity on the lower section 12 with the contact device 4 for contacting the battery 8;
  • wherein the contact device 4 has the first battery contact K1, which is connected to the first battery pole 81, has the second battery contact K2, which points towards the second battery pole 82 in order to contact it when the battery 8 is pushed sufficiently against the second battery contact , and the electronics 5 and the lighting means 6, the electronics 5 being electrically connected to the first K1 and the second battery contact K2 and supplying the lighting means 6 with the first or the second current, which is different from the first current;
• b) arranging the adjustment means 7, which is arranged in the mechanical connection between the stop 20 and the contact device 4 and is designed to manually and reversibly set the distance A in between with the adjustment path and thereby counter the battery 8 with the variable force FZ or the adjustment path press or slide and contact the second battery contact K2; marked by
• c) arranging the sensor S1 on the contact device 4 in order to determine the force FZ on the second battery contact K2 or the displacement path of the second battery pole 82, with the sensor S1 generating the first signal at least for the first force or the first displacement path and for the second force, which is greater than the first force, or the second adjustment path, which is greater than the first adjustment path, generates the second signal and forwards it to the electronics 5; and
• e) the electronics 5 detecting the first signal and generating the first switching state and the first current, and detecting the second signal and generating the second switching state and the second current.

The flashlight is preferably designed according to the method described above for its control by further features that are described further above.

• - den ersten Batteriekontakt K1, der mit dem ersten Batteriepol 81 über einen Leiter oder direkt verbunden wird,
• - den zweiten Batteriekontakt K2, der angrenzend am zweiten Batteriepol 82 angeordnet ist, um diesen zu kontaktieren, wenn die Batterie 8 genügend gegen den zweiten Batteriekontakt K2 geschoben ist, und
• - die Elektronik 5 und das Leuchtmittel 6, wobei die Elektronik 5 mit dem ersten K1 und dem zweiten Batteriekontakt K2 elektrisch verbunden ist und das Leuchtmittel 6 mit dem ersten und dem zweiten anderen Strom versorgt;
• - den Sensor S1, der angeordnet ist, um die Kraft FZ auf den zweiten Batteriekontakt K2 oder den Verstellweg des zweiten Batteriepols 82 zu der Kontaktvorrichtung 3 zu messen, wobei der Sensor S1 mindestens bei der ersten Kraft oder dem ersten Verstellweg das erste Signal und bei der zweiten Kraft, die größer als die erste Kraft ist, oder dem zweiten Verstellweg, der größer als der erste Verstellweg ist, das zweite Signal erzeugt und an die Elektronik 5 weiterleitet;
• - wobei die Elektronik 5 bei Detektion des ersten Signals den ersten Schaltzustand und den ersten Strom und bei Detektion des zweiten Signals den zweiten Schaltzustand und den zweiten Strom zum Leuchtmittel 6 erzeugt.

In addition, it is stated that only the contact device 4, as in one of the above-mentioned forms of embodiment, can be claimed as a unit that could be used, for example, in a radio to adjust the volume or in other devices. The contact device 4 is designed to match a battery 8 with a first 81 and a second battery pole 82 . The contact device 4 includes:

• - The first battery contact K1, which is connected to the first battery pole 81 via a conductor or directly,
• - the second battery contact K2, which is arranged adjacent to the second battery post 82 in order to contact this when the battery 8 is sufficiently pushed against the second battery contact K2, and
• - The electronics 5 and the light source 6, the electronics 5 being electrically connected to the first K1 and the second battery contact K2 and the light source 6 supplied with the first and the second different current;
• - The sensor S1, which is arranged to measure the force FZ on the second battery contact K2 or the adjustment path of the second battery pole 82 to the contact device 3, the sensor S1 at least at the first force or the first adjustment path the first signal and at the second force, which is greater than the first force, or the second adjustment path, which is greater than the first adjustment path, generates the second signal and forwards it to the electronics 5;
• - Wherein the electronics 5 generates the first switching state and the first current upon detection of the first signal and the second switching state and the second current to the illuminant 6 upon detection of the second signal.

The contact device 3 is preferably mechanically connected to the manually adjustable adjustment means 7, which has the stop 20 for the battery 8, which is arranged to reversibly counteract the stop 20 and thereby the battery 8 with a variable force FZ or the adjustment path through the adjustment path slide or press the second battery contact K2.

Preferably, the contact device 3 is also designed according to the above-described embodiments for the flashlight.

In general, for the sake of clarity for all statements, it should be added that location or direction information such as underside, top, bottom and top preferably refer to an arrangement of parts along the longitudinal axis of the tube lamp, such as in 8-10 shown with the closure 2 on an upper side in relation to the lamp part 3 .

Further possible forms of embodiment or process steps are described in the following claims. In particular, the various features of the embodiments described above can also be combined with one another, provided they are not technically mutually exclusive.

The reference signs mentioned in the claims are only for better understanding and in no way limit the claims to the forms shown in the figures.

Reference List

1

battery case

11

upper section

12

lower section

2

closure

20

attack

21

screw element

3

lamp part

4

contact device

5

electronics

6

bulbs

7

adjusting means

8th

battery

81

first battery pole

82

second battery pole

K1

first battery contact

K2

second battery contact

K20

first contact

K21

first section

K22

second part

K23

contact section

K3 - K6

third - sixth contact

S1

sensor

Z

longitudinal axis

car

longitudinal force

H

spring height

Claims (8)

Flashlight with at least a first and second switching state, comprising: a) a battery container (1) with an upper (11) and a lower section (12), which is formed with a cavity along a longitudinal axis in order to contain at least one battery (8) with a predetermined overall battery length having a first (81) and a second battery post (82); b) a closure (2) which is connected to and closes off the upper portion (11) of the battery container (1) and which has a stop (20) internally in the longitudinal direction towards the battery (8); b) a lamp part (3), which is connected to the lower section (12) of the battery container (1) and closes the cavity to the battery (8), and which has a contact device (4) with a first (K1) and second battery contact ( K2) with electronics (5) and with a light source (6), the first battery contact (K1) being electrically connected to the first battery pole (81), the second battery contact (K2) being arranged adjacent to the second battery pole (82). and makes direct contact with it, and the electronics (5) are connected to the first (K1) and the second battery contact (K2) and the light source (6) controls with a first and another second current; c) an adjustment means (7), which is arranged in a mechanical connection between the stop (20) and the contact device (4) and is designed to manually and reversibly set a distance (A) in between with an adjustment path and thereby the battery (8) to be able to press or push against the second battery contact (K2) with a variable force (FZ) or the adjustment path and thereby make contact; characterized in that d) the contact device (4) has a force sensor (S1), which is a piezo sensor, a piezo disk or a piezo film and which is arranged to apply the force (FZ) to the second battery contact ( K2), with the force sensor (S1) generating an analogue or digital signal and at least a first signal in the case of a first force and a second signal in the case of a second force that is greater than the first force and forwarding it to the electronics (5). ; and e) the electronics (5) generating the first switching state and the first current upon detection of the first signal and the second switching state and the second current upon detection of the second signal. Flashlight after claim 1 , wherein the force sensor between the second battery contact (K2) and the contact device (4) is arranged. Flashlight according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second battery contact (K2) is a spring contact, and/or wherein a spring is arranged between the stop (20) and the battery (8). Flashlight according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the force sensor generates an oscillating frequency which is set in a feedback circuit; and or the electronics (5) generating a variable, pulse width modulation signal dependent thereon from the signal for driving and dimming the lighting means (6); and or wherein the electronic system has at least one threshold value detector and generates the first switching state for the first signal that is smaller than at least one threshold value and generates the second switching state for the second signal that is greater than the at least one threshold value. Flashlight according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronics generate an analog control signal or a current signal with a large number of different currents for the lighting means (6) from the analog or digital signal of the force sensor, by means of which the lighting means (6) is dimmed. Flashlight according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the adjusting means (7) is arranged between the battery container (1) and the closure (2) and/or between the lamp part (3) and the battery container (1) and is connected thereto in each case; and or wherein the adjusting means (7) is arranged in the closure (2) as a screw element (21) which passes through the closure (2), on the one hand protrudes outwards in order to be able to turn it manually and on the other hand inwards towards the battery ( 8) projecting to form the stop (20) for the battery (8) and thereby to translate the battery (8) along the longitudinal axis with respect to the closure (2) during rotation; wherein the adjustment means (7) is a thread with a corresponding counter-thread which, when rotated manually in relation to one another, produces a length adjustment along the longitudinal axis and thereby the adjustment path; and or wherein the adjusting means (7) is a thread with a corresponding counter-thread and can be opened completely in order to thereby open the battery container (1); and or wherein the adjustment means (7) is a rack thread with a corresponding mating thread, which produce the adjustment path along the longitudinal axis; and or wherein the lamp part (3) also comprises an arrangement of at least one lens for focusing or beam expansion; and or wherein the light source (6) is at least one LED, a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp and/or a LASER. Bar lamp according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the electronics (5) are designed to switch off the illuminant (6) in the first switching state and to switch it on in the second switching state and to supply it with the second current, the first current being zero; and or wherein the contact device (4) comprises a printed circuit board; and or wherein the contact device (4) has the lighting means (6) on a side opposite the second battery contact (K2) and together with the electronics (5) forms a unit which is inserted in the lamp part (3); and or wherein the first battery contact (K1) is connected to the first battery pole (81) via a conductor, and the conductor comprises at least sections of the battery container (1) and/or the closure (2) and/or the lamp part (3), which respectively is electrically conductive or has a contactable conductive coating, or the conductor is designed as a separate conductor, at least in sections, with the first battery pole (81) and the second battery pole (82) being arranged at opposite ends of the battery (8) in the longitudinal direction and the stop (20) contacts the first battery pole (81) and is connected to the first battery contact (K1); or wherein the first battery contact (K1) is connected directly to the first battery pole (81) and has a further spring contact. Method for controlling a flashlight, comprising the following steps: a) providing the flashlight with a battery container (1), which has a cavity for at least one battery (8) along a longitudinal axis, with a closure (2) on an upper section (11) of the battery container (1), wherein the closure (2) has a stop (20) for the at least one battery (8) on the inside in the longitudinal direction towards the upper section (11), which stops the battery (8) towards a lower section (12) of the battery container (1) pushes or holds, and with a lamp part (3) which is arranged and connected to the lower section (12) of the battery container (1) and closes the cavity at the lower section (12) with a contact device (4). a contacting of the battery (8) terminates; wherein the contact device (4) has a first battery contact (K1) which is connected to a first battery connected to the battery pole (81), has a second battery contact (K2) which points towards a second battery pole (82) in order to contact it when the battery (8) is pushed sufficiently against the second battery contact, and electronics (5 ) and an illuminant (6), wherein the electronics (5) are electrically connected to the first (K1) and the second battery contact (K2) and the illuminant (6) is supplied with a first or a second current that is different from the first stream is; b) arranging an adjustment means (7) which is arranged in a mechanical connection between the stop (20) and the contact device (4) and is designed to manually and reversibly set a distance (A) in between with an adjustment path and thereby the battery (8th ) with a variable force (FZ) or the adjustment path against the second battery contact (K2) to press or push and contact; characterized by c) arranging a piezo sensor, a piezo disk or a piezo film as a force sensor (S1) on the contact device (4) in order to apply the force (FZ) to the second battery contact (K2) of the second battery pole ( 82) to determine the force sensor (S1) generating an analogue or digital signal; d) Detection of a first force and generation of a first signal by the force sensor (S1) and detection of a second force that is greater than the first force and generation of a second signal by the force sensor (S1) and forwarding to the electronics (5th ); and e) by the electronics (5) detecting the first signal and generating the first switching state and the first current, and detecting the second signal and generating the second switching state and the second current.

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