Flashlight with battery life indicator module
US4876632A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 12, 1988 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S320/21
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A battery life indicator module that is mounted between a flashlight head assembly containing the light reflector and a battery casing assembly for holding the batteries is disclosed. The battery life indicator module contains an indicator, such as a light-emitting diode (LED). Internal to the battery life indicator module is a circuit which measures the battery level and activates the indicator to display the battery level. The module also provides the necessary electrical connection between the batteries and the light bulb of the flashlight. In the preferred embodiment, three LEDs are used to indicate various levels of charge. The monitoring circuit is activated by the ON/OFF switch of the flashlight so that power is not drained when the flashlight is not in use. The module has threads at its two ends for coupling to the flashlight head assembly and the battery casing assembly. The monitoring circuit contains a pair of voltage dividers for providing two voltages references. These references are provided to two comparators which also monitor the voltage level on the battery. The output of the comparators are provided to two of the LEDs, while the third LED is connected to the outp…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.