Eternal lanterns (dynamo lanterns). Brief overview of interesting models

A group of enthusiastic engineers have created a unique flashlight that can be charged from the human body. This makes it a virtually endless source of light, small but sometimes very necessary. A flashlight is the thing that rightfully falls into the “Must-Have” category.

Everyone should always have a pocket flashlight - you never know when it will come in handy. You need to have it at home in case of a power outage, in the car, or on a trip out of town. However, everyone who has had a personal flashlight at least once in their life, large or small, powerful or not, has encountered such a problem as dead batteries. This is very unpleasant, especially at a crucial moment, to discover that the flashlight does not shine or shines in such a way that, at best, you can highlight its location in a dark space.

A group of enthusiastic inventors managed to solve this problem. Why use batteries when you can use a thermoelectric generator in flashlights? Of course, this technology is not applicable for a powerful “spotlight”, but for small pocket flashlights it is simply ideal. It was on the basis of TEG that it was created Lumen flashlight.

The principle of operation of Lumen, as well as its design, is incredibly simple. The idea is based on the already mentioned thermoelectric generator. The flashlight uses multiple LEDs to project light. The glow power is quite enough to read a book in pitch darkness! The flashlight itself is incredibly small, literally “finger-sized”.

The device body is made of aluminum. The device weighs only 45 grams. The flashlight TEG is launched provided that there is a source of thermal energy (heat) from 28 degrees Celsius. The ideal option in this case is the human body. On the body of the flashlight there is a special groove for your finger, pressing which Lumen turns on and starts working. The flashlight can work almost without interruption. It also has a small battery and capacitor built into it.

In the warm season, the flashlight is slightly charged even from the air around it, provided that its temperature is not lower than the set level. The device is currently under crowdfunding campaign. To implement the project, the creators needed only 5 thousand dollars. In 2 days of collections, the company exceeded the established limit by 328%! Lumen will hit the market in the first half of 2016. The cost of the device will be 15 US dollars.

It will appeal to gadget lovers and is an indispensable travel companion.

It so happened that for some reason that is not clear to me, I have a huge interest in all kinds of useful and universal devices. In this case, I want to make a short review of dynamo lanterns (“eternal lanterns”), which can be extremely useful both in everyday life and in survival conditions.

Eternal Faraday flashlight "Universal"

This sample is interesting because there is no need to buy batteries or accumulators for it. It does not need to be charged from the mains. According to the manufacturer, the lamp of this sample is designed for 11 years of continuous operation. It also has good dust and moisture protection.

The flashlight contains a high-capacity capacitor, to charge which you just need to shake the flashlight. In addition to the long-lasting LED, as described above, the flashlight also has a lens that significantly increases its power.

Light weight and relatively compact dimensions allow you to easily carry it with you in a bag or backpack.

According to reviews, it is not super reliable. So they are unlikely to be able to hammer in nails and pegs.

Lantern size: 17 x 3.8 cm.
Charging time: from 30 seconds.
Material: plastic
Can buy .

Eternal flashlight “Hight Power Headlamp” (headlamp)

This flashlight is convenient, first of all, because it does not take up space in your hands. Does not have batteries. Capable of charging mobile phones (includes cord for Nokia phones, and adapters for other manufacturers can be bought in almost any market).

The flashlight operates in two modes - 1 LED and 3 LEDs.

Charging is carried out using the charger included in the kit. Connect the flashlight using a cord (all included) with charger, rotate the knob for a minute, and the flashlight works for an hour.

Size: 5 x 6 cm.
Charging time: from 1-3 min.
Material: plastic
Can buy .

Eternal flashlight “Dynamo VIP”

Capable of charging mobile phone(for a conversation up to 30 minutes) or a camera. All necessary adapters are included in the kit.

It has two operating modes - 1 LED and 3 LEDs. Brightness and power are increased using optical lenses.

Charging for a minute provides you with light for one hour.

The design is comfortable, the body has rubber pads on the sides. The charging handle, if not needed, is retracted into the case and is out of the way.

Size: 15.5 x 5.5 x 4.5 cm.
Duration of work: from 60 min.
Charging time: from 1-3 min.
Material: plastic
Can buy .

Eternal Flashlight in a transparent case

Flashlight with built-in battery and generator. Charges when you press the lever with your hand. Halogen lamps. A wonderful gift for a car enthusiast. The size of a pack of cigarettes.

Size: pack of cigarettes.
Material: plastic
Can buy .

Eternal flashlight "PIRANHA"

The flashlight does not require batteries. To charge it, just rotate the knob on its body for a minute, which will allow the 3 LEDs to burn for more than 40 minutes. The LED lifespan is 50,000 hours. The model has 3 lighting modes: 1 LED, 3 LEDs and “blinking” 3 LEDs. The body of the flashlight is waterproof, which allows it to be immersed in water to a depth of 10 m. The head of the flashlight can be rotated 320°, which makes it easy to use: just place it in a convenient place and direct the light beam in the desired direction.

Size: 151x50x40 mm.
Weight: 152 g.
Charging time: from 1 min.
Material: plastic
Can buy .

Solar Lantern

LED flashlight powered by light energy. The solar battery built into the flashlight body is the main, but not the only source of energy for this flashlight. In addition to the solar battery, on the back of the flashlight there is a handle, by rotating which you can activate the dynamo built into the flashlight body, which will recharge the flashlight battery, i.e. The lantern can be powered either by light energy or by a dynamo. There is no light - we use a dynamo, there is light - we use it. The flashlight is completely waterproof and can be used underwater at a depth of up to 5 meters. The lifespan of three LEDs is 50,000 hours. The continuous glow time of 3 LEDs is up to 90 minutes.

Size: 147x 61x 45 mm.
Weight: 176 g.
Duration of work: from 90 min.
Charging time: from 1 min.
Material: plastic
Can buy .

Eternal flashlight with radio and siren

A multifunctional device of modern design that combines in a single ergonomic housing a powerful LED flashlight, a radio receiver with an antenna and an alarm system with a siren function, which will be useful for summer residents, car enthusiasts and tourists. The “Eternal Flashlight” is independent of power sources. It is equipped with a manual mechanical drive that allows you to charge the flashlight in the absence of power. You can listen to the radio through the built-in speaker or through the headphones included in the kit. Just 1 minute of manual charging is enough for 10 minutes of continuous flashlight operation.

Doesn't like water.

Duration of work: from 10 min.
Charging time: from 1 min.
Material: plastic
Can buy .

“Eternal Lantern” - self-light

Your flashlight doesn't need batteries: rotate the handle for 1 minute and it's
will allow 5 LEDs to burn for up to 20 minutes. With 3 switches you can
select the light intensity: 1,2,3,4 or 5 LEDs. Maximum output current 400mA. Maximum output power 2W. Maximum brightness 3000mcd.

"Eternal" flashlight - keychain

The MINI LED DYNAMO FLASHLIGHT LED flashlight is currently the smallest representative of the entire family of self-loading LED lights. Its length is only 69 mm. Despite its size, the “Mini” is not inferior to the same “Stalker” in terms of illumination characteristics.

To charge the flashlight, rotate the charging handle in one direction at a frequency of 2.5 - 3 revolutions per second. Three LEDs turn on in a cycle: 1 – 3 – 3 blinking – off.

Size: 70 x 41.5 x 41.5 mm.
Weight: 73 g.
Duration of work: from 40 minutes.
Charging time: from 1 min.
Material: plastic
Can buy .

Powerful Dynamo Flashlight

The dynamo flashlight has 15 powerful (the brightness of one LED is 12000mcd), almost eternal (up to 50,000 hours of operation), LEDs.
- Main parameters and functions: Autonomous operation on one charge up to 7 hours.
- The flashlight can be charged either manually, using the built-in dynamo, or from the car’s cigarette lighter (12V).
- Two operating modes: intensive (15 LEDs) and economical (9 LEDs).
- Built-in alarm siren.
- Possibility of recharging cell phones(4.8V). The kit includes an adapter for Samsung phones(ask for adapters for other phones at communication stores).

Folded size: 110 x 107 x 155 mm.
Dimensions in working position: 110 x 107 x 225 mm.
Material: plastic
Can buy .

Dynamo headlamp SORBO SB 1058

A unique multifunctional flashlight with a special mount for wearing on the head, has a built-in highly efficient energy converter (dynamo) of the latest generation. Peculiarity of this device is that it can be used not only to be worn on the head, but also as a regular flashlight. That is, a special lock allows you to remove the flashlight from the head mount strap in a matter of seconds. There is also an emergency flash function. The case is made of shockproof ABS plastic.

Size: 3.5 x 11 mm.
Duration of work: from 40 minutes.
Charging time: from 1 min.
Material: plastic
Can buy .

Dynamo flashlight SORBO SB 3070 “All in one”

Portable multifunctional LED flashlight with built-in energy converter, Swiss army knife, compass, charging Nokia, Motorola phones, charging any device with a mini USB port. The kit includes a handle for wearing on the wrist, with the ability to attach it in any place convenient for you. The case is made of shockproof ABS plastic.

Size: 14 x 5 mm.
Charging time: from 1 min.
Material: plastic
Can buy .

Dynamo light SORBO SB 3080 “A cyclist’s dream”

Portable multifunctional LED flashlight with a built-in energy converter (Dynamo), does not use batteries or charge from the mains, a mount that can be placed on the handlebars of a bicycle, a compass, charging Nokia phones (2mm and 3mm), charging any device with a mini USB port. The kit includes a handle for wearing on the wrist, with the ability to attach it in any place convenient for you. The case is made of shockproof ABS plastic.

Size: 14 x 5 mm.
Duration of work: from 30 minutes.
Charging time: from 1 min.
Material: plastic
Can buy .

And also much, much, much more. The lanterns are pitch black. Share, post interesting ones, we’ll add them to this publication.

Eternal flashlight or Faraday flashlight This is the name for a flashlight with an alternative power source. That is, this flashlight does not require batteries or battery charging. To “ignite” it, you need to shake it. The flashlight itself contains a generator and a battery.

Let's first take a look at the factory flashlight:

I tried to paint the design as much as possible. The point is that the cylindrical constant magnet dangles freely in the tube-housing between rubber stops or springs (wherever). And in the center of the tube there is a coil wound. When shaken, the magnet moves up and down inside the coil, creating alternating electricity in it.

Let's look without the case.

We see a solenoid, a cylindrical magnet, limiters, a small board with diodes, a switch, and batteries. Oh yes, and the LED on the board.

Shake the flashlight and turn it on. Works!

Here's our prototype:

Tick-tock box. The tube on which the reel is wound is the body of a ballpoint pen. A couple of magnets from hard drive, there are some there. Yes, capacitors are used instead of batteries. White LED. a couple of diodes.

There is a peculiarity of coil winding. As you probably noticed from the diagram, the coil consists of two windings, the total length of the coil is 40 mm. Divide mentally hit. In the first half, we wind 600 turns of the thinnest wire with a diameter of approximately 0.08 mm. And in the second half there are 600 turns. That's all - the two-section coil is ready. Further according to the diagram.

In our world, quite a lot of people are engaged in homemade experiments in home laboratories and workshops. For some, it is a way to assert themselves, for others, it is a desire to develop their abilities. So what if it’s an experiment made from hastily glued parts. The main thing is that the device or circuit works. Today we will analyze just such an invention, made practically on our knees. However, it is based on unshakable principles and laws of physics that cannot be denied.
We will talk about a flashlight that works without batteries. Perhaps someone has already seen on the Internet the simplest Faraday generator, which allows you to light a small LED with a few movements of the conductor in the winding. Assemblies from an almost dead battery, autotransformer and transistor, which are capable of powering a 3V LED at an initial voltage of tenths of a volt, are also no longer uncommon.
Here the author went a little further, modernizing the device circuit, adding a rectifier, a supercapacitor (ionistor), resistance and completely eliminating the power source. As a result, the flashlight's operation has become much more stable and efficient. And if you shake the case for a few minutes, it can be charged for a long time of LED operation. How it works? Let's figure it out.

Principle of operation

The device consists of several inductors that you can assemble yourself. The primary inductor actually serves as a power source or completely replaces its usual counterpart - the battery. Due to the movement of a rod of permanent magnets in it, an electric current is induced. Due to the oscillatory movements in the magnetic field, electric waves are created emanating from the coil at a certain frequency. Stabilize them and transform them into D.C. A rectifier or diode bridge helps.
Without a storage capacity, such a device would have to be constantly shaken, so the next element in the circuit is a supercapacitor that can be recharged like a battery. Next, a step-up transformer or voltage converter is connected, which consists of a toroidal ferrite coil and two windings - base and collector. The number of turns can be the same, and is usually 20-50. The transformer has a middle connection point at opposite ends of both windings, and three outputs to the transistor. The autotransformer increases the tiny current pulses into sufficient ones for the LED to operate, and is connected to control them bipolar transistor. Similar electrical diagram in different sources it has different names: joule thief, blocking generator, Faraday generator, etc.

The necessary resource base for homemade products

Materials:

PVC pipe, diameter 20 mm;
Copper wire, diameter – 0.5 mm;
Low-power reverse conduction transistor;
Diode bridge or rectifier 2W10;
Resistor;
Supercapacitor or ionistor 1F 5.5V
Switch button;
LED white or blue at 5V;
Transparent epoxy resin type adhesive;
Hot glue;
Pieces of plywood, cotton wool;
Copper wiring insulation.

Tools:

Soldering iron;
Hot glue gun;
Hacksaw for metal;
File, sandpaper.

Flashlight making process

We will make the flashlight body from PVC pipes. Mark a segment 16 cm long and cut it with a hacksaw.

From the center of the segment we mark 1.5 cm in each direction. This results in a winding area 3 cm wide.

Next, we take a copper wire with a cross-section of 0.5 mm, leave one end about 10-15 cm long, and wind the wire onto the flashlight body tube according to the markings manually. You will have to wind quite a lot, more than half a thousand turns. The first few of them can be fixed with glue. We press the initial row of the coils tightly against each other, and make it strictly consistent.

At its maximum points the winding should be approximately half a centimeter thick. We clean both ends of the wire with sandpaper for reliable soldering.

The movable magnetic core of the coil can be either solid or assembled in parts. Neodymium magnets are selected according to the inner diameter of the PVC tube. The required length of the magnetic rod is experimentally obtained, through the vibrations of which an electric current will be created.

The author used ten 3 mm thick magnets to obtain a length that was as rational as possible for such vibrations, and at the same time equal to the width of the winding.

On the oscilloscope scale you can see the difference between the potentials obtained from the vibrations of one and ten magnets. The author received a voltage of 4.5V from the oscillations of the magnetic rod. It also clearly shows the cyclicity of the sinusoid in intervals of varying frequency.

At this stage, following the example of the author, you can connect an LED directly to the output ends of the coil and check its performance. As you can see in the photo, the LED reacts to the movement of the magnetic rod and the pulse current it creates.

Now you need to plug both ends of the tube so as not to hold them with your hands while shaking. To do this, use the same hacksaw to cut out several patches of plywood, process the edges with a file, line them with cotton wool on the back side to soften them, and place them on glue so they don’t fall out.

It's time to connect the rectifier. The diagram shown in the photo shows which two of its four contacts are connected to the coil. Such a diode bridge is capable of receiving alternating current, and issue a constant strictly in one direction.

A step-up autotransformer will help convert low spontaneous pulses from the primary coil into sufficient voltage to operate the LED due to the self-induction of one of the windings - the collector. Since it is connected to the base winding, a constant and stable electric current will be supplied to the supercapacitor in sufficient quantity. The resistor will limit the excess of permissible values. A capacitor of sufficient capacity was also selected by the author experimentally using measurements of outgoing signals with an oscilloscope.

This circuit is closed by a reverse bipolar transistor, which controls the incoming electric current to the LED. You can assemble the circuit without a board, since there are not many parts. We mount the switch button on one of the contacts coming from the autotransformer.

Hello to all readers and admirers of the Radioschema website! Today I want to talk about the creation of an “eternal” lantern. For a long time there has been an idea to assemble a flashlight that works using muscle power, converting the mechanical energy of rotation into light. This flashlight has a very big advantage over others - its battery cannot run out. But of course, it is not without its drawback - you will have to work to shine it on them. Therefore, its first purpose is to work in emergency mode (if the batteries are dead), when you urgently need to shine a light somewhere, for example, to screw in plugs in an electrical panel. Since during long-term work, a person will simply get tired of turning the handle of the flashlight.

Flashlight dynamo circuit

Printing the case on a 3D printer

So, there was an idea, but it was difficult for it to materialize, since it was necessary to assemble a gearbox with an electric motor and stuff it into some kind of housing, and for most radio amateurs the housing is a “stumbling block.” But this task has been radically simplified with the purchase of an inexpensive 3D printer. Now the construction of any housing for a radio-electronic device is limited only by the author’s imagination.

The first pancake, as usual, was lumpy: I printed out the case, not yet knowing what the finished device would look like, taking the first engine I came across as a generator. It turned out that even with a very fast rotation of the handle, there was not enough voltage for stable operation of the flashlight. Then, taught by bitter experience, I approached the question more intelligently. I took a bunch of existing engines and tested them for suitability for this project.

We do this: we clamp the motor shaft into a screwdriver, give maximum speed and measure the voltage and short circuit current of the motor. Accordingly, we select the best copy. According to my observations, it is best to take a high-voltage (12 -24 volt) and low-revving motor.

Further on the gearbox: I used factory gears, since my 3D modeling program does not have a library for constructing the latter and I am currently printing from PLA plastic, but it is not resistant to wear. The drive gear and motor were used from some kind of electric corrector for car headlights, the intermediate (large) one from the disk drive music center AIWA, the latest (motorized) from a children's car. The lens was used from a non-working Chinese headlamp. On the plus side: it has a lens and the ability to change the focal length. The light source is a three-watt LED; it, of course, is not used “to its full potential,” but in terms of reliability it has no equal (with such a low load).

As you know, such flashlights have one more drawback - they shine while you turn the handle. To at least to some extent smooth out this drawback, I installed ionistors in the case with a total capacity of two farads. And in parallel with the latter, a five-volt zener diode, since the maximum voltage for these ionistors is 5.5 volts, and the generator is capable of delivering up to 12 volts without load. There is a switch installed in the side wall of the device that disconnects the LED from the ionistors; if not needed, you can turn it off and a charge will remain in the ionistor for later use. In the off position, when the knob is rotated, the process of charging the ionistors occurs.