Three-Sided LED Camping Lantern with Heat Dissipation Channel

Patent & Production

At a glance

What the claims cover, in plain language

Claim 1 defines the core structure: a bracket holding a battery, a lamp housing with windows, and an optical system comprising a light source, a diffuser, and two transparent plates. Key features include the heat dissipation channel formed by a gap between the battery and the bracket wall, venting through openings at the housing bottom. The optical setup uses a “duckbill” shape created by the diffuser and first plate, with a second plate having a larger curvature radius to focus light. Assembly relies on clamping grooves and blocks rather than screws.

Claim 2 specifies the connection details for the second transparent plate, using a third clamping block and positioning block that fit into bayonets and grooves on the diffuser.

Claim 3 adds a vertical switch power strip inside the bracket, topped with a flexible membrane switch housed in a top cap to enhance leakproofness.

Claim 4 introduces side through-holes equipped with USB interfaces and/or charging ports for external device power.

This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.

What this means for US production

This patent was filed in China and is currently in force. Making or selling this specific configuration in China requires the owner’s permission. The public record shows no US or other foreign counterpart.

Two points to settle early:

• Other patents may exist. Outdoor lighting and portable power banks are heavily patented fields. Features like heat channels, duckbill optics, or integrated USB charging may be covered by other US utility patents held by major brands (e.g., Goal Zero, BioLite, Anker) or smaller entities. A freedom-to-operate (FTO) review is strongly recommended before tooling.
• Design-around potential. Since there is no US counterpart, minor structural changes (e.g., altering the heat vent location or changing the lens curvature ratio) might avoid infringement of the Chinese patent if manufacturing occurs elsewhere, but US patent landscape analysis is still required for sales in the United States.

Customization and manufacturing

What can be customized

Things to plan for (US market)

• UL 62368-1 - Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment safety standard, often applied to portable power banks and electronics.
• FCC Part 15 - Electromagnetic interference requirements for digital devices, including LED drivers and charging circuits.
• California Prop 65 - Warning labels required if materials contain listed chemicals (common in some plastics and solder).
• DOT/IATA Regulations - Lithium-ion battery transport rules apply if the unit contains rechargeable cells.

How a project runs

1. Inquiry - Define target lumens, battery capacity, and physical size limits.
2. Design Review - Verify heat channel dimensions and lens curvature against optical simulation software.
3. Prototype - Create 3D-printed housings and test off-the-shelf LED modules.
4. Validation - Conduct thermal testing and IP rating checks (splash resistance).
5. Tooling - Develop injection molds for the bracket, housing, and diffuser components.

Quantities & timeline

Injection molds for the complex duckbill lenses and snap-fit brackets require high precision. Thermal performance must be validated before mass production to ensure the heat channel functions as intended. Send us your target lumen output, battery specs, material preferences, quantity and target price and we will reply with options.

Production notes

Tooling and process

Injection molding is likely the primary process for the housing, diffuser, and transparent plates. Die-cast aluminum could be used for the bracket if higher thermal conductivity is desired, though plastic is more common for cost. PCB assembly will involve surface-mount technology for the LED drivers.

Cost drivers

Costs typically depend heavily on the mold complexity for the curved lenses and the quality of the LED binning. Battery cell selection and IP sealing materials also contribute significantly to the bill of materials.

Prototyping path

Start with 3D-printed housings to verify fit and form. Off-the-shelf drivers and LEDs are typically used for initial thermal tests. Once the heat channel efficiency is confirmed, move to soft tooling for the lenses.

What we would change before tooling

We would verify the snap-fit tolerance in the prototype phase to prevent assembly failures. Adjustments to the heat vent size may be needed based on real-world thermal imaging results.

Common failure points

Heat buildup is a risk if the channel is blocked or too narrow. Water ingress at the seal around the membrane switch is another potential failure mode. Lens yellowing over time due to UV exposure is typically mitigated with stabilizers.

Patent drawings

Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.

Frequently asked questions

How does the heat dissipation work?

The design reserves a gap between the battery and the bracket wall, creating a channel. Heat rises from the battery and LEDs into this channel and exits through openings at the bottom of the lamp housing. This passive cooling helps maintain lower operating temperatures.

Why is the lens shape called “duckbill”?

The first transparent plate and the diffuser align to form a cross-section resembling a duck’s bill. This shape, combined with the second curved plate, helps spread the light across three faces efficiently while keeping the lamp body relatively flat.

Is the assembly difficult?

No. The patent emphasizes a snap-fit design using clamping grooves and blocks. This eliminates the need for screws in the main optical assembly, which speeds up manufacturing and reduces part count.

Can it charge my phone?

Yes. Claim 4 mentions USB interfaces on the side of the housing. This allows the lantern to act as a power bank for external devices, provided the battery capacity is sufficient for your needs.

Is it waterproof?

The patent describes a flexible membrane switch to improve leakproofness. However, the presence of heat dissipation openings at the bottom means it is not fully submersible. It is likely splash-resistant but should not be used in heavy rain or submerged water.

Does the light have adjustable brightness?

The patent focuses on the structural distribution of light. Brightness control depends on the driver circuit chosen during production. Dimming features can be added but are not explicitly detailed in the structural claims.

Can this design be made and sold in the US?

The patent is in force in China, and the public record shows no US counterpart. Therefore, this specific patent does not restrict making or selling in the US. However, you must conduct a freedom-to-operate search to ensure no other US patents cover similar heat-dissipation or optical designs in the camping gear sector.

Are you affiliated with the patent owner?

No. IP2M is an independent design and manufacturing service working from the public patent document.

Request a quote

Click Request a Quote below to see our email address - copy it, or open your email app with a ready-made message. Please mention patent CN108278508B in the subject.

Helpful details to include:

• Your company and channel (outdoor brand, Amazon seller, emergency kit supplier)
• Target lumen output and battery capacity (mAh)
• Preferred materials (ABS, PC, etc.) and colors
• Interface requirements (USB-C, USB-A, wireless charging add-on?)
• Estimated quantity and target price
• Timeline - when you would like samples and the first shipment

You can also reach us at (332) 203-9997.