New Boost Driver in Dev

[qumefox]

1.5V~4.2V 3W Cree Circuit Board for Flashlights (16.7mm*5.6mm) - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

They aren't 'user friendly' though unless you like SMD soldering. Since the only way to change current, is to change the current sense resistor. They seem to do ok up to 1.4A out if heatsinked properly. I haven't attempted to parallel them yet but judging by the way they operate, I don't think it would be an issue with them.

I do recommend adding some filtering to the output though if using them on anything other than a 445.

back when I tested them, the output was relatively flat with input voltages between 3.2 and 4.2V. Below 3.2, the output starts sagging as the voltage drops though.

the ak007 drivers are also nice little boost drivers, and the current is adjusted the same way, by changing the sense resistor.

 

[PersonGuyDude]

How many do you plan on having manufactured initially?

 

[bobhaha]

Approx 1000-1500. The more I purchase the lower the cost is. So I'm still deciding on what quantity.

 

[PersonGuyDude]

Wow cool, I'm sure ill get one in the future. Looking forward to it

 

[LaZeRz]

Any update on these? Its almost been two months

 

[Wolfman29]

It may have flopped or malfuctioned is my guess. These things tend to be a bit of a pain, really. But I'm sure something will come of it! ^_^

 

[bobhaha]

Hey guys, thanks for the continual support.

No these are still going strong. It is in it's final stages now. We are working on patent documentation and doing research for anything that could possibly be similar to avoid any legal issues further down the line.

I expect them to be ready to go by early next year.

I have put a lot of money and effort into this! I just can't wait for it all to be over and done!

 

[qumefox]

Hate to say it, but unless you have a MUCH bigger market than just hobbyists, if your going to that much trouble and expense, then you'll find it will likely take years.. if ever, to recoup your investment. Plus your patents will only be applicable in the country they are filed in, so you'll have to file for patents in every country you can think of for there to be a lot of point. On top of that you have to actively enforce your patents for them to hold up legally(at least in the US). Which means suing anyone and everyone you think is infringing your IP. If you don't, and the opposing party can prove you haven't been enforcing it in court, then you lose the patent.

This is actually why most film making in the US is centered around Hollywood, CA. Thomas Edison owned the patents on pretty much all film making equipment at the time, and enforced them.. physically.. with a goon squad pretty much. However he was in new york.. and back then it took weeks or longer to cross the country. So the film making industry, rather than paying Edison's exorbitant licensing and royalty fees, packed up and moved to the other side of the country, where, at the time, Edison was unable to enforce his patents, and eventually lost them as such.

Another big factor is.. China doesn't care either. If someone there chooses to copy your design there's little you can do to fight it regardless of what you do.

While I know no one wants their stuff copied, it really boils down to how much you expect to take in. If it's <$100k USD.. The patent route will probably expensive and overkill. And I think even if it was the best driver *ever*, it'd still take a looong time to sell that many to hobbyists alone.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying don't go about it the correct way to protect your design. I'm just warning you that if it's a relatively low dollar and low sales item, 'Protecting the IP' can end up costing more than you ever make off it.

You should also keep in mind that you can't patent broad concepts like 'DC-DC converters' anymore. So your design could only be patented as a fixed design with set component values. All anyone would have to do to get around it would be to change a few component values, or add an extra filter capacitor, etc, to get around any patents.

 

[Misanthrop]

Hate to say it, but unless you have a MUCH bigger market than just hobbyists, if your going to that much trouble and expense, then you'll find it will likely take years.. if ever, to recoup your investment. Plus your patents will only be applicable in the country they are filed in, so you'll have to file for patents in every country you can think of for there to be a lot of point. On top of that you have to actively enforce your patents for them to hold up legally(at least in the US). Which means suing anyone and everyone you think is infringing your IP. If you don't, and the opposing party can prove you haven't been enforcing it in court, then you lose the patent.

This is actually why most film making in the US is centered around Hollywood, CA. Thomas Edison owned the patents on pretty much all film making equipment at the time, and enforced them.. physically.. with a goon squad pretty much. However he was in new york.. and back then it took weeks or longer to cross the country. So the film making industry, rather than paying Edison's exorbitant licensing and royalty fees, packed up and moved to the other side of the country, where, at the time, Edison was unable to enforce his patents, and eventually lost them as such.

Another big factor is.. China doesn't care either. If someone there chooses to copy your design there's little you can do to fight it regardless of what you do.

While I know no one wants their stuff copied, it really boils down to how much you expect to take in. If it's <$100k USD.. The patent route will probably expensive and overkill. And I think even if it was the best driver *ever*, it'd still take a looong time to sell that many to hobbyists alone.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying don't go about it the correct way to protect your design. I'm just warning you that if it's a relatively low dollar and low sales item, 'Protecting the IP' can end up costing more than you ever make off it.

You should also keep in mind that you can't patent broad concepts like 'DC-DC converters' anymore. So your design could only be patented as a fixed design with set component values. All anyone would have to do to get around it would be to change a few component values, or add an extra filter capacitor, etc, to get around any patents.

That post gave me the same feeling as opening a christmas present and finding out its socks...

 

[lasersbee]

Hey guys, thanks for the continual support.

No these are still going strong. It is in it's final stages now. We are working on patent documentation and doing research for anything that could possibly be similar to avoid any legal issues further down the line.

I expect them to be ready to go by early next year.

I have put a lot of money and effort into this! I just can't wait for it all to be over and done!

IIRC on Sept 09 2011 you said it would take 2 months to get
working prototypes in your hands. That would make it Nov 09 2011.
It is now Dec 20... an addition 1.5 months... :thinking:

Are you saying that you still don't have a working prototype ???

The 27.5 hours to design a working prototype has passed many
times...

BTW... You don't need patents to test a prototype....

Hate to say it, but unless you have a MUCH bigger market than just hobbyists, if your going to that much trouble and expense, then you'll find it will likely take years.. if ever, to recoup your investment. Plus your patents will only be applicable in the country they are filed in, so you'll have to file for patents in every country you can think of for there to be a lot of point. On top of that you have to actively enforce your patents for them to hold up legally(at least in the US). Which means suing anyone and everyone you think is infringing your IP. If you don't, and the opposing party can prove you haven't been enforcing it in court, then you lose the patent.

This is actually why most film making in the US is centered around Hollywood, CA. Thomas Edison owned the patents on pretty much all film making equipment at the time, and enforced them.. physically.. with a goon squad pretty much. However he was in new york.. and back then it took weeks or longer to cross the country. So the film making industry, rather than paying Edison's exorbitant licensing and royalty fees, packed up and moved to the other side of the country, where, at the time, Edison was unable to enforce his patents, and eventually lost them as such.

Another big factor is.. China doesn't care either. If someone there chooses to copy your design there's little you can do to fight it regardless of what you do.

While I know no one wants their stuff copied, it really boils down to how much you expect to take in. If it's <$100k USD.. The patent route will probably expensive and overkill. And I think even if it was the best driver *ever*, it'd still take a looong time to sell that many to hobbyists alone.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying don't go about it the correct way to protect your design. I'm just warning you that if it's a relatively low dollar and low sales item, 'Protecting the IP' can end up costing more than you ever make off it.

You should also keep in mind that you can't patent broad concepts like 'DC-DC converters' anymore. So your design could only be patented as a fixed design with set component values. All anyone would have to do to get around it would be to change a few component values, or add an extra filter capacitor, etc, to get around any patents.

I can't agree with you more.... There is no reason to spend the $$$
and time to get a patent for this limited use Driver unless you have
a pre-established >100,000 units per year market.

Even if it does what it is supposed to do and sells like hot cakes then
the Chinese will copy it whether you have a patent or not.

Your pockets will need to be VERY deep if you think you can protect
your patent rights. The only thing a Patent will do for you is establish
a date that your "thingy" was invented. The patent office will not go
to court for you.


Jerry

 

[Flaminpyro]

You have said it all right here, I hope they were listening :can:

Hate to say it, but unless you have a MUCH bigger market than just hobbyists, if your going to that much trouble and expense, then you'll find it will likely take years.. if ever, to recoup your investment. Plus your patents will only be applicable in the country they are filed in, so you'll have to file for patents in every country you can think of for there to be a lot of point. On top of that you have to actively enforce your patents for them to hold up legally(at least in the US). Which means suing anyone and everyone you think is infringing your IP. If you don't, and the opposing party can prove you haven't been enforcing it in court, then you lose the patent.

This is actually why most film making in the US is centered around Hollywood, CA. Thomas Edison owned the patents on pretty much all film making equipment at the time, and enforced them.. physically.. with a goon squad pretty much. However he was in new york.. and back then it took weeks or longer to cross the country. So the film making industry, rather than paying Edison's exorbitant licensing and royalty fees, packed up and moved to the other side of the country, where, at the time, Edison was unable to enforce his patents, and eventually lost them as such.

Another big factor is.. China doesn't care either. If someone there chooses to copy your design there's little you can do to fight it regardless of what you do.

While I know no one wants their stuff copied, it really boils down to how much you expect to take in. If it's <$100k USD.. The patent route will probably expensive and overkill. And I think even if it was the best driver *ever*, it'd still take a looong time to sell that many to hobbyists alone.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying don't go about it the correct way to protect your design. I'm just warning you that if it's a relatively low dollar and low sales item, 'Protecting the IP' can end up costing more than you ever make off it.

You should also keep in mind that you can't patent broad concepts like 'DC-DC converters' anymore. So your design could only be patented as a fixed design with set component values. All anyone would have to do to get around it would be to change a few component values, or add an extra filter capacitor, etc, to get around any patents.

 

[qumefox]

That post gave me the same feeling as opening a christmas present and finding out its socks...

Reality is sometimes a harsh mistress unfortunately. And IP rights usually boil down to 'who ever has the most money to throw at it, wins'.

The only real benefit filing for and obtaining a patent has for the 'little guy' anymore is protection from large entities that do have money, that may come up with the same design, then come after you legally. It allows you to go the court and say 'Look, here's proof I was first.' That's about it.

But as far as keeping other people from copying you.. As Jerry said. Having a patent only lets you say you were first. Enforcement is your own problem, not the patent office's, and patents that aren't enforced are pretty pointless beyond my above mentioned example.