Illumination unit with HMI light and flash tube, illumination device with illumination unit, and reflector assembly with illumination device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lighting unit (10) configured and adapted to illuminate an object for photography and filming, the lighting unit being characterized by a connection element (11) having, on the one hand, a plug-in location configured and adapted to receive at least two light sources, and, on the other hand, contacts (12) configured and adapted to be connected to a generator (13) and electrically connected to the plug-in location, at least two light sources inserted into the plug-in location, and a substantially transparent protective cover (14) connected to the connection element (11) and at least partially covering each of the light sources connected to the connection element (11), one light source being designed as an HMI light (15) and at least one other light source being designed as a flash tube (16). The present invention also relates to a lighting device (30) comprising the lighting unit (10), and a reflector assembly (40) having the lighting device (30).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an illumination unit configured and adapted to illuminate a subject for photography and filming.

[0002] The invention also relates to an illumination device configured and adapted to illuminate a subject for photography and filming.

[0003] The present invention further relates to a reflector assembly constructed and adapted to provide illumination for photography and filming. [Background technology]

[0004] Lighting units are used in photography and cinematography to illuminate or light up the object to be photographed or filmed. Object means anything that can be captured by photography or cinematography, but especially people, e.g. portraits or sporting activities, and / or objects such as clothes, food, and / or natural phenomena. Object properties such as contours, color fidelity, shadows, etc. can be influenced by the illumination or illumination of the object, e.g. they can be weakened or accentuated. With regard to the choice of light source, photography has different needs and requirements compared to cinematography. In photography, lighting units are used in which a light source such as a halogen bulb, a halogen bar or any other halogen-based light source is configured and adapted to provide a so-called modeling light. The second light source is a flash tube, which generates an actual short (flash-like) illumination of the object. In cinematography, lighting units are used to provide a continuous light, close to daylight, where a longer illumination (corresponding to a film train) of the object is generated by an HMI light as the only light source.

[0005] Thus, the known lighting units are configured and adapted only for taking photographs, i.e. still images, and therefore have a modeling light and at least one flash light, or the known lighting units are configured and adapted only for filming, i.e. taking moving pictures, and therefore have an HMI light. To operate a lighting device with a lighting unit for photography, an energy source, for example in the form of a generator, is required to provide energy for the modeling light and an ignition coil is required for each flash light. To operate a lighting device with a lighting unit for filming, an energy source, for example in the form of a generator, is required to provide energy for ionizing the gas passage between the electrodes of the HMI light and energy for a ballast for limiting the current input to the HMI light after the gas discharge has occurred. In short, there are lighting devices with different sets of equipment for photography and filming.

[0006] Thus, if both photography and filming are carried out on photo and film sets, a considerable amount of refurbishment work must be carried out with regard to the lighting situation, possibly resulting in longer studio rental periods, leading to considerably higher production costs. A further disadvantage of the individual functionality of the known lighting units is the need for individual equipment for each individual case, e.g. lighting units, generators, ballasts, ignition units, ignition coils, etc., adapted to the requirements of the photography and filming in question, which, taking into account the diverse nature of the individual components, demands more logistical efforts when setting up the photo and film sets and accordingly higher costs. Moreover, the individual characteristics of the subject cannot be shown in the most effective and complete way. In other words, the known lighting units for both photography and filming are merely a compromise at the expense of maximum photo and film quality.

[0007] The lighting unit may be sold and used independently, for example as a replacement part or spare, but typically the lighting unit will be part of a lighting device which is preferably part of a reflector assembly. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention is therefore based on the task of creating a reliable and safe lighting unit which can be widely used for photography and filming and which optimizes individual lighting situations, the task further consisting in proposing a corresponding lighting device and a corresponding reflector assembly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This task is solved by the above mentioned lighting unit, which is characterized by a connection element, which comprises, on the one hand, plug-in positions configured and adapted to receive at least two light sources, and, on the other hand, contacts configured and adapted to be connected to a generator, which are electrically connected to the plug-in positions, at least two light sources inserted in the plug-in positions, and a substantially transparent protective cover connected to the connection element and at least partially covering each of the light sources connected to the connection element, one light source being designed as an HMI light and at least one other light source being designed as a flash tube. The connection element forms a plate-like base of the lighting unit, which is not itself electrically conductive but has on one side thereof a plug-in position into which the light sources are inserted, screwed and otherwise preferably removably attached, and on the other side thereof conductive terminals, i.e. contacts electrically connected to the plug-in positions. All light sources are completely surrounded by a protective cover, except for ventilation openings for dissipating heat. The lighting unit according to the invention with an HMI light and at least one flash tube provides for the first time a type of combination lamp that can be used for both photography and filming without retrofitting. By selectively activating / triggering the HMI light and / or the flash tube, the same equipment can be used to provide continuous light for filming and modeling light and / or flash light for photography. The combination of different light sources in one lighting unit offers the possibility to capture new or especially emphasized properties in photography and filming, which makes the photos and films more "alive". In particular, the lighting unit according to the invention delivers a particularly high color fidelity, which makes the images particularly lifelike.

[0010] Advantageously, an igniter and a ballast are assigned to the HMI light and an ignition coil is assigned to the flash tube. The igniter for the HMI light can be located outside the lighting unit as a separate component, preferably at a short distance, for example less than one meter. Optionally, the igniter can be an integral part of the lighting unit. The same applies to the ballast, which can be an integral part of the lighting unit, but is preferably designed separately from the lighting unit and is arranged, inter alia, in a generator (described further below) that is configured and adapted to supply energy to the lighting unit. The ignition coil for the flash tube can also be located separately from the lighting unit or is preferably an integral part of the lighting unit.

[0011] In a particularly preferred further development of the lighting unit, in addition to the HMI light, at least two flash tubes arranged inside the protective cover are electrically connected to the contacts and are also inserted into the connecting element, with an ignition coil being assigned to each flash tube. It is also possible to have a common ignition coil for both flash tubes. It is preferred that a separate ignition coil is assigned to each flash tube. The same applies if more than two flash tubes are provided. In particular, four flash tubes can be provided.

[0012] A particularly preferred embodiment of the lighting unit is characterized in that the HMI light is arranged centrally in the protective cover and at least two flash tubes are arranged symmetrically with respect to the HMI light. The four flash tubes can also be, for example, uniformly distributed around the periphery of the HMI light. More precisely, the flash tubes are arranged non-uniformly or preferably uniformly distributed around the glass bulb of the HMI light.

[0013] Conveniently, the protective cover is removably mounted on the connecting element and is cylindrical in shape, the connecting element being arranged on one end face of the protective cover and an air-permeable protective cap being arranged on the connecting element at the opposite end face. For example, the cylindrical protective cover can be mounted on the connecting element by means of a set screw. Removability means that the light source can be quickly and easily changed. The connecting element closes one end face of the cylindrical protective cover. The air-permeable protective cap at the opposite end of the cylindrical protective cover can be, for example, a wire mesh or similar which, on the one hand, allows heat to escape from the space covered by the protective cover surrounding the light source and, on the other hand, serves as a debris protection, for example against shuttering of the light source.

[0014] The protective cover is preferably made at least partly of glass with a UV filter. Finally, the protective cover is preferably a glass cylinder open at both ends. Instead of glass it is also possible to use other suitable materials with moderate heat resistance. The UV protection can be deployed over the entire surface of the glass cylinder or over only a part of it, so that the glass cylinder is at least partly designed as a UV protection screen, providing an effective and necessary protection against the UV rays emitted by the HMI lights.

[0015] All light sources preferably have a similar color temperature of the variable spectrum, around 5600 Kelvin, but almost any other color temperature range can be used as well, for photography and filming a color temperature range from 5200 to 6200 is preferably chosen. The crucial point is that the light sources, in this case the HMI lights and the flash tubes, have color temperatures of the same order of magnitude.

[0016] It is particularly advantageous for the connection element to have an 18-pole terminal on the side facing away from the light source. This provides a wide range of contact options. It is also possible to use connection bodies with a different number of contacts that are configured differently relative to one another, but the number and arrangement will also depend on the number of light sources in the connection element and their arrangement.

[0017] The above task is also solved by a lighting device characterized by a common energy source configured and adapted to selectively operate and / or ignite the lighting unit + HMI lights and / or flash tubes according to one or more of claims 1 to 8. The resulting advantages are as already explained in relation to the lighting unit and therefore, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the relevant parts. The design of the lighting device according to the invention means that there is a single set of equipment for photography and filming, thus eliminating the need for retrofitting and reducing the range of parts. In other words, a single set of equipment effectively saves time and space, significantly simplifies parts logistics and thus significantly reduces costs.

[0018] The power source is preferably a generator with a ballast configured and adapted to limit the current input to the HMI light. The generator has a number of connection sockets for connecting the light sources of the lighting units to the generator via cables. The ballast for the HMI light can optionally be configured and adapted to be separate outside the generator.

[0019] Preferably, the lighting device further comprises a control device configured and adapted to individually activate the light sources of the lighting unit, whereby the control device can individually select and activate and trigger either the HMI light alone, one flash tube alone, both flash tubes, or the HMI light and one or both flash tubes to provide optimal lighting for each application. The control device can be designed to be separate from the generator or to be an integral part of the generator.

[0020] It is particularly preferred that the generator comprises a detection device configured and adapted to detect the connected light source of the lighting unit. This detection device may be mechanical and / or electronic. The detection device is preferably connected to the control device such that the control device can receive and process signals emitted by the detection device.

[0021] In another advantageous embodiment, the generator is configured and adapted to generate short flash durations using flash tubes such that individual flash tubes can be used to generate flashes to capture 60-120 images per second. This design allows, for the first time, film to be shot using only flashes, thus allowing many individual images to be assembled with extreme sharpness to produce high quality film.

[0022] The above task is also solved by the above mentioned reflector assembly, characterized by a reflector umbrella, a lighting device according to one or more of claims 9 to 13 and a carrier element for receiving at least a part of the lighting device. The advantages obtained by the lighting unit have already been explained in connection with the lighting unit and therefore, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the relevant parts. The above mentioned advantages are particularly effective in combination with the lighting device and the reflector umbrella.

[0023] The lighting units are preferably arranged at the free end of the carrier element, and the carrier element as a focusing unit for the lighting units can be moved axially relative to the latter in the longitudinal direction of the central axis of the focusing unit or reflector umbrella, so that the lighting effects and properties provided by the lighting units can be used particularly advantageously.

[0024] Further useful and / or advantageous features and further developments of the lighting unit, the lighting device and the reflector assembly are set out in the dependent claims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 shows a lighting unit according to the invention, seen from below towards the contacts of the connecting element. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows the lighting unit according to FIG. 1 as seen along the cross section BB. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 shows the lighting unit according to FIG. 1, seen along the section AA. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway view of a reflector assembly having a reflector umbrella. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The lighting unit 10, lighting device 30 and reflector assembly 40 shown in the drawings are configured and adapted to illuminate / illuminate any type of subject for photography and filming.

[0027] The lighting unit 10 according to the invention is characterized by a connection element 11, which on the one hand has a plug-in position configured and adapted to receive at least two light sources and on the other hand has contacts 12 configured and adapted to be connected to a generator 13 and which are electrically connected to the plug-in position, at least two light sources inserted in the plug-in positions, and a substantially transparent protective cover 14 connected to the connection element 11 and at least partially covering each of the light sources connected to said connection element 11, one light source being designed as an HMI light 15 and at least one other light source being designed as a flash tube 16.

[0028] The contacts 12 do not normally reach above or into the generator 13 (see below). The plug-in positions are arranged on the upper side O of the connection element 11 facing the protective cover 14. The plug-in positions can be configured for a plug-in connection, a screw connection, a snap-in connection or any other type of removable connection. The contacts 12, i.e. the terminals, are formed on the lower side U of the connection element 11. The HMI lights 15 and / or the individual flash tubes 16 are preferably arranged at the same height. This means that when viewed from the side, they are arranged neatly next to each other (see for example FIG. 3).

[0029] The HMI light 15 has a glass bulb 18 filled with gas, which in the cold state acts as an insulator between two electrodes. A high voltage discharge by the generator 13 makes the insulating gas between the electrodes conductive. An arc is formed between the electrodes to emit light. After the gas discharge has occurred, the gas is conductive and therefore a current flows through it. A ballast is used to limit the current. As flash tubes 16, preferably xenon or krypton flash tubes, as well as other common flash lights or flash tubes, can be used. Each flash tube 16 also has a glass bulb 18 filled with gas and two electrodes. The application of a sufficiently high voltage causes the formation of a gas discharge, i.e. a spark, which represents a flash of light. The necessary energy is provided by the generator 13.

[0030] The features and other developments described below represent preferred embodiments of the lighting unit, either individually or in combination with one another. It is expressly pointed out that the features summarized in the claims and / or the description and / or the drawings or described in a common embodiment are also functionally and independently capable of further forming the lighting unit 10 described above.

[0031] As mentioned, a ballast is necessary for the operation of the HMI light 15. An igniter and a ballast are preferably assigned to the HMI light 15. Both the igniter and the ballast can be constructed and adapted separately from the lighting unit 10. However, at least the igniter is preferably an integral part of the lighting unit 10 and is arranged in the area of ​​the connecting element 11. An ignition coil is assigned to the flash tube 16. The ignition coil can also be an integral part of the lighting unit 10 and is then expediently arranged in the area of ​​the connecting element 11. The respective ignition coil is preferably arranged outside the lighting unit 10 (see below).

[0032] In a particularly preferred embodiment, in addition to the HMI light 15, at least two flash tubes 16, 19 arranged inside the protective cover 14 are electrically connected to the contacts 12 and inserted into the connecting element 11, with each flash tube 16 being assigned an ignition coil. Each flash tube 16, 19 can be assigned its own ignition coil. It is also possible to have a common ignition coil for all flash tubes 16, 19. The second flash tube 19 is preferably identical to the first flash tube 16 and is fitted with a gas-filled glass bulb 2. 0 and two electrodes. However, it is also possible to integrate different flash tubes 16, 19 into the lighting unit 10. The arrangement and positioning of the flash tubes 16, 19 inside the protective cover 14 relative to the HMI light 15 is variable. It is particularly preferred that the HMI light 15 is centrally arranged inside the protective cover 14 and that the two flash tubes 16, 19 are arranged symmetrically relative to the HMI light 15. In other words, the two flash tubes 16, 19 are offset by approximately 180° around the HMI light 15 or its glass cover 17. In other embodiments, for example with four flash tubes, these flash tubes are preferably arranged uniformly offset by 90° from each other around the HMI light 15 or its glass bulb 17.

[0033] The protective cover 14 is removably mounted on the connection element 11 and is cylindrical in shape, the connection element 11 being arranged on one end face 21 of the protective cover 14 and an air-permeable protective cap 23 being arranged on the connection element 11 at the opposite end face 22. In a simple embodiment, the protective cap 23 is connected to the connector body 11 by at least one set screw. It is also possible, however, for the protective cap 14 to be mounted in a holder which is screwed onto the connection element 11. It is also possible, however, to use other methods of mounting the connection element 11 on the protective cover 14 or of mounting the protective cover 14 on the connection element 11. The protective cap 23 may be a simple wire mesh which is permeable to air. Other cover elements having openings, slots or other air-permeable openings can also be used. An optical filter, either integral with the protective cap 23 or separate from the protective cap 23, can also be arranged in the region of the end face 22 of the protective cover 14. The ends of the HMI light 15 and / or the individual flash tubes 16, 19 are approximately flush toward the end face 22 (see, for example, Figures 2 and 3).

[0034] The protective cover 14 is preferably made at least partially of glass with a UV filter. The UV filter can be integrated into the glass. However, it is also possible for the UV filter to be attached separately to the inside and / or outside of the protective cover 14. The protective cover 14 preferably has a closed lateral surface M. However, in another example, this lateral surface M can also have ventilation openings or the like.

[0035] All light sources, i.e. HMI lights 15 and the individual flash tubes 16, 19, have a similar color temperature of approximately 5600 Kelvin with a variable spectrum. However, in other instances it is also possible to use light sources with color temperatures below or above 5600 Kelvin, depending on the application. It is also possible for light sources to be used in lighting units 10 with different color temperatures. The connection element 11 can have a different number of contacts 12. The connection element 11 is preferably designed with an 18-pole terminal in U on the underside facing away from the light source.

[0036] The lighting unit 10 is an independent component as a lamp body and can therefore be used separately. However, the lighting unit 10 is preferably part of a lighting device 30. The lighting device 30 configured and adapted to illuminate an object for photography and filming is characterized by the lighting unit 10 according to one or more of claims 1 to 8 and a common power source configured and adapted to selectively operate and / or ignite the HMI light 15 and / or the flash tubes 16, 19. The power source is a generator 13 with a ballast configured and adapted to limit the current input to the HMI light 15. As already explained, the ballast can be assigned to the lighting unit 10. Optionally, the ballast is an independent component. However, the ballast is preferably an integral part of the generator 13. The HMI light 15 can be adjusted via the generator 13, preferably in the range from 125 W to 400 W, so that the HMI light 15 can also be used as a modeling light for flash photography.

[0037] The lighting unit 10 has connection plugs 31, 32 which are electrically connected to the contacts 12. The connection plugs 31, 32 can be connected directly or via cables 33, 34 to connection sockets 35, 36 of the generator 13.

[0038] The lighting device 30 comprises a control device configured and adapted to activate the light sources of the lighting unit 10 individually. The control device can be configured separately, but is preferably an integral part of the generator 13. The lighting device 30 or the generator 13 further comprises a detection device configured and adapted to detect the connected light sources of the lighting unit 10. The detection device is preferably connected to the control device. The generator 13 can have other connection sockets for connecting other components.

[0039] The generator 13 is particularly configured and adapted to generate short flash durations using the flash tubes 16, 19 such that flashes for capturing 60 to 120 images per second can be generated using each flash tube 16, 19. Thus, ultimately, a very large number of flashes can be generated by the generator 13 as well.

[0040] The lighting device 30 can be used in particular with a reflector assembly 40 configured and adapted to provide illumination for photography and filming. The reflector assembly 40 is characterized by a reflector umbrella 41, a lighting device 30 according to one or more of claims 9 to 13 and a carrier element 42 for receiving at least a part of the lighting device 30. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the lighting unit 10 is arranged at the free end of the carrier element 42. The carrier element 42 is itself connected to the reflector umbrella 41 in the region of an umbrella holder 43. The connection plugs 31, 32 emerge from the end of the carrier element 42 opposite the lighting unit 10. A ballast for the HMI light 15 can, for example, also be arranged in the head region 44. Igniters and / or ignition coils for the HMI light 15 and the flash tubes 16, 19 can also be arranged in the head region 44. According to an embodiment, the unit formed by the reflector umbrella 41 and the carrier element 42 is mounted on a stand 45. In another option, the unit may be attached to another support element.

[0041] As mentioned, the lighting unit 10 is preferably arranged at the free end of the carrier element 42, the carrier element 42 as a focusing unit for the lighting unit 10 being able to move axially relative to the latter in the longitudinal direction of the central axis A of the focusing unit or reflector umbrella 41.

Claims

1. A lighting unit (10) configured and adapted to illuminate an object for photography and filming, said lighting unit being characterized by a connection element (11) comprising, on the one hand, plug-in positions configured and adapted to receive at least two light sources and, on the other hand, contacts (12) configured and adapted to be connected to a generator (13), said contacts (12) being electrically connected to said plug-in positions, at least two light sources inserted in said plug-in positions, and a substantially transparent protective cover (14) connected to said connection element (11) and at least partially covering each of said light sources connected to said connection element (11), a light source designed as an HMI light (15) and at least one other light source designed as a flash tube (16), in addition to the HMI light (15), at least two flash tubes (16, 19) arranged inside the protective cover (14) are electrically connected to the contacts (12) and inserted into the connecting element (11), each flash tube (16, 19) is assigned an ignition coil, the HMI light (15) is arranged centrally in the protective cover (14), the at least two flash tubes (16, 19) are arranged symmetrically with respect to the HMI light (15), and all light sources have a similar color temperature of approximately 5600 Kelvin.

2. 2. The lighting unit (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that an igniter and a ballast are assigned to the HMI light (15).

3. 3. The lighting unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the protective cover (14) is removably attached onto the connecting element (11) and has a cylindrical shape, the connecting element (11) is arranged on one end face (21) of the protective cover (14) and an air-permeable protective cap (23) is arranged on the other end face (22) opposite to the arrangement of the connecting element (11).

4. 4. Lighting unit (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective cover (14) is at least partially made of glass provided with a UV filter.

5. 5. The lighting unit (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting element (11) is designed with 18 terminals on the side facing away from the light source.

6. A lighting device (30) configured and adapted to illuminate a subject for photography and filming, characterized by a lighting unit (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 5 and a common power source configured and adapted to selectively operate and / or ignite an HMI light (15) and / or a flash tube (16, 19).

7. 7. The lighting device (30) according to claim 6, characterized in that the energy source is a generator (13) equipped with a ballast configured and adapted to limit the current input to the HMI light (15).

8. 8. The lighting device (30) according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a control device configured and adapted to individually activate the plurality of light sources of the lighting unit (10).

9. 9. The lighting device (30) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the generator (13) further comprises a detection device configured and adapted to detect a connected light source of the lighting unit (10).

10. 10. The lighting device (30) according to one or more of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the generator (13) is configured and adapted to generate short flash durations using the flash tubes (16, 19) so that flashes for capturing 60 to 120 images per second can be generated using the individual flash tubes (16, 19).

11. A reflector assembly (40) configured and adapted to provide illumination for photography and filming, characterized by a reflector umbrella (41), an illumination device (30) according to one or more of claims 6 to 10, and a carrier element (42) for receiving at least a part of said illumination device (30).

12. The reflector assembly (40) according to claim 11, characterized in that the lighting unit (10) is arranged at a free end of the carrier element (42), and the carrier element (42) as a focusing unit for the lighting unit (10) moves axially relative to the latter in the longitudinal direction of the central axis (A) of the focusing unit or the reflector umbrella (41).

Images