External flash lamp and flash lamp system

Abstract

An external flash lamp (10) and a flash lamp system (100). The flash lamp system (100) comprises an external flash lamp (10) and a set-top flash lamp (20). After the external flash lamp (10) is detachably fixed to the set-top flash lamp (20), the external flash lamp (10) can be electrically connected to the set-top flash lamp (20), so as to transmit a control signal and an operating current. The illumination range of the external flash lamp (10) can supplement the illumination range of the set-top flash lamp (20), thereby solving the problem of low brightness of some areas.

Description

External flash and flash system

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on November 14, 2023, with application number 202323086279.3 and application name “External flash and flash system”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of photographic equipment, and in particular to an external flash and a flash system. Background Art

[0003] As people's living standards continue to improve, photography becomes increasingly commonplace in their daily lives, leading to higher expectations for photographic quality. On-camera flashes are external auxiliary lighting devices that attach to the camera via the hot shoe. Their portability makes them a popular choice among users.

[0004] The tilt angle of the flash head on today's built-in flash units can be adjusted. Sometimes when taking indoor photos, in order to achieve a specific lighting effect, users will point the flash head upwards so that the light emitted by the flash is reflected by the ceiling and then shines on the subject.

[0005] However, since the light-emitting surface of the on-camera flash head faces upward, the light below the light-emitting surface will be blocked by the lamp head, which will cause the brightness of some areas in front of the on-camera flash to be lower, affecting the photographic imaging effect and the user experience.

[0006] Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of the utility model is to solve the technical problem that the light emitting surface of the lamp head of the on-camera flash faces upward, and the light below the light emitting surface will be blocked by the lamp head, resulting in low brightness in some areas in front of the on-camera flash, affecting the photographic imaging effect and the user experience.

[0008] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides an external flash, which can be detachably mounted on a top-mounted flash, and the external flash is connected to the top-mounted flash via an electrical signal; the rear side of the external flash can be mounted on the front side of the body of the top-mounted flash; the outer side of the external flash is provided with a light-transmitting window for emitting light, and light emitted by a light source in the external flash can be emitted toward the front side of the external flash through the light-transmitting window.

[0009] Optionally, the electrical signal between the external flash and the on-camera flash is a wireless signal, or the external flash and the on-camera flash are electrically connected via a wiring terminal.

[0010] Optionally, the external flash includes a battery or a power supply module electrically connected to the wiring terminal.

[0011] Optionally, the external flashlight includes a shell and a lamp tube arranged inside the shell, the light-transmitting window is opened on the shell, and the lamp tube is arranged close to the light-transmitting window.

[0012] Optionally, the external flash further includes a Fresnel lens, and the Fresnel lens is arranged at the light-transmitting window.

[0013] The present invention also provides a flash system, which includes the above-mentioned external flash and a top flash, wherein the external flash can be detachably mounted on the top flash; the top flash includes a body and a lamp head rotatably arranged on the top of the body, and the rear side of the external flash is mounted on the front side of the body; the end surface of the lamp head facing away from the body is the light-emitting surface of the top flash, and the light emitted by the light source in the external flash can be emitted toward the front side of the external flash through the light-transmitting window.

[0014] Optionally, the external flash includes a housing and a first terminal arranged on the housing, and the top flash includes a second terminal arranged inside the fuselage; the first terminal and the second terminal are docked and matched to fix the external flash on the front side of the fuselage and electrically connect the external flash to the top flash.

[0015] Optionally, the external flash also includes a movable switch, which includes a connecting end; the movable switch is movably arranged in the shell, so that the connecting end can be extended from the shell or accommodated in the shell; a connecting hole is opened on the body, and the connecting end of the movable switch can be passed through the connecting hole, so that the external flash is connected and fixed to the top flash.

[0016] Optionally, the external flash further includes an assembly spring, which is arranged inside the shell; the movable switch further includes a fixed end, which is arranged opposite to the connecting end; one end of the assembly spring is fixed to the inner wall of the shell, and the other end of the assembly spring is connected to the fixed end; the assembly spring is elastically expandable and contractible, so that the connecting end can be extended from the shell or accommodated inside the shell.

[0017] Optionally, the body includes a casing and a cover, the casing is provided with a through opening, the second terminal is arranged inside the body and corresponds to the through opening; the top flash also includes a mounting spring, the cover is movably arranged on the casing through the mounting spring to open or close the through opening; when the through opening is opened, the first terminal can pass through the through opening and extend into the interior of the body to dock with the second terminal.

[0018] It can be seen from the above technical solution that the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: in the external flash and flash system of the present invention, the external flash can be detachably fixed to the top flash, and the external flash and the top flash can be electrically connected to realize the transmission of control signals and working currents. The lighting range of the external flash can supplement the lighting range of the top flash, effectively solving the problem of low brightness in some areas, greatly improving the lighting effect, and ensuring the user experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of an external flashlight of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 is another schematic structural diagram of the external flash lamp shown in FIG. 1 .

[0021] FIG3 is a cross-sectional view of the external flash lamp shown in FIG1 .

[0022] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of the flashlight system of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a top flash in the flash system shown in FIG. 4 .

[0024] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 .

[0025] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the flash system shown in FIG. 4 .

[0026] FIG8 is a cross-sectional view of FIG7.

[0027] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are as follows: 100, flash system; 10, external flash; 11, outer shell; 111, shell body; 1111, first surface; 1112, second surface; 112, shell extension; 113, light-transmitting window; 12, probe terminal male socket; 13, lamp tube; 14, Fresnel lens; 15, movable switch; 151, switch body; 1511, connecting end; 1512, fixing end; 152, toggle portion; 16, assembly spring; 17, capacitor; 20, top flash; 21, fuselage; 211, housing; 212, cover; 213, connecting hole; 22, lamp holder; 23, probe terminal female socket; 24, mounting spring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Typical embodiments that embody the features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description. It should be understood that the present invention is capable of various variations in different embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention, and that the descriptions and illustrations herein are intended to be illustrative in nature and not to limit the present invention.

[0029] In the description of this application, it should be understood that in the embodiments shown in the drawings, indications of directions or positional relationships (such as up, down, left, right, front, and back) are merely for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. These descriptions are appropriate when these elements are in the positions shown in the drawings. If the descriptions of the positions of these elements change, the indications of these directions will also change accordingly.

[0030] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the described features. Throughout the description of this application, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0031] 1 to 4 , an embodiment of the present application provides an external flash 10 . The external flash 10 can be detachably mounted on a mounted flash. The external flash 10 is electrically connected to the mounted flash. The light emitting direction of the external flash 10 is different from that of the mounted flash.

[0032] The external flash 10 can be detachably connected to the on-camera flash 20 by means of snap-on, adhesive, screw-on, or magnetic fastening. The on-camera flash 20 is an external auxiliary photography lighting device that is mounted on the camera via the hot shoe on top of the camera. In addition to the on-camera flash 20, other types of flashes can also be used, such as handheld flashes and studio flashes.

[0033] The on-camera flash 20 includes a body 21 and a lamp head 22 rotatably mounted on the top of the body. The external flash 10 is mounted on the front side of the body 21. The end of the lamp head 22 facing away from the body 21 serves as the light-emitting surface of the on-camera flash 20. A light-emitting window 113 is defined on the outer side of the external flash 10, through which light can escape. The light-emitting window 113 faces the front of the on-camera flash 20, allowing light from the light source in the external flash 10 to exit the front side of the external flash 10 through the light-emitting window 113.

[0034] The top flash 20 is installed on a shooting device such as a camera or a camcorder. The front side of the top flash 20 corresponds to the lens of the shooting device, that is, the light-transmitting window 113 of the external flash 10 faces the lens of the shooting device.

[0035] After the external flash 10 is attached to the on-camera flash 20, it can be electrically connected to the on-camera flash 20 to transmit control signals and operating current. The connection between the external flash 10 and the on-camera flash 20 can be via wiring terminals, a wired circuit, or a wireless connection. The illumination range of the external flash 10 complements that of the on-camera flash 20, effectively resolving the issue of low brightness in certain areas, significantly improving the lighting effect and ensuring a superior user experience.

[0036] In this embodiment, the external flash 10 includes a housing 11, which includes a housing body 111 and a housing extension 112. The housing extension 112 is disposed on top of the housing body 111, and the interior of the housing extension 112 communicates with the interior of the housing body 111.

[0037] The two opposite surfaces of the shell main body 111 are the first surface 1111 and the second surface 1112 respectively. One end of the shell extension 112 is connected to the top of the shell main body 111, and the other end of the shell extension 112 is arranged close to the second surface 1112 of the shell main body, and the shell extension 112 protrudes from the second surface 1112 of the shell main body 111.

[0038] In this embodiment, the external flash 10 includes a first connection terminal, which is a probe terminal male socket 12. The probe terminal male socket 12 is fixed to the surface of the housing extension 112 near the housing main body 111. The extension direction of the probe terminal male socket 12 is consistent with the length direction of the housing main body 111. The probe terminal male socket 12 in the external flash 10 of this embodiment includes multiple probes, which are arranged at intervals, and the ends of the probes protrude from the surface of the housing extension 112.

[0039] In this embodiment, a light-transmitting window 113 is formed on the first surface 1111 of the housing body 111. This light-transmitting window 113 communicates with the interior of the outer shell 11. In this embodiment, the external flash 10 further includes a lamp 13 and a Fresnel lens 14. The lamp 13 is disposed within the housing body 111 and corresponds to the light-transmitting window 113. The Fresnel lens 14 is disposed adjacent to the light-transmitting window 113.

[0040] Light emitted by the lamp 13 passes through the Fresnel lens 14 and exits the housing 11. The Fresnel lens 14 focuses the light, enhancing the optical efficiency of the external flash 10. When the external flash 10 is mounted on a top-mounted flash 20, the second surface 1112 of the housing body 111 abuts the top-mounted flash 20, allowing light from the lamp 13 to exit through the light-transmitting window 113 defined on the first surface 1111.

[0041] In this embodiment, the external flash 10 further includes an active switch 15, which includes a switch body 151 and a toggle portion 152 protruding from the top surface of the switch body 151. The active switch 15 is movably mounted on the housing 11, with the switch body 151 disposed within the housing extension 112 and the toggle portion 152 extending from the top surface of the housing extension 112.

[0042] The toggle portion 152 is used for an operator to toggle it by hand. Through the toggle portion 152 , the movable switch 15 can be moved relative to the housing 11 efficiently and quickly.

[0043] The switch body 151 of this embodiment has a connecting end 1511 and a fixed end 1512, respectively, which are disposed opposite each other. In this embodiment, the external flash 10 further includes an assembly spring 16, one end of which is fixed within the housing 11, and the other end of which is connected and fixed to the fixed end 1512 of the switch body 151.

[0044] The assembly spring 16 is elastically expandable and contractible, allowing the movable switch 15 to move relative to the housing 11. The movable switch 15 can move relative to the housing 11, allowing the connecting end 1511 of the movable switch 15 to extend from the housing 11 or be retracted within the housing 11. The connecting end 1511 of the movable switch 15 is used to securely connect to the on-camera flash 20.

[0045] When the external flash 10 needs to be fixed on the top flash 20, the movable switch 15 is pushed to move by the toggle portion 152. Under the elastic expansion and contraction of the assembly spring 16, the connecting end 1511 can be extended from the housing 11 and connected to the top flash 20, so that the external flash 10 is stably fixed on the top flash 20.

[0046] In other examples of this embodiment, the connection end 1511 can be set to a hook structure or a magnetic column structure, and a corresponding matching structure can be set on the top flash 20 to achieve the connection and fixation between the external flash 10 and the top flash 20.

[0047] In this embodiment, the extension direction of the probe in the male probe terminal receptacle 12 is perpendicular to the extension direction of the connecting end 1511. The probe is plugged into and mated with the female probe terminal receptacle 23 of the on-camera flash 20 in a first direction, while the connecting end 1511 is fixedly connected to the on-camera flash 20 in a second direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, ensuring a stable connection between the external flash 10 and the on-camera flash 20.

[0048] In addition, the external flashlight 10 further includes a capacitor 17, which is disposed inside the housing body 111. The capacitor 17 can be connected to the lamp 13 to provide an operating voltage for the lamp 13 to achieve a flashing effect of the external flashlight 10.

[0049] 4 to 8 , an embodiment of the present application further provides a flash system 100, which includes an external flash 10 and a top flash 20. The main structure of the external flash 10 has been described above and will not be repeated here.

[0050] In this embodiment, the on-camera flash 20 includes a body 21 and a lamp head 22. The lamp head 22 is rotatably connected to the top of the body 21. The end surface of the lamp head 22 facing away from the body 21 serves as the light-emitting surface of the on-camera flash 20, through which light emitted by the on-camera flash 20 is emitted.

[0051] The body 21 of this embodiment includes a housing 211 and a cover 212. A through hole is formed in the housing 211. The top flash 20 also includes a second connection terminal, which is a probe terminal female socket 23, which is disposed inside the body 21 and corresponds to the through hole.

[0052] The flash unit 20 also includes a mounting spring 24, through which a cover 212 is movably mounted on the housing 211 to open or close a port. When the port is open, the male probe terminal 12 can pass through the port and extend into the housing 21 to mate with the female probe terminal 23.

[0053] In this embodiment, the probe terminal female socket 23 includes multiple terminals, which are spaced apart. When the external flash 10 is connected to the on-camera flash 20, the multiple probes of the probe terminal male socket 12 are plugged and fixed to the probe terminal female socket 23 in a one-to-one correspondence, thereby achieving an electrical connection between the external flash 10 and the on-camera flash 20. This allows the external flash 10 and the on-camera flash 20 to transmit control signals and operating current, thereby enabling the external flash 10 to be controlled by the function key of the on-camera flash to trigger the flash.

[0054] In other examples of this embodiment, in addition to the electrical connection method of the probe terminal male socket 12 and the probe terminal female socket 23 docking, the external flash 10 can also transmit control signals with the top flash 20 through wireless signals, and a battery can be set inside the housing 11 of the external flash 10 as a power source.

[0055] The side of the body 21 of the on-camera flash 20 of this embodiment is provided with a connection hole 213, and the connection end 1511 of the movable switch 15 can be inserted into the connection hole 213, so that the external flash 10 is firmly connected and fixed to the on-camera flash 20. The probe and the probe terminal female socket 23 of the on-camera flash 20 are plugged into each other in the first direction, and the connection end 1511 is connected and fixed to the on-camera flash 20 in the second direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, which can achieve a stable connection between the external flash 10 and the on-camera flash 20.

[0056] When the external flash 10 is connected to the on-camera flash 20, the first surface 1111 of the housing 111 abuts against the side of the camera body 21, and the light-transmitting window 113 of the external flash 10 is positioned away from the camera body 21. The lamp head 22 of the on-camera flash 20 is located at the top of the camera body 21. The end surface of the lamp head 22 facing away from the camera body 21 serves as the light-emitting surface of the on-camera flash 20. The illumination range of the external flash 10 complements that of the on-camera flash 20, effectively resolving the issue of low brightness in certain areas, significantly improving the lighting effect, and ensuring a better user experience.

[0057] While the present invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the terms used are illustrative and exemplary rather than restrictive. Since the present invention can be embodied in a variety of forms without departing from the spirit or essence of the invention, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited to any of the foregoing details, but should be interpreted broadly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Therefore, all changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the claims or their equivalents are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An external flash, characterized in that: The external flash can be detachably mounted on the top flash, and the external flash is connected to the top flash via an electrical signal; the rear side of the external flash can be mounted on the front side of the body of the top flash; a light-transmitting window for emitting light is provided on the outer side of the external flash, and light emitted by the light source in the external flash can be emitted toward the front side of the external flash through the light-transmitting window.

2. The external flashlight according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrical signal between the external flash and the top flash is a wireless signal.

3. The external flashlight according to claim 1, characterized in that: The external flashlight is electrically connected to the top flashlight via a wiring terminal.

4. The external flashlight according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The external flashlight includes a battery or a power supply module, and the power supply module can be electrically connected to the wiring terminal.

5. The external flashlight according to claim 1, characterized in that: The external flashlight comprises a shell and a lamp tube arranged inside the shell, the light-transmitting window is opened on the shell, and the lamp tube is arranged close to the light-transmitting window.

6. The external flashlight according to claim 1, characterized in that: The external flashlight also includes a Fresnel lens, and the Fresnel lens is arranged at the light-transmitting window.

7. A flashlight system, characterized in that: Comprising the external flash and the on-camera flash as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the external flash can be detachably mounted on the on-camera flash; The on-camera flash includes a body and a lamp head rotatably arranged on the top of the body, and the rear side of the external flash is installed on the front side of the body; the end surface of the lamp head facing away from the body is the light emitting surface of the on-camera flash, and the light emitted by the light source in the external flash can be emitted to the front side of the external flash through the light-transmitting window.

8. The flash system according to claim 7, characterized in that The external flash includes a shell and a first terminal arranged on the shell, and the top flash includes a second terminal arranged inside the fuselage; the first terminal and the second terminal are docked and matched to fix the external flash on the front side of the fuselage and electrically connect the external flash to the top flash.

9. The flash system according to claim 8, characterized in that The external flash also includes an active switch, which includes a connecting end; the active switch is movably arranged in the shell so that the connecting end can be extended from the shell or accommodated in the shell, and the connecting end is used to connect with the top flash.

10. The flash system according to claim 9, characterized in that The first wiring terminal is a probe terminal male seat, which includes a plurality of probes arranged at intervals; the second wiring terminal is a probe terminal female seat, which includes a plurality of terminals arranged at intervals; the probe is plugged into and matched with the probe terminal female seat in a first direction.

11. The flash system according to claim 10, characterized in that The extension direction of the probe of the probe terminal male socket is perpendicular to the extension direction of the connecting end, and the connecting end is connected and fixed to the top flash in the second direction; the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

12. The flash system according to claim 9, characterized in that A connecting hole is provided on the fuselage, and the connecting end of the movable switch can be inserted into the connecting hole, so that the external flash is connected and fixed to the top flash.

13. The flash system according to claim 9, characterized in that The external flashlight also includes an assembly spring, which is arranged inside the shell; the movable switch also includes a fixed end, which is arranged opposite to the connecting end; one end of the assembly spring is fixed to the inner wall of the shell, and the other end of the assembly spring is connected to the fixed end; the assembly spring is elastically retractable, so that the connecting end can be extended from the shell or accommodated in the shell.

14. The flash system according to claim 13, characterized in that The movable switch includes a switch body and a toggle portion convexly arranged on the top surface of the switch body, and the opposite ends of the switch body are the connecting end and the fixed end respectively; the switch body is arranged inside the shell, and the toggle portion protrudes from the top surface of the shell.

15. The flash system according to claim 8, characterized in that The body comprises a casing and a cover plate, the casing is provided with a through opening, and the second terminal is arranged inside the body and corresponds to the through opening.

16. The flash system according to claim 15, characterized in that The top flash also includes a mounting spring, and the cover is movably arranged on the housing through the mounting spring to open or close the opening; when the opening is opened, the first terminal can pass through the opening and extend into the interior of the housing to dock with the second terminal.

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