Arc Light Guide for Uniform Macro Photography Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing macro photography illumination apparatuses with ring-shaped light sources, such as xenon tubes, are costly due to high-accuracy bending processes and suffer from inefficient light usage and uneven light distribution, making them bulky and expensive.
Innovation Solution
An illumination apparatus featuring a light guide with an arc shape, including a light incidence section, first and second reflecting sections, and a light-emitting section, which efficiently directs light from a linear xenon tube source in an arc form to the subject, reducing size and improving light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If glass tubes are processed into arc shape through high-accuracy bending processing, then the light source can be shaped to match the imaging lens, but the cost of light sources increases and the illumination apparatus becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination apparatus is divided into separate functional components: a linear light source (xenon tube) and a separate arc-shaped light guide. This segmentation allows the light source to be manufactured separately in its simple linear form, while the light guide is separately formed in its arc shape, avoiding the need for complex bending processing of the light source itself and reducing overall manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The arc-shaped light guide acts as an intermediary between the linear light source and the imaging lens. Instead of bending the light source itself, the light guide receives light from the linear source and redirects it in an arc shape, serving as a mediator that achieves the desired light distribution without the high cost of bending processing.
2Shape
If bent tube type light sources are used, then the light source can be shaped to match the imaging lens, but sufficient performance cannot be achieved in terms of light usage efficiency and light distribution
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the light source function from the light guiding function, the system achieves better light usage efficiency. The linear light source emits light that is then efficiently captured and redirected by the arc-shaped light guide, ensuring that light is effectively distributed along the arc path rather than being wasted in the bending process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical bending of the light source itself with an optical system using a light guide. Instead of physically bending the xenon tube to achieve the arc shape, a separate light guide component performs the light redirection, improving light usage efficiency by eliminating the energy loss associated with bending the light source.
3Shape
If bent tube type light sources are used, then the light source can be shaped to match the imaging lens, but the illumination apparatus becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of the light source and light guide allows for more compact integration. The linear light source can be positioned efficiently, and the arc-shaped light guide can be configured to match the imaging lens geometry without requiring excessive space, thereby reducing the overall volume of the illumination apparatus while maintaining the arc shape functionality.
4Shape
If glass tubes are processed into arc shape, then the light source can be shaped to match the imaging lens, but it is difficult to efficiently and uniformly irradiate a subject with light emitted from such a plurality of bent tube type light sources
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-shaped light guide serves as an intermediary that receives light from the linear source and uniformly distributes it along the arc path. This mediator ensures even light distribution across the imaging lens perimeter, solving the problem of non-uniform irradiation that occurs with directly used bent tube light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the light delivery system by using a light guide with a specific arc radius and cross-sectional dimensions. This parameter optimization ensures that light is uniformly distributed along the arc, achieving even illumination across the subject while maintaining the arc shape match to the imaging lens.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for efficient light usage and uniform light distribution, reducing the size and cost of the illumination apparatus while maintaining effective light emission for macro photography.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide includes a light incidence section, a first reflecting section, a second reflecting section, and a light-emitting section for emitting light reflected by the first reflecting section
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination apparatus includes a light source, a light-receiving unit, and a light guide unit formed in an arc shape. The light guide unit includes a light incidence section on which light from the light source is incident. The light incidence section is disposed on an outer circumferential side of the light guide unit, and faces the light source. The light guide unit further includes a first reflecting section having a first and a second region, and a second reflecting section having first and second surfaces. The first surface reflects the light incident from the light incidence section toward the first region, and the second surface reflects the light incident from the light incidence section toward the second region. The light-receiving unit is disposed at a position between the first and the second surfaces.