Back-Support Softbox Layout to Eliminate Light Obstruction

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional umbrella-type softboxes experience light obstruction and loss due to the support rod and stand, resulting in shadows and inadequate lighting for photographic subjects.

Innovation Solution

A back-support softbox design featuring a foldable frame, flexible reflective fabric, and a support rod arrangement that allows the frame to expand into a dome shape, with the support rod positioned to avoid obstructing light emission, and includes adjustable components for ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a support rod and stand are used to adjust the lighting height, then the adaptability to varying heights is improved, but light obstruction and light loss occur resulting in shadows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability to varying heightsVSAvoidlight loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The support rod is extracted from the light-emitting area and repositioned to the back of the softbox structure. The rod now serves only as a structural support and height adjustment mechanism, while the light-emitting components are arranged on the front surface away from the rod, eliminating light obstruction while maintaining height adjustability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The support rod is positioned in the depth dimension (back of the softbox) rather than in the light path dimension (front of the softbox). This spatial reconfiguration in three-dimensional space allows the rod to provide structural support without interfering with the two-dimensional light emission surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a support rod and stand are used to adjust the lighting height, then the adaptability to varying heights is improved, but shadows are cast on the subject

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability to varying heightsVSAvoidshadows on subject

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support rod is extracted from the light-emitting area and repositioned to the back of the softbox structure. The rod now serves only as a structural support and height adjustment mechanism, while the light-emitting components are arranged on the front surface away from the rod, eliminating light obstruction while maintaining height adjustability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The support rod is positioned in the depth dimension (back of the softbox) rather than in the light path dimension (front of the softbox). This spatial reconfiguration in three-dimensional space allows the rod to provide structural support without interfering with the two-dimensional light emission surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20260044054A1Back-support softbox and photographic auxiliary device

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 SHENZHEN NICE PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIP CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are a back-support softbox and a photographic auxiliary device. The back-support softbox has an expanded state and a folded state and includes a frame, a flexible reflective fabric, a plurality of light-emitting components and a support rod. The frame includes a plurality of first rods and an upper wheel. The plurality of first rods are arranged radially from the upper wheel as a center. The flexible reflective fabric is attached to the plurality of first rods. In the expanded state, the reflective fabric is stretched to form a dome-shaped structure. The plurality of light-emitting components are provided on an inner surface of the reflective fabric. One end of the support rod is connected to the frame, and an other end of the support rod extends away from a light-emitting opening of the dome-shaped structure to an outside of the dome-shaped structure.