Collapsible Camera Light Diffuser for Mobile Photography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional diffuse lighting accessories are cumbersome and impractical for mobile photography, as they require stationary setups, limiting their use in situations requiring action shots or spontaneous photography.
Innovation Solution
A portable photographic light diffuser that can be mounted directly to a camera, featuring a collapsible design allowing it to transform between expanded and collapsed configurations, and is adaptable to different light sources with a sizing insert and accessory gel for color adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If stationary diffusers are used, then lighting quality is improved, but portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser is divided into a base portion and a cowl portion that can be separated or adjusted relative to each other. The cowl can be collapsed back toward the base, segmenting the structure into manageable parts that maintain lighting quality when deployed but improve portability when collapsed.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser incorporates a collapsible cowl that can dynamically change between an extended configuration for optimal lighting and a collapsed configuration for portability. This dynamic structure allows the same device to excel in both stationary and mobile photography scenarios.
2Ease of operation
If diffuser size is reduced for portability, then ease of transport is improved, but lighting effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cowl portion can be collapsed back toward the base, nesting the lighting structure into a compact form factor for transport. When deployed, the cowl extends to its full effective size, restoring complete lighting effectiveness. This nesting mechanism allows the diffuser to maintain full functionality while dramatically improving portability.
3Ease of operation
If collapsible design is implemented, then portability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cowl is constructed from flexible material that can bend and collapse without requiring complex mechanical joints or hinges. This flexible shell approach achieves the collapsible function through material properties rather than complex mechanisms, thereby improving portability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable photographic light diffuser is configured to be mounted to a photographic light source on a camera, the portable photographic light diffuser including a base adapted to engage the photographic light source on the camera, the base defining a socket; and a cowl extending from the base, the cowl being transformable between an expanded configuration, wherein the cowl extends by a first length from the base, and a collapsed configuration, wherein the cowl extends by a second length from the base, the second length being less than the first length.