Collapsible Light Modifier Frame with Binding Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible light modifiers are cumbersome, time-consuming to assemble and disassemble, and prone to losing components, lacking sufficient rigidity and ease of transportation.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible light modifier design featuring interconnectable rods with binding elements and terminal portions that can be easily assembled and disassembled, providing a compact and rigid frame with a fabric attachment system for quick conversion between configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a closed frame made of a single flexible linear member sewn into the fabric is used, then the light modifier can be easily twisted to reduce its size, but the frame provides only limited rigidity when deployed
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into multiple rigid rod segments that can be interconnected. Each rod maintains structural integrity and rigidity when deployed, while the segmented design allows the frame to be collapsed by disconnecting and nesting the rods within each other, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and ease of collapsing.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod segments are designed to nest within each other when the frame is collapsed. Each rod can be inserted into the hollow interior of adjacent rods, significantly reducing the overall volume for storage and transport while maintaining full rigidity when assembled and connected, thus resolving the contradiction between compact storage and structural strength.
2Strength
If a rectangular frame formed by a plurality of rods mutually interconnected is used, then devices of any rigid size can be formed, but assembling and disassembling is time-consuming and components may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple rod segments are combined into a single integrated frame structure through interconnected joints. The binding element merges all rod segments and terminal portions into one cohesive unit that remains attached even when collapsed, eliminating the risk of losing components and reducing assembly time by preventing parts from scattering.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod segments are pre-configured with connection interfaces and binding elements that guide the assembly process. The binding element is pre-attached to the rods, so when assembling, the user simply needs to connect the pre-prepared segments in sequence, significantly reducing assembly time and ensuring no components are lost.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a structure of four flexible rods connected at corners with a central bracket is used, then the fabric can be placed under tension, but the structure is bulky, cumbersome, and impractical for diffusers as members obstruct light
Solution Approach 1:
The central bracket is extracted and removed from the design. Instead of using a bulky central connection point, the invention uses a linear arrangement of rods connected end-to-end with binding elements, eliminating the obstructive central structure while maintaining fabric tension through the distributed connection points along the rod length.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame transitions from a static bulky structure to a dynamic collapsible design. The rods can be quickly assembled and disassembled, and when collapsed, they nest within each other to minimize volume. This dynamic capability allows the frame to be compact for transport but fully functional for creating fabric tension during use, resolving the contradiction between bulkiness and tension stability.
4Volume of moving object
If rods are made separable for disassembly, then transportation and storage are facilitated, but components may be lost and reassembly becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
All rod segments and terminal portions are merged into a single attached system through the binding element. When collapsed, the binding element ensures all components remain connected and nested together as one unit, eliminating the risk of losing individual components while maintaining the ability to disassemble for compact storage and transport.
Data Source
Figure 1~8
Figure 3~7
AI summary
A collapsible light modifier comprises: -a plurality of rods (7), which can be mutually interconnected one after the other between a first terminal portion (5) and an opposite second terminal portion (6) to form a frame (2) of the light modifier and which can be mutually disconnected to disassemble the frame (2), and -a fabric (3) connected to the frame (2). Each rod (7) is bound to at least one adjacent rod by a binding element (10) provided between each pair of adjacent rods so as to keep the rods (7) bound to each other when the frame is assembled and when the frame is disassembled, and, both the said first and second terminal portion (5, 6) comprise a first end (5a, 6a), connected to a respective rod, and an opposite second end (5b, 6b), which is free. When the plurality of rods is mutually interconnected, the respective second ends (5b, 6b) of the first and the second terminal portion (5, 6) can be connected to each other in order to form a closed frame (2).