Camera Flash Housing With Integrated Reflector Trigger Connection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera flashes with discharge tubes have complex circuit configurations and larger structures due to the need for additional components like conductive plates to connect the reflector to the trigger coil.
Innovation Solution
A camera design that includes a housing with a conductive reflector urged toward the housing, a discharge tube, and a wire with an exposed conductor held between the reflector and a receiving portion, eliminating the need for additional components like conductive plates, thus simplifying the structure and reducing size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conductive plate is added to connect the reflector to the trigger coil, then the electrical connection is improved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed to be conductive and serves dual purposes: as the structural enclosure for the discharge tube and as the electrical connection path between the reflector and the trigger coil. This eliminates the need for a separate conductive plate, reducing component count and simplifying the circuit configuration while maintaining reliable electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support and enclosure for the discharge tube, acts as a reflector support structure, and serves as an electrical conductor to complete the circuit. This multi-functionality reduces the overall device complexity by eliminating dedicated components for each function.
2Reliability
If additional components like conductive plates are used, then the electrical connection is ensured, but the camera size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is integrated with the electrical conduction function, combining what would traditionally be separate components (enclosure and conductive plate) into a single unified structure. This integration eliminates the space required for additional components while ensuring reliable electrical connection between the reflector and trigger coil.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves as both the mechanical enclosure and the electrical conductor, eliminating the need for separate conductive components that would increase camera size. This multi-functional design reduces the overall volume by making existing structures perform multiple roles.
3Device complexity
If the housing structure is simplified to reduce size, then the device complexity is reduced, but the wire management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The wire is routed through the thickness of the housing wall rather than along its surface or through internal cavities. By utilizing the dimensional space of the housing wall itself, the wire management is simplified without adding structural complexity, and the wire can be easily guided from the circuit board through the housing to the reflector.
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
The design achieves a compact and simple camera structure with fewer components, allowing efficient light emission using a discharge tube without increasing complexity or size.
Implementation Method 1
a discharge tube configured to discharge electricity
Data Source
AI summary
A camera with a simple and compact structure can emit light using a discharge tube. A camera includes a circuit board including a contact connected to a trigger coil, a discharge tube that can discharge electricity, a housing accommodating the discharge tube, a reflector being conductive, urged toward the housing, and attached to the housing, and a wire having an end electrically connected to the contact on the circuit board and a distal end with an exposed conductor. The housing is attached to the circuit board. The housing includes a receiving portion receiving the reflector, and a sidewall located lateral to the receiving portion and extending perpendicular to the circuit board. The sidewall of the housing has a cutout guiding the wire inside the housing and holding the wire to have the distal end of the wire held between the reflector and the receiving portion.