Foldable Soft Box Umbrella Tray Rotating Disc Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional soft light boxes with umbrella-shaped structures have large volumes when folded, making them inconvenient for carrying and transportation, and existing folding designs are either complex or unstable.
Innovation Solution
A foldable soft box umbrella tray and soft box with a rotating disc body connected to an annular base via a switching mechanism, allowing the disc to fold flat and reducing volume, while maintaining stability and preventing light leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the umbrella disc is folded into a semi-circular structure, then the folding capability is improved, but the folded volume remains large and the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The umbrella disc is segmented into a movable disc body and a fixed annular base, allowing independent movement of the disc body relative to the base. This segmentation enables the disc to fold flat against the base rather than maintaining a semi-circular shape, significantly reducing folded volume while keeping the structure simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional radial folding (in the plane of the umbrella) to axial folding (perpendicular to the umbrella plane). The movable disc body rotates 90 degrees relative to the annular base, folding flat in the axial direction. This dimensional change reduces the folded volume from a semi-circular profile to a flat profile with minimal height
2Stability of the object's composition
If the support members are arranged in a circular ring shape, then the structural stability is improved, but the outer diameter increases and folded volume becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are segmented into those attached to the fixed annular base and those attached to the movable disc body. When folded, the support members on the movable disc body can be repositioned or collapsed along with the disc body, reducing the overall outer diameter and folded volume while maintaining stability through the fixed base structure
3Device complexity
If the cross arms and connecting shaft are exposed during folding, then the mechanical structure is simplified, but light leakage occurs and shadows are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second cross arms are nested within the movable disc body during the folded state, with the cross arms positioned inside the disc body's cylindrical space. The connecting shaft is similarly positioned within the disc body. This nesting arrangement ensures that no mechanical components protrude from the outer surface, preventing light leakage and shadow generation while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The cross arms are arranged in the axial dimension rather than radially protruding. During folding, the cross arms are positioned along the axial direction inside the disc body, utilizing the internal space efficiently. This dimensional arrangement allows the mechanical structure to remain simple while ensuring no parts protrude to cause light leakage
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable soft box umbrella tray and soft box, comprising an annular base which is able to be connected to a light source and comprises a first body with a support rod jack and a second body; a movable disc body movably connected to the annular base via a switching mechanism and provided with the support rod jack, wherein the switching mechanism comprises a first cross arm and a second cross arm movably connected to the first body and the movable disc body respectively, and a connecting shaft, and the connecting shaft passes through the first cross arm and the second cross arm and is rotatably connected thereto; and the movable disc body is able to rotate between a contracted position and a working position, and in the working position, the movable disc body and the second body lie in a same plane.