Gobo Retaining Spring System for Stage Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gobo wheel assemblies in stage lights require complex mechanisms for gobo insertion and removal, and lack secure retention methods, leading to potential gobo misalignment and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A gobo holder assembly utilizing a spring retainer that extends around more than 180 degrees of the gobo wheel, allowing for secure retention without a second flange, enabling rapid insertion and removal by pressing the gobo into place, and using external gears to align and hold the gobo wheel against a central sun gear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex mechanism is used for gobo insertion and removal, then secure retention is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gobo holder assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a body member with a cavity, a separate spring retainer member with arms, and a flange. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall assembly and disassembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex locking mechanism that requires multiple steps to secure the gobo, the invention uses a spring retainer that automatically engages with the gobo upon insertion. The spring force provides automatic retention without requiring complex activation mechanisms.
2Productivity
If rapid insertion and removal is enabled, then operational efficiency improves, but gobo alignment precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The spring retainer arms are pre-positioned and pre-loaded with spring force before gobo insertion. The flange is pre-formed with engagement features that guide the gobo into the correct position. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the gobo is rapidly inserted, it automatically aligns with the predetermined features, maintaining precision while enabling speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms with simpler geometric features: the flange's circumferential edge and the spring retainer arms' positioning create inherent alignment through their physical geometry, eliminating the need for additional alignment mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a spring retainer extending around more than 180 degrees is used, then gobo retention in both directions is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring retainer member combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides retaining force through spring arms, creates alignment features through its body geometry, and forms a continuous arc structure that extends around more than 180 degrees to secure the gobo in both directions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring retainer member serves multiple purposes: it acts as a retaining mechanism, an alignment guide, and a structural support element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby simplifying the overall device while achieving bidirectional retention.
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 solution provides secure gobo retention in both directions, allowing for rapid and efficient gobo changes while maintaining alignment, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing the risk of misalignment in stage lighting systems.
Implementation Method 1
a spring retainer holds against a side race portion of the gobo wheel
Implementation Method 2
external gears on the outer surface of the gobo intersect with a central sun gear and are held against the sun gear by the spring action
Data Source
AI summary
Gobo wheel assembly has multiple gobo devices on a rotatable wheel. A central sun gear can rotate all the gobos. The gobos can be inserted and released from the wheel assembly.