HMI and Flash Tube Lighting Unit for Photography and Film

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting units for photography and filming require separate equipment and setups, leading to increased logistical effort, higher production costs, and compromised image quality due to different requirements for still images and moving images.

Innovation Solution

A lighting unit combining an HMI burner and flash tubes, with a connector body and protective dome, allowing for a single setup that provides both continuous and flash lighting, optimized for both photographic and film recordings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate lighting units are used for photography and filming, then each lighting unit can be optimized for its specific function, but the equipment complexity and logistical effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting unit functionalityVSAvoidequipment setup
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple lighting means (HMI burner for continuous light and flash tubes for strobe lighting) into a single lighting unit with a common connector body and protective bell. This merging allows the unit to perform both photography and filming functions without requiring separate equipment setups, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting unit is designed with universal functionality to serve both photography and filming purposes. The connector body can receive different lighting means (HMI burner, flash tubes, or combinations) and the protective bell provides a common enclosure for all types of lighting sources, enabling a single unit to adapt to multiple recording requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate lighting units are used for photography and filming, then each unit can be optimized for its specific requirements, but the production costs and rental periods increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting optimizationVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting unit incorporates dynamic configurability through the connector body that can accept different lighting means based on the specific recording requirements. The unit can be dynamically adapted between photography and filming modes by simply changing the lighting means inserted into the connector body, without requiring complete equipment changes or extensive reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting unit is segmented into modular components: the connector body, protective bell, and interchangeable lighting means (HMI burner, flash tubes). This segmentation allows flexible configuration where only the necessary lighting means needs to be changed for different applications, rather than moving or reconfiguring entire lighting systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate lighting units are used for photography and filming, then each unit can be optimized for its specific function, but the logistical effort and equipment quantity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting functionVSAvoidequipment quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting unit provides universal functionality for both photography and filming through a single multi-functional device. The connector body can receive HMI burners for continuous lighting during filming or flash tubes for photography, eliminating the need to transport and set up separate lighting units for different recording types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables high-quality, vivid, and realistic images by providing a single equipment setup that simplifies logistics, reduces costs, and enhances lighting characteristics for both still images and moving images.

Implementation Method 1

an HMI bulb is the sole light source, producing longer (corresponding to the film sequence) illumination of the subject, close to daylight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas discharge: Electric Arc

Implementation Method 2

an energy source, e.g. in the form of a generator, is required to supply the energy for ionizing the gas path between the electrodes of the HMI burner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 3

A second light source is a flash tube, which generates the actual, brief (flash-like) illumination of the subject

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical discharge: Electric Arc

Implementation Method 4

a reflector arrangement designed and configured to provide illumination for photographic recordings and film recordings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4078286B1Lighting unit comprising an hmi lamp and flashtubes, illuminating device comprising a lighting unit, and reflector arrangement comprising an illuminating device
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 BRIESE HANS WERNER FRIEDRICH
  • EP4078286B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4078286B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4078286B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a lighting unit (10), designed and configured for illuminating scenes for photography and filming, which lighting unit is characterised by a connection body (11) that comprises: plug-in locations, designed and configured for receiving at least two lamps, and also contacts (12), designed and configured for being attached to a generator (13), wherein the contacts (12) are electrically connected to the plug-in locations; at least two lamps plugged into the plug-in locations; and a substantially transparent protective dome (14), which is connected to the attachment body (11) and at least partially encloses each of the lamps connected to the attachment body (11), wherein one lamp is designed as an HMI programmer (15) and the at least one further lamp is designed as a flashtube (16). The invention also relates to an illuminating device (30) comprising a lighting unit (10) and to a reflector arrangement (40) comprising an illuminating device (30).