Lateral Reflector Arm for Camera Flash Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flash systems for cameras often result in uncontrolled lighting and red-eye effects due to centrally mounted flash units, which require complex support structures and shift the camera's center of gravity, making them difficult to handle and operate.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a flashlight or continuous light unit with a lateral reflector arm that allows for side illumination, incorporating an exposure sensor aligned with the camera axis and a lamp housing designed for directional light emission at an angle, enabling flexible and controlled lighting without shifting the camera's center of gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the flash unit is mounted laterally next to the camera to improve illumination angle, then the illumination quality is improved, but the center of gravity is shifted and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A reflector arm is introduced as an intermediary component between the centrally mounted flash unit and the subject. The reflector arm redirects light at an angle to achieve side illumination effects without requiring the flash unit itself to be mounted laterally, thus maintaining proper center of gravity and handling while still improving illumination quality
Solution Approach 2:
The flash unit is extracted from its traditional central mounting position and replaced by a reflector system. The reflector arm takes over the function of directing light from the central flash unit to create lateral illumination, separating the light source location from the illumination direction
2Ease of operation
If the flash unit is mounted centrally on the camera, then the center of gravity is maintained and handling is easy, but the illumination appears flat and contrast is low
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector arm serves as a mediator that transforms the light from the centrally mounted flash unit into angled side illumination. This allows the flash to remain centrally mounted for easy handling while the reflector creates the desired lighting effects with improved contrast and dimensionality
3Illumination intensity
If a stable support structure is used for lateral flash mounting, then illumination angle is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex lateral mounting support structure is extracted and replaced by a simple reflector arm attached to the central flash unit. The reflector arm provides the necessary angular redirection of light without requiring heavy-duty support structures, thereby maintaining illumination quality while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mounting the flash unit laterally and directing light forward, the invention inverts the approach by mounting the flash centrally and using a reflector to redirect the light at an angle. This inversion eliminates the need for complex lateral mounting structures while achieving the same illumination effect
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
This configuration reduces the red-eye effect, increases lighting flexibility, and allows for natural illumination with minimal light loss, enabling more controlled and stable photography without the need for complex support structures or remote controls.
Implementation Method 1
the flashlight is directed via the reflection means in the direction of the object to be photographed
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprising a flashlight and continuous light reflector arm for fixing to a photographic apparatus, a flashlight, a continuous light unit, or to film or video cameras. Flash units are often mounted centrally onto a camera causing the flash to come from the same direction from which the photograph is taken. The system allows targeted illumination from a direction different from that from which the photograph is taken, does not require complicated measures with regard to flash control, manages with comparatively little light power and does not further influence the center of gravity of the camera. The system is composed of camera and flashlight or continuous light unit, including a fixing arm fixed to the photographic apparatus by a fixing means and includes means for fixing a reflection element, wherein the reflector arm is designed such that the reflection means is positioned laterally alongside the photographic apparatus.