Movable Light-Emitting Unit for Compact Bounce Flash
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image-capturing apparatuses with built-in light-emitting units face design issues due to the need for a large head structure to change light emitter direction, leading to protrusion and interference with the viewfinder when performing bounce image capturing.
Innovation Solution
An image-capturing apparatus with a movable light-emitting unit that rotates about a non-parallel axis, allowing the light emitter to be retracted or positioned differently for direct or bounce flash, using a mechanism that includes a stopper to maintain the light-emitting unit's position without protruding from the rear face, enabling bounce image capturing without obstructing the viewfinder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the light-emitting unit is rotated about an axis parallel to the image-capturing direction to enable bounce image capturing, then the light emitter can face the ceiling or wall, but the light-emitting unit significantly protrudes rearward from the rear face of the main body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the rotation axis from being parallel to the image-capturing direction (conventional approach) to being non-parallel (specifically, substantially perpendicular) to the image-capturing direction. This dimensional change in the rotation axis orientation allows the light-emitting unit to achieve the same bounce flash functionality while following a different movement trajectory that reduces rearward protrusion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the light-emitting unit protrudes significantly to enable bounce image capturing, then the light emitter can face different directions, but the user's face contacts the light-emitting unit when observing the viewfinder
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the rotation axis orientation to be non-parallel to the image-capturing direction, the patent creates a rotation path that keeps the light-emitting unit clear of the user's face during viewfinder observation, eliminating the harmful contact while preserving bounce flash capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional rotation mechanism is used, then the light-emitting unit can rotate to bounce positions, but the head structure increases in size impairing design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a rotation mechanism where the axis is oriented non-parallel to the image-capturing direction, which allows for a more compact head structure design. This dimensional change in the rotation axis enables the light-emitting unit to achieve directional versatility without requiring a large head structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The image-capturing apparatus includes a light-emitting unit movable between a retracted position and a light-emitting position at which a light emitter faces a direction different from an image-capturing direction toward an object, and a moving mechanism to rotate the light-emitting unit about a rotation center axis not parallel to the image-capturing direction to move the light-emitting unit between the retracted and light-emitting positions. The moving mechanism is configured such that, at the retracted position, the light emitter is located on an object side further than the rotation center axis located at a first position, and such that, at the light-emitting position, the rotation center axis is located at a second position located on the object side further than the first position. The moving mechanism includes a stopper portion provided to stop the rotation center axis at the second position.