Stage Lighting Dimming Device with Independent Diffuser Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dimming devices for stage lighting suffer from non-uniform dimming effects due to manufacturing errors in blade notch sharpness and fixed diffuser attachments, leading to light distortion and incomplete diffusion, which limits precise control over light intensity and spot sharpness.
Innovation Solution
The dimming device features independently actuated blades and diffusers with notches that move within a light path, allowing precise control over light diffusion and intensity modulation, with the diffuser covering notches to ensure even light distribution and sharp edges, and using motors for precise positioning and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If diffusers are fixedly attached to blades, then the structure is simple, but the trajectory of diffusers is bound to blades making optimal movement impossible and light diffusion is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dimming system into independent components: blades and diffusers are separated and can move independently. Each blade has its own actuator, and each diffuser is independently controlled, allowing them to follow different trajectories and achieve optimal positioning separately rather than being bound together as a fixed assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control where both blades and diffusers can move independently along the light path. The independent actuators enable real-time adjustment of blade positions and diffuser positions separately, allowing the system to adapt to different dimming requirements and achieve optimal light diffusion at various intensity levels.
2Ease of operation
If blade notches are used for light shielding, then light intensity can be controlled, but manufacturing errors in notch sharpness cause light distortion and non-uniform dimming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces diffusers as intermediary elements between the light source and the observer. The diffusers are positioned to cover the blade notches and scatter the light that passes through them, softening the harsh edges caused by imperfect notch geometry and eliminating the visual impact of manufacturing errors in notch sharpness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different functional qualities to different parts of the system: blades provide sharp light shielding with precise geometric positioning, while diffusers provide soft, uniform light distribution by scattering light locally where it passes through the blade notches. This local differentiation compensates for manufacturing imperfections in the blade notches.
3Manufacturing precision
If diffusers are used to cover notches, then light diffusion is improved, but fixed attachment binds diffuser movement to blade trajectory preventing optimal positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into independent actuators for blades and independent actuators for diffusers. This segmentation allows each component to be controlled separately along its own optimal trajectory, achieving both precise light diffusion and independent positioning capability despite the increased number of actuators.
4Illumination intensity
If blades move into light path for shielding, then light intensity is reduced, but poor notch sharpness control causes non-uniform dimming and less sharp light spots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses diffusers as intermediary elements that scatter light passing through blade notches. When blades move into the light path to shield light and reduce intensity, the diffusers simultaneously scatter the transmitted light to maintain sharp, well-defined light spot edges, compensating for poor notch sharpness control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies sharp geometric shielding through blades for light intensity control while simultaneously applying soft scattering through diffusers at the light spot formation zone. This local quality differentiation ensures that even when blade notches have manufacturing errors, the final light spots maintain sharp edges due to the diffuser's light-scattering 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 solution enables precise, uniform dimming with sharp edges and even light distribution, avoiding black spots and ensuring optimal light diffusion, even at low intensities, by allowing independent movement and positioning of the diffuser within the light path.
Implementation Method 1
a diffuser 4 for light diffusion... the diffuser 4 covers a portion of notches that is within the light path when moving into and out of the light path 6
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a dimming device comprising a light source, a support, a diffuser for light diffusion, and blades for light shielding. The support being provided with a light path corresponding to the light source, and notches being provided on the blades. The blades and the diffuser are movably disposed on the support with the blades and the diffuser actuated by independent actuators. The notches of the blades move into and out of the light path with the movements of the blades into and out of the light path, and the diffuser covers a portion of notches that is within the light path when moving into and out of the light path. The blades and the diffuser are independently actuated in the present invention such that the movement of the diffuser within or outside the light path is not limited to that of the blades. Therefore, the diffuser can be precisely controlled to move into a specific position within the light path with an optimal trajectory and at an optimal time point to achieve light diffusion. The diffuser is integrally formed and has no slots, ensuring the diffusion of all the light passing through the portion of the notches that is within the range of the light path.