Strobe Light Orientation Control for Collision Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional strobe devices face issues with damage and user safety when the light-emitting unit automatically changes orientation, potentially colliding with the imaging apparatus or the user, especially when attached to a bracket or used with a hot shoe.

Innovation Solution

A strobe device with a detachable strobe body unit and a rotatable light-emitting unit, featuring a variable mechanism driven by a control unit that includes detectors to prevent the light-emitting unit from moving into the region of the imaging apparatus or user, using control modes to restrict movement and prevent collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the light-emitting unit automatically changes orientation to enable bounce photography, then the imaging quality is improved, but the risk of collision with the imaging apparatus or user increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging qualityVSAvoidcollision risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control section determines the angle of orientation before the light-emitting unit actually moves, and only permits movement if the determined angle is within the safe range that avoids collision with the imaging apparatus or user. This preliminary check prevents harmful collisions before they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control section continuously monitors the angle of orientation of the light-emitting unit and compares it against predetermined safe ranges. Based on this feedback, the control section automatically adjusts or restrains the angle to prevent collision, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures safety while maintaining imaging functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the light-emitting unit is allowed to move freely for angle adjustment, then the bounce photography flexibility is improved, but the drive system may be damaged due to collision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebounce photography flexibilityVSAvoiddrive system durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Before the light-emitting unit moves to a new angle, the control section determines whether the target angle falls within a predetermined safe range that prevents collision with the imaging apparatus. Only angles within this safe range are permitted, protecting the drive system while allowing flexible positioning within safe boundaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control section establishes a predetermined angle range that prevents collision with the imaging apparatus. When the light-emitting unit attempts to move outside this range, the control section restrains the movement, applying a counter-action to prevent the harmful collision before it can damage the drive system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Stability of the object's composition

If the strobe device is attached to a bracket together with the imaging apparatus, then the stability is improved, but the light-emitting unit may bump against the imaging apparatus during angle changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidbump collision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control section determines the angle of orientation in advance before the light-emitting unit moves, checking whether the angle would cause collision with the imaging apparatus when attached to the bracket. This preliminary determination prevents bump collisions while maintaining the stable bracket attachment configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control section monitors the angle of orientation and compares it against a predetermined safe range specific to bracket attachment mode. When the angle approaches the collision threshold, the control section restrains further movement, providing continuous feedback control that prevents bump collisions while maintaining stable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Illumination intensity

If the light-emitting unit automatically adjusts angle for bounce photography, then the lighting quality is improved, but the user may be harmed by collision with the light-emitting unit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting qualityVSAvoiduser safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control section determines whether the target angle of the light-emitting unit falls within a predetermined safe range that prevents collision with the user's head or body before the movement occurs. This preliminary safety check ensures high-quality bounce photography lighting while protecting user safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control section continuously monitors the angle of orientation and restrains movement when the angle would cause collision with the user. This feedback mechanism maintains optimal lighting quality for bounce photography while preventing harmful collisions with the user, creating a safe operating zone for the light-emitting unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9488899B2Strobe device and imaging device provided with strobe device
Publication Date: 2016.11.08 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • US9488899B2 patent drawing
  • US9488899B2 patent drawing
  • US9488899B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A strobe device is provided with a light-emitting unit rotatably coupled to a strobe body unit detachable from a bracket together with an imaging apparatus, a variable mechanism configured to allow a change in an angle of orientation of the light-emitting unit with respect to the strobe body unit, a driving unit configured to drive the variable mechanism, and a control section configured to control the driving unit. The control section has a control mode to restrain the light-emitting unit from moving to a region in which the imaging apparatus is located when it is detected that the strobe body unit is attached to the bracket. As a result, the strobe device whose the light-emitting unit does not bump against the imaging apparatus can be realized.