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
Engineering 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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Data Source
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.


