Strobe Device Conductive Reflector Stabilizes Discharge Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional strobe devices experience variations in light quantity and distribution due to unstable discharge paths within the flash discharge tube, especially when emitting light with small quantities, and the use of a thin conductive film on the outer peripheral surface absorbs light and contributes to instability.
Innovation Solution
A strobe device design featuring a flash discharge tube with an anode and cathode electrode at both ends, where a conductive reflector is in contact with the outer peripheral surface, housing part of the tube and functioning as an external trigger electrode, with a bottom and extended parts that cover the area between the electrodes, stabilizing the discharge path and reducing light variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a thin conductive film is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the flash discharge tube, then external triggering is facilitated, but light is absorbed and discharge path stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the thin conductive film from the flash discharge tube outer surface. Instead, a conductive reflector is provided separately that can be brought into contact with the discharge tube during operation, eliminating the light absorption and instability issues caused by the permanent conductive film coating
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a conductive reflector as an intermediary component that mediates between the external triggering system and the flash discharge tube. The reflector serves dual functions: providing external triggering contact and reflecting light, while avoiding the harmful effects of a permanent conductive coating on the discharge tube
2Quantity of substance
If the flash discharge tube emits light with small light quantity for short period, then light quantity is reduced, but discharge path variation increases causing light distribution inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a conductive reflector that can be temporarily brought into contact with the flash discharge tube only when needed for triggering and stabilization, rather than using a permanent conductive coating that continuously affects discharge characteristics and causes instability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters by controlling the contact timing and state of the conductive reflector with the discharge tube, optimizing the discharge path stability for short-duration, small light quantity emissions without the detrimental effects of continuous conductive film contact
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 effectively suppresses variations in light quantity and distribution by stabilizing the discharge path, allowing for consistent light emission and reducing manufacturing costs by downsizing the reflector while maintaining efficient light reflection.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector for reflecting the light emitted from the flash discharge tube toward a photographic subject
Implementation Method 2
the discharge path needs to be further stabilized by suppressing movement of discharge path at every light emission, in order to suppress variation in light quantity and variation in light distribution
Data Source
AI summary
A strobe device of the present invention includes a flash discharge tube having an anode electrode and a cathode electrode on both ends thereof, and a conductive reflector in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the flash discharge tube. The reflector houses a part of the flash discharge tube inside, and functions as an external trigger electrode. The reflector has a bottom that is in contact with a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the flash discharge tube, the portion covering at least an area between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and a sintered metal of the cathode electrode. This can suppress variation in discharge path at every light emission from the flash discharge tube. As a result, variation in light quantity and variation in light distribution of light emitted from the strobe device can be suppressed.