Support Ring Cavities Guide Soft Box Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of large soft boxes on light sources requires significant manual effort due to the need to manually bend and angle support pins to fit into a speed ring, which can be cumbersome and labor-intensive, especially with multiple metal ribs.
Innovation Solution
A support ring with attachment means, including cavities with first and second support elements to counteract torque and an entry element on the radial outside to counteract the force required to bend support pins, making it easier to insert them into the ring by allowing only a pulling motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If support pins are manually bent and angled to fit into the speed ring, then the soft box can be mounted on the light source, but significant manual effort and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The speed ring is pre-formed with cavities and entry elements during manufacturing. The cavities are pre-shaped to guide and receive the support pins, and entry elements are pre-positioned to facilitate pin insertion. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for manual bending and angling of support pins during installation, significantly reducing installation time and effort.
2Reliability
If multiple metal ribs are fitted into the speed ring, then the soft box structure is complete, but the force required increases with the number of ribs
Solution Approach 1:
The speed ring is divided into multiple cavities, each designed to receive a specific support pin from a metal rib. Each cavity is independently formed with its own entry element, allowing support pins to be inserted individually without requiring simultaneous manipulation of multiple ribs. This segmentation reduces the cumulative force required during installation while maintaining the structural integrity of the complete soft box assembly.
3Device complexity
If support pins are inserted into the speed ring without entry elements, then the structure is simpler, but the pins are difficult to insert due to bending requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Entry elements are introduced as intermediary components within the cavities of the speed ring. These entry elements act as mediators between the support pins and the cavity space, providing a guided pathway that facilitates smooth insertion of the pins. The entry elements reduce friction and guide the pins through the cavity without requiring excessive force or complex manual manipulation, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a support ring 1 for mounting of a soft box on a light source. The support ring 1 comprises attachment means 2 for attachment of the support ring 1 to the light source, at least one cavity 3 configured to receive support pins 4 of the soft box. The cavity 3 further comprises a first 5 and a second 6 support element arranged to counteract a torque from the support pins, when the support pins are in an inserted position in the cavity. At least one entry element 7 on a radial outside of the cavity 3 is arranged to counteract a force required to bend the support pin to an angle where the support pin can be inserted into the cavity 3.