JP4872355B2 - Strobe device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a stroboscopic device, and more particularly to a stroboscopic device including means for suppressing deformation and dissolution of a Fresnel panel due to heat generated by light emitted from a flash discharge tube as a light source.

  A conventional strobe device includes a flash discharge tube as a light source, a reflective umbrella that reflects light emitted from the flash discharge tube and irradiates the subject, and collects light from the flash discharge tube and the reflective umbrella to collect irradiation light. And a Fresnel panel that extends the reach, and these are housed in a housing.

  The Fresnel panel is made of a substantially transparent resin material such as acrylic resin or polycarbonate from the viewpoint of preventing breakage due to falling and ease of processing, and the surface has a Fresnel lens that collects light from the light source. Is formed.

  Today, with the widespread use of digital still cameras, it has become possible to take pictures continuously at short intervals, and the strobe device needs to support continuous light emission at short intervals in response to such photography. It was. However, when such continuous light emission is performed, the heat released during the light emission of the flash discharge tube is gradually accumulated in a resin-based Fresnel panel arranged in front of the flash discharge tube. There is a risk that the Fresnel panel will be deformed or melted, such as by connecting and repeating full light emission for a short time more than 100 times in a short time without any dimming or dimming.

Therefore, a temperature sensor is installed on the Fresnel panel, and when the sensor detects that the temperature has reached the specified temperature, the flash emission is forcibly stopped, or the Fresnel panel is cooled by cooling means such as a cooling fan. Is known (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-255448 A

  However, if the strobe device is forcibly stopped when the Fresnel panel reaches a certain temperature, the photograph taken without any strobe will be lost, effectively missing a valuable photo opportunity. It can be.

  Further, although the above-mentioned conventional example mentions a cooling fan as a cooling means, it does not touch on the specific installation, and at least the housing of the strobe device is required to take in external air and cool it against the Fresnel panel. It is necessary to provide an opening for the intake and exhaust of air in the body. However, if such an opening is provided, there is a concern that dust may enter and accumulate inside, or rainwater may enter and short-circuit the internal electronic components. is there.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a strobe device equipped with an air cooling means that suppresses deformation and melting of the Fresnel panel, and is appropriately disposed in consideration of the cooling efficiency of the air cooling means, and also includes dust and rainwater from the intake and exhaust ports of the air cooling means. It is an object of the present invention to provide a strobe device that can cope with the intrusion of the like.

  A strobe device according to the present invention is a strobe device including at least a light source, a casing that includes the light source and has an opening, and an optical member that is disposed in the opening of the casing and transmits light from the light source. A shielding wall that is disposed between the light source and the optical member and spatially partitions the light source and the optical member within the housing, and at least a portion thereof transmits light from the light source. The housing is provided with a vent hole that communicates the space on the optical member side with the space on the outside of the housing.

  According to this configuration, the air outside the housing and the air in the space on the optical member side in the housing can be naturally convected by the vent, so that the air on the side facing the light source of the optical member by the air convection can be provided. The surface can be cooled. Therefore, even if an optical member made of a material having a low heat resistance such as a resin receives heat from light emitted from a light source such as a flash discharge tube and rises in temperature, it can be cooled by convection of air as described above. It is possible to make it difficult for the optical member to be deformed or dissolved. In addition, since the space on the light source side is shielded by the shielding wall, dust and rainwater and the like are less likely to enter the light source and its peripheral members through the vent, and the high-voltage current inside the strobe device leaks through the vent. There is less worry.

  Here, since at least a part of the shielding wall is configured to transmit light from the light source, the light from the light source is not hindered. Since the portion of the shielding wall that transmits light is disposed in front of the light source, it is preferably composed of quartz glass or the like that is transparent and has high heat resistance. Further, the vents may be provided in any shape in any location of the housing as long as the space on the optical member side in the housing communicates with the space outside the housing.

  A plurality of the vents may be provided, and a fan may be provided in the vent. According to this configuration, for example, a fan is installed in one of the plurality of ventilation holes, the air outside the housing is sucked, and the air is forced out on the light source side surface of the optical member by discharging from the other ventilation holes. An air flow can be created and cooling of the optical member can be facilitated. Of course, the fan may be configured to exhaust air to the outside of the housing, or a pair of vents may be combined to combine an intake fan with one vent and an exhaust fan with the other vent.

  The fan may be configured to be removable from the outside of the housing. According to this configuration, when a fan is unnecessary, it can be removed and handled as a normal strobe device.

  According to the strobe device of the present invention, the air outside the housing and the air on the optical member side in the housing can be naturally convected by the vent, so that the surface on the side facing the light source of the optical member is formed by the convection of the air. Can be cooled. Therefore, even when an optical member made of a material having low heat resistance such as resin receives heat from light emitted from a light source such as a flash discharge tube, the optical member can be cooled by the convection of air as described above. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the optical member to be deformed or dissolved. Further, since the space on the light source side is shielded by the shielding wall, it becomes difficult for dust, rainwater, and the like to enter the light source and its peripheral members through the vents.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the strobe device shown in FIG. 1, 1 is a flash discharge tube as a light source, 2 is a reflector that reflects light emitted from the flash discharge tube 1 and irradiates the subject side, and 3 is from the flash discharge tube 1 and the reflector 2. A Fresnel panel 4 that collects light and extends the reach of irradiated light 4 is a housing that houses the flash discharge tube 1, the reflector 2, and the Fresnel panel 3.

  In the flash discharge tube 1, when a voltage of about 300 V is applied to the main electrodes 12 and 13 installed at both ends of the glass bulb 11 and a trigger electrode (not shown) is energized, the gap between the main electrodes 12 and 13 is set in the glass bulb 11. Arc discharge occurs, and the flash discharge tube 1 emits light.

  The Fresnel panel 3 is made of a substantially transparent resin material such as acrylic resin or polycarbonate, and a Fresnel lens that collects light emitted from the flash discharge tube 1 is formed. The Fresnel panel 3 is installed in the opening 41 of the housing 4. Has been. The opening 21 of the reflector 2 is installed so as to face the Fresnel lens 3.

  In such a strobe device, the direct light generated by the light emitted from the flash discharge tube 1 and the reflected light from the reflector 2 are combined and applied, and further condensed by the Fresnel panel 3 and applied to the subject. As appropriate, the flash discharge tube 1 is moved to the subject side or the opposite side to change the relative position with the reflector 2, or the flash discharge tube 1 and the reflector 2 are moved to the subject side or the opposite side. By changing the relative position with the Fresnel panel 3, the irradiation angle of the emitted light from the flash discharge tube 1 is changed, so that the telephoto shooting and the wide-angle shooting are supported.

  In the first embodiment, a light-transmitting shielding wall 8 is provided between the flash discharge tube 1 and the Fresnel panel 3 to spatially block the flash discharge tube 1 and the reflector 2 and the Fresnel panel 3. Yes. A plurality of vents 9 are provided to communicate the space on the Fresnel panel 3 side in the housing 4 and the space outside the housing 4.

  Since the shielding wall 8 is disposed in the vicinity of the front surface of the flash discharge tube 1, a material such as quartz glass that is transparent and has high heat resistance is suitable as the material of the shielding wall 8.

  According to the strobe device having the above configuration, the air outside the housing 4 and the air on the Fresnel panel 3 inside the housing 4 are naturally convected by the vent 9, so that the convection of the air causes the Fresnel panel 3 to The surface facing the flash discharge tube 1 can be cooled. Therefore, even if the temperature of the Fresnel panel 3 made of a material having low heat resistance such as resin is increased due to heat generated by the flash discharge tube 1, the Fresnel panel 3 can be cooled by the convection of air as described above. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the Fresnel panel 3 from being deformed or dissolved.

  In particular, in the first embodiment, since a plurality of vents 9 are provided, when any one of the vents 9 functions as an inlet for sucking air outside the casing, the other vents 9 are connected to the casing 4. It functions as an exhaust port for discharging air to the outside of the air, and the air convection as described above can be performed more smoothly.

  Further, since the space on the flash discharge tube 1 side is shielded by the shielding wall 8, it is difficult for dust and rainwater to enter the flash discharge tube 1 and its peripheral members through the vent hole 9, and the high pressure inside the strobe device. There is less concern that current leaks through the vent 9.

  The number, location, and shape of the vents 9 can take any form, but they are set to the minimum size and number in consideration of the safety of the internal high-voltage circuit and leakage of emitted light. Should do.

(Embodiment 2)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations as those in the first embodiment.

  In the strobe device shown in FIG. 3, 1 is a flash discharge tube, 2 is a reflector, 3 is a Fresnel panel, and 4 is a housing for housing the flash discharge tube 1, the reflector 2 and the Fresnel panel 3. The functions, materials, operations, etc. of the flash discharge tube 1, the reflector 2 and the Fresnel panel 3 are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the housing 4 is swingably supported by the support portion 6 via the support shaft portion 5, and the translucent property that protects the Fresnel panel 3 on the subject side of the Fresnel panel 3. A panel 31 is installed.

  In the second embodiment, a shielding wall 83 that spatially blocks the flash discharge tube 1 and the reflector 2 and the Fresnel panel 3 is provided between the flash discharge tube 1 and the Fresnel panel 3. The shielding wall 83 is formed by integrally joining a wall portion 82 formed integrally with the housing 4 and a translucent member 81 facing the flash discharge tube 1. Since the translucent member 81 faces the flash discharge tube 1 in front, a material such as quartz glass that is transparent and has high heat resistance is suitable as the material of the translucent member 81.

  The casing 4 is provided with two vent holes 91 and 92 that allow the space on the Fresnel panel 3 side in the casing 4 and the outer space of the casing 4 to communicate with each other. 93 is provided. The electric fan 93 is configured to forcibly suck the air outside the housing 4 and discharge it from the vent 92. The electric power of the electric fan 93 is supplied from a power supply battery (not shown) housed in the support unit 6 of the strobe device.

  The electric fan 93 may automatically operate after detecting that the Fresnel panel 3 has reached the heat-resistant temperature, or may be provided with a manual switch so that it can be used as appropriate. The temperature of the Fresnel panel 3 may be detected by installing a known thermocouple or the like and directly detecting the temperature of the Fresnel panel 3, or by detecting the temperature of the peripheral members and predicting the temperature of the Fresnel panel 3.

  The shape of the shielding wall 83 is such that the cross-sectional area of the space surrounded by the Fresnel panel 3, the translucent member 81, and the housing 4 is smaller than the opening area of the vent holes 91 and 92. 81 is formed so as to approach the Fresnel panel 3.

  The vents 91 and 92 are slit-shaped by a plurality of elongated holes 98 and 99 so that dust, rainwater, etc. are difficult to enter, and from the viewpoint of safety such as electric shock prevention, so that the inside of the housing 4 is not easily touched. Is formed. Although the long holes 98 and 99 are not shown, they may be replaced with a plurality of round holes, and the vent holes 91 and 92 may be formed in a mesh shape or a lattice shape.

  According to the strobe device having the above-described configuration, in addition to the operation and effect of the first embodiment, air is sucked from the air vent 91 by the electric fan 93 and exhausted from the air vent 92, so that the flash discharge tube side of the Fresnel panel 3 An air flow can be forcibly created on the surface of the panel, and cooling of the Fresnel panel 3 can be promoted.

  Further, since the cross-sectional area of the air flow path around the Fresnel panel 3 is set smaller than the opening area of the vents 91 and 92, the flow velocity of air around the Fresnel panel 3 can be increased, and the Fresnel panel 3 can be further enhanced.

  Further, since the space on the side of the flash discharge tube 1 in the housing 4 is shielded by the shielding wall 83, it is difficult for dust, rainwater, etc. to enter the flash discharge tube 1 and its peripheral members through the vents 91 and 92. There is less concern that the high-voltage current inside the strobe device leaks outside through the vents 91 and 92.

(Embodiment 3)
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the basic configuration is the same as that of the second embodiment, but the difference is that the electric fan 93 is configured as an electric fan unit 94 that is detachable from the outside of the housing 4. The electric fan unit 94 is supplied with power from the external power supply unit 95, and the electric fan unit 94 is attached to the housing 4 only when the external power supply unit 95 is connected to the strobe device.

  The external power supply unit 95 supplements an internal power supply (not shown) provided in the support unit 6 of the strobe device by connecting from the outside of the strobe device, and thereby supplies power for causing the flash discharge tube 1 to emit light. The time required for charging is shortened, and continuous light emission at short intervals is supported. As a practical matter, it has been found that when the external power supply unit 95 is connected and continuous light emission is performed under a predetermined condition, the Fresnel panel 3 is rarely melted or deformed. That is, the third embodiment is based on the assumption that the electric fan 93 is required only when the external power supply unit 95 is attached, and the electric fan unit 94 is attached only when the external power supply unit 95 is attached. When the fan is removed, the electric fan unit 94 can be removed together.

  When mounting the external power supply unit 95, the external power supply unit 95 is connected to the strobe device by the connection cord 97 and the electric fan unit 94 is attached to the mounting rib 42 provided in the vent 91 of the housing 4. The electric fan unit 94 is connected to the external power supply unit 95 by a connection cord 96. The connection cord 96 may be configured to be removable from the electric fan unit 94 or the external power supply unit 95, or may be always connected.

  When removing the external power supply unit 95, the connection cord 97 is removed from the strobe device, and the electric fan unit 94 is removed from the strobe device. After the electric fan unit 94 is removed, the cap 43 is attached to the mounting rib 42 to improve the appearance and prevent intrusion of dust and the like from the vent 91. Although not shown, if the cap 43 is provided with a plurality of long holes or formed in a lattice shape or a mesh shape, the same effect as in the second embodiment can be expected.

  According to the strobe device having the above configuration, in addition to the operation and effect of the second embodiment, since the electric fan unit 94 can be attached and detached, for example, only when the external power supply unit 95 is attached, the Fresnel panel 3 The electric fan unit 94 is attached only when the external power supply unit 95 is mounted, and the Fresnel panel 3 may be deformed or melted when the external power supply unit 95 is not mounted. As a result, the electric fan unit 94 is removed so that it can be handled as a normal strobe device.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be applied to other uses.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, a so-called single strobe device has been described as an example, but of course, the present invention can be applied to any other type and strobe device of any size, for example, a camera-equipped strobe device. Is possible. Further, the light source is not limited to the flash discharge tube, and any light source that emits heat upon light emission is assumed, and the presence or absence of the reflector 2 is not limited.

  The present invention is suitable for a strobe device that continuously emits light at a short interval.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a strobe device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Vertical section of the strobe device Cross-sectional view of strobe device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention Perspective view of the strobe device Cross-sectional view of strobe device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention Perspective view of the electric fan unit attached to the strobe device Perspective view of the strobe device with the electric fan unit removed Perspective view of the strobe device with the cap attached

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flash discharge tube 2 Reflecting umbrella 3 Fresnel panel 4 Case 5 Support shaft part 6 Support part 8 Shielding wall 9 Vent 11 Glass bulb 12 Main electrode 13 Main electrode 21 Opening 31 Translucent panel 41 Opening 42 Mounting rib 43 Cap 81 Translucent member 82 Wall portion 83 Shielding wall 91 Ventilation hole 92 Ventilation hole 93 Electric fan 94 Electric fan unit 95 External power supply unit 96 Connection cord 97 Connection cord 98 Long hole 99 Long hole

Claims (4)

A flash discharge tube, a housing having an opening enclosing the flash discharge tube, and at least comprising a flash device and a Fresnel panel that transmits light from being placed in the opening of the housing the flash discharge tube ,
Wherein within the housing with partitioned into spatial between the flash discharge tube and the Fresnel panel, at least in part by shielding wall made of a material which transmits light is provided from the flash discharge tube, of the housing Ventilation holes communicating the space on the Fresnel panel side and the outer space of the casing are provided in a plurality of walls of the casing, and a fan is provided at a portion having at least one ventilation hole provided in the plurality of walls. A strobe device characterized by that. The cross-sectional area of the air flow path formed by the space on the Fresnel panel side in the casing and the vent is set to be smaller than the opening area of the vent. The strobe device described. The strobe device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of vent holes are provided on both wall surfaces of the casing in the tube axis direction of the flash discharge tube. The strobe device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fan is configured to be removable from the outside of the housing.

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