Modularized light-emitting alarm structure
The modular design of the luminous alarm structure enables detachable connection between the luminous unit and the outer frame assembly, solving the problems of high maintenance costs and resource waste in traditional alarms, improving the compatibility and reliability of the equipment, and making it suitable for industrial sites such as power plants and chemical plants.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HANGZHOU BANGHUI AUTOMATION ENG TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing light-sign alarm systems in industrial sites suffer from high maintenance costs, resource waste, and poor compatibility. Traditional designs require the entire system to be replaced when a single component is damaged, and spare parts have long supply cycles.
It adopts a modular design, including an outer frame assembly, a separately detachable light-emitting unit, and a unit fixing bucket. It can be quickly assembled and disassembled through screw and snap connections, and is compatible with the original equipment unit housing and base.
It significantly reduces maintenance costs, shortens maintenance time, improves equipment compatibility and reliability, reduces resource waste, and is suitable for long-term stable operation in industrial scenarios such as power plants and chemical plants.
Smart Images

Figure CN224190534U_ABST
Abstract
Description
A modular light-emitting alarm structure Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of luminous alarm technology, specifically to a modular luminous alarm structure. Background Technology
[0002] In monitoring systems of industrial sites such as power plants and chemical plants, the main control panel is typically equipped with numerous illuminated alarm panels to visually display alarms or operational statuses of critical systems. These alarms initially relied heavily on imported equipment, but with increasing years of use, several problems have emerged: First, imported equipment has a complex internal structure, requiring complete replacement during maintenance, resulting in high costs; second, original equipment faces aging and damage issues, while procuring spare parts from abroad has long lead times and carries the risk of production stoppages; third, traditional alarms employ an integrated design, meaning that when a local component (such as the light-emitting unit) fails, the entire device must be replaced, leading to resource waste. Furthermore, the fixed connection between the light source component and the housing in traditional alarms hinders the rapid replacement of light-emitting units for different display states and prevents flexible adjustment of the light source separation ratio to adapt to different alarm requirements. To address these issues, existing technologies urgently need improvement. Summary of the Invention
[0003] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a modular light-emitting alarm structure.
[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a modular luminous alarm structure, including an outer frame assembly, multiple individually detachable luminous units, and a unit fixing bucket for fixing the luminous units; the outer frame assembly includes an outer frame back plate and an outer frame side plate, and the unit fixing bucket is fixed to the outer frame back plate by screws; each luminous unit is detachably connected to the unit fixing bucket by a snap-fit.
[0005] In some embodiments, the light-emitting unit includes a unit frame, an upper transparent sheet, a light-transmitting sheet, a lower transparent sheet, a light source separator, a unit housing, and a PCB board; the unit frame is snapped onto the unit housing by elastic clips; the upper and lower transparent sheets are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the light-transmitting sheet and fixed to the unit frame by clips; the light source separator is disposed on one side of the light-transmitting sheet and is used to divide the light-emitting unit according to a predetermined ratio; the PCB board integrates LED beads and is fixed inside the unit frame.
[0006] In some embodiments, the light-transmitting sheet is an optically grade transparent material, the upper and lower transparent sheets are light-shielding materials, and alarm status text or symbols are printed on the surface of the upper and / or lower transparent sheets.
[0007] In some embodiments, the PCB board uses the Zhixin Hi1243 linear LED constant current chip to drive the LED beads.
[0008] In some embodiments, the LED beads include at least two groups of LEDs connected in parallel, each group containing two surface-mount LEDs.
[0009] In some embodiments, the light source separator is a black opaque plastic sheet, and its separation ratio is determined by the width and position of the light source separator. The separated light-emitting areas correspond one-to-one with the alarm status.
[0010] In some embodiments, the outer circumference of the unit fixing barrel is evenly distributed with four screw holes, which are fixed to the outer frame back plate by screws; the back of the unit fixing barrel is integrated with a spring-type waterproof terminal block, and the outer frame back plate has a rectangular opening corresponding to the terminal block for connecting external DC24V power lines and signal lines.
[0011] In some embodiments, the outer frame side panel and the outer frame back panel are connected by four sets of mounting clips; the mounting clips include elastic protrusions disposed on the edge of the outer frame side panel and slots disposed on the edge of the outer frame back panel, the protrusions and slots being interference fit.
[0012] In some embodiments, a guide structure is provided between the unit outer frame and the unit housing. The guide structure includes two cylindrical positioning posts disposed at the bottom of the unit outer frame and two positioning holes disposed at the top of the unit housing. The positioning posts and positioning holes are clearance-fitted.
[0013] In some embodiments, the light-emitting unit can be replaced with a separate light-emitting circuit board.
[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: the modular design enables the detachable connection between the light-emitting unit and the outer frame assembly, which solves the problems of high maintenance cost, resource waste and poor compatibility of traditional alarms, and has the advantages of easy replacement of the light-emitting unit and reduced maintenance cost.
[0015] Details of one or more embodiments of this application are set forth in the following drawings and description to make other features, objects and advantages of this application more readily apparent. The embodiments of this application will provide a detailed description and understanding of the application. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 is an exploded structural diagram of this utility model;
[0017] Figure 2 is a structural diagram of the light-emitting unit of this utility model;
[0018] Figure 3 shows the assembly diagram of the light-emitting unit and the alarm.
[0019] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the light-emitting unit circuit.
[0020] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the alarm.
[0021] In the diagram: 1. Unit outer frame; 2. Upper transparent sheet; 3. Light-transmitting sheet; 4. Lower transparent sheet; 5. Light source separator; 6. Unit housing; 7. PCB board; 8. Unit fixing bucket; 9. Outer frame side panel; 10. Back panel; 11. Outer frame side panel; 12. Mounting buckle. Detailed Implementation
[0022] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0023] In existing technologies, the light-emitting alarms installed in the main control panel generally suffer from complex structures and difficult maintenance. Early imported equipment, due to the high degree of integration of internal components, required the replacement of the entire unit when a single component failed, and the supply cycle for spare parts was long. In one instance, a chemical plant's monitoring hall experienced a situation where the entire alarm system stopped working due to the failure of a single light-emitting unit. Maintenance personnel had to remove several adjacent units to reach the faulty part, which was time-consuming and carried the risk of accidental activation.
[0024] To address these issues, the R&D team discovered that the traditional, non-separable, monolithic structure of alarms was the root cause of low maintenance efficiency. By analyzing the original equipment's installation interfaces and functional requirements, they proposed decomposing the monolithic structure into independent functional modules. The focus was on achieving rapid assembly and disassembly between modules while ensuring the physical compatibility of the new structure with the original equipment's mounting base and unit housing.
[0025] Therefore, this application proposes a modular luminous alarm structure, including an outer frame assembly, multiple individually detachable luminous units, and a unit fixing bucket. The outer frame assembly consists of an outer frame back plate and outer frame side plates. The unit fixing bucket is fixed to the outer frame back plate by screws. Each luminous unit is detachably connected to the unit fixing bucket by a snap-fit. This structure is compatible with the original device's unit housing and base, and can also be used independently as a new product.
[0026] The outer frame assembly refers to the basic framework that supports all functional modules. It can be constructed by stamping and welding metal sheets, with its side and back plates forming a semi-enclosed space to accommodate other components. The unit fixing bucket is the mechanical carrier used to position and fix the light-emitting units. It can be implemented using an injection-molded plastic cylindrical structure, with screw holes on the surface for back plate fixing. Detachable connection refers to a mechanical connection method that allows the light-emitting units to be disassembled and assembled without tools. This can be achieved using a combination of elastic clips and guide grooves, ensuring quick unit replacement. Compatibility with the original equipment unit housing means that the new light-emitting unit's dimensions and mounting interfaces are consistent with the original equipment. This can be achieved by replicating the original housing's clip positions and mounting hole locations, allowing for interchangeable use of old and new units.
[0027] Specifically, the outer frame back panel, as the main load-bearing component, uses an array of screw holes to standardize the installation of the unit fixing buckets. Each unit fixing bucket is independently fixed to the back panel, forming isolated installation units. When a light-emitting unit malfunctions, maintenance personnel can directly press the elastic clips on both sides of the unit to detach it from the unit fixing bucket and remove it vertically, without removing adjacent units or disassembling the outer frame assembly. When installing a new light-emitting unit, the guide structure automatically aligns it with the clip slots of the unit fixing bucket, and pressing down completes the fixing. This structural design reduces the replacement time of a single unit to one-fifth of the traditional method, while avoiding the risk of frame deformation caused by frequent disassembly and reassembly.
[0028] Compared to existing technologies, traditional alarm units use a series-mounted structure for their light-emitting units, requiring the removal of the entire row of components for maintenance of any unit. This solution, however, achieves true single-point maintenance through the combination of independent unit mounting housings and modular outer frames. When retrofitting existing equipment, only the new outer frame components need to be installed onto the original base; the original unit housing can be used directly, or the new light-emitting unit can be replaced, without requiring modifications to on-site wiring or the mounting base.
[0029] Through the above technical solution, this application effectively solves the problems of high dependence on maintenance and long spare parts replacement cycles for imported equipment. The independent disassembly and assembly of individual light-emitting units significantly reduces the impact of maintenance operations on system operation, and the compatibility design ensures seamless replacement of parts between new and old equipment, reducing the total life-cycle maintenance cost of the equipment by more than 40%. In industrial scenarios with strict continuous operation requirements, this structure can control the mean time to failure to repair (MTBF) to within 10 minutes, ensuring the continuous availability of the monitoring system.
[0030] This application further proposes that the light-emitting unit includes a unit outer frame, an upper transparent sheet, a light-transmitting sheet, a lower transparent sheet, a light source separator, a unit housing, and a PCB board; the unit outer frame is snapped onto the unit housing by elastic clips; the upper and lower transparent sheets are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the light-transmitting sheet and fixed to the unit outer frame by clips; the light source separator is disposed on one side of the light-transmitting sheet and is used to divide the light-emitting unit according to a predetermined ratio; the PCB board integrates LED beads and is fixed inside the unit outer frame.
[0031] The unit's outer frame refers to the supporting structure that carries the internal components of the light-emitting unit. It can be made of injection-molded engineering plastic and is detachably connected to the unit housing via elastic clips, facilitating quick replacement of damaged parts. The upper and lower transparent sheets are light-shielding components covering the upper and lower sides of the light-transmitting sheet. They can be injection-molded from black ABS material and fixed to the unit's outer frame with clips, defining the light-transmitting area and preventing stray light interference. The light-transmitting sheet is the core optical component that transmits LED light. It can be cut from optical-grade polycarbonate sheet, and its surface can be fitted with a prism structure to improve light uniformity. The light source separator is the partition structure that divides the light-emitting area. It can be stamped from black PVC sheet, and its width and installation position can be adjusted to achieve zoned display of different alarm states. The PCB board is the circuit board that drives the LED chips. It can be made of FR-4 double-sided copper-clad laminate, integrating LED chips and driver chips through surface mount technology to achieve stable current output.
[0032] Specifically, the unit's outer frame is mechanically connected to the unit housing via elastic clips, allowing for quick assembly and disassembly of the entire light-emitting unit. The upper and lower transparent sheets are fixed to the upper and lower edges of the unit's outer frame via clips, forming a closed light channel. A light-transmitting sheet is sandwiched between the upper and lower transparent sheets, and its surface is frosted to diffuse light. Light source separators are vertically inserted into the gap between the light-transmitting sheet and the unit's outer frame, dividing the light-emitting area into multiple independent display zones. The PCB board is fixed to the bottom of the unit's outer frame with screws, and the LED beads soldered to its surface face the light-transmitting sheet. The separators create independent light emission in different areas.
[0033] Compared to existing technologies, traditional illuminated sign alarms use a fully encapsulated display unit, making it impossible to replace internal components individually. This solution employs a split-type snap-fit design, allowing for individual maintenance of vulnerable components such as the light-transmitting sheet and light source separator, avoiding the resource waste associated with replacing the entire unit. Furthermore, the PCB board is directly integrated into the unit's outer frame, eliminating the complex wiring connections found in traditional devices and reducing assembly complexity.
[0034] Through the above technical solution, this application achieves modular disassembly and assembly of the internal components of the light-emitting unit, significantly shortening maintenance time while maintaining compatibility with the original equipment housing. When scratches appear on the light-transmitting sheet or the light source separator needs adjustment, the unit's outer frame can be directly disassembled for replacement, without dismantling the entire alarm. The integrated design of the PCB board reduces circuit connection points, improves system reliability, and is suitable for industrial scenarios requiring long-term stable operation, such as power plants and chemical plants.
[0035] This application further proposes that the light-transmitting sheet is an optical-grade transparent material, the upper and lower transparent sheets are light-shielding materials, and the surface of the upper and / or lower transparent sheets is printed with alarm status text or symbols.
[0036] Optical-grade transparent materials refer to engineering plastics with high light transmittance and uniform light diffusion characteristics, specifically polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate. Their function is to ensure uniform light transmission within the light-emitting unit. Light-shielding materials are non-transparent materials that block stray light, typically black ABS or PVC. Their function is to limit the light-transmitting area and prevent unintended light leakage. Alarm status text or symbols refer to markings printed onto the surface of the light-shielding material, directly indicating the equipment's operating status or fault type.
[0037] Specifically, the light-transmitting sheet, as the core light-guiding component, uses optical-grade materials to evenly diffuse the light emitted by the LED light source throughout the entire light-emitting area. The upper and lower transparent sheets, acting as light-shielding layers, wrap around the top and bottom of the light-transmitting sheet, limiting the effective light transmission range and eliminating edge light leakage. Text or symbols are printed on the surface of the light-shielding sheet, allowing the alarm status to be directly displayed through the light-transmitting area without additional markings, while also avoiding the problem of traditional labels easily falling off.
[0038] Compared to existing technologies, traditional alarm devices often use ordinary acrylic materials for their light-transmitting components, resulting in uneven light scattering and blurred displays. Furthermore, the light-shielding structure relies on multi-layer assembly, which can easily lead to gaps and light leakage. This solution improves display clarity while simplifying the assembly process through material selection and structural optimization.
[0039] Through the above technical solution, this application solves the technical problems of poor light transmission and easy detachment of markings in traditional alarms, realizes intuitive display of alarm status and long-term stable operation, while maintaining compatibility with the original equipment housing structure, and meets the stringent reliability requirements of power plants, chemical plants and other scenarios.
[0040] This application further proposes that the PCB board uses the Zhixin Hi1243 linear LED constant current chip to drive the LED beads. The chip's power input terminal is connected in parallel with a Schottky diode and a 1kΩ surface mount resistor. The diode is used to prevent reverse connection of the power supply, and the resistor is used to limit the surge current. The chip's output current is adjusted by the 3.9Ω surface mount resistor connected to the CS pin, and the output current range is 35-39mA.
[0041] The Hi1243 linear LED constant current chip is an integrated circuit used to stably drive LED beads. It can also be implemented using a chip with constant current output function, ensuring consistent brightness across different LED components by adjusting the output current. A Schottky diode is a semiconductor device with low forward voltage drop characteristics; specifically, an SS34 type diode can be used. Connecting this device in parallel at the power input prevents circuit damage caused by reversed power polarity. A 1kΩ surface-mount resistor is a surface-packaged resistor with a specific resistance value, specifically a resistor manufactured using metal film technology. It limits the instantaneous large current generated during device startup by being connected in series in the power circuit. A 3.9Ω surface-mount resistor is a current-limiting element used to regulate the output current; specifically, a precision resistor can be used. Connected between the CS pin of the constant current chip and ground, it, combined with the chip's internal feedback mechanism, controls the output current to remain stable within a preset range.
[0042] Specifically, in the PCB power supply circuit, Schottky diodes are connected to the power input in reverse parallel. When the external power supply polarity is incorrect, the diodes conduct to form a bypass, preventing reverse voltage from being applied to the circuit. A 1kΩ surface-mount resistor is connected in series with the diode to absorb surge current at the moment the device is powered on, reducing the impact on the constant current chip. The Hi1243 chip, through its internal constant current control module and the 3.9Ω resistor connected to the CS pin, precisely limits the output current to the 35-39mA range, ensuring the brightness consistency of different batches of LED chips. Therefore, the driver circuit can maintain stable operation even under abnormal power supply or load fluctuations.
[0043] This solution integrates a constant current chip and protection components, simplifying the circuit structure while achieving multiple protection functions, significantly improving the reliability and ease of maintenance of the drive system.
[0044] Through the above technical solution, this application solves the problems of traditional alarm drive circuits being easily damaged by reverse power connection and LED lifespan being shortened due to current fluctuations, reduces the maintenance frequency of equipment due to circuit failure, and is compatible with the mixed use of LED beads of different specifications, adapting to long-term stable operation under complex working conditions in industrial sites.
[0045] This application further proposes that the LED lamp bead includes at least two groups of LEDs connected in parallel. Each group of LEDs includes two surface-mount LEDs and two through-hole LEDs. The surface-mount LEDs and through-hole LEDs are connected in series and then in parallel. The through-hole LEDs are optional. The forward voltage drop of the LED lamp bead is 3.4V±0.2V, and the forward current is 20mA±2mA. Under 24V power supply, a single Hi1243 chip can drive 5 groups of LEDs connected in series.
[0046] Surface mount LEDs (SMD LEDs) are light-emitting diodes with surface-mount packages, such as the 3528 package. Their flat structure allows for high-density board layout within limited space. Through-hole LEDs are light-emitting diodes with pin-inserted packages, such as the 5mm straw hat lamp type. They offer a wide beam angle and are easy to visually inspect. The series-parallel circuit structure involves connecting SMD and through-hole LEDs in series to form a branch, and then connecting multiple branches in parallel. This design allows other branches to continue operating normally even if one branch fails. The forward voltage drop range of 3.4V ± 0.2V refers to the voltage difference across the LED when it is conducting. This parameter matches the output characteristics of the driver chip, ensuring stable driving of multiple series circuits in a 24V power supply system.
[0047] Specifically, the LED array employs a hybrid configuration of surface-mount and through-hole LEDs. Surface-mount LEDs are rapidly soldered using automated equipment, while through-hole LEDs can be manually added as backup light sources. When the original equipment only supports a single type of LED, the through-hole LEDs can be made optional by disconnecting their jumpers. For example, when increased luminous intensity is required, through-hole LEDs can be used to form a series circuit; in space-constrained scenarios, only surface-mount LEDs are needed to meet basic functions. The constant current output characteristics of the driver chip are matched with the electrical parameters of the LED array, ensuring that each series-connected LED receives a stable current.
[0048] Compared to existing technologies, traditional alarms mostly use LEDs in a single package, which increases overall replacement costs when a particular model is discontinued. This solution, through a hybrid package design and optional configuration, retains the efficiency advantages of automated production while allowing for quick replacement of damaged units using through-hole LEDs. Furthermore, the series-parallel composite structure can drive more LED units under the same supply voltage compared to a pure parallel solution.
[0049] Through the above technical solution, this application achieves flexible configuration of LED light sources, allowing for the selection of LED combinations with different package types based on spare parts availability, while maintaining compatibility with the original equipment's electrical parameters. When imported surface-mount LEDs are out of stock, operators can temporarily use through-hole LEDs to maintain equipment operation, significantly reducing the risk of system downtime due to the failure of a single component.
[0050] This application further proposes that the light source separator is a black opaque plastic sheet, and the separation ratio is determined by the width and position of the light source separator. The separated light-emitting areas correspond one-to-one with the alarm status.
[0051] The black opaque plastic sheet refers to a synthetic resin material with complete light-blocking properties, specifically ABS engineering plastic. Its function is to block light interference between adjacent luminous areas, ensuring the independence of alarm status display. The separation ratio refers to the area distribution of luminous areas corresponding to different alarm information. This can be achieved by adjusting the lateral dimensions and installation position of the separators, adapting to the visualization needs of various alarm information under different operating conditions. The one-to-one correspondence of alarm status means that each separated independent luminous area corresponds to a specific type of operating status indication. For example, the operating status area uses a green light source, and the fault status area uses a red light source, enabling simultaneous display and rapid identification of multiple statuses.
[0052] Specifically, the light source separator is inserted vertically into the slot between the light-transmitting sheet and the unit's outer frame. Different proportions of display windows are created by varying the width of the light-transmitting areas on both sides of the separator. When the LED beads on the PCB are powered on, light can only be projected outwards through the light-transmitting areas not blocked by the separator, forming clearly defined, independent light-emitting blocks. Each light-emitting block corresponds to a preset alarm state type, allowing operators to determine the equipment's operating status by observing the light emission status at specific locations. The light source separator uses a snap-on installation structure, allowing for individual replacement or adjustment of the separator's position without disassembling the entire light-emitting unit, thus enabling rapid reconfiguration of the alarm display layout.
[0053] Compared to existing technologies, traditional illuminated signage uses a monolithic light-shielding structure, resulting in light leakage interference between different display areas and an inability to adjust the layout. This solution, through an adjustable, independent partition design, solves the optical crosstalk problem in multi-state displays and allows for flexible configuration of alarm area proportions. The modular partition structure also reduces maintenance complexity; when a single state display malfunctions, only the corresponding partition needs to be replaced, eliminating the need to disassemble the entire alarm unit.
[0054] Through the above technical solution, this application can effectively distinguish the display areas of different alarm states, avoiding misjudgment problems caused by the superposition of multiple light sources. The adjustable separation ratio design adapts to the alarm information classification needs of different industrial scenarios, while the modular structure significantly shortens maintenance operation time and ensures the continuous and stable operation of critical production systems.
[0055] This application further proposes that four screw holes are evenly distributed on the outer periphery of the unit fixing bucket, which is fixed to the outer frame back plate by M4 screws; the back of the unit fixing bucket integrates a spring-type waterproof terminal block, and the outer frame back plate has a rectangular opening corresponding to the terminal block for connecting external DC24V power lines and signal lines.
[0056] The four evenly distributed threaded holes on the outer circumference of the unit fixing bucket refer to a threaded hole structure evenly distributed around the outer circumference of the fixing bucket. This can be achieved using a drilling and tapping process, and is used to mechanically connect the fixing bucket to the outer frame back plate using standard screws. The spring-loaded waterproof terminal block refers to an electrical connection component with a flexible clamping structure and a sealed design. This can be achieved using pluggable terminals with rubber sealing rings, achieving an IP54 protection rating, preventing moisture intrusion in humid environments. The rectangular opening on the outer frame back plate refers to a through hole matching the size of the external terminal block. This can be formed using laser cutting or stamping processes, providing a channel for external cables while maintaining the integrity of the equipment casing.
[0057] Specifically, the unit mounting barrel is rigidly connected to the outer frame back plate using four M4 screws. During installation, the screws are screwed through the screw holes into the threaded holes of the back plate for tightening. A spring-loaded waterproof terminal block is integrated into the back of the mounting barrel. After the equipment is assembled, external power and signal cables can be inserted into the terminal block through the rectangular opening in the back plate to complete the electrical connection. Thus, the unit mounting barrel not only serves the physical fixing function of the light-emitting unit but also acts as a carrier for electrical connections, achieving an integrated design of mechanical structure and circuit interface.
[0058] Compared to existing technologies, traditional alarms use glue or integral casting to fix components, requiring destructive disassembly for maintenance. This solution, however, achieves non-destructive assembly and disassembly through screw fixing, and the waterproof terminal block replaces traditional welding or crimping methods, making cable connections more reliable and easier to replace. Furthermore, the rectangular opening's size matching the terminal block avoids the reduced protective performance caused by excessively large openings in traditional systems.
[0059] Through the above technical solution, this application solves the problem of difficult maintenance of traditional alarms, realizes the quick assembly and disassembly of the light-emitting unit and the outer frame assembly, improves the reliability of electrical connection by integrating waterproof terminal blocks, ensures long-term stable operation of the equipment in humid environments, and the overall structure is compatible with the original equipment base, reducing the cost of upgrade and modification.
[0060] This application further proposes that the outer frame side panel and the outer frame back panel are connected by four sets of mounting clips; the mounting clips include elastic protrusions set on the edge of the outer frame side panel and slots set on the edge of the outer frame back panel, with the protrusions and slots having an interference fit to achieve quick assembly and disassembly.
[0061] The elastic protrusion refers to a raised structure with elastic deformation capability formed on the edge of the outer frame side panel. Specifically, it can be implemented using a plastic protrusion with a height of 2mm and an inclination angle of 30°. Its elastic deformation capability allows the protrusion to deform during installation to fit the slot. The slot refers to a recessed structure opened on the edge of the outer frame back panel. Specifically, it can be implemented using a rectangular groove with a depth of 1.5mm, used to accommodate the elastic protrusion and restrict its displacement. The interference fit refers to a pressing contact formed between the protrusion and the slot through a dimensional difference. Specifically, it can be achieved by the slot width being 0.1mm smaller than the protrusion thickness, utilizing the reverse force generated by the elastic deformation of the material to maintain connection stability.
[0062] Specifically, the outer frame side panels and the outer frame back panel are connected by four sets of symmetrically distributed mounting clips. During installation, the elastic protrusions of the outer frame side panels deform under external force and slide into the slots of the outer frame back panel. The slots limit the displacement of the protrusions, and the friction generated by the interference fit prevents the connection from loosening. During disassembly, the side panels and back panels can be separated by using external force to disengage the protrusions from the slots. This structure eliminates the need for screws or welding, simplifying the assembly and disassembly process.
[0063] Compared to existing technologies, traditional alarm frames are mostly fixed with screws or welded together, requiring specialized tools and time-consuming to disassemble and assemble. This solution, through the interference fit design of elastic protrusions and slots, ensures connection strength while enabling tool-free manual disassembly and assembly, significantly improving maintenance efficiency.
[0064] Through the above technical solution, this application solves the problems of complex disassembly and assembly and difficult maintenance of traditional alarm frame components. The snap-fit connection structure enables quick disassembly and assembly, reduces equipment maintenance costs, and ensures that the frame components can maintain a stable connection under vibration.
[0065] This application further proposes a guide structure between the unit outer frame and the unit housing. The guide structure includes two cylindrical positioning posts at the bottom of the unit outer frame and two positioning holes at the top of the unit housing. The positioning posts and positioning holes are fitted with a clearance of 0.1 mm to ensure that the unit outer frame and the unit housing are snapped together.
[0066] The guide structure refers to the mechanical fit structure used to guide the alignment of the unit's outer frame and housing during installation. Specifically, it can be achieved using a clearance fit between cylindrical positioning posts and positioning holes. The diameter of the positioning posts can be slightly smaller than the diameter of the positioning holes to create a small gap. The cylindrical positioning posts are columnar protrusions located at the bottom of the unit's outer frame, which can be integrally molded with the unit's outer frame using injection molding. Their diameter and height are determined based on the installation space. The positioning holes are hole-like structures located at the top of the unit's housing, which can be formed through mold processing. The hole diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the positioning posts to achieve a clearance fit. The 0.1mm clearance fit refers to the assembly tolerance maintained between the positioning posts and positioning holes, which can be achieved by controlling machining accuracy to compensate for minor deviations during installation.
[0067] Specifically, when installing the unit outer frame onto the unit housing, the operator first aligns the positioning pins at the bottom of the unit outer frame with the positioning holes at the top of the unit housing. The clearance fit guides the two for initial positioning. At this point, the snap-fit interfaces automatically align, and pressure is then applied to engage the elastic snap-fit. Because the clearance fit between the positioning pins and the positioning holes allows for a certain range of positional deviation, even with assembly errors, accurate alignment of the snap-fit interfaces is ensured, thus preventing installation failure or structural damage due to misalignment.
[0068] In some specific embodiments, the positioning post may be made of metal with an anti-wear coating on its surface, and a guide bevel may be provided on the inner wall of the positioning hole to assist insertion. A foolproof marking, such as an arrow or color-coded indicator, may be provided on the top of the unit housing to indicate the position and direction of the positioning hole.
[0069] Compared to existing technologies, the installation of the unit frame and housing of traditional alarm devices relies entirely on visual alignment by the operator. This is prone to misalignment of the latches due to viewing angle errors or assembly deviations, requiring repeated adjustments that are time-consuming and may damage the latch structure. This solution, by adding a guide structure, achieves mechanical guidance and positioning from the initial installation stage, significantly reducing reliance on manual operation. At the same time, the clearance fit design balances machining accuracy and assembly tolerance.
[0070] Through the above technical solution, this application solves the problems of low disassembly and assembly efficiency and easy damage to buckles caused by the lack of a guide structure in existing equipment, realizes the rapid and accurate installation of the outer frame and housing of the light-emitting unit, and ensures that the new unit can directly replace the original equipment parts through compatibility design, shortening maintenance time and reducing spare parts replacement costs.
[0071] This application further proposes a modular luminous alarm structure, including a luminous unit whose luminous circuit board can be replaced separately. This circuit board is compatible with the original device's unit housing through the same snap-fit interface. The entire luminous unit can be replaced with a new unit compatible with the original device's unit housing, and the new unit's size and mounting hole positions are consistent with the original unit. The entire modular luminous alarm can be replaced with a new alarm compatible with the original device's base, and the new alarm's outer frame back plate is consistent with the mounting hole positions of the original base.
[0072] The light-emitting circuit board refers to a detachable component containing the light source driving element. Specifically, it can be implemented using a snap-fit structure that matches the original equipment unit housing, such as elastic hooks on the edge of the circuit board that engage with internal grooves in the housing. This design allows the circuit board to be replaced independently without disassembling the housing, solving the problem of high costs associated with replacing the entire original equipment.
[0073] The new unit refers to a light-emitting module with the same mounting interface. Specifically, it can be implemented using positioning posts and clips of the same size as the original unit's housing, for example, maintaining a mounting hole spacing error of less than 0.5 mm. This design ensures the interchangeability of the old and new units in the outer frame assembly, avoiding installation failures due to size differences.
[0074] The new alarm unit refers to a device whose overall structure is adapted to the original equipment base. Specifically, it can be achieved by using the same mounting hole layout as the original base, for example, by setting M6 threaded holes at the four corners of the back panel to correspond with the base bolts. This design allows for the direct replacement of the entire alarm system without modifying the existing infrastructure.
[0075] Specifically, when a circuit fault occurs in a lighting unit, repair can be completed simply by pressing the latch to remove the old circuit board and inserting the new one, without disassembling the entire unit housing. For units requiring upgrades, the old unit can be pulled out entirely and the new unit inserted; the positioning post of the new unit automatically aligns with the guide structure of the fixing barrel. When the entire alarm system needs to be updated, the new alarm is directly fixed through the mounting holes that match the original base, maintaining consistency with other components of the control panel.
[0076] Compared to existing technologies, traditional alarm systems require the replacement of the entire faulty unit or the entire device. This solution, however, achieves layer-by-layer replacement at the component, unit, and system levels through a three-level compatibility design. The original imported equipment used soldered circuit boards and had a non-disassembleable casing; this solution uses modular interfaces, reducing maintenance time by approximately 80%. Existing technologies require re-drilling and rewiring to replace the entire alarm system, while this solution maintains consistent mounting hole positions for direct replacement.
[0077] Through the above technical solution, this application achieves precise hierarchical control of equipment maintenance, allowing operators to select the smallest replacement unit based on the scope of the fault. Spare parts inventory only needs to hold core circuit boards and standard units, reducing the overall spare parts storage by 60% compared to the original equipment. In a power plant DCS system upgrade case, this design reduced alarm replacement time from 4 hours to 15 minutes without interrupting the monitoring system.
[0078] The above embodiments merely illustrate several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.
[0079] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A modular luminous alarm structure, characterized in that: The device includes an outer frame assembly, multiple individually detachable light-emitting units, and a unit fixing bucket for fixing the light-emitting units; the outer frame assembly includes an outer frame back plate and an outer frame side plate, and the unit fixing bucket is fixed to the outer frame back plate by screws; each light-emitting unit is detachably connected to the unit fixing bucket by a snap-fit.
2. The modular luminous alarm structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light-emitting unit includes a unit frame, an upper transparent sheet, a light-transmitting sheet, a lower transparent sheet, a light source separator, a unit housing, and a PCB board. The unit frame is snapped onto the unit housing using elastic clips. The upper and lower transparent sheets are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the light-transmitting sheet and fixed to the unit frame using clips. The light source separator is disposed on one side of the light-transmitting sheet and is used to divide the light-emitting unit according to a predetermined ratio. The PCB board integrates LED beads and is fixed inside the unit frame.
3. The modular luminous alarm structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The light-transmitting sheet is made of optical-grade transparent material, and the upper and lower transparent sheets are light-shielding materials. Alarm status text or symbols are printed on the surface of the upper and / or lower transparent sheets.
4. The modular luminous alarm structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The PCB board uses the Zhixin Hi1243 linear LED constant current chip to drive the LED beads.
5. A modular lighted alarm structure according to claim 4, wherein: The LED beads include at least two sets of LED groups connected in parallel, and each set of LED groups contains two surface-mount LEDs.
6. The modular luminous alarm structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The light source separator is a black, opaque plastic sheet. The separation ratio is determined by the width and position of the light source separator, and the separated light-emitting areas correspond one-to-one with the alarm status.
7. The modular luminous alarm structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The unit fixing barrel has four screw holes evenly distributed on its outer circumference, which are fixed to the outer frame back plate by screws; the back of the unit fixing barrel integrates a spring-type waterproof terminal block, and the outer frame back plate has a rectangular opening corresponding to the terminal block for connecting external DC24V power lines and signal lines.
8. The modular luminous alarm structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer frame side panel and the outer frame back panel are connected by four sets of mounting clips; the mounting clips include elastic protrusions on the edge of the outer frame side panel and slots on the edge of the outer frame back panel, and the protrusions and slots are interference fit.
9. The modular luminous alarm structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: A guide structure is provided between the unit outer frame and the unit housing. The guide structure includes two cylindrical positioning posts located at the bottom of the unit outer frame and two positioning holes located at the top of the unit housing. The positioning posts and positioning holes are clearance-fitted.
10. A modular lighted alarm structure according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein: The light-emitting unit can have its light-emitting circuit board replaced individually.