SAFETY SIGN LIGHT WITH FIBRE GUIDE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a safety sign light, in particular an emergency exit sign light, with a plate-shaped light guide for light emission.

[0002] There are various types of emergency exit lights, with modern and aesthetically pleasing emergency exit lights usually featuring an external light guide. At least one emergency exit or safety sign with a pictogram, such as an escape route direction, is typically attached to the flat sides of the light guide. Figure 1A and Figure 1B Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a light guide 11 known from the prior art for an emergency exit sign 1. In such emergency exit signs 1 or safety sign 1, an elongated light source 20, consisting of a circuit board 22 and LEDs 21 arranged on it, is usually located inside a housing (not in the Figures 1A and 1B(as shown) the housing is typically closed in the direction of light emission from the LEDs 21 by a cover element 10. This cover element 10 consists of the light guide 11 and a cover 14, the cover 14 surrounding the light guide 11 laterally and being coupled to it in an upper region of the light guide 11.

[0003] The light emitted by the LEDs 21 is coupled in via a narrow side of the light guide 11, and is then primarily emitted via the flat sides 12 and 13 of the light guide 11, so that the safety sign or emergency exit sign, including the pictogram and the direction of escape, is clearly visible. However, during operation of the emergency exit luminaire 1, bright spots appear in the coupling area between the light guide 11 and the cover 14, specifically around the LEDs 21. These bright spots are also referred to as light reflections or LED reflections and are described in the... Figure 1A with the reference mark R provided. In the Figure 1B is the arrangement from the Figure 1Ashown in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the light source 20 and the cover element 10, wherein the beam path of the light emitted by the LEDs 21 is shown by means of ray tracing, whereby the light reflection R, i.e. the light rays emerging in the vicinity of the coupling area of ​​the cover 14 with the light guide 11, is clearly visible.

[0004] This light reflection R This is reduced by total internal reflection. T Light is guided inside the light guide 11, thus reducing the luminous efficacy of the emergency exit sign 1 or safety sign 1 for illumination. This is due to the light reflection. R Furthermore, the emitted light is not aesthetically pleasing and thus diminishes the aesthetics and apparent value of the entire luminaire 1.

[0005] Other emergency exit signs are known, for example, from DE 20 2012 101316 U1, DE 20 2012 101318 U1, or DE 20 2016 107502 U1. In these designs, the light guides have a T-shaped profile at their upper end, which allows for easy attachment to the luminaire housing or a light source support. In DE 20 2016 107502 U1, the light guide widens into a flange-like shape at the end facing the light source.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of providing an emergency exit sign with a cover element that offers more efficient and aesthetically pleasing light emission.

[0007] This problem is solved by an emergency exit sign according to independent claim 1. Specific embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] The resulting emergency exit sign / safety sign enables optimized light output. The design of the light guide, particularly around the connecting section and the light-capturing section, prevents unwanted light leakage in the connection between the cover and the light guide. Due to the varying thicknesses, the light rays that would otherwise drift away in the connecting section are effectively captured by the thicker section following the connecting section, the light-capturing section, thus keeping the light rays within the light guide. In particular, the varying thicknesses also ensure total internal reflection of the light rays in the area immediately surrounding the connection.Thus, the previously mentioned light reflection is avoided with the emergency exit sign designed in this way, so that the emergency exit sign looks particularly aesthetic and is also particularly efficient in terms of light output.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the emergency exit sign, the light coupling section is designed with side surfaces for total internal reflection of the coupled light. These side surfaces, or total internal reflection surfaces, of the light coupling section ensure that the light coupled into the light guide is transmitted along the light guide with exceptional efficiency and without loss. These total internal reflection surfaces support the coupling and mixing of the light emitted by the luminaire. In particular, this prevents light from escaping in this upper section of the light guide, which would otherwise illuminate the interior of the emergency exit sign housing. Consequently, all the light coupled in via the light coupling surface of the light coupling section of the light guide is transmitted without loss to the next section, i.e., the connecting section of the light guide.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the light guide has a light output section, wherein the light guide is designed to emit the light emitted by the light source and radiated via the light input section through at least one flat side, wherein preferably a safety sign, such as an escape route symbol, is mounted on the at least one flat side. Thus, the light coupled in the light input section of the light guide is optimally transmitted through the further sections – connecting section and light capture section – so that it is then emitted in the light output section and is visible to a person, thereby illuminating the safety sign mounted on the safety sign or escape route sign as efficiently as possible, making this safety sign particularly easy and clear to read.Consequently, preventing light reflection also increases the legibility of the safety sign mounted on the emergency exit light.

[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the light-capturing section has side surfaces for total internal reflection of the light guided inside the light guide. This further promotes virtually lossless light transmission within the light guide, resulting in particularly efficient light output and luminous efficacy of the emergency exit sign. This further enhances total internal reflection and thus efficient light transmission within the light-capturing section.

[0012] According to a further embodiment, the thickness of the light-capturing section decreases with increasing distance from the light-coupled section. With a light guide designed in this way for an emergency exit sign, the plate-shaped light guide can be made particularly aesthetically pleasing and flat. The progressive reduction in the thickness of the light guide in the reflection area ensures an optimal transition to a subsequent light-coupled section, which can then be designed to be correspondingly thin, resulting in an overall high-quality and aesthetically pleasing design for the emergency exit sign.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting section and the light-capturing section exhibit a continuous curvature on their side surfaces. Preferably, this curvature is continuous, particularly at the transition from the connecting section to the light-capturing section. This design of the light guide results in a particularly uniform and seamless surface. Furthermore, this design avoids surface features such as kinks, steps, or similar defects, which tend to inhibit and impede the desired total internal reflection within the light guide. Thus, this embodiment promotes the most efficient light emission possible, as well as a particularly aesthetically pleasing appearance of the emergency exit or safety sign.

[0014] A further advantage is that the light source is located inside the emergency exit sign and, in particular, rests on the cover plate. This eliminates the need for special mounting elements for the light source. Furthermore, the integrated mounting of the light source on the cover plate allows for a particularly flat and compact design of the emergency exit sign. Consequently, the housing of the emergency exit sign can also be designed to be especially flat, making the light guide of the emergency exit sign particularly prominent, which improves the legibility of any symbol or safety sign mounted on the light guide. This also saves on material and thus production costs, while the emergency exit sign is also lighter and therefore particularly easy to install.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the light guide in the light-capturing section is essentially trapezoidal in cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In particular, it is preferable that the light guide and its sections are symmetrical in cross-section with respect to the longitudinal axis. This allows for a particularly simple and efficient transmission of light within the light guide, minimizing loss.

[0016] According to a particular embodiment, a reflective film is arranged on a surface of the cover facing the circuit board of the light source. This design further disrupts the formation of light reflections, thus increasing the luminous efficacy. The reflective film prevents light rays from being emitted outwards through the cover. Furthermore, the light source can be positioned on top of the reflective film, allowing for the lowest possible housing height.

[0017] Preferably, the cover in the area of ​​the connection to the connecting section of the light guide is essentially funnel-shaped. This downward-facing funnel shape of the cover, i.e., directed towards the light-capturing section, prevents unwanted light coupling into the cover, thus promoting the most efficient possible light emission from the emergency exit sign.

[0018] According to the invention, the cover has at least one cover surface and at least one connecting web, wherein the at least one cover surface extends in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cover element substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the light guide, and wherein the connecting web is connected to the connecting section of the light guide.

[0019] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the light source – or the LEDs – is arranged in a recess of the cover element, the recess being formed in particular by at least one connecting rib of the cover. This allows the emergency exit sign to be built in a particularly compact and flat design.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the cover is provided with coupling elements for connecting the cover element to the housing. This makes the installation of the emergency exit sign particularly simple and quick, and preferably allows the cover element to be coupled to the housing without tools.

[0021] Furthermore, the cover element can be designed to seal the housing according to an IP protection rating, preferably IP54 or higher. Meeting the requirements of such an IP protection rating allows the emergency exit sign to be used with particular flexibility in different locations and under varying conditions, with the components inside the housing being protected against moisture and dust.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the cover element is a cast part, which is produced in particular by an injection molding process, wherein the cover element is preferably made of a plastic, in particular polymethyl methacrylate. A cover element produced in this way is particularly easy, cost-effective and stable to manufacture, and furthermore exhibits particularly good light-guiding properties.

[0023] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the drawing. The drawing shows: Figure 1A Side view of an exemplary embodiment of an emergency exit sign according to the prior art, with visualization of light reflections; Figure 1B Cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an emergency exit sign according to the prior art, with visualization of the beam path of the light emitted by the LEDs; Figure 2 Side view of an exemplary embodiment of an emergency exit sign according to the invention with a housing and a cover element connected to the housing; Figure 3 View of an exemplary embodiment of an emergency exit sign in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the emergency exit sign; Figure 4 View of another exemplary embodiment of an emergency exit sign in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the emergency exit sign;Figure 5: View of an additional exemplary embodiment of an emergency exit sign in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the emergency exit sign; Figure 6: Illustration to visualize the beam path of light emitted by the LEDs from the ; Figure 3 known embodiment of the emergency exit sign; Figure 6B Illustration to visualize the beam path of light emitted by the LEDs from the Figure 4 known embodiment of the emergency exit sign light;

[0024] The Figures 2 and 3 The figures show various views of an exemplary embodiment of an emergency exit sign 100 according to the invention. Figure 2Figure 1 shows in particular a side view of this exemplary embodiment of an emergency exit sign 100 according to the invention, comprising a housing 130 and a cover element 110 connected to the housing 130. The emergency exit sign 100, or safety sign 100, extends along a longitudinal axis. L , wherein the housing 130 is covered towards the underside by the cover element 110.

[0025] Inside the housing 130, elongated light sources 120 are arranged, each light source 120 comprising at least one LED 121 and a circuit board 122. In particular, the light sources 120 may be held resting on the cover element 110. The light emitted by the LED(s) 121 is coupled into the light guide 111 via a light coupling surface 118. This light coupling area with the light coupling surface 118 is located inside the emergency exit sign 100, as shown in the Figure 3 can be extracted.

[0026] The plate-shaped light guide 111, like the cover 114, is an integral part of the cover element 110. The cover 114 has an approximately planar cover surface 115 and a connecting web 116, wherein the connecting web 116 connects the surfaces of the cover surface 115 and the light guide 111 – preferably continuously. At least one of the cover surfaces 115 extends in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. L of the cover element 110 essentially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the light guide 111.

[0027] The light guide 111 is designed to emit the light emitted by the light source 120 and directed onto the light coupling surface 118 via at least one flat side 112, 113, wherein a safety sign 140, such as an escape route symbol 140, is preferably affixed to the at least one flat side 112, 113. The area of ​​the flat sides 112, 113 with the safety sign 140 constitutes a light emission area, since outward light emission for the illumination of the safety sign 140 is desired.

[0028] The design of the cover element 110, in particular with the connecting web 116 and the cover surface 115, as well as the light guide 111, prevents unwanted light emission both via the cover 114 and in the vicinity of the connection area of ​​cover 114 and light guide 111, thus preventing light reflections R.

[0029] The cover element 110 can be a cast part, which is produced in particular by an injection molding process. Particularly preferably, the cover element 110 is made of a plastic, in particular of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), wherein such a cover element 110 is particularly easy, cost-effective and stable to manufacture, and wherein the cover element 110 further exhibits particularly advantageous light-guiding properties.

[0030] In the Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary design of an emergency exit sign 100 is shown. In this cross-section, the cross-section is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. L The cover element 110 is essentially T-shaped, with the elongated, plate-shaped light guide 111 forming an axis of symmetry of the cover element 110. In the Figure 3The illustrated version shows only the light source 120 and the cover element 110 of the emergency exit sign 100, or safety sign 100.

[0031] The one in Figure 3The illustrated embodiment of the safety sign luminaire 100 has an elongated light source 120, wherein the circuit board 122 of the light source 120 is designed as a flat surface, and in particular also extends over the cover surface 115. This flat and planar design of the circuit board 122 promotes maximum passive heat dissipation across the entire surface of the circuit board 122. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the cover 114 includes a reflective film 119, which is arranged on a surface of the cover 114 facing the circuit board 122 of the light source 120, so that the circuit board 122 rests on the reflective film 119 and is thereby held in position.The at least one LED 121 of the light source 120 is arranged centrally on the circuit board 122, wherein the preferred multiple LEDs 121 are arranged at a defined short distance from an upper first section of the light guide 111, so that the coupling of the light emitted by the LEDs 121 is as efficient as possible. In particular, it can be provided that the distance between the LEDs 121 and the light guide 111 is fixed and defined by the circuit board 122 resting on the reflective film 119 or on the cover 114. Furthermore, it can also be provided that the circuit board 122 is directly coupled to the housing 130 and the distance between the light guide 111 and the LED 121 is determined by this coupling to the housing.The distance between LED 121 and light guide 111 also prevents vibrations of the light guide 111, for example during assembly or transport of the safety sign 100, from being transmitted directly to the LEDs 121, thus protecting the LEDs 121 inside the luminaire 100 by the cover element 110. The reflective foil 119 further prevents light rays from being emitted outwards through the cover 114, thus avoiding light reflections R. The reflective foil 119 also fulfills another function – primarily aesthetic – by obscuring the view of the electronic components inside the luminaire 100, such as the LEDs 121 and the circuit board 122, so that a person viewing the emergency exit sign 100 sees only the aesthetically pleasing reflective foil 119. Of course, the [missing information] is... Figure 3The illustrated version of the safety sign light 100 is also conceivable without the reflective foil 119, whereby the light source 120 can be arranged on the cover 114 or coupled to the housing 130 in order to obtain the desired distance between LED 121 and light coupling surface 118 of the light guide 111.

[0032] The cover 114 and the light guide 111 form integral components of the cover element 110. In the embodiment shown, the cover 114 comprises, in addition to the cover surface 115 and the connecting web 116, retaining elements 117, which are arranged laterally and are designed to couple the cover 114, and thus the cover element 110, to the housing 130. These retaining elements 117 can be designed, in particular, for tool-free mounting on the housing 130, for example, as a snap-fit ​​element for a snap-in connection. Using these retaining elements 117 for preferably tool-free mounting, the emergency exit sign 100 can be mounted particularly easily and securely.In particular, it can be provided that assembly can be carried out without tools, but disassembly requires tools, so that the components inside the emergency exit sign 100 are protected during operation, and in particular, that access to the luminaire 100 and thus a risk to the user is prevented. Furthermore, embodiments of the cover element 110 are conceivable in which the coupling or mounting to the housing 130 meets the requirements of an IP protection rating, wherein the cover element 110 seals the housing 130 according to this IP protection rating, preferably IP54 or higher, so that the use and positioning of the safety exit sign 100 is particularly flexible, and the luminaire 100 can also be used in dusty and / or humid environments.

[0033] The optical fiber 111 can be divided into different sections, whereby it is in the Figure 3The illustrated embodiment comprises a light coupling section 111A facing the light source 120, which is designed for coupling and mixing the light emitted by the light source 120 by means of total internal reflection surfaces, and a connecting section 111B, which is arranged downstream of the light coupling section 111A and to which the cover 114, with which the light guide 111 is connected, has a connecting section 111B. The connecting section 111B thus forms the area of ​​the light guide 111 that transitions into the connecting web 116.

[0034] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the light guide 111 has a light-capturing section 111C, which is arranged downstream of the connecting section 111B, and a light-output section 111D. In the light-capturing section 111C, which in the embodiment of Figure 3 in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LBecause the luminaire 100 is trapezoidal in shape, the light rays which are no longer totally reflected due to the connection of the cover 114 in the connecting section 111B are, so to speak, captured, so that these light rays do not appear as a light reflection. R not exit the optical fiber, but rather by means of total internal reflection T are held on the side surfaces of the light-capturing section 111C inside the light guide 111. It is essential that in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the optical fiber 111 the thickness D of the light-capturing section 111C at the transition to the connecting section 111B is greater than the thickness dof the light coupling section 111A at the transition to the connecting section 111B. This ensures that the light rays drifting outwards in the connecting section 111B meet again in the light capture section 111C on a side surface which is specifically designed for total internal reflection, so that light reflections RThe light is suppressed, and essentially all the light coupled into the light guide 111 via the light coupling surface 118 – which is a surface of the light coupling section 111A – is directed via the light capture section 111C into the light output section 111D. Thus, in the embodiment shown, the light guide 111 is configured to emit the light from the light source 120 and directed via the light coupling section 111A into the light output section 111D via at least one flat side 112, 113. Preferably, a safety sign 140, such as an escape route symbol 140, is affixed to the at least one flat side 112, 113. This optimizes the luminous efficacy of the escape route luminaire 100, ensuring that the safety sign 140 is particularly well illuminated, thereby improving the legibility and aesthetics of the luminaire 100.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the light-capturing section 111C has side surfaces for total internal reflection of the light guided inside the light guide 111, so that the capture of the light rays is particularly efficient. In the light-capturing section 111C, the light present inside the light guide 111 is further homogenized and captured by means of total internal reflection. T in the direction of the light output section 111D. Furthermore, the light capture section 111C is designed such that the thickness D The thickness of the light-capturing section 111C decreases with increasing distance to the light-coupled section 111A, resulting in a continuous reduction of the light guide thickness, particularly in the light-capturing section 111C. This allows for a particularly aesthetically pleasing design of the light guide 111, while the light-coupled section 111D can still have the smallest possible thickness, so that the emergency exit sign 100 appears compact, slim, and modern overall.

[0036] In particular, it may be provided that the light output coupling section 111D has a thickness on the order of four millimeters.

[0037] The light extraction section 111D is designed to homogeneously extract the light passed through the light capture section 111C over its entire length, thus achieving uniform illumination of the flat surfaces 112, 113 and consequently uniform illumination of the safety sign 140 affixed to at least one flat surface 112, 113. In particular, the light extraction section 111D may be provided with optical structures for light extraction.

[0038] The connecting bridge 116 is funnel-shaped in the illustrated embodiment, a design that simplifies the application of a reflective foil 119. This downward-facing funnel shape of the connecting bridge 116, directed towards the light-capturing section 111C, prevents unwanted light coupling from the light-capturing section 111A and the connecting section 111B into the cover 114, thus achieving the most efficient possible light emission via the light-output section 111D of the emergency exit sign 100. The illustrated funnel-shaped design also allows for the lowest possible overall height of the emergency exit sign 100.Other forms of the connecting web 116 are also conceivable, the essential point being that the connecting web 116 is shaped to point towards the light-capturing area 111C, so that light coupling into the cover 114 at the transition from light coupling section 111A to connecting section 111B is prevented and light reflections R are suppressed. It is preferable that the LEDs 121 are arranged in a recess of the cover element 110, the recess being formed in particular by the at least one connecting web 116 of the cover 114. Such a design is particularly space-saving and promotes the lowest possible overall height of the emergency exit sign 100.

[0039] The Figure 4 shows a cross-section of another exemplary design of a safety sign light 100. The basic structure corresponds to that in the Figure 3The embodiment shown and described above is different, so only the differences will be described in more detail below. In this embodiment, the connecting web 116 is now curved and arc-shaped, so that the cover 114 continuously approaches the light guide 111. Thus, the connecting section 111B and the light-capturing section 111C exhibit a continuous curvature, particularly on their side surfaces, resulting in a particularly homogeneous and aesthetically pleasing cover element 110.

[0040] Preferably, this curvature is also continuous at the transition from the connecting section 111B to the light-capturing section 111C.

[0041] The essential feature of the different thicknesses of the light-capturing section 111C at the transition to the connecting section 111B and the light-coupling section 111A at the transition to the connecting section 111B is of course also present in this shown variant of the safety sign luminaire 100, so that light reflections R This prevents and enables a particularly efficient and homogeneous light output via the light coupling area 111D.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the light source 120 does not rest on the top surface of the cover 115. The light source 120, and in particular the circuit board 122, can be coupled to the housing 130, for example, so that the light source is fixed in the safety sign luminaire 100 and the LEDs 121 are spaced away from the light coupling surface 118. However, other curvatures and heights of the connecting web 116 and / or the light coupling section 111A are of course conceivable, so that an embodiment is also possible in which the light source 120 rests on the top surface of the cover 114 or the cover 115 and is thus held in place. Such an embodiment is shown by way of example in Figure 5 shown. Furthermore, versions with a reflective foil 119 are also shown with the one in the Figure 4 The curved shape of the connecting bridge 116 shown is conceivable.

[0043] The light coupling section 111A is located in the Figure 4 The version shown is longer than in the original. Figure 3 The embodiment shown provides better mixing and homogenization of the light coupled into the optical fiber 111. Furthermore, a longer design of the light coupling section 111A resulted in the most obtuse angles possible on the side faces of the optical fiber 111, thus ensuring particularly efficient light transmission.

[0044] Furthermore, other mounting options for the cover element 110 on the housing 130 are conceivable, whereby, in addition to the tool-free mounting variant already described as an example, other variants requiring tools are also feasible. In particular, it can be provided that the retaining elements 117 are not part of the cover element 110, but of the housing 130.

[0045] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the thickness of the light-capturing section 111C and the light-output section 111D are the same, with the light-capturing section 111C itself having no curvature. However, designs are also conceivable in which the light-output section 111D also has a continuous reduction in thickness, so that the safety sign 140 attached to the flat side 112, 113 is tilted accordingly and visible to a person, which further increases the legibility of the safety sign 140.

[0046] In particular, it can be provided that the lower end of the light-capturing section 111C, i.e., the transition from the light-capturing section 111C to the light-extraction section 111D, has the lowest possible height relative to the underside of the cover 114, especially the underside of the cover surface 115, so that the cover element 110 has a particularly low overall height. For example, a height of approximately two centimeters can be provided between the lower end of the light-capturing section 111C and the underside of the cover 114. Depending on the user's requirements, however, other designs and dimensions are also conceivable.

[0047] In the Figure 5 An additional exemplary embodiment of an emergency exit sign 100 is shown in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the emergency exit sign 100, wherein this additional embodiment is the one described in the Figure 4The safety sign luminaire 100 shown is similar. The light coupling section 111A is located in the Figure 5 The variant shown is shorter, so that the light sources 120 can be arranged resting on the cover 114, whereby the desired distance between LED 121 and light guide 111 is also achieved here.

[0048] In the Figures 6A and 6B Two different embodiments of emergency exit signs 100 are shown, each visualizing the beam path of the light emitted by the LEDs 121. In the Figure 6A is the one from the Figure 3 A known embodiment is shown, in which it can be seen that the side surfaces of the light coupling section 111A are designed for total internal reflection, so that no light rays escape from the light guide. Due to the greater thickness D of the light-capturing section 111C at the transition to the connecting section 111B in relation to the thickness dIn the light coupling section 111A at the transition to the connecting section 111B, the light rays that propagate laterally or drift away in the connecting section 111B are captured in the light-capturing section 111C and totally reflected at the side surfaces of the light-capturing section 111C. The light source 120 rests on the reflective foil 119, although embodiments without a reflective foil 119 are also conceivable, in which the light source 120 then rests directly on the cover 114 or is held by the housing 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the LEDs 121 are arranged in a recess of the cover element 110, the recess being formed in particular by the connecting webs 116 pointing away from the plane of the cover surfaces 115. The reflective foil 119 also helps to prevent light reflections. R The light rays captured in light-capturing section 111C are further processed as totally reflected light rays. Tin the direction of the light output section 111D. Thus, the light coupled in the light coupling section 111A from the LEDs 121 is efficiently and without loss guided in the light guide 111 and emitted at the light output section 111D, resulting in a particularly uniform and interference-free illumination of the applied safety sign 140. Figure 6B shows the from the Figure 4 A known embodiment of an emergency exit sign 100, wherein the light source 120 does not rest on the cover 114 and is, for example, coupled to the housing 130. The light coupling section 111A is, in comparison to the one in Figure 6A The version shown is larger or taller. All versions of the safety sign light 100 according to the invention – including, in particular, those shown in the Figures 6A and 6BThe illustrated designs have in common that the light rays guided in the light guide 111 are guided without loss from the light coupling section 111A to at least the light collection section 111C, whereby there is always no entry of light rays into the cover 114 and the formation of light reflections. R , is prevented.

[0049] The emergency exit sign 100, designed in this way, enables a particularly clear and distinct display of safety sign 140, so that, for example, the location of fire extinguishers or the direction of escape routes shown on safety sign 140 can be easily and clearly perceived by people, thus increasing their safety, especially in an emergency. Light reflections R , and thus any resulting irritations are avoided with the emergency exit sign 100 formed according to the invention.

Claims

1. A safety sign luminaire (100) comprising: ∘ a housing (130) extending along a longitudinal axis (L); ∘ elongated lighting means (120) consisting of a circuit board (122) and at least one LED (121); ∘ a plate-shaped light guide (111) which is integrally connected to a cover (114), wherein the light guide (111) and the cover (114) form an integral part of a cover element (110), and wherein the light guide (111) comprises at least: ∘ a light entry section (111A) facing toward the lighting means (120) and configured for coupling in and mixing the light emitted by the lighting means (120); ∘ a connection section (111B) arranged downstream of the light entry section (111A) and at which the cover (114) is attached to the light guide (111); ∘ a light capturing section (111C) arranged downstream of the connection section (111B); and wherein the cover (114) comprises at least one cover surface (115) and at least one connecting web (116), the at least one cover surface (115) extending, in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) of the cover element (110), essentially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the light guide (111), and the connecting web (116) being connected to the connection section (111C) of the light guide (111), wherein, in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the light guide (111), the thickness (D) of the light capturing section (111C) at the transition to the connection section (111B) is greater than the thickness (d) of the light entry section (111A) at the transition to the connection section (111B); and characterized in that: ∘ a cover (114) which covers the housing (130) on one side; and ∘ the lighting means (120) is arranged in the interior of the safety sign luminaire (100).

2. The safety sign luminaire according to claim 1, characterized in that the light entry section (111A) has side surfaces for the total reflection of the coupled-in light.

3. The safety sign luminaire according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the light guide (111) further comprises a light output section (111D), wherein the light guide (111) is configured to emit, via at least one flat side (112, 113), the light emitted by the lighting means (120) and introduced through the light entry section (111A), a safety sign (140), such as an escape route symbol (140), being preferably attached on said at least one flat side (112, 113).

4. The safety sign luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light capturing section (111C) has side surfaces for the total reflection (T) of the light guided inside the light guide (111).

5. The safety sign luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness (D) of the light capturing section (111C) decreases with increasing distance from the light entry section (111A).

6. The safety sign luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection section (111B) and the light capturing section (111C) have a continuous curvature on their side surfaces, wherein preferably this curvature is also continuous at the transition from the connection section (111B) to the light capturing section (111C).

7. The safety sign luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting means (120) is arranged inside the safety sign luminaire (100) and in particular resting on the cover element (110).

8. The safety sign luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light guide (111) in the light capturing section (111C) is essentially trapezoidal in shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L).

9. The safety sign luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a reflective foil (119) is arranged on a surface of the cover (114) facing the circuit board (122) of the lighting means (120).

10. The safety sign luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (114) in the region of the connection to the connection section (111B) of the light guide (111) is formed essentially funnel-shaped.

11. The safety sign luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the LEDs (121) are arranged in a recess of the cover element (110), wherein the recess is formed in particular by the at least one connecting web (116) of the cover (114).

12. The safety sign luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (114) has coupling elements (117) for coupling the cover element (110) with the housing (130).

13. The safety sign luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover element (110) seals the housing (130) according to an IP protection rating, preferably IP54 or higher.

14. The safety sign luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover element (110) is a cast part produced in particular by an injection molding process, wherein particularly preferably the cover element (110) is made of a plastic, in particular of polymethyl methacrylate.