Emergency sign light with additional escape route lighting

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an emergency exit sign light according to the preamble of claim 1, which is designed to indicate an escape route and additionally to illuminate the escape route.

[0002] Various types of emergency exit signs are known from the prior art. Modern and aesthetically pleasing emergency exit signs typically feature an external light guide element, on the flat sides of which at least one emergency exit sign indicating the direction of escape is mounted. In such emergency exit signs, light is usually coupled in from a narrow side of the light guide element, which forms the light coupling side. This light is then distributed within this light guide and preferentially emitted mainly via the flat sides, so that the emergency exit sign and the indicated direction of escape are easily and clearly visible. Such an emergency exit sign with a light guide projecting from a housing is known, for example, from EP 2 648 178 B 1.

[0003] US Patent 6,539,657 B1 discloses an edge-illuminated emergency exit sign in which a lens can be detachably attached to a mounting housing assembly. Furthermore, an LED light bar can be mounted at various positions within the mounting housing assembly, allowing the lens to be attached to the assembly at different angles. Removable inserts are also provided, enabling the lettering on the lens to be adapted to field-specific characteristics, thus eliminating the need to produce pre-printed signs based on these characteristics.

[0004] US 9,589,487 B1 describes an edgelit illuminated sign system that combines edgelit signage and edgelit lighting. The system can include two edgelit light guide sections, one supporting signage and the other supporting lighting. US 2018 / 314001A1 discloses a lighting arrangement with backlighting and downlighting. This lighting arrangement includes a light guide and a light source. The light guide has a first edge section with a light inlet, a first surface with a first light outlet, and a second edge section with a second light outlet. The light source is attached to the first edge section and includes a light source that directs light into the light inlet, from which the light then exits the light guide through the first and second light outlets.

[0005] Another function of emergency exit lights can be to illuminate at least part of an escape route, in addition to indicating its direction. These lights typically feature additional escape route lighting elements in the form of so-called ERI spots (Escape Route Illumination Spots), which selectively illuminate specific areas of an escape route. These light sources are generally designed to emit light asymmetrically in a predetermined direction, for example, to illuminate a long corridor. However, these escape route lighting elements only illuminate the corresponding escape routes in an emergency situation, such as during a fire or a power outage, while the emergency exit symbol on the light itself is intended to remain illuminated continuously, even in situations where evacuation is not required.Such an emergency exit sign with additional escape route lighting is described, for example, in DE 10 2011 082 844 A1 and in . Figure 4 shown.

[0006] This luminaire 100, known from the prior art, has a surrounding frame 101 that serves to hold one or two transparent discs 102 for light emission. The frame 101 and the discs 102 form a housing for the luminaire 100, inside of which light sources are arranged. The light from these light sources is then emitted evenly and homogeneously via the transparent discs 102, which also contain a pictogram to indicate the direction of the escape route.

[0007] Additionally, two so-called ERI spots 115 are arranged at the lower edge of the frame 101, which emit the light for the escape route lighting. Since, in this prior art solution, the frame 101, and thus the luminaire 100 as a whole, has a certain thickness, there is sufficient space inside the luminaire housing for additional light sources and for arranging the ERI spots 115 on its underside. The orientation of the ERI spots 115 can be individually adjusted to adapt the direction of light emission.

[0008] In the case of emergency exit signs of the type described at the beginning, which use a light guide protruding laterally or downwards from a luminaire housing, the following applies in comparison to the luminaire according to Figure 4However, the problem remains of where these additional emergency exit lighting elements should be positioned. The light guide itself does not offer the possibility of arranging such additional light sources on its underside, as this is either technically impossible or would negatively affect the appearance of the light guide. Therefore, existing solutions involve equipping the light guide on its housing-facing light coupling end with a flange-like cover element running transversely to it. This cover element serves both to couple the light guide to the luminaire housing and to completely surround the light guide, thus creating mounting areas for the emergency exit lighting elements.

[0009] Since the light guide element is usually oriented downwards and the light emission from these emergency exit lighting elements is primarily directed downwards or diagonally downwards, the solution described above requires several emergency exit lighting elements to be distributed around the outer circumference of the flange-like area. This ensures that an escape route in any direction below the luminaire can be efficiently illuminated without the risk of the light guide element blocking or shading the light emission. This results in the luminaire's footprint being increased in all directions beyond the dimensions of the light guide element.

[0010] Since, on the other hand, there is a desire to make such emergency exit signs as compact and elegant as possible, the present invention is based on the objective of providing a novel possibility which enables the positioning of additional emergency exit lighting elements in an emergency exit sign, while at the same time ensuring that the luminaire can be kept compact and yet offers the greatest possible flexibility with regard to the direction of light emission from the emergency exit lighting elements.

[0011] The problem is solved by an emergency exit sign light having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0012] The present invention presents a novel method for integrating the aforementioned emergency exit indicator (ERI) spots simply and elegantly into an emergency exit sign luminaire employing the light-guiding technology described above. The solution is based on positioning the ERI spots in the lower lateral region of the luminaire's light-guiding element and connecting each of them to the light sources for the emergency exit lighting via a rod-shaped light guide, preferably running along the outer edge of the light-guiding element. The rod-shaped light guide(s) are integrated into or arranged in the edge region of the light-guiding element in such a way that they only minimally affect the appearance of the emergency exit sign luminaire. The luminaire thus retains its extremely light and graceful appearance, while now also illuminating the emergency exit route in addition to displaying it.

[0013] According to the present invention, a rescue sign light is proposed which has: first light sources extending along a longitudinal direction and preferably comprising an elongated LED board, a support element for holding the first light sources, a plate-like light guide element connected to the support element, wherein the light guide element has a light coupling area formed on a narrow side of the light guide element facing the first light sources, wherein the light guide element is configured to emit the light emitted by the light sources and illuminated via the light coupling area via at least one flat side, which is arranged substantially perpendicular to the narrow side of the light guide element having the light coupling area, and wherein an escape route symbol is attached to the flat side of the light guide element intended for light emission, second light sources arranged on the support element,as well as at least one emergency exit lighting element for emitting the light generated by the second light sources for emergency exit lighting, , wherein according to the invention the escape route lighting element is arranged in the area of ​​an end face of the light guide element which is opposite the narrow side of the light guide element having the light coupling area and wherein the escape route lighting element is coupled to the second light sources via a rod-like light guide.

[0014] In contrast to the previously described solution, which is known from the prior art and in which the ERI spots are arranged on the luminaire housing or support element holding the light guide element, the light emission elements intended for escape route lighting are now arranged on the underside of the light guide element and thus on the underside of the entire luminaire, so that optimal and interference-free light emission for escape route lighting can be achieved.

[0015] Preferably, the rod-shaped light guide extends along an edge region of the plate-shaped light guide element. As already described, the design should be such that this additional light guide has little or no impact on the appearance of the luminaire. Accordingly, the light guide element can, for example, have a recess for the rod-shaped light guide in its edge region. In a first alternative, the recess is formed by a groove in the edge region that at least partially and precisely accommodates the rod-shaped light guide. Alternatively, the recess could also be formed by an elongated opening or bore extending in the edge region of the light guide element. In this case, the rod-shaped light guide is completely enclosed within the light guide element and is therefore not visible from the outside.Another possibility is to arrange the rod-shaped light guide laterally next to the edge area of ​​the light guide element, its shape preferably being chosen in such a way that it continues the contour of the light guide element.

[0016] Preferably, the emergency exit lighting element is designed to produce an asymmetrical light emission. The direction of the light emission is preferably adjustable, so that the illumination of the escape route can occur independently of the orientation of the light guide element of the emergency exit sign according to the invention. One possibility is to permanently attach the emergency exit lighting element to one end of the light guide, in particular to design the light guide such that the emergency exit lighting element responsible for the light emission is an integral part of the light guide. In this case, the light guide can preferably be attached to the support element of the luminaire or the light guide element in different rotational positions, so that the light guide can be positioned accordingly depending on the desired direction of light emission.Another possibility is to arrange only the escape route lighting element, which is designed in the form of a lens specifically designed for asymmetrical light emission, in different rotational positions at one end of the light guide.

[0017] In addition to the plate-shaped light guide element, the rod-shaped light guide is also preferably held on the support element of the luminaire. It is particularly preferred that the emergency exit sign luminaire according to the invention has two emergency exit lighting elements, which are then arranged on both sides – viewed longitudinally – at the edge regions of the light guide element. The direction of light emission of the two emergency exit lighting elements can preferably be adjusted independently of each other, thus enabling extremely flexible illumination of escape routes.

[0018] Overall, the present invention provides an emergency exit sign which, due to the light guidance technology used, has an extremely elegant appearance and, despite everything, offers the additional possibility of emergency exit lighting.

[0019] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows: Figure 1 a perspective view of an emergency exit sign according to the invention; Figure 2 a representation of a rod-like light guide element with an emergency exit lighting element arranged in the end region; Figure 3 an enlarged representation of the emergency exit lighting element; Figure 4 a view of a known emergency exit sign with additional emergency exit lighting elements.

[0020] The present invention therefore proposes a solution which makes it possible to realize the emergency exit sign in the form of a so-called disc light with a flat light guiding element, and additionally also to provide illumination of an escape route on the underside of the light.

[0021] An embodiment of a lamp according to the invention is shown in Figure 1 depicted.

[0022] As is typical for emergency exit signs of this type, the luminaire 50 according to the invention also has an elongated housing 40 on its upper side, which is designed, for example, for mounting on a ceiling and serves to house the light source and the electronic components for operating the light source. These electronic components can, in particular, be a corresponding driver or converter that transforms the supplied voltage into a suitable voltage for operating the light source. Furthermore, components for emergency power supply, such as batteries or accumulators, can also be arranged within this housing 40, which ensure reliable illumination of an escape route even in an emergency.

[0023] The light sources 45 responsible for indicating the escape route are preferably designed in the form of an elongated LED light source 45. In particular, this can be formed by an elongated LED circuit board which extends in the longitudinal direction L of the housing and whose LEDs 46 emit light towards the underside.

[0024] The housing 40 serves not only to house the components responsible for light generation, but also to hold the light guide element 30, which is responsible for the actual light emission. Accordingly, the housing 40 is open at the bottom or at least has an opening into which the upper end of the light guide element 30 can be inserted, with suitable measures then ensuring reliable retention of the light guide element on the housing 40. These measures may include appropriate clamping and / or locking devices that guarantee a permanent and reliable attachment of the light guide element 30 to the luminaire housing 40.

[0025] The plate-shaped light-guiding element 30, when attached to the housing 40, has its upper narrow side 31 facing the light sources 45 in such a way that the light emitted by the light sources 45 is coupled into the light-guiding element 30 via this narrow side 31. The narrow side 31 thus forms a light coupling area for the light-guiding element 30, which is then designed in a known manner such that, by means of multiple reflections, the light is distributed as homogeneously as possible over the entire surface of the light-guiding element 30 and emitted in a planar fashion. The light is emitted via at least one flat side oriented perpendicular to the light coupling side 31; in the illustrated embodiment, this is the front side 32 of the light-guiding element 30, which also includes the pictogram 5 indicating the direction of the escape route.This pictogram 5 can either be a suitable, direct component of the light-guiding element 30 or be formed by a separate disc- or film-like element, which is then homogeneously illuminated through the light-guiding element 30. As already mentioned, the planar light emission to indicate the direction of the escape route can occur via one or both flat sides of the light-guiding element 30.

[0026] The properties of the emergency exit sign 50 described so far are also known from existing emergency exit signs based on planar light guides. The novelty lies in the additional provision of illumination of the escape route. However, the components provided for this purpose, in particular those responsible for emitting light to illuminate the escape route, are not located on the housing 40, but instead at the lower end of the light guide element 30 and thus of the luminaire 50.

[0027] Specifically, it is provided that an emergency exit lighting element 10 is positioned at each end of the underside 33 of the light guide element 30 – viewed in the longitudinal direction L – through which light is emitted for emergency exit lighting. In this position, the light used for emergency exit lighting can be emitted unimpeded, and the light emission is not blocked or shaded by the plate-shaped light guide element 30 itself. Accordingly, in this case, extremely efficient and variable illumination of an emergency exit is possible.

[0028] The light sources required for illuminating the escape route 48 - shown only in Figure 2These LEDs are arranged within the device housing 40. Specifically, they can be positioned at the front and rear ends of the first light sources 45 for emergency exit sign illumination, viewed in the longitudinal direction L. One possibility, for example, would be to also position these second light sources 48 on the LED board for the first light sources 45, so that all LEDs of the luminaire 50 are arranged on a common board. The use of individual LEDs for emergency exit lighting would also be conceivable, whereby in any case it is possible to operate the first and second light sources 45 or 48 independently of each other. As described at the beginning, it should be possible, in particular, to operate the first light sources 45 continuously, while the activation of the second light sources 48 only occurs in an emergency in which an emergency exit actually needs to be illuminated.

[0029] The light emitted by these second light sources 48 must then be directed in a suitable manner to the escape route lighting elements 10, whereby, according to the invention, this is done in each case by means of a rod-shaped light guide 20. As shown by Figure 1 As can be seen, the rod-shaped light guides 20 are arranged on opposite edge regions 34, 35 of the plate-shaped light guide element 30 and extend from the upper end, i.e., from the housing 40, to the lower end of the light guide element 30, where the two escape route lighting elements 10 are located. The upper end of each light guide is directed towards the corresponding second light source 48, so that the corresponding light is coupled into the light guide rod 20 and transmitted to the escape route lighting elements 10 by means of total internal reflection.

[0030] In a first conceivable embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped light guides 20 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the light guide element 30, so that the two light guides 20 merely extend the light guide element 30 slightly at their two end regions. The appearance of the light guide element 30, and thus of the luminaire 50 as a whole, is only minimally affected, so that the elegant and graceful appearance of the luminaire 50 is maintained. In the case of a light guide element 30 with a constant thickness, the rod-shaped light guides could therefore be used – as in Figure 2 as shown - can be realized in a simple way in the form of corresponding rods with a square cross-section, wherein the thickness of these light guide rods corresponds to the thickness of the light guide element 30. This applies in particular to the case that the two rod-shaped light guides - as in Figure 1shown - arranged laterally next to the edge areas of the light guiding element 30.

[0031] Alternatively, the light guide element 30 can also be designed to provide defined support for the rod-shaped light guides 20 at its edges. For this purpose, corresponding recesses can be formed in the edges of the light guide element 30, in which the light guides 20 are each precisely held. One possibility would be to form a corresponding channel or groove in the edge of the light guide element 30, into which the associated light guide 20 is partially inserted. Alternatively, bores or channels extending through the edge of the light guide element could be used, which would completely enclose the rod-shaped light guide 20 within the light guide element 30.This represents a particularly elegant way of implementing the solution according to the invention, since in this case the additional rod-shaped light guides 20 are practically invisible from the outside. On the other hand, this last variant is again associated with increased manufacturing effort.

[0032] Regardless of the type of storage of the rod-shaped light guides 20 in the edge area of ​​the light guide element 30, it is provided that the direction of the light emission for the emergency lighting can be changed in order to be able to make a corresponding adjustment depending on the orientation of the luminaire 50 and the direction of the escape route.

[0033] For this to work, it is first necessary that the light output for the escape route lighting is not uniform in all directions, but instead directed in a preferred direction. This is achieved through the special design of the escape route lighting elements 10, which results in an asymmetrical light output in a preferred direction.

[0034] One possibility for implementing such an escape route lighting element 10 is in Figure 3The diagram shows that the light emission area 12, responsible for light output, is designed in a Fresnel-like manner. The light rays striking the flanks 13 of the area 12, schematically represented by arrows, are deflected due to total internal reflection in such a way that the light is preferentially emitted in a specific direction – to the right in the diagram. Depending on the orientation of the Fresnel-like structure 12, the light output for the escape route lighting can therefore be adjusted in a desired direction.

[0035] One way to adjust the direction of light emission, as indicated in the figures, is to change the rotational position of the rod-shaped light guide 20. In this case, the lens-like emergency exit lighting element 10 with the Fresnel structure 12 is an integral part of the light guide 20 and is formed on its underside. The entire light guide 20 is then rotated and positioned on the light guide element 30 according to the desired light emission. Preferably, the housing 40 or the edge-side receptacle on the light guide element 30 is designed such that the light guide rod 20 can be arranged in several defined preferred rotational positions, for example, in four rotational positions each rotated by 90°. Stepless alignment of the light guide 20, and thus of the emergency exit lighting element 10, would also be conceivable.

[0036] To adjust the direction of the emergency exit lighting, the procedure is as follows: First, the person responsible for installing the luminaire inserts the light guide rod(s) 20 into the corresponding receptacle(s) in the edge area of ​​the light guide element 30 in the desired orientation. The pictogram disc, i.e., the light guide element 30 with the light guides 20, is then inserted into the device housing 40 and secured there by appropriate means. In this case, the light guide rod is fixed in the desired orientation, and further adjustment of the light emission direction after installation of the luminaire 50 is no longer possible, or is only possible by first removing the light guide element 30 with the light guides 20 from the housing 40.

[0037] Alternatively, the light guide 20 could be arranged in a fixed orientation on the light guide element 30 and the housing 40, with only the ERI lens 10, designed as a separate component, being rotated relative to the light guide 20 or positioned in different orientations at its lower end. This arrangement also allows for variable adjustment of the light direction for the escape route lighting.

[0038] Overall, this creates a luminaire that enables both the indication of an escape route direction and the illumination of the escape route itself, while distinguished by its particularly elegant appearance. It should be noted that, due to the fact that the light emission from the escape route lighting elements is now completely unobstructed, it would also be possible, in principle, to use only a single escape route lighting element with an associated light guide rod. However, as shown in the figures, it is preferred that escape route lighting elements with associated light guides are arranged at both edges of the light guide element.

Claims

1. Emergency exit sign luminaire (50) comprising: - first light sources (45) extending along a longitudinal direction (L) and preferably comprising an elongated LED board (46), - a support element (40) for holding the first light sources (45), - a plate-like light guide element (30) which is connected to the support element (40), wherein the light guide element (30) has a light coupling region formed at one narrow side (31) of the light guide element (30), which is directed towards the first light sources (45), wherein the light guide element (30) is configured to emit, via at least one flat side (32) arranged substantially perpendicular to the narrow side (31) of the light guide element (30) having the light coupling region, the light emitted by the first light sources (45) and introduced via the light coupling region, and wherein an escape route symbol (5) is arranged on the flat side (32) provided for light emission, - second light sources (48) which are arranged on the support element (40), and - at least one escape route illumination element (10) for emitting the light produced by the second light sources (48) for escape route illumination, characterized in that the escape route illumination element (10) is arranged in the region of an end face (33) of the light guide element (30) which is opposite to the narrow side (31) of the light guide element (30) having the light coupling region, and in that the escape route illumination element (10) is coupled to the second light sources (48) via a rod-like light guide (20).

2. Emergency exit sign luminaire according to claim 1, characterized in that the rod-like light guide (20) extends along an edge region (34, 35) of the planar light guide element (30).

3. Emergency exit sign luminaire according to claim 2, characterized in that the light guide element (30) has, in its edge region (34, 35), a receptacle for the rod-like light guide (20).

4. Emergency exit sign luminaire according to claim 3, characterized in that the receptacle is formed by a groove or recess provided in the edge region (34, 35) of the light guide element (30), in which the rod-like light guide (20) is at least partially received.

5. Emergency exit sign luminaire according to claim 3, characterized in that the receptacle is formed by an elongated bore or a channel extending in the edge region (34, 35), in which the rod-like light guide (20) is disposed.

6. Emergency exit sign luminaire according to claim 2, characterized in that the rod-like light guide (20) runs laterally alongside the edge region (34, 35) of the light guide element (30).

7. Emergency exit sign luminaire according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the escape route illumination element (10) is designed such that it produces an asymmetrical light output.

8. Emergency exit sign luminaire according to claim 7, characterized in that the escape route illumination element (10) has a Fresnel-like light exit structure (12).

9. Emergency exit sign luminaire according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the direction of the light output produced by the escape route illumination element (10) is variable.

10. Emergency exit sign luminaire according to claim 9, characterized in that the escape route illumination element (10) is fixedly arranged at one end of the light guide (20), in particular is an integral part of the light guide (20), wherein the light guide (20) can preferably be arranged on the support element (40) and / or the light guide element (30) in different rotational positions.

11. Emergency exit sign luminaire according to claim 9, characterized in that the escape route illumination element (10) can be arranged in different rotational positions on an end region of the light guide (20).

12. Emergency exit sign luminaire according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (40) forms a holder for the rod-like light guide (20).

13. Emergency exit sign luminaire according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the emergency exit sign luminaire (50) comprises two escape route illumination elements (10) which, as viewed in the longitudinal direction, are arranged at the two edge regions (34, 35) of the light guide element (30) and are each coupled to second light sources (48) via a light guide (20).

14. Emergency exit sign luminaire according to claims 9 and 13, characterized in that the direction of the light output produced by the escape route illumination elements (10) is adjustable independently of one another.