Emergency lighting system

Abstract

Emergency lighting device (1) comprising a front face (3) for displaying a pictogram, a rear face, and at least one wall of thickness (5) extending between the front face and the rear face, said emergency lighting device comprising first luminous means adapted to illuminate the front face (3), said lighting device (1) being characterized in that it further comprises second luminous means installed on said at least one wall of thickness (5), said second luminous means being controlled so that the emitted light has a flashing frequency between 5 Hz and 24 Hz suitable for influencing the user's decision regarding the chosen evacuation direction. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Emergency lighting device

[0001] The invention relates to an emergency lighting device intended for the evacuation of buildings.

[0002] Emergency lighting systems are usually mandatory for all buildings open to the public or staff. These systems are installed in various locations within a building, such as at doors or in corridors used by occupants to evacuate the building during major incidents, such as a fire.

[0003] Emergency lighting devices are generally parallelepiped blocks. They comprise a front face and two longitudinal walls including a lower wall and an upper wall.

[0004] Typically, the front panel displays a static pictogram representing the silhouette of a person running through a doorway, along with a directional arrow to indicate the direction to take. Most often, the background of the front panel is green. The lighting devices also include luminous means for illuminating the front panel and the displayed static pictogram.

[0005] Lighting devices as described above play an important role in building evacuation to facilitate operations and thus evacuate users quickly.

[0006] However, several studies have demonstrated the limitations of these devices. Indeed, during an evacuation, only 38% of users detect the various static pictograms. Thus, existing emergency lighting systems do not ensure optimal evacuation of a building.

[0007] There is therefore a need for an emergency lighting device that can be detected more easily and quickly by users. But also, emergency lighting devices that sufficiently influence the user to follow the direction indicated by it.

[0008] To this end, an emergency lighting device is proposed comprising a front panel for displaying pictograms, a rear panel, and at least one wall of thickness extending between the front and rear panels. This emergency lighting device includes first luminous means adapted to illuminate the front panel. According to the invention, this lighting device further comprises second luminous means installed on said at least one wall of thickness, said second luminous means being chosen so that the emitted light has a flashing frequency between 5 Hz and 24 Hz suitable for influencing the user's decision regarding the chosen evacuation route.

[0009] Preferably the flashing frequency is 10Hz.

[0010] One advantage of the invention is therefore to offer optimal safety lighting devices that can be detected more quickly and easily by the user and thus influence the direction to take during evacuation.

[0011] According to several experiments, which will be described below, a flashing light will be detected more quickly in peripheral vision than a non-flashing light. Thus, emitting a flashing light visible to the user when they are not directly in front of the lighting device is more optimal.

[0012] In the same experiments, the value range between 2 Hz and 25 Hz is considered the most optimal for the detection of the lighting device by the user, preferably with a flashing frequency of 10 Hz.

[0013] Advantageously and without limitation, the second lighting means may include a flashing light element disposed on said wall of at least one thickness.

[0014] One advantage is to draw the user's attention to the safety device when it is not directly in front of them. Thus, the lighting device will be detected in peripheral vision thanks to the flashing element installed on at least one wall thickness.

[0015] Advantageously and without limitation, the flashing light organ can emit an angular achromatic light.

[0016] According to several experiments, which will be described below, achromatic lights are detected more efficiently by the eye than chromatic lights in peripheral vision. Thus, emitting achromatic light visible to the user when they are not directly in front of the lighting device is more optimal. Furthermore, angular lights are also detected more quickly by the user in peripheral vision.

[0017] Advantageously and without limitation, the flashing light element emits a rectangular-shaped achromatic light.

[0018] The rectangular shape is chosen because it is a shape regularly used in industry and therefore its technical realization and manufacturing cost are simple and low.

[0019] Advantageously and without limitation, the lighting device may include a digital display whose visible face is arranged against the front face.

[0020] The use of a digital display makes it possible to modify at any time the projected shape or the direction to be indicated.

[0021] Advantageously and without limitation, the digital display may include electronic paper.

[0022] One advantage of electronic paper is that it does not require energy to keep an image or text displayed. In fact, the display remains, in the absence of power, in a stable state representing the last displayed image. A power source is only necessary to change the text or image to be displayed. Thus, its use consumes very little energy.

[0023] The digital display can be controlled so as to be able to control the display of at least two different pictograms.

[0024] One advantage is the ability to modify the displayed pictogram according to the situation. For example, the display can thus change a pictogram encouraging the user to follow that direction into an aversive pictogram encouraging the user not to follow that direction.

[0025] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of example but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0026] [Fig.1] is a schematic view of an emergency lighting device as described in the main embodiment of the invention;

[0027] [Fig.2] is an experimental result showing the percentage of detection in function of the color of the target, all target shapes combined in peripheral vision;

[0028] [Fig.3] is an experimental result showing the percentage of detection (left) and reaction time (right) as a function of the shape of the target, considering all target colours in peripheral vision;

[0029] [Fig.4] is an experimental result showing the percentage of detection in function of the blinking frequency (from 1 Hz to 40 Hz);

[0030] [Fig.5] is an experimental result showing the average correct response time in depending on the blinking frequency (from 1 Hz to 40 Hz) and the type of contrast;

[0031] [Fig.6] is an experimental result showing the percentage of detection in function of the color of the target, all target shapes combined in central vision;

[0032] [Fig.7] is an experimental result showing the percentage of detection in function of the shape of the target in central vision;

[0033] [Fig.8] is a schematic view of an emergency lighting device as described in an alternative embodiment of the invention;

[0034] [Fig.9] is a schematic view of an emergency lighting device as described in an alternative embodiment of the invention; and,

[0035] [Fig. 10] is a schematic view of a situation presenting two embodiments of the invention.

[0036] Emergency lighting devices, as defined by the invention, are cylindrical or polyhedral emergency lighting units comprising at least one wall of thickness. The most common shape for an emergency lighting unit is that of a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0037] With reference to [Fig.1], in the case of a parallelepiped lighting device 1, the lighting device 1 comprises a front face 3 and a rear face.

[0038] The lighting device 1 also includes walls of thickness 5 extending between the front face 3 and the rear face. The walls of thickness include at least two lateral walls 6 and at least two longitudinal walls having an upper wall and a lower wall 7.

[0039] At least one fixing element may be included in the upper wall or the rear face allowing the lighting device to be hung in the desired location.

[0040] First, the rear face includes a fixing element allowing the lighting device 1 to be fixed to a wall in a well-known manner, for example by means of a wall fixing plate or by screwing the rear face directly into the wall.

[0041] Alternatively, the upper wall includes a fastening element for fixing or suspending the lighting device 1 from the ceiling or a door frame. This fastening element may, for example, contain suspension wires for suspending the lighting device 1 from the ceiling.

[0042] The invention is not limited to a particular fixing element, whether or not included in the lighting device 1. Indeed, fixing kits can be offered separately so that the user can fix the lighting device 1 in the desired location and in the desired manner.

[0043] The lighting device 1 includes a pictogram display element 11 whose visible face is arranged against the front face.

[0044] The pictogram display element 11 thus comprises a sheet whose visible face contains a pictogram and a directional sign. Said sheet is covered by a transparent cover forming the front face or covering a transparent cover forming the front face.

[0045] The displayed pictogram represents a silhouette of a person running through a door. The silhouette is green while the door is white.

[0046] The pictogram display unit 11 also displays a white directional sign to guide users in an evacuation direction. The pictogram display unit 11 also has a green background.

[0047] The choice of using a colored background is based on experimental results presented in detail later in the description. The choice of green is also related to user habits.

[0048] The color green is often used to indicate to the user that they may proceed through a passage, such as at traffic lights. A green light indicates that the user may enter. Thus, the use of the color green is easily perceived as a color representing authorization.

[0049] Similarly, in the invention, the pictogram shown is not modified compared to the prior art, being standardized and well known to the user who will therefore follow the direction specified.

[0050] The lighting device 1 includes first luminous means for illuminating the front face 3 and consequently the pictogram display element 11. These first luminous means thus allow the user's eye to be drawn to the lighting device 1.

[0051] In a first embodiment, the first lighting means may include an LED or OLED lighting arranged in the body of the lighting device 1 between the front face 3 and the rear face.

[0052] Alternatively, the first lighting means may also include lighting arranged at the ends of the front face 3. The light from the lighting being emitted in the direction of the front face 3.

[0053] The activation of these first lighting means presented above can be controlled in several ways.

[0054] The first lighting means can be activated when an alarm is triggered, which is connected to the lighting device by wired communication means.

[0055] According to another alternative, the first lighting means are controlled remotely, for example by a remote computer installed in a control center or by a remote control.

[0056] By way of example, the activation information may in this case be sent via Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, or any other radio frequency signal to a remote transmitter. The lighting device 1 then includes a radio frequency receiver adapted to capture the activation signals and to control the activation of the first lighting elements.

[0057] The lighting device 1 also includes second lighting means chosen to influence the user's decision on the direction of evacuation, whether the lighting device is located in the user's peripheral or central vision.

[0058] The different combinations of the second luminous means presented below were chosen based on empirical experimental results allowing understanding how users' visual perception works, particularly the elements they pick up during an evacuation situation.

[0059] The experiments were conducted on participants (27 participants including 23 women and 4 men with an average age of 21.7 years) who had to touch, on a calibrated screen with a mouse cursor (mouse tracking technique), as quickly as possible, a target with the characteristics to be tested displayed randomly in a complex visual scene representing realistic environments, for example shopping centers.

[0060] Mouse tracking, also called mouse tracking, thus makes it possible to measure the uncertainty in the decision, the number of correct decisions, as well as the reaction time taken by the participant to detect the target or the speed of movement of the mouse towards the target.

[0061] Experiments have shown that depending on whether the device is detected in central vision when the participant is looking at the device head-on or in peripheral vision when the participant is not looking at the device head-on, the user does not detect the same elements as quickly. Therefore, there are shape / color combinations that maximize target detectability performance depending on the viewing angle.

[0062] In a first embodiment, with reference to [Fig. 1], the second light means may correspond to at least one flashing light element 15 or at least one peripheral light element 15 located on one of the two side walls 5, the second light means will therefore be visible and detected by the user in peripheral vision.

[0063] The flashing light element 15 and the peripheral light element 15 emit achromatic light. Achromatic light is understood to mean white lights and black or grey visual signals (of varying shades).

[0064] Indeed, with reference to [Fig.2], showing the percentage of detection as a function of the colour of the target, all target shapes combined in peripheral vision, achromatic light is the best detected with a percentage of 26%.

[0065] Preferably, the achromatic light diffused by the flashing light element 15 and the peripheral light element 15 is white light. Indeed, in peripheral vision, the human retina more easily detects white light. Preferably, the flashing or peripheral light element 15 is mounted on a background having a color that contrasts with the white achromatic light.

[0066] In addition, the flashing light element 15 and the peripheral light element 15 are chosen so as to have an angular shape and consequently they diffuse light of the same shape.

[0067] Indeed, with reference to [Fig.3], showing the percentage of detection (left) and the reaction time (right) as a function of the shape of the target, all target colours combined in peripheral vision, angular shapes are the most easily and quickly detected, with the triangular shape being the best detected with a percentage of 23% and a reaction time of 1.32 seconds and the rectilinear shape being detected with a percentage of 22% and a reaction time of 1.33 seconds.

[0068] Preferably, the shape of the flashing light element 15 and the peripheral light element 15 is rectangular, with a narrow width. Although, according to [Fig. 3], the triangular shape is the most efficient, it is not chosen because, being an unusual shape, its technical implementation and manufacturing cost are more complicated and higher than a rectangular shape.

[0069] The light emitted by the flashing light element 15 also exhibits a flashing frequency ranging from 5 Hz to 24 Hz. Indeed, with reference to [Fig. 4], showing the detection percentage as a function of the flashing frequency (from 1 Hz to 40 Hz), the frequency range of 5 Hz to 24 Hz is the most accurately detected, with a percentage of 98%. Furthermore, with reference to [Fig. 5], showing the average correct response time as a function of the flashing frequency (from 1 Hz to 40 Hz), the frequency range of 5 Hz to 24 Hz is the most accurately detected. The flashing also helps to attract the user's attention, since the flashing will be more easily perceived by the user compared to a light with static illumination.

[0070] Preferably, the flashing light element 15 flashes at a frequency of 10 Hz, this frequency being the one that best attracts the user's attention and is the most optimal for a user. Indeed, [Fig. 5] shows the reaction times between two luminances of the device with high contrast, i.e., a white light flashing against a black background, or medium contrast, i.e., a white light flashing against a gray background. It can be seen in this figure that the targets were detected more quickly at 30 Hz and 40 Hz when the contrast was high (1.70 ± 0.18 s and 1.71 ± 0.20 s) than medium (2.00 ± 0.19 s and 2.07 ± 0.15 s). Conversely, targets were detected more quickly at 24 Hz, 20 Hz, 5 Hz and 1 Hz, when the contrast was medium rather than high. However, the 10 Hz blink rate did not interact significantly with the target contrast factor (medium contrast: 1.39 ± 0.16s; high contrast: 1.39 ± 0.16s). Therefore, the 10 Hz frequency was identified as the most effective, with a lower average correct response time than other frequencies, regardless of the contrast used.

[0071] The flashing light element 15 is installed, with reference to [Fig. 1], in a rib 16 at the level of the side wall 6 to direct the light in a single direction. Therefore, if a user is looking at the lighting device 1 from the front, the light emitted by the flashing light element 15 is barely visible. Conversely, if the user is positioned to the side of the lighting device, then the light emitted by the flashing light element will be perfectly visible.

[0072] The installation of the flashing light element 15 at the level of the side wall 6 is not limited to installation in a rib, other arrangements can also be used.

[0073] In a second embodiment of the invention, the indicator light means comprises at least one light element generating, at the location most visible to the user in central vision, a signal light 17 located on one of the longitudinal walls. Preferably, it is installed on the lower wall 7 so that the emitted light is generated on the ground; however, it may also generate light on the device.

[0074] This luminous emitting organ 17 is chosen to diffuse chromatic light, i.e., colored light.

[0075] Indeed, with reference to [Fig. 6], which shows the detection percentage as a function of target color for all target shapes combined in central vision, chromatic light is detected best, with detection percentages exceeding 88%, while achromatic light has a detection percentage of 75%. More specifically, yellow and green are detected best, with detection percentages of 91% and 90%, respectively.

[0076] Furthermore, the average reaction times to colors are shorter for red and green color targets with a time of 1.35 seconds than for yellow and blue color targets with a time of 1.36 seconds.

[0077] Therefore, the chromatic light used preferably has a wavelength between 492 nm and 577 nm, corresponding to the emission of green light, as this color is the most easily detected and is often associated with authorization, more specifically, permission to proceed or enter a passage. The chromatic light used may also have a wavelength between 622 nm and 780 nm, corresponding to the emission of red light. Although yellow is the most easily detected color, red is the preferred choice because it is usually associated with prohibition, particularly with safety signs.

[0078] The emitting light element 17 is also chosen to generate a circular light on the ground. Indeed, in frontal vision, humans detect more quickly and are influenced by a curvilinear shape rather than a polygon as shown in [Fig. 7], which shows the percentage of detection as a function of the shape of the target in central vision, the circular shape is the best detected since the detection percentage is 88% and higher than the other shapes.

[0079] Alternatively, the light-emitting organ 17 can also diffuse a shape inside the circle.

[0080] By way of example, an arrow shape can be generated on the ground within the circle, oriented in an evacuation direction corresponding to the direction displayed by the illuminated pictogram display 11, in order to remind and indicate the direction to take. This arrow thus serves as a reminder of the directional sign present on the pictogram display 11. Emphasizing a direction influences the user so that they are encouraged to follow it rather than heading towards another path.

[0081] According to an alternative embodiment, with reference to [Fig.8], the lighting device 1' is a modification of the lighting device 1. The device is modified and chosen so as to discourage the user from taking the indicated direction.

[0082] In this alternative embodiment, the luminous pictogram display member 11' has a digital display using electronic paper technology, also known as "e-paper".

[0083] Electronic paper technology is a display technique on a flexible medium. This technique does not require energy to keep an image or text displayed. In fact, in the absence of power, the display remains in a stable state representing the last displayed image. A power source is only necessary to change the text or image to be displayed.

[0084] The digital display is not limited to electronic paper; other displays such as tablets or electronic or OLED screens can be used.

[0085] Electronic paper technology is used to be able to change pictogram and background according to the situation and the evacuation plan to be applied.

[0086] Thus, this makes it possible to go from the pictogram with the background described above to a pictogram and a background that can discourage the user from taking the path, for example.

[0087] The pictogram can then display an elongated silhouette with flames next to it. The user will therefore quickly understand that the path is dangerous.

[0088] The background color is also changed; it can, for example, become red. Indeed, the color red is often used to indicate a prohibition or danger, such as on road signs or traffic lights. Consequently, the user quickly associates the color red with a prohibition.

[0089] The luminous pictogram display 11' also has a luminous element enabling it to be illuminated and lit.

[0090] In the case where the luminous pictogram display 11' has a backlit digital display, the luminous element enabling the illumination of the pictogram display is not installed.

[0091] In this alternative embodiment, the flashing light element 15' on the side wall 6' is off.

[0092] Thus, no light is diffused by the side walls 6', so the user looking at the lighting device 1' on the sides is not attracted in that direction.

[0093] Similarly, the light element 17' of the lower wall 7' is chosen so that it diffuses a red colour light onto the ground since the colour red is generally associated with a prohibition for the user.

[0094] Alternatively, the light organ 17' can also diffuse a shape inside the circle.

[0095] A cross can be generated on the ground, which serves to deter the user from taking that direction. The cross is also perceived as a prohibition.

[0096] The lighting device 1 and 1' is not limited to the embodiments shown above. The lighting device 1 and 1' may also include a combination of the different embodiments shown above.

[0097] The lighting device may also include a digital display as well as the two luminous indication means shown.

[0098] According to an alternative embodiment, with reference to [Fig.9], the lighting device 1” has a cylindrical shape comprising a front face 3” and a wall of thickness 5”.

[0099] The lighting device 1” may include the different embodiments described above with the sole difference that it is cylindrical in shape.

[0100] Thus, the 5” thick wall includes a 15” flashing light element as described above. This 15” flashing light element is positioned so as to be seen in the peripheral vision of a user at a distance from the device.

[0101] The 5” thick wall also includes a 17” emitting light element as previously described. This 17” emitting light element is positioned so as to be seen centrally by a user located facing the lighting device 1”.

[0102] In an alternative embodiment, the second lighting means are activated and controlled by control means such that the emitted light has a color, a flashing frequency, and / or a generated shape at the location most visible to the user that is suitable for influencing the user in the direction of evacuation. By influencing, it is understood that the user will be attracted in the indicated direction rather than in another direction by means of the various lighting means included in the lighting device 1.

[0103] The control means include means similar to those described above as remote control means by “Wi-Fi ®” or “Bluetooth ®”.

[0104] Thus the changes to be made can be controlled remotely in a control room.

[0105] However, the commands can also be managed automatically by a computer program, which can, in particular, trigger pre-recorded evacuation scenarios or implement an artificial intelligence module adapted to make a decision based on data collected by various measurement points placed in the building. For example, smoke detectors to identify where the fire is located in the building and thus adapt the evacuation plan.

[0106] Fig. 10 illustrates a lighting device in situ presenting a combination of the different embodiments presented above.

[0107] With reference to this figure, the left-hand lighting device 1"' includes an 11"' pictogram display which displays a pictogram of a silhouette running through a door on a green background and an arrow indicating the direction to take.

[0108] The left lighting device 1” also includes another light element 17”’ which projects onto the ground a chromatic light having a wavelength between 492 nm and 577 nm and corresponding to the emission of a green color in the shape of a circle with an arrow presenting the same direction as the display of pictogram 11”.

[0109] Thus the left-hand user located in front of the left-hand lighting device 1" will detect it more quickly and follow the indicated direction.

[0110] In addition, the left lighting device 1” also includes a flashing light element 15” emitting a white flashing light at one of the side walls of the left lighting device 1”.

[0111] This achromatic flashing light will allow the attention of the user on the right to be captured so that he moves towards the lighting device on the left 11'" and follows the direction indicated by it.

[0112] Finally, the right-hand lighting device 11” had its pictogram changed as well as the background colour which then became red.

[0113] The light generated on the ground also changed color to become red with a wavelength of the emitted light between 622 nm and 780 nm, indicating to the user on the right located in front of this right-hand lighting device 11"' that they should not follow this direction.

[0114] To also avoid attracting the attention of the user on the left, the flashing light 15"' is then switched off so as not to emit achromatic flashing light.

[0115] This figure therefore illustrates the fact that, depending on the emergency situation and the path to be taken, the lighting devices are modified to indicate or prohibit a direction to users during evacuation.

[0116] The control means include means similar to those described above as remote control means.

[0117] Thus the changes to be made can be ordered by man in a control room but also by a computer program or artificial intelligence which will make a decision according to the data collected by different measurement points placed in the building and / or according to a pre-recorded evacuation scenario.

Claims

Demands

1. A safety lighting device (1, 1', 1”, 1'”) comprising a front face (3, 3', 3”) for displaying a pictogram, a rear face, and at least one wall of thickness (5, 5', 5”) extending between the front face and the rear face, said safety lighting device comprising first luminous means adapted to illuminate the front face (3, 3', 3”), said lighting device (1, 1', 1”, 1'”) being characterized in that it further comprises second luminous means installed on said at least one wall of thickness (5, 5', 5”), said second luminous means being selected such that the emitted light has a flashing frequency between 5 Hz and 24 Hz suitable for influencing the user's decision regarding the chosen evacuation direction, and in that the second luminous means comprise a peripheral flashing luminous element (15, 15', 15”, 15”) disposed on said wall. minus a wall of thickness (5, 5',5”) so that the second luminous means are visible and detected by the user in peripheral vision, and in that the flashing luminous element (15, 15', 15”, 15'”) emits an angular achromatic light, and in that the at least one wall of thickness (5, 5', 5”) comprises at least two lateral walls (6) and at least two longitudinal walls having an upper wall and a lower wall (7), the flashing luminous element (15, 15', 15”, 15”') being installed at the level of one of the two lateral walls (6), and the flashing luminous element (15, 15', 15”, 15’”) emitting a flashing light at the level of said one of the two lateral walls (6).

2. Lighting device (1, 1', 1”,1'”) according to claim 1, characterized in that the flashing light element (15, 15', 15”, 15”') emits a rectangular-shaped achromatic light.

3. Lighting device (1, 1', 1”,1'”) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the flashing light element (15, 15', 15”, 15'”) is installed on a background having a color of contrast with the achromatic white light.

4. Lighting device (1', 1”,1'”) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lighting device (1', 1”,1”') comprises a digital display whose visible face is disposed against the front face (3').

5. Lighting device (1', 1”,1'”) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the digital display comprises electronic paper.

6. Lighting device (1', 1”,1'”) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the digital display is controlled so as to be able to control the display of at least two different pictograms.

7. Lighting device (1', 1”,1'”) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second lighting means comprise a second lighting element located on one of the longitudinal walls, the second lighting element generating a colored light.

8. Lighting device (1', 1”,1'”) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the flashing frequency is 10Hz.

9. Lighting device (1', 1”,1'”) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first lighting means comprise lighting arranged at the extremities of the front face (3).

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