Breathing Apparatus Lighting Modules for Visibility and Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting systems on breathing apparatuses are not visible or conspicuous enough in certain scenarios, such as thick smoke, and do not provide sufficient information about the wearer's status, especially when not in direct line of sight.
Innovation Solution
The breathing apparatus features a wearable backplate with first and second lighting modules, including vertical and horizontal lighting arrays, controlled by a controller to display distinct lighting patterns based on the apparatus' and user's status, using differently colored lighting elements and light directing means to enhance visibility and status indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If current lighting solutions are used on breathing apparatus, then the device structure remains simple, but the lighting is not visible or sufficiently conspicuous in certain scenarios such as thick smoke or when the wearer is not in direct line of sight
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple independent lighting modules positioned at different locations on the backplate (upper, lower, lateral sides). Each module can be controlled independently to provide illumination in different directions and scenarios, enhancing overall visibility without requiring a single complex lighting source
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vertical lighting arrays that project light in the vertical dimension in addition to horizontal illumination. This multi-dimensional lighting approach ensures visibility from various angles and distances, particularly when the wearer is not in direct line of sight, without significantly increasing system complexity
2Loss of information
If current lighting solutions are used on breathing apparatus, then the system structure remains simple, but the lighting does not provide sufficient information regarding the wearer's status
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting modules incorporate multiple LEDs capable of emitting different colors (e.g., green, yellow, red). Different colors encode different wearer status information (normal, warning, critical conditions), allowing rich information transmission without requiring complex communication equipment or increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses different lighting patterns (continuous, blinking, alternating sequences) to convey different status information. This temporal variation in lighting behavior provides additional information channels beyond color alone, enabling comprehensive status indication while maintaining relatively simple control logic
3Illumination intensity
If lighting modules are added to the backplate, then visibility and status indication are improved, but battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system operates in discrete modes (off, single LED illumination, multiple LED illumination) rather than continuous full-power operation. The controller activates lighting only when status information needs to be communicated, and uses intermittent or selective illumination to reduce overall power consumption while maintaining visibility when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides full lighting capability only when necessary for status indication, rather than continuous operation. The controller selectively activates specific lighting modules and LEDs based on the current situation and information transmission needs, consuming minimal power during normal operation while providing sufficient illumination when required
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides clear and conspicuous lighting that is visible from various angles, even when the wearer is not in direct line of sight, and reduces battery power consumption by only illuminating when necessary, allowing for efficient status indication without excessive weight or power usage.
Implementation Method 1
The lighting modules comprise a vertical lighting array configured to project light longitudinally towards the upper end of the backplate and/or a horizontal lighting array configured to project light perpendicularly to the backplate
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are breathing apparatus comprising lighting systems. Lighting modules are provided to illuminate in vertical and horizontal directions and to illuminate in a first lighting pattern if the determined status condition is a normal status condition and in a second lighting pattern if the determined status condition is an alert status condition.