Chasing Light Rhythm for Aircraft Evacuation Guidance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current evacuation systems in aircraft lack directional guidance for evacuees, particularly in low-light conditions, leading to hesitation and reduced evacuation flow rates due to uncertainty about the slide direction.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a chasing or running light rhythm along evacuation slides, using sequentially blinking LEDs that create the illusion of lights moving down the slide, providing visual cues for direction and increasing confidence in using the evacuation system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If simple illumination lights are used for evacuation systems, then the lighting system is simple and cost-effective, but evacuees cannot understand the direction of descent clearly, leading to hesitation and reduced evacuation flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using sequentially blinking LEDs that activate in a predetermined sequence along the evacuation slide. This creates a dynamic chasing light effect that periodically illuminates different positions, clearly indicating the direction of descent to evacuees while maintaining relative system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system transitions from static illumination to dynamic chasing lights that move sequentially along the slide. This dynamic behavior provides clear directional guidance to evacuees, showing them the path of descent without significantly increasing system complexity
2Loss of information
If static illumination lights are provided, then the lighting system is simple to implement, but it fails to provide directional advice or direction to evacuees, especially during low-light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple individual LED units positioned at different locations along the evacuation slide. Each LED can be controlled independently to create the chasing effect, allowing directional information to be conveyed through sequential activation of these segmented light elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control system as an intermediary that manages the sequential activation of LEDs. This intermediary component coordinates the blinking pattern to create the chasing light effect, providing clear directional information without requiring complex individual LED control circuits
3Ease of operation
If traditional lighting systems are used, then the system is reliable and simple, but it does not provide any benefit during daylight conditions or low-light conditions, failing to reduce evacuee hesitation
Solution Approach 1:
The sequential blinking pattern creates a visually striking chasing effect that is effective in various lighting conditions including daylight and low-light environments. This periodic activation pattern captures evacuee attention and provides clear directional guidance, increasing their confidence to use the evacuation system
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system uses visible light emissions that create a dynamic visual effect through sequential activation. The changing illumination pattern across different positions of the slide provides clear directional information that enhances evacuee confidence regardless of ambient lighting conditions
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 directional lighting system enhances evacuation flow rates by reducing hesitation and increasing evacuees' willingness to approach and use the slide, improving evacuation efficiency in both day and night conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating a chasing or running light rhythm along evacuation slides, using sequentially blinking LEDs that create the illusion of lights moving down the slide
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system for use with evacuation systems for aircraft during emergency situations. The lighting system has a chasing or running light rhythm that provides the image of lights moving down the system to help provide clarity to the evacuees about the direction of descent.