Concealed Exit Sign with Flush Recess Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exit signs are vulnerable to damage, vandalism, and aesthetic concerns due to their exposed nature, often requiring excessive production of various configurations and leading to potential mistakes in shipping, and they do not meet the requirements for aesthetically pleasing appearances in building decor.
Innovation Solution
A concealed light fixture sign design featuring a flange with stencil openings and a container that can be installed flush within a recess, using translucent inserts for customization and access to internal components, with an integrated light source and emergency power supply, allowing for field modification and matching wall finishes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If exit signs are mounted in exposed locations, then they are easily accessible and visible, but they become vulnerable to damage, vandalism, and aesthetic issues
Solution Approach 1:
The exit sign is nested within a wall recess, with the container positioned inside the wall structure and the flange flush with the wall surface. This nesting approach protects the sign from external damage while maintaining visibility, directly resolving the contradiction between protection and exposure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple arrow configurations are produced, then directional requirements are met, but production complexity and shipping errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sign face is segmented into modular components - the flange with stencil openings and separate translucent arrow inserts. This segmentation allows the base unit to be produced once, with arrows added or removed as needed, reducing production complexity while maintaining configurability.
Solution Approach 2:
The arrow inserts are made removable and reconfigurable, allowing the sign to dynamically adapt to different directional requirements. This dynamic configuration capability eliminates the need for producing multiple fixed configurations, reducing shipping errors and production complexity.
3Shape
If the container is installed completely within a recess, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but access to internal components becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The translucent inserts are extracted as separate, removable components from the sealed container. This extraction allows maintenance personnel to remove the inserts and access internal components through the opening created, maintaining both the aesthetic flush mounting and ease of repair.
4Ease of repair
If translucent inserts are made removable, then access to internal components is enabled, but potential for loss or misplacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stencil openings in the flange serve as an intermediary structure that receives and secures the translucent inserts. This intermediary design allows the inserts to be removed for maintenance while providing a defined home (the stencil openings) that prevents loss or misplacement when reinstalled.
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 a vandal-resistant, aesthetically pleasing, and customizable exit sign that meets code requirements, reducing production errors and maintenance costs while ensuring continuous emergency lighting during power outages.
Implementation Method 1
at least one reflective mirror having a first surface attached over a back surface of the letter-shaped structures and a reflective surface opposite the first surface to reflect light
Data Source
AI summary
A light fixture sign includes a sign message structure including letter-shaped structures. The light fixture sign includes an illumination source to generate light to be projected through a front surface of the letter-shaped structures. The light fixture sign includes at least one reflective mirror having a first surface attached over a back surface of the letter-shaped structures and a reflective surface opposite the first surface to reflect light.