Curved OLED Alarm Light for Xenon-Like Flashing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flashing alarm lights, particularly those using LEDs, struggle to achieve the same optical perception as xenon flashes while requiring excessive electrical power and high-intensity LEDs, which are costly and complex to control, and often result in glare and compliance issues with laser protection standards.
Innovation Solution
A flat, luminous thin-film component made of organic semiconducting materials with a curved surface, such as a sphere or ellipsoid, that enhances lateral radiation without the need for additional optics, allowing for uniform luminance and reduced power consumption, and can be designed to meet specific radiation standards like UL 1971 v3 or EN 54-23.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high-power LEDs are used to achieve the same optical perception as xenon flashes, then the light intensity is sufficient, but the electrical power consumption increases significantly to 100 W or more
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a curved luminous surface (spherical or ellipsoidal) to the OLED component. This curvature redirects light laterally without requiring additional optics, achieving improved optical directional effect and reduced glare while maintaining sufficient light intensity at lower power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the OLED by curving its luminous surface and optimizing its area (10-200 cm²). This parameter modification enables the OLED to achieve xenon-like optical perception with significantly reduced electrical power requirements compared to high-power LED solutions
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple LEDs are arranged in series or array to reduce the cost of high-power LEDs, then the total optically active surface area increases to 1-5 cm², but the device complexity and required optics increase
Solution Approach 1:
The curved surface of the OLED inherently performs the optical redirection function that would otherwise require separate lenses or mirrors. This eliminates additional optical components and simplifies the overall device structure while achieving the same light distribution effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the light emission function and the optical direction control function into a single curved OLED component. The curvature itself serves as the optical element, merging what would traditionally be separate components (light source + optics) into one integrated element
3Illumination intensity
If high-power LEDs are used to achieve sufficient light intensity, then the optical quality matches xenon flashes, but glare increases and compliance with laser protection standards becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The curved luminous surface distributes light in a controlled pattern that redirects it laterally. This curvature geometry naturally reduces glare by spreading the light over a wider angular range and avoiding concentrated beams, while still achieving sufficient intensity for alarm perception
4Use of energy by moving object
If the pulse duration of LED flash is extended to 100 ms to meet standardized range, then the electrical power requirement is reduced, but the flash becomes considerably less noticeable compared to xenon flash
Solution Approach 1:
The curved surface optimizes light distribution in lateral directions, enhancing the visibility of the flash without requiring excessive power. This geometric optimization allows the OLED to achieve noticeable flash effect at moderate pulse durations and power levels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the area parameter of the OLED to 10-200 cm², which provides sufficient total light output. Combined with the curved geometry, this area optimization enables effective visual alarm signaling with reduced power consumption compared to point-source LEDs
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 improved optical directional effect, reduced glare, lower power consumption, and compliance with safety standards, enabling efficient and cost-effective visual alarms with reduced complexity in design and installation.
Implementation Method 1
The flashing light source is a thin-film, area-emitting component made of organic semiconducting materials (OLED)... Transform electrical energy to optical energy
Implementation Method 2
A flat, luminous thin-film component made of organic semiconducting materials with a curved surface, such as a sphere or ellipsoid, that enhances lateral radiation without the need for additional optics
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~9
Figure 10~12
AI summary
The invention relates to a flashing alarm light (1) for an alarm system (10), said flashing alarm light comprising: a flashing light source (2) for an optical warning in the event of a hazard; an energy store (3) for storing electrical energy (E); a switching element (4); and a control unit (5) for releasing the stored electrical energy via the switching element to the flashing light source. The flashing alarm light further comprises a housing (9) which has a fastening surface (BF) on the housing side for direct wall or ceiling mounting or for fastening to a base (SO) for indirect wall or ceiling mounting. According to the invention, the flashing light source is a thin film component consisting of organic semiconducting materials and producing planar illumination (OLED). In particular, the thin film component is attached to the housing. The thin film component has an inner surface (IF) facing the housing and a lighting surface (LF) that is directed away from the housing and outwardly arched. The lighting surface comprises e.g. a portion of the surface of a sphere, cylinder or ellipsoid. By means of appropriate shaping of the curvature, it is possible to adapt the radiation characteristics of the thin film component producing planar illumination to the European Standard EN 54-23 or the North American Standard UL 1971 v3.