Dynamic Emergency Exit Sign with Pulsating LED Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current emergency exit signs are less effective in guiding evacuees during emergencies, as they do not allow for direction changes and can lead people into hazardous areas, and are often obscured by smoke or difficult to distinguish in crowded environments.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic emergency exit sign using a matrix of pulsating LEDs embedded on a printed circuit board, controlled by evacuation computer modeling software, which can change the direction indicated by the sign or bar an exit route, featuring a microprocessor to control LED sequences forming moving arrows or pulsating crosses to guide or stop evacuees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard illuminated fire exit signs are used, then the signs provide constant illumination and meet international codes, but the signs are less effective in guiding evacuees and can lead people into hazardous areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming static exit signs into dynamic signs that can change their indicated direction in real-time. The system uses multiple light sources (LEDs) that can be independently controlled to illuminate different directional arrows based on current evacuation conditions, allowing the sign to adapt and provide accurate guidance even when escape routes change due to hazards like fire or smoke.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing a sign system that can display multiple directional indicators simultaneously and switch between different evacuation routes. The single sign unit serves multiple functions by illuminating different arrow combinations to guide evacuees to various safe exits depending on the hazard location, making one device capable of handling multiple evacuation scenarios.
2Illumination intensity
If static pictograms are used, then the signs meet international standards, but the signs are difficult to distinguish in crowded environments and can be obscured by smoke
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing flashing or pulsating light patterns for the LED light sources. Instead of continuous static illumination, the lights flash in rhythmic patterns that attract human attention more effectively in crowded and noisy emergency environments. This periodic visual stimulus cuts through the chaos and smoke, making the exit signs more noticeable and actionable for evacuees.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes by employing multi-color LED light sources that can emit different colors (such as green for safe directions, red for hazardous areas, or yellow for caution). The ability to change colors provides intuitive visual cues about the safety status of different escape routes, helping evacuees quickly identify safe paths without having to read text or interpret complex symbols through smoke.
3Loss of time
If conventional exit signs are used, then the signs provide basic illumination, but the signs do not reduce decision time for evacuees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the directional guidance into separate, distinct arrow indicators for different directions (up, down, left, right, diagonals). Each direction is represented by separate illuminated elements that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows evacuees to quickly process directional information without being overwhelmed by a single complex indicator, reducing decision time by making the correct path immediately apparent through selective illumination of specific arrow segments.
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 dynamic signage significantly improves evacuation efficiency by providing clear, attention-grabbing guidance, reducing decision time by 44% and ensuring evacuees avoid hazardous areas, outperforming standard signage in effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one light source comprises one or more LED light sources
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a dynamic emergency exit sign comprising one or more pictograms and at least one light source for accentuating one or more of the one or more pictograms either singly or in combination, wherein at least one light source is controlled by signals from evacuation computer modelling software to assist occupants egress in emergency or other critical situations.