Embedded Optical Element for Flush Emergency Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current emergency lighting systems face challenges in meeting regulatory requirements for lateral illumination, are costly to install and maintain, and often protrude, leading to mechanical stress and dust deposition issues, while also risking inadequate illumination of escape routes and excessive glare.
Innovation Solution
A compact safety device with an embedded optical element that uses a pair of LEDs, where one emits primarily frontally and the other laterally, with a recessed, non-protruding design that guides light through refractive index differences and reflective surfaces to achieve compliant illumination without protrusions, reducing maintenance and installation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If diffusing or refractive optical systems protrude from the luminaire to meet lateral illumination requirements, then regulatory lighting requirements are satisfied, but the device becomes susceptible to mechanical stress, breakage, and dust deposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical element with the luminaire body by embedding it flush with the front surface, eliminating protrusions while maintaining lateral illumination functionality through integrated optical design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent redirects light propagation from lateral emission through protruding elements to forward emission through the embedded optical element, utilizing the front surface dimension to achieve lateral illumination indirectly
2Reliability
If the luminaire is installed at higher positions to avoid protection grilles, then mechanical protection is improved, but illumination distance along escape routes is reduced and uniformity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination function into multiple directional components using separate LED sources and optical paths, enabling one LED to provide frontal illumination while another provides lateral illumination, thus maintaining effective escape route lighting at optimal installation heights
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different illumination characteristics to different spatial zones by using specific LED orientations and optical element configurations to direct light appropriately along escape routes while maintaining lateral coverage
3Illumination intensity
If excessive undifferentiated lighting is used to ensure adequate illumination, then minimum illumination requirements are met, but glare requirements are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements differentiated lighting by directing light selectively toward escape routes while controlling lateral emission to prevent glare, using the embedded optical element to shape and direct the light distribution pattern
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the optical element's refractive properties to dynamically control light distribution based on viewing angle, providing adequate illumination where needed while limiting glare in sensitive directions
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 reliable, efficient, and cost-effective emergency lighting that meets regulatory standards without protrusions, reduces dust deposition, and maintains standard dimensions, ensuring adequate illumination of escape routes and compliance with safety and glare requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the rear part of said optical element has at least two surfaces and is able to collect the frontal, inclined and lateral flux emitted by the light source, and to guide, due to the difference of the refractive index, the luminous flux towards its front outer part
Implementation Method 2
by means of a recess, with at least one of its flat reflection surfaces, or rotational surfaces, reflecting in the direction through the front lateral, diagonal and lower surfaces
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention discloses an optical element (2), which is used in a lighting fixture (1), with particular configurations on its surfaces, both front and rear, to direct the luminous flux of one or more light sources in the desired and legally required directions without the use of diffusing or refractive optical systems that protrude at the front from the lighting fixture (1).