Emergency Light Status Visibility via Segmented Housing Frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional emergency lights with integrated status displays for battery charge state, when installed in a wall or ceiling, obscure the visibility of the light source indicating the battery state due to the display device covering the lamp housing, making the status light invisible to the observer.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a light exit opening in the lamp housing frame allows the light emitted by the status light source to project outward, ensuring visibility outside the housing, with the light source positioned at a distance from the exit opening to reduce susceptibility to failure and facilitate installation, and optionally featuring a holding device with a positioning knob for precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the display device completely covers the lamp housing, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the visibility of the status light becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidvisibility of status light
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The housing frame is segmented to include a light exit opening that allows the status light to be visible while maintaining the overall aesthetic appearance. The display device covers most of the housing but leaves a specific segment (light exit opening) exposed for status indication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing frame has different local qualities: most areas are covered by the display device for aesthetics, while the light exit opening area remains exposed to allow status light visibility. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between aesthetic appearance and status visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of stationary object

If the light source is positioned close to the housing wall, then the installation space is reduced, but the light source becomes susceptible to external influences and installation difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidsusceptibility to external influences
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The light source is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the housing wall - specifically, at a distance from the wall rather than directly adjacent to it. This dimensional separation reduces susceptibility to external influences while maintaining compact overall installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of moving object

If the light source is positioned close to the housing wall, then the overall device size is reduced, but the installation precision becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidinstallation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A holding device with a positioning knob acts as an intermediary between the light source and the housing wall. This intermediary component facilitates precise positioning and alignment of the light source at the required distance from the wall, making installation precise while maintaining compact device size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the light source is positioned away from the housing wall, then the susceptibility to external influences is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesusceptibility to external influencesVSAvoidinstallation structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device with positioning knob enables the light source to be self-positioned and secured at the correct distance from the housing wall. This self-service mechanism reduces susceptibility to external influences while adding minimal complexity, as the positioning system is integrated into the installation process itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 ensures the status light is visible to the observer, enhances stability by maintaining a small gap between the display device and the wall, and simplifies installation while reducing the risk of light source failure from external influences.

Implementation Method 1

a light source (5) for displaying the state of charge of batteries or accumulators (10; 20) located in the light housing (1), which are suitable for supplying the light sources (3; 5) of the display device (3) in an emergency, wherein the illuminant is arranged within the lamp housing (1), and wherein a light exit opening (4) is provided in the housing frame (2) and the illuminant of the light exit opening (4) so is assigned that the light emitted by the bulb passes through the light exit opening (4) and projects a light cone on the wall so that it is visible outside the lamp housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission and propagation: Light

Data Source

PatentEP2657928B1Emergency light
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP2657928B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2657928B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The processing apparatus (1) has a movable holding unit (3) that is arranged relatively to the housing (2). The shaping blank and processing tool (5) are connected with the holding unit. The processing tool is arranged to supply liquid such as water, in a processing area of the shaping blank. The processing area is separated from the housing by partially surrounding the processing area with a cover unit (6).