Addressable Emergency Lighting System Voltage Drop Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional addressable alarm systems face challenges in ensuring uniform and intense illumination across open spaces for visual alarm devices, particularly in environments where light output must meet specific standards like EN 54-23:2010, and in maintaining effective communication and control over emergency lighting systems.
Innovation Solution
An addressable emergency illumination system with a control section that sends power and controls lighting parameters to emergency lights or visual alarm devices connected across a two-wire loop, using current pulses for communication and energy storage means like capacitors to maintain light output and reduce voltage drop along long cables, allowing for programmable brightness, scene settings, and presence detection actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional addressable alarm systems use standard two-wire loops for power and communication, then device connectivity and control are established, but voltage drop along long cables degrades signal quality and communication reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (repeater or signal booster) in the two-wire loop system to regenerate and amplify signals at intermediate points, compensating for voltage drop and signal degradation over long cable runs without requiring complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts signal levels and power output based on detected voltage drop or communication quality, allowing the control panel or devices to adapt transmission parameters in real-time to maintain reliable communication across varying cable lengths and loop configurations
2Illumination intensity
If visual alarm devices emit sufficiently intense light to illuminate the entire open space and meet EN 54-23:2010 standards, then visibility and alarm effectiveness are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual alarm device employs periodic or pulsed light emission patterns instead of continuous illumination, achieving the required illuminating effect on surfaces while significantly reducing overall energy consumption by activating the light source only during necessary intervals
Solution Approach 2:
The system directs light emission to achieve uniform illumination across the specific volume of open space required by EN 54-23:2010 standards, concentrating energy where needed rather than providing excessive illumination throughout the entire installation area
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system provides programmable control over lighting parameters including brightness and illumination periods, then system versatility and adaptability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel is designed as a universal platform capable of managing multiple visual alarm devices with different lighting parameters, scene settings, and operational modes through a single interface, reducing the need for device-specific control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes pre-configured scene settings and default lighting parameters that can be directly deployed without complex programming, allowing rapid installation and configuration while maintaining the option for custom programmable control when needed
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
Ensures consistent and intense illumination across spaces, reduces unwanted activations, and maintains effective communication and control over emergency lighting systems, meeting EN 54 Part 23 standards and supporting pulsed light requirements.
Implementation Method 1
operable to communicate data to the control section by switching in a current source directly across the loop to generate a current pulse for a period of 200μs
Implementation Method 2
energy storage means like capacitors to maintain light output and reduce voltage drop along long cables
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An addressable fire system comprising a control section 10 and at least one visual alarm device 14a-d, wherein the control section 10 is operable to send power to the at least one visual alarm device 14a-d, is operable to control illumination of the at least one visual alarm device 14a-d and is operable to program lighting parameters of the at least one visual alarm device 14a-d.