Escalator LED Illumination Profile with Integrated Diffuser

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing escalator and moving walkway lighting systems using LED technology face challenges in achieving uniform lighting with high design and assembly complexity, particularly in curved transition areas, requiring specialized components and precise positioning of light sources.

Innovation Solution

An LED strip lighting system with a bendable and twistable design is integrated into a lighting profile with a reflecting surface and transparent cover, allowing for easy installation and uniform illumination by deflecting light through a concave reflecting surface and diffusion structure, eliminating the need for separate light sources in curved areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If specialized light diffusers and covers with converging lens effects are used to achieve uniform light output, then lighting uniformity is improved, but device complexity and assembly effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight output uniformityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the light diffuser and the cover into a single integrated component. The diffuser is formed directly as part of the cover structure, eliminating the need for separate diffuser elements and reducing assembly steps while maintaining uniform light distribution across the escalator surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the LEDs, provides the optical diffusing function for uniform light distribution, and acts as the visible illumination surface. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Illumination intensity

If precise positioning of LED rows at specific distances from the cover is implemented, then light uniformity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements and assembly effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distribution uniformityVSAvoidLED positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the diffuser into the cover structure, the patent eliminates the need for precise positioning of separate diffuser elements. The LED mounting structure only needs to maintain a general distance from the integrated diffuser-cover, significantly reducing positioning precision requirements while maintaining adequate light uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If separate light sources are installed in curved transition areas to ensure adequate illumination, then lighting coverage is improved, but device complexity and quantity of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighted area coverageVSAvoidnumber of light source components
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated diffuser-cover design creates a flexible lighting system that can be bent and shaped to follow the curved transition areas of the escalator. This single universal component replaces the need for multiple separate light sources in different locations, reducing component quantity while maintaining comprehensive area coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting assembly is designed with flexibility to adapt to the dynamic geometry of the escalator, including curved transition areas. The integrated diffuser-cover can be shaped to conform to various geometries, allowing the same component to provide illumination across diverse areas without requiring additional specialized elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 a cost-effective and simplified assembly method for achieving uniform and harmonious lighting across the entire escalator or moving walkway, reducing the visibility of individual LED points and ensuring continuous, glare-free illumination with a reduced number of components.

Implementation Method 1

The light emitted in the forward direction by the lighting means can be deflected via the reflecting surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The transparent part of a partially transparent cover is then largely evenly illuminated, resulting in a harmonious overall impression

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight diffusion: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP2297019B1Escalator or moving walkway with LED illumination
Publication Date: 2011.11.09 INVENTIO AG
  • EP2297019B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2297019B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An escalator or moving walkway (1) comprises a balustrade base (5), an illumination profile (16) disposed in the base (5) and a transparent cover (10). An illumination strip (30) is provided with a plurality of LED lighting means (31), said strip being placed in the illumination profile (16). A reflecting surface (35) is provided on the illumination profile (16), said surface being aligned such that at least a portion of the light emitted by the LED lighting means (31) is reflected in the direction of the cover (10). This facilitates an even level of illumination.