Emergency Exit Sign Layout With Integrated Escape Route Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency exit signs with light guides face challenges in integrating additional emergency exit lighting elements without increasing the luminaire's footprint or compromising its appearance.
Innovation Solution
Position ERI spots on the lower lateral region of the light-guiding element and connect them to light sources via a rod-shaped light guide, allowing for unobstructed and flexible light emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ERI spots are arranged on the luminaire housing as in prior art, then emergency exit lighting function is achieved, but the luminaire footprint increases and appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the ERI spots from the horizontal plane (luminaire housing perimeter) to the vertical dimension (underside of the light guide element), allowing light emission downward without increasing the luminaire's horizontal footprint. This dimensional transition resolves the contradiction by providing emergency lighting functionality while maintaining a compact appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The ERI spots are integrated into the light guide element structure itself, nesting the emergency lighting function within the existing light guide component. This eliminates the need for separate housing-mounted lighting elements, thereby avoiding increased footprint while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ERI spots are distributed around the flange circumference, then escape route illumination in all directions is ensured, but the luminaire footprint increases beyond the light guide dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric light distribution by orienting the ERI spots to emit light preferentially in the direction of the escape route rather than uniformly in all directions. This asymmetric illumination approach maintains effective escape route lighting while reducing the need for multiple distributed light sources, thereby minimizing footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The light emission direction of the ERI spots can be individually adjusted to adapt to different escape route orientations. This dynamic adjustability allows a single compact luminaire position to serve multiple escape route directions, eliminating the need for fixed peripheral distribution of multiple spots.
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
Maintains the luminaire's elegant appearance while efficiently illuminating the escape route with adjustable light emission directions.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide element (30) having a light coupling area (31) formed on a narrow side (31) of the light guide element (30) facing the first light sources (45), wherein the light guide element (30) is configured to emit the light emitted by the light sources (45) and illuminated via the light coupling area (31) via at least one flat side (32)
Implementation Method 2
the escape route lighting element (10) is coupled to the second light sources (48) via a rod-shaped light guide (20)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An emergency exit sign (50) has a plate-like light guide element (30) on whose flat side (32) intended for light emission an escape route symbol (5) is mounted. Furthermore, at least one escape route lighting element (10) is provided for light emission for an escape route lighting, wherein the escape route lighting element (10) is arranged in the area of an end face (33) of the light guide element (30), which is opposite a light coupling area of the light guide element (30), and wherein the escape route lighting element (10) is coupled to associated light sources (48) via a rod-like light guide (20).