Frustoconical Reflector Ring for LED Visual Alarm Light Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional alarm systems for hearing-impaired individuals in buildings rely on high-voltage xenon strobe lights, which are costly, unreliable, and difficult to implement due to heat generation and declining lamp integrity, failing to provide adequate visual warnings during hazardous conditions.
Innovation Solution
A visual life safety alarm system utilizing a hollow frustoconical reflector ring and light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted to a housing, emitting light in multiple directions to ensure effective visual alerts, reducing reliance on xenon lamps and improving light distribution and intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If xenon strobe lights are used to provide bright flashing lights for hearing-impaired individuals, then the light intensity meets building regulations, but the device generates significant heat and has declining reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, unreliable xenon lamps with inexpensive LED light sources. While individual LEDs have limited brightness, multiple LEDs are used in parallel to achieve the required illumination intensity while maintaining high reliability and low cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple LED light sources with a reflective housing to achieve the required light intensity. The reflective surface directs and concentrates the light from multiple LEDs to produce flash intensity comparable to xenon strobes without the associated reliability and heat problems.
2Illumination intensity
If xenon strobe lights are used to meet minimum intensity requirements from the side of the alarm device, then building regulations are satisfied, but high voltage is required and heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a reflective housing designed to redirect light from multiple LEDs positioned within the alarm body. The reflector geometry is optimized to direct light sideways, meeting the required intensity at side viewing angles without requiring high-voltage xenon discharge that generates excessive heat.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the high-voltage electrical discharge mechanism of xenon lamps with low-voltage LED operation combined with optical reflection. This substitution eliminates the need for high-voltage power supplies and significantly reduces heat generation while maintaining side-view light intensity.
3Reliability
If xenon lamps are used throughout all required spaces in a building, then adequate warning is provided, but the cost and difficulty of implementation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple inexpensive LED modules instead of costly xenon lamps. The low individual cost of LED components allows for widespread deployment throughout buildings without prohibitive expense, while the modular design simplifies installation and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the lighting function into multiple independent LED sources distributed within the alarm housing. This segmentation allows each LED to operate at low power and cost, while collectively they provide sufficient illumination coverage when combined with the reflective housing design.
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 system provides reliable and cost-effective visual alerts for hearing-impaired individuals by using LEDs and reflective elements to project intense light from multiple angles, enhancing warning effectiveness and reducing material and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
Light from the second plurality of light devices is configured to reflect in a generally angled direction from the visual life safety alarm
Implementation Method 2
A first plurality of light devices is mounted to the housing within a first opening of the first end of the reflector ring. Light from the first plurality of light devices is configured to emit in a generally forwards direction
Data Source
AI summary
An indicator assembly for a visual life safety alarm is provided including a hollow, generally frustoconical reflector ring having an angled wall. The reflector ring is mounted to a housing of the visual life safety alarm at a first end. A first plurality of light devices is mounted to the housing within a first opening of the first end of the reflector ring. Light from the first plurality of light devices is configured to emit in a generally forwards direction. A second plurality of light devices is mounted to the housing near the angled wall of the reflector ring, opposite the first plurality of light devices. Light from the second plurality of light devices is configured to reflect from the angled wall in a direction generally angled from the visual safety alarm.