LED Notification Appliance with Pulsed Brightness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing notification systems require separate wiring and power supplies for each lighting source of different colors, making them expensive and complex, and struggle to effectively notify individuals of various emergency situations by maintaining effective intensity and perceived brightness.
Innovation Solution
A notification appliance with a sensor, LED light source, and controller that adjusts pulse time periods and intensity based on detected environmental conditions and ambient light, using optic packs with Fresnel optics to project illumination patterns compliant with UL 1971 standards, and optionally includes projection light sources to display images or text.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate wiring and power supplies are used for each lighting source of different colors, then the notification system can notify persons of multiple emergency situations, but the installation becomes more expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple lighting sources of different colors into a single notification appliance housing, sharing common wiring and power supply infrastructure. The controller manages multiple LEDs (red, yellow, green, blue) within one unit, eliminating the need for separate wiring for each light source while maintaining the ability to indicate different emergency conditions through color-coded lighting.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification appliance is designed as a multi-functional device that can indicate various emergency situations (fire, hazardous weather, terrorist attack, etc.) using a single unit with multiple color-capable LEDs. The controller enables the same physical lighting elements to serve multiple notification purposes through different color combinations and patterns.
2Illumination intensity
If the pulse time period is reduced to enhance perceived brightness, then the notification effectiveness is improved, but the effective intensity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements periodic pulsing of the LED light sources with pulse durations of 200 milliseconds or less. This rapid on-off cycling creates a stroboscopic effect that enhances perceived brightness to human observers while maintaining adequate total energy delivery. The pulsing pattern is optimized to match human visual perception characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts lighting parameters including pulse width, pulse frequency, and peak intensity based on ambient light conditions detected by sensors. The controller modifies these parameters in real-time to maintain optimal perceived brightness while ensuring sufficient effective intensity for various emergency notification scenarios.
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 enhances perceived brightness while maintaining effective intensity, reduces complexity and cost by eliminating the need for separate wiring, and effectively communicates emergency conditions through adjustable light patterns and projections.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light emitting diode (LED) light source configured to emit light having an intensity during a pulse time period
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the collimator and outer lens includes Fresnel optics, such that the optic pack is configured to project the emitted light in an illumination pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A notification appliance configured to emit a notification output based upon at least one detected environmental condition is provided that includes a sensor configured to detect the at least one environmental condition, at least one light emitting diode (LED) light source configured to emit light having an intensity during a pulse time period, and a controller in communicative connection with the sensor and the LED light source, wherein the controller is configured to control the LED light source so that the pulse time period is approximately less than or equal to two hundred milliseconds (200 ms), while substantially maintaining an effective intensity and enhancing a perceived brightness of the emitted light.