Luminous Signaling Device with Rotating Shutter for Directional Light Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing luminous signaling devices suffer from inefficient light emission and unwanted light pollution or dazzling due to non-uniform light distribution and lack of protection from the environment, leading to inefficient use and potential hazards.

Innovation Solution

A box-like signaling device with a cylindrical emission window and rotating shutter system that allows selective darkening directions, using LED light sources and materials like polytetrafluoroethylene for protection and ease of use, enabling efficient 360° light emission and reducing light pollution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a radial or cylindrical geometry is used to emit light uniformly in every angular direction, then the light distribution is uniform, but light is radiated uselessly toward the building itself and causes light pollution and dazzle phenomena

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniform light distributionVSAvoidlight pollution and dazzle
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The emission window is segmented into multiple sectors, with at least one sector being darkenable through shutter means. This divides the 360° emission space into illuminated and darkened zones, allowing selective direction of light away from buildings and toward desired areas, thus eliminating light pollution while maintaining uniform distribution in the illuminated sectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter means are made movable relative to the emission window, enabling dynamic adjustment of darkening directions. This allows the signaling device to adapt its light distribution pattern according to installation location and environmental requirements, preventing light from reaching windows or maintenance personnel while maintaining uniform illumination in safe directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If light is emitted in all directions at 360°, then the signaling coverage is maximized, but light is emitted in undesired directions such as opposite to traffic flow causing danger

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling coverageVSAvoiddanger to traffic flow
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The emission window is divided into multiple sectors, with at least one sector capable of being darkened. This segmentation allows the device to maintain 360° structural coverage for signaling while selectively blocking light in directions that would endanger traffic flow, such as emitting light primarily forward while darkening the rearward direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sectors of the emission window have different optical properties - some sectors are transparent to allow light emission for signaling coverage, while at least one sector is darkenable to prevent harmful light emission in specific directions. This creates local variations in light transmission quality to address directional safety requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If the light source is exposed to the outside environment, then the device structure is simple, but the light source is not protected from environmental factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidprotection from environment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The emission window is formed by a substantially cylindrical tubular body that surrounds the light source, creating a nested protective structure. The shutter means are disposed within this tubular body, and both are housed within the box-like containing body. This nested arrangement protects the light source from environmental factors while maintaining a relatively compact and simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cylindrical tubular body acts as an intermediary structure between the light source and the outside environment. It provides physical protection and separation, allowing the light source to be enclosed and protected while still enabling light emission through the transparent window and shutter mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of cylindrical walls is used to vary light direction, then the configuration can be adjusted, but assembly times are lengthened due to need for precise superimposition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfigurability of light emissionVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring manual adjustment and precise superimposition of multiple cylindrical walls during assembly, the shutter means are designed to be selectively movable relative to the emission window after assembly. This dynamic adjustment capability allows configuration changes without lengthy reassembly processes, reducing assembly time while maintaining adaptability for varying light emission directions.

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 device achieves efficient light emission in desired directions, minimizing light pollution and dazzling, while protecting the light source from the environment and simplifying installation and operation.

Implementation Method 1

a source of luminous emission, or bulb (25), disposed inside the containing seating, suitable to emit light uniformly at 360° around the central axis (X)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a Fresnel lens (110) having a light-receiving surface facing the light source (25) and a light-emitting surface facing an external environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFresnel lens: Fresnel Lens

Implementation Method 3

an outer surface of the shutter (30) is provided with a retro-reflective portion (32)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRetro-reflection: Retroreflector

Data Source

PatentEP2320131B1Luminous signaling device
Publication Date: 2015.11.04 MIZZA RENATO DI BALZAROTTI AMBROGIO
  • EP2320131B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~3B
  • EP2320131B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Luminous signaling device (10), comprising a box-like containing body, provided with an emission window (20) and at least a light source (25) contained in the box-like body, conformed to emit light uniformly in every direction through the emission window (20). The signaling device (10) comprises shutter means (30), associated with the emission window (20), so as to define one or more darkening directions, in which at least part of the light emitted by the light source (25) is intercepted.