Vehicle Partition Exit Lighting for Visible Ejection Handles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency exit lighting systems in vehicles, particularly aircraft, are bulky, heavy, difficult to integrate into complex geometries, and limited to indicating exits within the vehicle, failing to clearly guide individuals to emergency exits and ejection handles during adverse conditions such as smoke, water, or darkness.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle partition with integrated light emitters that emit distinct colors to frame emergency exits and indicate ejection handles, activated by manual or automatic means, using electroluminescent paints or LEDs, and optionally including a self-contained power supply, to facilitate evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional electrically powered light segments with bulbs or LEDs are used, then emergency exits can be illuminated, but the system becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/electrical lighting systems (bulbs, LEDs, batteries, inverters) with electroluminescent panels that convert electrical energy directly to light through electroluminescence, eliminating bulky power supply components and reducing overall system weight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the illumination mechanism from point-source LEDs to surface-emitting electroluminescent panels, transforming the physical state and distribution of light emission to achieve both weight reduction and improved visibility coverage
2Illumination intensity
If traditional lighting systems are used, then emergency exits can be indicated, but integration into partitions with complex geometries becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible electroluminescent panels that can be conformally integrated into partitions with complex geometries, allowing the lighting element to adapt to curved or irregular surfaces without requiring rigid structural modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The electroluminescent panel serves multiple functions: it provides structural integration with the partition, delivers emergency illumination, and can be manufactured as a single integrated component, reducing the need for separate mounting structures
3Illumination intensity
If single-color emergency lighting is used, then visibility in low-light conditions is achieved, but differentiation between exit location and ejection handle position is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different color emissions to different functional zones: one electroluminescent panel emits a first color (e.g., green) to indicate the emergency exit location, while another panel emits a second color (e.g., red or blue) to indicate the ejection handle position, providing localized visual information differentiation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes different wavelengths/colors of electroluminescent emission to encode different types of information, allowing occupants to quickly distinguish between the location of the exit and the position of the ejection mechanism through color-coded visual cues
4Reliability
If conventional emergency lighting systems are installed, then regulatory compliance is achieved, but the system fails to provide clear guidance to individuals outside the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the illumination function from internal-only lighting to external visibility by positioning electroluminescent panels on the exterior surfaces of partitions, allowing individuals outside the vehicle to see the ejection handle position and exit location from the external environment
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
Enhances visibility of emergency exits and ejection handles under challenging conditions, allowing quick and safe evacuation by clearly guiding individuals through the use of differentiated colored lighting.
Implementation Method 1
The partition (40) includes an assistance device (1) to facilitate the evacuation of people through the emergency exit (44). The assistance device (1) includes an electrical circuit (4), a power supply device (3) for supplying the electrical circuit (4) with electrical energy, and light emitters (2) electrically connected to the electrical circuit (4). The light emitters (2) emit light when supplied electrically by the power supply device (3). In particular, the light emitters (2) include an electroluminescent panel (2)
Implementation Method 2
The light emitters (2) include at least a first emitter (21) emitting a first light of a first color and framing at least partially the movable panel (45), and at least a second emitter (22) emitting a second light of a second color distinct from the first color and indicating a position of the ejection handle (46)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a vehicle partition (10) comprising a structure (41) with an opening (43) forming an emergency exit (44) closed by a movable panel (45), and an assistance device (1) for the evacuation of persons through said emergency exit (44), equipped with a power supply device (3) supplying power to an electrical circuit (4) and light emitters (2) electrically connected to said electrical circuit (4). Said light emitters (2) comprise separate emitters (21, 22) emitting lights of different colors, one framing at least partially said panel (45) and the other indicating the position of at least one ejection handle (46) of said movable panel (45). Said light emitters (2) comprise, for example, an electroluminescent paint that generates light when subjected to an electric current.