Photoluminescent Floor Marking with Isosceles Cover Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photoluminescent floor markings in aircraft and similar environments face challenges in directing passengers to emergency exits, especially in low-light conditions, due to the difficulty in recognizing directional markings, particularly when they are narrow or covered, leading to potential misdirection.
Innovation Solution
The use of isosceles triangles with light-tapering cover elements extending over the entire width of the marking, arranged closely together, and featuring a light tip to indicate the escape direction, ensures better visibility by leveraging the sensitivity of rods outside the fovea, along with a reflective layer and a hard-wearing, colored polycarbonate layer for enhanced brightness and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If dark triangular markings are used to indicate escape direction, then directional information is provided, but visibility of the marking direction becomes difficult in low-light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using dark markings to indicate direction, the patent uses light-colored cover elements that contrast with the dark photoluminescent layer. The cover elements are positioned to create light-dark patterns where the light areas indicate the escape direction, inverting the conventional approach of using dark markings for visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color contrast between the light-colored cover elements and the dark photoluminescent layer to create visible directional indicators. The cover elements are colored to provide high contrast, making the directional information visible even in low-light conditions when the photoluminescent layer is activated.
2Area of stationary object
If floor markings are made narrow to reduce space occupation, then more markings can be placed, but recognition of directional markings becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the marking system. The cover elements have specific optical properties (light color, high contrast) that are localized to the directional indicator areas, while the overall marking can be narrow. This allows narrow markings to maintain visibility through localized high-contrast features.
3Area of stationary object
If cover elements are spaced far apart to maintain luminous surface area, then more photoluminescent layer is exposed, but directional information becomes less distinct
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color contrast between the light cover elements and dark photoluminescent layer to create distinct directional indicators. Even when spaced apart, the high contrast ensures that the directional information remains clear and recognizable, allowing adequate spacing to maintain luminous surface area while preserving information clarity.
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
This design enhances the visibility of escape direction markings, automatically guiding passengers through physical and biological vision, even in low-light conditions, reducing the risk of misdirection and improving safety in emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
The photoluminescent layer is stimulated to glow by daylight or the lighting in the aircraft cabin. This glow then continues for a longer period of time when the floor marking is no longer illuminated.
Implementation Method 2
If a reflection layer is arranged under the luminescent layer, light emitted downwards through the luminescent layer is at least partially reflected upwards and contributes to the brightness.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~7
AI summary
The strip- or strip-shaped floor marking, in particular for means of transport, especially aircraft, with a photoluminescent layer (3), on which cover elements (6) appearing dark compared to the self-illuminating layer and serving as directional indicators are attached in such a way that acute-angled markings pointing in one direction are formed, is characterized in that the cover elements (6) extend over the entire width of the floor marking and at one end taper on both sides in such a way that a recess bounded by an acute-angled and isosceles triangle is formed there, and the cover elements (6) abut each other, at least in groups, in such a way that their distance from each other is less than approximately twice their longitudinal extent.