Pop-out Fire Exit Sign for Smoke Visibility

Solution Overview

Problem

Current fire exit signs mounted high on walls become obscured by smoke during a fire, making it difficult for people to locate exits.

Innovation Solution

A flush wall-mounted fire exit sign that can rotate and pop out from the wall when needed, triggered by smoke detection or audible fire alarms, to provide clear direction to exits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If exit signs are mounted high on walls above doorways, then they are easily accessible and visible under normal conditions, but they become obscured by smoke during fire emergencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The exit sign is positioned in the lower dimension (near floor level) rather than the upper dimension (high on wall), placing it in the smoke-free zone where oxygen and fresh air accumulate during fire emergencies. This dimensional change allows the sign to remain visible when traditional high-mounted signs become obscured by smoke.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Illumination intensity

If exit signs are mounted low on the wall near the floor, then they remain visible in smoke-free zones during emergencies, but they may obstruct exit routes when not needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The exit sign is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to rotate between a horizontal position (parallel to wall) during normal conditions and a vertical position (perpendicular to wall) during emergencies. This dynamic adjustment eliminates obstruction during normal use while ensuring visibility during emergencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system includes preliminary anti-action through the rotational mechanism that prevents the sign from obstructing the exit route before an emergency occurs. The sign is pre-positioned in a non-obstructing horizontal state and only deploys to vertical position when emergency detection triggers the rotation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Illumination intensity

If the exit sign rotates from the wall for viewing, then it becomes more visible to people crawling through smoke, but the mechanism adds device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation mechanism is replaced with a simple pivot hinge system that allows the sign to rotate between horizontal and vertical positions. This mechanical substitution uses a straightforward hinge joint rather than complex motors or actuators, reducing device complexity while achieving the required rotational functionality for visibility during emergencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250131802A1Pop out exit indicator

Publication Date: 2025.04.24

AI summary

An embodiment includes a sign pivotally coupled to a wall-mounting bracket. The embodiment includes an activation system coupled to the wall-mounting bracket, wherein the activation system is enabled to cause the sign to pivot out from the wall-mounting bracket via a motor assembly and cause the sign to move outward from the wall-mounting bracket to a more visible position. The embodiment includes a triggering mode, wherein the triggering mode is enabled to trigger the activation system to cause the sign to move outward from the wall-mounting bracket.