Remote Emergency Light Fixture Power Distribution via Trickle Charge
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency lighting systems face challenges in efficiently powering remote emergency light fixtures, particularly in ensuring reliable activation during emergencies and managing energy storage, which can lead to increased complexity and cost in installation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a base unit electrically coupled to an AC power source, using a cable to supply power or a trickle charge to remote emergency light fixtures, which includes an energy storage device, allowing for remote placement and reduced demand on the base unit during emergencies, while also monitoring energy levels and notifying for replacements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the base unit stores large amounts of energy to support multiple remote fixtures, then the number of supported fixtures increases, but the size and complexity of the base unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage function is segmented from the base unit and distributed to individual remote fixtures. Each fixture contains its own battery or energy storage device, eliminating the need for a large centralized energy storage system in the base unit. This allows multiple fixtures to be supported without increasing base unit complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage component is extracted from the base unit and placed within each remote fixture. This extraction reduces the base unit to a simpler power distribution and control function, while each fixture becomes a self-contained unit with its own energy storage capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If remote fixtures are placed farther from the base unit, then installation flexibility increases, but power delivery reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By placing energy storage devices at each remote fixture rather than relying on long cable runs from the base unit, the system can support fixtures at greater distances without compromising power delivery reliability. Each fixture independently manages its own power needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable functions primarily as a control and communication medium rather than a high-power delivery conduit. The energy storage device at each fixture acts as an intermediary that buffers the distance between the base unit and the fixture, ensuring reliable power delivery regardless of distance.
3Device complexity
If the base unit provides all power to remote fixtures, then system simplicity increases, but energy efficiency during emergencies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Energy storage devices at each remote fixture are charged in advance during normal operation from the base unit. During emergencies, these pre-charged devices immediately provide power without requiring continuous power delivery from the base unit, improving energy efficiency during critical periods.
Solution Approach 2:
Each remote fixture serves itself by containing its own energy storage device. The fixtures independently manage their own power needs during emergencies without drawing continuous power from the base unit, reducing the overall energy burden on the central system.
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 solution enables efficient and reliable emergency lighting by reducing the size and complexity of the base unit, allowing for longer distances between fixtures, increasing the number of supported fixtures, and enhancing safety through distributed energy storage, while also reducing installation and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
a base unit that is electrically coupled to an AC power source and that can be configured to receive power form the AC power source and supply power to at least one emergency light fixture
Data Source
AI summary
A remote emergency light system provides a base unit that is electrically coupled to one or more remote emergency light fixtures using cables. The base unit may provide power to each of the remote emergency light fixtures using the cables to activate the remote emergency light fixtures during an emergency condition. Alternatively, the base unit may provide a trickle charge to one or more remote emergency light fixtures when each of the remote emergency light fixtures includes an energy charging device. The base unit may be configured to communicate with the remote emergency light fixtures and determine when a trickle charge should be sent to a remote emergency light fixture, when a trickle charge should be stopped for a remote emergency light fixture, and/or when an energy charging device needs to be replaced. The cables can meet the requirements for Class 2 circuits as defined by the National Electric Code.