Rotatable Ceiling Display Unit for Adjustable Evacuation Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing event indicator systems, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,679,480, while capable of detecting threats and guiding occupants during emergencies, lack flexibility in directing light projections to adjust to different ceiling heights and sightlines, potentially limiting their effectiveness in guiding occupants to safety.
Innovation Solution
A display unit for an event indicator system with a housing mountable to a ceiling, featuring multiple rotatable housing portions and light emitting elements that can adjust light propagation directions to project symbols like arrows and 'X's on walls and floors, allowing for customizable and adaptable guidance based on emergency situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the light emitting elements are fixed in a stationary housing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different ceiling heights and sightlines deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with rotatable portions that allow the light emitting elements to change their orientation and projection direction dynamically. This enables the system to adapt to different ceiling heights and sightlines by rotating the housing to the appropriate angle, rather than requiring multiple fixed devices or complex adjustable mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is divided into multiple portions, with at least one portion being rotatable relative to the others. This segmentation allows selective rotation of specific sections to adjust the light projection direction while maintaining structural integrity and simplifying the overall mechanism compared to a fully movable design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the light propagation direction is fixed, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to different evacuation scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable housing portions enable the light propagation direction to be adjusted dynamically based on different evacuation scenarios and threat locations. This dynamic capability allows the same device to serve multiple purposes without requiring precision manufacturing of multiple specialized devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed display units are used to cover all possible projection directions, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and quantity of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of installing multiple fixed display units oriented in different directions, the invention uses a single unit with rotatable housing portions that can be adjusted to project light in various directions as needed. This reduces the quantity of components while maintaining comprehensive coverage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable housing design allows a single display unit to perform multiple functions by projecting light in different directions and orientations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized units and reducing overall system complexity.
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 display unit provides flexible and adjustable light projections that can guide occupants effectively to safety by projecting symbols on various surfaces, accommodating different ceiling heights and sightlines, thereby enhancing the clarity and adaptability of emergency instructions.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light emitting elements affixed within the second housing portion such that the plurality of light emitting elements are rotatable with the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion such that a propagation direction of light from the plurality of light emitting elements is adjustable relative to the ceiling
Data Source
AI summary
A display unit for an event indicator system configured to assist occupants of a venue in response to an evacuation situation includes a housing configured to be mountable to a ceiling, the housing including a first housing portion and a second housing portion coupled to and rotatable relative to the first housing portion. A plurality of light emitting elements are affixed within the second housing portion such that the plurality of light emitting elements are rotatable with the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion such that a propagation direction of light from the plurality of light emitting elements is adjustable relative to the ceiling. A processing system is positioned within the housing and configured to communicate with the sensor to receive the signal from the sensor and control at least one of the plurality of light emitting elements in response to the signal.