Transparent Barrier Assembly with Embedded LED Indicators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users often find it difficult to recognize the current direction of passage and the operational status of passage barriers in access control systems, leading to reduced user comfort and throughput, especially when barriers are defective or not ready for use.

Innovation Solution

A blocking body arrangement comprising two essentially optically transparent blocking bodies connected by a transparent separating layer and equipped with a light source device for coupling light into each body, allowing for visible indication of passage direction and operational status through different color illumination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a small screen or display is used to show passage direction, then device complexity is reduced, but user comfort and visibility are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of passage directionVSAvoidcomplexity of indication system
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses color-changing light sources (LEDs) embedded in the barrier assembly to indicate passage direction and operational status. Different colors (e.g., green for passable, red for impassable) provide clear visual information to users, replacing the need for complex display screens while significantly improving visibility and user comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The indication function is merged into the barrier assembly itself by embedding light sources within the barrier structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate display devices, reducing overall system complexity while providing prominent, always-visible indication directly at the barrier location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If barriers are made opaque for structural strength, then strength is improved, but visibility and user comfort deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strength of barrierVSAvoidvisibility of barrier
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier assembly uses composite construction with transparent or translucent materials that maintain structural strength while allowing light transmission. The embedded light sources work with these materials to provide both the necessary mechanical strength and the desired visual indication, resolving the contradiction between opacity for strength and transparency for visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If detailed information is displayed only at the gate, then device complexity is reduced, but throughput is reduced due to late user awareness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethroughput at gateVSAvoidcomplexity of information display system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light sources provide passage direction information in advance, before users reach the gate, by indicating the operational status and direction from a distance. This preliminary indication allows users to approach the correct gate proactively, reducing waiting time and improving throughput without requiring complex display systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Improves user comfort and increases throughput by providing a large, visible area to display passage direction and operational status, enabling clear indication of passable or impassable directions and detecting operational states like defects or maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

The light source device (110) is configured to couple light into the first light coupling surface (116) and/or the second light coupling surface (118)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight coupling: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentEP4239156A1Barrier body assembly for a passage barrier of an access control system
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 SCHEIDT & BACHMANN GMBH
  • EP4239156A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1e
  • EP4239156A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4239156A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The application relates to a barrier body arrangement (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900) for a passage barrier (990) of an access control system (988), comprising at least one first substantially optically transparent barrier body (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702, 802) with a first light coupling surface (116, 216, 416, 816), and at least one second substantially optically transparent barrier body (104, 204, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704, 804) with at least one second light coupling surface (118, 218, 418, 818), wherein the first barrier body (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702, 802) is connected to the second barrier body (104, 204, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704, 804), at least one light source device (110, 210, 410, 810) is configured to couple light into the first light coupling surface (116, 216, 416, 816) and/or the second light coupling surface (118, 218, 418, 818), wherein between the first barrier body (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702,802) and the second barrier body (104, 204, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704, 804) at least one substantially optically transparent separating layer (106, 206, 306, 406, 506, 606, 706.1, 806) is arranged.