Tunnel Lighting Device with Multi-Directional Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices for marking and identifying roadways, streets, or paths in tunnels or underpasses are limited to single applications, requiring multiple devices with different functional capabilities, leading to complex and costly production, assembly, maintenance, and repair.
Innovation Solution
A compact lighting device with a pot-shaped housing and a cover element featuring multiple passage openings for light emission, allowing versatile applications, including normal and emergency modes, with individual control of light sources and guide elements for adaptable functionality and reduced device numbers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate lighting devices with different functional capabilities are used to mark roadways and indicate escape routes, then the functional versatility is improved, but the device complexity and quantity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by integrating multiple lighting functions into a single device. The lighting device includes multiple light sources (first light source for roadway marking, second light source for escape route indication) and multiple light guides (first light guide, second light guide) that can be selectively activated. The control device enables the same physical structure to perform different functions by controlling which light sources and light guides are active, thereby achieving functional versatility without increasing device quantity or structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges previously separate lighting devices into a single integrated unit. The housing contains multiple light sources and light guides that are combined in one structure. The first light guide transmits light in a first direction for roadway marking, while the second light guide transmits light in a second direction for escape route indication. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate devices and their associated mounting structures, reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate lighting devices are deployed for different applications, then the functional capabilities are improved, but the production and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is designed as a universal unit that can perform multiple functions through selective activation of its components. The control device enables the same physical structure to mark roadways during normal operation and indicate escape routes during emergencies by activating different light sources and light guides. This universality reduces the total number of devices needed, thereby lowering production, installation, and maintenance costs compared to deploying multiple specialized devices.
3Device complexity
If a single lighting device serves multiple functions, then the device quantity and costs are reduced, but the functional versatility must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is segmented into functionally independent components within a single housing. The first light source and first light guide are separated from the second light source and second light guide, allowing independent control of each function. The control device can selectively activate specific segments (light sources and light guides) based on operational requirements, maintaining functional versatility while using a single integrated device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting device employs dynamic control through the control device that can selectively activate different light sources and light guides based on operational mode. During normal operation, only the first light source and first light guide are active for roadway marking. During emergencies, the control device activates the second light source and second light guide for escape route indication. This dynamic switching maintains functional versatility while using a single device.
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 solution enables a single device to serve multiple functions, reducing the number of devices needed and associated costs, while ensuring reliable and versatile operation, including emergency signaling, with adaptable light control and enhanced visibility.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light guide element (48) which transmits the light (44) generated by the at least one light source (26) to the passage opening (42)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a lighting device for marking and identifying an edge (12) of a lane (14), of a road or of a track in a tunnel (16) or an underpass. Said lighting device comprises a housing (20) having a pot-shaped housing element (22) for accommodating at least one lamp (26, 26', 26'') and a control device (28) that switches the at least one lamp (26, 26', 26'') on and off and can be supplied with electricity, and having a cover element (24) that closes the pot-shaped housing element (22) in a sealing manner and has at least two passages (42, 42') facing away from one another for allowing light (44, 44') that can be produced by the at least one lamp (26, 26') to pass through, out of both sides of the housing (20), in opposite directions and parallel to the lane (14). The invention is characterised in that the cover element (24) has a further passage (42") that is facing the wall (18) of the tunnel (16) or the underpass for allowing light (44") that can be produced by the at least one lamp (26") to pass through, out of the housing (20) perpendicular to the lane (14) and onto the wall (18) of the tunnel (16) or the underpass. The invention further relates to the use of such a lighting device.