UV-Pulsed Emergency Lighting With Fluorescent Exit Indicators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Emergency lighting systems fail to provide effective illumination during power outages, particularly in environments where normal lighting systems are interrupted, and existing solutions do not adequately address the need for efficient power conservation and visibility enhancement.

Innovation Solution

An emergency lighting system comprising ultraviolet light sources and fluorescent indicators, where the ultraviolet light sources emit pulses of ultraviolet light controlled by a processor to illuminate fluorescent indicators, improving visibility and conserving power through adjustable pulse frequency and illuminance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If ultraviolet light sources continuously illuminate fluorescent indicators, then visibility is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of emergency indicatorsVSAvoidpower consumption of ultraviolet light sources

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic pulsing of ultraviolet light sources instead of continuous illumination. The controller activates UV LEDs in cycles (e.g., 50% duty cycle), creating visible light through fluorescent indicators only when needed for visibility, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining effective illumination during critical periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the illumination pattern of UV light sources based on operational requirements. The controller modifies pulsing frequency, duration, and intensity to balance visibility needs with power conservation, adapting the illumination strategy to different emergency scenarios and battery charge levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of moving object

If pulse frequency and illuminance are reduced to conserve power, then operational time is extended, but visibility is diminished

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational time of emergency lighting systemVSAvoidvisibility of emergency indicators

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by using intermittent UV pulses rather than continuous illumination. Each pulse provides sufficient illuminance for visibility during its brief duration, while the cumulative effect over extended periods maintains operational effectiveness without requiring full continuous power output

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller dynamically changes parameters such as pulse frequency, duty cycle, and UV intensity to optimize the balance between visibility and power consumption. By adjusting these parameters based on battery status and environmental conditions, the system extends operational time while maintaining adequate visibility thresholds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If visible light filters are added to ultraviolet light sources, then harmful UV exposure is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveultraviolet radiation exposure to usersVSAvoidstructure of ultraviolet light source assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful component (visible light and excessive UV) by incorporating selective filters in the UV LED assembly. These filters allow only the necessary UV wavelength range to pass through, blocking harmful visible light and excessive UV radiation, thereby protecting users while maintaining the core fluorescent illumination function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The UV light source assembly uses composite filtering materials that combine multiple filtering properties in a single integrated component. These composite filters simultaneously block harmful visible light and excessive UV wavelengths while transmitting the required UV range, reducing overall system complexity compared to multiple separate filtering stages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 system ensures enhanced visibility during emergencies by converting ultraviolet light into visible light, effectively guiding users while optimizing power usage by reducing frequency and illuminance to extend the system's operational time.

Implementation Method 1

one or more fluorescent emergency lighting system indicators configured to emit visible light in response to absorbing ultraviolet light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP4529357A1An emergency lighting system

Publication Date: 2025.03.26 F W THORPE

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AI summary

An emergency lighting system comprising: one or more fluorescent emergency lighting system indicators configured to emit visible light in response to absorbing ultraviolet light; one or more ultraviolet light sources configured to emit ultraviolet light and illuminate the one or more fluorescent emergency lighting system indicators; and a controller configured to control the one or more ultraviolet light sources to emit ultraviolet light.