DE202022101995U1 - Light guide element for escape sign luminaire - Google Patents

Abstract

Light guide element (50) for an escape sign light (100), the light guide element (50) having:
• a plate-shaped light-guiding area (10) which, on one narrow side, has an elongate light-coupling side (13) extending along a longitudinal axis (L) for coupling light from an elongate light source, the light-guiding area (10) being designed for this purpose via the light-coupling side (13) to emit radiated light over at least one flat side (11, 12) aligned substantially perpendicularly to the light coupling side (13),
• a cover area (40) which is also plate-shaped and which extends in the area of the light coupling side (13) essentially perpendicularly to the light-guiding area (10) and is provided to cover a housing (80) of the escape sign luminaire (100), characterized in that the light-guiding area ( 10) at both ends of the light coupling side (13)
a) cavities (20) each designed to accommodate at least one escape route lighting element (60), or
b) laterally open recesses (25) for receiving an escape route lighting element (60) in each case.

Description

The present invention relates to a light-guiding element according to the preamble of claim 1, which is intended in particular for use in an escape sign luminaire, the escape sign luminaire being designed both to indicate the direction of an escape route and to illuminate an escape route.

Different types of escape sign luminaires are known from the prior art, with modern and aesthetically pleasing escape sign luminaires generally having an external light-guiding element, on the flat sides of which at least one escape sign is attached with an escape route direction displayed thereon. In escape sign luminaires of this type, light is usually coupled in from a narrow side of the light guide element, which forms a light coupling side, with this light then being distributed within this light guide and preferably emitted mainly via the flat sides, so that the escape sign, together with the direction of the escape route shown, can be seen easily and well . Such an escape sign luminaire with a light guide protruding from a housing is, for example, from EP 2 648 178 B1 known.

Another function of escape sign luminaires can be to illuminate at least part of the escape route in addition to indicating the direction of the escape route. These lights then usually have additional escape route lighting elements in the form of so-called ERI spots (Escape Route Illumination Spots), via which areas of an escape route are specifically illuminated. As a rule, these light sources are designed in such a way that they emit light in a highly asymmetrical manner in a specified direction, for example to illuminate a long corridor. However, these escape route lighting elements then only illuminate the corresponding escape routes in an emergency situation, for example during a fire, while the escape sign symbol of the escape sign light itself should be illuminated continuously, ie also in situations in which no evacuation is required. Such an escape sign luminaire with additional escape route lighting is, for example, in DE 10 2011 082 844 A1 described.

With escape sign luminaires of the type described above, which therefore use a light guide projecting laterally or below from a luminaire housing, the problem arises as to where these additional escape route lighting elements should be arranged. The light guide itself does not offer the possibility of arranging such additional light sources on its underside, since this is either not technically feasible or would adversely affect the appearance of the light guide. Previously known solutions therefore provide for the light guide to be provided on its light coupling side facing the housing with a flange-like cover element running transversely thereto, which serves on the one hand for coupling to the luminaire housing and on the other hand surrounds the light guide on all sides, so that receiving areas for the Escape route lighting elements are created.

Since the light guide element is generally oriented downwards and the light emitted by these escape route lighting elements is also primarily downwards or diagonally downwards, in the solution just described, several escape route lighting elements must be distributed around the outer circumference of the flange-like area in order to be able to ensure that a Escape route can be efficiently illuminated in any direction below the lamp, without the risk that the light-guiding element blocks or shades the light output. As a result, the space required by the lamp is increased in all directions beyond the dimensions of the light-guiding element.

Since, on the other hand, there is a desire to be able to design such escape sign luminaires as compactly and elegantly as possible, the present invention is based on the task of specifying a new possibility that enables additional escape route lighting elements to be positioned in an escape sign luminaire, while at the same time ensuring that the Luminaire can be kept compact and yet there is maximum flexibility in terms of the direction of light emission of the escape route lighting elements.

The object is achieved by a light-guiding element for an escape sign luminaire, which has the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

As in the solution known from the prior art, the light-guiding element according to the invention also has a plate-shaped light-guiding area which, on one narrow side, has an elongate light-injection side extending along a longitudinal axis for the in-coupling of light from an elongate light source, with the light-guiding area being designed for this purpose to emit light irradiated via the light coupling side areally on at least one flat side aligned substantially perpendicularly to the light coupling side. A plate-shaped cover area is also coupled to this light-guiding area, which extends essentially perpendicularly to the light-guiding area in the area of the light coupling side and is provided to cover a housing of the escape sign luminaire. However, while in the prior art the escape route lighting elements were positioned on the cover area laterally on the outer circumference of the light guide area, in the present case it is provided that the light guide area itself has either cavities or laterally open recesses at the two ends of the light coupling side. These cavities or recesses are each designed to accommodate at least one escape route lighting element, which is then arranged essentially within the dimensions of the light-guiding element. This eliminates the need for the covering area to protrude laterally beyond the light-guiding area on all sides. Accordingly, dimensions, in particular of the coverage area, can be reduced and the resulting escape sign luminaire can be made more compact and elegant overall.

• • einen plattenförmigen Lichtleitbereich, der an einer Schmalseite eine längliche, sich entlang einer Längsachse erstreckende Lichteinkoppelseite für die Einkopplung von Licht einer länglichen Lichtquelle aufweist, wobei der Lichtleitbereich dazu ausgebildet ist, über die Lichteinkoppelseite eingestrahltes Licht an zumindest einer im Wesentlichen senkrecht zur Lichteinkoppelseite ausgerichteten Flachseite flächig abzustrahlen,
• • einen ebenfalls plattenförmigen Abdeckungsbereich, der sich im Bereich der Lichteinkoppelseite im Wesentlichen senkrecht zum Lichtleitbereich erstreckt und zur Abdeckung eines Gehäuses der Rettungszeichenleuchte vorgesehen ist, und wobei erfindungsgemäß der Lichtleitbereich an den beiden Enden der Lichteinkoppelseite
  1. a) Hohlräume, die jeweils zur Aufnahme zumindest eines Rettungswegbeleuchtungselements ausgebildet sind, oder
  2. b) seitlich offene Aussparungen zur Aufnahme jeweils eines Rettungswegbeleuchtungselements

aufweist.According to the present invention, a light-guiding element for an escape sign luminaire is proposed, the light-guiding element having:

• • a plate-shaped light-guiding area, which on one narrow side has an elongated light coupling side extending along a longitudinal axis for coupling light from an elongated light source, the light-guiding area being designed to direct light radiated via the light coupling side onto at least one flat side oriented essentially perpendicularly to the light coupling side radiate flat,
• • a likewise plate-shaped cover area, which extends in the area of the light coupling side essentially perpendicularly to the light guide area and is intended to cover a housing of the escape sign luminaire, and the light guide area at the two ends of the light coupling side according to the invention
  1. a) cavities, each designed to accommodate at least one escape route lighting element, or
  2. b) Recesses open at the side to accommodate an escape route lighting element

having.

According to the present invention, the escape route lighting elements are now arranged in areas that are actually reserved for the plate-shaped light guide area. However, it is preferably provided here that these are areas which lie outside of an area of the plate-shaped light-guiding area provided for light emission. So if - as is usual with escape sign luminaires - the direction of an escape route is to be displayed using a pictogram, this is preferably arranged outside the areas that are now intended for the formation of the cavities or recesses, so that the pictogram is complete and unimpaired despite everything can be displayed.

Since it is also desired that the plate-shaped light guide area appears as uniformly bright as possible apart from the areas of the cavities or cutouts, it is preferably provided that the boundaries of the cavities or cutouts extend laterally from the light coupling side to an edge of the light guide element. In particular, it can be provided that the boundaries of the cavities or recesses extend obliquely outwards, in particular linearly obliquely outwards. This measure results in the fact that, despite the positioning of the escape route lighting elements according to the invention, the light coupled into the light coupling side of the light-guiding area can spread essentially completely over the entire light-guiding area and its edge areas also appear bright.

The plate-shaped light-guiding area is preferably formed integrally with the plate-shaped covering area, so that the light-guiding element according to the invention is present as a one-piece component. It can also be provided here that the plate-shaped covering area forms elongated recesses on both sides of the light coupling side of the light-guiding area, as a result of which efficient coupling of the light into the light-guiding area is ensured.

As described above, the design of the light-guiding element according to the invention means that the dimensions of the coverage area can be reduced. In particular, it can be provided that the plate-shaped covering area has the same extent as the light-guiding area, viewed in the longitudinal direction. Viewed in this direction, it is therefore no longer necessary for the covering area to protrude beyond the light-guiding area, as was the case with the solutions from the prior art.

The cavities for accommodating the escape route lighting elements are preferably designed in such a way that they can be rotated or at least least are accommodated in the cavities so that they can be oriented in different directions. In this case, the consumer can specify at the time the lamp is installed in which direction the escape route lighting elements are oriented and correspondingly in which direction the lighting of an escape route should take place.

If, on the other hand, according to the alternative solution, cutouts are provided in the light guide area, then lens-like escape route lighting elements are preferably arranged on the plate-shaped cover area, which each protrude into the corresponding cutouts of the light guide area, with the escape route lighting elements in this case also being rotatable or orientable in different directions on the cover area are arranged. As already mentioned, these escape route lighting elements preferably cause an asymmetrical light output, for example to be able to illuminate an elongated corridor located below the light.

According to the invention, an escape sign luminaire is also proposed which has a housing with an elongate light source arranged therein and means for operating the light source, and wherein a light guide element is also provided as described above, the light coupling side of which is assigned to the elongate light source. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that additional lamps are arranged at both ends of the elongated light source, the light from which is then emitted via one of the escape route lighting elements. These additional lighting means can then preferably be operated separately or independently of the elongate light source, so that an escape route is only illuminated when required.

• 1 - 4 Ansichten einer Rettungszeichenleuchte mit Rettungswegbeleuchtungsfunktion, bei der ein erfindungsgemäßes Lichtleitelement zum Einsatz kommt;
• 5 eine Schnittdarstellung eines Rettungswegbeleuchtungselements;
• 6 - 7 Ansichten des erfindungsgemäßen Lichtleitelements; und
• 8 - 10 Darstellungen einer Rettungszeichenleuchte mit einem alternativ erfindungsgemäß ausgestalteten Lichtleitelement.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawing. Show it:

• 1 - 4 Views of an escape sign luminaire with escape route lighting function, in which a light guide element according to the invention is used;
• 5 a sectional view of an escape route lighting element;
• 6 - 7 Views of the light guide according to the invention; and
• 8th - 10 Representations of an escape sign luminaire with a light-guiding element designed as an alternative according to the invention.

In the 1 - 4 various views of an exemplary embodiment of an escape sign luminaire 100 designed according to the invention are shown. This consists essentially of two components, on the one hand a housing 80 with lamps arranged therein (not shown in the figures) and operating equipment for operating the lamps, and on the other hand a light guide element 50, which is responsible for the emission of the light generated by the lamps. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the lamp housing 80 is approximately cuboid and open on the underside, this underside then being covered with the aid of the light-conducting element 50 . The housing 80 can be designed both for ceiling mounting and for ceiling installation, although this is of no further importance for the present invention.

The central component of light-guiding element 50 is initially a plate-shaped light-guiding area 10, which has two flat sides 11 and 12 lying opposite one another, with an escape route symbol (not shown in detail) being arranged on at least one of the two flat sides 11, 12, which symbol represents a predetermined escape route direction. This escape route symbol is designed in a known manner in the form of a pictogram, which is appropriately backlit by the light emitted and ideally appears evenly bright. The region of the arrangement of the escape route symbol is provided with the reference number 15 in the figures. The light emission of the light-guiding element 50 should therefore take place primarily via this area.

The escape route symbol is therefore illuminated in that a light coupling side 13 (see e.g 6 ) the light generated by the illuminants of the lamp 100 is coupled into the light-guiding area 10 . By means of corresponding multiple reflections, the light is then distributed over the entire extent of the light-guiding area 10 and then radiated flatly laterally at least over the area 15 provided for light emission. Appropriate light decoupling structures can be provided for this purpose on the flat sides 11 and/or 12 in a known manner, which then influence the light coupled into the light-guiding area 10 in such a way that it can leave the light-guiding area 10 .

The light-guiding region 10 is like in particular in the 6 and 7 recognizable coupled in the area of the light coupling side 13 with a covering area 40 running transversely or perpendicularly thereto. In particular, both areas, i.e. light guide area 10 and cover area 40, are formed integrally, so that light guide element 50 according to the invention is present as a one-piece component, esp especially as a one-piece plastic component, which consists for example of PMMA or PC.

The dimensions of the covering area 40 essentially correspond to the dimensions of the lamp housing 80, so that the light-guiding element 10 can be arranged with the covering area 40 on the underside of the lamp housing 80, thereby closing it. Corresponding measures for fastening the light guide element 10 to the housing 80 are not shown for reasons of clarity.

The cover area 40 here forms in particular two flat areas 41 and 43 running laterally to the light coupling side 13 of the light-guiding area 10, which, however—as in 6 recognizable - are separated by elongated recesses 42 and 44 from the light coupling side 15. When mounted on the housing 80, the illuminants of the escape sign luminaire 100, which are preferably implemented in the form of an elongated array of LEDs, are assigned to the light coupling side 13, with the aid of the recesses 42, 44 preventing scattered light from being coupled into the light guide element 10 and is then, for example, undesirably released over areas of the coverage area 40 . These recesses 42, 44 running in the longitudinal direction thus increase the efficiency of the coupling of light into the light-guiding element 10 and thus the quality of the light emitted by the luminaire 100.

With regard to the measures described so far, the lamp 100 according to the present invention essentially corresponds to already known solutions. As already mentioned, however, the luminaire 100 should also have the function of lighting an escape route, with escape route lighting elements being used for this purpose, as shown in the sectional view in FIG 5 are shown.

In particular, these escape route lighting elements 60 represent lens-like optics, with the aid of which the light from an associated light source 65 is radiated in a targeted manner in a specific direction. The light source 65 is also provided in the housing 80 of the lamp 100, but is operated separately from the light sources that are provided to illuminate the escape route symbol. Escape route lighting should be provided in particular in cases where targeted evacuation measures are required due to an emergency. On the other hand, during normal operation, the escape route lighting should remain inactive, while the escape route symbol of the light 100 should be on continuously.

The light from this light source 65 provided for the escape route illumination, which is preferably in turn implemented in the form of an LED, is then radiated into the optics of the escape route illumination element 60 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, this has Fresnel-like structures 61 on its underside, with the aid of which the light—as indicated schematically by the two arrows—can be emitted laterally in a highly asymmetrical manner. Depending on the orientation of this escape route lighting element 60, an escape route located below the light 100 can be illuminated in a targeted manner.

In previously known solutions, provision was made for such escape route lighting elements 60 to be arranged on the laterally protruding areas of the plate-shaped covering area 40 . Since - as can be seen in the figures - the light guide element 10 is aligned downwards and the light is emitted via the escape route lighting elements 60 also diagonally downwards, these escape route lighting elements 60 had to be distributed outside of the light guide area 10 on the outer circumference of the cover area 40, with an arrangement in particular was required on all sides in order to prevent the light emission via an escape route lighting element 60 from being blocked by the fiber optics area 10 in special lighting situations. Flexibility with regard to the direction of light emission for the escape route lighting was therefore only present if the covering area 40 protruded in a flange-like manner over the light-conducting area 10 on all sides.

In order to open up the possibility of making the coverage area 40 and thus the lamp 100 more compact overall, a novel arrangement for the escape route lighting elements 60 is now provided.

As the figures show, the light guide element 50 according to the invention according to the first exemplary embodiment is designed in such a way that pocket-like receptacles or cavities 20 are formed at the two ends of the light coupling side 13, each of which serves to accommodate an escape route lighting element 60. The positioning and design of these cavities 20 is such that they do not or only insignificantly affect the emission of light via the escape route lighting elements 60 arranged therein. In particular, an escape route lighting element 60 can be aligned in a receptacle 20 in such a way that light can be emitted for the escape route lighting in different directions, as illustrated by the arrows in FIG 7 is indicated. Since also at the opposite end of the light coupling side 13 in an analogous manner a free orientation of the corresponding escape route lighting element 60 is possible, an unhindered emission of light for escape route lighting can thus take place in any desired direction.

The walls of the corresponding receptacles or of the cavities 20 are thus designed in such a way that they do not or at most insignificantly affect the emission of the light provided for the escape route lighting. Accordingly, they consist either of a clear or at most slightly scattering material. The shape of these recordings 20, which is only shown as an example in the figures, can be selected such that the light is not deflected by undesired reflections or refractions.

Overall, a flexible illumination of an escape route can also take place in the present case, with the covering area 40 no longer protruding beyond the fiber-optics area 10 when viewed in the longitudinal direction. Overall, the light fixture 100 can therefore be designed to be more compact and elegant.

The arrangement of the escape route lighting elements 60 at the two ends of the light coupling side 13 naturally has the consequence that light cannot now be coupled into the light guide region 10 over the entire length of the light coupling side 13 . The light sources for backlighting the escape route symbol are therefore slightly shorter than the overall length of the light 100 . In order to nevertheless ensure that light is emitted over the entire surface of the light-guiding area 10, it is provided according to the illustrations that the boundaries of the receptacles or cavities 20 extend laterally from the light-coupling side 13 to the edge area of the light-guiding area 10. In particular - as in 4 recognizable - a laterally linearly outwardly directed delimitation of these cavities 20 can be provided. The one about area 1 (see 4 ) Incoupled light can then be forwarded obliquely downwards to the edge area of the fiber-optics area 10, as shown schematically. Since the actual area 15 for backlighting the pictogram is formed below the cavities or receptacles 20 for the escape route lighting elements 60, it is ensured that it is evenly backlit over its entire area.

As already mentioned, the receptacles 20 are designed in such a way that the escape route lighting elements 60 can be arranged in these receptacles 20 either rotatably or at least oriented in the desired alignment. This gives you the option of freely choosing the direction in which the lighting of an escape route should take place.

Another conceivable embodiment of a light-guiding element 50 according to the invention is shown in FIGS 8th - 10 shown, wherein the same elements of the lamp 100 are provided with the same reference numerals.

Basically, this second variant is very similar to the first embodiment, although now the light-guiding element 50 no longer has any receptacles 20 for the protected receptacle of the escape route lighting elements 60 . Instead, the light guide area 10 is provided with cutouts 25 at the two end areas of the light coupling side 13, in which—as can be seen in the figures—an escape route lighting element 60 is arranged in each case. This can now be arranged, for example, on the corresponding area of the covering area 40 and protrudes freely into the corresponding cutout 25 of the light-guiding element 50, with the emission of the light intended for illuminating the escape route not being impaired by the light-guiding area 10 in this case either.

The recess 25 is in turn designed in such a way that the light coupled in via the light coupling side 15, which is somewhat shortened in terms of its length, can still reach the edge region of the light guide region 10 at an angle downwards, so that the escape route symbol can be backlit over the entire surface . In this case too, the delimitation of the cutout 25 is in each case designed in such a way that it ideally extends linearly, starting from the light coupling side 15, diagonally outwards.

In this second variant, too, the escape route lighting elements 60 can be arranged on the cover area 40 in such a way that they can be rotated according to the required escape route lighting or arranged in a desired orientation on the cover area 40 .

The light-guiding element according to the invention thus enables the display of an escape route symbol and at the same time the realization of efficient escape route lighting, with the greatest possible flexibility in terms of the direction of light emission for escape route lighting. However, the luminaire can now be made more compact and elegant in comparison to previously known solutions.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 2648178 B1 [0002]
• DE 102011082844 A1 [0003]

Claims (13)

Light-guiding element (50) for an escape sign luminaire (100), the light-guiding element (50) having: • a plate-shaped light-guiding area (10) which, on one narrow side, has an elongate light-coupling side (13) extending along a longitudinal axis (L) for the coupling of light from an elongate light source, with the light guide area (10) being designed to emit light radiated in via the light coupling side (13) flatly on at least one flat side (11, 12) aligned essentially perpendicularly to the light coupling side (13), • a likewise plate-shaped covering area (40), which extends in the area of the light coupling side (13) essentially perpendicularly to the light-guiding area (10) and is provided to cover a housing (80) of the escape sign luminaire (100), characterized in that the light-guiding area (10) on the two ends of the light coupling side (13) a) cavities (20), each designed to accommodate at least one escape route lighting element (60), or b) laterally open recesses (25) to accommodate one escape route lighting element (60) each. light guide element claim 1 , characterized in that the cavities (20) or recesses (25) are located outside of an area (15) of the plate-shaped light guide area (10) provided for light emission. light guide element claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that delimitations of the cavities (20) or recesses (25) extend from the light coupling side (13) to a lateral edge of the light guide region (10). light guide element claim 3 , characterized in that the boundaries of the cavities (20) or recesses (25) extend obliquely linearly outwards. Light-guiding element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate-shaped light-guiding area (10) is formed integrally with the plate-shaped covering area (40). Light guide element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate-shaped covering area (40) forms elongated recesses (42, 44) on both sides of the light coupling side (13) of the light guide area (10). Light-guiding element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate-shaped covering area (40) has the same extent as the light-guiding area (10) when viewed in the longitudinal direction (L). Light-guiding element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a lens-like escape route lighting element (60) is accommodated in each of the cavities (20), in particular is accommodated such that it can be rotated or oriented in different directions. Light guide according to one of Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that lens-like escape route lighting elements (60) are arranged on the plate-shaped cover area (40), which each protrude into the recesses (25) of the fiber optics region (10), the escape route lighting elements (60) being rotatable or orientable in different directions on the Cover area (40) are arranged. Light guide element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the escape route lighting elements (60) bring about an asymmetrical light emission. Escape sign luminaire (100), comprising • a housing (80) with an elongated light source arranged therein and means for operating the light source, and • a light guide element (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light coupling side (13) of the light guide element (50) is associated with the elongated light source. Escape sign luminaire claim 11 , characterized in that additional lamps are arranged at both ends of the elongate light source, the light of which is emitted via one of the escape route lighting elements (60). Escape sign luminaire claim 12 , characterized in that the additional lighting means can be operated independently of the elongated light source.

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