NZ751558A - Emergency Light Unit - Google Patents

Abstract

An emergency light unit [100] comprising a cover [110], an electric light source [140] mounted behind the cover, the cover having an aperture [150], the aperture having a depth thereof through a thickness of the cover, the electric light source being positioned to be visible through the aperture, the emergency light unit further comprising a symbol positioned behind the cover and also behind the aperture, the symbol positioned to be visible through the depth of the aperture. The invention enhance visibility through the aperture, facilitating maintenance, while the symbol would not obstruct the transmission of light.

Description

Emergency Light Unit Technical Field The present invention relates to an emergency light unit.

Background Emergency lights are lighting units which are configured to switch on automatically when there is a power outage in the proximity of the emergency light, for example when a building or other location in which the emergency light is installed experiences a power outage.

Emergency lights operate by having a separate power source from the mains power, for example a battery or other local power source.

Typically, emergency lights and emergency lighting systems are installed as standard in new residential and commercial properties.

Emergency lights are required to be tested in order to ensure that they are correctly configured for operation in the event of a power outage to the building or location.

Emergency lights typically have a test mode which may be activated for example by a designated test button. Emergency light units also typically have at least one distinguishing feature to enable a test engineer or other individual to identify the light unit as an emergency light unit. This enables the emergency lights to be quickly recognisable and the testing process can be managed efficiently.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary In a first aspect provided is an emergency light unit comprising a cover, an electric light source mounted behind the cover, the cover having an aperture, the electric light source being positioned to be visible through the aperture, the emergency light unit further comprising a symbol positioned behind the cover, the symbol positioned to be visible through the aperture.

In some embodiments, the symbol is an emergency light symbol.

In some embodiments, the emergency light unit further comprises a backplate.

In some embodiments, the emergency light unit further comprises a printed circuit board (PCB).

In some embodiments, the electric light source is mounted on the PCB.

In some embodiments, the PCB comprises the backplate.

In some embodiments, the light source is a light emitting diode (LED).

In some embodiments, the symbol is positioned on the PCB.

In some embodiments, the symbol is concentric with the light source.

In some embodiments, the emergency light unit further comprises a lens, the lens being positioned within the aperture.

In some embodiments, the cover is substantially round and the aperture is round, aperture being concentric with the cover, the light source being is positioned concentrically with the cover and the aperture.

In a further aspect provided is an emergency light unit comprising a cover, an electric light source and a backplate, the light source mounted within the emergency light unit, the cover having an aperture, the electric light source being positioned to be visible through the aperture, the emergency light unit further comprising a symbol positioned behind the cover, the symbol positioned to be visible through the aperture.

Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the disclosure are now described with reference to the drawings by way of example only, in which: Figure 1: is an exploded view of an embodiment of an emergency lighting or emergency light unit.

Figure 2: is a front view of an embodiment of an emergency light unit.

Figure 3: is a perspective view of an embodiment of an emergency light unit.

Figure 4: is an exploded view of a cover and lens of an embodiment.

Detailed Description Figure 1 is an exploded view illustration of an embodiment of an emergency light unit 100.

The emergency light unit 100 generally includes a cover 110 and a backplate 120. The backplate is configured to be attached to the cover 110. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the backplate 120 includes apertures 130a 130b arranged to collocate with mounting bosses (not shown) on the rear face of cover 110. Screws are driven through the apertures 130a 130b from behind the backplate to engage the mounting bosses on the rear face of the cover 110 in order to connect the backplate 120 to the cover 110. The engagement of the screw with the mounting bosses maintains the integrity of emergency light unit 100.

In further embodiments, different connection mechanisms may be used, for example, clips, adhesives or sandwich housing assemblies.

LED 140 is mounted to the backplate 120. The LED 140 is the light source within the emergency light unit. The LED 140 is connected to a power source in order to deliver power to the LED 140. Typically, the LED is connected to a battery or other local power source. In the example of Figure 1, the LED 140 is mounted to the backplate 120. In further embodiments, the LED 140 may be retained within the emergency light unit by alternative means.

In the example of Figure 1, the backplate 120 is a printed circuit board (PCB). PCB may include all electronics for driving the emergency light unit 100. Alternatively, some of the driving components may be on a separate assembly.

The cover 110 includes aperture 150. When the cover 110 is correctly orientated with respect to the backplate 120 and attached to the backplate 120, the LED is positioned 140 such that LED 140 is visible through aperture 150, this positioning is illustrated in Figure 2 and Figure 3. The arrangement of the LED 140 with respect to the aperture 150 allows that, when illuminated, light emitted from the LED 140 is emitted through the cover 110. This provides necessary illumination to the area in the proximity of the emergency light unit 100.

Lens 160 is optionally positioned to fit within the aperture 150. In the example of Figure 1, the lens 160 is a circular omnidirectional lens configured to direct light from the LED 140 omnidirectionally and outwardly from the cover 110. The lens allows for the light distribution from the LED to be altered to optimise the light pattern of the emergency light for the given application.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 the cover 110 is circular in shape, the aperture 150 and the lens 160 are also circular in shape. The centres of the cover 110 and the lens 160 are concentric. The LED 140 is arranged to be positioned concentrically with the cover 110 and the lens 160 when the emergency light unit is assembled. Again, Figure 2 provides an illustration showing the positioning of the LED from a front perspective of the emergency light unit which illustrates the central positioning of the LED.

An emergency lighting symbol is provided on the backplate 120. In the embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 3 the symbol is recognised in Australia as designating an emergency light, being alternate black and white quadrants. In the embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 3 the symbol is positioned directly on the backplate 120.

The symbol is concentric with the LED 140. The LED 140, the aperture 150 and the marker are arranged such that when the emergency light unit is assembled, the LED 140 is visible through the aperture 150 and the marker is also visible through the aperture 150. This configuration which allows the marker to be seen through aperture 150 enables the emergency light unit 100 to be recognised as an emergency light unit when the unit is viewed. This has a great advantage for emergency light test engineers and for other individuals to be able to clearly identify the emergency lighting unit as an emergency light.

Also, since the symbol is positioned internally within the emergency light unit 100, after assembly and installation the emergency marker may not be removed without disassembling the unit. In situations in which emergency lighting symbols are positioned on the cover of the emergency lighting unit, the symbol may be removed or tampered with after assembly.

In an embodiment of Figure 1, the symbol is applied to the PCB 120. The LED 140 is subsequently mounted to the PCB 120.

Power and data connections to and from emergency light unit 100 via port 170. In the embodiment described the port 170 is connected directly to the PCB of the emergency power unit. On further embodiments there may be connections between port 170 and the PCB.

The cover 110 includes further apertures 180 190a 190b. The aperture 180 is circular and configured to receive test switch 187. The test switch 187 is a mechanical push button switch connected to the PCB 120. On activation, the push button switch 187 causes connection of the LED 140 to its power source to illuminate the LED 140. After assembly, the push button 187 may be accessed from outside the cover through the aperture 180. In further embodiments, alternative switch types may be used, for example. Other switches for commissioning could be used as well.

The aperture 190a is configured to be aligned with LED 195a positioned on the backplate 120. The LED 195a indicates the status of the power source for the LED 140. This provides an indication of whether the power source, for example a battery, is charged.

The aperture 190b is configured to be aligned with LED 195b positioned on the backplate 120. The LED 195b indicates the status of connection or a remotely monitored system.

In further embodiments the LED 195b may be replaced with a sensor or other device.

In further embodiments, additional apertures could be included in the cover 110. These apertures align with additional devices positioned on the backplate, for example an infra-red receiver that would be used to commission the unit with a hand-held programmer, sensor or other LEDs.

In the embodiments discussed above, the LED 140 is provided as a light source in emergency light unit 100. In further embodiments, different light sources may be used. For example, an incandescent lamp or discharge lamp. Other technologies providing a light source are also possible.

In the embodiment described above, the emergency light symbol is indicated as alternate black and white quadrants. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that different symbols or markers could be used to indicate that the light unit is an emergency lighting unit. Different symbols or different positioning of the symbols on the backplate 120 could be used. In all cases the symbol is visible through the aperture 150 in order to provide an indication that the unit is an emergency light unit.

Embodiments of the disclosure allow visibility of the symbol through the cover. Further embodiments enable any type of unit to be identifiable by using an appropriate symbol.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the aperture 150 is circular and the lens 160 is a circular omnidirectional lens. In further embodiments of the invention, the aperture takes different shapes and lens is configured to match the shape of the aperture. In the embodiment of Figure 4, cover 210 includes aperture 250. The aperture 250 forms an elongated shape having curved end portions. Lens 260 is configured to fit the shape of the aperture 250. Such an arrangement can be used to form a corridor style light beam. In such embodiments, the emergency light symbol is visible through the aperture and light source positioned so as to be visible through the aperture.

In the embodiments shown in the figures, the cover is round. In further embodiments the cover may take other shapes.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (11)

Claims:

1. An emergency light unit comprising a cover, an electric light source mounted behind the cover, the cover having an aperture, the electric light source being positioned to 5 be visible through the aperture, the emergency light unit further comprising a symbol positioned behind the cover, the symbol positioned to be visible through the aperture.

2. An emergency light unit according to claim 1 wherein the symbol is an emergency light symbol.

3. An emergency lighting unit according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a backplate.

4. An emergency light unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprising a 15 printed circuit board (PCB).

5. An emergency light unit according to claim 4, the electric light source being mounted on the PCB. 20

6. An emergency lighting unit according to either claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the PCB comprises the backplate.

7. An emergency light unit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the light source is a light emitting diode (LED).

8. An emergency light unit according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the symbol is positioned on the PCB.

9. An emergency light unit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the 30 symbol is concentric with the light source.

10. An emergency light unit according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a lens, the lens being positioned within the aperture. 35

11. An emergency light unit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover is substantially round and the aperture is round, aperture being concentric with the cover, the light source being is positioned concentrically with the cover and the aperture. 130b 195a 190a 195b 130a 190b