EP2056268A2 - Warning light for the visual display of at least one operating status - Google Patents

Abstract

The warning lamp has illuminating elements designed as multicolor LEDs (2). The illuminating elements are provided for sending a sequence of light impulses within certain time interval during indication of certain operating condition, where the light characteristics of the light impulses is determined by a light parameter (P) such as brightness, luminous period, frequency, color and beam direction. A control unit has a random generator for quasi random aperiodic change of a light parameter and/or a dark parameter of individual illuminating the element in the time interval.

Description

The invention relates to a warning light for displaying at least one operating state, in particular of a plurality of different operating states, of a technical device such as a machine, a system, a vehicle or the like having at least one light emitting element for emitting a sequence of a plurality of light pulses within a certain time interval the display of the specific operating state according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art

Warning lights, such as signal towers or the like, are used for signaling or displaying operating conditions on technical devices, such as machines, systems or vehicles so far in various variants in use. They serve primarily to signal malfunction of machinery or equipment, in particular visually and / or acoustically, so that the operator is able to recognize and eliminate them. For this purpose, they generally emit the warning or the respective operating state that is to be displayed in the form of a (colored) light and / or an acoustic signal. For example, for a Operating state, a display provided with green light, which should signal that everything is OK. For signaling a critical operating state, a display is often used by means of red light, which is to signal, for example, that a fault is present or an area should not be entered. Especially in the case of malfunctions or even dangerous states, it is very important that the corresponding signaling is actually perceived by the operators.

In order to increase the perception of optical signal devices, the following measures have hitherto been used: the critical operating state is characterized by an increased brightness or by an all-round light, e.g. it produces a so-called rotating mirror light, etc., or signaled by a flashing light or by a flashlight.

For example, the shows DE 10 2006 015 175 A1 a flashlight warning light, wherein the flash of light is generated by means of LED. A flashlight is a particularly short-lived and very bright light pulse, which is separated by dark phases of a subsequent light flash or light pulse. Such flashing lights, flashlights or rotating lights change between light and dark phases about once per second. In this case, a sequence of several light pulses is generated for the respective operating state to be displayed.

In practice, however, it has been shown that even such measures to increase the perception of especially critical operating conditions are not sufficient, since, for example, act in large factory halls numerous different light impressions on the operators. For example, there are several machines with signal towers available, also have vehicles such as forklifts in large factories to the direction indicator Flashing lights and / or welding generate light pulses that are distributed through reflections in a workshop.

Purpose and advantages of the invention

The object of the invention is in contrast, a warning light for optical display of at least one operating state, wherein the luminous characteristic of the light pulses of at least one luminous parameter such as brightness, duration, frequency, color, emission or the like is to be proposed to suggest the perception of the optical display of certain operating state, in particular a particularly critical operating state, is significantly improved.

This object is achieved on the basis of a warning light of the aforementioned type, by the characterizing features of claim 1. The measures mentioned in the dependent claims advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are possible.

Accordingly, a warning lamp according to the invention is characterized in that an aperiodic change of at least one or more of the illumination parameters is provided in the time interval, in particular the brightness and / or illumination duration and / or frequency and / or color and / or emission direction or the like.

Due to the aperiodic change of the illumination parameter according to the invention, a special perception or highest attention can be achieved by the operator. It can be said here so to speak of so-called. "Psycho" -Licht, since the perception or, the attention of the operator directly in the brain influenced and compared to the prior art is significantly increased. It has been shown that the previous flashlights or flashing lights, etc. over time, ie in the course of the operating time of the technical device, eg over a longer display period or weeks or months, away from the appropriate operators in the brain "gradually faded out "and accordingly, the perception decreases over time. This is, for example, in the display of particularly critical operating conditions corresponding technical devices with relevant risk potential, for example for man and / or machine of extraordinary disadvantage.

According to the invention, in which an aperiodic change of the luminous parameter is provided in the time interval during the display of the specific operating state, there is no habituation effect on the operator, so that the perception is on the one hand particularly high and on the other hand by the operator over a longer period, such as does not decrease over months. Accordingly, according to the invention, the reliability is significantly increased compared to the prior art. First experiments with test persons have shown that according to the invention even a "quantum leap" in perception by the corresponding persons can be realized.

The aperiodically changing luminous parameter can be, for example, the brightness and / or the illumination duration and / or the frequency per unit of time and / or the color and / or the emission direction and / or the increase in brightness. Precisely because of the combination of several aperiodically changing luminous parameters in the time interval and / or from luminous pulse to luminous pulse leads to a particularly high perception and to a reduction or complete avoidance of the danger of habituation of corresponding operators. For example, during the sequence of light pulses, not only the brightness of Be changed light pulse to light pulse, but also the length of the light pulses and / or the color of the emitted light or light pulse.

According to the invention, a plurality of correspondingly aperiodically changed light pulses can be provided in succession. In a particular development of the invention, at least two light pulses are provided by a dark parameter which changes at least aperiodically, preferably in the time interval, such as e.g. the duration or the like, having dark phase separated. This means that between the two light pulses, a pulse is provided with switched off light element or very small or minimal brightness. Similarly, multiple dark phases, i. Light pulses with no brightness, are arranged one behind the other. This also corresponds to a change in the length of the dark phase, which likewise represents a luminous parameter or dark parameter according to the invention.

At least theoretically, it can be assumed that a luminous pulse essentially has a rectangular shape. In practice, however, it will be assumed that a light pulse has a very steep, continuous rise up to a maximum value and subsequently drops again continuously. According to the invention, such luminous pulses may also overlap, so that by a temporal stringing together e.g. similar brighter or equally bright light pulses means that this is very easy the duration of the light-emitting element is extended.

Alternatively or in combination with this, the visually perceived lighting duration can be extended by the operator by stretching or flattening the slope or the rise of the light pulse or the brightness or the duration of the maximum brightness.

The same can be achieved for the fall of the light pulse or the brightness.

For example, a luminous pulse is formed in the manner of a bell curve or Gaussian distribution or the like, i. that the brightness changes substantially in accordance with a bell / Gaussian function, wherein the maximum value is for example a predetermined brightness and at the same time luminous parameter in the sense of the invention. In this case, the slope of the rising and / or the falling edge can each be a luminous parameter in the sense of the invention.

With a similar rising and falling edge of the light pulse is formed as a symmetrical light pulse. Alternatively, it is also possible to form an asymmetrical light pulse, wherein the rising edge and the falling edge have different slopes or are realized for different lengths.

Accordingly, according to the invention, the shape of the light pulse can be formed as the aperiodically changing luminous parameter. As a result, a luminous pulse can be perceived by the operator as gradually brighter becoming light pulse, which then ends, for example, abruptly or abruptly into a dark phase. Such differences also lead according to the invention to increased perception by the appropriate operators.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pulse energy of the luminous pulse is the aperiodically changing luminous parameter. Here, the pulse energy is substantially analogous to the area under the light pulse curve. For example, a very short, but high, or bright light pulse can be generated, which is about the light pulse a so-called flash light corresponds. On the other hand, an illuminating pulse may have a comparatively long lighting duration, the maximum brightness being many times smaller in comparison with a flash of light, eg only 10% of the brightness of a so-called flash of light.

Advantageously, the time interval comprises ten different light pulses and / or dark phases. It has been shown that even such a comparatively small number of different light pulses and / or dark phases per time interval leads to a sudden improved perception by humans or the operators.

In a preferred variant of the invention, the time interval comprises at least one thousand or ten thousand or one hundred thousand or one million or more different light pulses and / or dark phases. In practice, it has been shown that the risk of getting used to changing light parameters according to the invention is reduced with increasing number of different light pulses and / or dark phases. At present, it is technically quite possible with tolerable effort to generate several thousand or millions of different light pulses and / or dark phases within a certain time interval during the display of the specific operating state.

Generally, the higher the number of different light pulses and / or dark phases in the time interval, the longer will be the time interval during the warning phase of the particular operating state. As a result, it is possibly even possible for a relatively long display of the specific operating state that no single light pulse or no dark phase is identical and / or that no repetition of a sequence of light pulses within the time interval needs to be realized.

On the other hand, according to the invention, after a comparatively long time, for example one half or one minute, a first time interval may end, followed by a second time interval which is substantially identical to the first time interval, eg.

Advantageously, at least within the time interval between ten and sixty changes in the light pulse per second are provided, in particular, between twenty or thirty changes in the light pulse per second are provided. It has been shown that the person or the operator perceives so many changes per second particularly attentively or the attention is significantly increased by the operator. Such many changes per second are colloquially referred to as so-called "flicker", which is partly perceived as negative and u.a. This leads to a significantly increased perception or attention in the operator.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the alternation between a light pulse and a dark phase are formed as temporally periodic change. This is particularly advantageous in the aforementioned (fimmer) variants of the invention in which between ten and sixty are preferably provided between twenty and thirty changes in the luminous moment per second. With so many changes per second, the dark phases are just perceived by the person or the operator and are perceived as annoying or negative. Accordingly, a periodic change between light pulse and dark phase can be provided here, without fear of habituation or impairment of perception. Corresponding periodic changes between light and Dark phase, which are laid in particular via an aperiodic change according to the invention, can be realized structurally as well as control technology comparatively easily.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a plurality of lighting elements are provided. By means of a plurality of lighting elements, the effect or the effect of the inventive display of the specific operating state is further enhanced. In addition, additional functionalities can be realized when using multiple lighting elements. For example, as a further aperiodically changing luminous parameter, the number of luminous luminous elements can also be used. Accordingly, the perception of the warning light by the operator is further improved by means of a plurality of lighting elements.

In an advantageous variant of the invention, at least two, in particular three, four etc. lighting elements form a lighting element group with identical illumination parameters. As a result, the control-technical effort is reduced, since only for every second or third etc. lighting element, a change of the illumination parameter according to the invention is carried out. Also, one light element group per light pulse may have a different selection of light elements.

Advantageously, the luminous elements of a luminous element group are arranged such that their emission directions are different. For example, three light elements are circumferentially arranged, for example, a cylindrical exchange module of a so-called. Signal tower or the like at an angle of 120 ° to each other. As a result, from an operator or a fixed angle to the warning light in general only a single light emitting diode or a single light emitting element perceived.

Preferably, the / the lighting element are designed as a light emitting diode. Compared to light bulbs, etc., light-emitting diodes have particularly short turn-on and turn-off times, so that a signal image or the emitted light or the light pulse can be changed particularly advantageously according to the invention. For example, particularly abrupt changes between light and dark and / or between red and blue etc. can be realized with light-emitting diodes. Accordingly, particularly high perception effects can be generated with light-emitting diodes.

Advantageously, the emitted light of the luminous element is red, which is generally perceived as a visual display of particularly critical operating conditions. In this case, both red LED or lighting elements can be used, which emit red light. However, it is also possible, for example, to provide white light emitting elements or light emitting diodes which have a correspondingly colored, in particular red, dome or the like.

In a preferred variant of the invention, the light-emitting element (s) are designed as multicolor light-emitting diodes. When using multi-color LEDs such as so-called. RGB LED or the like, the color can be formed as the aperiodically changing luminous parameter in a particularly advantageous manner. For example, then after a red light pulse, a white light pulse and then a blue light pulse can be generated, so that the perception is increased by the operator accordingly. When using a plurality of light-emitting elements or LEDs, different colors can thus be provided or radiated simultaneously, for example per LED and / or each of a plurality of adjacently arranged LEDs and / or per light-emitting element group.

Advantageously, at least one control unit is provided for separately controlling the illumination parameter (s) and / or the dark parameter of individual illumination elements and / or of individual illumination element groups. By means of such an advantageous control unit, e.g. each individual light-emitting diode or light-emitting element is controlled and operated independently of the others and / or the individual light-emitting element groups can be activated or operated independently of other light-emitting element groups. This can be a particularly well-perceived light pattern can be realized.

The control unit preferably has at least one random generator for the quasi random aperiodic change of the illumination parameter (s) and / or the dark parameter of individual illumination elements and / or of individual illumination element groups. It has been found that a use of a random generator or a random (quasi random) change according to the invention leads to a particularly high level of perception by the operator. Since currently used random generators can not normally generate any real randomness, it is referred to as a so-called. Quasi-randomness. These quasi-random changes are often based on mathematical procedures that people generally perceive as random. In this case, a coupling to a processor time, a mathematical series development, etc. can be used. Both known and future calculation methods can be used according to the invention.

As an alternative to the random generator arranged in the warning lamp, it is also possible for quasi-randomly aperiodically changed lighting parameters / dark parameters to be realized according to the invention in that, for example, values stored in the control unit are provided quasi randomly or randomly arranged in such a way (tabular) that they generate during processing (the corresponding table) a random or quasi-random display pattern or luminous pattern of the luminous element according to the invention. In this case, when generating or storing a random number generator can be used in the above sense to realize the random or quasi-random (tabular) arrangement in a corresponding memory of the control unit.

Basically, when using a so-called processor or the like in the warning lamp, e.g. each clock of the processor, a lighting parameter / dark parameters are changed so that changes per clock of the processor of the light pulse. With today's processors, however, the cycle time is already so short that humans will perceive this only to a limited extent. Advantageously, a standardized light pulse duration of the warning light can be set, which comprises a plurality of individual clocks of the processor. During this standardized lighting pulse duration, the processor may e.g. change several dark / light parameter values, which then become valid for the next light pulse or dark phase, i. determine the lighting characteristic of the next light pulse. By the number of clocks of the processor per light pulse, e.g. also its duration can be changed. It becomes clear that, especially when using a processor, there are virtually unlimited possibilities for implementing the invention.

In a variant of the invention, a predetermined or minimal difference between the values of the luminous parameter to be changed by two luminous pulses and / or the dark parameter can be provided in order to take into account the human perception ability in an advantageous manner. For example, the brightness and / or the duration of the light pulse or the dark phase could be around change at least 20% etc. A corresponding difference can be set or set, for example, by means of the control unit.

embodiment

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

In detail shows:

FIG. 1

a schematic perspective view of a lighting unit according to the invention with numerous LEDs,

FIG. 2

a schematic representation of a course of a single luminous parameter during a time interval and

FIG. 3

a schematic representation of a radiation behavior of the individual luminous parameter of the lighting unit according to FIG. 1 at a certain time.

In FIG. 1 a lighting unit 1 is shown, which has numerous LED 2. The LED 2 are arranged on a holder 3, which can be integrated, for example, in a single luminaire and / or in a so-called. Replacement module of so-called. Signal Towers. The holder 3 or the lighting unit 1 can in this case be integrated in a luminous cap. The holder 3 comprises a plurality of webs 4, which are arranged like a cylinder, wherein each web 4 comprises a plurality of LED 2. This ensures that the lighting unit 1 appropriate warning light can send out all around.

Without further illustration, the lighting unit 1 advantageously comprises a control unit which has, for example, a random generator and / or a memory unit. According to the invention, each LED 2 can emit a sequence of light pulses, wherein an aperiodic change of at least one parameter P is provided in a certain time interval for a specific operating state.

FIG. 2 shows, for example, the aperiodic change of the luminous parameter P over a time T. By way of example, the unit of the luminous parameter P is shown in percent. The unit of time T may be, for example, in seconds or milliseconds or parts of a second or the like.

This in FIG. 2 Accordingly, the time interval represented lasts sixty time units. This time interval can be repeated, for example, during the display or warning phase of the specific operating state, such as magazine of a machine tool empty or damaged tool, etc. Thus, several time intervals, as exemplified in FIG. 2 are shown, one behind the other so long lined up until the operator perceives the warning or the display of the operating condition and initiates appropriate measures, such as a confirmation button, button or the like operated and / or the emergency stop of the technical device, etc. operated.

In FIG. 2 is exemplary of the luminous parameter P, the relative light intensity. This means that at the beginning of the time interval, the relative luminous intensity or the luminous parameter P is about 75% and over several Time units is unchanged and then rapidly drops to a value less than 10%. Subsequently, it rises again slightly over a comparatively long period of time and then rises very rapidly over a fairly short period of time or very few time units and then drops again very sharply until the relative intensity of light is at zero percent. This means that the light-emitting element or the LED 2 is switched off or dark during this phase.

According to the in FIG. 2 By way of example, changes in the luminous parameter P or the relative intensity of light according to the invention are changed over the entire time period of the time interval by means of the advantageous control unit or respectively stored and / or by means of a processor or the like generated values.

To change the illumination parameter P or the relative light intensity according to FIG. 2 For example, the voltage and / or the electric current at the light-emitting element or the LED 2 can be varied. For example, the control unit or the processor generates a luminous pulse per luminous element or LED, which is distinguished by a specific luminous characteristic with defined luminous parameters P. By juxtaposing several unchanged light pulses, as for example at the beginning of in FIG. 2 illustrated course is realized, the duration of a correspondingly realized total luminous pulse is varied. For example, a total luminous pulse ranges from the time unit 35 to about 47. The latter total luminous pulse shows, for example, a flatter increase of the luminous pulse to the maximum value, ie 100% relative luminous intensity, and a very abrupt decrease in brightness to zero percent brightness, ie up to a dark phase. After this dark phase follows a total impulse, if necessary composed of numerous individual light pulses, which shows a step-like or variable shape compared to the aforementioned total pulse.

FIG. 2 illustrates in particular the formation of differently long luminous phases, dark phases, different forms of luminous pulses or total luminous pulses of different light intensities or brightnesses and different luminous pulse energies per luminous pulse.

Of course, it is the in FIG. 2 illustrated course of the relative light intensity or the course of the luminous parameter P by an exemplary course. If, according to the invention, in part up to thousands or even several millions of different light pulses and / or dark phases are deposited, for example, in a memory unit of the control unit and processed accordingly, innumerable different time intervals result according to the invention. An operator or a person will no longer be able to determine regularity with such a high number of different light pulses and / or dark phase, so that it is possible to speak of a random or arbitrary change of the light pulse or the emitted light.

With corresponding aperiodically changing illumination parameters P, the perception by corresponding operators in comparison with the prior art, such as e.g. Flash, all-round light or the like increased significantly.

Basically, the human or the operator is at a change of the illumination parameter P or the rel. Light intensity according to FIG. 2 rather perceive a change in the form of an envelope placed around the curve shown or the like, which, however, with regard to the increased absorption of the optical display of the operating state has no negative consequences, but according to the invention is taken into account in an advantageous manner.

FIG. 3 shows schematically or by way of example turn the luminous parameter P, in particular the relative intensity in percent over an angle A shown. The angle A sets the all-round radiation direction in degrees of the lighting unit 1 according to FIG. 1 Here it becomes clear that, for example, the luminous parameter P or the relative luminous intensity changes or is formed irregularly or aperiodically in the radial direction. Individual strips 4 are, for example, completely or partially according to the time FIG. 3 dark, so that in the angular range between 120 ° and 150 ° no relative intensity is recorded. In contrast, at the same time between about the viewing angles between 180 ° and 210 ° of the luminous parameter P and the relative light intensity at 100%, ie that the corresponding strip 4 emits light with maximum brightness.

Basically, according to the invention, a kind of flicker light or flicker light can be generated, which leads to the particular operating state to be displayed generating the highest attention in humans or the operator. Accordingly, a quantum leap in the perception of particularly critical operating conditions and the operating state to be displayed is realized in the operators. It has been found that, among other things in factory buildings with innumerable different optical light influences, such a flickering and flickering of the warning light according to the invention can be of crucial importance.

Claims (18)

Warning light for the visual display of at least one operating state, in particular of a plurality of different operating states, of a technical device such as a machine, a system, a vehicle or the like, with at least one light-emitting element (2) for emitting a sequence of several light pulses within a specific one Time interval during the display of the specific operating state, wherein the luminous characteristic of the luminous pulses of at least one luminous parameter (P) such as brightness, duration, frequency, color, emission direction or the like is determined, characterized in that in the time interval an aperiodic change of at least one of the illumination parameters ( P) is provided. Warning light according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two light pulses are separated by a dark phase having at least one dark phase. Warning light according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that an aperiodic change of the dark parameter is provided in the time interval. Warning light according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that overlap at least two light pulses. Warning light according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the shape of the light pulse is the aperiodically changing luminous parameter (P). Warning light according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the pulse energy of the luminous pulse is the aperiodically changing luminous parameter (P). Warning light according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the time interval comprises at least ten different light pulses and / or dark phases. Warning light according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the time interval comprises at least a thousand different light pulses and / or dark phases. Warning light according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least within the time interval between ten and sixty changes in the light pulse per second are provided. Warning light according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least within the time interval between twenty and thirty changes in the light pulse per second are provided. Warning light according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the alternations between a light pulse and a dark phase are formed as temporally periodic changes. Warning light according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that a plurality of lighting elements (2) are provided. Warning light according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the number of luminous luminous elements (2) is the aperiodically changing luminous parameter (P). Warning light according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least two lighting elements (2) form a lighting element group (4) with identical lighting parameters (P). Warning light according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the / the lighting elements (2) as light emitting diodes (2) are formed. Warning light according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the / the lighting elements (2) are designed as multi-color LEDs. Warning light according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least one control unit is provided for separately controlling the lighting parameter (P) and / or the dark parameter of individual lighting elements (2) and / or of individual lighting element groups (4). Warning light according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the control unit has at least one random generator for the quasi random aperiodic change of the illumination parameter (P) and / or the dark parameter of individual illumination elements (2) and / or of individual illumination element groups (4).

Images