EP2500881B1 - Signal device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a signaling device, in particular for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, with a housing, furthermore with at least one light source and an acoustic source, and with a sound guidance unit which connects with its neck opening to the acoustic source and the sound generated by the acoustic source via its mouth opening externally, wherein the sound guide unit not only serves for sound conduction, but also assumes optical signal function.

A device, which in principle can also be used as a signaling device and corresponds to the previously reproduced specifications is in the generic DE 30 06 757 A1 presented. This is about a speaker assembly, which has a speaker cone as usual. In addition, an optical signal display is assigned to the speaker system. The signal display is designed as a signal light and each placed within a Schallabstrahlungsfläche the associated speaker system.

In addition to this Schallabstrahlungsfläche of the speaker, in the core of the membrane or Kalottenmembran, a sound guide is additionally provided, which surrounds a Kalottenmembranbereich funnel-shaped. The sound guide or sound guide unit closes with its neck opening to the acoustic source or the known speaker system.

The signal light as such is arranged in the middle region of a sound emission surface behind the sound-radiating element or the membrane on a stationary carrier part. For this purpose, the membrane is at least partially Transparent transparent, so you can easily recognize the signal light by a correspondingly formed window.

The EP 1 146 280 B1 deals with a signaling device, which works primarily acoustically, in addition or alternatively but also equipped with a light source.

As part of the DE 20 2008 004 113 U1 a warning light device is described, which is suitable for visual and / or audible warning. At this point, a special pivot unit is realized, which comprises at least two in different pivot angles against each other fixable hollow body.

The signal devices in question are generally used in potentially explosive areas. By way of example, reference should be made to "Directive 94/9 / EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 March 1994 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres". There, among other things, hazardous areas are defined as areas in which the atmosphere can become explosive due to local and operational conditions. In particular, the components and equipment must be designed so that the ignition of explosive atmospheres, taking into account electrical and non-electrical sources of ignition in individual cases is prevented. In addition, the materials used in the construction of equipment and protective systems must not cause the triggering of an explosion, taking into account operationally foreseeable stresses. In addition to these general legislation, it should be noted that such signaling devices typically have "increased security" must be specified in the standard DIN EN50019, inter alia. In any case, there are numerous corresponding requirements that endert the signal devices in question in potentially explosive areas for the purposes outlined.

The prior art has proven itself in principle, however, as far as the common visual and audible warning function is concerned, can be improved. Until now, signaling devices in potentially explosive atmospheres typically generate either acoustic warning signals or visual warning signals. However, to increase the warning function, it is often advisable to work with both visual and audible warnings. At this point generic solution according to the DE 30 06 757 A1 However, it suffers from the disadvantage that the local light source is detected only under a very limited viewing angle and is obviously unsuitable for an all-around recognizable warning function. Here, the invention aims to provide a total remedy.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a signaling device so that the acoustic and in particular visual warning function is improved overall.

To solve this technical problem, a generic signal device in the invention is characterized in that the sound guide unit is transparent and acts as a light guide for the light source.

The sound guide unit thus has a dual function within the scope of the invention. First of all, the sound guide unit ensures that the Sound generated by the acoustic source experiences an alignment along the longitudinal extension of the sound guide unit and consequently the sound leaves the acoustic source or the sound guide unit adjoining it more or less selectively in one spatial direction. The spatial direction of the propagating sound is - as usual - predetermined by the orientation of the sound guide unit in the room.

For this purpose, the sound guide unit is typically designed channel-like with predominantly the same cross-section over its length seen. In this case, a cylinder tube has proven to be particularly favorable as a sound guide unit. The cylinder tube in question is regularly on the foot side with its neck opening on the acoustic source, so that the sound source leaving the acoustic source regularly in a spherical wave enters directly into the neck opening of the cylinder tube and then guided along the cylinder tube. The sound in question and thus guided leaves the cylinder tube at the head end at the mouth opening and thus experiences a coarse spatial orientation, namely in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the cylinder tube in question. This is of course only an example and not necessarily to understand.

Of particular importance is now the second function of the sound guide unit, namely at the same time assumes an optical signal function. That is, the sound guide unit functions wholly or partially as an optical signal element. For this purpose, the sound guide unit may be wholly or partially illuminated.

In this context, it has proved to be favorable that the sound guide unit is transparent. In addition, the sound guide unit acts as a light guide for the light source. In this case, the Light source are arranged opposite the sound guide unit, that the emitted light from the light source is coupled into the sound guide unit. Any scattering bodies, scattering centers etc. located in the sound guidance unit now ensure in this connection that the transparent sound guidance unit acts as a light source itself outwards.

In principle, a light source may also be provided in the interior of the transparent sound guide unit, while another further light source is arranged on the edge side of the sound guide unit, so that the light leaving the light source is coupled into the sound guide unit at its edge. In any case, as described, the sound guide unit assumes a dual function on the one hand in the sense of sound conduction for the sound leaving the acoustic source and on the other hand in the sense of the described optical signal function.

Further advantageous embodiments will be described below. Thus, the sound guide unit is typically formed rotationally symmetric for reasons of ease of manufacture. This also applies to the acoustic source. This may be a standard speaker. The sound guide unit and the acoustic source are regularly arranged on a common rotational symmetry axis.

In order to give the sound guide unit the required stability even with robust use, for example, underground, in a tunnel, etc., it has proven useful if the sound guide unit is composed of several concentrically arranged pipe shells. These individual pipe shells like in the mouth opening a widening conically towards the outside Forming a funnel. As a result, the sound emission on the output side of the sound guide unit is improved.

The light source is regularly composed of several LEDs (light-emitting diode). In this case, particularly so-called high-performance LEDs have proven to be favorable, so LED's with a power consumption of more than 0.5 W. Such high-power LEDs are basically known and are already widely used, such as EP 2 208 922 A1 busy. Typically, the LEDs used according to the invention are designed in an SMD (surfacemounted device) design, that is to say they have a plate-like character.

In this context, it has proven useful if the LEDs are arranged in a ring-like manner in the interior of the sound guide unit. In most cases, the LEDs are placed on a circle whose center coincides with the rotational symmetry axis of the sound guide unit. It is advisable to arrange the LEDs or the circle described by the LEDs and a circular disc connected thereto essentially parallel to the acoustic source and perpendicular to the axis of rotational symmetry. In addition, for reasons of uniform light emission, an arrangement of the LED's with the same or predominantly the same (arc) distance from each other desirable.

The LEDs can in principle be fastened on the inside to the sound guide unit. Alternatively or additionally, however, it is also possible to arrange the LEDs with the aid of one or more connection feet independently of the sound guide unit on the housing. In this case, the LED's on the one hand and the sound guide unit on the other hand structurally designed independently, so that a mutual exchange or change easily possible is. The assembly also succeeds particularly simple, because first the housing is mounted with the attached LED's and finally the sound guide unit is placed.

The housing carrying the sound guide unit and the LED's is usually constructed in two parts. Here, the housing is composed of a lower part and a shell. The lower part usually acts as a base and may be equipped with cable glands. These cable glands provide the required electrical connection.

In contrast, the acoustic source is provided on the upper part or is received in the upper part. In addition, the upper part is usually an electronic circuit for signal generation.

The upper part and the lower part can be united with each other in every possible way. It is possible to manufacture both the housing and the sound guide unit made of plastic, at which point thermoplastic materials can be used regularly. This is of course not restrictive to understand, because the housing can in principle be made of metal. However, the sound guide unit is consistently a transparent plastic component.

As a result, a signal device is provided, which initially has an excellent acoustic warning function. Because the channel-like sound guide unit, which with its neck opening to the acoustic source connects and emits the sound generated by the acoustic source through its mouth opening to the outside, acts much like a known speaker horn. Contributing factors include the fact that the sound guide unit has an axial length which corresponds approximately to its diameter or even falls below the diameter. As a result, a relatively squat design is provided and underlined and reinforced in connection with the mouth of the mouth, which is virtually conical outward or funnel-like.

In addition, the sound guidance unit also assumes optical signal function. This is typically done by the LED's placed inside the sound guide unit that is open at the top, which are typically arranged in a circle. As a result, an optical signal effect is generated in virtually all spatial directions, which is of particular importance for the signal effect. The horn-like character of the sound-conducting unit also ensures that the sound generated by the acoustic source is amplified. Because the sound guide unit ensures that the sounds emitted by the acoustic source are bundled and directed emitted. This is done with an improved efficiency, so that the sound guide unit acts as a total sound amplifier, which significantly improves the acoustic signal effect.

Consequently, a signal device is made available whose optical as well as acoustic signal effect is particularly large and far surpasses previously known designs in terms of effectiveness. All this takes into account a cost-effective structure and long-lasting function, because the LEDs used are designed to be particularly durable. Here are the main benefits.

Figur 1

das erfindungsgemäße Signalgerät in einer perspektivischen Ansicht und

Figur 2

einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch den Gegenstand nach Figur 1.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment; show it:

FIG. 1

the signal device according to the invention in a perspective view and

FIG. 2

a schematic longitudinal section through the object FIG. 1 ,

In the figures, a signal device is shown, which is particularly suitable for use in potentially explosive areas, underground, in tunnels, etc. For this purpose, the signaling device has an overall closed or encapsulated housing 1, 2, which is composed in the context of the embodiment and not limiting of a lower part 1 and an upper part 2. Based on the sectional view to FIG. 2 it can be seen that the lower part 1 acts as a base of the housing 1, 2 and is equipped, for example, with cable or cable entries 3. About this cable or cable entries 3, the signal device is supplied with electrical energy and / or data or may supplementarily or alternatively generate such data itself and send it to a remote control system.

The upper part 2 accommodates an electronic circuit 4, with the aid of which acoustic and / or optical signals are generated. For this purpose, an acoustic source 5 is available as an acoustic transducer, which is designed as a conventional speaker. The acoustic source 5 is found in the upper part 2 and closes the upper part 2 from the head side, so that from the two parts 1, 2, the overall encapsulated housing 1, 2 is formed. In addition to the acoustic source 5 controls the electronic circuit 4 in addition to a light source 6, which is composed of a plurality of LEDs 6.

The LEDs 6 are power or high-performance LEDs 6 in SMD construction, which are arranged in a ring on a circle. For holding the LED's 6 serve connection feet 7, which provide both for the contacting of the LEDs 6 and their positioning on the head of the upper part 2 of the housing 1, 2. The connection feet 7 may not be restricted to so-called MCPCB circuit boards, that is to say printed circuit boards with a metallic core, so-called "metal core printed circuit boards".

For further basic structure then still includes a sound guide unit 8, which is designed channel-like or funnel-like and is used to amplify the sound source 5 leaving sound. In fact, the sound guide unit 8 with its neck opening 8a adjoins the acoustic source 5 and the sound generated by the acoustic source 5 is emitted to the outside via its mouth 8b.

In the context of the invention, the sound guide unit 8 assumes a dual function. In the present case, it not only serves to guide the sound leaving the acoustic source 5, but at the same time assumes an optical signal function. For this purpose, the sound guide unit 8 is formed as a whole transparent, but can also be interpreted only partially transparent. The transparently implemented sound guide unit 8 covers the light source 6 located behind it or the LED's 6 arranged in a circle. Consequently, the LED's 6 are protected inside the sound guide unit 8, which in turn is designed to be open only to the front or the front. Basically the sound guide unit 8 also act as a light guide for the light source 6. Then the light source 6 is arranged in the region of the neck opening 8a and the light leaving the light source 6 is coupled on the edge side into the sound guide unit 8. This is not shown.

It can be seen that the sound guide unit 8 as well as the acoustic source 5 are each rotationally symmetrical. In this case, the sound guide unit 8 and the acoustic source 5 each have a common axis of rotational symmetry R. The rotational symmetry axis R is at the same time about the axis of rotational symmetry R of the housing 1, 2, which is likewise designed or can be rotationally symmetrical.

The sound guide unit 8 is channel-like or tube-like designed with a predominantly same cross section over its length L. In the context of the exemplary embodiment, the sound guide unit 8 is a cylinder tube which rests on the foot side with the neck opening 8a on the acoustic source 5 or the head-side edge of the housing 1, 2.

When comparing the FIGS. 1 and 2 It is clear that the sound guide unit 8 is composed of a plurality of concentrically arranged pipe shells 8 '. In this case, the individual pipe shells 8 'in the mouth opening 8b of the sound guide unit 8 are designed so that at this point a conical opening of the sound guide unit 8 or of the cylinder tube realized at this point is formed. In this way, the funnel-like character of the sound guide unit 8 is supported and emphasized in the sense of the previously mentioned speaker horn.

The ring-like arranged on a circle LED's 6 are all arranged in a common plane, wherein the center of the circle lies on the axis of rotational symmetry R or coincides with this. Said plane extends substantially perpendicular to said axis of rotational symmetry R.

The funnel-like or horn-like character of the sound guide unit 8 is additionally underlined by the fact that the length L of the sound guide unit 8 substantially corresponds to its diameter D. That is, it applies: $$L\approx D$$

In principle, it is also possible to work with a length L which is less than the diameter D. In the case: $$L\le D\mathrm{,}$$

In any case, the sound guide unit 8 is designed to be relatively short overall and, in conjunction with the conically open mouth opening 8b due to the different lengths of the individual pipe shells 8 'in the mouth opening 8b for the desired funnel-like or horn-like character and the associated and desired sound amplification of the sound source 5 leaving sound.

Claims (13)

1. A signaling device, particularly for use in potentially explosive areas, with a housing (1, 2), with that at least one light source (6) and at least one acoustic source (5), and with a sound guiding unit (8) that is connected to the acoustic source (5) with its neck opening (8a) and emits the sound generated by the acoustic source (5) outward through its mouth opening (8b), wherein the sound guiding unit (8) not only serves for guiding sound, but simultaneously also fulfills an optical signaling function,
   characterized in that
   the sound guiding unit (8) is realized in a transparent fashion and acts as an optical waveguide for the light source (6).
2. The signaling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sound guiding unit (8), as well as the acoustic source (5), is realized rotationally symmetrical.
3. The signaling device according to claim 2, characterized in that the sound guiding unit (8) and the acoustic source (5) are arranged on a common rotational symmetry axis (R).
4. The signaling device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the sound guiding unit (8) is designed in a channel-like fashion with predominantly identical cross section over its length (L).
5. The signaling device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sound guiding unit (8) is realized in the form of a cylindrical tube, the base of which stands on the acoustic source (5) with the neck opening (8a).
6. The signaling device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sound guiding unit (8) is composed of several tubular shells (8') that are arranged concentric to one another.
7. The signaling device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the light source (6) consists of several LEDs (6).
8. The signaling device according to claim 7, characterized in that the LEDs (6) are annularly arranged in the interior of the sound guiding unit (8).
9. The signaling device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the LEDs (6) are arranged on a circle, the center of which coincides with the rotational symmetry axis (R) of the sound guiding unit (8).
10. The signaling device according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the LEDs (6) are fixed on the inner side of the sound guiding unit (8).
11. The signaling device according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the LEDs (6) are arranged on the housing (1, 2) independently of the sound guiding unit (8) by means of one or more base terminals (7).
12. The signaling device according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the LEDs (6) are realized in the form of high-power LEDs (6), preferably of the SMD type.
13. The signaling device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the housing (1, 2) is designed in two parts, namely a lower part (1) that acts as a base and an upper part (2) that accommodates the acoustic source (5).

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