Abstract:
A small and non-intrusive reflector is disclosed for use with a strobe light system for enhancing light distribution for wall mounted application, while maintaining a low current draw. The reflector comprises a “top reflective section” and a “bottom reflective section”, where each reflective section comprises three distinct reflective portions: a left reflective portion, a center reflective portion and a right reflective portion. Collectively, top section left portion and bottom section left portion provide illumination to a negative horizontal range of viewing angles, whereas top section right portion and bottom section right portion provide illumination to a positive horizontal range of viewing angles. Finally, the top section center portion and bottom section center portion provide illumination to a range of horizontal and vertical viewing angles.

Description:
The invention generally relates to a strobe light system. More particularly, the invention is a strobe warning light system that incorporates a unique reflector that enhances light distribution for wall mounted application. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Strobe lights have been widely employed in warning systems such as fire warning systems, security systems and the like. In fact, regulations and standards, e.g., from the Underwriters Laboratories (UL), have been established to define various requirements, e.g., strobe frequency and light output. 
     One important requirement is the light output, which can be satisfied by increasing the intensity of the strobe lamp or by incorporating additional strobe lamps, as necessary. Unfortunately, warning systems are typically operated by battery sources, where an increase in the light output of the strobe lamp or the quantity of strobe lamps will reduce the operating time of the warning systems. 
     To address this criticality, unique reflectors have been implemented to redirect the light output of the strobe lamp to enhance light distribution without the need to increase the overall light output of the strobe lamp. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,259 issued on Sept. 13, 1994 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,361 issued on Dec. 12, 1995, which are owned by the assignee and herein incorporated by reference, illustrate reflectors that provide enhanced light outputs. Although these reflectors provide excellent performance when mounted to a ceiling, the light outputs from these reflectors are not maximized when mounted to a wall. 
     Therefore, a need exists in the art for a strobe light system that incorporates a small non-intrusive reflector for enhancing light distribution for wall mounted application, while maintaining a low current draw. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a small non-intrusive reflector that is employed within a strobe light system for enhancing light distribution for wall mounted application, while maintaining a low current draw. More specifically, the present reflector comprises a base that is co-planar with respect to a first reference plane. 
     In the preferred embodiment, a “top reflective section”, relative to the strobe lamp axis, e.g., when the reflector is mounted against a wall, curves upwardly from the first reference plane. The top reflective section comprises three distinct reflective portions, a left reflective portion, a center reflective portion and a right reflective portion. 
     Similarly, a “bottom reflective section”, relative to the strobe lamp axis, e.g., when the reflector is mounted against a wall, curves upwardly from the first reference plane. The bottom reflective section also comprises three distinct reflective portions, a left reflective portion, a center reflective portion and a right reflective portion. 
     Collectively, top section left portion and bottom section left portion provide illumination within the horizontal viewing angles of −60° to −90°, whereas top section right portion and bottom section right portion provide illumination within the horizontal viewing angles of 60° to 90°. Finally, the top section center portion and bottom section center portion provide illumination within the vertical viewing angles of 0° to −70°, and 0° to −15°, respectively. Furthermore, the top section center portion and bottom section center portion also provide illumination within the horizontal viewing angles of −60° to 60°. 
     These various portions contain panels that are uniquely designed with curvatures to direct light at various vertical and horizontal angles, without having to increase current draw. Furthermore, the present reflector meets the UL requirements while maintaining a small and non-intrusive structural configuration. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 depicts a pictorial diagram of a strobe light system of the present invention in a wall mounted application with respect to a vertical viewing plane; 
     FIG. 2 depicts a pictorial diagram of a strobe light system of the present invention in a wall mounted application with respect to a horizontal viewing plane; 
     FIG. 3 depicts a top view of the reflector of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the reflector of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 depicts a cut away view of the reflector of the present invention, along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 depicts an isometric view of the reflector of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the reflective portions of the reflector; 
     FIGS. 7A-7K are cross-sectional views taken along the corresponding lettered lines of FIG. 7; and 
     FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram of a strobe light system. 
     To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 depicts a pictorial diagram of a strobe light system  100  of the present invention in a wall mounted application. The strobe light system  100  is mounted against a wall or a plane  110  that is defined by the x-y axes (first reference plane). Two other perpendicular planes  120  (second reference plane) and  130  (third reference plane) are defined by the y-z axes and the x-z axes, respectively. It should be understood that these reference planes are provided for the purpose of disclosing the present invention and, as such, should not be taken as limitations as to the configuration of the present invention. 
     The UL requirements for wall-mounted strobe warning lights prescribe that the light from the strobe lamp must be directed into a region defined by a vertical reference plane and a horizontal reference plane intersecting along a line that is coincident with the lamp axis. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a viewer  140  who is facing the strobe light system  100  with respect to a “vertical viewing angle” (vertical plane). When the viewer is looking straight into the strobe lamp, i.e., the axis of the strobe lamp, the vertical viewing angle is defined to be zero degree (0°). The vertical viewing angle can be decreased down to (−90°), if the viewer is directly below the strobe lamp and looking upwardly. 
     Similarly, FIG. 2 also illustrates a viewer  140 , who is facing the strobe light system  100  with respect to a “horizontal viewing angle” (horizontal plane). When the viewer is looking straight into the strobe lamp, i.e., the axis  600  (shown in FIG. 6) of the strobe lamp, the horizontal viewing angle is defined to be zero degree (0°). The horizontal viewing angle can be decreased down to (−90°), if the viewer is directly left of the strobe lamp. Conversely, the horizontal viewing angle can be increased up to (90°), if the viewer is directly right of the strobe lamp. 
     It should be understood that these reference angles and their signs are provided for the purpose of disclosing the present invention and, as such, should not be taken as limitations as to the configuration of the present invention. More importantly, the UL requirements contain a listing of vertical and horizontal viewing angles and their associated minimum light output at each of these viewing angles in five degree intervals (as shown in tables 1 and 2 below). 
     In order to meet the UL requirements, the present invention incorporates a unique reflector. Namely, the present reflector contains a configuration of oriented reflective surfaces that collectively enhance light distribution for wall mounted application to meet the UL requirements as shown in tables 1 and 2 below. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Vertical Plane 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Angle 
                 UL Requirement (cd) 
                 Present Reflector (cd) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 −90 
                 1.8 
                 3 
               
               
                 −85 
                 1.8 
                 7 
               
               
                 −80 
                 1.8 
                 8 
               
               
                 −75 
                 2.0 
                 8 
               
               
                 −70 
                 2.3 
                 8 
               
               
                 −65 
                 2.4 
                 8 
               
               
                 −60 
                 2.7 
                 8 
               
               
                 −55 
                 3.3 
                 8 
               
               
                 −50 
                 4.0 
                 9 
               
               
                 −45 
                 5.1 
                 9 
               
               
                 −40 
                 6.9 
                 13 
               
               
                 −35 
                 9.8 
                 22 
               
               
                 −30 
                 13.5 
                 23 
               
               
                 −25 
                 13.5 
                 21 
               
               
                 −20 
                 13.5 
                 24 
               
               
                 −15 
                 13.5 
                 24 
               
               
                 −10 
                 13.5 
                 24 
               
               
                 −5 
                 13.5 
                 24 
               
               
                 0 
                 15.0 
                 24 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Horizontal Plane 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Angle 
                 UL Requirement (cd) 
                 Present Reflector (cd) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 −90 
                 3.8 
                 6 
               
               
                 −85 
                 3.8 
                 7 
               
               
                 −80 
                 4.5 
                 8 
               
               
                 −75 
                 4.5 
                 13 
               
               
                 −70 
                 5.3 
                 17 
               
               
                 −65 
                 5.3 
                 13 
               
               
                 −60 
                 6.0 
                 11 
               
               
                 −55 
                 6.8 
                 12 
               
               
                 −50 
                 8.3 
                 18 
               
               
                 −45 
                 11.3 
                 18 
               
               
                 −40 
                 11.3 
                 14 
               
               
                 −35 
                 11.3 
                 20 
               
               
                 −30 
                 11.3 
                 21 
               
               
                 −25 
                 13.5 
                 23 
               
               
                 −20 
                 13.5 
                 23 
               
               
                 −15 
                 13.5 
                 24 
               
               
                 −10 
                 13.5 
                 24 
               
               
                 −5 
                 13.5 
                 24 
               
               
                 0 
                 15.0 
                 24 
               
               
                 5 
                 13.5 
                 24 
               
               
                 10 
                 13.5 
                 24 
               
               
                 15 
                 13.5 
                 24 
               
               
                 20 
                 13.5 
                 23 
               
               
                 25 
                 13.5 
                 23 
               
               
                 30 
                 11.3 
                 21 
               
               
                 35 
                 11.3 
                 20 
               
               
                 40 
                 11.3 
                 14 
               
               
                 45 
                 11.3 
                 18 
               
               
                 50 
                 8.3 
                 18 
               
               
                 55 
                 6.8 
                 12 
               
               
                 60 
                 6.0 
                 11 
               
               
                 65 
                 5.3 
                 13 
               
               
                 70 
                 5.3 
                 17 
               
               
                 75 
                 4.5 
                 13 
               
               
                 80 
                 4.5 
                 8 
               
               
                 85 
                 3.8 
                 7 
               
               
                 90 
                 3.8 
                 6 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     FIGS. 3-6 illustrate the reflector  300  of the present invention, where FIGS. 3,  4 ,  5 ,  6  illustrate a top view, a side view, a cut-away view and an isometric view, respectively. Since the reflector  300  comprises a plurality of reflective surfaces, the reader should refer to these figures simultaneously as the present reflector is disclosed. 
     More specifically, the reflector  300  comprises a base portion  320 , reflective sections  340  and  360  and a pair of supports  330 . FIG. 3 also illustrates a strobe lamp  310  (light emitting element), e.g., from EG &amp; G Heimann with part number AGA1015, which is mounted onto the supports  330  of the reflector  300 . The supports  330  are, in turn, coupled to a mounting plate and/or circuit board (not shown) of a strobe light system. The circuit board provides the necessary circuitry to activate the strobe lamp at a particular frequency to produce a predefined light output. A lens (not shown) is typically installed over the strobe lamp  310 . 
     The supports  330  can be attached to the strobe light system via screws, lugs or snap-on fittings. Each of the supports  330  is injection-molded from a suitable material, e.g., from GE Lexan™ and contains an aperture and a post that receives and supports an electrode lead of the strobe lamp  310 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the reflective sections  340  and  360  and the pair of supports  330  are molded onto the base portion  320 . However, it should be understood that these various portions can be implemented as separate parts that are suitably coupled together. In fact, the present reflective sections  340  and  360  can be implemented with other base and support structural configurations. The base can be broadly defined as a member for supporting the present reflective sections  340  and  360 . 
     Referring to FIG. 6, reflector  300  is illustrated isometrically with respect to the reference planes  110 ,  120 , and  130 , as defined above in FIG.  1 . The base  320  of the reflector is approximately 3.5 inches by one inch in length and width and is co-planar with respect to the x-y plane (first reference plane)  110 . Referring to FIG. 3, in the preferred embodiment, a “top reflective section”  340 , relative to the strobe lamp axis  600 , e.g., when the reflector is mounted against a wall, curves upwardly from the x-y plane (first reference plane)  110 . The top reflective section  340  comprises three distinct reflective portions: a left reflective portion  345 , a center reflective portion  350  and a right reflective portion  355 . 
     Similarly, in the preferred embodiment, a “bottom reflective section”  360 , relative to the strobe lamp axis  600 , e.g., when the reflector is mounted against a wall, curves upwardly from the x-y plane (first reference plane)  110 . The bottom reflective section  360  also comprises three distinct reflective portions: a left reflective portion  365 , a center reflective portion  370  and a right reflective portion  380 . 
     The left reflective portions  345  and  365  collectively direct light toward the left side of the reflector  300 , e.g., roughly between the range of horizontal viewing angles −60° to −90°. More specifically, the strobe lamp  310  in combination with the top and bottom center reflective portions is capable of providing acceptable light intensity within the range of horizontal viewing angles 0° to −60°. However, at more acute horizontal viewing angles, the strobe lamp  310  and the pair of center reflective portions  350  and  370 , are not capable of providing sufficient light intensity. 
     As such, reflector  300  incorporates a top section left reflective portion  345  that comprises an upper curve panel  347  and a lower curve panel  348 . Similarly, the bottom section left reflective portion  365  comprises an upper curve panel  367  and a lower curve panel  366 . In operation, upper curve panel  347  has a curvature that provides illumination at the range of horizontal viewing angles −60° to −70°. Next, both lower curve panel  348  and upper curve panel  367  have curvatures that provide illumination at the range of horizontal viewing angles −70° to −80°. Finally, lower curve panel  366  has a curvature that provides illumination at the range of horizontal viewing angles −80° to −90°. 
     Similarly, the right portions  355  and  380  collectively direct light toward the right side of the reflector  300 , e.g., roughly between the range of horizontal viewing angles 60° to 90°. Again, the strobe lamp  310  in combination with the top and bottom center reflective portions is capable of providing acceptable light intensity within the range of horizontal viewing angles 0° to 60°. However, at more acute viewing angles, the strobe lamp  310 , and the pair of center reflective portions  350  and  370 , are not capable of providing sufficient light intensity. 
     As such, reflector  300  incorporates a top section right portion  355  that comprises an upper curve panel  356  and a lower curve panel  357 . Similarly, the bottom section right portion  380  comprises an upper curve panel  382  and a lower curve panel  381 . In operation, lower curve panel  381  has a curvature that provides illumination at the range of horizontal viewing angles 60° to 70°. Next, both upper curve panel  382  and lower curve panel  357  have curvatures that provide illumination at the range of horizontal viewing angles 70° to 80°. Finally, upper curve panel  356  has a curvature that provides illumination at the range of horizontal viewing angles 80° to 90°. 
     It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment the top section right portion  385  is diagonally symmetrical with bottom section left portion  365 . Similarly, top section left portion  345  is diagonally symmetrical with bottom section right portion  380 . 
     However, it should be understood that the present invention can be modified by switching top section left portion  345  with bottom section left  365  portion. This exchange should result in a reflector having the top section left portion and top section right portion be made symmetrical along an axis that is perpendicular to the strobe lamp axis  600 . In turn, the bottom section right portion and the bottom section left portion is also made to be symmetrical along an axis that is perpendicular to the strobe lamp axis  600 . 
     The reflector  300  incorporates a top section center portion  350  having an extended panel  351 . More specifically, extended panel  351  curves upwardly from the x-y plane (first reference plane)  110  to a height that is above the strobe lamp  310  as shown in FIGS. 4-6. One purpose of this extended panel  351  is to provide additional illumination at horizontal viewing angles −60° to 60°. Another purpose of this extended panel  351  is to provide additional illumination at vertical viewing angles 00° to −70°. Since the reflector  300  is designed for wall mounted application, the height of the extended panel  351  poses little problem, since there is no illumination requirement above the vertical viewing angle 0°. 
     More specifically, the strobe lamp  310  itself is not capable of providing acceptable light intensity within the range of vertical viewing angles 0° to −70°. However, at more acute vertical viewing angles, the strobe lamp  310 , by itself, is capable of providing sufficient light intensity, due to the lower UL requirement at these angles (See Table 1). As such, extended panel  351  has a curvature that provides illumination at the range of vertical viewing angles 0° to −70°. 
     Finally, the reflector  300  incorporates a bottom section center portion  370  having a panel  371 . More specifically, panel  371  curves upwardly from the x-y plane (first reference plane)  110  to a height that is slightly below the center of the strobe lamp  310  as shown in FIGS. 4-6. One purpose of this extended panel  371  is to provide additional illumination at horizontal viewing angles −60° to 60°. Another purpose of this extended panel  371  is to provide additional illumination at vertical viewing angles 0° to −15°. Since the reflector  300  is designed for wall mounted application, the height of the panel  371  is not extended above the strobe lamp  310  as in the extended panel  351 , so that it does not interfere with light from strobe lamp at −90° vertical viewing angle. 
     In general, the various panels are concave reflective surfaces. The curvatures of these panels are illustrated in FIGS. 6-7K. However, although the present invention is described with curved panels, it should be understood that the present invention can be modified to implement a plurality of flat panels or facets. Namely, the curvature of a panel can be approximated by implementing a plurality of slightly angled flat surfaces, to produce a similar light redirecting effect of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram of a strobe light system  800 . More specifically, strobe light system  800  comprises a strobe circuit  815 , an optional synchronization control module  810 , a power source  820 , a strobe lamp  830  and the present reflector  300 . In general, strobe circuit  815  contains the necessary control circuit for causing the strobe lamp  830  to flash in a controlled manner within the present reflector  300 . Optionally, strobe circuit  815  may receive inputs from a synchronization control module  810  which is employed to synchronize the flashing of a plurality of strobe lamps. Examples of such a strobe circuit and synchronization control module are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,400,009 and 5,608,375, which are owned by the assignee and are incorporated herein by reference. It should be noted that the strobe light system  800  can be implemented with other strobe circuits of different complexity. 
     The power source  820  may comprise a portable power source within the strobe light system  800  or it may represent a power source from a fire alarm control panel (not shown). 
     Although various embodiments which incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings.