A control system for a building

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building control systems require firefighters to quickly interpret unique floor plans and locate corresponding control buttons to activate smoke removal devices, which is inefficient and prone to errors due to the complexity of each building's layout.

Innovation Solution

A control system with a memory containing a building floor plan and a user interface that visually indicates the fire section and illuminates the corresponding control button, allowing for rapid identification and activation of smoke removal devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional control system with control buttons connected to safety devices is used, then the system can control smoke removal operations, but the user interface requires rapid interpretation of complex floor plans and manual location of control buttons, increasing decision time and error risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoiddecision time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a visual copy of the building floor plan on the display screen, allowing users to see a graphical representation of the building layout rather than interpreting physical floor plans. This digital copy enables direct visual correlation between detected fire sections and their locations on the displayed floor plan, eliminating the need to manually locate control buttons on complex physical diagrams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The display screen acts as an intermediary between the fire detection system and the control buttons. It receives detection data from detectors, processes it to identify fire sections, and presents this information visually on the floor plan representation. This intermediary layer translates complex detection data into intuitive visual information that guides users to the correct control actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If control buttons are arranged according to unique building floor plans, then each building can be controlled accurately, but the complexity of each building's layout makes rapid identification of the correct control button difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a visual copy of the building floor plan on the display screen, allowing users to see a graphical representation of the building layout rather than interpreting physical floor plans. This digital copy enables direct visual correlation between detected fire sections and their locations on the displayed floor plan, eliminating the need to manually locate control buttons on complex physical diagrams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses color changes and visual indicators on the display screen to highlight the location of fire sections on the floor plan. The display visually indicates from where an indication of fire or smoke has been received by showing the affected area on the floor plan representation, making it easy to identify which control button corresponds to the fire section without confusion from complex layout details.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual interpretation of floor plans is required, then the system can accommodate any building layout, but the process is prone to errors and reduces operational efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiderror rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a visual copy of the building floor plan on the display screen, allowing users to see a graphical representation of the building layout rather than interpreting physical floor plans. This digital copy enables direct visual correlation between detected fire sections and their locations on the displayed floor plan, eliminating the need to manually locate control buttons on complex physical diagrams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate visual feedback on the display screen when detectors identify a fire section. The floor plan representation updates to show which section has been detected, creating a feedback loop that confirms the system has correctly identified the fire location. This feedback mechanism reduces errors by allowing users to verify the detected section matches the actual fire location before activating control measures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3675975B1A control system for a building
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 FLAKTGRP SWEDEN AB
  • EP3675975B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3675975B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a control system (1) for a building (4) which is divided into fire sections (3) each comprising safety devices (2) for removing smoke from the respective fire section. A control center (5) has control buttons (7) allowing a user to provide the safety devices (2) of the fire sections (3) with control signals to control removal of smoke from the respective fire sections (3). The control system comprises a memory (10) containing a floorplan of said building and the control center (5) is provided with a display (8) and with inputs (9) for receiving detector signals from at least smoke or fire detectors (6) located in the fire sections (3). In response to reception of detector signals indicating fire or smoke the control center (5) is configured to provide on the display (8) a visual indication of the location of the fire section (3) in the building (4) and provide a predetermined illumination for the control button (7) which controls the safety devices (2) for removing smoke from the fire section (3) in the building (4) from where an indication of fire or smoke has been received.