Balcony Access Alert System with Wireless Barrier Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
During construction, there is a hazard of workers falling from unfinished balconies or elevated platforms due to the lack of effective barriers and the inability to remotely alert authorized personnel when a safety barrier is removed or not restored, posing a risk to both workers and the structure.
Innovation Solution
A balcony access status alert system that includes a removable barrier with a detector that sends a wireless signal upon removal, alerting on-site and remote authorized personnel via a transceiver and on-site controller, ensuring continuous alerts until the barrier is restored.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If LOD mesh is placed at the ingress/egress to warn personnel, then warning capability is improved, but actual barrier protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the LOD mesh with an automated alert system that includes detectors, transceivers, and notification devices. When the mesh is removed or tampered with, the system automatically detects this change and sends alerts to authorized personnel, merging the passive warning function with active monitoring and notification capabilities.
2Reliability
If a physical barrier is erected at the ingress/egress, then barrier protection is improved, but the ability to detect and respond to barrier removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where detectors continuously monitor the status of the barrier (LOD mesh or physical barrier). When the barrier is removed or its status changes, the system receives feedback through the detector and automatically responds by sending notifications to authorized personnel via transceivers and notification devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual monitoring of barrier status with an automated electronic detection system. Instead of relying on human observation, the system uses detectors, transceivers, and electronic notification devices to automatically detect barrier removal and communicate this information to authorized personnel.
3Device complexity
If manual monitoring of barrier status is used, then system complexity is reduced, but response time and safety monitoring deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service monitoring where the barrier status detection and notification processes occur automatically without requiring continuous human intervention. The detectors, transceivers, and notification devices work autonomously to monitor barrier status and alert authorized personnel when changes occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A barrier that is releasably secured across an ingress/egress to a balcony or other elevated platform. The barrier is a fence-style assembly that has a pair of vertical posts that are releasably secured within respective boots secured to the floor. One of the boots includes a switch-activated transmitter that is inactive when the respective post is seated in the boot. If the post is pulled out of the boot, the switch-activated transmitter transmits a wireless signal to a transceiver located on the barrier which then transmits a signal to an on-site controller that transmits respective text messages to authorized personnel informing them of the barrier removal and restoration and will continue to do so until the barrier status changes. The transceiver may be housed within a housing that also contains a visual and/or audible warning at the barrier vicinity to warn those in the vicinity of the barrier removal.