Carbon monoxide detection system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carbon monoxide poisoning in homes due to fuel-burning equipment remains a significant safety concern, with existing detectors often triggering false alarms and lacking effective measures to identify and mitigate sources of elevated CO levels.
Innovation Solution
A networked smart home system that uses CO sensors to detect threshold levels for a specified duration, deactivates potential CO sources and activates ventilation systems to diffuse CO, while associating sensors with sources to isolate and address the root cause of CO leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing CO detectors are used to detect CO levels, then CO detection capability is provided, but false alarms are triggered and no effective source identification or mitigation is achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments CO sources into different zones associated with different sensors. Each sensor monitors specific appliances in its associated zone, allowing the system to identify which specific source is causing elevated CO levels rather than triggering a general alarm for the entire premises.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by deactivating only the specific CO source identified as problematic rather than shutting down all appliances. The controller disables only the appliance associated with the sensor that detected elevated CO levels, maintaining operation of other safe appliances while addressing the specific hazard.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If all CO sources are deactivated when CO threshold is exceeded, then safety is improved, but unnecessary disruption of functioning appliances occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by deactivating only the specific CO source identified as problematic rather than shutting down all appliances. The controller disables only the appliance associated with the sensor that detected elevated CO levels, maintaining operation of other safe appliances while addressing the specific hazard.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the problematic CO source from the set of all appliances by identifying and isolating the specific appliance causing elevated CO levels. This allows the system to remove only the harmful element while preserving the functionality of all other appliances.
3Device complexity
If CO sources are not specifically identified, then system complexity is reduced, but effective mitigation and repair targeting cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments CO sources into different zones associated with different sensors. Each sensor monitors specific appliances in its associated zone, allowing the system to identify which specific source is causing elevated CO levels rather than triggering a general alarm for the entire premises.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from CO sensor readings to automatically identify and deactivate the problematic appliance. The controller receives CO level data from sensors, determines which appliance is causing elevated levels based on sensor-appliance associations, and automatically disables that specific appliance, providing closed-loop feedback control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces false alarms by using a threshold-based detection system that deactivates specific CO sources and ventilates CO, enhancing safety by effectively managing CO levels and identifying responsible appliances for notification and repair.
Implementation Method 1
A networked smart home system that uses CO sensors to detect threshold levels for a specified duration
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a method includes receiving, from a carbon-monoxide (CO) sensor, an indication of an above-threshold level of CO for an above-threshold amount of time; determining, from a plurality of appliances, a subset of appliances associated with the CO sensor; and deactivating the subset of appliances.