Cartridge Coupler Insertion Detection for Fire Suppression Readiness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire suppression systems lack effective mechanisms to ensure that cartridges containing fire suppressant agents are properly inserted and detected, which can lead to accidental omission and improper functioning during fire emergencies.
Innovation Solution
A fire suppression system with a receiver that includes a translatable member and a switch to indicate the insertion status of a cartridge, coupled with a cartridge monitoring system that provides visual and aural alerts when the cartridge is fully inserted, ensuring proper coupling and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cartridge is inserted into the receiver without a detection mechanism, then the system structure remains simple, but the reliability of fire suppression activation is compromised due to potential omission of cartridge insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through a switch that detects cartridge insertion status and provides visual/aural feedback to the user. The switch transitions between states based on cartridge presence, enabling the system to communicate insertion status back to the operator, thereby ensuring reliable detection while maintaining operational awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver system performs self-verification of cartridge insertion through the integrated switch mechanism. The system automatically detects and communicates its own operational status without requiring external monitoring equipment, making the complexity inherent to the activation system itself rather than adding separate monitoring complexity.
2Reliability
If a switch mechanism is added to detect cartridge insertion, then the detection reliability improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The detection switch is merged with the cartridge insertion path, so that the same mechanical action required for proper cartridge positioning also actuates the detection mechanism. The switch is positioned such that cartridge insertion naturally triggers the state transition, combining the insertion function with the detection function in a single integrated action.
3Ease of operation
If the switch actuates in a direction parallel to cartridge insertion, then the detection mechanism aligns with the insertion motion, but the translatable member requires additional travel distance
Solution Approach 1:
The translatable member serves multiple functions: it guides the cartridge during insertion, positions the cartridge correctly within the receiver, and simultaneously actuates the switch to detect insertion status. By making the translatable member multi-functional, the design accepts increased travel distance in exchange for eliminating the need for separate detection mechanisms, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
A receiver for a fire suppression system includes a receiving portion configured to receive and couple with a corresponding portion of a cartridge. The receiver includes a translatable member configured to engage a corresponding portion of the cartridge and translate in response to insertion of the cartridge. The receiver includes a switch configured to transition between a first state and a second state in response to translation of the translatable member to indicate whether the cartridge is inserted into the receiving portion.