Carbon Monoxide Sensor Nesting in Life Safety Device Base

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing life safety devices often lack easily accessible carbon monoxide sensors, requiring the entire detector to be replaced when the sensor fails, and they may not be designed to position the sensor for optimal detection efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A life safety device with a carbon monoxide sensor integrated into the base, allowing for easy access and replacement, and positioned for optimal environmental exposure within a contoured housing, enabling enhanced detection efficiency and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the carbon monoxide sensor is integrated into the main detector body, then the detection function is reliable, but the sensor becomes inaccessible for maintenance and the entire detector must be replaced when the sensor fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection functionVSAvoidsensor accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The detector is divided into two separate parts: a base unit and a sensor unit. The sensor is mounted on the sensor unit which can be detached from the base, allowing the sensor to be accessed, removed, and replaced independently while maintaining the detection function when coupled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor unit is designed to couple with and nest within the base unit, creating an integrated detector when connected. The sensor unit contains the carbon monoxide sensor and couples to the base which provides power and housing, allowing the sensor to be protected when installed but accessible when detached.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If the carbon monoxide sensor is positioned for optimal environmental exposure, then detection efficiency is enhanced, but the sensor may become more vulnerable to damage or harder to protect

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection efficiencyVSAvoidsensor vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor unit nests within the base unit when coupled, providing protection to the sensor while maintaining optimal exposure positioning. The base unit housing protects the sensor from physical damage and environmental harm factors while the sensor remains positioned for effective detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor unit can be dynamically coupled to or detached from the base unit, allowing the sensor to be protected within the housing during normal operation while enabling easy access for maintenance, replacement, or cleaning to maintain detection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables efficient detection and easy maintenance of carbon monoxide sensors, improving the overall functionality of life safety devices by allowing for quick replacement and optimal positioning for enhanced detection efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a carbon monoxide device (30) integrated into the base (22)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCarbon monoxide detection: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentEP3462423B1Life safety device with carbon monoxide monitoring

Publication Date: 2020.10.28 CARRIER CORP

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AI summary

A device (14) for detecting a hazardous condition in an area includes a housing (21), and a controller (28) contained within an interior of the housing. A carbon monoxide device (30) for detecting carbon monoxide is associated with the device. The carbon monoxide device is embedded within a portion of the housing and is operably coupled to the controller.