Decomposition Alarm Device Using Color Coding and Wireless Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a means to quickly detect the presence of a dead body and alert others, as the rate of people dying alone in remote locations is increasing due to personal privacy laws and lack of casual check-ups.
Innovation Solution
A decomposition device with a conventional smoke detector shape, equipped with a mounting tab, sound grille, and alarm horn, designed to detect decomposition gases such as hydrogen sulfide, methane, cadaverine, and putrescine, and alert a central manned position via a radio frequency signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the device uses a conventional smoke detector shape for easy mounting and recognition, then ease of operation and user familiarity are improved, but the device cannot be distinguished from other alarm types (smoke, heat, CO alarms)
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs color coding to resolve the identification problem. The enclosure is provided in different colors corresponding to different alarm types: white for smoke alarms, yellow for heat alarms, and red for carbon monoxide alarms. This allows the device to maintain the familiar smoke detector form factor and mounting characteristics while enabling easy visual distinction between different alarm functions, eliminating user confusion without requiring complex additional identification mechanisms
2Reliability
If the device is placed in remote locations to monitor isolated areas, then coverage and detection capability are improved, but response time and ability to alert others are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The device introduces a wireless communication intermediary system to bridge the gap between remote detection and timely alerting. Equipped with wireless transmitters, the device can communicate decomposition gas detection data to remote monitoring centers or emergency contacts without requiring physical presence or manual intervention. This intermediary communication system enables immediate alerting even when the device is located in remote areas where no one is present to manually respond
Solution Approach 2:
The device implements continuous monitoring and feedback mechanisms that automatically trigger alerts when decomposition gases are detected. The system provides real-time feedback about the detection status to authorized personnel or emergency services, ensuring that remote detections are immediately communicated and acted upon, eliminating the delay that would otherwise occur in unattended remote locations
3Measurement precision
If the device detects multiple decomposition gases to improve accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs multi-functional gas sensing capabilities to detect multiple decomposition gases simultaneously using integrated sensor arrays. Rather than requiring separate detection systems for each gas type, the device uses universal sensing elements that can identify various decomposition gases (such as hydrogen sulfide, methane, cadaverine, and putrescine) through a single unified detection platform. This multi-functional approach maintains high measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity
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
The device effectively alerts authorities and others to the presence of a deceased body, preventing prolonged unattended periods and ensuring timely intervention, while being distinguishable from other types of alarms and capable of operating in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
The decomposition device may detect a decomposition gas released from a human body selected from the group consisting of hydrogen sulfide, methane, cadaverine, and putrescine
Data Source
AI summary
A decomposition alarm device has an enclosure having a conventional smoke detector shape, a first side of the enclosure having a mounting tab to mount the enclosure on a vertical surface, and a front face of the enclosure having a sound grille to allow sound from inside the enclosure to exit the enclosure. The device is calibrated to detect the presence of a decomposing body and emit an audible and visual alarm. This device prevents the remains of a decomposing body going unnoticed by other inhabitants in a household or building.