Ceiling-Mounted Detector Base With Removable Bezel Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smoke/fire detection systems face challenges in quicker and easier installation, particularly when the ceiling has not yet been installed, leading to delays and potential financial consequences due to the need for synchronized installation with other building infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

The detector base apparatus with a removable bezel plate and fixing wings allows for flexible installation, enabling pre-assembly and connection of cabling before or after ceiling installation, and secure attachment once the ceiling is in place, facilitating faster and more flexible system setup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the detector base is designed with a removable bezel plate and fixing wings for flexible installation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detector base is divided into distinct functional components: a housing, a removable bezel plate, and fixing wings. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the bezel plate provides a mounting interface while the fixing wings provide secure attachment, thereby improving ease of installation without requiring the entire device to be complex

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing wings are designed to be rotatable relative to the housing, transitioning between a retracted position during insertion and an extended position for secure mounting. This dynamic feature enables the device to adapt its configuration during installation, simplifying the installation process while the mechanism itself adds some complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the system allows installation before ceiling installation, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability of secure attachment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidsecure attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detector base can be installed in the ceiling void and electrically connected before the suspended ceiling is completed. This preliminary action allows the fire detection system to be configured and tested early, improving productivity by not waiting for ceiling installation, while the removable bezel plate and fixing wings ensure secure attachment when finally mounted

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The removable bezel plate acts as an intermediary component that enables the detector base to be temporarily positioned and securely attached to the ceiling structure. It provides a reliable mounting interface that can accommodate both early installation (before ceiling completion) and final installation (after ceiling completion), thereby maintaining reliability across different installation scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2159769B1Improvements in and relating to electrical connection systems
Publication Date: 2016.11.16 PROTEC FIRE DETECTION
  • EP2159769B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2159769B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2159769B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

Disclosed is an electrical connection device for fitting to a ceiling, comprising: a housing having at least one electrical connector for coupling the device to one or more similar devices, said housing being arranged to freely pass through a hole in the ceiling; fixing means provided on the housing and operable from an exposed portion of the device; and a removable bezel plate, arranged to be larger than the hole, wherein the bezel plate is arranged to attach to the housing and to abut an exposed surface of the ceiling and, in conjunction with the fixing means, to securely fix the device in position.