Device for ventilating a room, device for protecting a site and method for ventilating a site

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current fire protection systems for public sites face challenges such as high electrical intensity requirements, large cable constraints, costly and space-consuming electrical cabinets, unreliable wireless communication, and unidirectional communication, which limit their deployment and maintenance efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A device for ventilating rooms that uses a wireless communication system with spread spectrum technology, a supercapacitor for energy storage, and a brushless motor with a Hall effect sensor to control the opening of vents with low electrical intensity, allowing for robust communication and precise degree of opening monitoring, while eliminating the need for an electrical cabinet and reducing maintenance costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional wireless communication is used to connect outlets to the control unit, then wireless connectivity is achieved, but communication reliability deteriorates due to electromagnetic noise and distance limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless connectivityVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a wired communication intermediary (power line communication or dedicated communication cable) between the outlet and control unit. This hybrid approach maintains wireless convenience for user interaction while ensuring reliable data transmission through the wired intermediary, overcoming electromagnetic noise and distance limitations of pure wireless systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If electrical cabinets with large section cables are deployed to meet opening speed requirements, then opening speed is improved, but device complexity and space requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening speedVSAvoidelectrical cabinet and cable infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power delivery function by introducing local energy storage (supercapacitors) at each outlet unit. This allows the system to meet high current demands for opening speed without requiring large-section cables running from a central electrical cabinet to each outlet, thereby simplifying the overall electrical infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary energy storage using supercapacitors at each outlet unit. This pre-stored energy enables the outlets to deliver high current instantly when opening is commanded, eliminating the need for complex cable infrastructure that would otherwise be required to supply such high currents over distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of repair

If manual testing of outlet opening and closing is performed during maintenance, then maintenance can be carried out, but reliability of compliance with maintenance standards deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance capabilityVSAvoidcompliance reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an automated feedback system where sensors detect the actual opening and closing status of outlets and transmit this information to the control unit. This automated monitoring provides objective feedback that confirms compliance with maintenance standards, eliminating reliance on manual testing and human judgment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-verification of its own operational status through integrated sensors and automated reporting. The outlets automatically test and report their opening/closing functionality, enabling the system to self-certify compliance with maintenance standards without requiring manual intervention for verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Device complexity

If unidirectional communication from alarm center to outlets is used, then system simplicity is improved, but information availability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication system simplicityVSAvoidinformation flow from outlets
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements bidirectional communication with feedback capability, allowing outlets to transmit operational status, sensor data, and diagnostic information back to the alarm center. This maintains relative system simplicity while enabling comprehensive two-way information exchange, eliminating the information loss inherent in unidirectional systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 solution enables efficient and cost-effective deployment and maintenance of fire protection systems by reducing space constraints, improving communication robustness, and enabling precise monitoring of vent openings, while allowing for rapid energy restitution and reduced maintenance needs.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor of a value representative of a physical quantity, a detector configured to determine information relating to the opening as a function of the value sensed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Implementation Method 2

a power source configured to supply the actuator when opening the sash

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3087556B1Device for ventilating a room, device for protecting a site and method for ventilating a site
Publication Date: 2021.01.27 FINSECUR
  • EP3087556B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3087556B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3087556B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (10) for ventilating a room which comprises: an actuator (105) configured such as to open a door or window (110) of the room; a means (115) for peering with an alarm system; a means (120) for controlling the actuator configured such as to control the opening or the closing of the door or window in accordance with a received signal; a means (125) for wireless communication with the alarm system configured such as to receive a smoke discharge signal; and a means (130) for storing electric energy, charged by an electric power supply (135), configured to power the actuator during the opening of the door or window following the receipt of a smoke discharge signal.