Dual-LED Fire Sensing for Self-Testing and Longer Service Life

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fire sensing devices in large facilities often degrade due to contamination and operational issues, leading to inaccurate fire detection and the need for costly, labor-intensive recalibration and replacement, which can create environmental waste.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a backup transmitter LED in fire sensing devices to replace or supplement the primary LED when degraded, reducing duty cycles to extend the device's lifespan and enabling self-testing for accurate fire detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the primary transmitter LED is used continuously for fire detection, then fire detection reliability is maintained, but the LED degrades over time reducing device lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire detection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitter function is segmented into multiple independent LEDs (first transmitter LED and second transmitter LED). When the primary LED degrades, the system switches to the backup LED, allowing the device to maintain operation beyond the lifespan of a single LED component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A backup transmitter LED is incorporated into the device beforehand to cushion against the degradation of the primary LED. This preventive measure ensures continuous operation without sudden failure when the primary LED degrades over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If sensitivity testing is performed regularly to ensure accurate fire detection, then detection accuracy is maintained, but testing becomes costly and labor intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidtesting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The fire sensing device performs self-testing of its transmitter LEDs and photodiode components automatically. The controller monitors the operational status of components and can switch between LEDs or indicate degradation without requiring external testing equipment or personnel, eliminating the need for costly professional servicing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The controller continuously monitors the operational status of the transmitter LEDs and photodiode, providing feedback on component degradation. This automated monitoring system maintains detection accuracy by detecting component failures early and switching components as needed, without requiring manual sensitivity testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If degraded components are replaced by removing and testing devices at smoke tunnels, then detection accuracy is verified, but the process becomes complex and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidtesting process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically monitors and manages its own component degradation and replacement needs. The controller can detect when a transmitter LED degrades and switch to the backup LED or indicate the need for replacement without requiring removal from the installation location or complex external testing procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The backup transmitter LED is prepared in advance within the device, so when the primary LED degrades, the system can immediately switch to the backup component without requiring external intervention, removal, or complex testing procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If devices are replaced after a fixed time period to ensure accuracy, then detection reliability is maintained, but waste increases and costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed with multiple transmitter LEDs that can be used sequentially. When one LED degrades, the system switches to the next LED, extending the overall device lifespan and reducing the frequency of replacements and associated waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The backup LED is incorporated beforehand to cushion against the degradation of the primary LED, allowing the device to continue operating accurately beyond the lifespan of a single LED component and reducing premature replacement needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

This approach extends the service life of fire sensing devices, reduces labor and waste, and ensures timely fire detection through automated LED switching and self-calibration, thereby saving costs and minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

a photodiode configured to detect the first light and the second light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20260011232A1Fire sensing device

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A fire sensing device is described herein. One fire sensing device includes a first transmitter light-emitting diode (LED) configured to emit a first light, a second transmitter LED configured to emit a second light, a controller configured to command the first transmitter LED to cease emitting the first light and the second transmitter LED to start emitting the second light, and a photodiode configured to detect the first light and the second light.