Earpiece Low Pressure Warning Device for Encapsulated Suits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Encapsulated protective suits and hoods require a reliable method to maintain a positive pressure differential for safety and inflation, while existing solutions are either non-adjustable or require significant inventory costs due to different pressure threshold requirements for various environments and applications.

Innovation Solution

A low pressure warning device in the form of an earpiece with adjustable alert thresholds, featuring a pressure sensor, audio and visual alerts, and wireless communication capabilities to monitor and adjust air supply, ensuring user safety and efficiency across different environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fixed pressure threshold devices are used for different environments, then safety monitoring is provided, but inventory costs increase due to needing multiple devices for different pressure requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety monitoringVSAvoidinventory costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates a programmable microprocessor that allows the pressure threshold to be dynamically adjusted and reprogrammed based on different environmental requirements. This enables a single device to adapt to multiple pressure monitoring needs, eliminating the requirement to maintain separate inventory of fixed-threshold devices for different applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fixed pressure threshold parameter into a variable parameter that can be modified through software programming. The microprocessor stores and executes pressure threshold values that can be updated to match different operational environments, transforming a static device into one with adaptable parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If multiple fixed pressure threshold devices are maintained for different applications, then specific pressure monitoring requirements are met, but device complexity and inventory management increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure monitoringVSAvoidinventory management
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed as a universal pressure monitoring solution that can serve multiple applications by changing its programmed threshold. A single device can be configured for different pressure levels and alert conditions, making it multi-functional and eliminating the need for application-specific device variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The programmable nature of the device allows it to dynamically adapt to different monitoring requirements. The microprocessor enables the device to change its operational parameters based on the specific application, providing precision monitoring across diverse scenarios without requiring separate devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If reusable adjustable devices are implemented, then inventory costs decrease, but device complexity and programming requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinventory costsVSAvoidprogramming requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates user-friendly interfaces and pre-programmed configurations that allow end users to easily adjust pressure thresholds without requiring extensive programming expertise. The microprocessor handles the complexity internally, presenting a simplified interface to the user while maintaining full programmability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device comes pre-programmed with default pressure thresholds and alert configurations appropriate for common applications. This preliminary setup allows immediate use out of the box while retaining the capability for users to reprogram and customize settings as needed, reducing the perceived complexity for typical users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 users to unsafe pressure conditions, allowing for real-time adjustments and reducing inventory costs by providing a reusable, adjustable solution for maintaining positive pressure differentials in encapsulated protective gear.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure sensor operable to sense the pressure of an environment proximate to the earpiece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP2752829B1Wearable low pressure warning device with audio and visual indication
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP2752829B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2752829B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2752829B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Embodiments relate generally to low pressure warning devices which may be worn with encapsulated protective suits and hoods by a user and may provide audio and visual alerts. In an embodiment, a low pressure warning device may comprise an earpiece operable to be retained to the ear of a user, wherein the earpiece may comprise a control system operable to sense the pressure inside the encapsulated protective suit or hood and activate the audio and/or visual alerts when necessary. In an embodiment, the low pressure warning device may be equipped with short range wireless communication capabilities.