Fire Alarm Notification Power Control Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire alarm systems face insufficient power issues due to high inrush current demands and relatively high steady-state power consumption of notification appliance devices, limiting the number of devices that can be installed on a loop and requiring frequent charging phases for battery-powered units.
Innovation Solution
A fire alarm system device with an intermittent unit, a power storage unit, a voltage converter, and a power control circuit that discharges the storage unit through the intermittent unit upon activation, then switches to the voltage converter for continuous operation, including back feed protection to ensure efficient power distribution and charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If battery-powered units are used to power notification appliance devices, then the devices can operate intermittently, but charging phases are required to store sufficient power for inrush current demand
Solution Approach 1:
The power storage unit is pre-charged during normal operation to accumulate sufficient energy before an alarm event occurs. This preliminary energy storage enables the notification appliance device to immediately meet high inrush current demands without requiring charging phases during critical alarm response.
Solution Approach 2:
A power storage unit acts as an intermediary between the battery and the notification appliance device. This intermediary component buffers the power delivery, providing high current bursts when needed while allowing the battery to operate at lower, more efficient power levels during normal conditions.
2Reliability
If a fixed-size DC power unit is used in the system controller, then power can be supplied at fixed voltage, but the number of devices that can be installed on a loop is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows power delivery parameters to dynamically change based on demand. During normal operation, power is supplied at fixed voltage for stability. During alarm conditions, the system transitions to high-current mode from the power storage unit, enabling notification appliance devices to receive the necessary power bursts without constraining the number of installable devices on the loop.
3Reliability
If notification appliance devices are wired to the system controller, then they receive continuous power, but inrush current demands cannot be met during activation
Solution Approach 1:
The power delivery system transitions from a static, continuous power supply to a dynamic system that adapts its output based on demand. The power storage unit enables the system to dynamically switch between low-power continuous operation and high-power burst mode during notification appliance device activation, meeting both reliability and inrush current requirements.
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 solution enables 'instant-on' operation of notification units, reducing response time to fire detection and ensuring reliable power supply, with the power control circuit testing storage unit capacity and recharging as needed to maintain optimal performance.
Implementation Method 1
a power storage unit for providing temporary power to the intermittent unit
Implementation Method 2
a voltage converter for providing power at a voltage required by the intermittent unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A system and method for providing temporary power to an intermittent unit of a fire alarm system device. The intermittent unit is intermittently activated. The fire alarm system device includes a power storage unit for providing temporary power to the intermittent unit and a voltage converter for providing power at a voltage required by the intermittent unit. The fire alarm system device also includes a power control circuit for discharging the power storage unit through the intermittent unit when the intermittent unit first is activated and then switching to enable the voltage converter to power the intermittent unit.