Fire Detection Sensor Configuration via Portable Terminal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fire detection systems have limited diagnostic capabilities, making it difficult to identify the cause of sensor malfunctions and requiring imprecise verification of detection effectiveness, which affects both installation costs and maintenance efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A device with short-range wireless communication and a portable terminal that allows users to configure sensor parameters, display signal values, and transmit settings, enabling precise diagnosis and sensitivity adjustments for effective fire detection regardless of sensor location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fire detection system uses traditional verification methods with typical foci placed near sensors, then the system can be verified for detection effectiveness, but the diagnosis of malfunction causes remains imprecise and limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection effectivenessVSAvoiddiagnosis precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a portable terminal as an intermediary device between the sensor and the user. This terminal receives signals from the sensor, displays measured values on a screen, and enables precise diagnosis of malfunction causes. The intermediary provides detailed measurement data that was previously unavailable, transforming the limited verification process into a precise diagnostic tool while maintaining detection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If fire detection systems require verification with firefighters and placement of typical foci, then detection effectiveness can be confirmed, but installation and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The portable terminal enables users to perform self-verification and self-diagnosis of the fire detection system. Users can directly observe measured values displayed on the terminal screen and determine whether sensors are working correctly or if malfunctions originate from other parts. This self-service capability eliminates the need for firefighter verification and typical foci placement, significantly reducing installation and maintenance costs while confirming detection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the system maintains fixed sensor parameters, then the system structure remains simple, but the system cannot adapt to different sensor locations and maintains optimal detection performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem configurationVSAvoidsensor location adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic parameter adjustment capability through the portable terminal. Users can modify sensor parameters such as sensitivity thresholds based on the specific location and environmental conditions. The terminal communicates with the sensor to update configuration values, enabling the system to adapt to different installations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between structural simplicity and location adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2936468B1Device for configuring a fire-detection system
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 FINSECUR
  • EP2936468B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2936468B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2936468B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (10, 20) for configuring a fire-detection system, which comprises at least one detector (105, 205), each detector comprising a sensor (110, 210) for measuring the value of a physical magnitude near the sensor such as to transmit a signal that is representative of said value, and a means (230) for detecting the presence of a fire based on the processing of the signal transmitted by the sensor. The device is characterised in that it also comprises at least one means (115, 215) for short-range wireless communication of a signal that is representative of the presence of a fire, and a portable communicating terminal (120, 220) including: a means (305) for receiving the signal communicated by the communication means; a screen (125, 225, 310, 315) for displaying a message representative of the signal received from the communication means; a means (240) for configuring at least one parameter value for the processing performed by at least one means for detecting the presence of a fire; and a means (235) for wirelessly transmitting a signal representative of each parameter value configured by the configuration means, the communication means being configured to receive the signal representative of each parameter value configured by the configuration means.