Fire Detector Cover Detection Using Acoustic Reverberation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire detector cover detection systems are inadequate in terms of accuracy and speed, particularly in domestic settings, and often require additional hardware, limiting their applicability and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A fire detection apparatus utilizing an integrated sounding device that emits and detects sound reverberations to determine if a cover is present, allowing for fast and accurate cover detection with minimal additional componentry, and optionally incorporating a light-based system for redundancy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If light-based emission and detection system is used to detect cover, then cover detection capability is provided, but detection speed is slow (around 30 seconds) and additional hardware is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover detection speedVSAvoiddetection time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the light-based detection system with an acoustic-based system using sound waves instead of light. The integrated sounding device emits sound and the same device detects the reverberation, eliminating the need for separate optical components and achieving faster detection in milliseconds rather than seconds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated sounding device serves dual purposes: it acts as both the sound emission source and the sound detection sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate hardware components for emission and detection, reducing system complexity and enabling faster operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate sound detector is used with speaker for cover detection, then cover detection is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover detection reliabilityVSAvoidhardware componentry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sound emission function and sound detection function into a single integrated sounding device. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate speakers and microphones, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining reliable cover detection through the device's ability to emit and detect its own reverberation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated sounding device performs self-testing by emitting sound and detecting the reverberation of its own emitted sound. This self-service capability allows the device to autonomously determine cover presence without requiring external detection equipment, simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If manual visual inspection is used to check fire detector cover, then cover status can be ascertained, but time consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover status detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated acoustic detection system. The integrated sounding device automatically emits sound and detects reverberation to determine cover status, eliminating the need for human inspectors to visually examine each detector and dramatically improving detection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides automated feedback by analyzing the reverberation characteristics of emitted sound and immediately determining cover presence or absence. This closed-loop feedback mechanism replaces slow manual inspection with rapid automated decision-making, significantly enhancing productivity.

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

Enables rapid cover detection in milliseconds compared to light-based systems, which take around 30 seconds, with potential for software modifications alone, and provides improved accuracy and applicability across various settings with reduced hardware requirements.

Implementation Method 1

an integrated sounding device that is configured to emit a sound and that is configured to detect reverberation of the emitted sound resulting from a cover placed over the fire detector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReverberation: Reverberation

Data Source

PatentUS12008887B2Method of fire detector cover detection and corresponding fire detection apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.06.11 KIDDE FIRE PROTECTION LLC

AI summary

A fire detection apparatus includes a fire detector (1) including an integrated sounding device (5) that is configured to emit a sound (7) from the fire detector (1) and that is further configured to detect reverberation of the emitted sound resulting from a cover (9) placed over the fire detector (1). The detected reverberation can be used to determine that the fire detector (1) has been covered.