Fire Detector Alarm Latching for Persistent Post-Event Indication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fire detection systems face challenges in reliably indicating the presence and resolution of fire conditions due to rapid detection and signaling times of sensors, making it difficult to identify alerts after the event is resolved.
Innovation Solution
A fire suppression system with an interface device that includes light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to indicate normal, fire, and fault conditions, and a controller to latch the LED output based on sensor signals, ensuring persistent indication of fire conditions even after they are resolved.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If sensors detect fire conditions rapidly and signal quickly, then fire detection speed is improved, but the ability to identify and troubleshoot alerts after the event is resolved deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by latching the LED indication in the alarm state before the fire condition is fully resolved. When the controller detects a fire condition, it latches the corresponding LED output, ensuring the visual alert persists even after the sensor no longer detects fire. This allows operators to identify and troubleshoot the specific alarm source after the event.
Solution Approach 2:
The latched LED output serves as an intermediary between the transient sensor signal and the operator's need for persistent information. The LED maintains the alarm indication independently of the continuous sensor state, bridging the gap between rapid detection and post-event identification.
2Speed
If LED output changes rapidly with sensor status, then real-time monitoring is improved, but the persistence of alarm indication for troubleshooting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller latches the LED output in advance when a fire condition is detected, ensuring the indication persists beyond the transient alarm event. This preliminary latching action maintains the visual alert for troubleshooting purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts LED behavior based on operational mode: in alarm mode, LEDs latch and persist; in normal operation, LEDs respond in real-time to sensor status. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between rapid indication and persistent alarm display.
3Extent of automation
If the system resets automatically after fire suppression, then system autonomy is improved, but the ability to maintain alarm indication for fault identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the sensor to control LED latching and unlatching. When fire is detected, the LED latches; when fire is suppressed and the sensor confirms resolution, the LED unlatches. This feedback mechanism maintains alarm indication during the suppression period while enabling automatic reset afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The latched LED provides continuous visual feedback throughout the fire suppression process, maintaining alarm indication from detection through suppression. The system continuously monitors sensor status and maintains the latched state until confirmation of fire resolution, ensuring uninterrupted fault identification capability.
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
Ensures reliable and persistent indication of fire conditions, allowing operators to identify and troubleshoot faults and alarms accurately, even after the fire is suppressed, by using LED latching to maintain alerts until user intervention.
Implementation Method 1
an interface device that include a light emitting device (LED) and one or more processors to cause, based on the status signal indicating a normal condition, the LED to display a first color of light
Data Source
AI summary
A fire suppression system includes an interface control module, and an interface module. The interface control module can activate a fire suppressant discharge system in response to receiving a fire detection signal. The interface module is connected with the interface control module and is connected with at least one of a first optical sensor and an interface expansion module. The interface expansion module is configured to connect with a second optical sensor. The first optical sensor and the second optical sensor are configured to detect a fire condition at an area of interest and provide the first detection signal to the interface control module in response to detecting the fire. The interface module includes light emitting devices corresponding to the first optical sensor and the interface expansion module, the light emitting devices configured to display different colors indicating a status of the first optical sensor and the interface expansion module.