Fire Detector Housing Apertures for Hemispherical Smoke Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire detectors, such as smoke detectors, often fail to effectively monitor the entire area around them due to shielding by objects, which can prevent the detection of smoke and fire gases, especially when objects are placed below or to the side of the detector, limiting their detection range and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A fire detector design that incorporates a housing with structural openings and diffraction/refraction effects to expand the detection area to a complete hemisphere, allowing for the detection of objects below and to the side, using a combination of circular and annular apertures and gaps that enhance the detection range through diffraction and refraction patterns, ensuring comprehensive monitoring with minimal sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional fire detectors are used with standard housing designs, then the device complexity is low, but the detection area is limited and cannot cover the complete hemisphere around the detector
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into multiple sections with different aperture types (circular apertures, annular apertures, and gaps) arranged in specific patterns. Each segment serves a specific directional detection function, collectively covering the complete hemisphere around the detector while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure incorporates three-dimensional aperture arrangements including circular apertures, annular apertures, and gaps at different radial distances and angular positions. This multi-dimensional arrangement enables the detection area to extend across the complete hemisphere, transforming the detection coverage from a limited planar area to a comprehensive spatial volume.
2Measurement precision
If objects are placed below or to the side of the detector, then the device complexity remains unchanged, but the detection precision is reduced due to shielding
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the housing are designed with locally optimized aperture characteristics. Circular apertures provide focused detection in specific directions, while annular apertures and gaps cover other angular ranges. This local optimization ensures that detection precision is maintained in all directions, including areas previously vulnerable to shielding effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture arrangement in the housing is intentionally asymmetric, with circular apertures, annular apertures, and gaps positioned at non-uniform angular intervals. This asymmetric configuration ensures comprehensive coverage of the hemispherical detection area, eliminating blind spots where objects could shield the detector, while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple sensors are used to cover the complete hemisphere, then the detection area is expanded, but the device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure itself is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides mechanical support, defines the detection volume, and acts as an optical/acoustic element through its aperture patterns. The circular apertures, annular apertures, and gaps collectively perform the function of multiple sensors, enabling complete hemispherical coverage without requiring separate sensor components for each direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure performs self-detection functions by incorporating aperture patterns that inherently define and expand the detection area. The structural features (circular apertures, annular apertures, gaps) automatically create diffraction and refraction patterns that guide detection without requiring additional active sensing elements, making the housing itself serve the detection function.
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 expanded detection area allows for reliable detection of objects in all directions around the fire detector, including below and to the side, improving the overall monitoring of the space relevant to smoke spread and enhancing the accuracy and reliability of fire detection.
Implementation Method 1
The opening structure is designed to expand the sensor's detection range around the axis through diffraction effects
Implementation Method 2
The opening structure is designed to expand the sensor's detection range around the axis through diffraction and/or refraction effects
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~2a
Figure 2b~3e
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a fire detector that monitor their own surroundings for objects that could negatively affect the spread of smoke or gases. To detect these objects, waves are sent through an opening in a housing into a detection area in the surroundings, and this detection area is expanded by means of an opening structure.