Fire Detector Sensor Array Spatial Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire detection systems face challenges in providing timely and spatially resolved fire detection, with thermal convection sensors being slow and infrared sensors offering fast but overall environmental heat radiation evaluation, while also being susceptible to false alarms from disturbance variables.
Innovation Solution
A fire detector with a sensor field comprising a bolometer array sensitive to IR wavelengths greater than 5 μm, which outputs a temperature image for evaluation, using a feature extractor module to differentiate between fire and disturbance variables, and a detection module to determine fire status, allowing for rapid and accurate fire detection without complex cooling or optical diaphragm systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal convection sensors are used to detect fires, then detection reliability is improved, but response speed deteriorates due to the time required for air heating and thermal convection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (thermal convection sensors and infrared sensors) into a single fire detection system. The thermal convection sensor provides reliable fire detection through temperature-dependent resistance changes, while the infrared sensor adds fast response capability by detecting heat radiation. The evaluation device processes signals from both sensors together, merging their complementary strengths to achieve both reliability and speed.
2Speed
If infrared sensors are used for fast fire detection, then response speed is improved, but spatial resolution deteriorates as they can only make overall environmental heat radiation statements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection function by assigning different spatial resolution tasks to different sensor types. The infrared sensor provides fast overall heat radiation detection, while the thermal convection sensor with its temperature-dependent resistor provides localized temperature measurement. The evaluation device processes these segmented measurements together, allowing the system to achieve both fast response and spatial resolution through functional segmentation rather than requiring a single high-performance sensor.
3Measurement precision
If optical screens with variable optical properties are used for spatially resolved observation, then spatial resolution is improved, but device complexity increases due to grid structures and selective activation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spatially resolved detection function from complex optical screen mechanisms and implements it through a simpler sensor array approach. Instead of using optical screens with grid structures and selective activation, the system uses multiple temperature sensors arranged in a spatial pattern that directly measures temperature at different locations. This extracts the essential spatial resolution capability while removing the complex optical control mechanisms.
4Measurement precision
If high-resolution sensor arrays are used for accurate fire detection, then measurement precision is improved, but computational power requirements and evaluation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using a limited number of strategically positioned temperature sensors rather than a comprehensive high-resolution array. The sensor placement is optimized to detect fire conditions with sufficient accuracy for safety applications, accepting that full high-resolution imaging is unnecessary. This partial approach reduces computational requirements and evaluation complexity while maintaining adequate detection precision for fire safety.
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 solution enables fast and accurate fire detection with minimal delay, distinguishing between fires and disturbances, and is cost-effective with lower resolution sensor units, reducing evaluation complexity and computational power requirements.
Implementation Method 1
sensor device for spatially resolved recording of the monitored area in an IR wavelength range
Implementation Method 2
sensor field comprising a bolometer array sensitive to IR wavelengths greater than 5 μm
Implementation Method 3
infrared sensors that evaluate the heat radiation bundled at one point
Data Source
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AI summary
Fire detectors are locally installed units which are mounted, for example, on a ceiling or on a wall and are used to detect a fire in the surroundings thereof. The invention proposes a fire detector 2 for a fire detection system 1 for monitoring a monitoring area 3, having an interface 12 for communicating with the fire detection system 1, having a sensor device 7 for recording the monitoring area 3 in a spatially resolved manner in an IR wavelength range and for outputting sensor signals, having an evaluation device 9 for determining a fire state by evaluating the sensor signals from the sensor device 7, wherein the fire state is transmitted to the fire detection system 1 via the interface 12, wherein the sensor device 7 comprises a sensor array which outputs an array of measured values as sensor signals.