Fire Protection Relay Component for Wireless Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire protection systems face limitations in communication range and efficiency, particularly when trying to communicate with components installed in inaccessible locations or when multiple components need to be managed simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of first communications circuitry that allows components of the fire protection system to communicate directly with each other, enabling component-to-component communication and facilitating communication between a portable tool and remote components through relay mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If short-range wireless communication is used between portable tool and components, then communication simplicity is improved, but communication range deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication simplicityVSAvoidcommunication range

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a relay component (first component) that acts as an intermediary between the portable tool and the second component. The relay component receives communication signals from the portable tool via short-range wireless communication and forwards them to the second component, thereby extending the effective communication range while maintaining the simplicity of short-range communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If direct communication between portable tool and each component is required, then communication reliability is improved, but operator mobility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidoperator mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The relay component serves as a stationary intermediary that maintains reliable communication connections. The portable tool communicates with the relay component within reliable short-range limits, and the relay component handles communication with distant components, thereby maintaining communication reliability while allowing the operator to remain mobile and positioned near the relay component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If multiple components are communicated with sequentially by moving the portable tool, then communication completeness is improved, but installation time deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication completenessVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The relay component acts as a central communication hub that can simultaneously or sequentially communicate with multiple components in the network. The portable tool communicates with the relay component once, and the relay component distributes communications to all necessary components, thereby ensuring communication completeness while dramatically reducing installation time by eliminating the need for the operator to physically move to each component location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3839911B1Fire protection system

Publication Date: 2025.02.12 CARRIER CORP

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AI summary

A component 14a for a fire protection system 100 comprises communications circuitry configured to communicate with another component 14b-14d of the fire protection system 100. The communications circuitry may allow a portable tool 20 to communicate with the other component 14b-14d via the component 14a.