Fire Sensor Heat Collector for Thermal Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire sensors face challenges in improving thermal response, particularly in detecting heat efficiently, which affects their ability to quickly detect fires and perform accurately during testing with localized heat sources.

Innovation Solution

A fire sensor design incorporating a board with heat detecting elements, a housing with a flow channel and openings for air flow, and a heat collector that directs hot air to the detecting elements, enhancing the thermal response by rapidly collecting and concentrating heat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a conventional sensor design without a heat collector is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the thermal response is slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal responseVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into distinct functional regions including a heat collecting chamber and a heat detecting chamber, with the heat collector forming a separate structural element that segments the air flow path to direct hot air toward the detecting element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heat collector acts as an intermediary component between the opening and the heat detecting element, capturing hot air from the environment and channeling it through the flow channel to the detecting element, thereby mediating the heat transfer process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the sensor lacks a heat collector, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the detection speed of localized heat sources is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection speedVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heat collector is positioned to preliminarily capture and concentrate hot air before it reaches the heat detecting element, pre-conditioning the air flow to ensure rapid heat delivery to the sensor during fire detection events

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The heat collector introduces a spatial dimension to heat collection by creating a three-dimensional collecting chamber that captures hot air from multiple directions and channels it through a controlled flow path to the detecting element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 sensor achieves improved thermal response, allowing for faster detection of fires and shorter testing times with heating testers, even with localized heat sources, thereby enhancing its detection capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a heat detecting element (11) mounted on the board (10) to detect heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat detection: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

The housing (12) has a flow channel (13) and an opening (14). The flow channel (13) is provided in an internal space (SP1) of the housing (12) and allows air to flow therethrough

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4080476B1sensor
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP4080476B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4080476B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4080476B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The problem to be overcome by the present disclosure is to improve thermal response. A sensor (1) includes a board (10), a heat detecting element (11), a housing (12), and a heat collector (16). The heat detecting element (11) is mounted on the board (10) and detects heat. The housing (12) houses the board (10). The housing (12) has a flow channel (13) and an opening (14). The flow channel (13) is provided in an internal space (SP1) of the housing (12) and allows air to flow therethrough. The opening (14) allows the flow channel (13) to communicate with an external space (SP2) outside of the housing (12). The heat collector (16) is configured to collect hot air toward the heat detecting element (11).