Portable Gas Detector Temperature Alert System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current portable gas detectors do not measure ambient or body temperature, which can become hazardous in confined spaces, leading to debilitating or fatal conditions due to extreme temperatures.

Innovation Solution

Integration of temperature sensors into gas detectors to measure ambient and biometric temperatures, triggering alerts through audible, visual, and vibration notifications when thresholds are exceeded, with optional user-configurable settings and additional humidity sensing for enhanced alert determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If temperature monitoring is added to gas detectors, then safety monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety monitoring capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines temperature sensing, humidity sensing, gas detection, and wireless communication functions into a single integrated wearable device. The temperature sensor and humidity sensor are incorporated alongside existing gas detection components, creating a multi-functional safety monitor that reduces overall system complexity compared to separate devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wearable device is designed to perform multiple safety functions simultaneously: detecting hazardous gases, monitoring ambient temperature, measuring body temperature, detecting humidity levels, and providing wireless alerts. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate devices into one universal safety platform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors and alert mechanisms are integrated, then safety monitoring accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety monitoring accuracyVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically monitors multiple parameters (gas levels, temperature, humidity) and autonomously determines when alert conditions are met based on pre-programmed thresholds. The system self-manages data collection from multiple sensors, threshold comparison, and alert activation without requiring user intervention or complex configuration, maintaining ease of operation despite enhanced monitoring capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Alert thresholds for temperature, humidity, and gas levels are pre-configured in the device before deployment. The system is ready to immediately compare sensor readings against these predetermined thresholds and trigger alerts without requiring real-time user input or complex decision-making, simplifying operation while maintaining high monitoring accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of time

If wireless alert communication is implemented, then safety response time is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety response timeVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication system operates periodically rather than continuously, transmitting data and alerts at scheduled intervals or only when threshold violations occur. This periodic transmission approach minimizes energy consumption by keeping the wireless module in low-power states between transmissions, while still ensuring timely safety alerts when hazardous conditions are detected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where alert transmissions are triggered by specific conditions (threshold exceedances) rather than continuous operation. The device monitors sensor inputs, compares them against thresholds, and only activates wireless communication when feedback from the sensors indicates hazardous conditions, optimizing energy usage based on actual environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively monitors and alerts users to potentially life-threatening temperature conditions, enhancing personal safety in hazardous environments by providing timely and prominent notifications based on temperature and duration thresholds.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the environment around the gas detector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3173755B1Unsafe work condition temperature alerts in portable gas detectors
Publication Date: 2018.09.26 FLUKE CORP
  • EP3173755B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3173755B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3173755B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A gas detector includes environmental condition detection circuitry that includes one or more sensors, data processing circuitry, and wireless communication circuitry. The gas detector is configured to be carried by a user. The environmental condition detection circuitry detects the presence or lack of presence of a particular gas in a vicinity of the gas detector and further detects a temperature in the vicinity of the gas detector and communicates detection data to the data processing circuitry. In response to detection of a hazardous temperature condition, the data processing circuitry of the gas detector provides an alert notification to the user carrying the gas detector. Also disclosed is an alert system including multiple gas detectors in which a first gas detector communicates an alert to a second gas detector via wireless communication, and in response, the second gas detector transmits the alert to another gas detector or device via wireless communication.