Gas-Monitored Safety Equipment Container With Auto-Unlocking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to effectively protect individuals from dangerous gas concentrations or insufficient vital gas levels without requiring manual intervention, leading to potential misuse or unavailability of essential safety equipment during emergencies.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising gas detectors, a control unit, and a locking mechanism that automatically unlocks a container containing safety equipment when harmful gas levels are detected, eliminating the need for manual activation and ensuring equipment availability during emergencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If safety equipment is stored in a locked container to prevent misuse, then equipment security is improved, but accessibility during emergencies deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment securityVSAvoidaccessibility during emergencies
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of harmful gas concentrations and automatically triggers the unlocking mechanism before emergency conditions fully develop, ensuring equipment is accessible when needed without requiring manual intervention during the emergency itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The container locking mechanism is designed to automatically unlock itself when harmful gas levels are detected, eliminating the need for human operation and ensuring the container becomes accessible without requiring anyone to manually open it during an emergency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual activation is required for safety equipment, then equipment misuse is prevented, but response time during emergencies increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of equipment misuseVSAvoidresponse time during emergencies
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The gas detectors continuously monitor the environment and provide feedback to the control unit, which automatically triggers the unlocking mechanism when harmful concentrations are detected, eliminating the time delay associated with manual activation while maintaining security through automated control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical activation with an automated electronic control system that detects gas concentrations and automatically unlocks the container, eliminating the need for human intervention and reducing response time while maintaining security through controlled automated operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If gas detectors are connected to stationary power supply, then operational reliability is improved, but installation flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The gas detector system is designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating in both stationary power supply mode and battery-powered mode, allowing the same equipment to be installed in both fixed and mobile applications, thereby achieving both reliability and installation flexibility

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

Data Source

PatentEP4656825A1Assembly comprising a gas meter and a container and method using such an assembly
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 DRAGER SAFETY AG & CO KAAA
  • EP4656825A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4656825A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4656825A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for monitoring an area where people are or may be present. A gas detector (1.1, 1.2) measures the concentration of a target gas within its detection range (Det.1, Det.2) and generates a signal containing information about the measured target gas concentration. A container (5) holds an object (6, 7, 8, 9, 14) inside, particularly for rescuing people. A sealing mechanism (4) closes the container (5) in a closed state, thus preventing access to the object inside the container (5). In a released state, the sealing mechanism (4) allows the object to be removed from the container. A signal processing control unit (10) receives and processes the signal from the gas detector (1.1, 1.2) and automatically determines whether the target gas concentration is too high.If the target gas concentration is too high, the control unit (10) causes the closing mechanism (4) to be moved into the releasing state.