Gas-Triggered Safety Equipment Container Release in Hazardous Spaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to effectively protect individuals from harmful or insufficient concentrations of gases in enclosed spaces by ensuring timely access to safety equipment during emergencies without the risk of unauthorized use or human error.

Innovation Solution

An arrangement comprising gas measuring devices and a container with a controllable closure mechanism, controlled by a signal-processing unit, automatically opens to provide access to safety equipment when hazardous gas levels are detected, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

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

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of hazardous gas conditions and automatically triggers the closure mechanism release before manual intervention is needed. The gas measuring devices continuously monitor the environment and prepare the system for emergency access by detecting harmful gas concentrations in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The signal-processing control unit receives feedback from gas measuring devices about harmful gas concentrations and automatically responds by controlling the closure mechanism to open the container. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that security is maintained under normal conditions while enabling automatic accessibility when hazards are detected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If manual intervention is required to access safety equipment, then unauthorized use is prevented, but response time during emergencies increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecontrolVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system serves itself by automatically detecting hazardous conditions through gas measuring devices and triggering the closure mechanism release without requiring human intervention. The arrangement autonomously responds to emergencies, eliminating the time delay associated with manual access while maintaining security through automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical intervention with an automated electronic control system. The signal-processing control unit processes gas concentration signals and automatically controls the closure mechanism, substituting human action with an automated electromechanical system that responds instantly to detected hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If gas measuring devices are installed to detect hazardous conditions, then detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The signal-processing control unit serves multiple functions: it processes signals from gas measuring devices, determines harmful gas concentrations, controls the closure mechanism, and coordinates the emergency response. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single control unit rather than requiring separate systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the gas measurement function with the control function in a unified system. The gas measuring devices are integrated with the signal-processing control unit, which combines signal processing, hazard determination, and closure mechanism control into a single coordinated system, reducing overall system complexity despite enhanced detection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enhances safety by ensuring rapid access to protective equipment during emergencies, reducing the risk of human error and unauthorized use, and providing automated response to hazardous gas conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The or each gas measuring device is configured to measure the concentration of at least one respective target gas in its corresponding detection region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas concentration detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20250369941A1Arrangement with a gas measuring device and a container and method using such an arrangement

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 DRAGER SAFETY AG & CO KAAA

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an arrangement and to a method which monitor a spatial area in which people are or may be present. A gas measuring device measures the concentration of a target gas in its detection region and generates a signal which contains information about the measured target gas concentration. A container accommodates an object in its interior, in particular for rescuing people. A closure mechanism closes the container in a closing state so that access to the object in the container is blocked. In a releasing state, the closure mechanism allows the object to be removed from the container. A signal-processing control unit receives and processes the signal from the gas measuring device and automatically decides whether the target gas concentration is too high. If the target gas concentration is too high, the control unit causes the closure mechanism to be transferred into the releasing state.