Generator Safety System with Alarm Acknowledgement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carbon monoxide monitoring systems in emergency medical vehicles fail to effectively prevent poisoning by not disabling the source of carbon monoxide and can lead to false disablements and safety hazards, especially in situations where the generator is quietly producing carbon monoxide, posing risks to operators and patients.

Innovation Solution

A safety system that includes a generator with an on/off switch, an alarm activated when the engine is not running, a shore power connection to automatically turn off the generator when external power is available, and a timer that deactivates the generator if the alarm is not acknowledged, ensuring operators must actively acknowledge the alarm to continue generator operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the generator is operated independently to supply electrical power to the compartment, then electrical power availability is improved, but carbon monoxide exposure risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power availabilityVSAvoidcarbon monoxide exposure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control module continuously monitors generator operation status and automatically activates the alarm when the generator is running and the engine is not running, creating a feedback loop that alerts operators to carbon monoxide risks in real-time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The alarm system serves as an intermediary between the generator operation and the operators, providing early warning of hazardous conditions before carbon monoxide levels become dangerous

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the generator is automatically disabled when carbon monoxide is detected, then safety is improved, but false disablements occur reducing operational reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon monoxide poisoning preventionVSAvoidgenerator operational reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system activates the alarm as a preliminary warning before disabling the generator, giving operators an opportunity to acknowledge the condition and make informed decisions about generator operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides dynamic control where the generator can be acknowledged to remain running under controlled conditions, or automatically disabled if not acknowledged, allowing flexible response to different operational scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the alarm is positioned to be easily accessible, then ease of operation is improved, but safety is reduced as operators may not actively acknowledge hazardous conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealarm accessibilityVSAvoidcarbon monoxide exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system requires operators to perform the preliminary action of actively acknowledging the alarm by pressing the switch, ensuring conscious awareness of hazardous conditions before the generator can continue operating

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The alarm acknowledge switch is positioned near the generator to require operators to physically approach and acknowledge the hazard, making the safety acknowledgment an integral part of the operational process rather than a remote notification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the generator runs quietly to minimize noise, then noise reduction is achieved, but carbon monoxide detection by human senses becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise levelVSAvoidcarbon monoxide detection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces human sensory detection of carbon monoxide with an electronic alarm system that provides reliable detection and warning, eliminating the need for operators to rely on their senses in quiet environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The alarm system serves as an intermediary between the invisible carbon monoxide and the operators, providing detectable warning signals that compensate for the quiet operation of the generator

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9603757B2Safety system for use with a generator of a vehicle with a cab

Publication Date: 2017.03.28 FRAZER LTD

AI summary

A safety system includes a vehicle having a cab and a compartment rearward of the cab, an engine that provides motive power to the vehicle, a generator positioned in the vehicle so as to supply electrical energy to the compartment, an alarm positioned in or on the vehicle so as to be cooperative with the engine and the generator, an alarm acknowledge switch positioned in or on the vehicle, a shore power connection on the vehicle, and a control module positioned in or on the vehicle so as to selectively activate or deactivate the alarm or to deactivate the generator when certain conditions occur. The generator has an on/off switch so as to turn the generator either on or off. The alarm is activated when the generator is turned on and the engine is not running. The alarm acknowledge switch is activatable as to turn the alarm off. The shore power connection is adapted to be connected to a source of electrical energy exterior of the vehicle.