Hazard Detector Airflow Blockage Detection Using Temperature Delta
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors face issues with airflow blockages due to dust, debris, or intentional obstructions, which are difficult to detect efficiently and cost-effectively using current methods.
Innovation Solution
The system employs temperature sensors to monitor temperature differences across the housing structure of the detector, analyzing the temperature delta to identify airflow blockages by measuring temperature differences between internal and external environments, using low thermal mass thermocouples or silicon temperature sensors, and applying heat transfer models to detect blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flash LEDs are used to detect blocked openings by measuring light leakage, then blockage detection capability is improved, but device cost and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical detection system (flash LEDs and light leakage measurement) with a thermal detection system using temperature sensors. This substitution eliminates the need for high-power surge circuits while maintaining blockage detection capability through passive thermal monitoring of airflow changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive, low-power temperature sensors instead of expensive flash LED assemblies. The temperature sensors consume minimal power and provide sufficient detection capability without requiring the complex drive circuits and high surge current capabilities needed for LED-based optical detection.
2Reliability
If flash LEDs and surge power supply are used to detect blockages, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex optical detection system with a simple thermal sensing approach. The temperature sensors directly measure airflow-induced temperature changes without requiring flash LEDs, surge power supplies, or complex light leakage measurement circuits, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the unnecessary components (flash LEDs, surge power supply circuits) from the detection system, keeping only the essential temperature sensing elements. This extraction simplifies the device architecture while preserving the core blockage detection function through thermal monitoring.
3Use of energy by moving object
If temperature sensors are used to monitor temperature differences, then power consumption is reduced, but detection sensitivity may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions temperature sensors to monitor temperature differences across the photo chamber housing before and during potential blockage conditions. By continuously monitoring the thermal gradient caused by airflow through apertures, the system maintains high detection sensitivity while using passive, low-power temperature sensing rather than active optical detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from optical properties (light leakage) to thermal properties (temperature difference). This parameter change enables the use of low-power temperature sensors while maintaining detection sensitivity, as the thermal gradient across the housing provides a sensitive indicator of airflow blockage without requiring high-power measurement systems.
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
This method effectively detects airflow blockages with low energy consumption, providing accurate alerts on airflow obstructions with minimal false positives, ensuring the detector's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
As these airflow blockages may affect (e.g., slow) the rate of heat transfer through the housing structure aperture(s), disclosed devices and methods may detect an airflow blockage (or other defined alert condition) by monitoring a temperature difference across the aperture(s)
Data Source
AI summary
A hazard detection device includes a housing structure separating a first space from a second space, and including housing structure aperture(s) allowing airflow between the first space and second space. A first temperature sensor device is arranged in the first space to generate first sensor data indicating a first space temperature in the first space, and a second temperature sensor device is arranged in the second space to generate second sensor data indicating a second space temperature in the second space. The hazard detection device includes control circuitry to receive the first sensor data from the first temperature sensor device and the second sensor data from the second temperature sensor device, monitor a temperature difference between the first space temperature indicated by the first sensor data and second space temperature indicated by the second sensor data, identify an alert condition based on the monitored temperature, and output an alert notification.