Hazard Detector Wireless Test Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hazard monitoring systems require cumbersome and costly maintenance processes, such as the Walk-Test, which involves multiple technicians to test individual hazard detectors and lacks efficient communication with central fire alarm control panels, making it difficult to ensure all detectors are tested correctly and leading to potential errors.

Innovation Solution

A hazard detector and test device enabling bi-directional communication, allowing for automated test mode switching, confirmation signals, and test completion signals to be transmitted, enabling a single technician to perform the Walk-Test while ensuring all detectors are tested and reducing errors by correlating test results with central monitoring units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional Walk-Test is performed with multiple technicians to test hazard detectors, then the testing can be completed manually, but the maintenance cost increases and the process becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetector testing reliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hazard detector automatically performs self-testing through wireless communication with a portable test device. The detector's processor executes test routines autonomously, eliminating the need for multiple technicians to manually test each detector while maintaining reliable testing through automated diagnostic procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/manual testing process with wireless electronic communication. The test device and hazard detector exchange data wirelessly through radio frequency communication, substituting the physical presence and manual operations of multiple technicians with automated electronic testing protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If hazard detectors are tested using a portable test device with wireless communication, then a single technician can perform the test, but the communication with the central fire alarm control panel is not tested

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting operation easeVSAvoidcommunication test completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The testing process is segmented into distinct phases: first, the portable test device tests wireless communication between the test device and the hazard detector; second, the hazard detector's processor automatically tests communication with the central fire alarm control panel through the building's communication infrastructure. This segmentation ensures both communication paths are verified without requiring multiple technicians

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hazard detector's processor performs preliminary automatic testing of communication with the central control panel before the technician completes the field test. This preliminary action ensures communication integrity is verified in advance, allowing the technician to focus on wireless communication testing while maintaining complete communication verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If all hazard detectors connected to a central fire alarm control panel are put into test mode during testing, then the entire system can be tested, but erroneous alarms of the entire system may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem-wide testing capabilityVSAvoiderroneous alarm risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Test mode is activated locally at the individual hazard detector level rather than system-wide. Each detector can be placed in test mode independently through wireless communication with the portable test device, allowing testing of specific detectors without affecting the operational status of other detectors or triggering system-wide erroneous alarms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The hazard detector's processor provides feedback to the portable test device regarding test mode status and communication results. This feedback mechanism allows the technician to verify successful test mode activation and communication testing without inadvertently triggering alarm conditions, as the processor monitors and reports system state changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3291195B1Hazard detector, test device for hazard detector, hazard monitoring system and method for testing a hazard detector

Publication Date: 2021.05.26 NOVAR GMBH

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AI summary

The invention provides a method for testing a hazard detector comprising the steps: transmitting from a test device 11 a test mode switching signal to the hazard detector 13; setting the hazard detector 13 to a test mode; transmitting from the hazard detector 13 a first test mode confirmation signal to a central monitoring unit 1; transmitting from the hazard detector 13 a second test mode confirmation signal to the test device 11; processing a subsequent hazard condition detected by the detection means 5 of the hazard detector 13 as a test event; transmitting from the hazard detector 13 a test result signal to the central monitoring unit 1; outputting from the hazard detector 13 a test completion signal; and setting the hazard detector 13 to a detection mode. The invention further provides a corresponding hazard monitoring system, a hazard detector and a test device.