Hazard Warning Device Selective Zone Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large office buildings, overlapping and frequency-mixed signal tones from multiple alarm devices can render the original signal tone unrecognizable, making orderly evacuation impossible when all devices are activated simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a control device assigns identification data to triggering devices connected to alarm devices, allowing selective activation or deactivation of specific groups of alarm devices through synchronized control signals, ensuring simultaneous activation or deactivation of selected devices without signal tone mixture, enabling orderly evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If all alarm devices are activated simultaneously in a large building, then complete coverage is achieved, but signal tones become mixed and unrecognizable
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the building into multiple zones or floors, each with its own alarm devices. Instead of activating all devices simultaneously, the control unit activates alarm devices in specific zones sequentially or selectively based on the hazard location, ensuring clear signal tones while maintaining comprehensive coverage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different activation states to different spatial locations within the building. Alarm devices in the hazard zone and adjacent zones are activated with distinct timing or patterns, while devices in safe zones remain inactive. This localized approach preserves signal recognizability while providing adequate warning coverage.
2Reliability
If multiple alarm devices are activated simultaneously, then evacuation coverage is maximized, but orderly evacuation becomes impossible due to signal confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines the hazard location and pre-calculates the optimal activation sequence for alarm devices in different zones. By planning the activation pattern in advance based on the detected hazard position, the system ensures both comprehensive evacuation coverage and orderly progression of evacuees through clear, distinguishable signal patterns in each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts which alarm devices are activated based on real-time hazard detection data. The control unit modifies the activation pattern to create a dynamic evacuation flow, activating devices in a sequence that guides occupants away from the hazard zone in an organized manner rather than causing chaotic movement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If identification data is transmitted with each control signal to all triggering devices, then selective activation is enabled, but communication load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit transmits identification data selectively to only those triggering devices that need to be activated, rather than broadcasting to all devices in the system. This partial action approach enables precise selective activation of specific zones or floors while minimizing unnecessary communication traffic and energy consumption from devices that remain inactive.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The method involves assigning the identification data to triggering devices of the hazard alert system. A control signal is transmitted to triggering devices from a controller (10) of the hazard alert system for activating or deactivating an alarm unit (18). The identification data of one or more triggering devices is transmitted with the control signal. The identification data transmitted by the controller is compared with the identification data assigned to it by the triggering devices. The alarm device is activated or deactivated in synchronized manner. An independent claim is included for a hazard alert system with a receiving unit.