Multi-element Heat Sensor for Fire Direction Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fire sensors with a single heat detecting spot provide limited information, making them inadequate for detailed fire detection and localization.

Innovation Solution

A disaster prevention system with multiple heat detecting elements and a decision unit that collates detection values to determine the presence and direction of a fire, improving reliability and providing comprehensive fire information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single heat detecting spot is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and information detail are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the heat detection function into multiple independent heat detecting spots (at least three) arranged in different spatial positions. Each spot independently detects heat in its local area, enabling both simplified individual element design and enhanced overall measurement precision through multi-point data collection and comparison.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple heat detecting elements are used, then the reliability and information detail are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system is segmented into multiple independent heat detecting spots with distinct spatial positions. This segmentation enables parallel detection across different locations, improving reliability through data correlation and redundancy while maintaining relatively simple individual element designs that can be manufactured and assembled using standard processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit serves as an intermediary that receives detection values from multiple heat detecting spots, processes the data through comparison and analysis, and determines fire presence. This intermediary processing layer integrates complex multi-point data analysis while keeping the individual sensing elements simple and the overall system architecture manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If multiple heat detecting elements are used, then the loss of information is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloss of informationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the detection function into multiple spatially distributed heat detecting spots, the system captures thermal information from different locations simultaneously. This multi-point segmentation prevents information loss about fire location, intensity distribution, and temporal evolution, while the modular design keeps individual elements simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary that processes detection values from multiple spots, comparing them to determine both fire presence and spatial characteristics. This intermediary processing preserves complete information from all sensing points by systematically analyzing the full dataset rather than losing information through simplified single-point detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The system enhances fire detection reliability and provides detailed fire information, including the direction of the fire source, reducing false alarms and improving response efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor (1) including a plurality of heat detecting elements (30)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat detection: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3937145B1Disaster prevention system, fire determination method, and program
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3937145B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3937145B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3937145B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An object of the present disclosure is to facilitate providing more detailed fire information. A disaster prevention system includes: one or more sensors (1), each including a plurality of heat detecting elements (30); and an estimation unit (E1). The estimation unit (E1) estimates, based on results of heat detection provided by the plurality of heat detecting elements (30), a direction (D1) of a fire source in a monitoring region.