Infrared Smoke Detector Alignment Using Radio-Guided Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infrared smoke detectors in large environments face challenges in maintaining accurate alignment due to spurious reflections from objects, which hinder precise realignment and can lead to misalignment issues over time, especially in industrial settings like warehouses and garages.
Innovation Solution
A smoke detector system with a local unit containing a first optical emitter and receiver, and a remote unit with a reflecting element, utilizing a motorized aligning system controlled by a control system. This system includes a first radio device for sending an aligning radio signal and a second optical emitter activated upon receiving the signal, determining radiation intensity, and adjusting the alignment as needed to ensure optimal reception, with both radio devices having battery power to reduce maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a motorized aligning system is used to maintain alignment between emitter, receiver and retro-reflector, then alignment accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the optical receiver to continuously monitor the intensity of radiation received from the emitter via the retro-reflector. This feedback signal is processed by a control system that automatically adjusts the positions of the emitter and/or receiver using motorized mechanisms to maintain optimal alignment, resolving the contradiction by providing automatic closed-loop control without requiring complex manual intervention systems
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment system performs self-adjustment by using the radiation intensity signal from the receiver to automatically control the motorized positioning of the emitter and receiver components. The system serves itself by detecting misalignment through intensity variations and correcting its own position without external intervention, thereby improving alignment accuracy while keeping the control system relatively simple
2Device complexity
If infrared radiation intensity variation is used to detect misalignment, then alignment detection is simplified, but measurement precision deteriorates due to spurious reflections from objects in the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary alignment during installation when the environment is empty and free from spurious reflections, establishing a reference alignment state. During periodic realignment operations, the system uses this pre-established reference to detect and correct misalignments caused by building movements, avoiding the need to perform alignment detection in the presence of interfering objects
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment operation is divided into two distinct phases: initial alignment performed during installation when the environment is clear, and periodic realignment performed later to correct drift from building movements. This segmentation allows the system to avoid spurious reflections during critical alignment measurements by performing them at different times when environmental conditions are favorable
3Device complexity
If manual alignment adjustment is performed, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult access to components mounted near the ceiling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment adjustment with an automated motorized alignment system controlled by electrical signals. The motorized mechanisms can be remotely controlled via radio frequency communication, eliminating the need for physical access to components mounted near the ceiling and thereby improving ease of operation while introducing some device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a radio frequency communication intermediary that allows remote control of the motorized alignment mechanisms. The controller communicates with the emitter and receiver units through wireless signals, enabling alignment operations to be performed from ground level without requiring ladders or scaffolding, thus resolving the contradiction between reduced mechanical complexity and improved operational ease
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 solution provides precise and lasting alignment between detector components, reducing the need for frequent manual adjustments and minimizing battery replacement by using periodic activation of the radio device, thus ensuring reliable operation and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical emitter adapted to generate a first focused beam of optical radiations
Implementation Method 2
a remote unit with a reflecting element... the radiation coming from the emitter after said radiation has passed through at least a part of the monitored environment and has been reflected by the retro-reflector
Implementation Method 3
an optical receiver arranged so as to receive the first beam of optical radiations... determining radiation intensity
Implementation Method 4
a motorized aligning system controlled by a control system and adapted to act onto the first optical emitter and/or onto the optical receiver... The use of motorized systems allows remote control of the operation
Implementation Method 5
a first radio device for sending an aligning radio signal... Both radio devices having battery power
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A smoke detector (100) employing infrared radiations comprises a first optical emitter (5) adapted to generate a first focused beam of infrared radiations (8a) and a receiver (6) arranged so as to receive the first beam of radiations (8a, 8b), which has propagated within an environment (1) in which the detector (100) is arranged, and has been reflected by a reflecting element (7). The first emitter (5) and the receiver (6) belong to a local unit (3) which further comprises a motorized aligning system (9) controlled by a control system (10) and adapted to act onto the first emitter (5) and/or onto the receiver (6) in order to adjust the alignment between the first emitter (5), the receiver (6) and the reflecting element (7) and guarantee optimum optical reception, by the receiver (6), of the beam (8b) reflected by the reflecting element (7), whereas the reflecting element (7) belongs to a remote unit (4). The local unit (3) further comprises a first radio device (13) acting at least as transmitter for generating an aligning radio signal and sending the same towards the remote unit (4), and the remote unit (4) further comprises: a second radio device ( 14) adapted to receive the radio signal transmitted by the first radio device (13); and a second emitter (15), adapted to generate a second beam of radiations (8c) and send the same towards the receiver (6) when the second radio device (14) receives the radio signal transmitted by the first radio device (13). The control system (10) is adapted to determine the intensity of the second beam of radiations (8c) received by the receiver (6) and to activate the motorized aligning system (9) when said intensity falls below' a threshold indicative of a misalignment between the first emitter (5), the receiver (6) and the reflecting element (7). A method for mutually aligning the components of the detector (100) is also provided.