Integrated Fire Detector Sounder Reduces Wiring Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire alarm systems require numerous connections to the building alarm panel, leading to increased costs in materials and labor, as well as complex wiring and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A sounder device with a mounting face configured for wall mounting, incorporating a rechargeable battery, speaker, charge control circuit, amplifier, and control circuit that detects an alarm state and drives the speaker at a frequency below 3250 Hz, reducing the need for separate wiring to sounder speakers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate wiring is used for sounder speakers in fire alarm systems, then audible alarms can be effectively generated, but the number of connections to the alarm panel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sounder device merges the sounder speaker functionality directly into the detector unit, eliminating the need for separate sounder speakers that would require additional wiring connections to the alarm panel. The detector housing includes an integrated sounder with a speaker that can generate audible alarms without separate wiring infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects fire conditions, generates audible alarms through its integrated sounder, and communicates alarm status to the alarm panel through a single connection. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated sounder devices and their associated wiring.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices are used for fire detection and sounding, then functional requirements are met, but wiring and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the detector and sounder into a single integrated unit, reducing the number of separate components that need to be wired and maintained. The sounder is housed within the detector housing, sharing common structural elements and wiring infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sounder device is designed as a self-contained modular unit that can be independently installed and maintained. The integrated design allows the sounder and detector to function as one replaceable unit, simplifying maintenance procedures compared to separate devices.
3Reliability
If traditional separate sounder and detector configuration is used, then audible alarms can be activated, but system provisioning becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated detector-sounder unit serves as a universal component that can be directly connected to the alarm panel without requiring separate provisioning for sounder activation. The unit handles both detection and alarm generation functions through a single connection interface, simplifying system provisioning.
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 reduces the number of connections to the alarm panel, decreases wiring and maintenance needs, and simplifies system provisioning, while ensuring effective audible alarms are generated in response to fire detection.
Implementation Method 1
The sounder unit includes a rechargeable battery that is charged via the electrical connector, and which is used by an audio amplifier of the sounder unit to generate the audible alarm
Implementation Method 2
an amplifier coupled to the speaker and configured to drive the speaker
Implementation Method 3
a speaker, a charge control circuit coupled to the power terminals and operable to charge the rechargeable battery, an amplifier coupled to the speaker and configured to drive the speaker, and a control circuit coupled to the alarm terminals and to the amplifier
Data Source
AI summary
A sounder device is mountable on a wall or ceiling and is connected to a power source. The sounder also includes a mounting interface that is configured to receive a detector. The mounting interface portion is a low-profile section, and the sounder device includes a housing portion to the side of the mounting interface in which most of the electronics and other components are housed. When the detector is triggered to alarm, which results in a tone at 3250 Hz being emitted, the alarm state is detected by the sounder device and the sounder device emits a tone at 520 Hz to ensure people who may not be able to hear the tone at 3250 Hz hear an alarm tone.