Interior Sensor With Remote Battery Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indoor detectors, such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, often require battery replacement that is difficult and hazardous due to their ceiling-mounted location, leading to neglect and potential safety risks, as well as increased costs for property management companies.
Innovation Solution
A system where the sensor housing is mounted on a ceiling and the battery housing is independently mounted on a nearby wall, connected by a wired electrical connection, allowing for easy access and replacement of batteries without the need for ladders or stepstools, with secure and convenient installation using drywall tabs and a lock for authorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the detector is mounted on the ceiling for optimal detection coverage, then the detection effectiveness is improved, but the battery access becomes difficult and hazardous requiring ladders or stepstools
Solution Approach 1:
The detector system is divided into two separate housings: a sensor housing mounted on the ceiling for optimal detection coverage, and a battery housing mounted on an adjacent wall for easy battery access. The wired electrical connection bridges these two separated components, allowing the sensor housing to remain in the ideal ceiling location while the battery housing provides convenient ground-level access for battery replacement without requiring ladders or stepstools.
2Ease of operation
If the battery housing and sensor housing are separated and independently mounted, then the battery access is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional wiring and mounting components
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is segmented into separately mountable sensor housing and battery housing components connected by a wired electrical connection, enabling independent installation optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
A wired electrical connection serves as an intermediary element bridging the separated battery housing and sensor housing, transmitting power and signals between the two independently mounted components while maintaining system functionality.
3Ease of repair
If the battery housing is mounted on an adjacent wall for easy access, then the ease of maintenance is improved, but the installation complexity increases due to additional mounting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separately mountable sensor housing and battery housing units, allowing the battery housing to be installed on an adjacent wall at ground level for easy maintenance access without requiring ceiling access equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery housing is relocated from the ceiling plane to an adjacent vertical wall surface, utilizing a different spatial dimension and orientation to achieve ground-level accessibility while maintaining electrical connection to the ceiling-mounted sensor housing.
Data Source
AI summary
An interior sensor assembly is provided that comprises a first sensor housing that is mounted to a first interior surface, and a second battery housing that is mounted to a second interior surface. The battery housing and the sensor housings are electrically connected by way of a wired connection therebetween, and the battery housing is independently mountable relative to the sensor housing. In use, the sensor housing is mounted in an ideal location for detecting smoke, heat, carbon monoxide, or the like, while the battery housing is mounted in a convenient location such that a user has ready access to check and replace the battery when necessary. The battery housing comprises a lid, and optionally comprises a local circuit that supports an additional sensor or test circuit. The battery housing and the sensor housing may be secured to studs within an interior wall, or optionally using drywall tabs.