Lighting System Gas Sensor Alert Override
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional gas concentration detectors in closed areas often fail to alert occupants effectively due to audible alerts being limited to the detector's vicinity, making it unreliable to reach all occupants, especially in large buildings or areas with obstructions.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system integrated with gas concentration sensors and controllers that override the illumination state of light fixtures to provide a visual alert, such as changing color or intensity, when gas concentrations exceed thresholds, ensuring all occupants within the area are alerted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional audible alerts from gas concentration detectors are used, then the alert can be heard by occupants near the detector, but the alert cannot reach occupants positioned remotely or separated by walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the alert mechanism from acoustic dimension (sound waves) to optical dimension (light). Light fixtures serve as alert devices by changing color or intensity, enabling alerts to propagate through walls and reach occupants in any location, effectively adding a spatial dimension that overcomes the line-of-sight limitation of audible alerts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes light fixtures serve dual functions: normal illumination and alert notification. By integrating gas concentration detection with existing lighting infrastructure, the system eliminates the need for separate alert devices, allowing light fixtures to universally communicate alerts throughout the entire facility regardless of occupant location.
2Reliability
If audible alerts are used in large buildings, then the alert can be heard by nearby occupants, but the alert becomes unreliable for reaching all occupants throughout the building
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages the optical dimension to overcome the spatial limitations of acoustic alerts in large buildings. Light can penetrate walls and travel around corners, enabling alert propagation throughout the entire building area, whereas sound is limited by distance and physical barriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses light fixtures as intermediary devices to transmit alert information throughout the building. These intermediaries are strategically distributed across the entire building area, ensuring that alert information reaches all occupants regardless of the building's size or layout.
3Reliability
If gas concentration detectors with audible alerts are used, then the detection function is provided, but the alert mechanism cannot effectively reach occupants in all locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for separate alert devices by making light fixtures multi-functional. The same infrastructure that provides illumination also serves as the alert notification system, significantly reducing overall system complexity while improving alert effectiveness across all occupant locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the illumination function and alert notification function into a single integrated system. By combining these functions in existing light fixtures, the patent reduces device complexity while ensuring reliable alert delivery to all occupants throughout the facility.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain examples involve lighting systems controlled based on gas concentration data received by a controller. For instance, a lighting system includes a first light fixture to illuminate a first space. The lighting system also includes at least one gas concentration sensor associated with the first space, and a first controller that receives gas concentration data from the at least one gas concentration sensor. The first controller also overrides the illumination state of the first light fixture based on the gas concentration data received from the at least one gas concentration sensor by controlling the first light fixture in an alert state that is different from the illumination state.