Location-Indicating Smoke Detection With Room-Level Alerts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Smoke detectors often fail to indicate the specific room where the alarm is sounding, especially in large homes or for individuals with auditory impairments, and there is a need for clear location identification during emergencies.
Innovation Solution
A location-indicating smoke detection arrangement comprising a central control unit connected to multiple smoke detectors with sensors, speakers, and light emitters that emit sounds and lights to identify the room of the alarm, allowing for programmable room settings and backup power options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple smoke detectors are installed in large homes, then coverage area is improved, but difficulty in locating the specific alarm source increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light emitters as intermediary devices that provide visual location information. When a smoke detector alarms, the corresponding light emitter activates to visually indicate which room contains the alarm source, solving the problem of locating the alarm in large homes with multiple detectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs different colored lights to indicate different alarm conditions and locations. The light emitters change color or activate in specific patterns to communicate the status and location of alarms, making it easy to identify which detector is alarming without having to physically search through multiple rooms.
2Reliability
If audible alarm sounds are used, then alarm effectiveness is improved, but accessibility for persons with auditory impairment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the alarm system universal by providing both audible and visual alert mechanisms. The light emitters provide visual alerts that complement the audible alarms, making the system accessible to both hearing-impaired and non-hearing-impaired persons, thereby achieving multi-functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a visual dimension to the traditional audible alarm system. By introducing light emitters that provide visual location and alarm information, the system transitions from a single-sense (audible) alert to a multi-sense (audible + visual) alert system, accommodating different user needs.
3Ease of operation
If location indication features are added, then ease of locating alarm source is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the location indication function into separate light emitter units that are distributed throughout the building. Each smoke detector is paired with its own light emitter, allowing independent operation and simplifying the overall system architecture. This segmentation makes the system easier to install and maintain despite the added functionality.
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
Enables clear room identification of the alarm source, aiding navigation during emergencies and ensuring auditory and visually impaired individuals can locate the source, with programmable settings and backup power for reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor is designed to detect smoke, carbon monoxide, or other hazardous gases
Implementation Method 2
The light emitter is designed to emit a light to indicate an operating status
Implementation Method 3
The speaker is designed to emit sounds, including an alarm sound, a low-battery sound, and a location message
Data Source
AI summary
A location-indicating smoke detection arrangement includes a central control arrangement and a plurality of location-indicating smoke detection units, each of which includes a housing, a sensor, a light emitter, a reset switch, a battery, a processor, and a speaker designed to emit sounds, including an alarm sound, a low-battery sound, and a location message. The location message is emitted when the alarm sound or the low-battery sound is activated to inform persons of the room in which the location-indicating smoke detection arrangement is located.