Mesh Network Evacuation Guidance System for Smoke Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing evacuation guidance systems in high-rise buildings face challenges in guiding evacuees safely due to smoke obstruction and potential signal disruptions from fire, particularly when multiple fire detectors are connected in series and parallel, which can lead to signal interruptions during a fire's spread.
Innovation Solution
A mesh network-based evacuation guidance system with sensor modules, a network line, a guiding indicator, and a guiding control device, where sensor modules share fire data through a mesh network, ensuring reliable transmission even if the network is disconnected, and the guiding indicator provides optimal evacuation routes based on fire location data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple fire detectors are connected in series and parallel to the control device, then fire detection coverage is improved, but signal transmission reliability deteriorates due to potential disconnection during fire spread
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the building into multiple zones with sensor modules distributed throughout, where each zone operates semi-autonomously. This segmentation allows fire detection and data transmission to occur through multiple independent paths, preventing single-point failures and improving overall signal transmission reliability during fire spread.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional hierarchical detector network to a mesh network topology that adds spatial dimensionality to data transmission paths. This allows data to flow through multiple routes simultaneously, creating redundant communication channels that maintain reliability even when certain paths are blocked by fire or damage.
2Illumination intensity
If indicator lights are constantly lit or flashed to notify evacuation direction, then evacuation guidance visibility is improved, but visibility deteriorates when smoke is full and thickened
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces high-luminance LED modules as intermediary light sources that can penetrate smoke more effectively than conventional indicator lights. These LEDs serve as mediators between the control system and evacuees, providing visible guidance even in heavy smoke conditions through their superior brightness and wavelength characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the light source by using high-luminance LEDs with specific wavelength and intensity characteristics that are less affected by smoke attenuation. This parameter change allows the evacuation guidance to remain visible under conditions where conventional lights would be obscured.
3Reliability
If a mesh network is implemented with multiple input/output port pairs connected to sensor modules, then data transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor module is designed with multiple input/output port pairs that can serve multiple functions: receiving data from neighboring modules, transmitting data to the control device, and providing evacuation guidance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, managing complexity while maintaining mesh network reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor modules operate with a degree of autonomy, automatically routing data through the mesh network based on their detected fire conditions and network status. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex centralized control logic, as each module independently manages its own data transmission and evacuation guidance functions.
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 system ensures reliable and safe evacuation guidance by maintaining data transmission and identifying the fire's location and spread, allowing for the determination of the most optimal evacuation route, even in the event of network disconnections, thereby enhancing the safety and reliability of evacuation procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a fire detection sensor and a data control unit, wherein the fire detection sensor is a sensor for detecting a parameter related a fire
Data Source
AI summary
An evacuation guidance system is configured from multiple sensor modules, network lines, guidance indicators, and a guidance control device. Each sensor module includes multiple input/output port pairs, fire detection sensors, and a data control unit. The multiple input/output port pairs are connected to input/output port pairs of other sensor modules by means of network lines, thereby configuring a mesh-like autonomous network. The data control unit generates and outputs fire data after adding fire location data; upon receiving fire data, outputs the fire data after adding its own route flag; and stops the output of fire data when the fire data contains its own route flag. Upon identifying the location of the fire outbreak from the fire data, the guidance control device calculates optimum evacuation routes and causes the guidance indicators to turn on/off or flash.