Portable Monitoring Unit External Power Coupling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable monitoring units for hazardous environments require recalibration and are limited to specific breathing apparatus, making them inflexible and potentially unreliable, as they often have internal power sources that can fail, risking motion sensor inoperability.

Innovation Solution

A portable monitoring unit that can be structurally coupled to various auxiliary units, featuring a motion sensor and alert generator, with a power interface for external power, allowing for quick and simple switching between different units and reducing the risk of power failure, while also being designed to comply with safety standards like JCDD/38 and BS10999.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a portable monitoring unit uses an internal power source, then it can operate independently, but the power source may fail rendering the motion sensor inoperable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of power supplyVSAvoidcomplexity of power management system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply function is segmented from the monitoring unit and transferred to the auxiliary unit. The monitoring unit contains only the motion sensor and alert generator, while the auxiliary unit (breathing apparatus cylinder) provides the power source. This segmentation eliminates the risk of internal power failure in the monitoring unit while reducing its complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the portable monitoring unit is integrated with breathing apparatus, then it is automatically provided to the wearer, but it requires recalibration and is limited to specific apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different breathing apparatusVSAvoidease of calibration and setup

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring unit is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple types of auxiliary units including different breathing apparatus and battery packs. The power interface and coupling mechanism are standardized to accept various auxiliary units without requiring recalibration, enabling a single monitoring unit to serve multiple functions and users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-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 the same portable monitoring unit to be used with multiple auxiliary units, ensuring reliable operation and safety by providing a secure power source and reducing the risk of power failure, while allowing for easy switching between different activities and units, thus enhancing user safety and compliance with safety standards.

Implementation Method 1

a motion sensor; an alert generator which is configured to generate an alert when motion is not detected for a period of time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMotion detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS11798389B2Portable monitoring unit

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 DRAEGER SAFETY UK LTD

AI summary

A portable monitoring unit for personnel working in hazardous environments, including a coupling to which an auxiliary unit can be structurally coupled; a motion sensor; an alert generator which is configured to generate an alert when motion is not detected for a period of time; and a power interface arranged to receive power for the portable monitoring unit from a power interface of the auxiliary unit when the auxiliary unit is structurally coupled to the portable monitoring unit.