Multi-Wavelength Smoke Detection for Fewer False Fire Alarms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photoelectric fire detectors frequently generate non-fire alarms due to smoke from sources other than actual fires, leading to waste of resources and potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A multi-wavelength-based fire determination method and apparatus using a smoke detector with a light emitter generating multiple wavelengths, a light receiver detecting scattered light, and a fire determiner that calculates normalized values and singular values to distinguish between fire and non-fire smoke.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a photoelectric fire detector uses a single wavelength to detect smoke, then the detection speed is fast and the device is simple, but it frequently generates false alarms by mistaking non-fire smoke (cooking smoke, cigarette smoke, water vapor, fine dust) for fire smoke
Solution Approach 1:
The detection process is segmented into multiple wavelength channels (e.g., 3 wavelengths: 450nm, 550nm, 650nm). Each wavelength independently detects scattered light from smoke particles, and the results are combined through normalization and singular value decomposition to distinguish fire smoke from non-fire aerosols. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity at each channel while achieving high reliability through multi-channel integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from single-wavelength light scattering intensity to multi-wavelength scattered light characteristics. By measuring how different wavelengths scatter differently off smoke particles versus other aerosols (water vapor, cooking smoke), the system creates a spectral fingerprint that enables accurate fire detection. The normalization process transforms raw intensity values into comparable parameters across wavelengths.
2Measurement precision
If a photoelectric fire detector uses multiple wavelengths to distinguish fire smoke from non-fire smoke, then the accuracy of fire determination is improved, but the device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or chemical analysis systems with optical measurement and mathematical computation. Instead of using multiple physical sensors or complex chemical detectors, the system uses multiple optical wavelengths combined with singular value decomposition (SVD) algorithms to classify smoke types. This substitution achieves high precision while keeping the physical device relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces normalized scattered light values and singular values as intermediary parameters between raw optical measurements and fire classification decisions. These intermediaries simplify the complex multi-wavelength data into comparable metrics that clearly distinguish fire smoke from non-fire aerosols, reducing the complexity of the final decision logic.
3Ease of operation
If existing photoelectric detectors use a simple threshold comparison of scattered light strength, then the device operation is simple and fast, but it cannot distinguish between fire smoke and non-fire aerosols leading to frequent false alarms
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from one-dimensional detection (single wavelength intensity) to multi-dimensional detection (multiple wavelengths with different scattering characteristics). By adding wavelength as a new dimension, the system creates a multi-dimensional signal space where fire smoke and non-fire aerosols occupy different regions, enabling reliable distinction while maintaining algorithmic simplicity through standardized processing steps.
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
Reduces false alarms by accurately distinguishing between fire and non-fire smoke, enhancing public trust in fire alarms and preventing unnecessary emergency responses.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitter for generating multiple wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
a light receiver for detecting light scattered by particles of smoke
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to reducing non-fire alarms by distinguishing between smoke caused by an actual fire and non-fire smoke generated in daily life when an event suspected to be a fire occurs. The present invention provides an apparatus and method for determining whether a fire occurs using a smoke detector, which includes a light emitter for generating multiple wavelengths, a light receiver configured to detect light scattered by particles of smoke, and a fire determiner for checking whether the strength of a signal of the detected scattered light exceeds a threshold and generating an alarm, to use characteristics of multiple wavelengths in a photoelectric fire detection apparatus. The fire determiner calculates normalized values by normalizing measured values for the scattered light, and calculates a singular value from the normalized values as a criterion for determining whether the smoke is caused by a fire or a non-fire.