Optical Sensor Status Indication in Fire Suppression Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire suppression systems lack effective mechanisms for monitoring and indicating the status of optical sensors, particularly in detecting faults and fire conditions, which can lead to inefficiencies in fire detection and suppression.
Innovation Solution
A fire suppression system incorporating an interface control module, interface module, and interface expansion modules with optical sensors that display different colors to indicate normal operation, faults, and fire detection, allowing for easy troubleshooting and integration of additional sensors through daisy-chaining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical sensors are used in fire suppression systems, then fire detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases due to lack of status monitoring mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-changing indicators (LEDs displaying different colors) to represent various operational states of the optical sensor system. This provides intuitive status monitoring without adding complex electronic interfaces or user interaction requirements, thereby improving detectability while maintaining system simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical sensors are integrated through daisy-chaining, then system expandability is improved, but troubleshooting difficulty increases due to lack of status indication
Solution Approach 1:
Each optical sensor in the daisy-chained configuration is equipped with color-changing indicators that display its operational status. This allows users to quickly identify which specific sensor is malfunctioning in a multi-sensor system, making troubleshooting straightforward even as the system expands to include multiple sensors.
3Ease of operation
If status monitoring indicators are added to optical sensors, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements status monitoring through simple color-changing indicators that require no user input or interpretation. The system automatically displays operational status through color changes, providing ease of operation without requiring complex monitoring interfaces, buttons, or user education.
4Reliability
If fault detection mechanisms are implemented, then system reliability is improved, but loss of time in identifying faults increases
Solution Approach 1:
The color-changing indicators provide immediate visual feedback about system status and faults. When a fault occurs, the corresponding indicator changes color to alert users instantly, eliminating the need for systematic testing or time-consuming diagnostic procedures to identify malfunctioning components.
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
Facilitates efficient fire detection and suppression by providing real-time status indication of sensors, enabling quick identification and resolution of faults, and allowing for easy expansion and integration of additional sensors, enhancing system reliability and responsiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the optical sensors are infrared optical sensors
Implementation Method 2
the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor are configured to detect a fire condition
Implementation Method 3
the interface module includes light emitting devices corresponding to the first optical sensor and the interface expansion module
Data Source
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AI summary
A fire suppression system includes an interface control module, and an interface module. The interface control module can activate a fire suppressant discharge system in response to receiving a fire detection signal. The interface module is connected with the interface control module and is connected with at least one of a first optical sensor and an interface expansion module. The interface expansion module is configured to connect with a second optical sensor. The first optical sensor and the second optical sensor are configured to detect a fire condition at an area of interest and provide the first detection signal to the interface control module in response to detecting the fire. The interface module includes light emitting devices corresponding to the first optical sensor and the interface expansion module, the light emitting devices configured to display different colors indicating a status of the first optical sensor and the interface expansion module.