Protection Cover for Electrical Components in Hazard Detectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hazard detection systems, such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, are vulnerable to damage from foreign objects due to large vents that allow ingress, potentially obstructing detection and failing to meet regulatory standards for timely hazard detection.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile protection cover is positioned over high voltage electrical components on the printed circuit board, allowing particulates to pass through while preventing foreign objects from contacting these components, ensuring uninterrupted detection functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If large vents are used in the detector housing to allow particulates to enter, then detection sensitivity is improved, but vulnerability to foreign object ingress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection cover is divided into multiple regions with different functions: a first region with openings for particulate entry and a second region without openings for foreign object protection. This segmentation allows the single cover structure to simultaneously enable detection sensitivity while preventing foreign object ingress.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the protection cover have different properties: the first region has openings to allow particulate passage for detection, while the second region is solid to block foreign objects. This local differentiation of quality enables the cover to fulfill both detection and protection functions.
2Reliability
If protection covers are added over electrical components, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection cover serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects electrical components from foreign objects, allows particulates to pass through for detection, and maintains a low profile to avoid obstructing airflow. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection cover extends in the Z-direction (vertically) over the electrical components to provide protection, while maintaining a low profile height. This dimensional approach allows protection without significantly increasing the overall device footprint or complexity.
3Reliability
If the protection cover extends in the Z-direction to protect components, then reliability is improved, but airflow obstruction may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protection cover extends only partially in the Z-direction, just enough to protect the electrical components from foreign objects, while maintaining a low profile that does not significantly obstruct airflow. This partial extension provides sufficient protection without excessive airflow loss.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for protecting electrical components in a detection device are provided. Aspects include a housing comprising a plurality of vents configured to allow ambient air to pass through the plurality of vents in to the housing, a sensing component configured to collect ambient air data associated with the ambient air present in the housing, a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board including a controller and a plurality of electrical components, and a protection cover arranged on at least one electrical component in the plurality of electrical components.