Rising Water Alarm with Sensor Contacts for Flash Flood Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Campers near lakes or rivers are at risk due to sudden flash floods and thunderstorms that can raise water levels without warning, posing a danger to their campsite, as existing solutions do not effectively alert them to rising water levels during nighttime.
Innovation Solution
A rising water alarm system comprising an elongated housing with a detection end and an alarm end, equipped with sensor contacts that activate an audible alarm when submerged in water, ensuring campers are alerted to potential encroachment of rising water levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If campers sleep in tents near water bodies to enjoy outdoor activities, then they can experience camping benefits, but they are exposed to danger from sudden flash floods and rising water levels
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm system is positioned in advance at the campsite near water bodies with sensor contacts ready to detect rising water levels. The system performs preliminary detection before the harmful effect (flood encroachment) occurs, allowing campers to take preventive action rather than reacting after danger has materialized.
Solution Approach 2:
The alarm system provides continuous feedback about water level conditions through the audible alarm. When sensor contacts detect rising water, the system immediately feeds back this information to campers via alarm sound, enabling them to respond to the changing conditions and evacuate or take protective measures.
2Reliability
If existing alarm systems are used, then some water detection capability is provided, but they fail to effectively alert campers to rising water levels during nighttime
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm system uses audible alarm that produces sound waves (vibrations) to alert campers during nighttime. The audible signal cuts through the quiet nighttime environment and can be heard from a distance, effectively communicating the water level danger to sleeping campers without requiring visual attention or complex operation.
3Device complexity
If simple sensor contacts are used, then the device structure remains simple, but the alarm system may not provide sufficient alert range and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic sensing systems with simple sensor contacts that detect water through basic electrical conduction principles. This mechanical/electrical substitution maintains device simplicity while achieving reliable detection - when water rises and contacts the sensor elements, it completes an electrical circuit to trigger the audible alarm, providing robust reliability without complexity.
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 effectively warns campers of rising water levels, allowing them to take evasive measures and avoid danger by activating an audible alarm when water contacts the sensor contacts, providing a timely alert even during nighttime.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor contacts activate the alarm circuit upon establishment of electrical contact between the sensor contacts by rising water
Data Source
AI summary
Rising water alarms include a generally elongated alarm housing having an alarm end and a detection end, an alarm circuit, a source of electrical current connected to the alarm circuit, an audible alarm carried by the alarm end of the alarm housing and electrically connected to the alarm circuit and a pair of spaced-apart sensor contacts carried by the detector end of the alarm housing and electrically connected to the alarm circuit. The sensor contacts activate the alarm circuit upon establishment of electrical contact between the sensor contacts by rising water.