Integrated Optical Module for Smoke Detector Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The positioning of light-emitting and receiving components in smoke detectors is difficult and prone to manufacturing defects, leading to reduced sensitivity and high costs, with existing solutions failing to adequately address parasitic reflections and reproducibility issues.
Innovation Solution
The components are positioned jointly, with an optical guide connecting them, allowing for improved reproducibility and sensitivity, and a connection resistant to light passage is used to detect malfunctions, reducing parasitic illumination and facilitating precise positioning of prisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If light-emitting and receiving components are positioned obliquely at 35-45 degrees on the printed circuit board, then the optical detection function is achieved, but the positioning difficulty and manufacturing defects increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light-emitting component, light-receiving component, and their interconnection into a single integrated optical module. This integration eliminates the need for separate oblique positioning of individual components on the PCB, thereby resolving the manufacturing precision issues while maintaining the optical detection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical guide as an intermediary element between the light-emitting and light-receiving components. This optical guide facilitates the light transmission path without requiring precise oblique positioning of the components, thus solving the positioning difficulty while achieving the desired optical detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If components are positioned with high precision to avoid stray reflections, then detection sensitivity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the optical components into a single module, the patent eliminates the need for complex high-precision positioning processes during manufacturing. The merged structure inherently avoids stray reflections without requiring additional manufacturing complexity, thus improving detection sensitivity while simplifying the manufacturing process.
3Reliability
If connecting wires are used to connect components to the printed circuit board, then electrical connection is achieved, but antenna effects and interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the electrical connections within the optical module itself, eliminating the need for external connecting wires that would act as antennas. This merging of electrical and optical functions within a single module reduces electromagnetic interference and antenna effects while maintaining reliable electrical connections.
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
This approach simplifies the positioning of components, enhances the reproducibility of the smoke detection circuit, reduces manufacturing defects, and allows for early detection of component failures, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of smoke detection.
Implementation Method 1
The principle of an optical smoke detector with diffusion, for example, is based on the use of a light emitter and a receiver of the light signals scattered by the surrounding air. When there is no smoke in the air entering the detector, the receiver receives very little scattered light. Conversely, when there is smoke in the air entering the detector, it scatters the light from the emitter and thus illuminates the receiver.
Data Source
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AI summary
The optical scattering-based smoke detector comprises: a scattering zone accessible to the smoke; a printed circuit (110) forming a supporting member and on which an electronic smoke detection unit is mounted; a light emitter (115) mounted on said printed circuit; a light receiver (120), sensitive for at least some of the wavelengths of the light rays emitted by the emitter and mounted on said printed circuit; a first light reflector facing the emitter so as to direct the light emitted by the emitter into a detection zone in the scattering zone; and a second light reflector facing the receiver so as to direct, in the presence of smoke in the scattering zone, the scattered light coming from said detection zone onto the receiver, in which the first and second light reflectors are mounted on a common supporting member. A single mechanical part comprises the first and second light reflectors and a link (175) resistant to the passage of the light from the first light reflector to the second light reflector.