Storage Device with Sequential Air Sampling for Hazard Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage devices with multiple compartments face the risk of being used for storing dangerous substances, posing a criminal threat, particularly in public spaces, where their installation is often prohibited due to safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A storage device equipped with a compartment assembly and a substance detection system that includes a gas detector and an air sampling system, allowing sequential sampling and detection of tracer substances across multiple compartments, thereby reducing the risk of criminal acts by efficiently identifying and alerting to the presence of hazardous materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a substance detection system with gas detector and air sampling system is added to the storage device, then the reliability and safety are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into three functional modules: air sampling system (with pumps and tubing), gas detector unit (with sensor), and control system (with processor and interface). This modular segmentation allows independent optimization of each component while maintaining overall system reliability, addressing the contradiction by making the complex system manageable and maintainable.
Solution Approach 2:
The air sampling system acts as an intermediary between the compartment interior and the gas detector. It sequentially transports air samples from different compartments to the detector through controlled pumping and valve management, enabling the detector to indirectly monitor multiple compartments without direct exposure to all environments simultaneously, thus improving safety while managing complexity.
2Speed
If multiple gas detectors are used to monitor all compartments simultaneously, then the detection speed and response time are improved, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic sequential sampling where the air sampling system cycles through different compartments at predetermined intervals. The control system manages this periodic action by activating pumps and valves in sequence, allowing a single gas detector to monitor all compartments over time with comparable effectiveness to multiple simultaneous detectors, thus reducing complexity while maintaining acceptable response times.
Solution Approach 2:
The air sampling system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning sampling ports in each compartment and pre-configuring the valve network before detection begins. This preliminary setup enables rapid sequential switching between compartments during operation, improving response time without requiring multiple detectors, as the physical infrastructure is prepared in advance for quick sample transfer.
3Measurement precision
If individual screening of objects is required before storage, then the measurement precision and safety are improved, but the loss of time and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system performs preliminary screening of compartment contents automatically through continuous or periodic air sampling and analysis by the gas detector. This preliminary detection occurs before user access is granted, identifying hazardous substances in advance without requiring manual inspection of each object, thus maintaining measurement precision while eliminating time loss and improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service screening where the air sampling system automatically draws air samples from compartments and the gas detector autonomously analyzes them for hazardous substances. The control system processes results and manages alerts without human intervention, achieving continuous precision monitoring while eliminating manual screening time requirements and simplifying user interaction.
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 solution provides a robust and reliable method for non-invasive screening of stored objects, reducing the need for individual screening and minimizing the number of required gas detectors, while enhancing response time and reducing the risk of dangerous substances being stored, thus addressing the fear of criminal threats associated with these devices.
Implementation Method 1
a gas detector configured for detecting a presence of the one or more tracer substances within a volume of air
Implementation Method 2
an air sampling system configured for sequentially sampling and transporting air from the compartments to the gas detector
Data Source
AI summary
A storage device includes a plurality of compartments. The storage device has a substance detection system configured for detecting the presence of one or more tracer substances in one or more of the plurality of compartments. The substance detection system includes a gas detector configured for detecting a presence of the one or more tracer substances within a volume of air, an air sampling system configured for sequentially sampling and transporting air from each of the compartments to the gas detector, and a control system coupled to the gas detector. The control system is configured for: i) receiving a detection signal from the gas detector, ii) signaling a presence of a first tracer substance in one of the plurality of compartments and iii) identifying in what compartment of the plurality of compartments the first tracer substance is detected.