Switchboard Fire Sensor Module Using Gas Detection Before Ignition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire detection systems in electric switchboards struggle to detect abnormal heating situations in combustible materials before flame generation, often failing to prevent electrical fires caused by short circuits or overcurrents.

Innovation Solution

A fire detection sensor module installed inside the switchboard, comprising methane gas and/or carbon monoxide sensors, and a control unit that predicts fire outbreaks by monitoring gas concentrations, allowing for early detection of potential fires before ignition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a temperature sensor is installed inside the switchboard to detect fire, then fire detection capability is provided, but the system cannot detect abnormal situations in the heating stage of combustibles before flame generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire detection capabilityVSAvoiddetection of pre-ignition heating stage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional temperature sensor (mechanical/thermal detection system) with a gas sensor that detects combustible gas concentrations. This substitution enables detection of the pre-ignition heating stage by measuring gas evolution from heating combustibles, which occurs before temperature reaches ignition point, thereby resolving the limitation of temperature sensors in detecting early-stage thermal anomalies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces combustible gas concentration as an intermediary parameter between temperature and flame generation. Instead of directly measuring temperature or detecting flames, the system measures the concentration of gases released during the heating stage of combustibles, which serves as an early warning indicator before ignition occurs, enabling detection in the pre-ignition phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the temperature threshold is set at 50°C to activate alarm, then early alarm is provided, but false alarms occur when temperature rises above 50°C without actual fire hazard

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveearly alarm capabilityVSAvoidfalse alarm rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from temperature to combustible gas concentration. By monitoring gas evolution from heating combustibles rather than ambient temperature, the system can distinguish between normal temperature fluctuations and actual fire hazards, as combustible gas release is a more specific indicator of thermal decomposition of materials leading to fire.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors combustible gas concentration and provides feedback to the control unit, which compares the measured concentration against threshold values. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic adjustment and differentiation between normal operating conditions and actual fire hazards, reducing false alarms while maintaining early detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Temperature

If temperature sensor is used to monitor switchboard temperature, then thermal conditions are monitored, but abnormal heating situations in local areas are not detected when overall temperature remains normal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall temperature monitoringVSAvoidlocal abnormal heating detection

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces temperature-based detection with gas-based detection. Since combustible gas release occurs during localized thermal decomposition of materials, the gas sensor can detect local abnormal heating situations even when the overall switchboard temperature remains within normal ranges, providing more sensitive localization of thermal anomalies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system focuses on detecting local quality changes in terms of combustible gas concentration rather than overall temperature. By measuring gas evolution at specific locations within the switchboard, the system can identify localized heating of combustibles (wire coatings, insulation materials) before these local hotspots propagate to cause overall temperature rise or ignition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 measures changes in gas concentrations to predict fire outbreaks before ignition, preventing fires and component malfunctions by detecting abnormal heating situations even when temperature increases are minimal.

Implementation Method 1

a methane gas sensor and/or a carbon monoxide sensor to detect the concentration of methane gas and/or carbon monoxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20250003937A1Fire-Detecting Sensor Module and Electric Switchboard with the Same

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 HAEMIL

AI summary

The present invention relates to a fire detection sensor module that is installed inside a switchboard or communication server and can quickly detect fire outbreaks caused by an electric leak or short circuit in power equipment or components.