Thermal Sensor Array Early Warning for Hidden Device Overheating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current power strip safety mechanisms fail to detect overheating conditions in electronic devices, particularly when the issue is within the device itself and not causing a current overload, leading to potential fires that may only be detected by smoke or fire detectors after significant damage has occurred.
Innovation Solution
A thermal detection system comprising a thermal detector with a sensor array, an area indicating unit, and a control unit that generates a human-perceptible area within the detection zone, allowing for early detection of overheating conditions and immediate power cutoff to prevent fires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal detectors are used to detect overheating conditions, then early warning capability is improved, but user awareness of detection area and object placement remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs visual indicators that change color or illuminate to indicate the detection area and alert users to detected thermal conditions. This visual feedback mechanism makes the invisible thermal detection process visible to users, improving ease of operation by clearly showing them where the detector is monitoring and what conditions have been detected, thereby resolving the contradiction between early warning capability and user awareness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If continuous thermal monitoring is implemented, then fire prevention capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical fire detection and prevention systems with a simpler thermal radiation detection system. By using optical/thermal fields instead of mechanical sensors and complex processing systems, the patent achieves effective fire prevention capability while minimizing system complexity and cost, thereby resolving the contradiction between fire prevention capability and system 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 provides a low-cost, continuous monitoring solution that alerts users to overheating conditions before they escalate into fires, ensuring safety by cutting off power supply and potentially using cooling devices to reduce temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The thermal detector (112) comprises a thermal sensor array and is configured to detect thermal radiation within a detection area (DA) around the thermal detector (112)
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal detection system is provided. The thermal detection system includes a thermal detector, an area indicating unit and a control unit. The thermal detector includes a thermal sensor array. The thermal detector is configured to detect thermal radiation within a detection area around the thermal detector. The detection area is defined by a field of view of the thermal sensor array. The area indicating unit is arranged to indicate a human-perceptible area according to the detection area. The human-perceptible area is located within the detection area and indicates a geometric form of the detection area. The control unit, coupled to the thermal detector and the area indicating unit, is configured to generate a thermal detection result according to the detected thermal radiation. The thermal detection system further includes a notification unit for overheat indication, a communication unit for wireless signal transmission, and a protection unit for overheat protection.