Emergency Vehicle Tool Scanning for Secure Mount Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fire-fighting systems rely heavily on manual operation by a single engineer to control fluid flow, leading to increased costs and potential human errors due to the need for verbal communication and interpretation of commands from multiple firefighters.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a hose appliance with a control module that includes a transceiver for wireless communication, allowing for remote control and monitoring of fluid flow, and a scanner to ensure the tool is securely attached to the vehicle, reducing the need for manual adjustments and minimizing human error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation by a single engineer is used to control fluid flow, then the system is simpler and easier to operate, but operational costs increase and human errors occur due to verbal communication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where firefighters can independently control their own hose lines through wireless communication devices. The control system automatically receives commands from firefighters and adjusts valve positions without requiring manual intervention from an engineer, thereby eliminating communication errors while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual control system with an automated electronic control system. Wireless communication devices substitute for verbal radio communication, and automated valve control mechanisms replace manual valve manipulation by the engineer. This substitution eliminates human error in command interpretation while maintaining ease of operation through direct firefighter control.
2Reliability
If a scanner is added to detect tool attachment, then tool security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner provides automatic feedback regarding tool attachment status to the control system. When the scanner detects that a tool is properly attached or detached, it sends a signal that automatically triggers appropriate system responses, such as preventing vehicle movement or alerting operators. This feedback mechanism ensures tool security without requiring complex manual monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner system performs self-monitoring of tool attachment status without requiring external intervention. The system automatically detects and reports tool security conditions, eliminating the need for manual checks by operators and reducing the complexity of human-supervised monitoring procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a tool and an emergency response vehicle transitionable between a motive gear and a non-motive gear. The emergency response vehicle includes a mount for removably securing the tool to the emergency response vehicle. The system further includes a scanner coupled to the emergency response vehicle and operable to detect the tool when the tool is secured to the emergency response vehicle by the mount and a controller communicatively coupled to the scanner. The system is configured to determine that the emergency response vehicle has transitioned between a non-motive gear and a motive gear and in response to determining that the emergency response vehicle has transitioned between the non-motive gear and the motive gear, cause the scanner to scan the emergency response vehicle for the tool to determine whether the tool is secured to the emergency response vehicle.