Wildfire Smoke Test Chamber for Electronic Device Resilience

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wildfire smoke poses a risk to electronic devices due to its particulate matter, which can cause physical damage, malfunctions, and electrical failures, even in indoor or enclosed environments where ventilation systems may not filter out all particles.

Innovation Solution

A controlled apparatus and method are developed to generate smoke resembling wildfire smoke by burning combustible materials, and to expose electronic devices to this smoke in a controlled setting, allowing for the measurement of smoke characteristics and device performance under these conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electronic devices are placed in enclosed environments, then protection from external elements is improved, but exposure to wildfire smoke particles through ventilation systems occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from external elementsVSAvoidexposure to smoke particles

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the harmful smoke particles as a testing medium to evaluate device resilience. By intentionally exposing devices to controlled smoke environments, manufacturers can identify vulnerabilities and improve design before real-world deployment, converting the harmful effect into a beneficial quality assurance process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a controlled test environment that simulates wildfire smoke conditions using an enclosed chamber with controlled atmosphere. This allows devices to be tested in a safe, repeatable manner that mimics real-world harmful conditions without the uncontrolled variables of actual wildfire exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If ventilation systems are used to filter smoke particles, then air quality is improved, but complete filtration of fine particulate matter cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair qualityVSAvoidfiltration effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simplified copy of wildfire smoke conditions in a controlled test chamber environment. Rather than attempting to replicate complex real-world scenarios, the system uses combustible material combustion to generate representative smoke particles, allowing effective testing of filtration systems under controlled conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If devices are tested in real wildfire conditions, then real-world performance data is obtained, but device damage and loss occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-world performance dataVSAvoiddevice integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a controlled test chamber as an intermediary between the device and real wildfire conditions. This intermediary environment reproduces the harmful effects of wildfire smoke (particulate matter, heat, humidity) while eliminating the destructive elements, allowing devices to be tested repeatedly without damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary testing in controlled smoke environments before devices are deployed to actual wildfire-prone areas. This preliminary action identifies potential failure modes and allows design improvements to be made before real-world deployment, preventing device failure in actual service conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enables electronics manufacturers to test their devices' resilience to wildfire smoke and similar particulate matter, helping to ensure their reliability in environments where such smoke may be present.

Implementation Method 1

an air pump configured to move the smoke generated in the first chamber into the second chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

generate smoke from combustion of a combustible material within the first chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

The second chamber is further configured with an exhaust such that the smoke generated in the first chamber moves through the second chamber and out of the second chamber via the exhaust

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS12270751B2Systems and methods for wildfire smoke generation and electronics testing

Publication Date: 2025.04.08 UL LLC

AI summary

A first chamber is configured to generate smoke from combustion of a combustible material within the first chamber. A second chamber is configured to house an electronic device. The first chamber and the second chamber are fluidly connected. The apparatus further includes an air pump configured to move the smoke generated in the first chamber into the second chamber. While the air pump is in operation, the electronic device in the second chamber is exposed to the smoke generated in the first chamber. The second chamber is further configured with an exhaust such that the smoke generated in the first chamber moves through the second chamber and out of the second chamber via the exhaust.