Wireless Fire System Dynamic Output Control Hierarchy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless fire systems are unable to provide fire protection before and during installation, and fail when the control panel, loop card, or gateway device fails or becomes jammed, leading to a lack of effective communication and output control.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic output control hierarchy is implemented in wireless fire systems, where a gateway device controls its own and mesh network output devices, and a hybrid device can self-activate based on ambient conditions like heat or smoke, taking over if the gateway fails, ensuring continuous fire protection and annunciation capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wireless fire system uses a centralized control panel and gateway device, then the system structure is simplified and ease of operation is improved, but the system fails when the control panel or gateway device fails, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized control function into distributed autonomous units (hybrid devices) that can independently detect fire conditions and activate outputs. Each hybrid device contains its own fire detection and output control capabilities, eliminating the single point of failure at the control panel or gateway device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by enabling hybrid devices to autonomously activate fire protection outputs based on pre-programmed logic when fire conditions are detected, without requiring communication with the control panel or gateway device. This ensures fire protection activation even when the centralized system fails.
2Device complexity
If a wireless fire system requires complete installation and wiring of the control panel before providing fire protection, then the system complexity is reduced, but fire protection is not available before and during installation, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary fire protection by allowing hybrid devices to autonomously detect fire conditions and activate outputs during the installation phase, before the control panel is fully wired or operational. This provides immediate fire protection without requiring complete system installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling hybrid devices to independently perform fire detection and output activation without requiring the control panel or other system components to be installed or operational. Each hybrid device serves itself as a complete fire protection unit.
3Device complexity
If a wireless fire system uses a primary gateway for all communications, then the device complexity is reduced, but when the gateway fails or is jammed, communication is lost, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication and control function from the gateway device to the hybrid devices themselves. Each hybrid device contains autonomous fire detection and output control capabilities, eliminating dependence on the gateway device for basic fire protection functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the critical fire detection and output control functions from the gateway device and embeds them directly in the hybrid devices. This extraction ensures that fire protection functionality remains operational even when the gateway device fails or communication is jammed.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for dynamic output control hierarchy for wireless fire systems and for fire protection before and during the installation thereof are provided. Systems can include a fire system control panel, a gateway device coupled to the control panel, and a mesh network coupled to the gateway device. Responsive to the gateway device detecting a loss of communication with the control panel or a failure of the control panel, the gateway device can control activation of output devices in the mesh network. Responsive to a first device in the mesh network detecting a failure of the gateway device, the first device can control activation of the output devices in the mesh network. In some embodiments, the first device can control activation of the output devices of a second device in the mesh network, and in some embodiments, the first device can self-control activation of its own output devices.