Wireless Optical Synchronization for Separated Smoke Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional photoelectric separated smoke sensors require a control line for synchronization between light transmitting and receiving units, increasing installation costs and complexity, especially over long distances or with multiple units.

Innovation Solution

The sensor system achieves synchronization wirelessly by using a synchronization-light transmitting unit to transmit optical signals to a synchronization-light receiving unit, eliminating the need for a control line and allowing the detection light to serve as synchronization light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a control line is used to synchronize light transmitting and receiving units, then synchronization reliability is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical control line connection with an optical wireless communication system. The light transmitting unit emits light signals that carry synchronization information, which is received by the light receiving unit through optical detection, eliminating the need for physical wiring while maintaining synchronization reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the detection light serve dual purposes: both for smoke detection and for synchronization signaling. By modulating the detection light to carry synchronization information, the system eliminates the need for separate synchronization hardware, reducing installation complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a control line is used for synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the synchronization function with the detection light transmission function. The same optical path and photodetector used for smoke detection are also used to receive synchronization signals, consolidating hardware resources and reducing overall system cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If the distance between light transmitting and receiving units increases, then monitoring area coverage is improved, but control line installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring area coverageVSAvoidcontrol line installation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical control line connection with wireless optical communication. Since light can travel through air without physical medium, the synchronization signal can be transmitted across any distance within the monitoring area without additional installation cost, enabling larger coverage areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 simplifies the installation process, reduces costs, and enables efficient synchronization between light transmitting and receiving units, facilitating easier deployment and operation of the sensor system.

Implementation Method 1

a synchronization-light transmitting unit that transmits synchronization light wirelessly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

a synchronization-establishment processing unit that performs a predetermined process to establish the synchronization based on the synchronization light received by the synchronization receiving unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

light transmitting units that transmit detection light, and light receiving units that receive the detection light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS7968837B2Separate-type detector with redundant synchronization feature

Publication Date: 2011.06.28 HOCHIKI CORP

AI summary

An object is to provide a separated sensor capable of synchronizing a light transmitting unit with a light receiving unit, without using a control line.There is provided a separated sensor including a light transmitting unit that transmits detection light to a monitoring area, and a light receiving unit that receives detection light transmitted by the light transmitting unit, the light transmitting unit and the light receiving unit laid out separately from each other. On one of the light transmitting unit and the light receiving unit, there is provided a synchronization-light transmitting unit that transmits, by wireless, synchronization light to synchronize the light transmitting unit with the light receiving unit. On the other of the light transmitting unit and the light receiving unit, there are provided a synchronization-light receiving unit that receives the synchronization light transmitted from the synchronization-light transmitting unit, and a synchronization-establishment processing unit that performs a predetermined process to establish the synchronization based on the synchronization light received by the synchronization-light receiving unit.