Patent Application
20220246009
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a life safety device and, more particularly, to a photo-electric life safety device using multiple light emitters and receivers.
A smoke detector or alarm is a life safety device that detects smoke and issues an alarm. A photoelectric smoke alarm, meanwhile, is a type of smoke alarm emitter, a light receiver and an optic chamber. When there is no smoke in the optic chamber and the optic chamber is empty or mostly empty, the light receiver typically receives a small amount of light reflected from chamber surfaces. On the other hand, when smoke is present in the optic chamber, the light receiver receives more light due to that light being reflected from the smoke particles. When an amount of the received light exceeds a predetermined level, an alarm is triggered.
Existing residential smoke alarms have various components surrounding the optic chamber which can inhibit the flow of smoke into the optic chamber. Accordingly, there is a need for a smoke alarm that allows for an increased smoke flow into the optic chamber.
According to an embodiment, an optical chamber assembly of a life safety device includes a light ring for supporting at least one light device and an optical cover defining an interior chamber of the optical chamber assembly. The optical cover has a plurality of side members spaced from one another to define a plurality of smoke flow paths connected to the interior chamber. A light cover is disposed between the light ring and the optical cover and optically couples the at least one light device with the interior chamber. A primary smoke entry location is defined by at least one of the plurality of smoke flow paths in the optical cover and a secondary smoke entry location distinct from the primary smoke entry location is arranged in fluid communication with the interior chamber.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the secondary smoke entry location is arranged at an outer aspect of the optical chamber assembly.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the secondary smoke entry location is defined by an opening.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the opening is formed between at least one of the plurality of side members and a surface of the light cover.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the optical cover further comprises an end piece and the opening is formed between at least one of the plurality of side members and the end piece.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the light cover includes a body having a sidewall and the opening is formed within the sidewall.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the opening is formed between a portion of the light cover and the light ring.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the light cover includes a body having a sidewall and the light ring includes a ring body, the opening being formed between a portion of the sidewall of the light cover that is offset from an adjacent surface of the ring body.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the at least one light device includes a light source and a light receiver.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the optical chamber assembly is mounted to a printed circuit board and the light cover removably couples the light ring directly to the printed circuit board.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the optical cover is connected to the light cover via a snap fit connection.
According to another embodiment, a life safety device includes a printed circuit board and an optical chamber assembly connected to the printed circuit board and at least one light device for evaluating particles within the inside the optical chamber assembly. The optical chamber assembly has a primary smoke entry location and a secondary smoke entry location distinct from the primary smoke entry location.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the secondary smoke entry location is arranged about an outer aspect of the optical chamber assembly.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the optical chamber assembly comprises a light ring for supporting the at least one light device, an optical cover defining an interior chamber of the optical chamber assembly, and a light cover disposed between the light ring and the optical cover, wherein the light cover optically couples the at least one light device with the interior chamber.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the optical cover further comprises a plurality of side members spaced from one another to define a plurality of smoke flow paths connected to the interior chamber and the primary smoke entry location is defined by at least one of the plurality of smoke flow paths.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the secondary smoke entry location is defined by an opening formed between at least one of the plurality of side members and a surface of the light cover.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the optical cover further comprises an end piece and the secondary smoke entry location is defined by an opening formed between at least one of the plurality of side members and the end piece.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the light cover includes a body having a sidewall and the secondary smoke entry location is defined by an opening formed within the sidewall.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the secondary smoke entry location is defined by an opening formed between a portion of the light cover and the light ring.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the secondary smoke entry location is defined by an opening, and the opening includes a mesh material.
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
A photo-electric smoke alarm with an electrically conductive optics chamber having a high flame rating, capable of absorbing stray radiation from both light sources and external ambient light, and electrically insulating an adjacent printed circuit board is described.
With reference now to
The life safety device 20 further includes controls including a printed circuit board 30 disposed within the upper housing portion (best shown in
In an embodiment, a sound generation mechanism 34 is connected to the printed circuit board 30 within the housing 22. The sound generation mechanism 34 is operable to receive power from the printed circuit board 30 to generate a noise in response to detection of a condition. In addition, one or more actuatable mechanisms 36, such as a button for example, is connected to the printed circuit board 30 and is received within an opening formed in the lower housing portion 26. The actuatable mechanism 36 may be configured to perform one or more functions of the life safety device 20 when actuated. Examples of operations performed via the actuatable mechanism 36 include, but are not limited to, a press to test function, a smoke alarm “hush”, a low battery “hush”, and end of life “hush,” radio frequency enrollment of additional life safety devices 20 such as in a detection system including a plurality of life safety devices configured to communicate with one another wirelessly, and to reset the unit once removed from its packaging. Although the actuatable mechanism 36 is shown positioned at the center of the lower housing portion 26, embodiments where the actuatable mechanism 36 is located at another location about the housing 22 are also within the scope of the disclosure.
The life safety device 20 additionally includes one or more components that define an optical chamber assembly 40 within the interior of the housing 22. The optical chamber assembly 40 is generally open to the area surrounding the life safety device 20 and is thus receptive of ambient materials through one or more openings. The ambient materials may include air as well as smoke and non-smoke particles that are carried by the air.
With reference now to
In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment of
The light receiver 50 is disposed to receive light that is emitted by one of the light sources 48a, 48b, 48c and that is then reflected from a chamber (not shown) within the optical chamber assembly 40 by the ambient materials toward the light receiver 50 along a light receiving axis of the light receiver 50. The light receiver 50 may be provided as any suitable photoelectric light receiving element and is configured to generate an output electric signal in accordance with light being received. That is, for light that is emitted by the first light source 48a, reflected by the ambient materials in the chamber and then received by the light receiver 50 along the light receiving axis, the light receiver 50 generates a first output signal. Similarly, for light that is emitted by the second and third light sources 48b, 48c, reflected by the ambient materials in the chamber and then received by the light receiver 50 along the light receiving axis, the light receiver 50 generates a second and third output signal, respectively. It should be understood that in addition to each of the light sources 48a, 48b, 48c being arranged at an angle relative to the light receiver 50, each of the bases may be oriented such that the corresponding light source 48a, 48b, 48c, or light receiver 50 mounted therein is arranged at a desired angle relative to the horizontal plane defined by the light ring 42.
A light cover 60 may be adapted to mount in overlapping relationship with the light ring 42. In an embodiment, the light cover 60 includes an at least partially solid body 62 including a sidewall 63. In an embodiment, the shape of the sidewall 63 is generally complementary to the shape of the light ring 42, for example, both the light ring 42 and the sidewall 63 may be generally annular or ring-shaped. As a result, at least a portion of the sidewall 63 of the light cover 60 may be disposed in vertical alignment with an upper surface 54 of the light ring 42 (shown in
The light cover 60 may include one or more covers 66 protruding outwardly from the exterior of the component body 62. Each of these covers 66 may have a size corresponding to one of the bases 46 such that each cover 66 at least partially surrounds, or in some embodiments encases, a respective base 46 of the light ring 42. The positioning of the covers 66 may be intended to block or limit ambient light from interacting with and affecting the light emitted and received by the light devices 48, 50.
In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, one or more openings 68 are formed in an upper surface 70 of the body 62. Each opening 68 may correspond to a light source 48 or light receiver 50 and may be substantially aligned therewith such that each light device 48, 50 is in optical communication with an area disposed adjacent the upper surface 70 of the light cover 60 via the openings 68.
The light cover 60 may be configured to removably affix to the printed circuit board 30, such as via a snap fit connection for example. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, one or more resilient tabs 72 protrude from a portion of the body 62 of the light cover 60, such as the sidewall 63 for example, and are receivable within corresponding openings 74 (see
In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment of
As shown, the optical cover 80 may include an end piece 82 and a plurality of individual side members 84 connected to and arranged at an angle relative to the end piece 82. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, each of the plurality of side members 84 is substantially identical in shape and the side members 84 are spaced equidistantly about the periphery of the end piece 82. The side members 84 may be generally labyrinth-like in shape are offset from one another by a distance such that a small, non-linear clearance 86 is formed between adjacent side members 84. Each of these clearances 86 allows ambient air and any particles trapped therein to flow from outside the cover 80 into the interior chamber 88 of the cover 80 defined between the plurality of side members 84 and the adjacent surface 70 of the light cover 60. The labyrinth arrangement is intended to allow a flow of ambient air through the side members 84 while maximizing the blockage of stray light by limiting any direct light path to the photodiode from outside sources.
The optical cover 80 may be configured to removably affix to the light cover 60. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, one or more resilient tabs 90 protrude downwardly from the optical cover 80. These tabs 90 are receivable within corresponding openings 76 formed in the light cover 60, as shown in
In an embodiment, as shown in
As described herein, air and smoke entrained therein is typically provided to the chamber 88 via the passageways or clearances 86 defined between adjacent side members 84 of the optical cover 80, which form a primary smoke entry location. However, to enhance the concentration of smoke provided to the chamber 88, in an embodiment, the life safety device 20 includes at least one additional or secondary smoke entry location arranged in fluid communication with the chamber 88. The at least one additional smoke entry location may be formed by an opening 100 arranged adjacent an outer aspect of the optical chamber assembly 40. In an embodiment, at least one opening 100 is defined adjacent the light cover 60. As best shown in
In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, at least a portion of the end surface 102 of the sidewall 63 adjacent to the light ring 42 is offset from the upper surface 54 of the light ring 42 such that the opening 100 is defined therebetween. For example, an axial length of the sidewall 63 directly adjacent the cover 66 may be greater than the axial length of a sidewall 63 at a central location between covers 66 such that the opening 100 is spaced from the covers 66. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the size and shape of the opening 100 may be defined at least in part by the configuration of the sidewall 63. Although a vertical offset between the end surface 102 of the sidewall 63 and the upper surface 54 of the light ring 42 is illustrated in the FIGS., to define the opening 100, embodiments where the end surface 102 of the sidewall 63 is additionally or alternatively horizontally offset from the upper surface 54 of the light ring 42 are also contemplated herein.
In another embodiment, the substantial entirety of the end surface 102 of the sidewall 63 is aligned and in direct contact with the upper surface 54 of the light ring 42 when the light cover 60 and the light ring 42 are coupled to one another. In such embodiments, the opening 100 may be formed entirely within the sidewall 63 of the light cover 60. Further, it should be understood that in any of the embodiments disclosed herein the one or more openings 100 may be defined as a cutout or absence of material, or alternatively, may be defined by an area containing a porous or permeable material, such as a mesh material having a plurality of openings formed therein.
In another embodiment, an opening 100 defining an additional smoke entry location about the life safety device 20 is formed about the optical cover 80. For example, one or more of the plurality of side members 84 may be offset from the end piece 82, such that an opening 100 is defined there between. Alternatively, or in addition, an opening 100 may be defined between an end of one or more of the side members 84 configured to contact the upper surface 70 of the light cover 60. In an embodiment, the axial height of any of the openings 100 is less than or equal to about 0.050 inches. In another embodiment, the axial height of the openings 100 is greater than about 0.1 inches, 0.15 inches, and in some embodiments 0.18 inches. However, larger or smaller openings 100 are also within the scope of the disclosure.
By increasing the number of smoke entry points about the life safety device 20, a higher concentration of smoke will enter the chamber 88 and therefore smoke detection is enhanced. Further, by positioning the additional smoke entry points about the outer periphery of the optical smoke chamber, the additional smoke entry point are configured to minimize the stray light emitted into the chamber 88 from external sources.
The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/144,724 filed Feb. 2, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63144724 | Feb 2021 | US |
