(19)
(11) EP 4 354 410 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
24.07.2024 Bulletin 2024/30

(43) Date of publication A2:
17.04.2024 Bulletin 2024/16

(21) Application number: 24159784.8

(22) Date of filing: 11.03.2020
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
G08B 17/10(2006.01)
G08B 29/04(2006.01)
 G08B 17/113(2006.01)
(52) Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC):
G08B 17/113; G08B 17/10; G08B 29/046
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30) Priority: 02.04.2019 EP 19166739
02.04.2019 EP 19166743

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
22212653.4 / 4177860
20162532.4 / 3719768

(71) Applicant: E.I. Technology Unlimited Company
Shannon, Co. Clare (IE)

(72) Inventors:
  • LINNANE, Shane
    County Clare (IE)
  • HANNICK, David
    County Clare (IE)
  • DANIELS, Stephen
    County Clare (IE)
  • BRYNE, Michael
    County Clare (IE)
  • O'SHEA, Daniel
    County Clare (IE)

(74) Representative: Weldon O'Brien Ltd. 
Shannon Lodge Casement Road Bandon
County Cork, P72 TN24
County Cork, P72 TN24 (IE)

   


(54) ULTRASONIC OBSTACLE DETECTION IN ALARM DEVICES


(57) An alarm device (1) detects smoke and has a housing having a longitudinal axis and containing a sensor and having vents (3) for access by ambient air to the sensor, a signal processing circuit (15) with a processor linked with the sensor, a power supply for the circuit and the sensor. An obstacle detector detects presence of an unwanted obstacle to flow of ambient air to the sensor. The obstacle detector has an ultrasonic transducer (16) mounted to reflect emitted ultrasonic waves in radial directions relative to the longitudinal axis. The guide comprises a dish-shaped guide element (6) mounted to the housing (2) so that a single ultrasonic transducer can emit radially to cover a very large field of view, but also that the guide element (60) can act as a secondary source directing ultrasonic waves axially, and also to direct waves through the vents (3) so that there is immediate and effective detection of inadvertent blocking of the vents by tape. Also, there is in-built determination as to whether the air is stable enough for accurate obstacle detection.







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