WO2009134206A1

WO2009134206A1 - An electrochemical carbon monoxide detector alarm that can be directly plugged into the cigarette lighter receptacle of an automobile vehicle (12-24v)

Info

Publication number: WO2009134206A1
Application number: PCT/SG2008/000142
Authority: WO
Inventors: Desmond Yee; Chin Yee Lee
Original assignee: Desmond Yee; Chin Yee Lee
Priority date: 2008-04-30
Filing date: 2008-04-30
Publication date: 2009-11-05

Abstract

A carbon monoxide detector alarm that can be directly plugged into the cigarette lighter receptacle of an automobile vehicle comprising of an electrochemical cell sensor, a circuit board, an alarm system and a 12-24 voltage outlet.

Description

An electrochemical carbon monoxide detector alarm that can be directly plugged into the cigarette lighter receptacle of an automobile vehicle

(12-24 V)

Description of Invention:

A new carbon monoxide detection and alarm system is described herein as having particular benefits when used in an automobile.

The present invention, the carbon monoxide detector is designated by the numeral 1 is illustrated in Figure 2 as being contained within a housing 2 that is to be insert into the DC 12-24voltage inlet which can be found in all automobiles' interior (not shown). The circuitry contained within the carbon monoxide detector 1, as schematically illustrated in Figure 3.

The carbon monoxide detector 1 includes a signal processor 4 adapted to receive a plurality of input signals and to produce a plurality of output signals in response thereto. Signal processor 4 is an analog signal processing device.

Carbon monoxide detector 1 includes a carbon monoxide electrochemical cell sensor 6 which is used to detect and monitor the level of carbon monoxide present in an ambient environment of the automobile's passenger compartment and to produce a carbon monoxide level signal responsive to the level of carbon monoxide pre-determined. The carbon monoxide sensor 6 is mounted within housing 2 but is exposed to the ambient environment through a plurality of horizontal lines opening 5 formed in housing 2. Carbon monoxide level signal is provided as an input to signal processor 4. Signal processor 4 includes logic for producing a plurality of output signals in response to carbon monoxide level. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, logic within signal processor 4 is utilized to generate an output signal for driving a visual signal and audio signal respectively. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, visual signal which is selectively illuminated from within housing 2 by a Dual LED 9, which is energized upon the receipt of output signal. Audible signal device 7 is a buzzer. In the embodiment of Figure 2, audible signal device 7 is mounted within housing 2 near opening 5 formed in housing 2 to allow sound to emanate freely from within the housing 2. Carbon monoxide detector 1 includes a user input signal device adapted to provide a user input signal to signal processor 4. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the user input signal device is shown as a test button 8 mounted to the circuitry in housing 2. This test button 8 allows the passenger of a vehicle to provide input signal to the logic contained within signal processor 4.

Usage of carbon monoxide detector 1 for protecting the passengers of an automobile will now be described.

Carbon monoxide detector 1 is to be installed within the interior space of an automobile by inserting rear housing 3 to the cigarette lighter receptacle powered by DC 12-24 voltage. Power is supplied to the carbon monoxide detector 1 from this electrical system of the automobile vehicle.

A Dual LED 9 is provided within the circuitry near the front of housing 2. This Dual LED has two functions, one of it being the power on indicator, green light 9a will appear to indicate that the main electrical power is being supplied to the unit and it is functionally well. The second function being the carbon monoxide detector indicator, red light 9b will blink continuously when CO level reaches the pre-determined level. "According to UL Standard 2034, home carbon monoxide detectors must sound a warning before carbon monoxide levels reach 100 parts per million over 90 minutes, 200 parts per million over 35 minutes or 400 parts per million over 15 minutes. The standard requires the alarm must sound before an average, healthy adult begins to experience symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning." - Underwriters Laboratories Inc. "Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms- Table 38.1 ". 8 March 2005. <http://www.ul.com >.

This present invention has pre-determined the carbon monoxide level to be at lOOppm (alarms within one minute), which is much higher than UL Standard, as the passenger compartment of an automobile is comparatively much smaller in area than most homes. In addition, it is rare to find any automobile vehicle that exceeds lOOppm of carbon monoxide in the passenger compartment. Logic within signal processor 4 is programmed to contain such values for comparison to the adjusted carbon monoxide level.

The swivel function 10 of carbon monoxide detector 1 allows the user to adjust the detector accordingly; this is because the positioning of the cigar lighter receptacle differs from automobile to automobile. While the invention has been described in a currently preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the specific illustrative embodiment, but be interpreted within the full spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Background of Invention:

1. Field of the Invention

Carbon Monoxide, also known as CO, is a potentially deadly gas that has no taste, colour or odour. Carbon Monoxide is produced as a result of the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels - gas, oil, coal that is used in boilers, engines, oil burners, gas fires, water heaters, solid fuel appliances and open fires. Carbon monoxide is harmful when breathed in because it displaces oxygen in the blood and deprives the heart, brain, and other vital organs of oxygen. "Large amounts of CO can cause one to lose consciousness and eventually suffocate in minutes without warning. And when breathed in extreme high levels of more than 10000 PPM, carbon monoxide is deadly and can kill within minutes. Recently, studies have been performed to show that chronic carbon monoxide poisoning can result in long term, residual effects on our bodies. One such study has been conducted by Dr. David G. Penney who suggests that long periods of exposure to carbon monoxide, even at low levels, can result in long-term effects. He calls this "chronic carbon monoxide poisoning". This can cause harmful effects in an individual for days, weeks, months, or even years. Results vary depending on the age and health of an individual."- "Effects of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning". (A Guide to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ).3 April 2004 <http:/ /www. carbon-monoxide- poisoning, com/effects. html>

The automobile vehicle's interior is not an independent entity. The automobile vehicles's floorboard, air-conditioning vent and other areas such as the boot, handbrake and gear level consoles are all sources in which carbon monoxide can seep into the automobile vehicle. When there are problems with the automobile vehicle such as a corroded floorboard, engine problem, exhaust leak, air-conditioner leak, gasket leak, automobile vehicle body cracks, damaged rubber weather seals etc., all these can lead to higher than normal carbon monoxide levels to build up within the automobile vehicle. In addition, running the engine in a stationary position with the windows closed and modifying automobile vehicle parts such as the exhaust and / or engine have also known to cause dangerous levels of CO in automobile vehicles.

The present invention relates to carbon monoxide detector alarms and more particularly, a new carbon monoxide detector alarm for detecting the level of carbon monoxide in an automobile vehicle which makes use of the specificity of coordination electrochemical cell sensor, and the cigarette lighter receptacle found in automobile vehicles.

2. Description of the Prior art

There are a large number of carbon monoxide detectors available. And these detectors use mainly 3 types of sensors. The first type of sensor is the gel-type cell. Detectors using this type of sensors work with a form of chemical gel which darkens in the presence of CO, and lightens without it. This can either be seen directly or connected to a light sensor and alarm. These sensors have very short lifespan and are not able to detect very low levels of carbon monoxide.

The second type of sensors is the semi-conductor. Thin wires of the semiconductor tin dioxide on an insulating ceramic base provide a sensor monitored by an integrated circuit. CO reduces resistance and thus allows a greater current to travel within the circuit. When the current is high enough, it will lead to the monitor triggering an alarm. Such detectors are generally bulky size in size and are very costly.

The third type of sensors is the electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell is a type of fuel cell designed to produce a current that is precisely related to the amount of CO in the atmosphere. By measuring the current generated gives a measure of the concentration of CO in the atmosphere. In carbon monoxide detection, the electrochemical cell has advantages over the other technologies in that it has a highly accurate and linear output to CO concentration, requires minimal power as it is operated at room temperature, is able to detect low CO levels and has a long lifetime (typically commercial available cells now have lifetimes of 5 years or greater). Thus, these carbon monoxide detectors have become increasingly popular for use in homes and other structures. But these presently available carbon monoxide detectors are not specifically designed for use with DC 12-24 volts, namely cigar lighter receptacles in automobile vehicles.

Automobile vehicles are common in today's society whereby many families own at least one or more automobile vehicles. Children and young babies are also among the common passengers of these automobile vehicles. Often, children and young babies are not included in many of the carbon monoxide poisoning studies. And we often neglect the possible harmful effects of carbon monoxide in children and young babies. The true harmful effects as well as time needed to cause these effects in children will never be known. Hence, this present invention aims to reduce the harmful effects of CO in human beings, especially pregnant women, young children and babies.

The use of carbon monoxide detectors is known in the prior art. More specifically, carbon monoxide detectors heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new carbon monoxide detector alarm. The inventive device includes a carbon monoxide detector alarm that has a relatively small housing as well as a swivel function.

In these respects, the carbon monoxide detector alarm according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provide an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of detecting the level of carbon monoxide in an automobile vehicle. Summary of the invention:

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of carbon monoxide detectors now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new carbon monoxide detector alarm construction wherein the same can be utilized for detecting and monitoring the level of carbon monoxide in an automobile vehicle.

The general objective of the present invention is to provide a new carbon monoxide device and method to be use in an automobile vehicle, which has many of the advantages of the carbon monoxide detectors mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new carbon monoxide detector alarm which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art carbon monoxide detectors.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises of a carbon monoxide detector alarm that has a relatively small housing having a front, a bottom, and a rear, the rear is insert-able into the cigar lighter receptacle of an automobile vehicle, the housing having vents for allowing air outside the housing to enter the housing; an electrochemical cell sensor producing a carbon monoxide level signal responsive to a level of carbon monoxide present in an ambient environment within an automobile vehicle interior; a signal processor having the carbon monoxide level signal and including logic for producing a alarm signal responsive to the carbon monoxide signal and a dual indicator LED and a buzzer, connected to the signal processor, for producing presenting a visual and audio notification to a passenger of the automobile in response to the output signal; and a test button.

The more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining the embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new carbon monoxide detector with alarming system and method which has many of the advantages of the carbon monoxide detectors mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new carbon monoxide detector alarm which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art carbon monoxide detectors, either alone or in any combination thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device which can detect the presence of carbon monoxide at a pre-determined amount, in a normal ambient environment of the passenger compartment of the automobile vehicle with the mixture of other gases.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device that can help passengers in automobile vehicles to easily monitor the carbon monoxide level in the passenger compartment.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel and useful carbon monoxide device in automobile vehicles.

Accordingly, a carbon monoxide detector alarm for automobile vehicles affixed with a DC 12-24 voltage cigarette lighter receptacle socket / outlet is described herein as including: a carbon monoxide sensor and a signal processor for producing an alarm signal responsive to the carbon monoxide level within an automobile vehicle.

The dual LED, is both a power-on indicator and a carbon monoxide detector alarm indicator, is provided for to present a visual notification to the passenger in the automobile vehicle that the carbon monoxide detector alarm is powered and functioning well, and when the carbon monoxide level in the interior of the automobile vehicle exceeds the pre-determined amount in a pre-determined time, i.e. carbon monoxide level of 100 parts per million (ppm) within a minute. It is another object of the present invention to provide a new carbon monoxide detector alarm that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new carbon monoxide detector alarm that is of a durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new carbon monoxide detector alarm which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labour, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such carbon monoxide detector alarm economically available to the buying public.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new carbon monoxide detector alarm which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new carbon monoxide detector alarm for detecting the level of carbon monoxide in running engines, especially applicable in automobile vehicles.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new carbon monoxide detector alarm which includes a carbon monoxide detector alarm that has a relatively small housing and swivel function.

Even still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new carbon monoxide detector alarm that will help reduce the amount of deaths caused by carbon monoxide poisoning in automobile vehicles.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. Brief description of the drawings:

The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure l is a bottom view of the carbon monoxide detector alarm adapted for use in an automobile vehicle installed with a 12-24voltage cigarette lighter receptacle.

• Figure 2 is a bottom view of carbon monoxide detector alarm with rear housing tilted to show swivel function 10 of the present invention.

• Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the circuitry within a carbon monoxide detector alarm of the present invention.

Claims

Claims:

1. A carbon monoxide detector with alarming system, powered by 12-24voltage socket comprising of a housing having a front, a bottom, and a rear, the rear is insert-able to the cigar lighter receptacle of an automobile vehicle, the housing having vents for allowing air outside the housing to enter the housing; an electrochemical cell sensor for producing a carbon monoxide level signal responsive to a level of carbon monoxide present in an ambient environment within an automobile vehicle's interior; a signal processor having the carbon monoxide level signal and including logic for producing a alarm signal responsive to the carbon monoxide signal and a dual indicator LED and a buzzer, connected to the signal processor, for producing presenting a visual and audio notification to a passenger of the automobile vehicle in response to the output signal; and a test button.

2. A system of protecting passengers in the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle with engine ignited, the method comprising the steps of providing a carbon monoxide detector alarm for monitoring the level of carbon monoxide within the automobile vehicle; providing an alarm to a passenger of the automobile vehicle when the level of carbon monoxide within the automobile vehicle's interior exceeds a pre-determined amount in a predetermined time.