GB2408826A

GB2408826A - Bathwater temperature sensing alarm

Info

Publication number: GB2408826A
Application number: GB0328067A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Ian Morris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-12-04
Filing date: 2003-12-04
Publication date: 2005-06-08
Also published as: GB0328067D0

Abstract

A water-temperature-sensing alarm, contained within a buoyant vessel, that comprises of appropriate electronic components, powered by battery(ies), which can carry out a series of bath-water-temperature tests to give an audible and visible indication. From a stand-by mode, the device will detect its presence in a conductive fluid (bathwater in this case), apply electrical power to other components on the circuit board, and emit an appropriate sound and light sequence. Temperature probes set in the vessel will detect the temperature of the water and instigate another appropriate sound and light sequence. If the water temperature is at an optimum temperature, the sound and light sequence will continue during the time the temperature remains at optimum. If the temperature rises above the optimum a louder sound, and more intensive light sequence, is emitted to provide a warning to the responsible person/guardian/parent that the other person in, or about to be placed in, the bath-water could be in danger of suffering scald burns. The alarm device can also be programmed to detect the temperature of water below a given temperature and emit an audible and visible alarm sequence to warn the responsible person/guardian/parent that the person in the bath-water could be in some discomfort or even in danger of suffering from hypothermia. Once removed from the bath-water the device detects the absence of conductive fluids and reverts to a stand-by mode.

Description

Bath-water- temperature - sensing alarm

Background

Water temperature warning devices are known but either require expert installation into the hot-water pipe itself to shut off the water if the temperature goes above a prescribed temperature; need to be placed into the water for a pre- determined time before being withdrawn in order to read the temperature setting; or are placed below the surface of the water, as in the case of a bath mat, making them difficult to read accurately due to parallax, made more so if the temperature reading is represented by numbers, and difficult to judge accurately in less than clear water if the temperature reading is represented by a colour change.

The incidences of hot water scalding to both children and vulnerable adults are alarmingly high, even in the developed countries. Especially in the case of children, where skin grafts are not usually undertaken until the child has ceased growing (around the age of 18), scald burns can be a life-long source of extreme pain, discomfort and disfigurement. This device is to help reduce those incidences, making the bathroom a much safer place, and reduce the strain on already overburdened Emergency Services, doctors and nursing care.

People generally do not understand the traditional 'elbow test' for hot water, nor do they necessarily accept that young skin is much more sensitive to heat than adult skin. Consequently, people could unwittingly place those for whom they are responsible in dangerous and lifethreatening situations.

Fealvrcs This invention relates to an audible and visible alarm of a type contained within a vessel that is buoyant and self contained, and battery operated to provide audible and visible alarm signals when water temperature is detected to have risen above, or fallen below, a predetermined level. When water temperature is at an optimum level the alarm unit with the vessel will emit audible and visible signals to indicate this, providing warnings to able-bodied, hard of hearing and poorly sighted people alike.

The vessel need not be withdrawn from the water during bath-time as it will be manufactured in the form of a plaything and the sound emitted whilst the water remains at the optimum temperature will be non-invasive.

Page 1, An object of this invention is to provide an audible and visible alarm, within a vessel that is portable and buoyant, that can be placed, dropped or thrown into bath- water by a responsible person before a child, or an elderly or vulnerable adult, is permitted to get into that water. Within seconds the device will detect the presence of water, measure the temperature and then provide audible and visible feedback.

The device will emit one of a number of pre-programmed sounds and light sequences. For example, if the water temperature exceeds a pre-programmed level the sound emitted will be so distinctive as to give the responsible adult clear warning not to allow any person into that water.

The vessel in which the alarm is carried will be manufactured to resemble many forms, especially those forms currently found in bathrooms and used as toys during bath-times, particularly children's toys. The vessel body will be made of a robust but tactile material, and manufactured in such a way that will ensure buoyancy.

Introduction to the drawings

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: figure 1 a side view of an example characterization of the vessel (6): containing a battery compartment (1): a printed circuit board (PCB) of appropriate electronic components (2); water and temperature-sensing probes (3); a speaker (4) to be located within the vessel and attached by wire to the PCB; and light-emitting diode(s)/liquid crystal diode(s) (5) to be located within the vessel and attached by wire to the PCB.

Figure 2 a view of the underneath of an example characterization of the vessel (6): showing the battery compartment (1) and the water and temperature- sensing probes (3).

Figure 3 a view from above an example characterization of the vessel (6): showing the battery compartment (1); the printed circuit board of appropriate electronic components (2); the speaker (4) and the LEb/LCO (5) .

Page 2, As shown in figure I the alarm device consists of a vessel which provides buoyancy and in which there is a printed circuit board containing appropriate electronic components, providing sequenced sound and lights, powered by one or two small batteries.

With the battery(ies) connected to the battery terminals the alarm unit, if it detects it is not in a conductive fluid, will remain in stand-by mode. From this state it can subsequently: a. detect when the vessel is placed in water, or any other conductive fluid, although the primary medium of use is expected to be water; b. emit a short sound and pulse of light to indicate, as a result of detecting a conductive fluid, that the power supply to the alarm components is 'on'; c. further detect the actual temperature of the water to determine one of three states: 1. the water temperature is below a pre-programmed optimum temperature at which the device will emit a pre-programmed sound and light sequence; 2. the water temperature is at the optimum, +/- arc, at which the device will emit a pre-programmed sound and light sequence; 3. the water temperature is above the optimum temperature, at which the device will emit a pre-programmed sound and light sequence significantly different from sub-paras 1 and 2 above; d. detect the lack of conductive fluids, ie: when removed from the water, at which the device will automatically switch back to it's stand-by mode until placed in a conductive fluid once more; e. detect, in it's stand-by mode, or when placed in a conductive fluid, a low power situation at which it will emit a pre-programmed sound and light sequence, repeated periodically until the user replaces the battery. If the low-power warning is ignored and the power within the battery is exhausted, the unit will no longer function until a fresh battery is connected.

Page 3 As shown in [figures 1 and 3, the printed circuit board (PCB) is powered by small battery(ies) and contains a variety of electronic components that will include: a. Conductivity probes; b. Temperature probe (semi conductor temperature sensor); c. Digital thermometer, with pre-selected temperatures; d. Sound unit, with pre-programmed sounds (micro controller); e. Light emitting diodes or liquid crystal diodes; f. Low power detection device; 9. Speaker, enabling single and/or multiple tones; and h. Voltage regulator.

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Claims

1. A water-temperature-sensing alarm that is audible and visible:

2. A water-temperature-sensing alarm that is portable and self contained;

3. A water-temperature-sensing alarm that is buoyant in a fluid;

4. A water-temperature-sensing alarm that can detect its presence in, or out of, water;

5. A water-temperature-sensing alarm that can be pre-programmed to detect a variety of different temperatures;

6. A water-temperature-sensing alarm that can be pre-programmed to emit a variety of different sounds;

7. A water-temperature-sensing alarm that can be pre-programmed to show a variety of different warning-light sequences;

8. A water-temperature-sensing alarm that detects low-power within the battery and emits an early, specific and pre-programmed sound and light sequence;

9. A water-temperature-sensing alarm that can be made of plastic, rubber, metal, wood or other material, or a combination of materials, to provide a shape that is buoyant;

10. A water-temperature-sensing alarm that can be embodied in a variety of vessels to meet the requirements of the consumer;

11. A water-temperature-sensing alarm that has re-chargeable and/or replaceable battery(ies);

12. A water-temperature-sensing alarm substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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