Project Files
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Combination CO-Smoke Detector |
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FirstAlert had
developed a variety of Smoke Detectors and CO Detectors, and
was interested in quickly developing a combination product.
In order to save time to market, the product had to use
parts that were easily available and had to fit into an
existing CO Detector case with minimal tooling changes.
Recent product introductions by competitors meant that
FirstAlert was especially concerned about cost. |
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System
Overview
Bolton Engineering worked with FirstAlert purchasing
agents to review the parts used in their existing
products to see what parts could be used in the new
design. Through careful selection, Bolton Engineering
was able to take over 80% of the parts for the new
design from other FirstAlert products. Bolton
Engineering evaluated several design concepts and wrote
both test and production firmware. During debug, Bolton
Engineering included a software UART in the code to
allow product status to be sent serially out the only
spare microcomputer I/O line to a data logging computer.
By placing the two trimpots in the same board location
as on a previous CO detector design, Bolton Engineering
was able to have the new product be automatically
trimmed in production using the same FirstAlert
production line CO detector test and trim equipment that
was used for a previous design
Project Scope
Bolton Engineering worked with the client to write a
specification, designed the schematics, designed the
single-layer board (with jumpers), modified existing
FirstAlert firmware to implement the smoke detector and
interconnect functionality, debugged the system, and
delivered a dozen working prototypes. Millions of
detectors were produced over the design lifetime.
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Consumer and Computer
