Adjustable Fire Sprinkler Drop for Variable Ceiling Heights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire sprinkler systems lack the ability to easily adjust sprinkler head height and orientation, particularly in installations with varying drop ceiling heights, which complicates the installation process and requires additional time and effort.
Innovation Solution
A fire sprinkler assembly featuring an adjustable drop and bracket hub system, where the adjustable drop includes an inner and outer casing with threading that allows for rotation to adjust the axial height of the sprinkler head, coupled with a flexible conduit and a bracket hub, enabling easy adjustment of the sprinkler head's position on a suspended T-Bar grid system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-position sprinkler head installation is used, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the adaptability to different ceiling heights is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the drop section adjustable rather than fixed. The drop includes an outer casing and an inner casing that can rotate relative to each other, allowing the sprinkler head position to be dynamically adjusted to different ceiling heights. This resolves the contradiction by providing adaptability through controlled movement while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by placing the inner casing within the outer casing. The inner casing is rotatably mounted inside the outer casing, allowing compact storage when not in use while enabling height adjustment when needed. This nesting arrangement provides adaptability without significantly increasing the overall structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If an adjustable drop system is implemented, then the ease of operation for height adjustment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the inner casing to rotate within the outer casing, providing ease of operation for height adjustment. The rotational movement is simple to execute while achieving the desired adjustment effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The drop is segmented into an outer casing and an inner casing, allowing independent adjustment of the inner casing position. This segmentation enables easy height adjustment without requiring complex mechanisms, as each segment can be independently positioned.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for adjustment, then the adaptability is improved, but the installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the outer casing, inner casing, and sprinkler head support into a single integrated adjustable drop assembly. This combination allows all adjustment functions to be performed on one component rather than assembling multiple separate parts, reducing installation time while maintaining full adjustment flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested arrangement of the inner casing within the outer casing allows for compact integration of multiple functional elements. This nesting reduces the number of separate components that need to be handled and assembled, thereby reducing installation time while preserving adjustment adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces installation time by allowing for flexible adjustment of sprinkler head height and orientation, improving installation efficiency and adaptability to different ceiling configurations without the need for pre-installed positions or ad hoc height markings.
Implementation Method 1
the inner and outer casings including corresponding threading to permit rotation between the inner casing and the outer casing to adjust an axial height, along the lengthwise axis, of the inner casing
Data Source
AI summary
A fire sprinkler assembly includes a flexible conduit; and an integral hub and bracket assembly comprising: a bracket hub coupled to a bracket bar; and an adjustable drop integrally formed with the bracket hub, the adjustable drop defining a lengthwise axis oriented transverse to the bracket bar, the flexible conduit coupled to the adjustable drop; and a sprinkler head extending from the adjustable drop.