Angle-Cut Fuse for Stovetop Fire Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic stovetop fire suppressors have inconsistent and prolonged activation times for heat-activated fuses, which can lead to inefficiencies and safety concerns in extinguishing stovetop fires.
Innovation Solution
The use of an angle-cut fuse with a 45-degree orientation and specific lacquer coatings, which reduces variability and accelerates ignition times, providing a more consistent and rapid response to flames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional fuse is used for heat activation, then the fuse can be easily manufactured and installed, but the activation time is prolonged and inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse is cut at a 45-degree angle instead of a straight perpendicular cut. This asymmetric configuration increases the surface area exposed to heat from the flame, accelerating ignition and reducing activation time while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The fuse configuration parameter is changed from a standard straight cut to a 45-degree angled cut. This parameter modification optimizes heat exposure and combustion characteristics, resulting in faster and more consistent activation times across multiple fuses
2Productivity
If the fuse activation time is shortened for faster response, then fire suppression speed improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The 45-degree angled cut provides a balance between achieving fast activation and maintaining ease of manufacture. The specific angle optimizes heat exposure while being simple to implement with standard cutting tools, avoiding excessive precision requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The angled cut creates slightly more exposed fuse surface area than a minimal configuration would require. This excess surface area provides a buffer that ensures consistent ignition even with reasonable variations in cutting precision, preventing activation failures
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
The angle-cut fuse design significantly reduces activation time variability and shortens the time to ignition, enhancing the reliability and speed of fire suppression while maintaining minimal manufacturing complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
heat activating the initiator
Implementation Method 2
A fire on the stovetop ignites the fuse
Data Source
AI summary
An initiator with fuse device for an automatic self-contained fire suppressor and method are provided herein. Stovetop fires are a well-known residential and commercial hazard. The initiator with fuse device for an automatic stovetop fire suppressor has a rapid light time in the presence of flames. The time to light is consistent and reliable for the fuse described herein. Comparative tests show a shorter light time for the present fuse as compared to conventional fuses. Further, the variability in lighting times is shortened when the herein described configuration is employed. Deployment of an automatic stovetop fire suppressor can be safer than manual extinguishing means and via the initiator with fuse described herein, the time to deployment is greatly improved. Manufacturing of the initiator with fuse is readily adapted to existing processes.