Automatic Fire Extinguisher Thermal Detection and Triggering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire extinguishers require manual operation, which can be inefficient and unsafe in emergency situations, especially in confined or hard-to-reach areas, as they need to be manually activated and may not automatically detect and respond to fires.
Innovation Solution
An automatic fire extinguisher system that includes a temperature-responsive detection mechanism and a triggering mechanism to automatically discharge a fire-extinguishing agent when a fire is detected, allowing for remote detection and dispensing, and featuring a design that includes a manual release option for additional control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operation is used for fire extinguishers, then ease of operation is maintained through simple manual activation, but response time is delayed and safety is reduced in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The fire extinguisher system performs automatic detection and activation without requiring human intervention. The temperature-responsive element detects fire conditions and automatically triggers the discharge mechanism, enabling the system to serve itself in emergency situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection mechanism continuously monitors temperature conditions before a fire emergency occurs. When the temperature reaches a predetermined threshold, the system is already prepared and immediately activates the discharge mechanism, eliminating delays associated with manual detection and activation.
2Reliability
If automatic detection mechanism is added to fire extinguisher, then response time and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a temperature-responsive element that changes its physical state or properties in response to temperature changes. This passive parameter-based detection approach simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for complex active sensing electronics while still achieving automatic fire detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic detection and control systems with a simpler mechanical/thermal mechanism. The temperature-responsive element directly mechanically triggers the discharge through a fusible link or thermal expansion mechanism, substituting complex electronics with straightforward thermal-mechanical action.
3Reliability
If remote detection is implemented, then safety is enhanced by allowing detection in inaccessible locations, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fire extinguisher system is divided into separate functional modules: a remote detection head that can be positioned in inaccessible locations and a main body containing the agent reservoir and discharge mechanism. This segmentation allows the detection portion to be installed remotely while keeping the complex components accessible and manageable.
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
Enables immediate and automatic fire suppression without human intervention, enhancing safety by ensuring fires are extinguished quickly and effectively, even in inaccessible locations, while also providing a manual override for situations where automatic detection is not triggered.
Implementation Method 1
a detection mechanism including a temperature responsive element configured to detect the presence of a fire
Implementation Method 2
an extension element between a resisting portion of the lever and a top portion of the housing so that the extension element is held in a compressed position when the two apertures of the temperature responsive element are accommodated... the extension element is released and extended against the top portion of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for discharging a fire-extinguishing agent includes a detection mechanism and a triggering mechanism. The detection mechanism includes a temperature responsive element configured to detect the presence of a fire. The triggering mechanism is operatively connected to the detection mechanism and adapted to trigger the discharge of the fire-extinguishing agent from an agent container upon the detection of the presence of a fire by the detection mechanism.