Back Wall Fire Suppressor Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stovetop fire suppression systems face challenges in universal mounting due to varying stovetop configurations, including vents, fans, lighting, and microwave ovens, leading to complex and often impossible installations that may compromise functionality and reduce utilization.
Innovation Solution
A stovetop fire suppression system that mounts on the back wall, independent of overhead appliances, using a self-contained design with a frangible link and power spring mechanism to deploy fire suppressant powder without interfering with lighting, vents, or microwaves, allowing for easy installation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fire suppression systems are mounted above the stovetop surface, then fire suppression coverage is improved, but installation complexity increases due to varying hood configurations, vents, fans, lighting, and microwave ovens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the mounting location from the traditional overhead horizontal plane (above stovetop) to the vertical back wall plane. This dimensional shift allows the system to bypass conflicts with overhead appliances, vents, and lighting while maintaining fire suppression effectiveness by positioning the suppressor at the rear where it can still cover the stovetop area.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the fire suppression system from its traditional dependency on overhead hood structures. By removing the requirement to integrate with hoods, vents, and microwave configurations, the system achieves universal applicability across different kitchen setups without compromising its core fire suppression function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fire suppression systems are integrated into existing hood and microwave configurations, then concealment is improved, but installation feasibility decreases due to functional interference with lights and vents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fire suppressor from the overhead hood cavity and relocates it to the back wall. This separation eliminates the need to compromise hood ventilation, lighting, or microwave functionality, while the suppressor remains concealed behind or near the stovetop area, maintaining aesthetic integration without functional interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the fire suppression function from the overhead cooking infrastructure (hood, vents, lighting). By segmenting these functions spatially—placing the suppressor on the back wall while leaving overhead elements undisturbed—the patent enables independent installation without affecting other kitchen appliance operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal over the stovetop mounting method is developed, then adaptability to various configurations is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need to accommodate vents, fans, lighting, and microwaves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universal adaptability by moving to an alternative mounting dimension—the back wall—where spatial constraints from overhead appliances are eliminated. This single location can accommodate all stovetop configurations (with or without hoods, microwaves, vents) without requiring multiple design variants or complex adaptation mechanisms.
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 back wall-mounted system provides effective fire suppression for various stovetop configurations, simplifying installation and ensuring automatic operation without interfering with overhead apparatus, enhancing safety and usability.
Implementation Method 1
The back wall fire suppressor, in accordance with the present invention, is readily mountable on an unencumbered back wall
Implementation Method 2
using a self-contained design with a frangible link and power spring mechanism to deploy fire suppressant powder
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic self-contained fire suppression system and method are provided herein. Stovetop fires are a well known residential and commercial hazard. The fire suppression system described mounts on a back wall or back splash above the stove mount. By mounting on the back wall, the system is free from interconnections with apparatus mounted above the stovetop, such as hoods, microwave ovens, lights, fans, and vents. Using a hopper containing fire suppressing matter, a power spring, drive shaft, and a bladed spinner, fires suppressing powder is distributed over the stovetop surface. The fire suppression action is triggered automatically via failure of a heat sensitive frangible link.