Compact Fire Extinguisher Using CO2 Flask
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire extinguishers are bulky, require regular maintenance, and are often hidden due to their appearance, making them difficult to find when needed, and their use can lead to post-fire cleanup costs and potential safety hazards from soiled premises.
Innovation Solution
A fire extinguishing device that utilizes a standard pressurized carbon dioxide flask, commonly found in kitchens, to direct a jet of carbon dioxide at fires, which is sufficient for small-scale fires, allowing for a compact, aesthetically appealing, and easily accessible solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional fire extinguishers are made bulky to contain sufficient extinguishing medium, then fire extinguishing capability is improved, but device visibility and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a carbon dioxide flask that serves dual purposes: it is both a beverage carbonation device and a fire extinguishing medium source. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve sufficient extinguishing capability without requiring a dedicated bulky fire extinguisher, as the same flask can be used for both cooking beverage preparation and fire suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements self-service by utilizing the existing carbon dioxide infrastructure already present in kitchens through beverage carbonation flasks. The system leverages the readily available carbon dioxide supply and existing dispensing mechanisms, eliminating the need for separate maintenance, refilling, and checking procedures associated with traditional fire extinguishers.
2Ease of operation
If conventional fire extinguishers are made brightly colored for visibility, then ease of finding is improved, but aesthetic appeal and willingness to display deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by using a device that serves dual purposes - the carbon dioxide flask is both a kitchen appliance for beverage preparation and a fire safety device. This eliminates the need for specialized fire extinguisher aesthetics, as the same device is already an accepted part of kitchen decor through its primary beverage carbonation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of having no dedicated fire safety equipment into a benefit by utilizing the existing beverage carbonation system. The very device used for culinary purposes becomes the fire suppression system, turning a limitation (lack of dedicated safety equipment) into an advantage (aesthetic acceptance and ready availability).
3Reliability
If conventional fire extinguishers require regular maintenance and refilling, then reliability is improved, but user compliance and availability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by utilizing the existing carbon dioxide infrastructure already present in kitchens through beverage carbonation flasks. The system leverages the readily available carbon dioxide supply and existing dispensing mechanisms, eliminating the need for separate maintenance, refilling, and checking procedures associated with traditional fire extinguishers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by using a carbon dioxide flask that serves dual purposes: it is both a beverage carbonation device and a fire extinguishing medium source. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve sufficient extinguishing capability without requiring a dedicated bulky fire extinguisher, as the same flask can be used for both cooking beverage preparation and fire suppression.
4Reliability
If conventional fire extinguishers use traditional extinguishing media, then fire extinguishing effectiveness is improved, but post-fire cleanup requirements and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inert atmosphere principle by using carbon dioxide as the extinguishing medium. Carbon dioxide is an inert gas that displaces oxygen to suppress fire without leaving residual soiling or contamination. This eliminates the cleanup requirements associated with traditional extinguishing media such as dry powder or foam, while maintaining effective fire suppression capability.
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 device effectively extinguishes or delays small-scale fires, reducing the risk of injury and cleanup costs, while being easy to use and store due to its design, leveraging the widespread availability and frequent use of carbon dioxide flasks.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurized carbon dioxide flask, such as a standard size carbon dioxide flask... direct a jet of carbon dioxide towards the fire
Implementation Method 2
They can be based upon, for instance, dry powder or foam extinguishing, where contents from a flask are emptied onto the fire so as to extinguish the fire by removing oxygen necessary to maintain the oxidizing reaction
Data Source
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AI summary
Fire extinguishing device (100). The invention is characterised in that the fire extinguishing device comprises a flask engagement means (110), arranged to engage with a flask (10) for compressed carbon dioxide and to hold the fire extinguishing device in an operating orientation in relation to such a flask; an actuating means (120), arranged to apply a pressure on a valve (13) of said flask when in said operating orientation so that the valve as a result of said pressure opens and carbon dioxide flows out from the flask, which actuating means in turn comprises a lever means (121) for transferring a force applied by a user within said actuating means (120) for applying said pressure; and a carbon dioxide directing means (130), arranged to direct a jet (20) of carbon dioxide flowing out from the flask when said valve is open.