Concealed Sprinkler Head Airflow Paths for Faster Heat Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flash-type sprinkler heads face challenges in maintaining design aesthetics while ensuring rapid activation due to heat transfer inefficiencies and potential damage to components covering the heat-sensitive element.
Innovation Solution
The sprinkler head design incorporates a cylindrical portion that can be held at two positions, forming airflow paths to facilitate efficient heat transfer to a heat collector, which is integrated with the heat-sensitive element, maintaining design integrity and enhancing sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the heat-sensitive disassembling unit is disposed inside the ceiling, then the design is improved (smaller projection), but the heat transfer efficiency deteriorates (slower activation)
Solution Approach 1:
A heat collector is introduced as an intermediary component between the fire source and the heat-sensitive element. The heat collector accumulates heat from the surrounding environment and transfers it to the heat-sensitive element, enabling faster activation even when the element is positioned inside the ceiling with limited direct heat exposure.
2Loss of time
If a hole is formed in the covering component to facilitate heat transfer, then the heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the design integrity deteriorates (aesthetic impairment)
Solution Approach 1:
The heat collector serves as a mediator that enables heat transfer to the heat-sensitive element without requiring direct line-of-sight exposure or openings in the covering component. The heat collector can gather heat from multiple directions and transfer it through the intact covering structure.
3Loss of time
If the heat-sensitive element is directly exposed to facilitate heat transfer, then the sensitivity is improved, but the reliability deteriorates (component damage risk)
Solution Approach 1:
The heat collector acts as a protective intermediary that shields the heat-sensitive element from direct exposure to harsh fire conditions while still enabling effective heat transfer. The heat-sensitive element remains protected within its housing, maintaining reliability, while the heat collector ensures rapid activation by accumulating and transferring heat.
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 configuration allows for early activation of the sprinkler head by efficiently transferring fire-induced heat to the heat-sensitive element, improving sensitivity without compromising the aesthetic appearance.
Implementation Method 1
facilitate transfer of heat to the heat-sensitive element
Implementation Method 2
airflow paths to facilitate efficient heat transfer
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A cylindrical portion E2 is capable of being held with respect to a body 1 in accordance with its insertion depth and forms, at a first holding position, a first airflow path F1 in which a communication portion that is open to a lower end of the body 1 serves as a first introduction port for the outside air and in which a missing portion 61 that lacks a portion of a surrounding wall of the cylindrical portion E2 serves as, by overlapping a slit 16 that is open to an outer peripheral surface of the body 1, a first exit through which the outside air that has flowed in the body 1 is discharged to an area above a ceiling and forms, at a second holding position, a second airflow path F2 in which a gap E3 that is formed between an escutcheon E and a heat collector 5 that projects from the lower end of the body 1 serves as a second introduction port for the outside air and in which the missing portion 61 serves as a second exit through which the outside air is discharged to the area above the ceiling.