Back-to-Back Concealed Sprinkler Adapter for Tight Wall Clearances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concealed sprinklers in space-limited regions, such as between closely-spaced walls, face installation challenges due to the complexity of connecting multiple fittings and the need to reduce piping size for clearance, complicating the sprinkler system.
Innovation Solution
A sprinkler adapter with a first and second pipe receiver, a channel, and first and second sprinkler ports, allowing two concealed sprinklers to be installed in a back-to-back configuration using a single adapter fitting, enabling the use of standard-sized piping without the need for smaller adapters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If multiple fittings and reduced piping size are used to install concealed sprinklers in closely-spaced walls, then the sprinklers can be installed in space-limited regions, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter combines multiple fittings into a single integrated component that simultaneously receives two pipes and provides two sprinkler ports, eliminating the need for separate elbows, tees, and couplings that would otherwise be required to achieve the same back-to-back sprinkler configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves multiple functions in a single component: it acts as a pipe receiver, a connector for two different pipe orientations, a support structure for two sprinklers, and a space-saving transition element, thereby reducing the overall number of components needed in the system
2Length of moving object
If multiple fittings and smaller adapters are used to accommodate tight clearance, then sprinklers can be installed between closely-spaced walls, but the installation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter merges multiple installation steps into a single assembly operation, where two pipes are connected to the adapter simultaneously, and two sprinklers are mounted in one location, thereby simplifying the installation process despite the tight clearance constraints
3Device complexity
If standard-sized piping is used with a single adapter, then the system remains simple, but installation in tight spaces becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by positioning the two sprinkler ports in opposite directions (back-to-back configuration) and angling them appropriately, allowing standard pipes to reach sprinklers mounted on opposite walls while maintaining a compact footprint that fits within tight clearance spaces
Data Source
AI summary
A sprinkler adapter includes a first pipe receiver, a second pipe receiver, a channel, a first sprinkler port, and a second sprinkler port. The first pipe receiver couples with a first pipe. The second pipe receiver couples with a second pipe. The channel extends between the first pipe receiver and the second pipe receiver along a pipe axis. The first sprinkler port is fluidly coupled with the channel, couples with a first sprinkler, and defines a first port axis spaced from the pipe axis. The second sprinkler port is fluidly coupled with the channel, couples with a second sprinkler, and defines a second port axis spaced from the first port axis and the pipe axis.