Container Lid Water-Guiding Structure for Stack Fire Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fire suppression systems in stacked storage arrangements are inefficient as water from sprinklers often misses the fire source, allowing fires to spread rapidly due to delayed water distribution, and existing measures like oxygen reduction and sprinkler systems are not optimally designed to contain fires effectively.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a container lid with a ridge and drip edges that redirects water from sprinklers away from the top container and into the fire source, utilizing inclined surfaces and gaps to guide water towards the fire, while maintaining the lid's position even when containers are absent.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sprinkler system sprays water to suppress fires in stacked containers, then fire suppression is attempted, but water is collected by the top container instead of reaching the fire source, wasting time and reducing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire suppression effectivenessVSAvoidtime for water to reach fire source
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The container lid incorporates three-dimensional geometric features (ridges and inclined surfaces) that redirect water flow from a vertical downward path into horizontal and downward paths along the container sides, changing the dimensionality of water delivery to bypass the container interior and reach the fire source faster

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The container lid acts as an intermediary element between the sprinkler system and the container stack. It intercepts water from above and redirects it along its outer surfaces toward the fire source, serving as a water-guiding mediator that overcomes the obstacle of the container interior

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the container lid remains in the receiving space when no container is present, then handling is minimized, but the lid must be designed to stay positioned without support from a container

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling minimizationVSAvoidlid positioning mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lid design creates a state where the lid can rest stably on either a container or the holding device at similar elevation levels. The holding device is positioned to provide support at the same height range as container tops, creating equipotential resting positions that eliminate the need for complex active positioning mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

Solution Approach 2:

The lid and holding device are designed to work together where the holding device automatically supports the lid when no container is present. This self-service arrangement eliminates the need for external handling or complex positioning systems, as the system itself provides the necessary support structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 container lid effectively channels water to the fire source, cooling the area and preventing fire spread, while protecting the top container from contamination and minimizing handling, thus enhancing fire containment and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

surfaces that are inclined downwards, at least partially, in the direction of gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The container lid effectively channels water to the fire source, cooling the area and preventing fire spread

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4699667A1Stack storage assembly and container lid therefor
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 JUNGHEINRICH AG
  • EP4699667A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4699667A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4699667A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a stacking storage arrangement (1) with several container receiving spaces (2) for receiving stacks of containers (10). It is an object of the present invention to provide a stacking storage arrangement (1) that exhibits good efficiency in fire suppression. This object is achieved by a stacking storage arrangement (1) with a container lid (9) in which a raised section (13a-13d, 17) is provided in each corner region (11a-11d), which forms part of a liquid guide.