Deployable Fire and Smoke Barrier With Manual Egress Assist
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire and smoke barrier systems for elevators are cumbersome, require electrical activation, lack transparency, and are difficult to use during emergencies, limiting their effectiveness and compliance with safety codes.
Innovation Solution
A deployable barrier system with a motor-activated rotatable barrel or collector core that allows for easy manual egress, featuring a retract assist system using a torsion spring to minimize lifting force and ensure smooth operation, and a barrier retention system to maintain integrity during pressurized conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible barrier is used to allow manual egress, then ease of operation is improved, but the barrier cannot maintain structural integrity during pressurized conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier system is divided into multiple rigid segments connected by flexible joints. Each segment maintains its shape and structural integrity during pressurized conditions, while the flexible joints allow the barrier to bend and conform to the opening geometry, enabling manual egress when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier employs composite construction combining rigid materials (such as metal or reinforced plastic) for structural segments with flexible materials (such as fabric or polymer) for joints and covering portions. This composite approach allows the barrier to simultaneously provide structural strength during fire events and flexibility for manual operation during egress.
2Productivity
If a motor-activated system is used for deployment, then productivity is improved, but the system requires electrical power which may be unavailable during emergencies
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier system incorporates a spring-loaded mechanism that automatically deploys the barrier when triggered during a fire emergency, eliminating the need for continuous electrical power. The spring stores energy during normal operation and releases it automatically when the activation mechanism is engaged, ensuring reliable deployment regardless of power availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions between different operational states based on power availability: during powered operation, the motor provides controlled deployment for high productivity; during power loss, the spring mechanism provides automatic deployment for reliability. The system seamlessly switches between these modes based on operational conditions.
3Ease of operation
If a transparent barrier is used to allow visibility, then ease of operation is improved for firefighters, but the barrier material becomes more complex and less fire-resistant
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier uses transparent composite materials such as transparent fire-resistant fabric, transparent plastic film, or glass panels treated with fire-resistant coatings. These materials maintain transparency for visibility while incorporating fire-resistant properties through their composite structure, allowing firefighters to see through the barrier during operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier material is designed to maintain its transparent state during normal operation, allowing visibility. When exposed to high temperatures during fire events, the material undergoes thermal changes that maintain its structural integrity and transparency, ensuring both visibility and fire resistance throughout the event.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a large housing size is used to accommodate the barrier mechanism, then the barrier can be properly stored and deployed, but the available space for egress is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier mechanism is nested within a compact housing that allows the barrier to be stored in a compact configuration when not in use. The housing is designed to minimize its footprint while providing adequate space for the barrier mechanism, allowing the barrier to be deployed when needed without permanently occupying large amounts of space.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier system transitions between a compact stored configuration within the housing and a deployed configuration that extends into the egress space only when needed. The housing remains compact and stationary, while the barrier dynamically extends and retracts, providing functionality only when required and minimizing the permanent space occupation.
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 system provides intuitive, transparent, and reliable smoke or fire barriers that can be easily deployed and retracted, ensuring safe egress without electrical power, while maintaining structural integrity and compliance with safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member positioned about the inner shaft and having an idle end portion and a rotating end portion
Implementation Method 2
a motor coupled to the barrel portion and activatable to rotate the barrel portion in at least the first direction
Implementation Method 3
the barrier being moveable under at least the force of gravity from the retracted position to the deployed position causing the barrel portion to rotate in the second direction
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a barrier system for shielding humans from harmful exposure to fire, smoke, noxious fumes, or contaminated air. Some embodiments provide a deployable barrier system that has a barrier retract assist system configured to assist a user in manually moving the barrier from the deployed position toward the retracted position with at least a portion of the barrier being rolled onto the barrel portion for egress past the barrier. The retract assist system can be positioned inside of the barrel portion.