Clothes Dryer Fire Protection With Mechanical Agent Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire protection systems for clothes dryers rely on electrical power supplies, making them vulnerable to power failures and potentially ineffective in extinguishing fires or controlling fire extinguishing agents, which can cause damage.
Innovation Solution
A fire protection system utilizing a temperature-sensitive device that provides a mechanical or pressure impulse to release a fire extinguishing agent, such as tap water or a chemical agent, independent of electrical power, ensuring fire suppression and minimizing agent-induced damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrical power supply is used to operate the fire protection system, then the system can continuously monitor and control fire suppression, but the system becomes vulnerable to power failures and power cuts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical power supply system with a mechanical pressure-based system. A pressure source (such as a compressed gas reservoir or spring mechanism) provides the actuating force for the fire suppression valve, eliminating dependence on electrical power. The temperature-sensitive device mechanically opens the suppression valve when fire is detected, and a mechanical impulse device controls the closing action, ensuring the system operates independently of electrical power while maintaining reliable fire suppression capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complex electronic controller is used to monitor and control fire suppression, then the system can respond to multiple parameters, but the system complexity and dependency on electrical power increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex electronic controller from the fire protection system. Instead of using an electronic system to monitor multiple parameters and make control decisions, the invention employs a simple mechanical temperature-sensitive device that directly responds to temperature changes. This extraction of the electronic control element simplifies the system while maintaining the essential fire detection and suppression response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature-sensitive device performs the detection and control functions automatically through its inherent thermal response characteristics. The device self-activates when exposed to fire temperatures, mechanically opening the suppression valve without requiring external power or complex processing. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for electronic controllers while providing reliable automatic fire suppression.
3Reliability
If the fire extinguishing agent is released continuously to ensure fire suppression, then fire extinction is guaranteed, but damage from the extinguishing agent increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or controlled action instead of continuous extinguishing agent release. The mechanical impulse device opens the suppression valve for a predetermined time period when fire is detected, providing sufficient agent to extinguish the fire. After this controlled release period, the valve automatically closes, stopping the agent flow. This periodic action ensures fire extinction while minimizing unnecessary agent release and associated damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through the mechanical impulse device that monitors the fire condition and controls the valve operation accordingly. When temperature indicates fire presence, the device triggers valve opening; when the fire is extinguished or the predetermined time elapses, the device triggers valve closing. This feedback control ensures the extinguishing agent is released only when and for as long as fire suppression is needed, reducing harmful effects from excessive agent release.
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
Enables effective fire suppression in clothes dryers without relying on electrical power, ensuring operation during power failures and reducing damage from fire extinguishing agents.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensitive device for detecting a parameter or a set of parameters related to temperature in the clothes dryer
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A fire protection system for a clothes dryer comprising a temperature sensitive device (1) for detecting a parameter related to temperature in the clothes dryer. The temperature sensitive device (1) is placed in an inner space (2) of the clothes dryer and is arranged connected to a fire extinguishing agent releasing device (3), wherein said temperature sensitive device (1) is capable of providing a pressure impulse or a mechanical impulse, when a predetermined value of the parameter is met. Said mechanical or pressure impulse ensures release of a fire extinguishing agent, by said fire extinguishing agent releasing device, or ensures cut off of release of said fire extinguishing agent.