Electromagnetic Pawl Release for Fast Explosion Suppression Triggering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing explosion suppression systems face challenges in achieving rapid triggering times due to high system friction and complexity, which are not effectively addressed by conventional fire extinguishing systems, and pose issues with explosives such as cost, handling, and safety.

Innovation Solution

An electromagnet is applied directly to the latch body to release the engagement of the catch and sliding bolt, minimizing moving parts and system friction, with a return spring for protection against vibrations and impacts, and a pawl body designed for high dynamics and low energy consumption, allowing for quick and reliable triggering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If conventional mechanical triggering systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the triggering time is too long to achieve rapid explosion suppression

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetriggering speedVSAvoidtriggering device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical triggering systems with an electromagnet-based actuation system. The electromagnet (6) directly actuates the latch body (5), eliminating complex mechanical linkages, intermediate rollers, and multi-stage pawl cascades. This electromagnetic actuation provides rapid response times while maintaining system simplicity through direct action rather than mechanical transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components from the triggering mechanism. By using the electromagnet to directly move the latch body, the system removes intermediate rollers, complex pawl cascades, and multiple linkage stages that would increase triggering time and mechanical friction, achieving rapid activation with minimal moving parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Speed

If explosives are used for triggering, then rapid triggering is achieved, but cost, handling, and safety problems arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetriggering speedVSAvoidsafety and handling issues
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes explosive triggering with an electromagnet-based mechanical actuation system. The electromagnet (6) provides controlled, repeatable, and safe activation without the hazards of explosives. This electromagnetic system achieves the required rapid triggering speed while eliminating all associated safety, handling, storage, and regulatory problems of explosive materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If the latch body is mounted directly on the sliding bolt, then the number of moving parts is reduced, but the release force may be insufficient to overcome system friction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of moving partsVSAvoidrelease force
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the latch body (5) directly onto the sliding bolt (2), combining functions that might otherwise be separated. This direct mounting reduces the number of moving parts and interfaces, minimizing system friction. The electromagnet (6) provides sufficient force to overcome this friction and rapidly actuate the combined latch-bolt assembly, achieving both simplicity and adequate release force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables rapid and reliable triggering with minimized system friction and complexity, achieving triggering times of less than 10 ms, reducing maintenance requirements and enhancing operational safety by using an electromechanical actuator for remote locking and monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnet is provided which is mounted directly on the latch body, making the latch body movable in order to release the engagement of the detent and the latch flank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnet: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

a return spring for protection against vibrations and impacts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3710121B1Triggering device of an extinguishing system
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 HOERBIGER WIEN GMBH
  • EP3710121B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3710121B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a triggering device (1) for a quickly triggering extinguishing system (11) for explosion suppression, the triggering device (1) having a sliding pin (2). The triggering of the extinguishing system (11) is brought about by movement of the sliding pin (2) from a blocking position into a release position, and in the blocking position the sliding pin (2) is held against a pawl flank (4) of a pawl body (5) by means of a catch (3) and is held in the blocking position by said pawl flank. In order to release the engagement of the catch (3) and the pawl flank (4) and to release the sliding pin (2), the pawl body (5) can be moved by means of at least one electromagnet (6), which acts directly on the pawl body (5).