Fire Bucket Bottom Plate Control for Scrap Pile Extinguishing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire buckets for extinguishing fires in metallic scrap piles, particularly those containing lithium-ion batteries, struggle with unregulated water discharge rates, leading to inefficient and costly firefighting efforts.

Innovation Solution

A fire bucket with a movable bottom plate controlled by horizontal and vertical guides, allowing adjustable discharge rates, and a trigger mechanism for controlled liquid release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a movable bottom plate with trigger mechanism is used to enable quick fire extinguishing, then the response speed and extinguishing efficiency are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge speedVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom plate is segmented with multiple horizontal guides that create discrete horizontal positions, allowing controlled discharge rates while maintaining structural simplicity. The guide structure divides the continuous movement into specific positions, achieving regulation without complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bottom plate transitions from a fixed position to a movable position controlled by the trigger mechanism and horizontal guides. This dynamic adjustment allows the discharge rate to be regulated by changing the horizontal position of the bottom plate relative to the bottom ring, achieving speed control through simple mechanical movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the water discharge rate is unregulated, then the device structure remains simple, but the extinguishing efficiency deteriorates due to inability to optimize for different fire conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextinguishing efficiencyVSAvoiddischarge control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The horizontal guides are positioned at specific locations to create different discharge rates. By changing the horizontal position of the bottom plate relative to the bottom ring, the system achieves different discharge characteristics suitable for different fire conditions, optimizing extinguishing efficiency without requiring complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge rate is regulated by changing the horizontal position parameter of the bottom plate. The horizontal guides provide discrete position options that modify the opening area between the bottom plate and bottom ring, thereby changing the discharge rate parameter to match different fire extinguishing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the bottom plate can move freely horizontally, then the discharge rate can be maximized, but the control precision and ability to regulate discharge rate deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge rate regulationVSAvoiddischarge rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The horizontal movement of the bottom plate is segmented by multiple horizontal guides that provide discrete position options. This segmentation allows the operator to select appropriate discharge rates for different fire conditions while maintaining ease of operation through simple mechanical positioning rather than continuous control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The horizontal guides are arranged in a curved or arc-shaped configuration that allows the bottom plate to move along a defined path. This curved guidance provides natural discharge rate regulation through the changing geometry of the opening as the bottom plate moves along the arc, achieving both control and maximized discharge capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 quick, efficient, and cost-effective extinguishing of fires in metallic scrap piles by regulating water discharge, reducing the risk of fire spread and associated risks.

Implementation Method 1

a gasket, including a U-shaped gasket, is placed between the bottom plate and the bottom ring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

the movement of the bottom plate in the horizontal plane is limited by a number of horizontal guides. This ensures that the horizontal movement of the base plate is controlled.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical constraint:

Implementation Method 3

liquid flows out of the fire bucket and extinguishes the fire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4670799A1Fire bucket, use thereof and method of using it
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 STERKE AS
  • EP4670799A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4670799A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4670799A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a fire bucket 1 for liquid-based fire extinguishing. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a fire bucket 1 for extinguishing fires in metallic scrap piles. Furthermore, the invention comprises a method of using a fire bucket 1 for extinguishing fires in metallic scrap piles.