Fire-resistant Curtain with Decoupling Joints for Large Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fire protection curtains for large clear widths are complex to produce due to the wide openings they need to close, resulting in significant forces on side guides, which complicates their construction and operation.

Innovation Solution

A fire protection curtain design featuring a fire protection element with sections that overlap vertically, connected by non-heat-resistant connections that decouple in a fire, allowing the curtain to bulge and absorb pressure differences without increasing forces on side guides, thus enabling the closure of large openings without modifying the side guides.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the fire protection curtain is designed to close large openings, then the opening size increases, but the forces on side guides increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening sizeVSAvoidforces on side guides

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The fire protection curtain is divided into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) connected by connections that can decouple under fire conditions. This segmentation allows the curtain to be divided into manageable segments that can move independently, reducing the force transmission to side guides while maintaining the ability to close large openings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connections between sections are designed to be dynamic - rigid during normal operation to maintain curtain integrity, but capable of decoupling under fire conditions. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt to different operational states, reducing forces on side guides when needed while maintaining structural integrity when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If the fire protection curtain uses rigid connections between sections, then structural integrity is maintained, but forces are transmitted horizontally increasing side guide loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidhorizontal force transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical properties of the connections change based on environmental conditions. During normal operation, connections maintain rigid mechanical properties for structural integrity. Under fire conditions, the connections undergo parameter changes (decoupling) to reduce force transmission, allowing the system to respond to different operational states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If the fire protection curtain uses non-heat-resistant connections, then forces on side guides are reduced in fire conditions, but connection strength decreases under heat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforces on side guidesVSAvoidconnection strength under heat

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The non-heat-resistant property of the connections, which initially appears to be a disadvantage, is converted into a beneficial feature. Under fire conditions, the connections decouple due to their non-heat-resistant nature, which reduces forces on side guides and prevents catastrophic failure. The potential harm (reduced connection strength) is transformed into a protective mechanism that enhances overall system safety during fire events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

This design allows for the effective closure of large openings with reduced forces on side guides, simplifying the construction and operation of fire protection curtains while maintaining smoke-tightness and absorbing pressure differences effectively.

Implementation Method 1

the connection is designed in such a way that it loosens when exposed to heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal degradation:

Implementation Method 2

In the event of a fire, a pressure difference occurs between the side of the fire curtain on the fire side and the side away from the fire. This pressure difference results in a force on the fire protection element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

The side guide is designed so that it absorbs a force acting in the horizontal direction in an extension plane of the fire protection textile and can introduce it into the building

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce absorption:

Data Source

PatentEP2939712B1Fire-resistant curtain

Publication Date: 2018.03.28 STOBICH BRANDSCHUTZ GMBH

Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a fire protection curtain with a fire protection element (16) comprising at least a first section (22) made of fire-resistant textile and at least a second section (24) made of fire-resistant textile, and a winding shaft (18) for winding and unwinding the fire protection element (16). According to the invention, the sections (22, 24) are vertically overlapping and connected to each other by means of a connection (28) that is not heat-resistant at least in part.