Mechanical Locking for Fire Fighting Water Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fire-fighting water barriers in dangerous goods warehouses require separate energy systems for electrical or pneumatic operation, leading to increased space requirements and susceptibility to errors due to electrical malfunctions, and lack a mechanism for self-sustaining closure without external energy or human intervention.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical locking mechanism for fire-fighting water barriers that anchors to the ground, utilizing a pivotable locking device with a lever and hook design, allowing for self-activation and closure without external energy, and includes a blocking device to maintain tightness even if the prestressing unit malfunctions, reducing error susceptibility and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If electrical or pneumatic systems are used to operate the fire barrier, then the barrier can be automatically closed, but additional space is required for energy supply systems and compressed air reservoirs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the external energy supply systems (electrical motors, pneumatic compressors, and energy reservoirs) from the fire barrier system. Instead, it uses a passive mechanical locking mechanism that is triggered automatically by the barrier's own movement, thereby achieving automatic closure without requiring additional space for energy systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire barrier system performs its own locking function using its inherent mechanical energy. The barrier panel's movement itself triggers the locking mechanism through the interaction of the locking element and stop, eliminating the need for external energy sources and reducing space requirements.
2Reliability
If electrical or pneumatic locking mechanisms are used, then the barrier can be held in closed position, but susceptibility to failure increases due to electrical malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces electrical and pneumatic locking mechanisms with a purely mechanical locking system. The locking element and stop work together through direct mechanical contact, eliminating components susceptible to electrical malfunctions while maintaining the ability to hold the barrier in closed position reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes all electrical and pneumatic components from the locking mechanism, leaving only simple mechanical elements that are inherently more reliable and less susceptible to failure from electrical malfunctions or control system issues.
3Area of stationary object
If mechanical locking mechanism is used, then space requirements are reduced and reliability is improved, but the mechanism must ensure firm anchoring without additional energy systems
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed to engage with the stop in advance as the barrier moves into the closed position. The mechanical geometry of the locking element and stop ensures that engagement occurs automatically during the barrier's movement, providing firm anchoring without requiring additional energy systems or complex mechanisms.
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 mechanical locking mechanism ensures reliable closure of openings without external energy, reduces error susceptibility, and minimizes space requirements by eliminating the need for separate energy systems, while maintaining the integrity of the fire-fighting water barrier.
Implementation Method 1
the pre-tensioning unit (22) has a spring
Implementation Method 2
The mechanical locking element is preferably designed to pivot. This creates a leverage effect around the pivot point, allowing the clamping unit to better apply force to the locking element.
Implementation Method 3
the barrier element (14) can be pivoted upwards around a horizontal axis from a lower, closed position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The grounding relates to a fire-fighting water barrier (10) for floor-level openings in halls, rooms or walls, comprising a fastening device (12) for attaching a barrier sheet (14) to the floor or wall and for holding the barrier sheet, a barrier sheet (14) rotatably mounted on the fastening device (12) and provided with a seal (13) at least on its underside, and a stop which is attached to the floor or wall by means of a second fastening device (12') and against which the pivoted barrier sheet (14) abuts, wherein the fire-fighting water barrier (10) comprises a locking device (20) attached to the barrier sheet (14), wherein the locking device (20) comprises a pretensioning unit (22), a mechanical locking element (24) and a holding and releasing mechanism (28, 26).and wherein the mechanical locking element (24) is held in an open position by means of the holding mechanism (28), is forced into a closed position by the preloading unit (22) and the mechanical locking element (24) can be released from the open position by the release mechanism (26).