Fire Protection Sleeve Snap-In Holder Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire protection sleeves with intumescent inserts face complex and unreliable assembly processes due to protruding fastening hooks that interfere with the intumescent material's expansion and provide insecure connections.

Innovation Solution

A fire protection sleeve with a housing and holders attached via a snap-in connection, utilizing latching hooks that do not enter the interior, allowing for easy and secure attachment without obstructing the intumescent insert's expansion, and featuring a design that ensures a stable hold through prestressed latching hooks and positioning projections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hooks are used to fasten the fire protection sleeve to the substrate, then the assembly can be securely attached, but the hooks reach into the interior and contact the cable, preventing the intumescent insert from spreading undisturbed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidobstruction of intumescent insert expansion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful function of the hooks reaching into the interior is eliminated by extracting this intrusive feature. The patent replaces interior-reaching hooks with exterior-mounted holders that attach to the outer circumference of the housing, completely removing the source of obstruction to intumescent insert expansion while maintaining secure attachment functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism is relocated from the interior dimension to the exterior dimension. Instead of hooks reaching inward from the interior, the holders are mounted on the outer circumference and extend outward to engage with the substrate, changing the spatial dimension of the attachment function and eliminating interference with the intumescent insert.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If hooks are provided for fastening the fire protection sleeve, then attachment to substrate is possible, but the assembly of the cuff becomes very complex requiring adjustment of circumference and attachment of hooks simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment capabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment function is segmented into separate components: holders mounted on the outer circumference and hooks that engage with the substrate independently. This segmentation allows the circumference adjustment and hook attachment to be performed as separate, simpler operations rather than a complex simultaneous process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holders are pre-mounted on the outer circumference of the housing before final assembly. This preliminary action allows the circumference to be adjusted and secured independently, and then the hooks are subsequently attached to engage with the substrate, simplifying the overall assembly sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If fastening hooks are slid in axially into means for receiving hooks on the outer circumference, then attachment is possible, but a secure connection is only established in one direction while the housing can be pushed against the hooks in the other direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment capabilityVSAvoidbidirectional connection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The connection mechanism employs asymmetric design where the holders mounted on the outer circumference have a specific orientation and engagement geometry that provides secure attachment in both directions. The holders are designed with features that prevent the housing from being pushed off in either axial direction, creating bidirectional stability through asymmetric structural features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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

Facilitates simple, reliable, and secure assembly of the fire protection sleeve, ensuring the intumescent insert can expand freely to seal openings effectively while maintaining a secure attachment to the substrate, preventing smoke and fire spread.

Implementation Method 1

The holder has at least two latching hooks. These can be directed towards each other so that they are pushed away from each other when the holder is mounted on the housing. Alternatively, the latching hooks can be directed away from one another, so that they are pressed towards one another. As a result, the latching hooks are prestressed against one another when they are placed on an abutment provided on the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

When it is very hot, for example in the event of a fire, the intumescent insert expands, hermetically sealing the wall opening and thus preventing fire or smoke from spreading through the wall opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP2587106B1Fire protection sleeve
Publication Date: 2015.04.22 HILTI AG
  • EP2587106B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2587106B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2587106B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

In a fire protection collar (10) with a housing (14) that can accommodate an insert of intumescent fire-resistant material (16) and at least one holder (18) with which the housing (14) can be attached to a substrate, it is provided that the holder (18) is attached to the housing (14) by means of a snap connection, which is made by a movement of the holder (18) from the outside towards the center of the housing (14).