Fire Protection Device for Starter-Controller Thermal Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire protection systems for electrical installations, such as starter-controller devices, are inadequate in preventing the spread of fires once they have started, as they only monitor temperature rises and disconnect electrical connections, which is insufficient to stop the progression of a fire.
Innovation Solution
A fire protection device with temperature sensors that detect temperature thresholds near electrical power conductors, triggering the rapid injection of a fire extinguishing agent, such as CO2 or foam, to extinguish fires and prevent their spread, while also ensuring electrical disconnection and maintaining a locked safety position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If thermal monitoring means are used to detect temperature rise at connection terminals, then temperature detection capability is improved, but the system cannot prevent fire spread once a fire starts
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: temperature sensors for detection, a microcontroller for processing, and a fire extinguishing agent injection system for action. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with sensors monitoring temperature and the injection system rapidly responding to extinguish fires, thereby resolving the contradiction between detection capability and fire prevention effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The fire extinguishing agent is pre-loaded in a cartridge positioned close to the electrical conductors. When temperature exceeds the threshold, the system immediately activates the injection mechanism to deliver the extinguishing agent directly to the heat source. This preliminary preparation and rapid activation prevent fire spread, transforming the system from mere detection to effective prevention
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electrical connections are disconnected upon temperature threshold detection, then electrical safety is improved, but fire progression cannot be stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines two protective functions into one integrated device: electrical disconnection (via the starter-controller device) and fire extinguishing (via the injected agent). This merging ensures that both electrical safety and fire progression prevention are achieved simultaneously, as the extinguishing agent is injected while or after disconnection occurs, addressing both harmful effects together
Solution Approach 2:
The fire extinguishing agent acts as an intermediary substance between the thermal monitoring system and the fire hazard. When temperature exceeds the threshold, the agent is injected to physically intervene in the combustion process, stopping fire progression independently of the electrical disconnection function
3Speed
If temperature sensors are positioned close to electrical power conductors, then detection speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it positions the temperature sensors close to the electrical conductors for rapid detection, provides a mounting structure for the fire extinguishing cartridge, and acts as a protective enclosure. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while achieving fast detection, as one structural element accomplishes several objectives simultaneously
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 effectively extinguishes fires and prevents their spread by rapidly releasing a fire extinguishing agent and ensuring electrical disconnection, providing enhanced safety and multiple operational cycles without the need for cartridge replacement.
Implementation Method 1
temperature sensors (24a, 24b) positioned, when the protection device (10) is embedded in the starter-controller device (2), in hollow locations (26a, 26b), at the level of electrical power conductors
Implementation Method 2
a fire extinguishing agent is released so as to extinguish any outbreak of fire and to prevent the spread of fire
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a fire protection device (10) for a starter-controller device (2) of an electrical installation, the starter-controller device (2) being capable of being connected to an electrical power conductor and comprising thermal monitoring means for the electrical power conductor(s) capable of detecting a temperature rise exceeding a predetermined threshold. This fire protection device is adapted to be mechanically fixed to the starter-controller device (2) via at least one mechanical connecting member (28, 30), said thermal monitoring means comprising at least one temperature sensor (24a, 24b), having a portion projecting on one face of the protection device, capable of detecting a temperature at the level of the power conductors of the starter-controller device (2).It further comprises a cartridge including a fire extinguishing agent and at least one injection element (20a, 20b), located on the same face of the protective device as the temperature sensor(s) (24a, 24b), said cartridge being located inside the protective device (10), connected to said temperature sensors (24a, 24b), the injection element (20a, 20b) being capable of injecting the fire extinguishing agent towards the electrical power conductors following a detection, by the temperature sensor (24a, 24b), of a temperature above the predetermined threshold.