Fire-Resistant Ventilation Grille Using Composite Expandable Materials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fire-resistant ventilation grilles can only halt fire propagation for approximately 1 hour, and the use of three-dimensional expandable materials is limited due to structural weaknesses and reduced ventilation capacity when incorporated into these systems.

Innovation Solution

Combining one-dimensional and three-dimensional expandable materials within the ventilation grille, where the one-dimensional material retains the three-dimensional material in place, ensuring structural integrity and extended fire retardancy by positioning them strategically and using a sleeve to protect the one-dimensional material from moisture and enhance activation timing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If three-dimensional expandable material is used to extend fire retardancy time, then the duration of action is improved, but the material pulverizes at high temperatures and loses structural integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire retardancy timeVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines one-dimensional expandable material (providing structural strength) with three-dimensional expandable material (providing extended fire protection) to create a composite system where each material compensates for the other's weaknesses during fire exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The expandable material is divided into two functional segments: one-dimensional material arranged in strips to maintain structure, and three-dimensional material in granular form to provide extended sealing, allowing each segment to perform its specialized function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If one-dimensional expandable material is used to maintain structural strength, then the strength is improved, but the fire retardancy time is limited to approximately 1 hour

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidfire retardancy time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a composite of one-dimensional and three-dimensional expandable materials, where the one-dimensional material provides immediate structural support and the three-dimensional material extends the fire protection duration beyond 1 hour

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If metal grilles or structural elements are used to retain three-dimensional expandable material, then the structural integrity is improved, but the ventilation capacity is reduced too much

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidventilation capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a plastic sleeve (flexible shell) to contain the three-dimensional expandable material, which provides necessary retention while maintaining ventilation capacity better than rigid metal grilles would allow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Duration of action of moving object

If the three-dimensional expandable material is positioned to activate quickly, then the fire retardancy is improved, but the material pulverizes before the one-dimensional material can retain it

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire retardancy timeVSAvoidmaterial retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The one-dimensional expandable material is positioned to activate first and establish structural retention before the three-dimensional material activates, ensuring the pulverizing three-dimensional material has a framework to maintain

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The plastic sleeve provides preliminary containment and controlled activation sequencing, cushioning the transition between the activation of one-dimensional and three-dimensional materials to prevent premature pulverization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 combination significantly extends the time fire propagation is halted, maintaining ventilation capacity and structural integrity by delaying the activation of three-dimensional expandable material and using a meltable sleeve to expose the one-dimensional material to heat quickly, effectively sealing off air flow openings for an extended period.

Implementation Method 1

each comprise a strip of expandable material which is provided to expand substantially in one dimension on account of heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

each comprise at least one strip of expandable material which is provided to expand in three dimensions on account of heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

using a meltable sleeve to expose the one-dimensional material to heat quickly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP3184922B1Fire-resistant ventilation grille

Publication Date: 2020.02.05 RF TECHNOLOGIES NV

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Figure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a fire-resistant ventilation grille (1) for fitting in a wall or floor, comprising several slats (2) which are arranged essentially parallel to each other and which each comprise a strip (3) of expandable material which is provided to expand substantially in one dimension on account of heat and which each comprise a strip (4) of expandable material which is provided to expand in three dimensions on account of heat.