Fire Suppression Discharge Device Automatic Arming Switch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire suppressant discharge devices pose a safety hazard due to the risk of inadvertent discharge during storage and handling, as anti-recoil caps must be removed for connection to equipment, potentially leading to accidental activation.

Innovation Solution

A fire suppressant discharge device with an electrical firing circuit and arming switch that automatically moves to a closed position upon connection to a mounting frame or distribution pipework, preventing accidental triggering until safe connection is established.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an anti-recoil cap is used to prevent inadvertent discharge, then safety during storage and movement is improved, but the device complexity increases and the cap must be removed before connection to equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety during storage and movementVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The firing circuit is designed to be automatically armed when the discharge device is connected to the mounting frame or distribution pipework. This preliminary action ensures that the circuit is only active when properly installed, eliminating the need for separate anti-recoil caps while maintaining safety during storage and transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the anti-recoil cap is removed for connection to equipment, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of inadvertent discharge increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of connection to equipmentVSAvoidrisk of inadvertent discharge
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The arming switch is configured to automatically close and arm the firing circuit when the discharge device is connected to the mounting frame or distribution pipework. This automatic arming action eliminates the need to manually remove protective caps, maintaining both ease of operation and safety by ensuring the circuit is only active when properly installed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically arms itself through the connection process. When the discharge device is connected to the mounting frame or distribution pipework, the arming switch automatically closes, arming the firing circuit without requiring manual intervention. This self-service mechanism ensures safety while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the arming switch is automatically closed by connection to mounting frame or pipework, then safety is improved by preventing inadvertent discharge, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety by preventing inadvertent dischargeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The arming function is merged with the connection process itself. The physical act of connecting the discharge device to the mounting frame or distribution pipework automatically closes the arming switch through the interlock mechanism. This merging eliminates the need for separate arming procedures or additional protective components, achieving enhanced safety without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3329970B1Safety system for fire suppressant distribution devices
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 KIDDE GRAVINER LIMITED
  • EP3329970B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3329970B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3329970B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Afire suppressant discharge device is disclosed for connection to a mounting frame 30 and/or to fire suppressant distribution pipework 26. The device comprises an electrical firing circuit 20 configured to cause fire suppressant to be discharged from a discharge valve if triggered, and at least one arming switch 24 in the firing circuit 20 that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The arming switch 24 is arranged on the device and configured so as to be automatically moved to the closed position by connection of the device to a mounting frame 30 and/or to fire suppressant distribution pipework 24 so as to arm the firing circuit 20.