Fireproof Shutter Gravity Closure Power Outage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Fireproof shutters in multi-story buildings, particularly those used in semiconductor manufacturing, fail to operate normally when the power supply is cut off during a fire, allowing toxic gases and flames to spread.

Innovation Solution

A fireproof shutter system that includes a base panel, a door with a guide unit inclined to close by its own weight, a motor-driven unit with an electromagnetic brake to open the door, and sealing and expansion members to block gaps, ensuring operation even without power and effective smoke and flame containment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a motor-driven braking unit is used to keep the door open, then the door can remain open during normal operation, but the door cannot close automatically when power supply is cut off during a fire

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor opening operationVSAvoiddoor closing reliability during power outage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide unit is designed with a predetermined inclination that creates a gravitational force component acting on the door. This preliminary gravitational force is oriented to automatically close the door when the braking force is released, providing a pre-prepared fail-safe mechanism that activates when power is cut off during a fire emergency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The door closure function is achieved through the door's own weight acting on the inclined guide unit, eliminating the need for external power or active control systems during emergency closure. The system uses the door's inherent gravitational potential energy to perform the closing action automatically when the electromagnetic brake releases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the guide unit has a predetermined inclination to enable automatic closing by weight, then the door can close automatically during power outage, but the door structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic door closingVSAvoidguide unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide unit is designed with a specific predetermined inclination angle that transforms the door's weight into a closing force. By changing the geometric parameter (inclination angle) of the guide unit, the system achieves automatic door closing functionality without requiring complex mechanical actuators or additional energy systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If sealing members and expansion members are added to block gaps, then fire and smoke containment is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire and smoke spreadVSAvoidsealing system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Expansion members are positioned between the base panel and the door that automatically expand when exposed to heat from a fire. This thermal expansion mechanism automatically seals gaps between the door and base panel in response to fire conditions, providing passive fire containment without requiring external power or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #37Thermal expansion

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing system combines sealing members for mechanical sealing with expansion members made of heat-responsive materials. This composite approach integrates multiple sealing mechanisms (mechanical and thermal) into a unified system that addresses different aspects of fire containment through material properties rather than complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 system ensures stable operation of the fireproof shutter during a power outage, effectively blocking toxic gases and flames by using the door's weight to close and sealing members to prevent smoke and flame spread.

Implementation Method 1

a braking unit applying a braking force to a rotating shaft of the motor so that the door remains in a stopped state at the open position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic brake: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a guide unit for guiding the door between an open position in which the door is opened and a closed position in which the door is closed and having a predetermined inclination such that the door is closed by its own weight

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

an expansion member disposed between the base panel and the door at the closed position and expanded by heat when a fire occurs to block a gap between the base panel and the door

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS10954714B2Fireproof shutter

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 SYSTEM ENGINEERING MEGA SOLUTION CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a fireproof shutter for opening and closing a passage between an upper story and a lower story. The fireproof shutter includes a base panel having an opening corresponding to the passage, a door for opening and closing the opening, and a guide unit for guiding the door between an open position in which the door is opened and a closed position in which the door is closed and having a predetermined inclination such that the door is closed by its own weight.