Flush Firefighting Nozzle with Removable Cap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional firefighting nozzles protrude from walls or ceilings, are visually prominent, and require system shutdown for maintenance, posing aesthetic and operational challenges, including the need for additional guarding and potential pipe failure risks.

Innovation Solution

A nozzle design with a flush-mounted, aesthetically neutral release mechanism that uses a removable cap with frictional locking, allowing for maintenance without system shutdown, and incorporates a heat-sensitive trigger rod to release the sealing effect, ensuring quick response to temperature increases while protecting the release mechanism from pressure and tampering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the nozzle is designed with a protruding release mechanism for easy maintenance, then the ease of repair is improved, but the aesthetic appearance and flush mounting capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidflush mounting capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The release mechanism is nested within the nozzle body, with the trigger rod housed inside the nozzle and the cap providing external access. This nesting allows the maintenance mechanism to be concealed within the compact nozzle structure, achieving both flush mounting and ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cap acts as an intermediary element that provides external access to the internal release mechanism. The cap can be removed to allow maintenance of the trigger rod while maintaining the aesthetic flush appearance when installed, mediating between the need for concealment and the need for accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the release mechanism is exposed to maintain accessibility, then the ease of operation is improved, but the protection from fluid pressure and tampering deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelease mechanism accessibilityVSAvoidprotection from fluid pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The release mechanism components (trigger rod, valve) are nested within the nozzle body, protecting them from external fluid pressure and tampering. The cap provides a controlled access point that maintains protection while allowing operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cap serves as an intermediary that allows operational access while maintaining protection. It provides a controlled interface between the external environment and the internal release mechanism, protecting against unauthorized tampering and fluid pressure while enabling legitimate operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the nozzle requires system shutdown for maintenance, then the reliability of operation during maintenance is improved, but the productivity and loss of time deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational stability during maintenanceVSAvoidsystem downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle is segmented into separable components (cap, trigger rod, valve, nozzle body) that can be independently accessed and maintained. This segmentation allows maintenance of the release mechanism without requiring shutdown of the entire firefighting system, improving productivity while maintaining reliability through isolated component replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If the nozzle protrudes from the wall or ceiling, then the ease of installation and accessibility are improved, but the aesthetic appearance and invisibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation accessibilityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The entire release mechanism is nested within the compact nozzle body, allowing the nozzle to be mounted flush with walls or ceilings. This nesting enables the nozzle to be concealed within building structures while maintaining full operational accessibility through the removable cap.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cap acts as an intermediary that provides operational access without requiring the nozzle to protrude. It allows the nozzle to be mounted flush for aesthetic purposes while maintaining ease of operation through the removable cap that provides access to the internal components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables efficient and aesthetic installation, simplified maintenance, reduced risk of pipe failure, and quick response to fires without exposing the release mechanism to fluid pressure, allowing for invisible nozzle placement in building structures.

Implementation Method 1

When the liquid in the cavity is heated to a certain degree, it expands and thus breaks the wall of the cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

providing the force required for maintaining the sealing effect by means of friction between at least two interacting surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2714206B1Method for firefighting and a nozzle with a cover
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 PREVENT SYST
  • EP2714206B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3c
  • EP2714206B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2714206B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

This publication describes a method and a nozzle (11) for firefighting using a firefighting medium emitted from one or more nozzles(11) installed on a wall or in a ceiling (10). The firefighting medium is supplied and allowed to escape from the nozzle (11) through one or more apertures, the nozzle (10) being provided with an internally arranged valve (19,20) in sealing contact with a valve seat (21) until the valve(19,20) is released from its sealing position. The release is caused by a heat sensible release mechanism (25) acting on the valve (19,20), whereby the sealing effect of the valve (19,20) is relieved. A locking force required for maintaining the sealing effect by means of a removable cap or cover (15) is provided, attached to the nozzle (11) front, said locking force being established between at least two interacting surfaces. By releasing the sealing effect of the valve (19,20) by removing the locking effect between said at least two interacting surfaces, the cap or cover (15) is allowed to drop off its seat on the nozzle (11), relieving the press causing the sealing effect on the valve (19,20) of the nozzle (11), the removal of the cap or cover (15) being caused by releasing mechanism (25).