Gravity-Held Fire Cover for Drywall Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire protection openings in dry construction systems are complex and expensive to produce, with high weight and additional components required, making them unsuitable for efficient and cost-effective use in interior design applications.
Innovation Solution
A closable fire protection opening design featuring a form-fit between the opening edge and cover edge, where the cover is held by gravity alone, eliminating the need for additional holding elements, and utilizing a frame and multi-layered fire protection cover for enhanced smoke-tightness and ease of production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional holding elements and stiffening frames are used to secure the cover, then the reliability of the fire protection opening is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed to hold itself in the opening through its own weight and the form-fit geometry between the opening edge and cover edge, eliminating the need for additional holding elements like clips, screws, or mechanical fasteners
Solution Approach 2:
The opening edge and cover edge have asymmetric cross-sectional areas where the opening edge has a smaller cross-sectional area than the cover edge, creating a form-fit that prevents the cover from falling through while allowing easy installation
2Strength
If additional stiffening frames and holding elements are added, then the structural strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening frame and holding elements are extracted from the design, retaining only the essential components: panel, opening, and cover. The cover's own weight and the form-fit geometry provide sufficient structural integrity without additional stiffening elements
Solution Approach 2:
The design uses simple, inexpensive components that can be easily manufactured and assembled, prioritizing cost-effectiveness and production simplicity over maximum structural durability
3Reliability
If multiple components including stiffening frames are used, then the fire protection performance is improved, but the overall height and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening frame is removed from the design, reducing the overall height to only what is necessary for the panel, opening, and fire protection cover itself
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding components to achieve fire protection, the design uses the essential components (panel, opening, fire protection cover) in a simplified configuration that achieves fire protection with minimal height
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 results in a lightweight, cost-effective, and easily producible fire protection opening with a low overall height, suitable for limited spaces, while maintaining effective smoke-tightness and ease of access for maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the lid is held in the opening in the assembled state... In particular when using the fire protection opening in a ceiling construction, the cover holds itself in the opening due to gravity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a closable fire protection opening (1) for drywall construction, comprising a panel (2) having an opening (3), a cover (4) for covering the opening (3), wherein the panel (2) has an opening edge (5) defining the opening (3) and the cover (4) has a cover edge (6), and a fire protection cover (7), wherein an interlocking connection is formed between the opening edge (5) and the cover edge (6) in such a manner that in the assembled state the cover (4) is retained in the opening (3) and the fire protection cover (7) rests on a frame (8) associated with the panel (2).