Fire-Rated Door Core Using Gypsum Composite

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire-rated doors are costly, difficult to manufacture automatically, and often require internal mineral cores that reduce panel strength and complicate assembly, with prior composite materials lacking necessary fire-resistant capabilities for certification.

Innovation Solution

Development of fire-resistant composite components comprising gypsum, fibers, and a rheology-modifying agent, with specific weight percentages and configurations, forming a cured composite suitable for fire-rated door cores and panels, excluding cement and flyash, and featuring an extruded border for enhanced structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If internal mineral core is used in fire rated doors, then fire resistance is improved, but panel strength is reduced and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidpanel strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material consisting of gypsum, fibers, and a rheology-modifying agent to create a fire-resistant door core that eliminates the need for separate internal mineral cores. This composite material provides both fire resistance and structural strength in a single integrated component, resolving the contradiction between fire resistance and panel strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If traditional fire rated door manufacturing methods are used, then fire rating is achieved, but manufacturing automation is difficult and cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire ratingVSAvoidmanufacturing automation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters by using a extrudable composite material with specific composition ratios (gypsum 60-90%, fibers 1.5-26%, rheology-modifying agent 0.5-6%). This parameter optimization enables the material to be processed through automated extrusion and molding operations while maintaining fire rating capabilities, thus improving manufacturing automation and reducing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If routed details are created in fire rated doors, then design flexibility is improved, but internal mineral core is exposed and door strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoiddoor strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated composite material structure allows for routed details and design flexibility without exposing internal mineral cores because the entire door core is made of the fire-resistant composite material. This maintains door strength while enabling design versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Manufacturing precision

If alignment of panels is performed manually, then assembly accuracy is achieved, but additional finishing is required and productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly accuracyVSAvoidassembly efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a rheology-modifying agent in the composite material that improves workability and alignment during assembly. This parameter change enables better panel alignment during manufacturing while reducing the need for additional finishing operations, thereby improving both assembly accuracy and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2867431B1Gypsum composites used in fire resistant building components
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 THE INTELLECTUAL GORILLA
  • EP2867431B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2867431B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D
  • EP2867431B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A composite product includes gypsum in an amount of 60 to 90% by weight, fibers in an amount of 1.5 to 26% by weight substantially homogeneously distributed through the composite, and a rheology-modifying agent in an amount of 0.5 to 6% by weight. The composite is caused or allowed to cure to form a cured composite. The cured composite is a fire resistant component used in a fire-rated door core, a fire-rated door or a fire-rated building panel. The fire resistant component may include a building panel, a door panel, a door core, a door rail, a door stile, a door lock block, a door border, or a door insert.