Heater Temperature Detection Unit Placement to Prevent Flame Damage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heaters with automatic fire extinguishers are prone to breakdowns when excessive flames are generated due to natural or artificial wind, or overheating, as the temperature detection unit is often damaged by direct exposure to flames, leading to inadequate operation and potential fire hazards.

Innovation Solution

A heater design with a temperature detection unit installed on the side opposite to the flames, utilizing a support frame with a fixed plate and legs to secure the detection unit away from direct heat, allowing for accurate temperature monitoring and preventing damage from excessive flames, and an automatic fire extinguisher that receives signals from the detection unit to extinguish flames when preset temperature thresholds are exceeded.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the temperature detection unit is installed on the side facing flames to detect excessive flames, then the detection capability is improved, but the detection unit is damaged by direct flame exposure causing breakdowns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflame detection capabilityVSAvoiddetection unit operation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature detection unit is installed on the bottom surface of the vent cap facing away from the flames, opposite to the conventional approach. This inversion allows the detection unit to measure temperature indirectly through the vent cap material rather than direct exposure to flames, preventing damage while maintaining detection capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The vent cap serves as an intermediary between the flames and the temperature detection unit. The detection unit measures temperature through the vent cap material, which transmits thermal energy from the flames without exposing the detection unit directly to the flame environment, thus protecting it from damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the temperature detection unit is installed close to flames for accurate temperature monitoring, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the detection unit suffers from thermal damage and breakdowns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature monitoring accuracyVSAvoidthermal damage to detection unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of positioning the detection unit to face the flames directly for accurate measurement, it is positioned on the opposite side of the vent cap. This inversion enables the detection unit to accurately monitor temperature through the vent cap material while avoiding direct thermal exposure that causes damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The vent cap acts as a thin film or shell that transmits thermal energy from the flames to the temperature detection unit. This allows accurate temperature monitoring through the vent cap while the thin structure provides thermal protection, preventing direct heat damage to the detection unit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Prevents breakdowns of the automatic fire extinguisher and ensures effective operation by minimizing damage to the temperature detection unit, allowing for reliable flame extinguishment even in cases of excessive flames or overheating, thereby enhancing safety and preventing fire risks.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature detection unit installed on the bottom surface of the vent cap to face the hollow portion of the air tank and located on a side opposite to a side which flames face

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a wick elevation unit fixed to the heater body and having an outer container having an opened upper end and a hollow air tank installed to be spaced apart from an inner surface of the outer container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3002516B1Heater having automatic fire extinguisher
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 PASECO
  • EP3002516B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3002516B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3002516B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a heater having an automatic fire extinguisher, the heater including: a heater body including a fuel tank; a wick elevation unit fixed to the heater body and having an outer container having an opened upper end and a hollow air tank installed to be spaced apart from an inner surface of the outer container and having an opening at an upper end thereof, for elevating a wick between the outer container and the air tank; a combustion tank disposed at an upper end of the wick elevation unit; a vent cap for opening and closing the opening at the upper end of the air tank, a temperature detection unit installed on the bottom surface of the vent cap to face the hollow portion of the air tank and located on a side opposite to a side which flames face; and an automatic fire extinguisher for receiving a signal from the temperature detection unit and lowering the wick. Because the temperature detection unit faces a side opposite to a side which flames of the wick face, the temperature detection unit can be prevented from being damaged.