Intumescent Firestop Frame for Easy Cable Passage Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire protection elements for sealing openings in walls and ceilings are either complex and expensive to produce or simple but with moderate fire protection properties, and often difficult to assemble correctly, leading to reduced effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A fire protection element with a core made of filling material and a frame surrounding it in a circumferential direction, where the frame is made of intumescent material with a reinforcing element, allowing for easy assembly and ensuring smoke and sound tightness, with the intumescent material providing fire protection properties without the need for extensive additives in the filling material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fire protection elements use complex structures with multiple components, then fire protection properties are improved, but manufacturing cost increases and installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protection propertiesVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the frame and intumescent material into a single integrated element. The frame is formed from an intumescent material that provides both structural support and fire protection functionality, eliminating the need for separate intumescent inserts or coatings. This merging of functions reduces structural complexity while maintaining fire protection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the fire protection element, contains the intumescent material, and acts as the expanding barrier during fire conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while maintaining comprehensive fire protection properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional fire protection elements use simple designs, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but fire protection properties become moderate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidfire protection properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the intumescent material to optimize performance. By selecting specific intumescent materials with appropriate expansion ratios, thermal stability, and mechanical properties, the frame can provide superior fire protection while maintaining a simple, cost-effective single-piece construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional fire protection elements require precise installation, then fire protection properties are maintained, but installation difficulty increases and errors are more likely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protection propertiesVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The intumescent material is pre-positioned within the frame structure during manufacturing, eliminating the need for precise field installation of multiple components. The single-piece design with pre-integrated intumescent material ensures correct positioning and eliminates installation errors related to component assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If the frame is made as a single piece, then installation is simplified and structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing complexity may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidframe construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is constructed from an intumescent foam material that provides both structural integrity and fire protection properties. The foam structure allows for single-piece manufacturing while maintaining the necessary mechanical strength and thermal performance, simplifying both manufacturing and installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous 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 solution enables cost-effective production and easy, error-free installation of fire protection elements that maintain effective fire protection by directing the expansion of intumescent material and ensuring structural integrity, while reducing manufacturing costs and assembly complexity.

Implementation Method 1

The frame is formed from an intumescent material which is intended to close the opening in the event of a fire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntumescent material expansion: Intumescent Materials

Data Source

PatentEP3586049B1Fire retardant element
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 HILTI AG
  • EP3586049B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3586049B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3586049B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a fire protection element (10) for the separation of openings passing through walls or ceilings, in particular of line passages, comprising a core (14) consisting of a filling material and a frame (12). The frame (12) surrounds the core (14) at least in some sections in a circumferential direction (U) and is fixedly connected to the core (14). Furthermore, the frame (12) is made from an intumescent material (26) and has a reinforcing element (28).