Lamella Design for Fireproof Gates Using Conical Interlocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lamellar fireproof gates suffer from mechanical damage and inadequate sealing due to deformation under heat, limiting their speed to less than 0.5 m/s and failing to meet fire resistance standards like EN 1634-3.
Innovation Solution
A lamella design featuring a core of mineral or inorganic fibers with foamed geopolymer composite cover layers, a conical ridge and groove for interlocking, and cooling holes in a steel sheet to enhance mechanical stiffness and sealing, along with rollers for increased speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lamella designs are used, then the gate structure is simple, but the lamellas deform and bend under heat causing gaps and mechanical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a core of mineral and/or inorganic fibers with cover layers of foamed fire-resistant geopolymer composite or light-weight alkali-activated aluminosilicate, and an outer steel sheet overlay. This multi-material composite structure provides both fire resistance and mechanical strength, preventing the deformation and bending that occurs with conventional single-material designs under thermal loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses curved surfaces by providing a conical ridge on one side and a corresponding conical groove on the opposite side of the lamella. These conical features create a shape lock mechanism with adjacent lamellas, where the curved geometry ensures accurate abutment and sealing while maintaining mechanical stiffness under thermal conditions.
2Speed
If conventional shape locks are used, then the gate structure is simple, but the sliding speed is limited to below 0.5 m/s
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by incorporating rollers that can rotate about their axes, mounted in guide profiles along the height of the gate. This dynamic element allows the lamellas to move smoothly during opening and closing operations, enabling sliding speeds above 0.5 m/s while maintaining proper alignment and sealing through the conical ridge and groove shape lock mechanism.
3Reliability
If conventional lamella designs are used, then manufacturing is simple, but sealing is inadequate allowing excessive smoke penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses curved surfaces by providing a conical ridge on one side and a corresponding conical groove on the opposite side of the lamella. These conical features create a shape lock mechanism with adjacent lamellas, where the curved geometry ensures accurate abutment and sealing while maintaining mechanical stiffness under thermal conditions.
4Reliability
If one-sided thermal loading is applied, then the fire scenario is realistic, but the lamellas deform and open gaps between adjacent pieces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a core of mineral and/or inorganic fibers with cover layers of foamed fire-resistant geopolymer composite or light-weight alkali-activated aluminosilicate, and an outer steel sheet overlay. This multi-material composite structure provides both fire resistance and mechanical strength, preventing the deformation and bending that occurs with conventional single-material designs under thermal loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses curved surfaces by providing a conical ridge on one side and a corresponding conical groove on the opposite side of the lamella. These conical features create a shape lock mechanism with adjacent lamellas, where the curved geometry ensures accurate abutment and sealing while maintaining mechanical stiffness under thermal conditions.
5Temperature
If cooling holes are added to the steel sheet, then heat transfer is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials by providing cooling holes in the steel sheet that overlaps the conical ridge and groove. These holes create a porous structure that allows water to flow through and cool the lamellas, particularly the thermal insulating material and joints, while reducing heat transfer from the fire side to the protected side.
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 design improves fire resistance, mechanical stiffness, and sealing, allowing sliding speeds above 0.5 m/s while meeting fire resistance standards by preventing gap formation and reducing heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
The conical groove corresponds to the conical ridge by its location, shape and size and is intended to receive the conical ridge of the adjacent lamella. Furthermore, the conical ridge and the conical groove of the adjacent lamellas together form a shape lock
Implementation Method 2
a core of a thermal insulating material based on mineral and/or inorganic fibers, which is arranged between cover layers
Implementation Method 3
cooling holes are provided in the steel sheet which overlaps the sides and/or the top of the conical ridge and in the steel sheet which overlaps the sides and/or the bottom of the conical groove. These cooling holes reduce heat transfer between the opposite surfaces of the lamella and, in the case of the use of materials based on water-binding compound/compounds in the core or in the conical ridge, allow the water to cool the lamellas and especially their joints
Implementation Method 4
cover layers formed by a foamed fire-resistant geopolymer composite or by light-weight alkali-activated aluminosilicate
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lamella (1) for lamellar fireproof gates (9), in particular for high-speed lamellar fireproof gates (9), which contains a core (2) made of a thermal insulating material based on mineral and/or inorganic fibers, which is arranged between cover layers (3) of a foamed fire resistant geopolymer composite or of light-weight alkali-activated aluminosilicate, whereby the outer surface of the lamella (1) is overlaid with a steel sheet (6). A conical ridge (4) made of a non-combustible thermal insulating material is arranged on the longer side of the circumference of the core (2) of the lamella (1) along at least a part of the length of the core (2) of the lamella (1), whereas a conical groove (5) is arranged in the opposite longer side of the circumference of the core (2) of the lamella (1) along at least a part of the length of the core (2) of the lamella (1), whereby the conical groove (5) corresponds to the conical ridge (4) by its location, shape and size and is intended to receive the conical ridge (4) of the adjacent lamella (1), whereby the side walls and the top of the conical ridge (4), as well as the side walls and the bottom of the conical groove, (5) are overlaid with the steel sheet (6). Cooling holes (7) are formed in the steel sheet (6) which overlaps the sides and/or the top of the conical ridge (4) and in the steel sheet (6) which overlaps the sides and/or the bottom of the conical groove (5). In addition, the invention relates to a lamellar fireproof gate (9), particularly a high-speed lamellar fireproof gate, which contains these lamellas (1).