Modular Fire Door Safety Device with Universal Headband

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire door safety devices are costly and difficult to distribute due to the need for custom manufacturing, as they require numerous adjustments and specific parameters such as selector rod length, electrical supply direction, and voltage, limiting retail availability and increasing costs.

Innovation Solution

A modular fire door safety device with a universal headband composed of standard lateral segments and a recoupable middle segment, allowing for user-cut length and easy assembly, featuring plug-in end pieces, a selector rod with rotating bearings, and adjustable voltage supply, enabling adaptation to various door configurations and voltage types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a custom-manufactured safety device is used to ensure proper door closing sequence and safety function, then the safety and reliability are improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The headband is divided into a reusable central segment and interchangeable lateral segments. Each lateral segment is pre-configured with specific parameters (selector rod length, electromagnet orientation, voltage type), allowing standardization of manufacturing while maintaining customization capabilities through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The central segment of the headband is designed to be reusable across different door configurations. By standardizing the central portion and only varying the lateral segments, the device achieves universality while maintaining the ability to adapt to different safety requirements through segment selection.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If numerous adjustments and specific parameters are built into the safety device to adapt to different door configurations, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to door configurationsVSAvoidnumber of parameters
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different door configuration parameters are segmented into separate lateral segments rather than being integrated into a single complex device. Each lateral segment handles specific parameters (selector rod length, electromagnet orientation, voltage type), simplifying the design of individual components while providing overall system versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lateral segments are designed to be nested or integrated into the central headband segment, creating a compact modular structure. This nesting approach allows multiple configuration options to be contained within a standardized framework, reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of manufacture

If a standardized modular headband with interchangeable segments is used, then the ease of manufacture and retail distribution are improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretail distributionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into a simple central segment and interchangeable lateral segments, each performing a single function. This segmentation allows lateral segments to be manufactured using standard processes and stocked separately, simplifying manufacturing and distribution while the modular assembly keeps overall complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple functional components (selector rod, electromagnet, mounting brackets) are merged into integrated lateral segments. This merging reduces the total number of separate parts that need to be managed, assembled, and distributed, while still providing the benefits of modularity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables retail distribution and user-friendly assembly of fire door safety devices, reducing costs and increasing accessibility while maintaining safety functions, including automatic closing and fire detection protocols, with adjustable features for different door types and voltages.

Implementation Method 1

a fixed support, carrying an electromagnet supplied with voltage, mounted at the internal part of the headband

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnet: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

each equipped with a handle and a semi-fixed leaf itself not equipped with a handle, which are movable between an open position and a closed position and are respectively mechanically returned to the closed position by a door closer known in itself equipped with an actuating arm subjected to the action of return springs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3214245B1Door, in particular a fire-protection door provided with a safety device
Publication Date: 2018.12.05 ISEO FRANCE
  • EP3214245B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3214245B1 patent drawingFigure 4-1~5
  • EP3214245B1 patent drawingFigure 6-1~7-3

AI summary

Door, in particular fire door mounted in a public place comprising a fixed frame with an upper rail (1) and two leaves, namely a service leaf (22) and a semi-fixed leaf (21) as well as a safety device designed to keep the leaves in the open position in normal operation and to automatically control their mechanical closing, in particular in the event of detection of a fire, this safety device being integrated into a profile forming a band (5) mounted on the upper rail (1) of the fixed frame of the door.The band (5) is a universal band comprising on the one hand a cuttable middle segment (21) and on the other hand, two standard lateral band segments (222, 221) corresponding respectively to the service leaf (22) and the semi-fixed leaf (21) and each containing a fixed support (7) carrying an electromagnet (9) as well as a sliding pad (8) associated with this leaf and a plug-in end fitting (25) fixed to this segment at its middle part and equipped at its inner end with a roller (17) cooperating with a plate (15) mounted on the rear part of the sliding pad (8) and at its outer end, with a plug (27) projecting outwards, these standard plug-in ends (25) constituting the end parts of a selector rod (16).