Movable Fire Extinguishing Unit with High-Resolution Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fire protection systems are bulky, space-consuming, and require high installation effort, often fail to locally extinguish fires, and have slow activation times, leading to fire spread and damage.

Innovation Solution

A fire protection device with a movable extinguishing unit and high-resolution detection system that pre-emptively discharges extinguishing agents to defined areas, such as escape routes, using a combination of infrared, UV, and smoke detectors to prevent fire spread and allow safe evacuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current fire protection systems are used, then fire detection and suppression function is provided, but the system is bulky, space-consuming and requires high installation effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire detection and suppression functionVSAvoidsystem bulkiness and installation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fire protection system is divided into modular components: detection units (smoke, heat, flame sensors), control unit, and extinguishing units that can be independently positioned and installed. This segmentation allows flexible installation in different locations without requiring complex integrated systems, reducing overall installation effort while maintaining comprehensive fire protection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit serves multiple functions: receiving signals from various detection units, processing fire event detection, controlling extinguishing units, and providing user feedback. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated control hub, reducing space requirements and installation complexity while maintaining reliable fire detection and suppression.

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

2Reliability

If current fire protection systems are used, then fire suppression is provided, but the activation is slow and does not meet current needs, leading to fire spread

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire suppression capabilityVSAvoidactivation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors for fire events using multiple detection units before actual fire occurs. When a fire event is detected, the control unit immediately activates the extinguishing units without delay. This preliminary detection and rapid response mechanism ensures fast activation compared to traditional systems, preventing fire spread while maintaining reliable suppression capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback loops where detection units continuously monitor environmental conditions and provide real-time signals to the control unit. When fire indicators (smoke, heat, flame) are detected, the feedback mechanism triggers immediate activation of extinguishing units. This closed-loop feedback system ensures rapid response times while maintaining reliable fire suppression through continuous monitoring and automatic activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If current fire protection systems are used, then fire extinguishing is provided, but they are not able to locally extinguish fires, leading to damage caused by extinguishing agent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire extinguishing capabilityVSAvoiddamage from extinguishing agent
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Extinguishing units are positioned at specific locations where fire events are most likely to occur or where local suppression is most effective. The control unit activates only the specific extinguishing unit closest to the detected fire event, rather than activating all units simultaneously. This localized approach provides effective fire extinguishing while minimizing the amount of extinguishing agent released and reducing damage to surrounding areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system activates only the minimum necessary extinguishing units required to suppress the detected fire event, rather than activating the entire system. This partial action approach applies extinguishing agent precisely where needed to extinguish the fire while avoiding excessive discharge that would cause unnecessary damage to property and reduce extinguishing agent availability for subsequent events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Reliability

If fire protection devices focus on extinguishing detected fires, then active fire extinguishing is achieved, but the spreading of fires is not sufficiently prevented, blocking escape routes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactive fire extinguishingVSAvoidfire spread and escape route blockage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors for fire events using detection units positioned to detect early signs of fire before they spread. When a fire event is detected in its early stages, the control unit immediately activates the nearest extinguishing unit to suppress the fire before it can spread to escape routes or other areas. This preliminary detection and rapid local suppression prevents fire spread while maintaining effective active fire extinguishing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Detection units are strategically positioned to monitor escape routes and areas where fire spread would be most harmful. Extinguishing units are positioned to provide local suppression coverage of these critical areas. When fire events are detected, the system activates only the local extinguishing units needed to protect escape routes, providing targeted fire suppression that prevents spread while maintaining reliable active extinguishing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Effectively prevents fire spread by pre-emptively cooling and extinguishing defined areas, enhancing escape route safety and reducing damage by quickly and precisely applying extinguishing agents.

Implementation Method 1

The fire protection device comprises a movable extinguishing unit and a fire detection device with a high-resolution detection unit configured to monitor a fire event

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared detection: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

using a combination of infrared, UV, and smoke detectors to prevent fire spread

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV detection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

pre-emptively discharges extinguishing agents to defined areas, such as escape routes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal cooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 4

Effectively prevents fire spread by pre-emptively cooling and extinguishing defined areas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFire suppression: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP4286018A1Fire protection device
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 GUARDIAN TECH GMBH
  • EP4286018A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4286018A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4286018A1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

Disclosed is a fire protection device (1) comprising at least one extinguishing unit (100, 300) configured to preventively discharge an extinguishing agent to a defined area (302) in an escape route, for example to an escape door (302).