Nested Coupling Mechanism for Firebreak Panel Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fireguard devices with modular panels suffer from discontinuities in their coupling elements, allowing smoke, heat, and flames to pass through, and lack effective sound insulation, compromising their structural continuity and reliability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a central coupling portion with a female element in the male part and a male element in the female part within the panels' thickness, creating an additional obstacle and improving structural continuity, along with using composite materials that are poor heat conductors or reflectors, and adding intercalated elements for enhanced sound insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional male-female coupling elements are used in fireguard devices, then the device can be assembled with modular panels, but the coupling zones create discontinuities that allow smoke, heat, and flames to pass through
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested coupling by placing a second female element inside the first female element, and a second male element inside the first male element. This nested arrangement creates multiple blocking paths within the coupling zone, preventing smoke, heat, and flames from passing through while maintaining modular assembly capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the coupling structure from a single-plane connection to a multi-dimensional blocking system by adding central coupling portions that protrude into the panel thickness. This creates three-dimensional blocking paths that effectively seal the coupling zones against fire and smoke penetration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If coupling elements are added to connect modular panels, then the panels can be assembled together, but the coupling zones create structural discontinuities that compromise fire resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling elements are pre-formed with specific geometries (male and female elements with defined protrusions and recesses) that ensure proper alignment and connection when panels are assembled. This preliminary preparation of coupling structures enables reliable modular assembly while maintaining structural continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling elements are integrated as composite structural features within the modular panels, combining the panel material with protruding and recessed coupling portions. This creates a unified composite structure that maintains structural continuity across panel joints while enabling modular configuration.
3Device complexity
If simple coupling elements are used to join panels, then the device structure remains simple, but sound insulation between rooms is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The nested arrangement of multiple male and female elements within the coupling zones creates multiple interfaces and air gaps that disrupt sound wave propagation. This nested structure provides effective sound insulation between rooms while maintaining a relatively simple overall coupling design.
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 effectively blocks smoke, heat, and flames while providing continuous structural integrity and improved sound insulation between modular panels, enhancing the fireguard device's performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the couplings are provided with, besides already known coupling members, a further coupling portion located in a central zone within the thickness of the panels that make up the fire device
Implementation Method 2
using composite materials that are poor heat conductors or reflectors
Implementation Method 3
adding intercalated elements for enhanced sound insulation
Data Source
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AI summary
A fire device comprises a first modular element (2, 2') equipped with a coupling element (4, 4') comprising a base plane (40, 40') and at least one coupling member (41, 41') projecting from the base plane (40, 40'); and a second modular panel (3, 3') equipped with a coupling counter-element (5, 5') comprising a base counter-plane (50, 50') and a counter-seat (51, 51') recessed with respect to the base counter-plane (50, 50') to receive the coupling member (41, 41') of the coupling element (4, 4'). The coupling element (4, 4') comprises a central coupling portion (42, 42') comprising a seat recessed in the base plane (40, 40'), and the coupling counter-element (5, 5') comprises a central coupling counter-portion (52, 52') comprising a coupling member projecting from the base counter-plane (50, 50') and suitable for being inserted into the seat of the central coupling portion (42, 42').