Pivot-Arm Flame Suppression for Compact Stovetop Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flame suppression systems for stovetop fires are bulky, inflexible, and occupy significant space, lacking adaptability to different mounting surfaces, and often fail to operate reliably.

Innovation Solution

A fire suppression system with a pivot arm mechanism that deploys a canister containing a fire suppressant, utilizing a helical structure and fingers to rotate from a stowed to a deployed configuration, allowing compact design and adaptable mounting, with a fuse that initiates deployment upon flame detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a traditional fire suppression system is used, then the fire suppressant can be released onto the stovetop, but the system occupies a large amount of space and is bulky

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace occupied by fire suppression systemVSAvoidreliable operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot arm is designed to rotate between a stowed configuration (reducing space occupation) and a deployed configuration (positioning canister over the flame for reliable operation). This dynamic transformation allows the system to minimize volume when not in use while maintaining operational effectiveness when deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fire suppression system is divided into separable components: the pivot arm, the canister, and the mounting assembly. This segmentation allows the canister to be independently positioned and deployed, reducing the overall volume required for the system while maintaining reliable operation through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional fire suppression system is used, then the fire suppressant can be released, but the mounting hardware is inflexible and cannot adapt to different mounting surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different mounting surfacesVSAvoidmounting hardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting assembly is designed with universal mounting brackets that can accommodate various mounting surfaces and configurations. The pivot arm can be mounted in different positions and orientations, allowing the same basic design to adapt to different installation locations and surface types without requiring complex custom hardware for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a traditional fire suppression system is used, then the system can operate automatically, but it binds when deploying and fails to operate reliably

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliable operationVSAvoiddeployment operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot arm's rotational mechanism provides a dynamic, smooth deployment motion that eliminates binding. The rotation from stowed to deployed configuration is designed to be free-moving, allowing the canister to be reliably positioned over the flame without mechanical interference or binding that would prevent operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 system effectively deploys the fire suppressant over the flame, ensuring reliable operation and compactness while accommodating various mounting surfaces, minimizing damage and injury from stovetop fires.

Implementation Method 1

a pivot arm having a base with a helically shaped wall projecting axially therefrom and having a terminal end in interfering contact with an end of the finger, so that when biased away from the cover the pivot arm rotates with respect to the cover from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical rotation:

Implementation Method 2

with a fuse that initiates deployment upon flame detection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlame detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20250367488A1Automatically deploying flame suppression system

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 WARREN WATTS TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

A fire suppression system that deploys automatically in response to an open flame. The system includes a fuse, a cover, a pivot arm rotatingly coupled to the cover, and a canister secured to the pivot arm. Helical walls extend downward from the pivot arm that rest on the ends of fingers that attach to the cover. The fuse, when intact, interferes with relative rotation of the pivot arm with the cover. The fuse becomes degraded when combustion is initiated from exposure to the open flame. Degrading the fuse allows the pivot arm to rotate and position the canister over the flame, which causes the canister to release a fire suppressing agent that extinguishes the flame. A spring biases the arm away from the cover, without the fuse, the arm rotates and moves downward due to interaction of the fingers with the helical walls.