Plank Type Flooring Double Sheet Metal Layer Fire Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current flame-retardant plank type flooring solutions for transformer trays are insufficient in quickly extinguishing fires, as they allow oxygen to enter and prolong the fire duration, requiring additional sealing measures that increase complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

A plank type flooring system featuring a double sheet metal layer with differently designed perforations in the upper and lower planes, creating a 'cell' that quickly consumes oxygen and prevents air from entering, thereby accelerating fire extinguishment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a single sheet metal layer with perforations is used for flame-retardant flooring, then the structure remains simple and manufacturing is easy, but the fire extinguishment time is too long (over 10 seconds)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire extinguishment timeVSAvoidflooring structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single sheet metal layer is segmented into two separate layers: an upper sheet metal layer with first perforations and a lower sheet metal layer with second perforations. This segmentation creates a dual-layer structure that accelerates fire extinguishment by creating a controlled oxygen depletion zone between the layers, reducing fire extinguishment time from over 10 seconds to under 3 seconds while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized perforation patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional single layer to a three-dimensional dual-layer structure. The upper and lower sheet metal layers are positioned at different vertical heights, creating a spatial zone between them where oxygen is consumed. This dimensional change enables the fire extinguishment function without requiring complex sealing mechanisms, as the vertical arrangement naturally creates the oxygen depletion effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of time

If additional sealing measures are added to prevent oxygen entry, then fire extinguishment time is reduced, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire extinguishment timeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The dual-layer structure with differently designed perforations performs the fire extinguishment function autonomously without requiring additional sealing components. The upper layer with larger perforations allows rapid oil passage, while the lower layer with smaller perforations creates an oxygen-depleted zone through controlled airflow, eliminating the need for external sealing measures and simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the perforation parameters between the two layers: the upper layer has larger diameter perforations with higher opening degree for rapid fluid passage, while the lower layer has smaller diameter perforations with lower opening degree for oxygen control. This parameter differentiation achieves fire extinguishment functionality through the perforation design itself, avoiding additional sealing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the flooring allows oil to pass through quickly, then fire safety is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire safetyVSAvoidperforation structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each sheet metal layer has locally optimized perforation characteristics: the upper layer features larger diameter perforations with higher opening degree to prioritize rapid oil passage and fire safety, while the lower layer has smaller diameter perforations with lower opening degree to control oxygen flow. This local quality differentiation achieves fire safety through standardized perforation patterns without requiring complex overall structure.

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

The double sheet metal layer design reduces fire extinguishment time from approximately 10 seconds to 3 seconds, enhancing safety and eliminating the need for additional sealing measures, thus simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

The first sheet metal part (30) comprises first perforations (33). The fourth sheet metal part (60) comprises second perforations (63).

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPerforation:

Data Source

PatentEP3626909B1Plank type flooring and a profile plank for such flooring
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 WELAND
  • EP3626909B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3626909B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3626909B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

Disclosed is a plank type flooring (1) comprising a plurality of profile planks (20), each profile plank (20) being composed of a bent sheet metal, with a first sheet metal part (30) constituting an upper plane and having first perforations (33), a second sheet metal part (40), a third sheet metal part (50), and a fourth sheet metal part constituting a lower plane and having second perforations (63). The plurality of profile planks (20) are positioned adjacent to each other so that the second sheet metal part (40) and the third sheet metal part (50) of adjacent planks (20) are positioned adjacent to each other, and by that the next plank (20) bears against a former plank (20), such as the first sheet metal part (30) and the fourth sheet metal part (60) of adjacent planks (20) constituting a double sheet metal layer.