Smoke Evacuator Battery Arming for Hard-to-Reach Fire Shutters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional smoke evacuators and fire shutters require manual arming and testing in the absence of a mains power supply, which is inconvenient and difficult due to their installation in hard-to-reach locations, especially in new or renovated buildings without available power.
Innovation Solution
A smoke evacuator or fire shutter with a spring-based actuating mechanism and an electrically driven motor, powered by a battery connector accessible from outside the housing, allowing (re)arming and testing without mains power, featuring a microcontroller to select between battery and mains power sources and a solenoid brake mechanism for quick valve movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the smoke evacuator or fire shutter is installed in hard-to-reach locations (exhaust ducts or ventilation ducts in false ceilings), then the fire safety coverage is improved, but the ease of manual testing and arming deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a battery connector as an intermediary access point that allows power to be supplied to the motor from outside the housing. This mediator enables remote arming and testing operations without requiring physical access to the valve mechanism inside the hard-to-reach duct locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical key-based arming system with an electrical system that uses a battery-powered motor to arm the spring mechanism. This substitution allows the valve to be armed electrically from outside the housing, eliminating the need for manual key operation inside the duct.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the valve is armed manually by means of a key, then the arming operation can be performed without power supply, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult access and repeated manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual key-based mechanical arming system with an electrical motor system powered by a battery. The motor winds the spring to arm the valve, substituting electrical actuation for manual mechanical operation. This maintains the ability to operate without mains power while dramatically improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery-powered motor enables the system to arm itself without requiring external manual intervention. By providing self-service arming capability through the battery connector, the system eliminates the need for technicians to manually key the mechanism, especially in hard-to-reach locations.
3Reliability
If the battery connector is placed inside the housing, then the electrical connection is protected, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the connector becomes inaccessible for external battery connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the housing structure to include a dedicated access opening or removable cover that provides external access to the battery connector. This segmentation allows the connector to be both protected within the housing and accessible from outside, separating the protection function from the access function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary access mechanism (such as a removable cover or access port) that mediates between the need for electrical connection protection and the need for external battery connection. This intermediary allows batteries to be connected or replaced from outside while maintaining the protective sealing of the main housing.
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 easy and efficient testing and arming of smoke evacuators or fire shutters without requiring mains power, ensuring reliable operation in emergency situations and reducing manual intervention, while maintaining dust and water protection.
Implementation Method 1
a spring based actuating means for moving said valve from an armed position to an emergency position, thereby using potential energy stored in the spring
Implementation Method 2
an electrically driven motor designed to arm said spring and moving said valve from an emergency position to an armed position
Implementation Method 3
a solenoid brake mechanism for quick valve movement
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a smoke evacuator or fire shutter comprising: - a valve movable between an armed position and an emergency position; - a housing wherein are provided: - a spring based actuating means for moving said valve from an armed position to an emergency position, thereby using potential energy stored in the spring; - an electrically driven motor designed to arm said spring and moving said valve from an emergency position to an armed position; - an electrical circuit electrically connecting said motor to a mains; characterized in that said smoke evacuator or fire shutter further comprises an electrical battery connector reachable from outside the housing and connected to the electrical circuit powering said motor. In addition, the present invention is directed to a ventilation system comprising such smoke evacuator or fire shutter.