Sprinkler Head Frame Segmentation for Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sprinkler heads are heavy, leading to increased system weight and cost due to the need for additional support metal fittings, especially when used with resin pipes, which are lighter and more cost-effective alternatives.
Innovation Solution
A sprinkler head design featuring a cylindrical frame with beam-like portions and opening sections that reduce weight by allowing equal spring force distribution, enabling lighter construction and simplified assembly, while maintaining effective thermo-sensitive breakup functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional forged pipe connection portion and frame are used, then structural strength is ensured, but weight becomes heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into multiple beam-like portions (first, second, third, fourth beam-like portions) with opening portions between them, transforming the solid forged structure into a segmented configuration that maintains strength while reducing weight
Solution Approach 2:
The frame employs local quality enhancement by concentrating material in beam-like portions where structural strength is needed (engagement points with levers) while removing material in opening portions where less strength is required, achieving optimal weight-strength balance
2Reliability
If multiple support metal fittings are added to support heavy sprinkler heads, then structural stability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sprinkler head frame is segmented into beam-like portions that independently engage with levers, distributing mechanical loads across multiple discrete engagement points. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain stability without requiring additional external support fittings
3Weight of moving object
If resin pipes are used instead of metal pipes, then system cost and weight are reduced, but load-bearing capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure uses local quality by placing beam-like portions at critical engagement points with levers, concentrating material where needed to handle mechanical loads while keeping overall weight low, making it suitable for use with lighter resin pipes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines metal beam-like portions (for strength at engagement points) with the overall lightweight structure, creating a composite approach that balances load-bearing capacity with weight reduction for use with resin pipes
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 design reduces the weight of the sprinkler head, decreases the load on fire extinguishing system pipes, lowers installation burdens, and decreases manufacturing and system costs by using fewer components and simplifying assembly processes.
Implementation Method 1
when a load is added to the beam-like portion 52C in a position opposite to the opening 52B (downward direction in FIG. 12), a deflection occurs and resilience is obtained. In other words, when the pipe connection portion 51 and the frame 52 are screwed together, a deflection occurs in the beam-like portion 52C by the lever 55 disposed under the opening 52B, and the deflection causes a spring force.
Data Source
AI summary
A sprinkler head A has a main body including a pipe connection portion and a frame portion. In the frame portion, an outer circumferential surface protruding to the outside of the pipe connection portion is provided, and beam-like portions (inward flanges) with which a lever of a thermo-sensitive breakup portion engages and openings obtained by cutting off the outer circumferential surface from the side of the pipe connection portion to the beam-like portion are provided at opposite positions in the outer circumferential surface. Thereby, the weight of the frame portion can be largely reduced. Therefore, the weight of a sprinkler head is reduced, so that the weight load applied to the fire extinguishing system pipes in which a large number of sprinkler heads are installed can be reduced, and the work burden due to the weight load when the sprinkler heads are conveyed and installed in the fire extinguishing system pipes can also be reduced.