Sprinkler Head Wireless Control Self-Contained Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sprinkler systems require complex wiring for active actuation, making it difficult and costly to retrofit existing systems with remote-controlled sprinkler heads.
Innovation Solution
A sprinkler head design featuring an electrical circuit board with a controller, electric power supply, and an electrical conduction path along the thermal release element, allowing for active heating and triggering without external wiring, and including a wireless communication interface for remote control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If active triggering of sprinkler heads is implemented using external wiring and power supply, then controlled remote actuation capability is achieved, but device complexity and installation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The sprinkler head incorporates its own power supply (battery) and control electronics within the head assembly, eliminating the need for external power supply lines and complex wiring infrastructure. The self-contained design allows the sprinkler head to autonomously receive wireless control signals and activate the thermal release element without requiring connection to external systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electrical wiring system with a wireless communication system. Instead of using physical cables to transmit control signals and power, the invention uses wireless signals (such as radio frequency communication) to control the sprinkler head, thereby eliminating the need for complex wiring infrastructure while maintaining controlled remote actuation capability.
2Reliability
If existing sprinkler systems are retrofitted with active triggering capability, then fire protection effectiveness is improved, but installation difficulty and cost increase due to wiring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sprinkler head is designed as a self-contained unit with integrated battery power supply and control electronics, requiring no external wiring for retrofit installation. The unit can be installed by simply replacing the sprinkler head assembly itself, eliminating the need for complex electrical work in existing buildings.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the requirement for physical wiring infrastructure with wireless communication technology, allowing existing sprinkler systems to be upgraded with active triggering capability through simple head replacement rather than extensive electrical retrofitting.
3Device complexity
If thermal release element is triggered passively by heat, then simplicity and reliability are maintained, but active controlled actuation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both passive thermal triggering and active electronic control into a single integrated thermal release element. The element responds to heat in the traditional passive manner while also incorporating an electrical heating pathway that can be activated by wireless control signals, thereby merging simple thermal response with automated controlled actuation in one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal release element is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be triggered passively by ambient heat (maintaining simplicity and reliability) and can also be actively heated through the electrical conduction path for controlled remote actuation. This multi-functional design allows the same component to serve both simple and automated triggering needs.
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 retrofitting of active sprinkler heads into existing systems without new wiring, providing reliable and cost-effective, wireless-controlled fire suppression with passive triggering as a fallback.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical conduction path having an electrical resistance along the thermal release element... causing an active heating and thus a triggering of the thermal release element
Implementation Method 2
the thermal actuating liquid expands, building up pressure inside the glass vessel, which ultimately causes the wall of the glass vessel to burst
Data Source
AI summary
A sprinkler head for a sprinkler system including a pipe section, a sealing member provided over a pipe section discharge opening, an abutment connected to the pipe section via a support element, and thermal release element disposed between the abutment and sealing member. A triggering means controls active thermal triggering of the thermal release element and includes an electrical circuit board having a controller, an electric power supply, and an electrical conduction path along the thermal release element. The electrical circuit board is in electrical contact with the sealing member and support element. The abutment and sealing member are electrically connected to the electrical conduction path. Current fed by the power supply through the support element, the abutment, the electric conduction path, and sealing member is produced by means of the controller, causes active heating and thus a triggering of the thermal release element.