Fire Sprinkler Head Warning System with Sensor-Embedded Cover

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Fire sprinkler heads are often damaged during construction and demolition projects, leading to potential flooding and water damage, necessitating a solution that protects them while maintaining functionality and quickly attaching to the sprinkler system.

Innovation Solution

A warning system comprising an adapter, a protective cover with a radial slit, and a control system with sensors and an alarm, which creates a zone of exclusion around the sprinkler head to prevent damage by triggering an alarm upon intrusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protective device is installed on the fire sprinkler head, then the sprinkler head is protected from damage, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesprinkler head protectionVSAvoidprotective device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device is divided into separate components: a cover portion that attaches to the sprinkler head, an adapter portion with mounting features, and a control system with sensors and alarm. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is embedded within the cover portion, which itself attaches to the adapter portion mounted on the sprinkler head. This nested arrangement integrates multiple functions into a compact structure, protecting the sprinkler head while maintaining manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If a protective cover with control system is attached to the sprinkler head, then intrusion detection capability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintrusion detectionVSAvoidattachment and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter portion includes pre-formed mounting features such as clips or lugs that align with corresponding receptacles on the sprinkler head. This preliminary configuration of mounting elements allows for quick attachment and removal without complex assembly steps, maintaining ease of operation despite the added detection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a zone of exclusion is created around the sprinkler head, then the sprinkler head is protected from damage, but the loss of time for construction operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesprinkler head protectionVSAvoidconstruction operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control system automatically monitors the zone of exclusion and triggers an alarm when intrusion is detected, eliminating the need for continuous human supervision. This self-monitoring capability provides ongoing protection without requiring construction workers to constantly check on the sprinkler head, thus minimizing time loss while maintaining reliable protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10654064B2Warning system for protecting a fire sprinkler head

Publication Date: 2020.05.19 CUSTIS JOHN DANA

AI summary

A warming system for protecting a fire sprinkler head during construction and demolition projects. The system includes an adapter attached to the sprinkler head, a protective cover that fits over the adapter, and a control system that is embedded in or attached to the protective cover. The control system includes at least one power supply, circuitry, a plurality of sensors, and an alarm.