Stovetop Fire Extinguisher with Deployable Ramp

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fire extinguishers designed for stovetops with hoods may not effectively extinguish fires on microhood-equipped stovetops due to the closer spacing and rearward location of the microhood, leaving the front burners uncovered and at risk.

Innovation Solution

A fire extinguisher system comprising a container with a directing member, such as a ramp, that deploys to direct extinguishing powder to the front burner, utilizing a fusible link and fuses to ensure the powder is dispersed effectively, even under microhoods with limited clearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the extinguisher is mounted closer to the stovetop under a microhood, then it can fit in limited clearance space, but it cannot adequately cover the front burners due to rearward positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclearance space utilizationVSAvoidfire extinguishing coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The directing member is designed to move from a stowed position to a deployed position, changing the discharge direction dynamically. This allows the extinguisher to adapt its coverage area to reach front burners when needed while maintaining a compact mounted position for limited clearance spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The extinguisher system is divided into separate functional components: the container, the directing member, and the fusible link mechanism. This segmentation allows the directing member to be independently positioned and oriented to cover front burners without moving the entire extinguisher mounting location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the directing member is deployed to direct powder to front burners, then coverage is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire extinguishing coverageVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fusible link automatically melts in response to heat from a fire, triggering the deployment of the directing member without requiring external control systems, sensors, or power sources. This self-activating mechanism achieves complex directional control while minimizing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The fusible link changes its physical state from solid to liquid/melted in response to temperature increase, which releases the directing member from its stowed position. This parameter change (temperature-induced phase change) provides a simple yet effective trigger mechanism for deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the fusible link is positioned to trigger early deployment, then coverage timing is improved, but the container wall may breach before directing member is positioned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronized activationVSAvoidactivation timing control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The directing member is positioned and secured by the fusible link before the container wall breaches. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the extinguishing powder is discharged, the directing member is already in place to properly direct the flow to the target area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fusible link acts as a protective constraint that holds the directing member in its stowed position until the appropriate moment. This pre-positioning and constraint mechanism ensures proper sequencing of events, preventing premature or misaligned activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 system provides comprehensive fire extinguishing coverage for both rear and front burners on stovetops with microhoods, ensuring effective fire suppression without obstructing the microhood's operation or access.

Implementation Method 1

the fuse heats the fusible link before heating the initiator so as to allow the directing member to move to the deployed position before the initiator ignites

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

The directing member in the deployed position is oriented so as to disperse the fire extinguishing powder egressing the container to a predetermined location

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS7610966B1Stovetop fire extinguisher

Publication Date: 2009.11.03 WILLIAMSRDM INC

AI summary

A fire extinguisher includes a bracket, a housing, extinguisher containers and a directing member such as a ramp. The fire extinguisher is designed to be located above a stove and beneath structure, such as microwave oven and vent. Such structure typically has low clearance relative to the stovetop and the burners thereon. The housing and containers are suspended from the bracket. Each container has a fire extinguishing powder and an initiator for breaching a container wall. One of the containers is directly positioned over a burner on the stovetop. The other container is offset laterally from another burner on the stovetop. The ramp is used to direct the fire extinguishing powder of this container onto the burner. The ramp is maintained in a stowed position by a fusible link, which gives way when a fire is present on the second burner causing the ramp to fall to a deployed position before the respective container discharges its powder.