Telescoping Fire Containment Apparatus for Portable Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire containment cases for portable electronic devices are inadequate for safely capturing and containing devices that are already actively burning, as they often require manual handling, exposing personnel to hazards and failing to control toxic fumes effectively.

Innovation Solution

A combined capture and fire containment apparatus with a telescoping rectangular prism-shaped structure, equipped with a thermal flame retardant insulation, gas and fume collection filters, and a shatter-proof window, allowing for safe and quick capture and containment of burning devices using handles and a scoop mechanism to minimize exposure to heat and toxic gases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional fire containment case is used, then the device can contain combustion products, but it cannot safely capture devices that are already actively burning due to manual handling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of handling burning deviceVSAvoidability to capture actively burning device

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A telescoping scoop mechanism acts as an intermediary tool between the operator and the burning device. The scoop can be extended to make contact with the burning device from a distance, allowing capture without direct hand contact with hot surfaces or flames. This mediator transfers the capturing function while maintaining safety distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The containment case is segmented into a stationary base and a movable telescoping lid assembly. The lid can be independently extended and retracted, allowing the burning device to be captured and contained in a two-stage process: first capture with the extended scoop, then seal within the containment chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If personnel approach a burning device to place it in a containment case, then the device can be contained, but personnel are exposed to heat and toxic fumes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainment of burning deviceVSAvoidexposure to heat and toxic fumes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The telescoping scoop serves as a mechanical intermediary that transfers the burning device from its location to the containment case without requiring personnel to directly handle the device. This eliminates exposure to heat and fumes during the capture phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The manual handling process is replaced with a mechanically automated telescoping and scooping mechanism. Instead of human hands directly grasping and moving the burning device, a mechanical arm with scoop performs the transfer, substituting human exposure with mechanical action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If a fire containment case is retrieved from storage after a combustion event is noticed, then the case is available for use, but the portable device may already be actively burning by that time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of containment caseVSAvoidtime delay in containing burning device

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The containment case is pre-positioned in strategic locations throughout the aircraft cabin rather than stored in centralized compartments. This preliminary placement ensures immediate availability when combustion is detected, eliminating retrieval time from storage locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The containment case incorporates a telescoping lid mechanism that can rapidly extend and retract. This dynamic structure allows the case to quickly transition from a compact stored state to an extended capture state, reducing the time required to deploy and use the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 the safe and rapid capture and containment of burning portable electronic devices, reducing exposure to heat and toxic fumes, and effectively filtering out hazardous gases, thus providing a safer handling process than current devices.

Implementation Method 1

The containment box and lid portion are insulated with a thermal flame retardant insulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

A gas and fume collection filter in communication with an interior of the containment box is disposed in the lid portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

A sealing gasket is disposed on a peripheral edge of the prism-shaped lid portion or on a peripheral edge of the containment box to seal between the lid portion and the containment box

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS11141616B1Combined capture and fire containment apparatus for portable electronic devices

Publication Date: 2021.10.12 HIGHWATER INNOVATIONS

AI summary

A combined capture and fire containment apparatus. The apparatus includes a telescoping rectangular prism-shaped hollow structure including a rectangular prism-shaped containment box and a rectangular prism-shaped lid portion. The lid portion is attached on opposing sides by telescoping drawer slides to the containment box. A sealing gasket is disposed on a peripheral edge of the prism-shaped lid portion to seal between the lid portion and the containment box. A latch is on an outside side portion of the lid and containment box to latch the lid portion and containment box in the closed position. A gas and fume collection filter in communication with an interior of the containment box is disposed in the lid portion. The lid portion contains a first handle disposed on an end portion of the lid portion. A second handle is disposed on a side portion of the containment box.