Venturi Smoke Control Door for Evacuation Path Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smoke control systems in buildings fail to effectively reduce smoke and toxic gas concentrations during fires, leading to high human casualties and thermal deformation of fire doors and shutters, which compromises their fireproof function.

Innovation Solution

An in-building access path installation type smoke control system that uses a door or frame casing with a negative pressure inducer based on the Venturi effect to suck in smoke and toxic gases, mix them with water, and discharge the mixture, while also providing emergency lighting and cooling the fire doors and shutters to prevent thermal deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional smoke control systems are used, then smoke discharge is attempted, but smoke and toxic gas concentrations remain high leading to human casualties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmoke and toxic gas concentrationVSAvoidlife safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful hot smoke and toxic gases into beneficial cooled exhaust by mixing them with sprayed water. The water not only cools the smoke to reduce its buoyancy and diffusion rate, but also dissolves water-soluble toxic gases, transforming a deadly hazard into a controllable exhaust stream that can be safely discharged

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Water acts as an intermediary substance between the hot smoke and the environment. By spraying water into the smoke path, the system mediates the thermal and chemical properties of the smoke, cooling it and dissolving toxic components, thereby enabling safe evacuation without requiring direct contact with the fire source

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If fire doors are exposed to fire heat, then fireproof function is maintained initially, but thermal deformation occurs compromising fireproof function

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefireproof functionVSAvoiddoor temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary cooling action by spraying water on fire doors before they reach critical temperatures. The water spray creates a protective thermal barrier that prevents heat transfer to the door structure, maintaining the door's structural integrity and fireproof function throughout the evacuation period

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the thermal parameter of the fire door by actively cooling it with water spray. This parameter change (temperature reduction) prevents the door from reaching thermal deformation thresholds, thereby maintaining its fireproof sealing function during the fire event

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If water is sprayed to cool fire doors, then thermal deformation is prevented, but water management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire door temperatureVSAvoidwater spray system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The water spray system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it cools fire doors to prevent thermal deformation, suppresses flames contacting the door, and cools the smoke stream for safer discharge. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and simplifies overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes the building's existing fire water supply network, making the water spray system self-servicing without requiring separate water storage or pumping infrastructure. The system automatically activates when fire is detected, reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Significantly reduces smoke and toxic gas concentrations, ensures visual guidance during evacuations, and maintains the fireproof function of doors and shutters by cooling them, thereby minimizing human casualties and extending evacuation time.

Implementation Method 1

a negative pressure inducer configured to allow water sprayed from the door nozzle to pass therethrough, generate negative pressure on the basis of the Venturi effect while the water passes therethrough

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

mix the smoke and toxic gas with water, and remove the smoke and toxic gas mixed with the water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporative cooling: Evaporative Cooler

Data Source

PatentEP4234871B1In-building access path installation type smoke control system
Publication Date: 2025.03.26 SPE CO LTD
  • EP4234871B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4234871B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4234871B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present invention relates to an in-building access path installation type smoke control system. An in-building access path installation type smoke control system is openably and closably installed in an in-building access path and includes a door casing having an intake port and a discharge port, a door nozzle installed in the door casing and configured to spray water supplied from the outside, and a main door body including a negative pressure inducer configured to allow water sprayed from the door nozzle to pass therethrough, generate negative pressure on the basis of the Venturi effect while the water passes therethrough, suck gas at the periphery of the door casing through the intake port, mix the sucked gas with water, and move the gas mixed with the water downward toward the discharge port.