Waste Container Fire Shutter with Fusible Fuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Waste supply containers are vulnerable to fires and vandalism, and existing solutions either require significant investment or are ineffective in preventing the spread of fire or insect intrusion.
Innovation Solution
A shutter mechanism that automatically closes under gravity, coupled with a fuse that breaks at a temperature between 60°C and 150°C to prevent oxygen supply and insect entry, and a pressing mechanism to ensure airtightness, using materials like Wood's metal for the fuse and EPDM for the shutter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flexible rubber seal (rosette) is used to close the opening, then the container can be manufactured simply, but it cannot protect against fire spread or odor diffusion
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device uses a movable shutter that can dynamically change position between open and closed states. The shutter is held in the open position by a fuse under normal conditions but automatically closes when the fuse breaks due to fire, providing dynamic fire protection without requiring complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure mechanism is self-activating through the fuse that breaks automatically when exposed to fire temperatures. The shutter closes by its own weight under gravity without requiring external power or control, and the pressing means automatically apply pressure to ensure sealing. This eliminates the need for complex control systems while maintaining reliable fire protection.
2Reliability
If movable covers mounted on springs are used, then odor diffusion is limited and insect entry is prevented, but they remain passive against fire spread
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is pre-positioned in the open state during normal operation, allowing easy waste insertion. The fuse is pre-installed to hold the shutter open, and when the fuse breaks due to fire, the shutter automatically closes without requiring any manual intervention or complex actuation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex spring-mounted movable covers with a simpler gravity-based shutter system. The fuse breaks under thermal stress from fire, releasing the mechanical constraint that holds the shutter open, allowing gravity to automatically close it. This substitution provides fire resistance while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If multiple openings are provided for waste insertion, then waste supply is convenient, but air flows between openings create oxygen supply that fans the fire
Solution Approach 1:
The container can have multiple openings for waste insertion convenience, but each opening is equipped with an independent shutter-fuse assembly. This segmentation allows each opening to be independently controlled, so that if one opening's fuse breaks and the shutter closes, fire containment is achieved without affecting the functionality of other openings for waste insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter acts as an intermediary element between the opening and the container interior. Under normal conditions, it remains open to allow waste insertion. When fire occurs, the fuse breaks and the shutter closes to block air flows and prevent oxygen supply that would fan the fire, thus mediating between waste insertion convenience and fire containment.
4Reliability
If fire-retardant treatment or fusible fasteners are used, then fire control is achieved, but these solutions require significant investment or are only detection means
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse is a simple, inexpensive component made of low-melting-point material that breaks when exposed to fire temperatures. It is a disposable element that performs its function once during a fire event by breaking and allowing the shutter to close. This cheap component provides effective fire suppression without requiring significant investment in complex fire-retardant treatments or expensive detection systems.
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
Effectively limits fire development by preventing oxygen supply, prevents insect entry, and maintains airtightness without hindering waste insertion, while being durable enough to withstand environmental degradation.
Implementation Method 1
the shutter is held in the open configuration by a fuse capable of breaking at a temperature of between 60°C and 150°C
Implementation Method 2
the shutter is capable of being placed in its configuration for closing the opening under the effect of gravity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
The waste collection container (2) comprises: - a body including at least one wall (6, 8, 10, 12, 14) having at least one opening, and - a shutter (28) located inside the body. The shutter is capable of being in a configuration where the opening is sealed airtight and in a configuration where the opening is unobstructed.