EP1669110A2 - Sealing assembly for a fire and smoke curtain - Google Patents

Abstract

Sealing arrangement comprises opposite-lying bearing surfaces (10, 16) for installing on opposite-lying surfaces of a curtain (5). The bearing surfaces have an assembly consisting of protrusions (9, 11, 14) and a recess (13) which interact with each other form a labyrinth. Preferred Features: Both bearing surfaces are formed as spring sheet metal and extend on a lateral guiding rail for the curtain. The sealing arrangement extends over only one part of the surface of the curtain so that it exposes the edge region of the curtain.

Description

The invention relates to a sealing arrangement for a fire or smoke curtain for the separation of two space regions, with a support surface approximately parallel to the support surface against which abuts a surface region of the curtain, wherein the seal assembly is provided in the region of this support surface.

At the outbreak of a fire, on the one hand, there is a dangerous moment due to the flames and the relatively high temperatures themselves, on the other hand, due to the evolving smoke. The high temperatures also lead to a very strong breeze, which further distributes the smoke and makes it necessary to provide a good seal in shut-off measures.

Now, a seal assembly of the type mentioned, for example, from DE-C-196 55 125 become known in which a sealing brush presses the curtain against the support surface. However, sealing brushes have the disadvantage of not being completely tight and, moreover, burning off quickly. Although in this document, the proposal is made to use intumescent material, only such a foam is formed only at higher temperatures, whereas it does not seal against relatively cold smoke.

Now, according to DE-A-1 03 25 237 a normally aspirated, but in case of fire but expanding seal can be used. On the one hand, such a design is relatively expensive due to the need for suction lines, a vacuum source, etc., on the other hand, silicone rubber must be used for this, which is also associated with problems.

Furthermore, from EP-A-0 065 876 a kind of labyrinth seal is known, to the construction of which on the edges of the curtain inwardly facing tabs or strips must be sewn, which are then hooked into broad Umbördelungen a complicated shaped rail. This requires on the one hand a great effort by the sewing, on the other hand, the assembly is difficult, and finally it is inevitable that rub by the strong, almost 180-grained, flanging the edges of the rail on the seam with which the flaps or strips are sewn , so that the reliability of the operation is not guaranteed.

The invention is therefore the object of a seal assembly of the type mentioned in such a way that it is reliable in operation, a long life is secured and can be realized with low cost.

The solution of this object is achieved according to the invention in two steps, namely by instead of previously a single bearing surface with opposite seal two opposing bearing surfaces are provided for abutment against opposite surfaces of the curtain, and secondly, the two bearing surfaces at least one set consisting of projection and recess have, which extend approximately in the direction of unwinding of the curtain and are each complementary and intermeshing and thus form a labyrinth seal.

1. 1. das Abrollen und das Aufrollen des Vorhanges wird noch besser geführt;
2. 2. die Gefahr des Einschneidens, wie bei der bekannten Labyrinthdichtung, ist nicht gegeben, weil der Vorhang an beiden Flächen aufliegt, etwaige Kanten also gar nicht berührt;
3. 3. es ergibt sich nicht nur eine gute Dichtung, sondern es wird der Vorhang auch - entgegen dem im Brandfall entstehenden Luftzug - gespannt gehalten;
4. 4. es wird die Möglichkeit geboten, durch Kombination dieser Dichtung in Längs- und Querrichtung eine absolut sichere Abdichtung zu erreichen.

The fact that the opposing arrangement of projection (or projections) and recess (or recesses) extend on opposite bearing surfaces, resulting in the following advantages:

1. 1. the unwinding and rolling up of the curtain is performed even better;
2. 2. the risk of cutting, as in the known labyrinth seal, is not given because the curtain rests on both surfaces, so any edges so not touched;
3. 3. not only does a good seal result, but the curtain is also kept taut, contrary to the air draft created in the event of fire;
4. 4. It is offered the opportunity by combining this seal in Longitudinal and transverse directions to achieve an absolutely secure seal.

A circumstance that occurs in the solution according to the invention, should be particularly mentioned: While conventional labyrinth seals only consists of two opposing and mutually engaging parts, according to the invention, the curtain is still provided as a third element. This will, due to its natural or by the draft of the air caused by the fire stress especially against the interlocking projections, i. the closer to it, the greater the tension becomes. The textile material of the curtain still acts as an additional sealing element, i. an even better sealing effect is achieved than is the case with conventional labyrinth seals consisting of only two elements, and this sealing effect is rather increased in case of fire.

Sealing and neck retention is further enhanced when the two bearing surfaces are resilient against each other, e.g. as spring plate, are formed.

In itself, the sealing arrangement according to the invention can be used, for example, in a groove introduced into a wall. If it is used for the side guide, it is advantageous (whether in a side rail or in a wall groove), when the two bearing surfaces extend approximately in the direction of unwinding of the curtain. However, it is preferred if the two bearing surfaces are provided on a lateral guide rail for the curtain.

As an alternative or as an additional measure, the sealing arrangement can be provided on a run-off edge for guiding the curtain following the curtain winding, preferably on the outlet of a winding housing.

Certainly it would be within the scope of the invention conceivable to form the projections or recesses as protruding strips or grooves, but it is safer for the curtain and safer for reliable operation, when the projections and depressions in cross-section wave- or zig-zag-shaped. As will be explained in more detail below, you can keep the load of the curtain low when the wave or zig-zag-shaped projections and depressions of the bearing surfaces each occupy a flat, lying at 45 ° angle to the plane of the curtain, preferably below 30 °.

It has been said above that the labyrinth seal formed according to the invention also favors the tensioning of the curtain. However, in order to counteract particularly high draft, it is advantageous if the sliding surfaces or rolling surfaces are connected to the bearing surfaces, against the curtain edge, and the curtain edge is provided with sliding elements or (preferably) rollers supported on these rolling surfaces ,

The introduction of force is improved when a gap is formed towards the two bearing surfaces, which is preferably delimited by the bearing surfaces themselves, which widens against the spatial regions, but tapers against the two bearing surfaces, so that the introduction of forces takes place at this point can.

Further details of the invention will become apparent with reference to the following description of exemplary embodiments shown schematically in the drawing. Show it:

1 shows a room equipped with smoke curtains;

Fig. 2 is a section along the line II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section along the line III-III of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the sealing in the longitudinal and in the transverse direction (according to a combination of the embodiments of Figs. 2 and 3) with each other combined.

Fig. 1 shows the interior of a usual for ticket offices or shopping centers building with at least two floors. For the incidence of light rests on columns 1 at the top of a no longer visible in Fig. 1 glass structure, which is provided in accordance with the fire regulations with a flue outlet flap. In this way, the columns carry the overhang for a kind of dome hall, whereas the adjacent aisles 2 each have a single-storey ceiling 3. For these passages 2, a separate, not shown here, flue is provided.

In case of fire - irrespective of whether the fire now breaks out in the area of the front dome hall or in the areas of corridors 2 or adjoining rooms surrounding this room - the first commandment is to prevent the smoke from spreading out of the corridors 2 into the dome hall to sink there to the ground while cooling down, thus threatening the respiration of the persons there. Rather, it must be ensured that the smoke is discharged by the shortest route.

For this purpose, box-shaped housing 4 are mounted all around in the border area between the corridors 2 and the dome hall located in front between the columns 1. These housings 4, as will be shown with reference to FIG. 2 in detail, in its interior a winding 12 of a smoke and fire protection curtain 5, which can be lowered in case of need in the manner shown. For this purpose, the curtains 5 are provided with lower end strips 6, which serve as a firming weight when unwinding in their working position shown, whereas they cover the slot 7 of the respective housing 4 for the exit of the curtain 5 in the rest position.

The curtains 5 are expediently made of a flame-retardant fabric, such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, polycarbon fibers or ceramic fibers, optionally alone or mixed. If desired, the curtains 5 may also have a flame-retardant impregnation and / or coating. All of this is known in particular from DE-C-196 55 125 per se. It is also known that the curtains 5 are guided in lateral guide rails 8 and held therein.

If one now looks at the structure according to the invention of a housing 4 in the interior, then there is initially provided in FIG. 2 in the region of the slot 7 a, in particular resilient, discharge edge 9 on a sheet 16 forming the bearing surface, on which or on which Curtain 5 rests and which leads the curtain 5 when unwinding from its winding 12. What is new, however, is that the sheet 16 of this run-off edge 9 is opposed by a further support surface 10 and thus the slot 7 is limited. For this purpose, the support surface 10 and / or 16 is advantageously formed from a resilient sheet, which is biased in the direction of the drainage edge or counter-bearing surface 16. The bearing surface 16 may in this case be connected to one of the walls of the housing 4 in the form of the wall 4 ', which can be seen particularly in FIG. 4, or be designed separately from it.

The support surface 10 forms a cross-sectionally approximately triangular projection 11 which engages in a recess 13 following the projecting outflow edge 9. Therefore, the curtain 5 is deflected at the exit from the housing 4, for which it is advantageous if at least one of the bearing surfaces 16 and / or 10 has at least one further projection 14 which limits the adjacent recess 13. In this way, the curtain is at the exit from the slot 7 to a total of at least three projections, namely on the run-off edge 9, the projection 11 of the opposite support surface 10 at or is led back and forth, so that there is a kind of labyrinth seal, which keeps the interior of the housing 4 from smoke.

A particular aspect is that the two bearing surfaces 9-16 are arranged such that a gap (7) is formed in the mold towards the two bearing surfaces, which gap is preferably delimited by the bearing surfaces themselves, so that they face against the space regions ie in the case of Fig. 2 against the outside of the housing 4, expanded, against the two bearing surfaces 9-16, however, tapered. In this way, the forces acting on the curtain 5 are introduced at the side to be sealed off from the space to be sealed (see Fig. 2 in Fig. 1).

This type of seal can also, and especially there, be realized on the side guide for the curtain 5, which side guide is realized in the form of a guide rail 8 expediently. This guide rail 8 can be seen in Fig. 3 in cross section along the line III-III of Fig. 1 and has substantially a square or rectangular box section, which may be reinforced by a stiffening plate 15. Again, the reference numerals of Fig. 2 are used, but because of the slightly different function with an apostrophe.

From Fig. 3 it can be seen that two opposing and approximately complementary trained bearing surfaces 10 ', 16' are provided, between which the side edge 5 'of the curtain 5 passes. Again, the two bearing surfaces 10 ', 16', on the side facing the space to be sealed a greater distance (slot 7 ') from each other as against the interior of the profile 8, so that the introduction of force in a favorable manner on the outside of the curtain. 5 he follows.

The two bearing surfaces 10 ', 16' are shaped approximately similar to those of FIG. 2, wherein they have cross-sectionally intermeshing wave-shaped or zig-zag-shaped projections and depressions 9 ', 11', 13 'and 14', which form such a labyrinth seal. To form these projections and recesses 9 ', 11', 13 'and 14', the sheets 10 ', 16' are angled relative to the plane of the curtain 5, wherein the angle α in any case, should be less than 45 °, preferably even maximally 30 °.

In order to keep the arrangement with the curtain 5 tight even in the strongest draft in case of fire, it is preferred if the two support plates 10 ', 16' are connected to approximately transversely extending to sliding or rolling surfaces 17. On these sliding or rolling surfaces 17, either in the region of the side edge 5 'attached sliding blocks (for example made of a lubricious plastic) or - preferably - rollers 18 may be attached, as is known per se, but here represents an additional assurance for the tightness. Because by the rollers 18, a double function is ensured here, namely on the one hand the protection against pulling out of the curtain 5 (which the space enclosed by the curtain space would leak), and on the other hand, the sliding of the curtain 5 is improved in the rail 8. Incidentally, it can be seen from FIG. 3 that the gap 7 'widens toward the room in this case as well, or narrows towards the edge area 5', so that when forces occur, for example as a result of the draft in the event of a fire, this Edge area are initiated.

In Fig. 4, the assembly of the embodiments according to FIGS. 2 and 3 is shown in a perspective view, wherein the embodiment of the bearing surfaces 10 and 16 with respect to FIG. 2 is slightly modified or simplified. It can be seen that the edge region of the curtain wound on the winding 12 protrudes slightly beyond the upper, horizontal seal in the sense of that of Fig. 2 and threads itself directly between the bearing surfaces 1 ", 16 'of the rail 8. In this way, there is an all around Therefore, the combination of the embodiments according to FIGS. 2 and 3, in the sense of FIG. 4, is particularly preferred.

Although the cross-sectional shape of the bearing surface 10 in Fig. 4 corresponds exactly to that of Fig. 2, the counter-bearing surface 16 "has undergone a modification with respect to Fig. 2. Namely, it is only the trailing edge 9 provided (which is greatly shortened under the perspective angle of FIG. 4, but the run-off edge 9 of FIG. 2 corresponds), whereupon the sheet 16 "recedes and thus forms part of a recess 13", against which the counter edge 11 abuts. However, the recess 13 "here is not completed by a new projection, as in Fig. 2, but goes over another inclined plate 19 in the housing wall 4 'via.

As can also be seen from FIG. 4, the run-off edge 9 is dimensioned with respect to its horizontal length such that it does not extend to the edge of the curtain 5, but rather at least one edge region 5 ', preferably both, opposite edge regions 5' you are no longer led. But this allows an unimpeded threading this edge portion in the side guide rail 8 (the invention is not limited to the use of two opposing guide rails 8, but could be provided on the other, not shown here side, any known per se seal, although this in general will not be preferred). However, such a design can also be used with other lateral guides, e.g. conventional type, be beneficial.

In order to achieve a high sealing effect, it is preferred if the rail 8 directly adjoins the horizontal sealing arrangement 9-16 "in an arrangement according to Fig. 4. This can be done so that the adjoining edges 8 'join one another at a bevel angle β However, such a construction also allows a certain rounding so that curved edges are also possible, and nevertheless a good sealing effect is obtained.

Claims (10)

Sealing arrangement for a fire or smoke curtain (5) for separating two areas, with a support surface approximately parallel to the curtain surface (16, 16 ') to which a surface area (5') of the curtain (5) is applied, wherein the seal assembly in the areas this support surface (16, 16 ') is provided, characterized in that two mutually opposite bearing surfaces (10, 16, 10', 16 ') are provided for bearing on mutually opposite surfaces of the curtain (5), and that the two bearing surfaces ( 10, 16, 10 ', 16') comprise at least one set consisting of projection (9, 14 or 11) and recess (13) which are respectively complementary and intermeshing and thus form a labyrinth seal. Sealing arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the two bearing surfaces (10, 16, 10 ', 16') against each other resilient, for example as a spring plate, are formed. Sealing arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two bearing surfaces (10, 16, 10 ', 16') extend approximately in the unwinding direction of the curtain (5), and that preferably with the bearing surfaces (10, 16; 16 '), against the curtain edge (5') to, about transverse thereto extending sliding or rolling surfaces (17) are connected, wherein the curtain edge (5 ') with on these rolling surfaces (17) supporting sliding elements or (preferably) rollers (18) is provided. Sealing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two bearing surfaces (10, 16; 10 ', 16') are provided on a lateral guide rail (8) for the curtain (5). Sealing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided at a run-off edge (9) for guiding the curtain (5) following the curtain winding (12), preferably at the outlet (7) of a winding housing (4). Sealing arrangement according to claims 3 and 5, characterized in that on the one hand a horizontally extending seal (9-16) on the run-off edge (9) and on the other hand on at least one edge region (5 ') of the curtain (5), preferably at both, the sealing Support surfaces (10, 16, 10 ', 16') are provided. Sealing arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the horizontal sealing arrangement (9-16) extends over only a part of the surface of the curtain (5) such that it leaves free the edge region (5 ') of the curtain (5). Sealing arrangement according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that directly to the horizontal sealing arrangement (9-16) at least one, preferably one on both sides, lateral provided with such a labyrinth seal guide rail (8), preferably with a miter angle (β), followed. Sealing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the projections (9, 14 or 11) and depressions (13) are formed in a wave-like or zig-zag-shaped cross-section, and in that preferably the wave or zig-zag shaped projections (9, 14 and 11) and recesses (13) of the bearing surfaces (10, 16, 10 ', 16') each occupy a flat, lying at 45 ° angle (α) to the plane of the curtain (5), preferably maximum 30 °. Sealing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a gap (7, 7 ') is formed towards the two bearing surfaces (10, 16, 10', 16 ') which is preferably formed by the bearing surfaces (10, 16, 10'). , 16 ') itself is limited, which widens against the space areas (2) towards, against the two bearing surfaces (10, 16, 10', 16 '), however, tapers.

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