EP1234600A1 - Feuerlöscheinrichtung für Kraftfahrzeuge - Google Patents

Feuerlöscheinrichtung für Kraftfahrzeuge Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1234600A1
EP1234600A1 EP02075471A EP02075471A EP1234600A1 EP 1234600 A1 EP1234600 A1 EP 1234600A1 EP 02075471 A EP02075471 A EP 02075471A EP 02075471 A EP02075471 A EP 02075471A EP 1234600 A1 EP1234600 A1 EP 1234600A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fire
reservoir
valve
extinguishing device
motor vehicle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP02075471A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Maurizio Medica
Dario Pegurri
Marco Radici
Aldo Mangili
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Technologie Ambientali Srl
Original Assignee
Technologie Ambientali Srl
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Technologie Ambientali Srl filed Critical Technologie Ambientali Srl
Publication of EP1234600A1 publication Critical patent/EP1234600A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C3/00—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places
    • A62C3/07—Fire prevention, containment or extinguishing specially adapted for particular objects or places in vehicles, e.g. in road vehicles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fire-extinguishing device for a motor vehicle.
  • a particular type of known fire-extinguishing device which is intended for use exclusively on a racing car, includes a reservoir of pressurized extinguishing fluid; the reservoir is housed inside a driver compartment of the car; a distribution duct connects the reservoir to delivery nozzles placed in the engine compartment.
  • a tap couples the reservoir with the distribution duct; a valve, which is controlled through an opening rope placed outside the car, is mounted along the distribution duct.
  • the tap connecting the reservoir to the distribution duct is opened. If a fire should break out in the engine compartment, the driver of the car goes out of the driver compartment and pulls the rope; in this way, the valve is opened and allows the extinguishing fluid to reach the delivery nozzles.
  • a drawback of the fire-extinguishing device described above consists of the fact that it can be operated exclusively in a manual way. As a consequence, its effectiveness is entirely dependent on the quickness of the driver. Moreover, the speed of intervention is further reduced by the fact that the driver has to go out of the driver compartment for opening the valve.
  • An additional drawback consists of the fact that accidental leakage of the extinguishing fluid can occur (without the device being actuated) in the distribution duct that goes from the reservoir to the valve, since the tap is open throughout the race.
  • the fire-extinguishing device includes a reservoir of an extinguishing fluid, which reservoir is coupled with a container of pressurized carbon dioxide through an explosive bulb.
  • a sensor automatically triggers the explosion of the bulb when a fire starting is detected; the explosion puts the container of pressurized carbon dioxide in communication with the reservoir of extinguishing fluid, thereby causing delivery of the extinguishing fluid (through corresponding nozzles). In this way, it is possible to obtain a good speed of intervention of the fire-extinguishing device.
  • a further drawback consists of the fact that it is not possible to intervene in any way for remedying a missed actuation of the fire-extinguishing device; in fact, the structure described above is incompatible entirely with any manual driving organ.
  • the present invention provides a fire-extinguishing device for a motor vehicle including a reservoir for a pressurized extinguishing fluid suitable to be placed in a driver compartment of the motor vehicle, at least one nozzle for delivering the extinguishing fluid in an engine compartment of the motor vehicle, and a duct for distributing the extinguishing fluid from the reservoir to the at least one nozzle;
  • the fire-extinguishing device further includes a valve for controlling opening of the reservoir, means for automatically detecting a fire starting in the engine compartment, means for automatically opening the valve in response to the detection of the fire starting and means for manually opening the valve inside the driver compartment.
  • the present invention also provides a motor vehicle including the fire-extinguishing device, and a corresponding method of installing the fire-extinguishing device on the motor vehicle.
  • the car 100 includes an engine compartment 105 and a driver and passenger compartment 110; the driver and passenger compartment 110 houses a seat 115 for a driver of the car 100 (in addition to further seats for possible passengers).
  • a fire-extinguishing device is installed on the car 100.
  • the fire-extinguishing device 120 includes a reservoir 125 of a pressurized extinguishing fluid.
  • the reservoir 125 consists of an extinguisher-like container, which is filled with a gas composed by a mixture of halogenated hydrocarbons (mixtures of HFC, HCFC and inert gases), such as for instance the products commercially known with the names NAF-P4 or FE36.
  • the reservoir 125 is placed inside the driver and passenger compartment 110, and particularly under the seat 115.
  • a couple of straps 130 is used for fastening the reservoir 125 inside the driver and passenger compartment 110 (for example, on its bottom).
  • a valve 135 connects the reservoir 125 to a distribution duct 140; the valve 135 is provided with a manual-driving lever 145, which is within easy reach of the driver.
  • the distribution duct 140 supplies the extinguishing fluid to a series of delivery nozzles 150 (three in the example depicted in the figure), which are scattered in the engine compartment 105.
  • the nozzles are of the type described in the Italian patent application No.MI98U-00432.
  • the fire-extinguishing device 120 further includes a probe-cable 155, which is placed along a pre-set path inside the engine compartment 105, so as to pass by zones that are particularly prone to the breaking out of fires.
  • the probe-cable 155 provides an electric signal, indicative of the exceeding of a threshold temperature, to an electronic card 160.
  • the electronic card 160 accordingly controls a system for automatically opening the valve 135 (described in detail in the following).
  • the fire-extinguishing device is installed on any other motor vehicle (such as a truck), if the reservoir has a different form, if an equivalent extinguishing fluid is used, if the reservoir is installed in the driver and passenger compartment in a different way, if the delivery nozzles have another structure or they are in a different number (down to a single one), if the probe-cable and the electronic card are replaced with equivalent means, and the like.
  • the valve 135 includes a body 205 that is associated with a mouth of the reservoir 125.
  • a chamber 210 (substantially cylindrical-shaped) is formed in the valve body 205.
  • the chamber 210 has a port 215a in communication with the inside of the reservoir 125; a further port 215b (formed in a side branch of the chamber 210) is connected to the distribution duct 140.
  • a stopper 220 slides axially along the chamber 210; a spring 225 keeps the stopper 220 in a closing position, in which the stopper 220 interrupts the connection of the port 215a with the port 215b.
  • a further chamber 230 is made in the valve body 210; the chamber 230 has a cylindrical shape as well and it is preferably coaxial to the chamber 210.
  • a piston 235 slides axially along the chamber 230.
  • the piston 220 is provided with an extension 220e; the extension 220e is arranged along the axis of the chamber 210 and extends towards the chamber 230, so as to face a lower surface of the piston 235.
  • a shaft 240 integral with the piston 235 projects upward from an upper surface thereof; the shaft 240 (coaxial to the chamber 230) has a free end protruding from the body valve 210.
  • the lever 145 is hinged to the body valve 210 so as to act on the free end of the shaft 240.
  • a peg 245 for locking the shaft 240 slides, along a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 240, in a side recess of the chamber 230.
  • a spring 250 presses the peg 245 against the shaft 240; a groove 240g mating the peg 245 is formed around the shaft 240.
  • a seat 255 for mounting a manometer is made in the valve body 210; the manometer communicates with the inside of the reservoir 125 through a channel 260; in this way, the manometer constantly detects and displays the pressure of the extinguishing fluid in the reservoir 125.
  • the system for automatically opening the valve 135 is formed by two explosive capsules 265, each one releasing a pressurized gas when actuated.
  • the explosive capsules 265 are housed inside respective explosion chambers 270.
  • the explosion chambers 270 are made in side branches of the valve body 210, and they communicate with the chamber 230 through a ring-shaped passage formed around the shaft 240; the explosion chambers 270 are in communication with the chamber 230 on the side of the piston opposite to the stopper.
  • An electric circuit consisting of the probe-cable, the electronic card and the explosive capsules 265 is fed by an electric power supply, for instance consisting of an accumulator of the motor vehicle.
  • an electric power supply for instance consisting of an accumulator of the motor vehicle.
  • an independent back-up accumulator is provided.
  • the probe-cable transmits a corresponding electric signal to the electronic card, which actuates both the explosive capsules 265 at the same time.
  • the pressurized gas released by the explosion of the capsules 265 passes from the respective explosion chambers 270 to the chamber 230; this causes the piston 235 to move towards the stopper 220.
  • the piston 235 act on the extension 220e of the stopper; in this way, the stopper 220 is lowered in opposition to the spring 225.
  • the explosive capsules 265 are designed so that each one of them is able to cause such movement of the stopper 220 on its own.
  • the lever 145 acts on the protruding end of the shaft 240. Therefore, when the driver pulls the lever its rotation causes the sinking of shaft 240 and then of the piston 235 integral thereof; the piston 235 likewise acts on the extension 220e, so as to lower the stopper 220 in opposition to the spring 225.
  • the stopper 220 is moved from the closing position to an opening position, in which it connects the port 215a with the port 215b.
  • the extinguishing fluid contained in the reservoir 125 reaches the delivery nozzles (through the distribution duct 140) and it is distributed inside the engine compartment putting out the fire.
  • the groove 240g is placed opposite the peg 245.
  • the peg 245 engages the groove 240g under the pressure of the spring 250; in this way, the shaft 240 is locked axially, thereby maintaining the stopper 220 in the opening position.
  • the present invention provides a fire-extinguishing device for a motor vehicle.
  • the fire-extinguishing device includes a reservoir for a pressurized extinguishing fluid, which is suitable to be placed in a driver compartment of the motor vehicle.
  • One or more nozzles are used for delivering the extinguishing fluid in an engine compartment of the motor vehicle.
  • a duct distributes the extinguishing fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle.
  • the fire-extinguishing device further includes a valve for controlling opening of the reservoir.
  • the fire-extinguishing device is equipped with means for automatically detecting a fire starting in the engine compartment, and with means for automatically opening the valve in response to the detection of the fire starting. Means for manually opening the valve inside the driver compartment are further provided.
  • the fire-extinguishing device of the invention is really effective.
  • the automatic driving of the valve ensures a high speed of intervention without requiring any operation on the part of the driver.
  • the proposed structure is very reliable, since any accidental leakage of the extinguishing fluid in the distribution duct is prevented. Moreover, the arrangement of the reservoir (and therefore also of the valve and of the relative automatic opening system) inside the driver and passenger compartment avoids their exposure to the atmospheric agents; this ensures that the fire-extinguishing device maintains its effectiveness unaffected for a long time.
  • the devised solution is also very safe, since the valve for opening the reservoir can be always operated manually if necessary. Besides, such operation is directly performed inside the driver and passenger compartment thereby ensuring a good speed of intervention.
  • the fire-extinguishing device is provided with means for fastening the reservoir inside the driver and passenger compartment.
  • a manometer is used for signaling the pressure inside the reservoir.
  • This feature makes it possible to verify the state of effectiveness of the fire-extinguishing device.
  • the valve is opened acting on a lever within easy reach of the driver.
  • the motor vehicle is arranged for housing the reservoir directly, no manometer is provided, the lever for opening the valve is placed elsewhere, or the valve is opened through a push-button or other equivalent means.
  • the valve is provided with a stopper that is opened using one or more explosive capsules.
  • the proposed structure is very simple, but at the same time effective.
  • the stopper is driven by a piston (on which both the pressurized gas released by the explosive capsules and the lever act).
  • the valve is locked in the open condition.
  • the solution of the present invention leads itself to be implemented even with a single explosive capsule, with a different system for automatically opening the valve, using a valve of another type, without locking the valve in the open condition, and the like.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Fire Alarms (AREA)
  • Fire-Extinguishing By Fire Departments, And Fire-Extinguishing Equipment And Control Thereof (AREA)
EP02075471A 2001-02-01 2002-02-01 Feuerlöscheinrichtung für Kraftfahrzeuge Withdrawn EP1234600A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITMI20010194 ITMI20010194A1 (it) 2001-02-01 2001-02-01 Dispositivo anticendio per autoveicoli ad elevata sicurezza di intervento
ITMI010194 2001-02-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1234600A1 true EP1234600A1 (de) 2002-08-28

Family

ID=11446694

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02075471A Withdrawn EP1234600A1 (de) 2001-02-01 2002-02-01 Feuerlöscheinrichtung für Kraftfahrzeuge

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1234600A1 (de)
IT (1) ITMI20010194A1 (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007013849A1 (en) * 2005-07-29 2007-02-01 Jtab Karosseri Ab Device at a motor vehicle
RU2446846C1 (ru) * 2011-04-11 2012-04-10 Открытое акционерное общество "Уральское конструкторское бюро транспортного машиностроения" Система пожаротушения транспортного средства
EP2462993A3 (de) * 2010-12-09 2013-05-01 Kidde Technologies, Inc. Kombiniertes Feuerlöschsystem
WO2013104351A3 (de) * 2012-01-10 2014-05-01 Chs Gmbh Schutzeinrichtung

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1759753A1 (de) * 1968-06-05 1971-07-01 Schill Josef Hans Feuerloeschvorrichtung in Kraftfahrzeugen
FR2536712A1 (fr) * 1982-11-26 1984-06-01 Rot Extincteurs Dispositif de protection contre l'incendie des vehicules
US5613564A (en) * 1995-07-31 1997-03-25 Rhines; Andy J. Vehicle engine fire extinguisher apparatus
DE29709414U1 (de) * 1997-05-30 1997-07-31 Huang Chien Chang Fahrzeug-Feuerlöscheinrichtung

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1759753A1 (de) * 1968-06-05 1971-07-01 Schill Josef Hans Feuerloeschvorrichtung in Kraftfahrzeugen
FR2536712A1 (fr) * 1982-11-26 1984-06-01 Rot Extincteurs Dispositif de protection contre l'incendie des vehicules
US5613564A (en) * 1995-07-31 1997-03-25 Rhines; Andy J. Vehicle engine fire extinguisher apparatus
DE29709414U1 (de) * 1997-05-30 1997-07-31 Huang Chien Chang Fahrzeug-Feuerlöscheinrichtung

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007013849A1 (en) * 2005-07-29 2007-02-01 Jtab Karosseri Ab Device at a motor vehicle
EP2462993A3 (de) * 2010-12-09 2013-05-01 Kidde Technologies, Inc. Kombiniertes Feuerlöschsystem
US8733464B2 (en) 2010-12-09 2014-05-27 Kidde Technologies, Inc. Combined fire extinguishing system
RU2446846C1 (ru) * 2011-04-11 2012-04-10 Открытое акционерное общество "Уральское конструкторское бюро транспортного машиностроения" Система пожаротушения транспортного средства
WO2013104351A3 (de) * 2012-01-10 2014-05-01 Chs Gmbh Schutzeinrichtung
US9573005B2 (en) 2012-01-10 2017-02-21 Chs Gmbh Protection device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITMI20010194A1 (it) 2002-08-01

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