EP4166199A1 - Device and method for passivating a burning vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for passivating a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, comprising: at least two side walls (1), movement elements (3) provided on the at least two side walls (1) for moving the at least two side walls (1), on the at least Connecting elements (4) provided on two side walls (1) for connecting the at least two side walls (1) to one another, and sealing elements (5) provided on the at least two side walls (1) for sealing between the at least two side walls (1) and one located under the at least two side walls (1) and/or for sealing the at least two side walls (1) together. The subject matter of the present invention is also a method for passivating a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, wherein a device according to the invention for passivating a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, is preferably used.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for passivating a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, and a corresponding method for passivating a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle.

The spread of electromobility is progressing steadily, in particular due to government subsidies and tax exemptions, resulting in increased interest among the population in terms of purchasing an electric car.

With the increase in electric mobility and the increased use of lithium metal batteries (Li primary batteries) and lithium ion batteries (Li secondary batteries), the risk of problematic vehicle fires that are difficult to extinguish increases. Special attention is paid to lithium-ion batteries, which can sometimes ignite during charging. Depending on properties such as rapid charging capability, energy density (Wh/kg), storage temperature or design, the risk of a fire varies. Furthermore, a battery that is deformed - for example due to an accident - can catch fire due to a chemical reaction, which is extremely difficult to extinguish.

Particularly when incidents occur in underground car parks or other places that are difficult to access, such as on car ferries or in tunnels, where firefighting options are limited, for example due to low ceiling heights and/or narrow movement areas, there are hardly any sensible options for action. The solutions known in the state of the art provide so-called fire-fighting containers or roll-off or set-down containers, with a floor part being delimited by four side walls and quasi providing a trough for a vehicle to be picked up. The problem here is that the vehicle has to be placed in the container. This is bad for parked vehicles, especially in underground car parks or others accessible locations such as on car ferries or in tunnels, where fire-fighting options are limited, for example due to low ceiling heights and/or narrow movement areas, is almost impossible or extremely difficult to accomplish, especially since the floor part has to be brought under the burning or fire-endangered vehicle, for which purpose this usually raised and the container or the bottom part of the same must be placed under the vehicle. In addition, the storage of appropriate containers in underground car parks or other poorly accessible places such as on car ferries or in tunnels is disadvantageous.

Despite the increasing number of electric vehicles worldwide, there is no easy-to-use yet reliable solution for extinguishing the aforementioned fires and for passivating an electric vehicle after such a fire, which in particular can prevent re-ignition.

Against this background, the objective technical task is to create an extinguishing system that is as mobile as possible and can be used in areas that are difficult to access.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a device for passivating a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, comprising at least two side walls, movement elements provided on the at least two side walls for moving the at least two side walls, connecting elements provided on the at least two side walls for connecting the at least two side walls to one another , and sealing elements provided on the at least two side walls for sealing between the at least two side walls and a floor located under the at least two side walls and/or for sealing the at least two side walls with one another.

The solution according to the invention advantageously does not require the use of a base part, which is the case with container solutions known in the prior art. The device according to the invention uses the floor of the parking lot on which the vehicle to be passivated is parked. The trough-like or trough-forming arrangement of the device according to the invention around the vehicle to be passivated can advantageously take place without lifting or moving the vehicle.

Each of the two side walls is advantageously designed in such a way that it already has a high intrinsic weight. Due to the movement elements, which are height-adjustable, each side wall is easy to manoeuvre. In this way it is possible for the side walls to be easily moved and arranged around a damaged vehicle.

In addition, each of the side walls is provided with connecting elements and seals in the floor area and on the horizontal connecting surfaces. As a result, after the side walls have been connected to one another and the structure forming a defined space has been lowered, a type of watertight or liquid-tight trough can be formed.

Rollers are preferably provided as movement elements. These enable easy maneuvering despite the high weight of the side walls. For example, rollers are attached to each side wall, which allow the side walls to be easily manoeuvred. Once the side walls are in position and connected to each other, the rollers can be removed from the floor using a crank or other devices until the side walls are completely in contact with the floor and the sealing element thus prevents the extinguishing agent from escaping later. Alternatively and/or in addition, other means for moving the side walls can be provided which, for example, allow the side walls to slide or move.

In a preferred embodiment, a clamping device arranged on one of the at least two side walls and an engagement device arranged on another of the at least two side walls are provided as connecting elements. With such a construction, a firm hold between the side walls can be achieved even when a large quantity of extinguishing agent is present within them.

An end face of at least one of the at least two side walls advantageously has an essentially U-shaped profile which can be brought into engagement with another end face of one of the at least two side walls. A firm hold between two adjacently arranged side walls is thus possible without connecting elements having to be arranged on both sides of a side wall. In other words, the fasteners are not to be arranged within a space or interior space defined by the side walls, which forms the tub.

At least one of the at least two side walls preferably has a cavity which is designed to accommodate an extinguishing agent. The additional weight of the extinguishing agent ensures that no water escapes towards the ground, even on uneven road surfaces. The contact pressure to the floor can be increased by increasing the level of extinguishing agent in the cavity. For example, each side wall is constructed in such a way that it consists of a base frame that is planked and sealed on both sides. This creates cavities that can be flooded, which are connected to one another by recesses in the base frame. This ensures that the extinguishing agent is evenly distributed during the filling process.

A further embodiment provides that at least one of the at least two side walls has a connection for filling a space defined by the at least two side walls and/or a cavity in one of the at least two side walls with an extinguishing agent. A vehicle located within the space can be completely covered with an extinguishing agent via the connection for filling a space defined by the at least two side walls. The connection for filling a cavity in one of the at least two side walls, on the other hand, serves to increase the dead weight of the same. A C-coupling or a G 1/2 inch thread--common for consumers--is preferably provided as the connection. It is explicitly pointed out that the connection can be provided for simultaneously filling the cavity of a side wall or the side walls and the space formed by the side walls.

The device for passivating a vehicle advantageously includes a height-adjustable float which interacts with the connection for filling the space in such a way that filling with the extinguishing agent ends when a predefined fill level of the extinguishing agent inside the space is reached. In this way it can be ensured that only enough extinguishing agent is used to completely cover a vehicle or a vehicle battery, with the float being adjusted to the height of the vehicle or the vehicle battery for this purpose. The thus in the interior of The resulting tub located float valve is therefore used to adjust the extinguishing agent level by regulating the float valve so that only a minimum fill level is used, which is necessary to cool a lithium-ion battery, for example. This not only saves a relevant weight, for example in multi-storey car parks, in particular due to the sometimes given limitation of the surface load, but also extinguishing agent and reduces the later disposal quantity of contaminated extinguishing agent.

Furthermore, it can be provided that a conventional water hose is connected to a connection of a side wall, which is locked via the internal float valve and only opens automatically when the extinguishing agent level drops. As a result, there is advantageously no need for a complex fire watch within the dwell time until a fire is safely over.

Advantageously, at least one of the at least two side walls has a stopcock for draining an extinguishing agent located in a space defined by the at least two side walls. In this way, the side walls flooded with extinguishing agent can be easily emptied.

Preferably, the device also includes a cover element, preferably a tarpaulin, for covering the top of a space defined by the at least two side walls. This cover element can be custom-made to the dimensions of the assembled "tub" and can be, for example, a fire-retardant tarpaulin, which is slipped over all side walls when in use and thus serves as a cover. In this way, the supply of oxygen to the space defined by the side walls can be reduced.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cover element is fastened by means of eyelets to fastening elements, preferably hooks, preferably provided on the side surfaces of the at least two side walls. In this way, the cover element can be secured in a simple yet firm manner.

Furthermore, the cover element can have a seal arranged circumferentially on its inside. This enables a further improved space closure, through which ultimately an airless or largely airless space can be created. At the aforementioned Evacuation by means of a vacuum pump advantageously presses the inner seal against the respective side wall.

At least one of the at least two side walls preferably has a connection, in particular a connection with a G 1/2 inch thread, for removing air from the space defined by the at least two side walls, preferably by means of a vacuum pump. When using a cover element, a vacuum can be created in this way, so that a fire in the vehicle can be ended more quickly by suffocating it. In this way, for example, in suspected cases, around 50 percent of the air can be removed in a defined room volume so that only a partial pressure of around 50,000 pascals remains. This air pressure corresponds to an atmospheric height of 6,000 meters, which makes a fire impossible. If the critical time of, for example, 72 hours after a fire has been reached and renewed ignition is thus ruled out, the contaminated extinguishing agent can be sucked off, for example by means of a submersible pump, and in particular placed in a container provided for disposal and/or processing.

According to a further embodiment of the device, at least one of the at least two side walls has a manometer for monitoring the air pressure within the defined space.

The device preferably also comprises at least one essentially U-shaped profile provided on side surfaces of the at least two side walls, which profile can be brought into engagement with another end face of a side wall of the at least two side walls that can be arranged adjacent. In this way, space for vehicles of different sizes can be created in a simple manner, as a result of which the overall weight of the device and extinguishing agent can be saved. For example, there are additional connecting surfaces on two opposite side walls that make it possible to brace another side wall individually and thus reduce the interior space. To position the essentially U-shaped profiles, the dimensions of common small, medium and luxury cars are determined.

According to the invention, the above-mentioned object is also achieved by a method for passivating a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, comprising the steps: moving at least two side walls for placement around the vehicle, connecting the at least two side walls to one another, and sealing between the at least two side walls and a bottom located under the at least two side walls and/or between the at least two side walls.

The solution according to the invention advantageously does not require the use of a base part, which is the case with container solutions known in the prior art. The device according to the invention uses the floor of the parking lot on which the vehicle to be passivated is parked. The trough-like or trough-forming arrangement of the device according to the invention around the vehicle to be passivated can advantageously take place without lifting or moving the vehicle.

In the method according to the invention for passivating a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, a device according to the invention for passivating a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, is advantageously used.

Advantageously, the local conditions can be assessed by means of an on-site appointment before the side walls are manufactured. In this way it can be ensured that the extinguishing system is individually tailored to the parking area and can be used in the best possible way without sometimes protruding over other parking areas. The height of the side walls is preferably 1500 mm. This enables protection against a fire, so that people can safely approach the vehicle even if the fire persists.

Due to the fact that the side walls are kept separately as individual elements, it is possible to switch from a transportable state to a usable state within a very short time. Such flexibility is of the utmost importance in fire and extinguishing situations.

Once the usable state has been reached after positioning and connecting the side walls, a connection is used, for example for a fire hose in the Size C, to simultaneously fill the cavities of the sidewalls and the interior space defined by the sidewalls. Once the side walls have been filled quickly and manually, the filling process can be continued from a cavity in the side walls and/or the interior via a further connection with a G½ inch thread, as is known, for example, from a garden hose or the like.

Fig. 1

in einer perspektivischen Ansicht ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;

Fig. 2a

in einer schematischen Draufsicht ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Dichtungselements zur Abdichtung der Seitenwände untereinander;

Fig. 2b

in einer schematischen Seitenansicht ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Dichtungselements zur Abdichtung zwischen einer Seitenwand und einem sich unter dieser befindenden Boden;

Fig. 3

in einer schematischen Draufsicht drei Varianten für die Verbindung von Seitenwänden in Abhängigkeit von einer Größe eines Fahrzeugs;

Fig. 4a

in einer schematischen Schnittansicht eine von der Seite dargestellte Seitenwand;

Fig. 4b

in einer schematischen Schnittansicht eine von oben dargestellte Seitenwand;

Fig. 5

in einer schematischen Seitenansicht ein Schwimmerventil umfassend einen Schwimmer und ein damit zusammenwirkendes Ventil;

Fig. 6a

in einer perspektivischen Ansicht ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Abdeckelements; und

Fig. 6b

in einer schematischen Seitenansicht ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Abdeckelements mit einer an seiner Innenseite umlaufend angeordneten Dichtung.

Further details, features and/or advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures of the drawings. show:

1

in a perspective view an embodiment of a device according to the invention;

Figure 2a

in a schematic plan view, an embodiment of a sealing element for sealing the side walls with each other;

Figure 2b

in a schematic side view an embodiment of a sealing element for sealing between a side wall and a floor located underneath it;

3

in a schematic top view three variants for the connection of side walls depending on a size of a vehicle;

Figure 4a

in a schematic sectional view, a side wall shown from the side;

Figure 4b

in a schematic sectional view, a side wall shown from above;

figure 5

in a schematic side view, a float valve comprising a float and a valve cooperating therewith;

Figure 6a

in a perspective view an embodiment of a cover element; and

Figure 6b

in a schematic side view an embodiment of a cover element with a seal arranged circumferentially on its inside.

1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention for passivating a vehicle. In the present case, the device 1 comprises three side walls 1, of which two side walls are L-shaped when viewed from above. Each of the three side walls 1 includes moving elements 3 which are provided for moving the respective side wall 1 . In the present case, the movement elements 3 are designed as rollers. Furthermore, the movement elements 3 are height-adjustable, with a height adjustment taking place, for example, by means of a crank. Instead of L-shaped side walls 1, side walls 1 consisting only of straight elements, ie I-shaped, can in principle also be used.

The solution according to the invention shown in the figures of the drawing advantageously does not use a base part, which is otherwise provided in container solutions known in the prior art. The device according to the invention advantageously uses the floor of the parking lot on which the vehicle to be passivated is parked. The trough-like or trough-forming arrangement of the side walls of the device according to the invention around the vehicle to be passivated can advantageously take place without lifting or moving the vehicle.

Furthermore, each side wall 1 comprises at least one connecting element 4, namely a tensioning device 4a and/or an engagement device 4b. Such connecting elements 4 are used to connect the side walls 1 to one another. In the present case, the end face of the L-shaped side wall 1 arranged on the left can be brought into engagement with the essentially U-shaped profile 6 of the L-shaped side wall 1 arranged on the right. The side wall 1 arranged at the rear can be arranged with its two end faces in corresponding U-shaped profiles 6 of the L-shaped side wall 1 arranged on the left or right.

The side walls also each comprise sealing elements 5 (in 1 not visible) for sealing between the at least three side walls 1 and a bottom located under the three side walls 1. Furthermore, the two L-shaped side walls 1 include sealing elements 5 for sealing the at least three side walls 1 from one another, presently arranged within a U-shaped profile 6.

Furthermore, in 1 various connections are shown, which are explained below. The L-shaped side wall 1 arranged on the right has a connection 8 for filling a space 7 defined by the three side walls 1, which is designed as a C-coupling. Furthermore, the L-shaped side wall 1 arranged on the right has a connection 9 for filling a cavity 2 of the side wall 1 with an extinguishing agent, which is designed here as a G 1/2 inch thread. Corresponding connections can of course also be provided on the other side walls 1 . Furthermore, it can also be provided that a combined connection, ie for filling the interior space 7 and for filling the cavity 2, is used.

Furthermore, the L-shaped side wall 1 arranged on the right has a connection 18 for removing air from the space 7 defined by the three side walls 1, this connection 18 presently being designed as a connection with a G 1/2 inch thread. The air is removed by means of a vacuum pump, for example when a cover element 14 is provided (see FIG Figure 6a ). The aforementioned L-shaped side wall 1 arranged on the right also includes a manometer 19 for monitoring the air pressure within the defined space 7.

The L-shaped side wall 1 arranged on the left, on the other hand, has a stopcock 12 for draining an extinguishing agent located in a space 7 defined by the three side walls 1 .

Figure 2a shows a schematic plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a sealing element 5 for sealing the side walls 1 from one another. The sealing element 5 is within a substantially U-shaped profile 6 which can be brought into engagement with the end face of another side wall 1. arranged. This sealing element 5 is not necessarily provided on all side walls 1 .

Figure 2b shows a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of a sealing element 5 for sealing between a side wall 1 and a floor located underneath it. This sealing element 5 is provided on each side wall 1 in order to prevent an extinguishing agent from leaking out of the space 7 defined by the side walls 1 .

3 shows in a schematic top view three variants for the connection of side walls 1 depending on the size of a vehicle. According to the representation in 1 each of the variants can have two L-shaped side walls 1 and a side wall 1 arranged between them. The L-shaped side walls 1 are provided, for example, with three profiles 6 arranged corresponding to one another, between which another side wall 1 can be arranged. To position the essentially U-shaped profiles 6, the dimensions of common small, medium and luxury cars were determined, resulting in the three variants of arrangements shown.

The device thus comprises three essentially U-shaped profiles 6 provided on the respective side surfaces of the two L-shaped side walls 1, which can be brought into engagement with the respective end faces of the side wall 1 arranged at the top or rear.

Figure 4a shows a side wall 1 shown from the side in a schematic sectional view Figure 4a the arrangement of the sealing element 5 directed towards the ground is clearly visible. Such a sealing element 5 is provided at each side wall 1 of the device. Furthermore, it can be seen that the side wall 1 is hollow from the inside.

Figure 4b shows a side wall 1 shown from above in a schematic sectional view. This side wall 1 has a cavity 2 which is designed to accommodate an extinguishing agent.

figure 5 shows a schematic side view of a float valve comprising a float 10 and a valve 16 cooperating therewith, which in the present case interacts with a connection 8 designed as a C-coupling for filling with an extinguishing agent. In the present case, the float 10 is height-adjustable H, so that it interacts with the connection 8 for filling the space 7 formed by the side walls 1 in such a way that when a predefined fill level of the extinguishing agent is reached within the space 7, the supply of the extinguishing agent ends.

Figure 6a shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a cover element 14. In the present case, the cover element 14 is designed as a tarpaulin, which is used to cover a space 7 defined by the side walls 1 on the upper side. The cover element 14 is provided with eyelets 15 in the present case. These eyelets 15 are used to fasten to correspondingly provided fastening elements 13, for example hooks, on the side surfaces of the side walls 1.

Figure 6b shows a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of a cover element 14 with a seal 17 arranged circumferentially on its inside. This seal 17 serves to create an improved space seal, through which an airless space can be created, in particular if the space 7 is evacuated by means of a vacuum pump takes place, since the seal 17 is then pressed against the respective side wall 1.

The exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures of the drawing and the exemplary embodiments explained in connection with these only serve to explain the invention and are not restrictive for it.

Reference list:

1

Side wall

2

cavity

3

movement element

4

fastener

4a

clamping device

4b

intervention device

5

sealing element

6

profile

7

(Inner space

8th

Connection for filling, C-coupling

9

Connection for filling, G 1/2 inch thread

10

swimmer

11

height adjustment

12

stopcock

13

fastener

14

cover element

15

eyelet

16

Valve

17

poetry

18

Port for removing air

19

manometer

Claims (15)

Device for passivating a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, comprising: at least two side walls (1), Movement elements (3) provided on the at least two side walls (1) for moving the at least two side walls (1), connecting elements (4) provided on the at least two side walls (1) for connecting the at least two side walls (1) to one another, and sealing elements (5) provided on the at least two side walls (1) for sealing between the at least two side walls (1) and a base located under the at least two side walls (1) and/or for sealing the at least two side walls (1) with one another. Device according to claim 1, wherein the movement elements (3) are adjustable in height. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein rollers are provided as moving elements (3). Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a clamping device (4a) arranged on one of the at least two side walls (1) and an engagement device (4b) arranged on another of the at least two side walls (1) are provided as connecting elements (4). Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an end face of one of the at least two side walls (1) has a substantially U-shaped profile (6) which can be brought into engagement with another end face of one of the at least two side walls (1). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, in which at least one of the at least two side walls (1) has a cavity (2) which is designed to accommodate an extinguishing agent. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the at least two side walls (1) has a connection (8, 9) for filling a space (7) defined by the at least two side walls (1) and/or a cavity (2) in one of the at least two side walls (1) with an extinguishing agent, preferably a C coupling (8) or a G 1/2 inch thread (9). Device according to Claim 7, further comprising a height-adjustable (11) arrangeable float (10), which interacts with the connection (8, 9) for filling the space (7) in such a way that when a predefined filling level of the extinguishing agent is reached within the space (7 ) filling with the extinguishing agent ends. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the at least two side walls (1) has a stopcock (12) for draining an extinguishing agent located in a space (7) defined by the at least two side walls (1). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 9, further comprising a cover element (14), preferably a tarpaulin, for covering the top of a space (7) defined by the at least two side walls (1). Device according to claim 10, wherein the cover element (14) is fastened by means of eyelets (15) to side surfaces of the at least two side walls (1) provided fastening elements (13), preferably hooks, and/or wherein the cover element (14) has a circumferential on its inside arranged seal (17). Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least one of the at least two side walls (1) has a connection (18), in particular a connection with a G 1/2 inch thread, for removing air from the through the at least two side walls ( 1) defined space (7), preferably by means of a vacuum pump. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the at least two side walls (1) has a manometer (19) for monitoring the air pressure within the defined space (7). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 13, further comprising at least one essentially U-shaped profile (6) which is provided on the side surfaces of the at least two side walls (1) and which is connected to another end face of a side wall (1) which can be arranged adjacent to the at least two side walls ( 1) can be engaged. Method for passivating a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, comprising the steps: moving at least two side walls (1) to be placed around the vehicle, Connecting the at least two side walls (1) to one another, and Sealing between the at least two side walls (1) and a base located under the at least two side walls (1) and/or between the at least two side walls (1).

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