JPH09173491A - Fire extinguishing robot - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a fire extinguishing robot small-sized and lightweight by using a water turbine capable of being driven by the fire extinguishing water fed via a hose as a drive source. SOLUTION: A water turbine 38 having an accessory transmission is arranged at the central region of the internal space covered by a tank 34. A crankshaft 40 is rotated by the water turbine 38, and the crankshaft 40 is supported in the horizontal direction on side walls 30, 32. Substantially rectangular plates 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56 are supported on the crankshaft 40, and their lower end edges are substantially horizontally extended into a zigzag shape. At least two crankshafts 40 are provided as a whole, they are synchronously rotated, and only one of them may be driven by the water turbine 38. This fire extinguishing robot can be made small-sized and lightweight, and it can have heat resistance at a slight cost.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fire-extinguishing robot having a water discharger connected to a hose for supplying water for extinguishing a fire, a drive source, and a moving mechanism operated by the drive source.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the case of a building fire, the original origin of the fire is mostly inside the building. It is usually not possible for firefighters to step into a burning building because of the great danger of, for example, building collapse, high concentrations of toxic and corrosive substances, high temperatures and radiant heat. Therefore, the dispatching captain of the fire brigade generally decides to carry out extinguishing work from the outside using a water discharger and a large nozzle. But this attempt is not very effective. Since it requires a relatively large amount of fire fighting water, the problem of disposal of contaminated fire fighting water arises. The potential for rescue of at least some valuable machinery and equipment inside a building is limited by its small effectiveness. In the case of fires of plastics and chemicals, which are increasing in number, fire extinguishing work from outside the building is almost ineffective, and a large amount of harmful gas may be generated.

Therefore, various fire-extinguishing robots are known for fighting fires in the field, and they are generally formed as vehicles with an endless track, and are usually driven by an electric motor by a storage battery or a power line. Examples of such prior art are shown in US Pat. No. 3,724,554 and US Pat. No. 3,726,478.

Many of these known devices are, first of all, very large and very heavy for structural reasons, which makes them difficult to transport to the point of use, and in addition these devices have a water disperser drive and their great reversal. It does not have enough stand strength to support the power and stand firmly. These can only be used for stairs and rubble with certain conditions. Due to their high weight, these devices are typically unusable on lightweight mid-ceilings or in tall shelving warehouses. These are sensitive to the effects of heat. In particular, it is usually not possible to design the relevant energy supply so that it is protected against explosions.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to be small and light, to be heat resistant despite the low cost and to be explosion protected, whether on stairs or in the rubble. Alternatively, it is to provide a fire-extinguishing robot of the kind described at the beginning that can be moved even on uneven ground.

[0006]

This problem is solved in a fire-extinguishing robot of the kind mentioned at the outset by the fact that the drive source is a water turbine drivable by the fire-fighting water supplied via a hose.

In this way, an additional drive source, such as an electric motor with a storage battery or a relatively heavy hydraulic motor with an attached unit, can be dispensed with, so that the fire-extinguishing robot can be made relatively small and light. it can. Fire extinguishing water can be used as it is as a driving medium. On the way to the fire site, and thus outside the fire fighting drive, the supplied fire fighting water is returned to the fire fighting vehicle, preferably via a switching valve and a second hose, and is therefore pumped. The robot is cooled from the inside by constantly supplying fire extinguishing water, thereby protecting it from overheating from the beginning. The same applies to the two hoses, which are preferably combined in one unit as double conduits. Conventional fire-fighting rotary pumps are preferably used to circulate the fire-fighting water.

After reaching a site for fire fighting activities, such as a building hall, a valve closes the return conduit and the fire fighting water is discharged through a water sprinkler.

In practice, the fire extinguishing robot is stood in front of the building entrance and connected to a conventional fire fighting folding hose. The device pulls this hose behind itself as long as possible. If the friction of the hose is added or if the resistance due to the tightening of the hose is too great, a hose of longer length is preferably mounted on the fire-fighting robot and pulled out of the reel held by the friction brake, The braking effect of the friction brake is overcome when the hose is pulled as set.

To protect against high temperatures and especially large radiant heat, a tank is provided in the robot, which tank covers the water turbine and the associated transmission,
And this tank can be filled with water. Since this filling takes place directly at the point of use, the weight of the device is only significantly increased there, thereby improving the stand strength. However, a limited change of the mounting location is also possible with water filling. Self-protection is further improved by external nozzles cooling the surface of the robot. However, this should only be done to the extent necessary. This is because this kind of means imposes a burden on the recirculation of fire extinguishing water and disposal.

Besides protecting the device, the protection of the supply conduit is also very important. The supply conduit preferably has a double conduit for supplying and refluxing or fortifying the water enclosed by a simple permeable textile hose. Within this fabric hose is further provided a perforated hose in the form of a garden irrigation hose. Upon reaching a predetermined temperature, which can be detected, for example, by a temperature sensor, the fabric hose is constantly wetted via the perforated irrigation hose and is thereby cooled. The folding hose that supplies energy to the device is well away from the outside of the hall or from the fire source.

The moving mechanism is preferably provided with a walking mechanism capable of moving the stairs and overcoming obstacles such as a fallen building part. The walking mechanism is provided with, for example, a large number of parallel aligned plates that are parallel to the moving direction of the robot, and these plates are alternately fixedly arranged and swing by a crankshaft along a circular locus. can do. During the lower half of the crank rotation, the swingable plate projects downward beyond the fixed plate to move the robot forward and again to support it on the fixed plate during the second half of the crank rotation. . The bottom edge of the stationary plate can be serrated to provide good support in overcoming obstacles.

The operation of the device can be done externally via a simple joystick circuit and a cable which is likewise arranged in the fabric hose. The circuit costs are then limited to simple and very reliable switching solenoid valves that control the water flow. Electrical energy is supplied via cables or also small batteries in the device.
It is also possible to use compressed air or hydraulically controlled switching members instead of electrical valves.

In order to increase the versatility, it is also possible to use, for example, a gripping arm instead of a sparger, which moves a bottle of gas or a barrel of chemicals to a safe place.

Other advantages and features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

[0016]

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, the reference numeral 10 as a whole is a fire engine that substantially corresponds to the related art and is not the subject of the present application.

Inside the fire engine 10 there is arranged a fire-extinguishing rotary pump 12 which is covered and is therefore simply indicated by dashed lines, which is provided with two outlets 14, 16 via a switching valve. Has been. Exit 14, 1
6 is connected to the operation panel 18 via a hose by a suitable method described in detail later, and the operation panel is connected to the fire extinguishing robot 22 via at least one other hose 20. A hose reel 24 is provided on the rear side of the fire extinguishing robot 22, and the hose 20 is wound on the hose reel.

First, the fire extinguishing robot having an attached walking drive device will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The fire-extinguishing robot 22 shown in FIG. 2 has a box-shaped housing 26 as schematically shown in this drawing, and four side walls (in the drawing, the side walls are opposed to each other) in pairs with the entire upper surface of the housing. Areas 30, 32 are shown) form a hollow double-walled vessel 34. Since the tank 34 is filled with water via the hose 20 as soon as the fire extinguishing robot reaches the place of use, its structure increases the weight of the relatively light extinguishing robot, particularly as shown at 36 in FIG. The stand strength is increased against the reaction force of the water discharger.

A water turbine 38 (FIG. 3) having an attached transmission is arranged in the central region of the internal space covered by the tank 34, and the water turbine 38 rotates a crankshaft 40, and the crankshaft is Tank 34
Of the two lateral walls 30 and 32 or corresponding regions thereof are mounted horizontally. On the crankshaft 40, substantially rectangular plates 42, 44, 46, 48, 5
Nos. 0, 52, 54 and 56 are supported, and their lower end edges extend substantially horizontally, but are formed in a zigzag shape. A total of at least two synchronously rotating crankshafts 40 for guiding the plates 42 to 56 are provided, only one of which is the water turbine 38.
It can be driven by using.

Since one group of plates having the reference numerals 44, 48, 50, 54 is mounted on a crank pin (not shown) which moves in the circular path of the crankshaft 40, the plates cycle first. It is allowed to move forward, then downward, backward, and upward. And, on the other hand, the other group of plates with the reference numerals 42, 46, 52, 56 are stopped. These plates are mounted on bearing pins of the crankshaft. Fire extinguishing robot 22 while the other plates are in the upper circulation.
Rest on plates 42, 46, 52, 56. Alternatively, the plates 42, 46, 52, 56 are not shown in FIG. 3, but are mounted on imaginary opposite crankpins, whereby the plates of both groups perform a rotational movement offset by 180 ° of phase angle. It is also possible to do so. This increases the moving speed. This type of walking mechanism has a high stand strength, can move up stairs, and can overcome heavy obstacles such as a fallen building part. The water turbine 38 is driven by the water supplied from the rotary pump 12. Therefore, no additional drive mechanism is required. On the way to the place of use, the water first advances in one hose and retracts in the other, so that water is circulated. In this case, the water is guided through the tank 34, so that the water does not take an abnormally high temperature here either. Then, at the point of use, the water flows through a water turbine to a water discharger.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the hose 20. The hose 20 is formed by a fabric hose 58, which forms the outer jacket and is made of a water-permeable material. A water delivery conduit 60 and a water delivery and return conduit 62 are located within this outer jacket of the fabric hose 58. This water delivery and return conduit 62 is used to circulate water to drive the water turbine 38 when approaching a fire site,
On the other hand, it is used as an additional delivery conduit at fire sites.

In the fabric hose 58, further irrigation hose 6
4 are arranged, this irrigation hose 64 is pierced according to the form of an irrigation gardening hose and always discharges a small amount of water over its entire length.
The fabric hose 58 and the inner space thereof are moistened through No. 4 of FIG. Water release is controlled according to ambient temperature.

Further, a current supply cable 66 and a control conductor 68 are arranged in the fabric hose 58. These are used, for example, to control a switching valve (not shown) in the fire extinguishing robot.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing the operation panel 18 in a highly schematic manner. From the control panel 18, the fire extinguishing robot hose 2
0 is shown and the cross section of this hose is shown in FIG. 4 above. A reflux conduit 70 is provided on the inlet side located on the left side of FIG.
Are provided with two feed conduits 72,74. The supply conduits 72 and 74 are connected to the outlet 16 of the fire engine 10 and the supply conduit 70 is connected to the outlet 14 of the fire engine 10. The already described switching valve provided on the rotary pump 12 allows the reflux conduit 70 to be alternately used as an additional feed conduit.

Therefore, the robot can be controlled when approaching a fire site and in the subsequent fire extinguishing process by using both switching valves provided on the fire engine and the robot from the operation panel. The switching valve of the fire-fighting robot causes water to reciprocate through the water turbine 38 in the first position and back to the fire engine. At the fire site, all conduits are switched to water supply. At least a portion of the water stream is always directed through the basin 34 so that in the case of a complete fire extinguishing operation, the entire water reaches the sprinkler 26.

Simultaneously with the switching valve of the fire-extinguishing robot, a switching valve (not shown) provided on the vehicle is also switched between water feeding, reflux and pure feeding.

The reel 24 has a slip brake which is relatively tightly adjusted. Therefore, fire extinguishing robot 22 as much as possible
Pulls the hose 20 backwards on the way to the fire site.
Only when the frictional force of the hose on the ground and the corner of the building or the pulling force due to the tightening of the hose exceeds a predetermined value, the hose 20 in the further section comes out from the hose reel 24 being braked.

[0028]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to form a small size and a light weight, it is heat resistant despite a small cost, it is explosion protected, and even on stairs. Provided is a fire-extinguishing robot that can be moved in a rubble field or on uneven ground.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a fire engine equipped with a fire extinguishing robot according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view showing a fire extinguishing robot.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the fire extinguishing robot shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a hose according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view schematically illustrating an operation panel provided between a fire engine and a fire extinguisher robot, the operation panel including a conduit for connecting the fire engine and the robot.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 pump 20 hose 26 housing 28 upper surface 30 side wall 32 side wall 34 double wall tank 38 water turbine 40 crankshaft 42 plate 44 plate 46 plate 48 plate 50 plate 52 plate 54 plate 56 plate 58 textile hose 60 water feed conduit 62 Reflux conduit 64 Irrigation hose 66 Current supply lead 68 Current control lead

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A fire-extinguishing robot having a water discharger (26) connected to a hose (20) for supplying water for extinguishing fire, a drive source (38), and a moving mechanism (40 to 56) operable by the drive source. In the fire-extinguishing robot, the drive source is a water turbine (38) that can be driven by water for fire extinguishing supplied through a hose (20). 2. A second hose (62) is provided, the hose being external to the fire extinguishing drive and the first hose (2).
0, 60), water turbine (38) and pump (12)
The fire-extinguishing robot according to claim 1, which forms a closed circulation together with the fire-extinguishing robot. 3. The fire-extinguishing robot according to claim 2, wherein a switching valve for switching between fire-extinguishing drive and water circulation is connected to a front stage of the water discharger (26). 4. A double-walled tank (34) is formed in the housing (26) of the fire-extinguishing robot (26) at least in the region of the upper surface (28) and the side walls (30, 32), in which the fire-extinguishing robot is provided. The fire-extinguishing robot according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein water can be supplied from a hose via a switching valve provided in the. 5. The hose (20) forms a unit bounded by a permeable fabric hose (58), which unit comprises a water feed conduit (60), a water feed and return conduit (62), an irrigation hose (64). ) And the current supply and control conductors (66, 68) surrounding the fire extinguisher robot according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. A fire-extinguishing robot according to claim 5, characterized in that the irrigation hose (64) is a hose in the form of a garden irrigation hose with holes along its length. 7. The moving mechanism is a walking mechanism,
This walking mechanism is used for the fire extinguishing robot housing (2
6) having at least one crankshaft (40) axially mounted transversely to its direction of movement and formed on its crankpin as a plate (44, 48, 50, 54) 7. Any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the walking members of the group are journaled, and the walking members of the second group formed as plates (42, 46, 52, 56) are fixedly arranged. Or 1
Fire extinguishing robot according to the item. 8. The moving mechanism is a walking mechanism,
At least one crankshaft (40) with its walking mechanism bearing a group of crankpins in the opposite direction, bearing transversely to its direction of movement in the housing (26) of the fire-fighting robot (22). A plate (44, 4) on the first group of crankpins.
Walking members in the shape of 8, 50, 54) and walking members in the shape of plates (42, 46, 52, 56) on the second group are as follows: The fire-extinguishing robot according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fire-extinguishing robot is supported so as to perform a motion of rotating in a forward direction, a downward direction, a backward direction, and an upward direction. 9. The fire extinguisher robot according to claim 7, wherein the plates (42 to 56) are rectangular plates having a zigzag lower side.