SE1651248A1

SE1651248A1 - Method and system for mitigating damages in association witha vehicle fire

Info

Publication number: SE1651248A1
Application number: SE1651248A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Hesse Johan
Original assignee: Scania Cv Ab
Priority date: 2016-09-22
Filing date: 2016-09-22
Publication date: 2018-03-23
Also published as: DE102017008613A1; SE541477C2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for mitigating damages in association with a vehicle fire. The method comprises the step of: determining said vehicle fire. The method further comprises the steps of: determining a situation associated with said vehicle (1) being on fire; analysing said determined situation from a potential damages point of view comprising considering the surroundings (L) of said vehicle on fire; based upon the results of said analysis, determining appropriate actions for mitigating damages associated with said vehicle on fire and said surroundings of said vehicle on fire; and, performing one or more of said determined appropriate actions.The present invention also relates to a system for mitigating damages in association with a vehicle fire. The present invention also relates to a vehicle. The present invention also relates to a computer program and a computer program product.

Description

|\/IETHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IVIITIGATING DAIVIAGES IN ASSOCIATIONWITH A VEHICLE FIRE TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a method for mitigating damages in association witha vehicle fire according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relatesto a system for mitigating damages in association with a vehicle fire. Theinvention also relates to a vehicle. The invention in addition relates to acomputer program and a computer program product.

BACKG ROUND ART A vehicle fire may cause damages not only to the own vehicle but also tonearby objects such as other vehicles. lf a vehicle at a parking placecomprising other vehicles catches fire, the fire might spread to other nearby vehicles at the parking place.

US2015310742 disclosescommunication link for alerting a vehicle fire to vehicles nearby. a vehicle safety system comprising a There is however a need for providing a method and system for further improving mitigation of damages in association with a vehicle fire.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method for mitigatingdamages in association with a vehicle fire which reduces the risk of damagesassociated with said vehicle fire.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for mitigatingdamages in association with a vehicle fire which reduces the risk of damagesassociated with said vehicle fire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects, apparent from the following description, areachieved by a method, a system, a vehicle, a computer program and acomputer program product, as set out in the appended independent claims.Preferred embodiments of the method and the system are defined inappended dependent claims.

Specifically an object of the invention is achieved by a method for mitigatingdamages in association with a vehicle fire. The method comprises the stepof: determining said vehicle fire. The method further comprises the steps of:determining a situation associated with said vehicle being on fire; analysingsaid determined situation from a potential damages point of view comprisingconsidering the surroundings of said vehicle on fire; based upon the resultsof said analysis, determining appropriate actions for mitigating damagesassociated with said vehicle on fire and said surroundings of said vehicle on fire; and, performing one or more of said determined appropriate actions.

Hereby the risk of damages associated with said vehicle fire is reduced inthat the analysis of the situation comprising the surroundings providesrelevant information about which actions to take such that the appropriate actions may be performed.

The step of determining said vehicle fire may be performed utilizing anysuitable detection means which may comprise one or more suitable detectorunits for detecting a fire comprising any suitable temperature detector and/or any suitable smoke detector.

Said situation associated with said vehicle being on fire may be any situationinvolving said vehicle fire comprising a vehicle fire on a parking place or othersite where other nearby vehicles may be present, in connection toinfrastructure which may be affected such as nearby buildings, in connectionto vegetation such as a forest, a park or the like, a garage with multiplevehicles etc. Said situation may be type of fire of said vehicle, location of fireof said vehicle, severeness of said fire, status of said fire, expected development of said fire etc.

The step of determining a situation associated with said vehicle being on firecomprises according to an embodiment the step of determining the positionof the vehicle on fire. The step of determining the position of the vehicle onfire may comprise utilizing any suitable detection means for detecting theposition of the vehicle. The detection means may comprise one or moredetection units for detecting the position of the vehicle such as the relativedistance to the vehicle on fire. Said one or more detection units may bearranged in one or more nearby vehicles and/or nearby infrastructure such as one or more buildings, signs, posts or the like.

The step of determining the position of the vehicle on fire may compriseutilizing any suitable Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS, e.g. a globalpositioning system, GPS, and map data comprising information about thelocation of said position. Such Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSSmay be arranged in the vehicle on fire and/or nearby vehicles and/or nearby infrastructure detecting.

The step of determining a situation associated with said vehicle being on firecomprises the step of determining the surroundings of said vehicle on fire.

The step of determining the surroundings of said vehicle on fire maycomprise utilizing any suitable detection means for detecting thesurroundings. The detection means may comprise one or more detection units for detecting the surroundings comprising detecting any object within said surroundings comprising infrastructure such as buildings, other vehicles,vegetation etc., said objects comprising any affectable object. Said one ormore detection units may be arranged in one or more nearby vehicles and/ornearby infrastructure such as one or more buildings, signs, posts or the like.

The step of determining the surroundings of said vehicle on fire maycomprise utilizing any suitable Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS,e.g. a global positioning system, GPS, and map data comprising informationabout the surrounding comprising infrastructure such as buildings, signs,vegetation, etc. Said Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS may bearranged in one or more nearby vehicles and/or nearby infrastructure such as one or more buildings, signs, posts or the like.

According to an embodiment of the method the step of analysing saiddetermined situation from a potential damages point of view comprisingconsidering the surroundings of said vehicle on fire comprises the step ofanalysing the weather situation, e.g. wind including wind strength and winddirection, precipitation, thunder etc.

Said surroundings may comprise a parking place or other site where othernearby vehicles may be present, infrastructure which may be affected suchas nearby buildings, vegetation such as a forest, a park or the like, a garagewith multiple vehicles etc. Said surroundings may comprise a gas station,factories or the like which may increase the risk should the vehicle firespread. Said surroundings may comprise dangerous goods in nearby vehicles and/or infrastructure.

According to an embodiment of the method the step of analysing saiddetermined situation from a potential damages point of view comprisingconsidering the surroundings of said vehicle on fire comprises the step ofdetermining characteristics of said surroundings comprising possibleaffectable objects, for example vehicles. Hereby the risk of damagesassociated with said vehicle fire is reduced in that the characteristics of affectable object is taken into account which will assist in making the rightdecisions in the right order and thus facilitates the analysis of the situationsuch that the appropriate actions may be performed.

The step of determining characteristics of said surroundings may compriseutilizing any suitable detection means for detecting characteristics of saidsurroundings. The detection means may comprise one or more detectionunits for detecting the characteristics of said surroundings comprisingdetecting any object within said surroundings comprising infrastructure suchas buildings, other vehicles, users such as vulnerable users within saidsurrounding, vegetation etc., said objects comprising any affectable object.Said one or more detection units may be arranged in one or more nearbyvehicles and/or nearby infrastructure such as one or more buildings, signs,posts or the like.

According to an embodiment of the method the step of determining saidvehicle fire comprises the step of detecting said vehicle fire on board saidvehicle on fire, and/or detecting said vehicle fire by external means.

The step of detecting said vehicle fire on board said vehicle on fire maycomprise detecting at any suitable location on board the vehicle such as inthe vehicle compartment, e.g. in connection to the sealing and/or inconnection to the vehicle engine and/or in connection to the vehicle trunk orthe like. Said the of detecting said vehicle fire on board said vehicle on firemay comprise utilizing one or more suitable detector units for detecting a firecomprising any suitable temperature detector and/or any suitable smokedetector. Detection of vehicle fire on board the vehicle on fire may assist inspreading information about the fire in a quicker and more efficient way, thusfacilitating reducing the risk of damages associated with said vehicle fire.

The step of detecting said vehicle fire externally relative to the vehicle maycomprise detecting in connection to the vehicle in any suitable way comprising any suitable arrangement in connection to infrastructure in connection to the vehicle such as a building, a post, a sign or the like and/orarranged at another vehicle nearby said vehicle. Said step of detecting saidvehicle fire externally relative to the vehicle may comprise utilizing one ormore suitable detector units for detecting a fire comprising any suitabletemperature detector and/or any suitable smoke detector. Detection ofvehicle fire externally relative to the vehicle on fire may further assist inspreading information about the fire in an efficient way, thus facilitatingreducing the risk of damages associated with said vehicle fire. The vehicle onfire may also not be able to detect the fire due to e.g. severeness of fire, lackof detection means or the like.

The step of performing one or more of said determined appropriate actionscomprises utilizing a vehicle-to-vehicle communication arrangement forcommunicating appropriate actions to nearby vehicles and where applicableactivating appropriate actions for nearby vehicles.

The step of performing one or more of said determined appropriate actionscomprises utilizing a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication arrangement forcommunicating appropriate actions to nearby infrastructure and whereapplicable activating appropriate actions for nearby infrastructure.

The step of performing one or more of said determined appropriate actions comprises utilizing an infrastructure-to-infrastructure communicationarrangement for communicating appropriate actions to nearby infrastructure and where applicable activating appropriate actions for nearby infrastructure.

According to an embodiment of the method the step of performing one ormore of said determined appropriate actions comprises the step of producingappropriate warning actions. Hereby the risk of damages associated withsaid vehicle fire is reduced in that relevant warnings are communicated such that appropriate actions may be performed based on said warnings.

Said appropriate warning actions may comprise audible warning in the formof a sound alarm, a voice message or the like and/or visible warning in the form of visual alarm such as a blinking light, a flash, a text message or thelike and/or tactile warning in the form vibrations/movements/shocks or thelike on units in contact with possible vulnerable persons nearby. Appropriatewarning actions may be warnings to any affectable objects comprisingaffectable persons such as persons in the vehicle on fire, persons in nearbybuildings and/or persons in the vicinity of the vehicle on fire. Appropriatewarning actions may comprise waking up persons sleeping, instruct people tomove vehicles and the like. According to an embodiment of the method thestep of performing one or more of said determined appropriate actionscomprises the step of activating a function of one or more affectable vehiclesfor automatically moving said one or more affectable vehicles. Hereby therisk of damages associated with said vehicle fire is reduced in that affectablevehicles may be moved to a secure location such that they are not affected by the fire.

The step of activating a function of one or more affectable vehicles forautomatically moving said one or more affectable vehicles may compriseutilizing internal means on board said movable affected vehicle such that thevehicle itself, based on information of said vehicle fire, initiates the movingand repositioning to a safe location. The information about the fire may bereceived from detection means on board the vehicle and/or by externalmeans, e.g. other vehicles within a vehicle-to-vehicle communicationinfrastructure within a vehicle-to-infrastructure arrangement and/or communication arrangement.

The step of activating a function of one or more affectable vehicles forautomatically moving said one or more affectable vehicles may compriseutilizing external means external to said movable affected vehicle such thatexternal means, based on information of said vehicle fire, controls the movingand repositioning of said vehicle to a safe location. The information about thefire may be received from detection means on board the vehicle and/or by external means, e.g. other vehicles within a vehicle-to-vehicle communication arrangement and/or infrastructure within a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication arrangement.

Such a movable vehicle may be any vehicle that may be automaticallycontrolled such that it may be moved from the vehicle fire to a position whereit is no longer affected by the vehicle fire or no longer risks being affected bythe vehicle fire. Such a movable vehicle may be an autonomous vehicle, asemi-autonomous vehicle or a vehicle being provided with means for alimited move of the vehicle. The step of activating a function of one or moreaffectable vehicles for automatically moving said one or more affectablevehicles may comprise limitations such as limitation of movable distance ofthe vehicle, limitation of speed or the like e.g. in order to make theft moredifficult. The vehicle could be moved to a nearby firefighting means such as a fire post.

According to an embodiment of the method the step of performing one ormore of said determined appropriate actions comprises the step of activatingfirefighting means available in said surroundings for mitigating damages onaffectable/affected objects. Hereby the risk of damages associated with saidvehicle fire is reduced in that affected/affectable objects will be subjected tofirefighting. The step of activating firefighting means available in saidsurroundings for mitigating damages on affectable/affected objects maycomprise utilizing any suitable control member arranged in other vehicles,infrastructure or the like. The information about the fire may be received fromdetection means on board the vehicle on fire and/or other vehicles within avehicle-to-vehicle communication arrangement and/or infrastructure within an infrastructure-to-infrastructure communication arrangement.

Said firefighting means available in said surroundings may comprise e.g. a fire post, a sprinkler system in connection to infrastructure, or the like.

Specifically an object of the invention is achieved by a system for mitigatingdamages in association with a vehicle fire. The system comprises means for determining said vehicle fire. The system further comprises means fordetermining a situation associated with said vehicle being on fire; means foranalysing said determined situation from a potential damages point of viewcomprising means for considering the surroundings of said vehicle on fire;means for determining appropriate actions for mitigating damages associatedwith said vehicle on fire and said surroundings of said vehicle on fire basedupon the results of said analysis; and, means for performing one or more of said determined appropriate actions.

According to an embodiment of the system the means for analysing saiddetermined situation from a potential damages point of view comprisingmeans for considering the surroundings of said vehicle on fire comprisesmeans for determining characteristics of said surroundings comprising possible affectable objects, for example vehicles.

According to an embodiment of the system the means for determining saidvehicle fire comprises means for detecting said vehicle fire on board saidvehicle on fire, and/or external means for detecting said vehicle fire externallyrelative to the vehicle.

According to an embodiment of the system the means for performing one ormore of said determined appropriate actions comprises means for producingappropriate warning actions.

According to an embodiment of the system the means for performing one ormore of said determined appropriate actions comprises means for activatinga function of one or more affectable vehicles for automatically moving saidone or more affectable vehicles.

According to an embodiment of the system the means for performing one ormore of said determined appropriate actions comprises means for activatingfirefighting means available in said surroundings for mitigating damages onaffectable/affected objects.

The system for mitigating damages in association with a vehicle fire is adapted to perform the methods as set out herein.

The system according to the invention has the advantages according to thecorresponding methods as set out herein.

Specifically an object of the invention is achieved by a vehicle comprising a system as set out herein.

Specifically an object of the invention is achieved by a computer program formitigating damages in association with a vehicle fire, said computer programcomprising program code which, when run on an electronic control unit oranother computer connected to the electronic control unit, causes the electronic control unit to perform methods as set out herein.

Specifically an object of the invention is achieved by a computer programproduct comprising a digital storage medium storing the computer program.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention reference is made to thefollowing detailed description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which: Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a side view of a vehicle according to the present invention; Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a side view of a location with a vehicle on fire according to the present invention; Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a system I for mitigating damages inassociation with a vehicle fire according to an embodiment of the present invenﬁon; 11 Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a method I for mitigating damages inassociation with a vehicle fire according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter the term “link” refers to a communication link which may be aphysical connector, such as an optoelectronic communication wire, or a non-physical connector such as a wireless connection, for example a radio or microwave link.

Hereinafter the term 'possible affectable objects” refers to any object whichmay possible be affected by a vehicle fire and thus any affectable objectwithin the surroundings of said vehicle on fire. The term “possible affectableobjects” may thus refer to other vehicles, people, animals, buildings,vegetation such as a forest, a park or the like.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a side view of a vehicle 1 according to thepresent invention. The exemplified vehicle 1 is a heavy vehicle in the shapeof a truck. The vehicle according to the present invention could be anysuitable vehicle such as a bus or a car. The vehicle 1 may comprise or becomprised in a system I for mitigating damages in association with a vehicle fire according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a side view of a location L with a vehicle 1 onfire according to the present invention. The location L comprises the surroundings of said vehicle 1 on fire.

The location L comprises a parking place PP with a set of parking spots arranged next to each other. The vehicle 1 on fire is parked in one of those 12 parking spots. A vehicle 1A is parked in the parking spot next to the vehicle on fire and on the following parking spots vehicles 1B, 1C and 1D are parked.

The location L further comprises infrastructure comprising buildings, here afirst building B1 and a second building B2, arranged in the surroundings ofsaid vehicle 1 on fire and a fire fighting means F in the form of a fire post.

According to the invention damages in association with the vehicle fire on thevehicle 1 are mitigated by: determining said vehicle fire; determining asituation associated with said vehicle 1 being on fire; analysing saiddetermined situation from a potential damages point of view comprisingconsidering the surroundings of said vehicle 1 on fire; based upon the resultsof said analysis, determining appropriate actions for mitigating damagesassociated with said vehicle on fire and said surroundings of said vehicle onfire; and, performing one or more of said determined appropriate actions.

One or more of the vehicles 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D are according to thisembodiment arranged to establish contact with each other within a vehicle-to-vehicle communication arrangement for communicating said vehicle fire tonearby vehicles and where applicable activating appropriate actions fornearby vehicles.

One or more of the vehicles 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D are according to thisembodiment arranged to establish contact with infrastructure, e.g. saidbuildings B1, B2 and/or firefighting means F within a vehicle-to-infrastructurecommunication arrangement for communicating said vehicle fire to saidinfrastructure and where applicable activating appropriate actions forinfrastructure and/or for receiving information about said fire from saidinfrastructure and where applicable activation of appropriate action for one ormore of said vehicle.

Said infrastructure comprising said buildings B1, B2 and firefighting means Fare according to this embodiment arranged to establish an infrastructure-to- infrastructure communication arrangement for communicating said vehicle 13 fire to said infrastructure and where applicable activating appropriate actions for infrastructure and/or other vehicles.

Said vehicles and/or infrastructure are according to this embodimentarranged to establish an vehicle-to-infrastructure and/or infrastructure-toinfrastructure communication arrangement with external infrastructure El forcommunicating said vehicle fire to said infrastructure and where applicablereceiving activation instructions/controls of appropriate actions forinfrastructure and/or other vehicles from said external infrastructure. Saidexternal infrastructure may for example be an alarm central, the vehicle owner/vehicle producer or the like.

Appropriate actions may comprise producing appropriate warning actionsand/or activating a function of one or more affectable vehicles forautomatically moving said one or more affectable vehicles 1A, 1B, 1C, 1Dand/or activating said firefighting means F available in said surroundings for mitigating damages on affectable/affected objects. ln fig. 2 an action of moving said adjacent vehicle 1A has been activated sothat the vehicle 1A is moved from its parking spot next to the vehicle 1 on fire.

Fig. 3 below schematically illustrates an embodiment of a system l formitigating damages in association with a vehicle fire which may be appliedfor the situation according to what is described with reference to fig. 2 above.The embodiments described in fig. 3 below with reference to the system lmay be applied to the situation in fig. 2 including e.g. means 110 fordetermining vehicle fire, means 120 for determining a situation associatedwith said vehicle being on fire, means 130 for analysing said determinedsituation from a potential damages point of view, means 140 for determiningappropriate actions for mitigating damages associated with said vehicle onfire and said surroundings of said vehicle on fire based upon the results of 14 said analysis and means 150 for performing one or more of said determined appropriate actions.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a system I for mitigating damages inassociation with a vehicle fire according to an embodiment of the present invenﬁon.The system I comprises means 110 for determining said vehicle fire.

According to an embodiment of the system I the means 110 for determiningsaid vehicle fire comprises means 112 for detecting said vehicle fire on boardsaid vehicle on fire. Said means 112 for detecting said vehicle fire on boardsaid vehicle on fire may be arranged any suitable location on board thevehicle such as in the vehicle compartment, e.g. in connection to the sealingand/or in connection to the vehicle engine and/or in connection to the vehicletrunk or the like. Said means 112 for detecting said vehicle fire on board saidvehicle on fire may comprise one or more suitable detector units for detectinga fire comprising any suitable temperature detector and/or any suitablesmoke detector.

According to an embodiment of the system the means I for determining saidvehicle fire comprises means 114 for detecting said vehicle fire externallyrelative to the vehicle. Said means 114 for detecting said vehicle fireexternally relative to the vehicle may be arranged in connection to the vehiclein any suitable way comprising any suitable arrangement in connection toinfrastructure in connection to the vehicle such as a building, a post, a sign orthe like and/or arranged at another vehicle nearby said vehicle. Said means114 for detecting said vehicle fire externally relative to the vehicle maycomprise one or more suitable detector units for detecting a fire comprisingany suitable temperature detector and/or any suitable smoke detector. Saidmeans 114 for detecting said vehicle fire externally relative to the vehicle may comprise detection by a spectator.

The means 110 for determining said vehicle fire comprise said means 112 fordetecting said vehicle fire on board said vehicle on fire and/or said means114 for detecting said vehicle fire externally relative to the vehicle.

The system l comprises means 120 for determining a situation associatedwith said vehicle being on fire. Said situation may be any situation involvingsaid vehicle fire comprising a vehicle fire on a parking place or other sitewhere other nearby vehicles may be present, in connection to infrastructurewhich may be affected such as nearby buildings, in connection to vegetationsuch as a forest, a park or the like, a garage with multiple vehicles etc. Saidsituation may be type of fire of said vehicle, location of fire of said vehicle,severeness of said fire, status of said fire, expected development of said fireetc.

The means 120 for determining a situation associated with said vehicle beingon fire comprises means 122 for determining the position of the vehicle onfire. The means 122 for determining the position of the vehicle on fire maycomprise detection means for detecting the position of the vehicle. Thedetection means may comprise one or more detection units for detecting theposition of the vehicle such as the relative distance to the vehicle on fire.Said one or more detection units may be arranged in one or more nearbyvehicles and/or nearby infrastructure such as one or more buildings, signs,posts or the like.

The means 122 for determining the position of the vehicle on fire maycomprise any suitable Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS, e.g. aglobal positioning system, GPS, and map data comprising information aboutthe location of said position. Such Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSSmay be arranged in the vehicle on fire and/or nearby vehicles and/or nearby infrastructure detecting. 16 The means 120 for determining a situation associated with said vehicle beingon fire comprises means 124 for determining the surroundings of said vehicle on fire.

The means 124 for determining the surroundings of said vehicle on fire maycomprise detection means for detecting the surroundings. The detectionmeans may comprise one or more detection units for detecting thesurroundings comprising detecting any object within said surroundingscomprising infrastructure such as buildings, other vehicles, vegetation etc.,said objects comprising any affectable object. Said one or more detectionunits may be arranged in one or more nearby vehicles and/or nearby infrastructure such as one or more buildings, signs, posts or the like.

The means 124 for determining the surroundings of said vehicle on fire maycomprise any suitable Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS, e.g. aglobal positioning system, GPS, and map data comprising information aboutthe surrounding comprising infrastructure such as buildings, signs,vegetation, etc. Said Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS may bearranged in one or more nearby vehicles and/or nearby infrastructure such as one or more buildings, signs, posts or the like.

The system I comprises means 130 for analysing said determined situationfrom a potential damages point of view. The means 130 for analysing thesituation may comprise means for analysing the weather situation, e.g. windincluding wind strength and wind direction, precipitation, thunder etc. Themeans for analysing the weather situation may comprise any suitable sensormeans such as temperature sensors, wind sensors, rain sensors or the like.The means for analysing the weather situation may comprise means forestablishing communication with any weather station, any weather data orthe like.

The means 130 for analysing said determined situation from a potential damages point of view comprises means 132 for considering the 17 surroundings of said vehicle on fire. Said surroundings may comprise aparking place or other site where other nearby vehicles may be present,infrastructure which may be affected such as nearby buildings, vegetationsuch as a forest, a park or the like, a garage with multiple vehicles etc. Saidsurroundings may comprise a gas station, factories or the like which mayincrease the risk should the vehicle fire spread. Said surroundings maycomprise dangerous goods in nearby vehicles and/or infrastructure.

According to an embodiment of the system I the means 130 for analysingsaid determined situation from a potential damages point of view includingsaid means 132 for considering the surroundings of said vehicle on firecomprises means 132a for determining characteristics of said surroundingscomprising possible affectable objects, for example vehicles.

The means 132a for determining characteristics of said surroundingscomprising possible affectable objects, for example vehicles may comprisedetection means for detecting characteristics of said surroundings. Thedetection means may comprise one or more detection units for detecting thecharacteristics of said surroundings comprising detecting any object withinsaid surroundings comprising infrastructure such as buildings, other vehicles,users such as vulnerable users within said surrounding, vegetation etc., saidobjects comprising any affectable object. Said one or more detection unitsmay be arranged in one or more nearby vehicles and/or nearby infrastructuresuch as one or more buildings, signs, posts or the like.

The system I comprises means 140 for determining appropriate actions formitigating damages associated with said vehicle on fire and saidsurroundings of said vehicle on fire based upon the results of said analysis.

Said appropriate actions may comprise appropriate warning actions. Saidappropriate warning actions may comprise audible warning in the form of asound alarm, a voice message or the like and/or visible warning in the form of visual alarm such as a blinking light, a flash, a text message or the like and/or 18 tactile warning in the form vibrations/movements/shocks or the like on units in contact with possible vulnerable persons nearby.

Said appropriate actions may comprise automatically moving one or moreaffectable vehicles.

Said appropriate actions may comprise activating firefighting means available in said surroundings for mitigating damages on affectable/affected objects The system I comprises means 150 for performing one or more of saiddetermined appropriate actions.

The means 150 for performing one or more of said determined appropriateactions comprises or is comprised in a vehicle-to-vehicle communicationarrangement for communicating appropriate actions to nearby vehicles andwhere applicable activating appropriate actions for nearby vehicles.

The means 150 for performing one or more of said determined appropriate actions comprises or is comprised in a vehicle-to-infrastructurecommunication arrangement for communicating appropriate actions tonearby infrastructure and where applicable activating appropriate actions for nearby infrastructure.

The means 150 for performing one or more of said determined appropriateactions comprises or is comprised in an infrastructure-to-infrastructurecommunication arrangement for communicating appropriate actions tonearby infrastructure and where applicable activating appropriate actions fornearby infrastructure.

According to an embodiment of the system the means 150 for performingone or more of said determined appropriate actions comprises means 152 forproducing appropriate warning actions.

Appropriate warning actions may be warnings to any affectable objects comprising affectable persons such as persons in the vehicle on fire, persons 19 in nearby buildings and/or persons in the vicinity of the vehicle on fire.Appropriate warning actions may comprise waking up persons sleeping,instruct people to move vehicles and the like.

The means 152 for producing appropriate warning actions may comprise anysuitable means and may depend on the situation.

The means 152 for producing appropriate warning actions comprisesaccording to an embodiment sound means comprising one or more soundunits for producing an audible warning in the form of a sound alarm, a voice message or the like.

The means 152 for producing appropriate warning actions comprisesaccording to an embodiment visual means comprising one or more displayunits for producing a visible warning in the form of visual alarm such as a blinking light, a flash, a text message or the like.

The means 152 for producing appropriate warning actions comprisesaccording to an embodiment visual means comprising one or more displayunits for producing tactile warning in the form vibrations/movements/shocksor the like on units in contact with possible vulnerable persons nearby.

The means 152 for producing appropriate warning actions comprises sound means and/or visual means and/or tactile means.

The means 152 for producing appropriate warning actions comprises or iscomprised in a vehicle-to-vehicle communication arrangement forcommunicating and thus producing a warning to vehicles nearby. Saidvehicle-to-vehicle communication arrangement may be between the vehicleon fire and nearby vehicles in the risk of catching fire due to the vehicle fireand/or between a vehicle having detected said fire and other near nearbyvehicles in the risk of catching fire due to the vehicle fire and/or a nearbyvehicle having detected said fire and said vehicle on fire, said vehicle being on fire thus thereby being informed of its own fire.

The means 152 for producing appropriate warning actions comprises or iscomprised in a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication arrangement forcommunicating and thus producing a warning to infrastructure and/orvehicles nearby. Said vehicle-to-infrastructure communication arrangementmay be between the vehicle on fire and nearby infrastructure in the risk ofcatching fire due to the vehicle fire and/or between a vehicle having detectedsaid fire and nearby infrastructure in the risk of catching fire due to thevehicle fire and/or infrastructure having detected said fire and nearbyvehicles in the risk of catching fire due to the vehicle fire and/or infrastructurehaving detected said fire and said vehicle on fire, said vehicle being on firethus thereby being informed of its own fire. Said vehicle-to-infrastructurecommunication arrangement may be between vehicle having detected saidfire, i.e. vehicle on fire and/or other nearby vehicle, and externalinfrastructure not affected by said vehicle fire such as an alarm central, the vehicle owner/vehicle producer or the like.

The means 152 for producing appropriate warning actions comprises or iscomprised in an infrastructure-to-infrastructure communication arrangementfor communicating and thus producing a warning to infrastructure from otherSaidarrangement may be between infrastructure having detected said fire and infrastructure. infrastructure-to-infrastructure communicationother nearby infrastructure which may be affected by said vehicle fire. Saidinfrastructure-to-infrastructure communication arrangement may be betweeninfrastructure having detected said fire and external infrastructure notaffected by said vehicle fire such as an alarm central, the vehicle owner/vehicle producer or the like.

According to an embodiment of the system the means 150 for performingone or more of said determined appropriate actions comprises means 154 foractivating a function of one or more affectable vehicles for automaticallymoving said one or more affectable vehicles. 21 The means 154 for activating a function of one or more affectable vehicles forautomatically moving said one or more affectable vehicles may compriseinternal means on board said movable affected vehicle such that the vehicleitself, based on information of said vehicle fire, initiates the moving andrepositioning to a safe location. The information about the fire may bereceived from detection means on board the vehicle and/or by externalmeans, e.g. other vehicles within a vehicle-to-vehicle communicationinfrastructure within a vehicle-to-infrastructure arrangement and/or communication arrangement.

The means 154 for activating a function of one or more affectable vehicles forautomatically moving said one or more affectable vehicles may compriseexternal means external to said movable affected vehicle such that externalmeans, based on information of said vehicle fire, controls the moving andrepositioning of said vehicle to a safe location. The information about the firemay be received from detection means on board the vehicle and/or byexternal means, e.g. other vehicles within a vehicle-to-vehicle communicationinfrastructure within a vehicle-to-infrastructure arrangement and/or communication arrangement.

Such a movable vehicle may be any vehicle that may be automaticallycontrolled such that it may be moved from the vehicle fire to a position whereit is no longer affected by the vehicle fire or no longer risks being affected bythe vehicle fire. Such a movable vehicle may be an autonomous vehicle, asemi-autonomous vehicle or a vehicle being provided with means for alimited move of the vehicle. The means 154 for activating a function of one ormore affectable vehicles for automatically moving said one or more affectablevehicles may comprise limitations such as limitation of movable distance ofthe vehicle, limitation of speed or the like e.g. in order to make theft moredifficult. The vehicle could be moved to a nearby firefighting means such as a fire post. 22 According to an embodiment of the system the means 150 for performingone or more of said determined appropriate actions comprises means 156 foractivating firefighting means available in said surroundings for mitigatingdamages on affectable/affected objects. The means 156 for activatingfirefighting means available in said surroundings for mitigating damages onaffectable/affected objects may comprise any suitable control memberarranged in other vehicles, infrastructure or the like. The information aboutthe fire may be received from detection means on board the vehicle on fireand/or other vehicles within a vehicle-to-vehicle communication arrangementand/or infrastructure within an infrastructure-to-infrastructure communication arrangement.

Said firefighting means available in said surroundings may comprise e.g. afire post, a sprinkler system in connection to infrastructure, or the like.

The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 110 fordetermining said vehicle fire via a link 10. The electronic control unit 100 isvia the link 10 arranged to receive a signal from said means 110 representingdata for determined vehicle fire.

The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 112 fordetecting said vehicle fire on board said vehicle on fire via a link 12. Theelectronic control unit 100 is via the link 12 arranged to receive a signal fromsaid means 112 representing data for determined vehicle fire on board said vehicle on fire.

The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 114 fordetecting said vehicle fire externally relative to the vehicle on fire via a link14. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 14 arranged to receive asignal from said means 114 representing data for determined vehicle fire on externally relative to the vehicle on fire.

The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 120 fordetermining a situation associated with said vehicle being on fire via a link 23 20a. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 20a arranged to send asignal to said means 120 representing data for determined vehicle firecomprising severeness and potential spread.

The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 120 fordetermining a situation associated with said vehicle being on fire via a link20b. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 20b arranged to receive asignal from said means 120 representing data for situation associated withsaid vehicle being on fire.

The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 122 fordetermining the position of the vehicle on fire via a link 22. The electroniccontrol unit 100 is via the link 22 arranged to receive a signal from saidmeans 122 representing data for position of the vehicle on fire.

The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 124 fordetermining the surroundings of said vehicle on fire via a link 24. Theelectronic control unit 100 is via the link 24 arranged to receive a signal fromsaid means 124 representing data for surroundings of said vehicle on fire.

The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 130 foranalysing said determined situation from a potential damages point of viewvia a link 30a. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 30a arranged tosend a signal to said means 130 representing determined situation.

The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 130 foranalysing said determined situation from a potential damages point of viewvia a link 30b. The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 30b arranged toreceive a signal from said means 130 representing data for analysedsituation from a potential damages point of view.

The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 132 for considering the surroundings of said vehicle on fire via a link 32a. The 24 electronic control unit 100 is via the link 32a arranged to send a signal to said means 132 representing surroundings of said vehicle on fire.

The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 132 forconsidering the surroundings of said vehicle on fire via a link 32b. Theelectronic control unit 100 is via the link 32b arranged to receive a signal fromsaid means 132 representing data for analysed surroundings of said vehicle on fire from a potential damages point of view.

The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 132a fordetermining characteristics of said surroundings comprising possibleaffectable objects, for example vehicles via a link 32a-1. The electroniccontrol unit 100 is via the link 32a-1 arranged to receive a signal from saidmeans 132a representing data for determined characteristics.

The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 140 fordetermining appropriate actions for mitigating damages associated with saidvehicle on fire and said surroundings of said vehicle on fire based upon theresults of said analysis via a link 40a. The electronic control unit 100 is viathe link 40a arranged to send a signal to said means 140 representing datafor results of said analysis.

The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 140 fordetermining appropriate actions for mitigating damages associated with saidvehicle on fire and said surroundings of said vehicle on fire based upon theresults of said analysis via a link 40a. The electronic control unit 100 is viathe link 40 arranged to receive a signal from said means 140 representingdata for appropriate actions for mitigating damages associated with saidvehicle on fire and said surroundings of said vehicle on fire.

The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 150 forperforming one or more of said determined appropriate actions via a link 50.The electronic control unit 100 is via the link 50 arranged to send a signal to said means 150 representing data for performing one or more of said determined appropriate actions.

The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 152 forproducing appropriate warning actions via a link 52. The electronic controlunit 100 is via the link 52 arranged to send a signal to said means 152representing data for producing appropriate warning actions comprising datafor audible warning and/or data for visual warning and/or data for tactile warning.

The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 154 foractivating a function of one or more affectable vehicles for automaticallymoving said one or more affectable vehicles via a link 54. The electroniccontrol unit 100 is via the link 54 arranged to send a signal to said means 154representing data for producing appropriate warning actions comprising datafor activating a function of one or more affectable vehicles for automatically moving said one or more affectable.

The electronic control unit 100 is operably connected to the means 156 foractivating firefighting means available in said surroundings for mitigatingdamages on affectable/affected objects via a link 56. The electronic controlunit 100 is via the link 56 arranged to send a signal to said means 156representing data for producing appropriate warning actions comprising datafor activating firefighting means available in said surroundings for mitigatingdamages on affectable/affected objects.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a block diagram of a method for mitigatingdamages in association with a vehicle fire according to an embodiment of the present invention.

According to the embodiment the method for mitigating damages inassociation with a vehicle fire comprises a step S1. ln this step said vehicle fire is determined. 26 According to the embodiment the method for mitigating damages inassociation with a vehicle fire comprises a step S2. ln this step a situationassociated with said vehicle being on fire is determined.

According to the embodiment the method for mitigating damages inassociation with a vehicle fire comprises a step S3. ln this step saiddetermined situation is analysed from a potential damages point of viewcomprising considering the surroundings of said vehicle on fire.

According to the embodiment the method for mitigating damages inassociation with a vehicle fire comprises a step S4. ln this step appropriateactions for mitigating damages associated with said vehicle on fire and saidsurroundings of said vehicle on fire are determined based upon the results ofsaid analysis.

According to the embodiment the method for mitigating damages inassociation with a vehicle fire comprises a step S5. ln this step one or more of said determined appropriate actions are performed.

Said situation associated with said vehicle being on fire may be any situationinvolving said vehicle fire comprising a vehicle fire on a parking place or othersite where other nearby vehicles may be present, in connection toinfrastructure which may be affected such as nearby buildings, in connectionto vegetation such as a forest, a park or the like, a garage with multiplevehicles etc. Said situation may be type of fire of said vehicle, location of fireof said vehicle, severeness of said fire, status of said fire, expected development of said fire etc. 27 The step of determining a situation associated with said vehicle being on firecomprises according to an embodiment the step of determining the positionof the vehicle on fire. The step of determining the position of the vehicle onfire may comprise utilizing any suitable detection means for detecting theposition of the vehicle. The detection means may comprise one or moredetection units for detecting the position of the vehicle such as the relativedistance to the vehicle on fire. Said one or more detection units may bearranged in one or more nearby vehicles and/or nearby infrastructure such as one or more buildings, signs, posts or the like.

The step of determining the surroundings of said vehicle on fire maycomprise utilizing any suitable detection means for detecting thesurroundings. The detection means may comprise one or more detectionunits for detecting the surroundings comprising detecting any object withinsaid surroundings comprising infrastructure such as buildings, other vehicles,vegetation etc., said objects comprising any affectable object. Said one ormore detection units may be arranged in one or more nearby vehicles and/or nearby infrastructure such as one or more buildings, signs, posts or the like.

The step of determining the surroundings of said vehicle on fire maycomprise utilizing any suitable Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS,e.g. a global positioning system, GPS, and map data comprising informationabout the surrounding comprising infrastructure such as buildings, signs, 28 vegetation, etc. Said Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS may bearranged in one or more nearby vehicles and/or nearby infrastructure such as one or more buildings, signs, posts or the like.

According to an embodiment of the method the step of analysing saiddetermined situation from a potential damages point of view comprisingconsidering the surroundings of said vehicle on fire comprises the step ofdetermining characteristics of said surroundings comprising possibleaffectable objects, for example vehicles. The step of determiningcharacteristics of said surroundings may comprise utilizing any suitabledetection means for detecting characteristics of said surroundings. Thedetection means may comprise one or more detection units for detecting thecharacteristics of said surroundings comprising detecting any object withinsaid surroundings comprising infrastructure such as buildings, other vehicles,users such as vulnerable users within said surrounding, vegetation etc., saidobjects comprising any affectable object. Said one or more detection unitsmay be arranged in one or more nearby vehicles and/or nearby infrastructure such as one or more buildings, signs, posts or the like. 29 According to an embodiment of the method the step of determining saidvehicle fire comprises the step of detecting said vehicle fire on board saidvehicle on fire, and/or detecting said vehicle fire by external means.

The step of detecting said vehicle fire on board said vehicle on fire maycomprise detecting at any suitable location on board the vehicle such as inthe vehicle compartment, e.g. in connection to the sealing and/or inconnection to the vehicle engine and/or in connection to the vehicle trunk orthe like. Said the of detecting said vehicle fire on board said vehicle on firemay comprise utilizing one or more suitable detector units for detecting a firecomprising any suitable temperature detector and/or any suitable smokedetector.

The step of detecting said vehicle fire externally relative to the vehicle maycomprise detecting in connection to the vehicle in any suitable waycomprising any suitable arrangement in connection to infrastructure inconnection to the vehicle such as a building, a post, a sign or the like and/orarranged at another vehicle nearby said vehicle. Said step of detecting saidvehicle fire externally relative to the vehicle may comprise utilizing one ormore suitable detector units for detecting a fire comprising any suitable temperature detector and/or any suitable smoke detector.

The step of performing one or more of said determined appropriate actionscomprises utilizing a vehicle-to-vehicle communication arrangement forcommunicating appropriate actions to nearby vehicles and where applicable activating appropriate actions for nearby vehicles.

The step of performing one or more of said determined appropriate actionscomprises utilizing a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication arrangement forcommunicating appropriate actions to nearby infrastructure and where applicable activating appropriate actions for nearby infrastructure.

The step of performing one or more of said determined appropriate actions comprises utilizing an infrastructure-to-infrastructure communication arrangement for communicating appropriate actions to nearby infrastructure and where applicable activating appropriate actions for nearby infrastructure.

According to an embodiment of the method the step of performing one ormore of said determined appropriate actions comprises the step of producingappropriate warning actions. Said appropriate warning actions may compriseaudible warning in the form of a sound alarm, a voice message or the likeand/or visible warning in the form of visual alarm such as a blinking light, aflash, a text message or the like and/or tactile warning in the formvibrations/movements/shocks or the like on units in contact with possiblevulnerable persons nearby. Appropriate warning actions may be warnings toany affectable objects comprising affectable persons such as persons in thevehicle on fire, persons in nearby buildings and/or persons in the vicinity ofthe vehicle on fire. Appropriate warning actions may comprise waking uppersons sleeping, instruct people to move vehicles and the like.

According to an embodiment of the method the step of performing one ormore of said determined appropriate actions comprises the step of activatinga function of one or more affectable vehicles for automatically moving saidone or more affectable vehicles.

Such a movable vehicle may be any vehicle that may be automaticallycontrolled such that it may be moved from the vehicle fire to a position whereit is no longer affected by the vehicle fire or no longer risks being affected bythe vehicle fire. Such a movable vehicle may be an autonomous vehicle, asemi-autonomous vehicle or a vehicle being provided with means for alimited move of the vehicle. The step of activating a function of one or moreaffectable vehicles for automatically moving said one or more affectablevehicles may comprise limitations such as limitation of movable distance ofthe vehicle, limitation of speed or the like e.g. in order to make theft moredifficult. The vehicle could be moved to a nearby firefighting means such as afire post. 31 According to an embodiment of the method the step of performing one ormore of said determined appropriate actions comprises the step of activatingfirefighting means available in said surroundings for mitigating damages onaffectable/affected objects.

The step of activating firefighting means available in said surroundings formitigating damages on affectable/affected objects may comprise utilizing anysuitable control member arranged in other vehicles, infrastructure or the like.The information about the fire may be received from detection means onboard the vehicle on fire and/or other vehicles within a vehicle-to-vehiclecommunication arrangement and/or infrastructure within an infrastructure-to- infrastructure communication arrangement.

With reference to figure 5, a diagram of an apparatus 500 is shown. Thecontrol unit 100 described with reference to fig. 3 may according to anembodiment comprise apparatus 500. Apparatus 500 comprises a non-volatile memory 520, a data processing device 510 and a read/write memory550. Non-volatile memory 520 has a first memory portion 530 wherein acomputer program, such as an operating system, is stored for controlling thefunction of apparatus 500. Further, apparatus 500 comprises a bus controller,a serial communication port, l/O-means, an A/D-converter, a time date entryand transmission unit, an event counter and an interrupt controller (not shown). Non-volatile memory 520 also has a second memory portion 540.

A computer program P is provided comprising routines for mitigatingdamages in association with a vehicle fire. The program P comprisesroutines for determining said vehicle fire. The program P comprises routinesfor determining a situation associated with said vehicle being on fire. Theprogram P comprises routines for analysing said determined situation from a potential damages point of view comprising considering the surroundings of 32 said vehicle on fire. The program P comprises routines for determiningappropriate actions for mitigating damages associated with said vehicle onfire and said surroundings of said vehicle on fire based upon the results ofsaid analysis. The program P comprises routines for performing one or moreof said determined appropriate actions. The routines for analysing saiddetermined situation from a potential damages point of view comprisingconsidering the surroundings of said vehicle on fire comprises routines fordetermining characteristics of said surroundings comprising possibleaffectable objects, for example vehicles. The routines for determining saidvehicle fire comprises routines for detecting said vehicle fire on board saidvehicle on fire, and/or detecting said vehicle fire by external means. Theroutines for performing one or more of said determined appropriate actionscomprises routines for producing appropriate warning actions. The routinesfor performing one or more of said determined appropriate actions comprisesroutines for activating a function of one or more affectable vehicles forautomatically moving said one or more affectable vehicles. The routines forperforming one or more of said determined appropriate actions comprisesroutines for activating firefighting means available in said surroundings formitigating damages on affectable/affected objects. The computer program Pmay be stored in an executable manner or in a compressed condition in a separate memory 560 and/or in read/write memory 550.

When it is stated that data processing device 510 performs a certain functionit should be understood that data processing device 510 performs a certainpart of the program which is stored in separate memory 560, or a certain partof the program which is stored in read/write memory 550.

Data processing device 510 may communicate with a data communicationsport 599 by means of a data bus 516. Non-volatile memory 520 is adaptedfor communication with data processing device 510 via a data bus 513.Separate memory 560 is adapted for communication with data processingdevice 510 via a data bus 511. Read/write memory 550 is adapted for 33 communication with data processing device 510 via a data bus 515. To thedata communications port 599 e.g. the links connected to the control units 100 may be connected.

When data is received on data port 599 it is temporarily stored in secondmemory portion 540. When the received input data has been temporarilystored, data processing device 510 is set up to perform execution of code ina manner described above. The signals received on data port 599 can beused by apparatus 500 for determining said vehicle fire. The signals receivedon data port 599 can be used by apparatus 500 for determining a situationassociated with said vehicle being on fire. The signals received on data port599 can be used by apparatus 500 for analysing said determined situationfrom a potential damages point of view comprising considering thesurroundings of said vehicle on fire. The signals received on data port 599can be used by apparatus 500 for determining appropriate actions formitigating damages associated with said vehicle on fire and saidsurroundings of said vehicle on fire based upon the results of said analysis.The signals received on data port 599 can be used by apparatus 500 forperforming one or more of said determined appropriate actions. The signalsused for analysing said determined situation from a potential damages pointof view comprising considering the surroundings of said vehicle on fire areused for for determining characteristics of said surroundings comprisingpossible affectable objects, for example vehicles. The signals used fordetermining said vehicle fire are used for detecting said vehicle fire on boardsaid vehicle on fire, and/or detecting said vehicle fire by external means. Thesignals used for performing one or more of said determined appropriateactions are used for producing appropriate warning actions. The signals usedfor performing one or more of said determined appropriate actions are usedfor activating a function of one or more affectable vehicles for automaticallymoving said one or more affectable vehicles. The signals used for performingone or more of said determined appropriate actions are used for activating 34 firefighting means available in said surroundings for mitigating damages onaffectable/affected objects.

Parts of the methods described herein can be performed by apparatus 500by means of data processing device 510 running the program stored inseparate memory 560 or read/write memory 550. When apparatus 500 runs the program, parts of the methods described herein are executed.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. ltis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent topractitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and describedin order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practicalapplications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand theinvention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

CLAIIVIS

1. A method for mitigating damages in association with a vehicle fire,comprising the step of: determining (S1) said vehicle fire, characterized bythe steps of: determining (S2) a situation associated with said vehicle beingon fire; analysing (S3) said determined situation from a potential damagespoint of view comprising considering the surroundings of said vehicle on fire;based upon the results of said analysis, determining (S4) appropriate actionsfor mitigating damages associated with said vehicle on fire and saidsurroundings of said vehicle on fire; and, performing (S5) one or more of saiddetermined appropriate actions.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of analysing saiddetermined situation from a potential damages point of view comprisingconsidering the surroundings of said vehicle on fire comprises the step ofdetermining characteristics of said surroundings comprising possible affectable objects, for example vehicles.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of determining saidvehicle fire comprises the step of detecting said vehicle fire on board saidvehicle on fire, and/or detecting said vehicle fire by external means.

4. A method according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the step of performingone or more of said determined appropriate actions comprises the step of producing appropriate warning actions.

5. A method according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the step of performingone or more of said determined appropriate actions comprises the step ofactivating a function of one or more affectable vehicles for automaticallymoving said one or more affectable vehicles.

6. A method according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the step of performing one or more of said determined appropriate actions comprises the step of 36 activating firefighting means available in said surroundings for mitigatingdamages on affectable/affected objects.

7. A system for mitigating damages in association with a vehicle fire,comprising means (110) for determining said vehicle fire, characterized bymeans (120) for determining a situation associated with said vehicle being onfire; means (130) for analysing said determined situation from a potentialdamages point of view comprising means (132) for considering thesurroundings of said vehicle on fire; means (140) for determining appropriateactions for mitigating damages associated with said vehicle on fire and saidsurroundings of said vehicle on fire based upon the results of said analysis;and, means (150) for performing one or more of said determined appropriateactions.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the means (130) for analysingsaid determined situation from a potential damages point of view comprisingmeans (132) for considering the surroundings of said vehicle on firecomprises means (132a) for determining characteristics of said surroundingscomprising possible affectable objects, for example vehicles.

9. A system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the means (110) fordetermining said vehicle fire comprises means (112) for detecting saidvehicle fire on board said vehicle on fire, and/or external means (114) fordetecting said vehicle fire externally relative to the vehicle on fire.

10. A system according to any of claims 7-9, wherein the means (150) forperforming one or more of said determined appropriate actions comprisesmeans (152) for producing appropriate warning actions.

11. A system according to any of claims 7-10, wherein the means (150) forperforming one or more of said determined appropriate actions comprisesmeans (154) for activating a function of one or more affectable vehicles forautomatically moving said one or more affectable vehicles. 37

12. A system according to any of claims 7-11, wherein the means (150) forperforming one or more of said determined appropriate actions comprisesmeans (156) for activating firefighting means available in said surroundings for mitigating damages on affectable/affected objects.

13. A vehicle (1) comprising a system (l) according to any of claims 7-12.

14.A computer program (P) for, said computer program (P) comprisingprogram code which, when run on an electronic control unit (100) or anothercomputer (500) connected to the electronic control unit (100), causes the electronic control unit to perform the steps according to claim 1-6.

15. A computer program product comprising a digital storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 14.