SE544213C2

SE544213C2 - A fire protection apparatus and method for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: SE544213C2
Application number: SE2050279A
Authority: SE
Inventors: André Claesson; Robert Sjödin
Original assignee: Scania Cv Ab
Priority date: 2020-03-16
Filing date: 2020-03-16
Publication date: 2022-03-01
Also published as: SE2050279A1

Abstract

A fire protection apparatus (200; 300; 400; 500; 600) for a vehicle (100) comprising a plurality of wheels (114, 116, 118, 120), a chassis unit (167) comprising a floor (164) and a combustible unit (174), and one or more vehicle doors (160, 162) for entering or exiting the vehicle (100). The fire protection apparatus (200; 300; 400; 500; 600) comprises a detector (202) for detecting a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit (174). The fire protection apparatus (200; 300; 400; 500; 600) comprises one or more covers (204) movable from a retracted position to an extended position. In the extended position, the cover (204) is configured to cover a space (206) between the vehicle door (162) and the ground (166). The fire protection apparatus (200; 300; 400; 500; 600) is configured to effect a movement of the cover (204) to the extended position when a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit (174) is detected. A method and a control arrangement (150) involving such a cover (204). A vehicle (100) including such a fire protection apparatus (200; 300; 400; 500; 600) and/or such a control arrangement (150).

Description

A FIRE PROTECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A VEHICLE Technical field Aspects of the present invention relate to a fire protection apparatus for a vehicle, thevehicle comprising a plurality of wheels, a chassis unit, which includes a floor, and oneor more vehicle doors for entering or exiting the vehicle. Further, aspects of the presentinvention relate to a fire protection method for a vehicle of the above-mentioned sort.Aspects of the present invention also relate to a control arrangement for a vehicle ofthe above-mentioned sort. Aspects of the present invention also relate to a computerprogram comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer,cause the computer to carry out a method of the above-mentioned sort, or relate to acomputer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when the instructions areexecuted by a computer, cause the computer to carry out a method of the above-mentioned sort. Further, aspects of the present invention relate to a vehicle of theabove-mentioned sort.

Backgroundln vehicles, for example motor vehicles, electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, there isa risk that installations may be ignited and cause a fire and that installations may catch fire. Thus, fire protection aspects with regard to vehicles should be considered.

Summary The inventors of the present invention have found that special attention should be paidto vehicles having a chassis which includes a combustible unit, since a potential fireoriginating from the chassis may hinder a passenger or a driver from exiting a vehicledoor. The combustible unit may for example be an electric battery, an electrical cableor a fuel conduit. ln some conventional vehicles, the existing fire protection measures are not sufficient.

An object of the embodiments of the invention is to provide a solution which mitigatesor solves drawbacks and problems of conventional solutions.

The above and further objects are solved by the subject matter of the independentclaims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in thedependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the above mentioned and other objects areachieved with a fire protection apparatus for a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a p|ura|ity of wheels, and a chassis unit, wherein the chassis unit comprises a floor and a combustibleunit, wherein the vehicle further comprises one or more vehicle doors for entering or exiting the vehicle, wherein the fire protection apparatus comprises a detector for detecting a fireor a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit, wherein the fire protection apparatus comprises one or more covers, the coverbeing movable from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein in the extended position the cover is configured to cover a spacebetween the vehicle door and the ground on which the vehicle rests via the p|ura|ity ofwheels, and wherein the fire protection apparatus is configured to effect a movement of thecover from the retracted position to the extended position when a fire or a risk of fireassociated with the combustible unit is detected by the detector.

An advantage of the fire protection apparatus according to the first aspect is that thecover is moved to the extended position to efficiently protect a passenger or a driverexiting through the vehicle door by closing a space between the vehicle door and theground. Without the cover covering said space, flames, smoke and/or toxic gas from apotential fire in the combustible unit included in the chassis unit could hinder a personfrom exiting through the vehicle door. For example, without the innovative cover, theflames from a potential fire in the chassis unit of the vehicle, smoke and/or toxic gascould at least partly cover the vehicle door. Thus, an advantage of the fire protectionapparatus according to the first aspect is that an efficient and improved protection fora passenger or a driver exiting the burning vehicle, which has a combustible unitincluded in the chassis unit of the vehicle, is provided, whereby the passenger or thedriver can safely exit the vehicle through the vehicle door. Further, in the extended position the cover also provides an efficient and improved protection of people orobjects, which are not exiting the vehicle but are present outside the vehicle andadjacent to the vehicle, from the fire by shielding the flames, smoke and/or toxic gas.ln general, when the cover is in the retracted position, the cover is folded or movedaway, for example moved away from the ground or street, and does not hinder thevehicle when driven. The cover may be made from a fire-resistant material. Theinnovative fire protection apparatus is especially useful for a bus having a combustibleunit, for example an electric battery unit, included in the chassis unit and transporting SeVefal paSSengefS.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the fire protection apparatus accordingto the first aspect, the fire protection apparatus is configured to move the cover fromthe retracted position to the extended position when a fire or a risk of fire associatedwith the combustible unit is detected by the detector. An advantage of this embodimentis that an efficient and improved protection for a passenger or a driver exiting theburning vehicle and/or for people or objects present outside the vehicle is provided.Alternatively, as further disclosed in the detailed description, the fire protectionapparatus may be configured to trigger a movement of the cover from the retractedposition to the extended position, and the cover may then be moved to the extendedposition by way of gravity or any other device or actuator.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the fire protection apparatusaccording to the first aspect, cover or covers is/are configured to cover a spacebetween the floor and the ground on which the vehicle rests via the plurality of wheelsat a plurality of sides of the vehicle. An advantage of this embodiment is that a furtherimproved protection for a passenger or a driver exiting the vehicle because of a fire ora potential fire and/or for people or objects present outside the vehicle is provided. Byhaving a cover or covers at a plurality of sides of the vehicle, the potential fire can beefficiently shielded and enclosed, whereby the fire may be counteracted, and the fireprotection for a passenger or a driver exiting the vehicle through a window instead ofthrough the vehicle door is improved.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the fire protection apparatusaccording to the first aspect, the combustible unit comprises an electric battery unit,and wherein in the extended position the cover or covers is/are configured tosubstantially surround the electric battery unit. An advantage of this embodiment is thata further improved protection for a passenger or a driver exiting the vehicle because ofa fire or a potential fire and/or for people or objects present outside the vehicle isprovided. By having a cover or covers substantially surrounding the electric batteryunit, the potential fire can be efficiently shielded and enclosed, whereby the fire maybe counteracted, and the protection for a passenger or a driver exiting the vehiclethrough a window instead of through the vehicle door because of a fire or a potentialfire is improved. Some conventional electric battery units may cause severe fires when ignüed.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the fire protection apparatusaccording to the first aspect, the cover comprises one or more pivot plates pivotallyattachable to the vehicle, wherein the pivot plate is configured to pivot in relation to thevehicle, and wherein the pivot plate is configured to pivot from the retracted position tothe extended position. An advantage of this embodiment is that the cover, whichcomprises the pivot plate, is quickly and efficiently moved to the extended positionwhere the pivot plate can efficiently protect a passenger or a driver exiting the vehicleor people or objects present outside the vehicle. ln general, the force of gravity maybe enough to move the pivot plate from the retracted position to the extended position.However, the fire protection apparatus having one or more pivot plates may besupplemented with an actuator which actively moves the pivot plate, such as a biasingor spring mechanism, a compressed fluid mechanism, for example a compressed airmechanism, for example including a valve outlet, or for example a hydraulic orpneumatic cylinder etc. Thus, an advantage of this embodiment is that a furtherimproved protection for a passenger or a driver exiting the vehicle because of a fire ora potential fire and/orfor people or objects present outside the vehicle is provided. Thepivot plate may be made from a metal or a metal alloy, from a suitable polymer or composite material, or any other suitable material.

According to still another advantageous embodiment of the fire protection apparatusaccording to the first aspect, the cover comprises one or more slidable platesconfigured to be slidable in relation to the vehicle, wherein the slidable plate isconfigured to at least partially slide from the retracted position to the extended position.An advantage of this embodiment is that the cover, which comprises the slidable plate,is quickly and efficiently moved to the extended position where the slidable plate canefficiently protect a passenger or a driver exiting the vehicle or people or objectspresent outside the vehicle. Thus, an advantage of this embodiment is that a furtherimproved protection for a passenger or a driver exiting the vehicle because of a fire ora potential fire and/orfor people or objects present outside the vehicle is provided. Theslidable plate may be made from a metal or a metal alloy, from a suitable polymer orcomposite material, or any other suitable material.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the fire protection apparatus accordingto the first aspect, the slidable plate is configured to be pivotable in relation to thevehicle, and wherein the slidable plate is configured to slide and pivot from theretracted position to the extended position. An advantage of this embodiment is thatthe cover, which comprises the slidable plate, is quickly and efficiently moved to theextended position where the slidable plate can efficiently protect a passenger or adriver exiting the vehicle or people or objects present outside the vehicle. Thus, anadvantage of this embodiment is that a further improved protection for a passenger ora driver exiting the vehicle because of a fire or a potential fire and/or for people orobjects present outside the vehicle is provided.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the fire protection apparatusaccording to the first aspect, the slidable plate is retractable from the extended positionto the retracted position, wherein in the extended position the slidable plate is usableas a wheelchair or access ramp. An advantage of this embodiment is that a wheelchairor access ramp already mounted to the vehicle below the vehicle door can be used asa cover for efficiently protecting a passenger or a driver exiting the vehicle and/orpeople or objects present outside the vehicle. Thus, an advantage of this embodimentis that a further improved protection for a passenger or a driver exiting the vehicle because of a fire or a potential fire and/or for people or objects present outside thevehicle is provided.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the fire protection apparatusaccording to the first aspect, cover comprises a fire blanket. The fire blanket is a flexibleand efficient cover for efficientiy protecting a passenger or a driver exiting the vehicleand/or people or objects present outside the vehicle. Thus, an advantage of thisembodiment is that a further improved protection for a passenger or a driver exiting thevehicle because of a fire or a potential fire and/or for people or objects present outsidethe vehicle is provided. ln general, a fire blanket is a blanket that not easily catchesfire. ln general, the fire blanket is made from a fire-resistant material, for example afire-resistant textile.

According to still another advantageous embodiment of the fire protection apparatusaccording to the first aspect, the detector comprises one or more fuses, wherein thefuse is configured to hold the cover in the retracted position, and wherein the fuse isconfigured to release the cover to the extended position when the fuse is exposed tosufficient heating from a fire or a risk of fire, for example a potential fire, associatedwith the combustible unit, for example from flames, hot smoke or gas, reflected heatfrom surfaces facing nearby flames, or the like. An advantage of this embodiment isthat an efficient detection of a fire or a risk of fire is provided, and at the same time anefficient and quick movement of the cover from the retracted position to the extendedposition is effected or attained. Thus, an advantage of this embodiment is that a furtherimproved protection for a passenger or a driver exiting the vehicle because of a fire ora potential fire and/or for people or objects present outside the vehicle is provided.

Alternatives to the fuse are disclosed in the detailed description.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the fire protection apparatusaccording to the first aspect, the cover comprises one or more inflatable cushions,wherein the inflatable cushion is movable form the retracted position to the extendedposition by being inflated when a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustibleunit is detected by the detector. The cushion may be made from or may be covered bya fire-resistant material, for example a fire blanket material. An advantage of this embodiment is a quick and efficient movement of the cover from the retracted positionto the extended position, for example with a similar effect as an air bag inside a vehicle.Thus, an advantage of this embodiment is that a further improved protection for apassenger or a driver exiting the vehicle because of a fire or a potential fire and/or for people or objects present outside the vehicle is provided.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the fire protection apparatus accordingto the first aspect, the vehicle is movable from an elevated position to a loweredposition in relation to the ground on which the vehicle rests via the plurality of wheels,wherein the fire protection apparatus is configured to effect a movement of the vehicleto the lowered position when a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustible unitis detected by the detector in order to reduce a space between the vehicle door andthe ground on which the vehicle rests via the plurality of wheels. The vehicle may bemovable between the elevated position and the lowered position in relation to theground. An advantage of this embodiment is that any remaining space between thecover and the ground may be efficiently reduced or minimized and thus hinder theflames of the fire, smoke and/or toxic gas originating from below the vehicle. Anadvantage of this embodiment is that a further improved protection for a passenger ora driver exiting the vehicle because of a fire or a potential fire and/or for people orobjects present outside the vehicle is provided.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the above mentioned and other objectsare achieved with a fire protection method for a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a plurality of wheels, and a chassis unit, wherein the chassis unit comprises a floor and a combustibleunit, wherein the vehicle further comprises one or more vehicle doors for entering or exiting the vehicle, wherein a cover movable from a retracted position to an extended position isprovided, and wherein in the extended position the cover is configured to cover a spacebetween the vehicle door and the ground on which the vehicle rests via the plurality ofwheels, wherein the method comprises: detecting a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit by way ofa detector, and effecting a movement of the cover from the retracted position to the extendedposition when a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustibie unit is detected bythe detector.

The advantages of the method according to the second aspect correspond to theabove or below-mentioned advantages of the fire protection apparatus according tothe first aspect and its embodiments.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the above mentioned and other objectsare achieved with a computer program comprising instructions which, when theprogram is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the methodaccording to any one of the embodiments disclosed above or below. The advantagesof the computer program according to the third aspect correspond to the above- orbelow-mentioned advantages of the fire protection apparatus according to the firstaspect and its embodiments.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the above mentioned and other objectsare achieved with a computer-readabie medium comprising instructions which, whenthe instructions are executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out themethod according to any one of the embodiments disclosed above or below. Theadvantages of the computer-readabie medium according to the fourth aspectcorrespond to the above- or below-mentioned advantages of the fire protectionapparatus according to the first aspect and its embodiments.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned computerprogram and computer-readabie medium are configured to implement the method andits embodiments described herein.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the above mentioned and other objects areachieved with a control arrangement for a vehicle, the vehicle comprisinga plurality of wheels, and a chassis unit, wherein the chassis unit comprises a floor and a combustibleunit, wherein the vehicle further comprises one or more vehicle doors for entering or exiting the vehicle, wherein a cover movable from a retracted position to an extended position isprovided, and wherein in the extended position the cover is configured to cover a spacebetween the vehicle door and the ground on which the vehicle rests via the plurality ofwheels, wherein the control arrangement is configured to: detect a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit by way of adetector, and effect a movement of the cover from the retracted position to the extendedposition when a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit is detected bythe detector.

The advantages of the control arrangement according to the fifth aspect correspond tothe above or below-mentioned advantages of the fire protection apparatus according to the first aspect and its embodiments. lt will be appreciated that all the embodiments described for the fire protectionapparatus aspects and the method aspects of the invention are applicable also to thecontrol arrangement aspects of the invention. Thus, all embodiments described for thefire protection apparatus aspects and the method aspects of the invention may beperformed by the control arrangement, which may include a control unit or a controldevice. As mentioned above, the control arrangement and its embodiments haveadvantages corresponding to the advantages mentioned above for the fire protection apparatus and its embodiments.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the above mentioned and other objectsare achieved with a vehicle comprising a plurality of wheels, and a chassis unit, wherein the chassis unit comprises a floor and a combustible unit, wherein the vehicle further comprises one or more vehicle doors for entering or exiting the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle comprises a fire protection apparatus according to any oneof the embodiments disclosed above or below and/or a control arrangement accordingto any one of the embodiments disclosed above or below.

The vehicle may for example be a bus, a tractor vehicle, a truck or a car.

The above-mentioned features and embodiments of the fire protection apparatus, thefire protection method, the computer program, the computer-readable medium, thecontrol arrangement and the vehicle, respectively, may be combined in variouspossible ways providing further advantageous embodiments.

Further advantageous embodiments of the fire protection apparatus, the fire protectionmethod, the computer program, the computer-readable medium, the controlarrangement and the vehicle according to the present invention and further advantageswith the embodiments of the present invention emerge from the detailed description ofembodiments.

Brief Description of the DrawingsEmbodiments of the invention will now be illustrated, for exemplary purposes, in moredetail by way of embodiments and with reference to the enclosed drawings, where similar references are used for similar parts, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the vehicle according tothe sixth aspect of the invention, in which embodiments of the presentinvention may be implemented; Figure 2 is schematic side view of the vehicle of figure 1; Figure3 is a schematic cross-section of the vehicle of figure 2 with a firstembodiment of the fire protection apparatus according to the first aspectof the invention, wherein the cover is in a retracted position; Figure4 is a schematic cross-section of the vehicle of figure 2 with the first embodiment of the fire protection apparatus according to the first aspectof the invention, but with the cover in an extended position; Figure 5 is a schematic cross-section of the vehicle of figure 2 with a secondembodiment of the fire protection apparatus according to the first aspectof the invention, wherein the covers are in a retracted position; Figure 6 is a schematic cross-section of the vehicle of figure 2 with the secondembodiment of the fire protection apparatus according to the first aspectof the invention, but with the covers in an extended position; Figure 7 is a schematic bottom view i||ustrating aspects of the second embodimentof figures 5 and 6; Figure 8 is a schematic cross-section of the vehicle of figure 2 with a thirdembodiment of the fire protection apparatus according to the first aspectof the invention, wherein the cover is in a retracted position; Figure 9 is a schematic cross-section of the vehicle of figure 2 with the thirdembodiment of the fire protection apparatus according to the first aspectof the invention, but with the cover in an extended position; Figure 10 is a schematic cross-section of the vehicle of figure 2 with a fourthembodiment of the fire protection apparatus according to the first aspectof the invention, wherein the cover is in a retracted position; Figure 11 is a schematic cross-section of the vehicle of figure 2 with the fourthembodiment of the fire protection apparatus according to the first aspectof the invention, but with the cover in an extended position; Figure 12 is a schematic cross-section of the vehicle of figure 2 with a fifthembodiment of the fire protection apparatus according to the first aspectof the invention, wherein the cover is in a retracted position; Figure 13 is a schematic cross-section of the vehicle of figure 2 with the fifthembodiment of the fire protection apparatus according to the first aspectof the invention, but with the cover in an extended position; Figure 14 is a schematic cross-section of the vehicle of figure 2 with the fifthembodiment of the fire protection apparatus according to the first aspectof the invention, but with the vehicle in a lowered position; Figure 15 is a flow chart i||ustrating aspects of an embodiment of the methodaccording to the second aspect of the invention; and Figure 16 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the control arrangementaccording to the fifth aspect of the invention, in which a method according to any one of the herein described embodiments may be implemented.

Detailed Description With reference to figure 1, a vehicle 100 is schematically illustrated. The vehicle 100may be called a motor vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 may be a bus, a tractor vehicle ora truck, for example a heavy truck, which for example may be provided with a trailer.The vehicle 100 comprises a powertrain 102, which in the shown embodimentcomprises a combustion engine 104, for example an internal combustion engine oranother combustion engine, which in a conventional manner, via a first output shaft106 and usually via a flywheel, is connected to a gearbox 108 via a clutch 110. lngeneral, the combustion engine 104 comprises cylinders. ln addition to the powertrain102 comprising a combustion engine 104, the vehicle 100 may include one or moreelectrical machines for driving drive wheels 114, 116, 118, 120 of the vehicle 100 andmay thus for example be a so-called hybrid vehicle. The electrical machines may beprovided with electric power from an electrical energy unit 121 which may be includedin the vehicle 100. The electrical energy unit 121 may for example include an electricbattery unit 123 or a plurality of electric battery units 123. Thus, the electric battery unit123 may be configured to power, i.e. to provide electric power to, the electrical machines.

However, instead of the powertrain 102 comprising a combustion engine 104, thevehicle 100 may include only electrical machines for driving the drive wheels 114, 116,118, 120 of the vehicle 100, whereby the vehicle 100 may be a pure electrical vehicle.

The combustion engine 104 is controlled by the engine's control system via an enginecontrol device 112. Likewise, the clutch 110 and the gearbox 108 may be controlled bythe engine's control system, with the help of one or more control devices (not shown).The engine control device 112 and/or another control device may thus be configuredto control the combustion engine 104, the clutch 110, the gearbox 108, and/or any other units/devices/entities of the vehicle 100. However, in figure 1, only the units/devices/entities of the vehicle 100 useful for understanding the embodiments of the present invention are illustrated.

Naturally, the powertrain 102 of the vehicle 100 may be of a different type, such as atype with a conventional automatic gearbox, a type with a hybrid drive|ine etc. Asmentioned above, the powertrain 102 may include one or more electrical machines fordriving the drive wheels 114, 116, 118, 120 of the vehicle 100, implementing a so-called hybrid drive. ln the shown embodiment, the vehicle 100 comprises a plurality ofwheels 114, 116, 118, 120. ln the shown embodiment, the vehicle 100 has four wheels114, 116, 118, 120, but may have more wheels. The electrical machine may bearranged essentially anywhere, as long as torque is provided to one or more of thewheels 114, 116, 118, 120, for example adjacent to one or more of the wheels 114,116, 118, 120, or along a propeller shaft 122 of the vehicle 100, for example betweenthe gearbox 108 and the clutch 110, as is understood by a skilled person.

The vehicle 100 may comprise a propeller shaft 122 from the gearbox 108 which drivestwo of the wheels 114, 116 via a central gear 124, for example a conventionaldifferential, and two drive shafts 126, 128 of the vehicle 100. The two drive shafts 126,128 are connected to the central gear 124. lf the vehicle 100 has a powertrain 102including a combustion engine 104, the vehicle 100 may comprise a fuel tank 129coupled to the combustion engine 104, and the combustion engine 104 may be provided with fuel from the fuel tank 129.

The vehicle 100 may comprise an exhaust gas after-treatment system 130, which alsomay be called an exhaust gas purification system, for treatment/purification of theexhaust gas/emissions resulting from the combustion in the combustion chamber ofthe combustion engine 104. The exhaust gas after-treatment system 130 may becontrolled by an exhaust gas after-treatment control device 132, which maycommunicate with the engine control device 112 or another device of the engine's control system.

With reference to figure 1, the vehicle 100 may include a control arrangement 150 forthe vehicle 100. The control arrangement 150 is disclosed in further detail hereinbelow.

With reference to figure 2, the vehicle 100 includes one or more vehicle doors 160, 162for entering or exiting the vehicle 100, more specifically, one or more vehicle doors160, 162 for a passenger or a driver to enter or exit the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100may be a bus. ln the shown embodiment, two vehicle doors 160, 162 of the vehicle100 are hinged and provided at one side of the vehicle 100, but it is to be understoodthat additional vehicle doors may be provided and may be provided elsewhere. Eachvehicle door 160, 162 may be an at least partly electrically operated vehicle door 160,162, which is configured to be at least partly electrically opened and closed. Thevehicle 100 may include a first door opening maneuver device 163, which may belocated next to the driver's seat of the vehicle, for example a bus, for the driver tomaneuver in order to control or operate the least partly electrically operated vehicledoors 160, 162. Further, the vehicle 100 may include a second door opening maneuverdevice 165 located close to the vehicle door 160, 162 to be maneuvered by apassenger in order to control or operate the least partly electrically operated vehicledoors 160, 162. However, the vehicle door 160, 162 may be controlled by other meansin alternative embodiments. The least partly electrically operated vehicle doors 160,162 may for example be automated, and may for example open when the vehicle 100stops by a specific stop or position. ln alternative embodiments, each vehicle door 160,162 may be provided without electrical operation.

With reference to figure 2, the vehicle 100 includes a chassis unit 167. The chassisunit 167 includes a floor 164. The vehicle 100 includes a plurality of wheels 114, 116,118, 120, for example four or more wheels 114, 116, 118, 120 (only two wheels 114, 118 are shown in figure 2), as mentioned above in connection with figure 1.

The vehicle 100 may be movable from an elevated position (which may be called a topposition), for example as shown in figure 13, to a lowered position (which may be calleda sunken position or a bottom position), for example as shown in figure 14, in relation to the ground 166 on which the vehicle 100 rests via the plurality of wheels 114, 118.

The vehicle 100 may be movable between the elevated position (shown in figure 3)and the lowered position (shown in figure 4) in relation to the ground 166. Withreference to figure 2, the vehicle 100 may include a suspension system 168, forexample a damping or damper system, for providing suspension and/or damping tothe vehicle 100. The suspension system 168 may be configured to move the vehicle100 between the elevated position (figure 13) and the lowered position (figure 14). Thesuspension system 168 may include a front suspension unit 170, or front damper unit,for the front wheels 118 of the vehicle 100 and a rear suspension unit 172, or reardamper unit, for the rear wheels 114 of the vehicle 100. Suspension systems 168 are known to the skilled person and thus not disclosed in further detail.

With reference to figure 2, the chassis unit 167 includes a combustible unit 174. Thecombustible unit 174 may be located under floor 164, on the floor 164, at least partlyin the floor 164, or completely in the floor 164 of the chassis unit 167. For example, thecombustible unit 174 may be mounted or attached to an underside 180 of the floor 164of the chassis unit 167. The underside 180 of the floor 164 is configured to face theground 166 on which the vehicle 100 rests via the plurality of wheels 114, 118. lt is tobe understood that additional units or items may be located between the floor 164 orits underside 180 and the ground 166. The combustible unit 174 may be attached ormounted to the floor 164 in various possible ways, for example by means of variouspossible members or means of attachment, for example brackets or bolts etc.

The fact that the combustible unit 174 is combustible means that it can catch fire andburn. The combustible unit 174 may be flammable. The combustible unit 174 may forexample include an electrical energy unit 121, such as one or more electric batteryunits 123, for example as disclosed above in connection with figure 1. However, inalternative embodiments, the combustible unit 174 may be an electric cable, a fueltank, for example a fuel tank for a gaseous fuel, a fuel conduit, a fuel cell unit or anyother combustible member, element or unit which may catch fire and burn. Thecombustible unit 174 may be the origin of the fire or may catch fire because of anyother entity.

With reference to figure 2, each wheel 114, 118 of the plurality of wheels 114, 116,118, 120 of the vehicle 100 may comprise an inflatable tyre 176, 178. The vehicle 100may be configured to reach the above-mentioned lowered position by effecting, orperform, a release ofair or gas from the inflatable tyre 176, 178, for example in addition to the lowering of the vehicle 100 provided by the suspension system 168.

With reference to figures 3 and 4, which show the cross-section along A-A in figure 2,a first embodiment of the fire protection apparatus 200 according to the first aspect isschematically illustrated. As shown in figures 3 and 4, the fire protection apparatus 200may be configured to be applied to and mounted to a vehicle 100, for example a vehicle100 as disclosed above.

With reference to figures 3 and 4, the fire protection apparatus 200 includes a detector202 for detecting a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit 174. Thedetector 202 may include any one of the group of: a temperature sensor, for examplelocated in or on the chassis unit 167, or in or on the floor 164, for example adjacent tothe combustible unit 174, for example close to the vehicle door 160, 162; a temperaturesensor integrated in the combustible unit 174, for example integrated in the electricbattery unit 123; a camera, for example an infrared camera or regular camera. Thecamera may cover the exterior of the vehicle 100, especially the area of thecombustible unit 174 and/or the area of the vehicle door 160, 162, and/or the cameramay cover the interior of the vehicle 100; a smoke detector for detecting smoke, thesmoke detector for example being located on or in the chassis unit 167, on or in thefloor 164, or between the floor 164 and the combustible unit 174, for example close tothe vehicle door 160, 162; a toxic gas detector for detecting toxic gas, the toxic gasdetector for example being located on or in the chassis unit 167, on or in the floor 164,or between the floor 164 and the combustible unit 174, for example close to the vehicledoor 160, 162, orfor example integrated in the combustible unit 174; an impact sensor,for example an accelerometer, sensing an impact to the vehicle 100 or an impactbetween the vehicle 100 and another moving or stationary object, for example anothervehicle. An impact to the vehicle 100 may represent a risk of fire associated with thecombustible unit 174 and may result in a fire in the combustible unit 174; one or morefuses, or one or more melt fuses, wherein the fuse may be configured to melt and eventually break when it is exposed to sufficient heat from a fire or a risk of fire, forexample a potential fire, associated with the combustible unit 174, for example fromflames, hot smoke or gas, reflected heat from surfaces facing nearby flames, or thelike. For example, the fuse may be configured to break when exposed to a temperature above a certain temperature threshold. Other detectors are also possible.

The fire protection apparatus 200 includes one or more covers 204. ln the embodimentshown in figures 3 and 4, fire protection apparatus 200 includes one cover 204. Thecover 204 is movable from a retracted position, which is shown in figure 3, to anextended position, which is shown in figure 4. ln the extended position, which is shownin figure 4, the cover 204 is configured to cover a space 206, or a gap 206, betweenthe vehicle door 162 and the ground 166 on which the vehicle 100 rests via the pluralityof wheels 118, 120. lt is to be understood that one or more items or objects may belocated between the vehicle door 162 and the ground 166 in addition to said space206. The cover 204 may cover the space 206 along the entire width, or essentially theentire width, of the vehicle door 162 or vehicle doors 160, 162. The cover 204 may belocated between the vehicle door 162 and the combustible unit 174. Especially in theextended position, which is shown in figure 4, the cover 204 may be located betweenthe vehicle door 162 and the combustible unit 174. The cover 204 may be called anexpandable cover 204. The cover 204 may be attachable to the vehicle 100, forexample to the chassis unit 167, for example to an underside of the chassis unit 167,for example to the floor 164, or for example to the underside 180 of the floor 164. Thecover 204 may be made from a fire-resistant material.

The fire protection apparatus 200 is configured to effect, for example trigger or perform,a movement of the cover 204 from the retracted position (shown in figure 3) to theextended position (shown in figure 4) when a fire or a risk of fire associated with thecombustible unit 174 is detected by the detector 202. When the cover 204 is in theextended position (shown in figure 4), the cover 204 is configured to block or shield offa fire or a potential fire in the combustible unit 174 and hinder the fire from reachingthe vehicle door 162, at least in an initial phase of a fire in the combustible unit 174.Thus, one or more passengers or a driver can safely exit the vehicle door 162 without risking direct contact with the fire in the combustible unit 174, at least in an initial phaseof the fire in the combustible unit 174.

The wording that fire protection apparatus 200 is configured to “effect a movement” ofthe cover 204 from the retracted position (shown in figure 3) to the extended position(shown in figure 4) may simply mean that fire protection apparatus 200 is configuredto trigger a movement of the cover 204 from the retracted position (shown in figure 3)to the extended position (shown in figure 4), and the cover 204 may then be moved tothe extended position by way of gravity or by way of any other device or actuator, suchas a biasing or spring mechanism, a compressed fluid mechanism, for example acompressed air mechanism, for example including a valve outlet, or for example ahydraulic or pneumatic cylinder etc. The fire protection apparatus 200 may beconfigured to move, for example actively move, the cover 204 from the retractedposition (shown in figure 3) to the extended position (shown in figure 4), for example by means of an actuator mentioned above.

The cover 204 may include one or more pivot plates 208 pivotally attachable to thevehicle 100, for example to the chassis unit 167, for example to the underside of thechassis unit 167, for example to the floor 164, or for example to the underside 180 ofthe floor 164. ln the embodiment shown in figures 3 and 4, the cover 204 includes onepivot plate 208 pivotally attachable to the vehicle 100. The pivot plate 208 is configuredto pivot in relation to the vehicle 100. The pivot plate 208 is configured to pivot fromthe retracted position (shown in figure 3) to the extended position (shown in figure 4).For example, the pivot plate 208 may be attached to the vehicle 100 via a pivot device210, for example a hinge. More specifically, the pivot plate 208 may be hinged to thevehicle 100, for example via the hinge. More specifically, the pivot plate 208 may behinged to the chassis unit 167, for example to the underside of the chassis unit 167,for example to the floor 164, or for example to the underside 180 of the floor 164. Thepivot plate 208 may be made from a metal or a metal alloy, from a suitable polymer or composite material, or any other suitable material. ln alternative embodiments, the cover 204 may include a plurality of pivot plates whichmay be pivotable in relation to one another. The plurality of pivot plates may be pivotally attached to one another, for example via axes of rotation, and may for example form a shutter door or roller. ln the embodiment shown in figure 3, the detector 202 includes a fuse 212. The fuse212 is configured to hold the cover 204, for example the pivot plate 208, in the retractedposition (shown in figure 3). The fuse 212 is configured to release the cover 204, forexample the pivot plate 208, to the extended position (shown in figure 4) when the fuse212 is exposed to sufficient heating from a fire or a risk of fire associated with thecombustible unit 174, for example from a fire or a potential fire in the combustible unit174, for example from flames, hot smoke or gas, reflected heat from surfaces facingnearby flames, or the like, thus when a fire or a risk of fire associated with thecombustible unit 174 is detected by the fuse 212. The fuse 212 may be called a meltfuse 212. The fuse 212 may be configured to melt and eventually break when exposedto sufficient heat from a fire or a risk of fire, for example a potential fire, associated withthe combustible unit 174. However, other detectors 202 are also possible. lnstead of afuse 212, a magnet lock, or any other lock, may be provided, which for example isconnected to a temperature sensor or to any other of the above-mentioned detectors202. Upon activation, the magnet lock may release the cover 204. lnstead of onlyrelying on the force of gravity, the embodiment with the fuse 212 may be supplementedwith an actuator for actively moving the cover 204, such as a biasing or springmechanism, a compressed fluid mechanism, for example a compressed air mechanism, or for example a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder etc.

With reference to figures 5 and 6, which show the cross-section along A-A in figure 2,and figure 7, which is a bottom view of the vehicle 100 of figures 5 and 6, a secondembodiment of the fire protection apparatus 300 according to the first aspect isschematically illustrated. As shown in figures 5 and 6, the second embodiment of thefire protection apparatus 300 may be configured to be applied to and mounted to avehicle 100, for example a vehicle 100 as disclosed above.

With reference to figures 5 to 7, the fire protection apparatus 300 includes a pluralityof covers 204. With reference to figure 7, in the shown embodiment, the fire protectionapparatus 300 includes four covers 204, but may include fewer or more covers 204 in alternative embodiments. Each cover 204 in figures 5 to 7 may correspond to the cover204 disclosed in connection with figures 3 and 4 is thus not disclosed in further detailhere. Figure 5 i||ustrates the covers 204 in the retracted position while figures 6 and 7i||ustrate the covers 204 in the extended position. With reference to figures 6 and 7, inthe extended position, the covers 204 are configured to cover a space 206, or gap 206,between the floor 164 and the ground 166 on which the vehicle 100 rests via theplurality of wheels 118, 120 at a plurality of sides of the vehicle 100.

With reference to figure 7, in the extended position the covers 204 are configured tosubstantially surround the electric battery unit 123. Thus, at the same time as thecovers 204 are configured to block or shield off a fire or a potential fire in thecombustible unit 174 from the vehicle door 162, whereby one or more passengers ora driver can safely exit the vehicle door 162 without risking direct contact with the firefrom the combustible unit 174, the covers 204 may also be configured to limit orenclose the fire in the combustible unit 174 by surrounding the combustible unit 174,which for example includes one or more electric battery units 123, whereby the covers204 may limit the progress of the fire and thus offer additional time for passengers ora driver to safely exit the vehicle door 162 without risking direct contact with the fire inthe combustible unit 174. Further, by having the covers 204 at a plurality of sides ofthe vehicle 100, more people and objects located outside the vehicle 100 can beprotected from the fire, since people and objects located at several sides of the vehicle 100 may be protected.

With reference to figure 5, the cover 204 on the side to the right is maintained or heldin the retracted position by a fastener 309, for example a latch 311 or a hook 311,which is included in the fire protection apparatus 300. When a fire or a risk of fireassociated with the combustible unit 174 is detected by the detector 202, the fireprotection apparatus 300 is configured to effect the movement of the cover 204 on theright side in figure 5 by moving the latch 311, for example in a direction parallel to thefloor 164, away from the cover 204 or pivot plate 208, which is held by the latch 311,and away from the adjacent wheel 120, whereby the cover 204 on the right side infigure 5 is released, and the force of gravity moves, for example pivots, the cover 204or pivot plate 208 from the retracted position (shown in figure 5) to the extended position (shown in figure 6). ln alternative embodiments, the latch 311 may bepivotable, and the fire protection apparatus 300 may be configured to pivot the Iatch311 away from the cover 204 or pivot plate 208, which is held by the latch 311. lnsteadof a latch 311 or a hook 311, it is to be understood that many alternative embodiments of the fastener 309 are possible.

With reference to figure 5, the cover 204 on the left side is maintained or held by thepivot device 210 in the retracted position. The fire protection apparatus 300 isconfigured to control the pivot device 210 to move, for example pivot, the cover 204from the retracted position (shown in figure 5) to the extended position (shown infigures 6 and 7) when a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit isdetected by the detector 202. Thus, fire protection apparatus 300 is configured to movethe cover 204 on the left side in figure 5 from the retracted position (shown in figure 5)to the extended position (shown in figures 6 and 7) when a fire or a risk of fireassociated with the combustible unit 174 is detected by the detector 202. Each of theadditional two covers 204 shown in figure 7 may correspond to any one of the covers204 disclosed above.

With reference to figures 5 to 7, the fire protection apparatus 300 includes a detector202 for detecting a fire or a risk offire associated with the combustible unit 174, whereinthe detector 202 includes a temperature sensor 312 integrated in the combustible unit174, for example integrated in the electric battery unit 123. The temperature sensor312 may be configured to detect a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustibleunit 174 by determining or sensing a temperature which is above a threshold, i.e.determining or sensing when the temperature is above a threshold, for example apredetermined threshold. lt is to be understood that other detectors 202 are possiblein alternative embodiments, for example the detectors 202 mentioned above.

With reference to figure 7, an embodiment of the control arrangement 150 accordingto the fifth aspect of the invention is schematically illustrated. The control arrangement150 is configured to detect a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit174 by way of or by means of the detector 202. The control arrangement 150 isconfigured to effect a movement of the cover 204 from the retracted position (shown in figure 5) to the extended position (shown in figures 6 and 7) when a fire or a risk offire associated with the combustible unit 174 is detected by the detector 202. Thecontrol arrangement 150 may be connected to the detector 202. The controlarrangement 150 may be configured to communicate with the detector 202, forexample in order to receive measurements of the detector 202. The controlarrangement 150 may be connected to the covers 204. The control arrangement 150may be configured to communicate with the covers 204 for example to effect themovement of the cover 204 from the retracted position (shown in figure 5) to theextended position (shown in figures 6 and 7) when a fire or a risk of fire associatedwith the combustible unit 174 is detected by the detector 202. The control arrangement150 is disclosed in further detail hereinbelow.

With reference to figures 8 and 9, which show the cross-section along A-A in figure 2,a third embodiment of the fire protection apparatus 400 according to the first aspect isschematically illustrated. As shown in figures 8 and 9, the third embodiment of the fireprotection apparatus 400 may be configured to be applied to and mounted to a vehicle100, for example a vehicle 100 as disclosed above.

With reference to figures 8 and 9, the cover 204 may comprise one or more slidableplates 408 configured to be slidable in relation to the vehicle 100. ln the shownembodiment, the cover 204 includes one slidable plate 408. The slidable plate 408 isconfigured to at least partially slide from the retracted position (shown in figure 8) tothe extended position (shown in figure 9). The slidable plate 408 may be made from ametal or a metal alloy, from a suitable polymer or composite material, or any othersuitable material. Further, in the shown embodiment, the slidable plate 408 isconfigured to be pivotable in relation to the vehicle 100, wherein the slidable plate 408is configured to slide and pivot from the retracted position (shown in figure 8) to theextended position (shown in figure 9).

The fire protection apparatus 400 is configured to move of the cover 204, for examplethe slidable plate 408, from the retracted position (shown in figure 8) to the extendedposition (shown in figure 9) when a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustibleunit 174 is detected by the detector 202, for example by the temperature sensor 312.

However, other detectors 202 are also possible, for example any one of the detectorsmentioned above. The fire protection apparatus 400 may include a guide 414 to guidethe slidable plate 408 from the retracted position (shown in figure 8) to the extendedposition (shown in figure 9). The guide 414, which may be in the form of a compartment,may be attached or mounted to the chassis unit 167, for example to the underside ofthe chassis unit 167, for example to the floor 164, or for example to the underside 180of the floor 164.

With reference to figures 8 and 9, the slidable plate 408 may be retractable from theextended position (shown in figure 9) to the retracted position (shown in figure 8),wherein in the extended position (shown in figure 9) the slidable plate 408 is usable asa wheelchair or access ramp. Thus, a wheelchair or access ramp already present inthe vehicle 100 may be used as a cover 204 of the fire protection apparatus 400. Thus,the cover 204 may be called a retractable and extendible cover 204. ln alternativeembodiments, the cover 204 may include a plurality of slidable plates which may bepivotable and/or slidable in relation to one another.

With reference to figure 9, when the slidable plate 408 is in the extended position(shown in figure 9), the slidable plate 408 is configured to cover a space 206 betweenthe vehicle door 162 and the ground 166 and thus configured to block or shield off afire or a potential fire in the combustible unit 174 and hinder the fire from reaching thevehicle door 162, at least in an initial phase of a fire in the combustible unit 174. Thus,one or more passengers or a driver can safely exit the vehicle door 162 without riskingdirect contact with the fire in the combustible unit 174, at least in an initial phase of the fire in the combustible unit 174.

With reference to figures 10 and 11, which show the cross-section along A-A in figure2, a fourth embodiment of the fire protection apparatus 500 according to the first aspectis schematically illustrated. As shown in figures 10 and 11, the fourth embodiment ofthe fire protection apparatus 500 may be configured to be applied to and mounted to avehicle 100, for example a vehicle 100 as disclosed above, for example to the chassisunit 167, for example to the underside of the chassis unit 167, for example to the floor164, or for example to the underside 180 of the floor 164.

With reference to figures 10 and 11, the cover 204 includes a fire blanket 508. lngeneral, the fire blanket 508 may be a blanket that not easily catches fire. ln general,the fire blanket may be made from a fire-resistant material, for example a fire-resistanttextile. Thus, for example, the fire blanket 508 may be made of a textile or fabric, forexample made of a metal or metal alloy. ln general, the fire blanket 508 has a certainability to withstand fire. ln the embodiment shown in figures 10 and 11, the detector 202 includes a fuse 212.The fuse 212 is configured to hold the cover 204, for example the fire blanket 508, inthe retracted position (shown in figure 10). The fuse 212 is configured to release thecover 204, for example the fire blanket 508, to the extended position (shown in figure11) when the fuse 212 is exposed to sufficient heating from a fire or a risk of fireassociated with the combustible unit 174, for example from a fire in the combustibleunit 174, thus when a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit isdetected by the fuse 202. The fuse 212 may be configured to melt and eventually breakwhen exposed to sufficient heat from a fire or a risk of fire associated with thecombustible unit 174.

Further, in the shown embodiment, the detector 202 also includes a temperaturesensor 312 integrated in the combustible unit 174, for example integrated in the electricbattery unit 123. The temperature sensor 312 has been disclosed above and is thusnot disclosed in further detail here. The fire protection apparatus 500 is configured toeffect a movement of the cover 204, for example the fire blanket 508, from the retractedposition (shown in figure 10) to the extended position (shown in figure 11) when a fireor a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit 174 is detected by the detector202, for example by the temperature sensor 312. However, other detectors 202 arealso possible, for example any one of the detectors mentioned above.

With reference to figures 10 and 11, the fire protection apparatus 500 is configured toeffect a movement of the fire blanket 508 from the retracted position (shown in figure10) to the extended position (shown in figure 11) by way of gravity when a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit 174 is detected by the detector 202, forexample by the temperature sensor 312.

With reference to figure 11, when the fire blanket 508 is in the extended position, thefire blanket 508 is configured to cover a space 206 between the vehicle door 162 andthe ground 166 and thus configured to block or shield off a fire or a potential fire in thecombustible unit 174 and hinder the fire from reaching the vehicle door 162, at least inan initial phase of a fire in the combustible unit 174. Thus, one or more passengers ora driver can safely exit the vehicle door 162 without risking direct contact with the firein the combustible unit 174, at least in an initial phase of the fire in the combustible unit174.

With reference to figures 12 and 13, which show the cross-section along A-A in figure2, a fifth embodiment of the fire protection apparatus 600 according to the first aspectis schematically illustrated. As shown in figures 10 and 11, the fifth embodiment of thefire protection apparatus 600 may be configured to be applied to and mounted to avehicle 100, for example a vehicle 100 as disclosed above, for example to the chassisunit 167, for example to the underside of the chassis unit 167, for example the floor164, or for example to the underside 180 of the floor 164.

With reference to figures 12 and 13, the cover 204 includes one or more inflatablecushions 608, for example one inflatable cushion 608. The inflatable cushion 608 ismovable from the retracted position (shown in figure 12) to the extended position(shown in figure 13) by being inflated when a fire or a risk of fire associated with thecombustible unit 174 is detected by the detector 202. The retracted position for theinflatable cushion 608 may be called a folded position (shown in figure 12), and theextended position (shown in figure 13) may be called an unfolded position or an inflatedor expanded position or condition. The inflatable cushion 608 may be made from a fireblanket material or be covered by a fire blanket material, for example a textile orfabric. ln the embodiment shown in figures 12 and 13, the detector 202 includes an impactsensor 612, for example an accelerometer, sensing an impact to the vehicle 100 or animpact between the vehicle 100 and another moving or stationary object, for example another vehicle. The impact sensor 612 may be attached to the chassis unit 167 of thevehicle 100, for example to the underside of the chassis unit 167, for example to thefloor 164, orfor example to the underside 180 of the floor 164. However, other locationsof the impact sensor are possible, for example inside the vehicle 100, for exampleclose to the vehicle door etc. Further, other detectors 202 are also possible, forexample any one of the detectors mentioned above.

With reference to figures 12 and 13, the fire protection apparatus 600 is configured toeffect a movement of the inflatable cushion 608 from the retracted position (shown infigure 12) to the extended position (shown in figure 13) by way of inflation when a fireor a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit 174 is detected by the detector202, for example by the impact sensor 612.

With reference to figure 13, when the inflatable cushion 608 is in the extended position,the inflatable cushion 608 is configured to cover a space 206 between the vehicle door162 and the ground 166 and thus configured to block or shield off a fire or a potentialfire in the combustible unit 174 and hinder the fire from reaching the vehicle door 162,at least in an initial phase of a fire in the combustible unit 174. Thus, one or morepassengers or a driver can safely exit the vehicle door 162 without risking direct contactwith the fire in the combustible unit 174, at least in an initial phase of the fire in thecombustible unit 174.

For alternative embodiments of the fire protection apparatus 200, 300, 400, 500, 600for a vehicle 100, the vehicle 100 may be movable from an elevated position, which forexample is shown in figure 13, and to the lowered position, which is shown in figure14, in relation to the ground 166 on which the vehicle 100 rests via the plurality ofwheels 118, 120. As mentioned above, the vehicle 100 may be movable between theelevated position (shown in figure 13) and the lowered position (shown in figure 14) inrelation to the ground 166. ln alternative embodiments, the fire protection apparatus200, 300, 400, 500, 600 may be configured to effect a movement of the vehicle 100 tothe lowered position (shown in figure 14) when a fire or a risk of fire associated withthe combustible unit 174 is detected by the detector 202, for example by the impactsensor 612, or by any one of the other detectors 202 mentioned above, in order to reduce a space 206 between the vehicle door 162 and the ground 166 on which thevehicle 100 rests via the plurality of wheels 118, 120. By means of this embodiment,any remaining space between the cover 204, for example the inflatable cushion 608,and the ground 166 may be efficiently reduced or minimized, and the embodiment maythus further hinder the flames, smoke and/or toxic gas from the combustible unit 174to reach the vehicle door area. Thus, one or more passengers or a driver can safelyexit the vehicle door 162 without risking direct contact with the fire in the combustibleunit 174, at least in an initial phase of the fire in the combustible unit 174. The fireprotection apparatus 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 may be configured to effect a movementof the vehicle 100 from the elevated position (shown in figure 13) to the lowered position (shown in figure 14).

The wording that fire protection apparatus 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 is configured to“effect a movement” of the vehicle 100 to the lowered position (shown in figure 14) maysimply mean that fire protection apparatus 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 is configured totrigger a movement of the vehicle 100 to the lowered position (shown in figure 14), andthe vehicle 100 may then be moved to the lowered position (shown in figure 14) byway of gravity or any other device or actuator, for example the suspension system 168mentioned above. However, the fire protection apparatus 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 mayalso be configured to actively move the vehicle 100 to the lowered position (shown in figure 14). lt is to be understood that the vehicle 100 disclosed above may include one or more ofthe embodiments of the fire protection apparatus 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 disclosed above.

With reference to figure 15, an embodiment of the fire protection method for a vehicle100 according to the second aspect of the invention, is schematically illustrated. Thevehicle 100 comprises a plurality of wheels 114, 116, 118, 120 and a chassis unit 167,the chassis unit 167 including a floor 164 and a combustible unit 174. The vehicle 100further includes one or more vehicle doors 160, 162 for entering or exiting the vehicle100. A cover 204 movable from a retracted position to an extended position is provided. ln the extended position the cover 204 is configured to cover a space 206 between the vehicle door 160, 162 and the ground 166 on which the vehicle 100 rests via theplurality of wheels 114, 116, 118, 120. The vehicle 100 may for example correspondto the embodiments disclosed above in connection with figures 1 and 2.

With reference to figure 15, the fire protection method comprises: detecting 701 a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit 174by way of or by means of a detector 202, and effecting 702 a movement of the cover 204 from the retracted position to theextended position when a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit 174is detected by the detector 202.

One or more additional steps may be added to the method without departing from thescope of the appended claims. For example, the step of effecting 702 a movement ofthe cover 204 may include the step of moving the cover 204 from the retracted positionto the extended position when a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustibleunit 174 is detected by the detector 202.

With reference to figure 7, the shown control arrangement 150 may include a fire orrisk of fire determining unit 152 for determining a fire or risk of fire associated with thecombustible unit 174 with the assistance from, or by way of, the detector 202, toperform the detecting step 701 in figure 15. The fire or risk of fire determining unit 152may be directly or indirectly connected to the detector 202 and may be configured todirectly or indirectly communicate with the detector 202, for example to receivemeasurements of the detector 202.

The shown control arrangement 150 may include a movement effecting unit 154 foreffecting a movement of the cover 204 from the retracted position (shown in figures 5,8, 10 and 12) to the extended position (shown in figures 6, 7, 9, 11 and 13) when a fireor a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit 174 is detected by the detector202 and determined by the fire or risk of fire determining unit 152 to perform themovement effecting step 702 in figure 15. The movement effecting unit 154 may bedirectly or indirectly connected to the cover 204, the fastener 209 or the pivot device 210 and configured to directly or indirectly communicate with the cover 204, thefastener 209 or the pivot device 210.

The control arrangement 150 may be directly or indirectly connected to andcommunicate with the engine's control system, for example the engine control device112.

Figure 16 shows in schematic representation an embodiment of the controlarrangement 150 according to the fifth aspect, which may include a control unit 800,which may correspond to or may include one or more of the above-mentioned units152, 154 of the control arrangement 150. The control unit 800 may comprise acomputing unit 801, which can be constituted by essentially any suitable type ofprocessor or microcomputer, for example a circuit for digital signal processing (DigitalSignal Processor, DSP), or a circuit having a predetermined specific function(Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC). The computing unit 801 is connected toa memory unit 802 arranged in the control unit 800. The memory unit 802 provides thecomputing unit 801 with, for example, the stored program code and/or the stored datawhich the computing unit 801 requires to be able to perform computations. Thecomputing unit 801 is also arranged to store partial or final results of computations inthe memory unit 802. ln addition, the control unit 800 may be provided with devices 811, 812, 813, 814 forreceiving and transmitting input and output signals. These input and output signals cancontain waveforms, impulses, or other attributes which, by means of the devices 811,813 for the reception of input signals, can be detected as information and can beconverted into signals which can be processed by the computing unit 801. Thesesignals are then made available to the computing unit 801. The devices 812, 814 forthe transmission of output signals are arranged to convert signals received from thecomputing unit 801 in order to create output signals by, for example, modulating the signals, which can be transmitted to other parts of and/or systems in the vehicle 100.

Each of the connections to the devices for receiving and transmitting input and outputsignals can be constituted by one or more of a cable; a data bus, such as a CAN bus (Controller Area Network bus), a MOST bus (Media Orientated Systems Transportbus), or some other bus configuration; or by a wireless connection.

Control systems in modern vehicles commonly comprise communication bus systemsconsisting of one or more communication buses for linking a plurality of electroniccontrol units (ECU's), or controllers, and various components located on the vehicle.Such a control system can comprise a large number of control units and/or controlarrangements and the responsibility for a specific function can be divided amongstmore than one control unit. Vehicles of the shown type thus often comprise significantlymore control units or control arrangements than are shown in figures 1 and 7, which iswell known to the person skilled in the art within this technical field. Alternatively or inaddition thereto, the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented wholly or partially in one or more other control units already present in the vehicle.

Here and in this document, units are often described as being provided for performingsteps of the method according to embodiments of the invention. This also includes thatthe units are designed to and/or configured to perform these method steps.

The units 152, 154 of the control arrangement150 are in figure 7 illustrated as separateunits. These units 152, 154 may, however, be logically separated but physicallyimplemented in the same unit, or can be both logically and physically arrangedtogether. These units 152, 154 may for example correspond to groups of instructions,which can be in the form of programming code, that are input into, and are utilized bya processor/computing unit 801 (see figure 16) when the units are active and/or areutilized for performing its method step.

The control arrangement 150, which may include one or more control units 800, e.g. adevice or a control device, according to embodiments of the present invention may bearranged to perform all of the method steps mentioned above, in the claims, and inconnection with the herein described embodiments. The control arrangement 150 is associated with the above described advantages for each respective embodiment.

According to the third aspect of the invention, a computer program 803 (see figure 16)is provided, comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by acomputer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to one or more of theembodiments disc|osed above.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, a computer-readable medium isprovided, comprising instructions which, when the instructions are executed by acomputer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to one or more of theembodiments disc|osed above.

The person ski||ed in the art will appreciate that a the herein described embodimentsof the method according to the first aspect may be implemented in a computerprogram, which, when it is executed in a computer, instructs the computer to executethe method. The computer program is usually constituted by a computer programproduct 803 stored on a non-transitory/non-volatile digital storage medium, in whichthe computer program is incorporated in the computer-readable medium of thecomputer program product. The computer-readable medium comprises a suitablememory, such as, for example: ROM (Read-Only Memory), PROM (ProgrammableRead-Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable PROM), Flash memory, EEPROM(Electrically Erasable PROM), a hard disk unit, etc.

The present invention is not limited to the above described embodiments. lnstead, thepresent invention relates to, and encompasses all different embodiments beingincluded within the scope of the appended independent claims.

Claims

1. A fire protection apparatus (200; 300; 400; 500; 600) for a vehicle (100), thevehicle (100) comprising a plurality of wheels (1 14, 116, 118,120), a chassis unit (167) comprising a floor (164) and a combustible unit (174), and one or more vehicle doors (160, 162) for entering or exiting the vehicle (100), wherein the fire protection apparatus (200; 300; 400; 500; 600) comprises adetector (202) for detecting a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit(174), the fire protection apparatus (200; 300; 400; /11/n,f .f 500; 600) comprises one or more covers (204), the cover (204) being movable from aretracted position to an extended position, wherein in the extended position the cover (204) is configured to cover a space(206) between the vehicle door (162) and the ground (166) on which the vehicle (100)rests via the plurality ofwheels (114, 116, 118, 120), and wherein the fire protection apparatus (200; 300; 400; 500; 600) is configuredto effect a movement of the cover (204) from the retracted position to the extendedposition when a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit (174) isdetected by the detector (202).

2. A fire protection apparatus (200; 300; 400; 500; 600) according to claim 1,wherein the fire protection apparatus (300; 400) is configured to move the cover (204)from the retracted position to the extended position when a fire or a risk of fireassociated with the combustible unit (174) is detected by the detector (202).

3. A fire protection apparatus (200; 300; 400; 500; 600) according to claim 1 or2, wherein the cover (204) or covers (204) is/are configured to cover a space (206)between the floor (164) and the ground (166) on which the vehicle (100) rests via theplurality ofwheels (114, 116, 118, 120) at a plurality of sides of the vehicle (100).

4. A fire protection apparatus (200; 300; 400; 500; 600) according to any one ofthe claims 1 to 3, wherein the combustible unit (174) comprises an electric battery unit (123), and wherein in the extended position the cover (204) or covers (204) is/are configured to substantially surround the electric battery unit (123).

5. A fire protection apparatus (200; 300; 400; 500; 600) according to any one ofthe claims 1 to 4, wherein the cover (204) comprises one or more pivot plates (208)pivotally attachable to the vehicle (100), wherein the pivot plate (208) is configured topivot in relation to the vehicle (100), and wherein the pivot plate (208) is configured to pivot from the retracted position to the extended position.

6. A fire protection apparatus (200; 300; 400; 500; 600) according to any one ofthe claims 1 to 5, wherein the cover (204) comprises one or more slidable plates (408)configured to be slidable in relation to the vehicle (100), and wherein the slidable plate(408) is configured to at least partially slide from the retracted position to the extended position.

7. A fire protection apparatus (200; 300; 400; 500; 600) according to claim 6,wherein the slidable plate (408) is configured to be pivotable in relation to the vehicle(100), and wherein the slidable plate (408) is configured to slide and pivot from theretracted position to the extended position.

8. A fire protection apparatus (200; 300; 400; 500; 600) according to claim 6 or7, wherein the slidable plate (408) is retractable from the extended position to theretracted position, and wherein in the extended position the slidable plate (408) is usable as a wheelchair or access ramp.

9. A fire protection apparatus (200; 300; 400; 500; 600) according to any one ofthe claims 1 to 8, wherein the cover (204) comprises a fire blanket (508).

10. A fire protection apparatus (200; 300; 400; 500; 600) according to any one ofthe claims 1 to 9, wherein the detector (202) comprises one or more fuses (212),wherein the fuse (212) is configured to hold the cover (204) in the retracted position,and wherein the fuse (212) is configured to release the cover (204) to the extended position when the fuse (212) is exposed to sufficient heating from a fire or a risk of fireassociated with the combustible unit (174).

11. A fire protection method for a vehicle (100), the vehicle (100) comprisinga plurality ofwheels (114, 116, 118,120),a chassis unit (167) comprising a floor (164) and a combustible unit (174), andone or more vehicle doors (160, 162) for entering or exiting the vehicle (100), cover (204) movable from a retracted positionto an extended position is provided, and wherein in the extended position the cover (204) is configured to cover a space(206) between the vehicle door (160, 162) and the ground (166) on which the vehicle(100) rests via the plurality ofwheels (114, 116, 118, 120), wherein the method comprises: detecting (701) a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit (174)by way of a detector (202), and effecting (702) a movement of the cover (204) from the retracted position tothe extended position when a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit (174) is detected by the detector (202).

12. A computer program (803) comprising instructions which, when the programis executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to claim 11.

13. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when theinstructions are executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to claim 11.

14. A control arrangement (150) for a vehicle (100), the vehicle (100) comprisinga plurality ofwheels (114, 116, 118,120),a chassis unit (167) comprising a floor (164) and a combustible unit (174), andone or more vehicle doors (160, 162) for entering or exiting the vehicle (100),wherein a cover (204) movable from a retracted position to an extendedposition is provided, and wherein in the extended position the cover (204) is configured to cover a space(206) between the vehicle door (160, 162) and the ground (166) on which the vehicle(100) rests via the plurality of wheels (1 14, 116, 118, 120), wherein the control arrangement (150) is configured to: detect (701) a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit (174) byway of a detector (202), and effect (702) a movement of the cover (204) from the retracted position to theextended position when a fire or a risk of fire associated with the combustible unit (174)is detected by the detector (202).

15. A vehicle (100) comprising a plurality ofwheels (114, 116, 118, 120), a chassis unit (167) comprising a floor (164) and a combustible unit (174), and one or more vehicle doors (160, 162) for entering or exiting the vehicle (100), wherein the vehicle (100) comprises a fire protection apparatus (200; 300; 400;500; 600) as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 10 and/or a control arrangement(150) as claimed in claim 14.