Methods for converting manual fire extinguishers into automatic fire extinguishing devices, including installation and activation.

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of fire protection technology, specifically relating to a starting device and installation and starting method for converting manual fire extinguishers into automatic fire extinguishers. It can be directly applied to manual fire extinguishers, improving them to achieve automatic fire extinguishing functionality, avoiding waste of manual fire extinguishers, saving costs, shortening the cycle, reducing variety, and improving efficiency. The invention includes a valve body with a slidingly fitted valve core and a valve cover extending from the upper part of the valve body. A spring is installed between the valve core and the valve cover. An actuator assembly is connected to one side of the valve body. The actuator assembly includes an actuator housing and an actuator cover connected together. An actuator push rod is installed inside the actuator housing. The extended end of the actuator push rod contacts the step of the valve core. Gunpowder is placed between the actuator push rod and the actuator housing, contacting one end of a heat-sensitive wire. The other end of the heat-sensitive wire extends out of the actuator cover. A self-locking screw is installed inside the actuator cover, pressing against the actuator push rod.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of fire protection technology, specifically relating to a starting device for converting a manual fire extinguisher into an automatic fire extinguisher, as well as its installation and starting method. Background Technology

[0002] Manual fire extinguishers generally refer to portable fire extinguishers. When using them, you should bring the fire extinguisher to the fire scene, first pull out the safety pin, hold the operating handle with one hand and the nozzle at the end of the spray hose with the other hand, aim the nozzle at the fire, and squeeze the operating handle firmly to spray the extinguishing agent until the flames are extinguished.

[0003] Currently, various electrical distribution cabinets, power supply cabinets, instrument cabinets, data cabinets, and filing cabinets are widely used in various sectors of society. The fire extinguishers placed in these computer rooms are generally handheld fire extinguishers. These cabinets are often exposed to high temperatures during normal operation, making them highly susceptible to fire. If people have to manually retrieve manual fire extinguishers to put out the fire when it is discovered, it will delay the opportunity to extinguish the fire, resulting in casualties and property damage. To solve these problems, the following automatic fire suppression system is needed for the above-mentioned cabinets to detect and extinguish fires automatically.

[0004] 1. Conventional gas fire extinguishing systems are typically used for full protection. When a fire occurs in a server rack in the computer room, all the nozzles in the entire room will release fire extinguishing agent to extinguish the fire. This method is expensive and the secondary restoration time of the fire extinguishing system is relatively long.

[0005] 2. For the aforementioned cabinets that use fire detection tube extinguishing systems for fire detection and automatic fire suppression, the instant the fire detection tube burns out, the pressurized nitrogen gas is released, which will have an impact on the electronic components inside the cabinet, causing damage and resulting in certain economic losses.

[0006] 3. For the aforementioned cabinets that use embedded automatic fire extinguishing devices for fire detection and automatic fire suppression, the automatic fire extinguishing devices need to be installed in the cabinets, occupying cabinet space; moreover, the structure is complex and the cost is high. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of this, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a starting device and installation and starting method for converting a manual fire extinguisher into an automatic fire extinguisher.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0009] A starting device for converting a manual fire extinguisher into an automatic fire extinguisher is characterized by: including a valve body, a valve core and a valve cover extending from the upper part of the valve body, the valve core slidingly engaging with the valve body, a spring being provided between the valve core and the valve cover, the spring being in a compressed state, and a drive assembly being threadedly connected to one side of the valve body.

[0010] The actuator assembly includes an actuator housing and an actuator cover connected together. A actuator push rod that can slide left and right is provided inside the actuator housing. The extended end of the actuator push rod contacts the step of the valve core. A gunpowder is provided between the actuator push rod and the actuator housing. The gunpowder contacts one end of the thermal wire. The other end of the thermal wire extends out of the actuator cover. A self-locking screw is provided inside the actuator cover. The self-locking screw presses against the actuator push rod.

[0011] Furthermore, the actuator housing includes a stepped circular tube, with heat dissipation holes on the circumference of the large-diameter end of the stepped circular tube, and a guide hole for the actuator push rod to pass through at the small-diameter end of the stepped circular tube. Both ends of the stepped circular tube are respectively provided with threads for connection to the valve cover and the actuator cover.

[0012] Furthermore, the actuator push rod includes a cylinder, a guide rod, and a base. The base is circular with the same diameter as the cylinder and is located at one end of the cylinder to seal one end of the cylinder. The base is provided with a wire hole (311). One end of the guide rod is fixed at the center of the base, and the other end is abutted against the step of the valve core.

[0013] Furthermore, the driver cover is provided with a central threaded hole, and six small holes are evenly distributed around the outer ring of the central threaded hole.

[0014] Furthermore, the thermal wire extends out of the driver cover through the wire hole and any small hole on the driver cover.

[0015] Furthermore, a locking nut is provided between the self-locking screw and the driver cover.

[0016] A method for installing an automatic fire extinguishing device to convert a manual fire extinguisher into an automatic fire extinguishing device, characterized in that:

[0017] Remove the handle from the portable fire extinguisher. Connect the valve body to the upper left end of the extinguisher head with rivets. Engage the boss in the inner cavity of the valve body with the notch in the extinguisher head. Place the spring in the middle of the upper part of the valve core. The concave arc surface of the valve core makes surface contact with the top hemisphere of the push rod, so that the push rod can be pressed when the valve core moves downward.

[0018] A method for activating a device that converts a manual fire extinguisher into an automatic fire extinguishing device, characterized in that:

[0019] When a fire breaks out anywhere inside the cabinet, and the ambient temperature inside the cabinet reaches the activation temperature of the thermal wire, the thermal wire will spontaneously combust. The thermal wire will ignite the gunpowder, and the combustion of the gunpowder will generate gas and heat that will push the actuator rod to the right. The valve core will move downward under the release pressure of the compression spring, pressing the top rod of the fire extinguisher to open the fire extinguisher and release the agent, thus achieving automatic fire extinguishing of the cabinet.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows:

[0021] 1) The activation device of this invention can be directly used on manual fire extinguishers, improving them to achieve automatic fire extinguishing function without wasting manual fire extinguishers. It facilitates product standardization and modular management, thereby saving costs, shortening cycles, reducing product variety, and improving efficiency.

[0022] 2) The present invention is ingenious and simple in structure. By simply removing the handle from the original manual fire extinguisher and installing the starting device of the present invention, the manual fire extinguisher can be converted into an automatic fire extinguishing device. The installation method of the starting device is the same as that of the handle. The starting device is simply snapped onto the head of the device and the other end is fixed with a rivet.

[0023] 3) The automatic fire extinguishing device equipped with the activation device of this invention has one end of the heat-sensitive wire placed inside the cabinet and wound and fixed near the electrical equipment inside the cabinet. The cylinder of the fire extinguishing device and the activation device are placed near the outside of the cabinet, and the nozzle of the fire extinguishing device is set at the top inside the cabinet. When any part of the cabinet catches fire, the heat-sensitive wire spontaneously combusts, the activation device is activated, and the fire extinguisher sprays the agent to automatically extinguish the fire in the cabinet. Because the fire extinguishing device does not release pressurized nitrogen gas when extinguishing a fire, it will not exert impact force on the electronic components inside the cabinet, and will not cause secondary damage and thus no economic loss. Because the cylinder of the fire extinguishing device and the activation device are placed outside the cabinet, they will not occupy cabinet space, and the fire source inside the cabinet can be safely and effectively extinguished.

[0024] 4) The starting device of this invention is equipped with a self-locking screw to prevent the automatic fire extinguishing device from being accidentally activated during transportation, etc., making it safer and more reliable. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portable fire extinguisher.

[0026] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of a portable fire extinguisher with a starting device added to it (without the handle);

[0027] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the valve core of the starting device;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the driver push rod structure of the starting device;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the driver housing structure of the starting device;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the drive cover structure of the starting device;

[0031] Markings: 1-Portable fire extinguisher, 2-Portable fire extinguisher without handle, 3-Actuator assembly, 4-Valve cover, 5-Valve body, 6-Actuating spring, 7-Valve core

[0032] 101-Fire extinguisher cylinder, 102-Siphon tube, 103-Inner tube seat, 104-Spring, 105-Push rod assembly, 106-Emitter head, 107-Handle, 108-Press handle, 109-Safety pin, 110-Rivet, 111-Discharge hose, 112-Second channel, 113-O-ring seal, 114-First channel

[0033] 1051 - Top rod, 1052 - Rubber pad, 1053 - Top rod cap

[0034] 31-Actuator push rod, 32-Actuator housing, 33-Gunpowder, 34-Actuator cover, 35-Thermosensitive wire, 36-Self-locking screw, 37-Lock nut

[0035] 311-Wire hole, 312-Cylinder, 313-Guide rod, 314-Base

[0036] 321 - Guide hole, 322 - Round tube, 323 - Heat dissipation hole

[0037] 71-Receiving cavity, 72-Concave arc surface Detailed Implementation

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0039] The structure of portable fire extinguisher 1 is as follows Figure 1 As shown, the device includes a head 106, whose external thread is threaded to the top of the fire extinguisher cylinder 101. An O-ring 113 is installed at the external thread of the head 106 to ensure a tight seal between the head 106 and the fire extinguisher cylinder 101 after installation. The internal thread of the head 106 is threaded to the outside of the inner tube seat 103; the inner tube seat 103 is threaded to the top of the siphon tube 102; and the upper left part of the head 106 is threaded to the spray hose 111 and fixed to the upper left part of the head 106.

[0040] The device head 106 includes a first channel 114 formed inside the device head and extending from top to bottom. The first channel 114 communicates vertically with the inner tube seat 103 and the siphon tube 102. The device head 106 also includes an outlet, i.e., a second channel 112, located at the upper left part of the device head. The second channel 112 communicates horizontally with the inside of the injection hose 111. A push rod assembly 105 for opening and closing the second channel 112 of the device head is installed in the first channel 114. A spring 104 is installed below the push rod assembly 105. The upper part of the spring 104 is installed on the outer ring of the push rod cap 1053, and the lower part is located on the inner step of the inner tube seat 103. The spring 104 provides the push rod assembly 105 with a force that always points upward.

[0041] The upper left end of the head 106 is fitted with a handle 107 and a pressure handle 108 by a rivet 110. The handle 107 is locked in place at the notch of the head 106. The pressure handle 108 is rotatably connected to the head 106. The pressure handle 108 is fitted with a safety pin 109 to prevent it from rotating.

[0042] When using the portable fire extinguisher 1 to extinguish a fire, first pull out the safety pin 109, then firmly grip the handle 108. The handle 108 rotates around the rivet 110, pressing the top rod 1051, causing the top rod assembly 105 to move downwards and compress the spring 104. This connects the first channel 114 and the second channel 112. After the first channel 114 and the second channel 112 are connected, the pressure inside the siphon tube 102 decreases. Under the pressure of the high-pressure nitrogen above, the extinguishing agent inside the fire extinguisher cylinder 101 is sprayed out through the spray hose 111 via the first channel 114 and the second channel 112, achieving the fire extinguishing effect. When the handle 108 is released, the spring 104 returns to its original position, giving the top rod assembly 105 an upward force, causing the top rod assembly to move upwards synchronously until the rubber gasket 1052 presses against the step inside the head 106, thereby blocking the first channel 114 and the second channel 112 and shutting off the fire extinguisher.

[0043] This embodiment provides a starting device for converting a manual fire extinguisher into an automatic fire extinguisher, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the valve body includes a valve body 5, a valve core 7 and a valve cover 4 extending from the upper part of the valve body 5. The valve cover 4 is threadedly connected to the valve body 5. The inner wall of the valve body 5 slides with the outer wall of the valve core 7. A spring 6 is provided between the valve core 7 and the valve cover 4. The spring 6 is in a compressed state. The right side of the valve body 5 is threadedly connected to a drive assembly 3.

[0044] The aforementioned actuator assembly 3 includes an actuator housing 32 and an actuator push rod 31 installed in the actuator housing 32. The actuator push rod 31 slides left and right in the actuator housing 32. An actuator cover 34 is installed on the right side of the actuator housing 32 via a threaded connection. The guide rod 313 of the actuator push rod 31 contacts the step of the valve core 7. A gunpowder 33 is provided between the actuator push rod 31 and the actuator housing 32. The gunpowder 33 contacts one end of the thermal wire 35. The other end of the thermal wire 35 extends out of the actuator cover 34. A self-locking screw 36 is provided inside the actuator cover 34. A locking nut 37 is provided between the self-locking screw 36 and the actuator cover 34. The self-locking screw 36 presses against the actuator push rod 31, restricting the left and right movement of the actuator push rod 31.

[0045] The aforementioned driver push rod 31 includes a cylinder 312, a guide rod 313, and a base 314, as shown below. Figure 4 As shown, the base 314 is circular with the same diameter as the cylinder 312. It is located at one end of the cylinder 312 and seals one end of the cylinder. The base 314 is provided with a wire hole 311 for the heat-sensitive wire 35 to pass through. One end of the guide rod 313 is fixed to the center of the base 314, and the other end is abutted against the step of the valve core 7. The outer ring of the cylinder 312 is slidably engaged with the inner ring of the driver housing 32. The guide rod 313 is slidably engaged with the guide hole 321 at the leftmost end of the driver housing 32.

[0046] The aforementioned actuator housing 32 includes a stepped circular tube 322. Six heat dissipation holes 323 are provided on the circumference of the larger diameter end of the stepped circular tube 322. When the gunpowder inside the actuator push rod 31 is ignited, a large amount of gas and heat is generated, resulting in a significant impact force that rapidly pushes the actuator push rod 31 to the right. Simultaneously, a large amount of gas and heat is discharged from the heat dissipation holes 323, preventing accidental burns or damage to the actuator assembly 3. The smaller diameter end of the stepped circular tube 322 is provided with a guide hole 321 for the actuator push rod 31 to pass through. Both ends of the stepped circular tube 322 are respectively provided with threads for connection to the valve cover 4 and the actuator cover 34. Figure 5 As shown.

[0047] The aforementioned driver cover 34 is provided with a central threaded hole for the self-locking screw 36 to pass through and be tightened. Six small holes are evenly distributed around the outer ring of the central threaded hole; one of these holes is for the thermal wire 35 to pass through, and the remaining holes are for heat dissipation, secondary discharge of the large amount of gas and heat generated after the propellant 33 is ignited, such as... Figure 6 As shown.

[0048] In the initial state, i.e., when the fire extinguishing device is not in use, the actuator assembly 3 is in the closed position, such as... Figure 2As shown, the actuator push rod 31 is located at the leftmost end of the actuator housing 32, and the guide rod 313 passes through the guide hole 321 into the inner cavity of the valve body 5 and presses against the step of the valve core 7, restricting the downward movement of the valve core 7. The actuator push rod 31 plays a limiting role on the valve core 7, and the actuator assembly 3 controls the downward movement of the valve core 7.

[0049] During handling, the self-locking screw 36 presses against the outside of the base 314 of the actuator push rod 31, restricting the actuator push rod 31 from moving to the right. The self-locking screw 36 acts as a limit for the actuator push rod 31. The locking nut 37 is installed between the self-locking screw 36 and the actuator cover 34 to prevent the fire extinguishing device from being loosened by vibration during handling, production, etc., and plays a role in preventing loosening and resisting vibration. After the fire extinguishing device is installed, the self-locking screw 36 and the locking nut 37 need to be removed.

[0050] The installation and use process of the starting device of this invention: The starting device of this invention is installed on the head 106 of the portable fire extinguisher 2 without the handle. The valve body 5 is connected to the upper left end of the head 106 by rivets 110. At the same time, there is a boss in the inner cavity of the valve body 5, which fits into the notch of the head 106. The connection between the valve body 5 and the head 106 is firm and reliable. There is a cylindrical receiving cavity in the middle of the upper part of the valve core 7. The spring 6 is placed in this receiving cavity 71, which has good stability. There is a cylindrical boss in the lower part of the valve core 7. There is a concave arc surface 72 in the middle of the boss, which makes surface contact with the top hemisphere of the top rod 1051. When the valve core 7 moves downward to press the top rod 1051, the portable fire extinguisher 2 can be opened safely and reliably.

[0051] The thermal wire 35 of this invention passes through the hole on the right side of the driver cover 34 and the wire hole 311 on the right side of the base of the driver top rod 31, and enters the gunpowder 33. The thermal wire 35 needs to be knotted before entering the cylinder of the starter top rod to prevent it from falling out. The thermal wire 35 is a high-tech temperature-sensitive element, composed of multi-core or single-core wires coated with thermally sensitive material. The other end of the thermal wire 35 enters the cabinet and is wound and fixed near the electrical equipment inside the cabinet. The cylinder and starting device of the fire extinguishing device are placed near the outside of the cabinet, and the nozzle of the fire extinguishing device is located at the top inside the cabinet. When a fire breaks out anywhere inside the cabinet, and the ambient temperature inside the cabinet reaches the activation temperature of the thermal wire 35, the thermal wire 35 will spontaneously combust and quickly burn into the drive rod 31, igniting the gunpowder. The combustion of the gunpowder will generate a large amount of gas and heat, resulting in a strong impact force that will quickly push the drive rod 31 to the right. The valve core 7 will move downward under the release pressure of the compression spring, pressing the rod 1051 of the portable fire extinguisher 2 to open the fire extinguisher and release the agent, thus achieving automatic fire extinguishing of the cabinet.

[0052] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the directional terms such as "up", "down", "left", and "right" indicate the direction or positional relationship based on the direction or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0053] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A starting device for converting a manual fire extinguisher into an automatic fire extinguishing device, characterized in that: Includes a valve body (5), a valve core (7) and a valve cover (4) extending from the upper part of the valve body (5) are provided inside the valve body (5), the valve core (7) slides with the valve body (5), a spring (6) is provided between the valve core (7) and the valve cover (4), the spring (6) is in a compressed state, and a drive assembly (3) is connected to one side of the valve body (5) by a thread. The actuator assembly (3) includes an actuator housing (32) and an actuator cover (34) connected together. An actuator push rod (31) that can slide left and right is provided inside the actuator housing (32). The extended end of the actuator push rod (31) contacts the step of the valve core (7). A gunpowder (33) is provided between the actuator push rod (31) and the actuator housing (32). The gunpowder (33) contacts one end of the thermal wire (35). The other end of the thermal wire (35) extends out of the actuator cover (34). A self-locking screw (36) is provided inside the actuator cover (34). The self-locking screw (36) presses against the actuator push rod (31).

2. The activation device for converting a manual fire extinguisher into an automatic fire extinguishing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive housing (32) includes a stepped round tube (322), with heat dissipation holes (323) provided on the circumference of the large diameter end of the stepped round tube (322), and a guide hole (321) for the drive push rod (31) to pass through provided at the small diameter end of the stepped round tube (322). Both ends of the stepped round tube (322) are respectively provided with threads for connecting to the valve cover (4) and the drive cover (34).

3. A starting device for converting a manual fire extinguisher into an automatic fire extinguisher according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The driver push rod (31) includes a cylinder (312), a guide rod (313), and a base (314). The base (314) is circular with the same diameter as the cylinder (312) and is located at one end of the cylinder (312) to seal one end of the cylinder. The base (314) is provided with a wire hole (311). One end of the guide rod (313) is fixed at the center of the base (314), and the other end is abutted against the step of the valve core (7).

4. The activation device for converting a manual fire extinguisher into an automatic fire extinguisher according to claim 3, characterized in that: The driver cover (34) is provided with a central threaded hole, and six small holes are evenly distributed around the outer ring of the central threaded hole.

5. A starting device for converting a manual fire extinguisher into an automatic fire extinguisher according to claim 4, characterized in that: The thermal wire (35) passes through the wire hole (311) and any small hole on the driver cover (34) and extends out of the driver cover (34).

6. The activation device for converting a manual fire extinguisher into an automatic fire extinguisher according to claim 5, characterized in that: A locking nut (37) is provided between the self-locking screw (36) and the driver cover (34).

7. The installation method for a starting device to convert a manual fire extinguisher into an automatic fire extinguishing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Remove the handle of the portable fire extinguisher (1), connect the valve body (5) to the upper left end of the head (106) with a rivet (110), engage the boss of the inner cavity of the valve body (5) with the notch of the head (106), place the spring (6) in the middle of the upper part of the valve core (7) in the receiving cavity (71), and make surface contact between the concave arc surface (72) of the valve core (7) and the top hemisphere of the top rod (1051), so that the valve core (7) can press the top rod (1051) when it moves downward.

8. The activation method for a device for converting a manual fire extinguisher into an automatic fire extinguishing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When any part of the cabinet catches fire, the ambient temperature inside the cabinet reaches the activation temperature of the thermal wire (35), the thermal wire (35) spontaneously combusts, and the gunpowder (33) is ignited through the thermal wire (35). The gunpowder (33) burns, and the gas and heat generated push the actuator rod (31) to the right. The valve core (7) moves downward under the release pressure of the compression spring (6), presses the rod of the fire extinguisher (2), opens the fire extinguisher, and sprays the agent to realize automatic fire extinguishing of the cabinet.

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