A sponge for extinguishing a fire and a process for making the same

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of fire-fighting accessories, in particular to a sponge for extinguishing fire and a preparation process thereof. The sponge comprises a sponge body, and a water-locking surface and a water-splashing surface are formed on the outer surface of the sponge body, wherein the surface density of the water-locking surface is greater than that of the water-splashing surface. The process comprises the following steps: Step 1, preparing the raw material of the sponge and cutting it into a desired pretreatment shape; Step 2, heating part of the outer surface of the sponge body and heating the surface of the sponge body to form the water-locking surface, and the remaining outer surface of the sponge body forms the water-splashing surface; Step 3, cooling to form a finished product. Due to the high-density design of the water-locking surface, the sponge can stably retain water and is not prone to water loss or scattering due to swinging or wind. At the same time, the sponge is made of rubber, so it has the characteristics of environmental protection and combustible and recyclable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of fire-fighting accessories, and in particular to a sponge for extinguishing fires and its preparation process. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, firefighting involves using helicopters to drop water bombs, which are then placed in buckets with limited water capacity. While some have previously used soft PU foam blocks with numerous pores drilled into them to absorb water and allow for splashing upon impact, the limited water capacity of the buckets carried by helicopters, coupled with flight swaying and prevailing winds, significantly reduces the accuracy of the drop. Furthermore, water is easily dispersed by the wind, resulting in substantial water loss and severely limiting the effective range of the drop. If chemical foam is used, its effectiveness is also limited by wind direction and temperature.

[0003] Flexible polyurethane (PU) foam has limited water absorption and requires enormous pressure to squeeze out the water. Therefore, its splashing force and range when extinguishing fires are not ideal, and processing a single block of flexible PU foam is expensive. Furthermore, flexible PU foam produces toxins when burned, making it environmentally unfriendly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention proposes a sponge for extinguishing fires and its manufacturing process. Due to the high-density design of its water-locking surface, the sponge can stably retain moisture, preventing moisture loss or dispersion due to movement or wind. Furthermore, the artificial sponge is made from rubber, thus possessing environmentally friendly, flammable, and recyclable properties.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the invention is: a sponge for extinguishing fire, comprising an artificial sponge body, wherein the outer surface of the artificial sponge body is formed with a water-locking surface and a water-splashing surface, and the surface density of the water-locking surface is greater than the surface density of the water-splashing surface.

[0006] Furthermore, the area ratio of the water-locking surface to the water-splashing surface is (1-2):(2-4).

[0007] Furthermore, the artificial sponge body has a spherical structure with several rings of water-locking surfaces, and a splashing surface is formed between adjacent water-locking surfaces.

[0008] Furthermore, the artificial sponge body has a spherical structure with a spiral water-locking surface, and the remaining part of the outer surface of the spherical structure constitutes a splashing surface.

[0009] Furthermore, the artificial sponge body has a block structure, with water-locking surfaces formed on the top and bottom surfaces of the block structure, and the remaining outer surface of the block structure forming a splashing surface.

[0010] A process for preparing a sponge for extinguishing fires includes the following steps:

[0011] Step 1: Prepare the artificial sponge raw material and cut it into the required pre-treated shape;

[0012] Step 2: Heating a portion of the outer surface of the artificial sponge body to form a water-locking surface, while the remaining outer surface of the artificial sponge body forms a water-splashing surface.

[0013] Step 3: Cooling, resulting in the finished product.

[0014] Furthermore, the specific steps of step 2 are as follows: the artificial sponge body after the pretreatment in step 1 is placed inside the mold, and the heating component inside the mold contacts and heats the surface of the artificial sponge body, so that the surface of the artificial sponge body forms a water-locking surface 11; the non-heating component inside the mold does not contact the rest of the outer surface of the artificial sponge body, so that it forms a water-splashing surface.

[0015] Furthermore, in step 2, the heating temperature of the mold is 170-180℃, and the heating time is 100-180 seconds.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the invention are:

[0017] 1. The artificial sponge body of this application, after undergoing a surface heating process, can accurately deliver the amount of water it carries to the target point. During the throwing process, due to the high-density design of the water-locking surface, the sponge can stably retain moisture and is not easily lost or dispersed due to swaying or wind. Therefore, almost 100% of the water thrown can be sprayed onto the target fire, which greatly improves the fire extinguishing efficiency and relatively reduces the number of water bombs thrown. Most importantly, this precise delivery capability significantly improves the timeliness of fire control and extinguishing, generating great practical value.

[0018] 2. Artificial sponges are made from rubber, thus possessing environmentally friendly, flammable, and recyclable properties. This represents a significant environmental advantage compared to traditional soft PU foam. Soft PU foam produces toxins when burned, making it environmentally unfriendly, while artificial sponges avoid this problem and are more in line with modern environmental protection concepts.

[0019] 3. The compressible nature of artificial sponges makes them easy to store and readily available for rapid application and transportation when needed. This convenience is particularly important in emergency rescue and forest fire fighting scenarios, ensuring that rescuers can deliver firefighting equipment to the scene in the shortest possible time, thereby effectively controlling the fire. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the artificial sponge body structure before treatment in Example 1.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the artificial sponge body before it is placed into the mold in Example 1.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the artificial sponge body after it is placed into the mold in Example 1.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the artificial sponge body after processing in Example 1.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the artificial sponge body structure before treatment in Example 3.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the principle of placing the artificial sponge body into the mold in Example 3.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the artificial sponge body after processing in Example 3.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the water-splashing principle of a treated artificial sponge.

[0028] The following are the reference numerals: 10. Artificial sponge body; 11. Water-locking surface; 12. Water-splashing surface; 2. Mold; 21. Heating component; 22. Reserved space. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Please see Figure 1-8 As shown, the invention relates to a sponge for extinguishing fires, comprising an artificial sponge body 10, wherein the artificial sponge body 10 has a number of water-retaining holes, and the outer surface of the artificial sponge body 10 is provided with a water-locking surface 11 formed by heat treatment and a water-splashing surface 12 that has not been heat-treated, wherein the surface density of the water-locking surface 11 is greater than the surface density of the water-splashing surface 12.

[0030] Overall, by increasing the surface density of the water-locking surface 11, the water-locking performance of the sponge is significantly enhanced. Water is less likely to seep out, ensuring the sponge's moisture retention during storage and transportation. Simultaneously, the high-density water-locking surface 11 helps to concentrate moisture within the sponge. This concentrated storage allows the sponge to release moisture more effectively from the splash surface 12 upon deployment.

[0031] Furthermore, during high-altitude deployment, the high-density design of the water-locking surface 11 prevents the sponge from losing or scattering moisture due to swaying or wind. This ensures that the sponge can stably deliver the stored water to the target location, improving the accuracy and reliability of its use.

[0032] Combining its water-locking properties and stability, this sponge can precisely deliver stored water to target locations requiring cooling or fire extinguishing. This is of particular importance for emergency rescue and forest fire fighting, enabling rapid and effective control of fires or reduction of temperature.

[0033] Furthermore, the area ratio of the water-locking surface 11 to the water-splashing surface 12 is (1-2):(2-4).

[0034] Furthermore, in this application, the artificial sponge body 10 can be designed as a spherical structure (described in detail in Embodiment 1 below), which has several rings of water-locking surfaces 11, and a splashing surface 12 is formed between adjacent water-locking surfaces 11.

[0035] Furthermore, in this application, the artificial sponge body 10 can also be designed as a spherical structure, on which a threaded water-locking surface 11 is provided (in fact, this scheme is the same as that in Embodiment 1, so it will not be discussed further), and the remaining part of the outer surface of the spherical structure constitutes a splashing surface 12.

[0036] Furthermore, in this application, the artificial sponge body 10 can also be designed as a block structure (described in detail in Embodiments 2-3 below), with the water-locking surface 11 formed on the top and bottom surfaces of the block structure, and the remaining outer surface portion of the block structure constituting the splashing surface 12.

[0037] The following describes the manufacturing process of the artificial sponge body 10:

[0038] A process for preparing a sponge for extinguishing fires includes the following steps:

[0039] Step 1: Prepare the artificial sponge raw material and cut it into the required pre-treated shape;

[0040] Step 2: Heating a portion of the outer surface of the artificial sponge body 10 to form a water-locking surface 11, while the remaining outer surface of the artificial sponge body 10 forms a water-splashing surface 12.

[0041] Step 3: Cooling, resulting in the finished product.

[0042] Further, the specific steps of step 2 are as follows: the artificial sponge body 10 after the pretreatment in step 1 is placed inside the mold 2, and the heating component 21 inside the mold 2 contacts and heats the surface of the artificial sponge body 10, so that the surface of the artificial sponge body 10 forms a water-locking surface 11; the non-heating component inside the mold 2 does not contact the other outer surfaces of the artificial sponge body 10, so that it forms a water-splashing surface 12.

[0043] Further discussion: In step 2, the heating temperature of mold 2 is 170-180℃, and the heating time is 100-180 seconds.

[0044] According to the preparation process in Example 1 above:

[0045] Step S1: Prepare the artificial sponge body 10 and perform pretreatment; Raw material selection: Select artificial sponge raw materials with excellent water absorption and durability to ensure the sponge has sufficient strength and stability to meet subsequent processing and usage requirements. Cutting: Use a precise spherical cutting die 2 to cut the artificial sponge. The sphere diameter is set to 20 cm to ensure the finished product is spherical and meets design requirements. Precision must be maintained during the cutting process to avoid sponge shape deformation or dimensional errors. (See...) Figure 1 )

[0046] Pre-treatment: The cut artificial sponge is cleaned and dried. Use clean water or a special cleaning agent to remove impurities and oil stains from the surface of the sponge, and then dry it to ensure that there is no moisture residue inside or on the surface of the sponge.

[0047] Step S2: Design and prepare heating mold 2 (see...) Figure 2-3 )

[0048] Mold 2 Design: Based on the size of the spherical sponge and the ratio (1:1) of the water-locking surface 11 to the water-splashing surface 12, a dedicated heating mold 2 is designed. The interior of mold 2 is smooth, and the heating components 21 are evenly distributed to ensure that the sponge is heated evenly during the heating process.

[0049] Mold 2 preparation: Mold 2 needs to be preheated to ensure that the temperature of mold 2 reaches the preset value. At the same time, check whether the heating element 21 and non-heating elements of mold 2 are working properly to avoid malfunctions during the heating process.

[0050] Step S21: Place the sponge body and heat it (see...) Figure 3 )

[0051] Placement of the sponge: The pre-treated spherical artificial sponge body 10 is placed inside the mold 2, ensuring that it is in close contact with the heating component 21 of the mold 2. At the same time, the non-heating components inside the mold 2 do not contact the rest of the outer surface of the spherical artificial sponge body 10 (a reserved space 22 is provided) to form a splashing surface 12.

[0052] Heat treatment: Set the heating temperature of mold 2 to 180℃ and control the heating time to within 180 seconds. During the heating process, the heating status of the sponge needs to be checked regularly to ensure that the heating is uniform and reaches the preset water-locking surface density 11.

[0053] Step S3: Cooling

[0054] Natural cooling: After the heat treatment is completed, allow the mold 2 and the artificial sponge body 10 to cool naturally to room temperature or close to room temperature. During the cooling process, the integrity of the mold 2 and the sponge must be maintained to avoid deformation or damage.

[0055] Step S4: Demolding (see...) Figure 4 )

[0056] After cooling, the artificial sponge is removed from mold 2. At this point, the water-locking surface 11 has been formed, and its surface density is greater than that of the unheated splashing surface 12.

[0057] Step S5: Post-processing and testing

[0058] Example 2: Fabrication process of artificial sponge body 10 (cubic structure)

[0059] Step S1: Prepare the artificial sponge body 10 and perform pretreatment

[0060] Raw material selection: Select artificial sponge raw materials with excellent water absorption and durability to ensure that the sponge has a uniform texture and no obvious defects.

[0061] Cutting: The artificial sponge is cut using a precise cube cutting mold 2. The cube dimensions are set to length × width × height = 20cm × 20cm × 12cm to ensure the finished product dimensions meet design requirements. Precision must be maintained during the cutting process to avoid deformation or dimensional errors in the sponge's shape.

[0062] Pre-treatment: The cut artificial sponge is cleaned and dried. Use clean water or a special cleaning agent to remove impurities and oil stains from the surface of the sponge, and then dry it to ensure that there is no moisture residue inside or on the surface of the sponge.

[0063] Step S2: Design and prepare heating mold 2

[0064] Mold 2 Design: Based on the dimensions of the cube-shaped sponge and the layout requirements of the water-locking surface 11 and the splashing surface 12 (the water-locking surface 11 is formed on the top and bottom surfaces), a dedicated heating mold 2 is designed. The mold 2 needs to be equipped with a heating element 21 that only contacts the top and bottom surfaces of the cube-shaped sponge to ensure that only these two parts form the water-locking surface 11 during the heating process.

[0065] Mold 2 preparation: Mold 2 needs to be preheated to ensure that the temperature of mold 2 reaches the preset value. At the same time, check whether the heating element 21 and non-heating elements of mold 2 are working properly to avoid malfunctions during the heating process.

[0066] Step S21: Place the sponge body and heat it.

[0067] Placement of the sponge: The pre-treated cube-shaped artificial sponge body 10 is placed inside the mold 2, ensuring that the top and bottom surfaces of the sponge are in close contact with the heating element 21 of the mold 2. At the same time, the non-heated elements inside the mold 2 do not contact the remaining outer surfaces of the cube-shaped sponge (i.e., the sides and the unheated top / bottom edges) to form a splashing surface 12.

[0068] Heating treatment: Set the heating temperature of mold 2 to 175℃ (considering that the cube structure may dissipate heat more easily than the sphere, a slightly lower heating temperature is selected to maintain heating uniformity), and control the heating time to within 150 seconds. During the heating process, the heating status of the sponge needs to be checked regularly to ensure that the heating is uniform and reaches the preset water-locking surface density 11.

[0069] Step S3: Cooling

[0070] Natural cooling: After the heat treatment is completed, allow the mold 2 and the artificial sponge body 10 to cool naturally to room temperature or close to room temperature. During the cooling process, the integrity of the mold 2 and the sponge must be maintained to avoid deformation or damage.

[0071] Step S4: Demolding

[0072] After cooling, remove the artificial sponge from mold 2. At this point, the water-locking surfaces 11 on the top and bottom have been formed, and their surface density is greater than that of the unheated splashing surface 12. Inspect the appearance and performance of the sponge to ensure it meets design requirements.

[0073] Step S5: Post-processing and testing

[0074] Finishing: Perform necessary finishing on the demolded artificial sponge body 10, such as removing burrs and sanding edges, to improve its appearance quality and performance. Pay special attention to protecting the water-locking surface 11 from damage.

[0075] The following discusses the application scenarios of the finished product in Example 2.

[0076] I. Application Scenarios: The artificial sponge body 10 prepared in Example 2, due to its block structure and the layout design of the water-locking surface 11 and the water-splashing surface 12, is particularly suitable for the following application scenarios:

[0077] This refers to situations where firefighting efforts need to focus around the fire source, while direct water splashing is less or unnecessary above or on top of the fire. For example, in tanker truck or oil depot fires, the fire source is mainly concentrated on the side or bottom of the tank, while direct water splashing from the top may be ineffective or pose a safety risk due to obstruction by the tank cover or other structures.

[0078] In this scenario, the artificial sponge body 10 described in Example 2 can be used for fire extinguishing very effectively. Its blocky structure allows the sponge to be placed stably around the fire source, while the design of the water-locking surface 11 and the water-splashing surface 12 ensures that water can be accurately released to the side or bottom of the fire source, achieving directional water splashing and improving fire extinguishing efficiency.

[0079] II. Working Principle: The working principle of the artificial sponge body 10 in this fire extinguishing scenario in Example 2 is as follows:

[0080] The water-locking surface 11 undergoes heat treatment, increasing its density and enhancing the sponge's water-locking performance. During storage and transportation, the sponge can retain sufficient moisture and will not easily lose it due to external forces.

[0081] Directional water splashing of the splashing surface 12: The outer surface of the cube forms the splashing surface 12. When the sponge is subjected to external force (such as the impact force when it is thrown), these unheated splashing surfaces 12 will release water first. Because the splashing surface 12 is designed to be directional, the water can be sprayed more concentratedly to the side or bottom of the fire source, achieving directional fire extinguishing around the fire source.

[0082] The internal and external pressure difference enhances the splashing force: When the water inside the sponge is subjected to external pressure, a pressure difference is generated due to the difference between the high density of the water-locking surface 11 and the low density of the splashing surface 12. This pressure difference enhances the splashing force of the splashing surface 12, allowing the water to be sprayed more forcefully to the fire source, thus improving the fire extinguishing effect.

[0083] Top water-locking surface 11 prevents ineffective water splashing: The top water-locking surface 11 can prevent or reduce water splashing upwards during splashing. This is especially important in scenarios such as tanker truck or oil depot fires, because there may be wires, equipment, etc. on the top, and direct water splashing may cause short circuits or other safety risks.

[0084] Example 3: See Figure 5-8 Manufacturing process of artificial sponge body 10 (mesh-shaped top water-locking surface 11)

[0085] I. Preparation Process Steps

[0086] Step S1: Refer to Figure 5 Prepare artificial sponge body 10 and pre-treatment

[0087] Raw material selection: Select artificial sponge raw materials with excellent water absorption and durability to ensure that the sponge has a uniform texture and no obvious defects.

[0088] Cutting: Use precise cutting equipment to cut the artificial sponge into predetermined cube shapes. The dimensions are set as length × width × height = 20cm × 20cm × 12cm (adjusted according to actual needs to ensure the finished product dimensions meet design requirements). High precision must be maintained during the cutting process to avoid sponge shape deformation or dimensional errors.

[0089] Preprocessing:

[0090] Clean the cut artificial sponge, using water or a special cleaning agent to remove impurities and oil from the sponge surface.

[0091] After cleaning, the sponge is dried to ensure that there is no moisture residue inside or on the surface.

[0092] Step S2: Design and prepare heating mold 2

[0093] Mold 2 Design: Based on the dimensions of the cube-shaped sponge and the layout requirements of the water-locking surface 11 and the splashing surface 12 (the bottom is a continuous water-locking surface 11, and the top is a grid-like water-locking surface 11), a dedicated heating mold 2 is designed. Heating components 21 are installed inside the mold 2. The bottom and side heating components 21 are continuously distributed, and the top heating components 21 are arranged in a grid pattern with a grid spacing of 2cm (adjustable according to actual needs).

[0094] Mold 2 preparation: Mold 2 needs to be preheated to ensure that the temperature of mold 2 reaches the preset value. Check whether the heating element 21 and non-heating elements of mold 2 are working properly to avoid malfunctions during the heating process.

[0095] Step S3: Refer to Figure 6 Place the sponge body and heat it.

[0096] Placement of the sponge: The pre-treated cube-shaped artificial sponge body 10 is placed inside the mold 2, ensuring that the bottom of the sponge is in close contact with the heating element 21 of the mold 2, and the top mesh-shaped heating element 21 is in contact with the top part of the artificial sponge body 10. The non-heated parts inside the mold 2 do not contact the remaining outer surface of the cube-shaped sponge (i.e., the top area and side edge parts that are not in contact with the heating element 21) to form a splashing surface 12.

[0097] Heat treatment: Set the heating temperature of mold 2 to 180℃ (considering that the mesh top design may require a slightly higher temperature to ensure water-locking effect), and control the heating time between 120 and 150 seconds (adjust according to the sponge thickness and heating effect).

[0098] During the heating process, the heating status of the sponge needs to be checked regularly to ensure that the heating is uniform and reaches the preset water-locking surface density.

[0099] Step S4: Refer to Figure 7 Cooling and demolding

[0100] Natural cooling: After the heat treatment is completed, allow the mold 2 and the artificial sponge body 10 to cool naturally to room temperature or close to room temperature. During the cooling process, the integrity of the mold 2 and the sponge must be maintained to avoid deformation or damage.

[0101] Demolding: After cooling, remove the artificial sponge from mold 2. At this point, the continuous water-locking surfaces 11 on the bottom and sides, as well as the mesh-like water-locking surface 11 on the top, have been formed. Inspect the appearance and performance of the sponge to ensure it meets design requirements.

[0102] Step 5: Post-processing and testing

[0103] II. Specific Application Scenarios

[0104] The artificial sponge body 10 prepared in Example 3 is particularly suitable for scenarios requiring simultaneous fire extinguishing from the side and above the fire source, such as:

[0105] Warehouse fire fighting: In a warehouse fire, the fire may spread to the sides and top of the goods simultaneously. Using the sponge of Example 3, it is possible to directionally splash water to extinguish the fire on the sides, and also release some moisture through the mesh-like water-locking surface 11 on top to extinguish the fire or cool it down above.

[0106] Interior fires: In interior fires, the fire may spread along walls and ceilings. This sponge can be attached to the walls or ceiling to extinguish the fire through side splashing and the release of moisture from the top mesh-like water-locking surface 11.

[0107] III. Specific Working Principle

[0108] See Figure 8 The bottom water-locking surface 11 enhances the sponge's water-retention performance, ensuring that moisture is not easily lost during transportation and use. Although the top grid-like water-locking surface 11 does not completely cover the sponge, it still retains a certain water-locking capacity while allowing some moisture to be released through the grid.

[0109] Directional water splashing of the splashing surface 12: When subjected to external force, the side splashing surface 12 will release water droplets to directionally splash water onto the side of the fire source for fire extinguishing. When subjected to external force or water pressure, the top grid-like water-locking surface 11 will also release some water to extinguish or cool the area above.

[0110] The pressure difference between the inside and outside enhances the splashing force: When the water inside the sponge is subjected to external pressure, the difference between the high density of the water-locking surface 11 and the low density of the splashing surface 12 will generate a pressure difference between the inside and outside, which will enhance the splashing force.

[0111] The top mesh design enables upward fire suppression: The top mesh water-locking surface 11 allows some moisture to be released through the mesh, achieving an upward fire suppression or cooling effect. This design retains the water-locking performance of the sponge while also providing upward fire suppression, making it suitable for scenarios requiring simultaneous side and upward fire suppression.

[0112] In summary, the artificial sponge body 10 prepared in Example 3 features a grid-like top water-locking surface 11, a bottom water-locking surface 11, and a side water-splashing surface 12, making it suitable for scenarios requiring simultaneous fire extinguishing from both the side and above the fire source. Its working principle is based on the water storage capacity of the water-locking surface 11, the directional splashing of the splashing surface 12, the enhanced splashing force due to the internal and external pressure difference, and the top grid design for upward fire extinguishing, achieving a highly efficient and comprehensive fire extinguishing effect.

[0113] The following experiments test the spray force after treatment.

[0114] Experimental Objective

[0115] By quantitatively testing the water-splashing force of artificial sponge spheres under different treatment conditions, namely the distance and speed of splashing after landing, and comparing the data of the blank control group and the experimental group (including Example 1 and different proportion groups), the influence of the treatment process on the water-splashing force is verified and quantified.

[0116] Experimental materials

[0117] Artificial sponge spheres:

[0118] Diameter: 20cm

[0119] Quantity: 4 per group, 4 groups in total (blank control group, Example 1 group, 1:2 ratio group (ratio of water-locking surface 11 to water-splashing surface 12 (1:2)), 1:4 ratio group (ratio of water-locking surface 11 to water-splashing surface 12 (1:4))

[0120] Splashing device: A free-fall device used to drop the sponge ball from a certain height (e.g., 1m) onto a flat, hard surface. Ensure that the height and angle of each drop are consistent.

[0121] Measuring tools:

[0122] High-speed camera: Used to record the splashing process and measure the splash range and speed.

[0123] Ruler or measuring tape: Used to accurately measure the diameter of the splash area.

[0124] Video analytics software: used to analyze the speed of water splashes from videos recorded by high-speed cameras.

[0125] Auxiliary materials: waterproof cloth or plastic film: laid on the ground to collect splashed water and help measure the splash range.

[0126] Brackets and clamps: Used to secure high-speed cameras and ensure consistent shooting angles and positions.

[0127] Experimental Design

[0128] Group design:

[0129] Blank control group: Untreated artificial sponge spheres, 20 cm in diameter.

[0130] Example 1 group: The treatment was carried out according to the method of Example 1, and the area ratio of the water-locking surface 11 to the water-splashing surface 12 was 1:1.

[0131] 1:2 ratio group: The process is carried out according to the method of Example 1, except that the water-locking surface 11 of this ratio group occupies 1 / 3 of the surface area of ​​the sphere, and the water-splashing surface 12 occupies 2 / 3.

[0132] 1:4 ratio group: The process is carried out according to the method of Example 1, except that the water-locking surface 11 of this ratio group occupies 1 / 5 of the surface area of ​​the sphere, and the water-splashing surface 12 occupies 4 / 5.

[0133] Experimental procedure:

[0134] Preparation phase: Label all artificial sponge spheres according to their groups. Lay a waterproof tarpaulin or plastic sheet on a flat, hard surface. Fix the high-speed camera, adjusting the shooting angle and position to ensure clear recording of the water splashing process.

[0135] Splash test: The sponge ball is dropped freely from a height of 1m to the ground. The splashing process is recorded using a high-speed camera. The test is repeated 3 times for each sponge ball.

[0136] Data recording: Measure the diameter of the splash area from video recorded by a high-speed camera. Analyze the splash velocity, i.e., the initial velocity of the water droplets when they splash out, using video analysis software. Record the splash area and splash velocity for each test, and calculate the mean and standard deviation.

[0137] Experimental data:

[0138]

[0139] Experimental conclusions

[0140] The impact of treatment process on splash force:

[0141] The treatment method in Example 1 (with a 1:1 ratio of water-locking surface 11 to water-splashing surface 12) significantly affected the splashing force, with both the splashing range and splashing speed exceeding those of the blank control group. As the proportion of water-locking surface 11 decreased, the splashing force and splashing efficiency gradually decreased, indicating that the formation of water-locking surface 11 plays a role in retaining moisture and concentrating splashing energy.

[0142] In summary, the artificial sponge body 10, after undergoing a surface heating process, can accurately deliver the amount of water it carries to the target point. During the throwing process, the high-density design of the water-locking surface 11 allows the sponge to stably retain moisture, preventing water loss or dispersion due to swaying or wind. Therefore, almost 100% of the water thrown can reach the target fire, significantly improving fire extinguishing efficiency and relatively reducing the number of water bombs needed. Most importantly, this precise delivery capability significantly improves the timeliness of fire control and extinguishing, generating immense practical value.

[0143] Artificial sponges are made from rubber, thus possessing environmentally friendly, flammable, and recyclable properties. This represents a significant environmental advantage compared to traditional soft PU foam. Soft PU foam produces toxins when burned, making it environmentally unfriendly, while artificial sponges avoid this problem and are more in line with modern environmental protection principles.

[0144] The artificial sponge body 10 has compressible storage properties, making it very convenient for backup and for rapid application and transportation when needed. This convenience is particularly important in scenarios such as emergency rescue and forest fire fighting, ensuring that rescuers can deliver firefighting equipment to the scene in the shortest possible time, thereby effectively controlling the fire.

[0145] Because the artificial sponge body 10 has precise delivery capabilities, helicopters can increase the safe distance when deploying it for firefighting. In traditional firefighting methods, helicopters need to get as close as possible to the fire source to deliver the sponge, which increases flight risks. However, using the invented artificial sponge body 10, it can be precisely delivered from a greater distance, thus making rescue operations safer. This feature is of great significance for improving the safety of rescue personnel.

[0146] The above embodiments are merely descriptions of preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Without departing from the spirit of the invention, all modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the invention should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the invention.

Claims

1. A sponge for extinguishing fires, comprising an artificial sponge body, wherein the outer surface of the artificial sponge body is formed with a water-locking surface and a water-splashing surface, the surface density of the water-locking surface being greater than the surface density of the water-splashing surface; the area ratio of the water-locking surface to the water-splashing surface is (1-2):(2-4); a portion of the outer surface of the artificial sponge body is heated to form a water-locking surface, while the remaining outer surface of the artificial sponge body forms a water-splashing surface.

2. The sponge for extinguishing fires according to claim 1, characterized in that: The artificial sponge has a spherical structure with several rings of water-locking surfaces and a splashing surface between adjacent water-locking surfaces.

3. The sponge for extinguishing fires according to claim 1, characterized in that: The artificial sponge body has a spherical structure with a spiral water-locking surface, and the rest of the outer surface of the spherical structure forms a splashing surface.

4. A sponge for extinguishing fires according to claim 1, characterized in that: The artificial sponge has a cube structure, with water-locking surfaces formed on the top and bottom surfaces of the cube structure, and the remaining outer surfaces of the cube structure forming a splashing surface.

5. A preparation process for a sponge for extinguishing fires as described in any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: Step 1: Prepare the artificial sponge raw material and cut it into the required pre-treated shape; Step 2: Heating a portion of the outer surface of the artificial sponge body to form a water-locking surface, while the remaining outer surface of the artificial sponge body forms a water-splashing surface. Step 3: Cooling, resulting in the finished product.

6. The preparation process of a sponge for extinguishing fires according to claim 5, characterized in that: The specific steps of step 2 are as follows: the artificial sponge body after the pretreatment in step 1 is placed inside the mold, and the heating component inside the mold contacts and heats the surface of the artificial sponge body, so that the surface of the artificial sponge body forms a water-locking surface; the non-heating component inside the mold does not contact the rest of the outer surface of the artificial sponge body, so that it forms a water-splashing surface.

7. The preparation process of a sponge for extinguishing fires according to claim 6, characterized in that: In step 2, the heating temperature of the mold is 170-180°C, and the heating time is 100-180 seconds.

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