Fire or smoke protection device

Abstract

fire or smoke protection device (16) with (a) a protective element (14), (b) a drive system (18) for moving the protective element (14) from a closed position in which the protective element (14) prevents the spread of fire and / or smoke into a compact storage position and (c) a holding device (30), (i) by means of which the protective element (14) is retained in its closed position, which (ii) can be brought into a holding position in which the holding device (30) holds the drive system (18) in its storage position and into a release position in which the holding device (30) releases the drive system (18), and (iii) has at least one actuating element (36) made of a shape memory alloy, characterized in that (d) the at least one actuating element (36) (i) consists of a shape memory alloy, (ii) can be brought into the holding position by heating and (iii) can be brought into the release position by stopping the heating process.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fire or smoke protection device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such a fire or smoke protection device is known from DE 34 09 359 A1 and is used to delay the spread of smoke and / or fire in the event of a fire. Fire or smoke protection devices must be intrinsically safe, meaning that a power failure must counteract the spread of fire and / or smoke. Known fire or smoke protection devices have, for example, a magnetically actuated brake that fails in the event of a power failure, causing the protective element to enter its closed position. A disadvantage of known systems is the comparatively high design complexity.

[0003] From DE 195 34 614 A1, a safety locking device for connecting a ventilation flap is known. In this system, the heat of a fire causes an actuating element made of a shape-memory alloy to deform, thereby keeping the ventilation flap open.

[0004] From DE 10 2012 001 829 A1 a fire or smoke protection device is known in which a control unit releases a flexible protective element in response to an external signal, so that this closes an opening.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of providing a fire or smoke protection device that ensures, in a structurally simple manner, that the protective element enters the closed position in the event of a power failure.

[0006] The invention solves the problem by means of a fire or smoke protection device with the features of claim 1.

[0007] An advantage of the invention is that magnetic components are unnecessary. If an electromagnet is used to hold the drive system in place, the element interacting with the electromagnet can become magnetized. Therefore, precautions must be taken to ensure that this remanence does not cause the protective element to remain held in place during a power failure and not return to the closed position. By using a shape-memory alloy, such magnetic remanence cannot occur.

[0008] Another advantage is that the holding device has a simple mechanical design and is therefore easier to manufacture.

[0009] For the purposes of this description, a fire or smoke protection device is understood to mean, in particular, any device designed to prevent or sustainably inhibit the spread of fire and / or smoke, or to prevent the spread of smoke produced by a fire. Specifically, the fire or smoke protection device is designed to withstand a fire for at least 30 minutes, in particular at least 60 minutes, preferably at least 90 minutes. This test is carried out, in particular, according to DIN EN 13501-2 and 3 and / or DIN EN 12101-1. A fire or smoke protection device therefore differs fundamentally from devices that are merely suitable for closing openings.

[0010] The term "protective element" refers to a flexible device that counteracts the spread of smoke and / or fire in accordance with the aforementioned standards. The protective element can, for example, comprise a roller shutter. Alternatively, the protective element can be, for example, a fire door, a fire damper, or a fire-resistant door. According to a preferred embodiment, the protective element comprises a flat structure made of fire-resistant textile, designed to close an opening and / or channel smoke. For the sake of brevity, the fire and / or smoke protection element will be referred to as the "protective element" in the following text, without implying any other meaning.

[0011] A fire-resistant textile is understood to be, in particular, a woven, non-combustible, or knitted fabric that withstands temperature stresses for a sufficiently long time to prevent the penetration of flames and / or smoke, especially for at least 30 minutes in accordance with DIN EN 13501-2 and 3. A key advantage of using fire-resistant textiles is their low manufacturing cost. The fire-resistant element can be produced from one, two, three, or more pieces of fire-resistant textile by joining them, particularly by sewing.

[0012] It is advantageous if the drive system includes a winding shaft on which the protective element is wound in its storage position. Preferably, the drive system comprises an electric motor, in particular a tubular motor, designed to drive the winding shaft. The holding device is preferably designed to prevent rotation in the winding shaft. However, it is also possible for the protective element to be gathered or folded in its storage arrangement. In this case, the drive system preferably includes a base strip with which the protective element is folded or gathered when it is moved into its storage position.

[0013] The term "holding device" refers in particular to a device that acts on one of the components of the fire or smoke protection device in such a way that the protective element is held in its stored position. For example, the drive system can act on the winding shaft, but this is not necessary. It is also possible, for example, for the holding device to engage directly with the protective element or a baseboard, if present. According to a preferred embodiment, the holding device can be part of the drive system. The term "drive system" refers to a device by means of which the fire and / or smoke protection element can be moved. Preferably, the drive system comprises a motor, but it is also possible for the drive system to have a manual drive.

[0014] The actuating element can be designed as a spring, wire, or sheet metal and generate a tensile force when the temperature drops. Alternatively, the actuating element can generate a compressive force when the temperature drops.

[0015] The holding device can be moved into a holding position, in which it holds the drive system in its storage position, and into a release position, in which it releases the drive system so that the protective element can be moved into its closed position. The actuating element is designed such that the holding device can be moved from the holding position to the storage position by changing the temperature of the actuating element. Shape memory alloys change their shape when exposed to temperature. It is therefore possible to move the actuating element from the holding position to the storage position and vice versa by changing its temperature. Since the temperature of the actuating element always adjusts to the ambient temperature when external energy sources are removed, the actuating element is preferably designed to be in its release position at ambient temperatures.Therefore, if the power fails, the temperature of the actuating element approaches the ambient temperature and the actuating element enters its release position.

[0016] For this purpose, the holding device can be moved into the holding position by heating the actuating element and into the release position by stopping the heating.

[0017] It is advantageous if the holding device comprises a first holding element and a second holding element, wherein the holding elements can be brought into a positive-locking connection by means of the at least one actuating element, and wherein the holding elements hold the protective element in its bearing position when they are in the positive-locking connection. The feature that the holding elements hold the protective element in a bearing position is understood in particular to mean that they hold the protective element in its bearing position directly or indirectly. It is particularly possible, and represents a preferred embodiment, that the holding elements act on a part of the drive system, but not directly on the protective element.

[0018] Preferably, the holding device comprises a heating device for electrically heating the actuating element, wherein the holding elements are positively connected to one another when warm. If the heating device fails due to a power failure, the actuating element cools down and the holding elements are no longer positively connected to one another, so that the protective element returns to its closed position. It is possible that the heating device comprises a heating element that heats the actuating element. Alternatively, the heating device energizes the actuating element so that it heats up due to its ohmic resistance.

[0019] Preferably, the fire or smoke protection device comprises an electrical control unit designed to automatically perform a procedure with the steps of detecting whether a fire alarm is present and, in the negative case, heating the actuating element and, in the positive case, stopping the heating so that the holding device comes into the release position.

[0020] It is possible that the holding device incorporates a cooling system that cools the actuator when a fire alarm is triggered and the power supply is not interrupted. For example, the cooling system could use a Peltier element. This allows the holding device to return to the release position particularly quickly.

[0021] It is advantageous if the holding device incorporates a spring mechanism and the actuating element is arranged antagonistically to the spring mechanism. For example, it can be designed so that when the actuating element is heated, it counteracts the spring force of the spring mechanism, thus holding the holding elements in a positive fit. When the actuating element is no longer heated, the spring force of the spring mechanism becomes dominant and forces the holding elements out of their positive fit.

[0022] A spring device is understood to be a resilient device that may, but does not necessarily have to, have a spring shape. The decisive factor is simply that an elastically deformable element is present that exerts a spring force when it is deflected.

[0023] According to the invention, a building is also provided with a wall which has an opening and a fire or smoke protection device according to the invention, the protective element of which is arranged to prevent the spread of fire and / or smoke through the opening.

[0024] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a fire or smoke protection device according to the invention in a building according to the invention, Fig. 2 a schematic view of a holding device of a fire or smoke protection device according to the invention in a first embodiment and Fig. 3 a holding device of a fire or smoke protection device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Fig. Figure 1 shows a wall 10 of a building according to the invention, wherein the wall 10 has an opening 12. The opening 12 can be closed by a protective element 14 of a fire or smoke protection device 16 according to the invention.

[0026] The fire and / or smoke protection device 16 comprises a drive system 18, which has a winding shaft 20 and an electric motor in the form of a winding shaft motor 22, which is arranged to drive the winding shaft 20. The electric motor 22 is connected to and powered by a control unit 24.

[0027] A base 26 is attached to the lower end of the protective element 14. When the base 26 rests on a base 28, the protective element 14 is in its closed position. When the protective element 14 is wound onto the winding shaft 20, it is in its storage position. Fig. Figure 1 shows the protective element 14 in a position between the storage position and the closed position.

[0028] Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a holding device 30 of the fire or smoke protection device 16. The holding device 30 comprises a first holding element 32 and a second holding element 34, which are positively connected to each other. The first holding element 32 is connected to an actuating element 36, which in the present embodiment is formed by a spring made of a shape memory alloy.

[0029] The holding device 30 comprises a heating device 38, which includes a voltage source 40 and a switch 42. The switch 42 is connected to the control unit 24 (see figure). Fig. 1) connected. If the control unit 24 detects a fire alarm, the switch 42 is opened. This causes a temperature T to approach 36 The actuating element 36 is exposed to an ambient temperature Tu. As a result, the retaining elements 32, 34 lose their positive engagement with each other and the baseboard 26 moves due to the weight force F. gThe baseboard 26 moves downwards. The protective element 14, which is only shown schematically, thereby enters its closed position. The retaining device 30 is then in its released position.

[0030] Detects control unit 24 (see above). Fig. 1) If there is no fire, the switch 42 is closed and the voltage source 40 causes an electric current to flow through the actuating element 36. In the present embodiment, this shortens the actuating element 36, and a spring device 44, which is arranged antagonistically to the actuating element 36, presses the first retaining element 32 against the second retaining element 34. In the present case, the first retaining element 32 is pivotably mounted in a bearing point 46, but this is of course not necessary.

[0031] The better the thermal insulation of the actuating element 36 is from its environment, the longer it takes for the retaining elements 32, 34 to lose their positive locking connection after the energization is stopped. However, the better the thermal insulation of the actuating element 36, the lower the power consumption. The ideal degree of thermal insulation is determined in preliminary tests. In these tests, the thermal insulation of the actuating element 36 is varied to determine how low the thermal insulation must be to achieve a predetermined time interval between the cessation of heating of the actuating element 36 and the release of the positive locking connection between the retaining elements 32, 34.

[0032] Fig. Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of a holding device 30. The second holding element 34 is rigidly coupled to the winding shaft 20, in this case by being attached to the winding shaft 20. The first holding element 32 is arranged such that rotation of the winding shaft 20, which would cause the protective element 14 to move into the closed position, is prevented.

[0033] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the heating device 38 comprises a heating element 48 which heats up when current flows through it and thus heats the first holding element 32. Alternatively, the first holding element 32 is connected to the voltage source 40 and heats up due to the electric current.

[0034] Alternatively, instead of the heating element 48, an actuating element 36 in the form of a spring made of a shape-memory alloy can be provided, which is connected to the first retaining element 32. The actuating element 36 is energized by the voltage source 40 and is therefore warm. If the connection to the voltage source 40 is interrupted, the actuating element 36 lengthens or shortens and thereby disengages the retaining elements 32, 34, so that the protective element moves into its closed position. Reference symbol list 10 Wall 12 Opening 14 Protective element 16 Fire or smoke protection device 18 Drive system 20 winding shaft 22 Electric motor, here: winding shaft motor 24 control unit 26 skirting board 28 Floor 30 Holding device 32 first retaining element 34 second retaining element 36 Actuating element 38 Heating device 40 Voltage source 42 switches 44 Spring device 46 bearing point 48 heating element T 36 temperature Ambient temperature F g Weight force

Claims

[1] Fire or smoke protection device (16) with (a) a protective element (14), (b) a drive system (18) for moving the protective element (14) from a closed position in which the protective element (14) prevents the spread of fire and / or smoke into a compact storage position and (c) a holding device (30), (i) by means of which the protective element (14) is retained in its closed position, which (ii) can be brought into a holding position in which the holding device (30) holds the drive system (18) in its storage position, and into a release position in which the holding device (30) releases the drive system (18), and (iii) has at least one actuating element (36) made of a shape memory alloy, characterized by , that (d) the at least one actuating element (36) (i) consists of a shape memory alloy, (ii) can be brought into the holding position by heating and (iii) can be brought into the release position by stopping the heating process. [2] Fire or smoke protection device (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the holding device (30) has a first holding element (32) and a second holding element (34), - the retaining elements (32, 34) can be brought into a positive-locking connection by means of at least one actuating element (36) and - the retaining elements (32, 34) hold the protective element (14) in its storage position when they are in the positive locking connection. [3] Fire or smoke protection device (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a heating device (38) for electrically heating the actuating element (36) wherein the retaining elements (32; 34) are positively connected to each other in the warm state. [4] Fire or smoke protection device (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by an electrical control unit (24) configured to automatically perform a procedure comprising the steps: (i) Detect whether a fire alarm has been triggered, and (ii) if negative, heating of the actuating element and if positive, stopping the heating so that the holding device (30) comes into its release position. [5] Fire or smoke protection device (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the holding device (30) has a spring device (44), and - the actuating element (36) is arranged antagonistically to the spring device (44). [6] Buildings with (i) a wall (10) which has an opening (12), and (ii) a fire or smoke protection device (16) according to one of the preceding claims, the protective element (14) of which, in its closed position, counteracts the spread of fire and / or smoke through the opening (12).

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