Fire extinguisher protection device

Abstract

Protective device for a fire extinguisher, comprising: i) a flap 101 with a plurality of hinges 102 along a height of the flap 101 to allow the flap 101 to curve in order to shield the body of a user, wherein a fire-resistant coating 106 is provided on a front surface of the flap 101; ii) a pair of clamps 202 arranged at a rear end of the flap 101 to grip a fire extinguishing cylinder, wherein an iris hole 105 is provided in an upper area of ​​the flap 101 for holding a nozzle of the fire extinguisher; iii) a pair of telescopic rods 103 with motorized omnidirectional wheels 104 at the end that is attached below the flap 101 for moving the flap 101; iv) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 203, installed on the flap 101 in synchronization with a proximity sensor provided on the flap 101 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images near the base in order to detect the fire extinguisher near the flap 101, to trigger a microcontroller to actuate the telescopic rods 103, the wheels 104 and the hinges 102 to position the flap 101 in front of the user and to actuate the clamps 202 and the iris hole 105 to hold the fire extinguisher; (v) a smoke sensor 204, provided on the flap 101, detects smoke in order to trigger the microcontroller to activate a loudspeaker 205, provided on the flap 101, to generate an audible alarm for the user regarding a fire emergency; and vi) a pair of straps 201 provided on a rear rectangular surface of the flap 101 for attachment to the user's body.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire extinguisher protecting device capable of shielding a user while storing a fire extinguisher and automatically providing the user with access thereto, and also automatically informing the user of a fire emergency situation, thereby protecting the user from damage or injury due to the fire. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Fires cause many victims every year around the world and also cause huge economic losses. The number of fires caused by fireworks during festivals has increased, and there are more fires in small places such as construction sites, farms and sideline businesses, tenement houses, small workshops, and shops. Fire extinguishers are often used to extinguish the fire. A fire extinguisher is a portable device used to extinguish fires. Chemicals are poured into the extinguisher. Different types of fire extinguishers are filled with different ingredients. Fire extinguishers are usually kept in public places or places where fires are likely to start. They are designed for different causes of fire. The user has to manually deploy the fire extinguisher in the fire area, which leads to injuries to the user from the flames of the fire.In addition, the fire extinguishers are heavy and sometimes cause problems for the user in handling the fire extinguisher due to the pressure created when the chemicals are sprayed onto the fire.

[0003] Traditionally, fire extinguishers are held by the firefighter's hands, and the firefighter wears turnout gear or bunker gear for safety. Both the protective gear and the fire extinguisher are not exactly lightweight, sometimes causing difficulty for the user in handling the extinguisher. Moreover, in the event of a fire, the firefighter does not have enough time to wear the protective gear or bunker gear. Also, in private homes, farms and apartment buildings, small workshops and shops, protective equipment is not available, and the user is forced to extinguish the fire by themselves without wearing the protective equipment, sometimes resulting in serious injuries. There are many ways to eliminate these problems and extinguish the fire easily without injuring the user.

[0004] CN214286391U discloses a fire extinguisher with a protective cover, comprising a fire extinguisher body, a rotary dial mounted on the upper end of the fire extinguisher body, an opening and closing valve mounted between the rotary dial and the fire extinguisher body, a hose mounted on one side of the opening and closing valve, a spray nozzle mounted on the side of the hose opposite the opening and closing valve, and elastic members mounted on the upper and lower ends of the spray nozzle. An elastic member is mounted on the outer side of the fire extinguisher body, a tension hook is mounted on the end of the elastic member opposite the spray nozzle, a steel bracket is mounted on the lower part of the outer side of the fire extinguisher body, a cavity is formed in the side near the tension hook of the steel bracket, and a metal tube extending into the cavity is mounted on the side of the cavity opposite the steel bracket.The second protective plate and the fire extinguisher body can be quickly disassembled and assembled through the interaction of internal threads in the cavity and external threads on the outside of the metal tube, making the device convenient to carry and avoiding the situation where the device is bulky and inconvenient for workers to carry. CN'31U does disclose a fire extinguisher with a protective cover that allows the user to extinguish the fire. However, the above-mentioned invention lacks a means of shielding the user from the fire while attempting to extinguish the fire, thus protecting the user from injury from the flames. The above-mentioned invention is also unable to monitor the presence of smoke in the surrounding area to appropriately inform the user of the emergency situation in the event of a fire.

[0005] CN218719133U discloses a fire extinguisher valve protection device comprising a protective cover. The protective cover is disposed on a valve of a fire extinguisher in a jacketed mode. A bolt hole, a handle opening, and a nozzle opening are formed in the protective cover. The bolt hole is adapted to a bolt of the fire extinguisher, the handle opening is adapted to a handle of the fire extinguisher, and the nozzle opening is adapted to a nozzle of the fire extinguisher. The bolt can penetrate through the bolt hole to fasten the protective cover and the valve together, and the protective cover is prevented from being separated from the valve.The protective cover is arranged on the valve in a sleeve-like manner and protects the valve, avoiding the problems of valve collision, noise, abnormal noise, and damage to the fire extinguisher in a shock and vibration environment. The protective cover is suitable for installation on the fire extinguisher of an automobile, can relieve the stress of valve collision, and improve the safety of the valve. The protective device is simple in structure, convenient to use, inexpensive to manufacture, and practical to use. Although the CN'33U discloses a protective device for the valve of a fire extinguisher to protect the valve of the fire extinguisher and allow the user to easily extinguish the fire, the above-mentioned invention lacks the monitoring of the presence of smoke in the surrounding area to appropriately inform the user of the emergency situation in the event of a fire.The above invention also lacks shielding a user from the fire while the user is trying to extinguish the fire to protect the user from injury from the flames of the fire.

[0006] Conventionally, there are many devices capable of protecting a fire extinguisher, but there are no features that protect the user from the fire while attempting to extinguish it, or from injury caused by the flames. Furthermore, there is no device that can detect smoke in the environment to alert the user of the emergency situation in the area and properly extinguish the fire.

[0007] To overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages, there is a need in the art to develop a device capable of storing a fire extinguisher and protecting a user in a fire emergency situation by shielding the user from the fire while extinguishing the fire, thus preventing the user from fire-related injuries. Furthermore, the proposed device is also a tool that allows the user to activate the device via voice command, thus protecting the user from fire while allowing safe access to the fire extinguisher. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The main object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device capable of protecting a user in a fire emergency situation by shielding the user from the fire while the user attempts to extinguish the fire to protect the user from injury caused by the fire.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device capable of properly storing and holding a fire extinguisher and accordingly allowing the user access to the fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire easily and without damage or injury.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device capable of detecting smoke in the environment and accordingly informing the user of a fire emergency situation.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is reliable and can be activated by a voice command to protect the user from fire while allowing the user access to the fire extinguisher.

[0013] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon closer examination of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention relates to a protective device for a fire extinguisher capable of protecting a user in a fire emergency situation by shielding the user while attempting to extinguish the fire. The proposed device also assists in notifying the user of the fire emergency situation by automatically detecting smoke in the surrounding area.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a fire extinguisher protection device comprises a rectangular flap having a plurality of hinges along a height of the flap to allow curvature of the flap to shield a user's body, a fire-resistant coating provided on a front surface of the flap to protect the flap from fire, a microphone provided on the flap to receive an audio command from a user regarding the deployment of a shield to protect the user, a wireless communication module provided on the flap and connected to the microcontroller to enable the user to remotely trigger the microcontroller by connecting to a computing unit for operating various components connected to the device, a touch-enabled display unit mounted on the flap,to enable the user to provide a touch input to trigger the microcontroller to operate the device, a pair of clamps arranged at a rear end of the flap for gripping a fire extinguisher cylinder, and an iris hole provided in an upper region of the flap for holding a nozzle of the fire extinguisher.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises a pair of telescopic rods with motorized, omnidirectional wheels at the ends, mounted below the flap for moving the flap; an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed on the base and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images near the base to determine the presence of the fire extinguisher near the flap using a proximity sensor provided on the flap; a microcontroller connected to the device to operate the telescopic rods, wheels, and hinges to position the flap in front of the user and to operate the clamps and the iris hole to hold the fire extinguisher; a smoke sensor provided on the flap to detect smoke present in the environment; a loudspeaker;provided on the flap to generate an audible warning signal to the user regarding a fire emergency, and a pair of straps provided on a rear surface of the flap to fasten it to the user's body.

[0017] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations are possible which would fall within the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a front view of a fire extinguisher protection device; and Fig. Figure 2 shows a rear view of the proposed device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The following description comprises the preferred best mode of carrying out an embodiment of the present invention. It will be apparent from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0020] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms “comprising,” “comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with “including,” “with,” and “characterized by”) may be replaced by the respective partially closed terms “consists essentially of,” “consists essentially of,” and the like, or the respective closed terms “consists of,” “consists of,” and the like.

[0021] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to both the singular and the plural unless explicitly stated that only the singular is meant.

[0022] The present invention relates to a fire extinguisher protection device capable of shielding a user in a fire emergency situation to protect the user from the fire. Additionally, the proposed device is also capable of storing and holding a fire extinguisher, allowing the user access to the extinguisher for easy fire extinguishing.

[0023] In Fig. and Fig.A front view of a fire extinguisher protection device and a rear view of the proposed device are shown, which comprises a rectangular flap 101 with a plurality of hinges 102, two straps 201 attached to the flap 101, two clamps 202 arranged on the flap 101, an iris hole 105 provided in an upper region of the flap 101, two telescopic rods 103 with motorized, omnidirectional wheels 104 arranged below the flap 101, an imaging unit 203 installed on the flap 101, a smoke sensor 204 provided on the flap 101, a loudspeaker 205 provided on the flap 101, a microphone 206 provided on the flap 101, a touch-enabled display unit 207 mounted on the flap 101, and a fire-resistant coating 106, which is provided on a front surface of the flap 101.

[0024] The proposed device consists of a rectangular flap 101 with several hinges 102, the number of which ranges from five to ten, along the height of the flap 101 to allow the flap 101 to bend to shield the user's body. The flap 101 is cast from high-strength materials and has a rigid, flat shape that provides ample space to accommodate multiple mechanical and electrical units. A fire-resistant coating 106 is applied to the front of the flap 101. The fire-retardant coating 106 is intumescent, meaning it forms a charred layer on the flap 101 when exposed to flame. The coating 106 expands and increases its volume when it comes into contact with the fire, protecting the flap 101 from the fire.

[0025] The rear end of the hatch 101 is equipped with a pair of clamps 202 for gripping a fire extinguisher bottle and holding the fire extinguisher for further use. A shutter opening 105 is provided at the top of the hatch 101 to securely hold a nozzle of the gripped fire extinguisher so that the chemical powder stored in the extinguisher can be sprayed at a desired location. Also mounted below the hatch 101 are a pair of telescopic rods 103, each with motorized, omnidirectional wheels 104 at the end to move the hatch 101 across the surface. The rear of the hatch 101 is also provided with a pair of straps 201 that attach to the user's body to provide stability to the hatch 101 and the user.

[0026] After positioning the flap 101, the user accesses a microphone 206 provided on the flap 101 to receive an audio command from the user regarding the deployment of a protective shield and trigger a microcontroller connected to the device to actuate the required component configured on the flap 101. The microphone 206 converts the sound of the given voice command into an electronic signal for further processing. The microphone 206 is equipped with a small magnet that oscillates within a coil attached to the diaphragm. When the user gives a voice command to deploy a shield, a sound wave is generated that causes the diaphragm of the microphone 206 to vibrate. The relative movement of the magnet and coil converts the given trigger command into an electrical signal through magnetic induction, which is sent to the microcontroller.The microcontroller processes the detected signal, interprets the user's command and operates the component desired by the user accordingly.

[0027] Additionally, a communication module is connected to the microcontroller, which is provided on the flap 101 to allow the user to remotely trigger the microcontroller by connecting to a computing unit. The microcontroller is wirelessly connected to the computing unit via the communication module, which includes, among other things, a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) module, a Bluetooth module, and a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) module. The communication module used here acts as an intermediary between the computing unit and the microcontroller. The custom Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) module serves to establish a wireless connection between the computing unit and the microcontroller.This module is capable of receiving serial data from radiation monitoring devices such as the arithmetic unit and transmitting the data to the microcontroller, thus remotely instructing the microcontroller to operate the component required by the user to perform a specific task.

[0028] The flap 101 is also equipped with a touch-sensitive display unit 207, which allows the user to provide touch inputs to cause the microcontroller to operate the user-selected component connected to the device. The touch-sensitive display unit 207, shown here, consists of several tiny electrically active wires. When the user touches the options displayed above the display unit 207, the wires are pressed together, closing the circuit. This results in a voltage flow through the circuit. This voltage flow is detected by the microcontroller in the form of electrical signals. The signals are processed by the microcontroller, which controls the user-selected component of the device to further operate the telescopic rods 103, the wheels 104, and the hinges 102 and position the flap 101 in front of the user.

[0029] In accordance with user input, the microcontroller activates a proximity sensor provided on the flap 101 to determine the presence of a fire extinguisher near the flap 101. The proximity sensor used here consists of a transducer, and the proximity sensor operates by emitting a sound wave at a specific frequency toward the target area. The transducer of the sensor acts as both a sound receiver and a sound transmitter, receiving and transmitting the ultrasonic wave, respectively. As the sound transducer emits the sound wave, the wave strikes the fire extinguisher and is reflected back to the transducer. The proximity sensor then analyzes the distance of the fire extinguisher from the flap 101 by measuring the time intervals between the transmission and reception of the sound wave, which, after being converted into an electrical signal, is sent to the microcontroller for further processing.

[0030] In synchronization with the proximity sensor, the microcontroller controls an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 203, which is installed on the hatch 101 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images near the base to determine the location of the fire extinguisher near the hatch 101. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 203 used here incorporates AI protocols to enhance its functionality and capabilities, enabling immediate response and faster decision-making. The imaging unit 203 captures images or videos of the area surrounding the hatch 101 using special lenses. The acquired data is preprocessed and fed into AI protocols for analysis. These protocols utilize machine learning techniques, such as deep learning neural networks, to extract meaningful information from the visual data.This acquired data is processed by the processor, and then the microcontroller analyzes the processed data and the data obtained from the proximity sensor to determine the fire extinguisher present near the flap 101.

[0031] When the microcontroller detects the presence of the fire extinguisher near the flap 101, it actuates the telescopic rods 103 to position the wheels 104 above the surface. The rods 103 are driven by a pneumatic unit comprising an air compressor, an air cylinder, air valves, and a piston. The air compressor used here draws in air from the surrounding area and increases the pressure by reducing the air volume. The air compressor draws in atmospheric air and compresses it to a high pressure. The compressed air is then directed into the cylinder through an outlet pipe via a valve. The compressed air in the cylinder pushes the piston, which extends the rods 103 to position the wheels 104 above the surface and allow the flap 101 to move.

[0032] The omnidirectional wheels 104 have rollers at an angle that allows the flap 101 to move forward, backward, and sideways, as well as to rotate smoothly within the environment to move the flap 101 to the desired location. The wheels 104 are connected to a bidirectional DC motor capable of converting direct current into mechanical work, following the principle of Lorentz's law, which states that a current-carrying wire in a magnetic or electric field experiences a force. Thus, the motor converts the electric current from an external source into mechanical torque, which drives the wheels 104, which maneuver the flap 101 toward the user.

[0033] Once the flap is positioned near the user, the microcontroller actuates the hinges 102 to position the flap 101 in front of the user to properly shield the user's body by covering the user's body. The motorized hinge joint consists of a pair of wings bolted to the surfaces of the flap 101. The wings are connected by a cylindrical element into which a shaft is integrated, coupled to a DC motor to impart the required movement to the hinge. The clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the shaft assists in opening and closing the hinge, respectively. Therefore, the microcontroller actuates the hinge, which in turn positions the flap 101 in front of the user to properly shield the user's body by covering the user's body.

[0034] After ensuring the user's shielding, the microcontroller actuates terminals 202 and aperture 105 to hold the fire extinguisher in place. Terminals 202 are driven by the same DC motor that drives wheels 104. Once the microcontroller gives the actuation command, the motor begins to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, supplying terminals 202 with the required power. Terminals 202 utilize this force to firmly and securely grip the fire extinguisher cylinder.

[0035] The iris hole 105 also holds the fire extinguisher nozzle. The orifice plate 105 is the cover used to house the fire extinguisher nozzle. The orifice plate 105 includes an inner flat ring, an outer flat ring, and an even number of orifice plates (top and bottom). Each orifice plate is attached to the inner ring by a rotating device and to the outer ring by a roller / sliding device. The top and bottom rings are located at the same center and are in sliding contact. The orifice plate 105 is opened by rotating the outer ring around the center while keeping the inner ring stationary to open and securely hold the fire extinguisher nozzle.

[0036] Additionally, a smoke sensor 204 is provided on the flap 101 to detect smoke in the surrounding area. The smoke sensor 204, also known as a smoke detector, operates on the principle of detecting smoke particles in the air. It consists of a sensor that detects changes in air quality caused by smoke particles. When smoke is present, the sensor triggers an alarm or sends a signal to the microcontroller, which is analyzed by the microcontroller to detect the presence of smoke in the surrounding area.

[0037] If smoke is detected in the surrounding area, the microcontroller controls a speaker 205 attached to the damper 101 to generate an audible alarm for the user regarding a fire emergency. The speaker 205 converts the electrical signal into sound waves to generate a tone. The part of the speaker 205 that converts the electrical signal into mechanical energy is called the voice coil and also consists of a diaphragm. The motor, which receives the command to operate from the microcontroller, causes the diaphragm to vibrate, which in turn causes the air in immediate contact with it to vibrate according to a specific pattern. The vibration of this specific pattern generates the pre-injected audio signals that alert the user to the fire and prompt them to take the necessary measures to address and manage the situation.

[0038] Finally, a battery is connected to the device to power the electrically powered components used within it. The battery consists of a pair of electrodes called the cathode and anode. The battery uses a chemical reaction of oxidation / reduction to perform work on the charge and generate a voltage between its anode and cathode, thus generating electrical energy, which is used to perform work in the device.

[0039] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the rectangular flap 101, as disclosed in the invention, has a plurality of hinges 102 along the height of the flap 101 to allow the flap 101 to bend to protect the user's body. A fire-resistant coating 106 is provided on the front of the flap 101 to protect the flap 101 from fire. To activate the device, the user accesses the microphone 206, the wireless communication module, or the touch-enabled display unit 207, which allows the user to give the input command to the microcontroller without physical contact and according to the user's convenience. Upon activation of the device, the imaging unit 203, in synchronization with the proximity sensor, begins capturing and processing images in the vicinity of the flap 101 and detects the fire extinguisher near the flap 101.The clamps 202 then hold the fire extinguisher cylinder, and the iris hole 105 holds the fire extinguisher nozzle. The telescopic rods 103, with their motorized, omnidirectional wheels 104, then provide the necessary movement of the flap 101. The user then grasps the straps 201 attached to the back of the flap 101 to secure the flap 101 to the user's body. The smoke sensor 204 then detects the presence of smoke in the environment and causes the microcontroller to activate the speaker 205 to generate an audible warning to the user regarding the smoke in the event of a fire.

[0040] Although the scope of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 214286391U

[0004] CN 218719133U

[0005]

Claims

[1] Protective device for a fire extinguisher, comprising: i) a flap 101 having a plurality of hinges 102 along a height of the flap 101 to allow curvature of the flap 101 to shield the body of a user, wherein a fire-resistant coating 106 is provided on a front surface of the flap 101; ii) a pair of clamps 202 arranged at a rear end of the flap 101 for gripping a fire extinguishing cylinder, an iris hole 105 being provided in an upper portion of the flap 101 for holding a nozzle of the fire extinguisher; iii) a pair of telescopic rods 103 with motorized omnidirectional wheels 104 at the end mounted below the flap 101 for moving the flap 101; iv) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 203 installed on the flap 101 in synchronization with a proximity sensor provided on the flap 101 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images near the base to detect the fire extinguisher near the flap 101, to trigger a microcontroller to operate the telescopic rods 103, the wheels 104 and the hinges 102 to position the flap 101 in front of the user and to operate the clamps 202 and the iris hole 105 to hold the fire extinguisher; v) a smoke sensor 204 provided on the flap 101 detects smoke to trigger the microcontroller to operate a loudspeaker 205 provided on the flap 101 to generate an audible alarm to the user regarding a fire emergency; and vi) a pair of straps 201 provided on a rear rectangular surface of the flap 101 for attachment to the user's body. [2] Device according to claim 1, wherein a microphone 206 connected to the microcontroller is provided on the flap 101 to receive an audio command from a user regarding the deployment of a protective shield, to trigger the microcontroller to operate the imaging unit 203 in synchronization with the proximity sensor to determine the fire extinguisher in the vicinity of the flap 101, to trigger a microcontroller to operate the telescopic rods 103, the wheels 104 and the hinges 102 to position the flap 101 in front of the user and to operate the clamps 202 and the iris hole 105 to hold the fire extinguisher. [3] The device according to claim 1, wherein a wireless communication module connected to the microcontroller is provided on the flap 101 to allow the user to remotely trigger the microcontroller by connecting to a computing unit to operate the imaging unit 203 in synchronization with the proximity sensor to determine the fire extinguisher in the vicinity of the flap 101, to trigger a microcontroller to operate the telescopic rods 103, the wheels 104 and the hinges 102 to position the flap 101 in front of the user and to operate the clamps 202 and the iris hole 105 to hold the fire extinguisher. [4] The device of claim 1, wherein a touch-enabled display unit 207 attached to the flap 101 allows the user to provide a touch input to trigger the microcontroller to operate the imaging unit 203 in synchronization with the proximity sensor to determine the fire extinguisher is near the flap 101, to trigger a microcontroller to operate the telescopic rods 103, the wheels 104 and the hinges 102 to position the flap 101 in front of the user and to operate the clamps 202 and the iris hole 105 to hold the fire extinguisher. [5] The device of claim 1, wherein a battery is connected to the device to power electrical and electronically operated components connected to the device.

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