Apparatus and method of an extinguishing system for parked vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a module, the geometric dimensions of which are suitable for completely enclosing a motor vehicle. The module is additionally designed to be at least air-tight with respect to the surrounding area such that the air pressure within the module can be preferably lowered with respect to the air pressure in the surrounding area. The module additionally has at least one sensor device which is designed to detect fires, and the module is also designed to introduce water if the vehicle located in the module is on fire such that the vehicle which is on fire or is at risk of being on fire can be at least partly doused or submerged.

Description

[0001] Device and method of an extinguishing system for parked vehicles

[0002] The invention relates to an extinguishing system, in particular a space cell for parked vehicles, as well as a method for fire prevention or fire fighting.

[0003] With the increase in electromobility, the proportion of batteries in road traffic based on highly reactive light metals is growing. Examples, but not limited to, include lithium-ion batteries and lithium-polymer batteries. This form of chemical storage for electrical energy is also increasingly finding its way into conventional combustion-engine vehicles, steadily replacing the currently common lead-acid batteries. This creates a growing potential fire hazard that is difficult to manage with conventional firefighting equipment.

[0004] The subject of DE 202021 001 906 U1 is a storage container for batteries, comprising a container section with a lockable access opening. This container also contains a storage space for batteries. This storage container is characterized by the fact that it is equipped with an alarm system designed to detect a fire or fire risk in the storage space and, once the fire or fire risk is detected, triggers an alarm.

[0005] DE 10 2020 000211 A1 describes a fire extinguishing container for vehicles, in particular hybrid or electric vehicles, comprising at least one transportable container with extinguishing equipment. In order to better extinguish burning hybrid or electric vehicles without endangering fire service personnel or to protect other vehicles and persons, the fire extinguishing container has four side walls and is closed by an upper end section. The lower floor section is open and has sealing elements towards the floor. The fire extinguishing container can be placed over a burning vehicle using a crane, so that the fire can be extinguished by insufficient oxygen supply and / or by further adding extinguishing agents.

[0006] DE 202014 007 301 U1 describes a device for safely controlling a fire or substance leak, particularly for lithium batteries. The device is characterized in that an extinguishing device is arranged in such a way that it contains at least one hot foam as an extinguishing agent. WO 2011 / 038986 A1 describes that a battery with a number of battery cells can be accommodated in a first container, and the first container is separated from a second container by a separating element. This enables the creation of a pressure difference Δp for gas expansion from the first container into the second container to prevent and reduce the fire risk of the first container.

[0007] Further prior art can be found in DE 10 2019 127 014 A1 , DE 20 2019 104 504 U1 and CN 2 12 880 735 U.

[0008] None of the available documents describes a device and method for fire fighting and detection that adequately meets the structural conditions of public and non-public parking spaces in urban environments.

[0009] The object of the invention is to overcome the obvious disadvantages of the prior art and to propose a device which - in connection with the challenges of the electrification of road traffic - can contribute to fire detection and fire fighting in parking traffic.

[0010] For this purpose, a space cell for vehicles is proposed that can initially partially enclose a vehicle. This is achieved by creating an opening for the vehicle to be inserted into the space cell. After the vehicle has been inserted, the space cell is closed, thus completely enclosing the vehicle. The geometric dimensions of the space cell are thus dimensioned such that the vehicle is completely enclosed.

[0011] Within the space cell there is an energy supply system for the vehicles to be brought in.

[0012] As an element for fire fighting, the spatial cell according to the invention has at least one inlet for predominantly liquid media and at least one outlet for predominantly liquid media and a device for measuring the fill level.

[0013] A further element for firefighting and fire prevention is implemented by at least one pumping device for predominantly gaseous media. This pumping device is designed to generate a pressure difference during the parking process. At least one sensor device designed for fire detection is also used for fire prevention purposes. The room cell is thus designed to change the air pressure within it compared to the average ambient air pressure using the pumping device for gaseous media and to enable and ensure the inflow and outflow of a liquid firefighting agent.

[0014] In the context of this description, for the sake of brevity, the term "at least one" is used, which can mean: one, exactly one, several (e.g., exactly two, or more than two), many (e.g., exactly three or more than three), etc. "Several" or "many" does not necessarily mean that there are several or many identical elements, but rather several or many essentially functionally identical elements.

[0015] In the following, the term "space unit" refers to an enclosed spatial area that separates an interior space from the outside world through structural measures. The space unit has structural measures that allow it to be opened and closed. These structural measures include, as non-exhaustive examples, a door or doors, a gate or gates, a hatch or hatches, or the like. The space unit can be in a closed or open state. For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that, according to its intended purpose, a vehicle can only be brought in when it is open. In parking traffic—i.e., with a vehicle inside the space unit—the space unit can be designed for both operating modes.

[0016] For the purposes of this document, "vehicles" primarily refer to passenger cars, motorcycles, mopeds, trucks, and the like. Particular reference is made to the definition in Section 1 (2) of the Road Traffic Act (StVG). The definition is thus: "Vehicles" for the purposes of this document are land vehicles that are propelled by mechanical power without being tied to railway tracks. Land vehicles equipped with an auxiliary electric motor drive with a maximum continuous rated power of 0.25 kW are also considered to be relevant vehicles for this document.

[0017] For the purposes of this document, the energy supply system is capable of supplying the vehicle located in the space cell with energy during the parking process. A non-exhaustive example of this is understood to be a supply facility for electrical energy. Furthermore—and without limitation—filling with chemical fuels is also conceivable. Purely electric vehicles are thus fueled using electrical energy; fuel cell vehicles can be fueled with methanol or gaseous hydrogen, for example; plug-in hybrids could also be fueled with mineral fuels (gasoline, diesel, natural gas, etc.). Hybrid or electric vehicles with a lithium-based accumulator are particularly preferred.

[0018] In the following, predominantly liquid media are understood to mean, in particular, firefighting agents. The term "predominantly liquid" describes, for example, but is not limited to, water, aqueous solutions of fire-retardant substances or aqueous solutions of substances that increase the electrical conductivity of water, foams, and / or generally organic liquids that exhibit low chemical reactivity with the components of a battery.

[0019] For example, salt water can be used to utilize its cooling and fire-fighting properties, while also accelerating the discharge process through its increased electrical conductivity, thus converting some of the energy stored in the battery into a weaker form. Perfluoro(2-methyl-3-pentanone) is a non-exhaustive example of an organic liquid with low chemical reactivity.

[0020] For the purposes of this document, a level measuring device, also known as a level measuring device, is defined as a means of determining the fill level of predominantly liquid media within the chamber. This can be implemented, for example, as a float, an electromechanical level indicator, or by the inflow duration with a known inflow volume flow.

[0021] For the purposes of this document, predominantly gaseous media are understood to mean pure or contaminated air or reaction gases from a combustion or reaction process in a battery. In particular, it is emphasized that such predominantly gaseous substances are not pure gases, but rather gases that may also contain liquid droplets or solid dust particles. However, such mixtures of substances can still be transported by a pumping device according to the invention for predominantly gaseous media.

[0022] For the purposes of this document, a sensor device comprises technical means for detecting and processing environmental parameters. A sensor device thus consists of a sensor head, which performs the detection, and a data processing unit, which performs the processing. Processing also includes the regulation and control of connected systems, such as, but not limited to, the inflow and outflow of fire-fighting agents and / or the pumping device, or even the notification of emergency services and the fire department. The relevant environmental parameters here include, but are not limited to, air pressure, absolute humidity, relative humidity, air composition, or temperature. A data processing device is at least one electrical circuit that changes its switching state by accepting or exceeding a critical sensor value of the sensor device.

[0023] In embodiments of the invention, the spatial cell has a length of more than 1 m and less than 30 m, a width of more than 0.5 m and less than 32 m and a height of more than 1 m and less than 5 m.

[0024] This is advantageous because it takes into account the standardized dimensions of motor vehicles according to international standards. Furthermore, it makes upgrading an existing urban parking space with the inventive solution more cost-effective, since the components can also be manufactured as prefabricated standard parts.

[0025] In embodiments of the invention, the room unit is designed to be at least hermetically sealed. This is advantageous because it inherently prevents the harmful spread of smoke gases in the event of a fire. Furthermore, this method allows pressure differences to be generated in an economically viable manner.

[0026] In embodiments of the invention, the change between the air pressure inside the room cell and the ambient air pressure is a reduction. This is advantageous because the reduced air pressure inside the room cell advantageously enables the introduction of an additional fire-retardant and predominantly gaseous medium. For example, and without limitation, in the event of a fire, the air pressure can be reduced significantly for a short time and then replenished by adding argon gas to the slightly lower level compared to the ambient air pressure. The introduced noble gas will thus have a beneficial fire-retardant effect.

[0027] In embodiments of the invention, the difference between the average prevailing air pressure of 1013 hPa and the pressure prevailing inside the room cell is more than 0.05 hPa and less than 10.0 hPa, preferably more than 0.15 hPa and less than 8.5 hPa, particularly preferably more than 0.30 hPa and less than 6.5 hPa.

[0028] This is advantageous because these pressure differences are already generated in practice within buildings and measured using a standardized differential pressure method. The differential pressure method is standardized in ISO 9972:1996 and the subsequent EN 13829 "Thermal performance of buildings - Determination of air permeability of buildings," and the differential pressure method is defined in DIN EN 13829:2001-02. This differential pressure method is referred to as the "blower door test" and is mentioned below as an example. The "blower door test" is divided into three phases:

[0029] 1. Generation of a pressure difference of more than 50 Pa (0.5 hPa) below the ambient atmospheric air pressure and maintenance of this pressure while simultaneously checking the envelope and sealing surfaces for leaks.

[0030] 2. Stepwise generation of a pressure difference of more than 60 Pa (0.6 hPa) up to 100 Pa (1 hPa) below the ambient atmospheric air pressure and simultaneous stepwise measurement of the escaping air volume flow as a function of the pressure difference generated in each step.

[0031] 3. Stepwise generation of a pressure difference of more than 60 Pa (0.6 hPa) up to 100 Pa (1 hPa) above the ambient atmospheric air pressure and simultaneous stepwise measurement of the escaping air volume flow depending on the pressure difference generated in each step.

[0032] This approach also unlocks significant savings potential in design and manufacturing. The structural measures for manufacturing can be implemented, for example, through lightweight construction measures, but are not limited to these. For example, a pressure differential according to the "blower door test" enables the advantageous use of aluminum as a material for the shell and bracing structure of the room unit.

[0033] In embodiments of the invention, the sensor device is designed for fire detection and has at least one sensor for this purpose. This is advantageous because it allows for the use of commercially available and known systems. Thus, standardized production is also possible here, which proves to be an economic advantage.

[0034] In embodiments of the invention, the sensor device for fire detection comprises at least one additional sensor. The additional sensor is selected from an acoustic sensor, temperature sensor, gas sensor, optical sensor, and / or pressure sensor. This is advantageous because it allows for redundancy of fire detection systems. This has a positive effect on the reliability of the firefighting system. A fire-related failure of a sensor can thus be advantageously compensated for.

[0035] Furthermore, by synchronizing at least two sensors, the risk of incorrectly triggering fire-fighting systems without a fire actually occurring can be minimized. This advantageously prevents accidents and builds user confidence.

[0036] For example, and not limited to, a first sensor can be a temperature sensor. This is supported by a second optical sensor, which compares any temperature changes using infrared images. Furthermore, a gas sensor is installed as a third sensor within the room unit. If local and strong heat development is detected and the presence of HF gas is also measured, there is an increased probability of a damage event occurring, and the sensor devices can initiate the delivery of a fire-fighting agent.

[0037] Furthermore, in a non-exhaustive example, the first sensor can be designed as an optical sensor—specifically, an infrared camera—to monitor the temperature development inside the cubicle. A second sensor is then an acoustic sensor in the form of a microphone device, which monitors the noise development inside the cubicle during the parking process. Should a dangerous situation arise, at least an explosion reaction along with noise development is expected. Another sensor is also designed as an acoustic sensor—here, an ultrasonic sensor. This can detect vehicle movements and / or changes in the air quality inside the cubicle.

[0038] One of the operating parameters of the sensor system is sensor monitoring. This is defined as the frequency of sensor polling—how often a sensor poll occurs within a given time period. The time spans of the sensor polls should be significantly shorter than the time spans of typical parking processes. For example, and without limitation, polling the sensor values ​​in the range of milliseconds is conceivable. This time range cannot, therefore, extend exhaustively from 1 ms to 10,000 ms.

[0039] In embodiments of the invention, the predominantly liquid firefighting agent is water or at least has an aqueous base. This is highly advantageous because it allows for the use of existing water supply infrastructure, particularly existing firefighting water supply infrastructure. A further component of the invention is a method for fire prevention and / or firefighting using a space cell according to the invention. The method is based on the targeted accumulation of a firefighting agent and comprises the following steps: i. introducing the vehicle into the space cell according to the invention, ii. closing the space cell, iii. generating a defined pressure difference, iv. sensory monitoring of the interior of the space cell by at least one sensor device, wherein the at least one sensor is selected from an acoustic sensor, temperature sensor, gas sensor, optical sensor, and / or pressure sensor,v Continuous evaluation of the sensor values ​​in the categories a) fire event and b) no fire event, whereby in the event of a fire event the following further steps are initiated: vi Switching off the energy supply system, vii Supply of fire-fighting agent such that a minimum fill level is reached within a period of preferably 3 to 5 minutes, viii Reducing the supply of fire-fighting agent, ix Starting the continuous exchange of the fire-fighting agent, x Reading out the relevant sensor devices and checking them for changed fire conditions, xi Determining the fire status based on the sensor data, xii Issuing a recommendation for further firefighting or hazard assessment.

[0040] If no fire occurs, the parking process is terminated. Essentially, steps iv, iii, ii, and i are performed in reverse order and in the opposite manner. First, the sensor monitoring from step iv is terminated or interrupted. Subsequently, the pressure difference generated in step iii is eliminated. If the pressure difference allows the space cell to open, it is opened—in the opposite way to step ii—and the vehicle can be driven out—in the opposite way to step i.

[0041] In embodiments of the invention, in step ix, the liquid firefighting agent is injected at a volume flow of more than 4.5 m 3 per hour and less than 250 m 3per hour. This advantageously ensures that a fire is extinguished as quickly as possible without placing excessive strain on the structural conditions. Higher flow rates will result in excessive load changes on the fire envelope, while lower flow rates will result in the fire developing too quickly. Thus, the specified flow rate has a beneficial effect on firefighting while simultaneously maintaining economical structural conditions.

[0042] The use of a spatial cell according to the invention according to a method according to the invention in public parking spaces is also part of the invention.

[0043] To realize the invention, it is also expedient to combine the above-described embodiments and features of the claims.

[0044] The subject matter of the invention is described in more detail below with reference to non-limiting figures and embodiments.

[0045] Figure 1 shows a sketchy and schematic representation of the sequence of the method according to the invention using a space cell according to the invention. The space cell can first be seen with the gate open. Furthermore, the space cell has a sensor device close to the ground, which in this case has a temperature sensor. In addition, a measuring device for the fill level of the fire-fighting agent is housed inside the space cell. Extinguishing water from the extinguishing water feed is provided as the fire-fighting agent. According to the invention, the space cell therefore has an inlet and an outlet. For reasons of clarity, the energy supply system is omitted from this sketch. Figure 2 shows a sketchy and schematic representation of the parking process, provided no damage event occurs. Sensory information is collected over the entire duration of the parking process and no irregularities are detected.In this non-exhaustive example, the temperature is recorded as sensory information and monitored for spontaneous changes. Furthermore, the air pressure is reduced by 0.6 hPa using the pumping device according to the invention for predominantly gaseous media. The vehicle remains in this state of sensory monitoring and the changed pressure conditions until the end of the parking process.

[0046] Figure 3 shows a sketchy and schematic representation of the parking process in the event of a disaster. The room cell is already in a state of changed air pressure as described in Figure 2. The ground-level sensor – in this case a temperature sensor – detected an irregular and abruptly increased temperature profile during the charging process. As a result, a signal from the sensor device initially interrupted and terminated the charging process by the power supply unit and initiated the supply of extinguishing water. The fill level measuring device limits the amount of extinguishing water in such a way that a sufficient extinguishing effect is achieved while simultaneously minimizing the strain on the structural fabric of the room cell. When the extinguishing water fill level limit is reached, the extinguishing water is drained off in order to maintain the extinguishing water level and, in this example, enable a permanent exchange of extinguishing water.Sensory monitoring allows the temperature curve to determine when the fire has come to an end.

[0047] In one embodiment, the inventive method for the targeted accumulation of a firefighting agent is applied as follows. A vehicle with an electric main drive is driven into the inventive space cell and connected to the charging station located therein. The space cell is then closed hermetically by means of a gate. The interior of the space cell has a length of 6.5 m, a width of 3 m, and a height of 2.5 m. The gate is sealed by a watertight gate. In this embodiment, the AquaLock® system from Torbau Schwaben GmbH; Enzianstraße 14, D-88436 Oberessendorf is used. The gate is installed in such a way that the side of the gate exposed to water faces towards the interior of the space cell and thus acts self-sealing in the event of water exposure.The interior of the room cell is then ventilated using a ventilation fan equipped with a fire-protection metal shut-off valve with a flow volume of 100 m. 3 / h creates a pressure difference of 0.6 hPa compared to the ambient pressure.

[0048] After the parking process is complete and no damage occurs, the vehicle operator removes the vehicle from the storage unit. The pressure level is first adjusted to that of the ambient air, and the door is then opened using a locking system. After removing the charging cable, the vehicle leaves the storage unit for a replacement. In the event of a fire, e.g., due to a battery reaction, sensors on the floor first detect the battery overheating.

[0049] In the course of the gas release - hydrogen fluoride HF is expected here - the following alarm sequence is triggered:

[0050] 1. Switch off the charging function if it is not already switched off by the defective battery.

[0051] 2. Supply of water as a firefighting agent. Assuming the previously required extinguishing water supply, the required filling level is reached in 4 minutes. This time can be achieved by maintaining a high-pressure reservoir of approximately 10 m. 3 with higher flow can be significantly reduced.

[0052] 3. If the tightly sealed space cell is sufficiently filled, whereby the term "sufficient" is defined by immersing the accumulator and is variable depending on the vehicle type, the water supply is throttled and the continuous water exchange begins.

[0053] 4. For this purpose, the extinguishing water is sucked out and collected outside the building, and additional fresh water is added in the same amount.

[0054] 5. The corresponding temperature sensors in the water, which in this example are attached to the inlet and outlet, monitor the temperature of the extinguishing agent. Additional sensors on the ceiling simultaneously, continuously, and independently monitor the room temperature, gas releases, and oxygen content over the same period of time. 6. If the water temperatures at all sensors reach a setpoint—ideally the same as the temperature at the inlet—and the gas concentrations show no further changes, the chemical reaction is stopped and the fire is extinguished.

[0055] 7. The gas analysis sensors offer the possibility of checking the room for toxic gases until the door is opened and taking appropriate precautions.

[0056] Reference symbol

[0057] 100 room cells

[0058] 101 Inlet for predominantly liquid media

[0059] 102 Drain for predominantly liquid media

[0060] 103 Level measuring device for predominantly liquid media

[0061] 104 Pumping device for predominantly gaseous media

[0062] 105 Sensor device

[0063] 106 Access opening for vehicles

[0064] 200 accumulator

[0065] 201 vehicle

Claims

Patent claims 1. A space cell for vehicles, wherein the geometric dimensions of the space cell (100) are dimensioned such that the vehicle (201) is completely enclosed, comprising a power supply system for vehicles, at least one inlet for predominantly liquid media (101), at least one outlet for predominantly liquid media (102), at least one level measuring device for predominantly liquid media (103), at least one pumping device for predominantly gaseous media (104), at least one sensor device (105) and at least one access opening for vehicles (106), wherein the space cell (100) is designed such that the air pressure inside the space cell can be changed relative to the mean ambient air pressure by means of the pumping device for gaseous media (104),and wherein the inlet for predominantly liquid media (101) is designed for introducing a liquid firefighting agent and the outlet for predominantly liquid media (102) is designed for conveying a liquid firefighting agent and the level measuring device (103) is designed for measuring the quantity of liquid firefighting agent in the space cell.

2. Space cell for vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the space cell has a length of more than 1 m and less than 30 m, a width of more than 0.5 m and less than 32 m and a height of more than 1 m and less than 5 m.

3. Space cell for vehicles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the access opening for vehicles is designed to be at least airtight and lockable.

4. Space cell for vehicles according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the change between the air pressure inside the space cell and the ambient air pressure is a reduction.

5. Space cell for vehicles according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the difference between the average prevailing air pressure of 1013 hPa and the pressure prevailing inside the space cell is more than 0.05 hPa and less than 10.0 hPa, preferably more than 0.15 hPa and less than 8.5 hPa, particularly preferably more than 0.30 hPa and less than 6.5 hPa.

6. Vehicle compartment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor device is designed for fire detection and has at least one sensor selected from an acoustic sensor, temperature sensor, gas sensor, optical sensor and / or pressure sensor.

7. Vehicle compartment according to claim 6, wherein the sensor device for fire detection comprises at least one further sensor selected from an acoustic sensor, temperature sensor, gas sensor, optical sensor and / or pressure sensor.

8. Space cell for vehicles according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid fire extinguishing agent is water or at least has an aqueous base.

9. A method for preventing or fighting fires by selectively accumulating a fire-fighting agent using a space cell according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the steps of: i. placing the vehicle into the space cell as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8, ii. closing the space cell, iii. Generation of a pressure difference, wherein the difference between the average prevailing air pressure of 1013 hPa and the pressure prevailing inside the room cell is more than 0.05 hPa and less than 10.0 hPa, preferably more than 0.15 hPa and less than 8.5 hPa, particularly preferably more than 0.30 hPa and less than 6.5 hPa; iv. Sensory monitoring of the interior of the room cell by at least one sensor device for fire detection, wherein the sensor device for fire detection comprises at least one sensor and wherein the at least one sensor is selected from an acoustic sensor, temperature sensor, gas sensor, optical sensor and / or pressure sensor; v. Continuous evaluation of the sensor values ​​in the categories: a) fire event and b) no fire event, wherein in the case of no fire event the parking process is initiated by terminating or interrupting the sensor monitoring from step iv, canceling the pressure difference generated according to iii.The opening of the compartment and the extension of the vehicle are completed, and in the event of a fire, the following further steps are initiated: vi shutdown of the power supply system, vii supply of fire-fighting agent such that a minimum fill level is reached within a period of preferably more than 3 minutes and less than 5 minutes, viii throttling of the supply of fire-fighting agent, ix commencement of the continuous exchange of the fire-fighting agent, x reading of the corresponding sensor devices and their check for changed fire conditions, xi determination of the fire status based on the sensor data, xii issuance of a recommendation for further fire-fighting or hazard assessment.

10. Method for fire prevention or fire fighting by means of a room cell according to claim 9, wherein in step xi the liquid fire fighting agent is supplied with a volume flow of more than 4.5 m³ 3per hour and less than 250 m 3 can be exchanged per hour.

11. Use of a room cell according to one of claims 1 to 8 for fire prevention and / or use of a method according to claim 9 or 10 for fire fighting in public parking areas.

Images