Apparatus for detecting a fire in a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to: an apparatus for detecting a fire in a space (6), said apparatus comprising a smoke detector (1) having a test chamber (2) and at least one air inlet (12); and a vehicle comprising at least one apparatus for detecting a fire, the smoke detector (1) comprising at least one air outlet (13) and the apparatus comprising at least one device, that is connected to the at least one air outlet (13), for generating a suction (9) for air from the air outlet (13) so that air (7) is suctioned from the space (6) through the air inlet (12) into the test chamber (2) and discharged through the air outlet (13).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Device for fire detection in a vehicle

[0003] The invention relates to a device for fire detection in a room comprising a smoke detector with a test chamber and at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet as well as a vehicle comprising at least one device for fire detection.

[0004] Smoke detectors for fire detection are available in various designs. They are typically mounted on the ceiling of a room to be monitored, so that rising smoke or fire gases can be detected, for example, visually, in a smoke detector test chamber, and a warning signal can be issued.

[0005] In public transport vehicles, however, openly accessible smoke detectors are subject to vandalism. While concealed installation has the advantage of protecting the smoke detectors from vandalism and preventing them from becoming soiled as quickly, for example, by organic or textile fibers or particles, their reliable operation is no longer guaranteed by unfavorable pressure conditions on or behind a false ceiling or side wall, as smoke or fire gases from the room cannot safely reach the smoke detector's test chamber due to the flow and pressure conditions.

[0006] The document DE 103 19 688 B4 teaches the arrangement of a smoke detector in an exhaust air duct of an aircraft behind a protective grille or a cover at the entrance to the exhaust air duct.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of providing reliable fire detection in public spaces. This object is achieved by the subject matter of independent patent claim 1. Further developments and refinements of the invention are found in the features of the dependent patent claims.

[0008] A device according to the invention for fire detection in a room comprises a smoke detector with a test chamber and at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet, wherein the device comprises at least one device connected to the at least one air outlet for generating a suction for air from the air outlet, so that air from the room is sucked into the test chamber through the air inlet and discharged through the air outlet.

[0009] The test chamber of the smoke detector is used to detect smoke or smoke gases and is designed accordingly.

[0010] The test chamber is open to at least one air inlet of the smoke detector so that air, in particular from the room to be monitored, flows through the air inlet to the test chamber. Likewise, the test chamber is open to at least one air outlet of the smoke detector so that air from the test chamber can flow out of the air outlet. The air outlet is fluidically connected to a device for generating suction for air at the air outlet. The air inlet and air outlet are arranged towards or, if applicable, on the test chamber so that air which is sucked in through the air inlet and discharged through the air outlet flows through the test chamber.

[0011] A vehicle according to the invention, in particular a large-capacity vehicle for, for example, public passenger transport, this includes land, air and water vehicles, comprises at least one device according to the invention for fire detection in a room. The room can be a cabin, for example for passengers, for example a sanitary cell of the vehicle. The device for fire detection in a room is suitably arranged in or on the cabin. The device for generating a suction at the air outlet is in particular a system or a technical device and could therefore also be referred to as a device.

[0012] In a further development, the device for generating suction for air from the air outlet comprises a vacuum line - the relative pressure in the vacuum line is lower than in the room. The air pressure in the room corresponds, for example, to the ambient atmospheric pressure. The lower relative pressure creates suction at the air outlet. The vacuum line can then be used to remove air from the smoke detector. The vacuum line can, for example, be connected to a vacuum system in the vehicle. In a further development, the air outlet is connected to an exhaust air system in the vehicle.

[0013] To generate the negative pressure on the air outlet side, which can also be referred to as venting pressure, the device for generating the suction can also comprise one or more devices for conveying liquids, in this case air, for example a suitably designed and arranged fan, a suitably designed and arranged Venturi nozzle, a suitably designed and arranged pump or a suitably designed and arranged ejector, in particular a conveying ejector. The fan, Venturi nozzle, pump or ejector can, for example, be arranged in the negative pressure line so that a negative pressure is generated between the air outlet and the fan, Venturi nozzle, pump or ejector, and thus the suction for air is generated at the air outlet of the smoke detector. Air is therefore discharged from the test chamber of the smoke detector through the air outlet by means of the at least one device.At the same time, the suction also sucks air from the room through the air inlet of the smoke detector into the test chamber. According to a further development, the device comprises a room-defining element, for example a flat one, for example a wall or ceiling of the room or a wall or ceiling covering, for example in the form of a panel, or a cover of the smoke detector, the smoke detector being arranged on a side of the room-defining element facing away from the room, and an opening being provided in the element delimiting the room in the region of the at least one air inlet of the smoke detector and being arranged in such a way that at least the at least one air inlet of the smoke detector is opened up to the room through the opening in the element delimiting the room for an air flow from the room and can therefore be freely flowed against, so that air from the room can flow to the test chamber of the room detector.

[0014] In a further development, the air outlet can then be arranged on the side of the element facing away from the room, so that air from the smoke detector and thus also from the room is discharged through the air inlet into the test chamber and out of this through the air outlet.

[0015] According to a further development, the test chamber of the smoke detector is arranged in an otherwise airtight housing comprising the at least one air inlet and the at least one air outlet. The smoke detector accordingly has a housing with the at least one air inlet and the at least one air outlet, wherein the test chamber is arranged in the housing and wherein the housing, apart from the air inlets and outlets, is designed to be airtight. The test chamber can be enclosed hermetically by the housing, with the at least one air inlet in the housing to the test chamber and the at least one air outlet of the test chamber.

[0016] A further development provides that the device for fire detection comprises a commercially available smoke detector which is arranged on the side of the room-defining element facing away from the room in the region of the at least one opening in the room-defining element such that air from the room can flow freely through the at least one opening in the room-defining element to the test chamber of the smoke detector, wherein the smoke detector is encapsulated in a casing which is hermetically connected to the room-defining element, wherein the at least one opening in the room-defining element forms at least one air inlet of the smoke detector and wherein the room-defining element is otherwise hermetically designed, wherein the casing has the air outlet which is connected to the device for generating a suction for air from the air outlet,so that air from the room is sucked into the test chamber through the air inlet and discharged through the air outlet, and otherwise encloses the smoke detector hermetically.

[0017] The element defining the space, such as a ceiling or wall panel, is designed to be airtight, at least in the area of ​​the casing connected to it. The casing, which is cap-shaped, for example, and the element defining the space thus form the airtight housing, except for the air inlets and outlets.

[0018] Advantages of the invention include, in particular, the actively induced and thus safe airflow to the smoke detector. Even under unfavorable airflow conditions in a room, for example in the sanitary compartment of a public rail vehicle, which is often ventilated and de-ventilated by fans and has a slightly lower air pressure than other passenger compartments in the rail vehicle, smoke can be safely guided to the test chamber and detected there. The invention also makes it possible to conceal the smoke detector behind room-defining elements, for example, behind a false ceiling. This protects it from vandalism and also frees the cabin design from any disruptive structures.

[0019] The invention is susceptible of numerous embodiments. It is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures, each of which illustrates an exemplary embodiment. Identical elements in the figures are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows schematically a first embodiment of a device for fire detection according to the invention in section,

[0021] Fig. 2 shows schematically a second embodiment of a device for fire detection according to the invention in section,

[0022] Fig. 3 shows schematically a third embodiment of a device for fire detection according to the invention in section,

[0023] Fig. 4 shows schematically a fourth embodiment of a fire detection device according to the invention in section.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for fire detection in a room 6, schematically shown in section. The device comprises a smoke detector 1 with a test chamber 2. In this illustrative example, the smoke detector 1 is a commercially available smoke detector. It is arranged on a side facing away from the room 6 of an element 3 delimiting the room 6, for example, a ceiling or wall paneling.

[0025] The element 3 delimiting the room 6 has an opening for the passage of air from the room 6, the smoke detector 1 being arranged in the region of the opening such that air can flow from the room 6 to the test chamber 2 of the smoke detector. The opening in the element 3 delimiting the room 6, for example a breakthrough in the wall or ceiling paneling, serves here as the air inlet 12 of the smoke detector 1. This is open towards the room 6. The test chamber 2 of the smoke detector is also open towards the air inlet 12 so that air can flow from the air inlet 12 to the test chamber 2. Air can therefore flow freely from the room 6 through the air inlet 12 to the test chamber 2 of the smoke detector 1.

[0026] The smoke detector 1 is also enclosed by an airtight, cap-shaped casing 5. The cap-shaped casing 5 is connected in an airtight manner to the element 3 defining the space 6. Apart from the air inlet 12, the element 3 defining the space 6 is also airtight, at least in the area of ​​the casing 5. Thus, the smoke detector 1 is airtightly encapsulated in the casing 5 and the element 3 defining the space 6. The casing 5 and the element 3 defining the space 6 could be considered an additional housing around the smoke detector.

[0027] The casing 5 has an air outlet 13 which is connected to a vacuum line 4, for example a vacuum hose. The vacuum in the vacuum line 4, i.e. a relative pressure which is at least a predetermined amount lower than in the space 6, for example an ambient pressure predominantly prevailing in the space, is brought about by means of a device for generating a suction 9 for air from the air outlet 13. In this case, the device for generating a suction 9 is a ventilation system of an exhaust air system of a rail vehicle, which serves to extract air from the space 6 and has a suction line 8 open towards the space 6. The device for generating a suction 9 could also be referred to as a suction device. The vacuum line 4 is fluidically connected to the suction line 8.

[0028] The relative pressure at the air outlet 13, which is at least lower than that at the air inlet 12, causes a suction which draws air from the room 6 to the air inlet 12 and further into the test chamber 2 of the smoke detector 1 and then discharges it from the test chamber 2 through the air outlet 13.

[0029] The arrows indicate the respective air currents. Thus, smoke or fire gases, indicated by arrow 7, would also safely reach the smoke detector 1, even though air from the room 6 is also removed via the extraction line 8. The extraction line 8 and the air inlet 12 are spaced apart by at least a predetermined distance.

[0030] The embodiments in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 differ only in the type of ventilation and thus in the design of the device for generating a suction 9 at the air outlet 13. According to the embodiment in Fig. 2, a separate fan 10 is arranged in the vacuum line 4, which ensures the suction during operation. In Fig. 3, however, an ejector, here a conveyor ejector 11, is connected to the vacuum line 4, which generates the suction on the air outlet side. The vacuum line 4 can end outside the room 6, for example, it can also be led out of the rail vehicle and have an open end towards the environment of the rail vehicle, through which end the air extracted from the room is released into the environment.For example, compressed air from a compressed air system is supplied to the conveying ejector 11 illustrated here with a Venturi nozzle and, according to the jet pump principle, generates a negative pressure on the side of the negative pressure line 4 of the air outlet 13.

[0031] The space 6 can be a cabin or sanitary cell of a rail vehicle which has a ventilation system to which the vacuum line 4 is connected, as in the embodiment example according to Fig. 1, or it can generally be a passenger compartment, for example a compartment, of a rail vehicle and the device for generating a suction 9 is separate from other ventilation systems of the vehicle and can be operated independently of them if necessary, as illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4.

[0032] A further embodiment of the invention is outlined in Fig. 4. Here, too, the venting pressure is generated by means of a conveying ejector 11, as in Fig. 3. However, here the smoke detector 1 itself has an airtight housing around the test chamber 2 with the air inlet 12 and the air outlet 13 connected to the conveying ejector 11 by means of the vacuum line 4. The air inlet 12 of the smoke detector 1 is in turn arranged in the region of the opening of the element 3 delimiting the space 6, so that air from the space 6 is sucked into the test chamber 2 through the air inlet 12 and discharged through the air outlet 13 into the vacuum line 4.

[0033] Not shown is an example with an air outlet open to the immediate surroundings, such as could be used, for example, when the relative pressure in the room is higher than outside the room, where at least the air outlet of the smoke detector, in particular the entire smoke detector, is located. The device for generating a suction would therefore create a negative pressure on the side of the element bordering the room facing away from the room or, if necessary, in the

[0034] create excess pressure in the room and thereby cause suction.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device for fire detection in a room (6) comprising a smoke detector (1) with a test chamber (2) and at least one air inlet (12) , characterized in that the smoke detector (1) comprises at least one air outlet (13) wherein the device comprises at least one device connected to the at least one air outlet (13) for generating a suction (9) for air from the air outlet (13) so that air (7) from the room (6) is drawn into the test chamber (2) through the air inlet (12) and discharged through the air outlet (13).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the test chamber (2) of the smoke detector (1) is arranged in an otherwise airtight housing comprising at least one air inlet (12) and at least one air outlet (13).

3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the device for generating a suction (9) comprises a vacuum line (4).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device for generating a suction (9) comprises a fan (10), a Venturi nozzle, a pump or an ejector (11).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises an element (3) defining the space (6), wherein the smoke detector (1) is arranged on a side of the element (3) defining the space facing away from the space (6), wherein at least one opening in the element (3) defining the space is provided in the area of ​​the at least one air inlet (12) of the smoke detector (1) such that the at least one air inlet (12) of the smoke detector (1) is free through the at least one opening in the element (3) defining the space to the space (6).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the air outlet (13) is arranged on the side of the element (3) defining the room that is facing away from the room (6), so that air (7) is drawn out of the room (6) through the smoke detector (1).

7. Device according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises a commercially available smoke detector (1) which is arranged on the side of the room-enclosing element (3) facing away from the room (6) in the area of ​​the at least one opening in the room-enclosing element (3) such that air from the room (6) can escape through the at least one opening in the room-enclosing element. (3) can flow freely to the test chamber (2) of the smoke detector (1), wherein the smoke detector (1) is encapsulated in a casing (5) which is airtightly connected to the space-enclosing element (3), wherein the at least one opening in the space-enclosing element (3) forms at least one air inlet (12) and wherein the space-enclosing element (3) is otherwise airtight, wherein the casing (5) has at least one air outlet (13) which is connected to the device for generating a suction (9) for air from the air outlet (13) so that air (7) from the room (6) is drawn into the test chamber (2) through the air inlet (12) and discharged through the air outlet (13), and the shell (5) is otherwise airtight.

8. Passenger transport vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a device according to one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that it has at least one cabin in which the device according to one of claims 1 to 7 is arranged.

10. Vehicle according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the air outlet (13) is connected to an exhaust system of the vehicle.

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