Fire containment device for electric vehicle under charge

Abstract

The present invention discloses a fire containment device for an electric vehicle comprising: - a central part comprising a tunnel-shaped structure allowing, in use, the placement of a vehicle under the tunnel in order to be recharged, said structure being covered with a fire-retardant fabric; - two deployable lateral parts adjacent to the central part, said two lateral parts being in the form of flaps that can move from an open position in which the flaps are folded against the central part so that the tunnel is open, to a containment position in which the flaps are deployed so as to close the tunnel, in use, and create a containment zone around the vehicle;The deployable side sections are held in their open position by means of electromagnets, allowing the temporary fixing of the leaves to the central part, and in that the side sections move from their open position to their containment position, by gravity, in the event of fire detection.

Description

Subject of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire containment device for an electric vehicle charging station. This device makes it possible in particular to prevent the spread of a fire around the electric vehicle being charged which has caught fire, by isolating it from its environment. State of the art

[0002] The current trend is towards electric vehicles. In fact, in recent years, given the global rise in environmental awareness, the market share of electric vehicles has gradually increased, and this trend is expected to accelerate further due to various political regulations.

[0003] With the increasing availability of electric vehicles, charging stations for these vehicles are essential. However, it has been observed that electric car fires are occurring more frequently during charging. The cause may be, for example, abnormal operation of the battery or the charging device, or an abnormal operation between the battery and the charging device. This observation has led to many questions in the field of safety in order to reduce the extent of damage during electric car fires in charging areas.

[0004] Furthermore, it is now well known that the battery of electric vehicles, when it catches fire, cannot be easily extinguished by a conventional water spray extinguishing method.

[0005] In order to limit material damage around the burning vehicle and to increase safety when extinguishing the fire, numerous solutions for fire detection and isolation of the vehicle from its immediate environment have been updated.

[0006] Document KR20210035729 discloses a system that includes a temperature sensor and a flame sensor near the charging station to provide early warning of a possible fire. The system also includes a tank with an extinguishing agent. As soon as a fire is detected, a signal is sent to the extinguishing agent injector, which is sprayed directly towards the vehicle and the charging station.

[0007] Document CN20222987470 discloses a vehicle shelter comprising a charging station, temperature and smoke sensors, and a fire sprinkler head. The interior of the shelter is provided with a fire-retardant material. The device disclosed by this document makes it possible to quickly detect a fire at the charging station, and thus to sprinkle the fire as quickly as possible in order to limit the damage.

[0008] Document CN20212824050U discloses a fire-resistant shelter, which can be telescopically deployed around a support frame. The car is located beneath the shelter. A detector and a spraying means are also provided to spray the vehicle if a fire is detected.

[0009] Document KR20220131919 discloses an electric vehicle fire extinguishing device installed at a charging station. The device is in the form of a pergola erected above the charging station. The device further comprises temperature sensors and a spray device attached to the ceiling of the pergola. As soon as a fire in an electric vehicle being charged is detected, the space where the electric vehicle is parked is closed with shutters and water is sprayed. The pergola, when closed, is watertight so that the water rises inside the box to a predetermined level.

[0010] None of the devices disclosed in the prior art offers a rapid, inexpensive solution that does not require any external energy input to isolate the vehicle from its environment. Aims of the invention

[0011] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, and in particular to provide a device for effectively preventing the spread of a fire in an electric vehicle during charging, and for considerably improving safety when extinguishing the fire.

[0012] Another aim of the invention is to provide a device for total isolation of the vehicle from its immediate environment.

[0013] The present invention also aims to enable insulation to be carried out quickly, without the need for energy input for its implementation.

[0014] Another aim of the invention is to propose an inexpensive and easy-to-implement solution, adaptable to all existing charging stations. A key point of the invention is to provide a solution with a small footprint, which can be adapted to different types of vehicles and parking lots. Summary of the invention

[0015] The present invention discloses a fire containment device for an electric vehicle comprising: a central part comprising a tunnel-shaped structure allowing, in use, the placement of a vehicle under the tunnel in order to be recharged there, said structure being covered with a fireproof canvas; two deployable side parts adjacent to the central part, said two side parts being in the form of flaps which can move from an open position in which the flaps are folded against the central part so that the tunnel is open, to a confinement position in which the flaps are deployed so as to close the tunnel, in use, and create a confinement zone around the vehicle; the deployable side parts are held in their open position using electromagnets, allowing the temporary fixing of the flaps on the central part, and in that the side parts move from their open position to their confinement position, by gravity, in the event of fire detection.

[0016] According to particular embodiments, the invention comprises one or more of the following characteristics: the central part comprises two vertical frames connected by an upper horizontal frame, each frame being covered with said fire-retardant fabric; each deployable side part is in the form of a leaf comprising: two vertical uprights connected by an upper crossbar; and a fire-retardant fabric connecting said vertical uprights and said upper crossbar to said central part of the device; in the open position, the leaves of the deployable side parts are in contact with the central part, and in that, in the confinement position, the leaves of the deployable side parts are in contact with the central part only by the feet of the vertical uprights so that the leaves, in use, create a confinement zone around the vehicle; fire detection is carried out using at least one temperature and / or smoke detector;the feet of the vertical uprights are fixed to the central part by hinges allowing them to move from the open position to the confinement position; a peripheral seal made of intumescent material is provided between the ground and the confinement device in the confinement position; the device includes locks to hold the deployable side parts against the ground when the device is in the confinement position; an orifice is provided in the fireproof fabric of each deployable side part allowing an extinguishing product to be projected inside the confinement zone when the leaf is placed in the confinement position.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a method of containing a fire in an electric vehicle using the device, the method comprising the following steps: fire detection; opening of the electromagnets; movement by gravity of the deployable side parts between their open position in which the leaves are folded against the central part so that the tunnel is open, to their confinement position in which the leaves are deployed so as to close the tunnel, in use, and create a confinement zone around the vehicle.

[0018] Fire detection can be achieved by at least one smoke and / or temperature detector. Brief description of the figures

[0019] There figure 1represents a three-dimensional view of an example of a fire containment device for an electric vehicle under charge, the device having the flaps of its side parts folded back in order to have its structure open forming a tunnel to accommodate the vehicle. This position is the normal position of use, called the “open position”, i.e. when no fire has been detected. In this way, the structure is open and the vehicle can be recharged by being parked under the fixed part of the device which forms a partial tunnel around the vehicle.

[0020] There figure 2 represents a three-dimensional view of the example of the figure 1 , in which the leaves are shown halfway between the normal operating position and the containment position in the event of a fire. These are being deployed following a fire detection by the detector.

[0021] There figure 3represents a three-dimensional view of the example of the figure 1 , in which the doors are deployed. This position is the position in case of fire, called the “containment position”.

[0022] There figure 4 represents the figure 3 transparent in order to represent the car under the canvas of the shutters. List of reference symbols

[0023] 1: fire containment device 2: fixed central part of the device 3: deployable side parts 31: vertical uprights of each deployable side part 32: crossbar of each deployable side part 33: crossbar foot 4: electromagnet 5: vertical frames of the central part 6: horizontal upper frame of the central part 7: fireproof fabric of the central part 8: fireproof fabric of the side parts 9: gas injection port Detailed description of the invention

[0024] The fire containment device of the present invention is illustrated in figures 1 to 4 The principle of this device is to create a containment zone around the vehicle as soon as a fire is detected. Since it takes some time for an electric battery to completely extinguish, the vehicle can burn as safely as possible in this containment zone, protecting the surroundings of the vehicle and preventing the fire from spreading until the fire service arrives. In addition, it is also possible to safely inject an extinguishing agent into the containment zone to accelerate the extinguishing process.

[0025] The device of the invention can take two positions, either the normal position of use, during which a vehicle can recharge at the charging station, which is called the “open position” in the following description, or the “containment position”, which is that in the case where a fire is declared and where the device is deployed in order to confine the vehicle. The open position is illustrated by the figure 1 while the confinement position is illustrated by the figures 3 And 4 .

[0026] The fire containment device 1 according to the present invention comprises a central part 2, which is preferably fixed and which comprises a tunnel-shaped structure covered with a fire-retardant fabric 7. The dimensions of this structure vary depending on the vehicle to be recharged (whether it is a charging station for a car, motorcycle, bus, truck or other...). For charging, the vehicle is placed below the structure. Preferably, the central part is formed by two vertical frames 5 connected by an upper horizontal frame 6, each frame being covered by the fire-retardant fabric 7. In this way, the tunnel has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped (the bottom face of which is considered to be the ground), open on two of its sides so that the vehicle can pass through the tunnel, as shown in the figure 1 .

[0027] The fire containment device also comprises two deployable side parts 3 which are adjacent to the central part. These two side parts are in the form of flaps, which can move from the open position in which the flaps are folded against the central part so that the tunnel is open, to the containment position in which the flaps are deployed against the ground so as to close the tunnel to create a containment zone around the vehicle. Preferably, and as illustrated in the figures 2 to 4 , the leaves of each deployable side part are formed by two vertical uprights 31 connected by an upper transverse bar 32 and by a fireproof fabric 8 connecting the vertical uprights and the transverse bar to the central part.

[0028] In this way, when the device is in the open position, the leaves are in contact with the central part, and are temporarily fixed to it, preferably via electromagnets 4. When the device is in the containment position following fire detection, the side parts are deployed and the vertical uprights of the leaves are pivoted to be placed horizontally in contact with the ground so as to create a containment zone around the burning vehicle.

[0029] To do this, the feet 33 of the vertical uprights of the leaves are the only points that are permanently fixed to the central part. These can be articulated via hinges or joints 12 in order to be able to move the lateral parts of the device from one position to another. In the confinement position, the leaves of the deployable lateral parts are therefore only in contact with the central part by the feet of the vertical uprights, the vertical bar having been offset from a high position in contact with the upper frame of the central part to a low position in contact with the ground and offset from the central part to cover the entire vehicle.

[0030] Preferably, the tunnel only partially covers the vehicle to be recharged, the length of the tunnel being less than that of the type of vehicle to be recharged, so as not to take up more ground space than necessary. But once the leaves are deployed, the length of the ground space of the device is increased by approximately twice the height of the device (given that the vertical amount of the leaf corresponds to the height of the central part).

[0031] One or more fire detectors (not shown) may be provided to detect the start of a fire. These may be smoke detectors, temperature detectors, or both, or any other detector to detect the start of a fire. Once the fire is detected, the information is sent and the contact between the leaves and the central part is released (for example, by opening the electromagnets). In this way, the leaves can unfold and fall by gravity to the ground, these being held by the hinges. According to a particular embodiment, jacks may be provided on the device to cushion the descent of the leaves.

[0032] The containment device may also include a peripheral seal 11 made of intumescent material. This serves to seal the containment area, being provided between the device and the ground when the device is in the containment position. The seal may therefore be provided between the central part, which is generally fixed, and the ground, but also on the vertical uprights and the upper crossbar of the leaves so that the containment is as watertight as possible, thanks to the crushing of the seal between the leaves and the ground.

[0033] Preferably, the containment device includes locks to hold the deployable side portions against the ground when the device is in the containment position. This provides improved sealing and security of the device.

[0034] Furthermore, an orifice 9 may be provided in the fireproof fabric of each deployable side part. In this way, an extinguishing product may be projected inside the containment zone when the leaf is placed in the containment position. The orifice may correspond, for example, to a firefighter connection for injecting a water / extinguishing foam mixture.

[0035] Preferably, the canvas can be adapted according to specific strength requirements. Benefits

[0036] The device of the present invention has the advantage of offering an easy-to-implement solution, which is suitable for individuals as well as businesses or public charging stations. Its ease of implementation allows this solution to be developed quickly. The small size of the device also allows it to be easily multiplied on charging stations comprising a large number of charging zones. A small footprint guarantees to maintain a high concentration of charging zones per surface, which is an important issue for the multiplication of charging stations in view of the increase in the number of electric cars. The device is adaptable to any type of vehicle and parking lot.

[0037] One of the most important advantages of this device is that, unlike prior art documents, the device moves into its containment position thanks to the movement of the leaves by gravity. No external electrical connection or significant structural work is required, which allows installation on any type of terrain, or isolated location. This also ensures reliable operation.

Claims

1. Fire containment device (1) for an electric vehicle comprising: - a central part (2) comprising a tunnel-shaped structure allowing, in use, the placement of a vehicle under the tunnel in order to be recharged there, said structure being covered with a fireproof fabric (7); - two deployable lateral parts (3) adjacent to the central part (2), said two lateral parts (3) being in the form of flaps which can move from an open position in which the flaps are folded against the central part (2) so that the tunnel is open, to a containment position in which the flaps are deployed so as to close the tunnel, in use, and create a containment zone around the vehicle; characterized in that the deployable side parts (3) are held in their open position using electromagnets (4), allowing the temporary fixing of the leaves on the central part (2), and in thatthe side parts (3) move from their open position to their containment position, by gravity, in the event of fire detection.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said central part (2) comprises two vertical frames (5) connected by an upper horizontal frame (6), each frame being covered with said fireproof fabric (7).

3. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each deployable lateral part (3) is in the form of a fan comprising: - two vertical uprights (31) connected by an upper transverse bar (32); and - a fireproof fabric (8) connecting said vertical uprights (31) and said upper transverse bar (32) to said central part (2) of the device (1).

4. Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that , in the open position, the leaves of the deployable side parts (3) are in contact with the central part (2), and in that , in the confinement position, the flaps of the deployable side parts (3) are only in contact with the central part (2) by the feet (33) of the vertical uprights (31) so that the flaps, in use, create a confinement zone around the vehicle.

5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that fire detection is carried out using at least one temperature and / or smoke detector.

6. Fire containment device according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the feet (33) of the vertical uprights (31) are fixed to the central part (2) by hinges allowing them to move from the open position to the confinement position.

7. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thata peripheral seal made of intumescent material is provided between the ground and the containment device (1) in the containment position.

8. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes locks to hold the deployable side parts (3) against the ground when the device (1) is in the containment position.

9. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an orifice (9) is provided in the fireproof fabric (8) of each deployable side part (3) allowing an extinguishing product to be projected inside the confinement zone when the leaf is placed in the confinement position.

10. Method for containing a fire in an electric vehicle using the device of any one of claims 1 to 9 comprising the following steps: - detecting the fire; - opening the electromagnets (4); - moving by gravity the deployable side parts (3) between their open position in which the flaps are folded against the central part (2) so that the tunnel is open, to their confinement position in which the flaps are deployed so as to close the tunnel, in use, and create a confinement zone around the vehicle.

11. A method of fire containment according to claim 11. characterized in that fire detection is carried out by at least one smoke and / or temperature detector.

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