Fire-extinguishing system

Abstract

To enable easily restoring to a state before fire after extinguishing fire.SOLUTION: A fire-extinguishing system 1 includes: a battery 10; a container 12 with the battery 10 stored inside; a fire detection sensor 14 capable of detecting occurrence of fire inside the container 12; an exhaust passage 16 communicated to a space inside the container 12, and having an exhaust port 32 in a terminal part; a pump 18 provided in the exhaust passage 16, sucking air inside the container 12 through the exhaust passage 16 and discharging it from the exhaust port 32; and a control device 22 reducing an oxygen concentration of the inside of the container 12 in comparison with the case before the fire is detected by operating the pump 18 when the fire is detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fire suppression system for suppressing a fire. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a fire extinguishing system that extinguishes a fire inside a battery pack by supplying a fire extinguishing agent or water to the inside of the battery pack. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7085169 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology of Patent Document 1, when a fire is extinguished, the inside of the battery pack becomes filled with fire extinguishing agent and water, and it takes time to restore the inside of the battery pack to its pre-fire state after the fire is extinguished.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a fire extinguishing system that can easily restore the state before the fire after the fire has been extinguished. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a fire extinguishing system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery, a container in which the battery is housed, a fire detection sensor capable of detecting the occurrence of a fire inside the container, an exhaust flow path that communicates with the internal space of the container and has an exhaust port at an end thereof, a pump provided in the exhaust flow path that is capable of sucking in air inside the container through the exhaust flow path and discharging it from the exhaust port, and a control device that, when a fire is detected, operates the pump to reduce the oxygen concentration inside the container compared to before the fire was detected.

[0007] The fire extinguishing system may further include a filter provided in the exhaust passage for collecting environmentally hazardous substances produced in the event of a fire.

[0008] The fire extinguishing system may further include an air intake flow path that is connected to the internal space of the container and has an intake port capable of acquiring air from outside the container, and an air intake valve that can open and close the air intake flow path, and when no fire is detected, the control device may open the air intake valve and operate the pump to cause the air acquired from the intake port to flow around the battery, and when a fire is detected, close the air intake valve and operate the pump to reduce the oxygen concentration inside the container compared to before the fire was detected.

[0009] The fire extinguishing system further includes an exhaust valve provided between the container and the pump in the exhaust flow path and capable of opening and closing the exhaust flow path, an intake flow path communicating with a portion of the exhaust flow path between the exhaust valve and the pump and having an intake port capable of acquiring air outside the container, an intake valve capable of opening and closing the intake flow path, an air-cooled target device which is a device to be air-cooled, a supply flow path communicating with a portion of the exhaust flow path between the pump and the exhaust port and capable of supplying air to the air-cooled target device, and a switching valve provided at a portion where the supply flow path is connected to the exhaust flow path, and the switching valve is in a first switching state where the exhaust flow path on the pump side and the supply flow path are connected to the switching valve. and a second switching state in which the exhaust flow path on the pump side of the switching valve is connected to the exhaust flow path on the exhaust port side of the switching valve. When a fire is not detected, the control device may cause the switching valve to be in the first switching state, the exhaust valve to be closed, the intake valve to be open, and the pump to operate, thereby causing air obtained from the intake port to flow to the air-cooled device, and when a fire is detected, the control device may cause the switching valve to be in the second switching state, the intake valve to be closed, the exhaust valve to be open, and the pump to operate, thereby reducing the oxygen concentration inside the container compared to before a fire was detected.

[0010] The fire extinguishing system may further include a tank having an internal space, the tank being provided between the container and the pump in the exhaust flow path, and an intermediate valve being provided between the container and the tank in the exhaust flow path and capable of opening and closing the flow path between the container and the tank in the exhaust flow path, and the control device may be configured to close the intermediate valve and operate the pump to create negative pressure inside the tank when no fire is detected, and to open the intermediate valve when a fire is detected, thereby sucking air inside the container into the tank and reducing the oxygen concentration inside the container compared to before a fire was detected.

[0011] The fire extinguishing system may further include an air intake flow path that is connected to the internal space of the container and has an intake port capable of acquiring air outside the container, an air intake valve capable of opening and closing the air intake flow path, a tank provided in the exhaust flow path between the container and the pump and having a space therein, an intermediate valve provided in the exhaust flow path between the container and the tank and capable of opening and closing a flow path in the exhaust flow path between the container and the tank, a secondary flow path having one end communicating with a portion of the exhaust flow path between the container and the intermediate valve and the other end communicating with a portion of the exhaust flow path between the tank and the pump, and an auxiliary valve capable of opening and closing the secondary flow path, and when a fire is not detected, the control device may open the air intake valve, open the auxiliary valve, close the intermediate valve, and operate the pump to cause the air acquired from the intake port to flow around the battery and create negative pressure inside the tank, and when a fire is detected, close the air intake valve, close the auxiliary valve, and open the intermediate valve to draw air inside the container into the tank and reduce the oxygen concentration inside the container compared to before the fire was detected.

[0012] The fire extinguishing system further includes a tank having an internal space and provided between the container and the pump in the exhaust flow path, an intermediate valve provided between the container and the tank in the exhaust flow path and capable of opening and closing a flow path between the container and the tank in the exhaust flow path, an intake flow path communicating with a portion of the exhaust flow path between the tank and the pump and having an intake port capable of obtaining air outside the container, an intake valve capable of opening and closing the intake flow path, an air-cooled device which is a device to be air-cooled, a supply flow path communicating with a portion of the exhaust flow path between the pump and the exhaust port and capable of supplying air to the air-cooled device, and a switching valve provided at a portion where the supply flow path is connected to the exhaust flow path, and the switching valve is provided between the exhaust flow path on the pump side and the switching valve. The control device is configured to be able to switch between a first switching state in which the exhaust flow path on the pump side of the switching valve is connected to the supply flow path, and a second switching state in which the exhaust flow path on the exhaust port side of the switching valve is connected to the exhaust flow path on the exhaust port side of the switching valve.When a fire is not detected, the control device may switch the switching valve to the first switching state, close the intermediate valve, open the intake valve, and operate the pump to flow air obtained from the intake port to the air-cooled device and create negative pressure inside the tank, and when a fire is detected, switch the switching valve to the second switching state, close the intake valve, and open the intermediate valve to draw air from inside the container into the tank and reduce the oxygen concentration inside the container compared to before the fire was detected.

[0013] The fire extinguishing system may further include an air-water separator that is provided on the container side of the exhaust flow path relative to the pump and separates moisture contained in the air flowing through the exhaust flow path from the air flowing through the exhaust flow path. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily restore the state before the fire after the fire has been extinguished. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a fire extinguishing system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of operations of the fire extinguishing control unit of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire extinguishing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of operations of the fire extinguishing control unit of the second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire extinguishing system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire extinguishing system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of operations of the fire extinguishing control unit of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire extinguishing system according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of operations of the fire extinguishing control unit of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire extinguishing system according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of operations of the fire extinguishing control unit of the sixth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire extinguishing system according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of operations of the fire extinguishing control unit of the seventh embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire extinguishing system according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of operations of the fire extinguishing control unit of the eighth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire extinguishing system according to the ninth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values ​​shown in the embodiments are merely examples for ease of understanding, and do not limit the present disclosure unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to avoid repeated explanations, and elements not directly related to the present disclosure are not illustrated.

[0017] (First embodiment) 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a fire extinguishing system 1 according to a first embodiment. The fire extinguishing system 1 includes a battery 10, a container 12, a fire detection sensor 14, an exhaust passage 16, a pump 18, a user interface 20, and a control device 22.

[0018] Battery 10 may be a battery of any known composition, such as a lithium ion battery, a sodium sulfur battery, or a nickel cadmium battery. Battery 10 may be a secondary battery capable of being charged and discharged, or a primary battery capable of only being discharged. Battery 10 may be one battery module, or may include multiple battery modules.

[0019] The battery 10 is installed, for example, in a power generation facility and stores the power generated by a power generation device. Note that application examples of the battery 10 are not limited to those illustrated. For example, the battery 10 may be mounted on an electric vehicle and supply power to a motor generator. Also, the battery 10 of the fire extinguishing system 1 is not limited to being in use, and may be in a state of being transported, for example.

[0020] The container 12 is a hollow vessel. The container 12 forms a space inside the container 12 that can accommodate the battery 10. The battery 10 is accommodated inside the container 12. While FIG. 1 shows an example in which one battery 10 is accommodated inside the container 12, the number of batteries 10 accommodated inside the container 12 is not limited to one, and may be any number of two or more.

[0021] The present invention is not limited to a configuration in which the battery 10 is directly accommodated in the container 12. For example, the battery 10 may be accommodated inside a battery pack, and the battery pack accommodating the battery 10 may be accommodated inside the container 12. Furthermore, the battery 10 may be accommodated inside a battery pack, and the battery pack accommodating the battery 10 may function as the container 12 of the fire extinguishing system 1.

[0022] However, there is a risk that the battery 10 inside the container 12 may ignite due to some malfunction or abnormality, causing a fire inside the container 12. The fire extinguishing system 1 extinguishes a fire inside the container 12, in other words, a fire in the battery 10. Hereinafter, the space inside the container 12 in which the battery 10 is housed may be referred to as the fire extinguishing target space.

[0023] The fire detection sensor 14 is provided in the space to be extinguished. The fire detection sensor 14 is configured to be able to detect the occurrence of a fire inside the container 12.

[0024] The fire detection sensor 14 may detect the radiant heat of the battery 10 by using infrared rays, for example. The fire detection sensor 14 may detect the occurrence of a fire by determining that a fire has occurred when the detected radiant heat is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, or when the amount of change in the detected radiant heat over time is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount of change. The fire detection sensor 14 may also detect the temperature of the space to be extinguished, for example. The fire detection sensor 14 may detect the occurrence of a fire by determining that a fire has occurred when the detected temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, or when the amount of change in the detected temperature over time is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount of change. The fire detection sensor 14 may detect the occurrence of a fire by applying a known technique for detecting a fire, without being limited to the method illustrated.

[0025] A first communication hole 30 is provided at a predetermined position on the wall surface of the container 12. The container 12 is sealed except for the first communication hole 30. In other words, if the first communication hole 30 were closed, the inside of the container 12 would be completely blocked.

[0026] The exhaust flow path 16 is formed, for example, in a tubular shape. The exhaust flow path 16 is configured to allow air to flow inside the exhaust flow path 16. The exhaust flow path 16 is connected to the outer surface of the wall surface of the container 12 in the periphery of a first communication hole 30 of the container 12. The exhaust flow path 16 communicates with the internal space of the container 12 through the first communication hole 30.

[0027] An exhaust port 32 is formed at the end of the exhaust flow passage 16 opposite to the first communication hole 30. The exhaust port 32 opens into the space outside the container 12.

[0028] The pump 18 is provided in the exhaust flow path 16. The pump 18 is configured to be able to suck in air inside the container 12 through the exhaust flow path 16 and discharge it from the exhaust port 32 when it is operated. In other words, the pump 18 is able to lower the air pressure in the space inside the container 12 below atmospheric pressure when it is operated. As a result, the pump 18 is able to lower the oxygen concentration in the space inside the container 12 to a level lower than when the pump 18 is stopped.

[0029] As will be described later, the fire extinguishing system 1 substantially reduces the oxygen concentration in the space inside the container 12 by sucking out the air inside the container 12 using the pump 18. Since a fire needs a certain concentration or more of oxygen to burn, the fire extinguishing system 1 can extinguish a fire by substantially reducing the oxygen concentration.

[0030] The pump 18 is, for example, an electric pump that operates by consuming power supplied from the power source 34. Note that the pump 18 is not limited to an electric pump, and may be, for example, a known pump that is capable of reducing the air pressure in the internal space of the container 12, such as a mechanically operated pump.

[0031] The power source 34 that supplies power to the pump 18 is an electric power system outside the container 12, or another battery provided outside the container 12. Since the pump 18 operates using power from the power source 34 outside the container 12, the pump 18 can be operated reliably even if the performance of the battery 10 inside the container 12 is reduced due to a fire.

[0032] The battery 10 inside the container 12 may be used as the power source 34 that supplies power to the pump 18. In this embodiment, the pump 18 can be operated until the voltage of the battery 10 inside the container 12 drops below the voltage required for the operation of the pump 18, thereby suppressing the severity of the fire.

[0033] The user interface 20 includes any input device that accepts an input operation from a user, such as a touch panel, etc. The user interface 20 includes an output device that can display various types of information, such as a liquid crystal display, etc.

[0034] The control device 22 includes one or more processors 40 and one or more memories 42 connected to the processor 40. The memory 42 includes a ROM in which programs and the like are stored, and a RAM as a work area. The processor 40 controls the entire fire extinguishing system 1 in cooperation with the programs stored in the memory 42. The processor 40 also functions as a fire extinguishing control unit 44 by executing the programs.

[0035] The fire extinguishing control unit 44 acquires the detection result of the fire detection sensor 14. When a fire is detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 operates the pump 18 to reduce the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 compared to before the fire was detected. As a result, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 extinguishes the fire inside the container 12.

[0036] 2 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the operation of the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the first embodiment. The fire extinguishing control unit 44 repeatedly executes the series of processes in FIG. 2 every time a predetermined interrupt timing occurs at a predetermined cycle.

[0037] When a predetermined interrupt timing arrives, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 determines whether or not a fire has been detected by the fire detection sensor 14 (S10).

[0038] If no fire is detected (NO in S10), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 stops the pump 18 (S11) and ends the series of processes. If no fire was detected at the previous interrupt timing and no fire is detected at the current interrupt timing, the pump 18 remains stopped.

[0039] If a fire is detected (YES in S10), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 operates the pump 18 (S12). As a result, the air inside the container 12 is sucked out of the container 12 by the pump 18, and the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 decreases. When the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 falls below an oxygen concentration at which the fire can continue, the fire inside the container 12 is extinguished.

[0040] Here, for example, when a firefighter confirms that the fire has been extinguished, the firefighter inputs a stop command to stop the pump 18 through the user interface 20. The fire extinguishing control unit 44 determines whether or not a stop command to stop the pump 18 has been received (S13).

[0041] If a stop command has not been received (NO in S13), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 ends the series of processes. In this case, the operation of the pump 18 continues. By continuing the operation of the pump 18, the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 continues to decrease. As a result, the fire inside the container 12 can be appropriately extinguished.

[0042] When the stop command is received (YES in S13), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 stops the pump 18 (S14) and ends the series of processes. Note that the stop command is maintained, for example, until the interior of the container 12 is restored to the state before the fire and the fire detection is cleared.

[0043] As described above, when a fire is detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1 of the first embodiment operates the pump 18 to reduce the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 compared to before the fire was detected. As a result, the fire is extinguished.

[0044] As a result, the fire extinguishing system 1 of the first embodiment can extinguish a fire inside the container 12 without using an extinguishing agent or water. Therefore, the fire extinguishing system 1 of the first embodiment does not need to remove the extinguishing agent or water after the fire is extinguished, and it is possible to easily restore the state before the fire after the fire is extinguished.

[0045] Second embodiment 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire extinguishing system 1A according to the second embodiment. The fire extinguishing system 1A of the second embodiment differs from the fire extinguishing system 1 of the first embodiment in that it has an air pressure sensor 50 and an exhaust valve 52, and in the specific control content of the fire extinguishing control unit 44. The other components are configured similarly to the fire extinguishing system 1 of the first embodiment. Here, a description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted, and the different configuration will be described in detail.

[0046] The air pressure sensor 50 is provided in the space to be extinguished. The air pressure sensor 50 is configured to be able to detect the air pressure inside the container 12.

[0047] The exhaust valve 52 is provided in the exhaust flow path 16. In the example of Fig. 3, the exhaust valve 52 is provided in a portion of the exhaust flow path 16 between the container 12 and the pump 18, but may be provided in any portion of the exhaust flow path 16. The exhaust valve 52 is configured to be able to open and close the exhaust flow path 16.

[0048] 4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the operation of the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the second embodiment. The fire extinguishing control unit 44 repeatedly executes the series of processes in FIG. 4 every time a predetermined interrupt timing occurs at a predetermined cycle.

[0049] When a predetermined interrupt timing arrives, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 determines whether or not a fire has been detected by the fire detection sensor 14 (S20).

[0050] If no fire is detected (NO in S20), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the exhaust valve 52 (S21) and stops the pump 18 (S22), and ends the series of processes.

[0051] If a fire is detected (YES in S20), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 acquires the detection result of the air pressure sensor 50 and determines whether the air pressure inside the container 12 is equal to or lower than a predetermined air pressure (S23). The predetermined air pressure here is set to, for example, 1 / 1000 of atmospheric pressure, but may be set to any air pressure at which the oxygen concentration becomes low enough to allow the fire to be appropriately extinguished.

[0052] If the air pressure inside the container 12 is higher than the predetermined air pressure (NO in S23), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 opens the exhaust valve 52 (S24), operates the pump 18 (S25), and ends the series of processes. That is, the air inside the container 12 is sucked out by the pump 18 until the air pressure inside the container 12 becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure.

[0053] When the air pressure inside the container 12 falls below a predetermined pressure, the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 falls to a level where the fire can be properly extinguished, and therefore the fire inside the container 12 is extinguished.

[0054] If the air pressure inside the container 12 is equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure (YES in S23), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the exhaust valve 52 (S26), stops the pump 18 (S27), and ends the series of processes. In other words, the air pressure inside the container 12 is maintained at or lower than the predetermined air pressure, and the state inside the container 12 is appropriately maintained in a state in which the fire is extinguished.

[0055] As described above, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1A of the second embodiment reduces the oxygen concentration inside the container 12, as in the first embodiment. As a result, the fire is extinguished. Therefore, in the fire extinguishing system 1A of the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is not necessary to remove the extinguishing agent or water after the fire is extinguished, and it is possible to easily restore the state before the fire after the fire is extinguished.

[0056] In addition, in the fire extinguishing system 1A of the second embodiment, the pump 18 can be automatically stopped when a fire is extinguished without the firefighters inputting a stop command, thereby reducing the labor of the firefighters.

[0057] In addition, in the second embodiment of the fire extinguishing system 1A, the internal condition of the container 12 is appropriately maintained in a state in which the fire has been extinguished, and the operation of the pump 18 is not continued unnecessarily, thereby making it possible to reduce the energy required to operate the pump 18 while ensuring safety.

[0058] Third embodiment 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire extinguishing system 1B according to the third embodiment. The fire extinguishing system 1B of the third embodiment differs from the fire extinguishing system 1 of the first embodiment in that it has a filter 60. The other components are configured similarly to the fire extinguishing system 1 of the first embodiment. Here, a description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted, and the different configuration will be described in detail.

[0059] The filter 60 is provided in the exhaust flow path 16. In the example of Fig. 5, the filter 60 is provided in a portion of the exhaust flow path 16 between the container 12 and the pump 18, but the filter 60 may be provided in any portion of the exhaust flow path 16.

[0060] The filter 60 captures environmental load substances that are generated in the event of a fire. Environmental load substances are substances that may place a load on the environment. For example, when the battery 10 is a lithium ion battery, an example of the environmental load substance is hydrogen fluoride (HF). Since the environmental load substances differ depending on the type of battery 10, the filter 60 is configured to be able to appropriately capture the environmental load substances for each type of battery 10.

[0061] In the fire extinguishing system 1B of the third embodiment, when the air inside the container 12 is exhausted from the exhaust port 32 through the exhaust passage 16 by the operation of the pump 18, environmental load substances generated inside the container 12 are collected by the filter 60.

[0062] As described above, in the fire extinguishing system 1B of the third embodiment, the environmental load substances are collected by the filter 60, so that the environmental load substances can be prevented from being discharged into the space outside the container 12.

[0063] Moreover, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1B of the third embodiment reduces the oxygen concentration inside the container 12, as in the first embodiment. As a result, the fire is extinguished. Therefore, in the fire extinguishing system 1B of the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is not necessary to remove the fire extinguishing agent or water after the fire is extinguished, and it is possible to easily restore the state before the fire after the fire is extinguished.

[0064] (Fourth embodiment) FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire extinguishing system 1C according to the fourth embodiment. In the fire extinguishing system 1C according to the fourth embodiment, an air pressure sensor 50 and an exhaust valve 52 similar to those in the second embodiment, and a filter 60 similar to those in the third embodiment are added to the fire extinguishing system 1 according to the first embodiment. Furthermore, the fire extinguishing system 1C according to the fourth embodiment has an air supply flow path 70 and an air supply valve 72, and is different from the fire extinguishing system 1 according to the first embodiment in terms of the specific control contents of the extinguishing control unit 44. The other components are configured similarly to the fire extinguishing system 1 according to the first embodiment. Here, the description of the same configurations as those in the first to third embodiments will be omitted, and the different configurations will be described in detail.

[0065] In the fire extinguishing system 1C of the fourth embodiment, the exhaust valve 52 is provided in a portion of the exhaust flow path 16 between the container 12 and the pump 18. The filter 60 is provided in a portion of the exhaust flow path 16 between the container 12 and the exhaust valve 52. Note that in the fourth embodiment, the exhaust valve 52 and the filter 60 may be omitted.

[0066] A second communication hole 74 is provided in the wall surface of the container 12 at a position different from the first communication hole 30. The second communication hole 74 is provided, for example, in the wall surface of the container 12 opposite to the wall surface in which the first communication hole 30 is provided. The container 12 is sealed except for the first communication hole 30 and the second communication hole 74. In other words, if the first communication hole 30 and the second communication hole 74 were closed, the inside of the container 12 would be completely blocked.

[0067] The air supply passage 70 is formed, for example, in a tubular shape. The air supply passage 70 is configured to allow air to flow inside the air supply passage 70. The air supply passage 70 is connected to the outer surface of the wall surface of the container 12 in the periphery of a second communication hole 74 of the container 12. The air supply passage 70 is connected to the internal space of the container 12 through the second communication hole 74.

[0068] An intake port 76 is formed at the tip of the air intake passage 70 on the opposite side to the second communication hole 74. The intake port 76 opens to the space outside the container 12. The intake port 76 is capable of acquiring air outside the container 12 into the inside of the air intake passage 70. The air intake passage 70 is configured to be able to supply the air acquired through the intake port 76 to the space inside the container 12.

[0069] The air intake valve 72 is provided in the air intake passage 70. The air intake valve 72 is configured to be able to open and close the air intake passage 70.

[0070] In the fourth embodiment, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 opens both the air intake valve 72 and the exhaust valve 52 and operates the pump 18 when no fire is detected. In an aspect in which the exhaust valve 52 is omitted, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 opens the air intake valve 72 and operates the pump 18 when no fire is detected. In this way, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 causes the air acquired from the acquisition port 76 to flow around the battery 10. When the air flows around the battery 10, heat exchange between the battery 10 and the air is promoted, and the battery 10 is cooled. In other words, the battery 10 is air-cooled.

[0071] When a fire is detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fourth embodiment closes the air intake valve 72, opens the exhaust valve 52, and operates the pump 18. In an aspect in which the exhaust valve 52 is omitted, when a fire is detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the air intake valve 72 and operates the pump 18. In this way, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 reduces the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 compared to before the fire was detected. As a result, the fire is extinguished.

[0072] Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the operation of the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fourth embodiment. The fire extinguishing control unit 44 repeatedly executes the series of processes in Fig. 7 every time a predetermined interrupt timing occurs at a predetermined cycle.

[0073] When a predetermined interrupt timing arrives, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 determines whether or not a fire has been detected by the fire detection sensor 14 (S30).

[0074] If no fire is detected (NO in S30), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 opens the intake valve 72 (S31) and opens the exhaust valve 52 (S32). This allows the flow path from the intake port 76 to the exhaust port 32 to be substantially connected.

[0075] In this state, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 operates the pump 18 (S33) and ends the series of processes. As a result, air outside the container 12 is acquired through the acquisition port 76, and the acquired air flows through the air supply passage 70, the container 12, the exhaust passage 16, and the exhaust port 32 in that order. Then, the battery 10 present in the middle of the air flow path from the acquisition port 76 to the exhaust port 32 is air-cooled by the air acquired through the acquisition port 76.

[0076] When a fire is detected (YES in S30), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 first closes the intake valve (S34). This blocks the air intake passage 70, and prevents air from being taken in through the intake port 76. In other words, air cooling of the battery 10 is interrupted.

[0077] Next, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 obtains the detection result of the air pressure sensor 50 and determines whether the air pressure inside the container 12 is equal to or lower than a predetermined air pressure (S35). The predetermined air pressure here is set to, for example, 1 / 1000 of the atmospheric pressure, but may be set to any air pressure at which the oxygen concentration becomes low enough to allow the fire to be appropriately extinguished.

[0078] If the air pressure inside the container 12 is not equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure (NO in S35), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 opens the exhaust valve 52 (S36), operates the pump 18 (S37), and ends the series of processes. In other words, the air inside the container 12 is sucked out by the pump 18 until the air pressure inside the container 12 becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure.

[0079] When the air pressure inside the container 12 falls below a predetermined pressure, the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 falls to a level where the fire can be properly extinguished, and therefore the fire inside the container 12 is extinguished.

[0080] If the air pressure inside the container 12 is equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure (YES in S35), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the exhaust valve 52 (S38), stops the pump 18 (S39), and ends the series of processes. In other words, the air pressure inside the container 12 is maintained at or lower than the predetermined air pressure, and the state inside the container 12 is appropriately maintained in a state in which the fire is extinguished.

[0081] As described above, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1C of the fourth embodiment operates the pump 18 to air-cool the battery 10 when a fire is not detected. Furthermore, when a fire is detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1C of the fourth embodiment stops air-cooling the battery 10 and operates the pump 18 to reduce the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 compared to before the fire was detected, thereby extinguishing the fire. In other words, in the fire extinguishing system 1C of the fourth embodiment, the pump 18 used to extinguish a fire is used for air-cooling the battery 10 even when a fire is not detected.

[0082] Therefore, in the fourth embodiment of the fire extinguishing system 1C, the pump 18 can be effectively utilized to cool the battery 10 not only when extinguishing a fire, but also during normal times when no fire has occurred, thereby improving the significance of the pump 18.

[0083] In addition, in the fire extinguishing system 1C of the fourth embodiment, the battery 10 is air-cooled during normal times when no fire has occurred, thereby making it possible to prevent the battery 10 from catching fire and to prevent a fire inside the container 12.

[0084] Moreover, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1C of the fourth embodiment reduces the oxygen concentration inside the container 12, as in the first embodiment. As a result, the fire is extinguished. Therefore, in the fire extinguishing system 1C of the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is not necessary to remove the fire extinguishing agent or water after the fire is extinguished, and it is possible to easily restore the state before the fire after the fire is extinguished.

[0085] Fifth embodiment FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire extinguishing system 1D according to the fifth embodiment. In the fire extinguishing system 1D according to the fifth embodiment, the air pressure sensor 50 and the exhaust valve 52 similar to those in the second embodiment, and the filter 60 similar to those in the third embodiment are added to the fire extinguishing system 1 according to the first embodiment. Furthermore, the fire extinguishing system 1D according to the fifth embodiment has an intake flow path 80, an intake valve 82, an air-cooled device 84, a supply flow path 86, and a switching valve 88, and is different from the fire extinguishing system 1 according to the first embodiment in terms of the specific control contents of the extinguishing control unit 44. The other components are configured similarly to the fire extinguishing system 1 according to the first embodiment. Here, the description of the same configurations as those in the first to third embodiments will be omitted, and the different configurations will be described in detail. The fire extinguishing system 1D according to the fifth embodiment is a modified example of the fire extinguishing system 1C according to the fourth embodiment.

[0086] In the fire extinguishing system 1D of the fifth embodiment, the exhaust valve 52 is provided in a portion of the exhaust flow path 16 between the container 12 and the pump 18. The exhaust valve 52 is configured to be able to open and close the flow path between the container 12 and the pump 18 in the exhaust flow path 16. The filter 60 is provided in a portion of the exhaust flow path 16 between the container 12 and the exhaust valve 52. Note that in the fifth embodiment, the filter 60 may be omitted.

[0087] The intake passage 80 is formed, for example, in a tubular shape. The intake passage 80 is configured to allow air to flow inside the intake passage 80. The intake passage 80 communicates with a portion of the exhaust passage 16 between the exhaust valve 52 and the pump 18.

[0088] An intake port 90 is formed at the tip of the intake passage 80 on the opposite side to the exhaust passage 16. The intake port 90 opens to the space outside the container 12. The intake port 90 is capable of acquiring air outside the container 12 into the intake passage 80. The intake passage 80 is configured to be able to send the air acquired through the intake port 90 to a passage in the exhaust passage 16 between the exhaust valve 52 and the pump 18.

[0089] The intake valve 82 is provided in the intake passage 80. The intake valve 82 is configured to be able to open and close the intake passage 80.

[0090] The air-cooled device 84 is a device that is to be air-cooled, and is located outside the container 12. The air-cooled device 84 is a device different from the battery 10 inside the container 12. In the fourth embodiment, the battery 10 is the target of air cooling, but in the fifth embodiment, the air-cooled device 84 is the target of air cooling.

[0091] The air-cooled device 84 may be any device for which cooling is desired, such as an air conditioner or any heat exchanger, or may be a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with a heat medium of a circuit that regulates the temperature of the battery 10.

[0092] The supply flow path 86 is formed, for example, in a tubular shape. The supply flow path 86 is configured to allow air to flow inside the supply flow path 86. The supply flow path 86 communicates with a portion of the exhaust flow path 16 between the pump 18 and the exhaust port 32. An end of the supply flow path 86 opposite the exhaust flow path 16 is connected to the air-cooled target device 84. The supply flow path 86 is configured to allow air sent from the exhaust flow path 16 to be supplied to the air-cooled target device 84.

[0093] The switching valve 88 is provided at a portion where the supply flow path 86 is connected to the exhaust flow path 16. The switching valve 88 is configured to be switchable between a first switching state and a second switching state.

[0094] The first switching state of the switching valve 88 is a state in which the exhaust flow path 16 on the pump 18 side and the supply flow path 86 are connected to the switching valve 88. That is, in the first switching state, the flow from the pump 18 toward the air-cooled target device 84 is permitted, and the flow from the pump 18 toward the exhaust port 32 is blocked.

[0095] The second switching state of the switching valve 88 is a state in which the exhaust flow path 16 on the pump 18 side and the exhaust flow path 16 on the exhaust port 32 side are connected to the switching valve 88. That is, in the second switching state, the flow from the pump 18 toward the exhaust port 32 is permitted, and the flow from the pump 18 toward the air-cooled device 84 is blocked.

[0096] When no fire is detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fifth embodiment switches the switching valve 88 to the first switching state, closes the exhaust valve 52, opens the intake valve 82, and operates the pump 18. In this way, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 causes air obtained from the intake port 90 to flow to the air-cooled target device 84. When air flows to the air-cooled target device 84, heat exchange between the air and the air is promoted, and the air-cooled target device 84 is cooled. In other words, the air-cooled target device 84 is air-cooled.

[0097] When a fire is detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fifth embodiment switches the switching valve 88 to the second switching state, closes the intake valve 82, opens the exhaust valve 52, and operates the pump 18. In this way, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 reduces the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 compared to before the fire was detected. As a result, the fire is extinguished.

[0098] Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the operation of the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fifth embodiment. The fire extinguishing control unit 44 repeatedly executes the series of processes in Fig. 9 every time a predetermined interrupt timing occurs at a predetermined cycle.

[0099] When a predetermined interrupt timing arrives, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 determines whether or not a fire has been detected by the fire detection sensor 14 (S50).

[0100] If no fire is detected (NO in S50), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 first switches the switching valve 88 to the first switching state (S51). This allows the flow from the pump 18 to the air-cooled device 84.

[0101] Next, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the exhaust valve 52 (S52) and opens the intake valve 82 (S53). As a result, the flow path from the intake port 90 to the air-cooled target device 84 is substantially connected, and the internal space of the container 12 is isolated from the intake port 90 and the air-cooled target device 84.

[0102] In this state, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 operates the pump 18 (S54) and ends the series of processes. As a result, air outside the container 12 is acquired through the intake port 90, and the acquired air flows through the intake flow path 80, the exhaust flow path 16, the supply flow path 86, and the air-cooled target device 84 in this order. As a result, the air-cooled target device 84 is air-cooled by the air acquired through the intake port 90. At this time, since the exhaust valve 52 is in a closed state, the acquired air is not sent into the inside of the container 12.

[0103] When a fire is detected (YES in S50), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 first switches the switching valve 88 to the second switching state (S55). This allows the flow from the pump 18 toward the exhaust port 32.

[0104] Next, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the intake valve 82 (S56). This blocks the intake flow path 80, and prevents air from being taken in through the intake port 90. In other words, air cooling of the air-cooled target device 84 is interrupted.

[0105] Next, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 obtains the detection result of the air pressure sensor 50 and determines whether the air pressure inside the container 12 is equal to or lower than a predetermined air pressure (S57). The predetermined air pressure here is set to, for example, 1 / 1000 of the atmospheric pressure, but may be set to any air pressure at which the oxygen concentration becomes low enough to allow the fire to be appropriately extinguished.

[0106] If the air pressure inside the container 12 is not equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure (NO in S57), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 opens the exhaust valve 52 (S58), operates the pump 18 (S59), and ends the series of processes. In other words, the air inside the container 12 is sucked out by the pump 18 until the air pressure inside the container 12 becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure.

[0107] When the air pressure inside the container 12 falls below a predetermined pressure, the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 falls to a level where the fire can be properly extinguished, and therefore the fire inside the container 12 is extinguished.

[0108] If the air pressure inside the container 12 is equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure (YES in S57), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the exhaust valve 52 (S60), stops the pump 18 (S61), and ends the series of processes. In other words, the air pressure inside the container 12 is maintained at or lower than the predetermined air pressure, and the state inside the container 12 is appropriately maintained in a state in which the fire is extinguished.

[0109] As described above, when no fire is detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1D of the fifth embodiment operates the pump 18 to air-cool the air-cooled device 84. Furthermore, when a fire is detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1D of the fifth embodiment stops air-cooling the air-cooled device 84 and operates the pump 18 to reduce the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 compared to before the fire was detected, thereby extinguishing the fire. In other words, in the fire extinguishing system 1D of the fifth embodiment, the pump 18 used to extinguish a fire is used to air-cool the air-cooled device 84 even when no fire is detected.

[0110] For this reason, in the fire extinguishing system 1D of the fifth embodiment, the pump 18 can be effectively utilized to cool the air-cooled device 84 not only during fire extinguishing but also during normal times when no fire has occurred, thereby improving the significance of the pump 18.

[0111] Moreover, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1D of the fifth embodiment reduces the oxygen concentration inside the container 12, as in the first embodiment. As a result, the fire is extinguished. Therefore, in the fire extinguishing system 1D of the fifth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is not necessary to remove the fire extinguishing agent or water after the fire is extinguished, and it is possible to easily restore the state before the fire after the fire is extinguished.

[0112] Sixth embodiment FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire extinguishing system 1E according to the sixth embodiment. In the fire extinguishing system 1E of the sixth embodiment, an air pressure sensor 50 and an exhaust valve 52 similar to those of the second embodiment are added to the fire extinguishing system 1 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the fire extinguishing system 1E of the sixth embodiment has a tank 100, an air pressure sensor 102, and an intermediate valve 104, and differs from the fire extinguishing system 1 of the first embodiment in terms of the specific control content of the extinguishing control unit 44. The other components have the same configuration as the fire extinguishing system 1 of the first embodiment. Here, the description of the same configuration as the first and second embodiments will be omitted, and the different configuration will be described in detail.

[0113] In the fire extinguishing system 1E of the sixth embodiment, the tank 100 is a hollow vessel having a space therein. The tank 100 preferably has a volume equal to or larger than the volume of the gap inside the container 12.

[0114] A first opening 110 is provided at a predetermined position on the wall surface of the tank 100. A second opening 112 is provided at a position different from the first opening 110 on the wall surface of the tank 100. The second opening 112 is provided, for example, on the wall surface of the tank 100 opposite to the wall surface on which the first opening 110 is provided. The tank 100 is sealed except for the first opening 110 and the second opening 112. In other words, if the first opening 110 and the second opening 112 are closed, the inside of the tank 100 will be completely blocked.

[0115] The tank 100 is provided in a portion of the exhaust flow path 16 between the container 12 and the pump 18. The internal space of the tank 100 communicates with the container 12 side of the exhaust flow path 16 through a first opening 110. The internal space of the tank 100 communicates with the pump 18 side of the exhaust flow path 16 through a second opening 112.

[0116] The air pressure sensor 102 is provided in the internal space of the tank 100. The air pressure sensor 102 is configured to be able to detect the air pressure inside the tank 100.

[0117] The intermediate valve 104 is provided in a portion of the exhaust flow path 16 between the container 12 and the tank 100. The intermediate valve 104 is configured to be able to open and close the flow path in the exhaust flow path 16 between the container 12 and the tank 100.

[0118] The exhaust valve 52 is provided in a portion of the exhaust flow path 16 between the tank 100 and the pump 18. The exhaust valve 52 is configured to be able to open and close the flow path in the exhaust flow path between the tank 100 and the pump 18. Note that in the sixth embodiment, the exhaust valve 52 may be omitted.

[0119] In the sixth embodiment, when no fire is detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the intermediate valve 104, opens the exhaust valve 52, and operates the pump 18. In an aspect in which the exhaust valve 52 is omitted, when no fire is detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the intermediate valve 104 and operates the pump 18. By doing so, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 creates a negative pressure inside the tank 100. In other words, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 creates a negative pressure inside the tank 100 in advance before a fire is detected.

[0120] When a fire is detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the sixth embodiment opens the intermediate valve 104 to draw air inside the container 12 into the tank 100, thereby decreasing the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 compared to before the fire was detected. As a result, the fire is extinguished.

[0121] In the fire extinguishing system 1E of the sixth embodiment, it is preferable that the tank 100 has a volume equal to or greater than the volume of the gap inside the container 12 so that the air inside the container 12 is appropriately sucked into the tank 100.

[0122] Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the operation of the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the sixth embodiment. The fire extinguishing control unit 44 repeatedly executes the series of processes in Fig. 11 every time a predetermined interrupt timing occurs at a predetermined cycle.

[0123] When a predetermined interrupt timing arrives, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 determines whether or not a fire has been detected by the fire detection sensor 14 (S70).

[0124] When no fire is detected (NO in S70), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 first closes the intermediate valve 104 (S71). This isolates the internal space of the container 12 from the tank 100.

[0125] Next, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 obtains the detection result of the air pressure sensor 102 and determines whether the air pressure inside the tank 100 is equal to or lower than a predetermined air pressure (S72). The predetermined air pressure here is set to, for example, 1 / 1000 of the atmospheric pressure, but may be set to any air pressure at which the oxygen concentration becomes low enough to allow the fire to be appropriately extinguished. The predetermined air pressure here may also be set taking into consideration the volume of the tank 100.

[0126] If the air pressure inside the tank 100 is not equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure (NO in S72), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 opens the exhaust valve 52 (S73), operates the pump 18 (S74), and ends the series of processes. That is, the air inside the tank 100 is sucked out by the pump 18 until the air pressure inside the tank 100 becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure. As a result, the space inside the tank 100 becomes negatively pressurized equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure.

[0127] If the air pressure inside the tank 100 is equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure (YES in S72), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the exhaust valve 52 (S75), stops the pump 18 (S76), and ends the series of processes. As a result, the air pressure inside the tank 100 is maintained at a negative pressure in advance during normal times when no fire is detected.

[0128] If a fire is detected (YES in S70), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 acquires the detection result of the air pressure sensor 50 and determines whether the air pressure inside the container 12 is equal to or lower than a predetermined air pressure (S77). The predetermined air pressure here is set to, for example, 1 / 1000 of atmospheric pressure, but may be set to any air pressure at which the oxygen concentration becomes low enough to allow the fire to be appropriately extinguished.

[0129] If the air pressure inside the container 12 is not equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure (NO in S77), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 opens the intermediate valve 104 (S78). Here, since the air pressure inside the tank 100 is negative, the air inside the container 12 is sucked into the space inside the tank 100 through the flow path between the container 12 and the tank 100 in the exhaust flow path 16. This causes the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 to decrease. When the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 decreases to a level at which the fire can be properly extinguished, the fire inside the container 12 is extinguished.

[0130] After opening the intermediate valve 104, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 further operates the pump 18 (S79).

[0131] Here, the operating state of the pump 18 may not be stable immediately after the start of operation of the pump 18. When the operating state is unstable, the suction performance of the pump 18 may be reduced compared to when the operating state is stable. If the exhaust valve 52 is opened when the suction performance of the pump 18 is reduced, the pump 18 may not be able to properly suck out air from inside the tank 100, which is under negative pressure.

[0132] In consideration of this, after operating the pump 18, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 determines whether or not the operating state of the pump 18 is stable (S80). For example, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 may determine that the operating state of the pump 18 is stable when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of operation of the pump 18 until the operating state becomes stable. Note that the specific method of determining whether the operating state of the pump 18 is stable is not limited to the exemplified embodiment, and any method capable of appropriately determining that the operating state of the pump 18 is stable may be used.

[0133] When it is determined that the operating state of the pump 18 is not stable (NO in S80), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the exhaust valve 52 (S81) and ends the series of processes. In this case, the air inside the container 12 is sucked into the tank 100, but since the flow path between the tank 100 and the pump 18 is blocked, the air sucked into the tank 100 is retained inside the tank 100.

[0134] When it is determined that the operating state of the pump 18 is stable (YES in S80), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 opens the exhaust valve 52 (S82) and ends the series of processes. As a result, the tank 100 is in communication with the pump 18, so that the air sucked into the tank 100 is sucked out by the pump 18 and discharged from the exhaust port 32.

[0135] The pump 18 also sucks out the air inside the container 12 through the tank 100. The air inside the container 12 is reduced by both the suction by the tank 100 and the suction by the pump 18, so that the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 can be more reliably reduced.

[0136] When the air pressure inside the container 12 falls below a predetermined pressure, the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 falls to a level where the fire can be properly extinguished, and therefore the fire inside the container 12 is extinguished.

[0137] If the air pressure inside the container 12 is equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure (YES in S77), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the intermediate valve 104 (S83). Then, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the exhaust valve 52 (S84), stops the pump 18 (S85), and ends the series of processes. In other words, the air pressure inside the container 12 is maintained at or lower than the predetermined air pressure, and the state inside the container 12 is appropriately maintained in a state in which the fire is extinguished.

[0138] As described above, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1E of the sixth embodiment creates a negative pressure inside the tank 100 by the pump 18 during normal times when no fire is detected. Then, when a fire is detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1E of the sixth embodiment causes the tank 100, which has been previously placed under negative pressure, to suck in the air inside the container 12, thereby reducing the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 compared to before the fire was detected, thereby extinguishing the fire.

[0139] Suction of air by the tank 100, which has been previously set to negative pressure, can reduce the air inside the container 12, in other words, the oxygen concentration inside the container 12, more quickly than sucking out the air by the pump 18.

[0140] Therefore, in the fire extinguishing system 1E of the sixth embodiment, it is possible to more quickly reduce the oxygen concentration inside the container 12. As a result, in the fire extinguishing system 1E of the sixth embodiment, it is possible to more quickly extinguish a fire inside the container 12.

[0141] Moreover, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1E of the sixth embodiment reduces the oxygen concentration inside the container 12, as in the first embodiment. As a result, the fire is extinguished. Therefore, in the fire extinguishing system 1E of the sixth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is not necessary to remove the fire extinguishing agent or water after the fire is extinguished, and it is possible to easily restore the state before the fire after the fire is extinguished.

[0142] The filter 60 shown in the third embodiment may be provided in the fire extinguishing system 1E of the sixth embodiment. In this case, it is preferable to provide the filter 60 on the exhaust passage 16 closer to the exhaust port 32 than the tank 100, rather than between the container 12 and the tank 100 in the exhaust passage 16. If the filter 60 is provided between the container 12 and the tank 100 in the exhaust passage 16, the suction force when the tank 100 sucks in the air inside the container 12 may be reduced due to pressure loss of the filter 60. However, by providing the filter 60 on the exhaust passage 16 closer to the exhaust port 32 than the tank 100, it is possible to avoid a reduction in the suction force when the tank 100 sucks in the air inside the container 12.

[0143] Seventh embodiment FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire extinguishing system 1F according to the seventh embodiment. The fire extinguishing system 1F according to the seventh embodiment roughly corresponds to a combination of the fire extinguishing system 1C according to the fourth embodiment and the fire extinguishing system 1E according to the sixth embodiment. Furthermore, the fire extinguishing system 1F according to the seventh embodiment has a sub-flow passage 120 and an auxiliary valve 122, and differs from the fire extinguishing system 1C according to the fourth embodiment and the fire extinguishing system 1E according to the sixth embodiment in terms of the specific control contents of the extinguishing control unit 44. The other components have the same configuration as the fire extinguishing system 1C according to the fourth embodiment and the fire extinguishing system 1E according to the sixth embodiment. Here, the description of the same configuration as the fourth embodiment and the sixth embodiment will be omitted, and the different configuration will be described in detail.

[0144] In the fire extinguishing system 1F of the seventh embodiment, the air intake passage 70 communicates with the internal space of the container 12 through the second communication hole 74. The air intake passage 70 has an intake port 76 capable of acquiring air outside the container 12. The air intake valve 72 is provided in the air intake passage 70. The air intake valve 72 is configured to be able to open and close the air intake passage 70.

[0145] The tank 100 is provided in a portion of the exhaust flow path 16 between the container 12 and the pump 18. The tank 100 has a space therein.

[0146] The intermediate valve 104 is provided in a portion of the exhaust flow path 16 between the container 12 and the tank 100. The intermediate valve 104 is configured to be able to open and close the flow path in the exhaust flow path 16 between the container 12 and the tank 100.

[0147] The exhaust valve 52 is provided in a portion of the exhaust flow path 16 between the tank 100 and the pump 18. The exhaust valve 52 is configured to be able to open and close the flow path between the tank 100 and the pump 18 in the exhaust flow path 16. It should be noted that in the seventh embodiment, the exhaust valve 52 may be omitted.

[0148] The sub-flow passage 120 is formed, for example, in a tubular shape. The sub-flow passage 120 is configured to allow air to flow through the inside of the sub-flow passage 120. One of the two ends of the sub-flow passage 120 is connected to a portion between the container 12 and the intermediate valve 104 in the exhaust flow passage 16. The other of the two ends of the sub-flow passage 120 is connected to a portion between the tank 100 and the pump 18 in the exhaust flow passage 16. More specifically, the other of the two ends of the sub-flow passage 120 is connected to a portion between the exhaust valve 52 and the pump 18 in the exhaust flow passage 16. That is, the sub-flow passage 120 is connected to the exhaust flow passage 16 so as to bypass the intermediate valve 104, the tank 100, and the exhaust valve 52.

[0149] The auxiliary valve 122 is provided in the sub-passage 120. The auxiliary valve 122 is configured to be able to open and close the sub-passage 120.

[0150] In the seventh embodiment, when a fire is not detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 opens the air intake valve 72, opens the auxiliary valve 122, closes the intermediate valve 104, opens the exhaust valve 52, and operates the pump 18. In addition, in an aspect in which the exhaust valve 52 is omitted, when a fire is not detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 opens the air intake valve 72, opens the auxiliary valve 122, closes the intermediate valve 104, and operates the pump 18. In this way, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 causes the air acquired from the acquisition port 76 to flow around the battery 10 and creates a negative pressure inside the tank 100. In other words, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 air-cools the battery 10 and creates a negative pressure inside the tank 100 before a fire is detected.

[0151] When a fire is detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the seventh embodiment closes the air supply valve 72, closes the auxiliary valve 122, and opens the intermediate valve 104. As a result, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 draws air inside the container 12 into the tank 100, lowering the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 compared to before the fire was detected. As a result, the fire is extinguished.

[0152] Fig. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the operation of the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the seventh embodiment. The fire extinguishing control unit 44 repeatedly executes the series of processes in Fig. 13 every time a predetermined interrupt timing occurs at a predetermined cycle.

[0153] When a predetermined interrupt timing arrives, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 determines whether or not a fire has been detected by the fire detection sensor 14 (S90).

[0154] If no fire is detected (NO in S90), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 opens the air intake valve 72 (S91), opens the auxiliary valve 122 (S92), and closes the intermediate valve 104 (S93). As a result, the flow path between the container 12 and the tank 100 in the exhaust flow path 16 is blocked, and the flow path from the intake port 76 to the exhaust port 32 is substantially connected through the sub-flow path 120.

[0155] In this state, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 operates the pump 18 (S94). As a result, air outside the container 12 is acquired through the acquisition port 76. The acquired air flows through the air supply passage 70, the container 12, the passage between the container 12 and the intermediate valve 104 in the exhaust passage 16, the sub-passage 120, the passage between the exhaust valve 52 and the exhaust port 32 in the exhaust passage 16, and the exhaust port 32, in that order. Then, the battery 10 present in the middle of the air flow path from the acquisition port 76 to the exhaust port 32 is air-cooled by the air acquired through the acquisition port 76.

[0156] Next, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 obtains the detection result of the air pressure sensor 102 and determines whether the air pressure inside the tank 100 is equal to or lower than a predetermined air pressure (S95). The predetermined air pressure here is set to, for example, 1 / 1000 of the atmospheric pressure, but may be set to any air pressure at which the oxygen concentration becomes low enough to allow the fire to be appropriately extinguished. The predetermined air pressure here may also be set taking into consideration the volume of the tank 100.

[0157] If the air pressure inside the tank 100 is not equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure (NO in S95), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 opens the exhaust valve 52 (S96) and ends the series of processes. That is, the air inside the tank 100 is sucked out by the pump 18 until the air pressure inside the tank 100 becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure. As a result, the space inside the tank 100 becomes negatively pressurized equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure.

[0158] If the air pressure inside the tank 100 is equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure (YES in S95), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the exhaust valve 52 (S97) and ends the series of processes. As a result, the air pressure inside the tank 100 is maintained at a negative pressure in advance during normal times when no fire is detected.

[0159] When a fire is detected (YES in S90), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 first closes the air intake valve 72 (S98) and closes the auxiliary valve 122 (S99). This blocks the air intake flow path 70, preventing air from being taken in through the intake port 76, and blocks the sub-flow path 120. In other words, air cooling of the battery 10 is interrupted.

[0160] Next, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 obtains the detection result of the air pressure sensor 50 and determines whether the air pressure inside the container 12 is equal to or lower than a predetermined air pressure (S100). The predetermined air pressure here is set to, for example, 1 / 1000 of the atmospheric pressure, but may be set to any air pressure at which the oxygen concentration becomes low enough to allow the fire to be appropriately extinguished.

[0161] When the air pressure inside the container 12 is not equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure (NO in S100), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 opens the intermediate valve 104 (S101). Here, since the air pressure inside the tank 100 is negative, the air inside the container 12 is sucked into the space inside the tank 100 through the flow path between the container 12 and the tank 100 in the exhaust flow path 16. This causes the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 to decrease. When the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 decreases to a level at which the fire can be properly extinguished, the fire inside the container 12 is extinguished.

[0162] After opening the intermediate valve 104, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 operates the pump 18 (S102). Note that since the pump 18 operates for air cooling during normal times when no fire is detected, when a fire is detected and the intermediate valve 104 is opened, the operation of the pump 18 continues.

[0163] The fire extinguishing control unit 44 determines whether the operating state of the pump 18 is stable (S103). Considering that the pump 18 operates even during normal operation, it is basically assumed that the operation of the pump 18 is stable when the intermediate valve 104 is opened. Step S103 is for confirming whether the operating state of the pump 18 is stable just to be sure.

[0164] When it is determined that the operating state of the pump 18 is not stable (NO in S103), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the exhaust valve 52 (S104) and ends the series of processes. In this case, the air inside the container 12 is sucked into the tank 100, but since the flow path between the tank 100 and the pump 18 is blocked, the air sucked into the tank 100 is retained inside the tank 100.

[0165] When it is determined that the operation state of the pump 18 is stable (YES in S103), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 opens the exhaust valve 52 (S105) and ends the series of processes. As a result, the tank 100 is in communication with the pump 18, so that the air sucked into the tank 100 is sucked out by the pump 18 and discharged from the exhaust port 32.

[0166] The pump 18 also sucks out the air inside the container 12 through the tank 100. The air inside the container 12 is reduced by both the suction by the tank 100 and the suction by the pump 18, so that the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 can be more reliably reduced.

[0167] The process of step S103 may be omitted. In that case, after the operation of the pump 18 (S102), the exhaust valve 52 is opened (S105).

[0168] When the air pressure inside the container 12 falls below a predetermined pressure, the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 falls to a level where the fire can be properly extinguished, and therefore the fire inside the container 12 is extinguished.

[0169] If the air pressure inside the container 12 is equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure (YES in S100), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the intermediate valve 104 (S106). Then, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the exhaust valve 52 (S107), stops the pump 18 (S108), and ends the series of processes. In other words, the air pressure inside the container 12 is maintained at or lower than the predetermined air pressure, and the state inside the container 12 is appropriately maintained in a state in which the fire is extinguished.

[0170] As described above, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1F of the seventh embodiment creates a negative pressure inside the tank 100 by the pump 18 during normal times when no fire is detected. Then, when a fire is detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1F of the seventh embodiment causes the tank 100, which has been previously placed under negative pressure, to suck in the air inside the container 12, thereby reducing the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 compared to before the fire was detected, thereby extinguishing the fire.

[0171] Suction of air by the tank 100, which has been previously set to negative pressure, can reduce the air inside the container 12, in other words, the oxygen concentration inside the container 12, more quickly than sucking out the air by the pump 18.

[0172] Therefore, in the fire extinguishing system 1F of the seventh embodiment, it is possible to more quickly reduce the oxygen concentration inside the container 12. As a result, in the fire extinguishing system 1F of the seventh embodiment, it is possible to more quickly extinguish a fire inside the container 12.

[0173] Furthermore, when a fire is not detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1F of the seventh embodiment operates the pump 18 to air-cool the battery 10. Furthermore, when a fire is detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1F of the seventh embodiment stops air-cooling the battery 10, and extinguishes the fire by lowering the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 compared to before the fire was detected through suction by the tank 100, which has been previously brought to a negative pressure by the pump 18. That is, in the fire extinguishing system 1F of the seventh embodiment, the pump 18 is used both to bring the tank 100 to a negative pressure and to air-cool the battery 10.

[0174] Therefore, in the fire extinguishing system 1F of the seventh embodiment, the pump 18 can be effectively utilized not only for extinguishing a fire but also for air-cooling the battery 10, thereby improving the significance of the existence of the pump 18.

[0175] In addition, in the fire extinguishing system 1F of the seventh embodiment, the battery 10 is air-cooled during normal times when no fire has occurred, thereby making it possible to prevent the battery 10 from catching fire and to prevent a fire inside the container 12.

[0176] Moreover, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1F of the seventh embodiment reduces the oxygen concentration inside the container 12, as in the first embodiment. As a result, the fire is extinguished. Therefore, in the fire extinguishing system 1F of the seventh embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is not necessary to remove the extinguishing agent or water after the fire is extinguished, and it is possible to easily restore the state before the fire after the fire is extinguished.

[0177] Eighth embodiment FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire extinguishing system 1G according to the eighth embodiment. The fire extinguishing system 1G according to the eighth embodiment roughly corresponds to a combination of the fire extinguishing system 1D according to the fifth embodiment and the fire extinguishing system 1E according to the sixth embodiment. Furthermore, the fire extinguishing system 1G according to the eighth embodiment differs from the fire extinguishing system 1D according to the fifth embodiment and the fire extinguishing system 1E according to the sixth embodiment in terms of the specific control contents of the extinguishing control unit 44. The other components are configured similarly to the fire extinguishing system 1D according to the fifth embodiment and the fire extinguishing system 1E according to the sixth embodiment. Here, the description of the configurations similar to those of the fifth and sixth embodiments will be omitted, and the different configurations will be described in detail. The fire extinguishing system 1G according to the eighth embodiment is a modified example of the fire extinguishing system 1F according to the seventh embodiment.

[0178] In the fire extinguishing system 1G of the eighth embodiment, the tank 100 is provided in a portion of the exhaust passage 16 between the container 12 and the pump 18. The tank 100 has a space therein.

[0179] The intermediate valve 104 is provided in a portion of the exhaust flow path 16 between the container 12 and the tank 100. The intermediate valve 104 is configured to be able to open and close the flow path in the exhaust flow path 16 between the container 12 and the tank 100.

[0180] The exhaust valve 52 is provided in a portion of the exhaust flow path 16 between the container 12 and the pump 18. The exhaust valve 52 is configured to be able to open and close the flow path between the container 12 and the pump 18 in the exhaust flow path 16. It should be noted that in the eighth embodiment, the exhaust valve 52 may be omitted.

[0181] The intake flow path 80 communicates with a portion of the exhaust flow path 16 between the tank 100 and the pump 18. More specifically, the intake flow path 80 communicates with a portion of the exhaust flow path 16 between the exhaust valve 52 and the pump 18. The intake flow path 80 has an intake port 90 that can obtain air outside the container 12 into the intake flow path 80. The intake valve 82 is provided in the intake flow path 80. The intake valve 82 is configured to be able to open and close the intake flow path 80.

[0182] The supply passage 86 communicates with a portion of the exhaust passage 16 between the pump 18 and the exhaust port 32. The end of the supply passage 86 opposite the exhaust passage 16 is connected to the air-cooled device 84. The supply passage 86 is configured to be able to supply the air sent from the exhaust passage 16 to the air-cooled device 84.

[0183] The switching valve 88 is provided at a portion where the supply passage 86 is connected to the exhaust passage 16. The switching valve 88 is configured to be switchable between a first switching state in which a flow from the pump 18 toward the air-cooled target device 84 is permitted, and a second switching state in which a flow from the pump 18 toward the exhaust port 32 is permitted.

[0184] In the eighth embodiment, when a fire is not detected, the extinguishing control unit 44 switches the switching valve 88 to the first switching state, closes the intermediate valve 104, opens the intake valve 82, opens the exhaust valve 52, and operates the pump 18. In addition, in an aspect in which the exhaust valve 52 is omitted, when a fire is not detected, the extinguishing control unit 44 switches the switching valve 88 to the first switching state, closes the intermediate valve 104, opens the intake valve 82, and operates the pump 18. In this way, the extinguishing control unit 44 causes the air acquired from the intake port 90 to flow to the air-cooled device 84 and creates a negative pressure inside the tank 100. In other words, the extinguishing control unit 44 air-cools the air-cooled device 84 and creates a negative pressure inside the tank 100 before a fire is detected.

[0185] When a fire is detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the eighth embodiment switches the switching valve 88 to the second switching state and switches the intermediate valve 104 to the open state. By doing so, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 draws the air inside the container 12 into the tank 100, lowering the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 compared to before the fire was detected. As a result, the fire is extinguished.

[0186] Fig. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the operation of the extinguishing control unit 44 of the eighth embodiment. The extinguishing control unit 44 repeatedly executes the series of processes in Fig. 15 every time a predetermined interrupt timing occurs at a predetermined cycle.

[0187] When a predetermined interrupt timing arrives, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 determines whether or not a fire has been detected by the fire detection sensor 14 (S120).

[0188] If no fire is detected (NO in S120), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 switches the switching valve 88 to the first switching state (S121). This allows the flow from the pump 18 to the air-cooled device 84.

[0189] Next, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the intermediate valve 104 (S122) and opens the intake valve 82 (S123). As a result, the flow path between the container 12 and the tank 100 in the exhaust flow path 16 is blocked, and the flow path from the intake port 90 to the air-cooled device 84 is substantially connected.

[0190] In this state, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 operates the pump 18 (S124). As a result, air outside the container 12 is acquired through the intake port 90. The acquired air flows through the air supply flow path 70, the flow path between the exhaust valve 52 and the switching valve 88 in the exhaust flow path 16, the supply flow path 86, and the air-cooled target device 84, in that order. As a result, the air-cooled target device 84 is air-cooled by the air acquired through the intake port 90.

[0191] Next, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 obtains the detection result of the air pressure sensor 102 and determines whether the air pressure inside the tank 100 is equal to or lower than a predetermined air pressure (S125). The predetermined air pressure here is set to, for example, 1 / 1000 of the atmospheric pressure, but may be set to any air pressure at which the oxygen concentration becomes low enough to allow the fire to be appropriately extinguished. The predetermined air pressure here may also be set taking into consideration the volume of the tank 100.

[0192] If the air pressure inside the tank 100 is not equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure (NO in S125), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 opens the exhaust valve 52 (S126) and ends the series of processes. That is, the air inside the tank 100 is sucked out by the pump 18 until the air pressure inside the tank 100 becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure. As a result, the space inside the tank 100 becomes negatively pressurized equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure.

[0193] If the air pressure inside the tank 100 is equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure (YES in S125), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the exhaust valve 52 (S127) and ends the series of processes. As a result, the air pressure inside the tank 100 is maintained at a negative pressure in advance during normal times when no fire is detected.

[0194] When a fire is detected (YES in S120), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 first switches the switching valve 88 to the second switching state (S128). This allows the flow from the pump 18 toward the exhaust port 32.

[0195] Next, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the intake valve 82 (S129). This blocks the intake flow path 80, and prevents air from being taken in through the intake port 90. In other words, air-cooling of the air-cooled target device 84 is interrupted.

[0196] Next, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 obtains the detection result of the air pressure sensor 50 and determines whether the air pressure inside the container 12 is equal to or lower than a predetermined air pressure (S130). The predetermined air pressure here is set to, for example, 1 / 1000 of the atmospheric pressure, but may be set to any air pressure at which the oxygen concentration becomes low enough to allow the fire to be appropriately extinguished.

[0197] If the air pressure inside the container 12 is not equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure (NO in S130), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 opens the intermediate valve 104 (S131). Here, since the air pressure inside the tank 100 is negative, the air inside the container 12 is sucked into the space inside the tank 100 through the flow path between the container 12 and the tank 100 in the exhaust flow path 16. This causes the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 to decrease. When the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 decreases to a level at which the fire can be properly extinguished, the fire inside the container 12 is extinguished.

[0198] After opening the intermediate valve 104, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 operates the pump 18 (S132). Note that since the pump 18 operates for air cooling during normal times when no fire is detected, when a fire is detected and the intermediate valve 104 is opened, the operation of the pump 18 continues.

[0199] The fire extinguishing control unit 44 determines whether the operating state of the pump 18 is stable (S133). Considering that the pump 18 operates even during normal operation, it is basically assumed that the operation of the pump 18 is stable when the intermediate valve 104 is opened. Step S133 is to check whether the operating state of the pump 18 is stable just to be sure.

[0200] When it is determined that the operating state of the pump 18 is not stable (NO in S133), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the exhaust valve 52 (S134) and ends the series of processes. In this case, the air inside the container 12 is sucked into the tank 100, but since the flow path between the tank 100 and the pump 18 is blocked, the air sucked into the tank 100 is retained inside the tank 100.

[0201] When it is determined that the operation state of the pump 18 is stable (YES in S133), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 opens the exhaust valve 52 (S135) and ends the series of processes. As a result, the tank 100 is in communication with the pump 18, so that the air sucked into the tank 100 is sucked out by the pump 18 and discharged from the exhaust port 32.

[0202] The pump 18 also sucks out the air inside the container 12 through the tank 100. The air inside the container 12 is reduced by both the suction by the tank 100 and the suction by the pump 18, so that the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 can be more reliably reduced.

[0203] The process of step S133 may be omitted. In that case, after the operation of the pump 18 (S132), the exhaust valve 52 is opened (S135).

[0204] When the air pressure inside the container 12 falls below a predetermined pressure, the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 falls to a level where the fire can be properly extinguished, and therefore the fire inside the container 12 is extinguished.

[0205] If the air pressure inside the container 12 is equal to or lower than the predetermined air pressure (YES in S130), the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the intermediate valve 104 (S136). Then, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 closes the exhaust valve 52 (S137), stops the pump 18 (S138), and ends the series of processes. In other words, the air pressure inside the container 12 is maintained at or lower than the predetermined air pressure, and the state inside the container 12 is appropriately maintained in a state in which the fire is extinguished.

[0206] As described above, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1G of the eighth embodiment creates a negative pressure inside the tank 100 by the pump 18 during normal times when no fire is detected. Then, when a fire is detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1G of the eighth embodiment causes the tank 100, which has been previously placed under negative pressure, to suck in the air inside the container 12, thereby reducing the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 compared to before the fire was detected, thereby extinguishing the fire.

[0207] Suction of air by the tank 100, which has been previously set to negative pressure, can reduce the air inside the container 12, in other words, the oxygen concentration inside the container 12, more quickly than sucking out the air by the pump 18.

[0208] Therefore, in the fire extinguishing system 1G of the eighth embodiment, it is possible to more quickly reduce the oxygen concentration inside the container 12. As a result, in the fire extinguishing system 1G of the eighth embodiment, it is possible to more quickly extinguish a fire inside the container 12.

[0209] Furthermore, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1G of the eighth embodiment, when no fire is detected, operates the pump 18 to air-cool the air-cooled device 84. Furthermore, when a fire is detected, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1G of the eighth embodiment stops air-cooling the air-cooled device 84, and extinguishes the fire by lowering the oxygen concentration inside the container 12 compared to before the fire was detected through suction by the tank 100, which has been previously brought to a negative pressure by the pump 18. That is, in the fire extinguishing system 1G of the eighth embodiment, the pump 18 is used both to bring the tank 100 to a negative pressure and to air-cool the air-cooled device 84.

[0210] Therefore, in the fire extinguishing system 1G of the eighth embodiment, the pump 18 can be effectively utilized not only for extinguishing fires but also for air-cooling the air-cooled target device 84, thereby improving the significance of the existence of the pump 18.

[0211] Moreover, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1G of the eighth embodiment reduces the oxygen concentration inside the container 12, as in the first embodiment. As a result, the fire is extinguished. Therefore, in the fire extinguishing system 1G of the eighth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is not necessary to remove the extinguishing agent or water after the fire is extinguished, and it is possible to easily restore the state before the fire after the fire is extinguished.

[0212] Ninth embodiment Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fire extinguishing system 1H according to the ninth embodiment. The fire extinguishing system 1H of the ninth embodiment differs from the fire extinguishing system 1 of the first embodiment in that it has an air-water separator 130. The other components are configured similarly to the first embodiment. Here, a description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted, and the different configuration will be described in detail.

[0213] When the air flowing through the inside of the pump 18 contains a large amount of moisture, the suction power of the pump 18 may decrease. Therefore, the fire extinguishing system 1H of the ninth embodiment is provided with an air-water separator 130.

[0214] The water-steam separator 130 is provided in the exhaust passage 16. More specifically, the water-steam separator 130 is provided in a portion of the exhaust passage 16 closer to the container 12 than the pump 18 is.

[0215] The air-water separator 130 is configured to be able to separate moisture contained in the air flowing through the exhaust passage 16 from the air flowing through the exhaust passage 16. In other words, the air-water separator 130 is configured to be able to remove moisture from the air flowing through the exhaust passage 16.

[0216] In the fire extinguishing system 1H of the ninth embodiment, when the air inside the container 12 is discharged from the exhaust port 32 through the exhaust passage 16 by the operation of the pump 18, moisture contained in the air flowing through the exhaust passage 16 is removed by the air-water separator 130. As a result, the air from which moisture has been removed is supplied to the pump 18.

[0217] As described above, in the fire extinguishing system 1H of the ninth embodiment, the moisture content in the air supplied to the pump 18 can be reduced by the air-water separator 130. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the suction force of the pump 18 in the fire extinguishing system 1H of the ninth embodiment. As a result, in the fire extinguishing system 1H of the ninth embodiment, the air in the space inside the container 12 can be more appropriately sucked out by the pump 18, and a fire can be more appropriately extinguished.

[0218] Moreover, the fire extinguishing control unit 44 of the fire extinguishing system 1H of the ninth embodiment reduces the oxygen concentration inside the container 12, as in the first embodiment. As a result, the fire is extinguished. Therefore, in the fire extinguishing system 1H of the ninth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is not necessary to remove the fire extinguishing agent or water after the fire is extinguished, and it is possible to easily restore the state before the fire after the fire is extinguished.

[0219] The steam-water separator 130 of the ninth embodiment may be applied to any of the above-mentioned embodiments. In an example in which the steam-water separator 130 of the ninth embodiment is applied to the sixth to eighth embodiments including the tank 100, the function of the steam-water separator 130 may be added to the tank 100.

[0220] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can think of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0221] For example, the features of each of the above embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

[0222] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the fire inside the container 12 is extinguished by lowering the oxygen concentration in the space inside the container 12. However, in addition to lowering the oxygen concentration in the space inside the container 12, a fire extinguishing agent having a function of extinguishing a fire or water may be injected into the container 12 to extinguish the fire inside the container 12. In this embodiment, the fire can be extinguished earlier and more reliably. [Explanation of symbols]

[0223] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H Fire extinguishing system 10 batteries 12 Container 14 Fire detection sensor 16 Exhaust flow path 18 Pump 22 Control device 32 Exhaust port 52 Exhaust valve 60 Filters 70 Air supply passage 72 Air intake valve 76 Acquisition Port 80 Intake passage 82 Intake valve 84 Air-cooled equipment 86 Supply Channel 88 Switching valve 90 Air Intake 100 Tank 104 Intermediate valve 120 Subchannel 122 Auxiliary valve 130 Steam water separator

Claims

1. Batteries and a container in which the battery is housed; a fire detection sensor capable of detecting an occurrence of a fire inside the container; an exhaust flow path that communicates with the internal space of the container and has an exhaust port at an end thereof; a pump provided in the exhaust passage and capable of sucking air inside the container through the exhaust passage and discharging the air from the exhaust port; a control device that, when the fire is detected, operates the pump to reduce the oxygen concentration inside the container compared to before the fire was detected; A fire extinguishing system comprising:

2. The fire extinguishing system according to claim 1 , further comprising a filter provided in the exhaust flow path for collecting environmental load substances generated by the occurrence of the fire.

3. an air intake passage that is in communication with an internal space of the container and has an intake port that can acquire air outside the container; an intake valve capable of opening and closing the intake air flow path; Further equipped with The control device includes: When the fire is not detected, the air intake valve is opened and the pump is operated to allow the air taken from the intake port to flow around the battery; 2. The fire extinguishing system of claim 1, wherein when the fire is detected, the air supply valve is closed and the pump is operated to reduce the oxygen concentration inside the container compared to before the fire was detected.

4. an exhaust valve provided in the exhaust passage between the container and the pump and capable of opening and closing the exhaust passage; an intake passage that is connected to a portion of the exhaust passage between the exhaust valve and the pump and has an intake port that can obtain air outside the container; an intake valve capable of opening and closing the intake passage; An air-cooled device that is an object of air cooling; a supply flow path that is in communication with a portion of the exhaust flow path between the pump and the exhaust port and is capable of supplying air to the target device; a switching valve provided at a portion where the supply flow path is connected to the exhaust flow path; Further equipped with The switching valve is configured to be switchable between a first switching state in which the exhaust flow path on the pump side and the supply flow path are connected to the switching valve, and a second switching state in which the exhaust flow path on the pump side and the exhaust flow path on the exhaust port side are connected to the switching valve, The control device includes: When the fire is not detected, the switching valve is switched to the first switching state, the exhaust valve is closed, the intake valve is opened, and the pump is operated to cause the air obtained from the intake port to flow to the air-cooled target device; 2. The fire extinguishing system of claim 1, wherein, when the fire is detected, the switching valve is switched to the second switching state, the intake valve is switched to a closed state, the exhaust valve is switched to an open state, and the pump is operated to reduce the oxygen concentration inside the container compared to before the fire was detected.

5. a tank provided between the container and the pump in the exhaust passage and having a space therein; an intermediate valve provided between the container and the tank in the exhaust flow path and capable of opening and closing a flow path between the container and the tank in the exhaust flow path; Further equipped with The control device includes: If the fire is not detected, the intermediate valve is closed and the pump is operated to create a negative pressure inside the tank; 2. The fire extinguishing system of claim 1, wherein when the fire is detected, the intermediate valve is opened to allow air inside the container to be drawn into the tank, thereby reducing the oxygen concentration inside the container compared to before the fire was detected.

6. an air intake passage that is in communication with an internal space of the container and has an intake port that can acquire air outside the container; an intake valve capable of opening and closing the intake air flow path; a tank provided between the container and the pump in the exhaust passage and having a space therein; an intermediate valve provided between the container and the tank in the exhaust flow path and capable of opening and closing a flow path between the container and the tank in the exhaust flow path; a sub-flow passage having one end communicating with a portion of the exhaust flow passage between the container and the intermediate valve and the other end communicating with a portion of the exhaust flow passage between the tank and the pump; an auxiliary valve capable of opening and closing the secondary flow path; Further equipped with The control device includes: When the fire is not detected, the air intake valve is opened, the auxiliary valve is opened, the intermediate valve is closed, and the pump is operated to cause the air taken from the intake port to flow around the battery and to create a negative pressure inside the tank; 2. The fire extinguishing system of claim 1, wherein when the fire is detected, the air supply valve is closed, the auxiliary valve is closed, and the intermediate valve is opened, thereby drawing air inside the container into the tank and reducing the oxygen concentration inside the container compared to before the fire was detected.

7. a tank provided between the container and the pump in the exhaust passage and having a space therein; an intermediate valve provided between the container and the tank in the exhaust flow path and capable of opening and closing a flow path between the container and the tank in the exhaust flow path; an intake passage that is connected to a portion of the exhaust passage between the tank and the pump and has an intake port that can obtain air outside the container; an intake valve capable of opening and closing the intake passage; An air-cooled device that is an object of air cooling; a supply flow path that is in communication with a portion of the exhaust flow path between the pump and the exhaust port and is capable of supplying air to the target device; a switching valve provided at a portion where the supply flow path is connected to the exhaust flow path; Further equipped with The switching valve is configured to be switchable between a first switching state in which the exhaust flow path on the pump side and the supply flow path are connected to the switching valve, and a second switching state in which the exhaust flow path on the pump side and the exhaust flow path on the exhaust port side are connected to the switching valve, The control device includes: When the fire is not detected, the switching valve is set to the first switching state, the intermediate valve is set to a closed state, the intake valve is set to an open state, and the pump is operated to cause air acquired from the intake port to flow to the air-cooled target device and to create a negative pressure inside the tank; 2. The fire extinguishing system of claim 1, wherein, when the fire is detected, the switching valve is switched to the second switching state, the intake valve is switched to a closed state, and the intermediate valve is switched to an open state, thereby drawing air inside the container into the tank and reducing the oxygen concentration inside the container compared to before the fire was detected.

8. 2. The fire extinguishing system according to claim 1, further comprising an air-water separator provided on the container side of the exhaust flow path relative to the pump, the air separating the air from the exhaust flow path.

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