Fire extinguishing device

Abstract

To provide a fire extinguishing device that can be miniaturized as a whole.SOLUTION: A fire extinguishing device 1 includes: a fire extinguisher body 3 which stores a fire extinguishing agent and from which a handle and lever 11 for releasing the fire extinguishing agent by being operated has been removed; a valve opening device 5 which is installed on the fire extinguisher body 3 in place of the handle and lever 11 and opens a valve 13 provided in the fire extinguisher body 3; and a control unit 7 which is installed on the fire extinguisher body 3 and controls the valve opening device 5 to open the valve 13 of the fire extinguisher body 3 in response to a prescribed signal transmitted from the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire extinguisher, and in particular to a fire extinguisher in which the handle, safety valve, and lever have been removed and a valve opening device, etc. are installed instead. Machine tools installed in factories are suitable as fire extinguishing targets for the fire extinguishing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a fire extinguisher including a fire extinguisher and a control device is known (see Patent Document 1). In this fire extinguisher, the fire extinguisher is provided with a starting part for automatic starting and a lever part for manual operation, and the control device, the fire extinguisher, and the starting part are electrically connected to each other. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 2-143961 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional fire extinguishers, the control unit, display unit, valve opening device, and extinguishing agent storage container are housed in the housing, making the housing large. In addition, the valve opening device has a complex structure because it operates a lever. Therefore, the entire fire extinguisher is large. The object of the present invention is to provide a fire extinguisher that can be made smaller overall. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A fire extinguisher according to one embodiment of the present invention is a fire extinguisher having a fire extinguisher body which contains an extinguishing agent and from which a handle, safety plug and lever which are operated to release the extinguishing agent have been removed, a valve opening device which is provided on the fire extinguisher body in place of the handle, safety plug and lever and which opens a valve provided on the fire extinguisher body, and a control unit which is provided on the fire extinguisher body and which controls the valve opening device to open the valve of the fire extinguisher body in response to a predetermined signal sent from outside.

[0006] In the fire extinguisher according to this aspect of the present invention, a threaded portion is provided on the fire extinguisher body, and the valve opening device is installed on the fire extinguisher body using an adapter and the threaded portion.

[0007] In the fire extinguisher according to this aspect of the present invention, the control unit is provided within a housing, and the housing is installed in the valve opening device.

[0008] In the fire extinguisher according to this aspect of the present invention, the predetermined signal sent to the control unit is a signal sent from at least one of a sensor that detects the occurrence of a fire and a manual switch.

[0009] In the fire extinguisher according to an embodiment of the present invention, the fire extinguishing agent contains a hydrocarbon-based nonionic surfactant and a water-soluble organic solvent as active ingredients, is fluorine-free, and has a viscosity of 200 cSt or less. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fire extinguisher that can be made compact overall and has a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a fire extinguishing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a view taken along the arrow II in FIG. [Diagram 3] This is a cross-sectional view of a fire extinguisher with a handle / lever installed. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of a fire extinguisher in which a valve opening device is installed instead of a handle / lever. [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a valve opening device, in which (b) is a view taken along the line VB in (a), and (c) is a diagram showing a VC-VC cross section in (b). [Figure 6] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fire extinguishing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of a fire extinguishing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of a fire extinguishing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of a fire extinguishing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating the operation of a fire extinguishing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion XI in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] A fire extinguisher 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed at a predetermined location and automatically releases extinguishing agent in the event of a fire in a machine tool or the like. As shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, etc., the fire extinguisher 1 is configured to include a fire extinguisher main body 3, a valve opening device (activation device) 5, and a control unit (a control device having a CPU and memory) 7. The fire extinguisher main body 3 may also be called the main body of a portable fire extinguisher or an agent storage container.

[0013] Here, for ease of explanation, one specific horizontal direction is referred to as the left-right direction, another specific horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the left-right direction is referred to as the front-back direction, and a direction that is perpendicular to both the left-right direction and the front-back direction is referred to as the up-down direction.

[0014] An extinguishing agent is contained inside the fire extinguisher main body 3. In the fire extinguisher main body 3, the handle / lever (operating lever) 11, which releases the extinguishing agent when operated, and the safety plug that prevents the lever from being operated are removed from the fire extinguisher (handheld fire extinguisher) 9. Fig. 3 shows the fire extinguisher 9 with the safety plug removed but the handle / lever 11 remaining.

[0015] The valve opening device 5 is provided integrally with the fire extinguisher body 3 in place of the handle / lever 11. The valve opening device 5 opens the valve 13 provided in the fire extinguisher body 3. When the valve 13 of the fire extinguisher body 3 opens, the extinguishing agent in the fire extinguisher body 3 comes out of the fire extinguisher body 3. That is, the valve opening device 5 pushes down the valve 13 of the valve of the fire extinguisher body 3, and the extinguishing agent in the fire extinguisher body 3 comes out of the fire extinguisher body 3 by the gas stored in the fire extinguisher body 3. In addition, the valve opening device 5 pushes down the sealing plate cutter of the pressurizing gas of the fire extinguisher body 3, and the released pressurized gas increases the pressure in the fire extinguisher body 3, breaking the sealing plate, and the extinguishing agent in the fire extinguisher body 3 comes out of the fire extinguisher body 3. When the valve opening device 5 is configured to push down the sealing plate cutter of the pressurizing gas, the valve opening device 5 may be called a sealing plate piercing device.

[0016] The control unit 7 is provided integrally with the fire extinguisher body 3, for example, via the valve opening device 5. The control unit 7 controls the valve opening device 5 to open the valve 13 of the fire extinguisher body 3 in response to a predetermined signal sent from the outside.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 4, the fire extinguisher body 3 is provided with screw portions (e.g., female screws) 15 and 16. The valve opening device 5 is integrally installed on the fire extinguisher body 3 using an adapter (bracket) 17, the female screw 15 and a screw 19, and the female screw 16 and a hexagonal bolt 20. As shown in Fig. 3, the female screw 15 is used to install the handle / lever 11 on the fire extinguisher body 3. The female screw 16 is used to screw into the male screw portion of the stopper 14 of the lever 11. As shown in Fig. 4, the adapter 17 is fastened in two different directions, the left-right direction and the up-down direction, by the screw 19 and the hexagonal bolt 20.

[0018] 1 and 2, the control unit 7 is provided in a housing 21. The housing 21 is installed in the valve opening device 5. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11, the housing 21 is provided with a display unit (display unit that displays predetermined information) 23 that is visible from outside the housing 21.

[0019] For example, the predetermined signal sent to the control unit 7 is a signal sent from at least one of a sensor 25 (see FIG. 6) that detects the occurrence of a fire and a manual switch (manual start switch) 27 (see FIG. 6). This predetermined signal is a signal indicating that a fire has occurred or a signal indicating that there is a risk of a fire occurring.

[0020] The fire extinguisher 1 will now be described in more detail. First, the fire extinguisher 9 equipped with a handle / lever 11 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. In the fire extinguisher 9, when the handle / lever 11 is gripped, that is, when the lever is operated toward the handle side, the valve 13 descends and the extinguishing agent in the fire extinguisher main body 3 comes out from the extinguishing agent discharge port 29.

[0021] The extinguishing agent used in the extinguisher body 3 is a powder extinguishing agent mainly composed of ammonium phosphate for powder ABC. Powder extinguishing agents mainly composed of sodium bicarbonate and powder extinguishing agents mainly composed of potassium bicarbonate may also be used. The extinguishing agent in the extinguisher body 3 may be a gas-based extinguishing agent such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, Halon 1301, or FK-51-12. The extinguishing agent in the extinguisher body 3 may also be a water-foam-based extinguishing agent such as a strengthened liquid, a neutral strengthened liquid, mechanical foam (aqueous film), or chemical foam. The extinguishing agent of the fire extinguisher body 3 may be an aqueous extinguishing agent that has excellent wettability and penetration properties, contains a hydrocarbon-based nonionic surfactant and a water-soluble organic solvent as active ingredients, does not contain fluorine, and has a viscosity of 200 cSt or less. This aqueous extinguishing agent may be diluted with water for use. For example, when this aqueous extinguishing agent is diluted with water by 1% by volume, the foaming ratio is 3 times or less and the surface tension is 35 mN / m or less.

[0022] Examples of hydrocarbon-based nonionic surfactants include polyoxyethylene alkyl ether type, polyoxyethylene alkylphenol type, polyoxyethylene alkylamine type, polyoxyethylene alkylamide type, polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester type, propylene glycol fatty acid ester type, propylene glycol fatty acid dipolyoxyethylene lanolin ether type, aliphatic alkanol amide type, polyoxyethylene castor oil type, polyoxyethylene polyhydric alcohol type, polyhydric alcohol fatty acid ester type, polyoxyethylene polyhydric alcohol fatty acid ester type, and the like, and one or a mixture of two or more of these can be used.

[0023] Examples of the water-soluble organic solvent include cellosolve-based solvents (methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, butyl cellosolve, etc.), carbitols (ethyl carbitol, butyl carbitol, etc.), polyoxyethylene lower alkyl ethers having an added mole number of ethylene oxide of 3 to 10, glycols (ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, etc.), etc. Glycols have a relatively high flash point, are inexpensive, and have the effect of easily suppressing clouding and gelation of the drug.

[0024] If necessary, the extinguishing agent may be used in combination with a hydrocarbon cationic surfactant, a hydrocarbon anionic surfactant, a hydrocarbon amphoteric surfactant, a fatty acid, a water-soluble inorganic metal salt, a water-soluble polymer, a dispersant, an alcohol, etc. In particular, alcohols have the effect of improving the wettability of the liquid extinguishing agent.

[0025] By using a hydrocarbon nonionic surfactant in combination with a water-soluble organic solvent, it is possible to suppress the clouding and gelation of the solution, reduce the viscosity and surface tension, and increase wettability (i.e., penetration ability) to improve fire extinguishing ability. It has high wettability and high adhesion to the exterior surface of the fire extinguishing target, and adheres widely to the surface, improving both fire extinguishing ability and cooling ability.

[0026] 4 and 5, the valve opening device 5 is configured to include a housing 31, a piston 33, and an inflator (gas generator) 35. A signal line 37 connected to the control unit 7 extends from the inflator 35. When gas is generated from the inflator 35 below the control unit 7, the piston 33 descends and pushes down the valve 13 of the fire extinguisher main body 3 to release the extinguishing agent.

[0027] The housing 31 is attached to the adapter 17 using screws 39. The adapter 17 is obtained, for example, by cutting a flat-plate material into an appropriate shape and then bending the material appropriately. That is, the adapter 17 is obtained, for example, from a flat-plate material. A case installation body 41 is provided on the housing 31. Like the adapter 17, the case installation body 41 is also obtained, for example, by cutting a flat-plate material into an appropriate shape and then bending the material appropriately. Moreover, the case installation body 41 is attached to the housing 31 using screws 43.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the housing 21 is installed in the housing installation body 41 using screws (not shown). The outer shape of the housing 31 and the housing 21 is a rectangular parallelepiped. The state in which the adapter 17, the valve opening device 5, the housing installation body 41, and the housing 21 are installed in the fire extinguisher main body 3 is referred to as the installation state of the valve opening device, etc. (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). In the installation state of the valve opening device, etc., the adapter 17, the valve opening device 5, the housing installation body 41, and the housing 21 are located on the upper side of the fire extinguisher main body 3. In addition, in the installation state of the valve opening device, etc., the adapter 17, the valve opening device 5, the housing installation body 41, and the housing 21 are almost contained within the fire extinguisher main body 3 in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction, or slightly protrude from the fire extinguisher main body 3.

[0029] That is, although not shown, when the installed state of the valve opening device, etc. is viewed from above and below, the adapter 17, the valve opening device 5, the housing installation body 41 and the housing 21 are almost contained within the fire extinguisher body 3 or slightly protrude from the fire extinguisher body 3. The value of this protrusion is within 1 / 3 (preferably within 1 / 5, and more preferably within 1 / 10) of the value of the outer diameter of the cylindrical fire extinguisher body 3.

[0030] 1, the right end of the housing 21 is located slightly to the right of the right end of the fire extinguisher main body 3. Also, the left end of the housing 21 is located slightly to the left of the left end of the fire extinguisher main body 3.

[0031] 2, the rear ends of the adapter 17, the valve opening device 5, and the housing installation body 41 are located forward of the rear end of the fire extinguisher main body 3. Also, the front end of the housing 21 is located slightly forward of the front end of the fire extinguisher main body 3. Also, a signal line 45 extends from the housing 21 (controller 7). The signal line 45 is connected to the sensor 25, the manual switch 27, etc.

[0032] 6, for example, a plurality of sensors 25 are provided. A thermistor, a bimetal, a residential fire alarm device, or the like is adopted as the sensor 25. Although only one manual start switch 27 is provided, a plurality of manual start switches 27 may be provided.

[0033] Various settings can be changed in the control unit 7. For example, it can be set to give priority to receiving the signal from the manual switch 27. It can also be set to switch the type of sensor 25. It can also switch the set temperature of the thermistor, allowing two-stage temperature start-up switching.

[0034] Display unit 23 displays, for example, by an LED, whether the power is on, whether a fire has occurred, or whether an abnormality has occurred, as shown in Fig. 11. Housing 21 is provided with an alarm sound generator such as a buzzer (not shown), and a recovery button (not shown). A hose (not shown) is connected to extinguishing agent discharge port 29 of fire extinguisher main body 3, and various nozzles 47 (see Fig. 6) are attached to the tip of the hose.

[0035] Next, the operation of the fire extinguisher 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0036] In the main flow shown in Fig. 7, power is turned on in step S1. Initialization is performed in step S3. In step S5, the LED of the display unit 23 is turned on and a buzzer sounding test is performed. In step S7, the alarm is activated, and the system continues to check for breaks in the signal lines 37, 45, etc., continues to detect fires using the sensor 25, continues to detect when the manual switch 27 is pressed down, and the power light flashes.

[0037] In the disconnection confirmation flow shown in Figure 8, a disconnection is confirmed in step S11. If a disconnection is detected, the error light flashes and the buzzer sounds in step S13. An error is reported in step S15. In step S17, it is detected whether the recovery button has been pressed. If the recovery button has been pressed, initialization is performed in step S19.

[0038] In the fire detection flow shown in Figure 9, in step S21, a fire is detected using the sensor 25. If a fire is detected, in step S23, the gas generator (valve opening device) 5 is started and the extinguishing agent is released from the storage container (fire extinguisher main body) 3. In step S25, the fire light is turned on and the buzzer sounds. In step S27, an abnormality is reported. In step S29, it is detected whether the recovery button has been pressed. If the recovery button has been pressed, initialization is performed in step S31.

[0039] In the external activation detection flow shown in Figure 10, in step S41, it is detected whether or not the manual switch 27 has been pressed. If the manual switch 27 has been pressed, in step S43, the gas generator (valve opening device) 5 is started and the extinguishing agent is released from the storage container (fire extinguisher main body) 3. In step S45, the fire light is turned on and the buzzer is sounded. In step S47, an abnormality is reported. In step S49, it is detected whether or not the recovery button has been pressed. If the recovery button has been pressed, initialization is performed in step S51.

[0040] In the fire extinguisher 1, the valve opening device 5 and the control unit 7 are installed in the fire extinguisher body 3 instead of the handle / lever 11, so there is no need for a large housing like in conventional fire extinguishers, and the entire fire extinguisher can be made smaller. Also, in conventional fire extinguishers, if the shape of the chemical storage container changes, a different housing is required accordingly, which incurs costs for developing and designing the large housing and for parts. In contrast, the fire extinguisher 1 does not use a large housing like in conventional fire extinguishers, so it is possible to reduce the costs of development, design, and parts. Furthermore, since there is no housing like in conventional fire extinguishers, there is no need to fix the chemical storage container inside the housing and to fix and install the housing.

[0041] When fixing the fire extinguisher body 3 of the fire extinguisher 1, it can be fixed by hooking a latch provided on the fire extinguisher body 3 onto a fire extinguisher hook metal fitting provided on a wall, etc. Also, a bundle bracket for fixing the fire extinguisher body 3 with a band can be provided on a wall, etc., and the fire extinguisher body 3 can be fixed with the band.

[0042] In addition, in the fire extinguisher 1, the valve opening device 5 is attached to the fire extinguisher body 3 using the adapter 17 and the screw part (the screw part that appears when the handle / lever 11 is removed) 15. As a result, the valve opening device 5 is attached to the fire extinguisher body 3 via the adapter 17, and the configuration of the fire extinguisher 1 is simplified.

[0043] Furthermore, even if the shape of the fire extinguisher body 3 or the like is changed, the valve opening device 5 can be installed on the fire extinguisher body 3 simply by changing the shape of the adapter 17. In other words, by developing and designing an adapter 17 (an adapter obtained by sheet metal processing) for attaching the valve opening device 5 to the bodies of various types of portable fire extinguishers, it is possible to easily turn a portable fire extinguisher into a small automatic fire extinguisher.

[0044] Moreover, in the fire extinguisher 1, the control unit 7 is provided in a small housing 21, and the housing 21 is installed in the valve opening device 5. This allows the housing 21 (control unit 7) to be installed in the fire extinguisher body 3 with a simple configuration.

[0045] In addition, in the fire extinguisher 1, the predetermined signal sent to the control unit 7 is a signal sent from at least one of the sensor 25 for detecting the occurrence of a fire and the manual switch 27. This makes it possible to accurately detect the occurrence of a fire and release the extinguishing agent when a fire occurs.

[0046] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1 Fire extinguishing equipment 3 Fire extinguisher body 5 Valve opening device 7 Control section 11 Handles and Levers 13 Valve 15 Screw part 17 Adapters 21 Case 25 Sensors 27 Manual Switch

Claims

1. A fire extinguisher body that contains a fire extinguishing agent and has no handle, safety valve, or lever that is operated to release the fire extinguishing agent; A valve opening device is provided on the fire extinguisher body in place of the handle, safety valve, or lever, and opens a valve provided on the fire extinguisher body; A control unit provided in the fire extinguisher body, which controls the valve opening device to open the valve of the fire extinguisher body in response to a predetermined signal sent from the outside; A fire extinguishing device having:

2. The fire extinguisher body is provided with a screw portion, The fire extinguisher according to claim 1 , wherein the valve opening device is attached to the fire extinguisher body using an adapter and the threaded portion.

3. The fire extinguishing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit is provided within a housing, and the housing is mounted to the valve opening device.

4. 4. The fire extinguishing device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined signal sent to the control unit is a signal sent from at least one of a sensor for detecting the occurrence of a fire and a manual switch.

5. The fire extinguishing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the extinguishing agent contains a hydrocarbon-based nonionic surfactant and a water-soluble organic solvent as active ingredients, and has a fluorine-free viscosity of 200 cSt or less.

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