Fire Suppression System

Abstract

To obtain a fire-extinguishing system having no possibility of water loss and capable of suppressing catalysis of fire.SOLUTION: Provided is a fire-extinguishing system that performs fire-extinguishing work of a fire source, the fire-extinguishing system including a movable body movable on the basis of a remote control command. The movable body includes: a separation device that separates nitrogen and oxygen from ambient air; a plurality of jet parts that jet nitrogen separated by the separation device; and a control part that performs fire extinguishing work by jetting nitrogen jetted from each of the plurality of jet parts toward the fire source on the basis of the remote control command.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fire extinguishing system using a flying robot. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a technology for applying flying robots, such as drones, that can fly unmanned by remote control or automatic control to firefighting work (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The flying robot disclosed in Patent Document 1 grasps an exposed fire extinguishing nozzle while flying, carries the fire extinguishing nozzle together with a fire hose to a water spraying position, and sprays water on the source of the fire to extinguish the fire.

[0003] As a result, the fire extinguishing system according to Patent Document 1 can efficiently extinguish fires even when there are obstructions, ensuring the safety of evacuees more than ever before, while also providing a fire extinguishing system that does not impair the aesthetic appearance of the interior of a building, corridors, etc., and requires low construction costs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-24813 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the conventional techniques have the following problems. The fire extinguishing system disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses water for fire extinguishing work, which means that there is a possibility of secondary disasters such as water damage occurring, and the system cannot be applied to environments that are not suitable for water-based fire extinguishing, limiting the scope of its application.

[0006] Furthermore, the flying robot used in the fire extinguishing system disclosed in Patent Document 1 floats by sending the surrounding air downward, which may result in oxygen being supplied to the fire source, potentially worsening the fire.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a fire extinguishing system that is free from the risk of water damage and can suppress the spread of fire. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A fire extinguishing system according to the present disclosure is a fire extinguishing system that includes a mobile body that can move based on a remote control command and performs fire extinguishing work on a fire source, the mobile body including a separation device that separates nitrogen and oxygen from the surrounding air, a plurality of injection units that inject the nitrogen separated by the separation device, and a control unit that performs fire extinguishing work by injecting the nitrogen injected from each of the plurality of injection units toward the fire source based on a remote control command. The oxygen separated by the separator is discharged through an exhaust pipe in a direction different from the fire source, or is controlled by a control unit so that it is not sprayed toward the fire source when nitrogen is sprayed toward the fire source. It is something. In addition, the fire extinguishing system according to the present disclosure is a fire extinguishing system that includes a mobile body that can move based on remote control commands and that performs fire extinguishing operations on a fire source, the mobile body including a plurality of separation devices and a control unit that controls each of the plurality of separation devices based on received remote control commands, each of the plurality of separation devices having a high-pressure blower that generates compressed air from the surrounding air, a separator that separates the nitrogen and oxygen contained in the compressed air, and an injection unit that injects the nitrogen and oxygen separated by the separator, the control unit adjusts the amount of nitrogen and oxygen to be injected from each injection unit of the plurality of separation devices based on the remote control commands, moves the mobile body to a position suitable for extinguishing the fire source by injecting nitrogen and oxygen, and then performs fire extinguishing operations by injecting nitrogen from each injection unit toward the fire source. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, a fire extinguishing system can be obtained that is free from the risk of water damage and can suppress the spread of fire. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a fire extinguishing system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a plurality of separation devices mounted on the flying robot according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a flying robot according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a flying robot according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the fire extinguishing system of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The fire extinguishing system disclosed herein has the technical feature of remotely controlling a flying robot to hover near a fire source using nitrogen separated and generated from air, and extinguishing the fire by surrounding the fire source with multiple local spaces formed by the nitrogen and reducing the amount of oxygen supplied to the fire source.

[0012] Embodiment 1 1 is an explanatory diagram of a fire extinguishing system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The fire extinguishing system according to the first embodiment is configured with a flying robot 100 equipped with a control unit 20 and a plurality of separation devices 10, and a remote controller 50. The flying robot 100 is capable of flying unmanned based on external remote control commands, and a specific example of the flying robot 100 is a drone.

[0013] 1 illustrates an example in which two separation devices 10(1) and 10(2) are used as the multiple separation devices 10. The number of separation devices 10 can be appropriately determined depending on the application, such as the scale of the fire and the monitoring environment.

[0014] The remote controller 50 has an operation unit 51 and a display unit 52. By operating the remote controller 50, an operator can send a remote control command to move the flying robot 100 to a desired position.

[0015] 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of a plurality of separation devices 10 mounted on the flying robot 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Each of the separation devices 10 has the same configuration, including a high-pressure blower 11, a separator 12, an ejection unit 13, and an exhaust pipe 14.

[0016] The high-pressure blower 11 takes in ambient air to generate compressed air. The separator 12 takes in the compressed air generated by the high-pressure blower 11 and separates the compressed air into nitrogen and oxygen. For example, a nitrogen separation membrane device manufactured by Ube Industries, Ltd. can be used as this separator 12.

[0017] The injector 13 injects the nitrogen separated and generated by the separator 12 in a predetermined first direction. A first technical feature of the fire extinguishing system according to the present disclosure is that the position of the flying robot 100 is remotely controlled so that the flying robot 100 can hover near the fire source using the nitrogen separated and generated from the air. A second technical feature of the fire extinguishing system according to the present disclosure is that the fire source is surrounded by multiple local spaces formed by the nitrogen injected in the first direction, as shown in FIG. 1, thereby reducing the amount of oxygen supplied to the fire source and extinguishing the fire.

[0018] The exhaust pipe 14 discharges the oxygen separated by the separator 12 in a predetermined second direction different from the first direction. As shown in Fig. 1, the oxygen separated by the separator 12 is discharged through the exhaust pipe 14 in the second direction different from the direction toward the local space, thereby reducing the amount of oxygen supplied to the fire source.

[0019] The first and second technical features described above are executed by a control unit included in the flying robot 100. The function of the control unit will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the flying robot 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that FIG. 3 illustrates the functional blocks of the first separating device 10(1), and omits the functional blocks of the second separating device 10(2).

[0020] The flying robot 100 includes a plurality of separation devices 10 and a control unit 20. The control unit 20 controls the plurality of separation devices 10 in an integrated manner and also controls communication with a remote controller 50.

[0021] The control unit 20 receives a remote control command for moving the flying robot 100 to a desired position from the remote controller 50. Then, the control unit 20 adjusts the amount of nitrogen sprayed in the first direction from each of the sprayers 13 of the multiple separation devices 10 based on the received remote control command.

[0022] Specifically, the control unit 20 moves the flying robot 100 to a position suitable for extinguishing the fire source using nitrogen, and performs positioning control so that the fire source is surrounded by multiple local spaces formed by the nitrogen sprayed from each sprayer 13. As a result, the flying robot 100 can be used to reduce the amount of oxygen supplied to the fire source, thereby reducing the oxygen concentration and carrying out fire extinguishing work.

[0023] According to the fire extinguishing system according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be achieved. (Effect 1) Environmental effects The fire extinguishing system according to the first embodiment extinguishes a fire without using water by forming a local space of nitrogen around the fire source and reducing the amount of oxygen supplied to the fire source to create a local oxygen-deficient state. Therefore, secondary disasters such as water damage do not occur, and the system can be applied to various environments.

[0024] Furthermore, by forming a localized space, it is possible to create a localized environment that is breathable but does not ignite. Therefore, it is possible to form a localized space and conduct fire extinguishing tests without spraying water or having a negative impact on the environment. Furthermore, since the fire can be extinguished using ambient air, an environmentally friendly system can be realized.

[0025] (Effect 2) Cost-effectiveness Conventional facilities have high installation costs and equipment renewal costs. In contrast, the fire extinguishing system according to the first embodiment does not require piping or water, so there is no need for a water source or fire extinguishing agent storage tank, and there is no risk of freezing. Therefore, the initial cost and maintenance cost of the facility can be reduced.

[0026] (Effect 3) Expanded scope of application The flying robot according to the first embodiment can be remotely controlled using a remote controller without wiring or piping, thereby realizing a system suitable for surveillance over a wide area, such as a large space.

[0027] In addition, fire extinguishing systems using sprinklers have limitations in their detection capabilities, as they can only monitor spaces up to a height of 10 meters.Furthermore, because sprinkler-based fire extinguishing systems cannot pinpoint the source of a fire, they end up spraying water over a wide area, which can lead to ineffective fire extinguishing.

[0028] In contrast to this, the flying robot according to the first embodiment can be applied to large spaces and can pinpoint the source of a fire, thereby expanding the range of application.

[0029] Embodiment 2 In the second embodiment, a system configuration will be described in which a camera is mounted on the flying robot 100 and an additional function is provided that allows image data captured by the camera to be displayed on the display unit 52 of the remote controller 50.

[0030] Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of a flying robot according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The functional block diagram shown in Fig. 4 according to the second embodiment differs from the functional block diagram shown in Fig. 3 according to the first embodiment in that a camera 30 is further provided as a function controlled by the control unit 20.

[0031] 1 shows an example in which the camera 30 is mounted on the flying robot 100. Therefore, the following description will focus on the functions related to the camera 30.

[0032] The camera 30 is mounted on the flying robot 100 and generates image data captured in a first direction. That is, the camera 30 can capture image data of an area surrounded by a local space formed by nitrogen. The control unit 20 transmits the image data captured by the camera 30 to the remote controller 50.

[0033] The remote controller 50 receives the image data transmitted from the control unit 20 and displays it on the display unit 52, thereby providing the operator with image information of the flying robot 100 viewed in the first direction.

[0034] Therefore, the operator operating the remote controller 50 can easily move the flying robot 100 to a desired position relative to the fire source while referring to the image data displayed on the display unit 52. As a result, the flying robot 100 can be quickly guided to an appropriate position for extinguishing the fire source, and the fire extinguishing operation can be carried out.

[0035] Furthermore, by installing a heat detector together with the camera, or by using an infrared camera, it is possible to provide a function that can more reliably identify high-temperature areas. As a result, the location of the fire source can be identified quickly, and firefighting work can be carried out effectively.

[0036] Furthermore, by being equipped with such a camera function, the flying robot 100 can be used not only for firefighting operations, but also for monitoring important facilities, cultural properties, etc., thereby playing a role in preventing fires from occurring.

[0037] According to the fire extinguishing system of the second embodiment, in addition to the effects 1 to 3 of the first embodiment, the following further effects can be achieved. (Effect 4) Effect on speeding up firefighting operations By referring to the image information viewed in the first direction from the flying robot 100, the operator can quickly guide the flying robot 100 to the location of the fire source and perform fire extinguishing operations at an appropriate location using the local space formed by nitrogen.

[0038] In addition, by having the ability to identify high-temperature areas within the imaging area, the location of the fire source can be quickly identified and effective firefighting operations can be carried out.

[0039] (Effect 5) Effects in applications using image information By referring to image information viewed in the first direction from the flying robot, the flying robot can be applied to fire monitoring before a fire occurs. In particular, as described in Effect 3 above, the flying robot according to the present disclosure can be applied to large spaces and can be applied to various fire monitoring such as important facilities, cultural properties, and public facilities.

[0040] The remote controller 50 according to the present disclosure can acquire fire source location information by communicating with other systems such as a fire receiver, a higher-level device, etc. In such a case, the remote controller 50 can generate a remote control command for moving the flying robot 100 to an appropriate position in a pre-set spatial coordinate system based on the acquired fire source location information, and can perform flight control of the flying robot 100.

[0041] Furthermore, the remote controller 50 according to the present disclosure can also transfer image information obtained from the camera 30 to other systems.

[0042] It is also possible to use multiple flying robots to carry out firefighting operations depending on the size of the fire or the fire monitoring environment.

[0043] It is also possible to use a mobile terminal, a control panel installed on-site, or the like instead of a remote controller.

[0044] Furthermore, although the first embodiment has been described using a flying robot, the separator may be mounted on a self-propelled robot such as a vehicle, and the self-propelled robot may be driven to the fire source to carry out fire extinguishing operations in the same way as a flying robot. In this case, the robot may be self-propelled by driving wheels, or may be driven by injecting nitrogen separated by the separator backward, or may be configured to inject nitrogen and oxygen backward up to the vicinity of the fire source, and then inject only nitrogen at the fire source.

[0045] In addition, in the first and second embodiments described above, a fire extinguishing system in which a flying robot is equipped with multiple separation devices has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the same effect can be achieved by adopting a configuration in which a single separation device has multiple jetting units, or a configuration in which a single separation device has a jetting unit whose nozzle direction can be variably controlled. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10 Separation device, 11 High-pressure blower, 12 Separator, 13 Injection unit, 14 Exhaust pipe, 20 Control unit, 30 Camera, 50 Remote controller, 51 Operation unit, 52 Display unit, 100 Flying robot.

Claims

1. A mobile object that can move based on remote control commands A fire extinguishing system for extinguishing a fire source, comprising: The moving body is a separator for separating nitrogen and oxygen from ambient air; A plurality of injection units for injecting the nitrogen separated by the separation device; a control unit that executes the fire extinguishing work by injecting the nitrogen injected from each of the plurality of injection units toward the fire source based on the remote control command; Equipped with The oxygen separated by the separation device is discharged in a direction different from the fire source through an exhaust pipe, or is controlled by the control unit not to be sprayed toward the fire source when the nitrogen is sprayed toward the fire source. Fire extinguishing system.

2. A mobile object that can move based on remote control commands A fire extinguishing system for extinguishing a fire source, comprising: The moving body is A plurality of separation devices; a control unit that controls each of the plurality of separation devices based on the received remote control command; Equipped with Each of the plurality of separation devices comprises: A high-pressure blower that generates compressed air from the surrounding air; a separator for separating nitrogen and oxygen contained in the compressed air; an injection unit that injects the nitrogen and the oxygen separated by the separator; having The control unit adjusts the amount of the nitrogen and the oxygen to be injected from each of the injection units of the plurality of separation devices based on the remote control command, moves the moving body to a position suitable for extinguishing the fire source by injecting the nitrogen and the oxygen, and then performs the fire extinguishing work by injecting the nitrogen from each of the injection units toward the fire source. Fire extinguishing system.

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