Sprinkler with external control and automatic operation modes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sprinkler implemented to enable an automatic mode for automatically operating the sprinkler when a fire breaks out, a manual mode for operating the sprinkler by means of manual manipulation, and a control mode for operating the sprinkler by means of external control, and thus can quickly respond to fires and enables managers, equivalent external management companies or the like of a building in which the sprinkler is provided to control the operation of the sprinkler.

Description

Externally controlled and automatic operation mode sprinkler

[0001] The present invention relates to a sprinkler capable of initial suppression of a fire, and more particularly, to a technology for an externally controlled and automatic operation mode sprinkler in which, when a wire made of a shape memory alloy material contracts and recovers due to a fire while a fire extinguishing water path is blocked by a plug having a rotational opening and closing structure and a deflector supported by the plug, the plug rotates and is detached, and the deflector descends to open the fire extinguishing water path, and since the wire is formed into a linear structure with a diameter of 0.3 mm or less, the response time can be reduced, and thus the sprinkler can be operated even with a microcurrent.

[0002] Sprinklers are fire-fighting equipment installed on the ceilings and walls of building structures according to certain standards to release fire-extinguishing water in the event of a fire, thereby extinguishing the fire in its early stages.

[0003] These sprinklers operate automatically when the room or surrounding temperature reaches the set operating temperature in the event of a fire. The operating principles are as follows: the soluble metal installed inside the sprinkler melts or falls off at the operating temperature, opening the head; and the glass valve breaks and operates. In both cases, after one use, the head must be replaced with a new head that is closed, that is, not operated.

[0004] In addition, these sprinklers must have a complex configuration of heat detectors, fuse metals, glass valves, etc., and since the heat detected by the heat detectors must be transferred to the fuse metals or glass valves, it may be difficult for the fire extinguishing water to be released immediately depending on the time it takes for the heat to be transferred.

[0005] To solve the above problems, a technology that can immediately release fire extinguishing water by using a shape memory alloy that deforms at a specific temperature when a fire occurs is as follows.

[0006] Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0298526 (registered on June 1, 2001, hereinafter referred to as “Document 1”) discloses “Sprinkler head for fire extinguishing equipment.”

[0007] Document 1 is a technology for a sprinkler head of a fire extinguishing equipment having a frame having a body with a fastening portion formed on an upper outer surface and a discharge port formed inside, and a support rod extended therefrom, a valve cap installed at the lower end of the discharge port so as to block the discharge port of the frame, a heat-sensitive portion installed to detect a fire when it occurs and open the valve cap, and a reflector installed on the support rod so that the fire extinguishing liquid discharged through the discharge port is reflected and spread, wherein the heat-sensitive portion is a coil spring made of a shape memory alloy material set to expand and detach at a constant temperature, and is installed between the valve cap and the lower center of the support rod, thereby simplifying the structure, improving the manufacturing efficiency, and reducing the manufacturing cost by using a shape memory alloy.

[0008] As another technology, Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2020-0043212 (published on April 27, 2020, hereinafter referred to as “Document 2”), “Automatic Sprinkler and its Operating Method” is presented.

[0009] Document 2 relates to an automatic sprinkler and an operating method thereof, which automatically blocks after complete extinguishment, including a waterway section, a spray section stopper, a spray section, and an operating section, and operates in a waterway blocking state stage, a shape memory alloy contraction stage, and a shape memory alloy expansion stage, so that the shape memory alloy of the sprinkler is set to the initial fire occurrence temperature in the event of a fire, thereby enabling more accurate initial extinguishment, thereby preventing malfunction and increasing the probability of initial fire suppression, and reducing the hassle of blocking the spray because the spray is automatically blocked after complete extinguishment, and preventing secondary damage due to excessive spray, and is economical because it can be reused without replacement after a fire accident, thereby providing the effect of reducing maintenance costs.

[0010] Another technology is presented in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2425544 (registered on July 21, 2022, hereinafter referred to as 'Document 3') entitled 'Sprinkler using elastic type shape memory alloy'.

[0011] Document 3 is a technology for a sprinkler using an elastic type shape memory alloy, which includes a main body having a sprinkler body into which fire extinguishing water flows, a sprinkler frame through which the sprinkler body is connected and penetrated, an injection portion that restricts the injection of the fire extinguishing water or injects the fire extinguishing water, and an operating portion that is formed to be detachable so that the fire extinguishing water is injected when heat is detected due to an outbreak of fire, wherein the operating portion includes an elastic actuator that absorbs heat and returns to its original shape, and a side bar that is connected to the elastic actuator and induces the induction of the operating portion to be detached, thereby simplifying the configuration of the sprinkler and enabling an immediate response to the occurrence of a fire to quickly extinguish the fire.

[0012] The external control and automatic operation mode type sprinkler according to the present invention is a technology proposed to solve the problems of the prior art as described above.

[0013] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an externally controlled and automatic operation mode sprinkler in which a plug supporting a deflector is rotated and detached through a linear wire made of a shape memory alloy that contracts and recovers due to heat generated in the event of a fire, thereby causing fire extinguishing water introduced by the deflector to be ejected in all directions through the deflector.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide an externally controlled and automatic operation mode type sprinkler that can generate heat by microcurrent by making the diameter of the wire 0.3 mm or less, and that can significantly reduce the amount of current to be supplied to sprinklers installed throughout a building by supplying such microcurrent.

[0015] In addition, the present invention aims to provide an externally controlled and automatic operation mode type sprinkler in which, when current is supplied to the wire by a control mode, the wire is heated and contracted and restored, and the current that was already being supplied is automatically cut off depending on the position of the plug.

[0016] The external control and automatic operation mode type sprinkler according to the present invention is intended to achieve the above purpose.

[0017] A sprinkler body having an upper inlet for introducing fire extinguishing water and a lower outlet connected thereto;

[0018] A deflector that blocks the outlet side of the inlet in the above body and sprays the fire extinguishing water in all directions when descending;

[0019] A plug that is coupled to the outlet side of the main body so as to be separated when rotated and supports the deflector; and

[0020] An actuator for rotating the plug in the event of a fire;

[0021] Including,

[0022] The above actuator proposes an external control and automatic operation mode type sprinkler characterized in that it is capable of an automatic mode in which it operates automatically when a fire occurs, a manual mode in which it operates by manual operation, and a control mode in which it operates by external control.

[0023] The external control and automatic operation mode type sprinkler according to the present invention is

[0024] The biggest effect is that it implements an automatic mode that can lower the plug and deflector to spray fire extinguishing water by utilizing the contraction and recovery of the linear shape memory alloy wire due to heat in the event of a fire, and since the response time can be reduced by using a wire with a diameter of 0.3 mm or less, it can be heated and contracted and recovered even with a small current, so it can drastically reduce the amount of current to be supplied to all sprinklers installed in the building.

[0025] In addition, there is an external cable for power supply to the wire, and this external cable is used to supply external power to the wire, and the effect of implementing a control mode, i.e. a remote control mode, is achieved by using a wired / wireless transmission / reception module to connect or disconnect external power to the external cable from a management office or control center.

[0026] It also has the greatest effect of providing sprinklers that can operate without malfunction in the event of a fire.

[0027] In addition, it has the effect of allowing the opening and closing structure for the inflow and discharge of digestive water to operate only by the contraction and recovery of the wire without being affected by external vibrations or earthquakes.

[0028] In addition, in the event of a fire, if it is necessary to spray fire extinguishing water before the temperature for recovering the wire from heat contraction is reached, a manual mode can be implemented in which the cover and the plug connected to it are forcibly rotated by holding the cover and forcibly rotating it to detach it, and while existing sprinklers that operate only in the event of a fire do not operate in the manual mode like the present invention, fire inspections cannot be performed at all, the present invention has the effect of being able to perform fire inspections such as whether it is operating normally and the status of transmission and reception with the control center, etc., through the manual mode.

[0029] Another circuit that can check the status of the switch connection and disconnection in real time when another sprinkler is operating allows multiple sprinklers in the vicinity to be operated simultaneously depending on the fire situation, which has the effect of enabling a more proactive response to fire suppression.

[0030] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional diagram showing an external control and automatic operation mode type sprinkler according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 is an exploded three-dimensional diagram showing an external control and automatic operation mode type sprinkler according to the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3 is an exploded three-dimensional diagram showing the sprinkler body.

[0033] Figure 4 is a combined three-dimensional configuration diagram showing a part of an external control and automatic operation mode type sprinkler according to the present invention;

[0034] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional three-dimensional configuration diagram showing an external control and automatic operation mode type sprinkler according to the present invention.

[0035] Figures 6 and 7 are bottom view diagrams showing the operating status of an external control and automatic operation mode type sprinkler according to the present invention.

[0036] Figure 8 is a bottom view diagram showing the control structure by the power supply unit, limit switch, and controller.

[0037] The sprinkler according to the present invention relates to an externally controlled and automatic operation mode type sprinkler,

[0038] A sprinkler body (10) having an upper inlet (11) through which fire extinguishing water flows in and a lower outlet (12) connected thereto;

[0039] A deflector (20) that blocks the outlet side of the inlet (11) in the above body (10) and sprays the fire extinguishing water in all directions when descending;

[0040] A plug (30) that is coupled to the outlet (12) side of the main body (10) so as to be separated when rotated and supports the deflector (20); and

[0041] An actuator (40) for rotating the plug (30) in case of fire;

[0042] Including,

[0043] The above actuator (40) can be operated in an automatic mode in which it operates automatically when a fire occurs, a manual mode in which it operates by manual operation, and a control mode in which it operates by external control.

[0044] The above actuator (40) is characterized by using a linear shape memory alloy wire (45).

[0045] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0046] Prior to this, the terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their typical or dictionary meanings, and should be interpreted with meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to best explain his or her own invention. Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

[0047] Based on Figure 2, the direction is specified as the upper or upper side of the main body, and the direction is specified as the lower or lower side of the main body.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the external control and automatic operation mode type sprinkler according to the present invention,

[0049] It is largely composed of a sprinkler body (10), a deflector (20), a plug (30), and an actuator (40).

[0050] Looking at each configuration,

[0051] The above body (10)

[0052] As shown in Figures 1 to 5,

[0053] It is installed on the ceiling of a building structure or a panel covering it.

[0054] An upper inlet (11) connected to the digestive water supply pipe and through which digestive water flows in, and

[0055] A lower outlet (12) interconnected with the above inlet (11)

[0056] It consists of a cylindrical structure including .

[0057] At this time, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the main body (10) can be configured by dividing into an upper part (10A) and a lower part (10B), and the inlet (11) is formed to penetrate upward and downward in a double-pipe structure within the upper part (10A), and the outlet (12) is formed to penetrate upward and downward within the lower part (10B). Ultimately, the lower end of the inlet (11), that is, the outlet side, is arranged in a structure in which the upper end of the outlet (12) surrounds it in a spaced manner. The upper part (10A) and the lower part (10B) can be assembled or separated from each other by mutual fastening between the screw threads and corresponding screw threads formed therein, respectively.

[0058] And as shown in Fig. 2, the outlet (12) of the main body (10) is formed with two or more 'ㄱ' shaped guide grooves (13) that are arranged radially along the inner surface and have a lower opening (131) and an upper rotational space (132) connected thereto.

[0059] The above deflector (20)

[0060]

[0061] *As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5,

[0062] This is to block the outlet side of the inlet (11) in the above body (10) and spray the fire extinguishing water in all directions when descending.

[0063] Upper ring (21),

[0064] A lower ring (22) spaced apart from the lower side of the upper ring (21) and having a plurality of radial guides (221), and

[0065] Two or more relay rods (23) interconnecting the upper ring (21) and the lower ring (22)

[0066] It consists of including.

[0067] At this time, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, an annular step-shaped stopper (14) is further formed on the inner surface of the outlet (12) of the main body (10) so that the upper ring (21) of the lowered deflector (20) is settled, thereby limiting the descending distance of the deflector (20). In other words, the lower ring (22) and each of the relay rods (23) can descend without interference with the stopper (14), and only the upper ring (21) is caught and settled by the stopper (14).

[0068] And as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a gasket (24) is further provided in the central area of ​​the upper surface of the lower ring (22) of the deflector (20) to block the outlet (12) of the main body (10) and prevent water leakage.

[0069] The above plug (30)

[0070] As shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5,

[0071] It is coupled to the outlet (12) side of the main body (10) so as to be separated when rotated and is for supporting the deflector (20).

[0072] The lower part is shaped like a disk, and the upper part is made of a three-dimensional structure with a cross-sectional area that decreases as it goes upward.

[0073] At this time, as shown in Fig. 6, the plug (30) is formed with two or more holders (31) that are positioned radially along the outer surface and are located on one side of the rotational space (132) of each guide groove (13), supported on the bottom of the rotational space (132), and have ends that protrude outward from the rotational space (132).

[0074] The above actuator (40)

[0075] As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 to FIG. 7,

[0076] To rotate the above plug (30) in case of fire,

[0077] A rotator (41) that is rotatably connected to the outer surface of the outlet (12) of the above body (10),

[0078] Two or more recesses (42) arranged radially along the inner surface of the above rotator (41) and connected male and female to the ends of each holder (31),

[0079] A support block (43) mounted on the outer surface of the upper side of the outlet (12) of the above body (10),

[0080] A snap block (44) formed protruding on the outer surface of the above rotator (41), and

[0081] A wire (45) made of a shape memory alloy that is arranged in a form that wraps around the outer surface of the rotator (41), with one end supported by the support block (43) and the other end supported by the snap block (44), and that shrinks and restores to its original shape at a certain temperature.

[0082] It consists of including.

[0083] At this time, the actuator (40) can operate in an automatic mode in which it operates automatically when a fire occurs, a manual mode in which it operates by manual operation, and a control mode in which it operates by external control.

[0084] And the actuator (40) uses a linear shape memory alloy wire (45), and the wire (45) has a diameter of 0.3 mm or less, and particularly preferably 0.3 mm. This diameter is suitable for the wire (45) to be sufficiently and quickly heated by only a microcurrent supply, while also having a contraction restoring force that can forcibly rotate the rotator (41). In other words, if the diameter exceeds 0.3 mm, the amount of current to be supplied increases significantly, and if it is less than that, the amount of current to be supplied decreases, but the contraction restoring force is weak, so the rotator (41) may not rotate or may break in the middle.

[0085] And the above wire (45) is formed into a structure having a certain length, and is further provided with a snap ring (452) for fastening at both ends, and the head of this snap ring (452) is fitted into the hole of the support block (43) and supported, and the head of another snap ring (452) is fitted into the hole of the snap block (44) and supported.

[0086] Eventually, as shown in Fig. 7, when the wire (45) is restored to contraction, the plug (30) also rotates as the rotator (41) rotates clockwise, so that each holder (31) of the plug (30) is positioned at the opening (131) of the guide groove (13). At this time, the plug (30) may automatically fall and detach, and it is preferable to further include an elastic body (46) to be described later for a smoother detachment operation.

[0087] And as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the actuator (40) is further provided with an elastic body (46) that is interposed in a compressed state between the deflector (20) and the plug (30), so that when the wire (45) is contracted and restored, when each holder (31) of the plug (30) is positioned at the opening (131) side of the guide groove (13), the plug (30) is pushed downward and detached by the elastic restoring force of the elastic body (46), and at the same time, the deflector (20) is lowered to open the outlet side of the inlet (11) of the main body (10). In this way, it is possible to implement an automatic mode in which the fire extinguishing water flows into the outlet side of the inlet (11) of the main body (10) that is opened and is sprayed in all directions by the deflector (20) from the outlet (12) of the main body (10).

[0088] And as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the actuator (40) further includes a return member (47) comprising an elastic body (471) arranged to wrap around the outer surface of the main body (10), a top rod (472) bent from one end of the elastic body (471) toward the support block (45) and inserted and fixed into the support block (43), and a bottom rod (473) bent downward from the other end of the elastic body (471) and supported on the side wall of the snap block (44), so that when the contracted restoration state of the wire (45) is released, the wire (45) is extended by the elastic restoration force of the elastic body (471), and the rotator (41) returns to its original position. This structure is such that when the fire is extinguished by the removal of the plug (30) by the actuator (40), the rotator (41) is artificially rotated to generate an elastic restoring force for the return member (47), and when the plug (30) is inserted toward the outlet (12) of the main body (10) and the rotator (41) is released, the return member (47) can be automatically rotated by the elastic restoring force and placed in its original position.

[0089] And as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the actuator (40) is further provided with a flange (48) that protrudes along the left and right peripheral areas of the opening (131) of the guide groove (13) in the main body (10) to support the lower portion of the rotator (41), an annular groove (49A) that is formed to be recessed along the upper outer surface of the rotator (41) in the main body (10), and a retaining ring (49B) that is mounted in the annular groove (49A) to support the upper portion of the rotator (41), thereby enabling replacement and repair of the rotator (41) and the wire (45), etc.

[0090] And as shown in Fig. 6, the wire (45) may be covered with a low thermal conductivity reaction delay member (451). This may be suitable in cases where the time until the wire (45) reaches a certain temperature at which it can be heated and contracted needs to be further delayed, taking into account the environment or conditions in which the sprinkler of the present invention is installed.

[0091] Meanwhile, the external control and automatic operation mode type sprinkler according to the present invention further includes a switch (60) that is connected by the plug (30) and is shut off when the plug (30) is removed, a relay line (70) that electrically connects the wire (45) and the switch (60), and an external cable (80) that is electrically connected to the switch (60).

[0092] Ultimately, when a fire occurs, it is possible to implement a control mode in which the plug (30) and the deflector (20) can be lowered by using the contraction and recovery of the linear shape memory alloy wire (45) to spray fire extinguishing water by connecting to an external power source using the external cable (80) and supplying current to the wire (45) through the switch (60) to generate heat.

[0093] And, in case a fire occurs, if it is necessary to spray fire extinguishing water before the temperature for heat-induced contraction recovery of the wire (45) is reached, a manual mode can be implemented in which the cover (50) and the plug (30) connected thereto are forcibly rotated and separated by holding the cover (50) and forcibly rotating it. In contrast to the existing sprinkler that operates only in case of fire, which does not operate in manual mode like the present invention, fire inspections cannot be performed at all, in the present invention, fire inspections such as whether the sprinkler is operating normally and the status of transmission and reception with the control center, etc. can be performed through manual mode.

[0094] In addition, there is an external cable (80) for power supply to the wire (45), so that it is possible to implement a control mode in which external power is supplied to the wire (45) using the external cable (80) and external power is connected or disconnected to the external cable (80) from a management office or control center using a wireless transmission / reception module.

[0095] Meanwhile, the external control and automatic operation mode type sprinkler according to the present invention further includes an operation confirmation line (90).

[0096] As shown in Fig. 8, the operation confirmation line (90) is electrically connected to the switch (60). The operation confirmation line (90) can be used for various purposes. For example, when the switch (60) is turned off, it can transmit fire detection-related information such as a text message or sound to a terminal connected to the operation confirmation line (90). Through this, the control center or management office can detect the fire at an early stage, allowing for a quick initial response. In particular, since the sprinkler that first transmitted fire detection-related information among several sprinklers installed in the space where the fire occurred can be identified as the initial ignition point, it can be of great help in identifying the cause of the fire. Therefore, since the operation confirmation line (90) can externally notify the on / off operation of the switch (60), it will be possible to implement a sprinkler management and control system utilizing this.

[0097] In describing the present invention above, the "external control and automatic operation mode type sprinkler" having a specific shape and structure has been mainly described with reference to the attached drawings, but the present invention can be variously modified and changed by those skilled in the art, and such modifications and changes should be interpreted as falling within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0098] The external control and automatic operation mode type sprinkler according to the present invention implements an automatic mode so that the plug and deflector can be lowered and the fire extinguishing water can be sprayed by utilizing the contraction and recovery of the linear shape memory alloy wire due to heat when a fire occurs, and since the response time can be reduced by using the wire having a diameter of 0.3 mm or less, it can be heated and recovered by a small current, so it can help to drastically reduce the amount of current to be supplied to the entire sprinkler installed in a building, and thus has sufficient industrial applicability.

Claims

1. A sprinkler body (10) having an upper inlet (11) through which fire extinguishing water flows in and a lower outlet (12) connected thereto; A deflector (20) that blocks the outlet side of the inlet (11) in the above body (10) and sprays the fire extinguishing water in all directions when descending; A plug (30) that is coupled to the outlet (12) side of the main body (10) so as to be separated when rotated and supports the deflector (20); and An actuator (40) for rotating the plug (30) in case of fire; Including, The above actuator (40) can be operated in an automatic mode in which it operates automatically when a fire occurs, a manual mode in which it operates by manual operation, and a control mode in which it operates by external control. The above actuator (40) is an external control and automatic operation mode type sprinkler characterized by using a linear shape memory alloy wire (45).

2. In paragraph 1, An external control and automatic operation mode type sprinkler, characterized in that the above wire (45) has a diameter of 0.3 mm or less.

3. In paragraph 1, An external control and automatic operation mode type sprinkler characterized by further comprising a switch (60) that is connected by the plug (30) and is shut off when the plug (30) is removed, a relay line (70) that electrically connects the wire (45) and the switch (60), an external cable (80) that is electrically connected to the switch (60), and an operation confirmation line (90) that is electrically connected to the switch (60).

4. In paragraph 3, Using the external cable (80), external power is supplied to the wire (45) side through the switch (60), An external control and automatic operation mode type sprinkler characterized in that the connection between the external cable (80) and the external power source is connected or disconnected using a wireless transmission / reception module.

5. In paragraph 1, In the outlet (12) of the above main body (10), two or more 'ㄱ' shaped guide grooves (13) are formed, which are arranged radially along the inner surface and have a lower opening (131) and an upper rotating space (132) connected thereto. The plug (30) is formed with two or more holders (31) that are radially arranged along the outer surface and are located on one side of the rotational space (132) of each guide groove (13) and are supported on the bottom of the rotational space (132) and have ends that protrude outward from the rotational space (132). The above actuator (40) is an externally controlled and automatic operation mode type sprinkler characterized in that it is composed of a rotator (41) that is rotatably coupled to the outer surface of the outlet (12) of the main body (10), two or more recesses (42) that are radially arranged along the inner surface of the rotator (41) and that are male and female coupled to the ends of each holder (31), a support block (43) that is mounted on the outer surface of the upper side of the outlet (12) of the main body (10), a snap block (44) that is protruded and formed on the outer surface of the rotator (41), and a wire (45) that is arranged in a manner that surrounds the outer surface of the rotator (41), has one end supported by the support block (43) and the other end supported by the snap block (44), and is made of a shape memory alloy that shrinks and restores to its original shape at a certain temperature.

6. In paragraph 5, An external control and automatic operation mode type sprinkler characterized in that the actuator (40) further comprises a return member (47) comprising an elastic body (471) arranged to surround the outer surface of the main body (10), a top rod (472) bent from one end of the elastic body (471) toward the support block (45) and inserted and fixed into the support block (43), and a bottom rod (473) bent downward from the other end of the elastic body (471) and supported on the side wall of the snap block (44).

Images