Fire protection system for parked electric or electrified vehicles, fire protection method and related parking area

Abstract

Fire protection system (3) for electric vehicles (V) comprising: at least one parking bay (4), comprising a structure (40) that defines an inner volume (A), the faces (40f) of which are all closed except one that defines an access passage (B) allowing access to the inner volume (A), and a closing element (42) for closing said access passage (B); a hydraulic system (5) comprising: at least one tank (50); at least one distribution circuit (51); a collection circuit (52); at least one purification system (53); and at least one pump (54); a control unit (6) comprising a plurality of sensors (62) positioned in the parking bay (4). The control unit (6) is adapted to control and drive the hydraulic system (5). The control unit (6) is adapted to selectively command the closing of the access passage (B). The hydraulic system (5) is designed to ensure that a parking bay (4) where a fire has broken out will be filled to a height not below a height of at least one battery (VB) of the vehicle (V). The control unit (6) is adapted to activate said at least one pump (54) of said hydraulic system (5). The closed faces (40f) and the closing element (42) comprise a removable thermal shield (41) comprising a first face (41a) and a second face (41b), and adapted to guarantee a safe thermal gradient between said first face and said second face.

Description

[0001] TITLE: FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR PARKED ELECTRIC OR ELECTRIFIED VEHICLES, FIRE PROTECTION METHOD AND RELATED PARKING AREA.

[0002] The present invention relates to a fire protection system for parked electric or electrified vehicles, which vehicles may have been parked to undergo an electric recharging phase or simply for a stop and / or for service.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a fire protection method for parked electric or electrified vehicles.

[0004] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a parking area for vehicles, adapted to house a plurality of electric or electrified vehicles which have been parked to undergo an electric recharging phase or simply for a stop and / or for service.

[0005] - PRIORART -

[0006] For the purposes of the present description, the term "electrified vehicle" refers to a vehicle moved by one or more electric motors and drives, with batteries storing the necessary energy. This definition also includes, therefore, electrified vehicles, i.e. vehicles with fully electric propulsion, called BEVs; plug-in hybrid vehicles, called PHEVs, which can be recharged externally; and hybrid vehicles that cannot be recharged externally, called HEVs.

[0007] For the purposes of the present description, an electric vehicle is a vehicle which is moved also or exclusively by an electric motor absorbing current from a battery that can be recharged with energy from an external source, such as the domestic or public electric grid, and which is designed for use on public roads and highways, e.g. as defined in Memorandum no. 2 of 5th November 2018, Guidelines for installation of recharging infrastructures for electric vehicles.

[0008] It is known that underground, ground-level and elevated box-garages, parking facilities and workshops where electric vehicles can be parked, e.g. for recharging, must have been granted a fire prevention certificate issued by a local supervisory authority, e.g. the fire department. Guidelines for installation of recharging infrastructures for electric vehicles are provided in specific regulatory documents, e.g. in Fire Department Memorandum no. 2 of 5 November 2018, Prot. No. 15.000.

[0009] Future research, e.g. experimental studies conducted on the behaviour of lithium-ion batteries, may lead to said guidelines being further reviewed. When a fire breaks out, e.g. in an underground parking facility, if an electric or electrified vehicle is involved which is equipped with a lithium battery, the situation may become complicated because the fire will be difficult to extinguish, requiring huge amounts of water, proper training, and specific equipment.

[0010] The "thermal runaway" problem is well known in the art, and is the most important issue, as far as the risk of fire is concerned, which affects electric vehicles. This is due to the fact that, in case of fire, thermal unbalance occurs within a lithium-ion battery which results in an uncontrolled and unstoppable increase in temperature, which may rise as high as l,300°C. A chain reaction will thus be triggered, leading first to combustion and then to explosion . Procedures are known for trying to limit and extinguish a fire occurring in an electric or electrified vehicle. Depending on various parameters, including the vehicle model, one may adopt either a defensive technique, leaving the vehicle to burn if no people are inside and protecting the surrounding environment, or an offensive technique, trying to extinguish the fire and cool the batteries. Afterwards, the vehicle is suitably immobilized.

[0011] If flames allow, rescuers will disconnect the high- voltage battery for safety and practicality. As a matter of fact, prior to any intervention on the vehicle, it is necessary to make sure that the power line has been disconnected by cutting specific cables that manufacturers position in easily accessible places.

[0012] A first method that can be used for extinguishing a fire requires the use of a large amount of water, generally around ten thousand litres. The use of water for extinguishing a fire may result in inflammable gases being released in the passenger compartment; it is therefore essential that rescuers pay attention to toxic vapours produced by combustion.

[0013] It is also well known that, in an electric or electrified vehicle, a fire that seems to have been extinguished may restart even with a delay of hours. For this reason, according to the current state of the art, the vehicle is removed from the place of the accident and stored outdoors, isolated for a predetermined time, e.g. at least 72 hours, at a safe distance, e.g. at least 15 metres, from any other inflammable object. According to the current state of the art, the vehicle is, whenever possible, submerged in a tank filled with water, so that no flames can develop again in the battery.

[0014] A second approach involves removing oxygen from a known volume, e.g. a container, that covers the vehicle, or else coating the entire vehicle with a flame-resistant substance.

[0015] A third approach uses specific high-pressure fire- extinguishers, different and distinct from those normally in use, even by rescuers.

[0016] It is known that "thermal runaway" occurs very rapidly. In case of fire, before rescuers arrive, the only aid is provided by the active and passive protection devices available in the parking area where the vehicle is parked. It is therefore essential to ensure a quick intervention of the active and passive protection devices in the place where the vehicle is parked and, afterwards, of rescuers to try and limit the fire, at least in order to prevent it from propagating.

[0017] It is well known that limiting and extinguishing a fire is a time-consuming task for rescuers, and that, therefore, the vehicle involved in the fire can only be removed many hours later, generally more than 10 hours later.

[0018] Patent application CN111589015A discloses an explosion-proof and fire-extinguishing device for an electric vehicle. The device comprises an explosion-proof shell, which is provided with a parking cavity provided with suitably connected openings and cover plates. Through a winding motor, the cover plates are driven to enclose a battery vehicle in the parking cavity, and the oxygen required for the combustion of the battery vehicle is exhausted, thus providing an extinguishing effect. An extinguishing liquid is sprayed in order to extinguish the fire, so that a double fire-extinguishing effect is provided and the fire extinguishing time is reduced to prevent an explosion.

[0019] Patent application WO2023152017A1 discloses a module with geometric dimensions suitable for completely enclosing a motor vehicle. The module is additionally designed to be at least air-tight with respect to the surrounding area, such that the air pressure within the module can be preferably lowered with respect to the air pressure in the surrounding area. The module additionally has at least one sensor designed to detect a fire, and the module is also designed to introduce water if the vehicle located in the module is on fire, so that the vehicle which is on fire or at risk of catching fire can be at least partly doused or submerged.

[0020] Patent application EP4104906A1 discloses a depot and an arrangement for storing a vehicle having an electric motor and / or a battery. The depot has a roof, a floor, sidewalls, and an opening that can be closed by a door to allow the vehicle to enter or exit. When the door is closed, it delimits the inner volume of the depot, which is at least liquid-tight, and which has at least one controllable fluid inlet through which at least one fluid can be introduced in a targeted way into the depot when a fire occurs.

[0021] Because of the increasing demand for electric or electrified vehicles to ensure sustainable mobility, particularly in the automotive field, there is also an increasing risk that the number of self-combustion events occurring in electric and electrified vehicles might increase in number. The places where such events are most likely to occur are parking, charging and service areas. It is apparent that a technical problem ensues from making available to electric vehicles places where, in case of fire and propagation thereof, serious risks may arise even for the very stability of the building. Therefore, fire prevention and protection systems need to be implemented for electric or electrified vehicles.

[0022] - OBJECT0F THEINVENTION -

[0023] The present invention aims at solving the problems suffered by the prior art by providing an innovative fire protection system that could inspire some further revisions of current guidelines.

[0024] The present invention is not meant as a substitute for prior-art systems and methods, since it is intended to integrate and manage them in an innovative way. In the fire protection system according to the present invention, a parking bay is totally confined and thermally shielded to ensure that the fire will not propagate and cause damage to the structures in which the parking bay is located, thereby making it possible, de facto, to wait for the fire to cease, so that afterwards the rescuers, e.g. firemen, will only have to monitor the situation and remove the vehicle once the fire has ceased or has been extinguished.

[0025] One aspect of the present invention relates to a fire protection system having the features set out in the appended claim 1. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a fire protection method for parked electric or electrified vehicles having the features set out in claim 9.

[0026] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a parking area having the features set out in claim 12.

[0027] The features of the system, method and parking area according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the following non-limiting and merely explanatory embodiments and implementations and to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0028] - Figure 1 shows, by way of non-limiting example, a block diagram of a hydraulic system connected to at least one parking bay of the fire protection system according to the present invention;

[0029] - Figures 2A and 2B show different views of one possible, but merely illustrative and non-limiting, embodiment of a parking area comprising a fire protection system according to the present invention, wherein Figure 2A shows a sectional side view of the parking area along a section plane A-A; whereas Figure 2B shows a sectional plan view of the parking area along a section plane C-C.

[0030] - Figure 3 shows an illustrative and non-limiting flow chart of the fire protection method for parked electric or electrified vehicles according to the present invention;

[0031] - Figures 4A, 4B and 4C show different views of one possible embodiment of said parking bay comprised in the fire protection system according to the present invention, wherein Figure 4A shows the parking bay in a front view with respect to the access passage; Figure 4B shows the parking bay in a sectional side view along a section plane A-A; Figure 4C shows the parking bay in a sectional plan view along a section plane B-B.

[0032] - DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION-

[0033] With reference to the above-listed figures, reference numeral 3 designates as a whole the fire protection system according to the present invention, whereas reference numeral 1 designates as a whole a parking area according to the present invention, which comprises the fire protection system according to the present invention.

[0034] Fire protection system 3 according to the present invention is particularly suited for parked electric or electrified vehicles "V". Said vehicles "V" comprise, therefore, at least one battery "VB". In particular, said vehicles "V" may have been parked to undergo an electric recharging phase, or simply for a stop and / or for service.

[0035] Said fire protection system 3 according to the present invention comprises at least one parking bay 4. Said at least one parking bay 4 is suitably positioned in a space "S", e.g. a parking area 1, for parking electric or electrified vehicles "V".

[0036] Said at least one parking bay 4 comprises a structure 40 that defines a three-dimensional inner volume "A". Said structure 40 has faces 40f which are all closed except at least one that defines a passage "B" allowing access to inner volume "A" defined by structure 40 of parking bay 4.

[0037] Said at least one parking bay 4 comprises at least one closing element 42. Said closing element 42 is adapted to selectively close, in a sealed manner, e.g. in an almost air-tight manner, said passage "B" allowing access to inner volume "A" of structure 40 of parking bay 4. Said fire protection system 3 according to the present invention comprises a hydraulic system 5. Said hydraulic system 5 is connected to said at least one parking bay 4.

[0038] Said hydraulic system 5 comprises at least one tank 50 adapted to contain an extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance.

[0039] Said hydraulic system 5 comprises at least one distribution circuit 51 for conducting the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance towards said at least one parking bay 4, in particular from said at least one tank 50 towards said at least one parking bay 4.

[0040] Said hydraulic system 5 comprises a collection circuit 52 adapted to allow the recovery of said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance contained in said inner volume "A" of said parking bay 4 in case of fire.

[0041] Said hydraulic system 5 further comprises at least one purification system 53 adapted to purify said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance coming from said parking bay 4 through said collection circuit 52.

[0042] Said hydraulic system 5 comprises at least one pump 54. Said at least one pump 54 is adapted to move said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance in hydraulic system 5.

[0043] Said fire protection system 3 according to the present invention comprises a control unit 6. Said control unit 6 comprises, in turn, a plurality of sensors 62, at least suitably positioned in parking bay 4, e.g. within inner volume "A" of parking bay 4 and / or inside structure 40 and / or outside structure 40 of parking bay 4.

[0044] Said control unit 6 is adapted to control and drive said hydraulic system 5. Said control unit 6 is adapted to selectively control the closing of said access passage "B" of each parking bay 4 by appropriately driving at least one actuator 420 comprised in said closing element 42.

[0045] Said hydraulic system 5, suitably driven by said control unit 6, is designed to ensure that a parking bay 4 where a fire has broken out will be filled to a height not below a height "H" of said at least one battery "VB" of said vehicle "V".

[0046] Said control unit 6 is adapted to drive said hydraulic system 5 in such a way as to cause said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to flow from said parking bay 4 filled with said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to said collection circuit 52, and from said collection circuit 52 to said tank 50, via said purification system 53, to be then fed again into said at least one parking bay 4, in particular into the same parking bay 4 from which it came. For example, said control unit 6 drives said hydraulic system 5 by activating at least one pump 54 and / or by opening at least one drain valve 520 comprised in said parking bay 4 and / or in said collection circuit 52.

[0047] In fire protection system 3 according to the present invention, said closed faces 40f of structure 40 of said parking bay 4, as well as said closing element 42 of said parking bay 4, comprise a thermal shield 41.

[0048] Said thermal shield 41 coats the inner surfaces of said inner volume "A" of structure 40 of parking bay 4, in particular each face 40F and said closing element 42. Said thermal shield 41 is removable, in particular from said faces 40f of structure 40 and from said closing element 42.

[0049] Furthermore, said thermal shield 41 comprises a first face 41a and a second face 41b.

[0050] In addition, said thermal shield 41 is adapted to guarantee a safe thermal gradient between said first face 41a and said second face 41b, e.g. a gradient which is sufficient to ensure that, in case of fire, if first face 41a is exposed to a high temperature, second face 41b in contact with a face 40f of structure 40 of parking bay 4 will remain at a safe temperature, e.g. lower than a temperature which is critical for the stability of the material of said structure 40 of parking bay 4. For example, said thermal gradient is at least 600°C. By way of example, when a fire occurs and first face 41a is exposed to a temperature of l,300°C, second face will have a temperature of less than 700°C.

[0051] Fire protection system 3 according to the present invention provides a useful design solution with effective active and passive technical devices to limit the propagation of a fire, particularly a fire occurring in an electric or electrified vehicle "V", which is particularly suitable for closed, small and hardly accessible spaces such as underground, ground-level or elevated box-garages, parking facilities and workshops, and particularly for parking areas 1 where people are not allowed access. Furthermore, the present solution can prevent an explosion from occurring, since it is possible to take action immediately to control the fire. Due to thermal shield 41, to battery "VB" of vehicle "V" being submerged, and to the temperature in parking bay 4 on fire being controlled, fire protection system 3 according to the present invention guarantees that the fire will not propagate and also that temperatures will remain within the REI limits set by engineers for building a structure 10 of a parking area 1, as long as necessary to extinguish the fire.

[0052] Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to cut down management costs, in that the costs incurred after a fire in a parking bay 4 will only be those necessary for restoring thermal shield 41 and all systems and devices of the confined parking bay 4 involved in the fire event, such as, for example, sensors, actuators, etc., without affecting any other parking bays 4 or a structure 10 of parking area 1 where fire protection system 3 according to the present invention is comprised.

[0053] In one possible, but merely illustrative and nonlimiting, embodiment, said structure 40 of said parking bay 4 is preferably made of reinforced concrete, the latter having a low thermal conductivity. In another possible, but merely illustrative and non-limiting, embodiment, said structure 40 is made of metal alloys, e.g. iron alloys, in particular alloys suitable to withstand high temperatures.

[0054] Said structure 40 is adapted to define an inner volume "A" in which a vehicle "V", in particular a car, can be parked. By way of non-limiting example, said cars have a length of less than 5.5m, a width of less than 2.3m, and a height of less than 2m. Preferably, said inner volume "A" of parking bay 4 defines a right parallelepiped structure, even more preferably a rectangular parallelepiped structure.

[0055] More generally, each parking bay 4 is adapted to be closed on all sides or faces 40f of structure 40, except the single side or face through which vehicle "V" will be able to gain access to it, which face defines said access passage "B". Said closing element 42 of parking bay 4, adapted to close said access passage "B", is, for example, a tilting door, a sliding door, hinged double doors, or any type of electrically controlled movable closing element capable of closing in a sealed manner, e.g. in an almost air-tight manner, said inner volume "A".

[0056] Said closing element 42 is moved by an actuator 420, e.g. an electrical and / or electromechanical one. Sensors 62 are associated with said closing element 42 and / or with said actuator 420, which are electrically connected to said control unit 6, e.g. over a wired or wireless connection.

[0057] In the preferred embodiment of fire protection system 3 according to the present invention, said closing element 42 of parking bay 4 is of the tilting type and is moved by a dedicated actuator 420.

[0058] In one possible embodiment, said thermal shield 41 has a panel structure, preferably a multilayer or sandwich structure. Preferably, between said first face 41a and said second face 41b of said thermal shield 41 there is at least one layer of a material other than the material of said first face 41a and / or said second face 41b.

[0059] By way of non-limiting example, said thermal shield 41 may have a thermal conductivity of less than 0.04 W / mK, and a transmittance of less than 0.9 W / mqK. Preferably, said thermal shield 41 is made of incombustible materials.

[0060] More generally, said thermal shield 41 may be made of any material, e.g. a commercially available material, including, for example, composite materials, carbon and / or mineral fibres, resin fibres, chemical products, capable of withstanding high temperatures, avoiding fire propagation, and ensuring a temperature difference between the surface directly in contact with the flame, e.g. said first face 41a, and the outer one, e.g. said second face 41b, such as to guarantee compliance with the REI values used for designing parking area 1 where parking bay 4 is located.

[0061] More generally, said parking bay 4 is designed to at least comply with the current REI 120 standard.

[0062] More generally, said fire protection system 3 according to the present invention is advantageously also associated with, in addition to said parking bay 4 and said hydraulic system 5 according to the present invention, flame and smoke resistant physical barriers like those normally comprised in a parking area 1 to comply with currently mandatory fire protection regulations, as prescribed by national laws in force.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment of fire protection system 3 according to the present invention, said hydraulic system 5 is driven by said control unit 6 in such a way as to vary the average time necessary for filling a parking bay 4 as a function of the data processed by an algorithm adapted to assess the risk of fire on the basis of variations in the physical quantities measured by said sensors 62 in time and / or space. By way of non-limiting example, said control unit 6 is adapted to execute an algorithm capable of determining the onset of a phenomenon known as "thermal runaway" based on space and time data obtained from the measurements taken by means of sensors 62, particularly sensors 62 positioned within inner volume "A" of structure 40 of parking bay 4. For example, said algorithm is designed to determine the onset of thermal runaway on the basis of temperature and smoke sensors 62 positioned in different regions of inner volume "A", and also on the basis of measurements taken at different time instants. Moreover, said temperature sensors 62 and said smoke sensors 62 may be of different types to facilitate the determination of the onset of a thermal runaway phenomenon.

[0064] More generally, said sensors 62 are connected to said control unit 6 over a wired or wireless connection.

[0065] More generally, hydraulic system 5 is designed to be able to fill a parking bay 4 quickly. Depending on the specific situation in parking bay 4 and on the surrounding conditions, e.g. fire in more than one parking bay 4, said control unit 6 will drive said hydraulic system 5 to optimize the rate of filling of each parking bay 4 involved in a fire. In fact, the rate of filling of each parking bay 4 may vary according to fire type and location.

[0066] Preferably, said at least one tank 50, e.g. a basin, said distribution circuit 51, and said at least one pump 54 are designed to allow the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to be distributed into a plurality of parking bays 4. Even more preferably, said hydraulic system 5 is designed to ensure substantially the same flow rate and pressure for all parking bays 4 associated with hydraulic system 5 of fire protection system 3 according to the present invention, e.g. included in a parking area 1.

[0067] Said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance is, for example, water, water mist, preferably water and additives suitable to prevent the temperature of the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance from increasing, or any type of fluid which is capable of extinguishing a fire and / or reducing its temperature, and which can operate in a hydraulic system 5 according to the present invention.

[0068] Said tank 50 may have any shape, be made of any material, and be of any type, according to specific requirements, e.g. depending on the number of parking bays 4 to be served and on the type of parking area 1 with which fire protection system 3 is associated.

[0069] In one possible embodiment, said tank 50 is arranged in empty spaces between two or more parking bays 4. Alternatively, said tank 50 may be positioned on a surface of structure 10 which defines said parking area 1. More generally, said tank 50 may be provided in a dedicated space or in any other space available in structure 10 defining parking area 1 in which fire protection system 3 is comprised.

[0070] Said distribution circuit 51 may have any shape, be made of any material, and be of any type, according to specific requirements, e.g. depending on the number of parking bays 4 to be served and on the type of parking area 1 with which fire protection system 3 is associated. Preferably, said distribution circuit 51 is designed to ensure that the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance will be pumped at high pressure by said at least one pump 54.

[0071] In one possible embodiment, which is particularly useful in the case of a parking area 1 having a complex and large structure 10, said distribution circuit 51 has a branched conformation to be able to take the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance from one or more tanks 50 and deliver it to one or more parking bays 4 through one or more sub-circuits, even dedicated ones.

[0072] More generally, the volume of tank 50 and the conformation of distribution circuit 51 are designed as a function of the risk of fire, in particular in said parking area 1.

[0073] More generally, said hydraulic system 5 may comprise a plurality of pumps 54, which can define a system for lifting or moving said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance. At least one pump 54 is designed to move said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance from said tank 50 towards said distribution circuit 51 for filling at least one parking bay 4.

[0074] Said hydraulic system 5 is designed to ensure that a parking bay 4 where a fire has broken out and is developing will be totally and constantly filled to a height not below, preferably above, a height "H", , where said at least one battery "VB" is located, preferably, said height "H" defines the highest point of said battery "VB" of vehicle "V" in parking bay 4. As a matter of fact, it is from said battery "VB" of vehicle "V" that a fire usually originates and develops. In case of fire, it is therefore appropriate to submerge said battery "VB" completely in said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance. Said height "H" is the height along the vertical axis extending from face 40f of structure 40 of parking bay 4 that defines the floor of said parking bay 4.

[0075] Said height "H" may be a fixed height, e.g. equal to the highest point of a battery "VB" of any vehicle "V" that can be housed inside parking bay 4. Alternatively, said height "H" may vary as a function of vehicle "V" in parking bay 4. In one possible embodiment, said control unit 6 comprises a sensor 62 adapted to recognise vehicle "V" in parking bay 4. Through said sensor 62 it is possible to determine the position and size of battery "VB" of that vehicle model, and hence to determine the maximum height at which battery "VB" of that specific vehicle "V" parked in parking bay 4 is located. Said recognition sensor 62 may consist of, for example, cameras able to recognise the model of vehicle "V". This embodiment makes it possible to determine height "H" to which a parking bay 4 must be filled as a function of vehicle "V" currently parked in said parking bay 4.

[0076] Through suitable sensors (62, 521), said control unit 6 can determine when height "H" of extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance has been reached in parking bay 4.

[0077] Said collection circuit 52 may have any shape, be made of any material, and be of any type, according to specific requirements, e.g. depending on the number of parking bays 4 from which it has to collect the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance and on the type of parking area 1 with which fire protection system 3 is associated.

[0078] In one possible embodiment, said collection circuit 52 comprises a collection tank adapted to collect said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance coming from one or more parking bays 4 prior to delivering it to said purification system 53.

[0079] Said collection circuit 52 is designed to drain said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance from one or more parking bays 4 and also to deliver said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to said tank 50, via said purification system 53, for the purpose of reducing the total amount of extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance used for extinguishing a fire in a parking bay 4 where an electric or electrified vehicle "V" has been parked.

[0080] In one possible embodiment of fire protection system 3 according to the present invention, said collection circuit 52 comprises at least one drain valve 520. Said drain valve 520 is adapted to allow the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to exit parking bay 4 to be delivered, e.g. by means of a pump 54, e.g. a drain pump, to said purification system 53.

[0081] More generally, the output flow rate of the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance from parking bay 4 and height "H", which defines the hydraulic head, can be designed to operate indirectly, e.g. by creating a head that allows the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to flow out towards said collection circuit 52 through an outlet, by gravity, and / or upon reaching a height "H", e.g. by overflowing through an outlet. Said outlet may be an opening formed in one of faces 40f defining structure 40 of parking bay 4 and / or said access passage "B", e.g. by suitably operating said closing element 42. More generally, said outlet allows the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to flow out towards said collection circuit 52 by gravity.

[0082] In the embodiment wherein said hydraulic system 5 comprises a plurality of pumps 54 defining a system for lifting or moving said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance, at least one pump 54 is designed to move said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance from said collection circuit 52 towards said tank 50, via said purification system 53, for filling said tank 50 and reusing said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance.

[0083] Said purification system 53 may have different shapes according to specific requirements, e.g. depending on the number of parking bays 4, the type of extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance in use, and / or the type of parking area 1 with which fire protection system 3 is associated.

[0084] Preferably, said purification system 53 is adapted to purify said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance continuously as it flows from said collection circuit 52 towards said tank 50, e.g. moved by at least one pump 54. Alternatively, merely by way of example, said purification system 53 is of the decantation type.

[0085] More generally, said purification system 53 may comprise filters, additives and / or catalysts for purifying said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance.

[0086] Said control unit 6 is suitably configured to drive said hydraulic system 5, particularly said distribution circuit 51 and / or said collection circuit 52, in order to guarantee that said parking bay 4 will be filled with said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to a height above said height "H", thus ensuring total and constant filling of a parking bay 4 where a fire is developing. In one possible, but merely illustrative and non-limiting, embodiment, said control unit 6 is suitably configured to drive said hydraulic system 5 to keep a predefined filling height substantially unchanged over time, said filling height being above said height "H".

[0087] Said collection circuit 52 is designed to take and recover said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance, previously used to extinguish a fire in a parking bay 4, and deliver it to purification system 53 to be purified, so that it can be returned to said at least one tank 50 to be reused and delivered again into a parking bay 4, e.g. the same parking bay 4 from which it came.

[0088] In a preferred, but merely illustrative and nonlimiting, embodiment of fire protection system 3 according to the present invention, said collection circuit 52 comprises at least one sensor 521. Said control unit 6 is adapted to determine the instant at which, during a fire, said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance contained in at least one parking bay 4 must be delivered to said purification system 53, based on measurements taken by said at least one sensor 521. Preferably, said control unit 6 executes an algorithm capable of assessing different parameters pertaining to said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance, in order to determine when said collection circuit 52 should be commanded to conduct said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance towards said purification system 53 via said collection circuit 52.

[0089] In a preferred embodiment, said at least one sensor 521 is a level sensor that determines the level of said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance within said parking bay 4. Through said level sensor 521, said control unit 6 can determine when the amount of extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance in said parking bay 4 has reached said height "H".

[0090] In a preferred embodiment, said at least one sensor 521 is a temperature sensor adapted to measure the temperature of said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance within said parking bay 4. Through said temperature sensor 521, said control unit 6 can determine when said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance in said parking bay 4 has reached a predefined temperature, e.g. a temperature close to the evaporation temperature of the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance, e.g. 90°C for water-based fluids.

[0091] In a preferred embodiment, said collection circuit 52 comprises both at least one level sensor and at least one temperature sensor.

[0092] Said control unit 6 is adapted to drive said hydraulic system 5 in such a way as to cause said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to flow from said parking bay 4, filled with said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance, to said collection circuit 52, and from said collection circuit 52 to said tank 50, via said purification system 53, to be then fed again into said parking bay 4, in particular into the same parking bay 4 from which it came. For example, said control unit 6 controls said hydraulic system 5 by activating at least one pump 54 and / or by opening a drain valve 520 comprised in said parking bay 4 and / or in said collection circuit 52, based on the data obtained from said sensors 521 comprised in collection circuit 52. In a preferred embodiment of fire protection system 3 according to the present invention, said control unit 6 is adapted to drive said hydraulic system 5 to keep said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance continuously moving from said at least one tank 50 to said at least one parking bay 4, and vice versa.

[0093] Preferably, in this embodiment said purification system 53 provides continuous purification as said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance is flowing from said collection circuit 52 to said tank 50 under the action of a pump 54.

[0094] More generally, said control unit 6 is designed to drive the devices and systems comprised in fire protection system 3 in such a way as to confine the fire and keep it under control.

[0095] Through said sensors 62, e.g. smoke sensors, temperature sensors, etc., said control unit 6 can detect the risk and / or presence of a fire in one or more vehicles "V", and can identify any parking bay 4 where a fire may occur or is developing, e.g. by means of an algorithm capable of determining the onset of a thermal runaway phenomenon.

[0096] Preferably, said control unit 6 is designed in a manner such that, within 2 seconds from the detection of a risk of fire or the detection of a fire outbreak based on the data obtained from said sensors, said control unit 6 commands the closing of access passage "B" of identified parking bay 4 by activating said actuator 420 for moving closing element 42, e.g. of the tilting type, in order to ensure that the fire will remain confined. Preferably, simultaneously with the closing of access passage "B" of parking bay 4, said control unit 6 is adapted to drive said hydraulic system 5 to supply said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance into parking bay 4. In particular, it activates distribution circuit 51 and at least one pump 54 to deliver said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance from said at least one tank 50 to that parking bay 4 where there is a risk of fire or a fire has broken out, thus ensuring that said parking bay 4 will be filled to said height "H" to submerge battery "VB" of vehicle "V".

[0097] As it drives said collection circuit 52, said control unit 6 monitors the level of the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance in inner volume "A" of parking bay 4 by means of said at least one level sensor 521.

[0098] As it drives said collection circuit 52, said control unit 6 monitors the temperature of the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance in inner volume "A" of parking bay 4 by means of said at least one temperature sensor 521.

[0099] When it detects that the temperature of said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance has reached said predefined temperature, said control unit 6 will activate said collection circuit 52, e.g. by opening a drain valve 520 and / or by turning on a pump 54. By opening said drain valve 520 and / or turning on a pump 54, said control unit 6 will allow said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to flow out of, and / or be drained from, said parking bay 4 to conduct it towards collection circuit 52 and deliver it to purification system 53, preferably by means of a pump 54 activated by said control unit 6. By controlling said distribution circuit 51, said control unit 6 will have the level of the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance in parking bay 4 remain substantially constant above said height "H", and at the same time it will allow the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to flow out of said parking bay 4 through said collection circuit 52.

[0100] Said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance recovered by said collection circuit 52 will then be delivered to purification system 53, preferably by at least one pump 54 driven by said control unit 6.

[0101] Depending on the type of purification system 53 implemented, said purification system 53 will then be suitably activated by said control unit 6 to purify said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance.

[0102] When purification, provided by purification system 53, is complete, the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance will be fed into tank 50 again, so that it can be reused to extinguish a fire.

[0103] Preferably, fire protection system 3 according to the present invention is adapted to keep the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance continuously moving from one or more tanks 50 to one or more parking bays 4, and vice versa, e.g. as previously specified herein, for the purpose of keeping the temperatures within one or more parking bays 4 under control.

[0104] Said control unit 6 may be made in different ways depending on specific requirements and on the type of parking area 1 to which fire protection system 3 will have to be applied. As a matter of fact, control unit 6 may have a centralized conformation including a processing and computing unit, or it may have a distributed conformation with a plurality of units, e.g. organized into a masterslave structure, each one having a processing and computing unit.

[0105] Preferably, hydraulic system 5 comprises a heat dissipation system 55 for quickly cooling said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance before it is made to return into said tank 50.

[0106] Said heat dissipation system 55 is adapted to lower the temperature of said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance coming from said collection circuit 52.

[0107] In one possible embodiment, said heat dissipation system 55 is comprised in said collection circuit 52. In another possible embodiment, said heat dissipation system 55 is comprised in said purification system 53.

[0108] More generally, said control unit 6 is programmed to identify, through a plurality of sensors 62, a fire or a potential risk of fire in one or more parking bays 4, and to suitably activate said hydraulic system 5 and the actuators included in fire protection system 3 in order to start the fire protection procedure and manage the dedicated active fire protection systems to keep the fire under control, while constantly monitoring the temperature and the level or height of the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance in parking bay 4 and the processes for recirculation and purification of said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance.

[0109] In one possible embodiment of fire protection system 3 according to the present invention, a suction system 9 is included. Said suction system 9 is adapted for sucking gases from inner volume "A" of said parking bay 4. In one possible embodiment, said suction system 9 is a dedicated system comprising an inlet duct, adapted for sucking the gases that are present in inner volume "A" of said parking bay 4, and an outlet duct, which delivers the gases sucked from inner volume "A" of said parking bay 4 into the outside environment, e.g. outside parking area 1, following a purification procedure.

[0110] In the present embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, said suction system 9 is adapted to create a vacuum, e.g. a rough vacuum, inside said inner volume "A" of said parking bay 4. This embodiment allows for quicker fire extinction by eliminating all combustible and / or oxidizing gases from inner volume "A" of parking bay 4.

[0111] In another possible embodiment, said suction system 9 is a part of the ventilation system comprised in parking area 1 in which fire protection system 3 is comprised.

[0112] More generally, said suction system 9 comprises a gassucking actuator designed in accordance with specific requirements.

[0113] Describing now in more detail one possible, but merely illustrative and non-limiting, embodiment of fire protection system 3 according to the present invention, Figure 1 shows an illustrative and non-limiting block diagram of a hydraulic system 5 connected to at least one parking bay 4 of fire protection system 3 according to the present invention.

[0114] In Figure 1 it is possible to see the connection between tank 50 and distribution circuit 51, the latter being adapted to supply said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance into parking bay 4, which comprises a structure 40 defining an inner volume "A" with an access

[0115] T1 passage "B" and a closing element 42 adapted to selectively close, in a sealed manner, e.g. in an almost air-tight manner, said access passage "B" of structure 40 of parking bay 4.

[0116] The faces of structure 40 and said closing element 42 of said parking bay 4 comprise a thermal shield 41, which coats the inner surfaces of said inner volume "A" of structure 40 of parking bay 4.

[0117] Within parking bay 4 there are a plurality of sensors 62 suitably connected to control unit 6, e.g. over a wireless connection.

[0118] Said control unit 6 is adapted to selectively control the closing of said access passage "B" of parking bay 4 by appropriately driving at least one actuator (not shown) comprised in said closing element 42.

[0119] Fire protection system 3 of Figure 1 comprises a collection circuit 52 adapted to allow the recovery of the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance contained in inner volume "A" of said parking bay 4 in case of fire.

[0120] In this illustrative and non-limiting embodiment, said collection circuit 52 comprises a drain valve 520, suitably driven by said control unit 6 to allow the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to flow out of inner volume "A" of parking bay 4. Said collection circuit 52 comprises also a plurality of sensors 521, the readings of which are used by said control unit 6 to drive said drain valve 520.

[0121] In the embodiment of fire protection system 3 shown in Figure 1, said collection circuit 52 comprises a heat dissipation system 55 adapted to cool said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance before it is fed again into said tank 50. As shown in Figure 1, the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance flowing out of parking bay 4 is conducted, through said collection circuit 52, preferably aided by a pump 54, e.g. a drain pump, towards said purification system 53. Said purification system 53 is adapted to purify said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance coming from said parking bay 4 through said collection circuit 52.

[0122] The movement of said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance within hydraulic system 5 is achieved by means of at least one pump 54.

[0123] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, said at least one pump 54 is adapted to cause the purified extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to return to said tank 50, so that it can be delivered again, through said distribution circuit 51, to a parking bay 4.

[0124] Figures 4A, 4B and 4C show different views of one possible, but merely illustrative and non-limiting, embodiment of said parking bay 4 comprised in fire protection system 3 according to the present invention.

[0125] In particular, Figure 4A shows parking bay 4, located in a space "S", in a front view with respect to access passage "B". In Figure 4A one can see that inner volume "A" of structure 40 of parking bay 4 is designed to accommodate a parked vehicle "V". Figure 4A also shows one possible position of battery "VB" in vehicle "V" and how height "H" is determined.

[0126] In Figure 4A it is also visible that each face 40f of structure 40 of parking bay 4 is equipped with a thermal shield 41, which has a first face 41a and a second face 41b. Also, the drawing shows, at least partly, closing element 42 and actuator 420 that moves closing element 42.

[0127] In Figure 4A one can also see a part of the duct that, according to one possible, but merely illustrative and nonlimiting, embodiment, allows the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to exit parking bay 4 and reach collection circuit 52.

[0128] Figure 4B shows parking bay 4 in a space "S" in a sectional side view along a section plane A-A. In Figure 4B it is visible that inner volume "A" of structure 40 of parking bay 4 is designed to accommodate a parked vehicle "V". A double-headed arrow in the drawing indicates the possible movement of vehicle "V" to enter or exit parking bay 4.

[0129] Figure 4B shows one possible position of battery "VB" of vehicle "V" and how height "H" is determined.

[0130] In Figure 4B it is also visible that each face 40f of structure 40 of parking bay 4 is equipped with a thermal shield 41, which has a first face 41a and a second face 41b. Also, the drawing shows, at least partly, closing element 42 and actuator 420 that moves closing element 42.

[0131] Figure 4B also shows one possible, but merely illustrative and non-limiting, embodiment of a part of the duct allowing the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to flow out of parking bay 4 and reach collection circuit 52.

[0132] Figure 4C shows parking bay 4 in a space "S" in a sectional plan view along a section plane B-B. In Figure 4C it is visible that inner volume "A" of structure 40 of parking bay 4 is designed to accommodate a parked vehicle "V". In Figure 4C it is also visible that each face 40f of structure 40 of parking bay 4 is equipped with a thermal shield 41, which has a first face 41a and a second face 41b.

[0133] Figure 4C also shows closing element 42 equipped with a thermal shield 41. Said closing element 42 is of the tilting type, and its downward rotating movement, caused by a dedicated actuator (not shown), allows closing access passage "B".

[0134] A further aspect of the present invention concerns a fire protection method for parked electric or electrified vehicles "V". The method according to the present invention can be executed by a fire protection system 3 according to the present invention, in particular through control unit 6.

[0135] The fire protection method according to the present invention comprises the following phases, preferably carried out in succession:

[0136] - determining that a fire has broken out in a parking bay 4;

[0137] - sealingly closing access passage "B" of structure 40 of parking bay 4 by means of closing element 42;

[0138] - driving said hydraulic system 5 to extinguish the fire within parking bay 4;

[0139] - removing the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance from said parking bay 4 after the fire has been extinguished.

[0140] The present implementation of the method makes it possible to limit the propagation of a fire, particularly a fire occurring in an electric or electrified vehicle "V". The method according to the present invention is particularly suitable for closed, small and hardly accessible parking areas 1, such as underground, groundlevel or elevated box-garages, parking facilities and workshops, and particularly for parking areas 1 where people are not allowed access.

[0141] Furthermore, the method according to the present invention makes it possible to prevent an explosion from occurring, since action can be taken immediately to control the fire.

[0142] In a preferred implementation of the method according to the present invention, the phase of determining that a fire has broken out in a parking bay 4 is preceded by a phase of detecting the risk of fire in a parking bay 4. The present implementation of the method makes it possible to determine which parking bays 4 are at risk of fire, e.g. because a thermal runaway phenomenon is about to be triggered. The present implementation of the method also allows for timely intervention as soon as a fire starts, even if the fire has not yet been detected by one or more sensors.

[0143] In a preferred implementation of the method according to the present invention, the phase of removing the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance from said parking bay 4 after the fire has been extinguished is followed by a phase of opening access passage "B" in order to remove the electric or electrified vehicle "V" from parking bay 4. The present implementation of the method makes it possible to clear parking bay 4 of vehicle "V" once the fire has been extinguished, so that parking bay 4 can be immediately restored, e.g. by replacing thermal shield 41 and possibly also actuator 420 that controls closing element 42 of passage "B" allowing access to inner volume "A" of parking bay 4, so that it can house another vehicle "V".

[0144] In a preferred implementation of the fire protection method according to the present invention, the phase of driving said hydraulic system 5 to extinguish the fire within parking bay 4 comprises the following sub-phases, preferably carried out in succession: a) driving said hydraulic system 5 to fill parking bay 4 where a fire has broken out; b) causing said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to flow from said parking bay 4, filled with said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to at least a height "H", towards said collection circuit 52; c) causing said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to flow from said collection circuit 52 to said tank 50, via said purification system 53, to be then fed again into said parking bay 4; d) repeating sub-phases a), b) and c) until the fire in parking bay 4 is extinguished.

[0145] The present implementation of the method according to the present invention also makes it possible to confine the fire and keep it under control, since it ensures not only that the fire will not propagate, but also that the temperatures will remain within the REI limits set by engineers for building a structure 10 of a parking area 1, as long as necessary to extinguish the fire.

[0146] In a preferred implementation of the fire protection method according to the present invention, the data collected and processed during the phase of: detecting the risk of fire in a parking bay 4; and / or determining that a fire has broken out in a parking bay 4, are used for executing the phase of driving said hydraulic system 5 to extinguish the fire within parking bay 4.

[0147] Such collected data allow said control unit 6 to drive said hydraulic system 5 for the purpose of at least varying the filling time of parking bay 4.

[0148] More generally, during the execution of the fire protection method, there is a phase of activating the fire protection systems provided in parking areas 1 where fire protection system 3 has been installed. Such fire protection systems are traditional fire protection systems as required by regulatory prescriptions, such as, for example, fire-extinguishers, sprinkler systems, smoke and heat extractors, ventilation systems, pressurization systems, fire detection and signalling systems, etc.

[0149] During the phase of determining that a fire has broken out in a parking bay 4, said control unit 6 can, based on the data received from sensors 62, determine the presence of a fire in one or more vehicles "V" and identify that parking bay 4 in which a fire is breaking out.

[0150] Basically, during the phase of determining that a fire has broken out in a parking bay 4, said control unit 6 must locate the origin of a fire based on the data obtained from the readings of sensors 62.

[0151] Said control unit 6 is adapted to continuously monitor the readings of sensors 62, e.g. at intervals of less than 1 second, so that, after just a few seconds from the detection of a fire, said control unit 6 will, based on the data obtained from sensors 62, command the immediate closing of passage "B" allowing access to inner volume "A" of parking bay 4, e.g. by driving actuator 420 for moving and closing element 42, e.g. a tilting door or a sliding door, in order to ensure that the fire will stay confined.

[0152] More generally, the closing of access passage "B" effected by closing element 42 is such as to seal, e.g. in an almost air-tight manner, such passage "B", thus guaranteeing that the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance will not flow out of said access passage "B" when the parking bay is filled with said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance. More generally, moderate leaking of said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance is allowed, provided that it will not disperse in an uncontrolled manner.

[0153] Basically, during the phase of sealingly closing access passage "B", said control unit 6 activates the devices adapted to close access passage "B" by means of closing element 42, e.g. a tilting door.

[0154] Preferably, upon reception of a confirmation that access passage "B" has been closed, e.g. from sensors connected to control unit 6, said control unit 6 will turn on at least one pump 54 adapted to move said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance within hydraulic system 5. In particular, a pump 54 suitably driven by said control unit 6 will be used for conducting the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance, through said distribution circuit 51, towards said at least one parking bay 4. In particular, said control unit 6 will make sure to fill parking bay 4 up to a height not below, preferably above, height "H", height "H", which is the maximum height of said at least one battery "VB" of said vehicle "V" in parking bay 4. The level of the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance within parking bay 4 is kept under control by means of sensors (62, 521), e.g. sensors installed within parking bay 4 and / or comprised in said collection circuit 52. Therefore, said control unit 6 monitors the level of the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance in parking bay 4.

[0155] Moreover, said control unit 6 monitors the temperature of the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance delivered into parking bay 4, e.g. by means of sensors (62, 521), e.g. temperature sensors integrated into parking bay 4 and / or included in collection circuit 52.

[0156] Said collection circuit 52 is driven by control unit 6 in such a way as to prevent the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance from staying too long within parking bay 4, since it may overheat. Therefore, said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance is recovered, at least partly, by collection circuit 52. Said control unit 6 is programmed to prevent the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance in parking bay 4 from exceeding a predefined temperature value, thus maximizing heat exchange.

[0157] Said control unit 6 is further adapted to drive said purification system 53 to purify said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance.

[0158] The flow of extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance from said collection circuit 52 towards said purification system 53 is induced by at least one pump 54. Furthermore, at least one pump 54 is driven by said control unit 6 to return said purified extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to said tank 50, so that it can be reused, e.g. delivered again into the same parking bay 4. Basically, during the phase of driving said hydraulic system 5 to extinguish a fire within parking bay 4 of the method according to the present invention, said control unit 6 manages the dedicated active fire protection devices, in order to keep the fire under control, by: controlling the temperature and level of the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance in parking bay 4 and the processes of recirculating, purifying and returning into tank 50 said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance.

[0159] In the preferred implementation of the method according to the present invention, the phases of the method are carried out in such a way that, in case of fire, the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance will be continuously circulated from tank 50 to parking bay 4, and vice versa, e.g. by executing the previously described subphases a) - d) of the phase of driving said hydraulic system 5.

[0160] In the method according to the present invention, once the fire has been extinguished, the phase of driving said hydraulic system 5 to extinguish the fire within parking bay 4 is complete, and it is followed by the phase of removing the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance from said parking bay 4 after the fire has been extinguished. Such phase is executed, for example, by opening a drain valve 520 and / or by opening, in a controlled manner, closing element 42 of access passage "B". In this latter possible embodiment, the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance will reach by gravity collection circuit 52, e.g. a collection tank, so that said parking bay 4 will be emptied. More generally, this phase makes it possible to fully open the parking bay in order to remove vehicle "V", without the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance being able to uncontrollably flow out of parking bay 4 when access passage "B" is opened.

[0161] Furthermore, the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance can thus be reused for other fire events in a parking area 1, resulting in minimized consumption and usage of extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance.

[0162] Figure 3 shows an illustrative and non-limiting flow chart of the fire protection method for parked electric or electrified vehicles "V" according to the present invention. The implementation of the method for fire protection illustrated in Figure 3 includes the following phases, preferably carried out in succession:

[0163] I. determining that a fire has broken out in a parking bay 4;

[0164] II. sealingly closing access passage "B" of structure 40 of parking bay 4 by means of closing element 42;

[0165] III. driving said hydraulic system 5 to extinguish the fire within parking bay 4;

[0166] IV. removing the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance from said parking bay 4 after the fire has been extinguished.

[0167] Such phases have already been described above and will not be detailed any further.

[0168] Another aspect of the present invention concerns a parking area 1 suitable for parking a plurality of electric or electrified vehicles "V". In particular, said vehicles "V" may have been parked to undergo an electric recharging phase, or simply for a stop and / or for service. Said parking area 1 is defined by a space "S" where a plurality of parking bays 4 are suitably arranged.

[0169] Said parking area 1 comprises at least one passage 11 allowing said vehicles "V" to enter and / or exit said space "S" for parking.

[0170] Said parking area 1 comprises a fire protection system 3 according to the present invention.

[0171] Preferably said parking area 1 comprises a structure 10 that protects, confines, supports and / or houses the systems and devices comprised in parking area 1.

[0172] In said parking area 1, an electric or electrified vehicle "V" can be parked in said parking bay 4 for a stop, for a recharge, and / or for a use of vehicle "V", e.g. within a Vehicle-to-Grid system, for services in response to grid demand, e.g. to supply electricity to the grid, or for maintenance activities to be carried out on said vehicle "V".

[0173] In one possible embodiment of said parking area 1 according to the present invention, it is, for example, an underground box-garage, parking facility and / or workshop, in particular a parking area 1 where people are not allowed access.

[0174] In one possible embodiment of said parking area 1 according to the present invention, it is, for example, a ground-level and / or elevated box-garage, parking facility and / or workshop, in particular a parking area 1 where people are not allowed access.

[0175] Depending on the type of parking area 1, e.g. one of the above-mentioned types, structure 10 will have a different conformation and a different function. More generally, said parking area 1 according to the present invention comprises flame-resistant and smokeresistant physical barriers complying with mandatory fire prevention regulations, as prescribed by national laws in force.

[0176] In one possible, but merely illustrative and nonlimiting, embodiment of parking area 1 according to the present invention, said structure 10 is designed to house a transfer system 12 adapted to move vehicles "V" within parking area 1, e.g. in order to conduct or remove them into / from a parking bay 4.

[0177] Said transfer system 12 may have different conformations and / or may use different vehicle moving devices depending on structure 10 of parking area 1 and on the type of parking area 1.

[0178] In one possible, but merely illustrative and nonlimiting, embodiment of parking area 1 according to the present invention, a suction system 9 is comprised which is adapted to ventilate said parking area 1. Preferably, said suction system is adapted for sucking gases from inner volume "A" of each parking bay 4 of fire protection system 3 according to the present invention.

[0179] Describing now the construction details of said parking area 1 according to the present invention, Figures 2A and 2B show different views of one possible, but merely illustrative and non-limiting, embodiment of parking area 1, which comprises a fire protection system 3 according to the present invention.

[0180] In particular, Figure 2A shows parking area 1 in a sectional side view along a section plane A-A. The embodiment of parking area 1 shown in Figure 2A is an automated multi-level underground box-garage or parking facility. Preferably, the parking area allows recharging electric or electrified vehicles "V" parked in a parking bay 4.

[0181] Figure 2A shows a parking area 1 located in a space "S" and comprising an access passage 11 and an exit passage 11. After the user has parked vehicle "V", the vehicle is taken by a transfer system 12, in particular a platform elevator, and moved to a parking bay 4 of the plurality of parking bays 4 in parking area 1.

[0182] In Figure 2A it is possible to see some devices and systems comprised in fire protection system 3 according to the present invention. In particular, one can see a part of hydraulic system 5, particularly tank 50, which has a substantially vertical development along most of structure 10 of parking area 1, a part of distribution circuit 51, and a part of collection circuit 52, in the embodiment comprising a storage tank.

[0183] In Figure 2A there is also a suction system 9 providing ventilation of parking area 1, in the underground part thereof, and removal of gases from parking bays 4.

[0184] Figure 2B shows parking area 1 of Figure 2A in a sectional plan view along a section plane C-C. The embodiment of parking area 1 shown in Figures 2A and 2B has a structure 10 with an underground cylindrical conformation. In Figure 2B it is clearly visible that parking bays 4 are arranged in a sunburst fashion along a circumference defined by the cylindrical structure 10, in the central part of which there is transfer system 12 for moving vehicles "V" to / from a parking bay 4. From this figure one can clearly understand that each parking bay 4 can house one vehicle "V", which is made to enter and exit said parking bay 4, by crossing access passage "B", by transfer system 12. Each parking bay 4 comprises a structure 40 that defines an inner volume "A" suitable for accommodating a vehicle "V". All walls of structure 40 of parking bay 4, including the closing element, are coated with thermal shield 41.

[0185] The present invention provides a useful design solution with effective active and passive protection devices to limit the propagation of a fire, particularly a fire occurring in an electric or electrified vehicle "V", which is particularly suitable for closed, small and hardly accessible spaces such as underground, ground-level or elevated box-garages, parking facilities and workshops, particularly where people are not allowed access.

[0186] Due to thermal shield 41, to battery "VB" of vehicle "V" being submerged, and to the temperature in parking bay 4 on fire being controlled, the present invention guarantees that the fire will not propagate and also that the temperature will remain within the REI limits set by engineers for building a structure 10 of a parking area 1, as long as necessary to extinguish the fire.

[0187] The present invention improves the safety of both fire protection system 3 and parking area 1, in that a fire will be confined within parking bay 4 until exhaustion. The present invention avoids fire propagation to any vehicles in adjacent parking bays.

[0188] The present invention prevents damage to structures, and particularly to structure 10 of parking area 1, because it observes the REI specifications and avoids exceeding the parameters specified by the current REI standard.

[0189] The present invention guarantees that rescuers, e.g. firemen, will only have to monitor the temperature until fire exhaustion and to remove the vehicle afterwards.

[0190] The present invention allows for immediate intervention in case of risk of fire. Moreover, the present invention makes it possible to immediately start cooling the parking bay and prevent flames from spreading, resulting in less damage, without having to wait for rescuers, e.g. firemen, to arrive and start cooling the parking bay and prevent flames from spreading.

[0191] The present invention makes it possible to avoid the execution of the procedures currently prescribed for electric or electrified vehicles on fire, in that it will no longer be necessary to move the electric or electrified vehicle from the place where the fire started and store it outdoors, isolated for at least 72 hours at a distance of at least 15 metres from any other inflammable object. Furthermore, the present invention provides fire protection system 3 with technical and structural features that avoid the necessity of resorting to additional devices for storing electric or electrified vehicles where a fire has occurred. In fact, parking bay 4 is adapted to be submerged with said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance, so as to avoid that any flames might reactivate the battery. In addition, the very structure 40 of parking bay 4 acts as a "container", isolating vehicle "V" in flames from the rest of structure 10 of parking area 1. Furthermore, the present invention makes for lower costs because, after a fire, the only costs to be incurred will be those necessary for restoring thermal shield 41 and all systems in that parking bay 4 involved in the fire.

[0192] Other embodiments and implementations which have not been expressly described herein, but which can easily be inferred by a person skilled in the art in the light of the present description and the accompanying drawings, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0193] REFERENCE NUMERALS:

[0194] Parking area 1

[0195] Structure 10

[0196] Passage 11

[0197] Transfer system 12

[0198] Fire protection system 3

[0199] Parking bay 4

[0200] Structure 40

[0201] Face 40f

[0202] Thermal shield 41

[0203] First face 41a

[0204] Second face 41b

[0205] Closing element 42

[0206] Actuator 420

[0207] Hydraulic system 5

[0208] Tank 50

[0209] Distribution circuit 51

[0210] Collection circuit 52

[0211] Drain valve 520

[0212] Sensors 521

[0213] Purification system 53

[0214] Pump 54 Heat dissipation system 55

[0215] Control unit 6

[0216] Sensors 62

[0217] Suction system 9 Inner volume "A"

[0218] Access passage "B"

[0219] Height "H"

[0220] Space "S"

[0221] Vehicle "V" Battery "VB"

Claims

1. CLAIMS:

1. Fire protection system (3) for parked electric or electrified vehicles (V) comprising at least one battery (VB); said fire protection system (3) comprising:- at least one parking bay (4), suitably positioned in a space (S) for parking vehicles (V), wherein said at least one parking bay (4) comprises a structure (40) that defines a three-dimensional inner volume (A), the faces (40f) of which are all closed except at least one that defines an access passage (B) allowing access to the inner volume (A), and at least one closing element (42) adapted to selectively close, in a sealed manner, said access passage (B) allowing access to the inner volume (A) of the structure (40) of the parking bay (4);- a hydraulic system (5), connected to said at least one parking bay (4), comprising:- at least one tank (50) adapted to contain an extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance;- at least one distribution circuit (51) for conducting the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance towards said at least one parking bay (4);- a collection circuit (52) adapted to allow the recovery of said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance contained in said inner volume (A) of said parking bay (4) in case of fire;- at least one purification system (53) adapted to purify said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance coming from said parking bay (4) through said collection circuit (52); and- at least one pump (54) adapted to move said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance in the hydraulic system (5);- a control unit (6) comprising, in turn, a plurality of sensors (62) suitably positioned at least in the parking bay (4); said control unit (6) is adapted to control and drive said hydraulic system (5); said control unit (6) is adapted to selectively command the closing of said access passage (B) of each parking bay (4) by appropriately driving at least one actuator (420) comprised in said closing element (42); said hydraulic system (5), suitably driven by said control unit (6), is designed to ensure that a parking bay (4) where a fire has broken out will be filled to a height not below a height (H) of said at least one battery (VB) of said vehicle (V); said control unit (6) being adapted to drive said hydraulic system (5) in such a way as to cause said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to flow from said parking bay (4) filled with said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to said collection circuit (52), and from said collection circuit (52) to said tank (50), via said purification system (53), to be then fed again into said at least one parking bay (4); said closed faces (40f) of the structure (40) of said parking bay (4) and said closing element (42) of said parking bay (4) comprising a thermal shield (41); said thermal shield (41) coats the inner surfaces of said inner volume (A) of the structure (40) of the parking bay (4);said thermal shield (41):- being removable;- comprising a first face (41a) and a second face (41b); and- being adapted to guarantee a safe thermal gradient between said first face (41a) and said second face (41b).

2. Fire protection system (3) according to claim 1, wherein said hydraulic system (5) is driven by said control unit (6) in such a way as to vary the average time necessary for filling a parking bay (4) as a function of the data processed by an algorithm adapted to assess the risk of fire on the basis of variations in the physical quantities measured by said sensors (62) in time and / or space.

3. Fire protection system (3) according to claim 1, wherein said collection circuit (52) comprises at least one sensor (521); said control unit (6) being adapted to determine the instant at which, in case of fire, said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance contained in at least one parking bay (4) should be made to flow towards said purification system (53) on the basis of measurements taken by said at least one sensor (521).

4. Fire protection system (3) according to claim 3, wherein said at least one sensor (521) is a temperature sensor adapted to measure the temperature of said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance contained in a parking bay (4).

5. Fire protection system (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said hydraulic system (5) comprises a heat dissipation system (55) adapted to lowerthe temperature of said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance coming from said collection circuit (52).

6. Fire protection system (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said control unit (6) is adapted to drive said hydraulic system (5) to keep said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance continuously moving from said at least one tank (50) to said at least one parking bay (4), and vice versa.

7. Fire protection system (3) according to claim 1, wherein said closing element (42) of the parking bay (4) is of the tilting type.

8. Fire protection system (3) according to claim 1, comprising a suction system (9) adapted for sucking gases contained in the inner volume (A) of said parking bay (4).

9. Fire protection method for parked electric or electrified vehicles (V), adapted to be executed by a fire protection system (3) according to claim 1, said method comprising the following phases, preferably carried out in succession:- determining that a fire has broken out in a parking bay (4);- sealingly closing the access passage (B) of the structure (40) of the parking bay (4) by means of the closing element (42);- driving said hydraulic system (5) to extinguish the fire within the parking bay (4);- removing the extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance from said parking bay (4) after the fire has been extinguished.

10. Fire protection method according to claim 9, wherein the phase of driving said hydraulic system (5) toextinguish the fire within the parking bay (4) comprises the following sub-phases: a)driving said hydraulic system (5) to fill the parking bay (4) where a fire has broken out; b) causing said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to flow from said parking bay (4), filled with said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to at least a height (H), towards said collection circuit (52); c) causing said extinguishing and / or refrigerating substance to flow from said collection circuit (52) to said tank (50), via said purification system (53), to be then fed again into said parking bay (4); d) repeating sub-phases a), b) and c) until the fire in the parking bay (4) is extinguished.

11. Method according to claim 9, wherein:- the phase of determining that a fire has broken out in a parking bay (4) is preceded by a phase of detecting the risk of fire in a parking bay (4); and the data collected and processed during the phase of:- detecting the risk of a fire in a parking bay (4); and / or- determining that a fire has broken out in a parking bay (4); are used for the execution of the phase of driving said hydraulic system (5) to extinguish the fire within the parking bay (4), for the purpose of at least varying the filling time of the parking bay (4).

12. Parking area (1) adapted for parking a plurality of electric or electrified vehicles (V); said parking area (1) being defined by a space (S) where a plurality of parking bays (4) are suitably arranged;said parking area (1) comprising at least one passage (11) allowing said vehicles (V) to enter and / or exit said space (S) for parking; said parking area (1) comprising a fire protection system (3) according to claim 1.

13. Parking area (1) according to claim 12, wherein said parking area (1) is an underground box-garage, parking facility and / or workshop.

14. Parking area (1) according to claim 12, wherein said parking area (1) is an above-ground box-garage, parking facility and / or workshop, whether at ground level or elevated.EB /

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