Fire Lance Anchoring Through Vehicle Panels for Safer Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire lances require manual handling by operators, exposing them to high safety risks during fire extinguishing operations, especially in vehicles with internal combustion engines and electric vehicles where the battery pack is on the roof, necessitating dangerous proximity to the fire.

Innovation Solution

An anchoring system for fire lances that includes a hooking device connectable to the lance and a through opening in the vehicle's vertical wall, allowing the lance to be securely anchored, reducing operator exposure time to flames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the fire lance is designed to be manually held by the operator, then the lance can be easily handled and directed, but the operator's exposure time to flames and dangerous conditions increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handlingVSAvoidoperator safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary anchoring system consisting of a hooking device on the lance and a corresponding seat on the vehicle body. This intermediary mechanism allows the lance to be securely positioned without requiring the operator to manually hold it, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of handling and operator safety by transferring the holding function from the operator to the anchoring system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the operator must get close to the battery pack on the roof to spray it, then the fire extinguishing operation can be performed, but the operator's safety is compromised due to dangerous proximity to the fire

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire extinguishing capabilityVSAvoidoperator exposure to flames
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring system acts as an intermediary that secures the lance at an optimal position near the fire source without requiring the operator to be in close proximity. The hooking device and seat arrangement allow the lance to be anchored at various positions on the vehicle body, enabling effective fire suppression while maintaining operator safety distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the lance is inserted through a pass-through opening in the engine compartment wall, then the lance can reach the fire source, but the operator still must manually hold the lance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to fire sourceVSAvoidoperator safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances the existing pass-through opening approach by introducing the anchoring system as an intermediary. The hooking device engages with the seat on the vehicle body, providing secure positioning of the lance through the opening without requiring manual holding, thus maintaining access to the fire source while improving operator safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4663253A1System for anchoring a fire nozzle to a vehicle in particular for an electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 IVECO SPA
  • EP4663253A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4663253A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4663253A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Anchoring system for a fire lance to a vehicle, comprising a coupling device (D) comprising a hooked element (6), wherein the coupling device is configured to be reversibly associated with the body (1) of a lance (L) or integral with the body of a lance, a vehicle panel (P) comprising a through opening (A) suitable for being engaged by an end part (3) of the lance body and a seat (S) configured to allow stable engagement of the hooked element.