Modular Vehicle Dispersion System for Rapid Firefighting Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing specialized aircraft for firefighting are expensive and underutilized due to their limited multipurpose usage, as they are only used for a few days or weeks per year and are not suitable for other purposes.
Innovation Solution
A dispersion system for vehicles that includes modular tank modules, a door with a through hole, and a dispersion unit, allowing for the controlled discharge of media through vehicle doors, enabling versatile use in various types of vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized aircraft are equipped with fire extinguishing equipment, then firefighting capability is improved, but vehicle versatility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fire extinguishing system is divided into modular tank modules that can be independently installed and removed. Each tank module is a self-contained unit with reservoir, outlet channel, and closure, allowing the vehicle to be segmented into functional modules that can be reconfigured or removed to restore original vehicle versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static specialized configuration to a dynamic reconfigurable system. The tank modules can be quickly installed or removed based on operational needs, allowing the vehicle to dynamically switch between firefighting mode and original purpose mode, thereby maintaining both firefighting capability and vehicle versatility
2Reliability
If specialized aircraft are used for firefighting, then firefighting effectiveness is improved, but usage frequency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is designed with multi-functionality by integrating removable fire extinguishing tank modules into a standard vehicle platform. The same vehicle can serve both as a firefighting aircraft and for other purposes (cargo transport, passenger transport, etc.), increasing the frequency of useful operations while maintaining firefighting effectiveness when needed
3Quantity of substance
If large tanks are installed in the vehicle, then medium storage capacity is improved, but ease of installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The large storage capacity is achieved through segmentation into multiple tank modules that can be installed through standard door openings. Each module is dimensioned to fit through the door, but multiple modules can be combined to provide total storage capacity comparable to or exceeding that of a single large tank, thereby maintaining ease of installation while achieving large storage capacity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing storage capacity by making tanks larger in all dimensions (which would prevent door passage), the system uses multiple modules arranged in different spatial configurations (side-by-side, stacked, or distributed throughout the cargo space). This dimensional arrangement allows the vehicle to achieve large total storage capacity while each individual module remains small enough for easy installation through standard doors
Data Source
AI summary
A dispersion system for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has at least one door opening. The dispersion system comprises at least two tank modules including a reservoir for storing a medium to be dispersed, each module configured to fit through the door opening; a door configured to fit into one of the at least one door opening and comprising a through hole; and a dispersion unit having a dispersion channel in fluid communication with the reservoir of the modules and the through hole of the door. Each tank module includes an outlet channel in fluid communication with the dispersion channel; and a closure closing the reservoir with respect to the outlet channel in a fluid tight manner. A controller is configured to individually open the closure of each module. Also a vehicle with such a dispersion system.