Storage Bin Fire Suppressant Delivery for Dense Grid Fires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fires in three-dimensionally dense storage grids are difficult to extinguish due to the challenge of accessing the center of the grid, leading to system shutdowns or collateral damage from traditional fire suppression methods.
Innovation Solution
A robot is intentionally moved over the fire to reduce oxygen supply and directly releases fire suppressants from storage bins, minimizing collateral damage and requiring minimal modification to existing robotic container-handling vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional ceiling mounted sprinklers are used for fire suppression, then fire suppression coverage is provided, but the water application is diffuse and causes collateral damage to stored goods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by replacing diffuse ceiling sprinklers with targeted fire suppressant delivery. Each storage bin is equipped with a fire suppressant delivery mechanism that can be activated locally when a fire is detected in that specific bin, concentrating the suppressant exactly where needed rather than spraying water diffusely across the entire grid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing fire detectable members and associated control circuits as intermediaries between the fire detection system and fire suppressant delivery. When a fire detectable member detects heat, it triggers the control circuit which then activates the fire suppressant delivery mechanism, creating a coordinated intermediate response system.
2Reliability
If robots are moved away from the fire to prevent damage, then robot safety is improved, but fire suppression capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the storage bin system to suppress fires independently without requiring robot intervention. Each bin has its own fire suppressant delivery mechanism that automatically activates when fire is detected, allowing the system to protect itself and eliminate the need for robots to position themselves above fires.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the fire suppression function from the robot system and assigns it to the storage bin infrastructure itself. By removing fire suppression responsibility from robots and embedding it within the bin structure, the system eliminates the conflict between robot safety and fire suppression effectiveness.
3Reliability
If the storage system shuts down during a fire, then fire safety is improved by preventing robot damage, but productivity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuity of useful action by allowing the storage system to remain operational during fires. The fire suppressant delivery system can be activated in specific bins while other bins continue normal storage operations, and the system can resume full operation after fire suppression without requiring a complete shutdown.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Targeted fire suppression is achieved with reduced collateral damage, allowing the system to continue operating and effectively extinguishing fires without disrupting normal storage and retrieval operations.
Implementation Method 1
The presence of a robot above a fire in a storage grid can in itself act to reduce the supply of oxygen to the fire
Implementation Method 2
The robot may drop or release a fire suppressant directly over the fire thereby providing highly targeted fire suppression
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method of operating a robot arranged to raise, carry and lower a storage bin, the method comprising moving, along a grid of rails of a storage grid having a fire, the robot over the fire.