Trailer Brake Fire Detection and Extinguishing System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to detect and alert truck drivers to brake fires at the rear axle of trailers, leading to uncontrolled fires that pose safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A wireless temperature monitoring system and fire extinguishing apparatus that detects excessive brake temperature, alerts the driver with a light, and sprays a fire extinguishing fluid over the rear axle through a conduit and nozzle to contain and extinguish the fire.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a temperature monitoring system and fire extinguishing system are added to the trailer, then fire safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary temperature monitoring and early warning before fire actually breaks out. The temperature sensor continuously monitors brake temperature and triggers a warning light when temperature exceeds safe thresholds, allowing drivers to take preventive action before fire occurs, thus improving safety without requiring complex automatic suppression systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary manual activation mechanism between detection and suppression. When drivers see the warning light, they manually pull a handle to activate the fire extinguishing system. This intermediary step simplifies the overall system by avoiding complex automatic triggering mechanisms while maintaining effective fire suppression capability.
2Loss of time
If automatic fire suppression is implemented, then response time is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares the fire extinguishing agent in advance within the extinguisher bottle, connected through pre-installed conduits and nozzles. When the handle is pulled, the pre-positioned system activates immediately, providing rapid response without complex automatic sensing and triggering mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire extinguishing system is designed to be self-activating through a simple manual handle mechanism. When the driver pulls the handle, the system automatically releases the extinguishing agent through the conduit network to the nozzle, eliminating the need for complex pumps, valves, or electronic control systems.
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
Effectively detects and mitigates brake fires by alerting drivers and providing a means to extinguish them promptly, reducing safety risks and preventing fire spread.
Implementation Method 1
A wireless temperature monitoring device monitors temperature fluctuation of brakes on a trailer
Implementation Method 2
A light mounted on the trailer activates in response to the temperature of the brake exceeding the threshold temperature
Implementation Method 3
A fire extinguishing device discharges fluid stored in a bottle through a conduit to spray the fluid over an axle affected by fire
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system and method have a sensor positioned above a rear axle attached to a brake of a trailer. The sensor detects whether the temperature of the brake exceeds a threshold temperature. A light is mounted on the trailer and activates in response to the temperature of the brake exceeding the threshold temperature. A handle is pulled to distribute a fluid on the rear axle of the trailer. A conduit extends across the underside of the trailer wherein the conduit carries the fluid. A nozzle sprays the fluid over the rear axle.