KR102708086B1 - Fire protection system for a structure containing a battery - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for determining whether a fire has occurred inside a structure accommodating at least one battery and for extinguishing the fire, a method for controlling the fire protection system, and an energy storage system including the fire protection system are provided. The fire protection system according to one embodiment of the present invention determines whether a fire has occurred inside the structure based on a sensing signal indicating a smoke concentration inside the structure and a sensing signal indicating a temperature inside the structure, and, when it is determined that a fire has occurred inside the structure, extinguishes the fire inside the structure by spraying a fire extinguishing agent into the interior of the structure.

Description

FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR A STRUCTURE CONTAINING A BATTERY

The present invention relates to a fire protection system, and more particularly, to a system for protecting a structure in which a battery is installed from fire and a method for controlling the same.

Recently, as the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones has increased rapidly and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, and satellites has become full-fledged, research on high-performance rechargeable batteries is actively being conducted.

Currently commercialized batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among these, lithium secondary batteries are receiving attention due to their advantages such as the fact that they have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, are free to charge and discharge, have a very low self-discharge rate, and have high energy density.

Batteries frequently overheat due to their usage environment or their own aging, which can lead to fire. To prevent battery overheating, various cooling structures and cooling methods exist.

However, even if cooling structures and methods are used, it is impossible to completely prevent fires caused by overheating of the battery. Therefore, a technology that can quickly extinguish the fire by spraying a fire extinguishing agent in the event of a battery fire is essential. As one of the conventional fire extinguishing technologies, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0028023 (publication date: 2013.03.18) was disclosed. According to the document, if a temperature above a certain level is detected by a temperature sensor, a battery fire is determined.

However, if the temperature sensor operates abnormally, it may be judged as if no fire has occurred even though a fire has actually occurred, or it may be wrongly judged as if a fire has occurred even though a fire has not actually occurred. Therefore, it is necessary to judge whether a fire has occurred based on other parameters related to the fire along with the temperature.

In addition, prior art techniques including the above literature only disclose that sensors are used to simply detect parameters related to fire, and do not suggest a method for efficiently operating each sensor.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a fire protection system capable of determining whether a fire has occurred in a location where a battery is installed based on a result of combining at least two parameters related to fire, and executing an action corresponding to the result of the determination.

In addition, the present invention aims to provide a fire protection system capable of efficiently collecting fire-related parameters by moving at least one of the sensors configured to detect fire-related parameters within the installation location of the battery, compared to the case where the sensors are fixed to a specific location.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly known by the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, it will be easily understood that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the claims.

Various embodiments of the present invention to achieve the above purpose are as follows.

A fire protection system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a sensing unit including a plurality of sensors, installed in a structure containing a battery, and configured to individually detect at least two parameters related to an environment within the structure using the plurality of sensors; a fire suppression unit having a tank containing a fire extinguishing agent and configured to spray the fire extinguishing agent contained in the tank into the interior of the structure; and a controller communicatively connected to the sensing unit and the fire suppression unit. The sensing unit outputs a first sensing signal indicating a smoke concentration within the structure at a first time period, and outputs a second sensing signal indicating a temperature within the structure at a second time period. The controller determines whether a fire has occurred within the structure based on at least one of the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal from the sensing unit, and if it is determined that a fire has occurred within the structure, transmits an activation signal to the fire suppression unit. The fire suppression unit, in response to the activation signal from the controller, sprays the fire extinguishing agent contained in the tank into the interior of the structure.

Additionally, the controller can output the start signal when the smoke concentration value corresponding to the first sensing signal is greater than the threshold smoke concentration value and the temperature value corresponding to the second sensing signal is greater than the threshold temperature value.

In addition, the controller may, when determining that a fire has occurred inside the structure, calculate a fire index indicating the severity of the fire occurring inside the structure based on at least one of the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal, and determine the spray amount and spray speed of the extinguishing agent based on the fire index. In this case, the start signal corresponds to the determined spray amount and spray speed.

In addition, the fire protection system may further include a guide rail installed inside the structure; and a driving unit having a motor coupled to the guide rail and configured to individually control the rotational direction and rotational speed of the motor. In this case, at least one of the sensors of the sensing unit is movably mounted on the guide rail and can move along the guide rail by power resulting from the rotation of the motor.

In addition, the controller may transmit a first movement pattern signal to the driving unit when it is determined that no fire has occurred inside the structure, and may transmit a second movement pattern signal corresponding to at least one of the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal to the driving unit when it is determined that a fire has occurred inside the structure. When the driving unit receives the first movement pattern signal, it sets the rotation speed of the motor to the first rotation speed. When the driving unit receives the second movement pattern signal, it sets the rotation speed of the motor to a second rotation speed that is faster than the first rotation speed.

In addition, the controller may determine the first point and the second point of the guide rail based on at least one of the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal. In this case, the driving unit may drive the motor so that the at least one sensor movably mounted on the guide rail reciprocates between the first point and the second point of the guide rail.

Additionally, the fire protection system may further include an alarm unit configured to output fire notification information.

Additionally, the controller may request the alarm unit to output the fire notification information when the temperature value corresponding to the first sensing signal is greater than the threshold temperature value or the smoke concentration value corresponding to the second sensing signal is greater than the threshold smoke concentration value.

Additionally, the controller can record the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal from the sensing unit at a predetermined time unit.

A fire protection system according to another aspect of the present invention may include: a sensing unit including at least one sensor, installed in a structure containing a battery, and configured to individually detect at least one parameter related to an environment within the structure using the at least one sensor; a fire suppression unit having a tank containing a fire extinguishing agent, and configured to spray the fire extinguishing agent contained in the tank into the interior of the structure; and a controller communicatively connected to the sensing unit and the fire suppression unit.

In addition, the sensing unit may output a first sensing signal indicating a smoke concentration inside the structure at every first time period. The controller may receive a second sensing signal indicating a temperature of the battery from the BMS of the battery at every second time period, and may determine whether a fire has occurred inside the structure based on at least one of the first sensing signal from the sensing unit and the second sensing signal from the BMS, and may transmit an activation signal to the fire suppression unit when it is determined that a fire has occurred inside the structure. The fire suppression unit may spray the extinguishing agent contained in the tank into the inside of the structure in response to the activation signal from the controller.

An energy storage system according to another aspect of the present invention may include the fire protection system.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether a fire has occurred in a location where a battery is installed based on a result of combining at least two parameters related to fire. Accordingly, the accuracy of determining fire can be improved.

Additionally, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, by moving at least one of the sensors configured to detect parameters related to fire within the installation location of the battery, the parameters related to fire can be collected more efficiently than in the case where the sensors are fixed to a specific location.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical idea of the present invention; therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to matters described in such drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a structure and fire protection system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a structure and fire protection system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a structure and fire protection system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a drawing showing the structure of the guide rail and driving unit of Figure 3 in more detail.
Figure 5 illustrates a case where the movement path defined by the guide rail is a closed curve.
Figure 6 illustrates a case where the movement path defined by the guide rail has an open curve shape.
FIGS. 7 and 8 are drawings for reference in explaining operations for controlling the movement speed of a sensor using a guide rail according to the fire judgment result by the fire protection system of FIG. 3.
FIGS. 9 and 10 are drawings for reference in explaining operations for controlling the movement range and movement speed of a sensor using a guide rail when the environmental condition inside a structure is classified as a medium-risk condition by the fire protection system of FIG. 3.
FIGS. 11 and 12 are drawings for reference in explaining operations for controlling the movement range and movement speed of a sensor using a guide rail when the environmental condition inside a structure is classified as a high-risk condition by the fire protection system of FIG. 3.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, the terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, and should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term in order to explain his or her own invention in the best possible way.

Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

In addition, when describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, unless otherwise specifically stated, but rather that it may include other components. In addition, terms such as <control unit> described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Additionally, throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly connected" but also cases where it is "indirectly connected" with other elements in between.

Hereinafter, a device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a structure (20) and a fire protection system (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the fire protection system (100) includes a sensing unit (110), a fire suppression unit (120), and a controller (130). Optionally, the fire protection system (100) may further include an alarm unit (160).

As illustrated, the fire protection system (100) is at least partially coupled to a structure (20) in which at least one battery (30) is installed. For example, the structure (20) in which the battery (30) is installed may be a container of an energy storage system (ESS) (10) of a size that a user can enter, or a chamber provided in an electric vehicle.

In addition, the battery (30) described herein may refer to any one of a battery cell, a battery module, a battery pack, and a battery rack. The battery module may include a plurality of battery cells, the battery pack may include a plurality of battery modules, and the battery rack may include a plurality of battery packs.

At least one battery management system (BMS) (40) may be electrically connected to the battery (30). Each BMS (40) is configured to monitor the status of the battery (30) electrically connected thereto and output a sensing signal indicating the status of the monitored battery (30) to the controller (130). In addition, each BMS (40) is responsible for managing charging and discharging of the battery (30), etc., according to the status of the monitored battery (30). In particular, each BMS (40) is basically configured to monitor the temperature of the battery (30) and transmit a sensing signal indicating the monitored temperature to the controller (130).

The sensing unit (110) is installed in the structure (20) and includes at least one sensor. Being installed in the structure (20) means being installed in the structure (20) itself or in the internal space of the structure (20). Each sensor included in the sensing unit (110) is configured to detect one parameter related to the environment within the structure (20).

When a plurality of sensors are included in the sensing unit (110), the type of parameter detected by one of them may be different from the type of parameter detected by one of the others. That is, two or more parameters related to the environment (particularly, fire) within the structure (20) may be individually detected by the sensors of the sensing unit (110). Preferably, the sensing unit (110) may include at least one smoke sensor (111) and one temperature sensor (112). In addition, considering that smoke and heat have the characteristic of being transmitted upward, at least one of the smoke sensor (111) and the temperature sensor (112) included in the sensing unit (110) may be placed in an upper region based on the center of the structure (20).

For example, if a smoke sensor (e.g., a photoelectric smoke sensor) (111) is included in the sensing unit (110), the smoke sensor (111) can detect the smoke concentration inside the structure (20) and generate a sensing signal (ST1) corresponding to the detected smoke concentration. As another example, if a temperature sensor (112) is included in the sensing unit (110), the temperature sensor (112) can detect the temperature inside the structure (20) and generate a sensing signal (ST2) corresponding to the detected temperature.

The sensing unit (110) can transmit each sensing signal to the controller (130) at predetermined time periods. For example, a sensing signal corresponding to the detected smoke concentration can be output to the controller (130) at a first time period, and a sensing signal corresponding to the detected temperature can be output to the controller (130) at a second time period. Accordingly, the controller (130) can individually monitor the temperature and smoke concentration inside the structure (20).

The fire suppression unit (120) includes a fire extinguishing agent (121), a tank (122), a fire extinguishing agent supply pipe (123), and a spray nozzle (124). The fire extinguishing agent (121) may be made of a liquid, gas, and/or solid material that can be sprayed into the structure (20). For example, one or a combination of two or more of various fire extinguishing agents such as water, sodium bicarbonate, carbon dioxide, and carbon tetrachloride may be used as the fire extinguishing agent (121).

The tank (122) has a certain volume and contains a fire extinguishing agent (121) inside it. It is preferable that the tank (122) be designed to withstand external impact of a certain level or higher.

The extinguishing agent supply pipe (123) is connected between the tank (122) and the spray nozzle (124) and serves as a passage through which the extinguishing agent (121) from the tank (122) moves to the spray nozzle (124).

The spray nozzle (124) is configured to spray the extinguishing agent (121) from the tank (122) into the structure (20). The spray nozzle (124) includes at least one hole connected to the interior of the structure (20). The extinguishing agent (121) supplied from the tank (122) through the extinguishing agent supply pipe (123) can be sprayed into the interior of the structure (20) through at least one hole of the spray nozzle (124).

The fire suppression unit (120) may further include a spray control device (125). The spray control device (125) is configured to control at least one of the spray amount and spray speed of the fire extinguishing agent (121) sprayed into the structure (20) through the spray nozzle (124).

For example, the injection control device (125) may include an explosive, an igniter, an electronic valve, and a piston. The piston is placed in the tank (122), and the electronic valve is installed in the extinguishing agent supply pipe (123). When a trigger signal (SW) from the controller (130) is received by the injection control device (125), the igniter detonates an amount of explosive corresponding to the trigger signal. At the time of explosion of the explosive, the electronic valve is opened to a level corresponding to the trigger signal. When the piston is moved by the explosive force of the explosive, the extinguishing agent (121) in the tank (122) is pushed out into the extinguishing agent supply pipe (123). The extinguishing agent (121) pushed out from the tank (122) into the extinguishing agent supply pipe (123) can be sprayed into the structure (20) through the spray nozzle (124) via the opened electronic valve.

As another example, the injection control device (125) may include a pump and an electronic valve. The pump and the electronic valve are installed in the extinguishing agent supply pipe (123). When a start signal from the controller (130) is received by the injection control device (125), the pump sucks the extinguishing agent (121) in the tank (122) into the extinguishing agent supply pipe (123) at a pressure level corresponding to the start signal. At the point in time when the extinguishing agent (121) is sucked into the extinguishing agent supply pipe (123) by the pump, the electronic valve is opened at a level corresponding to the start signal. Accordingly, the extinguishing agent (121) in the tank (122) can be sequentially passed through the pump and the electronic valve and sprayed into the structure (20) through the spray nozzle (124).

As another example, the extinguishing agent control device (125) may include an electronic valve. For this purpose, it is preferable that the pressure inside the tank (122) is relatively higher than the pressure outside the tank (122). The electronic valve opens at a level corresponding to a trigger signal from the controller (130). When the electronic valve opens, the extinguishing agent (121) inside the tank (122) may be supplied to the spray nozzle (124) through the electronic valve and sprayed into the structure (20) according to the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the tank (122).

The controller (130) may be implemented in hardware using at least one of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), microprocessors, and other electrical units for performing functions.

The controller (130) may include a memory. The memory may store data, commands, and software required for the overall operation of the fire protection system (100). The controller (130) may refer to the data and commands stored in the memory, or may drive software to call, generate, and/or output data for controlling the operation of the sensing unit (110) and/or the fire suppression unit (120).

The memory may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a solid state disk type, an SDD type, a multimedia card micro type, a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and a programmable read-only memory (PROM).

The controller (130) is basically connected to the sensing unit (110) and the fire suppression unit (120) so as to be communicatively connected.

The controller (130) is configured to receive sensing signals output by the sensing unit (110) and determine whether a fire has occurred inside the structure (20) based on at least one of the received sensing signals. In detail, the controller (130) can compare a smoke concentration value corresponding to a sensing signal from a smoke sensor (111) with a threshold smoke concentration value, and compare a temperature value corresponding to a sensing signal from a temperature sensor (112) with a first threshold temperature value.

The controller (130) can classify the environmental state within the structure (20) into one of the 'low-risk state', the 'first medium-risk state', the 'second medium-risk state' and the 'high-risk state' at predetermined intervals. Of course, the controller (130) can classify the environmental state within the structure (20) into only one of the 'low-risk state' and the 'high-risk state'.

If the smoke concentration value corresponding to the sensing signal from the smoke sensor (111) is less than the critical smoke concentration value and the temperature value corresponding to the sensing signal from the temperature sensor (112) is less than the first critical temperature value, the controller (130) can classify the structure (20) as a 'low-risk state' in which no fire has occurred and there is no possibility of a fire occurring.

If the smoke concentration value corresponding to the sensing signal from the smoke sensor (111) is less than the critical smoke concentration value and the temperature value corresponding to the sensing signal from the temperature sensor (112) is greater than the first critical temperature value, the controller (130) can classify the structure (20) into a 'first medium-risk state' in which a fire has not yet occurred but there is a high possibility of a fire occurring.

If the smoke concentration value corresponding to the sensing signal from the smoke sensor (111) is greater than the critical smoke concentration value and the temperature value corresponding to the sensing signal from the temperature sensor (112) is less than the first critical temperature value, the controller (130) can classify the structure (20) into a 'second medium-risk state' in which a fire has not yet occurred but there is a high possibility of a fire occurring.

If the smoke concentration value corresponding to the sensing signal from the smoke sensor (111) is greater than the critical smoke concentration value and the temperature value corresponding to the sensing signal from the temperature sensor (112) is greater than the first critical temperature value, the controller (130) can classify the structure (20) as a 'high-risk state' in which a fire has already occurred.

The alarm unit (160) is configured to output fire notification information. For example, the alarm unit (160) may be implemented in a form including at least one of a speaker, a light source, and a display in order to inform a user of the risk of fire occurring within the structure (20). When the environmental state within the structure (20) is classified into any one of the first medium-risk state, the second medium-risk state, and the high-risk state, the controller (130) transmits a signal (SA) requesting the output of fire notification information corresponding to the classified risk state to the alarm unit (160). Accordingly, the alarm unit (160) may output sound, an image, and/or light corresponding to the signal (SA).

The controller (130) can record at least some of the sensing signals from the sensing unit (110) in memory at a predetermined time unit in relation to the environmental condition within the structure (20). For example, as the state of low risk progresses to a high risk state, the controller (130) can shorten the time interval for recording the sensing signals from the sensing unit (110). The sensing signals recorded in the memory can be used to check the cause of a fire or whether each sensor included in the sensing unit (110) is broken. In addition, information corresponding to the sensing signals recorded in the memory can be output through the alarm unit (160) at the user's request.

The controller (130) outputs a start signal to the fire suppression unit (120) while the fire inside the structure (20) is classified as a high-risk state. Specifically, the controller (130) can calculate a fire index indicating the severity of a fire that has occurred inside the structure (20) based on at least one of a sensing signal from a smoke sensor (111) and a sensing signal from a temperature sensor (112). The fire index can have a proportional relationship with at least one of a smoke concentration value corresponding to a sensing signal from a smoke sensor (111) and a temperature value corresponding to a sensing signal from a temperature sensor (112).

Next, the controller (130) can determine at least one of the injection amount and the injection speed of the extinguishing agent (121) to be injected into the structure (20) based on the calculated fire index. At least one of the injection amount and the injection speed of the extinguishing agent (121) can have a proportional relationship with the fire index. The start signal output from the controller (130) can include data representing the determined injection amount and/or injection speed.

The fire suppression unit (120) can perform an operation of spraying the extinguishing agent (121) inside the tank (122) into the interior of the structure (20) in response to the trigger signal transmitted from the controller (130). In detail, the fire suppression unit (120) can control at least one of the amount and speed of the extinguishing agent (121) sprayed from the tank (122) into the interior of the structure (20) according to data indicating the spray amount and/or spray speed included in the trigger signal. That is, the spray amount and spray speed of the extinguishing agent (121) by the fire suppression unit (120) can correspond to the trigger signal from the controller (130).

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a structure (20) and a fire protection system (100) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Compared with Fig. 1, the fire protection system (100) illustrated in Fig. 2 is different only in that it monitors the temperature inside the structure (20) based on a sensing signal (ST3) from the BMS (40) of the battery (30) rather than a sensing signal (ST2) from the temperature sensor (112) of the sensing unit (110). Therefore, the same symbols are given to the same components, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The controller (130) can output data for controlling the operation of the sensing unit (110), fire suppression unit (120), and/or BMS (40) by referencing data and commands stored in the memory or by operating software.

The controller (130) is basically connected to the sensing unit (110) and the fire suppression unit (120) so as to be communicatively connected. It should be noted here that, unlike what was described above with reference to FIG. 1, the controller (130) can also be connected to the BMS (40) so as to be communicatively connected.

The controller (130) can individually receive the sensing signal (ST1) output by the sensing unit (110) and the sensing signal (ST3) output from the BMS (40). The sensing signal from the sensing unit (110) includes data representing at least a smoke concentration value within the structure (20). That is, the sensing unit (110) includes at least one smoke sensor (111). The sensing signal from the BMS (40) includes data representing a temperature value corresponding to the temperature of the battery (30). Since the battery (30) is accommodated within the structure (20), it is possible to convert or replace the temperature of the battery (30) with the temperature inside the structure (20). That is, in the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the controller (130) can determine whether a fire has occurred while monitoring the temperature inside the structure (20) based on the sensing signal representing the temperature of the battery (30) output by the BMS (40) rather than the temperature sensor (112) of the sensing unit (110). At this time, the sensing signal (ST3) from the BMS (40) can be received by the controller (130) at predetermined time cycles.

In detail, the controller (130) can compare the smoke concentration value corresponding to the sensing signal from the smoke sensor (111) with a threshold smoke concentration value, and compare the temperature value corresponding to the sensing signal from the BMS (40) with a second threshold temperature value. At this time, considering that the BMS (40) is placed relatively closer to the battery (30) than the temperature sensor (112), the second threshold temperature value may be greater than the first threshold temperature value described with reference to FIG. 1.

The controller (130) can classify the environmental state within the structure (20) into one of a ‘low risk state’, a ‘first medium risk state’, a ‘second medium risk state’, and a ‘high risk state’ at predetermined intervals.

If the smoke concentration value corresponding to the sensing signal from the smoke sensor (111) is less than the critical smoke concentration value and the temperature value corresponding to the sensing signal from the BMS (40) is less than the second critical temperature value, the controller (130) can classify the structure (20) as a 'low-risk state' in which no fire has occurred and there is no possibility of a fire occurring.

If the smoke concentration value corresponding to the sensing signal from the smoke sensor (111) is less than the critical smoke concentration value and the temperature value corresponding to the sensing signal from the BMS (40) is greater than the second critical temperature value, the controller (130) can classify the structure (20) as a 'first medium-risk state' in which a fire has not yet occurred but there is a high possibility of a fire occurring.

If the smoke concentration value corresponding to the sensing signal from the smoke sensor (111) is greater than the critical smoke concentration value and the temperature value corresponding to the sensing signal from the BMS (40) is less than the second critical temperature value, the controller (130) can classify the structure (20) into a 'second medium-risk state' in which a fire has not yet occurred but there is a high possibility of a fire occurring.

If the smoke concentration value corresponding to the sensing signal from the smoke sensor (111) is greater than the critical smoke concentration value and the temperature value corresponding to the sensing signal from the BMS (40) is greater than the second critical temperature value, the controller (130) can classify it as a 'high risk state' in which a fire has already occurred within the structure (20).

The controller (130) may record at least some of the sensing signals from the sensing unit (110) or BMS (40) in relation to the environmental condition within the structure (20) in a memory at a predetermined time unit. For example, as the state of low risk progresses to a high risk state, the controller (130) may shorten the time interval at which the sensing signal (ST3) from the BMS (40) is recorded. The sensing signals recorded in the memory may be utilized to check the cause of a fire or the presence or absence of a failure in each sensor included in the sensing unit (110). In addition, information corresponding to the sensing signals recorded in the memory may be output through an alarm unit at the user's request.

The controller (130) outputs a start signal to the fire suppression unit (120) while the fire inside the structure (20) is classified as a high-risk state. Specifically, the controller (130) can calculate a fire index indicating the severity of a fire that has occurred inside the structure (20) based on at least one of a sensing signal from a smoke sensor (111) and a sensing signal from a BMS (40). The fire index can have a proportional relationship with at least one of a smoke concentration value corresponding to a sensing signal from a smoke sensor (111) and a temperature value corresponding to a sensing signal from a BMS (40).

Meanwhile, with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, it has been described that the controller (130) monitors the temperature within the structure (20) based on the sensing signal of either the temperature sensor (112) or the BMS (40), but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the controller (130) may monitor the temperature within the structure (20) by considering both the sensing signal from the temperature sensor (112) and the sensing signal from the BMS (40), and may also determine whether a fire has occurred through a combination with the smoke concentration value. For example, the temperature value corresponding to the sensing signal (ST2) from the temperature sensor (112) is multiplied by the weight K to calculate the first compensation temperature value, the temperature value corresponding to the sensing signal (ST3) from the BMS (40) is multiplied by (1-K) to calculate the second compensation temperature value, and then the value obtained by adding the first compensation temperature value and the second compensation temperature value is determined as the temperature value within the structure (20), and then the occurrence of a fire can be determined based on the result of comparing it with the third threshold temperature value. At this time, the third threshold temperature value may be a value between the first threshold temperature value in FIG. 1 and the second threshold temperature value in FIG. 2. In addition, K is a number greater than 0 and less than 1, and considering that the BMS (40) is placed relatively closer to the battery (30) than the temperature sensor (112), it is preferable that it is less than 0.5.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a structure (20) and a fire protection system (100) according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the structure of a guide rail (140) and a driving unit (150) of FIG. 3 in more detail, FIG. 5 illustrates a case where a movement path defined by a guide rail (140) is a closed curve shape, and FIG. 6 illustrates a case where a movement path defined by a guide rail (140) is an open curve shape.

Compared with Fig. 1, the fire protection system (100) according to Figs. 3 and 4 is different only in that it further includes a guide rail (140) and a driving unit (150). The same reference numerals are given to the same components, and a detailed description is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the guide rail (140) is installed in a predetermined area inside the structure (20). Referring to FIG. 4, the guide rail (140) basically includes a body (141) and a transfer line (142), and may optionally further include a bracket (143) or a pulley (144). The transfer line (142) may be made of a belt, a chain, a wire, or the like. Among the entire body (141), a portion corresponding to the sensing direction of the sensing unit may have an open frame shape. A motor (151) and a pulley (144) are respectively installed at both ends of the body (141), so that the driving force by the rotation of the motor (151) is transmitted to the pulley (144) through the transfer line (142).

Preferably, at least a portion of the guide rail (140) may be installed above the center of the structure (20). At least one sensor included in the sensing unit (110) is movably mounted on the transfer line (142) of the guide rail (140) directly or through a bracket (143), etc. The guide rail (140) defines the range and path along which at least one sensor included in the sensing unit (110) moves in the internal space of the structure (20). Although the guide rail (140) is illustrated as having a straight shape in FIGS. 3 and 4 , it may also have a curved shape. For example, the guide rail (140) may have a closed curve shape such as a square or an oval (see FIG. 5 ), or an open curve shape such as a zigzag or spiral (see FIG. 6 ).

A plurality of guide rails (140) may be provided. When there are a plurality of guide rails (140), at least one of them may be equipped with a smoke sensor (111), and at least one of the remaining ones may be equipped with a temperature sensor (112). Alternatively, when there are a plurality of guide rails (140), one of them may be equipped with a smoke sensor (111), and another smoke sensor (111) may be equipped on one of the remaining ones. Alternatively, when there are a plurality of guide rails (140), one of them may be equipped with a temperature sensor (112), and another temperature sensor (112) may be equipped on one of the remaining ones. Among the sensors included in the sensing unit (110), sensors that are not equipped on the guide rail (140) are fixed to a predetermined position inside the structure (20).

The driving unit (150) includes a motor (151) and a motor controller (152). The controller (130) is communicatively connected to the driving unit (150). The motor (151) is coupled to the guide rail (140) and brakes a driving force for moving a sensor of a sensing unit (110) mounted on the guide rail (140). The motor controller (152) is configured to individually control the rotation speed, rotation amount, and rotation direction of the motor (151) according to a movement pattern signal (SP) from the controller (130). By the power according to the rotation of the motor (151), the sensor mounted on the guide rail (140) moves in one direction or both directions along the guide rail (140).

The controller (130) can output data for controlling the operation of the sensing unit (110), fire suppression unit (120), BMS (40), and/or driving unit (150) by referencing data and commands stored in the memory or by operating software.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are drawings for reference in explaining operations for controlling the movement speed of a sensor using a guide rail (140) according to a fire judgment result by the fire protection system (100) of FIG. 3. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the guide rail (140) has a straight shape as in FIG. 3, and that only one smoke sensor (111) is movably mounted on the guide rail (140).

First, Fig. 7 shows the movement of the sensor mounted on the guide rail (140) when the controller (130) determines that no fire has occurred within the structure (20).

The controller (130) transmits a first movement pattern signal to the driving unit (150) when it is determined that no fire has occurred inside the structure (20) (e.g., low-risk state). The first movement pattern signal includes data that induces the motor controller (152) to set the rotation speed of the motor (151) to the first rotation speed. When the motor controller (152) receives the first movement pattern signal, the motor controller (152) sets the rotation speed of the motor (151) to the first rotation speed. Accordingly, the smoke sensor (111) can move in one direction or in both directions along the guide rail (140) at a movement speed corresponding to the first rotation speed.

Next, Fig. 8 shows the movement operation of the sensor mounted on the guide rail (140) when the controller (130) determines that a fire has already occurred within the structure (20).

The controller (130) transmits a second movement pattern signal, which is different from the first movement pattern signal of FIG. 7, to the driving unit (150) when the environmental condition inside the structure (20) is classified as a high-risk condition. The second movement pattern signal includes data that induces the motor controller (152) to set the rotation speed of the motor (151) to the second rotation speed. When the motor controller (152) receives the second movement pattern signal, the motor controller (152) sets the rotation speed of the motor (151) to the second rotation speed. Accordingly, the smoke sensor (111) can move along the guide rail (140) in one direction or in both directions at a movement speed corresponding to the second rotation speed. At this time, the second rotation speed is preferably higher than the first rotation speed of FIG. 7. This is because, when a fire has already occurred, it is necessary to collect temperature information inside the structure (20) relatively quickly and in large quantities compared to when a fire has not occurred.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are drawings for reference in explaining operations for controlling the movement range and movement speed of a sensor using a guide rail (140) when the environmental condition inside a structure (20) is classified as a medium-risk condition by the fire protection system (100) of FIG. 3. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the guide rail (140) is a straight shape as in FIG. 3, and that only one smoke sensor (111) is movably mounted on the guide rail (140).

First, Fig. 9 shows the movement operation of the sensor mounted on the guide rail (140) when the controller (130) classifies the environmental condition of the structure (20) as a medium risk condition.

The controller (130) transmits a third movement pattern signal to the driving unit (150) when the environmental condition of the structure (20) is classified as a medium-risk condition. The third movement pattern signal includes data designating two different points of the guide rail (140). The two points designated by the third movement pattern signal may be determined by the controller (130) based on at least one of a sensing signal indicating a smoke concentration value within the structure (20) and a sensing signal indicating a temperature value within the structure (20).

For example, while the smoke sensor (111) moves one-way or reciprocally along the entire range of the guide rail (140) at a moving speed corresponding to the first rotation speed in FIG. 7, the controller (130) can determine whether a sensing signal indicating a smoke concentration value greater than the threshold smoke concentration value is received from the smoke sensor (111).

Let the x-axis coordinate value of one end of the range in which the smoke sensor (111) mounted on the guide rail (140) can move along the x-axis be O, and the x-axis coordinate value of the other end be E. If, as in FIG. 10, the smoke concentration value (DS) monitored on the path between the first point (P1) and the second point (P2) detected by the smoke sensor (111) is greater than the threshold smoke concentration value (THS), the controller (130) can include data designating the first point (P1) and the second point (P2) in the third movement pattern signal. In this case, the third movement pattern signal includes data for inducing the rotation speed of the motor (151) to be set to the third rotation speed between the first point (P1) and the second point (P2). The third rotation speed can be greater than the first rotation speed in FIG. 7. Additionally, the third movement pattern signal includes data for inducing the rotation speed of the motor (151) to a fourth rotation speed outside the path between the first point and the second point. The fourth rotation speed is smaller than the third rotation speed. For example, the fourth rotation speed may be the same as the first rotation speed in Fig. 7.

When the motor controller (152) receives the third movement pattern signal, the motor controller (152) sets the rotation speed of the motor (151) to the third rotation speed between the first point and the second point, and sets the rotation speed of the motor (151) to the fourth rotation speed in other paths. Accordingly, the smoke sensor (111) can move in one direction or in both directions while changing the movement speed along the guide rail (140).

FIGS. 11 and 12 are drawings for reference in explaining operations for controlling the movement range and movement speed of a sensor using a guide rail (140) when the environmental condition inside a structure (20) is classified as a high-risk condition by the fire protection system (100) of FIG. 3. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the guide rail (140) has a straight shape as in FIG. 3, and that a smoke sensor (111) and a temperature sensor (112) are movably mounted on the guide rail (140). At this time, the smoke sensor (111) and the temperature sensor (112) mounted on the guide rail (140) can be arranged so closely that they can be regarded as measuring the smoke concentration and temperature at the same point. For example, the smoke sensor (111) and the temperature sensor (112) mounted on the guide rail (140) can be installed in the same housing. As another example, the distance between the smoke sensor (111) and the temperature sensor (112) mounted on the guide rail (140) may be less than a predetermined ratio (e.g., 1/100) of the length of the entire path defined by the guide rail (140).

First, Fig. 11 shows the movement operation of a sensor mounted on a guide rail (140) when the controller (130) classifies the environmental condition of the structure (20) as a high-risk condition.

The controller (130) transmits a fourth movement pattern signal to the driving unit (150) when the environmental condition of the structure (20) is classified as a high-risk condition. The fourth movement pattern signal includes data designating two different points of the guide rail (140). The two points designated by the fourth movement pattern signal may be determined by the controller (130) based on a sensing signal indicating a smoke concentration value within the structure (20) and a sensing signal indicating a temperature value within the structure (20).

For example, while the smoke sensor (111) reciprocates along the path P1 to P2 between two points of the guide rail (140) at the third rotation speed in FIG. 9, the controller (130) can determine whether a sensing signal indicating a smoke concentration value greater than a threshold smoke concentration value is received from the smoke sensor (111) mounted on the guide rail (140). In addition, the controller (130) can determine whether a sensing signal indicating a temperature value greater than a first threshold temperature value (THP) is received from the temperature sensor (112) mounted on the guide rail (140) (or whether a sensing signal indicating a temperature value greater than a second threshold temperature value is received from the BMS (40)).

Let the x-axis coordinate value of one end of the range in which the smoke sensor (111) and the temperature sensor (112) mounted on the guide rail (140) can move along the x-axis be O, and the x-axis coordinate value of the other end be E. If, as shown in FIG. 12, the smoke concentration value (DS) and the temperature value (TS) monitored by the smoke sensor (111) and the temperature sensor (112) mounted on the guide rail (140) in the path between the third point (P3) and the fourth point (P4) located between the first point (P1) and the second point (P2) are greater than the threshold smoke concentration value (THS) and the first threshold temperature value (THP), respectively, the controller (130) can include data specifying the third point (P3) and the fourth point (P4) in the fourth movement pattern signal. Of course, in some cases, the third point (P3) may be the same as the first point (P1), or the fourth point (P4) may be the same as the second point (P2).

The fourth movement pattern signal includes data for inducing the rotation speed of the motor (151) to be set to the fifth rotation speed between the third point (P3) and the fourth point (P4). The fifth rotation speed may be greater than the third rotation speed in FIG. 9. In addition, the fourth movement pattern signal includes data for inducing the rotation speed of the motor (151) to the third rotation speed in a portion excluding the portion from the third point to the fourth point among the paths between the first point and the second point. In addition, the fourth movement pattern signal includes data for inducing the rotation speed of the motor (151) to the fourth rotation speed outside the path between the first point and the second point.

When the motor controller (152) receives the fifth movement pattern signal, the motor controller (152) sets the rotation speed of the motor (151) to the fifth rotation speed between the third point and the fourth point, sets the rotation speed of the motor (151) to the third rotation speed between the paths P1 to P3 between the first point and the third point and between the paths P4 to P2 between the fourth point and the second point, and sets the rotation speed of the motor (151) to the fourth rotation speed between the other paths O to P1 and P2 to E. Accordingly, the smoke sensor (111) can move in one direction or in both directions while changing the movement speed along the guide rail (140).

The embodiments of the present invention described above are not implemented only through devices and methods, but may also be implemented through a program that realizes a function corresponding to the configuration of the embodiments of the present invention or a recording medium on which the program is recorded, and such implementation can be easily implemented by an expert in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description of the embodiments described above.

Although the present invention has been described above by means of limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and variations are possible by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the patent claims to be described below.

In addition, the present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes within a scope that does not depart from the technical spirit of the present invention by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, and therefore is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the attached drawings, and all or part of each embodiment may be selectively combined and configured so that various modifications can be made.

10: Energy storage system
20: Structure
30: Battery
40: Battery Management System
100: Fire Protection System
110: Sensing section
111: Smoke sensor
112: Temperature sensor
120: Fire Suppression Unit
121: Digestive
122: Tank
123: Digestive system supply line
124: Injection nozzle
125: Injection control device
130: Controller
140: Guide rail
150: Drive Unit
151: Motor
152: Motor Controller
160: Alert Department

Claims (10)

A sensing unit including a plurality of sensors and installed in a structure in which a battery is accommodated, configured to output a first sensing signal indicating a smoke concentration inside the structure at a first time period using the plurality of sensors, and to output a second sensing signal indicating a temperature inside the structure at a second time period;
A fire suppression unit having a tank for containing a fire extinguishing agent and configured to spray the fire extinguishing agent contained in the tank into the interior of the structure;
A guide rail installed inside the above structure;
A driving unit configured to individually control the rotational direction and rotational speed of a motor coupled to the above guide rail; and
A controller for determining whether a fire has occurred inside the structure based on at least one of the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal;
At least one of the sensors of the above sensing unit is movably mounted on the guide rail,
The above controller, when it determines that a fire has occurred inside the structure, transmits a start signal to the fire suppression unit.
The above fire suppression unit, in response to the activation signal from the controller, sprays the extinguishing agent contained in the tank into the interior of the structure,
The above controller,
When it is determined that no fire has occurred, a first movement pattern signal is transmitted to set the rotation speed of the motor to the first rotation speed,
A fire protection system, which transmits a second movement pattern signal to set the rotation speed of the motor to a second rotation speed faster than the first rotation speed when it is determined that a fire has occurred.
In the first paragraph,
The above controller,
A fire protection system that outputs the start signal when the smoke concentration value corresponding to the first sensing signal is greater than the threshold smoke concentration value and the temperature value corresponding to the second sensing signal is greater than the threshold temperature value.
In the first paragraph,
The above controller,
When it is determined that a fire has occurred inside the structure, a fire index indicating the severity of the fire occurring inside the structure is calculated based on at least one of the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal, and the spray amount and spray speed of the fire extinguishing agent are determined based on the fire index.
The above starting signal is,
A fire protection system corresponding to the above-determined injection amount and injection speed.
delete delete In the first paragraph,
The above controller,
Based on at least one of the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal, the first point and the second point of the guide rail are determined,
The above driving part,
A fire protection system, wherein the at least one sensor movably mounted on the guide rail drives the motor to reciprocate between the first point and the second point of the guide rail.
In the second paragraph,
Further comprising an alarm unit configured to output fire notification information;
The above controller,
A fire protection system that requests the alarm unit to output the fire notification information when the temperature value corresponding to the first sensing signal is greater than the threshold temperature value or the smoke concentration value corresponding to the second sensing signal is greater than the threshold smoke concentration value.
In the first paragraph,
The above controller,
A fire protection system that records the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal from the sensing unit at predetermined time units.
A sensing unit comprising at least one sensor, installed in a structure housing a battery, and configured to individually detect at least one parameter related to an environment within the structure using the at least one sensor;
A fire suppression unit having a tank for containing a fire extinguishing agent and configured to spray the fire extinguishing agent contained in the tank into the interior of the structure;
A guide rail installed inside the above structure;
A driving unit configured to individually control the rotational direction and rotational speed of a motor coupled to the above guide rail; and
A controller that receives a first sensing signal indicating the smoke concentration inside the structure from the sensing unit at every first time period, and receives a second sensing signal indicating the temperature of the battery from the BMS of the battery at every second time period;
At least one of the sensors of the above sensing unit is movably mounted on the guide rail,
The controller determines whether a fire has occurred inside the structure based on at least one of the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal, and if it determines that a fire has occurred inside the structure, transmits a start signal to the fire suppression unit.
The above fire suppression unit, in response to the activation signal from the controller, sprays the extinguishing agent contained in the tank into the interior of the structure,
The above controller,
When it is determined that no fire has occurred, a first movement pattern signal is transmitted to set the rotation speed of the motor to the first rotation speed,
A fire protection system, which transmits a second movement pattern signal to set the rotation speed of the motor to a second rotation speed faster than the first rotation speed when it is determined that a fire has occurred.
A fire protection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 6 to 9;
An energy storage system comprising:

Images