DESCRIPTION
Title of Invention: RAIL VEHICLE INCLUDING FIRE EXTINGUISHING
EQUIPMENT
Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates to a rail vehicle including
fire extinguishing equipment which pumps, in case of a fire,
a fire extinguishing agent through compressed air into a pipe
laid in a vehicle so as to inject, from a nozzle provided in
each part of the pipe, the fire extinguishing agent into the
vehicle. Specifically, the present invention relates to a pipe
structure for supplying the fire extinguishing agent into the
vehicle.
Background Art
[0002]
In order to take measures against a fire in a railway
vehicle in Japan, the vehicle is basically configured with a
fireproof (incombustible) material. According to “Technical
Regulatory Standards on Japanese Railways”, it is specified
that, for example, an electrical wire capable of preventing a
fire due to, for example, heat generation in a device should
be employed as an electrical wire of the vehicle. It is also
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specified that a device which might generate an arc or heat
should be provided with an appropriate protective measure. It
is further specified that a vehicle body of a passenger train
should have a structure and material which can prevent a
potential fire and a spread of the fire.
[0003]
PTL 1 discloses a sprinkler system for a railway vehicle.
According to the sprinkler system described in PTL 1, a function
of fire extinguishing equipment can be maintained with easy
maintenance, and a tolerance of the system against mischief by
a passenger can be increased.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0004]
PTL 1: Publication of US Patent Application No.
2006/0038029
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0005]
The fire extinguishing equipment described in PTL 1
includes a fire extinguishing agent tank, a high pressure tank,
and a pipe. Compressed air to pump the fire extinguishing agent
is accumulated in the high pressure tank. The pipe forms a
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channel through which the fire extinguishing agent is sprayed
into each part of the railway vehicle. A nozzle for injecting
the fire extinguishing agent is provided in any part of the pipe.
Generally, the pipe is laid in a vehicle interior side of a roof
structure constituting a chassis of the railway vehicle. In
order to prevent the pipe from being noticed by a passenger,
a ceiling panel is installed so as to cover the pipe.
[0006]
Even when the ceiling panel is installed to cover the pipe,
at least a distal end of the nozzle needs to be exposed to the
vehicle interior side. This is to appropriately spray the fire
extinguishing agent injected from the distal end of the nozzle
into the vehicle. When the ceiling panel is installed,
therefore, the ceiling panel is installed by: recognizing a
position of the distal end of the nozzle and a position of the
ceiling panel fixed to the roof structure and an upper end of
a side structure; processing the ceiling panel so that an
opening is provided at a position corresponding to the position
of the distal end of the nozzle; and fitting the distal end of
the nozzle into the opening.
[0007]
However, the distal end of the nozzle sometimes cannot
be fit into the opening due to, for example, dimension error
of the roof structure constituting the railway vehicle,
position error of the pipe attached to the roof structure, and
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attachment error of the ceiling panel. In this case, a
correcting operation for an attachment position of the ceiling
panel and a reprocessing operation for the opening are generated.
As a result, a lot of time is required for attaching the ceiling
panel.
[0008]
The present invention has been made considering the
above-mentioned point, and proposes a rail vehicle to which fire
extinguishing equipment can be easily attached.
Solution to Problem
[0009]
In order to solve this problem, a rail vehicle according
to the present invention includes fire extinguishing equipment
including: a fire extinguishing device configured to pump a fire
extinguishing agent; and a pipe coupled to the fire
extinguishing device and forming a channel to spray, to each
part of the rail vehicle, the fire extinguishing agent pumped
out of the fire extinguishing device, wherein the rail vehicle
includes a plurality of ceiling panels installed inside a
vehicle of a roof structure, and the pipe is fixed to each of
the plurality of ceiling panels so as to be installed in the
rail vehicle side by side with the ceiling panel.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
6
[0010]
According to the present invention, fire extinguishing
equipment can be easily attached.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0011]
[FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a side structural view of a monorail
vehicle.
[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional structural view taken
along line A-A of the monorail vehicle.
[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional structural view taken
along line B-B of the monorail vehicle.
[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a front structural view taken along
line C-C of a ceiling panel.
[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a back structural view of the ceiling
panel.
[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a front connection structural view taken
along line C-C of the ceiling panel.
[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a back connection structural view of
the ceiling panel.
Description of Embodiments
[0012]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will
be described referring to the accompanying drawings. A “rail
7
vehicle” to be mentioned in the following description is a
general term for transportation running along a laid track. The
rail vehicle includes, for example, a railway vehicle, a
streetcar, a new traffic system, and a monorail vehicle.
[0013]
(1) Overall Structure
FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a side structure of a
monorail vehicle 1. The monorail vehicle 1 is the rail vehicle
traveling along a track (beam) 2 supported by a support column.
Although the monorail vehicle 1 including three cars is
illustrated herein, the monorail vehicle 1 may further include
a plurality of cars. Each monorail vehicle 1 is provided with
a fire extinguishing device 11 on a roof thereof.
[0014]
The fire extinguishing device 11 described herein is
installed on the roof of the monorail vehicle 1. However, the
installation place is not limited to the roof, and the fire
extinguishing device 11 may be installed in any place. For
example, the fire extinguishing device 11 may be installed
inside the monorail vehicle 1, or inside a sound insulating
skirt 4 which covers a bogie 3 supporting the monorail vehicle
1.
[0015]
The fire extinguishing device 11 includes a fire
extinguishing agent tank and a high pressure tank. The fire
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extinguishing agent tank is filled with a fire extinguishing
agent for dampening or extinguishing a fire in case of a fire.
Compressed air is accumulated in the high pressure tank so as
to serve as a power source for pumping the fire extinguishing
agent.
[0016]
(2) Cross-Sectional Structure
FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a cross-sectional structure
taken along line A-A of the monorail vehicle 1 in FIG. 1. The
monorail vehicle 1 includes an underframe 21, side structures
22, and a roof structure 23. The underframe 21 forms a floor
surface. The side structures 22 are vertically arranged on both
ends in a width direction X of the underframe 21. The roof
structure 23 is arranged on upper ends of the side structures
22.
[0017]
In addition, the monorail vehicle 1 is provided with side
ceiling panels 31, central ceiling panels 32, and seats 33
inside the vehicle. The monorail vehicle 1 is also provided
with a connecting pipe 41 and pipes 42 which are arranged between
the side ceiling panels 31 and the central ceiling panels 32,
and the upper ends of the side structures 22 and the roof
structure 23.
[0018]
The side ceiling panels 31 are installed in each end in
9
a width direction X of a ceiling of the monorail vehicle 1. The
central ceiling panels 32 are coupled to the side ceiling panels
31 and installed so as to cover a central part of the ceiling.
The connecting pipe 41 is installed so as to penetrate the roof
structure 12 and couple the fire extinguishing device 11 to the
pipes 42. The pipes 42 form a channel for spraying the fire
extinguishing agent into each part of the vehicle when the fire
extinguishing agent is pumped out of the fire extinguishing
device 11 via the connecting pipe 41.
[0019]
FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a cross-sectional structure
taken along line B-B of the monorail vehicle 1 in FIG. 2. The
pipes 42 are installed along the side structures 22 and end
structures 24 which are vertically arranged on each end in a
longitudinal direction of the monorail vehicle 1. A plurality
of nozzles 51 is provided in any part of the pipes 42. The fire
extinguishing agent is injected from the nozzles 51 in an
emergency.
[0020]
The pipes 42 of the present embodiment are prefixed to
the side ceiling panels 31 and the central ceiling panels 32,
and installed in the monorail vehicle 1 side by side with these
side ceiling panels 31 and central ceiling panels 32. When the
pipes 42 are installed side by side with the side ceiling panels
31 and the central ceiling panels 32, a closed channel, which
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circles inside the monorail vehicle 1 on a substantially
horizontal surface, is formed. The channel formed by the pipes
42 is not limited to the illustrated channel, and the pipes 42
may be configured, for example, to form a plurality of closed
channels. In the example of the above-described embodiment,
the pipes 42 are provided on the side ceiling panels 31 and the
central ceiling panels 32. However, the pipes 42 may be
provided only on the central ceiling panels 32.
[0021]
(3) Ceiling Panel
FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a front structure taken along
line C-C of the side ceiling panel 31 in FIG. 2. The side ceiling
panel 31 is provided with a plurality of fixtures 61 discretely
arranged thereon, and also provided with the pipe 42 fixed by
the fixtures 61.
[0022]
Two fixtures 61 are herein arranged on a central part of
the side ceiling panel 31, and one on each end thereof. However,
for example, only two fixtures may be arranged on the central
part. In this case, a backlash may be provided in a fixing
position of the pipe 42.
[0023]
The side ceiling panel 31 is provided with fixing parts
311 and 312 at both ends in a width direction (lateral direction)
thereof. The fixing part 311 is the fixing part to fix the side
11
ceiling panel 31 to the upper end of the side structure 22. The
fixing part 312 is the fixing part to couple the side ceiling
panel 31 to a supporting part of the central ceiling panel 32.
[0024]
The side ceiling panel 31 is provided with opening ends
45 at both ends in a longitudinal direction thereof. The reason
for being provided with the opening ends 45 is as follows. Ends
of the pipe 42 fixed to the side ceiling panel 31 are provided
with flexible joints 43 and connecting parts 44 for coupling
the pipes 42 to each other. Even after the side ceiling panel
31 including this pipe 42 is fixed to a ceiling part of the
monorail vehicle 1, the flexible joints 43 and the connecting
parts 44 can be handled through the side ceiling panel 31. The
flexible joint 43 refers to a coupling joint having flexibility.
[0025]
FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a back structure of the side
ceiling panel 31 in FIG. 4. The back structure in FIG. 5 is
a view of the side ceiling panel 31 as seen from the seats 33.
[0026]
Openings 52, into which distal ends of the nozzles 51 are
fit, are provided at positions corresponding to the nozzles 51
of the side ceiling panel 31. In order to fix the pipe 42 to
the side ceiling panel 31, the distal ends (from which the fire
extinguishing agent is injected) of the nozzles 51 provided on
the pipe 42 are fit into the openings 52. Then, the pipe 42
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is positioned on a back surface (surface on a side of the roof
structure 23) of the side ceiling panel 31. Simultaneously,
the pipe 42 is fixed to the side ceiling panel 31 by the fixtures
61 discretely arranged thereon.
[0027]
The same procedure is applied when the pipe 42 is fixed
to the central ceiling panel 32. After the pipes 42 are fixed
to the side ceiling panels 31 and the central ceiling panels
32 so as to be installed in the monorail vehicle 1, and the
connecting parts 44 are handled from the opening ends 45, the
opening ends 45 are covered with covers, whereby design of the
ceiling panels is improved. Thus, the ceiling panels for
continuously covering the roof structure 23 and the upper ends
of the side structures 22 of the monorail vehicle 1 is formed.
[0028]
FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a front structure taken along
line C-C when two side ceiling panels 31 are arranged side by
side. The two side ceiling panels 31 are each provided with
the pipe 42 as described above. Each pipe 42 is fixed to the
corresponding side ceiling panel 31 by the fixtures 61
discretely arranged thereon.
[0029]
When the two side ceiling panels 31 are arranged side by
side, and fixed by the connecting parts 44 by connecting the
flexible joints 43, the channel for the fire extinguishing agent
13
is formed over the two side ceiling panels 31. Although a
structure in which the two pipes 42 are located in the same
straight line is illustrated herein, the two pipes 42 may not
necessarily be accurately located in the same straight line.
Even in this case, a gap from the same straight line is absorbed
by the flexible joints 43, whereby the channel can be formed
over the side ceiling panels 31.
[0030]
FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a back structure of the two
side ceiling panels 31 in FIG. 6. The side ceiling panels 31
are provided with a cover 46 on the back surface thereof. The
cover 46 is openably/closably attached to a position to cover
the opening ends 45. By attaching the cover 46, the pipes 42
can be prevented from being noticed by a passenger, whereby
design of the side ceiling panels 31 can be improved. This can
further prevent the passenger from getting into mischief such
as, for example, touching the pipe 42.
[0031]
(4) Effects of Present Embodiment
As described above, in accordance with the monorail
vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, a positioning operation
between the pipes 42 and the side ceiling panels 31/the central
ceiling panels 32 can be omitted. This is because the pipes
42 are fixed to the side ceiling panels 31 and the central ceiling
panels 32 by outwork, and the fixed pipes 42 are installed in
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the monorail vehicle 1 side by side with the side ceiling panels
31 and the central ceiling panels 32.
[0032]
In addition, the pipes 42 are configured to be coupled
to each other by the flexible joints 43 and the connecting parts
44. As a result, even when the continuous pipes 42 are not
located in the same straight line due to attachment error upon
installation of the side ceiling panels 31 and the central
ceiling panels 32 in the monorail vehicle, a correcting
operation for the positions of the side ceiling panels 31 and
the central ceiling panels 32 can be omitted.
[0033]
Furthermore, the side ceiling panels 31 and the central
ceiling panels 32 are provided with the opening ends 45. As
a result, after the side ceiling panels 31 and the central
ceiling panels 32 are installed in the monorail vehicle, the
flexible joints 43 and the connecting parts 44 can be connected
through the side ceiling panels 31 and the central ceiling
panels 32. Therefore, operating efficiency with regard to the
connection can be improved.
[0034]
Thus, according to the present embodiment, the fire
extinguishing equipment can be attached to the rail vehicle with
a few operating steps.
15
Reference Signs List
[0035]
1 monorail vehicle
11 fire extinguishing device
22 side structure
23 roof structure
31 side ceiling panel
32 central ceiling panel
42 pipe
43 flexible joint
44 connecting part
45 opening end
51 nozzle
52 opening
61 fixture

WE CLAIM:
[Claim 1]
A rail vehicle comprising fire extinguishing equipment
including:
a fire extinguishing device configured to pump a fire
extinguishing agent; and
a pipe coupled to the fire extinguishing device and
forming a channel to spray, to each part of the rail vehicle,
the fire extinguishing agent pumped out of the fire
extinguishing device, wherein
the rail vehicle comprises a plurality of ceiling panels
installed inside a vehicle of a roof structure, and
the pipe is fixed to each of the plurality of ceiling
panels so as to be installed in the rail vehicle side by side
with the ceiling panel.
[Claim 2]
The rail vehicle comprising fire extinguishing equipment
according to claim 1, wherein
the ceiling panel is provided with an opening, and
the pipe is provided with a nozzle configured to inject
the fire extinguishing agent, and when the pipe is fixed to the
ceiling panel, the nozzle is fit into the opening and the pipe
is fixed by a fixture discretely arranged on the ceiling panel
such that the pipe is installed in the rail vehicle side by side
with the ceiling panel.
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[Claim 3]
The rail vehicle comprising fire extinguishing equipment
according to claim 2, wherein
the pipe is provided with a flexible joint at an end
thereof, and when the pipe is installed in the rail vehicle side
by side with the ceiling panel, the pipe is coupled to the other
adjacent pipe via the flexible joint.
[Claim 4]
The rail vehicle comprising fire extinguishing equipment
according to claim 3, wherein
the ceiling panel is provided with an opening end at a
position where the flexible joint is located.
[Claim 5]
The rail vehicle comprising fire extinguishing equipment
according to claim 4, wherein
the ceiling panel is provided with a cover configured to
cover the opening end.