The device designed by a group of students from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology features sensors for smoke detection and gasoline vapor detection, which help trigger control signals and automatically activate a fire extinguisher in case of an emergency.
The anti-short circuit and fire explosion protection system for motorcycles was developed by Trần Nhật Thanh Huy and Huỳnh Nguyễn Anh Kiệt, students in the automotive engineering program at the International Training Faculty, starting in September 2023. The system includes sensors for smoke detection, current measurement, temperature, gasoline vapor detection, infrared, and sparks; a relay module (a master switch to cut off power to the entire vehicle); an alarm siren; and an automatic fire extinguishing system. It operates based on an Arduino board, which receives and sends control signals to protect the vehicle and automatically start the fire extinguisher in dangerous situations.
Thanh Huy, 22, mentioned that there have been numerous incidents of fires and explosions due to electrical shorts in motorcycles recently. The group aimed to find a protective system so that people can feel secure parking their vehicles in basements and parking lots when they cannot actively monitor them.
The group sourced several components to study the anti-short circuit circuit and borrowed a scooter from the school’s workshop for this project. After much trial and error, they designed the first version of the anti-short circuit circuit. However, the initial protective circuit was very rudimentary, resulting in a failed practical test. “The position near the battery worked, but testing the short circuit at the light and horn did not cut off the power,” Huy recalled, feeling quite anxious about the potential for a fire.
The device was installed in the test vehicle. (Photo: NVCC)
After several unsuccessful attempts, the group shared their ideas and received guidance from a teacher to focus on programming the control of the sensors. From there, they designed an automatic control circuit that included an Arduino control board, smoke sensors, and relay switches. Subsequently, additional components were integrated into the circuit, including temperature, fire, and gasoline vapor sensors, especially the self-made automatic fire extinguisher using a mini fire extinguisher and an electric motor.
Huy recalled that the assembly process on the motorcycle was the most memorable. When they began the second round of experiments, they discovered that the school’s motorcycle was too old and wouldn’t start, necessitating the search for another vehicle. “No one wanted to lend us a bike for fear of damage, so I used my father’s old scooter for the experiments,” Huy said. During the process, since the motorcycle was still in use for commuting, they had to dismantle the components daily after testing to return the bike.
The biggest challenge was figuring out how to organize the wiring, which led to multiple instances of having to disassemble the entire circuit and reconnect each component. After numerous trials and the study of various metrics, the system finally operated smoothly.
According to the group, the project still has some unfinished aspects, such as the excessive use of wiring leading to clutter, and they have yet to resolve the issue of maintaining power supply long enough, as the system uses direct power from the battery, which can deplete. Currently, the team continues to improve the model by incorporating wireless sensors equipped with cameras for image processing to scan the surroundings and detect nearby vehicles on fire. “Electric vehicles are developing rapidly, and we hope to upgrade the system for use in electric vehicle models,” Huy added.
The student group tests various scenarios for preventing electrical shorts and fire explosions in motorcycles. (Video: NVCC).
Associate Professor Dr. Đỗ Văn Dũng, former Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Vice President of the Automotive and Mechanical Engineering Association, assessed that the project idea is practical and feasible. He indicated that the primary cause of motorcycle fires mainly stems from electrical shorts. The electrical systems in motorcycles utilize battery power and are protected by fuses; however, there are two circuits that do not go through fuses—the charging circuit and the starting circuit. These can easily cause fires because the electrical system uses a common wire that connects to the negative terminal of the battery. In humid weather conditions, electrical wiring can age and deteriorate, leading to insulation failure, which may cause shorts and fires. Wiring can run through gasoline lines, and even a minor electrical issue can lead to a fire in the gasoline lines, causing the vehicle to catch fire.
By using early detection sensors like temperature, smoke, gasoline vapor, and sparks, the system will immediately cut off power from the battery when an electrical short occurs at any location to minimize the risk of fire. In the event of a fire, the system will receive and send control signals to the mini fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames.
While there are still many aspects to consider, Associate Professor Dũng noted that the designed Arduino system is compact and easy to install in vehicles without hindering user experience. If produced, it could cost around 400-500 thousand VND, making it relatively affordable for consumers.
