Figures from Korean Patent No. 2431474, "Fire Suppression Water Tank at Electric Vehicle Charging Station," by Hankook Fire Extinguisher (Source: KIPRIS)
Korea Expressway Corp. has petitioned Korea's Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board to invalidate a patent held by Daegu-based fire safety equipment maker Hankook Fire Extinguisher, targeting technology designed for electric vehicle charging stations.
The state-run highway operator filed its April 2025 action — case number 2025당823 — against Korean Patent No. 2431474, titled "Fire Suppression Water Tank at Electric Vehicle Charging Station." The company is seeking to cancel all claims of the patent, which covers a water tank system intended to suppress battery fires during EV charging.
According to the patent, the system is installed at charging station parking bays, where a square frame with a recessed body surrounds an incoming vehicle. Inside the frame, an inflatable, multi-layered tube with a central opening is housed. Once inflated, the tube lifts an upper cover and forms a water reservoir encircling the vehicle. The reservoir can then be filled to submerge and stabilize the EV battery in case of fire.
Counsel information shows that Korea Expressway Corp. is represented by Darrae Patent & Law Firm, while Hankook Fire Extinguisher is represented by attorney Lim Jeong-Ju.
Hankook Fire Extinguisher, a privately held company, manufactures ABC dry chemical extinguishers and other suppression devices. The firm reported 2024 revenues of 95.7 billion won ($70 million) and operating profits of 7.5 billion won.
By PatenTrip
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