Patent Application
20170167194
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a barrier opening system for emergency escape and rescue, through which a barrier can be opened immediately by a prestress/restoring force in the shortest possible time without having to break through the barrier in case of emergency.
Description of the Related Art
For access control barriers such as fire-proof barriers, smoke-proof barriers, and emergency exits, a vertical acting barrier is widely used. Current Building/Fire Law has strict regulations for the exits and entrances of a public space where many people gather, especially for stores and multi-family residence that have no escape barrier but only one exit and entrance, and for the safety standards of compartment barriers and/or emergency exits. In case of emergency or imminent danger, a vertical acting barrier must be opened as quickly as possible, even without electricity and external assistances, to prevent the barrier from seizing shut, trapping people, vehicles, or property inside.
With regard to a conventional vertical acting barrier, a brake mechanism maintains in a brake state when an electric motor does not rotate in normal time, and a barrier bolt device is used to lock the vertical acting barrier at lower dead point when the vertical acting barrier reaches the lower dead point. By this vertical acting barrier, in case of emergency, for example, a fire breaks out, an earthquake occurs, or a flood hits, the barrier bolt must be released before a switch can be activated to open the vertical acting barrier. If there is no power supply, a manual mode must be taken, in which a brake release lever has to be actuated to release the brake, and a pull chain has to be pulled to rotate a pull-chain disc in order to open the barrier.
The above-mentioned vertical acting barrier cannot be opened by intuitive response. In case of emergency, to open the vertical acting barrier, one has to learn the way to operate beforehand, and must be strong enough to operate. Such manual mode operation would be difficult to the elderly, disabled, pregnant women, and children, and would cause a delay in evacuation. Furthermore, from the rescue aspect, police officers/firefighters can not enter the building without a key for such conventional vertically acting barrier if an emergency occurs indoors, and they have to break through the vertical acting barrier by force. Not only is the property damaged, but also a delay in rescue results.
Presently, a new rescue concept is provided. For example, a master key can be used to enter commercial and residential buildings. In North America, it is common practice for building owners to provide the police officers/firefighters with a Knox access. The Knox access is mainly a master key, which can open the automatic barriers or lock gates of all buildings directly or can open a storage box in which a key set is kept. As such, police officers/firefighters can have access to a master key from the storage box, and enter the building for fire rescue without having to break through the barrier, which will cause damage to the property, and result in a fire rescue delay.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,537,038 issued to the present inventor proposes a “Release Control Mechanism for Emergency Exit” with the intention to reduce the time and simplify the steps for opening the barrier. Some examples of applications relating to known vertical acting barriers are provided in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,460, U.S. Pat. No. 7,448,426, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,719.
In view of the problems and disadvantages of the prior art, the main object of the present invention is to provide a barrier opening system for emergency escape and rescue, wherein in case of emergency or imminent danger, a barrier can be still opened by those trapped indoors in the shortest possible time for safe escape even without power supply and external assistances.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a barrier opening system for emergency escape, rescue, and vehicle relocation, wherein in case of emergency or imminent danger, rescue personnel can open a barrier for rescue in the shortest possible time without having to break through the barrier.
To achieve the above and other objects, a barrier opening system for emergency escape and rescue according to the present invention mainly comprises: a vertical acting barrier device, winding a barrier to open or unwinding the barrier to close via a winding shaft; and a prestressed spring, preloaded on the winding shaft for accumulating a restoring force when the barrier is unwound using the winding shaft.
The barrier opening system further comprises a barrier operator unit, including a central shaft, an electric motor, a brake mechanism, and a brake release mechanism. The electric motor is coupled with the central shaft so as to rotate the winding shaft. One end of the central shaft is fixedly connected with a brake disc. The brake mechanism comprises a sleeve, a clutch end disc, an elastic element, and an electromagnetic generator. The sleeve extends through the central shaft, and can slide axially, but can not rotate with respect to the central shaft. The clutch end disc faces the brake disc and is secured to one end of the sleeve. Another end of the sleeve is provided with a pair of limit rings. The elastic element is used to urge the clutch end disc against the brake disc, thereby braking the central shaft. The electromagnetic generator is used to retract the clutch end disc so as to separate the clutch end disc from the brake disc, thereby releasing the central shaft.
The brake release mechanism comprises a swing arm, an actuator, and a slide bar. The first end of the swing arm is disposed between the pair of limit rings, and the second end of the swing arm extends to the outside of the barrier operator unit and can swing between a holding position and a offset position so as to actuate the sleeve to slide axially at the offset position and to separate the clutch end disc from the brake disc. The actuator is disposed outside the barrier operator unit. The slide bar can slide between the swing arm and the actuator. The slide bar is biased by a spring to tend to slide toward the swing arm. When electrically excited, the actuator retracts the slide bar and makes the slide bar accumulate a spring potential energy. In case of power failure, the actuator releases the slide bar to impact the swing arm to swing toward the offset position, such that the brake can be released to make the winding shaft rotate freely.
The barrier opening system further comprises an escape device, including a barrier opening unit for activating the brake release mechanism to release the brake mechanism. The barrier opening system further comprises a rescue device, including an identification unit and a key security mechanism. The identification unit is used to input an identification data by the rescue personnel. The key security mechanism is used to store a master key. The master key can activate the brake release mechanism to release the brake mechanism. The emergency barrier opening system further comprises a backup power device, used to supply a backup power for the system to operate when there is a power failure.
The barrier opening system further comprises a main controller, electrically connected with the barrier operator unit, the escape device, the rescue device, and the backup power device. When the main controller controls the electric motor to rotate, the brake mechanism takes a brake release action, and when the controller controls the electric motor not to rotate, the brake mechanism takes a braking action. The main controller comprises a database unit and a data processing unit. The database unit stores the identification data. The data processing unit compares the identification data provided by the identification unit with those stored in the database unit, and activates the key security mechanism to allow the rescue personnel to take the master key if there is a match in identification data. When at least one of an emergency button or the master key activates the brake release mechanism to release the brake mechanism, the barrier is lifted up by the restoring force of the prestressed spring.
According to the barrier opening system of the present invention, the restoring force of the prestressed spring is greater than the weight of the barrier. When the emergency button or the master key activates a barrier bolt unit to release the barrier, the barrier can be lifted up by the restoring force of the prestressed spring. Preferably, the restoring force of the prestressed spring is preset to be capable of lifting up the barrier at least about 80 inches (203.2 cm).
Preferably, the vertical acting barrier device further comprises a barrier bolt device which may lock the barrier at a predetermined position by means of a bolt pin after the barrier is closed. The barrier bolt unit comprises a linear actuator for actuating the bolt pin to lock the barrier at the barrier closed position. For example, the linear actuator is a solenoid. When the solenoid is electrically excited, the bolt pin is maintained in a lock state. When the solenoid is not electrically excited, the bolt pin releases the barrier. Also, the barrier opening unit is electrically connected with the linear actuator. The emergency button activates the linear actuator to be able to release the bolt pin.
Preferably, the identification unit can be, for example, a card reading device, a keyboard, and an image capture device. The card reading device is a device used to read an identification chip (for example, RFID). The identification data comprises, for example, an authorization code, a user ID and its password, a user image, etc. Furthermore, the key security mechanism comprises a key box used to store the master key and a switch matching with the master key. The switch is electrically connected with the linear actuator. The master key can activates the linear actuator to release the bolt pin with the switch.
Preferably, the barrier opening system further comprises an access control management device electrically connected with the main controller. The access control management device includes an emergency detection unit and a monitoring unit. The emergency detection unit comprises a plurality of temperature sensors for detecting environmental temperatures, a plurality of smoke sensors for detecting environmental smoke concentrations, and a plurality of seismic sensors for detecting seismic waves. The monitoring unit comprises a plurality of surveillance cameras for capturing environmental images. The database unit of the main controller stores temperature security data, smoke concentration security data, seismic wave data, and background image data. The data processing unit of the main controller compares the environmental temperature detected by the temperature sensor, the environmental smoke concentration detected by the smoke sensor, the seismic wave data detected by the seismic sensors, and the environmental image captured by the surveillance camera with those data stored in the database unit via operation.
After the main controller further identifies the type of disaster, the disaster site, and the affected areas based on analysis presented by the data processing unit, it controls the brake release mechanism to release the brake mechanism and activates at least one of the escape device or the rescue device. After the identification data inputted to the identification unit by the user is compared and matches with the identification data stored in the database unit, the main controller activates the key security mechanism to allow the user to take the master key. When at lease one of the emergency button and the master key activates the barrier bolt unit to release the barrier, the barrier is lifted up by the restoring force of the prestressed spring.
Preferably, the access control management device further comprises an alarm and notification unit. When the main controller confirms the occurrence of a disaster, a real-time alarm is emitted in an acousto-optic way, and an escape route is shown in an acousto-optic way.
Accordingly, when an emergency or an imminent danger, for example, a fire, an earthquake, or a flood occurs, even though there is no electricity supplied, with a backup power, the main controller can obtain the user identification data via the card reading device, the keyboard or the image capture device of the identification unit, compares it with the identification data of the database unit through the operation of the data processing unit, and authorizes the user to open the key box of the key security mechanism once the main controller confirms the user's identity is a police officer or firefighter or another authorized person. Then, the user can take the master key from the key box and activate the switch with this master key to release the bolt pin so as to lift up the barrier. Therefore, the police officers/firefighters can enter the building for rescue without breaking through the barrier, causing a property damage, and affecting rescue time. Moreover, with regard to the emergency barrier opening system, people trapped indoors can still open the barrier fast by pressing the emergency button in the shortest time for safe escape even without electricity and external assistances.
The above-mentioned LAN system communicates data and signals via transmission media such as, wire or wireless transmission media. The access control management system 1 comprises a main controller 3 which can take appropriate measures in response to an abnormal signal in the area to ensure the safety of the users in terms of access control, personnel activity, and facility condition. The hardware equipment of the emergency barrier opening system of the present invention primarily comprises a vertical acting barrier device 4, an escape device 6, a rescue device 7, a backup power device 8, etc. The main controller 3 is electrically connected with the vertical acting barrier device 4, the access control management device 5, the escape device 6, the rescue device 7, and the backup power device 8 to form a surveillance network.
Referring to
The barrier operator unit 43 shown in
The brake mechanism 432 comprises a sleeve 4321 mounted on the central shaft 4311 and is able to slide axially. An electromagnetic generator 4315 encloses the shaft hub 4312 and is fixedly connected to the partition plate 43a. At the first end of the sleeve 4321 is provided a clutch end disc 4316 having an end face facing the brake disc 4314. An elastic element 4317 is accommodated in between the shaft hub 4312 and the electromagnetic generator 4315, with one end of which abuts the partition plate 43a, and the another end urges against the another end face of the clutch end disc 4316. Under normal condition, when the electric motor 431 rotates, the electromagnetic generator 4315 is excited to attract the clutch end disc 4316, thereby releases the brake disc 4314. The brake mechanism is now under a brake releasing state. When the electric motor 431 stops rotating, the elastic element 4317 urges against the clutch end disc 4316 to brake the brake disc 4313. The brake mechanism is now under a braking state.
A brake release mechanism 433 is used to release the brake mechanism 432 under abnormal conditions. In particular, the second end of the sleeve 4321 is provided with a pair of limit rings 4322. The brake release mechanism 433 comprises an actuating plate 4331 having a plurality of zig-zagging convex sections at one end. The one end of the actuating plate 4331 extends through and protrudes beyond the sleeve 4321 in such a way that the zig-zagging convex sections are positioned between the pairs of limit rings 4322. A swing arm 4332 is connected to the other end of the actuating plate 4331 at one end. The other end of the swing arm 4332 extends beyond and protrudes outside the barrier operator unit 43, and can oscillate between a holding position and an offset position. Furthermore, an actuator 434 such as a conventional solenoid is disposed outside the barrier operator unit 43. The actuator 434 comprises a slide bar 435, with one end connected with the swing arm 4332 and other end connected with the actuator 434. The slide bar 435 is biased by a spring 436 to slidably move toward the swing arm 4332 consistently. When electrically excited, the actuator 434 is activated to retract the slide bar 435 so as to keep the swing arm 4332 in the holding position. In such manner, the slide bar 435 may store a spring potential energy.
Referring now to
In the emergency barrier opening system of the present invention, the restoring force of the prestressed spring 44 is set to be greater than the weight of the barrier 42. Preferably, the restoring force of the prestressed spring is set to be capable of raising the barrier 42 up by at least about 70 inches (177.8 cm). More preferably, it is provided a barrier bolt unit 45 which may lock the barrier 42 at a predetermined position by means of a bolt pin 451 after the barrier is closed.
The barrier bolt unit 45 is an electronic lock controlled by a circuit, and comprises a linear actuator 450, for example, a solenoid. The linear actuator 450 can be activated to keep the bolt pin 451 in a lock state. At this time, a spring potential energy is accumulated in the bolt pin 451 and can lock the barrier 42 at a predetermined position by means of mechanical force. When the linear actuator 450 is not actuated, the bolt pin 451 is displaced to release the barrier 42. It is to be understood that the linear actuator is not limited to the solenoid, and the bolt pin can be actuated or operated in a number of ways.
The access control management device 5 comprises at least an emergency detection unit 51 and at least one monitoring unit 52 for detecting abnormal conditions in the compound under surveillance. The emergency detection unit 51, for example, comprises a plurality of temperature sensors 511 disposed at numerous predetermined indoor locations for detecting the temperatures of surrounding environment around the predetermined locations. The emergency detection unit 51 further comprises a plurality of smoke sensors 512 disposed at numerous predetermined locations for detecting the smoke concentrations of the surrounding environment around the predetermined locations. The emergency detection unit 51 further comprises a plurality of seismic sensors 513 disposed at numerous predetermined locations for detecting the seismic waves in temblor-prone areas. The monitoring unit 52, for example, comprises a plurality of surveillance cameras 521 disposed at numerous predetermined indoor locations for capturing video signals at the predetermined locations. It is to be noted that the access control management device 5 is not limited to the above-mentioned temperature sensors, smoke sensors, and surveillance cameras and other sensors such as, temperature sensitive fusible metal devices can be applied.
Referring to
Referring to
Preferably, the rescue device 7 is controlled by the main controller 3 and the security system control center 2. The key security mechanism can be opened only after the identification unit 71 confirms the identity of the user. Besides, the main controller 3 and the security system control center 2 are responsible for auditing the key security mechanism 72, and can track date, time, the user ID, etc. Preferably, the key box 721 is recessed in a wall near the entrance of the building, or is disposed within the surveillance range of a property management unit. Preferably, the identification unit 71 is disposed beside the key box 721 or at other suitable locations, and the switch 723 is disposed outside the entrance of the building.
The main controller 3 comprises at least a database unit 31 and a data processing unit 32. The database unit 31 stores temperature security data, smoke concentration security data, seismic wave security data, background image data, identification data, etc. The identification data comprises, for example, authorization codes, user IDs and associated passwords, and user image data. The authorization code is an identification code on an identification chip that can be read by the card reading device. The user image data is the fingerprint or facial image of the authorized user. The data processing unit 32 determines whether there exists an abnormal condition or not by comparing the temperatures of the surrounding environment detected by the temperature sensors 511, the smoke concentrations of the surrounding environment detected by the smoke sensors 512, and the surrounding images captured by the surveillance cameras 521 with the temperature security data, the smoke concentration security data, the seismic wave security data, and the background image data stored in the database unit 31.
The backup power device 8 can be, for example, a storage battery or a generator. The backup power device 8 is preferably disposed at a safe location outside the security area range, for example, in a public elevator hoistway or a public pipeline. In general, the backup power device 8 is used to store the electric power, and supplies a backup power to the system in case of power failure.
When at least one of the emergency detection unit 51 or the monitoring unit 52 shows an abnormal signal, the data processing unit 32 determines whether there is a disaster or accident occurs in the area under surveillance based on the difference in data between the abnormal signal and the security data of the database unit 31. Preferably, the access control management system 1 further comprises an alarm and notification unit 53 which may release a real-time alarm in sound and light form to show the escape route in case a disaster or accident indeed occurs.
After the main controller 3 further identifies the type of disaster, the disaster site, and the affected areas based on the analysis result presented by the data processing unit 31, the brake release mechanism 433 is activated to actuate the brake mechanism 432 to release the brake, so that the escape device 6 can be operated freely from the inside of the emergency exit. The main controller 3 assures that the brake mechanism 432 of the barrier operator unit 43 is in a brake release state before actuating the barrier opening unit 61. If the brake is not released, the main controller 3 will disconnect the circuit of the actuator 434 of the brake release mechanism 433 immediately to release the brake. At this time, the barrier bolt unit 45 which is still locked can be actuated by the emergency button 611 to release the bolt pin 451.
Meanwhile, the data processing unit 32 acquires the authorization code, ID and associated password, or the image data of the user through the identification unit 71, and compares the acquired data with the identification data of the database unit 31. The user will be authorized to open the key box 721 of the key security mechanism 72 once the user is confirmed to be a police officer or firefighter or authorized personnel. Then, the user can get access to the master key 722 and insert the same into the keyhole 724 of the switch 723 to activate the bolt pin 451 so as to release the barrier 42. When the master key 722 or the emergency button 611 actuates the bolt pin 451 to release the barrier 42, the barrier 42 can be lifted up by the restoring force of the prestressed spring 44.
a, and 8b are flow charts of the embodiment of the above-mentioned emergency barrier opening system. For details of the steps illustrated in the figures, reference is made to
If the emergency detection unit 51 and the monitoring unit 52 are detected to function abnormally in Step S104, proceed to Step S106 below.
If in Step S102, the system detects a power failure, proceed to Step S110 below.
As shown in
Given the above description regarding the preferred embodiment of the emergency barrier opening system, once a disaster, for example, a fire, an earthquake, or a flood, occurs, the system can still in function due to the backup power even if the power supply is interrupted. Whenever necessary, after the main controller confirms that at least one of the users is a rescue personnel, the user will be authorized to use the master key to activate the bolt pin so as to release the barrier to open. As a result, the rescue personnel can enter the building in the shortest possible time for rescue without having to break through the barrier and causing a damage of property. Additionally, in case of emergency, those trapped indoors can still open the barrier for safe evacuation in the shortest possible time by pressing the emergency button even without electricity and external assistances. Besides, the above emergency barrier opening system is so designed that, even if the backup power is cut off, the bolt pin of the barrier bolt unit can automatically release the barrier so as to lift up the barrier.
a illustrate the resetting of the system for the barrier operator unit 43 of the present invention after the above-mentioned emergency situation has been eliminated and the power supply restored. As shown in the Figures, under electric excitation, the actuator 434 of the brake release mechanism 433 retracts the slide bar 435. The barrier operator 43 further comprises a lever 47 located opposite to the brake release mechanism 433. The lever 47 is pivoted at its center, so it can swing to the right and left. One end of the lever 47 abuts one side of the swing arm 4332 in a direction opposite to the slide bar 435, and the other end of the lever 47 is connected with a hoist rope 48. Another end of the hoist rope 45 is guided to the front end of the barrier operator unit 43 and extends downward. When the hoist rope 48 is pulled at its free end, the lever 47 can restore the swing arm 4332 to its holding position, such that the brake mechanism 432 of the barrier operator unit 43 resumes its operation (as shown in
While the preferred embodiments have been described as above, it is to be noted that the description and accompanying drawings disclosed herein are not intend to restrict the scope of implementation of the present invention. Variations and modifications equivalent to the above embodiments and able to be realized are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
