This invention pertains in general to the field of emergency opening systems. More particularly the invention concerns a system enabling emergency opening of a door and/or window of a vehicle, and even more particularly to an emergency opening system for an armored vehicle.
In the case of an emergency, such as a fire, it is of great importance to be able to open a normally locked door and/or window in order for a person to escape the dangerous area.
Another situation in which emergency opening of a door or window is desired is in the event that a vehicle, such a splinter protected or armored vehicle, has been turned over, e.g. due to a land mine explosion. In this case the doors or windows, which normally are openable, may be impossible to open by hand, either due to the heavy weight of the doors or windows or due to the deformation of the door or window in result of the explosion.
In the event that the vehicle is turned over by a land mine explosion, it is likely that the driver of the vehicle and the vehicle personnel are turned unconscious, while the risk of vehicle fire is imminent.
In such an event, it is required that a number of people equipped with crowbars or similar is available in order to break open the door or window from outside the vehicle.
In order to facilitate opening the door or window from the outside, some vehicles are provided with a functionality of opening a door or window from the outside in case of emergency. However, there have been incidences with angry mobs which have used the outside emergency opening functionality to pull out the vehicle personnel in rage, leading to severe personnel injuries.
Hence, an improved emergency opening system would be advantageous.
Accordingly, the present invention preferably seeks to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in any combination and solves at least the above mentioned problems by providing a system for emergency opening of a door, window, or the like in a vehicle, as well as a method and use having the features defined in the appended independent claims.
An object of the present invention is to provide an emergency opening system of a door and/or window of a vehicle, in case of emergency.
According to an aspect of the invention, a system for emergency opening of a door, window or the like in a vehicle is provided. The system comprises an unlocking mechanism configured to open a lock provided on the door or window by means of the pressure of hydraulic fluid, when activated.
In another aspect of the invention a vehicle comprising the emergency opening system is provided.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method for restoring the emergency opening system after activation comprises: (a) setting a restoration valve provided on the inside of the vehicle into its open position, while an opening valve and a blocking valve provided on the inside of the vehicle are closed, to drain the emergency opening system of hydraulic fluid and enable hydraulic cylinders of the opening mechanism and unlocking mechanism to be repositioned to their idle positions; and (b) setting the restoration valve into its closed position to block hydraulic fluid from exiting the emergency opening system.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a use of the emergency opening system for emergency opening of a door or window of a vehicle is provided.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the appended dependent claims.
An advantage of the system according to some embodiments of the invention is that it enables emergency opening of a door or window of a vehicle, from the inside of the vehicle in all situations and from the outside when this functionality is activated.
Another advantage of the system according to some embodiments of the invention is that it allows for a simple structure, thereby providing compactness and robustness. Due to the robustness, the system according to some embodiments may still function correctly after a land mine explosion.
Still another advantage of the system according to some embodiments is that the energy required for opening the door and/or window, in case of emergency, is collected from the brake system of the vehicle, without affecting the brake function or the roll over protection system (ROPS) of the vehicle.
These and other aspects, features and advantages of which the invention is capable of will be apparent and elucidated from the following description of non-limiting embodiments given as examples, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which
a and 8b illustrate a first unlocking means according to an embodiment from different viewing angles;
a and 12b, respectively, illustrates vehicles wherein the emergency opening system is incorporated according to an embodiment.
The following description focuses on embodiments of the present invention applicable to an emergency opening system, and in particular to an emergency opening system for opening a door and/or window of a vehicle, in case of emergency. However, it will be appreciated that the emergency opening system is not applicable only to vehicle applications but may be applied to all structures where emergency opening is desired.
In an embodiment, according to
As is indicated in
The second mounting means 22 is connected to the first mounting means 21 through the hydraulic cylinder 23. The first mounting means 21 serves as a hinge towards the fastening plate 27, and since the fastening plate 27 is mounted to the cabin post 31, the first mounting means 21 also serves as a hinge between the hydraulic cylinder 23 and the cabin post 31. The hydraulic cylinder 23 comprises an inlet (not shown) for receiving a pressurized hydraulic fluid into a cavity therein. When hydraulic fluid enters the cavity of the hydraulic cylinder 23, the piston 25 of the same is forced forward, thereby extending the length of the hydraulic cylinder 23. The piston 25 of the hydraulic cylinder 23 is connected to the second mounting means 22. Thereby, when the hydraulic fluid enters the inlet of the hydraulic cylinder 23 the piston 25 applies a pressure on the second mounting means 22, and thereby also on the window 24, to which the second mounting means 22 is attached.
Moreover, the emergency system 10 may comprise a first unlocking mechanism 12 for unlocking a lock 41, such as ball lock, provided in the door and/or window 24. The unlocking mechanism 12 is design based on the structure of the lock 41 already provided in the door and/or window 24 of the vehicle 190.
a is a side view of the first unlocking means 12 and
The first unlocking mechanism 12 may further comprise an L-shaped plate 85 at least partly covering the hydraulic cylinder 82, and acting to enable locking of the ball lock 41 on the window 24 onto the cabin post 81. Moreover, the first unlocking mechanism 12 comprises an entering plate 86. Both the L-shaped plate and the entering plate 86 are provided with a hole, as is indicated by the dashed lines in
With reference to
The hydraulic cylinder 82 accommodating the piston 83 may be incorporated in an adjustment means, such as an adjustment nut 84. By rotating the adjustment nut 84 the piston 83 may be precisely adjusted such that in use the piston 83 of the first unlocking mechanism 12 extend through the hole of the L-shaped plate 85, thereby enabling the piston 72 of the ball lock 41 to be unlocked from the L-shaped plate 85. Accordingly, when the first unlocking mechanism 12 is activated, the piston 83 of the first unlocking mechanism 12 will push the piston 72 of the ball lock 41 such that it becomes free from the L-shaped plate 85, and thus the window 24 is unlocked.
The adjustment nut 84 may be attached to the cabin post 81 by any suitable fastening means 87.
In an embodiment the emergency opening system 10 is connected to the hydraulic brake system of a vehicle 190 by means of a conduit system. The emergency opening system is configured such that the pressure applied from the brake system is suitable for emergency opening of a door and/or window 24. The energy (force times distance) required for enabling emergency opening of the door and/or window of the system is dependent on the cylinder area of the first unlocking mechanism 12 and first opening mechanism, the momentum lever of the first unlocking mechanism 12 and first opening mechanism, and the accessible pressure from the brake system of the vehicle 190. Hence, by changing the cylinder area(s) and momentum lever(s), taking into account the accessible pressure from the brake system, the emergency opening system may be adapted for each vehicle 190.
The conduit system comprises a one-way valve 93 enabling hydraulic fluid, e.g. having a pressure of 120-140 bar (12-14 MPa), from the brake system of the vehicle 190 to enter the emergency opening system. An accumulator 94 is connected in parallel with the one-way valve 93. The functionality of the accumulator 94 is to calibrate the level of hydraulic fluid in the conduit system. In use, the one-way valve 93 serves to enable hydraulic fluid from the brake system of the vehicle 190 into the emergency opening system. Once the hydraulic fluid has entered the emergency opening system via the one-way vale 93, it is prevented by the one-way valve 93 to flow back into the brake system of the vehicle 190. By means of the one-way valve 93 and the hydraulic fluid from the brake system, the emergency opening system 10 is completely charged with hydraulic fluid very rapidly, e.g. in the order of seconds, such as 5 to 15 seconds. Furthermore, once the emergency opening system has been charged with hydraulic fluid from the brake system of the vehicle 190, it will remain fully charged over time until an emergency opening is activated, by means of the one-way valve 93. This is advantageous since the emergency opening system thus only requires to be charged at one instance for each emergency opening. Once charged no further hydraulic fluid will enter through the one-way valve 93, and thus the brake system of the vehicle 190 will function as if no emergency opening system was connected to the brake system after charging of the emergency opening system.
The system may further be provided with a first opening valve 15 which is physically located on the inside of the vehicle 190, such that it may be reached by a person trapped inside the vehicle 190. The first opening valve 15 is normally set to a closed position. In its closed position no hydraulic fluid can pass through the first opening valve 15 to the first opening mechanism 11 and the first unlocking mechanism 12. However, when the first opening valve 15 is set to its open position hydraulic fluid can pass through the first opening valve 15 and further on to the first opening mechanism 11 and the first unlocking mechanism 12, thereby activating the emergency opening of the door and/or window.
The first opening valve 15 may e.g. be a ball valve whose open or closed position may be set mechanically by a person located inside the vehicle 190.
The system may further comprise a second opening valve 16 which is located on the outside of the vehicle 190, and is used for enabling a person on the outside of the vehicle 190 to open the door and/or window of a vehicle 190 in the case of an emergency.
The first opening valve 15 and the second opening valve 16 may be connected in parallel. In this way the second opening valve 16 may be activated from outside the vehicle 190 in case the conduit system close to the first opening valve 15 has been blocked when the vehicle 190 has been demolished.
In an embodiment, the second opening valve 16 is provided on the outside of the vehicle 190 in a hidden position, such as to avoid unauthorized persons to find the second opening valve 16. The second opening valve 16 has the same functionality as the first opening valve 15, i.e. when in its closed position it hinders hydraulic fluid to pass there through onto the first opening mechanism 11 and the first unlocking mechanism 12. In its open position hydraulic fluid can flow through the second opening valve 16, thereby enabling activation of the first opening mechanism 11 and first unlocking mechanism 12.
The system may further comprise a blocking valve 17, connected in series between the one-way valve 93 and the second opening valve 16. The blocking valve 17 may be provided on the inside of the vehicle 190. Preferably, the blocking valve 17 has the same functionality as the first and second opening valves 15, 16, i.e. when set to its open position hydraulic fluid is allowed to pass there through, and when set to its closed position no hydraulic fluid is allowed to pass there through. The blocking valve 17 enables the driver or personnel of the vehicle 190 to disable emergency opening of the door and/or window with the second opening device 16. Hence, when the blocking valve 17 is closed no hydraulic fluid is let through to the second opening valve 16. In such a case it does not matter whether the second opening valve 16 is opened or closed, since no hydraulic fluid is available to activate the first opening mechanism 11 and first unlocking mechanism 12.
It is advantageous in some situations to enable the driver or personnel of the vehicle 190 to disable the opening of the door and/or window from the outside. Such a situation is when the vehicle 190 is driving through an angry mob which potentially could find the second opening valve and try to open the door and/or window. However, the blockage valve 17 is preferably normally open in order to allow persons from outside the vehicle 190 to assist in opening the door and/or window of the vehicle 190, in case of emergency for the personnel inside the vehicle 190.
Light Source on Instrument Panel
In an embodiment, a light source (not shown) is provided in the vehicle 190, such as on the instrument panel, to indicate to the driver or personnel when the blocking valve 17 is in its closed position. For example, the light source may be connected to the blocking valve 17 by means of a wire (not shown)having a contact located at a position at which a corresponding contact of the blocking valve 17 is located when the blocking valve 17 is in its closed position. The contact of the blocking valve 17 may be grounded and the light source may be subject to a voltage, by means of an electrical power source. When the blocking valve 17 is in its open position, the contact of the wire and the contact of the blocking valve 17 are not in contact, whereby the electrical circuit is open and no current may flow through the light source. However, when the blocking valve 17 is set to its closed position, the two contacts are interconnected, resulting in that a current may flow through the light source, whereby the light source starts to emit light. In another embodiment, the system may be correspondingly reversed, such that the light source emits light when the blocking valve 17 is in an open position.
In another embodiment, the light source is connected to a sensor via a processor (not shown). The sensor is configured to detect when the blockage valve is in its closed position, and send an output signal based on the detection to a processor. The processor may control the light source to emit light based upon the received output signal.
In the same way, the valves 93, 15, 16, 18 may be provided with corresponding light sources, such that the instrument panel may visualize if these valves are open or closed.
Emptying the System
In an embodiment, shown in
Door Opening
In an embodiment, according to
The second unlocking mechanism 90 further comprises a hydraulic chamber 95 into which a hydraulic fluid may enter via an inlet (not shown). As stated above, the spring bolt 91 is continuously forced towards the aperture 942 of the clamp 94, by means of its intrinsic spring force. In the normal condition, the spring force is sufficiently set, such that it is possible to open the door by hand from inside the vehicle 190 by retracting the spring bolt 91. However, in the event that the vehicle 190 has been damaged, e.g. due to an explosion of a land mine, constructional damages may lead to that the door is unable to open by hand In such an event, by introducing hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic chamber the spring bolt 91 is forced backwards thereby unlocking the door.
Combination Door and/or Window
In an embodiment according to
In an alternative embodiment the system 10 only comprises a second opening mechanism 14 and a second unlocking mechanism 14 provided on a door of the vehicle 190.
In one embodiment the first opening mechanism 11 and the first unlocking mechanism 12 are coupled in parallel to the second opening mechanism 13 and the second unlocking mechanism 14. In this way, the probability of one of the door and the window being openable is increased.
In another embodiment the emergency opening system 10 only comprises a first 12 or second 14 unlocking mechanism, and thus not a first 11 or second 13 opening mechanism. In this way, in case of an emergency, it is possible to unlock a jammed door or window which facilitates for subsequent opening of the door or window by hand
Any combinations of the first opening mechanism, second opening mechanism, first unlocking mechanism, or second unlocking mechanism may be utilized where suitable on a door, latch, window, cover, etc. Hence, the embodiments above referring to either a door or window should only be interpreted for exemplary reasons, since the second unlocking mechanism 14 could also be incorporated in a window or the first unlocking mechanism 12 could be incorporated in a door of a vehicle 190, etc.
The first opening valve, the second opening valve, the blocking valve, and the restoration valve, may be any valve normally used for performing the involved tasks, e.g. a ball valve. The invention is not limited to specific kinds of valves. Any valve being suitable for enabling the involved tasks may be used. Moreover, the invention is not limited to the type of lock provided in the window. It should be appreciated that the first and second unlocking mechanism may be readily adapted to any lock without departing from the gist of the present invention.
In an embodiment according to
Described in more detail, the restoration method comprises the following steps:
According to an embodiment, the piston 72 may be replaced by a spring bolt 91 or vice versa or any other suitable device for performing the same functionality. Hence, even though some embodiments have been described using the term piston, a spring bolt could optionally be used instead, and vice versa, within the scope of the invention.
Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the invention is limited only by the appended claims, and further embodiments than the specific above are feasible within the scope of the claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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0950510-8 | Jun 2009 | SE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP2010/059309 | 6/30/2010 | WO | 00 | 5/9/2012 |