Vehicle wading escape control method and system and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of automobiles, and particularly discloses a vehicle wading escape control method which comprises the following steps: acquiring a vehicle state; judging whether the vehicle state meets a water falling condition or not; and if the vehicle state meets the water falling condition, a mechanical skylight bouncing-off mechanism is triggered, and a skylight is opened in a mechanical mode. By adopting a mechanical triggering and executing mechanism, the system gets rid of dependence on a main power supply of a vehicle, ensures that a skylight can still be reliably opened even under the extreme condition that a circuit fails due to water immersion and a vehicle window cannot be opened, fundamentally solves the problem of functional paralysis of an existing electronic escape system in a water falling scene, and improves the safety of a vehicle. And the certainty and timeliness of escape are obviously improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of automotive technology, specifically to a vehicle wading escape control method, system, and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicle submersion accidents are one of the most persistent extreme hazards in the automotive safety field. In scenarios such as heavy rain, floods, or accidental descent into a river, occupants often miss their chance to escape because the doors cannot be opened or the power windows malfunction. Statistics show that over 80% of vehicle submersion drowning accidents are caused by the failure to open doors and windows in time. In the initial stages of submersion, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the vehicle increases significantly (reaching 45–68 kg), making it difficult for ordinary occupants to open the doors from the inside to escape. At the same time, the vehicle's electronic systems are prone to short circuits after being submerged in water, causing power-dependent escape devices such as sunroofs and windows to malfunction, further exacerbating the difficulty of escape.

[0003] To address this risk, the industry has proposed several technical solutions, but all have significant limitations. For example, existing technologies include a scheme that uses sensors to detect water-falling signals and then uses an ECU controller to control the sunroof actuator. However, although this introduces the step of opening the sunroof after the vehicle falls into water, the actuator still relies entirely on electric drive, and will lose all function if the circuit short-circuits after the vehicle falls into water.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a vehicle wading escape solution that can completely eliminate dependence on electricity to achieve water-fall detection and sunroof opening, and integrate emergency guidance functions. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above problems, this disclosure provides a vehicle wading escape control method, system, and vehicle to overcome or at least partially solve the above problems. The technical solution is as follows: A vehicle wading escape control method determines whether the conditions for falling into water are met by acquiring the vehicle status, and triggers a purely mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism when the conditions for falling into water are determined, automatically opening the sunroof in a non-electric manner to provide an escape passage for occupants.

[0006] The beneficial effects are as follows: when a vehicle falls into water, the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism is triggered immediately. By adopting a mechanical triggering and execution mechanism, it eliminates the dependence on the vehicle's main power supply and ensures that even in extreme cases where the circuit fails due to water immersion and the window cannot be opened, the sunroof can still be opened reliably. This fundamentally solves the problem of functional paralysis of existing electronic escape systems in water-falling scenarios and significantly improves the certainty and timeliness of escape.

[0007] Optionally, obtaining the vehicle status includes: obtaining the external water pressure of the vehicle, the vehicle tilt angle, and the water depth around the vehicle.

[0008] The beneficial effects are as follows: by comprehensively monitoring water pressure, vehicle posture, and water depth, a multi-dimensional basis for judging whether a vehicle has fallen into water is established. This avoids misjudgments that may be caused by relying on a single signal (such as water depth alone) (e.g., splashing large waves while driving through water), greatly improves the accuracy and anti-interference ability of water-falling status identification, and ensures that the system only activates in real dangerous scenarios.

[0009] Optionally, the conditions for falling into the water include: the external water pressure of the vehicle exceeds a first preset threshold, the vehicle tilt angle exceeds a second preset threshold, and the water depth around the vehicle exceeds a third preset threshold, and the conditions continue for a preset duration.

[0010] The beneficial effects are as follows: by setting specific thresholds and duration requirements, a precise and operable logical standard is provided for determining whether a vehicle has fallen into water. The threshold filters out irrelevant interference such as minor wading or brief bumps, while the preset duration effectively eliminates accidental situations such as instantaneous splashing when a vehicle passes through a flooded road, further reducing the system's false trigger rate and ensuring the seriousness and reliability of the action.

[0011] Optionally, it also includes: when the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism is triggered, determining whether there is an obstacle on the roof and determining the direction of the obstacle; determining an escape route based on the direction of the obstacle; and outputting an optical indicator signal to remind occupants to escape according to the escape route.

[0012] The beneficial effects are as follows: Building upon the existing physical escape route via the sunroof, an intelligent guidance layer is added. By detecting obstacles on the roof (such as tree branches or bridge piers), the system can proactively indicate the optimal escape direction for panicked occupants (such as pointing towards an unobstructed area or shallow water), avoiding secondary risks that occupants might encounter while blindly escaping and greatly improving the overall escape success rate.

[0013] Optionally, it also includes: when the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism is triggered, controlling the emergency lights installed on the roof to turn on; controlling the wireless signal transmitter to send distress information to the receiving terminal.

[0014] The beneficial effects are as follows: emergency lights provide illumination underwater or in dimly lit environments, helping occupants identify their surroundings and take action. Automatically transmitted distress signals (which may include location information) can notify external rescue forces immediately, buying valuable rescue time.

[0015] This application also provides a vehicle wading escape control system, including: a vehicle status acquisition module for acquiring vehicle status; a water immersion condition judgment module for judging whether the vehicle status meets the water immersion condition; and an execution module, which, if the vehicle status meets the water immersion condition, triggers a mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism to mechanically release and open the sunroof.

[0016] Optionally, the vehicle status acquisition module includes a mechanical water pressure sensor for acquiring the external water pressure of the vehicle, an attitude sensor for acquiring the vehicle tilt angle, and an ultrasonic water depth detector for acquiring the water depth around the vehicle.

[0017] The beneficial effects are as follows: mechanical water pressure sensors can directly sense changes in water pressure and respond directly; attitude sensors (such as IMUs) can detect abnormal vehicle tilt; and ultrasonic depth detectors can measure the actual water depth. This multimodal sensing combination provides a relatively solid data foundation for accurately determining the vehicle's status. In particular, mechanical water pressure sensors are inherently insensitive to water immersion and have high reliability.

[0018] Optionally, the mechanical water pressure sensor is located at the four corners of the vehicle body; the ultrasonic water depth detector is located at the license plate fixing position.

[0019] The advantages are: the arrangement at the four corners of the vehicle body allows for comprehensive sensing of the water pressure around the vehicle, avoiding misjudgments due to the unrepresentative nature of single-point measurements. The license plate is typically positioned low and is easy to install, enabling the ultrasonic detector to contact the water surface earlier and provide immediate warnings.

[0020] Optionally, the water-falling condition judgment module includes: a signal processing unit and a mechanical logic valve; the signal processing unit is connected to the vehicle status acquisition module and the mechanical logic valve respectively; the signal processing unit is used to process the vehicle status signal acquired by the vehicle status acquisition module, and the mechanical logic valve is used to determine whether the vehicle status signal meets the water-falling condition.

[0021] The beneficial effects are that the signal processing unit can perform complex signal filtering and preliminary calculations, and the mechanical logic valve (such as a judgment mechanism based on fluid logic or mechanical linkage) serves as the final execution judgment unit. Even if the electronic signal processing part fails, the basic water-fall judgment function can still be ensured mechanically.

[0022] Optionally, the execution module includes a water pressure trigger release device connected to the water-falling condition judgment module; the water pressure trigger release device is used to trigger the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism when the vehicle's condition meets the water-falling condition.

[0023] Optionally, the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism includes a pre-tensioned torsion spring; when the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism is triggered, the pre-tensioned torsion spring releases torque to pop open the vehicle sunroof.

[0024] The beneficial effect is that the pre-tensioned torsion spring stores enough mechanical energy in advance. Once a trigger signal is received (such as a hydraulic or mechanical displacement trigger signal), the water pressure trigger release device is released, and the energy stored in the pre-tensioned torsion spring is quickly converted into torque to open the sunroof, which can ensure the smooth opening of the sunroof.

[0025] Optionally, the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism also includes a gas-assisted actuator, which pushes the vehicle sunroof upward when the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism is triggered.

[0026] The beneficial effects are as follows: in addition to the main thrust provided by the pre-tensioned torsion spring, the gas actuator provides an additional, explosive upward auxiliary thrust. This allows the system to handle extreme situations where the sunroof might be jammed by external water pressure, debris, or slight deformation, ensuring that the sunroof can be fully opened and further enhancing the system's adaptability to extreme operating conditions.

[0027] Optionally, it also includes: an emergency module, including an obstacle sensor and a route indicator light installed on the top of the vehicle. When the vehicle's condition meets the conditions for falling into water, the obstacle sensor is used to determine whether there is an obstacle on the roof and to determine the direction of the obstacle; the route indicator light outputs an optical indication signal to remind occupants to escape according to the escape safety route.

[0028] Optionally, the emergency module further includes: an emergency power supply and an emergency light and a wireless signal transmitter connected to the emergency power supply; the emergency light is installed on the top of the vehicle interior and turns on and flashes at a high frequency when the vehicle's condition meets the conditions for falling into water; the wireless signal transmitter is used to send a distress signal when the vehicle's condition meets the conditions for falling into water; the emergency power supply is used to provide power to the emergency light and the wireless signal transmitter when the main power supply fails.

[0029] The beneficial effects are as follows: the emergency module systematizes and integrates escape assistance functions. It can operate independently of the vehicle's main power supply, and the emergency power supply can automatically take over after the main circuit fails, continuously providing functions such as obstacle detection, path guidance, ambient lighting (emergency lights), and external distress signaling (signal transmission), thus constructing an emergency safety subsystem and improving the survival rate of occupants in dangerous situations.

[0030] This application also provides a vehicle comprising: a memory for storing executable program code; and a processor for calling and running the executable program code from the memory, causing the vehicle to perform the steps of the method as described in any of the above examples.

[0031] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution disclosed herein. In order to better understand the technical means of this disclosure and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of this disclosure are described below. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating a vehicle wading escape control method according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating another vehicle wading escape control method in the embodiments of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the modular structure of a vehicle wading escape control system according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the modular structure of another vehicle wading escape control system in this application embodiment; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. The technical solutions provided by various embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Vehicle submersion accidents are one of the most persistent extreme hazards in the automotive safety field. In scenarios such as heavy rain, floods, or accidental descent into a river, occupants often miss their chance to escape because the doors cannot be opened or the power windows malfunction. Statistics show that over 80% of vehicle submersion drowning accidents are caused by the failure to open doors and windows in time. In the initial stages of submersion, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the vehicle increases significantly (reaching 45–68 kg), making it difficult for ordinary occupants to open the doors from the inside to escape. At the same time, the vehicle's electronic systems are prone to short circuits after being submerged in water, causing power-dependent escape devices such as sunroofs and windows to malfunction, further exacerbating the difficulty of escape.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating a vehicle wading escape control method provided for one or more embodiments of this specification.

[0036] This method is applied to emergency scenarios where vehicles fall into water. Its core lies in judging the water state through multi-source information fusion and triggering a purely mechanical sunroof opening mechanism to ensure that a reliable escape route can still be provided in the event of vehicle circuit failure.

[0037] This process can be executed by computing devices in the relevant field (such as in-vehicle systems or cloud-based servers), and some input parameters or intermediate results in the process can be manually adjusted to help improve accuracy.

[0038] The analysis method involved in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a terminal device or a server, and this application does not impose any special limitations on it. For ease of understanding and description, the following embodiments are all described in detail using an in-vehicle system as an example.

[0039] It should be noted that the server can be a single device or a system composed of multiple devices, i.e., a distributed server. This application does not make any specific limitations on this.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, this application provides a vehicle wading escape control method, including: S101: Obtain vehicle status; Physical parameters related to falling into water can be collected in real time by a group of sensors deployed at different locations on the vehicle. For example, mechanical water pressure sensors can detect changes in external water pressure in real time, attitude sensors (such as IMU inertial measurement units) can detect vehicle attitude angles (such as pitch and roll angles), and ultrasonic depth detectors can measure the water depth around the vehicle. By comprehensively monitoring water pressure, vehicle attitude, and water depth, a multi-dimensional basis for determining whether a vehicle has fallen into water is established. This avoids misjudgments that may occur if only a single signal (such as water depth) is relied upon (e.g., large waves caused by wading through water), greatly improving the accuracy and anti-interference capability of water-falling status identification, and ensuring that the system only activates under real dangerous scenarios.

[0041] As a further example, external water pressure data can be acquired using mechanical water pressure sensors installed at the four corners of the vehicle body. These sensors directly convert water pressure into mechanical displacement or hydraulic signals. Vehicle tilt angle is acquired via an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to monitor abnormal changes in vehicle attitude. Water depth around the vehicle is acquired using an ultrasonic depth sensor installed near the front license plate. This sensor measures water level by emitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. This multimodal sensing approach provides cross-validation data from pressure, attitude, and depth for subsequent judgments, effectively avoiding misjudgments caused by interference from a single signal source (such as splashing water or bumps), thus laying the foundation for high system reliability.

[0042] In addition to the vehicle status mentioned above, signals from water temperature sensors, acceleration sensors (for detecting water impact), or microphones (for detecting underwater acoustic characteristics) can be used as auxiliary judgment signals to further improve the accuracy of the judgment. The data acquisition frequency can be dynamically adjusted according to the vehicle's operating status. For example, when the vehicle speed is below 5 km / h and it is near a bridge or waterway, the sampling rate can be increased to provide early warning.

[0043] S102: Determine whether the vehicle's condition meets the conditions for falling into water; For example, when the water pressure detected by the mechanical water pressure sensor continuously exceeds a first preset threshold (e.g., 0.5 atmospheres, corresponding to the pressure generated by a water depth of approximately 5 meters), the vehicle tilt angle detected by the attitude sensor continuously exceeds a second preset threshold (e.g., 30 degrees, indicating that the vehicle may be tilting or entering the water head-on or tail-on), and the water depth measured by the ultrasonic depth sensor continuously exceeds a third preset threshold (e.g., 1 meter), it can be preliminarily determined that the vehicle has fallen into the water. To prevent interference (such as driving through puddles at high speed), it can be set that the above three conditions must be met simultaneously and remain stable for a preset period of time (e.g., 500 milliseconds) before it can be directly determined that the vehicle is in a state of falling into the water.

[0044] Employing multimodal signal fusion criteria significantly reduces the risk of false alarms from a single sensor (e.g., relying solely on a water pressure sensor might trigger false alarms during car washing), improving the system's reliability in real-world water-fall scenarios. The duration setting further filters out transient interference, ensuring the rigor of the triggering conditions. This provides a precise and operable logical standard for water-fall detection. The threshold filters out irrelevant interference such as minor wading or brief bumps, while the preset duration effectively eliminates accidental situations such as instantaneous splashing when the vehicle passes through flooded areas, further reducing the system's false trigger rate and ensuring the seriousness and reliability of the operation.

[0045] Furthermore, as an example, the judgment process can be completed collaboratively by a signal processing unit and a mechanical logic valve. The signal processing unit is responsible for filtering, calculating, and performing preliminary logical analysis on the sensor signals. The mechanical logic valve, as the final, non-electric judgment actuator, operates based on fluid pressure, mechanical linkage, or cam principles. When physical signals (such as hydraulic pressure or displacement) from various sensors simultaneously reach and maintain the set conditions, the valve undergoes a mechanical state change, outputting a mechanical trigger signal. This approach utilizes the flexibility of electronic processing while providing a mechanical backup judgment in case of circuit failure, achieving double insurance in the judgment process and significantly improving the system's robustness.

[0046] S103: If the vehicle status meets the conditions for falling into water, the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism is triggered to open the sunroof mechanically. The purely mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism is completely independent of the vehicle's electrical system, ensuring sufficient and reliable opening power for the sunroof even in the event of any electrical failure. For example, the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism may include a pre-tensioned torsion spring that provides thrust. Once the conditions for falling into water are met, a water pressure release mechanism is immediately triggered, releasing the pre-tensioned torsion spring and generating a large torque to mechanically open the sunroof glass. Even when the sunroof is electronically locked, the purely mechanical mechanism can operate reliably, avoiding the risk of power failure.

[0047] Once the mechanical logic valve confirms the water-fall condition is met and outputs a mechanical trigger signal, the actuator immediately actuates. This signal can directly act on the water pressure trigger release device. Under normal vehicle conditions, the pre-tensioned torsion spring is compressed or twisted by the mechanical locking mechanism, storing elastic potential energy. The mechanical trigger signal unlocks this locking mechanism. Upon release, the pre-tensioned torsion spring instantly recovers, generating a huge torque that acts directly on the sunroof via a linkage or gear mechanism, forcibly opening the sunroof mechanically.

[0048] To further ensure reliable opening, the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism can also integrate a small solid fuel gas booster. Simultaneously with the activation of the pre-tensioned torsion spring, a trigger signal ignites the gas booster, which generates high-pressure gas in a very short time, providing additional upward burst of thrust. The pre-tensioned torsion spring provides the main thrust, while the gas booster serves as auxiliary power, creating a dual protection against extreme situations such as external water pressure or obstruction, greatly improving the success rate of sunroof opening.

[0049] Optionally, it also includes: when the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism is triggered, determining whether there is an obstacle on the roof and determining the direction of the obstacle; determining an escape route based on the direction of the obstacle; and outputting an optical indicator signal to remind occupants to escape according to the escape route.

[0050] Obstacle detection and escape route guidance functions have been added. Specifically, when the mechanical sunroof pops open, it determines whether there are obstacles on the roof and their direction. Based on the obstacle's direction, it determines a safe escape route and outputs an optical indicator signal to remind occupants to escape along the designated route. This can be achieved using short-range ultrasonic sensors and LED light indicators. The ultrasonic sensors scan the area above the roof to detect obstacles such as rocks and branches, while the LED arrows guide occupants to escape towards the unobstructed or shallower side. Alternatively, obstacle detection can also be achieved using infrared sensors or lidar, and the optical indicator signal can be enhanced with a projector or an audible and visual alarm.

[0051] Building upon the existing physical escape route via the sunroof, an intelligent guidance layer has been added. By detecting obstacles on the roof (such as tree branches or bridge piers), the system can proactively indicate the optimal escape direction for panicked occupants (such as pointing towards an unobstructed area or shallow water), avoiding secondary risks that occupants might encounter while blindly escaping and greatly improving the overall escape success rate.

[0052] Optionally, it also includes: when the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism is triggered, controlling the emergency lights installed on the roof to turn on; controlling the wireless signal transmitter to send distress information to the receiving terminal.

[0053] Emergency lighting and distress signal transmission functions have been added. Specifically, when the mechanical sunroof pops open, it controls the emergency lights mounted on the roof to turn on and controls the wireless signal transmitter to send a distress message to a receiving terminal. The emergency lights provide underwater illumination to help occupants see their surroundings; the wireless signal transmitter automatically sends a distress message containing the vehicle's location to the rescue center and the owner's mobile phone. In addition, the emergency lights can also use LED strobe lights, and the wireless signal transmitter can integrate an eSIM module or satellite communication module to enhance signal coverage.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, in one optional embodiment, after the system is powered on, each module initializes and performs a self-test. After the self-test passes, the sensors begin to continuously collect data. The mechanical water pressure sensor monitors the water pressure value in real time, the attitude sensor updates the vehicle's attitude angle, and the ultrasonic depth sensor periodically measures the surrounding water depth. When the vehicle accidentally falls into the water, the mechanical water pressure sensor first detects the increase in water pressure. If the water pressure continuously exceeds 0.5 atm, and the attitude sensor detects a tilt angle exceeding 30 degrees, while the ultrasonic depth sensor displays a water depth greater than 1 meter, the system enters a suspected water-fall state. At this time, a timer starts. If the three conditions are met continuously for 500 milliseconds, the system is considered to have confirmed a water fall.

[0055] Once the conditions for falling into the water are met, the mechanical logic valve outputs a trigger signal to the execution module. The water pressure trigger release device releases the constraint on the pre-tensioned torsion spring, which rapidly releases its stored mechanical energy, striking the sunroof latch. Simultaneously, the gas-assisted thruster ignites, providing additional upward thrust. Under this dual action, the sunroof springs open, forming an escape exit.

[0056] With the sunroof open, the emergency module automatically activates. The emergency power supply switches to active mode, and the strobe lights begin flashing to provide illumination. The obstacle sensors activate, scanning the rooftop environment, and the route indicator lights display the best escape direction based on the scan results. The wireless distress signal transmitter acquires location information and sends a distress message.

[0057] Occupants can escape to unobstructed areas by following the illuminated arrows. If the roof is completely submerged, indicator lights will show the shallower water direction. The system continues to operate until the emergency power is depleted or manually reset.

[0058] like Figure 3 As shown, this application also provides a vehicle wading escape control system, including: a vehicle status acquisition module for acquiring vehicle status; a water immersion condition judgment module for judging whether the vehicle status meets the water immersion condition; and an execution module, which, if the vehicle status meets the water immersion condition, triggers a mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism to mechanically release and open the sunroof.

[0059] The vehicle status acquisition module is used to collect key parameters in real time, such as external water pressure, vehicle tilt angle, and water depth around the vehicle. It can include mechanical water pressure sensors, attitude sensors, and ultrasonic depth detectors. Mechanical water pressure sensors can be positioned at the four corners of the vehicle to detect changes in water pressure when the vehicle enters the water. Attitude sensors can be installed near the vehicle's center of gravity to detect whether the vehicle tilts or overturns. Ultrasonic depth detectors can be installed at the license plate location or below the front bumper to measure the water depth around the vehicle. These sensors together constitute a multimodal water-fall detection system, which significantly improves the accuracy and robustness of water-fall detection through cross-validation of different physical quantities.

[0060] The water-fall condition judgment module receives sensor signals from the vehicle status acquisition module and performs fusion processing. It may include a signal processing unit and a mechanical logic valve. The signal processing unit filters, amplifies, and performs threshold comparisons on the sensor data, while the mechanical logic valve determines whether to trigger the actuator based on the comprehensive judgment result of multiple signals. The water-fall conditions can be preset as follows: external water pressure greater than 0.5 atm, vehicle tilt angle greater than 30 degrees, and water depth around the vehicle greater than 1 meter, all three conditions must be met simultaneously and last for more than 500 milliseconds to prevent false triggering caused by splashing or brief immersion.

[0061] The execution module is triggered when the conditions for falling into the water are met, and may include a mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism, such as... Figure 5 As shown, 1 represents the sunroof, and 2 represents a pre-tensioned torsion spring. The mechanical sunroof opening mechanism can consist of a pre-tensioned torsion spring, a water pressure trigger release device (not shown in the figure), and an optional small solid-fuel booster rocket (not shown in the figure). When the mechanical logic valve outputs a trigger signal, the water pressure trigger release device releases the constraint on the pre-tensioned torsion spring, which rapidly releases its stored mechanical energy, pushing the sunroof latch to release and opening the sunroof upwards. To further ensure that the sunroof can still be fully opened under external water pressure or obstacle interference, the system can also be equipped with a gas-assisted booster, which ignites simultaneously with the action of the pre-tensioned torsion spring, providing additional upward thrust.

[0062] Each module can adopt a distributed design, for example, separating the sensors from the control unit and communicating via CAN bus to simplify wiring.

[0063] Mechanical water pressure sensors can directly sense changes in water pressure and respond directly; attitude sensors (such as IMUs) can detect abnormal vehicle tilt; and ultrasonic depth detectors can measure actual water depth. This multimodal sensor combination provides a relatively solid data foundation for accurately determining vehicle status. Mechanical water pressure sensors, in particular, are inherently insensitive to water immersion and offer high reliability.

[0064] The mechanical water pressure sensor employs a diaphragm-type mechanical structure, pre-charged with a certain air pressure. When the external water pressure exceeds a set threshold, the diaphragm deforms, pushing the mechanical contacts to close and output a switch signal. This sensor is installed at the four corners of the vehicle body (front left, front right, rear left, and rear right) to comprehensively detect the water pressure distribution when the vehicle is submerged. The installation position should be as close as possible to the bottom of the vehicle body, but higher than the exhaust pipe, to avoid interference from water splashes during driving. The sensor housing is made of stainless steel, providing excellent waterproof and corrosion-resistant properties. The signal output is digital and can be directly input to the signal processing unit.

[0065] The attitude sensor employs a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU), including a three-axis accelerometer and a three-axis gyroscope, to detect the vehicle's tilt angle, angular velocity, and acceleration. This sensor is mounted on a rigid structure near the vehicle's center of gravity to minimize vibration interference. When the vehicle falls into water, the impact of the water flow and changes in the center of gravity cause the vehicle to pitch, roll, or roll, and the IMU can output these attitude change data in real time. By setting a tilt angle threshold (e.g., 30 degrees), it is possible to effectively distinguish between normal driving, parking on a slope, and being submerged in water.

[0066] Ultrasonic depth sensors measure water depth using the propagation characteristics of ultrasonic waves in water. The sensor emits ultrasonic pulses, receives the echoes, and calculates the distance by the time difference. It can be installed behind the front license plate or on the lower edge of the bumper, facing the front or side of the vehicle to avoid being obstructed by the license plate. To prevent interference from air bubbles, sediment, etc., the sensor surface can also be equipped with a self-cleaning device, and the software can perform average processing based on multiple measurements.

[0067] The detection coverage has been optimized, and the placement at the four corners of the vehicle body allows for comprehensive sensing of water pressure around the vehicle, avoiding misjudgments due to the unrepresentative nature of single-point measurements. The license plate is typically positioned low and is easy to install, enabling the ultrasonic detector to contact the water surface earlier for immediate warning. Furthermore, the sensors can also be installed on bumpers, chassis, or rearview mirrors to accommodate different vehicle models.

[0068] Optionally, the water-falling condition judgment module includes: a signal processing unit and a mechanical logic valve; the signal processing unit is connected to the vehicle status acquisition module and the mechanical logic valve respectively; the signal processing unit is used to process the vehicle status signal acquired by the vehicle status acquisition module, and the mechanical logic valve is used to determine whether the vehicle status signal meets the water-falling condition.

[0069] The signal processing unit can employ a waterproof microcontroller (MCU) to receive and process signals from each sensor. The mechanical logic valve can be specifically designed as a multi-input hydraulic logic valve (e.g., based on jet principle or valve core linkage structure). Only when the hydraulic signals from the four mechanical hydraulic pressure sensors all reach the preset pressure value, and a trigger-allowing electrical signal (or an auxiliary hydraulic signal) is received from the signal processing unit (after judgment by the IMU and water depth signals), does the valve core move, outputting high-pressure fluid to trigger the actuator. This further ensures the rigor of the judgment logic and the reliability of the action.

[0070] The signal processing unit can perform complex signal filtering and preliminary calculations. The mechanical logic valve (as the final execution and judgment unit) can still ensure the basic water-fall judgment function through mechanical means even if the electronic signal processing part fails.

[0071] A mechanical logic valve can be a purely mechanical multi-signal judgment device, consisting of multiple pressure chambers, springs, and a valve core. Pressure signals from a mechanical hydraulic pressure sensor are directly input to the pressure chambers. Electrical signals from an attitude sensor and an ultrasonic depth sensor are converted into mechanical displacement via an electromechanical converter, acting together on the valve core. Only when all three mechanical signals simultaneously reach the set position will the valve core move to the trigger position, outputting mechanical thrust to the actuator. This mechanical redundancy design ensures that even if the electronic components fail, the system can still be triggered mechanically.

[0072] Optionally, the execution module includes a water pressure trigger release device connected to the water-falling condition judgment module; the water pressure trigger release device is used to trigger the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism when the vehicle's condition meets the water-falling condition.

[0073] For example, the water pressure trigger release device can be a quick-acting cylinder controlled by the hydraulic output of the aforementioned mechanical logic valve. The pre-tensioned torsion spring in the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism can be designed and installed inside the sunroof guide rail mechanism, locked in a pre-tensioned state by a ratchet-locking pin mechanism. When the water pressure trigger release device pushes the piston of the actuating cylinder, thereby pulling the cable or connecting rod linked to the locking pin, the locking pin disengages from the ratchet, and the pre-tensioned torsion spring instantly releases energy, driving the sunroof bracket to move upward along the guide rail, popping open the sunroof. As a more preferred embodiment, the gas-assisted thruster can be a small solid propellant gas generator, whose igniter is powered by an emergency power supply at the moment of triggering. The generated gas pushes a piston rod connected to the sunroof frame, providing additional thrust.

[0074] Optionally, the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism includes a pre-tensioned torsion spring; when the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism is triggered, the pre-tensioned torsion spring releases torque to pop open the vehicle sunroof.

[0075] The preloaded torsion spring is made of high-strength spring steel. The preload torque is calculated based on the sunroof's weight and external water pressure, typically ranging from 200 to 500 N·m. The preloaded torsion spring is connected to the sunroof latch via a gear mechanism. In the non-triggered state, the preloaded torsion spring is locked by a water pressure-triggered release device and is in a stored-energy state. When the release device is triggered, the preloaded torsion spring quickly rebounds, amplifying the torque through the gears and striking the sunroof latch, disengaging it from the locked position.

[0076] Optionally, the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism also includes a gas-assisted actuator, which pushes the vehicle sunroof upward when the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism is triggered.

[0077] In addition to the main thrust provided by the pre-tensioned torsion spring, the gas actuator provides an additional, explosive upward auxiliary thrust. This allows the system to handle extreme situations where the sunroof might be jammed by external water pressure, debris, or slight deformation, ensuring it can be fully opened and further enhancing its adaptability to extreme conditions.

[0078] A gas-assisted thruster, serving as an auxiliary power source, can be installed near the sunroof frame. The thruster contains a solid fuel propellant, ignited by an electric igniter or a mechanical striker. When a pre-tensioned torsion spring actuates, the ignition signal is triggered, and the thruster generates upward thrust in a very short time, helping the sunroof overcome external water pressure or minor obstacles. The thruster thrust can be customized according to the sunroof size and expected water pressure, for example, 500–1000 N.

[0079] Optional, such as Figure 4As shown, it also includes: an emergency module, including an obstacle sensor and a route indicator light installed on the top of the vehicle. When the vehicle's condition meets the conditions for falling into water, the obstacle sensor is used to determine whether there is an obstacle on the roof and to determine the direction of the obstacle; the route indicator light outputs an optical indication signal to remind the occupants to escape according to the escape safety route.

[0080] Optionally, the emergency module further includes: an emergency power supply and an emergency light and a wireless signal transmitter connected to the emergency power supply; the emergency light is installed on the top of the vehicle interior and turns on and flashes at a high frequency when the vehicle's condition meets the conditions for falling into water; the wireless signal transmitter is used to send a distress signal when the vehicle's condition meets the conditions for falling into water; the emergency power supply is used to provide power to the emergency light and the wireless signal transmitter when the main power supply fails.

[0081] Emergency power supplies can consist of supercapacitors and lithium batteries. Supercapacitors provide instantaneous high-current discharge to power emergency lights and ignition actuators; lithium batteries provide sustained power to maintain distress signal transmission. The power system is completely independent of the vehicle's main power supply and can operate normally even if the entire vehicle loses power. The power controller monitors the main power status in real time and immediately switches to emergency mode if a voltage drop or loss is detected.

[0082] The emergency lights can be set as strobe lights, using a high-brightness LED array, and installed on the left and right sides of the vehicle's interior ceiling. The light mode is a high-frequency strobe (5–10 Hz), providing both illumination and attracting the attention of rescue personnel. The LED driver circuit has constant current characteristics, ensuring stable light intensity under different voltages.

[0083] Obstacle sensors can be short-range ultrasonic sensor arrays arranged around the sunroof frame to scan obstacles within a certain fan-shaped area above the roof. Route indicators consist of multiple independently controllable LEDs arranged in a specific pattern on the headliner to form light arrows pointing in different directions.

[0084] The wireless transmitter can integrate an eSIM card and GPS module, supporting 4G / 5G cellular networks. Once activated, the transmitter automatically acquires the vehicle's location information and sends it via SMS or data packets to preset rescue centers and the vehicle owner's mobile phone. The message content can include key information such as the vehicle's VIN code, location coordinates, and time of submersion. The transmitter uses a waterproof antenna to ensure effective communication underwater.

[0085] The emergency module systematizes and integrates escape assistance functions. It can operate independently of the vehicle's main power supply, and the emergency power supply can automatically take over after the main circuit fails, continuously providing functions such as obstacle detection, path guidance, ambient lighting (emergency lights), and external distress signaling (signal transmission), thus constructing an emergency safety subsystem and improving the occupants' chances of survival in dangerous situations.

[0086] This application also provides a vehicle comprising: a memory for storing executable program code; and a processor for calling and running the executable program code from the memory, causing the vehicle to perform the steps of the method as described in any of the above examples.

[0087] The vehicle provided in this embodiment is used to execute the aforementioned vehicle wading escape control method, thus achieving the same effect as the method described above. When using integrated units, the vehicle may include a processing module and a storage module. The processing module can be used to control and manage the vehicle's actions. The storage module can be used to support the vehicle in executing program code and data.

[0088] The processing module may be a processor or a controller, which can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits as disclosed in this application. The processor may also be a combination of computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of digital signal processing (DSP) and a microprocessor, etc., and the storage module may be a memory.

[0089] This embodiment also provides a computer-readable storage medium (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) storing computer program code. When the computer program code is run on a computer, the computer executes the above-mentioned related method steps to implement the method provided in the above embodiment.

[0090] This embodiment also provides a computer program product that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the aforementioned steps to implement the method provided in the above embodiment. The beneficial effects of the above embodiments can be found in the corresponding methods described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0091] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, only the division of the above functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0092] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of modules or units is merely a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms. In the description of this disclosure, it should be understood that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," and "right" are used to indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, they are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the indicated position or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this disclosure.

[0093] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. It should also be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element.

[0094] The above are merely embodiments of this disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Various modifications and variations can be made to this disclosure by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this disclosure should be included within the scope of the claims of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for controlling vehicle wading escape, characterized in that, include: Get vehicle status; Determine whether the vehicle's condition meets the conditions for falling into the water; If the vehicle's condition meets the conditions for falling into water, the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism is triggered to mechanically open the sunroof.

2. The vehicle wading escape control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The acquisition of vehicle status includes: Obtain information on external water pressure, vehicle tilt angle, and water depth around the vehicle. The conditions for falling into the water include: The external water pressure of the vehicle exceeds a first preset threshold, the vehicle tilt angle exceeds a second preset threshold, and the water depth around the vehicle exceeds a third preset threshold, and this continues for a preset duration.

3. The vehicle wading escape control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: When the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism is triggered, it is determined whether there is an obstacle on the roof and the direction of the obstacle is determined; Determine the safe escape route based on the direction of the obstacles; It outputs optical indication signals to remind occupants to escape along the designated escape route.

4. A vehicle wading escape control system, characterized in that, include: The vehicle status acquisition module is used to acquire the vehicle status. The water-falling condition determination module is used to determine whether the vehicle's status meets the water-falling conditions; The execution module, if the vehicle status meets the conditions for falling into the water, is used to trigger the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism to mechanically release and open the sunroof.

5. The vehicle wading escape control system as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The vehicle status acquisition module includes a mechanical water pressure sensor for acquiring the external water pressure of the vehicle, an attitude sensor for acquiring the vehicle tilt angle, and an ultrasonic water depth detector for acquiring the water depth around the vehicle. The mechanical water pressure sensor is located at the four corners of the vehicle body; the ultrasonic water depth detector is located at the license plate fixing position.

6. The vehicle wading escape control system as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The water-falling condition judgment module includes: a signal processing unit and a mechanical logic valve; The signal processing unit is connected to the vehicle status acquisition module and the mechanical logic valve, respectively. The signal processing unit is used to process the vehicle status signal acquired by the vehicle status acquisition module, and the mechanical logic valve is used to determine whether the vehicle status signal meets the conditions for falling into water.

7. The vehicle wading escape control system as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The execution module includes a water pressure trigger release device, which is connected to the water immersion condition judgment module; the water pressure trigger release device is used to trigger the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism when the vehicle condition meets the water immersion condition.

8. The vehicle wading escape control system as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism includes a pre-tensioned torsion spring; when the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism is triggered, the pre-tensioned torsion spring releases torque to pop open the vehicle sunroof.

9. The vehicle wading escape control system as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism also includes a gas-assisted actuator, which pushes the vehicle sunroof upward when the mechanical sunroof pop-up mechanism is triggered.

10. The vehicle wading escape control system as described in claim 4, characterized in that, Also includes: The emergency module includes an obstacle sensor and a route indicator light installed on the roof of the vehicle. When the vehicle is in a condition that meets the requirements for falling into water, the obstacle sensor is used to determine whether there is an obstacle on the roof and to determine the direction of the obstacle; the route indicator light outputs an optical indication signal to remind the occupants to escape along the safe escape route.

Images