Emergency opening system for vehicle doors or windows

Abstract

System for the emergency opening of at least one window (24), door or the like of a vehicle, wherein the system comprises an opening mechanism (11, 13) containing hydraulic means configured to open the window (24) by means of hydraulic fluid pressure when activated in an emergency situation; and a release mechanism (12, 14) configured to open a locking unit (41) provided on the window (24) by means of hydraulic means for the emergency opening of the same by means of the opening mechanism (11, 13); wherein the system further comprises a reset device with a reset valve (18) which is connected or connectable to the hydraulic means of the opening mechanism (11, 13); wherein the reset valve (18) - when the opening mechanism (11, 13) has opened the window in an emergency situation - is configured to return the opening mechanism (11, 13) to emergency mode;and wherein the return valve (18) is connected or connectable to the hydraulic means of the opening mechanism (11, 13) by means of hydraulic lines (30-32) of the system.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates generally to emergency opening systems and in particular to a system that enables the emergency opening of a door and / or window of a vehicle, as described in WO 2011 / 000884 A1 and the corresponding US patent no. 8,739,446, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a vehicle emergency, such as a fire, it is crucial that occupants can quickly exit the vehicle by opening a normally locked door or window from the inside. Such an emergency opening might be necessary if the vehicle has been overturned in an accident, blocking access. Doors or windows that can normally be opened may be impossible to open manually due to their weight or deformation.

[0003] If people inside a vehicle have been rendered unconscious by an accident or attack, it is also crucial to gain access to them from the outside in order to rescue them. Due to the risk of vehicle fires or explosions, time for rescue is often very limited.

[0004] Systems addressing these two problems – i.e., emergency opening from both inside and outside – are described in the aforementioned publication WO 2011 / 000884 A1. In general, these known systems are functional, but there is still room for improvement regarding maintenance and regular testing of the systems, as well as efficient training of vehicle personnel and / or personnel responsible for rescuing persons trapped inside a vehicle. SUMMARY

[0005] The present invention relates to an emergency opening system with the features set out in the attached independent claims, wherein preferred embodiments are defined in the associated dependent claims.

[0006] In its first aspect, the vehicle emergency system features a hydraulic opening mechanism configured to open a window or similar opening using hydraulic fluid pressure when activated in an emergency. It also includes a release mechanism configured to open a locking device on the window, also using hydraulic means, enabling the window to be opened by the opening mechanism. The system further incorporates a reset device comprising a reset valve connected to, or connectable to, the hydraulic components of the opening mechanism. This reset valve is configured to return the opening mechanism to emergency mode once it has opened the window in an emergency.For this purpose, the reset valve is connected or connectable to the hydraulic means of the opening mechanism via hydraulic lines of the system.

[0007] A second aspect concerns a vehicle equipped with an emergency opening system of the type described above, e.g. an armored vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] In the following, embodiments of the invention are described as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. Figure 1A is a side view of a vehicle window equipped with an opening mechanism and a release mechanism for an emergency opening system; Fig. 1B is a top view of Fig. 1A, which shows the window in the open position; Fig. 2 is a schematic hydraulic circuit diagram related to the emergency opening system of the Fig. 1A-1B; Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic hydraulic circuit diagram similar to Fig. 2 with slightly modified hydraulics; Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic hydraulic circuit diagram similar to Fig. 3, which shows the hydraulics of an improved emergency opening system; and Fig. 5 shows a vehicle equipped with the improved emergency opening system from Fig. 4 is built in. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION FORMS

[0009] In Fig. Figure 1A shows a vehicle access point operating device 11, 12 comprising an opening mechanism 11 and a unlocking mechanism 12. These two mechanisms 11, 12 are attached to a window 24 of a vehicle 200 (see Figure 1). Fig. 5) The opening mechanism 11 can be installed at various points on the window 24, depending on the type of window, the available space in the vehicle, the desired position, etc. Fig. 1A the opening mechanism 11 is attached to the lower part of the hinged window 24 at one corner of the same, so that it is not visible from the outside through a window pane 241.

[0010] The opening mechanism 11 has first fastening means 21 attached to a mounting plate 27, which is attached to a part of the vehicle 200, in this example a cabin pillar 31. Furthermore, the opening mechanism 11 has second fastening means 22 attached to a U-shaped rail 26, which is attached to the window 24. The rail 26 has an upper part 261 and a lower part 262, which project from the window 24. The window opening mechanism 11 includes a hydraulic cylinder assembly, which is attached at one end to the first fastening means 21 and at the opposite end to the second fastening means 22. The hydraulic cylinder assembly includes a cylinder 23 and a piston 25, which slides back and forth within it in response to hydraulic pressure.

[0011] The window 24 can thus be opened by the opening mechanism 11 when the hydraulic cylinder arrangement 23, 25 is actuated, as shown in Fig. Figure 1B shows a locking unit 41, which is attached to an edge section of the window 24, configured to engage with suitable locking means (not shown) in the locked position 12. The locking unit 41 could, for example, be a type of ball lock.

[0012] In Fig. 2 is a system 10 for emergency opening of the in the Fig. The window 24 shown in Figures 1A-1B is depicted. System 10 includes the opening mechanism 11 of the Fig. 1A-1B, which opens window 24 using the [unclear] in the Fig. 2 schematically depicted hydraulics forces the hydraulic pressure to open.

[0013] System 10 of Fig. 2 comprises a first opening valve 15, which is physically located inside the vehicle 200 so that it can be reached by a person trapped inside the vehicle. The first opening valve 15 is normally set in a closed position in which no hydraulic fluid can flow through this valve 15 to the opening mechanism 11 and the unlocking mechanism 12. However, if the first opening valve 15 is moved to its open position, hydraulic fluid can flow through this valve 15 and onward to the opening mechanism 11 and the unlocking mechanism 12, thereby opening the Fig. The emergency opening mechanism shown in 1A-1B for window 24 is activated.

[0014] The first opening valve 15 can be, for example, a ball valve whose opening or closing position can be manually set by a person inside the vehicle.

[0015] System 10 further includes a second opening valve 16, which is located on the outside of the vehicle 200 and serves to allow a person on the outside of the vehicle to open a door or window of the vehicle in an emergency.

[0016] The first opening valve 15 and the second opening valve 16 are connected in parallel. This allows the second opening valve 16 to be actuated from outside the vehicle if the hydraulic line system adjacent to the first opening valve 15 is blocked, for example, if the vehicle has been damaged.

[0017] The second opening valve 16, which can be mounted in a concealed location on the outside of the vehicle, has the same function as the first opening valve 15; that is, in its closed position, it prevents the flow of hydraulic fluid to the opening mechanism 11 and the unlocking mechanism 12. In its open position, hydraulic fluid can flow through the second opening valve 16, thereby enabling the activation of the opening mechanism 11 and the unlocking mechanism 12.

[0018] System 10 further includes a shut-off valve 17, which essentially has the same function as the first and second opening valves 15, 16; that is, in its open position, hydraulic fluid can flow through it, and in its closed position, no hydraulic fluid can flow through it. The shut-off valve 17 allows the driver or vehicle personnel to prevent the emergency opening of doors and / or windows using the second opening device 16. Thus, when the shut-off valve 17 is closed, no hydraulic fluid is allowed to pass to the second opening valve 16. In such a case, it is irrelevant whether the second opening valve 16 is open or closed, since no hydraulic fluid is available to activate the first opening mechanism 11 and the first unlocking mechanism 12.

[0019] Furthermore, the in Fig. System 10, as shown in Figure 2, includes a check valve 18 which, in its open position, allows the hydraulic fluid system to be drained. The check valve 18 is connected downstream and in parallel to the first opening valve 15 and the second opening valve 16 in the piping system. Normally, the check valve 18 is closed, so that no hydraulic fluid can escape. In its closed position, the hydraulic fluid coming from the first or second opening valve 15 or 16 flows in the piping system to the first opening mechanism 11 and the first release mechanism 12. System 10 also includes a quick-release coupling 19, which is described in more detail below.

[0020] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a further developed system 10', which includes the one in the Fig. 1A-1B includes the opening mechanism 11 and the unlocking mechanism 12 shown, as well as a further opening mechanism 13 and a further unlocking mechanism 14, which are provided on the doors 24' of the vehicle 200 (see Fig. 5) The further opening mechanism 13 can be of the same type as the opening mechanism 11 described above.

[0021] The first opening mechanism 11 and the first unlocking mechanism 12 can be coupled in parallel with the second opening mechanism 13 and the second unlocking mechanism 14. This increases the probability that either the door or the window can be opened.

[0022] The emergency opening system can only include a first unlocking mechanism 12 or a second unlocking mechanism 14 and therefore not a first opening mechanism 11 or a second opening mechanism 13. In this way, it is possible in an emergency to unlock a jammed door or window, which then allows the door or window to be opened manually.

[0023] Any combination of opening and unlocking mechanisms can be used on a door, lock, window, cover, etc. Therefore, the descriptions relating to either a door or a window are only examples, as the additional unlocking mechanism 14 could also be installed in a window, or the unlocking mechanism 12 in a vehicle door, etc.

[0024] In Fig.Figure 4 shows a modified system 100 which includes a reset or recovery function or arrangement with a hydraulic line 30 extending from the quick coupling 19 via a hydraulic line 31 to the first opening mechanism 11 and via a hydraulic line 32 to the second opening mechanism 13.

[0025] Thanks to these additional hydraulic lines 30-32, efficient resetting of the system 100 after an emergency opening, e.g., for training purposes, can be achieved. The resetting is carried out as follows: Line 30 is connected to the quick-release coupling 19, and the reset valve 18 is opened, allowing the hydraulic cylinders of the first opening mechanism 11 and the second opening mechanism 13 to return to their emergency operation without requiring manual intervention from the training personnel. After the resetting process is complete, line 30 is disconnected from the quick-release coupling 19 and connected to a reservoir (not shown) via another quick-release coupling 33. The reset valve 18 is then closed, thus resetting the system 100 and making it ready for emergency situations.

[0026] It should be noted that the hydraulic lines 30-32 may either be pre-assembled on the vehicle 200 or be designed as detachable lines or hoses which are connected with the appropriate couplings and fittings when the system is to be readjusted.

[0027] Thanks to this efficient reset mechanism, it is easy to reset the system after an emergency opening of a window or door, provided the staff is trained. This saves time and money. The same applies to the testing and maintenance of the system.

[0028] A particular advantage of the emergency opening system described here is that it requires no electronics or software to function. Instead, the system is operated via the vehicle's existing hydraulic system.

[0029] Finally, it should be mentioned that the invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described above, and many modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims. The first opening valve, the second opening valve, the shut-off valve, and the return valve can all be valves that are normally used to fulfill the tasks in question, e.g., a ball valve. The concept according to the invention is not limited to specific types of valves. Any valve suitable for fulfilling the tasks in question can be used. Furthermore, the concept according to the invention is not limited to the type of locking devices provided at vehicle access points, but can be applied to various types of doors and windows. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2011 / 000884 A1 [0001, 0004] US 8,739,446

[0001]

Claims

[1] A system for the emergency opening of at least one window (24), a door or the like of a vehicle, the system comprising an opening mechanism (11, 13) containing hydraulic means configured to open the window (24) by means of hydraulic fluid pressure when activated in an emergency situation; and an unlocking mechanism (12, 14) configured to open, by means of hydraulic means, a locking unit (41) provided on the window (24) for emergency opening thereof by means of the opening mechanism (11, 13); the system further comprising a reset device having a reset valve (18) connected or connectable to the hydraulic means of the opening mechanism (11, 13); wherein the reset valve (18) is configured to return the opening mechanism (11, 13) to emergency mode when the opening mechanism (11, 13) has opened the window in an emergency situation;and wherein the return valve (18) is connected or connectable to the hydraulic means of the opening mechanism (11, 13) by means of hydraulic lines (30-32) of the system; [2] System according to claim 1, further comprising a quick coupling (19) to which a line (30) of the hydraulic lines (30-32) is connected or connectable when the reset device is to be used for resetting the system. [3] System according to claim 2, further comprising an additional quick coupling (33) to which the line (30) is connected or connectable when the reset is completed. [4] System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hydraulic means of the opening mechanism (11, 13) consist of hydraulic cylinders. [5] A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening mechanism (11, 13) comprises a first fastening means (21) for fastening to a part (31) of the vehicle and a second fastening means (22) for fastening to the window (24) of the vehicle, wherein a hydraulic cylinder (23) is configured to force the window (24) to open when hydraulic fluid pressure is provided therein. [6] Vehicle with an emergency opening system according to one of the preceding claims, in particular an armoured vehicle.

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