FOLDABLE EMERGENCY GATE

Abstract

A mechanically operated folding emergency gate (1), characterized in that it comprises: a structure composed of three folding slats (2, 4, 6), where the first slat (2) moves longitudinally on cylindrical guides (3), the second slat (4) is articulated to the first slat (2) by means of a set of guided hinges (5), and the third slat (6) acts as the traction element of the system, pivoting on a fixed hinge (7); a geared motor (8) coupled to a system of toothed wheels (9) and a toothed ring sector (10) configured to transmit the movement of the geared motor (8) in the operation of the gate (1); and a primary electric drive system (11), complemented by a backup battery (12) and a hand crank (13) for manual operation, ensuring operability at all times.

Description

Folding emergency hatch Technical field The technical field of the invention is the design and manufacture of emergency exit gates for underground structures, particularly mechanically operated folding gate systems. The present invention falls within the field of mechanical engineering and infrastructure safety, with applications in tunnels, underground stations, and other spaces requiring efficient and safe emergency exits. State of the art The prior art in underground emergency floodgates focuses on two main types of systems: hydraulically operated gates and mechanically operated gates using counterweights. Both have several limitations that affect their efficiency, maintenance, and ease of use. Hydraulically operated gates rely on hydraulic cylinders controlled by a hydraulic unit, allowing them to swing open on a fixed axis. While they offer the advantage of overcoming heavy loads and feature redundant operating mechanisms (electric, battery, and manual), they also present several drawbacks. They depend on electrical power for operation, which can be problematic in emergency situations. Although they have a battery to allow for one or two additional openings, their autonomy is limited. Manual operation, while possible, requires considerable force, making it inaccessible to most users. Furthermore, the hydraulic system is complex, requires regular maintenance, and can only be operated by highly qualified personnel with expertise in hydraulics and electricity. Mechanically operated gates using counterweights, on the other hand, eliminate the need for a hydraulic and electrical system, reducing the complexity of installation and maintenance. However, this type of gate has significant disadvantages. Opening is not controllable, since once the lock is released, the force of the counterweight opens the gate without precise angle adjustment. When closing, the user must overcome the resistance of the counterweight, which generally requires several people to exert the necessary force. Furthermore, the counterweight's configuration and installation are specific and may not be easily adaptable to different environments. In general, both systems present problems of accessibility, maintenance, and operational control. The dependence on electrical power in hydraulic gates and the difficulty of operating counterweight gates limit their effectiveness in emergency situations. The present invention seeks to overcome these deficiencies by means of a folding gate system with optimized mechanical actuation, which reduces the need for specialized maintenance, allows for more accessible operation, and offers greater control in the opening and closing of the gate. Explanation of the invention The invention proposes a folding emergency gate with improved mechanical operation, designed to facilitate the evacuation of people from a basement to the surface. Its innovative design overcomes the shortcomings of hydraulic and counterweight systems, providing a more efficient, accessible, and easily maintained solution. This objective is achieved with the emergency gate of claim 1. Particular and / or preferred solutions of the gate of the present invention are shown in the dependent claims. The system consists of a three-slat folding metal gate, whose opening and closing are controlled by a mechanical drive mechanism. The first slat moves longitudinally along cylindrical guides located at the ends of the gate. The second slat is hinged by a system of guided hinges, allowing for controlled folding between the first and third slats. Finally, the third slat drives the system, executing the movement from a fixed hinge, which in turn acts as a pivot for the second slat and allows for the linear movement of the first. The gate is operated by an epicyclic geared motor, which transmits motion through a set of gears and a ring gear. This system allows for precise control of the opening and closing angles, avoiding the control issues common in counterweight devices. Furthermore, the design includes redundancies to ensure continuous operation. The primary activation is electrical, via a push button, but in the event of a power failure, a backup battery activates. Should this also fail, the user can operate the gate manually using a crank accessible from both the inside and outside. More specifically, according to the claims accompanying this specification, the present invention consists of a mechanically operated folding emergency door comprising a structure formed by three folding slats. The first slat moves longitudinally on cylindrical guides, the second is articulated to the first by a set of guided hinges, and the third acts as the system's traction element, pivoting on a fixed hinge. Furthermore, it has a geared motor coupled to a system of toothed wheels and a toothed ring sector, designed to transmit the geared motor's motion to the door's actuation mechanism. The primary electrical drive system is complemented by a backup battery and a hand crank for manual operation, ensuring its operability at all times. In specific embodiments of the invention, the folding emergency gate incorporates an epicyclic geared motor that optimizes motion transmission. The first slat moves along cylindrical guides via a carriage with a bearing mechanism that minimizes friction and facilitates its movement. Guided hinges allow for synchronized folding and unfolding of the second slat, improving the system's efficiency. To ensure usability under any circumstances, the manual operation via the crank is designed to require minimal effort, allowing its use by people of any age or physical condition. Furthermore, the sensitive edges integrated into the structure ensure automatic stoppage of movement upon obstacle detection, increasing safety. In other practical embodiments of the invention, acoustic and visual signals are activated during opening and closing to alert users to the movement of the gate. Its insulating coating minimizes condensation formation on the surface, contributing to its durability and corrosion resistance. To prevent liquid accumulation, strategically designed perimeter channels have been incorporated to efficiently collect and drain water. The combination of sensitive edges, warning signals, insulating coating, and a suitable drainage system ensures safe and long-lasting operation under various environmental conditions. The invention introduces several improvements over the prior art. Compared to hydraulic systems, it eliminates the need for a complex hydraulic circuit, reducing specialized maintenance and avoiding dependence on a constant power supply. Furthermore, the manual operation has been designed to be accessible to anyone, including children and the elderly, unlike hydraulic systems where manual activation requires considerable force. In relation to counterweight systems, the invention allows for complete control of the gate's movement, eliminating the need for manual intervention for closing and preventing abrupt, unregulated movements. In addition to these functional improvements, the design incorporates additional features that optimize its performance and durability. A sensitive edge system has been integrated to prevent entrapment, along with audible and visual signals that alert users to the gate's movement. To minimize corrosion and ensure the system's longevity, the materials used have been selected with specific treatments. Thermal insulation has also been added to reduce condensation caused by temperature differences between the interior and exterior, and a perimeter gutter system has been installed for water collection and drainage. In conclusion, the invention offers an optimized solution for opening and closing emergency gates in underground environments. Its foldable design and improved mechanical drive system allow for simpler installation, less demanding maintenance, and more reliable operation compared to existing solutions. By providing accessible and safe operation, this gate represents a significant improvement in terms of efficiency, safety, and ease of use. Throughout the description and claims, the word "comprises" and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical features, additives, components, or steps. For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent partly from the invention and partly from the practice of the invention. The following examples and drawings are provided for illustrative purposes and are not intended to restrict the present invention. Furthermore, the invention covers all possible combinations of the particular and preferred embodiments indicated herein. Brief description of the drawings Next, a series of drawings are briefly described that help to better understand the invention and that are expressly related to an embodiment of said invention, which is illustrated as a non-limiting example thereof. FIG.1 shows an overview of the system of the invention. FIG. 2 shows an alternative view of the system of the invention in FIG. 1 FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the carriage. FIG.4 shows a detailed view of the slats that make up the gate. FIG.5 shows an isolated view of the gate drive system. FIG.6 shows an alternative view of the drive system in FIG.5. Explanation of a detailed method of carrying out the invention The invention relates to a mechanically operated, foldable emergency hatch designed to facilitate evacuation from an underground enclosure to the surface. Its structure and operating mechanism improve safety, accessibility, and ease of maintenance compared to existing hydraulic and counterweight systems. The gate (1) consists of three folding slats that unfold in a controlled sequence. The first slat (2) moves longitudinally on cylindrical guides (3) located at the ends of the gate (1). These guides allow for smooth linear movement, thanks to the carriages (12), ensuring precise alignment during opening and closing. The second slat (4) is hinged by a set of guided hinges (5), allowing it to fold between the first and third slats. The third slat (6) acts as the traction element of the system, pivoting on a fixed hinge (7) that facilitates the coordinated movement of the other slats. The gate is operated by an epicyclic geared motor (8), which transmits motion through a system of gears (9) and a ring gear (10). This mechanism allows precise control of the gate's opening and closing angle, overcoming the lack of regulation present in counterweight systems. The geared motor is controlled by a primary electrical system (11), with the option of operating via a backup battery in case of power failure. To ensure operability under any circumstances, the gate also has a manual operation via a crank (13), accessible from both the inside and outside. The system includes various safety measures, such as sensitive edges (14) that prevent people from being trapped during opening and closing. In addition, audible and visual signals have been incorporated to alert users to the movement of the gate. The gate structure is made of corrosion-resistant materials, including an insulating coating that minimizes condensation caused by temperature differences between the inside and outside. For water management, perimeter channels have been installed to collect and drain any liquid accumulation on the gate surface. The modular design and implemented technical solutions reduce system maintenance and facilitate installation in diverse environments. The foldable gate configuration optimizes space, ensuring efficient operation without compromising system safety or accessibility. The following numerical references have been used in the figures: 1: Gate 2: First blade 3: Cylindrical guides 4: Second flame 5: Guided hinges 6: Third lama 7: Fixed hinge 8: Epicyclic geared motor 9: Gears 10: Toothed crown sector 11: Primary electrical system 12: Trolley 13: Crank 14: Sensitive edges

Claims

1. A mechanically operated folding emergency gate (1), characterized in that it comprises: a structure composed of three folding slats (2, 4, 6), where the first slat (2) moves longitudinally on cylindrical guides (3), the second slat (4) is articulated to the first slat (2) by means of a set of guided hinges (5), and the third slat (6) acts as the traction element of the system, pivoting on a fixed hinge (7); a geared motor (8) coupled to a system of toothed wheels (9) and a toothed ring sector (10) configured to transmit the movement of the geared motor (8) in the operation of the gate (1); and a primary electric drive system (11), complemented by a backup battery (12) and a hand crank (13) for manual operation, ensuring operability at all times.

2. Folding emergency hatch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the geared motor (8) is an epicyclic geared motor. 3.A folding emergency gate according to claim 1, characterized in that the first slat (2) is guided along cylindrical guides (3) by a carriage (12) consisting of a bearing mechanism that minimizes friction and facilitates its movement.

4. A folding emergency gate according to claim 1, characterized in that the guided hinges (5) allow synchronized movement of the second slat (4) to optimize the folding and unfolding of the gate.

5. A folding emergency gate according to claim 1, characterized in that it has sensitive edges (14) configured for obstacle detection during the movement of the gate.

6. A folding emergency gate according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises automatic activation acoustic and luminous signals during the opening and closing of the gate. 7.A folding emergency gate according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an insulating coating.

8. A folding emergency gate according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises perimeter channels configured for the evacuation of any accumulation of water on the gate.