Waterproof Seat for Vehicles

Abstract

To provide a waterproof sheet for a vehicle that wraps around the bottom of the vehicle and down to the lower part of the outer peripheral window, can reliably prevent water damage to the vehicle, is excellent in economy and versatility, and is easy and quick to install. 【Solution means】 A watertight sheet body 1 on which the tire 4 of the vehicle is placed is processed with symmetrical protruding folding-shaped folds 2 and 3 that cross in a cross shape at approximately the central portions in the longitudinal and transverse directions, and due to the rising water pressure, it is brought into close contact with the bottom of the vehicle 10 from the tire 4 of the vehicle 10, adapts to the crown water level, suppresses the inclination of the vehicle 10 between the crown water level and the safety water level, and prevents water from entering the vehicle 10.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle immersion prevention sheet that wraps around the bottom and under the outer peripheral window of a vehicle to prevent immersion and submersion when there is a risk of the vehicle being immersed or submerged due to floods, waterlogging, etc.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years in Japan, there has been a situation where flood and inundation damage beyond previous assumptions has been continuously occurring throughout the country, such as overtopping of levees due to typhoons, heavy rain, and torrential rain, and an increase in precipitation due to the development of locally rapid linear precipitation bands. The damage caused by flooding to vehicles is serious. Immersion of a vehicle has a great impact on the interior of the vehicle, the engine compartment, the electrical control system, etc. The repair cost for restoration requires a large amount of money, and in most cases, the vehicle becomes a total loss. Therefore, there is a strong demand for technology to prevent damage to vehicles caused by immersion. As technologies for preventing immersion and submersion of vehicles, those such as Patent Documents 1 to 4 have been invented so far.

[0003] Patent Document 1 proposes a vehicle submersion prevention structure that fills a hollow wall portion with a fluid, surrounds the outer periphery to form a bag shape, and provides fixing means from four directions. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 proposes a method of reducing the damage caused by submersion by allowing a vehicle wrapped in a sheet to float as the water level rises due to floods or the like, by the buoyancy of the internal space. In addition, Patent Document 3 proposes a means for preventing the submersion of a vehicle by completely wrapping the vehicle with a huge cylindrical sheet.

[0004] On the other hand, in Patent Document 4, a vehicle waterproof cover that covers the lower part of a vehicle in a drawstring shape is configured such that, when the vehicle is floating in water, portions other than predetermined places on each surface portion placed in the water are substantially in close contact with the vehicle, and the portion of the bottom surface corresponding to the wheels of the vehicle has a margin to protrude the wheels downward, generating the function of a stabilizer and improving the stability of the vehicle in a floating state in water.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Document

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, as described above, in Patent Document 1, even though it is excellent in the safety of vehicle flooding and drifting, for example, when the flooding water level in a flood is 30 cm to 40 cm above the ground surface, it will be related to a series of countermeasures. Therefore, until the implementation of flood countermeasures, there are problems in terms of the limited installation location, economy in terms of equipment installation costs, and versatility.

[0007] Similarly, in Patent Documents 2 and 3, as the water level rises, the vehicle is floated on the water to prevent flooding and submersion. However, due to the tire part of the vehicle and the uneven shape of the lower part of the vehicle, the risk of damage and breakage due to external water pressure on the seat becomes a problem. Furthermore, as time passes for the floating water level of the vehicle, due to the center of gravity of the vehicle, the vehicle tilts and sinks, and the risk of flooding the vehicle cannot be eliminated.

[0008] Furthermore, in Patent Document 3, the opening is closed and air is enclosed in the cylindrical seat, and there is no escape path for the air. Therefore, when the water level rises, the cylindrical seat bulges, the surface is damaged by bursting or floating objects, and flooding into the cylindrical seat that wraps the vehicle is feared.

[0009] On the other hand, Patent Document 4 also states that the portion of the bottom surface of the vehicle waterproof cover corresponding to the vehicle wheels is configured to have a margin that allows the wheels to protrude downward. Specifically, it is the "bellows-like margin portion 30" shown in Fig. 9(A). However, with this configuration, it can only extend in one direction (the vehicle width direction in the figure).

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is a vehicle immersion prevention sheet that wraps the bottom and outer periphery of the vehicle from the bottom to below the window with a sheet body, prevents the vehicle from being immersed as the flood water level rises, and further, when the water level rises further, by providing a buoyancy material in the sheet body portion corresponding directly below the center of gravity of the vehicle, the vehicle is floated, and during the period until it reaches a safe water level, the vehicle is prevented from being immersed in the vehicle interior, engine compartment, electrical control system, etc. without being inclined by the vehicle weight.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] The first invention of the present invention that meets the above object is a vehicle immersion prevention sheet that wraps the bottom and outer periphery below the window of the vehicle with a sheet body to prevent the vehicle from being immersed, and the sheet body is characterized by having a protruding fold (pleat) portion folded in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the vehicle. The second invention is a vehicle immersion prevention sheet that wraps the bottom and outer periphery below the window of the vehicle with a sheet body to prevent the vehicle from being immersed, and the sheet body or is characterized by having a protruding fold (pleat) portion folded in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the vehicle. The third invention is a vehicle immersion prevention sheet according to the first or second invention, characterized in that a buoyancy material is interposed in the sheet body at a position directly below the center of gravity of the vehicle.

[0012] Here, in the vehicle immersion prevention sheet according to the first invention, the upper surface of the sheet body on which the vehicle is placed is provided with a protruding fold portion folded so as to be located approximately at the center between the front and rear and between the left and right of the tires, and the sheet body is fixed to the ground contact surface at four locations of the tires that bear the vehicle weight. On the other hand, in the vehicle flood prevention seat according to the second invention, the upper surface of the seat body on which the vehicle is placed is provided with a folded ridge portion that is folded into a protruding shape so as to be positioned approximately at the center between the front and rear or left and right of a tire, a wheel, a caterpillar, etc., and the seat body is fixed to the ground contact surface at four positions / two positions such as a tire and a wheel.

[0013] In addition, in the vehicle flood prevention seat according to the third invention, it is fixed to the ground contact surface at four positions of the tires that bear the weight of the placed vehicle, and a buoyancy material is interposed from the upper surface of the seat body to a portion corresponding directly below the center of gravity position of the vehicle.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] The vehicle flood prevention seat according to the present invention has a folded shape that intersects in a cross shape, and the seat body is fixed to the ground contact surface at four positions of the tires that bear the vehicle weight. The four side ends of the seat body with the ridge portions provided approximately at the center between the front and rear and left and right of the tires reach the height under the window of the vehicle outer circumference. In the situation of rising water levels during floods and inundation, the ridge portion (the portion folded into a protruding shape) is opened by the water pressure flowing in from the outside of the seat body, and further, as the water level rises, the enclosed air under the seat body is discharged from the outer ridge portion of the seat body that reaches the height under the window of the vehicle. Also, first following the shape of the tire portion and then following the uneven shape of the vehicle bottom, the seat body adheres closely from the outer circumference of the vehicle tire to the vehicle bottom, avoiding the risk of damage and injury to the seat body, and ensuring the stability of the vehicle when floating. Note that the ridge portion (the portion folded into a protruding shape) preferably has a folded shape that intersects in a cross shape, but it may be only in one of the longitudinal direction or the lateral direction of the vehicle. This is because the enclosed air under the seat body can be discharged from the outer ridge portion of the seat body that reaches the height under the window of the vehicle (this is an extremely excellent effect of the present invention that cannot be achieved by the "bellows-like surplus portion 30" in Patent Document 4 above).

[0015] In addition, it is a sheet body having a folded portion processed in a shape that symmetrically and protrudingly folds the center line in the longitudinal direction of the above-mentioned sheet body. By wrapping it up to a height of about 1 / 2 of the vehicle height, it can be expected to be effective as a countermeasure against flooding and submersion in two-track caterpillar vehicles such as crawler construction machines and agricultural machines, as well as in train vehicles and Shinkansen vehicles.

[0016] The flood prevention sheet for vehicles according to the present invention reaches below the outer peripheral window of the vehicle. Therefore, by providing a means for closely fixing with flat magnets at the four sides of the end where the sheet body is fixedly suspended and supported, it serves as an auxiliary for suspension and fixation with a belt. Also, when installing a buffer material for preventing breakage and damage to the vehicle outer periphery, it can be easily removed, enabling rapid installation work of the sheet body.

[0017] The flood prevention sheet for vehicles according to the present invention includes a plurality of folded portions (pleated portions) folded in a protruding shape in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, thereby wrapping below a plurality of outer peripheral windows of the vehicle. By configuring a sheet body provided with fixing means such as a buffer material between the vehicles, flood prevention measures for a plurality of vehicles can be realized with one flood prevention sheet for vehicles, enabling excellent utilization in a small space with high efficiency and economy.

[0018] It is preferable to use a sheet body having watertightness for the flood prevention sheet for vehicles according to the present invention. For example, it can be substituted with an agricultural greenhouse covering sheet or a commercially available blue sheet that ensures watertightness and longitudinal and lateral dimensions.

[0019] The flood prevention sheet for vehicles according to the present invention has a buoyancy material interposed from the upper surface of the sheet body to the portion corresponding directly below the vehicle center of gravity position. Due to the water pressure flowing in from below the sheet body, the sheet body and the buoyancy material are closely adhered and lifted, and in the situation of further water level rise, the buoyancy material and the vehicle lower part are closely adhered, enabling effective transmission of buoyancy to the vehicle body.

[0020] The vehicle flood prevention seat according to the present invention can cope with the situation of rising water level from the initial stage of flood or inundation to the vehicle inclination in the direction of the vehicle's center of gravity due to the passage of time after the vehicle floats, and can be installed by a minimum number of personnel regardless of the installation location.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5-1

Figure 5-2

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings for the purpose of understanding the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a folded portion 2 that is symmetrically and protrudingly folded along the center line in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle that is continuous from one end portion 21 to the other end portion 21 in a seat body 1 having watertightness. Also, on the right side of the plan view, an enlarged end view 22 of the folded portion 2 that is symmetrically and protrudingly folded along the center line in the longitudinal direction is shown. Furthermore, FIG. 1 is also a plan view of the folded portion 3 which is symmetrically and protrudingly folded along the center line in the lateral direction of the vehicle continuously from one end portion 31 to the other end portion 31 in the sheet body 1 having watertightness. Below the plan view, an enlarged end view 32 of the folded portion 3 which is symmetrically and protrudingly folded along the center line in the lateral direction is shown. Therefore, in FIG. 1, the folded portions 2 and 3 are formed in a cross shape on the sheet body 1. Also, FIG. 1 is also a view showing a state in which the tire 4 is placed on the upper surface of the sheet body 1 and the buoyancy material 20 is interposed directly below the center of gravity position of the vehicle 10.

[0023] The dimensions 11 of the folded portions 2 and 3 which are symmetrically and protrudingly folded along the center lines in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the sheet body 1 described above are set to be equal to or greater than the radius of the tire 4 of the vehicle 10. Although the dimensions are slightly larger, the sag of the watertight sheet body 1 which bears the water pressure will act on the safe side.

[0024] The upper view of FIG. 2 shows the side surface of the vehicle 10 in a state where the watertight sheet body 1 wraps around the bottom and under the outer peripheral window of the vehicle 10, both end portions 31 of the folded portion 3 reach the height under the window, and are tightly fixed with the flat magnet 5 and are suspended and fixed and supported with the belt 6 to complete the installation work. The lower view of FIG. 2 shows the front surface of the vehicle 10 in a state where the end portion 21 of the folded portion 2 reaches the height under the window, and is tightly fixed with the flat magnet 5 and is suspended and fixed and supported with the belt 6 to complete the installation work. The belt 6 for suspending and fixing the watertight sheet body 1 is capable of stretch adjustment and is provided with a fastener (for example, a clip-like one) at the tip for holding and fixing the sheet body 1 reaching the height under the window. Also, by tightly supporting (temporarily fixing) the four peripheral edges of the sheet body 1 with the flat magnet 5, the attachment work of the belt 6 becomes easy. Also, FIG. 2 is also a view showing a state in which the buoyancy material 20 is placed directly below the center of gravity position of the vehicle 10 inside the watertight sheet body 1.

[0025] At the ends 21, 31 reaching the window height, in the front-rear, left-right side surface directions, and at each corner of the vehicle 10, in order to prevent the impact loss during the outflow of the main body when the vehicle 10 floats and damage to the vehicle body by floating objects, it is possible to insert a buffer material between the belts 6 that suspend and fix the ends of the watertight sheet body 1.

[0026] Figure 3 shows the situation 13 of the crown water level where the water crest reaches about the height of the central part of the tire 4. Here, by forming the fold part 2 that is folded in a protruding shape symmetrically with respect to the center line in the longitudinal direction of the sheet body 1 and the fold part 3 that is folded in a protruding shape symmetrically with respect to the center line in the short direction (crossing in a cross shape), due to the water pressure, the central part with a shape that is folded in a protruding shape symmetrically with respect to the center line that intersects and is continuous in a cross shape becomes a storage place for the enclosed air (escaped air), and the fold parts 2, 3 that are folded in a protruding shape are opened by the air accumulated in the storage place and the water pressure. The enclosed air in the internal space of the watertight sheet body 1 is discharged from above inside the ends 21, 31 of the upper watertight sheet body 1 (vehicle side) as the water pressure rises. The enclosed air outside the watertight sheet body 1 (underside of the sheet) is discharged to the outside of the sheet body 1 either through the fold part 2 (front-rear) or the fold part 3 (left-right).

[0027] Figure 4 shows the crown water situation 13 where the water crest reaches the upper height of the tire 4. The vehicle immersion prevention sheet with the buoyancy material 20 interposed floats with the watertight sheet body 1 and the buoyancy material 20 in close contact due to the water pressure of the rising water level. Further, the buoyancy material 20 is closely attached directly below the center of gravity position of the vehicle 10 to transmit buoyancy to the vehicle 10. The vehicle maintains a floating state and suppresses the inclination of the vehicle 10 in the direction of the center of gravity up to the safe water level.

[0028] Figure 5-1 shows the shape of the buoyancy material 20 as an inverted frustum shape such as an inverted square frustum shape or an inverted circular frustum shape (an example). Thereby, due to the water pressure rising from the outside (lower part) of the watertight sheet body 1, it rises directly below the center of gravity position of the vehicle 10, making it easy to closely attach and fix to the lower part of the vehicle. The material may be a foam molding material or a fluid injection type using a molded air mat.

[0029] FIG. 5-2 illustrates the advantages of the buoyancy material 20 having an inverted frustum shape. As shown in FIG. 5-2(a), since the buoyancy material 20 has an inverted frustum shape, the watertight sheet body 1 can be in close contact with the buoyancy material 20 and the bottom surface of the vehicle 10 without any gaps. However, in the case of the frustum-shaped buoyancy material 25 as shown in FIG. 5-2(b), a gap (dead space 28) is formed between the watertight sheet body 1, the buoyancy material 25, and the bottom surface of the vehicle 10. Therefore, since the shape of the buoyancy material 20 is an inverted frustum as shown in FIG. 5-1, the watertight sheet body 1 can be securely fixed in close contact with the lower part of the vehicle. Also, the buoyancy acting on the vehicle 10 becomes stable.

[0030] Note that the vehicle 10 that negates buoyancy due to water pressure requires measures such as tying it to a strong support from the perspective of preventing outflow and drifting.

[0031] Finally, FIGS. 6 and 7 will be used to explain the sheet body 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the sheet body 1 is manufactured in the following manner (an example). (1) A double-folded portion is provided in parallel at the center in the short side direction of the sheet body 1 to form a pleat portion 3 ((a) - (b)). (2) A double-folded portion is provided in parallel at the center in the long side direction of the sheet body 1 to form a pleat portion 2 ((b) - (c)). Note that the order of (1) and (2) may be reversed. (3) The edge in the long side direction of the sheet body 1 is bent ((c)). (4) The edge in the short side direction of the sheet body 1 is bent ((d)). Note that the order of (3) and (4) may be reversed. (5) The flat sheet body 1 before use is completed ((e)).

[0032] The sheet body 1 (Fig. 7(a)) manufactured in Fig. 6 is arranged on the bottom side of a vehicle (not shown), and due to the air that escapes by hydraulic pressure, as shown in Fig. 7(b), the central portions of the intersecting fold portions 2 and 3 bulge and protrude in a cross shape. As a result, it is possible to bring the sheet body 1 into close contact with the bottom surface of the vehicle from the central portion while avoiding the tire (so that the tire does not become an obstacle), and the fixed position of the vehicle within the sheet body 1 becomes stable. In the "bellows-like surplus portion 30" of Cited Document 4, only linear protrusions in the longitudinal direction or the lateral direction can be formed (in a bellows, simultaneous expansion in two directions is impossible), and the fixed position of the vehicle within the waterproof cover is not stable (there is a risk that the vehicle may slide).

Industrial Applicability

[0033] The present invention has economy, versatility, and rapidity as countermeasures for preventing waterlogging damage to vehicles caused by increasingly severe floods and inundation, and can be widely used as a countermeasure for preventing waterlogging of vehicles.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0034] 1 Sheet body 2 Fold portion 21 Folded end portion of the sheet body (vehicle) in the longitudinal direction 22 Enlarged cross-sectional view of the sheet body (vehicle) in the longitudinal direction 3 Fold portion 31 Folded end portion of the sheet body (vehicle) in the lateral direction 32 Enlarged cross-sectional view of the sheet body (vehicle) in the lateral direction 4 Tire 5 Flat magnet for closely fixing and supporting the end portion of the sheet body 6 Fixed suspension belt for the end portion of the sheet body 10 Vehicle 11 Folding dimension of the sheet body (fold portion) 12 Ground surface 13 Inundation water level 20 Buoyancy material (inverted frustum) 25 Buoyancy material (frustum) 28 Gap (dead space)

Claims

1. A water ingress prevention sheet for a vehicle that covers the bottom of the vehicle and the bottom of the outer window with a sheet body to prevent water from ingressing into the vehicle, The water-proof sheet for a vehicle is characterized in that the sheet body has pleats (folds) that are folded in a protruding manner in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the vehicle.

2. 2. A water-proof sheet for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the sheet body has a buoyancy material disposed immediately below the center of gravity of the vehicle.

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