Water-proof sheet for vehicles

Abstract

To provide an inundation protection sheet for a vehicle capable of surely preventing inundation damage to the vehicle, excellent in economical efficiency and versatility, and easy and quick in installation work, in the inundation prevention sheet for the vehicle for wrapping up to a bottom portion of the vehicle and under an outer peripheral window.SOLUTION: A watertight sheet body 1 on which a tire 4 of a vehicle is mounted is subjected to processing of pleat parts 2 and 3 in a symmetrical projecting folded shape crossing in a cross shape to an approximately central portion in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, and is brought into close contact with a bottom portion of the vehicle 10 from the tire 4 of the vehicle 10 by rising water pressure, and is adapted to a flood water level, and suppresses inclination of the vehicle 10 up to a safe water level, and prevents inundation to the vehicle 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water-proof sheet for vehicles that prevents flooding or submersion of a vehicle by wrapping it around the bottom of the vehicle and below the outer windows when there is a risk of flooding or submersion due to flooding or inundation. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, Japan has been experiencing flooding and inundation damage beyond what was previously expected, with typhoons and heavy rains causing levee overflows and increased precipitation due to the rapid development of localized linear rain bands, all across the country. These floods have caused serious damage to vehicles that are flooded or submerged. Water damage to a vehicle can have a major impact on the interior, engine, electrical control system, etc., and repair costs are extremely high, resulting in the vehicle being scrapped in most cases. Therefore, there is a strong demand for technology to prevent water damage to vehicles. To date, the following have been invented as technology to prevent water damage to vehicles: Patent Documents 1 to 4.

[0003] Patent Document 1 proposes a submersion prevention structure for a vehicle in which a fluid is filled into a hollow wall portion, the outer periphery of which is surrounded to form a bag-like structure, and fixing means are provided on four sides. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 proposes a method in which, when the water level rises due to a flood or the like, a vehicle wrapped in a sheet will float up as the water level rises due to the buoyancy of the interior space, thereby reducing the damage caused by submersion. Furthermore, Patent Document 3 proposes a means for preventing a vehicle from being submerged in water by completely encasing the vehicle in a huge cylindrical sheet.

[0004] On the other hand, in Patent Document 4, a vehicle waterproof cover that covers the underside of a vehicle in a drawstring-like shape is configured so that when the vehicle is floating on water, the parts of each surface that are placed in water other than specified places are almost in close contact with the vehicle, and the parts of the bottom that correspond to the vehicle's wheels have enough space to allow the wheels to protrude downward, thereby functioning as a stabilizer and improving the stability of the vehicle when floating on water. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6548182 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-116480 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-248946 [Patent Document 4] Patent No. 6258015 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, as mentioned above, although Patent Document 1 provides excellent safety against flooding and drifting of vehicles, it requires a series of measures even when the flood water level during a flood is 30 to 40 cm above ground level. Therefore, there are issues with the economic efficiency and versatility of the system in terms of the installation locations being limited and the cost of installing the equipment before flood prevention measures can be implemented.

[0007] Similarly, in Patent Documents 2 and 3, as the water level rises, the vehicle is raised above the water to prevent flooding or submersion, but the uneven shape of the tires and the underside of the vehicle poses the risk of damage or breakage to the seat due to external water pressure. Furthermore, as the water level of the vehicle remains elevated over time, the center of gravity of the vehicle will cause the vehicle to tilt and sink, posing a risk of flooding.

[0008] Furthermore, in Patent Document 3, the opening is closed to seal air inside the cylindrical sheet, and the air has no place to escape. Therefore, when the water level rises, the cylindrical sheet expands, and the surface is damaged by bursts or drifting objects, which raises the risk of water seeping into the cylindrical sheet that encases the vehicle.

[0009] On the other hand, Patent Document 4 also describes that the portions of the bottom surface of the vehicle waterproof cover that correspond to the vehicle wheels are configured to have a margin that allows the wheels to protrude downward, specifically the "bellows-shaped margin 30" shown in Figure 9(A). However, this only allows for extension in one direction (the width direction of the vehicle in the illustration).

[0010] The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and is a water-proof sheet for vehicles that wraps the vehicle from the bottom to the periphery down to the bottom of the windows, preventing water from entering the vehicle as the flood water level rises.If the water level rises further, the sheet portion directly below the vehicle's center of gravity is equipped with buoyancy material to float the vehicle, preventing water from entering the interior, engine, electrical control system, etc. of the vehicle without tilting due to the weight of the vehicle itself until the water level reaches a safe level. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The first invention of the present application, which is in line with the above-mentioned objective, is a water-proof sheet for vehicles that encases the bottom of the vehicle and even below the outer windows with a sheet body to prevent water from entering the vehicle, and is characterized in that the sheet body has pleats (creases) that are folded in a protruding shape in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the vehicle. The second invention is a water-proof sheet for a vehicle that covers the bottom of the vehicle and the area below the outer window with a sheet body to prevent water from entering the vehicle, and the sheet body is or It is characterized by having pleats (creases) that are folded in a protruding shape in the short direction. The third invention is a water-proof sheet for vehicles according to the first or second invention, characterized in that the sheet body has a buoyancy material interposed in the area directly below the center of gravity of the vehicle.

[0012] Here, in the water-proof sheet for vehicles according to the first invention, the upper surface of the sheet body on which the vehicle is placed has a convex folded pleat portion located approximately in the center between the front and rear and left and right sides of the tire, and the sheet body is fixed to the ground surface at four points on the tire that bears the vehicle weight. On the other hand, in the water-proof sheet for vehicles according to the second invention, the upper surface of the sheet body on which the vehicle is placed has a pleated portion that is folded into a protruding shape so that it is positioned approximately in the center between the front and rear or left and right of the tires, wheels, caterpillars, etc., and the sheet body is fixed to the ground surface at four points / two points of the tires, wheels, etc.

[0013] In addition, the water-proof sheet for vehicles of the third invention is fixed to the contact surface at four points on the tire that bears the weight of the vehicle placed on it, and buoyancy material is interposed from the upper surface of the sheet body to the part directly below the center of gravity of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The vehicle water-blocking sheet of the present invention is folded in a crisscross pattern and is secured to the ground at four points on the tire, which bears the vehicle's weight. The four edges of the sheet, which have pleats approximately centered between the front and rear of the tire and the left and right, reach the vehicle's outer periphery, approximately below the window height. During floods and flooding, the water pressure flowing in from the outside of the sheet opens the pleats (the convexly folded portions). Furthermore, as the water level rises, the trapped air beneath the sheet is expelled through the outer pleats of the sheet, which reach below the window height. The sheet conforms first to the shape of the tire and then to the uneven shape of the vehicle's bottom, adhering tightly from the tire periphery to the vehicle bottom, preventing damage to the sheet and ensuring stability when the vehicle floats up. The pleats (protruding folded portions) are preferably folded in a cross shape, but may be in only one of the longitudinal or lateral directions of the vehicle. This is because the air trapped under the seat body can be discharged from the outer pleats of the seat body that reach the height below the vehicle window (this is an extremely excellent effect of the present invention that cannot be achieved with the "bellows-shaped extra portion 30" of Patent Document 4).

[0015] Furthermore, by using a sheet body with pleats that are processed to fold symmetrically in a convex shape along the center line of the longitudinal direction of the sheet body and enveloping it up to a height of about half the vehicle height, it can be expected to be effective as a measure to prevent flooding and submersion in crawler-type construction machinery, two-legged caterpillar-propelled vehicles such as agricultural machinery, electric trains and Shinkansen trains, etc.

[0016] The water-blocking sheet for a vehicle according to the present invention extends to below the outer window of the vehicle. Therefore, by providing a means for tightly fixing the seat with flat magnets on the four edges where it is fixed and suspended, it helps to fix the seat by hanging it with a belt. Also, when installing shock absorbers around the vehicle to prevent breakage or damage, it can be easily removed, allowing for quick installation of the seat.

[0017] The vehicle water-proof sheet of the present invention has multiple folds (pleats) that are folded in a protruding shape along the length of the vehicle, thereby wrapping around the bottom of the outer windows of multiple vehicles and providing fixing means such as cushioning material between the vehicles, so that a single vehicle water-proof sheet can be used to prevent water from entering multiple vehicles, making it possible to use it in a small space with excellent efficiency and economy.

[0018] It is preferable to use a watertight sheet for the vehicle water-blocking sheet according to the present invention. However, for example, agricultural greenhouse covering sheets or commercially available blue tarps, which ensure watertightness and long and short dimensions, can also be used as a substitute.

[0019] The water-proof sheet for vehicles of the present invention has a buoyancy material interposed from the upper surface of the sheet body to the part directly below the vehicle's center of gravity.This allows the sheet body and the buoyancy material to rise in close contact with each other due to the water pressure flowing in from the bottom of the sheet body, and when the water level rises further, the buoyancy material and the bottom of the vehicle are also tightly contacted, effectively transmitting buoyancy to the vehicle body.

[0020] The vehicle flood prevention sheet of the present invention can be used from the early stages of flooding and inundation to the stage when the water level rises, and can also prevent the vehicle from tilting towards its centre of gravity over time after it has surfaced.It can also be installed anywhere with a minimum number of personnel. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing the planar shape of a seat body and the position where the seat body is placed on a vehicle (including enlarged cross-sectional views of the seat body in each direction). [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are a side view and a front view of a vehicle when the vehicle water-blocking sheet is installed in the vehicle and when the sheet is completely installed. [Figure 3] These are side and front views of a vehicle with a water-blocking sheet installed, showing the initial stage of flooding and inundation. The water level reaches the height of the center of the tires. [Figure 4] This is a side view of a vehicle with a water-blocking sheet for vehicles floating due to flooding or submersion. [Figure 5-1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of a buoyancy material placed on a water-blocking sheet for a vehicle. [Figure 5-2] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of a buoyancy material placed on a water-blocking sheet for a vehicle. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram showing the manufacturing process of the sheet body and the flat state thereof before use. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram showing the raised state (three-dimensional state) of the sheet body during use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings to facilitate understanding of the present invention. 1 is a plan view of pleats 2 in a watertight sheet body 1, which are folded symmetrically in a convex shape about the center line in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, continuing from one end 21 to the other end 21. Also, to the right of the plan view, an enlarged view 22 of the end face of pleats 2 folded symmetrically in a convex shape about the center line in the longitudinal direction is shown. 1 is also a plan view of pleats 3 in the watertight sheet body 1, which are folded symmetrically in a convex shape about the center line in the lateral direction of the vehicle, continuing from one end 31 to the other end 31. Below the plan view, an enlarged view 32 of the end face of pleats 3 is shown, which are folded symmetrically in a convex shape about the center line in the lateral direction. Therefore, in FIG. 1, the pleats 2 and 3 are formed in a cross shape on the sheet body 1. FIG. 1 also shows a state in which a tire 4 is placed on the upper surface of the seat body 1 and a buoyancy material 20 is interposed immediately below the center of gravity of the vehicle 10.

[0023] The dimension 11 of the pleats 2 and 3, which are folded symmetrically about the center lines in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the sheet body 1, is set to be equal to or greater than the radius of the tire 4 of the vehicle 10. Although this dimension is somewhat larger, the sagging of the watertight sheet body 1 that bears water pressure acts on the safety side.

[0024] The upper diagram in Figure 2 shows the side of the vehicle 10 in which the watertight sheet body 1 is wrapped around the bottom of the vehicle 10 and below the outer windows, with both ends 31 of the pleats 3 reaching the height below the windows, tightly fixed in place by flat magnets 5, and suspended and supported by belts 6, completing the installation work. The lower diagram in Figure 2 shows the front of the vehicle 10, with the end 21 of the pleats 2 reaching the height below the window, being tightly fixed in place by the flat magnets 5, and being suspended and supported by the belts 6, completing the installation work. The belt 6 that hangs and secures the watertight sheet body 1 is adjustable in length and is equipped with a fastener (e.g., a clip) at the tip that holds and secures the sheet body 1, which reaches up to the height below the window. In addition, the flat magnets 5 tightly support (temporarily secure) the four edges of the sheet body 1, making the installation of the belt 6 easy. FIG. 2 is also a diagram showing the state in which a buoyancy material 20 is placed inside the watertight sheet body 1, directly below the center of gravity of the vehicle 10.

[0025] At the ends 21, 31 that reach below the window height, and at the front and rear, left and right sides and corners of the vehicle 10, cushioning material can be inserted between the belts 6 that hang and secure the ends of the watertight sheet body 1 to prevent collision damage when the body of the vehicle 10 floats away and damage to the vehicle body due to floating debris.

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a flooded water level 13 where the water level reaches the height of the center of the tire 4. Here, by forming pleats 2 that fold symmetrically in a convex shape around the center line in the longitudinal direction of the sheet body 1, and pleats 3 that fold symmetrically in a convex shape around the center line in the shorter direction (intersecting in a cross shape), the center of the shape that intersects in a cross shape and folds symmetrically in a convex shape around the continuous center line becomes a place where trapped air (escaped air) accumulates due to water pressure, and the air that accumulates in that accumulation place and the water pressure cause pleats 2 and 3 that fold in a convex shape to be released. The air enclosed in the internal space of the watertight sheet body 1 is discharged from the upper inside (vehicle side) of the ends 21, 31 of the upper watertight sheet body 1 as the water pressure increases. The air trapped outside the watertight sheet body 1 (under the sheet) is discharged to the outside of the sheet body 1 through either the pleats 2 (front and rear) or the pleats 3 (left and right).

[0027] FIG. 4 shows a flooded state 13 where the water level reaches the height of the top of the tires 4. The water-proof sheet for vehicles with buoyancy material 20 inserted therein floats due to the water pressure of the rising water level, with the watertight sheet body 1 and the buoyancy material 20 tightly attached to each other.Furthermore, the buoyancy material 20 is attached to the area directly below the center of gravity of the vehicle 10, transmitting buoyancy to the vehicle 10.The vehicle remains in a floated state, and tilting of the vehicle 10 toward the center of gravity is suppressed until the water level reaches a safe level.

[0028] Figure 5-1 shows an example of the buoyancy material 20 shaped like an inverted truncated pyramid, such as an inverted truncated square pyramid or an inverted truncated cone. This allows the buoyancy material 20 to rise directly below the center of gravity of the vehicle 10 due to the water pressure rising from the outside (bottom) of the watertight sheet body 1, making it easy to securely attach it to the bottom of the vehicle. The material may be a foam molding material or a molded air mat that can be injected with fluid.

[0029] FIG. 5-2 illustrates the advantages of the buoyancy material 20 having an inverted frustum shape. As shown in FIG. 5-2(a), the buoyancy material 20 has an inverted frustum shape, so that the watertight sheet body 1 can be tightly attached to the buoyancy material 20 and the bottom surface of the vehicle 10 without any gaps. However, if the buoyancy material 25 has a frustum shape as shown in FIG. 5-2(b), a gap (dead space 28) will be created between the watertight sheet body 1 and the buoyancy material 25 and the bottom surface of the vehicle 10. Therefore, by forming the buoyancy material 20 in the shape of an inverted frustum as shown in Fig. 5-1, the watertight sheet body 1 can be securely fixed to the underside of the vehicle, and the buoyancy force generated thereby on the vehicle 10 can be stabilized.

[0030] In addition, the vehicle 10, which is buoyant due to water pressure, requires measures such as fastening it to a sturdy support to prevent it from drifting away.

[0031] Finally, the sheet member 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 6, the sheet member 1 is produced in the following manner (one example). (1) Two parallel folded portions are provided in the center of the sheet body 1 in the width direction to form pleats 3 ((a) to (b)). (2) Two parallel folded portions are provided in the longitudinal center of the sheet body 1 to form the pleats 2 ((b) to (c)). The order of (1) and (2) may be reversed. (3) The longitudinal edges of the sheet body 1 are folded ((c)). (4) The edges of the sheet body 1 in the shorter direction are folded ((d)). Note that the order of (3) and (4) may be reversed. (5) The sheet body 1 is completed in a flat state before use ((e)).

[0032] The sheet body 1 (FIG. 7(a)) manufactured as shown in FIG. 6 is placed on the underside of a vehicle (not shown), and the air released by the water pressure causes the intersecting pleats 2 and 3 to rise at their central portions, forming a cross-shaped protrusion, as shown in FIG. 7(b). This allows the sheet body 1 to be tightly attached to the underside of the vehicle from its central portion, avoiding the tires (without the tires becoming an obstacle), and the fixed position of the vehicle within the sheet body 1 is stabilized. Note that the "accordion-shaped margin 30" in Cited Document 4 can only form linear protrusions in the vertical or horizontal direction (accordion cannot stretch in two directions at the same time), and the fixed position of the vehicle within the waterproof cover is unstable (there is a risk of the vehicle sliding). [Industrial Applicability]

[0033] The present invention is economical, versatile, and quick to implement as a measure to prevent water damage to vehicles caused by floods and inundation, which are becoming increasingly serious, and can be widely used as a measure to prevent water from entering vehicles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1 sheet body 2 folds 21 Seat body (vehicle) longitudinal folding end 22 Enlarged longitudinal cross section of seat body (vehicle) 3 folds 31 Seat body (vehicle) short-side folding end 32 Seat body (vehicle) short-side cross section enlarged view 4 tires 5 Flat magnet for supporting the end of the sheet body 6. Seat end fixing suspension belt 10 vehicles 11. Sheet (pleated) folding dimensions 12 Ground surface 13 Flooding level 20 Buoyancy material (inverted frustum) 25 Buoyant material (frustum) 28 Gap (dead space)

Claims

1. A water-proof sheet for a vehicle that covers the bottom of the vehicle and the area below the outer windows with a sheet body to prevent water from entering the vehicle, The sheet body is a water-proof sheet for a vehicle, characterized in that it has pleats (creases) that are folded in a convex shape so that the left and right ends are Z-shaped symmetrically about the center line of the vehicle's longitudinal direction and the top surface remains flat to fit closely to the bottom of the vehicle.

2. A water-proof sheet for a vehicle that covers the bottom of the vehicle and the area below the outer windows with a sheet body to prevent water from entering the vehicle, The sheet body is a water-proof sheet for vehicles, characterized in that the pleats (creases) are folded convexly so that both ends form a Z shape symmetrically about the longitudinal center line of the vehicle, and extend up to the height below the vehicle's windows.

3. A water-proof sheet for vehicles as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has multiple pleats (creases).

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