Emergency Escape Apparatus with Automatic Unlocking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In building emergencies, such as fires, existing emergency exit mechanisms can be obstructed by locks or lack of external stairs, delaying escape due to unavailability of escape routes through stairs or elevators.
Innovation Solution
An emergency escape apparatus with a support frame, escape door, driving unit, and unlocking device that automatically releases the coupling between the escape door and support frame upon detection of a fire event, using a rotating piece with a cam and power transmission unit to push unlocking rods and latching rods, allowing quick access to an exit opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the emergency exit is locked to prevent intrusion, then security is improved, but escape time is delayed in case of fire
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic unlocked state upon detection of fire. The driving unit rotates the unlocking device, causing latching rods to move between engaged and disengaged positions, dynamically changing the door's locking state based on emergency conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical locking system is replaced with an automated electromechanical system. A driving unit powered by a motor (electrical energy) operates the unlocking device, which uses link assemblies and springs to mechanically actuate the latching rods, substituting human intervention with an automated control system.
2Device complexity
If a manual unlocking mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but escape speed is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of fire conditions through sensors before triggering the unlocking mechanism. The driving unit is pre-positioned and the latching rods are held in ready states, so that upon fire detection, the unlocking action can occur immediately without delay for manual operation or complex sequencing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is self-activating upon detection of fire conditions. The control unit automatically triggers the driving unit to rotate and unlock the door without requiring manual intervention. The spring-loaded latching mechanism provides self-contained mechanical action to move the rods upon rotation of the unlocking device.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid and safe escape from a building by automatically unlocking the emergency exit door when a fire is detected, ensuring people can exit through an alternative route even if primary escape routes are inaccessible.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring that connects the escape door and the first link assembly to each other... a second spring that connects the escape door and the second link assembly to each other
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency escape apparatus includes a support frame that is configured to be installed on a door or a wall and that defines an exit opening, an escape door that is located at an inner side of the exit opening and configured to open and close the exit opening and that defines an accommodation space, a driving unit located in the accommodation space and configured to rotate relative to the escape door, and an unlocking device that is located in the accommodation space, that is configured to be pushed by the driving unit, and that is configured to release coupling between the escape door and the support frame based on rotation of the driving unit. The driving unit is configured to be controlled by a control unit based on a sensor detecting an event.