Emergency Window Release Handle for Low-Force Manual Escape
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency escape window solutions for vehicles, particularly those adapted for large vehicles, rely on battery-powered controls and may fail in situations like underwater emergencies, where manual operation is needed but is hindered by the difficulty in breaking laminated or plastic windows.
Innovation Solution
A non-openable window with an emergency release mechanism featuring a handle that rotates about an axis parallel to the window's bottom edge, providing leverage for downward and outward movement, and frangible fasteners for quick release, ensuring the window can be opened with reduced force during emergencies while securely attached during normal operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the window is made of laminated glass or plastic to improve strength and security, then the window becomes more difficult to break, but in emergency situations the occupant cannot easily break the glass to escape
Solution Approach 1:
The window assembly is segmented into the window pane itself and a separate release mechanism. The frangible fasteners are positioned at the periphery rather than requiring breakage of the entire window pane, allowing the strong laminated glass to maintain its structural integrity while providing a separate, easier-to-activate escape path through the fastener release mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible fasteners act as an intermediary element between the window and its frame. These fasteners are specifically designed to break or release under certain conditions (emergency), providing a controlled failure mode that allows escape without requiring the occupant to break the strong laminated glass directly
2Extent of automation
If electromagnetic actuators with battery-powered control are used to release the window, then automated window release is achieved, but the system fails in situations like underwater emergencies where battery power is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism is designed to be manually operable without requiring any external power source. The handle and linkage system allows the occupant to directly actuate the release mechanism through mechanical input, making the system self-sufficient and independent of battery-powered controls that may fail in underwater or other emergency situations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic actuation system with a purely mechanical release mechanism. The handle, linkage, and frangible fasteners work together through direct mechanical action, eliminating dependence on electrical systems and batteries while maintaining reliable emergency release functionality
3Device complexity
If the handle is attached close to the axis of rotation to simplify the mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but the leverage required to open the window increases the force needed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the attachment point along the radial dimension (which would increase force requirements), the invention extends the handle in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, creating leverage through dimensional extension. This orthogonal extension allows the force applied at the handle end to be effectively transmitted to the fastener release point through the extended lever arm
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
Facilitates easy and safe emergency escape by reducing the force required to open the window, ensuring secure attachment during normal conditions and enabling quick release in emergency situations, such as underwater scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
the upper end of the window is arranged to be mounted to the frame along an upper edge by means of the frangible fasteners arranged to be broken by downwards movement of the window
Implementation Method 2
The offset between the axis of rotation of the handle and the point of attachment with the window provides leverage to reduce the force required to open the window
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
An emergency release mechanism for a non-openable window (1) arranged in a frame (2), the release mechanism comprising a handle (3) having a first end releasably attachable to a lower end of the window, wherein the handle is arranged to be attached to the frame and to be rotated about an axis of rotation which is substantially parallel to a bottom edge of the window, wherein the point of attachment between the handle and the window is offset from the axis of rotation of the handle such that an upwards rotation of the handle causes a substantially concomitant downward and outward movement of the window in relation to the frame.