PH12017000325A1

PH12017000325A1 - Multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin and escape method

Info

Publication number: PH12017000325A1
Application number: PH12017000325A
Authority: PH
Inventors: Yoshinaga Toyohiro
Original assignee: Galaxy Tech Hk Limited
Priority date: 2017-07-25
Filing date: 2017-11-16
Publication date: 2019-02-18
Also published as: CN107364398A; CN107364398B

Abstract

A multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin and an escape method using the same. The multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin includes a base and an upper cover connected with the base in a sealed detachable way or using a sealed hinge. The upper cover is provided with a detachable sealed cover element which, when opened, forms an empty compartment for accommodating a human body. The base has a control circuit including a power supply module, a microcontroller connected to the power supply module, and a signal input terminal and a signal output terminal connected to the microcontroller, with the signal input terminal including a humidity sensor, a manual button and a wireless communication module wirelessly connected with an external control terminal, and the signal output terminal including an electronically controlled lock. The luggage bin can be taken off and used as a boat or escape tool.

Description

base to indicate the work status). -

[0033] To provide a support structure for the luggage bin to move on the = ground, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the deceleration motor 121 is further ro connected with a support pendulum 13 (at a different horizontal position from Co the locking slider 29) in a transmissible way. The outer end of the support pendulum 13 is provided with a roller 131. When the electronically controlled - lock 12 is in the unlock state, the roller 131 is at a lower position and protrudes BH from the electronically controlled lock 12 to support the luggage bin (as shown i in FIG. 2B). When the electronically controlled lock 12 is in the lock state, the os roller 131 is at a higher position in the stored state (as shown in FIG. 2A). To - provide space for the support pendulum 13, the cross bar 30 is formed with a 0 cross bar notch 31, the base 10 is formed with a base notch 100 » and the - height of the locking slider is increased. When the luggage bin is taken off from the vehicle roof, to provide maximum space for the locking slider, the support pendulum rotates with the eccentric wheel to a rear position. When the luggage bin is taken out from the locking slider on the cross bar, the support pendulum is driven by the deceleration motor to resume the downward position.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the invention, the cover element includes two upward revolving boards 21 (as shown in FIG. 4). The two : upward revolving boards 21 form a protruding V shape. One end of each of the two upward revolving boards 21 is connected to the upper board 20 through a hinge. The outer ends of the two upward revolving boards 21 have a sealed connection by mutual fitting.

[0035] According to another embodiment of the invention, the cover element can include a plurality of foldable boards 22 retractable in the forward- backward direction (as shown in FIG. 3). Both sides of the foldable boards 22 are connected with the upper cover 20 via magnetic sealing. Each two adjacent foldable boards 22 are provided with magnetic disks of opposite magnetic polarities. The upper board has a magnetic board at the place adjacent to the foldable boards so as to connect magnetically. Rubber or plastic plates are used between the foldable boards to have soft connections.

[0036] When the luggage bin is used as a boat, it requires power. Therefore, a fixing base 17 for the installation of a marine external propeller 90 is provided at the tail of the base 10. The fixing base 17 is rotatably connected to the base - 10, with a maximum rotation angle of 90 degrees. The bottom of the tail of the = base 10 is formed with a bottom groove 101 for accommodating the marine " external propeller 90. FIG. 5 shows the stored state, while FIG. 6 shows the = expanded state. The marine external propeller 90 includes a motor case 91 ol (using an internal combustion structure or an electric motor structure) and a = transmission pipe 92 fixed and connected to the motor case 91. The other end - of the transmission pipe 92 is connected with a set of blades 93 connected with 0 the motor case 91 in a transmissible way. Inside the transmission pipe 92 is - provided with a transmission axle or belt. The other side of the motor case 91 = has an operating handle 94. The operating handle 94 and the transmission pipe 0 92 subtends an angle between 70 and 110 degrees. This is convenient for a user’s operations and for the convenience of storage as well.

[0037] The marine external propeller can be an electric propeller or an internal combustion propeller. The signal output terminal connected with the microcontroller further includes a propeller starter circuit 96 for the electric propeller or the internal combustion propeller. In order to be trackable on the surface of water, an embodiment of the invention further has a satellite positioning module 26.

[0038] In another embodiment of the invention, the front end, rear end, left side and right side of the base are provided with at least one telescopic cavity, respectively. The telescopic cavity is an airbag, and the inner wall thereof is provided with a foldable support. By providing an air generating device within each of the airbags, one can quickly inflate the airbags with air, thereby increasing the water displacement of the base and the buoyancy thereof.

[0039] The invention also provides an escape method using a vehicle roof luggage bin. The method utilizes the above-mentioned multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin. When the vehicle falls into water and the water level has not reached the vehicle roof, the driver operates a mobile phone to connect with the wireless communication module and to send a control command to the microcontroller. Alternatively, when the vehicle falls into the water and the water level has reached the vehicle roof, the humidity sensor transmits a signal to the microcontroller. After receiving the signal, the microcontroller outputs a control signal to the electronically controlled lock at the vehicle roof. The electronically controlled lock then executes an unlock procedure to separate the ~ luggage bin from the vehicle roof. o

[0040] To help people inside the vehicle to break the windows thereof, the - electronically controlled lock near a side window is further provided with a - window breaker. The outer end of the window breaker has a sharp and hard = part for breaking the side window glass. When the electrically controlled lock = executes the unlock procedure, it first initiates the window breaker to break the - side window glass and then separates the luggage bin from the roof. That is, iy this mechanism is achieved with the rotational power. This can simplify the rr structure and minimize the overall volume. =

[0041] To provide a larger buoyant force, the four sides of the luggage bin can . be provided respectively with a pop-up airbag and an air generating device (that can quickly generate air to inflate the airbag) within each of the pop-up airbags. When the vehicle falls into water, the microcontroller concurrently outputs a control signal to the air generating devices, activating the four pop-up airbags in sequence. Under the buoyancy of the airbags, the vehicle is tilted or inverted and floating on the surface of the water.

[0042] In summary, the disclosed multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin has a cavity to accommodate a human body and adopts an electrically controlled lock so that the vehicle owner can take the luggage bin off actively and use it as a simple boat. Thus, the vehicle roof luggage bin becomes a leisure tool for marine activities with entertainment features. It thus brings the owner more convenience and practicality. In the event of falling into water, the user can also use the luggage bin as a life-saving tool. The vehicle roof luggage bin thus has multi-functions for the convenience of the vehicle owner. The tail of the base can also be equipped with a marine external propeller and its storage space. When mounted on the vehicle roof, the invention is a luggage bin, with the marine external propeller being stored. When the disclosed vehicle roof luggage bin is taken off as a boat, the marine external propeller can be opened by rotating 90 degrees. As a result, the marine external propeller and the base of the luggage bin change from the parallel state to a vertical state, turning the luggage bin into a motorized boat. This expands the functions of the simple boat.

[0043] While the invention is described in some detail hereinbelow with reference to certain illustrated embodiments, it is to be understood that there is 5 no intent to limit it to those embodiments.

On the contrary, the aim is to cover wo all modifications, alternatives and equivalents falling within the spirit and = scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. “nd

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL VEHICLE ROOF LUGGAGE BIN AND =

ESCAPE METHOD = [

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This present invention claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application -

No. CN201710614065.9, filed on July 25, 2017; the contents of which are Le hereby incorporated by reference. 1

FIELD OF THE INVENTION -

[0002] The invention relates to a luggage bin structure and, in particular, to a - multi-functional luggage bin on a vehicle roof, and an escape method using the = same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] As vehicles become popular, more families own their own cars for transportation. Due to the limited space within the vehicle, its owner often uses a roof luggage bin as a way to expand the capacity thereof. Currently roof luggage bins (or roof luggage compartments) are fixed on the vehicle roof using roof racks. In addition to storing items, there is no other function. With a vehicle, the radius of the owner’ s life has a tremendous change, with a lot of opportunities to travel around during the weekend. Sometimes, the user may travel to a place near water, such as a riverside or a seashore. In this case, the owner may need equipment for activities on the water or fishing, or even a simple boat. All such things will increase the owner’ s costs, and take up a lot of space.

[0004] Besides, there is a possibility that the vehicle may fall into the water. In this case, if the vehicle owner cannot swim, it can be very dangerous if the vehicle is not equipped with escape tools.

[0005]In view of the foregoing, it is necessary to further advance the technology of vehicle roof luggage bins in order to meet the needs of the majority of vehicle users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006]1t is an objective of the invention to provide a multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin and an escape method using the same. ~

[0007]In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the invention adopts = the following technical means: >

[0008] A multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin comprises a base and an ” upper cover connected to the base in a sealed detachable way or using a sealed B hinge. The upper cover is provided with a detachable sealed cover element. 5

When the cover element is opened, it becomes an empty compartment that can . accommodate a human body. The base has a control circuit, which includes a power supply module, a microcontroller connected to the power supply module, = and a signal input terminal and a signal output terminal connected to the & microcontroller. The signal input terminal includes a humidity sensor provided on at the bottom of the base, a manual button and a wireless communication module. The wireless communication module is wirelessly connected with an external control terminal. The signal output terminal comprises an electronically controlled lock disposed at the bottom of the luggage bin.

[0009] More explicitly, the cover element consists of two upward revolving boards or a plurality of foldable boards retractable in the forward-backward direction. The two upward revolving boards form a V shape protruding upward. One end of each of the foldable boards is connected with the hinge of the upper cover. The two sides of the plurality of foldable boards are magnetically sealed with the upper cover. Each two adjacent foldable boards are provided with magnetic disks of opposite polarities. A magnetic board is provided on the upper board at the place adjacent to the foldable boards.

[0010] The invention is further characterized in that the tail of the base is provided with a fixing base for fixing a marine external propeller. The fixing base is rotatably connected to the base, with a rotation angle of 90 degrees.

The bottom of the tail of the base is provided with a bottom groove for accommodating the marine external propeller.

[0011]Moreover, the propeller is an electric propeller or an internal combustion propeller. The signal output terminal further includes a propeller driver circuit for the electric propeller or a propeller starter circuit for the internal combustion propeller.

[0012] Furthermore, the bottom of the base is provided with a cross bar which is fixed horizontally to the vehicle roof. The cross bar is provided with a = locking slider which moves forward and backward. The bottom of the luggage o bin is provided with a locking groove having a restoring spring on the inner 2 side thereof. The electronically controlled lock includes a deceleration motor = and an eccentric wheel connected with the motor in a transmissible way. The on outer circumference of the eccentric wheel engages against the rear end of the iy locking slider. When the electronically controlled lock receives a locking Hw signal, the deceleration motor drives the eccentric wheel to rotate, so that it 0 pushes the locking slider forward into the locking groove, locking the luggage ~ bin onto the vehicle. When the electronically controlled lock receives an oo unlocking signal, the deceleration motor drives the eccentric wheel to rotate so = that it moves backward. The locking slider moves backward under the force of Hr the restoring spring, departing from the locking groove to separate the luggage bin from the vehicle.

[0013]Moreover, the deceleration motor is also connected with a support pendulum in a transmissible way. The outer end of the support pendulum is provided with a roller. When the electronically controlled lock is in the unlock state, the roller is at a lower position and protrudes from the electronically controlled lock to support the luggage bin. When the electronically controlled lock is in the lock state, the roller is at a higher position in the stored state.

[0014]An embodiment of the invention has four of the electronically controlled locks.

[0015]In another embodiment of the invention, the front end, rear end, left side and right side of the base are provided with at least one telescopic cavity, respectively. The telescopic cavity is an airbag, and the inner wall thereof is provided with a foldable support.

[0016] An escape method using a vehicle roof luggage bin uses the above- mentioned multi-functional roof luggage bin. When the vehicle falls into water and the water level has not reached the roof thereof, the driver operates a mobile phone to connect to the wireless communication module, sends a control command to the microcontroller. Alternatively, when the vehicle falls into water and the water level has reached the roof thereof, the humidity sensor sends a signal to the microcontroller. After receiving the signal, the microcontroller outputs a control signal to the electronically controlled lock. -

The electronically controlled lock then performs an unlock procedure to = separate the luggage bin from the roof. oO

[0017] More explicitly, the electrically controlled lock near the side window of ol the vehicle is further provided with a window breaker, whose outer end has a sharp and hard part for breaking the side window glass. When the electrically ol controlled lock executes the unlock procedure, it first initiates the window - breaker to break the side window glass, and then separates the luggage bin hy from the roof’ and/or £7

[0018] the four sides of the luggage bin are provided respectively with a pop-up > airbag and an air generating device within each of the pop-up airbags. When 2 the vehicle falls into water, the microcontroller concurrently outputs a control signal to the air generating devices, activating the four pop-up airbags in sequence. Under the buoyancy of the airbags, the vehicle is tilted or inverted and floating on the surface of the water.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the invention has the advantages that the disclosed multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin has a cavity to accommodate a human body and that it adopts an electrically controlled lock so that the vehicle owner can take the luggage bin off actively and use it as a simple boat. Thus, the vehicle roof luggage bin becomes a leisure tool for marine activities with entertainment features. It thus brings the owner more convenience and practicality. In the event of falling into water, the user can also use the luggage bin as a life-saving tool. The vehicle roof luggage bin thus has multi-functions for the convenience of the vehicle owner. The tail of the base can also be equipped with a marine external propeller and its storage space. When mounted on the vehicle roof, the invention is a luggage bin, with the marine external propeller being stored. When the disclosed vehicle roof luggage bin is taken off as a boat, the marine external propeller can be opened by rotating 90 degrees. As a result, the marine external propeller and the base of the luggage bin change from the parallel state to a vertical state, turning the luggage bin into a motorized boat. This expands the functions of the simple boat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ~

[0020]FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the structure mounting the disclosed = multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin on top of a vehicle; re

[0021]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin of FIG. 1 and a locally enlarged view;

[0022]FIG. 2A is a locally enlarged view of using a support pendulum in the embodiment of FIG. 1 (the stored state); ol

[0023]FIG. 2B is a locally enlarged view of using a support pendulum in the oo embodiment of FIG. 1 (the released state); -

[0024]FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing the structure of the disclosed o multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin using a plurality of foldable boards;

[0025]FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the local structure of the disclosed multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin using two upward revolving boards (in the forward-backward direction);

[0026]FIG. S is a schematic view of the disclosed multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin that has a marine external propeller in the stored state;

[0027]FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the disclosed multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin that has a marine external propeller in the expanded state;

[0028]FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the circuit used in the embodiment of FIGS. and 6; and

[0029]FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the circuit used in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] The aforementioned and other objectives and advantages of this disclosure will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of this invention described in connection with the drawings.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, the disclosed multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin S is fixed to the top of a vehicle B, including a base 10 and an upper cover 20 connected to the base 10 in a sealed detachable way or using a sealed hinge. The upper cover 20 is provided with a detachable sealed cover element. When the cover element is opened, it becomes an empty ~ compartment that can accommodate a human body. That is, when the luggage o bin is taken off, it can be placed in water as a boat. The base 10 has a control circuit 11, which includes a power supply module 111, a microcontroller 112 = connected to the power supply module 111, and a signal input terminal and a “od signal output terminal connected to the microcontroller 112. The signal input oo terminal includes a humidity sensor 113 provided at the bottom of the base 10, = a manual button 114 on a control panel of the upper cover or the base, and a wireless communication module 115. The wireless communication module ~ 115 is wirelessly connected with an external control terminal. The signal o output terminal comprises an electronically controlled lock 12 disposed at the = bottom of the luggage bin. The external control terminal is usually the mobile He phone of the driver or some smart device such as a smart bracelet or tablet computer. The bottom of the base 10 is provided with a cross bar 30 fixed horizontally on top of the vehicle. The cross bar 30 has a locking slider 29 that can move forward and backward. The bottom of the luggage bin has a locking groove 19 having a restoring spring 191 on the inner side thereof. The electronically controlled lock 12 includes a deceleration motor 121 and an eccentric wheel 122 connected with the deceleration motor (121 in a transmissible way. Both of them are fixed on a fastening base 28. The outer circumference of the eccentric wheel 122 engages against the rear end of the locking slider 29. When the electronically controlled lock 12 receives a locking signal, the deceleration motor 121 drives the eccentric wheel 122 to rotate, so that the eccentric wheel 122 pushes the locking slider 29 forward into the locking groove 19, locking the luggage bin onto the vehicle. When the electronically controlled lock 12 receives an unlocking signal, the deceleration motor 121 drives the eccentric wheel 122 to rotate so that it moves backward.

The locking slider 29 moves backward under the force of the restoring spring 191, departing from the locking groove 19 to separate the luggage bin from the vehicle.

[0032] A preferred embodiment of the invention has four of the electronically controlled locks. In FIG. 8, the embodiment further has a speaker 119 (for providing an audio alarm or playing voices) connected to the microcontroller 112 and an indicator 118 (disposed on the surface of the upper cover or the

Claims

ee ——————— I — What is Claimed is: i.

1. A multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin comprising a base and an upper i» cover connected with the base in a sealed detachable way or using a sealed = hinge, wherein the upper cover is provided with a detachable sealed cover Ny element which, when opened, forms an empty compartment for - accommodating a human body; and the base has a control circuit including Wo a power supply module, a microcontroller connected to the power supply LAT module, and a signal input terminal and a signal output terminal connected to the microcontroller, with the signal input terminal including a humidity = sensor provided at the bottom of the base, a manual button and a wireless a communication module wirelessly connected with an external control - terminal, and the signal output terminal including an electronically controlled lock disposed at the bottom of the luggage bin.

2. The multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin of claim 1 with the cover element including two upward revolving boards or a plurality of foldable boards retractable in the forward-backward direction; wherein the two upward revolving boards form a protruding B shape and one end of each of the two upward revolving boards is connected to the upper cover using a hinge, respectively; and both sides of the foldable boards are connected to the upper cover with a magnetic seal, respectively, each two adjacent foldable boards are provided with magnetic disks of opposite magnetic polarities, and the upper cover has a magnetic board at the place adjacent to the foldable boards.

3. The multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin of claim 1, wherein the tail of the base is formed with a fixing base for fixing a marine external propeller; the fixing base and the base are connected in a rotatable way, with a rotation angle of 90 degrees; and the lower part at the tail of the base is provided with a bottom groove for accommodating the marine external propeller.

4. The multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin of claim 3, wherein the propeller is an electric propeller or an internal combustion propeller, and the signal output terminal further correspondingly includes a propeller driver circuit for the electric propeller or a propeller starter circuit for the internal combustion propeller.

5. The multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin of claim 4, wherein the - bottom of the base is provided with a cross bar fixed horizontally on the = vehicle roof and having a locking slider movable in the forward and Ny backward direction; the bottom of the luggage bin is provided with a fixing = groove having a restoring spring on the inner side thereof; the electronically - controlled lock includes a deceleration motor and an eccentric wheel connected to the deceleration motor in a transmissible way; and the outer w circumference of the eccentric wheel engages against the rear end of the Wr locking slider, so that the deceleration motor drives the eccentric wheel to rotate to push the locking slider forward and into the fixing groove when = the electronically controlled lock receives a locking signal, and drives the o eccentric wheel to move backward for the locking slider to move backward - under the force of the restoring spring and depart from the fixing groove, separating the luggage bin from the vehicle.

6. The multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin of claim 5, wherein the deceleration motor is further connected with a support pendulum in a transmissible way, the outer end of the support pendulum is provided with a roller; and the roller is in a lower position and protrudes from the electronically controlled lock to support the luggage bin when the electronically controlled lock is in an unlock state, and the roller is in a higher position to be stored when the electronically controlled lock is in a lock state.

7. The multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin of claim 6 having four of the electronically controlled locks.

8. The multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin of claim 1, wherein the front end, the rear end, the left side, and the right side of the base are provided respectively with a retractable cavity; and the retractable cavity is an airbag whose inner wall is provided with a foldable support.

9. An escape method using the multi-functional vehicle roof luggage bin of claim 1, wherein when the vehicle falls into water and the water level has not reached the vehicle roof, the driver operates a mobile phone to connect with the wireless communication module and to send a control command to the microcontroller; when the vehicle falls into the water and the water level has reached the vehicle roof, the humidity sensor transmits a signal to the microcontroller; after receiving the signal, the microcontroller outputs a ~ control signal to the electronically controlled lock at the vehicle roof, and = the electronically controlled lock executes an unlock procedure to separate the luggage bin from the vehicle roof. =

10. The escape method of claim 9, wherein the electronically controlled lock - near a vehicle side window is further provided with a window breaker - whose outer end is provided with a sharp and hard part for breaking the side EB window glass; during the unlock procedure, the electronically controlled 0 lock initiates the window breaker to break the side window glass and - separates the luggage bin from the vehicle roof; and/or the four sides of the > luggage bin are provided respectively with a pop-up airbag and an air = generating device within the pop-up airbag; and the microcontroller “ concurrently sends a control signal to the air generating devices to inflate the four pop-up airbags in sequence when the vehicle falls into water, so that the vehicle is tilted or inverted and floating on the surface of water under the buoyant force of the pop-up airbags.