WO2016102115A1

WO2016102115A1 - Automatic window-breaking system and transportation facility having the same

Info

Publication number: WO2016102115A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/076566
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yang TONG
Original assignee: Continental Automotive Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-12-22
Filing date: 2015-11-13
Publication date: 2016-06-30
Also published as: CN104590192A; CN104590192B; DE112015000927T5

Abstract

The automatic window breaking system comprises an electrically connected detection unit (10), a control unit (20) and an execution unit (30). The detection unit comprises an acceleration sensor (11), a smoke and temperature fire sensor (12) and a water sensor (13), each electrically connected with the control unit (20). The control unit comprises an algorithm control and drive circuit (21) to process data from the detection unit and judge whether initiating conditions are met. The execution module comprises an electrically connected airbag controller (31) and electrically initiated window breakers (32). The airbag controller sends current signals to control operation of the electrically initiated window breakers according to the outcome of the assessment whether the initiating conditions are met by the control unit (20). The invention can realize automatic window breaking in emergencies such as collision, fire and flood, thus increasing the chances for drivers and passengers to escape in emergencies.

Description

Specification

AUTOMATIC WINDOW-BREAKING SYSTEM AND TRANSPORTATION

FACILITY HAVING THE SAME

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to body control technology, in particular to an automatic window breaking system and a transportation facility having the same.

Description of the Related Art

With the development of the transportation industry, we are attaching more and more importance to traffic safety. Thus the safety of transportation facilities has become an important consideration in the design process. Small cars, buses, and large transportation facilities such as trains and ships will involve many lives in case of accidents. Taking cars for example, in order to improve the safety performance of vehicles, many manufacturers have invested huge sums in the supporting safety equipment of vehicles, but traditional supporting safety equipment only addresses the performance of cars themselves in collision accidents. Therefore, when vehicles fall in ponds or spontaneous combustion occurs, it is generally difficult for people to open car doors and windows due to water pressure, pain or panic, and then miss the best time to be rescued. In this case, the traditional supporting safety equipment does not have any effect.

In major accidents such as spontaneous combustion of buses and flooding of vehicles due to accumulated storm water in recent years, many people have been killed as they were trapped in the vehicles and could not get out quickly. Travel safety has increasingly become the greatest concern of passengers and drivers. In case of emergencies in cars, how to escape quickly from the cars in a relatively closed state is of particular importance. Delayed measures or lack of necessary self-help measures could threaten the life and property safety of drivers and passengers. To this end, most drivers and passengers as well as manufacturers would currently consider breaking glass walls or glass windows in emergencies to form temporary evacuation and escape passages so as to effectively reduce casualties, which is one of the most effective measures to avoid major and extraordinarily serious accidents with high casualties.

Glass breakers widely used at present are mostly manual hammers, but use of manual hammers needs some skills, as a result, glass cannot be reliably broken in a short period of time in case of improper use, for example, hammers cannot be used to break windows due to injury or space problem. Based on this, a new electromagnetic or initiating window breaker has emerged recently, but such an electromagnetic or initiating window breaker requires a separate electronic controller, thus the cost is relatively high. In addition, such an electromagnetic or initiating window breaker is designed only for fire or flood, and cannot be used in case of vehicle collision accidents.

Summary of the Invention

The main purpose of the invention is to provide an automatic window breaking system capable of realizing automatic window breaking in emergencies such as collision, fire and flood, and improving the passive safety system function of transportation facilities. Another purpose of the invention is to provide a transportation facility having the automatic window breaking system.

According to one aspect of the invention, an automatic window breaking system is provided. The automatic window breaking system comprises an electrically connected detection unit, a control unit and an execution unit. The detection unit comprises an acceleration sensor, a smoke and temperature fire sensor and a water sensor, each electrically connected with the control unit. The control unit comprises an algorithm control and drive circuit to process data from the detection unit and judge whether initiating conditions are met. The execution module comprises an electrically connected airbag controller and electrically initiated window breakers. The airbag controller sends current signals to control operation of the electrically initiated window breakers according to the outcome of the assessment whether the initiating conditions are met from the control unit.

As an optional implementation solution, the detection unit, the control unit and the execution unit are connected by CAN, LIN or wire lines.

As an optional implementation solution, the detection unit also comprises a manual switch, and the control unit is connected with the manual switch and judges whether initiating conditions are met according to the state of the manual switch.

As an optional implementation solution, the control unit is, for example, a vehicular electric control unit.

As an optional implementation solution, one or more smoke and temperature fire sensor(s) are provided, and one or more water sensor(s) are provided.

As an optional implementation solution, multiple electrically initiated window breakers are provided and correspondingly installed on the glass of different windows; the execution module further comprises a seat belt pretensioning controller, and the control unit sends a seat belt pretensioning instruction to the seat belt pretensioning controller in the case of collision; the position of a locked seat belt is judged by the seat belt pretensioning controller, and then the airbag controller sends current signals to the electrically initiated window breaker adjacent to the position according to the assessment results of the seat belt pretensioning controller.

As an optional implementation solution, each of the electrically initiated window breakers comprises an electrically connected timer, an indicating device, a drive circuit and one or more glass breakers; when the initiating conditions are judged to be met, the control unit sends initiating signals to the electrically initiated window breaker, then the timer starts timing, and the drive circuit drives the glass breakers to work at a scheduled time.

As an optional implementation solution, one of the electrically initiated window breakers is also installed in an acknowledge switch in a cab; while the timer times, the indicating device sends alarm signals to remind of upcoming window breaking, and the acknowledge switch can be operated during timing of the timer to relieve window breaking.

As an optional implementation solution, each of the window breakers comprises an outer frame, a striker and a gas generator, wherein the outer frame is of a hollow structure with an opening on one side, the surface of the outer frame near the opening is a fixed face, and the window breaker is fixed on the window glass through the fixed face; the striker is arranged in the outer frame, and the tip thereof is arranged toward the opening; and the gas generator is arranged in a space enclosed by the outer frame, and the gas generator, the striker and the opening are arranged in a straight line. As an optional implementation solution, each of the window breakers also comprises a bearing part, the bearing part is arranged in the outer frame, and the tip of the striker is arranged toward the opening in the bearing part; and the gas generator is arranged in a space enclosed by the bearing part and the outer frame, and the gas generator, the striker and the opening are arranged in a straight line.

As an optional implementation solution, the gas generator is a thermosensitive initiating device, the thermosensitive initiating device is connected to the drive circuit through an initiating current cable and further connected to the airbag controller, and the initiating current of the gas generator comes from the airbag controller.

As an optional implementation solution, the gas generator is directly connected to the airbag controller through an initiating current cable, and the initiating current of the gas generator comes from the airbag controller.

According to another aspect of the invention, a transportation facility having the automatic window breaking system is provided, and the transportation facility is a car, a train or a ship.

In the optional technical solutions of the invention, the electrically initiated window breakers are integrated with the control units and airbag controllers of existing vehicles to realize automatic window breaking in emergencies such as collision, fire and flood, thus saving the time, increasing the chances for drivers and passengers to escape, and improving the passive safety system function of transportation facilities, with low cost. The automatic window breaking system of the invention has high practicality and can be applied to trains, ships and other transportation facilities besides cars.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The drawings described here are used for further understanding of the invention and form a part thereof. The exemplary embodiments of the invention and description thereof are used to explain the invention, but not improperly limit thereto. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a functional module diagram of the automatic window breaking system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a functional module diagram of the electrically initiated window breakers according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a structural diagram of the glass breakers according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 4 is a work flow chart of the automatic window breaking system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The invention will be described in detail in combination with accompanied drawings and embodiments. It should be noted that the embodiments and features of the embodiments in the invention can be combined without any conflict.

The invention provides an automatic window breaking system and a transportation facility having the same, the transportation facility is, for example, a car, a train or a ship. A car will be taken as an example to illustrate. As shown in Figure 1, the automatic window breaking system comprises an electrically connected detection unit (10), a control unit (20) and an execution unit (30). In the embodiment, the detection unit (10), the control unit (20) and the execution unit (30) are connected by CAN, LIN or wire lines. The detection unit (10) comprises an acceleration sensor (11), a smoke and temperature fire sensor (12), a water sensor (13) and a manual switch (14), each electrically connected with the control unit (20). Signals from the acceleration sensor (11), the smoke and temperature fire sensor (12), the water sensor (13), a pressure sensor (14) and the manual switch (15) are sent to the control unit (20). In the embodiment, the acceleration sensor (11) is a wheel speed sensor arranged near a wheel of the car. One or more smoke and temperature fire sensors (12) are provided, and can be arranged according to actual needs. Selection and specific design parameters of the smoke and temperature fire sensors (12) shall follow the Code for Design of Automatic Fire Alarm System (GB50116). Preferably, the smoke and temperature fire sensors (12) are each or selectively installed in the cabin, near the automobile engine or near the fuel tank. One or more water sensors (13) can be provided, the quantity and installation sites of the water sensors (13) can be determined according to actual needs, for example, the water sensors (13) can be arranged on the cabin floor, automobile chassis, engine casing, outer surface of the car body, etc. The manual switch (14) is, for example, operated in one of the operating modes of different switches such as press-button switches, knob switches and pull-button switches.

The control unit (20) comprises an algorithm control and drive circuit (21). The control unit (20) is, for example, an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle. The algorithm control and drive circuit (21) is integrated in the ECU.

The execution module (30) comprises an electrically connected airbag controller (31), electrically initiated window breakers (32) and a seat belt pretensioning controller (33). Initiating conditions of the electrically initiated window breakers (32) are preset in the control unit (20) and cover such parameters as acceleration range, smoke temperature value and water level value. The algorithm control and drive circuit (21) of the control unit (20) judges whether the initiating conditions are met according to acceleration, smoke and water level signals from the detection unit (10) or signals from the manual switch (14), and sends the outcome of the assessment to the airbag controller (31), the electrically initiated window breakers (32) and the seat belt pretensioning controller (33) of the execution module (30) control the airbag to initiate, and control the electrically initiated window breakers (32) to break windows and send a seat belt pretensioning instruction in case of a collision. In the embodiment, the airbag controller (31) provides initiating current to the electrically initiated window breakers (32). That is to say, the electrically initiated window breakers (32) have two operating modes: an automatic mode and a manual mode. In the automatic mode, the algorithm control and drive circuit (21) of the control unit (20) judges whether the initiating conditions are met according to the acceleration, smoke and water level signals from the detection unit (10) without operating the manual switch (14), and in the automatic mode, the manual switch (14) can be omitted. In the manual mode, the algorithm control and drive circuit (21) of the control unit (20) judges whether the initiating conditions are met according to the signals from the manual switch (14), the manual mode complements the automatic mode as a least preferred mode. A driver can operate the manual switch (14) based on actual situations when windows have to be broken, for example, the manual mode can be used when passengers have to be evacuated in case of gangsters on the bus.

Specifically, each of the electrically initiated window breakers (32) comprises an electrically connected timer (321), an indicating device (322), a drive circuit (323), glass breakers (324) and an acknowledge switch (325) arranged in the cab by further combining Figure 2. When the initiating conditions are judged to be met, the control unit (20) sends initiating signals to the electrically initiated window breaker (32), then the timer (321) starts timing, and the drive circuit (323) drives the glass breakers (324) to work at a scheduled time (e.g. 8 seconds). While the timer (321) times, the indicating device (322) sends alarm signals to remind of upcoming window breaking. The indicating device (322) is one or more of buzzers, voice alarms or indicator lamps. The driver can operate the acknowledge switch (325) during timing of the timer to relieve window breaking. Please refer to Figure 3, Figure 3 is a structural diagram of the glass breakers according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Each of the window breakers (324) comprises an outer frame (3241), a bearing part (3243), a striker (3246) and a gas generator (3247). The outer frame (3241) is of a hollow structure with an opening (3245) on one side, the surface of the outer frame near the opening is a fixed face (3242), and the window breaker (324) is fixed on the window glass through the fixed face (3242). The bearing part (3243) is arranged in the outer frame (3241), and the tip of the striker (3246) is arranged toward the opening (3245) on the bearing part (3243). The gas generator (3247) is arranged in a space enclosed by the bearing part (3243) and the outer frame (3241), and the gas generator (3247), the striker (3246) and the opening (3245) are arranged in a straight line. The initiating current of the gas generator (3247) comes from the airbag controller (31). In the embodiment, the gas generator (3247) is a thermosensitive initiating device, the thermosensitive initiating device is connected to the drive circuit (323) through an initiating current cable (3248) and further connected to the airbag controller (31). In another embodiment, the gas generator (3247) is directly connected to the airbag controller (31) through an initiating current cable (3248).

Please refer to Figure 4, Figure 4 is a work flow chart of the automatic window breaking system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The working principles of the automatic window breaking system of the invention are as follows: step SI, the control unit (20) is powered on. Step S2, the control unit (20) performs a self-check on the automatic window breaking system, including a self-check of the control unit (20), detection of sensor lines and switch lines in the detection unit (10), as well as line detection of the electrically initiated window breakers (32). Step S3, the control unit (20) judges whether a fault is detected, and goes to step S4 if so or goes to step S5 if a fault prompt is sent. In step S4, the fault prompt is, for example, a lighted system fault lamp arranged on the vehicle's instrument panel. If the control unit (20) judges that no fault is detected in step S3, step S5 is directly performed, and the control unit (20) receives sensor signals and manual switch signals from the detection unit (10). Step S6, calculation is performed against the signals received in the step S5. Step S7, the control unit (20) judges whether the initiating conditions are met, and returns to step S5 if not or goes to step S 8 if so for window breaking confirmation, and when the timer (321) counts down, the indicating device (322) sends alarm signals. Step S9, the control unit (20) judges whether the window breaking confirmation is relieved, and returns to step S5 if so or goes to step S10 if not for window breaking. In step S9, the control unit (20) determines whether the electrically initiated window breaker (32) installed in the cab is turned off, and judges that the window breaking confirmation is relieved if the driver turns off the acknowledge switch (325). In step S10, the control unit (20) sends control signals to the airbag controller (31), then the airbag controller (31) sends a current signal to the electrically initiated window breaker (32) as the initiating current. The gas generator (3247) initiates under the action of the initiating current, then the bearing part (3243) is ejected out of the striker (3246) under the initiating action of the gas generator (3247), and the striker (3246) directly hits the window glass fitting the fixed face (3242) of the glass breaker (324) through the opening (3245) of the outer frame (3241), thus breaking the glass, and finally breaking the windows.

In a preferred embodiment, the automatic window breaking system comprises an electrically initiated window breaker (32) and the electrically initiated window breaker (32) comprises multiple glass breakers (324) each arranged on a window glass.

In another preferred embodiment, for example in a small car, the automatic window breaking system comprises multiple electrically initiated window breakers (32). The multiple electrically initiated window breakers (32) correspond to different windows, and are separately controlled by the airbag controller (31) to selectively control the multiple electrically initiated window breakers (32). The position of the locked seat belt is judged by the seat belt pretensioning controller (33), and then the airbag controller (31) sends current signals to the electrically initiated window breaker (32) adjacent to the position according to the outcome of the assessment of the seat belt pretensioning controller (33). It indicates that the corresponding seat is taken if the seat belt is locked, thus the window beside the seat is broken. That is to say, only the window near the passenger seat is broken. For example, if the seat belt pretensioning controller (33) only detects that the driver's seat is taken, only the window beside the cab has to be broken, and the airbag controller (31) only sends initiating current to the electrically initiated window breaker (32) corresponding to the window.

The automatic window breaking system of the invention is capable of improving the passive safety system function of vehicles, and integrates the electrically initiated window breakers with the control units and airbag controllers of existing vehicles to realize automatic window breaking in emergencies such as collision, fire and flood, thus saving time and increasing the chances for drivers and passengers to escape, at low cost. In addition, the automatic window breaking system of the invention can be used in case of fire and flood, and also used in collision accidents in combination with airbag controllers to avoid passengers being trapped in cars due to door deformation and door mechanism damage, and not being able leave the scenes of accidents in time for treatment, and avoid rescuers taking time and using equipment to forcibly break cars as up to now. The automatic window breaking function of the invention has an obvious advantage in effectively rescuing those trapped in cars.

In addition, the automatic window breaking system of the invention has high practicality and can be applied to trains, ships and other transportation facilities besides cars.

Accordingly, the invention further provides a transportation facility having the automatic window breaking system, and the transportation facility is a train, a ship or a car.

The embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the invention, but not limited thereto. For a person skilled in the art, various variations and changes can be made to the invention. Any modification, equivalent replacement and improvement made within the spirit and rule of the invention shall be incorporated in the protection scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An automatic window breaking system, characterized by comprising an electrically connected detection unit, a control unit and an execution unit; wherein the detection unit comprises an acceleration sensor, a smoke and temperature fire sensor and a water sensor, each electrically connected with the control unit; the control unit comprises an algorithm control and drive circuit to process data from the detection unit and judge whether initiating conditions are met; the execution module comprises an electrically connected airbag controller and electrically initiated window breakers; wherein the airbag controller sends current signals to control operation of the electrically initiated window breakers according to the outcome of the assessment whether the initiating conditions are met by the control unit.

2. The automatic window breaking system of claim 1, characterized in that the detection unit, the control unit and the execution unit are connected by CAN, LIN or wire lines.

3. The automatic window breaking system of claim 1, characterized in that the detection unit also comprises a manual switch, and the control unit is connected with the manual switch and judges whether initiating conditions are met according to the state of the manual switch.

4. The automatic window breaking system of claim 1, characterized in that the control unit is a vehicular electric control unit.

5. The automatic window breaking system of claim 1, characterized in that one or more smoke and temperature fire sensor(s) are provided, and one or more water sensor(s) are provided.

6. The automatic window breaking system of claim 1, characterized in that multiple electrically initiated window breakers are provided and correspondingly installed on the glass of different windows; the execution module further comprises a seat belt pretensioning controller, and the control unit sends a seat belt pretensioning instruction to the seat belt pretensioning controller in the case of collision; the position of a locked seat belt is judged by the seat belt pretensioning controller, and then the airbag controller sends current signals to the electrically initiated window breaker adjacent to the position according to the assessment results of the seat belt pretensioning controller.

7. The automatic window breaking system of claim 1 or 6, characterized in that each of the electrically initiated window breakers comprises an electrically connected timer, an indicating device, a drive circuit and one or more glass breakers; when the initiating conditions are judged to be met, the control unit sends initiating signals to the electrically initiated window breaker, then the timer starts timing, and the drive circuit drives the glass breakers to work at a scheduled time.

8. The automatic window breaking system of claim 7, characterized in that one of the electrically initiated window breakers is also installed in an acknowledge switch in a cab; while the timer times, the indicating device sends alarm signals to remind of upcoming window breaking, and the acknowledge switch can be operated during timing of the timer to relieve window breaking.

9. The automatic window breaking system of claim 7, characterized in that each of the window breakers comprises an outer frame, a striker and a gas generator, wherein the outer frame is of a hollow structure with an opening on one side, the surface of the outer frame near the opening is a fixed face, and the window breaker is fixed on the window glass through the fixed face; the striker is arranged in the outer frame, and the tip thereof is arranged toward the opening; and the gas generator is arranged in a space enclosed by the outer frame, and the gas generator, the striker and the opening are arranged in a straight line.

10. The automatic window breaking system of claim 9, characterized in that each of the window breakers also comprises a bearing part, the bearing part is arranged in the outer frame, and the tip of the striker is arranged toward the opening on the bearing part; and the gas generator is arranged in a space enclosed by the bearing part and the outer frame, and the gas generator, the striker and the opening are arranged in a straight line.

11. The automatic window breaking system of claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the gas generator is a thermosensitive initiating device, the thermosensitive initiating device is connected to the drive circuit through an initiating current cable and further connected to the airbag controller, and the initiating current of the gas generator comes from the airbag controller.

12. The automatic window breaking system of claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the gas generator is directly connected to the airbag controller through an initiating current cable, and the initiating current of the gas generator comes from the airbag controller.

13. A transportation facility having the automatic window breaking system, characterized in that the transportation facility comprises the automatic window breaking system of any of claims 1 to 6, 8 to 10, and the transportation facility is a car, a train or a ship.