Abstract:
A window actuation assembly for a vehicle which is structured to automatically lower at least one, but preferably all of the windows of a vehicle in the event that a vehicle becomes partially or totally submerged in a body of water and regardless if the orientation of the vehicle, is up-right, inverted, on its side, etc. One or more fluid sensors are located strategically throughout the various portions of the vehicle and are specifically structured activate a drive assembly for the lowering of the windows upon sensing a predetermined amount of water within an associated proximity of the vehicle, to the extent that the one or more sensors are themselves at least partially submerged. The sensors are further structured not to be activated in the unlikely event that liquid inadvertently is spilled upon or otherwise applied thereto. The one or more sensors may be associated with a single drive assembly and/or independent drive assemblies associated with each of the windows such that only one, or more preferably all of the windows may be lowered in an emergency, submerged condition of the vehicle. The windows may be restricted from being raised into the normally closed position once they have been lowered under emergency circumstances, in order to prevent inadvertent closing of the windows by an occupant of the vehicle suffering from injury or being otherwise disoriented because of the emergency.
Abstract:
A power window apparatus is provided that, even if a CPU (IC2) causes malfunction or becomes uncontrollable upon submergence, can prevent windows from performing unexpected operations and enables the windows to be opened without fail if desired. The power window apparatus comprises: a driving part that has two current input-output ends, and opens or closes automobile open/close parts, depending on the direction of a flowing current; two relays which respectively have exciting coils and switching contacts, wherein, when a current is fed to the exciting coils, the switching contacts connect the current input-output end to a positive or negative pole of power; a submergence detecting sensor that drops in resistance value between both ends thereof when exposed to water; and a submergence-time escape switch that forcibly drives the open/close parts open upon submergence, wherein transistors are provided which are connected in series with the exciting coils and feed a current to the exciting coils, and the bases of the transistors are grounded via the submergence detecting sensor.
Abstract:
A connection wire is connected to a part of a rear door popped up in a door-opening direction by an urging force. A pulley rotates responsive to a driving motor inside a wire-winding device to wind the connection wire thereon. In this manner, the rear door is automatically closed. The pulley is urged in a connection wire-winding direction by a power spring. A clutch is between the pulley and the driving motor. When the rear door is pressed by an operator's hands in a door-closing direction while the rear door is being closed, the pulley is rotated by the power spring, thus winding the connection wire thereon and preventing the connection wire from becoming loose. At this time, the connection between the pulley and the driving motor is cut off by the clutch. Thus, the pulley is rotated by the power spring freely and rapidly. In this manner, the rear door can be closed manually even while it is being closed automatically. Further, the connection wire can be prevented from becoming loose and from being sandwiched between the body of the vehicle and the periphery of a rear opening thereof.
Abstract:
A power window apparatus for a vehicle, which can open or close a door window by manual operation of a power window switch for energizing either of window-opening and closing relays for rotating a motor in the forward or reverse direction or by automatic operation of the same switch to cause an auto-latching circuit or a control unit to maintain either of the relays in an energized state until the window becomes fully opened or closed. The apparatus is provided with a switch for deenergizing a coil of the window-closing relay by disconnecting the control circuit for latching the energized window-closing relay, thus enabling the opening of the window by manual switch operation whenever an abnormal operation of the auto-latch control system occurs with simultaneous energization of both the window-opening and closing relays in an accident such as the vehicle sinking into water.
Abstract:
A window equiped with heat effect automatic opening device is provided. The window comprises a rectangular casing composed of hollow interior frames, an exterior panel and an interior panel secured to the lower portion of the casing and a tempered glass for covering the upper portion slidably secured into the casing between the panel and suspended from a suspension system which includes a heat effect device therein to automatically open the window when the indoor temperature becomes higher than an infusion point, and a lift device disposed between the glass and the interior panel for manually opening or closing the window. The improvement is characterized in that when comes a fire alarm, the heat effect device will break off to set the glass free to open the window.
Abstract:
A passenger van tailgate hinged for swinging movement about a horizontal axis at its upper edge is forced upward to open by a pair of spring devices under the control of a powered actuator operating through cables. The actuator is mounted on the tailgate and includes an electric motor drivingly connected by a worm shaft and worm gear and additional reduction gearing to a pulley on which the cables are wound. The cables are secured at one end to the vehicle structure, extend along side the respective spring devices, and are wound at their other end in the same direction on the pulley. The tailgate is opened by operating the actuator motor to unwind the cables and allow the spring devices to open the tailgate at a rate determined by the speed of the motor. The tailgate is closed by operating the actuator motor in reverse to rewind the cables and compress the spring devices. A clutch maintains a drive connection between the worm gear and pulley to effect normal tailgate operation and is adapted to slip to allow manually applied force on the tailgate to operate same when the motor is not operating. There is also provision for shutting the actuator motor off when the tailgate encounters an obstacle during closure.
Abstract:
A heavily insulated emergency smoke hatch door is equipped with an operating mechanism which is located external to a cooler and/or freezer. This external location of the operating mechanism provides for the accommodation of heavier weight doors without effecting the venting area or access to the interior of the cooler and/or freezer. A latching mechanism keeps the door in the closed position and may be equipped with an automatic release device which will release the door upon sensing of a fire for heat within the cooler and/or freezer. Once the hatch door is released, the operating mechanism is operable to open the door for venting and access.
Abstract:
An automatic sliding door in which a main drive moves at least one door panel to open and closed positions. An electromagnetic clutch is located between the main drive and the door panel for the purpose of disconnecting the panel from the drive and to open the door in event of a power failure. An auxiliary drive is connected to the door panel and stores energy received when the door panel is in a closed position, so as to drive the door to the open position when the clutch disconnects the main drive from the door panel in event of power failure. The auxiliary drive has a rubber cable actuated always with the door so that the auxiliary drive can be tested with every movement of the door panel.
Abstract:
The device comprises for each window an electric driving motor and a selector which is adapted to ensure the selective supply of current to the motor, in one direction or the other, through a control circuit acting on a supply source. The supply source is of the type capable of delivering at least two distinct energy levels. The control circuit comprises means for applying to an input of the supply source an energy level control signal which produces, as a function of the position of the selector, the application of a torque to the motor when raising the window which is higher than the torque applied when descending the window.