AUTOMATIC WATER SENSOR WINDOW OPENING SYSTEM

• US 20160053523A1
• Filed: 11/03/2015
• Published: 02/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AWOS Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
• Inventors: PERCHER, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,731,579 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/17 vertically
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/00 Sealing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/695 Control circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/72 responsive to emergency conditions, e.g. fire
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/44 Sensors therefore E05Y2400/322, E05Y2400/33, E05Y2400/55, E05Y2400/56, E05Y2400/852 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/428 against water
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/14 Measures for draining-off condensed water or water leaking-in frame members for draining off condensation water, throats at the bottom of a sash
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/16 Sealing arrangements on wings or parts co-operating with the wings specially adapted for fireproof or similar closures E06B5/164; E06B7/098 takes precedence ; fixed sealing joints E04B1/68; devices for fitting sealing strips E04F21/00

Abstract

A system can automatically open at least one window of a vehicle when the vehicle is being submerged in water. The system can include a water collector and a water sensor, and when the water sensor detects water in the water collector, at least one window of the vehicle opens.

Claims

1. A system for automatically opening at least one window of a vehicle, the at least one window being operably connected to an electric system of the vehicle, the vehicle comprising an engine compartment area, the system comprising:

a housing including;

a water collector;

a water sensor adapted to be installed on the water collector, wherein the water sensor is connectable to the electric system of the vehicle,

wherein the housing is located in the engine compartment, wherein the water collector includes;

a water flow opening through which water enters the water collector when the water collector is submerged in water and leaves the water collector when the water collector is not submerged in water;

a water flow pathway connecting the water flow opening and the water sensor; and

an air escape opening for air to escape from the chamber,

whereby when the water sensor detects water in the water collector, the at least one window of the vehicle is automatically opened.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a remote emergency center activator configured to receive a signal from the water sensor.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the remote emergency center activator is configured to be activated when the water sensor detects water in the water collector.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the remote emergency center activator is activated even the car is not in a substantially upright position.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the water sensor comprises at least one relay switch that is adapted to open at least one window of the vehicle when the water sensor detects water in the water collector.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the water sensor includes a probe capable of forming a closed circuit with the presence of water.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the water sensor is connected to the electric system of the vehicle through a wire.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a multiple axes position sensor for detecting whether the vehicle is a substantially upright position and opening the at least one window only if the vehicle is in the substantially upright position.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one window of the vehicle includes a window electronic control unit.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the window electronic control unit is water proof.

11. A method of automatically opening at least one window of a vehicle comprising automatically detecting the presence of water in a water collector when the vehicle is in water;

and automatically opening at least one window of the vehicle, wherein the water collector includes;

a housing including;

a water collector;

a water sensor adapted to be installed on the water collector, wherein the water sensor is connectable to the electric system of the vehicle,

wherein the housing is located in the engine compartment, wherein the water collector includes;

a water flow opening through which water enters the water collector when the water collector is submerged in water and leaves the water collector when the water collector is not submerged in water;

a water flow pathway connecting the water flow opening and the water sensor; and

an air escape opening for air to escape from the chamber.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising forming a closed circuit with water in the collector.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising distinguishing splashing water from submerging water.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising detecting the orientation of the vehicle and opening the at least one window when the vehicle is not inverted.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising transmitting a distress signal when the presence of water in the water collector is detected.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising opening all moveable windows of the vehicle when the presence of water in the water collector is detected.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the water collector is configured to communicate with electronic components.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the electronic components are housed separately from the water collector.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the electronic components are integrated in a housing with the water collector.