Automatic apparatus for releasing safety belts of motor vehicles or the like in case of emergency

• US 5,765,660 A
• Filed: 03/25/1996
• Issued: 06/16/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Danti Ambrosi
• Original Assignee: Danti Ambrosi
• Inventors: Ambrosi, Danti
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Application Number:
  US08/622,557
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 280/801.1, 180/268, 180/271
• US Class Current: 180/268
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/322 using automatic actuating means B60R22/321 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus for permitting an immediate release of safety belts of vehicles allows passengers to escape in case of emergency or in circumstances dangerous to the passengers. The apparatus has a series of sensors (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) connected to a distributing station (9), an auxiliary battery (13), relays (10 and 14) and a microgearmotor (16) which can pull cables (17) that are connected to opening elements which permit the belt fasteners (2) to be disconnected. The microgearmotor (16) may be replaced by a microcompressor acting with a piston to provoke the traction of the cables (17). According to another possible variant the microcompressor acts directly on hydraulic or pneumatic ducts each of which operates a micropiston which is provided in the belt fastener (2).

Claims

1. An apparatus for automatically releasing a plurality of safety belts in a vehicle, each safety belt having a fastener (2) which is activatable for releasing a safety belt connected to the fastener, the vehicle having a main battery (15), the apparatus comprising:

an electronic distributing station (9) adapted to receive multiple sensor signals and to issue multiple command signals, said distributing station being connected to the main battery (15);

a plurality of emergency event sensors for generating sensor signals in response to a plurality of emergency events, each sensor being connected to said distributing station (9), said sensors including a water emersion sensor (3), a fire sensor (4) and a collision sensor (6);

a rechargeable emergency battery (13) which is in addition to the vehicle battery (15);

recharging means (12,

     14) connected to said emergency battery and to said distributing station (9) for maintaining a charge on said emergency battery (13);

a relay (10) connected to said distributing station (9) for receiving a command control signal for activating said relay;

said distributing station containing signal means for delaying issuance of the control signal to said relay once a sensor signal has been received, in the event a signal sensor is received from said collision sensor (6) and for immediately issuing a control signal to activate said relay when a signal is received only from said emersion sensor (3) or from said fire sensor (4), the control signal being delayed for delaying activation of said relay when a signal is received both from said collision sensor (6) and from at least one of said emersion and fire sensors (3,4);

a fastener actuator (11,

     18) connected to said relay (10) for producing mechanical work when the relay is actuated; and

a plurality of lines (17,20) connected between said fastener actuator and each of said fasteners for transmitting the mechanical work to each of the fasteners to actuate each of the fasteners to release the belts.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sensors further include a gas sensor (5) for sensing a harmful gas in the vehicle and an overturn sensor (7) for sensing an overturning of the vehicle, said signal means in said distributing station delaying issuance of the control signal when a sensor signal is received from said overturn sensor, and said signal means in said distributing station immediately activating said relay when a sensor signal is received from said gas sensor unless at least one of said overturn and collision sensors have issued a sensor signal.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said fastener actuator comprises a microgearmotor (11), said lines each comprising a cable (17) connected to one of said fasteners and connected to said microgearmotor for being pulled by said microgearmotor to actuate said fasteners.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said fastener actuator comprises a microgearmotor (11), said lines each comprising a cable (17) connected to said fasteners and connected to said microgearmotor for being pulled by said microgearmotor to actuate said fasteners.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said fastener actuator comprises a microcompressor (18), a piston (19) in said fastener actuator connected to said microcompressor for being moved by said microcompressor, said lines comprising cables (17) connected between said piston (19) and each of said fasteners for being pulled by said piston to actuate said fasteners.

6. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said fastener actuator comprises a microcompressor (18), a piston (19) in said fastener actuator connected to said microcompressor for being moved by said microcompressor, said lines comprising cables (17) connected between said piston (19) and each of said fasteners for being pulled by said piston to actuate said fasteners.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said fastener actuator comprises a microcompressor (18), said lines comprising a plurality of ducts (20) connected between said microcompressor and said fasteners, and a piston (21) in each fastener for being actuated by fluid from said microcompressor supplied along said ducts for activating said fasteners.

8. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said fastener actuator comprises a microcompressor (18), said lines comprising a plurality of ducts (20) connected between said microcompressor and said fasteners, and a piston (21) in each fastener for being actuated by fluid from said microcompressor supplied along said ducts for activating said fasteners.