EJECTION SYSTEM FOR AN EMERGENCY EXIT OF A VEHICLE

Abstract

Ejection system for a vehicle emergency exit ejection system for a vehicle emergency exit, the emergency exit extending along a base surface and being designed to cooperate in a mounted position with a receiving frame of the vehicle, the ejection system including a retaining element and a locking mechanism designed to cooperate with the retaining element in a locking configuration in which a movable part of the locking mechanism prevents a relative movement of the retaining element and the locking mechanism in a direction of ejection of the emergency exit which is transversal to the base surface, the movable part being configured to be moved in a closing plane that extends transversally to the base surface and an ejection configuration in which the locking mechanism is capable of moving in the direction of ejection relative to the retaining element.

Claims

1. An ejection system for an emergency exit of a vehicle, the emergency exit extending according to a base surface and being arranged so as to cooperate in a mounted position with a receiving frame of the vehicle, the ejection system comprising a retaining element and a blocking mechanism arranged so as to cooperate with the retaining element according to: a blocking configuration in which a movable portion of the blocking mechanism prevents a relative displacement of the retaining element and of the blocking mechanism according to an ejection direction of the emergency exit which is transverse to the base surface, the movable portion being configured to be displaced in a closure plane extending transversely to the base surface, and an ejection configuration in which the blocking mechanism is adapted to be displaced according to the ejection direction relative to the retaining element.

2. The ejection system according to claim 1, wherein the movable portion comprises a jaw configured to pivot about a closure axis which is transverse to the closure plane.

3. The ejection system according to claim 1, wherein the movable portion has an actuation stop configured to cooperate with the retaining element during a displacement of the emergency exit from a dismounted position to the mounted position so as to switch from the ejection configuration into the blocking configuration when the mounted position is reached.

4. The ejection system according to claim 3, wherein the actuation stop is arranged so as to cooperate with the retaining element during a switch from the blocking configuration into the ejection configuration so as to cause a relative displacement of the retaining element according to the ejection direction.

5. The ejection system according to claim 1, wherein the blocking mechanism comprises a lock configured to cooperate with the movable portion in a locked position in which the movable portion is held in the blocking configuration.

6. The ejection system according to claim 5, wherein the blocking mechanism comprises a locking device arranged so as to dispose the lock in the locked position when the blocking mechanism is in the blocking configuration.

7. The ejection system according to claim 6, wherein the locking device comprises a visual indicator configured to notify the proper positioning of the lock in the locked position.

8. The ejection system according to claim 7, wherein the locking device comprises a rotary actuator configured to cooperate with the lock, the rotary actuator being secured to the visual indicator.

9. The ejection system according to claim 5, wherein the lock has a drive surface configured to cooperate with the movable portion during a switch from the locked position into an unlocked position so as to make the movable portion switch from the blocking configuration into the ejection configuration.

10. The ejection system according to claim 1, wherein the retaining element is configured to be attached on or formed in the receiving frame and wherein the blocking mechanism is configured to be attached on or formed in the emergency exit.

11. The ejection system according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of retaining elements and a plurality of corresponding blocking mechanisms, the ejection system further comprising a triggering device arranged so as to carry out a switch from the blocking configuration into the ejection configuration of the plurality of blocking mechanisms.

12. The ejection system according to claim 11, wherein the triggering device comprises one or several cable(s), a mechanism for tensioning the cable(s) arranged so as to trigger the switch from the blocking configuration into the ejection configuration upon tensioning, and, at least one actuation handle.

13. The ejection system according to claim 2, wherein the movable portion has an actuation stop configured to cooperate with the retaining element during a displacement of the emergency exit from a dismounted position to the mounted position so as to switch from the ejection configuration into the blocking configuration when the mounted position is reached.

14. The ejection system according to claim 13, wherein the actuation stop is arranged so as to cooperate with the retaining element during a switch from the blocking configuration into the ejection configuration so as to cause a relative displacement of the retaining element according to the ejection direction.

15. The ejection system according to claim 14, wherein the blocking mechanism comprises a lock configured to cooperate with the movable portion in a locked position in which the movable portion is held in the blocking configuration.

16. The ejection system according to claim 15, wherein the blocking mechanism comprises a locking device arranged so as to dispose the lock in the locked position when the blocking mechanism is in the blocking configuration.

17. The ejection system according to claim 16, wherein the locking device comprises a visual indicator configured to notify the proper positioning of the lock in the locked position.

18. The ejection system according to claim 17, wherein the locking device comprises a rotary actuator configured to cooperate with the lock, the rotary actuator being secured to the visual indicator.

19. The ejection system according to claim 18, wherein the lock has a drive surface configured to cooperate with the movable portion during a switch from the locked position into an unlocked position so as to make the movable portion switch from the blocking configuration into the ejection configuration.

20. The ejection system according to claim 19, wherein the retaining element is configured to be attached on or formed in the receiving frame and wherein the blocking mechanism is configured to be attached on or formed in the emergency exit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0079] The invention will be better understood from the detailed description that is disclosed hereinbelow with reference to the appended drawings.

[0080] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle comprising an emergency exit and a receiving frame.

[0081] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a blocking mechanism of an ejection system.

[0082] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ejection system.

[0083] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ejection system.

[0084] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a locking device of the blocking mechanism.

[0085] FIG. 6 is a top view of the ejection system in an ejection configuration

[0086] FIG. 7 is a top view of the ejection system in a blocking configuration.

[0087] FIG. 8 is a detail perspective view of the ejection system.

[0088] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a triggering device of the ejection system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0089] In the following detailed description of the figures defined hereinabove, the same elements or the elements filling identical functions may keep the same reference numerals so as to simplify understanding of the invention.

[0090] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a vehicle 1 comprises a receiving frame 3 and an emergency exit 5 configured to cooperate with the receiving frame 3 in a mounted position.

[0091] In this instance, the vehicle 1 is an aircraft and more particularly a helicopter. The emergency exit 5 may be a door or a window comprising a pane as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0092] The emergency exit 5 extends according to a base surface 7 which may be substantially planar and for example slightly curved.

[0093] The emergency exit 5 is configured to be ejected from the receiving frame 3 towards the outside of the vehicle according to an ejection direction 9, the base surface 7 being transverse to the ejection direction 9.

[0094] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 8, the ejection system 11 is arranged so as to displace the emergency exit 5 relative to the receiving frame 3 from a mounted position to a dismounted position.

[0095] The ejection system 11 is also configured to enable a switch from the dismounted position into the mounted position upon set-up of the emergency exit 5 on the vehicle 1.

[0096] The ejection system 11 comprises a retaining element 13 attached on the receiving frame 3 and a corresponding blocking mechanism 15 formed in the emergency exit 5.

[0097] Alternatively, it is also possible to provide for a retaining element 13 attached on the emergency exit 5 and a blocking mechanism 15 formed in the receiving frame 3.

[0098] An emergency set comprises the ejection system 11, the receiving frame 3 and the emergency exit 5. Thus, the vehicle 1 may comprise one or several emergency exit(s).

[0099] The blocking mechanism 15 comprises a movable portion 17 configured to be displaced in a closure plane 19 extending transversely to the base surface 7.

[0100] The movable portion 17 comprises a jaw 21 configured to pivot about a closure axis 23, the closure plane 19 being transverse to the closure axis 23.

[0101] The movable portion 17 further comprises an additional jaw 25 configured to pivot about an additional closure axis 27 parallel to the closure axis 23.

[0102] The jaw 21 and the additional jaw 25 are arranged so as to surround at least one portion of the retaining element 13 in a blocking configuration as illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0103] Thus, in the blocking configuration, the movable portion 17 prevents the relative displacement of the retaining element 13 and of the blocking mechanism 15 according to the ejection direction 9.

[0104] The jaw 21 cooperates with the additional jaw 25 so that the jaw 21 drives the additional jaw 25 in rotation. The direction of rotation of the jaw 21 is opposite to the direction of rotation of the additional jaw 25.

[0105] The jaw 21 has a first gear portion 29 arranged so as to cooperate with a second gear portion 31 of the additional jaw 2.

[0106] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the retaining element 13 and the blocking mechanism 15 may also cooperate according to an ejection configuration in which the retaining element 13 is adapted to be displaced according to the ejection direction 9.

[0107] It should be highlighted that the movable portion 17 may be disposed in the ejection configuration by the retaining element 13 upon installation of the emergency exit 5 in the receiving frame 3 when the jaw 21 and the additional jaw 25 are closed.

[0108] Indeed, the retaining element 13 comprises a rod 33 extending substantially parallel to the closure axis 23 and allowing opening the jaw 21 and the additional jaw 25.

[0109] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the blocking mechanism 15 has a through opening 35 formed in a wall 37 which is transverse to the closure axis 23 and in another wall 39 which is transverse to the ejection direction 9.

[0110] The wall 37 and the other wall 39 are formed in an edge 41 of the emergency exit 5.

[0111] Thus, the through opening 35 is transverse to the closure axis 23 and to the ejection direction 9 so as to allow for a slight backlash in the cooperation between the retaining element 13 and the blocking mechanism 15 for easy installation and ejection.

[0112] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the movable portion 17 has an actuation top 43 formed in the jaw 21. The actuation stop 43 has two roles.

[0113] A first role consists, for the actuation stop 43, in cooperating with the retaining element 13 during a displacement of the emergency exit 5 from a dismounted position to the mounted position so as to switch from the ejection configuration into the blocking configuration when the mounted position is reached

[0114] In this manner, the blocking mechanism 15 is automatically disposed in the blocking configuration upon mounting the emergency exit 5.

[0115] A second role consists, for the actuation stop 43, in cooperating with the retaining element 13 during a switch from the blocking configuration into the ejection configuration so as to cause a relative displacement of the retaining element 13 according to the ejection direction 9.

[0116] Thus, the ejection of the emergency exit 5 is assisted by the actuation stop 43 which displaces the retaining element 13 relative to the blocking mechanism 15.

[0117] The blocking mechanism 15 also comprises a lock 45 arranged so as to cooperate with the movable portion 17 in order to keep the blocking configuration. The lock 45 is then in the locked position.

[0118] The lock 45 has a drive surface 47 configured to cooperate with the movable portion 17 during a switch from the locked position into the unlocked position so as to make the movable portion 17 switch from the blocking configuration into the ejection configuration.

[0119] The blocking mechanism 15 comprises a rail 49 arranged so as to guide the lock 45 between the locked position and the unlocked position and vice versa. The lock 45 is configured to be disposed in an intermediate position between the unlocked position and the unlocked position.

[0120] The intermediate position is reached upon arrangement of the emergency exit 5 during the switch from the dismounted position into the mounted position.

[0121] The intermediate position is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The unlocked position is that one of FIG. 6. When the lock 45 is disposed at the end of travel on the right side of the rail 49 in FIG. 8, it is in the locked position.

[0122] As also shown in FIG. 8, the movable portion 17 has a projection 51 arranged so as to cooperate, on the one hand, with a locking surface 53 of the lock 45 in the locked position and with the drive surface 47 during unlocking.

[0123] Hence, the projection 51 allows filling two functions: the locking and the switch into the ejection configuration.

[0124] The lock 45 has a notch 55 into which the projection 51 is inserted. The drive surface 47 and the locking surface 53 are formed opposite one another on each side of the notch 55.

[0125] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the blocking mechanism 15 comprises a locking device 57 arranged so as to dispose the lock 45 in the locked position. Hence, the locking device 57 is used during mounting of the emergency exit in the receiving frame

[0126] The locking device 57 comprises a visual indicator 59 configured to notify the proper positioning of the lock 45 in the locked position. The locking device 7 also comprises a rotary actuator 61 configured to cooperate with the lock 45 and secured to the visual indicator 59.

[0127] Thus, the visual indicator 59 is reliable since its position depends on the state of the rotary actuator 61.

[0128] The rotary actuator 61 comprises a location 63 for receiving a tool configured to cause the rotation. The receiving location 63 corresponds to a hex key.

[0129] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the ejection system 11 comprises a plurality of retaining elements 13 and a plurality of corresponding blocking mechanisms 15 as described hereinabove and distributed along the flange 41 of the emergency exit 5.

[0130] The ejection system 11 further comprises a triggering device 63 arranged so as to carry out the switch from the blocking configuration into the ejection configuration of the plurality of blocking mechanisms 15.

[0131] The triggering device 65 allows disposing the plurality of blocking mechanism 15 in the ejection configuration in one single operation.

[0132] The triggering device 65 comprises cables 67, a mechanism 69 for tensioning the cables 67 arranged so as to trigger the switch from the blocking configuration into the ejection configuration upon tensioning.

[0133] The triggering device 45 also comprises at least one actuation handle 71 which may be external and/or internal.

[0134] In other words, the triggering is mechanical, the tensioning corresponding to tensioning of the cables. By cable, it should be understood a wire or a rope adapted to be tensioned.

[0135] The tensioning mechanism 69 comprises a pulley 73 configured to enable tensioning of the cables 67 when a user pulls on the actuation handle 71.

[0136] This arrangement allows pulling the actuation handle 71 in any direction because the pulley 73 allows tensioning the cables in all cases.

[0137] The tensioning mechanism 69 comprises a rotary link part 75 connected to the pulley 73 so as to enable tensioning of at least two cables 67, each of the at least two cables 67 being connected to one end of the rotary link part 75.

[0138] This arrangement allows tensioning the at least two cables 67 by pulling thereon according to two opposite directions. Thus, the tensioning mechanism 69 allows adapting to different types of spatial configurations between the blocking mechanisms 15.

[0139] The ejection system 11 described this way enables fastening of the emergency exit 5 to the receiving frame 3. The ejection is also facilitated since all it needs is to pull the at least one actuation handle 71 in any direction.

[0140] The fact that the movable portion 17 is arranged so as to be movable in the closure plane 19 allows saving space parallel to the base surface 7 and thus designing a barely cumbersome ejection system 11.

[0141] It clearly appears that the thickness of the flange 41 of the emergency exit is sufficient to house the blocking mechanism.

[0142] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to only this embodiment described hereinabove as example, it encompasses, on the contrary, all variants thereof.