Description VEHICLE SYSTEM HAVING VERTICAL TYPE TRACK

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a vehicle system having a plurality of wheels, and more particularly, to a vehicle system capable of driving in a high temperature external environment.

[2]

Background Art

[3] In general, a vehicle runs on a plurality of wheels, which are rotated by a driving force supplied from an engine of the vehicle.

[4] FIG. 37 is a configuration view of a wheel drive system for driving a conventional vehicle.

[5] As shown in FIG. 37, a conventional vehicle 1 runs using power generated from an engine 2. A rotating force generated by the engine 2 is transmitted through a transmission 3 to a suitable level of torque, which is then supplied through a universal joint 4 to a differential gear 5. Then, the differential gear 5 delivers the power through a rear wheel shaft 6 to rear wheels 7, which in turn drive the vehicle.

[6] In the rear wheels 7 and front wheels 8 of the conventional vehicle 1, a hub of each wheel is covered with a tire. Such wheels covered with a tire are widely used not only in passenger cars but also in emergency cars such as a fire engine and an ambulance. However, the tire of the wheel is made of a material that melts when applied with a high temperature heat. A fire engine or an ambulance equipped with this type of w heels can rarely perform a fire-fighting or life rescue operation in a place near to a high temperature fire source. Accordingly, the fire engine or the ambulance is required to stay away from the fire source and cannot perform the life rescue operation until fire is extinguished. Moreover, in the case of fire in a tunnel, temperature in the tunnel rapidly rises thereby making it impossible for the fire engine or the ambulance to enter the tunnel. Accordingly, great loss of lives and facilities are caused.

[7]

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[8] The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problems with the prior art, and embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle system that can drive in a high-temperature external environment.

[9] Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle system that can approach a high-temperature fire source to extinguish fire.

[10]

Technical Solution

[11] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the vehicle system may include a wheel covered with a tire; and a vertical caterpillar including a vertically-arranged sprocket, a vertically-arranged idler wheel and a crawler surrounding the sprocket and the idler wheel to form a closed loop.

[12] The vertical caterpillar may include an idler wheel frame having one end rotatably coupled to the idler wheel by a shaft; an absorbing member mounted on the other end of the idler wheel frame to absorb an impact applied to the idler wheel; a crawler frame inside which the idler wheel frame is installed; a tension-adjusting member mounted on one end of the absorbing member to adjust tension of the crawler; sliders arranged on opposite edges of the crawler frame to guide the crawler so that the crawler rotates along an endless track; a sprocket wheel frame formed on an upper end of the crawler frame, wherein the sprocket is assembled to the sprocket wheel frame; a motor for supplying a rotating force to the sprocket wheel; a cylinder-fixing member connected to a portion of the crawler frame and having vertical grooves formed in both lateral sides thereof; a cylinder having one end fixed inside the cylinder-fixing member and the other end fixed to the vehicle frame structure so as to be move up or down; and slide guides each of which has a vertical protrusion engaging into a corresponding one of the grooves of the cylinder-fixing member so as to guide the cylinder- fixing member to move up or down following the cylinder moving up or down.

[13] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the vehicle system may further include a link arm having one end connected to the vehicle frame structure by a rotation shaft and an inner hollow part, in which a yoke cylinder is fixedly installed; a yoke-housing member into which a yoke of the yoke cylinder retracts so as to fix the link arm; a lower link attached to a first side of the link arm such that a vehicle wheel is mounted thereon; an air spring installed between one end of the lower link and the link arm to absorb an impact using compressed air; a hydraulic shock absorber installed between an intermediate portion of the lower link and the link arm to absorb an impact using hydraulic pressure; and an elevating cylinder placed above the link arm to expand or contract using hydraulic pressure. One end of the elevating cylinder is connected to the vehicle frame structure by a rotation shaft, and the other end of the elevating cylinder is connected to a second side opposite the first side of the link arm.

[14] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the vehicle system may further include a housing cover for opening or closing a wheel or caterpillar entrance when the wheel or the caterpillar is housed inside the vehicle system.

[15] In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the vehicle system may further

include an outrigger. The outrigger may include a jack cylinder fixed to the vehicle frame structure, a cylinder rod capable of protruding from and retracting into the jack cylinder and a mount coupled to one end of the cylinder rod by a pin.

[16] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the vehicle system may include a vehicle frame structure forming a framework of the vehicle system and a cooling jacket for maintaining a predetermined temperature inside the vehicle system using coolant flowing therein. The cooling jacket may include a front cooling jacket covering the front surface of the vehicle system, side cooling jackets covering lateral sides of the vehicle system, an upper jacket covering the upper surface of the vehicle system, a bottom cooling jacket covering the bottom surface of the vehicle system and a rear cooling jacket covering the rear surface of the vehicle system.

[17]

Advantageous Effects

[18] As set forth above, the present invention provides the wheels covered with a tire and the vertical caterpillars, which can be lifted up or down, so that the vehicle can rapidly run on the wheels in normal times and run on the vertical caterpillars in a place close to a high-temperature fire source.

[19] Moreover, the vehicle system of the present invention can approach the high- temperature fire source to extinguish fire and rescue lives.

[20]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[21] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle system having a vehicle body-cooling function according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[22] FIG. 2 illustrates a lower frame structure of the vehicle system having a vehicle body-cooling function according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[23] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross joint in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[24] FIG. 4 illustrates an upper frame structure of the vehicle system having a vehicle body-cooling function according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[25] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cooling jacket in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[26] FIGS. 6 A through 6C illustrate a process of manufacturing a cooling jacket according to the present invention;

[27] FIG. 7 illustrates a piping structure connected to a unit cooling jacket according to the present invention;

[28] FIG. 8 illustrates an example in which the unit cooling jacket of the present invention is mounted to a vehicle body frame;

[29] FIGS. 9A through 9C illustrate an assembly of heat-resistant tiles according to the

present invention; [30] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle system, taken along the line I-I' of

FIG. 1; [31] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a cooling unit of the vehicle system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [32] FIG. 12 illustrates the construction of a coolant tank according to an embodiment of the present invention; [33] FIG. 13 is a view for explaining an intake air-cooling unit of the vehicle system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [34] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the intake air-cooling unit of the vehicle system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [35] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the intake air-cooling unit of the vehicle system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [36] FIG. 16 is a plan view of the vehicle system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [37] FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the vehicle system according to the first e mbodiment of the present invention, which is equipped with a wheel-elevating unit and vertical caterpillars; [38] FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the wheel-elevating unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [39] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the wheel-elevating unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [40] FIG. 20 illustrates the state in which the wheel is housed in the vehicle system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [41] FIG. 21 is a view for explaining the operation of a wheel-housing cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [42] FIG. 22 is a configuration view of the wheel-housing cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [43] FIG. 23A is an enlarged view of the vertical caterpillar according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [44] FIG. 23B is a side cross-sectional view of the vertical caterpillar according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [45] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a cylinder-fixing member according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [46] FIG. 25 illustrates the state in which the vertical caterpillars are housed in the vehicle system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [47] FIG. 26 is a side elevation view of a vehicle system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[48] FIG. 27 is an enlarged view of a water cannon shown in FIG. 26;

[49] FIG. 28A is a configuration view of the fire-fighting water tank according to the present invention;

[50] FIG. 28B is a transverse cross-sectional view of the vehicle system according to the present invention;

[51] FIG. 29 is a side cross-sectional view of a monitoring camera unit shown in FIG. 26;

[52] FIG. 30 is a plan view of the monitoring camera unit shown in FIG. 26;

[53] FIG. 31 is a side cross-sectional view of a searchlight unit shown in FIG. 26;

[54] FIG. 32 is a plan view of the searchlight unit shown in FIG. 26;

[55] FIG. 33 illustrates a headlight according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[56] FIG. 34 is a schematic view of a cooling unit of the vehicle system according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[57] FIG. 35 is a view for explaining the operation of the cooling unit of the vehicle system according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[58] FIG. 36 a view illustrating an outrigger according to the present invention; and

[59] FIG. 37 is a configuration view of a wheel drive system for driving a conventional vehicle.

[60]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[61] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle system having a vehicle body-cooling function according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[62] Referring to FIG. 1, the vehicle system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a cooling jacket 11 covering a vehicle body frame that forms a framework of a vehicle, windows 12 to 14 allowing observation of forward, upper and side areas from the vehicle, side and rear doors 15 and 16 through which a person can enter the vehicle, and wheels 17 on which the vehicle system 10 can run. The vehicle system 10 also includes a protective netting 18 outside the windows 12 and 13 to protect the windows 12 and 13 from falling stones and broken pieces of a construction.

[63] The vehicle system 10 also includes cooling jackets 11 that covers front, side, rear, upper and bottom surfaces of the vehicle system 10 to protect the vehicle system 10 from an external high-temperature heat source. A front cooling jacket 11a defines the front window 12, a side cooling jacket l ib defines the side door 15 and the side window 14, an upper cooling jacket l ie defines the upper window 13, and a lower cooling jacket (not shown) defines an opening (entrance) for the wheels 17. The rear door 16 is also made up of the cooling jacket such that the cooling jackets 11 cover all outer surfaces of the vehicle system 10.

[64] Low temperature coolant flows inside the cooling jackets 11 covering the body of the vehicle system 10 and the windows 12 to 14. The coolant is cooled down by an engine-driven refrigerator (not shown), which is mounted inside the vehicle system 10. The coolant can be water (H O) or an antifreezing solution. The antifreezing solution may contain, as a major component, ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, and also contain an anti-corrosion agent and an antifoaming agent. The antifreezing solution may have a boiling point ranging approximately from 130 ⁰ C to 135 ⁰ C. The anticorrosion agent in the antifreezing agent may be formed by mixing an inorganic salt, such as an amine salt, borate, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and silicate, into water.

[65] The coolant flowing inside the cooling jackets 11 as described above can maintain the inside temperature of the vehicle system at a predetermined value, thereby protecting crews and equipment inside the vehicle body from an external high- temperature heat source. Accordingly, in case of a fire, the vehicle system 10 can ensure a rescue operation for people who have not escaped from a fire site and also approach a high-temperature heat source in order to extinguish the fire in an optimum position.

[66] FIG. 2 illustrates a lower frame structure of the vehicle system having a vehicle body-cooling function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[67] Referring to FIG. 2, the lower frame structure 20 forming a framework of the vehicle system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes two side crossbars 21 arranged parallel to each other and end crossbars 22 fixed to opposite ends of the respective side crossbars 21 so as to form a box-like structure. The side crossbars 21 and the end crossbars 22 can be attached to each other for example by welding.

[68] Two inside crossbars 24 are arranged inside the rectangular structure, defined by the side crossbars 21 and the end crossbars 22, so as to be parallel to the side crossbars 21. Each of the inside crossbars 24 has one end fixed to one of the end crossbars 22 and the other end fixed to the other one of the end crossbars 22. A plurality of crossbeams 23 are arranged in a transverse direction of the vehicle, in which opposite ends of the respective crossbeam 23 are fixed to the inside crossbars 24.

[69] Vertical members 25 are fixed to the side crossbars 21, the end crossbars 22, upper parallel members 26, which are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and parallel members 27. Particularly, in one vertical member 25, one end is connected to a portion where one side crossbar 21 abuts a corresponding end crossbar 22 and the other end is connected to a corresponding upper parallel member 26. In another vertical member 25, one end is connected to a portion where one inside crossbar 24 abuts a corresponding end crossbar 22 and the other end is connected to a corresponding upper parallel member 26. In addition, each parallel member 27 is

fixed to an intermediate side portion of a corresponding vertical member 25.

[70] The side crossbars 21 and the end crossbars 22 are fixed as above to form the box- like structure. Here, the side crossbars 21 and the end crossbars 32 can be attached to each other by welding.

[71] Each of the side crossbars 21, the end crossbars 22, the crossbeams 23, the inside crossbars 24, the vertical members 25, the upper parallel members 26 and side parallel members 27 (hereinafter, referred to as "lower unit member") can form a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The lower unit members are connected to each other by welding or by cross joints 28 to 30, thereby forming a framework of the lower frame structure 20.

[72] The cross joints 28 to 30 are designed to enhance the coupling strength between the unit members. The cross joints 28 to 30 are provided in portions where the lower unit members abut each other at right angle and are fixed with the respective lower unit member by bolts 31. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when attempting to connect the vertical members 25 to both sides of the side parallel member 27, one end of the respective vertical member 25 is welded to the side parallel member 27. The reference number '32' in FIG. 3 indicates portions where the side parallel member 27 and the vertical members 25 are fixed to each other by welding. The cross joint 28 is provided to side portions of the vertical members 25 and the side parallel member 27, particularly, in positions where the vertical members 25 abut the side parallel member 27. The cross joint 28 and the vertical members 25 fixed to each other by the bolts 31 and the cross joint 28 and the side parallel member 27 are then fixed to each other by the bolts 31 in order to enhance the coupling strength between the vertical members 25 and the side parallel member 27. As a result, the lower frame structure 20 of the present invention can provide a great amount of strength against external impact or vibration while preventing the vehicle body from being warped. Further, the lower frame structure 20 also maintains a sufficient amount of strength necessary for a variety of necessary attachments to be installed in the vehicle system 10. For example, some devices according to the present invention, such as a tire-elevating unit, vertical caterpillars and an outrigger, can be installed in a space between the side crossbars 21 and the inside crossbars 24 of the lower frame structure 20.

[73] FIG. 4 illustrates an upper frame structure of the vehicle system having a vehicle body-cooling function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[74] Referring to FIG. 4, the upper frame structure 40 forming a framework of the vehicle system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes two side crossbars 41 arranged parallel to each other and end crossbars 42 fixed to opposite ends of the respective side crossbars 41 so as to form a box-like structure. The side crossbars 41 and the end crossbars 42 can be attached to each other for example by

welding.

[75] A plurality of crossbeams 43 are arranged inside the box-like structure defined by the side crossbars 41 and the end crossbars 42 in a transverse direction of the vehicle. Here, opposite ends of the respective crossbeam 43 are fixed to the side crossbars 41. In addition, a plurality of inside crossbars 44 are arranged inside the box-like structure to be parallel to the side crossbars 41, in which opposite ends of the respective inside crossbar 44 are fixed to the crossbeams 43.

[76] Vertical members 45 are fixed to the side crossbars 41, the crossbeams 43, the inside crossbars 44, upper parallel members 46, which are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and side parallel members 47. Particularly, in one vertical member 45, one end is connected to a portion where one side crossbar 41 abuts a corresponding crossbeam 43 and the other end is connected to a corresponding upper parallel member 46. In another vertical member 45, one end is connected to a portion where one inside crossbar 44 abuts a corresponding crossbeam 43 and the other end is connected to a corresponding upper parallel member 46. In addition, each parallel member 47 is fixed to an intermediate side portion of a corresponding vertical member 45.

[77] As such, each of the side crossbars 41, the end crossbars 42, the crossbeams 43, the inside crossbars 44, the vertical members 45, the upper parallel members 46 and the side parallel members 47 (hereinafter, referred to as "upper unit member") can be configured to have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The upper unit members are connected to each other by welding or by the cross joints 28 to 30, thereby forming a framework of the upper frame structure 40.

[78] The upper frame structure 40 constructed as above is arranged on top of the lower frame structure 20 shown in FIG. 2 and, together with the lower frame structure 20, forms a vehicle frame of the vehicle system 10.

[79] As a result, the upper frame structure 40 of the present invention can provide a great amount of strength against external impact or vibration while preventing the vehicle body from being warped. Further, the upper frame structure 40 also maintains a sufficient amount of strength necessary for a variety of necessary attachments to be installed in the vehicle system 10.

[80] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cooling jacket in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[81] The cooling jackets 11 according to the present invention can be made up of a unit cooling jacket 50 as shown in FIG. 5. The unit cooling jacket 50 includes an outer plate 51, an inner plate 52 and side plates 53, and is configured as a hollow box-like structure that is hermetically sealed. A plurality of partitions 54 are provided inside the unit cooling jacket 50 in a vertical direction or a height direction of the vehicle

body and are spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals. The unit cooling jacket 50 also has a coolant inlet 55 in a lower corner of the inner plate 52 and a coolant outlet 56 in an upper corner of the inner plate 52. Preferably, the inlet 55 and the outlet 56 are located to be diagonally opposite each other. An inlet pipe 57 is provided in a horizontal direction inside the lower portion of the unit cooling jacket 50. The inlet pipe 57 is connected at one end thereof to the inlet 55 through which coolant from outside is introduced to the inlet pipe 57. Then, the coolant is uniformly sprayed into the unit cooling jacket 50 through a plurality of nozzles 58 attached to the inlet pipe 57. As such, the inlet 55 and the inlet pipe 57 are provided in the lower portion of the unit cooling jacket 50 such that the coolant is introduced therethrough, and the outlet 56 is formed in the upper portion of the unit cooling jacket 50 such that the coolant is discharged therethrough. With this construction, the coolant fills up the unit cooling jacket 50 from the bottom. As a result, the coolant can be distributed across the whole inside area of the unit cooling jacket 50, thereby efficiently performing a cooling function. If the unit cooling jacket 50 had an inlet formed in the upper portion thereof and an outlet formed in the lower portion thereof such that the coolant flows downwards from the inlet to the outlet, the coolant flows only a portion of the unit cooling jacket 50, thereby failing to sufficiently cool down the whole area. Advantageously, the jacket structure of the present invention does not have such a problem.

[82] The partitions 54 form a plurality of channels inside the unit cooling jacket 50, such that the coolant introduced through the inlet 55 can be dispersed along the respective channels, each of which also guides a respective flow of the coolant to the outlet 56. As a result, the partitions 54 can prevent the coolant from forming a turbulent flow, which would otherwise degrade cooling efficiency. Further, the partitions 54 prevent the unit cooling jacket 50 from being warped by an impact applied to the outer plate 51 and thereby help the unit cooling jacket 50 maintain the original outer shape. As such, the partitions 54 can increase the endurance of the unit cooling jacket 50 against an external impact. Increasing endurance can reduce the thickness of the outer plate 51 and the inner plate 52 and thereby lighten the unit cooling jacket 50.

[83] Each of the cooling jackets covering the front, side, rear, upper and bottom surfaces of the vehicle system 10 of the present invention can be implemented with a single one of the unit cooling jacket 50, or with a plurality of the unit cooling jackets 50 by arranging the jackets side by side.

[84] FIGS. 6A through 6C illustrate a process of manufacturing a cooling jacket according to the present invention.

[85] As shown in FIG. 6A, a plurality of the partitions 54 are arranged in parallel on the outer plate 51, followed by fixing contacting edges of the partitions 54 to the outer

plate 51 by welding. Here, a plurality of protrusions 59 are formed in the opposite edge of the respective partition 54. Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, the protrusions 59 of the partition 54 are fitted into holes 60 of the inner plate 52, and the outer circumference of the protrusions 59 are welded to the inner plate 52. Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, the side plates 53 are fixed to the outer and inner plates 51 and 52 by welding, thereby sealing the unit cooling jacket 50. The outer plate 51 , the inner plate 52, the side plates 53 and the partitions 54 of the unit cooling jacket 50 can be made of for example stainless steel 310, stainless steel 316 and inconel, which are physically and chemically stable in a high-temperature environment.

[86] FIG. 7 illustrates a piping structure connected to a unit cooling jacket according to the present invention.

[87] Referring to FIG. 7, inside the vehicle system 10 defined by the unit cooling jacket

50, a flexible pipe 61 is connected to the inlet 55 of the unit cooling jacket 50. The flexible pipe 61 performs, due to its flexibility, a buffering function when an impact is applied to the unit cooling jacket 50 from outside. On the other hand, when a pump (not shown) inside the unit cooling jacket 50 generates a vibration, the flexible pipe 61 also prevents the vibration from being transmitted to the unit cooling jacket 50. The flexible pipe 61 is connected with a check valve 62, which ensures the coolant to flow in only one direction while preventing the coolant from flowing back. A valve 63 regulates the coolant flowing from the pump (not shown) through the check valve 62 and the flexible pipe 61 to the unit cooling jacket 50. The outlet 56 is connected with a union 64, which is connected to a cooling unit (not shown) of the present invention such that the coolant discharged through the outlet 56 can be cooled again. Brackets 65 for fixing to the vehicle frame structure 20 and 40 are attached, by welding, to the outer surface of the inner plate 52 of the unit cooling jacket 50.

[88] FIG. 8 illustrates an example in which the unit cooling jacket of the present invention is mounted to a vehicle body frame.

[89] As shown in FIG. 8, the unit cooling jacket 50 is installed on the outside surface of the vehicle frame structure 20 and 40. For this, the brackets 65 attached to the unit cooling jacket 50 are hooked to the frame structure 20 and 40 and then are fixed to frame structure 20 and 40 by bolts. Heat-insulating members 71 and 72 are provided on the inside surface of the frame structure 20 and 40. The heat-insulating members 71 and 72 can be provided in a double-layer structure by laying a first layer of the heat- insulating member 71 for high-temperature insulation and a second layer of the heat- insulating member 72 for medium-temperature insulation. The heat-insulating members 71 and 72 can be preferably made of an inorganic material containing for example alumina, silica and zirconia as its major component, which can endure high temperature conditions while insulating heat. An inner finishing member 73 is ad-

ditionally provided inside of the heat-insulating members 71 and 72 in order to prevent the heat- insulating members 71 and 72 from being stripped from the vibrating vehicle. Further, heat-resistant tiles 74 made of silica or zirconia are provided on the outer surface of the unit cooling jacket 50 in order to protect the vehicle system 10 from an external impact and an instantaneous high temperature.

[90] FIGS. 9A through 9C illustrate an assembly of the heat-resistant tiles according to the present invention.

[91] As shown in FIG. 9A, the respective heat-resistant tile 74 of the present invention has a box-like structure and is formed with grooves 91 along edges thereof. A plurality of the heat-resistant tiles 74 are arranged in the form of a matrix and are fixed to each other by tile-fixing brackets 92 as shown in FIG. 9B. The respective tile-fixing bracket 92 is shaped as a cross ( + ) when seen from the front, and has protrusions 93 formed on sides thereof in a shape engaging into the grooves 91 of the heat-resistant tile 74. The tile-fixing bracket 92 also has a through-hole 94 into which a bolt will be fixedly screwed. Thus, the tile-fixing bracket 92 can be fixed to the unit cooling jacket 50 by screwing a bolt into the through-hole 94. FIG. 9C shows the state in which four (4) heat-resistant tiles 74 will be fixed by one tile-fixing bracket 92. As such, the heat-resistant tiles 74 arranged on the outer surface of the unit cooling jacket 50 can be fixed to or separated from each other using the tile-fixing bracket 92. Accordingly, when some of the heat-resistant tiles 74 are fractured, only the corresponding heat-resistant tile(s) can be repaired or replaced, thereby facilitating maintenance.

[92] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle system, taken along the line I-I' of

FIG. 1.

[93] Referring to FIG. 10, a description will be made of the structure of the side window

14 of this embodiment. Two sheets of heat-resistant tempered glass 101 are arranged to oppose each other with a predetermined interval. The tempered glass 101 used in the side window 14 can be made of quartz glass or ROBAX , which is resistant to heat and thermal impacts. A coolant inlet pipe 103 is formed in a lower window frame 102 and a coolant outlet 105 is formed in an upper window frame 104 such that coolant can flow between the two sheets of the heat-resistant tempered glass 101. Mounts 106 provided between the upper and lower window frames 102 and 104 have stepped portions on which the tempered glass 101 is seated. The upper and lower window frames 102 and 104 and the mounts 106 are fixed to each other by welding, thereby sealing a space between the two sheets of heat-resistant tempered glass 101.

[94] Like the unit cooling jacket 50, the upper and lower window frames 102 and 104 and the mounts 106 can be made of for example stainless steel 310, stainless steel 316 and inconel. Different thermal expansion coefficients of the metal mounts 106 and the

heat-resistant tempered glass 101 may damage the heat-resistant tempered glass 101. Accordingly, the respective mount 106 has a recess in the stepped portion and an O- ring 107 fitted into the recess to enhance close contact with the heat-resistant tempered glass 101, thereby preventing the glass 101 from being damaged. For example, the O- ring 107 can preferably be made of Viton rubber, which has excellent heat resistance and chemical resistance. The heat-resistant tempered glass 101 is seated on the mounts 106, heat-resistant packings 108 and fixing plates 109 are stacked on the heat-resistant tempered glass 101, and the fixing plates 109 are fixed to the mounts 106 by bolts 110.

[95] As such, the side window 14 can be used even in a high-temperature environment since the coolant flows between the two opposing sheets of heat-resistant tempered glass 101. Further, the front window 12 and the upper window 13 of the vehicle system 10 can be configured the same as the side window 14. As an alternative, the upper window 13 can be constructed by connecting a plurality of the structures of the side window 14.

[96] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a cooling unit of the vehicle system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[97] As shown in FIG. 11, the cooling unit uses coolant to cool down the vehicle system

10 of the present invention, particularly, parts of the vehicle system including a front cooling jacket 1 Ia, side cooling jackets 1 Ib, a side door 15, an upper cooling jacket 1 Ic, a bottom cooling jacket 1 Id, a rear door 16 and windows 12 to 14. All the front cooling jacket 11a, the side cooling jackets l ib, the side door 15, the upper cooling jacket l ie, the bottom cooling jacket 1 Id, the rear door 16 and the windows 12 to 14 are connected through manifold type pipes 112, which are connected to a coolant tank 11. A valve 113 is also connected to the respective pipe 112 to regulate the flow of coolant.

[98] The coolant tank 111 contains the coolant, and the cooling unit including a compressor 114 and an evaporator 115 performs cooling the coolant. For example, high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 114. A condenser performs water cooling so that the gas refrigerant can be converted into high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant by heat exchange. A receiver contains high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant from the condenser and only pure liquid refrigerant is discharged. A filter dryer filters impurities and moisture from the liquid refrigerant discharged from the receiver, and an expansion valve converts the filtered liquid refrigerant into low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant, which is then discharged to the evaporator 115 inside the coolant tank 111. Inside the evaporator 115, the low-temperature and low- pressure liquid refrigerant is converted into low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant through heat exchange with relatively hot coolant. The converted gas re-

frigerant is then supplied to the compressor 114, thereby establishing a cooling cycle. The condenser, the receiver, the filter dryer and the expansion valve are provided sequentially between the compressor 114 and the evaporator 115, but are not illustrated in FIG. 11 for the sake of brevity.

[99] With the above-described connection structure, a coolant-circulating pump 116 forcibly supplies the coolant through the manifold type pipes 112 to parts to be cooled, particularly, the cooling jackets 11a to Hd and 16 and the windows 12 to 14 according to the present invention. Further, in the present invention, a radiator 118a placed near to an engine 118 is connected to the coolant tank 111 through a pipe such that the coolant can be circulated to the radiator 118a to maintain the temperature of the engine 118 to be constant.

[100] In addition, a vacuum pump 117 is provided to exhaust air from the front cooling jacket 1 Ia, the side cooling jackets 1 Ib, the side door 15, the upper cooling jacket 1 Ic, the bottom cooling jacket 1 Id, the rear door 16, the windows 12 to 14 and the radiator 118a. Otherwise, the air can obstruct the flow of the coolant inside the above- specified parts. Accordingly, a separate pipe (not shown) can preferably be formed in the top portion of the front cooling jacket l la, the side cooling jackets 1 Ib, the side door 15, the upper cooling jacket 1 Ic, the bottom cooling jacket 1 Id, the rear door 16 and the windows 12 to 14 such that the air can be exhausted out by the vacuum pump 117.

[101] A power generator 119 provided in the main engine 118 supplies power for driving the compressor 114, the coolant-circulating pump 116 and the vacuum pump 117. An auxiliary tank 120, which also contains coolant, is connected to the coolant tank 111 through a coolant-replenishing pipe 121. Accordingly, when the coolant tank 111 is short of the coolant, the auxiliary tank 120 can replenish the coolant to the coolant tank 111.

[102] FIG. 12 illustrates the construction of a coolant tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[103] The coolant tank 111 of the present invention can be made of stainless steel, and as shown in FIG. 12, the inside of the coolant tank 111 is divided into a collecting part 123 and a cooling part 124 by a partition 121. Relatively hot coolant is collected in the collecting part 123. The hot coolant collected through an inlet pipe 125 is uniformly dispersed inside the collecting part 123 through a plurality of nozzles 126 formed on the inlet pipe 125. Accordingly, the advantage of the present invention is that heat exchange can be performed without installing an additional mixer, which mixes the collected hot coolant.

[104] In the cooling part 124, the collected coolant is cooled down to a low temperature. The partition 121 is formed of a plurality of partition holes 122 such that heat

exchange can gradually occur between the relatively hot coolant (for example having 'first temperature'), introduced through the nozzles 124 from the inlet pipe 125, and low temperature coolant (for example having 'second temperature' lower than the first temperature) inside the cooling part 124. Here, due to the partition 121 having the partition holes 122, the coolant tank 111 can prevent the hot coolant from directly entering the cooling part 124 and also regulate the amount of the coolant entering the cooling part 124. In addition, a temperature sensor (not shown) can be installed inside the coolant tank 111 to measure the temperature of the coolant inside the tank in order to determine whether or not to start the cooling unit. After cooled down again in the cooling part 124, the coolant is supplied again to the respective unit cooling jackets 1 Ia to 1 Id and 16 and the windows 12 to 14 through an outlet pipe 126.

[105] FIG. 13 is a view for explaining an intake air-cooling unit of the vehicle system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[106] FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of the vehicle system 10 of the present invention, which includes the intake air-cooling unit 130 to supply cooling air at a predetermined temperature or less to an engine room, a cabin and an engine, which are equipped inside the vehicle system 10.

[107] The intake air-cooling unit 130 is in the form of a duct through which outside air is introduced, and includes a suction port 131 placed in the bottom of the vehicle and an exhaust port 132 connected to the engine room, the cabin and the engine, which are equipped inside the vehicle system 10. The intake air-cooling unit 130 also includes filter members 131 and 132 made of a carbon-based material, which are installed in the suction port 131 and the exhaust port 132, respectively, to filter impurities from the intake air. The intake air-cooling unit 130 can be configured to extend through the coolant tank 111 such that the outer surface of the intake air-cooling unit 130 is immersed in the coolant inside the coolant tank 111. With this structure, the air sucked into the intake air-cooling unit 130 can be cooled down. In addition, an inside door 127 can be installed to separate the engine room where the engine 118 is installed from a rear space of the vehicle body where the auxiliary tank 120 is installed.

[108] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the intake air-cooling unit of the vehicle system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[109] As shown in FIG. 14, the intake air-cooling unit 130 forms a plurality of separate channels by partitions 135 inside the exhaust port 132. A plurality of the separate channels formed as above can be connected to the engine room where the vehicle engine 118 is installed, to the cabin where a driver is located, and for the operation of the engine, to the vehicle engine 118, respectively.

[110] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the intake air-cooling unit of the vehicle system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[111] As shown in FIG. 15, the intake air-cooling unit 130 has a plurality of recesses 136 formed in opposite lateral sides thereof and fixing members 137 fitted into the recesses 136. The fixing members 137 are arranged in a transverse direction of the vehicle and are spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals. A plurality of heat- dissipating fins 138 are installed between the fixing members 137. Each of heat- dissipating fins 138 is supported, at opposite ends thereof, to two adjacent fixing members 137. The thickness, height and intervals of the heat-dissipating fins 138 can be properly adjusted so as to obtain maximum cooling efficiency. The shell of the intake air-cooling unit 130 and the fixing members 137 can be made of stainless steel, which is resistant against heat and corrosion. The heat-dissipating fins 138 are made of a thin sheet of aluminum (Al) or copper (Cu) and are formed to have an "S" shape to promote heat exchange with intake air. In addition, the fixing members 137 are formed thinner than the heat-dissipating fins 138 to ensure channels running from the suction port 131 to the exhaust port 132. With this structure, the air sucked through the suction port 131 of the intake air-cooling unit 130 can be cooled down by heat exchange through the heat-dissipating fins 138 and thereby supplied to the inside of the vehicle.

[112] FIG. 16 is a plan view of the vehicle system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[113] As shown in FIG. 16, the exhaust port 132 of the intake air-cooling unit 130 of the present invention is located in an engine room 150 where an engine is installed. The exhaust port 132 is divided by the partitions 135 into a plurality of intake ports 161 to 163, and intake fans are installed in intake air ports 161 to 163, respectively, to forcibly suck the cooling air. The cooling air is supplied to the vehicle engine through an engine intake pipe 164 connected to the engine intake port 161 so that the engine can be operated. The cooling air is supplied to the engine room 150 through the engine room intake port 162, and the inside air is exhausted through an exhaust fan 165 installed in the bottom of the vehicle body. Further, the cooling air is supplied to a cabin 151 where a driver is located through a cabin intake pipe 166 connected to the cabin intake port 163.

[114] FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the vehicle system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which is equipped with a wheel-elevating unit and vertical caterpillars.

[115] As shown in FIG. 17, the vehicle system of the present invention includes wheels 17, each of which is covered with a tire, and vertical caterpillars 230. The respective wheel 17 can be lifted up and down by the wheel-elevating unit 170. In normal times, the wheels 17 are in a lowered position and in contact with the ground as shown in FIG. 17. When the wheels 17 are in contact with the ground, the vehicle system 10

can quickly run on the wheels 17. In the present invention, the vertical caterpillars 230 are also provided as means for running the vehicle system 10. The vertical caterpillars 230 are also configured to be lifted up or down, and in normal times, are lifted up and housed inside the vehicle system 10. However, in a high-temperature environment, the tires of the wheels 17 will melt and cannot be used any more. Accordingly, when the vehicle system approaches a high-temperature fire source or enters a firing tunnel, the wheels 17 are lifted up from the ground and are housed inside the vehicle system 10 using the wheel-elevating unit 170, and then the vertical caterpillars 230 are lowered to the ground. As such, the vehicle system 10 can approach the high- temperature environment such as a fire site using the vertical caterpillars 230 in order to rescue lives or extinguish fire.

[116] FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the wheel-elevating unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the wheel- elevating unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[117] Below, a description will be given of the wheel-elevating unit 170 of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. The wheel-elevating unit 170 of the present invention includes a link arm 171 rotatably connected to the vehicle frame structure 20 and 40, a lower link 177 attached to a first side of the link arm 171 and fixed to the wheel 17, and an elevating cylinder 180 connected to the first link arm 171 to lift up or down the link arm 171.

[118] One end of the link arm 171 is connected to the vertical member 25 and 45 of the vehicle frame structure 20 and 40 by a rotation shaft 172, and a yoke cylinder 173 is fixedly installed in the hollow inner part of the link arm 171. A piston rod 173a of the yoke piston 173 is connected to a yoke 174. When the piston rod 173a of the yoke cylinder 173 moves forward, the yoke 176 retracts into a yoke-housing member 175 fixed to the vehicle frame structure 20 and 40, thereby fixing the link arm 173 to the vehicle frame structure 20 and 40. A lower link support 176 is fixed to the first side of the link arm 171, and the lower link 177 is rotatably connected to the lower link support 176 by a hinge 178. A U-shaped bolt 179 is fixed to one end of the lower link 177, and the wheel 17 is mounted to the lower link 177 by a wheel shaft 17a held inside the U-shaped bolt 179. One end of the elevating cylinder 180 is connected, by a rotation shaft 181, to the second side opposite the first side of the link arm 171 such that the link arm 171 can be lifted up and down. The other end of the elevating cylinder 180 is connected, by the rotation shaft 181, to a cylinder bracket 183, which is fixed to the vehicle frame structure 20 and 40. The cylinder bracket 183 is preferably fixed to the same vertical member 25 and 45, to which the rotation shaft 172 of the link arm 171 is fixed. With this structure, when the elevating cylinder 179 moves back, the link arm 171 rotates counterclockwise so that the wheels 17 can be lifted up from

the ground and thus be housed inside the vehicle system 10.

[119] In addition, a hydraulic shock absorber 184 is provided between the link arm 171 and the lower link 177 in order to absorb an impact applied to the wheel 17. Further, an air spring 185, which expands its volume using compressed air, is installed between the link arm 171 and one end of the lower link 177. The air spring 185 can absorb an impact caused by minute vibrations since it can expand and contract its volume using the compressed air, which is supplied from outside under a suitable air pressure. In addition, since the lower link 177 can rotate with respect to the lower link support 178 in response to expansion or contraction of the air spring 185, the height of the wheel 17 can be adjusted, the height of the vehicle system 10 can be freely adjusted according to ground conditions such as a rough road surface, and the weight of the vehicle system 10 can be properly dispersed to prevent the weight from being concentrically applied to a specific part of the vehicle system 10. Particularly, the air spring 185 can preferably be designed to expand when the wheel 17 is lifted down to the ground.

[120] FIG. 20 illustrates the state in which the wheel is housed in the vehicle system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[121] As shown in FIG. 20, when attempting to house the wheel 17 inside the vehicle system 10 using the wheel-elevating unit 170 of the present invention, the yoke 174 is detached from the yoke -housing member 175 by retracting a piston rod (not shown) of the yoke cylinder 173 into a body of the yoke cylinder. A sensor 186 is attached to an entrance of the yoke-housing member 175 to provide information on the retraction and moving position of the yoke 174. When the yoke 174 is completely escaped from the yoke -housing member 175, a piston rod (not shown) of the elevating cylinder 180 retracts into a body of the elevating cylinder 180. Since the elevating cylinder 180 is connected at one end thereof to the link arm 171 and at the other end thereof to the cylinder bracket 183 by the shafts 181 and 182, it is possible to rotate the link arm 171 counterclockwise by retracting the cylinder rod (not shown) of the elevating cylinder 180 into the body of the elevating cylinder 180. When the link arm 171 is rotated counterclockwise, the wheel 17 fixed to the lower portion of the link arm 171 by the lower link 177 is also vertically lifted and thereby housed inside the vehicle system 10. Further, in the case of lifting up the wheel 17, it is preferable that the air spring 185 contracts.

[122] FIG. 21 is a view for explaining the operation of a wheel-housing cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 22 is a configuration view of the wheel-housing cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[123] As shown in FIG. 21, the wheel-housing cover 210 is constructed to open/close an entrance for the wheel 17 in the bottom of the vehicle system 10 when the wheel 17 is housed inside the vehicle system 10. The wheel-housing cover 210 is fixed to a piston

rod 21 Ia of a cylinder 211 so as to open or close the entrance 220 for the wheel 17 in the bottom of the vehicle system 10 in response to forward or backward movement of the piston rod 211a. The left part of FIG. 21 indicates the state in which the wheel- housing cover 210 has closed the entrance 220 for the wheel 17 in the bottom of the vehicle system 10 when the wheel 17 is housed inside the vehicle system 10. On the other hand, the right part of FIG. 21 indicates the sate in which the wheel-housing cover 210 has opened the entrance 220 for the wheel 17 in the bottom of the vehicle system 10 so that the wheel 17 can be lifted down from the vehicle system 10 to the ground.

[124] As shown in FIG. 22, the wheel-housing cover 210 is configured with a size corresponding to that of the entrance for the wheel 17 in the bottom of the vehicle system 10 so as to sufficiently close the entrance. Here, guide rails 212 are provided on the bottom of the vehicle system 10 along opposite edges of the wheel-housing cover 210 in such a fashion that the wheel-housing cover 210 can slide on the guide rails 212. In addition, the wheel-housing cover 210 can preferably be implemented with the cooling jacket of the present invention such that coolant flowing inside the wheel-housing cover 210 can prevent the wheel-housing cover 210 from being excessively heated.

[125] FIG. 23A is an enlarged view of the vertical caterpillar according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 23B is a side cross-sectional view of the vertical caterpillar according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[126] Below, a description will be given of the vertical caterpillar 230 of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 23A and 23B. The vertical caterpillar 230 includes a sprocket wheel 232 connected to the upper end of a crawler frame 231, an idler wheel 233 connected to the lower end of the crawler frame 231 and a crawler 234 surrounding the sprocket wheel 232 and the idler wheel 233 so as to form an endless track.

[127] The crawler frame 231 is configured as a box having an inner hollow part, to which an idler wheel frame 235 for fixing the idler wheel 233 is fixedly assembled. The idler wheel 233 is rotatably coupled to one end of the idler wheel frame 235 by a shaft 236. An absorbing member 236 is vertically mounted on the other end of the idler wheel frame 235 so as to absorb an impact applied to the idler wheel 233. A tension- adjusting member 237 for adjusting the tension of the crawler 234 is fixed to one end of the absorbing member 236. A coil spring 238 is mounted inside the absorbing member 236 to absorb an impact between the tension-adjusting member 237 and the idler wheel frame 235.

[128] On opposite edges of the crawler frame 231, two sliders 239 are provided to oppose each other. The sliders 239 are fixed to the opposite edges of the crawler frame 231 by bolts so as to guide the crawler 234 to rotate along the endless track while alleviating

rocking caused by vibrations of the crawler 234. The sliders 239 can be made by combining carbon to brass so that the crawler 234 can be smoothly guided.

[129] In the crawler 234, a plurality of links 234 are connected by link pins 234b to form a closed loop. A shoe 234c protruding from the outer circumference of the respective link 234a is fixed by a bolt so as to allow running irrespective of ground conditions. The crawler 234 is then wound on the sprocket wheel 232 and the idler wheel 233.

[130] The sprocket wheel 232 is assembled to a sprocket wheel frame 241, which is fixed to the upper end of the crawler frame 231. A hydraulic motor 242 and a motor case 234 are installed on both sides via the sprocket wheel 232 and the sprocket wheel frame 241. The hydraulic motor 242 supplies a rotating force to the sprocket wheel 232. When the sprocket wheel 232 rotates, protrusions 232a on the sprocket wheel 232 rotate in engagement with the crawler 234, thereby causing the crawler 234 to rotate along the endless track. As the crawler 234 rotates, the idler wheel 236 also rotates in engagement with the crawler 234.

[131] In addition, as shown in FIG. 23B, the present invention also provides a cylinder- fixing member 244, a bracket 245 and a hydraulic cylinder 246, by which the caterpillar 230 can be fixed to the vehicle frame of the vehicle system 10.

[132] The cylinder-fixing member 244 is fixed to the upper end portion of the crawler frame 231 by welding, and the bracket 245 is fixed to the upper inside surface of the cylinder- fixing member 244. One end of the hydraulic cylinder 246 is vertically fixed inside the bracket 245. Since the hydraulic cylinder 246 is fixed in parallel to the crawler frame 231, the caterpillar 30 can vertically move up or down as the piston rod 246a of the hydraulic cylinder 246 moves forward or backward.

[133] Two pairs of the caterpillars 230 as described above can be provided in the vehicle system 10. Particularly, one pair of the caterpillars 230 are provided in both sides of the front part of the vehicle system 10 and the other pair of the caterpillars 230 are provided in both sides of the rear part of the vehicle system 10. The number of the caterpillars 230 can be properly changed. Specifically, since the caterpillars 230 are arranged in a vertical direction or a height direction of the vehicle system 10 and are also configured to be lifted up and down, they are housed inside the vehicle system 10 in normal times but can be lifted down to the ground when approaching a high- temperature fire source. Even if the caterpillars 230 are in contact with the ground surface, only part of the vertical caterpillars 230 are exposed from the vehicle system 10 but a majority of the caterpillars 230 are located inside the vehicle system 10. As a result, when the vehicle system 10 is running on the caterpillars 230 by lifting down and rotating the caterpillars 230 in a place close to the high-temperature fire source such as a fire site, the caterpillars 230 can be cooled down by relatively cool air inside the vehicle system 10. Accordingly, the caterpillars 230 can be properly operated

without being damaged even in a high-temperature environment.

[134] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the cylinder-fixing member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[135] As shown in FIG. 24, the cylinder-fixing member 244 is fixed to the crawler frame 231, and a pair of grooves 251 and 252 are vertically formed along lateral sides of the cylinder- fixing member 244 so as to oppose each other. The grooves 251 and 252 are fitted onto protrusions 253a and 254a of slide guides 253 and 254, which are fixed to the vertical member 25 and 45 of the vehicle frame structure 20 and 40 by welding or bolts. With this structure, when the piston rod 246a of the hydraulic cylinder 246 fixed inside the cylinder- fixing member 244 moves forward or backward, the cylinder- fixing member 244 can move up or down along the slide guides 253 and 254.

[136] FIG. 25 illustrates the state in which the vertical caterpillars are housed in the vehicle system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[137] As shown in the left of FIG. 25, when attempting to house the vertical caterpillar 230 inside the vehicle system 10, the piston rod 246a of the hydraulic cylinder 246 is advanced to lift the crawler frame 231 vertically upward. As a result, the crawler 234 can also be lifted from the ground 234 so as to be housed inside the vehicle system 10.

[138] As shown in the right of FIG. 25, when attempting to lower the vertical caterpillar

230, the piston rod 246a of the hydraulic cylinder 246 is pulled back to lift the crawler frame 231 vertically downward. As a result, the crawler 234 can also be brought to the ground.

[139] In addition, fans 250 can be mounted above the vertical caterpillars 230 to cool down the vertical caterpillars 230. The fans 250 are fixed inside the vehicle system 10 to cool down the caterpillars 230 and send heat radiated from the caterpillars 230 out of the vehicle system 10. Crawler-housing covers (not shown) can also be provided to open or close entrances for the caterpillars 230 in the bottom of the vehicle system. The crawler-housing covers (not shown) can be configured the same as the wheel- housing cover 210 shown in FIG. 22.

[140]

[141] FIG. 26 is a side elevation view of a vehicle system according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 27 is an enlarged view of a water cannon shown in FIG. 26.

[142] The vehicle system 260 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is implemented as a fire engine, and further includes a fire-fighting water tank 261 and a water cannon 270 in use for extinguishing a fire, added to the construction of the vehicle system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle system 260 also includes a monitoring camera unit 290, a searchlight unit 300 and an outrigger 360. Other parts are substantially the same as those of the first

embodiment, which were previously described. Throughout the drawings, the like reference numbers are used to designate the like parts, which will not be repeatedly described.

[143] Referring to FIGS. 26 and 27, the water cannon 270 of the present invention is attached to the top surface of the vehicle system 260 and a water pipe 272 is mounted on a boom unit 271. The boom unit 271 is a boom type unit that can increase or decrease the whole length thereof by extension and contraction. One end of the water pipe 272 is connected to the fire-fighting water tank 261 mounted inside the vehicle system 260, and a water nozzle 273 is attached to the other end of the water pipe 272 so as to inject water. One end of the boom unit 271 is rotatably coupled to a boom support 274 by a rotational joint 275, and the boom support 274 is fixed to the upper frame structure 40. A ring gear including an outer ring 276 and an inner ring 277 is provided under the boom support 274, and a cooling jacket 50 is interposed between the ring gear and the boom support 27. The cooling jacket 50 surrounds the ring gear including the outer ring 276 and the inner ring 277 so as to protect the ring gear from external heat. The outer ring 276 is fixed to the bottom of the boom support 274 at a plurality of points by a plurality of bolts. The inner circumference of the outer ring 276 and the outer circumference of the inner ring 277 are assembled to each other so as to be supported by a bearing. A revolving motor 278 is directly fixed inside the boom support 274. The revolving motor 278 is connected to the ring gear so as to rotate the ring gear by its rotating force, so that the boom support 274 can be horizontally rotated. An inclined cylinder 278 is installed between the boom support 274 and the boom unit 271, in which the angle of inclination of the boom unit 271 can be adjusted in response to forward and backward movement of the inclined cylinder 278.

[144] FIG. 28 A is a configuration view of the fire-fighting water tank according to the present invention.

[145] As shown in FIG. 28a, the inner space of the fire-fighting water tank 261 are divided into a plurality of chambers by a plurality of partitions 262 and 263. For example, the partitions 262 and 263 can be divided into the main partition 262, which extend through the fire-fighting water tank 261 in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of the auxiliary partitions 263, which extend across the main partition 262. As such, owing to the fire-fighting water tank 261 having the chambers divided by the partitions 262 and 263, it is possible to advantageously prevent the vehicle system 260 from turning over even if the fire-fighting water is concentrated to one portion inside the fire-fighting water tank 261.

[146] A tank bottom plate 264 of the fire-fighting water tank 261 is curved and inclined along the main partition 262. A hole 264 is formed by cutting portions of the main partition 262 and the auxiliary partitions 263 where the main partition 262 and the

auxiliary partitions 263 and the tank bottom plate 264 are joined together. A water pipe 265 is installed in the lower central portion of the fire-fighting water tank 261. Accordingly, all the chambers of the fire-fighting water tank 261 divided by the partitions 262 and 263 can be connected to the water pipe 265 through the hole 264. In addition, a water-replenishing port (not shown) can also be formed in the upper portion of the fire-fighting water tank 261.

[147] FIG. 28B is a transverse cross-sectional view of the vehicle system according to the present invention.

[148] Referring to FIG. 28B, the fire-fighting water tank 261 is installed inside the upper frame structure 40 of the present invention. In FIG. 28B, only the tank bottom plate 264 of the fire-fighting water tank 261 is illustrated for the sake of brevity. In addition, a coolant tank 111 is installed inside the lower frame structure 20.

[149] A plurality of tank supports 280 are vertically installed to support the tank bottom plate 264 from below. An upper rib 281 is formed on one end of the respective tank support 280 so as to be in close contact with the tank bottom plate 264. The upper rib 281 can be fixed to the tank bottom plate 264 by welding. A lower rib 282 is formed on the other end of the tank support 280 so as to be fixed to the upper frame 40 by welding. The tank supports 280 are arranged to fix the fire-fighting water tank 261 to the upper frame structure 20 in which the heights thereof increase from the center to sides of the fire-fighting water tank 261. A variety of pipes, cables, air-conditioning ducts and so on can be installed in a space between the tank bottom plate 264 of the fire-fighting water tank 261 and the tank supports 280.

[150] In addition, cooling jackets 284 and 285 can be provided to opposite sidewalls of a housing space 283 inside the vehicle system 260 where the vertical caterpillar 230 or the wheel 17 is housed. The cooling jackets 284 and 285 can be cooled down by coolant to prevent the inside of the vehicle system 260 from being heated by hot air introduced from outside. The cooling jackets 284 and 285 also serve to cool down the temperature of the vertical caterpillars 230 when the vehicle runs on the vertical caterpillars 230.

[151] FIG. 29 is a side cross-sectional view of the monitoring camera unit shown in FIG. 26, and FIG. 30 is a plan view of the monitoring camera unit shown in FIG. 26.

[152] Referring to FIGS. 29 and 30, the monitoring camera unit 290 of the present invention includes an outer transparent glass member 291, an inner transparent glass member 292 and a camera 292 mounted inside the inner transparent glass member 292. Each of the outer transparent glass members 291 and 292 has a circular upper wall and a cylindrical side wall, and the inner transparent glass member 292 is spaced apart at a predetermined interval from the inner circumference of the outer transparent glass member 291. Here, coolant flows between the outer and inner transparent glass

members 291 and 292 so as to prevent the temperature of the camera 293 from rising in a high-temperature environment.

[153] Both the outer transparent glass members 291 and 292 are fixed to a base 294 to isolate a space outside the outer transparent glass member 291, a space between the outer transparent glass members 291 and 292 and a space inside the inner transparent glass member 292 from each other. The base 294 is circularly shaped, and has two protrusions 295 and 296 extending along the edge thereof. The inner circumference of the outer protrusion 295 is fixed to the outer circumference of the outer transparent glass member 291, and the inner circumference of the inner protrusion 296 is fixed to the outer circumference of the inner transparent glass member 292. For this, the outer transparent glass member 291 is received in a groove defined between the outer and inner protrusions 295 and 296, and an O-ring 297 is press-fitted between the inner circumference of the outer protrusion 295 and the outer circumference of the outer transparent glass member 291. In addition, a collar 298 and a fixing plate 299 are arranged on top of the outer protrusion 291 and the O-ring 297 so as to press and spread the O-ring 297 to be flat, and are then fixed by bolts. Accordingly, a hermetic seal can be achieved between the inner circumference of the outer protrusion 295 and the outer circumference of the outer transparent glass member 291.

[154] The inner transparent glass member 292 is arranged adjacent to the inner circumference of the inner protrusion 296, and an O-ring 280 is press-fitted between the inner circumference of the inner protrusion 296 and the outer circumference of the inner transparent glass member 292. A collar 281 and a fixing plate 282 are arranged on top of the inner protrusion 296 and the O-ring 280 so as to press and spread the O- ring 280 to be flat, and then are fixed by bolts. Accordingly, a hermetic seal can be achieved between the inner circumference of the inner protrusion 296 and the outer circumference of the inner transparent glass member 292.

[155] A coolant pipe 303 is formed between the outer transparent glass member 291 and the inner transparent glass member 292, along the circular groove between the outer protrusion 295 and the inner protrusion 296. The coolant pipe 303 is connected at one end thereof to a coolant inlet pipe 305 by a connector 304, but is closed at the other end thereof. The coolant pipe 303 can be welded to the base 294 along the groove, and is formed in the upper surface thereof with a plurality of through-holes 306 to spray the coolant. A plurality of vertical drain pipes 307 are erected in the groove of the base 294. The respective vertical drain pipe 307 has one end connected to a coolant drain pipe 309, which discharges the coolant through a connector 308. The other end of the vertical drain pipe 307 extends beyond the upper surface of the inner transparent glass member 292 up to a height where it almost reaches the inner top surface of the outer transparent glass member 291. Accordingly, cold coolant supplied from the coolant

pipe 303 fills the space between the outer transparent glass member 291 and the inner transparent glass member 292 from bottom. In the meantime, relatively hot coolant warmed by outside air is present in an upper part of the space between the outer transparent glass member 291 and the inner transparent glass member 292, and is drained through the vertical drain pipes 307 to the coolant drain pipe 309.

[156] The camera 293 is coupled to a camera mount 310 by a hinge 311, and a turntable 312 is fixed to the bottom of the camera mount 310. The camera 293 can preferably be implemented with an infrared ray (IR) camera, which allows identification in the dark. A rotary motor 313 is arranged under the turntable 312 to rotate the turntable 312 in forward and backward directions. A motor base 314 of the rotary motor 313 is fixed to the base 294 by bolts. A power cable 315 for supplying power to the camera 293 can run through the base 294 so as to be connected to a control panel (not shown) in the cabin.

[157] FIG. 31 is a side cross-sectional view of the searchlight unit shown in FIG. 26, and FIG. 32 is a plan view of the searchlight unit shown in FIG. 26.

[158] Referring to FIGS. 30 and 31, the searchlight unit 300 of the present invention has substantially the same construction as that of the monitoring camera unit 290 of FIG. 29, except that a searchlight 316 is installed inside the inner transparent glass member 292 in place of the camera 293.

[159] Describing in detail, the searchlight unit 300 includes an outer transparent glass member 291, an inner transparent glass member 292 and the searchlight 316 mounted inside the inner transparent glass member 292. Each of the outer transparent glass members 291 and 292 has a circular upper wall and a cylindrical side wall, and the inner transparent glass member 292 is spaced apart at a predetermined interval from the inner circumference of the outer transparent glass member 291. Here, coolant flows between the outer and inner transparent glass members 291 and 292 so as to prevent the temperature of the searchlight 316 from rising in a high-temperature environment.

[160] Both the outer transparent glass members 291 and 292 are fixed to a base 294 to isolate a space outside the outer transparent glass member 291, a space between the outer transparent glass members 291 and 292 and a space inside the inner transparent glass member 292 from each other. The base 294 is circularly shaped, and has two protrusions 295 and 296 extending along the edge thereof. The inner circumference of the outer protrusion 295 is fixed to the outer circumference of the outer transparent glass member 291, and the inner circumference of the inner protrusion 296 is fixed to the outer circumference of the inner transparent glass member 292. For this, the outer transparent glass member 291 is received in a groove defined between the outer and inner protrusions 295 and 296, and an O-ring 297 is press-fitted between the inner cir-

cumference of the outer protrusion 295 and the outer circumference of the outer transparent glass member 291. In addition, a collar 298 and a fixing plate 299 are arranged on top of the outer protrusion 291 and the O-ring 297 so as to press and spread the O-ring 297 to be flat, and then are fixed by bolts. Accordingly, a hermetic seal can be achieved between the inner circumference of the outer protrusion 295 and the outer circumference of the outer transparent glass member 291.

[161] The inner transparent glass member 292 is arranged adjacent to the inner circumference of the inner protrusion 296, and an O-ring 280 is press-fitted between the inner circumference of the inner protrusion 296 and the outer circumference of the inner transparent glass member 292. A collar 281 and a fixing plate 282 are arranged on top of the inner protrusion 296 and the O-ring 280 so as to press and spread the O- ring 280 to be flat, and then are fixed by bolts. Accordingly, a hermetic seal can be achieved between the inner circumference of the inner protrusion 296 and the outer circumference of the inner transparent glass member 292.

[162] A coolant pipe 303 is formed between the outer transparent glass member 291 and the inner transparent glass member 292, along the circular groove between the outer protrusion 295 and the inner protrusion 296. The coolant pipe 303 is connected at one end thereof to a coolant inlet pipe 305 by a connector 304, but is closed at the other end thereof. The coolant pipe 303 can be welded to the base 294 along the groove, and is formed in the upper surface thereof with a plurality of through-holes 306 to spray the coolant. A plurality of vertical drain pipes 307 are erected in the groove of the base 294. The respective vertical drain pipe 307 has one end connected to a coolant drain pipe 309, which discharges the coolant through a connector 308. The other end of the vertical drain pipe 307 extends beyond the upper surface of the inner transparent glass member 292 up to a height where it almost reaches the inner top surface of the outer transparent glass member 291. Accordingly, cold coolant supplied from the coolant pipe 303 fills the space between the outer transparent glass member 291 and the inner transparent glass member 292 from bottom. In the meantime, relatively hot coolant warmed by outside air is present in an upper part of the space between the outer transparent glass member 291 and the inner transparent glass member 292, and is drained through the vertical drain pipes 307 to the coolant drain pipe 309.

[163] The searchlight 316 is coupled to a searchlight mount 310 by a hinge 311, and a turntable 312 is fixed to the bottom of the searchlight mount 310. A rotary motor 313 is arranged under the turntable 312 to rotate the turntable 312 in forward and backward directions. A motor base 314 of the rotary motor 313 is fixed to the base 294 by bolts. A power cable 315 for supplying power to the searchlight 316 can run through the base 294 so as to be connected to a control panel (not shown) in the cabin.

[164] FIG. 33 illustrates a headlight according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[165] The headlight 317 can be installed inside any of the front window 12, the upper window 13 and the side window 14. FIG. 33 shows the usage in which the headlight 317 is installed inside the side window 14. Referring to FIG. 33, an L-shaped headlight support 318 has one end fixed to a mount 106, on which a heat-resistant tempered glass 101 is seated. The other end of the headlight support 318 is fixed to the headlight 317. Accordingly, the headlight 317 of the present invention can project light out of the vehicle system 260 through the window 14, in which coolant flows between two sheets of the heat-resistant tempered glass 101, and also be protected from external heat.

[166] FIG. 34 is a schematic view of a cooling unit of the vehicle system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[167] As shown in FIG. 34, the cooling unit uses coolant to cool down the vehicle system 10 of the present invention, particularly, parts of the vehicle system including a front cooling jacket 1 Ia, side cooling jackets 1 Ib, a side door 15, an upper cooling jacket 1 Ic, a bottom cooling jacket 1 Id, a rear door 16, windows 12 to 14, a radiator 118a, a monitoring camera unit 290 and a searchlight unit 300. All the front cooling jacket 11a, the side cooling jackets 1 Ib, the side door 15, the upper cooling jacket 1 Ic, the bottom cooling jacket 1 Id, the rear door 16, the windows 12 to 14, the radiator 118a, the monitoring camera unit 290 and the searchlight unit 300 are connected through manifold type pipes 112, which are connected to a coolant tank 11. A valve 113 is also connected to the respective pipe 112 to regulate the flow of coolant.

[168] The coolant tank 111 contains the coolant, and the cooling unit including a compressor 114 and an evaporator 115 performs cooling the coolant. For example, high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 114. A condenser performs water cooling so that the gas refrigerant can be converted into high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant by heat exchange. A receiver contains the high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant from the condenser and only pure liquid refrigerant is discharged. A filter dryer filters impurities and moisture from the liquid refrigerant discharged from the receiver, and an expansion valve converts the filtered liquid refrigerant into low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant, which is then discharged to the evaporator 115 inside the coolant tank 111. Inside the evaporator 115, the low-temperature and low- pressure liquid refrigerant is converted into low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant through heat exchange with relatively hot coolant. The converted gas refrigerant is then supplied to the compressor 114, thereby establishing a cooling cycle. The condenser, the receiver, the filter dryer and the expansion valve are provided sequentially between the compressor 114 and the evaporator 115, but are not illustrated in FIG. 32 for the sake of brevity.

[169] With the above-described connection structure, a coolant-circulating pump 116 forcibly feeds the coolant through the manifold type pipes 112 to parts to be cooled, particularly, the cooling jackets 11a to Hd and 16, the windows 12 to 14, the monitoring camera unit 290 and the searchlight unit 300 according to the present invention. Further, in the present invention, the radiator 118a is placed near to an engine 118 is connected to the coolant tank 111 through a pipe such that the coolant can be circulated to the radiator 118a to maintain the temperature of the engine 118 to be constant.

[170] In addition, a vacuum pump 117 is provided to exhaust air from the front cooling jacket 1 Ia, the side cooling jackets 1 Ib, the side door 15, the upper cooling jacket 1 Ic, the bottom cooling jacket 1 Id, the rear door 16, the windows 12 to 14, the radiator 118a, the monitoring camera unit 290 and the searchlight unit 300. Otherwise, the air can obstruct the flow of the coolant inside the above-specified parts. Accordingly, a separate pipe (not shown) can preferably be formed in the top portion of the front cooling jacket 11a, the side cooling jackets l ib, the side door 15, the upper cooling jacket l ie, the bottom cooling jacket 1 Id, the rear door 16 and the windows 12 to 14 such that the air can be exhausted out by the vacuum pump 117.

[171] A power generator 119 provided in the main engine 118 supplies power for driving the compressor 114, the coolant-circulating pump 116 and the vacuum pump 117. A fire-fighting water tank 261, which contains water, is connected to the coolant tank 111 through a coolant-replenishing pipe 121. Accordingly, when the coolant tank 111 is short of the coolant, the fire-fighting water tank 261 can replenish coolant to the coolant tank 111. Comparing FIG. 34 to FIG. 11, the fire-fighting water tank 261 in the cooling unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 34) is used as a means for containing fire-fighting water, and corresponds to the auxiliary tank 120 in the cooling unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 11). Since water is contained in the fire-fighting water tank 261 in the second embodiment of the present invention, the coolant contained in the coolant tank 111 is preferably water (H2O) or an antifreezing solution. In addition, the coolant tank 111 is connected with a fire pump 320, which supplies water to the water cannon 270. Here, the fire pump 320 is supplied with power taken from the engine 118 by a power take off (PTO) unit 321. Furthermore, the power generator 119 is connected to the PTO unit 321 through a universal joint 322 so as to be supplied with power.

[172] FIG. 35 is a view for explaining the operation of the cooling unit of the vehicle system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[173] Referring to FIG. 35, water level sensors 331 and 332 are installed in the fire-fighting water tank 261 and the coolant tank 111, respectively. The water level sensors 331 and 332 detect the level of the fire-fighting water and the coolant remaining in the fire-

fighting water tank 261 and the coolant tank 11 by dividing the level into for example high level, intermediate level and low level, and provide information for opening and closing respective valves "a" to "e." For example, when the water level is high level or intermediate level indicating that the fire-fighting water is sufficiently contained in the fire-fighting water tank 261, the first and third valves "a" and "c" are open but the second and fourth valves "b" and "d" are closed. Then, the fire-fighting water inside the fire-fighting water tank 261 can be injected by the water cannon 270 to extinguish fire, and also be used to cool down the front cooling jacket 11a, the side cooling jackets 1 Ib, the side door 15, the upper cooling jacket 1 Ic, the bottom cooling jacket 1 Id, the rear door 16, the windows 12 to 14, the radiator 118a, the monitoring camera unit 290 and the searchlight unit 300 according to the present invention.

[174] On the other hand, when the water level is low level indicating that the fire-fighting water is not sufficiently contained in the fire-fighting water tank 261, the first and third valves "a" and "c" are closed but the second and fourth valves "b" and "d" are open. Then, the fire-fighting water in the fire-fighting water tank 261 is not supplied any longer to the front cooling jacket l la, the side cooling jackets 1 Ib, the side door 15, the upper cooling jacket 1 Ic, the bottom cooling jacket 1 Id, the rear door 16, the windows 12 to 14, the radiator 118a, the monitoring camera unit 290 and the searchlight unit 300 according to the present invention, but the coolant inside the coolant tank 111 is used to cool down the front cooling jacket l la, the side cooling jackets 1 Ib, the side door 15, the upper cooling jacket 1 Ic, the bottom cooling jacket 1 Id, the rear door 16, the windows 12 to 14, the radiator 118a, the monitoring camera unit 290 and the searchlight unit 300. Thus, even if the fire-fighting water is insufficient inside the fire-fighting water tank 261, it is possible to maintain the coolant, which cools down the vehicle system 260 of the present invention. When the fire- fighting water tank 261 is short of the fire-fighting water, fire-fighting water can be supplied from an outdoor hydrant through a fire-fighting water-replenishing hole 333 in the upper portion of the fire-fighting water tank 261. In addition, the fire-fighting water can be directly supplied from the fire-fighting water tank 261 to the coolant tank 111 through the fifth valve "e , which is formed between the fire-fighting water tank 261 and the coolant tank 111.

[175] FIG. 36 a view illustrating the outrigger according to the present invention.

[176] As shown in FIG. 36, two pairs of the outriggers 360 are provided in the vehicle system 260. Particularly, one pair of the outriggers 360 are provided in both sides of the front part of the vehicle system 260 and the other pair of the outriggers 360 are provided in both sides of the rear part of the vehicle system 260. The number of the outriggers 360 can be properly changed. The respective outrigger 360 includes a jack cylinder 361 fixed to a vehicle frame, a cylinder rod 362 protruding from and

retracting into the jack cylinder 361 and a mount 363 fixed to one end of the cylinder rod 362 by a pin 364. The outrigger 360 is housed inside the vehicle system 260 by retracting the cylinder rod 362 into the jack cylinder 361 when the vehicle system 260 is running. When the vehicle system 260 is stopped, the cylinder rod 362 protrudes from the jack cylinder 361 so that the mount 363 is placed on the ground. In the state where the mounts 363 are placed on the ground, the wheels 17 and the vertical caterpillars 230 of the vehicle system 260 of the present invention can be housed inside the vehicle system 260. As such, the body of the vehicle system 260 of the present invention can be supported on the ground in order to improve the safety of an operation such as a life rescue operation or a fire-fighting operation.