SF Gate: Freak fire traps man inside Audi/Battery failure a possible cause

[Huw Powell]

> Actually it would Huw,  IF the hole was in part of the circuit for the other
> doors NOT the drivers side door.  I have experienced it myself playing
> around with the locking system, HOWEVER its only for 90 seconds,  after
> that, he probably paniced as you said.

there is only one vacuum "circuit."  It branches out to all the doors
with T's and Y's.  There are no check valves or anything, so opening a
vac. line anywhere (or melting through it) will open the system and
render it useless.

On that other note of why did some companies (Audi etc.) use pneumatic
instead of electric locks?

1. it either works or doesn't - no "3 doors lock and one doesn't"
effect.
2. it is probably simpler - just one motor (the pump), a few wires and
30-40 feet of hose.
3. the actuators in the doors are light and simple.

at least they didn't decide to also use pneumatic/hydraulic power
windows... although they might have been more reliable in the very long
run!

--
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/

http://www.humanthoughts.org/