Protection device and protection method

Abstract

Provided is a wearable protection device that efficiently protects the human body. According to the present invention, a protection device that is to be worn at the waist of a person to be protected comprises a cushioning part that surrounds at least a portion of the protruding portion of the greater trochanter of the femur of the person to be protected at a gap from the protruding portion.

Description

Protection device and protection method

[0001] The present invention relates to a protection device and a protection method.

[0002] Conventionally, a body protection device worn by a user has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 describe devices for protecting the waist of a user.

[0003] Specification of Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 111296921, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-102239

[0004] Conventionally, the priority of protecting body parts has not been considered. The technology of the present disclosure aims to provide a technology for efficiently protecting the human body in a wearable protection device.

[0005] To solve the above problems, this disclosure includes the following configurations: (Aspect 1) A protective device to be worn by a person to be protected, comprising a buffer portion that covers at least a part of the area around the protruding greater trochanter of the femur of the person to be protected, leaving the protruding portion open. (Aspect 2) The protective device according to Aspect 1, wherein the buffer portion is an airbag, and further comprises an inflation source supply device that supplies an inflation source, which is a fluid, into the airbag to inflate the airbag, and the airbag may, in an inflated operating state, cover at least a part of the area around the greater trochanter of the person to be protected. (Aspect 3) The protective device according to Aspect 2, wherein the airbag, in the operating state, includes a first extending portion located on one side of the greater trochanter of the person to be protected and extending around the greater trochanter, and a second extending portion located on the opposite side of the first extending portion with respect to the greater trochanter and extending around the greater trochanter, and the first extending portion and the second extending portion may be deployed without being connected on the greater trochanter. (Aspect 4) In the protective device described in Aspect 3, a connecting portion may be further included that extends around the greater trochanter and connects one side of the first extending portion in the direction of extension with one side of the second extending portion in the direction of extension. (Aspect 5) In the protective device described in Aspect 4, the first extending portion, the connecting portion, and the second extending portion may be connected in a U-shape or substantially U-shape. (Aspect 6) In the protective device described in Aspect 4, the connecting portion is a first connecting portion, and a second connecting portion may be further included that extends around the greater trochanter and connects the other side of the first extending portion in the direction of extension with the other side of the second extending portion in the direction of extension. (Aspect 7) In the protective device described in Aspect 6, the first extending portion, the first connecting portion, the second extending portion, and the second connecting portion are connected in a ring, and the thickness of the airbag during operation may be greater on the inner side than on the outer side of the airbag. (Aspect 8) A protective device according to any one of aspects 1 to 7 may include a starting device that starts the expansion source supply device based on the output from at least one of the acceleration sensor and the angular velocity sensor.(Aspect 9) The protective device according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, comprising a fastener for attachment to at least one of the waist and torso of the person to be protected, wherein when the fastener is attached to at least one of the waist and torso of the person to be protected, the airbag may cover at least a portion of the area around the greater trochanter of the person to be protected in the activated state. (Aspect 10) The protective device according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, comprising a fastener for attachment to at least one of the waist and torso of the person to be protected, wherein the cushioning portion may include a first extending portion located on one side of the greater trochanter of the person to be protected, with one end extending from a part of the fastener around the greater trochanter, and a second extending portion located on the opposite side of the first extending portion with respect to the greater trochanter, with one end extending from another part of the fastener around the greater trochanter. (Aspect 11) The protective device according to aspect 10 may further include a connecting portion that extends around the greater trochanter and connects one side in the extending direction of the first extending portion with one side in the extending direction of the second extending portion. (Aspect 12) A protective method comprising a protective device fitted to a person to be protected and equipped with an airbag, wherein an inflation source which is a fluid is supplied into the airbag to inflate the airbag, and the airbag covers at least a part of the area around the greater trochanter of the femur of the person to be protected, leaving the protruding portion of the greater trochanter open.

[0006] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide technology for efficiently protecting the human body in wearable protective devices.

[0007] Figure 1 shows a protective device in its normal state. Figure 2 shows a protective device in its operating state. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a protective device and control device. Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining a simulation. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the conditions and results of the simulation. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the conditions and results of the simulation. Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the shape of the protective device. Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining another example of the shape of the protective device. Figure 9 is a diagram for explaining another example of the shape of the protective device. Figure 10 shows an example of a protective device equipped with an alignment member on the lower body side. Figure 11 shows an example of a protective device equipped with an alignment member on the upper body side.

[0008] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations and combinations thereof in the embodiments are examples only, and additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications are permitted as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. This disclosure is not limited by the embodiments, but is limited only by the claims.

[0009] <Embodiment> Figure 1 is a diagram showing the protective device 1 according to the embodiment in its normal state. Figure 1(A) is a front view of the person to be protected 9 wearing the protective device 1. Figure 1(B) is a rear view of the person to be protected 9 wearing the protective device 1. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the protective device 1 in an activated state according to the embodiment. Figure 2(A) is a front view of the person to be protected 9 wearing the protective device 1. Figure 2(B) is a rear view of the person to be protected 9 wearing the protective device 1. The protective device 1 is a wearable type protective device worn on the person to be protected 9, and is a device for protecting the femur and surrounding area of ​​the person to be protected 9.

[0010] In this embodiment, the protective device 1 includes a belt 2 (corresponding to a fastener) for wrapping around the body of the person to be protected 9, a protective device 3 such as an airbag that protects the femur and surrounding area of ​​the person to be protected 9 when the protective device 1 is activated, and a control device 4 that inflates the protective device 3 (corresponding to a cushioning part). In addition to the belt, rubber, hooks, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, or a combination thereof may be used as the fastener. In this specification, terms relating to direction refer to the front, back, left, right, up, and down directions relative to the person to be protected, as indicated by the arrows in Figures 1 and 2, when the protective device 1 is attached to the person to be protected.

[0011] The belt 2 includes, for example, a belt-shaped strap portion 21 that is wrapped around the waist of the person to be protected, a buckle 22 that detachably connects both ends of the strap portion 21, and an adjustment device 23 such as a belt adjuster for adjusting the length of the strap portion 21. The belt 2 may also include hook-and-loop fasteners, clips, buttons, etc., in place of or in addition to the above-described components, as long as it can be attached to the waist of the person to be protected or around it.

[0012] A protective device 3 is attached to the belt 2, for example, on the rear or side. The protective device 3 is, for example, an airbag. The airbag is a flexible bag configured to inflate and deploy when gas is introduced into it during operation. As shown in Figure 1, the protective device 3 is contracted or folded in its normal state. The protective device 3 may also be housed in some kind of storage compartment in its normal state. As shown in Figure 2, the protective device 3 is deployed and inflated in the activated state. The shape during operation is not limited to the example in Figure 2, but may include, for example, a base portion 31 extending along the belt 2 on the rear side of the person to be protected, a left portion 32 extending downward with one end connected to a part of the base portion 31 (left side), a right portion 33 extending downward with one end connected to the other part of the base portion 31 (right side), and a connecting portion 34 connecting the other end of the left portion 32 and the other end of the right portion 33. Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 2, the interiors of the base portion 31, the left portion 32, the right portion 33, and the connecting portion 34 are connected in an annular manner. The left portion 32 and the right portion 33 may be deployed to cover the sides of the person to be protected, as will be described later. The base portion 31, the left portion 32, the right portion 33, and the connecting portion 34 cover the buttocks of the person to be protected 9 when the airbag is deployed, and prevent the airbag from shifting position when deployed.

[0013] A control device 4 is attached to, for example, the side of the belt 2. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the protective device 3 and the control device 4. The control device 4 includes an expansion source supply unit 41 (corresponding to an expansion source supply device) and an activation unit 42 (corresponding to an activation device).

[0014] The expansion source supply unit 41 is connected to the protective device 3 and generates an expansion source when activated to deploy the protective device 3. The expansion source is, for example, gas, and the expansion source supply unit 41 is, for example, a gas generator. The method by which the gas generator generates gas may be, for example, a stored method that releases pressurized gas filled inside, a known pyro method that generates gas by burning a solid gas generating agent, or a hybrid method that combines the pyro method and the stored method. The type of gas generator is not limited. The shape of the gas generator may be cylindrical, disc-shaped, etc., and any shape can be used. For example, a shape that is not bulky in normal use may be appropriately adopted. As for the expansion source introduced into the protective device 3, instead of gas, a foam capable of inflating the protective device 3 may be used, or a liquid may be used.

[0015] The activation unit 42 is a device for activating the expansion source supply unit 41 when predetermined operating conditions for activating the expansion source supply unit 41 are met. If the expansion source supply unit 41 is a stored-type gas generator, the activation unit 42 opens a valve body that is blocking a cylinder filled with pressurized gas. For example, the activation unit 42 may be a circuit that supplies operating current to an actuator (e.g., an igniter) capable of opening the valve body of the gas generator, and may control the operating mechanism of the actuator to open the valve body. If the valve body is made of a thin-walled metal member, the means for opening the valve body of the gas generator may be an arrowhead or piston that slides in response to the energy of the igniter and opens the valve body, in addition to an igniter.

[0016] For example, the cylinder described above may be detachably attached to the belt 2. That is, after activation, the protective device 1 may be reused by the person being protected, etc., refolding the protective equipment 3 after deployment and replacing the cylinder with a new one.

[0017] The startup unit 42 includes a processor 421, a storage unit 422, and a sensor 423, etc. The processor 421 comprehensively executes various arithmetic processes in the startup unit 42. The processor 421 may have an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The power supply for the protection device 1 may be included in the startup unit 42, or it may be located separately from the startup unit 42.

[0018] The storage unit 422 includes, for example, a main memory unit and an auxiliary memory unit. The main memory unit of the storage unit 422 includes RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory), and for example, loads programs used for arithmetic processing by the processor 421 and caches information such as data. The main memory unit of the storage unit 422 may be formed integrally with the processor 421. The auxiliary memory unit of the storage unit 422 consists of a storage medium such as volatile memory such as RAM, non-volatile memory such as ROM, EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), hard disk drive (HDD), or removable media. Removable media is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or an SD card, which is an externally connectable and computer-readable recording medium. The auxiliary memory unit of the storage unit 422 may store various programs, tables, etc., for executing the operation of the protection device 1.

[0019] Sensor 423 supplies a signal to the activation unit 42 to determine whether or not to activate the protective device 1. For example, sensor 423 detects when a person wearing protective device 1 falls, or when acceleration is greater than the acceleration experienced during the person's normal movements, and sends the signal to processor 421. Sensor 423 may be, for example, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope (angular velocity sensor), etc., and multiple types of sensors may be used in combination. Furthermore, sensor 423 is not particularly limited as long as it can detect impact, acceleration, angular velocity, etc., and detection devices other than the sensors exemplified above can also be used. Because protective device 1 is equipped with sensor 423, the activation unit 42 can activate protective device 1 (inflation source supply unit 41) at an appropriate timing between the time the person falls and before they receive an impact from the ground or floor. Note that sensor 423 may be placed separately from the activation unit 42 in a part of protective device 1 that is more likely to detect impacts, etc. Furthermore, the sensor 423 may be positioned independently of the activation unit 42, in which case the signal obtained by the sensor 423 can be transmitted to the activation unit 42 via wireless communication.

[0020] Furthermore, the protective device 1 may have a wearing status detection sensor for determining whether or not it is being worn by the person to be protected. For example, the wearing status detection sensor may be a pressure sensor and one or more may be placed inside the belt. Alternatively, the wearing status detection sensor may be a switch that detects the fastening or detachment of the buckle. The activation unit 42 may receive a detection signal from the wearing status detection sensor and activate the protective device 3 if it determines that the protective device 1 is being worn by the person to be protected.

[0021] With the protective device 1 described above, for example, if the person to be protected 9 falls, the sensor 423 can detect this based on the acceleration measured by the sensor, and the protective device 3 can be inflated before the person to be protected 9 comes into contact with the floor or ground, thereby reducing the impact on the body of the person to be protected 9.

[0022] <Protective Equipment 3> The shape of protective equipment 3 is not limited to the configuration shown in the illustration. The human skeleton has areas that are at high risk of causing difficulty in movement or complications if fractured. Protective equipment 3 would be most effective if it could specifically protect these areas.

[0023] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the simulation. The right side of Figure 4 shows the skeletal structure around the hip joint. The proximal femur includes the femoral head 91, femoral neck 92, trochanteric region 93 (greater trochanter 931 and lesser trochanter 932), and subtrochanteric region 94, with the femoral head 91 connected to the pelvis 95. In particular, fractures of the femoral neck 92 and trochanteric region 93 due to falls are not uncommon in the elderly. For such fractures, surgery may be performed to avoid complications such as muscle weakness and bedsores, and even with appropriate treatment, recovery to the pre-injury level may not be achieved. Thus, the proximal femur can be said to be one of the parts of the human body that requires high priority protection.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, the load when an impactor 10 is struck against a human body model of a protected person 9 equipped with protective gear 3 was simulated. The impactor 10 was a flat plate with a diameter of 500 mm and a weight of 43.5 kg, which is the average upper body weight of a 75-year-old. Furthermore, simulating the impact of a fall, the impactor was struck against the human body model at 3.38 m / s (12.2 km / h) in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 4. The size of the protective gear 3 when inflated was a diameter of 200 mm and a thickness (thickest part) of 150 mm, and the compression amount upon impact with the impactor was set to 95 mm. The protective gear 3 was positioned offset vertically with respect to the side of the greater trochanter 931 (Figure 4 (2)) as the reference point (Figures 4 (3) to (6)). Note that the side of the greater trochanter 931 refers to the position on the body surface opposite the greater trochanter 931, and is also called "directly above" the greater trochanter 931 as the reference point. Furthermore, the simulation was performed using the Control Volume (CV) method. In the CV method, the pressure is calculated from the volume within the closed region of the protective device 3 (airbag) and the equation of state, and the closed region is pressurized uniformly. In other words, the inside of the protective device 3 is considered a closed region, and the calculation is performed assuming that the temperature, pressure, etc., throughout the protective device 3 are uniform, without considering instantaneous, temporary pressure imbalances or heat spots.

[0025] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the simulation conditions and results. In this example, the load measurement point was the femoral neck 92 (between the femoral neck 92 and the trochanter 93). The table includes columns for "No.", "Inflation Size", "Set Pressure", "BAG Position", and "Femoral Neck Load Ratio". The "Femoral Neck Load Ratio" shows the load received by the trochanter 93 as a percentage when protective equipment is placed at each location, based on the load received by the trochanter 93 without protective equipment. The "No." column displays identification numbers from (1) to (6) to uniquely identify the simulation. The "Inflation Size" column displays information indicating the size of the airbag. The "Set Pressure" column displays information indicating the pressure inside the airbag. The "BAG Position" column displays information indicating the placement of the airbag. Rows with No. (1) show the simulation results when protective equipment 3 is not used. Rows (2) through (6) in Figure 5 show the simulation results when the vertical center of the protective device 3 is positioned at the locations indicated by the dashed lines (2) through (6) in Figure 4. Note that the offset is positive in the upward (head) direction and negative in the downward direction. Row (2) in Figure 5 represents the case where the protective device 3 is positioned to the side (directly above) the trochanter 93, row (3) represents the case where the protective device 3 is positioned 110 mm above the trochanter 93, row (4) represents the case where the protective device 3 is positioned 55 mm above the trochanter 93, row (5) represents the case where the protective device 3 is positioned 55 mm below the trochanter 93, and row (6) represents the case where the protective device 3 is positioned 110 mm below the trochanter 93.

[0026] As shown in Figure 5, if the load without the protective device 3 is taken as 100 (reference), the reduction rate of the load on the trochanter 93 is lowest when the protective device 3 is placed to the side of the trochanter 93 (Figure 5(2)). Although the impact is mitigated, the skeleton protrudes laterally at the greater trochanter 931, so the trochanter 93 receives a large impact, and the cushioning effect cannot be said to be large. As shown in Figure 5, it is preferable to place the protective device 3 offset (shifted) from the trochanter 93 rather than facing the trochanter 93, as this can distribute the load on the trochanter 93. The reduction rate of the load on the trochanter 93 was highest when the protective device 3 was placed 110 mm above the trochanter 93 (Figure 5(3)).

[0027] Figure 6 shows the simulation conditions and results. The simulation conditions are the same as in the example in Figure 5, but in this example, the load measurement point is the pelvis 95. As shown in Figure 6, the load when there is no protective device 3 (Figure 6(1)) is set to 100, and the load received by the pelvis 95 when protective devices are placed at each part is shown as a percentage. Since the trochanter 93 protrudes laterally more than the pelvis 95, the trochanter 93 receives a greater impact when there is no airbag, as shown in Figure 5(1). Using the load when there is no airbag as a baseline, the load on the pelvis 95 increased when the airbag was placed 110 mm above the trochanter 93 (Figure 6(3)). In other cases, it was possible to reduce the load on the pelvis 95, but overall, although there is a difference in the load on the pelvis 95 depending on the placement of the airbag, the load on the trochanter 93 shown in Figure 5 is greater than the load on the pelvis 95. Therefore, reducing the load on the trochanter 93 has a greater effect.

[0028] Here, the pelvis 95 has relatively high durability and poses less risk when subjected to load compared to the trochanter 93. If the impact of a fall can be distributed and absorbed to parts other than the trochanter 93, the load on the relatively fragile trochanter 93 can be reduced. In particular, absorbing the impact at the pelvis 95, which is located above the femur, is preferable because it can reduce the overall risk. Therefore, the protective device 3 is configured to cover at least a portion of the area around the greater trochanter 931, leaving a gap directly above the greater trochanter 931 (the protruding part of the thigh where the greater trochanter 931 is located).

[0029] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the shape of the protective device 3. Figure 7(A) shows the right side portion 33 of the protective device 3. Figure 7(B) shows a cross-sectional view along line A-A in Figure (A). The right side portion 33 may include, for example, a base portion 331 (corresponding to the first extended portion) that extends along the belt 2 to the right side of the person to be protected, an extended portion 332 (corresponding to the connecting portion) that is connected at one end to a part of the base portion 331 (rear side) and extends downward, and an extension portion 334 (corresponding to the second extended portion) that bends forward from the other end of the extended portion 332. The inside of the right side portion 333 is interconnected with the base portion 331, the extended portion 332, and the extension portion 334, and the entire protective device 3 is inflated by the aforementioned expansion source when in operation. The rear end of the extension portion 334 may also be connected to the connecting portion 34 shown in Figure 2. In the example shown in Figure 7, the protective device 3 covers a portion of the area around the greater trochanter 931, leaving (avoiding) the protruding portion of the greater trochanter 931 of the person being protected. "Leaving a gap" or "avoiding" refers to a state where the inflated portion of the airbag, which is the protective device 3, is separated from the greater trochanter 931, and the center of the inflated portion is offset from the greater trochanter 931. For example, in Figure 7(A), the center of the base portion 331, the center of the extension portion 332, and the center of the extension portion 334 are located at positions offset from the greater trochanter 931. In Figure 7, the right side portion 33 is U-shaped or roughly U-shaped in the side view shown in (A). The shape of the airbag may also be roughly C-shaped, including portions extending toward each other from the front ends of the base portion 331 and the extension portion 334, respectively. Furthermore, the base portion 331 covers the protruding portion of the pelvis 95 (ilium), so that when the person being protected falls, the load is applied to the pelvic side rather than the trochanter portion 93. Therefore, fractures of the proximal femur, which pose a high risk to the person being protected, can be reduced. The left side portion 32 is, for example, symmetrical to the right side portion 33.

[0030] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of the shape of the protective device 3. The parts corresponding to the configuration of the protective device 3 described above are denoted by corresponding reference numerals. Figure 8(A) represents the right side portion 33 of the protective device 3. Figure 8(B) represents a cross-sectional view along line B-B in Figure (A). The right side portion 33 may include, for example, a base portion 331 (corresponding to a connecting portion) extending along the belt 2 to the right side of the person being protected, a first extending portion 332 with one end connected to a part of the base portion 331 (rear side) and extending downward, and a second extending portion 333 with one end connected to another part of the base portion 331 (front side) and extending downward. The inside of the right side portion 33 is interconnected with the base portion 331, the first extending portion 332, and the second extending portion 333, and the entire protective device 3 is inflated by the aforementioned expansion source during operation. Furthermore, the other end of the first extension portion 332 may be in communication with the connecting portion 34 shown in Figure 2. In the example in Figure 8, the protective device 3 covers a portion of the area around the greater trochanter 931, leaving a gap at the protruding portion of the greater trochanter 931 of the person being protected. In Figure 8, as in the side view shown in (A), the right side portion 33 is U-shaped or roughly U-shaped. The shape of the bag may be roughly C-shaped, as in Figure 7. Also, the base portion 331 covers the protruding portion of the pelvis 95 (ilium), so that when the person being protected falls, the load is applied to the pelvic side rather than the trochanter portion 93. Therefore, fractures of the proximal femur, which pose a high risk to the person being protected, can be reduced. The left side portion 32 is, for example, symmetrical to the right side portion 33.

[0031] In the examples shown in Figures 7 and 8, the protective device 3 is not connected to the protruding portion of the greater trochanter 931 of the person being protected (in Figure 7, the base portion 331 and the extension portion 334 are not connected, and in Figure 8, the first extension portion 332 and the second extension portion 333 are not connected). Therefore, if the person being protected falls and the protective device 3 bears the load, the two U-shaped extension ends (the base portion 331 and the extension portion 334 in Figure 7, and the first extension portion 332 and the second extension portion 333 in Figure 8) are easily deformed in a direction that separates them from each other, and this deformation allows the load to be distributed over a wide area of ​​the protective device 3. The airbag has sufficient deployment amount (thickness) to ensure cushioning even when the weight of the person being protected 9 is applied during a fall. Basically, the airbag does not have gas release holes. However, while a slightly excessive amount of gas is supplied to the bag to support the weight of the person being protected 9, a gas release valve may be formed to suppress the bag from rupturing when a predetermined load is applied to the airbag. In addition to adjusting the cushioning effect of the airbag, the gas release valve may also serve the function of releasing the air inside when the airbag is folded and stored for reuse after deployment. Also, in Figure 7, to prevent the distance between the front ends of the base portion 331 and the extension portion 334 from opening too wide when the weight of the person to be protected 9 is applied to the airbag due to a fall, a string-like restricting member may be connected between them to prevent them from opening beyond a predetermined distance. In this case, in order to avoid putting a load on the trochanter portion 93, it is preferable to position the restricting member with a gap in the protruding portion of the trochanter portion 93. For example, the restricting member may be positioned on the opposite side from the extension portion 332, with the protruding portion of the trochanter portion 93 as the reference, so as to connect the front end of the base portion 331 and the front end of the extension portion 334 with the restricting member. In the example of Figure 8, for a similar purpose, restricting members may be connected to the lower ends of the first extension portion 332 and the second extension portion 333, respectively. For example, the restricting member may be positioned on the opposite side from the base portion 331, with respect to the protruding portion of the trochanter portion 93, so as to connect the lower end side of the first extended portion 332 and the lower end side of the second extended portion 333 with the restricting member.

[0032] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating another example of the shape of the protective device 3. The parts corresponding to the configuration of the protective device 3 described above are denoted by corresponding reference numerals. Figure 9(A) represents the right side portion 33 of the protective device 3. Figure 9(B) represents a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in Figure (A). The right side portion 33 may include, for example, a base portion 331 (corresponding to a connecting portion) extending along the belt 2 to the right side of the person being protected, a first extending portion 332 with one end connected to a part of the base portion 331 (rear side) and extending downward, a second extending portion 333 with one end connected to another part of the base portion 331 (front side) and extending downward, and an extension portion (connecting portion) 334 connecting the other end of the first extending portion 332 and the other end of the second extending portion 333. The interior of the right side portion 33 is connected to the base portion 331, the first extended portion 332, the second extended portion 333, and the extension portion (connecting portion) 334, and when activated, the entire protective device 3 is inflated by the aforementioned expansion source. The other end of the first extended portion 332 may also be connected to the connecting portion 34 shown in Figure 2. In the example in Figure 9, the protective device 3 covers the entire area around the greater trochanter 931 of the person being protected, leaving a gap at the protruding portion of the greater trochanter 931. That is, in Figure 9, the right side portion 33 is annular in the side view shown in (A). The base portion 331 covers the protruding portion of the pelvis 95 (ilium), and when the person being protected falls, the load on the trochanter 93 is distributed to the pelvic side. Therefore, fractures of the proximal femur, which pose a high risk to the person being protected, can be reduced. Furthermore, the inner circumference (3311, 3341) of the right side portion 33 may protrude outward relative to the human body more than the outer circumference (3312, 3342). In this case, the human body side (3313, 3343) of the inner circumference of the right side portion 33 may also protrude outward relative to the human body more than the outer circumference (3312, 3342) so that a gap is formed between it and the human body. This also reduces the load on the trochanter portion 93. The left side portion 32 is, for example, symmetrical to the right side portion 33.

[0033] In the examples shown in Figures 7 to 9, when the person to be protected fastens the belt 2 around their waist (for example, above the protruding part of the pelvis (ilium)), the protective device 3 is positioned to cover the area around the protruding part of the greater trochanter 931, leaving a gap. The protective device 1 may also be further equipped with an alignment member to prevent the belt 2 from rotating in the circumferential direction and becoming misaligned. Figure 10 shows an example of a protective device 1 equipped with an alignment member (attachment) on the lower body side as a fastening device. As shown in Figure 10, the protective device 1 may be equipped with fastening members 24, such as strings or belts, that connect the right and left sides of the protective device 1 to the right and left thighs of the person to be protected 9, respectively. The alignment member may be a trouser-like garment worn on the lower body of the protective device 1, and the protective device 1 may be fixed to the garment with hook-and-loop fasteners or the like. In addition to being wrapped around the waist of the person to be protected 9, the belt 2 may also be attached around the shoulders of the person to be protected 9 like suspenders. Figure 11 shows an example of a protective device 1 equipped with an alignment member on the upper body side as a fastening device. In the example of Figure 11, the protective device 1 further includes shoulder belts 25, chest belts 26, etc. as attachment devices. The attachment devices shown in Figures 10 and 11 can be used individually, in combination with belt 2, or the fastening member 24, shoulder belts 25 and chest belt 26 can be used in combination with belt 2. By using them in combination, the load on the person to be protected can be distributed. The fastening device may also be attached to the torso of the person to be protected 9 other than the waist, for example, by using only the shoulder belts 25, or by a combination of the shoulder belts 25 and chest belt 26. For example, the protective device 3 and control device 4 may be provided at the lower part of the shoulder belts 25. Alternatively, the protective device 3 and control device 4 may be attached to the clothing of the person to be protected (e.g., trousers) in a way that allows them to be attached and detached using hooks, clips, snap buttons, etc., and the clothing may be secured with the shoulder belts 25 or the shoulder belts 25 and chest belt 26. In these cases as well, the protective device 3 is positioned so that it can be deployed around the greater trochanter 931 and then attached to a predetermined location on the body of the person to be protected 9.

[0034] <Other> Note that protective device 3 is not limited to an airbag. Protective device 3 may be a pre-deployed cushioning member, as long as it covers the area around the protruding portion of the greater trochanter 931 while leaving an opening, and can distribute the load towards the pelvis. In other words, protective device 3 may be worn in an deployed state as shown in Figure 2 even in normal conditions, and may have a cushioning effect by elastically deforming, for example.

[0035] While embodiments relating to this disclosure have been described above, each embodiment disclosed herein can be combined with any other features disclosed herein.

[0036] 1: Protective device 2: Belt, 21: Strap part, 22: Buckle, 23: Adjuster 3: Protective device (airbag), 31: Base part, 32: Left side part, 33: Right side part, 34: Connection part 331: Base part, 332: Extension part (first extension part), 333: Extension part (second extension part), 334: Extension part (connection part) 4: Control device, 41: Inflation source supply unit, 42: Activation unit (421: Processor, 422: Memory unit, 423: Sensor) 9: Person to be protected, 91: Femoral head, 92: Femoral neck, 93: Trochanteric region (931: Greater trochanter, 932: Lesser trochanter), 94: Subtrochanter, 95: Pelvis (Ilium) 10: Impactor

Claims

1. A protective device to be worn by a person to be protected, comprising a cushioning portion that covers at least a part of the area surrounding the protruding greater trochanter of the femur of the person to be protected, leaving a gap for the protruding portion.

2. The protective device according to claim 1, wherein the cushioning portion is an airbag, and the device further comprises an inflation source supply device that supplies an inflation source, which is a fluid, into the airbag to inflate the airbag, and the airbag, in its inflated operating state, covers at least a portion of the area around the greater trochanter of the person to be protected.

3. The protective device according to claim 2, wherein the airbag, in the activated state, includes a first extending portion located on one side of the greater trochanter of the person to be protected and extending around the greater trochanter, and a second extending portion located on the opposite side of the first extending portion with respect to the greater trochanter and extending around the greater trochanter, wherein the first extending portion and the second extending portion are deployed without being connected on the greater trochanter.

4. The protective device according to claim 3, further comprising a connecting portion that extends around the greater trochanter and connects one side of the first extending portion in the direction of extension with one side of the second extending portion in the direction of extension.

5. The protective device according to claim 4, wherein the first extension, the connecting portion, and the second extension are connected in a U-shape or substantially U-shape.

6. The protective device according to claim 4, wherein the connecting portion is a first connecting portion, and further comprises a second connecting portion that extends around the greater trochanter and connects the other side of the first extending portion in the direction of extension with the other side of the second extending portion in the direction of extension.

7. The protective device according to claim 6, wherein the first extended portion, the first connecting portion, the second extended portion, and the second connecting portion are connected in a ring, and the thickness of the airbag during operation is greater on the inner side than on the outer side.

8. The protective device according to claim 2, comprising: an activation device for activating the expansion source supply device based on the output from at least one of an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor.

9. The protective device according to claim 2, comprising a fastening device for attachment to at least one of the waist and torso of the person to be protected, wherein when the fastening device is attached to at least one of the waist or torso of the person to be protected, the airbag covers at least a portion of the area around the greater trochanter of the person to be protected in the activated state.

10. The protective device according to claim 1, comprising a fastening device for attachment to at least one of the waist and torso of the person to be protected, wherein the cushioning portion includes a first extending portion located on one side of the greater trochanter of the person to be protected, with one end extending from a part of the fastening device around the greater trochanter, and a second extending portion located on the opposite side of the first extending portion with respect to the greater trochanter, with one end extending from another part of the fastening device around the greater trochanter.

11. The protective device according to claim 10, further comprising a connecting portion that extends around the greater trochanter and connects one side of the first extending portion in the direction of extension with one side of the second extending portion in the direction of extension.

12. A protective device fitted to a person to be protected and equipped with an airbag, wherein an inflation source, which is a fluid, is supplied into the airbag to inflate the airbag, and the airbag covers at least a portion of the area around the greater trochanter of the femur of the person to be protected, leaving the protruding portion of the greater trochanter open.

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