Airbag Device Pivoting Handle Locking Mechanism Avalanche Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable airbag systems for avalanche protection are cumbersome, difficult to deploy quickly and safely, and have issues with venturi system exposure to snow and gas cartridge handling, leading to incomplete inflation and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A portable airbag system with a compact, lightweight design that includes a pivoting handle device with a locking mechanism, a reinforced backpack integration, and a protected venturi system for reliable deployment, along with a simplified trigger mechanism to prevent accidental activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the venturi system is directly exposed to the outside air, then the airbag can be inflated quickly, but the venturi inlets can be blocked by snow causing insufficient inflation
Solution Approach 1:
A protective cover is introduced as an intermediary element between the venturi system and the external environment. The cover includes a venturi inlet that remains exposed to draw in air, while the main venturi body is protected from snow accumulation. This mediator allows the system to maintain both quick inflation capability and reliability in snowy conditions.
2Ease of operation
If the handle is attached to a flexible rope for deployment, then the user can trigger the airbag, but the handle can move to an indeterminate position and risk involuntary triggering
Solution Approach 1:
The handle system transitions from a static flexible rope to a dynamic telescopic rod with controlled movement. The rod can extend when pulled by the user for deployment, then retract automatically to a fixed retracted position where it is locked. This dynamic design maintains ease of operation while eliminating the indeterminate positioning problem of the flexible rope.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible rope mechanical system is replaced with a telescopic rod mechanism that incorporates a locking system. The locking mechanism substitutes the passive flexible connection with an active controlled connection that can be locked in a safe retracted position, preventing accidental triggering while maintaining deployment functionality.
3Reliability
If the airbag system is integrated into shoulder straps and backpack, then protection is provided, but the system becomes complex and limits compatibility with different equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is segmented into a self-contained module that includes the airbag, gas generator, venturi system, and trigger mechanism. This modular design allows the complete airbag system to be integrated into a backpack as a single unit, simplifying the overall system architecture and improving compatibility with different backpack designs while maintaining protection effectiveness.
4Productivity
If the gas cartridge is mounted on the trigger device, then the airbag can be deployed, but the trigger tip may pierce the cartridge before complete mounting causing dangerous premature inflation
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge mounting process incorporates a preliminary positioning step where the cartridge is first guided into place by alignment features before the trigger tip can access it. The trigger tip is designed to only become accessible after the cartridge is fully and correctly mounted, preventing premature piercing while maintaining rapid deployment capability once properly assembled.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides flexible, ergonomic, and safe deployment of the airbag, ensuring effective protection for the head and thorax while being easy to use and maintain, with reduced risk of accidental inflation and improved compatibility with various user equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a venturi system which is configured to draw in outside air which is added to the gas supplied by the gas generator to fill the airbag
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c~1d
AI summary
A portable airbag system for persons comprises a support intended to be worn by a user, and an airbag device comprising at least one airbag having at least one central portion (2a) configured to be arranged behind the head of a user after triggering. The airbag device is attached by means of a fixing device in a removably and separably manner to the support which comprises a trigger handle device comprising a handle portion attached to an interaction means connected to a triggering system of the airbag and being attached to a pivoting body pivotally mounted to the handle portion. The handle device further comprises a locking device configured to lock the handle portion in a transverse position by means of interaction.