Removable Directional Attachment Rig for Avalanche Airbag
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing avalanche airbag systems are often platform-specific, limiting their versatility and comfort, and may not allow for the carrying of multiple airbags or proper weight distribution, compromising safety in backcountry winter sports.
Innovation Solution
A platform-agnostic avalanche airbag attachment system featuring a removable directional attachment rig that maintains a constant angle of inflation relative to the wearer's centerline, allowing for attachment to various backpacks, clothing, or harnesses, ensuring consistent inflation direction and improved safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an integrated avalanche airbag system is built into a specific backpack, then the airbag system is secure and stable, but the pack cannot be used with different backpacks or harnesses and compromises weight distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is divided into two independent parts: the inflatable bladder assembly and the attachment rig. The attachment rig with mounting points can be separately attached to different backpacks or harnesses, while the bladder assembly can be independently installed on the rig, enabling versatility across platforms while maintaining system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment rig is designed with universal mounting capabilities that can interface with multiple types of backpacks and harnesses through various attachment methods (straps, clips, loops). This allows the same airbag system to be securely mounted on different platforms without compromising reliability.
2Reliability
If a large backpack with integrated airbag is used, then the airbag system is included, but the weight distribution and comfort are compromised for skiing or snowboarding applications
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the airbag system from the backpack, users can attach the compact bladder assembly to lightweight packs optimized for skiing or snowboarding. This segmentation allows the airbag safety feature to be maintained while using a pack with better weight distribution and comfort characteristics for the specific sport.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable attachment rig allows users to dynamically adjust their setup based on the specific activity. Users can attach the airbag system to different packs depending on whether they are skiing, snowboarding, or mountaineering, optimizing both comfort and safety for each scenario.
3Device complexity
If a single integrated airbag system is used, then the system is simple, but users cannot carry multiple airbags for backup security
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment rig includes multiple mounting points and compartments that can accommodate one or more bladder assemblies. Users can attach a primary airbag and additional backup airbags to the same rig, maintaining system simplicity while enabling redundant safety coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple bladder assemblies can be nested or stacked within the attachment rig structure, with primary and backup airbags arranged in a compact configuration. This allows multiple airbags to be carried without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
4Device complexity
If the airbag is attached without directional control, then the attachment is simple, but the inflation direction varies and reduces effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment rig incorporates asymmetric structural features such as positioned mounting points, shaped compartments, or directional guides that ensure the bladder assembly can only be installed in the correct orientation. This asymmetric design maintains attachment simplicity while guaranteeing consistent inflation direction toward the user's head.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment rig acts as an intermediary component between the backpack and the bladder assembly, incorporating directional control features that guide the bladder into the correct orientation during installation. This mediator ensures proper inflation direction without requiring complex alignment procedures.
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
Enhances safety by providing a consistent and effective inflation direction for avalanche protection, allowing for multiple airbag options and improved weight distribution, thus addressing the limitations of platform-specific systems.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator coupled to the bladder and configured to fill the bladder with a gas in response to actuation by a trigger
Data Source
AI summary
A platform-agnostic buoyancy aid includes a bladder having a direction of inflation, an inflator coupled to the bladder and configured to fill the bladder with a gas in response to actuation by a trigger, a trigger connected to the inflator and configured to actuate the inflator in response to a tension applied to a ripcord, and a removable directional attachment rig holding the bladder, inflator and trigger, the removable directional attachment rig configured to attach the buoyancy aid to at least one of a wearer's backpack, clothing or harness such that the relative angle of the direction of inflation of the bladder to the wearer's centerline remains substantially constant.