Backpack Airbag Fall Protection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall protection solutions, such as helmets, often fail to adequately protect body regions other than the head during activities like biking, and conventional airbag systems are either unreliable or impractical for everyday use.
Innovation Solution
A backpack with an integrated airbag system that includes a sensor unit and control unit to automatically inflate the airbag within 0.5 seconds of detecting a fall, using a gas cartridge, providing reliable protection for the shoulder, breast, and cervical spine regions without hindering the user's mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional protectors (protector plates) are used to protect body parts, then protection is provided, but user mobility is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an airbag system that inflates with gas upon detecting a fall. The airbag provides protective cushioning without the rigidity of traditional protector plates, allowing natural movement during normal activities while deploying only when needed for fall protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag system transitions from a compact stowed state during normal use to an inflated protective state upon fall detection. This dynamic transformation allows the system to provide protection only when necessary, maintaining user mobility during everyday activities while ensuring safety during accidents.
2Reliability
If airbag is provided as separate wearable or clothing attachment, then fall protection is possible, but user flexibility is reduced and protection may be obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is integrated into a backpack, which is a common accessory for various activities including cycling, commuting, and outdoor sports. This multi-functional integration allows the same device to serve both as a protective device and as a practical carrying solution, increasing user flexibility without compromising protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag is extracted from the storage compartment and positioned to extend around the user's body upon inflation. This extraction mechanism ensures that the airbag is not obstructed by clothing or other items, allowing reliable protection while maintaining the backpack's versatility for different activities.
3Ease of operation
If manual release of airbag is used, then user control is maintained, but response time is insufficient for fall protection
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automatic fall detection sensors that trigger airbag inflation without requiring manual user input. When a fall is detected, the system automatically activates the gas cartridge to inflate the airbag, ensuring protection is provided within the critical time window of a fall event.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system continuously monitors for fall conditions before the actual impact occurs. This preliminary detection allows the airbag to begin inflating in advance of the impact, ensuring that protection is already in place when the user hits the ground, thereby minimizing response time.
4Ease of operation
If airbag is stowed in vest or jacket, then portability is improved, but inflation may be obstructed by other clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is extracted from an internal storage compartment within the backpack and positioned to extend outward around the user's body upon inflation. This extraction design ensures that the airbag is not constrained or obstructed by outer clothing layers, maintaining reliable inflation while keeping the system portable and integrated into the backpack.
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 backpack ensures timely and effective protection of body regions other than the head by rapidly inflating the airbag upon impact, maintaining reliability and user convenience by integrating the airbag into a common item of daily use, thus increasing flexibility in fall protection without impeding the user's activity.
Implementation Method 1
automatically inflating the airbag within 0.5 seconds of detecting a fall, using a gas cartridge
Implementation Method 2
sensor unit comprising one or more sensors, in particular, an acceleration sensor and/or a gyroscope
Implementation Method 3
sensor unit comprising one or more sensors, in particular, an acceleration sensor and/or a gyroscope
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3c
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
The invention provides a backpack for fall protection comprising an airbag and a release module, which comprises a control unit and a gas cartridge. The backpack is configured such that the airbag, in a standby state, is deflated and stowed in a storage space of the backpack. The backpack is also configured such that the airbag is automatically inflated, in response to the control unit detecting a fall of a user of the backpack, by releasing gas from the gas cartridge into the airbag. The backpack is further configured such that the airbag, in an inflated state, protects a cervical spine and/or a chest region and/or shoulder region of the user.