Closure Device Sensor for Wearable Protection
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable personal protection devices with inflatable elements often fail to ensure that the closure device is properly closed, leading to inadequate protection of vital organs during impacts or falls.
Innovation Solution
A closure device with a sliding assembly and sensor system that detects the complete closure of the wearable protection device's portions by interacting between an activation component on the sliding assembly and sensitive components positioned along the closure path, ensuring the puller is locked in the correct position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closure device is provided to connect two portions of the wearable protection device, then the protective capacity is improved by reducing interruptions in protection, but the reliability is worsened because there is no detection mechanism to ensure the closure is actually closed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a sensor device that detects the position of the sliding assembly and provides feedback about the closure status to the control unit. This feedback mechanism ensures the system knows whether the closure is properly closed, resolving the information loss problem while maintaining protective capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical closure status indication with an electronic detection system using sensors and electronic signals. The sensor device detects the sliding assembly position and communicates closure status electronically to the control unit, substituting mechanical feedback with electronic detection.
2Reliability
If a sensor device is added to detect closure status, then the reliability of protection is improved by ensuring proper closure detection, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding assembly serves multiple functions: it closes the two portions together, indicates closure status through its position, and carries the activation component for the sensor device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the closure mechanism with the detection system by integrating the activation component directly onto the sliding assembly. This combination allows the same moving part to both close the device and trigger the sensor, reducing overall component count and complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the sliding assembly is used to progressively couple the two portions, then the ease of operation is improved by allowing easy opening and closing, but the reliability is worsened because the puller may not be securely locked in the closed position
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device provides feedback about the sliding assembly position to the control unit, which can then verify that the closure is properly closed and locked. This feedback mechanism ensures reliability by confirming the closure status after the easy operation of sliding the assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The puller is designed with a locking mechanism that automatically engages when the sliding assembly reaches the closed position. This preliminary locking action occurs automatically as part of the closing operation, ensuring secure positioning without requiring additional user actions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A closure device (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, 10g, 10h) for a wearable protection device (100, 110, 120), a respective wearable protection device (100) and a method for equipping the wearable protection device (100) are described. The closure device (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, 10g, 10h) closes an opening between a first portion of the wearable protection device and a second portion of the wearable protection device. The closure device comprises a first coupling component intended to be associated with a first portion of the wearable protection device and a second coupling component intended to be associated with a second portion of the wearable protection device. A coupling between the first coupling component and the second coupling component corresponds to a condition of closure of the first portion of the wearable protection device with the second portion of the wearable protection device. The closure device (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, 10g, 10h) comprises a sliding assembly (13) able to be engaged with said first coupling component (11) and with said second coupling component (12), said sliding assembly (13) being able to slide between a first position (101) and a second position (102) along the first coupling component (11) and along the second coupling component (12), wherein a sliding movement from the first position (A) to the second position (B) corresponds to a progressive coupled condition of the first coupling component (11) with the second coupling component (12). The closure device (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, 10g, 10h) comprises a sensor device (20) including an activation component (21) mounted on said sliding assembly (13) and a sensitive component (22) arranged in a region closer to said second position (B) than to said first position (A). The activation component (21) is able to interact with said sensitive component (22). An interaction between the activation component (21) and the sensitive component (22) corresponds to a positioning of said sliding assembly (13) in said second position and to the condition of closure of the first coupling portion (A) with the second portion (B) of the wearable protection device.