Helmet Inflatable Chamber With Torso-Mounted Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable airbag devices for protecting the neck are bulky, uncomfortable, and can injure the user due to internal components, alter the helmet's shape, require multiple devices, and hinder neck protection when worn with other garments.
Innovation Solution
A wearable protection device with an inflatable chamber integrated into the helmet's lower rim, activated by an external inflator unit, providing neck protection without altering the helmet's shape and allowing integration with a wearable element for additional body protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all activation system components (gas generators, sensors, control unit) are embedded inside the collar or helmet, then neck protection is provided, but the device becomes bulky and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: the helmet contains only the inflatable chamber while the activation system (gas generator, sensors, control unit) is integrated into a wearable element worn on the torso. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces the bulkiness of any single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The activation system components are extracted from the helmet structure and relocated to a separate wearable element. This extraction eliminates the need to compromise the helmet's shape and reduces its weight and bulk, while the wearable element carries the functional activation components.
2Reliability
If all activation system components are embedded inside the helmet, then neck protection is provided, but the helmet becomes heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two weight-bearing components: the helmet (containing only the inflatable chamber) and the wearable element (containing the activation system). This distribution prevents the helmet from becoming excessively heavy while ensuring neck protection functionality is maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The heavy activation system components (gas generator, electronics) are extracted from the helmet and placed in the wearable element, significantly reducing the helmet's weight while maintaining the ability to provide neck protection when activated.
3Reliability
If gas generators, sensors and control unit are embedded inside the collar and helmet, then neck protection is provided, but in case of huge impact they can come into contact with the user's head and cause injury
Solution Approach 1:
The hazardous activation system components are extracted from the helmet and placed in the wearable element worn on the torso. This spatial separation ensures that even during huge impacts, the gas generators, sensors, and control unit remain distant from the user's head, eliminating the risk of contact-induced injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable element acts as an intermediary carrier for the activation system, positioning it in a safe location on the torso that is remote from the user's head. This intermediary placement protects the user from potential harm while maintaining system functionality.
4Reliability
If the inflatable bag portion is arranged over the shoulder area to expand outwardly and cover the neck, then neck protection is provided, but the vest requires programmed yieldability zones and cannot be worn with other garments
Solution Approach 1:
The protection system is segmented into the helmet-mounted inflatable chamber and the wearable element with activation system. The inflatable chamber is positioned to expand upward from the helmet to cover the neck, while the wearable element remains on the torso, allowing normal garment wearability without requiring programmed yieldability zones.
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 neck protection without compromising comfort or helmet shape, allows easy use and maintenance, and offers integrated body protection with a single activation system, reducing the need for multiple devices.
Implementation Method 1
an inflator unit (18) applied at said wearable element (16), said inflator unit (18) being designed to inflate said first inflatable chamber (14) so as to move said first inflatable chamber (14) in the operating condition
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a wearable protection device (10 comprising: - a protective helmet (12), provided with at least one first inflatable chamber (14); said at least one first inflatable chamber (14) being suitable for moving between a rest condition, wherein it is in a deflated status, and an operating condition, wherein it is in an inflated status; - a wearable element (16) comprising an inflator unit (18) and an activation system (20); the activation system (20) being designed to trigger the inflator unit (18) if a danger situation for the user of the wearable protection device (10) is identified. According to the invention, the wearable element (16) comprises at least one second inflatable chamber (26) suitable for moving between a rest condition, wherein it is in a deflated status, and an operating condition, wherein it is in an inflated status. The inflator unit (18) is connected to said at least one first inflatable chamber (14) and/or to said at least one second inflatable chamber (26). The inflator unit (18) is designed to inflate said at least one first inflatable chamber (14) and/or said at least one second inflatable chamber (26) so as to move said at least one first inflatable chamber (14) and/or said at least one second inflatable chamber (26) in the operating condition when a danger situation for the user of the wearable protection device (10) is identified by the activation system (20).