Hip Protector with Embedded Fall Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hip protector devices do not effectively address the challenges of assessing fall severity and user safety, particularly for individuals who are alone or unable to seek help after a fall, as they lack integrated fall detection and communication capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A hip protector device incorporating an electronic fall detection system within a cushion or pad, utilizing sensors like accelerometers, gyroscopes, and load cells to detect falls, store data on impact, direction, and timestamp, and communicate alerts or data wirelessly for subsequent analysis and emergency response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electronic fall detection system is integrated into the hip protector, then fall detection capability and user safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the electronic fall detection system directly into the hip protector device, combining protection and detection functions into a single unit. The control unit, sensors, and data storage are embedded within the hip protector structure, eliminating the need for separate wearable devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining fall detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hip protector is designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical impact protection during falls and electronic fall detection with data logging. The control unit can detect falls through sensors, store fall characteristics in memory, and communicate with external devices, making the single device universally functional for both protection and monitoring purposes.
2Ease of operation
If fall detection system is integrated within the cushion or pad, then ease of use and protection during washing are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit and electronic components are nested within the cushion or pad structure of the hip protector. The control unit is positioned inside the protective housing formed by the cushion materials, allowing the entire assembly to be washed together as a single unit while protecting the electronics from water damage through the protective barrier of the cushion materials.
3Ease of operation
If the fall detection system is made sufficiently small, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed with a compact, miniaturized structure that can be flexibly integrated into the hip protector cushion. The small size allows easy placement within the limited space of the protective pad while maintaining sufficient sensor sensitivity through the use of thin-film sensor technologies that preserve measurement precision despite reduced component size.
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 device reduces hip impact during falls, provides data for assessing user well-being, and enables timely alerts and location transmission, enhancing user safety and caregiver response.
Implementation Method 1
The fall sensor may comprise an accelerometer to generate movement data for detecting the occurrence of a fall
Implementation Method 2
one or more gyroscopes - which generate movement direction data
Implementation Method 3
one or more load cells may be incorporated in the hip protector to measure the force of the fall
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
This invention relates to hip protector devices. We describe a hip protector for protecting a user in the event of a fall, the hip protector comprising: one or more hip protection elements; and an electronic fall detection system, wherein the hip protection element is arranged to reduce the impact of a fall by a user; wherein the fall detection system is configured to detect the occurrence of said fall by said user and to store fall data defining one or more characteristics of said detected fall in a data store, for later retrieval; wherein said hip protection element comprises a cushion or pad, and wherein said electronic fall detection system is located within said cushion or pad.