Hip Protector Airbag Fall Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hip protector devices are ineffective in preventing hip fractures due to lack of reliable fall detection and uncomfortable design, leading to low compliance and high false alarm rates.
Innovation Solution
A hip protector system equipped with proximity sensors, gyroscopes, accelerometers, and a microcontroller unit that continuously processes data to accurately detect falls and deploy airbags for impact protection, incorporating a pneumatic subsystem and user-friendly design for improved compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional passive hip protector devices are used, then hip fracture protection is provided, but client compliance is low due to cumbersome design
Solution Approach 1:
The hip protector device transitions from a static passive structure to a dynamic active system that automatically inflates upon detecting a fall event. The airbag remains compressed during normal activities and only expands when needed, making the device adaptable to different states (normal vs. fall) and improving comfort during daily wear while maintaining protection capability.
2Strength
If hard high-density plastic shields are used, then impact protection is provided, but comfort and wearability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protective element transitions from a permanently rigid structure to a dynamically deployable airbag system. During normal wear, the airbag remains compressed and flexible, providing comfort. Upon fall detection, the airbag inflates to provide rigid impact protection, thus achieving both comfort and protection at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective mechanism changes its physical state from compressed (flexible) to inflated (rigid) based on the fall detection event. This parameter change allows the device to provide hard impact protection only when needed, while maintaining soft comfortable wear during normal activities.
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 system provides effective real-time protection against hip fractures by reducing false alarms and enhancing user compliance through accurate fall detection and comfortable wear.
Implementation Method 1
at least one proximity sensor, located partially inside the pouch
Implementation Method 2
at least one accelerometer, located inside the pouch
Implementation Method 3
at least one gyro, located inside the pouch
Implementation Method 4
a gas canister, (81) a gas discharge valve (82) attached to the gas canister
Data Source
AI summary
A hip protector system includes an inflatable airbag, a proximity sensor to measure a distance to a point on the ground surface, a gyro to provide spatial orientation of the waist plane of the user, an accelerometer to determine the vertical acceleration of the waist plane of the user and a micro-controller unit. The micro-controller unit calculates a height based on proximity measurement and spatial orientation, computes values of downward velocity based on a change of the height in time and based on the vertical acceleration integrated over time and correlates the downward velocities to validate a true height in time to the ground surface. The airbag is inflated to protect the user responsive to the true height.