Inflatable Vehicle Safety Device for Off-Road Riders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current safety devices for off-road vehicles are static and do not account for situational hazards, failing to provide adequate protection against dynamic impacts during accidents.
Innovation Solution
A user-operated, manually controlled inflatable safety device is coupled to the handlebars of vehicles, featuring an air source, housing, and inflatable bladder that deploys upon rider activation, positioning itself between the rider and the vehicle to absorb impact forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If static safety devices (helmets, braces, boots) are used, then basic protective coverage is provided, but they cannot respond to situational hazards or dynamic impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device transitions from a static state (compressed bladder within housing) to a dynamic protective state (inflated bladder positioned between rider and vehicle) upon detecting a crash condition. This dynamic transformation allows the device to adapt to situational hazards while maintaining simplicity when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder is pre-positioned within the housing in a compressed state, ready for rapid deployment. The air source is pre-charged with compressed air, enabling immediate inflation when a crash is detected, eliminating the need for complex real-time air supply systems during the critical impact moment.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an inflatable bladder system is deployed, then impact absorption capability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inflated bladder is nested within the housing structure, with the bladder positioned to expand into the available space between the rider and the vehicle. This nesting approach maximizes impact absorption capability while minimizing the external volume requirements of the safety device.
Solution Approach 2:
Compressed air is used to rapidly inflate the bladder, providing a lightweight yet effective impact absorption mechanism. The pneumatic system eliminates the need for heavy mechanical structures or complex hydraulic systems, reducing overall device volume while maintaining protective capability.
3Ease of operation
If manual deployment is required, then rider control over safety device activation is improved, but response time during accidents may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines manual activation (rider pulls trigger) with automatic response (pre-charged air source immediately inflates bladder). This self-service approach allows the rider to initiate protection with a simple action while the system handles the complex inflation process automatically, minimizing deployment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The air source is pre-charged with compressed air before need, and the bladder is pre-positioned within the housing. When the rider activates the device, the pre-prepared system responds immediately, eliminating delays associated with air supply system activation or complex deployment mechanisms.
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 effectively reduces the severity of injuries by creating a cushioned barrier between the rider and the vehicle, responding to the rider's deployment action to mitigate both serious and non-serious injuries.
Implementation Method 1
a regulated air source inflates a compressed, folded bladder positioned within a recessed compartment of the housing
Implementation Method 2
the bladder may exit the housing through a flexible trap door within a fitted covering, and be positioned between the rider and the vehicle. Thus, embodiments may reduce the impact of both serious and non-serious injuries
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclose systems and methods associated with safety devices for vehicles. Specifically, embodiments are directed towards a user operated, manually controlled, inflatable safety device for off-road vehicles, which may reduce, eliminate, or lessen upper body and head injuries.