Quick Refill Inflator Cartridge Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inflatable safety vests for motorcyclists, skiers, and horse riders face challenges in quickly and reliably recharging the CO2 cartridges after activation, with existing methods being either time-consuming or risky due to the risk of cartridge expulsion during inflation.
Innovation Solution
A refillable inflation device featuring two pressurized gas cartridges arranged side by side with a release casing that includes a percussion device for simultaneous or successive perforation of the cartridges, along with positioning and fixing means to ensure secure and quick assembly, and a retractable locking pin for preventing involuntary disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screwing method is used to fix the CO2 cartridge, then the connection is reliable, but the recharging time becomes too long (approximately 40 seconds)
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a reusable release casing and a replaceable refill containing multiple cartridges. This segmentation allows the refill to be quickly swapped out as a complete unit rather than screwing individual cartridges, reducing recharging time while maintaining connection reliability through the dedicated refill structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cartridges are pre-arranged in the refill in the correct orientation before use. The refill is prepared in advance with cartridges positioned and sealed, allowing for rapid replacement without requiring time-consuming assembly or alignment during the recharging process.
2Productivity
If bayonet-shaped ring method is used to fix the CO2 cartridge, then the assembly speed increases (approximately 3 seconds), but the risk of cartridge expulsion during inflation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refill is designed as a separate replaceable unit from the release casing, allowing rapid attachment and detachment. The refill contains multiple cartridges secured within its structure, enabling quick replacement (improving productivity) while the refill itself acts as a containment structure that prevents cartridge expulsion (maintaining reliability).
Solution Approach 2:
The refill acts as an intermediary structure between the cartridges and the release casing. It provides a secure mounting interface with grooves and rails that ensure proper positioning and retention of cartridges during inflation, eliminating the need for direct cartridge-to-casing attachment that risks expulsion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex inflation devices are used, then the functionality is enhanced, but the device complexity and difficulty of recharging increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a reusable release casing containing the inflation mechanism and replaceable refills containing the cartridges. This allows the complex inflation functionality to be maintained in the release casing while the refills remain simple standardized units, reducing overall recharging complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The release casing is designed as a universal platform that can accept multiple refills, each containing cartridges for different inflatable protection applications. This multi-functionality allows a single complex release casing to serve various purposes while maintaining simple, standardized refill replacement procedures.
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 solution allows for rapid and reliable recharging of the inflatable safety vest, ensuring the gas is released efficiently and safely, reducing the risk of cartridge ejection and improving operational speed.
Implementation Method 1
a release casing comprising at least one percussion device allowing, in the event of activation, to simultaneously or successively perforate the perforable end of each cartridge so as to release the gas which it contains in gaseous form outside the inflation device
Implementation Method 2
the means for fixing the refill comprise at least one groove whose cross-section is generally in the shape of an inverted T or L and in that the complementary fixing means of the release casing comprise at least one rail whose cross-section is generally in the shape of an inverted T or L and homothetic to the cross-section of said groove
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for inflating an inflatable safety vest, characterised in that it comprises a storage housing (2) containing at least two cartridges (3) of pressurised gas arranged contiguously to form a row, and a release housing (4) comprising at least one percussion device which, in case of activation, perforates simultaneously or consecutively each of said cartridges (3) to release the gas that they contain in gaseous form outside the inflating device (1) through at least one opening formed on the release housing (4), said storage (2) and release (4) housings having a generally hollow, flattened parallelepiped shape and being releasably secured together such that they are sealed against the gas contained in the cartridges.