Modular Airbag System with Detachable Compartments for Backpack Compatibility

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional personal airbag systems for avalanche protection are cumbersome and inflexible, making it difficult for users to wear a backpack while using the airbag, as strapping on two backpacks is mechanically challenging and can interfere with the airbag's deployment mechanism.

Innovation Solution

A modular airbag system with detachable side airbag compartments and adjustable straps that can be securely attached to a backpack, allowing normal strapping and deployment without interference, featuring gas canisters for inflation and manual/automatic triggering, and additional body straps for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single-piece backpack airbag system is used, then the airbag provides continuous protection coverage, but the user cannot wear a personal backpack simultaneously due to mechanical interference and deployment conflicts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairbag protection coverageVSAvoidcompatibility with personal backpack
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The airbag system is divided into separate modular components: a backpack carrier system and detachable airbag compartments. This segmentation allows the airbag compartments to be attached to the carrier system or worn independently, enabling users to wear personal backpacks while maintaining full airbag protection coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a single-piece backpack airbag system is used, then the structure is simple and integrated, but the system becomes cumbersome and inflexible for users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem integrationVSAvoiduser flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static integrated design to a dynamic modular configuration. The airbag compartments can be attached, detached, and repositioned on the backpack carrier system, allowing users to adjust the configuration based on their needs and easily wear personal backpacks without compromising the airbag system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If two backpacks are strapped on simultaneously, then the user can carry personal equipment and use the airbag, but the strapping becomes mechanically difficult and may interfere with airbag deployment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment compatibilityVSAvoidstrapping ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The backpack carrier system serves as an intermediary structure between the user's personal backpack and the airbag compartments. The carrier system provides dedicated attachment points and structural support, allowing personal backpacks to be worn comfortably without interfering with airbag deployment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables users to wear a backpack while using the airbag system without deployment interference, providing secure and flexible attachment and inflation mechanisms for enhanced protection in avalanche situations.

Implementation Method 1

a filling unit for the buoyant body, and a compressed gas unit having a compressed gas tank and a release unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas compression and expansion: Compression

Implementation Method 2

the garment is inflated in a manual or automatised fashion with air and/or oxygen... keeps its user at the surface of the avalanche

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP3164020B1Modular airbag system for personal protection
Publication Date: 2020.01.15 NORTH FACE APPAREL CORP
  • EP3164020B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3164020B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3164020B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A modular airbag system may include at least one inflatable airbag configured to deploy outward on a side(s) of the airbag system, for example, in two opposite substantially horizontal directions, at least one airbag compartment, and one or more straps configured to strap the modular airbag system securely to one of a user's body and/or an object, and configured to release the modular airbag system from one of the user's body and/or the object.