Motorcycle Airbag Garment with Automatic Reset and Nesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inflatable protective systems for motorcyclists are ineffective in the racing environment due to large size, weight penalty, and the need for manual removal and re-packaging after deployment, which can leave riders unprotected during subsequent crashes.
Innovation Solution
A garment with an inflatable protective device made from elastic material, integrated sensors, and an electronic controller that automatically inflates and deflates without user intervention, maintaining protection and minimizing weight and exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inflatable chamber is made large to provide adequate protection, then the protection level is improved, but the weight penalty increases due to increased fabric and gas cylinder size
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable chamber is nested within a containment structure that allows it to be compact when deflated and expand to full size when inflated. The chamber is stored in a compressed state within the garment, similar to nested dolls, eliminating the need for large external storage space while maintaining full protection capability when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static large structure to a dynamic system that changes size. The inflatable chamber dynamically adjusts its volume based on deployment state, being compact during normal use and expanding only when protection is needed, thereby reducing weight and space requirements without compromising protection level.
2Reliability
If the inflatable chamber is made large to provide adequate protection, then the protection level is improved, but the chamber cannot be easily stored and must be folded to fit in the suit
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable chamber is nested within a containment structure that allows it to be compact when deflated and expand to full size when inflated. The chamber is stored in a compressed state within the garment, similar to nested dolls, eliminating the need for large external storage space while maintaining full protection capability when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static large structure to a dynamic system that changes size. The inflatable chamber dynamically adjusts its volume based on deployment state, being compact during normal use and expanding only when protection is needed, thereby reducing weight and space requirements without compromising protection level.
3Productivity
If the rider manually removes and repacks the deployed chamber, then the rider can continue riding, but the rider may not execute this procedure correctly under race pressure and remains unprotected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs its own reset function automatically after deployment. The inflatable chamber is self-contained with its own inflation and deflation mechanisms, allowing it to reset without external intervention. This eliminates the need for rider action to repack or recharge the chamber, ensuring protection is restored automatically while maintaining race continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is pre-configured with multiple inflation charges and automatic reset mechanisms before the race begins. The containment structure and inflation system are prepared in advance to automatically replenish the chamber after deployment, eliminating the need for post-deployment manual intervention and ensuring continuous protection availability.
4Reliability
If the inflatable chamber remains exposed after deployment, then the protection function is fulfilled, but the chamber flaps around the garment and hinders the rider
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable chamber is nested within a containment structure that allows it to be compact when deflated and expand to full size when inflated. The chamber is stored in a compressed state within the garment, similar to nested dolls, eliminating the need for large external storage space while maintaining full protection capability when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static large structure to a dynamic system that changes size. The inflatable chamber dynamically adjusts its volume based on deployment state, being compact during normal use and expanding only when protection is needed, thereby reducing weight and space requirements without compromising protection level.
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 garment provides continuous protection without hindering the rider, as the inflatable device remains concealed and automatically resets, allowing multiple inflations without recharging, ensuring consistent safety during racing and reducing the risk of further injuries.
Implementation Method 1
in the event of an accident the chamber is inflated and thus energy from severe impacts can be absorbed
Implementation Method 2
The inflatable protective device is made from elastic material
Data Source
AI summary
A garment which comprises an inflatable protective device able to expand from a rest condition, wherein it's in a deflated status, to a working condition, wherein it's in an inflated status, inflation means able to inflate said protective device and an electronic controller able to activate the inflation means if a risk and/or danger signal is detected by sensors incorporated in the garment. The inflatable protective device, after being moved to the working condition, can return automatically to the rest condition without requiring to be repacked or reset and the inflation means can inflate the protective device more than once without requiring to be recharged.