Overlapping Inflatable Protection Zones for Continuous Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inflatable protection devices for users in high-risk activities, such as motorcycle riding, often have superficial discontinuities that compromise continuous protection and wearability due to their vest-like design, with zips and interruptions at vulnerable zones like the chest and sides, which can hinder accessibility and appearance.
Innovation Solution
A personal protection device featuring two superimposed inflatable member portions with a reversible and adjustable connecting structure, such as zips, strings, or Velcro, to ensure continuous coverage without off-center zips, allowing easy central opening and closing, and incorporating elastic flaps for adjustment and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inflatable bag is designed with superficial discontinuities or interruptions to resemble a vest or waistcoat for ease of wearing, then the wearability is improved, but the protective capacity deteriorates due to non-continuous protection in vulnerable zones
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable bag is divided into multiple portions (first and second portions) that are superimposed and overlap in specific zones. This segmentation allows the bag to be constructed in modular sections that can be independently positioned and connected, enabling continuous protection while maintaining vest-like wearability through strategic overlapping in superimposition zones.
2Reliability
If the zone of superficial discontinuity is displaced from the center of the chest to one side towards the shoulder to maintain continuous chest protection, then the protective capacity is improved, but the accessibility of the zip deteriorates as it becomes off-center and less accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting structure (zip) is extracted from the traditional single-location placement and redistributed to the superimposition zones where the first and second portions overlap. This allows the discontinuity to be positioned in less critical areas while maintaining continuous protection over vital zones, and the zip remains accessible through strategic placement in the overlapping regions.
3Reliability
If the inflatable bag is made completely continuous without interruptions to ensure maximum protection, then the protective capacity is improved, but the wearability deteriorates as it becomes difficult to open and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The bag incorporates reversible connecting structures (zips, strings, laces, Velcro) in the superimposition zones that allow dynamic adjustment between closed and open states. These adjustable connections enable the user to easily open and wear the bag by disconnecting at the superimposition zones, while maintaining continuous protection when closed, thus achieving both high reliability and ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a personal protection device (10) for the protection of a portion of the body of a user. The device comprises an inflatable member (12) intended to protect at least partially a zone of the body of a user. The personal protection device (10) includes at least a first portion (20, 30, 40) of the inflatable member (12) and a second portion (21, 31, 41) of the inflatable member (12). The first portion (20, 30, 40) of the inflatable member (12) and the second portion (21, 31, 41) of the inflatable member (12) are superimposed in a corresponding overlapping area or superimposition area (A, B, C). The personal protection device (10) includes at least one connecting device or structure (50) associated with the first portion (20, 30, 40) of the inflatable member (12) and the second portion (21, 31, 41) of the inflatable member (12) in the superimposition area (A, B, C).