Harness-Integrated Parachute Ejection via Airbag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency parachute ejection systems for paragliding and ultralight aircraft often fail to ensure rapid and reliable deployment, especially in distress situations, due to the need for large and difficult arm movements, and may pose additional weight, volume, and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A safety device integrated into the harness featuring an emergency pocket with an airbag that expands to eject the reserve parachute, utilizing a percussion system and gas cartridges for rapid deployment, ensuring congruence with the harness design and allowing manual ejection as a fallback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual ejection via handle is used, then the device structure remains simple, but rapid and reliable parachute ejection cannot be ensured in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical ejection system with a pyrotechnic initiation system that uses chemical energy to drive rapid pod ejection. The pyrotechnic initiator triggers a gas generator that produces high-pressure gas to eject the pod, substituting human mechanical action with an automated chemically-driven system that ensures rapid and reliable deployment under emergency conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a gas generator that produces high-pressure gas to rapidly eject the pod containing the reserve parachute. The pneumatic system uses the expanding gas to overcome the retaining forces and propel the pod outward at high speed, ensuring rapid ejection that cannot be achieved through manual handle operation alone.
2Speed
If compressed gas cylinder and airbag are used for ejection, then rapid parachute deployment is achieved, but additional weight and volume are added to the harness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the gas generator, pyrotechnic initiator, and pod ejection mechanism within the existing reserve parachute pod structure. The components are nested concentrically with the pyrotechnic initiator at the center, surrounded by the gas generator, which in turn is integrated with the pod housing. This nesting minimizes additional volume and weight while achieving rapid ejection speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the ejection function with the existing pod structure by integrating the gas generator and pyrotechnic system into the pod housing. Rather than adding separate ejection mechanisms, the design combines multiple functions (parachute containment, ejection propulsion, and structural housing) into a single integrated pod assembly, reducing overall weight and volume additions.
3Productivity
If the ejection force is increased for rapid deployment, then parachute ejection speed improves, but impact energy and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a cushioning element between the pod and the harness structure to absorb and dissipate impact energy during ejection. The cushioning material is positioned to contact the pod as it is propelled outward by the gas generator, reducing the peak forces transmitted to the harness and pilot while maintaining sufficient ejection speed for rapid parachute deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a dynamically controlled ejection system where the gas generator produces a controlled pressure curve that accelerates the pod rapidly initially, then gradually reduces pressure as the pod exits the harness. This dynamic pressure control optimizes ejection speed while limiting peak impact forces, achieving high deployment rates without excessive impact energy.
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 enables reliable and rapid ejection of the reserve parachute at speeds of up to 12 m/s, maintaining stability during autorotation and minimizing impact energy, while being compact, lightweight, and safe for transport and use, with minimal modifications to existing harnesses.
Implementation Method 1
an airbag arranged between the bottom of the reserve pocket and the pod; and means for expanding the airbag; in which, during the expansion of the airbag, the pod is ejected through the opening face of the reserve pocket
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a safety device designed to equip a paragliding or aircraft harness (101), characterized in that the device comprises: a reserve parachute pocket (102), which is intended to be integrated into the harness (101), which comprises a material resistant to radial and axial expansion, and which has an opening face and a bottom; a pod (104) inserted into the reserve parachute pocket (102); a reserve parachute (105) folded in the pod (104); an airbag (106) arranged between the bottom of the reserve parachute pocket (102) and the pod (104); and means for expanding the airbag (106); in which, during the expansion of the airbag (106), the pod (104) is ejected through the opening face of the emergency pocket (102), and the emergency parachute (105) deploys.