Removable Electronic Box for Inflatable Vest Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for activating inflatable safety vests for skiers face challenges such as high energy consumption, limited endurance, frequent recharging needs, and difficulty in upgrading hardware and software under extreme conditions, which restricts their usability and performance.
Innovation Solution
A modular activation system comprising a case and a removable box with electronic components, featuring a hermetically connectable design with sealing elements and support rails, allowing easy assembly and disassembly, and a compressed gas cartridge for inflation, facilitating quick and tool-free replacement and upgrade of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the activation system uses sensors, microprocessors, and wireless communication modules to monitor skier movements and trigger deployment, then the safety functionality is improved, but the energy consumption increases significantly, limiting the endurance of the system
Solution Approach 1:
The activation system is divided into a permanent case fixed to the vest and a removable box containing electronic components. This segmentation allows the energy-intensive electronics to be easily replaced when depleted, effectively resolving the endurance limitation while maintaining full safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The box containing electronic components is designed to be replaceable rather than rechargeable. When the energy storage device is depleted, the entire box is removed and replaced with a fresh one, eliminating recharging time and ensuring continuous operational readiness.
2Reliability
If the activation system uses rechargeable energy storage devices and frequent recharging is required, then the system can maintain operational readiness, but the time lost during recharging immobilizes the vest and reduces usability
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of recharging the energy storage device in place, the entire box is designed as a disposable unit that is replaced when depleted. This eliminates recharging time completely, as the replacement process takes only seconds and requires no power source.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple pre-charged boxes can be prepared in advance and stored separately. When one box is depleted, a pre-charged replacement is immediately available, ensuring no interruption in operational readiness and eliminating wait time associated with recharging.
3Reliability
If the activation system uses algorithms and sensors that may require updates and refinements over time, then the safety performance can be improved, but the difficulty of upgrading hardware and software under extreme conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic components are contained in a separate removable box rather than being integrated into the vest structure. This segmentation allows the box to be easily replaced or upgraded without affecting the rest of the system, making software and hardware updates straightforward even under extreme conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The box is designed with universal connection interfaces that can accommodate different electronic component configurations. This allows the same box structure to support various sensor types, algorithms, and processing capabilities, facilitating easy upgradability of safety performance without redesigning the entire system.
4Volume of moving object
If the activation system uses a compact inflatable vest design, then the portability and comfort are improved, but the space available for housing electronic components and energy storage devices is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a compact vest body and a separate box containing all electronic components and energy storage devices. This allows the vest to remain compact and comfortable while the electronics are housed in a dedicated module that can be attached or detached as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The box containing electronic components is designed to nest within or attach to the vest structure when not in use, minimizing the overall volume occupied by the system. The box can be stored in a compartment on the vest or attached to the exterior, keeping the compact design intact while providing sufficient space for electronics.
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 system provides a reliable, easy-to-maintain, and upgradeable activation mechanism for inflatable safety vests, ensuring prolonged usability and performance under extreme conditions, with quick component replacement and recharging capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the connection means of the case are preferably associated with sealing elements made from plastic and foam shapes
Implementation Method 2
said inflation means preferably being a compressed gas cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system (1) for activating the deployment of an inflatable safety vest, characterised in that it comprises a case (2) designed to be solidly connected to the inflatable safety vest and equipped with a first opening (21) into which a box (3) can be removably inserted, said box comprising at least an electronic card, connection means and an energy-storage device. The upper part of the aforementioned first opening (21) is provided with a housing (22) which is equipped on the base and connected to the case (2) and into which at least the upper part (31) of the box (3) can be inserted so that it is hermetically connected to the case (2).