Wearable Inflatable Protection With Sliding Belt Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inflatable protection devices tend to shift away from the body part to be protected during inflation due to changes in shape, leading to misalignment and reduced effectiveness, and they often require tight fitting which can be uncomfortable for extended wear.
Innovation Solution
A wearable protection device with an inflatable element that slides along an attachment device, such as a belt, using loop elements to maintain alignment and adjust to different wearer sizes without changing dimensions, and incorporates one-piece woven fabric for a strong connection and defined three-dimensional shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inflatable element is inflated to provide protection, then the cushioning effect is improved, but the inflatable element shifts away from the body part to be protected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the inflatable element movable along the attachment device (belt) rather than fixed. The inflatable element can slide dynamically to accommodate shape changes during inflation while maintaining proper alignment with the body part. This is achieved through the loop element configuration that allows controlled movement along the belt length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by allowing the inflatable element to change its physical dimensions (volume, shape) during inflation while maintaining its functional position. The element transitions from a compact uninflated state to an expanded inflated state, and the sliding mechanism accommodates this parameter change without losing alignment with the protected body part.
2Reliability
If the wearable protection device is fitted tightly to ensure protection, then the protection reliability is improved, but the comfort during extended wear deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment device allows dynamic adjustment of fit tightness. The inflatable element can slide along the belt to accommodate different levels of tightness, enabling the device to maintain both secure positioning for protection and comfortable fit for extended wear by adjusting the tension and position along the attachment device.
3Volume of moving object
If the inflatable element increases in radial dimension during inflation, then the cushioning volume is improved, but the alignment relative to the body part deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing the inflatable element to slide dynamically along the attachment device as it inflates. When the element expands in radial dimension to increase cushioning volume, it simultaneously adjusts its position along the belt through the sliding mechanism, maintaining proper alignment and orientation relative to the body part throughout the inflation process.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single size of wearable protection device is used, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different wearer sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the inflatable element and attachment device as a multi-functional system. A single inflatable element design can accommodate multiple wearer sizes through the sliding mechanism along the adjustable belt. The system serves multiple functions: it provides protection for different body sizes, allows position adjustment, and maintains alignment across various inflation states, eliminating the need for multiple size-specific devices.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to protection devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to protection devices that can be worn on the human body. Further in particular, the present disclosure relates to wearable protection devices that inflate to prevent injury of the human body in case of an accident, e.g., a fall accident. Accordingly, there is provided a wearable protection device for protection of at least a body part of a wearer, comprising an inflatable element arranged adjacent to a body part to be protected, wherein the inflatable element is inflatable from a first, substantially uninflated condition to a second, substantially inflated condition, by application of a releasable source of a gas to the inflatable element, for at least partially filling of the inflatable element with said gas.