EP2548619B1 - Backpack comprising a portable device for rapidly inflating an avalanche air bag - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

It concerns a backpack with a portable device for rapid inflation of an avalanche protection airbag.

The portable device, of elongated overall shape, comprises at least one inlet intended to be connected to a source of compressed gas under high pressure, to allow the latter to relax in an air intake chamber, the inlet being associated with a mechanism for triggering the release of the compressed gas to the air intake chamber. The latter has an opening intended to allow the admission of surrounding air and an outlet intended to be connected to the bag to be inflated.

State of the art

Devices of this type have already been disclosed, for example in the patent US 6,220,909 B1 . This document presents an avalanche protection airbag inflation device designed to operate in particular with a nitrogen cartridge compressed at 200 bar. The cartridge is assembled to a control mechanism for releasing the gas in response to a user action. The gas, once released after the piercing of the cartridge, is conducted to two inflation mechanisms, by pipes, each inflation mechanism being associated with an inflatable pocket.

The gas is injected into a cylindrical air intake chamber provided in each of the inflation mechanisms by an injection nozzle disposed substantially in alignment with the central axis of the air intake chamber. The latter has a plurality of openings in its side wall to allow the suction of surrounding air as a consequence of the injection of the gas under high pressure. The sucked air is accelerated by Venturi effect to quickly inflate the corresponding inflatable bag with a sufficient volume, by applying a multiplication factor (volume air / volume compressed gas) to that of the volume of compressed gas available, thanks to the addition of air.

Each of the inflation mechanisms further comprises a check valve to prevent the corresponding inflatable bag from deflating through the inlet when it is fully inflated.

As an alternative to nitrogen, it is also known to use compressed air as compressed gas under high pressure.

In general, the multiplication factor applied in the known devices is not very high, of the order of 2 to 3 (that is to say that the volume of surrounding air injected into the airbag is the order of 2 to 3 times the volume that represents the gas in the airbag once it is decompressed) and requires the use of a large volume of compressed gas to inflate the airbag.

The size of the compressed gas cartridge thus contributes significantly to the overall size of the inflation device, which is why the above-mentioned US patent proposes an architecture of the device in a modular form, that is, that is to say to arrange the various components of the device in different places of a bag, for example.

However, in this case, the introduction or withdrawal of the device, in a backpack for example, is complicated because each of its components has its own fastening means that need to be manipulated.

Note also that, in addition to the constraint to be respected on the inflation volume of the airbag, it is essential that its inflation be performed quickly. As a general rule, an avalanche protection airbag should be inflated in approximately 2 to 4 seconds.

Disclosure of the invention

A main object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of inflation devices known from the prior art, by proposing such a device that effectively meets the constraints set out above, in particular by making it possible to inflate an airbag in the required time and, having a small footprint and ease of assembly / disassembly.

For this purpose, the present invention relates to a backpack according to claim 1. The inflation device comprises an intermediate chamber for dispensing the compressed gas, arranged between the inlet and the air inlet chamber to connect them to the to one another and a plurality of ejection holes arranged to open into a side wall of the air inlet chamber to connect the latter to the intermediate distribution chamber.

Thanks to these characteristics, the device according to the invention is more effective in the implementation of the surrounding air intake, which allows it. to achieve a multiplication factor greater than that of known devices and therefore to resort to the use of compressed gas cartridges of smaller size.

The intermediate distribution chamber is generally at least partially annular and is arranged at the periphery of the inlet chamber. In addition, the side wall of the inlet chamber into which the ejection holes open is located between the opening and the outlet.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a first cylindrical tube whose internal wall defines the side wall of the intake chamber, and a second cylindrical tube, coaxial with the first tube and arranged at least partially around it for define between them the intermediate chamber of distribution. At least two seals are provided to delineate the latter in an axial direction.

The first and second tubes are advantageously secured to each other by screwing or by means of a bayonet mechanism.

Such an architecture ensures a simplified manufacturing process of the various components of the device, as well as their assembly or disassembly, for example for maintenance operations.

Moreover, the ejection holes preferably have an inclination substantially between 10 and 20 degrees with reference to the direction longitudinal of the device and a diameter substantially between 0.2 and 1mm, preferably between 0.5 and 0.8mm.

The device advantageously comprises between 2 and 10 ejection holes.

The inlet has a fastener for a sealed cartridge containing a compressed gas under high pressure. In addition, the trigger mechanism comprises a first needle controlled by a user operable drive mechanism, to be moveable between at least first and second positions and to perforate the sealed cartridge to release compressed gas therefrom.

The fixing member may advantageously comprise a tapping which can cooperate by screwing with a thread provided on the sealed cartridge.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a second input similar to the first input, intended to receive a second sealed cartridge of compressed gas and, associated with an additional trigger mechanism comprising a second needle, arranged to be controlled simultaneously with the first needle and perforate the second sealed cartridge to release the compressed gas.

With these features, carbon dioxide cartridges can be used. Indeed, carbon dioxide is a gas that has good compressibility, which allows to store a large potential volume in a cartridge of the type used in current airbags. This is one of the reasons, in addition to its low price, for which this gas is generally used to inflate lifejackets in vehicles such as boat or plane, for example.

However, the decompression of this gas consumes a lot of energy, which causes its rapid cooling during decompression and may lead to its freezing. A device having the above characteristics, however, avoids these difficulties specific to carbon dioxide and derive all the benefits of its use with reference to other gases.

In addition, it can also be provided, preferably, that the intake chamber comprises an acceleration cone arranged between the holes ejection and the outlet, preferably having a length substantially between 60 and 150mm.

Moreover, the device advantageously comprises a reversible attachment member to an inflatable pocket, the latter preferably being arranged at a distance from the exit, so that the acceleration cone is likely to be at least partially accommodated in the pocket. inflatable in use configuration.

The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising a device meeting the above characteristics with at least one sealed high pressure compressed gas cartridge.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente une vue en perspective simplifiée d'un dispositif portable de gonflage rapide d'une poche gonflable selon un mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention;
• la figure 2 représente une vue en perspective éclatée et simplifiée du dispositif de la figure 1;
• la figure 3 représente une vue en coupe transversale simplifiée d'un détail de construction du dispositif de la figure 1;
• la figure 4 représente une vue en perspective simplifiée, en coupe transversale partielle, d'un détail de construction illustré sur la figure 3;
• la figure 5 représente une vue générale en coupe transversale simplifiée du dispositif de la figure 1;
• la figure 6 représente un schéma simplifié d'un ensemble incorporant un dispositif tel qu'illustré sur la figure 1;
• la figure 7 représente un schéma simplifié d'un sac destiné à intégrer l'ensemble de la figure 6, et
• la figure 8 représente un schéma simplifié d'un détail de construction de l'ensemble de la figure 6.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples and in which:

• the figure 1 is a simplified perspective view of a portable rapid inflating device of an inflatable bag according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
• the figure 2 represents an exploded and simplified perspective view of the device of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 represents a simplified cross-sectional view of a construction detail of the device of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 4 represents a simplified perspective view, in partial cross-section, of a construction detail illustrated in FIG. figure 3 ;
• the figure 5 represents a simplified cross-sectional view of the device of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 6 represents a simplified diagram of an assembly incorporating a device as illustrated on the figure 1 ;
• the figure 7 represents a simplified diagram of a bag intended to integrate the whole of the figure 6 , and
• the figure 8 represents a simplified diagram of a construction detail of the whole of the figure 6 .

Mode (s) of realization of the invention

The figure 1 is a simplified perspective view of a portable rapid inflating device of an inflatable bag according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, the device shown is suitable for rapid inflation of an avalanche protection air bag.

The device of the figure 1 , of generally elongated shape, is provided for inflating an airbag by means of two cartridges 2 of compressed gas, sealed.

Advantageously, but not limited to, the cartridges 2 may be standard carbon dioxide cartridges, preferably containing 33 grams of carbon dioxide each, at a pressure of the order of 200 bars and available anywhere in the world. a very moderate price. Indeed, these cartridges are generally used, for example, to inflate the lifejackets found in aircraft.

The cartridges 2 are assembled to a central body 4 of the device. The latter carries an air intake cylinder 6 on one side and an air ejection tube 8 on the other side. It is preferable to provide that an unillustrated filter is arranged around the air intake cylinder 6 to prevent a large element from coming to obstruct it.

On the other hand, first and second levers 10 intended to be pivoted, in response to an action of a user to release the compressed gas, are assembled to the central body 4.

In addition, the central body 4 here has a threaded cylindrical support portion 12 on which are screwed rings 14 for holding the airbag. Indeed, a circular opening may be provided in the latter to insert the air ejection tube 8 and one of the two washers 14, the other washer then being screwed against the first to lock the periphery of the opening the airbag by pinching.

Of course, those skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in implementing alternative means of fixing the inflation device to the airbag without departing from the scope of the invention.

The figure 2 represents an exploded and simplified perspective view of the device of the figure 1 , allowing to better understand the construction.

It appears from figure 2 that the levers 10 are pivotally mounted on the central body 4 via rods 16.

Each lever 10 carries a cam 18, made in one piece with the lever here for illustrative purposes, arranged to act on a needle 20 mounted free in translation in a bore 21 adapted to the central body, with the interposition of a seal 22 and a spring 24, the functions of which will be explained later.

The ejection tube 8 comprises a first main portion 26 intended to be screwed inside the central body 4 and intended to carry a cylindrical end portion 28 defining the output of the device in the airbag.

The main portion 26 has a first part 30, of generally cylindrical shape, intended to define the inlet of an air inlet chamber 32 at its center and an intermediate distribution chamber in relation to the central body 4, such that will emerge from the detailed description of the figure 5 .

The first portion 30 also has a thread 34 to ensure its screwing into the central body, with the interposition of two seals 36 or O-rings, spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the device.

A second portion 38 extends the first with a generally conical shape. The main function of this second part is to accelerate the air introduced by the inlet of the air intake chamber 32, by Venturi effect, in a known manner, in order to inject it into the airbag and inflate it. latest.

The second portion 38 carries a cylindrical thread 40 at the end of the conical portion of large diameter, to allow the screw fixing of the end portion 28.

A non-return membrane 42 is interposed between the second portion 38 and the end portion 28 being held by clamping between these two elements.

The non-return membrane is made here in the form of a disc having a circular slot near its periphery extending for a little less than 360 degrees, so as to define a central disk retained on the periphery by a thin tongue .

Thus, the central disk is pivotable relative to the peripheral portion to let air in one direction, while it is blocked against the second portion 38, in the other direction, to prevent gas and the air come out of the airbag.

The non-return diaphragm provides optimum operational safety and robustness for a small number of components.

Note that a thin rod 44 may be provided, in the second portion 38 for safety, to define a stop for the pivoting disc and prevent deformation of the non-return diaphragm in the direction of exit of the airbag, what could happen in case of application of a large and brutal pressure on the latter, in the absence of such a stop.

The figure 3 represents a simplified cross-sectional view of a construction detail of the device of the figure 1 , more precisely, the mechanism for triggering the release of the gas from the cartridges 2.

Each cartridge 2 is screwed to an inlet 46 of the inflation device, in the axis of displacement of the needles 20.

Each cam 18 has a spout 48 for exerting pressure on the corresponding needle opposing the force of the spring 24 held in abutment in the central body.

Thus, when the lever is rotated, the nozzle 48 pushes the needle which perforates the corresponding gas cartridge to release the compressed gas.

When the lever continues to rotate in the direction of activation of the device, the cam has a smaller diameter portion to the needle which can rise to allow a faster release of the gas.

Note that the levers 10 are mounted head to tail to limit the application of a torque on the device when activated by a user.

The figure 4 represents a simplified perspective view, in partial cross-section, of a construction detail illustrated in FIG. figure 3 , in particular the central body 4, the mechanisms for triggering the release of the gas and the cartridges are not shown for clarity.

Each needle 20 is housed in a bore 21 adapted to the central body 4.

Holes 52 are provided in the bore to allow release of the compressed gas even if the needles 20 remain in their depressed position. The beveled shape of the needles provides additional functional safety.

In addition, each bore communicates with the interior of the central body via an oblique channel 54 formed near the corresponding inlet 46. The simplicity of this construction ensures its good performance over time.

The figure 5 represents a simplified cross-sectional view of the device of the figure 1 .

When the air ejection tube 8 is assembled to the central body 4, these two tubular elements define between them an annular cavity forming an intermediate chamber 56 for distributing the compressed gas, into which the oblique channels 54 open. This intermediate chamber is delimited by the inner wall of the central body, the outer wall of the first portion 30 of the main portion 26 of the ejection tube, and the two seals 36, in the longitudinal direction of the device.

Ejection holes 58 are provided to communicate the intermediate distribution chamber 56 with the air intake chamber 32 and inject the compressed gas therein.

When the compressed gas is injected into the air intake chamber 32, it creates a vacuum which causes a surrounding air flow through the opening of the intake chamber connected to the air intake cylinder 6.

The mixture of gas and air is then propelled into the second portion 38 of the main portion 26 of the ejection tube, before exiting through the end portion 28, after activation of the non-return membrane 42, to inflate the airbag.

It will be noted that the first and second tubes, namely the central body and the ejection tube, can be alternately secured to one another by means of a bayonet mechanism, for example.

The architecture described above makes it possible to guarantee a simplified manufacturing process for the various components of the device, as well as their assembly or disassembly, for example for maintenance operations.

Moreover, the ejection holes 58 preferably have an inclination substantially between 10 and 20 degrees with reference to the longitudinal direction of the device, preferably of the order of 15 degrees, and a diameter substantially between 0.2 and 1 mm. preferably between 0.5 and 0.8mm.

The device advantageously comprises between 2 and 10 ejection holes, preferably between 4 and 8, even more preferably 6.

The Applicant has carried out measurements based on the above indications and which have found that a multiplication factor of the order of 4 to 5 could be achieved with carbon dioxide, for a period of inflation of 1%. order of 2 to 4 seconds. A high multiplication factor makes it possible to limit the fluctuations of airbag inflation volume as a function of the temperature related to the significant coefficient of thermal expansion of the carbon dioxide.

The use of two cartridges reduced volume rather than a larger volume reduces the emptying time of a cartridge and thus eliminate any risk of frost that could penalize the inflation rate of the airbag .

The Figures 6 to 8 represent, schematically and simplified, all or part of an assembly incorporating a device as just described.

The Figures 6 to 8 illustrate the implementation of the inflation device for inflating an avalanche protection airbag.

The figure 6 illustrates the inflated airbag 60 when it is attached to a backpack 61 having conventional harnesses 62 as well as 64, ventral 66 and subcutaneous chest straps 68 providing better holding of the backpack on its carrier.

Advantageously, the airbag comprises a drain plug (not visible).

The figure 7 illustrates a pocket 70 of the backpack 61 for housing the folded airbag. Advantageously, the pocket 70 can be closed by a fuse-type zipper, released by pulling on a rope (numerical reference 71 on the figure 8 ) connected to the levers 10 to release the airbag at the moment of initiation of inflation.

The pocket comprises, by way of nonlimiting illustration, two D-rings 72 whose relative spacing is held fixed by means of a reinforcing bar 74.

Moreover, a first piece 76 of Velcro (registered trademark) is arranged in the pocket 70 being intended to cooperate with a second piece of Velcro (reference numeral 78 on the figure 8 ) integral with the airbag 60.

Thus, the airbag 60 can be put into place in the pocket 70 by cooperation of the two pieces of Velcro, as is apparent from the figures 7 and 8 , before ropes 80 are put in place to secure the fasteners 82 of the airbag 60 and the D-rings 72. The airbag is preferably reinforced in the attachment region of the fasteners 82 and the inflation device.

It will be appreciated that the air bag / inflator assembly forms a self-contained assembly that can be easily mounted or disassembled or transferred from one bag to another. In addition, the construction of this assembly makes it possible to minimize the dynamic stresses that could occur between the inflation device and the airbag and that would be likely to adversely affect the operating efficiency of the assembly.

The foregoing description corresponds to a preferred embodiment of the invention described in a non-limiting manner. In particular, the shapes shown and described for the various components of the inflation device are not limiting.

Thus, it is possible to provide various embodiments, in particular for the perforation mechanism. The nozzles 48 perforating the cartridges by action on the needles may, for example, be provided on a bar that can be moved from a rest position to a perforation position by means of a single control lever, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The lever could in particular cooperate with a pin integral with the bar to move it in translation in response to an action by the user. With such a construction, the reliability of the perforating mechanism is improved to the extent that having only one lever makes it possible to have to provide only one cable to control it. In addition, the nozzles may be provided on the bar so that they will act on the corresponding needles with a slight time shift, reducing the force required for the perforation of the two cartridges compared to a simultaneous perforation.

The device according to the present invention makes it possible to produce an inflation device - airbag unit in a block which is at the same time compact, light and easy to assemble or disassemble.

Claims (11)

1. Backpack (61) comprising an assembly that has a portable device for inflating an avalanche airbag and also such an avalanche airbag (60),
   said device comprising a securing member (12, 14) for joining it to the airbag,
   said portable inflation device having an elongate overall shape and having at least one inlet (46) intended to be connected to a cartridge (2) of compressed gas under high pressure and having a member for securing a sealed cartridge containing a compressed gas under high pressure, in order to allow the expansion of the latter into an air intake chamber (32), said inlet comprising a mechanism (10, 20) for triggering the release of the compressed gas into said air intake chamber, the triggering mechanism comprising a punch controlled by a drive mechanism that is actuable by a user, in order to be able to move between at least first and second positions and to perforate the sealed cartridge in order to release the compressed gas therefrom, the air intake chamber having an opening (6) intended to allow the intake of ambient air and an outlet (28) intended to be connected to the airbag to be inflated, the device comprising a member for being reversibly secured to the airbag, characterized in that the device has an intermediate chamber (56) for distributing the compressed gas, said chamber (56) being arranged between said inlet (46) and said air intake chamber (32) in order to connect them together, and a plurality of ejection holes (58) that are arranged so as to open into a side wall of said air intake chamber (32) in order to connect the latter to said intermediate distribution chamber (56) and to inject the compressed gas into the air intake chamber so as to create a depression which causes ambient air to be drawn in through the opening of the intake chamber connected to the air intake cylinder, and in that said intermediate distribution chamber (56) has an at least partially annular overall shape and is arranged at the periphery of said intake chamber (32).
2. Backpack (61) according to Claim 1, characterized in that said side wall of said intake chamber (32) is situated between said opening (6) and said outlet (28) in the longitudinal direction of the device.
3. Backpack (61) according to either one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a first cylindrical tube (8), the internal wall of which defines said side wall of said intake chamber (32), and a second cylindrical tube (4), which is coaxial with said first tube and arranged at least partially around the latter in order to define therebetween said intermediate distribution chamber (56), at least two sealing gaskets (36) being provided to delimit the latter in the longitudinal direction of the device.
4. Backpack (61) according to Claim 3, characterized in that said first and second tubes (8, 4) are secured together by screwing or via a bayonet mechanism.
5. Backpack (61) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said inclination is between 10 and 20 degrees relative to the longitudinal direction of the device.
6. Backpack (61) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has between 2 and 10 ejection holes (58).
7. Backpack (61) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said ejection holes (58) have a diameter of between 0.2 and 1 mm, preferably between 0.5 and 0.8 mm.
8. Backpack (61) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a second inlet (46) similar to said first inlet, which is intended to receive a second sealed compressed-gas cartridge (2) and is associated with an additional triggering mechanism (10, 20) comprising a second punch (20) designed to be controlled simultaneously with said first punch (20) and to perforate the second sealed cartridge (2) in order to release the compressed gas therefrom.
9. Backpack (61) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said intake chamber (32) comprises an acceleration cone (26) that is arranged between said ejection holes (58) and said outlet (28) and has preferably a length between 60 and 150 mm.
10. Backpack (61) according to Claim 9, characterized in that the reversible securing member (12, 14) is arranged at a distance from said outlet (28), such that said acceleration cone (26) is able to be at least partially located in the airbag (60) in the use configuration.
11. Backpack (61) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one sealed cartridge (2) of compressed carbon dioxide under high pressure.

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