EP3517180A1 - Carrying device for an avalanche airbag system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a carrying device, in particular a backpack (10), for an avalanche airbag system (12), which comprises an airbag (14) and a filling device (16) for introducing at least one medium into the airbag (14). In a container (18), the avalanche airbag system (12), which is coupled to the carrying device, accommodates the airbag (14) which has been brought into a stowage position. The container (18) has a closure element (34). After opening the closure element (34), the container (18) can be moved from a closed position into an open position. The carrying device comprises at least one spring element, which is stretched when spent in the closed position container (18), and by means of which the movement of the container (18) from the closed position into the open position is effected. The closure element (34) can be opened by actuating an actuating device (28), by means of which the filling device (16) can be brought into a triggered state. In the triggered state, the filling device (16) brings the at least one medium into the airbag (14).

Description

The invention relates to a carrying device for an avalanche airbag system, which comprises an airbag and a filling device for introducing at least one medium into the airbag. In a container of the carrying device, the airbag which has been brought into a stowage position is accommodated when the avalanche airbag system coupled to the carrying device is seated. The container has at least one closure element. After opening the closure element, the container can be moved from a closed position into an open position.

Such carrying devices in the form of backpacks, which are equipped with the avalanche airbag system, are commercially available. For example, there are avalanche airbag rucksacks in which a container in the form of an airbag pocket ruptures when a pressure in the airbag pocket, which is caused by the inflation of the airbag arranged in the airbag pocket, exceeds a certain value. Then there is a zipper, which usually keeps the bag closed.

The airbag bag is usually a separate compartment from another storage compartment of the backpack or such a container in which the airbag is stored protected from damage. In addition, the airbag bag ensures that the airbag does not fall out of the backpack during normal use. At the same time, the airbag should be packed as tight as possible so that not unnecessarily valuable backpack volume is claimed by the airbag. This purpose is also ensured by the airbag bag or the container in which the airbag which has been placed in its stowed position is accommodated. However, if the avalanche airbag system is triggered, this causes the airbag bag to open as a result of the airbags inflating, so that the then released airbag can continue to be filled.

For filling the airbag of an avalanche airbag system on the one hand compressed gas from a cartridge can be used. In such an avalanche airbag system, a Venturi device is often used in addition. In this case, the gas flowing out of the cartridge through the venturi device causes additional ambient air to be sucked in. The airbag is then filled in such an avalanche airbag system both with the gas from the cartridge and with ambient air.

Furthermore, the describes WO 2012/035422 A1 a rucksack having an avalanche airbag system in which the airbag is inflated by operating a blower, the blower receiving power from an electrical energy source. Again, inflation of the airbag causes the airbag to be removed from an airbag pocket of the backpack.

A disadvantage of the avalanche airbag system is the WO 2012/035422 A1 the fact that a considerable part of the energy available for inflating the airbag is already being used to open the airbag pocket and to bring the airbag out of the airbag pocket by inflation. Only when the airbag bag is opened and the airbag folded tightly in its stowed position is unfolded once can ambient air (or gas from the cartridge) flow freely or largely unhindered into the airbag.

In an avalanche airbag system in which the compressed gas from the cartridge is used to inflate the airbag, deploying the airbag from the airbag pocket poses no particular challenge in view of the pressure to be applied thereto, because the pressure at the beginning of the airbag Unfolding operation is present, can be up to 300 bar. However, this very high pressure of the compressed gas in the cartridge can lead to an uncontrolled tearing of the airbag pocket, especially if the opening mechanism is incorrectly constructed or damaged. However, even using the avalanche airbag system comprising the cartridge, some of the pressure of the compressed gas is used to deploy the airbag from the airbag bag. On the one hand, this is inefficient, and on the other hand, a valuable time gain could be achieved if the cartridge did not need to provide the pressure required to press the airbag pocket.

In particular, in an avalanche airbag system in which the airbag is filled by means of an electrically driven blower, however, a great deal of energy is lost for opening the airbag bag and for discharging the airbag from the airbag bag. Because the pressure, which applies an ordinary blower, lies with approximately 30 mbar to 60 mbar. This value is lower by a factor of 10,000 to 5,000 than in an avalanche airbag system in which a cartridge with compressed gas is used.

For example, to provide greater pressure, avalanche airbag systems manufacturers use a blower designed as a side channel blower. With such a blower, a slightly higher pressure of up to about 100 mbar can be provided and used to open the airbag bag and to deploy the airbag from the airbag bag. In such an avalanche airbag system, however, it is disadvantageous that the blower can only convey a smaller volume flow than a blower which applies a lower pressure or dynamic pressure. In fact, the electric motor of an electrically operated blower has a characteristic which indicates at which dynamic pressure which volume flow can be conveyed. A high dynamic pressure means at the same time a lower volume flow and vice versa. In the case of a blower designed for a high pressure, that is to say in the case of the side channel compressor, the filling of the airbag after it has been expelled from the airbag pocket thus lasts longer than is the case with a blower which is designed for a high volume flow.

Regardless of the type of blower used, however, the proportion of energy that must be expended in such an electric avalanche airbag system for opening the airbag bag and for deploying the airbag is significant. Accordingly, in an avalanche airbag system with an electrically operated filling device, an electrical energy store is usually comparatively large and sometimes a comparatively large blower used, which is designed for compression and thus can provide a high dynamic pressure, and yet promotes a higher flow than a smaller fan, which can provide the same dynamic pressure.

Both measures mean that the avalanche airbag system is comparatively heavy, voluminous and also expensive.

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved support means of the type mentioned.

This object is achieved by a support device having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The carrying device according to the invention, which may be designed in particular as a backpack, is provided for an avalanche airbag system which comprises at least one airbag and a filling device for introducing at least one medium into the at least one airbag. The carrying device comprises at least one container in which, in the case of an avalanche airbag system coupled to the carrying device, the at least one airbag which has been brought into a stowage position is accommodated. The container has at least one closure element. After opening the at least one closure element, the container can be moved from a closed position into an open position. The carrying device comprises at least one spring element, which is stretched when spent in the closed position container. By means of the at least one spring element, the movement of the container from the closed position into the open position can be effected. The at least one Closure element is to be opened by actuating an actuating device, by means of which the filling device of the avalanche airbag system can be brought into a tripped state. In the triggered state, the filling device brings the at least one medium into the airbag.

The closure element is thus designed so that it can be opened by actuating the actuating device. When the closure element is open, in turn, the at least one spring element can bring about the removal of the container from the closed position into the open position. The at least one spring element thus presses the container. By this mechanical opening of the container, which may be formed in particular as a so-called Airbag pocket of the carrying device or the backpack, does not need to be held by the avalanche airbag system energy to open the container. Both in the design of the support device for an avalanche airbag system, which comprises a cartridge with compressed gas, as well as for an avalanche airbag system, which has an electrically operated filling device, this is advantageous and the support device is improved accordingly.

For at least the opening of the container, so the removal of the container from the closed position to the open position, regardless of the energy reserves of an electrical energy storage of the avalanche airbag system with electrically operated filling or independently of the pressure provided by the cartridge can be realized.

This is based on the knowledge that when the container is open and the airbag of the avalanche airbag system is already ejected from the container, at least 10 percent of the energy can be saved, which is required for inflating or filling the airbag when the opening of the Container and the deployment of the airbag from the container by the inflation of the airbag is effected. The opening of the airbag bag and the deployment of the airbag from the airbag bag thus draws significantly energy.

When gas from a cartridge is used to fill the airbag, the pressure of the cartridge may be significantly lower than current avalanche airbag systems, for example, as low as 100 bar. This is advantageous, for example, in that there are restrictions with respect to the carriage of gas-filled cartridges in aircrafts, in which the pressure of the gas stored in the cartridge plays a role.

If the carrying device is designed for an avalanche airbag system with an electrically operated filling device, the provision of the at least one spring element is particularly advantageous. Because then less electrical energy needs to be held by an electrical energy storage of the avalanche airbag system, since not by means of the electrically operated blower of the avalanche airbag system and the container needs to be opened. The avalanche airbag system can thus be designed to be particularly small and particularly lightweight.

This is particularly true since avalanche airbag systems must reliably trigger even at very low temperatures of up to -30 degrees Celsius. However, at very low temperatures, the performance of electrical energy storage in the form of, for example, accumulators greatly decreases compared to higher temperature performance. To compensate for this, the electrical energy storage of avalanche airbag systems with an electrically operated filling device are usually designed to be correspondingly large.

In this regard, it is thus advantageous if the at least one spring element causes the opening of the container simultaneously with the actuation or due to the actuation of the actuating device. For a mechanical energy storage in the form of at least one spring element provides even at very low temperatures easily that energy that is required to move the container from the closed position to the open position. As a result of the electrical energy storage of an avalanche airbag system with electrical filling more energy to fill used of the airbag. This increases the safety of the avalanche airbag system.

Since the movement of the container from the closed position into the open position works independently of the filling of the airbag by introducing the at least one medium into the airbag, a particularly rapid and reliable filling of the airbag can be achieved. Because the fast and especially complete opening of the container or the airbag bag can be achieved that the airbag can be filled quickly with a particularly low form.

For example, the at least one spring element may be formed from a spring steel, which is biased when packing the airbag or when pushing the airbag into the container. In an analogous manner, however, a spring element formed from a carbon material and / or a spring element formed from a fiber-reinforced plastic, for example in the form of a rod or the like, can bring the container from the closed position to the open position when the closure element is open. The at least one spring element can also be designed as a helical spring whose tension can cause the container to open.

The bias of the mechanical opening serving at least one spring element can be generated in particular when packing the airbag, so when introducing the airbag in a receiving space of the container.

The container may comprise a base body and a lid member, wherein the tensioning of the at least one spring element, for example by closing the lid member is effected. With such an embodiment of the container, the introduction of the same into the open position by means of the at least one spring element can be effected in a particularly reliable and reliable manner.

The base body and / or the cover element are preferably inherently rigid, formed, for example, by forming the base body or the Cover element made of a plastic, so that the container is designed in the manner of a hard-shell box. This makes it particularly easy to provide at least one designed for example as a leg spring spring element for opening the container to the container. For example, two spring elements designed in particular as torsion springs may be mounted in the manner of hinges in a region of the base body in which the cover element is articulated to the base body. In this way, a support device is provided with a particularly robust and reliable opening device.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one spring element may comprise a first bracket and a second bracket, which limit an outlet opening of the container when spent in the open position container. Here, two interconnected subregions of the container, on which a respective bracket is arranged, in particular of a flexible material, for example of a film-like plastic material and / or of a textile material may be formed. As a result, the container takes up very little volume if no airbag is received in the container.

In addition, a discharge of the airbag from the receiving space of the container can be at least supported by a flexible wall material of the container, which is stretched when the container is moved into the open position. For areas of the bracket, which are close to each other in the closed position of the container, are further moved away from each other in the open position of the container. This preferably causes a tensioning of the wall material formed as a flexible sheet. The tensioning of the wall material in turn preferably causes the ejection of the airbag from the receiving space of the container. The fabric may in this case be formed in the manner of at least one textile from fibers and / or in the manner of at least one film made of a polymer material or plastic material.

In addition, if the at least one spring element comprises the first bracket and the second bracket, then another closure means such as a Zipper or Velcro are omitted to close the outlet opening of the container in the closed position of the container.

Furthermore, it is only necessary to provide the at least one closure element which is to be opened, in order subsequently to effect the movement of the container into the open position by means of the brackets. This makes the structure of the container particularly easy. When the brackets of the spring element are moved towards each other, in particular abut each other, the spring element is biased and the spring element can cause the container to be moved to the open position. For this purpose, only the actuating device first needs to be actuated in order to open the at least one closure element.

Preferably, the at least one spring element is designed to convey the airbag out of a receiving space of the container, which is designed to receive the airbag which has been brought into its stowage position. If, in fact, the at least one spring element not only opens the container or the airbag pocket, but also expands the airbag, the filling of the airbag can be realized particularly quickly and even more simply.

For example, a substantially rod-shaped spring element and / or a coil spring cause the deployment of the airbag from the receiving space of the container.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the at least one spring element is curved in the tensioned state in such a way that the at least one spring element surrounds the receiving space. In this case, free ends of the at least one spring element in its relaxed state are spaced further apart than in the tensioned state. By such a stretching of the at least one spring element can be particularly simple and reliable causes both the opening of the container and the deployment of the airbag from the container.

The at least one spring element in this case need not completely surround the receiving space, but the spring element can in the curved Condition have a U-shaped or circular arc-shaped shape, in which the free ends of the spring element are still spaced even in the tensioned state. The spring element can be brought into the curved, tensioned state by the airbag is pressed into the receiving space of the container.

Preferably, a plurality of curved in the tensioned state spring elements is arranged in the container. Because then, on the one hand, the container can be opened very well and, on the other hand, the airbag can be deployed in a particularly reliable manner out of the container. For example, three, five or even more spring elements in the tensioned, curved state at least partially enclose the receiving space, which are distributed over the length of the receiving space and in particular evenly spaced from each other.

Preferably, a first of the curved in the tensioned state spring elements is held by the at least one closure element in the tensioned state. Here, at least one further spring element of these spring elements is held in the tensioned state due to the closed position of the container. In other words, only the first spring element is locked by the closure element and the remaining spring elements, so the other spring elements are held only by the spent in its closed position container under bias. This has the advantage that only by loosening or opening the closure element, the first spring element needs to be unlocked. The other spring elements then ensure subsequent or almost simultaneous with the first spring element for the complete opening of the container. As a result, the movement of the container into the open position can be realized particularly quickly and reliably.

Preferably, the support means comprises at least two further, in the tensioned state curved spring elements. This can cause a very uniform and at the same time rapid opening of the container. This is especially true when the at least two further spring elements are substantially equidistant from the first spring element. However, it is also possible for example to provide four or even more further spring elements, in which case preference is given respective pairs of spring elements are equidistant from the first spring element.

Preferably, the at least one closure element comprises a hook, which can be moved by actuating the actuating device from an engagement position into a release position. This is based on the finding that in commercial avalanche bag as a closure element of an airbag bag or a container in which the airbag can be stowed, a hook and loop fastener is used. A disadvantage of the Velcro, however, is that the holding force of such a closure element varies greatly, depending on how well the Velcro is pressed, whether the Velcro is damp or, for example, full of snow, and what temperature prevails.

When using a hook and loop fastener as a closure element, it may therefore happen that the airbag bag already ruptures during normal use or that the airbag bag does not open as intended along a predetermined breaking point in the form of a zipper (burst-zip), but ruptures uncontrollably. This in turn can cause the airbag not at all, not well or only partially unfold. This is in terms of the function of the avalanche airbag system to provide protection of the inflated airbag for the wearer of the support device or the backpack disadvantageous or a security risk.

If the hook is used as the at least one closure element, then the closure element can be released or opened particularly reliably by actuating the actuating device. For example, the hook coupled to the actuating device can be pulled into the release position by actuating the actuating device, so that then the at least one spring element is unlocked. This in turn means that the container is moved from the closed position to the open position by the spring element.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one closure element may comprise a magnet. In particular, a magnet, which is displaced parallel and / or perpendicular to the force holding the magnet in its closed position, can be moved in a particularly simple manner from the locking position into the release position, in which the closure element is open. In addition, by using a locking element comprising the magnet, the locking of the closure element is particularly easy to accomplish.

In particular, if the avalanche airbag system comprises an electrically operated filling device, it is also possible to provide an electrically actuatable closure element in the form of an electrically actuatable latch, in the form of an electromagnet or the like.

Preferably, the airbag is arranged in the container, wherein the at least one spring element is connected to a wall material of the airbag. For example, the at least one spring element can be sewn into the wall material of the airbag or sewn onto the wall material. Additionally or alternatively, a strip of material with the wall material of the airbag materially connected, in particular welded, and form a pocket, in which the spring element is inserted. In this way, the at least one spring element can assist the deployment of the airbag or give the airbag a certain structure when the spring element is brought into its relaxed state. Consequently, the filling of the airbag with the at least one medium is facilitated.

Preferably, a closure means is secured in the closed position of the container by means of the closure element, which closes an outlet opening of the container in the closed position. Preferably, such a closure means tear zipper (burst-Zip) is formed, which can be very easily opened as soon as at least one marking point of the zipper a holding force is released. Such a tear-zipper namely tears open not undefined, but only from the at least one Anreißpunkt. Furthermore, the closure means may be formed as a Velcro fastener or the like.

By means of such a closure means, it can be ensured, in particular when a plurality of spring elements are provided, that at least one of these spring elements is held in the tensioned state in that the closure means closes the outlet opening of the container in the closed position of the container.

Preferably, the avalanche airbag system is coupled to the carrying device, wherein the filling device comprises a blower with an electric motor and at least one electrical energy store for supplying the electric motor with electrical energy. For coupling or connecting the avalanche airbag system with the support means corresponding fastening means may be provided in the container, such as in the form of clips, Velcro, hooks with rotatable buckles, which are passed through eyelets and the like. This makes it possible to equip the particular designed as a backpack carrying device as needed with the avalanche airbag system. On the other hand, the carrying device can also be used without the avalanche airbag system, in which case additional storage space is available through the container.

In particular, when the avalanche airbag system includes the electrically operated filling device in which the fan is provided with the electric motor, the mechanical opening and preferably also the deployment of the airbag of the avalanche airbag system from the container is particularly advantageous. Because the fact that the opening of the airbag bag or the container and preferably also the deployment of the airbag from the receiving space of the container is independent of the electrical power supply of the electric motor, the at least one electrical energy storage can be particularly small dimensions. It then does not need to be provided with electrical energy for opening the container or for deploying the airbag. Rather, the energy is applied by the at least one spring element.

Furthermore, then the fan can be designed so that it provides a large volume flow and does not need to apply very high back pressure. Thus, the filling time required for filling the airbag can be kept particularly short. This in turn means that the at least one electrical energy store also needs to provide electrical energy for the electric motor only over a shorter period of time. This also contributes to an electrical energy store with a comparatively small nominal capacity being sufficient to supply the electric motor of the blower with electrical energy.

Preferably, therefore, the blower is designed as axial compressor, since such a blower is designed for a high volume flow. By means of such a blower, for example, within about three seconds of the filling process, the airbag can be filled so that it contains a certain volume, for example, a volume of about 150 liters of ambient air. Subsequently, by pressing the fan for about three more seconds in the inflated to its maximum volume airbag pressure can be increased. If a comparatively high pressure is to be set in this case, then the blower can also be designed, for example, as a radial compressor. After inflation or filling of the airbag, the volume or the pressure in the airbag can be maintained by closing at least one valve.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the fan, which may be arranged in particular outside of the container, remains in the carrying device or in the backpack and not as the airbag is ejected. This, too, is accompanied by the need to save energy required for deployment.

Preferably, the actuator comprises a handle, wherein by pulling on the handle, starting of the electric motor can be effected. By pulling on the handle, therefore, the filling device is firstly brought into the triggered state, in which the filling device introduces ambient air into the airbag. On the other hand causes the pulling on the handle at the same time that the at least one closure element is opened and so moves the at least one spring element, the container from the closed position to the open position.

The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or in isolation, without the scope of To leave invention. Thus, embodiments are also included and disclosed by the invention, which are not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, however, emerge and can be produced by separated combinations of features from the embodiments explained. Thus, embodiments and combinations of features are also to be regarded as disclosed which do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim. Moreover, embodiments and combinations of features, in particular by the embodiments set out above, are to be regarded as disclosed which go beyond the feature combinations set out in the back references of the claims or deviate therefrom.

Fig. 1

schematisch einen Lawinenairbagrucksack, bei welchem eine als hartschalige Box ausgebildete Airbagtasche des Rucksacks geschlossen ist;

Fig. 2

schematisch die geschlossene Airbagtasche gemäß Fig. 1 in einer Perspektivansicht;

Fig. 3

die Airbagtasche gemäß Fig. 2 in einer Offenstellung;

Fig. 4

eine Variante des Lawinenairbagrucksacks, bei welchem die Airbagtasche U-förmig ausgebildet ist;

Fig. 5

die Airbagtasche des Airbagrucksacks gemäß Fig. 4, wobei in der Airbagtasche angeordnete Federelemente in einem gespannten Zustand gezeigt sind;

Fig. 6

eines der Federelemente gemäß Fig. 5 in einer Schnittansicht der Airbagtasche;

Fig. 7

das Öffnen der Airbagtasche gemäß Fig. 4 mittels der Federelemente, wobei zugleich ein in der Airbagtasche aufgenommener Airbag ausgebracht wird;

Fig. 8

den Rucksack gemäß Fig. 4 mit geöffneter Airbagtasche und ausgebrachtem Airbag;

Fig. 9

eine weitere Perspektivansicht des Rucksacks gemäß Fig. 4, wobei die Airbagtasche geschlossen ist;

Fig. 10

eine Variante des Lawinenairbagrucksacks, wobei die Airbagtasche ein Federelement mit zwei Bügeln aufweist, welche durch einen Verschluss beziehungsweise eine Verriegelung in einem gespannten Zustand gehalten sind; und

Fig. 11

die Airbagtasche des Rucksacks gemäß Fig. 10, wobei nach dem Öffnen des Verschlusses die Bügel die Airbagtasche aufgedrückt haben.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the following description of preferred embodiments and with reference to the drawings, in which functionally identical elements are provided with identical reference numerals. Showing:

Fig. 1

schematically an avalanche bag in which an airbag bag designed as a hard-shell box of the backpack is closed;

Fig. 2

schematically the closed airbag bag according to Fig. 1 in a perspective view;

Fig. 3

the airbag bag according to Fig. 2 in an open position;

Fig. 4

a variant of the avalanche airbag backpack, wherein the air bag pocket is U-shaped;

Fig. 5

the airbag bag of the airbag backpack according to Fig. 4 wherein spring elements disposed in the airbag pocket are shown in a cocked condition;

Fig. 6

one of the spring elements according to Fig. 5 in a sectional view of the Airbag bag;

Fig. 7

opening the bag according to Fig. 4 by means of the spring elements, wherein at the same time a recorded in the airbag bag airbag is deployed;

Fig. 8

according to the backpack Fig. 4 with opened airbag bag and deployed airbag;

Fig. 9

another perspective view of the backpack according to Fig. 4 with the bag of airbag closed;

Fig. 10

a variant of the avalanche airbag backpack, the airbag bag having a spring element with two brackets, which are held by a lock or a lock in a tensioned state; and

Fig. 11

the airbag bag of the backpack according to Fig. 10 , wherein after opening the shutter, the straps have pressed the bag Airbag.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a support device in the form of a backpack 10, which is designed as avalanche bag. Accordingly, the backpack 10 is equipped with an avalanche airbag system 12, which comprises an airbag 14 and a filling device 16 for filling or inflation of the airbag 14. The airbag 14 is in Fig. 1 shown highly schematic in a stowed spent, in which the airbag 14 is folded.

In order to be able to store the airbag 14 separated from other contents of the backpack 10 and as space-saving as possible, the airbag 14 is accommodated in a container 18, which serves to store the airbag 14 and thus can also be referred to as an airbag bag. In the container 18 or the airbag pocket, the airbag 14 is well protected against moisture, against mechanical effects, against UV radiation and the like. In addition, the container 18 or such an airbag bag ensures that the airbag 14 is always correctly positioned in the backpack 10 for reliable deployment.

In the present case, the filling device 16 comprises a fan 20 with an electric motor 22 and at least one electrical energy store 24 for supplying the electric motor 22 with electrical energy. The electrical energy store 24 can be provided in particular by at least one battery and / or at least one accumulator and / or at least one capacitor. A control unit 26 of the filling device 16 controls the electric motor 22 when the filling device 16 is triggered. Thereafter, the blower 20 inflates sucked ambient air into the air bag 14 until the air bag 14 is filled and has a predetermined pressure. To trigger the filling device 16, an actuating device 28 is actuated, which comprises a handle 30 (see FIG Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 ). By pulling on the handle 30 thus starting of the electric motor 22 is effected.

The container 18 or the airbag bag is designed so that it does not open accidentally during normal use of the backpack 10. Furthermore, it is desirable for the container 18, when the avalanche airbag system 12 is activated, to resist as little as possible the filling airbag 14, since this costs energy and valuable time.

In particular, therefore, the present case is taken into account that usually from the fan 20, a significant portion of the provided by the electrical energy storage 24 energy reserves must be applied to open the airbag pocket or the container 18 and deploy the airbag 14 from the container 18. However, the energy required for this does not need to be applied by the blower 20 in the present case.

Because the container 18, which in Fig. 2 is shown without the backpack 10, has spring elements approximately in the form of two torsion springs 32, which in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are indicated only schematically. If the container 18, as in Fig. 2 shown, closed or spent in a closed position, the torsion springs 32 are stretched. However, a closure element 34 ensures that the leg springs 32 do not open the container 18 unintentionally. The closure element 34 is in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 also shown only schematically.

In the present case, the closure element 34 is coupled to an element of the actuating device 28 designed, for example, as a pull cable 36. Accordingly, the closure element 34 has a device which allows the coupling with the actuating device 28, in particular with the traction cable 36. Such a device may be provided approximately in the form of a holder or receptacle for the traction cable 36.

By pulling on the handle 30 of the actuating device 28, the pull cable 36 thus pulls on the closure element 34, so that the closure element 34 is opened. The closure element 34 can be designed for this purpose, for example, as a mechanically lockable hook or the like. By pulling on the handle 30 is then on the pull cable 36 of the hook from a locking position or engagement position (see Fig. 2 ) into a release position (cf. Fig. 3 ) emotional. This results in that the torsion springs 32 from the tensioned state (see Fig. 2 ) in a relaxed state (cf. Fig. 3 ) are transferred by the leg springs 32 press the container 18. Thus, the fan 20 need not apply the force required to open the container 18. When closing the container 18, the torsion springs 32 or the like spring elements or mechanical energy storage are stretched again, and the locking or closing of the closure element 34 ensures that the container 18 still in his in Fig. 2 shown closed position remains.

At the in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 shown variant of the backpack 10, the container 18 comprises two intrinsically stiff and about a pivot axis 38 relative to each other pivotable housing parts in the form of a base body 40 and a lid member or cover 42. Accordingly, in the backpack 10 according to Fig. 1 the container 18 designed as a hard-shell box, in which the spring elements open approximately in the form of the torsion springs 32, the lid 42 and thus the container 18 in his in Fig. 3 can spend shown open position. The base body 40 and the lid 42 may be formed in the manner of half-shells, which have a substantially same shape.

Present are in Fig. 3 in the container 18 arranged fasteners 44 shown schematically, which serve to fix the airbag 14 in a receiving space 50 of the container 18. The fasteners 44 herein include cuffs 46 or buckles formed in the manner of crescents, which are secured to the container 18 by straps 48 and can be threaded into corresponding loops or slots provided in straps on the side of the air bag 14.

When unlocking the closure element 34 by pulling on the handle 30, the spring-loaded container 18 opens very quickly. In addition, the construction is preferably designed such that the airbag 14 is also actively conveyed out of the container 18 or out of the receiving space 50. For this purpose, additional spring elements or elastic elements may be provided approximately in the form of spring steel rods, rods of carbon material and / or fiber-reinforced plastics, coil springs, coil springs or the like. However, such spring elements can also cause the opening of the container 18 as well as the leg springs 32 described here by way of example.

Fig. 4 shows a variant of the backpack 10, in which the airbag bag or the container 18 is formed substantially U-shaped, with respective legs of the U-shape facing down and extending along sides of the backpack 10. Also at the in Fig. 4 shown backpack 10 are as in Fig. 1 Shoulder straps 52 and waist straps 54 indicated.

The filling device 16 of the avalanche airbag system 12 also includes the in Fig. 4 shown backpack 10, the blower 20 with the electric motor 22, the controller 26 and the electric energy storage 24. In addition, the spent in his stowage airbag 14 is indicated, which is arranged folded in the receiving space 50 of the container 18 (see Fig. 6 ). Also at the in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 shown airbag bag or the container 18 for receiving the airbag 14 spring elements are provided for bringing the container 18 in the open position or integrated into the container 18.

In the container 18 according to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 Preferably, a plurality of spring elements for opening the container 18 are provided. For example, as such spring elements leaf springs 56, 58 are used, which in Fig. 5 and in Fig. 6 are shown in their curved, tensioned state. These leaf springs 56, 58 are preferably pressed when packing the airbag 14 in the container 18 and the bag Airbag and this in the in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 shown curved shape spent. In this tensioned state, the leaf springs 56, 58 surround the receiving space 50 in the circumferential direction such that free ends 60, 62 of the respective leaf springs 56, 58 (see FIG Fig. 6 ) are only a small distance from each other.

On the first spring element, namely on the leaf spring 56, the container 18 is closed or locked by means of the closure element 34. If this closure element 34 is unlocked by pulling on the handle 30 or thereby on the pull cable 36 (see FIG Fig. 4 ), this first leaf spring 56 moves in the in Fig. 7 shown relaxed state in which the free ends 60, 62 are further spaced from each other.

As a closure means for closing the in Fig. 5 shown airbag bag or the container 18 is in addition to the closure member 34 a presently designed as a zipper 64 closure means is provided, which is preferably designed as a tear-zipper. Opposing rows of teeth 66, 68 of the zipper 64 (see Fig. 8 ) can be easily separated when the zipper 64 at the marking point or tear point is solved. In the present case, this scribe point is arranged substantially centrally on the closure element 34 and thus relative to the U-shape of the container 18 or of the airbag bag. From this marking point, the rows of teeth 66, 68 of the zipper 64 can then be separated. This leads to the fact that the other leaf springs 58 can be transferred unhindered into their relaxed or stretched state, which in Fig. 8 is shown. Upon deployment of the airbag 14 by pulling on the handle 30 (see FIG Fig. 4 ) Thus, the first spring element or the first leaf spring 56 is unlocked, the remaining spring elements or leaf springs 58 then follow automatically.

The other, in the tensioned state curved spring elements or leaf springs 58 are each equidistant from the first leaf spring 56, so that over the entire extension or length of the container 18, the leaf springs 56, 58 are well distributed. Preferably, at least the first leaf spring 56 and two other leaf springs 58 are provided. However, it can also, as in Fig. 5 shown by way of example, the first leaf spring 56 and four other leaf springs 58 may be provided.

Out Fig. 6 and from Fig. 7 It can be seen that the free ends 60, 62 of the respective leaf spring 56, 58 can be connected via bands 70 or the like elements with the detachable parts of the closure element 34. In Fig. 6 the airbag 14 is shown in its folded stowed position, in which the airbag 14 is received in the receiving space 50. According to Fig. 7 the stretching of the leaf springs 56, 58 advantageously ensures that the airbag 14 is deployed out of the receiving space 50 or conveyed out. The then exposed airbag 14 can be particularly easily and quickly filled by means of the blower 20 with ambient air.

The process of triggering the airbag 14 can thus be divided into three sub-steps. First, a break point is opened or the closure element 34 is unlocked, then it comes to ejecting the airbag 14 from the receiving space 50 by transferring the spring elements approximately in the form of the leaf springs 56, 58 in the extended, relaxed state. Subsequently, the Airbag 14 unfolded or inflated, using the electrically operated blower 20. The system is thus designed so that the airbag 14 due to the release safely from the container 18 and the bag Airbag is transported so that it can be easily filled with air immediately afterwards ,

In Fig. 8 It is easy to see how the airbag 14 is deployed out of the receiving space 50 or conveyed out and thus can be easily and quickly inflated by means of the blower 20. In this free, deployed state, the air bag 14 can be filled very quickly with a desired volume of ambient air, for example, about 150 liters, and the fan 20 does not need to apply high pressure for this. This is because the airbag 14 is no longer in the container 18. Rather, the airbag 14 is already deployed.

In Fig. 9 the backpack 10 is shown with the U-shaped airbag bag in a further perspective view. It is particularly clear from this view how the zipper 64 is also held closed or secured by means of the closure element 34, the zipper 64 closing an outlet opening of the container 18 in the closed position of the container 18 or the airbag pocket. In addition, is also in Fig. 9 the actuating device 28 with the handle 30 and the pull cable 36 indicated, which is coupled to the closure element 34 such that the closure element 34 can be unlocked or opened by pulling on the handle 30.

At the in Fig. 10 In the variant of the backpack 10 shown, the avalanche airbag system 12 in turn comprises the airbag 14 and the electrical filling device 16 with the blower 20, which has the electric motor 22. In this respect, reference is made to the comments on the variants of the backpack 10 already described.

However, in this variant, the container 18 or the airbag pocket comprises a spring element with two brackets 72, 74 (cf. Fig. 11 ), which in spent in the closed position container 18 (see Fig. 10 ) to each other issue. In this state, the spring element is tensioned, which comprises the two brackets 72, 74. A wall material 76 of the container 18 may in this case be designed to be flexible and be formed, for example, from a textile material and / or from a flexible, film-like plastic material. For the bracket 72, 74 provide a certain shape of the container 18. Again, the spring element by means of the closure member 34 is held in the tensioned state (see Fig. 10 ).

If a pull on the closure element 34 is exerted by pulling on the handle 30 of the actuator 28 via the pull cable 36, the closure element 34 is unlocked. Thereafter, the brackets 72, 74 move away from each other, and the container 18 is in the in Fig. 11 shown open position brought. The spring element with the two brackets 72, 74 is thus formed in the manner of a spring clip 78. In Fig. 11 the container is shown a bit open. If in the closed position of the container 18 abutting portions of the bracket 72, 74, however, are moved far away from each other and thus the container 18 is completely open, so causes a tensioning of the flexible material formed as a wall material 76, the ejection of the airbag 14 from the receiving space 50. The bracket 72, 74 can be spent here in particular in an extended position. The fabric may in particular be provided by at least one textile material made of fibers and / or by at least one film-like polymer material.

In Fig. 11 is the receiving space 50 of the container 18 visible, however, for reasons of clarity of the ejected from the receiving space 50 airbag 14 is not shown. Furthermore, it is off Fig. 11 it can be seen that when the container 18 is opened or opened, the two brackets 72, 74 define an outlet opening of the container 18, through which the airbag 14 fixed in the receiving space 50 is ejected from the receiving space 50 or ejected.

Claims (14)

Carrying device, in particular backpack (10), for an avalanche airbag system (12) comprising at least one airbag (14) and a filling device (16) for introducing at least one medium into the at least one airbag (14), comprising at least one container (18). in which the avalanche airbag system (12) coupled to the carrying device accommodates the at least one airbag (14) placed in a stowage position, the container (18) having at least one closure element (34), and wherein after opening the at least one closure element ( 34) the at least one container (18) can be moved from a closed position into an open position,
characterized in that
the carrying device comprises at least one spring element (32, 56, 58, 78) which is stretched when the container (18) is brought into the closed position, and by means of which the container (18) can be moved from the closed position into the open position, wherein the at least one closure element (34) is to be opened by actuating an actuating device (28), by means of which the filling device (16) can be brought into a triggered state, in which the filling device (16) introduces the at least one medium into the airbag (14). Carrying device according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the container (18) comprises a, in particular inherently stiff, base body (40) and a, in particular inherently rigid, cover element (42), wherein the clamping of the at least one, in particular as a leg spring (32) formed spring element by closing the lid member (42) effected is. Carrying device according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the at least one spring element (78) comprises a first bracket (72) and a second bracket (74), which delimit an outlet opening of the container (18) when the container (18) is moved into the open position. Carrying device according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that
the at least one spring element (32, 56, 58, 78) is designed to convey the airbag (14) out of a receiving space (50) of the container (18), which is designed to receive the airbag (14) placed in its stowage position is. Carrying device according to claim 4,
characterized in that
the at least one spring element (56, 58) is curved in the tensioned state such that the at least one spring element (56, 58) surrounds the receiving space (50), wherein free ends (60, 62) of the at least one spring element (56, 58) are spaced further apart in its relaxed state than in the tensioned state. Carrying device according to claim 5
characterized in that
in the container a plurality of curved in the tensioned state spring elements (56, 58) are arranged. Carrying device according to claim 6,
characterized in that
a first spring element (56) of the spring elements (56, 58) curved in the tensioned state is held in the tensioned state by the at least one closure element (34), and at least one further spring element (58) of these spring elements (56, 58) due to Closed position of the container (18) is held in the tensioned state. Carrying device according to claim 7,
characterized in that
the carrying device has at least two further spring elements (58), which are in particular substantially equidistant from the first spring element (56). Carrying device according to one of claims 1 to 8,
characterized in that
the at least one closure element (34) comprises a hook which is movable from an engaged position into a release position by actuating the actuating device (28) and / or comprises a magnet. Carrying device according to one of claims 1 to 9,
characterized in that
the airbag (14) is arranged in the container (18), wherein the at least one spring element (32, 56, 58, 78) is connected to a wall material of the airbag (14). Carrying device according to one of claims 1 to 10,
characterized in that
in the closed position of the container (18) by means of the at least one closure element (34) a closure means (64) is secured, which in the closed position closes an outlet opening of the container (18). Carrying device according to one of claims 1 to 11,
characterized in that
the avalanche airbag system (12) is coupled to the carrying device, wherein the filling device (16) comprises a blower (20) with an electric motor (22) and at least one electrical energy store (24) for supplying the electric motor (22) with electrical energy. Carrying device according to claim 12,
characterized in that
the blower (20) is designed as an axial compressor. Carrying device according to claim 12 or 13,
characterized in that
the actuating device (28) comprises a handle (30), wherein starting of the electric motor (22) can be effected by pulling on the handle (30).

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