EP3517180B1 - Carrying device for an avalanche airbag system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a support device with an avalanche airbag system which comprises an airbag and a filling device for introducing at least one medium into the airbag. When the avalanche airbag system is coupled to the carrying device, the airbag which has been brought into a stowed position is received in a container of the carrying device. The container has at least one closure element. After the closure element has been opened, the container can be moved from a closed position into an open position.

Such carrying devices in the form of rucksacks, which are equipped with the avalanche airbag system, are commercially available. For example, there are avalanche airbag backpacks in which a container in the form of an airbag pocket tears open 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 a zipper gives way, which usually keeps the airbag pocket closed.

The airbag pocket is usually a chamber that is separate from a further storage compartment of the rucksack or a container of this type in which the airbag is stored so as to be protected from damage. In addition, the airbag pocket ensures that the airbag does not fall out of the backpack during normal use. At the same time, the airbag should be packed as tightly as possible so that the airbag does not take up unnecessarily valuable backpack volume. This purpose is also ensured by the airbag pocket or the container in which the airbag, which has been brought into its stowed position, is received. If, however, the avalanche airbag system is triggered, this causes the airbag pocket to open as a result of the airbag being inflated, so that the airbag that is then released can continue to be inflated.

On the one hand, compressed gas from a cartridge can be used to fill the airbag of an avalanche airbag system. In such an avalanche airbag system, a venturi device is often used in addition. Here, the gas flowing through the venturi device and coming from the cartridge leads to additional ambient air being sucked in. In such an avalanche airbag system, the airbag is then filled both with the gas from the cartridge and with ambient air.

the US 2017/216680 A1 describes an avalanche airbag system in which pretensioned torsion springs, after being triggered, tension a frame on which an airbag is held. The opening of the airbag causes air to flow into the airbag via a one-way valve.

Furthermore, the WO 2012/035422 A1 a backpack with an avalanche airbag system, in which the airbag is inflated by operating a blower, the blower drawing energy from an electrical energy source. Here, too, the inflation of the airbag has the effect that the airbag is transported out of an airbag pocket in the rucksack.

A disadvantage of the avalanche airbag system is WO 2012/035422 A1 the fact that a considerable part of the energy that is available for inflating the airbag is already used to open the airbag pocket and to bring the airbag out of the airbag pocket by inflating it. Only when the airbag pocket is opened and the airbag, which is tightly folded in its stowed position, is unfolded, 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 fill the airbag, the deployment of the airbag from the airbag pocket does not represent a particular challenge with regard to the pressure to be applied for this, since the pressure is present at the beginning of the deployment process , can be up to 300 bar. However, this very high pressure of the compressed gas in the cartridge can lead to the airbag pocket tearing open in an uncontrolled manner, especially if the opening mechanism is incorrectly designed or damaged. However, even when the avalanche airbag system comprising the cartridge is used, part of the pressure of the compressed gas is used to deploy the airbag from the airbag pocket. On the one hand, this is inefficient and, on the other hand, valuable time could be saved if the cartridge did not need to provide the pressure required to press open the airbag pocket.

In particular in the case of an avalanche airbag system in which the airbag is filled by means of an electrically driven fan, however, a particularly large amount of energy is lost to open the airbag pocket and to remove the airbag from the airbag pocket. Because the pressure that a normal blower applies is around 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 pressurized gas is used.

In order to provide a higher pressure, manufacturers of avalanche airbag systems use a fan designed as a side channel compressor, for example. With such a fan, a somewhat higher pressure of up to about 100 mbar can be provided and used to open the airbag pocket and to deploy the airbag from the airbag pocket. In such an avalanche airbag system, however, it is disadvantageous that the fan can only deliver a lower volume flow than a fan which applies a lower pressure or dynamic pressure. The electric motor of an electrically operated blower namely has a characteristic curve which indicates at which dynamic pressure which volume flow can be conveyed. A high dynamic pressure also means a lower volume flow and vice versa. With one on a high pressure blower, for example in the case of the side channel compressor, the filling of the airbag after it has been deployed from the airbag pocket thus takes longer than is the case with a blower that is designed for a high volume flow.

Regardless of the type of blower used, however, the proportion of energy that has to be expended to open the airbag pocket and deploy the airbag in such an electrical avalanche airbag system is considerable. Accordingly, in an avalanche airbag system with an electrically operated filling device, an electrical energy storage device is usually of comparatively large dimensions and, in some cases, a comparatively large fan is also used, which is designed for compression and can thus provide a high dynamic pressure, and yet promotes a higher volume flow than a smaller fan which can provide the same back pressure.

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

The object of the present invention is therefore to create an improved support device of the type mentioned at the beginning.

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

The carrying device according to the invention, which can in particular be designed as a backpack, has 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, when the avalanche airbag system is coupled to the carrying device, the at least one airbag that has been brought into a stowed position is received. The container used to store the airbag has at least one closure element. After opening the at least one Closing element, the container can be moved from a closed position into an open position. The support device comprises at least one spring element which is tensioned when the container is brought into the closed position. The moving of the container from the closed position into the open position can be brought about by means of the at least one spring element. The at least one closure element can be opened by actuating an actuating device by means of which the filling device of the avalanche airbag system can be brought into a triggered state. In the triggered state, the filling device brings the at least one medium into the airbag.

The at least one spring element is designed as a leaf spring which is integrated into the container and which is pressed into the container when the airbag is packed and is thereby brought into a curved shape.

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 that has been brought into its stowed position. If the at least one spring element not only opens the container or the airbag pocket, but also deploys the airbag, the airbag can be filled particularly quickly and even more easily.

For example, an essentially rod-shaped spring element can bring about the deployment of the airbag from the receiving space of the container.

The at least one spring element is curved in the tensioned state in such a way that the at least one spring element encloses the receiving space. In this case, free ends of the at least one spring element are spaced further apart from one another in its relaxed state than in the tensioned state. By stretching the at least one spring element in this way, both the opening of the container and the deployment of the airbag from the container can be effected in a particularly simple and reliable manner.

The at least one spring element does not need to completely enclose the receiving space, but the spring element can be curved State have a U-shaped or circular arc shape, in which the free ends of the spring element are still spaced from one another even in the tensioned state. The spring element can be brought into the curved, tensioned state by pressing the airbag into the receiving space of the container.

The closure element is therefore designed so that it can be opened by actuating the actuating device. When the closure element is open, the at least one spring element can in turn bring about the movement of the container from the closed position into the open position. The at least one spring element therefore presses the container open. As a result of this mechanical opening of the container, which is designed as a so-called airbag pocket of the carrying device or the rucksack, the avalanche airbag system does not need to hold energy to open the container. This is advantageous both when designing the support device for an avalanche airbag system, which comprises a cartridge with compressed gas, and for an avalanche airbag system, which has an electrically operated filling device, and the support device is accordingly improved.

Because at least the opening of the container, i.e. moving the container from the closed position to the open position, can be implemented independently of the energy reserves of an electrical energy storage device of the avalanche airbag system with an electrically operated filling device or independently of the pressure provided by the cartridge.

This is based on the knowledge that when the container is open and the airbag of the avalanche airbag system has already been ejected from the container, at least 10 percent of the energy can be saved that is required to inflate or fill the airbag when the Container and the deployment of the airbag from the container is effected by inflating the airbag. The opening of the airbag pocket and the deployment of the airbag from the airbag pocket thus draws off significant energy.

If gas from a cartridge is used to fill the airbag, the pressure of the cartridge can be significantly lower than is usual with current avalanche airbag systems and can be, for example, only 100 bar. This is advantageous, for example, in that there are restrictions with regard to the transport of gas-filled cartridges in aircraft, in which the pressure of the gas stored in the cartridge plays a role.

If the support device for an avalanche airbag system is designed 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 stored by an electrical energy store of the avalanche airbag system, since the container does not have to be opened by means of the electrically operated fan of the avalanche airbag system. The avalanche airbag system can therefore be designed to be particularly small and particularly light.

This is particularly true because avalanche airbag systems have to be reliably triggered even at very low temperatures of down to -30 degrees Celsius. At very low temperatures, however, the performance of electrical energy stores in the form of, for example, accumulators decreases sharply compared to the performance at higher temperatures. To compensate for this, too, the electrical energy stores of avalanche airbag systems with an electrically operated filling device are usually designed to be correspondingly large.

In this regard, too, it is advantageous if the at least one spring element causes the container to open at the same time as the actuation or due to the actuation of the actuation device. This is because a mechanical energy store in the form of the at least one spring element easily provides the energy that is required to move the container from the closed position into the open position, even at very low temperatures. As a result, more energy can be used for filling from the electrical energy store of an avalanche airbag system with an electrical filling device of the airbag. This increases the safety of the avalanche airbag system.

Since moving 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, the airbag can be filled particularly quickly and reliably. Because by opening the container or the airbag pocket quickly and in particular completely, it can be achieved that the airbag can be filled quickly with a particularly low initial pressure.

For example, the at least one spring element can be formed from a spring steel which is pretensioned when the airbag is packed or when the airbag is pushed into the container. In an analogous manner, however, a spring element made of a carbon material and / or a spring element made of a fiber-reinforced plastic, in particular a glass 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. At least one further spring element can also be designed as a helical spring, the tension of which can cause the container to be opened.

The bias of the at least one spring element used for mechanical opening is generated when the airbag is packed, that is, when the airbag is introduced into a receiving space of the container.

The container can comprise a base body and a cover element, wherein the tensioning of the at least one spring element can be brought about, for example, by closing the cover element. With such a configuration of the container, it can be brought into the open position by means of the at least one spring element in a particularly reliable and functional manner.

The base body and / or the cover element are preferably inherently rigid, for example by forming the base body or the Lid 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 spring element, embodied, for example, as a leg spring, for opening the container on the container. For example, two spring elements designed in particular as leg springs can be attached in the manner of hinges in a region of the base body in which the cover element is hinged to the base body. In this way, a support device with a particularly robust and functionally reliable opening device is provided.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one spring element can comprise a first bracket and a second bracket which, when the container is brought into the open position, delimit an outlet opening of the container. Here, two interconnected partial areas of the container, on which a respective bracket is arranged, can be formed in particular from a flexible material, for example from a film-like plastic material and / or from a textile material. As a result, the container takes up particularly little volume when no airbag is accommodated in the container.

In addition, an ejection of the airbag from the receiving space of the container can at least be supported by a flexible wall material of the container, which is tensioned when the container is brought into the open position. This is because areas of the bracket which are close to one another in the closed position of the container are moved further away from one another in the open position of the container. This preferably causes tensioning of the wall material designed as a flexible sheet-like structure. The tensioning of the wall material in turn preferably causes the airbag to be ejected from the receiving space of the container. The flat structure can be formed in the manner of at least one textile made of fibers and / or in the manner of at least one film made of a polymer material or plastic material.

In addition, when the at least one spring element comprises the first bracket and the second bracket, another closure means such as one can be used Zip or Velcro can be dispensed with in order to close the outlet opening of the container in the closed position of the container.

Furthermore, only the at least one closure element needs to be provided, which is to be opened in order to subsequently bring the container into the open position by means of the bracket. This makes the construction of the container particularly simple. When the brackets of the spring element are moved towards one another, in particular bear against one another, the spring element is pretensioned and the spring element can bring the container into the open position. For this purpose, the actuating device only needs to be actuated first in order to open the at least one closure element.

In addition, a helical spring can bring about the deployment of the airbag from the receiving space of the container.

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

A first of the spring elements curved in the tensioned state is preferably held in the tensioned state by the at least one closure element. 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, that is to say the further spring elements, are only held under pretension by the container which has been brought into its closed position. This has the advantage that the first spring element only needs to be unlocked by releasing or opening the closure element. The further spring elements then subsequently or almost simultaneously with the first spring element ensure the completely opening the container. As a result, the container can be moved into the open position particularly quickly and reliably.

The support device preferably has at least two further spring elements which are curved in the tensioned state. This enables the container to be opened very evenly and at the same time quickly. This applies in particular when the at least two further spring elements are spaced essentially the same distance from the first spring element. However, it is also possible, for example, to provide four or more further spring elements, in which case this is preferred respective pairs of spring elements are spaced equidistant from the first spring element.

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

When using a Velcro fastener as a closure element, it can happen that the airbag pocket tears open during normal use or that the airbag pocket does not open as intended along a predetermined breaking point, for example in the form of a tear-open zipper (burst zip), but rather tears open in an uncontrolled manner. This in turn can lead to the airbag not being able to deploy at all, not being able to deploy well, or only partially deploying. With regard to the function of the avalanche airbag system of providing protection through the inflated airbag for the wearer of the carrying device or the rucksack, this is disadvantageous or a safety risk.

If, on the other hand, the hook is used as the at least one closure element, 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 the at least one spring element is then unlocked. This then in turn means that the container is moved from the closed position into the open position by the spring element.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one closure element can 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 particularly easily from the locking position into the release position in which the closing element is open. In addition, by using a closure 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 inflation device, an electrically operated closure element, for example in the form of an electrically operated bolt, in the form of an electromagnet or the like, can also be provided.

The airbag is preferably arranged in the container, the at least one spring element being 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 material strip can be materially connected to the wall material of the airbag, in particular welded, and form a pocket into which the spring element is inserted. In this way, the at least one spring element can support the deployment of the airbag or give the airbag a certain structure when the spring element is brought into its relaxed state. As a result, the filling of the airbag with the at least one medium is facilitated.

In the closed position of the container, a closure means is preferably secured by means of the closure element, which closure means closes an outlet opening of the container in the closed position. Such a closure means is preferably designed as a tear-open zipper (burst zip), which can be opened very easily as soon as a holding force is released at at least one tear point of the zipper. Such a tear-open zipper does not tear open in an undefined manner, but only from the at least one tear point. Furthermore, the closure means can be designed as a Velcro fastener or the like.

Such a closure means, in particular when a plurality of spring elements is provided, ensures that at least one of these spring elements is held in the tensioned state by the closure means closing the outlet opening of the container in the closed position of the container.

The avalanche airbag system is preferably coupled to the carrying device, the filling device comprising a fan with an electric motor and at least one electrical energy store for supplying the electric motor with electrical energy. To couple or connect the avalanche airbag system to the carrying device, corresponding fastening means can be provided in the container, for example in the form of clips, Velcro fasteners, hooks with rotatable buckles which are passed through eyelets and the like. This makes it possible to equip the carrying device, which is designed in particular as a backpack, with the avalanche airbag system as required. On the other hand, the carrying device can also be used without the avalanche airbag system, with additional storage space then being available through the container.

In particular, when the avalanche airbag system comprises the electrically operated filling device in which the fan with the electric motor is provided, the mechanical opening and preferably also the deployment of the airbag of the avalanche airbag system from the container is particularly advantageous. Because the opening of the airbag pocket or the container and preferably also the deployment of the airbag from the receiving space of the container is independent of the electrical energy supply of the electric motor, the at least one electrical energy storage device can be made particularly small. This is because no electrical energy then needs to be made available to open the container or deploy the airbag. Rather, the energy is applied by the at least one spring element.

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

The fan is therefore preferably designed as an axial compressor, since such a fan is designed for a high volume flow. By means of such a fan, for example, the airbag can be filled within approximately three seconds of the filling process in such a way that it contains a certain volume, for example a volume of approximately 150 liters, of ambient air. The pressure in the airbag, which has been inflated to its maximum volume, can then be increased by activating the blower for about three more seconds. If a comparatively high pressure is to be set here, the fan can also be designed, for example, as a radial compressor. After the airbag has been inflated or filled, 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 can in particular be arranged outside the container, remains in the carrying device or in the backpack and is not ejected like the airbag. This also goes hand in hand with the fact that the energy required for extraction can be saved.

The actuating device preferably comprises a handle, wherein the electric motor can be started by pulling on the handle. By pulling the handle, on the one hand the filling device is brought into the triggered state in which the filling device introduces ambient air into the airbag. On the other hand, pulling on the handle also has the effect that the at least one closure element is opened and thus the at least one spring element moves the container from the closed position into the open position.

The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own, without the scope of Invention to leave. Thus, embodiments are also to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed by the invention, which are not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, but which emerge and can be generated from the explained embodiments by means of separate combinations of features. Thus, designs and combinations of features that do not have all of the features of an originally formulated independent claim are also to be regarded as disclosed. In addition, designs and combinations of features, in particular through the statements set out above, are to be regarded as disclosed which go beyond the combinations of features set forth in the back-references of the claims or differ from them.

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 emerge 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 symbols. Show:

Fig. 1

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

Fig. 2

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

Fig. 3

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

Fig. 4

a variant of the avalanche airbag backpack in which the airbag pocket is U-shaped;

Fig. 5

the airbag pocket of the airbag backpack according to Fig. 4 , wherein spring elements arranged in the airbag pocket are shown in a tensioned state;

Fig. 6

one of the spring elements according to Fig. 5 in a sectional view of the airbag pocket;

Fig. 7

opening the airbag pocket according to Fig. 4 by means of the spring elements, an airbag accommodated in the airbag pocket being deployed at the same time;

Fig. 8

the backpack according to Fig. 4 with open airbag pocket and deployed airbag;

Fig. 9

a further perspective view of the backpack according to Fig. 4 with the airbag pocket closed;

Fig. 10

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

Fig. 11

the airbag pocket of the backpack according to Fig. 10 , whereby after opening the fastener, the brackets have pushed open the airbag pocket.

The configurations according to FIGS. 1 to 3 and according to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 do not represent independent exemplary embodiments of the invention claimed in claim 1 on their own.

Fig. 1 shows schematically a carrying device in the form of a backpack 10, which is designed as an avalanche airbag backpack. The rucksack 10 is accordingly equipped with an avalanche airbag system 12, which comprises an airbag 14 and a filling device 16 for filling or inflating the airbag 14. The airbag 14 is in Fig. 1 shown in a highly schematic manner in a stowed position in which the airbag 14 is folded up.

In order to be able to stow the airbag 14 separately from the other contents of the backpack 10 and as space-saving as possible, the airbag 14 is housed in a container 18 which is used to store the airbag 14 and can therefore also be referred to as an airbag pocket. In the container 18 or the airbag pocket, the airbag 14 is well protected against moisture, mechanical effects, UV radiation and the like. In addition, the container 18 or such an airbag pocket ensures that the airbag 14 is always positioned correctly 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 in particular be provided 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. Thereupon the blower 20 blows ambient air sucked into the airbag 14 until the airbag 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 (cf. Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 ). By pulling on the handle 30, the electric motor 22 is thus started.

The container 18 or the airbag pocket is designed in such a way that it does not accidentally open during normal use of the backpack 10. Furthermore, it is desirable for the container 18 to offer as little resistance as possible to the inflating airbag 14 when the avalanche airbag system 12 is triggered, since this costs energy and valuable time.

In particular, the fact that the fan 20 usually has to use a considerable part of the energy reserves provided by the electrical energy store 24 to open the airbag pocket or the container 18 and to deploy the airbag 14 out of the container 18 is therefore taken into account in the present case. In the present case, however, the energy required for this does not need to be generated by the fan 20.

Because the container 18, which is in Fig. 2 is shown without the backpack 10, has spring elements in the form of two leg springs 32, which in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are only indicated schematically. When the container 18, as in Fig. 2 is shown, closed or brought into a closed position, the leg springs 32 are tensioned. A closure element 34, however, 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 actuation device 28 that is embodied, for example, as a pull rope 36. Accordingly, the closure element 34 has a device which enables coupling to the actuating device 28, in particular to the pull rope 36. Such a device can be provided, for example, in the form of a holder or receptacle for the pull rope 36.

By pulling on the handle 30 of the actuating device 28, the pull rope 36 thus pulls on the closure element 34, so that the closure element 34 is opened. For this purpose, the closure element 34 can be designed, for example, as a mechanically lockable hook or the like. By pulling on the handle 30, the hook is then moved out of a locked position or engaged position via the pull rope 36 (cf. Fig. 2 ) in a release position (compare Fig. 3 ) emotional. This leads to the torsion springs 32 being released from the tensioned state (cf. Fig. 2 ) into a relaxed state (compare Fig. 3 ) are transferred by the leg springs 32 pushing the container 18 open. The fan 20 therefore does not need to apply the force required to open the container 18. When the container 18 is closed, the leg springs 32 or similar spring elements or mechanical energy storage devices are tensioned again, and the locking or closing of the closure element 34 ensures that the container 18 is nevertheless in its internal position Fig. 2 shown closed position remains.

At the in FIGS. 1 to 3 The shown variant of the rucksack 10, the container 18 comprises two inherently rigid and about a pivot axis 38 relative to one another pivotable housing parts in the form of a base body 40 and a cover element or cover 42. The backpack 10 according to FIG Fig. 1 the container 18 designed as a hard-shell box, in which the spring elements in the form of the leg springs 32 open the lid 42 and thus the container 18 in its Fig. 3 Can spend shown open position. The base body 40 and the cover 42 can be designed in the manner of half-shells which have essentially the same shape.

In the present case Fig. 3 Fastening elements 44 which are arranged in the container 18 and are used to fix the airbag 14 in a receiving space 50 of the container 18 are shown schematically. In the present case, the fastening elements 44 comprise buttons 46 or buckles formed in the manner of crescent moons, which are fastened to the container 18 via straps 48 and can be threaded into corresponding eyelets or slots which are provided in straps on the side of the airbag 14.

When the closure element 34 is unlocked by pulling on the handle 30, the spring-loaded container 18 opens very quickly. In addition, the construction is preferably designed in such a way 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, for example in the form of spring steel rods, rods made of carbon material and / or fiber-reinforced plastics, spiral springs, helical springs or the like can be provided. Such spring elements can, however, also bring about the opening of the container 18 in the same way as the leg springs 32 described here by way of example.

Fig. 4 shows a variant of the rucksack 10 in which the airbag pocket or the container 18 is essentially U-shaped, with respective legs of the U-shape pointing downwards and extending along the sides of the rucksack 10. Even with the in Fig. 4 backpack 10 shown are as in FIG Fig. 1 Shoulder straps 52 and hip straps 54 are indicated.

The filling device 16 of the avalanche airbag system 12 also includes in the case of FIG Fig. 4 The backpack 10 shown, the blower 20 with the electric motor 22, the control unit 26 and the electrical energy store 24. In addition, the airbag 14, which has been brought into its stowed position, is indicated, which is arranged folded in the receiving space 50 of the container 18 (cf. Fig. 6 ). Even with the in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 The airbag pocket shown or the container 18 for receiving the airbag 14 is provided with spring elements for moving the container 18 into the open position or integrated into the container 18.

With the container 18 according to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 A plurality of spring elements are preferably provided for opening the container 18. For example, leaf springs 56, 58 are used as spring elements of this type, which are shown in FIG Fig. 5 and in Fig. 6 are shown in their curved, tensioned state. These leaf springs 56, 58 are preferably pressed into the container 18 or the airbag pocket when the airbag 14 is being packed, and are thereby pushed into the in FIGS. 5 and 6 shown curved shape spent. In this tensioned state, the leaf springs 56, 58 enclose the receiving space 50 in the circumferential direction in such a way that free ends 60, 62 of the respective leaf springs 56, 58 (cf. Fig. 6 ) are only a small distance apart.

The container 18 is closed or locked on the first spring element, namely on the leaf spring 56, by means of the closure element 34. If this locking element 34 is unlocked by pulling on the handle 30 or thereby on the pull rope 36 (cf. Fig. 4 ), this first leaf spring 56 moves into the in Fig. 7 relaxed state shown in which the free ends 60, 62 are further spaced from one another.

As a closure means for closing the in Fig. 5 In addition to the closure element 34, a closure means in the form of a zipper 64 is provided, which is preferably in the form of a tear-open zipper. Opposite rows of teeth 66, 68 of the zipper 64 (cf. Fig. 8 ) can be easily separated from each other when the zipper 64 is at the tear point or tear point is solved. In the present case, this scribing point is arranged essentially centrally on the closure element 34 and thus in relation to the U-shape of the container 18 or the airbag pocket. The rows of teeth 66, 68 of the zipper 64 can then be separated from this tearing point. This means that the remaining leaf springs 58 can also be transferred unhindered into their relaxed or stretched state, which in Fig. 8 is shown. When the airbag 14 is triggered by pulling on the handle 30 (cf. Fig. 4 ) So the first spring element or the first leaf spring 56 is unlocked, the other spring elements or leaf springs 58 then follow automatically.

The further spring elements or leaf springs 58, which are curved in the tensioned state, are in the present case each equally spaced apart from the first leaf spring 56, so that the leaf springs 56, 58 are well distributed over the entire extent or length of the container 18. At least the first leaf spring 56 and two further leaf springs 58 are preferably provided. However, as in Fig. 5 shown by way of example, the first leaf spring 56 and four further 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 springs 56, 58 can be connected to the parts of the closure element 34 that can be detached from one another via straps 70 or similar elements. 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 or conveyed out of the receiving space 50. The then exposed airbag 14 can be filled with ambient air particularly easily and quickly by means of the fan 20.

The process of triggering the airbag 14 can thus be broken down into three sub-steps. First, a break point is opened or the closure element 34 is unlocked, then the airbag 14 is ejected from the receiving space 50 by transferring the spring elements in the form of the leaf springs 56, 58 into the stretched, relaxed state. Then the The airbag 14 is deployed or inflated with the help of the electrically operated fan 20. The system is therefore designed in such a way that the airbag 14 is safely transported out of the container 18 or the airbag pocket as a result of being triggered, so that it can simply be filled with air immediately afterwards .

In Fig. 8 it can be clearly seen how the airbag 14 is deployed or conveyed out of the receiving space 50 and can thus be inflated easily and quickly by means of the blower 20. In this free, unfolded state, the airbag 14 can be filled very quickly with a desired volume of ambient air, for example with a volume of approximately 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 has already been deployed.

In Fig. 9 the backpack 10 with the U-shaped airbag pocket is shown in a further perspective view. This view shows particularly clearly how the zipper 64 is also kept 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, in Fig. 9 the actuating device 28 indicated with the handle 30 and the pull rope 36, which is coupled to the locking element 34 in such a way that the locking element 34 can be unlocked or opened by pulling on the handle 30.

At the in Fig. 10 The shown variant of the backpack 10, the avalanche airbag system 12 in turn comprises the airbag 14 and the electric 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.

In this variant, however, the container 18 or the airbag pocket comprises a spring element with two brackets 72, 74 (cf. Fig. 11 ), which when the container 18 is brought into the closed position (cf. Fig. 10 ) to each other issue. In this state, the spring element which comprises the two brackets 72, 74 is tensioned. A wall material 76 of the container 18 can be designed to be flexible and can be made of a textile material and / or a flexible, film-like plastic material, for example. This is because the brackets 72, 74 ensure a certain shape of the container 18. Again, the spring element is held in the tensioned state by means of the closure element 34 (cf. Fig. 10 ).

If a pull is exerted on the closure element 34 by pulling on the handle 30 of the actuating device 28 via the pull rope 36, the closure element 34 is unlocked. The brackets 72, 74 then move away from one another, and the container 18 is placed in the in Fig. 11 shown open position brought. The spring element with the two brackets 72, 74 is thus designed in the manner of a spring clip 78. In Fig. 11 the container is shown opened a bit. If, in the closed position of the container 18, areas of the brackets 72, 74 that abut one another are moved as far away from each other as possible and thus the container 18 is completely open, then tensioning the flexible sheet material 76 causes the airbag 14 to be ejected from the receiving space 50. The brackets 72, 74 can in particular be brought into an extended position. The flat structure can 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 the receiving space 50 of the container 18 can be seen, but for the sake of clarity the airbag 14 deployed from the receiving space 50 is not shown. Furthermore it is off Fig. 11 It can be seen that when the container 18 is brought into the open position or opened, the two brackets 72, 74 delimit an outlet opening of the container 18 through which the airbag 14 fixed in the receiving space 50 is deployed or ejected from the receiving space 50.

Claims (12)

1. A carrying device, in particular backpack (10), with an avalanche airbag system (12), which includes at least one airbag (14) and a filling device (16) for introducing at least one medium into the at least one airbag (14), and with at least one container (18), which is formed as an airbag pocket of the carrying device, and in which the at least one airbag (14) taken into a stowage position is received with the avalanche airbag system (12) coupled to the carrying device, wherein the container (18) serving for storing the airbag (14) comprises at least one closure element (34), and wherein the at least one container (18) can be taken from a closed position into an open position after opening the at least one closure element (34), wherein the carrying device includes at least one spring element (56, 58), which is tensioned with the container (18) taken into the closed position, and by means of which taking the container (18) from the closed position into the open position can be effected, wherein the at least one spring element (56, 58) is formed as a leaf spring integrated in the container (18), which is pressed into the container (18) and herein taken into a curved shape upon packing the airbag (14), and is formed to convey the airbag (14) out of a receiving space (50) of the container (18), which is formed for receiving the airbag (14) taken into its stowage position, wherein the at least one spring element (56, 58) is curved in the tensioned state such that the at least one spring element (56, 58) encloses the receiving space (50), wherein free ends (60, 62) of the at least one spring element (56, 58) are farther spaced from each other in the relaxed state thereof than in the tensioned state, and wherein the at least one closure element (34) can be opened by actuating an actuation device (28), by means of which the filling device (16) can be taken into a triggered state, in which the filling device (16) introduces the at least one medium into the airbag (14).
2. The carrying device according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the container (18) includes an, in particular inherently rigid, basic body (40) and an, in particular inherently rigid, lid element (42), wherein tensioning the at least one spring element in particular formed as a leg spring (32) can be effected by closing the lid element (42).
3. The carrying device according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   the at least one spring element (78) includes a first bracket (72) and a second bracket (74), which delimit an outlet opening of the container (18) with the container (18) taken into the open position.
4. The carrying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that
   a plurality of spring elements (56, 58) curved in the tensioned state is arranged in the container.
5. The carrying device according to claim 4,
   characterized in that
   a first spring element (56) of the spring elements (56, 58) curved in the tensioned state is retained in the tensioned state by the at least one closure element (34), and wherein at least one further spring element (58) of these spring elements (56, 58) is retained in the tensioned state due to the closed position of the container (18).
6. The carrying device according to claim 5,
   characterized in that
   the carrying device comprises at least two further spring elements (58), which are in particular substantially equally far spaced from the first spring element (56).
7. The carrying device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that
   the at least one closure element (34) includes a hook, which is movable from an engagement position into a release position by actuating the actuation device (28), and/or includes a magnet.
8. The carrying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
   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).
9. The carrying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
   characterized in that
   a closure means (64), which closes an outlet opening of the container (18) in the closed position, is secured by means of the at least one closure element (34) in the closed position of the container (18).
10. The carrying device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
    characterized in that
    the avalanche airbag system (12) is coupled to the carrying device, wherein the filling device (16) includes a blower (20) with an electric motor (22) and at least one electrical energy storage (24) for suppling the electric motor (22) with electrical energy.
11. The carrying device according to claim 10,
    characterized in that
    the blower (20) is formed as an axial compressor.
12. The carrying device according to claim 10 or 11,
    characterized in that
    the actuation device (28) includes a handle (30), wherein starting the electric motor (22) can be effected by pulling on the handle (30).

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