EP3977881A1 - Vêtement de sport de cyclisme et procédés de refroidissement connexes - Google Patents

Vêtement de sport de cyclisme et procédés de refroidissement connexes Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3977881A1
EP3977881A1 EP21194866.6A EP21194866A EP3977881A1 EP 3977881 A1 EP3977881 A1 EP 3977881A1 EP 21194866 A EP21194866 A EP 21194866A EP 3977881 A1 EP3977881 A1 EP 3977881A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
airbag
bag
sports clothing
cycling
shirt
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP21194866.6A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Bert Raf Celis
BV B-Cells
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
B Cells BV
Original Assignee
B Cells BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from BE20215058A external-priority patent/BE1028582B1/nl
Application filed by B Cells BV filed Critical B Cells BV
Publication of EP3977881A1 publication Critical patent/EP3977881A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
    • A41D13/015—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with shock-absorbing means
    • A41D13/018—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with shock-absorbing means inflatable automatically
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D2400/00—Functions or special features of garments
    • A41D2400/24—Reducing drag or turbulence in air or water
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D2600/00—Uses of garments specially adapted for specific purposes
    • A41D2600/10—Uses of garments specially adapted for specific purposes for sport activities
    • A41D2600/104—Cycling

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of sports clothing and, more specifically, cycling clothing with a view to improving safety combined with improving performance through improved cooling and/or improved aerodynamic resistance.
  • the invention described relates to inserting airbag and/or cooling products in a stretch shirt or stretch sports clothing such as a cycling suit, in which the airbag and/or cooling products are preferably located in a zone on the chest and abdomen, the pelvis and (top of the) thigh or the lower back.
  • the airbag is comfortable enough, fits closely and takes cyclists' different positions into account, for example, and allows leg movement in the different cycling positions.
  • the invention concerns a new product and the working method to create this product, which ensures, for example, that although using the product does increase the weight for racing cyclists or cyclists, it results in a reduction in air resistance (aerodynamic losses) and provides additional cooling.
  • the invention provides better protection by also protecting the pelvis and femur.
  • the triggers for the airbag may also use sensors in click pedals, which can trigger the airbag very early as from certain speeds. This ultimately results in the fact that the racing cyclist or cyclist is better protected, but also needs less power to move the bike forward or to be able to perform better by reducing aerodynamic resistance and improving body cooling.
  • the current bicycle airbags on the market do not show any aerodynamic improvements and the components are not positioned in places that can lead to lower air resistance coefficients (drag coefficients).
  • the current cooling methods too including phase-changing materials or fabrics leading to faster cooling by evaporation, are not specifically designed according to the aerodynamics of the racing cyclist or cyclist.
  • the current bicycle airbags do not take into account lower bicycle positions (e.g. time trial positions) and do not use stretch fabrics that precisely follow the contours of the body and provide a close fit with the body.
  • the current bicycle airbags cannot be used in cycle racing or in other sports where sufficient freedom of movement is required.
  • the combination of stretchability (the ability to breathe easily and comfortably) and a tight fit around the body has not yet been created to date in existing airbags for the body.
  • EP2576295 lists the system components used for an airbag.
  • the system components include the electronic control unit (ECU), the CO 2 cartridge, the connector to the bag of the airbag with the seal and attachment to the bag, and, finally, the bag of the airbag.
  • the electronic control unit (ECU) which consists of a number of motion sensors that determine whether or not the airbag may open. This ECU is electrically connected to the head of the CO 2 cartridge containing a small bursting charge that explodes when triggered and allows the CO 2 to escape and fill the bag of the airbag. As soon as it opens, the CO 2 will fill the bag of the airbag very quickly ( ⁇ 80msec).
  • patents such as US2012307060 and GB2467977 focus exclusively on aerodynamics in bicycle racing and use airbags that are full of air during cycling to achieve the desired gain; in this patent, the airbag is only filled prior to a fall and the positioning of the unfilled (folded) bag of the airbag and the airbag components result in improved aerodynamics, which can compensate for weight gain during rides on the flat by adding an airbag system. It goes without saying that the bag of the airbag is not filled and is only filled when activated (prior to a fall).
  • EP2956026 and WO2011148353 An airbag system to protect people is also described in EP2956026 and WO2011148353 .
  • a big difference from these patents is that the airbag bag is fully unfolded and applied parallel to the body as opposed to rolled up and folded up in this patent. Because the bag of the airbag does not allow any moisture to pass through it, this strongly hinders getting rid of perspiration. Neither are the airbag components in the most aerodynamic positions of the body and there is no protection of the pelvis or hip. This therefore makes the EP2956026 suitable as an airbag jacket to protect persons who move less (such as on a motorcycle) but not for cycling, bicycle racing or sports where many movements are necessary.
  • the bag of the airbag provides sufficient flexibility for the bag of the airbag to be able to fully deploy at adequate high pressure (30-60 bar) from the CO 2 cartridge.
  • the EP956026 and WO2011148353 are focused on airbag concepts for people who practise activities in which exercise and the resulting heat and perspiration discharge is less important.
  • the perspiration discharge and the air permeable nature of the shirt or suit are extremely important, as is the improvement of the aerodynamics with which the weight gain due to the addition of airbag components and bag can be compensated especially for riding on the flat.
  • the purpose of the invention is to provide sports clothing, for example a stretch airbag shirt or full airbag suit (shirt and trousers), which is aerodynamic and in which the airbag has been integrated, taking into account the aerodynamic resistance losses already mentioned.
  • the invention provides sportswear for racing cyclists that is made of stretch textile to have a close and tight fit around the body, with the characteristic that the sportswear comprises a bag for an airbag, where the bag is folded up and/or rolled up in at least a U-shape and/or S-shape, in such a way that perspiration discharge especially is hindered less.
  • the U-shaped bag of the airbag and the airbag components are positioned on the sports clothing in such a way that the user's drag coefficient improves during use; in particular at the thorax, lower back or combinations of both.
  • the U-shaped bag of the airbag is positioned in front over the thorax and extends to the bottom and back of the sports clothing.
  • the U-shaped bag of the airbag also extends to the neck to strengthen and keep the neck in position.
  • the sports clothing is a cycling shirt or a cycling suit, wherein the U-shaped bag of the airbag runs from the cycling shirt or the shirt of the cycling suit to trousers to the top of the femur and possibly even over the thigh joint.
  • the U-shaped bag of the airbag comprises an electronics module and a CO 2 cartridge and/or a cartridge containing gas or air at high pressure to fill the airbag, wherein the electronics module and the CO 2 cartridge are positioned in an aerodynamic shape; preferably at the thorax.
  • the U-shaped bag of the airbag comprises an external shape in non-inflated state to increase the circumference of the thorax by approximately 1 to 30 cm, wherein the circumference is measured just below the edge of the chest.
  • the bag of the airbag is optionally reduced at the neck, such that the sports clothing is compatible with the helmet used.
  • the bag of the airbag folded into a U-shape is fitted with additional cooling fabric, in particular fabric having high water absorption and high evaporation rates to facilitate the perspiration discharge.
  • the electronics module of the sports clothing is optionally configured to use sensors in the click pedals to trigger the bag of an airbag.
  • the electronics module provides a Bluetooth connection, wherein the Bluetooth connection is configured to communicate with the controller of an electric bicycle or the smart lock, wherein the controller or smart lock (lock containing a controller) is configured to check up on the user to ensure that the user is indeed wearing his airbag shirt; the controller is optionally configured to provide an audible or visual signal of the Bluetooth connection to the sports clothing.
  • the bag of the airbag is extended over the pelvis and femur to provide protection from the femur to the knee.
  • the sports clothing further comprises an internal explosive, in particular NaN 3 to activate the bag of the airbag, wherein the CO 2 - cartridge is placed externally next to the bag of the airbag and the internal explosive is activated internally in the bag of the airbag.
  • an internal explosive in particular NaN 3 to activate the bag of the airbag
  • the user is an athlete, a cyclist or a racing cyclist, and wherein the sports clothing is clearly intended to be used in sports, wherein freedom of movement is necessary and more extreme positions are adopted and wherein repetitive movements or very rapid movements are necessary and/or for recreational cyclists or cyclists on the daily commute.
  • the bag of the airbag protrudes from under the shirt and extends to the pelvis and thigh joint and, as such, can be attached to matching trousers.
  • the know-how of airbag positioning and thermoregulation is combined with the know-how of airbag technology which, despite the weight gain of about 1000g, even leads to improved performance measured on the flat.
  • the aerodynamic airbag described here can be a 3 rd major factor to improve performance in bicycle racing.
  • the combination of increased safety, increased comfort and increased performance because of improved aerodynamics will lead to full acceptance in cycle racing and, after that, also by the public at large.
  • the airbag can be used to protect the pelvis and thigh.
  • the pelvis and the top of the thigh can also be protected.
  • a factor that must also specifically be taken into account for cycling is helmets with a longer tail that may reach to between the shoulder blades.
  • the airbag bag itself together with the electronic components and the CO 2 cartridge or a cartridge of high-pressure air or gas, is incorporated into a stretch cycling shirt in such a way that the shirt fits any user such as an athlete, cyclist and racing cyclist, well and comfortably.
  • the comfortable fit allows a cyclist or racing cyclist to adopt an aerodynamic position in which the airbag shirt or suit fits well and movements can still be made comfortably in the shirt or suit. This means that when in a time trial position or when using the brackets, the racing cyclist's leg movements do not come into contact with the electronic components in the airbag shirt or the airbag suit.
  • An excellent and close fit are necessary to avoid additional aerodynamic losses and can be achieved by using a stretch textile (e.g. lycra) in addition to the non-stretchable bags of the airbags.
  • the solution ensures that it is easy to print on the textile used so that sponsors' names can be printed on them.
  • the encasing and textile around the airbag components must also be specifically adjusted for this to improve the drag coefficient.
  • the possible positions for these adjustments are, for example, the thorax where the typical adjustments around the airbag components result in a design resembling the shape of a drop of water, which improves the drag coefficient, the lower back where the air flow around the rider has already released the textile, or a combination of these adjustments.
  • the airbag components, in particular the bag of the airbag, and the fabric around the airbag components are placed in a position where there is lower pressure and wake.
  • the various components are preferably fitted in an aerodynamic shape, such as the shape of a drop of water at the thorax, which results in a reduction of the drag coefficient; in this aerodynamic shape, one can place the other components of the airbag or cooling system in addition to the bag of the airbag.
  • the bag of the airbag can be folded into a U-shape within this aerodynamic shape, thus improving air permeability and perspiration discharge and, consequently, overall comfort will improve.
  • the air and moisture discharge is limited because the bag of the airbag, as such, does not allow air or moisture to pass through and is also highly insulated. Consequently, the U-shape improves cooling and acts as a type of cooling fin for the racing cyclist.
  • the contact surface of the bag of the airbag with the body is greatly reduced by the fact that the bag is folded (e.g. in U-shape or in a spiral shape), which reduces the barrier for perspiration discharge by more than 50% in this concept; because the bag of the airbag can be folded up, it becomes very compact and the perspiration discharge is less obstructed, making the airbag shirt or airbag suit more comfortable and more suitable for applications where movement is necessary and much heat and perspiration are produced.
  • the bag of the airbag is then placed in a stretchable pocket (e.g. lycra) that is kept in its place when the bag of the airbag is inflated.
  • the air permeability and perspiration discharge is greatly improved because the bag of the airbag is folded up and a cooling space is created (e.g. by using the U-shape of the folded bag of the airbag with the opening of the U away from the rider's body) next to the folded bag of the airbag and between the rider's body and the folded bag.
  • the dominant mechanism for body cooling at ambient temperatures below 32°C consists of heat and convection.
  • the aim is to maximise this surface in an aerodynamic form.
  • the non-breathable or non-moisture-permeable surfaces (such as the bag of the airbag) must be minimised for adequate thermoregulation.
  • the surface area of the bag of the airbag (which is parallel to the body) is therefore limited by folding it (in a U-shape or an S-shape).
  • U-shape only one part of the U is adjacent or parallel to the body.
  • a typical property of the bag of an airbag is that it is neither air permeable nor moisture permeable; by making it compact and folding it, the barrier for the perspiration discharge is less great (reduction of approximately 50% for the U-shape and more than 66% for the S-shape) and the comfort level for the cyclist or racing cyclist is increased.
  • Folding the bag of the airbag in a U-shape requires more space and creates a bulge in relation to the surface of the shirt or suit, but, as indicated above, this additional volume will preferably be created within an aerodynamic shape, more specifically because of the combination with the supporting structure that provides such aerodynamic shape. Folding it in a U-shape also creates sufficient overall elasticity so that the zip (in the case of an airbag shirt) can also be closed easily.
  • the bag of the airbag will also be positioned low enough in the shirt or suit so that the pelvis, hip joint and top of the thigh (femur) can also be protected.
  • the bag of the airbag can transform from a U-shape to a flat shape in certain areas, e.g. in the neck between the shoulder blades, where the expansion volume of the bag of the airbag is reduced to allow for the use of long-tail and lightweight helmets.
  • the bag of the airbag passes from the cycling shirt to the trousers to the top of the femur and possibly even over the thigh joint, but does not hinder the rapid leg movements.
  • the bag of the airbag might protrude from the shirt and rider will attach it manually in the cycling shorts and may decide to fasten it, e.g. with Velcro, so that the pelvis and thigh at the top are also protected.
  • the bag of the airbag also runs from the lower back over the pelvis and thus through the existing shoulder straps of the bib shorts up to the neck.
  • the bag of the airbag also extends up to the neck and provides the neck with reinforcement and fixation;
  • a typical factor of the cycling airbag according to the invention is that low positions of the helmet are taken into account; for example, for a helmet with a low tail (long tail), the tail of the helmet can extend to the neck and one must avoid having a filled bag of the airbag that pushes the helmet out of its position. After all, the bag of the airbag will fill up faster than the rider hits the ground with his head. So, in a specific design, the expandable volume of the bag of the airbag will be reduced when passing on to the neck, and at the neck, so that when the bag of the airbag is filled, it will not push the helmet out of its position.
  • Existing airbag bags for neck protection do not take into account the typical design and light weight of a bicycle helmet, which makes it easy to move out of position when the airbag inflates.
  • the invention also includes the method of positioning and repositioning the airbag or cooling components according to the position of the racing cyclist or cyclist in the wind tunnel or on a cycling track equipped for aerodynamic measurements, in such a manner that the airbag position creates the greatest aerodynamic gains.
  • the main areas where the aerodynamic shape is created are the thorax and the lower back.
  • the airbag components must also be positioned within this aerodynamic shape.
  • the airbag is triggered based on known sensors such as average speed measurement (GPS-based), IMU motion sensors and accelerometers. What is typical for an airbag in a cycling shirt is that sensors in the click pedals can be used in addition to this, which means that unlocking the click pedal at higher speeds (>5 m/sec) can possibly be used as a trigger. In addition, a validated algorithm that uses speed measurement, motion sensors and accelerometers ensures that the airbag is triggered at just the right time.
  • GPS-based average speed measurement
  • IMU motion sensors IMU motion sensors
  • accelerometers accelerometers

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
EP21194866.6A 2020-09-04 2021-09-03 Vêtement de sport de cyclisme et procédés de refroidissement connexes Pending EP3977881A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE202005611 2020-09-04
BE20215058A BE1028582B1 (nl) 2020-09-04 2021-01-26 AERODYNAMISCH AIRBAGSHIRT en AIRBAGPAK en bijhorende koelmethodes

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3977881A1 true EP3977881A1 (fr) 2022-04-06

Family

ID=77640491

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21194866.6A Pending EP3977881A1 (fr) 2020-09-04 2021-09-03 Vêtement de sport de cyclisme et procédés de refroidissement connexes

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Country Link
EP (1) EP3977881A1 (fr)

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5371903A (en) 1992-03-16 1994-12-13 Wear And Tear, Inc. Aerodynamic modules for cycling, skating and other speed sports
EP0956026A1 (fr) 1996-10-17 1999-11-17 FIDIA S.p.A. Preparations pharmaceutiques contenant des sels d'acide hyaluronique et des anesthesiques locaux
US6230333B1 (en) * 1998-12-21 2001-05-15 Safety Corporation Life jacket with cushioning air-bag
GB2467977A (en) 2009-02-24 2010-08-25 Jessica Rose Shah Aerodynamic apparel
WO2011003102A1 (fr) * 2009-07-02 2011-01-06 Dashamerica, Inc. D/B/A Pearl Izumi Usa, Inc. Maillot
WO2011148353A1 (fr) 2010-05-28 2011-12-01 Freni Brembo S.P.A. Vêtement de protection équipé d'un airbag
US20120307060A1 (en) 2011-06-02 2012-12-06 Neal Henderson Bicycle Racing Apparatus
EP2576295A1 (fr) 2010-05-28 2013-04-10 Helite S.a.r.l. Dispositif pour gonfler un airbag
EP2956026A2 (fr) 2013-02-15 2015-12-23 Helite Équipement de protection individuelle destiné à protéger un utilisateur

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5371903A (en) 1992-03-16 1994-12-13 Wear And Tear, Inc. Aerodynamic modules for cycling, skating and other speed sports
EP0956026A1 (fr) 1996-10-17 1999-11-17 FIDIA S.p.A. Preparations pharmaceutiques contenant des sels d'acide hyaluronique et des anesthesiques locaux
US6230333B1 (en) * 1998-12-21 2001-05-15 Safety Corporation Life jacket with cushioning air-bag
GB2467977A (en) 2009-02-24 2010-08-25 Jessica Rose Shah Aerodynamic apparel
WO2011003102A1 (fr) * 2009-07-02 2011-01-06 Dashamerica, Inc. D/B/A Pearl Izumi Usa, Inc. Maillot
WO2011148353A1 (fr) 2010-05-28 2011-12-01 Freni Brembo S.P.A. Vêtement de protection équipé d'un airbag
EP2576295A1 (fr) 2010-05-28 2013-04-10 Helite S.a.r.l. Dispositif pour gonfler un airbag
US20120307060A1 (en) 2011-06-02 2012-12-06 Neal Henderson Bicycle Racing Apparatus
EP2956026A2 (fr) 2013-02-15 2015-12-23 Helite Équipement de protection individuelle destiné à protéger un utilisateur

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