WO2019207474A1

WO2019207474A1 - Airbag safety device

Info

Publication number: WO2019207474A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/053333
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thierry JEANDUPEUX
Original assignee: Service A La Personne Technologie Active Sarl
Priority date: 2018-04-26
Filing date: 2019-04-23
Publication date: 2019-10-31

Abstract

A safety device for preventing injuries, in particular hip injuries, by inflating an airbag suitable for a wearer (6), comprises: a portable inflatable (1) bag; a source (2) of releasable gas coupled to the bag (1); a belt loop (3, 4) wherein a plurality of sensors are arranged, one of which measures the ambient temperature and the other, which is a heat sensor (5), measures the body temperature of a wearer (6) to enable the airbag to be released in the event of a fall only when the device is worn by a wearer.

Description

AIRBAG SAFETY DEVICE

The present invention relates to an airbag safety device for preventing injuries to the hips, pelvis, buttocks and tailbone in the event of a fall.

US2015351666A1 discloses a motion analysis system having at least one orientation sensor configured to detect three-dimensional torso movement over time, as well as an airbag that triggers during a fall to cushion the body. of the user. This device is restrictive and uncomfortable insofar as a plurality of sensors is distributed over the system including a sensor disposed on the neck of the user.

US6920647B2 discloses a hip protection device for minimizing the risk of hip rupture during a fall. This device has a system for detecting the rate and degree of change in attitude of the user thus allowing the device to engage during a possible fall to inflate pockets and cushion the fall.

WO2017 / 151645 discloses a protection device comprising an airbag assembly configured to extend at least partially around the waist or hips of an individual, a buckle attached to the entire airbag, the loop comprising a first half loop, and a second half-loop, the first and second loop halves being attachable and detached from each other. The device includes an airbag actuator configured to operate the airbag assembly. Part of the airbag actuator is disposed in the first half of the loop or the second half of the loop. A disadvantage of this embodiment is that the device can be triggered unexpectedly even if it is not worn by a user around the belt but for example just worn by hand to be stored.

The object of the present invention is to provide an airbag security device that is not very restrictive for the user and that does not trip unexpectedly.

The invention relates to a safety device of the type for preventing injury to the hips, pelvis, buttocks and tailbone by inflating an airbag adapted to a wearer comprises: a portable inflatable pocket, connectable to a clothing ; at least one source of releasable gas coupled to the bag; a belt loop in which are arranged a plurality of sensors for determining the angular movement and acceleration of a carrier during a fall; a microcontroller adapted to analyze the data received by the different functional blocks to define the moment when to trigger the gas source; and means for releasing gas from the source into the bag according to a determination of the microcontroller that the wearer falls.

According to the invention, two of the sensors arranged in the loop are a first thermal sensor measuring the ambient temperature and a second thermal sensor measuring the body temperature of a carrier. The first and second thermal sensors are arranged to allow the air bag to be triggered in the event of a fall only when the device is carried by a carrier, in particular by measuring the temperature difference measured by the two thermal sensors thus ensuring the presence of a carrier.

In one embodiment, the loop comprises at least one pair of magnets, preferably two pairs, for locking the loop.

In another embodiment, the loop comprises a piston contactor for activation of the device, once the belt is closed.

In one embodiment, the device comprises a rechargeable energy source through the loop, in particular by USB cable.

In all embodiments, the device may include a six-axis inertial module for detecting the movements of a user the inertial module including an accelerometer coupled to a gyroscope.

According to a particular embodiment, the loop comprises an opening arranged to pass an electric wire disposed to transmit a given electrical pulse by the microcontroller to allow a trigger of the airbag in case of a fall.

In one embodiment, visual and / or sound means are provided to indicate the operating state of said device.

Preferably, the loop comprises (A) a first cylindrical shaped portion having a helical groove extending from one end of the first portion of loop, the groove being slightly curved with a notch at its second end, and (B) a second portion having a protrusion arranged to slide in said groove and engage in said notch. Each part of the loop comprises a magnet arranged to secure the first and second loop portions, the two said loop portions being separable from one another by the angular displacement, in particular of at least one eighth of a turn of a first loop portion relative to the other loop portion and then sliding the protuberance in the groove until its total extraction.

Such a loop, provided or not with electronics can easily be arranged on other forms of belts to particularly facilitate the opening and closing of the loop.

In one embodiment, the loop is formed in particular of two assemblable parts, a first part in the form of a rectangular box containing the electronics and a second part also rectangular, these two parts comprising together a cylindrical connecting body comprising a device bayonet attachment. The outer sides of said portions of this loop have openings for attachment to the ends of the waist pocket.

To enhance the safety of the carrier, the device comprises a wireless communication module, including a radio link, able to transmit information relating to the release of the airbag to a person other than the wearer of said device. The communication module also makes it possible to geolocate the wearer. The device can in particular provide, thanks to a corresponding supervision system, on the one hand a state of the device that a third person, for example a doctor or a relative, can control at any time and in real time via the communication and the the other hand the geolocation of the carrier.

Preferably, the communication module is a low power module so as to minimize its power consumption.

The communication module is capable of transmitting information relating to a state of the device corresponding to the presence or absence of a carrier and the release or not of the airbag. In one embodiment, the microcontroller stores an algorithm that records each movement that can be called non-standard, that is to say each movement that could correspond to either a fall or a very sudden movement but that is not a fall. Thus, by accurately determining a movement corresponding to a fall, the microcontroller can accurately and accurately define when to trigger the gas source and release the gas from the source in the pocket. At regular intervals, the microcontroller reloads a new improved and optimized algorithm. Preferably, this software update is performed when the user connects his security device to a computer. Alternatively, the software update can be done remotely by a technician who would connect to the security device.

Preferably, each time the airbag is triggered, the device is configured to send an alert signal, in particular an SMS or an emergency telephone call to alert a third party. The security device can be connected via a wireless internet connection to an application capable of relaying alerts by SMS and / or e-mail associated with competent services. The security device can also be connected to the cell phone of a user who can relay the alerts on the one hand and the user's position on the other hand using a cellular connection and GPS coordinates.

In one embodiment, the security device includes on its loop a command such as a push button configured to send an alert to a third person such a caregiver.

To enhance safety, the gas source can be arranged in a pocket that holds it so as not to be propelled in case of triggering of the airbag (additional security).

The characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description of an embodiment given solely by way of example, in no way limiting with reference to the schematic figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an airbag safety device carried by a carrier; Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of a loop of the airbag safety device;

Figure 3 is a perspective view from below of the buckle of the air bag safety device;

Figure 4 is a side view of the buckle of the air bag safety device;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the loop of the airbag safety device;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of another part of the air bag safety device; and

Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views of another buckle version of the airbag safety device.

Figure 1 shows an airbag safety device according to the invention carried by a carrier 6 so as to prevent injury to the hips, pelvis, buttocks and coccyx by inflating an airbag adapted to the hips of a carrier 6 This device comprises a portable inflatable pocket 1 that can be coupled around a garment of the wearer 6.

The inflatable bag 1 carries a source 2 of releasable gas coupled to the bag 1. The inflatable bag 1 is carried by a belt loop 3, 4 in which are arranged a plurality of sensors for determining the angular movement and acceleration of a carrier during a fall. The loop 3, 4 also contains a microcontroller adapted to analyze the data received by the various functional blocks to define the moment when to trigger the source 2 of gas and a means for releasing the gas from the source 2 to fill the pocket 1 according to a determination of the microcontroller that the carrier 6 falls. The microcontroller is the heart of the device running the detection algorithm and manages all other blocks. Once all the required conditions (closed belt, detected person, correct insertion direction), it is this component which will analyze the data of the inertial module in order to define the moment when to trigger the airbag.

One of the sensors arranged in the part 3 of the loop is a thermal sensor 5 (FIG. 3) arranged on the inside of this part 3 in order to measure the body temperature of the carrier 6 coupled with an ambient temperature sensor arranged at the interior of the loop housing, and therefore not visible in the drawing, to provide a signal to allow a trigger of the airbag in case of a fall only when the device is carried by a carrier 6. The thermal sensor 5 is a thermometer infrared device for measuring the temperature of a remote body, in particular for detecting the human heat of the wearer 6. Coupled with the measurement of the ambient temperature, the system indicates whether the belt is worn by a person rather than simply stored in the closed position.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the inner end of the part 4 of the buckle comprises two magnets 7, 1 1 for locking the buckle and a piston contact 8 with springs for activating the device, once the belt closed. The electronics can manage the engagement of the device. Piston contacts 8 spring on each loop portion making the loop making contact on each loop portion to detect that the buckle of the belt is closed.

Figure 6 illustrates a rechargeable energy source through the loop portion 3, in particular by a USB cord 9. This allows to charge an internal battery. This block can be simplified and a simple battery charger will be present.

The device according to the invention typically comprises a six-axis inertial module for detecting the movements of a user the inertial module including an accelerometer coupled to a gyroscope. These elements are contained in part 3 of the loop. This module can detect in a known manner the movements of the person and thus predict the fall before the impact. The accelerometer coupled to the gyroscope allows to differentiate a true fall of simple vibration or normal movements of the person.

Part 3 of the loop has an opening 21 (Figure 1) in its side, arranged to pass an electric wire 12 arranged to transmit a given electrical pulse by the microcontroller to allow triggering of the airbag in case of a fall.

In this example, an LED 10 (FIG. 2) and a buzzer not illustrated make it possible to inform the wearer of the operating state of the device, in particular by emitting a flashing of the LED 10 in the event of a malfunction and then the emission of several beeps if the user has not reacted to the signals emitted by the LED 10. The device may optionally include a hearing or light device to indicate to the user other situations that the malfunction. For example: when the activated belt is properly worn: two beeps, when the belt is worn but upside down: two low beeps; when the belt is removed, turning off the device: Severe beep, low battery: four rapid beeps every fifteen minutes.

As illustrated, the loop is formed of two assemblable parts, a first portion 3 in the form of rectangular housing containing the electronics (including the sensors and the microcontroller), and a second rectangular portion 4 recessed. These two parts 3, 4, together comprise a cylindrical connecting body 15 comprising a bayonet fixing device 16, a hollow cylindrical portion 17 on one side of the portion 3 which receives a solid cylindrical portion 18 on one side of the part 4. The main surfaces of the parts 3,4 are either flat, which is the case for the part 3, or slightly curved, which is the case for the part 4, to be able to be pressed against the body of the carrier 6. The outer sides of the parts 3 and 4 have elongated openings 19, 20 to attach to the ends of the belt pocket 1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the loop is formed of two assemblable parts, a first part 3 in the form of a rectangular box containing the electronics, and a second rectangular portion 4 hollowed out. These two parts 3, 4, together comprises a cylindrical connection body comprising a fixing device comprising two fins 30 facilitating the opening of the loop. The outer sides of parts 3 and 4 have elongated openings 19, 20 for attaching to the ends of the belt pocket

Claims

1. Safety device for preventing injuries to the hips, pelvis, buttocks and tailbone by inflating an airbag adapted to a carrier (6), said device comprising:

- an inflatable pocket (1) portable;

at least one source (2) of releasable gas coupled to the bag (1);

- a belt loop (3, 4) in which are arranged a plurality of sensors for determining the angular movement and acceleration of a wearer (6) of the user during a fall of a carrier;

a microcontroller adapted to analyze the data received by the different functional blocks to define the moment when to trigger the gas source; and

means for discharging the source (2) to release the gas into the bag (1) according to a determination of the microcontroller that the wearer falls;

characterized in that

Two of the sensors arranged in the loop are a first thermal sensor measuring the ambient temperature and a second thermal sensor (5) measuring the body temperature of a carrier (6), the first and second thermal sensors being arranged to allow a triggering of the airbag in case of a fall only when the device is carried by a carrier by measuring the temperature difference measured by the two thermal sensors thus ensuring the presence of a carrier of the device.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the loop (3, 4) comprises at least one magnet (7, 1 1) for locking the loop.

3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, comprising a piston contact for activation of the device, once the belt closed.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a rechargeable energy source through the loop (3), in particular by USB cable (9).

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a six-axis inertial module for detecting the movements of a carrier (6), the inertial module including an accelerometer coupled to a gyroscope.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the loop (3) comprises an opening (21) arranged to pass an electric wire (12) arranged to transmit a given electrical pulse by the microcontroller to allow triggering of the airbag in case of fall.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the loop is formed of two assemblable parts, a first portion (3) in the form of rectangular housing containing the electronics and a second part (4), these two parts comprising together a cylindrical connecting body (15) having a bayonet fixing device (16).

8. Device according to claim 6, wherein the outer sides of said portions (3, 4) comprise openings (19, 20) for attaching to the ends of the pouch (1) forming belt.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising visual means (21) and / or sound (22) arranged to indicate the operating state of said device.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a loop comprising:

a first cylindrical portion having a helical groove extending from one end of the first loop portion, the groove being bent with a notch at its second end, and

a second part comprising a protuberance arranged to slide in said groove and to engage in said notch, each part of the loop comprising a magnet arranged to secure the first and the second loop part, the said two loop portions being disconnectable; from each other by the angular displacement of a first loop portion relative to the other loop portion and then by the sliding of the protuberance in the groove until it is extracted.

1 1. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a wireless communication module, capable of transmitting information relating to the position of the carrier and the release of the airbag to a person other than the carrier of said device.

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the microcontroller stores an algorithm that distinguishes between the sudden movements that correspond to falls and other movements that do not correspond to falls, to define the moment to trigger the source of gas only in case of fall.