WO2024063497A1

WO2024063497A1 - Actuator used in necklace-type lifebuoy

Info

Publication number: WO2024063497A1
Application number: PCT/KR2023/014127
Authority: WO
Inventors: 이영구; 알손 검민마크; 조셉 스테이시브라이언
Original assignee: 주식회사 플루타; 이영구; 알손 검민마크; 조셉 스테이시브라이언
Priority date: 2022-09-21
Filing date: 2023-09-19
Publication date: 2024-03-28
Also published as: KR102574905B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an actuator used in a necklace-type lifebuoy which is worn around the neck and into which compressed gas is injected to expand the lifebuoy and keep the head of the wearer above water in the case of an emergency in the water. The actuator comprises: a body part in which a gas container filled with compressed gas is coupled to one side so that the body part can be reused by replacing the gas container, and a discharge pipe is installed so as to communicate with the gas container and has an operating space formed in a portion communicating with the gas container; a striking part that is installed in a straight line with the gas container and selectively discharges the compressed gas in the gas container; and an operating part which, when a signal is received while the striking part is locked to prevent the striking part from operating, unlocks the striking part and causes the compressed gas to be discharged via the discharge pipe. Accordingly, the present invention has the effect of improving maintainability.

Description

Actuator used in necklace-type lifesaving tube

The present invention relates to an actuator used in a necklace-type lifesaving tube. More specifically, in an emergency situation underwater, the wearer's head rises above the water to inject and expand compressed gas into the tube worn around the neck. It relates to an actuator used in a necklace-type life-saving tube that allows the gas container to be replaced and reused, and to automatically and manually inflate the tube.

In general, when going swimming in the sea, river, or lake, unexpected accidents may occur due to the carelessness of the people playing in the water, immaturity of life expectancy, or physical abnormalities (rats, exhaustion), etc., especially in the case of children and the elderly. The frequency of water safety accidents is high, so special caution is required.

To prevent water safety accidents, safety guards are deployed at relatively large coastal summer resorts, or temporary measures are taken to allow the rental of tubes and life jackets. However, due to the nature of large coastal areas, a small number of safety guards are employed. It is difficult to expect perfect lifesaving through water, and in the case of tubes and life jackets, there is a problem that people who enjoy water play avoid them because they are uncomfortable to wear and bulky.

Moreover, it is difficult to find lifeguards in valleys or water areas with few crowds, and many people enjoy playing in the water without wearing tubes or life jackets due to the inconvenience of the activity, making them vulnerable to safety accidents.

Recently, in order to solve this problem, various life-saving equipment have been developed that are smaller than tubes or life jackets, are easier to wear, and can instantaneously inflate the tube only in an emergency. Examples include life belts worn on the waist, There are life-saving armbands worn on the arm and life-saving necklaces worn around the neck. Among these, life-saving necklaces that are easy to wear and do not restrict water activities are the most widely used.

As shown in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2004-0022141, the prior art that performs the above function is provided with an airbag having openings A and B at both ends, and one side of the airbag has openings A and B. Each cartridge and fixture are inserted and fused together, and the cartridge and fixture are connected by a wire so that the liquid nitrogen inside the cartridge can be supplied to the airbag by the pulling force of the wire.

However, the conventional technical configuration had the following problems.

Additionally, since it is operated by pulling a wire, there is a problem that it may be accidentally activated while playing in the water.

In addition, there is the problem of not being able to respond to emergency situations.

In addition, there is a problem that the tube once used cannot be reused.

The purpose of the present invention was to solve the above-described conventional problems. In an emergency situation in the water, the wearer's head rises above the water by injecting and inflating compressed gas into the tube worn around the neck. The object of the present invention is to provide an actuator used in a necklace-type life-saving tube that allows the gas container to be replaced and reused.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to allow the tube to operate automatically by increasing pressure or to expand the tube through user manipulation.

As described above, the actuator used in the necklace-type lifesaving tube according to one embodiment of the present invention is a part of the wearer's head that injects and inflates compressed gas into the tube worn around the neck in an emergency situation in the water. In a necklace-type life-saving tube that rises above the water, a gas container filled with compressed gas is coupled to one side, and a discharge pipe is installed in communication with the gas container so that the gas container can be replaced and reused. A body part in which an operating space is formed, a striking part installed in a straight line with the gas container to selectively discharge the compressed gas of the gas container, and when a signal is received in a locked state so that the striking part is not operated, the striking part is unlocked and compressed. It is composed of an operating part that allows gas to be discharged through the discharge pipe, which has the effect of improving maintainability.

In addition, the actuator used in the necklace-type lifesaving tube of the present invention operates automatically as the pressure rises, or has a button that sends a signal to the circuit board when exposed to the outside of the body and automatically or manually pressed so that the tube is expanded by the user's manipulation. It has the effect of improving safety.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the actuator used in the necklace-type lifesaving tube of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a combined perspective view showing the actuator used in the necklace-type lifesaving tube of the present invention.

Figures 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views showing the actuator used in the necklace-type lifesaving tube of the present invention.

Figure 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing the actuator used in the necklace-type lifesaving tube of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a flat cross-sectional view showing the operating state of the actuator used in the necklace-type lifesaving tube of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the operating state of the actuator used in the necklace-type lifesaving tube of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the reuse state of the actuator used in the necklace-type lifesaving tube of the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawing *

1: Necklace-type lifesaving tube 2: Tube

10: Actuator 20: Gas container

100: body 110: housing

111: operating space 120: discharge pipe

200: striking unit 210: 1st axis

211: Needle 213: Male screw

215: Locking groove 220: Connector

221: female thread 230: 2nd axis

231: male screw 240: first elastic member

250: Control means

300: Operating unit 310: First coupler

311: fixing ball 320: second coupler

330: second elastic member 340: lever

341: rotation axis 343: locking axis

350: third elastic member 360: button

370: circuit board 380: wire

400: Power supply unit 410: Battery

420: stopper

In order to solve this problem, the present invention is an actuator used in a necklace-type life-saving tube that injects and expands compressed gas into a tube worn around the neck during an emergency situation in the water, wherein the compressed gas is filled. A body part including a housing in which a gas container is coupled to one side, a discharge pipe is installed in communication with the gas container, and an operating space is formed in the communicating portion, and is installed in a straight line with the gas container to selectively discharge the compressed gas of the gas container. The basic feature of its technical structure is that it is composed of a striking unit that forces the striking unit to be deactivated and an operating unit that unlocks the striking unit when a signal is received in a locked state to prevent the striking unit from operating, thereby allowing the compressed gas to be discharged into the discharge pipe.

According to the present invention, the hitting portion has a connector and a second shaft installed on one side of the first shaft on which a needle penetrating the gas container is formed, and an adjustment means for pressing the first elastic member that provides elastic force to the connector is screwed to the body. It is characterized by being concluded.

According to the present invention, the hitting portion has a female thread formed in the center of the connector larger than the diameter of the second axis and the first shaft, and a male thread fastened to the female thread is formed on the other side of the needle of the first axis and one side of the second axis. It is characterized by

According to the present invention, the operating unit is stored in the operating space of the body portion and one or more fixing balls are inserted into the outer periphery of the first coupler into which the striking portion is inserted, and the second coupler into which the first coupler is inserted moves selectively. It is characterized by being composed of a second elastic member that pressurizes the fixing ball so that the fixing ball is seated in a locking groove formed in the hitting portion and provides elastic force to the second coupler.

According to the present invention, the lever in contact with the second coupler is hinged to the body, and a wire that is fixed to the circuit board and shrinks when receiving an external signal is attached to the rotation axis installed on one side of the lever, and the hinge center of the lever corresponds to the rotation axis. It is characterized by being composed of a third elastic member that provides elastic force in the opposite direction of rotation by hanging on a locking shaft installed on the side.

According to the present invention, the wire is characterized in that it is a synthetic memory alloy.

According to the present invention, a button is included that is exposed to the outside of the body and sends a signal to the circuit board when automatically or manually pressed.

According to the present invention, a battery is inserted into one side of the body and includes a power supply unit made of a stopper screwed to the body.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings attached to the present invention. First of all, it should be noted that among the drawings, identical components or parts are given the same reference numerals as much as possible. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related well-known functions or configurations are omitted in order to not obscure the gist of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the actuator used in the necklace-type life-saving tube of the present invention, Figure 2 is a combined perspective view showing the actuator used in the necklace-type life-saving tube of the present invention, and Figures 3 and 4 are diagrams showing the actuator used in the necklace-type life-saving tube of the present invention. It is an exploded perspective view showing the actuator used, Figure 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing the actuator used in the necklace-type life-saving tube of the present invention, and Figure 6 is a flat cross-sectional view showing the operating state of the actuator used in the necklace-type life-saving tube of the present invention. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the operating state of the actuator used in the necklace-type lifesaving tube of the present invention, and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the reuse state of the actuator used in the necklace-type lifesaving tube of the present invention.

First, as shown in Figure 1, looking at the configuration of the actuator 10 used in the necklace-type lifesaving tube 1 according to the present invention, in an emergency situation in the water, compressed gas is supplied to the tube 2 worn around the neck. The actuator 10 used in the necklace-type lifesaving tube 1 for injection and expansion consists of a body part 100, a striking part 200, an operating part 300, and a power source part 400.

At this time, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the body portion 100 is coupled to one side of the housing 110 with a gas container 20 filled with compressed gas. The compressed gas is preferably carbon dioxide, but is not limited thereto. Additionally, a discharge pipe 120 is installed on the upper part of the housing 110 to communicate with the gas container 20.

Here, an operating space 111 is formed inside the housing 110 at a portion where the gas container 20 and the discharge pipe 120 communicate. The operating space 111 has a discharge hole 113 through which the discharge pipe 120 communicates.

In addition, referring to Figures 4 and 5, the striking unit 200 is installed in a straight line with the gas container 20 to selectively discharge the compressed gas of the gas container 20.

At this time, the hitting unit 200 has a connector 220 and a second axis 230 installed on one side of the first axis 210 on which the needle 211 penetrating the gas container 20 is formed. Furthermore, an adjustment means 250 for pressurizing the first elastic member 240, which provides elastic force to the connector 220, is screwed to the body portion 100.

Here, a guide groove 217 is formed on one side of the needle 211 to allow compressed gas to be discharged into the operating space 111.

In particular, a female thread 221 is formed at the center of the connector 220 larger than the diameter of the second axis 230 and the first axis 210, and the

male threads

213 and 231 fastened to the female thread 221 are connected to the other side of the needle 211 of the first axis 210 and the second axis. It is formed on one side of 230.

In addition, when the operating unit 300 receives a signal in the locked state to prevent the striking unit 200 from being operated, the locked state of the striking unit 200 is released and the compressed gas is discharged through the discharge pipe 120.

Furthermore, the operating unit 300 is accommodated in the operating space 111 of the body unit 100, and one or more fixing balls 311 are inserted into the outer periphery of the first coupler 310 where the striking unit 200 is inserted. And, as the second coupler 320 into which the first coupler 310 is inserted moves, it selectively pressurizes the fixing ball 311 so that the fixing ball 311 is seated in the locking groove 215 formed in the hitting portion 200. In addition, it consists of a second elastic member 330 that provides elastic force to the second coupler 320.

Meanwhile, the lever 340 in contact with the second coupler 320 is hinged to the body portion 100. At this time, the hinge hole 345 penetrates the lever 340 and the hinge shaft 347 is inserted and coupled to the housing 111.

In addition, a wire 380 that is fixed to the circuit board 370 and retracts when receiving an external signal is attached to the rotation axis 341 installed on one side of the lever 340. Furthermore, it is composed of a third elastic member 350 that provides elastic force in the opposite direction of rotation by being hooked on a locking shaft 343 installed on a side corresponding to the hinge center of the lever 340 and the rotation axis 341.

In particular, the wire 380 is a synthetic memory alloy that shrinks when heated and expands when cooled.

In the end, the actuator 10 used in the necklace-type life-saving tube according to one embodiment of the present invention is a necklace-type life-saving tube 1 that injects and expands compressed gas into the tube 2 worn around the neck in an emergency situation in the water. In the actuator 10 used for, a gas container 20 filled with the compressed gas is coupled to one side, a discharge pipe 120 is installed to communicate with the gas container 20, and a body portion including a housing 110 with an operating space 111 formed in the communicating portion. 100, a striking unit 200 installed in a straight line with the gas container 20 and selectively discharging the compressed gas of the gas container 20, and when a signal is received in a locked state so that the striking unit 200 is not operated, the striking unit 200 is unlocked. It consists of an operating unit 300 that discharges the compressed gas through the discharge pipe 120, improving maintainability.

Meanwhile, the power source unit 400 includes a battery 410 inserted into one side of the body unit 100 and a stopper 420 that is screwed to the body unit 100. At this time, the battery 410 is connected to the connector 430 coupled to the circuit board 370.

Additionally, a button 360 that is exposed to the outside of the body 100 and sends a signal to the circuit board 370 when automatically or manually pressed is included. The button 360 is preferably made of silicone, but is not limited thereto.

At this time, when the button 360 is pressed outside the water, the power amount of the battery 410 is displayed on the display unit 130. Here, if the display 130 is green, it is normal, and if it is yellow, the battery 410 must be replaced. Furthermore, when the button 360 is pressed in water, the wire 380 is heated and the operating unit 300 is operated.

This button 360 operates by being pressed by water pressure when it goes down more than 1.5m.

Ultimately, the actuator 10 used in the necklace-type lifesaving tube of the present invention operates automatically as the pressure rises, or is exposed to the outside of the body 100 and sends a signal to the circuit board 370 when automatically or manually pressurized so that the tube is expanded by the user's manipulation. A button to send 360 is included, improving safety.

Furthermore, a cover 130 is coupled to the rear of the housing 110. A plug 140 that discharges air from tube 2 is screwed to the cover 130.

Meanwhile, the cover 130 and the circuit board 370 are fastened with screws (unmarked). Furthermore, packing (unmarked) is installed on the cover 130 and the shaft to prevent water from entering the housing.

The operation of the actuator 10 used in the necklace-type lifesaving tube 1 according to the present invention is as follows.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, when the necklace-type lifesaving tube 1 is lowered by more than 1.5 m or the user presses the button 360, a signal is transmitted to the wire 380 and heated. When the heated wire 380 contracts, the lever 340 is pulled. When the lever 340 rotates around the hinge axis 347, the second coupler 320 is pressed.

At this time, when the second coupler 320 moves, the fixing ball 311 inserted into the first coupler 310 and hanging in the locking groove 215 moves to the seating groove 321 formed on the inner periphery of the second coupler 320. That is, the needle 211 of the first axis 210, which was caught by the fixing ball 311, penetrates the gas container 20 by receiving the elastic force of the first elastic member 240.

Furthermore, compressed gas flows into the discharge hole 113 and supplies the compressed gas to tube 2 through the discharge pipe 120.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 8, when the wire 380 cools and increases in length, the third elastic member 350 rotates the lever 345 to its original position. Furthermore, in order to reuse the actuator 10, the empty gas container 20 is removed and the plug 140 is released to remove the gas filled in the tube 2.

In addition, when the adjustment means 250 is released, the elastic force of the first elastic member 240 is released, causing the first axis 210, the connector 220, and the second axis 230 to move backward. At this time, when the second elastic member 330 presses the second coupler 320, it presses the fixing ball 311 along the inclined surface of the seating groove 321 so that the fixing ball 311 is seated in the locking groove 215 of the first axis 210. In this way, a new gas container 20 is inserted into the actuator 10, which has returned to its initial state.

As used herein, the terms approximately, substantially, etc. are used to mean at or close to the numerical value when manufacturing and material tolerances inherent in the stated meaning are presented, and are used to mean accurate or close to that numerical value to aid in the understanding of the present invention. Absolute values are used to prevent unscrupulous infringers from taking unfair advantage of the stated disclosure.

The present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and various substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention, as is commonly known in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. It will be clear to those who have the knowledge of.

Claims

In the case of an emergency in the water, an actuator used in a necklace-type lifesaving tube that injects and expands compressed gas into the tube worn around the neck,

A body portion including a housing in which a gas container filled with the compressed gas is coupled to one side, a discharge pipe is installed to communicate with the gas container, and an operating space is formed in the communicating portion;

a striking portion installed in a straight line with the gas container to selectively discharge compressed gas from the gas container;

An actuator used in a necklace-type lifesaving tube, characterized in that it consists of an operating part that releases the locking state of the striking part when a signal is received in the locked state so that the striking part is not operated and allows compressed gas to be discharged into the discharge pipe.
According to paragraph 1,

The hitting unit,

A connector and a second shaft are installed on one side of the first shaft on which a needle penetrating the gas container is formed, and an adjustment means for pressurizing the first elastic member that provides elastic force to the connector is screwed to the body. Actuator used in tubes.
According to paragraph 2,

The hitting unit,

Used in a necklace-type lifesaving tube, wherein a female thread is formed in the center of the connector larger than the diameter of the second shaft and the first shaft, and a male thread fastened to the female thread is formed on the other side of the needle of the first shaft and one side of the second shaft. Actuator that works.
According to paragraph 1,

The operating unit,

One or more fixed balls are inserted into the outer periphery of the first coupler, which is stored in the operating space of the body and into which the striking part is inserted, and the second coupler into which the first coupler is inserted moves and selectively presses the fixed ball to form a striking part. An actuator used in a necklace-type lifesaving tube, characterized by being composed of a second elastic member that allows the fixing ball to be seated in the locking groove and provides elastic force to the second coupler.
According to paragraph 4,

The lever in contact with the second coupler is hinged to the body, and a wire fixed to the circuit board and contracting when receiving an external signal is attached to the rotating shaft installed on one side of the lever, and a locking shaft installed on the side corresponding to the hinge center of the lever and the rotating shaft. An actuator used in a necklace-type lifesaving tube, characterized in that it is composed of a third elastic member that provides elastic force in the opposite direction to the rotation.
According to clause 5,

An actuator used in a necklace-type lifesaving tube, wherein the wire is a synthetic memory alloy.
According to clause 5,

An actuator used in a necklace-type lifesaving tube that includes a button that sends a signal to a circuit board when exposed to the outside of the body and automatically or manually pressed.
According to paragraph 1,

An actuator used in a necklace-type lifesaving tube including a power supply unit where a battery is inserted into one side of the body unit and a stopper screwed to the body unit.