AVALANCHE AIRBAG SYSTEM

Abstract

An avalanche airbag system with an inflatable airbag and a filling unit for filling the airbag with a fluid has at least one pressure vessel containing a fluid, and a trigger mechanism for opening the at least one pressure vessel as required.

Claims

1. An avalanche airbag system (1) with a. at least one inflatable airbag (2), b. a filling unit (3, 3′, 3″) for filling the airbag (2) with a fluid, comprising i. at least one pressure vessel (10) containing a fluid, ii. a trigger mechanism for releasing the fluid (10) contained in the at least one pressure vessel as required, wherein c. the filling unit (3, 3′, 3″) has a housing (12, 12′) which i. has a fluid outlet (26, 26′) which is fluidically connected to the airbag (2), ii. and a fan impeller (20, 20′) which is arranged in the housing (12, 12′) and is configured to be driven at least indirectly by the fluid flowing out of the at least one pressure vessel (10).

2. The avalanche airbag system according to claim 1, wherein at least one nozzle (18) is arranged between the at least one pressure vessel (10) and the fan impeller (20, 20′).

3. The avalanche airbag according to claim 2, wherein the at least one nozzle (18) is integrated into the housing (12, 12′).

4. The avalanche airbag according to claim 1, wherein the housing (12, 12′) has at least two parts (14, 16).

5. The avalanche airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the fan impeller (20′) is designed as an axial fan impeller.

6. The avalanche airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the fan impeller (20) is designed as a radial fan impeller.

7. The avalanche airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the housing (12) forms a spiral cavity.

8. The avalanche airbag system according to claim 7, wherein the cross section of the cavity (24) increases toward the fluid outlet (26).

9. The avalanche airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the fan impeller (20, 20′) is configured to be driven directly by the fluid flowing out of the pressure vessel (10).

10. The avalanche airbag system according to claim 1, further comprising a drive wheel (32) is connected to the fan impeller (20) and against which the fluid of the at least one pressure vessel (10) can flow.

11. The avalanche airbag system according to claim 10, wherein the drive wheel (32) is arranged in a drive wheel housing (34).

12. The avalanche airbag system according to claim 10, wherein the drive wheel (32) is coupled to the fan impeller (20) directly via an axle (30) or via a transmission gear.

13. The avalanche airbag system according to claim 1, wherein a non-return device (28) is arranged in a region of the fluid outlet (26, 26′).

14. The avalanche airbag system according to claim 1, wherein the trigger mechanism comprises a trigger unit (6, 6′, 6″).

15. The avalanche airbag system according to claim 14, wherein the trigger unit (6, 6′, 6″) is integrated into the housing (12, 12′).

Description

[0035] In the drawings:

[0036] FIG. 1 is a first illustration of an avalanche airbag system with an inflated airbag;

[0037] FIG. 2 is an exploded illustration of the filling unit of the avalanche airbag system;

[0038] FIG. 3 is an exploded illustration of an alternative embodiment of a filling unit;

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of a filling unit of an avalanche airbag system.

[0040] FIG. 1 shows an avalanche airbag system 1 with an airbag 2 and a filling unit 3. In the non-activated, i.e. unfilled, state, the airbag 2 can be arranged in a backpack. The filling unit 3 can be arranged in or on the backpack. A trigger handle 4 is part of a trigger mechanism and can be easily accessible for a user on the backpack or, for example, on a carrying strap of the backpack, so that a user can trigger the avalanche airbag system 1 quickly and reliably if he is caught in an avalanche. The trigger handle 4 is connected to a filling unit 6 via a Bowden cable 5.

[0041] The airbag 2 is made of a gas-impermeable material. It can have a volume of at least 150 liters. If several airbags are provided, they can together have a volume of at least 150 liters.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows an exploded illustration of the filling unit 3. As described in connection with FIG. 1, a trigger handle 4 is connected to a trigger unit 6 via a Bowden cable 5. A pressure vessel 10, in which a fluid is in a liquid or gaseous state, is arranged on the trigger unit 6. By pulling the trigger handle 4, a user can actuate the trigger unit 6 so that the pressure vessel 10 is opened and pressurized gas can escape from the pressure vessel 10.

[0043] A nozzle 18 is arranged between the pressure vessel 10 and a housing 12, which has the housing halves 14, 16. The optional nozzle 18 is arranged and oriented in such a way that the gas escaping from the pressure vessel 10 is directed onto the fan impeller 20, in particular onto the vanes 22 of the fan impeller 20. The nozzle 18 can be designed as an outlet opening which is integrated into the housing 12. As a result of this measure, the fan impeller 20 is set in rotary motion. The fan impeller 20 is arranged rotatably in the housing 12. The fan impeller 20 is designed as a radial fan impeller. By rotation of the fan impeller 20, an air flow is generated in the housing 12. For this purpose, the housing 12 has a spiral cavity 24. In particular, the cavity 24 is formed by the housing halves 14, 16. The cross section of the spiral cavity 24 widens toward a fluid outlet 26 to which the airbag 2 is connected. A non-return device 28, which is designed as a non-return valve in the exemplary embodiment shown, is arranged in the region of the fluid outlet 26. This prevents gas from flowing back out of the airbag.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a filling unit 3′. Elements which correspond to those of FIG. 1 or 2 are identified by the same reference numerals. In this case too, a fan impeller 20 is rotatably arranged in the housing 12 with the housing halves 14, 16. The fan impeller 20 is non-rotatably connected to a drive wheel 32 via an axle 30. The drive wheel 32 is arranged in a housing 34, wherein the housing 34 virtually represents a second chamber of the housing 12. The trigger unit 6′ has a somewhat different shape than the trigger unit 6, but is otherwise designed like the trigger unit 6. The trigger unit 6′ is also connected to a pressure vessel 10 which can be activated or opened by the trigger unit 6′ when a user pulls the trigger handle 4. If the pressure vessel 10 is opened, the gas flowing out reaches the drive wheel 32, which is thereby driven. Due to the rigid coupling via the axle 30, the drive wheel 32 entrains the fan impeller 20 so that it generates an air flow by which the airbag 2 is inflated.

[0045] Another alternative embodiment 3″ is shown in FIG. 4. A pressure vessel 10 is connected to the trigger unit 6. By pulling the trigger handle 4, a user can open the pressure vessel 10 via the trigger unit 6″, so that gas flows out of the pressure vessel 10 into the housing 12 and there it drives a fan impeller 20′ which is rotatably arranged in the housing 12′. In this case, however, the fan impeller 20′ is not designed as a radial fan impeller, but as an axial fan impeller. The fan impeller 20′ is also driven by the gas flow from the pressure vessel 10 and thereby generates an air flow in the axial direction of the housing 12′ to the fluid outlet 26′, in which a non-return device 28 is arranged. It can be seen that the housing 12′ tapers toward the fluid outlet 26′. As a result, the pressure can be increased and the airbag can be inflated more reliably.