WEARABLE AIRBAG DEVICE

Abstract

A wearable airbag device (100) comprising at least one inflatable bag (10) including a first side (12) and a second side (14) defining a gas inflatable volume (V) therebetween. The at least one inflatable bag (10) comprises a plurality of airflow passages (40) defined between said first side (12) and second side (14).

Claims

1. A wearable airbag device comprising at least one inflatable bag including a first side and a second side defining a gas inflatable volume therebetween, characterized in that said at least one inflatable bag comprises a plurality of airflow passages defined between said first side and second side.

2. The wearable airbag device according to claim 1, wherein each airflow passage is provided in a non-inflatable area of the inflatable bag; at least one aperture being formed in said non-inflatable area.

3. The wearable airbag device according to claim 2, wherein said non-inflatable area is perimetrically closed and positioned within the inflatable bag.

4. The wearable airbag device according to claim 2, wherein said non-inflatable area is defined by connecting an internal portion of the first side to a corresponding internal portion of the second side.

5. The wearable airbag device according to claim 2, wherein said non-inflatable area is provided with one aperture.

6. The wearable airbag device according to claim 2, wherein said aperture of the non-inflatable area has same shape as the passage.

7. The wearable airbag device according to claim 2, wherein the non-inflatable area is provided with a plurality of apertures having different shapes; each passage being formed by said plurality of apertures.

8. The wearable airbag device according to claim 1, wherein each passage of the plurality of passages is delimited by internal partitions connecting cut-out portions provided in the first side and in the second side of the inflatable bag.

9. The wearable airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the passages are circular, triangular, square or rectangular shaped.

10. The wearable airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the passages are distributed in the area of the inflatable bag corresponding to the back and/or the chest of the user.

11. The wearable airbag device according to claim 1, wherein said first side and said second side of the at least one inflatable bag are sewn together or are made of a single weaving operation.

12. The wearable airbag device according to claim 1, further comprising inflation means in fluid communication with said at least one inflatable bag; said inflation means being configured to introduce into the at least one inflatable bag a predetermined quantity of an inflation fluid.

13. The wearable airbag device (100; 1100) according to claim 1, further comprising a casing configured to be worn by a user and to house and support said at least one inflatable bag.

14. The wearable airbag device according to claim 13, characterized in that the casing is made of breathable material.

15. The wearable airbag device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one inflatable bag is configured to assume alternately a rest configuration when in a deflated status, and an active configuration when in an inflated state; inflation means being in fluid communication with the at least one inflatable bag and being configured to introduce into the at least one inflatable bag a predetermined quantity of an inflation fluid; the inflation means being electrically controlled by a control unit suitable for detecting at regular time intervals data detected by sensors arranged on the wearable airbag device.

16. The wearable airbag device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one inflatable bag is at least partially coupled to a protector; the protector being provided with a plurality of through holes.

17. The wearable airbag device according to claim 16, characterized in that said through holes are at least partially superimposed over the airflow passages of the inflatable bag.

18. The wearable airbag device according to claim 16, characterized in that the protector is a back protector.

19. (canceled)

20. The wearable airbag device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one inflatable bag is provided with internal tethers.

21. The wearable airbag device according to claim 1, further comprising inflation means in fluid communication with said at least one inflatable bag; said inflation means being configured to introduce into the at least one inflatable bag a predetermined quantity of an inflation fluid; said at least one inflatable bag being at least partially coupled to a protector; and the protector being provided with a plurality of through holes; characterized in that the inflation means are connected to the protector.

Description

[0027] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more clearly apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of a wearable airbag device, such description being provided merely by way of non-limiting example and being made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0028] FIG. 1 shows, in schematic form, a front view of a wearable airbag device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, worn by a user;

[0029] FIG. 2 shows, in schematic form, a back view of the wearable airbag device of FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 3 shows, in schematic form, a cross-sectional view of an inflatable bag, in an active configuration, of the wearable airbag device of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0031] FIG. 4 shows, in schematic form, a front view of a wearable airbag device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, worn by a user;

[0032] FIG. 5 shows, in schematic form, a back view of the wearable airbag device of FIG. 4;

[0033] FIG. 6 shows, in schematic form, a cross-sectional view of an inflatable bag, in an active configuration, of the wearable airbag device of FIGS. 4 and 5;

[0034] FIG. 7 shows, in schematic form, a perspective view of a portion of the inflatable bag of FIG. 6, with arrows indicating the flow of air through the airflow passages;

[0035] FIG. 8 is a figure similar to FIG. 3, wherein the inflatable bag is coupled to a protector;

[0036] FIG. 9 is a figure similar to FIG. 6, wherein the inflatable bag is coupled to a protector.

[0037] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a wearable airbag device provided in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is indicated, in general, with the reference numeral 100. The wearable airbag device 100 comprises an inflatable bag 10 configured to assume alternately a rest configuration, in which it is in a deflated state, and an active configuration, in which it is in an inflated state.

[0038] The wearable airbag device 100 can further comprise a casing 20 configured to be worn by a motorcyclist and to house the inflatable bag 10. The inflatable bag 10 is preferably designed to protect the shoulders, the chest and the back of the user.

[0039] According to alternative embodiments of the invention, not shown in the figures, the wearable airbag device may be provided with a plurality of inflatable bags, independent of each other, and each designed to be positioned within the casing 20 opposite to a portion of the body which is to be protected from impacts.

[0040] The casing 20 is preferably shaped to provide the required support to the one or more inflatable bags 10, as well as to other components of the wearable airbag device 100 described in detail below. The casing 20 can be made of breathable material, like for example leather or standard fabric. The casing 20 can also be made with mesh materials.

[0041] To carry out the inflation of the inflatable bag 10, in case of falls and/or impacts by a motorcyclist or a motorcycle in which he/she travels, the wearable airbag device 100 further comprises inflation means 30, supported by the casing 20. The inflation means 30 are in fluid communication with the inflatable bag 10 and are configured to introduce into the inflatable bag 10 a predetermined quantity of an inflation fluid.

[0042] In the embodiments shown in the figures, the inflation means 30 comprise, for example, a compressed gas cartridge 32, connected by a duct 34 to an on-off valve 36, fixed to the inflatable bag 10, which allows the introduction of the compressed gas in the inflatable bag 10.

[0043] In the embodiment shown, the compressed gas cartridge 32 is supported by a back protector 22 (see FIG. 2) coupled to the casing 20 of the wearable airbag device 100; however the compressed gas cartridge 32 can in alternative be included inside the casing 20 or in some cases inside the bag 10. Moreover, it is possible to provide more than one inflation means 30. The inflation means 30 can be electrically controlled by a control unit (not shown) which constantly monitors the movements of the motorcyclist.

[0044] More specifically, the control unit is able to compare at regular time intervals the data detected by suitable sensors (not shown), arranged for example on the casing 20 of the wearable airbag device 100 or on the motorcycle, with an algorithm pre-loaded inside it. If, on the basis of this algorithm, the data detected by the sensors indicate a loss of control of the motorcycle on which the motorcyclist is travelling or some other anomaly, the control unit transmits an activation command to the one or more inflation means 30 for inflating the inflatable bag 10. As a result, the inflatable bag 10 passes from its rest configuration to the active or inflated configuration thereof.

[0045] As an alternative, the inflation means 30 can be mechanically controlled by utilizing an activation cable connected to the motorcycle, which cable actuates the inflatable bag 10 following a separation of the motorcyclist by the motorcycle, typically caused by a fall and/or an impact.

[0046] As shown in detail in FIG. 3, the inflatable bag 10 comprises a first side 12 and a second side 14 joined to each other along the perimeter of the inflatable bag 10 so as to define a gas inflatable volume V.

[0047] As it is well-known, the first side 12 and the second side 14 of the inflatable bag 10 can be sewn together at their perimetric portions. In alternative, the inflatable bag can be made of a single weaving operation using, for instance, a Jacquard loom. As stated above, by means of Jacquard looms it is possible to obtain in one single weaving operation an inflatable bag formed by the first side and the second side which are perimetrically joined by a connecting portion.

[0048] Thus, the inflatable bag 10 comprises a perimetric connecting portion and a central body encircled by the perimetric connecting portion.

[0049] In the inflatable bag 10 a plurality of airflow passages 40 is formed to allow a flow of air to pass through the inflatable bag 10, as shown by arrows in FIG. 3, and thus through the wearable airbag device 100. In particular, the airflow passages 40 are defined between the first side 12 and the second side 14 of the inflatable bag 10.

[0050] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, each airflow passage 40 of the plurality of airflow passages is obtained by airtight sealing the first side 12 and the second side 14 of the inflatable bag 10 at predetermined areas within the inflatable bag 10, thereby obtaining a non-inflatable area 42, and then forming at least one aperture 41 in said non-inflatable area 42.

[0051] The non-inflatable areas 42 are perimetrically closed and are positioned within the inflatable bag 10, in particular in its central body.

[0052] The non-inflatable area 42, also called “zero height” area, can be obtained, in the sewed airbags, by fixing an internal portion of the first side 12 to a corresponding internal portion of the second side 14, for example by means of a stitching. In this case, the aperture 41 can be obtained by piercing the non-inflatable area.

[0053] In the OPW airbag, the non-inflatable area 42 can be obtained during the weaving process by sealing the first side 12 and the second side 14 at the internal desired areas. In this case, the aperture 41 is thus obtaining during the weaving process.

[0054] Each airflow passage 40 defines a non-inflatable portion of the bag, not including a first and a second side.

[0055] The airflow passages 40 formed in the inflatable bag 10 can have different shapes, for example a circular, triangular, square or rectangular shape. Moreover, the non-inflatable area 42 can be provided with one aperture 41 having advantageously the same shape as the passage 40. In alternative, the non-inflatable area 42 can be provided with a plurality of apertures 41 having different shapes. In this case, each passage 40 will be formed by said plurality of apertures 41 distributed onto the non-inflatable area 42.

[0056] The airflow passages 40 can be suitably distributed within the inflatable bag 10, for example at the area corresponding to the back, the shoulders and/or the chest of the user. Preferably, the airflow passages 40 are provided at the area of the airbag covering the back and the chest. By suitably shaping and distributing the airflow passages 40 within the inflatable bag 10, it is possible not only to improve the breathability and comfort of the wearable airbag device, but it is also possible to provide areas having a differentiated inflation.

[0057] As a matter of fact, the provision of non-inflatable area 42 within the airbag prevents the inflatable bag 10 from ballooning in said areas wherein the airflow passages 40 are provided. In this way, it is possible to avoid the use of internal tethers, simplifying the manufacturing process of the airbag.

[0058] With reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, a wearable airbag device provided in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is indicated, in general, with the reference numeral 1100.

[0059] The wearable airbag device 1100 substantially corresponds to that described above in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3, and therefore comprises a casing 120 configured to be worn by a motorcyclist and to house and support an inflatable bag 110 and inflation means 130 in fluid communication with the inflatable bag 110 for introducing the compressed gas in the inflatable bag 110. The casing 120 can be made of breathable material, like for example leather or standard fabric. The casing 120 can also be made with mesh materials.

[0060] As shown in detail in FIG. 6, the inflation means 130 comprise, for example, a compressed gas cartridge 132 connected by a duct 134 to an on-off valve 136. The compressed gas cartridge 132 can be supported by a back protector 122 coupled to the casing 120 or can be included inside the inflatable bag 110.

[0061] The wearable airbag device 1100 differs from the wearable airbag device 100 of FIGS. 1-3 for the different configuration of the inflatable bag(s).

[0062] In particular, the inflatable bag 110 of the wearable airbag device 1100 comprises a first side 112 and a second side 114 connected along the perimeter of the inflatable bag 110 so as to define a gas inflatable volume V. The first side 112 and the second side 114 of the inflatable bag 110 can be sewn together.

[0063] In the inflatable bag 110 a plurality of airflow passages 140 is formed between the first side 112 and the second side 114 to allow a flow of air to pass through the inflatable bag 110, as shown by arrows in FIGS. 6 and 7, and thus through the wearable airbag device 1100.

[0064] Each airflow passage 140 is obtained by connecting by means of internal partitions 143 cut-out portions 142, 144 provided respectively in the first and second sides 112, 114. Preferably the internal partitions 143 are connected to first and second sides 112, 114 in an air-tight manner by means of thermo-welding.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the airbag is inflated each passage 140 is delimited by the internal partition 143 extending between the first side 112 and the second side 114 of the inflatable bag 110.

[0066] Such an embodiment is particularly effective in case it is requested that the airbag offers a uniform protection all over the part of the body to be protected. As a matter of fact, in this case the provision of passages 140 improves the breathability and the comfort of the airbag and at the same it allows to have, thanks to the internal partitions 143, an airbag uniformly inflated. Obviously, the internal partitions 143 can be made with different lengths.

[0067] Advantageously, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the inflatable bag 10, 110 can be at least partially coupled to a protector 23, 123 which is preferably designed to be positioned on the outer side 12, 112 of the inflatable bag 10, 110. Preferably, the protector 23, 123 is made of a semi-rigid material.

[0068] Advantageously, the protector 23, 123 is suitable for spreading impact forces acting on the inflatable bag 10, 110 and for compensating any weakness the inflatable bag 10, 100 may have due to the presence of the airflow passages 40, 140.

[0069] Preferably, in order to improve the breathability of the wearable airbag device 100, 1100 also the protector 23, 123 can be provided with a plurality of through holes 24, 124. Such holes 24, 124 are preferably designed to be at least partially superimposed over the airflow passages 40, 140 provided in the inflatable bag 10, 110. In this way a flow of air can pass through the inflatable bag and the protector.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment the protector 23, 123 is a back protector. Advantageously, the inflation means 30, 130 are connected to the protector 23, 123. Preferably, the inflation means 30, 130 are housed inside the protector 23, 123.

[0071] Moreover, even if the presence of the non-inflatable areas 42 or of the internal partitions 143 is effective for limiting the expansion of the inflatable bag 10, 110, the latter can also be provided with internal tethers 25, 125. The tethers 25, 125 cooperate with the non-inflatable areas 42 or the internal partitions 143 to obtain a uniform thickness of the bag 10, 110 when it is in the operating condition.

[0072] The person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy specific requirements, may make modifications to the embodiments of the wearable airbag device described above and/or replace parts described with equivalent parts, without departing from the scope of the attached claims.