Abstract
The invention relates to an inflatable bag (60) with an inflation device (20), wherein the inflation device (20) comprises a first opening (22) adapted to allow the intake of a gas and a second opening (9) connected to the inflatable bag (60). The inflation device (20) further comprises a control (6) and an actuable valve (8) with an inlet opening (13) and an outlet opening (14), wherein the actuable valve (8) is controlled by the control (6) such as to open and close the actuable valve (8). The inlet of the actuable valve (8) is connected to the inflatable bag (60) such that it, when opened, creates a fluid communication channel between the inflatable bag (60) and the outlet (14) of the actuable valve (8) such as to allow deflation of the inflatable bag (60).
Claims
1.-16. (canceled)
17. An inflatable bag, with an inflation device, the inflation device comprising a first opening adapted to allow the intake of a gas, a second opening connected to the inflatable bag, and a control, wherein the inflation device comprises an actuable valve with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, wherein the actuable valve is controlled by the control such as to open and close the actuable valve, the inlet of the actuable valve being in fluid communication with the inflatable bag such that the actuable valve, when opened, creates a fluid communication channel between an interior volume of the inflatable bag and the outlet of the actuable valve such as to allow deflation of the inflatable bag.
18. The inflatable bag according to claim 17, wherein the actuable valve is a solenoid valve.
19. The inflatable bag according to claim 17, further comprising a one-way valve arranged between the first opening and the second opening such as to only allow flow of gas in the direction from the first opening to the second opening and into the inflatable bag.
20. The inflatable bag according to claim 19, wherein the inlet of the actuable valve connected to the air path of the inflation device upstream of the one-way valve.
21. The inflatable bag according to claim 17, further comprising a movable inflation member arranged between the first opening and the second opening, a motor being in operable connection with the inflation member and adapted to drive the inflation member, and an energy source for energizing the motor.
22. The inflatable bag according to claim 17, further comprising a mechanism to open a compressed gas cartridge and an opening connectable to a compressed gas cartridge.
23. The inflatable bag according to claim 17, wherein the actuable valve comprises a mechanism, that maintains the actuable valve closed unless it is opened by the control.
24. The inflatable bag according to claim 17, wherein the control is adapted to automatically open the actuable valve at a pre-determined time after the inflation device has inflated the inflatable bag.
25. The inflatable bag according to claim 24, wherein the control is adapted to open the actuable valve between 1 min and 5 min after the inflation device has inflated the inflatable bag.
26. The inflatable bag according to claim 17, wherein the inflation device is adapted such that the opening of the actuable valve causes a deflation, leading to a reduction in volume of 5% to 70%.
27. The inflatable bag according to claim 17, wherein the inflation device does not comprise any active deflation mechanism.
28. The inflatable bag with an inflation device, comprising a first opening, a second opening, a motor, an electric power source, and a radial fan, wherein the motor is powered by the electric power source and adapted to drive the radial fan, further comprising an air path arranged between the radial fan and the second opening, characterized in that the air path is arranged at least partially parallel to a rotation axis of the radial fan.
29. The inflatable bag according to claim 28, wherein the air path is at least partially laterally displaced to the rotation axis of the radial fan.
30. The inflatable bag according to claim 28, wherein the inflation device further comprises an air deflector.
31. An avalanche backpack comprising an inflatable bag and an opening for the intake of atmospheric air, wherein the inflatable bag is arranged such that, in an inflated state, the inflatable bag extends outside of the avalanche backpack in a pre-determined fixed position, characterized in that the inflatable bag is an inflatable bag according to claim 17.
32. An avalanche backpack comprising an inflatable bag and an opening for the intake of atmospheric air, wherein the inflatable bag is arranged such that, in an inflated state, the inflatable bag extends outside of the avalanche backpack in a pre-determined fixed position, characterized in that the inflatable bag is an inflatable bag according to claim 28.
33. A method of deflating an inflatable bag, comprising the steps of: determining whether a deflation criterion has been fulfilled, and determining if the time lapse is greater than a pre-defined delay time; If the criterion is fulfilled, opening an actuable valve, such as to create a fluid communication channel between the inside and the outside of the inflatable bag; and passively deflating the inflatable bag.
Description
[0061] In the following, the invention is described in detail with reference to the following figures, showing:
[0062] FIG. 1: an inflation device according to the invention.
[0063] FIG. 2: the inflation device of FIG. 1 in a detailed side perspective.
[0064] FIG. 3: the inflation device of FIG. 2 in a back perspective.
[0065] FIG. 4: a cross-sectional view of the inflation device of FIG. 3 along plane P1.
[0066] FIG. 5: a cross-sectional view of the inflation device of FIG. 3 along plane P2.
[0067] FIG. 6a+6b: a backpack comprising an inflatable bag in a deflated and inflated state.
[0068] FIG. 7: an alternative inflation device according to the invention.
[0069] FIG. 8a+8b: a side view and a partial crosssection of the inflation device of FIGS. 1 to 5 along a longitudinal axis.
[0070] FIG. 9a+9b: a side view and a crosssection of the inflation device of FIGS. 1 to 5 along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
[0071] FIG. 10a+10b: a crosssectional view of an actuable valve in a closed and an open position.
[0072] FIG. 1 shows an inflation device 20 according to the invention. The device 20 has a manual trigger 1 to activate the inflation device such as to inflate an inflatable bag (not shown). The device 20 has a second opening 9 which is adapted to be connected to an inflatable bag. The device in the shown embodiment comprises supercapacitors 7 that power a motor 10 (see FIG. 3). Here, three supercapacitors 7 are arranged as a capacitor 7 module and connected in series. Alternatively, any other number of capacitors 7, in particular six, could be used. The capacitors 7 are arranged and fixedly attached on a printed circuit board 6 in the capacitor module. Upon pulling of the manual trigger 1, a control 4 causes the motor to drive a radial fan 2 at a rotational speed of approximately 40,000 rpm inside a housing 21 which draws air in through a first opening 22 and pushes it back out through the second opening 9 via an air path 3.
[0073] The radial fan 2 has diameter of 65 mm and has 12 blades. The radial fan may have a diameter of 30 to 105 mm, particularly preferably 50 to 80 mm, even more preferably 60 to 70 mm. The diameters of the first opening 22 and second opening 9 may be in the range of 20 to 60 mm, preferably 35 mm.
[0074] The second opening 9 is adapted to be connected to an inflatable bag (not shown) and thus, when in operation, the inflation device 20 inflates an inflatable bag.
[0075] The device 20 further comprises an actuable valve 8, here in the form of a solenoid valve. The valve 8 is arranged at the air path 3 of the inflation device upstream of a one-way valve 11 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). A logical circuitry board 6 is adapted such as to control the actuable valve 8. Power control 4 controls the power supplied from the supercapacitors 7 to the motor (not shown). Board 6 and control 4 may be implemented on the same circuitry or may be separate components which are preferably in operative connection. The control 6 is adapted to detect when the inflation device 20 starts inflating an inflatable bag and to measure the lapsed time from that point. After 3 min, the control 6 opens the solenoid valve 8 such as to create a fluid communication channel between the air path 3 in a region upstream of the one-way valve 11 and an atmosphere external of the inflation device 20. The inflation device 20 further comprises batteries 5 as a power supply. For example, they can be used to recharge the supercapacitors 7 after an operation cycle of the inflation device 20. They are also used to power the electronics 4, 6 and the solenoid valve 8. Preferably, the batteries are two standard AA/LR6 batteries providing a voltage of 1.5 V.
[0076] The capacitor module 7 may have a total capacitance in the range of 80 to 150, preferably 110 F to 150 F, more preferably 120 F. In may be made up of individual capacitors 7 in a serial mode, in particular of three capacitors 7 with a capacity of 360 F each.
[0077] The voltage of the capacitor module 7 may be 6 to 12 V, preferably 8 to 10 V, particularly preferably 9 V. In particular, the capacitor module 7 may be made up of three individual capacitors 7 with a voltage of 3 V each in serial mode.
[0078] The maximum continuous current of the capacitor 7 may be in the range of 80 to 140 A; the maximum peak current of the capacitor 7 may be 300 A.
[0079] Typically, three capacitors 7 of a total capacitance of about 250 to 450 F each, preferably 390 F, at a voltage of 3 V (corresponding to an energy of 0.5 Wh) may be used to form a total capacitance of 130 F. By way of example, the capacitor module may be a super- or ultra-capacitor module such as the “MaxWell 16V 58F ultra capacitor module”. Other standard capacitor modules may be equally used in the device 20.
[0080] The motor 10 is preferably a brushless motor that can reach rotation speeds in the range of 20,000 to 60,000 rpm, preferably 30,000 to 50,000 rpm, even more preferably 35,000 to 45,000. The voltage of the motor may be in the range of 4 to 10 V at a maximum current of 140 A, resulting in a maximum power of approximately 1300 W. The motor may attain a RPM/V value of 9750 KV.
[0081] FIG. 2 shows the inflation device 20 of FIG. 1 in a close-up side view.
[0082] FIG. 3 shows the inflation device 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a rear view. On the back of the inflation device 20, the motor 10 is arranged. The three supercapacitors 7 are arranged along the circumference of the motor 10 which his particularly space saving. It would also be conceivable to arrange the parts differently to adapt the overall shape of the inflation device for a particular application.
[0083] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the inflation device 20 of FIGS. 1-3 along the plane P1 shown in FIG. 3. The motor 10 is operably connected to the radial fan 2 via a coupling 23 such that the motor can drive the radial fan 2. When in operation, the radial fan 2 draws air in from the first opening 22. The radial fan 2 pushes the air in a radial direction toward an air guidance channel 21, where a portion of the housing 21 is arranged as an air deflector 24 and deflects the air such that it enters an air path 3. The air path is arranged circumferentially around a rotation axis R of the radial fan 2. The direction of air flow is indicated by arrows F. The cross-sectional area of the air path 3 increases in a clock-wise direction when viewed from the first opening 22 along the rotation axis R. A portion D of the air path 3 is arranged parallel and laterally displaced to the rotation axis R of the radial fan 2. Adjacent to the portion D of the air path, a one-way valve 11 is arranged that prevents gas from flowing from the second opening 9 back into the air path 3 formed by the housing 21. However, gas may be transmitted from the air path 3 to the second opening 9, in particular when the radial fan 2 is in operation. The radial fan 2 is therefore arranged between the first opening 22 and the second opening 9 along the direction of flow of the air in the inflation device 20.
[0084] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the inflation device of the previous figures along the plane P2 shown in FIG. 3. The solenoid valve 8 is arranged upstream of the one-way valve 11 and opens the air path 3 through an inlet opening 13. The solenoid valve further comprises an outlet opening 14 that opens into an atmosphere external of the inflation device.
[0085] FIG. 6a illustrates the inflated inflatable bag 60 when attached to a backpack 61 having conventional shoulder straps 62, as well as a chest strap 64, a hip belt 66 and a leg strap 68 that secures the backpack better on its wearer. The inflatable bag in its inflated state extends outside of the backpack in a pre-determined position such that that it protects the user's head.
[0086] FIG. 6b illustrates a pocket 70 of a backpack 61 that is intended to house the folded inflatable bag. The pocket 70 is closed by a zip-fastener in the shown embodiment. The zip-fastened pocket 70 can be opened by an inflating inflatable bag 60. Actuation of the manual trigger 1 causes inflation of the inflatable bag 60 and thus the release the inflatable bag 60 from the pocket 70. The pocket comprises, by way of non-limiting illustration, two D-rings 72 the relative distance between which is kept fixed by a reinforcing bar 74. Moreover, a first piece 76 of Velcro (registered trademark) is arranged in the pocket 70 and intended to collaborate with a second piece of Velcro (not shown) secured to the airbag 60.
[0087] FIG. 7 shows an alternative inflation device 20 with a first opening 22 and a second opening 9. In addition, the inflation device 20 comprises an additional opening 33 to be connected to a compressed gas cartridge 30. A trigger mechanism 32 is adapted to pierce the compressed gas cartridge 30, upon which the compressed gas flow towards the second opening 9. The flow of the compressed gas causes a depression and atmospheric air to be drawn in through the first opening 22. The second opening 9 is adapted to be connected to an inflatable bag. The inflation device 20 comprises a separately disposed actuable valve 8 with an integrated control 4 and power supply that opens the actuable valve 8 after 3 min have passed since the inflation of the inflatable bag 60. The actuable valve 8 is configured as a separate part to be attached to the inflatable bag 60 via a separate opening. The control 4 detects when the inflatable bag is inflated via a pressure sensor (not shown). It will be understood that such a separately disposed valve 8 and control 4 could also be used in combination with another embodiment of the inflation device, namely with one comprising a radial fan. Conversely, an actuable valve as shown in the context of other embodiments of the inflation device, namely one that is in fluid communication with the second opening 9, may be used with the inflation device of FIG. 7.
[0088] FIG. 8a shows a side view of the inflation device 20 of FIGS. 1 to 5. The housing 21 is partially spiral-shaped. A side wall 27 of the housing 21 extends around the circumference of the fan 2 and the housing 21. Its height h measured along the rotation axis R increases continually in a clockwise direction toward the second opening 9.
[0089] FIG. 8b shows the inflation device 20 of FIG. 8a in a partially crosssectional view along a longitudinal axis. The air path 3 has a larger crosssectional area on the left side of the device (from the perspective shown here) than on the right side due to the partially spiral-shaped housing 21 and the increasing height of the side wall 27. Air can enter through the first opening 22 and is pushed in a radial direction by the fan 2. A gap 29 is formed along the circumference of the fan 2 between the side wall 27 and an inner wall 28. The air is pushed in a radial direction by the fan 2 and deflected by the air deflector 24 through the gap 29. The gap 29 creates a fluid communication path between the air path 3 and the first opening 22 and the fan 2. The air thus flows into the air path 3 in response to movement of the fan 2. The air flows within the air path 3 in a clockwise direction. Because air is pushed into the air path 3 along substantially the entire circumference of the fan, the volume of air that flows within the air path 3 increases in a clockwise direction along the circumference of the fan toward the second opening 9. The correspondingly increasing crosssectional area of the air path 3 prevents large pressure gradients that may otherwise slow down or even prevent air flow in the intended direction of flow F.
[0090] FIG. 9a shows the inflation device of FIGS. 8a and 8b from an elevated perspective.
[0091] FIG. 9b shows a crosssectional view of the inflation device of FIG. 9a along a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis R of the fan 2. The gap 29 formed between the housing 21 and the inner wall 28 is arranged along the circumference of the fan 2. The air path 3 has crosssectional area that increases in a clockwise direction and along the flow of air F.
[0092] FIG. 10a shows a solenoid valve 8 in a closed state. The valve 8 comprises a spring 25 and a piston 26. Without any actuation, the spring pushes the piston against the wall of the outlet opening 14. The inlet opening 13 is in fluid communication with a chamber housing the piston 25 and the spring 26. Therefore, the pressure in the area of the spring 25 and the piston 26 is identical with the pressure in the inlet opening 13 and, when connected to an inflatable bag 60, with the pressure inside the inflatable bag 60.
[0093] FIG. 10b shows the solenoid valve 8 of FIG. 10a in an open state. Actuation, in this case by means of a magnetic force, compresses the spring 25 and moves the piston 26 in a downward direction away from the outlet opening 14. This creates a fluid communication channel between the inlet opening 13 and the outlet opening 14, thus enabling airflow F between the two.
