PROTECTION DEVICE AND PROTECTION METHOD

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2024/007317, filed on Feb. 28, 2024, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-029845, filed on Feb. 28, 2023, the entire contents of each are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a protection device and a protection method.

BACKGROUND ART

Patent Document 1 discloses an airbag device including an airbag storage component, a brim portion, a chin strap, an airbag, and a device storage portion. The airbag of this device includes a frontal coverage portion capable of covering the user's forehead, a pair of left and right temporal coverage portions capable of covering the user's left and right temporal regions, an occipital coverage portion capable of covering the user's occipital region, and a crown coverage portion capable of covering the user's crown.

CITATION LIST

Patent Document

• • Patent Document 1: JP 2017-57540 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, where the airbag is designed to cover the entire circumference of the head upon inflation, the airbag has a large size, requiring a larger amount of gas to inflate. As a result, there is a problem in that it takes time to supply the gas and complete the inflation.

The technique according to the present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique that enables the prompt inflation of an airbag.

Solution to Problem

To solve the above-mentioned problems, a protection device of the present disclosure is configured to protect at least a part of a body of a user as a protection target portion, the protection device including: a wearable portion configured to be worn by the user; an airbag configured to be attached to the wearable portion in a contracted state during standby, and configured to inflate to surround the protection target portion in a spiral form at completion of expansion, the airbag including one end fixed to the wearable portion, and the other end located on an opposite side to the one end, the airbag being configured to inflate with the other end separated from the wearable portion when the airbag is expanded; a fluid supply unit configured to supply fluid for expanding the airbag into the airbag; and a control unit configured to control activation of the fluid supply unit when a state of the user satisfies a predetermined condition.

The protection device may include an elastic member configured to urge the airbag in a direction in which the other end of the airbag is separated from the wearable portion upon the activation of the fluid supply unit, or urge the airbag in a direction in which the airbag is contracted toward the wearable portion after the airbag is expanded.

In the protection device, the airbag may include a neck cover portion configured to cover a neck of the user at the completion of expansion, and a head cover portion configured to cover a head of the user when the airbag is expanded.

In the protection device, the airbag may be connected to a helmet configured to be worn on the head of the user, and the airbag connected to the helmet may inflate to surround the head of the user at the completion of expansion, thereby suppressing displacement of the helmet.

In the protection device, during standby, the airbag may be folded in a spiral form, a bellows-like form, or a flat form, and attached to the wearable portion, and the airbag may surround the neck and the head of the user in a spiral form when the airbag is expanded.

In the protection device, the airbag may include: a main path configured to inflate around a center axis of the spiral form when the fluid is supplied, and expand to surround the protection target portion in a spiral form at the completion of expansion, and a sub path through which a plurality of portions of the main path inflating in the spiral form communicate with each other in an axial direction of the center axis.

In the protection device, the wearable portion may be an enclosure configured to accommodate the fluid supply unit or the control unit, and the airbag may be provided outside the enclosure.

To solve the above-mentioned problems, a protection method of the present disclosure is a method performed by a protection device configured to protect at least a part of a body of a user as a protection target portion, the protection device including: a wearable portion to be worn by the user, an airbag to be attached to the wearable portion in a contracted state during standby, a fluid supply unit configured to supply fluid for expanding the airbag into the airbag, and a control unit configured to control the fluid supply unit, in which the control unit activates the fluid supply unit when a state of the user satisfies a predetermined condition, the fluid supply unit supplies fluid into the airbag by the activation, and upon receiving a supply of the fluid, the airbag including one end fixed to the wearable portion and the other end located on an opposite side to the one end inflates with the other end separated from the wearable portion, and surrounds the protection target portion in a spiral form at completion of expansion.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a technique that enables the prompt inflation of an airbag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a protection device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the protection device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the protection device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the protection device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating an airbag in an inflated state (upon activation).

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a process in which the airbag changes from a flat folded state to an inflated state.

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a process in which the airbag changes from a folded spiral state to an inflated state.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a process in which an airbag changes from a bellows-folded state to an inflated state.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of a protection method that is executed by a control unit of the protection device.

FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a state where an airbag of a protection device according to a second embodiment is in a folded orientation.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the protection device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating a state where the airbag of the protection device according to the second embodiment is inflated.

FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating a state where an airbag of a protection device according to a third embodiment is in a folded orientation.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a protection device 1B according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a side view illustrating a state where the airbag of the protection device according to the third embodiment is inflated.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a protection device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a protection device according to a fifth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A protection device according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that each of configurations, combinations thereof, and the like in the embodiments are an example, and various additions, omissions, substitutions, and other changes of the configurations may be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments and is limited only by the claims.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a side view of a protection device 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the protection device 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view of the protection device 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the protection device 1 according to the first embodiment. Note that FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate a state before an airbag 20 is inflated (before activation). FIG. 5 is a side view of the protection device 1 with the airbag 20 inflated (upon activation). In the present specification, the up-down direction is referred to also as the Y-axis direction, the left-right direction as the X-axis direction, and the depth direction as the Z direction. It should be noted that, in the present specification, the up-down direction and the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions of the protection device 1 merely indicate exemplary relative positional relationships among the elements in the protection device 1 for convenience of description of the embodiments, and this is not limitative. For example, the orientation when the protection device 1 is used is not limited to the direction illustrated in the drawing. In addition, the size of the protection device 1 for the human body is not limited to that illustrated in the drawing.

The protection device 1 includes a base portion (wearable structure) 10, the airbag 20, an inflator 30, a detection unit 60, a control unit 70, and a power supply 80. The protection device 1 is worn by the user of the protection device 1 (hereinafter referred to also simply as “user”), and inflates the airbag 20 to protect at least a part of the body of the user as a protection target portion. For example, the protection device 1 protects the protection target portion of the user by inflating the airbag 20 when the state of the user detected by the detection unit 60 satisfies a predetermined condition for protection (hereinafter referred to also as an emergency) such as when the user falls down or a collision cannot be avoided.

The base portion 10 is worn by the user, and includes a main body portion 15 accommodating the airbag 20, the inflator (fluid supply unit) 30, the detection unit 60, the control unit 70, and the power supply 80, and a lid portion 16 that is openable and closable with respect to the main body portion 15. The base portion 10 of the present embodiment is substantially formed in an O-shape surrounding the user's head in plan view, and a space (protection target side space) 11 near the center of the O shape is formed larger than the user's head and smaller than the user's shoulder width. Therefore, when the user's head passes through the inner space 11 of the base portion 10, a lower surface of the base portion 10 comes into contact with the user's shoulders and stops, and thus the base portion 10 is worn in the state where it hangs around the user's neck. In other words, the protection device 1 is disposed above the user's shoulders and substantially on the lower side of the user's head. In this manner, the protection device 1 of the present embodiment is of a neck-hanging type to be used by being worn around the user's neck. Note that the protection device 1 is not limited to the neck-hanging type, and it may also be worn on the user's upper body like a jacket or secured to the user with a belt or the like. In addition, the protection device 1 is not limited to being worn on the neck, and it may also be attached to other parts of the user's body such as the lower body, arms, legs, wrists, or head. In addition, the protection device 1 may be indirectly worn by the user, with the base portion 10 attached to gear such as a helmet, harness, or safety belt that the user wears, and with the gear being worn by the user.

The base portion 10 is a housing (enclosure) forming the outer shell of the protection device 1, and accommodating therein the airbag 20, the inflator 30, the control unit 70, and the power supply 80. Note that the base portion 10 only needs to be configured to accommodate at least one of the airbag 20, the inflator 30, the control unit 70, and the power supply 80, and some of these components may be provided outside the base portion.

The airbag 20 is formed into a bag shape by joining sheets of fabric or synthetic resin together. The airbag 20 inflates by receiving a fluid supply from the inflator 30 into the internal space of the bag. The airbag 20, kept in its initial state, or in other words a state before it is expanded (hereinafter referred to also as during standby), is provided in a contracted state in the base portion 10. When expanded with the fluid supplied from the inflator 30 (hereinafter referred to also as when expanded), the airbag 20 of the present embodiment inflates in a spiral form to surround the protection target portion. Note that the airbag 20 includes one end (first end) 21 fixed to the base portion 10, and the other end (second end) 22 provided on an opposite side to the first end 21, and inflates in such a manner that the other end 22 is separated from the base portion 10 when expanded. In the present embodiment, the user's neck and head are the protection target portion, and the airbag 20 is wound around the neck and head multiple times in a spiral form about a virtual axis extending through the approximate center of the neck and head as the winding center. Specifically, the airbag 20 is formed in an elongated shape along the winding direction, and includes a peripheral wall defining a continuous internal space along the winding direction. When the internal space is filled with fluid, the peripheral wall is shaped into a spiral form with the pressure of the fluid. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the airbag 20 includes a neck cover portion 23 that covers the user's neck when expanded, and a head cover portion 24 that covers the user's head when expanded.

The contracted state of the airbag 20 is not particularly limited; for example, it may be a flat folded state or a bellows-folded state. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a process in which the airbag 20 changes from a flat folded state to an inflated state. In a state before inflation (contracted state) illustrated in FIG. 6A, the airbag 20 has no fluid inside, and is compressed vertically, i.e., folded in a flat form, with the spirally wound portions stacked vertically on top of one another. When the inflator 30 is activated and fluid supply from the inflator 30 begins, the airbag 20 starts expanding from the first end 21 side and is brought into an inflated state as the fluid fills its interior. Note that while the airbag 20 is instantly inflated from the contracted state to the inflated state, FIG. 6A illustrates an intermediate process in which the first end 21 side is expanded whereas the second end 22 side is not completely expanded for the sake of description of the inflation process.

Further, in the contracted state of the airbag 20, the airbag 20 in a flat form may be wound from the second end 22 side and wound up to the first end 21 side such that the side surface has a spiral form as illustrated in FIG. 6A. Specifically, the airbag 20 may contract in a spiral form like a so-called blowback whistle and inflate (expand) upon receiving a supply of fluid. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a process in which the airbag 20 changes from a folded spiral state to an inflated state. In a state before inflation illustrated in FIG. 6B, the airbag 20 has no fluid inside, and is compressed vertically, i.e., folded in a flat form, in a state (contracted state) where the airbag 20 is wound along the longitudinal direction (winding direction) from the second end 22 side to the first end 21 in a spiral form. Then, when the inflator 30 is activated and fluid supply from the inflator 30 begins, the interior of the airbag 20 is filled with the fluid from the first end 21 side, and the wound spiral portion is expanded to a cylindrical form, thus extending the spiral portion in the winding direction. Note that while the airbag 20 is instantly inflated from the contracted state to the inflated state, FIG. 6B illustrates an intermediate process in which the first end 21 side is expanded whereas the second end 22 side is in a spiral form without being completely expanded for the sake of description of the inflation process. When the wound portion is unwound and completely expanded in this manner, the airbag 20 is inflated into a spiral form as in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a process in which the airbag 20 changes from a bellows-folded state to an inflated state. In a state before inflation illustrated in FIG. 7, the airbag 20 has no fluid inside, and is folded in a flat form and further folded vertically with a predetermined width WA, thereby forming a ridge fold portion 211. Subsequently, adjacent portions to the ridge fold portion 211 of the airbag 20 are folded vertically in the opposite direction with the same width WA, thereby forming a trough fold portion 212. By alternately forming the ridge fold portion 211 and the trough fold portion 212, the airbag 20 is folded in a bellows-like manner, and brought into a contracted state in a longitudinal direction (winding direction). When the inflator 30 is activated and fluid supply from the inflator 30 begins, the airbag 20 starts expanding from the first end 21 side and is brought into an inflated state as the fluid fills its interior as in FIG. 6A. The airbag 20 may include not only a supply port for receiving fluid supply from the inflator 30, but also a discharge port for discharging the fluid. After inflation, the airbag 20 may be configured to discharge fluid from the discharge port, and return to the contracted state for reuse.

The inflator 30 is connected to the airbag 20 through an air supply tube 31, and supplies fluid to the airbag 20 when activated under the control of the control unit 70. For example, the inflator 30 ignites an explosive powder upon activation to generate combustion gas, and supplies this combustion gas (fluid) to the airbag 20. The inflator 30 is not limited thereto, and may be equipped with a tank containing compressed gas and supply the released gas (fluid) from the tank to the airbag 20. It is also possible for the inflator 30 to combine these and supply both the combustion gas and the released gas to the airbag 20. For example, the inflator 30 may be configured in the form of a cartridge including an explosive powder and a compressed gas tank as a fluid supply source so as to be replaceable.

The detection unit 60 is a unit that detects a state of the user or a state around the user, and includes, for example, a sensing unit such as an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor (angular velocity sensor), a positioning device, a camera, a radar, light detection and ranging, laser imaging detection and ranging (LIDAR), a three-dimensional scanner, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a contact sensor, or an infrared sensor. Note that in the present embodiment, the state around the user, such as the state of vehicles moving around the user, is also referred to as the state of the user. The detection unit 60 may detect a state change of the user such as a case where the user falls down or a case where the user is hit by another object, or may predict that the user will receive an impact. In addition, the detection unit 60 may detect a state change of an object existing around the user, such as an object approaching the user and likely to collide with the user or an object having collided with the user. Examples of the positioning device may include a satellite positioning system such as a global positioning system (GPS). The radar and the LIDAR obtain a distance to an object existing around the protection device 1 (user) and a moving speed of the object.

In the present embodiment, an acceleration sensor 61 that senses the acceleration of the protection device 1, that is, the acceleration of the user wearing the protection device 1 is provided as a first detection unit 60. The acceleration sensor 61 senses a rate of change in the speed on a predetermined axis (for example, three axes in the X, Y, and Z directions) and a direction thereof as the acceleration of each axis. The acceleration sensor 61 may be a so-called six-axis sensor also serving as a sensor that senses angular speeds on these axes. A camera 62 is provided as a second detection unit 60 at a front side portion of the base portion 10, and captures an image in front of the user and inputs the captured image as information indicating a state around the user into the control unit 70. Note that the camera 62 may be a stereo camera that can capture an image of the same subject (object) with a pair of imaging units disposed at a predetermined distance (baseline length) from each other and detect, for example, a distance to the subject from a parallax therebetween. Further, a camera 63 is provided as a third detection unit 60 at a rear side portion of the base portion 10, and captures an image of the rear side of the user, and outputs the captured image as information indicating a state around the user to the control unit 70. The camera 63 may be a stereo camera like the camera 62. The cameras 62 and 63 disposed at the front and the rear as described above each capture an image at an angle of view of, for example, 180 degrees or more, thereby capturing an image of the entire circumference around the user. Note that although not illustrated in the drawing, a detection unit 60 other than the acceleration sensor 61 and the cameras 62 and 63 may be provided.

The control unit 70 operates with the power supplied from the power supply 80, and controls the detection unit 60 and the inflator 30. For example, the control unit 70 acquires the detection result by the detection unit 60, and when the detection result satisfies a predetermined condition, controls the inflator 30 to activate the protection device 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the control unit 70. The control unit 70 includes a processor 71, a storage unit 72, and an input/output unit 73. The processor 71 integrally executes a variety of arithmetic processing in the control unit 70. The processor 71 is an arithmetic processing unit such as a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).

The storage unit 72 includes, for example, a main storage unit 721 and an auxiliary storage unit 722. The main storage unit 721 includes a main storage unit such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM), and, for example, temporarily stores information such as programs and data used for arithmetic processing by the processor 71. Note that the main storage unit 721 may be formed integrally with the processor 71.

The auxiliary storage unit 722 includes a storage medium, for example, a volatile memory such as a RAM, a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM, an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a removable medium. Note that the removable medium is, for example, a recording medium that can be attached from the outside and is computer-readable, such as a universal serial bus (USB) memory or a memory card.

The auxiliary storage unit 722 can store an operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, various databases, user data, and the like for performing the operation of the protection device 1.

The input/output unit 73 is, for example, an interface that inputs information (detection results or the like) from the detection unit 60 and outputs information (a control signal or the like) to the detection unit 60 or another device. Further, the input/output unit 73 may be a communication module that performs input (reception) of information from another device and output (transmission) of information to another device. Furthermore, the input/output unit 73 may be a user interface that performs input of operation information by the user with an operation button or a touch screen and output (display, sound output, or the like) to the user with a display or a speaker.

Protection Method

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of a protection method executed by the control unit 70 of the protection device 1. The protection device 1 repeatedly executes the processing (activation step) in FIG. 9 in the period in which the power supply is ON, or when an activation instruction is received.

In step S10, the control unit 70 acquires the state of the user and the state of the surroundings from the detection unit 60. For example, the control unit 70 acquires the acceleration of the user from the acceleration sensor 61 and detects the captured image of the surroundings from the cameras 62 and 63.

In step S20, the control unit 70 analyzes the state of the user and the state around the user based on the detection result of the detection unit 60 acquired in step S10. For example, the control unit 70 obtains, based on the acceleration on each axis sensed by the acceleration sensor 61, information indicating the state of the user, such as a moving direction, a moving speed, a rate of change in the acceleration (jerk) per unit time, and an inclination with respect to the direction of gravitational force of the user. Further, the control unit 70 extracts an object existing around the user by performing image processing on the image captured by the cameras 62 and 63, and obtains a position, a moving direction, a moving speed, and the like of the object as information on the surroundings. Furthermore, the control unit 70 may detect a motion of the user, such as walking, sitting, running, riding on a bicycle, or stopping, based on the image captured by the cameras 62 and 63. Note that a known technique can be used as a method of obtaining the position, the speed, the moving direction, and the like of the object from the captured image, and thus the detailed description will be omitted. Additionally, the position, the speed, and the moving direction of the object are not necessarily acquired by the cameras 62 and 63 and may be acquired by a radar, a LIDAR, a three-dimensional scanner, or a combination thereof.

In step S30, the control unit 70 determines whether to activate the protection device 1 depending on whether the information indicating the state of the user and the state of the surroundings obtained in step S20 satisfies a predetermined condition. For example, when the user collides with something or is hit by a vehicle or the like and thus receives an impact, the impact is detected as a sudden change in the acceleration. Therefore, when the jerk obtained in step S20 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the control unit 70 determines that the user has received an impact and the protection device 1 is to be activated (affirmative determination). Further, when the user falls down, the user's head (the protection device 1) falls down with an acceleration close to that of free fall. Therefore, when it is determined in step S20 that the user has moved downward with the acceleration exceeding the predetermined threshold value, the control unit 70 makes an affirmative determination that the user has fallen down, that is, the user's head is likely to receive an impact. Furthermore, when the position of the user after a predetermined time coincides with the position of an object around the user, that is, when the object collides with the user, the control unit 70 makes an affirmative determination based on the position, the moving direction, the moving speed, and the like of the object obtained in step S20. Note that the conditions and threshold values may be set by operation of the user. Alternatively, when a vehicle or the like is moving toward the user and a collision can be predicted to be unavoidable in consideration of a speed, an acceleration, a traveling direction, and the like of the vehicle, an affirmative determination may be made. Here, the control unit 70 may determine based on the detection result of the detection unit 60 such as a contact sensor or an infrared sensor whether the protection device 1 is worn by the user, and the protection device 1 need not be activated regardless of the presence or absence of an impact in a case where the protection device 1 is not worn. In addition, the control unit 70 may determine based on the detection result of the detection unit 60 such as a positioning device or an acceleration sensor whether the protection device 1 (user) is moving, and the protection device 1 need not be activated in a case where the protection device 1 is not moving.

In step S30, when the information indicating the state of the user and the state of the surroundings does not satisfy the predetermined condition, and a negative determination is made, the control unit 70 terminates the processing in FIG. 9. On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in step S30, the control unit 70 shifts to step S40, and activates the inflator 30. In this manner, the inflator 30 supplies fluid to the airbag 20 to separate the second end 22 of the airbag 20 from the base portion 10 and inflate the airbag 20 in a spiral form, that is, activate the protection device 1.

Note that after the activation, the user may replace the fluid supply source of the inflator 30 and fold and accommodate the airbag 20 in the base portion 10, thereby allowing the protection device 1 to be reused.

Effects of Embodiment

As described above, the protection device 1 can protect the protection target portion of the user by inflating the airbag 20 in a spiral form and surrounding the protection target portion when the user falls down, when the user is likely to be hit by a vehicle, or when the user is expected to receive an impact. Here, since the airbag 20 of the present embodiment is configured to inflate in a spiral form, the volume of the airbag 20 can be reduced and the amount of fluid for inflating the airbag 20 can be reduced compared to a configuration that entirely covers the periphery of the protection target portion. As a result, the time required from the start of fluid supply to the airbag 20 until the completion of fluid supply necessary for inflation can be reduced, thereby improving the inflation speed of the airbag 20. Further, by reducing the volume of the airbag 20, the supply source of the inflator 30 can be reduced, allowing for a reduction in the size of the device.

In addition, in the protection device 1 of the present embodiment, the airbag 20 includes the neck cover portion 23 that covers the user's neck when expanded, and the head cover portion 24 that covers the user's head when expanded. Accordingly, the protection device 1 of the present embodiment can appropriately protect the user's neck and head. For example, the neck cover portion 23 and the head cover portion 24 that are inflated in a spiral form wrap around the user's neck and head, respectively, thereby restraining movement of the neck and head and helping reduce injuries to the cervical spine, surrounding muscles, ligaments, and the like.

Further, in the protection device 1 of the present embodiment, the airbag 20 is folded in a bellows-like form or a flat form and attached to the base portion 10 during standby, and surrounds the user's neck and head in a spiral form when expanded. This allows the protection device 1 of the present embodiment to ensure that the airbag 20 is sufficiently large to surround the neck and head upon activation, and the airbag 20 is accommodated compactly during standby, thereby achieving a reduction in the size of the device.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating a state where an airbag 20A of a protection device 1A according to a second embodiment is in a folded orientation. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the protection device 1A according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating a state where the airbag 20A of the protection device 1A according to the second embodiment is inflated.

The protection device 1A of the present embodiment is different from the above first embodiment in that the airbag 20A is disposed outside the base portion 10A, and that the airbag 20A in a contracted state is worn around the user's neck, while the other configuration is the same as the above first embodiment. Accordingly, the same elements as those of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference signs, and the descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

The base portion 10A is worn by the user, and includes the main body portion 15A accommodating the inflator 30, the detection unit 60, the control unit 70, and the power supply 80. The airbag 20A includes the first end 21 connected to the inflator 30 through the air supply tube 31. That is, the airbag 20A is attached to the user through the base portion 10A with the first end 21 connected to the base portion 10A. The airbag 20A is brought into a contracted state where it is folded in a flat form, and the portions wound in a spiral form are stacked vertically on top of one another.

Then, as in the above first embodiment, when the control unit 70 determines that the protection device 1A is to be activated, and controls the inflator 30 to supply fluid to the airbag 20A, the airbag 20A expands in a spiral form and inflates to surround the user's neck and head as illustrated in FIG. 12. In this manner, the protection device 1A of the present embodiment can protect the protection target portion of the user (neck and head). In addition, in the protection device 1A of the present embodiment, the base portion 10A and the airbag 20A are separately formed. This can increase flexibility for the position at which the base portion 10A can be worn, and thus enhance usability.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating a state where an airbag 20B of a protection device 1B according to a third embodiment is in a folded orientation. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the protection device 1B according to the third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a side view illustrating a state where the airbag 20B of the protection device 1B according to the third embodiment is inflated.

The protection device 1B of the present embodiment is different from the above first embodiment in that a base portion 10B is attached to a helmet 40, and that the protection device 1B is worn by the user through the helmet 40, while the other configuration is the same as the above first embodiment. Accordingly, the same elements as those of the above first embodiment are denoted by the same reference signs, and the descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

The base portion 10B is attached to the lower portion of the helmet 40, and includes the main body portion 15 accommodating the airbag 20B, the inflator 30, the detection unit 60, the control unit 70, and the power supply 80, and the lid portion 16 that is openable and closable to the main body portion 15. Compared to the protection device 1 of the first embodiment, the protection device 1B of the present embodiment is disposed upside down, and the airbag 20B inflates downward from the base portion 10B by activation. Thus, the head cover portion 24 is disposed on the first end 21 side of the airbag 20B connected to the inflator 30, and the neck cover portion 23 is disposed on the second end 22 side.

As in the above first embodiment, when the control unit 70 determines that the protection device 1B is to be activated, and controls the inflator 30 to supply fluid to the airbag 20B, the airbag 20B expands in a spiral form and inflates to surround the user's neck and head as illustrated in FIG. 15. In this manner, the protection device 1B of the present embodiment can protect the protection target portion of the user (neck and head). In addition, in the protection device 1B of the present embodiment, the airbag 20B connected to the helmet through the base portion 10B inflates to surround the user's neck and head, and thus displacement of the helmet 40 from the user's head can be suppressed.

Note that in the present embodiment, the base portion 10B accommodates the airbag 20B during standby, but this is not limitative. Alternatively, as described in the second embodiment, the base portion 10B may not accommodate the airbag 20B, and the airbag 20B may be disposed outside the base portion 10B. In this case, the first end 21 of the base portion 10B is fixed to the lower portion of the helmet 40, and the airbag 20B in a contracted state may be attached to the lower portion of the helmet 40 using fasteners such as snap buttons or hook-and-loop fasteners during standby. The fasteners lock the airbag 20B in the contracted state to the helmet 40 to prevent the airbag 20B from falling downward, and unlock when a predetermined amount of force or more is applied in the direction in which the airbag 20B inflates. In other words, when fluid is supplied to the airbag 20B, and the airbag 20B begins to inflate, a force applied to the fasteners causes the fasteners to release, thus allowing the airbag 20B to inflate downward.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a protection device 1C according to a fourth embodiment. The protection device 1C of the present embodiment is different from the above first embodiment in that the airbag 20C includes an elastic structure (elastic member) 50 that expands and contracts, while the other configuration is the same as the above first embodiment. Accordingly, the same elements as those of the above first embodiment are denoted by the same reference signs, and the descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

The elastic structure 50 is a coil spring provided on the outer surface of the airbag 20C along the winding direction of the airbag 20C. Note that the elastic structure 50 may be provided on the inside of the airbag 20C along the winding direction of the airbag 20C. The elastic structure 50 is a so-called tension spring, which remains in a contracted state in the expansion/contraction direction when unloaded. In the present embodiment, the elastic structure 50 is provided on the airbag 20C along the winding direction of the airbag 20C, and therefore when the elastic structure 50 is in a contracted state, the airbag 20C is also in a contracted state, that is, a flat folded state. Note that the elastic structure 50 is not limited to a coil spring and may be any component, such as another type of spring, rubber, or actuator, as long as it expands and contracts together with the airbag 20C and contracts the airbag 20C after its inflation.

As in the above first embodiment, when the control unit 70 determines that the protection device 1C is to be activated, and controls the inflator 30 to supply fluid to the airbag 20C, the airbag 20B expands in a spiral form, stretches the elastic structure 50, and inflates to surround the user's neck and head as illustrated in FIG. 16. At this time, the stretched elastic structure 50 has an elastic force acting in the contracting direction, thereby urging the airbag 20 in the contracting direction toward the base portion 10.

The fluid supply from the inflator 30 ends, and the fluid inside the airbag 20C is discharged through the discharge port. When the urging force of the elastic structure 50 becomes stronger than the force inflating the airbag 20C, the airbag 20C is contracted by the urging force of the elastic structure 50. As a result, after inflation, the airbag 20C is automatically accommodated back into the base portion 10.

In this manner, the protection device 1C of the present embodiment allows the airbag 20C to automatically contract and to be folded into a flat form after the activation, thereby reducing the effort required to contract the airbag 20C for reuse, and improving usability. Note that while the elastic structure 50 is a tension spring in the present embodiment as an example, the elastic structure 50 is not limited to a tension spring. For example, the elastic structure 50 may be a compression spring configured to urge the airbag 20C in the direction in which the second end 22 of the airbag 20C separates from the base portion 10, and assist the inflation of the airbag 20C upon activation of the inflator 30.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a protection device 1D according to a fifth embodiment. The protection device 1D of the present embodiment is different from the above first embodiment in that an airbag 20D includes not only a fluid main path extending in the winding direction, but also a sub path through which the main paths communicate with each other in the vertical direction, while the other configuration is the same as the above first embodiment. Accordingly, the same elements as those of the above first embodiment are denoted by the same reference signs, and the descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

In the airbag 20D of the present embodiment, when fluid is supplied from the inflator 30, the fluid flows from the first end 21 side to the second end 22 side, thereby inflating the airbag 20D in a spiral form. In the airbag 20D, the path through which the fluid flows in a spiral winding direction is a main path 25. The main path 25 inflates around the center axis of the spiral, and expands in a spiral form to surround the protection target portion when the expansion is completed. In addition, in the airbag 20D, a path through which a plurality of portions of the main path 25 wound multiple times in that winding direction communicate with each other in the vertical direction (the axial direction of the center axis) is a sub path 26. The sub path 26 is shorter than the main path 25, allowing fluid to be supplied to the second end 22 more quickly. In addition, the sub path 26 functions as a tether that maintains a predetermined distance between the main paths 25 located vertically. The sub path 26 may also be formed with a smaller cross-sectional area compared to the main path 25.

In the protection device 1D of the present embodiment, since the airbag 20D includes not only the main path 25, but also the sub path 26 as described above, the inflation speed of the airbag 20D can be improved. In addition, since the sub path 26 of the airbag 20D maintains the predetermined distance between the main paths 25 located vertically, the shape of the inflated airbag 20D when inflated can be stabilized, thereby increasing the reliability of the protection device 1D.

The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, and each of the aspects disclosed in the present specification can be combined with any other features disclosed therein.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

• • 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D: Protection device
  • 10, 10A, 10B: Base portion
  • 11: Inner space
  • 12: Lower surface
  • 15, 15A: Main body portion
  • 16: Lid portion
  • 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D: Airbag
  • 21: First end
  • 22: Second end
  • 23: Neck cover portion
  • 24: Head cover portion
  • 25: Main path
  • 26: Sub path
  • 30: Inflator
  • 31: Air supply tube
  • 40: Helmet
  • 50: elastic structure
  • 60: Detection unit
  • 61: Acceleration sensor
  • 62, 63: Camera
  • 70: Control unit
  • 71: Processor
  • 72: Storage unit
  • 73: Input/output unit
  • 80: Power supply
  • 211: Ridge fold portion
  • 212: Trough fold portion
  • 721: Main storage unit
  • 722: Auxiliary storage unit