A system and method for active adjustment of a helicopter seat position

Abstract

The application provides a helicopter seat posture active adjustment protection system and method, and belongs to the technical field of anti-crash seat adjustment of helicopters. The system comprises a seat, a seat alarm device, a seat anti-crash energy absorption device, a seat restraint device, an acceleration sensing device, a seat safety airbag device, a seat driving device and a control system. The control system comprises a posture data storage module. The application provides triple protection measures from before the crash to after the crash by combining active protection and passive protection. The seat can be adjusted to a state conforming to the best protection posture of the human body. Meanwhile, the seat provides multi-directional safety airbag protection and has an anti-crash energy absorption design, which greatly reduces the impact energy load of the helicopter crash and improves the survival rate of the helicopter after the crash.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application belongs to the technical field of helicopter crashworthiness seat adjustment, and particularly relates to a position active adjustment protection system and method of a helicopter seat. BACKGROUND

[0002] Aircraft has become one of the inseparable transportation tools in our life. In recent years, the state has vigorously supported the development of the aviation industry, especially in the key parts of the aviation industry. As an important part of aviation, helicopters and parts are moving towards the pace of integration of intelligence, safety and comfort. The crashworthiness design of the helicopter seat as an important part of the crashworthiness system has begun to put forward higher requirements for the safety of the helicopter seat.

[0003] The existing helicopter seat technology mainly adopts passive protection as the technical idea. This technical idea reflects the protection of human safety after the crash landing. When the helicopter encounters a dangerous crash, it is divided into two stages. The first stage is through the compression of the buffer after the wheel touches the ground, and the deformation absorbs part of the energy. The second stage is the deformation of the landing gear buffer, and the destruction of the fuselage. At this time, the deformation of the fuselage absorbs part of the energy, and the current domestic anti-crash seat protection device absorbs energy through deformation. The seat uses a buffer energy-absorbing device to absorb the impact energy received by the seat from the fuselage and the overload transmitted to the passenger, reduces the overload on the passenger to the range that the human body can bear, and protects the safety of the passenger to the greatest extent. For example, the patent with the publication number CN102303704B discloses an anti-crash energy-absorbing aviation seat with a ring-shaped damper, which can buffer and absorb energy after the plane crashes, and can produce an aviation seat with ideal structural deformation, which can reduce the impact force on the passenger and protect the passenger as much as possible.

[0004] However, the helicopter anti-crash seat with the above technical idea mainly has the following problems: it can only protect the human body after the crash, and cannot sense the danger in advance to start protection measures in advance. This reaction is passive, the protection effect is greatly reduced, and the casualty rate is increased. SUMMARY

[0005] The purpose of the present application is to overcome the shortcomings and deficiencies of the prior art, and to provide a position active adjustment protection system and method of a helicopter seat.

[0006] The technical scheme adopted by the present application is as follows: a position active adjustment protection system of a helicopter seat, characterized in that it comprises a seat, a seat alarm device, a seat anti-crash energy-absorbing device, a seat restraint device, an acceleration sensing device, a seat safety airbag device, a seat driving device and a control system.

[0007] The seat includes a seat support frame, a seat basin mounted on the seat support frame, a seat cushion mounted on the seat basin, and a backrest.

[0008] The seat alarm device is used to issue a crash warning to the occupants;

[0009] The seat's crash-resistant energy-absorbing device is used to enable the seat to absorb the energy load of the helicopter crashing to the ground.

[0010] The seat restraint device is used to prevent occupants from being ejected from their seats during a helicopter crash and to dissipate the force of the impact.

[0011] The acceleration sensor is located under the seat cushion and is used to collect acceleration information in the vertical direction of the seat and transmit the acceleration information to the control system.

[0012] The seat airbag device includes a first airbag located on the side of the seat cushion away from the backrest, a second airbag located on both sides of the seat cushion, and a corresponding inflation mechanism.

[0013] The seat drive device includes a first motor for driving the seat to move back and forth, a second motor for driving the seat to lift and lower, and a third motor for driving the seat back angle adjustment. The first motor, the second motor, and the third motor are all connected to the control system. It also includes a seat front and rear transmission device, a seat lifting transmission device, and a seat back angle transmission device.

[0014] The control system includes an attitude data storage module, which stores digital signals of the optimal protective posture during a helicopter crash.

[0015] The seat anti-fall energy absorption device is installed in the seat support frame, and it is a variable load energy absorber or a roll-up tube type energy absorber.

[0016] The seat restraint device uses a five-point seat belt.

[0017] The first airbag is spherical in shape, and the second airbag is arc-shaped, and they conform to the shape of the sides when the human body is tilted forward at a certain angle.

[0018] The seat's front-to-back transmission mechanism includes an adjustment track;

[0019] The digital signals include seat height H, seat fore-aft distance L, and seat back angle R. The seat height H is the distance from the end face of the seat cushion to the helicopter floor. The seat fore-aft distance L is the length of the adjustment track. The seat back angle R is the angle between the backrest and the seat cushion.

[0020] Digital signals for optimal protective posture: The seat height H is 350mm-500mm, the seat fore-aft distance L is 250mm-300mm, and the seat back angle R is 25°-35°.

[0021] A method for active posture adjustment protection of a helicopter seat, applied to the active posture adjustment protection system of the helicopter seat, includes the following steps:

[0022] Step S1: Before the helicopter takes off, the occupants sit in the seats and are safely protected by the seat restraint devices;

[0023] Step S2: During helicopter flight, the acceleration sensor collects acceleration information in the vertical direction of the seat basin in real time and transmits the acceleration information to the control system.

[0024] Step S3: When the helicopter crashes and descends, if the helicopter's falling speed V > 7.79 m / s, the control system controls the seat alarm device to issue a crash warning to the occupants;

[0025] Step S4: The control system retrieves the digital signal of the optimal protective posture from the posture data storage module for data processing to obtain seat adjustment data, calculates the working parameters of each motor, and outputs corresponding pulse signals to each motor.

[0026] Step S5: After receiving the pulse signal from the control system, each motor cooperates with the seat front-to-back transmission device, the seat back angle transmission device, and the seat lifting transmission device to make corresponding adjustments.

[0027] While the seat is being adjusted, the control system controls the inflation mechanism to inflate each airbag.

[0028] Step S6: The occupant assumes the optimal protective posture and maintains it;

[0029] Step S7: When the helicopter crashes, the seat anti-crash energy absorption device will dissipate the energy load generated at the moment of impact.

[0030] The control system retrieves the digital signal of the optimal protective posture, namely, the seat height H is 450mm, the seat front-to-back distance L is 300mm, and the seat back angle R is 30°. By processing these parameters, the operating parameters of each motor are obtained, and corresponding pulse signals are output to each motor.

[0031] The adjustment of the seat and the inflation of each airbag are completed within 1 second after the seat alarm device issues a warning.

[0032] The optimal protective posture is the occupant's head-forward, foot-hugging protective posture, in which the upper torso is leaning forward, the arms are tightly wrapped around the first airbag, the legs are clamped around the first airbag, the chest is pressed against the first airbag, and there is some space between the head and the front.

[0033] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: 1. The function of the seat warning and active adjustment to the best protective posture of the present invention can avoid the fact that the previous manual seat adjustment did not have enough reaction time to adjust to the best protective position in time when encountering danger, which caused casualties. Compared with conventional seats, it is more intelligent, safer and more reliable, and provides new research and development ideas for the subsequent development of helicopter crash-resistant seats.

[0034] 2. The three-way airbags in the seat system of the present invention have better cushioning performance, stronger shock absorption capacity, and higher safety, which can better protect the safety of the head, neck and chest of the human body.

[0035] 3. The seat of the present invention has better safety, with three layers of protection, combining active and passive protection to provide dual protection and three layers of protection. Attached Figure Description

[0036] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, obtaining other drawings based on these drawings without creative effort still falls within the scope of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the active posture adjustment and protection system for a helicopter seat according to the present invention;

[0038] Figure 2 This is a side view of an active posture adjustment and protection system for a helicopter seat according to the present invention.

[0039] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Cross-sectional view at point A in the middle;

[0040] Figure 4 This is an execution sequence diagram of an active posture adjustment and protection system for a helicopter seat according to the present invention;

[0041] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of an active posture adjustment and protection method for a helicopter seat according to the present invention;

[0042] Figure 6 This invention demonstrates the active posture adjustment protection system for a helicopter seat after a crash. Figure 1 ;

[0043] Figure 7 This invention demonstrates the active posture adjustment protection system for a helicopter seat after a crash. Figure 2 ;

[0044] Figure 8 This invention demonstrates the active posture adjustment protection system for a helicopter seat after a crash. Figure 3 . Detailed Implementation

[0045] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] It should be noted that all uses of "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present invention are for the purpose of distinguishing two entities or parameters with the same name but different names. It is clear that "first" and "second" are only for the convenience of expression and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present invention. Subsequent embodiments will not explain this in detail.

[0047] The directional and positional terms used in this invention, such as "up," "down," "front," "back," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," "top," "bottom," and "side," are merely for reference to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional and positional terms used are for illustrating and understanding this invention, and not for limiting the scope of protection of this invention.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 8 The image shows one embodiment of the present invention:

[0049] An active posture adjustment and protection system for a helicopter seat includes: a seat 1, a seat alarm device 2, a seat anti-crash energy absorption device, a seat restraint device 3, an acceleration sensor, a seat airbag device, a seat drive device, and a control system; the seat 1 includes a seat support frame 101, a seat basin 102 disposed on the seat support frame 101, a seat cushion 103 disposed on the seat basin 102, and a backrest 104.

[0050] The seat alarm device 2 is connected to the control system and is used to issue a crash warning to the occupants. The seat alarm device 2 is a warning light installed on the backrest 104 and can emit a warning sound. It can also be connected to the headphones worn by the occupants so that the occupants can quickly feel the warning.

[0051] The seat anti-crash energy absorption device is used to enable the seat 1 to absorb the energy load of the crash when the helicopter crashes; specifically, the seat anti-crash energy absorption device is set in the seat support frame 101, and it is a variable load energy absorber or a flip-tube type energy absorber. For example, the main function of a simple flip-tube structure is to absorb part of the energy load brought by the crash through the deformation of the flip-tube structure at the moment of the crash.

[0052] The seat restraint device 3 is used to prevent the occupants from leaving the seat 1 during the helicopter crash and to dissipate the force generated by the impact. Specifically, the seat restraint device 3 adopts the five-point seat belt commonly used in the aviation field to prevent the occupants from leaving the seat 1 during the helicopter crash. At the same time, it can absorb the impact energy generated in five directions during the crash, transfer the external force from the occupants, and avoid the energy accumulation that will cause greater damage.

[0053] The acceleration sensing device is installed on the seat cushion 103. It is used to collect acceleration information in the vertical direction of the seat basin 102 and transmit the acceleration information to the control system. The acceleration sensing device adopts an acceleration sensor with high accuracy and stability in the prior art, and it performs real-time monitoring after the helicopter takes off.

[0054] The seat airbag device includes a first airbag 401 disposed on the side of the seat cushion 103 away from the backrest 104, a second airbag 402 disposed on both sides of the seat cushion 103, and a corresponding inflation mechanism. Specifically, the first airbag 401 is spherical in shape, and the second airbag 402 is arc-shaped, and the shapes of the sides of the body when the body is tilted forward at a certain angle are matched. The first airbag 401 is used to protect the head and chest, and the second airbag 402 wraps around the sides of the body to protect the waist, upper limbs and head. When the seat 1 falls to the ground, the seat anti-fall energy absorption device absorbs a large amount of vertical impact load, and will work with the seat drive device and the seat airbag device to achieve a combination of active and passive protection to protect the safety of the human body.

[0055] The seat drive device includes a first motor for driving the seat 1 to move back and forth, a second motor for driving the seat 1 to rise and fall, and a third motor for driving the seat back angle adjustment. The first motor, the second motor, and the third motor are all connected to the control system. It also includes a seat back-to-back transmission device, a seat rise and fall transmission device, and a seat back angle transmission device. Each transmission device is also controlled by the control system. The seat back-to-back transmission device includes an adjustment track. The above-mentioned transmission device can refer to the driver's seat in the aviation or automotive fields in the prior art, and it is also the direction of the inventor's subsequent research and development.

[0056] The control system includes a posture data storage module for storing digital signals of the optimal protective posture during a helicopter crash. Specifically, the digital signals include seat height H, seat fore-aft distance L, and seat back angle R. The seat height H is the distance from the end face of the seat cushion 103 to the helicopter floor. The seat fore-aft distance L is the length of the adjustment track. The seat back angle R is the angle between the backrest 104 and the seat cushion 103. The optimal protective posture digital signals are: seat height H is 350mm-500mm, seat fore-aft distance L is 250mm-300mm, and seat back angle R is 25°-35°. In this embodiment, a seat height H of 450mm, a seat fore-aft distance L of 300mm, and a seat back angle R of 30° are preferred.

[0057] like Figure 5 As shown, a method for active posture adjustment and protection of a helicopter seat, applied to the active posture adjustment and protection system of the helicopter seat, includes the following steps:

[0058] Step S1: Before the helicopter takes off, the occupants sit in the seat 1 and are protected by the seat restraint device 3.

[0059] Step S2: During helicopter flight, the acceleration sensing device collects the vertical acceleration information of the seat basin 102 in real time and transmits the acceleration information to the control system.

[0060] Step S3: When the helicopter crashes and descends, if the helicopter's falling speed V > 7.79 m / s, the control system controls the seat alarm device 2 to issue a crash warning to the occupants.

[0061] Step S4: The control system retrieves the digital signal of the optimal protective posture from the posture data storage module for data processing to obtain the seat 1 adjustment data, calculates the operating parameters of each motor, and outputs corresponding pulse signals to each motor; wherein, the control system retrieves the digital signal of the optimal protective posture, that is, the seat height H is 450mm, the seat front-to-back distance L is 300mm, and the seat back angle R is 30°, and obtains the operating parameters of each motor by processing these parameters, and outputs corresponding pulse signals to each motor and each transmission device.

[0062] In helicopter crashes, excessive instantaneous acceleration and load are direct or indirect causes of damage to various organs, leading to direct injury or loss of mobility for occupants. Four body parts—head, neck, femur, and tibia—were selected as injury evaluation indicators. The optimal protective posture was determined to be a forward-leaning, leg-hugging position. Testing using a combination of experiments and simulations revealed that this posture resulted in minimal head, neck, and chest injuries, with head and lower limb injuries all below the specified limits. Therefore, seat 1 was adjusted to match this posture, employing the aforementioned parameters. The seat required a safe height to ensure optimal energy absorption during a crash, sufficient fore-aft distance to allow adequate leg extension for the lower limbs and prevent secondary injuries from collisions with objects in front, and a 30° backrest angle to minimize head, neck, and chest injuries, providing optimal protection after airbag deployment.

[0063] Step S5: After receiving the pulse signal from the control system, each motor cooperates with the seat front-to-back transmission device, seat back angle transmission device, and seat lifting transmission device to make corresponding adjustments. If each transmission device has a drive component or detector, it is also controlled by the control system. While the seat 1 is being adjusted, the control system controls the inflation mechanism to inflate each airbag. The adjustment of the seat 1 and the inflation of each airbag are completed within 1 second after the seat alarm device 2 issues a warning.

[0064] Step S6: The occupant assumes and maintains the optimal protective posture, specifically, as follows: Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the optimal protective posture is the occupant's head-tilt, foot-hugging protective posture. The foot-hugging protective posture involves the upper torso leaning forward, both arms tightly hugging the first airbag 401, both legs clamping the first airbag 401, the chest pressed against the first airbag 401, and a certain amount of space left between the head and the front. The occupant's hands tightly hug the first airbag 401 to reduce the injury to the occupant's head, neck, and chest. The second airbags 402 on both sides are arc-shaped, which matches the shape of the sides when the human body is tilted forward at 30°, wrapping the human body between the airbag and the seat back to form a certain curved space and reduce the overall load on the upper body.

[0065] Step S7: When the helicopter crashes, the seat anti-crash energy absorption device will dissipate the energy load generated at the moment of impact.

[0066] In summary, this system has an acceleration warning active adjustment function, an acceleration warning active protection function, and a dual protection function that combines active and passive protection.

[0067] The acceleration warning and active adjustment function works as follows: When the helicopter's descent speed is V>7.79m / s, the accelerometer installed under the crash seat cushion of the helicopter pilot can detect the helicopter's descent speed and predict the aircraft's status. When the aircraft's descent speed is too fast, i.e. V>7.79m / s, the seat alarm device 2 connected to the accelerometer will sound an alarm, reminding the pilot to prepare for the fall and transmitting a signal to the control system. The system will retrieve the data information of the best protection posture for the fall and automatically adjust the seat to the best protection state that meets human characteristics, reducing the damage caused by acceleration impact to the human body and maximizing the protection of the pilot's life safety.

[0068] Among them, the acceleration warning active protection function is as follows: the acceleration sensor detects the helicopter's status in advance. When the helicopter's descent speed V>7.79m / s, the seat alarm device 2 will sound an alarm and adjust the seat to the optimal protection state in advance. Within 1 second after the alarm, the safety airbag will automatically deploy from the front side of the seat to provide active protection and reduce the injury caused by acceleration impact to the human body.

[0069] The system combines active and passive protection to provide dual protection: It proposes a concept that integrates active and passive protection, providing triple protection to further improve survival rates. First, the accelerometer determines the aircraft's status. When it senses an impending crash, the seat takes active protective measures, adjusting to the optimal position for human protection and deploying airbags from three directions to absorb energy loads during the subsequent fall, providing cushioning and shock absorption – this is one aspect of active protection. Simultaneously, the seat itself has an energy-absorbing design at the moment of impact, representing a passive protection approach. This further optimizes existing crash-resistant seat systems, improving occupant survival rates.

[0070] The above description discloses only preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Therefore, equivalent variations made in accordance with the claims of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A helicopter seat posture active adjustment and protection system, characterized in that, It includes: seat (1), seat alarm device (2), seat anti-fall energy absorption device, seat restraint device (3), acceleration sensor device, seat airbag device, seat drive device and control system; The seat (1) includes a seat support frame (101), a seat basin (102) disposed on the seat support frame (101), a seat cushion (103) disposed on the seat basin (102), and a backrest (104). The seat alarm device (2) is used to issue a crash warning to the occupants; The seat anti-crash energy absorption device is used to enable the seat (1) to absorb the energy load of the crash when the helicopter crashes; The seat restraint device (3) is used to prevent the occupants from being ejected from the seat (1) during the helicopter crash and to dissipate the force of the impact. The acceleration sensing device is located under the seat cushion (103) and is used to collect acceleration information of the seat basin (102) in the vertical direction and transmit the acceleration information to the control system. The seat airbag device includes a first airbag (401) disposed on the side of the seat cushion (103) away from the backrest (104), a second airbag (402) disposed on both sides of the seat cushion (103), and a corresponding inflation mechanism; The seat drive device includes a first motor for driving the seat (1) to move back and forth, a second motor for driving the seat (1) to lift up and down, and a third motor for driving the seat back angle adjustment. The first motor, the second motor and the third motor are all connected to the control system. It also includes a seat front and rear transmission device, a seat lifting transmission device and a seat back angle transmission device. The control system includes an attitude data storage module, which stores digital signals of the optimal protective posture during a helicopter crash.

2. The helicopter seat posture active adjustment and protection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The seat anti-fall energy absorption device is installed in the seat support frame (101), and it is a variable load energy absorber or a roll-up tube type energy absorber.

3. The helicopter seat posture active adjustment and protection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The seat restraint device (3) uses a five-point seat belt.

4. The helicopter seat posture active adjustment and protection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first airbag (401) is spherical in shape, and the second airbag (402) is arc-shaped, and the shapes of the two sides match the shape of the human body when it is tilted forward at a certain angle.

5. The helicopter seat posture active adjustment and protection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The seat's front-to-back transmission mechanism includes an adjustment track; The digital signals include seat height H, seat front-to-back distance L, and seat back angle R. The seat height H is the distance from the end face of the seat cushion (103) to the helicopter floor. The seat front-to-back distance L is the length of the adjustment track. The seat back angle R is the angle between the backrest (104) and the seat cushion (103). Digital signals for optimal protective posture: The seat height H is 350mm-500mm, the seat fore-aft distance L is 250mm-350mm, and the seat back angle R is 25°-35°.

6. A method for active posture adjustment protection of a helicopter seat, applied to the active posture adjustment protection system of a helicopter seat as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, It includes the following steps: Step S1: Before the helicopter takes off, the occupants sit in the seats (1) and are protected by the seat restraint devices (3); Step S2: During helicopter flight, the acceleration sensing device collects the vertical acceleration information of the seat basin (102) in real time and transmits the acceleration information to the control system. Step S3: When the helicopter crashes and descends, when the helicopter's falling speed V>7.79m / s, the control system controls the seat alarm device (2) to issue a crash warning to the occupants; Step S4: The control system retrieves the digital signal of the optimal protective posture from the posture data storage module for data processing, obtains the seat (1) adjustment data, calculates the working parameters of each motor, and outputs corresponding pulse signals to each motor; Step S5: After receiving the pulse signal from the control system, each motor cooperates with the seat front-to-back transmission device, the seat back angle transmission device, and the seat lifting transmission device to make corresponding adjustments. While the seat (1) is being adjusted, the control system controls the inflation mechanism to inflate each airbag; Step S6: The occupant assumes the optimal protective posture and maintains it; Step S7: When the helicopter crashes, the seat anti-crash energy absorption device will dissipate the energy load generated at the moment of impact.

7. The helicopter seat posture active adjustment and protection method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The control system retrieves the digital signal of the optimal protective posture, namely, the seat height H is 450mm, the seat front-to-back distance L is 300mm, and the seat back angle R is 30°. By processing these parameters, the operating parameters of each motor are obtained, and corresponding pulse signals are output to each motor.

8. The helicopter seat posture active adjustment and protection method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The adjustment of the seat (1) and the inflation of each airbag are completed within 1 second after the seat alarm device (2) issues a warning.

9. The helicopter seat posture active adjustment and protection method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The optimal protective posture is the occupant's head-forward, foot-hugging protective posture, in which the upper torso is leaning forward, the arms are tightly wrapped around the first airbag (401), the legs are clamped around the first airbag (401), the chest is pressed against the first airbag (401), and there is a certain amount of space between the head and the front.

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