Active Seatback Shrouds for Neck Injury Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger seat designs fail to adequately reduce neck flexion and associated injuries during emergency events, such as crashes, due to the presence of protrusions like latch mechanisms on the seatback.
Innovation Solution
The passenger seat incorporates an accelerometer to detect emergency events, triggering an actuator to translate surfaces connected to the seatback, including tray tables and molding, to create a smoother surface that shields the latch mechanism and reduces neck injury risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If latch mechanisms and tray tables are secured on the seatback, then the tray table can be held in place during normal operation, but protrusions are created that increase neck injury risk during emergency events
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to transition from a static protruding state during normal operation to a dynamic retracted state during emergency events. The mechanism includes a latch body that can move between extended and retracted positions, allowing it to maintain tray table securing function during normal use while eliminating protrusions that cause neck injuries during crashes or emergency braking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects emergency events using accelerometers and triggers the latch mechanism to retract before impact occurs. By detecting deceleration forces indicative of a crash or emergency braking event, the system proactively retracts the latch mechanism to eliminate the protrusion that would otherwise cause neck injury, thereby preventing harm before it occurs.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the latch mechanism is retracted to reduce neck injury risk, then protrusions are eliminated, but the tray table securing function may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism operates in two distinct states: an extended state during normal operation where the latch arm engages with the tray table to prevent accidental deployment, and a retracted state during emergency events where the mechanism pulls back to eliminate protrusions. This dynamic switching allows the system to maintain tray table securing function when needed while eliminating injury risks during crashes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses accelerometers to detect emergency events and triggers latch retraction before impact occurs. The preliminary detection and response ensure that the latch mechanism is retracted in time to prevent neck injuries, while the tray table remains secured through alternative means or by design that allows temporary unsecuring without causing harm during the emergency event.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the surface of the seatback is made smooth to prevent head entrapment, then neck injury risk is reduced, but the structural integrity and functionality of the seatback may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The seatback surface maintains a smooth contour in the retracted state of the latch mechanism, eliminating steps or protrusions that could cause head entrapment or neck injuries during impact. The dynamic design allows the surface to transition from an irregular state with the latch extended to a smooth state when the latch retracts, preserving both safety and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively retracts the latch mechanism upon detecting an emergency event, creating a smooth surface profile before head impact can occur. This preliminary action eliminates the risk of head entrapment on latch protrusions or surface irregularities, while the overall seatback structure maintains its structural integrity through the retractable design that preserves material strength.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces the likelihood of neck injuries by smoothing out the surface of the seatback during impacts, thereby minimizing the risk of head entrapment and longitudinal motion or vibration.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer configured to generate a signal in response to detecting an acceleration indicative of an emergency event
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A passenger seat is described which reduces neck deflection in a 16G loading event. The passenger seat includes one or more seatback surfaces which translate to shield a surface, such as a latch mechanism (114), during the crash event. By shielding the latch mechanism, a smooth surface is created, thereby reducing a likelihood of a passenger's head becoming trapped on the latch mechanism. The seatback surfaces actuated include one or more of a shroud (116) surrounding the latch mechanism, a pocket (120) defined by the shroud, or a hinged surface.