Seat Protection Airbag Fluid Conveyance via Diffusion Box
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety devices for aircraft passengers, such as retention harnesses with inflatable airbags, face challenges in easy installation and maintenance on pre-existing seats, particularly those with retractable straps, and require complex fluid conveyance systems.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring inflatable lateral airbags integrated with shoulder straps and a headrest-mounted inflator, which includes a hollow support and fluid diffusion box to inflate airbags without pipes, allowing for easy installation and compact design, with optional slide means for strap movement and fusible sections for chest protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pipes are used to convey fluid from the inflator to the protection airbags, then the fluid can be delivered reliably, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pipes from the system by extracting the fluid conveyance function to the airbags themselves. The airbags are designed with internal fluid channels that receive fluid directly from the inflator without requiring external piping, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable fluid delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbags serve as intermediaries that both protect the passenger and convey fluid internally. By integrating fluid channels within the airbag structure, the system uses the airbag itself as the mediator for fluid transport, eliminating the need for separate pipe components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the protection airbags are integrated with movable shoulder straps, then the protection adapts to strap movement, but fluid conveyance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protection function and fluid conveyance function into a single integrated airbag structure. The airbag is combined with the shoulder strap and contains internal fluid channels that move with the strap, allowing the system to adapt to strap movement while maintaining simple fluid delivery through the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag structure is designed to be dynamic and flexible, moving together with the shoulder strap during normal operation. The internal fluid channels are configured to accommodate this movement, allowing the airbag to maintain its protective position and function while adapting to the dynamic nature of the retractable strap.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device is installed on pre-existing seats with retractable straps, then the device can be used on existing aircraft seats, but the installation and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection device is divided into separate modular components: the airbags that integrate with the shoulder straps, the headrest with integrated inflator, and the control system. This segmentation allows the device to be installed on pre-existing seats by adding only the necessary components rather than redesigning the entire seat system, thereby improving installation ease while maintaining compatibility.
4Reliability
If the airbags are positioned close to the individual's body, then the protection effectiveness increases, but the risk of rebound impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the airbags close to the individual's body and activates them during a collision event to provide immediate protection. The airbags are inflated in advance of the actual impact with external objects, creating a cushioning barrier that protects the passenger from both the initial collision forces and any subsequent rebound impacts by maintaining continuous protective contact.
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
Provides effective protection against occupant rebound and impacts by inflating airbags close to the body, minimizing complexity and enhancing ease of integration on various seats, while maintaining compactness and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid diffusion box arranged in the nape airbag in order to convey fluid from the inflator to the nape airbag and to the inflatable lateral means
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a protection device (10) having a set (11) of protection inflatable members (15, 20, 25) including left and right inflatable lateral means (20, 25) that are suitable for co-operating respectively with the left and right shoulder straps (6, 7), said device (10) possessing an inflator (30) for inflating said protection inflatable members (15, 20, 25). The device includes a headrest (35) carrying a nape airbag (15) of said set of inflatable members (15, 20, 25), the nape airbag (15) including one passage (16, 17) per inflatable lateral means (20, 25) in order to convey fluid to each inflatable lateral means (20, 25), said headrest (35) being provided with a hollow support (40) carrying said inflator (30) and with a fluid diffusion box (50) arranged in the nape airbag (15) so as to convey a fluid from the inflator (30) to the nape airbag (15) and to the inflatable lateral means (20, 25).