Dynamic Parachute Head Restraint for Neck Injury Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ejection seat parachutes cause neck hyperextension and injury due to angular momentum changes during deployment, and existing head restraints are uncomfortable and restrict motion, limiting the pilot's ability to find a clear landing area.
Innovation Solution
A system that translates a head restraint along the risers of the parachute assembly using control lines and chords, allowing the head restraint to be removed during steady-state descent to increase the pilot's range of motion and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a head restraint is provided to limit translation of the pilot's head during deployment, then neck injury risk is reduced, but head movement range and comfort are restricted during steady state descent
Solution Approach 1:
The head restraint is made dynamically adjustable through a control line system that allows the pilot to translate the head restraint along the riser. During deployment, the head restraint remains in the engaged position to prevent neck injury. During steady state descent, the pilot can pull the control line to translate the head restraint to a different position or disengage it, thereby increasing head movement range and comfort without compromising the protective function when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the position parameter of the head restraint along the riser based on flight phase. The head restraint can be positioned at multiple locations along the riser, allowing optimization of its function: positioned to limit head translation during high-g deployment phases, and repositioned or removed during steady state descent to improve comfort and visibility. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between protection and comfort.
2Reliability
If a head restraint is provided to limit translation of the pilot's head, then neck injury risk is reduced, but sight lines are restricted affecting the pilot's ability to look for a clear landing area
Solution Approach 1:
The head restraint position is made dynamic rather than fixed. The control line system enables the pilot to adjust the head restraint position along the riser based on operational phase. During deployment, the head restraint provides necessary protection. During steady state descent and landing approach, the pilot can translate the head restraint to improve sight lines and adaptability for scanning the landing area, thus resolving the contradiction between injury prevention and adaptability.
3Reliability
If a head restraint is provided to limit translation of the pilot's head, then neck injury risk is reduced, but comfort is decreased during steady state descent
Solution Approach 1:
The head restraint system transitions from a static, always-engaged configuration to a dynamic system where the pilot can control the head restraint position and engagement state. During high-g deployment, the head restraint is engaged to prevent neck injury. During steady state descent, the pilot can use the control line to translate or disengage the head restraint, significantly improving comfort without compromising the protective function when needed. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between reliability and comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for translating a head restraint of a parachute assembly away from a head of an occupant supported by the parachute assembly may comprise a chord coupled to the head restraint and at least one of a control line configured to manipulate a canopy of the parachute assembly or a handle coupled to the control line.