Ejection Mode Selection Using Rear-Seat Occupant Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ejection systems in dual occupant aircraft lack the ability to automatically differentiate between pilots and non-pilots, leading to potential unsafe ejection scenarios where a non-pilot may initiate an ejection, potentially endangering the aircraft and its occupants.

Innovation Solution

An automatic ejection mode selection system that includes a user detection system to determine the occupancy of a second ejection seat, adjusting the ejection system to specific modes based on whether the seat is occupied by a pilot, a non-pilot, or is empty, ensuring safe and appropriate ejection sequences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the ejection system is designed to eject both seats in dual occupant configuration, then complete evacuation of all occupants is achieved, but a non-pilot initiating ejection could endanger the aircraft and pilot

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of ejection systemVSAvoidcomplexity of ejection control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical control of ejection sequences with an automated electronic control system. The controller automatically determines the appropriate ejection mode based on sensor inputs and occupancy detection, eliminating the need for manual selection by the pilot and reducing the risk of human error in mode selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The ejection system performs self-diagnosis and automatic mode selection based on detected occupancy conditions. The controller automatically configures the ejection sequence according to whether the rear seat contains a pilot or non-pilot, allowing the system to serve itself without external intervention and ensuring safe operation even if the pilot is incapacitated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If manual mode selection is required for ejection, then pilot control and decision-making are maintained, but response time is increased and error potential is heightened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of ejection system operationVSAvoidtime for mode selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of occupancy conditions and pre-configures the appropriate ejection mode before an ejection event occurs. Sensors continuously monitor the rear seat status, and the controller maintains readiness of the determined ejection sequence, so that when ejection is initiated, the system can execute immediately without delay for manual mode selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously receives feedback from occupancy sensors and automatically adjusts the ejection mode based on current conditions. This closed-loop control ensures the system responds dynamically to changes in occupancy status, maintaining optimal configuration without requiring pilot intervention for mode changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11505326B2Automatic mode selection system

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 AMI IND INC

AI summary

A system for automatic ejection mode selection may comprise: a first ejection seat configured to receive a first pilot; a second ejection seat configured to receive a second pilot or a non-pilot; a user detection system configured to determine whether the second ejection seat has the second pilot, the non-pilot, or is empty; and a controller configured to adjust an ejection system in response to determining whether the second ejection seat has the second pilot, the non-pilot, or is empty.