Ejection Seat Connector Control for Pilot-Specific Setting Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aircraft ejection systems require time-consuming manual adjustments of settings during pre-flight checks, which can be inefficient and prone to errors, as they do not account for individual pilot preferences or physical characteristics.

Innovation Solution

An automatic adjustment system using a connector with pins to identify users and retrieve specific settings from a database, adjusting settings such as parachute deployment timing, seat position, and interseat timing based on user identifiers, physical characteristics, and preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of ejection seat settings is performed during pre-flight checks, then individual pilot preferences and physical characteristics can be accommodated, but the pre-flight preparation time is significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of individual pilot preferencesVSAvoidpre-flight preparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system stores ejection seat settings preferences for multiple pilots in advance in a database before flight operations begin. When a pilot boards, the system automatically retrieves and applies their pre-stored preferences, eliminating the need for manual adjustment during pre-flight checks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically identifies the pilot through the connector and autonomously adjusts all ejection seat settings without requiring manual intervention from ground crew or the pilot themselves. The adjustment process occurs automatically based on the retrieved pilot profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If manual adjustment of each ejection seat setting is performed separately, then precise control over each parameter is achieved, but the adjustment process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of setting adjustmentVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple individual setting adjustments into a single automated operation. By retrieving a complete pilot profile containing all preferred settings and applying them simultaneously, the system consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate manual adjustments into one unified process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment of ejection seat settings with an automated electronic control system. The connector interface and database retrieval mechanism substitute for manual操作流程, using electronic signals to control seat positioning mechanisms rather than manual manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If manual input of ejection settings is performed, then flexibility in adjusting each parameter is maintained, but the process is prone to human errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of setting inputVSAvoidlevel of automated adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the connector interface to automatically identify which pilot is boarding and retrieves their specific profile from the database. This feedback mechanism ensures the correct pilot's preferences are applied, eliminating errors that could occur from manual input confusion or misidentification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates and stores digital copies of each pilot's preferred ejection seat settings in the database. These copied profiles are then automatically retrieved and applied, ensuring exact replication of the pilot's preferences without the variability and potential errors of manual re-input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3974320B1Automatic ejection seat performance and accomodation optimization based on connector
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 AMI IND INC
  • EP3974320B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3974320B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3974320B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A system (300) for automatic optimization of an ejection system (200) for an aircraft includes the ejection system having a plurality of adjustable settings and having a plurality of components (204,206,208,210). The system further includes a connector (212;218;224;230) configured to connect to a component of the plurality of components and having a connector portion that includes information corresponding to a user of the ejection system. The system further includes a controller (302) coupled to the ejection system and configured to adjust at least one of the plurality of the adjustable settings of the ejection system based on the information corresponding to the user of the ejection system.