Inflatable Vehicle Extraction Device for Blast Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current occupant protection devices in military vehicles are inadequate in preventing secondary injuries during and after vehicle underbody blasts, as they fail to effectively stabilize and extract injured occupants without causing further harm, especially due to the risk of failure under extreme conditions and limited space within the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle extraction device comprising inflatable panels connected by inflation tubing, integrated with a seat cover that deploys into a rigid support structure for immobilizing patients, allowing for easy extraction and conversion to a supine position, featuring fabric detachment points and compatibility with existing litter racks, and made from X-ray transparent and MRI-compatible materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional occupant protection devices are used, then blast loading is reduced to within design levels, but there is still a 10-20% risk of injury and the devices may fail under extreme conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable extraction device provides pre-positioned support structures that are deployed after a blast event to cushion and stabilize the occupant during extraction. The device inflates to create a supportive environment that protects against secondary injuries during the evacuation process, addressing the residual injury risk that remains even when primary protection devices function as designed.
2Ease of operation
If the patient is extracted from the seated position, then medical treatment can be administered, but secondary injuries such as spinal cord injury and conversion of closed to open fracture may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction device is pre-positioned within the vehicle seat and rapidly deployed after a blast event. The device inflates to provide immediate stabilization of the patient's head, neck, spine, and extremities in the seated position, allowing medical treatment to begin without requiring patient movement that could cause secondary injuries.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable extraction device serves as an intermediary support structure between the patient and the extraction process. It provides a stable platform that maintains proper patient positioning and alignment during removal from the vehicle, preventing direct contact forces that could cause spinal cord injury or convert closed fractures to open fractures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the extraction device is made rigid for patient stabilization, then patient immobilization is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of deployment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction device transitions from a compact, flexible stored state to an inflated, rigid support structure through pneumatic inflation. This dynamic transformation allows the device to remain simple and easy to deploy in its deflated state while providing rigid stabilization when inflated, eliminating the need for complex mechanical assembly or heavy rigid components in the stored configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses pneumatic inflation to generate rigid support structures from flexible material. Air pressure inflates chambers within the extraction device, creating rigid surfaces for patient stabilization without requiring heavy metal frames or complex mechanical structures. The pneumatic system provides rapid deployment and easy storage while maintaining structural integrity during patient extraction.
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
The device provides effective stabilization and immobilization of patients during extraction, reducing the risk of secondary injuries by facilitating rapid and safe removal from the vehicle, even under extreme conditions, and allows for easy maneuverability and compatibility with medical equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of inflatable panels connected together by inflation tubing and simultaneously deployable from a flimsy to a substantially rigid yet resilient support structure
Data Source
AI summary
A softgoods seat covering convertible into vehicle extraction device for immobilizing a patient while still seated in the seat of a vehicle, and for safe extraction and transport thereafter. The device uses a plurality of inflatable panels enclosed within a woven cover and connected together by inflation tubing to an inflator for simultaneous or sequential inflation. In normal, pre-blast operations, the durable, uninflated device simply acts as the outer fabric of the seat back and seat cushion, with deployable structures folded/tucked behind the seat back and under the seat pan. Upon arrival of the medic, sections of the device are sequentially deployed through inflation and secured around the patient by wraparound straps to immobilize the patient in the sitting position, and to facilitate extraction and removal in a supine position. The device is intended to mitigate injuries/casualties caused by exposure to landmine or IED blasts.