Inflatable Pod System for Aircraft Passenger Comfort and Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft passengers face discomfort and safety issues due to limited space and lack of effective solutions for rest and protection during long flights, with existing headrests and seat push-back capabilities being inadequate for comfort and safety.

Innovation Solution

An inflatable pod system that can be inflated using bleed air from an aircraft's environmental control system or manually, positioned beneath a seat, and triggered for inflation via an electronic signal, providing a comfortable resting area and potential safety feature in emergency situations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an inflatable pod system is added to provide comfort and safety, then passenger comfort and safety are improved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inflatable pod is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides comfort support during normal flight and acts as a safety device during emergencies. The same structure and inflation mechanism are used for both comfort and safety purposes, eliminating the need for separate systems and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The inflatable pod system utilizes the aircraft's existing environmental control system (ECS) bleed air supply for inflation, rather than requiring a dedicated air compressor or gas cylinder. This self-service approach leverages available aircraft systems to reduce the complexity and weight of the safety device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If an inflatable pod system is added to provide comfort and safety, then passenger comfort and safety are improved, but weight of the aircraft increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the aircraft's existing ECS bleed air infrastructure to inflate the pod, avoiding the need for heavy dedicated air storage tanks or compressors. By tapping into the existing pressurized air supply, the system achieves safety functionality with minimal additional weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The inflatable pod itself is constructed from lightweight flexible materials that can be easily folded and stored when not in use. The thin-film construction provides the necessary safety function while adding minimal weight compared to rigid safety structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If the inflatable pod is positioned beneath the seat, then ease of installation and retrofitting is improved, but the volume available for passenger space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidpassenger space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The inflatable pod is designed as a modular component that can be independently installed beneath the seat without modifying the entire seat structure. This segmentation allows for easy retrofitting while minimizing disruption to the existing seat design and passenger space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deflated inflatable pod is designed to be compact and nest within the space beneath the seat, utilizing otherwise wasted space. When inflated, it extends upward to provide the necessary support function without encroaching significantly on passenger space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enhances passenger comfort by providing a more ergonomic resting position and increases safety through the use of an inflatable pod that can be deployed for shock absorption during emergencies, with minimal weight addition to the aircraft and easy retrofitting into existing seats.

Implementation Method 1

the hose assembly delivers bleed air from the air duct of the aircraft, as provided by an environmental control system (ECS) of the aircraft, to the inflatable pod to inflate the inflatable pod

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBleed air:

Implementation Method 2

increases safety through the use of an inflatable pod that can be deployed for shock absorption during emergencies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorption:

Data Source

PatentUS11440663B2Inflatable pod systems on a aircraft and methods for inflating the inflatable pod systems

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

An inflatable pod system on an aircraft includes an inflatable pod including a nozzle to receive air for inflation of the inflatable pod, and a hose assembly including a first end having an adaptor fitting that is configured to press fit with an air duct nozzle of an air duct of the aircraft and a second end having an adaptor configured to couple to the nozzle. In an example, the hose assembly delivers bleed air from the air duct, as provided by an environmental control system (ECS) of the aircraft, to the inflatable pod to inflate the inflatable pod. In another example, an air duct assembly line couples the ECS with the inflatable pod, and a control system triggers inflation via the air duct assembly line based on receipt of an electronic inflation signal.