Aircraft Life Vest Packaging Unit with Integrated Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing life vest devices for aircraft seats are cumbersome to replace and require additional sealing, which can disrupt aircraft operations and increase maintenance time.

Innovation Solution

A life vest device with a packaging unit that includes a fixation unit for secure attachment to the aircraft seat, allowing for simple and rapid replacement without separate sealing, featuring an integrated opening mechanism that is tear-proof and can be actuated to irreversibly open the packaging unit, ensuring safe and efficient handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate sealing mechanism is used for the life vest packaging, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the device complexity and maintenance time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sealing function with the packaging unit itself by creating an integrated seal that is part of the packaging structure. The seal is formed by the packaging unit's design where the cover and base portions create a sealed environment without requiring separate sealing mechanisms, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging unit serves multiple functions: it protects the life vest, provides sealing, and enables easy replacement. The integrated design of the packaging unit with built-in sealing capability allows it to perform both protective and sealing functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate sealing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a complex opening mechanism is used for the packaging unit, then the sealing security is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing securityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging unit is divided into separate components: a cover portion and a base portion that can be easily separated. The opening mechanism uses a simple pull strap that detaches from the seal, allowing the cover to be removed from the base. This segmentation provides secure sealing when closed while enabling easy opening when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seal is designed as a single-use component that is discarded after opening. The pull strap and seal mechanism are simple, inexpensive elements that are destroyed during the opening process, providing secure sealing during storage while allowing rapid, tool-free opening when emergency equipment is needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If additional sealing components are added to the life vest device, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the weight and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is merged into the packaging unit structure itself. The packaging unit's cover and base portions form an integrated seal without requiring additional sealing components, thereby maintaining sealing reliability while minimizing weight and space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If the life vest device requires separate sealing and replacement procedures, then the safety is improved, but the productivity and replacement speed decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidreplacement speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into modular components: the life vest unit, the packaging unit with integrated seal, and the opening mechanism. This segmentation allows the entire packaged unit to be replaced as a single module, maintaining safety through secure sealing while enabling rapid replacement by simply removing the damaged packaging unit and installing a new one without separate sealing procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3805104B1Life vest device
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 RECARO AIRCRAFT SEATING GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3805104B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3805104B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3805104B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a life vest device (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d), in particular for a fixation on at least one aircraft seat (12a), with at least one life vest unit (30a; 30b; 30c; 30d), with at least one packaging unit (32a; 32b; 32c; 32d) for an, in particular sealed, accommodation of the at least one life vest unit (30a; 30b; 30c; 30d) and with at least one opening unit (52a; 52b; 52c; 52d) for an opening of the at least one packaging unit (32a; 32b; 32c; 32d). It is proposed that the at least one opening unit (52a; 52b; 52c; 52d) is functionally connected with the at least one life vest unit (30a; 30b; 30c; 30d) and that the at least one packaging unit (32a; 32b; 32c; 32d) comprises at least one fixation unit (38a; 38b; 38c, 108c; 38d) for a fixation on an aircraft seat (12a).