Monument-Mounted Airbag Angular Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airbag systems are inefficient in protecting passengers seated in angled seats during aircraft crashes, as they fail to intercept and arrest passengers effectively due to space constraints and irregular monument shapes, leading to increased risk of head and neck injuries.
Innovation Solution
A monument-mounted airbag system with a partially oblong, curved airbag configuration that includes lower and side supports to intercept the passenger's torso and head, deploying from a position that intercepts the passenger's path of travel, utilizing existing spaces and conforming to curved monument surfaces, and meeting FAA flammability regulations with materials like polyester fiber substrates and phosphate-phosphonate compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an airbag is mounted in protective relation between the passenger and monument, then the risk of passenger collision with monument is reduced, but space restrictions prevent effective deployment and mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag system is nested within the monument structure itself, with the airbag housed in a cavity or compartment formed within the monument. This allows the airbag to be mounted in protective relation to the passenger while utilizing the monument's internal space rather than requiring additional external space between the seat and monument.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag is configured to deploy in a direction that is not directly forward but at an angle toward the monument, utilizing the three-dimensional space within the monument structure. This angular deployment path allows the airbag to effectively intercept the passenger while conforming to the limited space constraints of the monument mounting location.
2Reliability
If the airbag deploys toward the seat, then it can intercept passengers in predetermined paths, but it fails when passengers deviate from the predetermined path
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is mounted on the monument in a position and orientation that allows it to dynamically respond to passengers traveling at various angles. The airbag's deployment direction is angled toward the monument rather than directly forward, creating a deployment pattern that can intercept passengers whether they travel in the predetermined path or deviate from it, thereby adapting to different crash scenarios.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the airbag is mounted on a curved or irregular monument surface, then it can conform to the monument shape, but mounting and deployment become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is configured with varying local properties to match the monument's irregular surface geometry. Different portions of the airbag have different shapes, sizes, and deployment characteristics tailored to conform to specific regions of the curved or irregular monument surface, allowing the airbag to adapt to the monument's unique shape while maintaining effective passenger protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag incorporates curved and rounded geometric features that allow it to conform to the curved surfaces of the monument. The airbag's overall shape and internal structure are designed with curvature that matches the monument's irregular geometry, enabling the airbag to mount effectively on curved surfaces and deploy in a manner that follows the monument's contours.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the airbag spreads arresting force across a larger surface area, then the risk of head and neck injuries is reduced, but the airbag requires more space to achieve full deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The airbag is nested within the monument structure, utilizing the monument's internal volume to achieve full deployment of the airbag's protective surface area. This nesting arrangement allows the airbag to expand to its full protective capacity within the confined space of the monument, providing sufficient surface area to spread arresting force without requiring additional external space.
Solution Approach 2:
The airbag deploys in an angular direction toward the monument rather than directly forward, utilizing the three-dimensional space within the monument more efficiently. This angular deployment allows the airbag to achieve a larger effective surface area for force distribution by expanding in multiple directions within the available monument volume, thereby reducing the space constraint while maintaining injury protection.
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 system effectively reduces the risk of head and neck injuries by deploying the airbag in a direction that aligns with the passenger's path, spreading the arresting force across a larger surface area and providing a safer posture, while conforming to the monument shape and meeting safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
an airbag assembly having an airbag and housing or mounting structure, mounted forward of, and offset to one side of, or laterally offset from, the aircraft seat. Additionally, the airbag is configured to deploy from a position offset from the seat, toward the seat, at an angle thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A monument mounted airbag system for arresting passenger movement during a sudden acceleration/deceleration event of a moving vehicle includes an airbag assembly including at least one airbag on a first portion of a monument structure, the airbag assembly having a housing at least partially defined by a space between an external member and the monument structure.