Monument Mounted Airbag Intercepting Passenger Path

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

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 potential 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

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an airbag is mounted in protective relation between the passenger and monument, then passenger safety is improved, but space restrictions are worsened due to limited available space between seat and adjacent monument

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger safetyVSAvoidavailable space between seat and monument

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The airbag system is nested within the monument structure itself, with the airbag housed in a containment member that is integrated into the monument. This allows the safety system to occupy minimal additional space while still providing effective protection between the passenger and monument.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The airbag is configured to deploy in a direction that intercepts the passenger's path of travel, rather than deploying perpendicular to the monument surface. This directional deployment optimizes space utilization by deploying into the passenger's momentum path rather than requiring lateral space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Speed

If the airbag is configured to deploy toward the seat, then deployment speed is improved, but effectiveness is worsened when the passenger deviates from a predetermined path of travel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidpassenger interception effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The airbag containment member is designed to rotate or pivot during deployment, allowing the airbag to dynamically adjust its deployment direction to intercept the passenger's actual path of travel. This dynamic adjustment maintains both rapid deployment and effective passenger interception.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the deployment parameters of the airbag based on detected crash conditions, including deployment direction, inflation pressure, and timing. These parameter adjustments optimize the airbag's ability to intercept passengers who may deviate from predetermined paths while maintaining rapid deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the airbag main body is configured with a curved configuration, then adaptability to monument shapes is improved, but manufacturing complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformity to monument surfacesVSAvoidairbag manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The airbag main body is configured with a curved or oblong shape that can conform to the curved surfaces of monuments. This curvature allows the airbag to adapt to various monument geometries while still being manufacturable using standard airbag fabrication techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The curved airbag configuration serves multiple functions: it conforms to monument surfaces, provides extended surface area for force distribution, and maintains structural integrity during deployment. This multi-functionality justifies the additional manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 intercepts the passenger's path, spreading the arresting force across a larger surface area and conforming to monument shapes, while adhering to safety and flammability standards.

Implementation Method 1

an airbag assembly having an airbag and housing or mounting structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas expansion:

Implementation Method 2

meeting FAA flammability regulations with materials like polyester fiber substrates and phosphate-phosphonate compounds

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlame retardancy:

Data Source

PatentUS9821913B1Monument mounted airbag

Publication Date: 2017.11.21 SCHROTH SAFETY PRODUCTS LLC

AI summary

A monument mounted airbag system includes an airbag assembly including at least an airbag mounted directly forward of a passenger, and configured to deploy away from the passenger along an intercepting course with a predetermined path of travel of the passenger. Additionally, the airbag may be configured to substantially conform to a monument disposed in proximity thereto, and may include side support, lower support, and active vents.