Seat Pan Impulse Loading for Free-Flail Spinal Tension Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-speed vehicle accidents, front row passengers without a seatback in front of them experience high spinal tension loads due to sudden deceleration, which current safety devices like seatbelts and airbags often fail to adequately mitigate, requiring a more effective restraint system.
Innovation Solution
A safety seat system with an impulse generator coupled to the seat pan that delivers an axial compression load to the spine during deceleration events, activated by a controller and inertial sensor, using various energy sources such as compressed springs or chemical reactions to counteract spinal tension loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If 3-point or 5-point harness systems, airbags or other restraint systems are used to protect free flail passengers, then passenger safety is improved, but device weight and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The impulse generator is pre-loaded with stored energy (spring compression, gas pressure, or chemical charge) during normal vehicle operation. Upon detection of a deceleration event by the inertial sensor, the pre-stored energy is rapidly released to apply axial compression to the spine, eliminating the need for heavy continuous restraint structures while maintaining protective capability when needed.
2Reliability
If 3-point or 5-point harness systems, airbags or other restraint systems are used to protect free flail passengers, then passenger safety is improved, but structural reinforcement is required to withstand load
Solution Approach 1:
The impulse generator is pre-loaded with stored energy (spring compression, gas pressure, or chemical charge) during normal vehicle operation. Upon detection of a deceleration event by the inertial sensor, the pre-stored energy is rapidly released to apply axial compression to the spine, eliminating the need for heavy continuous restraint structures while maintaining protective capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates in two distinct phases: a normal phase where the impulse generator is pre-loaded and held ready, and an activation phase where stored energy is rapidly released. This periodic operation allows the system to maintain low complexity during normal operation while providing high-protection capability only when the deceleration sensor triggers activation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If current safety devices like seatbelts and airbags are used, then some protection is provided, but they fail to adequately mitigate high spinal tension loads during sudden deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
Conventional safety devices apply restraint forces that oppose forward motion during deceleration, which creates spinal tension loads. This invention inverts the approach by applying axial compression forces in the same direction as the deceleration, converting harmful tension loads into beneficial compression loads that stabilize the spine and reduce injury risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fundamental parameter of force direction applied to the spine. Instead of applying restraint forces that create tension (conventional approach), the impulse generator applies axial compression forces that stabilize the spine. This parameter change from tension to compression fundamentally improves protection effectiveness against spinal injuries during sudden deceleration.
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 spinal tension loads during sudden decelerations, minimizing the risk of injury to the spine, pelvis, and other body parts by applying controlled axial compression loads, thereby enhancing passenger safety.
Implementation Method 1
the stored energy source is configured as a compressed spring
Implementation Method 2
the stored energy source is configured as an explosive
Implementation Method 3
the stored energy source is configured as a compressed gas or gas spring
Implementation Method 4
the impulse generator further comprises a solenoid. In some embodiments of the system, the impulse generator further comprises a piston mechanically disposed within the solenoid and mechanically coupled to the seat pan, wherein an activation of the solenoid translates the piston
Implementation Method 5
a controller communicatively coupled to the impulse generator and an inertial sensor. In one or more embodiments, instructions stored upon the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to receive a forward deceleration signal from the inertial sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for delivering an axial compression load to a passenger during a frontal deceleration event is disclosed. The system includes a seat frame, a seat pan, and an impulse generator coupled to the seat pan configured to provide an axial compression load onto a spine of a sitting passenger during a forward deceleration event. The system further includes a controller configured to receive a forward deceleration signal from the inertial sensor and activate the impulse generator based on the forward deceleration signal. The impulse generator may generate a compressive force via a chemical reaction, via a mechanically stored energy, a solenoid switch, or via a rotating cam assembly.