An airbag assembly for leg flail protection and associated systems and methods are described herein. An airbag system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology can include, for example, a housing having a cavity and an opening in communication with the cavity, an airbag stowed within the cavity, and an inflator operably coupled to the airbag. The airbag can be configured to deploy through the opening of the housing during a crash or other significant dynamic event. The airbag can deploy outwardly from the side-facing seat to reduce occupant leg rotation during the crash or other significant dynamic event. The airbag can be pushed out of the housing before it is fully inflated. The airbag can be stowed and include folded first and second opposing side portions such that when the airbag is deployed, the portion nearest the occupant unfurls toward the occupant prior to the other portion farthest from the occupant unfurling in a direction away from the occupant.

An electronic module assembly (EMA) for use in controlling one or more personal restraint systems. A programmed processor within the EMA is configured to determine when a personal restraint system associated with each seat in a vehicle should be deployed. In addition, the programmed processor is configured to perform a diagnostic self-test to determine if the EMA and the personal restraint systems are operational. In one embodiment, results of the diagnostic self-test routine are displayed on a display included on the electronic module assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the results of the diagnostic self-test routine are transmitted via a wireless transceiver to a remote device. The remote device can include a wireless interrogator or can be a remote computer system such as a cabin management computer system.

A three-place aircraft divan configured to be installed side-facing in an aircraft and track between an upright sitting position and a berth position. Seat bottom and backrest portions of the divan are movably supported on a static frame and track together. The divan includes inflatable passenger restraints at each seat place and a leg flail prevention device at one end of the frame triggered to actuate in response to an event sensed by a mechanical crash sensor. The inboard leg arrangement of the divan accommodates the installation of two containers for containing high-capacity life rafts under the seat bottom frame, among other equipment.

A seat control system of an air vehicle for urban air mobility (UAM)UAM is provided. When the air vehicle turns strongly to one side during rotor failure of the air vehicle for UAM, side pads and air cells prevent the head and the body of a passenger seated on a seat in the air vehicle from being sharply tilted to the one side. Additionally, air bags of the side pads prevent and cushion impact energy applied to the head of the passenger at the moment when the air vehicle lands on the ground.

Systems and methods are provided for inflatable air pads for aircraft. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes an air pad affixed to a mount within an interior of an aircraft. The air pad includes a front face, a bladder that is inflatable within the air pad, and sides that constrain the front face of the air pad to extend a uniform distance outward from the mount when the bladder is inflated. The apparatus also includes an inflator that is coupled with the air pad and is configured to inflate the bladder from an undeployed volume to a deployed volume.

A method of making a flame resistant airbag suitable for use in aviation applications is discussed. A flame resistant fabric for the use in the construction of aviation airbags is woven from a high tenacity continuous polyester fiber substrate. A polyurethane coating is applied to the woven fabric, which has been treated with a flame retardant, to impart high pressure permeability resistance to the flame resistant fabric. The resulting fabric complies with Federal Aviation Requirement 25.853 as well as exhibits sufficient high pressure permeability resistance which is measured as a pressure of not less than about 198 kPa after five seconds from an initial inflation and pressurization to about 200 kPa, such as may be encountered in and during an inflation of aviation airbag assemblies.

An electronic module assembly (EMA) for use in controlling one or more personal restraint systems. A programmed processor within the EMA is configured to determine when a personal restraint system associated with each seat in a vehicle should be deployed. In addition, the programmed processor is configured to perform a diagnostic self-test to determine if the EMA and the personal restraint systems are operational. In one embodiment, results of the diagnostic self-test routine are displayed on a display included on the electronic module assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the results of the diagnostic self-test routine are transmitted via a wireless transceiver to a remote device. The remote device can include a wireless interrogator or can be a remote computer system such as a cabin management computer system.

A system for increasing passenger safety within an airplane (10) includes a forward seat (16) having a back surface (17) that faces an occupant seat (14). A tray table holder (22) is secured to or formed integrally with the back of the forward seat (16). A tray table (20) is rotatably connected to the tray table holder via a hinge (40) and is rotatable relative to the tray table holder. The tray table defines a cavity (32) inside the tray table. An airbag (54) is within the cavity. An inlet device (42) is coupled to the airbag and is rotatable about the hinge (40) such that the inflator inlet can rotate as the tray table rotates relative to the tray table holder. An inflator (52) is connected to the inlet device and is configured to deliver gas to the airbag through the inflator inlet.

An apparatus for dynamically tilting a seatpan in an aircraft passenger seating assembly includes a seat frame, seatback, seat cushion, and cushion support structure (e.g., a seatpan), the seat cushion and seatpan together having a forward end and a rear end and together supporting a passenger occupying the seating assembly. Accelerometers may detect an inertial event such as a rapid deceleration that may cause the passenger to pitch forward; dynamic seatpan actuators (e.g., airbags or ballistic devices) connected to the accelerometers react to the inertial event by detonating, driving the seatpan and seat cushion upward. As a result, the head path of the passenger may be redirected upward, alleviating the risk of passenger injury and component damage. Additional airbags may react to the inertial event by tightening the passenger seatbelt.

An airplane seat device includes at least one airplane seat, and at least one console arranged, viewed in a flight direction, in front of the airplane seat, and at least one airbag element which is configured to protect in a crash event a passenger sitting in the airplane seat from crashing onto the console. At least one airbag element features, in a fully deployed state, at least in a head-impact zone, a thickness which is smaller than a thickness in at least one shoulder-impact zone.