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 adaptive force vehicle airbag (AFVA) system includes airbag(s) stowed in a compressed state within an interior of a vehicle. An impact sensor detects a change in motion of the vehicle indicative of a collision. Selectable force gas generator(s) (SFGGs) gas-generating propellant cells that are individually fired. The SFGGs have conduit(s) that receive gas from fired gas-generating propellant cells and direct the gas to inflate at least one of the airbag(s). A controller is communicatively coupled to the inflation initiating component and the gas-generating propellant cells of the SFGGs. The controller enables the AFVA system to: (i) receive an inflation signal from the impact sensor; and (ii) fire a selected number of the gas-generating propellant cells to at least partially inflate the at least one airbag.

A neck protection system includes a support structure, helmet, force transmission arrangement, actuator arrangement, sensor arrangement, and controller. The force transmission arrangement is coupled to the support structure and the helmet and applies a relative force between them. The actuator arrangement applies a load to the force transmission arrangement to initiate the relative force between the support structure and the helmet. The sensor arrangement measures movement changes of a vehicle. The controller is connected to the sensor arrangement to receive data representing the measured movement changes, and connected to the actuator arrangement, and generates and sends control commands to the actuator arrangement based on which the actuator arrangement applies the load to the force transmission arrangement. The controller receives maneuver information from a control computer of a vehicle and generates the control commands based on the received maneuver information and/or based on measurements of the sensor arrangement.

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.

In a triggering system for activating a safety device, an acceleration sensor outputs a signal for a time duration in which an acceleration impulse exceeds an acceleration magnitude threshold. A first switching device receives the signal output by the acceleration sensor, and electrically connects a power supply to at least one safety response device for the time duration. A time delay device, upon completion of a delay time after receiving the signal output by the acceleration sensor, outputs a signal for the time duration. A second switching device receives the signal output by the time delay device, and electrically connects the power supply to the at least one safety response device for the time duration. When the time duration exceeds the delay time, the first switching device and the second switching device concurrently electrically connect the safety response device to the power supply, activating the safety response device.

A life protection device system is proposed. More particularly, the life protection device system includes: a shock absorbing device provided with a shock absorbing part, a shock absorber, and an airbag that are mounted on a moving object so as to absorb impact to protect the life of passengers in a crash or collision of the moving object; a measuring device detecting the shock applied to the moving object; a controller generating a preset driving control signal according to the detected shock of the measuring device; and an artificial intelligence part notifying of an occurrence of a disaster and asking for help from a designated disaster center in response to the driving control signal of the controller, wherein the impact on the passengers is minimized even when the moving object such as a drone, autonomous aircraft, and autonomous vehicle crashes or collides, or falls into a river or sea.

The present invention discloses a multiple-chamber airbag structure where the airbag design has at least a stiff lower section to reduce the chest velocity and a soft upper section to meet the HIC requirements. Although stowed and deployed as a unitary airbag, the present invention includes separate chambers, which allows for independent gas inflation and stiffness control with venting.

An electronic module assembly for controlling the deployment of one or more airbags in an aircraft includes a power source, a crash sensor configured to produce a signal in response to a crash event and an accelerometer that is configured to produce a signal in response to a crash event. A processor starts a timer upon detection of the signal from the crash sensor. When the processor receives a signal from the crash sensor, the processor is configured to determine if a signal has also been received from the accelerometer and if signals from both the crash sensor and the accelerometer indicate a crash event then the processor reads a memory associated with an inflator. The processor reads a timing value selected for the inflator and fires the inflator when the timer has a value equal to the timing value selected for the inflator.

An adaptive force vehicle airbag (AFVA) system includes airbag(s) stowed in a compressed state within an interior of a vehicle. An impact sensor detects a change in motion of the vehicle indicative of a collision. Selectable force gas generator(s) (SFGGs) gas-generating propellant cells that are individually fired. The SFGGs have conduit(s) that receive gas from fired gas-generating propellant cells and direct the gas to inflate at least one of the airbag(s). A controller is communicatively coupled to the inflation initiating component and the gas-generating propellant cells of the SFGGs. The controller enables the AFVA system to: (i) receive an inflation signal from the impact sensor; and (ii) fire a selected number of the gas-generating propellant cells to at least partially inflate the at least one airbag.

Airbags for use in aircraft and other vehicles are described herein. In some embodiments, an airbag can deploy from a structure forward of a seated occupant at a generally upward angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The distal end portion of the airbag can include a recessed impact surface portion configured to receive the head and/or neck of the seat occupant.