Patent ID: 12208903

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of various embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various embodiments by way of illustration. While these various embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected, or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact. It should also be understood that unless specifically stated otherwise, references to “a,” “an” or “the” may include one or more than one and that reference to an item in the singular may also include the item in the plural. Further, all ranges may include upper and lower values and all ranges and ratio limits disclosed herein may be combined.

Disclosed herein is an endurance haptic system for use with aircraft seats, including ejection seats. In various embodiments, the endurance haptic system includes a seat cushion and a seatback cushion. The seat cushion includes a plurality of seat air bladders and a plurality of seat tactors. The seatback cushion includes a plurality of seatback air bladders and a plurality of seatback tactors. In various embodiments, the endurance haptic system includes a pump assembly that is operably connected to the plurality of seat air bladders and the plurality of seatback air bladders. In various embodiments, the endurance haptic system includes a controller that is operably connected to the pump assembly, the plurality of seat tactors, and the plurality of seatback tactors. In various embodiments, the controller and/or the pump assembly may be integral with either the seat cushion or the seatback cushion. While the discussion herein relates to ejection seats, it is understood that this disclosure may be generally applied to any domain employing seated-human piloted/occupied missions or endeavors, including, but not limited to, land, sea, air, and space applications using both endurance/comfort and alerting functions.

Referring now toFIG.1, an aircraft100is illustrated. In various embodiments, the aircraft100includes a fuselage102and a canopy104enclosing an internal cockpit106in which an occupant108(e.g., a pilot) is positioned while operating the aircraft100. An ejection seat110is disposed within the cockpit106. Ejection seat110is configured to accommodate the occupant108during operation of the aircraft100as well as during an ejection sequence, which may be initiated in response to an emergency, a malfunction of aircraft100, or any other ejection event.

In accordance with various embodiments, an aircraft controller112is installed in aircraft100. Aircraft controller112may comprise a network, computer-based system, and/or software components configured to provide an access point to various systems, engines, and components of aircraft100. In various embodiments, aircraft controller112may be implemented as and may include one or more processors and/or one or more tangible, non-transitory memories capable of implementing logic in response to execution by the aircraft controller112. Each processor can be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. Aircraft controller112may comprise a processor configured to implement various logical operations in response to execution of instructions, for example, instructions stored on a non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable memory114configured to communicate with aircraft controller112. Memory114may store instructions usable by the logic device(s) to perform operations and make determinations related to the control of (e.g., the signals116sent to) a endurance haptic system120.

In accordance with various embodiments, endurance haptic system120may be installed on ejection seat110. Endurance haptic system120includes seat tactors122located in a seat cushion126and/or seatback tactors124located in a seatback cushion128of ejection seat110. Endurance haptic system120further includes seat air bladders123located in seat cushion126and/or seatback air bladders125located in seatback cushion128. In accordance with various embodiments, the seat tactors122and seatback tactors124(collectively referred to as tactors122,124) may be energized by a controller130of endurance haptic system120. In accordance with various embodiments, seat air bladders123and seatback air bladders125(collectively referred to as air bladders123,125) may be controlled by controller130. The controller130is in communication, via wired or wireless connection, with aircraft controller112. In accordance with various embodiments, controller130is configured to energize (e.g., send vibrate commands to) tactors122,124in response to signals116received from aircraft controller112. In accordance with various embodiments, controller130is further configured to control inflation and deflation of air bladders123,125to reduce pilot fatigue, muscle cramping, and risk of blood clots, among others.

In accordance with various embodiments, the tactors122,124may be energized individually, in groups, and/or collectively at varying frequencies, in varying order(s)/sequence(s), and/or at varying intervals (e.g., durations of time). In this regard, controller130is configured to determine which tactors122,124to energize based on the signal(s)116received from aircraft controller112. Vibration of tactors122,124may be configured to alert occupant108of an impending danger or other situation of which the occupant108should be made aware. The location, strength, sequence, and/or duration of the vibrations can be configured to convey information to occupant108and/or to direct the attention of the occupant108in a particular direction. In various embodiments, controller130is configured to energize tactors122,124to reduce pilot fatigue, muscle cramping, and risk of blood clots, among others, when in a non-tactical situation by varying location, strength, sequence, and/or duration of the vibrations of tactors122,124. In various embodiments, the strength of vibrations (e.g., the frequency of vibration) in a non-tactical situation may be weaker than the strength of vibration when in a tactical situation. In various embodiments, the duration of vibration in a non-tactical situation may be longer than the duration of vibration when in a tactical situation.

While endurance haptic system120is described with reference to an ejection seat110, it is contemplated and understood that endurance haptic system120may be used with other types of crewmember seats, including for commercial aircraft. For example, endurance haptic system120may be installed on crewmember seats which do not eject from an aircraft (e.g., on pilot or copilot seats in commercial and/or private aircraft and/or on rotary or fixed wing aircraft). In various embodiments, tactors, similar to tactors122,124, and/or air bladders, similar to air bladders123,125, may be installed in a flight suit worn by occupant108. In various embodiments, one or more of tactors122or tactors124may be located at the midplane148or midplane158, respectively (as illustrated inFIG.2).

With reference toFIG.2, additional details of ejection seat110and endurance haptic system120are illustrated. In accordance with various embodiments, ejection seat110includes a seatback140and a seat bucket142. Seat cushion126may be located over and/or on seat bucket142. Seatback cushion128may be located over and/or on seatback140. Seat tactors122may include a plurality of first (or left) seat tactors122L located proximate a left side144of seat cushion126, and a plurality of second (or right) seat tactors122R located proximate a right side146of seat cushion126. Left seat tactors122L may be located between a midplane148of seat cushion126and left side144of seat cushion126. Midplane148is an imaginary plane/line located halfway between left side144of seat cushion126and right side146of seat cushion126and extending from a backside150of seat cushion126to a frontside152of seat cushion126. The backside150of seat cushion126is located proximate seatback140. The frontside152of seat cushion126is opposite the backside150of the seat cushion126and seatback140. Stated differently, the frontside152of the seat cushion126is distal to seatback140. In various embodiments, left seat tactors122L may be located halfway between the midplane148of seat cushion126and the left side144of seat cushion126. In various embodiments, left seat tactors122L may be located closer to the left side144of seat cushion126than to the midplane148of seat cushion126. In various embodiments, right seat tactors122R may be located halfway between the midplane148of seat cushion126and the right side146of seat cushion126. In various embodiments, right seat tactors122R may be located closer to the right side146of seat cushion126than to the midplane148of seat cushion126.

In various embodiments, seat air bladders123may be located between seat tactors122. In various embodiments, seat air bladders123may be located beneath seat tactors122such that seat tactors122are between a top portion of seat cushion126and seat air bladders123. In various embodiments, seat air bladders123may include recesses in which seat tactors122are located. In various embodiments, seat air bladders123may zig-zig around tactors122, such that seat air bladders123extend in alternating directions with each seat air bladder123changing direction to accommodate seat tactors122.

Left seat tactors122L may be arranged in a series (e.g., in a row) along left side144of seat cushion126. Right seat tactors122R may be arranged in a series (e.g., in a row) along right side146of seat cushion126. In various embodiments, the left seat tactor122L and the right seat tactor122R closest to seatback140may be located at least 15%, at least 25%, and/or at least 33% of a length L of seat cushion126away from backside150. Length L of seat cushion126may be measured between backside150of seat cushion126and the point on frontside152of seat cushion126that is farthest from backside150. Stated differently, the left seat tactors122L and the right seat tactors122R may be located along 85%, 75%, and/or 67% of the length L of seat cushion126, such that the area proximate backside150and seatback140is devoid of left seat tactors122L and right seat tactors122R.

Locating left seat tactors122L and right seat tactors122R proximate the left side144and the right side146, respectively, of seat cushion126and away from backside150tends to increase occupant safety during ejection, as left seat tactors122L and right seat tactors122R are outboard of the spine, gluteal tuberosity, and pelvis bones, thereby reducing a likelihood that left seat tactors122L and/or right seat tactors122R will increase spinal loading during ejection. In this regard, the area proximate midplane148, and in particular the area proximate midplane148and backside150of seat cushion126may be devoid of seat tactors122.

Seatback tactors124may include a plurality of first (or left) seatback tactors124L located proximate a left side154of seatback cushion128, and a plurality of second (or right) seatback tactors124R located proximate a right side156of seatback cushion128. Left seatback tactors124L may be located between a midplane158of seatback cushion128and left side154of seatback cushion128. Midplane158is an imaginary plane/line located halfway between left side154of seatback cushion128and right side156of seatback cushion128and extending from a lower end145of seatback cushion128to an upper end147of seatback cushion128. The lower end145of seatback cushion128is located proximate seat bucket142. The upper end147of seatback cushion128is opposite the lower end145of the seatback cushion128and seat bucket142. Stated differently, the upper end147of the seatback cushion128is distal to seat bucket142. In various embodiments, left seatback tactors124L may be located halfway between the midplane158of seatback cushion128and the left side154of seatback cushion128. In various embodiments, left seatback tactors124L may be located closer to the left side154of seatback cushion128than to the midplane158of seatback cushion128. In various embodiments, right seatback tactors124R may be located halfway between the midplane158of seatback cushion128and the right side156of seatback cushion128. In various embodiments, right seatback tactors124R may be located closer to the right side156of seatback cushion128than to the midplane158of seatback cushion128.

In various embodiments, seatback air bladders125may be located between seatback tactors124. In various embodiments, seatback air bladders125may be located beneath seatback tactors124such that seatback tactors124are between a top portion of seatback cushion128and seatback air bladders125. In various embodiments, seatback air bladders125may include recesses in which seatback tactors124are located. In various embodiments, seatback air bladders125may zig-zig around seatback tactors124, such that seatback air bladders125extend in alternating directions with each seatback air bladder125changing direction to accommodate seatback tactors124.

Left seatback tactors124L may be arranged in a series (e.g., in a row) along left side154of seatback cushion128. Right seatback tactors124R may be arranged in a series (e.g., in a row) along right side156of seatback cushion128. In various embodiments, the left seat tactor124L and the right seat tactor124R that are closest to upper end147may be located at least 15%, at least 25%, at least 33%, or at least 50% of a length L1 of seatback cushion128away from upper end147. Length L1 may be measured between lower end145and upper end147. Stated differently, the left seatback tactors124L and the right seatback tactors124R may be located along 85%, 75%, 67%, or 50% of the length L1 of seatback cushion128, such that the area proximate upper end147of seatback cushion128(e.g., the upper 15%, upper 25%, upper third and/or upper half of seatback cushion128) is devoid of left seatback tactors124L and right seatback tactors124R.

Locating left seatback tactors124L and right seatback tactors124R only in the lower 85%, the lower 75%, the lower two thirds, or the lower half of seatback cushion128tends to increase the probability that the seat occupant's back will be in contact with, or in close proximity to, the portion of the seatback cushion128that includes the seatback tactors124. For example, should the seat occupant be leaning forward and/or have his/her shoulders spaced apart from seatback cushion128, the lower portion of the occupant's back will likely still be in contact with seatback cushion128, or will, at least, be located close enough to seatback cushion128to feel the vibrations of the seatback tactors124.

Referring now toFIGS.3A and3B, in accordance with various embodiments, perspective views of a seatback cushion300and a seat cushion350are illustrated. Seatback cushion300may be an example of seatback cushion128described above with respect toFIGS.1and2. Seat cushion350may be an example of seat cushion126described above with respect toFIGS.1and2.

Seatback cushion300includes a cable302, a connector304, a seatback controller306, a plurality of seatback tactors324, and a plurality of seatback air bladders325. Controller306may be an example of controller130described above with respect toFIGS.1and2. In various embodiments, connector304and cable302may connect to an aircraft (e.g., aircraft100) to provide power to controller306and/or a signal path between controller306and an aircraft controller (e.g., aircraft controller112). In various embodiments, controller306may further include a pump assembly for inflating and deflating seatback air bladders325. In various embodiments, the pump assembly may be a discrete component. In various embodiments, controller306may not be integral with seatback cushion300. In various embodiments, controller306may be located differently in seatback cushion300.

Seat cushion350includes a cable352, a connector354, a seat controller356, a plurality of seat tactors322, and a plurality of seat air bladders323. Controller356may be an example of controller130described above with respect toFIGS.1and2. In various embodiments, connector354and cable352may connect to an aircraft (e.g., aircraft100) to provide power to controller356and/or a signal path between controller356and an aircraft controller (e.g., aircraft controller112). In various embodiments, controller356may further include a pump assembly for inflating and deflating seat air bladders323. In various embodiments, the pump assembly may be a discrete component. In various embodiments, controller356may not be integral with seat cushion350. In various embodiments, controller356may be located differently in seat cushion350.

Referring now toFIGS.4A-4C, in accordance with various embodiments, perspective views of seat cushion350are illustrated, which may be representative of seatback cushion300.FIG.4Aillustrates an underside of the top portion360of seat cushion350. A plurality of tactors322is located along the underside of top portion360of seat cushion350, as described above with respect toFIGS.1and2. A pump assembly362is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, pump assembly362may include an integral manifold with one or more electro-mechanical devices (e.g., solenoid) to control airflow into and out of seat air bladders323. In various embodiments, pump assembly362may include a separate, external manifold for controlling the airflow into and out of seat air bladders323. In various embodiments, the one or more electro-mechanical devices (e.g., solenoid) may be located in the pump assembly362or in the external manifold. Pump assembly362may be coupled to controller356by wires364. Controller356may send instructions to pump assembly362via wires364. In various embodiments, pump assembly362and controller356may be located differently in seat cushion350.

FIG.4Billustrates seat air bladders323in a deflated state, including seat air bladders323a,323b,323c. In various embodiments, each seat air bladder323(e.g., seat air bladders323a,323b,323c) may be inflated and deflated individually. In various embodiments, all seat air bladder323(e.g., seat air bladders323a,323b,323c) may be inflated and deflated collectively. Seat air bladders323may be placed over seat tactors322(as oriented inFIG.4B), which may be under seat tactors322when seat cushion350is installed. In various embodiments, seat air bladders323may be arranged laterally (e.g., side to side) across seat cushion350, as illustrated inFIG.4B. In various embodiments, seat air bladders323may be arranged longitudinally (e.g., front to back) across seat cushion350. In various embodiments, seat air bladders323may be arranged in other configurations, including randomly, within seat cushion350.

FIG.4Cillustrates seat air bladders323in an inflated state. As illustrated, every seat air bladder323(e.g., seat air bladder323a,323b,323c) is inflated. However, in various embodiments, seat air bladders323may be inflated individually.

Referring now toFIG.5, in accordance with various embodiments, a control module housing500is illustrated. Control module housing500may house a controller (e.g., controller306, controller356) for controlling seat cushion350and/or seatback cushion300. In various embodiments, control module housing500may be integral with seat cushion350and/or seatback cushion300. In various embodiments, control module housing500may further include a pump assembly (e.g., pump assembly362). Control module housing500includes a seatback cushion power/signal connector502, a seat cushion power/signal connector504, an aircraft power connector506, and an aircraft signal connector508. Seatback cushion power/signal connector502may interface with connector304. Seat cushion power/signal connector504may interface with connector354. Aircraft power connector506may interface with a power source in aircraft100. Aircraft signal connector508may interface with aircraft controller112. In various embodiments, control module housing500may be designed for quick release in the event of an emergency, such as an ejection event. In various embodiments, control module housing500connectors may be electrical connectors, pneumatic connectors, and/or a combination of electrical and pneumatic connectors. In various embodiments, the electrical and/or pneumatic connections may be severed by a cutting blade (e.g., a guillotine) that renders the devices inoperable or otherwise neutral and safe for ejection.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. Different cross-hatching is used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detailed description herein, references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.

Numbers, percentages, or other values stated herein are intended to include that value, and also other values that are about or approximately equal to the stated value, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassed by various embodiments of the present disclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadly enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the stated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. The stated values include at least the variation to be expected in a suitable industrial process, and may include values that are within 10%, within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of a stated value. Additionally, the terms “substantially,” “about” or “approximately” as used herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the term “substantially,” “about” or “approximately” may refer to an amount that is within 10% of, within 5% of, within 1% of, within 0.1% of, and within 0.01% of a stated amount or value.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Finally, it should be understood that any of the above described concepts can be used alone or in combination with any or all of the other above described concepts. Although various embodiments have been disclosed and described, one of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the principles described or illustrated herein to any precise form. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.