RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME
The invention relates to a restraint system ( 11 ) for an aircraft seat ( 10 ), comprising a restraint belt ( 3 ) and a belt retractor ( 2 ) for winding up the restraint belt ( 3 ) and allowing the restraint belt ( 3 ) to be extracted, further comprising a blocking device ( 1 ) for blocking the belt retractor ( 2 ) such that the restraint belt ( 3 ) cannot be extracted, wherein the blocking device is connectable to a signal (S) used to issue audible and/or visual output ( 6 ) inviting passengers to fasten seat belts ( 3 ), wherein the blocking device ( 1 ) is configured to interact with the seat belt retractor ( 2 ) such that the seat belt retractor ( 2 ) prevents further extraction of the seat belt ( 3 ) while the signal (S) is active. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a restraint system.
1 . A restraint system for a seat, the restraint system comprising:
a restraint belt; and
a belt retractor for winding up the restraint belt and allowing the restraint belt to be extracted; and
a blocking device for blocking the belt retractor such that the restraint belt cannot be extracted, wherein the blocking device is connectable to a signal used to issue audible and/or visual output inviting passengers to fasten seat belts, wherein the blocking device is configured to interact with the seat belt retractor such that the seat belt retractor prevents further extraction of the seat belt while the signal is active.
2 . The restraint system according to claim 1 , wherein the seat belt retractor is an automatic locking retractor configured to automatically stop an additional extraction of the belt after extraction of the belt has been stopped.
3 . The restraint system according to claim 2 , wherein the blocking device comprises a blocking element which keeps the seat belt retractor in an unlocked state so that the belt can be additionally extracted after extraction of the belt has been stopped as long as the blocking element is powered while the signal is inactive.
4 . The restraint system according to claim 1 , wherein the seat belt retractor is an emergency locking retractor configured to stop extraction of the belt when an emergency situation is detected by an acceleration sensor sensitive to acceleration of the belt and/or acceleration of an aircraft with the restraint system.
5 . The restraint system according to claim 4 , wherein the blocking device is configured to block the seat belt retractor when the signal is active so that the belt cannot be further extracted.
6 . The restraint system of claim 5 , wherein the blocking device comprises a blocking element which keeps the seat belt retractor in an unlocked state so that the belt can be additionally extracted unless an emergency situation is detected by the acceleration sensor as long as the blocking element is powered while the signal is inactive.
7 . The restraint system of claim 3 , wherein the blocking element is a solenoid.
8 . The restraint system of claim 7 , wherein the signal is inverted and/or amplified before reaching the blocking element.
9 . The restraint system of claim 3 , wherein the signal is inverted and/or amplified before reaching the blocking element.
10 . The restraint system of claim 1 , wherein the restraint belt is a pelvic restraint belt or a three-, four-, five- or more point belt.
11 . A method for operating a restraint system for an aircraft seat, the method comprising:
providing a restraint system comprising a restraint belt, a belt retractor for winding up the restraint belt and allowing the restraint belt to be extracted, and a blocking device for blocking the belt retractor such that the restraint belt cannot be extracted, wherein the blocking device is connectable to a signal used to issue audible and/or visual output inviting passengers to fasten seat belts, wherein the blocking device is configured to interact with the seat belt retractor such that the seat belt retractor prevents further extraction of the seat belt while the signal is active
connecting the blocking device to the signal used to issue audible and/or visual output inviting passengers to fasten seat belts; and
controlling the blocking device to interact with the seat belt retractor such that the seat belt retractor prevents further extraction of the seat belt while the signal is active.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the seat belt retractor is an automatic locking retractor configured to automatically stop an additional extraction of the belt after extraction of the belt has been stopped, wherein the blocking device comprises a blocking element which, while the signal is inactive, is powered so as to keep the seat belt retractor in an unlocked state so that the belt can be additionally extracted after extraction of the belt has been stopped.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the seat belt retractor is an emergency locking retractor configured to stop extraction of the belt when an emergency situation is detected by an acceleration sensor sensitive to acceleration of the belt and/or acceleration of an aircraft with the restraint system, wherein the blocking device blocks the seat belt retractor when the signal is active so that the belt cannot be further extracted.
14 . The restraint system of claim 4 , wherein the blocking element comprises a solenoid.
15 . The restraint system of claim 5 , wherein the blocking element comprises a solenoid.
16 . The restraint system of claim 6 , wherein the blocking element comprises a solenoid.