Paediatric occupant and child restraint system (CRS) response to oblique loading and inflatable seat belts in aircraft seats

New features in aircraft environments such as obliquely oriented seats and inflatable seat belts have not been fully evaluated for paediatric occupants. Four static inflatable belt deployment tests showed that child restraint systems (CRS) can be damaged by the belt inflating within the CRS belt path. Forty-two dynamic sled tests were conducted with the following independent variables: type of seat belt, impact direction, type of child restraint system, and adjacent structure in the aircraft environment. Fewer and less severe head strikes against adjacent structures occurred at the 30° impact angle compared to 45°. Rear-facing CRS prevented head strikes in all conditions tested, forward-facing CRS allowed some ‘rolling’ head strikes in consistent locations on the adjacent wall, and lap-belt only restraint resulted in severe head strikes in various locations (wall, top of armrest, front of bench). Deactivated inflatable seat belts did not have detrimental effects compared to standard lap belts.