Innovint Aircraft Interior has announced the launch of its PED Containment Pocket (PCP), a certified solution for inflight charging of cabin crew smartphones and tablet computers.
The PCP enables PEDs to be stowed and charged at the same time without crew presence. The PCP is designed to contain thermal runaways (where device batteries can overheat and catch fire) and protect the aircraft, as well as the crew and passengers, from damage and injury.
The PCP can be installed on various monuments in the cabin. There is a quick-release system to enable the PCP to be detached in a second in the event of an incident, so that further safety measures can be taken, such as relocation to a fire-safe place.
The company said that a particular challenge in the development of the PCP was the lack of approved test standards for such a solution; there are no specific test requirements in the current aircraft construction regulations, which is why the approval process was categorised as ‘novel’.
This circumstance required full supervision of the qualification by EASA. The company said that in close cooperation with the authority and aircraft manufacturers, an approval process was developed that made it possible to test the PCP on the basis of existing industry standards and fulfil the highest safety requirements. Thanks to the successful certification, the PCP can be supplied fully certified in compliance with EASA Special Condition. The PCP is available as of now.
“After a demanding development and approval process we are delighted to launch the PED Containment Pocket,” said Manfred Gröning, CEO of Innovint Aircraft Interior. “It not only represents an innovative safety solution, but also offers a flexible answer to an unsolved problem. This emphasises our commitment to staying one step ahead while developing solutions that increase efficiency and safety.”
