Energy autonomous seat

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat comprising a seat surface (10) and a backrest (11) hinged to each other, the seat (1) further comprising at least one electric actuator (2) configured to enable the seat surface (10) and / or the backrest (11) to move. The seat (1) comprises an energy recovery device (20) configured to recover kinetic energy generated by the seat (1) and to convert the kinetic energy into electrical energy, the seat (1) further comprising: an energy production device (21) configured to produce electrical energy from an environmental energy source (22); and a storage device (23) connected to the energy generating device (21) and the actuator (2) and configured to store electrical energy from the energy generating device (21) and the at least one actuator (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat for equipping a transportation vehicle (such as an airplane). Background Art

[0002] A transportation vehicle such as an airplane is provided with seats that enable passengers to sit.

[0003] Typically, these seats are connected by electricity to provide some services or conveniences to the passengers, such as different seat positions (up to a fully lying position (bed)), lighting, charging sockets, television, etc. The electricity is usually supplied by cables that are led from under the floor where the seat is installed and from a generator to the seat.

[0004] Such cables do not allow the seats to be energy autonomous and add additional mass to the vehicle. However, this is contrary to the goals currently set by manufacturers, especially the goal of reducing the weight of vehicles as much as possible, especially in the aviation field.

[0005] In this context, known document US 2008 / 149770 A1 proposes a seat comprising a fuel cell configured to provide power for devices and actuators. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide an energy autonomous chair that can be powered without human intervention.

[0007] To this end, the present invention provides a seat comprising a seat surface and a backrest which are hinged to each other, and the seat further comprises at least one electric actuator which is configured to enable the seat surface and / or the backrest to move.

[0008] According to the present invention, the seat comprises an energy recovery device configured to recover kinetic energy generated by the seat and convert the kinetic energy into electrical energy, and further comprises:

[0009] - an energy production device configured to generate electrical energy from ambient energy; and

[0010] - a storage device connected to the energy production device and to the at least one actuator and configured to store electrical energy from the energy production device and to the at least one actuator.

[0011] The seat comprises a braking system configured to brake a backrest and / or a seat surface during movement thereof, and the recovery device is configured to recover kinetic energy generated by the braking system during braking.

[0012] The proposed seat is therefore autonomous in terms of electrical energy. In fact, any accessories or electronic components that may be provided on the seat are supplied with electrical energy thanks to the electrical energy generated by the production means and actuators.

[0013] Furthermore, the seat is energetically self-sufficient, ie no human intervention is required for the production means and actuators to generate the electricity or to enable it to be powered.

[0014] Preferred features of the chair according to the invention which are particularly convenient are set out below.

[0015] The backrest is capable of moving between a raised position and a lying position by at least one actuator, the backrest forming a first substantially flat angle with the seat in the lying position, and a second angle in the raised position, the second angle being smaller than the first angle, and the braking system being configured to brake the backrest during movement from the raised position to the lying position.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the actuator is reversible and comprises energy recovery means.

[0017] The energy production device includes photovoltaic cells and the ambient energy source is natural and / or artificial light.

[0018] The energy production device comprises at least one infrared receiver and the ambient energy source is infrared radiation.

[0019] The at least one infrared receiver is directed toward the backrest and / or the seat surface.

[0020] The seat further comprises a control device configured to control the storage device so as to distribute the stored electrical energy to the electronic components of the seat.

[0021] More specifically, the storage device may be a battery or a capacitor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will better emerge from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given as non-limiting examples:

[0023] - Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a seat according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0024] - Figure 2 is a diagram of the seat's electrical management system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In the embodiments described below, reference is made to a seat for aircraft passengers. This non-limiting embodiment is given for a better understanding of the invention and does not exclude the use of the seat in other vehicles.

[0026] Figure 1 A seat 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is schematically shown, on which a passenger sits.

[0027] The seat 1 comprises a seat surface 10 , which refers to the seat portion on which a passenger can sit in the normal position.

[0028] The seat 1 further comprises a backrest 11 , which refers to the seat portion where a passenger can support his / her back.

[0029] In this description, "horizontal plane" refers to a plane that is substantially parallel to the seat surface 10 when the seat 1 is installed and ready for use. The horizontal plane is also substantially parallel to the floor on which the seat 1 is installed. A horizontal direction is a direction belonging to the horizontal plane.

[0030] The seat surface 10 and the backrest 11 are hinged to each other. The backrest 11 is rotatably movable relative to the seat surface 10 about a hinge axis. The hinge axis extends horizontally. Such hinges are known and therefore are known in the articulation. Figure 1 Not shown.

[0031] The backrest 11 is movable between a so-called raised position and a so-called lying position.

[0032] In the lying position, the backrest 11 forms an angle, referred to as a first angle, with the seat surface 10, which is substantially flat. The lying position of the backrest 11 enables a passenger to lie on the seat.

[0033] In the raised position, the backrest 11 forms an angle with the seat surface 10, which is called the second angle, which is smaller than the first angle. In particular, the second angle is close to a right angle. The raised position of the backrest 11 enables the passenger to sit in a conventional position corresponding to the position usually used in passenger aircraft for safety reasons during the take-off or landing phase. Typically, the second angle is between 90° and 100°.

[0034] The seating surface 10 is movable in a horizontal plane between a forward position and a rearward position according to a linear translational movement.

[0035] The seat 1 also comprises a base, not shown, which serves as a support for the seat surface 10. In practice, the base enables connection to the floor on which the seat 1 is mounted. Typically, the base is mounted on guide and slide means (also not shown) assembled on the floor and enabling translational movement of the seat surface 10 between a forward position and a reverse position.

[0036] The seat 1 can be in a resting configuration and a sleeping configuration. In the resting configuration, the seat surface 10 is in a reclined position and the backrest 11 is in a raised position. In the sleeping configuration, the seat surface 10 is in a forward position and the backrest 11 is in a lying position.

[0037] The seat 1 comprises at least one actuator 2 which is configured to move a seat surface 10 and / or a backrest 11 .

[0038] Specifically, the actuator 2 is an electric actuator such as an electric motor.

[0039] For example, the seat 1 may include a first actuator configured to move the seat surface 10 and a second actuator configured to move the backrest 11. Specifically, the first actuator is configured to move the seat surface 10 between the forward position and the rearward position. The second actuator is configured to move the backrest 11 between the raised position and the flat position.

[0040] In another embodiment, the seat 1 may include a single actuator configured to move both the seat surface 10 and the backrest 11. This single actuator is configured to move the seat surface 10 between the forward position and the rearward position, and to move the backrest 11 between the raised position and the flat position.

[0041] Of course, the above two movements can be performed simultaneously or independently of each other.

[0042] The seat 1 comprises a braking system (not shown) configured to brake the backrest 11 and / or the seat surface 10 during their movement. For example, the braking system is configured to brake the backrest 11 during its movement from the raised position to the lying position.

[0043] Figure 2 A diagram showing an electric energy management system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0044] The actuator 2 includes an energy recovery device 20 .

[0045] The energy recovery device 20 is configured to recover kinetic energy generated by the seat and convert the kinetic energy into electrical energy.

[0046] The energy recovery device 20 can recover kinetic energy generated when the backrest 11 moves from one position to another position, for example, from a raised position to a lying position.

[0047] Specifically, the energy recovery device 20 recovers the kinetic energy generated by the braking system during the braking process. For example, the energy recovery device 20 recovers the kinetic energy generated by the braking system during the movement of the backrest 11 from the raised position to the flat position.

[0048] Actuator 2 is reversible. The reversibility of actuator 2 is used to recover kinetic energy. For example, actuator 2 is a rotary actuator.

[0049] In another embodiment, the actuator 2 may be an irreversible linear actuator. The linear actuator may then be associated with a detachable system in order to be able to recover kinetic energy.

[0050] The seat 1 comprises an energy production device 21 configured to generate electrical energy from an ambient energy source 22 .

[0051] In particular, the energy production device 21 may be configured to generate electrical energy from ambient light sources.

[0052] For example, the energy production device 21 may include a photovoltaic cell. Then, the ambient energy source 22 is natural light. In other words, the photovoltaic cell generates electrical energy from natural light. In an aircraft, natural light enters through the portholes, especially during daytime flight.

[0053] As an alternative or in combination with photovoltaic cells, the energy production device 21 may comprise at least one infrared receiver. The ambient energy source 22 is then infrared radiation.

[0054] Specifically, the infrared radiation may come from the body of the passenger. The infrared receiver faces the backrest 11 and / or the seat surface 10 so as to capture the infrared radiation of the human body.

[0055] In fact, on an aircraft, one or more of the lamps normally mounted in the ceiling lights may be replaced by one or more infrared receivers.

[0056] As an alternative or in combination with the previous solutions, the energy production device 21 may be configured to generate electrical energy from ambient noise. The energy production device 21 in particular generates electrical energy from vibrations emitted by speech, music vibrations or other ambient noise.

[0057] The seat 1 also comprises a storage device 23 connected to the production device and the actuator 2 .

[0058] The storage device 23 is configured to store electrical energy from the production device and the actuator 2 .

[0059] For example, the storage device 23 may be a battery or a capacitor or a supercapacitor.

[0060] The seat 1 also comprises a control device 24 .

[0061] The control device 24 is configured to control the storage device 23 so as to distribute the stored electrical energy to the electronic components of the seat 1 .

[0062] The control device 24 distributes the electrical energy to the electronic components, such as lights, a charging socket or a television. The control device 24 also distributes the electrical energy to the actuator or the actuator 2 in order to enable the backrest 11 and / or the seat surface 10 to be moved.

[0063] The seat 1 may also include a charge and discharge management device.

[0064] The charge and discharge management device manages the power requirements of the different electronic components and the power requirements of the storage device 23 .

[0065] The invention proposes an energetically autonomous and self-sufficient chair thanks to the conversion of kinetic energy into electrical energy and the combined use of electrical energy generated from ambient sources. The aim of the invention is to provide sufficient energetic autonomy.

Claims

1. A seat, comprising a seat surface (10) and a backrest (11) which are hinged to each other, the seat (1) further comprising at least one electric actuator (2), the at least one electric actuator being configured to enable the seat surface (10) and / or the backrest (11) to move, the seat comprising an energy recovery device (20), the energy recovery device being configured to recover kinetic energy generated by the seat (1) and convert the kinetic energy into electrical energy, and further comprising: - an energy production device (21) configured to generate electricity from an ambient energy source (22); as well as - a storage device (23) connected to the energy production device (21) and the at least one actuator (2), and the storage device (23) is configured to store electrical energy from the energy production device (21) and the at least one actuator (2); The seat is characterized in that it comprises a braking system, which is configured to brake the seat surface (10) and / or the backrest (11) during their movement, and the energy recovery device (20) is configured to recover the kinetic energy generated by the braking system during the braking process.

2. The seat according to claim 1, wherein: The backrest (11) is movable between a raised position and a lying position by means of the at least one actuator (2); the backrest (11) forms a first substantially flat angle with the seat surface (10) in the lying position, and forms a second angle in the raised position, the second angle being smaller than the first angle; the braking system is configured to brake the backrest (11) during movement from the raised position to the lying position.

3. The seat according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The actuator (2) is reversible and comprises the energy recovery device (20).

4. The seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The energy production device (21) comprises photovoltaic cells, and the environmental energy source (22) is natural light and / or artificial light.

5. The seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The energy production device (21) comprises at least one infrared receiver, and the ambient energy source (22) is infrared radiation.

6. The seat according to claim 5, wherein: The at least one infrared receiver is directed toward the seat surface (10) and / or the backrest (11).

7. The seat according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a control device (24) configured to control the storage device (23) to distribute the stored electrical energy to electronic components of the seat (1).

8. The seat according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The storage device (23) is a battery.

9. The seat according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The storage device (23) is a capacitor.

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