Visible surface with electronic paper in the passenger cabin

Abstract

A component arrangement (10) for a passenger cabin (2) of a passenger aircraft (4) comprises a component (12) for the passenger cabin (2) having a visible surface (16) in relation to the passenger cabin (2), and an electronic paper (18) applied to at least a part of the visible surface (16), wherein the paper (18) is changeable in its optical appearance (B) by supplying electrical energy (E) and is intrinsically stable with respect to its appearance (B) without supplying energy (E), wherein the component arrangement (10) is designed without an energy supply (30) for the energy (E) to be supplied in relation to the paper (18). A component-device arrangement (28) includes the component arrangement (10) with an electrical connection (20) that can be temporarily connected to an external device (24), and the device (24) which has the power supply (30).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a viewing surface in a passenger cabin of a passenger aircraft.

[0002] It is known from DE 10 2018 001 100 A1 that practical experience has shown a desire to use light-based projection units (projectors) in passenger cabins. These projectors can be used to project images and / or text and / or light – including colored light – onto surfaces within the passenger cabin.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to propose improvements with regard to the reproduction of images, texts, etc. on a visible surface in the passenger cabin.

[0004] The problem is solved by a component arrangement according to claim 1. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention and of other invention categories will become apparent from the further claims, the following description and the accompanying figures.

[0005] The component assembly is designed for a passenger cabin of a passenger aircraft. In its assembled state, the component assembly is then installed in the passenger cabin as intended. "As intended" means that the component assembly is structurally adapted to specific passenger cabins and is designed for use there; for example, it is designed for the resulting geometric and system requirements, etc. In other words, the specific passenger cabins in question are assumed to be known with regard to their geometric and system requirements, etc.

[0006] The component assembly includes a component for the passenger cabin. This component has a visible surface facing the passenger cabin. This means that, in the aforementioned assembly state of the component within the passenger cabin, the visible surface is, or may be, visible to people from inside the passenger cabin.

[0007] The component assembly contains electronic paper. The paper is applied to at least part of the visible surface. Therefore, the paper is, or may be, visible from the passenger cabin. The paper's appearance can be changed by applying electrical energy. Without energy, the paper's appearance remains stable. In this respect, it is a standard design; see, for example, "Electronic Paper," Wikipedia, https: / / de.wikipedia.org / wiki / Elektronisches_Papier, accessed on September 9, 2024.

[0008] The component assembly is designed without a power supply for the paper. A power supply (if present) would provide the paper with the necessary energy to change its appearance. "Without a power supply" means that the component assembly contains neither a power source nor a connection to one, such as a hardwired connection. In other words, the paper is not powered, at least not during normal aircraft operation, such as during flight. Therefore, energy is not continuously available. Consequently, the paper's appearance cannot be changed without a specific measure (connecting a power source / power supply line / etc.).

[0009] Without an additional temporary connection to an energy source / power supply, the paper's appearance cannot be altered solely through the component arrangement. Therefore, a special measure is required to supply energy, for example, connecting an external energy storage device, as explained below, in order to change the paper's appearance.

[0010] According to the invention, visually appealing component arrangements can be created that can be modified in their appearance, but which do not require any energy storage or permanent energy supply. Therefore, there is no permanent energy supply for the component, and thus for the paper, that could deliver energy to the paper as needed without structural modification (such as connecting an external device).

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the component assembly is designed entirely without any energy supply (in the above sense). In other words, the component assembly contains neither an energy storage device nor is it permanently connected to or supplied with energy by an energy source. In other words, it is a completely non-electrical component assembly that has no (permanent, in the above sense) connection to an electrical power supply and is also designed without energy storage. This allows the component assembly to be designed particularly simply and installed in the passenger cabin.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the component is a panel, partition, or wall for the passenger cabin. This allows such components to be designed to be particularly simple yet visually appealing and adaptable.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the component assembly has an electrical connection. This connection is, for example, an interface, contact arrangement, plug, socket, etc. The connection is designed to be temporarily connected to an external device, wherein the external device provides the aforementioned power supply, thus enabling the paper's appearance to be altered by supplying energy from the device. The term "external device" is to be understood broadly here: it can refer to an actual, isolated device or to a temporarily installed or usable power supply line to a power source, where the power supply line is, for example, a loose cable that is not permanently installed in the passenger cabin and is not permanently connected to the component assembly.

[0014] The external device is therefore designed to be connected to the component assembly only temporarily or for short periods, for example, because it would be disruptive, visually unappealing, or loose in the passenger cabin when connected. "Temporary" in this context refers to periods of time in the single-digit seconds range or a few minutes (e.g., a single-digit number of minutes). In any case, the device is not designed to remain permanently connected to the component assembly. Thus, the combination of component assembly and device is configured so that the device is only connected to the component assembly briefly, solely for the purpose of altering its appearance, and is then removed.

[0015] In one variant of this embodiment, the device is portable, i.e., mobile, e.g., handheld. The device can therefore be carried by people, for example, cabin crew and / or ground staff of the passenger aircraft, to change the visual appearance of the paper and thus the component arrangement.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment of this device, the device incorporates an energy storage device as a power supply. The energy for changing the appearance is then provided exclusively from the energy storage device. This allows the device to be designed to be particularly mobile and compact.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the appearance can be changed with regard to its colors and / or symbols and / or graphics. Symbols include all letters, numbers, words, text, etc. Graphics include patterns, symbols, logos, etc. This allows for a particularly wide variety of design options.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the paper is not pixel-oriented, i.e., freely designable, such as a "(matrix) display" / screen or similar. Rather, only certain appearances / elements / patterns / shapes / etc. can be reproduced with it. It is therefore a comparatively simple electronic paper, which in particular features the patterns described below.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, at least two of the appearances include a pattern. The component arrangement contains a selection of at least two different patterns. Here, "pattern" refers to any fixed or predefined arrangement / design of shapes, colors, text, graphics, etc. In other words, one of the patterns can be selected as at least part of the appearance, and the appearance of the component arrangement can be configured with respect to that pattern. Thus, the component arrangement can be equipped with the respective pattern as its appearance without additional effort and without requiring complex programming procedures such as the corresponding control of a matrix display.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of this design, the appearance comprises only a limited number of patterns. In other words, the appearance can only be changed by switching between the (fixed) patterns. The number of patterns is limited, in particular to a maximum of two, three, five, ten, fifteen, or twenty patterns. This allows for the implementation of a particularly simple paper / component arrangement.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment, at least one of the patterns is a logo, a display text, or a color pattern. A logo is understood to be any combination of images and / or text and / or colors, for example, airline logos, etc. A display text is understood to be any combination of letters, numbers, special characters, etc. (possibly with text / background colors), such as the display of the text "Wi-Fi on" or "Wi-Fi off." A color pattern could be a single-color representation or a color gradient, but without any other structure such as graphics, characters, text, etc. Such patterns are particularly easy to implement, although they can generally fulfill all requirements for changeable appearances in passenger cabins.

[0022] The object of the invention is also achieved by a component-device arrangement according to claim 12. The aforementioned component arrangement and the device together form the component-device arrangement. This offers the possibility that the device is specifically tailored to the (remaining) component arrangement, for example with regard to the amount of energy stored in it / the connection configuration, etc.

[0023] The invention is based on the following findings, observations, and considerations and further comprises the following preferred embodiments. These embodiments are sometimes referred to simply as "the invention." The embodiments may also include parts or combinations of the embodiments mentioned above, correspond to them, and / or may include previously unmentioned embodiments.

[0024] According to the invention, in particular a power-free panel with color- and pattern-changing EPD (Electronic Paper Display) is obtained.

[0025] In particular, this results in a static coloring of the cabin surface in the aircraft using EPD technology in areas where no power connection is available.

[0026] The invention is based on the practical observation that customers (airlines, operators, VIPs) like to customize the cabin and adapt it to different circumstances. These circumstances can include, for example, codesharing (several airlines using the same aircraft), times of day, or specific events, etc.

[0027] In the area of ​​partitions, walls, etc., colors, patterns, and texts often cannot currently be displayed in a changeable manner because there is no power and bus connection available or it cannot be integrated due to static requirements.

[0028] The only solutions known in practice are stickers, films, pictures, etc., which always remain the same or need to be repositioned, re-glued, re-covered, etc.

[0029] The basic idea of ​​the invention is to find a modifiable possibility.

[0030] The invention utilizes the following: The EPD has the significant advantage that the latest image, pattern, and color are retained even when de-energized. This means the EPD can be applied to areas without a power connection to customize the cabin. Using suitable contact and a portable device, the desired image is transferred to the EPD.

[0031] According to the invention, an effect occurs within the aircraft. New design possibilities arise: patterns in the EPD and the reduction of waste through the disposal of stickers and films. This enables the integration of signs such as "Wi-Fi on / off" or "Lavatory occupied".

[0032] This results in an adaptable cabin design, depending on the situation in areas where this was not previously possible.

[0033] According to the invention, the EPD is applied to, for example, a partition. Contact surfaces enable connection to a portable device. This connection can be provided via a plug connection, or induction and radio.

[0034] The portable device can be powered either by an AC adapter or its own internal battery. New image files (e.g., JPEG) can be loaded onto the portable device via a storage medium (e.g., SD card). Panel-specific adjustments to the image files can be made on the portable device. The portable device supplies power to the panel and transfers the data of the new pattern image. Once the image change is complete, the device can be removed, and the new pattern / image remains on the panel.

[0035] The image change process works as follows, for example: The portable device connects to the panel. This connection transmits power and image / decoration data. A new decor / pattern / image is then transferred to the panel and displayed. The portable device can then be disconnected from the panel. The new decor remains on the panel.

[0036] The device uses, for example, a low voltage to transfer the new pattern to the EPD via the contact.

[0037] This results in a cabin design for an aircraft cabin.

[0038] This results in, in particular, line fit and retrofit: EPD in areas without electricity.

[0039] Further features, effects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and the accompanying figures. These figures are shown in a schematic diagram: Fig. 1 a passenger cabin with a partition with first and Fig. 2 second appearance.

[0040] Fig. Figure 1 shows a section of a passenger cabin 2 of a passenger aircraft 4. Shown is a side wall 6 and two storage compartments 8 arranged above it of the passenger cabin 2.

[0041] The passenger cabin 2 contains a component arrangement 10. This in turn contains a component 12, here in the form of a partition to separate a first cabin area 14a from a second cabin area 14b.

[0042] Component 12 has a visible surface 16 which is visible from passenger cabin 2 or persons who are in passenger cabin 2.

[0043] The component arrangement 10 also includes an electronic paper 18 (EPD) on the visible surface 16, which is indicated here by a dashed line or framed.

[0044] The component arrangement 10 is designed to be purely electrically passive, meaning it contains no electrical power supply 30 in the form of an energy storage device / energy source or a connecting line that would lead to an energy source of the passenger aircraft 4.

[0045] In this sense, it is therefore not possible to change the appearance B of the paper 18 solely from the component arrangement 10, since the supply of electrical energy E is necessary for this.

[0046] The component arrangement 10 or the paper 18 therefore contains a connection 20, here in the form of three electrical contacts 22.

[0047] A mobile hand-held device 24, which differs from the component arrangement 10, contains an energy storage device 26 for energy E, indicated here only by dashed lines, which therefore represents an energy supply 30 for the paper 18 or the change in appearance B.

[0048] Component arrangement 10 and device 24 together form a component-device arrangement 28. In this case, the component-device arrangement 28 also includes the electrical connection 20 and thus the contacts 22.

[0049] The device 24 can be electrically connected to the contacts 22 (indicated by arrows in the figures) using unspecified mating contacts, so that the energy E from the device 24 or energy storage device 26 can be introduced into the component arrangement 10 towards the paper 18 in order to create the appearance B of the paper 18 or the component arrangement 10.

[0050] Device 24 has no provision for being attached to component assembly 10. Therefore, it is not designed for permanent use on component assembly 10. It must be held manually against this assembly or contacts 22 until the setup of appearance B is complete.

[0051] As visual appearance B, a first pattern M1 has been selected, which here represents the logo of a first airline (not to be specified further). This visualizes to any passengers or persons in passenger cabin 2 that the corresponding first airline is responsible for the current flight of passenger aircraft 4.

[0052] After generating appearance B, the device 24 is removed from contacts 22 or from connection 20, pattern M1 remains permanently active until a new pattern / design is uploaded using the mobile programming device in the form of device 24.

[0053] Fig.Figure 2 illustrates the corresponding process. Later, after passenger aircraft 4 has landed and before its next takeoff, device 24 is briefly connected to port 20 for 5 minutes. During this time, the appearance B is changed to a second pattern, M2, which represents the logo of a second airline responsible for the next flight of passenger aircraft 4. After pattern M1 has changed to pattern M2, device 24 is disconnected from port 20. Pattern M2 remains permanently active until a new pattern is uploaded to device 24.

[0054] Other appearances B cannot be produced on the paper 18. Technically, several patterns are possible; however, two different patterns are described in this embodiment. Therefore, the component arrangement 10 has the number A = 2 of patterns M1,2, from which the currently depicted pattern M1,2 can be selected. Reference symbol list 2 passenger cabins 4 passenger aircraft 6 side wall 8 storage compartments 10 Component arrangement 12 components 14a,b Cabin area 16 Visible surface 18 sheets of paper 20 connection 22 Contact 24 device 26 Energy storage 28 Component-device arrangement 30 Energy supply E Energy B Appearance M1.2 pattern A number QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2018 001 100 A1

[0002] Cited non-patent literature

[0000] https: / / en. wikipedia. org / wiki / Elektronik_Papier, accessed on September 9, 2024

[0007]

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