HANDS-FREE DEVICE FOR A PASSENGER VEHICLE

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application is related to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 026,534, filed on May 18, 2020, entitled "TOUCHLESS ACTUATOR DOOR" ("the '534 application").FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The field of the invention relates to passenger vehicles, and, more particularly, to hands-free assemblies for a passenger vehicle.BACKGROUND

[0003] Passenger vehicles, such as aircraft, buses, trains, ships, and automobiles, include a number of high-frequency contact areas on various parts of a passenger seat and throughout the passenger vehicle. These high-frequency contact areas have an increased chance of becoming contaminated with germs or pathogens transmitted through a passenger's and / or crew member's touching of the high-frequency contact areas. Each subsequent passenger or crew member to touch the high-frequency contact area runs the risk of contaminating themselves through contact with such areas. The emergence of the Coronavirus has led to an increased desire among passengers to inhibit the propagation of pathogens by reducing the number of hand-contact touch points present within the passenger vehicle.

[0004] Document DE102018113132 describes a device for operating a door for toilet cabins mounted within a vehicle. The device is designed with an operating unit for generating a control signal depending on an operating activity of an occupant of the vehicle and with an actuating device for electromotively operating a toilet door in a vehicle depending on the control signal. In addition, the operating unit has at least one sensor arrangement for detecting a gesture of the occupant, so that the control signal can be generated on the basis of a detected gesture.

[0005] Document EP3643615 describes an aircraft seat device with at least one seat area and with at least one separating unit which can be adjusted between an open state and a closed state and which is intended to at least partially separate the at least one seat area in at least one operating state from a remainder of a cabin, in particular from at least one aisle in a cabin, and with at least one passage area through which the seat area is accessible, wherein the separating unit is intended to at least partially close the passage area at least in its closed state.

[0006] Document US20170283064 describes a passenger seating arrangement comprising rows of seats with a door assembly at the end of each row for improving a seat occupant's privacy. The door assembly includes a door that slides into and out of a base in a primary mode of operation, and which supports a secondary mode of opening. The secondary mode may involve pivoting on hinges. A latch is provided to prevent the door from being opened routinely in the secondary mode.SUMMARY

[0007] Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0008] The invention is set out in the appended claims.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an aircraft according to claim 1 is provided.

[0010] In some embodiments, the at least one linear translation track is positioned at least partially within the stationary wall portion.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the at least one sensor comprises at least one of a proximity infrared sensor, a motion sensor, or an optical sensor.

[0012] The passenger vehicle may further comprise a lock positioned on at least one of the stationary wall portion or the door portion, wherein the sensor may receive a second contactless input and may transmit a lock signal to activate the lock and prevent movement of the door portion.

[0013] The hands-free input, in some embodiments, comprises a contactless input.

[0014] The door portion, in certain embodiments, comprises a first door member and a second door member, wherein the first door member comprises an edge moveable along the at least one linear translation track.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first door member is pivotable relative to the second door member.

[0016] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for activating a hands-free door of an aircraft is provided according to appended claim 8.

[0017] In certain embodiments of the method, the at least one linear translation track is positioned at least partially within the stationary wall portion.

[0018] The at least one sensor may comprise at least one of a proximity infrared sensor, a motion sensor, or an optical sensor.

[0019] The method, in some embodiments, further comprises receiving a second hands-free input from the at least one sensor; transmitting a lock signal to a lock positioned on at least one of the stationary wall portion or the door portion; and activating the lock to prevent movement of the door portion.

[0020] The hands-free input, in certain embodiments, comprises a contactless input.

[0021] The door portion may comprise a first door member and a second door member, wherein the first door member may comprise an edge moveable along the at least one linear translation track.

[0022] In some embodiments, the first door member is pivotable relative to the second door member.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a seat compartment incorporating a hands-free aircraft assembly, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the interior of the seat compartment of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a front view of the seat compartment of Figure 1 with the seat compartment shell covers removed. Figure 4 is a front perspective view of another seat compartment incorporating a hands-free aircraft assembly, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. Figures 5A-5B are front perspective views of an overhead bin incorporating a hands-free aircraft assembly that does not fall within the scope of the present invention. Figures 6A-6B are front perspective views of a lavatory incorporating a hands-free aircraft assembly, not according to the invention as claimed. Figures 7A-7B are partial isolated views of the actuator and lavatory door of the lavatory of Figures 6A-6B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

[0025] The described embodiments of the invention provide a hands-free aircraft assembly for aircraft. The hands-free aircraft assembly is incorporated into a passenger seat shell.

[0026] Incorporating hands-free aircraft assemblies into passenger vehicles may improve a passenger's interaction with various components of the passenger vehicle. For example, a hands-free aircraft assembly that controls the opening and closing of a first / business class seating compartment door, a lavatory door, or an overhead bin door may be utilized by a passenger whose hands are occupied. So a passenger may be holding various bags, personal items, or food or beverage items and still have the ability to open and close the first / business class seating compartment door, the lavatory door, or the overhead bin door.

[0027] Additionally, utilizing hands-free aircraft assemblies in passenger aircraft may reduce, and in some instances eliminate, the amount of contact the passenger or crew may have with high contact areas of the passenger vehicle, such as the first / business class seating compartment door, the lavatory door, or the overhead bin door. Reducing the amount of contact between the passenger or crew and high contact areas of the passenger vehicle may reduce the spread of viruses and pathogens between passengers and crew members as well as increase a passenger's sense of safety and confidence in travelling.

[0028] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, a hands-free aircraft assembly 10 includes a moveable component 12, at least one actuator 14, and at least one input receiver 16.

[0029] The hands-free aircraft assembly 10, and any features of the hands-free aircraft assembly 10, may be formed of materials including but not limited to aluminum, stainless steel, aramid fibers, polycarbonate, polypropylene, other metallic materials, composite materials, or other similar materials.

[0030] The moveable component 12 is a door portion of a first / business class seating compartment. The door portion of the first / business class seating compartment may enclose a seat shell around the passenger and provide the passenger with increased privacy.

[0031] The moveable component 12 is moveably coupled to a stationary component 18 so that the moveable component 12 moves relative to the stationary component 18. The stationary component 18 forms at least part of the stationary wall portion of the seat shell surrounding the first / business class seating compartment.

[0032] Additionally, the stationary component 18 includes at least one linear translation track positioned either internal to the stationary component 18, external to stationary component 18, or partially internal and partially external to the stationary component 18. The moveable component 12 is moveable along the at least one linear translation track.

[0033] The at least one actuator 14 includes of a series of motors and gears 20 located within the interior cavity of the stationary component 18 and at least partially along an upper edge 22 and a lower edge 24 of the moveable component 12. The series of motors and gears 20 functions as the linear translation track and is coupled to a power source 26. Actuation of the series of motors and gears 20 upon receiving the power generated by the power source 26 may cause the moveable component 12 to slide into and out of the interior cavity of the stationary component 18 due to the rotational motion of the gears.

[0034] Additionally, the series of motors and gears 20 may serve as an alignment and stabilizing track for the moveable component 12. For example, the series of motors and gears 20 may be arranged so that there are always at least three points of contact between the moveable component 12 and the series of motors and gears 20. Having at least three points of contact between the moveable component 12 and the series of motors and gears 20 assists with constraining the moveable component 12 to reduce motion in the perpendicular direction and to reduce shaking and wobbling of the moveable component 12 as the moveable component 12 translates into and out of the stationary component 18.

[0035] In some embodiments, the at least one actuator 14 may be a linear actuator at least partly coupled to an exterior surface of the stationary component 18. As best shown in FIG. 4, coupling the linear actuator at least partly to the exterior surface of the stationary component 18 enables the moveable component 12 to move along the exterior surface of the stationary component 18.

[0036] The at least one input receiver 16 may be positioned at any suitable location within the hands-free aircraft assembly 10. For example, the at least one input receiver 16 may be positioned on at least one of an external surface of the moveable component 12, an internal surface of the moveable component 12, an external surface of the stationary component 18, an internal surface of the stationary component 18, or any other suitable location within the hands-free aircraft assembly 10. The at least one input receiver 16 may be any suitable size or shape. The size or shape of the at least one input receiver 16 may be determined based on the location of the at least one input receiver 16 within the hands-free aircraft assembly 10 and the dimensions of the component of the hands-free aircraft assembly 10 onto which the at least one input receiver 16 is coupled.

[0037] In some embodiments, the at least one input receiver 16 may include at least one of a sensor, e.g., a proximity infrared sensor, a motion sensor, an optical sensor, etc., a pedal, a button, a lever, an audio input device, or any other suitable device for receiving a hands-free input. The hands-free input is an input received without direct contact by a passenger's hand. This hands-free input may include contactless inputs such as a wave or other motion or gesture from the passenger, voice commands, etc. The hands-free input may also include contact with a body part of a passenger other than the passenger's hand, e.g., a foot, shin, knee, elbow, etc., or with a personal item, e.g., a pen, a stylus, a cane, etc.

[0038] The at least one input receiver 16 may be at least communicatively engaged with the at least one actuator 14 so that the at least one input receiver 16 may transmit signals to the at least one actuator 14. For example, the at least one input receiver 16 may be wired or wirelessly coupled to the at least one actuator 14. Upon receiving a hands-free input, e.g., a wave gesture by a passenger's hand, the at least one input receiver 16 will transmit an activation signal to the at least one actuator 14. Based on receiving the activation signal from the at least one input receiver 16, the at least one actuator 14 is activated, which causes a movement of the moveable component 12.

[0039] In some embodiments, the hands-free aircraft assembly 10 includes at least two input receivers 16. For example where the hands-free aircraft assembly 10 is incorporated into the first / business class seating compartment, one input receiver 16 may be positioned on a surface of the seating compartment facing a central aisle so that a passenger may provide a hands-free input to open the moveable component 12 and gain entry to the seating compartment.

[0040] Another input receiver 16 may be positioned on a surface of the seating compartment facing the interior of the seating compartment so that the passenger may provide a hands-free input to open the moveable component 12 and exit the seating compartment. Additionally, a single input receiver 16 may extend entirely through the moveable component 12 or the stationary component 18 so that the passenger may use the same input receiver 16 to open the moveable component 12 and both enter and exit the seating compartment.

[0041] In some embodiments, the hands-free aircraft assembly 10 may include a lock 28. The lock 28 may be any suitable shape and type based on the hands-free aircraft assembly 10. The lock 28 may be engaged to prevent movement of the moveable component 12. When the lock 28 is engaged to prevent movement of the moveable component 12, the lock is in a locked position. When the lock 28 is disengaged to release and permit movement of the moveable component 12, the lock is in an unlocked position.

[0042] Preventing movement of the moveable component 12 may be desired when the passenger has entered the seating compartment or lavatory and would like to maintain his / her privacy while occupying the seating compartment or lavatory. The lock 28 may be at least communicatively coupled to the at least one input receiver 16 so that the at least one input receiver 16 transmits a lock signal to the lock 28 upon receiving a second hands-free input from the passenger. The lock 28 is activated based on the lock signal and changes between the locked position and the unlocked position. Based on the lock signal, the lock 28 may engage with the moveable component 12 to prevent movement of the moveable component 12.

[0043] In some embodiments, the passenger vehicle may include an override system communicably coupled to each hands-free aircraft assembly 10 to prevent the locks 28 from engaging or to disengage those locks 28 that had been engaged. The override system may be manually activated, e.g., by the cabin crew or pilot, or may be automatically activated, e.g., when the passenger vehicle experiences an emergency. For example, the override system may be activated by the cabin crew during the boarding or de-boarding of the aircraft to allow movement of the moveable components 12. The override system may be individually activable for each hands-free aircraft assembly 10 that includes a lock 28 or may be activated to control the locks 28 for all of the hands-free aircraft assemblies 10 included in the passenger vehicle.

[0044] In some embodiments, a separate lock 28 may not be necessary to prevent movement of the moveable component 12. For example, the at least one input receiver 16 may transmit a lock signal to the at least one actuator 14 upon receiving a second hands-free input from the passenger. Based on this lock signal, the at least one actuator 14 may become disabled so as to prevent movement of the moveable component 12.

[0045] As best shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the hands-free aircraft assembly 10 may be incorporated into an overhead bin 30. The elements of the hands-free aircraft assembly 10 incorporated into the overhead bin 30 may be the same or similar to those described above. For example, the hands-free aircraft assembly 10 may include a moveable component 12, e.g., the overhead bin door, at least one actuator, at least one input receiver 16, and a stationary component 18.

[0046] As best shown in FIGS. 6A-7B, the hands-free aircraft assembly 10 may be incorporated into a lavatory door 32. The elements of the hands-free aircraft assembly 10 incorporated into the lavatory door 32 may be the same or similar to those described above. For example, the hands-free aircraft assembly 10 may include a moveable component 12, e.g., the lavatory door 32, at least one actuator 14, at least one input receiver 16, and a stationary component 18.

[0047] The lavatory door 32 may be divided into multiple door members 34. The multiple door members 34 may be coupled to one another and are pivotable relative to one another. At least one of the multiple door members 34 may have an edge 36 that is moveable along the linear translation track formed by the actuator 14.

[0048] The actuator 14 may include at least one motor 38 and a drivebelt 40. The multiple door members 34 may be coupled to the drivebelt 40 at least one attachment point 42 to secure the multiple door members 34 to the drivebelt 40. Similar to as described above, the actuator 14 may be actuated based on receiving an activation signal from the at least one input receiver 16. Actuating the actuator 14 may cause the motors 38 to rotate and thus the drivebelt 40 to move. Due to the attachment of the multiple door members 34 to the drivebelt 40 at the at least one attachment point 42, the edge 36 may move along the linear translation track formed by the drivebelt 40 to open and close the lavatory door 32.

[0049] Incorporating the hands-free aircraft assembly 10 into various components of the passenger vehicle enables the automation of certain tasks, e.g., opening and closing seating compartment doors, opening and closing lavatory doors, opening and closing overhead bin doors, adjusting the position of a tray table, adjusting the position of a seat back, adjusting the position of a personal electronic device holder, etc., without the need for physical interaction between the passenger and the various components of the passenger vehicle. Requiring less or eliminating the need for physical interaction between the passenger and the various components of the passenger vehicle may help to reduce the spread of viruses and pathogens and increase the feeling of safety and security that a passenger may have when flying.

[0050] Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.

Claims

1. An aircraft comprising a hands-free door assembly, the hands-free door assembly comprising : a stationary wall portion (18), wherein the stationary wall portion (18) forms at least part of a stationary wall portion of a seat shell surrounding a first / business class seating compartment; a door portion (12) moveable along at least one linear translation track; at least one actuator (14) operable to move the door portion (12) along the at least one linear translation track; and at least one sensor (16) positioned on at least one of the stationary wall portion (18) or the door portion (12), wherein the sensor (16) receives a hands-free input and transmits an activation signal to the at least one actuator (14), the hands-free input being an input received without direct contact by the passenger's hand and wherein the at least one actuator (14) moves the door portion (12) along the at least one linear translation track based on receiving the activation signal to provide access to an interior of the passenger seat compartment wherein the at least one actuator (14) includes a series of motors and gears (20) located within an interior cavity of the stationary wall portion (18) and at least partially along an upper edge (22) and a lower edge (24) of the door portion (12), the series of motors and gears (20) functioning as the linear translation track and being coupled to a power source (26) so that actuation of the series of motors and gears (20) upon receiving the power generated by the power source (26) causes the door portion (12) to slide into and out of the interior cavity of the stationary wall portion (18) due to the rotational motion of the gears.

2. The aircraft of claim 1, characterized in that the at least one linear translation track is positioned at least partially within the stationary wall portion (18).

3. The aircraft of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the at least one sensor (16) comprises at least one of a proximity infrared sensor, a motion sensor, or an optical sensor.

4. The aircraft of any of the claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it further comprises a lock positioned on at least one of the stationary wall portion (18) or the door portion (12), wherein the sensor (16) receives a second contactless input and transmits a lock signal to activate the lock and prevent movement of the door portion (12).

5. The aircraft of any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the hands-free input comprises a contactless input.

6. The aircraft of any of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the door portion (12) comprises a first door member and a second door member, wherein the first door member comprises an edge moveable along the at least one linear translation track.

7. The aircraft of claim 6, characterized in that the first door member is pivotable relative to the second door member.

8. A method for activating a hands-free door of an aircraft, the method comprising: receiving a hands-free input from at least one sensor (16) positioned on at least one of a stationary wall portion (18) or a door portion (12), wherein the stationary wall portion (18) forms at least part of a stationary wall portion of a seat shell surrounding a first / business class seating compartment, the hands-free input being an input received without direct contact by the passenger's hand; transmitting an activation signal to at least one actuator (14), wherein the at least one actuator (14) is operable to move the door portion (12) along at least one linear translation track; and activating the at least one actuator (14) based on the activation signal to move the door portion (12) along the at least one linear translation track to provide access to an interior of the passenger seat compartment, wherein the at least one actuator (14) includes a series of motors and gears (20) located within an interior cavity of the stationary wall portion (18) and at least partially along an upper edge (22) and a lower edge (24) of the door portion (12), the series of motors and gears (20) functioning as the linear translation track and being coupled to a power source (26) so that actuation of the series of motors and gears (20) upon receiving the power generated by the power source (26) causes the door portion (12) to slide into and out of the interior cavity of the stationary wall portion (18) due to the rotational motion of the gears.

9. The method of claim 8, characterized in that the at least one linear translation track is positioned at least partially within the stationary wall portion (18).

10. The method of claim 8 or 9, characterized in that in the at least one sensor (16) comprises at least one of a proximity infrared sensor, a motion sensor, or an optical sensor.

11. The method of any of the claims 8 to 10, characterized in that it further comprises: receiving a second hands-free input from the at least one sensor (16); transmitting a lock signal to a lock positioned on at least one of the stationary wall portion (18) or the door portion (12); and activating the lock to prevent movement of the door portion (12).

12. The method of any of the claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the hands-free input comprises a contactless input.

13. The method of any of the claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the door portion (12) comprises a first door member and a second door member, wherein the first door member comprises an edge moveable along the at least one linear translation track.

14. The method of claim 13, characterized in that the first door member is pivotable relative to the second door member.