LIFE JACKET PRESENCE DETECTION SYSTEM AND / OR LIFE JACKET OPENING DETECTION SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention relates to an assembly comprising: - a life jacket (21), - a life jacket compartment (20), and - a detection system (27) comprising: - at least two electrical contacts (30.1-30.4) arranged respectively on the first part (24.1) and the second part (24.2) so as to establish an electrical connection between them when the life jacket compartment (20) is in a closed state, and - a detection module (35) capable of detecting a break in the electrical connection between the electrical contacts (30.1-30.4). Figure 3

Description

Description Title of the invention: SYSTEM FOR DETECTING THE PRESENCE OF A LIFE JACKET AND / OR AN OPENING OF A LIFE JACKET COMPARTMENT

[0001] — The present invention relates to a system for detecting the presence of a life jacket rescue and / or opening of a life jacket compartment. The invention finds a particularly advantageous application with vest compartments rescue devices used with aircraft seats. The invention can also be put into works with the life jacket compartments used with installed seats in other means of transport, particularly seats installed in boats.

[0002] — Safety constraints require that it not be possible to access the life jacket The rescue operation must be carried out within a compartment without breaking a seal. The presence of the seal guarantees the presence of a life jacket in good working order and that The life jacket compartment has not been opened. Otherwise, there is a risk that the life jacket may have been damaged and / or that an object may have been inserted inside the life jacket compartment.

[0003] — The presence of life jackets for each seat in an aircraft as well as the integrity Seals are generally checked by cabin crew before any shipment. boating. However, such visual checks are time-consuming. Furthermore, There are possibilities for errors related to such visual checks performed by a being human.

[0004] The invention aims to effectively remedy these drawbacks by proposing a set comprising: - a life jacket, and - a life jacket compartment delimiting an internal space intended for to receive the life jacket, said life jacket compartment comprising a first part and a second part, the said life jacket compartment being capable of assuming a closed state in which the first part and the second part are pressed against each other and an open state in which the first part and the The second part is separated from the other to allow the vest to be extracted from rescue, - said assembly further comprising a detection system including: - at least two electrical contacts arranged respectively on the first part and the second part in order to establish an electrical connection between them when the The life jacket compartment is in the closed state, and - a detection module capable of detecting a break in the electrical connection between electrical contacts. The invention thus proposes a non-intrusive, ergonomic, and autonomous system for monitoring the condition of the life jacket compartment. The invention significantly reduces the duration of the verification protocol due to the automation of the control procedure. According to one embodiment of the invention, the life jacket further comprises an electrical contact arranged to establish an electrical connection with the electrical contacts arranged on the parts, when the life jacket is arranged inside the internal space of the life jacket compartment and the life jacket compartment is in the closed state. According to one embodiment of the invention, said assembly comprises: - a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, each connected to an electrical wire of a detection circuit, said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact being arranged on the first part, - a third electrical contact located on the second part, and - a fourth electrical contact located on the life jacket, so that, when the life jacket is placed inside the internal space of the compartment and the life jacket compartment is in the closed state, an electrical connection is established between the first electrical contact of the first part and the fourth electrical contact of the life jacket, and between the fourth electrical contact of the life jacket and the third electrical contact placed on the second part, and between the third electrical contact placed on the second part and the second electrical contact placed on the first part. According to one embodiment of the invention, the electrical contacts are integrated on strips equipped with hooks and / or loops intended to cooperate with each other to keep the life jacket compartment in the closed state. According to one embodiment of the invention, the electrical contacts include magnets designed to cooperate with each other to keep the life jacket compartment in the closed state. According to one embodiment of the invention, said assembly further comprises a communication module capable of transmitting information relating to a state of the electrical connection between the electrical contacts. According to one embodiment of the invention, said assembly includes a control device capable of displaying a state of the electrical connection between the electrical contacts corresponding to a seat position as a function of the information received from the communication module via a communication link. According to one embodiment of the invention, the communication link is a wireless link. According to one embodiment of the invention, said assembly includes an alert system capable of generating a light and / or sound signal when the detection module has detected a break in the electrical connection. The invention also relates to a seat comprising at least one assembly as previously defined. The present invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description, which includes embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the accompanying figures, presented by way of non-limiting examples, which may serve to complete the understanding of the present invention and the explanation of its implementation and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, on which: [Fig.1] The [Fig.1] is a perspective view of a multi-seat aircraft seat equipped with a system for detecting the presence of life jackets and / or opening life jacket compartments according to the invention; [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a life jacket compartment containing a life jacket; [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of a life jacket compartment equipped with a system for detecting the presence of a life jacket and / or the opening of a life jacket compartment according to the invention; [Fig.4a][Fig.4b] Figures 4a and 4b are schematic representations illustrating the passage of electric current inside the electrical contacts of the detection system according to the invention when the life jacket is present inside the compartment and the compartment containing the life jacket is in the closed state; [Fig.5a][Fig.5b][Fig.5c] Figures Sa, 5b, and 5c are schematic representations illustrating electrical connection breaks for different scenarios of life jacket removal and / or life jacket compartment opening; [Fig.6a][Fig.6b] Figures 6a and 6b are schematic representations of alternative embodiments of a system for detecting the presence of a life jacket and / or the opening of a life jacket compartment according to the invention. It should be noted that, in the figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments have the same reference numbers. Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties. Figure 1 shows an economy class seat 10 designed to be fixed to rails (not shown) mounted on the floor of an aircraft cabin. For this purpose, the seat 10 has legs 11 with fasteners 12 configured to cooperate with the rails. A luggage bar 13 secures luggage placed under the seat 10. The seat 10 comprises several seats 15 and several backrests 16 so as to define several seats. Each backrest 16 can be mounted fixed or tilted backward relative to the corresponding seat 15. The seat 10 also has armrests 17 which may or may not be retractable. A life jacket compartment 20, also visible in [Fig.2] and containing a life jacket 21, is located under the seat 15 of each seat in seat 10. The life jacket compartment 20 may include straps 23 ensuring the attachment of the life jacket compartment 20 to a seat structure 10. The life jacket compartment 20 defines an internal space within which the life jacket 21 is placed. The life jacket compartment 20 is equipped with a first flap 24.1 and a second flap 24.2 located on its outward-opening end. The life jacket compartment 20 can be in a closed state, in which the first flap 24.1 and the second flap 24.2 are pressed together, and in an open state, in which the first flap 24.1 and the second flap 24.2 are separated to allow the life jacket 21 to be removed. The life jacket 21 is equipped with a strap 26 which protrudes from the life jacket compartment 20. In an emergency situation, the passenger can grasp and pull on the strap 26 located between the two flaps 24.1, 24.2, which has the effect of opening the life jacket compartment 20 and removing the life jacket 21 from said compartment 20. A detection system 27 includes a control box 28 electrically connected to several sets of electrical contacts, each associated with a life jacket compartment 20 of a seat 10. Thus, in a so-called "centralized" configuration, a control box 28 is common to several seats 10, or even to several seats 10. In a so-called "individualized" configuration, a control box 28 is associated with each seat 10. More specifically, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], the detection system 27 comprises a first electrical contact 30.1 and a second electrical contact 30.2, each connected respectively to an electrical wire 31.1, 31.2 of a detection electrical circuit 33. The first electrical contact 30.1 and the second electrical contact 30.2 are located on the first flap 24.1. A third electrical contact 30.3 is located on the second flap 24.2. A fourth electrical contact 30.4 is located on the strap 26 of the life jacket 21. The fourth electrical contact 30.4 is intended to establish an electrical connection between the first electrical contact 30.1 of the first flap 24.1 and the third electrical contact 30.3 of the second flap 24.2 when the strap 26 is interposed between the flaps 24.1 and 24.2. The control box 28 includes a detection module 35 capable of detecting a Break in the electrical connection between the electrical contacts 30.1-30.4. The detection module 35 takes, for example, the form of a microcontroller comprising a microprocessor associated with at least one memory. The detection module 35 is capable of detecting the continuity of current within the electrical detection circuit 33, which includes the two electrical wires 31.1, 31.2 connected to each other via the electrical contacts 30.1-30.4. The electrical detection circuit 33 can be a simple circuit comprising, for example, a resistor R connected between a positive electrical potential V+ and a negative electrical potential V-, as well as the electrical contacts 30.1-30.4 connected electrically in series within the electrical detection circuit 33. As illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b, when the life jacket 21 is arranged inside the internal space of the life jacket compartment 20 and the life jacket compartment 20 is in a closed state, an electrical connection is established between the first electrical contact 30.1 of the first flap 24.1 and the fourth electrical contact 30.4 of the strap 26, then between the fourth electrical contact 30.4 of the strap 26 and the third electrical contact 30.3 arranged on the second flap 24.2 and between the third electrical contact 30.3 arranged on the second flap 24.2 and the second electrical contact 30.2 arranged on the first flap 24.1. The electrical detection circuit 33 is then in a closed state due to the electrical continuity between the electrical contacts 30.1-30.4 illustrated by the arrows F in figures 4a and 4b. The detection module 35 then detects a current inside the electrical detection circuit 33 (and therefore no break in the electrical connection between the electrical contacts 30.1-30.4), which means that the life jacket 21 is positioned inside the internal space of the life jacket compartment 20 and that the life jacket compartment 20 is in a closed state. When the life jacket 21 is absent from the life jacket compartment 20 and / or the life jacket compartment 20 is in an open state, there is a break in connection between the electrical contacts 30.1-30.4 which is detected by the detection module 35. Indeed, the break in connection between the electrical contacts 30.1-30.4 causes a current interruption within the electrical detection circuit 33 which is detected by the detection module 35. Figure 5a illustrates a break in connection between the electrical contacts 30.1-30.4 observable when the life jacket 21 is absent from the life jacket compartment 20. The arrows F thus illustrate the break in the electrical connection between the first electrical contact 30.1 of the first flap 24.1 and the third electrical contact 30.3 of the second flap 24.2 which was previously established by the fourth electrical contact 30.4 located on the strap 26 of the life jacket 21. Figure 5b illustrates a break in the connection between the electrical contacts 30.1-30.4, observable when the first flap 24.1 is separated from the "second flap 24.2-strap 26" assembly. The arrows F thus illustrate the break in the electrical connection between the first electrical contact 30.1 of the first flap 24.1 and the fourth electrical contact 30.4 located on the strap 26 of the life jacket 21. Figure 5c illustrates a break in the connection between electrical contacts 30.1-30.4, observable when the second flap 24.2 is separated from the "first flap 24.1-strap 26" assembly. The arrows F thus illustrate the break in the electrical connection between the third electrical contact 30.3 of the second flap 24.2 and the fourth electrical contact 30.4 located on the strap 26 of the life jacket 21. Thus, when the detection module 35 detects a power interruption within the electrical detection circuit 33 and therefore a break in the electrical connection between the electrical contacts 30.1-30.4, this means that the life jacket 21 is absent from the life jacket compartment 20 and / or that the life jacket compartment 20 is in an open state. Alternatively, the presence of the life jacket 20 can be detected by means of a fourth electrical contact 30.4 located at a point on the life jacket other than the strap 26. In this case, the fourth electrical contact 30.4 preferably remains close to the flaps 24.1, 24.2 to establish the desired electrical connections with the other electrical contacts. Preferably, as can be seen in [Fig.1], the control box 28 further includes a communication module 38 capable of transmitting information relating to a state of the electrical connection between the electrical contacts 30.1-30.4. This information is representative of a state (open or closed) of the life jacket compartment 20 and / or the life jacket 21 (present or absent). A control device 39 is capable of displaying the status of the electrical connection (established or broken) between the electrical contacts 30.1-30.4 corresponding to a seat 10, based on information received from the communication module 38 via a communication link 40. Advantageously, the communication link 40 is a wireless link. The wireless link may be a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (trade name), ZigBee (trade name), or any other type of wireless link suitable for the application. Internally, communication link 40 is a wired link. Advantageously, the control device 39 is a control screen located inside the aircraft cabin. The control screen is, for example, located inside a space reserved for cabin crew. Preferably, the control screen is also capable of displaying a location corresponding to the aircraft seats 10, depending on the status of the corresponding electrical connection of the system. detection 27. Alternatively, the control device 39 is a dedicated portable system, for example tablet, mobile phone, smartwatch, or more generally any portable digital device suitable for the application. The detection module 35 and the communication module 38 are integrated into the control unit 28. The control unit 28 is powered by at least one power source 41. Advantageously, the power source 41 is in the form of batteries or a rechargeable battery. If the communication link 40 is wireless, the control unit 28 can be powered by any energy harvesting system based on the use of radio waves, vibrations, or solar energy, with or without an onboard battery. Alternatively, the power source 41 is the aircraft's electrical network to which the control unit 28 is connected. Alternatively or in addition, an alert system 42 can be installed, capable of generating a visual and / or audible signal when the detection module 35 detects a break in the electrical connection. The alert system 42 can be installed inside the aircraft cabin at seat level 10. In particular, the existing lights can be used to locate the row of the passenger who has requested assistance from the cabin crew. Advantageously, the electrical contacts 30.1-30.4 are integrated on strips equipped with hooks and / or loops designed to cooperate with each other to keep the life jacket compartment 20 closed. Preferably, these strips are of the Velcro type (trade name). According to an example embodiment, the first electrical contact 30.1 located on the first flap 24.1 is integrated onto a band equipped with hooks. The second electrical contact 30.2 located on the first flap 24.1 is integrated onto a band equipped with loops. The third electrical contact 30.3 located on the second flap 24.2 is integrated onto a band equipped with hooks. The fourth electrical contact 30.4 located on the strap 26 is integrated onto a band equipped with loops. For this purpose, the bands equipped with loops and / or hooks are covered with a layer of electrically conductive material, such as copper, forming the electrical contact. Alternatively, the electrical contacts 30.1-30.4 include magnets designed to cooperate to keep the life jacket compartment 20 closed. The magnets may be coated with a layer of electrically conductive material, such as copper, forming the electrical contact. If the magnets are made of an electrically conductive material, it is not necessary to coat them with an additional layer of electrically conductive material. Alternatively, the electrical contacts 30.1-30.4 are integrated onto snap fasteners made of metal or any other device allowing for the removable retention of elements between them and having good electrical conductivity. Alternatively, the electrical contacts 30.1-30.4 are dry contacts consisting of a thin plate made of an electrically conductive material. The function of keeping the life jacket compartment 20 closed is then ensured by removable fasteners between the flaps 24.1, 24.2, such as Velcro-type strips (trade name) or magnets, which do not then play a role in establishing the electrical connection between the electrical contacts 30.1-30.4 of the electrical detection circuit 33. According to the embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig.6a], the detection system 27 comprises only a first electrical contact 30.1 disposed on the first flap 24.1 and a second electrical contact 30.2 disposed on the second flap 24.2. When the life jacket compartment 20 is in the closed state, the first electrical contact 30.1 and the second electrical contact 30.2 establish an electrical connection between them. When the life jacket compartment 20 is opened, a break in connection occurs between the first electrical contact 30.1 and the second electrical contact 30.2, which is detected by the detection module 35. Such an embodiment allows detection only of the opening of the life jacket compartment 20 but not of the presence or absence of the life jacket 21 inside the compartment. According to the embodiment of [Fig. 6b], the detection system 27 comprises a first electrical contact 30.1 having a magnet disposed on the first flap 24.1 and a second electrical contact 30.2 having a magnet disposed on the second flap 24.2. A third electrical contact 30.3 having a magnet is disposed on the strap 26 of the life jacket 21. When the life jacket compartment 20 is in the closed state and the life jacket 21 is placed inside the life jacket compartment 20, the first electrical contact 30.1, the second electrical contact 30.2, and the third electrical contact 30.3 establish an electrical connection with each other. When the compartment is in the open state and / or the life jacket 21 is removed from compartment 20, a break in connection occurs between the electrical contacts which is detected by the detection module 35. In the embodiments described above, the two flaps 24.1 and 24.2 together form a door. In other embodiments, the life jacket compartment 20 has a single flap 24.1 or 24.2 designed to close compartment 20 by pressing directly against a portion of the compartment's body. According to these alternative embodiments, compartment 20 is therefore devoid of of the second part. Of course, the different features, variants and / or embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other in various ways as long as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms, and other variations that a person skilled in the art may envision within the scope of the present invention, and in particular all combinations of the different modes of operation described above, which may be considered separately or in combination.

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly comprising: - a life jacket (21), and - a life jacket compartment (20) delimiting a space internal compartment intended to receive the life jacket (21), said compartment life jacket (20) comprising a first part (24.1) and a second part (24.2), said life jacket compartment (21) being capable of assuming a closed state in which the first part (24.1) and the second part (24.2) are pressed against each other and a state open in which the first part (24.1) and the second part (24.2) are spaced apart from each other to allow the vest to be removed rescue (21), characterized in that said assembly further comprises a system of detection (27) comprising: - at least two electrical contacts (30.1-30.4) arranged respec- tively on the first part (24.1) and the second part (24.2) of way to establish an electrical connection between them when the com- life jacket compartment (20) is in the closed state, and - a detection module (35) capable of detecting a break in the electrical connection between the electrical contacts (30.1-30.4).

2. An assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the vest rescue (21) further comprises an electrical contact (30.4) arranged way of establishing an electrical connection with electrical contacts arranged on the parts (24.1, 24.2), when the life jacket (21) is arranged inside the internal space of the vest compartment of rescue (20) and that the life jacket compartment (20) is in the closed state.

3. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises: - a first electrical contact (30.1) and a second electrical contact (30.2) each connected to an electric wire of an electric circuit of detection (33), said first electrical contact (30.1) and said second electrical contact (30.2) being arranged on the first part (24.1), - a third electrical contact (30.3) arranged on the second part (24.2), and - a fourth electrical contact (30.4) located on the life jacket {21), so that when the life jacket (21) is arranged inside of the internal space of the compartment and that the vest compartment of rescue (20) is in the closed state, an electrical connection is established between the first electrical contact (30.1) of the first part (24.1) and the fourth electrical contact (30.4) of the vest (26), and between the fourth electrical contact (30.4) of the vest and the third electrical contact (30.3) arranged on the second part (24.2), and between the third contact electric (30.3) arranged on the second part (24.2) and the second electrical contact (30.2) arranged on the first part (24.1).

4. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electrical contacts (30.1-30.4) are integrated on bands provided with hooks and / or loops intended to cooperate between they to maintain the life jacket compartment (20) in the state farm.

5. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electrical contacts (30.1-30.4) comprise magnets intended to cooperate with each other to maintain the vest compartment of rescue (20) in the closed state.

6. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it further comprises a communication module (38) capable of transmit information relating to the state of the electrical connection between electrical contacts (30.1-30.4).

7. Assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a control device (39) capable of displaying a status of the connection electrical between the electrical contacts (30.1-30.4) corresponding to a seat position (10) based on the information received from the module communication (38) via a communication link (40).

8. Assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the connection of communication (40) is a wireless link.

9. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises an alert system (42) capable of generating a signal light and / or sound when the detection module (35) has detected a break in the electrical connection.

10. Seat (10) comprising at least one assembly according to any one of the previous claims.