AIRCRAFT SEAT PRESENCE DETECTOR

Abstract

The seat (100) comprises: - first and second elements (108, 106); and - a detector (202; 602) for the presence of a user in the seat (100), comprising: + a support (302) fixed to the first element (108) of the seat (100), + a force multiplier device (304) comprising a flexible element (306) having: - an inlet portion (308) designed to be pushed by a second element (106) of the seat (100) in response to the user being received in the seat (100), with a certain inlet force (FE), and - an outlet portion (310) designed to, in response to the push of the inlet portion (308), move from a rest position in the absence of the user to an activated position in the presence of the user, providing an outlet force (FS) greater than the inlet force (FE).+ a sensor (312) fixed to the support (302) and having an input element (314) which is movable and designed to be pushed by the output portion (310) of the flexible element (306) of the force multiplier device (304) during its movement from the rest position to the activated position, from a first position to a second position, the sensor (312) being designed to transmit a wireless message in response to a transition from one of its positions to the other. The sensor (312) is self-powered with energy harvesting so as to transmit the wireless message using the energy received from the movement of the input element (314). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 5,

Description

Title of the invention: USER PRESENCE DETECTOR IN AN AIRCRAFT SEAT Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a user presence detector, as well as a seat with such a detector and an aircraft comprising such a seat. Technological background

[0002] Climate change is a major concern for many legislative and regulatory bodies worldwide. Indeed, various restrictions on carbon emissions have been, are being, or will be adopted by various states. In particular, an ambitious standard applies to both new types of aircraft and those currently in operation, requiring the implementation of technological solutions to bring them into compliance with current regulations. Civil aviation has been actively working for several years now to contribute to the fight against climate change.

[0003] Technological research efforts have already led to very significant improvements in the environmental performance of aircraft. The Applicant takes into account the factors impacting all phases of design and development in order to obtain aeronautical components and products that are less energy-intensive, more environmentally friendly, and whose integration and use in civil aviation have moderate environmental impacts, with the aim of improving the energy efficiency of aircraft.

[0004] Consequently, the Applicant is constantly working to reduce its climate impact by using methods and operating virtuous development and manufacturing processes that minimize greenhouse gas emissions to the minimum possible in order to reduce the environmental footprint of its activity.

[0005] This sustained research and development work focuses on new generations of aircraft engines, the weight reduction of aircraft, in particular through the materials used and lighter on-board equipment, the development of the use of electrical technologies to provide propulsion, and, as essential complements to technological progress, aviation biofuels.

[0006] Prior art exists for a detector of the presence of a user in an aircraft seat, of the type comprising: - a support designed to be attached to a first element of the seat; - a force-multiplying device comprising a flexible element having: • an entry portion designed to be pushed by the second element of the seat in response to the user's reception, with a certain entry force, and • an output portion designed to move, in response to the thrust from the input portion, from a rest position in the absence of the user to an activated position in the presence of the user, providing an output force greater than the input force; and - a sensor fixed to the support and having an input element which is movable and designed to be pushed by the output portion of the flexible element of the force multiplier device when moving from the rest position to the activated position, from a first position to a second position, the sensor being designed to emit a wireless message in response to a passage from one of its positions to the other.

[0007] In the prior art, the flexible element is, for example, a curved blade in one piece with the support. Thus, a presence is detected when a predefined threshold of input force, and therefore of weight applied to the seat, is exceeded.

[0008] A known problem with the sensor is that it needs to be connected to electrical wires, which leads to electrical integration problems and adds mass.

[0009] It may therefore be desirable to provide an aircraft seat that overcomes at least some of the aforementioned problems and constraints. Summary of the invention

[0010] A detector of the aforementioned type is therefore proposed, characterized in that the sensor is autonomous with energy harvesting so as to emit the wireless message from the energy received by the movement of the input element.

[0011] The invention may further include one or more of the following optional features, according to any technically possible combination.

[0012] Optionally, the detector also includes a mechanism for fixing the flexible element to the support, allowing the position of the flexible element relative to the support to be adjusted in order to set a distance between, on the one hand, the exit portion of the flexible element in its rest position and, on the other hand, the input element of the sensor.

[0013] Thus, since the support and the flexible element are two separate parts whose relative position can be adjusted, it is possible to adjust the distance between, on the one hand, the exit portion of the flexible element in its rest position and, on the other hand, the element the sensor's input. Thus, if this distance is set to a high value, a small weight will only slightly displace the output portion of the flexible element, without it reaching the sensor's input element and therefore going undetected. Conversely, if this distance is set to a low value (or even zero), the displacement of the flexible element's output portion will be sufficient to reach and move the sensor's input element. This allows you to adjust the weight that triggers detection. Indeed, a lower trigger weight can detect the presence of a light piece of luggage, which could pose a risk on the seat. During takeoff, landing, taxiing, or turbulence, the seat must be in the "safe" position. Therefore, luggage on the seat is not permitted.

[0014] Optionally also, the flexible element is designed, when moving from its rest position to its activated position, to push and release the sensor input element several times.

[0015] Optionally, the seat also includes an energy recovery device activated by an input element, and the flexible element is then designed, when moving from its rest position to its activated position, to simultaneously push the input elements of the sensor and the energy recovery device.

[0016] Optionally also includes at least one other sensor fixed to the support and having an input element which is movable and designed to be pushed by the output portion of the flexible element of the force multiplier device when moving from the rest position to the activated position, from a first position to a second position, each other sensor being designed to emit a wireless message in response to each passage from one of its positions to the other and self-recovering energy so as to emit the wireless message from the energy received by the movement of its input element, the sensors being provided one after the other and the flexible element being designed, when moving from its rest position to its activated position, to successively push the input elements of the sensors.

[0017] Optionally also, the flexible element is designed, when in its activated position, to maintain the sensor input elements in their second position and to release the sensor input elements to allow them to return to their first position when withdrawn to its rest position.

[0018] Optionally also, the flexible element is designed, when moving from its rest position to its activated position, to push and then release each input element of the sensors so that the input element moves from its first position to its second position and then back to its first position.

[0019] An aircraft seat is also proposed, comprising: - the first and second elements; and - a detector according to the invention.

[0020] An aircraft comprising a seat according to the invention is also proposed. Brief description of the figures

[0021] The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - [Fig. 1] is a side view of a seat of an aircraft according to the invention, - [Fig. 2] is a cross-sectional view of a seat of the [Fig. 1] seat, in which contains a detector according to the invention for the presence of a user in the seat, - [Fig. 3] is a side view of the presence detector with a self-powered energy harvesting sensor, - Figure [Fig. 4] is a three-dimensional view of the presence detector; - Figure [Fig. 5] is a bottom view of the presence detector. - Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a variant of a presence detector with several sensors, with a flexible element in a rest position, - [Fig.7] is a view similar to that of [Fig.6], with the flexible element in an activated position following the arrival of a user in the seat, - Figure [8] is a view similar to that of Figure [7], illustrating a variant embodiment of the flexible element of the presence detector, - Figure 9 is a schematic view of a variant of a presence detector with, in addition to the sensor, an auxiliary energy harvesting device, with the flexible element in the rest position, and - Fig. 10 illustrates a variant of the flexible element of the presence detector, with one drawing - at the top - with the flexible element in the resting position and another drawing - at the bottom - with the flexible element in the extended position. Detailed description of the invention

[0022] With reference to [Fig.1], an example of an aircraft seat 100 will now be described.

[0023] The seat 100 is designed to accommodate a user. For this purpose, the seat 100 comprises at least a seat 102 to accommodate the user's buttocks and, for example, a backrest 104 to accommodate the user's back. The seat 102 comprises, for example, a seat support 106 and a seat cushion 108 supported by the seat support 106 and designed to accommodate the user's buttocks. Similarly, the backrest 104 comprises, for example, a backrest support 110 and a backrest cushion 112 supported by the backrest support 110 and designed to accommodate the user's back.

[0024] With reference to [Fig.2], the seat 100 further comprises a user presence detector 202 in the seat 100. The detector 202 is designed to be placed between a support element of the seat 100 and a user receiving element, for example between the seat support 106 and the seat cushion 108 (as illustrated in [Fig.2]) or for example between the backrest support 110 and the backrest cushion 112. Thus, for example, a cavity 204 is provided between the seat support 106 and the seat cushion 108, in which the detector 202 is placed.

[0025] With reference to [Fig.3], the detector 202 first includes a support 302 designed to be fixed to an element of the seat, for example the seat cushion 108 as in the example of [Fig.2].

[0026] The detector 202 further comprises a force-multiplying device 304, in particular a flexible element 306, for example a curved flexible blade as in the illustrated example. The flexible element 306 has an input portion 308 designed to be pushed by an element of the seat 102 (the seat support 106 in the example in [Fig. 2]) in response to the user's presence, with a certain input force FE depending on the user's weight. The flexible element 306 further comprises an output portion 310 designed to move, in response to the push from the input portion 308, from a rest position in the absence of the user to an activated position in the presence of the user, providing an output force Fs greater than the input force FE.

[0027] The detector 202 further includes a sensor 312 fixed to the support 302 and having an input element 314 designed to be pushed by the output portion 310 of the flexible element 306 of the force multiplier device 304 during its movement from the rest position to the activated position. The input element 314 is thus moved from a first position to a second position. The sensor 312 is designed to transmit a wireless message in response to each transition from one of its positions to the other, in particular to a receiver in the cabin. Preferably, the sensor 312 is self-powered, that is, it is designed to transmit each message using the energy received from the movement of the input element 314.Thus, the sensor 312 includes, on the one hand, an energy harvesting device 316 designed to generate electrical energy from the movement of the input element 314 and, on the other hand, a wireless transmitter 318 powered by the electrical energy generated by the energy harvesting device 316. For example, the energy harvesting device 316 includes a movable magnet (not shown) and a coil, and the input element 314 is then designed, when moving from one of its positions to the other, to drive the magnet so as to make the latter pass in front of the coil which then generates an electrical current powering the wireless transmitter 318. Alternatively, the energy harvesting device 316 may include a dynamo (not shown). and the input element 314 is then designed to rotate this dynamo to provide the electrical current powering the wireless transmitter 318.

[0028] Having an output force Fs greater than the input force FE allows the sensor 312 to be triggered at lower input forces FE. This is because the energy harvesting device 316 generally has a force threshold below which no energy is harvested. Therefore, with an output force Fs greater than the input force FE, this threshold can be reached even with a low input force FE. This increases the detection sensitivity of the sensor 312.

[0029] With reference to [Fig. 4], the support 302 comprises, for example, a base 402 and two arms 404, 406 projecting from the base 402 in the same direction and having ends 408, 410 opposite the base 402. The sensor 312 is then, for example, fixed to the base 402 of the support, while the flexible element has a portion 412 fixed to the ends 408, 410 of the arms 404, 406. For example, as in the illustrated example, the portion 412 covers both ends 408, 410 of the arms 404, 406.

[0030] With reference to [Fig.5], to fix the flexible element 306 to the support 302, the detector 202 further includes a fixing mechanism 502, allowing adjustment of the position of the flexible element 306 relative to the support 302, in order to set a distance d between, on the one hand, the output portion 310 of the flexible element 306 in its rest position and, on the other hand, the input element 314 of the sensor 312 in its first position.

[0031] For example, as in the illustrated example, the fastening mechanism 502 has, on the one hand, at least one elongated hole 504, 506 on one of the supports 302 and the flexible element 306, and, on the other hand, a fastening hole 508, 510 on the other of the supports 302 and the flexible element 306. The fastening mechanism 502 then has a screw (not shown) passing through both holes 504, 508 and 506, 510 to secure the fastening. It is thus possible to adjust the position of the fastening hole 508, 510 along the elongated hole 504, 506 to move the flexible element 306 relative to the support, before tightening the screw. For example, as in the illustrated example, an elongated hole is provided on the end 408, 410 of each arm 404, 406 of the support 302 and two fixing holes 508, 510 are provided in the portion 412 of the flexible element 306, respectively opposite the elongated holes 504, 506.

[0032] Other embodiments of the fastening mechanism 502 are possible. For example, the fastening mechanism 502 could include a rack on one of the support 302 and the flexible element 306, and, on the other hand, a stop coupled to the rack on the other of the support 302 and the flexible element 306.

[0033] With reference to [Fig.6], another example of a 602 user presence detector will now be described.

[0034] The detector 602 is similar to that shown in the preceding figures, except that several sensors 312A-C with their respective input elements 314A-C are arranged one after the other. The flexible element 306 is then designed, as it moves from its rest position to its activated position, to successively push the input elements 314A-C. This allows for several activation thresholds and thus enables the estimation of the user's weight, depending on how many sensors 312A-C are activated.

[0035] With reference to [Fig. 7], the flexible element 306 is designed, for example, when in its activated position, to hold the input elements 314A-C in their second position and to release them to allow them to return to their first position when it is withdrawn to its rest position. In other words, when the flexible element 306 successively presses on the input elements 314A-C, the latter are held in this position. The advantage of this pressure hold is to accumulate the energy of the sensors 312A-C, store it, and then transmit the data wirelessly (a rather energy-intensive transmission).

[0036] Alternatively, with reference to [Fig. 8], the flexible element 306 is designed, for example, when moving from its rest position to its activated position, to push and then release each input element 314A-C so that the latter moves from its first position to its second position and then back to its first position. This allows each sensor 312A-C to recover more energy, because its input element 314A-C makes a round trip. The flexible element 306 has, for example, a notch 802 for this purpose, allowing the release of the input elements 314A-C.

[0037] With reference to [Fig. 9], in another embodiment, an energy harvesting device 316B activated by an input element 314B is provided in addition to the sensor 312A. The flexible element 306 is then designed, during its movement from its rest position to its activated position, to simultaneously push the input elements 314A, 314B. For example, the sensor 312A and the energy harvesting device 316B are placed on either side of the flexible element 306, and the latter has raised features 902A, 902B on each side designed to cooperate with the input elements 314A, 314B, respectively. The energy recovered by the energy harvesting device 316B can be used to power another device (not shown) or the wireless transmitter 318A of the sensor 312A, in conjunction with the energy harvesting device 314A of the sensor 312A.Thus, the 318A wireless transmitter can use more electrical energy than the 314A energy harvesting device alone, for example to send a wireless message using a more complex protocol.

[0038] With reference to [Fig. 10], in another embodiment, the flexible element 306 is designed, when moving from its rest position to its activated position, to push and then release the input element 314A of the sensor 312A so that this The last element moves from its first position to its second position and then back to its first position, and this process is repeated several times. For this purpose, the flexible element 306 has, for example, several reliefs 1002, 1004, 1006 arranged successively along its length to cooperate with the input element 314A. Thus, these interactions with the input element 314A allow the energy harvesting device 316A to store electrical energy, which is only used after the last interaction, when the stored energy is sufficient, to send the wireless message.

[0039] In conclusion, it is clear that a seat such as the one described above does not require electrical wires to detect the presence of a user.

[0040] It should also be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It will indeed be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above, in light of the information just disclosed to them.

[0041] In the detailed presentation of the invention given above, the terms used shall not be interpreted as limiting the invention to the embodiments set forth in this description, but shall be interpreted as including all equivalents which can be foreseen by a person skilled in the art by applying their general knowledge to the implementation of the teaching which has just been disclosed to them.

Claims

Demands

1. A user presence detector (202; 602) in an aircraft seat (100), comprising: - a support (302) designed to be attached to a first element (108) of the seat (100); - a force multiplier device (304) comprising a flexible element (306) having: • an input portion (308) designed to be pushed by a second element (106) of the seat (100) in response to the user being received in the seat (100), with a certain input force (FE), and • an output portion (310) designed to, in response to the push of the input portion (308), move from a rest position in the absence of the user to an activated position in the presence of the user, providing an output force (Fs) greater than the input force (FE); and - a sensor (312; 312A) fixed to the support (302) and having an input element (314;314A) which is mobile and designed to be pushed by the output portion (310) of the flexible element (306) of the force multiplier device (304) during its movement from the rest position to the activated position, from a first position to a second position, the sensor (312; 312A) being designed to emit a wireless message in response to a passage from one of its positions to the other; characterized in that the sensor (312; 312A) is self-powered with energy harvesting so as to emit the wireless message from the energy received by the movement of the input element (314; 314A).

2. Detector (202; 602) according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanism (502) for fixing the flexible element (306) to the support (302), allowing adjustment of the position of the flexible element (306) relative to the support (302), in order to set a distance (d) between, on the one hand, the output portion (310) of the flexible element (306) in its rest position and, on the other hand, the input element (314) of the sensor (312).

3. Detector (202; 602) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flexible element (306) is designed, when moving from its rest position to its activated position, to repeatedly push and then release the input element (314A) of the sensor (312A).

4. Detector (202; 602) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an energy recovery device (316B) activated by an input element (314B) and in which the flexible element (306) is then designed, when moving from its rest position to its activated position, to simultaneously push the input elements (314A, 314B) of the sensor (312A) and of the energy recovery device (316B).

5. Detector (202; 602) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising further at least one other sensor (312B, 312C) fixed to the support (302) and having an input element (314B, 314C) that is movable and designed to be pushed by the output portion (310) of the flexible element (306) of the force multiplier device (304) during its movement from the rest position to the activated position, from a first position to a second position, each other sensor (312B, 312C) being designed to transmit a wireless message in response to each transition from one of its positions to the other and self-powered with energy harvesting so as to transmit the wireless message from the energy received by the movement of its input element (314B, 314C), the sensors (312A, 312B, 312C) being provided one after the other and the flexible element (306) being designed, during its movement from its rest position to its activated position,to successively push the input elements (314A, 314B, 314C) of the sensors (312A, 312B, 312C).

6. Detector (202; 602) according to claim 5, wherein the flexible element (306) is designed, when in its activated position, to hold the input elements (314A, 314B, 314C) of the sensors (312A, 312B, 312C) in their second position and to release the input elements (314A, 314B, 314C) of the sensors (312A, 312B, 312C) to allow them to return to their first position when withdrawn to its rest position.

7. Detector (202; 602) according to claim 5, wherein the flexible element (306) is designed, when moving from its position from rest to its activated position, to push and then release each input element (314A, 314B 314C) of the sensors (312A, 312B, 312C) so that the input element (314A, 314B 314C) moves from its first position to its second position and then back to its first position.

8. Aircraft seat (100), comprising: - first and second elements (108, 106); and - a detector (202; 602) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Aircraft comprising one seat (100) according to claim 8.

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