Comfort system for aircraft seats

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular comfort system for aircraft seats, comprising one or more module control units (2, 2', 2'') which are electrically connected in a daisy chain, and at least one comfort module (3, 3', 3''); wherein the at least one comfort module (3, 3', 3'') is selected from the group consisting of seat heating, seat cooling, integrated ventilation, lighting device, sensors and pneumatically controlled air cushion; wherein the at least one comfort module (3, 3', 3'') in each case comprises a connection device (4, 4', 4'') and is electrically connected by the connection device (4, 4', 4'') to in each case one of the plurality of module control units (2, 2', 2''), wherein the connection device (4, 4', 4'') is provided with a configuration jumper, and wherein the module control unit (2, 2', 2'') is configured to identify the type of the at least one connected comfort module (3, 3', 3'') on the basis of a configuration of the configuration jumper.

Description

[0001] Comfort system for aircraft seats

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The invention relates to a comfort system for aircraft seats.

[0004] Technical background

[0005] Comfort demands, especially for aircraft seats, are constantly increasing. More and more aircraft seats are being equipped with comfort systems such as heating, cooling, and pneumatic comfort systems. However, the features vary greatly depending on the flight class and even the end customer.

[0006] There is therefore a need for a structure that is as simple as possible, which can be adapted to the desired comfort requirements and can be easily installed and maintained in aircraft seats.

[0007] Description of the invention

[0008] An object of the invention is to provide a comfort system which can be easily adapted to the comfort needs of a seat manufacturer or an airline and whose individual modules are easily replaceable.

[0009] This object is achieved by a modular comfort system for aircraft seats having the features of claim 1. The modular comfort system comprises one or more module control units electrically connected in a daisy chain, and at least one comfort module. The at least one comfort module is selected from the group consisting of seat heating, seat cooling, integrated ventilation, lighting, sensors (e.g. pressure sensors or temperature sensors) and pneumatically controlled air cushions. The at least one comfort module comprises a connection device and is electrically connected to one of the plurality of module control units by means of the connection device. The connection device is provided with a configuration jumper, the module control unit being configured to recognize the type of the at least one connected comfort module based on a configuration of the configuration jumper.

[0010] In this way, the customer can easily put together a comfort system that can then be installed in an aircraft seat, connected to a comfort control device of the aircraft seat and operated entirely via the comfort control device with an integrated or separate control device.

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

[0012] In some embodiments, the seat heater may comprise a textile fabric with a heating wire.

[0013] In some embodiments, the seat cooling system may comprise a flat plastic bag and a fan, wherein the flat plastic bag has a seat area, a connection area and an air-conducting insert arranged in the plastic bag, wherein the seat area is provided with a plurality of air openings on one side, and wherein the plastic bag is connected to the connection area on the fan.

[0014] In some embodiments, the textile fabric of the seat heater can be permeable to air and can be designed as a pocket, wherein the plastic bag of the seat cooling can be inserted or is inserted into the pocket.

[0015] In some embodiments, the modular comfort system may be connected or connectable to a central comfort control device of an aircraft seat, which has an operating device or is connectable to a separate operating device.

[0016] In some embodiments, the modular comfort system may further comprise a massage device that is directly connected or connectable to the comfort control device or is connected to the module control unit as a pneumatically controlled air cushion.

[0017] In some embodiments, the modular comfort system may further comprise a pneumatically adjustable lumbar support device that is directly connected or connectable to the comfort control device or is connected to the module control unit as a pneumatically controlled air cushion.

[0018] In some embodiments, the modular comfort system may further comprise a pneumatic device for adjusting a seat hardness, which is directly connected or connectable to the comfort control device or is connected to the module control unit as a pneumatically controlled air cushion.

[0019] In some embodiments, the modular comfort system may further comprise a device for contouring a seating and / or lying surface using air cushions, which is directly connected or connectable to the comfort control device or is connected to the module control unit as a pneumatically controlled air cushion. Brief explanation of the figures

[0020] The invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing(s). They show:

[0021] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a modular comfort system;

[0022] Fig. 2 a part of a modular comfort system with seat heating and seat cooling;

[0023] Fig. 3 a seat heating with integrated seat cooling.

[0024] Ways to implement the invention

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a modular comfort system. The modular comfort system comprises several module control units 2, 2', 2", which are connected to a central comfort control unit of an aircraft seat via a daisy chain connection. The comfort system further comprises several selectable comfort modules 3, 3', 3', each of which is connected to a module control unit 2, 2', 2". The daisy chain forms the power supply and a communication bus for controlling the individual comfort modules 3, 3', 3". To identify the selected connected comfort modules 3, 3', 3", a connection device of each comfort module 3, 3', 3" has a configuration jumper. The module control unit 2, 2', 2" is configured such that it recognizes the type of connected comfort module 3, 3', 3" based on the configuration of the configuration jumper.

[0026] In some cases, an additional comfort module 7 can also be connected directly to the central comfort control unit 1. The central comfort control unit 1 can have an integrated or separate control unit.

[0027] Fig. 2 shows part of a modular comfort system with two comfort modules 3, 3', namely a seat heating 5 and a seat cooling 6. The seat heating 5 and the seat cooling 6 are each connected to a module control unit 3, 3'.

[0028] The seat heater 5 comprises a textile fabric 51 to which a heating wire 52 is attached. The textile fabric 51 is permeable to air and designed as a pocket 53. The seat cooler 6 comprises a flat plastic bag 61 and a fan 62, which draws air through the flat plastic bag 61. The flat plastic bag 61 has a seating area 63a and a connection area 63b. In the seating area, the flat plastic bag 61 has several air openings 65 which, when installed, face a seating surface of an aircraft seat. An air-guiding, dimensionally stable insert 64 is arranged in the flat plastic bag 61 for air guidance. The connection area 63b of the plastic bag 61 is connected to the fan 62.

[0029] In the illustration in Fig. 2, the seat cooling system is not yet inserted into the seat heating pocket.

[0030] Fig. 3 shows a seat cooling system 6 being inserted into a bag 53 of the seat heating system 5. The bag 53 can be closed with a zipper or Velcro fastener.

[0031] List of designations

[0032] 1 central comfort control unit

[0033] 2, 2', 2" module control unit

[0034] 3, 3', 3" comfort module

[0035] 4, 4', 4" connection device

[0036] 5 Seat heating

[0037] 51 textile fabrics

[0038] 52 heating wire

[0039] 53 Bag

[0040] 6 Seat cooling

[0041] 61 flat plastic bags

[0042] 62 fans

[0043] 63a Seating area

[0044] 63b Connection area

[0045] 64 air-conducting insert

[0046] 65 air vents

[0047] 7 Comfort module

Claims

Patent claims 1. A modular comfort system for aircraft seats, comprising one or more module control units (2, 2', 2") electrically connected in a daisy chain, and at least one comfort module (3, 3', 3"); wherein the at least one comfort module (3, 3', 3") is selected from the group consisting of seat heating, seat cooling, integrated ventilation, lighting, sensors, and pneumatically controlled air cushion; wherein the at least one comfort module (3, 3', 3") comprises a respective connection device (4, 4', 4") and is electrically connected to one of the plurality of module control units (2, 2', 2") by means of the connection device (4, 4', 4"), wherein the connection device (4, 4', 4") is provided with a configuration jumper, and wherein the module control unit (2, 2', 2") is configured to detect the type of the at least one connected comfort module (3, 3', 3") based on a configuration of the configuration jumper.

2. Modular comfort system according to claim 1, characterized in that the seat heating (5) comprises a textile fabric (51) with a heating wire (52).

3. Modular comfort system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seat cooling (6) comprises a flat plastic bag (61) and a fan (62), wherein the flat plastic bag (61) has a seat area (63a), a connection area (63b) and an air-conducting insert (64) arranged in the plastic bag, wherein the seat area (63a) is provided with a plurality of air openings (65) on one side, and wherein the plastic bag (61) is connected to the fan (62) by means of the connection area (63b).

4. Modular comfort system according to claim 3, characterized in that the textile fabric (51) of the seat heating (5) is permeable to air and is designed as a pocket (53), wherein the plastic bag (61) of the seat cooling (6) can be inserted or is inserted into the pocket (53).

5. Modular comfort system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modular comfort system is connected or connectable to a central comfort control device (1) of an aircraft seat, which has an operating device or is connectable to a separate operating device.

6. Modular comfort system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modular comfort system further comprises a massage device which is or can be connected directly to the comfort control device (1) or is connected to the module control unit (2, 2', 2") as a pneumatically controlled air cushion.

7. Modular comfort system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modular comfort system further comprises a pneumatically adjustable lumbar support device which is or can be connected directly to the comfort control device (1) or is connected to the module control unit (2, 2', 2") as a pneumatically controlled air cushion.

8. Modular comfort system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modular comfort system further comprises a pneumatic device for adjusting a seat hardness, which is directly connected or connectable to the comfort control device (1) or is connected to the module control unit (2, 2', 2") as a pneumatically controlled air cushion.

9. Modular comfort system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modular comfort system further comprises a device for contouring a sitting and / or lying surface by means of air cushions, which is directly connected or connectable to the comfort control device (1) or is connected as a pneumatically controlled air cushion to the module control unit (2, 2', 2").

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