Aircraft seat with moveable lighting device

Abstract

The invention relates to an aircraft seat unit. In particular, the invention relates to an electrically powered component of an aircraft seat unit that is typically only used occasionally. For example, a lighting device and a wireless charger. The lighting device may comprise a wirelessly chargeable battery arranged to power the lighting device. The lighting device is movable between a first position in which the wirelessly charged battery is chargeable by the wireless charger and a second position in which the lighting device is operable.

Description

[0001] Aircraft seat with moveable lighting device

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention concerns an aircraft seating arrangement. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention concerns an aircraft seat unit and moveable lighting device. The invention also concerns other moveable electrical devices, such as screens, fans and the like.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] Aircraft seating units often include lighting devices for the use of a passenger using the seat unit. The lighting devices are often mounted on components of the seating unit and may be used by the passenger when using the component to which they are mounted. Some lighting devices may be movable between a stowed position, for example during taxi, take-off and landing (TTL), and a deployed position, for example to provide the passenger with a movable light source during their flight. Aircraft seating units in first class and business class cabins often have lighting devices that can be further moved by the passenger using the seating unit, so the passenger can position them in a way to suit their needs. The movable lighting devices typically include a harness to enable the lighting device to move from a first position to a second position, and store electrical components. This harness can be mechanically complicated and challenging to design depending on the arrangement of the seating unit. Additionally, the harness may be bulky and difficult to hide, creating an overall less appealing impression of the seat unit.

[0006] Climate change is a major concern for many legislative and regulatory bodies around the world. Indeed, various restrictions on carbon emissions have been, are being or will be adopted by various states. In particular, an ambitious standard applies both to new types of aircraft but also to those in circulation that require the need to implement technological solutions in order to comply with the regulations in force. Civil aviation has been mobilizing for several years now to make a contribution to the fight against climate change.

[0007] Technological research efforts have already made it possible to significantly improve the environmental performance of aircraft. The Applicant shall take into account the factors impacting in all phases of design and development in order to obtain aeronautical components and products that are more energy-efficient, more environmentally friendly and whose integration and use in civil aviation have moderate environmental consequences with a view to improving the energy efficiency of aircraft.

[0008] As a result, the Applicant is continuously working to reduce its negative climate impact through the use of virtuous development and manufacturing methods and processes that minimize greenhouse gas emissions to the minimum possible to reduce the environmental footprint of its activity.

[0009] This sustained research and development work focuses on new generations of aircraft engines, the reduction in weight of aircraft, in particular through the materials used and reduction in weight of on-board equipment, the development and the use of electric technologies and biofuels to drive propulsion.

[0010] The present invention seeks to mitigate the above-mentioned problems. Alternatively, or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide an improved aircraft seat unit with moveable table.

[0011] Summary of the Invention

[0012] The invention provides, according to a first aspect, an aircraft seat unit comprising a lighting device and a wireless charger; wherein the lighting device comprises a wirelessly chargeable battery arranged to power the lighting device; wherein the lighting device is movable between a first position in which the wirelessly chargeable battery is chargeable by the wireless charger and a second position in which the lighting device is operable.

[0013] The lighting device may comprise a light emitting component, such as an LED, or any other suitable light emitting component as would be easily provided by a skilled person.

[0014] The aircraft seat unit may comprise a seat for seating a passenger. The aircraft seat unit may comprise a shell surrounding the seat unit, and the shell may provide privacy for the passenger using the seat unit or for other passengers on the aircraft. The lighting device may form part of the seat or the shell. The lighting device may be part of the seat or seat unit of a passenger in front of a passenger using the lighting device. For example, the lighting device may be located in the rear of an aircraft seat or shell of an aircraft seat unit, and used by a passenger sitting behind the seat unit.

[0015] The invention utilises wireless charging rather than wired charging to charge the battery powering the lighting device of the seat unit. As a result, the need for a harness to connect either the lighting device or battery to a main power source is removed. This may make the seat unit more straightforward to design and manufacture and may create an lighter seat unit. This may also make is easier to design lights into seating units or provide the possibility of more flexible positioning of lighting devices.

[0016] In normal use, it is expected the lighting device will be stored in the first position and therefore the wirelessly chargeable battery will be charging or be in the charging position. The lighting device may then be moved to the second position, to be used. In this position the lighting device may be emitting light and will be powered by energy stored in the wirelessly chargeable battery. The lighting device may then be moved back to the first position again, and therefore the wirelessly chargeable battery will begin charging again.

[0017] When in the first position the lighting device may be inoperable. When in the first position, the lighting device may be housed within part of the seat unit. When in the first position the lighting device may be effectively hidden from the passenger, such that the lighting device cannot be seen by the passenger as it is facing the shell of the aircraft seat unit.

[0018] When in the second position the lighting device may remain physically connected to the seat unit. When in the second position the lighting device may be rotated or moved by the passenger in respect to the seat unit. When in the second position the lighting device may be able to be moved freely by the passenger.

[0019] The lighting device may comprise a hall sensor. The hall sensor may be used to sense when the lighting device has moved to the second position, and as a result may be used to automatically activate the lighting device when in the second position. Activation of the lighting device may mean the light emitting component within the lighting device is switched on. The lighting device may be activated by a switch when in the second position. The lighting device may comprise an outer casing and the switch may be located on the outer casing of the lighting device. The switch may also be located elsewhere on the seat unit such as an arm rest or a control unit for the seat. The lighting device may also be deactivated by the switch. The lighting device may automatically be deactivated when it returns to the first position from the second position. The lighting device may alert the passenger when the battery charge is low, for example with an audible or visual indication such as a beep or a series of flashes.

[0020] The lighting device may form part of any of a table, mirror, stowage, door, or drawer.

[0021] The lighting device may move from the first position to the second position about a hinge. The lighting device may move from the first position to the second position through the extension of an arm connected to the seat unit. The lighting device may be magnetically held or mechanically biased to remain in the first position.

[0022] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an aircraft seat unit comprising an electrical device and a wireless charger; wherein the electrical device comprises a wirelessly chargeable battery arranged to power the electrical device; wherein the electrical device is moveable between a first and second position; wherein in the first position the wirelessly chargable battery can be charged by the wireless charger and in the second position the electrical device is operable.

[0023] The electrical device may be any of a screen, a fan, a speaker, or headphones. The skilled person will appreciate that aspects of the invention may be applicable to any electrically powered device which may form part of an aircraft seat unit. The invention may be particularly applicable to electronic devices that are used only for a relatively limited period of time, for example an occasional light used for reading, or associated with a vanity mirror which may be moved from a stowed position to a deployed position in which a passenger makes use of the vanity mirror. For devices that are unlikely to be in use for the whole of a flight, the use of a wireless charging arrangement as described above may be particularly advantageous.

[0024] According to a third aspect, the invention provides a lighting device for the aircraft seat unit according to the first aspect of the invention, the lighting device comprising a wirelessly chargeable battery arranged to power the lighting device, the lighting device being configured for engagement with the aircraft seat unit such that the lighting device is moveable between the first position in which the lighting device is chargeable by the wireless charger, and the second position in which the lighting device is operable. It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the present invention. For example, the method of the invention may incorporate any of the features described with reference to the apparatus of the invention and vice versa. In particular, any features described with reference to the first aspect of the invention may be incorporated into the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0025] Description of the Drawings

[0026] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:

[0027] Figure 1 shows an aircraft seat unit comprising a lighting device and a wireless charger;

[0028] Figure 2 shows a lighting device for an aircraft seat unit in a first position according to the invention;

[0029] Figure 3 shows a lighting device for an aircraft seat unit in a second position according to another embodiment of the invention the invention;

[0030] Figure 4 shows an aircraft seat unit comprising a lighting device and a wireless charger according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0031] Detailed Description

[0032] Figures 1 to 3 shows an aircraft seat unit 10. The aircraft seat unit 10 comprises an aircraft seat 30, with a lighting device 40 attached to the rear of the headrest of the aircraft seat 30. The lighting device 40 comprises a light emitting device 60 and a wirelessly chargeable battery 70 arranged to power the light emitting device 60. The lighting device further comprises a mirror 90. The rear of the headrest of the aircraft seat 30 further comprises a wireless charging unit 80 arranged to be connected to the electrical power supply of an aircraft when installed in an aircraft. The lighting device 40 is arranged to be used by a passenger sitting in a seat behind the seat unit 1. The lighting device 40 is attached to the rear of the headrest via a hinge 50 and is moveable between a first position, as shown in figure 2, and a second position as shown in figure 3. The orientation of the lighting device has been switched from the left side of the aircraft seat in figure 2 to the right side of the aircraft seat in figure 3 in order to best show the various components. The skilled person will appreciate the arrangement may be placed anywhere suitable on the aircraft seat 30. In the first position the lighting device 40 is positioned approximately flush with the rear of the headrest and the wirelessly chargeable battery 70 is in close proximity to the wireless charging unit 80, such that the wireless charging unit 80 is able to charge the wirelessly chargeable battery 70. As can be seen in figure 2, which shows the light in the first position, the light emitting device 60 and the mirror 90 face away from the user, and towards the rear of the headrest of the aircraft seat 30. In the second position, as shown in figure 3, the lighting device 40 has been rotated around the hinge, such that the light emitting device 60 and mirror 90 face a user. In this embodiment, the lighting device 40 comprises a Hall Effect sensor arrangement 100, which is configured to detect whether the lighting device 40 is in the first position or second position. Operation of such sensors is well understood by the skilled person. When the Hall Effect sensor detects that the lighting device 40 is in the first position a signal is output from the sensor to activate the wireless charging unit 80. When the Hall Effect sensor detects that the lighting device 40 is in the second position, a signal is output from the sensor to activate the light emitting device 60. Therefore, the lighting device 40 is automatically activated when moved into the second position. Such an arrangement may be particularly useful for vanity mirrors, which may be used by a passenger to check their appearance during the flight. This may be difficult when the main aircraft lighting is in a low or powered down mode, for example during the night. In an alternative arrangement, in addition to or instead of the Hall Effect sensor, a separate switch may be provided to activate the lighting device 40 when in the second position. The switch may be provided as part of the lighting unit 40, or may be provided in a remote location, for example the armrest of a seat or on a seat control device.

[0033] Various additional embodiments or variations on embodiments are now described. As shown in figure 4, the lighting device may alternatively be attached a shell in front of the seat 30.

[0034] The lighting device 40 may comprise a mechanical biasing mechanism, or magnetic biasing mechanism, which acts to resist movement of the lighting device 40 away from the first position. Whilst movement to the second position is still possible, adding some resistance to movement away from the first position may prevent accidental movement of the lighting device 40, and subsequent loss of charge of the wirelessly chargeable battery. Such an arrangement may also be a useful safety feature for taxi, take-off, and landing (TTL) and / or inflight emergency procedures.

[0035] The lighting device 40 may further comprise a control unit arranged to detect when the wirelessly chargeable battery is low on power, and be arranged to emit a warning in such a scenario. The warning may be activation of an audible alert, such as beeping, or a visual alert, such as activation of a low battery light, or flashing of the light emitting device 60.

[0036] The lighting device 60 may be connected to the seat unit 10 using alternative means, the lighting device may move from a first to a second position through an alternative range of motion, such as through use of an extendable arm. The extendable arm may allow for 360-degree movement of the lighting device, enabling the passenger to have more control of the positioning.

[0037] The embodiment of the invention described with reference to the figures relates to a lighting device with a wirelessly chargeable battery arranged to power the lighting device. Alternative embodiments of the invention may comprise any other suitable electrical device and wirelessly chargeable battery, such as a screen, fan, and / or speaker. All such arrangements may be movable between a first, charging, position, and a second position in which the electrical device is used.

[0038] Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein.

[0039] Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.

Claims

Claims1. An aircraft seat unit comprising a lighting device and a wireless charger; wherein the lighting device comprises a wirelessly chargeable battery arranged to power the lighting device; wherein the lighting device is movable between a first position in which the wirelessly charged battery is chargeable by the wireless charger and a second position in which the lighting device is operable.

2. An aircraft seat unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lighting device comprises a light emitting component.

3. An aircraft seat unit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein when in the first position, the lighting device is housed within part of the seat unit.

4. An aircraft seat unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lighting device comprises a Hall effect sensor arranged to detect whether the lighting device is in the first position or second position and to activate the lighting device when in the second position.

5. An aircraft seat unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lighting device is arranged to be activated by a user-operable switch when in the second position.

6. An aircraft seat unit according to claim 5, wherein the lighting device comprises an outer casing and the switch is located on the outer casing of the lighting device.

7. An aircraft seat unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the lighting device forms part of any of a table, mirror, stowage, door, or drawer.

8. An aircraft seat unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the lighting device moves from the first position to the second position about a hinge.

9. An aircraft seat unit comprising an electrical device and a wireless charger; wherein the electrical device comprises a wirelessly chargeable battery arranged to power the electrical device; wherein the electrical device is movable between a first and second position; wherein in the first position the wirelessly charged battery is chargeable by the wireless charger and in the second position the electrical device is operable.

10. An aircraft seat unit according to claim 10, wherein the electrical device comprises one or more of: a screen, a fan, and a speaker.

11. A lighting device for the aircraft seat unit as claimed in claim 1, the lighting device comprising a wirelessly chargeable battery arranged to power the lighting device, the lighting device being configured for engagement with the aircraft seat unit.such that the lighting device is moveable between the first position in which the lighting device is chargeable by the wireless charger, and the second position in which the lighting device is operable.

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