Integrated Passenger Comfort Controller for Aircraft Cabin
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for aircraft cabin environments lack a comprehensive and cost-effective solution for controlling overhead lighting, cabin lighting, window shade openness, and air nozzle direction and flow rate, which are typically managed separately and not in conjunction with passenger preferences.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses sensors to detect seat position, passenger presence, hand movements, and other inputs to generate control signals for integrated management of lighting, window shades, and air nozzles, allowing for proportional control over multiple comfort features through a controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate control systems are used for lighting, window shades, and air nozzles, then each system can be managed independently, but the overall system complexity increases and passenger comfort integration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate control systems for lighting, window shades, and air nozzles into a single integrated controller that receives sensor inputs and coordinates all passenger comfort features simultaneously, resolving the contradiction by merging functions while managing complexity through unified architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed as a universal device that can manage multiple different comfort features (lighting, shades, air flow) through a single system, enabling integrated control without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function
2Ease of operation
If manual control is provided for each comfort feature, then passenger autonomy is maintained, but the ease of operation deteriorates and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation by using sensors to automatically detect passenger needs and adjust comfort features without requiring manual intervention, allowing the system to serve itself and the passenger simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives continuous feedback from sensors monitoring passenger position, hand movements, and environmental conditions, using this feedback to automatically adjust comfort features in real-time, eliminating the need for manual control while maintaining responsiveness
3Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive sensor integration is implemented for all comfort features, then passenger-centric control is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves as a universal processing unit that can handle inputs from multiple different sensor types and coordinate multiple comfort features, reducing overall system complexity by using a single multi-functional component rather than multiple dedicated systems
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling passenger services includes a sensor that generates a signal representative of the at least one of the position of the seat, the presence of passenger in the seat, the position of the at least one hand of the passenger, the configuration of the at least one hand of the passenger and the direction of movement of the at least one hand of the passenger. A first light source, an air supply, and a window shade are disposed at a predetermined locations with respect to the seat. A controller, connected to the sensor, generates a control signal that controls at least one parameter associated with at least one of light generated by the first light source, air supplied by the air supply and a degree of openness of the window shade.