Aircraft Seat Position Monitoring via Local Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for monitoring seating in aircraft during flight are either delayed, prone to human error, or require additional sensors and networking, which add weight, cost, and complexity to the aircraft.
Innovation Solution
A centralized system comprising local seat controllers and a cabin controller with an interactive digital display, memory, and processor, which communicates with local seat controllers to adjust seat positions in real-time based on occupancy and flight phase without external sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated sensors and networking are positioned in the cabin to monitor seat positions, then seat position monitoring capability is improved, but weight, cost, and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seat controllers autonomously monitor their own seat positions and determine compliance with flight phase requirements without external sensors. Each seat controller uses its built-in actuators and position sensors to self-report status to the cabin controller, eliminating the need for separate monitoring infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat controllers perform multiple functions: they control seat position adjustments, monitor seat position status, and report compliance information to the cabin controller. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate dedicated monitoring sensors and systems.
2Reliability
If visual inspection by flight crew is performed to check seat positions, then monitoring capability is improved, but response time is delayed and human error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous automated feedback loops where seat controllers constantly report seat position status to the cabin controller, which immediately determines compliance and triggers alerts or automatic corrections. This real-time feedback eliminates the delayed human inspection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual visual inspection process is replaced with an automated electronic monitoring system that uses digital communication between seat controllers and the cabin controller to continuously track and report seat positions, eliminating human involvement in the monitoring task.
3Reliability
If flight crew manually inform passengers about seat position issues, then corrective action can be taken, but productivity is reduced due to manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The seat controllers autonomously identify non-compliant seats and automatically instruct the appropriate actuators to adjust seat positions to comply with flight phase requirements. This self-correction capability eliminates the need for flight crew intervention and passenger notification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively monitors seat positions and automatically initiates corrective actions before flight phases transition or before safety issues arise. By continuously comparing actual positions with required positions, the system preemptively corrects non-compliance without waiting for crew discovery or passenger action.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for monitoring seating in an aircraft. In embodiments, a cabin controller (110) is communicatively coupled to a plurality of local seat controllers (102a, 102b, ..., 102n) each operable for controller the position of actuator (106) driven movable seat components (108). In embodiments, the cabin controller communicates to the flight crew, for instance via a graphical user interface (112), status compliance of the seat components according to a phase of flight of the aircraft, and where a seat component position is determined to be non-compliant, is configured to move the seat component into compliance by communicating the particular local seat controller. The seats may include passenger seats and divans in a cabin configuration for a business or private jet.