Aircraft Seat Shared Control Architecture Reducing Cable Clutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft seats with complex electromechanical systems face challenges in minimizing electrical connections, leading to space constraints and potential failures due to the number of cables required for control units and nodes, which affects passenger comfort and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a node control unit within a keyboard and a screen control unit within the screen, both connected via a multiplexed CAN network and a high-speed Ethernet network respectively, reduces the number of electrical connections and provides redundancy for continued functionality in case of unit malfunctions, with power sources and switches housed within the seat frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a control unit is located under the seat to control nodes and screen, then the seat structure is simplified, but the number of cables increases significantly taking up all space under the seat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control system into distributed control units: a node control unit integrated with the keyboard and a screen control unit integrated with the screen. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single centralized control unit under the seat, thereby reducing cable requirements while maintaining control functionality across different seat components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a multiplexed communication bus as an intermediary medium to replace numerous point-to-point cables. This communication bus enables efficient data transmission between the distributed control units and nodes, significantly reducing the quantity of cables needed while maintaining system connectivity.
2Ease of operation
If numerous cables are used to connect control unit to nodes and screen, then all control functions can be achieved, but the cables weigh down the seat structure and are sources of breakdowns
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the control system into distributed control units at the keyboard and screen, the patent eliminates the need for numerous cables radiating from a central point. This segmentation inherently reduces cable-related failure points while preserving all control functions through the multiplexed communication bus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable system with an electronic communication bus system. This substitution eliminates the physical constraints and failure modes of traditional cables while maintaining the ability to transmit control signals and data between components.
3Quantity of substance
If a central control unit is used for multiple seats, then cabling is lightened, but the entire group of seats is deprived of node functions in case of central unit failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation by placing control units locally at each seat's keyboard and screen rather than using a single centralized control unit for multiple seats. This segmentation ensures that each seat operates independently, so a failure at one seat does not affect other seats, thereby improving system availability while maintaining reduced cabling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning control functions locally at each seat's keyboard and screen components. This local placement enables autonomous operation of each seat, ensuring that failures are isolated to individual seats rather than affecting the entire group, thus enhancing reliability while keeping cabling minimal.
4Quantity of substance
If control units are distributed to keyboard and screen, then the number of electrical connections is limited and space under seat is freed, but redundancy between control units must be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments control functions into separate control units at the keyboard and screen, which naturally reduces the number of electrical connections needed compared to a centralized system. The segmentation architecture inherently requires redundancy implementation to ensure failover capability, balancing connection reduction with increased control unit complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention essentially concerns an aircraft seat (1), comprising control units (17.2, 22.2, 27), at least one node (11-15) to execute a particular action or function, and a display (22.1) for viewing video data. Said node (11-15) and said display (22.1) are capable of being actuated by the control units (17.2, 22.2, 27). A keyboard (17.1) for transmitting a command signal addressed to the control units (17.2, 22.2, 27) is connected to said control units (17.2, 22.2, 27). The control units are shared between the display (22.1), the key board (17.1) and the node (11-15).