Aircraft Seating Component Position Monitoring System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual verification of seating system components in aircraft is time-consuming and poses a safety hazard to crew members, as it requires physical inspection during critical phases like takeoff and landing.

Innovation Solution

An automated monitoring system that senses the position of seating system components and transmits this information to a remote receiver, using either powered devices with energy harvesting and microprocessors or passive RFID-based systems, to report the status of components like armrests, tray tables, and window shades.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual verification is performed by crew personnel to inspect seating components, then the position of seating system components can be verified, but it is time-consuming and poses a safety hazard to crew members

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The seating system components perform self-verification through integrated sensors that automatically detect and report their own positions. Each component (armrest, tray table, seat back, window shade, safety belt) contains sensing elements that monitor its state without requiring external inspection, enabling the system to verify itself autonomously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical inspection process is replaced with an automated electronic sensing and communication system. Sensors detect component positions and transmit data wirelessly to a central system, substituting the mechanical action of crew members physically checking each component with an automated electronic verification process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual verification is performed by crew personnel to inspect seating components, then the position of seating system components can be verified, but it represents a considerable safety hazard to crew members

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidsafety hazard to crew

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If automated monitoring system with powered devices is used to sense component positions, then verification efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to power collection, storage, and processing components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The powered microprocessor unit serves multiple functions: it collects power from energy harvesting elements, stores energy in supercapacitors, processes sensor data from multiple components, and communicates with the central system. This multi-functional integration reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall system architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines power collection, power storage, data processing, and communication functions into a single integrated microprocessor unit. The energy harvesting element, supercapacitor, microprocessor, and communication chip are merged into one compact assembly that monitors multiple seating components, reducing system complexity through functional integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If passive RFID-based system is used to report component positions, then device complexity is reduced, but functionality is limited compared to powered systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidsystem functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The passive RFID chip acts as an intermediary that carries position information without requiring its own power source. The active sensor detects the component position and modulates the RFID chip's signal to encode this information, allowing the passive chip to convey complex position data while maintaining its passive, low-complexity nature

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for active power sources and complex processing electronics in each seating component with passive RFID technology. Instead of powered microprocessors in every component, the system uses passive chips that are activated by existing electromagnetic fields, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10745146B2Systems and methods for determination of seating system status

Publication Date: 2020.08.18 SAFRAN PASSENGER INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are described herein for automatically monitoring a status or position of a vehicle component. Both powered and non-powered (or passive) systems are contemplated. The systems and methods utilize a sensor that signals when a vehicle component, such as an arm rest, a tray table, a seat back, or a window shade is in a predetermined position. The signal can be received by a processor and transmitted to a central server that can provide a report of the status of the various vehicle components to an attendant or crew member to quickly apprise them of the status of the various components without requiring manually checking each component.