Backlit Seat Button Assembly With Status Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seat buttons on vehicles like aircraft, ships, and trains are difficult to locate in dark environments and are single-function, occupying valuable space.
Innovation Solution
A backlit button assembly with integrated sensors and controllers that change color or flash to convey status information, positioned for visibility and combined with optical strips for illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional mechanical buttons are used on seat arms, then the seat structure remains simple and cost-effective, but the buttons are difficult to locate in dark environments and provide limited functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single button assembly: mechanical push button functionality, LED backlighting for visibility, and sensor integration for detecting button presses. This merging resolves the contradiction by integrating illumination and sensing capabilities directly into the button structure, improving visibility without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The button assembly serves multiple purposes: it provides mechanical input control, emits light for visibility in dark environments, and incorporates sensors for detecting user interaction. This multi-functionality addresses the contradiction by making the button both visible and functional while consolidating these features into a unified component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If single-function buttons are used on seat arms, then the button design remains simple, but valuable space on seat arms is occupied without providing additional functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The button assembly is designed to perform multiple functions within a single structural unit: mechanical pressing action, optical illumination, and sensor-based detection. This multi-functionality increases adaptability and versatility while maintaining a compact form factor that doesn't excessively increase space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds the LED light source and sensor components within the button assembly structure itself, nesting these additional functional elements inside the existing button form factor. This nesting approach increases functionality without proportionally increasing the external dimensions or space occupation on the seat arm.
3Ease of operation
If buttons are positioned for visibility on seat arms, then passenger access is improved, but space on the seat arm is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests multiple functional components (button mechanism, LED backlight, sensor) within a compact integrated assembly that can be positioned on the seat arm. This nesting allows the button to be visible and accessible while occupying minimal space on the seat arm surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The button assembly utilizes vertical stacking and layered integration of components, arranging elements in three-dimensional space rather than spreading them out horizontally. This dimensional arrangement improves visibility and accessibility while conserving the horizontal surface area of the seat arm.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances button visibility in dark conditions and adds multi-functional status indication, optimizing space usage and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The illumination may be provided by a strip between the buttons and a frame, along an outside perimeter of the frame, the buttons, and/or the frame itself
Data Source
AI summary
A backlit button assembly is provided for aircraft, ship, train, or bus seats. The backlit button assembly may provide changing colors, flashing, or similar features to reflect status information associated with the seat, the vehicle, or other aspects. The button assembly may be combined with one or more sensors and/or communicatively coupled to a controller to detect statuses of the seat, vehicle, or passenger and activate a color change or flashing to reflect the status.