Contactless Sensor Passenger Supply Unit Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In aircraft cabins, particularly in wide-body or double-aisle models, passengers struggle to reach passenger supply units installed high above their seats, necessitating the relocation of input devices to in-flight entertainment systems, which complicates design, installation, and maintenance, and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing contact-free sensors that allow passengers to control devices like reading lights and passenger call displays without direct contact, enabling control from any distance and eliminating the need for additional controls in the in-flight entertainment system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If buttons are relocated to the in-flight entertainment system, then passengers can control the passenger supply unit, but the design, installation and maintenance become complicated and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical button presses with contactless sensing technology. The input device uses sensors (such as capacitive, inductive, or optical sensors) to detect passenger gestures or proximity, eliminating the need for physical contact with buttons. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation while avoiding the complexity of integrating controls into the in-flight entertainment system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sensing mechanism between the passenger and the control system. Instead of direct button contact or complex system integration, the sensor acts as an intermediary that detects passenger intent through contactless means (such as hand proximity or gesture recognition) and translates it into control signals, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Ease of operation
If buttons are relocated to the in-flight entertainment system, then passengers can control the passenger supply unit, but installation and maintenance become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control function from the passenger supply unit and implements it as a separate, standalone input device with integrated contactless sensing. This modular segmentation allows the sensing component to be independently installed, tested, and maintained without affecting the passenger supply unit or requiring modifications to the in-flight entertainment system, thereby improving ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing mechanical buttons with contactless sensors, the patent eliminates the need for complex wiring and integration with the in-flight entertainment system. The sensor-based input device can be independently installed and maintained, simplifying repair procedures and reducing maintenance complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If the passenger supply unit is installed high above the passenger seat, then it is accessible to all passengers, but passengers cannot reach it to press buttons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical requirement of physical reach and button pressing with contactless sensing technology. The sensor can detect passenger gestures, hand proximity, or body presence from a distance, allowing passengers to control the passenger supply unit without needing to physically reach it. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high installation position for universal coverage while enabling easy accessibility through contactless control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the control interaction from a three-dimensional physical reach requirement to a different dimensional sensing modality (such as electromagnetic field detection or optical sensing). This dimensional change allows the system to detect passenger intent without requiring physical proximity or contact, thereby resolving the accessibility issue while maintaining high installation position.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Described and illustrated is a passenger supply unit (13) for an aircraft cabin (1), comprising an input device (21) configured for detecting a control command from a passenger (23), and for outputting a control signal to a further device (25) for controlling the further device (25) according to the control command. The object of the present invention, to provide a passenger supply unit that can be controlled by a passenger independent of its height above the passenger seat, and that is constructed considerably simple and independent from an in-flight entertainment system, is achieved in that the input device (21) comprises a contact free sensor (29) configured to detect the control command without being contacted by a passenger (23).