Modular Aircraft Seat Control Unit Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft seat control units lack flexibility and interchangeability in controlling various electrical and electronic components, limiting their functionality and ease of maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a modular aircraft seat control unit with multiple circuit boards, each with specific functions, connected via plug-in adapters, allowing for easy exchange and expansion of functions, and communication with higher-level aircraft control units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a monolithic control unit design is used, then the control unit can be simpler in structure, but flexibility and interchangeability of functions are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility and interchangeabilityVSAvoidcontrol unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is divided into a main circuit board and multiple functional circuit boards that can be independently connected or disconnected. Each functional circuit board performs a specific function (e.g., seat control, entertainment system, lighting), allowing individual replacement and upgrading without affecting the entire control unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The main circuit board is designed with universal interface circuits that can accommodate multiple types of functional circuit boards through standardized connectors. This allows a single main board to support various functions by simply changing the functional circuit boards attached to it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of repair

If functions are integrated into a single circuit board, then manufacturing is simpler, but ease of repair and replacement is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of maintenanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is divided into a main circuit board and multiple functional circuit boards that can be independently connected or disconnected. Each functional circuit board performs a specific function (e.g., seat control, entertainment system, lighting), allowing individual replacement and upgrading without affecting the entire control unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Specific functional circuits are extracted from the main board into separate, removable circuit boards. This extraction allows damaged or obsolete functional boards to be easily removed and replaced with new ones, significantly simplifying maintenance and repair operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If all control functions are combined in one unit, then the system is more compact, but adaptability to different aircraft seat configurations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to aircraft seat configurationsVSAvoidcontrol unit volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is divided into a main circuit board and multiple functional circuit boards that can be independently connected or disconnected. Each functional circuit board performs a specific function (e.g., seat control, entertainment system, lighting), allowing individual replacement and upgrading without affecting the entire control unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit configuration is made dynamic through the ability to connect and disconnect different functional circuit boards based on the specific aircraft seat requirements. This allows the same main board to be adapted to various seat configurations by simply changing which functional boards are attached.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3033273B1Aircraft seat control unit
Publication Date: 2019.10.30 RECARO AIRCRAFT SEATING GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3033273B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3033273B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3033273B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to an aircraft seat control unit for an aircraft seat (10), at least for partial control of the aircraft seat (10), having at least one circuit device (12) which has at least one interface circuit (14) and at least one function circuit (16, 18, 20, 22). According to the invention, the aircraft seat control unit has at least one first circuit board (24) which comprises the interface circuit (14), and at least one second circuit board (26), which comprises the function circuit (16), wherein the first circuit board (24) and the second circuit board (26) are coupled to each other.