Passenger Supply Rail Position Detection for Flexible Seat Layouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for passenger supply units in vehicles lack a flexible and efficient method to determine and adjust the position of these units in response to changes in passenger seat configurations, leading to increased work and potential compliance issues with regulatory requirements.
Innovation Solution
A position detector system comprising a sensor rail with multiple sensors and a position marker attached to the passenger supply unit, allowing for precise detection and reading of the unit's position along the passenger supply channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual coordination of passenger supply units with passenger seats is used, then flexibility in seat layout is limited, but the complexity of the system is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical coordination with an automated sensor-based detection system. Sensors mounted on the vehicle body automatically detect the position of passenger supply units using markers, eliminating the need for manual coordination while enabling flexible seat layouts. This substitution of mechanical manual adjustment with automated sensing resolves the contradiction between adaptability and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing passenger supply units to automatically indicate their own position through markers that are detected by sensors. The units don't require manual positioning or coordination; instead, they self-announce their location, which is then processed by the control system to determine compliance with safety regulations.
2Loss of time
If manual adjustment of passenger supply units is performed, then time consumption is high, but measurement precision requirements are low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming manual adjustment with automated optical or electromagnetic sensing. Sensors continuously or periodically detect marker positions on passenger supply units, providing real-time position information without requiring manual intervention. This mechanical-to-sensor substitution dramatically reduces reconfiguration time while maintaining precise position measurement through the detection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection by continuously monitoring the positions of passenger supply units relative to passenger seats. This ongoing detection capability means that when reconfiguration is needed, the system already has current position data, eliminating the time required for manual measurement and adjustment during the actual reconfiguration process.
3Ease of operation
If visual and audible position indication is used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control unit that processes sensor data and generates visual or audible indications of position compliance. Rather than requiring complex direct sensor-to-user interfaces, the control unit acts as an intermediary that consolidates information from multiple sensors and presents it in an easily interpretable format, thereby improving ease of operation while managing system complexity through modular architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
A position detector (100) for a passenger supply unit (30, 35, 50) mountable in a passenger supply duct (60) is described. The position detector (100) comprises a sensor rail (110) having a plurality of sensors (111) and configured to be mounted longitudinally in the passenger supply duct (60). The position detector (100) also includes a position marker (120) configured to be attached to the passenger supply unit (30, 35, 50) and to trigger a sensor signal at one of the plurality of sensors (111). Furthermore, a passenger supply duct (60) with a position detector (100) and a vehicle section (1) with a passenger supply duct (60) are described.