Seat Comfort Control Device with USB Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for controlling passenger transport vehicle seat comfort equipment, such as those in aircraft, rely on remote controls or tablets that are costly and not easily compatible with passenger portable devices due to safety certification requirements.
Innovation Solution
A control device for passenger transport vehicle seat modules that allows passenger portable devices to control comfort equipment while ensuring safety standards compliance, featuring a control unit, transmitter/receiver, and a locking mechanism to prevent unauthorized command transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If portable telephones are used to control seat comfort equipment, then manufacturing costs decrease and user convenience improves, but safety certification compliance becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control device as an intermediary between the portable telephone and the seat comfort equipment. This control device includes a control unit that receives commands from the portable telephone via a transmitter/receiver, processes them, and then transmits approved commands to the comfort equipment. This intermediary architecture allows the use of uncertified portable devices while maintaining safety through the certified control device, resolving the contradiction between cost reduction and safety compliance.
2Device complexity
If portable devices are allowed to control comfort equipment directly, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but control reliability and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a transmitter/receiver for receiving commands from portable devices, a control unit for processing and validating commands, and a locking device for preventing unauthorized command transmission. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function with appropriate safety measures, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability through specialized safety mechanisms in critical paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that mediates between the portable device and the comfort equipment. It validates commands, applies safety logic, and only transmits approved commands to the comfort equipment. This intermediary layer reduces the need for complex certification of portable devices while ensuring command transmission safety through the certified control unit.
3Reliability
If a locking device is added to prevent unauthorized commands, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is merged with the control unit to form an integrated control system. The locking mechanism, maneuvering member, and control logic are combined within the existing control device structure rather than being separate additions. This integration minimizes the increase in device complexity while providing the necessary safety control functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for the comfort equipment of a passenger transport vehicle seat module includes a casing having a control unit and an USB port, a transmitter/receiver having an electrical plug to be plugged into the USB port, the transmitter/receiver to receive an adjusting command and to transmit the received adjusting command to the control unit, the control unit to transmit the received adjusting command to the one piece of comfort equipment. The control device further includes a locking device having a maneuvering member. When the maneuvering member is actuated, the locking device prevents the transmission of the adjusting command from the transmitter/receiver to the piece of comfort equipment.